The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

INSANITATION AT HALKYN t DUKE'S AGENT'S VIGOROUS PROTEST. At Friday's meeting of the Holywell Rural District Council a kttcr was read from Mr. H. D. Lyi-cs, agent of the Duke of \Vedmini>'t>er's Flintshire estate, in which he stated they had again had an outbreak of infectious disease at Haikyn, which had necessitated the closing of the schools. For several years past the die- trict had never been free from infectious disease. There must be some predisposing eauoo for this in a district which should be one of the healthiest in Wales, but that it should be allowed to exist without an effort to find out and remedy the cause was nothing lees than a grave scandal. There were cottages in the district which inside and outside were reeking with ineanitation, and so long as this was allowed it would bo a source of danger to the public. There were several parts of the village which made cleanliness practically impossible. After the last outbreak he wrote asking for a full investigation to be made, but with apparently no result. He trusted this second outbreak would instigate the Council to act in the matter, which could not bo tolerated. While cases of ineanitation were dealt with and remedied where the owners were persons likely to remedy them, the most glaring cases, which were not likely to be remedied, were left alone. He did not intend to mince matters. Justice de- manded that clean and respectable members of the community should be safeguarded against those who kept their perisons and dwellings in a dirty, squalid condition." The Clerk: Are the facts as stated? The Inspector: Certainly not. I admit there are houses that are bad. The houses are stone, which is porous, and tho dwellings are not dry. The Chairman: Are they clean ? The Inspector: Oh, Y£6; there are not more than two or three on the mountain that are anything but clean. All these children oome home from school with sore throats; it is noth- ing more than sore throat. The mothers say the schools are draughty. The inspector waa directed to malfiO a special amort on the matter,

