Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

MORE CAPTURES. J. r DE WET ATTACKED. r Erasmus's men of the Staats Artillery have been captured by Colonel Allenby. Two bundred of them had broken through the Vaal Brugspruit line of Constabulary posts, when the Boers were being k hustled by General Bruce Hamilton. JCoIoue Alien By followed them up and secured 33. General, Bruce Hamilton, who has been resting ,-Ivfe horses at Ermelo, will nc*v move again aftefrbcljalk. Burger and Reitz. The Boer Government is now at Roossenekal., Botba is still between Ermelo and Amsterdam. ,ÙeWet'a force, after engaging the outposts of safreral of oar columns,, has again- scattered. GenerUl Darfcfieirattached De WQf,-wh.o< had with him 800 men, one pom-pom, and one gun, near Langberg, on Wednesday. The fight lasted for four hours, at the end of which time the Boers were driven off, having lost five killed, 20 wounded, and two prisoners. Our losses were one killed, four officers and ten men wounded.

POTGIETEiiS- LA.lGJffl- •" i • « •" takeSL ''i;f'}< PAPERS AND OTHER CAPTURES. Monday. A correspondent at Pretoria telegraphs that Potgieter's laager at Bamboospruit has been taken by Lord Methuen, as the result-of a night surprise. Potgieter just succeeded in escaping with 60 men. His family and papers fell into our hands as well as 19 prisoners. The captures consisted of 89 waggons, 47 carts, 1,911 head of cattle, 28,8o0 sheep, 158 horses, 183 donkeys and mules, some ammunition,, and a large quantity of grain. The laager had been used as the Boer depot in the Western Transvaal. The number of vehicles captured accounts for nearly the whole of the enemy's transport in that region.

A GUN RE-TAKEN. BOERS AND MOUNTS. From Durban a Correspondent telegraphs that 100 men belonging to the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles have recaptured one of Colonel Benson's .ggns, at the same time inflicting severe loss on the < ^eifeitfy. Reliable information has been received at Pretoria that, with the exception of those in the Eastern high veldt, not more than half the Boers in the Transvaal are now mounted. Many of the prisoners have been taken on foot.

BOERS AS YEOMANY. BRITISH TROOf SHOite DOWN. Tuesday. Lord Kitchener has sent two long despatches to the War Office from Johannesburg. He reports five engagements, of which two were in the Orange River Colony —one with De Wet aud the other with MBotba. Colonel Damant was attacked by M Botha on Friday last. A party of BOJrs adopted a use and succeeded in giving Colonel Damant the depression that they were yeomanry. In this w-r they got close to the guns and made a dash for them. A troop led by Colonel Damant were all shot down except four, but a gallant charge made by C j^ptfeib js&fet? resulted in the Boers being driven off.

HEAVY FIGHTING. BRITISH PARTY OVERWHELMED. In the Transvaal, while 200 of the 14th Mounted Infantry under Major Bridgford were searching farms they were attacked by 300 Boers and 40 natives, and a portion of the force was over- whelmed before General Spens was able to assist. Colonel Mackenzie, under General Bruce Hamilton, has attacked Bareud Smit's commando successfully in the Eastern Transvaal, and Colonel Park has repulsed an attack in force near Nylstrom, on the northern railway. Both sides have lost heavily in the engagements mentioned, especially in Colonel Damaut's and Major Bridgford's forces. PRINCE A WELSH FUSILERS.

APPOINTMENT AS COLONEL. Fridays Gazette contains the following announce- ment The Royal Welsh Fusilers-His Royal Highness Goorge F E A Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and York, K.G., K.T., K.P., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., Colonel in Chief the Royal Fusilers (City of London Regiment), and the Royal Marines, to be Colonel in Chief. 4thBattalion the Royal Welsh Fusilers.—Second Lieutenant E H Stocker to be Lieutenant.

WAR ITEMS. Distinguished service rewards of .£100 a year each have been granted to Major General Sir J D P. French, K.C.B., and to Major General Morton, C.B.

