Evening Express

NONCONFORMSITS IN WALES. RELATIVE STRENGTH. An analysis of the statistics given in the 1" Year Books of the four leading denomina- tions in Wales shows that the Congregation- alists are the strongest in Cardiganshire, Car- marthenshire, and Glamorganshire: the Bap- tists are in the majority in Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire: while the Calvinistic Metho- dists are the strongest in most of the North Wales counties. raking the whole of Wales. the Congregationalism arp the strongest, the Calvinistic Methodists come second, and the Baptists make a good third. In spite of sen- tat onal reports now and again, it appears that Roman Catholicism makes very slow pro- gress in Wales. The new "Catholic Directory" reports for the past year in the Diocese of Menevia (Wales) an increase of only two priests and two chapels, while in the Diocese- of New- port (which includes detached portions of the Principality) there has been no numerical ad. Vance at all. No estimate is made of the num- ber of adherents.

ACCIDENT AT A PANTOMIME. MISS MILLIE IIYLTON RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS. A serious' accident has befallen Miss Millie Hylton. principal boy in the pantomime, "Goody Two Shoes," at the Grand Theatre' Leeds. While pretending to play cricket in the 1 Court scene one of the comedians accidentally } caught Miss Hyltan a heavy blow on the side of the head witlr a property mallet, splitting her right ear and rendering her unC3«<tT;u«.1 Mies Hyltan will be unable to resume her part for several days. for several days. Miss Hylton has appeared many times at Cardiff. She was best known as "Madame Drivelli" in ''The Circus Girl."

v SAD SHOOTING FATALITY. Amiens. Friday.—A little English boy, named Bedborough, was killed by a French boy fyere last night. The English boy, who was staying 7atre at a resident tutor's home. and had not long arrived ffom London, was playing with | the tutor's children. One of the latter found I an old revolver, which he pointed at the Eng- t lish boy. Tb« re^olv^r weat pff *ad »hot Bed-> V^tarough dead.—DalzieL ,,¡ )

STOP PRESS Latest Talegrama. rOOTB^. ABERT5.LE3RY Y. ERYNMAW. 1tl}r;W.tb.. League spatca off to-day on account of the frojtegi state of the ground and a heavy snawstortn- 'I;he jrnatch arranged fox December at A-be-r. tillery was not piayed. so fr"h arrangements Uiust be ma lo. í Clab J-aiden.—Dancing We. k;: Lougiuanj L .M.\1crF i c. 'I' I -v:0.1^:1 I!U "¡ '¡.

THE APREAL, FOR SUPPOET. teNCOTTKAGUtfa- LETtEHS. We are indebted to Major E. If. Bruce- Vaughan for some further information in connection with the movement now being made to place the Glamorgan Rifle Association on a sound foot- ing. Mr. O. H. Jones, in his letter given below, hits the naii on the head when he states that every man between twenty and 40 ought to join some Volunteer corps if he is not a Militiaman or a Reservist. A suggestion made in tho Western Mail" more than twelve months ago would be. perhaps, more accept- able. 'rho article was written at a time when a proposal was made that the Militia ballot should be put into force. It wa.s then stated that unless a. man made himself efficient in drill a3 a Volunteer before he was 24 he should stand the risk of being selected for the Militia by ballot. To turn to another aspect of the case, the ladies of Glamorgan at one time provided j valuable prises for those Volunteers who chose to make themselves marksmen. There were at least 40 ladies whose names appear in the old reports of the association. Those who now contribute can almost be reckoned on the fingers of one hand. They are:-Miss Talbot, Margam Park; Miss Thomas, of Llwynmadoc; Lady Morgan Morgan, Cardiff; Miss Rous, Courtyralla; Lady Jane Vivian, Glanrafon, Taibach; and Mrs. Picton-Turbervill, Hendre- foilan. At the present moment, when the nerves of the country are strung and some of our best blood is being spilt in South Africa, there should be no better supporters of our fighting men than the ladies, and it is not un- reasonable to ask them to assist in making those who voluntarily give their time proficient in marksmanship. The meeting called for the 12th of this month at the Town-hall should bring together all those who appreciate the Volunteer move- ment and recogniss that through it conscrip- tion has not been necessary in this corilitry. From among the letters which have been received by Major Bruce-Vaughan we take the following extracts: ,] Mr. R. W. Llewellyn, Baglan Cottage, Briton Ferry, writes:—"I trust something may be done to resuscitate the Glamorgan Rifle Asso- ciation and put it on a more attractive foot- ing. It should be made attractive to oiviliaiui whose occupations prohibit their being Volun- teers, but who could in their own time fire not less than a fixed number of rounds annually at short rarges. If tlfe long range targets were kept exclusively for Regulars and Volunteers it might then be an incentiv,, to more to join the Volunteer force. If ladies would aga,in take the interest they did in the association in its early days it would do much. Mr. S. H. Stockwood, Bridgend, Glamorgan, says:—"I assure you I think the objects of the Glamorgan Rifle Associati,n are particu- larly necessary and worthy of support just now. Recent events have shown that in future rifle shooting ought to form the recrea- tion, if not part of the occupation, of the large proportion of our young men." Mr. O. H. Jones, Fonmon Castle, writes: — "I entirely agree with Lord Windsor as to the desi^abMity of the Glamorgan Rifle Association being well supported, and of all citizens being skilled with the rifle; I think others than Volunteers might becomfe rftembers of the association, or a rifle club attached, on payment of small subiieripti-ong, and there ehoud be meetings from time to' time for all members. We urgently want more ranges. The difficulty as to danger might easily be overcome by the adoption of the Swiss method. It appears to me every man between twenty and 40 ought to join some Volunteer corps if he is not a Militiamen or a Reservist. w. ought to prees upon the Government the immediate necessity of arming the wholi of the Roserve forces with the magazine rifle, iiid the artilleiy with quirk-firing guns, and Viekera or Mpxiui Nor- delJfeldtsought to be attached to every Volun- ttper nattalion-I mean the ones which carry 2lb. shell, which are proving so terribly effec- tive against our reldier* in .the present war." • ■ s»J

