Denbighshire Free Press

RUTRIN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The fortnightly meeting of the Ruthin Board of Guardians was held on Monday, when there were present Messrs Henry Williams (presiding), R D Jones, William Ellis, H P' Davies, E Powell Jones, Thomas Jones (Llanferres), Hugh Jones, A Lloyd Jones, R H Pugh, Robert Jones with the clerk, Mr R Humphreys Roberts. THE STATE OF PAUPERISM IN THE C10N. EXPLANATIONS BY THE CLERK. The Clerk referred to a discussion which took place at the last meeting of the Board with regard to the state of pauperism in the Union, which, he said, appeared to have created a false impression as to the position of affairs. He regretted that some of the gentlemen who had spoken during the course of that discussion had done so without first ascertaining the facts of the (ase, for from what had appeared one would imagine that the whole town had tacome a set of paupers. If the Board would allow him he would give them one or two facts with regard to the state of pauperism. In the year 1870 there were 1305 paupers on the books, 127 indoor and 1178 outdoor. At Lady-day, 1880. the number of paupers had been reduced to 675. Ten years later (in 1890) the number had dropped to 633, and in 1900 it had been still further reduced to 533, whilst at Lady-day, 1901, the total number of paupers waa 501. From these figures it would be seen that Ruthin Union had^not marvellously increased in pauper- ismi as appeared to have been the im- pression, but had rather considerably decreased. Then with regard to the cost of maintenance, whereas with 127 indoor I paupers in 1871) the cost was E448, at the present time with only 88 the cost of maintenance was £ 497. Then again, in 1870, the cost of'outdoor paupers was XS,073, whilst for the half-year ended Lady-day, 1901, it was only < £ 1,;300. Twelve months ago the number of outdoor paupers was 436, the cost of maintenance being Xl,204, whilst at the present time the number was 413, and the relief cost £1,:100, which was £ 06 more than twelve months ago. This, however, was partly on account at the increase in the number of old people. He must say he considered this was all for the better. The 413 persons now on the books were nearly all more or less old and deserving paupers. From this it would be seen that the cost of maintaining paupers in the House had increased considerably since 1870, and lie would suggest that if this Was so, it must cost the paupers outside more to tind the necessaries of life, and they must therefore require more relief, to give which would not be extravagance on the part of the Board. At the end of last week there were in the Llanrhaiaur district 137 paupers, and in Ruthin district 236, making a total of 373. The average for the last ten years in the Llaurhaiadr distrlct was 141), whereas the number new was only 137. In the Ruthin district the average for the past 10 years was 229, and the number now was 230. Taking the two districts together the average was 379, whereas the actual number now was only 373. However they considered the matter they could not make out that there was a vast increase of pauperism, but on the other hand there was a vast decrease The contribution called for from the Ruthin Union on Lady-Day, 1870, was X6,000, and at Lady-Day, 1900, it was only -C 1647. Upon the motion of Mr R P Davies, the thanks of the Board were accorded the Clerk for his interesting statement. +

THE CHARGES AGAINST W. OSBERT EDWARDS, SOLICITOR. COMMITTAL OF THE ACCUSED. Two charges of fraudulent misappropria- tion of clients' money preferred against William Osbert Edwards, solicitor, of The Grange, Botcherby. formerly in practice at Doncaster, was investigated before the Carlisle Bench on Friday. Mr G A Light- foot prosecuted. The first charge was one of misappro- priating JE320 belonging to Mr Simpson Jefferson, farmer, Longburgh. Evidence showed that this sum was advanced on mortgage by Mr Jefferson in 1894, and in 1898 he instructed Mr Edwards to call it in, but he did not learn until February this year that the money had been spent by the accused. In that month the ac- cused's overdraft at the bank was over £600, and bankruptcy proceedings after- wards took place. The accused said that although he disputed a considerable number of the statements made, he did not intend to cross-examine or submit any defence before the magistrates. The second charge was that of mis- appropriating t272 7s 2d, the property of Mrs Hannah Stockdale, administratrix of the estate of her sister, the late Mrs Frances Nixon, of Eskett, near White- haven, Stockdale was entitled to one- fourth of the amount, and the rest was for division among the children of three brothers and sisters, Mr Lightfoot said the accused got the money in bank notes, I and a few days afterwards made payments in notes ct his own private debts. All that was saved to Mrs Stockdale was the sum of £1, which she obtained towards paying her rent. He made an assignment in February, and omitted this zC272 from his list of creditors. He effected a life insurance for X300, and drew up in his office a mortgage purporting to charge the policy in Mrs Stockdale's favour with £266. I Mr Westmoreland, solicitor, paid the, first year's premium, and had a lieu on the policy to that extent. When Mrs Stock- dale learnt that she would be required to pay R20 a year premium, as well as the price of the stamp on the policy, she said who COVlJd not accept it, as she could not afford to pay anything. Evidence was given by Mr G Hodgson, manager of the Bank of Whitehaven, Mr W J Armstrong, Carlisle and Cumberland Bank, Mr John Graham, solicitor, and others. The Bench committed accused for trial at the Assizes oft both charges, and increased the bail to two sureties of Y.250 each. The aticw.sted said he reserved his defence, bat said again that he was not guilty of any intention to defraud. He was removed in custody, the Rev S Swann, one of his former suroties, being away.

