The Welshman

5 R. DAVIIES. Feb. 25th, 1901. R. DAVIES.

I MR. M'KINLEY'S INAUGURATION. Mr. M'Kinley was on Monday formally inaugu, ated as President of the United States, the ceremony taking place in the Capitol at Washington. In his inaugural Address, after referring to American prosperity and the necessity of enlarging their foreign markets by broader commercial relations, he said the United States were now at peace with the world, and his fervent prayer was that, if differences arose with other Powers, they might be settled by peaceful arbitration. The President said they were now facing the most important question of their future relations with Cuba. They became sponsors for the pacifica- tion of the Island, and they remained accountable for the reconstruction of Cuba as a free Common- wealth on abiding foundations of right, justice, liberty, and assured order. With regard to the Philippines, it was his settled purpose to afford the inhabitants self-government as fast as they were ready for it; but the United States would not leave the destiny of loyal millions to disloyal thousands.

| Soothes the Aching Part j; IN i Bruises, Chilblains, Scratches, jj Blisters, Chapped Hands, Sores, > Burns, Cuts, Scalds, etc. j I UNRIVALLED FOR PILES. j; 5 A PEER'S TESTIMONY. lj ? "I suffered from this di.,tr?,ig ?dy f,?, 'ive mon hs, du))ns which t;m I tried various remedies, and had caustic 4' C -ppli?, twico, but without -y r,? ?i,L A, la/t I t?il, floiuucea, and in t?. or rhre ,:?y? I f-mnd the heaiing h?d begun, C ."i l{dat;;i: t-r: rl;'n ldts'),'f:r ;I W'i\ m?t Jt"s¡¡; ;1:;dt¿i,!eeda ral' .> K H I gave some +0 a labourer who had a V» :d tioil on his aid •, and a stone fell on his leg above the knee, an1 then on his i* £ instep, o Ilmt he WSH qirte I -iru-. To-ii iv I him :ti'r-ir iOtlf days, and I said, 4 Wi {\t did t:cHúJnoi'eadororYlltl?' Uli 11. said, I am enhnly fHre.j, mui not IIn]y rh.tr, b"-t my h is had a 1'3!n in her elbow. 80 th:lt she could not fiend Lher ann fo. a r and i. hits cured that.' I a1,;0 g.-vo soiur to a v. oman wtl1 scurvy on the leg, and it is doing her good so JJ I want a u-.x tor • aeh (If t:Hn. It is the most wonderful stuft I ever came e r 5392

