Weekly Mail

DESPERATE FIGHTING. r • SEVER LOSSES IN SOUTH AFRICA. BRILLIANT DEFENCE IN ZULULAND. 250 OF THE ENEMY KILLED, 300 WOUNDED. IIELAREY REPULSED BY KEKEWICH. The week's war news has been of a most ^oU8 character. Desperate fighting hae *en place, and, although the Boers have 6ea repulsed in each case, the victories have Ot been secured without severe British losses. 4k r strong force under Botha attacked Forts lEt and Prospect, on the Zululand border, after a brilliant resistance the garrison °Ve off the attackers. The severity of the 't TOay De gauged by the fact that 250 Boers killed and 300 wounded. Colonel j^^wich's camp at Moedwill, to the west of Bto Pass, was attacked at night time by l6j 4rey' an(* t^la British casualties numbered including fourteen officers killed and 01Uded. The Boer losses are not yet known, they -were very heavy. The following dis- ^hee from Lord Kitchener have been made Ilblic during the week;- PRETORIA. Friday. Forts Italm and Prospect, on the Zulu border, were attacked by Boers in force, said to be under Botha, yesterday. After a brilliant resistance, the garri- sons drove eff the enemy, inflicting heavy 1,38 .3. All quiet elsewhere on the Natal frontier. Later. Lieutenant Miers, Somerset Light In- fantry, employed with South African Constabulary, went out from his post at Riversdraai. 25th September, to meet threj Boers approaching under white flag, who, after a short conversation, Viere seen to shoot Lieutenant Miers deaj. and Immediately galloped away. Inquiry being made and evidence re- corded. Saturday. Bruce Hamilton's force reached ltaJa. a.m. to-day. He reported that the Boers have moved to the north-east from there. The defence of the posts was most creditable, and heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy, who attacked in force. Hamilton is endeavouring to locate the enemy, and will follow. r Monday. l i"!r!its since the 23rd of September, in- £ btding all separately reported, are: — *^enty-seven Boers killed, 24 wounded, (4 prisoners, and 48 surrenders; 138 Rifles, 19.400 rounds of small-arm ammu- nition, 189 wagons, 3.270 horses, and 11,260 cattle. In addition to the above, the prisoners taken by the Boers during the attack on Fort Itala on the 26th of September state they saw 60 Boers buried at the enemy's laager. Bljuce Hamilton reports several buried tne neighbourhood of Itala, and that 27h terf were busy on both the 26th and 'th of September carrying in their dead and wounded. The main body of the enemy are now 1n the neighbourhood of Berthasdorp. The situation in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony is unchanged. In Cape Colony Myburgh and Fouche are Mostly to the east of Drakensberg. In the Transkei Smuts has moved very rapidly south before our columns, and ^as on the 28th of September near Shel- don. In the south and west there is no change in the situation. The Midlands district is clear, and the north-western Very nearly so. On the 27th of September a patrol from £ >e Aar marched into a party of Malan's ^'ith several led horses, killing three ■Beers and most of the horses. Have just heard that Kekewich's camp at Moedwill. to too west of Magato Pass, was attacked at dawn to-day by the enemy in strength, under Delarey and eI11p. The attack was driven off at 6.15 a-m., the enemy retiring to the north- We&t. Wednesday. The night attack by Delarey on Keke- wich's camp at Moedwill, reported in my telegram of Monday. was preseed by the enemy, a thousand strong, with great Vigour. After close fighting for two hours the ellemy were driven off with considerable loss. Our casualties were, I regret to say. severe. viz., one officer killed, and one dangerously wounded, since dead; also eleven officers severely wounded, and three slightly wounded; non-commis- flioneti. officers and men-killed. 31; dange- pously wounded, six; severely wounded, 42; and slightly, 26. All these have been brought into Rustenburg, and are being well cared for. In addition to the above, about 40 more bounded, of whom I have no details, still L Remain to come into Rustenburg. All tiames are being reported separately. Colonel Kekewich, who was himself slightly wounded in two places, reports that all ranks behaved extremely well. Later. The two guns of U" Battery Royal Horse Artillery captured at Vlakfontein,' reported in my telegram of September 20. have been recoverea. "cl Kitchener also reports;- The heavy loss of the enemy at Itala and Prospect confirmed, and it is reported that 250 Boers were killed and "00 wounded. r\itch foll°wing further telegram from Lord tice ner kas been received at the War —Colonel Kekewich is apparently the who defended Kimberley during the i^s>' *rom the opening of the war in October, the relief by General French in L t|] y' 'ie 8cene the conflict is e Magaliesberg district, between Pre- Mafeking. This region has for long haunt of Delarey, Beyers, and Kemp, b away is Nooitgedacht, where General j^ts was worsted by Delarey early this OUTNUMBERED BY TEN TO ONE. ,DURBAN, Monday Morning. uP°n an(l defence of Fort Itala will stand out as one of the most L -'c» J** a«d bloody encounters cf the South ll>g war, its cost in life to the British than was at first anticipated. The a?the fort is on 1he slope of a moun- tl'1¡d th Boers appear to have most cun- pContrived to get within short range 4t At heir attack was developed. It after- tj^t j'ra3ispiied that the Boers attached %h' aQp01'tance to the capture of the posi- they were under the personal of General Louis Botha, who 'he attack with great skill and sud- kh k, Although the British defenders were iV t 8nrPi'is«d by the sudden attack, era nntabei,ed nearly ten to one, alS°n f°u^l1t with the grea'test