The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

Imperial Parliament. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12TH.— In the House of Commons the Committee stage of the Minos (Eight Hours) Bill came on.-Culonel Pilkington then moved to substitute ten hours for eight al3 the period for work, arguing that a limit of eight hours was quite unsuiied to the conditions of labour in many collieries and would result in a serious diminution in the output of coal.—Sir J. Pease, Mr Lees Knowles, and Sir J. Joicey thought that no rigid rule ought to be laid down and suggested that the title of the Bill should be changed into the Mines (Limitation of Hours) Bill, in order to leave the way clear for amend- ments introducing an element of elasticity into the measure.—Mr Banbury endorsed this view in a speech of considerable length, and Sir A. Hick- man and Sir T. Wrighfcson also raised objections to the proposal for a uniform time limit. Shortly before half-past 5 o'clock Mr Yoxall, who had charge of the measure, moved the closure, which was carried by 232 votes against 156. The amend- ment was negatived by a majority of 61, and the debate then stood adjourned.—On the motion of Sir W. Walrond it was resolved to appoint a com- mittee of the Lords the constitution of Queen Anne's Bounty Board, and the House adjourned at 6 o'clock. THURSDAY, JUNE J3TH. In the House of Lords the Archbishop of Canterbury moved the second reading of the Convocations of the Clergy Bill which was agreed to. In the House of Commons Mr Balfour, in answer to Sir H. Campbell- Bannerman, said that the information possessed by the Government with regard to the position in South Africa has been communicated in general outline to the public. The question of political reconstruction must, of course, depend upon the progress of military affairs, and the house knew that the war was no longer a contest between organized milit- ary bodies. This remark was met by the "Nation- alist members with cries of dissent, and the right hon. gentleman thereupon amended the phrase, saying that the contest was no longer one between large organised forces, as the Boers were scattered in small commandos of 100 and 200 men. The largest, he believed, consis- ted of 600 men, and their total forces were estim- ated at about 17,000 He added that there was ne foundation for the rumours which had ap peared in the Press as to peace negotiations.— Mr Gibson Bowles asked him, whether, in view of the dangers to which works on the western side of the Rock of Gibraltar were exposed, the Government had, since March 30, suspended the prosecution of auy works on that side of the Rock which were sanctioned oy the Naval Works Act, 1896. -lir Balfotir repiied that he did not understand his hon. friend to ask that the works which were in process of construction should be suspended. The First Lord of the Admiralty had done all that was possible, short of breaking con- tracts, to stop all work which had not been begun in situ, pending the final report of the committee that had inquired into the subject and the decision of the Government upon it. There was, he assured the hon. member, no desire to conceal anything, and he hoped to explain fully the intentions of the Government in a few days.—Mr Gibson Bowles then asked whether an opportunity would be given him to raise the whole question, and Mr Balfour was understood tc answer that an oppor- tunity would be found but he deprecated a dis- cussion that evening, on the ground that it wculd be inopportune.—Mr Gibson Bowles explained that he wanted to draw attention to the manner in which the committee, of which he was a mem- ber, had been treated. Its report had been disregarded.—Mr Balfour replied that the Govern- ment intended to take the House into their confidence, but that they could not consent to break contracts into which they had entered, which the hon. gentleman desired them to do. — Mr Gibson Bowles, being dissatisfied with the right hon. gentleman's replies perused the matter r farther at some length, and moved the adjourn- ment of the House in order to call attention to the matter, and Mr Balfour censured him for forcing on a debate before the Government had come to a decision upon this most important question. The Government had not been guilty of any delay; for the final report of the committee was only received at the Admiralty on the 15th ult., since which date it had been submitted.— The motion was rejected on a division by 216 votes against 157.-The rest of the evening was spent ia Committee of Supply. FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH.-In the House of Com- mons Mr Wyndham was asked a question with reference to the disturbances in Belfast on Sun- day, the 9th inst., and the following three days. —Mr J. Redmond moved the adjournment, in order to censure the Executive for failing to take effectual measures for the protection of the lives and property of the Catholic workment of Belfast. —After debate, the motion was negatived by 182 votes against 105.-The House then went into Committee of Supply on the Navy Estimates.— Mr E. Robertson, who moved a reduction, direc- ted attention to the disastrous history of the new Royal yacht, and to the great expenditure which had been incurred in remedying the defects of the vessel and he asked that an independent com- mittee should be appointed to inquire into the subject.—After speeches by Sir F. Flannery, Mr Allan, and Lord Dalkeith, Mr Arnold-Forster ad- mitted frankly that those responsible for the con- struction of the yacht had made a serious error, involving great expenditure. For the original design of the vessel the Admiralty and the naval constructor were of course responsible. He re- gretted that it should have been necessary to ex- pend money in repairing mistakes which ought not to have been committed. To the demand for a committee of inquiry he could not accede, for it was undesirable to take any course which might be regarded as taken in order to relieve the Ad- miraltyof their responsibility. The yacht, he stated, was now absolutely stable and fit to go to sea under any conditions. She was a fast vessel, and had been fitted up very luxuriously. Part of the additional cost which had been incurred was due to internal alterations which had been ren- dered necesaary by the accession of the King. The yacht, as the Committee knew, was origin- ally fitted up for the use of the late Queen.