The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

LATEST NEWS. • _J "COURANT" Office, Tuesday Evening. THIS DAY'S' TELEGRAMS. WHITAKER WRIOHT VERDICT THE SENTENCE. The last stage in the Whitaker Wright trial was reached to-day when Mr. Justioe Bigham summed up. The jury retired at two o'clock to consider their verdict. They found defendant guilty on all counts, and he was sentenced to seven yea.rs' penal servitude. TRAGIC SEQUEL. PRISONER DIES IN COURT. Defendant fell dead from heart disease shortly after his sentence.

SPORTING. • WINDSOR MEETING. TUESDAY. TUESDAY SELLING HURDLE. Chwel- hampton, 1 Blue Knight, 2 Tuscan, 3. Nine ran. ATHENS STEEPLECHASH.-Foxhill beat ^DORNEY STEEPLECHASE.—Red Hand, 1; Buck Up,2 Master Victor, 3. Foar ran. BOROUGH STEEPLECHASE.—Perdicus. 1 Shaun Aboo, 2; Golden Wedding, 3. Nine ran. SLOUGH HANDICAP.—Jack M'Cormick, 1; South America, 2; Awakening, 3. Six ran. ———— I

BROXTON PETTY SESSIONS. — PASSIVE RESISTANCE -CASES. At Broxton Petty Sessions yesterday (Tuesday), before Mr. J. Howard'and other magistrates, Albert Blake. Maesfer., wafineC 3d. each for 102 sheep affected with hI. C'ep scab, for failing to report the existence of the with all practical speed, between. Deceniber 2t,.t and 29th.—A sad story of heartless conduct wan put before the magistrates in a case in which Charles Featherson. of Wistaston, near Naritwich, and formerly of Stretton Lower Hall Farm, Malpas. was sum- moned for deserting his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Eeatherson, now of Cuddington. The parties have been married nine years. and formerly lived <it. I the farm at Stretton, which .defendant had takoa by rncans of i800 furnished by his wife and JElCO supplied by her father. Defendant took to drink- ing and fell into debt. The bailiffs were called in. and defendant wenx away last April to London, taking L40. He returned when he had spent that sum, and left his wife a second time shortly after- wards. Complainant, had had to take a portion as dairymaid in otobr to maintain herself and\her five young children, defendant not having Con- tributed anything for &ix montha. Of the £ fc00 she had only recovered £ 500. A separation order was granted, and defendant was ordered to pay his wife £ 1 a week.—The following men, all of whom belong to Farrlon, were summoned for re- fusing to pay a portion of the poor nt.e :-James Baker. Is. Lewis Morgan Davies, Is. Eli Pugh, 5s.; Alfred Sinclair, Is. ljd.; William Davies. Is. All the defendant- protected that they had a con- scientious objection to pay, and distraint warrants were issued.

HAWARDEN COUNCIL. « MR. VICKERS AND HIS DUTIES. At a meeting of the Hawarden Rural District Council on Thursday, the Chairman (Mr. W. Fryer) called attention to the unsatisfactory nature of the official diary and general work of Mr. J. S. Vickers, inspector of dairies, cowsheds and milkhouses. The Chairman said it was very unpleasant for him to make a complaint, ad Mr. Vickers had been an official for so long, but the Council would not he doing their duty to let the matter go on. Going through the present diary, he found that since the lant meeting, when he gave notice of h intention to make this com- plaint, seven days were entirety blank, and the remainder contained only one word, such as Hawardeii. "Pentre," ets. Matter-, had cul- minated in the unsatisfactory report he presented with reference to a ratepayer who wanted to register as a nil] If Mr. Vickers had en- deavoured to earn ho. salary, instead of retreating from his previous efforts, he (the chairman) would have taken no actum, but he now moved that the inspector be given three mouths' notice to ter- minate his engagement. Mr. A. Wright pleaded strongly that Mr. Vickers should be given another chance, or at least that the matte.* should be deferred. Mr. Ford, in seconding the motion, expressed his pleasure in doing so. Mr. Vicker, had been deliberately defying the Council, and the whole of his actions had been mo;it disrespectful. Mr. Vickers's appointment had been an absolute dis- grace to the tJounCi! If Mr. Vicken had had any manliness he would have sent in his resignation. Out of eight rt:embers present, three voted against the question's being deferred and two for it. Mr. Vickers said he was very sorry to hear the Council were dissatisfied. He kept a private 'diary, and he took out of it only matters he thought should be exposed to the Board. The diary had been in existence, nine months, and the first com- plaints were made only one month ago. He asked the Council to wait until he had made his annual report. He though they were rather premature He was sorry to hear some remarks that would have to be answered for elsewhere. Including the chairman,, four voted for the motion, while the oclter four members did not vote at all.

DEATH OF MRS. MACLEAN GRAHAM -+- We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs. Maclean Graham, wife of Mr. J. Maclean Graham, 3, King's Buildings, Chester, which took place at her residence, after a short illness, on Friday. Deceased was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. Christopher Bushell. of Hinderton Hall, Neston, and daughter-in-law of the late Mr. Duncan Graham. She was thus closely connected with two families which by their many beneficent acts occupy a unique position in the esteem of the people of Wirral. The funeral took place amid many expressions of regret on Monday at Willaston Church (Wirral). The officiating clergy were the Revs W. E. Torr (Eastham), F. T. Stonex (Chester), and Waltham Postance' (Willaston). A large congregation bad assembled in the church, and the cortege was met at the lych gate by the clergy, the wardens (Messrs. J. K. Catto and Samuel Johnson), and the choir, The hymn, "For ever with the Lord," was touchingly sung. and the organist (Miss Dawson) played selections MIIted to the sad occasion, including" Angelfl ever bright and fair" and Oh. rest in the Lord." As the cortege passed out of the church into the pretty churchyard the Nunc Dimittis was chanted The scene at the graveside was very affecting, and the beautiful hymn, "Peace, perfect peace." finally broke in upon the silence that followed the Benediction. The chief mourners were Mr. Maclean Graham (widower), Messrs. Duncan Graham and Arthur Graham (sons), Miss Graham (daughter), Mr. C. Bushell (brother), Miss Bushell. Among the large number of friends present were :—Mr. G. H. Eaton and the Misses Eaton (Raby House). Mr. C E. Hope (Bank House, Burton), Mr. J. and Miss Pownall, Dr. Yeomart, Colonel J. C. Lloyd, Miss Morris, Mr. J. Mason (Chester), Messrs. C. Sher- lock, W. Ho.wHns, W. Adamson, A Rowe, G. Ashton, J. I F. Cottrell, W. Fell, J. Pollard, and A..Joi.j, Miss Ashton, Miss Hales, Miss Cottrell, Messrs. Cottrell, A Pugh, J. Francis, J. V>rood, &c. The coffin bore the inscription Katharine Smith Graham, born 27 October, 1850 died 2t January, 11.104." Beautiful wreaths were sent by the following :— Mr. J. Maclean Graham, Mrs. Duncan Graham,' Mrs. and Miss Helen Bushell, Mr. Christopher J. Bushell, Sybil, Duncan and Arthur, Mr. and M's. C. raharn Rowe. Mr. and Mrs. G. Eaton, Sir James and Lady Rankin, Mr. Jan,— H. ilerethertou. Miss E. H. Fulton, Mr. Henry i:er, Judge and the Misses Harris Lea. Mr. ",Irs. Waterhouee, Col and Mrs. E. R. Courteiny. Mrs. Robertson and the Rev. and Mrs. Walshr.vp Vostftnee, Misa Dawson, the Rev. W. E. and Mr-. Torr. the Rev. F. Tilney and Mrs. Stonex, M r.;i ] Mrs. Walcotlihtuid, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. H ■(, Mr. and Mrs. H. Springmann, Mrs. r r.. uorierts, Christ Church Parish District, Mr. and ;,b. L' C. Roberts, Miss Martyn, Miss Gumming. Mrs. Thompson (Hinderton), Miss Sutton, D and Mrs. J. Giffen, Mr. Johnson- Houghton, Mrs. and Miss Johnson-Houghton, Mr. and Mrs. Uvedale Corbett, Mr. and Mrs J. H. Torr (Lincoln), Mrs. J. G. Churton, all at Hinder- ton Lodge, Servants at King's Buildings, &c. Messrs. J. Smith and Son carried out the funeral arrangements.

