Evening Express

Telephone: National, 592. Pest-office, go. Telegrams: "Express," Cardiff.

Comments and Criticisms. BY "CUCHFARF." The position over the stoppage of work at Llanbradach is an important one, inas- much as up to the present time the monthly holiday, commonly known as "Mabon's Day," has been retained. Matters were brought to a. crisis by the men being summoned to cease work on Friday and Saturday by a wire from the general secre- tary. The local chairman and vice-chair- man at once proceeded to see the officials of the executive council of the sliding- scale committee, but nothing could be done, and work was suspended on the days mentioned. A public meeting of the workmen was called on Friday morning at the Public-hall to consider the advisibility of discontinuing this remnant of a once general institution, viz., Mabon's Day, and this was unanimously agreed to, and the last vestige of a popular holiday is gone, whilst its titular saint is far away in a strange country. Llanbradach will soon know no trace of the catastrophe which startled the whole country not so long ago. The repairs have been rapidly pushed forward, and now practically the whole pit is in working order, the .same as before the explosion, with the exception of the No. 11 district, which will take some weeks to get the main road clear, but coal is now being worked from it by taking it out through the return road to the old No. 12 way, and then through the main road to the bottom of the pit shaft. Messrs. Gregory and Llewelyn, the manager and his assis- tant respectively, are. entitled to much credit for bringing about such a speedy re- establishment of working conditions, and the watering system, recommended by the inspector of mines and by the jury at the inquest upon the bodies of the poor fellows who died in the pit, is being improved. May this system be as effective in prevent- ing explosions as its most trustful advo- cate claims for it. The conference called at the council- chamber, Cardiff, on Saturday last-lo con- sider the advisability of establishing a movable musical festival in South Wales very rightly decided to move cautiously, and the committee appointed to consider a scheme for submission to a future repre- sentative meeting will do well to thoroughly sound every village and hamlet as to their readiness to extend a hearty support to the project. Care should be taken to point out the difference between the organisation of a festival and that of a "Cymanfa Ganu," or an eisteddfod, and when this is clearly understood, and adhe- rence is given to the movement, then it will be safe to proceed to establish the fes- tival. Is there any limit to the energy of Mr. Tom John, of Llwynypia? His vigorous address on Saturday night would have caused many fairly robust persons to regard it as a task that would entitle its author to be free of other public obliga- tions whilst it was under weigh, but, as member of the executive of the National Teachers5 Union and of the executive com- mittee of the Central Welsh Board, as editor of a flourishing newspaper and master of a large and well-equipped school, his effort of Saturday is merely a fair representation of a daily habit. If Wales had a treasury that would support some of its sons to devote themselves to useful propaganda of all kinds Mr. Tom John would find a high place upon such works. Alas! there is no such fund, and we are rich instead in persons who do such duties as a labour of love. [ Since my favourable note about creoeoted yellow deals for road pavement, a friend has sent me a marked copy of the "Timber Trades Journal," which advocates the same wood and quotes Mr. Harpur, Car- diff's Borough Engineer, as also in favour of it. Between the battle of the tram- ways and many other battles, in addition to the ward battles of the 1st of Novem- ber, one hesitates to re-open the wood pavement question in Cardiff, but I shall net allow any additional roads to be dealt with without raising my voice in favour of the modest and somewhat old-fashioned pine wood. A new name is a great tempter, and a little more knowledge of the intrinsic value of older known woods would have spared a great deal of waste of time over Jarrah and Karri, and Black- butt and Red Gum, and a host of other excellent, but not excelling, woocls. I see by the same publication that a comparatively minor industry has sprung into considerable importance through the high price of coal. This is the firewood industry. Previously it was practically confined to the familiar donkey cart- driver, who combined it with sawdust for spittoons and public bars in industrial neighbourhoods, or it formed part of the stock of a general shop in the suburbs or in some of the' poorer streets of our towns; but now its ramifications form the subject of sub-editorials in timber trade journals, and in London large yards have heavy stocks ready for the winter. Cargoes keep dropping in, and there are still more to come, and unless an unusual demand for firewood springs up during the coming winter there will be a big trading loas in this new industry. The hard winter predicted will, if it come, help the bundle trade, but hard winters belie the prophets even as much as dead men's shoes disappoint those who are too eager for them, and the dealers in bundles will have to count upon the drop in the price of coal. Fortunately, firewood will keep, and a year or two of seasoning improves them for the consumer, for firewood is proverbially damp. It is often said of very bibulous people that they must have been born drunk, but it is scarcely credible that babes in arms should be made to imbibe intoxicants as being "an excellent thing for them." I have seen a baby only one month old that was fed on gin and hot water with sugar. It was a strange bit of humanity, and my heart grew sick when both the father and mother defended their extraordinary notion as being recommended by an old nurse. I felt at first that I was labouring under some extraordinary delusion, but there was no mistaking the strange, pro- truding eyes of the baby, its fleshless face and neck, and weird, precocious look. Oh! the pity of it that parents should not know how to care for these gifts of heaven, and that it is not possible to forbid such moral murder and physical under- mining by some means—any means. It was a sad picture! The men who have gone to South Africa are not the only absent-minded people in the world, for it is reasonable to think that people of considerable means who die without making wills must be exceedingly absent-minded. A Parliamentary paper recently issued shows that during the year 1900 a sum of no less than £171 ,272 14s. 9d. was received by the Crown in respect of the estates of persons dying in- testate without known heirs, &c. I have known a couple of cases where this office was neglected through a cowardly fear of contemplating anything that reflected the shuffling-off of this mortal coil, and thereby leaving a. legacy of contention and hatred between between previously good friends. The coveting of each other's favours is a perplexing psychological pro- blem, and it is as universal as the human family.

