The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

THIRD SERIES. [Edited by W. FERGUSSON IRVINE and J. BROWNBILL.,) Being Local Gleanings, Historical and Antiquarian relating to Cheshire, Chester and North IFaZes, from many scattered fields. Oh, let me teach you how to knit again This scattered corn into one mutual Sheaf. Titus Andronicus, V, iii, 70, 71. NOTES. [fi3ï] THE REXT ROLL OF LOlm DERBY'S WIRRAL PROPERTY, 1521-2. (Continued from No. 627.) The interest in this instalment centres in the reference to the "Derehouse," in Bidston Deer Park, which would afford a shelter and feeding place for the deer during the winter, and the refer- ence to the maintenance of the Hall, shewing that a building, roofed with tiles, preceded the present Elizabethan structure, no doubt standing on the same site. WM. FERGUSSON IRVINE. Birkenhead. RENTAL-Contmued. DECAYED RENTS. One forge in Salgham Massey late in tenure of Hugh Penkcth —fallen down 1-d. One dovecot in Moreton, charged for above, therefore deficit 6s. Sd. Two pieces of pasture called Le Hoke, and the Le Valance, now included under Park of Biddeston lis. 8d. One tenement in Neston, by default of collector 4s. Od. Deficit, lis. 8d. JB EES AND ANNUITIES. A certain annual rent granted by Thomas late Earl of Derby to James Stanley gentleman his brother by charter'for the life of the said James, for £ 40 issuing from the Manor of Bidstoii, and further the said Thomas granted the said James S50 out of the demesne of Bidston by his last will and testament. Fee of Robert Liegh, bailiff and park-keeper at Bidston (iOs. 8(1. per annum, granted for the term of his life by Thomas late Earl under dato Aug. 2nd, 1!) Hen. VII. Paid Thurstan Tiklesley Esq., by the hand of Hugh Mathew chaplain Sept. 12, 13 Henry VIII.. £ 70 6s. 8d. [Later hand] Paid Thurstan Tildesley by the same Hugh after this account B4 8s. 11M. Summa £ 74 15s. 7M. Sum allowed and paid £78 7s. 11. Debited 50s. 7d. From which is allowed him 12d. for as many pence paid to 12 tenants of Bidston, Moreton and Salgham, for food for the same there being and sworn, for the valuing of the turf coming from the tubaryof the lord in Biddeston. above, sold this year, as has been done of ancient usage. Debit 49s. 7d. [Further deductions.] For the building of Le Dereliouse in the Park at Bidston this year, including 8s. paid for 4 cartloads of hay brought for the use of the same house (besides the carriage of each, 2d.) 2s. lid. paid to a builder work- ing upon the said Derehous for (i days at 5d. a day and the builder's man at 4d. a day. Also 20d. paid to a tiler for le poyntyng and repair of the tiles of the hall and chambers of Biddeston Manor house this year, 4 days at 5d. a day. Also 5s. for the rent of a certain pasture called W oltonwodde" claimed by the Prior of Birkhed, and occupied by him for many years past aiid granted to him by the late Earl of Derby 30s. 5d. NOTF,Alt(, iced by John .Da-v «.•■< Kt., general Supervisor of the King. 1.638] FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL O F FRODSHAM. Among the many yeomen's bequests to the poor of Frodsham, and to the Feoffees of this, one of the earliest schools in the country (temp, dissolution of Norton Abbey by Henry VIII.) were the following, from excerpts from the Will of "Mr. Robert Wriggan," who was Master of the School in 1662. I give and bequeath the Summe of Tenn pounds of Lawfull money of England to be laid out and disposed of for the use of the poor of the parish of .Frodsham in the County of Westchester, where I was born, by the Minister, Churchwardens and Overseers of the same parish successively as they in their discretions shall think fit and the Interest and product thereof my will is shall be payd and disposed of to and amongst the poor people of the said Parish of Frodsham on St. Thomas Day or Good Friday yearly for ever bv the Minister and Church Wardens of the said parish for the time being. Also I give and bequeath the summe of Tenn pounds of like good money to the Free School of the said parish of Frodsham to be laid out and dis- ,i posed of by the Feoffees of the said School with the approbation of the School Mr. of the same School for the time being and 1ny Brother in Law Thomas IVebster. And my Will is that the Interest and product thereof shall be payd yearly for ever to the Mr. of the said School for the time being." The School Masters were often clergymen and sometimes the curates of the Parish. The School was founded as, and always accounted a "Free Grammar School," not what it has lately been Called an "Endowed School," though it had its endowments, like many others, originally from the produce of the 'kales of the monastic estates, and, afterwards, from such devises and bequests as testators like Mr. W riggan were generous enough to make. The school was held in the Church, vestry (?) up to the end of Elizabeth's reign, and perhaps a little later, when the Churchyard Schoolhouse was erected, or rebuilt ? In an old book possessed bv the writer, one of the scholars (J. H.) pencilled a rhyme, in or about 1670-5, that his name and nation were so and so, and it was his book, finishing up with Pray do not take me for a Fool, For I do go to Frodsham School! Here is clear testimony of the distinguished position once, alas! it occupied in, at least, the estimation of its pupils. X. 11539] BKITLAND AND HELSBY LETTERS. I. The letter following this introduction, and curiously directed —" These—ffor Richard Helsby Esqr att—Helsby in Cheshire iIrodsham Bagg ■ and sealed with a chevron between 3 trefoils slipped, the crest being a bird with a trefoil in its beak, bears an early postmark with the date (May 21) within a very small one-lino circle. lettered 21 It was written by Mr. Britland. Serjeant-at-law. who must therefore (particularly at that period) have been a very eminent counsel. He had, also, an estate in a rather wild part of the Macclesfield Hundred, and practised in the reigns of Charles II. and William and Marv. (See Earwaker's "East Cheshire.") But, "Richard Helsby, esqr. at this date, is almost as difficult to affiliate as "a child of nature"; at all events, as difficult as is "The Reverend James Ellesby, the worthy Rector of Chiswick," as the old Queen Anne History of Middlesex describes him. He also was Mr. Serjeant Britland's contemporary, and rector lor about years, when he resigned (tor a better post, as the author of a History of Chiswick said) in Queen Anne's reign. He does not appear to have graduated at either Oxford or Cambridge. Now, the patron of Chiswick was Lord Bellasyse, Earl Fauconberg, whose family, bv marriage, had acquired the estates of the Suttons of Sutton near Macclesfield—one of these, Sir Richard Sutton having been a great benefactor, if not a part founder, of Brazenose Coll., Oxon., of which Bishop Smiih, of Cuerdlev, on