"MORE FIGHTING MEN." SIR WATKIN AND VOLUNTEERS. Sir VVatkin Williams-Wynn, the Colonel Com- manding the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, was present on Friday night at the annual gathering of the" Ruabon Volunteers. There was a crowded attendance. Sir Watkin, having distributed the prizes, said the great cry of the present day was for more fighting men for England, as they lived in times when all the Continental nations had large armies, whilst Britain supported a comparatively small one. They bad realised for the first time that England must have mote soldiers to maintain their possessions.. The War Office now requireo 2,000 more Imperial Yeomanry. He felt certain tbey.WvM-d be fortbcqnfeig immediately, and to tfurth i tl it he would offer his eetifr&es- a«ain t.0 the country -.to organise or i-eefuit MILIABLE jirefv at lluabon. Although England was ft ^ation of :"fihdp|eer| be felt that conscription was absolutely necessary, and that every man in the nation. "should join some regiment for a few years and learn to use a rifle. Let them take a, lesson from the BOOTS, nearly all of whom could use the rifle well. They against overwhelming odds ha-d fought cohtinuously for over two, years. HeitegSfret/tecT that-a. lsCrge^hutnber of the last baich oC^'efnft&irry' had been diseardedi If. iap^^ able-bodjsd men -enlisted at Ruabon, he would see they* were property trainee* especially :tn horsemanship. Ng doubt his hearers would be "interested to learn of the excelfeht reports which, had been/receiver Qf the 88th "and 89th Companies (Montgomeryshire)" J.(r¡perial--Y-eômanry. Lord Nleth-iieih had sent this message to Colonel Cotton Tell Sir Watkin that his-two companies (88th and 89th) are as fine a lot of yeomanry as have ever arrived in South Africa."—(Applause). He >was pleaasd to hear of the record of the Ruabon Vokimeers, and it would give-him the greatest :delight, if the men were needed, to 'organise another two companies of Imperial Yeomanry (applause). In the little village -of Ruabws 550 ..yeomen had marched-thfjjtrgh the^gates of Wynn- ^stay-tp fight" their^cauntry^fcbattles rfeSouth -Africa, been-raised tcNsuppois^ tlie-%Ives and "families of- local men at thft front.; Such a state of affairs reflected the greatest credit, on Wales and more particularly on Ruabon.

+ A BUILDER'S BANKRUPTCY. !w A-RrR AN rr-1 ssu E li FOR ATI RE ST. At the Aberystwy-th'-Bankruptcy Court on Friday- morning, Mr Registrar Joseph Davies presided over a Court calted for the purpose of inquiring into the affairs of 'Morris James, contractor and builder, Towyn, who had left the country, and upon whose estate an order in bankrnptcy had been granted npon the creditor's petitions. There was a large number of creditors present, and Mr Thomas, of Carmarthen, the Official Receiver, took evidence. The statement of affairs showed total liabilities £ 2,000 3s 7d, and of this sum £1,476 133 7d was expected to rank. Assets were put down at R728 10s 2d, leaving a deficiency of £748 3s 5d. It., his observations the Official Receiver said in the debtor's absence the cause of failure can only be surmised. It is believed that to pay the com- position of 10s in the £ three years ago he had to borrow £ 450. This he is supposed to have repaid, hnt if. JAN, him tint onlv with no capital, but in OJ" "A- A- -J A.' debt. He then took more contracts, at the same time, than he could properly superintend. He bought largely from all parts of the country, and at the time he absconded, he was pressed all round. The Receiving Order was made upon creditors^ petition, the act of bankruptcy-feeing That, on or p about the 22nd day of Nov., 1901, the said Morris James, with intent to defeat and delay his creditors, departed out of-Engiand." The above summary of the debtor's assests and liabilities is not to be relied upon, but it is the best that can be got at present- in the absence of the debtor. It is said that he has goM to Aoterisa. The debtor's books, of account are very;defective they have been "badly kept, and afford very little assistance in regard to his affairs. He had several large contracts in band when he left, some of which if procesded with at once and completed will yield a considerable profit, hence the necessity for the immediate appoint- ment of a trustee. Not a day has heeu lost in convening the meeting, and it is hoped that ,creditors_will at once see that their proofs and proxies arS sent to the Offieiali^eceiver in time to be used at the meeting. The Official Receivér and the creditors are greatly indebted to Mr H Haydn Jones, of Towyn, for the assistance he has rendered in the speedy preparation of the estimated sum- mary. Pie is and was trustee under the "bankruptcy lVjune, 1898, and in order that a dividend of ten shillings ,s in the £ should be paid to the creditors, Mr Jones made no charge for his services.- Mr Haydn Jones said that bankrupt had left Liver- pool for America on board the United States."— The Official Receiver Does anyone know whether he had a considerable sum of money ?-A Towyn creditor said he had good reason for believing that the bankrupt took with him between £ 200 and £ 300.—Mr T J Samuel, solicitor, said he heard that the bankrupt left with about £ 250. Mr Haydn Jones said that several cheques were drawn before the bankrupt left and he did not think that he could take all that money.—The Registrar said he would make the necessary order as well as a war- rant for the arrest of the bankrupt.—Mr Smith (solicitor): Is that to bring him back ?-The Official Receiver No, but we shall be ready for him when he comes back (laughter).

