Evening Express

TO-DAY'9 WEATHER. £ The forecast o? the weather throughout the West of 1* upland and Sonth Wales for to-day (Fr> Jivv) is as follows :—S. W. to W. oi* A*. IT. ih-onj Winds or gales; t<lxall>j vain ai tiims. •«i

WEEK'* TEMPERATURE ANT) UATNFALL. l'lie following tr.bls gives the temperature nnd rainfall at Crcrt-r-Vil. ^enarth, for 24 hours, as read nt 9.9 A.m., and entered to the preceding dity | Tcmperatbrr. DATBi — BitSUtt | War. | Mm. Mtan Friday 9 38 32 ?5*0 -CO SatnrJay 10 35 30 34.5 vrt Sttmlay ll 40 29 3-4 S '0 Monday 12 21 31'5 '00 Tuesday 13 37 27 32T 'CO Wednesday.i.| 14 45 35 10'0 "83 Tlmr«>1ay IS 11 35 4?'5

By the Way. In saying in this. column the t?(.Il- of tby that cremation was by t:1f the more ancient, as well as th morp rational, mode of disposing of the de&d; one little pxpecfceil the statement could be doubted or contra- dicted. But one was mistaken, a-i the fol- lowing letter, written, by "Willing to Learn," will show: — "I notic.) that in your note upon crema- tion in Tuesday's 'Express' you stated that the burial of bodies is comparatively U. recent mode of disposing of the dead, pnd by far the more ancient, as it is the more rational. mode ia cremation.' I would like to ask what you mean by 'comp;wa, tively recent'? The ancient Egyptians, we know. buried their dend, for we have with us still their marvellous tombs and also their mummies. The Great Pyramid is generally credited with being four thou- sand years old, and was, as you know, the tomb of a king. If your reference to the disposal of the dead is anterior to that, it would be interesting to learn from what source you derive your information, for I understand that authentic history goes no further back than the time of the Great Pyramid. Again, I would like to ques- I tion your statement that cremation is bv far the more ancient and more rational, moà:? of disposing of the dead. In my opinion, burial must have been the earliest method, for, if Darwin's theory is correct— and I, for one, do not doubt it—man would have to disuse of his dead long before lie was able to make a fire. He would see the bird fall dead from the bough and lie on the earth until buried bv the wind with leaves, and would follow Nature's method. To burn the dead must have originated with early man, much the same as it is being resuscitated now, by whim or fashion! The words "comparativelv recent" had reference to the state of things in Europe —in Christian Europe, more correctly, i And one's authority for the statement is an article in the "Encyclopædia Britannica' on the subject of cremation. "There can be little doubt," states the writer of that article.that the practice of cremation in modern Europe was t first stopped, and has since been prevented in great measure, by the Christian doctrine of the resurrec- tion of the body; partly, also, by the notion that the Christian's body was redeemed and purified." The "Encyclo. paedia Britannica" is admitted to be a pretty good authority, for its articles were written by the best men of the day- specialists, as a rule. Again, the statement that "by far the more ancient, as it is the more rational, mode is cremation" takes us back many thousands of years in the history of man— long anterior to the building of the Great Pyramid, or even before ancient Egypt grew out of the island of Meroe. QIJ.;ng the same authority again, we have it: — "Cremation may be said to have been the! general practice of the ancient world; with the important exceptions of Egypt, where bodies were embalmed Judea, where they were buried in sepulchres; and China, where they were buried in the earth." I-Willing.to .t.ea.rn" will qbserve that deftcl-, bodies were not buried in the earth, as is tne custom with us, either in ancient Egypt or Judea. They were simply deposited in tombs or caves. Sometimes they were embalmed, and sometimes not. It is only in China, therefore, we find that corpses were buried in the earth, as they are in this country at present, and there must have been a reason why the Chinese deviated from the universal prac- tice of the ancient world. That reason, probably, was a religious one, into which it is unnecessary to enter at present. "Willing to Learn" must have observed that nothing was said in the "Express'' paragraph as to the most ancent mode of disposing of the dead. In all probability, at the time "when wild in woods the noble savage ran" corpses werer either thrown into the sea or river or were leg on the- gvound to be devoured bv wild beasts, N ature's seaveivaers. Later on as human affection developed and man grew more civiliscd, he placed the bodies of those near and dear to bim under a stone or a heap of stones, in order to protect them from wild beasts. But at this stage he must have reasoned that the surest way to protect the dead was to reduce them to ashes. As "Willing to Learn" suggests, cremation argues an advance in civilisation. But so does any mode of burial, especially burial in tha earth or iu mausoleums. The latter mode, indeed, pro-supposes a high state of civilisation, and such as existed in ancient Egypt when Cheops s great monument was buiit. Cremation is a somewhat heavy subject for the general reader to digest, and it may be well to treat him to some lighter fare. A friend of the writer's has just seat him an account of a primitive Welsh printar, which will not be uninteresting to "lile man in the street." One of the most comical-looking printing offices that ever existed was that of old David Hughes, of Liansantffraid-ou-the Dee, near Corwen. about the middle of this century. Hughes was a weaver by trade, but factories and machinery revolutionised the weaving trade, and tho one-loom man had to go to the wall. Cornered thus by an unkind fate, Hughes decided to turn printer, and bought old type, which had been worn out in printing railway guides, from Mr. Thomas Thomas, of Chester. Mr. Thomas had) consigned his stock of letters into what printers not improperly called "hell." and there they lay promiscuously—Clarendons, Romans, italics, sanserifs, scripts, and antiques, every known and useful kind in an office of that description—pearl, non- pareil, minion, brevier, bourgeois, long primer, pica, English—the whole in sublime disorder awaiting a purchaser to redeem them at twopence a pound. Hughes had already made up his mind to turn printer, and, as he was a bard and could spell Welsh fairly correctly, visions of success passed before his eyes. But he lacked the necessary means to buy a print- ing press and new type. Fort-unatoly, however, when he was thus scratching his head, he beard of the great bargain which was offered in the printing line at Chester. So he and his better half walked over to see Mr. Thomas, and the heterogeneous heap was purchased in its entirety. Great diversity of opinion existed among priotpVF4 of that period as to the time it took the poet and his wife to bring order out of chan". Some said the sorting process lasted, nnlv twelve montliB, while others maintained it extended over two years. Hughes also bought an old printing press, but while he and his wife were engaged in the sorting process the press became rusty, and the ooor old souls, who were now penniless, nearly pprishedf from hunger. At last, however, fortune smiled upon them, and they succeeded in issuing some four or five songs and ballads, which-thy hawked at the fairs, returning home with pockets full of pounies, A feature that contribu^d greatly to their success sie balladmongers WM the quaint appearance of the ballads, luost of the words boing sot in three or four different types. The Hughes nress never performed miracles; its greatest service to literature was to print a sixpenny pamphlet, a copy of which is now in the possession of tile Welsh biblionhile. Mr. J, II. Da vies, of Ctrrt- mawr. -A

