Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

THE FAMOUS WELSH "LOURDES" HOLYWELL STILL CROWDED, CURES REPORTED DAILY AT THE WELL SUNDAY PILGRIMAGE TO HOLYWELL. The interest taken in St. Winefride's Well is increasing, and this is evidenced by the large number of persons who arrive daily in the town. It was supposed when the rush of visitors first set in that the excitement caused by the reported miracles was simply of an evanescent character, and would soon pass away. Experience has falsified this expectation. Instead of decreasing, the fame of the Well has spread far and wida. with a rasult that from all parts of the country pilgrims and visitors are flocking to Holywell. Special articles appear in influential journals detailing the remarkable scenes to be witnessed daily at the shrine of St. Winefride; descriptions, more or less accurate, accompanied by illustrations, are given of Holy- well, and its famous Well, and the leading English medical journal devotes an article to the subject, which we reproduce this week, Beyond doubt St. Winefride's Well has made a stir in the world, and a stir that will not subside as quickly as was at first imagined. The town is now full of visitors, and the crypt at the Well is crowded at each mid-day service. On Sunday a remarkable scene was presented in St. Winefride's Chapel. The congregation over- flowed the Chapel, and crowded the steps, and roadway. This was caused not only by the immense number of strangers staying in the town, but also by the fact that the members of the Catholic Ohurch of Our Lady, at Buokley, that day made a pilgrimage to Holywell. They arrived in the town in brakes, accompanied by the Rev. Father A. Chauvin, S.J., and other priests from St. David's College, Mold. At eleven o'clock solemn High Mass was celobratod at St. Winefride's Church, and a brief address was given by Father Chauvin. Shortly after noon the pilgrims proceeded to the Well, where a devotional service was hold, and an address given by the Rev. Father Beauclerk, the priest in charge, after which all present devoutly kissed the relic of St. Winefride. In the afternoon, the party proceeded to Pontasaph, and mado Itil inspection of the famous monastery and monastic church of St. David, and also the stations of the oross, Benediction was performed for the pilgrims by the Capuchin Fathers. A STRIKING INSTANCE OF HEALING. INTERVIEW WITH A PROTESTANT. One of the most remarkable of cures that have taken place at the Well within the past few weeks occurred on Monday morning last, when a young woman named Rebecca Gibson, experienced what she herself described as a wonderful cure. From the aooount she gave in the oourse of an interview by a representative, she said she lived with her motherat 1,52, Simm's Square, Higher Gullet, Aspull, near Wigan. She was eighteen years of age and two years last July, whilst working onthe pit-brow she strained herself by carrying a weight beyond her strength. She was ill after it and from that time until tho present she had been under the treatment of Dr. Cooke, of Aspull. The injury she received caused fits whioh left her in a weak state and during which ehe was totally unconscious. The internal injury also affected her eyes, and she had to wear glasses. On Saturday last she came with her mother to Holywell and stayed at Assisi House, Well-street. On Monday morning she went down to the Well and bathed, and afterwards kissed the relio of St. Winefride. "Almost," to use the girl's own words, the moment I kissed the relio I felt a kiud of buzzing in my side and a sense of relief; the constant pain I had felt there disappeared and strength seemed to come to me." The question was put Do you think it is permanent or is it a relief caused by mere excitement"? "0 no," she said, "I did sot feel excited and I feel so very different now that since it happened at the Well I am altogether different." She was next asked In what spirit did you go there ? How did you come to know of the Well f "I saw the accounts of the cures in the papers and it struck me that I should be cured. I came here firmly believing that it would cure me. I had no doubt about it." "What is the effect on your eyes?" Much stronger, and I have taken the glasses off. My eyes are now quite easy, and mother has thrown the remains of my medicine, which I have been taking regularly, away." What Church do ycu attend P I am nob a Catholic, I attend the Parish Church at Haigh, near our place, and I was in Holywell Church last night. I am leaving Holywell to-night but Isba II come back shortly." The mother of the girl said she had had a deal of trouble with her for two years. She bad been unfit for anything being so weak and suffering. The change that bad come over her since her visit to Holywell was remarkable, and she could not express her joy at tho alteration in her child. THE LOCAL BOARD AND THE CROWDED TOWN. At a meeting of the Holywell Looal Board, on Monday, Dr. James Williams referred the Board to the regulations for street traffic and the accommoda- tion for visitors. There was a great influx of strangers into the town, and they were little pre. pared to received them and the consequence was a great deal of inconvenience- He had every reason to believe that the influx would go on. Ho considered it was the duty of the Board to attend to the matter. There bad been an article published in the St. James' Gnzette on tho subject. Mr. Lambert: It give a picture of a state of things that doos not exist. Dr. Williams There is a certain amount of truth in it. Mr. Lambert: I do not think it fairly represents Holywell. It is most unfair to run away with a wrong impression. Dr. Williams: It does not find fault. It is written in good spirit and tasto. Mr. Lambert: The writer pities. Dr. Williams: 0, the writer is sorry for some things. If you will listen to this part you will see the spirit of it. Nrys Lambert: 0, yes that ia so. Wo cannot be a bit surprised if the peopleare inconvenienced. We pretty well feel the pulse of the town and know how it is. Wa have had such a rush this year as we naverr before remember. The only wonder to me is that we bavo not had some serious accident. There requires some thorough regulation of the traffic. Mr. Bromley thought if some of the facts in tho article were correct it was a state of things that should be prevented. It must be taken hold of and looked at fairly. He was-glad to see people coming into the town. The oommittee should seo that the people do not lodge, in a sense, as to interfere with the health of the people. Some peoplo did not care how they placed thorn so long as they could make a penny by them. Then if the Board introduced any stringent regulations they would drivo the people out of Holywell. Dr. Williftnt- We should see that thsy arc pro- perly housed an far as we are able to do it. Mr. Lambert: I am not aware that they have gone to the extent of sleeping in bathing machines as they have done at Rhyl before now. The Clerk said they could not register the houses unless they were common lodging houses. The Board had no discretion they might try to assist to accommodate the strangers and it would be a good suggestion that the Sanitary Committee should see what can be done, and if they could assist the lodg- ing house keepers and the strangers it would be a good thing. Mr. Bromley Show a disposition to make thorn comfortable. Dr, Williams It is a poetical article and it is worth the while of the people of Holywell to im- prove the character of the place in view of what will come, THE WELL TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEAFS AGO. John Taylor, the W.