THE SALT TRAEiE.—The salt statistics for last year, issued on Wednesday night, disclose a depression of 26.545 tors. The total exports and coast shipments were 862,046 tons. Liverpool's trade was 2.000 tons behind Rwicorn's, and the Manchester Ship Canal's 4,000 less. Fleetwood alone shewed an advance, nametr; 6,OOC tons..The greatest decrease in exports was to the United States, Africa. AusfraUwa, Germany, and Belgium. The coastwise trade, however, fell away 12,000 tons. The December shipment's were 4.000 tons betow the corresponding month of the previous year, the Cheshire trade, however, feeing 8,000 tons better. l,

LANCASHIRE AND WESTERN SEA FISHERIES. + — Mr. R. A. Dawson, superintendent of the Lan- cashire and Western Sea Fisheries, in his report for the quarter ending December, deals at some length with sea fishery legislation. Mr. Dawson remarks that an appeal has lately been sent to the members of the Lancashire and Western Sea i Fisheries Committee with the object of-having the size of mesh reduced in trawl nets from seven to six inches in the district in winter time, for the purpose of taking a greater number of small plaice and young codfish. He points out that sea fisheiy legislation was introduced for the purpose of staying the great destruction of undersized and immature sea fish, which was fast depleting the fishing grounds; and in order that a better fish food supply might be insured to the public, together with .a. better harvest for the fishermen. Mr. Dawson adds that the present appeal is against the protection of undersized sea fish, and aims at the greater capture of, at any rate, two of the species—undersized plaice and cod. If the ob- ject of legislation were to capture the greatest number of sea fish regardless of condition as to whether undersized or immature, the quickest way to do this would be to let in the steam trawler at present debarred from trawling anywhere within the district, and whose power of capture is put down as at least seven times greater than that of a sailing trawler. Sea fishery legislation is. however for- the purpose of staying this kind of slaughter and not to encourage it. The effect of killing undersized sea fish is on a par with the killing of young birds or other animals, for in- stance if all chickens were killed, there would be no hens and then no eggs. The Superintend- ent recalls that five Board of Trade public in- quiries have been held in the district into the question of size of mesh in fish nets, and that on the 6th of March, 1902, the bye-law prescribing the 7-inch mesh was again confirmed, and its sphere of action extended. In conclusion. Mr. Dawson asks, "Would or would not legislation that allows the taking of larger quantities of undersized and immature plaice and cod tend to provide a larger land more permanent food supply for the public, and a more permanent and better harvest for the fishermen? As regards the fisheries, the weather during the quarter interfered considerably with the work. especially with that of the sailing trawlers. Good catches, especially of soles, were made in favourable weather, and in Jttedwhart Bay some large catches of plaice were secured, one trawler making a record catch. Good takes of plaice were made in October by the Southport boats, but the fishing was not so good in Novem- ber and December, and most of the boats put on their shrimp nets. The Mersey inshore trawlers did not do well, but further along the Welsh coast figh were more plentiful. and some good hauls were made in the Menai Straits. In Cardigan Bay herring fishing was a failure, but in Nevin Bay. Holyhead, and round the Anglesey ooast to Llandudno it was very good-better than for several seasons, as many as 7,000 or 8,000 being taken with four small nets in Moelfre Bay. Shrimps were plentiful, while mussels, though not plentiful, were of good quality. During the quar- ter there were seven prosecutions, six for taking undersized shell fish and one for taking sea fish in a shrimp net. Convictions were given in six ■cases, and one of the shell fish cases was with- drawn.