- Sir E. Reed considered the reply of the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty unsatisfactory, and supported the demand for an independent icquiry. -Mr Balfour failed to see what could be gained by continuing the discussion. The Government, he said, had not attempted to repudiate their re- sponsibility or to conceal the fact that a great error had been committed. There was no reason for any inquiry, the facts of the case not being disputed. Alluding to some remarks made by a member of the Opposition which he thought un- just to Sir W. White, who was responsible for the designs of the yacht, he spoke in terms of the highest admiration ni the Chief Constructor's work at. the Airniralty. and, aimd cheers, appealed to hon. members nut to dweii upon the only mistake which that official had committed in his very bril- liant career. It w, uld be a cruel injustice if a great record of public service should be discounted in consequence of a single error.—The amendment was negatived by 1S2 votes against 110, and shortiy afterwards progress was reported.—The House adjourned at five minutes past 12 o'clock. MONDAY. JUNE 17TH.— In the House of Lords, Lord Musketry moved the second reading of the Merchant Shipping Act (1894) Amendment Biil, and explained that it was identical wit ft the measure which he brought forward iu 1899 with this exception-th,.t it would not aftect the posi- tion of foreigners veuo were at the present time masters in our merchant service. It simply dealt with futnr appointment". and provided that on and after Januaiy 1, 1902, Board of Trade certi- ficates of competency as roast-r in the merchant service should be granted to British subjects only. If the Bill passed it would tend to .-how the country that the Government were taking a practical step towards constituting the merchant service a first and veal naval receive for the Em- pire. The shipowners, he was sorry to say, were opposing this Bill, but he thought their policy was as short-sighted as it was unpatriotic.—Lord Dudley, on behaif of the Board of Trade, re- marked that as regards this Bill he had nothing to add to what was said in their lordships' House two Sessions ago when his noble friend made a somewhat similar proposal. The Bill meant pro- tection and nothing else and he had no doubt that if it were passed they would be invited before very long to advance step by step to the state of things that existed under the old navigation laws which Parliament swept away in 1849. Ir the year 1896 there were only 180 foreigners in command of British ships, and since that date only 69 foreigners had taken out Board of Trade certificates. Consequently there was no necessity for legislation on the subject.— The motion for the second reading was uegatived without a division.—The Bishopric of Southwark Bill was reac, a third time and passed and the Convocations of the Clergy Bill passed through Committee.—Lord Salisbury moved the second reading of the Demise of the Crown Bill. Lord Spencer said he and his colleagues entirely agreed with the proposal of the Prime -N,Iiriiste-, -Thvj Bill was read a second time.—Lord Newtou inquired whether any papers would be presented to Parliament respecting the return to Egypt of Arabi Pasha and other exiles now in Ceylon. In the first, place he wished to obtain from His Majesty's Government some information as to the reasons which induced them to liberate Arar-i Pasha, and he also desired to know whether the assent of the Khedive, of the Egyptian Govern- ment, and of Lord Cromer to this proceeding been obtaiiied.-Lord Lausdowne did ft think there was any correspondence which could he usefully laid on the table of their b-rdships' House with reference to this subject. There was, of course, the Khedive's decreeauthorizing Arabi Pasha's liberation, and there had also been some correspondence of a confidential character. With regard, however, to the main facts there wys no mystery. Arabi Pasha and the other had now been exiled in Ceylon for 19 years. They heard that Arabi Pasha had considerably suffered in health, and they were advised that ids return to his own country would not be attended, with any danger to the public tranquillity, He might add that the Khedive, the Egyptian Government, and Lord Cromer had unreservedly given their assent to Arabi Pasha's liberation. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain stated, in aDsw or to a question, that the Government agreed to the general principles laid down in Sir David Barbour's re- port, and that their application would be largely confided to Lord Mtlner. He could not give a pledge that the report would be followed in all particu- lars.—Mr Balfour, replying to Mr Labouchere; undertook to lay the interim and final aeports of the Gibraltar Committee on the table of the House, those parts only being omitted which it was not in the public interest to divulge. In an- swer to a further question, which he deprecated he stated that the Government had never made any proposal, and did not intend to make any proposal, for acquiring any part of Spanish terri- tory.—Mr Brodrick was asked questions as to the number of persons in the concentration camps in South Africa and as to the mortality among those detained, and stated in reply that in the Trans- vaal the number in camps was 37,739 in Natal, 2,524 in Orange River Colony, 20,374 and in Cape Colony, 2,490. The deaths in the camp at Johannesburg in May were six men, six women, and 68 children, the high rate of mortality being accounted for by an epidemic of missies. In the Transvaal camps the deaths in May were 39 men, 47 women, and 250 children.