LLANELIDAN THE WAR.—On Wednesday evening of last week great enthusiasm prevailed in this parish on the return home from South Africa of Mr Harry Evans of the Manchester Imperial Yeomanry. On the arrival of the 8.10 train at Nantclwyd Station he found the platform quite full of people, all anxious to participate in the welcome that there awaited him; and at various points of the road leading to the village were groups of spectators, all viewing with each other in giving their hero a worthy reception. As soon as the trap with which he had been met reached Coed-Cochion, which is about a quarter of a mile from home, the ser- vices of the pony were dispensed with, aud the trap was drawn by enthusiastic admirers of the returining warrior to its destination. Here a vast crowd had assembled, all cheering and waving their handkerchiefs were eager to do honour to him to whom honour was due. At the entrance to the house his mother, inspired by a true sense of unfeigned gratitude at the prospect of her son's safe return, had caused the perch to be decorated, and imbedded among the decorations was a shield of exquisite design, which carried the significant words YVelceme home." The bells of the Parish Church were also rang in honour of the event, and a most cordial reception it was impossible to imagine. Being still mindful, as he ever will be, of the most touching service that was specially held in the Parish Church the morning he left for the front on April 9th of last year, in which be was committed to God's gracious mercv and protectien, he is the company of his mother, brothers, and sisters came last Sunday to return thanks to Almighty God for preserving him during the campaign. There were special hymns sung, and the address from the pulpit was suitable to the occasion, and the service itself was of a joyful character throughout. We understand that a sub- stantial sum of money has been subscribed by his friends and neighbours, with which it IS intended to purchase shortly a silver cup or a watch for commemoration of the event for presentation to him.

A good story is told of the late Dr. Von Stepluui, master-general of Gei-iiiixiiy. One tiny, wlitiii lie QII itti inspection tone, lie overhennl III I instrument in n lociti teFugrnpfi j office cliddllg Jli8 JItUle. This is what lie lieanl: •• l.oolc out for sqim!)* Stephen is somewhere on tlie line. lie will bp poking his nose every* where." Tlie postmaster-general smiled, and then went to the key and flashed hack this i reply Too late t He has already poked his nose in here." ) nose in here."

CORRESPONDENCE. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS We do not'neoesaarily gree with the opinion* exjewwd in this column. 0111 oalurons are open to all personam no matter what me, be their religious and political otunhnia, at what view they may take on local and general topitu With clearly oD. outride of the paper ONLY. Beal satoe and address must accompany every commiiniwtton to' secure insertion of the letter. Letters MOSIxeachtha Editcr not later than THURSDAY. RUTHIN DEANERY CHORAL FESTIVAL. To the Editor of the hER FRBSS. Sir,-Thi.s was held in Ruthin Parish Church, on Friday, June 14th. English at 3 p.m., and Welsh at 6 p.m. As far as the sermons were concerned it may be said to have been quite a success, but then the sermon is net the chief item on such an occasion. Thill is a Choral Festival and we look for good singing, which we certainly did not get at Buthin. The whole affair was a hopeless muddle. The processional hymn in the afternoon was not taken up by the choirs until the middle ef the first verse. It was a bad start, and gave the keynote to all that followed. The procession of choristers was a race, so much so that the poor clergy had much ado to keep up with them. The choristers, seme with cassocks some without, all mixed up higgledy piggledy, presented anything but a pleasing sight (in their haste and hurry treading upon each others heels). Let me give the conductor a hint, if he ever gets another chance, to walk himself at the head of the procession. After much crossing backwards and forwards of choristers, they settled down, and the poor labouring hymn came to an end. The con- ductor made strenuous efforts to quicken the pace of the hymn, but all to no purpose. Then came the escapade of the Precentor, who get into hopeless difficulties over getting back from G. to G. Evidently, he has no ear for music, for he not only sang with such a metallic voice, but was half a note above the Amen sung by the choir at 3, and half a note below at 6. There was no attack and neither conductor nor choir knew where to start in the anthems. Then there were various hushes from the conductor which sounded so irreverent. The Trainer should have been able to dispense with these exclamations on the Festival day. A fiasco of this kind does more harm than good, and whatever is done, let it be done decently and in order A Conductor who knows his work and has taken trouble to train the choirs A Precentor, who has at least a good musical ear. Nothing grates so much upon a sensitive musician as this discordant hopeless muddle. FENTOR. A LOST CHAPTER. To which book does it belong, and who is the author thereof ? To the Editor of the Free Prest. Dear Hir,-I send you the following, dis- covered by me during my rambles in the parish of Llaifwrou. Being somewhat interested in the style, and also having failed to discover its owner, or probably the author, I send it to you with the hope that you will be good enough to publish it so that it may not be lost to posterity. -Yours truly, THE FINDER. And it came to pass when the multitude assembled in the Synagogue said we must have a new organ. The chief priest, who heard them, said it was good what they were saying. The organ, made of zinc and hard wood, and of so many cubics, was delivered into the church and to be finished by one carpenter who tended on the priest as well. And when it was finished, the priest, of whom the ordinary did say was a man gifted with the wisdom of many heads, said, tØJ the elders and others who were assembled with the crowd, we will have one day set forth, so that the people from far and near may come into the Synagogue to bear witness to oar work—they shall become amazed and the praise bestowed shall be scattered to far and distant lands like chaff with the wind. And the people were pleased and murmured not. Likewise, said he, there is a man skilled in music, whose praise hath sounded far and wide-we will have him to play so that the day may not be given to chance. The people were pleased again and saw how good it was. Now, as it came to pass, on the appointed day the people assembled together, and they were of divers kind, and when the 9th hour had arrived the music did commence. The player, whose hands and feet did shake very much, causing the music to sound nice to their ears. And the people Bi&rvftUcd, saying bow good it was. Likewise did they f^emble at dusk so as to bear witness to the same in thoir, Qwn tongue, and the word was noised abroad far and wide I of what had happened. And as it happened in those days, the player who was accustomed to play in the Synagogue, and being a Wgrslupper, did pky for ike sip.^r^ and fierigirfigation for a leng time. Then the authority said, let us have a new organist-a man skilled in the craft —so that the world may look ante us. New there were several of those skilled in music within the city whose servicss had been used much, but, of course-, always gratis. And the voice of the people said that the authorities paid no regard to these. There was a certain man living in a far-off country of whom the wise said much, and the ruler, not being wise in music himself, did take by their word and hired at fifty pieces of gold per annum. And. he saw that it was good, also that it might be fulfilled what had been written which taith I that there is no honour to a prophet in his own country.' And when the day was brought forth, the man of whom the wise had said so much did coma to play in the Synagogue, and he played for several weeks and days. And, as it happened, the worshippers were greatly displeased, saying, why bring us this man, he is not unto us what the wise said of him-he playeth the music to sound like the ordinary and knoweth not our tongue as well. The people, who were sorely vexed and tried said, bring unto us a man from amongst our- selves—a man of our kind. And the governor, who liked not to be spoken to thus by the mob, rebuked them, saying, we will have a strange man again, for it hath been left for me to be wise and not unto you. And they mur- mured, saying, what are we then to be spoken to in that manner when he taketh of our gold also. And as these things came to pass—there being no player in the Synagogue, the gover- nor called to himself the man-a scribe by trade-who was accustomed to play there before, saying, come into the Synagogue once more, for knowest thou how much good I may do unto thee. And the player, who lived near, and of whom the governor had said that he was not wise in music, doth play there again until the strange man cometh so that it may be fulfilled again what hath been written by the wise."