National Eisteddfod of 1901. The executive committee of the Royal National Eisteddfod held this year at Merthyr are not yet in a position to wind up the affairs of the great national gathering. In the flush of their elation at the largeness of the attendance some of the promoters during the eisteddfod week estimated a surplus of about £800, but it is now manifest that the balance after all will only amount to a very modest sum.

Carmarthenshire Hunt Club. It was announced some time ago that Mr. Griamond Philipps, of Cwmgwili, the popular master of the Carmarthenshire Hunt, had defi- nitely decided to relinquish the post at the end of the present season, and, taking time by the forelock, the club met at the Boar's Head Hotel. Carmarthen, on Saturday to make the necessary arrangements in anticipation of next season's vacancy. It was unanimously decided to ask Mr. R. H. Harries, of Treffgarne Hall, to accept the mastership, and that gentle- man, who was present, gladdened everyone by his acceptance. The cap will change handlt on May 1 next. It would be impossible to find a more popular all-round sportsman than Mr. Harries to fill the vacancy when it arises, and the hunt are very fortunate in securing their choice. Every follower of hounds in South Wales knows the keen judgment the new master always exercises in the field, and his invariable successes at point-to-point meetings carry with them their own verdict.

Mr Carnegie Leaves for New York —%— Mr. Carnegie was among those who sailed from Southampton on Saturday for New York.

VIOLENT HEADACHES. Mr. Joseph Tunnicliffe, of Burton Agnes, Bridlington, is to-day strong and healthy. He had suffered from violent headaches and pains throughout his body and limbs. "I was afraid my heart was affected," he gays, "as at times I was hardly able to get my breath, it causing me so much pain." Mr. Tunnicliffe was examined by five diffe- rent doctors, but got no better, and his rela- tives despaired of ever seeing him well again. He. however, began to take Dodd's Kidney Pills, with astonishing results both to his friends and to himself. Before he had taken many doses the pain left him, and he is now able to get to his work again. He says he is now strong and healthy, and feels like a new man. Mr. Tunnicliffe's trouble was his kidneys. The distressing symptoms from which he suffered were due to them failing to remove the poisons which the body gives off, and which remain to pollute the blood. He took the perfect kidney remedy, Dodd's Kidney Pills, and by curing the kidneys cured the other bodily ailments. Dodd's Kidney Pilla are 2s. 9d. per box, of all Chemists, or post free on receipt of price by The Dodds Medicine Company, 23. Farringdon- avenue, London, E.C. Remember the name, D-o-d-d-'s. L17112

The "Illustrated Carpenter and Builder" series of technical manuals, which are being issued by Mr. John Dicks, 313, Strand, London, are a very useful set of books to those who seek to make the surroundings of the family life cheerful and happy. In such employment happiness is frequently found, and these manuals, dealing with all branches of the building industries, will be found most popular and handy guides. No. 4 deals with "Home Handicrafts." and will be widely read and studied by those who utilise their spare hours to construct or decorate some detail of their homes. No. 5 of the series deals with "Paint- ing and Varnishing," a, craft of universal application, and gives the reader all instruc- tions necessary. You should not be without Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. The Best Remedy for Indiges- tion, Flatulence, and Loss of Appetite. Bottles id. and 4s. 6d. each. 41617_

