The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

AGRICULTURE. + SEASONABLE NOTES. We in the Cheshire district at all events can scarcely complain of lack of moisture. A good deal of rain has fallen during the past fortnight, and what is more pleasurable to add, the atmospheric conditions have become more agreeable, being in some measure an assurance of that better state of things prognosticated for the month of June. It is well so far, and seeing that we are within measur- able distance of the longest day, and what in a general way is believed to be midsummer, the change has come none too soon, and it is hoped will prove the inauguration of summer weather. Pro- gress has been made in root sowing during the week, but the bulk remains to be done, and if advantage is taken of the present moist condition of the soil the seeding and germination ought to be most appreciable. We are not the only people, however, who have been suffering from cold and the stagnation of vegetation, as the somewhat untoward state of affairs has existed more or less over Europe and many other countries. France has had its snowstorms and violent gales, doing con- siderable injury to vineyards, and almost obliterat- ing in some instances a number of other crops. More recently much rain has fallen in that country as elsewhere. From India we have the gratifying intelligence, through a telegram from the Viceroy, that rain has there been general, the fall heavy in several districts and though prices shew a tendency to rise they are nowhere excessively high. The persons at present on relief works are in a satis- factory condition the number in receipt of relief being reported as 430,000. In America the pro- longed cold has made its influence felt on the grow- ing crops, so that scarcely an average return is looked for while in Russia it is said the deplorable state of the pastures affects 29,000,000 cattle and 48,000,000 sheep to such an extent that an Imperial ukase forbidding the exportation of feeding stuffs may not be unlooked for. As far as our local needs are concerned the pressure has scarcely been removed. Grass takes time to grow, and that "while the grass grows the steed starves" has almost found literal illustration. At any rate it will take two or three weeks of propitious weather to ease the situation to any appreciable extent. The early fruit trees have suffered much from the cold winds, and the outcome of all fruit prospects with the exception, perhaps, of apples, seems doubtful. There is little alteration to report in the staff 01 me cneese markets since last, wnung. Trade has been quiet, and prices remain without varia- tion. Neither buyers nor holders have displayed much tendency to operate, the former biding their time, and the latter being quite satisfied with the present state of affairs, knowing well that the stock of old cheese, through scarcity, is not likely to fall in value. Quotations: -Cheshire, finest 63s. to 68s., fine 57s. to 60s., medium and lower grades 55s. to 50s. per 120ib. Canadian and American, extra fancy 60s. to 62s. coloured, white 58s. to 59s., finest new 55s. to 57s., good 54s. to 56s. per cwt. ABERDEEN-ANGUS CATTLE FOR AMERICA The White Star steamer Georgic sailed from the Mersey last week with a shipment of Aber- deen-Angus cattle for the United States. The shipment is looked upon as a record one, and the largest that as ever left these shores for a foreign country. Stalls were erected on the steamer for 51 head of beautiful specimens of the Aberdeen- Angus breed, the property of Mr. M. A. Judv, 25 belonging to Mr. James Williams, and 36 to Messrs. Cantial and Stephenson. In addition, there were five hunter mares and a pack of fox hounds, besides sundry other stock. Some of the cattle have been drawn from the principal herds in Scotland, including specimens from Lord Rose- bery's stock, Dalmeny Park; Mr. Napier Lons- dale, Abelure; Mr. George Bruce, Tochneal; Mr. G. S. Grant, BanandalIoch; Mr. G. M'Pherson Grant, Ballandalloch, and others. These gentle- men are looked upon as the finest breeders of this particular kind of stock in Scotland. CO-OPERATIVE DAIRYING IN AUSTRALIA An account recently published of a co-operative dairy at Byron Bay, on the northern coast of New South Wales, furnishes pleasant and interesting, and it might also be said contemplative, reading, shewing as it does the possibilities of a compara- tively new country. After drawing a picture of the truiy Arcadian scenery amid which this ideal dairy is situated, the writer proceeds: Starting in 18S5, the number of suppliers has steadily in- creased, until about 300 fanners now send cream to the factory. The butter output for the past twelve months was over 100 tons, which realised in London 107-8 per cwt. Suppliers received an aver- age price of 7.97d. per lb., and an additional bonus of gd- in dividends at the end of the season, making a total of 8.095d. for butter exported. The bacon- curing department was started in 1897, and the number of pigs put through annually has increased from 120 per month to about 600. The total num- ber of pigs slaughtered last year was 7,000 head, for which suppliers were paid an average price of 3id. per lb. for pork. The turn-over in butter and bacon for 1901 was 2112,000. The original cost of the buildings and plant employed was £12,000, but all have been paid for, and the company has now a substantial credit balance at the bank. There is abundant scope for the extension of the dairying industry in this part of the State. Many of the herds are stated to be nothing but "scrub cattle," but the quantity of milk they yield is astonishing. The better class of cows easily re- turn from JB12 to