BREWERS V. JUSTICES, CHESHIRE LICENSING APPEAL. INTERESTING CASE. SIR E. CARSON AND DR. HODGSON. On Monday, at the Cheshire Quarter Sessions, at the Castle, considerable interest was shewn in an important appeal, which raised questions of tho rights of magistrates in regard to tied- house agreements. After a hearing, which commenced in September and was twice ad- journed, the Crewe magistrates, of whom Dr. Hodgson is chairman, refused an application by a man named Peter Leigh, of Liverpool, for the transfer to him from Mrs. Hannah Brown, of the Bluo Cap Dog Inn, which is one of the largest licensed houses in Crewe. Leigh and Messrs. Peter Walker and Co., of Warrington, the owners of the house, were on Monday apd- lante against this decision, and they were repre- sented by Sir Edward Carson, K.C., M.P., and Mr. Ellis Griffith, M.P. Mr. D. F. Byrne, Deputy Recorder of Manchester, and Mr. W. B. Yates appeared for the respondent justices. Sir Horatio Lloyd presided over a very large attend- ance of magistrates, who included Lord Arthur Groove nor, Judge Moss, the Hon. Cecil T. Parker, Colonel Dixon, Mr. John Thompson, etc. In opening the case for the appellants, Sir E. Careen eoid the case was an absolutely simple one of the transfer of the licence, but he ehould have something to say about the extraordinary developments which had taken place under the guidance of the chairman of the Petty Sessions at Crewe. A gentleman named Withers became tenant of the Blue Cap Dog in 1895, prior to that he having been manager of the same house. He died in August, 1903, and his sister, Mrs. Hannah Brown, then became the tenant. She carried on the business until June 17th, 1907, when a notice to determine the tenancy, which had been given in March, expired. Mr, Brown refused to hand over the licence, and only con- sented to do so on action being taken against her by the company before Mr. Justice Pick- ford. On August 1st the owners entered into an agreement for the letting of the premises to Mr. Peter Leigh, the present applicant, and on I August 13th an application was mado for tem- porary authority to the magistrates at Crewe, with Dr. Hodgson presiding, and, he was going to say, of course it was refused, but at all events it was refused. On September 10th Leigh made application for a transfer of the licence, and there was no doubt that on that occasion Dr. Hodgson applied himself to a microscopic in- vestigation of the facts, and at the end of the day he made this extraordinary announcement: "I am asked to say that the Bench have been pro- foundly impressed with some of the evidence which they have heard to-day. They consider that the outgoing tenant, this poor widow, has been harshly treated, and they adjourn the applica- tion to the next transfer sessions." He did not know what view tho learned magistrate took of his duty, but, as a lawyer, he should have thought it was to. decide the case. It waa not a legal ground of disqualification of the applicant that the previous tenant complained-wrongly in that case—of being badly treated. The plain meaning of the magistrates' order was that the company must pay out the original tenant in eomo way or other. That was, he submitted, a peculiarly offensive way of conducting the ad- ministration of justice. It was a denial of justico for magistrates to say that they would not. adjudicate because they thought the out- going tenant had been harshly treated. At the next hearing, on November 19th, his friend, Mr. Ellis Griffith, appeared and proved all that the law required him to prove. Dr. Hodgson suggested that tho company should answer an allegation that their agreement with the late Mr. had been a bogus one, and aitlioug.ii Mr. Withers had been a bogus one, and although Mr. Ellia Griffith told them there never had been a bogus agreement, the Bench issued an order on an official of the company for the pro- duction of books and documents relating to that agreement. Dr. Hodgson at that hearing be- came practically an advocate in the ease, and cross-examined witnesses to his own satisfaction, in a way that he did not think he (Sir E. Carson) would be allowed to do. As Dr. Hodgson was the tribunal to decide, he also decided the case to his own satisfaction. Some more evidence was gone into, and the magis- trates again adjourned that simple case of transfer, the conditions of which were laid down in the Act of Parliament, and were as clear as noon-day. The case became one of almost Im- perial importance, the sole reason being that Messrs. Peter Walker and Co. were ti o brewers. The. caae was finally heard on Dec. 31 t J. (Hold- ing up a large bundle of papers) Theri waa tho transcript of that small case; 66 pages r typed matter, and ho ventured to think 97 c 18 per cent, of it was "all Dr. Hodgson." (La i., enter.) I Mr. Leigh, tine applicant, was examined for tho third time on that occasion. Mr. Leigh had been for 25 years in tho employment of Messrs. Walker and Co. Ho was originally a temporary barmam, but by his own industry, honesty, thrift and business capacity, ho had won tho confidence of his employer and had become out- side manager-a most responsible position. Not one single word could be said against tho man, aaid to describe him as unfit to hold a licence, without one particle of evidence, was a cruelty. Dr. Hodgson examined the witnesses, and' when ho did not get an answer to his satisfaction he always charged the witness with prevaricating, or telling falsehoods, or something equally agiwable. Here was the kind of examination that applicant had been subjected to by that impartial magistrate: "I suppose some mana- gers would look upon you as a spy." Why should a man bo treated in that way? Appli- cant was pressed to tell tho amount of his salary, arid the amount of his savings and every- thing of that kind, and then Dr. Hodgson said it toucihed his credibility. (Laughter.) A man might be just as credible if he had £1 per week as if he had JB2. Dr. Hodgson also said, "Wo find that when tenants clear out of these* houses they clear out without a 'rod' cent." That was a nice unbiassed kind of judge to havo trying a case! He would call their atten- tion in a moment to the Act of Parliament, be- oausp it seemed to have been forgotten by Dr. Hodgson. He (Sir E. Carson) first mentioned that after tho three days' bearing, tho lady (Mrs. Brown), who had been complaining of her grievances, said she had been offered £ 650 as compensation—she having no legal claim at all —and she had refused it. It had never occurred to the magistrate who> was acting as advocate or judge to ask the lady whether she had been offered that sum. As shewing tthe absurdity or unfairness of the decision, Sir Edward stated that although Leigh had had nothing to db with the agreement between Withers and the com- pany, Dr. Hodgson had said there had been conflicting evidence as to the agreement., as to whether Withers was a. manager or a tenant, and because there had been conflicting evidence they held that Leigh, who had had nothing to say to that agreement, was an unfit man to hold a licence. Sir Edward challenged any man to prove any evidence as to Leigh's unfit- ness. Dr. Hodgson, in giving his decision, had not said one word as to the unfitness of Leigh but he had had the gratification of heap- ing up costs upon too company. Simply be- cause of the particular views of the gentleman, who was cuppossd to be administering justice in Crowe, that house had been closed sinco June 17th. Previously its trade had amounted to JB70 or jBSO per week. Finally, Sir Edward argued that there was no ground at all for the refusal of the application, either becauso of the chaiacter of the applicant or the character or condition of the house. JUDGE MOSS'S INTEREST. The Chairman mentioned that Judge Moss (who was sitting on his left) bad intimated to him that be had been counsel in a matter be- tween Messrs. Walker and Withers prior to the present case. He would not sit in that ease unless the parties wished it. Counsel on both sides protested that it was their deeire to have the assistance of Judge Moss. The Cliairman: Very well, I share the same feeling myself. The Judge therefore eat throughout the hear- ing. Leigh, one of the appellants, and three wit- nesses as to character wero called. This was all the evidence offered for tho appellants, and Sir Edward Carson closed his case at the ad- journment, CASE FOR THE JUSTICES. On resuming, Mr. Byrne said his friend had opened his oaee 8B if it had been a contest be- tween the Chairman of the bench and Messrs. WeUper and Co., but Die. Hodgson was only CIDIIt who took part in the decisions of the magis- trates, Thero had been practicafly a full bench, and aU the justices had taken part in the de- cision, and it had been unanimous as well. Against tho character of Leigh not a word had been spoken. It was not on the ground of his C"hara.ote.r, but on the question of his fitness to hold a licence that the transfer had been re- fused. His fitness meant his competence from his knowledge and experience of the trade and his financial standing, having regard to the trade of tho house. Ho submitted the decision of the justices was a right one, and ought to be upheld. Prior to 1894 the man Withers had been in receipt of weekly wages,, amounting to E2. 