A feature of the cross-Channel Christmas traffic this year is the importotion of immense quantities of mistletoe for the English markets. The importa. tions of turkeys, geese, fruit, and flowers has been abnormally heavy this year, running into some hundreds of tons. The poultry came mainly from the Pas de Calais Department, and the fruit and flowers from South France, Italy, and Egypt. -H.M.S. Good Hope, the first-class armoured cruiser which the Cape Government has preseuted to the British navy, arrived at Portsmouth on Sun- day in charge of a navigating party. The Good Hope is 500 feet in length, has a tonnage of 14,100 tons and a speed of 23 knots. She will carry some 35 guns of various kinds. Tue vessel has been built on the Clyde. The Princess of Wales has signified her intention of accepting the presidency of the Welbh Industries Association in place of Lady Wimborne, resigned. In January a meeting will be held under the auspices of the London depot, at which Lady Eva Wyndham Quin will read a paper on the objects of the association. The arrangements for the meet- ing are in the hands of the honorary secretary, Mrs Francis Brenton- 54, Eaton Square.

ABERYSTWYTH DOG AND POULTRY SHOW. The sixth annual dogand poultry show under the auspices of the Aberystwyth Pouitry Society was held, on Wednesday. The officials were :-Pre- ••gitietit, Sir Pryse Pryse, Bart; vice-president, Capt 'ft A 'L Powell, Nanteos j secretaries, Messrs Lewis Pryoe, Pantgwyn, ahd 11 J Jenkins. The judges were Fox and Welsh terriers,^r Edwin Powell; -poultry,- Mr L P Castley. The following 4s a list of the awards :—* BOftS (OPEN). Fox terriers, wire-haired, dog or bitch—1 Chris Haulker, Avenue parade, Accrington 2 E A L Powell, Nanteos, Aberystwyth; 3 G Cheakland Williams, Llanfihangel, Aberystwyth; r Tudor Jones, Plas Padarn, Llanbadarn. ¥ "Novice, dog or bitch—rl E A L Powell; 2 G Ch feck land Williams, 3 Edward Vaughan Rees. Fox terriers, smooth, dog or bitch ^1 and spseial > Chris Houlker, 2 E H Morgan, jeweller, Newtcwn -3 Lake (JrabtreefOne Asti7 Pailsworth, Manchester. Noyice, dog or bitch —1 Chris Houlker, Accri'ig- ton 2 George Rowson, 3 E A L Powell. Fox terriers, wire-haired or smooth (puppy class) dog or bitch—1 and special Chris Houlker, 2 E A L Powell. Welsh terriers, dog or bitch (Open)-l and special, Luke Crabtree, 2 E A L Powell, Nanteos; 3 H B Tiernay, Glanceirio, Llanfihangel, Borth. Terriers, any other variety not described above, dog or bitcji^-l. Luke Cra-btree, 2 D E R Griffith, Bank House, Machynlleth'; 3 J T Davies, Bron-y- Gan, Aberystwyth. Colliesfi-ough or smobth, dog or bitch—1 and special, Miss L A Jones, ffanlan, Llanfrothen, Pen- ("•hyndeuHraethj 2 Fred 11 pCT.ce, Penybron, "Pol-' gelley '3 D E R- Griffith, Bank' liaise-, Machynlleth. Novice, dog or bitch—1 D E R Griffith, 2 R Roberts, 3 T L Lewis. Puppy, dog or bitch—1 Miss Lizzie A Jones, 2 John Owens, Tynewydd, Coriis; 3 D E R Griffith. Spani,eiR,-dog,or bitch—1 Luke Crabtree, 2 Wm Roberts,- 2 bridge st^S^pter ? JS A Williams. South terrace, ^Aberystwyth. ■' ■ bet tor dog or bitch JLLukd Crabtree, 2 D E R Griffith, .3 R E Woos'nam-Savage, Glandulas, Xewtown. Pointers, dog or bitch—1 L Lloyd Hughes, Alltf; Llwyd, Llanrhystyd; 2 J R Davies, Glynllifon Shop, Lied rod, Llanilar. £ 5 selling class, dog or bitsh— 1 Luke Crabtree, 2 G Checkland Williams, 3 E A L Powell. Dog 0" bitch over 251bs—1 D E R Griffith, 2 Fred H P.-yce, 3 John Owen, Corris. Dog or bitch under 251bs (local) -1 E A L Powell 2.