The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

GEKEBAL FINCH'S SUCCESS. NAAUWPOOHT, Monday. i, ^imr> having moved on from Arun- The British < P squadrons of the Innis- 1 Dragoon's, half the Suffolk Regiment, and S iTrS?SoBpit»l were left behind General French ha., given the Boers under Trobler a stern New Year's greeting. It and O Batteries Roval Horse Artillery opened fire this morning at 4.30 o'clock. The Boer guns were soon silenced, and the Boers were shelled out of their position. General French is keeping them on the move. On Saturday last a farmer named Hedges, belonging to Palmiefor.tein, near Colesberg, was made prisoner, together with an officer and one man of the Carbineers. M Hedges was attached f to the Carbineers as a guide, and going past our I outposts with the intention of visiting his home, I was captured. j, Our troops have not yet entered Colesberg, but they hope to do so in a day or so. j. ''From information received" it appears that | the Boers are retreating to Orange River. Later. I General French has followed up his advantage (with rapidity, and a successful night march has been made from Van Rensberg siding. Our force consisted of half a battalion of the Roval Berk- shire Regiment and cavalry, accompanied by the guns of the Royal Horse Artillery. Firing began at four o'clock this (New Year) morning on the face, of the kopjes at Yokeskey N pk, east of and about one mile from Colesberg. Twelve of our guns were engaged, The enemy replied with artillery and small arms, but their guns were soon silenced, our artillery, which was magnificently dirooted, driving them from hill to hill and giving them no peace. The enemy were obliged to evacuate that position and take to the hills on the west of Colesbero". But our artillery also shifted its position and poured in a heavy Are amongst them. bo rapid was our gun fire that it assumed the nature of volley-firing, and it was soon palpable that General French had the Boers well in hand from the commencement of the action. From the direction of the enemy's fire as the morning advanced it became evident that they were retreating northwards. A regiment of cavalry deployed on the south side of the Colesberg range to draw fire from their guns, which were supposed to be posted at Vander A alts Fontein, an operation in which our fellows were entirely successful. Eight shells following each other in quick succession were belched forth, all of which, however, fell short and did no damage. From the dense volume of smoke they poured out the shells must have been of somewhat ancient date.

BRITISH VICTORY ON THE ORANGE IIIVE R. AUSTRALIANS KILLED AND WOUNDED. 40 BOERS CAPTURED. lh'3 following was received on Tuesday from Genera!, Capetown, to Secretary of State for w.a, CAPETOWN, January 2. Following message received this morning from Lieut.-Colonel Pilcher through General Officer Commanding Orange River:- I completely defeated the hostile commando at Sunnyside this day, 1st January, taking laager and 40 prisoners, besides killed and wounded. co .Our Casualties.—Dangerously wounded: Lieut. A die, Queensland Monnted Infantry. Killed.- Pies. McLeod and A Rose, Queensland Mounted Infantry Pte Jones, Victoria. Am in camp at Dover Farm. (Dover Farm is 20 miles to the north-west of #«linont. Sunnyside 30 miles).

HEMMED IN BY THE FLOOD. SMALL PARTY OF BOERS CUT OFF BY | TIL E SWOLLEN TUGELA. I FRERE CAMP, Dec. 30. Further heavy rains fell during last night, with the result that the Tngela River and other streams jr> *,his district are already partly in flood. There seems to be no doubt now that the main kocce of Boers, wiio were on this side of the Tngela, fhave managed to get across safely, but the swollen have managed to get across safely, but the swollen W waters now present an almost insuperable barrier to those remaining on the south. At least one commando, numbering about 300, are practically hemmed in, and their capture is almost assured, for it is impossible to bridge the Tugela in its present condition, and the average Boer is a very bad swimmer.—Central News.

BOER GUN CAPTURED. —'CCESSFUL RESULT OF A NIGHT SORTIE FROM LADYSMITH. CHIEVELEY CAMP, Dec. 30th. V native, who has just been brought into this I .11 p by one of our mounted patrols, states that General White made a successful sortie on Friday t morning against the strong position held by the i- Boers. The position was carried at the point of the oayonet, and has been retained by our troops. One of the enemy' big guns was captured. '30rne confirmation of this man's report is anorded by the fact that the Boers around Lady- smith have been strangely silent since yesterday wn"rning.- Ceutrlll News.

BENNET BURLEIGH'S FORECAST. I PLUMP FOR A COMPLETE BRITISH VICTORY. Mr Bonnet Bur'eigh, the chief of the war correspondents on Sunday wired to th, Daily Telegraph the following message The following is what I may term an end of the; year review of the situation as it now stands. Despite many drawbacks and various unsatisfactory matters which might and could be remedied, the military situation is belter, more secure, and more hopeful for us than since the outbreak of hostilities. This is the case elsewhere, but particularly so in Natal. The invasion of this colony is now slowly 1 -peri)aps many iay too slowly—bat surely being rolled back. There is no longer any danger for Pietermaritzburg to-day. The country is secure from the foe practically from Coleuso to the south. A few raiders -nay for a short time ventore along the hills as far as Hstcourt, but. I doubt if ever they will water their horses again in the Mooi river. Ladysmith, although on account of its situation ir. is a place difficult, to defend, continues easily to bold out, and is repelling the Boer attacks, for the enemy lias never relished the coming to I close quarters. Nor have the? showu any caoacitv for ASSAULTING THE BRITISH POSITIONS. Their own method is to catch our troops in the (open and from cover overwhelm them with fire For not many days more will the Ladvsmifch gallant garrison be required to lie low behind their works The relief column will surely free their hands from guarding the town and camps, and will enable X The relief column will surely free their hands from y guarding the town and camps, and will enable w them to cut in upon the retreating commandoes. To-day General Bulier has within hail a force of all arms equal to that of the Boers, and eagerly demanding to be led against General Joubert's men and the Free State Boers who are I also before Cnicnso and Ladysmith. I take it that the enemy between Colenso and Ladysmith, all told, number somewhere between 20;000 and 30,000 for what with renegades and Colonial Boer recruits their total strength must be SOMEWHERE NEAR 60,000 MRN, Generals Jonbert and Botha have made the most of their advantages of position by em placing many i cannon, some of large calibre—up to 15 centimetres, —and by constructing numberless trenches and I works. Their positions, however, I assume, will be I judiciously turned and the enemy rolled back. I' I confidently anticipate that the coming battle 1 will be by for the biggest and the fiercest of the r war. But then war is even more uncertain than cricket. Our soldiers will not fail the country. That is absolutely certain if they are given a fair chance to engage upon anything like equal terms. I plump for .1 A COMPLETE BRITISH VICTORY, and it is given me further to forecast, that if the punishment meted out to and the pressure brought to bear upon the discomfited Boers be vigorous and persistent many prisoners, guns, and much spoil should fall mto General Buller's hands, the invasion of the Republics be terminated, and the end of the war certainly be brought within a few months distant.