The Third Attack. HAS IT BEGUN ? Experts' Confident Statement. < THE FLYING COLUMN IN ZULULAND. [CENTRAL NEWS XEI.FGRAM.] DURBAN. Thursday. The entire Colony is ont the tiptoe of expec- tation for General Buller's next movement. No one here believes he will sit still. There are indications that the Boers are dis- turbed by the movements of the British flying column in Zululand. The enemy are massing men at Vryheid in anticipation of an attack from them. The Boers have now their full strength in the field, and are, undoubtedly, finding it diffi- cult to cover all threatened points. Men have certainly been withdrawn from Natal for Vryhoid. and it is believed some commandos have been sent back to oppose General French. If General Buller's next attack is pushed home vigorously and sustained, Colonists are convinced the rs will fall back upon the Drakensburg Passes. No Further News. rcENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Thursday (12.36). 'There has been no farther forward move- ment yet, with the exception of some desultory shelling, There has been no activity in the column since Sir C. Warren's Division was withdrawn across the Tugela. The troopg are in excellent spirits. They have oply one anxiety, and tb*t ig :to THE BOERS AT VBYHEID. LREUTEU'S TELEGRAM.] DURBAN, Thursday, get at the enemy. THE BOEiRS AT VBYHEID. LREUTEU'S TELEGRAM.] DURBAN, Thursday, Th* *NaUl "Witnega" publishes the following ditrateh from Nondweni. in Zululand": — A Boer force, with four wagons and three gunti, was ipassod on the road from Vryheid to. wards Bongo on the 24at af January, The guns are being potted to a pcfiUw to Comonuidl tM VTyheid road. Vryheid ie full of Boers, who have been drawn from Ladysmith and Dundee to hold the place against the British at Nondweni, and to close the border. Small partis of Boer seonts are frequently teen lookiag eutj for the expected, British troops. BOERS RETIRIXG FBOJT LADYSMITH. ( COiNTBAL NEWS TEI^EGMM.J DURBAN, Thursday (1.55 p.m.). A menace by heliograph from Mr. Joseph Dunn, the Central News correspondent in teleatrueretj Ladysmith, says that the Boer commandos are leaving again, and that the besieging forces are considerably weakened. The enemy may have drawn men off to meet A possible attack elgewfaere, or it may be a slim trick to induce the garrison to sortie and fall into a trap. TiHE SIEGE. We cull the following extract from the late Mr. G. W. Steetens's diary of the siege of Ladysmith, appearing in the "Daily Mail": — Weary, stale, 114t, unprofitable, the whole Vaing. At first, to be besieged and bombarded wag a thrill; then it was a joke; now it is nothing but a weary, weary, bore. We do nothing but eat and drink and sleep—just exist dismally. We have forgot-ten when the siege began; and now wo are beginning not to care when it ends. For my part. I feel it will never end. It will go on just as now, languid fighting, languid cessation, for ever and ever. We shall drop off one by one, and listlepsly die of old asrs. And in the year 2099 the New Zealander anti- quarian, digging among the buried cities of Natal, will coCTTTpon the forgotten town of Ladyarnith. And he will find a handful of Bip Van Winkle Boers with white beards down to their knees, behind quaint, antique guns, shel- ling a cactus-gro>v^ ruin. Inside, sheltering in holes, he will find a few decrepit creatures, very. very old, the childre nbom daring the bombardment. Ho will take these links with the past home to New ZealancL But they will be afraid at the silence and security of peace. Having never known anything but bombard- ment, they will die of terror without it. Buller Fighting Again. Under the above beadinr Mr. Charles Wil- liams in the "Morning Leader" sgyp:- Once more we are able to anticipate the cor- respondents on the spot, and to say that Sir Redvers Buller haa began a new movement towards Ladysmdth. He was probably engaged soon after noon on Friday, if all his artillery and munitions had come up. In any case, his orders were definite for an, advance a.1, the latest this morning. At the time of, the last move we were able to say it was by the left from Chieveley Oamp. On the present occasion he haa not informed hie Personal friends the precise first step which he haa taken, but there is no reason to suppose the direction is that of Lord Dundonald's reconnaissance last Monday towards Honger's Poort, close by Bethany, on the Upper Tugela, though some of the cavalry and the horse artillery may well go that way so as to operate once more on and. perhaps, beyond the Acton Homes road. This seems likely enough, as the passage is quite practi- cable, and there is no sign of the enemy in the neighbourhood. A few days ago we noted the fact that the "Army List" still shows Lord Dundonald as an unemployed halT-pay colonel. But this is the negligence of gome clerk, as he was regularly appointed long enough ago. Without committing oux&elves definitely, we are inclined) t-o believe that Buller means to pound out of existence any Boers and any works lying on the river near the junction of the Little Tugela. If he succeeds in establishing him- self there on the bold northern bank he will virtually have turned the Boer positions at Onderbrook and Grobler's Kleof. overlooking Coleneo. But here, a* wise where, there is much virtue in an "if." The achievement would mean the splitting of the Boer forces on the soutiu of Lady&mgLh, and jgobiihlg ,Wi.it8. } would be able to help4n the effort by occupy- ing with energy the containing bodies of the enemy, if not by a sortie southwards. All that is written in this paragraph, however, is our own speculation, and we need not carry it too far, since Monday morning may solve all doubts of either success or failure. HONGERS PGOUT. Hangers Poort (say^'the military, carreipon- dent of the "Daily Ohronicle) is on the wagon track to Bethany, and it is impossible to sug- gest any useful purpose that can bs served by a passage of the river there aft-er our failure at Spiou Kop. Any force crossing at the Poort would have to move north-eastward through very difficult country between the Drakensberg precipices and the Tugela, and after an advance of about ten mile3 would find its way barred by the Sp:on Kop position. As we have before explained, this position runs along a spur of the Drakensberg from near Acton Haines to SpLon Kop. We tailed to turn its right after four days' fighting, and lost heavily in a desperate attempt to seize and hold the Kop itself. What possible object can there be in beginning a new at- tempt by sending the cavalry across the river a few miles higher up than the drift at which they passed the Tugela more than a fort- night ago? It has been suggested that the movement is. perhaps, a feint. But why should it induce the Boers to move even a single horseman to the eastward? Lord Dundona'd reports that he tsaw no Boers near the cross- ing. It would be strang if he did. The nearest Boers are probably watching the Drakensberg passes and holding the Spion Kop position with only sc few sconts out to the eaat of it. This movement of the cavalry on the Upper Tugela, and the fact that the heavy naval guns are still at Mount Alice, suggest that General Buller means to risk another despe- rate attack on the Brakfontein and Spion Kop position. His strange speech to the troops last Monday points the same way, and if this is so. we fear the outlook is anything but hope- ful. Spion Kop Fighting. FIVE FIELD CORNETS KILLED. [PRESS ASSOCIATION WAR SPECIAL.} SPEARMAN'S CAMP, Friday. The following message has been received from Ladysmith:- Native deserters report the following fiel' cornets were killed in the fighting last week:- Lombard, of Waterburg; Grobelaar, of Bremeredorp; Opperman. of Pretoria; Daniel Erasmus, of Magaliesberg; and one Free State field cornet. They also state that our artillery disabled seven Boar guns, and that the Boer easualt es were approximately 1,000. This information is not officially confirmed.

Western Border. WITH METHUEN, [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] MODDER RIVER, Friday (10.55 a.m.). The Boer guns have now been silent for several days. There is an opinion in the camp that they have been removed to bombard Kimberley. On our side all is inaction beyond occasional shelling. Some deserters who have come in have reported that our shell fire has done consider- able damage to the enemy's works, and has caused some loss. To keep the men in spirits boxing competi- tions are held each evening, besides other sports, and this is carried on to the accom- paniment of thtf boom of our guns shelling the Boer trenches. I General Methuen has presented handsome cups for the winners of the heavyweights and ljaiddleweights competitions.