JB14 per annum, and the fam. c-rs are gradually improving their herds. At the last Bangalow show several of the cows tested 3.6 of butter-fat, yielding at the rate of 151b. to 18tb. of commercial butter per week. TAINTED MILK IN SPRING TIME. It is by no means unusual at this season of the year to come across paragraphs or letters in agricultural contemporaries from correspondents complaining of a bad odour and flavour, and consequent bad keeping properties, of butter, and asking advice as to prevention or renjedy, or both. As likely as not, the editor tells the writer to overhaul and limewash his dairy from bottom to top, to take every care that his dairying vessels are thoroughly clean and sweet, and without the faintest sus- picion of uncleanliness. This is all very well in its way; but in nine cases out of ten it may be taken that the advice is superfluous, seeing that no self-respecting dairy farmer would be careless of such patters. The fault lies entirely in another direction. Dairy cows, as well as other cattle, will persist in browsing on the young shoots of the hawthorn in spring time, every facility being offered them where there are hedges of the kind; with the result that a strong and unpleasant flavour is imparted to the milk, and so, naturally, to the cream; and possibly many a dairy of cheese turns out to be indifferent from the same cause. The remedy is obvious. Keep the cattle from the hedges—if you can; the evil ceases as soon as the hawthorn leaves attain their full growth. SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. At a recent meeting of the Technical Instruc- tion Committee of the Lancashire County Council, held at Preston, Mr. John Byrne, M.A., B.Sc. in Agriculture, until recently the Principal of a Government College in Now Zealand, was unani- mously appointed Principal of Agriculture for the county, at a salary of JS550 per annum. Mr. Byrne, who will take the entire charge of the agricultural educational work throughout the county, has been at Cairo for some time, and I while Director of tho Canterbury Agricultural y q College, New Zealand, .managed a farm of 710 acres. I THE MEAT SUPPLY. Originally a great number of people deprecated the introduction df foreign meat into this country, just the same as they have been known to despise the introduction of any new machinery in days gone by. But that was in the days when we were not so "thick on the ground," and before we realised the extent to which we were to become more dependent on other fields of production and not until such a crisis as that which at present exists in the meat trade that wei estimate what we I should do without the foreigner. The recently- published circulars of the Colonial Consignment Company, however, make it clear to what extent the United States dominate the markets of the United Kingdom. Cattle in the States are said to be higher in price than at any time since 1382, when somewhat similar conditions prevailed-a deficient maize crop with resultant shortage of fat cattle, and values much higher than at present, perhaps 25 per cent. more. At that time, twenty years ago, the home markets were not so de- pendent as they are now on United States sup- plies of cattle and beef, and though the excessively high prices of that year lessened the shipments of cattle from the United States by 68,025 head, this shortage was more than compensated by imports from Europe, which are now prohibited. The circular goes on to point out that an .impression exists that prices might be reduced and the influ- ences of the "beef trust" counteracted if the pro- hibition on the imports of Argentine fat bullocks and Canadian store cattle were removed. But this is more or less a mistake, so far as the Argen- tine at least is concerned, as the frozen and chilled beef received from the River Plate has been 341,888 quarters in 1897, 424,480 in 1898, 439,480 in 1899, 403,120 in 1900, and 465,471 in 1901. FLOUR AS SHIPS' BALLAST. There is no gauging the length, breadth or depth of American enterprise—some people caU it "greed," in grabbing the almighty dollar. But it may be conceded that the people of this country need not be very much alarmed at the different "trusts" referred to as emanating from our cute cousins across the herring pond. Already signs of weakness are shewing themselves in ¡¡cyoral quarters in regard to some of these would-be mon- opolies, and like many others that have gone before, they will no doubt find their level. There never was a time yet when one or two, or for the matter of that a dozen, people could "boss" the world's commerce. The New* York correspondent of the "Standard" says that, unless British trade is to be abandoned, the freight on flour must be cheapened, or flour must be regarded as an ob- ject of improved tariff concessions, or the flour exporters of the United States must form a trust, by means of which export prices may be reduced, while home prices are upheld. The American Millers' Association is making an effort to have flour carried as ships' ballast, instead oi w het, ) and at the same rate. Already the St. Paul Rail- way Company have qiioted an identical rate on the transportation of flour and wheat, the rate on flour having previously been higher than that on wheat. The concession is equivalent to 2l cents per barrel. British consumers may rest assured that American millers will devise means of cutting down expenses so as to keep on shipping flour to this country, because exportation is necessary to them to enable their mills to be kept constantly going without causing a glut in the home market. The upward tendency Ü. the price of wheat has not been brought about'by the Budget proposals.