FIVE MILLIONS TO BE SPENT. REPORTED IMPORTANT DECISION. The Daily Mail makes the following announce- mnt We underst.and that the Defence Com- mittee of the Cabinet ha* had under consideration the question of the defence of the Empire generally, and of our artillery in particular, and that in consequence a statement will I':ho;-t,1y be made t. the effect that a very large expenditure indeed is to be provided for in order to make good our de- Sciences in this respect, and to place the nation at least on a par with the other great Powers. Inas- much as the construction of efficient artillery is a matter of time, it may not be possible to manufac- ture the new armament sufficiently rapidly for use in our South African campaign but, recognising the urgency of the case, it is understood, that the Defence Committee of the Cabinet have not only dec;ded upon this very large increase, but also that the matter is to be pushed through as quickly as possible. We have authority for stating that much of this new equipment, while being sufficiently mobile for use in the field, is intended for adapta- tion to the necessities of what are known as guns of position. The sum which is to be expended exceeds, we are informed, five million sterling."

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. WANT TO SHOOT PRESIDENT STEYN. A Kettering man in the Gordon Highlanders, writing from the Orange River, says that nearly all the wounded have been hit in the head. One of the prisoners, who came from the Orange Free State, told him that if some of them could got hold of President Steyn they would shoot him for bring- ing disaster upon them.

BOERS STOLE ALL THE BOOZE." Private T Walter Barnard, of F Company Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, writing to his parents from Modder River Camp, says — I am glad to say I have gone through one of the hardest-fought battles known in British history quite safe, barring legs, which are burnt badly with the sun, and a few grazes. I was in F Company, which was the first to charge the river. I came out on the other Bide dripping with water and blood and a lot of dead horses and men had fallen in. One of my chums get half his foot blown off. Two were shot in the river, and one of Mao's chums lost an arm. That was only in one bend of the river. Toe Boers have blown up the bridge so we are having a week's rest till it is' repaired. Modder River is like a large country village after home style, and most of the people here are English or Scottish. Their homes are wrecks, wealthy people are crying about with nothing, not a stitch. The Boers first turned them out without a moment's warning. Then we drove the Boers, so you may guess what a sight the houses are in All ducks and chickens were killed and cooked by our chaps, as they were all hungry after the fight. For myself I had a nice sucking pig, and went into a kitchen, and got a fire and stuffed this pig with something of everything— some lard, bread, onions, cabbages, and carrots. The Boers stole all the booze."

INTERESTING LETTER FROM A FORDEN MAN. The following letter has been received by Mr and Mrs Clayton, Forden, from tbeir son who is with the 9th Lancers Modder River, 2nd Dec., 1899. I Dear Father and Mother,—Just a line to let you know that I am in good (health. I have been through two big battles and all is well up to now. Our regiment, has only lost one man killed and two wounded. It is a pitiful sight to see the dead and dying after the fight. One of our battles lasted about 13 hours, and we were dropping out of our saddles for want of water. I was in the saddle for 36 hours. We get plenty to eat. I have got a. pony and saddle of my own that I captured from the Boers. We have got to shell them out of the rocks as they will not come out and fight in the open, but when we do get near them we do not forget to give them the steel, and that is what they do not like, but they will have to have it. This is splendid countiy and near the Orange Free State. We hope soon to be n Pretoria and then the fight- ing will be over. Best love to you all and a happy Christmas, when I expect we shall be fighting. Your affectionate son, E. CLAYTON, D. Squadron 9ih Lancers, Modder River, S. Africa."

ENCOURAGING FREE STATERS. —— HOW NEWS OF ALLEGED BOER VICTORIES IS SERVED UP. The following is taken from the" Bloemfontein Express of December oth The fight at Belmont was an instance of pitiable carelessness on the part of the Boers, who placed no sentinels the night before. Consequently 1,100 British Infantry stole within 100 yards. Be- fore the break of day we heard bugle calls, and suddenly found Indian troops amongst us, raisins; their war cry. They were armed with knives and swords. We shot them down like wild animals, but they climbed over dead and wounded with such determination that wo were compelled to retreat. This terrible fight lasted until noon, when the British drew off, leaving 2,000 killed and wounded. Our loss about nine killed and 60 wounded. The strength of the British is 22,000. Our force is 2,500. Only a small number of our 'men touched. The English want to reach Kimberley, but we must keep them away. If, with God's blessing, we can break this force we shall have the Britsh key in our hands; one of the captured officers says RO." Another account says that "that Gboorkas stormed the Boer position. The Boers fought like lions, but could not stand the terrible fire of the British cannonade, and so we fled. If it was not for their artillery we could have stopped them, but the way their shells burst among us was too awful. We now see the kopjes are no use when cannon fire. Our best way is to charge them. They cannot stand the charge of the Boers."

THE MILITIA. SIXTEEN MORE BATTALIONS TO BE EMBODIED. The War Office on Thursday night promulgated an orVr for the embodiment, on dates not earlier than the 16th irIGL, of the following Militia Infan- cy units, in addition to chose already notified 3rd King's Own Royal Lancaster, 5th Royal War- wickshire, 3rd King"; Liverpool, 3rd Norfolk, 4th Lincolnshire, 4th Suffolk, 4th Cheshire, 3rd South Wales Borderers, 3rd East Lancashire, 3rd Hamp- shire, 3rd Sherwood Forresters (Derbyshire Regi- ment), 8Lh King's Royal Rifle Corps, 4th Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment), 4th Dur- ham Light. Infantry, and 3rd Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).

CHAFFING THE ENEMY. INTERCEPTED MESSAGES There are glimpses of humour even in the grim Natal campaign. A few weeks ago a young British officer was endeavouring to signal by heliograph from General BullerV camp to Ladysmith. He had not been long at work before it became clear that his messages were being intercepted and answered bv the Boers. Then occured the following con- versation which the officer recorded and has sent home in a private letter for the benefit of his friends Officer: Who are yon ? Boers: The Royal Irish Fusiliers. le Officer: What is the number of your regiment? Boers I am Corporal Stevens, 18th Hussars. Officer: What, are you doing? Boers Ladysmith was taken last night; I escap- ed. Officer You are Boers, aren't you ? Boers Yes, and you're English. Where is Buller ? Officer I don't know. Where is Joubert? Boers He has gone to Pretoria with General White an prisoner. Officer: How is old Kruger ? Boers: Ail rioht thank you. Officer: Why won't you wait, for us ? We have plenty cf cold steei for you, and our 100 rounds are getting rather heavy. God help you if you do. Boers: Yes, He is sure to. It is smart dialogue, with a rather grim ending.