CARDIFF WATl-Ii SFFPFY. fcOTIMATES ron. WlSXf YfiAfi, At ft Meeting of flip ty^(§rworkfl of the Cardiff Cc-rporaf'on on Friday (Akter- mall David Joneg prroiding) tttq Gerk rsnd correspondence with the War authorities re supply of WRfcer at Layernock, Borne time L ago the committee entered into an agreement with the War OM, to supply Lavernock Fort, one of the conditions being that they should get the conrent of the local authorities for permission to la-y the mains in the roads, Sob- sequently an application was received from Hi'! Llandair and ftinaa Towia Rural District Council asking at what rate the corporation would supply them with water in bulk to Laver- nock, the committee agreeing to simply on cer- tain terms. The LiJHHlafT and Dinap Powig authority havo not yet written accepting ths t-ermg offered. and until tpe¡>ç terms are Sicccptcd i-he Cardiff anthovilies cannot do any- thing further in regard to a War Office application to cancel the -i,-rotment.-it W!f;, howover, resolved to charprj the Wr- r OPRce £12 8s. lid., being amounts due for interest on pip03 and an account for haulage. Mr. C. H. Priestley, waterworks engi- neer, feuhmit led hIs est imate of expen- diture for m.%int--enanco for the year ending March 3t. 10,11. The amount of nrain- tenancc of works, pnmp.'nj. WrlS:, wto pat at £ 5.905. an aga inst Z5,1,1,17 ror the year ending March 31, Igoil.-Thp estimate was adopted.-The Borough Treasurer 1\80 sub- mittcd his estimate for the same period, It showed that tha gro«a amount, for lngt. venr was £ 65,395. but the receipts were £ 55,471 JRs.. leaving the net estimate at £ 9.923 7s. ltd., while for the coming year the gross was put at £ 65.515 13s. 7d., the receipts at £ 56 612 10*5.. leaving iiie net amount of the estimate at £ 9.103 *». 7r1- 'rhr estimate was approved -Tlii rate in aid passed lor tha next twelve moiitlin to rcyor the requirements of the year is 111\ £ 9.103, towards whicu there will he applied a surplus of £ 458 9s. 4d. from tha half-year ended Sep- tember, 1699.

WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES? MR. CHARLES COI.L'ETTII TO AprEAR AT CA-UDIFIR. "Charlie" CoUette. better known, porha.pn, by his bardic name, "Y rtyn Herohu," will next wtek solve the vexed qnnation of the fate of the greater part of the inhabitants of the principality, or. in other words, he wili inform Cardiff of what happened to Jones, Peidiwch anghofio!

RAILWAY COLLISION. SIX PERSONS INJURED., At Leeds on Thursday night the rear of the Wakefield train wps run into by another t.r^in 1_, on the Groat Northern Fauway. The dsunsige was slight, but six pereons were injured, not seriously, however.

CARDIFF VESSEL ASHOTIR, ONE OF THE CREW DROWNED. Tunis. Friday.-The British collier Aberdeen (?), from Cardiff, has gone ashore at Bordighera. A boat put off from the shore to her assistance, but capsized alongside, and one of the vessel's crew was drowned. Ultimately the remainder of the crew got ashore in their own boa.t.- Dalziel.

ELECTION NEWS. POLLING AT NEWARK. Polling for the Newark Division commenced on Friday morning in bright sunshiny weather --l remarkable contrast from Thursday. The constituency extends over a. wide a-rca, com- prising 109 parishes, and 3A poll'ng places have been provided for the 10 310 electors. Both par- ties are well-provided with conveyances, and the Liberals are =^'i;?<une of being a-ble to materially reduce the Conservative majority, while the Conservatives express equal con- fldenco n the triumphant return of their can- didate.

THE MARTINIQUE RIOTS. New York. Friday.—The following dispatch haa been received here from Fort de Fmnce, Martinique: —The soldiers have dispersed th-3 rioters at various points. Nn instructions hate been received htte from the home Gorern- mertt. The manufacturers demand the tnc- clamation of inartiii law, but th? Cfbrernor refuses to take this step. A delegate tias ]effc for Ptric. t".J¡!1;; with him document* relat- ing to the lu^seat. diSkuUieE.Heater.. i

The Man in the Street Mr. Lloyd-George, M.P., has had a terrible lesson in regard to the danger of employing a mere academic to interpret his political aspirations. Professor Arnold (Bangor University) is represented as having remarked at the Welsh National Liberal Council on Wednesday that in the J matter of his attitude over the South African policy of the Government ''Mr. Lloyd-George was perfectly prepared to face the probability of losing his seat, and would coun tit an honour to fall in a political fight for a definite object." The sting of this ingenuous but incau- tious admission is well (Jefined. In fact, it is found in the word "definite." The unhappy phrases used by the Professor gives room for the suggestion that the objects for which Mr. Lloyd-George ha-s hitherto fo-,ight--disestablishment, local veto. land reform, and sundry other things —have not been" definite." The majority of people have long ago realised, that Mr. Lloyd-George's fads are mere nebular hypotheses." People have tolerated him, because he is not unattractive personally, while he is sometimes amusing; and. moreover, b-acause in times of prolonged peace the minds of constituencies, as well as of mem- bers, have a tendency to go wool-gathering. But the country is waking up to the "definite" in politics, and that Mr. Lloyd- George has not yet passed quite beyond the condition of political salvability is proved by the fact that he is at length realising the illusory character of his other actions and longing for something "defi- nite" on which to "ride for a fall. The chairman at Wednesday's meeting gave Mr. Lloyd-Gaorge more than a hint as to the manner in which he regarded the hon. member's recent speeches. Mr. Lloyd-George, like some others occupying an irresponsible position, and secure in the protection afforded by the laws of England, has bean quick to gird at the homeland which has fed and nourished him, to traduce and dlefame his country, and to apologise for her foes. But this is noL conducb which commends itself to true patriots. It was a study in national characteris- tic?. At a West-«ntU night club an Englishman started some row with a Frenchman. The Frenchman raged, and stormed, audi threatened. The English- man never snoke a word, simply regarding him with half-closed eyes and a squared jaw. Suddenly, when thingq had gone far enough, he pulled his clenched hands from his pockets and said, "Stop it "-aud the Frenchman stopped. Holders of Taflf Valo stock who have been nervous rot the possible effect upon future dividends of the largo expenditure the compaiiy ia baiug wadig. to incur in disputing tho passage of th" Cardiff Cor- poration Bill, may re-ftseure themselves. Correspondents of the Evening Express'' have pointed out the economies which the management are effecting in the matter of waiting-room fires, and now particulars of another notable economy comes to hand. The management of other railway companies, in reckless disregard for the interests of their stockholders, actually allow the wives of employes who have been called to the front to retain and use their husbands' "privilege ticitttr, The Valo Compauy, however (so I am informed), ill wise appreciation of the rights of shareholder*, have refused to he A party to such excesses. The wives of Reservists called from the employ of the Tag Vale Company to the service of the Empire are not allowed to wallow in the lap of luxury in the shnpe of privileged tickets at the expense of the unhappy shareholder. Floreat Taff Vale! Sir,==TH<3 inhabitants of Park-terrace, Pimlnll, hpVe been agitating for gas-light. Their terrace is in total darkness at night. This is not only a nuisance, tending to the depreciation of property, but i* is also a serious d'anger, for there is a great deal of traffic of all kinds in PC-niiiii-lskllp. and yet, upon tne whole, it is the worse lit thoroughfare in all Cardiff. Some time ago the lighting committee of the Cardiff Council took this matter in hand, and I am bound to say that brtth they and the borough engineer seemed most courteous unci anxious to improve matters. Now, however, it appears that an Park-terrace lies on the boundary line of the borough, the LlandiafT District Council have a word to say on tho subject, and T hear that they are obstructive, aud that, although the safety of their own inhabitants who use PenhilUln.no so much is concerned, they decline to assent to eVÐtt one extra lamp. Sir. is not this too bild, and dors it not form n cogent argument for bringing LlaudaiT within thCJ horough PI sun, &c., A RESIDENT. Tho onlv remedy for the matter com- plained of by "A Kesideni iq th-e bring- in of Llandaff into the borough of Car- i diff. Tho Llandaff authorities are irre- concilably obstructive to all improvements in that part of the town. They will neither carry out improvements themselves, nor join with the borough in carrying them out, nor will they consent t-fl having thoir difficulties removed by coming over into the borough, Whenever the question of transferring Llandaff to the borough becomes cutp, liS in the spring of 1R98, they steep them- selves to the lips in promi^s of amend* ment of the glaring inconveniences from which tho Urban portion of their district ufTer, and as soon as the danger iz over- past they lightly regard all their pledges, Kecollpct. ior instance; the solemn assu- rance given to the Tin-cal Government Board inspector at the isps inquiry in regard to the sewerage and lighting of the Pontcanna district; t rt no particular have those pWg.ie been carried out. The people of Pon.trnnna have ltd public 1'gbts ofiri; 12.00 am., which Was the hour at which lamps Were extinguished before 1898;- as to its ssniitat-y condition, it is dfily becoming More sewage-soddert. fol1 the new drainage system, which in 1898 Was acutely needed, is rtot yet completed, Amount th° evilq which the extension of local government has broUffht in its train is the fact that small localities like Llandaff are eble to entrench themselves in this *y: and bid dafmnce to all the rules of sanitary science. Llandaff is hotorioueiy selfish; It managed, by Ways which need not now be particularised, to exploit the Cardiff Cor- poration in the matter of the purchase of the Llandaff Fieldp, solely for the purpose, so far as Llandaff was Concerned, of pr. serving its own exclusireness and distance fvoirt th° common herd of the inhabitants of its distrifctj It lies erev since sought to secure all lyanner of privileges in t-he use of those fields; it has obstructed and harassed the Cardiff Corporation in its management of the property; and it is not iiiflill-neet] by a scintilla of gratitude to the general body of ratepayers of the Tiorongh. The Llandaff District Council Isry large rates upon* the urban portion of its area, and neglect either to provide, for I its needs or to rgtnore the menace to the health and life bt Hi9 tdwa offered by its insanitary conditional t • WJiNY-