—Subsequently, Mr Lloyd-George obtained leave to move the adjourn- ment of the House in order to call attention, as a definite matter of urgent public importance, to the condition of the camps of detention in South Africa, and the alarming rate of mortality among the women and children. Referring to the answer just given, and to statistics previously supplied, he called upon the Government to take steps to put an end to the terrible state of things which they disclosed. He read extracts from a report prepared by Mr Rowntree, who had been to South Africa on a philanthropic mission, in which it was alleged that the food supplied to the women and children was often bad, that they were herded to- gether in leaky tents, and that they suffered in many ways. He ridiculed the pretence that the majority of the women were voluntary refugees, and insisted that as they were being detained against their will they ought to be treated with greater consideration. It was, he contended, neither humane nor good policy to keep them in their present position, and he appealed to the House to intervene on their behalf.—Mr Ellis, who seconded the motion, adverting to the arrangement, now abandoned, under which the families of Boers in the field were not given the same diet as was given to others, described it as diabolical. With regard to the condition of the camps generally, he alleged that the food was bad, that the water supply was often insufficient, and that the hospital accommodation was inadequate. He urged the Government to allow duly ac- credited ladies to visit the camps in the interests of the women and children who were detained.— Mr Brodrick oomplained that no notice had been given him that this subject was to be raised, and suggested as a possible explanation that the sup- porters of the motion hoped to steal a march upon the Government and to snatch a division. Re- J pudiating the charge of inhumanity, he reminded 1 the opposition that so great had been the desire I of the Government and the military authorities to conduct the war as humanely as possible that it had actually led to the commission of blunders. It was, for example, a great blunder to allow the militant farmers of the Orange River Colony to return to their homes on parole, for they broke their undertaking, and when they had rejoined the commandos their farms were used as depots from which the enemy obtained supplies and valuable information. He pointed out that a large percentage of the people in the camps of refuge would not be there if the Boers could have been induced to take care of their own women and children. That obligation, however, they had refused to recognise. Some of the refugees had come in voluntarily and others had been brought in because the localities in which they lived had to be cleared. No doubt the enemy thought that we should be unable to bear the burden of looking after their women and children. He enlarged upon the difficulties of providing for 63,000 persons in addition to providing for our own troops, numbering 250,000, in a country sup- plied by single lines of railway. If the condition of the refugees was not all that one could wish, it was also true that our soldiers were suffering as well. Were the women who were now in the camps allowed to disperse about the country one of two things would happen. Either a consider- able number of them would starue or depots would be again set up for the use of the enemy, which would lead to the prolongation the war. The Government refused to face either of these contingencies As to the condition of things in the camps, it had steadily ameliorated. Every possible effort had been made to provide adequate shelter and medical appliances. The severity of the epidemic of measles at Johannesburg was in great measure due to the conduct of the A omen in the camp, who would not follow the directions as to the dieting of patients. The foocl supplied in the camps was sound and good and was the a ime as was given fo our own soldiers from the nature of the circumstances it of course could not be luxurious. An attempt had been made in each camp to provide instruction, and he under- stood that arrangements had been made for religious ministrations. Various forms of labour were encouraged and also amusements. He re- peated what he had said on a former occasion as to the desirability of the formation of local com- mittees charged with the distribution among the refugees of the gifts of charitable people. Local efforts for the benefit of those who were in the camps bad the entire approval of the Govern- ment but they could not allow individuals who were likely to cause agitatior and trouble to have access to the camps. The time had not come for permitting the refugees to disperse but he was communicating with Lord Kitchener as to the propriety of sending away those anions them who' wished to join friends or relatives in Cape Colony. What would benefit the refugees more than anything else was the cessation of the war. He appealed to pro-Boer members not to continue using language which encouraged the enemy, remarking that he received by every mail com- plaints of the injudicious speeches which were delivered here. Until peace was restored the Government and the military authorities would co all they could to prevent any unnecessary suffering in these camps of refuge. They could not, however, consent to release the refugees in any large numbers, for if that were done the difficulties in the way of our commanders would not improbably be increased. The policy of the Government was to bring the war, without faltering, to a conclusion.— Sir H. Campbell-Baunerman explained that notice was not given of the intention of the Opposition to this subject because they feared the ob- struction of a blocking" motion, which would have prevented them from bringing the question forward. The system of concentration camps he regarded as barbarous, and he did not believe that the people in them were refugees afraid of starvation or of native vindictiveress. He ured that women who had friends in Cape Colony ought to be allowed to leave the camps, where for some time, according to the reports of a lady who had gone out from this country, a horrible state of things prevailed. Women who had farms to go to might also be allowed to return. The Government, in his opinion, ought to send out a staff of nurses and competent civilian medical men, for that was the course which humanity dic- tated.