Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

DE WET'S ATTACK. SUCCESS BY HAMILTON. A Brussels Correspondent telegraphs that De Wet's successful itfc?„ck on Colonel Firman's Camp has caused much delight in Boer circles, where hope is entertaii led that it may encourage the enemy to prolong hostilities. From Bloemfontein it is reported th at, on Christmas-day, General Hamilton, in the South-west of Orange 'River Colony, surprised Pretorius's laager, killing one Boer and capturin go 15. Colonel Du Moulin has cnptured Field Cor, net Jacobus Dutoit and 28 men with 50 rifles.

FIRM.AN'S MISHAP. 6 OFFIOEP, S AND srJ MEN KILLED. Monday. Lord Kitchen ^y#;erdav morning telegraphed trom Johann- AJbii* that the prisoners taken in De Wet's atv i(,n Colonel Firman's camp on Christmas have been released, and have arrived at fft^^ehern. In a previous message he bad ser ..t some details of that mishap. The Columr tli« «1nr>« nf a solitarv ^to-us. Up that side the Boers crept and c° <««#«<& near the top. At two in the morning tJ- suddenly attacked the picqueta on the summit, .tiCtftil 'before the men could get clear of their tents the IBoers rushed through, shooting them down as Itfoey came out. There was no panic, and all did tibeir best. but the enemy, who apparently numbered (twelve hundred, were too strong, and once the ipicquet was overwhelmed they had all the advant- age. The casualty list shows that six officers and fifty men were killed, including Major G A Williams, who, in Colonel Firman's absence,.was in command; eight officers were wounded, and four others were missing. Two officers who were in the camp after the fight, state that dead Boers were lying all over the ground at daylight, and two waggon-loads of -dead and wounded Boers, mostly hit in the first ;attack on the picquets, were taken away. On the news of the reverse reaching Elands River Bridge, fourteen miles distant, the Imperial Light Horse bastened to the scene, which was reached at forty minutes past six, and afterwards galloped ¡ after the Boers, without overtaking them. When the enemy reached Langberg', Lord Kitchener adds, the Imperial Light Horse could do nothing more against superior numbers in such a country.

SUCCESS OF COLUMNS. Another despatch from Lord Kitchener states tbtt Major Beresford, of the South African Con- stabulary, has returned to Kroonstad, after a raid to Bothaville, in which he captured 36 prisoners, besides horses, waggons, and cattle.—The columns under Lord Methuen and Colonel Kekewich have returned to Klerksdorp from a combined movement, which resulted in the capture of 37 prisoners, 179 vehicles, a number of horses, and a quantity of grain.

DU MOULIN'S SURPRISE. THE FURTHER CAPTURES, Tuesday. Colonel Dd Moulin, who svrprised a Boer laager near Jagersfontein, Orange River Colony, at dawn on December 24, capturing 28 of the enemy two field cornets, also secured 58 rifles 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and. 105 horses. The prisoners belonged to different Commandos. Later reports received at Heilbron indicate that the Boer losses dat T.afelkop were 14 killed and over 30 wounded.

THE COLUMNS' REPORT ESTIMATE OF DE WET'S LOSSES. WEDNESDAY. Lord Kitchener in a, despatch of Monday's date ffrom Johannesburg, states that since the 23rd of JDecember the columns report 35 Boers killed, five ,,D wounded, 237 prisoners, and 51 surrenders. In ;additioa some ammunition, rifles, horses, waggons, ;and cattle were captured. These figures, Lord Kitchener states, do not include General De Wet's losses in the attacks on General Dartnell's column :-at Tafelkop and Colonel Firman's camp at Twee- fontein, which, he says, are reliably estimated at 30 killed and 50 wounded. De Wet's men are still in and to the south of the Langberg. Smaller com- mandos are in the neighbourhood of Reitz, and columns are now moving on that town to deal with the situation. Some small affairs, in each of which a few prisoners were taken, are reported in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony. General French reports that his columns continue to make satisfactory progress in Cape Colony.

THE BOER LOSSES. A careful examination of the weekly summaries issued by Lord Kitchener since the 1st of June last shows that the Boer forces in the field have been diminished by over 12,000 men. In May the total Boer loss was 2,640, so that in eight months the Boers have lost, in killed, wounded, prisoners, and surrenders, nearly 15,000 men.

AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT. THE TWEEFONTEIN DISASTER. A telegram from Melbourne states that the new Federal contingent for South Africa will be divided into nine units, each consisting of 121 officers and men. The reinforcements will if possible, embark at the end of January. From the attack by De Wet oa the camp at Tweefontem, Five officers, a civil surgeon, and 240 non-coromia- sioned officers and men have been released.

WAR T- A Woolwich corresr gay3 amongst military men I is ceggatjon 0f hostilities in Xfrica f,Ci000 British troops will be oca e qv?,\isvaal and the Orange River Uolonv The W' K' 'has called for returns showin th r Office has called for returns showing f0y. n of ei-soldiers employed in the police 'throughout the country. Lottie interesting experiments have been made at the musketry ranges outside Christiania to test the 'qualitres 'of anow for hastily improvised protective works gainst rifle fire. In the result it is held to tote Bstablished (bays the Pall Mall Gazette) that a brt artwork of snow six feet thick, even when not pressed, is quite impenetrable to theKrag-Jorgensen rifle bullet at 45 yards, although this weapon has a very high initial velocity. No one is now allowed to land in South Africa without a. permit. This must be applied for at the Permit Office, 39, Victoria Street, London, S.W. The applicant must possess £100, or prove that he is in a position to maintain himself in South Africa. Applicants living within 50 miles of London must apply in person. These permits are no gurantee that the holders will be allowed to proceed inland. Only J efugees government employees, and persons engaged in a service of a public nature will be permitted to proceed to the Transvaal. Candidates for the new South African Constabulary in the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony should apply to the Recruiting Officer, S.A.C. Recruiting Office, King's Court, Broadway, Westminister, S.W.; they must be good riders, good shots, single, strictly sober, and from 20 to 35 years of age: they will be given free passages to South Africa. Farriers also are wanted for this Force.

LOCAL CASUALTIES. Among the list of casualties reported in Colonel Firman's column at Tweefontein on December 25 is the following—Sad Grenadier Guards: Missing 2nd South Wales Borderers—6204 Pte A Wil- kinson, dead (enteric), Blandsfontein, Dee 22; Ptes 5279 C Warn, 6604 F Evans, dangerously ill (enteric). 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry- 7587 Cpl A James, dead (enteric), Middelburg, Transvaal, Dec 26th 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry, Mounted Infan- try-4591 Pte A Phillips, dead (wounds, accidental), Lydenburg, Dec 27.

HONOURS FOR SHROPSHIRE. A DISTINGUISHED OFFICER. The King has approved of the grant of a Good Service Pension of a X100 a year to Major-General Si. C E Knox, K.C.B., at present commanding a Mobile Column in South Africa. His brilliant ser- vices during the present War are well known to everybody* and it is, doubtless, in recognition of these services that he has received this pension at so comparatively early a period of his caieer. He joined the Army as Ensign in the old 85th Foot (now 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry) on June 30, 1865; became Colonel on December 9, 1882, and Major General on December 4, 1899, just after the commencement of the War. He took part in the Bechuanaland Expedition of 1884-85, in com- mand of the 4th Pioneers. He was honourably mentioned for his services, and promoted Brevet Liefc Colonel. He has received a Knighthood for his services in South Africa while Lord Roberts was in command, and it is nearly certain that further reward awaits him for his services under Lord Kitchener.

THE INTERVENTION QUESTION. AN AMERICAN OPINION. As long as Germany refuses to give liberty to the Poles, who are its subjects, as long as the Dutch are fighting to suppress the freedom of the native inhabitants of Java, and as long as the United States are denying the rights of self-government to the Filipinos, why are civilized nations called upon to intervene in behalf of the Boers, who are resist- ing the advances of British supremacy in South Africa, ? Every nation from which the Boers should expect sympathy, intervention and material aid. is fighting to finally conquer and "assimilate" a nation or people seeking independence. How could Presi- dent Roosevelt utcer that one word mentioned by Bourke Cochian as long as United States troops are in the field to defeat the efforts of the Filipinos for independence ?—Chicago Chronicle, Deo 12th.

