Barry Herald

WOUNDS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. A well-known surgeon, discussing the character of the wounds received on the battlefields in South Africa, has pointed out that experience of the pre- sent campaign would seem to show that the only absolutely fatal region is the heart. Bullet wounds of the brain are now not nacessarily fatal, judging from the records of the past few weeks, and this ia pre;mmably due to the small size of the projectile, the velocity with which it travels, and the modern practice of scientific surgery, by which dangerous symptoms likely to arise from injuries may be warded off. It has therefore been suggested that, the heart being the only really vital part in the body, a steel covering should be provided, to be worn so as to protect that part from bullets. A steel plate might be attached to the soldiers' tunics, and doubtless the small shield could be so fixed as neither to impede movement nor cause inconvenience.

THE Nonconformist Choir Union have arranged to offer a certain number of prizes for competition among .Nonconformist Church Choirs. A prize of five guineas, a baton, and a challenge shield (pre- sented by Mrs. Minshall) will be offered for competi- tion by choirs of between 26 and 40 voices; and another prize of five guineas for choirs of between 16 and 25 voices. This contest will be held at the annual festival of the Union, which will take place at 1 the Crystal Palace on June 30, and when also a con- cert will be given by 4000 adult singers and a band under the conductorship of Mr. Minshall and Mr. j Croger. MR. AKTIIUB SHARP, the well-known traveller, who recently returned to England after an eventful journey through East and East Central Africa, has presented to the Zoological Garden in London, three handsome lion cubs (one male and two female)—a most interesting addition to the Society's collection at Regent/s-park. Mr. Sharp was accompanied on j his travels by Mr. E. S. Grogan, who, when penetra- ting the little-known region between the Albert Edward Nyanza and the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika, had literally to fight his way through whole battalions of the worst type of cannibals, many of whom were armed with guns from the Congo. The travellers, who were at the time separated, subse- quently journeyed together to Uganda, Mr. Sharp re- turning to England via the Nile. The three lion cobs were the only specimens of the big game of the 0-atm wbipya reached this country alive.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—FEBRUARY 5. CONTEMPLATED MILITARY MEASURES. Lord Dunraven moved a resolution affirming that, in the opinion Of this House, a full statement as to the military measures which her Majesty's Govern- ment had in contemplation was desirable at theearliest possible moment. Lord Lansdowne disclaimed any wish to postpone the moment at which the noble lord's desire might be gratified, but it was customary and convenient that statements of such a description should be made simultaneously in both Houses of Parliament. At this moment the other House was still occupied in disouss- ing the terms of the Address in reply to the gracious Speech from the Throne. He was informed that the discussion would probably end within the limit of a week from the present date, and be could therefore indicate that as the approximate moment at which he would be able to make a statement to their lord- ships. The postponement of the statement would not, however, occasion any delay in the preparation of the measures themselves. The Government felt that a double duty was incumbent upon them-the duty of making adequate preparations for the prosecution of the war in South Africa and also for securing the safety of these islands. The resolution was withdrawn. Lord Dunraven asked the Secretary of State foi War whether his attention had been called to letters in the Press from Colonel Edis and whether the Inspector-General of Auxiliary Forces bad control over the various irregular corps now being formed. Lord Lansdowne, in reply, said the members of the Imperial Yeomanry and of the volunteer corpe lately attached to the Line battalions were treated ai belonging to the Regular Army, and they were there- fore no longer under the control of the Inspector- General of Auxiliary Forces. Col. Edis asked leaveof the War Office to raise two new companies and to add them to his volunteer battalion. The answer he received was that as his battalion had provided a company, which had been transferred to the line battalion of the same regiment, he was at liberty to o on recruiting to an extent sufficient to make up the void which had been created. Permission was not given to add further to the strength of the regi- ment, as that was a matter which the War Office desired to reserve for examination. Colonel Edis, however, without awaiting an answer went on recruiting. He regretted that Colonel Edis took that course and that he wrote a letter to the newspapers on the subject. The War Office had come to the conclusion that up to a certain maximum strength all volunteer battalions should be allowed to recruit, even