The Cardiff Times

LLANTRISANT. The annual eisteddfod organised by the Welth section of the Calvinistic Methodists was held on Good Friday under the presidency of Mr T. Richards, Glya. The adjudicators were :—Music I —Mr Philip Thomas, Neath iiteravure—Rev. J. G. Lewis, Tonyrefail fancy work — Mrs Williams, Ivy Cottage, Llantrisant. The accom- panist was Miss C. David, Cardiff. The winners were :—Pianoforte playing, Miss Roberts, Llan- trisant contralto solo, Miss K. David, LlGon- trisant best 50 lines on Youth," Rev. W. B. Griffiths, Llantrisant tenor solo. Mr Cadivor Davios, Cardiff; soprano solo, Miss Blodwen Davies, Llantrisant. easay, Mr J. Little. Llan- tjrisant bass solo, Mr G. Jenkins, Llantrisant quartette, G. Jenkins and party, Llantrisant solo for hoya, W. Owen, Llan chief choral, Tonyrefail Choir (conductor, Mr J. Richards).

LLANDYSSUL. The fifth annual eisteddfod was held on Good Friday at the Porth Assembly Rooms under the conductorship of the Rev. D. Egwys Jones, LIan- ayssul. There was a crowded attendance at both meetings, which were presided over by the Revs. E. D. Phillips, Peuybcnt, and *T. Arthur Thomas, Cerdin Villi. The adjudicators were —Music, Mr Timothy Richards, Ijampoter poetry, Mr T. J. Thomas, B.Sc., Sarnicol, County School, Merthyr; essays, Rev. T. A. Thomas translations, &vs. E, D. Phillips and E. Egwys Jones; recitations. Revs. T. A. Thomas and D. Eglwys Jones art:, Mrs Davies. Post Office; Mrs "Williams, The Tonn Mrs Davies, Albion Miss Jones, Richmond Villa, and Miss Davies, The Alma and Messrs D. Davies. architect, PeitriiiwIIau, and R. Jones, Prengwyn Smithy. The results ware :—Soprano solo. Miss Janes Jones, Gilfach Mills, Drefach contralto, Miss E. Jcnes, High- street, Llandyssal tenor, Messrs Evan Lewis, I Tregroes, and Mr Tom Thomas, Troedrhiwfer. Pcucader baritone, Mr Richard Jones, Pen- graigwsn duett. Messrs W. R. D. Jenkins and William Evans. Handyssul trio, Mr W. R. D. .1enkins and party quartette, Mr W. R. D. Jenkins and party and Mr Ben Davies and party, Drefaeh (divided)' ladies' choir, Mail- a'1 Chwmni," conducted by Miss Davies, Parky- ffynou; juvenile choir, Llandyssul, conducted I by Mr Tom Jones male voice party, Pencader, conducted by Mr Sam Davies, Grammar School chief choral. Pencader, conducted by Mr D. Davies, Quarry elegy. Mr William Jones, Ammanford song, divided between Mr J. Tydu Jones, Cilie, and Gwilym Elli, Burry Port stanzas, Mr J. Tydu JoAes. Cilie; essay. Mr W. J. Jones, Mona House, Maudvesol translation, Mr J. R. Thomas, Pontrhun, and •• Enterprise (name did not transpire) recitations, Messrs Thomas Davies, Chestnut Mills, and D. Evans, Pantglas. B\vlch\grocs; cycling stockings." Miss Reynolds (name did not transpire) walking I stick, Mr Evan Davies, Marble-terrace draw- ing, Master D. J. Jones, Lincoln-street prize bag, Mrs Davies, Marble-teri&ce, and Miss Thomas, King-street.

MORRISTON. A very successful Eisteddfod was held a.t Seion Chapel, Morriston, on Monday. The attendance was large. The results were :— Tenor solo, Mr Thomas J. Francis. Morriston Amy chwech rheswm goreu dros brydlondeb yn y Cyfarfouydd Crefyddol—Rev. H. D. Clement. Baptist minister, Cwmrhydyceidri juvenile choir, Morriston Children's Choir (Mr T. J. Francis conductor) pryddest, Coffadwriaethol i'r diweddar, Parch. R. Roberts, Treforis," Rev. Aaron Morgan, Blatnffos juvenile recitation, Miss Walters, Llangyfelach beddargraph, u I'r diwodd&r Parch. R. Roberts, Treforis,"Rev. H. Harries, Treherbert contralto solo, Miss Thomas, Glais; soprano solo, Miss Bowen, CWIll- bwrla recitation for adults. Miss Davies, Bath- road, Morriston champion solo, Mr T. J. Francis, PIorriston chief choral competition, Then round about the starry Throne, Maes- teg Choir. A concert was held in the evening.

LYDNEY. In spite of the wretched weather there was a good attendance at Mr Bathnrst's park, Lydney, ¡ on Monday, when prizes to the value of JE50 were given for vocal and instrumental contests. Mr Walter Reynolds, London, wa-s the adjudicator. The results were :— Band Contests.—1. 3rd V.B. Gloucester Regi- ment 2, Northfield. Birmingham 3, Coseley, Birmingham 4, Bristol City Mission 5, Aston Water Works, Birmingham. Male Voice Contest—1, Lydney, conductor, Mr C. B. Smale 2, Cinderford Baptist, Mr W. M. Everett 3, Plunkett's Glee Party. Instrumental 8010,-1. Mr W Potter. North- field Band, cornet 2. Mr Horace Jones, PilJo- { well Band, euphonium: 3. Mr G. Taylor, C-oseiev Band, comet.

CLYDACH. j The annual Easter Eisteddfod in concoction with Calfaria Baptist Chapel, Clyd&ch. was held 1 on Easter Monday. Sir Thomas Thomas, Clv. dach-Merthvr Collieries, presided, and Mr Lewis Hopkin, Cathslyd, conducted, whilst Mr Rees William?, Clydacb, presided at the piaac/erie. » .n- fl The adjudicators were —Music. Mr S. Davies, Maesteg literature, the B.ev. O. Waldo -ja i.e I D.D.. Cardiff Pitman s shorthand. Mr Llewellyn J. Davies. Clydach. Mr John L. Keats was treasurer, whilst "the secretary was Mr George Davies, A el fryn House. During tha proceedings Mr S. Davies highly complimented Mr John L. Rees, Clydach, upon his musical composition, "Ymclejthgau y Pereiinion." whicn was the chief choral test. Pile prize- winners were :Uto solo, Groeso i bawb a ddel," Miss Morfudd Jonathan, Ystalyfera recitation, Cyraru fy ngwlad," for children' divided between Miss M. Davies. Acliryn House, and Miss S. Jones. Clydach soprano solo. How beautiful upon the mountains —1, Miss Mary A..Jonathan, Ystalyfera 2. Misa Annie Davies, Clydach duett, Oes mae ha.rdd nefol Whl<Î 1:1 w0hbcm." for children, Masters Henry Lewis and George Beynon, both of Clydach poetry, Ffynonau filim," Mr Enoch Richards CP0rll::¡,nOg), Clydach best written copy of the 9th Psalm in Pitman's short- hand—1, Mr John J. Miller. Caegraig 2. Master T. Williams, Mount Pleasant musical compo- sition, Mr Philip Alexander, Graigcefnparc "iolin 8010-1. Master John O. Walters. !\forris- ton 2, Miss Hannah M. Rees, Mount Pleasant; tenor solo, Be thou faithful unto death." Mr David Lloyd, Morris con bass solo. "Merch y Cadben," Mr .Tolm Hopkin, Vardre, Clydach; recitation. Gwron* y Coaemaugh," Mr John Roberts, Wauncaecurwen history of Clydach and District, the Rev. T. V. Evans, Lietty'r Bugail, Clvdacli chaupion solo for soprano or contralto, Miss Lucy Anne Thomas, Pont&rdawe 80 lines of poetry on "Jacob in Bethel," Mr Enoch Richards (Perllanog), Clydach male voice, Can y Medelwyr," the Buildings Ma!o Voice Party (Mr W. Stanfield conductor) duet, Y Ddeilen ar y Lli," Messrs David Lloyd. Morriston, and J. Lewis,. Mynyddbach chief choral test, Ymdaithgan y Pereriniori (J. L. Rees, Pontardawc). The adjudicator only awarded half the prize. In the evening the Rev. 0, Waldo Jamcs,D,D.. delivered a humorous lecture entitled. Mein- died Pawb ei fusnes oi hun (Mind everybody his own business) to a large and appreciative audience. The Rev. T. V. Evans, Clydach, pre sided.