the Lancashire side of the Mersey is generally called the Founder; and of vhich a rich priest of eaverhaiu, adjoining old Frodsham parish, was also a consid erable Benefactor as were Sir John Port, Knt., and others of or in Cheshire in or about the reigns of the two Henrv iudors and Elizabeth. Nevertheless, a strong susp^on arises that R-etoV Ellesby (who or whos? ancestors had evidently dropped their IPs '), descended from the sham merchant of the reign of Henry VII., viz. William Hellesby of armiger who took up his residence ,u London, and who JivedI but did not 'flourish,' in the days of the ars of the Roses. However, as to 'Richard Helsby, Esq the onlv person of those names, at that period, in tlio pedigrees, who would answer his description, was a younger son, born in 1620, and in 1044 N-()Iun a teered,' as a seape-goat, 'for ail the Township of Helsbv' (as a gentleman well might), to serve in the wars, on the side of the Parliament. So that if he is identical, as is very probable, with Mr. Serjeant Britland's friend, he would be upwards of 80 when the latter's, perhaps excess of, courtesy, for tlio-^e times, might have arisen either from friendship, or sympathy with some distinguished act, during 'the great Civil War, 011 the side to which Britland's family leaned. But, this courtesy title, to a younger son, too, may be compared with that n-iven to an elder son, "John Helsby, esq.' by his attorney-at-law in a letter in Jas. II reign, and also in his burial entry in 1731 or 1728. The first signa- ture, however, of the first Richard of 1(120, is a very fine one 011 the title of a shockingly do^-eared Greek Grammar of James I's. time. ° Mr. Serjeant Britland's letter runs as follows •- S r.—I had with mee this day .Mrs Worthington nivT^ niue -v r letter in answer to you arc not willing to give any more than what you have olfer'd in y'r former letter in own«!l& °tL°:>Yort,iingtons clayme in her fathers will of 'inr ra ^le Legatees of her lariK.is will of ^Oli a peeee to his 3 daughters & a myS'S1Sf t0 bae P'd b>' S*le oithehLt )'mch -V°u Purchased with notice of the 1 rust & for cause you kept lOIi. in v'r hand & have soe kept it for sevrall y'rs which* you have kept m y'r hands & this you purchasd after a snitp ( Oia enccd & if I nnstak not the cause was heard & a decree made before y'r purchase however v'r liavemg notice makes you lyeable & to stand in the place of John Aldcroft who is the obstacle & hind- rance in the affaire & who cares not whether you or his Aunt or relations to whom the money is due starve or not haveing noe reguard to the honesty & Justice of the Case but his present mainetenance & advantage for certainly if hee had should have agreed [to] this matter long since and not lett the moneys lye dead in y'r hands without answering interest which you are pleased to mencon [mention] in y'r letter hath beene all the tyme since y'r pur- chase but I doubt that will not bee an excuse to you for non paym't it being manifest that Jo. Aldcroft had nothing to doe with the SOli. & interest for the severall Legacyes did comence from the Bill being exhibitted which I beleeveis neer 20 yOn: agoe & you oannott pr'tend to bee deceived for that you had notice fully and soe stand in John Aldcrofts place which you may doe well to consider of & p happs you may find true what I here affect to y'r damage however if you think fitt too bee p'swaded I have with great difficulty by the advice of others prevayld with Mr. Worthington to accept of 801i. & by this agreem't which I hope you have not reason or cause to refuse there wilbe something comeing to Jo. Aldcroft after the 801i. p'd but this is not to bee obligeing without acceptance & if I did not deal with an old freind and one I think may rely on will not make any use of this to the prejudice of 1" iiiy Cly'(ent) scored oui] Mr (sic) Worthington I would not give you this trouble from 21st May 1702. y'rs N. BRITLAND. y'r Answer is desired. X. (To be continued.) [640] CROUGIITON RATES, 1683. Amonyst the St Oswald's Parish papers there is the following Order of Distress for Poor Rates in Croughton, dated 1683 It will be noticed that the order is signed by Sir Peter Pyndar, who formed the subject of some discussion in the first volume of the Cheshire Sheaf." E. C. L To the Church Wardens and the Com. Cestr. ou'seers of ye poore of the parish of St. Oswalds and to eu'y of them and to the Constables of Croughton. (L.S.) Forasmuch as the persons undernamed have refused to pay you the seu ail summes of (L.S.) money menconed in the Assesment annexed and Xdjoyiielng to their seu'all and respective names being charged upon them seu'ally for and towards the releife of the poore of the sd. parish These are in his Ma'tyes name to command you to Leavy the sd. summes by distresse and sale of the seu'all and respective goods of the sd. seu'all and respective offend'rs Rendring the partyes the Ou'plus If any be and in defect of such distresse you are to Certifye to them they may be further proceeded ag't as to Justice shall apperteine Gwen under our Hands and Seales at Glov'stone the 5th Day of May Anno Dili 1683 Pe: Pyndar Ken. Eyton Thomas Moorton 00: 03: 05 Richd Davies 00 03 04 Alee Daniele Wido 00 04 04 Cha: Swinlow 00 01 06 John Bostock 00 00 04 John Smith 00 02 01 Ye Deane and Chapter for i A„ ffee-farme Rent and TyethsJ • 0.3 I QUERY. [641] BOUNDARIES OF ST. OSWALD'S, CHESTER. (See No. 609.) In the perambulation of the bounds of this Parish in 1620 the perambulators are stated as having, after passing over the Port Pool Bridge, &c., followed "the watercourse at the ends of certaine of the" Port Pool meadows to "the further stone b:idge in Mollington Lane." If this means that the present brook called Finchett's Gutter was followed it would leave out a large piece of land now included in St. Oswald's Parish. This land extends from the present Stone Bridge on the Saughall Road, along that road to the end of the plantation which borders it for some distance, thence to a point on the Parkgate Road between the entrance to the lane leading to Blacon Hall and the road bridge over the Canal, then along the Parkgate Road to the bridge on Finchett's Gutter, and so back, following that watercourse, to the starting point at Stone Bridge, Saughall Road. Is it not probable that the watercourse mentioned in the perambulation is not the present Finchett's Gutter but the one which once ran from the direction of Backford, along the course of the Canal, and so past the above mentioned western boundary of St. Oswald's Parish into the Port Pool ? I shall be much obliged if any readers of the "Sheaf" can throw any light on this. I should also be glad to receive information respecting Port Pool Bridge, beyond what is contained in Canon Morris' History of Chester in Plantagenet and Tudor times." Chester. W. H. BENNETT.