if the maximum exceeded the present authorised standard. Where he influx of recruits was so great as to point to the belief that a number of recruits might be obtained not only sufficient to raise the battalion to its maxi- mum strength, but to go higher still, there would be no objection to substituting for one full-sized bat- :alion two battalions of slightly less numerical Jtrength. In reply to another question from Lord Dun- raven, Lord Lansdowne said the attention of the Lords Df the admiralty had been drawn to the statement ;hat 400,000 tons of Cardiff coal had been recently consigned to foreign agents, but. inquiries instituted it Cardiff had so far not resulted in any confirma- .ion of the rumour. The question of ensuring a nifficient supply of steam coal for national require- ments was never out of the mind of the Admiralty. HOUSE OF COMMONS. IMPORTANT SPEECHES ON THE WAR. Thero was a very large attendance of members and strangers, it being known that Mr. Chamberlain was A) speak for the Government in the debate on the vote of censure. When the questions, many of which related to incidents in the war, had been disposed of. Sir W. Harcourt resumed the discussion upon Lord E. Fitzmaurice's amendment. After vindi- cating the right of the Opposition to bring forward a vute of censure in time of war by a reference to precedents, he examined the explanations given by different ineiii! ors of the Government to account for the diffi- culties with which we had been confronted. The Prime Minister, he said, complained that the Govern- ment had been the victim of the British constitution, but that institution had not received siinilarblaivie from such men as the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Chatham, and the Duke of Wellington. Then blame had been fastened on the Treasury, but subse- quently that Department was said to have done all Hint was required of it. He warned the Government against attempting to abolish the system of Treasury control. After paying a tribute of high praise to the brilliant speech of the Under- Secretary for War on Thursday, he took ex- ception to the view that we must always be through" afterwards! He next read extracts from Mr. Chamberlain's speeches in 1881 to prove that in that year the Colonial Secretary held that to with- hold from the Transvaal the independence of which it ought never to have been deprived would be an act of fraud and folly. Even more recently, in 1896, the Colonial Secretary had declared that to go to war with the Transvaal to force upon it internal reforms would be immoral and unwise. Subse- quently the Government discarded those views and altered their policy, and the result was che present situation. To claim, as the Government had done, to prescribe what the internal policy of the Transvaal Government should be was a policy of war. The Government, no doubt, thought that the Boers would not fight, but they had no good ground for their belief. He blamed them for being guided by the opinions of the authors of the Jameson raid, when they should have listened to the counsel of President Steyn and others, who warned them that their policy would lead to war. As '1- 6t. rA to the preparations maae uj- viiMorumem, they were based on a contemptuous estimate of the character and resources of the Boers. The Government ought to have borne in mind how indomitable was the energy of a free people fighting for their independence. The suspicions which had been entertained by the Boers with regard to the in- tentions of this country he ascribed in large measure to the raid. Replying to Sir It. Reid's strictures on the proceedings of the South Africa Committee, he declared that no "member of that Committee had any wish to hush matters up, and explained why the pro- ceedings were not prolonged, observing that the reasons appeared in the report, The manher in which those responsible for the raid were treated after the Committee had reported was not calculated to diminish the Boers suspicions. He believed himself that those who had tried to per- suade the world that the Government had connived at the raid had been guilty of slander, and he was in favour of taking steps to expose the fraud and false- hood which had been prevalent. Turning to the war itself, after eulogising the valour of our troops, he said that no one could entertam donbt as to our I ultimate success, "but asked what was to follow when we had conquered. As to the alleged hostility of other nations, it was a matter we should do well to pay attention to, now that we had denuded the country of its land forces. Mr. Chamberlain, who was loudly cheered on rising and also many times in the course of his speech, ex- pressed the opinion that Sir, W. Harcourt's contribu- tion to the debate would not be approved by the j country. A critical stage in the war bad been reached, ¡' and the people wanted guidance and encouragement from the legislature. Yet at such a time Sir W. Harcourt attempted to show that the war was immoral and unjust, and announced practically that if it were in his power he would now do again what was done after Majuba. The criticisms of the