Evening Express

-I Telephone: National. 502. Post-oSlce, ø, .elezr,ims: Exjr-e.IF. Cardiff." "r" ,r, -r-

CHANCE FOR THE AMATEcR. The year 1902 promises to provide the chance of a lifetime to the amateur (as well as the professional) gardener. If the chance had coins a year later, or had declared itself for 1902 a year sooner, a great many more people yourselves included) would have been ready to seize its skirts. Now, we can only put others up to it. It is always the way with things mundane, that they come too late or too early to suit some people. Of course, there is always the early bird on the scone, and it is this early bird, whether amateur or professional, which will be able to seize the golden opportunity. Hothouse, orchard, and garden produce will be in incessant and unsatiable demand in this country throughout the year. For, see, what is fi'cing to happen. The start will come with the celebrations over the end of the war in South Africa, when the whole Empire will rejoice, and flowers and fruit will have a conspicuous part in the mafficking. Then will come the celebration of the King's I birthday on May 24. immediately followed by the Coronation on June 26, which in turn will be succeeded by the Prince of Walcs's birthdav festivities on July 6. Flowers, plants, and fruits will be required in large quantities and there is no reason why Wales should not share largely in the prosperity which is offering. A word to the wise is sufficient.

MARQUIS ITO VISITS THE KING The Marquis Ito, ex Premier of Japan, who ■visited the King on Friday, was most cordially received by his 1faje3tv.. He was introduced by the Marquess of Lausdowne, who came up specially from Bo wood. The Japanese statesman and British Minister exchanged courtesy visits during the afternoon. the Marquis Ito culling upon Lord Lansdowne at l.ansilowiio HOU3C, afterwards receiving his lordship at the Alexandra, Hotel. In the evening- the marquis attended Drury Lane pantomime. The plans of the marquis during his stay in London are not yet fully arranged, but M. Tsuilzurka, a member of the Japanese House of Peers, travelling with his Excellency, to'd a Central News representative that their visit would probably last seven or ten days, and that they would then leave for Japan. M. P' Tsudzurka explained that die tour of the marquis had no political significance, but that the journey from country to country and capital to capital was not being made for pleasure, nor yet exactly as a holiday trip. The plan of the marquis was to gather quietly information and ideas and to acquire an equipment of knowledge on various matters. His attitude was one of private study, bnt the knowledge he gained could hardly fail to he of service to his country. The marquis desired to avoid publicity as much as possible, and anything approaching advertisement. The marquis has accepted an invitation to diieuner to be given in his honour on the 3rd of January at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor. Other invitations, notably from the London Chamber of Commerce and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, have had to be declined, much to the marquis's regret, as il is arranged he will lesvve London on the 8th of January to catch a steamer leaving Mar- seilles for Japan on the 12th. For this reason also the marquis fears he will be unable to accept the offer of D.C.L. from Oxford Univer- sity. as the university term dees not begin until the loth prox.

WALES AND THE LONDON MISSION ARY SOCIETY. According to the one hundred and sixth report of the London Missionary Society, which is practically the foreign missionary society oi tilt Congregation a list s-wii i c'ii is about being published—the contributions from the various Welsh counties. &c., during the 1'e¡tr were as follows:—Anglesey, £ 178 3s. 9d.; Carnarvon (South) L253 7s. 3d., Carnarvon (North) A;322 2i¡, fid.—total. JE580 9s. 8d.; Den- bighshire. £ 264 17s. 8d.; Flintshire, £ 59 15s. 3d.; Merioneth, JE277 8s. 2d.: Montgomeryshire, £ 179 Os. lei; Breconshire and Radnorshire. JE208 1-ia. 7d.: Cardiganshire, 1672 8s. 9d.; Carmar- thenshire, £1,050 148. 2d.; Glamorgan ^North), .E778 15a. 8d.. Glamorgan (West) £532 16s. 8d., Glamorgan (South) JE201 16s. 3d.. Glamorgan Œa,t) £ 7C5 10s. 5d, Glamorgan (English Churches) £ 731 10s. 7d.—total for the county, £ 2.813 13s.; Monmouthshire (Welsh only), £ 255 6a. 5d.: Pembrokeshire (Welsh) jB501 lis. 10d., Pembrokeshire 'English1 £ 293 6s. 2d.-total for the county £784 4s. 3d.; Welsh Churches in London. Manchester. Liverpool, Ac.. £434 10s. 3d.: making the total of the Welsh Churches in England and 27.458 Is. 6d.. c,)mpared with jE7,117 19e. Id. for the previous year, or an increase of £ 340 ls. 5d. The total Teceipta of the society were £ 172,369 lis., or. with contributions for special purposes £ 221.111 153. Id. This shows a deficit during the last two years of £ 36.608 18e. 8d. The society has now 270 missionaries in the field-Z03 males and 67 females. Within the next few days an appeal will be made to the Congregational Churches of the country to meet a total deficit of £55.000 in the funds of the society. Ten years ago the society entered upon a "forward movement," which resulted in a considerable increase of the missionary staff. This increased expendi- ture was not met by a permanent increase of income, and, consequently, year by year the deficit has grown large". As only £25.000 will be available from the Twentieth Century Fund for foreign missionary work. at least £ •35,000 most be at once raised to meet the diffi- culty in which the society is placed. An auonymotij friend of the society has promised £1.000 if the remainder of the deficiency is met-

A RAILWAY CRASH, The relief train to the dining-car express due at Newcastle from the South at eight p.m. caijic Into the station there at too great a sneect on Friday night, and. carrying away the buffers, crashed into the oil-man's cabin, which was completely demolished. Several passengers complained of shock, but nobody was seriously hurt. 1■ cabm "13 unoccupied at the time.

Three Men injured by an Explosion Two explosions occurred in Welling-street, Gateshead, on Friday, by which three men were severely injured. Some excavations were being made near a manhole in the pavement, many yards of which were forced upwards by the explosion. The Ac., in the imme- diate vicinity "ere dmuased. It is not yet istabiiilied wbether the axplosioa was due to ar Sit*.

Why i Voted I for Winfield. ANSWER TO A MUCH- I CANVASSEU QUESTION [By Mr. Harry Bowen.] It seems pretty well known that my vote was recorded in the Cardiff man's favour. And. if corroboration were needed. I may say that there is act a shadow of donbt about it. Why I, a Western man, dared to have any ideas of my own as to what was just and fair seems to be a mystery to some of my friends. Was it rot well known that Strand Jones and I were fast friends? Was he not a Llanelly club man? Was he not as good as Winfield? To all these I unhesitatingly answer. Yes. He was and is my friend; he is a Llanelly Club man, and is Winfield's equal. Could I write "Winfield's superior" then matters would have been considerably sim- plified. but. to my mind, he is not that. I anxiously watched the both men at the Trial Match, and also at the Cardiff—Oxford game. I earnestly wished that any point of diffe- rence could be marked by which one man could be judged the better, and at the con- clusion there existed no doubt to me that either man was the other's equal. Again, Strand Jones's reputation was balanced by what I had personally seen Win- field do. Starting from this base, then, equality of play and equality of reputation, I had to consider that Winfield has been reserve to Bancroft for some time, was con- sidered by good judges to have deserved his place last season, has kept up his form and not deteriorated, and jou have the matter before you. But the majority of the votes went the other way, and I trust all sportsmen will bow to that decision. Even with the same data, our conclusions a,re not always alike, and I should like to state that I believe every mem- ber of the committee voted according to his own decision in the matter, and not out of any pique or disagreement with regard to anything else. I hope matters will be so arranged that no necessity will arise of reasons for this or that. Every footballer admits that Strand Jones will worthily uphold the honour of his position, and encouragement and not discouragement will now do much towards victory. ii

