The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

5 THE WAR. 6* b THE LIGHTING ON BPIOX KOP. ). r- LADY •I.HTIl GARHISON WATCII THE is FIGHTING. 16 IiADV.^»;iLUi. Saturday (by Special Sanger to is Estconrt., Tuesday). l- The bt-oIec;ed people cf this town, civilians and 5, soldiers a;ike, have just endured a period of sus- i- pen so trying to the nerves and more weari- IS somo u; ijio patience than anything they had » experienced eince the first day of the blockade, i. Prow uur commanding heights wo have watched the apparently victorious advance of a powerful i Briton army forcing its way to our relief. We have Been too eiic-my driven from strong positions and » prep.u, u rltreat all along the Ime. Our arms Avert- 4C v outstretched to embrace our saviours. In our ovitiness and joy we almost persuaded our. sclv.;s ,1. we were within bailing distance of the duu-w ,j host in the far distance. And now Our exultation has given place to settled melancholy Recur.,v.auie.-a however by a fierce determination to Work OIL., own salvation if need c # W- iwtvo with our own eyes the British advance t^uyvd at what was very clear to us watchers 11, vcrv moment of complete victory. To-day rea'ise "that Bailor's army is no nearer to m- thart it was two weeks ago. main facts have already been heliographed to uk v-rv brinflv. Here are the d<>av,ails. TLc fh'U indication we in Ladysraith had of the presoeoe -r General Warren's force at and about Tncaiadt' Drift was the shelling by the British gnria on. Wednesday, January 17. of tbe great m mnt.i'i -.bout three miles on the side of Pot- gi«t«r'B Drift, on the Tugela^ known as Taba XV} or Black Mountain. From t-ho heights around Ladyemir.h, crowded with eager watchers ar r,Ite first welcome sound of Warren's guns, were plain I v visible the British positions on the south side of the Tugela. On Zwart's Kop and on the mountain opposite Potgieter's Drift we could see the flash or the British guns, and we followed tne course- of each hurtling shell uutii it burst amongst the Jiosr trendies on the Taba Xyama. Kcver were military operations watched with such Uv:* interest and with such spectacular ad. v.u,;This shelling continued heavily on Thurs- day. vile 18th, and Friday, the 19th. Ou the latter .av v.-c i'-iiifrom the t-hrapne! bursting along the running north from Taba Nyama that oav field artillery had got to work, aud great was our rejoicing. On the afternoon of teas same Friday there was cannonading, arid laser on we learned that the British army bad crossed the Tugela ir. three places. Xeveithele >a there was no change whatever in the Bow posl.ions on or near Taba Nyama until On that- day the Boers ha- v/j ;v.vas camps, one on each side of Taba Ky.Mi.a ISek, and also four 3.e waggon laagers further novth. 0 J Wednesday, the British gunners shell vd the ridge norlh of Taba Nyama n.bove Pinkuey's Farm. The. shelling commenced at daybreak, and sharpnel was al.-nost. exclusively used. The shelling was mo r.-f, it was continued until the afternoon wlv./e it ceased with strange suddenness. wir.le v.G sw the Boers rapidly inspnnmng tied their agitation was p*jIja!de to e'; x.rod watchers. Towards eyening- large ntiiji-f. of ua/gons began trekking northwards g-npi;oo the town that Warren had occupied riXo. Ny-tuja t "■ 'idnn'ohty morning, the 25th, wo were de- lighted to observe that many of the Boer waegone had lofr. the laaaers, while most of those left were engaged In itispanning preparatory to joining in the genera! trek or retreat in the full light, of day. Bebe- ior.ir the retreat had commenced in earnest, for -.rings of waggons, extending for miles, were i.Hisi.rvy.i moving acrosa the plains from Taba Xvama. ail evidently having the same objective— Ya: R~emui'& Pass. Xumoroua niour.to<i burghers were also proceed- ) i he tr ine ctiroc'ioti, but the canvas camps on eacii r cbe Taba Nyama Nek remained un- chaugj; uiid nerds of cattle continned to grass as usual on tb" pasture within the shadow oc the grea t mountain. ilt-j; indeed, was a r'riarkable phenomenon, whit;; v, e Ui.-oucfscd escitedly. If,aswehadbeeo assured, the British soldiers had stormed and cap- tured Xyatna, otherwise Splon Kop, the pre- vious u,fu:rr.oon, continued to hold it, what w trro camps doing on the Noko and why v, ei. cattle below unmolested P Either the L' Li"; retreated ntmCl8C, abandoning every- tb.ii. <o v,he victors, or they intended to return ufiv. >ii.g the; wagcror.s to a rafe d;stanoe. Iu ;J; it seemed fitrar.ge that our men ibe-. ti!;T5 i-f activity. v!owrver, no immed- iate siuiiui'/ci the problem w:«.g fortbcomitig. Du: ,g the Thursday tbere was a little artillery firing, and several British shells burst over the ridge at the tiaaie spot as on Wednesday. Night foJJ with- out any explanation of the situation, and the staff }!av8 professed to be quite in the dark as to what had happened. On the morning of Friday, January 26th the startling circumstances was revealed that the Boer ■'•Jiggon laagers which wera broken np on the previonsoday had reappeared, and were in precisely the position f,3 before. We could net say whether they were the same waggons which had trekked on Wednesday night t.nd i'liii)- day, or whether they were fresh ones bringing up supplies of food and mnunition, pasiDg the empty ones tin -.he road, There was no tiring on either side on Friday, and this, together with the 'continued presence of the Boers in force in the vicinity of Taba Nyama, made the situation decid- edly puzzling us. Twa-t night we learned that Warren had secllrod the crest cf Taba Nyama mountain, driving out the Boers with great loes. But 1-tt t,hp same tinH) a Beer report came iu whieh stated that 100 of our men had been taken prisoners. there was an entire absence of hostilities on the Tnnri'oay, Friday, and Saturday in the neighbour- hood of Taba Nyama, which was sufficiently (C. t-oume-'l for by IO presumption that an armistice .taut beta agreed to for the purpose of enabling both side. to collect their wounded and bury their dead. In focu v.agiojiis and ambulance carts were peen going and comieg iive.n Thursday inorui'g until Bat nr.lay afternoon. T.i~ Mw»e pH the between Taba Nyama and L:eiy.i uncbanged until Sunday, January 2B. Or! t:e. morning of that day a new Boer laager 1); (:»n\e visible on the Oolenso road nine miles away. The Boers were much in evidence in the country between Bifieman's Ridge a.nd Taba Nyama. Un Sundav afternoon wo learned the d is* heartening- truth that after actual!v taking and hoh! Suion Kop on Taba Nyama Warren, for ,Mei.ie reason, had retired or had been driven back, and chat the Boers had reoccnpied the commanding position. We were further told 1,1: our losses in kided, wounded, and prisoners amounted to the terrible total of 1,100. Our only con:-o]rtt,ioii in our sore disappointment was in k,LJ;¡J¡{ that the Boer losses were considerably more than our own, that they also had many of thru: ••umber prisoners, and that i'ut. doa-:roved seven out of the eight, guns brought ou the scene by the Boers. We were told that the Boers were demoralised, but our own eyes did not furnish on Sunday u ;il¡!ma in support of this optimistic statement. On Monday, January 29th, the scene before us wan ibtiii unchanged, except that the Boer laager 0" the Colenso road had disappeared as quickly as it had come. There had been then an entire sus- P81\si,)n of hor,tilit,ic:-1 on Taba Nyama since the previous Sunday. On the Monday news was re- œ>è:\ by ns that while a body of British troops were making the passage of the Tugela ou Satur. day, the 27th, at Skiet's Drift they were hotly attacked by a Boer commando, and that thereupon another British Torce unexpectedly fell upon the enemy and smote them hip and thigh.. We gloried to hear that there had been what we have so long ye.iring for—hand-to-hand fighting-rand that our men bad bayouetted nearly every Boar of the CM i.U mando.

