South Wales Daily News

===-- RAclTilOT IN CUBA. NIGGERS ATTACK POLICE. New York, Monday.—A Havana, despatch states that a serious affray bas occurred there III conse. quence of a number of negroes having attacked policemen without provocation. Revolvers wore freely used, and a Spanish onlooker was killed, while two negroes and a policeman were wounded. The mob afterwards dispersed,but several of their Muabec were arrested.

THE PHILIPPINES. 1 A STUBBORN BATTLE. HEAVY AMERICAN LOSSES. (Press Association Special Service.) Manila, Sundav.-The encounter at Gnengua developed into a disastrous though in the end successful fight. The insurgents were in a horse- shoe trench a mile in extent, encircling a rice field at the edge of a wood. Captain Bell, with 40 cavalrymen, encountered & strong: Filipino outpoalt, who fired upon them, killing one and wounding five. On receiving the volley the Americans retired, carrying back their wounded under fire. This, was accomplished with great difficulty, as they were closely pursued by the enemy, who owing to the presence of fog were enabled to creep up to short range. Two men who were carrying a. wounded comrade were shot in the arms, but gallantly continued to match with their burden. Captain Bell sent for reinforcements to rescue the body of the American soldier who was killed. A battalion of the Nebraskas was ordered up under Colonel Mufford, and advanced until they were checked by heavy volleys from the trenches. They lay down 800 Verde from the rifle pits behind some rice furrows, and remained there under fire for two hours waiting for the artillery to come up. During this interval several men were prostrated with sunstroke, and one died. Ultimately the second battalion of the Nebraskas arrived, and then Colonel Stotaenburg, who had spent the night with his family in Manila, came upon the scene. He was loudly cheered by the men when they recognised him. Colonel Stotsenbarg concluded that to charge the trenches would be the cheapest way to carry them. He accordingly ordered a chMge, and led the attack at the head of his regiment. In doing so he fell shot through the breast and died instantly. Two hundred yards from the Gemys breast- works Lieutenant Sisson fell with a bullet through his heart. The bullet entered near a picture of a girl, which he wore suspended round his neck. Meanwhile artillery bad arrived and began to shell the trenches. The Filipinos stood their ground until the Nebraskas were right up to the trenches. They then bolted to their second line of entrenchments a mile further back. The Nebraskas lost two privates killed and many wounded, including two lieutenants. The Iowas had several wounded, and the Utah Regiment one officer and three men wounded. Thirteen dead Filipinos were found in the trench, a loss which was comparatively small on account of the safe shelter they enjoyed. The Americans carried the second trench with slight loss, and to-night are holding their own. Colonel Stotsenburg had won a reputation as one of the bravest fighters in the Army. He always led his regiment personally, and had achieved remarkable popularity with his men since the war began, though during his first colonelcy, the Volunteers under him being unused to such rigid discipline as regulars, thought him a hard officer. The Nebraskas have sustained greater losses in the campaign than any other regiment, and they are much grieved at the misfortunes of to 'i,%v. They promise to take vengeance in the next fight. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. Washington, Moiaday.-Tho. following tele- gram of yesterday's date has been received here from General Otis A reconnaissance on Guenqua, a place six miles to the north-east of Malolos, was made by Major Bell with a troop of cavalry this morning. It resulted in contact a.nd a battle, wherein four battalions of infantry and four pieces of artillery became engaged. The enemy were driven from strong entrench- ments at Guenqua with considerable Toss. Oar casualties were quite severe. Colonel Stolsen- burg and Lieutenant Lisson, of the let Nebraska Regiment, were killed, also several enlisted men. There is a considerable number of wounded not yet reported." The following further despatch was subse- quently leceived from General Otis :—" Casual- ties Guengua to-day: let Nebraska Regiment,two officers two enlisted men killed, two officers 26 enlisted wounded; 4th Cavalry, two enlisted kilted, fiye wounded 51st Iowa, seven enlisted wounded Utah Light Artillery, one officer two CHILDREN MADE TO FIGHT. Barcelona, Monday.-The Diayio published ft letter from Manila, dated the 22nd of March, which states that the American plan is to destroy everything. In the province of Manila villages have been bnnicd and the inhabitants have been compelled to take refuge in the interior. Disease is making ravages among the American troops. The Pennsylvania Regiment has been decimated by dysentery. The Tagalos are determined to continue the straggle. They are enlisting even children of ten years of age, and making them fight. The Ta,galos torture their prisoners. The Spanish element in the population is disappear- ing. The officials who have been compelled to retire are in a deplorable state, and everybody wishes to return to Spain. Many Spanish pri- soners belonging to the Merchant Marine are still held captive by the Filipinos, and a dreadful story of their experiences is told by those who have been released. The situation is most critical, as the food problem is becoming insoluble, demands of all kinds being made upon the Government.- Renter.

GERMANY & AMERICA. CAPTAIN COGHLAN'S SPEECH. FORMAL PROTEST LODGED. Washington, Monday.—Dr. von Holleben, the German Ambassador, on behalf of the German Government, to-d&y lodged with Mr Hay a formal protest against Captain Coghlan's utter- ances at the Union League Club, Mr Hay. in his reply, stated that the language complained of appeared to have been used at a dinner in a club, and so could not be regarded ae an official or public utterance in the sense that it would war- rant action on the part of the States Department. The Navy Department, however, was fully com- petent to take such action as the case seamed to require. With this statement Dr. von Holleben appeared to be satisfied, for the time at least, and he will doubtless wait a reasonable time for action by the Navy Deprrtmeut.-Reuter. FEELING IN GERMANY. Berlin, Monday Evening.—The papers hero publish telegrams relating to the Coghian incident, but pass very few commentjs upon it. For the most part they take a calm view of the matter, treating the speech as an after-dinner oration, and the incident has closed, especially after Mr Hay's expression of disapproval of the officer's conduct to the German Ambassador, coupled with the sensible tone taken by the American Press, which is regarded as a note- worthy fact testifying to the improved relations recently prevailing between the United Statss and Germany, The Vossische ZeUung, however, favours demanding the severe punishment of Captain Coghian. The semi-official Nordeutsche Allgemcine Zeitvmg remarks •' We will not over- rate the political significance of such indiscretions on the part of a single foreign officer, more especially as they appear to have been committed at a time when the speaker was in a state of exhilaration. We take note of the fact that Captain Coghian was immediately reprimanded by his superiors."—Renter.

STEAMER LOST^T SEA. TWELVE OF THE CREW DROWNED. New York, Monday.—The missing boat of the steamer General Wnitney, which foundered off Cape Canaveral, Florida, has reached St, Augus- tine. The boat contained 15 of the crew. Twelve of the crew were drowned by the capsizing of a lifeboat. The mep state that the vessel foundered owing to a broken sea-cock.—Central News.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER. 1.30A.M TO-DAY'S FORECAST faR .BNGL.ND. S.W.. AND .<,OUPH WALES. Issued at 8 o'clock last night, Westerly winds and finer weatlier; warmer and less settled later. Genei-al.-Cliangeable weather; rain at times is probable on our coasts; fog on our aouth-oasteny stations in the morning.

