The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

SHIPPING COMMERCE AT CONNAH'S QUAY. —— SERIOUS DECREASE. ACTION BY THE DISTRICT COUNCIL. At a meeting of the Connah's Quay District Council on Wednesday evening, Mr. J. T. Humphreys presiding over a good attendance, Councillor H. Hughes brought forward the following resolution :— That this Council draw the attention of the Dee Conservancy Board to the large decrease in the volume of foreign shipping, especially timber vessels, coming to Connah's Quay, due to the lack of facility afforded by the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway Company, and also to certain rates charged which are considered unreasonable, and to ask them to take such steps as may conduce to a revival of the timber trade, and to place shipping generally on a more satis- factory basis. Mr. Hughes said that there was a decrease in the volume of shipping was a foregone con- clusion, and especially with regard to the timber vessels. From information he had gathered, previously it was no uncommon occurrence for some 10 or 12 foreign vessels to be at the Quay loaded with timber but it waa a unique sight now to see even one timber vessel land. The cause of this, so far as he could gather, was not the difficulty in dealing ^ith these vessels, but rather the practice of discharging the cargo, and conveying it by rail to the destination. Here the raiway com- pany were at fault. The timber landed at the Quay to be delivered by rail at Wrexham, was not conveyed within the specified period, and the railway company frequently sent word that there were no wagons at disposal to discharge the goods within the specified time. Such a niode of conducting the traffic was quite un- reasonable. Goods delayed in this manner were often thrown out of the market on account of their late arrival. They knew the railway charges were governed by Act of Parliament, but although these charges were legal, it was not advisable to make the legal charge; in fact, it would be injudicious. Their contract should be carried out at a reasonable charge, with a view to encouraging trade and traffic. Then a rate of 2d. per ton was charged on vessels landing or leaving the Quay. Also the rate of a penny a ton levied for cranage, he understood, was regarded as a grievance. Assuming the owners of vessels were not willing to go to the cost of cranage, and remained in the dock, the other vessels outside were pre- sented from getting in. As a consequence traffic was impeded both in and out. Again, vessels coming further up the river than Connah's Quay, which moored at the Quay to wait for the tide were liable to a rate of 2d. per ton- This was another grievance, and he believed that toll was taken by the railway company. Before the railway company owned the wharf vessels passing further up the river permitted, free of charge, to hang at the Quay to catcb the tide. These matters were jjrievance8, and most of the seafaring people and aK? 8 *n kk** district thought these unreason- able charges should be avoided, if good trade H?8 revived- The half-yearly report of Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay way, stated that there was a reduction in And wel1 there miSht be> 'or convit;We!t Dot afforded Proper facilities for in oZ,eir g°°ds.—Mr. Blain had pleasure in -wuuiiig cue resolution. He thought prompt action should be taken towards reviving: Jhat'onT^ tra1e-, Merchante had toT^m that on the arrival of their timber at ConnaX Quay tbey had to cancel further orders for its «xiIr)>arVCK' -Carry ifc to Birkenhead to ConnahVq i The Wrexham- Mold and V'onuah s Quay Railway took five or six davs wheTer? to Wrexham or Suabon in two d 'r°m,?lr^nhead they could be taken concurr^yi Chairman said he thoroughly matter the present resolution. The tiniB j ■ before the Council for a long ^raa 6 thought that now their Council havfi district authority, any action would inhah>reater for?e takeQ by them, than by the in f Dts signing petitions, as they had done adopti^*6* He thought they were the £ *he right course in drawing Board tn UAion the Dee Conservancy that grievances, and most likely towards. would take the necessary steps Sh»U w« lmProvernent.—Mr. John Coppack: air e at) roach the railway company P—The tioQ ia th important point in the resolu- stiPpinlr large decrease in the volume of ^ates. yv a what are termed unreasonable Pany. 6 can complain to the railway corn- stand whff' CoPPack said he failed to under- t° Cou{ja?r>e the hindrance lay in vessels coming berth r Quay» unless there was a want of °f irnr.^00^ out8ide. Then the mode of transit tho 8 rail would not affect the landing of Ri 688el. He did not see how this prevented P8 coming to Connah's Quay. He felt certain, however, that to secure a large foreign trade they needed a proper reception for the vessels when landing. Large vessels could not hind at the Quay, for they would ground. 1 hey wanted a floating dock. The rate charged 2 nnage was not taken by the railway com- pany, but by the Conservancy Board. All the railway company charged was the penny per T T ve88els loading outside the dock.—Mr. Jones supported the resolution, and Baid tionahTv WaQt of berth room, and unques- transit^f W1as a lack of facility for the he h™ J°^S by rail.—Mr. H. Hughes said shipninfn \lB m°tir0n in the interests of the resoh!?; Pe°p e' and for no °ther motive.—The carried ?Q Wa8 the° Pufc to the m««ting, and to ferwa^animOU6l/ ZTheClerk was instructed Cons. "rd coPles °/ the resolution to the Dee and Or, at,v.y ^?ar and the Wrexham, Mold, Dd C°nnah's Quay Railway Company. THE SUGGESTED REFORMS. [Ry OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hopes are expressed that the discussion at the meeting of the Urban District Council on Wednesday, with reference to the trade of the tort, will have a good effect, and that the Wrexham, Mold, and Connah's Quay Railway secufaDy WiU endeav<mr to expedite traffic, and Possibi food accommodation for ships as ^nditiok ^he flVer is.in as &°°d a navigable iiumber of present as it has been for a great re&son WH ^eare» and there is certainly no not reach th foreign timber trade should characte 8atne gigantic proportions which ag0 r. this particular trade some years jj0w 6 er facilities for towing to the port are Dri f ° ^» this having been carried out by Va e enterprise. The port is also the nearest the large coal fields around Wrexham. Uabon, and Buckley, which are easily Accessible by the railways, and there appears no tangible reason why the supply of timber in these localities should not come to this Port in preference to Birkenhead. One im- Portant point raised in the discussion was the Provision of more suitable berthing accommo- ation, the suggestion being made that a oating dock would greatly add to the foreign rade of the port. At present ships have to lie aground the greater portion of the time "hile discharging, and this, in certain in. stances, proves hurtful to ships, inasmuch is the Dee, being a strong tidal river, with sandy bottom, the berths are constantly changing in formation, and ships at times lie ^ei7 awkwardly in consequence. If a floating °ck were constructed the danger of receiving would be obviated, and there would bean jncentive to shipowners to charter their ships to the port. With respect to the shipment of bricks and the charge of Id. per ton for the use of the company's steam cranes, general com- Plaints are expressed against this charge. The way company's rates are free on board, and 1powners consider it a hardship to be called ePi°n ^0 pay a toll which is not legitimate. If bv if *°ad *n the docks where cranes worked acd are employed, the charge of Id. per *nd 1 H n°k enf°rced> but on low spring tides, con neap tide, this is not always n,ent, inasmuch as the ships are detained ^or water to float them into the river *hareaa if the loading takes place at the to p_ 88 under the steam cranes they are enabled often ueed 8ea mucb earlier. Ships are also tide Waiting for a loading berth on neap ^here*1 °^naecinence of the docks being full, shipg f the railway company would load °f the Id. per ton toll, work could be instead °« dut"ing the whole of the neap tides, Mi°ie there being a great rush to have the e completed in a few days e spring tides ue in force. This is certainly disadvantageous to the railway company themselves, as often extra labour has to be employed in addition to the regular staff. which could easily cope with the traffic if it was worked regularly. The mooring charge of 2d- a ton upon ships bound up to Saltney is also a grievance, but the company are empowered to levy the toll by Act of Parliament. They consider that when loaded ships bound to Saltney, Chester, or other discharging places up the river, moor alongside their wharves, they do so as a con- venience to the place where they are bound to, and the fact that they occupy berths alongside their wharves is a hindrance to them in deal- ing with the shipping traffic of the port. Consequently they enforce this charge to deter ships that are neither discharging nor loading cargoes from mooring alongside their wharves, as their berthing accommodation is only sufficient to deal with their own traffic. The other charge to which objection is taken is the 2d. per ton dues levied by the River Dee Conservancy Board. This amount is charged on ships leaving and coming to the port with cargoes, but light ships or ships in ballast are not affected. Shipowners do not attempt to minimise the great improvement effected by the Conservancy Board in the river since that body has taken over its management. The navigable channel is in a better and deeper condition at present than it has been for years, and ships of large drought can come to the port on ordinary spring tides. It is, however, thought by all interested in shipping that the present dues are exorbitant, and that if a reduction of the dues by one half was made, there would be no objection on the part of shipowners to pay this amount. Other grievances exist, but if the intervention of the District Council has the effect of remedying those enumerated, it certainly will prove beneficial to shipping, and a large increase in the shipping trade of the port can be confidently anticipated.

