Evening Express

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS. Appended is a chart of tbe barometrical readings for the 48 hours ended Friday midnight. aA regis- tered at the Western ifsit Office, Cardiff. The instrument is 33ft. above mm level.

f HIGH WATER TO-DAY. Morning. Height. Swansea 3.30 4..) 2i. 9 Cardiff 4.44 5.11 27.5 ,45 Newport 4.45 5.12 26.10 WEATHER FORECAST. ISSTKU R»OK MKTK0ESX,0AICAL p.M. The forecast of the weather throughout the West of England and South Wades for to-dav (Saturday) is as follows:-N.,vinds, light: fine. I. YASRAAUAT'S FORECAST. Variable and E, airs; very cold; flue; bazy. YESTERDAY'S WEATHER. E, and N.E. winds sharp frost; bleak.

rriHE 100 BEST PICTURES NOW ON -*• SALE. PRICE ONF SHILLING.—WESTERN MATTI LIMITED. CARDIFF.

Telephone: NationaJ, 502. Post-office, 95. Telegrams: Express, Cardiff."

Comments and Criticisms. BY "CUCHFARF." With all his gccd qualities public bodies will view with concern the example of Mr. W. L. Daniel, of Merthyr, who is reported to have taken eighty minutes to review the educational work of the Merthyr School Board (of which he is chairman) during the last three years. If all chairmen followed his plan the length of time demanded of public men in the per- formance of their duties would be materially increased. There is enough time taken by speeches as matters now stand. Mr. Daniel's hearers bad one satisfaction, however, for he ia a clear and cogent speaker. He is one of the oldest members of school boards in South Wales, and in its earlier days the Mer- thyr School Board was viewed as taking the lead in the discussion of the questions that concerned the administration of the Eduoatioii Act when it first came into operation. It was then Mr. F. Sonley Johnstone, after- wards of Cardiff, came into prominence in South Wales, and Mrs. Rose Mary Crawshay, the Rev. Dr. Waldo Jones (now of Cardiff), Mr. T. Williams, J.P. (Gwatlodygarth), and the late Rector of Merthyr (the Rev. J. Griffiths) took sides on religious teamching in schools, and the Welsh press in particular caught a good deal oi inspiration from the discussions. I can re-call many a debate of first-class importance in those days, and such as would tempt anyone who had participated in them to become reminiscent, as was the case with Mr. Daniel on Thursday last. Nervous people are inquiring how best to prevent boiler explosions now that we are having a settled frost. One rule can be safely adopted, viz., to avoid letting the kitchen range fire burn out. This will secure a tem- I iverature of the water above freezing point, and no accident can occur under such condi- tions. Coal is dear, but an increased coal bill is preferable to a plumber's big bill, and pos- sibly serious accidents in addition. A choir strike is evidently considered a read. able piece of news, for I notice that as many London papers as I saw yesterday had copied the paragraph containing the news of the St. Bride's Minor choir strike. Fame comes in unexpected ways, and the strikers of St. Bride's Minor, even the most ambitious of them, never counted upon receiving the attention of the London press. A celebrated war correspondent thought it good copy to interview the Cardiff rats, and we shall hear one of these days of all the Aberbenfltr "nil Bridgend hotels being inadequate to house the army of newspaper specia I corre- spondents who have arrived to watclx the progress of the Llansantffraid choir dispute. I can promise the most travelled of the specials one piece of information. If they pay a visit io Cefnhirgoed, a blealt spot not far from Llansantffraid Church, now that we are experiencing a keen frost and a stiff north-easterly wind, I will undertake that it will prove to be as cold a, locality as can be found in thes& climes. A few days on Waun-y-gwaddod or Pen'heolrhys would, have delighted the heart of Charles Kingsley, for h* was a lover of east winds, especially when tempered with a biting frost. Mr. John Ballinger, Cardiff's chief librarian, rendered a good service to Welsh literature in reading his paper on Some Welsh Lite- rary Curiosities before the Liverpool Welsh National Society last night, for he did not content himself with treating on curiosities merely, but dealt with the greatest bar to the circulation of Welsh books and periodicals, and that is the absence of a registration of j titles and It common centre of information as to books issued. It is true Mr. Ballinger haa solved the difficulty to a great extent by publishing a. list of new Welsh books quar- kwly in the Public Libraries Journal." I have reason to believe that this plan is becoming very popular with Welsh publishers, and if sufficient appreciation of this idea. is maintained, perhaps, the difficulty will thereby be solved. But this does not aid tha easy acquisition of new books, for it is a great tax upon booksellers to find out by a rule of thumb the name of author, publisher, and price off a new book, and, then, through there being no central supply-no Welsh M'Mil- Ian-thero is the further trouble of writing to out-of-the-way plaoes'tor the books that are required, and then waiting for the slow reply of unbuainess-iike people. By the time a book is received by such mea.ns the inquirer's inte- rest may havelwaned, and he is so dissatisfied as to avoid ordering a Welsh book another time, fearing he will have his previoas expe- rience repeated. Then a good history of Welsh literature is sadly needed. Stephens's "Literature of the Cymry" ends with the fourteenth century, and, after that, what has Wales to show in the way of history of its literature? The scrappy manner in which National Eis- teddfod committees have attempted to make up this want haa been very disappointing. Indeed, it is necessary for someone, or a number of- com- petent persons, to apportion certain we-II- defined periods, and allot these periods to known authorities, and then a complete survey different periods, and then a complete survey of our literature may be produced. How this is to be accomplished it is difficult to deter- mine, and Mr. Ballinger did not offer any guidance in the matter, but this will have to be thought out very soon if we hope to popu- larise our literature beyond its present con- dition. The character of the reading most in demand in Wales until very recently can be guessed from the fact that no Ies3 than thirty trans- lations of Bunyan are to be found in Welsh. Indeed, inasmuch as the Welsh "Pilgrim's Pro- gress" is translated into good modern idiomatic Welsh, it is far more enjoyable reading than the original, with its many archaic words and now and again somewhat stilted phrasea. I first read my Bunyan in Welsh, and this may have influenced me in favour of my first expe- rience, but other readers may differ from me. Still, nothing less than a thoroughly good translation could secure this preference under any circumstance. "Cors anobaith" is more expressive than "the slough of despond," and "Mynyddoedd Hyfryd" more enphonius than "delectable hills," and these instances could be extended. It is certain that Bunyan's masterpiece has not suffered by translation into Welsh. Be that as it may, it is hoped that Mr. Ballinger's paper will be the means of leading to many reforms among publishers of Welsh books. Manv are the prophecies that the Welsh University College will supplant the Eistedd- fod. I never believed it, and with such prophets the wish was father to the thought. Recent evidence points in another direction, for the North Wales University College has just held its fifth annual eisteddfod, and when I find that the professors of the college and their wives were in the majority of instances the adjudicators then it is clear that the old institution is going to hold its own spite of all new educational conditions. So be it.