WIRRAL BOARD 7 OF GUARDIANS. «■> The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday, at Clatterbridge Workhouse, Mr. W. Knowles presiding over a good attendance, including Mesdames Hodgson, Hampson and Dalglish, Miss Pritchard, the Rev. P. C. Robin, the Rev. S. Gamble Walker, Messrs. C. Morris, H. A. Latham, S. C. Woodward, J. G. Townsend, J. R. Thompson, H. Price, T. Davies, J. McLeavy, J. Grundy, W. W. Christian, J. C. Lloyd, R. Johnson, Earl, J. Christopherson, J. Delamore, R. Kitchen, W. Burkey, W. Briscoe, J. Evans, C. E. Hope, J. A. Milner, C. Hook, A. R. Phillips, J. Price, T. Strong, W. E. Sutton, Geo. Mullock, W. McNeill, with the clerk (Mr. J. E. S. Ollive) and relieving officer (Mr. Hignett).—It- appeared from the minutes of the House Committee that the number of inmates in the house was reported to be 166, compared with 149 during the corre- sponding fortnight last year. This number iu- eluded 23 male and 24 female patients in the infir- mary. The number of vagrants relieved during the fortnight was 59, against 49.—At a meeting of the Workhouse Drainage Committee Mr. Priest (engineer to the Board) submitted plans for purify- ing the workhouse sewage by the Stoddart system. The proposed works would cost some £ 500.—It was stated that if the money was bor- rowed, with the consent of the Local Government Board, it would be necessary to obtain a piece of land for the effluent to run upon and filter through, and the oommittee suggested that they should not borrow the money to carry out the works, but pay for tlj), proposed improvement out of the rates.—After some discussion, the matter was referred back to the committee for further consideration.—On_the motion of Mr. Townsend, it was decided that if the amended scheme was approved by the Board, it be paid for out of the rateg.-Payment was authorised to be made of accounts amounting to £ 593 12s. lid., which in- a. cum of £ 126 lor vaccination" foes to Dr. Yeoman, £ 130 for vaccination fees to Dr. Pierce, and JS110 for outdoor relief.

HAWARDEN CHURCH. ——+ MEMORIALS AND IMPROVEMENTS. The adjourned Hawarden vestry meeting was held in the library at Hawarden Rectory, on Tues- day evening, the Rev. Stephen E. Gladstone (reotor) presiding. Messrs. Toller and John Wil- lox (churchwardens), and Messrs. Thomas Wright, Jarvis, Edw. Griffith (Sandycroft) and G. Shall- croft (sidesmen), all consented to continue in office, and were re-elected. The vestry discussed various improvements at the parish church. The Rector announced that the new window which is to be put in the main chancel, and will be given by Dean Wickham, of Lincoln, in memory of his marriage, had not yet been placed, owing chiefly to the very cold winds. It would be very unde- sirably he said, to break one of the main walls in the church while it was so cold. Mr. Douglas, of Chester, the architect, hoped to get the work done between Sunday and bunday, so as not to interfere with the Sunday services. It may be mentioned here that the window is to be designed by Mr. Holiday, a well-known London artist. The Rector also explained that the chapel, which is to be a memorial of Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, is nearly finished. The groined roof is still in- complete, and the altar tomb, which is entrusted to Sir William Riohmond, will not be finished for some time. The Rector expressed the opinion that the chapel will be very beautiful, and a great addition to the church. It will be seen, and it will have its windows, which will admit light into both the chancel and the nave. It was considered that now the Shotton new church, which has cost over 27,000, is neany oompleted, it is desirable to turn their attention to several needed renova- tions at the parish church. The old lead in the roof of the Whitley chancel requires replacing by 6late; in two parts of the church the old vaults have caused considerable settlement, which will have to be built up; the floors of the church are in. some places trodden to pieces; the steps at the main entranoe are badly worn; a new lightning conductor is wanted, and the church would be better for a complete cleaning down. Some dis- cussion took place regarding the organ, and it was mentioned that Messrs. Young, of Man- chester, now have the instrument in hand. It was announced that Mr. Henry Gladstone had per- sonally given £ 5, and the trustees of the Hawarden estate £ 20, towardstre expenses up to last Easter. —A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Henry Gladstone and the trustees, on the motion of Mr. Wright.—On the motion of the Rector, cordial thanks were accorded to the churchwardens and sidesmen. A similar compliment was paid to the Reotor.

