The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

TIIF, NEW EDUCATION BILL. 4 THE PARENTAL SOLUTION. The Biahop of St. Asaph, writing to Saiur- 8 "Times," says:—I rejoice to find that the ^re»t is now being loudly called in to solve Q 8 education question. This is a step forward. Wofr<^ of retrospect may bo instructive. In » a Bill was introduced into the House of rue the object of which was to secure that faith taught to tlie child in all elementary TT°°1S should b? decided by the parent of the lld. One Bishop regarded the discussion as fishing," another as an "exploring expedi- QQri> while Lord Selborne, speaking for the ^ornment, gave the Bill a tepid welcome. Rill, however, passed the second reading :ltho-ut a division, and the significant, fact is at this was duo to tlie support which the Bill from Lord Tweedinouth. speaking in Y^^baence cf Loid Spencer for the Opposition. Tweedmoulii thought that tiie BiJl "would ;:¿eot.ly well form a basis for some arrange- tfuture," and he "welcomed the aa a message of peace, and he hoped that ln'ght be possible to expand it into y^^cordat." This encourages me in the hope 3^1 the parental solution may now be fra.nkly hy bolh political parties. Another which can be urged with equal justice °Q-Ual! recognition of who oh is oseeiitial for a pcnmanejit solution, is a f<yf? freedom of the teacher. Here again will be useful. In April, 1906, the of the National Union of Teachers following resolution, viz. —"Tluat Uo ruo':a In ati o n al rel igious m^truction in pub- ofchor^i?*211^1^' i0hools shall be given by persons B teajohing staff." This resolution 5 uwnatuxl to tiie National Union of Tea- tt^n,[ ^ereiieo on April 18, 1906. An amend- iag "tw*8 mov<->d by Mr. Crov. thcr reoommend- to Kiuat-L freedom should be allowed to vol ^ac^<rs on the Sitaff as to other pee sons ^haro^11 40 religious instruction," Mr. of -president of tlie National Union in a powerful speech .supported the 0° Votje The subject was talked out and I have Ix oau-c it bocame appa.i\'jit, as ^formed, that the resolution of tiie *J7iGtHlrn!rJ +w°u!d have been rejected and the oarried by the oonferemce. The tJbe r>11'6rlt to decide, and the freedom £ i<*Us j/^K;r, volunteer to give, the re- °<*KXn taught to tiie ohild are prin- 011 oomnuwid the assent of ail beiaeve it wiil be foaod reoQCTj^0 principles aie fi'anMy and agitation for public oontrol lIting Odd -trnn^nt t will have lost its

HOOLE SCHOOL DIFFICULTY. HOW IT COULD BE SOLVED. URBAN COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION. PROTESTS AGAINST EXTRAVAGANCE. For two hours and a half the Hoole Urban Council, at a. special meeting held on Monday evening, discussed the question of the proposal to build a new Council school for Hoole. Mr. W. J. Croydon presided over a full attendance. It will be remembered tliit the matter was dis- cussed at lengtth at the ordinary IDeding of the Council, a week a.go, but ooasicLtiiu-tion was adjoiiriiied, to the spe-cial meetddg. Tho qiiioslion was introduced by Mr. W. Wil- liams, who moved the following resolution, of which he had given notice:—That Messrs. Dobson and Woollam, the lepresentat.ivee ap- pointed by this Council on the Administrative Sub-oomnaittoo for the Chesttr Union area, represent to the sub-comorittee, at their next meeting, the desirability of definitely ascer- taining- whether it is absolutely necessary to build a new school, referred to in the. notice from the Cheshire County Council, dated the 22nd Novomhor, 1907, at an cstimatod, cost of over £5,000, or whether the expenditure of such a largo sum could not be obviated by the erection of a now infant school for WO children on a site which might be obtained free of cost, and by alterations and additions to the existing schools in Hooic, the estimated cmt of which would not exceed £ 3.000; and to point out to the sub-comnaittse the heavy rates in these dis- tl^icta, and tiie n ^je*sa;ty for the strictest economy compatible with efficiency." He stated that in 1907 the County Council Inspector re- ported as to the existing school accommodation in Hoole, painting out that there was provision for 822 ohilda«ai, 374 in tlie boys' school, 252 in the girls, and 196 in the -nfan& school, on the 10ft. basis for the boys and girls, and 9ft. for tho infante. At present tlie number of chil- dren on tha book's, including those in tho tem- porary infants' school, was 930, tllk1; be;ng 349 in the boys' sol tool and 233 in the girls, while owing to tbo congested state of tliewo schools 50 Standard 1. children were being educated in the infants' school, in which the number was 240. Tk'ieie were also children in the temporary in- fants' school, which made up the to;al. There was also to ba considered that tilieie were 332 ohildiKm from Hoole and Newton who at.tend.ed city schools, while 106 Chester children came to the Hoolo schools, leaving 226 to be provided for. These figures, however, did not convey ad-i accurate idea of the position of things, becauso tho average attendance was considerably less than the number on the books. In the boys' school tlie average attendance was 314, and tbeac was a margin of 56 plaoos. He regiettcd that Mr. Wallace had described the Westmin- ster schools as being like a gwi or a dungeon and being badly lighted, and considered it was misleading and a gross slander on the schools, win oh were as good as any that could bo built. The schools had been recently enlarged by the Duke of Westminster, and met every require- ment of tho Board of Education's Inspector. They admitted there was overcrowding in th9 girls' school, but the Mission-room had been altered to provide temporary accommodation to tide over the difficulty. He contended that there was no need to build a new Council school for the district, as the difficulty could be over- come by adopting a less expansive scheme. Ad- joini'ng the Westminster schools was a piece of land wiiaoh had been set apart at one time for the purpose of enlarging the schools its occasion required. The land was vested in trustees, and he had eveiy reason to believe the trustees would, under tho circumstances, be prepared to make a prosont