The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

tester 100 Years ——♦ INTERESTING REMINISCENCES. Being notes given week by week of matters con- nected with Chester and the locality a hundred years ago. (Compiled from the Chester Courant, Aug. 29th 1797.) HALF A CENTURY IN THE SERVICE. The senior ensign in the British Army in September, 1783, was Willcock, aged 78, an ensign in the 41st Invalides, who petitioned General Conway, through General Vaughan, to excuse him mounting guard for the rest of his life, as he had been 54 years in the service." THII SAME DODGE IS PRACTISED Now. "A curious device was lately played off at the Lower Ferry, Dublin, to extort money, and with So much success as to render the adjacent quay one continued scene of drunkenness. A ragged vagabond was prostrated on the ground close to the bank of the Liffey, and covered with an old mat, on which lay a plate for alms to bury the drowned man. More than fifty shillings were collected in the course of two hours, when, to the astonishment of several persons in the act of contributing, the dead man took up his bed and walked: carrying the joke no further that to go into the purgatory of a whisky shop." AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY. A circumstance of a very peculiar nature Has transpired within these few days. Mr. M some time ago formed a tender connec- tion with a young lady, by whom he had a child. The father of the young gentleman, who is very opulent, declared that he would disin- herit his son if he did not break off the connec- tion. The love between the parties was ardent and mutual; the son heard the injunction with grief, and with tears promised to act conformably to the wishes of the father. But his resolution forsook him, and as he had just finished his school studies, in which the young lady made also a great pro- ficiency, he bad recourse to the singular stratagem of inducing her to assume the male attire, and enter with him as a fellow commoner in the University of Oxford. The young lady being received as such, went through the rigours and discipline of a University educa- tion; she applied herself closely to the dead languages, and in Greek and Latin became a considerable proficient. For a year she was never seen without the doors of her chamber, except by her lover; and the approbation of the University, besides several premiums, crowned her classical labours. When the parties had finished at Oxford, the gentleman with his fair friend entered the Middle Temple, where they are now students. In term time she regularly dined in the hall, and in the vacation in the different coffee-houses, with her friend. She has paid great attention to the law, and in legal disquisition is said to be a subtle disputant. At George's coffee house her talents, more than once, have exposed the ignorance of certain stripling barristers. After such constancy, few minds, we hope, are prepared to imagine the state of the fair unfortunate; for she is now abandoned by her lover, a prey to grief, and with acquirements, that, in her sex, are rendered almost useless in her progress through life by the custom of the world.—The mother o the gentleman has settled an annuity on her, u the philosophy of the schools does not prevent her from being inconsolable.