WHITL \ND DISTRICT COUNCIL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE" WELSHMAN." SIR,—" Health indulges, as uaal. in his slang words and Latin ph-H-i^. but. I supple ;I,. .waaot he!p ir. It is useless to ti /tit i'-a-H niar.. H »ving had the final toaoh to hts educitiou At N-irbcrlh t.)Nil, his IDJra; aad mental character so woil poised in a widely-circulatjd periodical c i iod P-ptir Patvb. n hat rut leasi, having each a. cice-imfirsnisdl d:<n>n .boa to his cerebral portmanteau, [ "hin; the pubic -Are, ¡)e,ferJtly satisfied with his ss by a fair a d uubiasaed argu- ment. As regards the animated passion of the Whitland rate- payers from pre-h storio periods for pure wafer, the public need not retrace th-jir aiboajry tnany years when they could reckon thy houses of WhitUad on the fingers of one hand, arid each h. use hid a giod supply of pure water. The WnitUai Council declared that the consumers would have to P'h', as they knsw that before the present Council ca-Do :ilt) existence, having paid to my knowledgs sinoe the Llano >idy Highway Board placed a cis.^p, aaairaty, aQ. wholeèoille well and pump at their disposal in Market-street. If the district ratepayers will turn their attention to the report of the list St. Cleus Petty Sessions they will find, to their expense of twelve shillings, the result of the Council's declaration in regard to the Pendine con- sumers, entirely owing to th^ir ignorance of an Act which is plain enough for an ordinary intelligent fourth standard scholar, although they have amongst them a reverend gentleman who, I ih nk, was paid for explain- ing the Act before it came into force. If the doctor, as stated by "Health," wai true to his duty, he would have left vanity and selfishness on one side, and would have written a fair and impartial report as required by the Local Government Board, informing them the same as he informed the Joint Committee, that he had nothing against the water, and that, as far as his knowledge went, it was perfectly sanitary. As regards Park-street, if it was an illegal expenditure when it was first brougat before the Council, it was quite as illegal when it was macadamized, as nothing had been done except what the District Council allowed the Parish Council to, form a path to the pump, so .vili I let the public draw t ieir own conclusions. How can you try and mislead the public by saying that the special rate was not levied. Yes; the special rate was collected, and the Llangau ratepayers had to pay it as sach, or to be sent to Llanboidy before me. The Local Governmeut Board, having called the attention of th-j Council to their ignorance in levying a special instead of a local rate, and the Council having admitted the same, why not refund the surplus rate to the poor Yahoos? By a fortunate maj irity, the ratepayers, and not the Council, ignored the advice of th- doctor, and would not be led by a whimsical and non-experienced District Council. I do not eee where the superiority of the doctor's knowledge as regards the gravitation scheme comes in more than the road surveyor's; both had similar interests to serve by their advice. The weak- ness of the doctor's knowledge was very visible in the wrathful speech he so vehemently poured forth on the heads of the ratepayers in the Joint Committae for objecting tj his pet gravitation scheme, when he pro- nounced it an scandalous, as it would only cost each rate- payer, at tne utmost, ten shillings a year. Perhaps "Health," who has such a laudable opinion of the doctor, will try and influence him to stick to his guns, and guarantse the above that a start may be made with the schema. To think it was premature to ascertain compensation for water en route'is another flimsy and non-sensical idea, as any ordinary individual could easily perceive that the compensation would over-balanoe the worshipped mamoi n of the Whitland ratepayers, and the Council ought to feno'v, by this time, from their last lesson re Pendina water, that, they cannot compel candidates for vulgar ShOJlt nor fools to pav water rate if they can prove wholesome water on their premises. Whitland can reckon from forty to fifty wells and pomps, and, according to the doctor's superior knowledge, the water is perfectly wholesome. TlJe only unwholesome water we have is the produce of the District Council, which has a very expeusive taste, and stinks of a bombastic J.P, idolator and extravagant and fruitless District Council. Is the pen prostituted when facts are written ? Can "Health" deny the fact that a drain has been con- structed on the Castle Ely Estate in front of Mud Lake Cottages at the expense of the ratepayers ? and was not the same privilege refused to the ratepayers on Pwlly- whead road about the same time, and under the same circumstances ? and it is a fact that T. James, the stonecutter, was blankly refused permission by the road surveyor himself to remove a drain in front of his house a few inches at his own expense. An Abbey Estate drain, leading from the Black-lane, has been actually blocked months ago nuder the command of the road sur veyor between the Whitland Arms and the Yelverton Arms, and the continuation of the same behind the last- named hotel is altogether removed, without substituting fresh drains accor ing to the requirementa of the Local Government Board and the rudiments of sanitation. The above is the result of a fruitful committee and a well-cooked speech advocating a friendly talk with some one. What about the quarry inoident-thanks to the war cry of the public, which saved our stakes. And the Llangan Parish Councillors are to be complimented for being the instruments to prevent our right-of-way to the river at Rhydycourt to be molested. Why should two tracks of lime be ordered for the Abbey culvert? and why not give one each to the squire and the rate- payers, instead of dividing the both and how was the scale of justice stamped with a Government V.B. or a Whitland Abbey Estate stamp R.D. ? Now for the kicking parable which prophesies a few of the many mighty changes of the present century Carmarthen Gaol to be abolished as such; the local petty sessions to be removed to the fast-rising town of Whitiand and the scale of justice to be balanced by I I Health's" corpulent body; and the prisoners kicked to oblivion. Well, done, Beelzebub! I am, yours truly, G. G. W. TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN. < SIR, —The epistle of Gronw reads like a Georgian romance inspired by a keen, but not deep, mind, and assisted by the slimness of a Da Fat. Honest and fair criticism is appreciated, but low buffoonery and virulent slander, stimulated by punch, is to be condemned. The Press is an excellent medium to ventilate grievances and condemn tyrants and usurpers, but when it is used to gratify the spleen of disappointed indi- viduals, such as publicans and uncivil servants, it becomes a curse. The special rate question has been fully and ilatis. factorily explained. The Whitland people petitioned the Council to abandon the gravitation scheme, and, therefore, the special rate could not be levied. Health is correot in his statement that the wells are "contaminated with excrementious, animal juices, and slops in general." This serious state of things exists through the idle and unclean habits of certain in- dividuals, to wit, the Whitland trio. These idle loafers, I am afraid, will have the audacity to ask the Council for a broom-iman to clean their dirty kitchens and filthy yards. Exert more indi7idaal energy! The Council have secured the services of a competent sanitary inspector—sober, energetic, and intelligent. The nominee of Whitland, being an innkeeper, is not eligible, as the Local Government Board declined to confirm the appointment of one of his class recently. I shall now proceed to answer the question of Gronw." Mr Davies, I presume, is busy electioneering. 1 Has the Whitland water been condemne(i on analysis ? "—It has not, to our knowledge, been analysed. The Medical Officer of Health states that they (the walls) are liable to ba contaminated. He dared not state that they were contaminated, as the Whitland Hooligans would attack him. We, from careful observation, are certain that several are polluted owing to their proximity to w.c.'s They ars also surrounded by stagnant pools. Steps shall be taken to analyse them at an early date, when, undoubtedly, my remarks will be confirmed. 2. Did the Council consult their medical officer, or any expert authority, as to the qualifications required by a sanitary inspector 1" Yes j they "consulted" an order issued by the Local Government Board framed by authorities and experts, and were of opinion that Mr James could carry out efficiently the duties mentioned. 3. Are future applications, say, for example, medical officers of health, to be filled irrespective.of qualifications? "—No. ( 4. Have the Council decided to continue separate I highway accounts after being informed by the County Council that such accounts are illegal?"—1 don't recollect receiving any official intimation from the County Council. The auditor has stated that the exist. ing system is legal, and has passed the accounts notwith. standing the efforts that were repeatedly made to per- suade him to declare the system irregular. Ha is a higher" tribunal" than the County Council-next to the Local Government Board. Toe present arrange- ments shall be continued until they are condemned by the latter authority, or a majority of the Council decide against. 5. "Was there a scandal with regard to the filling-up of a quarry?" —Not a cent of public money was spent in filling up a quarry. There was nothing approaching a scandal." Toe public, however, are scandalised by the utterances of individuals who generally spread them- selves bdfore the fire, with strong punch at their elbows, cursing the Whitland Council for not recognizing the merit of the Whitland idol. 6. Why do the Council pass resolutions, and not carry them out ? "—State case. Toe Council shall not be ruled by the shouts of publicans, travelling lobsters, and uncivil anti-barbers. Yours, &c., INDEX. [For nearly a generaion we have listened to perennial discussions on the sanitation of Whitland. If Whit- land has superfluous mad that is no reason why the inhabitants should use it to bespatter each other. It is time to stop this correspondence.—ED. ]