5s., for niana-ging that house. lIo had had to assist him one barman at 30s. per week and tw.o at 25s. sum total of wages was there- fore £ 6. 5s. for the management of that house, which did a trade of -670 to JESO per week. About. 1894 the justices gave it to be known that they would object to managers in tied houses, and in that year Withers and the owners of tho Bluo Cap Dog presented to the bench an agreement, by which Withers was promoted from being manager to tenant. The justices took some exception to the agreement, and defoiieaiae was paid to their wifdiop. Another agreement was presented in 1895, and nothing could be fairer than that agreement as between. brewers and a "tied" tenant. It provided for a rent of JS200, which had been raised to £ 275, to bo pad quarterly. Sir E. Careen objected to his friend going into the history of the house as far back as 1393. Tho onJy question was tho fitness of the present applicant. ALLEGED EVASION. The Chairman said there was an agreement before, which was practically the same as this, and he supposed it was sought to shew that the practice under the old agreement was such as to induce them to think the agreement coming into existence would be equally disregarded. Sir E. Carson: How on earth can that be evidence of Leigh's fitness? The Chairman: That is as to the bona fides of the present agreement. Sir E. Carson: That may be the way he puts it, I admit. A man named Withers broke his agreement, they say, and they ask you because of that to draw the conclusion that a man named Leigh will break an agreement and is an unfit man. The Chairman: They think possibly this agree- ment can be evaded like the previous one. Sir E. Carson said of course any agreement might bo evaded, but they were not to antici- pate that a man of the character of Mr. Leigh was going to do anything in breach of the agree- ment. The Chairman (to Mr. Byrne): Why are we to assume that a new man, with a high character, coming in under the same agreement, neces- sarily must be going to conduct the house im- properly ? Mr. Byrne caid it was not the whole case that an agreement between the same brewers and Mr. Withers in 1895 had been departed from by both. In the present appeal the brewery com- pany joined with Mr. Leigh, and one of their grounds of appeal was the following: "that there is no cause arising out of the character or conduct of the owners of the said house, or their agent or agents, why a grant by way of a licence should not have been made to Peter Leigh." There was further cause in respect to Leigh himself, because, while his character was not touched, his only experience had been that of a temporary manager—manager for five years and supervisor of managers. Sir E. Carson said he was not objecting to any evidence or argument as regarded Leigh's ex- perience. The Chairman observed that Withers and the brewers might have agreed to depart from the agreement, but how did it follow that a man like Leigh, who had his righto under the agreement as against the owners, was necessarily going to succumb in the same way, a:rd were the brewers never to repent? (Laughter.) Mr. Byrne contended that the justices must consider the management and conduct of tho house, which must be pre-existing at the time the application was made. The Chairman: Is there never any chance of a change? Mr. Byrne: Certainly, there is. I can see no objection to a tenant perfectly unconnected with Messrs. Walker. The Chairman said if they were to go back to tho agreement that existed ten years ago, why not go back to one that existed fifty years ago? The question was, wae Leigh a fit person? Sir E. Carson thought hie learned friend would admit that Mrs. Brown was a perfectly proper tenant in every way under the eame agreement, and why after four years' successful management go back to the Withers agreement? The Chairman said he believed all the Bench agreed with him, that the evidence in question was immaterial. (Cries of "Agreed, agreed," from the justices.) Mr. Byrno asked that a case might be stated upon that. The Chairman: Oh, certainly. I suppose liti- gation expenses are of no account here. Sir E. Carson: But in this case it will be at the expense of the rates. The Chairman (to Mr. Byrne): Havo you any- thing to say against the fitness of Mr. Peter Leigh? Mr. Byrne: I put all that evidence on the ground of unfitness. The Chairman: His personal unfitness? I gather it is put this way. Although Mr. Leigh may be a perfectly proper man, still he has to deal with people who have behaved in an extra- ordinary way with another tenant, and the justices are satisfied it is, in the word of the Act, "impossible" for the business to be carried on successfully and properly.—Sir Horatio added that if Mr. Byrne made out from the present agreement that applicant could not conduct the house properly, that was all right. Mr. Byrne said that if the evidence which had been referred to was excluded it would be the main part of his case, and he did not see that he would be justified in further occupying the time of the Court. The Chairman: We think it not material to the present inquiry to consider what were the conditions between Withers and the brewers. Mr. Byrne said in that case he should not bo justified in pressing the matter. The Cliairman: Is thero anything on the face of the present agreement between the brewers and the applicant which renders him an unfit person? Mr. Byrne paid the only thing on the face of the agreement was that it was identical with that made with Withers. Sir E. Carson: Which you said was a fair one. Mr. Byrne: And the persons with whom that agreement was made have, in. tho case of Withers, departed entirely from it, and they aax- tfhe landlords of Peter Leigh. ALLEGED BOGUS AGREEMENT. Mr. Byrno having pointed out that it would be difficult to state a case without having called a witness, Mis. Hannah Brown was called, amd in reply to Mr. Byrne deposed that she knew her late brother, George Withers, had entered into an agreement with the brewery company, but it was not genuine. Sir E. Carson objected to the opinion of the witness on this point. It was a question on which lawyers might fight. The Chairman (to witness): In your opinion it was not genuine? Witness: No; my brother told me so. Witness stated that ehe assisted her brother in the business from 1898 until hiii death, and after ho was madb tenant cash was collected woekly by Messrs. Wallcer'a agents. Books and documents relating to Withers's agreement" were formally put in by tlie witness, and ruled irrelevant on objection by Sir Edward Carson. Cross-examined, witness said she was a bona- fido tenant. Sir E. Corson: You swore in the King's Bench Division that at the date of his death Withe-rs was tenant to tho plaintiffs. Witness denied this, but, in answer to fur- ther questions she said her brother was sup- posed to be tenant. She was told by one of tho travellers that she would bo asked many questions, but that she must say her brother was tenant. She admitted that sho refused an offer of £ 200 in cash and the company's promise to forgive a debt of JS600 as compensation for 'her leaving the houao. &he claimed £ 1,000, Sir E. Carson: Why was tbat?-I wanted something to live on aftor working all the days of my life for nothing. MIl. Byrae aid that oil the other witnesses could only give evidence to the same effect, and that was the case for the justices. THE APPEAL ALLOWED. After a short consultation the Cliairman said: The largest bench I ever remember sitting here in this court is unanimously of opinion that this appeal ought to bo allowed. Sir E. Carson: Then you allow the appeal and make a.n order for the transfer? The Chairman: Yes. On the question of costs the. Chairman said tho only power they had was to allow the justices their costs out of the county fund. Sir E. Carson: Then I hope the county will enjoy it. (Laughter.)