NOTES ON HERALDRY. The variations of ancient crests (as dis- tinguished from arms), are illustrated in a unique manner, by the 13th, 14th, and 18th century crests of one of the Palatine families of those dates, of and in the county of Chester. The second of the three successive crests of the family referred to, seems to have evolved out of a very early and simple first crest which was, perhaps, adopted during one of the later crusades, or at the very least about A.D. 1250. The only relic of this particular ensign now in existence lies in the matrix of the silver seal (penes Shirley, of Ettington, 1882), of 'Simon de Helton' (Elton) temp. Henry III.— Edward I. It is the crest that surmounts the heaume over the coat of Elton of Elton, near Helsby which coat, if I recollect aright, is blazoned paly of six Or and Gules, over all a bend sable charged with three mullets. See Elton, second edition (1882) of the History of Cheshire. The tincture of this bend, and its charges, appear to form a slight blending of the coat armour of til 9 parent house, and of the several kindred male lines of Acton of Acton, in Delamere, and the line of Alderley. For, the Eltons of Elton, like the Actons, were a male branch of the 12th century house, of whose principal, and adjoining manor, Elton, was a dependency. The crest on the seal referred to, is simply a short forked pennon; which, as usual, was probably emblazoned with the distinct coat of Elton- as in those very early heraldic times it was customary for cadet branches to bear entirely distinct coats, but often differenced by some sort of recognition of the Elder House out of which the family had branched, and whose head was regarded as their Chief. The Elton Crest was also, probably, a bearing of what, in arms, is known as 'affection.' The pennon appears attached to a short cross-headed 8taff, raised perpendicularly over the helmet by the hilt being thrust into a socket. And either this simple Crest was borne by the Parent House, or it formed part only of one more elaborate. Secondly. At a later date-about the reign of Edward III.—when the eldest surviving male line of the Elder or Parent House (the latter now represented in female lines, by a multitude of families), had been in existence for a generation or two, they either acquired, or took by descent, as shewn by early seals, the crest of a demi-lion with double queue, bearing in the sinister paw a saltier sable, and in the dexter, a cross gules simply. From the consanguinity of this sur. viving house with that of Elton (particularly from the male descent of each) the suggestion naturally arises that the pennon was discarded for the pennon staff-cross only by this elder surviving male line of the Paternal House, perhaps during the wars in France, especially when Poictiers was fought, and the first representative of that elder-surviving line, —whose alias came of his manorial share of Acton, and who therefore occasionally appears as Adam de Acton—received from the Black Prince, then Palatine Earl of Chester, the Baili wick of the rich Hundred of Bucklowe (whose protitsjwould then equal about 40 marks p. a.) as a fee for the great place (grande lieu) he held at the battle of Poictiers.' But, it should be noticed, as to his identity, that there were three Adam de Actons about this time-all kinsmen. It is, however, apprehended that mutual light is now thrown upon the question of identity by the question of change of crest; and the pre- sumption arises that formerly the Stock of the twelfth century (from which all these minor branches had descended, with many more branches, and among all of whom large estates had—as was the custom of the Normans—been Hovelled), bore originally the pennon with its cross simply as did Elton, or bore it in the dexter paw of a lion ? Their earliest neigh- bour, too, and kinsman, of Thornton, near Helsby, Sir Piers Ie Roter, alias de Thorneton en Ie Mores (Edw. III.), the last Lord of Thornton, bore a pennon, with a red cross emblazoned in its chief corner; which not im- probably was adopted by him after his marriage with the first dau. and heir of Sir Wm. de Hellesby, the last Knt., a Crusader. But it would be interesting to learn what crest the Fitz-Alans, earls of Arundell, and Lords of the paramount Fee, or Honour, of Dunham, bore at this period—as a cluster of manors around Elton were feudally held of that Fee probably by some of the kinsmen of its paramount lord. Here, however, we conclude this part of our subject by a note on the verbal blazon of a heraldic animal with two distinct queux. The latter have long been confusingly described by the old Norman-French term, a queue fvurchie! This is. very indefinite, as it clearly implies a tail forked at the end, about the middle, or anywhere else you may imagine; whereas the rarer tails we refer to should properly, and, if you like, barbarously (as suiting the brute above) be described as as double-queued,' or twin-tailed,' since there is no ordinary fourchGe, but two distinct and separate tails, springing from one root, or joined in old-fashioned parlance, near the rump. Thirdly, at a much later date (early in the reign of Queen Anne) both the crest crosses (saltire and cross-proper), together with the lower quarters of the lion of this elder-surviving house, which was then very greatly decayed, were, for certain amatory and other reasons, discarded, through a marriage with a very handsome lady and small heiress who had become a Quakeress-the first heiress of the elder line of the Torbocks of Torbock (Tarbuck), co. Lancaster, an entail taking away to her uncle, or his son, estates in Torbock, Cronton, and Sutton. This decollation of the lion resulted in a lion's head and neck couped,' and was coupled with a new motto, Omnia vincit amor, in lieu of the old Norman-French motto, En Dieu est mon esperaunce Although probably some such differences in ancient crests are also to be found elsewhere, as well as some more absolute changes, and other variations, in the great field of Heraldry, yet the two or three-fold changes here attempted to be described are unique enough in the history of that science to form an apology for a subject not too widely understood. And, while we are about it, we may lengthen this paper with a reference to another and very cognate subject, of, perhaps, more general interest still, and still less understood-still less understood for, perhaps, nigh three cen- turies, if not quite four ?-at all events, since the days of the Commonwealth. Look through all the many emblazoned grants of arms' to the new professional, mercantile, and commercial men, progenitors of half the better half' of the now extinct, as well as the now living, peers, and other gentry, of Elizabethan and later coat-armour —those days of commercial coat armour —and we shall see something to illus- trate very forcibly this brief branch an interesting theme. I allude to the • Livery Colours' not only of these, but of those who were long anterior to that age, the glass of fashion and the mould of form '—the beimi- tated of the former-those whose nobility bad no beginning, but is now slowly ending, as though the new cloth had burst the old coats.' New men, new fashions. But old fashions did not die yesterday. They have been dying ever since the last battle of the Wars of the Roses —and of course always the more rapidly as one century came to an end after another. What, however, is to be particularly noticed, is that these old and new have died pretty closely to- gether-as though the new patch, having lost its grip on the old garment, perished for want of appreciation. One ruined the other and the whole field of cloth of gold,' by unseasonable, rowdy lives, in seasons' that effect no season- ing in politico-social London. The best, and at once the happiest, and gayest within a healthy gaiety, of all seasons' used to be in the country. But to our ancient mutton. For many generations, heralds and families alike seem, for reasons comprehensible enough, to have perfectly lost sight of the utter incongruity of most liveries with armorial bearings. Who, for example, in ancient times not the mere old times of Elizabeth-would ever have heard of a blue livery borne with a gold shield, with even azure charges; or a black livery with a silver shield; or, to outrage heraldry still more, a salmon livery with a green shield-to say nothing of mauve and magenta, and all the secondary and complimentary hues under the sun? The proper colours may now be guessed at by almost any one more than superficially conversant with heraldry and armour. And some years ago, when at Dublin Castle one day, on receiving the gift of a very interesting volume from the late Sir Bernard Burke, the writer took exception to some statement or other touching livery colours, and had occasion to direct Ulster's attention to the question; also to others which I have now forgotten, but laws equally unobserved since Grants of Arms' to the great new succession of commercial men that then-perhaps, fortunately for ancient wealth-began to arise from the genera- tions of the slums of London and large provincial towns in the reign of Elizabeth —through the abolition, an age or two before, of the ancient and once very necessary restric- tions of the guilds-mercatory, which insisted on certain proofs of descent as, till last century, in the case of the manufacture of baronets. Sir Bernard, with some surprise, however, at the novelty of the question, instantly gave to the views of the writer his very cordial concurrence. The indisputable proof in the present case is this, that no man-to be plain no military knight, baron or squire-would ever have thought of drawing over his armour a surcoat that was not the colour of his shield. Closely connected with this, moreover, comes the question of the ancient colours of the uniform of the military and civil retainers of the kings of England, who bore coat armour. At a date when a penny, from various market points, some five centuries since, was worth on an average, say 30 pence modern, we find in sundry Court Rolls of the kingdom, and of the Palatinates of Chester and Lancaster, regularly enrolled grants of the Kings and Palatines, chiefly to the younger issue (' issue,' in its less restricted, wider, and less popular sense) of the nobles and lesser gentry, of the Livery of the Crown, with 6d. a day for life,' as an 'Archer of the Crown,' or infantry soldier. The colour of that livery was clearly the livery colour of the 'Crown,' and that colour was always Red-a colour ever since armorials were known, borne by the Infantry soldier and the domestic servants high and low, of the Sovereign. Nor does it appear, so far as I happen to remember, ever to have been decreed a privileged colour of the Crown- though one can quite understand, with so many Roth Schilds, the necessity of a fast colour,' at the very least, for the Sovereign and all his liverymen and that an action should lie against everyone usurping this trade mark.' It is, however, I should suppose, no colour exclusively Royal' now, but equally the right of every family, at all events, bearing by long descent a shield gules. I may here add that the fee of the Archer in the days referred to would reach the value per day of about 15s. modern—a valuable consideration' which, at that time (and, inferentially, long before and after), shews the social, as well as the professional estate of the Archer-whom we are pleased to call yeoman' (implying the modern quality of the word)—though it should be noted that other Archers, who, as small, ordinary freeholders, and others copyhold tenants in fee, &c., of the lord, might even then, perhaps, well be termed Yeomen—whether gentlemen or those of still lesser rank, although even knights, though very rarely, are found to have been so written, as in the case, for instance, of Sir John (?) de la Bothe, Knt., lord of Barton-upon-Irwell. T. H. August 20,1897.