Merthyr School Board TRIANGULAR FIGHT FOR A VACANT SEAT. A special meeting of the Merthyr School Board wae held on Friday to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Mr. Joseph Owen. Mr. W. L. Daniel (chairman of the board) presided. At the outset a letter was read from Mrs. M. Tegwedd Williams on behalf of the Merthyr Women's Liberal Association, expressing a hope that the board would see its way clear to elect Mrs. G. C. James, it being explained that this communication had been sent without Mrs. James's cognisance.— The Chairman proposed the appointment of Mrs. James. During the term that Mrs. James sat on the board, he said, she was very faith- ful in her attendance, and did her work remarkably well. At the last election she was defeated by only very few votes.—The Rev. E. J. Rosaer Evans seconded the nomination, remarking that it was quite possible Mrs. James might have been returned last time bnt for the loss of some of her ballot papers.— The Rev. David Price proposed that the Rev. W. 1. Jones, nastor of Zion Baptist Chapel, be elected. Mr. Jones, he said. was an able man, well qualified to become a member. He did not see why the person at the head of the list of unsuccessful candidates should be elected to fill a vacancy. In some cases it would be a very unwise plan to adopt.-The Rev. James Williams seconded.—Mr. V. A. Wills favoured the election of Mrs. James, and urged Mr. Price to withdraw his amendment.— The Rev. David Price declined, saying that if Mrs. James had any sense of honour she woald refuse the seat.—Mr. Michael Thomas thought that Troedyrhiw, where the late Mr. Owen resided, had some claim to consideration, and he proposed that Mrs. Edmunds. Mr. Owen's daughter, be appointed.—The Rector of Dow- lais, in seconding, said he thought they would not be doing justice if they ignored the locality from which the deceased member came.—The Rev. John Thoma3 supported the election of Mrs. James, not, be observed, because she was Mrs. James, but because he wished to see the principle observed of electing to a vacancy the person who stood highest of the unsuccess- ful candidates on the poll.—Mr. W. R. Thomas spoke in support of Mrs. Edmunds.—Th3 Chair- man, in winding up the discussion, said the Baptist friends had had a meeting, and he had been told that the name of Mrs. Edmunds was put forward as well as that of the Rev. Mr. Jones.—The Rev. David Price: Mr. Jones's name was oarried unanimously.—The Chair- man said he had been informed that Mr. Jones had 24 votes, and there were seventeen given for Mrs. Edmunds.—The Rev. David Price: There were more than two names submitted. but there was an unanimous vote.—The Chair- man: But you will admit she was supported by a large section.—The Rev. David Price: Yes.- Acting upon the advice of the Rev. James Williams, the Rev. David Price consented to withdraw the name of the Rev. Mr. Jones, but although an appeal was made to Mr. Michael Thomas he persisted in taking a division.—The result was as follows:—For Mrs. Edmunds, 5—j the Rector of Dowlais, Mr. Michael Thomas, Mr. W. R. Thomas, the Rev. James Williams, and the Rev. David Price. For Mrs. James. 4-1 the chairman, the Rev. E. J. Rosser Evans, the Rsv. John Thomas, and Mr. V. A. Wills.- Mis. Edmunds was. accordingly, declared elected. THE ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Mer- thyr School Board was held on Friday. Mr. W. L. Daniel, chairman, presiding. The staff committer reported the receipt of a letter from the Board of Edneation relative to the pupil teachers' central classes, saying:—"The time spent by the pupil teachers at the centre is less than is usually the cr,ae. but very good use is made of it, the teaching being able, earnest, and conscientious." The returns for Xovember showed that the average attendance of the boys and girls in standards in all the schools of the parish was 82.8 per cent.. and that of the infants 75.7 per cent.—The site3 and buildings committee recommended that an acre of land he acquired on the site already selected for the new school proposed to be hqilt at Quaker's Yard; that the clerk ascer- tain from the landlords the term-s on which it could be obtained, nnd that a modern infants' school to accommodate 300 children, with sufficient provision for the first and second standards, be erected thereon, subject to the approval of the Local Government Board. The recommendations were adopted.—1The mani- festo of the executive committee of the Federa- tion of School Boards for Wales with regard to the educational proposals of the Govern- ment was submitted to the board for conside- ration.—The Chairman referred to the action of Mr. Humphreys Owen at a meeting of the Liberal party in Wrexham. and said it would never do to put elementary education in the hands of the Welsh Central Board. It should be placed in the hands of some eleetTvc body immediately responsible to the ratepayers. So far as the Welsh members were concerned, they were particularly anxious to have some guidance, in order to enable them to form precisely the kind of measare that ought to be passed, and for that purpose a conference had been arranged to take place in London between them and rep-,esentatives of school boards. Upon the motion of the Rev. John Thomas, seconded by Mr. W. R. Thomas, the principles embodied in the manifesto were approved.

• OBITUARY. MR. JOHN THOMAS, FISHGUARD. The death took place suddenly on Thursday morning of Mr. John Thomas, who was well- known throughout North Pembrokeshire as a successful farmer. He formerly resided at Penfeidr, Mathry. but retired, and since then had lived at Fishguard. Mr. Thomas left Fishguard on Monday for the residence of his nephew. Mr. John Perkins. Treveiog, St. Nicholas, and spent Christmas Day there. He retired to bed in his usual health, but on the morning of Boxing Day it was found that he had passed peacefully away in his sleep. He was 79 years of age. He was an authority on agricultural matters, a prominent Conserva- tive, and held the office of sidesman at St. Mm-y's Church. Fishguard. Previous to his <> he hay been attended by Br. Mc'jraa