IS OUR ARTILLERY EFFICIENT?! The following is a copy of the correspondence which has passed between Mr F Bather, of Oswestry, and Lieut.-Col. Pryce-Jones, M.P., on the all-absorbing topic of the efficiency of our field artillery :— Morda Mills, Oswestry, Dec. 25th, 1899. Col E Pryce-Jonea, M.P. Dear iir,-A friend of mine, holding a leading position on the editorial staff of one of the leading Loudon dailies, informs me that absolutely reliable information from South Africa has reached their office (which, in view of possible European com- plications, they cannot at present publish) that practically all except the Naval guns are largely out-ranged by the guns in possession of the Boers; therefore, knowing as I do from personal expe- rience something of the appalling loss of life which a position such as this must entail in the near future, I confidently ask you, as the member for Boroughs in which I have an interest, to imme- diately use all your influence to induce the Govern- ment to at once purchase the best guns obtainable on the Continent or in America, and to have them instantly despatched to South Africa by the fastest cruisers.—1 IPIl, dear Sir, faithfully yours, (Signed) FREDERICK BATHER. Caerhowel, Montgomery, Dec 27th, 1899. My Dear Sir,—I have received your communi- cation, and forwarded it to the Under Secretary of State for War.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) E PRYCE-JONES. Caerhowel, Montgomery, Dec 30th, 1899. My Dear Sir,I IWTo received a reply to your communication to me about the "Artillery," and the Under Secretary for War says that the ques- tion is engaging the attention oftbc-Goveri-.i-nerit.- Yours faithfully, (Signed) E PRYCE. JOXES. Morda 5.' ills, Oswestry, Jan 2nd, 1900. I Col E Pryce-Jones, M.P. Dear Sir,—1 desire to tender you ray sincere thanks for the trouble you have taken in writing the Under Secretary for War, and as every man in the street" is naturally enquiiiog whether the Government are taking any steps to rectify the admitted inferiority of our guns, and as the matter directly and personally concerns many of your constituents, causing great anxiety, I propose, with your permission, to send a copy of the correspon- dence. to the local press.—I remain, dear Sir, faitlifully yours, (Signed) FREDERICK BATHER.

A FHEXCH OPINION ON THE WAR. PARIS, THURSDAY. The Siccle says — It was the Boers who prepared and wished for the war, in the hope that they would realise their programme of 1881, viz. Africa for the Afrikanders from the Zambesi to Simons Bay. Should they succeed what benefit would be obtained thereby by, the natives whom they have always treated so harshly, by the Cape Afrikanders who at the present moment have the government of Cape Colony in their hands, by the shareholders in the gold mines, and by civilisation generally ?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AND THE LOYAL COLONISTS. A letter from a resident in Durban, putting for. ward the Colonial view of the final settlement in South Africa, has been forwarded to Mr Chamber- lain, whose private secretary has sent the following reply "I am directed by Mr Chamberlain to return your friend's letter with thanks, and to say that he perused if with interest. Under existing circum- stances it is, of course, premature to discuss the future, but you may rest assured that the opinions of the loyal Colonists will be fully considered when the proper time comes."

THE REV. H. PRICE HUGHES ON THE WAR. DISORDER AT ST. JAMKS'S HALL. Addressing a large congregation in St James's Hall, London, on Sunday afternoon, on the subject of Why there is War," the Rev B ugh Price Hughes selected for his text the 25th chapter of Isaiah 6th and 7th verses. In the course of his remarks, he said that even from the point of view of selfishness war was an nnspeakuble curse and a calimity; but he was bound to say that he could not at this moment accept the Quaker position with regard to war. He was bound to argue, with the Bible before him, that there were worse evils than war (cheers, jtud loud cries of Shame," during which a lady rose and attempted to address those about her in c0ud(1mnation of Air Hughes, who requested her not to be so rude as to interrupt him, remarking that nothing would be accom- plished by vulgarity or clamour). If they could accept the Quaker position, which be greatly honoured and resoected, they ought to be honest and consistent (disorder, and a voice You be honest and go to the front "), to disband the Army and sell the Fleet (cheers and counter cheers). There were excellent friends of his who believed that war was always wrong (cheers and interrup- tion). If war was always wrong it was right for men to oppose war (cheers). He had no argument with those who said that. He did not agree with them, and the Bible did not agree with them(cheers and disorder). He had been TRYING TO PROMOTE ARBITRATION long before those who were now conspicuous and vociferous in attacking, and most unjustly attacking their own country (cheers and interruption). There was no man who abhorred war more than he did, but no fauatical crowd would ever clamour him down when he preached the Gospel (cheers). Those Englishmen who were now, however sincerely, denouncing England were living in a land of dreams (cheers, laughter, and interruption). Multitudes of his fellow countrymen who did not abhor war more than he did were ignorant of some, facts they ought to know. What was called a fundamental law of the Transvaal was that no native of Africa should ever own a single foot of land in all that vast territory the native was treated, therefore, as a slave. Directly a native passed from the dominion of the Boer to that of the Union Jack be had accorded to him the rights and liberties of the rest of the people of the country (cheers). Until last year the Boer Government did not even recognize marriage among the natives of the Transvaal, but treated them like wild animals (a voice: "So we do at Kimberley."). "Then," said Mr Hughes, we will put it down at Kimber- ley and the Transvaal, too" (loud cheers). The Transvaal Government was the only one iu the civilised world that MAINTAIN KD A FORM OF SLAVERY to this present day, and he asked the fellow- countrymen of Clarkson, WilPerforce, and Living- stone not to befriend and support a Government v.'hich denied human rights to the African race. (A Voice: "What about the millionaires on our side?" If we had millionaires on our side, there were on the other side French, German, and Belgian millionaires. The millionaires in this case were an insignificant minority. The number of onr own raw who petitioned for justice was 38,000, and there were probably not 38 millionaires among them. Had they no right to appeal to their vener- able Queen against political injustice, social wrong, and personal insult? (cheers). Were we to abandon our fellow-countrymen and fellow Christ- ians to outrageous oppression ? He said never, whilst there was a spark of manliness or humanity left in us (cheers). No one had ever disputed the Hccuracy of the long list of grievances which was presented to the Queen. The Boer Government during the last 20 yenrs, had violated every princi- ple of civil and religious freedom (cheers, It might be asked, Why did the English go there at all ?" (hear, hear). Why, they had as much right in South Africa as the Boers themselves (cheers and hisses). At any rate it was too late to ask that question now, and in all humility he ventured to say that we poor Euglish had at least as much right there as the Frenchmen, the Belgians, and Germans, who were received with open arms aud fed at our expence (cheers). Our fellow country- men DEMANDED JUSTICE to the natives, who had a prior claim either to the Dutch or tho English and, secondly, they demanded the same treatment for themselves an we give to the Dutch in Natal and Cape Colony- (cheers)—nothing more, and, if God help us, we would take uotbillg less (renewed cheers). Had it come to this, that we Englishmen were to be so craven-hearted or so cowardly that we had no longer to demand from other European nations the rights that we gave them everywhere under the British flag? (cheers). If there ever was a just and inevitable war, the war into which the ciuel Boer oligarchy had forced us was such a war (cheers). They might say, if the cause is ju?t, how is it we have met with these reverses ?" (in- terruption, and a voice: "Because we're in the wrong.") We were in the wrong—not in relation to the Transvaal, but in relation to Armenia, which we basely betrayed (cheers). He honestly be- lieved that we were buing punished now for the cowardly and wicked way in which we allowed Turkey to massacre a hundred -rc thousand Armenians; but he did not believe that God would carry our punishment for that offence so far that he would substitute for the Government of our Queen the political oppression, the commer- cial corruption, and the race hatred engendered and represented by President Kruger (cheers). He would say on Peace Sunday, and as an advocate of peace, that thai, there was uo hope of peace south of the Zambesi until this corrupt tyranny was destroyed for ever (cheers). He believed that before many months were over the Union Jack would float peacefully over Pretoria- (cheers)- and Bloemfontein—(cheers)—and our revenge for all the wrongs we had suffered would be to treat the Boers with the justice and fairpiay and honesty and humanity that they had always refused us (cheers). He ventured to predict, as he hoped and prayed, that the English, the Dutch, and the natives in South Africa would live together in justice, in mutual goodwill, and in lasting peace (cheers).

{ MONTGOMERYSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINGS. SPLENDID GENEROSITY, MEETING AT WELSHPOOL. The first of the meetings convened by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, Lord Lieutenant of the County and Colonel of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry, was held in the Town Hall, Welshpool, to-day. There was a, very large attend- ance, the audience including Sir Watkin (who I presided), the Earl of Pov.'is, Colonel Pryce-Jones, M P., Messrs R J Edmunds, It E Jones, J Marshall I Dugdale, A W Williams-Wynn, R W Williams- Wynn, Hugh Lewis (Newtown), A S Cooke (New- town), W Forrester Addie, Geoffrey Williams Vaughan, C Whitley Owen, Edward Green, C Shuker, Captain Genth, &c. j STIRRING SPEECH BY SIR WATKIN. Sir Watkiu, who was received with loud applause, said they would all have seen in the Press a full statement of what the country required at the present moment. There was no exaggeration in anything that had been stated. He bad been down in London last week, and had full details from the committee who are raising the Imperial Yeomanry. As the officer commanding the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry he had been empowered ro enlist a regiment if possible, or otherwise one, two, or three squadrons. He had set to work with the able assistance of other officers and he was glad to tell them that at that moment there were 81 sworn in, enrolled volunteers (loud applause). He had also the names of some 25 others who were waiting to be en- rolled but had not had the opportunity of being sworn in. He had not the returns of what had been done on Saturday. He was confident that they would be able to find not one squadron but two (cheers). He reminded them that is was only on Thursday week that the instructions were received, but day by day matters were developing. It was first announced that 3,000 men would be wanted, bat now the number had risen to 10,000 and he had learned un- officially that the Government would be glad to have 20,000 (applause). They had already 81 sworn in within a week, and they had hardly com- menced with Montgomeryshire. This was really the first step taken in the active work of ASKING FOR RECRUITS, and he hoped the men of Montgomeryshire, as in- deed he was confident, would come forward to serve their country (cheers). There were uiuny who bid given years to the work of the Yeomanry and been trained in the use of arms who were the owners or occupiers of small farms. It was difficult to expect them to volunteer for service abroad. The agricuitural interest must be looked after and it was no disgrace to those so occupied if they did not come forward and he hoped they would not be looked upon in that way (hear, henr), There was a large proportion of young and active men in the country whose time was not so occupied and who would be of use in the present situation and he hoped they would have a good percentage of the younger men who were not tied down to any particular business (applans?) who would volunteer for service for their country. They were one of the most forward contingents in whole the mobilisation some of the London o' corps were before them but this was owing to their proximity to headquarters. But outside London, the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry were in the front rank, and he hoped that within a fortnight from that time they would have a fully equipped squad- ron ready to send out. He did not menn to rest content with one squadron, he hoped to have a second (applause). Ile wished them to understand that the MOBILISATION OF THAT FORCE was no small matter. To entirely equip and to horse 115 or 230 men as the case might be was a very difficult. matter. The commanding officers were not however tied down by red tape but were given a, very free hand by the War Office. He hoped those who could supply horses-useful cobs from ] 4 to 15-1 hands and from 6 to 12 years of age were the sort of animals they wanted-and would bring them to him for inspection and if suit. able he would purchase them. The Squadron was ordered to mobilise on Thursday next, and there would be 115 men under arms in Welshpool by Thursday night (applause). There was another serious matter he wished as Lord Lieutenant to put before the county, that to eqnip the men the Government bad made a certain allowance which would cover necessaries, but when men volunteered to serve their country they ought to be equipped in the best possible manner. Those who remained at home ought not to begrudge a few pounds towards the complete equipment of those who volunteered. [f a man was prepared to to risk his life for his fel- low countrymen, his fellow countrymen ought to be prepared to find him the best possible means of defence (loud applaud). He had roughly esti- mated the amount, and he calculated they should want at least Xl,200 frmn the county to supplement the grants made by Government. He was there to open a subscription list in the name of the Imperial Yeomanry (Montgomery) Cavalry for South Africa. k most generous gift had been made by Colonel Forbes of a NEW COLT GCN which would fire 400 to 600 shots per minute. With it he had given the Dundonald carriage which could be fitted on the back of a horse and would take 2,000 rounds of ammunition (applause). When a man, not a resident in the countv, responded in such a manner they could snrelv expect that the neccsoarv amount of money would be forthcoming from within the county. He was going to put his name down for E200 (loud applause). He hoped those who could give large sums would do so, but let them remember that the shillings and the pounds, at a time when they were wanted amounted up, and he hoped they would not shrink from getting their names on the list because the amount might happen to be small. It was their duty and they must look at it as a duty to equip these men in the best way they could-to give them good Hothing, good arms and a good horse to fight with. The bare necessi- ties of the Government were not sufficient. Re- quests had been made for certain clothes to be sent out to the regiments now at the front hut he wanted this squadron to go ont with the clothes for their bks in their vilises, and to do that the money for which he was asking would have to be got during the next fortnight. It was for everyone to help. The country was in a position in which it had not been for a hundred years. The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was raised 100 years' ago, at a time when this country was threatened with an invasion from France, and at that time Montgomeryshire raised 5000 volunteers who enrolled themselves to fierht (applause). People might say we were not being invaded by the French and we had no need to fear them, but our land was being in- vaded, our colonies seized bv the enemy, and if we did not exoel them other countries such as France, would come to the conclusion that if we could not turn back a few unskilled Boers, it would be an easy matter for them to swamp us. Were we going to be behindhand, as compared with the commencement of this centurv, when we were not so rich and had not all the colonics and respon- sibilities we now have. He had only now to ask for recruits, and he did not. mean to rest until the two squadrons for which he asked had been found. (Cheers.) THE EARL OF rOWT, Lord Powis, who was the next speaker, said he was confident that, after ihe striring speech of Sir Watkin, they would rise as one man to respond to his call. He was confident that every man woman and child in Montgomeryshire would respond to his request for recruits equipment and clothing-conficlent that the men would co--ne for- ward as recruits or as subscribers, that tho women and their daughters would respond with clothing and he was confident that the troops who would go out would give a good account of themselves and show the Boers what Welshmen were made of. The Welsh had been a warlike raco-espeeially was this the case in regard to Montgomeryshire—-and they had defended the fastnesses of Wales before now and he had no doubt that, they could storm and take the kopjes of South Africa and win back the territory which was occupied by the Boers (hear, hear). He was equally certain that every man in Montgomeryshire would watch with the greatest zeal the doings of the Montgomeryshire troops of the Imperial Yeomanry when fighting the battles of this country, and defending the colonies of Great Britain and our Gracious Queen (applause). In regard to the question of funds he was confident there would be no difficulty iu finding them. As for the men we had, at the beginirig of the century raised 5.000 men and he had no doubt they would succeed in equipping two troops. He should be glad to respond to Sir :);:]1; call, and he WOULD GIVE and place at the disposal of Sir 'w'atkiu the training ground fur sucu time as he might require it (applause). It was very desirable they should know what support they ware prepared to give, and he only hoped that those present would at once acquaint Sir Watkiu with the amount, of t'tcir support. The time was very short and it was a big order to equip a troop of Yeomanry for iitcLt- ing. With such an excellent colonel as Sir Watkin there would be no difficulty in carrying out what- ever he set himself to do. If he put his hand to the plough he would carry it through to the. eud. With him as Colonel he had no doubt, that the troop would be sent out- to the very day (cheers). IiIR J. MARSHALL DUGDALE. Mr Marshal Dugdale said lie had b(";] [,!1.ed to say a tew words as an old yeoman. The first thing he said v.