-= I ARMY EDUCATION. A SENSATIONAL REPORT. (FROM THKLONDON "GLOBE.) The report of the Committee on Officers' Educa- tion will, we understand, be shortly issued, and we are in a position to give its chief opinions and recommendations. It is a conscientious document, which speaks the truth fearlessly. It is a scathing condemnation of the entire system of Army educa- tion, which is to be entirely remodelled, both as regards the entrance examinations, the courses at Woolwich and Sandhurst, and the after education of the offioer. Sandhurst is unequivocally condemned, but both' Voolwich and Sandhurst are to be retained, sub- ject to sweeping alterations. In time of war the young men undergoing training in the military colleges and in the Militia form practically the only reserve of subalterns. Commanding officers, too, prefer the Sandhurst-trained oadet. The cost of Sandhurst is only C7,850 a year to the State, and of Woolwich £ 9,860. The existing state of things found at Sandhurst is strongly con- demned. Quarters are dirty and untidy. Ser- vants overworked and underpaid (at 18s. a week). It is considered now a step downhill for an officer to become an instructor there. These are badly paid and unsupervised, and there is no inducement to excel, either for teachers or pupils. To learn to shoot at Sandhurst is an extra, and a gun club has to be joined at a cost of £1 per term. Cadets do not clean their own rifles, but they have to pipe- clay their belts. The officers do not know enough to teach drill, and this is done by a staff sergeant. The whole place is to be remodelled, the course extended to two years, the terms altered, and the cost reduced from JE150 to JB112. There is to be one examination only for all candidates for Woolwich, Sandhurst and Militia. It is qualifying, not competitive, for the Militia. Fewor subjects are to be taken. History, matho- matics and French or German are to be com- pulsory, and a choice between Latin and experi- mental science for a fourth compulsory subject. Then only one voluntary subject can be taken, and this is to be either Greek or higher mathe- matics, or a subject not taken in the first list. There is an extra. mathematical paper for Wool- wich. Commissions to the number of fifty a year are to be given to students from the colonies, and University candidates are to be encouraged, 100 commissions being given to them at once. A com- bination of a University and Militia career is I strongly recommended, but is not made compul- sory. Many cavalry officers, we learn, cannot write a decent letter, and so their reports, when scouting, have been confused, and led whole regiments into trouble. In future it must be possible for cadets with C200 a year to join the cavalry. Polo tournaments between different regiments are to be prohibited, as also the practice of keeping regi- mental coaches and packs of hounds. A commis- sion in the cavalry must be looked on as a prize for smart men of moderate means. It is possible, they say, to get either money or brains, and they mean now to have brains. An inspector-general of military education is to be appointed, and his first duty the revision of the military text-books, which have been unequivo- cally condemned. Economy has hitherto been the deciding factor and not efficiency, and the sum set apart for technical military education proper, which has shewn a tendency to shrink, must be increased. At present it only represents 0.15 per cent. of the total Army Estimates. In former years it reached as high as 0.23 per cent. Tho report is altogether a step in the right direction, and earnestly seeks to ensure real military educa- tion and promotion by merit alone, and not by influence and interest in high quarters, especially of women, to which some of the witnesses testify.