I INCOME-TAX REPAYMENTS. I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." SIR,-In Punch's cartoon this week, Which will he drop on?" it will be noticed that the income-tax finds no place, and there can no doubt that Mr Punch has perfectly expressed the views of the great majority that, whatever other taxes may be imposed, there must be no farther increase in the income-tax. It is, however, very much to be feared that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be ooce more tempted to avail himself of this method of raising the wind. The increase to Is. was undoubtedly very severely felt, and has resulted in many more claims for repayment being made. So many persons fail to reoover over-oharg-s through not lodging their claims in time, that we hope you will allow us to remind your readers that no claim for repayment of tax deducted from rents, dividends, annuities, etc., in repeot of the year ended April 5th, 1898, will be allowed unless the same be lodged before April 5th next. Where the income has been received and tax paid, a claim can now be made for four years. With few exceptions, all persons whose incomes do not exceed £ 700 are entitled to exemptions or abatements, even when the income is said to be "fre of income-tax," j and on an inuome not exceeding JE400 the amount re- payable might amount to JE42. All claims should, how- ever, be made with the least possible delay, as the time allowed for making some of them is strictly limited. We shall be glad to advise any of your readers gratuitously whether they can make a claim for repay. ment of income-tax, on their sending us full particulars of their incomes and a stamped addressed envelope. Yours faithfully, THE INCOME-TAX ADJUSTMENT AGENCY, LTD. 12 and 13, Poultry, London, E.C., March 5th, 1901.

LAUGHARNE DISTRICT COUNTY COUNCIL I ELECTION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "WELSHMAN." SIR,—The above election takes placeg on the 8th inst., and we have in this district two candidates in the field, namely, Mr J. D Morse (Radical) and Mr Richard Evans (Independent). As a working.man, and an old voter in the district, I should like, through your columns, to draw the attention of my fellow working. men to the importance of oar supporting the Inde- pendent candidate. Now, the word "Ra'ical candidate" sounds very weli to the ear, but whav has it do in practice ? We know to our oost in this disi: "t that it is full of promises which are never fulfilled. Wa had, during the last County Council election here innumerable promises of reforms if the Radical candidate was returned. He was returned, but where are the reforrlii ? We cannot expect better in the future. Any candidate that is tied to partyism cannot do any general good. Mr J. D. Morse, the Radical candidate, in this case is alright personally, against whose character nothing can be said. But that does not justify him in claiming our support for a county councillor. Apart from that partyism which he upholds, and which has been detri- mental to our welfare as working-men, Mr Morse's business prevents him from devoting the time needed for a councillor. He is at least half his time away from this country, and who is to watoh our interest whilst he is thus away ? Mr Richard Evans, on the other hand, poses as an independent candidate, free from any party, prepared to act for the general good of all concerned. He has the time at his disposal to attend to the duties of a councillor. He is a large employer of labour himself, and is well known as one being in close touch and sympathy with the working class. This is a prominent characteristic in his life—the uplifting of the working-man rather than crush them under foot. A working-man, in Mr Evans' sight, is a man, and not a dog. His motto is — Equality for all. It i". therefore, our duty, as working-men, to support those that support us, otherwise we shall not be acting honestly towards ourselves and families. Let us on Friday show that we are a power in the constituency by voting for the independent candidate, thus freeing our- selves from the tyranny which we have been subjected to, and our fathers before us. We want men on oar Councils that have the true interest of the masses at heart, and that will act accordingly. Sufficient is the time that hath passed for the masses to be trodden by the classes let us free ourselves by returning inde- pendent men to represent us. There will, consequently, be strong hopes to get our many grievances redressed. Thanking you, Mr Editor, in anticipation, I am. &o.. A WORKING-MAN.

WHITLAND MALE VOICE PARTY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE" WELSHMAN." I SIR,—Although I hardly consider it worth my while in replying to William Bach's" boisterous remarks, yet I cannot remain eileot while he tries to persuade the public that my assertions are erroneous. In his hopeless and weak way of attempting to prove my ignorance, he has revealed his own ignorance to an enormous extent. At the outset he assumes that it was my earnest prayer that the party should lose at Laugharne. Alas! William," you are very absent minded if ynu do not recollect that, according to my previous letters, it was my sincerest wish that yoo should succeed. So pray be more logical before entering the Press. The success of the party at Laugharne gives me real pleasure, but boasting wõll not serve any good Presa, and it would be much wiser in you not to boast, as it was only by a few points you won the bag, and other parties who are but beginners were in close pursuit. How many did you add, William," to fill the baritone's place ? It appears that several voices were in urgent need of his help, con- sequently, Mr Editor, you will readily comprehend the baritone's value and energy as a singer, although ignored by William's" selfishness and conceit. I regretted to hear that the enthusiastic party, while returning home, caused no little disturbance at a certain place. I presume it was your loud "Hurrah" that called the attention of the police to cool rour over- whelming joy to a rather bitter reproach. Why cannot people go from home without annoying others P Mis- conduct is an omen of ignorance and moral weakness. I have learned in your eDistle of defenna fhftt- vnn expeccme to P?BHCLY apologise my base statem?nt, oannd S that if I want to be esteemed at Whitland in the future to act the man." Why should I apologise ? I have no cause to do so. What I have said is absolutely true. The jealousy and ill feeling which the party has entertained against the baritone is at present too well known among the public in spite of your fruitless efforts to blink the fact. As for being esteemed, "William Bach," I am as highly esteemed as you, or even more. Therefore, do not deceive yourself by thinking that the public feeling is founded on the same inferior principles as your own. You seem to believe that I am co-operating with some one. Wrong again. I write entirely on my own merits, and according to my own judgment. Your guesses are too clever to hit the mark of truth. I do not choose to write more, as I have now reached the summit of my desire, which was merely to expose the jealousy:which prevails in it against the baritono and the incon- sistency of its private statements and public professions. My heart is free from the slightest prej udice, and I frankly wish for your welfare. So, in thanking yoa, Mr Editor, let me hope that "William" will be enlightened by the following verse "Add to your fiith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperacce, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity." Yours truly, WIL, TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." SIR,-It is very impolite and ungentlemanly for certain persons in Whitland to be attacking each other through the Press without giving their full names and addresses. The public, far and near, cannot understand the letters at all. In itself it seems so empty there is no topio of the day discussed. Boys, cleanse yourselves of these vitiating things. So far as I can gather from the correspondence, it is merely one pecking at the other, and, like the two goats, neither willing to yield. Y e the party has done well; indeed, it ha* done well even very lately. When you see a few young men here put their heads together, so to speak, in order to better themselves, it would be gross injustice to them to find any person or persons in Whitland wishing ill-luck to their own brethren. Indeed, he would be worse than a Pro-Bo 'r. By careful investigation, I think the sting will be found in the first letter written in Welsh on this matter by Wil." The bad taste and flagrant assertions of this particular writer made me feel almost inclined to ask in what particular kind of establishment he had procured his own manners; but in trying to prove too much he proved too little, and I felt sure that his gibes would fall I harmless. Enough has before appeared in this paper's co'umn to prove the unnecessary and unkindly lashing of William Bach." Now, boys, forgive and forget. Be of one mind, of one heart, and, like the Londoners, vote pro- gressive. Many I know in Whitland, besides the conductor of the party, who would be glad to know of something other than this being diacussed. Thanking you, Mr Editor, for your kindness, I am, &c., WHITL ANDBR. I Trevaaghan, Whitland, March, 1901. WHITL&IQDER.

