County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

HSTUTE WEAKNESS FOLLOWED INFLUENZA. Breathless and Quite Bloodless. The Victim of Her Nerves. A Vigorous Woman To-Day. In Perfect Health; cured by L Dr. Pink Pills "I do not think my constitution was ever very strong, but when 1 had an attack of Influenza three years ago it left me in a distressing state of weakne6s." This experience of Mrs. Amy Harlow, of Shipbourne Green, near Tonbridge, Kent,.is that oftJlOusands who liud themselves reduced by Influenza's ravages to an acute debility defying all treatment. Mrs. Harlow came through a wasting illness to the pink of health, solely because m Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People she found an abundant supply of new good red blood. "Owing to that terrible weakness," she said "mv hands shook like those of an old woman, so that I could not thread a needle. Then after anv exertion my breath came in short gasps and my heart throbbed violently like an overworkec engine, especially when I walked upstairs, or went uphill. Sometimes at night it seemed as if my heart was bursting. 1 THESE WERE could not lie down with any HER SYMPTOMS. comfort, and had to sit propped up in bed to ease the palpitations. Then I felt acute, bewildering pains in my head as time went on these grew worse. Eating was a misery. Sharp, stabbing pains tore through my back between the shoulder blades, and often I was nrostrated by biliousness. I could not touch breakfast, and my mid-day meal was followed by a heavy, un- comfortable feeling with spasms. I grew very thin and pale, my eyes were sunken, and, in- deed, so poor and dejected was I that a doctor feared I would go into consumption. A hacking, hollow cough, constant spitting, breathlessness, and a feeling of weariness which made life a burden, seemed to confirm these fears. Giddy and nervous as I was, I could scarcely drag my- self about the house. "These many troubles made me miserable and irritable, and though worn out I could not sleep at night. Then a succession of terrible abscesses afflicted me, and I wondered how it would all end. "I had been suffering like this for a year, when a friend advised me to try Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and I decided to do so as a last resource. To my surprise, before long I felt an improvement. I took food with- out. discomfort and could digest it. From that time my improvement was steady. My pains, sickness, and cough left me, and in their place n CHEEKS LIKE THE ROSE. I had vigour and colour in mv cheeks, which showed me that Dr. Williams' Pink Pills bring one into the full joy of a perfectly healthy life. Now at the age of thirty-four I could not wish for better health. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills have done for me all that is claimed for them, and I feel a new woman." Destitute of Good Red Bloodthat is the one trouble that stands between thousands of sufferers and the possession of splendid health. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People actually make Rich, New Blood, and in that way cure all the disorders that arise from too little or bad blood. In both sexes they have cured Anaemia, General Weakness, Indigestion, Eczema, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Neuralgia, St. Vitus' Dance, and Paralysis in ladies' special ailments they are invaluable. Sold by all dealers, but accept only the genuine pills (seven words as above), for substitutes never cure. Or sent by the British Depot, 46, Holborn-viaduct, London, post- free, 2s. 9d. for one box, or 13s. 9d. for six.

LORDS AND THE MILITIA. I In the House of Lords Lord Wemyss moved: That this House, having three years ago suc- cessfully opposed the absorption of the Militia into the Regular Army, is now of opinion that the proposed amalgamation of the Militia and Volunteers is a speculative,' so called, National Army,' is a wrongful ignoring of the good service rendered by the Militia in the past, and of its capabilities in the future, while it would fail to secure a reliable force for homo defence." The Duke of Bedford said the Militia could not accept the condition laid down in the Hal- dane scheme. Lord Hardinge spoke in the same sense. Lord Portsmouth, Under-Secretary for War, replied. The existing contracts with Militia- men would, he said, be strictly observed. What the Government wanted was expansion of the regular army when such was required. He de- nied that there was any idea of abolishing the Militia, and he sketched the scheme which was to make it in its new form the support of the regular army. After more speeches had been heard, Lord Wemyss said it was of no use dividing on his motion, and the House adjourned.