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ST. AIDAN'S COLLEGE. INTERESTING FUNCTION. THE DEARTH OF CLERGY. [By OUR OWN REPORTER.] On Thursday a gathering of representative clergy and laity in the dioceses of Chester and Liverpool took place at St. Aidan's Theological College, Birkenhead, on the occasion of a luncheon by means of which function it is hoped to stimulate interest in the important work of tnis institution and secure more liberal pecuniary support in order to combat the difficulty of the dearth of candidates for the ministry. On all hands the keenest anxiety is being felt concerning the dearth of candidates for ordination, which is regarded as a crisis. It appears, however, that there are many men, otherwise clearly qualified for the ministry, who are debarred from offering themselves for training on financial grounds alone. In connection with St Aidan's College alone there are good grounds for believing that the ministry of the Church is annually losing many valuable men for lack of the necessary funds to enable the college authorities to receive them for training at reduced charges. In other religious bodies, such as Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and the Church of Rome, candidates for the ministry are usually provided with the means for their train- ing if they are not themselves able to afford the expense. It is not generally known that at St. Aidan's College a fund called the Students' Exhi- bition Fund has been established to meet this need, with a twofold object. The first is to pro- vide exhibitions to be awarded by competition, on the result of the Bishops' Entrance Examina- tion. By this means the number of men entering the college can generally be increased, and in particular the entry of the better-qualified be se- cured. The second object is to make grants in aid, to be assigned at the discretion of the college authorities. By this means, men qualified for the work of the ministry, but unable to meet the en- tire expenses of the college course, can receive such assistance as each case requires. To further these objects the council make a twofold appeai- (1) for donations with a view to raising a capital sum of £10,000, so as to secure the foundation of competitive exhibitions; (2) for annual subscrip- tions to provide grants in aid according to need. Mr. E. W. Bird (chairman of the council) pre- sided at the luncheon, and a large gathering in- cluded the Bishop of Chester (Visitor at the Col- lege), the Bishop of Liverpool, Archdeacon Mad- den, Canon S. Cooper Scott (Chester), Canon Symonds, Canon Hodgins, Canon Armour, Canon Honeyburne, Canon D. Thompson, Canon Weatherhead, Canon Tyrer, Canon Rob- son, the Rev. Dr Cogswell, Bishop noyston, the Kevs. W. L. Paige-Cox, C. Hylton Stewart, W. E. Torr, H. B. Blogg and T. H. May, the Mayor of Birkenhead (Mr. G. S. Hazlehurst), the Mayor of Chester (Mr. J. G. Frost), General Mocatta (Chester), Professor Gom- mer, Colonel Stitt, Messrs. C. Gatehouse, W. H. Churton (Chester), J. T. Golder (Chester), O. J. Bushell, J. P. Hargreaves, C. J. Procter, G. A. Solly, T. W. Tetley, J. R. Ward and J. Calder, and the principal of the college (the Rev. Arthur Tait, M.A.) and the vice-prinoipal (the Rev. F. S. G. Warman, M.A.). The Chairman, in introducing the Bishop of Liverpool, referred to the great dearth' experi- enced for many years of candidates for the minis- try, and its effect upon tho theological oolleges throughout the country. The numbers of students attending those colleges had been going down, and St. Aidan's had not escaped the de- clension. When the Archbishop of Sydney (then Dr. Smith) was appointed principal of the college, the institution was full, and the numbers rose as high as eighty. During his time there was a gradual decrease, and when he left the numbers had gono down to about fifty. His successor (Mr. Elmer Harding) was helpless to prevent the num- her still going down, though no one oou!d have been more devoted to the college and its interests than he—(hear, hear)--and when he left there were only about 25 students in the college. Of that number some were finishing their course, and in consequence only seven or eight old students re- mained to greet Mr. Tait, the new principal. In spite of that position, Mr. Tait commenced his first n term in October last with fourteen students, and by dint of energy he had now 27 students. (Ap- p ause.) It was pleasing to know that Mr. Tait's former parishioners at Eastbourne not only shewed their appreciation of him, on his leaving, in a very substantial form, but had also taken a great interest in the college, and had raised among them a fund of over JE:70 to be applied in helping capable and earnest students who were unable for one reason or another to complete their studies. (Hear, hear.) In addition to that effort, an old student of the college, whose name he was not allowed to disclose, had generously offered to de- fray the cost of that luncheon. (Applause.) It was hoped that that influential gathering would be the means of making the college more widely known and bringing friends to it. The Bishop of Liverpool, in proposing the toast "Prosperity to St. Aidan's," remarked that he had no official connection with the college, except to perform the duty of appointing four clerical mem- bers of the council. He had, however, the greatest pleasure in moving the toast for two reasons. First, because the diocese of Liverpool was only separated from St. Aidan's by the broad waters of the Mersey, and because in days gone by they owed a great deal to the clergy who had been trained in that place. Secondly, because some thirty years ago it was his lot to be placed in very much the same position as their new principal— to find himself in charge of a theological establish- ment which had to bo filled somehow with candi- dates for the ministry. As Bishop of Liverpool during the last two years lie had learned two r lessons-first, that there was a serious lack of candidates for ordination. He reckoned that in the diocese of Liverpool they required at least thirty young men every year to be ordained, who had not been ordained. In other words, they had only two-thirds of