BULLEIL AGAIN CROSSES TUGELA. TWO lULLS STO&Mi-rO AND TAKEN. News of the highest importance has been re. ceived from Natal. The report that General Bulier had crossed the Tugela on Friday last is now shown to be unfounded. lie did cross on Moriday, having previously shelled the positions ) heSn by the Boers 01: tho no.-ihera bank with pro- bably almost, the full strength of bis artillery. Tho following* official announcement was made at the War Office early on Wednesday evening: "The I ^Var O'dice has received information that, Sir Ked- II "vers Bulier crossed the Tugeia on Monday. Tho operations are atiniu progress. There is no in- formal ion as to the result." In a message apparently despatched from Spearman's Camp on Wednesday night, the re- presentative of Lallan's Agency states that before the Tugeia was crossed on Monday a successful demonstration was made on the frontal position. The real advance, however, was made on the right by the Durham Light Infantry. They took two niils by storm and then bivouacked on the ground gained. The British casualties were not heavy. lighting was still going oa.

THE BOER VERSION. A report sent from the Boer head laager outside Ladysmith on Tuesday gives the Boer version of the crossing. It states that on Monday the British, with their naval and other guns, bombarded the Boer positious ou the Upper Tmrela. The British troops crossed the river at Pont Mid Mo'er. Drifts with a view to storming the burgher portions. At Pont Drift, the report says, General Bul ger beau tiiem back, and they recrosaed the river in great confusion. At Molen Drift fighting was renewed between the British force and the Scaaderton and Joiiannesbus g commandos. The artillery cannonade was continued with more gnus and was the fierciest yet exper- ienced. On Tuesday the bombardment was rtcom- mencGd, a stid larger number of guns being eugageo. Neither Pont Drift nor Molen Drift is marked on any maps that we have seen. A later mescatxe stf-res that the British lost heavily at Pont Drift, but that on Molen Drift sJde they took a position ou a kopje of no importance. The British still held possession of the kopje, but the big gnns had ceased unug.

LIVELY EXPERIENCE FOR FIGHTING MAC. It is now reported that on Saturday last, General Macdonald, with the Highland Brigade, a field battery, and the 9h Lancers, left the camp at Mod- der River, to make leconnaiusance in force no the west. On Sunrlay, they occupied Koodoos Drift, on the Riet river, at which point the road from Hope- town and Douglas to Kimberley crosses the river. Ou Monday the force took up positions on both sides of the river, end on Tuesday, some Boers were seen galloping from the laagers at Piet Marais and Pangeberg with the object, apparently, of occupying Koodoosberg in force. A race for the poaaMsfou of an important kopje ended in favour of the British troops, and the Boera then retired at full gallop.

GATACRE ATTACKED BY THE BOERS. Early on Wednesday morning the Boers ad- vanced against the positions held by General Gatacre's column at Sterkstroom. Simultaneous attacks were delivered against tho eutpo'ts at Penhoek and at Bird's Itiver siding. At 830 011 Thursday, when, the uioseage was .sent off, Pring was still proceeding. On Tuesday morning a patrol of dra-gor-nti from Rensburg drew tho 5rB of about 300 who were holding some kopjes near Pottoniein.- 1 Battery Royal Horse Artiilery, which has ji-st arrived from India, went m:t with a of 15- pounders, supported by the Wiltshire Regiment. Till" Boera opened fire on tha advancing force, and the guns, opening fire in reply, sent a shrapnel sb.et1 which burst directly oror the Boers, who oeased firing and disappeared. A notice has been issued from the British bead quarters Sterkstroom that all Free Staters and Transvaalere who dosert will have their horses pold and the money refunded to them. Foreigners, the notice adds, will be newt home at the Govern- ment's expense, but rebels, though s?dvised to sur- render, cannot expect the same treatment.

HEWS FROM THE TRANSVAAL. LIS YDS AND EUROPEAN INTERVENTION. A CcntrRi News telegram from Capetown on Tuesday afternoon says A recent arrival ftem the Transvaal brlu;s POHO interesting news from the Republics, lie estimates that the Boer army numbers 80,000, and corrobo- rates the report thaf the German corps were prac- tically annihilated at the battle of Elaudalaagte. lie Rtaf.es that &,1; one time no less than 9,000 Soors invested Mafeking, and they pay high tribulAte to the garrison's defence. rrh hN-ieger8 d8clarG that the forts are im- mensely superior tG those at Lsdysmith, and admit, their utter inability to overcome them. Owing to their failure to compel the surrender of Mafeking. the bnik of the Boers have been with- drawn, and now oulv 1,400 of the enemy iave.t the town. The Boer losses during the war have vovy heavy. Johannesburg is oppressed by a. deadly dulses*, and Pretoria is barciy less dull. Most of the inhabitants of both cities uro wo&rir.g for relatives lost in the fighting. Tide gentleman states that; Living's Nek, },{"3":)t\ Hill, and Vv* Reeneu's Pass ha, La been strongly fortified and are believed ts be practically impreg- nable. He tells a curious story of the faith u\ Dr Loyds. Dr Leycia nan assured the .Boera—an assurance on which thoy thoroughly rely—that be has a grand surprise in store for the British at the moment they invade the Republics, should that time fwer como. This asrprise is European int-er- veutioo, regarding which Dr Leyds eta re-: lie has definite assurances from the Powers.

THE SITUATION IN NATAL. THE BOTSIl WANT OF FAITH. A Ladysmith telegram to the Central News gives the story of a Boer deserter. He says that. at a large prayer-meeting held in the enemy's ctlmp Presidellt Kruger reproached the Boers with lack of faith. He urged them not to be despondent. They had only to show more faith to be completely victorious. The correspondent says there is other evidence to show that the Boers are really disheartened over their heavy losses at Taba M yma, and they do eot apparently regard their success in retaining Spion Kop as cause for jubilation, because they have little doubt that it will again bo attacked bv the British.