GENERAL FORECASTS. J^IBTBICTS 0. Scotland, N. 1. Scotland, E. {Southerly winds, light; 2. England, N.E. j changeable; showery, 3. England E. Wind shifting to south- 4. Mid. Counties.. westwo.rd orwestwaorch tem- 5. Eng. S. (Lon. P<««Hy fine but foggy; and Channel) showery later and not c? j itr settled; warmer. S. Scotland, W.. 7. England, N.W., & North wes.. Westerly winds and finer S. Buglaaid, S.W., weigher; warmer, and lem de South Wales. settled later. S. Ireland, N. 10. Ixefcodi S. fK

OLD AGE PENSIONS. QUESTION REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE. TORIES AND ELECTION PROMISES. SCATHING COMMENT BY MR ASQUITH. MR CHAMBERLAIN FULLY EXPOSED. BILL PROMISED BEFORE THE DISSOLUTION. In the House of Commons on Monday, Sir WILLIAM WALROND moved that a Select Committee of 17 members be ap- pointed to consider and report upon the best, means of improving the condition of the aged and. deserving poor and of providing for those of them who were helpless and infirm, and to inquire, whether any of the Bills dealing with old age pensions submitted to Parliament during the present Session could with advantage be adopted with or without amend mente Mr BUCHANAN appealed to the Speaker whether there was any precedent for the second paragraph of the resolution, or for referring to a Select Committee Bills which had not yet passed the second reading. The SPEAKER I have not yet had an oppor- tunity of seeing whether there is any precedent for the precise words proposed, but there is precedent, no doubt, foi referring to a Select Commitee as documents for inquiry Bills that have not passed the second reading. (Hear, hear.) Mr ASQUITH presumed they were to infer from the silence of the right hon. baronet who moved the resolution that the grounds upon which this proposal was recommended by the Government to the House were exhaustively stated in the speech delivered about a. month ago by the Secretary for the Colonies. The question of making provision for the old age of the desti- tute poor was not noval, but it was a question that bad only recently entered into the political arena of party controversy. (Cheers.) In 1892, when Mr Gladstone's Government took office, they were as deeply impressed as any of their suc- cessors could have been with the urgency of the problem, and were as alive as her Majesty's pre- sent advisers were to the dangers and even dis- asters that might follow from a precipitate hand- ling of the question. (Hear, hear.) They accordingly took the step of appointing a repre- sentative and authoritative Commission. That Commission sat for two years, took an enormous amount of valuable evidence, and demonstrated the existence of large and irreconcilable differ- ence of opinion, not indeed as to the magnitude of the evil, but as to the wisest and most effica- cious form of remedy. (Hear, hear.) Bat while the process of inquiry before the Commission was going on the Opposition was tempted to make party capital out of it. In April, 1894, a private member's Bill dealing with the subject came before the House for discussion. The Govern- ment of the day, through Mr Shaw-Lefevre, while expressing its strongest sympathy with the objects of the Bill, and agreeing that Parliament ought to take the matter in hand, pointed to the fact that a Commission was sitting on the subject, and moved and carried the adjournment of the debate, It was not open to those who now sat on the Treasury Bench to say that that was not a reasonable course, because their first step on coming into office was to follow the example of their predecessors, and now after a lapse of five years they were asking the House to express the opinion that further inquiry was necessary. (Hear, hear.) No sooner did the Session of 1894 come to an end than the Colonial Secretary went to Liverpool and denounced the Government, as he was entitled to do, for a thousand faults of omission and commission, but he had no right to charge them with having by the assistance of the Labour party and of Irish members succeeded in defeating their Old Age Pensions Bill. (Cheers.) They did not defeat the Bill, but only asked for an adjournment of the question. (Ministerial laughter and Opposition cheers.) That speech of the right hon. gentleman marked the beginning of that stage of the question when it was de- liberately dragged for party purposes into the arena of party controversy. (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman said he had hoped that we might return to a period of surpluses which some new Chancellor of the Exchequer might use to stiinu- late provision for old age pensions, which would do more than anything else to promote the pros- perity of the working classes. (Cheers.) A new Chancellor of the Exchequer had been installed, and had sat for nearly four years, and the time of prosperity bad come and perhaps gone. (Hear, near.) Twelve millions sterling represented what in the course of three years had been the balance of realised income over realised expenditure. What had become of the provision for old age pensions ? (Hear, hear.) Not one halfpenny had been applied to the purpose which the Colonial Secretary described as of primary importance. (Hear.hear.) The leader of the House had gone down to Manchester where his views on old age pensions were printed on a card which had been issued to the electors. Mr BALFOUR said he should like to explain what he had already explained before, that his views on old age pensions were not issued on a printed card, but on some of the speeches he had made whilo fighting his opponents at Manchester. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr ASQUITH said that it was a strange wa.y of carrying out election proceedings, publishing" the views of a candidate by moons of a card before he had by some months appeared on the scene. (Hear, hear.) Then there was the state-, ment of the Colonial Secretary in one of his speeches to the effect that his proposal with re- gard to old age pensions was so broad and so simple that anyone could understand it. Mr CHAMBERLAIN: It is a proposal and not a promise. (Cheers and counter cheers and Opposition laughter.) Mr ASQUITH said it largely depended upon what his listeners understood, but it was a pro- posal that would be sufficient to sustain an action for breach of promise. (Loud laughter.) If the proposal of the right hon. gentleman was so easily understood, so simple to the man in the street, why then the need of further inquiry ? If those whom he addressed did not regard his pro- posal as a promise then they must have been guilty of fatuous or inexcusable incredulity. He told them that there was an Old Age Pensions League, which would obtain funds from a disen- dowed and disestablished Church of England— (heM, hear)—and that half a crown wonld be added by the State to each old age pension. That was a league that neither he nor any mem- ber of the late Cabinet had anything to no with. Mr CHAMBERLAIN: Sir Walter Foster attended its most important meeting-the annual meeting. (Hear, hear.) Mr ASQUITH said he spoke of the late Cabinet and the fact that one member of the late Government (Sir W. Foster) attended a meeting of the League did not contradict his statement. On the 11th October, 1895, at Birmingham, the aright hon. gentleman, speaking as a prominent and responsible Minister, stated that the Dises- tablishment and Disendowment of the Onnrcn would give the extra 2s 6d a week ^qmred to the pension fund. There was no doubt that these proposals and promises, oft repeated, influenced a vast number of the electors who took part in the General Election. One hundred supporters of the Government in that House had signed a memorial in favour of an Old Age Pensions Bill. Nearly four years had passed, and yet nothing had been done. The Rothschild Commission had made an inclusive report. None of the proposals made by the Bill or otherwise was.either practic- able or equitable, nevertheless he would not vote against the proposal of the Government. (Ministerial laughter.) The Opposition would have failed in their duty if they had not on that occasion uttered a word of warning as to the future, and pointed to the attempt made by which the fortunes of a great social question had been subjected to the petty exigencies of a party. (Opposition cheers.) Mr CHAMBERLAIN wondered throughout the speech of the right hon. gentleman what was the object with which it was made, for it con- tained not the slightest practical suggestion for the solution of the question, (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman ha.d expressed the desire that this grave question should remain on the neutral ground it had heretofore occupied, but the whole purpose of his speech seemed to remove it from that neutral position and associate it with party controversy. Was it worth while to waste half an hour in calling attention to what were after all purely party matters f (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman complained of the action taken in September, 1894, by the party now sitting on the Treasury Bench, but missed altogether the point of the speech he Mr Chamberlain then made. What he was then inprewring upon his hearers was that the impor- ta.nt matter in connection with the question was the possession byjthe Chancellor of the Exchequer of a surplus. Another speech of his had been alluded to in justification of the charge that he had made party capital, but on that occasion he was most earnest in impressing upon the audience that they should not entertain exaggerated views of what could be done in the matter. He urged that all the difficulties should be taken into account, and that they should proceed gradually, step by step. He offered a proposal, and not a promise, to the consideration of his hearera. (Oh, oh.) A proposal was merely a suggestion for dis- cussion— (Opposition laughter and Ministerial cheers)—for the life of him he could net under- stand why that observation should cause eo much amusement to gentlemen opposite. Prom first to last be had always dealt with the subject as one for discussion. Was it seriously suggested that no nerson must discuss a question like this ceram populo without being understood to have given « £ lad«?e which he was bound to fulfil as soon as SeSffiStaed ? He had acted wtth Modfeith in the matter. (Cheers.) He took it upwhen the party to which he belonged waste office and from .that day to the present ho had hardly ever made a public speech without infer- ring to it, and endeavouring to throw some light upon the subject. (Cheera.) He had made vaxiom proposals and pnt forward various Borne of the schemes he had pat torward he had i* red M I and impracticable, but he did not think he was to be condemned, or that his colleagues were to be made responsible because he had en. deavoured to popularise the subject. (Cheers.) What was the good of all this recrimination which the right hon. gentleman bad introduced ? It had never been his endeavour to make party capital out of the business. On the contrary, he was so modest in his proposals. Most others who were able to go further than he was might have succeeded to his disadvantage. The subject was no doubt attended to at the last election, but not by one party alone. (Cheers). The right hon. gentleman's own followers and colleagues dealt with it on similar lines to those on which it was dealt with by members of the present Govern- ment, though perhaps the latter showed a little more caution as they weie in office, and hoped to continue in office. (Laughter and cheers.) The Committee and Commission which had already sat had to some extent cleared the way, and it was not beyond reasonable hope that if this Committee, which had already been unneces- sarily delayed, were appointed at once Mr ASQUITH By whom has its appointment been delayed ? Mr CHAMBERLAIN: By gentlemen on the other side. 'Cheers.) Mr ASQUITH All we did was to say that we? could not allow it to go without discussion. (Opposition cheers.) Mr CHAMBERLAIN said if the Committee bad been allowed to be appointed when the motion first appeared upon the paper it would have got to work several weeks earlier, but at all events let them get on as quickly as they could now, and it would not be unreasonable to, hope that it might be able to make recommenda- tions on which the Government might be able, next Session to propose legislation. (Cheers.) No pledge or promise was given that the Govern- ment would deal with the question as soon as they came into office, but they did hope in the end to deal with it before they left office. (Lond> cheers.) As they could not deal with it at the earliest before next Session of Parliament, the reference to a Committee would not delay the set- tlement. He congratulated the House upon practi- cal progress having been made, and confidently hoped that before the present Government went out of office they would be able to furnish a scheme which would be useful and would lead to an ultimate solution of the problem. (Cheers.) Mr LECKY thought as the Government, after long and careful inquiry, were unable to devise a satisfactory scheme thought the inference might be drawn that they ought to drop the question. (Hear, hear.) It was one of the most dangerous questions ever raised before Parliament, and it would be very much better if they had not gone as far as they had done with it.](Hear, hear.) The effect of one of the schemes suggested would be to incur an expenditure equal to the interest on the National Debt since the peace of 1815. He did not say that a country so enormously rich might not be able to boar such an increase of expenditure, but so extensive a scheme could not be adopted without the risk of depression of trade and of a social catastrophe. (Hoar, hear.) Mr LOGAN moved as an amendment to sub- stitute the words That having regard to the fact that a Royal Commission and a Special Committee have within the last four years reported upon the condition of and the providing of pensions for the aged poor, this House con- siders that further inquiry is not likely to shed further light on the subject, and that the Government should undertake the responsibilities of making such proposals as they may deem good." Mr MENDL seconded the amendment. Mr BALFOUR could not help hoping that the House would consent without further delay to allow the Committee to be appointed, or, at all events, to divide upon the question whether it was to be appointed or not. (Cheers.) If Ministers did not find some satisfactory means of deaJing with the question no reference to a Com- mittee would relieve the Government from re- sponsibility for the failure. (Cheers.) He still entertained the hope that a satisfactory solution would be found in the course of the present Par- liament. (Cheers.) Gentlemen who sat on the other side of the House promised old age pensions just as much as those who sat on the Ministerial side, and took care to make known that the question of old age pensions was no monopoly of the Unionist 'party, so that it could not fairly be said that the last election was decided upon that question. (Hear, hear.) Let the Committee get to work without delay, and then good resnlts from the inquiry might be confidently anticipated. (Cheers.) Sir W. FOSTER intended to vote for the Committee. Mr Seely also supported the resolution, and after the some remarks tfrom Mr Hazell and Mr Maddison, The House divided, and the numbers wem- For the amendment. 93 Against 263- Majority. 170 The resolution was then agreed to.