Liverpool Train Disaster EVIDENCE AT THE BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY Self-Sacrifice of the Employes. I BOY COMPLIMENTED FOR BRAVERY I The Liverpool coroner on Friday opened the inquest as to tue death of the six men who lost their lives in the terrible disaster on the Overhead Railway. Two ^ere passengers— Forbes Irvine Bingham, solicitor, and James Beadon—and four railway employe3, named Charles Maloney. guard Robert Aihbee, driver; Thomas Randell. station foreman; and Joseph Charles O'Brien, carriage cleaner. It was stated that Randell leaves a widow and three children. Beadon leaves a widow and one child. Ashbee was also married, and Bingham and Maloney were single. Mr. Crooks, solicitor, who represented the railway company, said. on behalf of the directors, how much they deplored the terrible accident, and expressed their sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. Evidence of identification was given. In the case of Ashfcee the features were quite unrecognisable, identification being made by means of a, watch and chain and a. bunch of keys found in his possession. The guard Maloney was identified by his brother, who is also employed by the company. I He said Maloney only returned last May from South Africa, where he haG. served as a Volun- teer. afterwards resuming civil occupation. Deceased was with the 1st Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment. The Coroner adjourned the inquest to the 3th of January, remarking that he was glad that the witnesses for the identification were ao few in view of what they might have seen. BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. Tho Board of Trade inquiry was opened on Friday by Colonel York*, R.E.. assisted by Mr. Trotter, electrical expert to the Board of Trade. Prior to taking evidence they visited the sccne of the disaster, walking through Dingle Tunnel to the station. William Owen. signalman, who was taken to the hospital, deposed that. all went well with the train until it wa6 about eighty yards from the Dingle Station platform, when sud- denly he saw a flare at the end of the train. Maloney. the guard, shouted to witness to tell them in the station to have the current cut off at the generating station. This was done in four or five minutes. Witness described what was done to extinguish the fire with chemical hand-grenades and buckets of water. He saw two passengers reach the platform safely and stand there watching the burning train. The fire soon developed into a, big blaze, but witness did not leave the signal- box until compelled by the heat and smoke. Before starting for the platform he soaked hi!! handkerchief in water, and put it into his mouth, and he believed that this saved his life. Both his ears were scorched before he got out. He saw the four deceased employes assisting passengers, and believed they must suddenly have collapsed owing to the suffo- cating smoke. He had never seen any acci- dent like this before on the Overhead Rail- way. He was confident that if the two deceased passenger* had been on the platform instead of in the four-foot way they would have been saved, as they had three minutes' start of him. They must have missed the plat- fonn in the darkness and confusion. Mr. Cottrell, the railway engineer and mana. ger, said the motors used on the train were of the best type known nine yeara ago, when the carriages were built. They would now adopt what was known as the Ironclad type. which was the latest motor. The fusing occurred in the armature of the motor, but they never anticipated it catching fire and firing the train. The thing might occur half a dozen times without doing damage. He explained the general working of the line and the means taken by the pas- sengers and officials to effect their escape. He pointed out that the rumour that the Dingle Station doors were locked was not true. It, no doubt, got about owing to the fact that some of the passengers missed their way in the midst of the 3Dloke and darkness and tried to get out at the ingress door instead of the egress door. The doors wc»e open. as during all working hours of the day. A boy train booker, named Gough. stated that when the fire broke out he took the hand lamps and guided a number of passengers out of the tunnel to positions of safety. One of the passengers lay moaning in the permanent way, and witness crawled to his assistance on his hands and knees. Some passengers re- mained watching the burning coaches until warned of the danger, and these bad to be helped away. Colonel Yorke complimented Gough on hie bravery. He had distinguished himself very much. A booking-clerk at Dingle Station stated that the incandescent gas lights were burning con- tinuously in the tunnel in addition to the electricity, but owing to the sil101,e they were I practically useless. After the accident the gas- lights were extinguished by the fireman. Several passengers who came by the train simply walked out of the station before wit- ness got any message as to the accident. Foreman Orford said that when he collected tickets at the station before the train took fire he noticed that the insulation was smell- ing. which he considered not unusual, especially in wet weather. The train was in a perfect working condition. Foreman Driver Cnnliffe had no complaint about any smell from this particular train. which only came from the sheds that morning after being overhauled and the brakes adjusted. Jackson, a coach-lifter, said that the motor had not always been under that particular coach. The only complaint he received of the motor was that it. hummed, which was not a very serious fault, and arose from the friction of the brushes on the armature. He had heard no particular complaint of this train. The average mileage of each armature was 35.000 miles. Mr. Cottrell further stated that the directors had decided to eliminate wood from the struc- tures as iar as possible in the future, and to use only iron, brick, and stone for the plat- forms and other purposes. On ordinary days he thought the fire would never have started. The fanned the flames on to the woodwork of th3 train and roadway. When,the lights went low there must ha\e been a very heavy short circuit. He had never anticipated the armature of the motor catching fire and set- ting fire to the train. The sleepers that caught fire were 18ft. from the train. There was evidence that the passengers were stand- ing in places where they could not have been had the sleepers been ablaze. On a damp day it was quite common for insulating material to get damp and for heat- to be generated. The insulating material would then smell, just as an ordinary dynamo would. There would be about twelve minutes' interval between the first electric flash, indicating the firing, and the time when matters arrived at a serious state. During the interval there was plenty of time for the passengers to get out of the 6tation. It wae ten minntes past six when the passengers came out. It looked as if six or eight had lingered at the fire. The reason the flames advanced so rapidly was that the wind was blowing a hurricane up the tunnel. On an ordinary day he did not think the fire would have spread at all. The inquiry then terminated, and Colonel Yorke and Mr. Trotter proceeded to the com- pany's carriage works to inspect the motor apparatus.

SPORT OF THE DAY. T. Lane, the cross-country rider, is back again in England after a year's successful work on the Continent. France is having quite a fresh stock of cross- I country horsemen in ex-flat race jockeys— F. Pratt, Barlen, and Brennan. J. Boon, the jockey who died as the result of an accident at Auteuil on the 15th iust., was buried at Newmarket yesterday. The total value in stakes won during the last flat racing season was £ 479,000 in England, £ 30,000 in Ireland, and £ 14,000 in Scotland. £30.000 in Ireland, and £14.0ù0 in Scotland. I G. M'Call. the Scottish jockey, was married on Thursday in Edinburgh, to Miss Annie Hastie Craig, daughter of Mr. Thomas Craig, of Dunbar. The American rider. Peter M'Dermott. will next year ride for Count de l'Etour in Russia, and his brother Martin will train the horses of that nobleman.

The Queen's Health. Sir Francis Laking saw the Queen at Marl- borough House on Friday. Her Majesty is I going on satisfactorily. It is possible, so good has been the progress made, that the Queen may be able to leave London next week and go to Sandringham to complete her convales- If it bn bf-r v "jJJ

I Municipal Trading. PROPOSED LIMITATION. Royal Commission Suggested. A correspondent, writing to the "Times" on the question of municipal trading, says that action is now being taken with a view to securing the appointment of a Royal Commis- sion to define the extent to which municipal trading should be sanctioned by Parliament, and a form of petition to Lord Salisbury, strongly urging that such Royal Commission should be appointed, has just been circulated among the associations representing the dif- ferent industries of the country and also among leading banks, insurance companies, chambers of commerce, iron, steel, and engineering firms and companies, tramway, lighting, and electric companies, dock, canal. and shipping companies, Ac., with requests for signature. The movement of which this action is the outcome, originated in the read- ing of a paper on "The Cost of Municipal Enterprise," by Mr. Dixon H. Davies, at the Society of Arts, in February, 1899. As a result of the discussion of this paper, the Liberty and Property Defence League took steps which led to some 400 or 500 petitions being pre- sented to Parliament in the session of 1899 asking for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the development and limits of municipal trading. Mr. Balfour intimated that the Government thought a proper method of investigation would be by a Joint Com- mittee of the two House?. This Committee, however, was not actually nominated until May 9, 1900. when the Earl of Crews (chair- man). Viscount Hampden, Viscount Peel. Lord Windsor. Lord Rothschild, Mr. Grant Lawson Mr Hobhouse, Mr. Lawia Fry. Sir Walter Foster, and Sir William Dunn were COI1¡;tituted a Select Committee "to consider and report as to the principles which should govern powers given by Bills and Provisional Orders to municipal and other local authori- ties for industrial enterprise within or with- out the area, of their jurisdiction." A num- ber of witnesses were examined, and at the close of the session the Committee presented the minutes of evidence taken by them. and recommended that they should be re- appointed during the next session of Parlia- ment. "The session of 1901." says a memoran- dum which is being distributed with the form of memorial referred to above. "has failed to give effect to this recommendation, the advo- cates of municipal trading—in fear of addi- tional disclosures of its evil effects—having managed to successfully oppose the feeble efforts of the Government for the re-appoint- ment of the Joint Committee." The pro- moters of the movement consider that the evidence given before the Joint Committee of 1900 fully justified the appointment of that body; but the evidence, they say, was incom- plete, while they find that municipal trading is steadily progressing. They are of opinion that it is essential to the commercial and trading interests, and also to the progress, of the nation that the inquiry into the character and extent of the trading of municipal autho- rities should be completed and reported on. and, seeing how Parliament has failed to re- appoint the Joint Committee, they are induced to ask that the subject should now be taken up by a Royal Commission.

