County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

TUB United States petroleum export during the 30 years ending June, 1900, reached the enormous total of 16,839.100,OCX) gallons, having a value of v- '■«. £ 270.042,000. The export is ever on the increase. for whilst the year's export of 1879 was 421,700,000 gaHon, in 1889 it was 630,700,000 gallons, and in 1899 it was 951,000,000 gallons. MAJOS-GHNSRAL R. H. O'GRADY HALJ, C.B., D.S.O., has been granted a Good Service reward. He took part in the Egyptian war of 1882, and was present at El Magfar, Kassassin, and Tel-el-Kebir. In the Hazara expedition of 1888, under Brigadier-General Channer, he received mention in despatches, and was Created a D.S.O. for his services. He has written on tha Cataracts of the Nile, the Straits Settlements, BechuAnaland, and New Guinea, and from 1891 to 1896 was A.A.G., Belfast District. He received the C.B. in 1897, and went on the retired list a year later. I

I SOUTH AFRICA. ) EIGHT BOER GUNS CAPTURED. Lord Roberts, telegraphing from Johannesburg, reports a great success gained over the Boers under Steyn and De Wet, three miles aouth of Bothaville, on the 5th inst. Colonel Le Gallais surprised the enemy, who were about 1000 strong, and a severe engagement ensued, lasting five hours. Colonel De Lisle's Mounted Infantry then came up, and the enemy were completely defeated. The British took a 12-pounder of "Q" Battery, a 15-pounder of the 11th Battery, four Krupp guns, one "Pom-Pom," and one Maxim, with all their ammunition and waggons, and 100 prisoners. The Boers left 25 dead and 30 wounded on the field. The enemy were pur- sued some miles, when they broke up in small parties. The British casualties were relatively heavy-Colonel Le Gallais and two other officers and eight men killed, and seven officers and 26 men wounded. Lord Roberts reports several minor encounters with Boer parties in various districts, and says that General Smith-Dorrien reports an engagement south of Dal- manutha on the 6th inst. He drove them to the east of the Komati River. THE OFFICERS KILLED. Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Philip Walter Jules Le Gallais was in his fortieth year, and was major in the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, serving on the cavalry staff as assistant adjutant-general. He joined the 8th from the Militia in April 1881, and served in the Nile in 1897 and 1898, in the latter year at Atbara and Khartoum. In the present campaign he has commanded C.I.V. and colonial troops and a corps of mounted infantry. Captain Francis Joyce Engelbach had only recently completed his thirty-third year. He had the dis- tinction of having served in the ranks more than seven years before he received his first commission in the Bnffs in 1894. Captain Engelbach was with the Chitral Relief Force in 1895, and in the opera- ti ns on the Niger in 1897-8, including the expedition to Siama. Lieutenant William Arthur Glanmore Williams, D.S.O., had recently completed his twenty-seventh year, and had been with the South Wales Borderers since May 1893. He served in West Africa in 1898, in the Benin Hinterland and Siama expeditions) AAing wounded in the latter, and earning the D.S.O. FIGHTING ON THE KOMATI. I GALLANTRY OF CANADIANS. I The War Office has received the following des- patch from Lord Roberts: JOHANNESBURG, November 8, 11.10 a.m. Charles Knox states that he takes no credit for the very successful engagement on the 6th, which was due, in first instance, to the determination of Le Gallais never to lose touch of the enemy, and, secondly, to the able way in which De Lisle handled the tiring line after Le Gallais and Rosa had been wounded. The officers wounded are — Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Ross, Durham Light Infantry, neck and face, dangerously, but doing well Captain Colville Oxfordshire Light Infantry, side, severe Lieutenant D. Percy-Smith, Middlesex Regiment, slight; Lieu- tenant A. S. Peebles, Suffolk Regiment, seriously; Captain O. Harris, West Riding Regiment, slight; Captain G. T. Mair, R.H.A., severe; and Major N. Welch, Hampshire Regiment, severe. Knox says that U Battery, under Major Taylor, served their guns in a most magnificent manner. Prisoners state that Steyn and De Wet took flight. Smith-Dorrien reports that the two days' fighting mentioned in my telegram of to-day was very hard. His force consisted of 250 mounted men from the 5th Lancers, Royal Canadian Dragoons and Mounted Rifles, two Royal Canadian Horse Artillery guns, four guns 84th Battery, and 900 infantry from Suffolks and Shropshires. The Boers were met soon after starting from Belfast and hung upon the front, flanks, and rear