South Wales Daily News

GENERAL FORECASTS. The following forecasts were prepared JAStntgtrt at the Meteorological Office at eisrht o'olook •. £ DISTRICTS- e. Scotland, N.I Northerly westerly winds, 1. Scotland, E. • moderate; fair becoming England,N. E. milder after cold night. 3. England, 18. V 4. Mid.Counties. Northerly winds ligtxb 5 Eng. S. (Lon. very cold at first. uiid Channel).J 6. Scotland, W.1 „ 7. EngL N. W., -Same as 0,1, and 2. A? North WJI'KW, 8. S. W. } co as 3 4 and 5 & South Wales I 8. Ireland, N. Same as 0, 1, and 2. in TralaTut q \Northerly winds, modera*# 10. Ireland, S.„. j- tQ fajr cold.

UllON LETTER. — — i [#&0U OUR LONDON COKEESPQHDENT.] SPECIALLY WIRED. LONDON, Thursday Night. 1181 BAI*FOUR'8 LIGHT MOOD. XJalfour^lrHf "i7*6 which characterise3 Mr and especiallvl towards Public business J»ot enlist his 7ard8 any Bills which do illustrated b 1Vl^ual interest, was well this aftem^ °^lland way in which liarcourt,Fj 'D"' he treated Sir Win. discussion ofn!^ against continuing the 2ft* Balf0ur Rates Bill after midnight. and serioug8 ^oth earne8fc supporters that the B'H ?^Poneuts by airily remarking very mucht,/8 no^ one on which there is other qi sa^ ei'her on OIie s'^e or reply ^at is to say. he explained in which thig t'1e ironical laughter with ur8UU>en^ °bservation was received, the CQHtpr^ however important, can be his Q *n^o small compass, and for Why D Part he does not see m°re (.j.086 arguments should be repeated ^casin^* Certa*n number of times. his ^ech many followers big with laemb ^Ul^e as llard as those Liberal desire to take part in the Pflde c*rc*imstance which makes its ^ior?06 *S ^uest>°nable as its wisdom. ha,j however, Sir Henry Fowler; p^y en n5eans for enabling rural rate- t^nitv. °t'ler fcban tenants of land oppor- thjj j>° realise the possibilities lurking in with more point and vividness Speeo?°D^ be achieved by many nights of thi8 akin8- He had asked Mr Chaplin p»tes^UeS^°n in fc^e futare exisfcing are increased, on whom will fall the r#s en °f making up the deficiency in froi&Ct t^le one"balf of their incidence wbich agricultural land is to Jeved 1 On the Imperial Exchequer, leved 1 On the Imperial Exchequer, *Onl!i^e n°n-landholding ratepayers ? Or jjji, relief to agriculture under the ^,Q*te<* to one-half of the rates re- j from land during the last financial Oh 1 ^ore the passing of the Bill ? Mr *Phn showing a disposition to answer Sir H. Fowler punctuated his query ;:h a Practical example. Take, he said, the land rQral Union where the agricultural 9 represents 80 per cent, of the ratable of the whole Union. Suppose a new °r house has to be erected there. Will '^cultural land bear only 40 per cent, gQ 1,0 cost, which represents one-half of the cent., leaving the houses and other Property, which represent 20 per cent. of the stable value, to bear the remainder, at is, 60 per cent. of the increase ? JOKING RURAL RATEPAYERS SIT UP. Chaplin, thus cornered, was fain to tnit that this will be so. Land, he said, contribute to the extent of one-half of he increased rate on its assessment. Other ■Joperty will contribute on the old basis. ► admission was greeted with loud Liberal cheers. In face of it, there is purely some ground for Mr Balfour's notion there is not much need to say anything on either one side or the other, for if hat does not make the harried 20 per cent. of rural ratepayers sit up and join the Qrban ratepayers in antagonism to this Bill 'and to those who support it, nothing would. But in the debate which followed, Mr Lloyd George on the one side and Mr Strutt on the other incidentally, though perhaps unintentionally, afforded evidence of Mr Balfour's dislike to further discussion. It may not have been quite so ingenuous as it appeared, for Mr Strutt, in liis rollicking candour, made some confessions as to his 101EPeriences among the agricultural labourers of Essex which helped the other side far lI10re than his own, while Mr Lloyd George, j? 8 vigorous speech, carried the war on to Treasury Bench, and came to closer garters with Mr Chaplin than that great tesman relished. He had, he said, cal- tulated that the capitalised value of the bvention from the Imperial Exchequer Proposed in this Bill would benefit members 0 the Treasury Bench to the tune ol two » a quarter millions, and would advantage r Chaplin personally to the extent of £800 ^year. The President of the Local Govern- ent Board, jumping up, indignantly denied I t it would benefit him to the extent of SIxpence, but this brought on him the retort that it is an old practice for adult mendicants 9 hIde behind a corner what time the bene- o ent publio drops pence into the hats of children set to beg. MR CHAMBERLAIN HAS NO NEWS. tb Chamberlain, questioned respecting e condemned Reform leaders of the Trans- was not able to add much to what has ready been published in the newspapers. j some information as to the presid- 8 judge who was imported from the n8e Free State to try the prisoners, and th ° 18 ^>0^sb extraction. He confirmed ef»ct that the death sentence has been Dornuted, but could not say what punish- °t would be substituted, as the question •will under consideration. Sir Hercules I Vinson reports that the Transvaal Boers condemn the severity of the Fen- si k°th on the four leaders and on the t and are actively signing petitions in °Ur of large mitigation or complete par- Jxr Chamberlain shielded himself from shower of extemporaneous questions y ^furling the usual umbrella of official reserve. ° itltoolttpltR-S AND COUNTY COURT JUDGESHIPS. Except that he now sits for Barnstaple, it }ch Mr Waddy represented up to 1879, .1. 18 not very obvious why bir Cameron Gull qoUld excite himself over the fact that I County Court judges continue to keep recorderships. At any rate, the AttOrney-General says that the Lord Chan- ellor does not feel called upon to interfere, Atld does not regard the retention of the two vtlices by one man as a departure from any Established practice, recent or otherwise. WHITSUNTIDE RECESS. Mr Balfour lightly pushed aside Mr I toaclure's desire to know whether he tends to recommend the House to adjourn j** the Whitsuntide holidays to a day Jjyoad the 3rd of June. The Leader of the while suggesting that any statement the subject would be premature, acknow- that even a First Lord of the is not free from the frailties of ^tnble mortals, but has his share of the of humanity. I have myself," said, "no personal preference for a short °liday. in fact, I should like a long one. CLIPPING THE RATING BILL. The valuable concession from the Govern- raglat to-night whereby it is agreed that the juration of the Rating Bill shall be limited years is an additional proof that the ^Position was right in insisting on the not being unduly curtailed. 1tI J8 clear that though in Mr Balfour's pinion there was not much to be ".id on either side, yet much which has said in opposition to the Bill has been effective, and has gone home. Sir William f ^urt did not vise until past midnight. ^tereutj in it centres on the size- of th Government majority, and on number of Conservatives who ^*ve the courage to go against their or who less bravely simply abstain 'otlng. The Ministerial Whips are j.naerstootl to be of opinion that the sop to rural districts at the expense of the wns will lose to the Tories 20 seats at the next l Election. GOv PROGRAMME DISARRANGED. for the second reading ,e 0,1 the Education Bill to begin next y baa had to be altered, the Budget Bill, which was to have been taken to-night, having been postponed until that day. Mr Balfour seems to hope that one night will suffice for the Finance Bill, and talks of putting down the Education Bill for Tues- day, but there is a probability that the debate on the Finance Bill will last longer than the Government anticipate.