Voluiiteer Reserve.— Lord Wemyss's Scheme. To the Editor of the "Evening Express." Sir,-I am pleased to note that the Secretary for War has at last moved in the matter of forming a Volunteer Reserve on the lines sug- gested by Lori. Wemyss, and has called on all companies of Volunteers to send in a report to him as to their opinion of its desirability and practicability. I only hope that the companies of Volunteers throughout the country are more patriotic and broader-minded than those in this district; if not, I fear there is small chance of a favourable report being sent to the Secre- tary of War, as. strange to say, with few ex- ceptions the local companies are opposed to the scheme, because they think it would be prejudicial to their interest in having a Reserve into which men serving as active Volunteers in their battalion might de-ire to be transferred, and so weaken their numbers. If this be their chief objection, I think they may dismiss their fears at once as imaginary. They have the power to prevent such a thing happening by framing a rule to the effect that no man would be aliowed to be transferred to the Reserve until he had been an efficient Volunteer 'or five years. Having talcen a keen interest in Lord Wemyss's scheme, and by personal experiences in my efforts during the past two months to raisÐ a Reserve for my old battalion, I may, perhaps, he considered capable of forming an opinion as to thc feasibility of carrying it out. I found almost every old member whom I have so far been able to get hold of eager and will- ing to join the Reserves, and have at the moment about 300 names on the roll. It only re- ciuirss the official recognition of the scheme and support of the War Office to enable me to more than double this number. The average age of 100 of the above, taken indiscriminately, is 38 years; height, 5fc. Blin.; and length of ser- vice, twelve years. All these men have been well drilled and know how to use the rifle, many of them having been, and still are, crack shots. There can be no question as to the value of a Reserve composed of such material, and I have no doubt as good, or. perhaps, better, exist in every district through- out the country, all willing and ready to join a Reserve for the defence of their country in the hour of need. I have no hesitation in saying that a Reserve Army of 500,000 emeriti Volunteers will be ab the call of the country within a few months if the Secretary of War will announce his willingness to accept their services and under- take to formulate a scheme to organise an armit. all of which can be done at a trifling cost as compared with the gigantic interests it staice. To refuse to do so at this crisis in the condition of home defence would be criminal. How any commissioned officer of Volunteers can be opposed to such a scheme passes my comprehension. To Be so is un- patriotic. narrow-mindo.i, and selfish and moat ungrateful towards those who, like myself, haro given up the best part of our lives to the cause, boruo the heat and hur.Icu of the day, and made the Volunteer movement what it is. We arc now told by the very men who are reaping tho advantage of our labour that our services are not wanted.—I am, Ac., J. N. CUXNIXGHAM, Hon. Colonel 1st Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Kegiment. Birkenhead, February 15. COUNCILLOR JOTHAM'S PATRIOTISM. To tho Editor of the "Evening Express." Sir.—I am plowed to observe the patriotic spirit, of County-councillor Jotham, of St. Mary- street-, because, about thirty years ago ho gave rv valuable pnlr of breeches tas aprjzo in compe- tition for long range shooting, which was won by your hnmhle servant, as a, Volunteer. You nwy clarify his couduot an a generation of loyalty to her foi-cea! nk inserting you will oblige —I am. *c.. P. WHIDE. 11. Horyl-road, Barry Dook. Feb. 14. CARDIFF. Up to Thursday evening over 600 men from Cardiff and distriot had signified their wllling- nces to devote one evening per week to drill, and one afternoon per fovtnifht for practice at a local rifle ran go. Furrhcr. expressions of willingness to jcclu the movement, we hoar from the secretary, are coming to hand in great numbers-every hour. and it is expected that by the end of the present weal: consider- ably over 1.000 names will been handed in. Lord Windsor has been commttnloaiad with, and has expressed hie willingness to bring the. scheme, bafore tho notice of the War Office. It In a gratifying symptom of the patriotic spirit which animated nil classes of the inhahit.ants of Cardiff that such eager willingness to help forward the movement should have been manifested. It is felt that if the proposals were properly brought to the notice of tha public in this and in other large centres of population, considerably more than 100.000 men could be found will; to fit them- selvas for the defence of their country. In deferenoc to numerous requests, the time for receiving further names has been extended to Monday evening next.