until the Komati River was reached, when they stood at a very strong position. From this they were forced to retire by a wide turning movement made by the Suffolks and Canadian Mounted Rifles round their flank. All the first day signal fires were being lighted by the Boers in various directions, and before the following morning the Boers were strongly rein- forced. Our casualties on the 6th were six killed and 20 wounded, chiefly Shropshires, who fought splendidly. The next day the Boers tried to seize a strong position on the bank of Komati from which they had been driven out on the 6th, but were prevented by Colonel Evans, with the Canadian Mounted Rifles and two guns 84th Battery, galloping for two miles and seizing it just in the nick of time. The rear, on the return march, was defended by Colonel Lessard with the Canadian Dragoons and two Royal Canadian guns under Lieutenant Morri- son. Smith-Dorrien says no praise is too high for the devoted gallantry these troops showed in keeping the enemy off the infantry and convoys. In the afternoon an event, unprecedented in the war, I believe, occurred. Some 200 mounted Boers suddenly charged the rear-guard to within 70 yards of it. Then they were stopped by the Canadian Dragoons. During the fight 16 Canadians fell into the hands of Boers, who treated them kindly and released them after they had removed their own dead and wounded, during which operation the Candians were made to lie on their laces in order that they might not see how heavily the Boer had suffered. On the 7th our casualties were-killed two and wounded 12, amongst the latter being Lieutenant Elmsley, dangerously, Lieutenant Turner, severely, and Lieutenant Cockburn, slightly, all of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. BOER LEADERS SLAIN. I In the recent engagement near Belfast the losses of the Boers (according to Reuter's Cape Town correspondent) included Commandant Prinsloo and General Fourie killed, and General Grobelaar wounded. BRITISH SUCCESSES. I A MOONLIGHT CAVALRY CHARGE. The troops both in the Transvaal and in the Orange River Colony have been very active during the last few days, and have defeated the Boers wherever they have come into contact with them. Lord Methuen has surprised Snyman and Vermaak between Ottoshoop and Lichtenburg, inflicting some loss and capturing several waggons. A detachment of the King's Royal Rifle Corps has driven off a Boer attack made upon Philippolis after the reoccupation of that place. The Boers retreated in all directions, leaving three of their number wounded on the field. Our casualties num- bered eight. In a successful night attack made by Brigadier- General Kitchener near Middelburg, a force of Hussars charged the Boers by moonlight, sabring many of them. They were well supported by the mounted infantry of the Manchester Regiment, who covered their retirement from some broken ground. Reinforcements came up in the morning and the combined troops then completely routed the enemy. Colonel Plumer has repulsed an attack made by 400 men of Delarey's commando. On the 8th inst. two parties of mounted infantry from Rhenoster and Serfontier made a night expe- dition, in which they succeeded without loss in bringing in two prisoners, some cattle, and a number of bags of corn. NOTABLE PATIENTS. I MISS ROBERTS AND GENERAL BADEN-POWBLL. General Baden-Powell is (according to a Daily Mail correspondent in Cape Town) suffering from an attack of ordinary enteric. There is nothing serious about his illness, The condition of Lord Roberts's daughter is some- what serious. Icepacks (said a Pretoria message of Saturday) have been applied, but without great success. RECENT BRITISH SUCCESSES. I The following telegram from Lord Roberts has been received at the War Office: JOHANNESBURG, November 10, 4.25pm. Methuen surprised Commandants Synman and Vermaas between Ottoshoop and Lichtenburg yesterday morning. Three dead Boers were found. Thirty prisoners and several waggons were captured. We had no casualties. igel, a post near Heidelberg held by detachment 3rd King's Royal Rifle Corps, was attacked yesterday morning. After an hour's fighting the Boers retired with the loss of one killed and two wounded. No casualties amongst the Rifles. One civilian and one native belonging to the mines wounded. General Kelly-Kenny reports that Major Mac- Intosh, Seaforth Highlanders, occupied Philippoiis on the 8th inst. The Boers fled in all directions. Three of their wounded were brought into our hos- pital for treatment.. Our casualties were Surgeon Hartley, Lovat's Soeuts, and seven men, chiefly Sea- forths, wounded. Lyttleton telegraphs from Middelburg a successful surprise made by F. Kitchener