WALES IN PARLIAMENT [BY OUR LONDON WELSH CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, Thursday Night. The Welsh members were busy at ques- tion time. Mr Ellis Griffiths was the means of eliciting an important piece of in- formation from Sir John Gorst as to the relative proportion of the special aid grant to Voluntary schools and Board schools under the Education Bill. The announce- ment that the proportion was seven to one, or, in other words, that 17s 6d of every £ of the grant goes to the Voluntary, leaving a solitary 2s 6d for the Board schools, staggered the House, and will, I venture to say, be appreciated at its true value in the country. Mr Lloyd George's speech on the Agricultural Rating Bill was an exceedingly fine oratorical effort. The House was thrilled throughout, and seldom, certainly not in this debate, has it been roused to such a pitch of interest and excitement. Mr Alfred Thomas is back again after his severe indisposition. The popular member for East Glamorgan received the warmest congratulations of his numerous friends on his recovery and reappearance. Major Wyndham-Quin, M.P., has met with the accident that once was near to put out the light of Thomas Carlyle. A careless valet, with a distinct lack of appreciation, finding a num- ber of letters lying on one side awaiting attention, inadvertently committed them to the waste-paper basket. The gallant member desires me to say that they included a number of letters from his constituents, dated during the last four or five days and as he is anxious to reply to them, he will be glad if his correspondents of that period will kindly repeat their communications.

ROYAL COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURE. RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN. Mr Shaw Lefevre, in a letter co the Home Secretary,, says: I beg to inform you that I have found it necessary to reconsider my position as chairman of the Royal Commission on Agricul- cultural Depression. That position has for some time been a difficult one, owing to the differences which have arisen in the Commission. These have been aggravated of late, and the speech in the House of Commons on Monday last of the President of the Local Government Board, who practically represents her Majesty's Govern- ment on the Commission, has made it impossible for me to expect to receive in future that suppoit in the transaction of the business of the Commis- sion which will make my continued service as its chairman of advantage to the Commission and to the public. I beg, therefore, to resign the position of chairman of the Royal Commission on Agri- cultural D cpression."

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS. RELIGIOUS EQUALITY. Sir George Osborne Morgan presided on Thurs- day afternoon in one of the Committee Rooms ot the House of Commons over a meeting of members interested in the principles of religious equality. After discussion, an fagreement was arrived at with regard to many points upon which members present and others associated with them will forthwith prepare a large number of amendments to be moved in the Committee stage of the Education Bill.

OUR NATIONAL DEFENCE. MEETING OF THE CABINET. The Press As?ociation says :-A meeting of the National Defence Committee of the Cabinet was held at the Privy Council Office on Thursday. Lord Salisbury was amorg the Ministers present, and Lord Wolseley, who deferred his review at Aldershot in order to be in attendance, was also present.

ROYAL VISIT TO ~ABERYST- WYTH. PROPOSED FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND ILLUMINATION. A meeting of the Decoration Committee, appointed in connection with the forthcoming Royal visit, was held at the Town Hall, Aberyst- wyth, on Thursday afternoon, .when the Mayor (Councillor Thoma.. Griffiths) presided,and several hours werespent in considering the sppcificabionfor the decorations of the streets. It was ultimately decided by the committee without binding them- selves to accept their tender to enlist the services of Messrs Piggott and Company, of London, who have already secured the contract for the erection of a marquee, etc., for the provision of samples of bunting, floral designs, and trophies to be placed temporarily in the principal streets, to facilitate the committee arriving at what was suitable and inviting tenders. Mwssrs Brock, the celebrated pyrotechnists, were represented at the meeting, and they were asked to furnish specifications for a display of fireworks to be given on the front of the Marine-terrace, on the Pier, and on Constitution Hill. They were also asked to submit a design for the illumination of the Castle grounds at night.

THE BAPTIST UNION, CLOSE OF THE SESSION. The concluding session of the Baptist Union was held in London on Thursday. A fraternal deputation from the Presbyterian Church of England were warmly welcomed by the assembly. After an interesting discussion on the place of children in the sanctuary, in which suggestions were made for the making of services and general surroundings more attractive to the young, Br. Booth (the secretary) made an urgent appeal on behalf of the Home Mission Fund. Dr. Clifford, who strongly supported the appeal, said they could nob live by what they had done in the past. Baptists were doing work not dona by other churches, and were bound to stay in the villages for the sake of the peasantry.

WEATHER ON TFIR, CONTINENT.- I DAILY REPORT. Dalziel's Agency reports as follows as to the weather at the more important Oontinental resorts on veeterdav :— CALAIS.—Fine; some cloudi; lisiht wind ;smootn sea thermometer, 58. PARls,-Warm sunshine; thermometer, 52. MARSEILLES.—Pine some clouds; thermometer, 58. CANNES.—Lovely morning thermometer, 60. NICE.—Warm sunshine thermometer, 62. MONTE CARLO.—Blue Lky thermometer, 61. BADKN BA.DRN. -Fine; some clouds thermometer, 54. INTERLAKEN.-Cloudy; thermometer, 40. QUEENBOROUGH.—Fine some clouds; moderate wind fair passage tliermometer, 44. BOVKR.—Wind W., moderate sea moderate weathnr fine and clear probable passage fairly good. French mail, Victwia^ Midday, Empress. Enkligb J mail, Dover.

CONDITION OF THE PRISONERS. RECONSIDERING THE SENTENCES. BOERS PETITIONING FOR PARDON. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. STATEMENT BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. A Timet second edition telegram dated Pretoria, Wednesday, 6.40 p.m., says :—I visited the Reform prisoners to-day. All are well except Hammond, who is as well as can be expected, as he is subjected to ordinary fare. Fresh rules come into force to-morrow giving facilities for procuring better food and comforts. The four leaders are confined to one small room. Crowds of relations and friends visited the prisoners to-day. Considering the circumstances they are being well treated. The correspondent adds that the reaeor. actuating the prisoners' pleas was that counsel strongly advised that in face of the mass of incriminating evidence in the shape of letters, telegrams, and codes in the despatch box of Robert White, which fell into the hands of the Government, it was the more dignified course, and that by the leaders acoepting the responsi- bility for the graver charge the prosecution would withdraw the first two counts against the others. The announcement of the commutation created a deep sense of relief. The Executive is now considering the papers with the object of advising the President what punishment the sentence should be reduced to. Many believe it will be banishment for all, with perhaps a fine. The following has been received at the London office of the Johannesburg Standard and Diggers' Netvs Johannesburg, April 29th, 12.55 p.m.— Influential burghers from all parts of the country are flocking into Pretoria and petitioning the Government for the total abolition of the sentence of imprisonment passed on the members of the Reform Committee."