With Gatacre.' ENEMYS POSITION AT ST OR M BERG. [PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM ] STEBKSPIJrUIT, Monday. (Via. Cape Town, Friday). At the request of Commandant Olivier, Capr tain Hook. magistrate of Herschel, met the Boer commandant on the road to Ladygrey en Saturday. Commandant Olivier arrived on the scene with an escort of 96 armed men. Captain Hook was accompanied by only three officials. Commandant Olivier asked for a guarantee that no attack should be made on Ladygrey or Barkley East, or that, if an attack were made, the Boer women should not be molested. Captain Hook refused to give any guarantee, but said he would not invade the district without orders. In any case, whites, not natives, would be employed. On the conclusion of the interview Captain Hook returned to Herschel. and Commandant Olivier to Ladygrey. where the latter is try- ing to obtain all available men for Stormberg. It is reported that 800 Boers are guarding the Barkly Pass, by which it is feared that an invasion will be attempted from Herschel and Basutoland. In a speech to the Boers at Ladygrey, Com- mandant Olivier, it is stated, declared that his men were almost surrounded at Stormberg, and that unless recruits were forthcoming they would be compelled to abandon their sehantses." In the recent fighting at Ladysmith the Boers are said to have lost 1,100 killed and 600 wounded. In many instances Colonial rebels who fought at Stormberg have returned to their farms and have refused to go back, though threatened with death. Conspicuous amongst these recalcitrants were some rebels, who originally invited the Free Staters to invade the Colony. At Alice 40 men of the local troop of Bayley's Horse have volunteered for the front. BOER LOSSES AT DOR- DRECHT. [PRESS ASSOCIATION WAR SPECIAL.] LUNDEANS NEK, Friday. Commandant Olivier, from Stormberg, and Commandant Snyman, from Dordrecht, c m- mandeered men and goods for the front in this district last week. Many of the residents refused to serve with the Boers. The Colonial rebels are in a great state of fear, and have threatened to shoot De Wet and Van Plitzen for having invited the Free Staters into the Ba.rkly district. The Boers admit having sus- tained heavy losses at Doidrecht on the 30th and 31st of December last. The principal suf- ferers were the Dordrecht and Aliwal rebels, who are said to have lost 45 killed and 80 wounded. 1

French's Column. [EEUTJER'S TELEGRAM.] • RENSBURG, Friday. The British Artillery shelled the kopjes to the west of Colesberg this morning. A few rifle shots have been exchanged by our outpost near filingvroontein and a. Boer patrol. There wer no casualties on our side. -J. Id

General News. A CAPE TOWN OUTRAGE. c ["TIMES" TELEGRAM.] CAPE TOWN, Friday. As a military train wag going through the Hex River Pass to-day it was fined at by an un- known individual with a shot-gun loaded with buckshot. A soldier was killed. The occur- rence of this outrage so near Cape Town sug- gests the advieability of re-oonaidering the decision not to enforce mrtiaJ-la w throughout the Colony. SPEECH BY PRESIDENT STEYS. [PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] LOURENCO MARQUES, Friday. President Steyn, addressing the burghers in Natal, accused Great Britain of coercing the Boers into war. The mingled blood of Transvaalers and Free Staters had, he said, already bepn drunk by England in various plaoes, but Great Britain'^ satiety required more Afrikander blood. Had not the High Oommiesionfer said that the Afri- kanders must be annihilated? That was the gTsuid final object of this war, but the Lord would never permit tlue subjection of the Afri- kanders. Let the burghers not imitate the bar. bamn-like tootan-it of which the enemy were 4uUfty, bots struggle a, Christians. If did so unitedly the contest for the life and destiny of the race must end in victory. ATTACKS ON SIR A. MILNER. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] CAPE TOWN, Friday (4 p.m.). There arc persistent attacks daily on Sir Alfred Milner in the Bond press. Latterly they have been increasing in bitterment. At the Bond Congress in March a resolution will be proposed strongly disapproving of the policy that has led to the present war, and Sir Alfred is bound to come in for bitter con- demnation from them. Indeed, the active members of the Bond are leaving no stone unturned to bring about Sir Alfred Milner's re-call. AMERICAN SYMPATHY WITH THE BOERS. [CEXTEAL NEffi) TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, Saturday Morning. At a meeting in Detroit last night to express sympathy with the Boers, a fcuggestion was adopted that all Boer relief societies should now be formed into one single body with a central organisation for distributing funds. COMFORTS FOR "TOMMY." At the usual weekly meeting of the Com- forts for Sick and Wounded (Transvaal War) Committee, held at the Queen's Hotel, Cardiff, on Friday evening. Councillor W. Yorath pre- siding. it was decided to forward a further sum of JS15 to Miss Mary Johnstone for the Natal Field Hospitals, this leaving a balance of JE12. It was decided to hold in the course of a few weeks a miscellaneous sale by auc- tion. to which the public are invited to send any superfluous articles they may possess. Mr. Harry Gunn will act as secretary. A PEMBROKESHIRE DOCTOR FOR THE FRONT. Dr. W. Herbert Hillyer, of Solva, who has joined Major Wyndham-Quin s Imperial Yeo- manry. left Solva on Friday. Dr. Hillyer had been for some time endeavouring to get the War Office to accept his services as a surgeon, but the supply was greater than the demand] and, in preference to not going at all. Dr. Hillyer joined the Imperial Yeomanry "as a trooper. When it was known at Solva that the popular doctor was going to the seat of war, a. few friends subscribed and presented him with a pair of field glassies, and the pre- sentation was made at the Royal George Hotel, Solva, on Friday evening. WAR ITEMS. We understand that Lord Kensington, who is with the 10th Hussars in General French's force has been in hospital for a time as the result of an accident. The injury is said to have been sustained while his lordship was out scouting, he having slipped on a. sharp reek and cut his wrist to the bone.

MILFORD HA. VEN. The contingent of Milford Haven Volunteers, four in number, who have been accepted for active service in South Africa, left by the 4.40 train on Friday afternoon for Cardiff. Pre- vious to proceeding to the railway station the men assembled at the Drill-hall, where brief words of encouragement were addressed to them by Colonel Roberts, Captain W. S. Griffith, and Lieutenant-colonel G. Griffiths. J.P. (chairman of the urban district council). They were escorted to the station by the Volun- teer band, which played "The Men of Harlech" and Auld Lang Syne."

HAVERFORDWEST. The four men who volunteered for the front were given an enthusiastic send-off from Haverfordwest on Friday. The names of the selected four are Sergeant White and Privates John John, John Rees, and Morgan Mathias. In a few hours 928 was subscribed by the townspeople for them. In the morning the four were photographed, and in the afternoon at four o'clock a muster of the headquarter companies of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Welsh Regiment took place in the Mar ket-4411" attended by the band and a large number of people. The Hon. Colonel Eaton Evans, Colonel White, and Captain W. G. Eaton Evans addressed the men, who were presented with L7 each from the town, while the officers and the chaplain also made them a present.

WREXHAM. The Denbighshire Yeomanry and-> thc Volun- teers forming the service company of the Rhyl Welsh Fusiliers, quartered at Wrexham Bar- racks, to the number of nearly. 2§0, were on Wednesday night, entertained at St. James's- httll. On Thursday night the Yeomanry dined at Wynnstay Arms Hotel, and on Friday night the Volunteers were similarly entertained there as the guests.

