The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

THE WAR. -+-- THE LAST DRIVE. 400 PRISONERS. Vryberg, Friday, May 16. The big drive on to the Bechuanaland b'ockhouse line has proved the most successful movement ever made in this district. The prisoners taken number 400. and include nearly 100 rebels and a number of recalcitrant Boers along the border who have caused much troub'e in the past. Among the prisoners are Klein Adrian Delarey, brother 2* General Delarey, and several commandants. The movement was remarkable for the poor dis- play of fighting by the Boers, who fled from one direction to another until finally cornered, when they surrendered. Some of the British columns did not fire a shot. General Ian Hamil- ton's column captured Van Zyl's entire convoy. Large quantities of stock were taken altogether, and great numbers of wagons and other vehicles.' There were no special incidents to report. The British casualties were nil. In the early part of the drive, 500 Boers escaped towards the east. r n iTT- Later. In General Ian Hamilton's recent operations on the Transvaal-Cape Colony border, when a large number of prisoners were captured, only one Boer was killed. The bulk of the surrenders took p ace on the 11th inst. c'ose to the border. The prisoners include Commandants Bezuidenhout and Adrian Delarey, both adjutants to General Delarey one landdrost, two field-cornets, and five ro corporals. Genera! Ian Hamilton himself was in command of the operations.

ZULUS DEFEAT BOERS. 69 BURGHERS REPORTED KILLED. ) Pretoria, Saturday, May 17. Reports received here from Vryheid state that on the 6th inst. 79 Boers raided that, district in search of food, flogging native women who re- fused to shew them mealie pits and driving off 300 native cattle. The Zulus, becoming incensed at this treatment of their women, attacked the Boers, of whom 69 are reported to have been killed. The native casualties were 40 killed and 45 wounded. The Zulus brought three Boers into Vryheid. The latter stated that they desired to be accepted as surrc-ndered.

HINDON SURRENDERS. NOTORIOUS TRAIN-WRECKER AT T PRETORIA. The notorious train-wrecker, Jack Hindon, sur- rendered at Balmoral on Friday morning. He was despatched at once to Pretoria. Hindon's has been a strange career. There are many stories about, some of which he himself contradicts. For instance, it is said that he was a British private, and fought with Sir George Colley on Majuba. He was then Private Madden, and belonged to Galwav-which another Boer officer, Colonel Arthur Lynch, was elected for, but does not represent in Parliament. The story goes that when the British were retreating, he turned his rifle against his own comrades and killed some of them. He then became a Boer, and has remained one up to now. Hindon denies that he ever served in any British force. During the present war he served a British officer who was wounded and captured by the Boers a good turn. Hindon was his guard. It was reported that the British had captured and shot a Boer, and in re- venge the commando decided that the British officer should be shot, but Hindon got him away in a wagon. To this officer Hindon stated that he was a Scotsman and a naturalised Burgher. Hmdon had another name—Newton—which also brought him considerable notoriety. He was, ac- cording to Capetown advices, the notorious Jack Newton, governor of the Johannesburg Gaol called Newtonviile. He is credited with having boasted that he was the only man who succeeded in stealing anything from ex-President Kruger. He stole two of Kruger's horses. Two years later he was pulled out of the flooded Ingogo by a Boer, who reoognised him as a horse thief. The Boer wanted to put Hindon into the stream again, but on certain representations by the latter, changed his mind. They went to a neighbouring hotel, and became so friendly that Hindon tells how he eold the Boer a watch without any works in it for a sovereign. He has had a successful career in train-wrecking. More than one expedition was told off to secure his capture, but he proved as elusive as De Wet, though he has had several narrow escapes. He only got out of Johannesburg before the British entered by the skin of his teeth.

THE CHESHIRE SERVICE COMPANY. We understand that the Mayor has been "officially notihed that the Second Volunteer Service Company which went out to South Africa from Cheshire is expected to arrive at Southampton on the 25th inst..