—Mr Scott having spoken, Mr Haldane, who met with a good deal of interruption on his own fide of the House, said he should support the Government, because he believed that it had been their desire to conduct the war with as much humanity as possible. Concentration was a measure which nobody liked but he knew of no alternative in the circumstances. He regretted that passion should have been imparted into the debate, and expressions like H bar- barous used. Wild utterances were not likeiy to hasten the termination of the war.— Mr W. Redmond inveighed against the Govern- ment for detaining the women and children, and, after a speech by Mr Lewis, also in support of the motion, Mr Balfour moved the closure. His in- tervention was resented by the Nationalist mem- bers, who continued their vehement and dngry protests until the Speaker interfered.—The clo- sure having been carried by 252 votes against 149, the motion for the adjourment of the House was negatived by a majority of 119.—Mr Asquith, who resumed the adjourned debate on the second reading of the Factory and Workshops Acts Amendment Bill, acknowledged that the measure constituted a distinct advance on previous legis- lation. It contained new developments of the factory law of which he approved, and provisions for facilitating the enforcement of the existing law. The Bill, however, was open to criticism in some respects. The dock clause, for example ought to be enlarged, and the clauses relating to trades scheduled as dangerous might be strength- ened with advautage. He was glad that laundries were at last to be brought within the scope of the factory code, but he questioned the expe- diency of treating laundries exceptionally as far as hours of work were concerned, but it was un- desirable to increase the difficulties of inspection He trusted that conventual and charitable laundries would not be excluded from the Act, and he pointed out that now that lady inspectors were employed there was no good reason why these institutions should not be inspected. He did not view with favour the propasal to transfer to local authorities certain powers which had hitherto been exercised by the Local Government Board, for he feared that if this change were made the law might not be enforced as strictly as it ought to be.—-After a discussion, in which no difference of opinion on questions of principle was disclosed, the Bill was read a second time and referred to the Grand Committee on Trade. The accompanying Consolidation Bill was similarly advanced.—The Isolation Hospitals Bill was read a third time, and the National Gallery (Purchase of Adjacent Land) Bill a second time.—The House adjourned at ten minutes past 12 o'clock. TUESDAY, JUNE 18th.—In the Housa of Lords, the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill was read a second time the County Courts (Ireland) Bill was read a third time and passed and the Demise of the Crown Bill passed through Committee.— The Houe rose at a quarter to 5 o'clock. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, answering Mr McKenna, said that income-tax would be paid by the King on tbf amount allocated to thq Privy Purse and on the amounts included in Class III. of the Civil List.—On the motion for the third reading of the Civil List Bill, Mr Caldwell referred to the retention by the Sovereign and the Heir-Apparent of the revenees of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, and urged that these revenues ought to be surrendered ts the State, as it was nndesir- able, in his opinion, that the King or his son should be placed in the invidious position of a London landlord.—Mr Labouchere, who regards the amount of the Civil List as excessive, re- peated his contention that the Crown land revenues which were surrendered on accession belonged to the country and not to the Sovereign, and Sir William Harcourt, dealing with the question as a constitutional lawyer, explained that the Crown held the hereditary estates as trustee for the State and could only retain them on condition that the cost of the civil administration of the country was defrayed out of the revenues.— The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who character- ized Mr Labouchere's criticisms as academic, said that for all practical purposes it was enough to know that a Parliamentary title to the hereditary revenues was conferred on the King by the Civil List Act passed at the beginning of Queen Vic- toria's reign. That statute enacted that the hereditary revenues should be payable after the death of Her Majesty to her heirs and successors. No doubt the King could only retain these revenues under certain conditions, but it was not important to discuss now what obligations would attach to their retention as tdey had been surren- dered. The revenues from the Duchies of Lan- caster and Cornwall were not on the same footing as the surrendered revenues, and their possession involved no special duties. At the time of the succesion of the late Queen it waa decided that I these estates,which had been the appanages of the Sovereign and the Heir-Apparent for many hun- dred years, should not be interfered with. It was greatly to the public advantage that the Sovereign should be au owner of property in London and in the country, and his present Majesty, as he had said on a former occasion, had set an arimirable example to other landed pro- prietons.—After some observations from Mr E. Robertson the bill was carried on a division bv 370 votes Against 60'—The Rouse then proceeded to consider the Finance Bill in Committee, and on the first clause, which reimposes a 6d duty on tea, Mr Kearley moved an amendment providing for the substitution of an ad valorem duty for a uniform duty.