~ ter-Poet, in describing a journey he marie in 1G53 says -'I Stturday. the last of July, I left Flint-, and went three miles to Holy-Well, of which place I must speak somewhat materially. About the length of a fllilong, down a I very steep Hill, is a Well full of wonder and admiration; it comes from a Spring not far from Rudland Castle it is and hath been many hundred yearos knowne by the name of Holy-Well, but it is more commonly and of most antiquity called Saint Winifrid's Well, in memory of the pious and eh a to Virgin Winifrid, who was thero beheaded for I refusing to yield her Chastity to the furious lust of a Pagan Fringe. In that very p!?ce where her bloud was shod, this Spring sprang cp from it doth issue go forceible a stream, that vitain a hundred yards of it it drives certain Mils, an i eome do say that nine Corn Mils and Falling Mils are driven with the stream of that Spring. It hath a fair Chappell erected over it called Saint Winifrid's Ohappell, which is now much defaced by the injury of these late Ware. The Well is compassed about with a fine wall of free stone the wall hath eight angles or corners, and at every angle is a fair stone piller, whereon the west end of the Chappell is supported, In two several! places of the wall there are neat stones staires to go into the water that corner from the Well, for it is to bo noted that fche Well itselfe doth continually work and bubble with extream violence, like a boiling cauldron or furnace, and within the wall or into the well very few do enter. The water is christalline, sweet Itnd medicinable it is frequented daily by many people of rich and poore, of all diseases, amongst which great store of folkes are cured, divers arG eased, but none made the worse. The hill descending is plentifully furnished (on both sides of the way) with beggars of all ages, sexes, conditions, sorts and sizes many of them are impotent, but all are impudont, and richly embrodered all over with such hexameter poudred ermins (or vermin) as are cal'ed lice in England." COMPLETED CURES. A visit was on Tuesday paid to the shop of Mr. William Sephton, newsagent, St. Helena function, who, it was reported, had derived much benefit by his visit to Holywell, by a press correspondent, who was informed that Mr. Sephton, who is over sixty years of age, had suffered from Perious defects'in bis eyes for about eight years. Prior to that time his sight had been failing, and for about three years he was totally blind. An operation performed by Dr. Little, a specsalibt, of Manchester, was partially successful, and Mr. Sephton could distinguish very largo type by the aid of powerful glasses. He was recommended to vi-vit Holywell, and oa Monday week he did so. He bathed and drank the water, a:id Mr. Sephton, who is a Catholic, declares that as he left the Well he could see the white stone steps, and also the face of the nun in attendance. Mr. Sephton returned to St. Helens the same day, and although he has nut wholly recovered his sight, he can see much better than before. Mr. Sephton intends to pay a three days' visit to Holywell shortly, in the hope of a complete recovery. Mr. Joseph Egan, whose case wa s reported six weeks since, stated that his cure was comple. e and that he has suffered ne pain and no inconvenience since he left off his truss, two days after returning from Hoiywell. lie had worn trusses for nearly fifty years. A MEDICAL VIEW OF THE CURES. If any prooess be discovered which tends to the relief of suffering, something (says the Lancet) has been gained by the science and art of healing, some- thing akin to them, and which cannot in the order of nature — which is also super-naturo-be either discordant or adverse. Therefore we do not altogether repudiate as absurd the "miracles" which in all times and places, from ancient Egypt to St. Winefride's Weil, have exeroieod the faith and the feeling of mankiud. We would, nevertheless, in the very interest of truth, be forward in seeking the explanation of these phenomena, which is as well within the rightful province of human intelligence as the most unquestioned results of bygone investi- gations. Acoording to the published accounts of them, the "miraoulous cures" reported to have reoently taken place at St. Winefride's Well, in Flintshire, conform for the most part, and probably altogether, to the typo of those in which the healthy change in diseased parts is due to nervous agency. The deaf, the blind, the cripple-these are the marvels of recovery. It is in further accord with scientific explanation that the "cure "does not appear to have been in every case complete. A blind man, for example, returned seeing with one eye in other words, this organ retained in temporary abeyance (casual details are not given) the power of vision, which was onergiaed probably by a timely return of the central nerve force. A cripple on approaching the spring dived into it and forthwith abandoned her crutches. Thero is here a strong presumption of arthritic stiffening or of merely functional paralysis. It would be much more satisfactory on every ground to have as full details as possible of the history and course of such cases rather than the meagre and one- sided statements published. Natural causes, we feel confident, would then be found to coincide exactly with the so-called super-natural in affecting the result. We are pleased to see that among the Roman Catholic olergy, who have interested themselves in the reputed virtues of this Well. some belief is placed in the curative force of a ra-awakened will. A REMARKABLE CURE. Mr William James Chard, of 4, Beatrice-street, Stanlev- road, Bootle, whose evidence is confirmed by his brother, Mr J Chard, Stoucycroft, bears testimony to his astonishing cure at the Well. Mr Chard, who is a Protestant, had been spending his holidays in Anglesey, and last week in retnrning home, he called at Holywell to visit the scene of so many re- ported miracles. Mr Chard was suffering from a contraction of the muscles of both hands, and while at the Well a quantity of the water was poured upon his hands. To the astonishment of the many onlookers, Mr Chard was able to distend the fingers of one hand and to place the palm of his hand flat down, an act which he said he could not previously have done for a thousand pounds A singular fact is that whilst the contraction in one hand was released the de- formity remained in the other hand HOW SOME OF THE CURED ARE PROGRESSING. A most interesting letter has been received from a fister of Miss Duffy, of Howden-Ic-Weir, whose cure attracted widespread attention She states that the railway station was crowded with people when her sister returned home, and they were astonished to see the confirmed cripple for seven vears walking unaided from the train Dr Williamson, of Witton Park, has examined the case, and he states that the cure is wonderful No doctor could have effected it, and it must have been wrought by the hand of God "Crowds of people come to seo her," concludes the writer, "and a great many are getting ready to go to Holywell The Sisters of the Convent at Deal, whose cures were reported last week, report that their cures are fally maintaind —Mrs Tobin, 8t Helens-road, Bedford, Leigh, states that her son Thomas, who had been ruptured from birth, has been perfectly cured at the Well SLOW BUT SURE Miss Mary -Tameson, of Liverpool, in December, 1892, fell and injured her knee so severely that she became a perfect cripple She WILS attended to by Dr A Bligh, of fthaw-street, and was afterwards able t ) get about a little on crutches In June last she came to Holywell, bathed in the Well, and before leaving was able to add one crutch to the many in the Well that testify to the virtue of St Winefride's water Re- turning again in July, she was so relieved that she was able to dispense with the crutch and go about with two sticks On paying a thiid visit in August, one of the sticks was laid aside, and Miss Jameson states that she hopes with her next visit to be able to dispense with the use of both crutches and sticks for ever EXCEUA CURED A case of obstinate excema has been cured after the patient had suffered from this unpleasmt affection for five years The person upon whom this was wrought was Miss Hopkmson, of Nelson, who visited the Well in August last Writing on Saturday last, Miss Hopkinson says she is now quite cured, and no mark is left of th# eruptions Previously she could only use tho softest linen towel, but now she can use one of the roughest surface RESTORED TO HER WORK Miss Ann Ratcliffe, of Coppall, near Chorley, who had lost the use of her feet, which necessitated her giving up her employment, gives testimony to tha good effects of bathing in the Well, stating that she not only recovered the use of her feet, but is now able to walk some miles with ease and comfort FACTS The number of visitors to Holywell is increasing rather thau diminishing, and among them are a very great number of cripples This tide of visitors promises to increase even as autumn advances—some declaring that they will attend the Well were there snow upon the ground The feast of St Winefride takes place on the lth of Nov- ember next, when Holywell will present a scene which has probably never before been witnessed in its history The mid-day services in the crypt of the Well still con- tinue. and also the Sunday evening services We are desired to state that there is no intention of holding regular Wednes- day evening services at the Well A concert is announced (sue advertisement), in aid of the °J ^'JW Hai'' which Miss Edith Lane, who has br"» arranglI1.g for the whole of the of that some 80 in number-to pay an early visit to the Well