Democratic Britain. — SPEECH BY MR. CHAMBERLAIN Vigorous Reply to IMPORTANT UTTERANCES ON THE WAR. Mr. Chamberlain prior to leaving New- hailes House, the residence of Sir Charles Dal- rymple, M.P., whose guest he was during his stay in the Edinburgh district, was on Saturday afternoon presented with an address on behalf of the district Miners' Unionist Association. In reply, Mr. Cliamberlain said it won'd always be to i a moat pleasant recolJectiiHl ;i :U. in common with his friend he late Ho.i-t Secre- tary, then Sir Matthew White itidiey, they were enabled to pass an Act the principle of which assiiiced for the first time the responsi- bility on every industry in the country to provide some fitting compensation loi the acci- dents which might occur in connection with it. That was a, principle which they established on a larger scale in connection with the prin- cipal industries of the country. The experi- ment which they then had made proved, he be- lieved, a great success, and he could not doubt that it would be widely extended io all other classes of the industrial community. When that was done they would hear very little of the litigation of which they heard now a great deal too much. la addressing a working class audience he would like to impress upon them the fact that in this country the power of the democracy was greater than it was in any other country in the world, including even the United States of America. Democracy meant the direct influence and power of the majority of the people, and while on the Continent the power was confined and limited by the arbitrary action of rulers, in the United States of America the provisions of the Constitution were of such a character that even if a majority of the people desired a change it was almost impossible for them to obtain it. The majority of the working classes of this country were really all powerful. He did not say that in the least to flatter them, to compliment them, or even to congratulate them, but he did it in order to impress upon them their responsibilities. If the legislation of the country was bad it was their fault more than the fault of anybody else, nnd he was glad to think, from what he knew himself of the working classes, among whom he had lived so long and mixed so much he was glad to be- lieve that they Would be worthy of their past, and that the legislation that they would authorise and which they would desire to see effect given to would not be entirely a selfish legislation, would not he taken up merely with their own interests, but would have fuil regard to the general interests of the whole country. If they were answerable for the legislation, they were answerable also for the policy. They were engaged in a great war. He believed that the majority of the working people in Scotland had made up their mind without the slightest hesitation that the war was one of the most justifiable in which the country had ever been engaged. He had observed that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman at Stirling on the previous evening said he was blnshing for the nation, blushing because of the humiliation ond disaster in which it had been plunged. Sir Henry stated that it was his business to bring the nation into what he called a more sane frame of mind. He (Mr. Chamberlain) had no objection to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman clothing himself in sack- cloth and ashes if it pleased him. and he might blush till he was crimson, but he (Mr. I Chamberlain) denied altogether that he had any right whatever to represent the nation in the matter. He absolutely repudiated those speeches made by the representatives of a small minority in the name of the nation. The nation ccutu speak for itself, and when it spoke it would not speak as a pro-Boer, and it would not speak as a Little Englander. He (Mr. Chamberlain) saw no signs of impatience, but signs of determination and of resolution —finalities which had made the country great, and qualities which were necessary if we were to continue a great nation. Only a day or two ago he saw a letter from a Birmingham working man—a Reservist in South Africa—in the course of which the latter said that if people who grumbled would only consider that the country was about 1,500 miles by nearly as many, and that every kopje was a natural fort, they would have a different opinion. There had, the writer said, been mistakes, but there would always be in warfare. They all wanted to get home, but it would be for the best to keep a lot of them until it was all over. That, said Mr. Chamberlain, was a good Briton—a man who expressed the opinion of our soldiers, and a man who expressed truly the spirit of the nation. So long as that was its spirit, he (Mr. Chamberlain^ for one was not going to be humiliated or to fear that any disaster could touch us.

CAPTAIN FORESTIER-WALKER. Welcome Home on Saturday. CASTLETON EN FETE. The little village of Caetleton-half-way be- tween Cardiff and Newport—was en fete on Saturday. The villagers celebrated with great eclat the return home of Captain Rowland Forestier- Walker. a nephew of Lord Tredegar, who went out to South Africa in command of a section of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers' Militia. The captain was welcomed by a contingent of friends at Marshfield railway station, having travelled from London. The Ehiwderyn Brass Band accompanied them, and led the miniature triumphal procession to Wentlooge Castle, the residence of Sir George Forestier-Walker, a brother of the captain. Here a huge concourse had gathered to render a "welcome home" in reality, and it was with a feu-de-joie of detonators that the captain passed into his ancestral home. Later in the evening Captain Forestier- Waiker was entertained to dinner at the Coach and Horses Hotel, where some 250 persons were seated. Mr. J. Bejrnoo presided, and among the com- pay were Lord Tredegar, Sir George Forestier-Walker, Messrs. L. and Charlie Forestier-Walker (brothers), the Revs. H. G. Stanley (vicar of Marshfield), Theo. Rees (vicar of St. Mellon's), and W. Davies (vicar of Coed- kernew), with a large number of county gentry. Mr. Richard Stratton, in proposing The Houses of Parliament," deplored the absence through indifferent health of Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, il.P., from that gathering. Lord Tredegar responded for the united Houses, and said that Colonel Morgan was con- fined to the house in the evenings only by an attack of rheumatism. Sir G. Forestier-Walker, in his pithy proposal of "The Bishop and Clergy," had congratulated the gathering on the presence of the ministers in such numbers. His lordship congratulated them most heartily on the absence of members of Parliament. (Loud laughter.) He also congratulated them that the House of Commons was not sitting There were pienty of bad speeches made as it was—(1 aughter>—although, they might not do much harm. (Laughter.) Some people had not a very exalted opinion of the Houses. A distinguished foreigner, presiding at a festive gathering, at which there were professors of music and some M.P.'s, said, We'll have an enjoyable evening. M. Pijet and M. Valdeck will give us some music and Messrs. the M.P.'s will tell us some lies." (Lond Jaghter.) There were some people with whom his lordship could sympathise now that the House of Commons was not sitting. Some members must be bursting with eloquence—of the wrong sort- which they could not fire off in the House, and the probability was that their wives and fami- lies had a rough time of it. (Laughter.) It was not necessary to say more of the House of Lords—it waa calm and dignified, and was at that moment as thoroughly patriotic as it could be. (Cheers.) "Our Guest" was proposed by the Chair- man in appropriate terms. Captain Forestier-Walker, who was received with enthusiasm, said it was exactly twenty months since he took over his command. When they first went out they accompanied Lord Roberts to Pretoria. Then they turned their attention to the railways, and in this work had experience in the Orange River Colony, the Transvaal, and along to Komati Poort. Considering the lack of rolling stock, the Army supply was splendid. The bugbear of their time in South Africa was disease. Of the 25 men he took out only three escaped going to the hospital, and they lost three others. Other speeches followed, and Lord Tredegar read a fragment of poetry on the present war. Colonel Lindsay, of the R.M.R.E.M., who recently returned from South Africa, will be entertained at the New Inn Hotel, Ponty- pridd. on November 5, when he will be pre- sented with an illuminated address.