1 |§keoma. jj 4 Good p 5 Cakes. f "Cakeoma" Is the NEW way—tha 1^ better way—of making cakes. J| It is a perfectly pure cake jj flour of fine quality, with a!4 the dry ingredients P wanted in a cake. The #§ proportions are exact and a#* the mixing is perfect. <•§ It saves time and trouble #1 and it makes the nicest and lightest cakes possible. It makes any and every jp d&f cake and not only one kind. And it is economical in P use—it costs less than the #§ old-fashioned way. _Jj From all Grocers, Stores and Bakers f In the British Isles, in 3§d. packets, each AS one containing a sheet of useful and pruc- jLgJ 2 tical cake recipes. S £ § LATHAM & Co., Ltd., LIVERPOOL. 1^ || B3 4p         

I THE THAW CASE. When the Thaw trial was resumed, Mr. Jus- tice Fitzgerald, sitting without a jury, the District Attorney presented affidavits made bj seven specialists certifying Thaw to he insane: and further proposed to examine Dr. Hamilton, whose evidence he declared to be essential. Dr. Hamilton had, however, been called by the defence, and, Mr. Delmas, declining to waive his rights in the matter, the judge decided that the evidence of Dr. Hamilton could not be taken.

I DOCTOR'S DAMAGES FOR SLANDER. I Mr. Kent, a medical man, of Barry, claimed damages at Glamorgan. Assizes for slander from Mr. O'Donnell, another medical man. The slander complained of was alleged to have been uttered at a meeting of the Barry Education Committee, at which a medical appointment was being made. Defendant was reported to have said that he could not support Mr. Kent for any position, because he did not behave as an honourable medical man should do to his brother prac- tioners, and was thought to be a "blackleg" in his profession. The defence was that the meet- ing was privileged, and that the defendant honestly believed what he said. Tne jury awarded the plaintiff. £ 250 damage§.

At a meeting of the Council of the Birming- ham Chamber of Commerce, a letter was re- ceived from Lord Elgin intimating that the parties to the South African Customs Union had agreed that ordinary catalogues and price lists imported through the post weighing less than 8 ozs. would not be charged with duty. Other concessions had also been granted. At the meeting of the Devizes Poor Law Board the master reported that a man had been in the workhouse thirty years-that dav being the anniversary of his admission. The cost to the rates in respect of this pauper had been over £ 600. The man is paralysed.

-J.- 1- 300 lot Cr^i> "A EEAL FOOD*" 1 STRONGEST & BEST. 1 rrIS TOLD BY THE TASTE. I .t.

t THE KING'S SALVAGE CORPS. 1 The King's Salvage Corps at Windsor Castle has been provided with quarters in the castle by his Majesty's command. It is separate from the castle fire brigade, but both would co-ope- rate if a fire occurred. The treasures at the castle are worth many millions of pounds, and an inventory is kept of every article. If a fire broke out the castle could be flooded witn water obtained from two huge reservoirs near Cran- bourne Tower, Windsor Forest.

I SERIOUS WHARF FIRE. I One of the most serious riverside fires of recent years occurred at Farrand's Wharf, Ber- mondsey. The large grain warehouse of Messrs. Gardiner and Tidey was gutted, despite the efforts of twenty-five fire engines, two powerful river floats, and 200 firemen. The damage is estimated at CIOO,COO. The cause of the fl- has not been ascertained. London firemen again distinguished them- selves by an exceptionally smart piece of work in subduing a fire in the danger zone of the City in an hour. The fire occurred in the base- ment of a warehouse in Hamsell-street, off Jewis-street, occupied by a straw hat dealer, and was caused by the upsetting of a paraffin lamp. Damage to the extent of Clo,ooo was caused by a firo at the large leather dressing works of Mr. J. C. Coldicott, at Wellingborough. A iireman was hurt by falling debris. .— ————————————— 1

