County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

CHANGES IN THE ROYAL YACHT. On Tuesday the King's yacht Victoria and Albert was taken into Portsmouth dockyard to undergo certain alterations as well as to have some slight defects made good. It is expected that a couple of months will see the work completed. The Royal apartments will need some slight alterations and repairs, but the most im- portant alteration will be the fitting of telescopic masts in the yacht. These are to be put in so that the yacht can pass through the Kiel Canal. The masts are to be so constructed that they will telescope to the extent of about 40ft. No such structures exist in the British Navy, and con- sequently the work of fitting them in the Victoria and Albert must proceed slowly, as they may have to be designed as well as made and fitted. The question of the best design is now occupying attention.

HINT TO CURIO DEALERS. The disarmament of the Caucasians, enacted by imperial edict last year, has now been prac- tically completed. From Tiflis it is reported that the Lombard (the Municipal Pawnbroking Association) in that city has just addressed all inquiry to the Governor-General of the province asking what it is to do with the revolvers and daggers (kinjals) with which its magazines are now 'overwhelmed. As a rule, the Grusinian kinjals are very highly embellished, as well as expensive and formidable weapons. According to his degree and his means the Tcherkess took great pride in the handsome mountings of the small armory of edged arms he wore in his belt, and as he is -now compelled to discard them, and is lorn to part with them, he mortgages the weapons with the municipal mont de piete. The Government-General informs the latter that it cannot refuse articles of value offered in pledge, but in the usual way, if not duly redeemed, or if the interest on the loan be not duly paid, the arms are to be sold at auction. The municipal pawnbrokers fend little consolation in this decision, as, since the bearing of arms is now forbidden, no one will buy such articles at auction, except as curios at ridiculously low prices. The prohibition has paralysed the con- siderable native industry in the manufacture of personal arms. The inlaying of the dagger hilts and revolver butts with gold and ver and precious stones was one of the artistic handicrafts in the Caucasus, more especially in the old Georgian capital. There are many curio dealers in London and other British centres who would, no doubt, be glad to make a deal with the muni- cipal pawnbrokers at Tiflis for some of these very handsome weapons.

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. I REINFORCEMENTS FOR SOMALILAND. With regard to the situation in Somaliland, Viscount Cranborne stated in the House of Com- mons, on the 20th inst., that General Manning had arrived at Aden, and that an Indian battalion and the remainder of the reserve battalion of the Pro- tectorate's own forces had been placed at his dis- posal. If more troops were required they would be supplied. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs added: We cannot conceal from ourselves that that (Colonel Swayne's retirement) may neces- sitate very much more prolonged operations than we anticipated, and a larger force than we at first thought was sufficient." QUESTIONS AND THE IRISH MEMBERS. Questions in the Commons elicited that the Government's agreements with the Cunard Com- pany and the Atlantic Shipping Trust will be made public, and that the House will be given an evening for the discussion of them, if it is desired; that Argentine cattle will be admitted into this country as soon as the regulations in the Re- public provide adequate security against the im- portation of disease; and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has prepared a bill for the reduc- tion of the interest on savings banks funds by one-eighth per cent., which will probably be intro- duced this session in the hope that it will be allowed to pass unopposed. The great bulk of the time reserved for the answering of inquiries was, however, monopolised by the Irish members. Dissatisfied with the responses of Mr. Wynd- liam, the Nationalists plied him with supplemen- tary inquiries and interruptions, and the Speaker repeatedly had to call them to order. Mr. Balfour again intimated that he could not give time for the discussion of Irish affairs unless it was re- quested by the Opposition as a whole. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman said that he entirely sup- ported the Irish members' demand, but did not join in it, which paradoxical attitude the Prime Minister did not accept as fulfilling his condition. Eventually Mr. W. O'Brien got leave to move the adjournment after the dinner hour, apropos of the case of Sergeant Sullivan, and the House then went into Committee on the Education Bill. I THE EDUCATION BILL. Amendments to Clause 8 moved by Mr. C. H. Seely and Mr. Helme were negatived by majorities of 136 and 138 respectively; but the Prime Minister, according to promise, accepted that brought forwarc^by Mr. A. Brown, which provides that the local education authority shall have con- trol of all expenditure required for the purpose of public elementary schools except that which has to be met by the managers. When this had been added to the bill the sitting was suspended, and on its resumption Mr. W. O'Brien moved the ad- journment as before arranged. I AFGHANISTAN. Among the answers which could not be delivered orally in the House of Commons was one by Vis- count Cranborne, to the effect that a communica- tion had been received from St. Petersburg pro- posing that direct relations should be established between Russia and Afghanistan on frontier ques- tions. In reply it was stated that no change in the existing arrangements could be considered until the Czar's Government had supplied a more precise explanation" of the diplomatic methods it wished to adopt in intercourse with the Ameer. I RUSSIAN MATTERS. Replying in the House of Commons to an inquiry by Mr. Bowles, Mr. Balfour said that so far as the Government were aware no Customs agreement had yet been concluded by Russia and Persia. The Prime Minister informed the same I questioner that no negotiations were in progress which had for their object the opening of the passage of the Dardanelles to Russian warships. GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT TO THE EDUCATION BILL. Invited by Mr. J. Ellis to explain the Govern- ment's intentions with regard to Clause 8 of the Education Bill, Mr. Balfour said he had put down an amendment which would make it "ab- solutely beyond question" that the local autho- rity was to be able to deal effectually with all details of the management of schools so far as secular instruction was concerned.