COMING CHANGES AT COURT, THE ABOLITION OF DRAWING-ROOMS. A correspondent of the Westminster Gazette writes:—" The one subject of conversation at luncheon on Christmas Day among those people who were left in London to whom Drawing-rooms are some of the most important events in life-and doubtless among those in the country who were aware of the King's an noun cemen t-was the aboli- tion of Drawing-rooms and the substitution of Courts to be held at night at" the Drawing-rooms at Dublin are. The matter had long been mooted, and was indeed looked forward to with pleasure, as at once getting rid of the disagreeable!conditions of locomotion in the day-time and providing a brilliant function at night. To the aristocracy the new plan is gratissima. No longer: said one grande dame, 1 will the wife of one's steward or land agent have secured a place before one's daughter'; but to those who are hangers-on at Court, to the nouveaitx riches, to those who, in one way or other, have paid people to be presented, the blow is a terrible one. No longer can they attend at their pleasure. Admission to the sacred precincts will be by invitation; and though the new rule to a certain extent will work gradually, as the presenta- tions of all who have been presented to the late Queen will be acknowledged and they can express their desire to be invited, the new arrangement is a revolution in the social world."

— ♦ Threatened with extinction a few years ago in the Thames Valley kingfishers are now fast on the increase, and are becoming quite numerous in some reaches. It is no uncommon occurrence during a short' walk along the blink to meet with two or three of these brilliant-plumaged birds, and a naturalist reports that he saw seven kingfishers recently at Wraysbury. Kingfishers also appear to be on the increase on the tributaries Colne and I Kennet.

MERIONETHSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. MEETING AT TOWYN. A meeting of the local members of the above society was held at the Corbett Arms Hotel, Towyn, on Friday last. The chair was taken by Mr Richard Jones, veterinary surgeon, Pall Mall, and there were present Messrs M Roberts, Cefntreforisaf (general secretary), Robt Roberts, Rhydygarnedd (local secretary), Henry Evans, Escuan, Robert Pugh, Cynfal, D E Hughes, Llanegryn, William Jones', Tynybryn, J Lloyd, Penybont Hotel, W Davies, Fronewydd, E Howard Daniel, Brynhyfryd, Jno Evans, Dolaugwyn, J Jones, Hendre, and Owen Jones, Bryngwyn. LOCAL COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS. All the members present were appointed, together with the followingMessrs II Pugh, Penybryn, Silvanus Evans, J Lloyd Hughes and F Thomas, N. & P. Bank, J D Latimer, Dr Lloyd, W Thomas, Tynewydd, W Parry, Crynllwyn, J Roberts, Per- feddnant, Meyrick Roberts, H Thomas, Rhosbefain, J Tudor, Glanmachlas, II Robinson, Bodtalog, D N Kirkby, Gwyddefynydd, E Gabriel, E Roberts, Dyffryngwyn, W R M Wynne, Peniarth, H Kirkby, Talgarreg, and Captain E W Kirkby.—Mr E M Roberts remarked that it would be better not to have too many on the committee, but to have a smaller and more effective one. It was very important that those who bad been appointed should appear regularly at the county meetings. The members heartily concurred, and it was decided to leave the matter of ensuring regular attendance in the hands of Mr Robert Roberts the local secretary.—Letters were read from Capt E W Kirkby, Mr D Gillart, regretting inability to attend, Capt Kirkby suggesting that the collectors in the Towyn district had not been very energetic of recent years and that more could be done in this direction. The next matter was the appointment of a chairman, and Mr Owen Tones Bryngwyn, was unanimously appointed, f.n«of.W-with Mr R Jones. Pall Mall,.as vice-chair- man. ivir Kooerc rcoberts was re-elected for the eleventh time as local secretary, and a warm tribute was paid him by Mr E M Roberts, and by a large number of other members in the room for his efforts on behalf of the show. The appointment of four delegates to represent the district at th.e general meeting in Dolgelley on December IlAb waS j then made, and the following were appointed :—Messrs E Howard Daniel, Brynhyfryd, J Evans, Dolaugwyn, R Pugh, Cynfal, and Henry Evans, Escuan. The matter of electing a president, who this year, must be drawn from the Towyn district, was left to the General Committee.—Mr B M Roberts, said that the show was in a flourishing condition, the receipts at the last show amounting to £ 271, which was .Ell more than had been received at the previous show in Towyn, and they had about £ 100, roughly speaking, in hand, after all the subscriptions would have been called in. He would like to propose a vote of condolence with Capt Kirkby, who had always been most energetic and faithful on behalf of the Society. This was unanimously agreed to.—Mr Lloyd drew attention to the fact that there were no collectors in the Corris district. It was stated that as very little was given there, that it was hardly worth while appointiug any.—Mr Lloyd remarked that he would go round himself.—On the paoposition of Mr E M Roberts, seconded by Mr J Evans, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Robt Roberts, Rhydy- garnedd, for his work on behalf of the Society, and also to the Chairman for presiding.-The latter having suitably responded, themeating terminated. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting was held at the Lion Hotel, Dolgelley, on Tuesday. There were present Messrs John Williams, Bala, presiding; Robert Roberts, Towyn; R Williams, Maesgadfa; E Griffiths, Brynadda; J Hughes, Felinnewydd, Dolgelley E Howard Daniel, Towyn; C E J Owen, Hengwrtucha; J Williams, Gwernhefin; J Evans, Dolaugwyn. Towyn; R Williams, Fronfair; J Edwards, Goetre; W R M Wynne, Peniarth; Thos Griffiths, Cefngwyn R Jones, Pall Mall, Towyn R Pugh, Cynfal, Towyn; Tom Parry, Dolgelley; Henry Evans, Towyn Jones Morris, Tycerrig; and Dr John Jones. THE BALANCE SHEET. The first matter was the reading of the balance sheet by the secretary, who stated that the total receipts amounted to £660, the subscriptions from the various districts being as follows Harlech, 140 17s 9d Bala, E69 4s 2d; Dolgelley, £ 49 10s 2d; Towyn, P,26 5s Od; admission to show field, il46 10s Od; admission to jumping field, £10;1 5s 6d. The payments came to X558 4s 8d, leaving a sub- stantial balance of X102 2s 101, which was considered highly satisfactory.— Messrs Griffiths, Brynadda, and Morris, Glaullyn, were re-appointed auditors, and the Chairman re- marked that the best thanks were due to them for time and trouble taken (hear, hear). He was glad of the opportunity to propose a hearty vote of thanks to last year's president, Col Burton, which was unanimously agreed to. A similar vote to the vice-president, Mr J Owen, Talsarnau, was pro- posed by Mr J Evans, Dolaugwyn, and carried unanimously. DATE OF THE NEXT SHOW. The Chairman then said that as there was no more general business they would proceed as a Committee of Management. The first matter was the fixing of the date for the next show which was generally held on September 11th. Mr Howard Daniel said it was important that the show should not clash with that of Welshpool, which would be held either on the llth or IGth, and the Aberys- twyth show was held somewhere about that time. The Chairman said it was out of the question to have it on Saturday. After some discussion Mr C E J Owen proposed that it be either held on the 11th or 12th after the Secretary had received information of the exact date of the Welshpool show. —This was seconded by Dr John Jones and carried. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The appointment of president was left to the discretion of the Towyn local oommittee.—The appointment of vice-president was then considered, and the name of Mr William Gwerclas, Corwen, was proposed and carried. The Cheirman said that owing to the Corwen district having a show of their own they had kept rather distant from the county show and it was hoped that the appointment would help them in this direction.—Mr W R M Wynne observed that Mr Williams was very highly esteemed in the neighbourhood and he had been unanimously appointed by the local committee at Corwen. He urged his appointment, and if le could be induced to accept it would certainly be most satisfactory. The fact that there was a local show at Corwen should not be the means of loss of support to the county show (hear, hear). The Clerk said he had received a communication from Mr J P Jones-Parry, the late treasurer, stating that having retired from business he did not wish to be re-appointed—Mr W R M Wynne proposed that the resignation be accepted with regret and that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Parry for his valu- able services and that Mr Richards, his successor at the Bank, be appointed. Dr John Jones seconded.—The appointment of general secretary was then considered.-The Chairman said there was no need to flatter Mr E M Roberts, his work for the society was too well known for that, and he had no doubt that Mr Roberts would continue in the office.- Mr W R M Wynne seconded, and observed that Mr Roberts had done sterling work for the sccietv, and his services were very much appreciated.-Mr Roberts suitably responded and said he was always ready to do all he could for the good of the show.

