Weekly Mail

RECLAIMING LETTERS. AN AUSTRALIAN PRACTICE Y. EICH WE SHOULD ADOPT. Mr. Henniker Heaton, who has done so much for Post Office reform, is now heading a crusade against the fiction that a letter once posted is the property of the Postmaster- General, and under no circumstances can be delivered to anyone but the persons addressed." The idea (says Mr. Heaton) has much to -e- commend it—from the point of view of the permanent official. But what they can do in Melbourne, he argues, surely they can do in London; and he is in receipt of a letter firm the Deputy-Postmaater-General of Victoria, which very succir.ctly states the case for the letter-sender who wishes to reclaim his missive. Says Mr. Outtrim: "It ia quite a common thing for application to be made either for the return of a letter to the writer or for per- mission to alter its contents. The application is always made in a hurry, as mails are fre-! quently despatched during the day, and invariably by persons quite unknown to me. The full address is required to be written out for comparison of handwriting, a complete description of contents, and reasons for altera- tion. If satisfied, I allow the letter to be opened in my presence and read sufficient of the contents to remove any doubt as to the genuineness of the statements made. The original envelope is retained for a reasonable ,time-say, twelve months—in case of subse- quent inquiry." The Deputy-Postmaater-General for Victoria adds a few examples from the envelopes he had in hand at the timo of writing. In one case a gentleman had posted a letter, written under a false impression, to his daughter's affianced husband. Had the letter been de:i- j versd it would certainly have interfered with tho happiness of two people. The letter was obtained, and torn up in the presence of Mr. Outtrim. A leading bank asked to be allowed to open a heavy registered letter addressed to England in order to remove three drafts on South Africa which had been wrongly enclosed; and in another case a libellous letter was with- drawn. The cases cited certainly show the power used, and its beneficial result in Victoria, and England (adds Mr. Heaton) will soon be alone in maintaining the law as it now stands.

BOILERS FOR THE NAVY. BELLEVILLE BOILERS TO BE DISCARDED. The interim report of the Committee appointed last year by the Admiralty to con- sider certain questions respecting modern types of boilers for naval purposes was issued on Tuesday evening as a Parliamentary paper. The Committee recommend that ships that are to be ordered in the futnre shall not in any case be fitted with Belleville boilers, and they ake a similar recommendation in regard -o ships recently ordered for which the work done on the boilers is not too far advanced. They also advise that ships be fitte~ with cylindrical boilers for auxiliary purposes, such as distilling. For some years the "Pall Mall Gazette" has been agitating against the use of Belleville boilers.

THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the executive committee of the National Education Association, hevd on Tuesday, Mr. Charles Morley, M.P.. was elected chairman for the ensuing year. It was re- ported that those members of the association who are also members of "Parliament had agreed to form a special Parliamentary com- mittee to watch education questions in the House of Commons, and. if necessary, take action to promote or defend the principles of progressive unsectarian education under pro- per control. The committee also agreed to join the education leagues in convening a national conference to which the largest possible number of representative organisa- tions likely to support a progressive policy in educational matters will be invited toO send representatives.

MUNICIPALISATION OF PUBLIC-HOUSES. A special committee of the Glasgow Corpora- tion on Tuesday considered the question of municipalising public-houses. After a pro- longed sitting the committee by a majority dccidcd to recommend that the corporation should generally approve of the principle, and that application be made to Parliament, the profits to be devoted to public purposes. The decision must come before the town council for confirmation.

DOG'S DETERMINED SUICIDE. A remarkable case of a dog committing suicide is told by a Paris journal. The animal went out with its master, when the man, whilst traversing a level crossing, was run over by a train and killed. The body was removed to the residence of the victim, the dog following. It then disap- peared, but was observed the next morning by the keeper of the crossing crouching on the I railway line. As a train was signalled, the keeper whistled to the animal, but it would not badge. Caught by the feeler of the engine, it was thrown off the line and badly hurt. The keeper approached to render it assistance, but tha dog. uttering the most pitiful howls, ran to a neighbouring stream, jumped in. and was drowned.

DEATH OF A BALACLAVA HERO. Another Balaclava hero has gone to his rest. Harry Ellis, who went right through the Crimea campaign, died in Birmingham on Tuesday. He was known in the Midlands as the "Bala- clava cadger," in consequence of the perseve- rance he showed in collecting money for his distressed comrades. Through his energies he prevented many a warrior being buried in a pauper's grave, and secured burial with mili- tary honours.

_or- At a special meeting of the Ceiligaer Parish Council last week, Mr. J. Jones, son of the late clerk,-was appointed assistant overseer and clerk at a salary of £220 per annum.