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. TELEGRAM FROM SIR H. ROBINSON In the House of Commons on Thursday evening Sir ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLEIT asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the sentences passed at Pretoria on the Reform leaders were under the Roman-Dutch law, which is rarely used in the Transvaal, and whether the presiding Judge was a non-Transvaal Dutchman, appointed for the purpose of the trial. Mr CHAMBERLAIN The answer is in the affirmative with regard to both questions. I have private information, but not official information, that the presiding Judge was borrowed from the Orange Free State, that his name is Gregor- vitch, and that he is of Polish extraction. I have received confirmation of the statement which was in all the papers yesterday as to the commutation of the death sentence. To-day I have received a further telegram, dated April 30th, from Str Hercules Robinson The British Agent of the South African Republic telegraphs yesterday that the Executive Government is still deliberating on the punishment which is to be substituted for the death penalty." He adds as follows The Transvaal Boers themselves condemn the severity of the sentences on the four as well as the other prisoners, and are actively obtaining signatures for mitigation of the punishment or free pardon." Mr KNOX inquired whether the right hon. gentleman concurred in the suggestion of the question that the Roman Dutch law was rarely used in the Transvaal. Mr CHAMBERLAIN Really it is a comparative term, but undoubtedly the statute law is the law which is ordinarily used. Mr DALZIEL May I ask the right hon. gentle- man whether he has received any information pointing to the faot that the Orange Free Stabe Judge, being appointed to preside, was any indication of partiality or corruption ? (Cries of "Order, order.") No answer was given to the question, and Mr DALZIEL ge.Ve notice that he would repeat it. DR. DAVIES, OF JOHANNESBURG. The Press Association understands that Mrs Davies, of Swansea, was in the Par. liamentary lobby last evening interpsting Sir John Jones Jenkins. Sir John Llewelyn, and other members in the case of her son. Dr. Davies, of Johannesburg, who is one of those recently condemned by the Transvaal authorities to a fine of 22,000 and two years in prison, followed by three years' banishment. Dr. Davies, who is the son of Dr. E. Davies, of Swansea, had signed the memorial with other Uitlandar8 in favour of reform, but had not other. wise taken any active part in the agitation. EXTRAORDINARY STORY. ALLEGATION AGAINST LORD LOCH. PARIS, Tiiursday.-Tha Temps to-night pub- lishes a telegram from its Pretoria correspondent, dated yesterday afternoon, stating that the Transvaal Government i3 in possession of proof that the invasion of the Transvaal was sug- gested to the Reform Committee by Lord Loch when High Commissioner in South Africa. This proof, according to telegram, consists of a copy of a letter dated July 1st, 1894, from Mr Lionel Phillips to Mr Werner, of London.

EDUCATION BILL. MANCHESTER CHURCHMEN AND THE MEASURE. Presiding at a meeting of the Manchester Diocesan Conference, convened on Thursday to discuss the Education Bill, the Bishop of Man- chester said the Bill of the Government formed the only just principle upon which this- question could be approached. The conference passed resolutions m favour of equal payment out of the public funds for the maintenance of schools- denominational, undenominational, and secular and also for the control by school managers of ppointments to teaching staffs. SEPARATE DEALING WITH LONDON. At a meeting of the London School Board on Thursday the special committee on the Educa- tion Bill reported that in the board's opinion London should receive separate and distinct treatment, following the precedent of the Elementary Education Act of 1870. MEETING AT CLYDACH VALE. Ou Wednesday eveninsr an enthusiastic im-eting was held at Clydaoh Vale Noddfa Hall. The Rev. T. Williams (member of Ystrad Sohool Board) was in the chair. The chairman gave an interesting acoount of the ednoation question. Mr Davis (Libanus) moved a resolution strongly con- demning the Government Bill. The Rev. E. Richards (Tonypapdy) supported, dealing with the question in its threefold aspect-tijo political, the educational, and the religious. Mr Tom John supported, and the resolution was carried, PROTEST FROM CWMAMAN. At a meeting of the Cwmaman Branch of the Women's Liberal Association, held at the hall connected with Moriah, Aman, on Wednesday evening, the Rev. H. A. Diivies, the pa .tor, in the chair, Mrs Gwyneth Vaughau (Carnarvon) de- livered an address on the Claims of Liberalism on the Women of Wales." A resolution was carried unanimouslyexpressmg strong disapproval of the principles of the Education Bill infcra^Lacod by Sir John Gorst.

RESIGNATION OF A JUDGE. In consequence of the strong reoommendation of his medical advisers Mr Justice Charles baa placed his resignation in the hands of the Lord Chancellor. Mr Justice Charles has served only half the period-15 years-neces"ry to qualify for a pension. The name of Mr Bompaa, Q.C., the leader of the Nonoonformist Liberal Union- ists, is mentioned in connection with the vaca ey. A CONTRADICTION. The Press Association is authorised to state that a report published on Thursday that Mr Justice Charles had resigned is without founda- tion. The learned judge is slowly improving in health.

PLAYFAIR-KITSON CASE. THE APPEAL WITHDRAWN. AN AMICABLE ARRANGEMENT. In the Court of Appeal on Wpdnesday Sir Frank ljooKwood, referring to the Kitson v. Playfair case, against the verdict in which Dr. Playfair had given notice of appeal, said it would not be necessary to trouble their Lordships with the case. Terms had been arranged, and with their Lord. smps permission the appeal would be withdrawn. Proceedings thereupon terminated.

M CLEANING SILVER."—All difficultym keeping silver, electro-plate, Ac., untarnished and with a^ril" Hant. polish may be obviated by using Goddard s Non Mercurial Plate Powder Sol<t everywhere, in boxes Is, 2s 6d, and 4s 6d Six Gol<» Medals 106 A NEW STORY of South African Life and Adventure, entitled "The Golden Rock." com- menced in the columns of the Cardiff Times and SouiJi Wales WetUdy News of Saturday, April 4th Xbe best nenny paper published Wales Weekly News of Saturday, April 4th Xbe best nenny paper published