A meeting in support of the second interna- tional congress on school hygiene, which will he held in London from August 5 to 10, took place in the Mansion House, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor. Dr. Macnamara, M.P., spoke from his own experience of the importance of paying close attention to all matters of school At the annual meeting of the Rand Mines in Johannesburg it was stated that the net profit for 1906 was £ 518,677. Dividends would in future be declared half-yearly. Regarding the English income-tax questior, the Inland Re- venue authorities had, it was stated, withdrawn from their untenable position. As the result of representations made to the Board of Trade by the Bristol Trade Council, the Bristol Tramway Company has agreed that for a period of six weeks there shall be no inter- ference with passengers provided that workmen do not abuse their rights to travel inside tram- cars to the discomfort of others. The burden of complaint was that miners were not permitted by the company to ride inside tramcars. Sentenced a few days ago to twelve months for shopbreaking and theft, the police stating that he never did any work, William Druce, aged sixteen, was brought up again at Cardiff Assizes. Evidence was given to the effect that he was a boy of good character, and had worked at two collieries, and Mr. Justice Bray, saying ¡ that the police had made a genuine mistake, re- duced the sentence to twelve days, and the boy was at once released.

I COMMONS SITS 27 HOURS. I The House of Commons concluded at twenty minutes to six on Thursday last week a sitting of nearly twenty-seven hours—the longest for a quarter of a century. The Government brought on the Army Annual Bill soon after midnight on Wednesday, and, as a protest against the at- tempt to force important legislation through the /louse without adequate discussion, the Opposi- tion fought it clause by clause. The fight was kept up through the night and morning, and re- lays of members were rallied on each side to keep the discussion going. Members slept in the smoking-rooms in the intervals of waiting for the division bells to ring, and many amusing scenes were witnessed in the course of the night and morning. The ordinary sitting did not take place on Thursday, and the House met on Sat- urday in order to dispose of the accumulated business. The immediate cause of the struggle was a disagreement between the two sides of the House as to the order of business. The Opposi- tion alleged that the Prime Minister had pro- mised that the third reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill should be taken on Thursday. Mr. Whiteley, the Chief Government Whip, argued in reply that the second reading had been taken a day earlier than waa originally intended to suit the general convenience of the House, and that therefore ha was entitled to take the third read- ing also a day earlier—namely, on Wednesday instead of Thursday. The Opposition retorted that this course would be very inconvenient to them, as they had an important issue to raise on the third reading of the Bill, and the discussion of this point would take so long that the debate on the Army An- nual Bill, which came next, would be thrown into the small hours of the morning. The dis- cussion ended by the Government refusing to give way; and the Opposition thereupon set their teeth and determined to make its power felt. The first point of attack was the Consolidated Fund Bill, the discussion upon which, with vari- ous interruptions, lasted up to about two o'clock, and then the Army Annual Bill was reached. The House went into Committee Mr. Emmott re- lieved the Speaker of his duties, and members settled down to an all-night struggle. Throughout the night Mr. Haidane stuck to his post, and he was well supported by his colleagues on the Treasury Bench, several of whom remained through the night. Several private members on both sides of the House did likewise, but the majority of members arranged among themselves to work in shifts, either 6natehyig a sleep in the library or going home to bed to return fresh in the morning. For those who sat up all night the proceedings were made endurable by late suppers and early breakfasts. About ten o'clock in the morning the Prime Minister came down to the House, and appeals were made to him to bring the sitting to an end. But he insisted that the 1i.rmy Annual Bill L must first be finished, and the struggle went on. Later in the morning Mr. Balfour appeared, and shortly afterwards made a vigorous protest against the way in which the Government had broken faith with the Opposi- tion. The Prime Minister retorted that there had been no breach of faith. There were loud cheers and counter-cheers from the two sides of the House, and then again the prosy struggle over the text of the Bill went on. The main object of the Opposition was to keep the debate, going till 2.45 p.m., when Thursday's sitting would in the ordinary course begin, but when that hour was reached they ignored the suggestion that they might now stop, and proceeded with perfect solemnity to discuss the remaining amendments upon the paper. The result was that the Bill was only finished a, little before 5.30 p.m. Then, with good-humoured cheers from both sides, the House adjourned, after sitting for nearly twenty-seven hours. No fewer than forty-five divisions were taken during the sitting. The longest sitting of. tile House on record was in 1881, when -there was forty hours' sitting. It met at four o'clock on Monday, January 31, and did not rise until 9.30 on Wednesday, February 2.