BOER PRISONERS ATTEMPT TO ESC iPE, FRUSTRATED BY ALARM GUNS. Five of the Boer prisoners at Simoustown have made an attempt to escape. They succeeded in obtaining possession of some tire-arme and wounded one of the warders. The a1arm was ¡"en, however and all five were recaptured, two of them being wonnded by the sentries. The failure of tho attempt was due, says a Renter special telegram received this morning, to the promptitude with which four alarm gnns were fired, H.M.S. Niobs immediately turning her search- light on the scene. A WELSHPOOL MAN AT THE FRONT. From Pte Harry OEver. 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry to his sister at Welshpool:—I have been waiting for a letter from yon to cheer me up a bit out her on the burning plain of South Africa. We oanie here from Orange River last- Saturday 011 a. very short notice because there is a party of Boers, ahont 600 strong, about seven miles from here. And we liaro been sent here to try and sweep them off the face of the earth, there are three Companies of cut- Regiment here, and two of the Duke of Cornwall's. Perhaps yon will have read the account of it before this reaches you that two Companies of the Cornwall's have been in action, but it is a mistake, it was one Company of the Coruwalls and one of the Shropshires, and we expect to have a good set to before long with them so roll ou, I want to have a bit of a scrap. We are in a very good position here it wonld bo im- possible for them to get anywhere near us we should sweep them off the earth before they could get within 500 yards of us. They are a lot of cowards. There were some of our patrols out yesterday and they came to a house and the people asked them in to have some bread and cheese and milk, so thoy went in and as soon as they got inside and started to have some food the men, about six of them, went up 011 a hill just bv and when our men went out a</am thev started firing on them but luckily they c'id not hit anv of them. Our men captured about a hundred cows and calves and about 60 horses and did not hit any of them. Our men captured about a hundred cows and calves and about 60 horses and a Boer spy. He came to our camp and wanted to claim the cattle, but our Officers kepro ¡¡1m a prisoner and sent him to Orange River he is sal, till after the war. I am very well myself and nope I shall keep so, and I shall be very pleaded when this war is over so that 1 can get; back to Lngiaud. Xothing like the dear old country.

A LETTER EROIvl THE FRONT. The following letter has been received by Mr Vaughan, Pe,.iarthuchaf, Towyn, from Jus son Private \V N Yaughan, No 854," E" Co, xst bcous Guards-1st Division, 1st Bnerade, FiddForco, South Africa, dated January 1,1900 :—Dear i ather, —just a few lines honinu that they will find Y01 and all quite well. I do not feel very wed mysea just, at present. I have been in hospital for a fort- niffht now; had a touch of dysentry. We have fought four very hard battles. The places were Belmont, Graspan, Modder River, and Magors.on- tein (6 miles N.K. of the river). We lay under a fearful tie from the Boers at Modder River tor 1.3 hours, and at Belmont we took their position at th8 point of the bayonet. They don't like cold steel, and they are very poor shots as far as I can see, We cut a party of 80 German volunteers up and killed every man except five prisoners taken. One of these was a German officer; he was wounded. One of our shells killed 30 Boers besides the wounded which got away. Another of our shells smashed a Boer quick-firing gun to atoms 12 men were at the gun a.nd 11 were killed outright out of the 12. Another lyddite shell of ours killed 40 Boer horses. you can hear the explosions at a distance of seven miles. We are with Lord Methuen's division. It is a weary war and I wish it was over, but not till we are conquerors. Hoping you and all have spent a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Please write soon. Put a bit of pencil in the letter as it is almost, impossible to get a bit for love or money out here. With best love and good wishes to all.

A S 11 -1 0 P 1 iiAN AT AiODDER RIVER. A letter has been received by Mr Woolric! of Albrigbtiee, near Shrewsbury, from Private VV" X Vaughati, a reservist of the Scots Guards, and formerly in Lord Kenyon's Squadron cf the Shrop- } idiire Yeomanry. He formerly resided at Middle with his father Sergeant. E Yaughan, also of the Yeomann, and is a nephew of Quartermaster John Yaughan and Sergeant R Yaughan, prominent members of Captain Wynne CornVs troop. This Salopian Guardsman says:—Just a lino to let you know that I am quite safe up till to-day, 39th Nov. We had three very hard battles in five days so that is not bad. We beat the Boers in every way, but their fire was a most deadly one. 1 was in the lighting line all the tiitie in a heavy cross-fire. The first was at Belmont, second at Honeycomb Kill, and the third at the Modder River. Please excuse more nc time up here to write much. Hoping yon and all friends at home tue well.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. DEPARTURE OF MAJOR FORBES. On Monday morning Mnjor Forbes, who has been in command of the Xewtwwn Squadron since the commencement, and who has new been ordered elsewhere, took his departure from Newtown. As soon a. the fact became known that Major Forbes was tcoing to leave, the men decided spontaneously to give him a loyal send-off, and this was un- doubtedly accomplished. A waggonette, lent by ilr Marston, Bear Hotel, was taken to the Elephant Hotel, where Major Forbes has been staying, ropes being attached to the vehicle and upwards of one hundred men joined in the demonstration. When Major Forbes appeared, he and Mrs Wenfc- wortL Forbes were placed in the vehiclo and drawn down Broad street en route for the station, a Union •Jack being carried by the met, who sang and cheered heartily and the utmost enthusiasm pre- vailed. On reaching the station Major Forbes thanked the men for their expression of good-will and asked them to do ail they could to make it easy for his successor to the command. The gaiiant Major then entrained, and as the train steamed out oi the station the crack nf fog signals was inter- mingled with the cheers of the men aud spectators who had lined the route, and who now congregated at the station, and the Major was thus given a thoroughly entliusia-tic if not very elaborate send oil

