Rhyl Record and Advertiser

THE BAPTIST TWENTIETH CENTURY FUND. CONFERENCE AT RHYL. On Tuesday afternoon a well-attended confer- ence of North Wales Baptists was held at the Welsh Baptist Chapel, Water Street, in connec- tion with the Twentieth Century Fund of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland. The Rev. William Cuff, President of the Union, presided, and the Rev. J. H. Shakespeare, Sec- retary of the Union, was lso present. After a short devotional service, The Chairman expressed his pleasure at meet- ing so representative a gathering of Baptists. They had met together to talk of that great fund to which the whole denomination had set its hand. They wanted to know from the brethren present what was being done in the different churches, so as to have an idea of what the Welsh people were doing. In England they had an idea that the Welsh pe ople could move mountains if they only infused into the work th., enthusiasm and energy which charac- terises them as a nation. He knew that they had commenced the work of the fund, and Mr. Shakespeare and himself had come down there that day to help them to carry the thing through in the Principality to a successful issue (applause). The Rev. John Roberts, Abergele, gave a re- port as representing the Vale of Conway and Festiniog districts. There were in the district 18 churches, with five settled pastors, and a membership of 1,288 in the proportion of 71 members to each church. One church num- bered only fifteen members, whilst the largest church had 288 members. So that that confer- ence, and especially their friends from London, might know the geographical difficulties in working that district, he might say that it ex- tended from Abergele to Festiniog, and from I.Ian ;annan to Llanrwst. It was almost entire- ly an agricultural district, with the exception of .Festiniog and three holiday resorts on the coast. Out of the 18 churches 13 had been visited on behalf of the fund. One of these, he was sorry to say, had not moved since in the matter. Out of the five churches not visited three had de- cided to do something for the fund at the be- ginning of the year, and to receive a deputation on its behalf. One of the two churches that had not yet moved in the matter he had pro- mised to visit at the end of the year. He could not get a word from the other church, although one of the members had promised something towards the fund. The total of the amount promised up to date was JB407 15s. 6d., with an additional promise of JB1 from a Baptist friend for every Lg received in Colwyn Bay, which would add another L10 to the promises, making a total of L417 15s. 6d. Of this only JB20 19s. 6d. had as yet been sent to London. The differ- ent Sunday Schools had also taken the work in hand, and some 150 cards were in the hands of the Sunday School scholars. They felt fairly sanguine of raising C650 in the district, and they should not rest until that sum was in sight iapplaJsej. The conference of the district last Thursday decided to issue a short catechism on their histoiy as a denomination for the Sunday School with the object of turning the stream into the reservoir of the century fund (applause). The Rev. T. Morgan, Mold, said they had held seventeen meetings on behalf of the fund in Flintshire. The churches they had visited were very weak. They had in that county four or five churches, in one of which there were only nine members. Some of the districts were -very poor, and the promises that had been made showed much sacrifice on behalf of the fund. In Leeswood, for instance, a church of only eleven members, they had received promises amounting to Lll, and he was told that that amount was likely to be exceeded (applause). Tryddyn, with twelve members, had promised -£8, and Axtvn, with fourteen members, L7 10s. Up to now the total amount promised in the county was £ 85. But there were several chur- ches in which meetings had not yet been held, and they could not say what the result of those churches would be. But they had asked for promissory notes, and he believed that every church in the county was taking the matter up, and that they would do something substantial. The total number of members in Flintshire was 700, and they expected to realise a total of £ 350 towards the fund (applause). The Rev. D. G. Lewis, Rhyl, said he had only introduced the subject formally to his people on Sunday, and then only to the Sunday School. The congregation had not as yet been ap- proached in a definite way. The Sunday School would respond substantially. All the classes had decided to take the matter up, and a num- ber of children bad decided to collect at least 5s., so as to entitle them to a medal, and some of them he knew would collect 10s. so as to en- role themselves. He also believed that the con- gregation when appealed to would respond equally well. So far as he knew, the feelings of the church and congregation were in perfect sympathy with the fund (applause). The Rev. T. Shankland said that his Church had not yet done anything. They were waiting for the meetings that clay, as a result of which he hoped that the members would rise worthily to the occasion. He had visited several churches on behalf of the fund, and had ad- dressed them on the history of the Baptist de- nomination in Wales, a history which had proved an inspiration and an incentive to gener- osity (applause). The Rev. B. Evans, Rhuddlan, announced that his church had promised JB7 18s. The Rev. J. Raymond, Llandudno, said he had visited several English churches. The English church of Ponkey had promised L30; Cefn Mawr, JMO; and Chester Street, Wrex- ham, L60. The Rev. Abel J. Parry said that on the prev- ious evening he had addressed a meeting at Festiniog on behalf of the fund, and a church of 147 members had promised the substantial total of L143 (applause). He found that there was a real sacrifice being made in most of the churches on behalf of the fund, and that was .t feature of it which appealed to him most (ap- plause). V 1 The Rev. A. H. Shakespeare, Secretary of the Baptist Union, said that while the fund had been making the most wonderful progress m England and Ireland, and a fair amount of pro- gress in Scotland, they had not hitherto had quite satisfactory reports from Wales. People had been asking him in England what was the cause of this. They had an idea in England that there were as convinced, earnest, and en- thusiastic Baptists in Wales as were to be found anywhere. Possibly the weakness of the chur- ches and the poverty of some of the districts would account for it in a measure. But he thought that the real reason was that the fund had not been properly organized throughout the Principality, and the Welsh churches had scarcely got to work. But Wales was now being worked from the central office in London. They were making a new beginning that day, and from what he had heard that afternoon he felt convinced that the amount promised in Wales would be fully realised (applause). The President expressed himself highly pleased with what he had heard that afternoon, and thanked the ministers for their encouraging reports. After the conference the delegates were enter- tained to tea at the lecture hall of the English Baptist Church, Sussex Street. In the evening a well-attended public meeting was held at the English Baptist Chapel, Sussex Street. The Rev. Abel J. Parry, D.D., Rhyl, presided, and eloquent addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Cuff and A. H. Shakespeare. The promises made by the Rhyl Churches at the meeting amounted to L85.

THE FLINT AND DENBIGH HOUNDS WILL MEET Wednesday, Dec. 5th Northop. Saturday, Dec. 8th Pontryfydd Bridge. At 10 30 a.m.