BRYNMAWR" SENSATION. Child's Body Exhumed-f On Tuesday Coroner H. H. A. Davies he?6 an inquiry at Brynmawr into the circumstances of the death of a child. the body of which had been exhumed after interment in the Jewish cemetery at Cefn. A post-mortem was held by Dr. G. H. Browne. Dr. Dennis Nyhan was present on behalf of the midwife, Mrs Elizabeth Davies, Glamorgan- street. Mr T. G. Poweli.solicitor,also watchea the proceedings on behalf of Mrs Davies. Barnard Jenkins, father of tho child, said the birth took place between 5 a,nd 6 on Thursday morning last. He knew the child was alive, as it cried for 15 or 20 minutes. The midwife had put the child with its mother, and about three-quarters of an hour later it was discovered tbat the child W/W (jew. Witness said he suggested that a doctor should be sent for. but the midwife sa,id he could not bring tho child to life. 1\0 doctor was sent. for, and the body was interred on Friday afternoon at the Jewish Cemetery, Cefn, on a certificate witll6S1!1 had received from a Mra Abrahams, who applied for it to the midwife. Witness had to go behind a partition to fetch articles when he remarked that the child was crying. The midwife and Mrs Morgan, with whoin witness lived, did not reply that he could not have heard it cn 1Irs Davies told him when the child was born that he had got a fine daughter. On Thursday night witness called upon Dr. Nyhan and apphed for a certificate. The doctor told him to go to Mrs Davies. After obtaining tho midwife's certificate that the child was stillborn, he re- turned to Dr. Nyhan, who said that was good enough. The child was afterwards interred. The next witness, Jacob Maries, sexton at Cefn Cemetery, stated that he interred the remains upon the certificate produced from Mra Davies that it was a siillborn child. Mrs Eva Morgan deposed that she saw the child immediately after the birth, and it was appa- rently dead. She never heard the child cry. The mother about half an hour after said she had heard the child cry. The farther also sa,id so, but witness and the midwife said this was not so. Witness stated that before the birth the midwifa suggested that a doctor should be sent for, but the mother objected. Dr. G. H. Browne said he was called on Friday, about 11 o'clock in thCl morning, to see the dead child. It was about 1 o'clock when he got there, and he was informed that the body bad been removed for interment. From a statement made to him, he reported the matter to the police. From the post-mortem he found that breathing had been carried on—in other words, that the child had had .a separata existence. In reply to the Coroner, witness said it could not have been very long in this case—it could not hake been before complete delivery. He would say that separate existence was at least five minutes. Judgmp from the &ppc*raace of the external portions of the lung, it might have been lusty breathing for ona minute. There was nothing to prevent the child crying, and in this respect he did not thirds the father s statement right as to time, nor did he think Mrs Morgan's statement was correct. He believed everything was done right in the circumstances. The cauia of death was non- inflation of the lungs. Police-seigeant Price proved the execution of the warrant Dr. Dennis Nyhan stated that on Thursday Jenkins asked him at 9.30 for a certificate for tho child, which he said was still-born. Jenkins seemed to under- stand svhat he said, and witness tohl Jenkins to get one from the midwife. When this was shown to witness he said it was all righ1. From the post-mortem the child had lived, but in his opinion it was more likely to have been for a. few moments tha.n for twenty or thirty minutes. Mrs Elizabeth Davies, midwife, said she arrived at the house about ten minutes before the birth. The child was dead at birth jp hpr opinion. She told Jenkins, and so did Mrs Morgan, that he cadi) not have heard thc child cry. Dr. Browne stated that Mrs Davies was a miawife of many years' experience. The jury returned a verdict that the child was born alive and had a separate existence, but died at the moment of parturition, and that the nurse did all that could be done under the circumstances.

"¡;'l.óI!' JACK ASHORE AT CARDIFF, ROBBED or H]I~BAKKNOTES. At Cardiff Police Court on Tuesday th4 magistrates (Mr F. H. Joiham and Mr T. W. Jacobs) were occupied for some time in investi- gating a charge againntBenjamm Sullv and Dora Brodie, each 45 years of Itge, of having stolen uine JES Bank of England notes, the property of Joim Cunnington, at 14. Christina-street 011 Thursday last. Prosecutor, a donkevnitm, from Middlesbrough, now lodging at 223, fcute-street, said he was paid off from his ship at Cardiff on April 1st. receiving JE52 3s lid from the Shipping Office. He received £ 50 of the money in £5 notes. He went to lodge with the two prisoners at 14, Christina-street. In addition to the money men. iioned, he had in bis possessior> .t5 in cash. Ov Thursday he had eight £ 5 notes leraai iiug. autt these were wrapped up in a piece of paper, which he placed in his breast pocket. He reeol. lected taking the notes out of his pockct at noon, and this was th41 last time he saw them. His loose money he carried in his trousers pocket. He went out for a waik with th* the prisoners in the afternoon, and retuxiiei about 6 o'clock. Soon ;i\ey be complained to th« prsoners that some of his money was mining., Prisoners said, Tom must have it," but he did not know who Tom was. They sent a lad with him into the street to point out Tom to biin. He went out with the intention of fighting Tom, ana left his coat and vest in the house. He di<l not see Tom and returned to the house. H.; picked up his coat Rnd waistcoat and found thll1 his pockets had been disturbed, and upon furthei examination he discovered that all tlie banknotes had been removed. He told prisoners that all hi1; money was missing, and ho- asked tham if they knew anything of it. The woman said she knew nothing of the money, and he thereupon charged the male prisoner with having taken it, but Sully sneered at bun and de- nied the accusation. He immediately went for a police officer. Evidence was called to prove the receiving of the notes by prosecutor. Barmen from the Cardigan Arms Hotel. Maria- street. and the Rotbenay Castle Hotel. Bute- street, were called and stated that the In:! t. prisoner called at those houses on April 4th and ordered drinks, for which he tendered £5 notes. The landlady of the Dinlyp Castle, Sophia- street. deposed to a virit made to the house by the male prisoner on the night of April 4tb. Sullv asked for two sicevcis of beer, and produced JES 10s, r.¡ which he asked her to hold £2 10s, and to make any deductions for refreshments supnlied to him. Sully returned twice the same night, and asked for a sovereign each time. She handed the balance of 10s to Detective Harries. A labourer, Joseph Jackson, sort-in-'w of titf male prisoner, said that Sullv called on him on Thursday evening, and asked him to go and cash a £5 note. Witness went out and endeavoured to do so, but failed. Sully and he then went to the Rothsay Castle Castle, where the former ordered drinks, tendering a £5 note in payment. The female prisoner's father, George Albright, deposed to handing to the police certain money which he had received from his daughter. Detective W. H. Harries said that he went to 14, Christina-street shortly after 10 o'clock on Thursday night in consequence of a statement made to him by the prosecutor. He told the Erisoners that prosecutor alleged that he hnd been robbed in that house, but both denied the accusation, and Sully said. The fact k ho has been with some girls." He searched the male prisoner and found on him £1 in gold and 12s 6d in silver. While he was searching the kitchen the woman left for the middle room, and he and Sergeant Davies followed and told her to return. As she was leaving the room she placed 80111e. thing in Albright's hand. winch transpired to h( a sum of money, beincr £2 in gold and 4s 6d ic, silver. He then told her she would have to go ta the police station on a charge of having robberj the prosecutor. She commenced to cry. and burst out. "I will tplltbet-nth: Hen Huily robbed him." The male prisoner lit once re- plied. It s a lie." Both prisoners were their conveyed to the police station. A search of the house was made and various small sums ol money were found in different rooms. Later j Le. female prisoner made a statement to the eftecf that Sullv told her he had taken a £5 note lions prosecutor's waitscoat pocket. She advised hint to return it. but ho refused. He went out. and Olt' returning he handed her £2 10s. saying, ller# is £2 10s for you, the other is for me." On be;ng formally charged Sully said no'binr. Brodie declared that she stole r.othiag. adding that Sully took the money fro: his trousori pocket and threw it on the table shortly belove the police isjae in. She put her liana or. a lia!e, a.nd it was this that she put in to her father'* hands, prisoners were coaimitted to take their trial at the Quarter Sessions.