of the site to the district for the purpose of building the infants' school sugges- ted., and this would be an enormous saving to the ratepayers, and would provide sufficient accommodation for the district for many to come. He did not believe that the population in Hoole would increase to any enormous extent in the artisan classes, as land was being oot apart for tho building of larger houses. It was suggested that tho County Coun- cil did not build new schools adjoining existing Church schools, because they said they would be simply training grounds for the Church. This could be easily overcome, because under the 1902 Act pareirte oould demand that their chil- dren should be taught the County Caunail Scriptural syllabus. A schoolmaster in Hoole had told him that there was NO DIFFICULTY in regard to the religious difficulty, as where representation was made, though it was not in many, ho gladly gave the applicants unde- nominational teaching. (Hear, hoar.) The re- ligious difficulty could be met by a freer and wider use of the Scriptural teaching in schools. By the erection of a new Council school they wou!d gain nothing in educational efficiency, but there would be a saving of about £ 3,000 to the ratepayers. (Applause.) Mr. Walton formally seconded. Mr. Duck said there seemed to be a mistaken idea. as to the Westminster schools. They were built by tho late Marquis of Westminster to supply the needs of the district, and to carry on the work which was instituted by two ladies, the Misses Carver. For a considerable number of yeairs school penoo were paid at the school, and the dofioioncy which arose year by year was met by these ladies. They were built purely as undenominational schools. (Hear, hear.) For three years H M. Inspector—he was sorry one of the local papers went out of its way to speak with anything but respect of his roport-had reported for the last throe years that at thieee schools there was overcrowding, that structural alterations were necessary, and tiiat tho children were running a serious danger of having their eyesight impaired by the con- dition of the school. Mr. Dobson: We cannot have that. Mr. Duck: It is from II.M. Inspectors re- port- If Mr. Dobson wishes to place his opinion against that of the report, he is perfectly at liberty to do so. Mr. Dobson I have soon the school. Continuing, Mr. Duck said that for the last two or threw years the managers had been asked to comply with the requirements of the Education authority, but unfortunately they had not. found themselves in a position to do so. 1Io believed also that application had been made to Eaton, a source from which ten years ago funds wcro forthcoming to bring th3 school up- to-date, according to the necessities of that time. In the present case, after a long corre- spondence, the matter had been taken up seri- ously by the County Council, who stirred up the local sub-committee, and the latter had die- sided that a new srfiool for Hoole was neces- sary. He thought tha time had passed for the Council to enter a protest. As regarded the vacant piece of ground, Mr. Willuum would know veiy well that the County Council would never sanction the building of a new school on that piec? of ground. The schools which were now built, nuLSI. bo within their own grounds. He had every sympathy with tlie managers of die Westminster schools. They were placed in a similar position some years ago, when they asked the late Duko to carry out structural alterations, and his Graoo said he was willing to do so on certain conditions. These were such that they could not bo accepted, but rather than stand in the way of education in the district they Juanckd back to the Duke what ho had entrusted to, thorn for 25 years. The present difficulty could be easily got over if tho mana- gers of the school went to the County Council and said they could not poesiibly go on any longer, and they were prepared to baid the schools over to the County Council. lIe thought that even at the eleventh hour that might be considered. Ho understood that the cost. of a new Council school would work out at about £ 16 per hoad, which, reckoning 300 children, would giv^ a total of £ 4,800, and in addition there would be the fittings, etc. Mr. Williams: I do not think Mr. Duck can estimate tho cost, as the site has yet to be purchased, and might cost anything. I under- stand it cost. J616 per head at Miotic Traiford, but land in Hoole ood Newton was considerably more. Mr. Duck remarked that if they could not. got an acre of land for £ 1,000 it was a bad look out. If the now school was to be built under the present Act of Parliament the money could be borrowed only for 30 years, but under aai Act wliich came into on tlie 1st January it oould be» obtained for 60 y«un?, which would work out at an extra rate of J.,bd. in the £ for the builtting, the coat of upkeep and teacbing CIA the oounty. lib was ail very well talking about the present), but they had to look to the future. The birth-rate in Hoole was generally very high—(hoar, hcor)-and the County Council were wise in selecting a site to which they could add as necessity demanded. They paid 17s. 7d. per head for the ohildretn who left the district to attend school in Chester, and lost 32s. 6d. per head in grant, so tliat about £ 800 went out of the district which might be spent in Hoole. Mr. Dobson: Would tlie new school save that? Mr. Duck: It would. Mr. Dobson: I say it would have nothing to do with it Mr. Duck argued that if sufficient school ac- commodation was provided in their own dis- trict they could say to the city authorities they did not want them to take in their children, as they had made provision in their own dis- trict, and if they still went to tho city the County Council could stop the 17s. 7d. per head, though the city would receive the Govern- ment grant. He advised the Council to peti- tion the Board of Education before sanctioning tho building of the school to hold an inquiry into tho district, when those who opposed the scheme could bring forth their evidence. Al- luding to the question of extravagance, he said the-ro was no such cry when they opposed the tfanis