FIRE AT MILLWALL DOCKS. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A destructive fire occurred at the Millwall Docks on Monday night, razing one of the largest warehouses. How it originated is un- known. It was first discovered about 7 o'clock in the evening. The part of the docks in which the warehouse is situated is very difficult of access, but the Metropolitan Fire Brigade had provided for fire emergency by providing a fire station. The appliances there were quickly got oat, and a good supply of water was obtained from the docks. Oncak&jpaper and chips were amongst the goods stored in the warehouse, and these burned with a rapidity that defied all quenching. Six or seven engines from the adjoining districts were soon on the scene, and the 50 firemen worked strenuously, but their efforts were unavailing to save the building from total destruction. Fifteen minutes after the alarm was raised the roof caught, and, being for the most part of pitch pine, made but feeble alarm was raised the roof caught, and, being for the most part of pitch pine, made but feeble resistance. To accentuate an already exciting situation, the flames spread to the steamship Hope lying immediately in front of the ware- house, and but for the timely assistance of a tag and efforts of the brigade, must also have been burned. As it was considerable damage was done.

LENS COAL STRIKE SETTLED. Lena, Monday.—A congress, attended by Ul delegates representing miners of coalfields of Departments of the Nord and Pas de Calais, was held here yesterday, under th(. presidency of M. Baaly, Socialist Deputy, in order to consider the question of accepting or declining a 5 per cent, advance offered by the masters at a recent interview between the men's representatives and the colliery owners. After various speeches dwelling unon the inadequacy of the present wages, M. Bazly declared that the scale handed by the colliery directors to the men's delegates consisted of incorrect figures, manipulated so as to make it appear that the companies could not grant more than 5 percent. Nevertheless M, Baaly advised the workers to accept this advance rather than enter upon a strike which would entail many hard- ships. After long discussion the congress decided to send a letter to the Masters' Com- mittee declaring its acceptance of the advance offered, but in view of the difference between the figures of the companies and those published by the Ministry, asking for a second interview at which the matter could be explained. It was also decided to leave the question of observing May 1st as a play day to the decision of the local Unions. Most probably, therefore, the pitmen will not take a holiday on May Day in the Departments of the Nerd and the Pas de Calais. -Router.