THE DEFENCE OF BULUWAYO. I NARROW ESCAPE OF A BRITISH FORCE. STRAGGLERS MURDERED BY NATIVES. RECONNOITRING BY BALLOON. DISSENSIONS AMONG NATIVES. [SPECIAL TELEGRAMS FROM OCR COKKKSPONDKNT.] BULUWAJO, Wednesday. -Captain Maofarlane's force had a narrow escape on Saturday morning. The column was out on the Umgusa river, when several separate impis came pouring over the valley from the direction of Government House, with the evident intention of cutting off Captain Macfarlane's men from Buluwayo. The approach of the enemy was observed in time by a small detaohed party consisting of Messrs Colenbrander, Austin, Fleming, Brewer, Cooke, and Thomas (Native Commissioner). These at once opened a steady fire on the advancing Matabele, and, holding their ground. succeeded in saving the lives of three out of four of onr pickets. The Matabele clearly thinking that this email detachment of whites was the advance guard of another column, made a detour to the north, and Captain Macfarlane's column, seizing the opportunity thus afforded, fe!l back on Buluwayo. In all probability the prompt action of Mr Colenbrander and his companions saved the column. Mr Hugh Mackenzie, Reuter's correspondent, was nearly intercepted by outlying Matabele pickets. He came upon the enemy in the neighbourhood of Goole House, and was fired upon, but succeeded in joining Macfarlane's force just before the advance of the impis across the valley, The news of the condemnation of the members of the Reform Committee at Pretoria was received here with consternation. Englishmen and Afrikanders have been fighting the Matabele side by side, and have come to look upon each other as brothers, and bad feeling, it is feared, may now again arise. All Matabeleanders alike earnestly hope that civil war in South Africa may be averted. A native youth, who has reached here from the Matabe'! camp, reports that dissension has arisen among the enemy, and that the Sekute, Imbezu, and Igobo regiments have been threaten- ened with destruction by the remainder of the tribe. Further confirmation of this is awaited before the report is accepted as correot. The Imbezu regiment is the famous regiment which attacked the Mashonaland column at Bembesi. The natives, it is further reported, also threaten their OJimo" or god for the non-fulfilment of his promise to turn the bullets of the whites into water. Earl Grey, who arrived here last night, decline for the present to express any opinion on the sitnation. EARL GREY AT THE FRONT. CAN! TOWN, Wednesday, 12.15 p.m.-Earl Grey has arrived at Buluwayo. There has been no fighting at Buluwayo either to-day or yester- day, but the rebels are again closing round the town and returning to their former positliona.- Central News. THE ADVANCE OF THE SALISBURY COLUMN. CAPE TOWN, Thursday, 9.35 a.m. (delayed in in transmission).—The Salisbury Column which is advancing to Gwelo with Mr CecilRhodes, arrived at tlron Mountain Hill yesterday morning and found the local store wrecked and burned, but from all reports that part of the country is per. fectly safe.-Beuter. STRAGGLERS CUT OFF. BtTLUWAYO, Wednesday, 9.45 a.m.—The band of 40 Matabole who raided the gardens of the coolies in the outskirts of the town at daybreak yesterday and killed six men, one woman, and a child, are supposed to have been a flying column detached from the impi now retiring. The chief Babyann, oneof the Indunas who came to England six years ago and had audience of the Queen, is among the wounded in the recent fighting. The rebels have an impi said to be 2,000 strong encamped near the new fort built six miles from the town. Mr Issuls, an engineer, is making a large balloon capable of raising heavy weights. This will be used for gaining information as to the enemy's position and strength, and will be especially useful if the impis approach from the Matoppo Hills. A supply of rifles arrived on Sunday from the south.—Central News. DEATH OF A WOUNDED TROOPER. GWELO, Tuesday, 7 p.m.—A body of natives are reported by scouts sent out from here to be in motion in the Shangani district. A patrol has been sent out to reconnoitre. Trooper Arohibald McVean died in hospital to-day from his wounds. Rinderpest has carried off 1,500 head of cattle since the beginning of the month. — Central News. REBEL AMMUNITION RUNNING SHORT The Pall Mall Gazette Buluwayo correspond- ent, telegraphing yesterday, says :-Earl Grey's presence, it is understood, will involve a change in the command, and in all probability a more aggressive policy against the rebels will be initiated. The Matabele continue to retire. Babisan, however, a leading Induna, has joined the enemy, taking with him 2,000 men. Scouts bring in word that the rebel ammunition is running short. MESSAGE FROM SIR H. ROBINSON. The Press Association states :—Sir Hercules Robinson on Thursday telegraphed to the Colonial Office"Following telegram received from Nicholson, April 29th. Earl Grey arrived safely last night. Considerable impi is reported to have orossed the Mafeking road near KImma river from the Matoppo and returned yesterday. The impi on Umguza river engaged last Saturday has retired three miles north of the original position in thick bushes. Five coolies murdered by Matabele while Jooking after their gardens two miles west yesterday. Saturday's action has materially relieved the position, and an attack on the town is now unlikely."

CARDIFF MEN AT BULUWAYO. INTERESTING QUESTION OF IDENTITY. Mr John Ingram, who until a few months ago had carried on business as a jeweller in High street, Oardiff, is at Buluwayo with his son. a smart, active young man. According to a recent telegram. Captain Dawson had left camp at Buluwayo with the object of building a fort at Six Mile Sprnit, and his little force included a white named Ingram. Seeing the wire in Wednes- day night's Echo, many Cardiff people asked each other if this was the stalwart, portly Jobn, or his son. They were quite unanimous that it was either father or son, the majority of opinions being in favour of the former probability. Mr John Ingram is a powerfully bnilt man, and although short-sighted he can see as well as most people when be has bis glasses on. He had often, too, when in Cardiff shown that he possesses real grit, so that it is not at all likely he is pursuing a policy of masterly inactivity in these stirring timee at Buluwayo. Mrs Ingram still resides in Cardiff, and much sympathy is felt with her in her natural anxiety for the safety of her husband and son.

DISASTROUS FIRE. DAMAGES ESTIMATED AT TWO MILLION DOLLAR^ LOOTERS SHOT. NEW YOBJ:, Thursday Morning.-The renewed outbreak of nro af Cripple Creek yesterday, in which three persons lost their lives, has resulted in damage estimated at two million dollars. Seven thieves who were caught robbing the buildings during the oonHngrafcioQ were shot on tbe epob.-Central News.

COLLIERY KXPLOSION IN BELGIUM. EIGHT MEN KILLED. BMaNtM, Th,,rftiay.-An exploqion baa taken place in the Ciply Coal Mine in Northern Belgium. Eight men were killed and three wouoded-Omtml News.

ø- HEALTH OF THE CZARE- WITCH. NWB, Thurpfty.-The condition of tbe Czare- wit,ch i- "at,.ô to be as satisfactory as possibles Acct'i'tf'o present arrangements the Prince is u vt- B itoum on May 20tb. and the Dowager Empre-ts will take her deptrtsreon -the .IQtb-proximo.

SOUDAN EXPEDITION. I i I SUAKIM-BERBER ROAD PROTECTED. SUCCESSFUL RAID OF ITALIANS. OSMAN DIGNA'S STAR DECLINING. [SPKCIAL TELRGRAM FROM OCR CORRESPONDENT]. SUAKIM, Thursday.—The column which left here on Tuesday, under the command of Captain Souter Seuron, staff officer in the Suakim district, conveying supplies and ammunition to the posts of Handoub and Tambuk, has returned all well. No trace of the Dervishes was discovered. Both the posts in question have now provisions for four months and unlimited ammunition. Tambuk is unassailable by any force which does not possess artillery. The post is situated on a high rock, and consists of a store and a block house, with a look-ont tower. It affords a view for many miles around, and commands the road to Berber and the wells at the foot of the rock. The garrison bag been increased, and extra artillery and ammunition have been taken in. An assault by the Dervishes is considered impossible. The garbed Arabs who inhabit the district traversed by the convoy have long been under the domina- tion of Gualior, the principal Dervish Emir on the Berber road, but they showed no signs of hostility. It is evident that though the Arabs in the Suakim district are in terror of Osman Digna, they have a wholesome dread of the power of the Government. Messengers who have just arrived at Suakim from Adarama state that the Italian irregulars furnished by the Beni Amir Arabs proceeded, after the recent fighting near Kassala, to the vicinity of Adarama, and, capturing all Osman Digna's cattle, drove them off in the direction of Kassala. Musa Digna, the Dervish commander at Adarama, sent special messengers to Osman saying that if the bttpr did not return at once to Adarama with all his force he would quit his post and retreat. Osman, who was then at Oi, intending to return to recuperate and rest, immediately left his sick and wounded in charge of the local Arabs. He is now march- ing post haste on Adarama with 1,000 fighting men and another 1,000 followers. It is quite evident that 03man's power is absolutely on the wane. His force is being everywhere broken.