-as this, every one would be pleased with the words of Sir Watkin, backed up by the E-arl of Powis, that a great deal had been doue bv Mont- gomeryshire in the past. He was glad that Sir Watkin had referred tc the fact that it would be difficult for the small Weteh farmer to go to South Africa. There ww such a thine as the ccunrrv | being attacked at home aud in such circumstances the Welsh farmer would be amongst the firs: to respond. There were other ways in which they could assist than by g"iug to the front. If they knew of any likely young man in their neighbourhood they could perhaps induce him to volunteer The men could do many things, and women ccukl make something. It was not the man who gave the greatest amount of money, who did the greatest araouuc of good ('near, hear). Thev could no; ex- pect the small Welsh farmer to give £10J, br.t in whatever way he eave assistance he was doing good. They would be all auxious to learn who was going to command this squadron. The*7 had heard of some young fellows savir* they would gladly go out if they could only get a few pals. That was the first of a series of meetings, aud he thought it would be of great assistance if they could let it be known that these who -.vent out would have the chance of a farm and of work afterwards. That would be an induce- ment. He moved about among farmers a ilreaé deal, and he felt sure many a young LItow would volunteer if he knew that when he came back he would have the chance of a farm. It would be a tremendous inducement to the yonne farmers if they knew they would have this oppor- tunity on their return. Anything he could do for the regiment he should be delighttd to d0 and h* should be very pieaaed indeed to give £ 50 to yards the funds (loud applause). MR A WILLIAMS-WYNN. Mr A William1;- Wyr-n said tnat as the successor to Major Dugdale lie was with the Yeomanrv 21 years and retired as honorary lieutenant,-eoloneh He felt very much as Major DugdaJe that he was not available, but he bad risen to ask Sir Wa'.kin that if he could find him useful for any post either at home or abroad he should put hitn on as a supernumerary. The War Office might think it well after ti-ie whote contingent had been raised to increase Lhe strength of the Yeomanry and they would still bo able to find 40,000 men after the others had gone out. lie should be hapvv to follow the example of Major Dugdale and to con- tribute £ 50 (applause). THE BOROUGHS MEMBER. Col. Prvce, JOli82, M.P., said that as an old officer of the Yeomanry, who came next to Mr Arthur Wynn, and I ad retired after 15 years' service the hou rank of major, nothing had given him greater pleasure than to promise the officer com- manding at the present time his hearty sup-vrt. Lie had great pleasure in following the practical example of Major Dugdale and he would contribute £50 towards the fund (applause). He was quite in harmony with the remarks of Sir Watkin and Lord Powis and the other speakers that ir was not in the power of every man who happened to be in the Ytomanry to go out, in fact, it would be the reverse of patriotic in some cases to do so (hear, hear). There were duties at home which must be attended to and industries which must be looked to. In cases where men were single and had not much to do, in those cases they hoped, indeed felt confident, that those, men would be forthcoming", and that Sir W atKin, as loru-lieutcuaut, would not be disappointed in the efforts he was making. With regard to the funds required he had little douot that what Montgomeryshire had already done for the reservists and for the countrymen who had given or endangered their lives iu South Africa, would be followed up with equal liberality, and lie hoped that the company Sir Watkin wanted, and more if required, would ba fouud in Montgomery- shire (applause). It was for those who vvere not encumbered at home to volunteer for the honour of their country and of Montgomeryshire in particular (hear, hear). And no less was it the duty of those who lived at home to put their hands into their pockets and give what they could accord- ing to their station in life. lIe hoped that that large and representative meeting would be the means of bringing in all the funds required, and that by the time he had indicated, Montgomeryshire would be represented in South Africa by at least one Squadron (applause). BALACLAVA CAPS. It was announced that numbers of Balaclava caps would be needed and a specimen of one of these knitted comforters was shown to the meet- ing. It was mentioned by Col Pryce-Jones that 200 of these were being made for the Borderers by a class of ladies got together by the Misses Jones, Cefnbryntalch, and that Newtown had promised 400. It was hoped that the ladies would emplo." their busy fingers in knitting these caps duriog tile next fortnight. Mr A S Cooke mentioned that at Newtown had decided to provide also 1,000 pairs of socks for the S.W.B. SUBSCRIPTIONS. I The list was handed round the room, and the following magnificent subscriptions were au, nounced £ s. d. Sir W Williams-Wynn 200 0 0 Earl and Countess of Powis 100 0 0 J Marshall Duydale 5J 0 0 A Williams-Wynn 50 q q Col E Pryce-Jones, M.P. 50 0 (i Whitley Owen 50 0 0 lv E Jones 50 0 0 Capt, Parker 50 0 0 Geoffrey Williams Vaughan 50 0 0 Capt Edmunds 20 0 0 "Iluvh Lewis 25 0 0 W N Turner i-, 0 0 W Forrester Addie 5 5 0 Corpl Cant 5 0 0 G P, Evans 5 0 0 Edward Green 5 0 0 R Jenkins, Powis Castle 2 2 0 Sergt Parry 110 Robert Owen 1 1 0 E R Owen, Nasjs H oacl 1 1 0 C Shuker, \Veishpooi 1 10 R E Jones, Pool Quay ] 1 0 Maurice. Evans, Wernllwyd 110 Salter & Rowlands 1 1 0' T C Jones, Graig, Lianfair 1 1 0 Ed H Jones 1 ] 0 Arthur Parry 1 1 0 Thomas Davies # 110 E WT L Tudor } Q Farrier Ed Jones q jo 6 E Price 0 10 6 Wm Puffh 0 10 6 1 iiomas Jonc.-tj T^crri^w 0 It) 0 At door 1 j gj Messrs Cooke, Newtown, 50 Balaclava cap-, MEETING AT -NEW A capita1 meeting was held iu the Public Rooms. Newtown, at noon on Tuesday. Sir Watkin again presided and was supported by Colooel Pryce- Jones, M.P., Mr Humphreys-Owen, M.P., Mr ilu^h Lewis and many others, the room being crowded. Sir Watkin in the course of his speech repeated many of the remarks of the previous day and pointed out that it cost £ 7,000 to equip a sqJadron or Yeomanry for South Africa. The Government or Yeomanry for South Africa. The Government made a considerable grant towards this but. ex. pected the county from which each Yeomanrv w sent: to augment the sum so that the squadron should sei;t' °,ur" *q<*ippeci with all the extra details which i t -t.9 At Welshpool on the previous day ha liict stated that would be required, but that was for one squadron. Now it was f.bsolc: elv certain that two squadrons would be sent out as 161 volunteers had been enrolled, and this before Moutgomervs'uire had really been touched. He had eurolied at Welsh pool, while five or six had been rejected as medically unfit. The sum required would therefore be at least £ 2,200. He referred to the fact that one of the common arguments against the war was that we <vere fighting ouly for the interests of a few capitalists who wanted to get the gold mines and to get them cheaper than otherwise. This was a great mistake. We were fighting to maintain our colonies British soil was being invaded bv the Boers at that moment, and, if we failed I to ex-pel them, we should lose Cape Colony, arid ii. would be the first step towards the j break in 21 up of the British Empire. We mur either carry this war to an end or a^n-ee to • become a second class power. Britons had fought for their existence from the beginning, and if we failed to bring this war to a speedy end we were certain to have au attack made upon us by some foreign nation, be it France or Pu-sia. The best means oi securing the peace of the world was to see that we have a vast, invincible might, and, though our army itself was only small, show that we had a "large number willing to come to the assist an a- of the Empire and to fight for us (a.p- plause). Referring to the number who had enrolled, Sir Watkin said that one man had a large business in Canada. ITe threw up the whole of his work directly he heard of the war, came to England and actually booked his passage out to South Africa to go over with any force of the Imperial Yeomany. He was a man, too, who knew what fighting was, having gone through the Basuto war and been twice wounded (applause). He hoped they would spread it abroad that it was highly essential they should have men and that they would be sent out at the earliest possible moment. He was still busily recruiting, and he should not stop until he had raised the 250 men he required. He mentioned that he had received a teiesTam from Capt Pryce offering to subscribe £ 25.—Mr Humphreys-Owen, M P., heartily supported the appeal which had been made to the patriotism of the county. He had expressed strong views about the inception of the war, but he was there to say that the war could only be ended by the unconditional surrender of our foes. The sooner it took place the better for them and for us. In order that we might effectually prosecute the war, it was necessary we should neve all the men and the equipment which the Govern- ment called upon us to provide That morning they read the account of General French's success, which showed how well a mobile force could deal with the Boers (applause). If the war should be prolonged, he looked to the Yeomanry having a chance with the others to retrieve our losses. He hoped that when the war was over there would be a chance for those who had volunteered to have a commission in the army. There was need of a British population in the Cape, in Rhodesia, and in British Bechuanaiaud, and there would be a chance for any young fe low to settle down there at the close of the war. He should be glad to cub- scribe zC25 oil his own account and £ 25for his son to- wards the cost of equipping the yeomanry (applause). —Colonel Pryce-Jones, M.P., said he had every belief that the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry would respond to the call of the commanding officer, and that what had been done by the Yeomanry 103 years ago would be done to a similar extent at the present moment. In order to bring the Yeomanry up to the scratch he was glad to say that, up to the present, 28 per cent. of the 5th S.W.B., bad sent in their names either for service at the front or for garrison duty at home (loud applause). The hon. i member for the county had properly said that the war could only be ended by an unconditional surrender on the part of our foes, and the only way to i.irintr that about was by sending out aa over- whelming force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery (hear, hear). The bolder our front, the shorter would be the war and the greater our victory (cheers).—Mr Hugh Lewis, who on the previous day subscribed £ 25, again supported Sir Watkiu Williams-Wymm, and said that, in the event of mure inouej being required, he should be pleased to increase his subscription (applause). The subscription list was afterwards handed round the room, and Sir Watkin read out the list I ef promises as follows-.—Capt Pryce, Mr A C Huir.pnreys-Oweu, M.P., and Mr A Erskine Hum- phreys-Owen, JE25 each; Mr Edward Bennett, Glanyrafou, L5 Messrs J Owens (Llandinam Iiall), E Humphreys (Dolguan), A W Barratt, and C fi Matthews, £ 2 2s each Messrs William Hamer, .1JLu Pilot, Weaver (Cross Gnus), Slater ,5.sh- monger), and George Hawkins, 10s 6d each Mr | Jones (Black Hall), 10s Cpt Morgan (Lianbryn- mair), Messrs H J Evans (Ceramcs Road),0 Breeze (Carno), M L Jones (Cemmes Road), and A Andrew (Battws), 5s each; Mr D Howell (Trefeglwye), 2s 6d taken at the dcor, 4-1 70 8d; total, £ 94 0s 8d.