Li LAN AS A. CHOIR AND SCHOOL TREATS-On Thursday, the 13th init, the scholars attending the Llanasa Parochial School and Gronant British Schools, were entertained to tea at the Llanasa School by Mrs J T Jones, Plas; Meddyg, and Mrs Batters, Tanlan A large number of children assembled and thoroughly enjoyed the good things provided After tea various games were plaved, and prizes given, in a field kindly I!ffthtiVic!lr At dusk, fruit and cake were distributed, Jf*?heers had been given for Mrs Jones and lianTiv > the little ones dispersed, having spent a very visited Ih^choT^ri of,^iac^ pears to each child, and her i^vslnn i f", °f fclocoVllate ,a™ lpq-inc —In the evening t"vL v hlp waa heartily cheered on lea ting- J-n <-ne evening, the same ladies kindlv invited tho members of the clion: of Llanasa Par-i-v, -1 and fork tea in the Schoolroom A *00?,, > to a kmie after which songs were given by members of ae'choir Mrs J T Jones and Miss Lilhe Profit, acting as accompanists At the close a vote of thanks to Mrs Jones and Mrs liatters was proposed by the \_icar, and se«onaedby Mr Cartwright. A voWleasant evening was terminated by the singing of tlie Na/ior.al Anthem A —— ♦