coming" into Hoole., when they built the park, which cost 3-d. in the £ or when the question of amalgamation was brought up, but when it. came to erecting a school which became absolutely necessary to the district at an outlay of IYL in the £ there was this cry of extrava- gance. (Mr. Thomas: "Shame.") Mr. Crowder remarked that ho agreed with Mr. Williams's resolution in principle, but he would movo an amendment. If the Westmin- ster school oouJd bo proved or shewn to be in anything like the condition it was described by Mr. Wallace, then he would strongly support the idea of a now school. (Hear, hear.) He wanted Mr. Wallace to prove his statement. (Applause.) Mr. Wallace said he. did not wish to withdraw anything he had said, as he still thought the Westminster school was like a dungeon. (Mr. Thomas: Hear, hear.) The Inspectors report had said that one of the ola^siooms was insani- tary, and that the children were in danger of losing their eyesight, and that it was not fit for the children to be taught there. They ought to tako into account the reports of the nieai who were appointed for the purpose, and he thought it a shame that they should be ignored in the papers as if they were of no account. Although Mr. Williams's scheme might suit the wants of the present moment, in all probability in a very short time they would be too small, necessitating their moving again. It was nob a matter of church or aliapol with him, but ono of education cund the sanitary conditions of the- school. Mr. Crowder, continuing, said he had thoroughly examined tho school that morning, and could speak from poisonal knowledge. He did not know whether ho had ever been in a bettor built aohool in his lifo—(hear, hc.a.r)- the light, air space and acconrniodation in every way being perfection. He approached the head- mistresses of the girls' and infants' schools, and asked them if they wished to bo in a better school. They replied, "No, never," adding tliat they were d'iegustcd at the remarts reported as ha-v 'n,(,r been, said at the last meeting. Nothing MORE INACCURATE OR MORE UNJUST could have evor been said against a school. Ac- cording to the regulations of the Board of Education, in every school area them must be school accommodation for one-sixth of the popu- lation. At tho last census the population of Hoole was 5,341, or, excluding the workhouse, about 5,000, so that, they must provide. accom- modation for 833 children. There was an average attendance in Iloole of 750, and the actual accommodation was for 833, boys 390, girls 276, infants 221, and 70 more in the M iseion-room. T%iS left from the actual netfc accommodation room still for 207 children on the 10ft,. basis. T-aking the girls' school only, they had tecoinmodation for 252, and the highest average att-endanco that morning was 251. Then they had 64 city children in the Hoole schools—("No, no, 1061")—nearly all of whom lived in the vicinity of Station-viow. These children came because there had been made- quate accommodation in Bough ten, but a new Council school was going to be built for that district, so that in tho future most of those childreai would attend city achoole. In Chester there were 7,021 children on the registers, and there was accommodation for 8,972, so that someone else was extravagant besides the County Council, and wanted to bo brought to book. To date the average number on the roll was 7,093, while the average attendance was 6,077, leaving accommodation for 2,895 more than .h) average attendance. The Chairman: It does not say we should be extravagant. Mr. Crowder, resuming, said there was plenty of accommodation in the city, and the authorities had never yet said To a Hoole child "Go back to Hoole." Cheater charged only the exact cos', of the scholar, and made no profit. Why wore they building tiheso schools? It was certainly rot the intention of the Government who passed the 1902 Act. that such an extreme course should bo taken as had been in this case. His contention was rhat there was already ample provision, and if the Council disagreed with the action of the County Education Com- mittee they could approach the Board of Edu- cation. About four years ago the cost of edu- cation in Hoole was I lzd. in the £ and to-day it was Ilid., which was scandalous, and it was high time they began to curtail expendi- ture. The district, could not stand it. It was costing him £ 40 a year, and it was time they begun to put their foot down. What was tho use of this expense? It was not Hcole, as in Hoole they had ample accommodation for their own purposes. It was a question of sec- tarianism. Tho proposed new school was not, for the benefit of Hoole, but for Newton. (Hear, hear.) They were not there in the in- terests of Newton; they had done too much for Newton, and it was quite time they began to fight, their own battle. Let Newton pro- vide for itself. He moved the following F,niendment: -"That this Council appeaj to the County Council and Education Sub-Com- mittee for the Chester Union area to further investigate the provision of adequate school accommodation for this district. While this Council have no desire to impede the growth of education, or do other than protect the health of their children, our local experience convinces us that the present proposed ex. penditure is UNREASONABLE AND UN- WARRANTED. In the opinion of this Council the building of an infants' school at a cost not exceeding £2,000 on land which mig-ht be obtained free of cost will suffice. In case the County Coun- cil determine to carry out their present scheme this Council requests that the matter might stand In abeyance for three months too enable th-i-s Council to obtain the opinion of the rate- payer* of Hoole as to whether it is not in the interests of this district to reconsider the ques- tion of incorporation with the city of Chester." (Sonic laughter.) Mr. Woollam, referring to the criticism of himself, declared that he had supported Mr. Dobson on the local Education Sub-Committee in all matters affecting the interests of Hoole, with the exception of the site question, when he acted according to hie own convictions. Mr. Dobson