MEDICAL. CONDUCTED BY A PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON OF THIRTY TEAKS' EXPERIENCE. RHEUMATIC PAINS. During the changeable and often inclement spring weather that we have to put up with in this climate there are many days of extreme damp. Ram or sleet falls intermittently through the day, and the chilly air is Bur- charged with moisture. Then it is that some people suffer from indefinite pains in their joints and muscles. These pains, which are made wo-se by. or evan only present during, cold, damp weather are commonly called rheumatic, and the word will do very well. Some people have continually a "stitch in the side" or a cramp of some set of muscles, such as the calf. Some have stiff and painful joints, the pains flying from one part of the body to the other. Now. these rheumatic pains are not at all incurable, but will yield to common-sense treatment sooner than to quack medicines. It is easy enough to find a medicine which will "touch the 8pot" or which will kill pain in a few minutes. But it is unsatisfactory to stop the pain and keep on stopping the pain without trying to get at the root of the cause of it. While the process of rational treatment is going on it may be) all very well to use embrocations and touch-the-spots. But we should aim at making those things unneces- sary. I know that that ij not always possible. At any rate, one can do one's best. In the case of old and enfeebled people who cannot get nourishment enough, and who can- not afford warm and suitable clothes, pain liniments and the like must still be used. But let it be known that many of the rheu- matic pains, which "are not actually rheu- matism nor actually gout, but something of each, are caused by errors of clothing, diet, iind life. It is to be hoped that one day every- one will see the comfort and desirability of always wearing flannel undergarments. If rheumatically-disposed people do not wear flannel, they deserve to suffer. It is real economy to buy the best and warmest flannel to wear in our English climate. First, then, wear warm enough clothing; [ ajid. secondly. eat foods which tend to produce beat. Oatmeal porridge, bread and butter. dripping, and suet puddings are excellent for rheumatic people. Drink cocoa rather than tea. and chocolate, milk. and milk and egg are all good. Alcohol is of little use, but a night-cap of whisky and water hot is useful in this cold weather, Beer, cider, stout, and porter are the worst thingg of all for the rheumatic pains—in fact, rheumatic people generally should avoid malt liquors. Sleep warmly at 'night; an eider- down is a valuable acquisition. Instead of ,medicine. take everything which tends to in- crease animal heat. but if medicine be neces- sary. for muscular rheumatism I would recom-, mend betul-ol. and for joint pains, if very severe, there is nothing for it but a visit to your doctor. "Hair."—Try the patent called Eoko. "F. W."—You can try ointment of galls. "Brewer."—We cannot prescribe in your case. "Milo."—Take some decoction of sarsaparilla for several weeks. "Rotter."—Take tabloids of cascara, one every other night at bed time. "F. E. R."—No answer could be given except after an examination of the ear. Davis Evans—The questions are not medical. We have sent them to another department. G. C. Neale.—We do not understand your case at all. You would do well to consult a physician. "A. M. P."—We should think you need a course of aperient medicine. Try Lamplough's Saline. "Moon."—Try doses of ten grains of pepsin in water with your meals, or pepsin wine if preferred. Mrs. Gilham.—We know of no remedy, ex- cept a bandage round the head, worn in bed every night. G. W. Taylor.—We do not consider that the cause you mention has anything to do with your ailment. "J. T. S."—Take a teaspoonful of sulphate of magnesia every two or three days, and apply zinc ointment. "Perdita.The parts need to bo examined by a surgeon, as you might be suffering from stone in the bladder. "General Peace."—Procure from a chemist a mixture of quinine and iroin, and continue to take it for several weeks. "Compo."—Try ointment of galls and opium at bed time, alternating it with car- bolic ointment every few days. S. T. Hul1.-We cannot personally recom- mend the preparations which you refer to, having had no experience of them. "Regular Reader."—Bathe the skin with hot water, and squeeze out the contents of any pimples, and apply carbolic ointment. "Florodora."—Try a lotion of a grain of alum in a,11. ounce of water. Pour a little in the palm of the hand, and sniff it up into the nose. J. J. James.—We never prescribe for the disease which you inquire about. Go to a doctor. "Black."—You had better go to the Metro- politan Hospital and obtain correct treat- ment, as we cannot make out what illness you have. "Greenon.'—Apply on alternate days some zinc ointment and carbolic ointment. The disease may be the shingles, but we cannot be sure. "X. Y. Z."—It is no detriment, only a, pos- sible danger, if not cured. An operation will cure some cases, but nob all. See an operating surgeon. "Quero."—Take smjill doses of Easton's Syrup for two or three weeks, and do not worry about it, and then you will soon be well and strong. E. Forrester.—The name "Neurasthenia" means only general weakness of me gervous system, and the usual remedies are quinine, 4'on. and strychnine. A. Barnes.-TIle symptoms show that the drum of the ear has a hole ulcerated in it. This is a serious matter, and you must go to an aural surgeon at a hospital. "Distend."—These symptoms often point to tubercular disease of the intestines. You had better ask the doctor to prescribe a different mixture, and give coù liver oil. T. Taylor.—We suppose that, your ailments are due to congestion of the liver. You might try podophyilin pills, one-quarter of a. grain in eaeh: one twice a week at bed time. "Wheelman."—We cannot imagine any organ displaced in the position you refer to. but you may have an enlarged, hardened liver, which causes the feeling which you expe- rience. "Disastrous."—The word is Gastritis, and not as you wrote it. The meaning is an inflammation of the coats of the stomach. Anyone may get it. but it is often due to spirit drinking. "A. F. B."—Procure from a chemist a bottle of Easton's Syrup, and take a small dose as stated on the bottle twice a day for a week or two and watch the effects. If good, then continue to take it longer. S. Rowe.—We think there must be some vari- cose veins, and that very likely an operation would cure them, but no opinion we can give is of any value. An operating surgeon should be asked to examine the leg. "Tom-tit."—There are many different skin diseases which cause the symptoms you men- tion. and in order to obtain a useful mode of treatment you must consult a doctor for him to find out which disease you are suffering from. "Edias."—Milk with water is useful as an occasional wash for the face if the skin is unnaturally dry. We do not know that the pores of the skin ever do become larger, except in the spots where there have been spots of acne. "Cover-point."—Yes, an operation would be very likely to cure your disease. You would need a month away from work, of which about ten days would be in bed. The operation would not injure you in the majiner which you mention. "Blodwen."—We think that change of occu- pation into domestic service would do you much good, especially if you went where there are other servants employed. Their talk would get the worries out of your head. Take pil's of quinine and iron for a week or two. "A. B. C."—Gall stones are formed from the biTe when it is disordered and has become too thick. Thdfv are due to chronic derangement of the liver. We could not treat the case without finding out all about your general health, occupation, and diet. They are very difficult to get rid of and prevent. "E. W."—You mention waxy disease, but do not say what organ is diseased. We suppose you mean the liver. This is a chronic, slow wearing out of the liver. Its presence can only be guessed at from the symptoms, and there is no medicine which is known to cure. Doctors can only treat the symptoms as they arise.