A celLnin political worker was given £20 lim ing a recent election, and told to use it where it. vrmiU 110 the Ulost good. "1.°"" heip," saiil t he defeated candidate [if U i the. elect ion, 11 yoii didn't. use that money asi I fold you." "Oh, yes, I did," said the other. "Yon told ine ID it where 1 thought ib would do the nniMt. 1'1)(111." "liiitihe commit iee say yonuidnotnae it at nil," gu>n-led the candidate. I nxed every penny of iL," insisted the |)<i!ii,i(!i.iii, I bought tile best bicycle for myself that \V1l. to be had for the money." The bile r.islmp How 111111 n merry hnmonr and ci.iilil M|)|>MM'iate a good joke. He was a man <>l stature, and his figure lent itself III il Sunn afllr his elevat ion to the See of Wake- field ) he liisln)j» I I It I I eki to enter a certtiin I'ai i-"h chinch for i lmfust time. He was to l>i iic!i there the following day, and Lite Yot-k. shire verger came up to him and said, with all 9Krioii«Me»»— A'VH put a plfttform ill t* pulpit for yow. excuse me, hot. a til l ie iiinu iu it looks just as if hu were in a toob." Have I not been a considerate wUe ahe asked reproachfully. "Considerate he exclaimed bitterly. "In what way ? 1111", there ever been a night when yon were nut late that I haven't left the gas burning for yuti ? she demanded. A tt,l yon call that, being considerate," lie 101:\1" sarcastically. "Of course yon have, 1101, who pays the bills? >

RUBBING EASES PAIN. By instinct the hand flies to the part hurt, but to eliminate Aches and Pains a safe stimulating medium or lubricant is necessary, and its physical condition should facilitate the process of rubbing. Such is ELLIMAN'S EMBROCATION. Elliman's For Rheumatism, Lumbago, Elliman's Sprains. Braises, Elliman's Fresh Cuts, Elliman's Sore Throat from Coid, Elliman's Cold at the Chest, Elliman's Neuralgia from Cold, Elliman's Chilblains before Broken, Elliman's „ Corns when Painful!, Elliman's Cramp, Stiffness, Elliman's Soreness of the Limbs Elliman's after Cycling, Football, Elliman's Rowing. &c\ Bottles, 8id., s. i-id., 2s. pd., 45. 2 Elliman, Sons & Co., Slough, England.