agreed. M'f. Woollam, conitiniuing, said that looking at. the question from a disinterested point of view, and not as a r-oligiotik, question, he did not think thev should have a new school, and that it should be built in Newton. Mr Richmond1 formally seconded tiie amend- ment. Mr. Ball said the new school would not be wanted if the existing ones were not Church eohoolfi. If they were unsecta-rian schools Members strongly objected to tho introduction of the religious element. Mr. Dobson said he was not present at the meeting of tJlIe Education Sub-committee when it was decided to build a new Council school, as he received1 no notice of tiie meeting. He understood thesis were only six members pre- sent. Mr. Williams: Then it ought to have been deferred. M1,. Wooilam. said the sub-coimoitt.ee had treated the matter lightly until they received a strong krtter from the County ChnMndtbee saying that they must taha ootion, and they heed no dhotce. Mr. Benn contended that the managers of the schools had done nothing except when pressed. He felt, strongly that the managers had neg- lected their duty. He thought the only reason- able and wise course was the provision of a new school. Children had gone to the city schools because the Hoole schools were not up-to-date. EXPENDITURE ONLY TRIVIAL. He argued i-hat the expense was only trivial, and the workingmen of Hoole would not allow a triflo of only 1W. in the £ to stand in the way of providing good and efficient accommoda- tion for tha children. Mr. Thomaa asked if it was not a fact that the accommodation had been insufficient for tho last two years, and whether one of the classrooms was not badiiy lighted? They "bog- gled" at 1 jd. in the £ to provide proper accom- modation for the children, when it was ad- mitted that they wero in a school whicir en. dangered the-ir eyesight. He did not believe in building for posterity so much, but he did ibelieve in providing for tho needs of the district. After quoting tlie example of the United Statics and Germany in regard to educa- tion, ho said it had been stated in the great oracle, the "Cheshiro Obsarvor," that they should not force an expenditure of £ 10,000 on the district. He was sorry that that assurance was based on a statement made there by a man who ought to have known better, and who ought not to have overstated the facts for gain- ing a paltry end, If they had not considered tholr packets too much, the question would not have taken two hours to settle. He was above being bought on any question, and stood for the best interests of the children, irrespective of creed or politics. There was so much rangling and bitterness over education question tihat in future his stand would bo for all parsons outside, irrespective of cloth. (A Voice: I tear, b"L.I.) If secular education had to through that channel, he was pii-lwxd to re- ceive it, but there were other alternatives quite as satisfactory and as efficient as secular educa- tion. He advised the Council to support the County Council in their action. Mr. Richmond contended that, Mr. Thomas had based his arguments on the Inspector's re- port. Personally, he had not a great admira- tion for Government. officials. He supported Mr. Williams's motion principally on the ground of expense. If tho schools were actually needed he would be one of the. first to say, "Let us have them," but he failed to see why they should go to that enormous expense, boeause in his opinion it would cost nearer £ 10.000 before they finishjed. Ho did not believe in religious education in school; there were the extremes on both sides. There was one party urging a new school to be built because they wanted to push out, the Westminster school. There were only a small number of scholars to bo accommodated, and to build a school to cost L5,000 or £6,000 was a useless erpenre. If the ratepayers ware asked to vote on the matter they would say in an emphatic mannser that, they did not want this useless expense, and would be on the side of economy, as they had been on a recent ooca. sion. Mr. Williams called attention to a remark of Mr. Thomas's about obtaining the money for tho schools by going about "oap in hand," and said the Church within the last eight or nine years had spent between £ 1,200 and EI,400 on the schools. Ho would not object to going "cap in hand" now if it would save the rates. (Hear, hear.) He also argued that the children from Hoole who attended the city schools, such as tho OaHoge, the Wesleyan schools, Himter- streot, etc., would not attend the- new school in Hoole. Mr. Dobson explained thaA tlie figure of £ 10.000 which he mentioned at the last meeting, and which had been referred to, was quoted only for argument's sate. Had it not been for the local sub-committee, however, the figure would have reached nearer £ 10.000. On being appealed to, Mr. Crowder withdrew his a.mend.mont IvII". Williams's motion was then put to the meeting, the voting being as follows:— For: The Chairman and Messirs. Williams., Walton, Richmond, Ball, Crowder and Dobson. Against: Messrs. Wooilam, Duck, Wallace, Thomas and Benm. Th<* motion was therefore carried. Mr. Duck raised the question of a deputation waiting upon the local education sub-committee or the County Council, and mentioned the names of Messrs. Williams, Thomas and Wal- ton as such a deputation. On the Clerk's ad- vice, however, the matter was deferred until the County Council's reply had been received. NEWTON COUNCIL PROTEST. A meeting of the Newton Parish Council was held at the Ermine Hotel, on Monday evening, 711n the Chairman (Mr. Ashworth) presiding over a full attendance. The school question was disetissed and the following resolutions were unanimously pas.wd:-(I) "That this Council express astonish- ment at their not being consulted nor allowed to have a representative on the sub-committee re the site of the proposed new school for Newton and Hoole." (2) That the proposed new school is not required, and that the present schools with alterations and enlargements would be better suited to meet the wants of the district for the next thirty years."—The resolutions were ordered to be sent to the County Council.