PEACE PROSPECTS. -+-- ilir. CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS. HOPEFUL BUT NOT SANGUINE. An important speech was delivered by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain at the Town Hall, Bir- mingham on Friday. The right hon. gentleman opened with an appeal for Unioaist solidarity, marked by some clever hits at Opposition leaders, "whose "wholesome penitence" in he matter of Home Rule was "extremely flattering to Unionists." But he was afraid their repentance Was still a little half-hearted. The Unionist alliance remained the one impregnable barrier to the disruption of the kingdom and the disintegra- tion of the Empire. It would be political suicide to grant an independent Parlia.ment in Dublin to men who boasted openly of their disloyalty, and when they addressed Irish audiences in Amerioa during their money-seeking expeditions owned they were rebels. Lord Rosebery had become a Liberal Unionist, although he did not know it. Mr. Chamberlain referred to legisla- tion passed by the Government since it came into office, and challenged the Liberal party to shew so splendid a record. In the Education Bill now before Parliament they tried to grapple with the greatest problem of our time, and, as was to be expected, they were hotly opposed by the Opposition. Thero was also a certain amount of difference cf opinion in their own ranks. If the Government had put this question aside they would have neglected a great national oppor- tunity. The Government would do its duty to the nation. If it ceased to be able to do that, or to be willing to do it, the sooner it ceased to be the Government the better. Subsequently the speaker came to the all-engrossing topic of the War—and peace—and the crowded hall hushed into absolute silence. He said: Gentlemen, I wish I could tell you that this great war was coming to an immediate end and peace was secured. As you know, the Boer leaders are meeting at this moment in the Transvaal, under the pro- tection of the British flag, and all the world, I imagine, is looking in anxiety and interest to their decision. I am hopeful, but I am not sanguine. I know that the majority of those who are still fighting in the field against us are a small remnant of the nation. I know that the majority arc convinced of the futility of continued resist- ance, and only desire to co-operate with us in restoring the prosperity of their country. But again and again in the past these men have been led to their destruction by a minority of irrecon- cilable persons, and I cannot be sure that even now the same minority may not lead them to make absolutely impossible proposals which it will be our duty to reject. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) One thing we may be assured of. So long as this Government lasts THE MISTAKE OF MAJtTBA will not be repeated. (A hurricane of cheers.) ? 'er day- >n a speech by Sir Edward i ,wa,'S d to know the Government nad abandoned their policy of unconditional sur- render. The Government have never adopted a policy of unconditional surrender. On the contrary, they have always stated the general lines upon which they were willing to accept sur- Tender, and they shew that if we were willing to be generous in all matters of life and property to thoso who have fought against us, we have also stated from time to time what were our in- tentions with regard to the future srovevnment and settlement of the country. From those statements and intentions we will not swerve. (Loud cheers.) The details are matters of course for further explanation. If it is desired, we are quite prepared to answer questions upon the sub- ject, but the main lines are settled so far as wo are concerned. They are settled for all time. (Great cheering.) We think we interpret the opinion of this people when wo say that, although we are not vindictive, although the idea of ro- Vf-nge upon those who have opposed us does not enter into my head, yet we recognise that we are trustees in this war as weil as principals. (Hear, hear.) We owe something to those loyalists in South AfriCIl lvho have suffered so much for the Empire. We owe something to those self- governing Colonies which have come to our aicl in tins conflict. (Loud cheers.) Wo are bound iterto ih('Bo6rs who bavo takou oaths OU^ doming, ;i?VG a,ssoclatod.themselves with to ourselvps •" Rear-) ° owe something borne so manv^Wf^ this people who has something- to il,n s cheerfulness; courtr St r,1"6" ,who died, for their che(!™-) owe it to all of 1 thdt tnei.r sacrifice shall not be in vain and never again shall there be a chance of a renewal of this conflict. I do not know whether peace is at hand. It is too early now to sum up the re.suhs of the war. But there arc some so patent that they must strike every impartial observer. This war has tested the power and the temper and the union of the Empire. (Cheers.) We have sent forth from these shores a force ;five times greater than we have ever sent before on any hostile expedition. Our soldiers have shewn themselves worthy of the traditions of the British. (Cheers.) They have exhibited a oourage, a cheerful endurance, and a humanity—(cheers) —which have hardly been equalled by any other army in the world. (Cheers.) AN UNPATRIOTIC OPPOSITION. And our people have shewn a dignity under re- verses, a patience under unexpected delay, and a patriotism which shews they have not degen- erated in all these fifty years of peace and pros- perity. Why has the war been prolonged? For two reasons. (A Voice: 'Pro-Boers.') Because the Boers hoped for foreign intervention—a hope which has been disappointed—and because the Opposition, factious, unpatriotic, have given en- couragement to the enemies of their own country. (Hear, hear.) They have either de- nounced the war, or, what I think is perhaps a meaner course, they have professed to support the war while at the same time doing everything in their power to weaken the hands of those who, for the time at any rate, are the executive of the nation. Again and again in the Boer camps have been found the speeches of some of the leaders of the Opposition—the men who have slandered their own countrymen—('Shame')— and who have encouraged their foes. These men even now, while peace is trembling in the balance, are pursuing the same policy." The right hon. gentleman's peroration was as fol- lows: At. the present moment the Empire is being attacked on all sides, and in our isolation, we must look to ourselves—(cheers)—we must draw closer our internal relations, the ties of sentiment, the ties of sympathy—yes, and the ties of interest. (Cheers.) If by adherenco to eoonomic pedantry, to old shibboleths, we are to lose opportunities of closer union which are offered us by our Colonies, if we are to put aside occasions now within our grasp, if we do not take every chance in our power to keep British trade in British hands, I am certain that we shall deserve the disasters which will infallibly come upon us. (Cheers.) Homo Rule and South Atrica raise the same issues-whether the British Empire is to continue strong, powerful, and united, or whether it is to fall to pieces by dis- ruption or by tolerated secession. Let us raise our thoughts to the transcendent possibilities of a federation of the British race—(cheers)—to strengthen British influence and British power. The days are for great Empires and not for little States. The question for this generation is whether we are to be numbered among the great Empires or the little States. The realisa- tion of the highest ideal will, in my judgment at any rate, make for the peace and civilisation of the work!. (Hear, hear.) It is, I believe, the great object of that national party that we call the Unionist Alliance, it is the destiny to which we are summoned, and it is the result for which your sacrifices are asked."

SPAIN'S KING CROWNED. -+- The King of Spain, on Saturday, attained his majority, as prescribed by the Constitution, and took the oath. Under a canopy, on the steps of the Chamber, a Deputation of Senators and Deputies met his Majesty, and conducted him to the Chamber, where his Majesty and his mother took their seats. The President of the Chamber informed the King why the Cortes had been convoked, and the young Monarch, placing his right hand on a Bible, swore to maintain the Con- stitution and the laws. Their Majesties and the Royal party, with the Foreign Princes and Envoys, then withdrew, and the Royal procession moved on to the church of San Francisco El Grande, where a ITo Deuro was sung. The Royal cortege then went in the same state to the Palace, where, in response to the repeated cheers of the people assembled, the King appeared on the balcony and was received with enthusiasm. The Spanish papers pubLsh an acoount of the arrest in Madrid of some Anarchists who are alleged to have taken a house on the line of route traversed by the Koyal procession of Saturday, where they had secreted explosives. Some alarm was caused as the Royal carriages passed out of the Palace on Saturday, a young man throwing his hat and a paper into the vehicle which was occupied by the Queen and the Infanta Maria Theresa. The ex- citement thus occasioned subsided when it was stated that the man was a harmless lunatic. THE YOUNG MONARCH. In personal appearance the young Monarch hai sometrmg of his late father's expression in the eyes, but in the rest of his features, his figure, and his carriage he decidedly resembles his mother, and not a little his youngest sister, the Infanta Maria Tneresa, a. bright-eyed, grace- ful handsome girl of twenty. Both' the King and this sister are said to have inherited much of their fathers cheerfulness and bonhomie, whereas the eldest daughter of Queen Christina, Dona Maria de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias and heiress presumptive to the throne, is. like her mother, a thorough Hapsburg, even in her tuuly Viennese distinction of manner and car- nage and in a slight tinge of reserve and haughtiness that does not exclude much kindness and warm-heartedness towards those around her. The King of Spam is not tall-he is slightly above nndaie height, and is of slender frame and delicate build, though his health has been so good that for several years he has not had a serious illness. He looks well in uniform, and sits his horse admirably. His subjects' chief complaint is that. owing to his constant course has lived too much apart from them, that they have not been allowed to see enough of him or he of them. There are more than a few indications that in this direction ho will soon make up for lost time.