WELSH RAILWAY DISPUTE; A rtTCASANTER OUTLOOK. The South Wales railway dispute hsu been carried a stage further, it is hoped and believed, in till direction of a settlement. The management or each of tho four railways affccted having received a deputation of the men's representatives, the managers of tile respect-re companies have mode a statement of the men's caso and the claims they put forward to their directors, and when the latter have arrived at a decisl "I, 1.111) result will be communicated by the joint committee to tho men at their next mass meeting.

THE FIGHT. DATE fixed. New York, Friday.—The fight between Jeffrie?) and Corbett will take place on Mn.y 14.—Kentei1.

CARDIFF RECORDS. CiunciHt-r presided over II, meeting of the reuonls committee ot the Cnrdiff Corpora- tion at the Town-h^ll, Cardiff oil Friday morning. It wm decided to issue at once in pamphlet form the opinions of critics regard- ing Volume I of the Cardiff Records. The archivist 'Nr. llWbaon Matthews) stated that the second volume would mllko its appearance shortly. The estimates for the year ending March 31. 1901, showing an estimated expendi- ture of were agreed to.

TROUBLE IN CHINA. Tsiantau Fort. China,, Wednewlay-A force of 180 men. with two guns, has been despatched to Kiao Chan to profocl the railway engineers and property. An attack by th-e rioters from Kau Mj ia threa.tcned.-Reutor.

SPLOTT BAPTIST CRTCKJ3T CLTTB, The third annual meeting of the Splott Bap- tist Cricket Club was hold on Wednesday last, when Councillor Sidney Robinson was re- elected as president. Councillors Thomas Andrews find John Chappcll. with Mr. A. A. Bryan were elected as vicc-presid3nts. The following officers were alo appointed-Mr. A. R Chapman, captain; Mr. Charles Harwood. vice-captain; Mr. S. H. Iloare. auditor; and Herbert J. Adams-on, secretary and treasurer.

NEW BOARD SCHOOL FOR ItF/RTKYR. The Merfhyr School Board at, their meeting on Friday accepted amended plans submitted by Mr. J. Ll. Smith, architect. for the building of a now school at Pontmorlais, and directed the necessary detJiiiccT flrawlugr' AflcTTipectflca- 1.ions to be prepared for the approval of the Edncation Department.

CARDIFF Y.M.C.A The Cardiff Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, which is now manufacturing great activity in lip; extension arrangemonts, has aecur«d the Bishop of TTcttrord a-a one of the speakers at their annual public meeting, which i« fixed for Wedne?day. March 12.

AS a Remedy for Weakness, Ind>g.?3t<pn leep!I;IIjI", and Nervousness, G«?ilym Quinine H't'ers is unequalled, U<.<iIp^ g, g,1. find IIg. iic]; Avoid Imitations, See t,be name "i1,.nl Iii. 011 Ti».r>01. Wt.r.mp. !uut 11,>ltlø, SOMETHING YOU WILL Etf-JOY-GUDAHi P REX" OX 'I.'ON.UUF. and 1/UNUH '.I'ONrH!Ji;;). ■J'rv a tin and ycu will want another Ask vonv Pv^eer fo- R-F-X Brand. e727€—1 TO DARKEN omw HAIR—LoCkyer's Sel- phar Hair Rssfcorer is the quickest, best, safest, costs lees, effects iinto than any cth^r. Ths colour produced is the moat natural. Lefckyey'g Bulplutv- is the only Hair Hea^o-ver ITnCvfcceaiLy Belied out .-9

