The North Wales Times

If any reader who is in difficulty with reference to his garden, will write direct to the ad. dress given bene i-th, his queries will be an. swered, free of charge, and by return of post. —EDITOR]. Some correspondents omit to add their names, or merely end with initials. In these cases it is obviously impossible to reply.—E.K.T. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, GENERAL. During frosty weather manure should be wheeled on to the plots where it will be required, and in mild weather trenching can be continued, It is a great mistake to bury masses of frozen soil, because they take a very long time to thaw underground, and until they are thawed, con- stitute a danger to the roots of plants. Clear away and bury deeply all vegetable refuse of every kind. Whenever weather permits, hoeing between growing crops is beneficial. ARTICHOKES. Provide additional protective material when severe frost seems imminent, heaping up fern, straw, or leaves over the centres of the plants. The extra covering must be removed during mild periods. ASPARAGUS. Established beds need a good top dressing now, a mixture of two or three inches of horse and cow dung being desirable. Sea-weed may be added with benefit. It is a good plan to cover the top dressing with a thin layer of fine soil. BEANS, BROAD. Sow for an early crop towards the end of the month in double rows three feet apart, the seeds being arranged for the plants to come alter- nately ahout seven inches asunder in double rows, which should be nine inches apart. Cover with from three to four inches of good soil. Early sowings require a warm, dry, and rich border. If the ground be not tolerably rich, some partially decayed dung can be forked in when levelling down in spring. BROCCOLI. At the approach of severe weather broccoli fit for use are raised and stored closely in a cellar. CABBAGE. Plant out from the seed beds when weather permits, filling up gaps in aabnTm plantations. CARROTS Stored crops should be ex maed with a view to destroying young growths and removing un- sound specimens., CAULIFLOWERS. Sow in boxes on a gentle hot-bed, or under a cool frame in a sunny, warm corner, using an ounce of seed to four square yards of soil in shallow drills 10 inches apart. Cover with half- an-inch of fine soil. Rigidly exterminate weeds. Prick out the plants from tbe earliest s.owing into an another frame or under hand lights as soon as they are large enough to handle. Give all the air consistent with safety, and finally plant cut about mid-May 15 inches apart. CELERY. Protect cropa with hoops or pea sticks covered with mats or suitable litter, which must be removed when the weather is favourable. Blanched erops suffer very severely from frost unless stored in safety. All roots may be stored closely together on a layer of soil in a box or barrel, through the sides of which inch holes have been bored about four inches from the bottom. The roots and some soil should be left adhering to the plants, which will require an occasional watering through the holes. Blanched roots should be trimmed closely and packed tightly in an upright position in moss and sand in a box. ENDIVES. The process of blanching by tying up the top of each plant, and then covering it with an in- verted pot, the edges of which are well pressed into the soil, and the hole finally stopped with a slate and turf to exclude lighi, and air, takes about 10 or 14 days, but as the plants do not keep well in a blanched condition, only a few should be covered at a time. If heavy frosts are expected, a portion of the crop can be removed to dark frames or to boxes in any dark place where a temperature of from 50 to 55 degrees is maintained. HORSE-RADISH. New plantations may be made at once in deeply worked, rich soils in open situations. It is a capital plan to place a thick layer of stable manure 15 inches under the surface soil. The crowns are just covered with soil when being planted. Roots that have no crowns formed oaght to be placed rather more deeply in the ground. JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES. Planting may be commenced towards the end of the month, though we advocate waiting until March before dibbling in medium sized tubers from four to six inches deep in rows 21 or three feet apart, the sets being placed from 15 to 18 inches asunder in the lines. A thoroughly worked, deep, and friable loam is best for this crop, but the plant succeeds almost anywhere. LETTUCES. Sow from mid-January until March in pans in a greenhouse or frame, or even in boxes covered with sheets of glass on a sunny border. Prick out the seedlings as early as possible into frames or boxes of light, rich soil, and finally plant them out about six inchas apart in April. Open, porous soil is an absolute essential to success. ONIONS. Most successful exhibitors of onions make a practice of sowing the seed during January in shallow boxes in a frame or greenhouse. The young plants are pricked out two