IIOOLE CHURCH VESTRY. ADJOURNED MEETING. THE ORGAN CONDEMNED. The adjourned vestry meeting at All Saints' Church, Hoole, was held on Thursday evening, the vicar (the Rev. F. Anderson) presiling over a small attendance. The Vicar reported that Mr. Coveney had pre- sented the church with a Union Jack for the Coronation and a cordial vote of thanks was passed for the gift. The Vicar said a service would be heid in the church on the morning of the Coronation day, as it appeared to be the general wish of the clergy I in Chester that such a service should be held Mr. Morgan moved that a fund be ou-ned for the provision of a new organ for the parish cnurcn. There was no doubt that a new organ was necessary, and he thought they wrre under a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. Gerrard for the way he had managed the organ under the dis- advantages. Mr. Ellis seconded the motion. Mr. J. Wright (choirmaster) said the oro-an demoralised the choir. He had so-ght the opinion of three representative orsramsts in v^nester on the instrument. Mr. J. ]\ Dean stated that a more wretched instrument it world be impossible to find certainly in any church in Chester. lUr. A. H. Robinson, organist at Eaton C.iapei, said the instrument was absolutely use- less and out of date. It would be madness to attempt to improve it, and if anybody was anxious to make use of it he would advise him to cnop it up for firewood. (Laughter.) He never before piayed on such an instrument. Mr. Richard Thomas organist of St. Paul's, stated that it was by far the worst organ he had played uoon both in town and country churches. It was altogether out of date, and he could comoaro it from a musical point of view to a box of screech- ing whistles. (Laughter.) It was more in keep- /TS u ban-el organ heard at country fairs Laughter.) He was truly sorry for the cnoir- i-iaster, and especially for the organist, in ha.in<- iT01'^ With such an instrument. wu-W,illiama submitted an estimate from Mr. W hiteley, organ builder, of the eos„ of ATVrff-n- ,whlcl? amounted to about JC45C. f «<H.Id be glad to have old organ to lead the singing in th« >>> s.sion S ,Ho Sillcere!y hoped that before loiu trev would have an organ worthy of the churc'n and tne growing parisn. Mr. •• Coveney thought a new organ w udd necessitate the provision of a new vest' if it was placed wnere the old one stood. If (hat £ 1000^ v,'ou1-d probably require a sum of Gcl;rai;d (organist) pointed out t! Mr. mtolej said that a three manual org in could vestry0 wlthout interfering with the parent The Vicar remarked that they must nor W their senools even for the sake of the org;„i. If the Education Bill now passing through "i avha- ment became law it would not help th'am m the enlargement cf the schools, and the managers would still have to provide for it. The Cmuch ?! t0,l,ld "ot afford to lose her schools On the other hand, he did not want to stand in the way of a new organ, and he thought a lund should be opened and a committee for The motion was carried. of Mr- J" w"ght, '< < oi.ded bv Mr. T. Chalton, a committee was fo-iPcd to deal with the subject. The subject of the church ventilation was after- Sc"'sse<1 and referred to the church

THE ROYAL VISIT TO WALES. +—_ H.R.H.'s ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Lord Kenyon, who was president of the North Wales Reception Committee on the occasion of the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, has received the following com- municat,ion:- York House, St. James's Palace, S.W. May 12, 1902. Dear Kenyon,-Tho Prince of Wales desires me to ask you to be good enough to convey to the Reception Committee, the Mayors of Bangor and Carnarvon, and other local authorities, as well as to Principal Reichel, the secretary and other officials of the University College, the expression of his sincere thanks for the kind and hearty re- 'I', ception given to the Princess of Wales and him- self during what has been to their Royal High- nesses a very happy visit to North 'Va 1es. His Royal Highness would also 'ike to make known to the Chief Constable and the police, and to all concerned, his appreciation of the care and fore- thought which characterised the admirable arrange- ments for the visit.-Believe me, yours very truly, ARTHUR BIGGE. Mr. Assheton-Smith, whose guests the Prince and Princess were, has received an autograph let- ter from the Prince, expressing the pleasure and gratification their Royal Highnesses derived from their visit to Vaynol. The Prince also asked Mr. Assheton-Smith to be good enough to convey to the peop'e of Port Dinorwic their Royal High- nesses grateful thanks for the lovely decorations displayed in honour of their visit, and for the spirit of loyalty they evinced on the occasion. On Friday, as chairman of the Port Dinorwic Re- ception Committee, Councillor John Hughes, by the desire of Mr. Assheton-Smith, caused this mes- sage to be made known to the inhabitants of Port Dinorwic by means of placards.