Oppo- sition upon the policy of the Government before the war might well be left unanswered, for they were contradictory. He insisted that the issues between Boer and Briton were great an substantial, and that the causes of the present conflict had not come into being since 1895, the date fixed upon in the vote of cens-ire, but had existed even before Majuba. Ever since the mistaken policy of magnanimity then I; agreed upon the history of the Boers' relations with this country had been a history of efforts on their part to escape from obligations which they had undertaken. Even the late Government found it necessary, in spite" of the limitations of the Con- ventions, to interest themselves to the internal affairs of the Transvaal. The real cause of what had happened must be sought in the difference between Boer character and civilisation and British character and civilisation; and from the first the aspiration of the Boers had been to get rid of British I supremacy. Having stated again that the Government hoped up to the last moment to arrive at a peaceful settlement, and that that accounted fortheirnot having made greater military preparations, he reminded the Opposition that the ultimatum did not proceed from the Government; and that war was forced upon them, the only alternative being the surrender of | interests of the Empire. As to the effect of our policy upon Dutch opinion at the Cape, to which allusion had been made more than once in the debate, he said ho recognised the difficulties of the position in which our Dutch fellow subjects were placed, and j described their loyalty as greater than ordinary i loyalty in consequence of the strain which was put j upon them. But, he rebuked members who in their sympathy with the Dutch ignored the loyal British in Africa, who were bearing the stress of the war and were deeply hurt by the sneers of the Opposition. { Commenting on the attitude of the majority on the opposite side of the House, he taunted them with not having the courage of their convictions. Believing the war to be unnecessary and un- righteous, they ought loeicallr to vote for imme- diate peace negotiations, and yet they were going to support-the vigorous prosecution of hostilities. As to the minority opposite who agreed with the Government that the war was inevitable, how could they consistently vote for an amendment which assumed that the war could have been avoided? The Opposition's policy might unite that party, but it was calculated to throw doubt in Europe upon the union of the country. But the people, he maintained, were determined that the war should be prosecuted strenuously and that its results should be commensurate with the sacrifices involved. For checks and mistakes of the past, and there had been both, let blame be appor- tioned at the proper time, between our system of administration and those who were responsible for its working; the important matter now was to retrieve the errors that had been committed. The Govern- ment had been blamed for sending out too few troops at first; they were now pouring men into. South Africa they had been bla.med for not sending sufficient mounted men and for having failed to respond adequately to the offers from our colonies. Now very soon our mounted force in South Africa would be nearly, if not quite, as large as that of the Boers themselves, an unexampled force of artillery had been sent out, and the offers of the colonies were being gratefully and promptly accepted. Lord Roberts would shortly have under his com- mand an army larger than that with which it was intended to carry out the original plan of campaign. Thus the mistakes for which the Government had been blamed had not been continued. As to the spirit of the nation, it was absolutely unbroken, and there was no sacrifice that the people would not make and none which the Government would not ask them to make should necessity arise. The war had demonstrated the enormous power of volunteer troops fighting in defence of their country, and this lesson had not been wasted on the Govern- ment. Advantage, he believed, would be taken of the splendid volunteer material available in our own country for defensive purposes; and when the Go- vernment propounded their scheme of defence they would act not as a party, but as the representatives of the whole nation, and would welcome any criti- cism that would aid them to perfect their plan. Deal- ing with the allegation in foreign newspapers that the Empire was bleeding to death, and that our prestige was gone, he stated i emphatically that our position was a very different one from that. If defects in our system had. been disclosed, and if any humiliation was felt in consequence, that humiliation was accom- panied by the deepest pride when we thought of the troops from home and from the colonies who had performed almost impossible feats. Stating the objects whic'i the Government had in view at the end of the war, he declared, amid loud cheers, that there must be no second Majuba settlement, that the Boers must never again be able to erect in the heart of South Africa a citadel and centre of disaffection and race animosity, and