inches apart in other boxes of turfy loam, with a small ad- mixture of mellow manure and sand, directly they are three inches high. When the onions are about six inches in height, move the boxes to a cool frame to harden off, preparatory to planting out about the end of April in tho- roughly trenched and manured ground. Water liberally during dry weather, and in summer give occasional dressings of salt, guano and liquid manure. EARLY PEAS. Sow for the earliest crop on a warm, shel- tered, sloping south border, on turves turned upside down in frames, or in pots, or long shal- low troughs under glass. Directly the seedlings are visible, dust them over lightly with lime and soot mixed, as a protection from slugs, and thin them to about two inches apart when they are two or three inches high. Early out-door sowings must be sheltered from keen winds, and it is well to support the plants with brushwood when they are three or four inches high. As the seedlings appear under glass, air must be given whenever possible, to promote a sturdy growth, and it will, of course, be necessary to water occasionally. Towards the end of March or in early April plant them out, with as little disturbance of the roots as possible. A warm sandy soil is necessary for early Bowings. Sparrows are a most troublesome pest of out- door crops, and from the first appearance of the seedlings it is imperatively necessary to protect them with strings, to which hanging rags, feathers, and pieces of tin are attached. Pea-guards, made by fixing wire netting on a framework of a semi-circular wire hoops, are most useful for protecting sowings. Mice fre- quently demolish ear,ly sowings before the seeds have germinated. A good preventative is to cover the seeds with a little soil and then with two inches of sharp sand. Another method consists of moistening the seed with sweet oil, and then covering it with red lead. POTATOES. Towards the end of January pack a number of sets on end in a box, placing them close to- gether and only one layer deep. The shallow box is then placed near the glass in a cool con- servatory, or in some other light position where they will be safe from frost. The ger- minating of the tubers before they are planted y saves time, and ensures early crops. RADISHES. Make a. sowing quite at the end of the month, or in February, on a warm, dry, south border, and cover with about an inch of fine earth. On light soils it is advisable to firm down the bed with tike back of a spade. January and Feb ruary sowings must be protected with about four inches of light litter during frost. Early thinning is vital, as crowded fplants produce large tops instead of roots. SPINACH. Take two or three of the largest leaves at a time from each plant, and at the first appear- ance of flower-stems cut the heads right off. E. KEMP TOOGOOD, F.R.H.S., pro Toogood and Sona The Royal Seed Establishment, Southampton.

BAGILLT. SUCCESSFUL PHONOGRAPHERS. We are pleased to learn that Messrs. Gre- gory, Mostyn Morgan Lloyd Morgan, Bagillt; and Davies, Hen lifilil, Bagillt; have won second certificates in the theory of Shorthand. The three are pupils of the Rev. Washington Jones, and Mr. A. T. Evans. TEMPERANCE MEETING. On Monday night, » well attended temper- ance meeting was held in the English Conjure gational Chapel. The Rev. J. Price, pastor oi the church, presided, and delivered a powerful speech. Afterwards the Rev. J. Eiddon Jones, Bangor, addressed the meeting, and explained the report of the Royal Commission on Licen sing. At the close, af resolution in favour of local control of the liquor traffic was unani mously passed,

PRBSTiTYK. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL The monthly meeting of this Council was held on Wednesday, when there were present- Messrs W. H. Coward, J.P. (who presided in the absence of the Chairman), R. Davies, John Pritchard, J. B. Linnell, Ellis Roberts, Thomas 'Williams, Thomas Hughes, Rev. T. Price, and Dr. Griffith, with Mr. John Hughes (Clerk), and Mr. W. C. Bell (Surveyor). INDISPOSITION OF THE CHAIRMAN. Mr. Coward, in taking the chair, expressed regret at the indisposition of Mr. John Jones, the Chairman of the Council. Had the Chair- man been present, he felt sure that his first duty would have been to wish the members of the Council a happy new year. In his absence he had much pleasure in doing so. THE NEW FIRE ENGINE. It was recommended by the Road Committee that the Council should order the steam fire engine, to make application for a loan to the Local Government Board, and in the event of a refusal to make arrangements with the makers to extend the payment over a term of five years, to be paid out of the revenue in annual instalments. Dr. Griffiths moved the soiifirmation of the minutes, and urged upon the Council the ne- cessity of ordering the engine at oaee. Mr. Linnell had promised to provide a suilNtbl« place to store it until they had erected a firi statioD. The motion was