BURNED AT THE STAKE. HORRIBLE BARBARITY. Newman, Georgia, Monday.—A negro named Sam Hose was burned at the stake near this place yesterday for killing a farmer named Cran- ford and outraging hia wife a week ago. Befoie the torch was applied to the faggots the ears and fingers and other portions of the m&n's body were cut off. Hose confessed to the murder of Cran- ford, and said that he was hired to commit the crime, but he denied having outraged his victim's wife. Before the body was cool it was cut to pieces, the bones being crushed into small frag- ments. Even the tree to which the negro was chained wpm torn up and divided, the pieces being carried off as souvenirs. Mr Atkinson, a former governor, appealed to the mob to let the law take its course, but one of their number threat- ened to shoot Mr Atkinson, who declared he would testify against some of the men pre- sent, whom he recognised. The governor has been asked to send troops, as vengeance is feared on the part of the negroes.-Reuter. Newman, Monday.-The body of Lige Strick- and, a negro preacher aged 60, from whom the FTXRRSSrAUEFI that ,he had reived 12 dollars to kill Crauford, was found this morn mg swinging from a branch of a tree a mile from Palmetto, with the ears and fiDgers cut off, and a placard on the chest bearing the words, Wo must protect our Southern women."—Renter.

THE INDIAN FRONTIER. VILLAGE RAIDED BY AFGHANS Simla, Monday Afternoon.-A body of Afghans torn the village of Istiaraided thereof Burki, in the Upper Kiirrum Valley, on Friday last. The rai«er3, who were armed with rifles, fired on some of the villagers who attempted to •?u6r theUL °Per&tions and decamped with many head of cattle. The Burki villagers went in pursuit of the Afghans, but though they wounded one of them they were unable to recover any of the looted cattle.—Central News.

MR RUDYARD KIPLING. Mr Rudyard Ktpling is still at Lakewood, U.S., where much public interest is displayed in his daily movements. He is rapidly gaining strength, and, though yet necessarily careful of his powers, he becomes daily more independent of the help of his wife and others. On Tuesday last he had to be carried into the hotel at which he is staying, but on Saturday evening he waa walking in the hotel lobby entirely unassisted. He is in capital spirits, has a good appetite, and pleeps well. He is more frequently seen in the public rooms of the hotel than when he first arrived, and is »ble to smoke. He pays daily visits with Mrs Kipling to a oottage close by, where his children are staying.

THE OlUNGE Gun. II Sir Walter Besant's now mi charming Romance of Dondoa bife. toj<">w