VOLCANIC CATASTROPHE. S T. VINCENT ERUPTION. CRITICAL SITUATION. VEILED BY FIRE. A Central News telegram, dated New York, Thursday, says:—"The Journal's correspondent at Fort de France cables that crowds of distraught men, women and children block the streets, and every public place is filled with refugees. The sight of men crying and women 111 hysterics has become so common as to pass unnoticed. It is doubtful whether St. Pierre will ever be rebuilt. The situation at St. Vincent is veiled behind a wall of fire. An entire tribe of Caribs has been exterminated. There is intense suffering throughout the island. The streams are polluted with lava and people are dying of thirst. The officers of the French vessel Suchet have endeavoured to approach the coast near Mount Pelee to ascertain whether another violent eruption is probable, but they are unable to get near the shore. Local scientists argue that the destruction of St. Pierre was too swift and too sudden to havo been brought about by the agency of fire alone. They attribute the devastation to some unknown electric phe- I nomena the fire being only a supplementarv agPllt. The Fort de France correspondent of the VN orld says that the eruption of La Sou- frieie at St. Vincent was vastly more extensive than the eruption at Martinique. During Thurs. d?-vafn«.Fnday Jast the sea off the north coast ot St. Vincent was a veritable boiling cauldron. Many of those who fled from the district for safety were killed by lightning. North of Kings- V«re is no drinking water, all the streams bein„ fouled by the outpourings of the volcano Canoes, each containing two casks of drinkinr- water, are being sent to the north of the island where numbers of refugees are collected. The great dTflLhyf the WOrk is atte"dcd with ROBBERS AT ST. PIERRE. ¡ ORDERED TO BE SHOT. A STREAM OF L A V A. h-i'vedbeentch d,e Fl'am'e says' the troops P er J r °!dered t0 shoot a11 r°bbers at St. vl»™; n ers ',lro 'SVv'armmo the island. The olcano I.N still smoking a great deal and on Tuesday T.jve!e:Viln°^t lava uCIO yarcis w;de fiovved into the Blanche. Later observations shew that a 111 vv crater has been formed on Montague Pellee and Des 1 ores River is throwing off a dense vapour!

£8,1;)0 IX A CASH-BOX. STRANGE DISCOVERY IN THE MERSEY. On Tuesday forenoon, while the tide was at its lowest ebb at Liverpool, a constable noticed some unusual object in the mud banks behind No 2 bridge, left bare by the receded water. The services of a ferry stageman were procured, and the object, which turned out to be a cash-box, was recovered. It was taken by the polioe to the I detective office, and there opened. It was then c,i*eo\ered that the contents were of an extremely xahiable character. There was a sum of about L150 in bank notes, and, in addition to this, thero T Sum ll!ldol'st«od to amount to uithe^T, cash-box has been embedded "luc! becl 15 ,a matter of conjecture, but it o.b not appear to have been there very lontr have "not artUr0 a^°Ut fh° is that th« Police received notice of any robbery having taken p ace. The mystery is on thi7 account greatly heightened, as it. is hardly possible for anv pei son to have lost so much without the loss bein^ known. It is surmised that a considerable robberv has occurred somewhere whether in Liverpool or close .0 is not known The supposition is that- there was a considerable sum of gold in the box, and .0 is not known. The supposition is that. there was a considerable sum of gold in the box, and tiu> having been carefully abstracted, the box, "vv.tn tae rest of the contents, was thrown awav to avoid discovery. Among current rumours as to .ie nnd it is affirmed that the cash-box was beinf taken to a safe deposit in the city, that the person to wJiom it was entrusted was followed, and while the door of tne safe was being opened, the box being placed temporarily on the floor, it was cleverly scoured, and the gold appropriated. But a robbery of this kind would become known at once, and would certainly have been reported.