carried. THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND TOWN IMPROVEMENTS. The Improvement Committeelrecommended that in view of,their being unable to arrange for the widening of High Street in the course of this winter, that the following works only be included in the application to the Local Govern- ment Board for a loan, viz., Nant-hall Road, drainage up to Mostyn Avenue, Gronant Road drainage, Meliden Road drainage, Fire Engine Station and Store Room, Fire Engine and Equipment. The Surveyor had been instructed to prepare plans for fire engine station and store only, and not to include plans for Council offices. Dr. Griffith moved the adoption of the minutes. Mr. R. Davies asked who were present afc the meeting when the recommendations were passed. Dr. Griffith replied that Mr. John Jones, Mr. G. O. Jones, and himself, were present. They could not be expected to carry out the views of those that were absent. They should have been present instead of neglecting their duties as Councillors to go to love meetings' (laughter). Mr. Ellis Roberts remarked that when cer- tain members were absent the meetings were postponed. Mr. J. B. Linnell asked if the Vicar was pre- pared to give his consent to a two storey build- ing. the Chairman replied that the Vicar had said that he would not only consent to a two storey building, but to a three storey one, if necessary The Vicar-That is quite right. I have no objection. Mr. R. Davies, as an amendment to the re- commendation of the Committee, moved that the original plans be adopted, which provided for a fire engine station and offices for the Clerk and Surveyor on thq-ground floor, and a Council Chamber capable of accommodating 50 people on the second storey., Mr. Thomas Hughes seconded the amend- ment. Dr. Griffith remarked that he would make this a test question with those candidate, who were retiring at the next election. The Chairman objected to threat of that kind being made: It was time enough for elec- tioneering when the election came. The Surveyor said he had no objection to the two storey building as originally proposed, but he had expressed the opinion that it would be much better to have more open space than was on a site of land which only measured sixty feet by thirty. The Clerk said it would be contrary to their own byelaws to have a two storey building. Mr. Ellis Roberts remarked that when cer- tain plans were submitted, they had over- ridden the byelaws before. Dr. Griffith-Then. that was not right. Mr. R. Davies-That is the way things are done here. Mr. Ellis Roberts-Why talk about byelaws when we over-ride them ? Dr. Griffith-The Council should set a good example. ,e. On a division, Mr. Davies' amendment was carried, Dr. Griffith alone voting against it. IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGH STREET, Mr. J. B. Linnell moved that the sum of £ 500 be included in the proposed loan for town im provements for the purpose for constructing a footpath in High Street, and doing away with the gutters, even if they could not widen the street now. Dr. Griffiths, while sympathising with Mr. Linnell, pointed out that the difficulty was if they kerbed and channelled the street now, they would have to do away with it when they widen High Street. Mr. R. Davies said that several property owners had promised land for the widening. Other members having spoken, Mr. Linnell's proposal was carried.

HE'S GONE TO THE FRONT. She hated war! She stood before The captivated -throng, And cried Why can't we live in peace Why will the brutal strong Continue to oppress the weak? 'Tis barbarous and wrong She hated war! 'Twas murderous, She said, for men to fight She wanted peace; but, oh, she dressed Her husband down that night! He'd tried to match some goods for her, And hadn't done it right. 'She refused him, as she thought that he would propose agtt 'in.' And he did ?' Yet, but to another girl.' (

WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. The committee of the Imperial Yeomanry on Tuesday issued a notice to the Press stating that about 5000 men have so far been fully attested, of whom a large proportion have passed the requisite standard in riding and shooting. Of these 1500 will be embarked on January 27 and a further 1500 about February 1. In addition at least 2000 men have been attested and are awaiting examination in riding and shooting. Until 5000 men have been embarked, enlistment will be more or less suspended at the various headquarters, as the permanent staff find it very difficult to cope with the immense amount of work now thrown upon them. The committee add that, as in some oases it has been found that the sighting of the rifles issued is defective, the War Office authorities are taking steps to remedv this by issuing to the force, before embarkation, rifles which have been thoroughly tested and approved. In the counties, the mobilization of the various detach- ments of men accepted for the Imperial Yeomanry is steadily proceeding. The War Office has sanc- tioned