MEETING AT MONTGOMERY. A meeting consisting principally of farmers waR held at, the Dragou Hotel, Montgomery, on Thurs- day. The gathering was convened by the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, Bart, for the pa-pose of enrolling volunteers for the Imperial Light Yeomanry. — Sir Watkin said that the Mont- gomery shire Yeomaury, of which he is Colonel, would send out two squadrons to the Imperial Yeomanrv. Most of the other provincial counties only sent one. ha Montgomeryshire contingent would be one of the very first to sail, as their equipment was very forward. It reflected great credit on the county to forward the movement in this mauue". He had the names of over 20J men sent in to him oi. the previous evening. Wrhat. was required was 230 men who could ride ard ehoot, who were steady and hardy men, determined to carry out whatever duty was allotted to them. He had not the dightest doubt that this number would be forthcoming, and he wanted the men of Montgomeryshire to enlist as soon as possible. He had every day applications from all parts of England. The only reason he could attribute for this was the knowledge- that the contingent from Montgomeryshire should not go out unless it was equipped in the best possible manner. Sir Watkin then spoke of the County Fund which had been raised to assist in equipping the men, and referred with pride to the C750 raised at tIle Weisltpool meeting, £ 110 at Newtown, and 100 guineas from au old Montgomeryshire man ill London. He believed that a sum between zC2,000 and zE.5,000 would be raised and all could coutribute some mite towards ic. The very first man who joined the Imperial Yeomanry iu Montgomeryshire was a young Montgomery feiiow, who when previously asked to join the Yeomanry avalr.7 considered it "tomfoolery" (laughter). Sir appealed to the men of the county to fill up t lie com plerneut of the Yeomanry iu the place oc those going out. He also would be pre- pared to buy horses and asked those who had suitable mounts to send particulars to him at the Welshpool headquarters. The following were enrolled by Captain Yaughan, commanding the Newtown Squadron J G Miller, Court, Abermule G H Bunner, Plough Back, Mont- gomery C E Stephens, Abermule Inn; R, E GwiJt, Poplars, Leintvvardine; R Boweu, Churchstoke A E Poul.-on, height >n Post Office; Ralph Daviep, Pool Road, Montgomery; Jonathan Edwards, 11* nfran, Montgomery Arthur Ward, Crankwell John Holloway. Dudston, Chirbury, and Thomas Jones, Lisbon's Castle Post Office.