LEGAL. School Board Summons.—"A Father."—We do not think that this small error will render the summons invalid. You evidently know to whom and to what it refers. Funeral Moneys.—"General Roberts."—We do not- fee how rcu are to pay the monev to the lodge if he is dead. In any case, the husband is tite proper person to receive it, and you had better pay him. Tr;al for Murder.—"J. D."—If a man be tried for murder by a competent court and acquitted, he cannot be tried again for the same offence, not even if he should confess the crime after his acquittal. Disqualification of Guardian.—"One Likes to Know."—You would clearly be disqualified, seeing that at the date of the election you would be a person who is interested in a contract with the board of guardians. Bill of Costs.—"Taxing Costs."—Take the bill to a solicitor in the usual and prop?r way, and instiuct him to tax it for you. It is abso- lutely impossible for us to say whether the bill is exi>essive or not, as we know nothing of the amount of work which bus been done. Grocer's Wages.—"J. G. D."—We do not think that a grocer or any other employer of labour can escape the liability to pay wages of a servant who is unable to attend to his work through illness, except by giving him the usual and proper notice to determine his service. Sale of Hay.—"Mr. A."—W think you are entitled to claim the full amount agreed to be paid, deducting, of course, the value of that which you ker-t, back by arrangement with him. It will, however, gave yon a great deal of trouble if you can get the matter settled quietlv between ynurselves. Wife's Debts.—"Black and White."—The hus- band is not responsible for debts incurred by his wife before marriage. As regards those

