Evening Express

Telephone: National, 512. Post-otice, 9a. Telegrams: "Express, Cardiff."

Mainly About People. k, I I One cnstom adopted by the Kaiser is "that Of spending sociable hours in the billiard- room unattended by servants. The men of the party fill their own glasses, and mark their own scores, and thoroughly enjoy themselves, unrestricted in their conversation' by the presence of outsiders. Mr. George Crossmith's amusing story- told in his farewell prior to his forthcoming American invasion "-of the butler who had been in his service fourteen years, and left because lie was sick of the sight of the whole family," re-calls to The Week-End an anecdote of G. G., Junior," which. possesses the same mildly subacid flavour. G. G., Junior." can boast of the reputation of being one of the best-dressed men about town, and the reputation if not, without importance to his sailor. Some time ago G. G." happened to drop in on that worthy person, and was effusively greeted. I have to thank you for another customer, air." said the man of the shears; "I fancy you passed him going out." "Indeed!" answered G. G." "Who is he—an actor?" "Oh. dear, no. sir!" was the reported reply; "he's a gentleman." The death in Wynberg Hospital of Lieute- nant Pierce O'Brien Butler has caused great regret among Irish sportsmen. vith whom the young lieutenant was very popular. Lieute- nant Butler, who was serving with the Army Service Corps, was a son of Major O'Brien Butler, also well-known in racing circles in the iEmerald Isle. At the age of twenty he played full-back for Ireland in the international Rugby football matches, playing against Eng- Jand and Scotland in 1898. nd against England also a year later. Lieutenant Butler also gained prominence as a. cricketer, doing yeoman service for the Phceaix Cricket Club as player and honorary secretary. General Locke Elliot, who commands the division that has been following of late on the heela of De Wet, is counted one of the best cavalry officers in the service. For a long time past his division has done a great deal of rough-riding and hard work in theh north-east parts of the Orange River Colony, and the Boers ha.ve found his troops a very persistent force. The worthy genera4 when serving in India made quite a. reputation as a steeple- chaser. He has seen active in various countries, and secured tlte D.S.O. in Burmah fifteen years ago. while his special work about Dongola gained for A.I.œ: the C.B. some nine year8 later. There is a romantic story in the family into which Lady Annabel Crewe-Milnes has jast married. T he O'Neila of Shanes Castle •w re among the historic chiefs of Ireland. John O'Neill, who died in 1739. disinherited his eldest son. and left Shanes Castle to his second son, Charles. The descendants of Charles became Earls O'Neill, and the last of them died intestate in 1855. The estates then devolved on the beir-at-law, the Rev. W. Chichestei, of Dublin, who was a descendant of the only daughter of the disinherited Henry. Thus the malevolent intentions of the implacable John were frustrated by fat, and his Eldest son's descendants possess their hereditary states. Mr. Chichester assumed his grand-grand-mother's name of O'Neill, and was created Lord O'Neill in 1368. He was the grandfather of the bridegroom. In her childhood Harriet Beecher gtowe was ftnnly convinced that the most daring, reck- less, and frightful thing she could do would be to say a. big, big "D.' She became so possessed and haunted with the dread of the unknown terrors that would overwhelm a little girl who dared to utter that awful word that at last she could endure the fascination of the terror no longer, and she went to her room, locked her- self in. climbed into the middle of the feather bed, lay still, shut her eyes, opened her mouth. and said the wicked word. According to her own account, she lay and waited in an agony of terror for what was to befall her. Her least expectation was that the ceiling would fall down. Nothing happened, and she got off the bed a very disappointed little madcap girl. Rear-Admiral Lewis A. Kimberley. retired who died yesterday morning at West Newton, Massachusetts, from heart disease, was born in 1830, and served under Admiral Farragut during the Civil War. He became rear- admiral in 1887, and was appointed to the command of the Pacific Station, which post he held at the time of the great hurricane at Apia, Sajnoa. For his conduct on that occasion he was specially commended by the Secretary of the Navy. When the British eruiser Calliope alone suc- ceeded in putting to sea of the thirteen large vessels in Apia Harbour on that occasion, Admiral Kimberley led a ringing cheer of admiration of Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Kane's splendid seamanship. The American officer's ship was fast sinking at the time. and yet, amid all the difficulties and daogers in which he was involved, he made occasion to encourage the plucky captain of the Cal- liope which in the end was the only ship that survived. The prize of fifty guineas and the Freedom 1 of the City of London offered by the Musicians' Company for a march "for use at festivities in connection with the Corona- ] • ion" has been awarded to Mr. Percy Godfrey. 1 Mus.Rac. (P.nnelm), A.R.C.M.. and Music Muster of the King's School, Canterbury. The adjudicators—Mir Hubert Parry, Sir Walter Parratt, and Sir Frederick Bridge-had no t fewr than 190 marches submitted to their I judgment. i -— !< Mr. Godfrey (who is not connected with the famous family of bandmasters) is a Derbyshire man by birth, and now in his J forty-second year. He received his first i musical training under the late Sir George ] Macfarren, and afterwards studied under I Professor Prout. This is by no means his first success it, musical competitions. He I has just »>een announced us the winner of the I esley Alexander Prize for a piano quintet. Mr. Coilfrt-y has composed two cantatas, j Christ Blfsso-th the Children" and "The Vale )f Flowers," besides numerous songs and part- « longs. t — i. 9 longs. t

— i. 9 Che NE W DOROTHY SPICED PRESSED BEEF 1 M. lIer «vuu'i> i •v

PEACE PROPOSALS. British Ministers in Conference. AN IMPRESSION THAT THE END IS NEAR. The Central News syys:—It is not expected that the Xote of the Dutch Government and the reply of ins Majesty's Government will be communicated to Parliament until after the next Cabinet Council, which has been sum- moned to take place at the Foreign Office on Friday next. The fear was expressed in the House of Commons lobby on Wednesday that I the communication made hy Dr. Kuyper in the name of hfs Cabinet would prove to be of too general a character to justify the British Government in accepting it as a basis for negotiation, but in diplomatic Quarters in London the idea that the Netherlands Govern- ment would have approached his Majesty's Government without having previously ascer- tained that such a step would be acceptablc to the Boer leaders is scouted as preposterous. In this connection it is not without imerest to observe that among those members of Parliament who have the beet opportunity ot knowing the intentions awl desires of the men who form Mr. Kruger's advisory council, there is a general belief that the action taken by the Netheilands Government will provide a means for bringing peace in South Africa, and their optimism was not chilled by the publication of dispatches in the newspapers suggeatmg that the Buers would accept nothing short of absolute independence. Lord Lansdowpe and Lord Salisbury con- ferred on Wednesday at the House of Commons with several of their colleagues, and later in the day important communications passed between the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office. These movements were reflected in the course of the evening in a. report which was per-) sistently current in quarters usually well informed to the effect that Lord Lansdownc had replied to Dr. Kmyper by telegraph, re- questing some more definite assurance as to his authority for stating that the Br>er Govern- ment was ready to treat directly for peace on the basis of the incorporation of the two Republics in the British Empire, accompanied by an immediate and general amnesty. The Dutch Premier's rejoinder will, it is hoped, be received in time to be taken into consideration by the Cabinet on Friday next. In the City on Wednesday, Mr. Balfour's statement that a. communication bearing on the question of peace had been received from the Dutch Government was very favourably interpreted, and a good feeling prevailed. Heuter's Agency learns that the Dutch Government has submitted no peace pro- posals. Its communication to the British Government partakes rather of the character of a tentative suggestion with a view to facili- tating the conclusion of the war. Until, how- ever. some definite step is taken by the Boer belligerents to intimate their desire to epicr upon negotiations for peace-a course which is always open to them—it is regarded as doubtful whether any practical advance can be made towards the conclusion of peace. Explanation by Mr. Balfour. In an interview with a London "Sun" repre- sentative Mr Balfour said:—"Th» communi- cation is in reference to the Boer War, but it does not contain any overtures from the Boer lea.ders. The Character of the Overtures. Inquiries in official circles in Holland show that the general opinion is that Dr. Kuyper did not make formal overtures for peace or formulate the Boer proposals for peace, but merely addressed a Note making inquiry as I to the readiness of Great Britain to negotiate for peace.—Central News. The Paris Ganlois publishes a telegram from The Hague eta.ting that the Dutch Government has made no peace proposals on beha.lf of the Boers, but that it has taken the initiative in sounding Great Britain as to her intentions.—Renter. Disclaimer by the German Government. A semi-official statement was made at the German Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Wed- nesday. to the effect that the Imperial Ger- man Government has no official knowledge of the contents of the communication made by the Dutch Government to the British Govern- illent The German Government would. naturally, be well satisfied if success should attend the peace efforts of Dr. Kuyper or of any other person work- ing in the interests of peace, but it must be distinctly understood that the Ger- man Government has neither acted in con- cert with the Dutch Government nor approved of its action beforehand.—Central News. Opinion Abroad. The overtures are greeted with pleasure by the press of Paris and Berlin, but doubt is expressed as to the credentials of the negotia- tors for the Boers. It is known that the Boer leaders themselves are divided in opinion on the subject of peace. The Amsterdam "Han- delsblad expresses the fear that the end of the present phase in the situation, initiated by the communication from the Dutch Government to the British Government, will prove to be another disillusion for the friends of the Boers.