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A SWANSEA DOCTOR'S BLUNDER.—DEATH FROM POISON GIVEN INSTEAD OF MEDICINE.-HR J Holbein Rosser, only son of Mr J. H. Rosser, of Disgwylfa, Sketty, who was 19 years of age, and having completed his University career had become articled to a firm of mining engineers, was lately suffering from catarrhal haadache. On Friday evening he went to Dr. Daniel Evans, of Swansea, for a draught. Dr. Evans pre. ■ scribed, and the patient took away a bottle duly ) labelled. Later at niht, after he had arrived home, he went upstairs and took the draught. Immediately, his parents heard cries from his room. They rushed up and found him suffering from the intense agonies of carbolic acid poisoning. All be was able to say was, Dr. Dan has given me the wrong medicine." Dr. Perkins, who lives near, was unfortunately out, but Mr James went to the patient and did everything possible. Meanwhile Mr Rosser bad fl)wn on horseback down to Swansea, and he quickly returned with medical aid. including Drs. Daniel Evans, Hanson, and Blagdon Richards. The patient had, however, in the meantime passed away. Investigation showed that the label had, by a most regrettable error, been put on a bottle containing carbolic acid- —The inquest was held on Saturday evening, at Mr Roseer's residence, by Mr Glynn Price, the county coroner. In the course of the proceediogf, Dr Evans was aliowed to i was aLowed to give evidence. Speakine with much emotion, he said Mr Rosser, the deceased, called on me complaining of a slight catarrhal headache, and asked me to prescribe. I advised him to take a draught which I gave him, and after some further conversation he left me. About 10.50 Mr Rosser, senior, called at my house for me. He requested me to go with him at once to see deceased, whom, he said, was djing as the result of taking some poison. I could not associate the poison with the draught I had given him until I reached his room, and found him dead, and I was informed he had taken a draught of carbolic acid. It was ooly at that moment it first dawned on me that I might have made a mistake. I had on that day been urgently called to see a case of suspected diphtheria. I had taken my instruments for treatment, and some carbolic acid in a bottle for the purpose of disinfecting my instruments. I was not called on to use the carbolic acid, and on re- turning I took it out of my pocket and placed it on my desk. Immediately after my return, I was called on by some patients, and my attention being thus diverted from the fact of the bottle being on my desk, I had quite forgotten, as was my custom, to pour the acid into a large bottle I kept for the purpose. One of the patients was Mr Rosser, the deceased. The bottle in which I had put his draught was of the same size, and its contents were of the same colour as that which con- tained the carbolic acid. I had had a long conversation with him, and evidently my memory had served me badly that there were two bottles on the desk. I. there. fore, took it for granted that the only bottle on the table was the draught I wanted him to take, and I gave it him.—The witness then produced the bottle contain- ing the draught, and it waa seen that they were precisely similar.-The Jury found a verdict to the effect that death was due to misadventure, deceased having taken a draught of carbolic acic which bad been given bimby Dr Evans in mistake.