SOU 1H AFRICA. 1 OCCUPATION OF PETERSBURG. Flight of the Enemy. AMMUNITION DESTROYED. Botha and Peace. War Office on Tuesday issued the *ovdag despatch from Lord Kitchener :— PRETORIA, April 8, 2 p.m. Plumer occupied Pietersburg. Opposition slight. Lieutenant Walker and one man killed. Lieutenant Sale was severely Wounded. All are of the Imperial Bushmen. Boers evacuated the town the night before Plumer's arrival, blowing up two truck loads of ammunition. We captured two engines and 39 trucks, Byng captured 16 prisoners, 50 horses, and depot of Boer stores at Bosmans Kop, near Smithfield, Orange River Colony. A detachment of about 100 men. of the 5th Lancers and 32nd Com- pany Imperial Yeomanry, under Ca¡Jt. Bretherton, was attacked 10 miles Ctorthof Aberdeen, in Cape Colony, by 400 Boers. After resisting from break of day ttatilll o'clock our force was sur- rounded and captured, 25 escaping. Lj»ofce.—Pietersburg is a town 240 miles north r^Jretoria, with which it is connected by rail- It is the chief town of the Zoutpansburg ■TT^iicts and the low country golcLfields. Hietera- has a population of some 2.000, and after Kruger's flight to Europe was made the JS^quarters of the Boer Government—such as was—under Mr Schalk Burger. This is the time Pietersburg has been occupied by the "{fetish. It is the most northeily town of any v^Portance in the Transvaal. The Boers have 'tow? contr°l of the only railway which ^^ained in their hands. following from Lord Kitchener was ■■Btted late on Tuesday night :— PRETORIA, Tuesday, 5 p.m. Plumer took 60 prisoners and a 7- ponnder gun at Pietersburg and de- stroyed 210,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and 1,000 rounds of 7-pounder ammunition and a consider- able amount of powder and dynamite. PLUMER'S PROGRESS. (Central News Telegram.) STANDERTON, Tuesday. has been received here of the complete jb^oss of Colonel Plumer, who ha3 occupied He did not meet with the least distance until beyond Pietpotgietersrust. (Beater's Telegram.) PRETORIA, Tuesdav. Petersburg was occupied yesterday. The 3? opposition offered came from snipers. One was killed. Botha and Peace. (" Morning Post Telegram.) BRUSSELS, Monday, declared in Transvaal quarters here that resumption of peace negotiations by Botha expected shortly. ^f^tha continues to plead the necessity for the Bin*8'1}011 of hostilities in view of the hopeless stiation of the Boer forces. B°THA'S CONFERENCE WITH DE WET AND STEYN. (Central News Telegram.) CAPE TOWN. Tuesday Evening. to a semi-official communique to q.?. Press the Boer Commandant Kritzinger is p^Scting the scattered commandoes still in jpe Colony. is presumed that De Wet is at present some- near Heilbron with ex-Presidenfc Steyn. *B reP°rted that Commandant General has returned to the Transvaal after con- ^Cring with De Wet and Steyn. FRENGH'8 WORK. (Central News Telegram.) STANDERTON, Monday Evening. developments of the great move- eastward are resulting from the recent of Commandant Grobelaar and the com- ^^dants in the east subordinate to him. j^robelaar's own special commando and 1,000 BjSabore the brunt of the fighting on the enemy's G*k was known to General French that fcri a:tl had started upon the desperate enter- of breaking back, and General Dartnell was fft especially to checkmate him. Our main took up a commanding position holding a in the Vryheid range of mountains right l'oss Grobelaar's probably route. „ *?r°belaar was practically taken by surprise, the unfavourable weather alone prevented force from being entirely cut up. As it was was very badly defeated and headed off south ^>3111. ki?:Q addition to the considerable number of Ued and wounded, 200 of Grobelaar's men Jp^nScrcd to Dartnell. They were in a pitiable ragged and hungry. Grobelaar, with the gS^Qantf! of hi3 forces, is moving as fast as pos- in the direction of the Zululand border. ENEMY'S CAMP CAPTURED. (Through Laffan's Agency.) CAPE TOWN, Tuesday, m j Government reports that Scheepers' com- gj^do has divided. The larger portion, under j^epera, is clinging to the mountains on the diffi^een-Murraysbiu-g road, an extremely Qicnlt country to operate in. The British have the invaders on the move with some success. Mullins, of Colonel Scobell's column, p^Ptuiing one of the enemy's camps near Roode- t'VOl't. 2 9a Saturday the Boers attacked a post on the «oe River, to the north of Aberdeen, which t: neld by a hundred men of the 5th Lancers, rjPerial Yeomanry, and Brabant's Horse. J-he British surrendered to superior numbers losing one killed and six wounded. patrol of 2nd Brabant's Horse under ajor Arbuthnot was captured in the dense bush last week. 1)1 Wand ant Fouchee has been kept moving is the Murraysbuxg and Richmond districts. He Sell aPParently awaiting instructions from jjj^epera, and invariably avoids an engage- nt. ^j.tzinger, after sending his worn-out men bcraes to join the sub-commandoes, broke Drieiontein towards the Middelburg teict, where he is probably awaiting a general ^uiration of the forces operating in that Ï¡o:Pa.t of the invading commandoes being driven attempted to swim across the Orange but failed. Some eventually crossed at ^J^ionlein, being aided by one boat. They attacked on the north bank and scattered, to the north. The railway has been &cked in a desultory fashion more than onco /"■^out loss. Stey ^et rePor'ce^ *° be west of Heilbron with ^as been staying-with De e'» hag returned to the Transvaal. A WARNING TO REBELS. (Renter's Tslegram.) CRADOCK, Monday. Mli Midlanc1 News learns tha.t a notice a^Pear the Government Gazette to- Cnwarning Colonists that acts of rebellion jjj/j^itted after the 12th inst. will not be tried the Special Tribimala Acts of last Session, by.tho old common law, the penalties under j^ch include capital punishment or any term of jPrisonrnent or fine which an ordinary court ay impose. GALLANTRY OF AN AUSTRALIAN PATROL. (Press Association Social Telegram.) g • NAATJWPOORT, Monday. e*«3ea.nt Sandford, of the Victorian Imperial has been recommended for the Vic- Cress in connection with an affair on the berg a few days ago, in which four Vic- 2 rescueed a comrade under circumstances demanded exceptional gallantry. Sandford j^fQlaanded the patrol, and brought away a dis- ajjJ^ted man on his own horse, being devotedly by his comrades. A small Boer com- J^"°i about 200 strong, is still lurking on the eiU>sterber^. a ENEMY LIVING ON MEALIES. to General French's sweeping moasxtres, in the ivianglo behind him, savs the, on "ruTl|lapcl correspondent, aare reduced to Irving bin ^^liea. In the west they still remain 'i0atile, and are over on the look-out to of iv ^tposts along the railway unawares. West line they are forcing the natives: to e^t^ein taxea and to grind mealies on pain- of Sj^ £ R8 UfJDEP. THE ONION JACK. Association's special correspondent Bloeinfontcin, under date March 10th, :—Yesterday I witnessed one of tha frjjj _5^tious scones of a campaign which has bean itioJ^JPri&es and contrast! It remindeii one 5tiEon °* where Dervish Soudanese billed*1 ta^en at cuc were enrolled and the next action aa an oftttauon. Considering tho load pro- '«?S3.ea the pn-rt of a portion of the enemy '"intended fighting to tho deaiii ,:1-0 Ioji;;

AFTER THE MAD MULLAH, Aden. Monday.—According to the latest despatches from Somaliland, tho preparations for a general advance of the Somaliland Field Force are proceeding rapidly. Two companies of the 1st Indian Corps, under Captain Phillips. R.E., are already at Odimeina, on the border of the Hants, a vast waterless desert, which it re- quires five days to cross, and where water and supplies mast be carried. The 2nd Infantry Corps, 500 strong, under Captain Macneil, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the Camel Corps, under Captain Bruce, R.F.A., and the Mounted Infantry, under Captain Walter Merewether, Indian Staff Corps, arc all converging on different routes on Buras, hoping to get into touch in a, few days with the Mad Mullah, who is now in the Dolbabandi country. The Dolbabandis are a, most numerous and power- ful tribe, with sploudi.d horses. They are full of fight, but the expeditionary force, under its ex- perienced commander, Colonel Swayne, 16th Bengal Infantry, will be quite equal to all that may be wanted of it.—Router.

ALLEGED MURDER, A Boy Committed- At Edenthorpe, near North Walsh am, on Monday, a coroner's jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder against Charles Childs, a boy aged only 12 years. The evidence showed thp,t I on Good Friday some children were gathering primroses by the roadside, when the accused asked Lilian Alexander, aged 9, to let him shoot at her basket. She refused, and he replied, I will shoot you." He at once put the gun which he was carrying to his 3houlder and shot the little girl dead on the spot. To some labourers who came on the scene Childs remarked that if ho had had another cartridge he would have shot himself. It appears that the boy took the ffan without permission from his master's house, The f lad was described by his master as being a dull boy, but he knew right from wrong. Childs was committed on the coroner's warrant to take his trial at the next Norfolk Assizes.

B-P.YSISTERIENGAGED. The Speaker of the Cape House of Assembly, Sir William Bussett Berry, whose engagement to Miss Baden-Powell, a sister of the hero of Mafeking, was announced on Monday, is a native of Scotland, having been born in Aberdeen in July, 1839, so that he is now in his 62nd year. He was chosen a member of the Legislative A-seembly in 1894, and re-elected and chosen Speaker in 1898.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. An Exchange Company's telegram says that a great fire occurred at Andover on Tuesday morning, during which, 25 houses were destroyed and 150 people rende red homeless.

A GUARANTEED CURE FOR FILES.— Itching, Wind, Bloeflinjr, or ProtrudingPil.cs- ^icnro, no pay. All (JruePiets'aro awthorisod by tho icohttr.io- turers,of T'azo Pile Olutment to refund the motiey where it fails to cure any csu'es of piles, no mattuc ol j how long standing. Cares ordinary cases iu sir tlays. J One application gives ease aad rest. This is a new discovery, and is the only pile remedy sold on a poai- tire guarantee. Price 2a 3d, of all diem;s(.s, or direct from Pari* Medicine Co. (Dept. 21), 28, ghee- itue, 1..oudo!J, r'G.

Cannibalism. A GHASTLY STORY. Singapore, Sunday.—A ghastly vale of suffering and cannibalism at sea has been brought in by the two survivors of the Nova Scotian barque Angola, 1,670 tons, Captain* H. Crocker, which was wrecked on a reef six days after leaving Cavite, in the Phillipines. The two men, Johannsen, a Swede, and Marti- comu, a Spaniard, state that the vessel left on October 17, and struck on the 23rd. Two of the crew were drowned, and the sur- vivors, seventeen in number, built two rafts, a small one, on which five men took refuge, and a larger one, which bore twelve, including Captain Crocker. The two rafts set out together, but the night after they started the five men disappeared. The larger raft drifted for twenty-five days, during which time the twelve underwent the most terrible agony, being entirely without food or water. water. They ate barnacles and seaweed, and even their boots. On the night of the twenty-fifth day two of the castaways went mad, and throwing them- selves into the sea were drowned. On the twenty-sixth day one of the sailors, a Frenchman, killed the first mate with an axe, and quenched his thirst with his blood. He also tried to eat some of the dead man's brains, but the other survivors refused to allow him, and threw the body overboard. The next day the Frenchman tried to murder the captain, but was stopped by the second mate, who wrested the axe from his hand and killed him. The frenchman's body was allowed to lie on the raft till night fell, and then the rest of the crew, who had also by this time become insane, ate portions of the body. On the twenty-eighth day of this terrible voyage the captain died, and his body also was eaten by the survivors. The ghastly tale of cannibalism was repeated again and again until there were eventually but two survivors. On the forty-second day after the wreck the raft containing these two men drifted ashore on Soubi Island, an island of' the South Natura groups. Their bodies were in an awful condition, but the natives, Malays, proved friendly, and kept them till they were well enough to continue their journey, when they sent them to Singapore in a junk.—London Express Telegram.

THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL. .8250,000 Requite. The Lord Mayor has received the following letter from Viscount Esher, the Hon. Secretary of the Executive Committee:— His Majesty's Office of Works, Storey's-gate, April 4, 1901. '•'My dear Lord Mayor,—The Executive Com- mittee have requested Mr Thos. Brock, R.A., to prepare a design for the groups, or groups of to prepare a design for the groups, or groups of statuary, which are to form, as you are aware, the memorial to the Queen, and are to be placed in front of Buckingham Palace. The rest of the scheme, involving a re- arrangement of the ground iu front ov the Palace, and possibly—should funds allow—a re- arrangement of the Mall, with an architectural entrance at the eastern end, bus been explained to the five distinguished architects selected by the committee, guided by the advice of the Pre- sident of the Koyal Academy and the President of the Institute of British Architects. Very wide discretion h:18 been given to them in the preparation of their designs, and it is not beyond reasonable expectation that Mr Brock, in collaboration with the architect ultimately selected, may produce a memorial worthy of Qneen Victoria and of the Capital of the Empire. A generous response has already been made in I many quarters to your appeal, but a very large sum, amounting to not less than £ 250,000, will be required to C3..ay out the scheme as conceived, and I am confident that the King's desire is that the memorial shall be national in the fullest acceptation of the term, and for this reason the General Committee would specially welcome small subscriptions from every class of the com- munity. It fe.as occurred to pie that a special appeal might be made throughout the land on the ?Abli May, Queen Victoria's birthday—a day which for over half a century has been specially I associated with her name. If the clergy of all denominations would assist, many of iimited means who, I am con- fident, would desire to con tribute an amount— however small—towards this memorial of the Queen would be enabled to do so, and if you will allow me to make a suggestion it would oe that you should make a special appeal for this purpose.—Yours sincerely, ESHER, Hon. Secretary. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor." The Executive Committee of the Queen Vic- toria Memorial Fund, appointed with the approval of the King by the General Committee, met at St. James's Palace yesterday. Those present were Viscount Esher, Lord Windsor, Sir Edward Poynter (president of the Royal Academy), Mr A. B. Freeman Mitford, Mr W. Emerson (president of the Institute of British Architects), and Mr Sydney Colvin. It was de- cided to ask Mr Thomas Brock, R.A., to prepare a design for a group or groups of sculpture, iu- eluding a statue of the Queen, which will be placed opposite the entrance gates to Bucking- ham Palace. It was further decided to invite I Sir Thomas Drew (president of the Royal Hibernian Academy), Mr Aston Webb, A.R.A., I Mr Ernest, George, A.R.A., Mr G. G. Jackson. R.A., and Dr. Rowand Anderson, R.S.A., Scot- land, to prepare designs for tb8 treatment of the western end of the' Mall, where the group or groups are to be placed and for a general schemc, should funds allow, to include an archi- tectural entrance at the Spring Gardens end of the Mall, as well as an architectural re-arrange- ment of the Mall with groups of sculpture at intervals, the whole forming a processional road. The plans are to be submitted to the committee in the course of the next three months. The Memorial Fund amounts to over £ 50,000. The latest subscriptions include £ 500 from Messrs J. and J. Colman, £ 100 from Mr Balfour, and £ 50 from Lord Kelvin.

QUEEN ALEXANDRA. Visit to the Empress Frederick. Copenhagen, Tuesday.—The Queen of England and the Dowager-Empress of Russia left here at 9.40 a.m. by special train for Nyborg. They were accompanied by all the members of the Danish Royal^ Family to the railway station, and pro- ceeded together in the train to Neumuenster. Here the Dowager-Empress went on to St. Petersburg, while Queen Alexandra continued her jonrnay to Cronberg, where she goes to visit the Empress Frederick. The Queen will stay eight days at Cronberg, and will then return to London.-Central News. The King paid a short private visit to London on Tuesday. He arrived at Paddington by I special train at 1.30, attended by Captain Seymour Fortescue, and accompanied by Sir Harry Keppell and Sir H. Stephenson, both of whom took leave of his Majesty at the station The King and Captain Fortescue drove to Portman-square, and lunched with the Duke and Duchess of Fife at their residence there. Shortly after three o'clock his Majesty drove to Marl- borough House, and at 7 p.m. left on his return to Windsor.

SODDEN DEATH IN THE DOCK. On Tuesday at Staffordshire Quarter Sessions t James Eyre, a fanner, of Abbot's Bromley, was I indicted for the theft of a. horse cloth at Bran- stone. While the evidence was being given for the prosecution prisoner fainted in the dock. He was laid on the floor, and assistance was given to him by the warders, but death ensued in about, him by the warders, but death ensued in about seven "minutes after the seizure. A doctor who happened to he in court went into the dock, and pronounced life to be extinct. Deceased was for- merly sergeant in the Grenadier Guards, being discharged in!882 conduct and character good." Ha was then sergeant in the Metropolitan Police, which he left in 1S97 with a special accident pen- I sion and a certificate oi good ctiarac- 1

Russia's Attitude, FROM A RUSSIAN POINT OF VIEW. (Reuters Telegram.) St. Petersburg, Monday.—The semi- ,official" Journal de St. Petersburg to- day publishes the following :—" The official communication, a French trans- lation of which we printed yesterday, con- tains a detailed exposition of the attitude oi Russia with regard to the question raised by the troubles which broke out last year in China. That attitude had al- ready been very clearly set hrth in pre- vious official communications. The Russian Government adheres to them en- tirely, being actuated by the principles which guide the whole of its policy alike in the affairs of the East and iu its relation with foreign Powers. The standpoint ot the Russian Government in reference to the question pendiug was determined by its situation in regard to China, which is the neighbour of Russia over a vast extent of frontier, and by a desire to restrict as far as possible the field of complications iu the Far East. Pursuing no purpose of ter- ritorial aggrandisement and firmly resolved in consistence with its traditions to uphold; the principle of the integrity of the Chinese Empire, the Russian Government in face of events in China set itself at the outset a very limited task from which it did not in. tend to deviate, its guiding motive being regard for pacific and humanitarian con- siderations. Acting in general accord with the Powers it took part in the operations for the relief of* the besieged l egations and foreigners, and assisted in preventing a renewal of the disorders of the last year. At the same time it held the opinion that in the claims to be presented to China there was reason for demanding only what was indispensable and practicable. Apart, however, from the questions in which all the Powers had a common interest was one which had been created by the attacks on places along the Russian frontier, and by the damage caused to the Chinese Eastern Railway, for the construction of which a special agreement had been con- cluded between Russia and Chiua. The Russian Government had been obliged to send troops into Manchuria while enter- taining none of those schemes of annexa- tion which certain foreign newspapers had ascribed to it, and pretending to no protec- torate. The railway in qnestion is one of universal interest, but it is due to the efforts of Russia that it came to be con- structed. It was, therefore, necessary to make certain that the work could be prosecuted in future in all security, and it was the obtaining of guarantees in this respect that the Russian Government had in view in the recent negotiations with the Chinese Government. It is self-evident that no military measures for the gradual evacuation of Manchuria could be adopted until those guarantees were given by China. From the moment when the con- clusion of an arrangement to this effect became impossible by reason of the ob- stacles encountered by the Chinese Gov- ernment, Russia, while abiding faithfully by her political programme, resolved to wait until a normal state of things is re- established in China and a central Govern- ment, independent and sufficiently strong to offer guarantees against the renewal of recent disorders, is restored to power."

M. LOU8ET AT NICE. Nice, Monday Evening.—President Loubet arrived here at 10.30 this morning. He was received with a salute of 101 guns due to him as Chief of the State. M. Loubet, who appeared to be in the best of health and spirits, was in even- ing dress, with the Ribbon of the Legion of Honour. He at once entered an open carriage, and drove through the crowded streets, escorted by a. squadron of Cuirassiers, followed by the Alpine troops, whose flag was loudly cheered by the people. In a second carriage were M. Del- casse. Minister for Foreign Affairs and General Andre. The weather was fine but dull. and the Presidential party was wall received by the populace. The route from the railway station to the Prefecture is beautifully decorated with flowers, shrubs, and Sags, and at several points fine triumphal arches have been erected. M. Loubet entertained the local authorities at lun- cheon at the Prefecture, and at 2 o'clock he pro- ceeded to the agricultural show on the Prome- naae des Anglais, subsequently inaugurating the new buildings of the Agricultural Society on the Square Maguan. Then he drove across tlie town to the Place d'Armes, and witnessed a grand display of gymnastic societies. The President is being entertained this evening as the guest of the Municipality, covers being laid for 300 guests.—Central News.

PEERAGE CASES. The House of Lords Committee of Privileges has the prospect of an unusual amount of work before it in the course of the present year. Fore- most among the peerage claims which it will be called upon to investigate are those of Charles Botolph Joseph, Lord Mowbray, Segrave, and Stourton. to the earldom of Norfolk, and of Marcia Aurelia Mary, Countess of Yarborough (Baroness Conyers in her own right), and Violet Ida Evelyn, wife of George Charles, Earl of Powis (co-heiresses of Sackville George Lane Fox, Lord Conyers) to the Baronies of Darcy de Kuayth, Meynill, and Faueonberg. The Earldom of Norfolk, which Lord Mowbray is now claiming, is presumably (says the Daily Graphic ") that which descended, together with the Baronies of Mowbray and Segrave, to Anne, only daughter and heiress of John de Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, &c. This Anne died about 1478, having been affianced to the younger of the two sons of King Edward IV., who were murdered in the Tower. Dying without issue her dignities either reverted to the Crown or fell into abeyallae between the representatives of her two great grand aunts, of whom Margaret married Sir Robert Howard, of whom was bom John, Lord Howard, created in 1483 Duke of Norfolk, ancestor of the succeeding dukes. Philip, sixth Lord Darcy, dying in 1418 with- out male issue, the Baronies of Darcy and Meinill fell into abeyance between his two daughters and co-heiresses, Elizabeth, who married Sir James Strangeways, and Margery, who married Sir John Conyers. The latter's descendant, John, Lord Conyers, died in 1557, leaving his daughter Elizabeth, whose issue in 1644 became sole heir, married to Thomas Darcy. The late Lord Conyers, who died in 1888,was sole representative of this, the youngest, of the two co-heiresses. It should be noted, however, that the elder of the co-heiresses (according to Coll. Top. et Gell. Vol. VIII., p. 152, quoted in Cokayne's Peerage) left no fewer than eight sons and four daughters. The Barony of Faueonberg dates from 1295, when Walter de Fauconberg, of Skelton Castle, was summoned to Parliament by writ of Edward 1. The late Lord Conyers's claim is as repre- senting Alice, youngst co-heiress of William Nevill, sixth Lord Faaiconberg and Earl of Kent, to whom the barony had come through his wife Joana, daughter of the fifth Lord Faueonberg. So far as is known no legal proceedings have yet been instituted for the determination of the Poulett earldom.