the raising of a special corps of sharpshooters in association with the Imperial Yeomanry, and a committee has been formed for the organisation of this body. A HIGH) CENSORSHIP. The censors11 i p is still rigidly exercised with regard to the opt" "da in which General Buller's forces are engage* i. ad no authoritative news whatever was available ou Wednesday morning from any of the positions on the Tugela. The Times correspondent at Pieternmritzburg, however, says that very heavy artillery fh ng was heard on Monday in the direc- tion of Springfield. A BOER REPULSE. From the Southern Frontier some rather important intelligence has been received. Reuter despatches from Rensburg state that the enemy are occupying a strong position between Colesberg and Slingersfon- tein, protected on every side by hills. On Saturday a blinding dust-storm swept over Colonel Porter's camp at Slingersfontein, and in the midst of it shells from the enemy began to drop in the camp. The troops retired to the cover of a neighbouring hill, and three squadrons of cavalry, with four guns of a horse artillery battery, turned out to meet the Boers. Immediately after getting into position the guns opened fire, and in a few minutes the enemy were silenced and driven to cover. The British troops advanced a mile nearer, and shelled the Boers' position for some hours. We had only one man wounded. On Sunday the shelling of the enemy's camp steadily continued, and a reconnais- sance of the enemy's left flank to within two miles of Colesberg-bridge showed that all the Boer tents had been shifted eastward as the result of our shell tire. On Monday the Boers attempted to take a hill held by a company of thte Yorkshire Regiment and by the New Zealanders, but were repulsed, at the point of the bayonet, with a loss of 21 killed and about 50 wounded. ENEMY FALLS BACK FROM MOLTENO. A Reuter despatch of Monday from Molteno says that, as it was reported c. hat the Boers contemplated another attack on Molteno Camp, General Gatacre despatched a strong force of infantry and artillery from Sterkstrom in the direction of Stormberg, but no trace of the enemy was found. It is reported that they have fallen back, leaving only a small gar- rison at Stormberg, and have occupied another posi- tion near Burghersdorp. This, however, is not con- finned. General Gatacre is anxiously awaiting rein- forcements. An Englishman recently expelled from Burghersdorp says the British wounded there are doing well. The Boer strength in the district is. estimated at 4500 men, principally Free Staters and Cepe rebels—the latter being described as hitter bloodthirsty, and tyrannical." PLUCKY MAFEKING. The Times correspondent at Lorenco Marqwes learns on good authority that on January 11 Mafe- king was holding its own as pluckily as ever, and that the garrison has a plentiful supply of cattle and tinned meats. Pretoria telegrams of last Saturday report an engagement outside Mafeking on the pre- vious day, in which the Boers claim to have de- molished a fort. BOER LOSSES AT COLESBERG. A private letter from Colesberg statesthat in the skirmish on January I the Boers lost four killed, 14 wounded, and 19 prisoners. Of 113 of the Suffolks captured on the 6th 34 were wounded and three have since died. The Boers state that their loss in that affair was eight killed and 12 wounded. R.H.A. OFFICER CAPTURED. The following telegram of Sunday's date has been received in Pretoria from a correspondent with the Boer forces at Colesberg: "This morning, while scouting, Lieutenant Thompson, R.H.A., and a trooper were wounded and taken prisoners by a Boer patrol." OFFICAL CASUALTY LISTS. The following official despatches have been sent out for publication from the War Office: LADYSMITH WOUNDED. From the General of Communications, Natal, to the Secretary of State for War. PIEARMAKITZBURG, January 15. The following casualties are reported by the General, Ladysmith: COLONIAL TROOPS. WOUNDED JANUARY 6. Imperial Light Horse.—Srgt.-Maj. H. C. Greenall (b), Sgt. R. P. O. Flaherty (a), Sgt. A. Winthorp (a), Sgt. S. G. Burnett (a), Sgt. W. J. Laing (a), Corp. J. Rolston (b), Corp. F. T. Brice (b), Lance-Corp. W. Jaggs (a), Lance-Corp. W. R. Downer (a), Tpr. A. R. Shed (a), Tpr. G. Blair (a), Tpr. C. Attlay (a), Tpr. H. L. Woods (a), Tpr. G. W. S. Ogilvie (a), Tpr. A. H. Marshall (a), Tpr. W. Edwards (a), Tpr. C. Keen (a), Tpr. C. Lester (a), Tpr. G. Corey (a), Tpr. J. E. O'Brien (b), Tpr. W. Swain (b), Tpr. E. Har- vraves (b), Tpr. J. H. Barbour (b), Tpr. W. C. iieeves (b). Natal Carbineers.—Tpr. H. D. Archibald (a), Tpr. H. Archibald (b), Tpr. F. Larkin (b). Natal Mounted Rifles.—Tpr. P. N. Told (a), Tpr. P. Addison (b). Volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment.—Gnr. C. Williams (b). Natal Police.