1-1 LLANDrILO. The five selected men of the Llandilo Volun- teers, vix.. Corporal Aston, Privates S. Walter E. Thomas, Hedley Johns. David Jones, David Evans, left LJandilo on Friday morning. The local Volunteers company, xnarcer the men through the town, headed by the band, to the station. They were accorded an excellent send- off. the streette being decorated with flags, and the crowd at the station was an immense one. Among those who assembled at the station to bid them "good-bye" were Sir James Hills- Johns, K.C.B., V.C., and Lady Johns. The Hon. Misses Rice, and MiWss Gwenllian Rice, and Colonel Gwynne Hughes.

NARBERTH. On Friday Privates W. E. Owen and J. P. Bushfill, of the 1st V. B. Volunteers, left Nar- berth for CirditT en route to the front. Not- withstanding a heavy fall of snow. a large number of people escorted the two men to the railway station, the Volunteers turning out in uniform, under the command of Major Price and Lieutenant Williams, to give their com- wades a hearty send-off. Suitable presents were given to each man.

MERTHYR YALE. And enthusiastic "send-off" was given to two Volunteers, Privates H. P. Jones and J. M. Ball, at Merthyr Vale Station when leaving with the 12.59 p.m. train oti Friday.

CARDIGAN. At ardigan, at a meeting of the demonstra- tion committee on Friday, it- Was resolved to give the three in the ranks a purse of money each as a parting present, and the men had a wonderfully enthusiastic send-off.

DOWLAIS. The two Dowlais Volunteers, Privates E. E. Davies and Quinn, selected for service in South Africa, left DowlaiB Caeharris Station on Friday for Cardiff, where they will join their regiment before departing en route to the seat of war. Besides a. large number of their fellow-workmen, the following officers of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion (Dowlais) were on the platform wishing the two young soldiers good- bye:—Colonel P. R" Cresswell, Major Jenkins, Lieutenapt D. Jenkins, Lieutenant Lipsett, and Sergeant J. Griffiths. The men were presented by Major Jenkins with 93 each. As the train steamed out of the station three hearty cheers were given to the young Volunteers.

BRIDGEND. A most enthusiastic demonstration was made at Bridgend on Saturday morning upon the departure of Corporal J. Morgan, Lance-cor- porals A. R. John and E. Lovelock, and Private J. T. Prica for the Cardiff Barracks, prepara- tory to leaving for South Africa. Captain Coath, Lieutenants MGotil and Randall, and other officers of the Bridgend Company were i)rewnt. The men were escorted through the town by the corp band and some thousands of people. At the station the scfht was undea- cribable, the platform being crowded by work- men drawn from practically all the industries of Bridgend. Several selections were given, and as the train steamed out of the station the band played God Save the Queen."

COWBBIDGE. At a dinner held at the Boar Hotel, Cow- bridge, on Thursday, seven members of the L Company, who are leaving for the front, were entertained. Lieutenant-colonel Iforafrap pm sided, and a pleasant evening was spent. rl

SSAIA-POX AT BARRY. The first of the four arnall-Pot patients at the Barry Isolation Hospital will probably bs discharged convalescent to-day (Saturday). On Friday afternoon Dr. reported to the town medical officer (Dr. Neale) a. case, supposed to be smaff-pox. in Robins- lane, Cadoxton. Dr. King and Dr. Williams subsequently examined the patient, but failed to satisfy themselves that it was a case of emall-pox.

PRESENTATION TO INSPECTOR MORRIS, LTANDAPP. At Llandaff Police-station on Friday after- noon Inspector Morris was made the recipient of a handsome Mallacca cane. bearing the in- scription, "Pre ented to In;p«-tJr D. Monis by the constables of Llandaff Sub-divie-ion. on his promotion. 22ud of January, 1900." Police- constable Phillips (Llanishen), who made the presentation, spoke of the high esteem in which Inspector Morris was held i,y -the police-con- stables and the universal courtesy and con- sideration which thev received at his hand-. They all would be very sorry to lose him. -WMt,Dr MTorria suitably resSoadt4i I

SEND-OFF BY THE: TRE- *9&. DEGAR HUNT. SPEECH BY LOBI) TBEDEGAS. A very large and enthusiastic send-off dinner was held in connection with the Tredegar Hunt at the Coach and Horses Hotel, Castleton, on Triday evening, to wish all-prosperity to Lieu- tenant Roland Forestier-Walker. of the Royal Monmouthshire Engineer Militia, and Trum- peter Hillier and Troopers Hinton Stratton and Gerald Stratton. of the Imperial Yeo- manry. The chjiir was taken by Mr. J. W. Beynon, who was supported by Lord Tredegar. Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., Sir George Forestier-Walker, Bart., Mr. Williams (L'an- rumney Hall', Lieutenant Roiand Forestier- Walker, Mr. Leoline Forestier-Walker, Colonel Justice. Lieutenant Nicholl, Mr. Foster Sted- man, the Revs. Watkin Davies and E. Jones. Mr. Cubitt. Mr. E. B. Reece, Mr. T. D. John. Mr. J. II. Young. Mr. J. Hillier. Major Llewellyn. Mr. R. Stratton. Mr. F. Stratton. Mr. R. T. Mann, and many others. Altogether there were about 100 members of the hunt and friends present, but of the four to be sent off only three. unfortunately, could get away from duty to be present, viz.. Lieutenant Roland Forestier-Walker and Troopers Hinton Stratton and Gerald Stratton. The arrangements for the gathering were made by Mr. Howell Williams, The Eiriis. Marshfield. who acted as hon. secretary. The loyal toasts having been honoured. Sit George Forestier-Walker. in giving the clerical toast, amidst applause, that the Rev. R. Jones, curate of Marshfield, had volunteered for the front. The Rev. R. Jones, in response, said he would very much rather at the present moment be a soldier at the front than a clergyman. The duty of proposing "The Navy, Army and Reserve Forces fall to Mr. R. Stratton, as he supposed, because he had a son and five nephews going to the front. Major J. C. Llewellyn and Lieutenant Nicholl responded. The Rev. Watkin Davies gave The Houses of Parliament." Lord Tredegar, who was most cordially re- ceived, responded for the House of Lords. He said he had no need to offer excuses for that chamber. The other day Lord Salisbury re- marked that the constitution of England was the finest in the world in peace time. but it was not very convenient in the conduct of a great war, but. at all events, ths House of Lords had done its duty in a time of grave criis. What a splendid roll of names rose at once to view from members of the House of Lords, who were great soldiers. The Duke of Marlborough, Lord Nelson, his (the speaker's) own great grandfather. Lord Rodney-(hear, hear)—the Duke of Wellington, Lord Clive, Lord Wolseley, Lord Napier, and then Lord Roberts. (Hear, hear.) Two of the youngest members of the House of Lords-noble sol- diers—had recently been sent out from Eng- land to get the country out of her difficulty. There was also Lord Chesham, under whom he supposed his friends the Messrs. Stratton would erve, and also Lord DudleAnd of those who had fallen they had a distinguished member in Lord Winchester. He thought, in addition to this, that the House of Lords had set a good example to-others in the shortness of the speeches at this crisis, and if the Hone of Commons would take a lesson from the House of Lords in that matter it would be advantageous to the country. (Hear, hear.) Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan. M.P., re- turned thanks in an excellent speech, in which he begged the public to stand by the Govern- ment in the time of need. Amongst the other toasts was that of "Tho, Tredegar Hunt," given by Mr. Cubitt. Lord Tredegar, who responded, said, though he had responded for the toast of the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and a host of Societies, he had never responded for the Tredegar Hunt before. He was glad that the toast was given as the Tredegar Hunt, and not the Tredegar Hounds. because he was afraid that Mr. Cubitt hunt were like the gentleman who, on return- in home, was asked if he had good sport, and replied. Yes. we should have had good sport if it had not. been for those d hounds." Sometimes people thought that the master—of- Hounds never opened him except to down somebody. He supposed that they got -heir iflaaa of hunting from Mr. Jorrick's book and the pictures. They «h»ifl<f fenftmber that there was in that book a Lord Scamperdale. who "aid. "You think because I am a, lord I can't swear. D 11 it, I can." (Laughter). The Pictures, too. were so peculiar. 'fkoy generally saw a gentleman and a lady in a. long, green riding habit, with a feather in her hat. jumping on the two leading hounds. (Laughter). Colonel Morgan. M.P.. as huntsman, said not being a, lord he was able to swear, and he was afraid that he had done, it ip the hunting field, but he never thought of the matter after- wards, and his only object was to show, every- body good sport. (Applause). The Chairman gave the toast of the evening. vix.. "The Guests," and asked Lord Tredegar to make a presentation to the Volunteers. Lord Tredegar presented to Lieutenant Roland Forestitr Walker a handsome dressing- case. and to Trooper Stratton a purse of money. Mr. Hilliar too a like present for his son- Trooper Joe Hillier. Lieutenant Roland Walker said he was not definitely undes.,arders t<» leave- England, but it was as rertain taB any military mater could bet he would take out a section of the Mon- mouthshire Engineer Militia as one of the bridge sections. The health of the chairman was pledged with great enthusiasm.