RHYL COUNCIL AND SUXIMY TRAFFIC. The Hhyl Council, on Tuesday, discussed the question of coaches and brakes touting in the streets on Sundays. Mr. Gamlin, who had previously advocated sacred music on Sundays by the band urged that some people went for drives on Sundays for drink and by stopping the coaches running they would put an end to a great nuisance. 1 Eventually it was decided that the Council should un ite the proprietors of the vehicles to meet them, and failing tha,t steps be taken to limit the traffic on Sundays bv the refusal of licences. ROYAL CHFSTER ROWING CLUB.—On Tliursdav evening the Vincent Hall Memorial Race took on the Dee. lVfr. Vincent Hall left the oyal Chester Rowing Clill) a certlin sliiil of TiThv f n mye CUpa for a foul'-°ared raCp. Ihe two following crews went to the post on Thurs- day evening :-N. Morris (bow) E. Lowe, C Morns, A A Mussen (stroke^ Eliis (cox), and E. Holland (bow), J. F. Lowe, J. N. Evans G W Simpson (stroke). Gresty (cox). The course was a mile and a quarter in length. Simpson's crew fouled the bank at the White House corner, and ¡ Mussen s four won a good race by three lengths.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOTTINGS. — ♦ A notable feature in the face of the rise in the price of meat is the way in which a number of butchers are endeavouring to back out of their contracts with boards of guardians and other insti- tutions having the maintenance of individuals from file purse, or for obtaining an enhanced pay- ment. Some are successful, while others have to stand over for consideration. Among the cases one was presented at the Birkenhead Board meet- ing, at which an application was received from the contractor to the effect that owing to the rise he could not continue to supply beef to the workhouse, and asking to be relieved of his contract, which the Workhouse Committee recommended should be done on payment of E125. The minutes of the committee were confirmed. From the proceedings at the late meeting of the Town Council, it would appear that Stalybridge is considerably behind in the matter of equipment against fires. There had been a fire at the public baths, and a councillor remarked that the members of the fire brigade had not the necessary appli- ances to cope with even a small fire, let alone one of a serious character that might take place at any of the large factories. He emphasised the neces- sity for the purchase of a steam fire-engine. Another councillor, who was an eye-witness of the conflagration, said the people made rude jokes to the fire brigade inspector, and jeered at the bri- gade. In reply, it was stated that a scheme would be brought before the Watch Committee that would include the purchase of a steam fire-engine. At the recent annual meeting of the Women Guardians and Local Government Association, held in Manchester, it was stated that in Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire and York- shire there are 229 women guardians, and of the 24,000 poor-law guardians in the country 1,000 are women. In the course of a paper on "Women's work on local governing bodies," it was stated that out of 117 county and county borough councils which might have secured the services of women on technical iiistruction committees, only 16 or 17 had done so. In 270 unions throughout the country there are still no women guardians. The lady who seconded the vote of thanks to the reader of the paper declared that the Government Education Bill now before Parliament was the most serious blow which had fallen upon women for some years. It would disqualify a very large number of women who had been doing valuable work for education, both elementary and technical. An unusual and some-what. curious point was recently decided, in the Chancery Division, by Mr. Justice Swinfen Eady, in a special case stated by the umpire appointed in an arbitration. The point was to determine the compensation to be paid by the Wigan Corporation to the Wigan Canne! Colliery Company, Ltd., in respect to columns of coal to be left in their workings for the support of land to be acquired for the purpose of waterworks. The Colliery Company contended that they were not bound to leave such supports, but if they did leave them, they should be paid the full value of the coal they contained. The learned Judge held the latter view, and that the Corporation must pay for all coal required to be left as supports, even though the company would not be able to get it without risk of damage to third persons. The Court was also of opinion that in assessing tho amount of compensation the umpire ought not to take into account any obli- gation of the company to leave supports. If there is one class of culprit more than any other who deserves to be severely dealt with when caught and convicted, it is the inhuman parent who deserts his wife and children, not caring what becomes of them, and who must inevitably be a charge on the ratepayers. At the late meet- ing of the Birkcnhead Board of Guardians it was remarked that there aro twelve deserted women and forty-eight children in the house, whose food cost the union JB500 a year, and, with general charges, E750. And yet no doubt many of these rascally husbands and fathers are leading selfish, if not licentious, lives, and are probably well able to support their wives and families. The gentleman who is particularly anxious that the public money should not be used for Corona- tion festivities, but who is nevertheless particularly anxious to impress the public with his loyalty, is in evidence just now on many public bodies. One of this kind turned up at the meeting of the Glossop Town Council, and moved that the minute authorising JB150 to be voted to the Mayor for the festivities be rescinded. He favoured the es- tablishment of a corps of sick nurses, and objected to send an illuminated address to his Majesty, "when a telegram would do." None of his fellow- councillors, however, had sufficient courage to second the motion, and the minute of the commit- tee was adopted.—The Clitheroe Town Council, moved by the argument that the addresses are "only to be scheduled," resolved that their presen- tation should be written on "plain paper," with the seal of the Council attached thereto.

ARMY AND VOLUNTEERS. ——♦ SURGEON LIEFr -COLONEL KING.—Tuesday night's Gazette contained the following notification :— 2nd (Earl of Chester's) Vol. Batt. the Cheshire Regiment: Brig -Surg -Lieut.-Col. H. W. King, M.D., is seconded while holding the appointment of senior medical officer to the Cheshire Volunteer Infantry Brigade. CHANGES IN THE CHESHIKES —The following w' changes were gazetted on Friday The Cheshire Regiment: Second Lieutenant A. J. Orchard to be lieutenant, vice M. F. Clarke, seconded Quarter- master and Hon. Lieutenant T. H. Gott is placed on temporary half-pay on account of ill-health. ONE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.—The death took place at Widnes on Thursday night of Thomas Wright, late private in the 17th Lancers. He was one of the famous Six Hundred, also fought in the Indian Mutiny. Wright possessed the Crimean medal (with four bars) and the Turkish and the Indian medals. VOLUNTEERING IN FLINTSHIRE.—We find from the War Office returns, that on the 1st November, 1H01, the number of Volunteers enrolled in Flint- shire was 1,074. These figures are made up as follows:—Engineers (1st Flintshire): 143 efficient, 11 non-efficient; total enrolled, 154. Rifles (2nd V.B. Royal Welch Fusiliers! 1)12 efficient. S non- efncient; total enrolled, 920. NORTH-WESTERN I)TSTRICT.-Col. S. H. Winter, D.A.A.G., North Western District, has been appointed to the command of the Army Service Corps in Egypt, and Lieut.-Col. F. W. B Koe, who has recently returned from Hong-kong. has been appointed to take over the command of the Army Service Corps in the North-Western District. NOUTH-WESTKRN COMMAND. Major-lieneral Hallam Parr has arrived in Chester and taken over the command of the North- Western Military District in succession to Major-General Swaine. Major-General Hallam Parr comes to us with a distinguished career to his credit, while Major-General Swaine carries with him in his retirement the kindest wishes of military and civilian residents in the city and countless other friends throughout the North- western District. PROMOTION FOR SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.—Friday night's "Gazette" stated:—The undermentioned officers of the Volunteer companies for service in South Africa, are, on having relinquished their temporary commissions, granted honorary rank in the Army as follows, with permission to wear the uniform of their companies:—The Cheshire Regi- ment To be honorary captain, Captain S. Thornely; to be honorary lieutenants, Lieutenants J Bates and J. Crofton. The Royal Welch Fusiliers: To be honorary captain, Captain T. M. Keene to he honorary lieutenants, Lieutenants G. L. Jones- Parry and N. M. Griffith. THE VICTORIA CROSS.—Tuesday night's "Gazette" contained the announcement that the King has conferred the Victoria Cross on Surgeon-Captain A. Martin-Leake, of the South African Constabulary, for conspicuous bravery during the action at Vlak- fontein on February 8th.—During the action at Vlakfontein on the 8th of February, 1DO:?, Surgeon- Captain Martin-Leake went up to a wounded man and attended to him under a heavy tire from about forty Boers at 100 yards range. He then went to the assistance of a wounded officer, and while trying to place him in a comfortable position was shot three times, but would not give in till lie rolled over thoroughly exhausted. All the eight men at this point were wounded, and while they were lying on the veldt Surgeon-Captain Martin-Leake refused water till everyone else had been served.