CARDIFF FESTIVAL FIXED. A Race with Bristol Cardiff Wins There has been a race between Cardiff and Bristol with regard to the musical festivals of next year. In it the committee of the Car- diff Triennial Musical Festival were in a better position than their Avonmouth rivals. Festivals showed a tendency to jostle one another for next season, and between the calls of Norwich. Leeds, Sheffield, and several others there was practically one date—the week commencing October 6. Bristol tele- gra.phed, "'We have fixed for October 6." and the Cardiff committee replied, So have we." On paper. the l'ub that followed was as between the Lord Mayor of Bristol and the ex-Mayor of Cardiff. It w i found that the Cardiff drrangeuients were further forward than tliose at Avonmouth, and the Cardiff committee was in a position to engage artistes. &c.. and now the Bristol committee is thinking A meeting of the Cardiff executive com- mittee was held en Friday at the Town-hall, Mr. Thomas Andrews (ex-mayor) presiding. The musical committee presented a report, stating that the fallowing artistes had been engaged:—Mivdamt Ella Russell, Miss Lilian Blauvelt, Miss Maggie Davies. Madame Marie Brenia, Miss Ada Crossley. Mr. Ben Davies. Mr. Ffrangcon Davies. Mr. Andrew Black, and Mr. David Hughes. The committee added that it was deemed advisable to engage another tenor soloist.—The executive adopted the report, and empowered the musical com- mittee to engage the ectra soloist required. Mr. D. W. Evans (chairman of the musical committee) aaid that the chairman of the executive had suggested that when the con- ductor (Dr. F. Cowen) paid his first visit to Cardiff in connection with the festival (pro- bably at the end of January or the beginning of February) the ladies and gentlemen who had been accepted as members of the chorus at that time should be invited to a reception to meet Dr. Cowen.—The executive agreed to this suggestion. In the course of a discussion upon general arrangements, it was stated that the arrange- ments for the orchestra were well advanced, and that the leader would be Mr. Frye Parker, who st £ ds pre-eminent for such a position. The secretaries reported that the number of guarantors of jE50 each. who formed the executive council now reached 48. They are as follows:—Lord Windsor. Lord Tredegar, Lord Aberdare, Mr. T. Andrews (ex-mayor). chairman of the executive; Mrs. Crawshay Bailey, Madame Clara Novello Daviea, General H. H. Lee (treasurer). Aldermen S. A. Brain, and J. Ba._fsdale (Cardiff). Alderman W. H. Mathiaa (PorttO, Dr. J. Lynn Thomas, C.B.. Dr. B. W. Broad. Messrs. C. P. Bell, Walter G. Blow. E. W. M. Corbett (vice chairman), J. Clifford Cory. John Cory (Pcnarth), J. vr. Courtis, C. E. Dovey (hon. auditor), J. Duncan (" South Wales Daily News "), Philip Earl, Richard England, D. W. Evans (chairman of music com- mittee), F. Fifoot, Edmund ITandcock, junior; J. J. Handcock, G. T. Heald, James Howell. Jamas Howell. junior. Robert Hughes, James Rurmau. Rees Jones, J. A. Jones, W. Henry Lewis. Lewis Morgan. Francis Morris, J. R. Nicholas, F. J. Nicholls, D. E. Powell. H. P. D. Phillips. Henry Radcliffe, Daniel Radcliffe, Charles Radcliffe, John Sankey. E. Wilson Taylor. D. Watkin Thomas ("Western Mail "), ITor Vachel, and Gething Lewis and W. A. Morgan (joint hon. secretaries). The secretaries announced that promises of a number of subscriptions had been received.

ENGLISHMAN'S AMOURS. Romnntic Paris Tragedy. A strange scene was witnessed on Friday evening in the well-known Lorraine Tavern. situated in the Rue des Ecoles. in the Latin Quarter. Paris. A young woman was noticed to be sitting at a table, apparently waiting for somebody to appear. Presently a young man entered the room with a pretty girl on his arm. and the couple were about to seat them- selves when the waiting lady rose, placed her- self in front of the man. HIII1. speaking in English. said: "John, you have killed me. but I forgive you. Farewell! She then took a glass of liquor in which, as it subsequently transpired, she had dissolved a quantity of corrosive sublimate, and before her hand could be stayed drank the contents. The unfortunate lady was conveyed to the nearest hospital, where she remains in a serious condition. She proved to be an Englishwoman, aged nineteen. born in London. The young man fled from the tavern as soon as the lady began to speak tn him. The girl who accompanied him stated that she met him casually, and knew nothing of hie name or his residence.—Central News.

EDUCATION IN THE NEW COLONIES "Education in the New Colonies" is the subject of an article in the "Times" by a special correspondent at Pretoria. The principle that guided the late Transvaal Government was that the responsibility for the instruction of children rested with the parents. To make a complete break with the late system has been a first charge on the Executive Council. It is proposed to divide the two Colonies for the purposes of educa- tion into "provinces," in each of which one "provincial" school will be established at the most important towns. The head of these schools will be responsible for the "ward" schools in the "province." Primary education, the writer holds, should be free and compul- sory, and there should be no interference with religious principles so long as they are not made a cloak for undermining the authority of the State. The British authorities at the end of last month were imparting education to nearly as many Boer children—between 14.000 and 15,000 —as the Boer Government had on the school registers when the war began, and it appears that that total will probably ha-re been exceeded by the end of this month.

SUICIDE OF A LADY. At Kingstown on Friday Mrs. Louisa Smith. 60. wife of Canon Smith, of Comber, County Down. was found with her throat cut in her room at the residence of her brother, Colonel Price. with whom 8he had been 8taying. A blood-stained table knife, which it is supposed the deceased lady procured while the servants were preparing1 breakfast, was lying beside the ~i— 2-oith bac; «een ;i> v.-eak I m

Naval Training College. GENEROUS GIFTS BY MESSRS E .H. AND F. S. WATTS. In 1871 his Majesty King Edward VII., then Prince of Wales, laid the foundation-stone of a noble pile of buildings picturesquely situated on the Rher Wensum, about fifteen miles from Sandringham, and designed at a cost of over, £30.000 as a county school for Norfolk. From various causes the school was after some years given UP. and ultimately came into the market. It was purchased in June last by Mr. E. H. Watts, of the well-known shipping firm of Messrs. Watts, Watts, and Co., 7, Whittington-avenue, London, E.C. This gentle- man has now most generously conveyed the buildings and the land to the National Incor- porated Waifs Aseociation (better known as Dr. Barnardo's Homes) to be converted into, and used as. a naval training school for the whole kingdom. Estimates for the alterations and repairs necessary to fit the structure for its new purpose amount to a further sum of £9.200, and Mr. Watts has further intimated his intention of defraying this entire addi- tional cost, while his eldest son, Mr. Fenwick S. Watts, also a member of the firm of Messrs.

I To-day, Saturday. Footballers' Feast FOOTBALL PAPER EDITED BY A FOOTBALLER FOR FOOTBALLERS. Interesting Experiment in Journalism. The football public are exacting. However strenu- ous the ordinary journalist may be in the effort at catering for the tastes of footballers, it is in the nature of things that, being.. outside the charmed inner circle in some degree, he should not hit all the varie- ties of that taste every time. It has occurred to us that an object lesson would be useful Suppose that we could see with football eyes and hear with football ears and write with football fists, what sort of a paper would be turned out ? We are going to see; and to this end we have asked one of the most popular football referees in Wales, a man who is all football, from the top of his hat to the soles of his boots and the tips of his gloves—if he wears any—and who is, moreover, a man of intelligence, and one who has the pen of a ready writer, to wit, Mr. HARRY BOWEN, a lead- ing member of the W.R.U. Committee, to take edi- torial charge of the football edition of the Evening Express" THIS EVEN* ING, and to show how, in his opinion, a football paper should be conducted. THIS EVENING, then, Mr. HARRY BOWEN will iake hold of the football Express," will superviss its contents, direct its arrangement, and use its columns for giving frank expression to his views of men and things in the football world.