MEETING AT LLASFYLLIN, On Thursday Captain It Wiiiiams-Wynn, Mont- gomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry, sat at the Wyimstay Hotel, Llanfyllin, for the pnrpose of enrolling yeo"eu who would volunteer for service in South Airiea. 'there v.ere also present Captain I L'ugriale. Lieutenant Pr itchard Reyner, Mr R 0 Prirott, Sergt.-Majors Joicey and Weatherall, &c.— Captain Wynn, at the outset, said he regretted to state that he had received a telegram from Mr J Maisha:l Dugdale intimating his inability to be piM-sent oving to his necessary attendance in London where, he (the Captain) regretted to say, Mr Dugriale's rather aud mother were ill. Healso had a letter from Mr Lomax, Bodfach Park, saying oe coal i nOu at Lend through illness. Proceeding, the speaker said a crisis had happened in the history of the nation and for the first titi-ipou reoord tie believed the Yeomanry bad been offered com- missions in Her Majesty's forces, and a force would be formed from Yeomanry and civilians, under tha ago of 35, who were willing to volunteer for service in South Africa. As they were a ware the Yeomanry vas reeruuei (n1;, for service within the United Kingdom, cuusn-.ueutiy they could not be taken abroad unless they volunteered. They knew there were difficulties in the way and it was impossible f(, --Ii who were farming to offer their services for a year; some were practically alone on the farm, whilst others Lid ailing parents and were the mainstay of the farm. lie would not ask any one of them individually to come forward. He was going to see Africaluimseif; Lieut. Reyner had been selected for the first squadron and Captain Dugdale had offered his services. Thev felt that it was their duty to come forward when they were required they bad good times in peace ane. when troubles came on trie officers did not intend to shirk their responsibilities. Those who were unable to offer their service would, he trusl":i, conn- forward with all the subscriptions thev cmid get in their to assist the men who were doino" the work in South Airi.-a (applause). A county fund had been raised to augment the sum which the Government intended, to give each member of the Imperial Yeotnany who was passed as fit, for South Africa, but that sum was not sufficient to send out tne men well equipped. He was certain he was speaking with the voice of Montgomery- shire when he said that, whatever number of men was sent out, the money should not be spared and that they should be fully equipped to do their duty in every possible way with as little risk to thetri- selves and enabled to do their best for the country (applause). At a meeting at Welshpool the other day the sum of £ 800 was subscribed, He was not to ask them to subscribe that day, but he did ask them to show their good- by collecting subscriptions in their parishes. He was certain the men rao were going out would go with better spirits if they knew that they had tne cordial supnort of those who were not aole to be by their side —Capt Dugdale said he had aole to be by their side -Chpt Dugdale said he had been in the I eomanry si.i'een years, and when he joined he had not thought of the opportunity of serving abroad. Now that the Government had asked the "i eomanry for assistance he was not one to hang back, and he was perfectly willing to do his best for the regiment. They had been "play- ing at soldiers" for sixteen years, and were they of any use or not r If they were, let them come forward, and, if their conscience told them to go, let them go. They already had had one pquadron in Montgomeryshire, and they were being mobilised at Welshpool that day. They would be officered by as good men as any soldier could wish to be led by-namely, Capt Forbes aud Capt Wvnn. than whom no better could be found (applause) and Mr Reyner would also go. If any of the y,,u:ig fellows wanted to volunteer, let them show that they had higher motives than the display of a uniform. Those who could not go through home ties might do a great deal of good by 9 recruits, and their wives could make m.>f3ers, o:c., for the men. II., hoped i the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry would come out of the crisis with credit to itself, and that the work j of past years would show that they were not toy soldiers," bat that they had something of the back- bone of the country in them (applause).—Captain Wynn said those who wished to join must pass a medical examination and be proficient in shooting and riding. They wanted to turn out a firce that would be a crodit to The canty and the country (applause). The Government found practically the whole of the equipment and a horse.—The following yeomen volunteered :—Hugh D Lewis, butcher, High-street, Lianfair; H We'd on, Cross Foxes, Liawnt: D M Evar.s, Llaurhaiadr; D Morris., Llansilin Alfred Hughe?, Coedygo, O-vestry.