CHESTER GUARDIANS. Mr. Rowe Morris presided over the fortnightly meeting of this Board yesterday (Tuesday) morning. VACCINATION AT THE WORKHOUSE, ANOTHER LIVELY DISCUSSION. Mr. W. Vernon explained that a resolution was proposed at the last meeting by Pastor Dobson, and seconded by Mr. Hallmark. "That the city and neighbourhood being now free from the epi- demic of small-pox, there is no further need for vaccination." An amendment had been moved by the Rev. F. Edwards "That considering the loath- some nature of the disease of small-pox, and that it is spread in a great measure by tramps passing from one union to another, the committee feel that the time has not yet arrived for re-vaccina- tion to be stopped altogether, but that the doctor use- discretion." On a vote the amendment was defeated by five votes to tour, and the matter was reieired to the House Committee ior further consideration. Mr. Vernon, as chairman of the committee, now reported tiiat they had gone very tuiiy into the question, and after strict inquiry the committee leit that umortunateiy the ooctor una not been quite as discreet in some cases of re- vaccination as he mignt have been. They thought there were certain cases ot re-vaccination whicn mignt have been better left alone on account of age or other circumstances, and by a majority of one the committee recommended the Board for tne present not to go on with re-vaccination, That did not prevent anyone who wished to be re- vaccinated from making application. They still had, the same rignt ot being vaccinated tree 01 cnaige as ujtoro. l'he only difference would be that tHe doctor would not. be permitted to go round, especially among the tramps, and compel them to De re-vaccinated. It would be a serious matter shouid a case of small-pox occur at the Vvoikhouse, and it might oe considered some re- flection on the Boaid. no. ') Stilt, he did not think tney siiould be called upon as a Hoard to vaceinaw all tne tramps in the country. if otner iioaras weve not taking the same means as Unesuer, It means uiat they were not doing their share, while Cnester was doing more than her snare. That Was tne point that influenced tne committee. He moved tne adoption of their recommendation. Air. sutler: Has tne doctor been vaccinating wholesale? A ciMardian: Y (IS, practically. Mr. K I'. Hallmark seoonded the motion. He considered that uuiing tne small-pox scare con- siderable injury w-s uone by the publication 01 the laei that tney nud a case or two in Chester. He wantoa it to yo out now with equal publicity that Uneste>r was iree frolil srnaii-pox. The Kiev. F. iLuwaias read a letter from the principal medical oul,er ot Dublin, in the "Irish times,' to tne on,cc, tuat as smdl-pox: now exists in Uiasgow and aeveiai places adjaoeiit, and that as persons irom inose piaces came irequently to Uuoun, th&re was a. possibility of the danger 01 its spreading, it was uijjed upon persons whtt had not been vaccinated w nave that valuable opera- tion peri-cumed. tie aiso gave it as his opinion that it was better to bt> re-vaccmated when small- pox was not prevuienc. Air. tiutier: H ud.t is the date of that? The lWv. F. Edwards: uanuary 22, Ib04. The Kev. E. (J. >vndes: There are 24 cases of smaii-pox in x' cstou. The Cnairman. nua were are several at St. Helens and v» anui^wu. Mr. Lowndes moved as an amendment that the doctor continue to vaccinate tramps. |vi r Nixon saia uiat while he did not believe in vaccination niinsett, he d.d not take the re- sponsibility 01 &ay nig tnat there should be no vaccination. VY uat tue committee wanted was tnat people in tue nouse should please tnemselves whether tney would De vaccinated or not. People over 60 years 01 age had been conipuisorny vac- cinated, and he objected to an old woman, per- haps put teinpoittiuy m tile house, being com- pelled to be re-vacoiiiated. Vaccination was a punishment to people ot that age. in one quar- ter the doctor had leelved. over £ 30 in vaccina- tion fees, while ms visits had only averaged an hour and twenty minutes. The Kev. F. XL.dwai.ds seconded Mr. Lowndes's amendment. Mr. Sutler: Has the doctor compelled anyone to be re-vaccinated against his will? The Chairman: INO, not in a single case, so far as we understand. Mr. Butler: i uu appear to have no power over the doctor at an it ne can earn £.30 a quarter in vaccination fees besides what we pay him. 1 think it is a great shame that he should vaccinate everyone who COUILS tnrough the tramp waid. In reply to tne .Ji.ev. w. Jones, the Master said there were 26b le-vaccmations during the quarter. Mr. H. Crowder said he knew of one case where an aged man suneimg iiom rheumatism had been vaocinated contrary to his wish. Mr. Cox tnougnt a was a great shame that the doctor should be attacked in this manner in his absenoe. Statements nad been made which he very much oouoted couid be proved. Mr. Hallmark objected to Mr. Cox's expression. Personally, he did not, tuink any of the guardians had attacked the aodor. They had attacked the system of vaccinating everybody who came into tii e house. Several members also denied having made an attaok upon the doctor. The Rev. T. P. JJimcnd Hogg asked if it was a fact, that most outbreaks of smail-pox almost in- variably came trom tne tramp wards of the work- house, and wnetner there was not a special reason wny re-vaccination might not be more necessary in their case than in others. Mr. Butler: Have we had a case of small-pox at all in the house? The Clerk replied that there had been two. Mr. Crowder considered the remarks of Mr. Cox uncalled for. The case he had quoted he could bring a man to prove. The Rev. W. Jones said he, would' vote for the vaccination and re-vaccination of tramps, say for the next three months. Mr. Dobson contended that small-pox ras an epidemic had d,êd out, and the guardians had power to determine when re-vaccination should cease. He believed that a good many guardians in that room thought the time had arrived when the enormous expenditure of L230 should cease. Whether they were justified in wasting E230 a yoar in sustaining a theory remained for the Board to decide. They were all very anxious that tbe character and the purse of the doctors should not suffer, but how about the poor ratepayers and the poor people in the house who had practically boeii coerced into vaccination? I After further discussion the question was put to the vote, and the amendment was defeated' by 14 votes to 10. The committee's recommenda- tion was therefore carried. The Chairman: I am not in sympathy with the resolution, and if it had come to my casting vote, ib would have gone c'n. the other side. I A FOSTER-MOTHER'S RESIGNATION. The Visiting Committee reported the resigna- tion of Mis-s A. E. Tickle as foster-mother of the Saughall Home, owing to her intention to join a friend going to Canada. GUARDIANS' ATTENDANCES. Saughall Home, owing to her intention to join a friend going to Canada. GUARDIANS' ATyENDANCES. In the absence cf Mr. Preston, Mr. Dobson moved' that the Clerk prepare a return of the attendane-es of guard.ans at board and committee meetings, during their three years' tenure of office. Mr. Hallmark, in seoonding, said he did not t'hink the return wcuid have any effect on the public, because if he remembered aright, at the last election the man who had put in the fewest attendances was at the top of the poll. (Laugh- ter.) ° Xfter some discussion the resolution was car- ried. THE VAGRANCY PROBLEM. The Clerk reported that the Vagrancy Com- mittee 'had considered the vagrancy question, and' recommended the Board to adopt a memorial to be sent to the Local Government Board. The memorial which the committee had drawn up stated that in the opinion of the guardians the laws and regulations with respect to vagrants had altogether failed to accomplish their purpose in preventing vagrancy and the dangerous conse- quences therof, that by far the greatest number of vagrants were professional tramps who passed from one workhouse to another and were maintained at the. expense of the ratepayers, spreading infectious dnease throughout the country and being a source ot great.danger to the public at lartre. esnanialK- during the small-pox opidemic. A great number of tramps while, on the road could beg sufficient rn j, to pay for a night's lodgings, and go to the lowest c-. tsi of common lodging-house, so causing further miscmef in spreading disease. In the opinion of the guardians a remedy for vagrancy mio-ht be found in. the establishment of labour colonies in rural districts where professional vagrants could b-j detained and compelled to work. They, there- f°r^» pray&d that the- Local Government Board would take into consideration the whole subject of vagrancy, particularly the treatment of the pro- fessional tramp, and introduce with the least pos- sit) delay such legislation as would meet the evils.—The Clerk informed the Board that this is memorial had been forwarded to the Local Government Board. and Mr. Vernon said that authority had now the subject of vagrancy under consideration.

PRODSHAM^ MEMORIAL SHIELD. -On Sunday morning the Frodsham detachment of the 2nd Vol. Batt. Cheshire Regiment paraded in full force in the Drill Hall, and. headed by the band, marched up Main-street and Church-street to the Parish Church for divine service. A large con- gregation was present, the church being quite full. During the service Major Harrisson unveiled the Memorial Shield which had been recently erected in the church bv Iprivate subscription m commemoration of the Volunteers who served in the South African war, and formally placed it in the charge of the vioar and church- wardena of the church. The Vicar (the Rev. H. B. Blogg, M.A.) accepted the shield on behalf of him. self and his wardens, and stated that all due care would be taken in the preservation of it.