NORTHGATE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.—A suc- cessful sale of work to clear off the articles left over from the last bazaar was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday. Mrs. T. A.$iighy, Woodfield, Hoole, opened the proceedings and a brisk sale was effected. Asa side show a "shadow pantomime" (under the management of Messrs. Will Griffiths and Walter Walmsley) was given at intervals. Mr. E. Ellison assisted with the gramaphone. Songs were rendered by Miss Lizzie Lloyd, Miss Maggie Pritchard, and Mr. Walter Walmsley, and Mr. W. H. Hallmark gave two humorous sketches in his inimical style. The proceeds, amounting to over £ 18, were in aid of the church. fund.

LIVERPOOL POLICE SCANDAL. A STRANGE STORY. ALLEGED CONSPIRACY. At Liverpool Assizes, on Friday week, Mr. Justice Wills and a special jury commenced the hearing of a remarkable action by William Patrick Welsh, an ex-detective-Sefgeant of the city police force, against his late superior officers for conspiracy and false imprisonment. The defendants were Edwin Sperrin, chief clerk, and third in command of the force; Thomas Stret-tell, chief detective-superin- tendent; and Robert Duckworth, detective-inspec- tor, his immediate superior. The case, as outlined by Mr. Taylor for plaintiff, was of an extraordinary nature, the plaintiff alleging that at the instance of the defendants he had obtained certain perquisites from ships' stewards and others, and that ultimately, by way of preventing disc.osure, the defendants sought to obtain his retirement from the police force, and that they attempted this by representing to tho Chief Constable that he was suffering from de- lusions, and was not in a mental condition to con- tinue his police duties. The plaintiff had, in fact, been confined for a few days in the lunatic ward of a Liverpool workhouse, but the surgeons de- clined to certify for his detention, and he was liberated. On Saturday plaintiff was subjected to a long cross-examination, but repeated his statements as to having obtained corn, cigars and other things from the docks, and also spirits from bonded vaults. He had not thought of using the letters which he had in his possession until Duckworth told him he was a thief. Asked as to why he did not report to the head constable the fact that superior officers had written these letters to him, the plaintiff stated that if he had done so it would have meant his ruin in the. force. The reasons he suggested for the defen.diants' entering into a conspiracy against him welikthe discovery by thorn of his being in possession off letters asking him to get goods. Plaintiff was still under cross- examination when the court adjourned. On Mon- day the plaintiff was severely questioned: by Mr. M'Call as to his honesty in answering interroga- tions from the Head Constable, who asked him to report all complaints which he had against aotiy officer, and he admitted that in his report ke never mentioned Mr. Strettell. He, however, per- sisted in his charges as to obtaining goods from the docks and other places for Strettoll and Sperrin. Evidence having been called as to the medical examinations which resulted in Welsh being discharged from the padded room in which he had been detained, Mr. M'CaU, for the defence, suggested that the very serious charge which had been brought forward was founded upon the mor- bid imaginings of a man who believed that every member of the force was against him. Captain Nott Bower, called for the defence, said he ac- cepted responsibility for all the proceedings which led to Welsh's arrest. His examination had not concluded when the court adjourned. On Tuesday all three defendants gave evidence, and denied in toto all the allegations made against them. On Wednesday evidence was given by police officers to the effect that Wolsh was constantly complaining of tyranny on the part of his superior officers and other members of the force, one of his greatest grievances being that he was perse- cuted on account of being an Irishman and a Roman Catholic. Chief-Inspector Robertson, In- spector Pogue and other police officials testified that these suspicions and charges wen absolutely without foundation. CHESTER CHIEF CONSTABLE'S EVIDENCE. Mr. John Henry Laybourne, Chief Constable of Chester, said he was formerly a member of the Liverpool detective force, and from 1893 to 1897 was under Inspector Strettell. He had re- cently been ill in bed, but on Monday he read in the newspaper plaintiff's assertion that he had never received money to get corn from the Corn Exchange for Mrs. Nott-Bower. Mr. M'Call: Did you yesterday morning send a telegram to Captain Nott-Bower?—Yes. In consequence of that telegram you are here as a witness?—Yes. Witness then stated that one morning he brought the reports and a letter down to Inspector Stret- tell. Strettell opened the letter, and then said to witness, "See if Welsh is in." I called Welsh, witness added, and he came in. Mr. Strettell said, "I have a letter from Mrs. Nott-Bower ask- ing me to get her some corn sweepings. Go down to the Corn Exchange and get a sack, and send it to her house by parcel delivery." He then took out his purse and gave Welsh 10s. What for?—The corn. I then, at Strettell's request, answered the letter to Mrs. Nott-Bower, saying the corn had been ordered. Cross-examined, witness said the incident in question took place some time between 1893 and 1897, but he could not recall the exact date. He remembered saying to Mr. Strettell when he was answering Mrs. Nott-Bower's letter, "What a very large hand Mrs. Bower writes; it is a peculiar thing Captain Nott-Bower writes the same hand." Tho bonded warehouseman whom plaintiff called "Jack" denied in evidence ever having given Welsh bottles of spirits out. of bond. Alder- man Maxwell, chairman of the Watch Committee, testified that when Welsh was before the. com- mittee he said he had no charges to make, and withdrew his allegations. Evidence was also given by Drs. Dawson and Lowndes police surgeons, that they separately examined Welsh, and came to the conclusion that he was suffering from mental delusions, and Dr. Dawson said he certified that Welsh was a dangerous lunatic, and should be put under care and control. Dr. Wiglesworth, who also examined Welsh, said he concurred in the opinion that plaintiff was suffering from mental disorder of a dangerous kind, but it was quite un- justifiable to put him in a padded room. THE VERDICT. The trial concluded at the Liverpool Assizes on Thursday. The jury found a verdict for the defendants on the charge of conspiracy and for the plaintiff 011 that of false imprisonment, and after a second retirement they assessed damages for the plaintiff at £200. Mr. MeCall asked for judgment for the defendants with costs on the finding of the jury with regard to conspiracy. The judge directed that the question of costs should be argued before him on Friday, and granted a stay of execution for three weeks. Judgment was suspended by Mr. Justice Wills on Friday. The case stands over for further con- sideration in LoVidon on the findings of the jury.