from Lydenburg on night 7th inst. A mounted party of 19th Hussars and Manchester Mounted Infantry, under Captain Chetwode, managed to pass through the Boer out- post, and while the latter engaged the enemy's pickets the Hussars charged the Boers by moonlight, sabring many of them. Captain Chetwode, Lieu- tenant Parsons, Corporal Smith, and Private Aldridge behaved with great gallantry, but with the rest of the Hussars would probably have suffered severely, as they got into bad ground, had they not been well supported by the mounted infantry under Captains Bridgford, Crichton. In the morning a column of artillery and infantry joined Cbetwode's party and helped to complete the rout of the enemy, who are said to have lost heavily. Our casualties were one killed and three wounded. Lance-Corporal Preston and Private Bell, of the Manchester Mounted Infantry, showed conspicuous bravery during the night engagement. Paget reports that Plumer did excellent work with his mounted troops on the 8th inst. whilst covering the movements of the main column. Plumer was attacked by 400 of Delarey's men, who were beaten, leaving two of their dead and 16 prisoners in our hands. Two parties of mounted infantry from Rhenoster and Serfontein made a night expedition on the 8th, and suceeeded without loss in bringing in two prisoners, some cattle, and bags of corn. Smith-Dorrien reports that our wounded men who were left in the Boers' hands and subsequently brought back to Belfast in our ambulances speak in high terms of the kind manner in which they were treated, and they were informed while with the Boers that Commandant Henry Prinsloo and General Joachim Fourie had both been killed, and General Johann Grobelaar wounded in the recent fight. This is confirmed from other sources. THE COST OF THE WAR. I In October, 1899, the first estimate for the war was presented. It allowed £ 10,000,000 for the cost, of which the direct charges amounted to 99,434,000. On February 13 a supplementary estimate waa required amounting to E12,000,000. Again on March 12 a further demand for a little over 931,000,000 was made. By July 27 the com- mittee of the House of Commons had sanctioned a total outlay on the war of £ 53,582,700. On that day the Government asked for a further sum of £ 7,500.000 for the war, £ 2,950,000 for gratuities, and E2,650,000 in order to bring the troops home, making a total of E5,600,000 for terminal charge.. The total thus voted un to date is £ 66.682,700. RUNDLE BUSY.—YENTERSDORP OCCUPIED. Lord Roberts, in a telegram dated the 12th inst, from Johannesburg, says that General Rundle reports skirmishes with small parties of Boera in the Harrismith, Reitz, and Vrede dis- tricts. The Boer commandos appear to be acting independently, with no particular object except to cause us as much annoyance as possible. General Paget reports that a patrol of Queens- land Bushmen captured six of the enemy near Pienaars River on Sunday. General Douglas's column arrived at Ventersdorp on Sunday on its way tot Klerksdorp, after a very successful march from the south of Zeerust. There was little opposi- tion at Ventersdorp, where 21 prisoners and large numbers of cattle and sheep were captured. Venters- dorp, adds Lord Roberts, has been a large depot of supplies for the Boers, but all this will now be cleared out. CONDITION OF MISS ROBERTS. I FAVOURABLE MESSAGE FROM THE FIELD-MARSHAL. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool on Tuesday re- ceived the following message from Lord Roberts: JOHANNESBURG, November 13. Deeply grateful to you and the people of Liver- pool for highly valuable sympathy. Our daughter is, thank God, progressing most favourably." This was in reply to a telegram which the Lord Mayor sent to Lady Roberts, which was as follows 1 Liverpool sympathises deeply with you in your great anxiety. Should esteem great favour by being informed of daughter's present condition. EARL OF ROSSLYN AND THE HOUSEHOLD I CAVALRY. INDIGNANT DENIAL BY LORD ROBERTS. I Lieut.