-+- Y GOLOFN GYMHEIG. ANERCHIAD PRIODASOL I Mr William Pugh, Llwyncelyn, Corris, a Miss Maggie E Evans, Dysynni House, Towyn, Rhagfyr 21,1901. Pan mae adar mwyn y goedwig, Wedi tewi tan yr helyg, Pan mae blodau ter tan gaddug, A holl Natur yh ei hatowisg-^ Dyna!r pryd mae tilgh a MaggiB Yn cydsynio i briodi. Pan mae eira ar y Berwyb, Cadair Idris In wyn ei bhoryhj A'r i4 disglaer o gylch Towyh Fel y grisial pur a cblaerwYD- Dyna'r pryd mae Pugh a Maggie Yn cvdsynio i briodi. Pan mae masnach wedi tewi, A'r masnachwyr yn dihoerii, A'r rhai bach yn diodde oerni, » Pawb yn gwisgq gwedd tylódi- Dyna'r pryd mae Pugh a Maggib Yn cydsynio i briodi. Pan mae'r a'i donauln berwl, Yn cytthyrfu yr holl weilgi, Fel mynyddoedd mawr o heli, Dros y glanau yn ymgrogi- Dyna'r pryd mae Pugh a Maggie Yn cydsynio i briodi. P'am na chawn ni'r Delyn fwyn-gn, Gyda'r tannau tir i gann, Fel cawn ninau ysbryd nyddu, Llinell euraidd i anrhegu, Cylch y fodrwy dydd priodi, William Pugh a'i anwyl Maggie. Deued llanciau dyffryn Towyn, A'r morwynion sydd mor addfwvn, I longyfarch cylch y gadwyn Fel y caffont hwythau ddilyn- Yn bar fuan, Pugh a Maggie At wen-allor fwyn priodi. Deued clychau'r dref i chwareu, A'r Seindorf Bres a'i pher odlau, Hen ac ieuanc am eu goreu, Pawb a'i dwsmil hardd o fiodad, I anrhegu Pugh a Maggie Ger wen-allor fwyn priodi. Llwyddiant, pur a hetilwen ddigglaeri Bywyd hir heb boen na galar, f Llewyrch gwyneb Nef a Daear, A bendithion bywyd hawddgar, Boed i William Pugh a Maggie, Trwy ei hoes ar ol priodi. Towyn. EMWMD.

THE COMING CORONATION. RUMOUR Of flOUR DUCHESSLS. It is rumoured (Says Madame,) that at the Coronation Queen Alexandra will be attended by four duchesses who have been selected for their personal beauty. The ladies to be thus honoured are said to be the Duchesses of Montrose, of Sather- land, of Portland, and of Marlborough. They are to be dressed in cloth of gold and to wear their robes and coronets. It would be difficult to find four more regal-looking women than those named. The Duchess of Montrose is rather older than the other three, but as Miss Violet Graham of Netherby shj was one of the loveliest girls in London society and is still, although the mother of grown-up sons and daughters, a very beautiful woman. The Duchess of Sutherland is a very noticeable figure, with her tall, stately form, and crown of light brown hair, especially when she wears the splended diamond coronet which was made for Harriet Duchess of Sutherland to wear at Queen Victoria's Coronation. The Dutchess of Portland is immensely tall, and a State function, when she is beautifully dressed and blazing with jewels, is really a superb. looking woman. The Duchess of Marlborough, although not quite as tall as the other three, looks more than her height with her slight graceful figure and long slender throat. She is a very pretty woman, with a most attractive and intelli. gent face, and the historic pearls which once adorned the neck of an empress will look their best at the brave show on June 26 next.

At the Zionist Congress at Basle on Friday a delegate from Johannesburg said that, notwith- standing the war, the movement had grown. The Rritish Jews were for Great Britain, but the others sided with the Boers. It was stated that there were 7,500 Zionists in England, belonging to 72 associations.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES Sr DEATHS DEATHS. GRIFFITH.—On December 30th, at 11, Porkington Terrace, Barmouth, Owen Griffith, aged 82 years. 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, January 2, 1«3C2.