THE CAPE GARRISON. TO BE LARGELY INCREASED HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. The Lord Chancellor took hie seat upon the Woolsack at a quarter past 4. NATIONAL MONUMENTS IN CHURCHES. The Earl of CAMPERDOWN moved the second reading of the National Monuments in Churches Bill, which, he said, was a reintroduc- tion of the measure passed in the House last July, but for which time was not found in the other House. It provided that a national monu- ment erected in any cathedral or church should not be removed or altered without leave of her Majesty and Parliament, and in regard to private monuments the rights of Parliament were reserved. The Bill was read a second time. COPYRIGHT BILL. Lord MONKS WELL moved the sacond reading of the Copyright Bill, which he said did not touch the subject of artistic copyright, but only literary copyright, which it was desirable to deal with separately. The Bill was supported by the Society of Authors, and popoi to extend the term of copyright to the life of the author and for 30 years after his death. One of the greatest novelties in the Bill was that it gave newspapers a copyright in neVis for 12 hours after publication. The Bill was read a second time and referred to a. Select Committee. The House rose at 7.15.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. The Speaker took the chair at 3.5. Notices had been given of 40 questions. NEW WRIT FOR MERIONETHSHIRE. On the motion of Mr HERBERT GLAD- STONE a new writ was ordered to be issued for Merioneth, in the room of Mr T. Ellis, deceased. LOCAL BILL. The Education Department Provisional Order Confirmation (Swansea) Bill was read a third time. A CARDIFF PETITION. Mr Maclean presented a petition from 339 railway employees in Cardiff and district in-* favour" of tbe Railway Regulation Bill. SECTARIAN SCHOOLS SUBSCRIPTIONS. Mr HEDDERWICK asked the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether there had been any falling off in the subscriptions of the supporters of Voluntary schools in England since the Voluntary Schools Act, 1898 was passed. Sir JOHN GORST said he was sorry to say that there had been a considerable falling off in subscriptions. (Radical cheers.) The amount of diminution in the year ending August 31st, 1898, as compared with the previous year, was—Church of England schools, £46.961; Roman Catholic, £211174; Wesleyan schools, £2,607; British and other undenominational school 3, making a total of £17,927. SWIMMING AS A BOARD SCHOOL SUBJECT. Mr Tomlinson elicited from Sir JOHN GORST that the expenditure on the part of the School Board of London a.nd other School Boards in the country in providing swimming baths at the cost of the ratepayers was legal. Swimming was recog- nised as a subject of instruction under the Code, and the School Board would decide in each case whether Voluntary school children should be admitted to the baths. The Government could not undertake legislation to provide for the ad- mission to the baths of Voluntary school children equally with those of the Board schools. CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES. The HOME SECRETARY informed Mr Flower that it would be possible in the case of a prisoner against whom several warrants of com- mitment bad been issued to have sentences under such warrants carried out consecutively. A warrant of commitment ran from the date on which it was received in the prison where the prisoner was confined unless the Court had made an express order otherwise. If it was lodged there while the prisoner was undergoing a previous sentence there was no occasion for his rearrest at the prison ates. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS." The HOME SECRETARY told Captain Ch&loner that he had no power to require certi- ficates of exemption from vaccination to be given to oonacisntious objectors free of charge. THE MARRIAGE ACT. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, replying to Mr Herbert Lewis, said the person before whom the declarations prescribed by Section B of the Marriage Act, 1898, were to be made must be certified as duly authorised by the trustee or other governing body of a building. The Act did not require any particular mode of previous selection. A marriage solemnised in the presence of a person not authorised and certified would not, in his opinion, be valid, but no general answer could be given to such a question, aa the circumstances of each particular case would have to be considered. CAPE TO CAIRO. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, replying to Mr Bryn Roberts,said the carrying out of the Mafeking-Bnluwayo line formed part of the security proposed by Mr Rhodes for Imperial guarantee. The Government, before pledging the Imperial credit, wonldjof course satisfy them- selves whether the dividend had been actually earned. As the line was woiked by the Cape Government, they would provide evidence of receipts and expenses. Portions of the line were very rapidly built to meet the exigencies of the Matabele rebellion, but the defects had to be made good before the Government engineer would grant his certificate for the line as fa,r as Palapyc; to which the contract of 1894 applied. The line from.Palapye to Buluwayo would requira independent inspection. COURSE OF BUSINESS-MR BALFOUR CALLED TO ORDER! Mr BALFOUR, replying to a question, said he hoped to take the Education E&limatss on Friday, subject to any change which might occur in the next few days. Mr Balfour moved that after this day the several stages of the London Government Bill and the Finance Bill have precedence of all Orders of the day, and notices of motion on every day for which the Bills or either of them are appointed. He thought it not unreasonable to aak the House to devote the greater part of the time between now and Whitsuntide to the dia- cussion of these two Bills. He did not propose to take the next three Wednesdays, and he hopei it might be possible to avoid taking the fourth and remaining Wednesday before Whitsun. He was unable to give any pledge, however. Sir H. CAMPBELL BANNERMAN said that while members on that side of the House did not see the urgency of the matters to which tho right hon. gentleman alluded, tho situation bad been considerably relieved by the understanding with regard to Wednesdays. Mr JAMES LOWTHER said the leader of the Opposition seemed to be thinking more of the .:t8Ø!J to which his party might put the time pro- posed to be taken by the Government than of the rights and privileges of private members. (Hear, hear.) Mr STRACHEY moved as an amendment to except Wednesday, 17th May, when the)Hating of Machinery Bill was down for second reading. Mr BALFOUR said Wednesday, 17th May, was the last Wednesday before Whitsuntide, so that there could only be a discussion on the rating of machinery and no chance of passing it this Session. Mr JAMES LOWTHER: You have not reo plied to my remarks. (Laughter.) Mr BALFOUR I am afraid I should not be in order now. Mr JAMES LOWTHER: You would be qnite in order. (Renewed laughter.) Mr BALFOUR Mr right hon. friend wants a reply. Now what, is his contention 1 The SPEAKER Order, order. The right hon. gentleman cannot reply to the right hon. member now. (Laughter.) He may find an opportunity later on. (Renewed laughter, amidst wbich Mr Balfour resumed his seat.) ifix BRYN ROBERTS then moved to amend Mr Strachey's amendment by substituting Wednesdays" for Wednesday, the 17th May," and the House then divided. Mr Strachey's amendment was rejected by 273 to 60. and Mr Brvo Roberta's amendment to except all Wednes- days was defeated by 218 to 128. Mr Balfour's resolution was carried by 262 to 88. LONDON GOVERNMENT gBILL. On tho order of the day forgoing into Committee on the London Government Bill the SPEAKER ruled all the eight proposed instructions ont of order, and at a few minutes before 8 o'clock the House went into Committee on the Bit!. Mr HALDANE moved to the first clausa an amendment including the laity of London within the scope of the Bill. Mr BALFOUR hoped the Committee would not assent to the amendment. Mr J BURNS twitted the Government with being afraid to undertake the reform of the City. SirJ. LUBBOCK observed tbMthoae who were engaged .in largo mercantile operations in London Batiafied with the present administration of the City- Mt ASQUITH conceived that if the amend. ment were rejected it would be 'impossible in latter clauses to introduce any reforms in the administration. The Committee divided, and the amendment was rejected by 208 to 103; majority 105. The Chairman was then ordered to report progress. The report of Suoply was brought, and on the vote of works, braidings, and repairs. GARRISONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. Mr DILLON moved a, reduction by £20,000 in respect of the sum asked for to provide accommo- dation for increased garrisons in South Africa. Mr CHAMBERLAIN ft* that the inareaae in the permanent garrison was not intended as a men, but was part of the general policy of providing for the protection of her Majesty's dominions against possible attack. The Transvaal Government had enormously increased its offensive or defensive forces within the last two years. Mr BRYN ROBERTS observed that the increase was due to the idea in tbs Transvaal that the Colonial Secretary was seeking a quarrel with the Government for the purpose of annexing its territory. Mr LABOUCHERE denounced as rninou the policy of increasing our military forces in pro- portion to the additions made by our neighbours. Dr. CLARK thought when President Kroger read the right hon. gentleman's h he wonld regard it as a good iHntfmfeu MM» <rf the (he lamb. The reduction was negatived by 103 to 21, and the vote was confirmed. Tbe remaining resolutions were agreed to. The House adjourned at 5 minutes to 1 o'clock.

WELSH PARLIAMENTARY PARTY. INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION AND THE GOVERNMENT BILL. AN UNDERSTANDING ARRIVED AT. Our London Welsh correspondent, wiring on Monday night, says A meeting of the Welsh Parliamentary party was held this afternoon under the presidency of Mr Alfred Thomas. The following members attended :—Messrs Hnm- pbreys-Owen, Bryn Roberta, Lloyd George,, Herbert Lewis, Reginald McKenna, Lloyd Mor. gan, Abel Thomas, Charles Morley, Wm. Jones, Samuel Smith, and the two Whips, Messrs Brynmor Jones and Herbert Roberts. An interesting discussion took place on the Second- ary Education Bill and its possible effect on the Welsh educational system, especially in regard to the examination of intermediate schools and the relation of the Central Board under the Act of 1889 to the General Central Board about to be created under the new BilL The matters affecting these points were exhaustively explained by Mr Humphreys-Owen, chairman of the Welsh Board, and Mr Herbert Lewis. After some discussion the meeting was adjourned, with a view to a conference of the parties. The second reading of the Bill was taken in the House of Lords at the same time as the meeting was held. Apart from the result of the discussion in the Upper House I am in a position to state on the best authority that a satisfac- tory arrangement has been already made with the Government in accordance with. the general sense of the Duke of Devonshire's speech at Presteign, in which his Grace said there was no intention of interfering with the system as established in Wales. The Committee stage of the Bill will be taken in the House of Lords on Tuesday week.