that they must never again be able to endanger the paramountcy of Great Britain, or to treat an Englishman as if he belonged to an inferior race. He ridi- culed the notion which was entertained, apparently, in tome quarters that gloom has settled upon the nation, which had shown a most manful spirit under the reverses that had occurred. The part taken in the war by our colonies was a factor of which the importance could not be exaggerated. Never before had the Empire realised to the same extent its great strength and unity. For the first time our colonies had claimed their share in the duties and responsi- bilities of Empire. In this-federation of our race and in other circumsJanccs compensation was to be found for the evils of war. Mr. Moulton insisted that if it was true that on the events of the next two. or three months depended the position of England in the world the House of Commons ought to strengthen the hands of the Execu- tive. General Russell commented on some of tha in- cidents of the war from a military standpoint, and the debate was continued by Mr. Atherley-Jones, Mr. Malcolm, Mr.. Cbanning. Captain Phillpotts, and Mr. Dillon., who announced that the Nationalist members did not intend to vote for the amendment because its franters contemplated the prosecution of a war which was regarded by the Irish party as a very un- just on&. Mr. Courtney, who was much cheered by the Nationalist members, denied that the fact that the nation supported the Government in the present crisis proved the war to be justifiable, and warned the Colonial Secretary that lie was perhaps exposing the country to colossal misfortunes. He rejected the idea that the policy of this country after Majuba was in the circumstances magnanimous, and declined to admit that there was atter 1881 an irrecon cilable feud between the Dutch and Eng- lish in the Transvaal. The Dutch authorities at the Cape and President Kruger had done their best to maintain peace. He charged Mr. Chamber lain with having brought some of the negotiations with the Transvaal to an by the incurable perversity of the Colonial Offico. He was anxious that the war should be stopped at the first favourable opportunity, and trusted that J the settlement would be such as would not creato new trouble. Some of the -errors which h Colonial Secretary had committed wer', he 'fancied, attributable to the mistaken views pubiiJy expressed by Mr. Rhodes, who had shown great ignorance of the Boer character. He feared tlwt if the Government persisted in their present policy they would have to govern in South Africa by forrv, and urged that our experience in Ireland ought t» deter them from such a course. deter them from such a course. After speeches by Mr. Beckett and Serjeant Hen p- hill, the debate was adjourned on the motion jf Mr. Asquith. J

OANAL SYSTEMS OF EUROPE. Engineering states that the total length of natvral and artificial waterways in European Russia is esti- mated at 53,000 miles. Of this total 4000 miles represents canals and rivers, portions of which have been rendered navigable artificially. This total equals the waterways in all the other countries of Europe, France having 8000 miles, Germany 6250, Austria-Hungary 3750, Belgium 1380, and Britain 2.;60. In Russia the average length of the canal barge tripa is 670 miles, almost the whole length of the British Isles, in Germany the average is 220- from London almost to Land's End, in France 85, and in England 38 miles. England, however, excels in the volume of canal traffic, having 36 million tona a vear, Russia 32 million tons, France 23 million, Germany 13,500,000, and Austria-Hungary 2,500,000.

THE TUGELA. RIVER. To-day the Tugela is being spoken of by every- body. Like nearly all the rivers of Natal, the Tugela (pronounced by the Kaffirs onew-geia; is not navi- gable, and derives its name from native sources, tugela" meaning startling in the Zulu language. It is over 200 miles long, and divides Natal, which is lozenge-shaped, into (if the expression bo allowed) two unequal halves, the larger of which lies to the south of the Startling River. It rises on the eastern flank of Mont aux Sources, a peak in "the Berg," 11,000ft. high, and descends in a thin streak down precipitous cliffs, a sheer fall of 1800ft, into the plains below. It is one of the moat picturesque rivers in the world canons, dark gorges, rapids, and wild ravines mark its course from start to finish- lovely scenery which is proving such a source of trouble to our troops in the present campaign. The tributaries of the Tugela are numerous, including, from the north, the famous Klip (Stony) River, on which stands Ladysmitb, and Sunday's River. On the south, it is fed by the Little Tugela, Blauwkrans (blue cliff), Bushman, and Mooi (good) Rivers. All along its banks on the rugged hillsides are fields of mealies, or Indian corn, grown by the Kaffirs; and 58 miles from its month, where it is joined by the Buffalo River, gold is found in small quantities, while considerable deposits of gypsum have been discovered at the same spot. At its mouth the Tugela has the sand-bar peculiar to most East African rivers.