-$- voviHisroded> a a. TO CXDKXTS. ((:r'f; V¡:ti#i. for thlf be addrc.-sed toLhe .Editor, and must b ■trriJ'e i npon ens fide- of 'he vorsor only. Thvy pfiottfc? in all cases be accompnm'ed bv the 'n O?;1"! ((1"1.,1 addrw of thf sender, not neceszarily "('f ^ubi.tVtthVsv. but. a>- n ynnritrr'ee 0( r;t,:)d faith. TilT; r.OYFjY BRIDGE1.. To the Editor of the. Cot:;riY Ti&kp. SIR,—1 very avatefui to Mr Re«•»$>. for calling t he at tonUoti of the Montgomeryshire Count y Coun- cil at their last macting to the urgert need of measures being taken to prevent the Dovey floods from cutting off all communication between the counties of Montgomery and Merioneth, over Dovey Bridge, and I am sure that hundreds uf people on both sides of the river will feel equally grateful and if Mr Eees succeeds in his efforts, we shall certainly want to erect a monument to 1118 honour on Dovey Bridge to testify our gratitude. I wae astonished to read in the report of the vneet- inc that the chairman Did not think it would be I); any use to refer the question to the Snrvoyor, nor to a committee of enquiry Why not? Unfor- tunately for the public, the chairman's leasons for that very derided opiniou are not stated, so we can- not judge of its f.Ouodnef.s. The County of Montgomery Fa", very properly a la*, ire sum in facilitating traffic over the river a few m'les higher up, and the principle is the esms in this cr:-e. — Wo went the è,;onnc!1 toerisuve communication over Dov.*v Bridge not onhr dltriv roost weeks in the ieir as is the cae now, but daring every day in the year. 1 think it deplorable having regard to the oppor- tunities of progress afforded by tliu) constitution cf County CÜIlJleih, and with an active Urban District Council at Machynlleth, that the miserabit- and i re- qrwnt inconvenience has not long ago been remedied. The- cost would be iiisigmtic-rat compared with the public convenionce which would be afforded us it could be accomplished by merely widening the present ra'sed footpath by about four feet, then all vehicles conld pass along through all floods and in one place there is ample width to allow of their passing if necessary. I shall feel obliged, Sir. if yon will kindly publish this letter and I hope with your permission some other of yonr readers will give their opinion as to he best means of at least reducing the inconven- ience which is now so 0ft'-li suffered bv a uody of the publio,—I am, Sir, Your Obedient Ser- van t, Llogwy. R C AXWTL.

— « BADMINTON TOURNAMENT. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES. SIH,—Although not an official, but onlv a mem- ber, of the Machynlleth Badminton Club, I must ask you to make a few remarks in reference to the letter under the above heading in your last issue. I have made enquiries on the subject of the report of which your correspondent complains, and to offer my assurance that the members or the Mach- ynlleth Club are not responsible for it, and that the feeling of those members to whom I have spoken was like my own. one of great indignation and all. uoyauce that a pleasant private social meeting should have been marred by a public report in I extremely bad taste and style and, worse than all, most illiberal to our opponents. In fact, I trust I diat, most. of the members of the North Cardigan Badminton Club would conclndo that the person r who could to them (even if thev lived at Aberystwyth, but they do not) as the" Marines was not a member of the Club, and that they will not allow tbe irrepressible "penny-a-liner ""to be the cause of the smallest unfriendly feeli:;g. I I never can understand why so many men are unwil- ling to put their names at the foot of letters they write to newspapers. It seems to me, Sir, that if a man iias not the moral courage to say publicly wnat, ho thinks, in the eause of ripht, it is net worth saying at nil. \our obedient servaet, Llugwy, Machynlleth. R. C. ANWYL.

-1>- THE VOLUNTEHR MOYEMENT IN MACHYNLLETH. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES. SIK,—In reply to your correspondent's letter in I' your last isgue re the above, 1 don't quite agree with the method of puffiny up a few as models at the expense of the majority. Temperance no doubt ig f. grand tiling, and so is the motto Example is better than precept," which no doubt these men of position wili show to the men of inferior position by becommg teetotallers them- selves. I think tho question of drunkenness and blasphemy should not be mentioned as a Youlutiteer question. I take it that if a man behaves properly on parade, which he must do, his private life has nothing to do with auv superior officer unless be commits an offence against t lle laws of the country. I am sorry to take up your valuable space but I could not. let an aspersion on the old hands like this pass without some comment. Wishing them every success, I am, &c, ANTI SOFT SOAP.

,+- LL4NFYLLIN WAR FUND. To the Editor of the COIWIY TIMES. Sir,—Will you allow me through the medium of your paper (on behalf of the company of collectors to the War Fund in the parish of LJan- fyihn) to express our warmest thanks to the Mayoress (Mrs Marshall Dugdale) for the very kind manner in which we were entertained at Llwyn on Tuesday last. Thanking you in anticipation, I remain, yours faithfully, T. B. JONES. Paris House, Llanfyllin.

THE KSOST NUTRITIOUS. E P P 8' S GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. Á;;J. n, C 0 A .u' BMSAKFA&T- SUPPER-

FORDEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. WEDNESDAY. Present: The Rev L J Lee (chairman) presiding', Mr E R James (vice-chairman), the Rev J Sawer, Colonel Twyford, Messrs W Rogers, D Jones, A E Bond, E li Owen, F Roper, J Holloway, E Davies, J Eilwards, W Pritchard, and J Jones (Castle- wright), with the A-ssistant Clerk (Mr J E Tomley). ILLNESS OF THE CLERK. The Clerk (Mr C S Pryce, Montgomery) wrote regretting inability to attend owing to an attack of influenza. THE REPttKfcENTATIOX OF WELSHPOOL. Mr F Roper, pursuant to notice, moved "That this Board recognises that for the purposes of elec- tion of Guardians for Welshpoo! the parish ought to be divided into four wards, the same as now in force for mnnicipul purposes, and that Buttintrton Ward be represented by one member, Castle Ward by one, Guilsfield Ward by two, and Danerchyddoi Ward by two, and requests the County Council to take the necessary steps to make the above sug- gested alterations." Continuing, Mr Roper said he had brought the matter forward a month ago, when it. was deferred for a better attendance of mem- bers. A fortnight ago it came on again, when it was adjourned for the Clerk to lock up the legai aspects of the case. For Poor Law pcr- poses Welshpool had been divided into three special parishes or divisions, known as Middle, Lower, and Upper, and tilose parishes were represented c" their Board by six members in the proportion of three, two and one respectivelv. By an order of the County Council, however, in December last these divisions had been done away with and Welshpool bad become one parish, which would have to elect, the whole of the six Guardiaps. For rateable purposes he believed the new arrangement had answered well, but for elections it was qnbe aaother thing. For instance, supposing six members of the Board had to be elected and there should happen to be seven cahdidates. then they would have to poll the whole parish of Welshpocl. Further. it was enacted by the Parish Act that no mors than 500 electers could poll at the same booth. It so chanced that there were considerably over 1.000 ejectors in the whole parish so tiizlt they would have to be at the expense of providing three polling stations. Say there was a bye-election, the expense would bo enormous. The number of persons entitled to vote was given on the register as follows: Buttihgtoe, ITS; Castle, 260; Llanerchydol, 305; Gtnlsheld, 289. He had been speaking to their Clerk, Mr C S Pryc-e, who had assured him that the County Council had power to comply with his motion. In the presence of the Mayor of Welshpool he believed that the division of the parish into wares had been found a very good plan fur municipal purposes, and, as thev would readily see, it would be equally good for the election of guardians. The method in vogue at the present time was cumbrous and expensive.—Col Twyfora was very happy to second the proposal. It was a source of unnecessary expense that the whole of the borough should be called upou to elect one guardian. If there wag an opposed by-election, no matter if the one candidate only received one vote, they would have to pay £10 or 112, and in fhe future in a- similar case they would have to pay £ 40 or £ 50. It seemed a perfect absurdity that tluu should be so when by aim ply oivicv.ng the borough into wards they could prevent such a large expense. The Clifiirinai) Mr Tomley has just drawn my attention to the fact thot, the pecuniary part of elections does not concern this Board at ah as the expense is borne by the parish. So io seems to me that it is for the parish to petition the County Council rather than this Board. I would suggest that. we apply to the Welshpool Town Council to lake the matter up.—Tbe Yice-Chairmsn concurreu. If they could get the voice of the Welshpool Cor- poration on the question they would feel safer.— Mr Roper Then I would (suggest that the reeolu • fica having been placed before this meeti.ig is referred 10 the Town Couucit of Welshpool.—The Chairman Quite so. That this Board are of opmiuii that the proper persons to initiate the movement are the members of the Welshpool Town Council. We can all appreciate Mr Roper's motion and sympathise with him in his difficulty (hear, hear;. i he matter then dropped, it being under- stood that steps would be taken to bring the ques- tion before the Welshpool Council. MASTER'S REPORT. The Master (Mr W Downes) reported that the Houso water supply was out of order. A cornmit- tee was deputed to Hee into the matter). The Rev J Sawer had forwarded five dozen or&n^es and a number of Graphic. which were distributed among the patients from BicWll, the sick, and the children. Mr L0Wi! Turner, Garthmyl, also sent periodicals, and the Chaplain (the Rector of Montgomery) cive an ounce of tobacco to smokers and J-pound of tea and ^j-pound of sugar to non-smokers.—All the donors were thanked for their generosity. o