gal- n? ^ea-t off the enemy. Major Chap- t the Dubiin Fusiliers, commanded the ^or ^aHant an(i tenacious officer received the very highest praise from General Bruce Hamilton, who arrived at the seen2 of the fight on Saturday. Major Chapman said the Boers numbered 1,500, and they admit to having lost nineteen killed in the attack. Their loss was. un- doubtedly, much heavier, tor natives affirm that they carried away dead and wounded all day on Thursday, when they retired in a north-easterly direction, evidently considering the little hrt practically impregnable. The British garrison suffened very severely. The known British losses are one officer (Lieutenant Kane, of the Lancashire Regiment) and eleven men killed. Major Chapman, four other officers, and thirty-eight men wounded, and sixty-three men missing, the bulk of whom are believed to be either killed or wounded- a total of 118 men put out of action, and it is feared that later reports will augment this number. In addition, we also lost a number of natives, and many horses and mules were slaughtered. The enemy fought with the greatest fury, pnd appeared determined to break through and carry their raid into Zniu. land, but the defence of the fort atltala seems to have entirely upset Botha's'plans.—Central News. The fierceness of the fight r" further demonstrated by the fact that the defenders lost 153 horses and 82 mules, all killed. PRETORIA, Monday. Botha's move north to Schurweberg was evi- dently a feint to cover his real intention. His actual plan can only be conjectured. He pro- bably hoped to strike Natal by way of Grey- town. After leaving a small force at Schur-we- berg, he broke back to the south-east, towards the southern point of the Vryheid district. There, just within the Zulu border, on Thurs- day he attacked Itala and the Kalazo posts guarding that route. The Natal posts, which were attacked simultaneously, were held prin- cipally by the 5th Mounted Infantry. The fighting was heavy, and was prolonged for many hours. Botha was eventually driven off with great loss. Finding his way blocked he made a dash south, doubtless receiving certain information from his posts of observa- tion at Nqutu and Scburweberg. He once more turned north and halted at Babanago. He has since moved further north to a point east of Vryheid, apparently endeavouring to break back to Piet Eetief.—"Standard." KEKEWICH'S FIGST: COMMAN- DANT KILLED. JOHANNESBURG, Tuesday. A big attack was made at dawn yesterday on the Magaliesberg column, under Colonel Kekewich, weet of Magato Nek. which is wf-st of Rustenburg. The Boers, under Delarey and Kemp, succeeded in coming to fairly close quarters, and the fighting lasted for about two hours. Eventually the attack was beaten off with considerable loss to the enemy, who left in our har.ds six killed, a number of wounded, and ten prisoners. Among the killed was Commandant Tobias. Boshoff, the well- known leader of Kemp's Scouts, who are a picked body of men, mostly xoreigners, and Commandant Oosthuizen are reported to have been wouilded, The Boers retreated north- wards.—Press Association War Special. SWANSEA OFFICER MURDERED. Lieutenant Miers, of the Somerset Light Infantry, employed with the South African Constabulary, who went out from his post at Riversdraai on the 25th of September to meet three Boers who approached him with the white flag, and by whom he was shot dead after a short conversation, was the second son of Golonel Miers, of Ynyspenllwch, near Swansea. A mass for the repose of the soul of Lieu- tenant R. C. Miers was said at Devonport Cathedral on Monday. The Rev Father Gandy, in an address, said:—Among his friends, perhaps, no one knew him more inti- mately than myself, and fronr my heart I can say of him he was the truest gentleman I have ever met—upright, straightforward, honest, and most chaste. I once asked him why he had not ltccomc a priest, and'his answer, jjiveri with all humililty, was, "I am hot good enough." Often., too, after a long conversation with him. I have felt that it had done me more good than mtwiy a spiritual retreat, so defeply had he penetrated the secrets of a holy life. His letters home and to myself were always full of his sel-kemes for making life more healthy and pleasant for the men under his charge, by whom he was greatly beloved. He arranged all kinds of sport for them, training them himself in athletics, and espe- cially in the art of boxing, in which he was an adept, having gained prizes for the same at the National Sporting Club, of which he was a member. His pay as an officer more than satisfied his few personal wants, and whatever other moneys were at his command were devoted to work of secret charity and generosity. Ilt is sad to have to relate that, although he always spoke witm reapeot of the enemy, saying that the Englis-h were wrong in the estimation of the Eoers, from whom he received much hospitality at their farms in the fulfilment of his official duties, neverthe- less, he received death at their hands under a flag of truce. PONTYPOOL OFFICER'S SMART EXPLOIT. Captain H. C. B. Phillips, commanding the 13th (Shropshire) Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, who. according to the story which has reached home by the last Cape mail, is the hero of a smart little incident at the front, is the son of the late Mr. E. J. fhillipr, 4 The Woodlands, near Pontypool. and was well known in football, cricket, and athletic cireles generally some years ago in Monmouthshire and afterwards in Herefordshire. He played football for Newport (his native town) in his younger days. He went out to South Africa as a sergeant in the Shropshires, and rose to be captain. The story is as follows:—Captain Phillips