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Living of St. Woolos, Newport. 1 APPOINTMENT OF THE HEV. B. LLOYD, MOUNTAIN ASH. The living of St. Woolos, Newport, Mon., ren- dered vacant by the appointment of Arch- deacon Bruce to Roggiett, has been offered by the Lord Bishop of Llandaff to the Rev. Ben- jamin Lloyd. vicar of Mountain Ash, who has accepted it. By going to Newport Mr. Lloyd makes a considerable sacrifice. The living of I Mountain Ash has a net income of P,300 and a house, whilst that of St. Woolos, according to Orockford, nets only £ 18(5 and a house. The appointment is one of the best the Bishop of Llandaff has ever made. and cannot fail to give general satisfaction. Mr. Lloyd is Carmarthenshire born. a native of Tall-ey, the burial-place of Dafydd ab Gwilym. He was educated at St. David's College. Lampeter, and was a senior scholar and Hebrew Exhibitioner. He took his B.A. degree in 1867 and B.D. in 1880. From his ordi- nation, in 1867, he has worked in the Diocese of Llandaff, his first curacy being Newcastle, Glamorgan. He was afterwards chaplain of Rheola awf lecturer of the Episcopal Chapelry at Cadoxton-juxta-Neath, of which latter plaoo he became curate. 1870-73. He was promoted to the living of Llandogo with Whitebrook Chapelry, Monmouthshire, where he worked with groat success until his departure for Mountain Ash, in 1884. In his present charge he has pi-oved himeelf a rare worker, as the floimiihing state of the Church in that popu- lous pariah bears ample testimony. During his stay of sixteen years he has spent on Church buildings over £16,000. or on an ave- rage about a thousand pounds per annum. It was in his time St. David's Welsh Church was built, and also St. Dyfrig's Miesion Church at Newtown, St. Teilo's Church a,t Miskilt, and St. Illtyd's Church, Cefnpennar, being new places lying outside Mountain Ash. Some years ago St. Winifred's, Penrhiw- ceiber, was formed into a new ecclesiastical district, and there he had erected a par- sonage and schoolroom. The enlargement of the Pariah Church at Mountain Ash is due to his efforts also. A new chancel and tower, with an excellent peal of bells, were added. The parish-room and caretaker's house at Mountain Ash are also due to his activity. Mr. Lloyd has the largest benefit club in con- nection with the Church of England Tempe- rance Society in the kingdom, includ- ing some 800 members. The parish is excel- lently organised, the parochial machi- nery being complete, everything moving with perfect regularity. Mountain Ash has grown immensely in recent years, but, its rapid development notwithstanding, the Church has I been equal to the demands made upon it. The vicar, it is scarcely necessary to add, is exceed- ingly popular throughout the parish and a persona grata to Nonconformista and Church- men alike. He is equally popular among the clergy. He was elected a proctor for the Diocese of Llandaff in 1893, and was re-elected in 1900. He is also rural dean of Aberdare. Mr. Lloyd is what Bacon would call a very "fall" man; his knowledge of ecclesiastical ¡ law is said to be extensive and minute. In fact, he would have made his mark had he, like his two brothers, now deceased, adopted the law as a profession. In private life Mr. Lloyd is a most amiable man. He could not frown if he tried to, and is as imper- turbable outwardly as ever Lord Beacons- field was. His conversation is interspersed with n necdote9 and reminiscences, which I alwayrl.nake it interesting and edifying. His insight ijito hnman nature iH deep and un- erring, and his experience of life extensive and varied. Wise and cautious in all his j ways, he is never known to have made a. j false step. Quiet and unassuming, a man to be ieen and not heard, he moves among his parishioners as a parish priest should— a friend, philosopher, and guide, and revered and beloved by young and old. rich and poor alike. Up to the present he has led a life of single blessedness, but probably before his advent to Newport be will have taken to him- self a wife.

HOW TH E poon LIVE. Distressing Conditions at Dowlais In the course of his sermon at Elizabeth Presbyterian Chapel. Dowlais, yesterday morn- ing, the Rev. Thomas Bowen (pastor) spoke of the housing of the poor, and paid a compliment to the Rcctor of Dowlais for his address delivered before the Llandaff Diocesan Conference, intimating at the same time that he had intended dealing with the matter before he saw that report. He said that the question must receive the practical attention of the Churches before it would be effectively solved. He had been taught (said he) to expect much from legislation in this direction, but there must be an awakening of the Christian conscience in the matter. There would never come a strong demand from the Church until the Christian people who are landlords would not have the conscience to draw rents from the miserable, badly-built hovels which were unfit, from every point of view, for human habita- tion. He had been told that Christian people —members of churches in Dowlais—were the landlords of houses in the squalid parts of the town where men, women, boys, and girls were packed in two or three rooms to be born, to sleep, to wash, and feed, and die- houses which could not be anything but hot- beds of disease, degradation, and immorality. And what was terrible to contemplate was the fact that in the past the great demand for houses in Dowlais had enabled the owners to raise the rents exorbitantly, and the increase could only be paid by the tenant overcrowding his house with lodgers. A Christian member had actually boasted that the worse the pro- perty was the better it was for his pocket. To the credit of the Merthyr Board of Guardians and of the Urban District Council. and especially Dr. D. J. Thomas, the medical officer of health, unfit, condemned houses were being closed at the rate of twenty a month. But no man or woman who wished to be called Christian should wait for a compulsory order from any district council.