THE B()ER WAR TWO BIG BATTLES. DE WET DEFEATED. DISASTER TO COLONIALS. Lord Kitchener telegraphed on Saturday n-ws of two serious engagements, one of which amounted to a British disaster of considerable magnitude. The first fight reported was between a column commanded by General Elliot and a. force under De Wet—though whether Christia.n De Wet or some otlier is not stated. It took place near Reitz, in the eastern part of the Orange Colony, and, though the British troODS ultimately triumphed and made considerable 'captures, it is evident that they all suffered almost, if not quite, as severely as did the Boers. The other fight was near the Delagoa Bay line, south of Middelburg, where two hundred and fifty Vic- torians were surprised by what was apparently I a larger force of Boers. The Australians were terribly cut up,_ and most, of them captured. This is the first time thai. Victorians have been surprised and cut up, and the news of tlie disaster has created consternation in the Colonv. Xlie Boers captured two pom-poms. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. The following are Lord Kitchener's official despatches referring to the engagements During the march from Vrede General Elliot's columns engaged the enemy under De Wet near Reitz on 6th. After severe fighting we captured a convoy of seventy-one loaded waggons, also forty-five prisoners, fifty-eight rifles, 10,000 rounds small-arm ammunition, and 4,000 cattle Boers left seventeen killed and three wounded. Major Sladen's Mounted Infantry behaved with great gallantry. Our casualties: Killed: Three officers and seventeen men. Wounded :• One officer, twenty. four men. Elliot's columns have reached Kroonstad. Near Wilmansrust, twenty miles south of Middelburg (Transvaal), two hundred and fifty Victorian Mounted liifles, detached from General Beatson's column, were surprised in camp at Steenkoolspruit by a superior force of Boers at 7.30 p.m. on June 12th. The enemy crept up to within short range and poured a deadly fire into the camp, killing two officers and sixteen men, and wounding four officers and thirty-eight men of whom twenty-eight slightly. Only two officers and fifty men escaped to GeneMA Beatson's camp; the remainder were tajS* prisoners and released. Two pom-poms wfctf captured by the enemy. Full details not yet received. The names of the killed and wounded are being reported separately. CAPE COLONY. There appears to be a distinct revival of activity on the part of the enemy in Cape Colony. The latest intelligence shews that about 1,800 Boers are in arms in Cape Colony, com- prising eight commandos of 60 to 300 each in the Midlands, and about 300 men altogether in Western Province. According to reports Kritzinger is publishing a proclamation recalling the fact that the northern districts of the Colony were annexed to the Free State at the beginning' of the war, and warning persons against divulging the rooveents of the oers on pain of various I' penalties. That the Boers are not to be permitted to I pursue their campaign in peace is seen, however, from the news that a considerable body <? £ BoerS under Kritzinger, Fouche, and othfer leaders under Kritzinger, Fouche, and othfer leaders have been forced by Colonel Haig out of the. Zuurberg. They were driven south-eas^, Ifid then north to near Bui^hSfeiToi'p. DtU'iCg these operations the majority of the Boers became I' dismounted. Many split off from the main com- mando and hid in kloofs. Fouct16 is still closely followed by Colonels Scobell, Gorringe, Crabby I and Wyndham. MOFTE PEACE RUMOUKS. Despite the emphatic denial of Mr. Balfour that peace negotiations are in progress, and Mrs. Botha's statement that she is not in Europe on a "mission," but merely on account of her health, peace rumours are revived. They take, however, a different form. It is now stated that for some days paat Mr. Kroger has been in direct corre- spondence with tfae Transvaal leaders at Stander- ton. Lord Kitchener having given permission for despatches to pass in the cypher of the Nether- lands Contfdf-General at Pretoria. As a result of these communications it is declared that a sensational event will be announced by Mr. Kriigef himself before the expiration of a week. According to the Hague correspondent of the Petit Bleu the sensational event will be the re- signation of Mr. Kriiger and his promise never to return to South Africa. The correspondent adds that the Boers will be granted almost complete independence, Botha, Steyn, and De Wet sharing in the government, while England will take certain precautions against a future Boer uprising. The Transvaal Legation, on the other hand, declares that all these statements are without foundation. Naturally, the suggest tion that the Boers are to have independence is not regarded seriously in London. F IN ORANGE COLONY. Evidence of renewed Boer activity in Orange Colony is given by Saturday's casualty list. Ten men of the 4th South Staffordshire Regiment were captured at Winburg on June 11th, and two men of the 24th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry are returned as missing near Koffyfontem on June 6th and 9th respectively. Lieutenant Sir Rose Price, Bart., and one man of the 3rd^ King s Royal Rifle Corps were killed at Yilhersdorp, on the south bank of the Vaal, on June 9th, and four men of the South African Constabulary were severely wounded at Leeuw Kop, east of Bloemfontein, on June 11th. In the Transvaal Lieutenant Murphy and three men of the 5th Victorian Mounted Infantry were killed at Rhenoster Kop, north of Balmoral, on May 7th, while two men were wounded. TOWN SACKED IN CAPE COLONY. According to the official summary of events published at Capetown on Monday, a body of the enemy, numbering one hundred and fifty, under Maritz, surrounded a small patrol of twenty- nine men under Captain Feltham, near Calvinia. Our loss was two killed, two wounded, and twenty men captured. Part of Scheeper's force entered Murraysburg on June 13th and looted the II shops. I; HEAVY CASUALTY LISTS. I The casualty list of the fight with De Wet at Graspan, near Reitz, on June 6th, shews that three officers and twenty-three men were killed and one officer and twenty-five men wounded. The fallen officers are Lieutenant Allan Cameron, 1st Gordon Highlanders; Lieutenant John Mair, late New South Wales Mounted In- fantry; and Lieutenant C. B. Strong, 2nd Bed- ford Mounted Infantry. Captain Russell Fimlay, 2nd Bedford Mounted Infantry, was dangerously wounded. It is further notified that Captam H. F. Scott, 3rd Berkshire Regiment, was killed near Houtkop on June 14th, a dozen men being wounded on the same occasion. BOER LOSSES. Lord Kitchener wired to the War Office on Mon- day: Following are Boer casualties since last 1 report: Killed, twenty-four; wounded, fourteen.; | I' prisoners, two nundrefl and slxty-nve; sur- f rendered, one hundred and sixty-five. Rifles, one hundred and thirty-seven; small-arm ammuni- tion, 8,200; waggons, one hundred and ninety. eight; horses, 1,500; cattle, 3,000. This does not include casualties during General Elliot's operations wired to you separately. METHUEN "CHAIRED" BY HIS MEN. Lord Methuen's great popularity with his men j was shewn recently by an address from the returned Australian Bushmen formerly under his command, who expressed their willingness to serve under him anywhere. Another and more striking proof of the hold he secures on the affections of his soldiers was given at Mafeking on May 14th, when a portion of the Yeomanry belonging to his force left for home. He came to the platform to say good-bye, and was greeted with a roar of cheering which moved him deeply. Suddenly there were cries of "Shoulder him, boys!" and immediately Lord Methuen was surrounded by his troops, and, amid ringing cheers, carried shoulder-high along the platform. A speech was called ior, but his lordship was toe overcome to speak. As the train steamed away cheering again broke forth, while the General stood at the salute,

