The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

Nocal 6ovttiimeut ottings. [BY MENTOR.] A somewhat singular, not to say startling, announcement was made by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn. at the recent meeting of the Wrexham Rural District Council. The question before the Council was the apportionment of the debt of the old parish of Ruabon for drainage works, and Sir Watkin pointed out that, during the last twenty years, Ruabon had paid £ 10,000 in rates towards the drainage of Rhos and Cefn, and had received not one farthing of benefit from it.; yet now, when they were draining their own parish they were not asking for a penny from the other parishes. Sir Watkin strongly objected to the apportionment being made on the ratable value of the town- ships concerned-Ruabon, Cefn, Rhos, and Penycae—but he lost his point by 20 votes to 10. A Welsh School Board has been nicely tripped, and that too by Welsh magistrates. At the Ruthin Petty Sessions the other day the attendance officer of the Llanarmon School Board appeared in respect to a number of summonses for non-attendance, among which was one against the parents of a lad who had fractured a finger, and with respect to whom a medical certificate had been put in to the effect that he was unfit to attend school. From a colloquy that ensued between the magistrates' clerk and the attendance officer, the latter, it appeared, was only obeying the orders of his board, who knew the circumstances at the time the order was made. The magistrates, who displayed some impatience—not to say disgust —at such a proceeding, ordered the attendance officer to pay 5s. to the mother of the boy for expenses-she having been dragged ten miles to attend the court—and 5s. court fees. The attendance officer, who was somewhat taken aback, was told amid the laughter of the court that he must pay up or distraint would follow. A somewhat similar decision followed in another case. The local Temperance party have been hurrying up' the Merionethshire Standing Joint Committee. At the recent quarterly meeting of the latter a deputation of reverend gentlemen attended on behalf of the Merioneth- shire Temperance Association, with a petition asking the committee to take steps to obtain a return of all the public-houses in the county, with a view to ascertain the accommodation and the position of bars and entrances; urging the committee to instruct the Chief Constable to oppose the applications for new licences for badly-constructed houses; that the police should insist on the production of the agree- ments of tied houses, to satisfy themselves of the fairness of the terms; and to warn licencees against the serving of children under 13, giving them sweets, &c. Of course the Joint Committee were very civil to these interlopers, sympathising with their motives, &c., and promising generally to look into the matters. But if they had possessed any self-respect, they might with as good grace have told them to mind their own business, as their very action might be interpreted as a reflection on the committee themselves. In fact, one of the rev. petitioners went so far as to say that the police, from whom assistance might have been expected, did not help the aesocia-tion at all. And so it came about that the committee agreed to hold a special meeting before the licensing session, to consider the matters suggested. Dr. Rhodes, a member of the Chorlton Board of Guardians, the other day gave utterance to an expression of opinion with which every- one connected with the conduct of public business must agree. Correspondence with the Local Government Board was read sanctioning an advance of salary to a junior clerk in the office of 2s. a week, and the Doctor characterised it as perfectly ridiculous' that the guardians should have to consult the Local Government Board on so trivial a matter as the advance of salary to an office boy; it was time that they were more trusted by the central authority. If a line could be drawn somewhere in regard to these simple matters of t vpenditure by guardians and other public bodies, it would not only credit them with possessing commonsense, but save a vast deal of i unecessary correspondence.

A POLICE Spy who had the hardihood to make his way into a thieves' kitchen in one of the worst districts of South London was somewhat roughly handled a week or two ago. It appears he hap- pened to be known to one of the habitues of the place, and the result was that he narrowly escaped with his life. Still more recently a man in South London was attacked by indigestion. Headache, loss of a opetite, and low spirits all joined in the attack, i~nd the poor fellow thought he could not escape with his life, when some true friend came to his rescue and recommended him to take Hollo- way's Pills. He took the advice and the Pills, with the result that he is now a happy and a healthy man