I FORGED NOTES. I Joe Zubesky, 27, carpenter, of Rowton House, E. Matthew Rome, 47, no occupation, 114, Harcourt-road, West Ham; and William Bar- mash, 26, cigarette maker, of 25, Broad-lane, Tottenham, were charged before the Lord Mayor of London, on Tuesday, at the Mansion House, with forging and uttering and having in their possession between Septem- ber 26 and October 15, six Bank of England notes-two for £50, two for £10, and two for e5. Salisbury Israel, 48, bootmaker, of 63, Sclater's-street, Bethnal-green, and Morris Males, 73, glazier, 14, Short-street, Spitalfields, were charged with having in their possession two forged Bank of England notes-one for £ 50 and one for £ 10—and also with uttering a note for £ 10. Mr. E. H. Freshfield, for the Bank of England, explained that there was a sixth man in custody in connection with these forgeries, named Soloman Barmash, who was now an inmate of the National Hospital for Paralysis. Last January a man named Stern was arrested in New York, and on him were found a number of forged notes. From information received, the police decided to watch the six prisoners, and for the last month they had been followed night and day. The face value of the notes in the posses- sion of the accused was £ 13,500. The two prisoners Barmash might be regarded as the originators, Zubesky and Rome as the agents for the sellers, and Israel and Males as the agents for the buyers. The forgeries were particularly good, one of the notes having found its way to the Bank of England. Detective-inspector Davidson said negotiations had been entered into between the prisoners and certain persons for the purchase and sale of notes value £ 13,500. The samples which were given were seen by the police. The prisoners were remanded in custody till October 29.

PLAYING THE PART. I Florence Jeffries, thirty-six, wife of a tradesman of High-street. Stoke Newington, was charged at North London Police-court on Monday with at- tempting to commit suicide. Dr. Durno, the police surgeon, said he was shown a bottle which had contained poison, but, from the appearance of the prisoner's lips and mouth he did not believe that she had taken any of the irritant that the bottle had contained. If she had swal- lowed it she must have been dead when he saw her. Prisoner: I did not take it. Mr. Cowper (solicitor for the defence): She tells me she poured it down the sink; but, being angry with her husband she made believe that she had taken the poison, so as to frighten her hus- band. Mr. Fordham (to witness) She did not ex- liibit any symptons of poisoning ? Dr. Durno I was satisfied that she had not taken poison. There was no marks and no smell. Prisoner: I am very, very sorry. You do silly things when you are in a temper. The prisoner's brother-in-law said she had been suffering from hysteria for some time. There was a little trouble at home, and he believed she had done this to see what would happen. Mr. Fordham: She wrote on the toilet cever she hoped that God would forgive her, and that her husband had driven her to it. It is a case in which I do not think any jury would convict. To the prisoner: Don't be so silly again. If this has the effect of bringing about a reconciliation between husband and wife there will be nothing to regret. Pay the doctor a guinea and go. The prisoner left the court with her husband.