— The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who resisted the proposal, reminded the Committee that when tea was taxed ir. the manner which Mr Kearley favoured there were endless disputes between the Custom House officers and the importers, and that both trade and the revenue suffered injury. That was not a state of things which he wished to see revived. Another reason why he could not entertain the proposal was that it would entail a considerable loss of revenue.—The amendment was uegatived without a division, as was another brought forward by Sir H. Vincent, who wished 25 per cent. of the tax to be remitted on tea im- ported from British possessions —Mr W. Red- moua and other Nationalist members opposed the imposition of the duty on two grounds, the first, being that the Irish people ought not. to be made to contribute towards the cost of the Sooth Afri- can war. Their second reason was that the duty pressed unduly upon Ireland.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, while admitting that the tax was felt to be a greater burden in Ireland than in other parts of the kingdom, pointed out that the burden had been materially reduced owing to the fall in the price of the commodity. He added that if it should ever be his happy lot to be able to re- duce taxation he should lower the duty on tea in preference to lowering the dutieson beerand spirits. —After the protest of thejIrish members against the renewal of the additional duty of 2d imposed last year had been endorsed by other members of the opposition, the clause was agreed to by 192 votes ag"Ínst 108.-The second clause provides for the imposition of the new duties on sugar, and Mr Channing, who objected to giving this tax a t permanent charicter, moved that its operation should he limited to one year.—The Chancellor ) of the Exchequer justified the introduction of this new source of revenue, and explained that if the limitation to which the hon. member wished him to assent were agreed to in order that the tax might be reviewed from year to year great inconvenience would be caused to the trade. He thought that the tax ought to continue to form part of the general fiscal system of the country, at any rate until there was a considerable reduction in the nation's expenditnre, and of this, he intimated, be saw little prospect.— The discussion was continued by Radical members, who declaimed against the tax on the ground that it was unjust to the poor and because they detected in it a protective element.— The Chancellor of the Exchequer assured them that the form in which he had made his proposal was strictly in accordance with precedent, and that if the duty should prove to be in tolerable, members opposite feared, amending legislation would, of course, be introduced.—The amend- ment was then negatived by 222 votes against 155. — Mr W. Redmond, who disavowed any inten- tion of obstructing; asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to exclude Ireland from the operation of the clause. An amendment which he moved to carry out his object was resisted by Sir M. Hicks-Beach, who deprecated exaggerated state- ments with reference to the burden which the people were called upon to bear. In 1893, he observed, when there was no duty, the price of sugar in Ireland was as high as it was uow, and no dreadful consequences ensued.—The amend ment was negatived by 247 agc.inst 88. aud shortly afterwards progress was reported.—The House adjourned at a quarter past 12 o'clock. I

Home-coming of the Yeomanry. SEVERAL PEMBROKESHIRE MEN ARRIVE. There were stirring scenes at Southampton Docks on Sunday evening, when the Tintagel Castle, with upwards of 1.000 Yeomanry on board arrived in port. An unexpectedly large assem- blage awaited the vessel, the gathering having quite a national character. It was nearly 10 o' clock when the vessel was moored, and as she silently glided into the Empress Dock with myriad lights gleaming through the port holes, enthu- siastic cheers disturbed the stillness of a typical summer evening. In all the spectacles that have been witnessed in Southampton during the past two years rarely has there been more enthusiasm than was shown on this occasion. There was a rush to the gangways when communication was established between ship and shore, but no one save pressmen were allowed on board. The men of the Pemdrokeshire contingent were Sergt. C. Jones Haverfordwest Corporal W. H. Slocombe, Pembroke Troopers W. H. Brown, Haverfordwest E. S. Howard Essex B. M. Andrews Hertfordshire; and Saddler J. Fobes, Cardiff. The Yeomen willingly consented to fight their battles over again and provide a summary of the company's work during the time they were with it. Their narrative gave the following details;— The company first of all did garrison work at Smithfield for about three months, during which time nothing of note happened, but warm work was in store for them when, on August 1st, 1900, they joined Colonel White's column, with which they proceeded to Veutersberg. Their first en- gagement occurred at this place towards the end of the month, and was of a severe nature. The column was retiring after a dav's march, and 20 men of the Pembrokes were detached to burn a farm. Quite unsuspectingly the column rode to- wards their gaol, and had got to within a hundred yards when they were fired at from a house and from the adjacent kopies. They were, in fact, in a circle of bullets. Lieutenant Jones was wounded and Farrier-sergeaut Williams killed. The Yeo- men saw that they had been trapped, and turn- ing their horses round, ran the gauntlet^keeping up a brisk return all the time. About five miles out they came up with the column, which hearing the firing, waa returning to their aid. The losses of the patrol were two killed and five men taken prisoners. Asked for their impressions under fire for the first time one of the men stated that it was all right when they were under cover, but they felt rather queer when they were galloping through a heavy fire. However, all nervousness soon dlS- appeared. Colonel White's column returned to Winberg, where Olivier was captured, and the Pembrokes on this auspicious occasion were near at hand, but did not take part in the fighting.