MR. BALFOUR ON REFORM VICTORY At the Caxton Hall a meeting of the Primrose League workers in the recent L.C.C. election was held to celebrate the successes of the Muni- eipal Reform candidates. Mr. Balfour was present. He said the Lon- don County Council elections, as they had been worked m the past, had dragged the local affairs of the metropolis of the Empire into the T?r "^mPcr^al business. He was a member of the Government which created the municipal institutions of the County of London, and he had hoped that it might be possible to ignore party politics altogether in connection with London matters, and consider the purely local interests of the London ratepayer and the London citizen. He was wrong. The Unionist party tried that sincerely and honestly, but they were defeated by the tactics of their opponents, who used the whole of their machinery, turned on all the organisation of which they were the masters, for political pur- poses. The Unionists were at last driven to the cc.nclusion that they could not allow one party to carry out their special ends, while the other party remained with arms grounded. It was the policy based upon that discovery which had con- tributed to the recent immense victory. The Primrose League was called upon to play its part in the struggle, and well had that part been played.

VALUE OF A HUSBAND. I As a hansom cab driver named E.,ton was turning out of Earlham-grove into Woodgrange- '9 c road, Forest-gate, he wa,s run into by an elec- tric tram belonging to the West Ham Corpo- artion. Jerked from his seat into the road he he sustained fatal injuries. Before Mr. Justice Channel and a common jury in the King's Bench Division Mrs. Eaton, the widow, was awarded £ 250 for the loss of her husband. The defence was that the accident was the fault of the hus. band. Stay of execution was granted

A fire broke out at Carriekfergus in a public hall, known as the Union Hall, which com- prised the local museum and offices, and was completely gutted. The post-office adjoining was also practically destroyed. After the local brigade had been working for four hours the Belfast firemen were telephoned for, but the fire was under control when they arrived.