MR. BIRRELL AT BRISTOL. I Mr. Augustine Birrell, speaking at Bristol on Monday night, commented on the growing national expenditure, saying let them practise economy and see if they could not advocate such a peaceful policy abroad as would enable the nation while maintaining a strong navy and efficient army to curtail the present enormous outlay. The income- tax ought to be graduated, and land was a source of revenue which had not been properly taxed nor rated. The Tory party showed an extraordinary timidity in dealing with the land, not being able to get over the ancient connection with landed inte- rests. The Liberals would win in the controversy over the Education Bill.

"Waiter, what is this? "What you ordered, I sir-a club sandwich." "Yes, but I didn't want it made out of an Indian club." "Now, that's what I call tough luck," said the great detective, ruefully. "Here I've been work- ing night and day on this murder case for three Weeks, and now, just as I find a clew that's a beaut, those newspaper guys butt in and find the murderer." Expectant Guest: "Are there any mosquitoes here?" Proprietor: "You have a baby, haven't you1" "Yes." clien you needn't worry. The mosquitoes won't bite you- "Hello! There's a new girl I have never seen before in our set. Where did she spring from i "Oh, she sprang from a million dollars."

I FIGHTING IN SOMALILAND. I BRITISH LOSSES. The following telegrams have been received at the Foreign Office from his Majesty's Vice-Con- sul at Berbera, dated October 17:- Colonel Cobbe, chief staff officer to Colonel Swayne, has sent following message, undated — "The force reached Erego this morning, about ene day's march north of Mudug, and was at- tacked in thick bush on advancing. Twice the enemy was beaten back in the morning. Their losses were heavy, and we captured 100 rifles. Our force proceeded to collect the transport and form zariba. "In the afternoon a reconnaissance was made and enemy again driven off after sharp fighting. "Deeply regret to report following casual- ties:—Colonel Phillips and Captain Angus and 50 men killed. About 100 wounded, among whom Captain Howard asid Lieutenant Everett, who, however, are both doing well. The 2nd Battalion King's African Rifles have five men wounded. Seven losses among transport and riding camels. "The force will zariba to-morrow and advance to attack the enemy." Following is substance of further message re- ceived from Colonel Swayne — "As a result of the fighting at Erego on Octo- ber 6, which was very severe, the Somali levies are considerably shaken. "The Mullah, who is said to be in communica- tion with Kail Inger in the direction of the Webbe River, is bringing up reinforcements from all sides. "Colonel Swayne, being much hampered owing to necessity of transporting the wounded and water, is retiring on Bohotle. He asks that re- mainder of 2nd Battalion King's African Rifles may be despatched to Berbera at once, also 600 further reliable troops." I BOMBAY GRENADIERS FOR THE FRONT. Four hundred and sixty of the Bombay Grena- diers have been despatched from Aden te Somali- land. With reference to the phrase in the des- patch received by the Foreign Office from CoL Swayne-The Mullah, who is said to be in communication with Kail Inger in the direction of the Webbe River "-Reuter's Agency points out, that the words "Kail Inger" are beyond all doubt a telegraphic mutilation for "Karl Inger." A foreigner of this name, believed to be an Aus- trian ex-officer, has from time to time been mentioned in association with Somaliland and the Mullah. It is known, moreover, that a cer- tain Karl Inger came under the notice of the British authorities in the Sudan some years ago. He offered his services to the Khalifa, but they were declined. Afterwards he went to the Somali coast and appeared at Jibuti as the Emir Soliman, and spent some time in collecting money for the purpose of settling European colonists in Somaliland. It is believed that on one occasion he came to England and entered into negotiations with a member of Parliament upon some such scheme, but the affair came to nothing. I LETTERS FROM AN OFFICER. Up to a late hour on Tuesday night the Foreign Office had no further news from Colonel Swayne. Nothing is known by the Government of the pre- vious disaster to the force described in letters received by Mr. D. O. Galmore Greene from an officer in Somaliland. According to the latest of these communications, the Mullah's followers succeeded in capturing two of the column's Maxim guns. Mr. D. O. Galmore Greene, whose letter from an officer serving in the Somaliland expedition was the first intimation made public in this country of the dangerous position of the British, force, has received a further letter from the expedition, of which the following extracts have been furnished to a London Press Agency: — "No one will appreciate this thing until it is too late. Know that as I remember our South African imbroglio. I can tell you, Donald, that jthis business is no laughing matter. We are ► in a regular trap, and how the devil we are going to get out of it I don't know. We have had sony: stiffish fights, and have lost many men. The worst of it is our blacks are funking. However, I suppose we shall muddle out of it somehow, though I can hardly hope to see you I again. Our camels are nearly all killed or cap- tured-that's what makes one so furious. We have next to no water, and are miles away from any wells. We have no supplies, and nearly no ammunition. They captured two of our maxims on the 12th—I think that was the date, though we get a bit muddled out here about such details. I don't suppose they care what happens to us at home. It's a brutal shame to send us blind into an ambush like this. Have you heard from 'Tippy'? He was one of us thirty-three who escaped, and said he was going to send you details. By Jove, that was a pretty affair. We whites stood out, but—oh, well-we have too many blacks. "I hear fresh troops are coming up. I only hope they will come from India. Our fellows there want to smell powder. Why don't they give them a chance? We are in a frightful fix, I can tell you, Donald. If ever I see you again, I shall have something to tell you of the way in which they treat us who are not engaged in big affairs. It's a d-d shame. Bullets are bul- lets all the world over, and some of them hit. Poor old Tipnv is badly wounded. Don't tell his poor mother." With reference to the reported receipt of a private letter from the front giving a gloomy view of the situation, and recording the loss of two Maxim guns, the Press Association learns officially that the Government has received no tidings to that effect, and the loss, if it has occurred, is proba-bly not of recent date. Cer- tainly it has no immediate connection with the officially recorded retreat, seeing that such a letter must have been despatched long before the date of retirement. Erego, the nlace where Colonel Swayne's force was attacked by the Mullah, is situated in Italian territory, some distance beyond the southern border of the British Somaliland Protectorate. "tJews of Colonel Swayne's safe arrival at Bohotle is now anxiously awaited. It must come along the line of posts, thence to Berbera, and be then forwarded by steamer to Aden, as there is no through telegraphic communication between. Aden and Berbera.