-—Sgt. A. Wood (a), Tpr. A. Pleite (a), Tpr. G. V. Revitt (a). (a) severely, (b) slightly. Weekly progress report. Wounded all doing well. Sick, 75 serious cases, chiefly enteric fever and dysentery. Others doing well. REPORTS FROM CAPETOWN. From the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, to the Secretary of State for War. CAPETOWN, January 15. The following casualties are reported: 2058 Tpr. Thomas Sedding, 2nd Life Guards, and Lieutenant W. G. Thompson, 0 Battery Royal Horse Artillery, missing. 3722 Pt. W. M'Linmey, 6th Drrgoon Guards, and 2564 Sgt. W. Day, 1st Essex, slightly wounded, January 13, at Rensburg. 12188 Pt. M. Haynes, Royal Army Medical Corps, died of enteric fever, base hospital, Pietermaritz- burg, January 15. From the General of Communications, Capetown, to the Secretary of State fcr War. January 15. 5362 Pt. J. Kelly, 5169 Pt. J. Binns, 4845 Pt. Cox, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, wounded November 23; and 7145Pt.Underwood,3935 Ft. S.Melbourne, 5800 Pt. J. Dawes, 3rd Grenadier Guards, wounded November 23, have since died of wounds. 4494 Pt. B. M'Dermott, 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, died January 11 of gunshot wound at Wynberg. 2441 Lance-Corp. ,Neil M'Donald, 2nd Royal Highlanders, reported: as killed at Magersfontein, is alive and well. 4221 Lance-Corp. J. M'Donald, 2nd Royal Highlanders, was the man killed. 89391 Bombr. J. Langford, No. 2 Section, Ammu- nition Park, Royal Field Artillery, and 4015 Pt. H. Houchen, 1st Essex Regt., died at De Aar, January 13, of enteric fever. 3925 Lance-CoTp. J. Hodgkinson, 2nd Lincoln, missing off patrol end of December. 13IVE NEW BATTERIES TO BE FORMED. The 90ch Battery Royal Field Artillery arrived at Aldershot on Tuesday from Longford, and are expected to mobolise immediately with the 89th and 91st Batteries for active service. They are armed with the new pattern 15-pounders. Five new bat- teries of Royal Field Artillery are to be formed immediately, the 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd, and 103rd. The 99th formed on Tuesday at Longford. PLEATii TO WALK IN FRONT, SIR 1" The report that President Kruger peremptorily ordered the last attack on Ladyamith. and suggested putting; the Frea State men in the most dangerous places, is confirmed at Cape Town on good authority, j It is added that during the lighting the Transvaal burghers retreated, and left the Free State men to bear the brunt of the counter-attack. ALL REMAINING BURGHERS CALLED OUT. A despatch from Louren50 Marques to the Cape Argus states that all the burgher reserves in, the two Republics are being called out. President Kruger has issued a proclamation peremptorily ordering all men capable of bearing arms to proceed forthwith to the front, and burghers on furlough are instructed to return to their commandoes immediately. SIR FREDERICK CARRINGTON. There is a rumour that Major-General Sir Frede- rick Carrington, K.C.B., commanding at Belfast, will leave immediately for South Africa, his application for employment having been acceded to by the War Office. His aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Lawrence, South Wales Borderers, will accompany him. THE EIGHTH DIVISION. It now seems clear that the Eighth Division is to be mobilised and sent to the Cape as soon as pos- sible. Our Aldershot correspondent mentions eight battalions which are under orders to procee to Aldershot, and which presumably are to form the infantry portion of the division. Two regiments are coming from Gibraltar, one from Egypt, one from Canada, one from Malta, and two from Ireland, while the remaining one is already at Alder- shot. When the probability of an Eighth Division being despatched to the front was first spoken of, it was indicated that two battalions of Guards would form part of it. but it appears as though this deci- sion had been altered. With regard to guns, it may be noted that a large number of batteries are in course of mobilisation, and presumably out of these the requisite artillery would be selected, while as for cavalry, there are four regiments now under ordys for South Africa, namely, the 17th Lancers, 8th Hussars, 7th Dragoon Guards, 16th Lancers, of which the last-named has already sailed from India. OUR FORCES FOR THE WAR. This addition to the forces at the disposal of Field-Marshal Lord Roberts together with the Volunteers, Yeomanry, and Colonial contingents will bring the total strength of our army in South Africa up to something like 184,000 men, distributed as follows In South Africa before War 25,000 First Army Corps 55,000 Fifth Division 11,000 Sixth Division 10,000 Seventh Division. 10,000 Eight Division 10,000 Additional Cavalry. 2000 First Colonial Contingents 2500 Second Colonial Contingents 2500 Naval Brigades 1000 Yeomanry. 