OYSTER CULTURE IN NORTH WALES Professor White, of the University College of North Wales, Bangor, who has been delivering a course of lectures during the winter and spring at tno various centres in Carnarvonshire, de- livered the twelfth and last of the series at the University College, Bangor, on Friday. In the unavoidable absence of Prinoipal Reichel, Mr. Howard Lewis occupied the ohair. Tho subject of the lecture was "Oyster oulture." After re- ferring to the great esteem in which the oyster had been held from early times, the lecturer pro- ceeded to describe its structure, development, and the fixation of the spat. He pointed out that the culture of the oyster was necessitated not only on account of reckless depredations which had been made, and were in some cases still being made, on natural oyster grounds, but also on account of the demand for the incessant supply. He drew attention to the fact that it was a pro- fessor of biology who saved by his exertions the oyster industry in France when it was on the high road to ruin. Yet even now the ordinary "practical" fisherman presumed to ask what there was for the man of science to teach him. At Conway another object-lesson presented itself, but it would take time to rub such lessons in. The lecturer then traced the gradual rise of oyster culture from ancient to modern times, describing in some detail the symptoms in vogue in the chief oyster-producing countries. From all that he had seen and read he was not hopeful that the artificial system of raising young oysters could ever be carried out in this country with the success it met with in such places as Arcachou, in France. Climatic conditions in this country were not always favourable. One year there might be a good deposition of spat, in another practically none. He drew attention to the chief places in England where attempts in this direction had been made, and referred to the experiments carried out by Mr. J. T. Cunningham in Corn- wall. He hoped that they would ultimately lead to oyster-rearing on a commercial scale. Last year Mr. James Lawson, of Liverpool, mnde a gift of £15 to the college for experiments in oyster culture in the Menai Straits. Two largo crates filled with tiles on the one hand and slates on the other were set down in the estuary of the Ogwen-a natural oyster ground-but he re- gretted to say that there was a poor fall of spat last year, and the experiment was not successful. The experiment, however, would be repeated this year, and with the B20 recently allocated to him by the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee he intended to carry it out on a larger scale. The lecture was illustrated through- out by lantern slides and with specimens, and was listened to with much interest.

TROUT FISHING. «. IMPROVED PROSPECTS ON THE DEE. "Ringwood" writes to the "Field"The numerous readers of the "Field" who take a present ov reminiscent interest in that grand old river the Welsh Dee will, I am sure, rojoice at the improving prospects which the results of the past spring trouting season indicate. Of the fifteen miles of association water between Cynwyd, Corwen, and Llangollen not much that is good could truthfully have been written in the past half a dozen years. This has been par- ticularly regrettable, since a more ideal trouting water and more exquisite scenic surroundings could scarcely be found in England or Wales. The size of the river, too, its periodical stretches of trout holding water accessible only to the occasional coracle, and its great natural pro- ductiveness, seem to make the Dee peculiarly adapted to furnishing fair sport for a great- num- ber of anglers. The pike have been, beyond a doubt, the main, if not the sole cause of its marked decline within the past decade, though the nuisance has been probably aggravated by a series of bad seasons. Like many others, I had myself given up fishing the water save for an occasional day in a coracle, and with infinite regret, for it is not a. river to abandon lightly, and the memories of good baskets in former days are vivid, so too are those of its enchanting scenery. There really seems now, however, to ba somewhat of a turn in the tide. A recent visit on other matters to the banks of the Dee, and to a friend who is an old and staunch mem- ber of one of the two fishery boards, revealed a much more hopeful state of things. Local anglers told quite a different tale, and spoke in a wholly differcnt strain from that of the past few seasons. Everywhere I heard of baskets during- April that, for a river which anyone may fish for from 6s. to 10s. a week, and which is tapped at all points by a well-known railroad, were excellent. The lower seven miles, or Glyndyfrdwy water, is for obvious reasons the best of the two association stretches under notice, though the most difficult to fish. I heard of several baskets there of from eighteen to twenty-five fish (wading), which was a fair result m tne palmy days of the eighties. A coracle had one day between fifty and sixty, its occupant being- a well-known local amateur. Another basket was most excellent for average weight—namely, thirty-two fish, weighing 161b. An old acquaintance in .Corwen, who only gets out from business for the middle three hours in each day, had 15ib. on that water as the result of three consecutive days, and, what is more, has had several fish over a. pound weight this season. All the fishing at this time is clone with fly- March brown, February red, orange dun, iron blue, and partridge hackle, dressed rather small, being standard lures. Talking of flies, a new type of fisherman seems to have been dei-eloped by the stocking of midland reservoirs with trout. One unhappy wight was found the other day raking the Dee with two grilse íEe3 fastened about 8m. apart, under the impression they would seduce the cjuiek-wittod local trout. He told my informant, who promptly dissipated this queer fallacy, that he -caught rainbows in this fashion in the reservoir to which his experiences had been so far limited! Encouraged by the improvement in the fishing, the local boards are taking heart for renewed and more vigorous campaigns against the common c enemy, the pike, which seem nowadays to range into waters that one used to consider altogether too swift and broken for them. I hear that the brutes may be seen working the shallows above Corwen bridge in low waters like setters, driving the small fish literally into the air in their efforts to escape. There are a great many grayling, too, in the water, but they do not rise freely in tho proper season, and get in consequence no close time from the association, who would vastly prefer trout in their place. Equally good news, too. with the efforts against the piko is that telling of a hatchery contemplated by the Corwen authorities. Anything, indeed, 'that will contribute towards the improvement of this important and beautiful stream should be welcomed by all anglers. The Dee is a very early river, and if some fresh blood that would prolong the season could be intro- duced it would be a gain. It may be mentioned that above these two association waters there are some twelve miles of more or less private fisning, which practically terminates the river at Bala Lake and the junction of the Trewervn. kj<im Rooerts, whom I found busy among his tackie at Llangollen, and wearing- his years lightly tells me he has assisted at the capture ot halt a dozen salmon this spring in the water below the village, one weighing 251b. but of the salmon projects of the river generally I can say nothing. This, at any rate, is a good beginning.

TaB THAMES SALMON EXPERIMENT. — It is reported that a splendid griIse WitS taken at MoJesey Weir on Saturday afternoon by Mr. J. Gunn, of East Moleaey, and that on being weighed it turned the scale at olb. 1 Soz. Should the n'port lie confirmed it would seem a not impossible hazard that the fish is one of the fry which were put into the river experimentally, with a view to test their capacity to survive the oiYleal of getting cut to sea and their return up-stream.