THE CONTEST IN THE SOUTH WARD. The following appeared in our Pink Edition of yesterday r- Already considerable excitement prevails in the Barry district over the forthcoming annual election of the district council, it being known that a determined attempt is being made to capture the vacant seat in each ward in favour of candidates pledged to the section which has lately b,eniso lively on t-he local authority. In the North Ward the names of several gentlemen are under consideration as oppo- nents to the re-election of Mr. David Morgan; in the East Ward, where Mr. Sol. Barnett will not seek re-election, the candidates already in tho field are Messrs. B. L. Davies (Ralicitor), John Millward. L. Y. Owen, and John Jones (Bristol House); and in the West Ward an effort is being made to secure a strong candi- date to oppose Alderman J. C. Meggitt, who, notwithstanding his recent resignation, will probably consent to be nominated for re-elec- tion. In connection with the South Ward, where the retiring member is Mr. E. B. Smith-Jones, a public meeting of ratepayers was held on Thursday evening at the Regent-hall, Barry Dock. There was a good attendance, and Mr. W. Graham was voted to the chair. The Chairman spoke of Mr. Smith-Jones, who was sent to the council to break up the clique, as the man who was at its head, and said when he failed to send the guinea fine to the council with his resignation after his defeat in the libel action against the "Barry Dock News" last year he made the one blunder of his life. Mr. Smith-Jones next addressed the meeting, and maintained that it was grossly unfair that his private life should have been made the sub- ject of attack. His conduct in connection with the council had been the con- duct of an honest man. What would they think of him if in the midst JT* abuse, slander, and villainy to winch he had been subjected he had retired and did not see the fight through? Mr. Jones epitomised the services he had ren- dered the town, and argued that he had done as much for the cause of labour as anyone else. A Voice: Why don't you close your shops on Wednesday afternoons like other tradesmen? Referring tolhe reports of the council meet- ings, Mr. Jones said the press had been under the sway of unseen hands and the charms of unseen spirits. (Laughter.) The Chairman, adverting to the allegations against Mr. Meggitt, said if they were justifi. able then Mr. White ought to have been ashamed of himself for not making them known before when he had the information in his possession. Mr. J. H. Joee. vice-chairman of the district council, said Mr. Smith-Jones had made damaging statements, which were utterly un- true. Those who made the charges said they had something up their sleeves, but they took good care not to show their hands. He opposed Mr. Smith-Jones's election, but they met as friends at the council. Only on one occasion was he (Mr. Jose) connected with a clique on the council. and that was when Mr. Smith- Jones approached him with reference to the chairmanship. Mr. Jone« asked at the same time to be elected chairman of the public works committee. His object was to "remove" Mr. Pardoe. the surveyor. But what did he do. after all? Why. increase Mr. Pardoe'n (laughter)—whilst other officials were refused an advance of salary. He (the speaker) would have something to say later on about the land at Barry-road and Hannah-street, and the portion of Gladstone-road which played so important a part in connection with the libel action at Swansea Assizes. Mr. Jose concluded by saying he did not know how any ratepayer could support Mr. Smith-Jones at the coming election. A vote of the meeting was subseouently taken, and a majority was found to be in favour of the nomination of Mr. Smith-Jones for re-election, but many present refrained from participating in the division.

