The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

CHESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. -• The quarterly meeting of the Cheshire County Council was tiftd on Thursday at Chester Castle, Colonel George Dixon presiding over a large at tcndance GUARDIANS AND COUNCILS' ELECTIONS. The Council d scussed the adv .sai>i! ■' .• of making an altera on of the d"w (i.e., Mono- the 28th March) .xcd by tie Local Govt Board for the election of urban and fural t and parish ccuae.l o--s and guardians for urhn. polishes. --it was dec ded to fix the 26th of a the date of ti.e <eciion of urban and to adhere to t ol. h March as k: o- -or the other election- D E SES OF ANIMAL; The Cs: o Countable, in h.s rupor-i to the state of an roai disease in the count,. <1 that there hr„ been cons derabie iLt. n the number oi oaiheaks of anthrax, (dw-n cases having n rt.fied In the corri-p•>■■■• quar- ter of 1 Ui- we, e were not any vc orted. Thirtec. ^ittitwo sheep, two pig*. <<' horses and one ass vv re attacked and d:ed, und tll the carcase wet e iorthwith cremated exc 'n&t of a cow at; a k,(i at Mat pie, which had I- en re- moved to a knacke.'s premises in the 1 o-ough of Stockpc: t H was glad to be able o r-, -o- t that ha thou Et- me. s and other stoJc i were now more nadiiy notifying to the pois^ the ex- istence o' ix on their premises. 3 red by -section of s Anthrax Order of 18'X' T-.vonty- nine cas r>f ocp scab had beei o,t 408 sheep K n, at auked of wh:h nuinbo- iwo were killed f- r, died. and 61 r-eco-v, rid and 342 re- mained t d at the end of the qua. let During the past quarter 4.737 shoep were bro/iit to sale- yards w t in the county; 1 247 of such siwp were bought t the sa'es by Cheshire fium-s and butche = and 1 198 sheep out 0" the 1,247 have been d pp:>d During the quarter, 84 suspected cases o -w 1'1" fever were reported to the Board of Agriculture by local inspectors of th- county, two of such n certified to be oases of sw:ne fever. In botl; cases the disease originated among swine bred in Che-hue. There had not been any out- break o Ft"3- Five hundred and seventeen etray d4) z s ad b2en seized by the polioo during the quarter 45 were killed, 49 returned to owners, and 16 renamed under detention at the end of the uuarter \THRAX IN THE COUNTY. PROPO ED COMPENSATION TO FARMERS. A moot n of the Anthrax Sub-committee of the Executi* Committee under the D scales of Ani. mals P c-t appointed to consider the report of the Chief 1-nri table as to the recent outbreaks of anthrax n trie county, had been heid on Decem- ber 9th and attended by Professor Delepino and an impeo or the Board of Act-culture. The Chief Constable informed the sub committee that subseq oat to the last meeting of the Executive Comm tt on 23rd October there had been eight outbrcaV- of anthrax in the county, and expressed tho op n on that farmers did not ;n all cases notify to the p jIi. i' the deaths of animals on thcr farms, which deaths might in some cas-es have arisen from the animals having been affected with 'anthrax and expi-essed the further opinion that farmers a-id a'l owners of animals should be en- couraged to notify the police of all deaths of ani- mals on th ir premises by compensation being allowed to them in all oases where the deaths have been caused by anthrax. The inspector of the Board of crrictilture stated that the statistics ob- tained In the Board of Agriculture shewed that anthrax was steadily increasing, but it 'was not clear whether such increase indicated an actual -spread or the disease or merely that the disease was now better known to the public and conse- quently more deaths of animals from anthrax were reported than formerly. The inspector also stated t the reason why the Board of Agricul- ture did not nelude in the Anthrax O der now in operation the permissive power contained in the Anthrax Order of 1895 enabling local authorities to pay out of local funds compensatio-i for ani- mals slaughtered affected with anthrax and sus- pected of heing affected with that disease, was that such power had been very seldom acted upon, and in it" operat-on worked more harm than good, and he did not think it probable the Board would renew t e power Professor Delepine furnished the sub-committee with his views upon anthrax under tille following heads, viz., causes, notifica- tion, inspection and remedy, and the county medical officer of health (Dr. Vacher) and the chief veterinary inspector of the county (Mr. Laithwoori) also furnished the sub-committee with their v'ews upon such points. It was resolved- "That P ofessor Delepine, after conferring thereon with the county medical officer of health and the chief veterinary inspector, set out in a concise form his views upon the several points mentioned by him so that the same may bo printed for dis- tribution in the county; and that the committee be recommendrd to make representations to the Board of Agriculture that local authorities under the D:seases of Anima!s Act, 1894 should with a view of enabling them to prevent the spread of anthrax, have a specific power enabling them in cases where the circumstances attendant upon out- breaks or the disease of anthrax appeared to them to be expedient and advisable, to pay out of local rates compensation to owners of animals slaugh- tered as being affected with anthrax or suspected of being so affected, and suggesting that the Board should issue a supplemental Anthrax Order, re-enacting clauses 12 and 13 of the Anthrax Order of 1895 No. 5.294." The Executive Committee adopted the above report, and the following were appointed a depu- tation to nterv'ew the President of the Board of Agricu'ture and Fisheries, with a view to urging rlcu him, in order to prevent the spread of anthrax, to provide fo" the payment of compensation out of Imperial funds for the slaughter of artimals affected or suspected of being affected with that disease or, in the alternative, enabling local authorities to slaughter such animals, and to pay compensation to the owners thereof out of local funds viz :—Colonel George Dixon (chairman of the Council) Mr. C. B. Da vies (chairman of this committee), Mr. Wm. Hodgson and the Chief Constable, and that the members of Parliament for the county be invited to accompany such deputa- tion. Mr C. B. Davies, in moving the confirmation of the above minutes, regretted to observe that anthrax continued to spread in the county, fifteen more cases having arisen since the last meeting or the committee. He was sorry to say that Mr. Potts had received a letter from the Board of Agriculture, which was tantamount to a refusal to receive the deputation that was ap- pointed to wait upon them asking to bo granted the power to pay compensation out of Imperial funds for the slaughter of animals affected with anthrax. It wa3 just possible, however, that they might succeed in inducing the Board of Agricul- ture to receive the deputation if they asked to be allowed to revert to the Board's previous Anthrax Order, which enabled local authorities to kill ani- mals affected with the disease and pay compensa- tion to the owners out of local funds. The fact that there had been fifteen more cases during the last three or four weeks shewed that anthrax had increased to a somewhat serious extent in Cheshire, and it was of the utmost importance that the Council should take every possible measure to st;mp it out. Mr. Frank Barlow seconded, and the minutes were confirmed LARGE EDUCATION EXPENDITURE. Mr. C. E. Thornycroft, in moving the confirma- tion of the Education Committee's pioccedings, eaid he had intended to give the Council a resume of the work of that committee since its inception, but the chairman had anticipated him by the pub- lication of his admirable review of the work of the Council during the past three ye--rs, which in- cluded the work of the Education Committee. He quite agreed with the chairman that the work done by the educational sub-oommittecs had been very effic ient. The area sub-commits cm had been excellently constituted, and had brought to bear upon their work a great deal of technical know- ledge, which proved extremely useful. He hoped that in course of time some of the work at present done by the Education Committee would be en- trusted to those sub-committees. The most serious matter in the education work of the county that called for attention was the great increase in the expenditure. There was for in- stance, an enormous increase in ti e amount of salaries paid to teachers The increase, however, was in many cases absolutely necessary but the committee had certainly increased the ;-alares to a very alarming extent. It would b seen that teachers' salaries had cost the county something like £ 15,000. In addition to that the;, had to meet the expense of the training of teach-re which was a matter of vital importance. (H « hear.) That item also made an enormous in tho expenditure. They were also about to establish pupil teachers' centres. That subject had not yet been thoroughly discussed, but it would receive the careful attention of the committee. Mr. James Wood, in seconding the motion, said they hoped to obtain substantial result-, from the teachers in return for the consideration they had received at the hands of the committee, and that the teachers would shew that the confidence that the committee had placed in them would be amply justified. The committee expeoted radical im- provements would be made in the school buildings generally. as from the inspector's report it would be seen that many of them were altogether inade- quate, and in many respects unfit for educational work. (Hear, hear.) Having regard to the great number of children who were confined for many tours a dav in insanitary and badly ventilated buildings, the matter should reoeive very prompt attention from the managers of the schools. Re- ferring to the school attendance question, he said that bearing in mind that the percentage of at- tendance in Cheshire had been very low for many years, it was time a substantial improvement was made. As the system of school inspection which hitherto prevailed had been inadequate and alto- gether unsuitable in many respects, the present arrangements they had made should produce an increased percentage of attendance An increase of only one per cent. in the attendance would pro- duce JB1 000 to the funds of the Council, and it was thought that without any great difficulty there «horrld be an increase of three or four per cent. The minutes were confirmed. MOTOR-CAR REGULATIONS. At a meeting of the Motor-car Act Sub-commit- tee of the Main Roads Committee, consideration was given to the various regulations made under the Act, and the following recommendations we e made and adopted by the Main Roads Oommt- toe:—1. That the fee to be paid by manufac- turers and dealers in motor-cars in Cheshire be E3. 