Bronchitis Cared. A reportzr of the Bir- mingham Times called recently on Mrs. Hill, living in Clarence-road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield. Mrs. Hill is fifty-four years of age, and has endured much illness. Four years ago," she said, I had a very bad attack of bronchitis. A doctor attended me for a long time, but I kept having bad turns on and off. I Feeling dissatisfied, I ob- tained other medicine and took bottle after bottle, but the attacks seemed more severe. The bronchitis used to trouble me usually about one o'clock in the morning, t and the wheezing was so bad that I bad to fight and gasp for breath. Often I thought I should choke; the cough left me quite weak and worn out. My legs used to ache badly, and I had dread- ful pains in my back. "One night, which turned out a lucky one for me, I read an article on the wonderful powers of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. I got a box of the piils. and before I had taken half the contents they began to do me good. I felt a different woman in no time. They brought back my lost appetite, made me feel stronger and brighter, while the cough got easier and better. The dreadful night attacks of coughing ceased, and I felt like my old self, able to do my work, and ready for my fcod. I have taken only three or four boxes of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and am in good health. I am a strong. healthy woman now and able to do my work again." Dr O-hts, cold air, and damp, set up Bronchitis, Toothache, Neuralgia, and Coughs, which may lead to something much worse. You can defy these Climatic Dangers if you keep WSt up vitality and good health by feeding your MS? blood. There is rich blood-food, ready made, in Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. Don't let that hacking Cough continue. You can j l ligjl overcome it if you do as thousands already do- namely, trust to this world-renowned family j Tm| pliilft. safeguard. These pills are not a purgative; jHHHHK they strengthen and are a safeguard { where there is weakness of the j Chest Consumption Cared. MR. GEORGE Hodgkinson, of Rogerstown, Co. Dublin, nineteen years of age, stated to a reporter of the Irish Independent:— In the spring of 1898 I found that my strength was going from me, and I felt quite unequal to work. I lost rapidly in weight. The very sight of food almost sickened me, and later, I began to spit blood, and had a feeling of oppression on the chest. I was at that time in the navy, from which I was invalided. Doctors diagnosed my case as one of phthisis, and held out but slight hopes of my recovery. My father then got a box of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. I found an unmistakable improve- ment, and the symptoms gradually disappeared. When I had taken three boxes I had almost recovered my entire strength and health. In a few months I was able to resume work, and everyone, including the doctor, regards my recovery as wonderful." Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People have cured not only chest complaints, but paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, and sciatica also all diseases arising from impoverishment of the blood, anaemia, palpi- tations, pains n the back, neuralgia, early decay, and all forms of female weakness. Genuine only with full name Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and sold by Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn Viaduct, London, at 2s. gd. a box, or six boxes for 13s. gd. DR. WILLIAMS' PINK PILLS FOR PALE PEOPLE Have earned your confidence by the cures they are proved to have effected among your neighbours. < 5 ^^——-Hr—ra^Mmnnira^—■ w— m— mw

contracted since the marriage, the liability for these lies upon the husband or the wife, according as the creditor in each case gave credit to him or to her. Forty Pounds Rent.—"Johnson."—You would appear to be in a position to sue the colliery people for trespass, and if you hold the land of your father under a written agreement or lease, and such agreement or lease contains a covenant for quiet enjoyment, you can sue him for the breach of such covenant. Partnership Deed.—"Alpha."—A partnershin deed requires a 10s. stamp, uulcss some of the parties are paying premiums in order to join the firm. In such cases the usual ad valorem stamp of 10s. per cent. must also be paid. We must ask you to excuse us from furnishing you with a draft deed of partnership in this column. We would recommend you to oonsult a solicitor in your town. Parliamentary Franchise.—"Entitled."—We cannot tell whether you are entitled to a vote or not. You do not give us any idea, as to the nature of your property or the nature of the franchise which you are inquiring about. All we cfm definitely tell you is that you are not. yet entitled to the Parliamentary fran- chise. as you have not lived long enough in your house. You will get 0.0..1.0 the register next July if you take the proper~fcteps. New Brain.—" Brompton."—We do not sup- pose that the urban district council will attempt to drive a drain through your land without obtaining your leave and without pay- ing you proper compensation. We do not quite understand how you expect us to arrive at any idea as to the mount of compensation which you ought to receive. We do not know where your property is, how much of it is to be taken, how far it will be prejudicially affected, or, in fact. anything whatever about it. You must take the usual course, and obtain proper professional assistance and advice. Easter Vestry.—"Inquirer."—We do not think that an incumbent has any power to prevent the holding of a ve3try at the usual and accustomed time and place. The meet- ing is called by the churchwardens, witii the consent of the incumbent, who is entitled to be present and to preside at the meeting, but the meeting (if otherwise properly called) will be a valid vestry whether he consents or not and whether he i.» present or not. Tliie is our view of the law as it applies to the majo- rity of parishes. There is, however, a con- siderable minority of parishes in which matters of this kind are governed by custom or by special Acts of Parliament, and to which our answer will not apply. Opinion on Wni.—"EwyDys."—We presume from your extremely vague oommunication that you wish us to Ray whether we think the will sent us a valid will. We think it is valid enough., but it will certainly give rise to litigation when the testator dies. It would take too long to explain all our reasons for this opinion. Our advice to the testator is that he should at cnce consult a solicitor. It is better that he should pay a guinea or two during his lifetime than that his estate should be swallowed up in law costs after his death. It is, of course, possible that we have not grasped your object in sending us this copy will without indicating the point on which you desire advice. If so. kindly write to us again, and we will endeavour to answer any question you may ask us. District Councillor's Resignation.—"Con- stant Reader."—A district councillor in a rural district can only resign by permission of the Local Government Board, who are empowered, however, to accept a resignation for any cause which the board may deem to be reasonable. The resignation of a district councillor in an urban district must be made in writing to the clerk to the council, and the councillor will have to pay a fine. A vacancy caused by resignation will (unless it happens within six months before the ordi. nary day of retirement of the retiring coun- cillor) he filled up by an election in the usual way. It is 'not possible for a district coun- cillor or any other member of a representa- tive body to resign "in favour of" another person, in such a way as to ensure that that other person shall take his place; suck a notion is contrary to all theories and prac- tices of representative government. Notice of the election will he issued by the returning "fficer as soon as possible after the occasion for tho election has arisen.