GRESFORD PARISH COUNCIL. 4 INTERESTING QUESTIONS. A meeting of the Gresford Parish Council was held at the New Schools on Friday evening, the vice-chairman (Mr. Reginald James Jpresidkig. Prior to the commencement of the usual busi- nese Mr. G. H. F. Robertson received the con- gratulations of the members upon his selection as High Sheriff of the county for the ensuing yoar.-rphe Clerk (Mr. Charles Davies) submitted the Rural District Council's apportionment of expenses relating to the provision of a new oemotery for the administrative parishes of Greeford, LJay, Borras Hovah and Boras Riffree. Mr. James Leo complained as to the constitu- tion of the Burial Committee, stating that Rossett, which was but slightly interested, had no fewer than three representatives upon the committee, while Gresford, which had the largest interest, had but one representative. He also considered it unfair that there was so much delay in holding a Local Government Board inquiry with reference to this question. The ratepayers were being kept very much in the dark. The Chairman stated that there was no neces- sity for the District Council to eubmit these particulars to the Parish Council. Mr. W. H. Lancelot described the proposed cemetery scheme as being simply absurd. The Chairman explained that the expenditure connected with the scheme would be spread over a period of years, the total amount being paid back by annual instalments. The amount charged to each parish was ibased upon popula- tion. Mr. Barr Adams: If population is the basis of charging the cost, I can perceive no possible objection, as I consider it quite equitable. I do think, however, that the ratepayers are entitled to more information with regard to this matter. Mr. Lee moved and Mr. Lancelot seconded a resolution complaining as to the Local Govern- ment Board's delay in holding a public inquiry as to the District Council's method in the pro- vision of a new cemetery.—It was unanimously approved. Sir Foster Cunliffe, Bart.. wrote acknow- ledging the receipt of the Parish Council's com- plaint relating to the speed of motor cars pass- ing through the village, Sir Foster stating that! the County Council was erecting notice boards warning motorists as to the dangerous places. A discussion took place with reference to the difficulty experienced by the Wrexham Fire Brigade in extinguishing the recent fire at Crow Tree Farm, owing to insufficient pressure in the water maine. Mr. Bellis observed that when a firo occurred a message ought to be at onoe sent to the Water- works officials to turn on extra pressure, which was not done upon the occasion of the recent fire at Grcsfoid. It was eventually agreed to communicate witia the Waterworks Company, suggesting that ar- rangements should be made with a view of obviating the difficulty in the future. Tho Clerk read a letter received from a house- holder in the parish, applying for an allotment of five acres, under the provisions of the new Small Holdings and Allotments Act.—it was decided to defer the application for future ocn- (lideration. I

CITY POLICE COURT. MONDAY.—Before Colonel Evans-Lloyd (in the chair), and Messrt. W. H. Denaon and R. H. Lanceley. CORPORATION PROSECUTION. Two Chester men, named Harry Weils, 8, Klin-court, and George Newman, 9, Ingham-court, were summoned for doing damage to ornamental plots of land adjoining the City Wails and Castle Drive, belonging to the Mayor, aldermen ana citizens of tiie city of Chester." Mr. C. E. Barker, Deputy Town Clerk, prosecuted on behalf of tlie Corporation, and said the men had been proceeded against in order to try to put a atop to a practice, which had become a nuisance, of digging for worms in the ornamental flower beds belonging to the city.—William Evans, park-keeper, stated that on Wednesday, Dec. 4th, be was in the neighbourhood of the Dee Mills, when he saw defendants boring holes with two iron pokers (produced) in the flower beds on the Castle Drive. He found seventy-eight holes, about nine inches to a foot deep, and three to four inches in diameter. The damage amounted to 2s. 6d.—Newman: I will do the work for you in about half-an-hour. We were guilty of getting worms, but we thought we were doing the ground good. (Laughter.)—The Chairman said the Bench did not. want to impose a oovere penalty, but the men had no right to go boring holes in the Corporation grounds. Why did not they go to the Rocdee for a change?—The Chief Constable: There are plenty of nianure he-ape in the city. (Laughter.)—De- fendants promised not to repeat the offence, and they were let off on payment of costs. Only Colonel Evans-Lloyd adjudicated in this case. A VISITOR IN TROUBLE.—Rosalind Powley, a respectably-dreseed woman, 43 years of age, who said she belonged to Birmingham. was summoned for having been drunk and dis- orderly in the city on Saturday night. P.C. Cuthbert proved the case.—Detective-Sergeant Crewe, who corroborated, said he received com- plaints aboout the prisoner throwing herself on the ground in front of tram cars. She was nearly run over on several occasions, and had to be pulled from underneath the care.—Prisoner gave ovidenoe on oath, and totally denied the offence. She said she was in a Chester hotel, when a man struck her and threw her into the street, her ahoulder being severely wrenched. She had been in tho city some weeks, and had enemies who were jealous of her. She came to Chester with her husband, who was a. dealer, but he had since left the town on biisinees. She denied falling in front of the cars.—On promising to return to Birmingham prisoner was discharged, the Chairman adding Mind you don't fall in front of a tramcar again." (Laughter).— Prisoner: No, sir. Good morning. (Laughter.) YESTERDAY (TUESDAY)- Before Colonel Evans-Lloyd and Mr. W. H. Denson. SHOP THEFT.-Sarab Owens, of no fixed address, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, value 3s. 6d., the property of George Morton, 37, Foregate-street. It was alleged that prisoner took the boots from outside the shop, and they were afterwards found in her possession.—The Chief Constable reported that prisoner was con- victed in 1903 of stealing boots.—A fine of 10s. and costs was imposed.