ACCIDENT AT A SCOTCH COLLIERY. Feared Loss of Five Lives A Dunfermline correspondent telegraphs: —An accident involving, it is feared, the loss of fire lives, occurred on Friday afternoon at BDath Colliery, belonging to the Fife Coal Company (Limited). Shortly after midday two men, named respectively Robert Birrell and Andrew Nasmyth, descended the shaft to make an inspection of certain air-courses. The men failed to re- turn. A search party of six then proceedad underground, and two only of these returned to the pit's mouth.

PERSONATING A SOLDIER SON At a specia sitting of Stone Police-court yes- terday John Hannan, an ex-soldier, was charged on several counts with obtaining food, lodging, and money under false pretencea. The prisoner introduced himself to Thomas Kelly, a bricklayer, as his son just home from the war. Kelly-whose son is in South Africa and has been away for six years—believed the prisoner, gave him money, and provided him with all kinds of luxuries. Kelly now disowned his supposed son. Ex-colour-sergeant Mulvial was called to identify him as one John Hannan, who served in the North Staffordshire Regiment at Quetta on the Indian frontier. Other cases were taken, in one of which prisoner represented himself to a N.S.R. sig- nalman jis his nephew home from India. Here also he was treated' as a welcome relative, and, after being well fed for a couple of days, and having borrowed various sma-Ilsums <5f money, he decamped. The prisoner was committed to take his trial at the adjourned Staffordshire Quarter Ses- sions.

CHIEF-CONSTABLE'S CHARGES AGAINST MAGISTRATES. Extraordinary charges have been made by the chief-constable of Manchester against two magistrates. He alleges they tried to induce the superin- tendent to withdraw a case agaisnt a publican for serving a drunken woman. The watch committee have held an inquiry, and yesterday issued the result of their investi- gation to the press. They have also decided to report the circum- stances to the Home Office.

I A SIMPLE MARRIAGE. Marriages in Hindustan are very simple. and are usually arranged by the parents of the principals. When an alliance is aggred upon, the bride and groom are brought together, and perhaps see each other for the first time. The bride playfully skips towards him and seats herself beside him. The priest ties a comer of the bride's veil to the groom's shawl, and this simple proceeding makes them man and wife.

False Propeets of the Weather It is very dangerous to "go bIind" when playing with London's weather, and a London evening paper eaf.!er writer was badly beaten on Thursday. He wrote, of course, in the dim and sunless morning, of the Royal pageant being marred by "the dreariness of a London winter's day." No sooner were the words in type than the sun came out, and King Edward went to meet his first Parliament on as bright and sunny a day as this winter has supplied. The weather r-eldom plays the press such a pretty trick.

Scalded to Death on a Steamer The Cunard steamer Lucania, which arrived at Queenstown on Friday night from New York, brought intelligence of the arrival at San Francisco of the steamer Ventura, whose captain reported that during the voyage to that port four members of the engineering staff were scalded to death by the bursting of a steam pipe in the engine-room. The unfor- tnnate men made desperate efforts to escape. but were so enveloped in scalding vapour that they fell senseless.

Reported Closing of Carmarthen Prison. The Prison Commissioners have written to Mr. W. W. T. Prosser, clerk to the visiting jus- tices at Carmarthen, stating that: "There is no truth in the report that Car- marthen Prison is to be closed." Nevertheless, a belief still prevails that some definite step will be taken twelve months hence to bring uta.Oters.to a heacU

ENGINEERS DISAGREED. A serious conflict of opinion has arisen between Mr. Manville, consulting electric engi- neer to the Swansea Corporation, and Mr. Cawthra, the resident engineer, on the ques- tion of whether the harbour trnst could be supplied with electric light at a certain price, and at a meeting of the committee on Friday both gentlemen strongly gave expression to their vip- tø. Mr. Cawthra stating that lid. per unit would result in loss and Mr. Manville that Hd. would result in profit.

That fl 0,000 Debt. The Wssteri1 Mail" Infirmary Fund wi'l close ten days hence. Now, do contribute before it is too late, or your consciences will sure to prick you after. ward?. The tickets for the Licensed Victuallers' v. Barbarians' match at the Taff Vale Park, Pontypridd, on Thursday next are going well. Efforts are being ma,de to induce Mr. Gwyn Nicholls to tarn out for the licensed victuallers. A performance from him on the Taff Vale Park would draw a big crowd from the valleys. The fund this morning stood at 78,997 shil- lings.

DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES. The following appeared in our Pink Edition of yestard-.ty:- The annual sale, of work, &c., organised by the Young Helpers' League, in support of the department of Dr. Barnardo's Homes in which it is specially interested, was opened at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Friday afternoon by Mrs. Ebsworth (Llandough Castle). Cardiff at present maintains two cots in the institution, and these are assigned to Roath and Cihton, with Miss Davies and Mrs. Radley as hon. secretaries of those districts respec- tively. Annually a sufficient sum is sent up from Cardiff (£60 a year) to keep the oota going. The attendance at Friday's event was good, and the stalls, nicely laid out, were presided over as follow:—Fancy stall: Miss Ogilvie Davies, Miss Prichard, Miss O. Riches, Miss Hancock, Miss Duncan, Miss Bolt, Miss W. Bolt, and Miss Cory. Flower stall: Mrs. Ward, assisted by the "Young Helpers." Apron stall: Mrs. Lamont and Mrs. O. Davies. Six- pence half-penny stall: Mada.me Davies. Mies Davies, Miss E. Davies, Miss G. Birt. and Miss J. Tom. Refreshments: Mrs. Francis, Mrs. Gunson, Mrs. Jotham. Mrs. Marquand, Mrs. Marson, Mrs. Radley, Mrs. Treasure, and Mrs. Wood. At the opening the Rev. J. Shelley Plant (St. John's, Cardiff) introduced Mrs. Turbervill (Ewenny Priory), who talked in an interesting way of the "Young Helpers"' work, and expressed regret that Mrs. Thompson, presi- dent of the Cardiff habitation, was leaving the town. Mrs. Ebsworth, in an appreciative address, said she knew of no work more, worthy of support. The sale was then declared open, and, was proceeded with forthwith. A musical pro- gramme followed.

FROM THE PULPIT TO THE MINE. On being informed that* the Rev. Gwilym Rees, Congregational minister, Coity, near Bridgend, had signified. his intention of resigning his pastoral charge at Coity, which he has held for nearly five years, and intended er.tering the mining engineering profession, one of our representatives called upon the rev. gentleman at his residence on Friday, and found Mr. Rees rathter indisposed to be com- municative. Aeked if it were true that he. had decided to resign his charge, Mr. Reea reluctantly said that he had, and would hand in the formal intimation to the Church next Sunday week. "But," he continued, "I do this entirely of my own accord. I gave the Church to under- stand a little time ago that it was my inten- tion to resign, and on the following Sunday the members, with one single exception, unanimously rose In favour of a resolution that I should continue my pastorate." "What is your reason for forsaking the ministry?" inquired our representative. Well," was the reply, it is not my inten. tion to forsake the ministry. Far from it. It is my intention to preach the Gospel on every Suiflay that my humble services may be called for; as I love the work. It is very hard for me to sever my connection with people I have learnt to respect for their fidelity and purity, but I have decided to do so." Asked as to the future, Mr. Rees, wit-h a smile, said: "You may not knolf that I have my certificates in mining engineer- ing, and have close connections in a large way of business in that profession."

ACTION AGAINST AN M.P. The action for slander and libel against Mr. R. P. Houston. M.P., brought by John Brown, hay contractor, in connection with the ship- ment of hay to South Africa, was continued on Friday at the Liverpool Assizes. Captain Cosoey, who inspected the hay for the Government, admitted in cross-examina- tion that part of it should have been rejected by him, as not up to contract. He considered that samples sent to the War Office by Mr. Houston were not fair samples of the bulk. Two London hay-dealers deposed that the hay wa3 quite good, and the proportion of mow burnt in it lent it an aroma which beasts liked. There was no danger of spontaneous combiis. tion from it. and Mr. Houston was not justified in describing it as "rotten muck." After evidence for the defence the case was adjourned.

SUNDAY TRAINS. A petition against Sunday traffic signed by 2,000 shareholders, and presented by the Rev. Dr. Porter, came before the half-yearly meet- ing of the Midland Railway Company at Derby yesterday. The Chairman (Sir Ernest PagetV said a cer- tain amount of Sunday traffic was unavoid- able. It was no use Mr. Porter bringing the matter forward time after time.