FORDEN 11 U R k L DISTRICT CO-LTNCIL.WE D, P-,S DAY. Present: Mr J Holloway (chairman) presiding:. Epv J Sawer, Messrs J Edwards, E R Owen, E Davies, R Dowries (Criggion), W Pritchard, and J Jpnes (Castlewright), with the .Assistant Clerk (Mr J E Tomley). SANITARY. The Sanitary Inspector (Mr Snook) reported that during the last month he had rna4e 61 inspections, 47 of which he found in a sanitary condition. He bad served 13 verbal notices and had four cases to report to the Council. He found that the people in his district were very reluctant to give him any information, as they were afraid of giving offence to their landlords.—In each of the cases the Coun. cif decided to take the necessary steps to secure improvement.—Two cases of infections disease were reported, one at Berriew and the other at Llan. dyssil. THE TALBOT ROAD. On the recommen dation of the Surveyor (Mr Hole) it was decided to leave the repair of the Talbot road, Berriew, in abeyance, pending a drop in the prico of iron, which has recently risen about 75 per cent. RESIGNATION OF THE SANITARY INSPECTOR. Mr Tomley read the following letter from the Sanitary Inspector: Gentlemen,—At the present time I am in the unique position of being aprointd Divisional Surveyor to the Salop County Council and also District Surveyor to the Wigmore Rural District Council in succession to Mr A W Bowen (late Assistant Surveyor to Mr W P Hole) who has accepted an important appointment in Sussex at a salary of £225. Under these circumstances I beg to notify my early intention of resigning my post of Sanitary Inspector to your Council. Thanking you for the great kindness I have always met with at ycur hands, I remain, your obedient servant, J E Snook.—Tbe Chairman said he was sure they were all very sorry to learn that Mr Snook was about to leave them. Mr Snook bad done his duty most fairly, hiB reports being invariably accurate. TLe Council were generally fortun-ite in get,ting good mon as Sanitary Inspectors, but, unluckily, they were unable to keep them,—Mr Snook, in answer to a question, said he did not wi?h his resignation to take effect for some little time. He would like to take his successor rouud the district and point out to him the cases which required artention (the Chairman*. Hear, hear),-Vr Edwards Tr. ired that in the Council's advertisements for a successor to Mr Snook, a stipulation be inserted thau can. vassing would be considered a disqualiifcation. The Rev J Sawer seconded, and it was agreed to.- Mr E R Owen expressed it as his opinion that they should increase the salary to P,80 per annnm, and get a man who would stick to it." Now they were only giving them half-pav, and consequent!y, they were always on the look 'out for a new place. —The Chairman We can get plenty of good appli- cants at the old salary £ 52. Discission then dropped. ROADS AND HEDGES. A letter was read from Mr R E Edwards calling the Councils attention to the bad state of the road Irom Lower House to Llwyngarreg. The Surveyor was directed to ascertain whether the ror.d com- plained of was a public one or not.—John Thomas, Pentrenully complained in a letter that Mr Lewis, Rolver, had neglected to cut his hedges which pro- jected upon the road and were a source of annoy- auce to neighbouring farmer*.—Mr Hole waa in- structed to take steps to remedy this.

♦- TREGYNON. PARISH COUNCIL.—A meeting took place at the Schoolroom on Wednesday tbe 31st ult. Coun- cillors Richard Harries and Edward Davies reported that they had inspected Fachir footpath and found that about 70 yards was very wet, and that, it would be beneficial if it were diverted a little and the stile removed to another part of the fence. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Jones, Fachir, and point out that the consent of his Landlord to a diversion of the path was necessary before any steps are taken in the matter, and asking him to approach his lendlord.-Tlie Committee appointed by the parish meeting to obtain the names of persons willing to become guarantors for the amount required by the Postmaster Genera; if a Telegraph Office is established at Tregynon, reported that the necessary guarantee was forth- coming, but suggested that Mr Humphreys-Owen, M.P., be asked to endeavour to get the amount of guarantee reduced. The repoit was adopted.