OLD FALSE TEETH BOUGHT. Many ladies and gentlemen have by them old or disused false teeth, which might as well be turned into money. Messrs R. D. & J. B. Fraser, of Princes Street, Ipswich (established since 1833), buy old false teeth. If you send your teeth to them they will remit you by return post the utmost value; or, if preferred, they will make you the best offer, and hold the teeth over for your reply. If referenoe necessary, apply to Messrs Bacon & Co., Bankers, Ipswiob.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.: I The House of Commons on the 27th alt., resumed the the consideration of Mr Balfour's motion allocating Fridays to Supply and allotting twenty days, with a possible addition of threq more, to the Estimates. Mr Dalziel's amendment proposing that the possible extra days should be fiva instead of thre3 was further dis- j cussed. The amendment was rejected by 179 to 141. The Mines (Eight Hours) Bill was then discussed. Mr Yoxall, whom the f -rtuo-i of the ballot had placed in charge of the Bill, moved its Second Reading. He contended that the wages and the hours of miners had nothing to do with the present high price of coals, as out of every shilling added to the price of coals the miner got one farthing only. The utmost limit of economic disturbance which the Bill would cause was to increase the price of coal sixpence per too, and it might only be a penny; and any restriction which it would put upon the outout would be merely temporary. Sir A. Hickman moved that the Bill ba read a second time that day six moniha It would reduce the wurk by two hours, and consequently reduced the output by twenty or forty miliion of tons. These two causes would add to the cost of gaining the coal two shillings, or it nrght be three shUiiogs, per ton. and wuuld compel the coal-owners to double the pric-. Mr Fenwick, representing the Northumbrinn and Durham miners, seconded the rejection of the Bill in a vigorous speech. The increase of sixpence, or even of threepence per ton, of which Mr Yoxall spoke, would drive the mining industry of the North ompletoly out of the foreigh market. Mr J. Wa'ton and Mr Atherlev.Jones (a Durham member) supported the Bill. Mr Keir- Hardie argued strongly in favour of the Bill. Sir J. Joicey, also a Durham member, opposed the Bill, and disputed the assertion that working miners were largely in favour of it. Mr Pickard, from below the Opposition gangway, moved that the question be now put. The speaker left the decision to the House, and put the motion for the Closure, which was carried by 231 to 184. The Amendment was then negatived by 212 to 199, and the Bill was read a second time. Heckling Mr. Chamberlain. | Mr Altrea uavies (It, Carmarthen Boroughs) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he would lay upon the table of the House evidence showing that the Chartered Company had a claim of jE5 to every £ 1 claimed by the late Transvaal Government for the Jameson Raid. Mr Chamberlain-No, sir; I have not received any claim of the kin.1 from the South Africa Company. Mr A. Davies asked whether the right hon. gentle- man would kindly consider the matter further, becanso that statement had been made on his behalf by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Chamberlain-I dont think my right hon. friend used the words in the question, but I can only say that no such claim has been made. Mr Alfred Davies—Will the right hon. gentleman say what words he refers to P (laughter). The Speaker-Order, order. Dr. Macnamara, in the House of Commons on Friday, endeavoured to obtain a promise from the president of the Local Government Board that he would appoint a committee to consider the administration of local authorities under the various Acts for the housing of the working classes, with a view to further assisting the local authorities in their efforts to deal with the pro. blem, but Mr Long merely replied that he was con- sideriog the matter. In reply to Mr John Ellis respect- ing the reduced rations given to wives of fighting Boers, Mr Brodrick informed him that the majority of the women bad gone to the camps of their own desire. Lord Kitchcner had informed him that sufficient allowance had been given to all families in camp, and that they were satisfied and comfortable. The remark produced a volume of Ministerial cheers. The Irish obstroction during the discussion of the Supplementary Civil Service Estimates was varied on Friday night by a great deal of criticism from a few English and Scotch members. Ono Nationalist moved the reduction of the vote cf £ 35,200 by j6200. Mr Akers-Douglas replied, and the amendment was rejected by 207 to 144. A further motion for a reduction by £100 oame from an English Liberal, and this, after more discussion, was also defeated by 211 to 149, after which the vote was agreed to. The next vote, which was for rates, and contribationa in lieu of rate, in respect of Government property, brought up Mr Caldwell with long complaints about some of the items and the irregularity of having such large Supplementary Estimates. Mr Austen Chamberlain ondeavoured to pacify him with the assurance that strong efforts would be made in future to curtail the practice of bringing fur- ward Supplementary Estimates. Mr Labouchere com- plained of the remissness of t'je Opposition in criticising the Estimates during the past few years. They had sat cowed on their benches, but they now intended to do their duty manfully and fight the Government in every way, withoot any desire, however, to obstruct. This cheering assurance brought Mr Dillon to his feet with the remark that the pre-ent debate had amply justified the Nationalists in the course they had taken upon those Estimates. Mr Field was emboldened to move a reduction of LIOO, but, as the reduction diminished the amount of the rates and contributions to be paid by Government on Government buildings, leu u^ndily ) withdrew it amid much laughter. Ua a so^.ihaentary vote of £6,000 for the Foreign Office, Mr Dillon pro- posed its reduction by Y,3,000, as a protest against the imperfect and late news telegraphed to the Foreign Office from Pekin. Lord Cranborne said there was no foundation for the cornpldint. The amendment was was rejected by 153 to 90, and the vote was agreed to. The supplementary vote fur the Colonial Office was the signal for Mr Dillon starting to his feet with a protest against the character of Sir A. Milner's telegrams Mr Lowtber (the chairman) would not allow him to dis uss the sabstanca of the telegrams under the present vote, and he then moved the reduction of the VQt-, by £3000, which Mr Labouchere supported. Mr Chamberlain said he was perfectly prepared to defend the telegrams at the proper time. The reduction was ultimately rejected by 141 to 91, and the vr te was agreed to. A vote of £ 1,015 for the office of Lord Privy Seal was obj ected to by Mr Dalziel, who ironically remarked that there should either be no salary at Pll attached to this sinecure office, or the Prime Minister should be paid, not by a paltry £2,000 a year, nor on the scale of a blackleg, but, at least, at the Uc-ionist rate of salary." Mr Balfour dbfendfd the revival of the salary attached to this office, and ala) the Cabinet arrange- ment it was designed to effect. The suggestion wss thrown out that tbe proper courso was to attach to the I office of Prime Minister an adequate salary, and not to revive the salary of the Lord Privv Seal. This found much favour on both sides of the House. Mr Balfour expressed his willingness to withdraw the vote if he was assured that a higher salary for the office of Prime Minister would be voted unanimously. Mr Labouchere, approving of this course, said he would not move an Amendment he had on the pap"r if the vote was with- drawn with that object, but Mr Balfour had said that the present vote was adequate for all purposes. As a protest against the revival of the salary of Lord Privy Seal, Mr Labouchero moved the reduction of the vote by £758, leaving the balanca for payment of the Prima Minister's Private Secretary. On a divhion, Mr Labouchere's reduction was negatived by 183 to 107, and the vote was agreed to. Lord Wolseley on the War Office System. Lord Lansdowne Talks Back. The debate in the House of Lord s on Monday night, on thB position of the Commander- in-Chief of the Army and his relations with the Secretary for War, created great interest, and brought down an immense number of peers belonging to both political parties j The D'le of Bedford rose from one of the back Mi'.ister?t benches to call attention to the present a^slcm of military administration at tha War Office. Be sp?o of the want of respoDsibUity Existing at the War Office, and on the withdrawal of power from the Cotnniander-in-Chief under the order in oouncil of 1895. Lord Hnglan, Under-Secretary for War, replied in a speech alpo of the greatest brevity. He lamented that he was called upon to defend the working of a great gygtetn within a week of his entering on bis duties at the War Umce. The eeseBee of the arrangements of 1895 was to decentralise the department of the Commander- in.Chief, and decentralisation necessarily meant with- drawal of power. He drew a strong line of distinction between supervision and control, and contended that, though many things had been withdrawn from the Commander-in- Chief's control, they had not been with- drawn from his eopervision. As his own room lay between the rooms of the Secretary of War and the Comm andor- in. Chief he was able to bear witness to the daily and almost hourly intercourse between the two officials, and he caused some laughter by the remark that there were times when he wished their communi- cations were less constant. He added that if the Com- wander-in-Chief was to control the working of every department of the War Office, no mortal man could I stand the strain. The speech of Lord Wolseley, for which everyone was waiting, came next, and lasted an hour. He would make his statement, he declared, as general and im- personal as possible, and would adduce no specific instances nor quote any particular correspondence to illustrate what he said. The gist of his complaint was that, while the system of 1888, which had been strengthened by Mr Stanhope, brought the Army almost abreast with modern ideas, and made the Com- mander-in-Chief, as military specialist, responsible for the discipline, education, military training, and fighting efficiency of all ranks, it had been overturned by the system of 1895. There was now no one soldier to whom the country could look as directly or professionally responsible for the military efficiency of the Army. It must depend on a statesman, almost invariably a civilian, whom the Prime Minister might select from among his political supporters. "Was this wise?" asked Lord Wolseley; was it business-like?" He proceeded to argue that the Commander-in-Chief should be restored to the responsibility he possessed before 1895; that he should receive the reports of the heads of departments, that he should be the sole military expert and adviser of the Secretary for War in all military matters, and that in the event of his advice being rejected, the issue should besllbmitted to,the judgment of the country. Lord Lansdowne's reply startled the House, as it amounted to a severe indictment of Lord Wolseley's administration of the office of Commander-in-Chief. He said that the real ifauc) was whether the War Office waa to be deprived of the right to take the advice of the great experts of the Army, and to divest them of their responsibility. The answer must certainly be in the negative. He admitted that the system of 1895 might be capable of improvement. The effect of the changes of 1888 had been to effect a stupendous centralisation of responsibility in the Commander-in-Chief, with the result that the Secretary for War could n';t get advice from the experts except by informal consultations. It had accordingly been almost universally condemned, and his own experiencs was that, the system of 189.5 had worked well. If there had been failures, as there had bwn in South Africa, it was because it had not been carried out as faithfully as it might have been. Lord Wolsele.v's account of the system of 1895 was a travesty of the facts. His complaint against Lord Wolseley was that he made his supervision smaller than it was. He did not give the system a fair trial. He did not avaii himself of the opportunities it gave him. He did occasionally initiate proposals, but he did so fit- fully and only when the spirit moved him. If he had watched his cpportuuities a little more carefully, things might have been somewhat different. If he had paid more attention to the duties assigned to him, he might have enabled the War Office to turn to better account the large number of auxiliary forces in this country, which had been not a little neglected during the last five years. He might have told the Government before the South African War that Ladysmith was not a very suit- able station for her Majesty's forces to occupy. He might even have warned the Government that it would take more than one Army Corps to subjugate the two Suuth African Republics. Replying to Lord Northbrook, be said that the paper would be produced, and, in answer to Lord Wolseluy himself, he said that the paper had been addressed to the Prime Minister. Lord Lansdowne proceeded still further in defence of his department, and on his resuming bis seat the debate was adjourned. After some formal business was disposed of, the suting terminated. In the House of Commons the questions were again numerous, but, for the most part, unimportant. Mr Balfour carried a motion to prevent the moving of amendments on the motion for going into Committee of Ways and Means, thus placing the Committee cn the same footing as Committees of Supply. He also carried a motion giving the Government the time of the House on Tuesdays, until Easter, for financial business. The House thereafter proceeded with the considera- tion of the Supplementary Army and Navy Estimates The Claim Against The Chartered Company. Mr Alfred Davies (R., Carmarthen B .roughs) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he could inform the House if the claim of the late Transvaal Government against the Chartered Company in respect of the Jameson raid was a British asset, and if so, whether he intended taking action against the company for its recovery, and, if no action is to be taken, would he explain the ground for so acting. Seeing that the Colonial Secretary was not present, ho asked if he could postpone the question nntil the morrow. The Chancellor of the Exchequer—If the hon. member will allow me to explain, I think I can satisfy him. My right bon friend (Mr Chamberlain) is unable to be here to-day, but he has sent me hia answer. Will that satisfy the boo. member ? Mr Davies — Yes (laughter). The Chancellor of the Exchequer-The claims of the South African Republic against the South Africa Company was £ 1,677,938 3s 3d., including LI,000,000 for moral and intellectual damages (laughter). This latter claim his Majesty's Government declined to entertain, as not .being reasonable. The question whether the direct loss proved to have been suffered by the South African Repoblic in consequence of the raid can now be recovered from British South Africa Company his Majesty's Government or the Govern- ment of the Colony is a qoestion upon which my right hon. friend is seeking the advice of the law-officers of the Crown. On the receipt of their opinion, the Government will take the whole matter into considera- tion- (Nationalist cheprs)--at,,d will communicate, if necessary, with Sir Alfred Milnerand with the British South Africa Company. I may add, for myself that I delighted to think there is a chance of obtaining money which I had no expected (Cheers and laughter). Mr Davies-May I ask why the Secretary for the Colonies did not come here? (" Oh, oh," and cheers, and cries of Smoke-room.") The Chancellor of the Exchequer—Because it was neoessary for him to turn to consult the Prime Minister on a matter of great importance (Renewed cries of Smoke-ro?m, and Ministerial calls for order). Sir John Brunner (R., Northwich)-May I ask whether the right bon. gentleman will be careful not to give up this claim. The Speaker-Order, order. That question does not arise on the answer which cannot be discussed. In the House of Lords on Tuesday, the debate on military administration was continued, and speeches were made by Lords Northbrook, Chelmsford, Dunrsven and Spencer, also the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Rosebery and Lord Salisbury". Lord Wolseley replied and the subject w? allowed to stop. In the Home of Commons on Tu sd%y, Mr Brodrick, the Secretary of State for War was asked whether he had any information was reference to the report that j General Butha had intimated his readiness to surrender on certain specific term". Mr Brodrick replied that he had no statement to make on the subject. There was little or no fresh war news on Tuesday. The report of the Committee on the organisation, arms, and equipment of the Yeomanry free was issued as a Parliamentary paper on Tuesday eveting. J Orders have been s:-nt to all Yeomanry headquarters stopping further recruiting, on the ground that the Government have a!ready obtained as many men as were rfquired, viz between 14,000 and 15,000' In the House of Commons on Tuesday Viscount Val6ntia, Comptroller of the Household, appeared at the Bar, and presented the following message from the Kin-- -11 1 have received with great satisfaction the loyal and dutiful expression of your thanks for the speech with which I opened the present sessioa of Parliament."