-I A SThirLATlXG, SusTAisixa Ci:r—MAT,< IKSTAXTLY.-A I small spoonful of Cadbury's Cocoa, with boiling water or milk, wiil make a large breakfast cup of I lie most delicious digestible, absolutely pure and nourish!;ig Cocoa, of the greatest strength and the finest flavour, entirely free from I any admixture. Cadbury's Cocoa provides a refined daily beverag-e for the robust, the young, the old, and particularly those of wtak-aud impaired digestion,

MOLD. INTERESTING VOLUNTEER MANOEUVRES. On Saturday last the member? of the A Company of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, R.W.F., under tho command of Captain T. M. Kocn?, and Lieutenant R. 8. Kelly, attended a parade for the purpose of receiving instructions in attack drill and outpost duty from the Adjutant, Captain Alau Gough. The schsme of the operations as tho invasion of a force which had landed at Hhvl and marched through the Vale of Clwyd to Ruthin, from whence they were proceeding to Mold. The A company formed part of the fore3 ordered to intercept the invaders at Hafod, and upon discovering the enemy they were instructed to drive them back, or else to hold them in check until the acrival of reinforcements from Chester. Arriving upon the heights of Hafod at four o'clock, the enemy was discovered, and the company extended for attack and prooeeded to storm the position, which was eventually carried, and the enemy were forced back towards Cilcen. Outposts were then thrown out the idea being that the defending force was encamped at Mold, aud for the dofenee of the oountry, within a iodius of about 1 miles round the camp, the A company were to furuish two out of a liue of pickets. Before the close of the opeiations the Adjutant gave verbal instruction in the subject of attack and outpost duty. lie pointed out how these subjects formed one of the niot important parts of soldiering, and having criticised the attack of the afternoon, he complimented the men on the strength of muster I aud their general appearance. The company wore than entertained by Major Edward Lloyd, (Hafod), to an .abundant supply of refreshments, which after too exertions of the afternoon the men enjoyed thoroughly. Before the return march to Mold was commenced, Captain Keene on behalf of the company thanked Major Lloyd for his generous hospitality, which tho men supported with hearty cheers. Mujor Lloyd having replied, the company marched home, having spout an enjoyable, as well as an instructive afternoon. Mr. T. Whitley conducted the band, and Sergt-instructor Holden also took an active part in the proceedings of the afternoon. — ■» — £. :R'=""3

POINT OF AYR. THREATENED LABOUR TROUBLES.—All the colliers and loaders of the above named Colliery have given fourteen daYiI' notice from the 17th inst. to terminate contracts. It is attributed as a cause of this step that six men have been dismissed, and their fellow workmen have decided to stand by the men.