DISTRICT AND PARISH COUNCILS. CHESTER RURAL DISTRICT. Mr. Rowe Morris presided over the meeting of this Council held at Forest House, Chester, on Saturday afternoon. With reference to the application from the Asylum authorities re Knowles'-lane, it appeared that the Clerk (Mr. W. Turnock) had written asking on what ground the Council were considered liable, and the reply was on the ground that Knowles'-lane was a highway. The Clerk thought the author- ities ought to put the road in repair, and then approach the Council as to its adoption. THE UPTON AND SAUGHALL SEWERAGE SCHEMES. At the last meeting it was decided to ask the experts engaged on the Upton Sewerage Scheme to send in reports three days before the present meeting.—Each of them replied that it would unduly hurry the work, and asked for further time. The Clerk said he had replied giving them another fortnight.—With regard to the Saughall sewerage scheme, communica- tions had passed with Mr. Trelawny's agent and Mr. Speed, the latter of whom was willing to sell a portion of land for the experiments at 3s. a yard, while Mr. Trelawny's agent asked to see a sketch of the proposed tank. Mr. R. Cecil Davies (architect to the Council) had accordingly been instructed to make a sketch, which he now handed in. A GREAT BUTTON APPLICATION. A letter was received from Mr. Peter Owen, chairman of the Great Sutton Parish Council, again asking the Council to repair Strawberry- lane, and open it up for vehicular traffic. At present there was no communication between the Birkenhead and Chester road and Whitby Heath road for a distance of three or four miles, much to the incon- venience of the inhabitants of the district. Accompanying the letter was a memorial signed practically by all the principal inhabitants of Ellesmere Port, Whitby, and Great Sutton, in all 109 names. A similar letter and memorial had been forwarded to the Wirral District Council.—The Clerk remarked that this question bad previously been before the Council, when they decided not to take it into consideration until they had been approached by the Wirral District Council.—The Chairman: We have not be approached by them P—The Clerk: No. —Mr. B. C. Roberts pointed out that if they acted upon the clerk's suggestion, and the Wirral District Council adopted the same course, nothing would ever be done.—Mr. Minshull thought the Wirral Council were very likely to do so, because the lane was on the fringe of their district, and they wanted to shirk the question. No doubt if the road was repaired it would be a great improvement to the district, but it was a matter for careful consideration on their part, and he should move that the question be adjourned to the next meeting in order for the clerk to ascertain what action the Wirral Council proposed to take.—Mr. B. C. Roberts said it seemed rather an" influential memorial, and he thought they could be doing no harm in communicating with the Wirral Council.— Mr. Minshull suggested that if the Wirral Council were taking the matter up it would be wise for a committee of the Chester Council to meet them in the first instance, and then they would be able to approach the landowners and residents who would derive the chief benefit from the improvement, and who it appeared to him ought to subscribe something at the start. Mr. Lee moved that no further notice be taken of the matter until they heard directly from the Wirral Council. It was a matter that wanted a great deal of consideration. If his memory served him aright, it was a bye-road, and the question was one of opening out the district, which would largely benefit the residents. He argued that the latter ought to put it in thorough repair, and then ask the Council to take it over.—Mr. Williams (Saughall) took a similar view.—The Clerk suggested that the consideration of the letter should be adjourned till the next meeting and in the meantime he would communicate with Mr. Ollive, the clerk to the Wirral District Council. At their last interview Mr. Ollive gave him to understand that his council declined to have anything to do with the application.—The matter was accordingly deferred. TARVIN DISTRICT. Mr. R. O. Orton presided over the monthly meeting held in Chester on Saturday, the atten- dance being very small.—In reply to the Councils complaint of sewage matter being dis- charged into a ditch at Tiverton from the Tar- porley district sewers, the Clerk to the Tarporley District Council wrote stating that they had no sewers in their district that dis- charged into this ditch, but there might be dis- charges from private drains and overflows. Their Council were about to construct sewerage works and lay drains by which they would be able to take sewage which at present has no other outlet than in ditches. —The Surveyor said there was no sewage whatever in Tiverton that ran into this ditch. He was instructed to re-inspect the ditch, in order to satisfy the Tarporley Council that no nuisance was arising from their district.—The Chairman gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the re-appointment of Dr. Kenyon as medical officer for the district for a period of five years, at a salary of J676 per annum.—A complaint was received from the Kelsall Parish Council of sewage matter being discharged from four houses in Victoria- terrace into a pit near the church, used for cattle drinking. The Surveyor said he had found there was no sewage matter discharged from these houses. He knew that the many complaints from Kelsall were made only by two or three people.—The matter was allowed to stand. HOOLE. A meeting of the Hoole Urban District Council was held on Monday evening, the chair- man (Mr. W. H. Nightingale) presiding. AN EXPENSIVE MISTAKE FOR HOOiLE. The clerk (Mr. A. E. Caldecutt) stated with regard to the payment on the wrong basis by that Council to the Chester Town Council for the disposal of their sewage, that the Town Council owed them something like £200 for the last few years, not taking into account the years as far back as 1880. It was simply a moral obligation on the part of the Town Council to refund them the money which had been paid in mistake.—Mr. J. T. Ball asked if they had applied for it.-The Clerk said they had applied for it, and he had sent a letter to the Town Council explaining tha. they would not pav again on the same basis as they had been doing. The town clerk after some time came to the conclusion that he (Mr. Caldecutt) was right, and the Town Council had refunded them JE42, being the over payment of last year's assessment.