F The wood-cliopper is the chap who can always *• make his pile." Good resolutions way shape the futurej but they cannot undo the work of the past. Europe is so peaceful now that it is impos- sible to supply the universal demand for arms. A Great Game in a Small Compass—Cricket on the hearth. Gentlemen who smoke allege that it makes them calm and complacent. They tell us that the more they fume the less they fret. i I wonder what makes my eyes so weak?" said a fop to a physician. Fg They're in a weak place," was the unprofessional reply- The young man who has his evenings to him- self generally goes and gives them to some one else.. A Kansas woman, on trial for murdering her mother, has her divorced husband for her at- torney. Pierre Lorillard's toboggan slide at Tuxedo is exactly one mile long, and the descent is lre. atiatitiv vamdm in 1nat ADA minnU 01 Ulna. "< J

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA RHYL VOLUNTEERS ON THEIR WAY HOME — We have received a letter as have several other esidents of Rhyl from Private E. G. Jones, who is acting as secretary for Lieut. Hatherly Jones, announcing that that gentleman is on his way home from South Africa. Among others who are also on their way home ore Pvte Norman Hughes and Private Tudor Hughes, the sons of Mr .Robert Hughes, consulting surveyor, Rhyl- THE WELCOME TO LORD DUNDO-NALD Lord Dundonald will arrive at Abergele to-day and will be accorded an enthusiastic reception by the inhabitants of Abergele and district. The town has been superbly decorated a pri ncipal feature of which is the large number of imposing triumphal arches. The different local authorities will take part in the procession which will escort the gallant soldier from the station at three o'clock. At three o'clock be will be presented with a sword of honour. This ceremony will take place opposite the Town Hall. Afterwards the processionwill accompany Lord Dundonald to Gwrych Castle where an address of welcome will be presented. LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. The following letter have been received by fcltf father (Mr Evans 4 Windsor Street), from •t'tifntj Urif Evans (7.333). Fre'e'ickstad, 19/10/00. DKAB FATHEB,—Just a line to let you know I am still ail right hoping you are all the same at home. I suppose you will have heard about the Volunteers ordered home, well in fact, some have already one, but it was j ud our luck to be out on the march. when orders came and to all appearances we are likely to be here for a few weeks yet. I men- tioned in the last latter that we were off Mafekiutf way, but we are now on our way to Potchefstroom, so if we don't get away from here goodness knowa when we shall sturt as all the line it broken up be- tween here and Potchefstroom, so we ehall have to wait untii it is repaired before we can come up agnin. We have been on the march now for 15 days, and oat of that we have been fighting our way down 9 days so vou may just think what it time we are having. Hatherley Jones it fairly fed up with it, and he hie doing his utmost to get away but I am afraid it won't come off so we must settle down to it. Talking about the war being over, we Lave seen more fighting this last few days than we have had since being out: here. One day we reached a place called Banks after an 18 miles march, and had just settled down and taken off our boots, and were waiting for our breakfasts to come up when thty started shelling our camp. Well I need not meution it was the livelieat time I had ever seen, running all over the place looking for shelter. They dropped about 18 shells before our guns found them out, then when the naval gun which we have got with us started they soon stopped. It was a treat to see our chaps advanoing towards them, in their dhirt sleeves some even without their boots on, but they still keep to their old motto (" He who fights and runs away, will live to fight another day.") I am sorry to say that we have left Hugh Allen in Hospital at Kragersdrop, I don't know how he is getting on so with E. S. Jones (U-tmln), iu the tost Office there, there is only Tudor Hughes and I left with the regiment now and I hope we will soon be leaving. I may mention it is a champion job I being servant as we have to wait on the Officers Mess, so that means plenty to eat, and that is a great thing out here especially whan we are only on half rations. Kindly remember me to all I know,— I remain, your loving son, GBIF. Ir. Joseph Hughes, 149, Vale Road, has re- ceived the following interesting letter from his son, Private Joe Hugfies, of the 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1355, Private J. Hughes, A Company, R.W. Fusiliers, Field Forces, South Africa. Fred- rickstad, October 19th 1900. My Dear Father and Mother,—Just a few lines to you while I have the chance. We have been on the move every day since I wrote to you, never getting any rest. Our brigade was sent after General De Wet, and we came in touch with him the first day we left Krugersdorp, and we have been fighting ever. since. We have had eight engagements since the 9th of this month. The second fight we had with the Boers I thought it was all up with me, as our company was ordered to take a hill that was strongly held by Boers, and as we advanced towards the hill the bullets were flying around us like hailstones. I never expected to come through without get- ting hit. The captain of my company, Capt. Gabbard, and Lieut. W. Ellis were shot dead within two yards from where I was, so my com- pany were left without any officer to take charge, but we got the word to charge, and we took the hill, the Boers taking to their heels when they saw the bayonet. Then the Boers were driven from other positions by other companies, and the day was ours, for they had 60 killed and wounded. They surrendered and were taken to our hospitals, as they have no place to put their wounded in now, nor have they any medi- cines for their sick. Well, the next daty we followed them up, and they crossed the line, and got a good position, so we crossed the line after them, and pitched our camp for the night, when just as we got our tents up bang went a shell right in the middle of our camp. Then another and another followed. I had just taken my boots off, as my feet were sore after march- ing all day, and just having a comfortable lie down, when I had to turn out at once, and we had to take the hill where the Boers were shell- ing us, and that was about three miles distant. You may think I wished those Boers in Jericho. Well, we took the hill, and camped there for the night. I can't tell you any more now, as space won't allow. But I have a lot more to tell you when I have time. The people at home think that the war is over, but you would have a very different idea here. The general's idea is that it will last another six months. But I hope and trust that 1 will pull through safe, as I have done so far. So now I must conclude with my fondest love, hoping you are all in the very best of health.—I remain, your affectionate son, JOE. De Aar, October 10th, 1900. Dear Father,—Just a line to let you know that I am allright, hoping you are the same at home. We have left the regiment on our home- ward journey, but they stopped us here, and goodness knows when we shall get away, as they are stopping all volunteers here that are bound down country. I suppose you will have seen by the papers what a time we had at Fredrickstad. We were surrounded for about six days, and our company held a hill overlook- ing the river, where all our cattle and horses got water, so you may just think what a time we had, and what sort of fire we were under when we were taking the horses to water. They had a pom-pom gun playing on us for four days. It was placed about 5,000 yards from our posi- tions, and although we had two 15-pounders, one pom-pom, and a naval gun playing on it, our chaps could not put it out of action. It was wonderful that none of our company was hit, as the shells were bursting all round us. We were relieved by the Dublins and Wessex regiments, and as they relieved us from behind we advanced and drove them from their posi- tions. It was a surprise to them, as most of the prisoners that we took (about 50) had their shoes off. I don't know what their game was, unless it was to surprise us, but it was a case of "the biter getting bitten." Poor Jim Foley got killed that. day. He was shot in the forehead and shoulder. Jack Jones was also wounded, but I don't think it was very severe. We lost very heavily. I think it was about 61 killed and wounded. The Scotch losses were 62, so the regiment lost more that day than ever they did. I have no more time to write, so I will conclude with love to all.—I remain, your lovinj son, GRIF. P.S.—You may expect me home very shortly after you receive this letter. Remember me to all.