Football Notes, [BY "WELSH ATHLETE."] Club games a week after an international contest, naturally enough, fall flat. For the main part, fixtures are generally arranged that do not tax the resources of the principal clubs, for, after a fortnight's keen training and a ding-dong international game, players are only too glad of a game that is not eo keen as an international contest usually is. In the locality the games set down for decision are not particularly interesting. Probably, at Newport the greatest interest will he displayed, and I make no doubt but that a large and representative crowd will put in an appear- ance to witness the game between what was practically the Newport-invincible fifteen and the fifteen that now represent the Uskside club. It is a case of past v. preeent with a vengeance, and, if it only be for old times' sake, we can depend upon it that many will travel to witness an exposition of the game by a team that, under the captaincy of T. C. Graham, was the talk of the world. Cardiff go to Leicester, and, as the Welsh Metropolitans have taken away their full team. I make no doubt but that they will add a victory to the list that is already to their credit. Up the hills, Mountain Ash are visitors to Llwynypia, and I should think this would be the best game in the Rhondda. There is no particular not a. league contest, that form of competi- excitement about it, however, because it is tion having been discarded by Llwynypia for some little time now. Twice this year has Mountain Ash defeated Llwynypia, but to-day there is not likely to be much enthusiasm over the game. and. although Llwynypia will very likely win, they are not likely to win by very much. At Penarth Swansea are the visitors. One cannot for the moment suggest otherwise than that Penarth will get a good hiding. Aberavon may be able to give Llanelly a good game, and Pontypridd ought to beat Ponty- clun; but that, I should say, is about all that one need mention in connection with local matches to-day. Leicester, although playing one or two good games, is hardly a first-class team, and one cannot expect, therefore, that they will manage to defeat the Welsh Metropolitans to-day. Especially is this so when one recollects that Cardiff are putting on the field one of the strongest sides that have represented a Welsh club for some time past. The forward divi- sion is very nearly, if not quite, the strongest in Wales, whilst the backs, with, perhaps, the exception of Jones, at left centre, are playing a tip-top game. Take the team all round. and it must be admitted that Cardiff is a very useful organisation this year. Certainly the side that .will represent them is the strongest they have put on the field this year. The Leicester team I have not up to the time of writing heard. Doubtless, it will be a, fairly strong one, but, as I say above, unless Cardiff have particularly bad luck, the ought not only to win; but win easily. The old players and the present Newport team should provide an interesting game at the Uskside enclosure to-day. There was no match arranged for to-day with an outside club. and it was a happy thought to give spec- tators an opportunity of comparing the players of past seasons, with those now doing duty. That the comparison may not be a mis- nomer. the old hands have recently done a good deal of useful training, and. inasmuch as their team contains quite a, galaxy of old Welsh caps, there is a disposition to look upon them as probable winners to-day. A dry ground would have been desirable in order to test the sides to the best advantage, but that seems to be out of the question in view of the quantity of snow and sleet which fell on Fri- day. The great P-ttraction-in the Rhondda Valley of cours«- be the game between fountain Ash, 011 the former's tea.ma Two occasions on which these ha ™ uroJJn this sea»on Mountain Ash fancy their «K?':ce*sful> apd 1 am inclined to I know the for the game, aad f.°"e ,nto str,,ct training they ought to ju 't "rubber." Both s?dl .brmS °* .th* teams into the field »Bd V" game i» certain to rattling good