CENTRAL. "A Looker On.The matter is one between the contractor and Cardiff Corporation.

IN THE DIVORCE COURT. A HUSBAND'S ADMISSION?. In the Divorce Division on Tuesday Mr,. Elizabeth Ayers Dear sued for judicial separa- tion from Mr. Charles James Dear, of Ken- sington, against whom she alleged adultery. Counsel stated that the marriage took place in 1895 at Minneapolis, the parties afterwards coming to London. On the 10th of September last petitioner heard high words between two gentlemen who came to the house and her husband, and. on entering the room, one gentleman told her, in the presence of her husband. that the latter had taken away a young woman, named Florence Tripp, who was a typewriter in his employment, and had seduced her. The two gentlemen, the father and the uncle of the girl. insisted on knowing where she bad been taken to. Letters had been found in Miss Tripp's box showing relations between her and the respondent. The young woman was found at a. home in Pimlico where there was another young woman living. Petitioner in her evidence said respondent had admitted to her that he had seduced Tripp, and also told her that he had been keeping the other young woman. Other evidence liaviiig been given, petitioner was granted a judicial separation, with costs. WIFE'S INFIDELITY. A decree nisi was on Tuesday granted to Mr. Thomas Pre? ."Ott Wright, of Liverpool, because of his wife's adultery with a Mr. Woods, said to be a piano player at a local music-hall. It was noted that. while petitioner Was ill in bcd, co-i-espondent came to the house and stayed the night with Mrs. Wright in another bedrcom, since which they had lived together.

SUSPICIOUS WIRE. ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO CHEAT A BOOKMAKER, At Olerkenwel^Police-court on Monday John Tierney. 28. potman, of Bryan-vale, Caledonian- road, was charged with conspiring with others to obtain £8 by false pretences. The prosecutor, a butcher and bookmaker, stated that on Friday afternoon about an hour after his arrival at his heme in Parkfield- street, Islington, his landlady brought him an unsigned telegram which ran: "Put me 20s. on Rose Deep." The telegram had been des- patched nearly two hours before Rose Deep's race was timed to be run, but witness said he believed the name had been added after the delivery of the telegram. Rose Deep won the race, and the same even- ing prisoner called upon him and asked for £ 8. but witness advanced him 5s.. and told him to call the next day, afterwards ascertain- ing from the post-office authorities that the words Rose Deep were, not included, in the original wire. Prisoner denied all kRowledtje ol the tele- gram, and said he called upon prosecutor w:th reference to betting transactions that had nothing to do with Rose Deep. Accused was remanded on bail.