1 THE TRANSVAAL WAR On Thursday afternoon, 27th ult., several newspapers confidently announced that General Botha had sur- rendered to General French. In the House of Commons, late in the day, Mr Brodrick stated that the Govern- ment had no confirmation of the rumour, and next day the report was formally contradicted. On Friday, Lord Kitchener telegraphed from Pretoria that Da Wet bad been forced ncrth over the Orange River, and is now clear of Cape Colony. Two hundred prisoners had been taken by the British, and stragglers were being captured. Eighty men of Colonel Kitchener's Fighting Scouts were attacked by superior numbers, and, after a prolonged fight and twenty casualties, surrendered. A telegram from Pretoria announoed that Generals Smith-Dorrieo and Aldarson are clearing the country. They report large captures of stock, wiggons, and prisoners. Monday's papers contained particulars of the crossing of the Orange Ritffcr at Liliefontein by the Boers on Thursday. The commando, whioh numberad 1,500, was accompanied by Steyn and De Wet. The current washed the Boers a considerable way down the river but, notwithstanding this, they contrived to swim across and to take over five Cape carts, one horse waggon, and two ambu!ances. The men were in a desperate plight, suffering greatly from hunger. Many horses WAre left behind. Lord Litchener, telegraphing to the War Office on Monday, says that Dc Wet was moving on Phillipolis, but was headed by cur troops, and was now marching on Fauresmitb. General Babington dug up a Krnpp gun, a pom pom, and some ammunition at Landfontein. Captain Dallimore and sixteeen Victorian Rifles cap- tured thirty-three Boers and fifty horses on the Seacow River. In that district, over fifty, with a commandant, came in and surrendered on Saturday. COAGULINE.—Transparent Cement for broken articles. DEATH OF DR. OWEN, LLANDOVERY.—Dr Richard Jeffreys Owen, of Gollen House, Llandovery, died (aged 42) on Wednesday night, 26th ult., after a short illness from an acute attack of peritonitis. He was medical officer of health for Llandovery Borough, medical officer to: the No. 1 District in the Llandovery Union, and medical adviser to Llandovery College. Hd was not only well known for bis skill in his profeloion, bat also for the support he had given to all movements in favour of educational and agricultural advancement. He was lineally descended from the ancient Breconshire family of Jeffrejs of Llywel, married in 1897 the only daughter of the late George Jones, J.P., of Ystrad, and for the widow the greatest sympathy is felt. He was mayor of the borough during the years 1898 99. Dr. Owen was a Conservative, and a Churchman.