To-mollilow Is Fixtures, WELSH FOOTHALL UNION, Newport v, Swansea—Mr. D. H. Bowen. to officiate in the undermentioned matches, to be played on the grounds of the firit men- tioned:- Pontnewydd v. Brynrp-,twr-AI[r. A. J. Davies; Treorky v. Aberavoll-Ur. W. P. Davies. Pontyinoile v. Ebbw Vale-Mr. Ben Tiley. Penygraig v. Pontypridd—Mr. T. England. Mountain Ash v. Pontyclun—Mr. W. II. Mills. Swansea Seconds v, Newport Seconds—Mr. G. Morgan. Abergavenny v. Ctvinbraii-Mr. C. W. Alford. Cardiff v. Moeley-Mr. A. T. W. James. Newport; v. Swansea—Mr. D. H. Bowen. Llanelly v. Neath—Mr. J. E. Webb. Tredegar v. Abertillery—Mr. H. J, Taylor. Maesteg v. Porth—Mr. W. M. l'ees. Cwmcarn v. Mitchen-Mr. T. L. Williams. Bath v. Bristol-Mi-. Tom Williams, The following matches will be reported in the Evening Express to-inor.-ow:- RUGBY UNION RULES. COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP. Manchester-Laneashir-c v. Durham. LOCAL MATCHES. Newport—Newport v. Swansea. Llanelly—Llanelly v. Neath. Ca,r(liff-Cardiff v. Moseley. Treorky—Treorky v. Aberavon. Stroud—Stroud v. Penarth. Leic,ester-Leicestcr v. Trcberbert, OTHER MATCHES. Blackh-eath Blackheath v. Marlborough Nomads. Stamford Bridge—Lennox v. Guy's Hospital. Richmond-Old Merchant Taylors v. Roeolyn Park. Richmond—Richmond v. Cambridge University. Wimbledon Park—Harlequins v. St. Bartholo- mew's Hospital. H-srne Hill-London Irish v. London Scottish. Wembley Park-Old Leysians v. Kensington. Edinburgh—Edinburgh Academicals v. Glasgow University. Bath-Bath v. Bristol. Dsvonport—Devonport Albion v. R.N. Colls ge, Barn staple-Barn s t aplo v. Exeter. Cheltenham—Cheltenham v. Gloucester. Manchester—Manchester v. Sale. Carlisle-Carlisle v. Edinburgh University, Birmingham—Old Edwardians v. Coventry. Northampton—Northampton v. Croydon. NORTHERN UNION RULES. LANCASHIRE SECTION. Oldliam-Oldha.in v. Broughton Rangers. Leigh-Leigh v. Swinton. Millom—Miliom v. Salford. Wigan-Wigan v. Rochdale Hornets. Runcorn-Ptincorii v. St. Helens. SLockport-Slücltport v. Tyldesley; Widnes—Widnes v. Warrington. YORKSHIRE SECTION. Wakefield—Wakefield Trinity v. Bailey. Leads—Leeds Parish Church v. Bradford. Manningham—Manningliam v. Branney. Brig-hous,Brighouse Rangers v. Halifax. C,.ip.t,leford-C,utleford v. Hull. Holbeck—Holbeck v. Leeds. Hall-Hull Kingston Rovers v. Hndderafleld. Liversedge—Liversedge v. Hunalet. ASSOCIATION. Edinburgh—Scotland v. Ireland. ENGLISH CUP.-SECOND ROUND. Liverpool-Liverpool v. West Bromvjich Albion. Preston—Preaton North End v. Blackburn Rovers. Sheffield—Shefllold United T. Sheffield Wednes- day. Southampton Southampton v. Newcastle United. West London—Queen's Park Rangers v. Mill- wall Athletic. THE LE AGUE .—DIVISION I. Birmingham—Aston Villa v. Notts County, nurnley-Burnly v. Derby County. » Nottingham-Nottingham Forest v. Everton. Stoke—Stoke v. Sunderland. LEA-QUE-DIVIRION II. BoHon-Bolton Wanderers v. Grimsby Town. Bnrton—Burton Swifts v. Burslom Port Valo. C'hent,orfleltl-Chest-erlield v. Barngloy, Oainsborough—Gainsborough Trinity v. Wool- wich Arwsnal. Loughborougli-Loughboroiigli v. New Brigh- ton. Viddlemborough-Mid(Ilemborough v. Leicester Fosse. Manchester—Newton Heath v. Small Heath. Walsall—Walsall v. Luton, THE MOSF.LEY V. CARDTFF. At Cardiff. Cardiff Back, U. B. Wintfeld; throe-quarter baokg, W. Jones, V. Hiwtey Clvv,vn Nichells, and A. M. Rlcketts: half-books, Swcot-Kscott and Oriff. Hughes: forwards G. Dohwn, J, Blake, M'lntyre, Box, Wheeler, Neil, Common, and Phillips. Moseley: Back, Birtles; three-quarter baclss, Gray, Baker, Paddison, and Birtles; half-backs,' Perkins and Gattell; forwards, Ebbsworth, Erers, Godfrey, Bayliss, Bence, Dsykin. Smith, and Jones. Kick-off at 3.15. Referee, Mr. A. T. W. James, Newport. SWAN8EA V. NEWPORT. The Newport team selected for tin's mntch at Newport is as followsRack, D. J. Boots; three quarter backs, W. baflGa. C. Pritchard", If. G. Alexander. and A. N Other: hrif-btoka, G. L. I-loyd and L. A. Phillips; forwards, O. Boots, J. Hodges, W. JT. Williams. F,. Thomas, J- E. C. Partridge, J. Jenkins, W. IJarllU, and A. N. Other. PENARTH V. STROUD. "( At Stroud. PenarthBack, D. Healy; three-quarter backs, II. Beer. W. Gamescn. F. Fillet-t, and W. Kingsiey; half-backs, R. Alli- son and 8 Button; forwards. C. Warbnrton, 0. Slranaghan. W. Yco, A. Davies. E. Ellis, D. Trlggs, A. Blake, and R. Blake, PFiNYGRAIG V. PONTYPRIDD, GLAMORGAN LEAGUE MATCH. At Penygraig, Ponygrnig: Back, Tom Wal- ton; throe-quarler backs, W. Richards, G. ltunt, T. A. Williams, and another; half-backs. J Lewis and G. Mundy; forwards (solcctcd from), II. Jones. A. Be J ton. D. J. Daniell, T, J. Griffiths. Gomer Mead. G. Evans, E. Owen, W. Tf. ICfcmp, D. John, A. Chant, and II. Raysons. Kick-off at 3.45, MACKINTOSH V. WHITCHURCH. At Whitchurch. Mackintosh: Back, W. Jones; Jones;. thres-quartor backs, A. Downer, J. Elliott, W. Halloran, and R. Trencbard; half-back. C. Hailiday nnd J. Williams; for- wards, F. Priest. W. Rogers, W. Jenkins, C. Priest, W. Adams, A. Lewis, G. Burgess, and L. Doyle. Brake leaves tho Albany Hotel at 2.30. TAFF'S WELL UNITED V. CILFYNYDD. At Cilfynydd. Taff's Well: Back, W 'IBixeii- dalc; three-quarters backs, D. Jones (captain), E. Thomas, D. Dyd 3. and n. Toghill; half-backs, R. Bolton and S. Richa.r&son; forwards. F. Stricland, F. Bunn, A. Jones, F. Amus, T. J. M-andus, W. Ja-rvis, S. Jenkins, and S. Mould. Roabh v. Itaestog.-At Maesteg. Roath: Back, W. Thomas; three-quarter backs, A. Williams, J. Grev E. Thomas, and R. Davies; half-backs, J. Murphy and C. Burrows; for. wards. selected from J. Batstone (captain). J. Aherne, H. Wiltshire. T. Northmore, D. Cotter, W. Sambre, B. Gale, W. Northmore, and B. Williams. Canton Crusaders v. Newport Park.—Canton: Ra-ck, W. Elliott; three-quarter backs. S. Bailev, W. Stoyles, C. Martin, and G. Tren. chard; half-backs, J. Kienerv and A. N. Other: forwards, D. Chorley. F. Edwards, U. Morgan, G. Woollacott, W. Stratford, C. Howells. E. Woollacott, and C. Chiplin. Referee, Private Cronjey. Cathavs Stars v. Barbarians.—At Roath Park. Stars: Back. G. Caple; three-quarter backs, F. Shanahan. G. Niblett-, J. Rogers, and J. Green- slade; half-backs, T. Griffiths and D. Timothy- forwards. G. Anstey. W. Jones, W. Rogers. J. Follett, F. Sanders, F. Wheeler. J. Stevens, and. F. Price. Meet at Colborne Hotel, 2.30 p.m. sharp. Penarth Reserves v. Penarth United.—At Penarth. ReservesBack, Theo. Jone3; three-quarter backs. T. Shier, W. J-ewell, A. .Gay, and D. Griffiths;, half-backs, S. Smith and T. Bartlett; forwards, R. Vaughan (cap- tain). S. Shier, W. Matthews. D. Jones. W. Hamilton, F. Blackmore, F. Bawden. and J. Thomas. Loudouns v. St. Ascii,-s.-At Sophia Gardens. Loudouns: Back. 11'. Phenis; three-quarter bRck.^i, H. Williams. H. Stephens, D. Thomas, and A. Phenis; half-backs. M. Gallivan and J. Grey forwards, J. Cassley (cantain) T. Llovd, W. Colli*, Nathan Marks. D. Reed. T. Howells, F. Lewis, and W. Griffiths. ASSOCIATION. SOUTH WALES LEAGUE -DIVISION I. BARRY UNIONISTS V. PORTH. At Barry. Barry: Goal. J. Sutton: backs, A. Green (captain) ard J. Re-s-s; half-backs, T. Parry, P. Jones, and T. Callaghan; forwards, T. Thompson, A. Mitchell, F. King, G. Thursby, and I. SIiê-ldon. Radnor-road Old Schoolboys v. Present Teachers.—At Thompson's Park. Teachers: Goal. C. Howells; ba-cks. H. Hole and D. W. Roberts: half-backs, J. T. Richards, G. Mercer, and G Gallon; forwards, P. J. Price (captain), B. Williams. T. J. Wakelv. J. Hares, and W. J. Merett. Old Boys: Goal, A. J. Norve; backs, W. Norie and F. Pries (captain); half-backs, R. W. Price, J. Gibson. and R. II. Thomas; forwards, O. H. Thomas. W. Gibson, E. It. Williams. W. J. Bull, and F. Hill. Referee, Mr. W. nrockington. Ctarc Stars v. 8plott Victorias.—At the Tide Field, Stars: Goal, J. Crabtree; backs. W. Curtis and W. Evans j half-backo. E. Stiff, it. OGolI, and V. Stiff; forwards, J. Slater, S Jehu, H. Richards, T. Jones, and W. Smith. Railway OrssceutS Roatll Juniors.—At Splott. Uresirents: Goal, W, Bartlett: LRelts. Roberto -aud- G, Jeuea;, half-backs, 1). I John. A. Davies. and A. Ela-ckraore; forwards. T. Persons. W. Brady, R. l'ringle, E. Jones. and S. Morris (captain). Single ton Reserves v. Clare Splot- lulitis. Singletons: Goal. R. IJ01:; bacha. L. Smith and W. Morrish (captain] half-backs, J; Browning, W. Lark, and C. Powditch; for- wards. A. C;ey. J. Shuts, B. Buttery, If. Piodcll. and II. Parrish. Riverside v. Maintieo (Newport!;—At Newport. Riverside: Go: T. Stringer; backs. A..T. and If. J'. Pearse; half-'oacla. F. H. T'r-esedcr, G. A. Sheen, and W. Gculd; fcr- wards. Stevenson. W. Cantor, J. Head (cap- taii,), Baaito, and F, Paynler. I Old Kisher Grade v. Roai'.i Park Wesleyans. —On Grade Ground: kick-oft at three o'clock. Higher GcRds: Goal. E. H. Bisatt; backs. L. Nash and Morgan: half-backa. Bevan, Policy, ar.d Corusr: forwards. Travers, Neagic, Griffiths, Abel, and Stuckay. Roath Juniors v. Railway Cresconis.—At the Moors. Juniors: Goal, F. W. Ledger; hacks, M. John and W. Johnson: half-backs, G. Charles, Burke, and F. Ahhoti: forwards. F. Muriess. A. Owen. I.L. Rideu, F. Gilbert, and T. E. Akers.