2. Thaf- no action be taken under sections 8 and 9 of the Act, unless and until it is seen that the other provisions of the A(t render such a course indispensible, and that notification of this decision be given to all the municipal boroughs within the administrative county. 3. That the consideration of the question of the setting up of sign posts denoting dangerous corners, crossroads, and p; ecipitous places, be postponed until the Local Government Board have issued their regu- lations relating theroto. 4. That no d'rections be given indicating the position of the plates con- taining the identification mark on the back and front of the car 5. That the plates forming the identifi ation mark be not supplied by the Council to the owners of registered cars. 6. That the clerk of the Council be authorised to assign to man;i- facturers or dealers in motor-cars such general identification mark as he may think fit, and th t the colouring of the plates containing such dis- tinguishing mark shall be red with white lettering thereon. 7. That the clerk of the Council perform all the duties prescribed by the regulations of the Local Government Board 8. That in registering cars and motor-cyclee preference be given to resi- dents in Cheshire, and afterwards in the order of date in which the applications are received. Sec- tions 8 and 9 above referred to empower the Local Government Board to prohibit motor-oars on any highway wiroh does not exceed 16 feet in width, or on which ordinary motor traffic would in their opinion be especially dangerous and to limit speed to not more'than ten miles an hour in local areas where this is desired. The clerk reported that he had registered six manufacturers or dealers, 184 motor cars, 128 motor cycles, and issued 387 licences to drive motor cars and 59 licences to drive motor cycles, receiving in respect thereof a sum of B345 10s., payable to the county treasurer. Alderman S. H. Sandbach, in moving the con- firmation of the minutes, pointed out that the committee had not adopted all the powers con- ferred by the Act with regard to motor cars. On the advice of the Chief Constable, it was decided not to adopt sections 8 and 9 of the Act, which empowered a county council to prohibit the use of motor cars on any highway not exceeding 16 feet in width, and to limit the speed to not more than ten miles an hour. Canon Armitstcad seconded the motion, and the minutes were confirmed. PRESERVATION OF WIRRAL FOOTPATHS. On the consideration of the minutes of the Main Roads and Bridges Committee. Alderman James Smith called attention to a resolution of the committee refusing to sanction the publication in the press of correspondence which had passed between them and the Wirral Footpaths Preservation Society as to the refusal of the committee to the erection of finger posts pointing to public footpaths in central Wirral. He pointed out that the society named somo years ago erected at their own expense finger posts pointing to all public footpaths there, which had been a great service to the community. With regard to central Wirral, they had recently prepared a complete map, and were desirous of erecting finger posts in that part of the district. He moved that the minutes of the committee be referred back for further consideration. Alderman Sandbach pointed out that when the matter came before the sub-committee they ordered the county surveyor to inspect the roads, and they ascertained that it was extremely doubt- ful whether the so-called footpaths were footpaths at all. With regard to the footpaths which they considered were of public utility, they agreed to finger posts being erected Dr. Hodgson: Let us have the correspondence published, because the rights of the public are just as important as the rights of the property owners. Mr. R. T. Richardson, while offering no objection to the publication of the correspondence, urged that the amendment was out of order, as the proceedings of the committee had twice been before the Council and twice confirmed. After further discussion, the amendment was put to the vote, and was lost. MANAGEMENT OF THE ASYLUMS. A UNIFORM CHARGE REFUSED. The Special Asylums Committee had under con sideration communications from the Stockport and Birkenhead authorities, calling attention to the large difference in the cost of maintenance of lunatics in Parkside and Upton Asylums, and re- questing the County Council to place both asylums under the management of one Visiting Committee with a view to a uniform charge being made to all the unions in the county for the maintenance of lunatics.—The Clerk informed the committee that it was competent for the County Council, under the powers conferred upon them by the Lunacy Act, to appoint one committee for the management and control of the two asylums, and that they might provide a uniform charge for the maintenance of lunatics in the asylums, and that any surpius arising on the accounts of one asylum should be applied to meet the deficit arising on the accounts of another asylum.—After receiving in conference representatives of the Birkenhead and Stockport Corporations, tho committee re- solved—" That, as in the opinion of this com- mittee no sufficient reasons have been shewn for making any change in the existing arrangements for the management and control of the two County Lunatic Asylums at Parkside and Upton. the County Council be recommended not to com- ply with the request of the Guardians of the Stockport Union by placing the two asylums under the management and control of one Visiting Committee with a view to one uniform weekly rate of maintenance being charged in bon asylums, as the committee consider that the ar- rangements which have hitherto existed with respect to the two asylums have worked satis- factorily and should be allowed to continue." The minutes were confirmed. REPRESENTATION ON WIRRAL GUARDIANS. The sub-committee appointed to hold a local inquiry into the representation of the parishes comprising the Wirral Union upon the Board of Guardians made the following recommendations, which were adopted:—(1) That the total number (44) of guardians and rural district councillors now constituting the Board of Guardians of the said union, and which are divided as follows, viz., guardians for urban parishes 22, Rural District Council 22, be increased by four guardians for urban parishes; (2) that two of such additional guardians be allocated to the parish of Hoylake- cum-West Kirby, making ten for that parish instead of eight, as at present, and be added to such one or more of the wards (i.e., Central, Grange, North, South) into which the parish is divided for the election of Guardians, as the clerk to the Council in conference with the clerk to the District Council may determine; (3) that one of such additional guardians be allocated to the parish of Lower Bebington, making seven for that parish instead of six, as at present, and be added to such one of the wards (i.e., Bebington, New Ferry, Park, Pool Bank, Sunlight) into which the parish is divided for the election of Guardians, as the clerk to the Council after conference with the clerk to the District Council may determine; (4) that one of such additional guardians be allocated to the parish of Bromborough, making three for that parish instead of two, as at present, and that for the purpose of the election of Guardians such parish be divided into three wards, such wards being those which now exist for the election of urban district councillors, and that one guardian be elected for each of such wards. PROVISION OF NEW SCHOOLS. At a meeting of the Finance Committee the Clerk reported that the Education Committee had decided to provide new Council schools at Altrincham to accommodate 700 children; Hale. 900; Northwich, 800; West Kirby, 250; Runcorn 600; Sale. 400; and at Sale (Springfield Road). It was resolved that the sum of £6,000 be provided in the treasurer's order, to be allowed at the next meeting of the Council, for the purchase of the sites for the foregoing schools. EXTENSIONS AT PARKSIDE ASYLUM. At a meeting ot the Finance Committee the County Accountant (Mr. James Williams) reported that there had been spent on account of the building of the new infirmary and a.nnexe at Park- side Asylum the sum of E12,089 16s. 9d; cost oi new epileptic ward and nurses' home, £ 12,201 lis. lid. extensions to bake house, £ 1,727 13s. 4d.; improvements at farm buildings, 21,671 lis. 4d. making a total of E28,964 13s. 4d. FIRE PRECAUTIONS AT UPTON ASYLUM. At a meeting of the General Finance Committee an estimate was received from the Committee of Visitors of Upton Lunatic Asylum for a grant oi 1,700 for the erection of an outside fire escape staircase to the old asylum buildings. It wa decided that if an order was made granting that amount application should be made to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow it. On the motion of Alderman John Thompson, seconded by Alderman R. 0. Orton, the minute: were confirmed. AGRICULTURAL RATES ACT. The Clerk submitted a resolution passed by the Hertfordshire County Council, stating "(al T a. in consequence of the large additional burd?n which have been cast upon the county rate# r-inee the passing of the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, deficiencies in the grant under that Aci have to be met by the general ratepayers, includ- ing agriculturists, to an extent in this county of £ 4,466, which is equal to a rate of nearly fd. in the JB. (b) That the Act should therefore be amended so as to make the agricultural rates grant equal to one-half of the share of agricul turallandin the actual expenditure of the County Council in each financial year, and not as it stood in the year ending 31st March, 1896."—A letter was also received from the Nantwieh Board of Guardians asking that the County Council wou'd i endeavour to secure a revision of the grant made under the Agricultural Rates Act. Mr. R. T. Richardson thought it was very desirable to support the resolution. This was not a question in which agriculturists alone were in- terested, but everybody in the oouniy. In a short time they would be reoeiving a considerably smaller grant under the Agricultural Rate- Act than they were entitled to. The effect of the Education Act was that there would be a large