The remains of the late Robert Buchanan were on Friday conveyed by train to Southend-on Sea, where his wife and mother are interred. The coffin and the chief mourners arrived at Liverpool- street Station from Streatham at ten o'clock, and left for Southend at 10.20. Mr Henry Murray, Dr. Stodart Walker, and Mr Beerbohm Tree were among the mounrers. The body arrived at South- end-on-Sea in the afternoon, and the coffin, which was covered with wreaths, was transferred to a hearse and borne to St. John's Churchyard, where a large crowd had assembled to witness the inter- ment. A service was conducted in the church by the Rev. T. Varney, the curate of St. Johns. The shops in Southend were closed, and every re- spect waa shown for the deceased, who for three years resided at Southend. In the United States the suggestion of a trans- ocean race between the Amcrica Cup competitors and other yachts of sioiiler tonnage is meeting with widespread approval and enthusiasm among yachtsmen. The races for the America Cop are regarded as a sure thing for the American boats. Not so the trans-ocean contest, and this element of uncertainty adds zest to the promoters of the race, which should test every quality of the boats, and the seamanship and courage of the crew. The suggestion of the trans-Atlantic race will be made informally to Sir T. Lipton (says the Dmily Express) on the conclusion of the races for the America Cup.

St ¡ ;1¡@3 E. MORRIS & Co. The Cash Clothiers, OLD LONDON HOUSE, Lammas St.. Carmarthen, Are now showing the Largest Stock of MEN'S, YOUTHS' S BOYS' CLOTHING that has ever been shown in any single shop in T 1 South Wales. MEN'S FELT & STRAW HATS. PRLYT AND WHITE SHIRTS. TIES, CAPS, SWEATERS, CYCLE HOSE CRICKETIMG SHIRTS, &c., IN ALL THE LATEST STYLES, Terms. Strictly Cash. No credit

Letter from Africa. Mr E. W. Richards, hairdresser, Harford-square, Lampeter, has received the following letter from his brother, Sergeant G. A. Richards, 31st Company Royal Engineers Wilbank, 16th May, 1901. DEAR TED,—You must excuse me for not writing to you sooner, as I have not had the time or material to write to you lately. You will see by the heading that I have been on the move. The last time I wrote to you was from Wilge Bridge. I completed that job about a month ago, and since then I have been up to Petersburgh with Plumer's column. There was very little fighting on the way up; the Boers were not expecting us up that way, ana they scooted as soon as they saw the approach of the column. There was very little damage done to the line, only one bridge at Nylstroom, which we soon put in working order. We only got blown up twice between there and Peters- burgh. All the inhabitants and stock were cleared out from all the towns on our way back. I was for a week putting up a platform at Pretoria, then I went with my section to Bronkhurst on the same kind of work, and then we went to Brynspruit, Elands River, and Great Olifants River we came here three days ago to put up platform. I have just got orders to go to Broukerspruit to take the armoured trucks out at night to certain points on the line where the Boers are likely to cross, so you see we don't get much time to ourselves but we often get a chance to wipe a few out, and it is a good job for us that they have no guns around here, or they could throw us off the line, but they scoot off after a few volleys. I am not coming home till peace is proclaimed, and that seems a long way off, but I don't think it will last many more years; by the way they are being captured and giving them- selves up There must be thousands of women and children at different points on the line in laager. I should say this winter will put a finish to it, as it must be terribly cold in the hills at night. We have ice on the water now at night, but it is all right if one keeps in good health, and I have done so up to now. A ser- geant of my company died last week at Pretoria from enteric fever, and that makes the third that I have lost since we came out. We had a draft from Chat- ham last week to make up our company. I came across my chocolate box the last time I was at Pre- toria, and I had not seen it since the day it was pre- sented to me. I must now conclude. Your affectionate brother, GEORGE.