GENERAL COLVILE'S CASE The adjourned debate upon Mr. Brodrick's motion to go into Committee of Supply upon the Army Estimates and upon the amendment of Mr. C. Douglas (K., Lanark, N.W.). demand- ing an immediate inquiry into the circum- stances connected with the removal from his wa,g resumed in the House of Commons on Tuesday night by Colonel BLUNDELL (U., Ince). who submitted that. although a great deal had been said against Genertl Colviie, there was still very much to this officer's credit. The action of the War Office had been very fitful, and certainly did not conduct; to discipline as it used to be known in the Army. Alr, LAWSON WALTON (R.oo Leeds, S.) considered the Secretary for War to blame in making charges against an officer of tried capacity. General Oolvile's case was that he only withdrew his troops in order that. by a flank movement, he might intercept the guns when the Boers were removing them. Mr. BRODRICK said that the statement of General Civile was coii&id^red by Lord Roberts before any action was taken. Mr. LAWSON WALTON would like to know precisely in what form and on what occasion it was made to lord Roberts, because th3 information they had was that the only statement by General Colvile to Lord Roberts was in the course of a few minutes' interview. (Hear, hear.) But what was more important was that Saunas Post was never till last night mentioned by the> War ) Office as a ground for the decision that General Colvile was unworthy to hold the King's commission. Lord Roberts derived the information from the statements of other officers, while General Colviie had never hat' an opportunity of making any answer. As regarded the Lindley incident, the conduct of General Colviie had been contrasted with that. of Lord Methuen ivnd General Rundle, but those two officers were under orders to go to Lindley. whereas General Colviie was under orders to proceed to Heilbron. The case was ono that called for investigation by an inde- pendent and competent military tribunal. (Hear. hear.) Sir J. DICKSON POYNDER (U.. Chippenham1 said he felt that in a case when the conduct of an officer of 30 years' distinguished service was brought before the bar of public opinion condemnation ought only to be pronounced after thorough examination by a military tribunal. (Hear, hear.) General Colvile might have been wrong, but he had a very good answer to the charge. Colonel NOLAN (N., Galway, N.) maintained that General Colvile had been the victim jf bad staff directions. The staff had under- rated De Wet's force, and, therefore, diAnot want an inquiry into the Saunas Post affair. General Colviio retrieved the staff's blunders on several occasions. Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL (U., Oldham) said that nothing in war ever went right except occasionally by accident. (Laughter and cheers.) The fact of a successful action or the fact of an unsuccessful one did not appear to be any accurate measure of the capacity or military character of the general officer in command, so much lay within the domain of chance. (Hear, bear.) The career of officers in high position ought not to be broken or closed simpiy because they were responsible for a disaster, uiile-s the circumstances of the disas- ter threw light upon their general character, and showed them to he incompetent or ineffi- cient. General Colvile's case rested entirely upon Saunas Post. Lord Roberts had commanded the biggest army ever sent from this country, and yet the House was now asked to impugn the judgment of Lord Roberts upon facts entirely within his own province. (L-oud cheers.) The fact was that Lord Roberts and the Secretary for War did not oare to take the responsibility of appointing an officer to an important com- mand in time of peace, when he had just been found unfitted for an important command in the field of war. (Loud Ministerial cheers.) The men who were risking their lives on a battlefield had a right to be commanded in action by the very best officer who could be found. (Hear. hear.) In the service, as in the commercial world and every walk in life, it was a case of the survival of the fittest. There were some people who wished that officers found incompetent should be kept on until the end of the war, when they could be quietly "shunted." He was very- glad that Mr. Brodrick meant to put an end to that sort cf thing. Mr. MUXRO FERGUSON Ill., Leith), who him- self had served under the general,, read letters from officers on the staff of General Colviie. One officer woote that there could be no greater slander than to say General Colvile was ineffi- cient, for the officers who had served with him I. in the hottest fights of the compaign had the utmost confidence in his ability in a tight place. Mr. BALFOUR gave hon. members credit for a desire to see fair play done to General Col- vile, and in no way wished to impugn their motives; but he wished to point out that the policy they advocated, if carried out, would impair the confidence of the House of Com- mons and destroy the Army. The House was asked to set up a court of amateur strategists for the purpose of deciding upon various delicate and difficult matters of miHtary tactics. (Cries of "No, no," and Ministerial cheers.) The House of Commons was thus to be a court of supervision over all questions of promotion in the Army. There had been numberless officers superseded in the same way as General Colviie had been siifcierseded, but they had not the same amount of influence in society and on the pres«. (Crie3 of Oh, oh.") Was the Army to be commanded by the Commander-in-Chief or by the a,mateur stra- tegists of the House of Commons? (Cheers.) If this practice of reviewing the decisions of the Commander-in-Chief was to be adopted it would lead to interminable difficulties.. How could the new Army scheme work if after the Commander-in-Chief, who had seen the man at work and made his own observations, had given his decision -each decision was to be reviewed by the House? (Cheers.) Such an arrangement would undermine and destroy the higher discipline of the British Army. (Loud chesra.) Mr. ASQUITH said that Saunas Post was a pure alter'nought, brought in to bolster up the decision of the War Office when they reversed a decision deliberately arrived at by the Commander-in-Chief last August. lIe did not believe any man would 'dismiss a servant in this way. (Loud cheers.) Mr. CHAMBERLAIN impress-ed upon the House the fact that General Colvile's character was not at stake, but only his fitness for high military command. There was, however, some- thing else at stake—thero was the character of the Government. and there was the character of the Commander-in-Chief. (Hear, heir.) The Common!! ;ycre not now trying General Colviie, but Lord Roberts. (Loud cheers.) They were aak.-d to condemn Lord Roberta in order to exonerate General Colviie Incompetence was a matter of opinion, and they must accept the opinion of the highest military expert (Cheers.) The Hcu.83 divided, and there voted: For the amendment 148 Against 262 J Government majority 114