APPOINTMENT FOR A WELSHMAN. The Ror. J. R. Wynne-Edwards. M.A., who is at present assistant-master at Cheltenham College, and who was on Monday appointed j headmaster of Leeds Grammar School, is a son of Mr. J. C. Wynne-Edwards, of Denbigh. The family have been connected with the ancient borough for several hundred years. Colonel Wynne-Edwards, brother of the Rev. 1 J. R. Wynne-Edwards, was a Parliamentary 1 candidate for West Deilbigh, but was unsuc- f cessful- The new master of Leeds Grammar > School, who receives an income which has < for the last three years averaged £ 1.G50, exclu- ] sive of a residence, was bom in 1S64, and at Cheltenham is exceedingly popular. He has identified himself with nearly every form of indoor and outdoor recreation, and both 1 socially and RCbolastically his departure will 1 be deplored. Mr. Wynne-Edwards, who is 37 t years of age. was educated at Giggleawick I (Yorkshire) and Oxford. It was a scholarship ( in natural science at Christ Church that took] him to Oxford at the age of seventeen. There he studied the higher ranges of physics with such success that after obtaining first, classes both in Mathematical Moderations and in the Final Honour School in Mathematics he was placed in the second class of the Honour School of Natural Science. ■ — (

CAMPAIGN AGAINST CONSUMPTION 'z Dr. Eidon Pratt. hon. secretary of the South 1 Wales and Monmouthshire branch of the I National Association for the Prevention of f Consumption, hafi sent out a mass of informa- t tion in relation to the erection of sanatoria ( and other matters incidental to the propa- f a;anda of the society. Clerks of county t Louncils. urban and rural district councils, t lnd boards uf guardians who have not received a supply of this literary ammunition may. if they wish. have it forwarded to them ( m application to Dr. Pratt.

COAL, COAL, COAL!—Get your Or>a:* fron, » •he collieries. Sfnd for price list tr, Morn.- *!ter, Co'lierj- Proprietors and Agents 3a Fitzalar. 8 "a,i, Cmdiff. N.t. Tel.: Cardiff, 1,026: ^^ort 977 S ?4. 254a. 1.523. l'ost Office. ^Newport. 551. 1'9-t'i3 s COCOA is highly nourishing and wsily digested, repairing waste and preserving y lealth. It is absolutely pure and untam- d Mred with. beinc entirely free from drugs E ilkahes. or any admixtnre. CADBURY'8 is a 1 »erfect food. Mitabte for all ages and for all a teasons of the rear. 8343&-1 1 Clarke's World-famed Blood Mjctnre —" The nost searching Blood Cleanser that science and nedr.cal skill have brought to lifht." Sufferers rom Scrofula, Scurvy. Eczema. 3ad Legs. Skin a md Biood Diseases, Pimples, and Sorea of all Linus are solicited to jive it a trial to test its 1i aiue Thousand* of wonderful cures have-been a effected by it. Sold everywhere, at 2s. 9d. per c >ottle. Beware of worthless imitations and c ubstitntee. DOROTHY SPICED PRESSED BEEF Xe per pound, g

PUBLICAN FINED. A Remarkable Case at Pontypridd. WHAT HAPPENED IN A HOTEL AFTER MIDNIGHT. As we reported in our fifth and later editions yesterday, Mr. Stipendiary Williams, Alderman Lewis, Dr. E. Nauutoa Davies, and Mr. Hopkin Morgan, sitting at Pontypridd on Wednes- day. 1isteneel to ;-t. case in "lich Jacob Row- lands, landlord of the Castle Hotel, Ponty- pridd, aaswered a summons for keeping his "ouae open after hoars. Mr. James Phillips, Pontypridd, defended. Police-sergeant Rees said that about four o'clock on the morning of January 23 Mr. Rhys D. Griffiths, solicitor, came to the charge- room of the police-station and made a com- plaint. From what he told him, he and Police- constable Hamilton went to the Castle Hotel. He found a man. named Ernest Thomas, stand- ing nesr the door. He was under the influence cf drink. Hearing voices inside, witness knocked at the door, and the barman responded with, Who s there?" Witness replied. Police." The barman replied he ecuid not let him in, and went away. Defen- dant then came to the door and opened it at nee. Witness, with Mr. Griffiths, the solicitor, :jid the constable, went in. and in the back room tbej eaw Edward Williams, of the Maltsters' Arms Hotel, and Talieyn Williams, clerk, of the Union Bridge public-house. together with the landlord and barman. There were four glasses on the tabk, three containing spirits. Witness told the land- lord that Mr. Griflitlis had reported at the police-station that he had been badly assaulted at his house, and that he had been drinking there, with others, all night. The Stipendiary: He told you that; did he? Police-sergeant Rees answered in the affirma- tive, and said that Mr. Griffiths stated that he went to the house about 19.50 the previous night, and that Ernest Thomas was there when he went in. At eleven o'clock, he added, the landlord asked him to remain. After eleven o'clock he (Griffiths) paid for two rounds of drinks, and Councillor Edward Williams paid for the npx: round, and the landlord wanted to stand another round, but Tally Williams paid for it. Ernest Thomas also paid for a round. Witness asked Mr. Ithva Griffiths what time the others went to the house, and he replied that they were ihere before eleven o'clock. Mr. Edward Killiamg then asked witness if he had not seen him (Mr. K Williams) on the bridge at 11.15 p.m.. and witness replied that he had. —Mr. Rowlands denied that Mr. Griffiths had paid him anything, but Mr. Griffiths repeated that he had, and added, About two o'clock Ernest Thomas commenced to quarrel, and wanted to fi^ht. I told him I would have nothing io do with him. and he then struck m<\ I put up my hand and kept him away, and the landlord struck me in the eye, and Edward Williams struck me on the jaw. I then tried to get out, and told them I should .^0 and report them, but they prevented me going for some time." Witness then told Mr. Rowlands that he would have to report them. and the landlord replied. "What am I to do ? You can see how it is. J hope you ,ill be as fair as possible. Mr. Williams is my friend, and Tally came with him. and yon know Ernest Thomas is here very often." When served with a summons the following j evening, defendant said, I have nothing to say. I admit I acted very indiscreetly. I shall make rt clean breast of it and not employ a solicitor." Mr. Phillips. Is it true that Mr. E. Williams and Tally Williams passed you on the bridge at a quarter past eleven?—Yes. So that what Mr. Rhys Griffiths told you abont their being at the "CastJe" before eleven is untrne?—Yes. Mr. Rhys Griffiths does not live with his mother now?—No. He lives now at Beech Wood, below Treforest, about two miles from here?—Yes. There was no tra-in going down this night at a quarter to ten?—No. Do you know that Mr. Griffiths continually stays in hotels at Pontypridd overnight?—I could not say that. Witness added that Mr. Griffiths's umbrella was broken in three pieces, and that the owner alleged it was used in self-defence. Mr. Phillips: That's another point. Let Mr. Griffiths take a summons out. We are quite prenarea to meet him. Immediately Mr. Row- lands found it was you he opened the door?— Yes. Mr. Phillips addressed the bench for the defence, and said that their worships knew that landlords had a perfect right to enter- tain friends, and it had been a practice in Pontypridd for many years for landlords to "I".f!it each otbei. not only after hours, but also on Sundays. The Stipendiary: That would apply to Mr. Williams, but only in a modified form to Tally Williams. Proceeding, Mr. Phillips asked the bench to take a lenient view of the case. and ;aid that if Mr. Griffiths had not been ihere nothing would have been heard of the matter. For a solicitor to avail himself of the opportunity to drink at the house after eleven o'clock and then to give information to the police. and to carry a revolver in his pocket in order to frighten people The Stipendiary (interposing): We can go into those things later on. Replying to the Stipendiary. Superintendent Cole said there were no previous complaints against the defendant. The Stipendiary said the case was a bad one. but what was in defendant's favour was that the house previous to this was a well- conducted house. On this night, however, they were all more or less under the influence of drink, and they had been drinking and enjoying themselves. He did not know what the barman wanted there. The others were also strangers, except Mr. Edward Williams. Defendant would be ftned £5 and costs.