Craig-y-Nos offered for Sale. EXTRAORDINARY INCIDENT AT THE AUCTION. Rarely has a sale excited so much interest as that at Tokenhouse-yard on Tuesday afternoon, when Messrs E. and H. Lumley offered Madame Patti's Welsh home, Crai y- Nos, for sale. So much artistic I and literary care had been bestowed upon the descrip- tive book of the property that a charge of 10s was made for each copy. The cover of the book was em- blazoned with the arms and crest of the owner, exe- cuted in colours, whilst at the foot appeared a scroll with the melody of Home, Sweet Home," the back- ground of the whole front being a lute. The original description spoke of Craig-y-nos as being in the heart of the wildest scenery of mountain and valley, rivers, sheep, pastures, rocks, ond woods, presenting one of the most romantically placed and attractive mansions ever brought into market." The auctioneer said that, although most mansions could claim characteristics equal to Craig-y-Nos, it had another distinction which made it unique as being of imperishable interest by having been the home of Adelina Patti, the queen of song. No one knew, probably not even the diva her- self, what the place had cost, the result of the com- bined good taste and prolific cheque-book of his dis- tinguished employer. There never was a place where such a contrast of art within and rugged Nature with- out, formed such a remarkable opportunity. The summary of the estate is as follows a. r. p. Castle and grounds, &e 83 0 22 Pentre-Cribarth 65 2 14 Rhongyr-uchaf 114 3 31 Blaina, or Caer Llwyn 93 1 33 Penwyllt Farm, land, and quarries 80 0 13 Total 434 0 33 Rental, without the castle, the sporting, fishing, &c.:— £ s. d. Farms, quarries, ground rents, and cottages 377 7 6 Pentre-Cribarth, the home farm, previously let at 60 0 0 Tenantpayingtithes. 5 15 0 Total 443 2 6 Having intimated that, as far as he knew, there was to be no Royal competition for the property, as had been rumoured, the auctioneer asked if anyone would start the bidding with 9100,000. After a pause of a minute or two, a bid of £10,000 was made, but the auctioneer, with a smile of depreciation, declined to accept it. 11 ifty thousand pounds was then bid, and, no other bid being forthcoming, Mr Lumley an- nounced that the property was sold at that figure. A*t this moment a gentleman from behind, presumably the bidder, advanced up to the rostrum, and engaged for some time in a private conversation with the auc- tioneer. After the interval the auctioneer said that an unexpected turn had happened, which necessitated the advice of Messrs Lewis and Lewis, solicitors, who, unfortunately, were not represented in the room. He asked the indulgence of the company while they were being communicated with. In all his long experience such an unexpected turn had never happened before. Either from the seductive way in which the book of sale had been drawn up or by reason of my elo- quence," added the auctioneer, with a smile, the gen- tleman appeared to regret the step he had taken, and until legal advice arrived he could not say what would be done in the matter. It was noticed that the bidder, who sat like the rest of the company awaiting the return of the auctioneer, presently left the room. On the return of Mr Lumley he announced, amid breathless excitement, that the gentleman who bid E50,000 had said that when he made t lie had no idea the estate would be knocked down to him, and was quite un- prepared to ca-ry it through. Under these extra- ordinary circumstances, he had been advised to begin the sale de novo. The first bid was now £ 20,000, which was swelled by seventeen various bids to £ 45,000, at which figure the estate was withdrawn. The bidding appeared to have been confined to three or four gentlemen, but their names did not transpire. Mr Lumley concluded by saying that, although a sale had not actually been effected that day, he had sufficient knowledge to justify him in hoping that a sale would eventually take place. Auctions were nowadays intended more as an avenue for securing an ample advertisement, and he had to thank the press for the great interest that had been taken Craig-y- Nos. Whoever became the purchaser would have the option of acquiring most of the interior contents, which will for ever be associated, like the castle itself, with Baroness Cederstrom. He had been instructed by her to find her another residence, which he merely mentioned to indicate that he was open to negotiate for Craig-y-Nos. Although no actual price was stated, the fact that it was knocked down for 950,000 in the first place indicated the original idea of the auctioneer on the point. There were clearly many gentlemen present with a serious eye to the estate. MADAME PATTI'S REASON FOR LEAVING WALES. A Special Correspondent writes :—Many conjec- tures have been made as to Madame Patti's tauon for wishing to dispose of her Welsh' home. Her husband, Baron Cederstrom, has not found the air of the Craig-y-Nos Valley exactly congenial to his I Northern temperament, and it is for this reason tha his distinguished wife has unselfishly decided to seek a residence somewhere in the neighbourhood of London and to sell the romantic spot, which, notwithstanding its original obscurity, she has made of historic value and interest.