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GLASGOW'S ART TREASURES. A WONDERFUL COLLECTION FOR THE GREAT EXHIBITION. Mnnif or the more prominent members of the Ex-cut 1 vt; Council of the Fine Arts, Scottish History, end Arohacological section of the forthcoming G asgow International Exhibition have been in Loruioa during the past week, and have secured promises of hearty co-operation from prominent owners of pictures and works of art. Among those who have lent objects of art are hit Majps'y the King, H.R.H. the Duchess of Albany, the Dukes of Buccleuch, Fife, Portland, and Argyll, Lords Kosebery, Balfour of Burleigh, and Ancaster, 8,11 the principal Scottish peers, and all the English I)e-i-a who are also members of the Scottish peerage, Sir Charles Tennant, and Sir John C. Robinson. Among deceased painters special prominence has been accorded the leading Scottish artists, and from Lord Mansfield has been procured "The Village Politicians "of Wilkie, which, though well known by engravings, has practically never been seen by the present. generation. An especially noteworthy section will be that devoted to the pre-Raphaelites, as it will have a semi- hisforicat as well as an artistic interest. Some hit herto unrecognised leaders of the school, such as W. Dyee, himself an Aberdonian, and perhaps the first painter to put the tenets of the school into practice, will be represented. Madox-Brown, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Collinson, Wmdus, Inchbold, and Sandys, will all be there, while some of Millais's early work falls naturally into this section. The last-named painter is repre- sented, however, by 10 pictures in all, including "Chill October" and" The Black Brunswicker." Those romantic landscapists, Frederick Walker, George Mason, and Pinwell, will be seen at their best. Coming to more modern names, the leaders of the famous Glasgow school of to-day naturally have fared well at the hands of the Council, who have procured pictures by J. Lavery, James Guthrie, E. Walton, and J. M. Henry. Among English artists, either contributing themselves or whose pictures have been lent, are Holman Hunt ("Christ in the Temple' and The Awakening Conscience "), G. F. Watts, R.A., J. S. Sargent, R.A., Sir E. Poynter, P.R.A., Briton Riviere, R.A., J. W. Waterhouse, R.A., Gt-orsie Clausen, A.R.A., J. C. Hook, R.A., J. W. I North, A.R.A., J. McNeill Whistler, Sir Noel Paton, R.S.A., Sir George Reed, P.R.S.A., W. Orchardson, R.A., and Peter Graham, R.A. But the Art Section is as international as the purely commercial side of the Exhibition, and all the modern Continental schools will be represented by typical exhibits, France, of course, heading the list. The collection will be especially rich in examples of the Barbizon school, the Corots alone being pro- bably worth a visit to Glasgow to see. There will also be some excellent Meissoniers, some good examples of Monet, Manet, and the impressionist I Sisley. From Holland came tome fine Israels, Bos- booms, and Mauves.