THE physicians and attendants of John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, have hit upon a happy solution of the difficulty they have always experienced in dis- tinguishing one young baby from another. There are, says the New York Times, always from one to two dozen babes in the hospital, and to the inexperienced eye they all look alike. On a small square of adhesive plaster, therefore, is written the baby's name. This plaster tag is then stuck tightly on the baby's back, just between the shoulder blades. The tag is waterproof, so it is not affected by the baths given the baby. It holds tightly until the time comes for the baby and its mother to leave the hospital, when the tag may be readily pulled off without causing the baby any pain. THE war in South Africa is making itself felt npon the building trade in Birmingham. There has been a general and substantial rise in the price of material, and with stocks limited there is every in- dication of the advance being maintained. It is re- ported that the prices in the timber trade had gone up 20 per cent. to 25 per cent. within the last few weeks, the class of wood affected more particularly being spruce, the greater part of which is shipped from Russian, Norwegian, and Swedish ports. The supplies have been considerably curtailed. Amertcan white wood, oak, and walnut have not been a U, S0 great »„ but thi. ° also advanced m price. Slates by aboufc 4s. perCeiOOO. Those builders who have not com- pttod theTcontracta will probably suffer consider- able loss<

CURRENT SPORT. ] —— The severe weather prevented the playing of many football matches on Saturday under both Rugby Union and Association rules. A quarter of a century has elapsed since the first encounter between Scotland and Wales at the Asso- ciation game was decided, and, as yet, the Princi- pality have not been able to place a win to their credit, and only three draws-a remarkable record truly. Saturday's encounter took place at Pittodrie Grounds, Aberdeen, before 10,000 spectators. The weather and ground were all that could be desired. For the match both Associations selected strong elevens, Wales drawing on those Anglo-Welsh players who have risen to some eminence in the service of the English clubs, whilst the Scottish body, departing from their usual custom of choosing a team, got to- gether what was regarded as the nucleus of its ulti- mate strength when the more serious encounter with England is decided. Unfortunately, defections had to be recorded in both elevens, four changes having to be made in tha home team, whilst half a dozen changes were made necessary in the Welsh combina- tion. From the start Scotland held the upper hand, and only four minutes had elapsed when an excel- lent centre by M'Coll to Bell resulted in the latter beating Griffiths with a shot he had no chance with.! From the restart Wales acted1 on the aggressive, and Jones shot just over the bar, but the home team were soon busy again, and Wilson succeeded in putting on a second point. Though playing a hard and determined game, there was a lack of method about the efforts of the Welsh front rank, and this, combined with inefficient sup- port from the halves, rendered most of their dashes futile. On the other hand, the Scots played in masterly style, the three inside forwards—M'Coll, Hamilton, and Wilson—giving a delightful exhibi- Lion, It was mainly due to this trio that the third goal was notched by the last-named player. Play up to half-time was rather one-sided, Scotland's supre- macy being undoubted; but, Bearing the interval, just after Hamilton had scored the fourth point for the home team, from one of Wales's rare breaks away, Perry caught the Scotch custodian napping and scored with a deceptive low shot, so that at half-time Scotland were leading by four goals ta one. In the second half the home side, con- sidering the lead in hand, took matters more leisurely, and for some time little of note was recorded. The Welsh shotyed. improvement, and Parry tested Dickie with a good shot, but the home custodian cleared. Later, however, after fisting out from Parry, he had to acknowledge defeat from Butler, who put on the visitors' second goal. Wales continued to attack in determined fashion. Shortly before the finish, however, Smith finished up some good work with a fifth point for Scotland, who came out ensy victors by five goals to two. Tot nis: Scotland.—Dickie (Rangers-), goal; Smith (Ran- gers) and Crawford (Rangers), backs Irons(Queen's Park), Neil (Rangers), and Robertson (Rangers), half-backs Bell (Celtic). Wilson (Queen's Park),. M'Coll (Queen's Park), Hamilton (Rangers) (captain), and Smith (Rangers), forwards. Wal.e.s.