NAVY ESTIMATES. I r. O j BIG SHIPBUILDING PRO- GRAMME. THREE BATTLESHIPS AND EIGHT CRUISERS. The statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty explanatory <.i the Navy Estimates for the coming financial year was issued on Tuesday night. Lord Selborne ekays-Tiie estimates for 1901-2 amount to a net total of £ 30.8785,500, being an increase of £ 2,083,600. The total number of officers. Marines, and boys, coastguards and Royal Marines proposed for the year 1901-2 is 118,635, being an increase of t 3,745. The additions proposed are to meet the needs of the fleet, and are made up as fol- ( lows:—287 officers, 1,150 seamen. 500 stokers, 1398 misc&"ineous, 310 artizans (Including 100 electriciatA'. 1.000 marines, and 100 appren- tices, shipwrights, and coopers. The plans for strengthening and developing the system of Reserves referred to in last year's statement have been given effect to by the passing of an Act to establish a new Reserve force to be called the Royal Fleet Reserve. it will con- sist partly of men who have served in the Navy or Royal Marines, and left without taking pension, and who will be known as Class B, and partly of men who have been pensioned, Class A. The first entries in the t' new force will be made from March 1. and it is hoped to eventually raise the number of Class B to 15,000. The coast guard and port guard ships, which hitherto have had only a portion of their orewa all board, are now kept fully manned. On December 31 last the total number of seamen borne was 21,290, compared with 23,000 voted for the year, and 21,962 borne on December 31, 1859. The number embarked for six months' naval training was 784, as against 980. The falling uff in numbers borne and in those embarking for naval training is attributed to the unpopularity of this com- pulsory training, owing to insufficient pay as compared with what the men earn at their J proper vocations and the length of time required to serve, which interferes with their employment. Arrangements are being made to readjust the pay and to reduce the period of training from six to three months. Steps aro in progress to organise and improve the coaling facilities at the several navnl stations, to ensure that the requirements of the fleets can at all times be amply met. Provision is also made for the increase of the reserve stocks of coal at certain naval stations abroad. The experiments with patent fuel have been satisfactorily concluded, and suitable quan- tities will he stored, to form adequate reserves at foreign stations. Schemes for further trials with liquid fuel have been considered, aud some manufacturers have undertaken to (submit with liquid fuel have been considered, and some manufacturers have undertaken to (submit designs and particu'&rs of trials. Two of these plans aro about to be tried—one with a marine svater-tube hoiier on shore, and one (if the arrangements are suitable) on board (if the arrangements are suitable) on board his Majesty's ship Surly. There has heen no relaxation of activity in shipbuilding and engineering operations during the past year, better progress having been made than in recent years with ships under construction for the Navy. It is anticipated that the aggregate expenditure on new con- struction will closely ppproacli the provision made in the estimates, and will largely exceed that of ony previous year. The steps taken by the various contractors to increase the out- put to armour and machinery have begun to show their effect, and the rate of progress has greatly increased daring the latter half of the year. This is especially the case with armour, the total output of which for Admiralty use in the present year will be from 45 to 50 per cent. greater than last year. The total output of now construction in the financial year now drawing to a close will pro- bably exceed that of 1899-1900, which was pre- viously the greatest on record, by about a million. The alterations in the Royal yacht which were, mentioned as necessary in last year's statement have been made, and she has satis- factorily completed her steaim trials durino- the year. Experiments made since the altera^ tions show that the vessel will have ample stability, and her behaviour during her trials when experiencing a strong breeze and con- siderable sea, was very satisfactory. The work of completing her internal decoration and fit- tings is now in hand. During the year a new arrangement has been made with nearly all the great steamship companies, by which their finest vessels are held at the disposition of the Admiralty for employment as armed cruisers when required Under the previous agreements only the Cunard, White Star, P. and 0., and Canadian and Pacific Railway Companies were included To these have now been added the Orient, Royal Mail, and Pacific Companies. Eighteen of the largest and swiftest passenger steamers belonging to these companies will receive annual subventions, and 30 steamers in add- tnon are held at the disposition of the Admiralty without further subsidy. Five submarine vessels of the type invented by Mr. Holland have been ordered, the first of which should be delivered next autumn. What the future value of these boats may be in naval warfare can only be a matter of con- ilectur,e. The experiments with these boats will assist the Admiralty in assessing their true value. The question of their employment must be studied and all developments in their mechanism carefully watched by this country. We propose to lay down in the coming financial year three battleships, six armoured cruisers, two third-class cruisers, ten torpedo boat destroyers, five torpedo boats, two eloops five submarine boats (ordered and work com- menced in 1900). Of these, two battleships" one armoured cruiser, and two sloops will ba built-in the Royal Dockyards; the rest will be built by contract. The total vote proposed for new constructiona is £ 9.003,256, of which £ 8,465.406 will be devoted to pushing forward the ships already in hand to the utmost of our power and to work on the submarine boats, and £ 537,850 to starting work on the additional ships to be commenced. The arrears in the delivery of hulls, armoured plates, guns, gun mountings, and machinery liaa been a continual source of anxiety equally to the last and the present Board. A committee has been appointed to thoroughly investigate the causes of the arrears in every case, and to advise bow a recurrence of the evil can test be obviated. The committee consists of Mr. Arnold Forster," M.P.. Rear-admiral A. K. AVilson, Sir Thomas Sutherland, and Sir Francis Evans.

p At a meeting of the cemeteries committee of the Merthyr Urban District Council, held on Friday, it was decided that on Palm Sunday the cemeteries should be kept open until five o'clock, authority being given to engage what- ever police assistance might, be considered' necessary for the preservation of order.