NORTHOP FARMER'S DEATH. 1 ACCELERATED BY ALCOHOLISM. Strange disclosures were made at an inquest- held at Northop Police Station, near Mold, on Monday night, when Mr. Frederick Llewellyn Jones an inquest on the body of Henry Parry Evans (63), farmer, of PÀls Newydd- Northop, who was found dead in his bedroom on Saturday morning by his sister. Elizabeth Evans, sister of the deceased, said that her brother le-ft home on Friday evening quite sober. He returned shortly after eleven in company with a man named Lle-w. Hughes, and. asked her to look if there was any blood coming from his car. His surmise was correct, but deceased could not tell her where ho had fallen. She bandaged him up and put him to bed. The next morning she weot. to his room, and found him sitting in a chair by the bedside, with his head bent. She spoke to him, but getting no reply sho became alarmed. Mcdical a was summoned, but tho doctoT upon arrival found that the man had been dead some hours. Replying to the Coroner, Miss Evana said that deceased was in drink when he came1 home. He had brought a half-pint bottle of whisky homo with him, which was found to be un- touched in the morning. He had been drink- ing heavily lately, and occasionally came hom-, drunk in the afternoon, and was put to bed by witness. Llewellyn Hughes said that when about seven o'clock on Friday night he went into the Cross Keys Inn. Rliosesmor, the deceased was there drinking beer. Deceased was very jolly, al- though not noisy. They both left towards 9.50. and walked together arm-in-arm. Witness left deceased at his sister's house, but almost im- mediacy heard him call out. Running back, ho found that he had fallen, and helped him up. He did not se- the sister at all. Deceased said he had no pains, but thought that something was running down his neck. Mary Martin, daughter of flic licensee of the Cross Keys, Rhosesmor, said that deeea^cd had only two glasses of beer from her that night, but that some one else had served him. with three beers in addition. Dr. Williams, Flint, said that when he ar- rived deceased, who had bled badly, had been dead for several hours, but the loss of blood was not sufficient to cause death, which lie attribu- ted to heart failure, accelerated by loas of blood, and also by alcohol r-m and c-xposuro to the cold. Summing up, the Coroner said that three of tho witnesses were clearly endeavouring to mislead the court as to the 0011dition of the tkeoased that night. There could be no doubt whatever that th,* sister's evidence was per- footly truthful and straightforward, and she had distinctly stated that he arrived homeafler eleven under the influence of drink. The only conclusion they could come to was that the deceased was so drunk that it took him all that time to walk that short distance from the Cross Key? home, and that immediately he was. left alone lie feU down. They must also feel, too, that. those respoinsib'e for the conduct of the public-house where the deceased spent his last night had taken very little, if any, precaution to discover if the deceased was fit to be served, although they seemed to know his habits well. Speaking personally, he felt certain that the matter would not be allowed to rest there. Tho jury found that the deceased had "Died of heart failure, accelerated by loss of blood caused by an accidental fall, and also accelera- ted by alcoholism and exposure to the cold."