ocaI dofrernmeut ottings [BY MENTOR.] "f-.J' There are evidently a few determined spirits in Wrexham respecting the matter of cele- brating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. At a special meeting of the Town Council for the purpose of considering the question of securing a recreation ground for the borough as a memorial of the Jubilee year, the ex-Mayor moved, and Mr. Benson seconded, that if the cost of the recreation ground was to come out of the rates the scheme should be abandoned.— The Mayor said a good recreation ground was necessary for the moral and physical welfare of a community. He was sorry that the town for which he had so much regard was so utterly devoid of public spirit as to let such a memor- able occasion as the Diamond Jubilee slip and also his offer of £ 500.—Eventually it was decided to form a committee to further con- sider the question, Mr. Williamson remarking as the Council rose, It's a disgrace to a town like Wrexham that we can't have a park A singular anomaly with respect to the Local Government Act exists in the Prestwich district. Three years ago the Pilsworth ratepayers decided to adopt the Lighting Act, and the Unsworth ward ratepayers took contrary action. The consequence was that for three years the Pilsworth people have been paying for the lighting of their own ward and have also had to pay towards the expenses of lighting Unsworth. Owing to this anomaly and other matters, the Pilsworth ratepayers made applica- tion a month since to be included within the Heywood Borough. At a meeting of the rate- payers of the two wards recently, an acrimonious debate took place on the question, and at the close of the meeting the Pilsworth ratepayers left the room in a body, amid cries of Come back and vote. You're soft," and the meeting broke up in great disorder, the chairman vainly calling for order. A resolution that the pro- posed amalgamation of Pilsworth with Heywood should be opposed, was declared carried. The St. Asaph Parish Council have a desire as the representatives of the ratepayers to secure for the public benefit several sums of money at present lying idle in the various local banks, the balances of flower shows and other public movements of years gone by. They had applied to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, but that body reply that they cannot furnish the list of balances at the St. Asaph savings bank, and the Council at their monthly meeting decided to ask the trustees of the bank to furnish the necessary information. Although a city, St. Asaph has not the same railway facilities for cheap bookings as other places, but a letter was read from the general manager of the L. and N.W. Railway Company intimating that in the future the city would be included in the excursion list, for which con- cession the council passed a vote of thanks. Llanrwst, as most of us know, is not a large place, and not particularly wealthy, still its efforts at Diamond Jubilee celebration appear somewhat microscopic compared with its expectations. At a meeting of subscribers to appoint an executive committee to manage the fund collected for the support of a district nurse, it was reported that about £100 had been raised, and that most of it would be available in annual subscriptions;' and, after the election of officers, it was resolved to affiliate with the London Jubilee Nurses Institution, and to request the appointment of a Welsh nurse forthwith.' Mr. Bircham, one of H.M.'s Poor Law Inspectors, is evidently not in favour of a too free distribution of out-door relief. At the Aberystwyth Guardians meeting the other day he drew attention to the fact that that more than half the number of out-door female paupers in the district were found in the Aber- ystwyth Union, they amounting in all to 209. He was afraid this could not be remedied, unless they induced the people to enter the house. In this they could work hand in hand with the sanitary authority in seeing that the dwellings of the poor were improved. In many places the dwellings in the country districts were far from what they ought to be, and the 2s. 6d. and 3s. out-door relief often went to pay the rent. The question of taxing cycles has grown into a perennial plant at the meetings of local governing bodies, although it does not always find favour. At a meeting of the Wrexham Rural District Council a resolution was moved to the effect that the Local Government Board be requested to promote legislation with a view to a tax being imposed on all cycles, the proceeds of which should be applied to the repair and improvement of highways.— The Vice-chairman moved as an amendment that no action be taken in the matter, and on being put to the vote, the amendment was carried by 14 votes to 11. There can be no doubt that something will have to be .done in the matter before long. The gas and electric lighting questions are still undergoing transition and discussion in the districts round about us, with what appears to be benefit to both gas proprietors and the rate- payers. At the Heywood Town Council—who, by-the-bye, possess their own gasworks—it was reported that for the quarter ended June 30th the total consumption of gas was 13,542,107 cubic feet, against 11,709,338 cubic feet for the same quarter last year. This shewed an increase of 1,832,769, and the increase in the receipts amounted to £263 8s. Id. The additional consumption was mainly in gas sold for stoves and motive power, and to dwelling-houses.'—The Town Clerk of Chorley has been instructed to take the necessary steps to oppose the application of the Electric Supply Corporation for powers within the borough, and to apply in the next session of Parliament for a Provisional Order on behalf of the Corporation. The Local Government Board have sanctioned the borrowing of £7,714 for gasworks purposes at Chorley.—In the districts round Manchester the question of reduction in the price of gas- which has been conceded in many instances— has been, and is just now, being very much discussed, together with the rental of meters, which, for the most part, is deemed unfair, and being agitated against on the score that the meter is an instrument of the company to register their sales, and not of the consumer. The lighting of Llandrindod Wells by electricity is now an accomplished fact, the works having been practically completed. The installation for house lighting has been pro- ceeding since Easter, and on Saturday night the whole of the street lamps, about seventy in number, were experimentally lighted for the first time with the electric current. The in- stallation was perfectly successful. The actual lighting commenced on Monday. I have before in this column adverted.to the waste that goes on at some workhouses, simply from the fact of the food supply lacking a little palatability. A rather singular illustration emphasising the fact is supplied this week from Cockermouth. At a meeting of the Board of Guardians, a member brought forward a. motion to supply treacle sauce with the suet pud- dings given to the paupers. He said the inmates were given suet puddings on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On the first-named day a few currants were added, which made the pudding a little more palatable, but on Saturdays, when no currants were added, one half of the pudding went into the pig trough. He protested against their keeping a cook for the benefit of the pigs, for while the pigs were getting fat they were keeping the paupers lean. These suet puddings were given not only to the able- bodied, but to the aged, the infirm, the sick, and the children. He had examined one of the puddings, and found that it was just like handling a piece of lead.—Several members denied these statements, and said they had found the puddings good.—The Chairman: We have before represented these things to the Local Government Board. The waste must go on, I suppose.—The matter was ultimately referred to the Workhouse Committee.