THE LATE COLONEL MILLER. The interment of the late Colonel Miller, whose obituary notice appeared in our last issue, took place on Friday in Chester General Cemetery, in the presence of a large num- ber of mourners. The obsequies were of a simple character. The first portion of the ser- vice was held in St. Peter's Church, and conducted by the rector (the Rev. F. Tilney Stoncx), who also officiated at the g/aveside. As a token of respect 4ie kJ'nc!s ancl shutters were drawn across many of ry,° business establishments in North gate-street. coffin bore the inscription—"George Thomas Miller, died 12th May, 1902, aged 68 years." The chief mourners present were Mr. and Mrs. Orred, General Bally and MrB. Bellingham, and the Rev. ^a'r",fC'0' °therT9 Present included the Mayor of Chester (Mr. James G. Frost), Major- (general and Mrs. Adair, Mr. John Thompson. Mr. R. T. Richardson (Capenhurst Hall), Mr. H. T. Brown. Mr. Douglas Dobie, Mr. B. C. Roberts, Mr. C. P. Douglas, Mr. F. Horatio L'ovd, Mr. R. L. Barker, Dr. Taylor, Mr. Woods (steward of the Grosyenor Club), Mr. W. A. V. Churton and Mr. T. Diggory (representing Mr. W. H. Churton, clerk to the county justices), Mr. J. Pover, Mr. A. Lamont, Mr. T. Gibbons Frost, Mr. Jno. M. Frost, Mr. T. B. Richardson, Mr. W. Rogers, Mr. E. Dixon, Mr. Reginald Dixon, Mr. F. Skipwith, Mr. G. H. Rogerson, and Mr. Stubbs. The fol- lowing, in addition to several others above men- tioned, represented the Grosvenor Club: Messrs. W. R. N. Shand, John Urmson, R- Dott Thom- son, Major Wyley and Major Collins. Wreaths were sent by the following —Mrs. Pitcairn Camp- bell (Vicar's Cross), Mrs. Frances Aylmer Frost (Ashton Court), Mrs. George Coates (Rugby), "In affectionate remembrance of an old friend- Dorothea Lowry," "In loving remembrance, from Amy," Miss Louisa Evans, "With sincere sympathy from the Members of the Grosvenor Club." "In loving remembrance from Randle and Hetty" (Borras Head, Gresford), "Peggy," "With much regret, sympathy and sorrow—S. J. Bally," Mrs. n H. T. Brown, "With sincere sympathy—the Mayor and Mayoress of Chester," "With much regret and sympathy—Lieut.-Colonel N. D. E. Roberts," "in loving memory from the servants at Folliott House," Marmaduke and Anna Cramer Roberts, Mr. Douglas Dobie, "With affectionate remem- !"fricc~Mrs- Alfred Tyrer and Miss Tyrer" (Plas Newton), "With sincere sympathy—Mrs. Geo. W m. Gillow (West Kensington)," "In loving memory of a dear old friend—Grace B. Belling- ham," "With sincere regrets from Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Dixon," Mrs Morris and family. Carriages were sent by the Mayor of Chester, Mr. B. C. Roberts. Mrs. Pit- cairn Campbell, Mr. T. Gibbons Frost, Mr. B. Glegg (Backford Hall), Mr. H. Lyle Smyth (Bar- rowmore), Mr. Alfred Tyrer and Mr. Orred. Mr. G. A. Dickson and Colonel Evans-Lloyd were un- ab'e to attend the funeral. The funeral arrange- ments were carried out by Messrs. J- Smith and Son, Eastgate Row. Son, Eastgate Row. MAGISTERIAL REFERENCE. At the Chester Castle Petty Sessions on Satur- day the chairman (Mr. Horace D. Trelawny) on taking his seat, said: It was only last Saturday poor Col. Miller sat on the Bench here with us He was a constant attendant here, a conscientious, good, honest man and an old soldier I am sure my brother magistrates and myself will greatly miss him.