— e THE GREAT NORTH WALES HORSE SALES AT WREXHAM. We have again much pleasure in calling our readeu attention to Mr Frank Lloyd's horse sales to be held in hi.) extensive repository at Wrexham next week The sales con-. mence on Tuesday, wiih waggon and light lurry horses Wednesday—Foals of all classts and young horses aud a few mares; Thursday—Harness horses and hunters, including the Barmouth coaching teams, and Friday will comprise a tine selection of cobs and ponies The entries now exceed lOiil principally bred in Wales and the surrounding counties cf Shropshire and Cheshire High class sires have been used in +1 ioc'}hty.fur years, and the annual* of cither class are cf the best, with hardy constitutions and the best wearing ]eg3 and teet. Buyers in want of genuine sounl horses ",i!! weil to attend Wrexham next week. everv branch isconducted 011 stric.ly business, principals All horses are Ric-rantiy?.. and two clear days trial is allowed purchasers Withoui a doubt this is the great secret of the suecois of this giganti-1 S&I9 iuu particulars will be found in our advertising columns i

Cricket. CHESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. RESULTS UP TO DATE. rlayect: Won. Lost, Drawn. Pts: Tattenhall id 11 2 3 25 Wrexham 16 ..11 2 3 2.5 Saltney 16 9 5 2 ..20 Fliat 10 8 5 3 ..19 St. Oswald's, 16 8 6 2 18 Mold 16 C. I I 8 2 ..14 Buckley 16 4 7 5 ..13 Hawarden 16 3 12 1 7 Chester 16 1 ..14 1 3 A deciding match will be played between thef.e clubs, on the Broughton Hall ground, next Saturday. FLINT CRICKET CLUB SEASON, 1891. During the past season the Flint club haw played 17 matches; winning, 9 losing, 5; and drawing, 3. For the 17 matches played they have an aggregate of 1676 runs for 129 wiokets, or 13 runs per wicket, while their oponents have an aggregate of 1246 runs for 159 wickets, or 7'83 runs per wicket —In the Chester and Distriot League the Flint team occupy the fourth place, with 19 points, having won, 8; lost, 5 and drawn, 3 matches scoring aa aggregate of 1634 runs for 124 wickets, or an average of 12 37 runs per wicket, while their League opponents have an aggregate or 1126 runs for 149 wickets, or 7-55 runs Der wicket. The batting averages of the respective players are as follows, the figures marked with an arsltrisk signify not out Times Most in Ruiis Ill's not out anin's Av'g'e s E J Hughes 424 17 3 100*30-28 GAFryer. 330 17 1 890..20-62 T Bartley 101.. 9 0 43 ..11-22 AC Wibiama. 129 14 2 32 ..10-75 Wm Hughes 147 16 0 34 9-20 C Christopherson.. 108 14 1 27* 8 30 RTJones 77 12 2 34 7 70 J Eiiis 29 7 3 12 7-2,5 FLowe 28 10 5 10* 5*60 J Ll Williams. 62 12 0 15 5,16 W T Pierce. 26 7 0 12 3-71 Bowling analysis :— Average Overs M'dns Runs Wick'ts per w'kt FLowe 212 56 121 69 6-1 G A Fryer. 222 48 501 53 9 4

ALWAYS behind hand—The wrist. Always aioot— Tho twelve inch rule. Always ahead—The source of a river. YOUNG Muggins recently became a party to a very interesting sleight-of-hand performance. His girl gave him tho mitten. IF you hear a man say that there is very little gambling going on at present you can safely infer that he knows 110 better. AT the White Mountains the girls all comb their hair back from the forehead. This is why it is called a bang-up place. L. REMARKED to his wife that a friend had plenty of grit." Well, yes," she replied, he looks as if he needed a bath." PATER rowing-boats were not the first aquatic craft that were constructed of that, material. Paper cutters were made years and yeara ago, IT is reported that an angry passenger threw a porter from a Pullman parlour car out West. This was probably the biggest, tip the porter ever received. THE Turn of the bed "—Starting homeward after the wedding trip, A NO-TABU; event is a p'caic where one must sit on the ground to eat. "A i.i, flesh is grass, and perhaps this is the reason why the mowing machine occasionally chews up the harvest hand. 5 0 TVs boys who go in swimming after Sunday-school probably do so under the impression that Cleanli- ness is nest, to Godliness." IT is an old saying that tho watched spot never has aboil. I hat is the reason why a man cannot seethe back part of his neck. THE chap who left his landlady in the lurchbei. g crxeu wiij. uv cntui^d his boarding-place, said it was on account of the Btrong owed lier."

Correspondence. [We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions ex- pressed by our Correspondents.