10.000 Volunteers 9000 Militia (seven battalions) 6000 Local Forces (Cape, Natal, &c.) 20,000 Drafts for regiments at front 10,000 Total 184,000 In some cases these figures are only approximate -for,instance, it is impossible to say for certain what are the totals of the Cape and Natal local forces. ROBERTS ON RENSBURG. The following telegram was on Wednesday posted at the War Office: From Field Marshal Lord Roberts to Secretary of State for War (received January 17). CAPE TOWN, January 16 {9.10 p.m.). On the 15th inst. the Boers made a determined attack upon French's advanced post, which was held by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles and supported by a detachment of the lst Yorkshire Regiment. The Boers wøe repulsed, leaving behind them 20 killed. Their wonnded is estimated at not less than 50. MESSAGE FBOM BULLER. The following message from General Buller was posted at the War Office at noon on Wednesday From General Officer Commanding to Secretary of State for War, January 16, 1900. Following casual- ties reported: 5405 Private R. R. Mackenzie, 2nd Dorset Regiment, died of dysentery January 13 at Springfield Bridge Camp; 687 Private Allan Spreaggin, Bethune's Mounted Infantry, wounded shoulder and left leg. Reconnaissance Tugela River, January 15. This showed that at least up to Monday General Buller was occupied in reconnoitring the enemy's position. THE TUGELA CROSSED. Telegraphing from Spearman's Farm late on Wed- nesday night, the Times special correspondent, in a message published in London on Thursday, said: The force marched westward on the 10th. Lord Dundonald, by a dashing movement, occupied the hills above Potgieter's Drift, 15 miles west of Colenso, taking the Boers completely by sur- prise. The same evening the infantry followed. General Lyttelton's Brigade crossed the river yesterday, and to-day shelled the Boer trenches beyond with howitzers. Sir C. Warren's force is now crossing Trichardt's Drift, five miles above. He is unopposed, though the Boers are holding a position five miles from the river." An Exchange Telegraph Company's despatch from Spearman's Farm, dated January 17, said The column moved to Spearman's Farm, beyond Springfield, on the llth. The difficulties in crossing "-a river were great, the waggons being quite covered." A Daily Tele-graph special cable also confirmed the above welcome news, on Thursday. CHILDREN KILLED AT MAFEKING. MAFEKING, January 3 (per runner, via Mochudi and Lourenco Marques, Wednesday). "'On New Year's Day (says Renter's correspondent, in a despatch dated as above) the enemy renewed their attack with a vigorous bombardment, which continued the whole day. One man was killed. This morning they placed a gun north-west of the native stadt, and deliberately fired six 9-pounder shells into the women's laager, killing a little girl eight, years old and wounding two other children. This dastardly violation of the methods of civilised warfare roused the utmost indignation in the town, and Colonel Baden-Powell sent a strongly- worded communication on the subject to Com- mandant Snyman. Two mules, which were killed by a shell, were eaten by the Kaffirs-a sure sign that Mafeking is feeling the pinch of the siege. The strategical position is unchanged. All the wounded, including Captain Fitzclarence, are doing well." HOME COMING OF WOUNDED. The Majestic left Cape Town on Tuesday for England with 170 wounded, including General Featherstonhaugh, Major Dalrymple Hamilton, and Mr. Knight, of the Morning Post. The Harlech Castle brings 190 Durban wounded. BASELESS BOER CHARGE AGAINST GATACRE. General Gatacre has been in correspondence with Cammandant Oliver, at Stormberg, who complained that ammunition was discovered in a British ambul- ance waggon. The officer in charge states that it must have been placed there subsequent to its capture. General Gatacre protests against the presence of women and children in the Free State camp. Captain Montmorency's scouts have had a slight brush with the enemy, and captured a number of horses and cattle near Stormberg. CHAMPION BOER MARKSMAN SHOT. j The Boers on Tuesday opened fire at Rensburg from a 15-pouuder captured by them at Stormberg, which they had placed in a fresh position. Our gunners state that the Boer artillerymen failed to understand the working of the time-fuse. As a con- sequence their shrapnel burst irregularly, and they have been obliged to fall back on the use of percus- sion shells. They fired 10 shots altogether on Tups- day into the kopjes held by a company of the Welsh Regiment. Two of our guns, having located the enemy's emplacement, opened fire. After the fourth round we silenced the enemy com- pletely, but continued assiduously searching the whole length of the kopjes held by the Boers. .Another gun was mounted on Cole's Kop after iiiiinite labour, and a cable hoist was also estab- lished up the slope, enabling ammunition to be '-ought up in unlimited quantities. During the viiole day our guns kept up a steady fire on the enemy, who were unable to make the slightest move without attracting attention frome Cole's Kop. The 2nd Berkshires continue to hold part of the hill. There has been continual sniping. It is stated that the champion Boer marksman was shot while- incautiously showing himself for a few MMB&. Altogether General French's tactics must tho- roughly perturb