DISTRICT AND PARISH COUNCILS. MALPAS DISTRICT. The usual monthly meeting of this Council was held in the Jubilee Hall on Wednesday afternoon. There were present Messrs. E. Langley, J. Beecroft, J. Done, T. Parsonage, W. Hough, T. L. M. Vernon, H. C. Parry, W. Penk, W. Lievsley, J. Broad, G. Chesters, and Colonel Barnston. In the absence of the chairman, Mr. Langley was voted to the chair. The question of Mr. Brad- bury's water supply was postponed to the next meeting, on the suggestion of Mr. G. S. Morgan, who had written to the Council upon the matter. The committee was appointed to interview Mr. St. John Charlton, and it was agreed that Mr. Charlton should write to the clerk of the Council stating what he required done. If the clerk had received Mr. Charlton's communica- tion, the appointment was suggested of a strong committee of about five, with power to accept any reasonable offer to deal with the small and large pool, the latter more especially. Mr. Charlton, in a communication on the subject to the Council, said:—" I visited the two outfalls on Lord Cholmondeley's land, and found the water in one case slightly improved by the chemical preparation used, and in the other dark undiluted sewage smelling very offen- sively, and neither of them satisfactory. On behalf of Lord Cholmondeley, I must again request the District Council to deal with this serious nuisance. It is not for me to advise them, only I must request that it cease, and that the mud and deposited sewage in the pools where the cattle drink be removed. On behalf of Lord Cholmondeley, I wish to state that the sewage must be rendered harmless before it is turned into the brook, and in a condition such as will satisfy the medical officer of health for the county." It was resolved that the following committee of five be appointed to deal with the matter:— Messrs. Morgan, Reeves and Parsonage (district councillors), and Messrs. Battarbee and Danily (members of the Parish Council),— The report of the medical officer of health for the County was presented, and extracts were read from it referring to the district.—The report on the Malpas sewage tanks was read as follows:—The tanks at the three outfalls of the main sewers have been considerably improved in construction and arrangement during the year, and the disposal of sewage has been brought more into line with modern require- ments. As now arranged, the sewage is, as a rule, dealt with by broad irrigation on cultivated land. When the sewage is not required on the land it is treated with alumino-ferri, the sludge allowed to subside in the tanks, and the clarified effluents discharged. A competent man is engaged to supervise the treatment. It further stated that water had been supplied to the Oathill-cottages, and also water had been arranedforandapumperected at Cuddington.— The Sanitary Inspector (Mr. Chubb) reported as follows: Since our last meeting there have been three cases of scarlet fever and one of erysipelas reported to me in this district. One case of fever occurred at Threapwood. This was clearly imported. The case of erysipelas also occurred at Threapwood, and was taken from a former case in the same house reported at our last meeting. The two other cases of scarlet fever occurred at Norbury. I have not yet traced the source, but I believe it was imported. All precautions are being taken to prevent the disease from spreading.—A letter was read from Mr. A. Reeves, Oathill Cottages, complaining of the bad state of the lane leading past Oathill Cottages to Tilston-road.—The Surveyor said that this road had never had anything done to it by the Council, and he had ascertained that the late East Broxton Highway Board never repaired the road.—The Clerk was instructed to reply that as the lane complained of had never been repaired by the Council or the former authority, they therefore could not see their way to do it.—A communication was received from the Overton District Council, referring to the Wychi Bridge, which has recently been rebuilt, and in which they are to share the cost with Malpas District Council. In the communication complaint was made that the specifications had not been adhered to, and that until the work was done according to the specifications they should withhold their share of payment. The sub-committee appointed to overlook the work said it was carried out with- out their knowledge, that their surveyor had control of the work, and that he had not called or consulted them as a committee at all until the work had been completed. They had, how- ever, seen it since, and found that it had not been done according to the specifications. Mr. Huxley, the contractor, wrote saying that he was prepared to accept the valuation of an independent and competent person upon the work, but the Council did not consider this a satisfactory solution of the matter, and after some considerable discussion it was resolved that Mr. Huxley be required to carry out the work according to the specifications, and that the Clerk be instructed to write to him to that effect. CHILDER THORNTON PARISH. The ordinary meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Mission Hall, on Wednesday, present, Mr. J. E. Hughes (vice-chairman), Messrs. J. Prince, J. Howard, G. Nowell, T. Price, and J. Baxter. The Vice-chairman pre- sided in the absence of the chairman (Mr. Barron). The Clerk stated that in accordance with instructions received at the last meeting he had written to the water company to inform them of the inadequate supply of water, and he had received a reply stating that they had had a partial breakdown with their plant at Hooton, which had now been put in order, and they trusted there would be no further cause for complaint. The Clerk submitted a formal notice that he had received from the District Council, giving the Council notice of their in- tention to extend the sewers. The Clerk stated that he had written as requested to the Charity Commissioners for a statement of the accounts in connection with the Stoke Charity, and had received a reply which stated that the com- missioners had written to the trustees of the charity and also forwarded the Council's letter to them for their observations thereon, with the result that the report was now in the hands of the Council, which was as follows:—Receipts: To balance brought forward, JE38 8s. 2d.; half year's rent due 25th of March, 1896, £10 10s.; half-year's rent due the 25th of September, £10 10s; making a total of £59 8s. 2d.; the expenditure for the same period being £24 14s. 2d., leaving a balance in hand on the 31st of December, 1896, amounting to j634 14s. A COERCIVE THREAT. At the Nantwich Rural District Council on Saturday, Mr. Bancroft called attention to a threat which another member, Mr. John Emberton, had made towards himself, and which, he said, reflected upon the dignity of the Council. A lively discussion ensued as to whether the matter was one which concerned the Council.—The Clerk (Mr. Speakman): Where was the threat made ?—Mr. Bancroft: In the town of Nantwich. (Cries of Out of order.")—The Clerk: I think Mr. Bancroft would have his remedy elsewhere.—Mr. Bancroft: It was a coercive threat.—Mr. Emberton Perhaps the Council will listen. (Cries of order.) I promised to oppose Mr. Bancroft at the next election—(interruption)—and I think it ought to come out. It may be thought I offered to fight him, or challenged him to a duel. (Laughter and order.)—The Clerk ruled the matter out of order, whereupon Mr. Emberton said he thought he was entitled to an apology because the incident having been mentioned on the agenda, reflected upon his position. He was a man of peace, whereas he was made to appear a belligerent who wanted to fight a duel. (Laughter and cries of order.) The incident then ended. AN URBAN COUNCIL FOR BUCKLEY. The Local Government Board have issued their official confirmation of the order of the Flintshire County Council (made in December, 1895) con- stituting Buckley into an urban district, with a council to consist of 15 members., The new district will comprise the townships of Ewloe Wood, Ewloe Town, Pentrobin, Bannel, Argoed, and Bistre. The order comes into force on October 1st.