PARLIAMENTARY. MR. CHAMBERLAIN OX THE OPPOSITION. The first two hours and a-half of the Debate which was resumed on Monday, were occupied by Sir William Harcoart and Air No two speeches could have formed a greater contrast, both in matter and manner. Sir William was it his most depressed vein, even though several paseasres bore traces of careful preparation, and of <:ctnmir,i.ii to memory. It was a Party speech from betriiiiiina* to end, and was devoted turoaghout to au attack o.. the Colonial Secretary. It dealt solely with his policy, and scarcely made a single aliusion to the conduct of the war. He quoted 7.1 r Chamberlain's defence, in 1881, of the Boers' Independence in their i domestic affairs, and his declaration that the main- tenance of the annexation of tbe i'ransvaat wou'd be an act of fraud, force, and iody. Tiie complete recognition of the independence of the Boers had been the policy of all Governments between 1881. and 1896, when it was leversed by cbe present Government, and Sir "Yiiliam asserted that it was to that reversal that THE PRESENT WAR WAS DCE. be attributed it to Mr Chamberlain not having gone to the best Arriean opinice, sucti as that of Mr | I Schreiner A- Mr li r, but to his having consulted the men of the Rand and be interrogative")v insinu- ated also that the Colonial Secretary had taken the I advice of the "helots who iiihsrhired PnrK lane. The one part of his speech which was listened to more than any other was his reference, ro the reopening of the South African Committee. It had been spoken of, he said, by Sir Robert. Reed as a scandal and dishonour to the country. The authors of the Raid bad const antly endeavoured to j. ersuaoe i, the world that the British Government connived 1 at iifiid. lie believed wneri the matter w; probed to the bottotc it would appear that these charges were part of the SYSTKJJ OF FAL:-KUGOD AND FRAUD j practised by the Raiders Relieving as he did that these i-d&nfers a id falsehood? should be refuted aLl dispelled for eve' it would be t.he maximum of pruo.-mee and wis^on.. to do so. OM^ or two voices called out How ?"; bur, question was ur,- j answered. In continuation Sir WiPism declared that the war must be fought out until victory to the British arms was secured. Mr Chamberlain's reply made a great impression j on the Honse. It was patriotic, elevated, and Imperial in its plane of thought, full of iiulhagging vigour from exordium to peroration, and had many eloquent and some pathetic passages. At intervals it met with aome ironical cheers from the Opposi- tion, but the Ministerialist approval was continuous. Referring 1 o the re-opening of the Sourh African Committee, which had been closed at William Harcoart's own suggesiiou three years ago, and which he seemed to suggest should now be re- opened. he would reserve any statement he had to make on that point till the Motion which Mr D A Thomas had pac upon tile paper came to be dis- cussed. The turning point of Mr Charniieihnn's argument was that 1I13 issues between Boer and Briton did not begin with 18S1, out went back to the beginnbiS1 of the century. Thoy were real issues, and the Franchise question and Biomfontein Conference were not causes but mere con- sequences of them. Before the ink of the Treaty of Maju<*>a was dry, the Boers began to Prank their obligations, and even Mr Gladstone was com- pelled to run the risk of race hatred by sending out an Expedition. So far from the present Govern- ment having been tbe first to INTERFERE IX THE INTE.RXAL Ac FAIRS of the Tral2Yna¡, tLe Liberal Aomi^i;; r, ion which immediately preceded them had themselves done so, and their proposed remedy was a ifve years' franchise, and this remedy n.e present Govern- ment hao borrowed from them. The ditficulties with which ministers had to con tend were ?_o( the work i.if C'¡( ur any Government; dley were inherent ic tbe cituatiou, in the Boer character, ami in the British character, iu Boer civilisation and British civilisation. There lay the root of all t.b&r, had happened. From first to last the Boer aspira- tion bad been to get rid of British supremacy, aud that meant the inferiority of every other race. This issue had tc be tried and the battle foacbt out; one party or the other had to give wcy. ii peace was to fee preserved. Tbe Government were anxious ,lr V; F4 W, for peacc but the war ,Itist, righteous, and necessary. This wa.s met with cries of "No," in which the Iri7:, mem here loudly joined, and by cluster Ministerial cl.eers. If the Opposition did not think it was, then they should bare brought forward an amendment that the war was unjust, unrighteous, and unnecessary. An.er r -ierrinrr to the self-sacrificing attitude of the country, to the losses in many homed hero ana ;i: Soutu Africa., to the noble developetnent of the lo pe'iai spirit in the Colonies, to the M'LBNDIP HiiROiSM OF THK .SOLMKuS and tile Coloni&t troops, and at.or exuregseinarresrret for the mistakes of the Government, he toucned upon the divisions of op'.nia: o" toe ^opposition benches, aud, aww great, cheering, asserted thai- ne.er again would lie a second I.iajuba, that never again wuuid a citadel be erected in South Africa, never again would the paramountcv of Grea.t Britain be endangered. The closing passage of his speech referred to tbe of the Empire which the war bacl piomcted, ana he sat down amid ringing cheers. During tho delivery of those two speeches the House was crowded to tle utmost corner. Iu the Gallery facing the Treasury Be men, from which Mr Chamberlain could be well heard and seen, tbe throng of members was so great, that the door was blocked by 1 hose WHO could not find a seat. From the Gallery facing the Frout Opposition Bench, a row of members looked down upon Sir Widiara Harc nrt. The Peers' Gal;ery was also overflowing with noble Lcrds. all of whom left as soon as the two speeches were over a.nd the Strangers' Gallery f\ \0 presented an unbroken arrsy of visitors. The debate was carried on by Mr Moulton. General Russell, Mr Athertey-Jones, Mr Maicolto. Mr Churning, ami Mr Dillon. Mr Courtney amid a tremendous burst of Irisii v Radie.nl crceriug, and de- nounced the war as the result of the deplorable and perverse mismanagement of the diclotnacy the Colonial Office. His speech wns continuous! v and vehemently cheered by the Irish mem bees. Loud applause y, ent up from them when he de- scribed the dilfienlty of governing South Africa by an English garrison. You know what it is in Ireland," he remarked amid a triumphant Nationalist outburst. Mr broke iu, how- ever, with tbe jarring imiuirv Whv did von op- pose Home Rule ?" to wloch Mi Coovtoev g*ave no reply. The debate wn« continued by Mr Beckett and Mr Hemp,oil, and was adjourned on the motion of tllr ASquHl. MORE OPPOSITION" ST'E^f^rc.. A number of Liberal cl the Posr?' gallery in the, House of Commons on Tucsdry to listen to Mr Asquith, who resumed the' debate on the vote of censure. Mr Asquith received same applaust-, fi-, ,li the ,f rising. The opening passages of hi;* speech were of a strong party character, and for a time he was londly cheered by the Radicals aud Nationalist. But when he went on to ear that the war was neither intended nor desired by the Government the applause of the Nationalists turned to derisive laughter, which was drowned by cheers from the Ministerialists. He added as a. second proposition that the war might and could have been avoided by President Kruger. Soma Irish members called out "Oh." while others broke into laughter. Proposals bad been put forward in September, and urged or, his acceptance net only by Her Majesty's Govern- meut, but, by men belonging to every shade and school of political opinion in this kingdom, as per- fectly compatible with the independence of his ovrr- State, and as a proper ami legitimate instalment of a long-delayed and OVKRDCK DEBT OF JCSTICK to tne tfripMi popu(;vuor in t!;o Tr:>i.- v;/jiI. i"hon;. proposals were- rejected, and demaiols were put for- ward liuowE to be impossible, and intended to be refused, and these were followed by ihe invasion and annexation of British territory. If Mr Kramer thought that the negotiations of the Government had been a mere cloak and pretext, aud had the purpose of sapping the independence of the Trans- vaal, and paving the way for its annexation, and, worse than all, if the Government had allowed themselves tc become the dupes and of a gang of interested speculators, then, despite the invasion of British territory and the loss of British lives, Mr Asquith could not have voted one halfpenny for the prosecution of tho war. But that was not the opinion uf the House or of the great majority of the country, and that WPS why, with regaru to the necessity and duty of carrying <1 the war, 1,1üY were a united Parliament and a united people. He then branched off into a criticism of Mr Chamber- ban's methods, temper, aud judgment—which cuuld not be condot-led or approved, and which showed a demonstrable lack of uo-kht aud fore- sight. He imnjuated that Mr Chamberlain himself would like now to have a chance of RE-EDITING HIS DESPATCHES and speeches, a sentiment which produced enthusi- astic opposition cheering. "I wou'd not altera word," iuterpoloted the Colonial Secretary quietly across the table, and, the remark being taken up by the Ministerialists, they in turn applauded vociferously. The rest of the speech was a criticism of Mr Chamberlain's mauagement of the negoti- ations, and closed with the acceptance of a challenge thrown out to the opposition by the Colonial Secretary on the previous evening to state what they thonght the end to be aimed at should be. The settlement sketched by Mr Asquith differed little from the fundamental points which have more than once been stated by Mr Chamber- lain imself. The Nationalists and Radicals -emained silent, but the Roseberyites and Mini-o rialists cheered. The former laughed n -Air tliit the Dtit(!), and E.iibsh, after the war, would forget their ull1r106: t. The c'r. f speeches of the dinner hour were by Lloyd-George and Mr John Barns. The- io.tn.t— spoke with Litter sarcasm of the of the Uitlauders, and denounced the war as a fight for 1 a forty-five per cent. dividend. Of the ..j itlar.ovi-s, cause the Government had taken np, seven thousand were fighting for the Boer. and the others were cot worth ONE DROP OF BRATE BRITISH F.LOOD, Mr Burns, il a speech presenting many points of rhetorical originality, protested against the incom- petency of the Government, the stupidity of the negotiations, and the insolent manner which the C Secretarj* hari too frequently shown in this controveiv.y. He mentioned that he had examined the Register of the Chartered Company, in whose interests t.he war was being waged, arid he found it fn:1 of Dukes and Generals and persons highly nlaeed, and of newspaper proprietor? by the yard. Nearly n who bad spoken in support or the Government, in this Debate held Stock. Mr IIavdock Wilson supported the Government and warmly re>mked the Liberal Party for submitting sn^n a contradictory Amendment. Mr Bond made a. iliciirl-n against the Amendment. Sir H Cf-mpbel.