THE NEW ARMY CORPS. The new army corps for London will con- sist of 1.500 officers, 35,304 non-commissioned officers and men, 11,863 horses, and 90 guns. It will be made up approximately of the follow- ing — Staff and Departments: 4,296 of all ranks, 2,462 horses. Twenty-one battalions of Infantry: 23,037 of all ranks. 1.218 horses. Six regiments of Cavalry: 3,918, with 3,690 horses. Artillery: 3,992, with 3,651 horses and 90 guns. Engineers (including pontoon, train, and! telegraph troop): 1,262, with 582 horses. Four troops of Military Police: 300, with 260 horses. The headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps will be at the new barracks, to be ereetcd near the Hou&es of Parliament, to be called St. Stephen's Barracks. Seven thousand of the aforegoing will be termanently stationed at Woolwich, and the remainder at barracks in and near London. Army corps of similar numerical strength are to be formed with headquarters in Edinburgh and Dublin. Nothing official has transpired as" to the j ''tr.c":to bo jieloeiv:5..ik gcneiaU ccrronind-

Local Projects. BILLS IN PARLIAMENT. Electric Supply in Sout Wales The South Wales Electrical Power Distribu- tion Company, which was incorporated by an Act of 1900, have lodged a Bill for introduction into Parliament next session, to repeal Section 10 of their Act, "which prohibits the erection of stations for generating electricity elsewhere than on the lands described in the schedule to that Act." Although this Bill gives no reason for seek- ing repeal of this section, the subject is fully dealt with in the preamble of a Bill which will be promoted, for precisely the same pur- pose, by the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Electric Power Company. In that Bill it is contended that the Electric Lighting (Clauses) Act, 1899, sufficiently covers the question of erecting generating stations elsewhere than on lands described ill the private Acts of electric power companies, and as the new Bill of the South Wales Company expressly re-incor- porates with it the Electric Lighting (Clauses) Act, 1899, it may be taken that the same con- tention is intended to be made. The Bill also proposes to empower the com- pany to acquire compulsorily 124 acres of certain lands for the erection of a generating station in the pariah of Llanfihangel-Llan- tarnum. ) ABEKCARN AND NEWBRIDGE GAS AND WATER CO. Proposed Acquisition by the U.D.C. A Bill to empower the Urban District Coun- cil of Abercarn to purchase the undertaking of the Abercarn and Newbridge Gas and Water Company has been duly deposited for next session. The preamble recites that the com pany were incorporated in 1884 and em- powered to supply gas and water within the parishes of Myuyddyslwyn and Llanhilleth, but that the company have never exercised any of their powers for the supply of water j which is now under tne control of the council. By Part 2 of the Bill it is proposed to enact that the company shall sell their undertaking to the council for such price as may be agreed upon, or. failing agreement, as shall be deter- mined by arbitration under the Lands Clauses Acts. The transfer is to take place "on such day as may be agreed," or, failing agreement, on the 30th of June or the 51at of December next after the expiration of three months from the date of the arbitrator's award. Until the date of transfer the undertaking is to be carried on by the company according to the ordinary course of their business, but as soon as may be after the transfer the affairs of the company are to be wound up and the company dissolved. The council's limits for the supply of gas are defined to be the Urban District of Abercarn and the Parish of Mynyddyslwyn, but provi- sion is made in the Bill to enable the local authority for the parish of Mynyddyslwyn to acquire such portion of the gas undertaking of the council "as is contained within the district of such local authority." The price to be charged by the council for gas supplied by them is not at any time to exceed 5s. per 1,000 cubic feet within the dis- trict and 6s. beyond. By Part 3 of the Bill power is sought to borrow "any sum which may have to be paid to the company for the purchase of the under- taking," and a further sum of £ 20,000 for the extension and improvement of the gasworks and for working capital. All moneys borrowed by the council for these purposes is to be re-paid within 40 years from the date of bor. rowing. WESTERN VALLEYS RAILWAY Proposed Transfer. TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT. The solicitors to the Great Western and London and North Western Railway Com- panies have jointly deposited a Bill on behalf of their rMpective companies to vest in these companies jointly the powers conferred on the Brynmawr and Western Valleys Railway Company, which was incorporated in 1899 with powers to construct a railway in the parish of Aberystruth, commencing by a junction with the Monmouthshire section of the Wes- tern Valleys line of the Great Western Rail- way Company and terminating by a junction with the Merthyr, Tredegar, and Abergavenny branch of the London and North Western Railway Company. The Bill provides for the transfer of these powers upon terms contained in an agreement scheduled to the Bill. The transfer is to take effect 011 the passing of this Act," and is to cover all the powers granted to the Bryn- mawr Company. exclusive of the powers of that company to raise capital by shares or to borrow by the issue of debenture stock." The Brynmawr Company are to discharge all liabilities incurred by them as an indepen- dent company, including the costs of obtaining their Act in 1899. and as from the passing of this Act the two companies shall hold the undertaking freed and discharged from all such debts, liabilities, obligations, and engage- ments. and from all claims and demands whatsoever on the part of any of the creditors of that company," but subject to the provi- sions of the scheduled agreement, of which the following are some of the clauses:- Article 1. In consideration of the obligations on the part of the two companies herein contained, the promoters hereby jointly and severally undertake that they will use their best endeavours to procure to be vested in the two companies the whole undertaking, property, and powers of the Brynmawr and Western Valleys Rail- way Company, under the Brynmawr and ("Western Valleys Railway Act. 1899, and, sub- ject to the necessary Parliamentfuy powers being obtained, as hereinafter provided, the promoters shall convey (or procure to be con- veyed) to the two companies all lands neces- sary for the construction by them (as herein- after provided) of the railway authorised by the said Act. free of charge. Provided that the promoters shall not be required hereunder to procure t.) b3 conveyed to the two com- panies any lands other than those shown on the- survey of the proposed line of railway made by Sir James Szlumper. O.E. Article 2. The promoters shall discharge all liabilities of the Brynmawr Company np to the date of this agreement, including the costs of obtaining the said Act. and shall indemnify the two companies against any such liability. Article 6. In consideration of the foregoing, the two companies undertake to take effectna-l steps for the construction and working of the said railway by them within a reasonable time after the necessary Parliamentary powers shall have been obtained, for vesting in them the undertaking, property, and powers of the Bryn- mawr Company as aforesaid; and for that purpose a Bill shall, at the expense of the two companies, be introduced into Parliament in the session of 1902, by the two companies, or one of them, and the promoters and the two companies shall use their be«t endeavours to obtain the passing of the said Bill into law Article 7. With a view to assisting the pro- moters in the acquisition of the land requisite for the construction of the railway, the two companies, or one of them. will undertake the steps necessary for the acqniaition of the said lane's and the settlement of all accommodation works necessary to be made for the benefit of the vendors of such lands, and will place at the disposal of the promoters the services of their solicitors and surveyors and their respective staffs, upon the understanding that t'ie promoters will from time to time, as the purchases of such lands are ready for com- pletion, place the two companies in funds to meet the purchase money for, and the vendor's costs in connection with. such purchases, and the out-of-pocket expenses of every description incurred by the two companies, or either of them, in connection with the acquisition of such lands and the completion of the purchase thereof; but this clause is not to be construed to make the promoters or the Brynmawr Com- pany liable for the execution of any such accommodation works as aforesaid, the ex- penses of which will be borne by the two companies. Article 8. Upon completion of the purchase lof the whole of the land requisite for the saiil railway the two companies will repay to iht> promoters one-half of the cost incurred by them in the completion of the said purchases as aforesaid, not exceeding the sum of £1.500. Article 9. In the event of the Bill hereinbefore referred to not receiving the sanction of Parlia- ment in the session of 1902, or this agreement being otherwise rendered null and void, the two companies, or either of them, shall Hot directly or indirectly oppose any Bill which may hereafter be promoted by the Brynmawr and Western Valleys Railway Company for levying t'he powers and extending the time for the completion of the said railway. Article 10. In the event of this agreement or anything herein contained being considered to require the sanction of Parliament, then it shall be subject to such alterations ac Parliament may think fit to make therein; but should any material alteration made in the terms thereof then either pa.y ihall be at liberty to withdraw therefrom, ri;d this agreement and everything there-.n contained shall be null and void. Lastly. Any difference which may arise in reference to any of the matters hereinbefore mentioned, or arising thereout, shall be referred to and determined by arbitration in the manner provided by the Railway Com- panies Arbitration Act, 1859.