Cricket. S.D.C. SCHOOL, LAMPETER V YSTRAD MEURIG. This match was played at Lampeter on Saturday, June 15th. Ystrad Meurig winning the toss went in first, and, after batting steadily, were all out for 61. On the Lampeter side going to the stumps wickets fell rapidly, the only score of any note being D. D. Evans's 16 not out. Lampeter were all out for 47, and Ystrad Meurig proceeded to start their second innings. J. rru omas P'ayed finely and carried his bat for 18 The feature of the innings was the sensational catch by Thomas Thomas, who smartly held a fast hit to leg by Owen. At last Ystrad Meurig were disposed of for 34, with a lead of 48 over their opponents. The Lam- peter captain entrusted the duty of wiping this off to- Mr Davies and Bertie .Lewis. Thev hit well for some time, but at 21 Lewis was bowled by D A Thomas. T J Rees the next comer was I b w his first ball, but during the third wicket there came a treat for the spectators. Mr Davies and Tom Williams hit with all their might, driving the ball to the boundary time after time. At 78 they were parted when Mr Davies was bowled. W.L. Jones now followed their example and scored a very nice 17. Lampeter were all out for 122, being victors by 74 runs. Score:- YSTRAD MEURIG.—First innings. R Jones c Evans b Danes n Thomas c Lewis b Davies n Oliver c Rees b Williams 1 Davies b Davies 4 D Thomas run out 15 A J ones c Evans b Rowlands 2 T Owen not out 15 T Williams st Rees b Rowland 0 Saunders c Jones b Rowland 0 G D Jones c Lewis b Rowland 2 D Jones c Davies b Rowland 0 Extras 0 Total LA!IPETER.- First innings. B Lewis c Davies b Thomas 4 Rees I b w b Jones 1 William-, I b w b Jones 3 D P Davies c Oliver b Thomas 2 J W Davies b Thomas 12 Rowland b Jones n W E Jones V Thomas 0 DDEvansnotout 16 J Jonesb Thomas. o G Davies c Owen b Jones 2 T Thomas b Jones 5 Extras 0 Total 47 TSTRAD MECRIG. -Second innings. RO Jones c Williams b Davies. s Thomas not out IS A Jones b Williams 0 Oliver cLewis b Williams 0 J Davies 1 b w b W illiams 2 D Thomas b Williams 0 Owen c Thomas b Williams. 0 E Williams c Rees b Williams 2 H Williams b Davies j Jones run out 1 D Jones c Rees b Williams 1 1 Extras 1 Total 34 LA31PETER.- Second innings. Lewis b Thomas 13 J W Davies b Thomas 31 Rees I b w b Jones n T Williams b Thomas 36 D P Davies 1 b w b Thomas 3 D D Evans b Thomas. II W E Jones b Thomas 17 Ivor Jones c Jones b Thomas 1 Rowland b Williams 1 G Davies not out o T Thomas b Oliver S Thomas b Oliver 'i. 3 Extras 2 Total 12

Coif Match. The return golf match of the Lampeter Golf Club against the Aberystwith Club was played on the Pen- dinas Links, on Saturday. The day was most favour- able for the golfers, there being just sufficient cloud to prevent the eyesight being dazzled by the sun, and the heat of the delightful summer day was moderated bv a mild north-west breeze. The Lampeterians were represented by three members of the Gilvin Golf Club, and arrived at Aberystwith by the noon train The two clubs joined forces at the railway station and ad journed to the White Horse Hotel, w £ e very excellent luncheon had been prepared, and was duly disposed of by the Golfers as a preliminary to the day s work. Play began about two o'clock on the Per, dinas Links and the ball was set rolling in more senses than one by Prof. Edwards, with one of his long, straight, shrieking drives. Mr Harford followed with a drive that showed that tbe Professor had m< £ his match and had a keen opponent to deal with. The playing greens are well arranged, and wind along the base of the Pendinas hill, and in playing from green to green, almost without his knowing it the golfer finds he has reached the top of the hilL 1 his is at the sixth putting green, close to the monu- ment. The town of Aberystwith lies below with imposing L Diversity buildings, and amongst a host of scene of undescribable beauty 'lei bTgfeh?™?ibeen ft off. Ws strolre more or Ssi ofIand, cloud and seascape proceeds probably to see his ball for what appears an feisy drive far below him wnere the putting »,reen may be seen, but alas j there is a bunker oetween him and this El Dorado. How many golfing hopes and aspirations are destined in the future to perish in that cruel bunker. The putting greens are well kept, and the teeing grounds give the golfer every advantage that level ground can give for the drives. After a good tea at the same hotel which had given them such excellent entertainment earlier in the afternoon, the visitors bade their hospitable hosts good-bye, and it is need less to add that the visitors had throughout the dav thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The following is the Mr Harford. 0 Professor Edwards H Dr Davies 2 Mr Basset H Mr E- bloyd 0 Mr Brighouse £

ifiAaTthf*0 paP?.rs annoUQce the death on May 18, at the age of 63, of Mr Henry Parrv hr F^mTwPh Pari7> the famous Welsh musician. Mr aee^f SL* nat'Ve of M?rt^r Tydvil« »ad age 01 thirteen emigrated with hw parents to Dan- ville, Pennsylvania. He livedist several places in the States, and at the time of tis death resided at Newcastle. He was married tc Miss "Jwdi,of St. CJlair, PeagsrffMttkJjUpE *oB»rmau by occupation, aflfMpWHAA&iS workman. Like ils broker and led many a, choir tamctory. He has left awtfo and one daogher to mourn their loss. His funerml took place at Oak Park Cemetery on May 20 and was very largely attended.