LOCAL LAW CASES. The following appeared in our Pink Edition of yesterday:- REPETTO V. STEAMSHIP FRIARY. Mr. Justice Mathew, in the King's Bench on Friday delivered judgment in the action of -Repetto v. the Friary Steamship Company (Limited), of Cardiff. Mr. Repetto claimed the return of LI.900 deposited with defendants in connection with the proposed purchase of the steamer Friary at the price of £ 19,000. Plaintiff had rejected her on inspection, and the defendants refused to return the deposit, on the ground that the plaiutiff had not acted leasonably in deciding to complete the pur- chase. His Lordship reviewed the evidence at considerable length. In reference to the ques- tion whether plaintiff's action had been bona, fide, he pointed out that Mr. Repetto had found that when defects were reme- died the vessel would cost about £ 20.000. Judgment for plaintiff with costs. Leave to appeal was granted, and the 11.900 has to be paid into court. VALUE OF GLOBE SHARES. In the King's Bench Division on Friday (before Mr. Justice Muthew) the action of Stani- forth v. Green was mentioned. The plaintiff, Arthur Stajiiforth, is one of a firm of stock- brokers, and Mr. Green, the defendant, is the landlord of the Three Salmons Hotel, Usk, Monmouthshire. The action was to recover the balance on the. purchase of shares, and it was decided early in the sittings. A question was left for Battlement between the parties as to Mr. Green's tiability in respect of certain Globe and Lake View shares.The question now came up as to the amount due from Mr. Green to the plaintiff, firm in respect of those shares.— After some discussion, in which the price of the shares at the time of purchase was put in evidence, it was agreed that the amount should be £?20, costs following the event.

Bath and West of England Show The list of prizes offered by the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society for the Croydon Show, from May 22 to the 27th, shows a. total of L3,150 in the agricultural classes. This sum is apportioned as follows:—Horses £ 846, cattle £1.242, sheep £3e:T, pigs L-245, poultry R,175, dairy L219, and shoeing £35.. Besides, there are 52 prizes of medals and plate offered by the Shire Horse Society, the Hunters Improvement Society, the Hackney Horse Society, the English Jersey and Guernsey Societies, the South Down Sheep Society, the Bath and. We-lit itself, and! others. This year for the first time horse jumping competitions will be held. Entries close on April 2nd. Par- ticulars will be found ia our advertisement columns,

Reported Huge Success. WELSH MOUNTED INFANTRY IN EVIDENCE. More Sjamboking of Natives. LOURENOO MARQUES, Friday. It is reported that General French captured a large Boer force in the Ermelo district.— Renter. Colonel De Lisle's Splendid March. A Press Association message from Calvinia, dated February 7. gives details of Colonel De Lisle's magnificent march to Calvinia. When entering the town a company of the Welsh Mounted Infantry, under Lieutenant Derry, acted as advance guard. When they got within two miles of the town the company extended along a. front of nearly three miles, advancing at a slow canter. On a signal from Colonel De Lisle, the whole company galloped forward, the wings sweeping round so that they enclosed the town, while Lieutenant Derry, with some of his men, in the centre thundered through the streets at full gallop. The enemy, however, had evacuated the place. A little later the rest of the column arrived, and the advance guard then marched quietly to the court-house, when a scene of extraordinary enthusiasm occurred. The enthusiasm of the natives passed all bounds. They danced, shrieked, laughed, and cried from sheer delight at the entry of their deliverers. These demonstrations of delight were so extraordinary that the members of the force were at first quite unable to account for them, but the reason soon became apparent. What- ever the conduct of the Boers may have been elsewhere during ,the war, here at Calvinia they had behaved with brutal cruelty. For the very slightest offences natives were flogged with heavy sjamboks, never receiving less than 25 lashea. If natives passed one of the Boers without saluting him they were often sent to gaol. where they received a heavy flogging. All those who before the arrival of the enemy were known to have openly expressed their pride at being British subjects were thrashed monlercifully.-Preas Association War Special. Reported Success of Cyclists. OUDTSHOORN, Thursday. A report is current that on or about the 7th inst., during the Boer occupation, a hundred of the enemy were told off to obtain forage jA Woolmasderg, in Meirings Poorte, and that a detachment of the Cyclist Corps entrenched themselves in a commanding position, from which they opened a heavy fire, killing seven- teen of the enemy. One of our men who exposed himself was also kflled.-Reuter. Good Work by Methuen's Column Lord Methuen's column has been scouring the country for the last month in all direc- tions between Kurnman and the Transvaal border, and ha.3 came in touch with the enemy on several occasions. The Boers have put their wagons in charge of their women and children. Nineteen Boers Killed. PORT ELIZABETH. Friday. A private letter received in this town says that the Boers have blown up the railway at Edenbtirg four times recently. The last time they were caught in the act at the dead of right by an armoured train, whose Maxim gun, was turned upon them. The line was cleared next morning. The crew of the train found end buried nineteen dead Boers.-Reuter. Burghers to Take the Oath of Allegiance. CAPE TOWN, Friday. The "Gazette" announces that commissioners have been appointed in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony to administer the oath of allegiance to the King to the burghers of the late Republics who are desirous of taking it and of claiming the privileges of British subject.s. -:Reuter. Local Casualties The War Omce on Friday night issued the following: 1st ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. 3,628 Private H. Cliffe died from enteric at! Potchefstroom. February 12. 3.455 Private D. James died from enteric at Krugersdorp, February 11. 6,055 Private J. Green died 'from enteric at Johannesburg, February 11. 1st WELSH REGIMENT. 1,325 Private H. Chdndler died from remittent fever at Watervalonder, February 11. The War Office announces that Lieutenant W. C. Curgenven and Sefcond-lieutenant P. A. Grogan, of the 2nd South Wales Borderers, invalided, left Cape Town by the steamship Canada, which sailed for England on February 12. Members of Lloyd's have contributed £4,000 lis to the Princess of Wales's Fund.