Anglo-Brazilian Dispute. The Brazilian Senate have approved the I agreement for the delimitation of the boun- dury between British viuiaaa and Brazil.—;

HAVERFORDWEST AND THE PRINCE OF WALES. Singular Privileges and Liberties A meeting of the justices of the town and county of Haverfordwest was called for Friday afternoon at the Shire-hall by the Lord-lieu- tenant of Haverfordwest (Sir C. E. G. Philippe, Bart.) for the purpose of passing a resolution of congratulation to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales on having that ancient title bestowed upon them by his Majesty the King. The lord-lieutenant pre- sided. and there was a large attendance of magistrates, including Mr. Morris Owen. D.L., Mr, E. Eaton Evans, D.L., Mr. H. E. E. Philippe, D.L., Mr. R. Carrow, Mr. Jos. Thomas, Mr. T. Rule Owen, Mr. John Dawkins. Mr. T. L. James, Mr. R. P. L. Penn, Mr. James Thomas, Mr. W. P: Ormond. Mr. H. Rule Owen. Mr. James Grif- fiths, Mr. L. Roberts, Mr. Wm. Williams, Mr. T. P. Williams, and Mr. W. D. George, J.P. and clerk of the peace. The Chairman in opening the proceedings said that Haverfordwest was appointed a county of itself by one of his Majesty's ances- tors, and that privilege wae confirmed by no less a Monarch than Henry VIII. of blessed memory. It had had singular privileges con- ferred upon it by Sovereign after Sovereign, and it came to pasrs that Haverfordwest was a little county, absolutely complete in itself, and in 110 way bearing allegiance to the county surrounding it. Mr. Morris Owen moved that an address of congratulation be presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Mr. T. Rule Owen seconded. He said that they as Welshmen were proud of their ancient history, and were glad that Wales was appre- ciated by having this honour conferred upon it through the title ot the Prince of Wales. Mr. T. L. James, in supporting, said the singular privileges and liberties which the people of Haverfordwest now enjoyed they owed in great measure to the generosity of the eighth Prince of Wales, afterwards Edward V, Prince Edward was Lord of Haverford, and in the nineteenth year of his father's reign (1479) he, by command of his father, the advice of his Council, together with the assent of his mother the Queen." first made Haverford a county, granting them to have a mayor and sheriff, to hold all pleas, real and of the Crown. and that the mayor of the town should be justice of the peace, coroner, admiral, and clerk of the market. The Lordship or Barony of Haverford was of considerable importance. Their county historian stated that it con- tinued to be a gem of the Crown for several centuries, and Princes were not thought dis. honoured by their acceptance of it." Queen Eleanor, wife of King Edward I., and mother of the first Prince of Wales, possessed two- thirds of the lordship. Queen Isabel, wife of Richard II., the fourth Prince of Wales, was Lady of Haverford. In September, 1394. King Richard was temporarily resident in Haverford Castle, and there confirmed by a Special licence a gift to a chaplain in a neighbouring county. The burgesses of Haverford had also cause to gratefully remember the tenth Prince of Wales, afterwards the famous Henry VnI. King Henry granted them a charter oonfirm. ing the charter of the eighth Prince of Wales, and greatly strengthened the position of Haver- ford br Parliamentary enactment. An Act passed in the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth years of his reign provided that where there hath been but twelve shires in Wales, the town of Haverfordweat shall be a countie in itself, as it hath been before this tyme, at the will and pleasure of the King's said Majesty, and that it Gliall be separated from the countie of Pembroke at the King's pleasurl. And that the King's High Justice of the said countie of Pembroke shall be High Justice of the said countie and town of Haverfordwest, as ia limited and appointed to the said justices to and for the administration of justice in the said countie of Pembroke." Two Princesses of Wales—Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth—after they ascended the Throne esteemed the charter of the eighth Prince of Wales, and all and singular in the same contained," just and proper, and also granted charters accepting and approving it. The exercise of the Sove- reign's pleasure in renewing the old title. The Prince of Wales," was an event specially inte- resting to Haverfordians, who must experience much pride and satisfaction in re-calling the good deeds done for their town by former possessors of the title. The present Lord of Haverford was his Majesty King Edward VII. (Applause.) The resolution was carried unanimously, On the motion of Mr. Carrow, seconded by Mr. E. Eaton Evans, it was agreed that the lord-lieutenant should sign the address on behalf of the magistrates, and it was also decided, on the motion of Mr. Jos. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Penn. that the following should form a committee to draw up the address:—The Chairman, Mr. E. Eaton Evans, Mr. T. Rule Owen, and Mr. T. L. James.

LORD LONDONDERRY AND AGRICULTURE Lord Londonderry was the principal speaker at the annual dinner of the Darlington Cham- ber of Agriculture on Friday night, and received from the members a model in silver oi a Clydesdale horse in recognition of his having placed an entire horse at the disposal or the members. Lord Londonderry, accepting the gift. said he hadt granted them the use of the horae with a view to carrying out the way he preached. Th5 agricultural indus- try would be beet served, and it would tend to remove the depression in that industry if farmers bred the best stock and land- owners and tenants lived in harmony. The chambers of agriculture fostered that feeling, and they were also able, through the central chamber, to carry their views to the Board of Agriculture, and, consequently, to the House of Parliament. Sir Joseph Pease. M.P., had tempt-ed him to enter into a political con- troversy, but he would only say he wel- comed the assurance that the settlement of the war in South Africa should not be a party question, and if the Liberal party would join his party in solving that intricate problem they would receive the heartiest welcome. He regretted he could not congratulate farmers upon a successful season, duo entirely to the weather, which had damaged crops.

BANQUET TO SiR ALFRED JONES. Sir Alfred Jones, intimately identified with West African development and principal of the Elder-Dempster line, was banqueted on Friday night in Liverpool in honour of his knighthooHe strongly reiterated the. advice of the Prince of Wales to Englishmen to wake up. Alluding to American rivalry,, he said Britons must realise that the old conditions of business no longer held good. He commended the good work of the School of Tropical Diseases, and instanced Cuba and Sierra Leone as free from all malaria as a result of the expeditions carried on by medical heroes. He complimented the Liverpool Dock Board on the marvellous improvement of the port of Liverpool.

RATE COLLECTORSHIP OF NEATH. The Neath Board of Guardians on Tuesday last tabooed a resolution which suggested giving the Neath Town Council partial control of the collector of poor-rates for the area under the jurisdiction of the guardians, and which, of course, includes the parish of Neath, which contributes about three-fourths of the total rate. A private meeting of the Neath Town Council was held on Friday afternoon, when the situation was discussed, and a deci- sion unanimously arrived at that the Neath Town Council appoint its own collector. The position, therefore, is aa follows:—The guar- dians had resolved to appoint at their next meeting a collector for the union at a salary of J3225 per annum, and now the Neath Town Council have decided to appoint one of their own.