DRILL FOR BOYS. The inadequacy of the physical training given to the youth of the country in our elementary schools has at length become apparent to the responsible authorities, and a departmental com- mittee is now engaged in an exhaustive inquiry into the matter. Earl Roberts is taking an active interest in it. Recently his secretary wrote to the headmaster of the Cripplegate Ward School for a copy of a little book describing the summer camp scheme which h&s bsen in opera- tion for over ten years in tha,t school. The headmaster has just been favoured with the following communication :—" Dear sir.-Pleaso accept my best thanks for the book Heirs to a Great Heritage,' which you have been good ¡ enough to send me, and which I have read with interest. The City Bovs' Country Camp "scheme is one which particularly commends itself to mc, and I think an organisation like yours is most conducive to the welfare and moral training of boys. I feel sure, moreover, that the discipline which must necessarily be observed in camp life must prove of great benefit to them in after years. I note with pleasure that twenty-one of your old camp boys served with me in South Africa. Believe me, yours very truly,—Roberts, F.rd."

'ANOTHER MEDICAL BLUNDER. The Central News says :—A Birmingham medical man named Smith by mistake forwarded to a patient, a young girl, a bottle of tincture of ferride instead of a common mixture, and after taking one dose the girl was seized with terrible I pains and died in a few hours. At the inquest on Tuesday night the doctor declared that a single dose of the tincture could not have caused death, and that the girl s condition was already hopeless. The jury, however, returned a verdict of Death by misadventure," and expressed an opinion that the doctor had been very careless. t

At Lancaster Quarter Sessions on Monday I a Midland Railway guard named James Huntley, j aged 49, was sentenced to five years' penal ser- < vitude for stealing jewellery, ifec., from j passengers' luggage on journeys between More- j. cambe and Leeds and Bradford. His guilt was discovered by the company's detectives, who marked coins and placed them in a box labelled for Hellificld. These were found on prisoner when arrested. Huntley had been 28 years in the company's service, was married, and bad five children. •

The Recovery of the Gainsborough. INTERESTING DETAILS. Official Statement. The Press Association states that on Monday evening- Mr Morland Agnew arrived in London, having brought from America the long-lost por- trait of the Duchess of Devonshire, by Gains- borough, which is now lodged with Messrs Agnew's bankers. Mr Morland Agnew said he had not the slightest doubt about the genuine- ness of the picture. It was slightly smaller than when stolen, some of the margin having been removed, but he was quite convinced it was the real article. He added that he went to the United States about three weeks ago owing to a communication from the police, to see whether he could identify the painting. This he had done at Chicago. An official statement was afterwards issued by Mr Lockett Agnew, another member of the firm, which said that the Criminal Investigation Department of Scot- on land Yard ascertained that the stolen canvas was hidden in a town in the Western States of America, and the English officials, acting in communication with Mr Pinkerton, of the National Detective Agency of Chicago, in- formed Messrs Agnew of the fact. It will be remembered that the painting was purchased at THE FAMOUS GAINSBOROUGH J the Wynn Ellis sale in 1876 for £10,605, a sum which, up to that date, was the highest ever paid at Christies' for a single picture. Mr Lookett Agnew added that he had seen the picture, which was in a beautiful state of preser- vation. He warmly acknowledged the services rendered by Scotland Yard. In answer to inquiries he said that he did not know what vicissitudes the painting had undergone, or how it was discovered. Mr Lockett Agnew added that the picture would be exhibited at their establish- ment in Bond-street, but that would not be for about three weeks. He added that there was no foundation for the story as to the firm having paid a reward of £ 5,000. They would not have to pay much. How the Picture was Recovered. New York, Monday.—The circumstances of the recovery of Gainsborough's lost Duchess are as follows :-Detective Wm, Pinkerton was in converation with Pat Sheedy, who related the manner in which he had been able to repay an obligation which had rested on him for years, and mentioned the name of the man to whom he had been indebted. At this point Pinkerton exclaimed, That is the man who stole the Gainsborouh." Sheedy immediately volunteered to secure the return of the picture if proper ar- rangements could be made. Sheedy said his friend had turned over a new leaf, and wa.s now living honestly in England. He was the father of children who were nearly grown up, and were ignorant of their father's offence. Sheedy first exacted a promise from Pinkerton that no at- tempt should be made to discover the identity of his friend while Sheedy was opening the nego- tiations. He made a trip to England, and found that his friend was more than willing to permit the return of the picture. He thought, however, that he was entitled to £ 5,000. This proposition was made to Mr Moreland Agnew, who directed that all further communications should be addressed to Scotland Yard. At this juncture the matter was placed in the hands of Detective Robert Pinkerton, with whom Sheedy had hitherto conducted the negotiations. Im- munity for the thief was promised, and he came to the United States. Mr Agnew being con- vinced -that there was a prospect of the return of the canvas, came to the United States by the Etruria, accompanied by his wife. Five thou- sand pounds was placed in Sheedy's hands, and he obtained possession of the picture, which was concealed in a trunk with a false bottom. The transfer was made on March 27th at the hotel in Chicago. According to tho" Herald," an under- standing was entered into by those aware of the transaction whereby Sheedy received a reward of £ 2,000. The Herald also states that the police say that the man who stole the picture is named Adam Worth or Wirth. and is well known to Scotland Yard. An afternoon paper states that the thief was not at the hotel when the picture was delivered. As soon as Mr Agnew had identified the picture the money was paid over to a gambler, who was there pledged not to reveal the name of the thief or that of the man who had actCd as go-between.—Reuter. The Alleged Thief. New York. Monday.—It is accepted here that the picture secured at Chicago by Mr Morland Agnew is undoubtedly the long-lost Duchess of Devonshire by Gainsborough. Apparently a pledge was given that the thief should not be prosecuted, and that his name should not be dis- closed. The name, however, is known to more than one person in the United States, and the newspapers are-showing their usual eagerness to obtaip it and publish it to the world. All, how- ever, that has been gleaned so far is that the thief was at one time an American millionaire, but that at the present time ho is comparatively poor. He has a son attending a well-known English public school, and has three daughters in convents in France.—Central News. Mr Lockett Agnew Interviewed. A Central News representative on Monday evening had an interview with Mr Lockett Agnew. Ho said it was just a month ago that the Scotland Yard authorities informed him and his partner that Mr Piukerton believed he had discozered the lost Duchess I of Devonshire in America. It was suggested by Scotland Yard that one of the partners should go to America for the purpose of inspecting it. Mr Morland Agnew set out at once. Meanwhile Mr Pinkerton had had made the necessary arrangements, and had gained possession of the canvas. Mr Morland Agnew went to a place of meeting, previously arranged—a certain hotel in Chicago—anii there the painting changed hands. The transfer was made a week ago last Friday. Directly Mr Morland Agnew had the painting in his possession he wired to his cousin, Mr Lockett Agnew, that he had secured a Gainsborough, which was ah intimation that success had been attained. On reaching London on Monday after- noon Mr Morland Agnew drove to his cousin's house in Portman-square, where Mr Lockett Agnew examined the picture, which he found in remarkably good condition. The onl ydefects are two slight flaws, which are comparatively unim- portant. After the examination of the picture it was taken to the bank of the firm, where, for the present, it will remain. Asked whether there was any truth in the report that the recovery was effected through Pat Skeedv, the well-known gambler, Mr Lockett said, No. As for that tale my cousin had never heard of the man till he landed to-day. The whole of those tales in the papers are bosh.' Continuing, Mr Agltew said that neither he nor his cousin was aware of the exact v/ay in which Mr Pinkerton gained posses- sion of the canvas. The matter was worked out between him and the Scotland Yard authorities. There was no truth in the statement that the firm had consented to conceal the idencity of the thief, not to press the charge and to pay a big reward, said Mr Agnew. "We shall, of couvae, be very pleased to pay one, but we have nor, offered one to any- body at present, nor do I know of one in contem- plation. The original reward offered was £ 1,000. We shall be delighted to pay a reward, but nothing has been done in the matter at present. We have not paid anything—except a few ex- penses of cablegrams, and so on." Mr Agnew discredited the story that the thief had returned to England in the same steamer with Mr Morland Agnew. He and hi3 partner had had dealings with no one but the authorities on the matter. Mr Agnew, referring again to the efforts made to discover the picture, said that the matter had engaged the attention of the authorities for years. It was, however, absurd to say that nego- tiations had now been opened by one or other of the partners with the thief. As a matter of fact," the man on whom the authorities had an eye as being connected with the tb,e £ t died three years ago.

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR. On Sunday night a young lady was passing the gates of T&tton Park, near Knutsfora, when she came across the body of a man lying in the roadway. She raised an alarm, and on the arrival of the police it was found that the stranger had been shot in three places. One of the shots had penetrated the heart, causing instant death. No weapon could be found on the body or in the vicinity of the tragedy, and it was therefore concluded that a murder had been committed. The body was subsequently identified as that of a tailor named Bold, who had been working at Knutsford.