THE OVERSEERS OF THE HOLYWELL PARISH AND THE SCHOOL BOARD RATE. To the Editor of tin "Flintshire Observer." Siit,-May I beg the favour of a small portion of your valuable space to reply to the letter of the Overseers which appeared in your last issue. Perhaps I may be pardoned for making one preliminary remark, namely that it does not seem to me quite business-like for the Overseers of the current year to rush forth like a quartett of startled bares, when the permanent official (the Assistant Overseer) who is more responsible for, conversant with and con- cerned in the matters in,question, extending as they do over a period of 30 years, might have effected the same purpose in a more business-like and less pompose style. The Overseers are mere birds of passage, they come and go every year under the special patronage of the magistrates, and it seems to me very ludicrous that the Overseers of the last year, the veritable last year, should consider it their duty to champion the cause of their long line of pre- decessors. Every one experienced in the practice of the Poor Law must known that the office of Over- seer of the Poor is more honorary than rtal, and that the most onerous of the honorary duties (i-peaking generally of course) is that of appending their signatures to the various books and papers which may be presented to them by the real head boss" and manager. I will endeavosr to be as brief as possible and will take up the various points in the same order as they appear in the Overseers' letter. Firstly—With regard to the Overseers' funds, I am not aware that I have cast the slightest reflection upon them. I simply stated facts, and if other persons like to put some unfavourable construction upon those facts, I do not consider that I should be held responsible for that. I needed no reminder that separate accounts are kept, aad every penny ac- counted for, &c. My strictures were not in that direction, and it seems to me like drawing a red herring across the soent to mention those things. I condemned the system, which is altogether a sham, and rotten to its very core, and will very speedily be swept away. What difference does it make whether each rate is kept separate, &c., so long as the keys of the exchequer are in the custody of the overseerp, instead of being in the hands of the Board who are responsible to the ratepayers for the expenditure. It is the case of a starving family-with bread in the cupboard and the keys in the keeping of an unsympathetic neighbour. The statement in the Overseers' letter that "Since 1880, when the Overseers were compelled to be the RatingJOfficers of the Solo-1 Boarl," appears to me a perfect enigma. I have never heard of the Overseers in that capacity until now. The Overseers are the Rating Authority" but not the Rating Officers, There is a wide distinction and difference between the two. The School Board alone have the power to appoint Rating Offioers. As I have pointed out before the School Board District being extra municipal the Board have always had the privilege of two courses for the purpose of raising funds, viz.—the Overseers and the Rating Officer. It depended upon the Board which course they would adopt, and it is the simple fact that the School Board have thought fit ts proceed by way of precept that has given the Overseers any status whatever as a rating authority. Until the School Board serve their precept the Overseers, as a rating authority are non est, and have no business to concern them- selves about the School Board Rate any more than the Committee of the Flintshire Dispensary or any other body. The School Board have always possessed the privilege of choosing their procedure, as can be clearly seen upon reference to a deoision given in the Queen's Bench Division by Mr. Justice Charles and Mr. Justice Bruce, on the 18th of April last, in the case of Flitwich School Board v. Over- seers of the Parish. The Court decided that the School Beard could take either of two courses and either make a rate themselves or follow the pro- cedure by enforcement of their precept. Therefore, the misleading statement that the Overseers were compelled to be the rating offioers of the Board is utter nonsense if not something worse. I now come to the next paragraph. "The Clerk states that it was actually found upon one ocoation that the Overseers levied a school rate to cover the amount of the precept when they had in hand be- longing to the Board a sum exceeding £ 120." It will be noticed that this most important statement is dismissed in a suspiciously summary manner. Instead of applying themselves to the more sensible task of throwing some light on the subject, the Overseers deal a death-blow—as they thought— by simply saying This is absolutely incorreot." Not quite so, Messrs. Overseers, if you please. If they will again look into the Overseers' accounts for the year ended September, 1886, they will find something to explain, and not to hush up. Now for the facts. The School Board precept for the year named amounted to JE950, and this sum was paid in large inctalments by the beginning of April, 1886. A few months later on in consequence of informa- tion received" as the police say, the Board decided to apply to the Overseers (the Assistant Overseer, of course, is really meant) for the "balance" of school rates in their hands. This was in September. The reply was that the Board had nothing to do with the rates, that prerogative belonged to the Overseers, and that the precept for the year had been met in full. The Board upon this issued a supplementary precept for the Balance of school rates in hand. The Overseers again quibbled, stating that the precept was "vague and indefinite," and that a specific sum should be mentioned. The Clerk was directed to reply that the precept was clear enough inasmuch as it asked for the balance, and that the Overseers knew better than any one else what that sum was. Not even then—not until the Clerk bad ascertained the exact sum, and not until a corrected precept had been issued-did the Overseers yield, when, lo and behold on the 24th of September, a few days before the close of the financial year, the mysterious balance dartod across the horizon from the Overseers Account to the School Board Treasury, amounting to £ 123 7s. lid. This sum was in addition to the precept for the year. I ask why was all this bother made only out of the consciousness that this balance should have been taken into account in making the rate for the year ? And why should the Board have been put to the trouble and annoyance of ferreting acd wresting-so to speak—this balance, instead of its being banded over in a frank and candid spirit to its rightful owners ? For the school rate can have no separate existence apart from the School Boird, the Overseers being mere instramenta. So much for that. Now for the last paragraph which contains the following mellifluous statement. We may men tion that rather than having been an impediment, we are pleased to know that the Overseers have facilitated tbo Board." Oh, the irony of fact, Surely the obstructive actiouof the Overseers narrated in the previous paragraph, could not have been in their miners when uttering those benevolent words. But Ilt us come nearer home. At a School Board meeting held on the 27th of March, 1893, a discussion took place upon the amount of interest running up in the bank, in consequence of the rate not bl-ing transferred more frequently and in smaller sums fiom the Overseers' account to that of the Board, aud a resolution was passed respectfully requesting (cap in haud like) payments to be made whenever and as often as the funds amounted to £ 50. This resolution was publicly reported and duly conveyed to the Overseers, and what has been the result? The Board have been snubbed again. Not a single compliance with the resolution has been made since. The payments have been made as previously on a gigantio scale. If this sort of treatment can be called "facilitating," I'm a Dutubman. 1 leave these facts with the ratepayers, feeling quite satisfied that their verdict will be that my statement was not merely accurate, but also needed. —Yours, &O., E. M. EVANS, ISth Sept., 1891. Clerk to the School Board.