DEATH OF MR. ALGERNON POTTS « We deeply regret to state that tho death took plaoe on the afternoon of Christmas Day of Mr. Algernon Potts, of Glanrafon, Mold, at the age of 58 years. The deceased gentleman was only ill for a period of five days, death being due to pneumonia. He leaves a widow —unhappily hereelf in a critical condition— and five children (three daughters and two sons) all adults. The late Mr. Potts was a jus- tice of the peace for the counties of Flintshire and Denbighshire, and was a familiar figure at the Mold and Ruthin Petty Sessions. He was a son of the late Mr. Henry Potts, and succeeded to the extensive Llanserras estate, on the death of his elder brother, the late Mr. Henry John Potts. The family history is in- separably interwoven with the city of Chester and Cheshire, his cousin, Mr. Reginald Pot is, being Clerk of the Peace for the county, and clerk to the Cheshire County Council. De- oeaeed was a Freemason, and was appointed Worshipful Master of the Sir Watkin Lodge, 1477, soon after its consecration in 1874. He was a staunch Conservative and an ardent Churchman, worshipping with his family at the picturesque Llanaerras Church. He and his family have been great benefactors to the village. Deceased was an ardent sportsman and a popular figure at local football matches. His love of music was profound, and the local school benefitted materially for many years by his efforts in organising entertainments. THE FUNERAL. The interment took place at Llanferres Church, near Mold, on Monday, amid mani- festations of the deepest sympathy and respect. There was a large gathering of mourners, from country gentry to the humblest tenant and poorest cottager, and the funeral procession was a long and impressive one. A service was held in the parish church, being' attended by a crowded congregation, and the officiating clergy were the Rev. Canon L. Garnett, of Christleton, near Chester, and the Rev. Jones (Ruthin). The service was choral, and the hymns sung were "Peace, perfect peace" and "For ever with tho Lord." At the graveside "Caersalem" was rendered. The chief mourners were :-M:cr6. Arthur Henry and Cyril Potts (sons), the Misses Dorothy and Marjory Potts and Mrs. Dodd (daughters), Miss Potts (sister), and Mr. Hubert Potts (cousin). Among the general mourners pre- sent were Colonel Davies--Cooke, Dr. Trub- shaw, Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, Major Wynne, and Messrs. W. H. Cooke, S. Lloyd, H. A. Farrar, James Farrar, R. L. Barker, Charles Rogers, C. P. Sheffield, T. S. Adams, R. Stewart Kelly, G. W. Hayes, T. A. Acton, etc. There were also present about 40 tenants from the Glan yr afon estate, others from the Ollerton estate in Cheshire, and many local people. There were numerous beautiful floral tributes, the senders including "The Widow," "Arthur and Cyril," "Cecil, Dorothy and Molly," "Lizzie," "The Household," "Work- men," "The Ollerton Tenants," Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Potts, "Eleanor Potts," T. A. Acton, T Bennion Acton, Mr. and Mrs. Wain and family, Mr. A. Trubshaw, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Farrar, James Farrar, tlle Rev. Thoe. and Miss Jones (the Rectory, Llandebra), Mr. Lloyd (Corwen), Mr. and Mns. C. Sheffield, Mrs. Llewellyn Lloyd, G. Winifred Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Hughes, Mrs. Hugh Jones and family (Ruthin), Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Chamberlain (Wallingford), etc.