KILLED AT QUAKER'S YARD. The body of Edward Matthews. 64, platelayer, v. as found on Easter Monday morning, by W. Bennett, in the four foot" of the T.Y. Railway, at Quaker's Yard. His legs were severed, ana there was a wound upon his head. Deceased had travelled with Thomas James on the previous evening to and from Merthyr. but James did not see him alight. It is supposed deceased fell upon { I? line, and was run over by a pilot engine. «

POISONED BY MUSSEL SOUP. DEATH OF DR. IVOR LEWIS. We regret to announce the death, under pain- fully sudden circumstances, of Dr. Ivor Lewis, of Porth. Dr. Lewis was at Porthcawl on Monday playing golf, and in the evening returned to Car- diff, going to the County Club to dinner on his arrival. Shortly after commencing dinner Dr. Lewis fell ill, and adjourned to another room, where he died in less than an hour. Dr. C. T. Vachell and Dr. Herbert Vachell were summoned, but the doctor was beyond help. Dr. Lewis sat down to dinner at a. few minutes after eight. The first course consisted of mussel soup, of which the deceased gentleman took only a small quantity. Mr H. J. Simpson was dining with the doctor, and the conversation, strange to sar, turned on the number of persons who had died through eating mussels. Almost immediately afterwards Dr. Lewis left the table. At a quarter to nine he was dead. The club authorities at once communicated with the deceased gentle- man's relatives by telephone, and did every- thing they possibly could in the circumstances. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. The news of the tragic death of Dr. Ivor Lewis, J.P., did not become generally known until Tuesday morning at Porth and Cymmer, where it caused a profound sensation. He was one of the best-known medical practitioners in the Rhondda VaJley, and enjoyed a large share of popularity. He possessed an unusually bright and happy dis- position, was always a boon and happy com- panion, and his genial face wiII be missed by a very wide circle of friends. He enjoyed a large practice, and had resided for about 25 years at Cymmer, being medical officer not only to the workmen employed at Messrs Insole's collieries, but also to those of the National Collieries, Wattstown. The deceased gentleman was about 53 years of age, being born in 1848 at the Angel Inn, LIantrisant. His father was the late Mr Josiah Lewis, and his deceased mother was a Miss Plumpton, a Devon- shire lady, and a sister to the mother of Mr Evan John, J.P., Llantrisant. He was the only child of Mr Lewis by his first wife, his second 'being Mrs Morgan, the widow of Mr Evan Morgan, Tynycymmer, for whom he acted as his agent. Upon leaving Llantrisant, when the deceased was a lad, his father lived at Tyny- cymmer Hall, Porth. Dr. Lewis was educated at the National Schools, Llantrisant, and subse- quentlyat a Bristol grammar school. Upon leaving the latter he was articled to Dr. Taylor, Cardiff, and after entering Guy's Hospital he qualified in 1875. His first practice "was at Llantrisant, being appointed doctor for the local tin works and the Meiros Colliery, and he was married soon after to Miss Rhoda Cook, daughter of Mr Robert Cook, Brynteg, Llantri- sant. Some years later he left for Aber- gorki, Rhondda Valley, a.nd having been there a short time ho went to Cymmer about a quarter of a century ago, when the steam coal measures were being developed at the collieries. He was appointed medical attendant to the workmen, and subsequently to those of the National Collieries. The deceased gentleman was a keen, all-round sportsman, a capital shot, and a first-rate cricketer, and had, we believe, represented his county on more than one occasion. He was very fond of baseball, a.nd also lately of golf. He was placed on the commission of the peace some years ago, and as a magistrate was faithful to his duties and Constant in attendance at the Porth Court. Politically he was a Con- servative, and was vicar's warden at the Cym- mer Church. He had no ambition to serve on public authorities, but for many years until lately he was a useful member of the Pontypridd Board of Guardians, of which his father was vice-chairman when the late Mr Williams, of Fairfield, occupied the chair. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and eleven children, viz., five boys and six girls, the youngest being about six years of age. The eldest daughter is married to Dr. Cochrane, medical officer of the Windsor Collieries, Aber, and Lilic, the eldest boy, is a medical student at Guy's Hospital. Sidney is articled to Mr H. Cousins, solicitor, Cardiff the next son, Ivor, was one of the first to join the Glamorgan Yeomanry, and is now on his way invalided home from South Africa, where he was laid low with enteric; Willie is articled to Messrs Walter Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas, solicitors, Pontypridd, and the youngest boy is a student at Brecon College. The five other sisters are at home. Mr "Bob Lewis, London, son-in-law of Dr. Evan Jones, Aberdare, is half-brother to the deceased doctor. Coroner's Inquiry, On Tuesday evening Mr E. Bernard Reece, coroner for the Cardiff district, conducted an inquiry at the Cardiff Town Hall into the cir- cumstances of the death of Dr. Ivor Lewis, of Porth, who expired suddenly at the Cardiff and County Club on Mondav night. Mr Evan John, of Llantrisant, cousin of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. Mr H. J. Simpson said he had known the deceased gentleman for many years. On Thurs- day last they travelled together down to Porth- cawl, Dr. Lewis joining the train at Bridgend. The deceased played a great deal on the golf links during the holidays, and seemed in excellent health the whole time. On Monday afternoon witness and Dr. Lewis played golf together, travelling up from Porthcawl to Cardiff by a,n evening train. They dined at the County Club, where tbev arrived a few minutes before 8 O'CIOCK Deceased, who seemed gaito wall, had a plateful and a. half of mussel soup, and after that a little steak, after which he com- plained of feeling poorly, remarking, I am afraid I am suffering from indigestion," which deceased thought arose from the mussel soup, of which he had never partaken before. Witness suggested that Dr. Lewis should go to the lava- tory and try to vomit the soup, and the deceased gentleman fell in with the suggestion. Ten min- utes later Dr. Lewis just looked in at the door of the dining-rom, and shortly after a waiter informed witness that Dr. Lewis wanted to see him. He immediately left the dining-room for the hall and found that Dr. Lewis had gone into the smoke-room, where he followed him a.nd found him standing. De- ceased remarked, I nra very bad, old man-feel my pulse," and he drew witness's attention to the beads of perspiration standing on his fore- head. Dr. Lewis then fiat on the couch, and a pillow was brought and placed under his head, deceased remarking just before he lay down, I am poisoned, old man," and in witness's opinion the reference wag to the mussel soup, as at dinner, before the soup was brought up, deceased remarked that he understood mussels were poisonous. and witness observed in reply that they frequently had them at the club and found them all right. At witness's request the steward brought a glass of hot milk, he having heard that it was good in case of discomfort arising from shell fish. He believed deceased took a wine- glassful. Dr. Lewis speedily became uncon- scious. The last words deceased uttered were, "I am poisoned, old man," and within a few minutes he was dead. The Cotoncr You took some of this soup, Mr Simpson ?—Yes, two platefuls. And I believe you experienced no ill effects ?— None whatever. I believe Dr. Lewis had suffered a great deal lately from indgestion ?—I did not know it until to-day. The evidence of Mr Joseph Rspper, head waiter of the Cardiff and County Club, was chisfly in corroboration of that given by Mr Simpson. Wit- ness said he also partook of some of the mussel soup, and experienced no ill effects. He could not say whether Dr. Lewis was sick. Mr Simpson I asked him if he had been sick, and he told me he had not. Dr. Herbert Vachell said he wus summoned at 8.50, and immediately proceeded to the club, arriving a few minutes before 9 o'clock. He ex- amined the deceased gentleman, and found life extinct. In conjunction with Dr. Mitchell Stevens he had since made a post-mortem ex- amination of the body. He discovered a layer of fat encircling the upper portion of the heart, and encroaching on the muscular tissue of that organ. The stomach was enormously distended, causing a bulging of the diaphragm in the neighbourhood of the heart. The membranes of the stomach were congested, and certain patches much so. The Coroner What do yon consider caused this condition do you believe it was the mus- sels ?—That is my opinion, because mussels are in the list of substances that will produce an effect of that sort. In fact in some people mus- sels produce results similar to irritant poisoning. What was death due to ?—To failure of the heart's action brought on by the distension and congestion of the stomach. And this you say was caused by eating mus- sels ?—That is my opinion. Dr. T. J. Davies, Wattstown, one of the de- ceased gentleman's assistants, said that Dr. Lewis had complained to him about his heart recently. A verdict in accordance with the medical evi- dence was returned. The Coroner said they all sympathised deeply with Dr. Lewis's family. To him the death of Dr. Lewis was a great grief, for he had known the deceased gentleman for many years, and had always highly esteemed him.

THE BUTE DOWRY. The late Marquis of Bute presented £1,000 to the borough of Cardiff, the principal to be invested and the interest to be given yearly to some girl of the poorer classes, domiciled in Car- diff, whose marriage might be facilitated by the receipt of such sum. The money was invested in India Stock, and this year the interest amounts to £26. The Mayor received eleven applications for the dowry, and after consideration his Wor- ship selected Mary Lynch. Miss Lynch is a domestic servant, aged 28, who has been for ten years in Cardiff, 9$years of which she has been in the service of Mrs F. J.pByrne, of 181, Rich- mond-road, Cardiff. She wishes to marry John Collins, a labourer, of the same age.

PENRHYN DISPUTE. The men on strike at the Bethesda Slate Quarries on Monday determined by a majority not to resume work on the conditions offered by Lord Penrhyn. It is now probable that the works will be closed for an indefinite period.

Dr. Warre, the headmaster of Eton, who has received the Royal Victorian Order from the King, has amply deserved his recognition. H. .aabeen associated with the famous schoo) over which he presides since the time of the Crimean War, when he sat there as a scholar. Forty years ago he became assistant master, and in 1884 he was appointed to the headmastersaip. He is a Fellow of All Souls, and an Hon. Fellow of Balliol. Dr. Warre, who designed the famous Brocas boat of the winning 'Varsity crew of 1901. was rowing in the Oxford boat before most of us were born. He will be an old man soon, in spite of his vigour a few weeks ago he reached his 64th birthday.