RONTGEN PHOTOGRAPHY. AN IMPORTANT TEST. THE KAISER'S ARM TO BEOPERATKD ON. The Ronlgen photography has entered into practical politics. For the left arm of the German Emperor, which, as is well known, is useless, has been skiagraphed by the new process, and the result has been submitted to skilled surgeons. It is said that the malformation, now that it can be Keen can be remedied, and that a simple operation will give the Kaiser the partial if not the com- plete use of his arm.

LLANHARRAN COLLIERY EXPLOSION. THE ADJOURNED INQUEST. VERDICT OF THE JURY. On Thursday the adjourned inquest on the body of Frederick Riddick, who was killed by an explosion of gas at the Meiros Colliery, Llanbarran, on March 28. b, was opened by Mr E. B. Reece, coroner, at the High Corner House, Llanbarran. There were present Messrs Fred Gray and J. Dyer Lewis, assistant inspectors of mines Mr S. H. Stockwood, solicitor, Bridsrend; Mr T. J, Masters, one of the colliery owners; Mr W. Bhikemore, engineer to the colliery Mr G. H. Rowlinson, miners' agent. Forest of Ddan and Mr Ben Davies, miners' agant, Rhondda Valley. Thomas Hopkins, of Pencoed, said he was tbe certificated manager of the Meiros Colliery, belonging to the Gas Coal Collieries Company, Limited. The coHiery was worked by means of two shafts—a downcast and an upcast shaft. It was ventilated by a fan on the surface. The fan was a Schiele fan of lit. diameter. The colliery was divided into two districts, east and west. There were 250 men employed under- ground on that day. They workf-d at the colliery oy single shift. The accident occurred in the face of Brook*' heading in tbe west district on March 28th, at 8 a.m. There was another fan under- ground, about 50 yards from the face of Brooks' heading. It was worked by hand, but only in the daytime. During the time it was not worked air passed through the pipes into that part of the workings. John Hole was the fireman of the west district. He was not in the colliery when the explo- sion took place, but wason thesurface at the screen. He did not go down at once. All the men injured were brought up, except Riddick. R" attended to them fir,t and sent them home. Then he went down to Brnoka' heading, and it was there that the body of Riddick was found. It was 13 yards beyond the fan. There were 10 men altogether down at this place at the time of the accident. He found no damage done to the workings. By Mr Gray: Riddick was found on the return side of the airway. There w"re three working places and an airway on the inside of the fan. Two of the headings were worked wide, about 15 yards from rib to rib. The furthest was about tour yards and the other 10 yards. Seven men and boys would work inside that fan. No one was working in that heading the night before the accident. No one worked the hand fan that night. The fan would cease working about 4.30 p. m. in the afternoon. He saw the gas on the 3rdkof Maroh. It was a cap about half an inch. He did not think those .places should have been worked with safety lamps, not from their previous experience. They had twl, men and a boy killed on the 11th November, 1891. He bad never seen a colliery with less gas. He did not think brattice would have been batter than pipes. William Green also gave evidence. Mr John Dyer Lewis, assistant inspector of mines, said he visited the colliery on March 30th, two days after the explosion, and went down Brooks'heading with the manager. Just below the parting that turned into Riddick s stall there was a dead horse. His mane had been badly singed and his chest burnt. On the top of the ,An(i hi,% bottom of R ddick's stall be found about half-a- dozen naked-light lamps. As far as the appear- ance of the place went there did not appear to have been any particular force anywhere, but there appeared to be more signs of burning there than in any other place. He tra- vailed along the heading and also into David Thomas's airway. In returning they found a sheet between Green's and Halo s heading was blown inwards towards the face of Brooks' heading. The description of the ventila- tion as given by the manager was correct. The hand fan when in use would drive the air through the pipes to the face of Brooks' heading-, It would then be turned by the sheet into Hale's road, through the face into Green's road, and then back along Brooks' beading. He thought that while the hand fan was going the workings would be adequately ventilated. As it dId not go at nights he did not think it was adequately ventilated as reauired by General Rule 1. He thought it would have been better ventilated by brattice sheets, as the ventilation wonld then have been constant. In his opinion it was feasible to have laid these sheets. Asked by the Coroner as to what ho thought was the cause of the explosion, he eaid gas accumulated during the night of the 27th of March. He thought it ignited somewhere behind the fan by coming in contact with a naked light. If there had been brattice as described it probably would not hava occurred. ThAtO is not much gas made in the colliery. The ventila- tion of the oolliery generally was adequate, the supply of air in all other parts beeide this was sufficient. He thought the fireman ought not to have brought the men on until he had cleared the gas himself. By Mr Rowlinson He thought the colliery could be safely worked with naked lights if the details of the ventilation were properly attended to. He also thoughtthe fireman was guilty of a breach of duty in taking the men into the working whilst gas was there. William George Hopkins having also given evidence, the Jury returned the following verdict: "Riddick was killed by aa explosion of gas, and that the explosion was caused by an insufficiency of ventilation. They were of opinion that Jobn Hole visa to blame for taking the men into the workings whilst gas was present."

RELIEF FOR SHAREHOLDERS, AN IMPORTANT DECISION. The House of Lords decided on Thursday in an appeal by Aarons Reefs, Limited, which brought an aobion to compel a share- holder to pay the calls upon his shares that he was entitled to decline to pay owing to false representations in the prospectus, and that delay in repudiating did not deprive him of his right when the disoovery of false representations was madp that was time enongh to repudiate. This decision will affect P, large number of shareholders.

ANCHOR TEA ANCHOR TKA ANCHOR A !— The best value money can buy. Give it a trial 9112 THE MESSAGE OF PEACE IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED and respected by all true men, for many of us ht the time is not far distant when it may be universally adopted by all nations. When this comes to pass, happiness and prosperity will be tlie^ rule and not the exception. In the meantime, Holioway's Pills and Ointment have largely helped to make foreign nations understand I bat Englishmen delight in alleviating wain and suffering. These wonderful remedies have been blessed in many lands for the relief they have afforded and the cures effected. They are specially Aod for all complaints affecting the liver, stomach, aa. i kidneys, and at this season no family should be .J»Jo