-Griffiths (Blackpool), goal; Thomas (Druids) and Morris (Chirk), backs S. Meredith (Chirk), J. Jones (Tottenham Hotspur) (captain), and Harrison (Wrexham), half-backs; Pugh (Lincoln City), Butler (Druids), R. Jones (Bangor), Parry (Owestry), and Watkins (Aston Villa), for- wards. Saturday's results in the Association Football League Championship Competition were as follows Aston Villa beat Derby County by three goals to. two, Sheffield United drew with Notts County at one goal each, Preston North End beat West Bromwich Albion by five goals to two, Wolverhampton Wan- derers and Manchester City played a drawn game of one goal each, Newcastle United beat Bury by two goals to one., Liverpool beat Blackburn Rovers by three goals to one, Burnley beat Everton by three goals to one, Stoke beat Glossop by two goals to one. Owing to the bad weather only four ties in the second round of the Amateur Association Cup were brought to a definite result on Saturday. Lowestoft, on their own ground, completely outplayed Ches- hunt, and won by nine goals to none. The most interesting match was that between Grimsby All Saints and Hunslet, at Grimsby, which the home side won by three goals to two. Hunslet combined well, but weakness of front goal lost them the game. Darlington had the better of the football against the Liverpool Casuals at Liverpool, and won by four goals to two. In the match between Stockton and Bishop Auckland, at Stockton, the visitors won by four goals to two. Bishop Auckland took a strong lead in the first half, and this gave them the game. The tie between the Old Malvernians and Colchester, became quite unfit for football, and the referee stopped the game in the second half, when Colchester were leading by three goals to two. The English Rugby Fifteen after a lapse of two years have won another match, and their victory on Saturday breaks the sequence of four wins which Ireland had gainpd against England. That the for- ward is still the dominant element in Rugby football was well proved at Richmond Athletic Ground, when it was the splendid shoving and footwork of the English scrummagers that really turned the fortunes of the game. While the ball was loose (says the Times critic) the Irishmen were as good as ever in keeping on it and making their opponents put it down; but in genuine shoving the Englishmen triumphed. The actual result was a win for England by two goals and two tries to a goal; but a score of this nature does not convey an adequate idea of the game. Until the last quarter of an hour it was a case of "touch and go," and England had to fight splendidly hard for their success. It was fine old-fashioned football of the best tJpe, and it was good to watch. The com- mittee went to that splendid park of Gambridge Uni- versity to get the nucleus of their forwards, and they fared well in so doing. Daniell, a superb forward in himself, with plenty of pace, had his colleagues Scott and Beil to help him, and next to these men there were H. Alexander, a neglected Oxford Blue, and S. Reynolds, of Richmond. It was a wonderful pack. The match really turned on the effect of the forward play, and tho winging and dribbling, tra.ditional with Irish forwards, were for once counteracted by the old-fashioned scrummaging of the Englishmen. Outside the scrummage both sidei did a lot of fine work. The three-quarters and halves were adepts at kicking; but Gamlin, the full-back for England, excelled himself by hia manner of finding touch, and often gained 30 or 40 yards for his men. Neither Marquis nor Nicholson proved of international class, and these were the very players whose right to be appearing for England was questioned at the time of selection. Ireland was not quite so good as they were a while ago; but they were several times on Saturday within an ace of winning the match. Their for- wards were, of course, quick in the open and in keep- ing on the ball; but behind the scrummage their men lacked the precision of some other Irish teams, and, though kicking well, fumbled much in passing. L. M. Magee, the Irish captain, was pleyer at half, and his punts into touch were among the best things in the match. Marsden, Gordon-Smith, and Robin- son, were particularly good for England, and Magee, Allison, and Reid played finely for Ireland. Indeed, the fight throughout upheld the high traditions of this England and Ireland match, and the company of 10,000 showed a discrimination and an impar- tiality that were creditable to every one. This English success, after a long period of ill-fortune, will do Rugby football much good. The Scottish match this year is at Edinburgh, and there will be little change in the English Fifteen. About mid-day on Saturday the English authori- ties assembled at Richmond thought of giving up the match, but the snow which lay very deep on the ground was eventually cleared off in time to make a start just beyond the advertised time. The corpora- tion's carts and men having finished there duties in the streets of Richmond put in an appearance about one o'clock and rapidly completed a work already begun by volunteers and the Rugby committee. Ireland scored first, a dropped goal, by Allison, giving them the lead then Gordon-Smith equalised with a dropped goal, and following a fine dribble by Bell, Robinson, with a try, gave England the lead. After half-time the Irishmen had for a long while, perhaps, more of the game than England. The tackling by both teams was splendid. 