was going his rounds visiting his sentries on the outskirts of the camp with Lord Methuen's force in the Western Transvaal, when, in an isolated position, he was suddenly confronted by three Boers, two of whom were armed. They made him prisoner, and at once pro- ceeded to divest him in the usual fashion of his perscnal property, uniform. Ac. They had got possession cf pretty well everything except his spurs, which they ordered him to remove. Hb declined, at the same time telling his captors that if they wanted them they must take them themselves, whereupon two stooped down to unfaston the straps, Captain Phillips being covered with tire rifle of the third man. No sooner, however, had the two men got into the kneeling position than Captain Phillips, with two well-directed blows, bowled them both over, and seizing the Mauser of one, which had been incautiously laid on the ground, felled the Beer who was covering him with a tremendous blow on the side of the head with the butt-end of the rifle, giving him his quietus, not, however, before he had fired, the bullet passing uncomfortably near to the gallant officer's head Captain Phillips then turned the tables by securing the two Boers and maiaching them into camp. DEATH OF A SON OF MR. KRUGER. The Central News says that Mr. Tjaar., Kruger, a son of the ex-President, died at Pre- toria on Monday after a short illness. The deceased surrendered a few weeks ago to save the family property from confiscation. AMSTERDAM, Tuesday. The news of his .on's death has greatly affected Mr. Krugpr. The doctors fear that repeated family losses will seriously tell on hi; health (says the "Daily Express"), and again advise a change of air. When he learnt the news he said that his cup of bitterness was still flowing over, and then soug-M consolation in the Bible. EXECUTION OF MR. BROEKSMA. JOHANNESBURG, Mopday. Mr. Broeksma was informed yesterday flhart; sentence of death had been pronounced against him. He broke down on hearing the announcement, but at 5.4a this morning, when he was told that the sentence was fco be carried out immediately, he received the news calmly. The prisoner was then led out and shot. Death was instantaneous.-Press Asso- ciation War Special. Later. Two other prominent men, named David Draper and Osterloh, have been arrested in connection with the conspiracy case.-Reuter. The deceased was tried by a military court at Johannesburg on the 16th of Sep- tember on four chargebreakifllg his o&th of neutrality, treachery, high treason, and inciting others to break the oath of- neutrality. Evidence was given at the trial of various significant documents found in the prisoner's possession. Among his letters was a. communication signed "F.K." (the initials being the same as those of Dr. Kranse) speaking of, S&r Alfred Milner as a scoundrel, and expressing scorn of the arro- gance and pride of the English. WELSH SOLDIERS HONOUBED. The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments, honours, and medals for dietingnished conduct in the field to the undermentioned officers and soldiers during the operation^ in South Africa, viz. THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. 1st Battalion.—To be Companions of the Distingaished Service Order-. Major Windham Wyndhim-Quin, Captain Lionel Altham Gra- ham Clarke, and Lieutenant Sir John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Bart. To be colonel in the reserve of officers: Lieutenant-colonel R. E. Golightly, D.S.O. To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal: Squadron-sergeant-major W. Gregory, Squad- ron-sergeant-major F. W. Smith, Squadron- sergeant-major A..J. Lyford (let Life Guards). Lance-corporal G. Stratton, and Private T. Farris. 9th Battalion.—To be a Companion of the Order of the Bath: Lieutenant-colonel Henry Richard Lloyd Howard. To be Companions of the Distinguished Ser-, vice Order: Captain Sidney Llewellyn Parry and Captain Eflward Denman Cropper (since deceased). To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal: Squadron-sergeamt-major E. Bruton (3rd Dragoon Guards), Squadron-sergeant-major Grier, and Sergeant S. H. P. Vereker. THE SOUTH WALES BORDERERS. To be Companions of the Distinguished Ser- vice Order: Major George Champney Palmes, and Captain Harry Hickman Brorsfield, 3rd Battalion (attach-ed). The promotion to the brevet rank of major of Captain" E. C. Purchas, as notized in the "Gazette" of July 5, 1901, is ante-dated to November 29, 1900. To have the honorary rank of captain: Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant W. Burrows. To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal: Colour-sergeant W. H. Keppy, Colour-sergeant H. Standin, Cololtr-setgeant C. West (Perma- nent Staff Volunteer Company (attached), Sergeant E. Fathers, Sergeant G. Francis, Ser- geant J. L. Jones, Sergeant R. J. Soper, and Lance-corporal H. Blair. THE WELSH REGIMENT. To be a Companion of the Order of the Bath: Major Henry D'Alton Harkness. To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order: Lieutenant 'Y"ank Aubrey Jones and Lieutenant Christopher Robert Berkeley. To be Jbrevet-majors: Captain C. B. Morland and Captain H. R. Westmucott. To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal: Colour-sergeant F. Carter, Colour-sergeant B. Evans. Colour-sergeant R. M. Hill, Colour- sergearit A. Jenkins, Colour-sergeant W. Williams, Sergeant A. Dredge, and Sergeant J. Richards. WELSH HOSPITAL. To be a Companion (Civil Division) of the Order of the Bath: Dr. John Lynn Thomas. To be a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George: Dr. Robert Herbert Mille-Roberts. To have the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross: Miss Marion Lloyd.

ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE The leport of the Committee appointed by the Secretary of State for Wax to consider the organisation of the Army Medical Services was issied on Sunday night, and duly bore out the, forecasts published in the medical journals a fortnight ago. The recommenda- tions are necessarily of a most technical character. Professor Ogston. although he signs the rei>ort, makes his sig'iatnre subject to several exceptions, amongBt them being the complaint that the scheme of the Committee does not provide for the formation of a sani- tary corps. Sir William Thompson also puts on record several exceptions, chief of which is that the proposed scheme does not provide for the representation oh the suggested advi- sory board of representatives of the medical schools in the several divisions of the United Kingdom. THE NURSING SERVICE. The rtport of the Committee appointed by the Secretary of State for War to consider the re-organisation of the Army and Indian and Nursing Service waa issued on Sunday night. The Committee recommended that Queen Alexandra shall be asked to assume the presi- dent oi a new organisation, to be known as "Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing Ser- vice," which shall be under the immediate control of fyer Majesty as president and of a nursing board, which shall include the Director- General of the Army Medical Service, mem- bers of various existing organisations, ana two members to be nominated by her Majesty to hold office for three years. The Committee make various recommendations as to pay. conditions of service,, Ac.

ANGLESEY JEWEL THEFT. At Marlborough-street Police-court, London, on Tuesday Julien Gault was brought up, on remand, charged with stealing jewels to the vaiuu of £ 20,000 from the Marquess of Angle- sey. The marquess, who was the ftrst witness, detailed the circumstances of the engagement of Gault, and of the loss of the jewels. The value of those which had disappeared was between X30,000 and £ 40,000. About £ 2,S00 worth were left behind. His lordship identified as his property the overcoat Gault was wearing when arrested. Franl- Settcher, a German, in Lord Angle- sey's service, sacid he saw the prisoner place a key in a box of spiritine (a kind of wax) and sa,v ihe impression it left. Lu v Brown, chambermaid at the Washing- ton Hcust- Hotel, said that at nine on the ni^ht of September 10 she went to one of the two sums of rooms occupie'd by Lord Anglesey The prisoner, whom she first saw sitting on a stool iI: the corridor, followed her, and hen she cpsneo Lord Anglesey's room door with a pass key went in with her. He went to a box at the end of the bed and, opened it. Then he win', to the dirty linen basket, on the v ay hol<' ug up a shirt, and making some remark which she did net understand. He put the shirt and also a suit of pyja.mas into the basket, and then carried them away to another suite. Witness did not see him go to the drawers. Aobtu eight nor nine minutes later he opened the door of a room in the suite to which he had gone. He was wearing an overcoat, and his hands were in his po:k» u. He then went out; but she ad- mitt-d that when she came out cf lord An^r'.efcey's room she did not loek the door. Joseph Duriche, a -porter, said he was in the lia'l of the hotel on the night of September 10, an i saw prisoner pass out between ten and half-past. Prisoner was again remanded.

GRIMSBY STRIKE SETTLED THE MASTERS AGREE TO ACCEPT ARBITRATION. A Grimsby correspondent telegraphs:—The strike is settled, arbitration having been accepted by the owners. Lord Yarborough, with Dr. Grange, met the federated owners on Monday, with the result that a settlement was arrived at. After a thirteen weeks' struggle, the owners agreed to accept arbitration, and this is claimed to be a, Ogtory for the men. His lordship suggested that the fishermen should go to Bfa on the owners' terms, that all questions in dispute between the owners and employes should be referred to an independent arbitrator to be appointed through the medium of the Board of Trade, that the question of a central ship- ping office at which all the men shall sign on should be submitted for flie decision of the "arbitrator, that in the meantime all crews should sign on temporarily at the office of the Board of Trade, and, finally, that the arbitrator's decision should be retrospective from the date of the vessels going to sea. After full consideration, the owners unani- ipously adopted Lord Yarborough's sugges- tions, with the proviso that all grades of the men accepted them. His lordship was warmly thanked by the owners for hia assistance, -white the news of th settlement on becoming Jsaown was received" with wild delight every- where in Grimsby, the fishermen raising hearty cheers. There is no doubt that the men's leaders, who meet to-day (Tuesday), wtil accept the proposed settlement, and it is felt that the scope of the terms, in giving power to an arbitrator to examine every intricacy of the trade, eught to result in permanent benefit.