MOUNTAIN ASH. The seventh annual Eisteddfod in aid of the I Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital was held on Easter Monday in a marquee capable of seating 10,090 people, erected on the Poplar Field, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr W. S. Davios, manager of Messrs Nixon's Collieries. Around the field were also erected smaller tents, in which the preliminary tests were conducted on the I various solos, &c. In another portion of the field the brass band and drum and fife band contests were held. as well as the ambulance j competition. All through the morning trains brought visitors from every direction into the I town, till the streets were almost impassable for I town, till the streets were almost impassable for the crowds which filled them. The preliminary adjudicators were :—Messrs Harry Evans, F.R.C.O., Merthyr and R. Howell. Aberdare. The adjudicator in the band contests was Mr J. W. Bewick. At 10.30 the Eisteddfod opened, the chair being taken bv Mr II, E. Gray, agent, and director of Messrs Nixon's Collieries Company. The con- ductor was the veteran eisteddfodwr, Mr William Bevan, of Mountain Ash. The adjudicators ia music were Mr Arthur Sommerville and Dr. Coward. On the platform were the Right Hon. Lord Aberdare, the Hon, W. N. Bruce and Mrs I Bruce, Mr Matheson and the Hon. Mrs Mathe- son, the Hon. Lyndhurst Bruce (vice-president of the Eisteddfod), Messrs W. Heward Bell (director of Messrs Nixon), T. Marchant Williams (stipendiary magistrate), W. S. Davies (colliery manager, chairman of the com- mittee), David Harries (treasurer), G. A. Evans, D. T. Evans (secretary), to whom A. Evans, D. T. Evans (secretary), to whom much of the success of the Eisteddfod from year to year is due Isaac George, The Grove J. Williams, surveyor and others. The accompanists were Messrs W. H. Gabriel, A.R.C.O. Tredegar and Mr T. D. Edwards, Pontypridd. The competitions werw taken up in the follow- ing order ;— Pianoforte solo, Tarantella," best, Miss Sarah May George. Mountain Ash second, Miss Amelia Griffiths, Pontycymmer. I Quartette, Lord. Create in Me (Thomas Davies, G.T., S.C.)—Llinos Gwalia and party. Boys' alto—Griffith John Hill, Morriston, to whom a silver challenge cup was awarded. The Honourable Mr Lyndhurst Bruce awarded a special prize to Fred Phillips, Merthyr. Juvenile Choir Competition—Prizes of £8, £4. and £2 were offered for competition by choirs of 50 to 70 voices, ea.ch choir to be from one day school only and composed of children not over 15 years of age. The Huntsmen's Chorus," un- accompanied, was the test piece. The Duffryn Board School and the Miskin School choirs were the only entries, and the first prize was awarded to the Miskin Choir, led by Miss Morris, and the second to the Duffryn Choir, led by Miss Griffiths. Bass solo, The Volcano (Dudley Mount)— Mr Isaac Doughton, Ebbw Vale. Miss Sarah A. Joros, of Mountain Ash, gave a splendid rendering of the Eisteddfod Song. Mi- Gray then delivered his presidential address. He congratulated the committee on the unpre- cedented success of the Eisteddfod, upon which the Cottage Hospital depended almost entirely for its revenue. Mezzo-soprano, Cradle Song (M. Mosz- I kowski)—Mrs R. Williams (Llinos Gwalia), Moun- tain Ash. Girl's solo, not over IS years of age.—1, Nelly Bundred, Abertillery 2, Annie Davies, Aber- gwynfi. Tenor solo, "A Soul's Desire" (Mr W. H. Gabriel, A.R.C.O.)—Mr Harry Evans, Tredegar, who was invested by the composer, who expressed himself exceedingly pleased to hear such an ex- cellent rendering of his composition. The adjudicators awarded the prize winner 4§ marks out of a possible 50. Sopraiio solo, A Vision of Heaven (Arlan Irvon)—Miss Ethel Thomas, Cardiff, and Llinos .Gwalia, equal. At this point Mr W. Heward Bell, one of th« directors of Messrs Nixon's Collieries Company, succeeded to the chair. Mr W. Bsavan, one of the conductors, referred to the gracious munifi- cence Mr Bell had displayed during the past year in handing to the Mountain Ash Cottage Hospi- tal Committee a cheque for £ L,000, a similar sum to the Merthyr General Hospital, and £1,500 each to the Cardiff Hospital and the Porthcawl Rest, together with £125 to the Mountain Ash Workmen's Hall and Institute, and £500 to the St. Margaret's Church Restoration Fund at Mountain Ash. Mr Bell, in the course of his speech from the chair, said the cause of the Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital was one very dear to his heart, and he was glad to find that the Eisteddfod was an unqualified success. Freehand Drawing—Mr Philip Jones, son of Mr Philip Jones, M.E., Albion Colliery, who also won the prize for the shaded drawing. Contralto solo" Soothe me to Rest (Edwin Picks Lone)—Miss Emma Hughes, Port Talbot. Baritone solo" The Gaie" (Joseph L. Roec- kel)—Mv Isaac Dongton, Ebbw Vale. Drum and Fife Band prizes £ 8 and £ 4 sub- ject, Recollections of Carl Rosa (Wright ana Round) —Brynaman (Carmarthenshire), Llwyny- pia; Mountain Ash Rechabites, Moun- tain Ash St. Mary Catholic, and the Skewen Drum and Fife Bands competed. The first prize was awarded io the Llwynvpia Baud, conducted hy Sir D. J. Roberts, who took the medals for the best F liuie and best flute solo rendering in the composition, the second prize being awarded to the Mountain Ash St. Mary Catholic Church Band (Mr W. Shaw). Violin solo, Si Tusle (James C. Beasley)— Mr William John Barry, Dowlaia. Ambulance Competition—Dr. R. W. Jones, J.P.,C.C.. Penrhiwceiber, the adjudicator, an- nounced the result 01 the contest as follows :—1, Cardiff G.W.R. (Mr W. B. Slade) 2, Bediinog (Mr T. J. Hughes) 3, Aberdare (Mr F. John) 4, Cwmfelin (Mr J. Lewis). Chief Choral—A prize of .£100, with a portrait of the value of £5 5s of the conductor of the suc- cessful choir, were offered for the best rendering by a choir of from 150 to 180 voices of Mendels- sohn's chorus, "AU men, all things." Nine choirs entered. Builth and District Harmonic Society (conductor, Mr Evan Evans. Llew Buallt) sang first. During the wait for the next choir Miss Rachel A. Thomas (Llinos Pennar) sang the Eisteddfod Song. The Cardiff Choral Society (Mr D. C. Davies) next appeared. The Tonypandy Choir (Mr E. Hughes), the Troedyrhiw Choir (Mr J. C: Jones), the Newport Choir (Mr Fred Jones),and Mountain Ash United Choral Society (BIr T. G. Richards) also sang in the order named. While the adjudicators were getting ready their adjudication, Mr Marchant Williams, the president for the afternoon, de- I livered an address. Dr. Coward, of Sheffield, in delivering the adjudication, said that Mr Somer- ville and himself had twice during the contest thought they had "spotted the winner," but they found in a short time there was a better one still, and this continued until the very last choir had sung. (Loud applause.) He doubted they would ever hear a better rendering of the chorus than was given that afternoon by two of the choirs. He knew what he was speaidng about, for the chorus had been given at the last festival at Shef- field, and they were going to give it again on Whit Monday with a choir of 500 voices. They had heard two admirable renderings of the chorus 1 and not a single bad one. The two last choirs that sang (Newport and Mountain Ash) had given admirable renderings, and either these two choirs must sing over again, or the prize would have to be divided. (Applause.) Both choirs had the maximum number 5.of marks —100. The committee decided to divide the prize, a,nd the conductors, Messrs Fred Jones and T. Richa.rds, were invested amid applause. prize, and the conductors, Messrs Fred Jones and T. Richards, were invested amid applause. English Recitation.—Rev. W. L. Powell ad- I judicated on the recitation of An Incident of the French Camp," and the pnze was divided between Miss Bessie Harries King, of Cardiff, and Mr J. H. Davies of Ynyshir. "Welsh Recitation.—Rev. J. F. Williams awarded the prize for the Welsh recitation, Huno yn y lofa," to Mr John Walters, Abcr- dare, and Mr J. Rees, Penderyn, who were of equal merit. L' Second Choral Competition (20) for the choir of 60 to 80 voices who best rendered "Then round about the starry throno/'—The only entry was Bedlinog Choir (Mr Benjamin Evans). The adjudicators announced that although there was room for improvement in the rendering it was worthy of the prize, which was awarded. Male Voice Competition.—Prizes ofJEZOand .£10 were offered for competition by male voice parties, numbering from 60 to 80 voices, eachren- nericg "Cheer up, Companions, unaccompanied. There competed Abarcarn Male Voice Party (Mr Stephen Alsop), Abercwmboy (Mr Phillip Reea), Cwmllynfell (Mr D. W. Rowland'. F.T.S.C.), Mountain Ash (Mr Herbert Llewelyn), Aberaruan (Mr John Howell, son of Mr Jenkin Howell, Aberdare). Dr. Coward said he and Mr Sommerville had expected a much closer fight in this contest. The first prize winners had taken 95 marks, and the next party 91 out of a possible 100. Then followed parties with 39 and 88 marks respectively. The wiuners were the Cwmllynfell and the second prize went to the Aberaman party. Brass Band Contest.—In Class B (open to all comers) 16 bands competed in the following order, the test picce being" Lurline (Wright and Round), and the prizes being £10, £7, and £ 3. Abertillery Town, Dowlais Volunteer, Ystalyfera, Plymouth Worlimen, Morgan's Cwmtawe, Cory's Workmen, Treharris, Gwauncaegurwen, Blaan- avon, Pentre Volunteer, Lewis Merthyr. Great Western Silver, Pontyberem, Aberaman Silver, Cwmaman, Trebanos Silver Bands. The Gwaun- caegnrwen Band (Mr Walter Exley) won the first jbrize, a quartette in this baud and the trombone player taking the medals of honour. The second prize was won by Lewis Merthyr Band (Mr R. Dawson), and the third by the Trebanos Silver Band. Congregational Singing.—Only two congrega- tional choirs of from 30 to 40 voices competed for prii-.es of £7 and £3 for rendering Dyddiau Dyn Sydd fel Glaswellty (T. Davies). TonyTefail Choir, (Sir J. H. Richards) took first prize, and Mountain Ash Choir (Mr Edgar Coleman, Ap Heos Hefin) the second, the marks being 84 and 82 respectively. Brass band competition. Class A, open (Lyric Garland, WTright and Round).—1, .£18, Fern- (4tle: 2, m2, Arael Grimn 3. JE7, Cory Temper- ance Band 4, £3, Tonyrefail Brass Band. The Eisteddfod was a "financial success. Over £426 was taken at the gates, and some 8,000 tickets were sold before the day.