NATIONAL EDUCATION. PROPOSED CONTROLLING BOARD. A GOVERNMENT MEASURE. In the House of Lords on Monday The Duke of Devonshire formally moved the second reading of the Board of Education Bill, which provides for the establishment of a Board to superintend matters relating to education in England and Wales. Lord Reay said the object of this Bill was to secure that the functions performed by the State in connection with education be performed by administrators directly subordinate to one authority. The Education Department created under the Bill would take charge not of a section but of our whole educational system. This did not, he took it, mean that our educa- tional system would be centralised, but that the Education Department would no longer be ham- pered by agencies each acting independently, and that the various agencies should be on such a footing that they would submit to the heads of the Department and give the Department the reauit of their carefully considered proposals. Neither the Science a.nd Art Department nor the Department for Elementary Education had been created with the view of dealing with secondary education. In this Bill the organisation for deal- ing with secondary education wa.s undoubtedly very complicated, but if the Secondary Education Board enjoyed general confidence it would exer- cise the beneficial influence which had been exercised upon elementary education by the Edu. cation Department. It was quite clear that tbe administration of the income by the various local authorities, if without supervision by a central Department or Board, must lead to waste and also to insufficient school accommoda- tion. If the new Board made use of the materials provided it, and was able to build up an educa- cation&l fabric which would satisfy us that future generations would be properly equipped for the burdens which they would have to bear, this Bill would not have been passed in vain. The Archbishop of Canterbury rejoiced exceedingly at the introduction of this Bill. It was the first attempt to do what in his judgment ought to have been done something like 25 years ago, because during all this time our educational system had ccrtainly suffered from that want of completeness which was really necessary in order that any part of it should be as good as it could be made. Still, there were one or two matters which he would bring before the attention of the Government, and which seemed to him to require further consideration. If he spoke particularly on behalf of religious education it was not that he claimed for the Church of England anything in the nature of special treatment. He did not ask that any preference should be given to the Church as distinct from any other religious body in this country, but he did ask their Lordships not to fancy they were promoting the cause of religion if they understood religious equality to mean the keeping out of all religion as much as possible. That was very often the present inter- pretation of the phrase religious equality," and he could not help feeling a considerable amount of anxiety when any measure of this sort appeared lest statesmen should be induced to avoid touch- ing a subject which might lead to controversy. He did not object to the new Board, but there were matters which he thought the Charity Commiasioners would be better able to handle, and he would suggest that they shonld be still left with the Charity Com- missioners. The inspection of secondary schools required very careful consideration, and it was not clear from the Bill whether private schools were to be inspected or not. But he presumed the Board would inspect private schools, endowed grammar schools, or any other schools. That would be a great pity if they were to ignore the great body of private schools. During the last 30 years the improvement in private schools had been very marked indeed, and the bast encourage- ment they could possibly receive would be that they should obtain inspection on the same terms as other schools. Our public schools recognised that the most important thing was the formation of character, the turning out of young men with a strong sense of duty and the rcaJ determination to do that duty to the best of their ability. This was far ntoro important than any amount of merely intellectual teaching. If they excluded religious education they would do more harm to future geneiations than they wore doing good by improving the merely intellectual teaching. With theae reservations he earnestly hoped the Bill would become law as soon as possible. (Hear, hear.) The Marquis of Ripon agreed that the ques- tion of secondary education ought to have been dealt with long before. The report of the Royal Commission bad been before Parliament for five years and yet nothing had been done, and more- over, if this Bill became law, as no doubt it would, nothing would be done for secondary education except the rendering the Education Department more fit to deal with that and the other parts of its work. The present Bill would not oome into effect until April 1st, 1903, and therefore the President ot the Board wculd not have time to prepare a Secondary Education Bill to be passed in that Session of Parliament. It would be vain to cherish a hops that a Secondary Education Bill would be carried in the Session of 1901, for then Parliament would be on the eve of a General Election. The Bishop of Winchester welcomed this Bill, but thought it did not go far enough. The Earl of Kimberley said this country had suffered much from the neglect of technical education, and they had now to bring it into con- tact with other branches of education. What was required was a better system of combination. He welcomed the Bill as a very small step in the right direction. They must be thankful for small mercies. (Hear, hear.) Anyone reading the report of the Commission on Secondary Educa- tion mUtlt be amazed at the cot1Ínsion existing, the want of system, and waste of endowments. He had hoped that a strong effort would have been ma.de by the Government to bring this system into real working order, aud he should have thought that with the ample material at their disposal the Government might have mustered courage enough to bring in some con- siderable measure. It was not by tentative expedients that great reforms could be carried through. The Duke of Devonshire, in reply, said the criticisms of the Bill had been mainly of two I entirely different and to some extent antagonistic descriptions. Some of the criticisms which had been made by the Marquis of Ripon, which were supported to a certain degree by the Earl of Kimberley, related to the inadequate character of the present proposals. He could not hold him- self responsible for any exaggerated description of the measure, for he had always admitted what a small step this Bill was in the matter of secondary education. What it did was to create a Department which should be able to take cognisance of, and competent to deal with, problems of secondary education as they arose. The Bill did not profess to lay down a policy which this Department, not yet created, would undertake after its forma- tion. If they found they were able to organise a central authority which would inspire general confidence, and if Parliament should be disposed to entrust it with funds necessary for a complete and systematic inspection of all secondary schools, it was obvious that he could not at this stage ask the assent of the Treasury to proposals which might involve very considerable expendi- ture without being able to lay before the Depart- ment far more definite and positive estimates as to the probable cost than he could give now. With regMd to tbe Consultative Com- mittee sufficient indications of its duties 'I were, he thought, given in the BiU. They did not propose that the committee as to its I constitution should have any statutory character. It was to be the creation of the Minister who would be responsible for ita proceedings, but two- thirds of the committee must be representative of educational institutions. If anything more precise were inserted in the Bill he believed it would become the subject of many pages of amendment, bat he believed the committee would be a most useful and valuable body. He could only express his satisfaction at the generally favourable reception the measure had met with. The Bill was tben road a second time, and the committee stag* WM lWift RtPofrf M*