FOR THic BRNKFIT of on llld" reader we give them the bpat recipe we know of for their Christina* Plum Pudding. Take three-quarter of a pound of flour, two ounces of Borwiek's bakinir-mwder, two ounces of bread-crumbs, one and a half pounds of suet, two pounds of raisins, one pound of currants, ten ouncer of sugar, two ounces of almonds, one ponnd of mixed candied pool, malt and spice of ttste. Mix the ingredients well together, and add six eggs, well beaten, and three-quarters of a pint of milk; divide in two, and boil eight hours.

SHIPS' DUEL AT SEA. HOW A TRAWLER RAMMED A RIVAL. When the captain of the Orimsb7 trawler St. Paul, George Foreman by name, after three at- tempts, rammed a rival trawler in Faxe Bay, Iceland, he invited his enemy to .C Laugh now!" The attacked captain will doubtless enjoy his laugh now, as Captain Foreman had his certifi- cate cancelled on Monday by a Board of Trade Court at Hull. Foreman was afterwards ar- rested for endangering lives on the high seas, and will be brought before the magistrates. He was mad with drink at the time, and was also labouring under some real or fancied wrong done him by the captain rof the rival trawler. The Balmoral Castle twiee success- fully manoeuvred to escape the St. Paul, when she made for her at full speed, but on the third occasion a collision could not be avoided.

SEQUEL TO AN ANGLO-INDIAN TRAGEDY. In the Divorce Court, on Monday, Sir F. Jeune granted a decree nisi, with costs, to Mrs. Laura Julia Iremonger, on the ground of the cruelty, desertion, and adultery of her husband, Captain Edgar B. Ashton Iremonger, of the Lancashire Fusiliers. The parties were married at Leeds in 1887, and then went to India. Owing to financial difficulties petitioner returned to England, re- spondent promising to follow. He sent her no money, and in February, 1899, she received a letter from him from which it appeared quite clear that he had been guilty of misconduct. The husband of the lady with whom the re- spondent committed the misconduct found his wife with Captain Iremonger and shot his wife, killing her, shot at Captain Iremonger, wounding him, and then committed suicide.

VICAR'S DEATH IN THE PULPIT. At Cusop, near Hay, a Breconshire village, the vicar, the Rev. G. D. Pagdon, was conduct- ing a service on Sunday afternoon, and had just entered the pulpit when, to the con- sternation of a large congregation, he was seen to stagger and fall. He was carried to the vestry, and attended by a doctor, who found life was extinct. Mr. Pagdon was 47 years of age.

TWICE SENTENCED TO DEATH. A man named John Sleigh has just been sen- tenced to death at Goulburn for the murder of Francis Curran at Back Creek, near Bombala, New South Wales. This is the second time the death sentence has been pronounced on Sleigh, the first occasion being in 1884. This sentence was reduced to hard labour for life, the irst three years of which he was to be perpetually in irons. He was released on ticket-of-leave after serving seven years of his sentence for courageously rescuing three persons from drowning.

THE MATLOCK MYSTERY. The police made an important discovery on Monday in connection with the mysterious death of Mrs. Elliott, of Beeley. The orna- mental shadow lake in Sir Joseph Whitworth's Stancliffe Park has been dragged, and the miss- ing watch and chain of the deceased recovered. The watch stopped at 12.18. This makes the mystery more inexplicable, as the woman was last seen at 10 p.m., not many yards away from the Stancliffe Grounds.

MAIL STEAMER IN COLLISION. News reached Lame on Monday of a col- lision late on Saturday evening, in Lough Ryan, between the mail and passenger steamship Princess Victoria and the Dublin steamer St. Mirren. The night was very dark, and a strong southerly gale was blowing with heavy seas. The Princess Victoria, which was on the regular pas- sage from Larne to Stranraer, crashed into the other vessel, which was lying at anchor. After the collision offers of assistance were made to the captain of the Dublin steamer, which the latter, however, declined. The Princess Victoria reached Stranraer about nine o'clock p.m. The matter has been reported to the receiver of wrecks at Larne.

HOSPITALS PAY NO LAND TAX. Mr. Justice Wills on Monday decided that property belonging to the Lord Mayor, etc., of the City, as Governors of St. Thomas', St. Bartholomew's, and Bridewell Hospitals, is exempt from land tax. The particular property in question was Maidstone Buildings, South- wark. On behalf of the Coramisioners it was pointed out that the tax had been paid since 1870, and that the "houses or lands belonging to these hospitals which the statute expressly exempted from taxation only meant property actually comprised in the hospital buildings- His lordship found differently.

IMPORTANT TO RHLATIVES OF SOLDIERS. In the Probate Court, on Monday, Sir Francis Jeune had an application before him which affects a large number of relatives of soldiers and volunteers who have died at the front.. Mr. Willis applied to his Lordship for letters of ad- ministration of the will of Mr. Percy Joseph Hiscock, a member of the Volunteer Company attached to the Royal Sussex Regiment, who died from wounds in July last. His will was made in Chichester Carracks on March 8th, before he sailed on March 10th. The question which his Lordship had to decide was whether on March 1th, when in barracks, the deceased was on actual military service. His Lordship said: however, that as he heard a number of such cases were likely to arise he would like fuller information as to how the deceased came to be in barracks on March 8th, so that he could say authoritatively whether he was in expedition or not. The case was adjourned till Monday next for that purpose.