I THE HIRE PURCHASE SYSTEM. I STRONG CRITICISM. A strong condemnation of the hire purchase system came from the lips of a Birmingham magistrate on Saturday. A man, named Joseph Stevens, a brass caster, was charged on a warrant with larceny, as bailee. The accused went to the Nottingham Furnishing Company, Birming- ham, on September 3, and obtained a bedstead (which was exhibited in the vestibule of the Court), a wool bed, a pair of mattresses, six chairs, and a table on the hire purchase system. The whole of the goods were valued at £ 5 8s. 6d. It was stated that prisoner paid 5s. 6d. deposit, and he also paid four weekly payments of Is. 6d. He then sold the furniture to a broker and absconded. Detective Burnett traced the man to the Birmingham Workhouse, where he ar- rested him. The presiding magistrate said the Bench had read the agieement as to the hire of the furniture, and they considered it a very un- fair and one-sided one. He had seen the schedule of prices and he had also inspected the bedstead. He knew something about the trade, and in his opinion the goods were worth about half the price quoted in the schedule. He thought it very likely that the goods in the schedule stood at about three times their real value, and the whole thing was very unsatisfac- tory. The Bench considered it was very unjust and unfair to the public. Prisoner said he should not have done it if he had had any work, but he w^s-willing to pay for the goods when he could. He was committed to the Sessions.

The Touring Club of France has announced that in future it will give medals to proprietors of hotels who have installed notable hygienic im- provements, conducing to the oomfort of 'chauffeurs," cyclists, and other visitors to their establishments. A man named Ottis Parker has been killed at Paris, Texas, while using a telephone. He had the receiver to his ear, when he suddenly dropped dead from an electric shock. The telephone must have come in connection with an alternating current by crossing other wires.

A youth named Willie Chase, of Winnipeg, was recently wounded in the neck by a bullet, which penetrated almost to the windpipe, and then de- flected down the left chest, just missing the vital organs. Some days ago he had a violent fit of coughing, which ended in the bullet being coughed up, A letter from Athens, to the "Figaro" states that the Greek Archeeological Society has just dis- covered at Samos the Temple of Juno, de- 'l Benbed by Herodotus as being one of the wonders of the period. The altar, the bases of twenty pillars, and various other things of minor impor- tance have been unearthed.