AGRICULTURAL FEDERATION. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE COMBINE. From a small beginning, the Lancashire Federation of Agricultural Societies has be- come an important body. It embraces 33 agri- cultural societies in Lancashire and the West, of Yorkshire, the latter being Delph, Hebden Bridges, and iSfcuddiawortli. At the annual meeting on Saturday, at the Mo-sley Hotel, Majichestor, Sir Lees Knowles presiding, there were present also the of five important Cheshire societies, including Mr. Lewis Dodd and Mr. T. A. Beckett (Ghesnire), Mr. W. Page (Mid-Cheshire), and Mr. A. H. Edwardeon (Wirral and Birkenhead). The Mayor of Bolton proposed the re elec- tion of Sir Lees Knowles as president, and this was seoonded by Mr. T. Thompson and carried with applause. MT. Edward Bohanx, secretary of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, was re- elected viae-president; Mr. Hodgkinson, of Chorley, chairman; and Mr. Haj-greaves Murphy, of Padiiham, vice-chairman. Mr. Bi-rtwistle was re-elecited secretary, and heartily thanked by the meeting for his de- voted services. Sir Leee Knowles then said that the Rat- cliffe May Day Society, the Cheshire, the WirraJ, and tiie Adlington sought member ship, and he proposed that they, with Altrmo- ham and Mid-Cheshire, be accepted as mem- bers. He said that it was necessary, in order to have a complete federation of the soci^ti^s of Lancashire and Cheshire, that the ruics should be revised. They were at present f rained on the one-day show system, and some of the societies that wished to join h id two- day shows. The Cheshire and the adlington societies had agre-A to the rules, but Altnnc- ham, Wirral, and Mid-Cheshire dcsir&i hat certain amendments (Should bo made He proposed that the rules should be referred to a sub-committee, consisting gf two members of each of the five Cheshire societies and two of the Lancashire Federation The committee would have to consider We question of pro- portionate representation and voting powcis, according to number of me nbers or tb,-valte of the money prizes awarded. It was also sug- geisted that there should be a maximum rcpre sentation on the Federation Council, and the societies' representatives should be nominated by name. Subject to an agreement '.he Cheshire societies were willing to join. Mr. E. G. Parkes confirmed Sir Lees Knowles's statement. MT. Thompson suggested that the name of the Federation should be Lancashire, Ghee hire and Yorkshire. The Yorkshire societies joined without asking for any privileges, and con- formed to the whole of the rules in force at the time. Sir Lees Knowles thought that to add York- shire would be a large order 8It present. He moved the formation of the committee as in- dicated, and Mr. E. G. Pairker seconded, and it was carried On the motion of Mr. Ken- worthy, the Radcliffe Society and the three Cheshire societies were elected members, the latter subjeot to the revision of the rules. The following were appointed the ten mem- bers of the Special Committee on rules: — Messrs. Kon worthy, Hodgkinson, Parkinson, Birtwistle, Rawoliffo, Murphy, Hudson, James Whitehead, Stretch, and Mercer, to represent tho Lancashire Federation and meet the ten Cheshire representatives The name of the Federation was also changed to tie Lancashire and Cheshire Federation of Agricultural Societies. Mr. Birtwistle read a paper on the working of the shows of the Fedora/tioai, which con- tained many valuable hints to secretaries and show committees, and wae much commended, a vote of thanks being accorded to him on the motion of Mr. T. F Egerton, seconded by Mr. A. H. Edwardson. A dimiCT was held subsequently, Sir Lees Knowles presiding. There were over seventy present, and a very pleasant oono&rt was given by the Apollo Glee Singers from Padiham. Thie toast of the "Federation of Lancashire and Cheshire Agricultural Societies" was pro- posed by Mr. T F Egerton, who spoke of the pre-cminenoe of Cheshire and Lancashire in stock-breeding. He referred to the fitness of Sir Lec6 Knowles for the po6t of President of a Lancashire and Cheshire Federation, as he was a Lancashire man and a Cheshire tenant. Sir Lees replied for the Federation, and said that day might prove to have been his- toric for the Union of Cheshire and Lan- cashire. Mr. Egerton might parhaps have de- scribed him better as a Lancashire landlord and a Cheshire tenant. Tho Mayor of Bolton proposed the "City and Trade of Manchester," and Mr. K. A. L. Hutchinson replied. Mr. Kewwortfhy gave the health of the Pre- sident, and Mr. J. K. Newton, as a member of the Yeomanry, expressed the hope that Sir lees, in assisting in the administration of the Territorial Foroes Act, would ertcoarago the purchase of British meat and fodder in- stead of foreign meat, Russian oats, acd im- ported btw.

NATURAL IIISTOIIY NOTES. DECEMBER. The naked trees swing their creaking brandies in the wintry wind above tiie rotung litter of their own i,-k-L leaves; the autumn grandeur of the forest is no more: even the withered bracken has lost its warm amber and the grase is so mixed with fadc-d blades that it look.-? no longer green. Wimer is with us, though the sun shines brightly at times: the season of rest has come, though the hyacinths have pushed their tiny heads above tiie black leaf-strewn ground and the buds of next spring shew where they have pushed the old useless leaf-stalk from the twig. There are no straggling belated summer migrants now, no Cowers to notice in the untrimmed hedge-bank. A few weeks ago we saw at intervais of several days the- last departing birds of summer, slipping quietly south as tlie chattering fieldfares and other northern fowl came in 10 fill the gaps, and along the coast even later movements might be observed. Following thoee caniL- tiie birds we class as spring and autumn mig ram.&dJOtiC which only use England as a wayside station, stopping to feed and rest, as tiiey perform their long journey. Meet of these iiave gone and the flocks of waders which haunt our shores will only move if forced by weather to vacate IT favourite feeding grounds upon the rich tidal mud. A few weeks ago too scattered buttercups and other common fiowrb showed their faces by the lanee, the dull-leaved wayside gorse was full of golden autumn flowers, and brambie blossoms crowned prickly twigs which would never bear fruit. The buttercups, splashed by the rain and nipped by the frost, have given up the struggle, and though a few yellow blossoms still stand on the autumn gorse. most of the bushes are as bare as their relatives liard by which only flower in spring. The fruitful earth is resting after its harvest home. By the way, how strange it sounds to us here in Cheshire when we are told that in some places tlie harvest is not gathered in an Irish friend wrote to me a few days ago that he hoped it would be in before Christmas, but lie did not feel sure. SEALS IN THE DEE. Two yearn ago, on November 19th. a common seal was foolish enough to visit tlie neighbour- hood of Handbridge; it had some differences of opinion with the fishermen on that Sunday and finally was conveyed to the Grosvenor Museum. According to the report- it was ten years sinoo one had been seen in the Dee. Another ten years is not going to pass, however, before one visits ue, for about the middle of last month one was playing in the water and resting on tlie banks off Gayton. Probably weals come more