MASONI^F^^nrATCARDIFF. The installation of Bro. Llewelyn Jones as Worshipful Master of the Loyal Commercial Lodge (No. 2,720) took place at the Masonic Temple, Cardiff, on Saturday, the ceremony being performed in the presence of a large number of the brethren by Worshipful Bro. Albert Gardner. The new Worshipful Master invested the following as his officers ;-Wor- shipful Bro. Albert Gardner, I.P.M.: Bro. Tom Douthwaite. S.W.; Bro. Tom G. Dew. J.W.; Worshipful Bro. W. J. Jenkins, treasurer; Worshipful Bro. Charles Jones, D.C.; Bro. the Rev. D. J. Sproule, chaplain; Bro. George Bull, organist; Bro. A. J. Howell, secretary; Bro. Lewis Lougher, assistant secretary; Bro. W. Williams, S.D.; Bro. D. J. Hopkins, J.D.; Bro. C. Bouchier, I.G.; Bro. J. D. Dodds, S. Steward; Bro. E. T. Evans, J. Steward; Bro. Walter Leonard Lewis, Charity Steward; Bro. Edward Church, ty)er. The installation banquet was held at the Royal Hotel.

LICENSING IjFFETiCES AT~BRIDGEND At Bridgend Police-court on Saturday Samuel Broadway was charged upon the evi- dence of Inspector Evans with opening his licensed premises, the Mackworth Inn, Aber- lcenfig, on the previous Sunday at nine p.m., and was fined 2Cs. Elizabeth Broadway, his wife, was charged with selling besr without a licence in a house two doors away from the public-house. Mrs. Broadway carried the beer into the neigh- bour's house from the Mackworth Inn, where she was paid for it.-A fine of 40a. was inflicted. John Randall, of the Star Inn, Aberkenfig, was fined E5 for opening during prohibited hours on the same date. George White, Porthcawl. was fined 10s. for having a gun in his possession- without a licence.

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Merthyr Assessments. THE COLLIERY APPEALS. Proposed Round-Table Conference. At the monthly meeting of the Merthyr Union Assessment Committee on Saturday, Mr. T. Williams, J.P., presiding, Mr. William Jenkins appeared on behalf of the Ocean Coal Com- pany to appeal against the increased assess- ment of their colliery at Trehaaris. Mr. Jenkins said the assessment had been put np £2,000, although the output of coal hau gone down very considerably. He was there really with the view of trying to end what appeared to him to be a certain amount of friction between the colliery owners and the committee. Of course, the Ocean Company were quite prepared to bear their propor- tion of the rating, but they did not like to see expenses incurred without any advantage e to anybody, so far as they could see certainly without any advantage to the ratepayers. The present system of rating the collieries would of necessity now be a re-assessment every year by a professional valuer, whereas the old system was auto- matic, and operated, lie thought, more fairly as between all the ratepayers. The- new system could only be carried out at a considerable annual cost. which they held to be quite unnecessary.-The Clerk said that depended upon the colliery companies. No one regretted more than the assessment com- mittee that the basis of rating had been altered, but it would be remembered that the solicitors for some of the companies had in- variably argued that in law the old basis could not be held to be legal.—Mr. Jenkins said that technically that might be so, but it had been in operation without any great amount of friction for the last 30 years to his knowledge. The Clerk said the question of alteration had been raised by the attitude of the col- liery companies in saying the old system was illegal. He presumed Mr. Eve on this ground said he would value the collieries on a strictly legal basis. No one was more sur- prised than the committee when Mr. Eve's va,luation came in, and it was found that the basis was entirely altered. Mr. Jenkins: I don't care about arguing the matter, but is that strictly correct? The Clerk: What do you impugn in my statement. Do you mean to suggest that Mr. Eve was instructed otherwise? Mr. Jenkins said he did not know anything about this alleged illegality, but what the colliery owners felt as a grievance was that a year or two ajro the assessment committee put up the rating of the collieries 20 per cent., without rny sort of notice whatever. The Clerk: Coal at that time was 20s. per ton f.o.b. That was the reason, if you want to go into ancient history. Mr. Jenkins said he did not want to go into ancient history. He simply wanted to put his case from a purely equitable point of view as between all the ratepayers in the anion. He repeated that the effect of the alteration would be that every year, before they could make their assessment, the com- mittee would have to engage a professional valaer. The Clerk said the new system was adopted in several large tunions in the North. Mr. Jenkins said he did not mean to say that in the long run the colliery owners might not gain, but. still, they must have ates to cariy on the business of the nnion. and they would find some day that they would be with- out any ratable value at all. He did not think that was a desirable thing. The Clerk: It is not desirable, and it is not likely to happen. Mr. Jenkins: Of course, I bow to your superior information. The Chairman asked Mr. Jenkins if he had any proposal to make as to what the com- mittee should do, having regard to the fact that they had confirmed the new valuation lists. Mr. Jenkins: The course I suggest is that you should revert to the old system. Mr. J. Rogers: That is the basis on the ton- nage and not a lump amount? Mr. Jenkins: That is what I suggest, most certainly. Mr. Rogers said he had never known that the colliery companies objected to the tonnage basis. The Clerk: As I said before, technical objec- tion has been taken by the solicitors that the tonnage basis is not that which is laid down by the law. There is no objection to the system provided both sides are agreeable to it, but the question is what the tonnage rate should be. That is the turning point of the whole thing. Mr. Jenkins: I undertake to say that if this system is carried on from year to year large ratepayers will be without any ratable value whatever. The Clerk: You speak from a legal point of view ? Mr. Jenkins: From a practical point of view. The Clerk: From a legal point of view that cannot possibly be eo. Every property is assessable. In the course of further discussion, the Clerk mentioned that the collieries in the Pontypridd Union had been advanced £70,000, and Mr. Jenkins said that he would put it before the assessment committee of that union that they were disturbing a compact which, whether entered into rightly or wrongly, had worked well for 30 or 40 years. Before leaving the room, Mr. Jenkins pointed out that on the tonnage rate the Ocean Com- pany had to pay 30 per cent. more in the Mer- thyr Union than in aany other union in which they had collieries. After Mr. Jenkins's de- parture there was some conversation upon the question of the proposed round table con- ference, and eventually it was decided to write to Mr. Jenkins saying that the com- mittee were prepared with their valuer to meet the colliery owners in order to discuss the new colliery assessments. = -= )