DEE SHIPS IN THE STORM. + A VESSEL ABANDONED. During the severe weather of the past week two Dee ships encountered the full force of the storm, namely, the Dora and Emrys, both owned by Messrs. Coppock, Carter and Com- pany. The Dora left Mostyn Deeps on Wednes- day bound for Douglas (Isle of Man) with a cargo of bricks. When down the Welsh Coast she experienced the full force of a terrific gale, the crew having to abandon the ship when near Conway River. The lifeboat was launched, the crew of which succeeded, when the gale moder- ated, in getting the ship into Deganwy in a sink- ing condition, the huge seas having made a clean breach over her. The result of the ship's becoming unmanageable was that the steering gear was carried away, and the ship became helpless. The Emrys left the port on W ednes- day bound to Belfast, and putting to sea experienced very rough weather. The crew ultimately navigated her to Peel, near Barrow, and while riding at anchor here she was driven ashore during a severe squall. It is not expected that the ships have sustained much damage, but so far the extent cannot be properly ascertained.

HOME-COMING OF MR. AND MRS. HEBERT LEWIS. + PRESENTATION AT CAERWYS. Mr. J. Herbert Lewis, M.P. for the Flint Boroughs and his wife, have just arrived at their Flintshire residence, Penucha, Caerwys, from their honeymoon in Norway, and on Saturday evening, at a gathering held in the Town Hall, they were the recipients of some interesting presentations. The hall was crowded, and much enthusiasm prevailed. Mr. D. E. Hughes, Cottage, presided, supported on the platform by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Thomas Gee (Denbigh), the rector of Caerwys (the Rev. J. F. Rees), and several local Noncon- formist ministers. The CHAIRMAN said it gave him great pleasure to give a hearty welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis on behalf of the parishioners of Caerwys, and he then presented Mr. Lewis with a beautifully illuminated congratulatory address, bound in album form, in red morocco, with the recipient's monogram in raised gold letters on the front cover. The address contains vignette portraits of Penucha and of the wedding party at the house of the bride's father (Mr. W. S. Caine, ex-M.P. for Bradford). Mr. Lewis was also the recipient of a series of onglynion,' illuminated and framed, from Mr. Evans, the headmaster of the National Schools at Caerwys. The Rector said he rejoiced to think that the inhabitants of that ancient borough had risen in one body to welcome one whom they might class without flattery among her most distinguished and gifted sons. Mr. Gee dwelt at some length upon Mr. Lewis' services to his country in the House of Commons. Mr. LEWIS, in. returning thanks, said he valued this unanimous expression of the kindly feeling of his neighbours more than any words of his eould tell, and he rejoiced to think that amid all the strifes and contentions which sometimes divided them, after all there was a touch of nature which made them all kin, and which could bring them together with kindly feelings one towards another. (Hear, hear.) Referring to some Welsh glees which had been sung in the course of the evening, Mr. Lewis said whenever he heard the strains of his native land they always filled him with fresh inspiration and fresh hope for the future, for they had a country to work for apart from any questions of party. (Hear, hear.) They could all by their lives and conduct, by their devotion to Wales, raise their country and language, and that should be the aim and object of them all. They who had made the country their home, whether by birth and language or by residence and adoption, each had a duty to perform to his country, and it was a bright sign for the future that people of different parties could meet on the same ground and express the same hopes and aspirations. (Ap- plause.) With regard to his wife, she was now a Welshwoman, and he trusted and felt sure I that in the years to come she would feel her affection for Wales strengthened and deepened. I Subsequently Mrs. Lewis was presented by Mr. W. Moses Evans, Pandy Mill, with a skirt length, woven in wool and silk by himself, and, in returning thanks, Mrs. Lewis made a charming and graceful little speech. She said she did not know much Welsh yet, but she might be allowed to say a few words she did know, viz.: Diolch yn fawr i chwi." (Applause.)