-Colonel Aubrey Neeld, of the 2nd Life I Guards, writes: I shall be obliged if you will r kindly publish in your paper the enclosed telegram from Lord Roberts, in answer to one sent by Sir Dighton Probyn on November 6, with reference to the statement which appeared in Lord Rosalyn'a book, Twice Captured," imputing gross mis- behaviour on the part of the Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry and Tenth (10th) Hussars at Sanna's Post. [Copy of Lord Roberts' reply, dated Johannesburg, Nov. 10 (3.16 p.m.).] To Sir Dighton Probyn, Sandringham. In reply to your telegram of Nov. 6, please inform Prince of Wales that I have not seen Rosslyn's book, but I am satisfied that neither the Household Cavalry nor the 10th Hussars did anything to discredit their grand reputa- tion during the reverse which occurred at Sanna's Post on March' 31 last. As stated in my despatch of June 19 last, I per- sonally inquired into the case from the prin- cipal actors in it, and I was able to report to her Majesty's Government that "the troops behaved in the most gallant manner." Not a whisper of misconduct on the part of any of the corps en- gaged on that occasion has ever reached me, and his Royal Highness may, with the utmost truth and confidence, publicly contradict the false state- ment. (Signed) ROBERTS. The Earl of Rosslyn has sent for publication in this connection the following letter which he has addressed to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales 88, Draycott-place, S.W., Nov. 13. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, K.G., Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, and 10th Hussars. Sir,—Lord Roberts's despatch in reply to an inquiry by Sir Dighton Probyn as to the truth of a report to which I gave publicity, that, the cavalry had not behaved well at Sanna's Post on March 31, has been this evening placed in my hands. I was not aware that Lord Roberts had stated in a despatch of June 19 that he had personally inquired into the case from the principal actors in it. Had I known it I should never have allowed the paragraph to appear in my book. My evidence was based on reports and statements made to me by British officers prior to June 13, when I left Pretoria, and prior to June 20, when I left Cape Town. My desire was to prevent such a rumour becoming an accepted fact, and I rejoice that your Royal Highness has been the means of proving the incorrectness of the report. Lord Roberts's denial is such as to leave no doubt as to what did occur, and shows how much reliance can be placed on the evidence of those who were apparently not in a position to grasp the real situation. For my part, I owe the regiments whose honour my publication of a groundless report has called in question the deepest apology and the fullest reparation. I offer it to you, air, as Colonel-in-Chief-I offer it to the colonels of the various regiments— 1 offer it to every officer, non-commissioned officer, and man; and I sincerely trust that this un- qualified apology will be accepted in the spirit in which it is offered. I shall send a copy of this letter to Sir Audley Neeld, Bart., and to the colonels of the 1st Life Guards and 10th Hussars.—I have the honour to remain, Sir, your Royal Highness's humble and obedient servant, (Signed) ROSSLYN. I KRUGER'S CONTINENTAL RECEPTION. I t A deputation of Nationalist members of the French Chamber was on Tuesday appointed to meet Mr. Kruger at the Lyona terminus on his arrival in Paris. The Boer deputation leave the Hague this week end for Marseilles in order to be present at the landing of the ex-President.

I'VE eome to tell you, sir, that the photographs you took of us the other day are not at all satis- factory. Why, my husband looks like an ape!" If WeU, madam, yon should have thought of that before you had him taken."

THK CHAJVG-KS IK THE GOVERNMENT. The Queen has been pleased to direct that tha following be sworn of her Majesty's Most Honour- able Privy Council: The Earl of Clarendon. The Earl of Selborne. The Right. Hon. Gerald Balfour, M.P. Joseph Powell-Williams, Esq., M.P. The Times is requested to state that Earl Cadogan has consented to continue for a further period to fill the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Lord and Lady Cadogan have returned to the Viceregal Lodge, Dublin. The Queen, it is understood (says the Daily Tele- graph), has approved of the appointment by Lord Salisbury of Mr. John Grant Lawson, M.P. for the Thirsk and Malton Division of Yorkshire, as Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Local Government Board. It is only a few days since Mr. T. W. Russell, who filled this office in the late Parliament, let it be known that be would not again serve in this capacity. Mr. Lawson (says the Daily Telegraph) is esteemed as capable a member of Parliament as he is popular with all sections. He is also an effective speaker, a sportsman, a bachelor, and a barrister who does not practise. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple 19 years ago, and, having been rejected by Bury and Heywood, was accepted by the Thirsk Division of his county in 1892, and no one has since had the temerity to come forward to challenge his right to represent this constituency. He is the second son of the late Mr. Andrew Lawson, of Ald- borough, and fsabella, daughter of Mr. John Grant, Nuttall Hall, Lancashire, From his mother he takes, of course, his second Christian name-Messrs. Grant being the original of Dickens's II Cheeryble Brothers —and he lives at the seat of his mother's family when he is not at Knavesmere Lodge, Yorkshire, or at Arlington-street. He was educated at Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford. Mr. Lawson has made some mark at St. Stephen's, and has proved a trust- worth Deputy-Chairman of Ways and Means. Since 1895 he has been an unpaid Charity Commissioner. The Army and Navy Gazette says A report has reached us, which may be taken for what it is worth, but which we give, feeling that it is backed up both by fitness and by probability. It is to the effect that Lord Kitchener is to be appointed Under-Secretary of State for War." Some doubt seeming to exist as to the question whether or not Lord Salisbury will receive pay as Lord Privy Seal, inquiry has been made by the Press Association in officials quarters, and it has been ascertained that his lordship will not receive any salary at all either in respect to his position of Prime Minister or Lord Privy Seal. The office of Prime Minister, as is generally known, carries no salary, and as to that of the Lord Privy Seal, its emoluments were abolished in 1884. Confusion has probably arisen from the fact that Lord Cross, the retiring Lord Privy Seal, received £ 2000 a year. But this was a political pension, to which all holders of Ministerial appointments may lay claim under certain conditions. Any Minister to qualify for pension must have been at the head of a department for a period of not less than five years. In the event of the salary being 0000, the pension would be £ 2000; while in the case of a salary of £ 2000 the attaching pension would be £1200. A further and very important condition attaches. The pension must be applied for, and the prospec- tive recipient must make a declaration of the in- sufficiency of his private means to support the dignity of an ex-Minister's position. In these cir- rumstances political pensions to ex-Ministers are the xception rather than the rule. COUNCIL AT WINDSOR. SEALS OF OFFICE EXCHANGED. The Queen held a L/ouncu at one o clock on the 12th inst. at Windsor Castle, at which were present the Duke of Devonshire, K.G., Lord President of the Council; the Marquis of Salisbury, K.G., Prime Minister; the Marquis of Lansdowne, K.G.; the Right Hon. C. T. Ritchie, M.P.; the Right Hon. St. J. Brodriok, M.P.; and Lieutenant-Colonel the Right Hon. Sir Fleetwood Edwards, K.C.B. The Earl of Clarendon, the Earl of Selborne, the Right Hon. Gerald Balfour, M.P., and Mr. J. Powell Williams, M.P., were introduced and sworn in Members of the Privy Council. Previous to the Council the following were intro- duced to audiences of her Majesty and delivered to the Queen their Seals of Office as follows Viscount Cross, G.C.B., delivered up the Privy Seal, The Right Hon. Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., M.P., the Seals of the Home Office, The Marquis of Salisbury the Seals of the Foreign Office, and The Marquis of Lansdowne the Seals of the War Office. The Duke of Devonshire had an audience of her Majesty previous to the Council. The Marquis of Salisbury received the Privy Seal and took the Oath of Lord Privy Seal. The Marquis of Lansdowne received the Seals of the Foreign Office. The Right Hon. C. T. Ritchie the Seals of the Home Office, and The Right Hon. St. J. Brodrick the Seals of the War Office, the Oath of Secretary of State being administered. The following took the Oath of Office in the pre- sence of the Lord President of the Council: The Earl of Selborne as First Lord of the Admi- ralty, and the Right Hon. Gerald Balfour as Presi- dent of the Board of Trade. Mr. Almeric FitzRoy was in attendance as Clerk of the Council. Lord Lawrence and Captain Drummond were in attendance as Lord and Groom-in-Waiting. The Times understands that Lord Raglan has been offered and has accepted the Under-Sebietaryship for War that the Earl of Onslow, hitherto Under- Secretary for India, has accepted the Under-Secre- taryship for the Colonies vacated by the Earl of Selborne; and that the Under-Secretaryship for India has been offered to and accepted by the Earl of Hardwicke. Lord Raglan, who succeeds Mr. George Wyndham as Uftder-Secretary for War, is a soldier himself, and comes of a race of soldiers. His grandfather, the first Lord Raglan, a son of the fifth Duke of Beaufort, was the famous Crimean Commander-in- Chief, who had also distinguished himself in the Peninsular War and had lost an arm at Waterloo. The present peer was born in 1857, and joined the Grenadier Guards in 1876. He served through the second part of the Afghan War (1879-1880) as orderly officer to Major-General Sir R. Phayre, and was mentioned in despatches for his valuable service. After the war Lord Raglan acted until 1883 as A.D.C. to Sir James Fergusson, who was then Governor of Bombay. Since he left the army he has served with the militia as major and hon. lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Monmouth Engineers. The new Under-Secretary has always been devoted to the army. Soldiering has not only been his profession but, as he has confessed in a well-known book of reference, his recreation also. Lord Onslow, who goes from the India Office to the Colonial Office, resumes at the latter the post which he held in 1887-1888. This was his first ex- perience of official life. He was moved in 1888 to the Board of Trade, where he acted as Parliamen- tary Secretary, but he only stayed there about a year, for in 1889 he went as Governor and Commander-in- Chief to New Zealand. Lord Onslow has been Under- Secretary for India since 1895. He found time to combine with this office the duties of leader of the Moderate party on the London County Council from 1895 until 1898, when he felt obliged by the pressure of his engagements to retire, and when his great ser- vices to the party were recognised by a hearty vote of thanks. Lord Hardwicke was born in 1867, and after leaving Eton went into the diplomatic service, his first post being as hon. attache in Vienna. This he resigned in 1891. Since then he has devoted him- øelf to other pursuits. He is a member of the London Stock Exchange, and a year or two ago he became proprietor of the Saturday Review. He sue- Deeded to the title in 1897. Lord Hardwicke has, like Lord Onslow, taken part in London politics, though without becoming a prominent figure. He has repre- sented West Marylebone on the London County Council as a Moderate since 1898. THE MINISTRY. The following table shows the changes in the Ministry so far as they had been made public up to the 13th inst. The italics indicate fresh appoint- ments PRIME MINISTER-Lord Salisbury. LORD CHANCELLOR—Lord Halsbury. LORD PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL—Duke of Devon- shire. LORD PRIVY SEAL—Lord Salisbury. CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—Sir M. Hicks Beach. HOME SECRETARY-Mr. Bitchie. FOREIGN SECRETARy-Lord Lansdowne. COLONIAL SECRETARY—Mr. Chamberlain. SECRETARY FOR WAR-Mr. Brodriok. SECRETARY FOB INDIA—Lord George Hamilton. SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND-Lord Balfour of Bur- leigh. FIRST LORD OF THE ÅDMIRALTy-Lord Selborne. FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY—Mr. Balfour. LORD LIEUTENANT OF lRELABD-Lord Cadogan. LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND—Lord Ashbourne. PRESIDENT BOARD OF TRADE.—Mr. Gerald Balfour. CHANCELLOR DUCHY OF LANCAsTim-Lord James of Hereford. PRESIDENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD—Mr. Walter Long. PRESIDENT BOARD OF AGRICULTUItli- WORKS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS—Mr. Akers- Douglas. CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND-Mr. George Wynd- ham. POSTMASTER-GENERAL-Lord Londonderry. VICE-PRESIDENT COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL-Sir John Gorst. JUNIOR LO«DS OF THE TREASURY—Mr. H. T. Anstruther, Mr. W. Hayes Fisher, — FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO TREASURy-Mr. Austen Chamberlain. PATRONAGE SECRETARY TO TREASURY—Sir William Walrond. SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY Mr. Arnold- Forster. CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY— UNDER SECRETARY HOMF OFFICE Mr. Jesse Collings. U NDER-SEVRETARY FOREIGN OFFICB -Lord Cran- borne, M.P. UNDER-SECRETARY COLONIAL OFFICE-Lord Onslow. UNDER-SECRETARY FOR INDIA-Lord Hardwicke. UNDER-SECRETARY FOR WAR-Lord Raglan. SECRETARY BOARD OF TRADE—Lord Dudley. SECRETARY LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD-Mr. Grant Lawson. FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAR OFPICB Lord Stanley, M.P. ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Sir Robert Finlay, Q.C. SOLICITOR-GENERAL-Sir Edward Carson, Q.C. LORD ADVOCATE-Mr. Graham Murray, Q.C. THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. I The Times understands that it has been decided to call Parliament together for a short autumn Session on Monday, December 3. This decision is not due to any change in the political situation, or to any kind of urgency; but money will be required before long for the expenses of the war, and it is thought that it will be more convenient for members to meet in December and have all January to themselves than to begin the usual Session early in January.