FATAL TRAP ACCIDENT AT CARMARTHEN. Curious Equine Instinot. Mr. William Jones, Hafodhir, near Capel- dewi, Carmarthen, was proceeding to town on Friday in a one-horse trap. accompanied by his mother. Mrs. Jemima Jones, an old lady, 74 years of ago. Having gone a short distance along the main road they met the steam- roller of the county council, and, the horse taking fright at the snorting object, Mr. Jones had very great difficulty in keeping the animal under control and inducing it to pass the roller. Having done so, the journey was continued. Upon their return from town, about four p.m., and when near the spot of the morning's adventure, although there was an absolutely clear road and perfect stillness, the horse made an entirely unexpected headlong plunge, and the two occupants were precipi- tated on to the metalled road. Mr. Jones, who had been severely shaken, managed to rise and go towards his mother, who, to his horror, he found quite dead, having, presumably, struck her head against the hard ground. The only explanation which can be given for the animal's sudden restiveness is that it instinc- tively recognised the spot where the roller had frightened it during the morning. An inquest will be held by Mr. Buckley Roderick, coroner for the Three Commots district, to-day (Mon- day).

EARL RUSSELL'S CONVIOTION. f Reversed" by the American Authorities, Mr. Taylor, Assistant-Secretary to the United States Treasury, has given instructions for the admission of Earl Russell into the United States, unless other reasons than his con- viction in England for bigamy should appear on account of which he should be excluded. He points out that Earl Russell has been granted a divorce in an American court, under which he was at liberty to marry again, and in so marrying he was, consequently, not guilty of any crime against the laws of the United States or of any individual State.—Reuter.

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I DRYSLWYN BRIDGE OVER THE TO WY. l The Dryslwyn Bridge over the Towy, opened on Friday by the Countess Cawdor, has been erected at a total cost of £ 12,000. .I I The bridge is 17ft. wide, and built of limestone from Oastellgarreg, Maesybont. i Photo by, Williams, Llandilo.