A CURIOUS NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FAIR.—A corre- spondent writes:-A quaint custom, observed only once in 20 years, was followed in the Northampton- shire village of Corby on Monday. The inhabitants claim the right of holding a. fair on Wliit-Monday every 20 years, and of levying toll upon every visitor. This claim is based upon a charter granted to Henry de Braybroc by Queen Elizaheth and con- firmed to the village by Charles II. Whatever the legal rights of the inhabitants, they have rigorously prosecuted their claims at least for the last GO years. At daybreak on Whit-Monday the fair was pro- claimed with considerable ceremonial, and rope barriers were stretched across the roads. Thence- forward toll was enforced from every visitor. Thousands iourneved to the village from the countryside during the day to witness the "chairing" which takes place immediately upon payment of toll. As soon as the visitor pays, who- ever it is, man, woman, or child, is put in a chair and carried shoulder high along the main street. Several specially constructed chairs were in use for a considerable portion of the day. Formerly refusal to pay toU was punished by the person beinf slung across a pole (hence the name Pole Fair) and thus carried to the village stocks, in which he was fastened until he purchased his liberty. The stocks as an institution are carefully preserved, and new ones were erected soon after the last fair, in 1882. Several more or less willing prisoners were put in the stocks to keep up the charter." The village was decorated, the villagers were all m holiday clothes, and photographers were present in scores snap-shotting the scenes of the day.

@!UmmmnmummUBnêmmêmmênnUênmênmu 1 i | True Economy. | Will I [mr The wise housewife' thinks of the jfrfj H quality as well as the price, and she |I llllll always buys Van Houten's Cocoa, I because experience has taught her that = mm for High Quality, Exquisite Flavour and I l^j actual Economy in use, it is without 1 an equal. Buy a tin and prove it for lM I yourself. I £ 5: 1 vanflouterf$(§3Coa I mm @¡ii\:==lUmUiUmUm\Uli! -m\@

UPTON. CONCERT.—On Wednesday a children's concert took place in the Chapel. Numerous songs, recita- tions, and dialogues were given, also a song by Mr. Skeldon and a march by Miss Madge Clark. Mr. W. H. Hallmark (humorist), of Chester, gave some funny speeches. Those who helped to make the concert a success included Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Miss Whitby, and Mr. Hunt.

9 H ELHBY. DEATH OF MRS. WHITELEY.—We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs. Whiteley, which took place at her residence, Oakcliffe, early ort Thursday morning, at the advanced age of 82, from an attack of bronchitis. Mrs. Whiteley's kindly disposition and practical sympathy gained the affection of all classes. The body was con- veyed by train to Nottingham yesterday (Friday) morning for interment.

BACKFORD. ENTERTAINMENT.—The pupils of the Back- ford evening school were entertained on Thursday evening, in the schoolroom, by the Rev. R. J. Fairclough, vicar. After partaiing of a substan- tial tea, served in the classroom, the company adjourned to the main room, where views of the various English cathedrals and local views were '3 exhibited from a lantern manipulated by Mr. Arthur Hughson, Mollington, the local views being that gentleman's own work. The vicar acted as lecturer, and an interesting entertainment con- cluded by hearty votes of thanks to him and Mr. Hughs^Ai.

MOLD. AN INTERESTING APPOINTMENT.—Con- siderable interest has beeen centred in the appoint- ment of Mr. R. Stewart Kelly as clerk to the Mold Urban District Council to which reference is made in another column. Mr. Kelly is the eldest son of the late Mr. Thomas Thelwell Kelly, clerk of the peace and clerk of the County Council for Flint- shire. Mr. Kelly is the Under Sheriff of Flint- shire for the present year and is also clerk to the Lieutenancy for Flintshire. It will be remembered that on the 10th December last Mr. Kelly was espoused to Miss Collinge, only daughter of Mr. James Collinge, of Kinnerton Lodge, near Chester. It is gratifying to note that Mr. Kelly enters upon his new duties accompanied by the good wishes of his fellow-townsmen, and the Mold Urban Council are to be congratulated on their selection.