MARRIAGE OF MISS BEATRICE PAGET. ~— Lord Herbert, M.V.O., Royal Horse Guards, eldest son of the Earl of Pembroke, Lord Steward of the Household to his Majesty, was married to Miss Beatrice Paget, younger daughter of the late Lord Alexander Paget, at St. Peter's Church, Eaton square, on Thursday afternoon. A detaohment of non-oom- missioned officers and troopers of the bridegroom's troop, in King's Guard order, and accompanied by two State trumpeters, lined the portico out- side the church till the arrival of the bride. The interior was beautifully decorated, a number of tall palms forming an arch at the entrance to the chancel, and another in front of the altar, with groups of lilium auratum and foliage surrounding their stems. The bridegroom was supported by the Hon. Richard Molyneux, Royal Horse Guards, as best man. The bride, on her arrival with her mother, Lady Alexander Paget, was conducted up the aisle by her brother, Mr. Paget. Her gown of white crepe de chine was richly embroidered with Madonna lilies in chiffon and silver; and the Court train of white satin mousseline was deli- oately worked to correspond down each side, and draped with scarves of chiffon. A wreath of real orange blossom was, worn beneath an antique Brussels laoe veil lent to the bride by the Countess of Pembroke, and her jewel was a large diamond and sapphire pendant, the gift of the bridegroom. H&r bouquet of lilies of the valley was tied with the guards' colours. The train was earned by four little children: Lord Settrington, the Hon. Maynard Greville, and the little daughters of Mrs. Rupert Beckett and Lady Beatrice Rawson. The boys wore mousquetaire costumes of pale blue satin with shirts of white chiffon, lace ruffles, and blue capes lined with white, while their white felt hats were plumed with long blue feathers. The little girls were in white satin frocks veiled with chiffon, with blue satin cloaks like the pages, and large quaint bonnets of white satin with blue feathers. The eight bridesmaids were: Miss Paget, sister of the bride Lady Muriel Herbert, sister of the bridegroom; Miss StapLeton Cotton, Lady Evelyn Innes-Ker, the Hon. Ethel Gerard, Miss Colebrooke, the Hon. Eleanor Brougham, and Lady Kathleen Thynne. They were dressed in white accordion-pleated cos- tumes, edged with sable, w.th laced yokes to the crossed bodices and high belts of gold tissue. Large sprays of pink roses were fastened in front of their gowns, and they wore pale blue Napoleon hats trimmed with gold galon and brown feathers shading to light blue. They carried Prayer-books bound in white vellum, and wore brooches with initials and coronet in diamonds, given by the bridegroom. The Guardsmen entered the church and followed the bridal procession up the aisle, where they remained till the end of the ceremony. The Bishop of Salisbury performed the rite, and the Rev. Dr. Sheppard, sub-aean of the Chapels Royal; the Rev. Canon Olivier, chaplain to the Earl of Pembroke; and the Rev. John Storrs, vicar of the parish, took part in the service. The hymns were "0 Jesus, I have promised," and "0 perfect love," and the anthem was Martin's Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High." Lady Alexander Paget afterwards held a recep- tion at Stratford House, Stratford-place, lent by Sir Edward and Lady Colebrooke. The bride and bridegroom subsequently departed for Exning, the Earl of Durham's place at Newmarket. The Guardsmen who had lined the entrance during the reoeption formed up in a double line outside and gave the young pair a hearty send-off, oheering and waving their helmets as Lord and Lady Her- bert drove away. The bride's travelling dress was of blue cloth, with chinchilla hat and furs, the gift of her mother. His Majesty the King presented the bridegroom with a ruby and diamond pin, sent with an auto- graph card with the words: On the occasion of your marriage, and with best wishes for your hap- piness, from Edward R.I." His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught gave a handsome card table. The Aga Khan sent a large oollar of various gems; the officers of the Royal Horse Guards presented the bridegroom with a huge sil- ver bowl. TheDuke of Westminster's present was a silver double inkstand. Katharine Duohess of Westminster gave jewelled and gold-mounted crystal pens and paper-cutter. Lady Alexander Paget gave her daughter a large marquise diamond ring, and a complete set of table glass, handsomely decorated with gold. The bride's brothers and sister presented her with a complete toilet service in glass with gilt rims. Lord and Lady Berkeley Paget s present was a crocodile dressing-case, fully fitted, with silver-g It, monogrammed and ooroneted, and tortoiseshell brushes and boxes to correspond. There were handsome presents from the Earl of Pembroke's colleagues of the Royal Household and from the employes on his Irish and English estates. Altogether there were over 600 presents.

WELSH EDUCATION POLICY. "APPOINTED DAY" POSTPONEMENTS. DENBIGHSHIRE AND FLINTSHIRE. On Thursday Mr. W. R. Evans, clerk to the Denbigh County Council, was informed by the Board of Education that the "appointed day" for that county has been further postponed until April 1. The Board refuse to say when the Act will come into force. In March the County Coun- oil elections take place, and every electoral dis- trict in the county is to be contested. The Clerk of the Flintshire County Council (Mr. R. Bromley) also has received from the Board of Education a notification that the "appointed day" for Flintshirhich had previously been de- ferred by the Board from January 1 to February 1—has been further postponed till April 1. The Board of Education at the same time deoline to state, in reply to an iquiry from the Council, when the Act will come into operation in the county. The County Council eleotion is to take place on March 5, and the contest is expected to be of a lively character. FLINTSHIRE TEACHERS' CRITICISM. The annual meeting of the Flint County Teachers' Association was held' at Mold on Satur- day afternoon, Mr. J. W. Connell, of Connah's Quay, presiding. There was an attendance of close upon fifty teachers from all parts of the county. Mr. J. W. Connell was elected presi- dent, and Mr. Adkins (Hawarden) vice-president. Mr. Fred Phillips, of Rhyl, was re-elected sscre- tary, and it was agreed that he should also under- take the duties of treasurer, Mr. R. Jones (Flint) having expressed a desire to resign the office. The committee was constituted as follows: —Miss Baker, Miss Crofts, Messrs. Tom Jones, David Jones, J. Tyson, W. M. James, Ll. P. Jones, T. Martindale, John Jones, W. T. Phillips, H. Dickinson, and T. H. Haswell (ex-officio as a member of the Education Committee). The secre- tary and nine other members were deputed to at- tend this year's conference at Portsmouth. The address of the President dealt with the present strife in educational affairs and the effect upon the welfare of the child and upon education. He referred to the scarcity of teachers in neigh- bouring counties in England and to the better in- ducements there held cut, and he feared that there would soon commence an exodus of teachers from that county that would have a serious effect upon education. Unless matters were speedily settled education would reoeive a blow from which it would' not recover for six years, at least. Not only would elementary schools suffer but inter- mediate schools as well, seeing that 75 per cent. of the pupils in tlhe latter schools came from the elementary schools. The President gave statis- tics shewing how much Flintshire was behind the English counties in primary education. He ap- pealed for a cessation of this struggle and for an administration of the Act which would secure equal opportunity for each dhild and each school. (Applause.) He hoped that the County Council would, in the words of the leader of the London Progresseve party, administer the Act in a pro- gressive spirit, free from sectarian bias, impar- tially in the public interest, in the interests of edu- cation, and of the children." (Applause.) An animated discussion followed upon the fol- lowing motion by Mr. W. M. James:—"That tms meeting of teachers engaged in Board and \oluntary schools expresses its deep regret that the appointed day' has been/ postponed, and hopes the County Council will find means to ad- minister the Act in its entirety, so as to secure that each child in the county shall have the same educational advantages."—Mr. R. Jones seconded. An amendment was moved by Mr. Griffith Jones (Coed Talon) urging the contending parties to find some way out of the present deadlock. He did so because he thought the present dead- lock was not because of the attitude of the County Council. It was not the County Council that postponed the "appointed day."—(A voice: "The County Council caused the postponement.") Tney were asking the County Council to do gometi ing they never would. He deplored the present state of affairs, but he opposed the proposition because of its partisan character.—(A voice Rubbish.") The proposition would' be hailed with delight by Conservatives and Churchmen, and would not be a coop ted in Nonconformist and Liberal circles. (Interruption.) Mr. Haswell thought that the-names of political and religious parties should not be introduced. The President thought it would be better to speak in that assembly entirely as teachers. Mr. Griffith Jones still maintained that it was a partisan proposition. They had one party fighting for popular control and another party for dogmatic teaching in the schools. They were really passing a vote of censure on the County Council for taking up the attitude of not grantiug rate aid to non-provided schools. The amendment was seconded by Mr. R. T. Evans (Leeswood), but on being put to the vote secured only three supporters. The original motion was declared carried by a large majority.