TABLE SPOON IN A SOLDIER'S THROAT. An inquest was held at Aldershot on Monday on Private Shawcross, of the 1st Royal Lan- caster Regiment. The evidence showed that he was admitted to the Connaught Hospital on the 14th inst. suffering from ague. Two days later he was found on his bed gasping and struggling. He was black in the face, and his throat was swollen, but although he was subjected to the closest surgical examination, nothing could be detected in the throat. Shawcross got slightly better, and was questioned, but would say nothing. It was seen that he swallowed his food with difficulty. On the 23rd he died, and at the post-mortem examination a table-spoon was discovered wedged in his throat, the edge having burst through the wind-pipe. Evidence of deoeased's strangeness. of manner having been given, a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane was returned.

A WEIRD LEVEL-CROSSING STORY. Twenty-two years ago a man named Mortiey committed suicide at an accommodation crobs. ing on the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway near Faversham. On Sunday morning the mangled remains of his son were found at the very same spot.

BENEFITS OF COMPENSATION. Frank Rutland, of Custom House, on Monday sued the Atlantic Transport Com- pany for E300 damages for personal injuries. On July 4th plaintiff was working in the hold of the ss. Moniton, when a bar of copper fell on his foot and disabled him for life. It was urged that defendants' method of loading the vessel was negligent. Judge French held that the defendants were not negli- gent, and gave judgment in their favour. On the case being brought under the Workmen's Compensation Act plaintiff was awarded JE1 pet week, which will probably mean for life. Indian famine relief oases have now fallen in number to 420,000. Rain is still wanted ia Bombay and other districts.

H COMFORTETtt LIKE SUNSHINE AFTEB RUN" can truly be said of Horniman's Purb Tea. All those who delight in a really Good Cup of Tea must use "Hoaniman's": do not a low your desire for cheapness to blind your eyes to leal merit. Horniman's Tea ia known the wotld over fur i < high quality. Sold by:-At Rhyl Wood, Abbey Street.; R. Batbgite, 62, High Street. Rhuddlan John Roberts, High Street. Holywell: Edwards and'Lloyd, grocers. Denbigh: Roberts, High Street. Llandudno: Roberts, chemist. Colwyn Bay: Le" i, grocer, &c.. Comtt Stores. Asaph: Price, grocer. Halkyn: Jones, giocer. Peuymynydd: Griffiths, grecer. Bltientiu FeatinLuis: Jones, chemist. Amos Brothers, Cheapest Printers in Rhyl- "Advertiser" Office.