OSWESTRY TROOPERS OF S.Y.C. FOR THE FRO: T. BINOCULARS FOR THE MKN. F ilJE WELL DINNER. A number of the Oswestry troop of tee Shropshire Yeomanv Cavalry having volunteered for service in South Africa, the Captain (Mr Wynne Corrie) entertained the Troop to dinner at tee Boar's Head on Wednesday night prior to the departure of the '"volunteers." Mr and Mrs England submitted a capital menu in their usual style. Captain Wynne Corrie presided, and Surgeon-Major Lioyd (Chirk) occupied the vice-chair. Amongst tho^e, present were Dr Lew's (ex-mayor). Mi J j^kyd (Chirk), Mr Madoc J >nes, Sergt-Major Penary, Quarter- master Yaugiian, Sergts Pelt-on and Joues, Mr Bowyer, &-c.—The Chairman having given "The Queen," and the Vice-Chairman '"Tne Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal FamiUthev were loyally -,iL- Chairman then gave the toast of t,he "lmperial Yeomanry," which was received with cheering. He said thai toast was proposed for the fir-st time- at their gather- ings and it was difficult to find words to express the feelings which rose in their hearts when they contemplated the necessity that had given rise to this body. They would rememuer that I't first 3.000 fY),;n vvere thought sufficient, but so eager and intense was the response throughout the country that i ne number was quickly altered to 10,000— (applause")—and he believed at the present moment they had about 8,000 of that number (cheers). A desire to go and show that the yeomen had really not been playing at soldiers," but that they were fit for emergency when called upon had animated e.er." rank from the highest and oldest 1Il the ser- vice to the youngest recruit—(cheers)—and the resuit had been a spiendid response to the appeal made to the country. He feared that tr-at response had not been of great -pleasure to their friends, the enemy, or to their hiends on the other side of the channel. It had always been said Yon trust to the volunteer sysrern and yon will have to come down to cOD8criptioll," lie could not prophesy, but he could say that they had had no need of conscription to get together a verv large body of men from the Yeomanrv. Never had an appeal been met with such ihorocgh uuniiimicy, and he took it that it was ciear "writing on the wall." Britons believed that they were called upon to S0.e that right was done between man and man. They believed that that right had not been done and when the call came there was no doubt that the response would tie what it had been. He might call itmagnificent (applause). They felt that right must be dune to Britons in so far as it Jay in England's power to do go, and nothing should be spared in blood or trea.-ure before they gave ia (cheers). There was no doubt in his mind, or in theirs, or in the world at large, as to what the result would be. He would give one word of advice and that was, let it, not be said that those who were not joining the Imperial Yeomanry were backward, because many of them would not be taken on account of age, ur being married, or medically unfit. If they went through the regi- ment from the Colonel to the last joined recruit, and requested them to march, every man wo a Id move like one (cheers). To those who were going out he pointed out that they would have three weeks before they would sail, and then they would spend some time on board ship. He need hardly impress upon them to do their utmost to avail them- selves of the nstruetion which would be given them before they landed, so that they might be fit when called upon, and let them endeavour by their actions to interpret the highest idea that thev could conceive of a soldier's duty (applause). If they could only carry that out, future generations, turn- ing to the pages of the history of the present time, would see that the action of the Imperial Yeo- many was one which shed a light upon a halo of glory which must always surround the feats of the arms of Britons (cheers). He coupled with the toast the name of Trooper B Clarke, the senior of those who had volunteered (cheers).—The toast was received with the singing of For they are jolly good fel ](,ws." -Trooper Clarke, who was received with prolonged cheering, thanked them for their kind wishes, and promised he would do his best in whatever he was called upon to do (applause).— The Chairman, having stated that Lieut Xyr.-aston was abseat through ;lLiess, proposed the" Town and Trade of Oswestry." In the course of his remarks he said Oswestry ought to be proud of the way in which her sons bad responded to the call. He coupled with the toast the name of Dr Lewis, who had always shown that he had the interest of the town and trade at heart. They were glad to welcome him amongst them (cheers).—Dr Lewis, in replyiug, referred to the local Reservists' Fund, and said the response from the tradesmen of Oswestry and district was unprecedented. Mr Morris, the clerk, informed him that he had never been engaged in collecting money for an object which had been so enthusiastically supported as the present one (applause). They had over X700 in hand, and no great effort had been made. He was sure they could double that, amount if they tried. The weekly income from different sources was from zClO to £ 12. If any of the yeomen going uiu ]eft ^.irls behind them—they did not have wives —let him know and he would look after them in their absence (laughter and applause). He could not help feeling that the section of the Arn.y to which they belonged had done the best a nd most brilliant work in South Africa, and at the h(ad was av a mau who played the Boers at their own game, namely, General (cheers). He was glad to SAY, with the assistance of his daughters and Sergt. Fe.Iton, he was able to give the men a memento from the people of Oswestry, which would not be unacceptable. The eight who were leaving Oswestry would be presented with a binocular each, some of which he had there (loud cheers). Mr Minsha" had very kindly supplied them at cost price (cheers). Before they wenc he would be able to ask them to accept a field glass each from the people of Oswestry. They would go away with prayers and sincere wishes for their safe return, and if any of them left girls behind let him know (laughter and cheers).—The Chairman said they were much indebted to Dr Lewis and his daughters and Sergeant Felt-on for this necessary part of the equipment. Quartermaster Yaughan proposed the health of the Chairman. They had a grand lot of officers in their regiment and Captain Corrie was second to none (cheers).—The coast was drunk upstanding, "For lie's a jollv fellow," being sung and cheers given for Mr and Mrs Corrie. Captain Corrie, in responding, said to say he thanKacl them meant as much as he could express in nver-i-- words, lleepokeof the way the men turned up at Ellesmere, and said there was not one left behind who did not wish he could go (applause). T. e hoped thpv should all meet again (cheers).—The Chairman gave the "Hustes," and tnL concluded the toast -Scings were afterwards given by Captain Corrie, Troopers, Clarke ano E.iwaids, Mr S Bowner, (Gioucester- shire Hussars), and Mr J Lloyd (encored).—The names of those who are going out are Troopers B Clarke, W W:iiliams, G Evans, Joseph Jones, A E Bailey, Messrs J Lloyd, F Madoc, Jones and High- I man. The men left Oswestrv on Thursday morn- ing for Shrewsbury and wiU afterward-proceed to Aldershot.