CATTLE MARKETS IN CARDIGAN. The "London Gazette" on Friday night con- tained an Order of the Board of Agricul- ture, dated December 24, which orders that from and aJter January 1 next it shall not be lawful to hold any market, fair, sale, or exhibition of cattle, sheep, or swine within a district comprising so much of the old Par- liamentary borough of Adpar as lies to the north of the River Teify, which forms the lower division of the parish of Llandyfriog, within the petty sessional division of Penrhiw- pal, in the administrative county of Cardi- gan, unless the premises so paved ae to permit of the same being thoroughly cleansed with water.

PONTYPOOL REGISTRATION DISTRICT The "London Gazette" of Friday night contains the following — "Notice is hereby given that, in pursuance of the provisions of the 21st section of an Act passed in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of her late Majesty, intituled 'The Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1874,' 1, Reginald Macleod, C.B., Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in England, have, with the sanction of the Local Govern- ment Board, ordered and declared that on and after the 1st day of January next, Llan- hilleth Civil Parish shall be detached from Pontypool sub-district of Pontypool Regis- tration District, and created a separate sub- district of the same registration district, to be called ajid known as Llanhilleth sub- district."

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING CUSTOMS QUESTION The Australian federal Government hy assented to a temporary compromise on the ships' stores question, whereby the pursers keep count of stores consumed during a vessel's passage from one Australian port to another, t>w .-OiUi'-aaiea 'rtilli yu pay '1'Jty without

Yesterday's War News THE REVERSE TO M.I. Tweefontein Mishap. STANDERTON, Sunday. Details have been received here with regard to the recent attack by a, Boer force on a party of mountetj, infantry in the Ermelo dis- trict. Two hundred, men of the 14th Mounted Infantry left General Spens' camp on the Ermelo Road on the. night of the 18th inst., and proceeded eastwards to raid a farm which was reported to be held by the enemy. When the party reached the place at dawn the enemy were fotmd to be moving off. The mounted infantry, after pursuing them for some five miles towards the Vaal into the hilly country, encountered Britz with at Ilenst 500 men, and were surrounded. They charged through the Boers, and fell back to a position some three miles in the rear. A sharp light ensued. General Snens arrived on the scene during the morning, when the Boers drew off. Our casualties were ten killed and fifteen wounded. —Press Association War Special. This action has already been reported by Lord Kitchener. The locality has been described as Transvalia or Holland. The Mishap at Tweefontein, Tweefontein, the scene of De Wet's exploit just described by Lord Kitchener. lies mid- way between Harrismith and Bethlehem, in the Orange Colony, and its topography is eminently suited for guerilla warfare. There aire numerous kloofs in which an enemy can lie concealed, of which Tiger Kloof is best known, about 50 miles from Middelburg. Colonel Firman, the officer in charge, has had a varied and distinguished military career, and is a daring and an experienced officer. Originally he served as a captain in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers; he saw service in Egypt and Burma, and when the Middlesex Imperial Yeomanry were raised, early in 1900, he was selected from the reserve of officers, and went out as captain with the Middlesex. Subsequently he succeeded Colonel Metford as commander of the 11th Battalion, and did much excellent work. Major-general Boyea, commanding the 17th Brigade, writing from Middle River in November, 1900, expressed high appreciation of the distinguished services of Colonel Firman and the men under his command; and again, in January of the pre- sent year, General Boyes thanked him for his gallant leading and the officers and men under him for their brilliant success in charging the Boers in an action near Bulfon- tein. For these and other services he was some time ago gazetted D.S.O. The "Times" makes the following comment on the mishap:—With proper dispositions and precautions such a force ought not to have been easily rushed even by a greatly superior number of Boersi But. as Lord Kitchener fears that our casualties were heavy, we may be prepared to learn that in some way or other the Boers have succeeded in taking the Yeomanry at a disadvantage. Theattack was made at a point where there was every reason to expect something of the kind, and where precautions ought accordingly to have been observed with particular care. Colonel Firman was guarding the head of the block- house line from Harrismith to Bethlehem, which is being prolonged to meet the Lindley line, and thus to run a barrier right athwart one of the districts where the Boers still maintain themselves in considerable force. Nothing could be more natural than that they should endeavour to interrupt an opera- tion of so disagreeable a kind. War Office Statement. The War Office had up to one o'clock on Friday afternoon received no further details of the reverse to Colonel Firman's column at Tweefontein on Christmas Eve. It is, there- fore, impossible to say how numerous the casualties are. but in the official view there is no ground for supposing that all the force was either rendered hors de combat or taken prisoners. The War Office is not in a posi- tion to give a statement as to the actual number of men involved, because companies are not always at full strength. The four companies of Imperial Yeomanry forming the bulk of Colonel Firman's column may have been complete, and in that case there would have been between 460 and 470 men. but this is considered rather doubtful in view of the work they were engaged in—guarding the head of the blockhouse line from Harrismith to Bethlehem. Originally the 34th. the 35th, and 36th Companies of; Yeomanry were composed for the most part of London men, and the 53rd Company was raised in Kent, but the per- sonnel of companies changes from various causes, and it is difficult to say what percen- tage of Metropolitan men may have been in the unfortunate column at the time of the disaster. Additional particulars are hourly expected from Lord Kitchener. Fighting on the Natal Border N'KANDHLA (Zululand), December 21. On the evening of December 14 Colonel Chapman moved out from here with every available man, a maxim, and a gun, his objective being Babanango, where there was a Boer stronghold. His camping-ground on the first night waa the scene of his former succeesful stand against Botba's army. On the following evening Colonel Chapman took up a commanding position on Babanango. and by daybreak on the 16th inst. his guns opened fire on the Boer laa-ger. Although the enemy were perfectly aware of the movement of the column, they did not anticipate so early an attack, the consequence being that they fled in all directions. With their knowledge of the ground, this was an easy achievement, but they did not escape without the loss of a few of their number from the effects of our shrapnel fire. The result of the day's action was the capture of a quantity of cattle and sheep, some wagons and Boer families, and five prisoners.—R-euter. Barbarous Boer Leader Captured PRETORIA. Thursday. Colonel Wilson, with Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, made a night raid on the Z7,rd aloog the Wilge River to the northeast of Heil- bron, and captured a few prisoners and many riBes and saddles and a number of horses. Colonel Du Moulin, after a night march. recently surprised a party of Boors under Commandants Dutoit and Saul Sarenis to the south-east of Jagersfontein. The two Boer leaders and Z6 men were made prisoners. Dutoit is known to have shot lately some native boys. Du Moulin's prisoners are a mixed lot. and belong chiefly to the Acker- mann. Joubert, Coetzee, Reeders, and Krogh commandos. His captures include 58 riflt-s, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 100 horses.— Central News. BLOEMFONTEIN, Thursday. Yesterday General Hamilton in the south- west of the Orange River Colony surprised Pretorius's laager, killing one Boer and cap- turing fifteen others. Thirty-nine rifles were also taken.—Reuter. Gloucesters in Action. The casualty lists announce that at Halle on the 19th the 2nd Gloucester Regiment Mounted Infantry lost one man killed and three men wounded. Heroes of the Fight at fort Itala. It was notified in Friday night's Gazette that the King has been pleased to signify his intention to confer the Victoria Cross upon Driver F. G. Bradley, 69th Battery Royal Field Artillery, for conspicuous bravery during the fight at Fort Itala on the 26th of September, when he rescued a wounded comrade under a heavy firs and afterwards carried ammuni- tion up the hill over a space of about 150 yards swept by a heavy cross-fire. For their gallant conduct upon the same occasion the King has approved the grant of the medal for distinguished conduct in the field to Gunners W. H. Rabb, A. Boddy, and W. Bull and Driver E. Lancashire, all of the 69th Battery. Struck by Lightning. Colonel W. H. Williams, of the Royal Field Artillery, was severely injured by lightning at Winburg on Tuesday. Presentation to Reservists. A presentation to four Great Western Rail- way Reservists, who recently came home from South Africa, of an illuminated address and purse of gold each was made by Mrs. W. E. Bradshaw in the Tondu Schools. A large ana appreciative audience attended. The ad- dresses were supplied by the Western Mail Limited.