PRESTATYN. THE NEW St-RVEYOR.-We understand that there were nine applicants for the office of Sur- veyor and Inspector of Nuisances to the Pres- tatyn Urban District Council. These at a pre- liminary committee have been weeded down to four, from which a final selection will be made. There are some excellent candidates in the field. THE LIBERAL CLUB.-To-night (Friday) there is to be a debate at the Liberal Club on What improvements are desirable in Prestatyn. The Chairman will be Mr. J. Hughes (Town Clerk), and Ir. T. Parry Williams will open the de- bate. A large attendance is anticipated, and the Urban District Council ought to receive some valuable hints from the ideas which will be expressed. While the committee are encour- aging the intellectual side of club life in this manner, they are also encouraging the recrea- tive side. The new billiard table which has re- cently been added has proved a great acquisi- tion. It is declared by some expert billiard players to be the best in Prestatyn. At the present time a billiard handicap is in progress, and some twenty members are keenly contesting for a handsome billiard cue and case. The rooms are attended nightly by a large gathering of Liberals, young and old, and the party is being strengthened and consolidated as it never has been before. The members are looking for- ward to the formal opening of the club, the arrangements for which are in the hands of Mr. John Jones, J.P., who has the assistance of Mr. E. Evans (junr.), Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Liberal Federation It is not improbable that Lord Rosebery will consent to perform the opening ceremony. He is being communicated with, and he is lending a favourable ear to the representations that are being made to him from influential quarters. The acceptance of the invitation will be an epoch-making event, for it will indicate the return of Lord Rosebery to political life, and his appearance at Prestatyn will possibly be taken as his first opportunity for announcing his re- sumption of the position of Liber ll leader. In such an event, Prestatyn Liberals will indeed be proud, and their club and their town will for ever afterwards occupy a prominent place in the political history of the country. THE NEW FIRE ENGINE IN ACTION.—A pro- minent note in most of the speech-es on Thurs- day week in connection with the testing of the new steam fire engine, supplied by Messrs. Merryweather and Co., was the wish that it would be a long time before it was called out on active service. Two only ventured to give expression to a different hope, and they were the representatives of the firm. They were naturally anxious that the engine should have the opportunity of displaying its capabilities during the ordeal of fire. They little thought, however, that their wish would have been real- ised so soon. It was arranged that Engineer Tom Mawby should give the brigade a drilling on Friday, and they accordingly turned out, and were put through various evolutions inci- dental to the manipulation of a fire engine and its appliances. The engineer, "Tedo," perhaps the most important man in the brigade, had the fullest opportunity of making himself thorough- ly acquainted with the driving of the engine. The remainder of the brigade were trained in making the necessary hose connections and runnings, an] were timed during the operation. The two probationers came out first on each occasion, and when we say that the others did the work in rather better than the average time of amateur brigades, the performance of pro- bationers" must be regarded as highly credit- able. So much for the sham fight, and now for the real fight. About four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, as Ir. Tom Fenton and lr. T. Gri. ffiths were passing Northop Villa, the lesidence of Mr. E. H. Lewis, they noticed smoke issuing through the roof. They rang the bell and in- formed Mis. Lewis that the house was on fire. Mrs. Lewis went upstairs, but saw no indica- tions of any fire until she got into a small bed- room on the second floor. She had no sooner opened the door than she was overwhelmed with smoke. She immediately ran downstairs, and some neighbours came in and endeavoured to extinguish the fire. But its locale could hardlv be discovered cwing to the density of the smoke it was only when the window was opened that anything in the nature of flames made their appearance. It was then seen that the origin of the outbreak was near the chimney breast, and it has subsequently been ascertained that a portion of a flooding board projects right into the flue, and as this was in communication with a lath and plaster partition, there was every invitation provided for a rapid spread of the fire. Meantime, some boys rushed to the coach-house of the Victoria Hotel, where the fire engine has found a temporary habitation. It happened that some members of the brigade were there cleaning the engine and straightening matters after the practise of Friday. The boys told the firemen that tneir services were needed at Northop Villa, which was in the throes of a consuming fire. But those firemen were all Thomases." They were wicked unbelievers. They could not credit the possibility of such luck. Prestatyn had been without a fire for fifteen months, during which period it had nc Fire Brigade, and no means of extinguishing a fire should an outbreak occur. More messen- gers came, and still hardened unbelief prevailed. At last Mr. T. Griffiths, The Avenue, the cap- tain elect of the brigade, came and confirmed the news. Him they believed, and though he has not yet formally assumed command of the bri. gade, his request that the engine should be taken to the scene of conflagration was at once complied with. As yet a bell has not been pro- vided to summon the members to action, and messengers were despatched to inform them of the pressing need of their services. Breathless, hatless, and some uniformless, they arrived heiter-skelter, too excitt-d for words, and full of joy at the prospect of distinguishing themselves. The gorgeous uniform of the brigade harmonised strangely with the work day attire of these who thought less of their outward adornment than the urgency of the occasion which demanded their service. They had no time to waste in decorating themselves with the gay panoply which an ambitious District Council had pro- vided for them. In a moment all was bustle and excitement at the fire engine station. So eager were the men to be at work that they could not wait for the arrival of horses, and converted themselves into human "gec-gees," and dragged the engine across the sandy, swampy, apology of a road which leads to Northop Villa. Meantime, Tedo was firing up, and we are solemnly assured that in nine and a half minutes not only was a full pressure of steam obtained, but all the connections were made, and the hose was playing upon-well, we almost said the flames. One thing stood out prominently in the way which the Prestatyn Fire Brigade pro- ceeded about their first fire. They wasted no time in making inquiries. They did not stop to inquire in what part of the house the fire was. or whether in fact there was a fire at all. It did not occur to them to inquire whether three bucketsfull of water would be sufficient to put it out. They came to the natural conclusion that a deluge of water would extinguish it much more effectually. Thus it will be seen that the Prestatyn Fire Brigade are nothing if not thoro lgh. An average fire brigade man would go about it a little differently. We have been to some fires, and have observed with interest the way that those who know tne road go about, their business. The captain first of all sees the owner or occupier of the house, and ascertains from him whether or not it is insured. He gets the name of the Insurance Company, and when satisfied on this point he will leisurely direct operations. Yes, your average fireman has an eye to the main chance he must be assured in the first instance that his energies in doing as much damage as possible will be adequately rewarded by the Insurance Company when the bill is sent in. The Prestatyn Fire Brigade have not learnt to be mercenary yet. Would that they could be kept in their present state of innocency and unselfishness. But depend upon it, they also will grow monstrously wise as they come more and more under the influence of old hands. But we are digressing. Our readers will by this almost have forgotten that there was a fire at all at Northop Villa. There Wa, one all the same. We do not know whether it was the fire or the fire engine which Mr. Lewis feared the most. Certainly, it is a fortunate circumstance that he succeeded in clearing out into the road most of his furniture. It did not matter one iot3. whether there was a fire or not, or whether a pailfull of water would have sufficed to extinguish it. The Prestatyn Fire Brigade were not to be baulked of their chance of distinguishing themselves. Nothing short cf a regiment of soldiers would have restrained them from flooding Northop Villa with water. They got the engine at work, and they gave that poor bit of smoke no possible sort of a shadow of a chance. They emptied a brook on it, and poured enough water to float the house. They fairly revelled in it. We liked their en. thusiasm, and liked their thoroughness and so lost in admiration are we at their display of these qualities that we cannot find it in our hearts to call into question their discretion. So determined were they to do their work thor- oughly that we believe they emptied enough water to drown the flames of Hades. The whole of Prestatyn turned out to witness the scene, and the earnestness of the brigade so impressed the crowd that there is not a man or woman in Prestatyn, with the possible excep- tion of Mr. E. H. Lewis, who are not absolutely convinced that Prestatyn's new fire engine on Saturday saved the whole of the town from being destroyed by a conflagration of appalling magnitude. THE Rev. Ir. Westlake, the new minister of the English Wesleyan Church, and Mrs. West- lake, have taken up their residence at Prestatyn.