250 Boers Captured. ENEMY HIDING IN KLOOFS. Story of Botha's Escape. KLERKSDORP, October 17. Columns under Colonels Hickie and Williams, which have been operating during the past six weeks in the Zwartruggene region, to the south-west of Rustenburg, have returned here. The force, which was mainly occupied in searching kloofs and other likely places for Boers, operated in conjunction with other columns against Kemp's commando. The latter offered but little resistance to the combined columns, which captured altogether 250 Boers. Most of these were found hiding in the kloofs without their horses, and they sur- rendered without resistance. When they were captured they gave information which led to the discovery of foodstuffs and thirty boxe9 of ammunition. The columns also captured a large quantity of ammunition, 34 wagons and carts, 37 rifles, and a quantity of stock. Boers were encountered in force at Ottoafontein and Toeland Valley, and on both occasions the enemy were driven out of their positions by our mounted corps. Crops were growing and ripening in many district-t through which the columns paised.—Press Association War Special. How Botha Escaped. NEWCASTLE, Thursday. General Bruce Hamilton has surprised a small commando north of Vryheid, capturing eight men. General Botha appears to have effected his escape by travelling with a small escort, and thus avoiding notice. On the night of the 11th a trustworthy report located him at Derby, north of Pie; Retief. Thence he moved to Spitzkop, where he left his personal following, numbering about 100, taking only six men. He then marched to Amsterdam. whence he moved north to join Mr. Schalk Burger, who had for a short time established the head-quarters of the Boer Government at a point a little to the west of Amsterdam. This movable Government possessed an escort of a hundred men and a lew vehicles. The Capture of Scheepers. BEAUFORT WEST. Friday. Scheepers is now here in custody. He has recovered from his recent ailment, which was not so severe as was at first supposed.—Press Association War Special. Three Laagers Captured. PRETORIA, Sunday. Colonel Dawkins, who is in command of a column in the Nylstroom district, surprised and captured three Boer laagers on the nights of the 20th, 21st, and 23rd inst., in each case without loss. He took altogether over 50 prisoners, and secured a quantity of stock, equipment, and ammunition. Among the prisoners are three field-cornete and Mr. Schutte, former landdroet of Pretoria.—Press Association War Special. General French's Heavy Task. A Press Association correspondent, writing from Middelburg (Cape Colony), says:—The area of operations is increasing, and it becomes more and more difficult to deal satis- factorily with the enemy. The commandos are constantly splitting and going further afield, and entering new districts in the hope of getting recruits and supplies, and all loyalists who take an intelligent interest in the war and try to follow the course of events must see what enormous difficulties General French has to contend against. Even if only '2,500 men are in arms against us, they are spread over an immense area. Narrow Escape of General Stephenson. General Stephenson had a narrow escape from death or capture at the hands of the Boers a few weeks ago. He returned by train from Komati Poort to Barberton, and the following train (by which he usually travelled) was blown up by the Boers at Malalone a few hours after the general had passed through. Ther j were about 200 Boers present, and it is surmised what they believed the general would be on the train, and so would prove an easy capture for them. They burnt the train and blew up the engine of the one following, for- tunately without injuring anyone, and then trsked awa.y northward.—Press Association War Special. More Boer Leaders Banished. PRETORIA, Saturday. A further list was published to-day of thir- teen Boer leaders who have been banished for not surrendering, in compliance with Lord Kitchener's recent proclamation.—Reuter. Boers in Khaki Executed. A Press Association correspondent, writing from Middelburg (Cape Colony), eaye:—Colonel Gorringe having captured some Boers in khaki uniforms, tried them by summary court-mar- tial, and had them shot on the spot. Among the prisoners captured is a German, who states that he was enlisted in Germany eighteen montha ago by a Boer agent, with the promise of a farm in the Transvaal. Lord Milner and the Rand. PIETERMARITZBURG, Sunday. It is understood from conversation that Lord Milner has adopted a sanguine tone as to the prospect of the re-opening of the Rand. With regard, however, to the influx of tranere an business men to the Rand, he has pointed out that at present trade is dependent on the regu- lar supply of stores and material for military purposes, and there is, therefore, no opening as yet for general trade.—Reuter. Treacherous British Subject. KIMBERLEY, Friday. William Meyers. auctioneer, of Vryburg, has been sentenced to fifteen months' imprison- ment for having acted as clerk to a Republi- can justice of the peace, and for having dis- tributed arms and ammunition in his official capacity. Meyers has already undergone a previous term of fifteen months' imprison- ment. Local Casualties. The War Office announce the following casualty Welsh Mounted Infantry.—5,248 Corporal D. Griffiths, severely wounded by accidental explosion of gun, Goedelegan. near Harri- smith, October 21. The following is reported dangerously ill :— 2nd South Wales Borderers.-7.615 Private Alfred Morgan, enteric, Elandsfontein, October 24. Colonials and the Yeomanry. The War Office on Saturday night announced that many ex-members of Colonial corps who nave served in South Africa having applied to re-enlist in the Imperial Yeomanry, it has been decided to allow such re-enlistments on and after the 29th inst. In addition to the terms of re-engagement, it is stated that men re-enlisting will not receive a second gratuity, but if they served at least nine months (exclu- sive of furlough) on their previous engagement they will be entitled on completing their period of service to a gratuity of £5. It is further stated that should a sufficient number of ex-Colonials render it possible efforts will be made to form separate squadrons, consist- ing entirely of this class of re-enlisted men. Memorial Window at Pontypridd At St Katherine's Church. Pontypridd, on Sunday Colonel Gaskell, commanding officer of the 3rd V.B. Welsh Regiment, unveiled a beautiful stained glass jjvindow in memory of tne late Sergeant T. H.^Perks, who was buried at sea off the Needles ih. June last. Sergeant Perks left for South Africa in February last with Major Hill-Male in the Second Service Company, but being stricken with fever he was invalided home, and, as mentioned, died on board ship. He was very popular at Pontypridd, and for a long time had been secretary of St. Matthew's Sunday School. The unveiling ceremony attracted much attention, the local detachment, accompanied by a number of the Service Company, march- ing to church. The officers present included Colonel Gaskell, Colonel A. P. James. Cap- tains J. 8. Davies and R. A. Lewis, and Lieu- tenant J. G. Jones. The Vicar (the Rev. J. P. Griffiths) delivered an impressive sermon on Though dead he yet speaketh," and pointed out that Sergeant Perks had sacrificed a life full of promise and hope, a life honoured, respected, and loved. After the window had been unveiled by Colonel Gaskell the "Last Post" was played by the Volunteer Band.