PENTRE. A competitive couMi-t. wnder the auspices tf I the Treorky Young Mem's Society was held at the Drill Hall, Pentre, on Saturday. The atten- dance was poor. Mr Tom BrIce, G.. and L. Merthyr. adjudicated in music Mr David James, Pupil Teachers' Centre, Porth, in recitations. Results—Local Challenge Cup, Mr Howell Davies, Telorydd Orci. Treorky. I Female solo, silver champion cup and two guineas. Miss Eva Hall, contralto, Ferndalc. j Duet, Messrs Todd Jones, Treherbert, and j Aueurin Edwards, Treorky. Recitation. one guinea and gold medal, Miss Jane Haddock, Treherberc. Male solo, two guineas and champion cup, Mr Aueurin Edwards, Treorky.

ABERGAVENNY. The seventh annual eisteddfod and fete were ¡ held at Abergavenny on Monday, and these popular events as usual attracted a large number of people from the Monmouthshire Valleys and the hill districts. The Rev. W. Svlvanus Jones and Mr T. Allen conducted, and the adjudica- tors were Messrs G. Riseley. P.. A.M., Bristol; and Mr C. C. Caird, Abergavenny Messrs J. Thomas, Llanelly and Mr W. 1{. Carr, Aber- gavenny, adjudicating in the prelimin- ary tests. Sir J. Hollowav. Staly- bridge, was the judge in the brass band contest, which took place in the Castle grounds. Mr E. Martin again carried out the secretarial duties with general satisfaction, with Mr J. G. Thomas the deputy-mayor, hon. treasurer. assisted by a strong committee, who lunched with the officials at the Angel Hotel, under the presidency of Mr Thomas. Juvenile Competitions.—The pianoforte solo pnze for children under 12 was divided between Miss Edith Maud Evans. Abergavenny, and Miss Hilda Violet Evans. Builth, for juveniles under It), The prize was divided between Miss Alice Watkins, Abergavenny, and Miss M. Blennerhassett, Abergavenny. Master W. J, Williams, Pontypool, was the winner of the violin solo for competitors under 18 years of age. Contralto solo. "Abifle with me," Miss Maggie Sandbrook, Grifiithstown, Pontypool, winner of the same competition last year. Tenor solo, Good-night, beloved." Mr Joseph Cha-mbors. Birmingham. Soprano solo. "Orpheus with his lute." divided between Miss Maggie Morris, Tonyrefail, and Miss Edith Gunter, Abertillery. Bass solo, "The Storm Fiend," Mr Edris Perkins, Senghenydd. Vocal quintette. There is beauty on the mountains," Mr S. Stoddard and friends, Bir- mingham. Vocal duett, "The Battle Eve," Messrs S. Stoddard and J. Chambers, Birmingham. Male Voice Choirs.—" Comrades in Arms was rendered by the following male choirs. for not less than 00 or more than 40 voices, for JE20 and a silver medal :—Beaufort, Blaenavon. Pontnewydd Waverley Party. Blaina. Resolven. Treforesv-, Abertillery, Moxart. Glee Society. Canton Glee Society, and Pengwerne (Shrews- bury). Mr Riseley said that as regarded the introduction of this glee, the preparation was exceedingly faulty, for I all the choirs excepting three—Abertillery, Can- ton, and Resolven, who had prepared their work exceedingly well and whilst praise was due to all three, the adjudicators felt tiley must award the prize to Abertillery. conducted by Mr T. Stephens. Anthem.—Only two choirs sang the anthem, The radiant morn lias passed away," the Shrewsbury Glee Society and Blaenavon Choirf for not less than 60 or more than 75 voices, the prize being- £ 20 and a silver medal to the conduc- tor. Mr Rislc remarked the closeness of the con- test. Both choirs gave a very flue rendering, but. that of Blaenavon was not quite so satisfactory as that of Shrewsbury, conducted by Mr W. D. Phillips, who were awarded the prizè. ,fc Chief Choral Competition.—A Misunderstand- ing.—-The piece selected for the chief choral com- I petition was the choru3 The many reud the I skies (Handel), for choirs of not less than 150 or more than 200 voices, the prizes offered being £100 and a gold medal to the first choir, and £20 to the second. The following competed :—Builth and District Harmonic Society, conducted by Llew Buallt Beaufort United Choir, Mr J. Price Rhymney and Pontlottyn United Choir, Mr J. Price Brynmawr Choral Society, Mr W. Owen and Shrewsbury Choral Society, Mr W. D. Phillips. Mr Riseley said that three choirs ran very close, but as them were only two prizes the adjudicators had reduced them to that number. The second prize would be awarded to No. 4 (Shrewsbury), and the first, over which there had been a good deal of discussion, as one or two ran very close, would go to No. 3 (Rhymnev and Pont]ottyn\ A misunderstanding arose as to the sccond prize, thp. Brynmawr Choir, who sang fourth, claiming the prize had been awarded to them, and they entered a protest to this effect. Mr Riseley was, however, evidently dealing with the printed number I iu the programme opposite the choir, as he had done in earlier competitions, and not I with the order in which tli9 choirs sang, and this was borne out when later on the conductor, the Rev. Sylvanns Jones, turned up at the committee room and produced the slip with the adjudication handed to him at the time, the names" and the programme numbers being given in each case. The protest had, however, been entered by this time. Brass Band Contest.—The test was Wright and Round's Selection from Mendelssohn," and the prizes were £20 and silver medal, JE6, and £4. Four bands contested, and the awards were as follow :—1. Aberdare Town Band 2, Fern- dale Prize Band 3, divided between Arael- Griffin Temperance Band, Abertillery, and Tillery Collieries Band. Abertillery.

j GENERAL FRENCH. J as a man and a rifle were left, it came somewhat as a surprise to see ranged under the Union Jack about 70 stalwart ex-burghers of the late Free State wearing British uniforms and commanded by British officers. But they were, unmis- takable either as regards their former nationality or present allegiance—stout, keen-eyed, at home on their horses and expert in the handling of their rifles. Unpressed men they were too. who have I of their own initiative taken up arms not—to use their own words-" to carry on an offensive war- fare against their former compatriots, but to protect lives and property from marauders and robbers. The scene I witnessed took place some few miles south of this place, where the Bloem- fontein company of the Burgher Corp3 of the South African Coustabulary were inspected by Colonel R. Ridley, commanding the Orange River Colony Division of the new force. There are in all three companies, stationed respec- tively at Kroonstad, Brandfort, and Bloemfbn- tein. Their enrolment was a matter of deep consideration to Colonel Ridley, who was at first inclined to regard with some suspicion the fre- quent application of numbers of ex-burghers for enrolment in the police. After a while he em- ployed one or two on various jobs, which they Eerformed to his entire satisfaction, and at last e came to the conclusion that their desire to take up arms for the protection of life and pro- perty was a very sincere one, and he has now organised the three companies of which I have spoken. The burgher companies are enrolled and stationed in their own districts. They patrol the country round, aad bring in excellent reports. The Kroonstad and the Braudfort companies have both been engaged. The former had a smart action, in which they lost two of their number killed, but killed three of the enemy and wounded five. The Brandfort commando the other day went out and laid a trap for a Boer patrol, and succeeded in bringing in four prisoners, of whom three were wounded. They may therefore justly claim to have proved their value on the field. The inspection of the Bloemfontein company was held in the afternoon. The programme was first of all a regular inspection, • followed by a field day, where the burghers were to surround a kopje and hold it at a safe distance till the arrival of supports. The inspection was more than interest- ing. It was unique. The sight of the line of former enemies saluting with the utmost gravity a British officer who some months before had been fighting them with desperate energy was something out of the ordinary. Behind the burghers were ranged the native scouts, whom the Boers employ invariably on the march. When the colonel had walked down the line the com- pany trooped off into the veldt in sections, to carry out the rest of the programme. Some two miles ahead a. kopje stood out of the level plain. The native scouts rode a good mile ahead, while the burghers moved, according to their custom, in column behind. Suddenly the scouts same j galloping back with the news that the kopje was held. Immediately the little troop of burghers divided into four sections, of which the right and left galloped like mad on each side of the kopje, but very wide of it. In ten minutes, so quick were their movements, the place was surrounded, and not a single person could leave the cover of the rocky hill without being subjected to a heavy fire. It was admirably and swiftly done, and was a great object lesson in Boer tactics. After the men of the company had been recalled to their places there was another exhibition of a most interesting nature. About six picked men came out of the ranks and were posted about 500 yards siwcy from three targets, which had been erected at the foot of a kopje. At a given signal they galloped forward, each man firing three rounds as he rode. An inspection of the targets showed that every target had been hit, and in one case a bull's-eye had been scored. The colonel's speech to his burghers when they re-formed after- wards was full of common-cense. Addressing them aa burghers he told them that he was plefi-sed with what he had seen of them. They still lacked in some articles of equipment, but he promised to have the defects remedied as soon as possible. They had enrolled themselves, he said, for the purpose of protecting life and property from a band of looters and robbers. Self-preservation was the first law oc nature, and I it was in obedience to that law that they had joined the South African Constabulary. Many of them had doubtless been fighting against him, but he did not think any the worse of them for that, and he would be proud to shake the hand of any burgher who had fought for his country against him. He did not intend to introduce that, and he would be proud to shake the hand of any burgher who had fought for his country against him. He did not intend to introduce among them the discipline of the British Army. jl They must look after their own discipline them- selves. For the sake of their own honour they should themselves stamp out drunkemiess and i a,ny other offences which sullied the good name of a soldier. He intended sending them out soon to a post in the neighbourhood, and felt sure they would conduct themselves like men. Upon the conclusion of the speech, the burghers (many of whom could only guess at the meaning of the colonel's viOds) spontaneously gave three hearty cheers for the colonel, and also for their com- pany leader (Captain Malcolm).