— Some time ago he discovered that the basis Hoole had been paying for their sewage dis- posal since 1880 was on their estimated rental instead of as it ought to have been done, on their ratable value. The Town Clerk had come to the conclusion that he was right, and the Town Council had refunded Hoole £42, which was the over payment for one year only. He should have thought that a wealthy corporation like Chester would have had the grace to refund them the balance of the money paid by mistake during the last four or five years. Honourable people as a rule refunded money paid by mistake. THE FIRE BRIGADE. On the proposition of Mr. R. Cecil Davies, seconded by Mr. Ball, the tender of Mr. E. B. Phillips to erect the Fire Brigade sheds at a cost of £75 5s. was accepted; and the tender of Messrs. Merryweather to supply a manual fire engine and appliances for JE199 10s. was also accepted. PUBLIC RIGHTS IN FLOOKERSBROOK. The Clerk, commenting on the fact that the County Council had decided to take counsel's opinion on this subject, said he thought it was sufficient justification for the action in the matter of the Hoole and Chester District Councils. He was now awaiting a communica- tion from the County Council as to the opinion they had taken. WIRRAL DISTRICT. A meeting of the Wirral Rural District Council was held at Birkenhead on Monday, the chairman (Mr. T. Davies) presiding. CONDOLENCE. The Chairman moved votes of condolence with Mrs. Woodin and family, of Little Sutton, and Mrs. Pixton and family, of Ellesmere Port. Messrs Woodin and Pixton, who were both members of the Council, had died since the last meeting, and he paid a tribute to them for the way they had discharged their duties. Mr. Woodin had been a member of the Council since its commencement. — Mr. Latham seconded, and Mr. Ollive (clerk) spoke on behalf of the officials. The motion was supported by several members, and carried in silence. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST WATER CONTAMINATION. Two letters were received from the Wirral Waterworks Company with reference to the proposed new scheme of drainage at Prenton and the new property in course of construction near their pump station at Hootoa. They pointed out the absolutitl necessity for guarding against possible contamination of the water supplies.—Dr. Kenyon expla lied with reference to the Hooton pumping station that the sewer pipes were being made water tight, and there was no fear of the water supply being- effected. —The Clerk was instructed to reply to this effect. HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE. The Highways Committee met in the after- noon, Mr. T. Davies presiding. The surveyor's accounts for the month ended June 25th shewed receipts amounting to £19510., and payments to J6132 6s. 9d., leaving a balance in hand of £63 3s. 3d. The treasurer's accounts shewed a balance in hand at the end of June of £477 3s. 9d. THE GREAT SUTTON APPLICATION. A similar letter to that sent to the Chester District Council was received from the chairman of the Great Sutton Parish Council, asking the Wirral District Council to repair Strawberry- lane and open it up for vehicular traffic.—Mr. Latham explained that the lane was a short cut from Whitby Heath-lane to the Liverpool- road, and it went to Capenhurst Station. The advocates of the scheme said if their request were granted it would save them four miles.— The Chairman said some time ago they asked the late Mr. Pixton if the Whitby people wanted the improvement effected, and he stated that he had not heard a word about it.—Mr. Humphrey Price: Whitby and Whitby Heath people want it badly.— The Clerk (Mr. Churton) pointed out that the Council had no right to undertake the repair of roads until they were constructed. He thought the interested parties ought to club together and put their hands in their pockets before asking the District Council to take the road over.—The Chairman: We shall only take part of it; Chester is concerned in it as well.— The Clerk: Let these gentlemen make a good road and I have no doubt we shall take it over. Why should the people living at Grange and West Kirby be called upon to make the roads ? Mr. Price said a cinder road would be quite sufficient.—The Clerk pointed out that the same principle applied then.—The Chairman said if a road was made from Capenhurst-lane end right through to Whitby he would fall in with the scheme. The road in question had never been repaired by anybody.—It was decided to take no action in the matter until the lane had been made into a road by the interested parties. ELLESMERE PORT PARISH. The monthly meeting was held on Wednesday evening. Mr. W. Stockton presided.—Mr. Shepherd again drew attention to the untidy state of Station road on Sunday mornings owing to so much paper being thrown in the street. Various efforts have been made by the Council to remedy this nuisance without avail, and it was now decided to print 500 circulars and distribute them in the parish.—Mr. Breckon drew attention to the condition of the Cattle Arch. Owing to the great amount of railway traffic the gates were of necessity often closed, and to save delays many vehicles went via the Cattle Arch. To cyclists this road was particularly dangerous, and more than one nasty spill had taken place there.—The Council thought some other way for crossing the line ought to be made.—The Clerk was requested to communicate with the railway authorities on the matter of placing the road in a better condition.—The matter of lighting Station-road, leading to Whitby and Whitby village was advanced another stage. The com- mittee reported that they had visited that part of the township, located the position of each lamppost, &c., and 21 would be required.—It was agreed to communicate with the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company asking for their terms for lighting, cleaning, fixing the lamp post, &c.—At the close of the business, the death of Mr. Pixton, who had for years been an active member of the parish, was mentioned, and the following resolution was passed:— That we record our great sorrow at the decease of Mr. John Pixton, our late district councillor, and our sincere sympathy with his widow and relatives, also our sense of loss at the removal of so enlightened a parishioner." TARPORLEY URBAN. A meeting of this Council was held on Thurs- day night, Mr. Pickering presiding. The Clerk (Mr. Cawley) made a report upon the IT t kin ton water scheme. Up to the last meeting all the owners of cottages had coneented to bear their proportion of the cost excepting Mr. H. Finchett-Maddock- He afterwards wrote that gentleman, and received a reply in which he said that, although he thought a year's rent a large amount to have to contribute towards the supply, he would not stand in the way, and should be prepared to send a cheque for £10 5s. 7d. on hearing that the scheme had been carried out.—On the motion of Mr. Symms, seconded by Mr. Linnell, it was resolved to accept Mr. Reece's tender for J650 10s., and instruct him to proceed with the work as soon as a written undertaking had been received from the other landlords.