ENGLAND'S TEAK AGAINST {SCOTLAND. The English Rugby Union are sparing no pains to put their fctrongef1: possible team on the field against Scotland, for they consider— and; no doubt, rightly ellotigli-that Scotland did not show their best form against Wales. Trial matches after playing a couple of interna- tional games seem raOer superfluous, yet Eng- land are holding another on Saturday week, when at Leicester the North will be once more pitted against the South. The North team I have not yet heard, b.t the South fifteen were choscn ths other evening. O11 paper they are a pretty strong side. Not that I think they have much of a chance against the North, however, for the forwards are only moderate, and the halves and three-quarters can hardly hope to beat the Northern six. Gamlin will, of course, look after his share all right, but beyond that I don't quite see what chance of winning the South have. In the South forwards there are five good men in Daniell, Scott, Fletclicr, Todd, and Reynolds. The other three, of whom Hall is the best, I don't know much of. Jarman, it is surprising to find, Is left out, but equally surprising is it to discover that Devonshire, who are said to have a string and clever lot of sc-rimmagers. cannot contribute a forward good enough. Unwin (Blackheath) is hardly likely to prove superior to Mareden or Mar- quis, who will, of Course, be chosen for the North. At three-qusrtsr, again, the North should hold an advantage. Coopper is a good man, however. I am convinced of tht. although he did not do too wcil at Gloucester, but at Birkenhead, in t-he North v. South match, I thought he played wonderfully well. Dunting used to play well, but must be "getting on" now. Gordon Smith is smart, but Forrest I have r,o opinion oi. Easily enough, I should say, the North can pick a side to beat this Southern team. Another good sportsman in W. Clay has volunteeroo f-a: the front, and has, I under- stand, passed all the necesmry tests. He is just the sort that will be useful at the front, too-youn. stingy, and hard as nails. A good, all-round athlete, his forte was cycling, and last yoar he attached one of the Welsh cham- pionships—the mile, I think. Cycling waa his one great sport, and he wa particularly keen on it. spending a lot of money in going about to meetings and up to Colne with the object of record-breaking. He was a topping good sportaman, til I say above, and he will be padly missed from the track this year—and, indeed, from the council chamber, too, for he was a member of the N.C.U, The South Wales Swimming Association are not a hasty body of legislators by any maans, and evidently believe in taking their time ovor an inquiry. however simple It may be. For example, it hM taken them just about six months to decide who is the holder of the Boys' Welsh Swimming Championship. Back in the suimnior Ednot. of Penarth, defeated P. Rad- milovic, Cardiff, for the Boys' Welsh Cham- pionship. Radmilovic objected to the winner on tho grounds that he was over age. Since then the South Wales Swimming Association have oeen considering the matter, but a day or two ago they made up their mind. and now the cup which goes with the championship has gone to Radmilovic. Slow, bnt sure." would be an exool 1-cnt motto for the bedy that govern Welsh swimming. "F. H." wishes to know if it is a usual thing for independent touch judges t-o act in club games, as wa.s the cas3 at Swanaaa. last week, when Messrs. W. E. Reae and T. D. Schcfield were on the line in the Cardiff-Swan- sea. mat-chP It is an unusual thing, certainly, and hardly ever occurs in Rugby football, except in the case of eemi nBaJs and finals in competitions. Why it was done last Satur- day I oannot say, except it was that both clubs fancied their chances, and, wishing to contest the game in the fairest and friendliest spirit, mutually agreed upon outside touch judges. In the English League competition independent touch judges are, I believe, ap- pointed in all the matches. For his match with Tinoler, which I men- tioned a day or two ago is to take place at Roohdal-e early next month, Cnllnm is train- ing in tbp! neighbourhood of Cardiff, nnd is going very strong. Cullum's "gaffer" is very confident as to his chances, and considers that he will run better than he has ever done before. After this match it is probable that Cullum will meet Dredin again, but on this occasion at a shorter distance than the half-mile. Bredin is willing. I understand, to concede a few yards start to Cullum at a quarter, whilst he has also made a proposition to run Ctillum level at 700 yards for X25 or R50 a-side. The longer distance, I should imagine, would suit Cullum best, and it is probable that if a match -is fixed up it will be over the 700 yards. Such a race ought to be one of the best we have seen for some time, and as Cullum only beat Bred n by a yard for the half-mile championship, and only won then by staying power, a race of 700 yards ought to result in a magnificent struggle. That is rather a rum idea that Mr. Mitson proposed at the mass meeting of amateur cyclists in London the other night. The cris's appears to have arisen through the majority of the sports in London being financial failures, and so Mr. 'Mitson proposed that the racing men shall take the matter up them- selves and form a sort of mutual benefit society. In proposing the scheme Mr. Mitson said: "The idea was to promote sport in South London on co-opera- tive principles. During last year there was scarcely one meeting that had proved a finan- cial sucosss, and it was only too apparent that racing men must now provide their own sport. If sufficient support were forthcoming to encourage the Anerley Club to work on their behalf, a erje8 of open meetings would be held every Thursday evening during the summer months. The Crystal Palace Company had kindly offered the use of their track and stands on thes? days absolutely free of charge, so that all th'3 moneys received on the stands and al' the entry fees would be pooled and divided amongst the winners pro rata, in accordance with the number of starters in each race. At the end of the season the winners would select their prizes and the treasurer of the fund would pay the bill. As regards the handicap- ping and timing, several N.C.U. officials had offered their Fervioes, free in the interests of the sport. There would thus be no expense in running the races, and the whole of the assets would be divided amongst the winners." The idea, of course, may work out all right, but to moo it seems a wild cat" sort of scheme. There may be plenty of cyrl'sts in South London w,. i o are willing to ride on a Thursday afternoon on 1-he off-chance of getting a prixe at the end of the.season. If a properly constituted club, however, who offer their prizes on the spot, cannot make a sports meeting pay. I don't see how a. bodv of this %ort can. Of course, there is the fact that they are getting the group" free, whifh means a good deal. no doubt, but, then. there are printing, advertising. Ac., which will run sway with the money quickly enough. As I say above, it mlY prove a. paying scheme, but it does not look much like it. Racing cyclists. even amateurs, like to handle their prizes as soon as they have won them. Waiting until the end of the season, with the uncertainty as to whether there will even then be any funds, is calculated to make the heart grow weary. LIaneHy. a writav in the Swansea Daily Post" says, have determined to omit Aberavon from their card next season, owing, the writer alleges, to rough play on the part of the Aber- avon team. Llanelly is not the team to cry out about a bit of rough play. I imagine, and 80 I oan only think something particularly bad in this respect must have occurred. Of course, no one expects football to be a drawing-roo-m game. but there is a lot of diffe- rence between vigour and roughness. Hard, keen t.ackiing is to be comm-epded, for a lack of it has lost Wales many matches with the other countries; but equally so roughness is to be deprecated, and a committee convinced of this sort of thing are doing good to the game by refusing to take part in it. WELSH ATHLETE.