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions of hie corresponds i. Ss. All letters must be authenticated by the sender's name and address, not necessarily for publication. Correspondents are particularly requested to write onlj on one side of the paper. ,'O-

WORKHOUSE AND WATERWORKS. TO THB EDITOR. Sir,-It is not my intention to reply to the imaginary inaccuracies of my statement fostered by the Waterworks Co. For the time being it will suffice if the company will be good enough to publish the Guardians' reply to the letter in question. I may be allowed to remind your readers that previous to this dispute the Guardians paid about JB200 per year for water. It is now two years since they declined to pay meter charges. Further, the Guardians have no power to pay bills exceeding six months' standing. The com- pany have been warned of this with a request to recover. If the company have not misconstrued their position, surely the shareholders should be considered. # With regard to charges in Liverpool, I said in my letter that charges by meter in Chester were Is. 6d. per 1,000 gallons, against 6d. in Liverpool. This I repeat; concessions to large buyers do not affect the point in either town. I might have gone further. Charges in the £ for domestic purposes on houses JE15 ratable value in Chester are prac- tically Is. lid., Liverpool only 7 d., Man- chester, 8d., and Birkenhead lOd. I have no feeling against the Waterworks Com- pany. My only ambition is that the electorate should "wake up and use the power given them to secure water and gas in Chester at modern prices.—Yours truly, H. CROWDER. Mona Lodge, Hoole-road, Jan. 20, 1904.

THE IINIVERRTTY OF WALES. «. EXTENSION OF THE CHARTER. A meeting of the Court of the University of Wales was held at Shrewsbury on Friday, under the presidency of Dr. Isambard Owen, the senior deputy chaplain. The principal business was the procedure to be adopted in considering a memorial of the county borough of Swansea that the Swansea Technical College be declared a college in which students may pursue courses of study for the degress of the University. The whole matter, with the principle it was said to raise of an open door to further extension, was exhaustively de- bated in a sitting lasting over five hours. The Standing Executive Committee submitted the following two alternatives: (a) Of having the Swansea Technical College declared by a supple- mentary charter or extension of the present charter to be a constituent college; (b) of obtain- ing a relaxation of the obligation contained in the charter that a candidate for an initial degree should have studied at a constituent college. Mr. Brynmor Jones moved an amendment that if the County Council or county borough of Swansea should petition the Privy Council to declare the Swansea Technical College a con- stituent college of the University, the court should signify its assent to the making, of a supplementary charter and support the petition. In his opinion it would be far better for Swansea to appeal to the Privy Council than for the court to do it. He asked the court to say that they were willing to encourage every institution like Swansea College, and that they would support them if they were public spirited enough to appeal to the Privy Council for an extension of charter. (Applause.) Mr. Marchant Williams seconded the amend- ment. Principal Reichel said it was with great reluctance that he opposed Mr. Brynmor Jones's proposal. They were at the parting of the ways and the question was whether it should be "the more the merrier" or maintaining a few institu- tions and those of high rank. Ultimately a resolution was adopted nem. con. that the appeal of the Swansea Corporation could best be met by an extension of the charter that would give the University power to admit to privileges any institution possessing adequate facilities in point of equipment and staff for the teachuig covering the whole course of work for an initial degree in any faculty, the privileges being at least those of presenting candidates for degrees in that faculty under XIV. of the charter.

EDDISBURY PETTY SESSIONS. --+- MONDAY.—Before Mr. Hugh Lyle Smyth (in the chair), Sir Philip Grey-Egerton, Mr. G. R. Davies, Mr. J. H. Stock, M.P., and Mr. H. C. Burdur. SHORT WEIGHT IN COAL.—Frederick Ellison, coal merchant, We-averham, was sum- moned for causing short-weight coal in. bags to be offered' for sale, while Ralph Newton, Church- street Weaver ham, carter, was summoned for re- fusing to reweigh the bags of ooal.-Altred iim- mis Inspector of Weights and Measures, said that on Jaunary 15th he, in company with his assistant, saw Newton in charge of a coal lurry, owned by Ellison from which he was delivering coal to a house. He examined the weights and measures and found them properly stamped. He asked Newton to weigh a few bags. The third one was 71b. short, and the fifth 41b. short. Each one was labelled one cwt. After that the man refused to weigh any more sacks.—Cross-examined by Mr. J. E. Fletcher, solicitor, Nort'hwich, who defended, witness said the sacks were open at the top, and were full up. It was very seldom that coal fell off the bags. He did not think that a different tare bag than usual was put on the scales.—Mr. Fletcher, in addressing the magistrates, said de- fendant Ellison had bean in the coal trade for over 26 years. He was a busy man and had,many public appointments, and he was largely at the mercy of his employes in carrying on his business. He, however, acoepted full responsibility, and at the time the coal was made up in the bags it was most oarefully weighed and was exactly right. The only way the deficiency could be accounted for was that a wet sack was used as a tare sack, and that would account for about 4Lb. That would I wipe. out the deficiency in one case, and reduced that in the other bag to 31b. The magistrates that in the other bag to 31b. The magistrates would agree that Mr. Ellison could not be guilty of intention to send out short weights.—The I Chairman said the feeliiig of the Bench was that there was no intention to give short weight, and' the cases was dismissed against Mr. Ellison. Newton was fined 5s. and costs. I BRUTAL CRUELTY TO A COW.-John Fleet, Birch Heath, Tarporley, labourer, and Henry Harding, labourer, Bunbury, were sum- moned for cruelly ill-treating a cow on January 4th at Beeston.—Inspector Blake-Jones, R.S.P.C.A., said he saw the two defendants at Beeston sale on January 4th severely beating a worn-out oow about the head and hind quarters. He had had much complaint from farmers about the manner cows wore treated.—The Chairman Does the auctioneer never interfere?—Witness: I am afraid not. They try to get through their business. That ill the real pith of the matter. I have only summoned a man onoo before. —The Chairman: He rather enoougages them ?-Wit- ness He paid the fine in the last instance for the man I summoned.—The Chairman: We think this is a very gross case and the auctioneer is certainly to blame for not stopping this conduct, and if it occurs again the Bench will consider about applying for his licence to be stopped. De- fendants will be fined 10s. and costs. If a case about applying for his licence to be stopped. De- fendants will be fined 10s. and costs. If a case of that kind occurred again the Bench would think very seriously of sending the offenders to prison without the option of a fine. MISCELLANEOUS.—On the evidence of P.S. Brew, Thomas Grindley, labourer, Oscrcft, and' Jesse Walker, labourer, Manley, were fined 5s. each for drunkenness; and on the statement of P.C. Waite, George Birohwood, labourer, Ashton, was ordered to pay IQa. for using bad language