TARVIN. CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT. The annual Sunday school treat was given on Thursday, Overton Hills being visited. The children and teachers, numbering about 100, met at the National Schools at nine o'clock, and were conveyed to the hills in shandries, kindly lent by the following friends :-Messrs. Wilson, Johnson, Fellows, Dutton, Darlington, and Dodd. The trip was under the supervision of the Rev. T. J. Evans. The weather was splendid, and the party thoroughly enjoyed the outing. All arrived in Tarvin at half-past eight.

« FARNDON. PROPOSED BRASS BAND.—A crowded meet- ing was held in the Assembly Room, Farndon, on Tuesday, for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a brass band in the neighbourhood of Holt and Farndon. It was decided to appoint a com- mittee to ascertain the cost of instruments. Twenty-three names were given in by young fellows, who expressed themselves disposed to assist in the formation of a band. The pro- posal was supported by Miss Salmon (the Brewery), Mr. Jones (Rose Villa), Mr. T. Powerdrill, &c. Over X20 was promised in the room.

HA WARDEN. A PLEASANT GATHERING. On Monday evening, Mr. William Jones, of the Ash Farm, Hawarden, gave a dinner to those who assisted him by carting materials, and also the estate workmen engaged in the repairs and alterations of his farm buildings, now nearly completed. The company included Messrs. F. Roberts (Sealand), Hugh Davies, George Moore, Samuel Dunn, R. Darbyshire, A. Seaton (estate bailiff), G. Butler, Harvey, T. Pownall, J. Davies, Geo. Millington, T. Hibbert, Wright, Charles Davies and others. Dinner was provided at the Fox Inn, Hawarden, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The toast of the worthy host, Mr. W. Jones, was proposed by Mr. Seaton, and warmly pledged. Mr. Jones in acknowledging the toast thanked those who had given him assistance. Jovial jokes and songs brought the pleasant meeting to a close. Mr. William Jones has been a tenant under the Gladstone family for over 23 years. He also holds the Hawarden mill to which a new water wheel has lately been fixed by the estate.

BROUGHTON HALL. WEDDING FESTIVITIES.—In connection with the wedding of Mr. W. G. Schroder and Miss Roberts, of Well House, Saltney (reported in our last issue), on the evening of the marriage, the employes at Well House, with their wives, sat down to an excellent supper, provided by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts in a marquee on the lawn, Mr. R. G. Roberts presiding. The toast of the evening, The Bride and Bridegroom,' was proposed by Mr. Edward Jenkins, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Reynolds. Mr. R. G. Roberts responded. 'Long life and prosperity' to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, their host and hostess, was proposed by Mr. Alfred Wright, and seconded by Mr. Robert Lawrence. Mr. W. F. Roberts responded. During the evening numerous comic songs and recitations were contributed by Mr. Henry Williams, Mr. Michael Fox, Mr. Michael McDonald, Mr. Michael Nolan, and others. Mr. James Bostock provided the instrumental music. The Irish jig and other step dances were performed by Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Michael Nolan, Mr. Fred Bostock, and Mr. James Loftus.

GUILDEN SUTTON. INTERESTING WEDDING.—On Monday this ancient parish was enlivened on the occasion of the wedding of Mr. John Griffiths, a member of the Church Choir, and Miss Eunice Hignett, daughter of Mr. Thomas Hignett, who is an old resident in the village. The ceremony took place at two o'clock at the Parish Church, the Rev. J. R. Timperley officiating. The edifice was filled to overflowing with friends and well- wishers. Afterwards the party adjourned to the residence of Mr. Hignett, where a sub- stantial breakfast was provided. In the evening there was an enjoyable dance. The presents included the following :—The Vicar, photo of the Queen Mr. C. W. Dutton, clock; Members of the Church Choir, tea service and jugs Mr. Hignett, a table; Mr. Handley, tea service; Mr. Joseph Jenkins, set of jugs; Mr. J. Griffiths, tea pot and cream jug; Mrs. Jenkins, set of dinner plates Mrs. Stokes, set of glasses; Mr. Large, set of dishes; Mrs. Cotgreave, butter dish Mr. E. Hignett, set of irons Miss Pover, a lamp: Miss A. Hignett, set of jugs; Mr. Crier, set of brushes Viss L. Hignett, sugar bowl and jug; Miss Felstead, sugar bowl and jug-