FOR UGHS&COL USE TR ^yiNSEEPm -t4AR un I LINSM AMSEED Er.5' 0- ilNSEED COMPOUND" | ia a reliable old English feoroo remedy. It softens hard phleg^n. r permitting it to be expectorated' without strain, soothing the membranes and allaying the irritation so commonly ex- perienced. There is nothing to equal it. Of all Chemists at home and abroad. Refuse the many substitutes offered. ^Price,9jd., 1/1 £ 2/9. B en te-lns for a Jgmt*. Vic0 SPRKMTERB, CEKTAKKS, SWIFTS & 3IK6 £ K8,^H|HH& Ju are poundsbelow Makofs' and Agents' casU VCBKMM M prices. r.ffDXS-WHLI'WOIll'Kr] £ r5m £ 5. No IKSHKafc jgf bondsmen or security required. A High- HHH arade .4 Cycle for ca,h 9-3 or 3/- -onthly.  on receiptof smal do  WriteforLists. ED:VARD O'BHIEV, Ltd. The NVorld'sLargest J-)ealer, f' YEARS f/6 GARDEN" SEEDS. l/i NEW, GENUINE AND WELL TESTED. ON Eeceipt of Postal Order, for 1«. 6d. or 20 stamps, will send, post free, loz. each of IMPERIAL CAB- BAGE, rrOLLOW-CROWN PARSNIP, MASTERPIECN ONION (Grand Exhibition and Main Crop Variety) and Selected CARROT; oz. each of S&voy, Radish, Early TurniPr and 2 Packets of Broccoli (early and late); 1 Packet each of Lettuce, Marrow, Cucumber; 6 Packets Choice Flower Seed*. AIM for Is. extra, 1 Packet each Mustard Cress, Beet, Pick- ling Cabbage, Borecole or Brussels Sprouts, Leek, Cauliflower. Solden Ball Turnip and with every 2s. 6d. Parcel we will »en« rwo Grand Novelties-a Packet of Peerless Marrowfat Petti" (a. remarkable Variety, pods 5 to 6 inches long:, packed with Enormous Peas), and a Packet of Best of All Runner Bean*, Splendid Variety with enormous pods, sometime* attainix# L4 inches in length. The above Parcel* of Finest Quality Seeds for P.O. 2s. 6d. or S2 stamPL GROVES II SON, Depart. C. SEED MERCHANTS. PIDDLETRENTHIDE, DORCHESTER. 7 DON'T BE GULLED;] THERE ARE NO BOOT PROTECTORY AS GOOD AS" t l -r- it AT; ROYAL SEABATHING HOSPITAL, Mar- gata. Beds: Adults. 70; Children, 80. T)ERSONS afflicted with early Tuberculous Disease of JL Hhe Hip, Spine, Bones, Joints, Glands, &e.. *honW seek admission to this Hospital which has special adyan- tages for treating Tuberculous Disease.—Apply A. NASII, Secretary, 13, Charing-eross, London. -=- CERTAIN CURETFOR" COUCHS AND ALL CHEST AFFECTIONS WARING'S :ELIXIR. Of all Chemists, or post free 13^3. QUELCH and CO., LU DOA TE SQUARM LONDON, E.C. V XGMANDIprescribed leading Physician's best spring • A, medicine for Indigestion, Liver, Kidney troubles. L;ii' £ # bottle, Is. Descriptive booklet.free.-Idris, Ltd.. London^ W™. ORPINGTON CHICKS, from Pedigree layer* j i fori-night old, with hen, 12s. 6d. per broo^ Wmton, Abbots Lodge, Gloucester. A ^RESPECTABLE STATIONERS sell Pioneer," tW ideal Marking Ink for all fabrics. Needs no heating# •flaking, or waiting. Large bottles Cd. and Is., orpost fre? from the Manufactory, Uppington's (Dept. S), "Pioneer Works, Borough. London. "I AGENTTeach district, to devote few hC¡I1 k weekly taking orders. Lurge profits easily made outside regular employment.—Write for trade terms and particular* Mead Cycle Co.^geney Dept. 90x. Liverpool. TWO SMALL POULTRY FARMS, nearly 12 acres eael4 .1 Sussex, £ 550 apiece. Freehold.—Ownsr, EstateOtfices, 10, Adam-street, Strand, London, W.C. A A AAA CHILDREN Wanted to wear new silk clotb* UlJl/Jv/v/l/ correct style, country, seaside wear, hygienic* asting wear, unshrinkable, washable, non-inflamtiiablo, Boys' belted suits from 4s. lid., Girls' dresses from 8s. 0'0' Agents wanted.—Bridge IliM Co., Bradford. LAND, good Cheap. Dairy, Poultry or Fruit, yarioo' areas, l0- £ to 43 acres.—Ellis, Fir Tree Cottage, Ea*4* street. Rocbford, Essex. E" C E M A. — Sure, safe cure. Recipe and list free- Thwaites, Herbalist, Stockton-on-Tees. mLLIAlB~MOlGATELLE TABLES. Large Stock of New snd Second-hand Tables always °* hand also Convertible Billiard and Dining 'Tables, iWrite ff but. G. Ed-warda, Ki.ngsland it; N.E. Tel.: 47HO Centagy rpRY DEAN & WOOD'S, LTD., FERTILIZERS fot I Greehhovuse and Window Plants. Sample canister containing sufficient for 20 plants, sent to any addresr. -Post free, on receipt oi 6 penny stamps-, by Dean & Wo f Limited, Bradiord, Manchester. Agriculturists with same quality of 2 tons and upwards, carriage paId, Ii very low prices, ° QTAIRS.—Newels, Balusters, Handrails, Picture Rail D other Wouldmff. English doors and windows; compc" with foreign. Send for hst. Also timber of all description*" Builders send traae card for illustrated of all kinds of woo" work.— Jennings & Co., 377. Pennvwell-rna.d. Bristol. x- should forward MSS. f a Novels, Short Stories. Poc^j » xr i"'fse,s' Assays, Arc-, direct to tiie publisher, _btoc.k,weI1' f;.& 7, Creed-lane, London, who on receipt ^u^:ca^on' ^ree charge, immedia^ WMALTBY, DERWENT POULTRY FARM, Bubvrit"; « can supply Eggs from the following magnificent lay**? strains Wliite Rocks. Silver Dorkings, White Wyandott^' a a £ :il, leghorns, Light Brahmas, Black Langsh»0',l Anaalusians, Houdans, and Minorcas, 3s. 6d. dozen, 6s. "Qzen unfertile replaced (Please mention papery RED HERRINGS. Box containing 30 selected Reds is- 'carria.?e paid.—Kenneth Mackenzie, Curer, Stornowgj> HAT*. RATS, SBmaeo,. (or <» £ | »».ro.\ing Kh.18 *n<l Mict*. Cied M lue l.omlon Uo«k«,«»!! | Travi, wareboaics,*art mi! .< ■»"? jcho I u. *»nd V- cakes. r>«*« t»r coutr^n*. — ft4 f AMivtKWS, S #, KMsex-*tre«t. Ktraml f.oii'icn. W,(!, ,o: _o-