WAGES OF WELSH MINERS. ——————————— A REDUCTION THE RESULT OF THE AUDIT. I A meeting of the sliding-scale joint com- mittee was held at the Coalowners' Associa- tion Offices, Cardiff, on Monday, under the pre- sidency of Mi. Archibald Hood, Mr, W. Brace being in the vice-chair. There w.ere also pre- sent those representatives whose names are given below A repoit, of which the following is a copy, was is-sued to the press. THE AUDIT REPORT. Before proceeding to open the report of the joint accountants, MesErs. J. C. Birk and Charles E. Parsons, on the result of their audit of the coalowners' books for the two months ending 31st of August last, regulating wages as from the 1st of October, the vice-cliairman stated that the workmen's representatives agreed to the open- ing of the award and would sign the usual cer- tificate on the understanding that they did so without prejudice to any action that they might take hereafter in accordance with the memorandum recorded on the minutes of the la-st meeting. The report of the joint accountants was then opened. and the certificate as given above was signed by both sides of the committee. The memorandum referred to Ly Mr. Brace is explained in the following excerpt from the official report of the last meeting of the slidmg-scale committee, held on the 10th ult:- The meeting was held principally to con- side* a proposal from the workmen's repre- sentatives that I he joint accountants should attend before the committee before proceeding with the sliding-s;ale audit for the two months ended August 31, 1901, in order that instructions might be given to them by the joint committee in regard to dealing with the coal-tax of ls. per ton in future audits. The workmen's -representatives contended for the inclusion of the Is. per ton in the average net price, but to this the coalowners' repre- sentatives could not agree, they contending that the audit must continue to be made as heretofore. After a, general discussion, the following memorandum was agreed to by the joint committee, and it was arranged that a copy of the memorandum should be sent to the joint accouiltants:- "We, the workmen's representatives, agree that the auditors shall proceed with the audit for the two months ending August 31. 1901, on the understar-ding that such audit is taken, as far as the workmen's representatives are con- cerned, without prejHdioe to any action they may take for the recovery of any wages they may be entitled to over and above the findings of such audit. "On the other hand, the owners object to the raising of any question, and they agree only to the audit being taken ae heretofore. "The owners agree that every facility shall be given the auditors for obtaining full infor- mation upon the method adopted in dealing with the is. per ton tax upon exported coal." Subsequently the jeint accountants, Messrs. Parsons and Kirk, had an interview with the joint committee, and were handed copies of the arrangement arrived at. DISPUTES. Bwllfa No. 1 Colliery, Seven Poot Seam.—The workmen at this colliery have been on strike since August 1 in regard to the prices to oe paid for a portion of the Seven Fcot Seam. Mr. C. B. Stanton, miners' agent, objected to the matter being dealt with by the joint committee, as the men had not signed the present sliding- scale agreement, and were, therefore, not parties to it, the owners of the colliery having joined the association "iot. Vit agreement, was signed in 1898. Bedlinog No. 1 East Rhaslas Seam.—The workmen in this seam have been on strike since July 1, and at the last meeting of the joint committee it was arranged that -Messrii. W. G. Dalziel and Thomas Richards, joint secretaries, should visit the colliery a-nd inquiro into the facts. The owners' secretary reported that he and Mr. Richards had been to Dowlais and had had an interview with Mr. Henry Martin, on behalf of the company, and Mr. John Davies, miners' agoat, and four representatives of the workmen, and had heard evidence on both sides, and the owners' secre- tary gave details of the cause of the dispute. He and Mr. Richards had advised Mr. John Davies that it was a matter that should be settled at home between the company and the men. The owners' representatives inti- mated that if the men resumed work the joint committee could take the matter up officially, but that while the men continued on strike, contrary tc the sliding-scale agreement, the coijimittee could not deal with the matter. Rhymney House Coal Collieries.—The work- men at these collieries have been on strike since September 1 in consequence of the demands from the day-wage men for increased rates and a claim from the collieries to be paid for cutting bottom. The dispute had been re- ferred to Messrs. F. L. Davis and W. Brace. These two representatives had, so far, failed to agree. The owners' representatives inti- mated that the demands of the men were a breach of the slidiuc-scale agreement, in that they were asking for an alteration of the cus- tom, and the owners could not agree to the concession of such terms. Dowlais Collieries.-The day-wage men at fliese collieries had on September 1 given a month's notice to terminate contracts in re- gard to the demands for increased rates. The dispute was referred to Messrs. W. Jenkins and W. Brace, but these representatives had so far failed to agree. It was arranged thai; there should be a meeting between the parties in- terested that afternoon. Disputes at the following collieries were referred to two representatives of owners and workmen respectivelyLlanhileth Colliery, in reference to ripping toP (Messrs. Wostenholme and Evan Thomas); Fforchwen. in regard to prices in the Seven Foot Seam (Messae William Jenkins and Evan Thomas); Mardy, (Messrs. F. L. Davit and D. Beynon).

EXPLOSIVES IN MINES. EXEMPLARY SENTENCE BY ABEnr DARE MAGISTRATES. At Aberdare Petty Sessions on Tuesday Wm. Jc nes was charged with infringing the colliery rules providing that when a hole has been charged the expljsive should not be un- ranmied, and no hjl" should be bored within si-, inches from where a charge missed lire. Mr. Charles Kenshele (for the Powell Duffryn Company) said the offence was a flagrant" one, the night and day firemen having warned the defendant. After hearing the evidence, the defendant was sentensed to a month's imprisonment. The Stipendiary said that, as the offence was so serious ajid flagrant, a fine would be absurd.

DANGER AT PONTYPRIDD WORKHOUSE. Dr. Howard Davies presented a report to the Pontypridd Guardians on Wednesday, in which he urged that better nursing arrange- ments were needed at the workhouse infir- mary, and more accommodation for the nurses. The prescmt building could not be extended, and he suggested that the tramp wards should be removed from the workhouse premises, and the site utilised to accommodate the nurses. These wards interfered with the Classification of the sexes, and were a source of. grave danger to the rest of the inmates. On three separate occasions during the last few years they had dreaded an outbseak of small- pox, and he pointed out that tramps suffering from lothsome diseases bad been removed from the wards to the house. There was an average of 120 tramps within the wards every week.— Dr. Naunton Davies, J.P., who presided, said that the valuable suggestions of the medical officer would receive every attention.—It was decided that the report be circulated by the next meeting.