6 la8' quarter of an hour brilliant work outside t e scrum- mage led up to tries bv Gordon-Smith and Robin- son, from one of which Alexander placed a goal. Sides' England.—H. T. Gamlin (Somerset), back G. C. Robinson (Northumberland), J. T. Taylor (York- shire), G. Gordon-Smith (Kent), and E T. Nichol- son (Lancashire), three-qtiiarter backs; G. H. Marsden (Yorkshire), and J. C. Marquis (Cheshire), half- backs; J. Daniell (Cambridge University) (captain), C. T. Scott (Cambridge University), R. W. Bell (Cambridge University), S. Reynolds (Richmond), J. Baxter (Cheshire), J. P. Shooter (Yorkshire), H. Alexander (Cheshire), and A. F. Todd (Kent), forwards. Ireland. P. O'B. Butler (Monkstown), back; G. D. Doran (Lansdowne), J. D. Allison (Queen's College, Bolfast), Carl Reid (North of Ireland), and IE. T. Campbell (Monkstown), threo-quarter backs; L. M. Magee (Bective Rangers and London Irish) (captain), and J. H. Ferris (Queen's College, Bel- fast), half-backs; M. Ryan (Rockwell College), J. ffaly (Dublin University), A. D. Meares (Dublin S Wanderers), S. T. Irwin (Queen's College, Belfast), P. Nicholson (Dublin University), C. E. Allen (Derry and Lane i-shire), F. Gardiner (NorLh of Ire. land), and J. Coffqy (Lansdowne), forwards. Of the 177 runners, representing 19 cross-countrj clubs in the South of Thames Junior Championship at Oakley-park, Bromley-common, on Saturday, 164 went the full seven miles and a quarter journey A, E. Hatchings, of the Bexhill Hare and Hounds who won the same event last year, and the Southern Counties Junior Championship as well, fulfilled general expectations by again finishing first, but his club scarcely did so well as they had hoped, as, although again second, they lost to the Herne-hil) Harriers by 96 points. The order and times of the first six men were: A. E. Hutchings, Bexhill H. and H., 45min. 34see., 1 A. O. Bullock, Kent A.C., 46min. 14sec., S; A. Starck, Herne-hill H., 46min. 17sec., 3; K. Camp- bell, Borough Polytechnic H., 46min. 22sec., 4 F, J. Steadman, Epsom H., 46min. 39sec. 5 and T. A. Snell, Mordsn (Surrey A.C.), 47min. 34see., 6. The club results were as follow: Herne-hill H., 74 points, I Bexhill H. and H., 170, 2; Eastbourne Itovers (C. and A.C.), 209, 3; Brighton and County ST., 220, 4 Kent A.C., 238, 5 and Kennington H., 262, 6. Six and a half miles were quite far enough for the 180 runners who took part in the north of the Thames Junior Championship at VYeinbley-park on Saturday, despite the tact that 148 of them finished. The snow was several inches deep. but not of a "slushy" sort. J. Binks, of the Unity Athletic Club, who has accomplished many fine perform- ances, was an easy winner, and finished ahead of all the others, C. S. Silsby, of the Hamp- stead H., first man home in 1896-97-98-99, retiring at 4 j miles. The individual leading placings were J. Binks, Unity A.C., 43min. 26 3-5see., 1 F. S. Cleveley, Unity A.C., 43min. &5.3ec;, 2:; G. Still, Unity A.C., 43min. 41 l-5sec., 3 H. Shuff, Wig- more H., 43min. 53soc., 4; J. J. Mayhew, Unity A.C., 44min. 4 2-.5see., 5; and J. E. Smith, St. Bride's institute A.C., 44min. 29aec., 6. The principal club placings were: Unity Athletic Club, 28 points, 1 Queen's Park, 141, 2; St. Bride's Institute, 152, 3; Wiginore, 171, 4; South Essex, 184, 5; Thamet Ironworks, 244, 6. Cambridge University Hare and Hounds beat Thames Hare and Hounds at Cambridge by 20 points to 35. H. G. Lloyd, Thames-H. and H., wat first man home. The well-known Fifesliire athlete Blues, after- being medically declared unfit for service in Soutit Africa with the Fife Light Infantry on the ground of unsoundness of wind," promptly turned out and won the Kirkcaldy Harriers Ten Miles Cross Country Championship. Oxford University were unfortunateab Tottenham, on Monday, in having a very bad ground to play on and in being without their captain—E. M. Jameson —and R. E. Foster. Further, an injury to Dickin- son left them a man slvort during the greater part of the second half; so their defeat by six gofrls to none was to some extent excusable. But they were always outplayed, and the goal-keeping of Wilkinson was the only redeeming feature in their game. Tot- tenham Hotspur scored twice in the first half and tour times i-i the second. The lhird meeting of Blackburn Rovers and Ports- mouth in the Association Cup took place on the Aston Villa ground on Monday, when the Rovers won easily by five goals to none. They play Preston North End in the second round.