BOARDS OF GUARDIANS. ♦ — HAWARDEN. The fortnightly meeting of the Hawarden Boord of Guardians was held at Broughton Workhouse on Thursday. FINANCES. The Clerk stated that the treasurer had re- ceived jE4 lls. 6d. from the collector. There was a balance in hand of LI,289, and the amount re- quired was J6117 13s, and JB2 14s. 3d. asked for by the School Attendance Committee. MASTER'S REPORT. The Master reported 76 inmates during the fort- night, as against the same number in the corre- sponding period last year. The number of vagiants during the fortnight was 21. The Master also reported that Lady Olivia Fitzpatrick visited the house on Monday, and kindly brought the old people tea, sugar and tobacco.—The best thanks of the Board were accorded the visitors, on the motion of Mr. John Jones, seconded by Mr. J. right. SEALAND OVERSEERS. The Clerk informed the Sealand representatives, who were present, that their district was in a most unsatisfactory state. (Hear, hear and laughter.)— Mr. H. Hassall said the assistant overseers had been appointed, but he did not know where tney were. (Laughter.)—Mr. W. Shepherd then moved that the two appointments, namely, those of Messrs. Littler and H. H. Carrier, be confirmed by the Board.—This was done. The Registrar-General wrote that he y*a(i r6^ ceived the resignation of Colonel Evans-Lloyd Oi the registrarship of the Chester district, which would take effect in August next. He was now prepared to receive applications. He would not approve of the office's being in the same place as the clerk to the guardians' officc.The Clerk (Mr. H. Goodman Roberts) contended that the office should be offered to the clerk. The guardians must provide another office for the purpose. It 0, was decided that the whole of the Board form a committee, to meet before the next fortnight y meeting. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS. A letter from the Gainsborough Board of Guardians suggesting that all officials should be engaged for one year only in the future was read. The Clerk asked the Board not to consider the matter as they would never be able to get any self- respecting and competent officer of the guardians to accept twelve months' engageinents. —Mr Wilcox matter as they would never be able to get any self- respecting and competent officer of the guardians to accept twelve months' engageinents. —Mr Wilcox moved that the letter be thrown under the table. (Laughter.)—No action was taken. DATES OF THE MEETINGS. The date of the usual fortnightly meeting occurring on the 26th June, it was agreed on the motion of the Chairman to hold the meetmg on the The Chairman proposed that after the last meet- ing in June the meetings be held on alterna e Fridays, commencing on July 11. Thursday was a very awkward day for the clerk. It was^ not tor his own convenience that he moved this. Ihe Board were losing a large amount of money because the Board meetings coincided with the magistiates' meetings either at Broughton, Hawarden, or Caergwrle. If they asked themselves what was the most convenient day for the majoritv of the Board he thought they would find it to be Friday. After some discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr. John Jones, not to alter the date. VACCINATION FEES. The Clerk read the report of the Vaccination Committee. They recommended that the Is. üd. now paid in respect of children (Class A) be reduced to Is. in an urban district but that it remain the same for a rural district. For primary vaccina- tions and successful re-vaccinations they recom- mended 5s. in an urban district and 5s. fid. in a rural district, when the vaccinator attended at anyone's residence, and 2s 6d. where the applicant attended at the vaccinating station. Mr. A. Wright moved that the committee's report be adopted. Mr. E. Sidney Taylor protested against the fixing of what were practically the minimum fees the Government Board allowed. They were not dealing liberally and he questioned if they were dealing with justice. The committee's report was adopted. WHITCHURCH. A meeting of the Whitchuich Board of Guardians was held on Friday, the Chairman (Mr. R. P. Ethclston) presiding.—Tne Relieving Officer's re- port shewed that the out-relief during the fort- night was as follows: -6th week, 162 out-paupers relieved at a cost of £ 14 9s. 2d.: 7th week, 16- at £ 13 10s. The corresponding period for last yea was: 6th week, 182 at £ 16 5s. 8d.; 7th week 181 at. L15 9s.—Mr. W. H. Smith A very hea.tny Iû duction. (Hear, btar.)-The Master s books shewed that during the past fortnight- there had been 34 inmates in the house, against. 70 for the corresponding period of last year; and that 196 vagrants had been relieved during the same period, against- 129 last year.—The Master reported that a casual had been sentenced to ten days for tearing up his clothes.—Thomas Sheridan, aged 56 years, had died on the 14th inst.—The officers asked leave to take their holidays at convenient t.rncs.-Ti)is was agreed to on the usual conditions.—The ques- tion arose as to the best method of treating the inmates oil Coronation Day, and the Master sug- gested that a "Christmas" dinner, with tobacco, sweets, tea, and sugar, etc., should be given to tho inmates; he thought that a repetition of the Christmas programme would b2 genei-aily appreci- ated.—It was pointed out that the children would have their tea in the town with the other children, and it was therefore thought desirable that the dinner in the house should take place on the other day.—The suggestion was unanimously adopted, and on the Master's reporting that a new flag and pole were- necessary (the other flng having come to grief), it was decided that a fresh one should be procured.

The Australian Premiers' Conference lias con- cluded. It was resolved that it was undesirable to impose custom duties on Government linpo* s. PnOXOl.HATMl AT THE lMF.TIiJIABT.-Mr. H. Twyeross, of Stafford, on Tuesday afi gave a very entertaining exhibition of tne ] s graph in the wards of the General Iminnary tor the patients' amusement. HIMROD'S CURE FOR ASTHTTA. — Established over a quarter of a century.—Prescribed by the Medical Faculty tbroug-heut tbe world. It is used as an inhalation, and without any after bad effects. Testimonials of efficacy from the late Lord Beacons- field, Miss Emily Faithful, Sir Morell Mackenzie, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Trial sample freo by post. In Tins at 4/3. British Depot: 46, Holborn Viaduct. London also of Newbery, Barclay, Sanger, Edwards. May Roberts Butler & Crispe; i Thc¡¡:¡¡;20J. Liverpool; all Wholesale Houses.