FUN FROM THE WEST. HE pressed her soft, white lily hand, He called her lovey, dovey-and As he watched her lips expand To say that one word he waited for—a Change of base, as well of mind, He deemed at once it best to find, For, floating by upon the wind, The words he oaught were these- Git off that hay "No, Bob," said Willie, generously, "that's the largest piece keep it yourself," and he pushed it back with the expression of a lad who has performed an act that deserved to shine in a dark world. Willie," said Bob, casting a peculiar look at his companion from between the half-closed lids of his left eye, I know what's the matter." "What?" asked Willie, serenely. Why, this watermelon ain't ripe." OVER head-The policeman's club. THE first rifle team—The pick-pockets. A DONKEY has more brayin's than sense. THE boss stump speaker—A one-legged man. IT is a cold day when a frozen lemonade gets left. A GREAT deal of flash literature comes by telegraph. A PRINTER can feel first-rate and still be all out of sorts. IT is the drinking saloon that should advertise bar- gains. CORRECT Boston people call a burglar's II jimmie" Mr. James. IT is after a woman has emerged from a salt-water bath that figures don't lie. THE thread of a narrative is not the one the binder use? to hold the leaves together. Tim next time a man at Niagara attempts to shoot the rapids he will do it with a gun. THE man who drinks nothing but cistern water it the one who leaves well enough alone. WIlEN a woman smiles from ear to ear it's real mean to say that her mouth goes back on her. AN intemperate citizen of Rochester calls his stomar h Hades because it is the place of departed BDirits.

—— ——. Births. RICHARDS—On the 19ih inst., the wife of Mr John Richards, tailor, Hutchfi*ld's row, Whitford- etreet, Holywell, of a son, UNSWORTH-On the 14th inst., at 6, North West Grove, Woodhouse, Leeds, the wife of J. Lewiq Unsworth, of a son. Marriages. ROBERTS-PARRY On the l,({th inst., at the English Presbyterian Chapd, Chester Road, Flint, by tin V" Jones, Mr. Samuel Roberts, I wllrnelyn. Rhesytae, Holywell, to Miss Sarah Ann ParrJ, 20, Mumfirth Street, F.iut. ROBERTS—JONES—Ou the 5th inst., at St. Agoes's Church, Birch, Manchester, by the Rev. W. Morgan, lector of G'an Conway, assisted by the Rev. II. Norburn, rector of the parish, the Rev. John Arthur Roberts, vicar of Treleth- Cum Askian, and only son of the late Robert Roberts, Esq., Brownlow-villa, St. Asaph, to Adelaide Mary, third daughter of the late John Jones, Eq., Bryn-Dinas, Bangor. Deaths. BANKES-On the 16th inst., at Soughton Hall, Northop, Flintshire, John Soott Bankes, aged 68 years. HEWITT-On the 18th inst., at Greenfield Hall Lane, Greenfield, Holywell, Mary. wife of Captain John Pierce Hewitt, aged 31 years. MOLINKUX—On the 16th inst., at Rhop, Babell Ysceifiog, Holywell, Ann, wife of Mr. Daniel Molineux, aged 64 years. PARRy-Un the ivltll inst., suddenly, Mr John Parry, Bank Cottages, G-rcenfi.'ld, formerlv Bryncelvn, aged 16 years Will be interred at Zion Cemetery, at 3 o clock, on Saturday Friends please accept this inlir-na-, on RICHARDS —Oa the lqth Jolm Samuel, infant son of Mr J. Richards, llutchfield's row, Holy- well WILLIAMS—On the 19th insi., somewhat suddenly, Mr. W. R. Williams, solicitor, Rhyl. WliiTKHKii)—(Jn t e lath inst., at Bagilit, Sarah Jano, daughter of Mr. CLal-lea Whitohead, age4 21 years.