COLLIERY DISASTER. I EXPLOSION IN A YORKSHIRE PIT. I OVER SIXTY LIVES LOST. GALLANT RESCUE WORK. NARRATIVES OF SURVIVORS. SHOCKING SCENES UNDER- GROUND. A disastrous explosion, which, it is feared, will result in the loss of over 60 lives, occurred early on Thursday morning at Micklefield Colliery, near Leeds. About 100 men were below at the time, and as the force of the explosion smashed the cage and rendered the shaft gear unworkable, the position of any man who had escaped immediate death was seen to be one of great peril. The colliery officials, however, at once proceeded to organise rescue parties and to clear the shaft, and before noon the explorers had managed togjreach the pit's bottom and to obtam a clear idea of the actual state of affairs. Several m were soon found alive, although bLCily burnt, and from the statements made by them it was evident that the task of reaching the bulk of the imprisoned miners would be difijcult and hazardous. The explosion had been followed by fire, while the further workings, in which it was feared the majority of the men were at work, were full of choke damp. The position was further complicated by heavy falls, but despite all this the explorers gallantly continued their work until by 4 o'clock some 35 men had been got out alive, most of them, however, more or less badly injured. At that hour there seemed very little hope of saving the lives of the 60 odd men still unaccounted for, and in fact the rescued men were of opinion that their missing comrades must be already dead, one man adding that be bad actually seen at least 20 dead bodies in the workings. LIST OF THE RESCUED. Telegraphing from Micklefield at 7 o'clock on Thursday evening, the Central News correspon- dent says :-The following men have been rescued from the pit-H Nevins, Sam Grimbley, Wm. Kempey, H. Hardwick, Wm. Appleyard, Caleb Atack, Isaiah Evans, G. Hick, E. Sampson, John Sessions, John Render, Joe Wilson (boy), Sidney Revis (boy), Fred Nutton, Harry Haigh, Fred Atkinson, Wni, Holden, George Turner, Tom Crosihwaite, Fred Shillito, Wm. Dobson, Sam Marriott, Joseph Day, Thomas Freeman, Richard Watson, Reuben Winfield, Dan Warwick, sen., Henry Rawnsby, Whelim Pickard, Wm. Atack, John Hardwick, and James Edginto. RESCUE PARTIES AT WORK. The rescue parties ara still down the pit, but are meeting with great difficulties in conse- quence of imperfect ventilation. The work of repairing the downcast shaft, the headgear of which was shattered by the force of the explo- sion. is proceeding apace, but until it is com- pleted there is little hope of getting to the men who remain below. The exploring party have to descend by means of the upcast shaft, and the air is so heavily charged with after-damp that the rescuers cannot prooesd more than half a mile into the workings. Already they have come across a great number of dead lying in the main road, showing that the effects of the explosion bad overtakethe men before they could reach their respective destinations. Little hope is held out for the 60 odd men who are still entombed. A PERSONAL NARRATIVE. Probably the most miraculous escape of any of the rescued miners was that of Fred Atkinson, a fitter. Interviewed by a Central News reporter, he said be was in the Black Dnft standing on a platform superintending the work of three comrades when there came a terrific clap, and he was thrown from the platform against a mass of coal which had been dislodged. He was rendered unconsoious, but recovered in a short time, and began to crawl on his hands and knees towards the upcast shaft. All lights had been blown out, and be was dazed and haif gassed.' As he crawled along he knew not whether he encountered a hfoap of dead bodies. In other p'aces he wss stropped by great heaps of coal which had fallen from the roof. Finally, he came across other men trying to feel their way out through the pitch darkness. He saw the lights of the rescue party. several members of which were themselves alaiost overcome by the afterdamp. They managed, however, to get Atkinson some little distance towards the upoast shaft, but at last bad to abandon him in order to save their own lives. Atkinson crawled a little further, aud ultimately reached the shaft. Meanwhile news of his death had been conveyed to bis wife and father, who were amongst the crowd in the pit yard, the rescuers having decided that there was not the slightest chance of his getting out alive from the spot where they were forced to leave him. The scene when bo was unexpectedly brought to his wife was most affecting. NAKED LIGHTS USED. The men at the time of the explosion were working with naked lih, which had been the practice at tNicklefield Pit for many years, the mine boing considered perfectly saf.\ THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. The Press Association's Wakefield correspon- dent telegraphs :-There is much speculation as to the cause of the explosion, but as yet no definite explanation has been given. The exact locality has not even been ascertained, but is supposed to have been in the bottom of the shaft, which has been wrecked. This leads to what is known as the Number 1 ^eeston Bed, and -the upcast" is from the Number 1 block. The pit was regarded as one of the safest in Yorkshire, and confidence as to the absence of gas was so great that the men worked with naked lights. A miner employeil at the pit, who was among I those taking a holiday ou Thursday, said he thought a quantity of gas must have collected in the bottom of the Bee-ston shaft without its I presence being discovered. He had never noticed gas there, and though of course the explosion might have resulted from coal duse, he was inclined to think it was due to gae. STORIES OF RESCUED MINERS. Caleb Attack, one of the men rescued, stated he descended the pit about 7 o'clock, and had just got into bis working place when the disaster occurred. That would be about 7.20. There was a big gust of wind, his cap was blown off, and his shirt, which he was in the course of removing, was blown over his head. Wiibhismate Iuaac: Evans he made his way safely to tho bottom of the Black Bed shaft, as did also the 12 or 14 others who were working in the same district. They then beard George Hick crying for help. On rescuing him they found he was sufiering from severe burns. They put a shirt round him, gave him something to drink, ano generally did wuat they could to alleviate his pain. Six or eight men who were seriously affected by the afterdamp came down from the Black Be 1, and he and his companions handed over their drinking cans to them, and when the cage reached them some two bonra later took care that all who were ill were taken np first. Attack added tbab one of the first things he did on reaching the bottom of the shaft was to disoover the fate of Mr Radford, the nnder-manager. They found the office had suffered terribly from the explosion, dooors and windows having been blown out, and the lights extinguished. On the floor were lying the dead bodies of Mr Radford and John Wallis, a deputy. He and his fellow- workers were obliged to leave them there and return to the bottom of the shaft. Hearing sounds from the direction of the west level he made his way to the spot. and ascertained the noise came from the pit ponies. These animals were in a state of great agony, rolling about in all directions, Replying to questions, Attack said he oonld form no opinion as to what portion of the mine the explosion occurred in, but noticed the damage seemed the worst about the bottom of the sbaft. Everything there was iu an awful state and fearfully smashed up. Another man saved, named Thomas Ball, Jls a thrilling story of the fight against death which took place when the first alarm of the explosion was received. He WM in his working about 7 j o'clock. and had been getting ooal for some five minutes, when suddenly he heard a tremendous report and the pit shook from end to end. The noiae lasted for a few seconds, and WM I then succeeded by the terrible afterdamp, which has so enormously swelled the list of vic- tims. A. thi's moment Ball had the greatest difficulty in keeping his lamp alight, but by moving it to and fro in order to avoid the currents of bad air which shot through the pit, he suc- ceeded in his endeavour. The lamps of most of the other men had been instantly extinguished, and for the moment there was terrible confusion in the stifling darkness. With his many years' knowledge of the pit's working he w%s able to make his way to the shaft, where fresh air was coming down, being followed by half a down or to feUow*muiac« They had to fight hard against the choking I effects of the afterdamp, and one or two of this little band fell by the way, overcome by the ¡ noxious fumes. No sconer, however, was this uoticed than others of the party stopped to render assistance, aiding them to regain their feet, and then helping them on to safety. It was a terrible struggle, and when at length they reached the purer air they were too exhausted to make any kind of signal to those waiting above. Like his superiors, Ball has not the remotest idea of the origin of the explosion. SHOCKING SCENES UNDERGROUND. A member of an exploring party told the Press representatives the sights he had seen in tbe workings were most pitiful. In all directions were the bodies of his previous comrades, many of them shockingly mutilated, some unrecog- nisable. All the appearances pointed to the explosion being of a sudden death-dealing character, and the victims, it seemed, had been given no chanoe of escape, but had fallen where they were. He had never noticed gas in the mine, and could not acoount for the explosion. One of the injured men, interviewed in Leeds Infirmary, said the explosion wae believed to have occurred in the west section of the pit. There was little hope, he continued, of any more being got out alive.