I PILLAR LETTER BOX CASE. I Henry Conrad, 50, pleaded not guilty, at the Old Bailey, on Tuesday, to an indictment charg- ing him with conspiring and agreeing with other persons to steal certain post letters, the property of the Postmaster-General. There was also against him a charge of attempting to obtain wax impressions of keys of letter-boxes, with intent to steal the contents of such letter-boxes. Mr. Biron, counsel for the prosecution, recalled the circumstances, already reported, under which, whilst a postman was emptying a pillar-box in Copthall-court, City, on the after- noon of September 13, the prisoner accosted him and stated that he had accidentally dropped half a sovereign into the box. The postman (named Bradley) was searching the box when a man dressed as a painter came along carrying a paint- brush, and as he passed smeared the keys, which were hanging in the lock of the box. The sup- posed painter at once offered an apology for the accident, and volunteered to wipe the paint off the keys. Whilst he was carrying out that operation the postman noticed that he was attempting to take an impression of one of the keys on what appeared to be a piece of wax enclosed in a box. Prisoner in the meanwhile was attempting to keep the postman in con- versation, but finding that suspicion was aroused, both the prisoner and the supposed painter ran away. The latter escaped, but prisoner was arrested and was subsequently identified as the man who had assisted in an exactly similar operation at a pillar-box in Islington a day or two previously. Mr. J. P. Grain, for the defence, argued that the evidence failed to establish any conspiracy on the part of the prisoner, or any guilty know- ledge of the attempt to take an impression of the key. The jury found the prisoner guilty. Mr. Biron said the prisoner, who was believed to be an American, had suffered three years' imprisonment in the United States for forgery. He came to London some seven years ago, and, in conjunction with a gang of experts, had been engaged in a system of robbing letter- boxes by means of duplicate keys, obtained through an ingenious system of getting wax impressions of the originals. Letter-boxes were selected which were close to the offices of stockbrokers and bankers, where valuable securities and cheques might be expected to be posted, and these, when obtained by the prisoner and his associates, were forged and negotiated. The Recorder, in passing sentence of two years' hard labour, which was the utmost he had the power to impose, expressed an opinion that the maximum punishment provided by the Act of Parliament was totally inadequate to the seriousness of the offence. He highly com- plimented the postman Bradley for the part he had taken in bringing a dangerous criminal to justice, and awarded him a sum of £3 from the fund available to the Court for such purpose.

I LONDON'S BANK HOLIDAY. I The King on Monday held a Council at Buck- ingham Palace, at which his Majesty signed a pro- clamation, issued later as a supplement to the "London Gazette," directing that October 25, being the occasion of the Royal progress through I London, should be observed as a close holiday by all banks throughout the county of London,

The Peterborough hairdressers have formed themselves into an association with the object of bringing about a general rise in prices for hair- cutting and shaving. The United Kingdom has 290 people to the square mile, Belgium 480, Russia only forty. At the recent rounding up of the sheep bred on the fells pf the South Cumberland and High Furness district, it was found that several hun- dreds had been stolen.