The sixteenth annual meeting of tho Society for the Protection of Birds was held Caxton Hall, Westminster, the Po-tinas, General, the Right Hon. Sydney Buxton, (vice-president and hon. treasurer), occupyl the chair. At Devonshire House the Duke of ev received a deputation organised by the 1' Unionist Alliance and the Ulster Unionist mittee, which was, addressed by Mr. Balfotl1 Carlton-gardens. The proceedings were stll private.

CHILDRENS COUGHS. Nothing could be better or safer than Yeno's Lightning Cough Cure. < r1-! Mrs. BUCHANAN, ;"v 83RAEBERRY ST. GLASGOW, writes October 20th, 1004, I think it my duty W to £ 've ?ou mZ M 'fo'ijfb opinion ofVENO'S LIG'HTNINQ F AGGF COUGH CURE, f f You could not have >, W I given it a better name: it has. proved iV»wftriur^' V a "LIGHTNING" •. "jSwSaPv 5 COUGH CURE to my ^0ur c^ren with t whooping cough. t A They suffered si'nca a%, 'astAprii-they were fa"1 ■ »1 all cured 111 on« MASTER BUCHANAN. week by your Cough Cure. I will never: be without it. I have given it to most of my friends because I have so much faith in it. I thought I wAs going to lose two of my children they could neisher eat nor sleep, but now they can go out in all weathers. They like your Cough Cure, and won't go to bed without it.' pr"a 11 jm ASK FOR MfcWS LIGHTNING wlm COti CURE IPf The purest and most efficient Remedy procurable for ipgi Coughn, Colds, Bror»shJtIo» ffciSj Asthma, Csntarrh, Vveate flis Lungs & Chtfdron'o Coufjha* Did., 1/1 and Sr,0 per bottle. JLt a-li Chemists and Drug Stores everywhere, ) MM

Surprise was expressed at the corporation meeting at Dover, when the town clerk reported that under the new Workmen's Compensation Act, the corporation would not only be respon- sible for their own workmen, but for the em- ployees of the town contractors. It was decided that the council and the contractors should enter into joint policies of insurance. Mr. Alderman Bowes, who presided over the meeting of the Manchester Tramways Com- mittee, signed a cheque for £ 55,000 in favour of the city treasurer. This handsome sum is the amount granted by the Tramways Committee out of their profit in relief of rates. The amount was fixed last year, but the payment, of course, could not be made until the profits had been earned. In the course of an interview with Lord Tweedmouth, the ex-Mayor of Aberystwyth was informed that the Channel Fleet would visit Aberystwyth at the end of July or the begin- ning of August, on its way to or froto Liver- pool. Last summer a visit by the fleet to Aber- ystwyth and a programme of festivities in con- nection therewith had to be abandoned owing to rough we a they1 in the Irish Channel,