ANOTHER GREAT CARNEGIE GIFT. The Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College authorities on Tuesday received a letter from Mr. Carnegie's secretary stating that Mr. Carnegie, having seen that the X150,000 buildinr fund had reached something over £ 100,000, would be pleased to give one-half of the deficiency upon condition that the other half was promptly raised. THE MAN WITH THE MUCK-RAKE. To him. it seemed simple insanity to appear—to appear-to take up the cause of our country's enemies, and to appear to exaggerate every defect that could possibly be found in the methods of one's own countrymen. (Hear, hear.) It was a state of mind that he could not possibly conceive. But they had to deal with such a class of persons. (Hear, hear.)"—Lord Windsor at Cardiff.

FUTURE OF THE SLID- ING SCALE. WILL IT CEASE TO EXIST NEXT YEAR? Mr. W. Abraham ("Mabon"), M.P., has made plain his prophecy that the sliding-scale as a medium for the regulation of wages in the Welsh coalfield- has less than another year of existence before it. The responsibility for this he places on the shoulders of those who refused to agree to the adoption of the two I most necessary supports to its existence-the I scheme for controlling the output and the establishment of a minimum wage. "Had either of these been adopted," adds "Mabon," "the bitter and exacting treatment of the men in the last dispute would have been avoided, and the scale could have lived as a regulation of wages for at least another age in this coalfield." The significance of these words, emanating from the source they do, is eelf- apparent, and a query that naturally arises is, 'What do the employers think of those words?" Most of the coalowners who attended the Sliding-scalc Joint Committee at Cardiff on Monday were seen by a "Western Mail" repre- seu-tative, who invited their views on the position. Without- exception they were all disinclined to commit themselves to any | opinion, on the score that the time was in- opportune. "Ic is too early to say anything with regard to the ienewal or otherwise of the sliding-, scale," sa.1 a leading colliery proprietor to one of our reporters. "The tMiewal of the tcale," he cor.luuaed, "entirely remains with the price of coal at the time-that is. next year. If the rate of wages is high you can rely upon the scale being renewed, for a large number of the men throughout the coal dis- tricts are in favour of such an arrangement, and will, if, as I have said before, the wages are high, press for its re-adoption." j Mr. Forster-Br )wn, when approached, said that the continuance of the sliding-scale depended entirely upon the circumstances by which they would be governed next year in the Welsh coalfield. More than that he would not say. It was too soon to speak of the sub- ject yet. Mr. E. P. Martin remarked that there was so much of what was untrue being reported in the press that he would not say anything at all. Mr. Archibald Hood (chairman of the sliding- scale committee) and others also preferred to remain silent. It was not to be expected that the men's representatives would disagree with "Mabon." Mr. Daronwy Isaac said that, whether the I sliding-scale came to an end or not, the men were determined to have a minimum wage established. established. Mr. Brace merely remarked: "The time is not opportune fpr me to speak on the matter." Mr. Alfred Onions expressed himself entirely in agreement with "Mabon's" Bentiment, which he considered had been very well put. Mr. Evan Thomas was also in accord with, the veteran miners' leader, and said "The J sliding-scale is bound to be abolished, and the men will insist upon a minimum wage. It is a vital part of the policy of the Miners' Fede- ration of Great Britain to do away with slid- i ing-scales, and that was one important con- dition upon which we joined the Federation after the strike in 1898." What do you suggest as a substitute for controlling wages?" "A conciliation bohrd. Through the medium of this board the wages would be controlled according to the variations in prices." ¡ "Do you anticipate another fight?" No, I don't think the masters will fight trhe men on this question. We are better organised now than we have ever been before." A few more drops of 33 per cent. in future audits between now and 1902 will not. to put it mildly, add to the popularity of the scale among the Welsh miners.

EXCURSION BOAT WRECKED I DISASTER ON THE LAKE OF KILLARNEY. Ap. excursion boat was wrecked on the Lake of Killarney on Sunday, and three lives were lost. The boat, which contained a party ot seven tourists and a crew of five, was leaving the upper lake, and on shooting the rapids under the old weir bridge the craft, owing to the unusually high water, collided with the spear point of the bridge. The bows were stove in, and the boat capsized. Through strenuous efforts on th-e part of the spectators, who laboured under the greatest difficulties, nine persons were rescued, but two boatmen and a gentleman staying on his honeymoon at Killarney, named Captain Debrener, of the Dutch Army, were drowned.

MOUNTAIN ASH CYCLIST DROWNED. Richajfd James, residing at 3, Sion-place, Cwjnbach, was riding his bicycle on the Gla- morganshire Canal bank from Mountain Ash to Cwmbach on Monday. When opposite the Duffryli House he overbalanced and fell into, the canal, which is. at this spot, about 6ft. or i 7ft. deep. He was taken out of the water by I the policeman in charrge at Capcoch, but life was extinct. The machine was found near the bank on one side, and the body near the oppo- site bank.

VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS DEMANDS OF CHURCHMEN VOICED. The resolutions of the joint conference sitting in committee of the Convocations of Canterbury and York on Church of Eng- land schools were looked forward to with the greatest interest. These have now been published, and we find that it is pro- posed that all scIiojoL chad be hnanood, as tar as the cost of maintenance, exclusive of repairs of the structure in voluntary schools, is concerned, out of public funds, whether Imuerial or local, and that it shall be no condition of participation in these funds by voluntary schools whether any form of religious instruction be or be not taught in those schools; that the funds reeded feft- capital expenditure on the school buildings, as well as for necessary extensions and structural alterations, shall be provided by the body to which the school belcngs, but that the managers shall not be liable for any other expenditure; that the government of every school, and especially the appointment and dismissal of the teachers, shall be left in the hands of the present committee of management, with the addition of certain members appointed by, or under rules made by, the local authority, such additional members not to exceed one-third of the whole num- ber and that whenever a reasonable num- ber of parents desire that religious instruc- tion in accordance with their own belief shall be given to their children oppor- tunity for such instruction shall be secured to them by statute in all elementary schools; provided that this can be done without expense to the managers. In view of the grave issues involved in the conclu- sions at in the foregoing resolu- tions, the Convocations advise that a united effort should be made by Churchmen to urge upon his Majesty's Government the necessity of introducing and pressing during the coming session legislation on the lines therein indicated.

MILITARY DIVORCE SUIT. An action by Mrs. Mary Blackwood. or Porter, of 3. Randolph-crescent Edinburgh. for divorce f-nm her husband, Captain Gerald Montgomery Porter, late 7th Hussars, on the ground of his adultery, came before Lord Stormont'i Darling at Edinburgh on Tuesday. The petitioner stated that the marriage took place at Edinburgh in 1884. Her husband was born in India, and was the son of a distin- guished Indian officer. After ten years' ser- viae in the Army he retired, and then pur-' chased a coffee plantation in Mysore, from which his income was derived. They lived together in various plaecs in Scotland and [England. In 1892 witness observed a change in her husband, and was much distressed to find his relations with a lady were far toa friendly. He made a complete confession, and promised that it would never happen again. She then forgave him, but some time after- wards discovered that he was still in corre- spondence with the lady. In 1899 she found that he was paying very marked attentions to a, second lady. In May last witness found a letter addressed to her husband by a lady, couched in very affectionate terms, and safcse- quently a letter frem another lady, which horrified her very much. This lady she had met at a friend's house. She then ascertained that he was carrying on clandestine correspon- dence with still another lady, and that he had been writing about rooms to hotels in Lon- don under an assumed name. On June 14 last the defendant told her that he was going to London "on business." A solicitor stated that, accompanied by a private detective, he called at a London hotel on the morning of June 18, and asked for Mr. and Mrs. Porter, but were told that no parties of that name were staying there. Then "Cap- tain and Mrs, Paget" were asked for. Witness and his companion were shown up to a sitting-room. "Captain Paget" entered, and turned out to be, as they had suspected, Mr. Porter. Witness observed a lady in the room adjoining. His lordship pronounced a decree of divorce, giving- the wife the custody of the children.

THE CHARGE AGAINST AN EX-POSTMASTER. PRISONER BEFORE A BRIDGEND MAGISTRATE. Mr. W. H. Clatworthy, ex-postmaster of Porthcawl. whose arrest at Bristol was announced in our yesterday's issue, was brought from Bristol to Bridgend on Tuesday and charged at an occasional court, before Mr. p, J. Thomas, with defrauding the Post Office of sevc-ral sums of money. Mr. Harry Lewis, from the office of Mr. T. J. Hughes. Bridgend, appeared for the defence.—Superin- tendent Davies asked for a remand. No evidence was offered, and Clatworthy was remanded until Saturday. Prisoner, who had been lodging at Ivy Villa, Lilystock-avenue, Ashley-hill, since he left Porthcawl, was arrested by Sergeant Jenkius, of Porthcawl, on Monday, when stepping off an electric car. The sergeant, in company of some Bristol detectives, had been on the look-out for him for some time.