PURE COCOA is a Perfect Food—the addition of drugs only deteriorates it. The Lancet says: CADBUUY'S Cocoa represents the standard of highest purity."—Tlie publio should be wary of mixtures, and the plausible arguments used to promote their sale. 3 INTERESTING WEDDING AT EGREMONT.—On I Tuesday morning a marriage in which more than ordinary interest was taken was solemnised at St. John's Church, Egremont. The parties to the nuptial contract were Mr. Charles J. Luya, of Church-street, Egremont, L.D.S., Edinburgh, and Miss Lavinia Annie Joinson, only daughter of Mr. Jonathan Joinson, clerk to the magistrates, Belgrave House, Clarendon- road, Egremont. The Rev. O. T. L. Crossley (vicar) officiated, and in honour of the bride- groom, who was formerly choirmaster at the church, a full choral service was rendered, com- mencing with the hymn 'The voice that breathed o'er Eden.' Mr. Danby presided at the organ, and played a Berceuse (Delbruck), the Bridal March from 'Lohengrin,' and Mendelssohn's Wedding March.' The bride was given away by her father. Miss Craik, of Liscard, was brides- maid, and Mr. Fred Luya officiated as best man. In the course of a short address to the newly-married couple, Mr. Crossley referred to the services which Mr. Luya had rendered to the church. The hymn How welcome was the call' was then sung, and the wedding party adjourned to the vestry. There was a large attendance in the church, chiefly of the fair sex, and the general opinion seemed to be that it was a very pretty wedding. As the bride and bridegroom left for Belgrave House the congregation expressed their good wishes for the future welfare of Mr. and Mrs. Luya in the conventional form of showers of rice and confetti. The presents were numerous and handsome. During the day the happy pair left for Scotland. 1

WIRRAL WATER SUPPLY. 0 MORE DISSATISFACTION. At the monthly meeting of the Wirral Dis- trict Council, the Clerk (Mr. J. E. S. Ollive) read a letter from the Heswall Parish Council, who wrote stating that the West Cheshire Water Company had failed to supply them with enough water for some months, and at times cut off the water without giving notice of their intention to do so. The Council desired that the District Council would take such steps as would compel the West Cheshire Water Com- pany to give a proper supply.—The Clerk said he wrote to Mr. Miller, the secretary of the Water Company, in reference to the complaint from Heswall.—The Chairman (Mr. T. Da vies): The whole district, I think.—The Clerk (continuing) stated that Mr. Miller acknow- ledged the letter, which he would bring before the directors of the company. After the meeting of directors, Mr. Miller called at the Council's offices and said he thought there was little ground for the com- plaints, and that the water had been cut off at nights only.—The Chairman: It has been cut off all day at times in several places.—Mr. Pixton Just as you are getting your breakfast the water goes off when you want some to boil, and you have to go hunting for some. (Laughter.)—In reference to the complaint made by the District Council at their last meeting, the Clerk said his communication on the subject to Mr. Miller had been replied to on August 12th. Mr. Miller then regretted to learn of the inconvenience the short supply had caused. It was unfortunately a fact that they had had a breakdown of machinery at their Hooton pumping station, and this had been the cause of the insufficient supply. They were working night and day upon the repairs, and he hoped they would be completed in a week. He (Mr. Miller) was able to say that the quantity of water at the dis- posal of the Company was ample for all requirements, and to be prepared for future increased demands they were at work on a new bore hole at Hooton. They proposed to make such alterations in their machinery at means as to render practically impossible a recurrence of the present trouble. The Clerk further stated that he wrote as directed to the Local Government Board to see what the powers of the Council were in regard to the matter. The Local Government Board referred them to sections 51 and 52 of the Public Health Act of 1875. Among the provisions of that Act was one that provided that if the local authority complained of the insufficiency of water, and the Water Company thought the supply was adequate the matter should be referred to arbitration.—The Chairman was quite aware that the machines at Hooton had broken down, but thought that if they were all in working order the Company could not pump a sufficient supply. Mr. PIXTON said that the water had often been cut off in Ellesmere Port without any notice having been given. The CHAIRMAN said the same state of affairs had existed in Childer Thornton, Sutton, and other places for months. He proposed that the clerk write to the Water Company and tell them that the Council were not satisfied with the way in which the water had been carried in uiio past, ana that they would have to take immediate steps to get their water elsewhere unless their supply was made adequate. Mr. PIXTON seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.

SHARP PRACTICES AT AUCTION SALES. A WARNING TO PURCHASERS. At the Chester City Police Court, on Monday, the Mayor (Mr. B. C. Roberts), Messrs. J. M.Frost, and R. Jackson heard three cases against women of thefts at auction sales.—Martha Clarke, living in Green-lane, Saltney, answered to a summons charging her with stealing two pieces of embroidered satin, value 3s., the property of the purchaser at a sale on the 9th ult.—Mr. W. H. Churton appeared for defendant.—George Jones Roberts, auctioneer, said he pur- chased, with other things, the missing articles at Mr. Cunnah's sale of the property of the late Mr. Greenall, at the house in St. John-street. He did not recognise defendant as being present at the sale. Cross- examined by Mr. Churton: The articles were in his possession. He did not purchase them personally, but they were bought for him. An auctioneer was not responsible for any goods belonging to a purchaser disappearing, for at the fall of the hammer they were in' the possession of the purchaser, and at his risk.- Detective Inspector Gallagher deposed to finding the two pieces of satin in defendant's house. She denied stealing them, and said she had been at the sale, and found the things, along with a hot-water can, in the yard of the house.-The taking of the can formed the sub- ject of a second charge against defendant.— Mrs. Whitely, residing in Handbridge, said she was the purchaser of the can at the sale, and paid 6d. for it. She left it on a table for a short time, and on going for it afterwards missed it. She did not notice defendant present at the sale.—Detective Inspector Gallagher deposed to finding also the can with the other articles in defendant's house.—Mr. Churton said the defendant, who attended the sale, noticed these articles in the yard, and thinking they had been placed there as rubbish, she took them.—The Chief Constable: This is the first case of the kind that has been brought to this court, and only after great con- sideration. There is a system practised by certain people of peculating at ■ales, and it is to check this that we bring the case. The Mayor, after consulting his brother magistrates, said they had decided to take a lenient view of the cases, and ordered the defendant to pay the costs (18s. altogether), and to appear for judgment when called upon. The Bench wished to stop this practice, which they heard was general at sales.—The other case was against Hannah Whitehouse, who keeps a shop in Saltney, and who was summoned for feloniously stealing an umbrella, value 5s., the property of Robert Walton. Mr. E. Brassey appeared for defen- dant.—The Chief Constable said this case was in some respects similar to the previous ones. A sale was being held at the house of the late Miss Clare, on Hough Green, on the 13th August, and Mr. Walton, who was present, left his umbrella in a room, and on looking for it afterwards found it was gone. The umbrella was found in the possession of defendant, who admitted having taken it.—Mr. Walton, Raymond-street, the owner of the umbrella, bore out this statemen t.-Detective -Inspector Gallagher deposed to finding the umbrella in the house of the defendant, who said she bought it at the sale with other goods.—Mr. Brassey, for the defence, said the charge of stealing was denied. The case also differed in some respects from the others, in a manner favourable to his client. The umbrella was found after the sale lying on the floor of one of the rooms. It was torn, dusty, and old. Defendant took it, deeming it to be worthless and abandoned by its purchaser.—Samuel Brett said he was removing the articles defendant bought on to a cart. The umbrella was on the floor, and defendant noticing it, told him to take it up, as the stick would do for the children to play with.—The Bench took a similar view of this case, and imposed a like penalty.

ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS. + THE RETURN OF MR. JACKSON. INTERESTING STORY. Mr. Frederick G. Jackson, the leader of the Jackson-Harms worth expedition, who left the Thames on Wednesday, July 11th, 1894, for the North Polar regions, arrived at Gravesend on Friday afternoon on board the steam yacht Windward, having with his companions spent three winters in the Arctic. Besides Mr. Jackson himself there were on board Lieutenant Armitage, R.N.R., the astronomer of the expedition; Dr. Koettlitz, the medical officer; Mr. W. S. Bruce, the zoologist; and Messrs. Wilton and Heywood. The Windward left Franz Josef Land on August 6. Mr. Jackson's brother and other friends and a representative of Reuter's Agency met the Windward on her arrival in the river, and hearty cheers were raised as Mr. Jackson and his companions were seen on the bridge of the vessel. They all looked in the best of health, and said they had not had a day's illness during their long stay in the Polar regions. In the course of a long interview with Reuter's representative, Mr. Jackson gave the following account of the expedition:— Having practically completed the explora- tion of Franz Josef Land with the exception of some odd corners, we left Cape Flora on August 6. It was towards evening when we sailed, and before leaving I carefully sealed up Elmwood, which had been our home for three years. With the exception of our luggage, specimens, &c., we left Elmwood just as it had been during our stay. I also left behind for the use of subsequent explorers six tons of coal and anything that I con- sidered might be useful. In the room of our living house I left a quantity of supplies, including tobacco, cheese, and butter, in case Andree should turn up in that region. Of course I did not know of the safety of the Fram until the arrival of the Windward, and I bad established a dep6t on Bell Island in Leigh Smith's old house in case any of Nansen's companions should have gone in that direction. This contains a good supply of provisions, and can be easily found, the house being on a prominent part of the island. After leaving Elmwood we steamed north-west for 50 miles, but saw no indication of land. The water was very open, and there was less ice than I have ever seen before. We landed at Cape Mary Harmsworth for a few hours, and collected some specimens from a low spit projecting beyond the ice-covered cape. This was done with the object of refuting or confirming the opinion I had formed in the spring that Gillis Land had no existence in the position assigned to it on the charts. We then steamed within ten miles of the situation given for the east coast of the Eastern Johannessen Island in very clear weather, but failed to see any land. South of Bear Island we met with bad weather, —persistent head winds and gales—but, thanks to the skilful navigation of Captain Brown and the staunch little Windward, we have reached home safely. Speaking of the work of the expedition since the departure last year of the Windward with Dr. Nansen, Mr. Jackson said We passed the winter (1896-97) very busily, happily, and comfortably. Scientific observations and researches of all kinds were conducted to the utmost extent. On March 16 Mr. Armitage and I left with sledges and two teams, con- sisting of the pony and 13 dogs, to go round Western Franz Josef Land and define its limits. We met with bad weather at the very outset, and found the snow lying deep and soft, with very trappy, rough ice on the western side of the British Channel, up which we laid our course. On March 28 we discovered a new headland and fjord, and on the 29th we rounded the north-east extremity of the western land and proceeded west, having explored all the western shores of the British Channel to the Queen Victoria Sea. The weather continued exceedingly bad, with almost constant gales and driving snow, with temperatures often more than 40deg. below zero, which played havoc with our animals. On April 7 we had lost all but five dogs when north of the head of Cambridge Bay, and on the 10th were forced to take to the high glaciated land, as open water up to the glacier face cut off all advance upon sea ice. On the 12th our pony died, which necessitated leaving behind all equipment not absolutely essential. The weather, at an altitude of 1,500ft., now grew worse than ever, with exceedingly dense and constant mist in addition to gales and driving snow. On the 19th we descended the high glaciated land behind Cape Mary Harms- worth (the land does not extend west of the point, and no land could be seen during the short clear intervals anywhere off the coast) from an altitude of 1,500ft. We crossed over behind Cape Lofley as the sea ice was broken up all along the coast and kept us on the glacier, and found a little fast ice at the head ? A\ eyPrecbt Bay stretching towards Cape Ludlow. On approaching the cape we again met open water, which obliged us to climb the high glaciated land behind the cape. In Wey- precht Bay we left a canoe behind, as we could not get along with it owing to' the bad- ness of the ice. The weather continued excessively bad, and gales of wind gave us no rest. Above Cape Ludlow I shot the only bear we bad seen, which supplied us with meat and blubber for cooking. On the 29th of April we rounded Cape Neale. We encountered exceed- ingly rough ice crushed up against the land. To get along at all we had to avail ourselves of every minute of fine weather offered to us, and frequently marched for 24 hours at a stretch, marching from the time one gale ceased until another began. The rough ice of the sea and the steep inclines of the glaciers forced us for a great part of the journey to go three times over the same ground. I hauled in the traces in front of the five dogs and steered a course while Mr. Armitage whipped them up and shouted at them, and whenever they stopped, which they did at the smallest obstacle, by hauling and tugging started them again. On May 3 we crossed Gray Bay, but on approaching Cape Grant we were again cut off by open water, and had to climb the steep glacier behind, hauling our sledges with a purchase up the glacier face (45ft.), aided by a snowdrift, and descended at the head of the bay to the west of Cape Stephen. On May 5 we reached Bell Island, where we were met by the Doctor Koettlitz, and Messrs. Bruce and Wilton, who had brought a sledge with provisions to look for us, and had got anxious as we were nearly a fortnight overdue. This journey was entirely successful in every way, but had occupied two months. We had only 13 fine days. After staying at Elmwood for 10 days to refit. Mr. Armitage and I started off east, taking with us, however, no canoe or boat, as we could not carry it and go along rapidly. We covered 21 miles in the first day, but on the second, when nearing Cape Cecil Harmsworth (south-east extreme of Hooker Island) the ice became very thin, and when within 400 yards of the cape the sledge broke through, and in spite of our utmost endeavours we lost all our provisions and dog meat, except the food which we had kept for lunch, and all our cartridges were wetted. As we could not reach the shore owing to the very thin ice, which bent down under our ski, we retraced our steps and tried to approach Hooker Island further to the west, with the intention of crossing the glacier to Cape Cecil Harms- worth, to ascend it, and map in the neighbour- hood of Brady Island from there. But when- ever we approached Hooker Island very thin ice stopped us, and our advance east also being cut off we returned. There was open water visible in many directions, and the ice generally was remarkably thin. Owing to the loss of our provisions we were compelled to march for 25i hours consecutively, and in that time covered 42 miles, completing the 20 miles back to Elmwood the next day." In the course of this journey Mr. Jackson solved a most interestingjgeographical problem. For he not only determined the northern coasts of Franz Josef Land hitherto absolutely unknown-but he has also been able to decide the much vexed problem of Gillis Land. Proceeding to give details of the explorer's daily life in the Arctic, Mr. Jackson said "Not one of our party has had a minute's illness since we left England, even a jollier, healthier, and busier little community never existed. Every minute of our time was occupied; even during the long Arctic winters time never hung heavily on our hands. Although there were several houses at Elmwood soon after our arrival in Franz Joseph Land, we found that the canvas houses were quite unsuitable to live in, and so we all lived together in the Russian log-house. In the Arctic the sun sets for the last time about the middle of October, and is not again visible until the third week in Feb- ruary. During those long four months our days were spent as follows: We break- fasted at 8.30, after which we performed our household duties, sweeping up, washing and attending to the dogs. After that we all went for a run on ski, or, when the weather was so bad as to prevent this, took exercise round the house. Returning in two or three hours we set to work on any jobs that were in hRnd, such as the making of tents, of which we completed two last winter, the repairing and manufacture of fresh sledge harness for the dogs, and any- thing else that was wanted. We dropped having lunch, but at two o'clock we had tea, bread and butter, and cheese. At 7.30 we dined, and till 11.30, when we turned in for the night, amused ourselves with reading and smoking. It may be interesting to persons other than Arctic men to know that from the date of the disappearance of the sun until the second week in November there is a period of two or three hours' twilight in the middle of the day. From November till February mid-day and mid-night are practically alike. During the whole of our stay in Franz Josef Land we always had plenty of provisions. We practically lived on loon, an Arctic bird, of which I shot no fewer than 1,400 last autumn and froze for the winter. Last autumn I set free 10 loon and 22 kittiwakes, to each of which I attached a copper label marked with the letter I J.' It will be a matter of great interest if any of these are shot in Norway, the north of Scotland, or elsewhere, as it will indicate the place to which these birds migrate for the winter. "On the whole, last winter was mild for the Arctic. The thermometer registered as low as 48 deg. below zero, but on occasions jumped to 20 deg. Of course we had to exercise the greatest care not to expose ourselves unneces- sarily, and with the exception of the eyes we were always completely covered. We did our best to remember those occasions which are dear to Britishers all over the world, and on the Queen's birthday we, the most northern British community in the world, drank the toast of the' Queen, God bless her,' in our last bottle of wine." On the question of reaching the North Pole, Mr. Jackson said While I have no sympathy with anybody who by a mere athletic feat tries to reach the Pole, I am certain that in spite of any assertion to the contrary, the desire to attain that point lies deep in the heart of every Arctic explorer. I still think it is possible to do so, but no matter what plans are adopted, the difficulties must be enormous. When I left England my idea of reaching the Pole was based upon existing maps and the belief which was shared by most Arctic experts that land reached still farther north. As a result of this expedition, I believe that the possibility of reaching the Pole by way of Franz Josef Land is more than doubtful. We have, in my opinion, established the non-exist- ence of Gillis Land in the longitude assigned to it. The existence of Petermannland is doubtful; certainly there is no land of any extent there. We, like Nansen, failed to see King Oscar Land. We have obtained pretty good evidence that no land exists to the north- west of Franz Josef Land, the ice being carried away in such a manner as to indicate the non- existence of land of any consequence in that direction. It has been satisfactorily proved that there is no land north of 82 deg. Natur- ally all this completely changed my ideas of reaching the Pole, but yet I think had I re- mained another year in the Arctic I should have made a shot at it. I have returned with 'I tine inrention ot running another expedition entirely on my own account, but my plans are not yet formulated. I think, however, if I were to attempt to reach the Pole by means of sledges I should go either by way of North Grinnell Land or North Greenland. Nansen's idea of reaching the Pole by drifting north from Behring Straits is, of course, feasible, especially considering the success of his expedition. I am not a balloonist, and that method of reaching the Pole never entered into my calculations, but I see nothing to prevent Andree, with good luck, from accomplishing his project. I have seen or heard nothing of Andree, and it is quite im- possible for anyone to say where he is likely to be. In conclusion, as to the success of the expe- dition I must leave others to judge. Any success we have achieved is due entirely to the hearty co-operation of my companions, who all worked to the utmost of their power. Captain Browne, by his careful and skilful work has established a record in Arctic navigation, and the officers and crew of the Windward all worked with a will."