1 THE T I I liia li • K OF w AK. Our special map illustrates the scene of the war between Japan and Russia, and will no doubt assist our readers in their study of the unfortunate struggle in the Far East. Port Arthur, the great Russian naval base in Manchuria, witnessed the first naval battle in which the Japanese fleet, under Admiral Togo, shattered the Russian Squadron. The bombardment is stated to have caused great destruction in the town. Chemulpo was the scene of another Japanese naval victory, two Russian warships being sunk.

GOUT CURED COMPLETELY. ♦ Miss M L. Hammond The Strv.! flimirf/m near Guddford Surrey lias wnften a letter in wh'ch sh? dcclai-ps positively that -she- hps been completely cured of a very serious case of gout About throe years ago I had au attack of b ood poisoning wh eh was followed by Rheumatic it ,W/uS S? b'd tha1t J was '!>•'•• unable to ■valk and the do 'o said that T would alwava be fb ks. ow: subject, to s':n"1.r atta ks. Th r, foilowmo- year f was 3?;:c.;d v., t fr(-tit.z,an and became woire than be'oro; T id kern -mv hed a whole! month. Durm- t! '= time the doctor attended me ':n- 1 r',e to '<P i^d go about ■iy work, I wi- cn -n--l!ed to use ji stick to walk I was so'zod w't' W-n>» p:vn -■ a-y I at- t"TiDtod to moro a'though I k-rw on akin, I med'eine. I cro! -o K"tt~r. ° Arter upincr TWd 5 Kidnov "P;u,. ;• short time I f"lt:J¿ t'(' "'H' comp'r<>' ,Cq( am r>ow quite cured T 0-,q Wall w thout for-hnr the liisf n in, sad considering hew bAl I w,i, it 's wonde-i' and "hew:" what Dodd's K d- ney Puis wl! icr

On arrival at T. o-v>l nn Fn v: or th. Majestic from New York h «' 181b. of dynamite Of 'An A:I,tr,;in emigrant in whos*- ov,-r 3 000 deroriM.tors. fr,nt0 todv and later remanded bv I'endia ry tt.> (,Dah; the polico to invest.ig"t. j,tter.