REMARKABLE LONGEVITY.—A remark- able record of longevity is reported from Great Ponton, South Lincolnshire, where Mrs. Moulds has just died in her one hundred and first year. Her mother reached the age of ninety-three, and her grandmother would have been one hundred had she lived a month longer. A sister of Mrs. Moulds also lived to be ninety-eight. Although the parish ha.s a population of about four hundred, Mrs. Moulds is the first person in it to be buried this year. James Roche, an old soldier, who is an inmate of the Sunderland workhouse, asserts that he is 112 years of age. On Christmas Day he was "crowned "—that is, given five shillings for being the oldest man in the workhouse. He shared the money with his friends. An old Connaught Ranger, he has seen service in India, the Crimea, and Waterloo. He has lost all his medals. He hobbled about begging for many years, but greatly against his inclination, was driven to the work- house at lwt»

r CHESHIRE CHEESE INDUSTRY. I REVIEW OF THE YEAR. (By Mr. R. Challinor.) Thero are very few industries that have se- cured as much attention during the past year as the Cheshire cheese industry. The make has been exceptionally heavy, and the prices throughout have been satisfactory to the far- mers. During the first. three months of the year the highest price for the last 15 years was reached; April, May and June prices fell to the usual level caused by large supplies, and remained stationary until the middle of September, when the demand overtook the sup- ply, which brought about a signal improvement in price, which has been maintained through- out the year. Since the introduction of the weekly faiT!' tho tonnage of cheese pitched annually at Chester, Nantwich and Whitchurch alternately, in the aggregate amounts to 1,000 tons or more over c,,TiJ above the weight pitched in 1903 under the old arrangement on monthly fairs. The change has p:ovcd a boon to the fanner, and has been no disadvantage to the buyers, as it enables them to buy often and take Less risks, and the local authorities, who at first appeared somewhat disinclined to support the alteration are now thoroughly in accord. Why? Because 16 fairs against 11 or 12 annually bring in in- cieased tolls, and help to reduce tho rates. The year 1907 will long be remembered as an ful year in the Cheshire chee-e trade. This chceee's reputation as an article, of great food value is now established, the ck-niand is in- creasing every year, and the area in which it is marketed is no longer limited. The large towns of the Midlands are taking to Cheshire and buying it in large quantities, and Yorkshire his been keeping up its reputation as one of the largest consumers. In July last 20 tons of Cheshire cheese in one consignment was sent to one customer, whose supplies again in November totalled upwards of 50 tons. When a tingle firm of retailers can undertake tlie dis- tribution of a huge quantity liko this there is no doubt, that the demand will keep pace with the supply. I am told that London is asking for more cf our best dairies, and it is within my personal knowledge that the request is having the atten- tion of some of our local cheese experts. In my opinion it would be much better if London would go further and ask for some gcod eheece of the medium quality, as the Eayt End should provide a good demand for good wholesome r; er cheese of guaranteed purity at prices from 7d. to 8d. per lb., and if it could only obtain an opening in tlhat part of the metropolis it would sell upon its merits, and soon become e. popular article of diet, the demand for which would rapidly increase. The trade of 1907 will take a prominent place in the minds and thoug-hts of tho..e engaged in it. Wliile the output has been a large one, .say not lecs than 30,000 tons, and the average price about £ 60 per ton, this will mean a turn- over of £1,800.000, an amount not to be despised considering that it is produced by the sale of a single agricultural product. It has been very satisfactory to note that during th? year sellers and buyers have done their business pleasantly, caoh one looking after his own interests!, the producer saying lie must get as much as he can or he cannot pay his own way, and the factor on the other hand arguing that-ho will have to buy right or he will be unable to make a profit, without which bup-iress would come to an end. THE OUTLOOK. In bringing to a close- the above few jottincs I should just like to mention a word with refer- ence to the coming year. Though I am no pro- phet, nor son of a prophet, I have an idea that, at least the next two or three months will bo friendly to the holders of cheese, whether it be the farmer or the factor, as prices will improve. During the rummer months prices may fail, as they always do, and the markets may occa- sionally appeal- wanting of the usual healthy tone which generally characterises most of our fairs, but there will be nc slurrp or any serious depression, the demand for milk in our large towns increases year by year, and whenever the price of cJieeee falls below paying point, two or three weeks' milk-selling will improve the position and assist in giving stability to the cheese trade. R. QhaJMnor, in sending the foregoing few jottings for insertion in your next issue, is cl3- sirou.s of conveying his best wishes to all its readers for a happy and prosperous new year.