REMARKABLE RECOVERY FROM A SNAKE BITE. + The British and African Company's steamer which arrived at Liverpool on Friday morning from West Africa had among her passengers Mr. F. T. Summers, who was brought from Opobo. Mr. Summers (says the Liverpool correspondent of Reuter's Agency), who was chief engineer of the steamer Ebani, had an encounter with a double-horned viper. The snake was about 7ft. long, and Summers is said to be the only man in Africa who has ever sur- vived a bite from a snake of this species. It seems that the natives of Opobo reported a wild elephant in the bush, and District Commissioner Stein, of the Niger Coast Protectorate, and Mr. Summers went in pursuit. The snake, which made a dash at Summers unobserved, fixed its fangs in the ankle of the right boot. After getting free Summers, who shewed great pluck, managed, with the aid of his companions, to despatch the viper by blowing its head off. Immediately after being bitten Summers' leg commenced to swell, and he was carried with all speed to the Consulate. In less than an hour the leg was three times its natural size, and the clothing had to be cut from Summers' body. Dr. Thompson, of the Protectorate, who treated the injury, twice injected into the wound ether iodine or bromide of potassium. The poison of the viper had entered Summers' body, and even the doctor thought death would take place within nine hours. The chiefs and natives, who had been consulted by the doctor to see if they knew of any native antidote, said all persons previously bitten bad died in about an hour. Summers was eleven days in the Consulate, receiving the unremitting attentions of Dr. Thompson, and although he was at times delirious, he pulled through. His re- covery created great astonishment, and Dr. Thompson has written to a medical journal an I account of his treatment of the bite.