-Bannerman began with a spirited defence of the right und duty of the Opposition to bring forward this Amendment, and was disclaim- .2- all desire or expectation of Party advantage when he was interrupted by a sudden tnd pro- ti-io'ed outburst of apphjuse ou the Ministerial b 1. e s. The news of the result of the York Election had just reached the House. How uc", ? asked some in the midst of the cheers. Fourteen hundred," replied others, and the cheering wae renewed and redoubled. The one piece of solid information they had received from tbe Government durir.g the Debate was Mr W statement that the Intelligence Depart- ment was fully ACOUAINTEO \rlT1 THE AK'I* AGENTS AD PIlt-PAB- ATlONS or the Boers. Bat. the House had received no proof of tbe exiater.ee (Jî a great conspiracv, and he believed if wa" an invention from beginning: to end. The key of ihe position was that tue English and Dutch had to live together at the Cape. He a-er.ed tbnt the war must be prosecuttd with V!gour aud without dospondencv. it was a qu.;> ter past eleven when Mr Balfour rose, amid vociferous Ministerial cheering. He opened with some pleasant persiflage directed at Sir W ilarcourt, who, he said, always answered speeches in the House to which ke did not belong, and Si voided the speeches in the House of which he "wat- so distinguished a member. Mr Balfour made a reference to bis own speeches, and a member of Opposi* ion reminded him of bis admission J a no he took no interest in them. "I have refreshed my memory," replied the first Lord, amid much laughter. The amendment was not, in his opinion, an attack on the Wer Office, but on Mr Chamberlain, and he delivered u glowing eulogy of the Ononis! Secretary, through whose great adtoin- ¡ i&trative abilities THE DRAMATIC HAD OCCXRRFD when every British Colony joined hands with the toother Conntry. His name wonlcl be for ever associated w-.tli—the sentence was interrupted by a s.oj'ru of iron tea. cheering fri):n the Opposition, and when it subsided, Mr Balfour completed his broken s' u'cnce—" associated with that great moment in our hietcry." "With slaughter," exclaimed Mr liealy. Mr Baltonr went on to inquire on what the Boers had rested their hopes. Or. God," interpol- ated an liisb mnmbfir. "On the complications in which this country might, at some time or the other 1;; -nvob ed," replied Mr Balfour, when it. might, 1), driven to a disnoaourable peace." He wound up •i, pileh with an eloquent appeal to the House to present an undivided front. Ilt- 'rTfirA-o,)d rose from the Opposition Benches, and poaiJ not make himself heard for^impatient Ministerial cries of "Divide," When it. was discovered, however, that be was advising the oeia. Lea.-ru.rs to withdraw the Amendment, loud cheering broke from the Miuisteriab'stK, and loud hooting find protests 'rem tbe Opposition. Mr C D •'straw, rtamg from below the Opposition Gangway, soco vied t ai? appeal, and declared himself a warm mppor.er of the Government. W: en be sat down tnc-re were 10ml Ministerial cries of Withdraw." I response came from the Front Opposition Bench, find the Speaker put the Question the first time. Arcaacr, a°r,ho," shouted Mr W Redmond in a loud v oice, and the Irish members rose in a body and ■ left the H oil S3. The Question was agaii, put for j ;.e socoi.d t:mc as usual, and the Division taken. The figures showed that the Amendment was re- iccted by -352 tc 139, being a majority of 213. The ilrnisterial cheering which greeted the announce- j ruprtt broke out again aod again. THE IRISH NATIONALISTS AND THE BOERS. AN ANIMATED SCENE. The debate on the address on Wednesday was resumed on Mr John Redmond's amendment that the war should be brought to a close on the basis of recognising the independence of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The Nationalistmem- brrs. he said, thought, as one man on this subject, i and acted as one. The sympathy of Ireland was with the two Boer Republics. Ireland abhorred the war. and called for iis cessation. The Nation- alms world do Ri] in their power to maintain the ''id/yoendence cf the Republics—on independence v,ri by untold sacrifices and defended with a j heroism which had few parallels in the history of Wf"1 '■ if tbe object of the war was to destroy the indeper.o<»nce of these two Republics, he uraved Gcd that it might be frustrated. The opinion of the whole civilised world condemned the war, and Britain stood to-day in a state of disgraceful isolation. The HOirce was very empty when Mr Redmond spoke. Mr Serjeant Hemphill was the only (CCU pant of the Front Opposition Bench for the first • nree hours of the Debute, with the exception of a bve minutes' visit, from Mr Asquith. About twenty of the Liberals who sit above the pano-wav CONSTITUTfiD THE AUDIENCE ( of the various speakers down to three o'clock, when Mr Healy rose, and members entered in consider- a.de nr.moors from the smoking-room and lobbv. 11 Campbell-Bannerman was among the first arr ivals, an3 be left- when Mr Healv had concluded bis speech. From the Treasury Bench the Debate was watched by Mr T W Russell; and Mr BaHour looked iu once or twice to -how the Debate was proceeding. The attendance of Ministerialist members was considerable, and the Irish Benches were crowded throughout the day, the only con- soicuou? absentee being Mr Dillon, who has gone to Ireland. Air Power seconded the Amendment, and it was opposed .by Air J H Campbell, the Con- servative member for St Stephen's Green, who attributed the attitude of the Nationalists not to their sympathy with the Boers, but to their im- p'aeable hatred of the English race and the Con- -Or Clark supported the Amendment in an historical review, which the Speaker cut short, and he pictured the dire evils which would follow from this wnr. Mr Healy s speech was i:, tbe most vigorous style. It was delivered with a most extraordinary solemnity of voice and manner, but it abounded with humorons sallies. Like Mr Redmond's speech, it was bused on Nationalist sympathy with small States PLOHT'NGT AGAINST GREAT EMPIRES ^•■r their independence. Two passages in the i-peech produced n great sensation. In OUe be was saying tbêÜ the Boers had only two peace davs- Ihngaan's-clay and -Alajuba-day-but England had now giveu thom a Buller's-day, a MetnuenVday, f; Yute's-day, a Warren's-day, and a Synious'-cav! i he last phrase excited loud and continued criesi of SJ.ame" iroai all the Ministerial Benches, which the cries )f Oi-Cic-r from the Speaker could not repress. At last he rose and remarked that cries of "ShaUle" were out of order, whereupon the Nationalists broke into exultant cheering. But Mr Healy saw he had gone too far, and immediately paid a handsome tribute to the memory of General Symous. He closed it, however, with the sting that the English had turned their backs on their dying General; aud a Nationalist sup- plemented the remark by caning out, And left bim to die on the field." The other noticeable passage was one cf some length. It was the odd use he made of some, o!d telegrams preparing the way for the tail of TLeebaw that amused the ilou(; Day after day, he remarked, telegrams announced, dtiringa Conservative Administration. Theebaw is drinking still." Then came five years of silence during Mr Gladstone's Administration and after its fail, the telegrams were resumed, "Tieebaw is drinking still," and in two months Theebaw was himself au Outlander, and England had taken Mandalay. The British pretext for taking Johuannesburg was just the satue the British policy was a policy of grab. The official reply to the amendment was made bv Mr T W Russell, in an animated speech, in which he declared that it would be an act of cowaidice to adopt the amendment. In the subsequent course of the debate, Commander Bethel endorsed the policy of Mr Courtney and Sir E Clarke, and at ha f-past five the divided and the amendmenn* was rejected by 358 to 65. "HP. TKOOPS AT THE CAPE. Points of detail relating oc the War furnished the staple subject of the questions addressed to Mir's- ters in the House of Commons, Thnrsday. Mr Cham- her lam has not yet received an answer from the Governor or Natal in reference to the reported shooting of certain Englishmen in the Orange Free State for refusing to be commandeered. Mr Bnxlrick stated that six Maxim guns had been obtained from Egypt for the forces at the Cape. The most jnter- est-ing of all the answers was given by Mr Wvndham who informed the House of the total number of the British forces now in Soutb Africa These amounted to 179,846. and as it had been oemoed to send out 17 additional battalions of Militia and 3.000 additional Yeomanry, the errand total would in two or three weeks be 194,000. In ans"-«T to Dr Farquharsor. he real telegiams from Lord Roberts and Sir Red vers Bulier storing: tfcat tnere was no ground for the relfections w b; f] had been cast on the management of tbe hospitals Pot the Cape and :IJ Natal. THE PATRIOT" FUN.7?. The debate on the address wng then resumed by Mr Kearley, who moved an amendment in favour of steps being taken :,a ensure that the aecummuta- tions and available surpluses of the various funds administered by the Patriotic Comrrrh-sioners should be applied for the benefit of the widows and cbild- ren of those othoers and men who lost their lives in South Africa. Seven. 1 members gave expression to the public dissatisfaction with the the funds by tbe Commissioners, who. it was ured, were boardice up half a million of money irrespective of the £ 270,000 which bad been banded over to t hem by the Lord Mayor. The debate brought out first, from Mr Powell-Williams, on beoalt of the War Office, and afterwards, from Mr Bs'.focr, on behalf of the Government, a promise, in the words of the latter, tc do their best to consider wit-'i those who were responsible foi the new ana tne oiri funds some method of genera, organisation Öy whicn they shouid be distributed to the ceneral advantage Mr Powell-Will iarns was a iittie more specific, for he stated that Lord Lansdowrre would ask them to re consider the valuation of their assets, and he pointed to 6 possible re-arraugecientof the Com mis- sion itself, ilr Kearlev, in view of this generous offer, withdrew his amendment,