NESTON. DESPERATE STRUGGLE WITH A MIDNIGHT INTRUDER.—A cowardly attempt to force an entrance into a cottage was made at Neston on Wednesday night. Poplar Cottage, situated off Burton-road, Neston, is occupied by two sisters, Mrs. Simcock and Miss Henderson, who use it as a laundry. About 11.30 p.m. on Wed- nesday, the sisters, having finished their work, sat for a few minutes in the kitchen in rear of the premises. The kitchen door, which leads into the garden, was open, and, hearing a noise, Mrs. Simcock rose to close it. She was imme- diately confronted by a man who had stealthily approached through the garden, and who now without a word flung himself against the partially closed door, and endeavoured to force it back. Mrs. Simcock called to her sister, and the pair put forth all their strength to close the door in the face of their cowardly assailant, who, however, was far too powerful to be over- come by their united efforts, and was gradually gaining ground. Miss Henderson then ran to the front window, threw it open, and screamed for help. As she left the door the man attempted to grasp Mrs. Simcock, who fell fainting to the ground. The neighbourhood, however, was almost immediately alarmed by the cries for help, footsteps were heard approaching, and the miscreant vanished in the darkness. Samuel Meadows and other neigh- bours now came upon the scene, and the police were summoned, but no trace of the mysterious visitant could be discovered, nor has he yet been found. He is described as a tall, powerful man, attired in dark clothes, and so far as is known he is a stranger in this district. FIRE AT WESTWOOD.—Between six and seven o'clock on Wednesday evening a fire was dis- covered in the stables at Westwood, Mr. J. J. Houghton's residence. A Thornton Hough man named Thomas Ankers, who was passing, was despatched on his bicycle to the Neston Fire Brigade, and the horses and carriages were removed to a place of safety. No adequate effort to subdue the flames could be made by those upon the premises, and the occupants of the cottage adjoining, hastily removed their household effects into the stable yard. A few years ago such an outbreak would have necessitated several hours delay while a fire engine was obtained from Birken- head or Chester, and in the interval the entire range of buildings and cottages would have been destroyed. The occurrence once more served to shew the value of the local brigade, established here through the efforts of Mr. Hutton Wright and others. The cyclist reached Neston in a few moments, and within between ten minutes and quarter of an hour of the intimation firemen Roberts, Williams, Grundy, and Lawley were upon the engine, and the latter was being driven at full speed to Westwood, where they were joined later on by Lieutenant Fleming. The brigade, reinforced by outsiders, directed their efforts to preventing the conflagration from spreading, and in this they were happily suc- cessful, the damage being confined to the stable, where it first originated. The building was completely gutted, but the valuable property adjoining sustained no damage. The brigade returned to Neston about midnight. The out- break is supposed to have originated through sparks escaping from the saddle-room chimney.