ROYAL VISIT TO WALES. I LORD CAERIN G TON'S GUESTS. ARRIVAL AT GWYDYR CASTLE. PUBLIC RECEPTION AT LLANRWST. (BY OUR OWN REPORTER.) Llanrwst, Monday Evening.—Gwydyr Castle, in the Vale of Conway, the beautiful residence of Earl Carrington, to-night once more shelters under its hospitable roof prominent members of the Royal House of England. Among the many notable residences in North Wales Gwydyr stands unrvalled both for the picturesqueness of its situation and the interest that attaches to its history. For this reason it has long been one of the show places of Gwynedd, and even the Vale of Conway—the paradise of landscape painters— has nothing more attractive to show either to the archaeologist, the historian, or the lover of beauty than this old Tudor mansion, once the residence of the mighty Wynnes. Good Queen Bess here spent a merry holiday, Here, too, the unfortunate Charles Stuart, after his defeat at Chester, found refuge for a couple of weeks. From basement to roof it is fell of relics that speak eloquently of its glory in the days that have gone. But with the advent of Lord Carrington, who purchased the estate from his cousin, Lord Ancaster,four or five years ago, Gwydyr has had its ancient glory revived. It has become once more the scene of brilliant assemblies. A few months ago his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and his suite were here entertained during the Festiniog Eisteddfod week, and the district around still cherish pleasant recollections of the visit to Gwydyr during the Diamond Jubilee year of the Premiers of her Majesty's Colonies. All these recent visits, however, pale into comparative insignificance compared with the visit paid to it this week by the Duke and Duchess of York. Their Royal Highnesses, as guests of Earl Carrington, pro- pose spending the next four days In the district, and during their stay short visits have been arranged to the principal towns in the county, including Llandudno. Conway, and Carnarvon. It follows that this, the most populous portion of North Wales, is all alive with excitement, each commnnity vieing with its neighbour in welcoming their Royal Highnesses. Llanrwst has to-day had the first innings, so to speak, and right worthily has it acquitted itself; even though the elements have been as unpropitious as they weil could be, The quaint and narrow streets of the picturesque little market town were veritable quagmires, full of puddles and pitfalls by no means calculated to sweeten the temper of the visitors who in their hundreds trooped into it from the surrounding hamiats. but overhead the streets were ablaze with colour, for the scheme of decoration was bold and comprehensive. Every one of the nine triumphal arches that at intervals spanned the half mile of road that divided the station from the town bore scrolls of welcome in Welsh and English—"Welcome to the Daks and Duchess of York," God Save the Queen," Croesaw i Gynvru," "Llwyddiant gwlad," CYHlru l'ffi byth." These and other mottoes, breathing a cordial spirit of welcome and patriotism, met the eye at every turn. One banner in Watling-street came in for a good deal ef notice, beaming as it did a Welsh couplet of singular appropriate neBS- Ar ei rudd Boed Hawddgar wrid, A'i arwyddair fo Rhyddid." THE ARRIVAL. Their Royal Highnesses were due to arrive at Llanrwst at 5.30 p.m. from Ireland, where they had been on a visit to Kingstown. Leaving that Irish port at 12.30 p.m. by special boat they reached Holyhead after a rougbish passage at 4 o'clock. At Holyhead the Duke and Duchess, accompanied by the Hon. Derek Kepell, the Equerry in Waiting, were received by Captain Clapp, R.N., the harbour master, and C&ptain Kendall, the repre- sentative of the Oity of Dublin Steamship Com- pany, and conducted to the Royal train, which was in waiting in charge of Mr E. A. Neele, superintendent of the Chester and Holyhead sec- tion of the London and North-Western Rail- way, and Mr G. P. Greene. one of the outdoor assistant superintendents of the line. The railway train consisted of a brake composite carriage, a dinmg car 69ft. long, the Royal saloon, and a brake van, and the run to Llanrwst was ac^cmolished in a little over the As the time for arrival approached many thousands of persons reassembled in the precincts of the railway station, but admission to the enclosure was strictly confined to the privileged ticket-holders. These embraced the chairman and representatives of the various local Urban District Councils, inclading Festiniog, Bettwsy- coed, Llanrwst, Trefriw, and Llandudno. The railway station itself was gay with bunting, and very artistically decorated with evergreens, while the platform and the passage leading to the carriage outside were covered with crimson cloth. In the station yard the guard of honour stood drawn up in line. The gnard consisted of 120 men of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, drawn from Carnarvon, Bangor, Conway, Llandudno, and Commas (Anglesey), and were under the command of Captain Allora, the band being supplied by the Carnarvon con- tingent. Lord and Lady Carrington on their arrival at tbe station were accorded a hearty welcome, They were accompanied by Lady Alexandra Carrington and Lady Marjorie, and the Castle party also included Col. Higson, the High Sheriff of Denbighshire, and Col. Gough, of Caerhun Hall. RECEPTION AT LLANRWST. The Royal train arrived promptly to the appointed time, and as it steamed into the little wayside station the hills resounded with acclama- tions of welcome. The Duke, who imme- diately alighted, looked in the best oi health and spirits, though slightly tired after the very boisterous cross Channel voyage he had just accomplished. The Duchess bore no such traces, but was radiant with smiles as she cordially returned the greetings of the Castle party. The greetings and introductions of the Castle party over, Mrs Humphreys, the wife of the cha.ir- man of the Llanrwst District Council, was intro- duced, and presented to her Royal Highness a magnificent shower bouquet composed of choice orchids handsomely mounted with satin and lace. Upon the Royal party papoaring in the station yard, the band struck up the National Anthem and the gnard presented arms. The Duke and Duchess, who appeared delighted with the recep- tion given them, smilingly acknowledged the greetings. Here Mr J. E. Humphreys, who fills the dual capacity of chairman of the Local District Council and the Reception Committee, was introduced by Lord Carrington to the Duke, and asked his Royal Highness's acceptance of an address of welcome contained in an album, ¡ handsomely bound in Royal blue morocco leather, decorated with gold, and which contained also a series of platinotype views of the objects of interest in the surrounding neighbourhood. His Royal Highness received the address, and handed the following written reply :—The kind and loyal welcome you have given the Duchess of York aud myself on the occasion of our visit to the Vale of Conway has touched us deeply. We thank yon for this welcome and for the senti- I ments of affection which you express towards the I Queen as well as for the mention of the miiny blessings which the people have enjoyed during 1 her reign. We also thank you for the kind wishes I you offer to us personally, a.nd we hope to spend a fewdays^atGwydyr Castle and enjoy the beautiful scenery for which the Vale of Conway is so justly celebrated. PROCESSION TO GWYDYR. This little ceremony over, a procession was formed, headed by a band, and consisting of the Volunteers and members of the local public bodies. Their Royal Highnesses, with Earl Carrington and the eauerry-in-waiting, occupied the first carriage. Tho second carriage contained Lady Cariington, Lady Marjorie Carrington, Lady Alexandra Carrington aud Mr Monciieffe. Other carriages followed with the remaining guests. Happily during this hour the rain ceased, and for a brief period the mist lifted and tho surrounding hilltops emerged slowly into view. En route the scene WM one of overflowing enthusiasm. Dense crowds packed the pavements and greeted the Royal visitors with deafening cheera. and not a single point of vantage was unoccupied. When Ancaster-square was reached the utmost difficulty was experienced, so dense was the crowd, in forcing a passage to the platform erected outside the ancient Town Hall. The platform referred to was occupied by a. choir of picked voices drawn from several towns in the district, and conducted by Mr E. M. Jones. The Royal carriage was brought to a halt opposite the platform, and then there was another burst of cheering. The Duchess, her face wreathed with smiles, bowed in acknowledgment of the welcome accorded to her. Then the sopranos of the choir, in voices of singular purity and sweetness, sang the opening verse of the English version of the National Anthem, the refrain being sung by the whole choir and the crowd with excellent effect. A moment later and the familiar strains of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau broke upon the ear. The female voices sang the first verse and the male voices the second, the re- frain as before being sung by all voices combined. Though they could not understand the words of the anthem their Royal Highnesses could not easily mistake the patriotic sentiments which moved the singers, and it was evident that they highly appreciated this musical welcome to the land of song. Then followed more cheers for the Queen, for the Prince and Princess of Wales, for the Duke and Duchess of York, and for Earl and ¡ Lady Carrington. The Duke acknowledged his gratification at the efforts of the choir with a gracioos bow to both conductor and choristers. Than the ;prooafsaion was reformed, more stroete were perambulated, and at last when tb* old badge across th Conway, designed by Inigo < mi reacted tire ppcfti eat. and the Royal party drove through it at an ao- celerated pace, crossed the bridge, and were soon lost to view in the magninoently embowered drive which leads to the Castle. For the rest of the day llanrwst gave itself up to jubilation. The weather cleared, and a com- prehensive scheme of illumination was carried out. Electric arc lights were requisitioned, and proved an immense attraction, for electricity as an ilJnmiuaut has hitherto been unknown at Llanrwst. The Gwydyr drive was spanned by thousands of Chinese lanterns, and furnished a picture of irresistible attraction. In the evenrng Colonel Swain and Mr Moncrieff had the honour of dining with the Royal party at the Castle. To-morrow (Tnesd&y) the Doke and Ducbeea will visit Carnarvon, where extensive prepara- tions have been made for their cordial reception.