THE WEEK AT WESTMINSTER. l-IR. BOWLES AXD THE GOVERNMENT. Mr. Gibson Bowles reigned for a brief space as the chief figure of interest in the House on Thursday. He got his opportunity to gird at the Government over the Gibraltar Commission by moving the adjournment of the House to discuss the question. This only came. however, after Mr. Bowles had asked the Leader of the House whether the Government had suspended the prosecution of any of the works on the western. side of the Rock of Gibraltar sanctioned by the Naval Works Act of 1896, Ilr. Balfour replied that, as regarded the works which were in pro- cess oi construction, he understood that neither I Mr. Bowles nor anyone else desired that thet should be suspended. As to those which had not been commenced, the First Lord of the Admiralty had done all that was possible to prevent the progress of the works, pending the final decision of the (5, rnment. The final Report of the Commission, of which Mr. Bowles was a member, was only received on May 15th. and since then the Commander-in-Chief and the senior Admiral in the Mediterranean had to be consulted. There would be no long dalay, and he hoped that, at an early date, a full statement would be made. The answer did not satisfy Mr. Bowles, and he insisted on an assurance that the works would be stopped, and that an opportunity would be given him of discussing the whole matter. MR. BOWLES'S COMPLAINT. Mr. Bowles's speech was remarkable for two things, the first being that it ran to a great length, and the second that it was full of decla- rations that if only Mr. Balfour would give an assurance that the works would be stopped he would not go on. He went over the history of the appointment of the Gibraltar Commission, dwelt upon the unanimity with which they had recommended that Dock No. 2 and certain other works, all on the western* side of the Bock, should be abandoned, on the great expense that would be saved by immediately abandoning them —which the contract gave the Government power to do-and on the fact that the Commission had been asked to rewrite its report after it came home, and to withdraw some of its recommenda", tions. Naturally this latter declaration caused a great outburst of laughter on the Opposition benches, and that it annoyed Mr. Balfour was evident when the Leader of the House rose to reply. He went for the member for King's Lynn "hammer and tongs," indignantly defending the other members of the_ Commission against the charge that they had yielded to official influence to stultify the result of the inquiry. The fact was that the report signed by Mr. Bowles was a mere interim report, and was dependent upon inquiries as to cost and time of completing the works, which could only be made after the Com- mission returned, when they would issue their final report. Part of the report could not possibly be made public. There were subjects in it connected with military and naval difficulties, and with matters of diplomatic delicacy, whick it was impossible to debate in the House. Mr. Balfour declared that had Mr. Bowles waited a lew days he would have been informed of th<j lew days he would have been informed of the decision at. which the Cabinet had arrived ih the flatter. There was no further discussion, and the Government got a. majority on the division of 216 to 157, Mr. Bowles carrying the Opposi- tion and Nationalists, but only ono Unionist member, into the Lobbv >vjth him. TII Bklfast IttatS. Friday's sitting "a;s interesting for two discus- StonS) the first, dsn the rioting in Belfast, and the second on the Soyal yacht. Mr. Redmond raised the subject of the rioting in Belfast, and he did So in 0. serious speech, in which he painted a hlore or less impressive picture of how the Roman Catholics of Belfast had been attacked by the Protestant mob,and how they had refrained from retaliating. Apart from Mr. Redmond's heroics, there was no question that the Roman Catholics had very good cause for complaint, and Mr. Wyndham practically acknowledged as much when he rose to reply. Of course the Chief Secretary was at pains to shew that the police authorities had not been neglectful. He confessed his reluctance to employ the military on such occasions. They were, he said, only a palliative, not a remedy, but in this instance they were at one stage called out. THE OnANGE DEFENCE. The Irishmen were not quite satisfied with this, however-they like to make the most of a grievance-so Mr. T. P. O'Connor and several others continued the discussion, with an inter- vention from Colonel Saunderson, who declared that the rioting was not to be attributed to the Orange party, but to bands of unruly boys and girls-a not very convincing argument. The Colonel, however, claimed for himself that he had neverbeen disrespectful to a Roman Catholic, and thus threw some oil on the troubled waters. The end was that the Government got a majority of 77 against Mr. Redmond's motion to adjourn the House. There was an interesting debate on the Royai yacht and the sins of omission and commission surrounding the ill-fated craft. THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPS. The subject of the camps of detention for Boer women and children in South Africa came up for discussion unexpectedly on Monday. The matter was introduced by a question as to the constitu* tion of the camps. Mr. Brodrick in his answer gave the number of women and children, includ- ing natives, in these camps as about 63,000. When he said that the deaths at the Johannesburg station in May were six men, six women, and sixty-eight children, mainly due to an outbreak of measles, Nationalists and some Radicals broke out. into cries of Shame" and "Scandalous," which they renewed with increased force when they were told that the mortality in the Trans- 'Vaal camps for May was thirty-nine men, forty. seven women, and two hundred and fifty children. Then Mr. Lloyd-George rose, and in a speech full of bitter denunciation of the system of keeping the women and children in these camps moved the adjournment of the House. Mr. Lloyd-George found a seconder in Mr. John Ellis, who, however, acknowledged that there was no intentional cruelty on the part of the Government, but declared that the system was in itself bad. MR. Bnomncx's REPLY. Mr. Brodrick was somewhat irate at having the motion thrust unexpectedly upon him, and he said so. His first contention was the deliberate statement that Lord Roberts had made a great blunder when the farmers on parole were allowed to go back to their farms—an act of humanity which cost a considerable prolongation of the war. The men broke their parole, their farms became fresh recruiting agencies, and after they had gone were used as depots for supplies and information. Later, the Boers traded on our humanity, and persistently threw the charge of their women and children into our hands. He declared that the Government had done the best they could to make the camps sanitary and properly habitable, and that in some respects the high mortality was due to the refusal by the Boer women of the medical help provided by the Government. Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman protested Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman protested against the system, and urged the Government to send out Special staffs of nurses and medical men te attend to the women and children. One or two Liberal Imperialists spoke against the motion, -and in the end the Government got a majority of 119 against it, Mr. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey refusing to support Mr. Lloyd- George. Cmr. LIST AND FINANCE. Tuesday's debates were not inspiring or par- ticularly interesting, for the reason that they ware concerned with matters not waX much _ia the puonc eye as strojeecs or controversy, me first business transacted was the third reading of the Civil List Bill, and this gave an oppor- tunity to Sir W. Harcourt and other Liberals to protest against the theory of the Royal owner- ship of Crown lands contained in the bill. The Government got a big majority 011 the bill, however, and the House then proceeded to dis- cuss the Finance Bill in Committee. This led by the usual course to a debate on Irish grievances, after which Mr. Channing moved that the sugar tax should operate for one year only, the argument being that the tax was unwise and unpopular, and should not be made permanent. The motion was defeated by 222 votes to 155. A noticeable feature of the sitting was t,lia, ',e special whip issued by the Government ,:t.J,d taken effect by bringing up more Union ?t members for the divisions, and thus removing the danger which the Government feared from Blackness on the part of their supporters. SCOTCH EDUCATION. The question of Scotch education as .con- tained in Mr. Pirie's Young Children School Attendance Bill came up for discussion again on Wednesday, and occupied a fair amount of time. Mr. Pirie moved the third reading, but there was considerable opposition, the most important coming from Mr. Caldwell, who dis- agreed with his colleagues because the bill was no longer simply one for raising the minimum age for labour exemption, but included other proposals of a drastic character, from which he dissented. The Scotch Bill passed, as did the 1 Friendly Societies (Outdoor Relief) Bill later in the afternoon, but the Cremation Bill was blocked on a proposal to extend it to Scotland.