READING MURDERS. DISCOVERY OF A'OTHEn BODY. The Press Association Reading correspondent te'.egraphs'on Thursday that the body of another child has been recovered from the Thames, making the seventh. The Press Association Reading correspondent, telegraphing later, says :-There would appear to be no end to the finding of murdered children bere. About noon on Thursday, when Police constable Frederick James Vince wa on duty by the Thames towpath, extending from the Kennet's mouth to Sonning Oaks, he saw a suspicious-looking parcel entangled in weeds, and on securing the parcel by aid of his stick he found that it contained the body of a well-developed male child, about 12 months old. The bcdy was encased in a flannel wrapper, and around the child's head wa< a red flannel. The neck, as in the case of the other babies, was tightly tied with linen material. The infant had undoubtedly been strangled. Constable Vince states that the body I bad the appearanoe of having been en- veloped in brown paper, as several of the other bodies bad been, and something fell from the parcel as he lifted it from the water The constable cannot say what it was, though he believed it to have been a brick. He marked the spot however on the bank, and the river will be closely searched. The police are to-day carefully examining the bottom of Clapper's Pool with the searchlight. The body of the child found on Thurs- day was dreadfully decomposed, but from certain clothing found upon it the police hope to be able to trace its identification. The greatest excite- ment again prevails in Reading. The Reading police have for some time been J looking for a male child about the age of the one taken from the Thames on Thursday morning. The pohce expect to be able to establish the identity of the little victim. The police have ascertained that the man Palmer pawned a number of children's garments during the last four months. Since last June Dyer has received 50 children, ranging in age from a few weeks to 10 years.

MUSWELL HILL MURDER, CRIMINAL HANDWRITING. One of Wednesday's evening papers prints in facsimile the letter from Milsom, the partner of Fowler in the Muswell Hill murder, in which be begs to be allowed to make his famous confession, or statement, as be himself prefers to call it. The most elementary student of graphology— inexact science as it may be—cannot fail to notice certain marked tendencies in the burglar's handwriting. Though by no means an educated hand, it shows intelligence. What seems, however, especially marked in it, is a, spirit of cool deliberation. The signature shows a kind of rough vanity in the way it is sepa- rated from the rest of the epistle with a looped line underneath to emphasise it, and the last letter of the name fantastically finished off. A more careful inspection will reveal carelessness, or at all events a want of precision. Although the individual characters mostly resemble each other closely enough, one notices that while some i's are dotted, others are neglected, and that there is no regularity about the crossing of the t's Such writer would be likely enough to forget to cover bis tracks,' as an expressive phrase has it, and so escape the pursuit of the police.

INTERESTING DIVORCE SUIT. CURATE AS CO-RESPONDENT. EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURES. I The heanng of the petition for divorce I brought by Mr William Henry Hern, of Dal. I wood. Devon, because of his wife's alleged adultery with the Rev. A. Winnifrith, who had been curate at Dalwood, was resumed on Thursday. The co-respondent, who defended the case in person at the first hearing, was on Thursday repre- sented by Mr Rentoui, Q.C. Petitioner, further cross-examined, said he did not suggest Mr Winnifrith bad t;iksn his wife away, but be certainly thought be had induced her to go away. Petitioner, re-examined regarding a letter which respondent had written co-respondent, denied the statement that he said he his wife had not got on well together, or that there had been occasions for Mr Winnifrith to smooll1 things between them. Mrs Mary Mears said that she had acted as Winnifrith's housekeeper. Mrs Hern used to I visit him. She bad seen them kissing and sitting on the hearthrug together. Winnifrith told witness he loved Mrs Hern, and wit- ness remonstrated aud told him that if she were in Mr Hern's place she wou'd put him in the niillstream and horse- whip Mrs Hera. Winnifrith said Mrs Hern did not like her husband, and that it was awful for a woman to go in bed with a man whom she hated. Witness once read a note from Mrs Hem to Winnifrith, m which she said, I will be up this afternoon as Will {the husband) is not well, and we will embrace each other." Witness,cross-examined, said ehe did not think, I notwithstanding what she saw, that the parties were committing adultery. Mr Herman Bromtield, father of respondent, said he had seen respondent and co-respondent with their arms round each other and kissing each other. He did not interfere because his wife advised him to say nothing, and Mr Winnifrith next day apologised to his wife. Witness was a churchwarden at the time. Henry Burgess said be saw respondent and co- respondent in a lane one night, and he had no I doubt th"y committed adultery. Sarah Bennett, wife of a schoolmaster, said co- respondent, referring to the efforts to find Mrs I Hern, remarked I assure yon this affair will not be settled without my help." Petitioner's case having concluded, Dr. Rentoul addressed the jury and called Mr Winnifrith. He said he organised entertainments and Mr Hern contributed to the programme. She drove to these entertainments with her husband. Witness declared that he never kissed Mrs Hern or she him, neither did he ever take her boots off, sit on the hearthrug with her, or tell anyone he loved her. The hearing was adjourned.

COLLISION AT SEA. BRITISH VESSEL SUNK. The Press Association stakes that Lloyd's agent at Shanghai telegraphed on Thursday A serious collision has occurred between the steamers Onwo (late Taku) and the Newchwang, the former sinking almost immediately and being totally lost. It is feared there has been serious loss of life. Five foreiguers and 250 Chinese are missing. The Newohwang beached at Woosnng. The Onwo belonged to the Iudo-China Steam Navigation Company. REPORTED LOSS OF OVER 300 LIVES A Dalziel telegram says:—A collision took place on Weinesday at Woosnng between two British steamers, the Newohwane and the Onwo. The Onwo immediately sank, and ail the Europeans on board, with the exception of two, were drowned. The survivors are Cooper, the second officer, and AIJen, the third engineer, of the On wo. The captain and five Eoghlb officers and engineers and 300 Chinese were drowned. The American warships Oiympia, Boston, Y-jrkiowu, and Detroit sent boats to the aesistance of the On 4vo, and rncceeded in saving many lives. OFFICERS PROBABLY SA VD. Thecompany on Thursday received information of the loss of their vessel. They are unaware how I many lives have been lost, but some of the crew are amoug the drowned. The Onwo was I' oflicered by Europeans, the crew being natives. She was a river steamer tradiug between Yungtse and Hankow, and carried passengets. Mr Cheyne, secretary of the company, says it is probable that the officers have been saved, as they wonld most likely be on deck at the time of tho collision.