frequently than is supposed, but. they keep far down the river and are not observed. About the same time there was one in Llandudno Bay. rather to the astonishment of the fishermen, for seals are not frequent there. In other parts of the North Wales coast they may be seen occa- sionally I have watched the big grey seal off the coast of Llevn, and indeed it is not unlikely that it breeds in some of the more remote rocky caves of that forbidding coast. Another rather unusual visitor got into trouble on the Dee sands, for on the beaoh near Flint there lay the body of THE DELUSIVE ANGLER FISH. which a friend of mine estimated as weighing thirty or forty pounds. What a strange, un- natural creature—from our point of view—is this angler fish. It is all head and mouth: there is really very little fish back of this groat head, yet it can accommodate in its apparently small interior huge dinners of other fish, fiesii, or even such indigestible articles as fishermen'c floats. The angler buries itself in the sand—at least it buries its body and as much head as it con- veniently can so long as it leaves the working parts exposed. And these working parts are perhaps the strangest parts of the whole, for the fish is provided with a light and serviceable fishing rod, really a modification of the first spine of the dorsal fin, which arises from above its Tounded snout and bending neatly over suspends a tempting fleshy-looking bait, all of which is part of the fish, over its cavernous jawsl There are other weed-like prooesses and tentacles which wave gently in the current and attract, the atten- tion of curious and greedy little fishes. There the angler lies buried in the mud, waving its bait above ita head and welcomes little fishes in. With gently smiling jaws." What jaws they are, too! Rows of ferocious teeth are ready for all comers, and when the great mouth is dosed upon some creature too big for a single swallow it is a grim fight. In this way the luckless diving bird has pushed its head into the trap and died. Once a great northern diver was seized by a large angler, and while they were struggling a fisherman captured both on another occasion it was a cormorant which had its head and long nock within the angler's jaws when both were secured. A wigeon, razorbills and guillemots have been taken from the stomach of this fish and another one was choked by trying to swallow a herring gull. Birds, however, are only accidental food of the angler, but the fish it will sometimes cram into its inside are almost equal in weight to itself, and a granite anchor stone has been swallowed. AnglerB;" too. have been allowed to swallow the end of a whip and ship's mop and then dragged ignominiously ashore by the other end of these inedible articles. Mr. Siddali. of Chester, records that in 1901 he found one—in Rhcs Weir, I think—which, though only two feet across its head, had a round brass tray of 12 inches diameter fixed in the back of its mouth, and fitted so tightly that it could not be re- moved." Fishing-frog was the name given to this curious fish it was Aristotle who originated this name, for he called the animal a kind of frog, but with us devil-fifth is perhaps more common. There are, however, many devil- fishes in the fisherman's vocabulary, for any- thing which is quaint or to him objectionable is uncanny. I have only seen very small anglers myeelf on our shores, but at times huge fellows four or five, or even six feet in length, get stranded. What nt creatures they would be to tread upon when bathing! GEESE AND DIVERS. Last month I gave a rough census of the Dee geese—three or four hundred; there are probably double this number in the river now. The numbers of the geese do not actually fluctuate; they steadily increase as the season and then decrease again as the year has turned. Red-throated divers have also been seen in fair numbers off the Welsh coast and in the river. In the local papers a great northern diver's obituary appeared, shot. by a wiidfowler. Thi6 may be correct, and if it is, there is nothing very remarkable about it, for this biggest of the divers is not really unusual in winter. It is, however, rather a coincidence that a red-throated diver was frequenting the estuary for oome, days prior to the date on which the reported great northern was shot, and as no evidence of iden- tification was given, we can draw our own con- clusions. It is a pity to kill these birds, even if they do some damage to fish, for they are interesting and beautiful; the true sporteman only shoots geese, ducks and other edible fowl; there is no glory in shooting a useless bird merely as a specimen unless it is sent to some public museum where it will be of value, or unless the shooter requires it for scientific pur- poses Private ockliections--meze ooilectionw-are worse than useless; they are the cause of serious damage to our fauna. THE SHORT-EARED OWL. The angry alarm note of the rook and the shriller expostulations of a jackdaw caused me to look up into the eky to see what was upsetting them. High against the blue I could see three birds, and recognised the small daw and the larger rook, but the third bird I could not at first make out. The two crows were again and again attacking this third bird, though they never actually struck it; indeed, the jackdaw, so far as I could see, took good care not to approach too near the stranger the rook on the other band made some very determined assaults, and may perhaps have struck the other bird with its wings, for it several times swerved. When they came nearer, graualiy descending. I saw that the visitor was a round-headed, round-winged and long round-tailed short-eared owl; it came steadily on, save when the rush of the rook drove it a little from its path, flying with siow but powerful wing-beats, until it passed right, above me. Then it drifted away to the south and dropped rapidly down into a neighbouring hall garden or a covert beyond. I hurried to find it, but when it went earthward the rook and daw left it, and I failed to find any other birds mobbing it. I wonder where it came from or what it was doing flying so high in broad daylight. SQie flbort-eared owl ia far move diurnal than it* relatives; it will hunt in the daytime, and when fiuahed flies off without shewing the uncertainty of tawny or barn owie when turned out in the light; but as a rule the flushed short-eared (whicn its often put up by partridge shooters) d, not fly far but soon drops into cover onos more. Perhaps this bird had been disturbed by some big shoot, and in wrror took a longer flight than usual; it is hardiy like;y that I just caught oigtit of a migratory bird which had recently arrived and was moving to eome likely feeding1 ground. At any rate, it was a very interesting s'gnt to see it and the crows paaj above my, head. -UramMings are now well distributed througl.. oui the county; these little northern finches, commonly met with in winter with chaffinches were rather late in reaching Cheshire; they hay. een noticed in the south of England and evtat m Lancashire Jong before they were observe? here. Tnere is, however, often irregularity i< the arrival of winter birds; this year we hav< had fewer diving ducks than usual, though the winter thrushes came in great force fairly early. When a little harder weather comes we 6hal probably see more of them a frosty spell and a northerly wind usually brings them in. T. A. C.