BREAKING UP THE STREETS. I An action by the Attorney-General, on the relation of the County Council, against the National Tele- phone Company for an injunction to restrain them from breaking up the streets of the metropolis, for the purposes of laying wires, without the consent of the Council, was down for hearing in the Queen's Bench Division on Monday, before Mr. Justice Wills and a special jury. It was explained for the defen- dants that they had been restrained at the instance of the Postmaster-General from doing any work for the purpose of extending their existing system in London, and they were willing to give an undertaking that they would do nothing in contravention of that Order without giving notice to the County Council. The case was adjourned generally with liberty to the Council to apply to have it restored. ==============^

YARMOUTH MURDER MYSTERY. I PRISONER IN COURT. I At Yarmouth on Friday of last week, Herbert John Bennett, described as 21, was duly charged with the murder of his wife at Yarmouth in Sep- tember last by strangling her under sensational cir- cumstances on the Yarmouth beach. When the prisoner entered the dock he was remarkably self-powened. He is taU, thin, and pale- faced, his wavy black hair and small black mous- tache contrasting strongly with his pallid features. As the proceedings opened he became very restless, and continually shifted from one part of the dock to the other, clasping and unclasping and sometimes clenching his hands. The only evidence taken was that of the chief con- stable of Yarmouth, Mr. Parker, who has had the case in hand from the beginning. When he came to the terms of the indictment Did murder and slay his wife by strangling on Yarmouth beach," the accused man flushed hotly, and he caught at the dock-rail as to make his fingera stand out with a peculiar bony prominence. The Chief Constable began his testimony by stating that when he arrested Bennett the latter said, "What does it all mean ?" He was then told he would be charged with the murder of the woman found strangled on the beach at Yarmouth. To this Bennett replied, I don't know what you mean. I have never been to Yarmouth." Witness then went to the accused's lodgings at 18, Union-street, Wool- wich, where he found a watch and chain. The watch was a silver one, and the chain was composed of gold and imitation pearls. Every eye in oourt turned to the articles the officer held up. The prisoner gazed at them, and was evidently excited. These have since then," went on the Chief Con- stable, been seen by the Rudrams, at whose house the murdered woman lodged, and they were at once identified as articles she wore while there." The prisoner rocked forward, and excitedly ex- claimed, She has not worn them for 12 months." The Chief Constable then went on to say that by means of a likeness of the murdered woman taken by a beach photographer a few days before her death, he ascertained that she was the legally-married wife of the prisoner. At Woolwich the prisoner was shown the photograph of his wife. Is she dark ?" he asked. No," he was told, she was excep- tionally fair." And he made no further comment. From the day the body was found," said the chief constable, till the moment of his arrest no communication was ever made to me, or inquiry by the prisoner, as to his wife, nor had he ever sent to the Rudrams since the woman's death to say that she was missing." On being asked if he wished to question the chief constable on his evidence, Bennett said with just a touch of emotion, I wish to make a statement. Right through from the beginning I will swear I am not guilty." The clerk, stopping him, asked him if he would be defended at the next hearing. Bennett replied that he had no means with which to employ a solici- tor. The clerk then advised him to reserve his statement. He was, he said, anxious to make it at once. But aventually he was persuaded that it was not in his interest to say anything then more than he had laid. Bennett was then formally remanded for a week. By this time he was again quite cool, and was wisting his waxed moustache as he left the dock. THAT very wealthy and fortunate violinist, Senor Sarasate, has received during his career as an artist a set of pearla from our Queen, three ringa from the German Emperor Wilhelm I., a blue enamel watch from the Emperor Napoleon III., a diamond ring from Dom Pedro, a portrait etched in gold from the Empress Augusta, and a set of diamonds from Alphonso XII., with which and many other valuable offerings he means to enrich his native town. A NEW Wesleyan church at 8t, Leonards, about to bei built in Norman-road by Mr. W. G. Morgan of St. Leonards, from designs prepared by Mr. J. Weir, of Westminster, will be in the Gothic style, with a tower an'd spire. The church will be about 76ft. long and 47ft. wide, with a transept and organ Jha nber in addition, and will provide accommoda- tion for about 600 persons. The facing will be of native blue stone, with Bath stone dressings, The nave arches willbe in Bath stone, on polished granite 3 ilumns with clerestory above, finished withtraceried w ndows. The roof will be timbered to the height of the collar, and all joinery will be in pitchpine. "ffwnwiwmLinii, iIØ)i"Jl

_n There 18 Sacnrlty la GAITER'S WITTLE m lUEft MIL H ■"u,u H PILLS OnoUftlM Absolutely care Sick Headache, Biliousness, Torpid Liver, Indi- igetiloa. Constipation, Dizziness, Furred Tongue. Th«y Touch the Liver. —————————— but be xwG thoy Are CARYZK'H. A few drops on So toittkwl •very aermla# I n p SOZODONT Witt SwMtn tha Braath all daft and make all the different* Im. tw- Good Tetth aad Bad Teadk Wliite Teeth and Tallow Toolk Pretty Taathaad Vflf Teatb, Complete 14 Toilet Case. T 0-der, 216.