WREXHAM. PROPOSED NEW PASSENGER ROUTE TO WREXHAM.—It is stated on good authority that arrangements are in progress for opening the line between Mold and Wrexham via Coed Talon for passenger traffic. At present the only suit- able way of reaching Wrexham from Denbigh and Mold is to change at Hope Junction, but the proposed direct route via Mold would much facilitate matters. The line from Mold to Coed Talon, owned by the London and North- Western Railway Company, is already open for passenger traffic, but from Coed Talon to Wrexham there is a line owned by the Great Western Company, which is only open for goods traffic. It is the latter line which it is believed will be declared open for passenger traffic, thus creating through communication between Mold and Wrexham. THE PROPOSED RECREATION GROUND.—The Town Council of Wrexham met in Committee on Tuesday to consider the offer of the Mayor (Mr. Philip Yorke, of Erddig), to give iE500 towards providing a recreation ground for the borough. Councillor Murlees moved that the council was unwilling to approve of a recreation ground being provided in Wrexham, whether in part or otherwise, at the cost of the ratepayers, or the maintenance of which would have to be borne out of the rates. He was sure if the town hall scheme did not secure the sympathies of those in and around Wrexham, that a recreation ground scheme would not. Councillor Benson -1 seconded.—The Mayor was sorry that a town for which he had so high a respect was so devoid of public spirit as to let so memorable an occasion slip by and to let an offer of X500 go by without doing anything with it. He sincerely hoped they would not let it slip.—Alderman Done moved as an amendment, and Councillor Fraser seconded, that additional information be obtained and that the matter be further gone into at a future meeting before a decision was come to. The amendment was carried by four votes to two.

CONNAH'S QlIAY. CHESTER SCHOONER DAMAGED.-The schooner Excelsior of Chester has been towed into this port, having been run into by the ship Emrys in Mostyn Deeps. The Excelsior at the time was lying in Mostyn Deeps bound to Belfast with a cargo of tiles. Her yards have been com- pletely carried away and a large portion of her bulwarks and stanchions stove in. The necessary repairs are now being carried out. The Emrys was without cargo and fortunately escaped with slight damage. A RARE FrsH.-Three local fishermen, named Abram Hallows, William Hughes, and Samuel Hughes, on Wednesday, when engaged in the salmon fishery, observed a splash near one of the stone groynes. On proceeding to the spot, they observed in the water a monster fish, which appeared to them quite six feet long. Getting oars from the boats which lay close by, they succeeded in landing the fish, which, to their surprise, was quite dead. The fish, finding itself in shallow water, must, in its struggles, have caught its head against the large stones which form the groyne, and thus have been killed. The men, with assistance, brought the fish by boat to the Flintshire side of the river, where it was landed. A large number of fishermen and sailors collected round, but none could state positively the name of the fish until Mr. John Coppack, shipbroker, declared it to be a 'bonita.' The fish is a specimen never caught or -seen in the Dee before. It was covered with scales, and was similar in form to a salmon, although the head was considerably larger in proportion to the body. At the tail end there was a row of sharp fins, from six to eight inches in length, while the tail itself was quite nine inches in breadth. Its length was 5ft. 9in.; breadth across the thickest part of the body, 18in.; while the girth measured nearly 5ft. It weighed 2321b., and was despatched to Liverpool by train. It may be stated that the head and mouth were black, resembling the colour of a mackerel. This class- of fish chiefly abound in the Bay of Biscay.

FLINT. ORCHARD ROBBING BY YOUTHS.-On Satur- day, at Holywell Police Court, three Flint youths, named Alfred Lloyd, John Andrews, and William Martin were charged with stealing a quantity of apples from Bedol Orchard, belong- ing to Mr. Isaac Hughes. Prisoners were seen coming from the orchard at three o'clock in the morning. Upon seeing the police prisoners ran away, but were afterwards apprehended. In default of paying a fine of 20s. and costs each, they were sent to prison for fourteen days.

LITTLE SUTTOZV. HOOTON CHURCH CHOIR Trlp.-On Monday, the members of the Hooton Church choir journeyed to Rhyl, for their annual outing. The party numbered 26. Rhyl was reached about 10 o'clock, and the Alexandra Hotel was made the headquarters of the visitors. A most enjoyable day was spent. PARISH NURSE.-The committee of Little Sutton and Childer Thornton Nursing Society inform their subscribers that a society nurse is expected to take up her work early in September. As Nurse Bradshaw left the district at the end of April, it was decided at a meeting of the committee that it was not necessary to engage another immediately, as a suitable person is not easily found, and for. tunately during the summer months there has not been much sickness. The nurse's services are specially intended for the poor, but she will be permitted to attend any case among those of the higher class, providing it does not interfere with her regular work. A

WHITCHURCH. THE BURGLARY AT GRINDLEY BROOK.—Some- time during Monday night and Tuesday morning the post office at Grindley Brook, near Whitchurch, was broken into and entered by means of breaking a pane of glass in the back window and undoing the catch. The following property was stolen:—A pin-fire six- chambered revolver, a silver brooch made from an American dollar, and 19s. 4d. in silver and copper. A gimlet had evidently been used to bore round the lock of the kitchen dresser, which was broken into. The description of the supposed burglar was given, among others to the Wrexham police. Police-constable Milford being detailed to accompany Police-constable Evans of the Salop force in his quest. Armed also with the useful knowledge that the sup- posed man was a stammerer, the officer went the round of the public-houses. About seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, upon entering the Tiger Inn, in the Beast Market, Wrexham, Milford espied a man answering the description comfortably ensconced before a pint of ale, and apparently enjoying a by no means frugal meal. Hello," said the Denbighshire con- stable, "how long have you been here ? "I've o-o-only j-j-ust c-c-come," stammered the indivi- dual addressed. Then you had b-b-better c-c-come with us," observed the interrogator and forthwith the tramp was marched off to the County Buildings, where he underwent the cus- tomary search. This proved to be of a very fruitful character, as the following list will shew :—Two six-chambered revolvers, a small packet of ammunition, a quantity of brooches, studs, electro-plated spoons, watches, guards, various small trinkets, a candle, gimlet, screw- driver, three keys with an unusual number of wards in them, a silk umbrella, a medal bearing the inscription r Wakefield C.C. and 19s. 6d. in silver and Is. 1d. in copper. The man was subsequently conveyed to Whit- church, where he will be charged with the burglary. Prisoner was brought up before Mr. J. G. Harrison, at Whitchurch, on Thursday, and remanded to Shrewsbury Gaol until Thurs- day next. Sergeant Morris and Police-constable Evans are deserving of credit in connection with the arrest, which was cleverly effected after a long bicycle ride.