ABEREAEESP. PARISH COCNCTL. Saturday, r>rese.r: The T Powell Williams (chairman). Messrs D Evans, T Evans, R E Jones, S Morgan. J Owen, with Mr E Rees, clerk.—I was agreed to c.¡:¡11 the attention of the agents to the Gregycog and A berÓHfpp estates to the state of the Glanrhyd Hili footna* n. also to the state of some stiles on the Fachwen and Rhyd. felin footpaths; and to put a man to do the neces- sary repairs to the Bank, Rhydfelm foot oath.—A committee was formed to make enquiries as to postal facilities in the neighbouring parishes, and to report to the next meeting. While heartily approving of the Tregynon Parish Council scheme for telegraph facilities, the Council de-ided that they would incur Tio Wltt, regard to it The basis for county rare was approved of. as well as satisfaction expressed at tne amended Parish Councils Act, which will not necessitate 1, election before 1901. it was decided to draw tne ntrertion of the Rector and wardens tc the need Of better 1 protection of the Churchyard from tht rabbits.—Mr S Morgan signed the declaration of an, ot uince of office. v.

CHURCESTGKE LFCTTRKS.—The last of a series of t ree lectures on Farm crops—their management and their diseases," was given in tbe Schoolroom on Wed- nesday evening by Mr J 0 Peer, of Un versity College, Bangor. On the motion of the Cnairmaa (Mr A G Montford), seconded by Mr J Sriuker, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded tc the lecturer for the lucio. and interesting manner in whicn. ;'le had dealt with the A collection was L'.ade to defray the cost of advertising the lectures and lighting the rovm.

BERRIEW. FORTUNE TELLING CASE. — At thp WeVnnool Police Court on Wednesday, before Col Twvford and Mr David Jones, itt.osan.iu mith, hawker Swansea, was brought up in custody of B.C. ]> vid Davies, Berriew, charged with obtaining 3s from Matilda Pugh and Is 6d from Harriett Ov ens Talbot Inn, Berriew, on Monday evening under tbe pretence of fortune telling-.—P f! iiu .ha, c.rn.on 1*"r^ and from inquiries be made he prided to New- tO-r: ana tnere apprehended tb* prisoner at the runway Btation and convoyed her to Welshpool Ponce btation. Sbe was sentenced to 14 d^s' hard labour.

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