1 THE QUEEN'S RETURN. I Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria reached the metropolis on Tuesday evening from Denmark, being welcomed at Victoria Station by the King and Prince Charles of Denmark. Her Majesty and the Princess travelled from the Cpntinent by the Calais route, reaching Dover at about a quarter-past five, after a pleasant passage. Long before the mail steamship Empress was due the Admiralty pier at Dover was closely lined with people, who gave the Queen an enthusiastic reoep- tion on landing. A special train was in waiting to convey the Royal traveller* to London, and the journey was commenced shortly after half-past five. Accompanying the train were Mr. Vincent Hill, general manager of the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway, who had come through from Calais; Mr. Thomson, superinten- dent of the line and Mr. Wainwright, locomotive superintendent. It had been anticipated that her Majesty would reach Victoria at seven o'clock, and shortly before that hour the King, accom- panied by Prince Charles of Denmark, and attended by the Hon. J. Ward, reached the ter- minus in a closed carriage. As a more convenient arrangement the mainline departure platform had been set aside for the reception of the Royal train, and his Majesty consequently drove to the Wilton-road entrance, near which a large con- eourse of people had gathered. The King, who was heartily cheered, passed at once into the Royal waiting-room, where, as the train proved to be running a quarter of an hour late, consequent on delay on the other side of the Channel, he remained for some little time, conversing with M. de Bille, the Danish Minister, and Madame de Bille. Meanwhile the final preparations for the Queen's reception were completed, crimson carpet being laid down on the platform, from which all but a few privileged persons were excluded. Soon after seven o'clock the King and Prince Charles of Denmark came on to the platform. His Majesty, who looked extremely well, acknow- ledged the respectful salutations of the spectators, and subsequently conversed with Mr. Green, the station superintendent, to whom he was pleased to express his satisfaction with the cha- racter of the arrangements. At 10 minutes past seven the Royal special was signalled, and two minutes later it entered the sta- tion, the saloon in which the Queen and Princess Victoria were seated being drawn up immediately opposite the Royal waiting-room. immediately opposite the Royal waiting-room. The King entered the saloon, and affectionately greeted her Majesty and the Princess. Shortly afterwards the Queen appeared on the plat- form, and was greeted with an outburst of cheering. Her Majesty, who was dressed in black, and carried a bunch of lilies of the valley, looked in excellent health. She shook hands with the Danish Minister and Madame de Bille, and also acknowledged the presence of the Danish Consul, and of the principal railway officials. To the latter, represented by Mr. Vincent Hill, the Queen had previously expressed her ap- preciation of the arrangements made to secure her comfort in travelling. With but a brief delay their Majesties proceeded to their carriage, their departure for Buckingham Palace being made the occasion of further demonstrations of welcome on the part of a very large gathering of people.

EXPLOSION AT BROMPTON. The residents of Beaufort-gardens, Brompton, were, at about half-past five on Monday night, startled by hearing a sound as of the crack of a rifle, and seeing quantities of the pavement flying in all directions. A lamp-lighter, who was on the point of igniting the street-lamp opposite No. 42, was thrown on to his back, and several paasers-by narrowly escaped being struck by the debris. An alarm was conveyed to the firemen stationed at Knightsbridge, but it was subsequently found that their services were not required, there being no fire of any kind. The cause of the explosion can only be surmised. Some workmen had been engaged on the main near the lamp men- tioned. It is assumed that a leak had been left, and that in consequence the lamp-post (became filled with gas, which exploded when the lamp- lighter put in his light. In his official report to the London County Council yesterday morning, Captain Wells said Called at 5.46 p.m. to Beau- fort-gardens, Brompton-road, S.W.; property of the Kensington Borough Council; cause unknown damage, about 100ft. by 6ft. of pavement damaged by explosion."

[ THE ACTON LIBRARY. I Mr. Morley, in a letter to the Duke of Devon- shire, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, offers the Acton Library to the University, onlv imposing the condition that the collection shall be kept intact, and in some degree apart. The duke has replied, expressing his confidence that the University authorities will receive Mr. Morley's splendid donation with the greatest gra- titude, and that they will do their utmost to carry out the conditions attached by Mr. Morley to the gift in such a way as to be satisfactory to him.

OFFICER'S TRAGIC DEATH. I Colonel Anstruther-Duncan, of Naught-cn House, Fifesliire, was shot dead on Saturday. He was making arrangements for the departure of a shooting party who had been his guests for some time, and had gone to the gun-room, which is a remote apartment, to make up parcels of game for them. Becoming uneasy at his pro- longed absence, his friends sent to ascertain the cause, and the housemaid who undertook the errant! discovered the unfortunate gentleman lying on the floor in a pool of blood. His head was terribly shattered, and a discharged gun lay at his side. When he went to the room Color) el Duncan was in the best of health and spirits, and it is believed his death was the result of an accident. The deceased officer, who before his marriage was known as Lieut.-Colonel Anstruther, at one time commanded the Royal Artillery in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

When I see such a magnificent regiment before me," said General Sir Drury Lowe, inspecting the returned 17th Lancers or Death or Glory Boys, on Saturday, at Southampton, It makes me feel that I want to don the Lancers' jacket again. He then inspected tke uegMwni) of which he was formerly commander, and shook hands with every man. who had served under him. The regiment in- cluded the survivors of the "squadron cut up by I Smutz at Elands River Poort.