-D E R.Griffith, 3 K A L Powell. POULTRY (OPEN). Hambu-rghs, cock or ben-l Fred Anderton, Saw- ley Grange 2 and 3 Howard Pitts, Keynabam. Wyandotte, cock or hen (local)-2 R Williams, Ochrygader, Llanfarian. Plymouth rock, cock er hen-l and 3 J Brandon Smith, Welshpool; 2 H Puichbeck, Burton-on. Trent. Orpington, cock or hen-l Fred Anderton, 2 S Foster, Woolton; 3 T D Robertp, Tre'rddol Glan- dovey. Langshan, cock or hen—1 F Anderton, 2 U *T Davies, Medical Hall, Llandyssal 3 M Thomas, Port Tsnnant, Swansea. Minorcas, cock or hen—1 T H Whitehouse, Wal- sall 2 S Foster, Woolton 3 George Gregory, Mountain Ash. Andalusians, cock or hen—1 F Anderton, Sawleys Grange 2 R Hughea, Ferndale; 3 Mary Reynolds/ Abermaide Mill, Llanfarian. Game, A.V., cock or hen—1 F Anderton 2 T H* Ed wards, Chirk 3 Thomas Davies, Medical Hall;^ Llandyssul. Bantam, A.V., cock or hen—1 and special Mrs Brandon Smith 2 Howard Pits, Keynsham 3 F Anderton 3 Want Rice, Acton Stidbury. Dorking, cock or hen-l Fred Anderton; 2effort Slater, Sec, Swansea; 3 C Ford, Sketty. Selling class, cock or hen, 1 Fred Anderton 2R Hughes, Ferndale; 3 W T Davies, Llandyssul. Duck or drake, any variety—1 J E Hughes, Vicarage, Llan fi h ange\-pr-^rthj 2 R E Woosnam Savage, Newtown; 3 W Longsoif,"Walton. Goose or Gander—1 and 3 R H Weaver, Minster- ley; 2 A E Down, Boreham. £ 'IJ&rkeys, cook or heur-l,«B^^fl|, Newtown 2 R F Forrestier Walker, Staunton-on-Arrdw. Cock or hen, any variety, local (16 miles)-l and 3 J Williams, Ochorgadar, Llanfarian 2 A Balder- stone, Cambrian Hotel, Borth. Paic pigeons, any variety 1 A H Prsnton, Skipton 2 R F Forrestier Walker, 3 Slater, Swan- sea. Canary —1 and 2 J Griffiths, Portland road, Aber- ystwyth; 3 David Lewis, Haverfordwest: r C H Hughes. Golafinch-l, 2 and 3 T H Griffiths, Vaenor street, Aberystwyth. Mule—1 and 3 Mrs J H Spmrry, Cardigan 2 Thos Evans, Vaenor street, Aberystwyth. DEAD POULTRY, BUTTER, CHEESE, AND HONEY. Dressed turkev—1 Mrs Roberts, Blaengader, Llanilar; 2 and 3 L Williams, Pantmawr, Aber- maide.. T Dressed goose—1 Griffith Jones, Wileirog Issa, Borth. m Dressed fowls—1 Mrs Roberts, Tanytoel, Olarach; 2 Miss Ethel Evans, Blaengader, Llanilar. I Dressed ducks—Mrs Jane Williams, Ochrygader, Llanfarian.. Dozen eggs—1 Mrs M Roberts, Pretoria, Rhydy- feha 2 Mrs Mary Owen, Braichgoch Hotel, Corris; 3 Miss Phillips, Dairy, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth. 3lbs of fresh butter-l David Thomas, Aberllo- lwyn, Llanfarian; 2 Miss Getta Roberts, Blaen. gader, Llanilar; 3 VIrs Lloyd, Brynrychan, Llan- ^Sections of honey—1 James Williams, Penybont, Borth; 2 James Purton, 1 North parade, Aberyst- wyth. 3 lbs of extracted honey—1 James Purton, North Paiade, Aberystwyth 2 James Williams. SPECIAL PRIZES. Couple of fowls for table, plucked or trussed—1 H Austin, The Gardens, Abermaide. Best'trussed turkey—1 Mrs Roberts, Llanilar 2 Evan Evans, Llanilar; 3 Jenkins, Frongoch. Couple of dre; sed ducks—1 Mary Lewis, Tynyber- llan 2 M Lewis, Llanrhystyd 3 Morgan, Cefn- graigwen. Trussed goose—1 Jones, Moelifor; 2 and 3 M Lewis. Basket of eggs-l Mrs James, Rhiwhir Cottage 2 Stephens, Llanilar; 3 Morgans, Gilfachgoch. Cheese—1 and 3 Jones, 2 Ellis, Pencwmcariol. Tub of butter—1 Roberts, Penwern; 2J Phillips" Trefaes; 3 Ellis. Basket of butter, 3lbs-l Roberts, 2 Phillips, 3 divided between Evans, Tanrallt, and Ellis, Panty- barson. Best fowl in the show—Mrs Roberts, Blaengader, Llanilar.