Dean Howell (Llawdden), of St. David's, and Father Ignatius, of Llanthony Abbey, have been invited by the Festiniog Eisteddfod Com- mittee to deliver special addresses at this year's National Eisteddfod, and they have accepted the invitations.

THE JULY MAGAZINES. [FIRST NOTICE.] Seventy Years at Westminster,' by the aged Parliamentarian, Sir John Mowbray, Bart., in Blackwood's for July, contains a fund of anecdote and reminiscence extending over the most interesting period of the history of the House of Commons. This is how he recalls a visit of the Czar Nicholas :— I was present at a review of the Household Regiments in Windsor Park, where I saw another Emperor, the Czar Nicholas of Russia, then on a visit to the Queen. It was a brilliant scene, with the royalties and the Czar and the Duke of Wellington in uniform Sir R. Peel mounted, and in plain clothes. I afterwards had the opportunity of observing the Czar and Sir R. Peel in an oriel window of the Castle overlooking the terrace, in olose converse, possibly discussing the fate of the Sick Man. The Czar made a tremendous im- pression on me. A magnificent and princelike figure, 6 feet 3 high, in the prime of life, with a frank open expression of features, and a chivalrous deportment, the very type and embodiment of majesty—hroQtof (pzrg. Eleven years after, when the news of his death reached the House of Commons, I exchanged a few words in the lobby with Mr. Gladstone, who referred to the sight of the Emperor as he beheld him in 1884, and spoke of him in the highest terms of admiration as the most magnificent specimen of a man he had ever beheld. Cassell's Magazine caters admirably for fiction readers, and among the more serious contents are articles on Big Guns in action, Public receptions at the White House,' and Pay-day for Kings and Queens,' from the latter of which we extract the following:— Marked in plain figures, the Tsar enjoys—if that word can be employed in conjunction with the Autocrat of the Russias—an income of £1,800,000; the substance of the 'Shadow annually amounts to £1,250,000; the Emperor of Austria draws a yearly cheque of £900,000; while he of Germany pockets £700,000. The King of Italy receives £580,000, and is said to invest his savings out of that country; the Shah wants £20,000 to bring his income up to £500,000; Her Majesty the Queen receives £385,000; the Kings of Belgium and Sweden, £132,000 and £115,000 respectively; the Queen of the Netherlands, £60,000; the King of Greece, £52,000; M. Faure, £49,000; Mr. MoKinley, £10,000; and the President of the Swiss Republic no less than JE50 a month. We must not forget to mention, however, that the £12,000 for incidental, and the £12,000 for travelling, expenses that la belle France allows her President, are counted in with his salary; but for these addi- tions, M. Faure's columns would be very little higher than President McKinley's. Baily's Magazine contains extremely readable contributions on Our Gipsy Visitors, Salmon Studies,' and Superstitions of the Turf,' while Borderer' writes a practical article on Jockeyship.' The advent of American jockeyship on our courses has led to much controversy and criticism, inasmuch as their style is more particularly monkey-like, and their bodies are thrown so much forward on their horses that, with a hand on each rein so near their horse's head, it would seem impossible for them to control or guide them. Their aim is, however, not so much one of control as of forcing their mounts to their top speed from the fall of the flag, and trusting in the straight courses upon which horses require little steering. While admitting that this style of throwing their bodies on the horse's withers is ugly in the extreme, I cannot help admitting that any saving to the weight on a horse's back, when fully ex- tended, must be of advantage—seeing that it is just when fully extended that the horse feels the weight on his back, and the jockey sitting down to ride a finish puts every ounce of his weight where it tells most on the horse. On the other hand, the American is then unable to use either whip or spur to so much advantage and cannot grip his horse's mouth to any purpose. For all that Tod Sloan has taught us that there is science and effective result in his style, which Borderer shall be the last to gainsay. Chambers's Journal is again an entertaining number. An article on Life in Madrid,' by Charles Edwardes, will be read with interest at this particular juncture, and every one will read with favour a contribution entitled Three years of the new Death Duties.' The sums that have been paid in estate duty in on single estates are startling, a millionaire being mulcted in estate duty alone to the extent of £80,000; while, if his estate descends to others than children, another £40,000 at least may be claimed for succession duty. In Seotland the estates that have paid the largest duties are those of the late Earl of Moray and the late Duke of Hamilton. In England they have been matched recently by the estate of the late Sir Isaac Holden, and in other cases considerably surpassed. One curious effect of the Finance Act is that the gift of a poor man may be more valuable than that of a rich; for by it all legacy and succession duties were abolished in the case of estates under £1,000 in value. Thus a legacy of JE500 from a rich man may subject the recipient to payment of £50 of duty if he be a. stranger in blood to the donee, while the same legacy from one who dies worth less than £1,000 is free of duty. The Cornhill contains another instalment of Mr. Stanley Weyman's interesting serial,' The Castle Inn.' The Rev. W. H. Fitchett writes of 'Wellington at Salamanca'; there is an article on Havana in 1870,' and among a variety of other contributions Miss Maude Valerie White gives some 'Humours of Musical Life' :— Once the following amusing mistake occurred in the programme of one of my own concerts. A well-known singer and very good friend of mine was down to sing my two songs, To Mary,' and Crabbed Age and Ycuth.' But the newspaper announced something very different! Not content with drawing up a programme of my concert, it drew up a programme of my future, for I read as follows :— Mr. Blank To Marry Maude Valerie White. Crabbed Aged and Youth.' As I am a good many years older than the friend in question, the coincidence struck me as par- ticularly funny, and I cut the programme out of the newspaper and sent it to him, By the first post next morning I received an identical cutting from him with an inquiry whether he was to take this as a formal announcement of our engagement, and expressing a mild surprise that he had not been consulted in the matter. The Windsor has an amusing sketch of London life by W. Pett Ridge; the interesting experiences of Lieut. Johansen 'With Nansen iu the North and in addition to other features there is an opportune article on Don Carlos. The following is told of his first attempt to win the throne of his ancestors :— On the night of May 1st, 1872, a little company of men were lying in the grass on the summit of the Pyrenees impatiently awaiting the dawn. They were Carlists, who, with great difficulty, had at length found the means of evading the cordon of French soldiers guarding the frontier, and had crossed to the Spanish side. As the hour of dawn approached, the night grew darker, as often happens in the South of France, where, after having shone in the clear heaven until nearly three o'clock, the stars seem suddenly to disappear, as if annoyed at having so soon to give place to the orb of day. A young man, just awakened, felt the pressing necessity which always characterises the Spanish ace-to light a cigarette—for a Spaniard can go without bread, but he cannot go without smoking! Having no match he turned to his neighbour, and in the still prevailing darkness asked for a light. Willingly his neighbour, who had not slept—as one can well imagine—struck a match. By the light of it the young man recog- nised Don Carlos. Viva el Rey, Carlos VII," he cried. "Viva la Espana," joyfully replied the king. When the day dawned the little company descended the mountain to a borda, one of the small Spanish farms in the Pyrenees. Here they expected to meet a hundred well-armed men, but instead they found eighteen men and one bayonet! matter," said Don Carlos. His followers wished him to recross the frontier, but he refused energetically. Then this handful of men went twenty four hours without touching food braving a thousand risks in trying to raise others to join them. A year later the eighteen men had given place to an army of one hundred thousand, and Don Carlos commanded in all the North of Spain. There is a very interesting account in the July number of Pearson's. of the experiences of Mr. J. G. Millais, F.Z.S., in the South African Veldt, illustrated with a number of remarkable pictures by this well-known explorer and artist. Mr. Millais is the fourth son of the late President of the Royal Academy. Hunting the ostrich is a difficult matter, as their sight is extraordinarily good, and they can see the hunter long before he sees them. The method adopted for their destruction savours little of the popular notion of sport. When a nest is discovered the hunter digs a hole in the ground close to it, in which, he remains concealed until the ostrich returns, when, from his ambush, he deliberately shoots it. The ostrich, when running, has a most pleasing appearance, and Mr. Millais mentions, as one of the memorable sights he witnessed on the Karoo, a troup of frightened ostriches starting to run. As a rule, ostriches are to be found con- sorting with springbuck, to whom they render friendly assistance by apprising them of the approach of hunters long before the springbuck would otherwise have been aware of their danger. The hint of danger is quickly circulated, and Mr. Millais says it is no uncommon sight to see five or six hundred animals reflected in one of those marvellous mirages so common in South Africa, their movements indicating that they have taken fright, and are fast disappearing out of the reach of danger.