FREEMASONS AND THE KING The following appeared in our Pink Edition of yesterday: A special meeting of the Grand Lodge of Free. masons was held at the Queen's-hall on Friday afternoon to consider the resignation of the King from the position of Grand Master, and to appoint a successor. Earl Amherst presided. An address was unanimously adopted express- ing respectful and profound sympathy with the King in the sorrow oaused by the death of Queen Victoria, and tendering dutiful and fraternal congratulations to his Majesty on his accession to the Throne, and wishes for a long and prosperous reign. The address thanks his Majesty for his intimation that he will be pleased to assume the title of Protector of English Freemasons. Afterwards the Grand Lodge proceeded to the election of a new Master, and the name of the Duke of Con- naught was submitted. His Royal Highness having signified his willingness to accept the position, he was elected nem. con. and with much cordiality. The proceedings were then brought to a close. The election will take place on Match 6.

POSSIBLE RISE IN TAXES. The following appeared in our Pink Edition of yesterday:- Owing to an expectation that an extra shil. ling per gallon duty will be imposed on spirits by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his forthcoming Budget, there was a rush at Glasgow on Friday to clear bonded goods, and the payments were the largest since the increase in the duty. Large quantities of tobacco were also cleared.

BOGUS STOCKBROKING. At the Central Criminal Court on Friday.' Robert Porteous and George Herbert Francis, a clerk, were again indicted for conspiracy to defraud by carrying on a bogus stookbroking business. > The trial has lasted five days, and the jury now found both prisoners guilty. A sentence of three penal servitude was passed on Porteous,. but the sentence on Francis was postponed, With a view to obtain- ing the refunding of some of the money.

A BANK-NOTE PECULIARITY. There is a lack of uniformity in the thickness of a Bank of England note. It is thicker in the left-hand corner than in any other part, to enable it to receive a sharper impression of the vignette there. This unevenness aids in the discovery of counterfeits, as the latter are invariably of one thickness.

French Athletic Union and the Late Queen. The secretary of the French Athletic Union has written to the English Rugby Union ex- pressing condolence on the occasion of the death of the Queen, and at the tame time renewing assurances of goodwill. Mr. Row- land Hill has replied reciprocating the Frracb Union's wisheo. (

GOVERNMENT MOVING. Modern Forts and Modern Guns The Bristol Channel is at last going to be put into a proper state of defence. Apparently, the Governmet is thoroughly roused to the urgent neceesity of protecting the important ports in the channel. The fort at Lavernock has been re-built. The old ibiizzlt-loddihg 7in. guns mounted on cumbersome. Moncrieff carriages have disap- peared, and their places will be taken in a few days by two breech-loading 6in. guns of the newest pattern. These guns are not classed as quick-firers. but they are breech-loaders, and capable of sending out projectiles at the rate of four or five a minute. Their extreme effec- tive range is about 15,000 yards, or a little over eight miles. The Barry (Nell's Point) and Mumbles forts will be armed with 4.7 guns. These are quick- firers, with an effective range for about 10,000 yards. Similar guns will, probably, be erected at Penarth when the site of the fort has been decided. With these guns and the chain of warships which, in case of danger, will practi- cally bridge the entrance to the channel out- side Lundy, the ports may be considered fairly secure. r

PURLOINING ON THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. .1- Alleged Dishonest Servants. James James, goods guard, and Arthur Sauce, brakesman both of Muriel-terrace, Dowlais, were arrested yesterday morning for an alleged robbary on the Great Western Railway at Cae- harris Station. Systematic purloining has been going on at this station for some time. James has been in the employ of the com- pany for a quarter of a century.

DUKE OF YORK'S NURSE. r Sister of a Llanellyite. The Duke of York's nurse is connected with Llanelly. Her brother ia Mr. G. Hallam, of the Wes- tern Tin-plate Works. Mias Georgina Hallam it was who was sum- moned to Osborne to nurse the Duke of York during his recent attack or German measles. Senior sister at St. Mary's Hospital, Miss Hallam is there known as Sieter Victoria.