MOSTYN. I Oo Saturday a garden party and tale of work was hell at Glodoaeth Hall, the residence of Lady Augusta Mostyn, in aid of the Duke of Clarence I Manorial Church building fund. The Gloddaeth Sliver Band performed selections of music during I the afternoon. I MOSTYN FISHERMEN IN DANGER.-Three fishermen from Mcstyn, who went by a fishing smack to LHndudno, lanled in a small boat. When they w,ce putting off to sea again some of the boatmen oc Llaududno, who were on the beach, advised them th ;t it was not safo to go out in the boat they had, imuch as it was leaking freely. No heed, how- evrv, was paid to the warning, and when the boat ha l proceeded into the middle of the bay it began to sink, being almost full of water. Two of the mcn juinped overboard and swam to another craft wHch was anchored about 200 yards off. The other remained in the sinking boat, from which he was before long rescued. The three men, who were not at the time quite sober, had a very narrow esrape from being drowned, and the incident created a ;reat deal of excitement among the onlookers on tho promenade. CHUBCH ABMY. —The officers of the Church Army fr m Denbigh, Rhyl and Llandudno, met together at afortyn, at the invitation of Nurse Miller, on Wednesday, aud held an open-air meeting on the Square, which was largely atsended. At the invitation of Captain Griffith, the whole audience jo'.oed heartily in the singing. Addresses were gifen by Captains Evans, Griffiths and Rowlands, Shortly after seven, they marched to the National S, hoolroom, followed by hundreds of people, and the room was filled. There were at least rf-^een four and five hundred present. The El-'feting commenced with a hymn, and extempore 14 yers, and very appropriate addresses wore <$"iverod by Captains Rowland-4, Evans and Cx/ fSths, and Nurse Miller, Mr. Roberts, the K'l-oolmaster, presided a.t the harmonium. It is worthy of remark that splendid work is being done by the Mission Nurses, and Nurse Miller is a kind, sympathetic, and energetio worker among the poor and sick and undoubtedly more meetings of all kitiu, held by the Church Army, as on Wednesday, would help to raise and increase the number of attendants at Church. Altogether the meeting lasted till nine o'clock, and all listened most attentively. The Rev. Mr. Williams, curate, pronounced the benadiotion, and brought the meeting to a close.

LLANERCHYMOR. FUNERAL OF MR. ISAAC DAVIE.-The funeral of j Mr. Isaao Daviea, manager of the Point of Ayr and Trevor Collieries, took place on Thursday afternoon, when the remains were interred in Mostyn Church- yard, in the presence of a congregation numbering greatly more than a thousand, many of whom were colliers, who had worked under Mr. Davies, and who amended in such vast numbers to shew their respect to their able and lamented chief. Before the removal of the body from the residence of the deceased at Llanerchymor, a short service was conducted by the Eev. Hugh Roberts, paetor of the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at Llanerchymor, of which deceased was a member. The hearse was followed by no less than thirty-four carriages, containing mourners and friends. The service in Mostyn Church was read by the Rev. Griffith Jones, vicar, and the lesson was read in the Church by the Rev. Dr. Pan Jones, pastor of Cyssegr Inde- pendent Chapel. At the graveside the Vicar of Mostyn officiated, and the Welch hymn O frvniau Oitersalem,' which was the favourite hymn f the deceased, was sung with much feeling. The coffin was coveted with numerous beautiful wreaths including those sent by:- The members of the deceased's family, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davies, Connah's Quay Miss and Mr. G. Batters, London Mr. and Mrs. Batters, Tanylan; Mr. and Mrs. Evton, Llanerchymor: Mr. and Mrs. Petiie, Greenfield Mrs. and Miss VELugban, Ureenfield; Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Greenfield; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Greenfield; Mr. and Mrs. onos, Hen Dafarn Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Jones, Llanerchymor Mr. and Mrs. Edward Jones, Trevor; Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Gorse Mrs. Edward Roberts, Pen yr erw Mr. John Evans, Hawarden; Mrs. Stokes, Liverpool Mr. and Mrs. Absalom Parry, Oonnah's Quay; Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hughes, i fji!Tiongroew. ♦

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