VOLUNTEER NOTES. [BY RIFLEMAN.] Things are quiet in Volunteer circles in this locality just at present but the dinner of "F" Coy at Towyn, which is to be held next Friday, is being looked' .forward to with muGb interest and the committee ar^Vvorking energetically to make the meeting a success. The sum at their disposal is a small one and the expenses will be heavy, so I trust the Volunteers and their comrades will put their shoulders to the wheel and make the innovation a si^ecess. All who intend to be present should in- 'form their section commanders without delay. A Church parade will be held on Christmas Day, and I tiust-all who possibly can will put in an appearance they need not fear that their enjoy- meat of the goose or turkey and plum pudding will suffer but on the contrary their appetites are likely to be much improved. I have been told that the band. to. show the in. justice which they state has been done to them by Rifleman, intend to be there in full force. The proposed marwnad" has, it appears, deeply ^wounded their feelings, but no^ne rejoices more than he doesithat it is, not necessary. Our milttsijy correspondent, notwitbstancing that he has re- turned just in time for the Christrfias festivities^ has very kindly sent us a large instalment of his labours. I was very pleased to find that the recent onslaught on our position on Credit Fort was not !?so ^isasfcrous as fi^-St^ariticipated, 16 and not >12 answered the Misty jhany others^ who were reported as missing ha*e rejoined. Th'a disaster has not been without its good effect, and I hope that in this case like many others I' The sons of men may owe. The fruits of bliss to bursting clouds of and that whenever another attack is made on the position, as it is sure to be, there will be np. difficulty in keeping the old 41ag floating proudly on. the breeze of loyalty and unity, and the sooner. prsparations are made to strengthen the de- fences the better. We understand thataevera aon-commissioned officers and men are enquiring; 'carefully into the matter. The present strength of the Volunteer force in, over 300,000, a total which includes 7,000, men in, South Africa. What the Auxilary forces have done since the war began is well shown by the fact that no fewer than between 21,000 and 22,000 Volunteers served or are still serving at the front. I should like to offer all Volunteers a right Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