the number of candidates for ordination which the great diooese of Liverpool needed, and one-third of the curacies lacking curates had to go without. He learned that there was no lack of men wishing to take orders. During last year he received no less than fifty applications, most of which came from men who, though thoroughly sincere in their desire to take orders, had not the qualifications of ruling and instruct- ing which a clergyman required. He was sure ho j would be expressing the opinion of the clertrv and laity present when he said that a bishop ought not, even at a time when candidates were sorely needed, to lower the standard of qualifications. (Hear, hear.) There never was a time when they needed to have well-qualified men for ordination more than at the present. These two things had struck him during the last two years-the comparatively small number of qualified men who were coming forward for ordination, and the very large number of sincere but unqualified men who desired to take holy orders. He was sorry to say that fewer and fewer rich men were- taking orders every year. He thought if they were to appeal to the wealthy churches in the dioceses of Chester and Liverpool to choose godly and qualified young men from their midst, and send them to St. Aidan's, and year by year subscribe towards the cost of their college course, they would obtain not only men, but means to defray the expenses of their mainten- ance in college. It was a great law of God that the ministry was not confined to one class of the community, and when we found, as we did, among the poorer classes men who had at once the desire and the fitness, it was the duty of the Church to come forward and supply the third need, and to give them the opportunity. Some of the most useful men in the Church of England to-day wero men who would never have been able to take orders had it not been for some generous friend or some exhibition such as this; and if in the future they desired the Church of England to keep her hold upon the people, they must be content to search out men who were fit for the work. and tn put their hands in their pockets and support those men at the university or the theological college. He did not hesitate to say that no Church did less to pay her ministers and to train her candi- dates for holy orders than the Church of England. (Hear, hear.) When he heard what their Noncon- formist and Roman Catholic friends were doing, he could not help sometimes being ashamed, but he could not he'p thinking that their slackness was dne more to ignorance than anything else, and that the laity did not realise the state of things. He was sure that English Church laymen were always equal to the occasion, and when they heard of a real case of need, when they saw it was absolutely necessary for money to be sup- plied to maintain the Church in her present state of efficiency, the money required would be forth- COn1I1H!. The Bishop of Chester, in responding to the toast, said he was indebted to the college for a certain number of men who had come into the diocese. During the thirteen years he had been Bishop of Chester, he had ordained ten men from that college, and some of them had been exceed- ingly helpful. A great help had been rendered to the diocese by the general tone, learning and readiness to help in every good work which was found among the clergy who were at the head of the institution. What was the real function of St. Aidan's College with reference to the ministry of the Church of England? That was obviously the first question to ask before they went on to dwell upon what the Bishop of Liverpool had so clearly and powerfully put before them. He supposed they would agree it was the best thing for all who were going to be ministers in the Church of England to go, if they could, through a university course, and they would give precedence to the- universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Those uni- versities had a very valuable appendage in the unattached or non-collegiate system, which supple- mented some of the advantages of the collegiate system it did not possess by great advantages, both social and religious. He thought it was possible that. in the future St. Aidan's College might take a very valuable and fundamental part in connec- tion with the growth of the university—as he sup- posed it soon would be—of Liverpool. (Hear, hpar.) There were certain subjects in connection with theology which cou'd be perfectly well taught in what was termed an undenominational university—taught by men who had a single eye to the truth. Lectures on such subjects, however, would require to be supplemented by colleges be- longing to different denominations, and St. Aidan's, in connection with the University of Liverpool, would supply that devotional amistanoq upon denominational subjects. He was certain the college could be trusted not to be carried on upon anything like partisan lines. The Church of Eng- land did comparatively little towards the education of those who proposed to be its ministers, and he agreed that to a great extent they must feel ashamed upon that subject when they observed what was done by other religious bodies. On the other hand, let them be fair to themselves. The reason the Church of England did less in this respect than other religious bodies was, perhaps, partly because the Church of England had been able to draw upon m,bat he might call self- supporting classes of the ministry. Long might that be so. But it was decreasingly so. In former days there were comparatively few occupations which were considered to be open to the sons of gentlemen, but now, happily, the number of em- ployments in which educated gentlemen could take was almost legion. That was one of the results of Christianity leavening society. At the same time, it brought a drawback: they had fewer men of wealth and high education to enter the Church. Therefore, there was an increasing demand for such exhibitions as those proposed at St. Aidan's, and he hoped that one of the good resu!ts that would come of the present dearth of ministers was that the laity would realise their responsibiii- ties more than they had done hitherto. He did not see