COMMERCIAL FAILURES.—According to Kenvp's Mercantile Gazette, the number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending Sept. 4th, was 77. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 69, shew- ing an increase of 8, being a nett decrease in 1897, to date, of 148. PARTRIDGE SHooTiNG.-Partridge shooting opened en Wednesday, and reports from various districts in England and in Scotland point to excellent prospects. Birds are in most instances plentiful and strong, but in some parts of the country they are difficult to get at as yet, because of the corn crops. Concerning Cheshire and North Wales a correspondent states The weather opened dull but dry. Towards noon, however, rain commenced to fall, and continued heavily for the remainder of the day. Sport generally was satisfactory. There is an abun- dance of shelter among the roots, while grain crops generally are cut. Keepers on the estates of the Duke of Westminster, Lord Crewe, Earl Egerton, the Marquis of Cholmondeley, Lord Penrhyn, Mr. Assheton-Smith, and Sir W. W. Wynn report a successful breeding season. Parties out reported that coveys were numerous and birds strong and healthy. TOBKRCULOTJS MEAT.—At the Liverpool Police Court, on Wednesday, fines and costs amounting to £10 12s. 2d. were imposed upon a Birkenhead butcher named Ernest Beer, for exposing for sale six pieces of beef unfit for human food. It was found that the animal had suffered severely from tuberculosis. Moreover, in the dressing of the animal great care and skill had been taken to remove all traces as far as possible of the disease. The lungs had been removed altogether, as had also most of the glands. Afterwards, when the defendant was seen, he stated that he bought the beast in Cheshire, and bad it slaughtered in Rock Ferry. He also admitted that the lungs were too bad to send across to Liverpool.—For the defence, Mr. Madden remarked that the cow bad been purchased with others at Barnston, in Cheshire. On her way home she had become very skittish, and was taken to New Ferry and slaughtered. His client had paid X10 for the animal, which was not a bad price for an old cow.

THROAT AFFECTIONS AND HOARSENESS.—BROWN'S BRow CHIll TROCHES, which have proved so successful is America for the cure of Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Brou ohitis. Asthma, Catarrh, or any irritation or soreness of the throat, are now imported and sold in tLij3 country at Is. 1J. per box. Put up in the form of a lozenge, it is the most convenient, pleasant, safe, and sure remedy for clearing and strengthening the voice in the world. No family should be without them. The genuine have the words "BBOWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHESon the Govern, ment stamp around each box.—London Depot, 33. Far. nngdon-road. and of all Patent Medicine Vendors.