CHESTER OLD KINGS SCHOLARS ■V ANNUAL DINNER. The 39th annual dinner of the Chester Old King's Scholars' Association was held at the Blossoms Hotel on Tuesday. The following mem- bers and friends attended:—Dr. Wright (presi- dent), the Rev. R. A. Thomas, Messrs. 1-1. McLean and L. Hales (vice-presidents), the Rev. J. T. Davies, the Rev. D. Falle, the Rev. A. E. Fuller, the Rev. A. E. Farrar, Dr. Jephcott, Dr. Lees, Messrs. H. Beswick, \Y. Haswell, W. E. Lindop, L. Booth, G. Lowe, W. Hunter, T. J. Dutton, G. E. Oidmeadow, J. J. Roberts, G. J. Roberts, A. E. Dickin, C. C. Jones. W. H. Davies, E. Cunnah, A. H. Davies, F. Mason, F. G. Brown, W. H. Brown, W. Bower, S. Williams, G. Evans, H. G. Hope, A. E. Day, G. Dutton, W. Illingworth, A. E. Jackson. J. Henderson, A. O. Roberts, W. Shepherd, C. H. Minshull, W. O. Whalley, A. Naylor and C. Howard. Dinner was served at seven o'clock in the Egerton Room, and at the conclusion the loyal toasts were given bv the President, with musical honours. "The Navy, Army and Auxiliary forces was pro- posed by Mr. J. J. Roberts, who included the names of Major Mason and Major Lea. Mr. Roberts drew attention to the fact that a rifle corps had been formed at the school, which was received with applause by the "old boys" present. Major Mason responded. Following that The School was proposed by the Rev. R. A. Thomas, _e and the Headmaster (the Rev. J. T. Davies), in responding, gave an outline of the work, past and present, at the school, from which inference was drawn as to ti e splendid management and the numerous successes gained by the scholars, especially that of Mr. A. Naylor. The Associa- tion was proposed by Mr. McLean, who recalled many names and events connected with the time of the old school. The names included those of many well-known men who were King's scholars. Mr. W. Haswell, the oldest member of the asso- ciation, responded. "The Immortal Memory of King Henry VIII. the founder of the school, was proposed by Mr. H. Beswick, and received in silence. Mr. Oidmeadow proposed The Retiring President," and the latter (Dr. Wright) responded. "The Visitors" ,was proposed by Mr. W. Brown, and the Rev. A. E. Farrar re- sponded. Mr. L. Booth then proposed the health of the energetic hon. secretary (Mr. H. G. Hope), a toast which was received with enthusiasm. Musical items were contributed by the Revs. R. A. Thomas and A. E. Farrar, Messrs. L. Hales, L. Booth, G. H. Davies, A. H. Davies and W. Haswell, whose annual song, When we were boys together." is a recognised feature of this gathering. The singing of Auld Lang Sync brought one of the pleasantest of these dinners to a successful termination.

A CHESTER APPEAL CASE. BRASSEY v. BECK. On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal, oomposed of the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices Romor and Matliew, heard the appeal of the defendant and cross-appeal of the plaintiffs in this case from a judgment of Mr. Justioe Phiilimore, who tried the action at Chester Assizes. The action wan brought by the plaintiffs, Mr. Ernest Brassoy, solicitor; Mr. Samuel Hamley, costumier; and Messrs. Hart Davies and Son, shirtmakors. all of Chester, against the defendant, Mr. A. E. Bcck, of Eaileswood House, in the county of Warwick, claiming damages for an alleged breach of agree- ment, dated July 15, 1902. It appeared that Mr. Brassey, acting as solicitor for Hamley and Davies, had obtained judgment against a Mr. Mitchell for sums amounting to JE50 16s. 7d. Thereupon the two judgment creditors instructed Mr. Brassey to file a petition in bankruptcy against Mr. Mitchell, who was in the service of the Bettisfield Colliery Company, Limited. Mr. Beck, ono of the directors of that company, on July 15, 1902, however, entered into an agreement in writing with tho plaintiffs, which was the agreement now sued upon. It was to the effect that, in con- sideration of the- plaintiffs' withdrawing tho bank- ruptcy petition against Mitchell, Mr. Beck would obtain from the Bettisfield Colliery Company an undertaking binding them to pay the plaintiffs the sum of £10, and afterwards JB2 a week until the debts of Hamley and Davies, together with all costs of judgments, bankruptcy notice, and petition, was paid in full. Mr. Beck paid Mr. Brassey the £ 10, but tho other terms of the agree- ment, it was alleged', were not carried out. This action was accordingly brought, the piaintiffs claiming JB52 17s. 3d., being the amount of the judgment debt, together with L12, the costs of tne bankruptcy proceedings, less £10. the sum paid by Mr. Beck on the agreement being entered into at the trial. Mr. Justice Phiilimore gave judg- ment for the plaintiff Brassey for the amount claimed with costs, and the defendant now ap- pealed. The cross-notice of appeal of the plaintiffs asked of that the judgment of the learned judge might be varied by judgment being entered not only in favour of Mr. Brassey, but also in favour of his co-plaintiffs, the judgment creditors. Mr Lin- coln Reed and Mr. Montgomery appeared for the defendant., and Mr. F. Marshall, K.C., and Mr. Ellis Griffith for the plaintiffs. In the result, their lordships dismissed the de- fendants' appeal with costs, and allowed the plaintiffs' appeal with costs, judgment being entered for all three plaintiffs in the amount claimed.