MALPAS. CHORAL FESTIVAL.—A choral festival, associated with the rural deanery of Ma'pas, was hold on Wednesday evening, in the parish church. The united choirs, numbering upwards of 200 voicos, were from Malpas, Aldford, Bunbury, Bickerton, Burwardsley, Cholmondeley, Tatten- ball and Farndon. They were entertained at tea in the Jubilee Hall. Ihe clergy present at the festival service included the Rev. Canon Rovds (rural dean), the Rev. the Plon, A. R. Parker (Malpas), the Revs. J. L. Vincent (Marbury), C. L. Arnold (Tattenhall), E. F, Gorst (Cholmon- deley), J. M. Hall (Bickerton), Morris Jones (Til- ston), Archdeacon A. Goldwyer Lewis (Aldford), L. Armitstead (Malpas) and J. T. Vale (Bunburv), The prayers were intoned by the Rev. L. Armit- stoad, the two lessons being read by the Rev. the Hon. A. R. Parker. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. L. Vincent. The musical portion of the service was under the conductorship of Mr. J. Scorah, organist at Aldford, who, though unfortu- nate y totally blind, most skilfully wielded the baton. Tho anthem was from Gounod, "Send out Thy Light," and was executed with tolling effect. The offertory, taken at. the close, amounted to £ 5 Os. 3d. Mr. H. Edwardes, organist and choir- master, Malpas, presided at the organ.

HAWARDEN. The Right Hon. John Morley, M.P., has arrived on a visit to Havvarden Castle. THE GLADSTONE ME MORI AL.—A meet- ing of the executive committee of the National Memorial to Mr. Gladstone was held on Tues- day at Spencer-house. Earl Spencer presided. Among the subjects considered were the site for the London monument now being- executed by Mr. Hame Thornycroft, R.A., the designs for the Edinburgh monument by Mr. Pittendrigh Macgillivray, R.S.A., and the building for the St. Deiniol's Library at I-iawarden, COOKERY LECTURES.—A series of practical lectures on cookery were given at the gym- nasium last week, from Tuesday to Friday, by Mrs. C. F. Pitcher (first-class diplomee, Principal of the Streatham School of Cookery). The first lecture, on Tuesday afternoon, was opened by Mrs. Stephen Gladstone, who incidentally remarked that tho late Mrs. Gladstone took a great interest in the subject, and that she had inaugurated cooking lectures 25 years ago for the benefit of the villagers. A special feature of the lectures has been the use of gas stoves solely for cooking pur- poses, and several stoves have been exhibited. THE INSTITUTE.—The annual meeting was held on Thursday. Mr. T. S. Barnett presided. The annual statement of accounts was read by the hon. secretary, Mr. H. Dickinson. The total income amounted to L158 2s." 9d., and the ex- penditure to E168, leaving a nett deficit of J39 17s. 3d. for the past year. On the proposition of Mr. W. Morris the accounts were passed. The president (the Right Hon. Herbert J. Gladstone, M.P.) was re-elected, as also were the vice- presidents. Mr. T. S. Barrett was re-elected hon. treasurer, and Mr. H. Dickinson and Mr. J. 1-1. Worley joint hon. secretaries. Dr. Roberts, and Messrs. T. Haswell, E. Evans, A. Potter, D. Jones. J. Hampson, T. H. Gibson, J. H. Wright, J. Durham, H. Colecleugh and 0. Rowlands were elected as the new council.

TARVIN. SEPTUAGENARIAN'S FATAL FALL.-On Thursday Mr. T. Moore Dutton, deputy coroner, held an inquest at the George and Dragon on the body of John Dodd, 79 years of age. Mr. N. Large was foreman of the jury. On April 3rd deceased fell as he was about to retire to bed. On April 5th Dr. T. W. E. Moreton found deceased suffering from a fracture of the left thigh. Acute bronchitis and syncope, accelerated by the fall, were the cause of death. A verdict according to the medical evidence was returned. CANTATA.—At the Public Hall on Wednesday evening a capital rendering of the sacred cantata "Esther the beautiful Queen" was given. The chorus, which was a strong one, was composed of members of the Tarvin and Kelsall tonic-sol-fa classes. The solos were taken by local members and were exceedingly well given, and the singing throughout was deserving of the greatest praise to the trainer and conductor, Mr. W. C. Jones. The Rev. T. J. Evans gave the connective reading, and Miss Sliurrock acted as accompanist. SAD I)EATII.-Last week information was received at Tarvin of the death of Mr. William Gregory, son of Mr. Charles Gregory, joiner and wheelwright. The deceased, who was but 21 years of age, was in the employment of the Man- chester Corporation, and as recently as Sunda-v week paid a visit to his relatives at Tarvin. He returned to Manchester and went to his work on Monday night, being on night work. He con- tracted a cold, and pneumonia supervened. He died at the Royal Infirmary, Manchester, 011 Sunday morning. The funeral took place at Tarvin Churchyard on Wednesday afternoon, the chief mourners being Mr. C. Gregory (father), Messrs. Joseph, J. and A. Gregory (brothers), Mrs. FeLows, Misses M. and A. Gregory (sisters), Mrs. M. E. Gregory, Wm. Gregory and N. Gregory, Mr. J. Jackson Mr. A. Jackson and Miss M. Jackson, Mr. H. Fellows, etc. The Rev. J. Rennison held a short service at the house, and the Rev. T. J. Evans officiated at the graveside. The deceased having been a member of the Loyal St. Andrew Lodge of Ancient. Shepherds, twelve members at- tended the funeral.

WREXHAM. I THE TRAMWAYS BILL.-The Committee of the House of Lords'has just passed the Wrexham Tramways Bill, by which it is proposed to run an electric tramway four miles to Rhosllanerchrugog

— BARROW. SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.—Anniversary ser- vices m connection with the Wesleyan Sabbath School were held on Sunday, when the sermons were preached by the Rev. T. H. Bailey, of Frod- sham. The choir rendered special hymns, and at the evening service Miss Hodge and Miss Houl- brook sang solos. Miss Hitchen presided at the organ, and Miss Aggie Woodcock accompanied on the violin. Collections on behalf of the school funds were taken.