HUNTING. 1 CHESHIRE HOUNDS A largo company met this pack &t Saighton Grange on Thursday, the residence of Mr. Geo. Wyndham. Tho Duke and Duchess of Weet- miiiiisler were present with a party from Eaton. Among those pro-sent were Lord and Lady Ar- thur Grosvenor, Lord and Lady Lett ice Chol- mondeley, Mr. Hugh Lindsay Fitzpaixick, Mr. Boll (the Master of the Galway pack in Ire- land), the Hon. Cecil Parker, Mr. and Miss Sandbaeh. etc. Finding close to Aldford, they ran a ring below Buertcn Church up to Saigh- ton Grange. Turning to the left over Mr. Min- shull's farm, they crossed tho Chester-road down to the river Dee. Hero their fox crossed, Champion stopping hounds below Eockston Ferry. Handley produced a fox which took the field below Tattenhail village, crossing the road near Tati-enhall Road Sta-tron. A nice line was taken up to the hills past Gregorv's Wood. Hounds hunted him then past <:0 Bur- wardsley as if again for TattenhalL Just- short of BoLesworth Castle they were run out of soent after a nice hunt, a point of about five miles. The day was finished with a fox from Crow's Neet, which ran past Huxley village within a field of Stapleford. Then turning to the right at Burton, they hunted up to Hoo- field, hounds being stopped hero and taken home after a hard day. There was a large muster to meet the Cheshire on Saturday at Worleston Station. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster were again present with a party from Eaton. Although there was frost m the ground hounds were able to hunt. They hunted from Poole Gorse a fox which crossed the brook and river Weaver near Mr. Arthur Knowles's, Alvastcn. and then across the road to Wistaeton to ground. Unfortunately the small wooden bridge crossing the Weaver gave way after a few of the field had got over. Find- ing again in Poole, hounds had another short spin and went to ground near Worleston. The day came to an end with a fox which took a ring out of Aston and was lost. The fixture on Tuesday was Peover Hall. The ground was again hard, but hounds made a start to hunt from Rudheath with a fox which ran across to Gaily Piece. After about twenty minutes' hunting hounds were run out of scent. Gaily Willows was blank, but Rudheath held one which took the field past Goostrey, and was lost after returning past the Three Greyhounds to near where they found. From Drakelow they ran "w a fox by Marshall's Gorse up to Lostock, and to ground in a culvert, after an hour's hunt. BLUECAP.

SIR W. W. WYNN'S HOUNDS I MEET ON Thursday, January 2, Penvlan at 10 -J5 Saturday, January 4, Malpas at 10.45

HEROES IN THE WORKHOUSE.—The "Daily Telegraph" makes an appeal to the oonscienoe of the nation. Is it realised, aeks our contemporary, that among the veterans as- sembled in Monday's brillian-t scene many had come from the Workhouse, and ae many have gone back to it again? Cbming to the ques- tion of method, the "TelegTaph" says the aim should be to take cut of the Workhouse every man who fought and bled for England in the Mutiny and the Crimea. The first step is for citizens of sufficient initiativo and influence to take up the cause in every city and shire, and to form local committees. Wherever possible the Mayor, the Lord Mayor, or the Lord Lieutenant ought to be found at the head of the movement. The leading citizens whose gen,-ices it is hoped to utilise in connection with the Territorial Army scheme ought to give all possible aid. Every town in the United Kingdom which does not possess a Veterans' Association ought to found one im- mediately, and there ought to be a central committee in every oounty affiliating to itself all the more local committees within thefihire. Finally a National Council could be formed, if success in the meantime had not made this lesb atoop tBXQeceastti3*

RHYMES OF THE TIMES. 1 There once was a, sportsman named Cholmoudeley, Whose cup disappeared very rholmondeley; But a neighbouring Duke Found the cup by a fluke, While the guardians of iaw were struck dholmondelev. 27/12,07. E. S. M.

SHOTTON BREWERS AFFAIRS 9 Yesterday, at Chester Bankruptcy Court, be- fore Air. Registrar Giles, the public exami- na.tion was held of Jacob Griffiths, Clay Hill Farm, Queen's Ferry. Griffiths carried on business as a partner with Joseph Fennah in the firm of the Shotton Brewery Company at Shotton. In his sLatement of affaire his gross liabilities are given as J3171. 18s. 5d. His assets are given as L102. 1& but as his liabili- ties are expected to rank for dividend at L6& 15s. lid., there is a surplus of £ 34. 2s. Id. The receiving order was made on debtor's own petition, which he filed in consequence of an execution's being levied. He is 33 years of age, and is a pig and cattle dealer in addition to his brewery business. Debtcr fills in the statement under the heading of "Cause of failure" with the words "IA)6b- of money in the Shotton Brewery, and going surety for Hughes; losses in srock." Tn-e 0thecal Receiver (Mr. Ll. Hugh Jones) 'd d said debtor iiad disclosed only private debts to the amount of L65. 17s. lid., or, including creditors partly secured, to the amount of £ 68, and that amount had been realised already, so that debtor was solvent on his separate estate. Debtcr staitocl that Ino used to travel to solicit orders and collect accounts for the Brewery Company. When an account was paid at a public-house he had to "treat" all the customers in the house. Although this sometimes cost him three or four shillingc; he never charged the company more than twe shillings. The examination was adjourned. It wat stated that at the next court Joseph Fennah* the other partner in the company, would c«tm« up for examination.—The Official Receiver said the two cases would eventually be con- solidated.