NEW LONDON WATER SCHEMES. Details of the additional storage reservoirs desired py the East London Water Company are given ia their new Parliamentary Bill. It is proposed to construct two in the parishes of Waltham Abbey. Chingford, and Enfield, and power is sought to buy 192 acres of common lands. Liberty to take another HO,000,000 gallons of Thames water every 24 hours is also proposed, and for this a payment of from £ 500 to £ 2(X)0 a year is offered to the Conservancy. To carry out these sehemes power is applied for to raise £ 1,800,000 additional debenture stock. J

THE YOUNG DUKE OF WEST- MINSTER. One of the most interesting figures of the hour it the yotina Duke of Westminster—that fortunate young man who, before he had attained his majority, has entered upon the most princely inheritance in the world. The young Duke (say M.A.P.) was born in 1880, the year in which Bend Or carried, the was always known by the nickname of Beng Or in his family, and, indeed, is still so called. Considering the vast rent roll and estates which he, in course of time, would inherit, the young Duke received a not particularly large allowance. But this had to suffice, and in spite of there being some 40 horses, hunters, hacks, and coach horses in the magnificent stables at Eaton Hall, when the young heir wished to follow the hounds, he had to hire a horse from a livery stable in Chester.

BAGPIPES ON THE VELDT. The Cockney "Tommy whose fortunejit may be to sleep for the firt time alongside the tents o.f a;Highland regiment may well be excused if he awakes under the mistaken impression that the Transvaal felines are at their 'wauling." The fact of the matter is that the "braw laddies" hava from time immemorial turned out to the sound of the national bagpipe, the sound of which, as heard in the cold grey light of a winter's morning, is the reverse of cheering. Tho invariable tune (!) of this reveille in all High- land regiments is the caustic old Jacobite march, "Johnny Cope," the words of which run: Hay, Johnny Cope, are ye wauken yet ? Or are yer drums a beatin' yet? 'Gin ye are wauken I will wait, An' I'll meet ye at tho coals in the mornin' ^.The Johnny "referred to is the celebrated General Cope, tho Hanoverian leader who was so soundly thrashed at Dunbar by the Young Pretender. Strangely enough, Englishmen had the bagpipes lonj; before the Highlanders. Then, as British musi- cal art developed, the pipes were passed on across the Tweed. They were first used in battle by the Scottish forces at tho battle of Balrinnea, in 1594, although tradition has it that they formed one of the most potent elements in the rout at Bannockburn. Since that date they have done wonders in cheer- ing and rallying the Highland forces at critical moments, notably at the battles of Quebec (1760) and Porto Nuovo (1781), and, still later, at the celebrated charge of Dargai, on October 21, 1897.

KIIUGER'S PILLS. Private G. Jasper, of the 6ih Dragoon Guards, with Colonel Porter, writing from Arundel Camp to his parents at Battersea, .says: We go out into the l^O'.mta'ns for two or threejrghts and days together. We have had three fights. One night while we were out the Boers surrounded us, but we made a big dash and drove them back. But their Long Tom is a bit off.' We cannot reach it by 2000 yards. It will be a rOllgh job to take Colesberg. I don't know if I will got mentioned in despatches for a little affair, as my chum was only a private. We had a big fight and had to gallop two miles. One of our men fell off his horse not 200 yards from the Boers. I went back and brought him in on my horse, and, by old Kruger's pills did not half hop around. It is a good job their shells do not all burst; or else our regiment would have been no more."

OF General Gatacre it is said that he does not know what it is to be tired. He held an appointment at one time in one of the big military departments at Simla, and was a hard-worked man. There was some little act of courtesy he had been asked to per- form for a lady leaving Ambala by a midnight train. The distance is well over 100 miles, and the road was mostly over Himalayan paths. He was not willing to shirk his day's work in his department, so had telegraphed to have relays of horses waiting along the road. Five minutes after he had disposed of his last file" for the day he was in the saddle, gallop- ing at breakneck pace down the hill road. He was at Ambala before midnight, did whatever he had been asked to do, and before the train was out of the fetation made the dust curl up as he galloped over the flat road that leads back from Ambala to Kalka— there was no branch railway then. The clerks in the office wondered next day why Colonel Gatacre was late, but when he took his place at his desk at mid- day he showed no signs of having done a record- breaking ride. FROM Pagny-sur-Moselle comes news of an inter- national complication which was happily resolved without the spilling of blood. When the train which was bound for Metz drew into the station whence it should pass into German control, it was found that one of the carriages contained, conspicuously pasted, a caricature of the Kaiser, pointed with an insulting legend. The German guard refused to have anything to do with such a train. Now you cannot fine a train, and to immure it in a fortress is poor satisfaction. But you can cut off its engine. And that the German guard threatened to do if the insult were not wiped out. It was wiped out, not by blood, but by hot water supplied by a carriage-cleaner. J