WEYMOUTH'S QUEEN VICTORIA | MEMORIAL. I Princesp Henry of Battenberg en Monday paid a visit toWeymouth for the purpose of unveiling the statue of Queen Victoria which has been erected by public subscription as a Coronation memorial Her Royal Highness left Osborne early in the morning and travelled by special train from Southampton. The Princess, who was attended by Miss Bulteel and Colonel the Hon. F. L. Colborne, was received at Weymouth by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. John Bagg) and Colonel Brymer, M.P., and flhelittle daughter of the Mayor presented a bouquet to the Princess, who then drove through the gaily-decorated streets, under an escort of A Battery R.H.A., te the Sidney Hall. The line of route was lined with soldiers under the command of Colonel Childers, C.B. On the arrival of the Royal party the naval band played the National Anthem. There was a large and distinguished company present, and the members of the corporation attended in state. The town clerk read an address on behalf of the municipal body. Princess Henry of Battenberg in a few words expressed her thanks for the kind sentiments contained in the address. After luncheon at the Sidney Hall, her Royal Highness proceeded to the statue, which has been placed near St. John's Church. It is of bronze, erected upon a pedestal of Portland stone, and is the work of Mr. George Simmonds from the studies w* -1 he made at the time of the first jubilee for hi, 1 uxble statue at Reading, and which received h jlajesty's approval. The statue is over 8ft. in neight, and represents her Majesty standing erect, wearing the robes of State and Crown and bearing the Sceptre and Imperial Orb. The total height of the memorial is about 22ft. There was a large gathering in the vicinity of the statue. After a short service, conducted by the Mayor's chaplain, including a collect composed by the Bishop of Salisbury, and the hymn, "Lie still, Beloved," the Mayor said it would be their duty and pleasure to guard the statue with jealous care as a memento of a great and wise Sovereign. Her Royal Highness then pulled the cord and un- veiled the statue. At the call of Colonel Childers a Royal salute was given, and the Doxology was sang. Princess Henry of Batten oerg was next handed a bouquet by the matron of the Nurses' Home, and afterwards ex- pressed a wish to speak to any officer present who had been to the war. Colonel Colborne, there- fore, presented Captain Ingham, of the Dorset Regiment, who had just returned. Colonel Symes, of the Dorset Volunteer Artillery, which supplied a contingent for the war, also had the honour of being presented. At the close of the ceremony the Princess was driven to the station and returned by special train to Southampton for Osborne.

TRAFALGAR DAY. I The Nelson Monument in Trafalgar-square was prettily decorated in connection with the anniver- sary of the great naval victory on Tuesday with evergreen wreaths, festoons, and other appropriate devices. The floral decorations and memorial wreaths were numerous and beautiful. The decorations were entirely confined to the pedestal of the monument, and the main features were the long festoons from the sur-base or cornice of the pedestal in ordinary language the top to the lions below, and passing apparently round their necks. Rather more than half-way up these festoons were linked by a smaller garland. Large wreaths depended from the mouths of the lions, and others were placed on the ledges over the bas-reliefs and at the angles of the pedestals. The base of the column proper was also wreathed. On the various steps and ledges a large number of shrubs in pots are arranged, no less than 50 varieties of conifers being utilised. Four handsome specimen bay trees 16ft. in height stood at the upper corners of the pedestal. The general effect was a happy combination of dignity and simplicity which did credit to the designer. Among the wreaths was one in memory of the French "and Spanish sailors who lost their lives at Trafalgar, and another in the form of an anchor from his Majesty's ship Indefatigable.

ON BEHALF OF PIT PONIES. I An appeal is made on behalf of the Yorkshire Society for the Encouragement of Humane Treat- ment and Kindness to Pit Ponies. There is," says the appeal, no doubt that the lot of hundreds of ponies in the bowels of the earth, employed in the many coal mines, at depths from a hundred to eight hundred yards, and from one to three miles inside, underground, away from the human eye, is a very hard one. The ponies' experience, in many instances, is not only receiving an unmerciful thrashing, and being com- pelled to work the clock round,' sometimes with a sore shoulder and lameness, but also to go with- out food, or even a drink of water," It is to alleviate this state of affairs that assistance is requested. During the year 1901 a large number of coal mines were visited by Mr. W. J. Willis, hon. secretary of the society, and upwards of 2000 ponies and their stables were inspected. Eighty- seven meetings were held, and addresses were given to drivers urging them to be kind to their ponies. A hundred and eighty prizes were awarded for humane treatment, and Bibles and other books were distributed.