NOTES ON NEWS. 0 LORD WANTAGE is expending a considerable amount on the preparation of a spacious build- ing at Wantage for the reception of the valuable collection of Victoria Cross portraits, so long ex- hibited in the Crystal Palace, which he has pur- chased and presented to the ancient Berkshire town from which he took his title, and neai which he has resided ever since his return from the Crimea. The building will soon be ready foi the hanging of the pictures, which have already arrived there. THE young Germans who emigrate to America and elsewhere without doing their fair share of military service have long been a thorn in the side of officialdom. A method of dealing with this state of things has at last been hit upon, which bids fait to work successfully. One Friedrich Grobber, a runaway settled in Kansas, has received from the German military authorities a cablegram ordering him to report at home for duty, and notifying him that unless he returns and serves his time his father will be fined a sum equivalent to £200. If this procedure is followed out in every case, German fathers are likely to betray a more than affectionate interest in keeping their sons at home. IT has been arranged that the new line of steamers between England and Jamacia which has been subsidised by the Government shall begin to run in January. The service will be fornightly, and it must enable English merchants to compete in Jamacia with their German and American rivals, Before much trade is done, however, the Colony will need a year or two to emerge from the poverty into which it was plunged by the failure of the sugar industry. Jamaican cultivators are looking to bananas as an immediate stand-by. The Royal Commission recommended them to grow that fruit, and they hope to ship 20,000 bunches a month to England -a quantity large enough; perhaps, to reduce the price of bananas in the shops. SIR THOMAS LIPTOX is to repeat his effort to letrieve the America Cup, and the threatened challenge from Australia is apparently to be de- ferred for a time. Mr. Mark Foy, an enthusiastic colonial yachtsman, brought a boat to England a short time ago, but was easily beaten in a minor match, and this seems to have discouraged him. Mr. C. G. Miller unfortunatety died the other day, and the only likely man left is Mr. Samuel Hordern, of Sydney, and that good sportsman has not lately shown any sign of the old ambition to get the famous Cup back into British hands. He was for some years Commodore of the Prince Alfred Yacht Squadron in Sydney Harbour, but latterly he has taken little interest in racing of any sort. Through some unfortunate incident on the Rand wick race- course a short time ago, Mr. Hordern took all hit horses off the turf and sold off the whole of bit fine stud. THE Paris Exhibition authorities are now being besieged by interested persons with numerous schemes to boom the Exhibition before its demise on the 6th of next month. All kinds of fetes are proposed, monster carni- vals, &c., but it is extremely doubtful whether the 65,000,000 tickets which were issued for admission to the Exhibition will be exhausted. In fact it is estimated by experts that the number used will fall 15,000,000 short. Anyhow, the present Exposition cannot have a worse record than the previous one, for out of the 40,000,000 tickets issued only 29,000,000 were were taken up. But, after all, the real ob- ject of the Exhibition is not so much to ensure a financial success for itself, as to attract lucre to the country generally, which object lum cer- tainly been attained. EVERYONE in England will be'grieved to hear the serious news regarding the health of the Empress Frederick. There have been for months past rumours that she was far from well, and at one time it was even stated that the Queen intended to pay her a visit this autumn. Now we have the cer- tainty that she is Buffering from a painful com- plaint complicated with heart trouble. At her age the constitution does not offer a stubborn resistance, and her illness is net likely to be a lingering one. The Empress Frederick is best known to the elder generation of Englishmen as the Princess Royal, the eldest daughter of the Queen. As the mother of the autocratic Kaiser it is to be feared that she must have had some anxious moments when he was growing out of leading strings and developing into the portent that he has sincr become. To all outward appearance, however, the Kaiser does not fail in any of those duties of respect which he owes to her. IT may earnestly be hoped that the EmpreM Frederick will be able to tide over the illness which has afflicted her. The official an- nouncements on the subject are couched in customary sober language, but actions in this case speak lounder than words. The German Emperor and Empress have postponed a num- ber of visits, and the Duke and Duchess of Con- naught are on their way to Germany at the present moment. The Empress has endeared her- self to English people as one of the best and ooblest of our Princesses, and not only for her own sake, but for the sake of her aged and illus- trious mother, her recovery will be desired. The Queen has suffered heavily during the later years of her life, and it must be the heartfelt wish of every one of her subjects that her remaining years may be free from further trouble. LIEUTENANT A'BECKETT, who has been the central figure of the sensational court-martial at Dover during the last week, and whose honourable acquittal on all the charges made against him will give widespread satisfaction, belongs to the family of A'Becketts which has been so long identified with Punch. His father, Arthur A'Beckett, is well known and highly esteemed in Fleet Street, and both he and his son have been the recipients of widespread sympathy here. The charge in itself was on the face of it incredible, and absolute evidence of guilt was so completely wanting that no other finding was possible. The mystery of the case is not at an end with the acquittal of the accused officer. The military authorities will now have to see if they can unravel this strange incident. Canteen man- agement, moreover, will have to be placed upon a rigorous business footing, and it will require to be explained also why the canteen regulations are allowed to be practically a dead letter. DR. MORRISON'S graphic account of the siege of the Pekin Legations may be regarded as a trustworthy record of the awful events that took place in the Imperial City when the Chinese at- tempted to exterminate the hated foreigner. He saw things from the inside, and his narra- tive obviously was not designed to vamp up a morning sensation or to make the flesh of readers creep as they opened their papers at breakfast. Nont, the less it has a flesh-creeping influence of a horrifying kind. When we read of housto property worth millions being fired in order that the foreign drug store might be de- stroyed of native Christians by the thousand being butchered in cold blood; of women and children hacked to pieces and mutilated; we are more than confirmed in the truth of ous estimate that the Chinese are lacking in the least of the attributes that pertain to a civi- lised nation. But the point above all others in Dr. Morrison's narrative of which notice must be taken is the added proof that these atroci- ties were perpetrated by the order of the Chi- nese Government and under the actual super- vision of some of its members. The brother ot Prince Tuan and a member of the Tsung-li-Yamen followed the soldiers in a cart to watch the murder of the helpless victims. The fact of official sanc- tion increases the difficulty of dealing out punish- ment to the offenders, but none the less should it be forgotten by the Powers engaged in the herculean task of teaching China that she can no longer be a menace to the peace and prosperity of the world.

John Smith, a boy living at Quendon, near Saffron Walden, has been ohoked la death by » wanut BUSH. —

PBINCESS RADZIWIUS JEWEIS A CURIOUS ACIION.' Mr. Justice Darling had before him on Satur- day, in the Queen's Bench Division, the case of Otto v. Reeoe, which was an aetion brought by Mr. Charles Otto, a commission agent, to recover a Bum of £100 deposited by the plaintiff with the defendant as security in connection with a tran- saction relating to a quantity of jewellery, con- sisting of rough diamonds and pearls belonging to a Russian lady known as Princess Radziwill. Accord- ing to the plaintiff's case, the jewellery in question was pawned with Messrs. Attenborough for £ 9,000. and the Princess put herself in communica- tion with the plaintiff with a view to raising money to redeem the jewellery for the purpose of dealing with it on another basis. The plaintiff, through the introduction to the Princess, got into com- mnuication with a Mr. Jones, who said be was willing to entertain the matter. The plaintiff, however, also mentioned the matter to the de- fendant, who advised him to drop all communication with Jones, and give him (Reece) a commission to carry out the business. The plaintiff ulti- mately asreinted to this proposal,and gave the defend- ant E100 as security that lie would not do business with anyone unless introduced by the defendant, and, in the event of the defendant carrying the business through, he was to receive a sum amount- ing to £ 225, or in the alternative return the -9100 advanced by plaintiff. Nothing was done in re- gard to the matter, and the plaintiff now sought to recover the EIOO he had advanced to the defend- ant, who resisted his claim on the ground that he was entitled to the JE225, his defence being that he was unable to deal with the jewels owing to the plaintiff declining to obtain a proper authority for him to do so from Princess Radziwill. The plaintiff, in giving evidence in support of nia case, denied that he knew the Princess Radziwill when the jewellery was said to have been stolen from the Carlton Hotel or that he heard afterwards that the police had found pawn- tickets relating to it. Be said he was a German subject, and admitted having applied for natural- isation papers, which were refused, owing, he presumed, to his having claimed some jewellery that was stolen at Dieppe. The defendant also gave evidence. He said that when he entered into negotiations with the plaintiff with regard to the jewellery he did not know the plaintiff had been in communication with Mr. Jones. He denied that he advised the plaintiff to have nothing to do with Mr. Jones. Ihe witness never asked for the £100, but it was advanced for the purpose of handing back to the plaintiff certain documents. In the result his Lordship held that the defend- ant was never in a position to carry out the busi- ness owing to the Princess Radziwill refusing to give Jones, who was willing to advance the icg,OOO, proper title to deal with the jewels. The defendant had, therefore, failed to carry out the terms of the agreement, and the plaintiff was en- titled to the return of the £ 100 which the defend- ant undertook to refund in the event of his not carrying the business through. Judgment accord- ingly with costs.