CHESHIRE ELECTRICITY AND POWER-GAS. With a. capital of £10,000 a syndicate has been formed and a Bill has been deposited in Parlia- ment for the purpose of obtaining a Bill in the next session to manufacture and distribute elec- tricity and power-gas throughout the whole of the county of Chester. The syndicate is composed of well-known gentlemen in the county interested in manufactories and other undertakings. The area over which powers are sought was originally in- cluded in the North-Western Eleotrioity and Power-Gas Bill which received Royal assent last x session. The committee, however, excluded Cheshire from the Bill on the ground that the North-western, etc., Bill did not provide, suffi- cient capital for the whole area. The district has some 654,000 acres with a population of 814,000, in which there are one city, three county boroughs, six boroughs, thirty-six urban district councils, and thirtoeen rural district Councils, in all some fifty-nine authorities, few of which have erected electrical generating stations. In the area there are large industries, comprising salt works, col- lieries, lead mines, steel and iron works, chemical works, and factories for the production of bricks and tiles, pottery, soap, and paper. There are also cotton malis, oalico printing works and dye works, silk spinning mills, hat manufacturers, and considerable engineering and shipbuilding trade. An exclusive licence has been obtained from tho d Power-Gas Corporation for the manufacture and distribution of power-gas. The Bill provides for the protection of all local authorities with regard to their streets, etc., and the urban district councils have already had a meeting for the purpose of passing a resolution supporting the Bill. The Cheshire County Council, Shropshire Union Canal, and Weaver Navigation Trustees are all protected by special clauses. No monopoly is to be created by the Bill, and it is not intended that the gas shtdl bo used for lighting purposes. Among the sub- scribers to the Bill are Major Henry Brunner, Edward Basil Lupton, Alfred Mond, William Mo DonneU Mackey, and other gentlemen from Bir- kenhead, Northwich, Middlewich, and other parts of the county. By the syndicate prospectus it is proposed to enter into an agreement with the Northwich Electric Supply for the purchase of toear undertaking, and as the demand for eløe- tricity in this district has con sidcrably grown, the promoters of the Bill intend if these powers are obtained, to at once provide for the larger de- mand. The capital of the company is fixed at 21,000,000 in shares of JB1 each, with power to borrow £ 333,000. The number of directors is to be nine, and their qualification not less than 500 shares, except in the case of the director to be nominated by the Power-Gas Corporation. In- terest at the rate of three per oent., in the aggre- gate E40,000, is to be paid during construction of the undertaking The solicitors are Messrs. Row- cliffe and Co., of 28, lctoria-strect, Westminster,

j BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES ttle- Couah, Cold, Hoarseness, and 1, ftlienza, ("Jure m.v Irritation or Soreness of the Throat i he I I ae: in Cough in eoitsump, Ion, Relieve BroDnhitis, Asthma, and Catarrh. Carry them about with you. Sold everywhere. Is. ljd. per box. BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES t BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES

CHESTER BOATMEN'S MISSION. .— The annual meeting of the Chester branch of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society was held at tho Boatmen's Bethel, Victoria-place, Frod- sham-street, on Tuesday evening. A fair attend- ance was presided over by Mr. J. G. Hope. The mnual report of the local committee was pre- sented, and stated that, while rejoicing in the good which they trusted had been done, the com- mittee had been anxious to widen the basis of the mission and endeavour to give better effect to the work they had in hand, viz., of bringing religious and moral influences to bear upon the men, women and children engaged in canal work, and to make the mission-room a place of useful- ness on week evenings. Writh that object they had approached the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society and arranged to make the work a branch of that society, and had the services of one of their missioners for a portion of each week, in- cluding Sundays. The sum they had agreed to pay was £ 35 per annum, which they hoped the public would assist them in raising. If funds permitted, they looked forward to having the continuous services of the missioner during the week in meetings with the boat people on the canal in the district. The committee expressed their acknowledgment to her Grace Katharine Duchess of Westminster for an annual donation for the entertainment of the children on the boats, which had enabled the teachers to take them for a day's outing to tho seaside; also to Mr. Sidney Clark for a contribution to an annual tea and entertainment for the boat people, which had been much appreciated; and to other subscribers for their kind help. The committee also thanked the members of the different Christian com- munities for the assistance they had given.-Tlie statement of accounts, presented by Mr. Hopkin- I son, the treasurer, shewed that the balance in hand was £ 6 17s. 5d. The Sunday School account shewed a balance of j61 lis. 3d. in the treasurer's hands.—On the motion of Mr. A. W. Armstrong, seconded by Mr. J. Shires, the report and accounts were adopted, and the following com- mittee elected for the ensuing year:—Miss Boaz, Miss Agnes Jones, Miss Jones. Mrs. Hatcher, Mrs. Williams. Miss Strong, Mr. E. Pitchford, Mr. Robert Griffiths, Mr. B. Hulse, Mr. A. W. Armstrong, Mr. E. Noel Humphreys. Mr. J. G. Hope. Mr. W. Boaz. Mr J. A. Lawson, Mr. D. Sconce. Mr. George Huehes. Mr. A. Coveney and Mr. H. Hopkinson.—The Chairman, in a shon address, referred to the oritrin of the mission to boat people 25 years ago, and to the advantages which would accrue from their becoming a branch of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society, and thus obtaining the services of one of their ex- perienced missioners. He appealed to the people of the citv to take some interest in the work among that neglected class of people, the boat peoole.—The Rev. J. M. Wilkie, superintendent of the Liverpool Society, and Mr. Robert Clark, deputy superintendent, afterwards addressed the meeting, and a collection was taken on behalf of the mission.