Hie little soldiers in your blood. I -ooo- The part which the corpuscles of the blood play in making MB good the loss occasioned to the body by wear and tear, and in carrying off the effete or worn-out material, has been compared to SH the part played by a soldier. The corpuscles of pure blood are H our so^dijr-fnends, who repair the worn-out tissues of the body, Nt and fignt against disease-germs. The first condition for good D health is pure blood, and that can only be obtained and kept by Iw taking pure food and drink. H| Adulterated food-stuffs and drinks are the pests of the BB modern market, and all too often health considerations are M sacrificed to apparent cheapness. If you would have a pure H drink, take cocoa; but let it be a pure cocoa, such as Van Houten s, Bj which is highly digestible, extremely soluble, and of most delicious 89 taste. It is cheap, too, for it costs less than a farthing a cup. gB It is easily made; it has an attractive aroma; and it contains ||j| more nourishment than an equal quantity of the best beef-tea. |l|j HAVE YOU TRIED B I I _n -t. I,* VAN HOUTEN'S Eating CHOCOLATE? 1 ¿:¡n:

FRODSRAM. AN IMPUDENT BEGGAR.—On Thursday in the Petty Sessional Court Room Fr^l-iam. before Mr. Alfred Thomas, Patrick Whelan was com- mitted to gaol for 14 days' baH labour for begging in Frodsham on the 29th inst. Prisoner, under the pretence of seeking for work, walked deliberately ir.to the kitchen of Castle Park. 4p

WHITBY. HE DIDN'T KNOW. Af Chester Castle Petty Sessions on Saturday, John Evans, farmer, was summoned for allowing eight cows to stray on the highway st Whitby. When asked by the magistrate?' clerk (Mr. Churton) if he pleaded guilty' or not guilty,' defendant said "I don't An officer having proved the case, defendant was fined 10s. and 8s. 6d. costs.

WREXHAM. OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH.—-On Wednes- day a new church, dedicated to St. Peter, was opened at Rhosrobin, a mining village a mile and a half from Wrexham, and in tLe parish of Rhosddu, a suburb of Wrexham. The church is a very pretty structure, built of brick, at a cost of nearly £ 1,500. It is erected on a site given by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., and will accommodate 230. Through the energy of the vicar (the Rev. D. Stanley Davies) and the other promoters, the church was opened practically free from (!phf;,

SAUGHALL. TREAT.—The members of the Children's Guild in connection with All Saints' Church were on Tuesday afternoon entertained to tea in a field on the 'Brows,' kindly lent by Mr. J. E. Hassall. The weather was charming, and the fine view from the field was much appreciated, as just now the country is looking its very best. The ladies present-who were assiduous in their attention to the wants of the youngsters-were Mrs. Kellock, Miss Nellie Nott, Miss Lilian Trelawny, and Miss Miny Trelawny. A variety of games were indulged in, and the company separated after spending a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and evening.