NEW SOUTH WALES. Sir Harry Rawson Appointed Governor. The King has approved the appointment of Vice-Admiral Sir Harry Holdsworih Rawson. K.C.B.. to be Governor of the State of New South Wales Sir Harry Rawson has had a distinguished naval career. He was born in 1843, and became a naval cadet in 1S57. Serving throughout the Chineso war of 1358-61. in which he wa,< wounded, he commanded 1,300 Chinese troops against the rebels, and in 1861 was thanked an the quarterdeck for jumping overboard at night and saving the life of a Marine in the shanghai River. In 1878 he was thanked by the Admiralty for his report on the capabili- ties of the defence of the Suez Canal, and the same year he hoisted the British flag at Nicosia, Cyprus. He served in Egypt as prin- cipal transport officer at the time of the Arabi Pasha rebellion in 1882, and in 1895 was appointed commander-in-chief on the Cape Hntion. Under his command the British fleet jombarded the Sultan's palace at Zanzibar in ,8%, and he also commanded the Benin Exoedi- ■ion the following year. Last year Sir Harry lauled down hi-, flag, after being in command )f the Channel Squadron for the usual term, lewas knighted in 1897.

MR, CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH AND ITALY. Mr. Chamberlain's speech in the House of "ommons on Tuesday, in which he mnounced the withdrawal of the proclamation elating to the use of the Italian language in [alta, has evoked a great demonstration of >ro-British feeling in the Italian press. It is elt that his statements cannot but produce -he happiest impression in Italy, and will rive a. new warmth to the sentiments which or more than half a century have main- ained a warm friendship between England md Italy.—Renter.

JARDIFF PARLIAMENT IN EXTREMIS A meeting of the Cardiff Parliament was leld at thr Town-hall on Wednesday evening < or the purpose of considering whether the 1 ociet-y should bte continued or not.—The ] lecretary reported that 126 notices had been ent out. eight replies received, and there fas an attendance of 21.—Several proposals r trere made, and Dr. Buist proposed that a tifferent night should be tried.—An amend- nent that the affair should be wound-up was oat by eight to twelve, and the eecretary was isked to call another special meeting for rhursday next.

STEVEN'S BREAD. Nourishing. Gives an J ppetite. e8544. ( Justice Buc-knill, at Manchester Assizes on 1 Wednesday sent Joseph Cavanagh, 23, a Leeds g ithlete, and W. Halliday, 37. his trainer, to t iriaon for six months, with bard labour, fur, onspira-cy to defra.ud in connection with a ace at Sal ford Football Cluh Sports, avanagli impersonated another Leeds athlete, tod he was aided and abetted by Halliady. <

IDESTITUTE ALIENS. .Displacing of British Labour. GOVERNMENT WARNED THAT A STORM IS BREWING. In the House of Commons last eveniug, Major EVANS-GORDON (F., Stepney) moved an amendment representing the urgent neces- sity of introducing^ legislation to regulate and restrict the immigration of destitute aliens into London and .Ithcr cities of the United Kingdom. He maintained that there had been a shameful departure from the promises of Ministers to deal with this serious and rapidly-growing evil. English labour was in many districts being displaced by the incur- è sion of Russian Poles and Roumanians. Tens of thousands of foreign children were being educated at the expense of English ratepayers, and the difficulties of dealing with overcrowd- ing were enormously increased. He warned the Government and the House that a storm was brewing which, if it were allowed to burst, would have far-reaching and disastrous results. HeaakcdforaninquirybyaCoin- mission or Committee. Mr. GERALD BALFOUF assured the House that there was 110 change in the general atti- tude of the Government in respect to this question. The Government thought that it W.IK r. nomalous that, in this country no power should exist, of expelling any class of immi- grants, but they rou!d not entirety leave out of sight he difficult ies that accumulated experience, particularly in the United States, iiaa shown to cxi3t in restricting alien immigration. The area affected within the I I country was limited, and there was no sufficient reason for supposing- that its effect had been to increase the relative pro portions of pauperism and crime or to lower I wages by competition? The influx of poor Russians. Poles, and Roumanians into the United States was far greater than into England. The conclusion he drew was that any remedy of a restrictive character, if it was to be practical, must be far more drastic than any proposal that had yet been made. He did not think it would be right for the Government or Parliament to embark upon drastic legislation without further inquiry into the facts. and such an inquiry he was prepared, on behalf of the Government, to offer. 1 Hear, hear,) The amendment was, by leave, withdrawn, and The Address was agreed to amidst cheers. The House adjourned at 25 minutes to six o'clock.