WITH BULLER IN NATAL. !!IIII!I!!I!II! Boers Qooiigiy Spear- man's Farm. 1 II Gen. Successor. Mr. Winston Charchiil telegraphed on Tues- day to tho "Motuing Post" that parties of Boers, varying in strength, have crossed the Tugela, occupying our old ground at Spear- man's Farm. CHIEVELEY CAMP, Tuesday (5 p.m.). General LyLtelton hu succeeded to the com- mand of the Second Division during the illness of General Clery, who is suffering from blood poisoning. The appointment of General Lyttelton gives great satisfaction. Colonel Norcott, of the Rifle Brigade, tem- porarily commands the Fourth Brigade Yesterday a force of mounted infantry, with a. battalion of infantry, field battery, and a Colts battery, occupied Hussars Hill. south of Hlangwane. On their retirement the enemy opened a heavy musketry fire on the African Light Horae and Colts Battery, who had seven casualties. Two officers wsre wounded, including Lieu- tenant J. Churchilll, slightly wounded in the leg. Four men were wounded, and one is missing. —"Times." DURBAN, Wednesday, The steamer Dobada arrived here to-day from India, and, having landed a number of guns for General D¡ll¡er" rimy, proceeded with a large number of horses for Ca.pe Town.—Central News. SPUINGFIEIJD CAMP FIRED ON. CHIEVELEY CAMP, Tuesday (7.15 p.m.). The Dragoons at Springfield Camp were sub- jected to-day to fire from the enemy, who had taken up a position in the adjacent hills. The Boers are becoming more audacious. On a few occasions they have shown themselves, but they quickly retire into their mountain fortress when our men get ready for action. Yesterday the enemy came within 1/C0 yards of cur Irregulars. There were a few casual- ties among tho Dragoons. We are still hope- ful of relieving Ladysmith.—Press Association War Special. BOER DISPATCH. IIOOFDLAAGER (Ladysmith), Feb. 13. Yesterday General Botha, with a small body of men, crossed the Tngela to inspect the posi- tion vacated by the British. He encountered <10 Lancers, who hlad presumably remained behind. Thirteen of them were killed, five wounded, and nine taken prisoners. One of the last was sent to thoa troops to tell them to fetch their wounded. Yesterday a large British army moved towards Colenso, and eucamped near Boscbkop. Everything is quiet round Ladysmith.—F row Association War Bpeoial.

AT MAFEKING. OFFICIAL DISPATCH FROM BADEN-POWELL. LADY KARA IT WILSON SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. The following telegram was issued by the War Office shortly after eleven o'clock on Thursday night,: — From the General of Communications, Cape Town. Feb. 14. A telegram reoeivod from Colonels Nicholson And Plumer, via Gaberones. forwarding the following copy of a telegram received from Baden-Po well •• —• "MAFEKING, Jan. 29. Enemy put 94-pounder shells through t.he convent used by us as convalescent hospital on the 25th January, slightly wounding Lady Sarah AVilson. On the 26th of January the enemy again deliberately shelled the women's langer. Fortunately, no casualties. MAFEKING, Jan. 25. "We acknowledge the receipt of the message front Lord Roberta. It caused tho Hvelioit, satisfaction to the garrison, which is animated by the one desire to help a successful issue of the whole cam- paign, "On«naltles up to date:—Killed: Five nfflcprs. GO men. Wounded Eight officers, 123 men. Missing: 34 men. Non-com- blltnnh-Killed: 12. Wounded: 23. "Garrison hoalthy and cheerful. Home made »1i«11b and fU1.es complete success. MAFEKING, Feb. 3. F.ncm.. on January 23 moved laager 4,500 yards from the town. Our troops pnahotl OIl advanced works in that direc- tion. mounting old naval gun, smooth bore, 1.400 yards from the enemy. "On the evening of the 29th of January we unmasked- and shelled the enemy's camp with complote success, tho laager moving back on the 30th of January two miles. "On the 31sh of January a heavy bom- bardment of our Fort, Cannon Kopje took place by the 94-poundcr, gaining nothing. Our casualties: — "KILLED. "Fred Arthur Jones. Town Guard: Trooper* Herbert Henderson Knox and Divid Francis, both of the British South Africa. Police. "WOUNDED. "Troopers Thomas Massey. Goddard William*, Robert Harvev. and George Loiii* T,e«1ir>. British South Africa Police. "Died of fever February 2.—Kiddy, rail. Way telegraph employe."

CAPE COLONY. BORR. DISPATCH. PRETORIA. Feb. 12. A special corresnondent at Colesberg tele- graphs that 011 Friday last an engagement was fought, which cost th? Boers threi men killed and five wounded. The dispatch adds that the burelierts have taken all tho British posi- tions, .and arc now within cannon sho.t of the British camp.—Press Association War Special.