TO-DAY'S CEREMONY AT CARDIFF. The colours of the 3rd Battalion Welsh Regiment. (Glamorgan Militia) will to-day (Saturday) be formally handed into the custody of the Mayor of Cardiff (Councillor S. A. Brain) for safe keeping whilst the battalion is on service in South Af.ica. The colours will be- brought up from PembroEfe Dock this taorn-" ing, and arrangements have been made for a ceremony worthy of the occasion. A guard of hoiicur will meet the officers bearing the colours, and troops will escort them to the Park-hall, where the mayor will receive the colours. The battalion is now performing garrison duty at Pembroke Dock, and will embark at Southampton on February"18. The reception of the colours by the Mayor of Cardiff will be made the occasion of a ceremony worthy the event, and for which arrangements are complete. The colours will be brought to Cardiff by the 2.50 p.m. train, in charge of Captain Forrest, nephew of Mr. Robert For- rest. St. Fagan's, and will be ;arried by Lieu- tenants Ryder and Til lis. There will also be an escort of the men of the battalion. The ceremony will take place at the Park-hall, and Colonel Perkins, the officer commanding the battalion, will be present with a number of other officers. Colonel-Quirk. D.S.O.. the officer commanding the 41st Regimental Dis- trict. will detail a guard of honour, consist- ing of two officers, three sergeants, one cor- poral and fifty private?, who will parade at the barracks at 1.15 p.m. The band of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Welsh Regiment will muster at the barracks at 1.30 p.m., and the guard will report themselves to Lieutenant- colonel Gaskell, wlio will be in command of the whole of the forces present, at the Drill- hall at two p.m. A detachment of the Severn section Submarine Miners, with band. under Major Hughes, will parade at their headquar- ters in Charles-street at 1.30 p.m. in review order, and march to the Drill-hall. A detach- ment of the 2nd Glamorgan Volunteer Artil- lery will parade with band and cyclists at the Drill-hall at 1.45 p.m., under Lieutenant- colonel Fry (in the absence of Colonel H. O. Fishers, and the Cardiff detachment of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Welsh Regiment will parade at two o'clock. The company of the Imperial Yeomanry at present stationed at Cardiff will attend in plain clothes, their uniforms not having been served out. The whole of the troops attend- ing the ceremony have to report themselves to Colonel Gaskell at the Drill-hall by two p.m. Colonel Gaskell will march the troops to the Great Western Station, and the guard of honour, with a band in line, will receive the colours on the platform. The re- mainder of the troops, with massed bands, will be drawn up in line outside the station facing it ready to receive the guard of honour, with the escort and the colours, on emerging from the station. THE PROCESSION. Immediately on the arrival of the officers with the colours at the station a procession will be formed, in the following ordrr:- Mounted Police. Members of the Corporation in Carriages. The Mayor (Councillor S. A. Brain) and the Deputy-mayor (Councillor J. W. Courtis). Detachment of Submarine Miners. Detachment 2nd Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery. Massed Bands. Guard of Honour with the Colours and Escort. 3rd Volunteer Battalion Welsh Regiment. Recruits of the Welsh Regiment and 3rd Battalion, without arms. and Imperial Yeomanry. ROUTE OF PROCESSION. The procession will march from the Railway Approach through St. Mary-street, High-street. Duke-street, and Queen-street to Park-place. On arrival at the Park-hall the troops will be drawn up facifig the entrance. Colonel Gaskell will place troops in the gallery, and the bands will take up the seats in the orchestra. The members of the corporation, with the mayor, the principal officers, and the guard of honour, with the colours, will take up the space on the platform. The body of the hall will be free to the general public, who must be in their places by 2.45 p.m. For other parts tickets have been issued. 4rfe CEREMONY. The ceremony of handing the colours to the mayor will be of a very brief character. There will be speechtes by the senior officers and the formal presentation by the olficer in charge of the colours. A programme of music has been arranged, in which the bands and the grand organ will take part. Madame Clara Novello Davies, with the Royal Welsh Ladies' Choir, will render the National Anthem and the Welsh National Anthem, AFTER THE CEREMONY. When the ceremony is over the guard of honour, with a band, will march to the Town- hall, where the colours will be taken to the council chamber, and placed above the portrait of the Marquess of Bute. In the evening the mayor will entertain the officers to dinner. t

BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 1L6.T SALLEK KILLED. Labuan, Siturday.-The commander of the expedition sent into the interior to operate against the rebels telegraphs that their leader, Mat Salleh, has been killed, and hit followers have dispersed.-Reuter. ..1 11 1

COLLIERY WORKS FLOODED NEAR TONNA. RE MASKABLE MIDJTIGHT SCENE. Late on Friday evening the inhabitants of AberdulatS and Tojina, two villages situated about three miles from Neath. were startled by the news that the old Wenallt Colliery had been flooded. It appears that these workings have been closed up for many years, and it is supposed that the air in the new workings forced large quantities of water into the old pit. The water rushed into the road leading to the village of Tonna, where it caused damage to the houses known as the Tip Houses, near the Great Western Railway sta- tion. In one case-that of Mr. Joseph Hop- kins-the damage is estimated at £50. as the flooring gave way. taking all the furniture and other things with it. This also occurred in other houses. A large quantity of poultry was drowned, and a couple of pigs had a hard swim for their lives. During the Bight num- bers of men were at work making a channel for the water to flow through, other men lighting them with torches. There was, for- tunately, no loss of life. 1

On the Stock Exchange. I IZ. AUSTRALIAN. INDIAN, tc. I Awe. Gld W.A. 6* Brekes Hill Fro. 2f. Burhnks B'thd'y 1 £ "Chaffers 159 Champion Beef. 5A Gden Hrse Shos J4I Do. Links 2 £ Great Bonlder. 34/6 Do. P's've'nce 10% Hampton Piains Hannitn's B. Hill 10fi Hannan's Oroya 2% Ivaahoe 13t, ITalgnrli 7% Do. North 1% r,sldy Sbentoit 1% Lak»,Vi*tr Cou. 1411 [jdn Sl Gibe Fin. 190 Mount Malcolm intarket Trust XyDo re 5. Nortbern Ter. Nundydroog 34 Ooreguin Ord. 3A Do. Pref 4% Pea Wa ill GaldCs S W.Aus. Gldfid* 2 Do. Joist StV Do. Joint stil Bio Tin to 47$ Anaconda. 8ft Mont T,yell Nth. 3ft 'Buston Copper.. [Copper King Utah S lie Roi 5% Askant i 14 b I KlNING (SOUTH AFRICAN). ) Angelo 531 Apex 4% Barnato Ceuols 11 Bantjes Buffelsdooru.. § British S. Africa (Chartered) 3& Cityk Suburban 4I Comet 2% Const) Gldflds of S. Africa Def 6* Crown Beef 12 — De Beers 23ft D'rban B'odep't 4. East Band 51 Ferreira 1"" Geelons. 1* Geldenhuis 5% Do. Heep 7ft Glencairn 1% Hend'rs'n Trsvl Heary N our.ae. Heriot 5 Jagersfontaiu 12 Johinssbrg.Iuvt 1. Jubilee 4fc Jumper 3S jKleiafoatein 1 V4 'Knight 4% Laaflaagte 2% Luip'rds Vi'Nw Maeaonald Agey 2% 3% Meyer jcCkarltn 4%, jMoaderfentein.. 7$. ISfew PrimroM. iNigel 2* „. ioe"na towa Is SasJfouteiu 2* 'Hand Mines 3T* ReitColltein 1ft iKobitiKon 7% Rose Deep tfc Salisbury 2Jr ,Sheba I ». Siuimeri Jack — iS-AMcGoldTsfc Sft- TatiConcession.. Traneva-il Gold.. I L- VanRyn 2-t, Village Mainreef 6% Wemmer Wq^Hater 3.

HOCKEY. CARDIFF V. PONTYPRIDD. At Llandaff Fields, on Saturday. Cardiff: Goal, J. Reeves: backs. N. Ware and W. Mat- thews half-backs. R. Thomas, G. Howells, and H. Geen; forwards T. Scott, W. Murrell, A. Morgan, R. Williams, and W. Bennett.

A meeting in favour of measures to briug about the conclusion of peace in South Africa was held here last night, and was ^attended by about 300 persons. There was little enthu- siasm in the proceedings. Speechee were delivered by prominent clergymen advocating the besisation of hostilities, and the recourse to arbitration. Resolutions in this tenour were adopted and also one urging President M'Kinley to offer mediation. A reference to Queen Victoria WM received with .ppl.

I Correspondence. Letters must be written on one side of the paper only. j Rejected communications cannot be returned. Only brief, bright letters on subjects of live interest are desired. We do not accept letters which have appeared in other journals. All letters intended for this paper must be addressed, tLåitor, Evening Expresss,' Car- diff." It will save unnecessary trouble if correspon- dents observe and exactly follow the form in which letters appear in this column. Each letter must be accompanied by the real name and address of the sender.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Scholastic.The three you name are fairly good commercial shares. You place them correctly in order of merit; the first is un- doubtedly the best. The term xd. means that the price is ex-dividend the two prices quoted are first what buyers joffer, second what sellers demand. Business is generally done at the middle of these two quotations.