the enemy, who are puzzled at our departure from the text-book tactics which so well euited them. General French has visited the New Zealanders' Camp, and addressed them in complimentary terms 4Jn their gallant conduct. DEMONSTRATION BY LORD METTIUEN. MODDElt RIVER CAMP, January 17, 11.15 a.m. "A demonstration in force (says a Beuter's message of Wednesday) was made yesterday under Lord Mefhuen, a division being engaged, for the purpose of ascertaining the strength and disposition of the enemy's forces and at the same time drawing them away from Kimberley, where they have of iate been displaying great activity. These objects were attained. The enemy was discovered in great strength, and it was found that they were being reinforced from the direction of Jacobsdal. At 4.30 our artillery opened fire, their shells dropping in the Boer entrenchments with deadly precision. The attack was directed against the enemy's left flaiak and bearing round to the east. Firing was continued till sunset. It was for the most part confined to the artillery, although the Gaurds on our right also fired a number of volleys ¡ at long range. The Boers reserved their fire until our force, under cover of darkness, was returning to camp, when six shells were fired from the enemy's position, without, however, doing any damage, not- withstanding the excellent direction secured by the Boer gunners. There were no casualties on our side. The enemy's 10, is unknown." A MESSAGE FROM LADYSMITH. The Central News says that General Sir William Green has received a message from his son, who is adjutant of the 60th Rifles with the Ladysmith garrison, dated Pietermaritzburg, 13th inst., con- taining the one word "Flourishing." There is no indication of how it was sent from Ladysmith to Pietermaritzbivrg. ESTIMATED BOER LOSSES AT LADYSMITH. An Exchange Telegraph Company's telegram from I Frere Camp. dated January 16, one p.m., says: "A runner has lvached hire from Ladysmith. and reports that the estimated loss of the enemy on the 6th inst. is 1100 killed and wounded. All has been quiet since the repulse."

DEATH OF THE MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN. We regret to state that the Marquis of Lothian died at noon on Wednesday at his London residence in Grosvenor-square after a prolonged illness. Sir Schoinberg Henry Kerr, K.T., ninth Marquis and Earl of Lothian, Earl of Ancram, Viscount of Briene, Lord Newbottle, Baron of Jedburgh, Baron Ker of Nisbet, Baron Long Newton and Dolphin- ston, and Baron Ker of Newbottle, in the peerage of Scotland and Baron Ker of Kersheugh, County Roxburgh, in the peer- age of the United Kingdom, by which last, title the late peer sat in the House of Lords, was the second son ci the seventh Marquis, and was born on December 2, 1833. Lord Lothian removed his education at Glenalmond, Eton, aHci New Coliege, Oxford, and in 1854 entered the Diplomatic service, his first appointment feeing Attache to the Legation at Lisbon. A few months Wt«w he sa<-ve<i m it siimlar capacity at Teheran, and wkea dlplouaatis relations with Persia were suspended in December, 1855, ke accompanied the mission to Bagdad was transferred to Stockholm in September, 1856, which appointment was subsequently cancelled. He was present during the operations in Persia in 1857, and was at the taking of Mohumra. Lord Lothian was next appointed paid Attache at Athens, April, 1858; was transferred to Frankfort, June, 1850 was appointed in October, 1861, Attache to the Earl of Clarendon's Embassy to Berlin and Konigsfeerg, when he proceeded thither as her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary to the King of Prussia on the occasion of his Majesty's Coronation; was appointed a Second Secretary October, 1862; was transferred fee Madrid May, 1865; and was Second Secretary at Vienna from June 20 till October 10, 1865. Lord Lothian succeeded his brother in the title and estates in July 1870. From 1887 to 1892 the late Peer was Secretary of State for Scotland, Keeper of the Great Seal, and Vice-President of the Council of Education in Scotland, and from 1887 to 1888 be was Lord Rector of Edinburgh University. He was late Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, was honorary colonel of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), which battalion he commanded from 1878to 1889, Captain-General of the Royal Company of Archers, the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland, President, of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Royal Geographical Society of Scotland, and Knight of Grace of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1865 the marquis married Lady Victoria Alexandrina Montagu Douglas Scott, eldest daughter of Walter, fifth Duke of Buccleuch. He leaves six daughters and a son, Lord Jedburgh, born in 1874, who succeeds to the family honours. His eldest son, the Earl of Ancram, was accidentally killed while shooting in Australia in 1892, and his second son died in infancy.