CARDIFF GIRLS' SPEECH DAY. Prize Distribution at the Inter- mediate School. A large audience gathered in the assembly- hall of the Cardiff Intermediate School for Girls yesierday afternoon, when the annual distribution of prizes took place. Alderman W. Sanders (chairman of the gover- nors) presided, and amongst those supporting him were his Worship the Mayor of Cardiff (Mr. F. J. Beavan), Principal Eo H. Griffiths. Dr. W T. Edwards, Dr. J. 1.1. Treharne, Mr. Owen Owen. Mr. G. Munn, Mrs. Griffiths. Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Marychurch, and Mrs. MoKenzie. The Chairman in his opening address said that he regarded with amazement the pro- gress made by the school since it was opened. seven years ago. During that period they had experienced nothing that marred its history, but had had some remarkable successes, and were beginning to find out what the school really could do. The Head-mistress (Miss Collin) in her report said that they were now settling down to a normal cendition of things. Their suc- cesses had been- many, and amongst them was that of one of the senior students, who at the London University matriculation examination had taken a higher place than any other girl amongst the coritpetitors. Many girls left at about the age of sixteen. It was to be hoped that a larger number would remain longer. The education of girls was passing through a state of transition, and, whilst girls were to be fitted for home life. a larger number must be fitted for taking their own independent course through life. In face of this difficulty, it was essential that the utmost confidence should exist betwee 1 parents and teachers. She felt very anxiou3 about- the girls' health, and was grateful to Lord Tredegar, a great friend of the school, who had given the use of the Harlequins' Ground tor two days each week. His lordship had also sent a. gift of books for the library. The Mayor, before distributing the prizes, gave a. few words of good advice to the girls. The prizes might well be regarded as rewards for work, earned honestly by hard and per- sistent study. If they went on in the way that they seemed to have begun they would reap the greater reward of culture thhw would fit them for any place to which they might be called. Principal Griffiths said that the progress of the school had been astonishing, but he was learning not to be surprised at anything he I' found in Cardiff, where the progress during the last twenty or thirty years had been very great. Their school had carried off honours of which any school in the country might be proud, and he was glad to find that the same student had also taken the gold badge for lawn tennis. Another pleasing feature was student had also taken the gold badge for lawn tennis. Another pleasing feature was the financial position of the school, brought now into prosperity through the great busi- ness capacity of the governors. He noticed that a regret had been expressed in the report on the school that the laboratories were not used so much as they might be on account oi time. He hoped that the head-mil tress would be able to make provision for more science teaching. He could not understand why science should be considered a matter for boys and not for girls. Students should try to learn not to take for granted what they saw in print. They should learn to observe, and to find out for themselves, and to draw their own conclusions. They should not mistrust their teachers, but at the same time it was better to find out for themselves; and they should never go to their teacher until they had tried to find out for themselves what they wanted to know, and go to their teacher after- wards. In emphasising the appeal made by Miss Collin as to students remaining at school as long as possible, he urged that half a course of study wsjs not half so good-not even. a tenth-as a whoie course. One feature In the schools for educating girls that he envied was that they were free from the traditions that hung around boys' schools, and the teachers, consequently, had greater freedom for making experiments and trying new methods. They never ought, to be afraid of experiments- If a new method of teaching seemed likely to offer improvements it should be tried. The only way to advancement was ( by practical experiments. Education should t not consist of trying to cram information into j reluctant receptacles, but in trying to fit the 1 child for the duties of life. Cast-iron rules of education would not lead to the best ] results. A great deal of the cause of failure ] in education in England was that people j wanted to get it too cheaply. For one thing, the number of teachers in the schools was ] too small compared with the number of ] students. No business man would expect his business to pay if he employed cheap and ( inferior workmen and cheap machinery. The most important manufacture that England had in hand at present was in the education g of children. It was important that they ( should take the children and make them 1 into men anù women nroperly educated and I fitted for the work that lay before them. 3 There should privileged class in educa- t tion. Educat i lw best stamp should t be open to the > is of the poorest as well as ¡ of the richest. f The chief feature of a very long prize list 1'1 was the success of Miss Kathleen Mary i Shepherd. In addition to a form prize and c the prise for Latin and French, she gained (: an exhibition of £20 (for three yearE). at ti > 1 London University examination took the 7 University Prize of £5. the Reid Scholarship j of £46 a year (for three yeare. tenable at Bed- i ford College), and the Gilchrist Scholarship of ( £30 a year offered for the girl taking the rj highest place in the examination (sixth place IJ in the honours dirtsionl. In addition, she e won the school gold badge for lawn tennis. I

BUNKER TRIMMING AT CARDIFF. i 1 The new tariff for trimming bunker coals a on board steam vessels at Cardiff. Penarth, C and Barry, arranged between representatives 1 af the Shipowners' Association and the Coal- f trimmers' Association, particulars of which have already been published, will come into operation on Saturday next. A copy of the f Lariff can be obtained on application to Mr. W. R. Hawkins. secretary to the Shipowners' Association.

WHITE GLOVES AT RADNORSHIRE 8 ASSIZES. C s Tht- assizes for the county of Radnor were 0 leld at the Shire-hall, Presteigu. on Wednes- t lay, before Justice Kennedy. Sir P. C. Mil- II yank, t lord-1 ieutenant, was foreman of the f rrand jury. There were no prisoners for trial, ind the judge was presented with a pair of 1J vhite gloves by the sheriff. t ——— ——■— ti