r EXTRAORDINARY EXPLOSION. An alarming explosion occurred early on Monday morning at Higham, a small hamlet near Barnsley. A colliery contractor named Edward Earnshaw and his son, aged 14, were dressing for the pit in front of the kitchen fire, when a loud explosion took place, killing the lad outright and so injuring the father that he died almost immediately. The part of the house in which they were was wrecked, the whole of the ironwork of the fireplace being blown bodily forward and deposited in a cellar. Every atom of furniture in the room was smashed to atoms, and a wooden partition was also blown into the basement. Four children sleeping upstairs were unhurt, but Mrs. Earnshaw-who had only left the room a moment before to prepare lunch for the deceased- was stunned. In the adjoining house another miner was thrown across the kitchen. The actual cause of the explosion is at present unknown, but Earnshaw, in the course of his employment, was accustomed to use a powerful explosive for blasting purposes, and 151bs. of this was afterwards found in a cupboard near the fire.

COMMERCIAL EDUCATION. The Home Secretary on Monday, at the London Mansion House, distributed the scholarships and prizes won by candidates in the Commercial Educa- tion examinations conducted last year by the London Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ritchie said everyone was now alive to the fact that special commercial education must be given in our schools. The London Chamber of Commerce had been the pioneers in the matter, and he was glad to think that the County Council were showing themselves alive to the neces- sities of the case. It was certain we could not hope for success in competing with those who were better educated than ourselves unless we endeavoured to adopt their methods.

AN ARMED LECTURER. ONE OF THE AUDIENCE SHOT. A Protestant lecturer was mobbed at Shanklin, on Sunday afternoon. There had been some excite- ment in the town owing to the fact that the lecturer, Victor Michael Ruthven, an ex-pr:est, recently brought an action in the High Court of Justice against tho local priest, the Rev. Emil Debom, for libel. In this action Ruthven secured a verdict, with 40s. damages for libels in a pam- phlet issued by the Catholic Truth Society, while the priest succeeded as to a claim for a ei iticisin of Ruthven's lectures. When it became known that the ex-priest had determined to return to Shanklin for the commencement of a lecturing campaign, an organised opposition was prepared, and a gr0.t body of men were waiting outside the building on Sunday afternoon, and on a given signal a rush was made for the hall. The lecturer's ap- pearance on the platform was hailed with an angry outburst. A local medical practitioner rose and protested against the lecturer pro- ceeding. He also objected to the hall being let to the ex-priest, and declared that such a thing must be stopped. The lecturer attempted to speak, his subject being the confessional, but his efforts were greeted with howls and groans. He appealed to the audience's sense of fair play, but in vain. In the midst of the turmoil some of the men in front threatened, it is said, to storm the platform, where- upon the lecturer produced from his coat pocket a fi ve-cham bered revolver, which he declared he should use if assaulted. Without more ado a crowd of men swarmed on to the platform, but were kept at bay by the sight of the revolver. The lecturer, backing against the wall at tho rear of the stage, held the weapon in his right hand, the muzzle pointed downward, and his arm rigid. The noise at this time was deafening, and the rest of the audience were overturning the chairs in a pamc flight. At length, finding the situation getting hotter, the lecturer stepped sideways towards a I dressing-room door on his right, through which he finally made a bolt, pursued by the crowd. Rapidly descending a winding flight of stairs, he was confronted at the bottom by another mob, who had entered this passage from a door on the hall floor. To these he called out, Let me pass, boys." It seems that someone made for him, and the pistol was fired in an upward direction. The bullet struck a young man who was on a higher step, enter- ing the leftside of the neck and passing out by the right cheek. The wound bled profusely, and the youth was carried into the hall, which by that time was practically crowded. He was unconscious for several hours, but hopes are entertained that he will recover. Meanwhile the lecturer was allowed to proceed down a second flight of stairs, and after concealing himself for nearly an hour he walked into the living apartments of the caretaker and gave himself up to the police. He was safely lodged in the pr lice- station at Sandown, and, appearing before the magis- trate on Monday, was remanded. The prisoner re- presented to the Court that he did not use the weapon until he really feared that the mob would kill him.

Loiti) ALGEKNON PERCY, brother of the Duke of Northumberland, has joined Lady Algernon at Guy's Cliff, their beautiful place on the Avon. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL H. T. W. ALLATT, Command- ing 1st Battalion Royal Home Counties Reserve Regiment, at Aldershot, has been appointed Assis- tant Adjutant General for Pigeon Post for a period of six months. LONDON, whose population was not more thac 1,500,000 when Qlleen Victoria came to the throne, has now as large an aggregation of human beings within its boundaries as the whole of Ireland.