COUNCILLOR AND HIS COUNSEL, COUNCILLOR JOHN CHESTERFIELD was elected a member of the corporation of Rofcherhan3, Yorkshire, in Jubilee year of 1887. Popular a thoroughly good business man, he is noted in the council chamber for quiet, consistent work. But no public man can do his duty without good health, as Councillor Chesterfield has found out. He had bad several visitations of that dreadful scourge influenza, but in the spring of 18U9 his illness took a severer turn than usual, as a reporter learned who had a chat with him recently at his residence, 81, W^Hgate, Rotherhnm. Whenever I stooped," said Councillor Chesterfield in his bluff, outspoken way, I had great difficulty in rising again, and I suffered severe pains in the back, which I put down to cold having settled in my kidneys. I also had severe rheumatic pains in my shoulder and down the arm to the elbow. I took a common-sense view of the matter. I read in the paper of the curative properties of Dr. Williams pink pills, and procured a box of the pille. By taking the complaint in time I found a speedy remedy, and prevented what might have been a long illness." And how soon did you notice an altera- tion P Why, to my surprise, before I had taken one box of the pills the pain in my shoulder disappeared altogether, and has never returned since. I took the pills with the object of dis- persing the pain in my back, but I was very pleased when the pain in my arm also disap- peared. So I persevered, and the pain in my back gradually left me. By the time I had taken four boxes of pills it had entirely gone." You must have great faith in Dr Williams' pink pills ? observed the interviewer. Councillor Chesterfield replied, without the least hesitation. U Yes, I have. I believe if anyone will take them according to the printed directions they will find rapid relief." The reporter commented en the great value of such an expression of opinion coming from a public man so well known in the town, and Mr Chesterfield repeated his belief in the efficacy of the pills. The worthy Councillor had, of course, acted wisely in dealing with the matter at an early stage, without waiting until serious symptoms had developed. Dr Williams' pink pills (which are sold by chemists It two and < ninepenee, and, if substitutes are pushed, can « be had direct by post, free of postage, from Dr. Williams' medicine company, Holborn Viaduct, London) have cured even confirmed cases of influenza, kidney disease, paralysis, rheumatism, St. Vitus' dance, and all the ailment which affect especially the weaker sex.

— ( NORTH WALES HORSE SALES. J I We gave last week the results of these Sales ] held on Wednesday and Thursday, and the I following are the particulars of Friday's sale s Judges: Mr J Pollock, Norwich, and Mr < Baguley, Moreton-in-Marsh. Mare or gelding t over 14.3 1, Mr Robert Wilson, Chapel House f Farm; reserve, Mr W T Madge, The Globe. i Cob, over 14 hands and not exceeding 14.3: 1, Mr W Heath, New Lodge farm; r, Messrs Evans & Co., Killaspy Stud. Cob, over 13.1 and not exceeding 14 hands: 1, Mr N Rogers, Mochdre; r, Mr J W Willding, Linden Grange. ( Pony, 12.2 and not exceeding 13.1: 1, Mr R. W 1 Owen, Bont Faen; r, Mr Ernest Lander, Shifnal. Pony under 12 2; 1, Messrs W and J s Strange, Warrington r, Messrs Evans & Co., Killaspy Stud. The Ckampioa Challenge Cap for the best of the winners at this day's sales, 1 after a very trying contest, was awarded to Mr W Heath, New Lodge Farm, with his brown ] gelding by Blaze II, winner in the 'clas? under 14.3, Mr R Wilson, of Chapel House Farm, getting the reserve card with the winner in the 1 first class. The following are a few of the ( principal prices for cobs and poniesMr W c Heath, New Lodge farm, brown gelding, ] llOgs; Mr H Rogers, Mrchdre, black pony, lOOgs; Mr R Wilson, Chapel House farm, c bay gelding 85gs, chestnut mare 70gs, two bay t mares 68 and 65gs Mr A H Lloyd, Plassey, roan mare, 60gs; Mr R Morgan, Bahaillon, bay gelding, 62gs; Mr W Conwy Bell, Bryn- ffynnon. bay gelding, 44gs. Others ranged in price from 44 guineas to 30 guineas, and several small ponies made from 20 to 28 guineas each. Altogether 800 horses were sold. Messrs Frank Lloyd and Sons continued their June sales on Wednesday this week, when upwards of 140 powerful town mares and geldings were offered. There was a crowded attendance ef buyers. The judging was kindly undertaken by Mr T Edwards, of Litherland, and Mr A Fisher, of Newark, and their awards were as follow :—Best mare or gelding in the sale, Mr T Jones, Brynafon; best pair, Mr R Parry, Glanrafon; best under 16.1, Mr T Nickson, Tattenhall. Competition for the best animals was very keen, and a good- clearance was effected. Appended are a few of the principal prices:—Mr W Lewis, Marford, 55gs; Mr Wall, Hanmer, 60gs; Mr H C Twentyman, 48gs Mr J Davies, Kant, 55gs; Mr Holland, Fernhill, 64gs; Mr R Parry, Glanrafon, 55 and 57gs Mr W Alderson, Glan- medeley, 66gs Mr R Edmonds, Moor Abbey, 50gs Mr W Whalley, Cotton Abbotts, 68gs Mr D Gittins, Sandford, 50gs Mr W Nunner- ley, Kenwick, 68 and 67gs; Mr W H Jones, Molcot, 69gs Mr Williamson, Newtown, 60gs Mr H Read, Nerthop, 66gs; Mr H Willis, Milleyfarm, 60gs Mr Cox, 60gs Mr J Jones, Hayes Farm, 67gs; and Mr R Davies, Bridge Carm, 58gs. The sale continued yesterday with about 300 Welsh waggon horses, light lurry, parcel van, and young horses.