ONE OF DR. JAMESON'S RAIDERS. CAPTAIN COVENTRY'S MARRIAGE. eaptain the Hon. Charles John Coventry, formerly in the Worcestershire Regiment (and who served in the Bechuanaland Police Force), second son of the Earl of Coventry, was married to Miss Lily White- house, younger daughter of Mr. Fitz-Hugh White- house, of Eastbourne Lodge, Newport, U.S.A., and Thornton Hall, Buoks, in St. Peter's Church, Eaton- square, London, on Tuesday afternoon. The chancel was adorned with lilies of the valley and arums, and a number of towering palms. The bride entered the church with her father shortly after two o'clock, and was met by her train bearers, Master Jarvis Smith and the Hon. Helena Coventry, nephew and niece of the bridegroom, and by five bridesmaids, Miss Whitehouse, her sister; Lady Dorothy Coventry, sister of the bridegroom; Miss Duntze, Miss Budgett, and Miss French. The Miss Duntze, Miss Budgett, and Miss French. The bride wore a handsome Princesse gown of white crepe de Chine, embroidered in silver, with Court train from the shoulders, wrought wtth lilies of the valley in silver and mother-of-pearl paillettes. A tulle veil, with sprays of orange blossom, was becomingly arranged in her hair, while her only orna- ment was a large diamond crescent. The children who held her train were attired in Georgian cos- tumes, that of the page having been copied from a picture of his ancestor, George, sixth Earl of Coventry (who married the eldest Miss Gunning). It was carried out in cherry-coloured satin, elabo- rately trimmed with silver lace and paste buttons. The Rev. John Storrs, vicar of the parish, per- formed the ceremony, assisted by the Rev. Hugh Bennett, rector of Croome, and the Rev. C. Dawson- Smith, rector of Thornton. The Hon. Henry Coventry supported his brother as best man. Among those present at the church were the Earl and Countess of Coventry and family, Mrs. Whitehouse, Prince and Princess Victor Duleep Singh, the Dowager Countess of Craven, Viscount and Vis- countess Deerhurst, the Earl and Countess of Dudley, Elizabeth Countess of Wilton, and Mr. A. V. Pryor. A reception was held after the ceremony at 3, Grosvenor-gardens, and the newly-married pair left later for Copse Hill, Gloucestershire, lent by Mr. Meredyth Whitehouse for the honeymoon.

THE SALE OF POISONS. The Pharmaceutical Society on TuesdQy, in the Queen's Bench Division, appealed against a decision of the County-court Judge of Worcester, who had refused to impose on a florist named White a penalty under the Pharmacy Acts for selling poison. The respondent represented the Boundary Chemical Company, of Liverpool, and received orders for them for the sale of a weed-killer which contained arsenic. The company delivered the article, and Mr. White was given a per-centage as his profit. The Pharmaceutical Society contended that White was the seller of the weed killer, but the County-court judge took the view that he was merely the agent of the Chemical Company, and not, therefore, within the section of the Statute which provided that only chemists should sell poisons. Justice Grantham and Channell upheld the County- court Judge's decision, and dismissed the appeal, but gave leave to take the case to the Court of Appeal.

THE receipts on account of Revenue from April 1, i 1899, when there was a balance of ES,919,173, to January 13, 1900, were E81,079,039, against £ 76,322,270 in the corresponding period of the pre- ceding financial year, which began with a balance of £ 10,918,422. The net expenditure was EH,371,710, against E84,979,289 to the same date in the previous year. The Treasury balances on January 13, 1900, amounted to £ 5,350,095,and at the same, date in w.