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. t All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted up ae stated in the. following table:- f C, P.M. Wednesday, January 1 5,0 Thursday, January 2 5ti Friday, January 3 5.2 Saturday, January 4 5.3 Sunday, January 5 5.5 Monday, January G L\6 Tuesday, January 7 5.8

CHESTER INFIRMARY. 4 WKKKLY STATE, ENUEU SATURDAY LAST. In-Patientsare admitted OIl Tuesday Morning et !it ven o'I,-)ck. In-patients Discharged. In-patients. Cured j Admitted 15 Relieved I Remain in the House 93 Unrelieved 1 Irregularity 0 Dead OUT-PATIKNTS. Medical Cases are seen on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornmgs at 11 o'clock. Surgical Cases are seen on I tiesdav mornings at) Eleven o'clock. Ophthalmic Cases are seen on Friday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Dental C are seen on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Ten o'clock. Out-patients admitted during the week.08

ATKINSON A BARKER 8 ROYAL INFANTS' PRESERVATIVE IK CONSTANT USE ION OVER 100 YEAHS. I For Teething, Convulsions, Rickets, &e. I BOTTLKS, 1/1^, 2/9 AND 4 G. _J

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES and DEATliS arc charged at the rate of 20 words for 16. (prepaid). If not prepaid the charge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. BIRTH, STOTT—On the 22nd December, at Cot-ehm, Kirby Park, Cheshire, the wife of Frank Stott, oi a son. MARRIAGES. Ef,LTS-MARSH-On the :25th December, at St. Anne's Cnureh, Birkenhead, by the He v. Thor-as Lee, Charles Ellis, youngest son of Charles Roberts, Llangollen, to Emily Jalle, youngest daughter of George Marsh, Birken- head. POLLARD—MORGAN—On the 21st December, at Tarvin Parish Church, by the Rev. Howson WUcockson, Eng. Lieut. Percy Pollard, R.N., son of the late F. Pqllard. Esq.. and Mrs. Pollard, Bodiere, WAdebridL-e. Cornwall, to Nancy Gertrude, eldest daughter of J. T. Morgan, of The Limes, Stamford Bridge, near Chester, late of Birkenhead. DEATHS. LEWIS-On the 30th Dec-ember, at 2, Ermine road, Chester, William Lewis, in his 6 th year. For 46 years a faithful and respected employe at the Kaleyards, Chester, for Wm. Haswell and Son. LITTLER—On the 27th December, Sarah Jane, the dearly loved wife of Samuel Littler, 77, Ermine-road, Chester, aed 40 years. MELLOR-On the 23rd December, at Knuteford-road, Warrington, Harriet Meilor, widow of the late Isaac Meilor, of Horsemarket-street, Warrimrtoo, in her 73rd year. MORTON-On the 27th December. at Harprave Hall, Ilooton, aged 57 years, Philip Henry, second son of the late Digbv Berkely Morton. POTTS-on Christmas Day, at Glan yr afon, near Mold, Algernon Potts, aged b8 years. WALLIS-On the 21th December, at the Crown and Anchor Hotel. Norlhwk-h, Mary Jane, wife of G. H. Wailis, aged 46 years. WOOD-On the 27th December, r.t Vernleigh, Weaverham, Ann, relict of John Wood, of Marche Hall, Westbury, Salop, and recently cf 1, King's Buildings, Chester, aged 81 years. WYXNE-On the 22nd Dec-ember, at Bryn Ogwen, Aber- gele, Walter Wynne, agert 73 yi-'ars, last surviving son of Rd. Lifton Wynne, 01 Ystrad, Denbigh. IN MEMORIAM. UR&WN—" In Aler.ioruun." Francis Faulkner Drown. M A., J. P., died January 2nd, 190".

— —■ M E M OINR I A L S |vf A ~R RTjKj GRANITE, STONE A: ALABASTER. Church li B. AS a as ESTABLISHED 1774. W. HASWELL & SON. KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Desigitsfree on application TELEPHONE NO. 161A.

RUTHIN TOLLS DIS'I'.UTE.-An unexpected 3d. development has occurred in connection with th* Ruthin tolls dispute. With a view of establishing their right to collect tolls on cattle brought fot sale into the town, the Corporation entered proceedings in the county court, their test action being against John Kellett, farmer, for the recovery of Sd. The cafie was down for hearint* before his Honour Judge Moss at Ruthin on Monday, but Mr. A. O. Evans, who had been instructed by a committee of farmers in the Vala of Clwyd to defend said he had received intima- tion that morning that the case had been with- drawn. In view* of the importance of the case to the agricultural community and to the Corpora- tion it had already necessitated a great doaJ of trouble, and he asked for special costs. Tha Judge allowed costs under scale B, which applies to amounts between £ 20 and £ 50. It is understood that the caae will next be beard of in the Hiahst Courts. v