ROWTON FUNERAL OF MR. W. CAWLEY.—The re- mains of the late Mr. William Cawley, of Rowton, were interred at the parish church of Coddington, last week. After a short service at Brook Lodge, the late residence of the deceased, the funeral cortege left for Coddington at half-paet twelve. In the first carriage were: Mr. John Cawley (brother) and his daughter, and two nieces (daughters of the late Mr. Thomas Cawleiy) in the seoond, Mr. Arthur and Mr. Robert Cawley (nephews), and Mr. and Miss Hughes (brother-in- law and sister-in-law); in the third, the Rev. L. Garnett (rector of Christleton), Messrs. John Roberts (Warrington), and R. Salmon (Row- ton), trustees; and in the fourth, Mr. F.'A. Jowett (Liverpool), Mr. T. Butler, Mr. J. H. Salmon and Mr. Charles Higginbottom (Warrington), repre- senting Messrs. Arthur Waring and Company, s c Ltd. Dr. Roberts, deceased's medical attendant, also attended, and several private carriages joined the cortege. At the church were Messrs. Richard Brassey, Richard Cooper, Thomas Cawley (Tar- porley), George Penk, T. Spencer Hand'iey, T. Walker (Russia Hall), R. Mullach, R. P. Whalley and John Johnson. The service was very im- pressively conducted by the Rev. Canon Rovds, rector of Coddington, assisted by the Rev. D. Mannal, M.A. Wreaths were sent by Mr. and Mrs. Brassey, Mr. Cooper, Mr. John Cawley and family, Mrs. Royds, Mrs. W. Cawley, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Salmon and family, the Rev. D. and Mrs. Mannal, M.A., Mrs. T. Cawley and family, Messrs. Arthur Waring and Company, Ltd., Miss Ellen Evans and others.

FLINT. NURSING ASSOCIATION .-The first annual meeting of the Flint Nursing Association was held on Friday night, Mrs. Mould, Cornish Hall, presiding. The annual report shewed the re- ceipts to be £ 90 18s. 2d. and disbursements £ 56 13s. 4d., leaving a balance in hand of E34 4s. lOd. The nurse had during the year attended 102 cases and paid 3,079 visits, equal to an average of ten visits daily. It was stated by the Mayor (who is honorary secretary) and by Dr. Humphry Williams that the work done during the year had been very highly appreciated by the poor of the town, and a hope was expressed that the County Council would see its way to continue its support to the association. Mrs. Mould was re-elected president, Mr. Evan Thomas as. treasurer, and the Mayor (Alderman T. W. Hughes) as hon. secretary. TOWN COUNCIL.—The monthly meeting of the Flint Town Council was held last week. Mr. E. J. Hughes (ex-Mayor) submitted the estimates for the ensiyng year, which showed the nett requirements on the general district fund to be E1371, and to meet this a rate of 2s. 5d. in the jE. was made, which was estimated to produce S1392. In the borough fund account it was estimated that there would be a deficiency of £521. and to meet this a precept was ordered to be issued against the overseers of the parishes of Flint and Coleshill Fawr for £ 520. A deputation was appointed to interview the district manager of the London and North-western Railway Company with the object of obtaining better facilities for workmen's trains to Connah's Quay, and to try and induce the Company to reduce the fares. The Mayor announced that Alderman J. L. Muspratt had presented the Corporation with a new flag for the Town Hall. The death-rate for the borough for the past month was only at the rate of 9'6 per 1000 per annum.

♦ PARKGATE. THE "WOLF" AND THE LAMB.-Some un- scrupulous individual, with a weakness for lamb, visited the meat safe connected with Sunset House, Parkgate, a few nights ago, and purloined a cooked leg of lamb. Judging by the fact that a choice bottle of sauce vanished the same evening from a well-known school, the thief was evidently a person of fastidious tastes, even if he had a wolfish appotite. THE LATE MR. HOLBROOK.—The inter- ment of the body of the late Hon. H. Holbrook took place at Sandbach Parish Church on Friday. The cortege left the resi. dence about 9.40 for Parkgate Station. The blinds of the houses at Parkgate and throughout the district were closely drawn, and there were many sympathetic onlookers as the mournful pro- cession slowly made its way to the station. The principal mourners at Parkgate were Miss McEachan (niecei, Miss Beynon (niece) Mrs. Kirkwood, Mr. Arthur Stanistreet, Mr. L. Price, Mr. A. Jamieson, Mr. H. Stringer, and the following members of the Dee Lodge Mr. Samuel Lee. W.M., F. Goodwin, I.G., and J. Johnson. Floral tributes were sent by Miss Beynon, Miss McEachan, Misses L. and N. Stanistreet, Miss Thomson, Miss Chadwick, Mrs. Kirwood, Mr, Lee, Miss Lydia Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. W. Gamon. Mrs. Cowan, Miss E. Kirkpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Pugh, the Dee Lodge, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Price. On arrival at Sandbach Station the cortege was met by the Sandbach Masons (Samaritan Lodge) who led on foot through the heavy rain to the church, followed by the hearse and mourners in carriages. The route was lined with spectators, and blinds were drawn everywhere. Dr. John Latham, an old friend of the deceased, preceded the coffin. At the church Canon Armit- stead officiated.

LITTLE NESTON. HEROIC DEED AND A SAD RESULT.—A sad case occurred here last week. A girl aged 18 years, has for some time shewn signs of aberration of intellect, and on reaching home on Tuesday in oompany with a relative, her con- duct became so marked that Mr. John B. Yeoman was called in, and under his direction the patient was at once removed to Clatterbndge Workhouse by the overseers and placed under close observa- tion. It has unfortunately been found necessary to remove her to Upton Asylum, and at the Neston Petty Sessions on Wednesday Colonel Lloyd made the necessary order. From inquiries made by our correspondent, it appears probable that the poor girl's affliction is directly traceable to an accident which occurred in August, 1890, and in which she acted in a very heroic manner. She was at that time engaged as a nurse away from Neston, and while wheeling a perambulator containing a child aged about two years, a run- away horse and cart dashed upon the party. A child aged five managed to escape, but the younger infant would undoubtedly have fallen a victim but for the nurse, who, flinging the car- riage aside, seized the reins and struggled like a true herouie to save her helpless charge, while, at the same time recklessly sacrificing" herself. snc was trampled under the horse's feet, and although badly injured, she refused to enter tho horse ambulance and walked to the hospital, where she remained an in-patient for some time. No fewer than eighteen stitches were placed in her head alone, and her friends state that owing to the shock and injury combined she has never been the same mentally, the disease eventually necessitating the serious step that has now been, adopted.