PERSONAL. The death is announced of Miss Marion Lloyd, 'SaperiVitendent of the Welsfy-Mtlitary Hospital, who had recently been gazetted for the order of the Red Cross. She was the daughter of Mr J P Lloyd, Penalltybie, Newcastle Emlyn. Miss Lloyd re. signed her position as matron of the Bolton In. firmary; in order to take up the work in South Africa.. Her brother, Mr Percy Lloyd, of. the Wilt. -shire Yeomanry, died of enteric at Bloemfoiiteiu last year, and her sister, Miss Connie Lloyd, was Jl,lso ill,'but. recovered. Miss Lloyd did excellent service, and is said to have been a general favourite with the soldiers, from Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener to the private. Princess Henry of Battecberg, accompanied by her daughter, the Princess Victoria Eugenie, and, the Princes of Battenberg, drove over from Osborne to Caritibrooke Castle, on Friday evening, and dis- tributed hundreds of presents from two enormous Christmas trees to the children attending the Bchoo)s;of the district of Carisbrooke. Very great regret, both in as well as outside the House of Commons, will be felt (says the West minster .Gazette) at the announcement that th6 stat?^ possibility of his taking his seat at the table when the session opens in the middle of next month. Mr Milman has only held the honourable position of Clerk to the House since the retirement of Sir Reginald Palgrave in 1900, but he has been in the service of the House of Commons for the long period of forty-four years. He is a son of the well- known Dean of St Paul's and has written much on the archaeology of Westminater. According to a telegram from Assouan received in London on Saturday evening, Mr Cecil Rhodes is in excellent health, and has greatly benefited by hia stay in Egypt. The Rev Prebendary White, Churchstoke, cele. brated his ninetieth birthday last week. Mr White has been vicar of Churchstoke for, fifty-six years. Tuesday was the birthday of Mr John Morley, who was born in 1838. Lord Harlech's visitors at Brogyntyn for Christ- mas include the Hon G Ormsby-Gore, M.P., Lady Margaret Ormsby-Gore, the Hon S Ormsby-Gore, M.P., Viscount and Viscountess Ebrington, and Colonel Egerton, C.V.O., C.B., and the Hon Mrs Egerton. The veteran author Dr Samuel Smiles entered OB his 90th year on Monday. The marriage of Miss Eva J E Lloyd, daughter of Mrs T S Lloyd, Dolobran, Montgomeryshire, and The Priory, Warwick, to Mr M Carlisle Pilkington, son of Mr G Pilkingtoc, Woolton, Lancashire, took place at St Mary's Church, Warwick, last week. Probate of the will of Lieut-Col Charles James Trevor-Roper, Plas Teg, Flint, has been granted to his widow, Mrs Julia Trevor-Roper, and her brother, Mr Percy Forbes Kortwright, Hunslet, Leeds. Subject to the payment of JB8,700 to an insurance officer from the proceeds of certain life insurance policies, the testator left all his property in trust for his wife. His estate is of the gross value of £ 13,599 7s Id. Printed and Published by David Rowlands, at 21, Berriew Street, Welshpool, in the County of Montgomery, and at Towyn, in the County of Merioneth.—Thursday, December 26, 19C1,