THE RET. 0. WATKINS AND SLAVERY AMONG THE BOERS. To the Editor of the "Evening Express. Sir,—Mr. Watkins, the Wesleyan lecturer from Cardiff, rightly denounces the appren- ticeship system, which is only a particular specie of slavery still in vogue among the Dutch of the Transvaal. Why does he not denounce the "compound" system in connec- tion with De Beerg and other companies of Europeans and Englishmen? Is it not a fact that this system is more demoralising and degrading to the poor Kamr and other natives who have to work for a pittance to enrich the millionaire's coffers? Why does not Mr. Wat- kins turn his attention to the British Colonies directly under the official cognisance of Mr. Chamberlain? At this moment there are some 25,000 coolies in Jamaica and some 50.000 in Trinidad who are imported by the planters as blacklegs to work the sugar plan- tations in these islands of the West for a very small wage to the deprivation of the natives of the soil, who are further taxed in ordir that the Government might subsidise the planters and assist them to pay the fare of these men, who are brought over almost as cattle from Singapore and other places, where they have to sign documents covering a period of fifteen, twenty, or 25 years, and -even in some cases more. If such a system as this was tried in our own country there would be a general revolt in lees than 24 hours. This kind of thing accounts for the strong feeling in Jamaica and other places against British rule or misrule, notwithstanding all our boast to the contrary. It ill-becomes a gentle- man of the position of Mr. Watkins to make capital of this state of things in Dutch South Africa, supposing it were true, to fan an ill- feeling and create even greater hatred than now exisis in England towards the Boer, and justify an otherwise unjustifiable war. while his own country, and the Colonial Secretary (the very person he tries to whitewash/ is guilty of the same and even a worse treat- ment of the uegro in another quarter. "Physician. heal thyself," belore prescribing for another.—I am, &c., JUVENUS. Barry.

BRITAIN'S OTTLOOK. To the Editor of the "Erening Exj.rese." S*r. If the words in the last paragraph in Mr. Maclean's article on the sub- ject above quoted, referring to the participation in the South African Wiar of our Canadian and Australian Colonies, are his matured views on this subject, I fear they ■are not the accepted conclusions of :5 per cent, of the electorate of the United Kingdom, let alone the party he professes to oelong o. For the past half century statesmen of both par- ties in the &tate have been straining to obtaiu what Oom Paul has done for us lay a single stroke of his pen. Throughout history it always requires the sacrifice of flesh and blood to mark great epochs in the events of the world. And here it a case of history again repeating itself. British blood shed on the veldt of South Africa is the seal set upon the future confederation of Britain with its Colonies throughout the world. Take another of his paragraphs: "Is it credible that General Buller of his own free will acqttieeced in the detachment of the flower of the British Army— the Guards and Highlanders to form a separate column for the relief of Mr. Cecil Rhodes at Kimberley. Mr. Rhodes had no business there, but it seemed to be a point of honour to save him. The trail of the speculator has been on the whole campaign." It is impossible to conceive anyon-e but a man who had for the time lost his mental equilibrium through crass prejudice penning such a statement as that. It is the old well-worn drivel—Rhodee-and- Chamberlain-phobia. Then, again, the para- graph preceding the one just quoted, where, with his usual egotistic audacity, he states that the bulk of the British officers are mere mili- tary amateurs." No greater perversion of the truth could possibly be made by anyone who knew the A B C of Army life in these days and for many years past. It is true that in the old purchase days the bulk of the officers after obtaining their companies sold out, and the keener ones hung on until they obtained command of their regiments, and naturally so. The value of their commission in many cases was their sole fortune. It was only the fairly rich, as a rule, and that only with a fair hope of employment on the staff or as general officers with commands-and in the latter case they sank the value of their commissions, often not le-s than 95.000 to L6,000 in the line and considerably more in the Cavalry and Guards' Corps—who remained in the service after obtaining command of regiments. But the officers of to-day, as a rule, make the Army their profession, and, from the day they enter either Sandhurst or Woolwich to the rank of colonel, are always learning and being taught their profession, and before being promoted to each successive rank have to pass examina- tions, practical and theoretical, pertaining to those ranks under a board of officers other than those of their regiment. It is the interest of these men to remain and obwn as high a rank in the Army within the age limit, at their retiring emoluments depend on their rank. To call these men mere military amateurs is a erou libel on the service. Again, could anything be more conducive just now to create a want of confidence between the soldier and his officer, and also among the many thousands of young men—Yeomen and Volunteers-now leaving the country for South Africa, loosen the bonds of discipline, affect their morale-all such impor- tant factors in all armies—and almost put them into a state of blue funk before starting than such unwarrantable atatements of this kind? The truth is the amateur-military critic is the present day "bogey man. and such reckless and almost insane, «tatements made by the versatile member for Cardiff lead one to infer from his criticisms on the British officer that he even pertains to the chaxact-er of that illustrious and pantomime tyeation-the "bogey man"- in the guise of an amateur military critic. Certainly, whatever else the public school* of England have done they have given Britain's Army—with brains or no brains—a host of manly, high-couled. and heroic British gentlemen in the truest sense, thank God, and not a pack of effeminate white baboo cads. It may be possible that all the brainless asses from the public schools enter the Army. and the versatile geniuses all the other professions, including that of journalism. Admitting that even a fair num- ber of effieers in he present day-and these are only the fairly rich ones—leave the ser- vice after a few years' servioe, nasy of them join ^either the Militia. Yeomanry, or Volunteers, and, no doubt, give a stiffening, as many of our Reservists do. to theee corps. We h-sve now an example of hun- j dreds of these officers going out up South Africa with their regiments, besides others officering our Colonial oorps, so that even this is not an evil, but rather a blessing to us at the present juncture when trained officers are so much required. If the system under which our officers are trained is faulty, cbangre it by all means, or cut it out root and branch hereafter; but, for Heaven's sake, don't let us blame the ofljetfra. and try to lower them and their military status in the eyes of their countrymen now that they are fighting their country's battles, and pouring out their blood as hey have been doing in South Africa in such abundance. To say they are brave, dashing leaders of men is simply a truism to the world at large, and did not require the dictum of Cardiff's M.P. to seal it.-T am, Ac.. J. SULLIVAN. 35. Plantagenetrfitreet, Cardiff, Feb. 1.

f,. a Support Your Colonies AND EAT ONLY NOR WEST" Brand of CANADIAN ROLLED OATS, The BEST in the WORLD FOIt Brain, Bone, & Muscle. 2LB. PACKETS FOB FSD. rioM G&oguutt a* oil.