Literarg Notices, THE SEPTEMBER MAGAZINis! [SECOND NOTICE.] In an article in the September number of Macmillan's Magazine, which will be read with great interest at the present crisis, Mr. Arthur Gaye, discussing The Greeks and their Lesson,' says: Greece's own folly has once more thrown her back, and she starts again at the bottom of the list. What has she now to face, what, indeed, not to face? A ruined, or, to take the most optimistic view, a grievously compromised credit, in the first place, and that the greatest of all drawbacks to national progress. When Soloman, if Soloman it was, laid down that Money answereth all things,' he was formulating an axiom which no political economist, at any rate, will care to gainsay. Without a well-lined and well-managed public purse no country can hope to make a decent appearance on the market. Secondly, even when matters shall have been adjusted with the Turk there will be a real danger to the land in the troops of disbanded soldiery, tradi- tionally more than likely to lapse into brigandage, a curse which she had only within the last few years succeeded in stamping out. The old political animosities, due not to differences of pro- gramme, but to insatiable hankering after place and office, will, it is to be feared, once more bar the way to prosperity instead of being smothered, as they ought to be, by a common determination to sacrifice all private ambition on the altar of the public weal. It is truly a parlous state which threatens. The true friends of Greece would fain see her happy and prosperous, but her worst enemy is herself, and those who love her best see this most clearly. Once more in her fitful all, or nearly all, except her sun, seems to be set; and the spectators of the tragedy are apparently helpless to contribute aught to the situation, save in the poet's mournful words- For Greeks a blush, for Greece a tear. The most attractive feature of this month's Century is Mr. Harry Furniss' Glimpses of Gladstone,' illustrated by a number of the author's inimitable sketches of the G.O.M. Mr. Furniss says :— I believe I am generally supposed to have invented Mr. Gladstone's collars but as a matter of fact I merely discovered them. Many men wear collars quite as large, and even larger than his, but they are not so prominent in appearance, for the simple reason that when Mr. Gladstone sat down it was his custom to sit well forward. His body collapsed, so to speak, and his head sank into his coat. The inevitable result was that his collar rose, and owing to this circumstance, I have frequently seen it looking quite as conspicuous as it is depicted in my caricatures. When Mr. Gladstone, upon one occasion, met the artists of Punch at dinner, I was chagrined to find, when he walked inte the dining-room, that he had discarded his usual high collar for one of the masher type. I felt that my reputation for accuracy was blighted, and sought consolation from the editor of a Gladstonian organ, who hap- peaed to be present. Yes," he said he is evidently dressed up to meet the Punch artists. He is the pink of fashion and neatness now but last night, when I met him at dinner, his shirt was frayed at the edges, and his collar was pinned down behind, but the pin gave way during the evening, and the collar nearly came over his head." Upon great occa- sions in the House Mr. Gladstone's dress was very noticeable. He was then spruce, in a black frock coat, light trousers, and wearing a flower in his buttonhole. This gener- ally indicated that a great speech was imminent. Whenever there was any excuse for wearing them, Mr. Gladstone had a partiality for grey clothes, which were not too fashionably cut; and once I remember that he caused some sensation by appearing in the House wearing a wedding favour. Something had evidently tickled his sense of humour upon the occasion, for he was smiling all over as he came in; and when he sat down by Sir William Harcourt, to whom he related the joke, his merriment seemed to increase Afterwards he repeated it to Mr. Chamberlain, and again to the Speaker, finally quitting the House to tell it anew outside. In the Humanitarian, the Bishop of Bloem- fontein expresses in interview form his views on South African problems. The Right Rev. J. W. Hicks is one of the most noted of the missionary bishops who have come over to this country to attend the Lambeth Conference. He has charge of a diocese considerably larger than Great Britain. Asked if the Boers have had any very marked influence over the native populations, his lordship replied:- My work does not bring me into close contact with the Boer population I am naturally more interested in those white people who are of my own flock, that is, the scattered English settlers. The Dutch often marry among their British neighbours, and, when this occurs, both parties not unfrequently become and remain members of the Anglican Church or, if not, one does not as a rule interfere with the religion of the other. Thus, the Chief Justice of the Orange Free State is married to an Englishwoman, who has remained in the Anglican communion. The Boers have a great deal of French blood in their veins, but the Dutch language has quite stamped out French, and the nation as a whole does not seem to have any marked modern French characteristics. Of course the late troubles in South Africa," continued the Bishop deliberately, "have indirectly injured my diocese, if only because through them the railways which were about to be built have been indefinitely postponed. But we are on very good terms with the civil authorities of the Orange Free State. Kimberley is in my diocese, but I have, of course, no jurisdiction over Johannesburg. The Rev. Harry Drew, Mr. Gladstone's son- in-law, is one of the celebrities whose portraits (at different times of their lives) appear in this month's Strand. Being unwilling to sever his wife from the venerable parents who had learnt to lean upon her as their chief stay, Mr. Drew has always refused to leave Hawarden, and has declined several offers of valuable preferment. In 1894 he spent six months in temporary charge of a church near Cape Town, and on his return to Hawarden he became the first warden of St. Deiniol's Hostel and Library, founded by Mr. Gladstone for the pro- motion of sacred study. Nearly 200 students have lodged in the hostel, and Mr. Drew has catalogued the 30,000 volumes contained in the two principal rooms of the library." The present day' portrait shews Mr. Drew in com- pany with his daughter Miss Dorothy (wearing rather a severe expression). On the opposite page are five portraits of Mrs. Drew at the ages of five, thirteen, twenty-two, twenty-eight (from a drawing by Sir E. Burne Jones), and the present day. Since her marriage all Mrs. Drew's energies have been devoted to the kindred tasks of mother, wife, and daughter; watching with affectionate devotion over jthe declining years of her illustrious parents, and co-operating wicn ner nusoana in au cne religious ana philanthropic work of a widespread country parish." Baily's Magazine contains interesting articles on Entrance to the Army,' Public School Cricket of 1897/ &c. In a contribution dealing with Some Famous War Horses,' that enter- taining writer, the Hon. F. Lawley, refers to the chargers ridden by the great Generals in the American Civil War, and in conclusion says After ample experience of active hostilities extending over many years, I have long ago come to the conclusion that during the last two years of the American Civil War there was never yet an army so superbly mounted as the two forces com- manded by General Grant in Virginia, and by General Sherman in Tennessee and Georgia. During the first two years of the war the Southerners were better mounted than their enemy, not ta mention that they were infinitely superior to them as horsemen. No small portion of the remounts which replaced and made good the enormous losses inflicted by war on so prodigious a scale in the cavalry, artillery, and commissariat departments of the Northern army were drawn from Canada, which is richly provided with horses of the general utility stamp which can be purchased at prices considerably less than their congeners in Europe command. Experienced eye- witnesses who had seen war in the Old World reported that the two victorious armies com- manded respectively by Grant and Sherman con- tained not a single sorry steed, not a single mean and shabby mule, as they marched through Washington for two successive days on the con- clusion of the American struggle in 1865. In the September St. Nicholas, which is again a capital number, Mr. Charles T. Hill writes of New York's Floating Fire Engines.' Speaking of the fire-boat. New Yorker, Mr. Hill says :— At fires in buildings along the river front, or in streets near the river, the New Yorker can lie at a dock near by and supply twenty effective streams and, in fact, in capacity she is equal to that number of land engines. If the fire is some dis- tance from the water front, immense lengths of hose, six inches in diameter, can be attached to the outlets of that size in the sides of the deck house, and by the aid of reducing connections can be reduced in size, as the lines are stretched in to the fire, until they reach the regulation sizes-two and one half or three inches at the nozzle end. She can supply six of these powerful streams effectively at a distance of one third of a mile from her location; and at big fires she becomes A valuable aid to the land force. MUSICAL. Some interesting information about the Meister Glee Singers, together with portraits of this celebrated quartette, appear in the Strand Musical Magazine for September. The eminent musician, Verdi, is also the subject of an interview, in which he reviews many of the incidents of his eventful career. The music this month is, as usual, of a high standard of merit, the contributors including A. H. Behrend, F. L. Moir, P. Bucalossi, &c. NEW PUBLICATIONS. We have received the current part of Old and New London,' a standard work, admirably illustrated, which is being published in a cheap weekly edition by Messrs. Cassell and Co. Ltd.