FIGHTING WITH ARROWS. News has been received of fighting last De- cember between the British and the natives to the west of Lake Chad, in which the British casualties were two officers wounded, eleven men killed, and forty wounded. The opera- tions were directed against the Tibuks, a col- lection of robber bands, pagans, and fugitives from justice, who held a strong position in the province of Bornu, and continually menaced the main caravan road. An expedition under Lieutenants Chaytor, Chapman, and Thompson, together with Captain Booth, as political offi- I cer, and Dr. Parsons, medical officer, attacked the Tibuk stronghold, which was about three j miles in circumference, and consisted of a col- « lection of great rocks piled one on the other I rising suddenly from the plain, and honey- f combed with crevices and caves, from which the Tibuks, without exposing themselves, maintained an accurate and deadly fire of poi- soned arrows. So true was their aim that two soldiers were killed at 200 yards. The operations were of a specially hazardous character, and lasted ten days, the officers and men having to crawl between the great boul- ders, and literally clear out each cave sepa- rately. The whole business was very trying to the nerves, for scarcely any of the Tibuks were seen, and the constant and well-aimed arrow fire was very harassing. As the British crawled over the crevices they could hear the Tibuks talking loudly in their caves below, and occa- sionally one would be seen, who, after firing his arrow, would disappear underground. As a protection the troops were covered in impro- vised padded coats and blankets, through which the arrows could not penetrate, and thus at- tired they pluckily went down into the caves, which were often quite dark and full of men. The Tibuks were given every chance to come in, but they refused to do so, and after ten days' operations the stronghold was cleared, the enemy's casualties being reported to be 300. Lieutenant Chaytor and Thompson were both wounded. Most of the force were hit by arrows.

GOVERNMENT AND HOME RULE. Speaking in the House of Lords, the Lord Chancellor made a striking declaration on the Government's policy of Home Rule. He could not imagine, he said, that there could be the least doubt as to what was meant by the "larger policy after the speeches of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was well known to be, as he (the Lord Chancellor) was, a Home Ruler sans phrase. It was well known that the Premier's purpose and policy had not altered since he adopted the views propounded by Mr. Gladstone. It had been said with perfect truth that there were members of the present Administration who before and during the election intimated that tnis policy of Home Rule was not a policy which they thought would, or in their opinion ought, to be dealt with in the present Parlia- ment. Thet was the full extent to which his right hon. friends went. He was heartily glad i to think they had not repudiated the policy of Mr. Gladstone. The only Home Rule he recog- nised was a Home Rule in a subordinate Parlia- ment. They could not touch Irish Government without taking a step towards Home Rule. He believed it was written in destiny and depended upon natural causes that this great change would come, and he for one hoped it would come before very long. He did not wish to con- ceal his opinion that whatever change the Government made, necessarily and inevitably led a stage further in the direction of Home Rule.

"LUCK MONEY." The members of the Gloucestershire Cham- 1 ber of Agriculture propose to break away from the traditional practice of "luck money"—a system which prevails in that, and other coun- ties, of giving and receiving "luck money" when buying or selling live stock and agricul- tural produce. The matter formed the subject of an interesting debate at the last meeting of the Chamber, and a resolution was adopted "that there is no such invariable custom as to luck money' as to have the force of law, and that even if there be a legal custom, all such customs, if any-particularly with regard to corn—should be abandoned." The Central Chamber of Agriculture is to be invited to give an opinion upon the matter.