STEVES BREAD. Nourishing. Given an t ijtyetite. e3544. t

MINISTERS ANGRY. The Rev. J. E. Flower's Charges. A STRONG RESOLUTION OF PROTEST PASSED. At a very largely-attended conference of the [ Congregc.tionalists of East Glamorgan held at Mount Stuart Chapel, Cardiff yesterday. [ under the presidency of Alderman E. II. Davies, J.P., Pentre, Mr. Millward, solicitor, [ Pentre, moved the following resolution:- That this meeting of Congregationalists of I the East Division of Glamorganshire emphati- i caliy protests against the sweeping and general charges made against the Churches 1 in Wales by the Rev. J. E. Flower. M.A., at Barry in November last, and repudiates the invidious and unjustifiable distinction drawn II by him between the English-speaking I Churches' and the Welsh. speaking Churches'; and. further, expresses great astonishment that an official of the Church Aid Society should by his indiscreet conduct I imperil the good feeling and co-operation which exist between the Welsh and English epeaking Churches in Wales, and enters its solemn protest against the calumnious asser- tion. madp. on the strength of cowardly letters, that those who opposed him in the public press in letters published by persons under their own names had deliberately stated what they knew to be untrue. Further, that this meeting, in view of the fact that Mr. Flower has practically withdrawn the meagre I apology he made to the committee of inquiry, calls upon'that committee to publish its full report without delay." The rider was moved that, in view of the space given by the fol- lowing-papers to the charges, they should be respectfully requested to publish this resolu- tion in extenso, viz., the "Western Mail," the "South Wales Daily News," the "Examiner," and the "Christian World," and the chairman of the Church Aid Society. The Rev. H. M. Hughes, B.A.. in seconding, enumerated the three charges of Mr. Fiower, and Qaid that he had changed the original charges both in form and substance. The- charge of allowing known drunkards and for- nicators to be members of Churches was charged to lax discipline," but where was the proof? (Cheers.) Ministers wers desig- nated as frequenters of clubs, which must mean that they were members of clubs. Mr. Flower said he could prove the charges if he were given protection against libel. (" ;iiiamo.") But no one should make such charges unless he were also prepared to face the music and prove the same to the hilt in a court of law. (Cheers.) He felt confident that if Mr. Flower were not a coward, but came forward and coaid sustain even one of these charges, he would find that all the Churches of Wales would be as one man behind him, as they on another occasionstood behind the Rev. W. I. Morris. Pontypridd, when he showed he had the courage of his convictions in standing up for the purity of the ministry, (Loud cheers.) He had no hesi- tation in calling the two who had written '0 Mr. Flower in support of the charges cowards. (Cheers.) Mr. Flower had charged ministers and others who wrote to the daily press on this matter with writing what they knew to be untrue. He (Mr. Hughe3) threw the charge back in his face. (Cheers.) The Rev. Tcrtius Phillips said he adhered the charge back in his face. (Cheers.) The Rev. Tcrtius Phillips said he adhered to everything he had written in support of Mr. Flower, and was anxious that the further I consideration of the matter be deferred till I the report of the inquiry committee had been received. The Rev. W. I. Morris (Pontypridd>k who was one of the inquiry committee, sr/.d the resolution was in no way too strong. After what Mr. Flower had done subsequent to the inquiry he felt he would be quite justi- fied in giving a full account of the inquiry he felt he would be quite justi- fied in giving a full account of the transactions of the inquiry committee- (Hear, hear.) He would say that Mr. Flower proved nothing -(cheers)—and he believed they should emphasise their objection to Mr. Fiower as the representative of the Church Aid Society. (Hear. lear.) Though Mr. Flower had his solicitor with him at ths inquiry, and retired to have consultation with him repeatedly, it was with some difficulty the committee, which was quite unanimous, got him to sign the mild apology he did sign. Mr. Flower was not thought, even by the English members of the committee, to be so unwise as he proved himself to be, and he was spoken to very strongly indeed. No letters *»rc allowed to be read as evidence unless the namss of the writers were given, which he was reluctant to give. and those that were read proved nothing. (Loud cheers.) the resolution was carried unanimously.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION. Meetings of the East Glamorgan District at Cardiff. Meetings of the East Glamorgan Welsh Con- gregational Union were held at Mount Stuart 'I Chapel. Cardiff (pastor, the Rev..T. R. Davies), on Tuesday and Wednesday. There was a large number of ministers and leading mem- bers of the 81 churches forming the Union present at the conference held on Wednesday morning. Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P. (Pentre). the chairman for the year. presided. It was resolved that the next meeting be held at Coychurch. I Mr. Thomas Thomas (Tyuywern), the trea- surer, reported that the total receipts had been, from the churches, over £50, and portion of the profits from the sale of the Welsh hymn and tune books £141 8s. 3d. After paying all expenses and challenge grants to various churches, there remained a substantial balance of over £ 100.—A suggestion was made that a large slice of this surplus should be paid over to the treasurer of the Twentieth Century Fund. but after some discussion it was resolved that the money remain in the hands of the treasurer till the next quarterly meet- ing. The Rev. D. H. Williams. M.A. (Barry), sub- mitted the report of the Forward Movement Committee, which pointed out that it was desirable that new causes should be started at Penygraig. Llwyncelyn. and Hopkinstown. The Rev. O. II. Hughes (Tylorstown) said that the prospects of the Twentieth Century Fund were most encouraging, and he hoped their association would be the highest on the list.— Mr. E. H. Davies, J.P. (the treasurer), said that the promise of Mr. Thomas Williams. J.P., Merthyr. to contribute another £ t,000, on the condition that the churches made up; the £19,000 before th-s first week in June, had I inspired the churches of the denomination in the Principality to do their utmost.—The Rev. H. M. Hughes, B.A. (Cardiff), said that the Rev. Towyn Jones and the Rev. O. L. Roberts had visited the Welsh churches in Cardiff last Sunday, and that Ebenezer had promisad about £220, Cathays £100, Mount Stuart £100. Bethlehem. Splotlands. £40. and Canton £15. besides other liberal subscriptions. I OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH IN WINDSOR- PLACE. The Central Congregational Church, an attractive building erected in Windsor place, Cardiff, was opened for public worship on Wednesday. This is the outcome of a split" which took pla<:e at Wood-street Chapel some ] years ago. when the Rev. W. Spurgeon, the 1 then pastor, resigned, and a large number of the members seceded in consequence. The! rev. gentleman immediately afterwards, with 1 the assistance of his "following," held services I at the Andrews'-hall, and the membership so J increased that it was found necessary to obtain a suitable place of worship. The new] church provides seating accommodation for 1.650 people and the schoolroom beneath about 750. Architecturally it is of the English 1 Renaissance style. The front of the building is faced with Bath stone, relieved with red] Cumberland stone pilasters and columns. The internal arrangements are all that could I he desired for comfort, aud convenience. The edifice is heated by high-pressure hot water pipes, aud an excellent electric light instal- lation haa been put in by Messrs. Ralph, Nance, and Co. The total cost of the build- ing when completed in all details will be £5.500, The builders are Messrs. Latty and Co.. the ] architect being Mr. W. Beddoe-Rees, A.R.I.B.A., 1 Cardiff. At 3.30 an opening sermon was preached by the Bev. A. llurscll, of London, I followed by a public tea in the schoolroom. < <

FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION AT CAPE TOWN. i Information received from Cape Town ( shows that next year will see a British and I Colonial exhibition there on a very large I scale. It is felt that this would offer special J opportunities for firms in this Colony and ( the Colonies to meet in a. measure the tre- < mendons competition which ninst J'e6111t t from the great efforts already, being made J by th" Genij^if and Americans in anticipa- tion of the large volume of trade expected as soon as the war is over. The exhibition wonld be confined to British and Colonial traders.

SMALL-POX PLAGUE. The Serious Outbreak at Swansea. OBJECTORS TO VACCINATION ORDEAL AT LlVF RPOOL. As we reported in our third and later editions yesterday, three cases of small-pox have been discovered in one houa in the Sand- filds district of Swansea. The prin- cipal sufferer so far is a painter named Butt, whose case was notified by Dr. Anderaon on Monday night, and who was as soon as possible removed to the fever hospital. Dr. E. Davies describes the case as a somewhat severe one. and inquiries entirely failed to show that it was imported from the valley. He thought, therefore, it must have come from London. The victim had two children who were ill at the time, and on Wednesday one of these was removed to the fever hospital with unmistakable symptoms of the same disease. The house was thoroughly disin- fected and every step taken to isolate the family. The names of persons who have bpen in contact with them have been ascertained, and steps taken to get them re-vaccinated, and they are kept under observation. The district of Fleet-street is a populous and overcrowded district ofworkms-dasa people, and there is a branch National School in the street, which Dr. Davies has had clostd. It is intended to use this building, as a re-vaccination station. The large board school in Vincent-street serving the district has been recommended It) exdude all children hum i Fleet -treet. Further, the board is recom- I mended to get all teachers in all the schools re-vaccinated, and that inquiries he made as to the number of unvaccinated children in the schools with a view to remedying these omissions at. once. Meeting of Swansea School Board The Swansea School Board on Wed'uesday afternoon discussed the above recommenda- tions. Dr. Rhys Davies, the medical officer of the board, said the matter was extremely important, and perhaps it had not co'ne before the public as soon as it ought. He recom- I mended that circulars should be issued to the teachers helping them to discover the 1 symptoms of the disease, such as backache ønd headache. He could almost wish that teachers had the means of taking the temperature of scholars. —Mr. Wignall said lie was a conscientious objector, and he wished it to be known that re-vaccination was a voluntary matter. He thought they were helping to create a scare. More reople were frightened into -it than really took contagion.—In reply to the Rev. Watkin Edwards. Dr. Davies said the child affected in Swansea had not, he believed, been vaccinated. It was believed that the disease was caught in the train between Bristol and Swansea.—The board, after come further dis- cussion, adopted the suggestions put before them. The Outbreak at Ystalyfera. A farther suspected ease of small-pox, making twelve in ali, was reported on Wed- nesday at Yst ilyfera. Warning to Objectors. At Liverpool City Police-court on Wednesday a burlier applied for exemption from vaccina- tion of his threc-niontlis-old child. For the edification of the objector the stipendiary occupied an hour in reading a pamphlet issued by the council of the British Medical Association containing statistics in favour of raccination. The application was granted, though the views of tire applicant were modi- fied. Mr. Stewart. it was stated, ifrtends to read the pamphlet to every objector who j appears.