any prospect, humanely speaking, of their being able to provide for the future religious needs of such a country as England unless the well- chosen ministers of the Church of England—a small but influential body-were more and more supported by the co-operation of the laity who were not merely content to give, but who were also willing to act up to their position. The Principal of the College proposed the health of the old students, coupling with the toast the name of one of the oldest students, the Rev. J. G. Haworth. The Rev. J. G. Haworth, in responding, inti- mated that he would give the committee £ 1,000 towards the £ 10,000 required to be raised, if they would raise tho other 9,000. If, as an alterna- tive, they preferred to adopt a yearly subscription scheme, he would give £100 as soon as they had a subscription list of JE500 a year. The health of the Chairman was drunk, on the proposition of the Mayor of Birkenhead, and the Chairman's response concluded the proceedings,

ALLEGED CHURCH ROBBERY. CASE AT CHESTER. At the City Police Court, on Friday before Mr. R. L. Barker (presiding) and Dr. Stolterfoth, Annie Edwards, of no fixed address, was charged on remand with stealing a Com- munion cloth and four candlesticks from the church of St. Mary's-on-the-Hill, on Thursday week.- The Chief Constable informed the magistrates that prisoner was seen in the church, and shortly after- wards the articles referred to were missing. She dealt with them a few hours afterwards.—Joseph Nield, verger of the church, stated that the church was open daily from 7.30 in the morning until dusk. On the morning of the 15th inst. he saw the silk cover and the candlesticks, which were valued at J34, safe in the church. He missed them at 6.30 in the evening, and saw prisoner in tho church, under the influence of drink, at 6.45, aud turned her out.—Margaret Cane, 16, Love-street, said prisoner called at her house about 2.30 the same day, and after asking for a drink of water, offered her two of the candlesticks (produced) for one shilling, representing that they were her wed- ding presents. Witness gave her the shilling, and afterwards handed the articles to the police.— Stephen Sheldon, manager for Mr. Dutton, pawn- broker, Lower Bridge-street, deposed to advancing prisoner 3s. for two candlesticks, which she brought to him at 4.30 in the afternoon, and which she represented to be her wedding presents. He handed the candlesticks to the po!ice next morn- ing.—Ellen Nicholson, 10, Potter's-court, said prisoner called at her house at half-past five o'clock the same day, and asked permission to sit down and rest. as she had walked from Birkenhead and was tired. She remained in the house about half- an-hour, and on leaving left the cloth (produced) behind her.—P.C. Hewitt arrested prisoner at the Groves about four o'clock the following morning, and on being charged with the theft, she admitted her guilt.—In reply to the Magistrates' Clerk, prisoner now said^he was very sorry for what she had done. She was under the influence of drink when she committed the theft, and did not know what she was doing.-The Chief Constable pointed out that prisoner admitted a previous conviction on indictment at Birkenhead in October, 1900, of shopbreaking, burglary and larceny. Nine other convictions were recorded against her.—Prisoner was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

"THE WORST WOMAN IN MOLD." On Tuesday morning Mr. P. Tatton Davies- Cooke presided at the Mold fortnightly Petty Sessions. It transpired that the majority of cases were the outcome of an epidemio of neighbours' quarrels. As a rule these cases are but of average interest, though one deserves special mention. Ann Thomas, a widow, hailing from Little Alyn-terrace, described by the police as "the worst woman in Mold," was summoned for smashing the windows of a neighbour (Ellen Hannen), who at a previous court had given evidence against her. Defendant had during the morning been seen within the precincts of the court, but failed to answer to her name when oalled. Subsequently Acting-Sergeant Jones, the officer in charge of the oourt, was informed that she had got drunk, had returned home, and was engaged demolishing the. windows of another neighbour. Two officers were despatched post haste in pursuit, and shortly afterwards the pro- ceedings of the court were interrupted by a series of demoniacal shrieks, from outside, accom- panied by the derisive oheers and laughter of a crowd of spectators. Upon returning to court Sergeant Jones explained that Mrs. Thomas, who was "mad drunk," had been discovered by the police officers engaged in her work of destruction. She violently resisted apprehension, and having been handcuffed, she was placed in a handcart and carried to the police-station. She was not in a fit state to appear in court, and had been placed in the cells. Under the circumstances the case was adjourned until the following day. A calm was found to have succeeded the storm when on Wednesday morning, partially subdued and perfectly sober, Ann Thomas was placed in the dock to answer for her escapade. Mr. J. B. Marston, who appeared to prosecute, stated that three charges of malicious injury would be preferred. In addition to the offence committed on the 14th inst., she would be charged with two offences committed while Tuesday's Court was sitting. After apprehending defendant, who was found secreted in the house of a person named Kinsey, inspection was made of the premises damaged by her. Sixteen panes of glass had been broken in the windows of the house occu- pied by Mrs. Charlotte Thomas, and in Mrs. Hannen's house 23 panes were smashed and the wood and lead work were also demolished. The damage committed on Tuesday amounted to £ 2 16s. One witness, James Doyle, said that on the Tuesday there was a crowd of 150 persons watch- ing the accused. They seemed to enjoy it, and it was in fact more like a pantomime than any- thing else. He remonstrated with the defendant, and she retaliated by striking him down.—De- fendant, who denied the offence of the 14th inst. but admitted those of the previous day, was sent to gaol for 30 days with hard labour—10 days for each offence.