MOLD. A SERVANT AND HER CHILD.An inquest, in which much local interest was taken, was concluded at Mold on Tuesday, before Mr F Llewellyn Jones, deputy coroner. The evidence showed that early on the morning of tbe 24th May, Alice Roberts, a domestic servant in the employ of Mrs Morgans, Alyn House, Rhydy- golen, gave birth to a male child. The birth took place in her bedroom. Aut an hour afterwards the mother took the child down. stairs, left it on the low wall just outside the door, and went upstairs again to awaken her mistress and tell her what had happened. The servant slept in a back bedroom which had no connection with her mistress's bedroom upstairs, and in order to get to the front bed- room she had to get dowttstai^ a^d through the house. In giving aiiceWobiJrts, the mother, said the tafou*- jm was dead. The child. whisk "Was wrapped in shirt, proved to be alive, but died in the after- noon of the same day. The mistress was un- aware of the servant's condition, and the servant herself had misjudged the time of the proliable Uirth. The jury found that the child died through not being properly attended at birth, and expressed the opinion that medical aid ought to have been called in sooner. i.L. rs

ST. ASAPH. rSU' 1 VT1 old Mostyn Arms Hotel, which has been disused for a dozen years since the licence was allowed to lapse is to be converted into a post-office and bank, affording a much-needea improvement iu the post-office accommodation the citv Mr Richard Davies, of Bangor, is the architect for the alterations on behalf of Mr Moses Roberts the present owner. POLICE IXSPKCTION.— On Friday and Saturday the Mori C G Legge, Government insoector of constabulary (who was nccompanicl ilaior Webber, chief constable), madc. inspection of the Flintshire police force and the stations and offices in the county. On Fridav he visited Mold, Buckley, Hawarden, &c., and on Saturday Holywell, St Asaph, Mostyn, and Caerwys. The force now consists of 52 of all ranks. En rKimrNMLXT. On Thursday evening, June 13th, at the Plough Hotel Assembly Room, Mr T P Wood of Abergele's renowned Pierrots crave an excellent entertainment to the delight of all present, and all hope that they will pay us another visit soon. The pro- gramme consisted of songs, choruses, comic interlude, humorous sketches such as "The < oleville Coon Cadets" and" Sams Soothing syrup by the company. ° ST ASAPH DIOCESAN CONFERENCE. — This -FF Th- i conference will be held at Colwyn Bay, 0:,1 Ihursday and Friday, October 10th and 11th. The Archbishop of Canterbury will preach on the morning of the first day. The following are the subjects which it is intended to discuss at the conference :-(1) Sunday observance, and attendance at pub'ic worship (2) The maintainence at our voluntary schools (3' Preaching as it is and as it should be (4> Foreign missions. CATHKDRAL SERVICE LIsT-Juna 23sd, Sun- day :—11 Mattins Service, Turle in D; anthem, Hear, 0 thou shepherd of Israel," Walmisley 6-15: hymns and chants-June 24th, Monday (St John Baptist) :-11-30: u 'ti19 8eryice» Sullivan in D anthem, G' thou that tellest, Handel. June 27th, Thurs- ay Alattins service, Garrett in F s an iiem, "Tefkch me, 0 Lord. AUwQod,— Juno 29th, SdoMay.I gervice, 'Cross in A antheni. Tliou will cep hIm," Wesley. COXCKRT. On Friday afternoon, June 14th, a grand concert, wtw given at the Diocesan Library, Denbigh Read, in sid of the CWrn Church Restoration Fund, which we are glali to state tras a great success both financially and otherwise. The reotipfs after paying all expenses amounting to over 1-23. The follow- ing is a copy of the programme: Part I: Piano duett, "En Chasse" (Henri R-avina), Misses Edwards and II: vans. Song, AIY Queen" (Blumenthal), Mr Egerton Sneleon. Song, 0 Swallow, Swallow" (Piatti), Miss Edith Walton Evans. Recitation, Selection Mr Trever Hugh-Jones. Violin solo, "Polonaise Brilliante (Wieniawski), Miss Beatrice Griffith. Song, Pastoral (Veracini), Mrs Alison Johnson. Song, Feldeinsamkeit (Johannes Brahms), Mr Cyril B Rootham. Trios, (a) Orpheus with his Late (E German), (b) Clychau Aberdvfi" (Welsh Air), Mrs Tayleur, the Misses Owen Jones. Part II: Song, 11 Seek for Thee" (Ganz), Mr Egerton Snelson. Song,) Nymphes et Sylvaina" (Bemberg), Mrs Alison Johnson. Part Song, A Leeend of the Rhine" (Henry Smart), the Cathedral Lay Clerks. Violin solos, (a) "Romance" O)p. ii. (Chopin), (b) "Maxourka." (Zarzycki). Miss Beatrice Griffiths. Song, Love's Springtime" (Erik Meyer-Helmund), Miss Edith Walton Evans. Song, "Where Corals lie" (Edward Elgar), Mr Cyril B Rootham. Vocal duet, "Sunset" (Goring Thomas), Mrs Alison Johnson and Mrs Tayleur. Part song, "Banish oh! Maiden" (A Lcrenz), the Cathedral Lay Clerks. "GJd Save the King."

LLANFAIR D.C. BENEFIT CONCERT.—A grand concert will be held at the National Schools, Llanfair, oa the eve of Friday, the 28th inst. Allconcerned with it a.re giving their services fro- and the proceeds are to goto aid Mrs Dav Brony- to enter a Home for 1. cufables. Mrs Davies has the aympcrthy Of all who knows her, and never was a case more worthy of support; so we are not surprised to find that the tickets are being readily sold and that there is every prospect of a good entertainment as well as substantial pecuniary aid to one who well deserves it.