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By the Way. The printers of Merthyr are agitating for an advance in wages, and unless their demand is conceded there is a probability of a strike. Mr. J. H. Genn, town-clerk of Falmouth, died on Saturday morning. He had been ill for some 'inie. Deceased also held the offices of clerk to the guardians and magistrates' clerk. Lord Pauncefote, British Ambassador to Washington, on Saturday concluded his leave of absence in this country, and left for the United States capital to resume his diplo- matic duties. Lord Pauncefote travels by the St. Louis. The Antarctic, which is starting on a. Swedish expedition to the South Pole, arrived at Falmouth on Saturday for the purpose of embarking Lieutenant Duse and obtaining a supply of coal. The expedition is in charge of Dr. Nordenskjold. The second anniversary of the Rev. J. 0. Hughes's pastorate at the Victoria Chapel, Eldon-road, Cardiff, was celebrated by special services on Sunday, at which Mrs. W. T. Lee preached to a large congregation. In the afternoon a service of sacred music was held, at which Mr. M. Roberts-Jones presided. In view of the choice by the Liberals of Dawsbury of Mr. W. Runciman, ex-M.P. for Oldham, as their Parliamentary candidate, it is interesting to re-call that it was Mr. Runci- man who in the last Parliament led the attack on the Government for its action in requesting General Buller to re-write the Spion Kop dis- patches. Holkliam Hall, which Lord Leicester lent tot Lord and Lady Cromer foi their two days' honeymoon in England, is the finest place in Norfolk. The house, which was begun in 1734, from Palladio's design of the villa he designed for Mocenigo on the Brenta, is remarkable for its four distinct wings. Its feature is the picture gallery. If, as has been stated, it is the intention of the King to give the Garter to Prince Charles of Denmark and the Duke of Fife, at the time of the Coronation, the number of Royal or extra knights will be brought up to 22, among them the King and Crown Prince of Denmark. The other K.G.'s include five members of the present Cabinet, and four belonging to the last Liberal Administration. Mr. A. G. Jones, the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, has twice declined the honour of knighthood, during the Royal tour in Canada. In the first instance he requested Sir Wilfrid Laurier not to allow his name to be put forward among the names recommended for that honour, and subsequently when the Duke of Cornwall was at Halifax he again declined the distinction. Mr. W. Rees, late manager of the Raven Tin- plate Works. Glanamman, was on Saturday the recipient of a beautifully illuminated address and handsomely-framed portrait enlargements of himself and Mrs. Rees, sub- scribed for by his late employes. The meet- ing was presided over by Mr. T. H. Jones, the address was presented by Mr. T. Thomas (Board School), and the portraits by Mr. D. Roberts and Mr. E. Moses, two of the work- men. According to the "Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard" Rajah Brooke. of Sarawak, has made an interesting attempt to familiarise his neighbours in his English home with his kingdom in the Indian Archipelago, by the formation of a Sarawak museum at Oakley Hall, his country seat, near Cirencester. The museum contains an extensive collection of the products and curiosities of the Malay people. It is stated that the Government is contem- plating the prospect of a general election next year, and that the Unionist chiefs are in con- ference with the leading agents throughout the country on the prospects of an appeal to the country within the next twelve months. The Unionist agents are being instructed to prepare for eventualities, and more than one important meeting between provincial organiEers and headquarters has been held within the past few days. M. Lucien Henry, writing on the subject oi the approaching visit of the Due and Dnche&se d'Orleans to King Edward, says:— 0 "England was the homeland of the French Prince during the sad times of his exile, which, surely, was much less painful owing to the welcome, civility, and kindness his Royal Highness met with on all gides, especially from old England'9 gallant officers at Band- hurst. and when he was on the staff of Lord Roberts in India." As a result of the extensive excavations which have recently been made in London Wall. several Roman coins were brought, to light. They consist of two specimens of Antonius Pius (second brass), who died in A.D. 161; one Trajan (also a second brass), who flourished about the same time; Postumua (first brass), who was assassinated about the year A.D. 268; and a. Vespasian (second brass), the date of which would be between the yeara A.D. 70 and 79. Apsley House, the famous town residence of the Duke of Wellington, is in the hands of the decorators in preparation for the Coronation year, when, it is stated, the duchess intends to entertain a great deal. The duchess, to whom the present duke was married in the year 1382, was a daughter of ColoneJ Thomas Peers Williams, M.P., of Berkshire. She is a. talented musician, and rumour says it is pro- bable she will give a great concert for all the foreign Royalties who will come over for the Coronation ceremony. The knighthood conferred on the Newfound- land Premier by the Duke of Cornwall has been well earned. Most of the serious troubles that afflicted oar oldest Colony when Sir Robert Bond came into power at St. John's a short time ago have already disappeared: under the hand of that capable administratoi, and the honour that has fallen to him will be greatly appreciated by the Bluenoses all over Codland. Sir Robert is still a young man, and we hope has a long and useful publio career before him still. Apropos of the remarkable confessions of Mrs. Laura Piper, of the Yankee Spiritualists, who ia not unknown in London, it is pointed out in reply to some criticisms on the Psychical Research Society that Mr. A. J. Bal- four, Lord Rayleigh, the Bishop of Ripon, and Sir William Crookes are among ita officers. Which ia, undoubtedly, the fact, Sir William Crookea being the most eminent scientific gentleman who is quite convinced that he once passed a ruler through a table. Mr. A. Eccles, the amateur cricketer of Lan- cashire, received his education at Repton School and Oxford University, and obtained hia "blue" three years in succession. He may be described as a sound and stylish player, and, though not so great a cricketer as A. O. MacLaren, has shown that he is of material which will go far to make him one of the best bats of the county. His appointment to the captaincy of the Lancashire team in succes- sion to Mr. A. C. Maclaren will be a popular one, for, though only 25 years of age. he has shown special ability for such a position. Yesterday w/ia the thirty-first anniversary of the fall of Metz, when three Marshals of France and over 170,000 men were cap- tured by the Germans. History records no other case of a surrender of so large a force, and it will always be a matter of dispute whether any cost of life could justify the sur- render of so many men engaged, as they were. in the defence of the country. Paris had then been besieged some seven weeks. The Germans joked about sending the three marshals to Wilhelmshohe, to make up a whist party with Napoleon III., .ho had surrendered tome weeks before. The fall of Metz undoubtedly determined the issue of tie France-Prussia*