CORPORATION" ACCOUNTS. — ♦ THE AUDIT QUESTION. The Finance Committee of Chester Town Coun- cil have received tho following letter, dated the 4th inst., from Messrs. Wa-msloy, Jonos and Co.. accountantsAs so much misapprehension ap- pears to exist as to the present combination of the offices of elective auditor and professional audi- tors, and as the question has been raised more than once in the Council, we think it well to state the facts of the matter so far as wo are personally concerned. On the death of the late City Treasuier in 1891, a. general readjustment took place in the treasurer's department of the Corpora- tion and the Council decided following tho ex- ample of many other towns that the city accounts should be audited by professional accountants, and honoured our firm with the appointment. Pre- viously, the only audit had been that provided for by the Municipal Corporation Act. 1882. viz., by two ratepayers who had to be elected for the purpose, and who were known as elective audi- tors, and by the Mayors auditor, a city council- lor appointed by the Mayor. There had been little or no. competition for the office of elective auditor, and as the law had to be complied with, it was left for the officials in the Town Clerk's de- partment to se-e that nominations were forth- coming, and they had usually, if not invariably, at the last moment, to peisonally solicit and get nominated burgesses to undertake the duty We annex a list of all who have held the appoint- ment since the 1882 Act- It is no disparagement to say that many of the gentlemen appointed had no special knowledge of accounts, or training for the work, and as a fee of 42s. only was ailowed for an audit which thoroughly carried out would have occupied very considerable time it is obvi- ous that such an audit could afford little protec- tion either to th? Council or to the ratepayers. It will bo known that we had no connection with the elective audit until after we had held the professional audit some years, and then the step was taken, not for any benefit to ourselves, but at the instance of the Council, to protect the city against double payment for auditing under the following circumstances. Under the Municipal Act, the elective auditors were, like the council- lors elected to and served office, without payment for their but the Public Health Acts provided (a) That. the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Council under the Public Health Acts should be audited and examined by the auditors of the borough; and (b) that each of such auditors should in respect of each audit be paid such reasonable remuneration not being less than two. guineas, for every day in which they woro employed in auditing the accounts under the Public Health Acts as the. Council, as the Urban Sanitary Authorities, should from time to time appoint. It will be noted the payment was sane tioned for audit of the accounts under the Public Health Acts and not of the accounts of the Coun- cil as municipal authority. Hence the origin of tho two guineas payment, but in 1897 the then eloctivo auditors expended a large amount of time over tho audit., and a, large claim was made in respoct of it. What proportion of that time was bestowed on the audit of the municipal accounts and what on the public health accounts did not, wo think, appear, but we behave tho claim was resisted and not paid. T'lio result of their audit has not, so far as wo tan find, been ascertained beyond the fact- that they passed and signed the accounts. In the following year the elective auditors, (ono being the same as the previous year) sent in a claim which we believe exceeded the amount of our professional charge. We under- stand that the Council repudiated the liability but. eventually tendered a. much smaller amount which was ultimately accepted. The sending in of a bill for anything beyond the J32 2s. fee was a new experience, but it. was found o be the experience, also of other municipalities, some. claims running to hundreds of pounds for time oil municipal as well as public health audits. and also in pursuing iirelevant matters quite outside the functions of an auditor; a test cas.. was taken to the law courts by one of the boroughs, but the. result was not such as to satis- factorily dispose of the difficulty. The Council, therefore, in common with many other Corpora- lions. found themselves in the very anomalous position of being called upon practically to pay twice for an audit which general business experi- ence only requires to be done once. The position was discussed by the Finance Committee and bv our=elves with the then Town Clerk, with the result that it was considered that if the practice of some other boroughs of electing the profes sional auditors elective auditors was adopted, the question of both liability and expense would be disposed of, and this was a<:L'd upon. It was certainly not in the mind of anyone at the time to deprive the ratepayers of any right of audit, but only that if the ratepayers did not nominate other auditors, measures should be taken to .nominate the professional auditors. Nor did the proposal involve any alteration of or addition to the duties or the fee of the professional auditors; we do not derive any benefit directly or indirectly from the appointment- of elective auditors. Our professional audit goes far beyond the limitations of the elective audit, which is said to be con- lined to tho examination of the city cash book and vouchers. We carry out the audit precisely on the. lines we should apply to all other audits, and pay especial regard to the municipal trading undertakings of the past, few years Our audit is, moreover a continuous one entered upon as. soon as possible after each previous years accounts are closed, and continued as cioselv as book-keep- ing permits. The piofessional audit is not, there- fore. in any way accountable for any delay in the publication of the accounts, a,nd we should be pleased to do, all we can to expedite the publi- cation, as well as to facilitate the issue of half- yearly accounts. We may add that a former elec- tivo auditor called upon us in September last, after our usual nomination papers had been lodged and stated that it was intended to nominate him- self and another for the office of elective auditors. We informed him that the ratepayers were en- titled to exercise their right of nomination, and that if he and another were proposed, we should not put the citv to the expense of a poll. The foregoing observations will shew that our occu- pation of the two offices has only had the one ob ject of obviating the liability to double payment, which the Council, like the Councils of several other towns, were anxious to avoid, while com- plying with the. law on the subject and securing an effective audit of all the city's accounts, whether municipal or public health. it also! I we trust, be clear that our undertaking also the office and duties of elective auditors affords us no personal benefit, and we shall have no reluct- -jec ance whatever in relinquishing the office of elec- tive auditors whenever the interests of the city can no longer be served! by our retaining it.

As a number of hounds belonging to Eton Col- loge Beagles were crossing tho railway line in the neighbourhood of Lamham Royal, near Slough, on Thursday, they was killed by a passenger train.

ART EDUCATION IN WALES. On Saturday a large gathering assembled at St. Clare's Convent, Pantasaph (Holywell) on the occasion of the annual distribution of certificates to the pupils of the various science and art classes held there u.idcr the Technical Instruction Com- mitteo of the Flintshire County Council. Lord Mostvn, who was accompanied by Lady Mostyn, presided, and the attendance included the Earl and Countess of Denbigh, Lord Mostyn of Talacre, Miss Isabel Tate (hon. "ee. of tho Flintshire Branch of the Welsh Industries Association), Mr. L. J. Roberts (H.M. Inspector of Schools), Mr. Taylor (Inspector of Drawing and Manual Work for Wales). lr. R. LI. Jones (chairman of the Flint- shire Education Committee), etc.—A report having boon made to the effect that the class had been eminently successful during the past year, Mr. 1j. J. Roberts delivered an address, and Mr. Taylor, in the course of his remarks, said a few years ago he took part in the selection of specimens of Welsh art work, to be sent to the exhibition at Paris, and no better work was sent in than that from Pantasaph—especially their needlework; and the commissioners who came down to select the exhibits to go to Paris unani- mous!- selected the whole of the Pantasaph goods. (Applause.) He visited the exhibition at Paris, and ho considered the needlework and lacework sent from Pantasaph was equal, if not superior, to the elementary school work of the world. (Loud L applause.)—The Earl of Denbigh said he saw a, great field of usefulness before classes of this character.-Tlio certificates were distributed by Lady Mostyn, and the company present inspected with interest and delight the pupils' productions— displayed around the walls—in the shape of needle and lace work, drawings, paintings on silk, marqueterio and inlaid woodwork, etc. marqueterie and inlaid woodwork, etc.