COURT CIRCULAR. CIMIEZ, Monday. The Queen, Royal Family, and Royal House- hold attended Divine service yesterday morning. The Rev. James Aitken officiated and preached the sermon. Her Majesty went out yesterday morning with Princess Henry of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. Her Majesty drove in the afternoon with Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein and Prince Leopold of Battenberg, visiting the Duchess-Dowager of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at Chateau Falron. Prince Alexander of Battenberg left Cinxiez on Saturday last for Windsor Castle. Lord Harris attended the funeral of the late Dowager-Duchess of Marlborough on the Queen's behalf at Blenheim Palace last Friday and placed a wreath from the Queen on the coffin.

FUTURE OF LLANELLY. PROPOSED INCORPORATION. At the annual meeting of the Llanelly Urban Council on Monday Mr, Ernest Trubshaw waa elected chairman for the third time. In return- ing thanks Mr Trubshaw said they had a lot of workon'hand at the present time, and he sincerely believed that every project they were dealing with would conduce to the future prosperity of Llanelly. The practice of the Legislature nowadays, however, was not to give more privileges to Urban District Councils, but to bestow them upon incorporated bodies, and that being so he would be wanting in his duty if he did not state his belief that it would be to the I interests of Llanelly at the present juncture, having regard to financial and other matters, for them to go in for incorporation. He had no doubt that there would be opposition, but he was of the opinion that the change conld be made at very little cost to the ratepayers, and the matter ought to receive the early consideration of tha Council.

THE BAPTIST UNION. THE LATE DR. SPURGEON'S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. A pathetic interest attaches to the sprtng assembly of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland, as the late Dr. Spurgeon was to have been president for the year. There was a very large gathering of members and their friends in the afternoon at the Bloomsbury Chapel, when the spring meeting was fittingly opened by a memorial service for Dr. Sporgeoa, conducted by the Rev. James Owen, of Swansea. After the service the Rev. Barnes Owen read the address prepared by the late Dr. Spurgeon. The address was entitled The faith once for all delivered unto the saints," and opened with a reference to the anniversary of the birthday of Oliver Cromwell." The writer stated that Cromwell was not perfect before his Maker, but he was a. world-wide hero who stamped his mstster mind for good upon our land for all time, and whose inSuence was as imperisha.ble as the tongue in which he spoke words of terror to tyrants both at home and abroad. A leader of lion- hearted men whose tramp still echoed through the corridors of time and with which they kept step with time,"and to which they kept step in their Free Church marching to-day. The secret of the Puritans' triumph was not in their superior valne, for they met men equally brave with themselves in the shock of battle, nor was it in any superior arms or arts of war, for they conquered the best strategists of their day. But the talisman of their victory was character based on faith." How best to follow their example was the question of the hour. The present aspect 01 religious thought in our land was snch as to make the need for co-operation more than ever manifest. The address con- tinued :—" I can and do respect an avowed and conscientious. Roman Catholic, though I am bound to withstand him to his face, but these illegitimate children of Rome are debauching the manliness and ♦straightforwardness of our national life. As an Englishman I say we will have none of this tolerated in our National Church. No British officer would dare to evade his duties and falsify his pledges with Jtbe subterfuges and trickery which are patent to all who examine the position of many of the Established Church clergy to-day. A dead Oliver Cromwell cannot strike a blow aganst a tyrant to-day, but the memory of him may help us who are alive to do it." The first session of the Assembly was then open the Rev. Mr Vincer the retiring presi- dent, in the chair. A resolution recording with profonndest sorrow the sudden decease of their beloved vice-president (Dr. Spurgeon) was passed. The Council's report stated that during the year as compared with the previous year the following increases had taken place :-Church, 50 chapels, 3 chapel seats, 12 251 members 8,438 Sunday teachers, 1,030 Sunday scholais^ 11,917 local preachers, 90 pasto in charge, 35 and baptisms, 855. The Council on the 22nd March unanimously resolved to nominate the Rev. Charles Williams, of Accrington, for the office of president during the ensuing year. The report having been adopted, the President explained that the Rev. Charles Williams had since declined to be nominated for the presidency. In the emergency Dr. John Clifford bad promised to take over the arduous duties of president during the coming year, which would be a great one for the Union if he were elected. He then moved the election of Dr. Clifford, which was carried unanimously. Mr Henry Wood, J.P London, was elected treasurer for the year. The President moved a resolution forming the Baptist Union Twentieth Century Fund, and pledging the members to raise at least a quarter of a million pounds from half a million Baptists. The President explained that half of the uioney would be spent in extensions and tbe evangelisa- tion of the country.—The resolution was carried. The Rev. Wm. Cuff was elected vice-president. TWENTIETH CENTURY FUND. In the evening a great meeting was held is the City Temple to inaugurate the proposed Twentieth Century Fund.

SUPPOSED WIFE MURDER. The Metropolitan Police, on Monday, had their attention brought to an occurrence which bears all the appearances of a sad domestic tragedy. The scene of the affair is 61, High-street, St. John's Wood, where for upwards of three months an elderly couple, in circumstances of extreme poverty, had inhabited a single room on an upper floor let out a.s tenements. The man appears to have been temporarily deranged, for his behaviour recently had been of a very eccentric character a.nd annoying to others in the house, so much so that the landlord on one occasion shut him out. The couple, who were called Palmer, frequently quarrelled. On Monday morning groanrj and cries were heaxd to prcceed from their roam, but no notice was taken of the incident, and nothing of an untoward nature was dis- covered until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when a local gentleman, who made a practice of giving the pair relief, called, and found, on opening the door, the room in great disorder and Mrs Palmer lying bloodstained and dead on the floor. The husband was arrested later in the day, and will be brought up at the Maryleboue Court to-dav (Tuesday).

HEROISM AT SEA. Three gallant sailors who manned the boats ot the Johnson liner Vedamore, which rasceed 45 of the crew of the steamer Londonia;t last Novem- ber during a tempest in mid-Atlantic, were aonoured at the Board of Trade Rooms, Liver- pool, on Monday. They each received a siiver medal and £ 3, being awards from the British Government. The names of these heroes are John Oassidy (specially mentioned by thu British Consul at Baltimore), Patrick McLoughton, and Aitrea learner, the two first being Royal Naval Jieserve men. The men for three days stood by the Londonian, waiting for an opportunity to rescue, which was effected at imminent risk to all concerned.

THE LATE MR T. ELLIS. VALUE OF HIS ESTATE. Letters of administration of the personal estate, valued at of Mr Thomas Edward iAhs, of 9, Cowley-street, Westminster, M.P. for Merionethshire, Chief Whip of the Liberal party, who died at Cannes on the 5th inst., aged 4C years, intestate, have been granted to his widow,, Mrs Annie Jane Ellis.

THE SPANISH ELECTIONS.^ Madrid, Monday.—Socialist meetings have beer organised at Bilbao and Alicante to probes* against illegal acts committed during the recent Parliamentary elections.—Central News.

MURDERER'S PETITION. Joseph Hollaed, condemned to death at Ol* Bailey for the murder of a man named Woottan by throwing him out of window near D- n-v [uZZ has presented a petition to the Home S^ret^ praying for a commutation of the sentence H* nrges that the occurrence was the outcome of < drunken brawl, and that he had not iatention i execution is fixed for wtf