NEWPORT'S VETERAN MAYOR. His Reminiscences of Half-a- Century. As we reported in onr Pink edition last evening. The Mayor of Newport (Alderman 11. J. Davis) was yesterday honoured at the hands of the Newport Harbour Commissioners in recog- nition of his 50 years' continuous service on the board. A large number of members of the commiMion gathered at the offices in Dock-street to take part in the presentation of a handsomely illnminated address setting out the feelings of appreciation which the mem- bers entertained for Mr. Davis. The Chairman of the Commission (Aderman H. J. Parnall) said the address congratulat- ing Alderman Davis on his 50 years' con- tinuous service was agreed to at the meeting of the commission two months ago, but the board thought it would be well to have it illuminated aud bound, and the present gathering was called together for its formal presentation. He said that Alderman Davis's life was one which presented a standard for emulation to the whole of the young men of the present generation. (Hear. hear.) The Vice-chairman (Mr. T. E. Watson). Alderman D. A. Vaughan, and Alderman T. Pugsley added their congratulations and their appreoiatio of Mr. Davis. The recipient (Alderman Davis) was deeply moved in making his reply. It was now, he said. some 63 years since he first set foot in Newport. He purchased the business of a gentleman who had jast recently died, and he thought he had got hold of a very good thing. It was a hard fight at first, however. He pushed on as well as he could, and soon became known. A very curious coincidence happened in the life of the Corporation of Newport three years after he settled in the place. A split took place. and nine members retired en bloc. Mr. Hughes, a client of his (the speaker a). told him about the matter, and said that he was a little ashamed of it himself, and that if he couhl get any- one to stand with him he would go in again. He (the speaker) told him that he should not have that excuse, as he would stand with him. and the result eventually was that Mr Hughes and himself* were at the top of the poli, and they also pulled in Mr. Townsend. The year after he arrived at Newport the Chartist Riots occurred, and he was very much mixed up in it. and assisted in the capture of Mr. John Frost on the evening of the extra- ordinary day of the riot. Some few years after that an election for the county occurred, and the late Mr. Octavius Morgan appointed him (Mr. Davis) as his agent. Mr. Morgan walked in unopposed. Following that, Mr. Thomas Jones Phillips, the clerk to the magis- trates. appointed him (Mr. Davis) as clerk to the justices of the division of Newport and Christchurch. Sir Charles Morgan appointed "nim to the agency of his Glamorgan estates, and also to a small estate in Breconshire. As time went on it became necessary to have all the agency business under one control, and he (the speaker^ gave up the agency of the Gla- morgan estates, Except the building property at Cardiff. The building property, he would mention, had' developed until it now produced in ground rents something like £11,000 a year. At the time he came to Newport the town was a very small place of some 7.000 or 8,000 inhabitants, whereas now it had 70.000. There was no iock open when he came to the town. He remembered the first dock being opened, and afterwards the Alexandra Dock and its exten- sions. He hoped new docks would still follow. (Hear, hear.) He had been a member nf the town council for over sixty years. [n his eighty-ninth year. still in full health :ind mental vigour, he was able, as few men tf his age were. to read the smallest print ivithout the aid of glasses. At the conclusion of the presentation the mayor invited the members of the hoard to take wine with him, and a number of compli- mentary toasts were given.

SPEECH BY MR. HALDANE. Mr. Haldane. M.P.. speaking on Wednesday- light at Woodford. Essex, said the problems .0 be dealt with to-day differed, as Lord Rose- bery said in his Chesterfield speech, from ,hose of 25 years ago. and Mr. Haldane was lonvinced that, so far from the differences jeing personal, the Liberal leaders would iome together when Liberals once more had concentrated upon a policy. Our great peril was a commercial one, and other nations had stolen a march on us because they possessed t better educational system. Our secondary ind technical education must be organised, md must not be conducted in the interests • if any Chnrch or sect. R-e-orgauisation was the first step to efficiency. In onr foreign and Colonial policy our object should he con- tinuity. The war in South Africa. must be prosecuted with unflinching vigour. j

The steamer Alpha, lying in the Usk at Newport, stuck to the mud on Tuesday night, Die crpw were aroused by the watch and had o escape in their boats. She was pumped out j and floated on Wednesday.

OUR LEGISLATORS. The Redistribution of Seats. COLONIAL REPRESENTATION DISCUSSED. The Speaker took the chair in the House of Commons at, n<*m yesterday, when the discussion on Mr. Sinclair's proposed amendment to the Address was resumed. This amendment asks for a redistribution of seats and the representation of the British Dominions beyond the seas in the Imperial Parliament. Mr. KIMBER (U., Wandsworth), continuing his interrupted speech, said that the correc- tion of the anomalies in the representation of the people in that House was a matter the importance of which had been admitted by successive Governments. At the present time 400 members, out of 670 in that House, w«re sent there by less than half of the electors of the country. It was absolutely ridiculous to say that the will of the people in this country was properly represented in that House if the large majority of the people were represented by a minority there. Ireland hud 31 members too many and England 34 too few. London was the chief sufferer by the irregu- larity. Mr. BALFOUR agreed that the anomalies of I our representation were great and growing, ¡ and were likely to further grow. The abnor- mal growth of the population which was going on in many constituencies wag extremely inconvenient, but he must remind the lion gentleman that the subject was not a proppr one in the earlier years of a Parliament, icr if any great change were made in the balance of voting power in the country it would need to be followed at once by an appsal to the country. He could not agree that the repre- sentation of the country should be founded on simple arithmetic—so many voters to so many representatives. Members of that House did not come there to represent nations, but ¡ constituencies, and the matter must not be allowed to degenerate into a three-cornered fight betv.eeu England, Scotland, and Ireland "s to who should snatch the greatest number of seals. While the present Parliament could not be asked to take up the subject now. y;!t it was impossible that it should be indrfinitely postponed. He confidently expressed the hope that this Parliament would not come to an end without having eome opportunity of con- S'dtring this very important question. He trusted tho mover of the amendment would not precs it to a division, but would be satisfied v;ith the declarations of opinion he hadenc-ited. (Hear, hear.In reply to a further remark by Mr. Kimber, Mr. BALFOUR said that it was not only with regard to the universities that some qualified principle must be admitted. Sir CHARLES -i)ll.KE !P. Den a Forc-s-h deprecated raisins the subject of Colonial representation in the Imperial Parliament. pnd thought it would be wiser to wait for suggestions to com-e from the Colonies. If we were ah?ad of the Colonies in proposing this sort of thins', there might he grest. diffc- rence if opinion between one Colony and mother. Mr. BLA Kg (X., Longford, s.) expressed the opmion that the Colonies would not contri- bute towards the cost of the Boer War unless some larger and morf effective representa- tion were given themthnn had been pro- posed by Mr. Louis Sinclair. The Colonies would not. be satisfied with a mere fragment of popular control, but- would want a public Assembly elected by themselves to vote away their own money. Mr LOCJS SINCLAIR ru.. Essex, Romford) asked leave to withdraw his amendment. (I,and Radical and Nationalist cries of No, no.") The House divided, and there voted:- For the amendment 23 Against 302 Government majority 279