BLUE COAT BALL. -+-- The triennial ball in aid of the funds of the Chester Blue Coat Sohool was held on Thursday evening at the Grosvenor Hotel. The function. was a sucoess in every way. The attendance numbered over 200, and dancing was enjoyed to the bright, music supplied by Herr Wurm's White V ennese Band. Supper was catorcd for by the manager of the hotel (Mr. Collins) in his aocus- tomed style. The arrangements were most satis- factory, and praise is due to th? following, who constituted the Management Committee:—The Mayor (Mr. R. Lamb) and Messrs. Douglas Dobie. N A. E. Way, Arthur L. Birch Walter Conway and H. J. Howell Evans Mr F. Skipwith was the hon. treasurer, while the secietarial work was capabiy carried out by Colonel J. Sheriff Roberts and Mr. C. P. Smith. The following is a list of those present:—Dr. and Mrs. Archer, Major J. R. Birch Miss D. Birch, Miss H. Birch, Mr A. L. Birch Mr A. P. Blunt. Mr F. G. Barker, Mrs. Burton. Miss M. S. Broaubcnt, Miss D. Bates, Miss G. Bates the Rev. J. L. and Mrs Bedford, Mr. F. W. Blood, Mr. R. W. Corbett-Winder, Mr A. R. Uvedale Corbett, Miss A. M. C. Cor- bett Miss V. M C. Corbett Miss C. V. Corbett, and Miss Hulton Harris and Captain Lee, Mr. and Mrs. C. Carson, Miss A. F. Caison, Mr. J. F. Crean. Mr. A D. P. Campbell, Mr. E. J. Chur- ton, Mr. W G. J. Currie, Mrs. Cay Mr. Walter Conway. Mr. G. Clayton, Mrs. J. Cullimore, Mr. E S. Clark. Miss Davison Miss Nora Davison, Capta;n G. S. and Mrs. Davies. Mr B. Dixon, M:ss Duke, Mr. A. W. Dodds Mr. S Donne, Mr. Dougla3 Dobie, Mr. and Mrs. R. Farmer, Miss Fulton and Miss V. Fulton, Mr. and Mrs. James G 'Frost Dr. W A. and Mrs. Fitzgerald. Dr. and Mrs. Granger Mr and Mis. J. Stuirt Goold, Miss Garnett and Miss B. Garnett (Frodsham), Mr. T. E. Goodeve, Mr. A. Healey. Mr. H. J. and Miss Howell Evans, Mr. Maysmor Harrison, Mrs. and Miss Allington Hughes, Mrs Illingworth, Mr. W. S. Jones, Mr. Norman Jones, Mr. J. Eustace Jones M;ss Jones Mr. H A. Jenner, Dr. and Mrs. C. Jephcott, Miss N. Jacson. Miss Kerr. Mvs. Stewart Kelly (Mold). Captain and Mrs. F. F. Lambarde. the Mayor (Mr R. Lamb), Major and Mrs MacGillvcudd.v Mr. Ma an, Mr- A J. Musgrave, Mr. C R. and Miss M. E. Morris. Miss Maclarrn. Mr. J. D. Mavhew. M'ss N. Mus- pratt, Miss Mucpratt Mr C. Muspratt, Mr. R. Muspratt. Mr. C. Tudor Owen. Mios Ommanney. Mr J. Okell Miss H. and Miss M. Okell, Mr. and Mrs. R. Potts and Miss Winifred Potts, Mr. and Mrs. E. Powell. Miss M. Powell, Mr. W. P. Powell Mr. and Mrs G. Parker, Mr. J M. Pod- more, Miss A. and Miss M. Podmore Mr B. C. Roberts. Miss C. C. Roberts, Miss C. M. Roberts and Mr C. Johnstone, Miss Roberts Miss Salkeld Robinson Miss J. Salkeld Robinson, Mr. C. C. Rogers Colonel J., Mrs. and Miss Sheriff Roberts Mrs. 0 Richards, Miss G. Rolt. Miss F. Rovle and Miss Royle. Miss D Sandbach Mrs J. W. Savage, Mr. G. T. Savage, Miss Savage, Mr. and Mrs Sydney Sha'po Mr. J. Lintoine Shore, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Swoienham Miss M. E. Swetenham, Dr. Smartt (Tarporley), Mr. C. P. Smith. Miss Smith, Miss F. Smith, Mr. and Mrs F Skipwith. Miss Summe"3 Miss Howard Stafford, Mrs. James Tay- lor, Miss H. E Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Hv. Taylor. Miss Amv and Miss Florence Tavlor. Miss C. and Miss L. Tomlin. Mr. H. F. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Thomson. Miss Tait, Miss L Tob'n. Mr. and Mrs. N A. E. Wav. Mr. and Miss Winter. Mr. R. G. Williams Miss E. Williams. Mr. R. T. Wic-kham, Mr. H. W. Williams (Holywell), Misa Young, etc

WELSH CHFRCH BAZAAR -+- OPENED BY MRS. YERBURGH. On Wednesday and Thursday a highly success- ful bazaar was held in the Newgate-street As- sembly Room, in order to clear off the debt ex- isting on the St. Martin's Welsh Church, Nicholas-street. The prettily-decorated stalls were heavily laden with a variety of articles, and at the- time of opening there was a large gather- ing of visitors The chaplain of the church (the Rev. 0. Alban Thomas) pressed, and in explaining the object of the bazaar said that nine or ten generations l ai-o a gathering like that would have been abso- lutely impossible, for in those days a Welshman vvno was seen in Chester had his right, hand cut off or if he dared to sleep in tho city was killed. outright. Luckny those days had gone. (Laugh- e -.) Many circumstances rendered it exceed- uigly hard and chffLuit to meet the expenses of ilie oish Cnuich. Its position v. as such that nearly all its members lived a very great dis- tance oif. Despite the annual tea and concert, tiiey v, ere not abie to meet their liabilities, and every few years a special effort was necessary to wipe off the accumulated debt. Mrs. Yerbmgh, in opening the bazaar, said she was very pleased indeed to be there that day on her way to London, to help the bazaar. She wished it eveiy possible success, and she had. great pleasure in declaring it open. (Applause.) Colonel H T. Brown proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. \erburgh for her kindness in being present and opening the bazaar. He said the caurch deserved encouragement and help from tiiose outside its own body. They were aware that for a considerable period there was no Welsh Chu c-ii (he spoke now of the Church of England) existing in Chester for the benefit of the Welsh population, wheres there were several Noncon- formist chapels He spoke of the great value of the in lustrations of Lie Welsh Church to young pyop.e coming over the border for the first time. They were soiry not to have the pleasure of Mr. Yerbiugh s presence, but. they knew his many occupations at the piesent time did not enable him to fill all the many offices and duties his friends would have liked to see him perform. No doubt Mrs. Yerburgh was there to express her own kind wishes and Mr. Yerburgh's as well. Colonel Evans-Lloyd seconded, and mentioned the interesting fact that the person to whom they were indebted for the present condition of the church was represented by Mr. B. C. Roberts. who had been a staunch supporter of tho church. and whose father had bu.lt it and endowed it, and pra tically made it wiiat it was. The bazasr on the second day was opened by the Mayoress (Mrs. Lamb) who was accompanied oy the Major The Rev. 0. Alban Thomas again occupied the chair. A vote of thanks to the Mayoi ess was p oposed by Dr. Stoltcrfoth, and seconded' by Mr. B. C. Roberta, who moved that a simiLu- compliment, be paid to the ladies, both. those who were members of the Church and other friends, who by their efforts had mado the func- tion such a sue ess and given euch valuable sup- port to the Welsh Church community. Both propositions were heartily agreed to The takings for the first day exceeded £100, and it is hopl-,d that the second day's takings will cover the sum required, namely J3200. The following were the stallholders:—Stall 1, Mrs O Alban Thomas, .Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Roberts; stall 2, Mrs. Crowley and the Misses M. and K. Jones stall 2a, Mis? Dora Jones, Miss J. I Robeits and Mrs. Humphreys; stall 3, Mrs. Stoltcrfoth M'ss Fluitt and Miss M. Roberts; stall 4, Mrs. James G. Frost; stall 5, Mrs. H. T. Biown, Mrs. J. M. Frost and Mrs. Fitzgerald; stall 6 Miss Sybil Clark and Mrs. Fuller; stall 7, Mrs. B C. Roberts.