MR. YERBURGH AT BLACKBURN COTTON TRADE AND TARIFFS. Speaking at Mellor, near Blackburn, on Mon- day night, Mr. Robert Yerburgh, M.P. for Chester, repudiated the statement that the Fiscal question was a party one Rather did it act as solvent on parties, for many who had worked in the ranks of the Radical party had ranged them- selves under the leadership of Mr. Chamberlain, while members of the Unionist party could not see their way to follow that statesman. He warned his hearers against the fallacy of believ- ing that Mr. Balfour's policy was the same as Mr. ClAamberlain' )s. While Mr. Chamberlain pro- posed the erection of tariff walls round the coun- try, Mr. Balfour said when he saw any industry suffering from unfair competition he would come to the assistance of that trade if he could do so without hurting other industries. As a Free Trader and free importer, he was perfectly pre- pared to accept that policy, because it would be one that would be for the good of the country. Mr. Balfour had exercised a very wise discretion. Mr. Yerburgh next pointed out the possible re- sults of Mr. Chamberlain's policy on the cotton trade, and said if they put a duty on manufac- tured cotton goods coming into this country, the most- they could hope to capture would be some 4 million sterling. Looking at the matter from the standpoint of what was best for Lancashire to-day, he said at once if they adopted this Pro- tective system they would run into the danger of increasing the price of production to such an ex- tent that they would lose their neutral markets. (Hear, hear.) There were 25 000 people engaged in weaving and spinning in Blackburn, and out of this 25,000 some 2,500 were engaged in the home trade, the other 22,500 were engaged in foreign trade. Did not that shew the enormous preponderance of the interest Blackburn had in the Indian, China and the other trades abroad, rather than in the home trade? Respecting cotton growing, it was a matter of surprise that the smart brains of Lancashire men had not thought of a scheme for raising Empire-grown cotton years ago Lancashire did not pay sufficient attention to the great markets in China, and it behoved them to keep a careful eye on that part of the world, and insist that the British Government should keep the China trade open to the whole world, with equal facilities for all. Finally, Mr. Yerburgh recommended the establishment of a Royal Com- mission of Inquiry, holding that. the discussions that had already taken place demanded it, and a resolution was unanimously passed approving of the appointment of such a commission.

MILK SUPPLY. CHESHIRE FARMERS AND CORPORA- TIONS. COMPENSATION FOR SLAUGHTERED COWS. At the annual meeting of the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association, held at Crewe on Monday, some interesting things were said about the sup- ply of milk and the regulations of Manchester and other corporations. The Earl of Crewe pre- S1<Irf the annual report the Council impressed on the members of the Association the conviction that the highest interest of milk producers could only be served by their givmg every assistance and sup- port to public health authorities in the effort to stamp out the adulteration of milk in all its forms. As was anticipated, every local authority is asking for and obtaining power to prevent the sale of tuberculous milk. This cannot be objected to, as, whether tuberculous milk is dangerous to human health and life or not, everyone must ad- mit that it is not wholesome, and therefore ought not to be sold for human consumption. Your Council is therefore directing its energies not to the prevention of the passing of these local Acts, I but (1) to seeing that while the publio are pro- tected the interests of the farmers are properly safeguarded, and (2) to carefully watchmg tihe ar^ ministration of these Acts." The Council went on to regret that the Manchester Corporation, while treating with every courtesy the deputation of the Association, declined the most reasonable request that when the Corporation sought to have cows affected with tuberculosis of the udder slaughtered they should pay a reasonable amount of compensation to the owner. In the month of August certain publio officials thought well to make some very objectionable and highly coloured statements respecting the way in which milk pro- ducers oonducted their business; this was followed by several sensational articles in the public press, to the effect generally that the milk trade was in a filthy condition, and was the direct means of conveying diseases of several kinds to the con- sumers. resulting in a large amount of infantile mortality. Your Council felt it to be their duty to take notice of these statements, and instructed the secretary to prepare a paper defending mem- bers of this Association from these aspersions; this was done, and a fitting opportunity was found to read the paper to a Manchester audience. There was an attendance of at least 1,000 people, composed of the poorer class, who unfortunately are not in the habit of using much milk. The Council are satisfied that much good must result from such meetings as the one referred to, not only in presenting the facts of the case concerning the production of milk before the public,, but also in encouraging the greater use of so valuable a food." The Earl of Crewe, in moving the adoption of the report, commented on the friction that had arisen between certain local authorities and the country milk producers. They all admitted, he thought, that the health authorities of cities were bound to exercise the utmost vigilance in seeing that the milk which was supplied to the inhabitants was of good quality, and in particular that it was the kind of milk that could not spread disease. But he thought it was impossible in every case to congratulate these authorities either on the taot or the knowledge with which they had attempted to carry out these duties. He had expressed him- self most freely on this subject at Chester two years ago, when the late Mr. Hanbury was pre- sent. He was glad to find that everything they said on that occasion had Mr. Hanbury's distinct agreement. He had never had an opportunity of discussing the question with the present Minister of Agriculture, who was a friend of his, but he hoped to do so some day, and he should not- be surprised to find that he also took very much the same view that was taken at Chester. He had always guarded himself against saying anything unfair about the action of these local authorities, because their general object was one with which all the members of the Association had the warmest possible sympathy. (Hear, hear.) But they were entitled as citizens of a free country to draw at- tention to instances- in which they thought local authorities had usurped powers that did not be- long to them, and to other cases in which such authorities had used powers they did possess in an arbitrary and unfair manner. The Association an arbitrary and unfair manner. The, Association would have an opportunity of considering in 00m- mitteee some proposal's which the Manchester Cor- poration desired to embody in their next Parlia- mentary Bill with regard to the sale of tuber- culous milk. He could not discuss that matter till the committee had met, but there was one point on which they had considered the action of the Manchester Corporation to be somewhat severe— viz., with regard to the slaughtering of cows with- out compensation. The committee had endeav- oured unsuccessfully during the past year to get the Corporation to assent to the principle of com- pensation, and it was hardly necessary to say that the Corporation did not include anything of this kind in their Bill. It seemed to him to be a matter of ordinary fairness that if an animal was commanded to be slaughtered in the public in- terest those who issued the command should com- pensate the owner of the animal. The committee would not eease to press this point on the atten- tion of the Corporation, and, if necessary, on the attention of Parliament. Colonel Dixon, seconded the resolution, and said that the Cheshire farmers were to be congratu- lated on the fewness of the cases of milk Udultera- tion. With regard to the regulations for the visiting of farms by officers of city health authori- ties, he said that the Association had been met in a very nioe way by Liverpool, who had agreed that when a visit was necessary the local medical officer I of health should also be present. Manchester, however, would not-make this concession. SUGGESTIONS TO DAIRY FARMERS. Mr. A. Hailwood, a delegate from the Man- cheter Milk Dealers' Association, commended the valuable work being done by the Association in educating farmers to produce clean and healthy milk. He recommended methods of keeping milk clean, and pointed out that it was to the benefit of farmers to be most careful in this matter. The best way to increase the consumption of their milk was to make the people sure that the nulk sent from Cheshire was from clean and healthy cattie, well housed He thought it was important to have the milk supply from the country instead of from city dairies. The cows in the latter were fed largely on brewers' grains, which produced unnatural milk, and if they were put out to graze anywhere within nine or ten miles of the city they had smoky grass to eat. He regretted the waste during certain times of the y,ea.r of separated milk, which was a most valuable article of food, and he suggested that the poor children attending the Board schools might be served with a glass each during the play hour. The effect of this on ill- nourished ohiidren would be greatly to improve their health. Though the milk consumed in Man- chester had increased in the last ten years from 18,000 to 30,.000 gallons, there was room for a fur- ther increase if people oouid be got to appreciate the value of milk as a food. He pointed out that though the city spent three millions a year on intoxicating drinks, its milk bill only amounted to half a million. The report was then adopted unanimously, and other routine business transacted. Lord Crewe was re-elected president. The Parlianiont-ary Committee, which met after- wards to consider the Manchester Bill, was in- vested by the Council with full power to act.