BURTON. THE RETIREMENT OF MB. W. FOG0.— Mr. William Fcgg, who for about 11 years has ably filled the position of master of the National School?, and organist and choirmaster at the parish church, leaves here next week to take up his new appointment as headmaster of Ellesmere Port Church Schools. During his long stay here, Mr. Fcgg has succeeded in raising the schools from a very indifferent position to the C highest possible point of excellence, and he thoroughly reorganised the choir and the musical portion of the church services. Several presentations in connection with the local appointments he is relinquishing were made to him yesterday (Friday), full particulars of which will appear in our next week's issue.

HELSBY. PRESENTATION TO MR. T. W. H. MOEWEN.— An Wednesday Mr. T. W. H. McEwen, a mem- ber of the Telegraph Manufacturing Company's staff, who is leaving Helsby to take up a position under the company at Durban, South Africa. was presented by the other members of the staff with a case of pipes, case of razors, and a silver-mounted walking-stick, ill. G. Seddon, the cashier, who made the presentation, spoke in high terms of the esteem in which Mr. McEwen is held by his fellow colleagues, who, he said, would all join in wishing him every happiness and prosperity in his new position. Mr. McEwen, in returning thanks, expressed his regret at leaving Helsby, where he had made many friends, and spent a most pleasant time.

ECCLESTON. CHOIR EXCURSION.—On Monday the Eccleston choir had their annual ouiing, Llandudno being the place chosen. The weather, in the early morning, was anything but promising, but by the time Llandudno was reached the sun was shining from a cloudless sky, and delightful weather continued throughout the day. Dinner was provided as usual, and at tea Mr. Turner thanked the rector (the Rev. G. A. Robins) on behalf of the choir, for his kindness in providing the means whereby such an énjoyable day might be spent. The return journey was commenced at 7.40 p.m., and Chester reached soon after 10 p.m. A brake then brought the party to Eccleston, all agreeing that this had been one of the most pleasant excursions the choir had had. 0

BEESTON. DEATH OF MR. JAMES PARKER.—Early on Thursday morning the death of Mr. James Parker, of Beeston, occurred at the age of 76 years. The deoeased fcr many years carried on the business of builder, and until quite recently took a very active part in superintending business operations. Unfortunately, the malady with which he was stricken, developed very rapidly, and he passed away after a few weeks' illness. Mr. Parker, who was very widely known and highly respected, undertook most of the building on the Peckforton estate, and to him the late Lord Tollemache entrusted much of the work in erecting his farm houses and cottages. A few years ago, with the assistance of his son, Mr. Charles Parker, he undertook the building of Haughtou Hall, the seat of Mr. Brocklebank, and the farmLouss u.ad buildings near. The funeral took place at Bunbury, on Saturday.

THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS is not a history of the past; it it repeated every year all over the world and, iii England, with all its boasted pre-eminence. The death-rate testifies that Herod is still at work. Why is the mortality of infants so out of proportion to the population and to that of adult people ? In the majority of cases it is because they are fed on artificial foods which they cannot assimilate, and they are badly nourished in consequence. Horlick's Malted Milk is the or!y for children which approaches closely that provided by nature. It contains large nutritive pro- perties in a small bulk. It is prepared easily, and requires no additional milk. All chemists supply it. Price la. 6d., 2s. 6d., and lis. A free sample will be sent, on application, by Horlick & Co., 34, Farringdon Road, London, L.C. f.'end for Freddy's Diary/' post free.