INGENIOUS BURGLARY AT CARDIFF. EXTENSIVE HAUL FROM A JEWELLER'S SHOP. A burglary of a particularly daring character was committed at Cardiff during Sunday night. Thieves broke into the shop lately occupied by Mr. Hagon, chemist, in Bridge-street. There was not a brass farthing in this empty build- ing, but. the thieves evidently knew where to go, and how to get there. Mounting the several flights of stairs, they eventually reached the top floor of the premises. Sepa- rating them from Mr. Coleman Follick's pawn- broking establishment there then remained only a couple of lath-and-plaster partitions. It was a task of no great difficulty to cut their way nearer to the jewellery and precious stones. There was a half-finished brick wall between the two lath-and-plaster partitions, but from here it was only necessary to remove a few bricks. Then the thieves were enabled to creep through into the top room of Mr. Follick's premises. Descending the stairs, they proceeded direct to the window, and abstracted there- from a large number of gold watches and rings fitted with diamonds and other precious stones. Very few silver articles were taken. Then the thieves returned by the same way. and escaped, carrying off "swag" to the value of £ 300. The mystery is how on "earth they knew the weak spot in the wall dividing the two buildings, situate as it is right at the very top of the premises. Mr. Follick suggests that the rascals knew something of building con- struction. The burglary was discovered about half-past six on Monday morning by a police. constable. Mr. Follick was at the shop on Sunday afternoon, when things appeared all right. His ION is partly covered by irtetirance. BIC HAUL IX LONDON. Jewellery valued at over £1.000 was stolen from the premises of Messrs. Campbell in the Strand, London, early on Monday morning. The burglars forced the doors at the back of the building. They appear to have been dis- turbed, but they succeeded in getting away with the property mentioned, consisting principally of expensive rings. i i

LORD ROSEBERY IN WHITE- CHAPEL. "J OPENING OF AN ART GALLERY. The new art gallery in Whitechapel waa opened on Tuesday afternoon by Lord Rose- bery. who in the course of an interesting address said that twenty years ago. when he opeaed thfcir first art exhibition, he stated that they must cot txpect a rough to be converted into a civilised being by the contemplation of a Fra, Angelico. He adhered to that opinion, but he did believe that if they offered such a. gallery for a rough fellow to spend his leisure time in thev offered him an option never giver, to hi-i before, and which,, if availed of could not fail to have a most bene- hcial result. They could not test the value of such galleries as those by figures. They could only sow the seed, believing and hoping that it would bring its good c.-op in time. That was what the men who had built that gallery had done. They might not see the results at once, but, at any late, they had the knowledge that they had made one part of this gloomy world brighter than it was before.

MR. WALTER LONG, M.P., AT BRISTOL. At a complimentary dinner in Bristol Sonth on Saturday night Mr. Walter Long, President of the Local Government Board, in reply to the toast of "His Majesty's Ministers referred to the recent disturbances in the House of Commons, and denied that there was any justification for the charge that the conduct of the First Lord of the Treasury in any way justified any ebullition of temper. The new order was not directed against the Irish mem- bers if they chose to conduct themselves as the other members did, and as they onght. to do. As to Army reform, he said Mr. Brodrick had given the country an earnest of what hA meant to do. As to the Volunteers, the people must realise the responsibility the Empire had brought with it. If they would respond to the offer the Government had made they might rely upon it that the day of cold neg- lect for the Volunteer service Had lJ:u.bcl away.

SHOP FOR A DOWRY. I An elderly Hebrew. summoned for debt in the Bloomsbury County-court, London, on Monday said he had no moneys." "Oh, your honour!" exclaimed the scanda- lised plaintiff, "he h-.a just bought a freehold house for £ 500; he has a butcher's shop——" "Hist! hist!" cried the defendant. "You must not tell him to 'hist' when he is addressing me," remarked the judge. "VeIl, mine worships." explained the inter- rupter, "zay are not for me; zay are mine missis's." "Ah," said the judge, with a smile, "they are your missis's. How is it she is so rich and you so poor? And the butcher's shop. Who does that belong to?" "Ze shop is mine schildren's," was the answer. "He gave it to his daughter as a dowry," observed the plaintiff, for whom judgment was given.

KRUGER'S TOBACCO-BOX. Liverpool at present possesses an interesting curiosity in Kruger's snuff-box, which, with a number of other curios, has been brought home by Major Edwards, of that city, from the front. The article in question is a very elaborately and handsomely chased solid silver ca,se, about fourteen and a half inches long and four inches in diameter. It is of native Indian craftmanship, and shows the artistic skill which these workers possess in so marked a degree. For many v-lars the case was used by Mr. Kruger. ex-President of the Transvaal Republic, as a tobacco-box. a purpose for which it would be admirably suited, seeing that the old man is so heavy and inveterate a. smoker. Inscribed on the case is the following:—"Pre- sented by Parsee J. Dorabjel and Co.. as a. token of loyalty to his Honour S. P. J. Kruger. President South African Republic."

QUESTION OF DAMAGES. A farmer, named Gourley, was arrested at Five Mile Town, County Tyroiie, on Thursday. on a charge of causing the death of his mother. It is alleged that prisoner, while returning from the fair on Wednesday, had a dispute with his mother a-bout money matters, and: that h eassaulted her so sevrely that she the same evening.