CHESTER STOCK & SHARE LIST Reported by Messrs. W ARMSLEY, JONRS & Co., 29, Eastgate Row (North), Chester. CONSOLS 87i BANK KATB i% v Present. price. OheaterCorporation 3J Irredeemable Stock 116-118 Chester Corporation 3 Redeemable Stock a*—100 Chester Gas Co. 5% Ordinary Stock 113—115 4 Preference Stock .10i)-W:> I Debenture Stock —97 ChesterWaterworks Co 71 Consolidated Stock 180-185 It t, 7 New Ordinary Stock, 1st and 2nd moieties 170-175 6 B10 Perpetual Preference Shares, fully paid 16J—17$ Wrexham and East Denbighshire WaterCo. Consolidated Stock 130-185 » » Cons. Pref. Stock 116—120 Ordinary Stock Iz5—130 Hawarden& District WaterCo. 410 Shares, fullypaid.par Nat. Prov. Bank of England, Ltd. £75 Shares, £10 10s. paid 47 -48 >, >> £ 60 Shares, £ 12 paid y4?—554 North and South Wales Bank, Ltd. £ 40 Shafes, £ 10 paid +34J—34J Parr's Bank, Ltd. £ 100 Shares, 420 paid 85J—S6J Lloyds Bank, Lt(L. L50 Shares, £8 paid 32*— 33 Bank of Liverpool, Ltd. 4100 Shares, C12 109. paid *34 -34! British Law, Life, Fire Insur., Ltd. zP,10 Shares, Ll paid 13—2^ Chester Boat Co., Ltd. £10 Shares, fully paid Chester Cocoa House Co.,Ltd. £ 5 „ 94 „ 5—7 £ 5 £ 3 „ 4—6 Chester General Cemetery Co £ 5 „ fully paid .par Chester New Music Hall Co., Ltd. 225 „ .18 Chester Norths-ate Brewery Co., Ltd. Ord. klo Shares, fully paid.11 -12 6 210 Pref. Shares, fully p(L. 12t-121 4 £100 Debentures.par Bent's Brewery, Ld. zclo Ordinary Shares 111-12 ft £ 10 Pref. Shares 10 —10* Birkenhead Brewery Co., Ltd £10 Shares, jB5 paid 141-14.1 £10 Shares, fully paid 1S|—19^ Chester Grosvenor Hotel Co., Ltd. £ 20 Pref. Shares 24-26 Chester Queen Rail- way Hotel Co., Ld. £ 20 Shares, tully paid .26- 28 11 t20 L10 13 -14 Chester Blossoms Hotel, Ltd. Rio fully paid .9 -10 Chester Steam Laundry Co., Ltd. 95 „ „ „ 9—10 Chester Race Co., Ltd. £ 100 „ 275 190—200 Dee Oil Co., Ltd £ 1 Ord Shares Walkers, Parkers & Co., Ltd. 1:10 Shares, fully paid, 6 Cum. Pref 1-2 41 Debentures 80-85 J. H. Billington, Ltd., Chester 41 First Mort. Deben. Stock .par „ 5 Cum. Pref. E10 Shares par ,1 „ Ordinary 1:10 Shares par Victoria Pier and Pavilion Co., Colwyn Bay, Ltd. £ 1 Ordinary Shares 15/—20/- I Halkyn Dr'inage Co. VIO Shares, fully paid 19 -20 Halkyn Mining Co., Ltd. 21 Shares, fully paid 6 -8 Holywell Halkvn Mining and Tun- nel Co., Ltd £1 Shares fully paid .2S/-30/- East Halkyn Mining Co., Ltd. £,1 .fully paid.3-4 South Halkyn Min- ing Co., Ltd Lq „ „ „ North Hendre Min- ing Co., Ltd. E2 10s. Shares, fully paid 2|—3 Talacre Mining Co., Ltd. iCi Ord £ 1 Pref. „ „ „ United Minera Co. Ltd £ 1 Ord. „ Isle of Man Mining Co., Ltd. (Fox- dale) Mines 25 14—2 Pref., 217 10s. paid 25-30 Llanarmon Mining Co., Ltd. JEl Ord., fully paid 2/C—7/6 „ JBlPref. „ „ 7/6—12/d Wirral Railway 3 Debenture Stock .85;-86t 4 P.10 Pret. Shares (1896 issue). 8i—9J 4 elOPref. „ (1899 issue).8J—9J: Wirral Railways Co. Ltd RIO Ord. Shares, fully paid ,.1-J—2i *Ex dividend. tEx dividend and bonus.