The Han in the Street i » 1 The critics whom Mr. J. M. Maclean'# article on "Britain:" Outlook," written for and published in the "Evening Express" of last Tuesday, has stirred up-one letter appears in to-days "Expresl"-seem all particularly stuck at the paragraph relat- ing to the future relations of Canada and Australia to Great Britain. The attitude which these critics assume is particularly quaint. They assume that because Mr. Macleav pointed out the logical issue of the partici- pation of Canada and Australia in the war he is. therefore, opposed1 to the consumma- tion of that issue! Ido not know whether Mr. Maclean is or is not opposed to Im- perial Federation. I should judge that he would be an enthusiastic supporter of it. But I do know that the paragraph to which his critics object does not bear the interpretation which they put upon it; and that in their efforts to use it against Mr. Maclean they have made themselves ridiculous. It is true that one of Mr. Maclean's recent critics, whose letter was sent to and appeared in a paper other than the "Evening Express" {notwithstanding, the fact that it was a criticism of an "Express" article)—a curious action on the part of a friend of Mr. Maclean :-professed to have been hitherto an ardent supporter of Mr. Maclean. who had been alienated reluc- tantly and sadly by the last paragraph it i the article. But what guarantee have the ) public that this critic was really what he I professes to have been ? A 1 An anonymous letter-writer is always « unsatisfactory, and anonymity in such a ] case as this, and under such circumstances ) as the present. is more unsatisfactory than usuaL The only people who can judge of B.'s" bona-fides are the people who are privy to his identity, and their opportunity for gauging the accuracy of his statement* is limited by their knowledge of him. j Clearly. "E. B." has discounted the weight of his protest and the importance of his alleged defection by hiding behind a, nom de plume. The letter from Mr. J. Sullivan in to- day's "Express." though written by one who is known to be pronounced in his hostility to Mr. Maclean. will call for more attention than that of "E. B.'s," for what- ever else he lacks Mr. Sullivan holds the courage of his convictions. His letter opens out a wide range for argument. But this must be deferred for the present. < S The "League Journal," the organ of the ] Temperance movement in Scotland, pes- sesses a frankness which is disconcerting- to its own side. It recently stated that last year the consumption of whisky was the highest ever reached, the population of the Fnited Kingdom having swallowed more than a. gallon per head. The deaths from chronic alcohohsm in the year 1897, as compared with the year 1878, in men .showed an increase of 89-1 per cent., and in women 14oi per ceat."I We do not guarantee these figures. We simply quote them. The basis upon which temperance advocates arrive at. statistics of "chronic alcoholism" needs as careful revision as that adopted by the Board of Agriculture in their returns of alleged ra)»i#s in dogs. What one would like te kuow is what explanation prohibitionists f and others have to offer for the apparent failure of their efforts. Despite—or is it in eonseauence of ?—all that has been done and said to interfere with the habits of the people by the multitude of temperance organisations, the consumption of liquor is increasing! W.J.X,

XPTON PAZX RACES ABA*. 1:' DONED. Daring the night. snow fell heavilv quite eigkt inches in places, and an average of IIix inches covered the course. Under the circumstances, racing was impossible, and, with no stewards present, nothing as to the abandonment can be said. Later, from Loudon, we shall have the decision.

HAYDOCK PARK KEgTING. There was a very keen frost during the nichto and it haa made the ground slightly hard in 1 places, bnt the executive say racing is eertaia to take place. f ADDITIONAL AERIVAIjS THIS MORNING Thtt Fad. Lohengrin, Checkman, Athel Roy, and Nelson.

OLD SAM S FINALS. HATDOCK PAR* MEETING 1.3(V—THE TAD (if absent, DANCOG WALVII. 2.0—CAKRICKANERLA. „ 2.3&-DELIVERY. 3.0—HIGHLAND PLAID. 3.39—CE3TUS (nap). A 1. 4.0—PEEP O. Treble Event-FATYPrE.NE. UNCLE JACK, CHAIR OF KILDARE. Best Thing of the Day-CHAIR OF KIL-DARt 1

PADDOCK FINALS. (LATEST FROM THE COURSE). HAYDOCK PARK MEETING. LOUGHRAN, CARTAFEGNA, CELIa. and SEQUEL. The Champion's one-hone velaction far to-OW, is MRS. GRUNDY inap). SPORTSMAN- VIGILANT. ag 1.3ft—Dancing Wave. » 2.6—White Blind. -f j <3 2.30—Delivery. '♦f 3 0 Prate Bex or White Hatki*. X 3.30-8top. 4.LotQS Lily, Order of Ruirining.-Oub SteepiecfcMe. 1.31:1 Selling Steeplechase. 2.0; Earttown Xurdle, t.W: gelling Hurdle. 5.0: Haydock Steeplechase, £ .)• 8t. Helen's Bteeplechaie. 4.0. ENTRIES. SELLING STEEPLECHASE. aMr R. W. Brown's CMtasegna. 6yrs aMr F Hassall's Carrickanerla. aged aMr Huntington White Bbad, byte aMr i M Bell s Lucifer n.. tyre aMr Barra«ford's White Hackle, 6yre aMr T Southali's Gwm. aged SELLING HANDICAP HURDLE. aMr T B*rrast'(,id'» White Hackle. 6ym, 12rt aWr T Brown's Castasegna. 6yre, 12st alir Barlow's Dancer, aged, list Bib aJlr Cooda's Dranxnakill. 6yre llet 71b aKr Bater t Lough Arrow, aged, lift 41.. allr Baimer's Strath, 4yn, 10st IZI) &Mr H Bee's Bridleknot. 4yrs, lfist 1Mb I aMr Baldwin's Highland Plaid, 4yn, lftt lttk tj* aWr Cropper's Prate Box, 4yn, lOtt 61b < ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS. Castasegna, Carrickanerla., Celef. Dancer, Drumnakill, Gwen, Highland Plaid, Lady of the Lake. Lotus Lily, Lough Arrow, Prate Box. Rathcline, Serapion. Settee, Stan. Sevaaiopoto. Sequel, Strath. White Blind, and White Hackle.

Coo itatt for Ciawftatiau, DltAPEUS —'Wanted, Junior You rig Han lor cheRt i Department—giving p»rt*> t-Uclo*? photo) to E. Huj.'lie«, London Hoiue, iiridirpiid. 13B3SP7 HOUSEMAID—Wanted, a respectable Gir! m Houwuisud.—Apply, giving full panicslan. Mr*. Huh, London Hpase, Bridgend 153117 FOR Sale, several Young H«i«ee; skc Hive* of —I'arrv, Mamypraig. Portbcawl. 13Mc7 \]LJANTED, Parlourmaid, or thoroughly «xpericnr?< v\ Hotw-Vr.i lourmaid; asred about 23: thref in. family; three servantz-, coed waw.-Apply, Irtter, Mr*. Woo^fc, 2, Lland« £ -place, near Cardiff. 1294P10 WANT KB, Men aad Wife; Uaed'to F+rm Werk £ good milters —Whitingr, Aterdare. 12§fol* TTTAXTED, by Clergy man .widower;. Mi4<ilr-apeC vv Working Houcekaeper; boy krr+, wagv, £ lf.—i Apply Rev. J. T. Griffiths, Solva, Pem ISSTpT WANTCD, a Boy, aoeastemed to Houses; afeoiiit 16 years old; ioek after it oob aad halp ir. garden and rlean knjy and boo; ahl. to rifts and otriow; frtate w&aw required and sire refere&ess.—lAratr Earl., Port Talbot 1 ) AS expenenreri Dairymaid vs a Genttenua's riisensaaad at the t>CSUk £ i& £ of -pfejiuifK'aet