'The Goorkha Soldier,' who has been I described as a smart little gem of a soldier, with a sparkle of nnpresuming swagger about him, which is quite in keeping with his brave, independent spirit,' forms the subject of one of the most interesting articles in the current issue of Macmillan's Magazine. The writer is Major Hugh Pearse, who gives a capital his- torical account of the Goorkhas both as enemies and as friends of Great Britain. In conclusion he observes:— We have now seen the Goorkha soldier as an enemy and as a friend, and worthy of all honour in both capacities. It has already been said that it was formerly a very difficult matter to obtain sufficient recruits of the desired classes for the small number of Goorkha regiments than in the Indian Army, but this difficulty has greatly diminished of late years. Officers in command of Goorkha regiments are said to be quite satisfied with the quality of their recruits, and in things military it is certainly sufficient to judge by results. History is said to be untrustworthy, but it is ever our custom to display our shortcomings to the world. When an English general fails to satisfy all expectations, when a section of our Army appears in any way to have fallen short of the national standard, none so ready as we to proclaim the fact from the housetops. As, therefore, the history, formal and informal, of all recent wars has nothing but good to tell of the Goorkha soldier, we may fairly assume that he is to-day as he was in the past stout of heart, sturdy of frame, a keen sportsman, and an unrivalled fighting man. There are fifteen beautiful illustrations of ships of the American Navy in the July num- ber of St. Nicholas:- The battleships are named after the States, and the pictures shew you five-the Maine and the Texas, known as turret-battleships; the Indiana and Massachusetts, coastline battleships and the Iowa, a sea-going battleship. The Maine, blown up in Havana harbour February 15, and the Texas, now part of the flying squadron at Hampton Roads, date from 1886, and were built on a plan since given up-the heaviest guns being put in two turrets on opposite sides, one forward and the other aft of the smoke-stacks. The Texas is fast, steaming more than twenty miles an hour, and carries guns that fire shots weighing 8501b. each. She is protected by armour a foot thick. Mr. David Paton, a frequent contributor, has- some good diver stories in Good Words for July. Here is one of the tales of encounters with sharks while under the blue waters:— A large steamer had struck on a reef in the West Indies, and then slipped off into deep water, taking down with her the mails and a valuable cargo. There were some papers that were particularly wanted, and I was in the chart-room under the bridge working for them when suddenly, as I turned, I saw the wicked snout of a big shark close to me. It was a nice fix to be pinned up in the corner of a little square room with a big brute between me and the door. I went creepy all over. But I kept still, and so did he, except that he worked a fin lazily, like a screw steamer holding on against a tide. I got the knife in my belt loose, and waited. The shark evidently did not know what to make of me and gradually drifted over to the other side of the room. I began then to move towards the door, and had almost reached it when the shark made a sudden rush in the same direc- tion, and disappeared. Which of us got the bigger fright I dont know. The Sunday Magazine contains, among other excellent features, a thoughtful article by Professor Marcus Dods, on the problem, I Is Sunday a Common Holiday ?'; a sketch of the Rev F. B. Meyer's work in South London, by George T. Brown, and a genuine appreciation of Mr. Gladstone by the Bishop of Ripon. The Strand Magazine this month contains the first interview ever published' with Marie Corelli. Mr. Grant Allen in his glimpses of nature tell us of the myriads of foreign inseets which invade our corn fields, and damage our crops. He lays special stress upon the great depredation wrought by the hessian fly, and Mr. Enock's drawings of the insects' doings are nothing short of marvellous. Mr. J. A. Guthrie gives an absorbingly interesting description of the only modern ram' of its kind in existence. It forms part of the United States Squadron it is unlike anything that has been done before, and the sudden news of its deadly work against the Spanish Navy may startle the world at any moment. Mr. J. A. Russell contributes an article describing for the first time the curative properties of air and sun baths. There is the Hill of Men and the Hill of Women, and here tailors are absolutely and entirely at a dis- count. 'Round the Fire,' by Conan Doyle, promises to become an extraordinarily popular series. In 'The Story of the Man with the Watches,' Dr. Doyle's hero unravels the Rugby Mystery,' which filled many columns of the daily Press in the spring of the year 1892. It is a thrilling piece of work. The Wide World Magazine for July is a wonderfully interesting number. Mr. Francis Bayard describes all kinds of amusing and extraordinary entertainments practised by savage races in remote corners of the earth. The photographs, of which there are a great number, are extremely striking. Here we see the Coroboree' of the Australian aborigines, Egyptian bear-dancers, performing goats and monkeys in India, Japanese street-tumblers, Chinese Punch and Judy show, puppet show, of Java, etc,, all described by a witty and cosmo- politan traveller. From Khartoum to the Source of the Nile' is a most fascinating article, and contains unique reminiscences of Gordon, a large autograph map drawn by him for Dr. Felkin's guidance, and thrilling stories of slave-raiding and natives with occult powers. The illustrations are from actual photographs, and are perfectly amazing in their interest, including as they do the only photograph ever taken of Osman Digna, the famous Dervish Emir. This photograph was sent to Dr. Felkin by Miss Catherine Gordon. How Wild Elephants are Trapped' is the title of an extremely interesting article by Colonel Torkington, a distinguished Indian official. It contains the most extraordinarily complete set of photographs of wild-elephant trapping that have ever been taken. Wild elephants are seen in the very act of hurling trees at the oflicials, and one magnificent tusker has been snap-shotted in the act of charging. Besides the actual trapping, the whole process of taming is shewn in the photographs and described by Colonel Torkington. NEW BOOKS. Holidays at Home and Abroad (b^ E. Rrooks. London Jarrold and Sons, 10, Warwick-lane, E.C.; 6d.)-This attractive little illustrated holiday guide is an excellent up-to-date work, just the thing that ought to be consulted by those about to embark on their holidays either at home or abroad. It contains a fund of useful and interesting information, together with many hints that will be serviceable to those who have not finally determined the locale of their summer retreat. CASSELL AND Co.'s PUBLICATIONS. The Encyclopaedic Dictionary being issued by this firm in monthly parts is approaching com- pletion, part 77 being now published.— Part 2 of the admirable Life of Mr. Gladstone, dealing with the great statesman's ancestry and early educational life, is now in the hands of the public. The value of the work is enhanced by some capital illustrations.— Part 15 of that interesting publication by Cassell and Co., 'The Q; e n'? Empire," illustrates 'The Education f th,- Empire/ The photographs are excellently selected, and as excellently reproduced.