SOUTH MONMOUTH'SHIRE. Annual Meeting of Conservative Association. The sixteenth annual meeting of the South Monmouthshire Conservative Association was held at the King's Head Hotel. Newport. on Wednesday, Sir George Forpatier-Walker pre- siding. Among those present were Lord Tre- degar. Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., j Sir H. M. Jackson, Sir A. Mackworth, the Hon. J. Maclean Rolls, and Messrs. F. J.1 Mitchell, S. C. Bosanquet, C. D. Phillips, L. H. Hornby, and A. Southwood Jones. The annual report regretfully touched on the deaths of Mr. John Lawrence, M.F.H. (who was the flrgt chairman of the association), of Colonel Charles Lyne (who re j-resented the cloae intimacy between the local Liberal Unionist and Conservative branches), and Colonel It Wilkinson (a mem- ber of the executive and a past chairman). The year had not been one of great public activity, but the committee reported that the organisation had been greatly strengthened. Registration had been carefully guarded, and a, net gain of 130 was recorded. (Cheers.) The energy shown oy the Cwmbran Associa- tion was especially gratifying. The adoption of the report was moved by the Chairman. Mr. A. Southwood Jones seconded, and con- gratulated Colonel the lion. F. C. Morgan on his recent speech at Cwmbran, in which he refuted the remarks, of a member of Parlia- ment residing near. Right-minded people knew that Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan had won his five contested elections on his own merits. (Cheers.) The Right Hon. Lord Tredegar was re-elected president, amid cheers. In returning thanks, his lordship said that the existence of the association was to support the policy and programme approved by the country. At the same time, there was something wrong in their re-electing him, as they were going, they had been told, against the great principle of South Monmouthshire iq having any- thing to do with a Morgan. (Laughter.) Some of their Radical friends had peculiar notions on many things, but the Tredegar family did not consider their member as an appanage of the family. It was the constituents of South Monmouth- shire who seemed to consider it on. fijoud cheers and laughter.) They did 1I10t wish to force the constituency, but he felt it possible that if another candidate were needed they might come to him to supply them with one. (Laughter.) The Duke of Beaufort, Lord Llangattock, and Lord Raglan were re-elected vice-chair- men. and Mr J. Lawrence, -.P., was elected to the same position. The Hon. J. Maclean Rolls was elected chair- man of the association for the next year, and Messrs. L. Wrigley, J. 11. Taylor, W. Gascoyne D.ilziel, and W. J. Thomas were elected vice- chairmen All the other officials wfere re- elected. Sir H. M. Ja-kson proposed, and the Hou. J. M. Rolls seconded, the vote of thanks to Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan for his services as member for the division, and expressing confiden-e in him as the representative of the constituency. Returning thanks, the Colonel pointed out that the proposer was an old opponent, and the seconder was the son of an old opponent of his. He protested against the suggestion that he was the nominee of a certain family, and recommended the establishment of dis- trict associations. The Unionist party would have to sink all differences of opinion and feeling to bring about an early end to the war on principles consistent with the pre- dominance of the British people. (Cheers.) Lord Tredegar proposed a vote of thanks to all the officials, and Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan seconded. Mr. R. Stratton moved. Captain Roland Waiker seconded, and Sir A. Mackworth sup- ported a motion expressing appreciation of the gallantry and humanity of the British Army in South Africa to combatants and non- v>mnataiits. and refuting the "false and scan- dalous imputations of pro-Boers at home and abroad." Messrs. H. L. P. Lowe and C. H. Ciarke were rp-appointed delegates to the Western Con- servative Union. Votes of thanks to the organising Secretary IMr. L. Foster Stedman) and the chairman followed.

BRISTOL AND SOUTH WALES RAILWAY WAGON COMPANY. The half-yearly meeting of the Bristol and South Wales Railway Wagon Company limited) will be held in Bristol on February 7. The revenue account shows a disposable balance of £7,371 16s. 9d.. and the directors recommend that a dividend be paid at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, less Income- tax. leaving a balance of £ 1,100.

The following telegram has been received in New York from Panama:—The Columbian warships returned-on Tuesday evening after :>indecisive engagement with the revolu- tionary ships at Ycauala.—Renter.

HUSTLING DE WET. Guerilla Chief Given No Rest. THE STORY OF BEN VILJOEN'S CAPTURE. PRETORIA. Sunday. General De Wet is being kept unwillingly active to prevent his arranging combinations against any particular spot in the blockhousc liues, which now nearly surround hisctheatre of operations. In the north of Orange River Colony Colonel Garrett has had severaiaghts. but the enemy on every occasion cleared out of their posi- tions in front of his advance. A few Boers were killed in these engagements.—Lalfan. Ben Viljoen's Capture. The Central News correspondent says: — When Viljoen was captured last Saturday he was returning by moonlight from a visit he had been paying to Acting-President Schalk Burger and Commandant- Muller. the former being with Muiler's commando in the neigh- bourhood of Steenkampsburg. Intelligence of this expedition of Viljoen was received at Lydenburg, and Major Orr, with a small party of Royal Irish, went out, conducted by Cap- tain Russell, to a nek in the mountains through which Viljoen and the three other Boers who were accompanying him were expected to pass. The party were completely surprised, and seemed to be at a lo?s what. to do. Before any show of resistance could bs offered Adjutants Nel and Jordan were shot dead. and Viljoen's horse was shot under him. Viljoen himself had a narrow escape, one bullet piercing hig coat. The greatest expedition was observed by the British party on the return to Lydenburg, as it was known that there were about 800 Boers in the vicinity, and it was feared that they might ha,ve been alarmed by the rifle shots. The journey to Lydenburg was nine miles, and was accom- plished without the slightest mishap. Bruce Hamilton's Latest March. PRETORIA. Tuesday. General Bruce Hamilton's last great march resulted in 112 of the enemy being accounted for. Of these five were killed, about ten sur- renrlered, and twelve were driven into the con- stabulary blockhouse line on the Vaal at Brug- sprui1.-Laffan. New Zealanders Embark. WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The first detachment of the Eighth New Zealand contingent, consisting of 500 officers and men, with their horses, left for South Africa, via, Auckland, to-day by the transport Surrey. The second detachment, which is ot the same strength as the first, will sail on February 8. Active preparations are bein? made for the despatch of the ninth contingent of 1,009 officers a k men. with horses, and the Colony is already taking steps for the forma- tion jf a tenth contingent, to be despatched to South Africa if required. Mr. Se'idon (Premier), addressing the men bctcn- their departure, i-aid- "We have 18,000 trained Volunteers remaining in the Colony, and also 7,000 riflemen The Mioris arc very low-spirited at not being allowed to go and fight They think they should relieve British soldiers in other parts of the Empire in order to allow the latter to be available for service in South Africa. Five thousand are ready to go and take ,heir places, and they especially want the King to know this, in order that they may have an opportunity of making their part and of show- ing their loyalty.—Renter. Pembroke Yeomanry. Our Haverfordwest correspondent saw Ser- geant-major Wilmct. of the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry, and learned from him that there was no truth in the rumonr that the Yeo- manry had volunteered for the- front. It has, however, been stated there that Colonel Roch, of the regiment, is to be given the command of a battalion of Yeomanry at the front. Lieutenant-colonel aud Hon. Colonel Thomas James Roch was formerly a captain in the Royal Artillery, and has passed the final examination of the Staff College. He retired from the regular Army some years ago, and joined the Yeomanry, in which he attained his present rank about a twelvemonth ago. He resides at Llether. Penycwm. Pembroke- shire. and is a justice of the peace for the county. Local Casualties. Tbe War Office on Wednesday night notified the following:— Death from enteric.—3rd South Wales Bor- derers: 6,756 Private George Prossor, at Mafe- king, January 27. 1st Welsh Fusiliers—5,640 Private H. Cook, ilightly wounded right arm at Witterand, Orange River Colony, Jantiary 24. Dangerously ill from enteric.—30th Company Imperial Yeomanry: 36.895 Private C. Reuter, it Heilbron, January 26. Discharged from hospital to duty.—2nd South Wales Borderers: Second-lieutenant W. K T. Clement Johannesburg Treason Trial. JOHANNESBURG. Wednesday. Dr. Visser, who was tried hy a military tribunal on charges, firstly, of high treason in :onapiracy with Broeksina; secondly, of mis- irison of treason, and, thirdly, of breaking the >ath of neutrality, and found not guilty on he first count" but guilty on the see-oud and ,hird charges. Has been sentenced to two years' mprisonment with hard labour.—Renter. New Railway in Orange Colony. DURBAN, January 28. The first bolt of the Harrismith-Bethlehem Railway will be driven on Thursday.