A WELSH 'FRAME' HORSE. ♦ A CAR PROPRIETOR FINED. At Wrexham County Buildings, on Monday, Captain Griffith-Boscawen presiding, Edward Lewis, car proprietor and grocer, Pentre, Broughton, was charged by Inspector Bar- tholomew, of the Royal Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Animals, with cruelly illtreating two animals on the 31st July by overdriving them. It appeared that defendant was driving an excursion party in the neigh- bourhood of Gresford. In the evening the horses were so exhausted that they could not be induced, even by severe whipping, to draw an empty brake up a steep incline known as Craeshowel Hill. They stuck half way up, and could go no farther. One horse was merely a 'frame,' and was not fit to work at all. The other was all of a shiver.—The Chairman said the Bench considered the case a very bad one, and in fining the defendant L2 4s. 6d., including costs, said he was liable to be fined £10. At the same court, Robert Millington, of Rossett, was fined 10s., including costs, for working a horse which the inspector described as being nothing but a knacker. Defendant had since destroyed the animal, and this fact was taken into consideration by the Bench.

LADY CYCLISTS IN RATIONALS. 0 A DISAPPOINTED CROWD. The crowd that gathered at Hyde Park corner at an early hour on Saturday morning in the expectation of seeing a band of lady cyclists start on their rational dress pilgrimage to Oxford had very poor fun (says a London contemporary). At ten o'clock, the hour timed for the meet of the Bloomers,' the crowd had grown to the number of 200 or so, and no doubt there would have been many more to welcome the bold lady pioneers if the great event had not been kept a secret until that morning. Shortly after ten a party of cyclists came in sight, and a cry was raised of Here they come.' But where were the bold ladies of the rational dress ? With the exception of four all the ladies in the party wore skirts. W as ever such treachery ? And the crowd who had been waiting in the expectation of some scores of the fair wearers of the bifurcated garments were, to say the least of it, dis- appointed. Skirts,' ran the announcement in the morning papers, were not to be tolerated,' and yet in the score or so of fair cyclists only four were without them. The crowd were justly indignant. Some of them had been waiting in the cold wind, and their tempers were sharpened to a pitch of keen banter. Shouts were raised of Take 'em off," Leave 'em at home," and some encouraging, but not altogether complimentary, remarks were made to the four bold pioneers in their rational dress. But the little band did not stop very long. The men of the party soon set a quick pace across the park. it was a bit of a frost,' as one of the crowd truly remarked.

BREWSTER SESSIONS. + FRODSHAM. These sessions were held on Wednesday, before Messrs. C. Reynolds, A. Thomas, and P. Speakman.—Superintendent Johnson, in his annual report on licensing matters for that section of the division, stated that there were 17 licensed victuallers, eight beer sellers, and two others, who held off licences, making a total of 27. This gave an average of 245 of the population to each licence. No licensed vic- tuallers had been proceeded against during the year, being a decrease of one the previous year. 1 hirty-three persons had been proceeded against for drunkenness, and all convicted, comparing with 44 convicted in the preceding year. No beer sellers had been proceeded against.—The Chairman remarked that the report was exceed- ingly satisfactory, particularly with regard to the decrease in the number of prosecutions.— Mr. Speakman said another satisfaction to the Bench was that the publicans had regarded their recommendation not to serve children under 13 years of age with drink.—The Bench directed that all the licences should be renewed. There were no licensing applications. FLINT. These sessions were held on Wednesday, before the Mayor (Alderman S. K. Muspratt) and Messrs. Joseph Hall and Charles N. HulL Superintendent J. Ivor Davies (Mold) sub- mitted the following report to the magistrates I beg to submit for your information the following report respecting the working of the Licensing Act within the borough for the year ended July 31st, 1897. There are in the borough 21 fully-licensed houses, 14 beerhouses, two off beerhouses, and two licensed to sell wines, making a total of 39 licensed houses of every description. The population of the borough, according to the census of 1891, is 5,247, thus giving a licensed house to every 134 of the inhabitants. One innkeeper was proceeded against and convicted, viz., John Jones, Mill Tavern, Mount Pleasant, for breach of the Sunday Closing Act, and fined 20s. and costs 32s. 6d. Thirty persons have been convicted of drunkenness, being an increase of 13, as com- pared with the previous year. The MAYOR, addressing the publicans, said he hoped they would not encourage the sending of children under thirteen years of age for drink. The magistrates of Flint quite agreed with what had been done in this matter by benches of magistrates all over the country. The Mill Tavern licence would be held over until the adjourned licensing sessions. The bench wished to say they considered the police used great discretion, and they were glad it was so, because the working of the Sunday Closing Act in Wales had been very difficult. It was to be regretted that there was an increase of drunkenness during the past year in the borough, but they must bear in mind that the same party in some cases had been convicted more than once, therefore they did not think the increase was actually so large as the returns indicated. There was a certain amount of reform wanted as regarded the working and administration of the Licensing Act, and they hoped the Commission now sitting would be able to bring about some beneficial results.— Mr. J. Hall, one of the magistrates, said he was glad there was no increase of drunken- ness on Jubilee day. He was in the streets at twelve o'clock on Jubilee night, and the town was very quiet.—The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. Taylor) asked Inspector Jones if it was correct there was not one case at the sessions following J ubilee day, and the inspector replied in the affirmative.—Mr. J. Hall criticised what was said at the last meeting of the Standing Joint Committee on this matter.—Mr. J. B. Marston, Mold, appeared on behalf of most of the licensed victuallers. He said this was the seventh licensing sessions he had attended in the county this year, and it was the only sessions where an increase of drunkenness was shewn. Although there was an increase, he understood most of the cases were imported. A good many cases came from Queen's Ferry, where there was a large ironworks, to which many persons had come from Lancashire and other places. Although an Englishman himself, he might say these people were largely English, and not Welsh. (Laughter.) Some of them got drunk in the direction of Queen's Ferry and walked into Flint. With regard to the serving of children, the publicans were as anxious as anybody that the law should be obeyed. With regard to the Anchor Inn, it appeared that the Kelsterton Brewery Company had undertaken to forfeit this licence when the Hawarden magistrates last week granted them a new provisional licence for a hotel to be situated near Shotton Station, on the Wrexham, Mold, and Connah's Quay Railway. The licence was accordingly renewed to Robert Williams, the tenant, on the understanding that it should be handed up to the clerk of the justices when the licence of the new premises at Shotton came into operation.—Robert Jones was granted a transfer of the licence of the Hawarden Castle Inn from Charles Humphreys.

SALT FOR SAILORS.—The Admiralty have decided to add salt to the dietary of the crews of Her Majesty's ships in the proportion of an ounce per man every four days. This allow- ance will be much appreciated throughout the service, as salt has never before been issued, and the crews of ships have frequently been much distressed for want of salt during a long cruiae.