RE INTENDED LEAVING THE TOWN. A notorious prizefighter and disorderly char- acter wa9 on trial at the late assizes for assault and battery. He was convicted, and just. before the Ittige passed sentence his counsel appealed for mercy, saying that his client intended to leave the town at once. I ftnow it," said the judge, he is going to leave it for six months, during which time lie will reside iu the county gaol."

NOT UP TO REQUIREMENTS. **1 have a splendid night-lock here that locks itself." annopttced the canvasser. "That wop't do me," answered Roundley, What I want is one that will unlock itself."

SAD DOMESTIC NEWS. Daughter: "Bridget has become remarkably attentive to her duties lately." Mother (sadly): I have noticed it." "Yes she lias stopped slighting her work, and pa'a shirts and collars and cuffs are starched beautifully. She walked twenty miles last Saturday afternoon to see a woman who bad promised to show her how to starch." "My, my!" And lately she has been studying a cook- ery-book and asking me all manner of questions • about the desserts and other dislies 'which I have always bad to make myself. She seems determined to master every department of housekeeping" "Alasl It is as I feared. Slieiagoiugtobe- married P

ABSUBD ONCE, ABSURD ALWAYS. Mrs. Stroiigmind: "And for what are j'ou- incarcerated here, my pK/r man The Prisoner: "I mailed a new "woman." Mr. Strongnjind (astc\,islied): "Impossible!" You Wouldn't be put In gaol for that." ihe Prisoner: "But I was! I married a new woman, and the old woman I already had kicked about it, and put ine here for bigamy." You dbile ten me seriously that you mean to lItIrrythat girl for love ? yes; love for- the old gentlfttnun's mopey," f i

CHORAL FESTIVAL AT RUTHIN. On Friday last the annual choral festival of Church choirs in the Deanery of Dyffryn Clwyd was held in the Parish Church, Buthin, when there were good congregations at koth afternoon and evening services. The choirs taking part were Ruthin, Llanfwrog, Clocaenog, Gyffylliog, Llanfair, Llanelidan, Llanbedr, Llanynys, and Llanychan. The eurpliced singers and clergy robed in the Old Gramniar School, whence they walked in procession to the Church, the robed clergy being the Revs Chancellor Bulkeley Jones and Ebenezer Evans, Ruthin J F Reece, Llanfwrog Canon Hicks, Manchester T Jones, Llanbedr; and J Silas Evans, Gyffylliog. The service opened with the processional hymn, Angel voices" ever singing," to a setting by Dr Monk, which was very effectively rendered, and the psalms and canticles were sung to chants by Arnold, Humphreys, King, and I Reinagle. The hymn, Lead us, heavenly Father lead us (W Schulthea), was sung before the sermon, and after an impressive discourse by the Rev Canon Hieks, the bymn 11 The Voice of God's creation found J; me," was given. The choirs rendered the anthem 0 give thanks unto the Lord (Sir G J Elvey) with much spirit. One portion being effectively sung by the following:—Misses Rosamund Griffiths (Clocaenog Rectory) and Lewis Jones (Ruthin), contralto Messrs S Jones and Harold Jones (Ruthin) and Da vies (Clocaenog Rectory), trebles; Messrs Robert Jones and W Roberts (Llanbedr), tenors Messrs J Atkinson (Ruthin) and R H Jones (Llanbedr), bass. An im- pressive service was brought to a conclusion by the recessional hymn, H 0 what the joy and the glory must be," sung to a harmonized version of an ancient plain song. The service was intoned by the Rev .Silas Evans, and the lessons were read by this U-,v J F Reece and the Rev Chancellor Bulkeley Jones. There were about seventy jsijjg.ers in the procession. There was a good congregation at the evening service, which w* in Welsh. The service opened by the hymn H Chwi holl fforddolion Zion," sung to the tune "Bala." The psalmi were rendered to chant by J Turle, J" T Harris, and J B Bach. The anthem, "0 Arglwydd ein for," by Gadsby, which is of a jubilant character, was given with splendid spirit aDd intonation, and the anthem before the flernaan, 0 Brynwr Mawr y Byd (Goss), 'Which is of a impressive and sustained character, was readied by the c^irs with touch fervour and impression. The service was intoned by the Rev J Silas Evans, Gyffyllfog, and the lessons were read by the Rev Ebenezer Evans, Ruthin. After the sermon, which was delivered by the Rev Grimaldi Davies, Vicar of Welshpool, 4e hymn, "Fe welir Zion felywawr" Dr Croft), was sung, and the service was brought to a close with the recessional hymn, Coronau gwyeh y ddaear," istlig rA a tune by Mr H G E England, school- master, Tremeirchion. The music through- out the day was rendered by the choirs with due regard to the character of each particular item, and the chanting was dome with excellence and precision. The choirs ad been prepared with much care by Mr W A Lloyd, organist of the Llanbedr Pariah Churoh, who conducted the festival, and Mr W G Hodgson presided at the k)rgan with much ability.

The Society for the promotion of christian knowledge is about to supply a history of the diocese of Llandaff in its well-known diocesan series. St David's and St Asaph are provided for since the year 1888, and it is to be hoped that Bangor will soon follow. The gentlemen selected to undertake the work is the Rev E J Newell, an Oxford graduate, at present. rector of Neen Sollers, in Shropshire, but lately headmaster of a college at Portheawl, Glamorganshire. Mr Newell is the author of "A popular history of the Ancient British Church," and also of "A history- of the Welsh Church to the dissolution of the Monasteries."

A PROGRESSIVE CONUNDRUM. Why is heaven like a baby ? Because heaven, is home, home is where the heart is, where the heart is is the cheat, the chest is a box, a. box is a =411 tree, a small tree is a bush, n" busli is a gfrowiug plant, a growing plant is a beautiful thing, a beautiful thing is the prim- rose, heprimrose is a pronounced yeller, and. a pronounced yeller is a baby.

A WONDER. "That policeman on our beat is a wonderful man." "How's that ?" He's on duty all night and never sleeps a wink in day time."