— t 7 h— r v £ v r' /»= £ C j C- SOAP. "All t SUNLIGHT it& A- SUNLIGHT SOAP SUNLIGHT SOAP I0HX SOAP SUNLIGHT SOAP Lengthens life. I Reduces the Hours of Labour. Gives rest and B Increases the Hours of Ease. comfort. SUNLIGHT SOAP I Mln Add, ,o .he I LARGEST SALE IN THE WORLD. SUNLIGHT SOAP joys of home. aammmanawmnnnPreserves the clothes. LEVER BROTHERS. LIMITED, PORT SUNLIGHT. CHESHIRE.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. ——♦ CORN-TAX DEBATE. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, in reply to a question by Mr. Dillon with reference to the relief of the sufferers in Martinique and St. Vincent, Mr. Balfour said the Government were considering what assistance could be given, but at present he could make no statement on the subject. The debate on the motion for the second reading of the Finance Bill was resumed by Mr. Sydney Buxton, who criticised adversely the financial proposals in the Budget Bill, and insisted that the Chan- cellor should have imposed more taxation and added less to the National Debt.—Mr. Austen Chamberlain denied that the corn tax was protective, and pointed out that the expenditure sanctioned by the country must be borne by all classes comprised within it. illr J. Redmond said that as the Irish party believed that the tax would be injurious to Ireland they would support the amendment. Mr. T. W. Russell also opposed. Several other members supported the amendment. Mr. Holland urged that many indus- tries in which flour was used would be prejudicially affected by the tax. Mr. Leas Knowles supported the duty, which he maintained would be paid by the foreigner. Mr -Chaplin contended that the rise in the price of bread was not permanent. On a division, Sir William Harcourt's amendment was rejected by 200 to 188. SHIPPING QUESTIONS. LORD C. BERESFORD'S LETTER. BUDGET BILL. TRADES UNIONS AND PICKETING. In the House of Commons, on Wednesday, questions were asked about the shipping combine, and in regard to one which dealt with freights Mr. Balfour said he v.ould take the earliest opportunity of moving the re-appointment of the Select Com- mittee on Shipping subsidies. In regard to the inquiry about British ships being British terri- I tory, Mr. Balfour remarked that it would be a new departure in legislation to prevent private owners from disposing of their ships when Govern- ment had no lien upon thcni.Air. MacNeill de- sired to raise a broach of privilege in connection with the publication of Lord Charles Beresford's letter in reference to tho Mediterranean Fleet, but the Speaker rided it out of order.—Mr. Arnold- Forster asked leave to make a personal explana- tion, and after referring to the correspondence which had passed, lie said that he had done no; injustice consciously to Mr. Arnold White or any other person.—Lori Charles Beresford also made an explanation, in the course of which he said that the only thing he regretted was that the Secretary to the Admiralty should by his action have been placed in the position in which ha found himself. —Mr. J. Wa'iton resumed the debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill, and, the Chan- cellor having replied to the criticisms of several members, the House divided, and the Bill was read a second time by 224 to 134.-The second reading of the Loan Bill was next submitted by tho Chancellor, whereupon Mr. Dillon submitted an amendment disapproving of the loan in the ab- sence of further information as to tho manner in which the money was to be expended.—The Chan- cellor, in reply, said the Government did not know any more than hon. members as to the course the consultations between the Boers had taken, and he advised the public to bo cautious about accept- ing the statements published.—The amendment was defeated by 232 to 109, and the second reading was carried by 224 to 102.—Mr. Beaumont moved that legislation is necessary to prevent workmen being placed by judge-made law in a position in ferior to that- intended by Parliament in 1875.— Mr. R. Bell seconded the motion, and said in the present state of the law workmen were not on an equality with employers.— Mr. Renshaw moved an amendment declining to commit. the House to fresh on until it was shewn that the existing law did not. sufficiently protect workmen in the exer- cise of their legal rights.—Mr. Wolff seconded.— The Attorney-General suppoited the amendment. Both employers and workmen had tll,) right to coin- bine, but neither had the right- to coerce, and he trusted the House would not consent to proposals which would tend to diminish the liberty at present enjoyed.—Various appeals having been made to the Government, Mi\ Ritchie urged that before Governments should be called upon to appoint a Committee, a decision should be obtained from the House of Lords as to the state of the law.— Sir H. Campboll-Bannerman regretted the non- possumus attitude of that Government.—The amendment was carried by 203 to 174, end the de- bate was then adjourned, on the motion of Mr. Caldwell. WEST INDIES DISASTER. In the House of Commons, on Thursday after- noon, Mr. Dillon asked what measures had been adopted by the Government for the relief of the people of Martinique and St. Vincent.—Mr. Bal- four said that with regard to St. Vincent the Lord Mayor of London had consented to open a relief fund. Grenada, Jamaica, West Indian Islands and Mauritius had already promised help in money or kind, and he had no doubt other colonies would be equally generous. The Government had authorised the expenditure of whatever sum might be necessary, and would be prepared to supple- ment it by an addition to the West Indies grant annually voted by the House. Ho acknowledged the sympathetic offer of the United States Government to share in the work of aid and rcs- C„Q and said the Governor of the Wmdward Islands was being consulted in reference to how the offer sliot-ld be accented. With regard to Martinique, Lord Lansdowne on May 12 telegraphed to our Ambassador at Paris to say that it would give H M Government pleasure to afford assistance in "ending provisions and medical comforts to the sufferers, and they were prepared to act at once. rn)" French Government had accepted with grati- • tUÙb who Dillon cd whether the Governor of tho Windward Islands had been authorised to spend public money to any extent he might think necessary, and whether that ex- penditure would apply both to Martinique and St. Vincent without distinction.—Mr. Balfour replied Of oourse there must be a distinction, but the Government were prepared to give assistance by the loan of medical officors and the Joan of medicai L comforts to Martinique. The hon. member had correctly interpreted his reply in reference to the authority given to the Governor of the Windward Islands.—Mr. Dillon as,r,d 'cave to move the nd jourmnent of the House in order to call attention to the refusal of the Government to take adequate steps to relieve the surviving inhabitants of Mar- I tinique. Only 37 members rose in support cf the hon. member, who d0n<andod a division. Ihe House divided, and the motion for adjournment was negatived by 124 to 54. Leavo was conse- quently refused.

AUCTJOX SAXRS. + VALUE OF PROPERTY AT MIDDLEWICII. On Wednesday Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts, iT Chester, auctioneers, submitted to public auction, at the White Bear Hotel. Midd'ewich, a valuable freehold estate, known as the Cross-Lanes Farm, with six cottages and gardens and 82. acres of ex- cellent land, situated in the townships of Leese and Rudheath, in the parishes of Middlewich and Davenham. The Cross-Lanes Farm. containing in the whole 68a. 2r, lip., was first offered, the bid- ding starting at £ 2,000, but rapidly rose to £3,500, at which figure Mr. John Ford. Cranage, Middle- wich, was declared the buyer. The six cottages, garden and field, containing in the whole 7a. ir. 7p., was, after keen competition, knocked down to Mr. Devenport, Wimsboldsley, Middle- wich, for £750. and a valuab'e accommodation field, near the church, eventually fell to the bid of Mr. Maddocks, Higher Farm, Bayley, at. JE380. The attendance was a large and influential one. and the bidding most spirited, the sale being a great success. Mr. H. S. Whallev, of Chester, was the surveyor, while Mr. James J. Booth, 53, John William-sti eet, Huddersfield, acted as solicitor to the vendors. A HOLYWELL HOTEL. On Wednesday Messrs. Churton, Elphick and Co. offered for public sale at Holywell the fullv-beensed hotel known as "The King's Head." The property was put up at .€1,500, and was withdrawn at £ 2,400, it now remaining in the hands of the auctioneers for sale by private treaty. VALUE OF LAND IN FLINTSHIRE. On Wednesday, at the Black Lion Hotel, Mold, Messrs. Churton, Elphick and Co. put up for sale by auction two lots of freehold land lying near Mold and Soughton. There was an excellent attendance, and competition was very keen. Lot 1 comprised five fields in old pasture, situated on the west side of Llwvnegrin Hall, close to Mold, and extending in the whole to 21 h acres. The first bid was £ 800, and the property was ultimately knocked down to Mr. J. B. Marston, solicitor, for £ 1,030. A field in old pasture known as "Jacob's Piece," situate at Soughton, with an area of 2a. lr. 20p., and let at a yearly rent of £ 4, fell to the bid of Mr. John Williams, of Soughton, at £100. Messrs. Indermaur and Brown, of London, acted as solicitors to the vendors.