KING AND STRATHCONA'S HORSE. The following appeared in our Extra Edition yesterday;- A Royal review of Strathcona's Horse, who arrived in London on Thursday, was held at Buckingham Palace on Friday morning. The men, who arrived at the Palace about 11.30. were drawn up in front of the west terrace under the command of Colonel S. Steele, while around' them were lined a company of the King's Guards. On the terrace was a small crowd of privileged spectators, among whom were Lord Pembroke, Earl Grey, Lord Strath- cona, the Earl of Clarendon, Mr. J. Chamber- lain, M.P., and Mr. St. John Brodrick, M.P. Just before the King appeared Lord Roberts and General Boiler, accompanied by several members of the Home Staff, entered the grounds. The King was accompanied by the Queen and Princess Louise. The Royal salute having been performed, his Majesty walked through the ranks with Colonel Steele. He aft-erwards presented war medals to the men individually and a Royal colour to the regiment. The men were then drawn up in square formation, and his Majesty addressed them, expressing his appreciation of their services, and saying that it had been the ardent wish of his beloved mother to have welcomed them home. Colonel Steele briefly thanked his Majesty, and the ceremony con- cluded with a march past. It is understood that the distribution of medals to Strathcona's Horse has been made by special arrangement in aiiticipation of the general distribution of medals for the South African war.

THE LATE QUEEN. Radnor's Condolence. At a meeting held at Presteign on Friday the High Sheriff proposed a vote of condolence with the Royal Family.—Mr. Frank Edwards, M.P., seconded, and the resolution, which embodied an expression of allegiance to King Edward VII., was carried in silence.

THE MAIDSTONE VAOANCY. The Liberal Association on Friday evening unanimously adopted Sir Francis Evans as Liberal candidate for the borough in the place of Mr. John Barker, the unseated member. The Conservatives have not yeb decided upon their candidate. I

HIGHER GRADE SCHOOLS A special meeting of the Association of School Boards for England and Wales was held in London on Friday and was very largely attended, the principal subject for discussion being the position of school boards in relation to the question of higher elementary educa. tion and science and art teaching. It was decided to present a memorial on the subject to the Lord President of the Council, and a deputation was appointed to wait upon him. A resolution from Wales and Monmouthshire with respect to local eduoational authorities was withdrawn. A petition to Parliament was adopted in opposition to the Bill of the Corporation of Nottingham relative to the school board of the city.

RUSSIA AND PERSIA. St. Petersburg, Friday.—The Tiflis news- papers gtate that the Russian Bank has decided to open a number of branch establish. ments throughout Persia.

THE PRICE OF A BOOK. In these days of cheap literature, when tne masterpieces of English writers can be ha-d for 4id., it is interesting to note that just 1,000 years ago the Countess of Anjou gave 200 sheep, one load of wheat, one load of ryel and one load of millet for a, volume of indifferent sermons written by a German monk.

LOCAL PETITION. In the House of Commons on Friday Mr. Alfred Thomas presented a petition from the Gelligaer and Rhigos District Council in favour of the Local Authorities Officers Bill.

Cadet Corps to be formed at Brecon. At a meeting of managers of the Brecon Intermediate Schools on Friday it was resolved to form a cadet corps in connection with the boys' school. TJ, uniforms and rifles will be provided by public subscription.

Skating Accident at st. Asaph Skating Accident at St. Asaph Some exciting scenes were witnessed on a pool near the Cottage, St. Asaph, on Friday. A party, including two daughters of the Bishop of St. Asaph and governess, were skating on the pool, which in some parts is very deep, when the ice gave way, and precipitated Miss Wynne Edwards and another lady into the water. An alarm was given, said after ropes and ladders were used the skaters were rescued. An intense frost prevails in North Walee, and, in the country districts snow lies thiyit on the ground.