IN DARKEST FLINT." STARTLING STATEMENTS AT HOLY- WELL. At the monthly meeting of the Ilclvwell of the Flintshire Education Com- mittee held on Monday, a discussion arose aa to tJJe oause of the very low averag-e of school attendance among the children in the Flint dio^rict, and the attendance effioer remarked that Bagillt. and Flint wore admitted to be the two very worst pLaoes in that, respect in t.be county. Mr. J. P. Jones: Is it a fact that many of the ohildron's parents pawn their clothes, and t'h8 children are in the house absolutely naked?— The officer Yes. Dr. Williams (Flini) Is it not a fact that the pawn.brokers of Flint make more business with people who come from a distanoa than the Flint people?—The officer: Not now. MT. J. P. Jones: It is nothing toO ero to houses in Flint and find the children naked; they run and hide behind the doors when any- one is about. I have no hesitation in s&yir^ Flint is the lowest district in Flintshire, and next comliagiilt. Dr Williams sa;d if the children at Flint went to sctiool they were sent back, and then they went flyin.g pigeons. He hhd ecisn it lamself that morning. Mr. Lloyd Price doubted whether Flint was as bad as it was painted. If they compared Flint with other tfimilar towns he didn't think it stood so badly. Tlie attendance officer said the Bagilk parents took their children out to piak ooeklee and ooa.1— r&a.lly to watch the policemen. The attendance officer of the Holywell dis- trict reported that two boys of school age were employed for a day game-beating by a local gamekeeper, being paid 2e. each. Dr. Williams (Flint) The practice is a per- fectly illegal one. It means paying t.hem a little less than a man would be paid. Mr. J. P Jones: IL is an opportunity for them to have a re-al day's sport once a year. After Nome further discussion, Dr. Williams remarked "Bother the law! That is the Holywell doctrine."

LIGHTLVG-UP TABLE. All cycles and other vehicles in the Cheeter district must be lighted up as stated in the following table:- P.M. Wednesday, December 18 4.52 Thursday, December 19 4,52 Friday, December 20 4.52 Saturday, December 21 4.53 Sunday, December 22 4.53 Monday, December 23 4.53 Tuesday, December 24 4.54

DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION 9, WATSB TOWKB BTBUT. WEEKLY REPORT. Old oases 89 Removed 1 New cases 20 Deaths 2 Cured 11 On books 94 Relieved 1 Visits 581 E. BATESON, Lady Superintendent. December 14, 1907.

CHESTER INFIRMARY. WEEKLY STATIC, ENDED SATURDAY LAST. In-Patientaare admitted on Tuesday Morning at Eleven o'clock. In-patienta Discharged. In-patients. Cured i > j Admitted 24 Relieved 3 J Remain in the House 98 Unrelieved 0 | Irregularity 0 1 Dead 4 | ODT-PATIENTS. Medical Cases are seen on Monday, Wednesday. Thursday and Saturday mornings at 11 o'clock. Surgical Cases are seen on Tuesday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Ophthalmic Cases are seen on Friday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Dental Cases are seen on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Ten o'clock. Out-patients admitted during the week.87

ATKINSON & BARKER'S I ROYAL NFANTS' PRESERVATIVE ROYAL I IN CONSTANT USE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. For Teething, Convulsions, Rickets, &c. BOTTLES, 1/11, 2/9 AND 4/6. .J.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES and DEATHS Art charged at the rate of 20 words for is. (prepaid). If not prepaid the charge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. BIRTHS. OUMINGS-On the 16th December, at Heath Cottage, Upton, Chester, the wife of Sydney G. Cummings, a daughter. MILLLNGTON—On the i4th December, 1907, to Mr. and Mrg. J. A. Millington, London-road. Northwich, a son. SMITH-On the 17th December, at Blacon Point, Chester, the wife of Leonard P. Smith, of a son. WILBRAHAM-On the 10th December, at "Jesroond," Belmont Surrey, the wi:e of Roger E. Wiibrabam, of a daughter. MARRIAGE. HARPER-BYER.S-OII the 10th December, a4, the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Bramhall, by the Rev. J. Fleming-Jones, BA., Robert A. J. Harper, M.IX, Barrow, younger «OD of WiHiam Harper, J.P., SherUf Hall, Dalkeith. N.B., to Helen, yMiiyest daughter ol the late G. W. Byers, Bolton, and of Mrs. Byers, Bram- hall, Cheshire. DEATHS. HOWE-On the 15th December, at his Chester residDC80 Thornlrigh, Vicar'* Herbert William Howe, ef Moss Lodge, Ashtor i>yne. LEA-On the loll: iL' .vr, at EUeenere, KgerUM Park, Rock Ferry, Eiouia, the beloved wife of Thotnaa AnAry Lea. CPFAKMAV On the 11th December, at 97, BellotU ^refcf Cheetham, Manchester, Elizabeth, the belovsd wife of J^el B«Wern Speak man, of Church Bank. Tattenhail, and of Bellott-street, Manchester, in her 79th year. WILLIAMS—On the 13th December, at Holt-street House, Wrexham, Joseph Llewellyn Williams, M.B., aged 63.

M E M OR I A L S MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE k ALABASXEP„ CHURCH BRASSES, ESTABLISHED 1774. 'W.HASWELL&SON KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Bkevipufr" oh ^ppHoatutn, TsiJEFBOKJi NQ. iua.