MINERS' CONFERENCE A POLITICAL FUND TO BE ESTABLISHED. 4 The annual conference of the Miners' Fede- ration of Grsat Britam was continued in Bir- migham on Wednesday, when Mr. B. Pickard. M.P., who presided, delivered his presidential address. He thought, he said. they might con- gratulate themselves upon their position. No other trade society, whether rich or poor, had ever attempted to do what the Federation had done. h¡opl talked of a, minimum wage, a maximum wage, and of a living wage, but no cne ever attempted to put it into a concrete form until he did. He took that litLle credit to himself. So far the Federation was con- cerned, he did not play second fiddle to any other Trade Union for pertinacity. For intel- lectual application to a given idea they con- sidered the leaders of the Federation were second 10 ncne. They were like one of the animals of creation—when they once got their teeth in they never took them out. (Laughter.) If the Federation continued on the same lines as it bad up to the present, there was a great future before it, but those who might have to lead or direct it would not find the times easy. No doubt there were troublous times ahead. They found that the employers of labour were like the horse Icech-the more blood they got the more they liked. Whern they heard of employers who had made 90 per cent. and got a bonus of ;0 per cent., it was enough to stagger one's idea of political economy to hear of certain small districts, with favour- able means of selling coal, asking for a reduc- tion of wages. So far as wages were con- cerned, they were settled until 1904—settled with a minimum wage until then. In the Federation, continued Mr. Pickard, they had 345,000 members actually in the Union, and they had down and about the pits 450,000 men. If they took out the managers and c'erks and tho3e who were not eligible for membership they would see there was a very small proportion of men and boys out- side the Union. If they 'kept their men in that Union there was not much to be feared in the future so far as wages' questions were concerned. Another important question was the Taff Vale decision. They had heard from Mr. Atherley-Jones that he did not think that things were so bad as they were painted. They had a doubt whether an unregistered Union would be liable equally with a registered Trade Union. Mr. Jones was emphatic that, if unlawful acts were done, they were just as liable in the one case as in the other. Mr. Jones gave them to understand that under the new reading of the law civil action will follow the unlawful act of any Trade Union official. Whether the employer will be able to make out a good case for compensation was another matter. So far as the Taff Vale deci- sion was concerned, it only applied where everybody was authorised to attack and inti- midate by violence, and by show of force in any strike. They must have their rules so framed that no official could do any unlawful act in bringing men out on strike, so that their funds might be protected. As to timbering in mines, the men were prepared to carry the regulations out, but the owners were not. He instanced a. colliery where the rules were not carried out, and argued that if the Home Secretary made rules without their knowledge ha ought to see that they were al"ried ont. The last conference dealt with this matter in a, drastic spirit, and in a way which showed they meant mischief. Then, he thought, some collieries would be laid idle in Yorkshire. Speaking on the eight hours' question, Mr. Pickard thought the position was one of con- gratulation that in a Tory House of Commons and against a Tory Government they had carried the second reading of their Eight Hours Bill, and if time had been given them they would have carried the whole Bill through. They knew what his advice was—Take a ballot of the men to see whether they should hand in fourteen days' notice. Personally, he thought the time had come when they should say they would have it by hook or by crook. They were advised to have a conference with Durham and Northumberland. Well, he had no faith in asking people to meet them. They were strong enough for people to come to them. They were opposed to the employ- ment of foreign uufekilled labour in the mines. The mines were unsafe—explosions almost every day proved that and the danger wag increased by the employment of unskilled men. On this matter they would have to alter their tactirb, or go back into barbarism and take the law into their own hands. Turning to unskilled labour, Mr. Pickard referred to the summing-up of some coroners. Some of the coroners were for them, others were against them. In summing-up he urged that a coroneT should neither take their side r.or tha side of the employer, and what the law said should bA d )ne he ought to empha- sise. As to Labour representation, he had not changed his position from that of last year, when he told them that they needed seventy or a hundred men in the House of Commons who would take a firm stand cn Labour ques- tions. It was not for them to discuss politics. or he should drop a few words, but he would say that all their work was of a political kind, and they paid their money for political pur- poses as well as for trade purposes. Practi- cally, the fund they created was for political purposes. As they knew this year, a large .suin had been paid in returning-officers' fees. They did not begrudge it, but they wished they could win new seats, acd there was a good deal in tact and finding places where they cotJd win. All the figures were not in yet, but he thought there were sufficient to indicate the trend of opinion. In regard to the Federation, there were about 20,000 men in favour of paying a shilling a year to the political fund, and there was a large minority who did not believe in paying the shilling, or they did not believe in the principle. If they proceeded with the scheme and got the money they should apply it at the next general elec- tion. It would be difficult to find places to fight and to keep the whole thing together. If they had failures they must take the men into their confidence, and he hoped that they would be united and feel that they were work- ing in a grand cause. Mr. T. Greenall (Manchester) moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Pickard for his address. Mr. D. Watts Morgan (South "%j>:s), in seconding, expressed a hope that the presi- dent's reference to labour representation would stimulate them in their own districts to promote the success of the scheme. The vote of thanks was passed unanimously. The delegates then proceeded to consider in committee the action to be taken on the eight hours question. On the proposition of Mr. W. Parrott (Barns- ,ley). seconded by Mr. W. Brace (South Wales), a resolution was unanimously passed express- ing satisfaction at the progress made by the Eight Hours Bill in the House of Commons this year, and declaring the unchanged deci- sion of the Federation to press forward the Bill until it becomes law." On the proposition of Mr. Greenall (Manchester), seconded by Mr. R. Smil- lie (Lanarkshire), the following reso- lution, adopted at the Saltburn Con- ference, was wV.animously re.affirmed:- "That, whilst pot relaxing our efforts to secure an eight hour day from bank to bank by legal f-nnctment. we instruct the executive com- mittee to approach the coalowners with a view of obtaining a reduction in the hours of labour in the Federation area, and, failing to arrive at a satisfactory agreement by conci- liatory means, a tallot of the workmen in the Federation districts be taken with a view of enforcing the same on a given date, and that date be fixed for the simultaneous inaugurar tion of an eight hours day." IMPORTANT LABOUR REPRESENTATION SCHEME. The next question which came up for con- s'deration was the resolution adopted at Saltburn last year recommending that a, ballot be taken .e to whether the members would be willing to pay t levy of one shilling per member per year, payable in four three- penny levies, to provide a fund to run Labour candidates for Parliament. The Secretary reported that the ballot showed a majority of at least three to one of the number voting in favour of the proposed levy for Labour repre- sentation purposes. It was accordingly decided to adopt the scheme forthwith, and to make an annual levy of one shilling per member, the first yearly payment to be made during the month of December.

USE SWIFT'S American BEEF. ;,j It has NO EQUAL. c2100 Strongest and Best" pi —Hoeith FRY'S Pure Ooncontrated A6wr& VOCOA COCOA Pure Ooncontrated COCOA Riot\e«t in fiMh^oriqiiig and energy* 'Cueing oonetUuents. Amdtm wusm, ] F R S JL ( 20o Qold Medals & Diplomas 1 ^aww*