CASUALS AND MISSIONARY. A Brighton police-court missionary has been conducting Sunday services for the past 17 weeks at the Eaet Preston Workhouse, and in his report to the board of guardians remarks that the casuals were not selfish in spiritual matters, insomuch as they had grumbled be- cause the guardians and officials of the work- house did not attend to receive the ministra- tions of the missionary as well as themselves. Captain Hill said the casuals' earnest desire for the spiritual welfare of the guardians showed that the missionary had opened their hearts. The board decided to continue the ser- vices of the missionary for another six months, notwithstanding Mr. Blaker's suggestion that it was rather "throwing pearls before swine."

BATTLE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. A message received from San Juan del Sud tells of one of the fiercest battles fought in Central America. It.began on March 17, *'hen a united force of Salvadorans and Hondura- sians attacked Namasigue, a town situated on the coast about sixty miles from Managua. continued for tlirGG Gciys, cine, then tiiG attacking force retreated, leaving 500 dead and 300 wounded, including General Martinez, of the Honduras force. In addition, many were taken prisoners, including officers. The Nicarasuans lost 300 killed and wounded.. The bodies''were cremated.

KILLED IN THE STREETS. A four-year-old child named Sutton stepped in front of a slow-travelling motor-car owned by Mr. W. J. Randall, in High-street, Marl- borough, and died from its injuries almost im- mediately. A boy, seven years old, named Robert Roberts, was killed in a similar manner at Pendlebury, near Manchester, and at Bir- mingham a child of two years, named John Thomas, was knocked down and killed instantly by a tramcar.

PEEK, FREAN'S PROTEID" TILIA." We suppose the most successful of Peek. Frean's recent biscuits has been "Pat a Cake," but by far the most important introduction is Tilia. All authorities are agreed that tho one vital thing in our food is proteid in some form. Messrs. Peek, Frcan have introduced a perfect proteid.in three forms — Tilia Powder, Tilia Biscuits, and Tilia Cocoa. The bis- cuits, of which there are three kinds—plain, sweet, and wholemeal--and the Cocoa and the Powder are sold in airtight tins, and rtlC. super- excellence of all three is in keeping with tha great reputation of the premier biscuit people.

Mr. F. W. Allison, the chairman or tne Twickenham District Council, opened new free library premises that have been presented to the town by Mr. Andrew Carnegie. Dr. V. H. Rutherford, M.P., moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Carnegie for his gift of R,6,000 with which the premises have been built, which was seconded by the Mayor of Richmond and carried. An alarming fire broke out at No. 10, Avon, more-mansions, West Kensington-occupied by Dr. Witley. The residents in other flats belong- ing to the block did their best with buckets of water to put out the flames until the arrival of the fire brigades from Hammersmith and Ken- sington. These speedily stopped the fire befor much damage was done.

METRIC SYSTEM REJECTED. -1 The House of Commons rejected a proposal to adopt the metric system by a majority of 82. The proposal was contained in a Bill introduced by Mr. Straus, which provided that on and after 1910 the kilometre and metre should be estab- lished in this country. Mr. Straus said there was only one country in Europe-Russia- which had net adopted the metric system, and it had been supported from all over the Empire. Mr. Haworth, who moved the rejection of the Bill, remarked that it was said those opposed to the metric system were a. minority. That minority consisted of the British Empire, Russia, and the United States, comprising a total population of 570,000,000, whereas the so- called majority only had a population of 450,000,000. Mr. Shackleton said if the Bill was with- drawn the manufacturers would consent to an inquiry, so that the whole of the questions in- volved could be properly investigated. Mr. G. D. Kelley thought it would be better to have an inquiry, and to invite the Colonial Premiers to assist in the investigation. Mr. Lloyd-George declared against the Bill, as involving a dangerous experiment. The greatest part of our trade, he said, is with non- metric countries. If we changed to the metric system without arranging a change with our Colonies and inducing the United States to come into a general arrangement, we should be depriving ourselves of an advantage which we had got at present over our metric com- petitors.