WEDDING.—Tho wedding took place quietly at St. John's Church, Chester, on Wednesday of Mr. W. H. Plowright, of this citv, and Miss Mary A. Leete, of the Talbot Hotel. The Rev. Canon I Cooper Scott officiated. The bride was given away by an old friend, Mr. Payne, of Birkennead, and Miss Deumond was the bridesmaid, while- the duties of best man were discharged by Mr. S. H. Fincham, of Liverpool. Immediately after the eercmony Mr. and Mrs. Plowriglit left for Anglesea, where the honeymoon will be spent. During the time the bride has been associated with the management of the Talbot Hotel, she has made herself extremely popular, and a general desire was expressed to make her pmne little present. This resulted in the presentation to Miss Leete on Tuesday evening of a ha.ndsome set of table silver, a gold bracelet, and a.n illuminated address. The subscribers numbered about 150.

CHARGE AGAINST A CHESTER PARMER. On Friday, at the Eddi, v Occasional Court, Northwich, Edward Ptvi, alias H. Owen, farmer, of Ash ton, iie. Cii ester, was charged under a warrant that on th- rh March he did falsely pretend byllietii,of.iii ..I vertisement inserted in Poultry that he wu riving on the business of a poultry farmer at 'Slld-Cheshire Poultry Farm, Ashton, and that ^-h place he then had for sale 12 buff Orpine hiekens with .mother, which he was then in a >a to deliver to any intending purchaser, when he was not in a position to deliver the fowl, > hut by means of this false pretence he obtained from P. A. Hope, of Bank Quay, Warring-:o» Mr. J. E. Fletcher prosecuted f > ho police, and said he only intended to otter sutr. nt evidence to justify a remand. Supt. Nield said he apprehendc 'h:- prisoner at Ashton, and read the charge over t i. i'risoner's answer was that he had received b<- money, and that during the season he had < jl away over 000 chickens. The superb-.indent pro- duced a big bundle whv •; he stated contained complaints from aii over the country, including London, Yo -.shire, Birming- ham, Pontypridd, and other place Witness added that prisoner's method wastoadvivri.e in "Poultry" that he had chickens, &c., for sale, and on receiving the money he had failed to despatch the fowl. In the case under notice he advertis-d twelve Orping- ton chickens and mother, and in replv to the advertisement, Mr. Hope forwarded a lbs. postal order, and had up to the present uover received the birds. Prisoner was remanded until May 28th in his own recognisances of £2;), and another surety of £ 25.

FOOTBALL. — +- ELLESMERE PORT SUSPENSIONS. THE APPEAL. At a meeting of the Chef-hire Football Associa- tion, held at Northvvich on Thursday evoning, tho result of the appeal of the Ellesmcre Poit F.C. against the decisions and suspensions passed upon their players and officials by the Chester and District Football Association for their conduct in the final tie of the Chester Chadenge Cup, was announced. The appeal was heard by a com- mission at Chester in Apr; and they confirmed tho action of the local association with the ex- ception of the suspensions Thes. Hesketh (cap- tain) and W. Clay. These ;.wo players were sus- pended by the District Football Association until 1st May, 1S04, but tno appeal commission ordered the more drastic punishm-nt that they be sus- pended sine die; also tlh.t Richard Jones and Charles Nicholas each have b!1 extra month added to their suspensions on a' _1,mt of the delay in the commencement of flie same caused by tho appeal. As confirmed and approved by the county body, the, suspensions are c follows:—Thos. Hes- keth (captain) and W.Clay, ,ine die :W. Reynolds, until 1st January, 1903; Walter Evans and Richd. Jones, until 1st November, 1202; Charles Nicholas, until 1st Oct o her, 1302; Istao Pcndlebury, until nIl April, 1902; Charles j'rice, until 25tli 122; and Thomas Cathcrs. (chairman), until, 1st May, 1902; J. Dean (secretary), until he appears before the Chester and D.-sfrict Football Associa- tion. It was also ordered that the deposit of £2. lodged by the Ivies mere Port F.C. on appeal, be forfeited, and all the players named will be do barred from receiving medals. Much interest-was evinced in Chester football circles in this appeal, and all will be glad the "ccisicns of th? Chester Football Association have i-een more thrn upheld. On no occasion since the Chester and District F. A. was instituted have any Ó the decisions been re- versod on appeal.

MUSICAL SUCCESS.—Miss Sarah Woolley, of Lower Bridge-street, has passed her junior examination of the National College of ):sw with honours.

.(¿: .0>; C.' r .)f =;. ',1 ¡'j IJÎt V ^ape U £ f ? "tts H f-'i;S facture* \'l' You can neither make nor buy another beverage k that tastes so good or quenches thirst so wcM. No 'ir1 ,'J other drink so healthful, so convenient, so taexpon- i^jy& » oive. A 4-Lld. bottle makes 2 gallons. v V.' '4 CF*. A. 8. GRIFFITHS, the famous Food Analyst, r.aya: V'L -A fe inspsssiSle to proSaas Lorninc-iSa c*: a /■ sfetid&'d cf v/V.t.:A-"3 f V* > i!fifth7!A p'. <- |#^SfiU888^|