A CALLOUS MURDERER. At the Durham Assizes on Saturday, John Bowes, aged 50, bricklayer, a short, repulsive- looking man, was found guilty of murdering his wife at Seaham Harbour, on September 8th. The prisoner was an intemperate, jealous man, and bad been parted from his wife. On September 8th he met her on the beach, and a quarrel took place, which ended in the prisoner taking up a large piece of wood and striking his wife over the bead. She fell senseless, and never regained consciousness, dying next day. Prisoner was arrested, and on the way to the station said, If she dies I will bang for her." At the station pri- soner said, I felled her with a piece of wood I would not fell a bullock with." On being charged with murder, prisoner replied, I did it. I will have to suffer for it. I am thankful she is dead. I will die happy."—The Judge, in passing sentence of death, said that everyone who heard the evi- dence must have come to the same conclusion &a he jury.—Prisoner received sentence with per- fect composure, bowing to the Judge, and smilecl, Ele walked from the dock with a firm step.

MYSTERIOUS STABBING CASES. The Hull police have received information to -he effect that four women were stabbed on Satar- lay evening while walking along the road. One 1)f them reports that she was stabbed by a man who came up behind her. She was taken to the infirmary, where within two hours three otheE 3&ses were reported. In each case it was a woman who had been stabbed in the thigh. None of the women is able to give a clear description of the man.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. A very destructive fire broke out on Saturday morning at the printing establishment of Colley's Patents (Limited), Great Saffron Hill, E.C. A dozen steamers and a number of hydrants we brought to bear, and a hundred firemen were en- gaged but the flames raged wildly from floor to Boor, and destroyed a large amount of valuable machinery. The building was completely de- molished, and some of the walls collapsed, but fortunately without injuring anyone. The Roman Catholic schools at No. 144 and several other structures have also been affected.

BURNED IN PARAFFIN. A bricklayer named John Lamb committed suicide in a terrible manner on Saturday night at Glasgow. He bad quarrelled with his young wife, and while she was absent poured a quantity of paraffin over his head and body. He attempted to set light to himself, but was prevented by a neigh- bour. The neighbour fetched the wife to effect a reconciliation, but when they returned together Lamb was enveloped in flames from head to foot- The man died on his way to the hospital.

INVENTOR OF BOVRIL DEAD. The death took place on Saturday morning, on board his steam launch White Ladye, in Canues Harbour, of Mr. John Lawson Johnston, the in- ventor of Bovril, and chairman of that company. The immediate cause of death was syncope, but Mr. Johnston had been in failing health for some time, and did not derive the same benefit from his rtay last summer at Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll, as be generally did from his annual visit to his native Scottish soil. His wife and most of his children were present with him on the yacht. Mr. Johnston was born at Roslin, near Edin- burgh, in 1839. Concentration of food products had always been his hobby, and so far back as the Franco-German War the French Government commissioned him to go to Canada and investigate the question. For many years Mr. Johnston carried on a business which he finally converted, with the assistance of Mr. Hooley, into (the company of which he was chairman at the time of his death. The sum which Mr. Johnston's business realised has been estimated at two millions.

CELEBRATING DECORATION DAY, In honour of Declaration Day, the anniversary of the execution of the Fenians Allen, Larkin, and O'Brien, at Manchester, in 1867, a procession with bands of music, proceeded through the principal streets of Cork on Sunday to the public cemetery, where the graves of a number of Fenians of 1865 and 1867 were decorated with flowers. Addresses on the virtues and principles of Fenianism were delivered.

THE YOUTHFUL DUCAL PAIR. The Duke and Duchess of Manchester sailed on Saturday from Southampton, on board the Ameri- can Line steamer St. Louis, for New York, where they are going on a visit to the Duchess's father, Mr. Zimmerman. After a short stay in America, where the wedding ceremony will probably be per- formed again, the Duke and Duchess will proceed on a tour round the world, and on their return will settle down at Tanderagee Castle.

A coloured pastor, demanding his salary, it reported to have said: Brudren, I can't preach \eah and board in heb'n

"A PEACE OFFZRMG. -'A pretty title to a prettier picture is the subject of an Almanecfc beautifully printed in colours and published by Horniman & Co., the world-renowned Tea Mercb- ants. This artistic is now being Given Away" in every town and village of the United Kioffdom. For Christmas prepent-, Horniman's Almanack and a Packet of Horniman's Pure are the best. Sold by.-At Rhyl: Wood, Abhey Street; R- Bathgate, 62, High Street. Rhuddlan: John Robert", High Street. HolyweU: Edwards and Llovd, arrocers. Denbigh: Roberts. High Street. Llandudno: Roberts, chemist. Cohvyn Bay: Lewis, grocer. kc., Comet Stores. St. Asaph Price. erocer. Halkyn: Jones, grocer. Penymynydd; Griffiths, pfrocer. Prerttyu Hnghes. jrrocer. Aherareln: Fletcher, grocer. Blaenau Festiniog; Jones, chemist.