MARKETS AND FA MS. 0 LIVERPOOL CORN, TUESDA Y.- Wheat slow trade at M. under Friday; No. 2 hard Manitoba, 6s. 6d. to 6s. 6id. No. 1 Northern Duluth, 6s. 6d. to 6s W. Beam, Saidi, 28s. to- 28s. 3d. Peas, Canadian, 5s. 6d to 5s. 7d. Oats, white, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 7d. yellow and black, 28. 2d. to 2s. 3d. Maize, quiet at Friday's rates; old mixed, 4s. 6Jd. to 4s. 6fd. new, 4s. 3id. to 4s. 3fd. Plate. 4s. 2Jdl to 4s. 3d. Flour unchanged. SALFORD CATTLE, TUESDA Y.-Atmarket: Cattle 2,035, slow trade, at last week's Drices; sheep 7,361, trade very quiet calves 153, with fair business. Quotations: Cattle, 5d. to 61d. sheep, 6d. to 9¥1. calves, 6d. to 9d. per lb. WREXHAM CATTLE, MONDA Y.-Them was a very good supply of stock at to-day's market, and trade was about the same as for the last few weeks. The dematid for beef, shewed, however, a slight advance, but pigs were still quiet. Quota- tions .-Beef, 5fd. to 7d. per lb.; mutton, W. Ito 7. veal, 7d. to 8d. and pigs from 8s. 9d. to 9a. per score lb. LIVERPOOL CATTLE, MONDA Y. There was a smaller supply of. cattle on offer than on Monday last. Demand slow though firm, last week's quotations governing most transactions. Sheep supply also smaller. Trade inactive, and although sellers were open to accept reduced rates a clearance could not be affected. Prices Beef, 6id. to4id.; mutton, Scotch 9id. to 7d., ditto, Irish 8gd. to 5id. per lb. LONDON CATTLE, MONDAY.-Beastsupply, compared with Monday last shewed an increase df 90, chiefly due to larger arrivals from Ireland and eastern counties. Trade for both prime and second quality slow; nevertheless prices remained unchanged, the few Scotch beasts offered being cleared early at late rates. Fat cows met a better trade, with a slight upward tendency in value, although not quality. Top rates :-90-stone polled Aberdeens, 4s. 4d. to 4s. 6d 90-stone polled Norfolks, 4s. 4d., plain ditto, 4s. 2d.; 90 to 95-stone Herefords, 4s 2d. to 4s. 4d 95-stone runts 4s. to 48. 2d. 100-stone shorthorns, 3a. 8d. to 4s. per 81b. There was a decrease of 950 in the sheep market, and trade shewed rather more still for wether sheep, neat handy weights selling best. Trade for Scotch extremely slow, the Reason for which is now drawing to a close. More inquiry for ewes, but rates un- changed. Lambs met more demand at 2d. per 81b. advance. Quotations Beasts, 2s. 8d. to 4s. 6d. • sheep. 3s. 4d. to 5s. lOd. lambs, 5s. lOd. to 6s. 6d. per 81b. BRADFORD WOOL, MONDAY. Users generally seem td be refraining from committing themselves further than is absolutely necessary to the new and higher basis of values until London lias- more permanently declared itself. But. on the other hand, top makers are taking a bolder stand, and if there is as yet no further tangible advance in the raw material the tendency is still distinctly against the buyer. English is sharing in the improvement. MANCHESTER HAY AND STRAW, MON- DAY '-Hiy, 4d. to -Qd.; clover, 5d. to 6d.; straw (wheat), 3d. to 3gd.; ditto (oat), 2jfd. to 3Jd. per stone of 14 lbs. CHESTER CHEESE, WEDNESDAY.—At this fair there was a pitch of about 30 tons, being 10 tons more than, at the corresponding fair last year. Tbe market opened with a good attendance of buyers, and business was fairly good, though there was the absence of that excitement generally noticeable at the early fairs. The best lots sold from 68s. to 73s. 6d. medium brought from 62s to 66s., with a few common lots down to 57s 6d. A good clearance was effected. Though there was a larger pitch, prices were slightly lower than they were at last year's fair, but as American cheese reaches only 54s., Cheshire farmers do not expect to eet much Dast 70s. CHESTER CATTLE, THURSDAY.-At this fair the supply was smaller and there was a quiefc trade. The demand for store cattle was very slow, and prices irregular; but good dairy stock continued to meet a ready sale. Quotations on the whole were unchanged from last week. There were no sheep on the market. Prices:—Milch cows, 917 to £221; calves, £ 15 to B20 barrens, 910 to JB13 heifers, JE8 to £14; stirks, jE8 to B9. CHESTER EGG AND POULTRY.-Butt.er Is. 2d. and Is. At. per lb eggs. 8 and 9 for Is. geese, lOd. a lb. turkeys, Is. a lb. chickens, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. each; ducks, 3s. 6d. to 4s. each-, pheasants. 5s. 6d. to 6s. a brace; hares, 4s. 6d. to 5s. each rabbits, Is. to Is. 2d. each; pigeons, 8d. and 9d. each. CHESHIRE BUTTER AND EGG.-The home dairy supply was fully sufficient to meet the demand. Quotations steady at all centres. New-laid eggs have been offered at better rates. at some markets. Stockport (Friday): Butter, la. 2d. and Is. 3d. per lIb.; s, 8 for Is. Crewe (Friday): Butter. is. 2d. per lb. eggs, 7 and 8 for Is. Northwich (Friday): Butter, Is. and Is. 3d. per lb, eggs, 8 for Is. Saadbach (Thursday): Butter Is. 3d. per lb.; eggs, 8 for Is Macclesfield Batter.Is. 2d. per lb. eggs, 8 for Is. Congleton: Better, Is. 3d. per lb. eggs, 7 and 8 ior Is. Alteincham: Butter, Is. 3d. per lb.; eggs. 7 and 8 for Is. Nantwich Butter, 1s. 3d. and Is. 4d. per lb.; eggs, 9 for 1s.. Knutsford Butter, Is. 4d. per lb. eggs, 7 and & for 18. Runcorri Butter, Is. 3d. per lb.; eggs, 7 for Is. ChesterButter, Is. 2d. and Is. 3d Der lb.; eggs 8 Is. CHESTER CORN. SATURDAY. Values of all descriptions of English grain are about unchanged at to-day's market, with only & quiet trade passing. Indian corn is very fina and continues steady at recent higher figures. Foreign wheat quiet, unchanged, with a small Wgwaaa Quotations:— mw w.n 8. D. 8. D. g. a fc ft Wheat, white., per ,-oib 0 0 to 1 0 0 0 to 0 0 Wheat, red 751b 00 — 4000 — On Malting Barlej. 601b. 00 — 0000—0 0 Grinding do "-Ill,, 00 — 0000—00 Oats Wlb. 2 2— 25130 — S3 Beans. 4 9 5 G: 0 0 0 0 Egyptian Bcaiiv -.U„n. u IJ 0 0 0 0 0 il 9 U 0i 0 0 12 ti '1 Printed and published for and on behalf of the Bbifø and North Wales, Newspaper Company, Limited, bv JAMES ALBERt BIKGMAUL. at the Chester C'ourafit oqlee, & Badge-Sir <1, in th<4 Oitv of Cheater.— W«D*WM* -v, Jauin'r

LICENCE CONFISCATION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The holding of the annual licensing meet- ings throughout England and Wales commences on February 1. Last year many licensing benches threatened that they would this year take steps to effect a reduction in the number of licences. The idea of the arbitrary confiscation of rights which have grown up in the shadow of the law is repugnant to many persons who have no interest whatever in the licensed trade. The inequity of a procedure under which the licence of one well-conducted house is refused, and the licensee ruined, for no fault of his own, while the result probably is merely to increase the receipts of another trader, cannot fail to offend the sense of justice. It is plain that a proper settlement can only come from Parliament. It is, therefore, surely clear that at the present Brewster Sessions —with legislation promised and impending-the justices should be content to let the matter of arbitrary reduction rest. They should act in con- formity with the custom which has until quite recently governed licensing authorities, and not interfere without cause with the licence of a well- conducted house. The above is a general proposition, but it is supported by considerations as to which. I submit, ratepayers have a special claim to make themselves heard. If licensing benches this year insist on anticipating the decision of Parliament and con- tinue to try and enforce a numerical reduction of licences while unable to grant compensation, the refusals of licences are likely to be reversed on appeal. The ratepayers will then have to provide the costs of the justices. It is well that ratepayers should realise how they may thus have to pay for impatient action on the part of a licensing tribunal.—I am, sir. yours obediently, OBSERVER.