BARRY BABY'S DEATH. A single woman, named Eleanor M'Carthy, who lives at Park-crescent, Barry, gave birth to a child early last Monday morning. Her parents, who were not cognisant, of their daughter's condition, found the child dead beneath the bedclothes. At the inquest on Friday Dr. King was of opinion, after making a post-mortem examination, that the child had. after living only a very short time, hwr. '!y suffocated* iuid a. verdict-

"Cochfarfs" Comments. Pessimistic people are warned by those who look on the sunnier side of life not to "pile on the agony." I gave my Christmas story of want yesterday, and it is not the most distressing I have encountered during this week's festivities. I am not a pessi- mist, and I will, therefore, with-hold the experiences that fell to my lot in pursuing my quest for instances of want on Christ- inas Eve and Evening, and I may weave them into my notes at some other time. Before passing on to other matters, I will ask the readers of the "Evening Express" to read the true story of the "Stolen Goose" in yesterday's "Western Mail." It may tend to sadden our "Merry Christ- mas," but it will tend to make us wisei also. Under the heading of "Local Weddings," I see that Mr. Curtis, "who is a descendant of Siencyn Penhydd." took unto himself a wife this Christmastide. Years ago the odd sayings and doings of this remarkable man were the stock stories of the inhabi- tants of Mid-Glamorgan, and subsequently, through the late Rev. Edward Mathews-- "Mathews o'r Wenni's" preparation of a. popular lecture upon his "Life," he became one of the best known characters in Wales. Penhydd Farm is situated in a lonely spot on the side of a now practically disused mountain road between Maesteg and Neath, for the district is now served with a network of railways, but many are the pilgrims who seek the time-worn old farm- house where a man whose uprightness and plain speaking have become a proverb lived and fulfilled his mission in life whilst fol- lowing daily the arduous occupation of a, hillside farmer. _8 Fortunately, not only did Mr. Mathews deliver his lecture on the farmer preacher in every part of the Principality, but, he also published a biography of him in a con- venient volume. How often it is true that the good that men do lives after them more through their being favoured with an able biographer than even by the fragrance that follows good deeds always! Certain it is that, however able the subject of this note was, his fame is known as much through the story of his life being written by the remarkable preacher-writer of the Vale of Glamorgan, and whoever desires to know the habits and traits of thought of the inhabitants of "Blaenau Morganwg" (the hill parts of Glamorgan) before exten- sive collieries were known, and when the. sound of the steam engine had not been heard in the land, should know Edward Mathews's "Life of Siencyn Penhydd." I have reason to believe that the shutting out at night of dependents by arbitrary masters and mistresses is not so prevalent as it was when the press took notice of it some time ago, but it is worth the while noting Mr. Plowden, one of the Metropolitan magistrates' stern view of such action when evidence of such a case was given at his court this week. It is to be noticed that turning out a. domestic by force was construed by him into an assault, and in fining her master for so doing he said—"Anything more in- human and more utterly unjustifiable than to turn a young woman out, what- ever she had done, he (the magistrate) bad never heard of." I have, more than once, used very strong words concerning similar conduct towards servant girls, but I shall preserve Mr. Plowden's. words as more fitting than anything I have phrased, and shall use them whenever similar ill-treat- ment is again brought to my notice. And this leads me to affirm a pretty generally held opinion, that holiday excursions are not an unmitigated bless- ing to young people, much less to the .strong-minded young women who will visit our large towns alone, or, at least, in- sufficiently protected. I am no suppor- ter of the chaperone of the old six-shilling novels, but my sense of duty towards my neighbours compels me to attempt a trumpet blast of warning to parents and those who have the care of young women to be absolutely certain that their charges are entrusted to honest companions when they leave their homes for Bank Holiday pleasures. A life's degradation may date from the day when unscrupulous "smart" young men tempt from their homes on such days the subject of a life's care of fond parents. Oh, it is a short story, but a very terrible one-a train is lost, a soul is lost—do readers want to know more ? Let them come to me, or some of the high-minded fathers of families that are to be found in the Cardiff Police Force, and if any of them are now in doubt I will guarantee their conversion to our views. I see that Cardiff is not to be permitted to remain in undisputed possession of pro- fessional jurymen, for I read in a contem- porary that London also is prepared to follow the example of the lesser Metro- polis. It will be remembered that the Cardiff Corporation emphasised its good opinion of the services rendered by what Cardiff wags call our "Twelve Apostles" by increasing their remuneration by 50 per cent. The personnel of this uniqua body has changed greatly in a few years, but a few of them have a sufficiently lona record of service to make their stock of information concerning inquests very inte- resting, indeed, grim though it may be considered. I desire to wish every one of them a happy New Year, provided the wish does not involve an increase of in- quests, but I am sure each of them is too humane to deny me such a reservation. The close of the first year in the twentieth century will be remembered in Wales as the time when organised capital and labour were gripping for a wrestle for legal supremacy such as had not occurred before in British history. The result of the two actions that are pending regard- ing the responsibility of the Amalgamated Society of RaiTway Servants to the Taff Vale Railway Company and that of the Miners' Federation to the colliery proprietors, concerning alleged trade losses through stoppage of work and strikes will be anxiously awaited. There will be some history to be written when the cases are closed, but when they will be closed even the lawyers do not know.

VIENNA GAMBLING SCANDALS. The Vienna newspapers announce that the recently-reported gambling affair at the Jockey Club, in which a Polish nobleman lost £ 88,000, has been placed in the hands of the police, and that the two persons concerned will be tried for illegal gaming. According to the "Weiner Allgemeine Zeitung," the Hun- garian Deputy who was the chief winner waa arrested and then released after a proces verbal had been drawn up. An the loser is absent from Vienna, an official snmmons can- 1.

'——— Watts, Watts, and Co.. promised to fit and furnish the buildings throughout for the occu- pancy of the 400 boys, the captain, and the staff of officers who will be in residence. It is expected that the whole will be ready for occupancy by the 1st of August. 1902. Mr. Edward Hannay Watts is the senior partner of the firm of Watts, Watts, and Co., shipowners, of London, Cardiff, and Newport. For long past he has been prominent in his advocacy of the cause of the long-suffering sailor. In 1887 he was elected president of the Chamber of Shipping, and in his presidential address sketched the outlines of a proposed pension fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased sailors. His recommen- dations were subsequently foenseed in a Bill presented to Parliament. Mr. Watts is a Northumberland man. He was born in Blythe in 1830, and comes of a shipbuilding family. He joined a schoolfellow, William Milburn, in a shipowning business in Newcastle, and the firm of Watts, Milburn, and Co. were the first to put steamers in the London and Aus- tralian trade. In 1872 the house was dissolved, and the firm of Watts, Ward. and Co. estab- lished, Mr. Watts purchasing the Abercarn and National Collieries in South Wales, where 3.500 persons are now employed, whilst the output amounts to about 1,250.000 tons. Mr. I Watts is largely interested and closely con- nected with the most important marine insurance companies and clubs of the United Kingdom, and is a member of the committee of Lloyd's Register. He is, moreover, chair- man of the London and South Wales Coal Company, the Abercarn Coal Company, and the National Steam Coal Company. He was one of the original promoters of the Barry Dock and Railway Company.