THE AGRICULTURAL RATING BILL. 4 THE ADJOURNED DEBATE. SCATHING CRITICISM BY SIR W. IIARCOURT, MR LLOYD GEORGE SCORES. A PASSAGE-AT-ARMS WITH :i MR CTIAPLIN. 'í',¡ HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. fj| The Lord Chancellor took bis seat at a quarbW" j» past ♦ o'clock. i: Lord JAMES formally moved the second reading of the Metropolitan Counties Water Board BilL After some discussion their Lordships divided, 2 and there were for the second reading, 96 J against, 27 majority, 69. The Bill was accor. 14 dingiy read a second time. i ;• The House adjourned at 10 minutes put 1 it o'clock. £ >

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. The Speaker took the chair at 3.5. Notioes had been given of 64 questions. A WELSH CHARITY. Mr GKIFFITH-BOSOAWEN asked the bon. mem- ber for Thirsk, as representing the Charity Com- missioners, whether the attention of the Charity Commissioners had been called to a letter addressed to them by the Rev. Lewis Price, vicar of Llandilofawr, with reference to the proposed scheme for dealing with the charities of Warner j and James of that place, and where in view of the fact that it was the intention of the founders of these charities that they should be devoted Bo education purposes iu Llandilofawr under the the fact that it was the intention of the founders of these charities that they should be devoted to education purposes in Llandilofawr under the ;1 direction of the vicar and churchwardens, and i that they have always been applied to the l National School, which is a poor one, the Charity Commissioners will agiee not to proceed with the ecbeme. Mr Grant Lawson's proposals for a scheme dealing with this case have been submitted by the joint Education Commissioners of the county of Carmarthen, and a scheme has been drafted accordingly, upon which the Commissioners are now in correspondence with the trustees, but it has not as yet reached the stage of publication in the locality. The Commissioners consider that the scheme should proceed at least as far as the stage of such publication. After publication and before taking any further steps the Commissionen will give full consideration to what is urged by the vicar. NEWSPAPER POSTAGE RATES. In reply to a question by Mr Richardson as to whether the transactions of scientific institutions could be sent through the post on the same favourable terms as newspapers, Mr HANBORT said it was estimated that a loss of £ 82.000 yearly was already inonrred by the Post Office on newspaper postage. Any extension of the rates in the manner suggested oould not therefore bp acceded to. THE LEE-METFORD BULLET. Mr BEOOKFIELD asked the Under-Secretary of | State for War whether the stopping power of the Lee-Metford bullet, as shown in the Chitral expedition and by recent events in South Africa, had engaged the special attention of the military authorities, also the respective calibres of the revolver used in the Royal Navy and the Lee- Metford rifle. Mr BRODRICK said that the whole question of calibres was being carefully considered with < view to efficiency in warfare. The honourable and ga lant member also asked him what was the minimum bullet bole required to abruptly arrest the progress of a man charging. Air BRODRICK It would depend very much upon the part of his person penetrated by the bullet. (Laughter.) Sir WIIFEID LAWBON asked whether it was not the object of a nih to inflict a mortal wouna. Mr BEODiiiOK That is the object, bat it OUt- not wholly be attained. OLD- AGE PENSIONS. Mr BALFOUR, answering Mr Herbert Lewis, said that there should be no unnecessary delay in She appointment of the expert Committee on old- j age pensions, and he hoped shortly to make as announcement to the House on the subject. announcement to the House on the subject. COURSE OF BUSINESS. Sir WILLIASI HAKCOURT asked the Leader ct tiib House, in reference to the motion on the paper relating to the 12 o'clock rule, whether be 1 considered it proper that a discussion on such an important matter as the Agricultural Rating BiH should be oondacted after 12 o'clock ? Mr BALFOUR said that if the right bon. gentle- man asked bis personal opinion of the propriety of discussing the Bill after 12 o'clock, be should hope the House would conclude the discussion by 12 o'clock. (Hear, hear.) Mr HEEBEKT ROBERTS asked when the right bon. gentleman wuula take the second reading o! the Education Bill ? Sir BALFOCR said be bad expected to take the second reading of the Finance Bill that eight, but as that was now impossible it would be put, down for Monday, and the Education Biil would be fixed for Tuesday. Mr FLYNN asked whether the Irish Land Rating Bill would be taken before the Committer stage of the English Land Rating Bill. Mr LoUGH said be should like to know why Qt- English Land Rating Bill should have been takes before similar Bills for Irtiland and Scotland. Mr BALFOUR said the intention of the Govern ment was to pass all three Bilis before the end of the Session, and he did not think that it would ty convenient to mix up the discussion on the English Bill with that on the Scotch and Irisl Bills. 12 O'CLOCK RULE SUSPENDED. Mr BALFOUR moved That the proceeding.- on the second reading of the Agricultural Land Rating Bill, if under discussion at 12 o'clock to night, be not interrupted under the provisions o! the Standing Order." The House divided. For the motion 275 Agaiast. 145 Government majority 130 AGRICULTURAL LANDS RATING BILL THE ADJOURNED DEBATE. The adjourned debate on the amendment tc the second reading of the Agricultural Land Rating Bill was resumed by Mr MILLWARD who, in continuation of the remarks he waE making when interrupted by thE adjournment of the debate at the previous sitting, said there could be no doubt, as compared with manufacturers, farmers were excessively rated. Mr CHAPLIK said that be roee then beoaose be thought the subject had already been thoroughly well thrashed out--(Ob, ob)-Lmd he desired to make some reply to the most important objections to the Bill which had been raised in the course of the debate. It had been said by the right bon. gentleman the member for Wolverhampton that this measure would go half way towards a national poor rate, while it would largely couduoe to loe&l extravagance. He did not, however, think "t there was any foundation for either of these assertions. Then it was said that the Bill would make the State the largest ratepayer in the country, whilf giving it no control over the ex- penditure. But he denied that under the Bill the State would become the largest ratepayer, and as he had pointed oat in his speech in introducing the Bill, it would afford a powerful induoement to economy ratber than extravagance. Any inereaee of rates in the rural districts would be borne by the oooupiers of houses and buildings in a larcer 'proportion than by *tbe oooupiers of land, ana it would, therefore, be their interest to keep down the expenditure. (Hear, hear.) Then it was said that the rates in the towns were much higher than in the rural districts. Weii, he admitted that, but it must be remembered that tbe rate- payers in the towns received a much larger return for tbe expenditure than did the former, while the former were more lightly rated than the latter in proportion to their profits. (Hear, hear.) It had been argued that the Govern' ment should fix a time limit to the Bill, The Government bad considered these represen- tations, and be was now able to state that they were wilhng to limit the operation of the meaeoN to five years. (Hear, bear.) One great point which had been made in opposition so the Bill was that the benefit of any remission of rate* would go to the landlords, but that would not be the case, for in bbese days of falling rents it would be impossible for a landlord to appropnst6 the benefit of this Bill without running the risk of the far greater loos incideat to a change of tenancy. Then it was said that the Bill would give most relief wham it was least needed, and let relief where it was most needed, bii t although. it might be true that relief would be given to the I individual ratepayer in proportion to the rates he paid, he maintained that, takinr districts, the most relief would be given to sbo"e that, were most depressed. Again, it was said that there would be inequalities in the operation of the matter. No doubt; but were there no inequalities now 1 (Hear, hear.) In proposing that the Agricultural land should be rated lower than ot he:-property he had the high authority of Sir G. O. Lewis on his side. Having dealt with the objection that bad been made to the proposals of the Government, he had a right to ask what pro- posals had been made by the Leader of the Opposition. The right bon. gentleman bad given them no indication of the manner in which I he thought that agrioulture should b« I aided, and in tbe absenoo of raeh an indh