.0 FRODSHAM. RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB.—The first meeting of the season in connection with this club was held at the Cholmondeley Arms on Wednesday evening. The following were elected officers for the season 1897-98:—Chairman, Mr. E. F. Gilbert (pro tern.) hon. treasurer, Mr. J. Wilson; hon. secretary, Mr. E. C. Price; captain, Mr. F. Darlington; sub-captain, Mr. H. Hayes. All last season's members have joined again. There are now 45 members enrolled, and the prospects for the coming season look much brighter. Colonel Ashton's field has again been rented. LOCAL GOVERNMENT INQUIRY.—Mr. R. Bicknell, inspector of the Local Government Board, held an inquiry in the Town Hall, Frodsham, in reference to the application of the Runcorn Rural District Council for permission to have the loan of X175 for works of 6owerage in the Lordship and Township of Frodsham. Messrs. John Ashton (clerk to the Rural District Council), W. Diggle (surveyor), J. Farrington (inspector of nuisances), J. H. Davies, and J. M. Williams were present.—The Clerk stated that the outstanding loans at present were Frodsham Township S6,404, and Lordship £ 1,015, and the sum of JE175 which was required, was for. the purpose of sewering Townfield Lane. Notices had been served on the overseers, and no objec- tion was lodged against the application. The Surveyor (Mr. Diggle), explained the nature of the proposition and the dimensions of the proposed sewer.—The Inspector will report in due course. It was agreed that both propositions be placed before the Lighting Committee.—Mr. Diggle (surveyor) again produced the plans of the pro- posed structures in Church-street to be erected by Mr. John Palmer, sculptor, which had, by reason of their being in accordance with the bye-laws, been approved by the Building Com- mittee.—Mr. James Edwards proposed that the plans be approved, and recommended to the District Council for approval.—Mr. Youd seconded, and it was carried. POLICE COURT.-At this court on Thursday, before Mr. Alfred Thomas and Dr. Steele, Elizabeth Travis, tramp, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Chester-road, on August 11th; also with doing wilful damage to a window of the Whalebone Inn, Netherton, the property of William Clarke, landlord, to the amount of 30s. Mr. Clarke shewed that prisoner went into his house, and took up a pint jug belonging to another customer. On being turned out, she immediately threw stones at the window, doing damage to the extent of 30s. Fined 5s. and costs for drunken- ness, and 5s. and costs, including 25s. damage for breaking the window, or in default one month's imprisonment with hard labour.— Alfred Tate, alias Carroll (aged 12) was again charged under remand with stealing one 50 cent. piece, one 5 cent piece, lid. in copper, and one dog chain, the property of Charles Heffron, Ship-street, on the 1st of August. The boy's father had been previously committed for one month's imprisonment for reciving stolen goods, and the lad himself sent to Dutton Workhouse till Friday, the 13th inst. He was now sent to the Bradwell Reformatory School at Sandbach. PAROCHIAL COMMITTEE.—The monthly meet- ing of the Parochial Committee was held in the Police Court Room, Mr. T. Earlam (chairman) presiding. The first business was in reference to the wooden erections put up in Frodsham without the con- sent of the committee. Mr. Farrington (inspector of nuisances) said that he, along with Mr. Diggle (surveyor) had commenced to prepare a report on the number and positions of the wooden structures erected without the committee's sanction. Letters were read by Mr. Ashton (clerk), from Messrs. Potts and Bull with regard to the water cart for main roads, from which it appeared that, owing to the already far- advanced season, they did not consider it necessary to take any action this present year, but promised a new one for 1898.—A letter was read from the Assistant District Auditor, asking the committee whether the cellector of water rates (Mr. G. Jones) had been authorised to recover all arrears and, if not, requesting that such should be done.—On the motion of Mr. C. E. Linaker, seconded by Mr. W. Youd, it was resolved that Mr. G. Jones should have power granted him to recover all arrears of water rates; and Mr. Linaker also asked for a report of all arrears at the next monthly meeting. Mr. Shore (chairman of the Lighting Com- mittee) produced a tender which he had received from the Gas and Water Company, in which they undertook to supply gas from the 16th inst. to the 15th of May, 1898, at 30s. per. lamp, from one hour after sunset till 11 p.m. each night, with the exception of five nights at and towards full moon. The offer was approved. Mr. Riley proposed that an additional lamp be placed opposite Glebe-terrace. Mr. W. Youd stated that he had requested a lamp to be placed down Albert-row, but his request had been entirely ignored, and that the suggested lamp at Mr. Frank Harrison's comer was inadequate for the purpose.

NANTWICH. SAD SEQUEL TO A FISHING EXCURSION.—On Friday night the body of a little boy named Richard Ratcliffe, the son of respectable parents, who has been missing since Monday was found in the canal at Audlem. The boy tts to have returned to school, after the midsummer vacation, on Monday week, but he was seen after school hours going fishing. The canal was dragged for several miles before the body was recovered.

HOOTON. HOOTON LAWN SCHOOL.—Among the list of successful candidates at the recent Oxford Local Junior Examination we are pleased to find the name of Herbert G. Williams, a pupil of this school. In addition to being among the youngest of all those who passed, he has the distinction of being the youngest successful candidate at the Liverpool contre, where over 200 were examined. The Ffrangcon- Davies prize ef R5 has been awarded to this pnpil for special promise in mathematics.

MIDDLEWICH. PROPOSED NEW W oRKs.-The announcement of the proposed establishment of a large glass manufactory in Middlewich has given great satisfaction, and particularly so, seeing that at the present time the distress is more accen- tuated than it has been for many years. The town is in a deplorable condition, many men being idle through the closing of the Cheshire Alkali Works. It is stated on good authority that a site for glass works has been obtained just outside the precincts of the town.

BUCKLEY. SETTLEMENT OF COLLIERY DISPUTES.— The dispute at Sandycroft Colliery (Messrs. Hegin- botham's), Buckley, has been settled to the satisfaction of the company and the men, and work will be resumed in the course of the week. The dispute had reference to wag onira g and to I allowance.' The dispute affected about 160 men. We also learn that the dispute at Phoenix Colliery, Leeswood, has been settled, the men affected, to the number of about 120, having resumed work. The men have secured a slightly increased rate of pay. The dispute was with reference to wagoning.'

