Tredegar Constitutional Club 

The New Constitutional Club.-These buildings, for the erection of which, Cromwell House, for so many years one of the historical land-marks of the town, has been removed, have a frontage to Stow Hill of about 85 feet, and extend back towards North Street for a distance of nearly 200 feet. The front elevation is built with red facing brick, with Bath stone and red forest stone dressings, and is carried up for five floors, including the basement, and surmounted by a turret. The elevation is relieved with bay windows and recessed alcoves and balconies. The premises may be said internally to consist of three parts or blocks, the front portion nearest Stow Hill being the main club and association buildings, the centre block consisting of the large hall, and the back part the working men's club and institute. The front or club premises comprise on the ground floor four large shops, with extensive cellarage underneath, and also a large central entrance and vestibule, and two other entrance passages to the hall, one at each extremity of the building. The Newport Association's committee room is also on this floor. The slope of the hill permits a mezzanine floor being constructed above the lower shops, and on this floor is placed the Primrose League and ladies' rooms, and also the club secretary's office. On the first and second floors come the various club rooms. The large dining room, 48 ft. by 24 ft.; smoking room, reading room, manager's room, waiters' room, billiard room, 35 ft. by 30 ft.; card room, kitchen lavatories and five bedrooms. The kitchen and the billiard room are on the highest floor, the latter being large enough for two tables, and lighted by skylights in the roof. The middle block consists of the large concert hall, which comfortably seats about 1,400 people, but if crowded, will hold 2,000. At the further end is a large platform and orchestra, with two galleries carried round the hall, one above the other. The entrances and exits are ample. The hall is provided with the new incandescent light. The third or rear block comprises the working men's club rooms, accommodation being provided for reading, smoking, billiard rooms, &c., and a large skittle alley in the basement. The designs for the buildings were prepared by Messrs. Habershon & Fawckner, High Street, Newport, and the work was carried out under their superintendence, by Mr. George Wilkins, of Clytha Park Road, Newport, to whom the contract was let for £7,898. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by the Marquess of Salisbury on the 29th November, 1893, in the presence of a very large and distinguished company. The trowel, with which his lordship performed the ceremony, was of solid silver with ivory handle, and was supplied by our townsmen, Messrs. Nugent Wells & Son. It was splendidly chased, and the blade was sur- mounted with Lord Salisbury's coat of arms and motto, Sero sed serio," below which was a very neat and accurate view of Newport Bridge from the river, giving just a glimpse of the old castle and town in the back- ground. On either side of the view was a bundle of sticks, a hand around them bearing the motto, "Union is Strength," then at the foot the Borough Arms, and the following inscription: "Presented to the Most Noble the Marquess of Salisbury, K.G., upon laying the foundation stone of the Constitutional Club at Newport, Mon., on November 29, 1893, by the architects, Messra. Habershon & Fawekner."