BOER INVASION OF ZULIJLAND. QUKSTTON OF EMPLOYING NATIVE TROOPS. IMPORTANT STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT. In the House of Commons on Thursday, replying to a question by Mr. Yerbnrgh (U., Chester) as tc Boer invasions of Zululand. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN said: I have been n. formed on three occasions-two of th-em recont—the Boers have invaded Zululand, and in one district, have seized as prisoners the magistrate with his Btaff and police, while in another they have plundered the stores. It is also reported that a commando, with guns, is moving further into Zululand. These acts have caused great alarm and unrest among the Znlus, which must spread among the Natal natives. The consequences throughout South Africa. of ouch raids on native territories cannot fail to be very serious. The Natal Ministers have stated that they ca.n no longer hold themselves responsible for the peaceful attitude of the Zulus, and Sir A Milner, while J. greatly deploring the invasion of Zululand, points ont that it is contrary to the tacit com., pact that natives should not be dragged into this war. I may add that it has been decided that if native territory in the Cape Colony ia deliberately invaded the natives will be encou- raged and assisted in every way to defend themselves. (Ironical Nationalist cheers.) Later on Mr. YERBURGH asked the First) Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the fact that the Boers had invaded Zalnla-nd and attacked the natives, and also that natives had been employed by the Boers as armed com- batants in reoent operations, he still adhered to his statement that native troops would not; be employed by the Government in the present war. Did the game pledge apply to the natives of India, and to the troops of the native Princes who had offered their tervices? Mr. A. J. BALFOUR: My hon. friend haa wisely placed the two branches of his ques- tion in different paragraphs. I need hardly say there is no resemblance or analogy between the native tribes of South Africa and the native troops of India. The aid of the latter we shall be proud to welcome in any war carried on under ordinary conditions. The statement of policy to which the hon. member refers was based on the idea that the war in South Africa was not carried on under ordinary conditions, and it was thought by common consent desirable that it should be confined to the two European races principally concerned. If the Boers adopt course inconsistent with this idea, we shall hold ourselves free to re-consider our deci- sion. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr. COURTNEY (U., Cornwall. Bodmin), in view of the extreme gravity of state- ments, asked if the First Lord of the Trea- sury would take care to have the utmost cer- tainty as to the reality or authority of the Boer attack on natives, and if ho was aware that in very many of the alleged violation* of the practices of war there were charcee and counter-charges on both sides. Mr. BALFOUR: As regards the last que*- tion, I am not aware that there have been any allegations against us of any violation of the practices of war. As to the first ques- tion, I can give the right hon. gentleman* every assurance he can desire that the most careful investigation will be made. (Hear, hear.) » ai

LECTURE DY COLONEL LONSDALX HALE AT CARDIFF. SIGNIFICANT REMARKS BY COLONEL QUIRK. An instructive lecture on ''The Training of the Volunteer Soldier" was given at a meeting of the South Wales andl Mon- mouthshire Tactical Society at Cardiff on Thursday evening by Colonel Lonsdale* Hale. Colonel Quirk, the officer command- -1 ing the 41st Regimental District, presided. and there was a large attendance of officers and non-commissioned officers. —In opening his remarks, the lecturer said that 1900 was the turning point in the fate of the British Empire. Up to 1899 no one but the authorities had looked upon the Volunteer force as a serious factor in the defence of the country. The Volunteers had simply been looked upon by the public as a tie between themselves and the Army, and caused them to feel that the Army was a part of tho nation. Now a few battalions of the regular Army only had been left in the country, with about half of the Militia and some of the Yeomanry, and so they had to look to the Volunteer force for home defence. It was necessary for them, in those circumstances, to make individual effort. He impressed upon his audience the necessity of strict discipline and obedience, of good individual shooting, of outpost practice. With regard to shootin" he said that volley-firing had been proved of no avail in our present war, and pointed oat that it was not necessary that men to be efficient soldiers should be able to march past in such order as the press approved of. The speaker went on to urge the neces- sity of Volunteers giving more time to the work than they had in years gone by.—■ Colonel Quirk said that he had received instructions to look out for camps and shooting-ranges in the neighbourhood of Cardiff, and thought it was possible that the Government contemplated an early mobilisation. He did not agree with the lecturer with regard to drill. He believed that it was necessary in order that the officers should be able to keep their men thoroughly in hand, and he also believed in volley-firing. If it had not proved suc- cessful in the present war, it had been useful with the Dervishes only last year. With regard to making the Volunteers effi- cient. he gave as an instance of how quickly it could be done the despatch of the Service Corps to the Welsh Regiment. —A number of other officers took part in the discussion.

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT. THE WAITING COMPANY OF WELSH VOLUNTEERS. No official message has yet been received at the Cardiff Barracks with reference to the date of mobilisation of the waiting company of the Volunteers of the four battalions in the 41st Welsh Regimental District. However, a remark made by Colonel Cresswell to one of our representatives on the day of the mobi- lisation of the service company at Cardiff a few weeks ago, lends colour to the proba- bility that the waiting men will be called up at an early date. There is a. waiting com- pany," said Colonel Cresswell, but you may take it that they won't have to wait long." In well-informed circles the opinion is held that these men will be mobilised in the early part of the coming week. Until instructiom are received from the War Office nothing car be done further. To-day (Friday) is the last day on which the Reservists of the D Section are to present them- selves at the Cardiff Barracks. Out of th. 100 men comprising this section only a dozsi 1 or so had reported themselves up to Thursdayt but it is expected that they will all turn up at the eleventh hour to-day. The Bristol and South Wales Hotel was the scene of an interesting presentation to Mr. William Evans (Neath), a native of Burry Port. The company included the Revs. D. Jenkin. and H. Thomas (both Pembrey boys). Mr. T. Price (manager of the Cardiff Navigation Col- liery, Llantrisant). and several Neath Volun- teers billetted at the hotel. Evans had left Pembrey unknown to its inhabitants, but his admirers would not let him go to the front without some token of appreciation. In a day JE8 was collected, and a wire was despatched to a Burry Port native resident in Cardiff-the Rev. D. Jenkins- asking him on behalf of Burry Port to make the presentation. In a few appropriate worda the presentation was made. It consisted of a field-glass, a purse of gold. and woollen comforter from Miss James, Pembrey. Mr. Evans suitably responded, and a happy meet- ing came to a close. A hearty send-off to Private David Jenkins, a Dowlais Reservist, who is going to the front, was given on Wednesday night in the Clarence Hotel, Dowlais, at the meeting of the City of Refuge Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Odd- fellows. of which Friendly Society he is a mem- ber. The sum of JE3 2s. was collected in the room and presented to Private Jenkins, and a number of spirited speeches were delivered. Bandsman James Hamer. of the Lancashire Regiment, called up for active service in South Africa, was made the recipient of a silver- mounted pipe, a quantity of tobacco, a stylo- graphic pen. and a sum of money from his fellow-workman employed at the roll-turners' shop. Old Works, Dowlais, as a practical token of their regard and goodwill. The fellow- workmen of Private Evan E. Daviea,- of the Dowlais Volunteer Detachment, engaged at the Old Works blast furnace, had subscribed for a Swan fountain pen. an active service knife, and a purse of money all a. parting gift, and his friends at Pant presented him with a. powerful field-glass and a number of woollen helmets.

REJECTED RESERVISTS. PRESENT THEMSELVES FOR RE- EXAMINATION. Throughout the United Kingdom on Thurs- day, says the Central News. the thousands of Reservists who, on the mobilisation of the Reserve, were rejected by the Army doctors for active service have been gathering at various headquarters, barracks, and recruiting centres for the purpose of being re-examined with a view to going to the front. or taking the place of those who have gone to South Africa. In London alone there must be thousands of men who have reported themselves at the various headquarters in the Metropolis. Had the weather been fine, the second calling out of the Reservists would not have entailed any hardship, although it was apparent that the medical staff was not numerous enough to deal with the thousands of men who presented themselves for examination, but on Thursday no accommodation was provided for them beyond what was to be had in the covered yard of the barracks, and no provision was made for their sustenance during their dreary wait at St. George's Barracks. Some 700 or 800 men reported themselves. Many arrived at day- break, and the majority of them were still waiting at four o'clock in the afternoon for exa.u4t