-0 LEESWOOD. WATER FAMINE.—At the Holywell Rural District Council, on Friday, the Mold district inspector reported that there were great com- plaints as to the want of water at Leeswood. The supply was quite inadequate, and unfit for domestic use.—The Clerk said a sub-committee of the Mold Committee had been appointed to wait upon Colonel Roper, to arrange, if possible, to get a supply from the overflow of the Peny- park Reservoir. The property owners were anxious to provide a supply themselves, and there would be a copious supply if Colonel Roper would give them the privilege, but hitherto his terms had been prohibitive.

NORTHOP. DEATH OF CAPTAIN LE GALLAIS. — The funeral took place at Northop Churchyard on Tuesday of Captain le Gallais, of iynycalan, a well-known local gentleman. For some years he had resided in the locality, and was very well known and respected. His wife died only a month ago. TELEGRAPH.—A very welcome addition to the postal facilities of Northop has just been made by an extension of the telegraph to the village. The telegraph office was opened to the public on Wednesday, when the Rev. Canon Atkinson, Highfield Hall, who first agitated for the improvement, took the first opportunity of sending a message to the Postmaster-General thanking him in the name of the people of Northop for the extension. It is believed that the telegraph will prove a great boon to the village. Already quite a number of messages have been sent and received. THE NEW VicAF.The living of Northop, vacant through the death of the Rev. Canon Richardson, M.A., has been offered by the Bishop of 6t. Asaph to, and accepted by, the Rev. Clement Todd Davies, M.A., vicar of Rhosesmor. Mr. Davies's record is a good one. He was a scholar of Jesus College, Oxford, B.A. 1876, M.A. 1879, ordained deacon 1881, and priest in 1882, by the Bishop of St. Asaph. He held the post of curate of Bala from 1881 to 1882, senior curate of Rhyl from 1882 to 1889 under the late Rev. Canon Richardson, then vicar of Rhyl, and latterly vicar of Northop. Mr. Davies is exceedingly popular at Rhosesmor, where he has laboured as Vicar for the last nine years, and great regret is felt at his removal. He has been the means of restoring the church and enlarging the schools at a considerable outlay and expense. Mr. Davies may be termed a moderate Evangelical. He is a very able preacher and an excellent visitor, and Northop may fairly be congratulated on having so worthy a successor to the late highly esteemed vicar.

TARPORLEY. OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATION SUCCESSES.— Miss S. A. Holland, of The Outsides, Little Budworth, has passed the Senior Oxford Local Examination held in July last, by which she obtains the title Associate in Arts. Miss S. A. Holland is the third daughter of Mr. John Holland. Miss J. Holland, a younger sister of the above, also passed the Preliminary Oxford Examination held at the same time. DEDICATION FESTIVAL OF THE PARISH CHURCH.—Wednesday being the festival of St. Helen, the patron saint of Tarporley Parish Church, the usual festival services took place. In the afternoon a parochial tea was to have been held in the Rectory grounds, but owing to the wet weather it was thought advisable to have it in the Town Hall. The tables were given and presided over by the Ladies Ruth and Cicely Bailie Hamilton, Mrs. H. Cooper, Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. Hewer, Mrs. Gordon Houghton, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Hall,' Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Linnel, Mrs. McCulloch, the Revs. E. W. Evans, F. Clifton Smith, and E. Mostyn Ellis. The hall was crowded to excess, but everyone had a most enjoyable tea. During tea the Tarporley Brass Band played outside the Hall, and after tea they adjourned to the Rectory grounds and played there while the people strolled about. Choral evensong was at seven, when the new chimes were dedicated. The chimes are the church's memorial in Tarporley of the 60 years of the Queen's regin and the progress of religion and morality. An excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. H. H. Wright, Pre- centor of Chester Cathedral. The other clergy present were the Revs. W. O. Hughes, E. W. Evans, F. Clifton Smith, and E. Mostyn Ellis. There was a crowded congregation. FLOWER SERVICE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT.—On Tuesday the annual flower service took place in St. Helen's Church. The weather was all that could be desired, and the church was crowded in every part. The special service was taken by the Rev. W. O. Hughes, assisted by the Revs. E. W. Evans, F. Clifton-Smith, and E. Mostyn Ellis. The Rev. A. T. Powley, vicar of Shenstone, preached, taking for his subject a Bunch of flowers.' Before the sermon the children walked in order up to the altar rails, and presented their floral offerings, which were received by the clergy and placed upon the altar and altar steps. After the service Mr. Grocott packed all the lovely flowers-404 bunches—in hampers, and sent them to the Convalescent Homes in Rhyl and New Brighton, the Northern Hospital, Liverpool; and the Clinical Hospital, Manchester. At the conclusion of the flower service all the children who belonged to the Church Sunday Schools were formed in a pro- cession at the church gate, and then marched up to Arderne Hall, where, by the kindness of the Earl of Haddington and the Lady Ruth, and Cecily Baillie Hamilton, an excellent tea had been prepared in a spacious tent, which was soon filled by the 430 happy children. After tea various sports were indulged in, and then all kinds of games and amusements. Before leav- ing, each child received a present.

COMMERCIAL FAILURES.—According to Kemp's Mercantile Gazette, the number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending Aug. 21st, was 75. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 72, shew- ing an increase of 3, being a nett decrease in 1897, to date, of 141. ALL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS may be said about many brilliant prospectuses that are fre- quently issued to financiers they often herald the formation of companies which go up like the proverbial rocket and come down like a stick. Holloway's Pills and Ointment, unlike such shaky ventures, are the soundest investments in which people suffering from disease can entrust their money. They have the reputation of over half a century, and every day they return substantial dividends in the form of good health. No disease has yet disputed their influence when a fair trial has been given. They cure dysentery, diarrhoea, weakness, and liver and kidney diseases, while for skin diseases they have no equal. Sold by all chemists, Ac.