I By the Way. I t—— ♦ —- < Silk goods are said to take dyes more readily than any other fabric. Great Britain ships firewood from Australia for her troops in China, Henry VIII. was the first English King tc wear a pair of silk stockings. The musical instruments of the Greeks closelj resemble those of Turkey and Syria. The Volunteer movement began in 1796, am in 1799 George M. reviewed 8,193 Volunteen iA Hyde Park. "1901" pennies are selling at threepence eaol in London, because it is hoped they will b scarce by-and-bye. Seventy-five dollars were paid recently for, Christmas card etched by Whistler, with a verse in the artist's handwriting. The orange tree is very fruitful; a single tree will produce 20,000 oranges fit for use. A good lemon tree will produce 8,000 lemons. About 1,700,000 barrels of beer in a twelve- month would be a fair estimate of the con- sumption in Chicago. There are 6,371 licensed places in Chicago. The costliest theatre ticket was the first one sold for the Jenny Lind concert in New York in 185C. It brought 650dols. and was biought as an advertisement. A twentieth of Scotland's area is fon-est land, seven-tenths is mountain, heath, and lake, and only one-quarter cultivated land. "0, Cale- donia, stern and wild!" Some of the languages in Polynesia possess only seven consonants. The inhabitants get along just as well in their convetrsation with, each other as if they had as many. as there are in the English language. The arpa, or drum, of the South Pacific Islands is of wood. one end resembling a vase, and the other evidently made in imitation of a, shark's head. The head is coveretd with snake or fish skins. At Hohkonigsburg in Alsace the remains of an early mediaeval castle are to be restored by the Kaiser after the manner in "which Pierre- fonds was rebuilt by the architect Viollet-le- Duo for the Empress Eugenie. The Clyde shipyards turned out last year 318 vessels, against 284 in 1899. All the British yards (including Colonial) turned out 1.925 vessels, with an aggregate of 2,269,861 tons, in 1900, against 1,860 vessels, with a tonnage of 2,445,23? in 1899. A South American doctor advises patients who have been so unfortunate as to have been stricken with leprosy to try the bite of a rat- tlesnake as a curative principle. Naturally tha unfortunates look upon the remedy as much worse than the disease. During the past financial year our National Revenue benfited from the death duties by the substantial sum of £ 14,020,000. Only three other sources contributed larger amounts, viz., excise, £ 32,100,000; customs, £ 23,800,000; and income tax, £ 18,750,000. Upon an alarm given to the police of lowai City recently that robbers are at work on the graveyard the police hurried out in force and to their great dismay found that the supposed robbers were a party of students initiating a. freshman into the mysteries of a college order. A private letter from China says that the soldiers at Tientsin are using the anon balls in the arsenal to pave the roads. They have found an enormous quantity of iron shot and shell of different sizeg, which some ingenious Yankee suggested would be a good substitute for paving stones. The first official census of Ireland was noli taken until 1821, when the population was something over eight millions. From that time to 1841 the population increased, but the calamitous years occurring in the forties reduced the number, and since that time the, population has rapidly decreased, until in 1891 the figures did not reach five millions. An Episcopal congregation in Philadelphia. has decided to hold services which for origi- nality beat all records. The congregation is composed in part of Germans, whose language will be used in a short address to precede the English Lrmon. The Lord's Prayer and the Creed will be recited aloud and the Psalms read in both languages at the same time. It is a popular impression that Alaska i. a frozen zone, and that the soil is barren and worthless. This is a mistake. The sun is hot, the snow moistens and enriches the earth and the soil in the valleys is fertile and productive. Wheat, corn, oats, barley, buck-wheat. flax-seed and a considerable variety of vegetables and forage plants' can be successfully grown in many parts of the territory. A curious example of the reward of excessive virtue is the ca«e of certain British pickle manufacturers who have been making their pint bottles hold a little more than a pint, to be on the safe side of the English law. When these rint bottles arrived in Canada they found that there was a law in operation which provides that any package measuring more than a pint must pay duty as a quartl In spite of the fact that the experiments made in the American navy with oil as fuel have been entirely unsatisfactory some of the French and German vessels on the China sta- tion are having complete success with it. The advantages of petroleum, if it can be properly utilised, are very great. At Singapore, for example, coal now costs about 14dols. a ton, while oil costs but 6dols. a ton and has a, steam-raising power 20 per cent greater than that of coal. It is five months since Galveston was over- whelmed. Three thousand livee were lost. 4,000 houses destroyed, and property to the value of three millions wiped out. One thousand houses have already been re-built, nearly a million has been expended, no great failure has been permitted among her merchants, and the ex. port statistics for 1900 show an increase over previous years of three millions. This is a more striking evidence of energy than was displayed in the re-building of Chicago after the great fire of 1871. Wine, it is credibly believed, is made from everything but grapes. It is all a question of label, and labelling has become almost a fine art. A firm of London wine merchants sent a bug order to some new manufacturers on the Continent. When the consignment arrived it as found to be unsatisfactory, and an intima- tion was given to that effect. The reply was, "We have sent you the exact quantity of wine 3011 erderfd. We also forwarded a dozen dif- ferent irnds of labels. We do not know what more you expect." Originality can at least be claimed for the device resorted to by a South London trades- man to expedite the sale of his stock. He posted an announcement that the reason he had hitherto sold so cheaply was that he was unmarried, and did not need to provide for the maintenance of a wife and family. The advertisement closed as follows: —"It is no it my duty to inform the public that this advan. will shortly be withdrawn, as I am about tc be married. The public is, therefore, respect, fully advised to make their purchases at onee at the old rate." The Australian mail, last received, brought news of the sudden death of Mr. F. Vosper, member for North-east Coolgardie in the West Australian Parliament, and a candidate for the Federal Senate. Some six years ago Mr. Vosper was sentenced to a term of imprison- ment for a political offence in Queensland. After his conviction his hair was, in the nsnal course, closely cropped. He then made a vow that it would never be cut again. He kept his word. Mr. Vogper was a remarkably hàn- some man, and his flowing loolts gave him. jBijiffUlsirly; jwj>rea»iTe