IT has been held in some quarters that the bom- bardment of the Taku forts only added to the dangers Dr the foreigners in China. A correspon- ded who writes from Chung-king, supports the entirely opposite view. It is an absolute fact, he tays, that in June the Szn-chuen Viceroy received a telegram from the Emperor. Exterminate aH foreignera and Christains without delay." Fortu- nately there was some delay in instructing the heads of Prefectures, and then came the relief of Tientsin, and a countermanding Imperial edict. Thus the prompt action of the Admirals at Taku may be said to have saved all our lives in the interior. But had not our diplomats been fortunately shut up in Peking at the time, and so unable to control events, they would never have permitted such a drastic measure. Men of common sense and true humanity as naval men are, saved China mnoh in the same way as on a smaller field they saved the situation in Crete."

SEED M Of 35 YEARS ROVE14 EFFICACY. AN EVER READYHOUSEHOLD REMEDY. LOOSENS PHLEGM. ALLAYS COUCH. GIVES IMMEDIATE RE LI El* "LlNUM CATHART1CUM PILLS, FOR INDIGESTION 4 ITS EVTLSi' • SICK+iEADACHE BILIOUS DERANGEMENT • 8* > V. AN" AGREEABLE APERIENT- J jf KAYS TIC PI LLS- -D. cu: FACEACHE & NEURALGIA. M -t f?EFUS £ SUBSr/rarss. Z ♦"Si ^3CXD8YAU. CHEMISTS THROUGHOUT GREAT BRITAIN I THE ITU nWflJj tMS* bUAhUUHb The Transparent Cement DON'T THROW AWAY v,*$H'l an article simply becaom It la in pieces. Keep the partsaasl send for a bottle of Coagmttna, <N:"t- with which you can, is a few /I ",l,r.. minutes, make a joint ft strong as the original ma. terial. aud one which only the closest scrutiny will detect. IMEND3 AL.L. BROKEN ARTICLE*. Refiise all Substitute*. In Bottles, 6d. and 1/ Of ail Chemist* A Otomk BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE TABLES. A LARGE STOCK OF NEW Alt'!) SECOND 'makings LANA^lf, LONDSN/KI. I Fa SMSTH & GO'S 1 iron Churches, Chapels, Mission Halls, Hospitals, ig, f Bungalows, Stables, Aç. Write for Illustrated Price Lixt. Hi! tMSlra CARPENTERS' ROAD. STRATFOBD BBmn L London, E. VINOLKA CO.'S HOUSEHOLD SOAP IS WHAT SOAP SHOULD BE. Twin Bar, Scented, 21d.

Aw, my good man," drawled Fitznoodle, have you seen anything worth shooting about here." Well, no," said the farmer, not till you came along." BUTTEBMAJ While my daughter was playing the piano last night a strange man stopped at the door and asked to be allowed to give her half a sovereign.' Silversides Was he such an ardent music lover ?" Butterman "No; he said it was merely a1 thank* offering because he didn't live next door to us." AYOLUNIEEK, who was a great man in his own eyes, was by some influence appointed captain. He could hardly speak of anything but his new dignity. Meeting a friend one day he accosted him thus: Well, Jim, 1 suppose you know I have been appointed (-Ppt,,iin "Yes," said Jim, "I heard so." Well, what do your folks say about it?" asked the captain. Thay don'! any nothin' replied truthful James; "they junt laut;h."

| III llll IIII 111 —1— "It deserves all the praise it has Aifc. received from the leaders of the pro- «fp^jlf|» feSSiOn."—Medical Magaiine. jJgBr Lavishly endowed with all those properties so tSMentlal to i^1 the Support, Building Up, and Strengthening of the systom. PURE CONCENTRATED ffll Frits cqmia "A delicious beverage." ■ JUST THREE WORDS are necessary in order to get the right Cocoa. viz.. FRY'8 PURE CONCEKTB.AT^ D. -Eomw -1

XHE largest perfect plank of wood ever turned out by a saw-mill is the one recently made ab a California red-wood mill; it is 17ft. long. 6ft. wide, and 2in. thick, was cut out by a band-saw, and is without a Saw. Much larger red-wood planks have been made. but these have been imperfect. MR. HORACE AVORT, who has applied for Silk," is Senior Counsel to the Treasury at the Old Bailey, of which court both his father and brother have been at different times Clerk of the Arraigns. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1875, and though best known to the public as a criminal lawyer, he is also the leading authority on rating law, and standing counsel to the L.C.C. in all their cases. He is forty-six years of age, but looks much younger.

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