WELSH NEWS IN BRIEF. Mr A. N. Palmer, of Wrexham, has prepared a efort upon the question of forming a museum for that town, and the report has been adopted by a committee and forwtrded to the Town Council for its fivourible consideration. Mr Thomas Barker is lying seriously ill at his L andudno residence, Plae Gognith. He was totken ill at. Harrogate, whence be was brought to LIan- sudno yesterday by special train. • At Trefynant, Ruabon, yesterday afternoon, whilst some children were playing1 on tb. bridge, » lIttle girl looking over the parapet saw a child lying nits bick in the brook in about six inches of -vater. It proved to be a male child about a day .dd. The police are making inquiries. Dr. Kirkpatrick, of Colwvn Bay, who for a con- -idernble period has been attachell to the garrison ■it Strensall, Yorkshire, has received an appointment iu the Royal Army Medical Corps. To-day he ie-ve4 Southampton on board the Tagus in eharge f troops for South Africa. In the Llatigollen County Court on Monday last, Mr Horatio Llo d was engaged in hearing a claim for £ 45 brought by Mrs Tudor, of the Abbey Farm, Llaugollen, against Sir Watkiu WynD in respect of mutate to stock and growing crops cttused by the 15ch Yeomanry Brigade, who used the farm oet.ween May 23 and June 11 for the purpose of nfle practice. The Judge awarded the plaintiff £10 aLmdge,3 and costs. The General Directors of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists' foreign iinissions met &t Shrewsbury on too 14th inst., and decided to postpone appointing 4. general secretary in xuoeession to the Rev. Josiah Thomas, M.A., until the next General Assembly, which is to meet at Aberystwytb in May, 1901 ud meantime to leave the Executive Committee to uake arrazigements to carry on the work. Accord- ingly the Executive Committee, at a meeting held inst week, appointed the Rev. K. J. Evans, Walton to be secretary pro tem. Mr Richard Wood, of 72. Denbigh-street, Llan- rwst, wheelwright and coach builder, having filed lit petition, has been adjudicatrd bankrupt. Heavy expenses, pressure by creditors, and want of capital" are the stated gromndu for his failure. His account. out of a total liability of £ 178, show « deficiency of L168. The creditors will meet at Blaenau Festinioir on November 27, and the public examination will take place tbere on the same day. At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. R. G. Venablee, Richard Henry H jpton, butcher, Church .treet, was charged with stealing two heifers, value L18 10s. The animals were missed from a field at Aston Park, and it was subsequently ascertained i hat they had been sold in Ellesmere Smithfield in the name of Jones, Hindford, and that they were t ten to the Smithfield by the prisoner. Hopton was committed to the Shropshire assizes. At the County Hall, Rhos, on Tuesday, a labour- er named William Dean, who had been employed on the new Wrexham and Rbos Railway, was barged with having stolen a cash-box, containing £ 8 10s. in money and a lady's gold watch and chain, four gold rings, a gold brooch, and earrings, value £30, the property of Rose Ann Cotterill, a married woman, who bas charge of a workman's hut on the railway. Th9 evidence showed that the oox was left in the prosecutrix's bedroom, and on Sunday evening she desired something out of it and went into the bedroom, but could not find it. She missed the prisoner, and teeing his bat and jacket in the hut she suspected bim, and gave in- formation to the police. The prisoner was later on arrested on the road to Os west ry by a police officer, who on searching him found most of the jewellery and £1 6«. 6d. in money on him and be admitted taking tbe cash-box. Dean, who has been convicted in different parts ofthecountry for felonies, was committed for trial to the Quarter Sessions. The annual report of the St. Aseph Clergy Sastentation Fund shows that the income amounted tOZ1,611, made up a balance in hand of 1292, donations and subscriptions £i56, offertories £ 153, bank interest, £9, and Queen Victoria Clergy Fund, S400. The sum of £181, (being one fifth of the tiet local receipts, was sent to the Queen Victoria Clergy Fund, and 30 grants of £ 25, 18 of il2, and 15 of £10 ware made. There is in hand a balance of 9292. Donations, subscriptions, or collection* were sent from 76 parishes in the diocese. The Rev. Morgan Hughes, rector of Derwen, near Corwen, died suddenly yesterday week. While at tea he was taken ill. and ic a few minutes he passed away. Dr. Walker, of Corwen, was sent for as soon as possible, but bis services were of no avail. Mr Hughes, who was tfixtyfour, was educat- ed at St. David's College, Lampeter. He was ordained by the Bishop of Llandatf in 1859, and licensed to the curacy of Oyfarthfa. Subsequently, he held curacies at Oardiff, Llanrhaiadr, Lianulid, add Bettws (Carmarthenshire), and in 1882 be was presented by the Bishop of St. David's to the rectory of Derwen, in the diocese of St. Asaph. The living is of the value of 9341 grots, and £ 19i net, with a house. Mr Hughes, who belonged to the Evangelioal school, was an able preacher.

NOTES FROM RHUDDLAN. [By IEUAN CASTELL.] I understand that the Rhuddlan Castle United Football Club has joined the Welsh Association. It is a pity they did not join in the beginning of the season so that they might have entered for junior cup. On Saturday last the Castleites were to play Westbourne but they failed to come down. Al- though they were disappointed with that match they bad the opportunity of playing the return match with the Rhyl Harlequins whom they de- feated by 3 goals to 2. When they played at Rbyl the score was 3 goals each. —O—— I was dis-appointed with the play of their Captain T. Griffiths .)0 the right wing. He was quite use. less on the field and missed several opportunitieso scoring. As to Will Jones in the centre he was conspicuous, and this was his first match game for three years. He Bcored 2 out of the three goals. Twist was very good when he had the ball at his foot and his passing was neat and clean and Jones in goal was a marvel. -0- In the notes last week I mentioned that Philip EvanB the Late Rbyl fnll-back was to play for Holyhead against Rhyl in the North Wales Coast fixtare but unfortunately he failed to turn up. — o— Last Wednesday night a meeting was held in the Wesleyan Chapel in connection with the Foreign Mission. Books were presented to those children who had done so well with the mission cards last year. There were several friende present from ithyl, Prestatyn and Rhuddlan. --()- I believe Mr Roberts the school-master has signed to play for the Rhuddlan Football Club this season and that he was to tdke up his position last Satur- day agitinst the Harlequins, only that but, was preveuted owing to a severe cold.