No Breakfast Table complete without EPPS'S GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. Ammukk a& Ar-M min COCOA The Most Nutritious and Economical.

defioiency, which would have to be supplied by, not only agriculturists, but all classes of rate- payerSf-h^ of Mr Richardson, seconded by Mr. G. B. Baker-Wilbraham, the subject was re- ferred to the Finance Committee. COUNTY FINANCES. A LARGE EXPENDITURE. Dr. Atkinson, in moving the confirmation of the minutes of the Finance Committee, said they had to ask the sanction of the Council to the bills and aocounts amounting to the sum of £191,782 163. 3d. This time last year the amount sub- mitted to the Council was £ 146,197 17s. 3d., so that on the present occasicn there was an increase over last year of 1;45,584 19s., whioh might be ex- plained very briefly. They were now spending considerable sums of money in carrying out ihe provisions of the Education Act of 1902, and also in the erection of new police stations, magistrates' rooms, and large additions at Parkside Asylum, and the provision for their spending had to be made by the Council, in the quarterly order. On the ordinary expenditure of the Council, however, there had been practically very little, if any, in- )e crease at all. The claims on the exchequer con- tribution account did not this year vary very much from last year's, except in respect of the claims for the proportion towards the cost of mainten- ance of lunatics, which shewed an inorease; also there are slight increases on the other items. But these increases, although of small amount per annum, had during the past ten years, grown to a sum upwards of £ 8,000. The capital expen- diture of the Council had been increased by the work on the new buildings, such as police stations and magistrates' rooms, and at the asylums; and this had proportionately increased the county debt, which at present stood at £ 170.427 6s. 9d. The County Council stood in a satisfactory con- dition at the present time. There was a large balance to the credit of the Council (excluding rates, etc., yet to come in) amounting to £ 135.871 5s. 3d., comparing with the balance this time last year when it stood at E106,765 14s. 7d. The Coun- cil had so far actually paid on the education ac- count the sum of £ 105,762, and the year's income up to the present on this account had been E90,593 9s. 9d. The Council had not required to borrow any sum (because of advances which have been necessary owing to delays in payment of the education rates or non-receipt of grants from the Government), but had met all such monetary advances out of the county fund cash balances. The committee, at their meeting, had before them a communication from the Government as to the advisability or otherwise of placing the Industrial Sohool children belonging to the county under the direction of the Education Committee, and had made the recommendation That all such child- ren, for the future, be placed under the direction of the Education Committee." The children at present in industrial schools it might be desirablo also to place under the direction of the Education Committee, but this would be a subject for future considerat'on after inquiries have been made. The members will see from, the financial statement published by the chairman of the Council that the Council's cash transactions since 1889 had been 23.760,677, and, if taking into account the exchequer transfers, £ 4,692,375. The Govern- ment had paid to the county during those years: — £ 1,439,294 for licences and estate duties, 9267,144 for customs and excise duties, and 86,481 under the Agricultural Rates Act; mak- ing a total sum from the Government of £ 1 792,919. The meeting terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to Colonel Dixon, on the motion of Alder- man John Thompson, for the able and courteous manner in which he has presided over the Coun- cil's deliberations. A TRIENNIAL REVIEW. In an interesting address furnished to the mem- bers upon the work of the Council during the past throe years, the Chairman enumerated thirteen Acts of Parliament passed during that period, the administration of which devolved upon county councils, and conferred powers in some cases not previously exercised by them. Summarising the Motor Car Act, of 1903, he stated that up to the timQ of ping to press the clerk of the County Council had registered 194 motor cars and 143 motor cycle's, and licensed 501 drivers, and issued seven dealers' licences. This is a larger numbo than that reported by the clerk to the committee. having apparently been compiled later. Refer ring to the county rate basis, he states that at thE commencement of the triennial period the basis or standard upon which the county and police rates were levied was £3,538,220, the assessable value of the county under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896. being upon such baois, the sum of £ 3,140,884. The basis had been revised under the triennial period, and now stood at the following siimg, viz:-Basis, £ 3'699-632: ase"sable value, £3,303,877; or an increase of £ 161,412 in the county rate basis, and E162,993 on the assessable value, notwithstanding that a pcrtion of the ad mmistrative county, with a rateable value of un- wards of £ 30,000, had been included wi'hin the county borough of Stockport, thus shewing that the county was, as a whole, pro-pering, and con- sequently increasing in importance. The total average cost of maintenance and improvements of main roads per mile per annum for tho three years amounted to £ P6.25. or an increase of M.W on the previous three years. In regard to technical instruction clisses, orie encouraging fea- ture, which attested the value in which they were held, was shewn m the large number of borousrhs and urban districts which had lovi^ a pe^y rate r made prrants out of the rates for n.ssi^tinir the classes. The work involved in fre:tin £ the Eduoa- tion Act into force had been unu,iii!IY great. It required great ca-e and attention, ") T' d there was no doubt that the demlwds made upon tl-o com. would cortinue for somp r:nd> to be very <,u,e-rous and urgent. In the -i- ndministra-h-on cf the Act lay its potency for go{)d -4