Saturday was the anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24tli, 1819. The Earl of Derby has made a remission of 20 per cent. to his Macclesfield Forest, Rainow, and Wildboar Clough tenants. In response to the Lord Mayor of London's appeal for subscriptions in aid of the distressed inhabitants of St. Vincent a list was opened at the Town Council on Wednesday and the satis- factory sum of C,44 17s. promised. The chief donations were tlt) by the Mayor, E5 each by Alderman Churton and Mr. B. C. Roberts, and f3 by the Town Clerk (Mr. S. Smith). CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY.-—In the 84th annual report of the Incorporated Church Building Society the following general summary is given of the operations of the society since its formation in 1818 :—Total number of applications for aid, 10,420. Grants made, 8,600; viz, maid of the erection of 2,365 additional churches and chapels, and of rebuilding, enlarging, or otherwise improving the accommodation in 6,235 existing churches and chapels. By these means more than two million additional seats were proposed to be obtained, of which about three-fourths were to be set apart for the free use of the parishioners. Sum voted by the society towards these works £ 1,021,030, or (excluding grants cancelled, £ 120,947), £ 895,683. Estimated amount of further expenditure- on the part of the public, £ 15,281,884. LADY- LETTICE GKOSVICNOK\S R IAXCK. — The Worcestershire Echo" commenting on the "Courant's" announcement of the engagement of Lady Lettice Grosvenor and Lord Beau- champ, says:—"Since his coming of age Lord Beauchamp has endeared himself to city and county by a brilliant and muni- ficently hospitable Mayoralty, by valuable municipal work, and by consistent and generous efforts to promote the well-being of his tenants and neighbours. Everybody will join in the cordial congratulations and good wishes which the auspicious intimation is sure to call forth." The "Worcestershire Daily Times" remarks: "All classes of citizens of Worcester will! anticipate with much pleasure the wedding of the noble lord, who for some time was an active member of the Corporation, was a most gracious and generous Mayor, and has shewn a liberal appreciation of benevolent, edueational, and OtAW good work iu LIA-1. í,)." .<

FOREBODINGS OF DEATH. -+- LAST PATHETIC LETTERS FROM ST. PIERRE. Pathetio letters have been received in France which were written at St. Pierre on May 3, the day when the volcano first began to show signs of violent disturbance. These letters were brought to France by the steamer St. German, which, leaving St. Pierre on the 4th inst., arrived at Bordeaux on Sunday. One of these letters, written by M. Roger Portel to his brother, says: — What has to-morrow in store for us? A flow of lava, a rain of stones, a biast of suffocating gas, some overwhelming cataclysm? Nobody knows. The excursion which we had arranged for to-morrow \v'th the co-operation of the Gymnastic Society is put off. I embrace you, my dear brother, and my last thought will be of you if I am to die. Do not distress yourself too much for us. Having described the experiences of the towns- people, M. Portel proceeds — I am suffering from a feeling of oppression and from a burning sensation. Are we all going to die of suffocation? The priests kept the churches open last night, and while the volcano belched from its two craters a column of smoke and a co.umn of fire, the faithful prayed, con- fessed, communicated, listened to the exhorta- tions of their pastors, alarmed by the rumbling of the volcano. Another letter, quoted by the "Daily Tele- graph," is from a young lady to a relation, and says:- I am surprised at my own calmness; I am quietly awaiting events, troubled only by the dust, which penetrates everywhere, although) everything is closed. Many people have lost their heads but around me all is calm. Mamma is not at all anxious. Edith alone is eo far nervous. If death awaits us we shall all go off together in a arge crowd. Will it be from fire or suffocation? It will be as God wills. Our last thought will be of you. The writer of another letter dated St. Pierre, May 4, says We are in the hands of God. Let us hope that we afe not to meet with the fate of Pom- peii and Hercu'aoeum, and that my letter, in spite of its unformed style, may not create as much sensation as that of Pliny the Younger. Mr. Edward J. Ma'oyon, manager for Auguste Van Biene, a well-known actor, died suddenly at Birmingham early on Friday morning. "oon-o.

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