fRADE TOPICS AT NEWPORT. Meetings of the Chamber of Commerce. The Newport Chamber of Commerce held two meetings at the Town-hall on Wednesday ifternoon. First there was the monthly meet- ng of the chamber, presided over by the mtgoing president, Mr. W. Lyndon Moore. The luestion of an improved train service between Newport and London on Sundays was con- lidered, and the chamber passed a general ■esolution calling for increased facilities if it lid not involve any increased Sunday labour.— Ir. F. P. Robjent called attention to the vant of facilities for stamping documents at Newport Post-omce. and proposed that an sffort be made to remedy this state of things.— IIr. Heybyrne seconded, and it was agreed to. -The President proposed that representations Ie made to the Home Secretary asking that a ■e-arrangement of the coal mines districts ake place by which Newport, instead of leing looked upon as the tag end of Kent md Surrey, should be given its proper place is the centre of a large coal mining district. -Mr. J Macaulav seconded, and the matter ras agreed to.-The Chamber agreeel to sup- tort the corporation in an attempt to run the ram-cars from the end of Commercial-road Iver the Great Western Railway level cross- ng to the Alexandra Dockg.—The President welcomed to the chamber Sir Henry Mather- 'ack^on, Bart. and Mr. Forestier-Walker, lircctors of the. docks, and extolled the policy vhich sought, to draw the interests of the own and the docks more closely together. -Sir Henry Mather-Jackson assured the hamber that whatever he could do as a. oembcr of the dockr •-jrectorate for the welfare of the town he would do. THE ANNUAL MEETING. At the conclusion of the monthly meeting he annual meeting of the chamber was held ,t the Town-hall.—The report and statement f accounts having been passed, a cordial vote f thanks was given to the outgoing president Mr. W. Lyndon Moore), who proposed as his accessor Mr. W. J. Crders. Mr. F. J. Heybyrne seconded the nomination, which was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Orders thanked the chamber for the louour of electing him to the chair. It Wall. decided that the executive committee oa-ke arrangements for the holding of a lanquet early in April.

'h* NEW DOROTHY SPICED PRESSED BEEF 2e. per pound.

"Cechfarfs" Comments. — To what extent should picturesque snr- rivals of other eiays be modernised by bye-1 laws, providetl the laws of sanitation and necessary road space are not interfered with? This is a question that is seriously, discussed ly the Westminster City Coun- cil, for the police have started a crusade against the outdoor bookshops of Charing Cross-road. The magistrate, evidently a. gentleman with a lingering partiaMtv to Old London, has only imposed a nominal fine of one shilling upon the offenders. One councillor said that once the book- stalls are driven from Charing Cross-road- it being, in his opinion, the ugliest road in London—the only inducement to visit that not too salubrious street will be taken away, and the place will become a desert. The book-hunter will find his occupation gone in the west central district of the Metropolis if the dusty receptacles of this road are to follow those of Holywe.il- street, but, although Holywell-btreet had to make away for necessary public improve- ments, Charing Cross-road will not be given over to the pickaxe brigade yet awhile, and its bookstalls can well be left as an object lesson to the twentieth cen- tury of what London was in the nineteenth century. Indeed, we may yet see a rever- sion to the old custom of shopping from the outside, for I have seen many new. business premises with recessed windows lately, which will permit purchasing with- out entering the shop or obstructing the footway. Added to this are to bo seen real timbered buildings, and the stereo- typed fronts that have been in favour for 3 couple of generations are being frequently displaced by what had nearly become an obsolete style. The attempt to revive an interest in tho Glamorganshire Agricultural Society doe^ not seem to be so easy a task as the friends of agriculture would have expected, but I think a stronger representation of practical farmers upon the committee would con- duce to its vigour and usefulness. It ia true that those who were elected on Tues- day are tenant farmers, but of tho wealthier class, and, therefore, somewhat out of touch with their struggling neigh- bours, and I am not quite sure it would be an evil if, say in alternate years, a farmei were elected to the presidency. It would, not destroy the respectability of this emi- nently respectable society, but it would possibly create an active interest in the proceedings of the society where it is non only passive. let another summer will pass by before the Porthcawl Urban District Council will have improved its well-known esplanade. It is true it has now entered into the sphere of "practical politics," because the surveyor has been ordered to prepare plan? for its amendment, as well as for repair- ing the road to the common, but this is,s? often a euphemism for postponing a quts«. tion indefinitely that, as often as not, it inspires misgiving rather than confidence. Wo will be charitable, however, and trust our first spring visit to Cardiff-011-Sea will supply us with a surprise in the way of having the pleasure of inspecting a well- matured and completed scheme of restora- tion, and the enjoyment of perambulating the promenade without the risk of tumbling down to the beach below. The Hon. Odo Vivian is evidently bent1 upon becoming an active factor in thE municipal life of Swansea, and his speeci at Swansea on Tuesday night indicated that he does not depend upon platitudes when he takes to the platform. Moreover, his figures arc such as may well startle Swansea ratepayers, for in twelve years the debt of the town has exceeded tho increase of population by about 400 pet cent. His views on the housing questioK are consistent with the best interests o. working men, for he urged it was better for them to live as far away from their work as possible. This view has not many friends among house-owners, but when similar propositions are agreed to by Cabinet Ministers we may look for unex- pected proposals when Parliament next deals with the housing ejuestion. I am afraid the rats story of the Car- diff Free Library is unduly magnified, and there's a risk that nervous ladies will givo the place a wide berth, but let me assure them that the rooms where ladies do mostly congregate are not troubled by incpiisitivc rodents. They arc unplea- santly attentive to the storage rooms, where parchment and leather bintlmgs are to be found, and owners of valuable books can'testify what damage a very few rats can make in such places. You see, the reporters were in a merry mood on Tues- day night, instigated, 110 doubt, by the humour of some members of the com- mittee, for where such merry men as Councillors Good and Symonds arc it is hard to know when to be serious or when to he jovial, but ladies can depend upon it that we will :-top these rats. The railway companies will stand in their own light if they decline to meet cyclists in the conveyance of cycles by railway. Probably, directors of railway companies regard the bicycle as their rival in locomotion, but the majority of cyclists use their maehhies for recreation OIlh. A little more generous consideration by railway companies would induce many a club to multiply its tours through knowing that if when far from home the me mbers were overtaken by rough weather their re- turn hy railway would be easy of accom- plishment. Without this inducement, whenever there would be a doubt about the weather cyclists would remain at home. Greater facilities for country rides will certainly operate to the advantage of the railway companies, and an under- standing without legislation would pre- serve good feeling on both sides. The Merthyr District Council has turned a deaf ear to every argument in favour of its new open space being made a real recreation ground. Children are noisv beings, we know, and inclined to make short work with shrubberies aud flower patches; but it is a sorry day for any person or body of persons to be tired of children's interests and children's ways. It often happens also that the members of publio bodies who ignore the recreative needs of the children of the poor are those who have private playgrounds near their houses, where their own children can sport to their heart's content, whereas their less fortunate neighbours have no choice but the open, muddy, and unsheltered street. I do not suppose that the ratepayers who protested with the High-constable of Merthyr some time ago, nor the members of the Trades' Council who followed them this week object to beautifying the barren tips of Thomastown, but this can be done without causing the youthful population to move about as if they were fitted in strait jackets. We had the same trouble when the Roath Park was laid out, but who is there who has watched the un- restrained glee of the hundreds of children who play there nightly who would move to curtail one jot of their liberty? It would do the Merthyr councillors much good to come to Cardiff of an evening to see them.