The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

ROYAL ALBERT ASYLUM. Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon the general annual meeting of that most deserving institution, the Royal Albert Asylum, Lancaster (a training institution for feeble-minded children and young persons) was held at the Town Hall, Leeds, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor (Mr. Edwin Woodhouse, D.L..) presiding. The forty-first annual report of the Central Committee, signed by the Right Hon. Sir John T. Hibbert, K.C.B., as chairman, stated that the patients in the institution on June 30th, 1905, numbered 627 (407 boys and 220 girls). Lanca- shire sent 274 patients, Yorkshire 180, Durham 60, Cheshire 55, Cumberland 28, Northumberland 14, Westmorland 10, and 6 were from other counties. There was pressing need for a recep- tion house, in which new patients might be quarantined for two or three weeks after ad- mission and the committee appealed for dona- tions to enable them to proceed with the erection of this much desired adjunct. Generally with regard to its finances, the position of the institu- tion could not be regarded as otherwise than satisfactory, notwithstanding a decrease of JE755 in the receipts from legacies, which naturally fluctuated from year to year. The committee gratefully acknowledged the following bequests:— Mrs. Ockleston, Cheadle, £ 1,000; Mrs. Mary Ackroyd, Bradford, £ 620; Miss Ann Mawn, Horwich, £ 225 Mrs. Joyce Cockle, Halifax, £ 100 Mrs. Martha Elain, Liscard, £ 45; Miss Maltha Webster, Conder Green, Lancaster, E7. 3s. 4d. The total income from all sources during the year amounted to £ 26,451. 3s. 3d., there having been a substantial allowance in the receipts on main- tenance account, which were £23,658, 12s. lOd. The following were the voluntary contributions, including Icga,cic<3, from each county:—Lanca- shire, £ 2,032. 9s. 2d. Yorkshire, £ 2,254. 15s. lOd. Cheshire, £ 1,546. 6s. 8d.; Westmorland, ;CIE-O. le. 3d.; Cumberland, £281, 10s. lOd.; Durham £ 383 17s.; Northumberland, £ 183. 18s. During the year the sum of £ 5,335. 14s. 6d. had been in- vested on Sustontation Fund account, including LI,500 received in redemption of Canandian Government stock. To the unwearied efforts of the collectors and honorary officers of the several ladies' associations the institution continued to be deeply indebted for a large proportion of its annual income, this year's total collection amounting to £ 2.683. 16s. 7d. To those ladies who, despite all discouragements, gave their ser- vices without stint year after year, the committee owed a debt of gratitude which could hardly be oxpressed. The Manchester District Association (including Rochdale, Bolton, Bury, Burnley, Old- ham and Ashton), had collected JE557. 8s. 3d.; Cheshire, £ 435. 5s. 8d. Durham, £ 361. 6s. 6d. Halifax, C359. 14s. 7d.; Cumberland, JE229. 8s. 4d.; Bradford, £ 182. 18s.; Liverpool, JE180. 8s.; Westmorland, E156. 9s. 3d. Huddersfield, L78. 1& Leeds, £ 74. 15s.; York, J665. 18s. 9d.; South- port, JB18. 18s. 3d. other places, £ 5. 5s. Several important improvements had been effected during the year, the alterations and additions from time to time rendered necessary by modern scientific and sanitary requirements being promptly grap- pled with as they arose. The Lunacy Corn- missionaries had inspected the institution in February last, and made a favourable report. The report ended with the following paragraph: "In concluding this report, the Central Com- mittee feel that the work of the year has earned the full approval and commendation of the sub- scribers. Considerable progress has been made in the beneficent operations of the institution; many structural and other improvements have lhn effected; the finances are in a round and satisfactory condition; and the staff is cheerfully rendering sympathetic and valuable services. The committee, however, have to express their great, regret that for some time past the principal has been in impaired health. He has given with- out stint a life-service of 40 years to building up and developing the institution from its foundation, and though it is now necessary for him to retire from the post of secretary and to hand over its duties to a successor, it is earnestly hoped that his health may be sufficently restored to enable him as principal to continue to guide and direct the important administrative Work of the Royal Albert Asylum. The committee confidently hope that, with the same Divine blessing which has hitherto accompanied its history, the institution will continue to prosper and be the mcayis of rescuing from hopeless deterioration, and of elevating and comforting hundreds of feeble- minded you ng people of the seven northern counties, for whose benefit it has been established. From the report of the Principal (Mr. James Diggens) it appeared that during the last year there had been 76 admissions, 65 discharges, and 10 deaths, leaving 627 as the total number of patients. The average number resident during the year was 619. He had recently collected statistics respecting 367 patients discharged from the institution during the past twelve years. Sixty-two were dead, their average age at death being 21 and two-third years. Of the remaining 305, 33 were earning wages, and 74 out of 123 who were living at home were stated to be useful. His experience of the feeble-minded classes, ex- tending over a period of 40 or 50 years, led him to urge the adoption of comprehensive measures for their education, training, and permanent care. The schools continued to be a leading feature of their system of training; there the patients not only learned to read and write and to do simple sums, but they also acquired, through the object lessons, shop-lessons and sense-lessons, much useful information which they could not otherwise obtain. In some cases, the quickening of intelligence, even in comparatively hopeless cases, had been marvellous. Through the munificence of Mr. Herbert L. Storey, they had had the great advan- tage of new workshops this year. Altogether 199 senior boys wer eemployed in industrial occupa- tions. The occupations of the girls were bed- making, sweeping, dusting, scrubbing, and general house-work, laundry-work, sewing and knitting. The resident medical officer, in his report, stated that of the 65 patients discharged during the year, 23 were much improved, and 28 to a less extent. Several patients were employed in the institution, and he was glad to say that their conduct had been admirable, and that they had done their work satisfactorily. The open-air treatment of ailing patients continued to be actively carried on in a modified way. He re- gretted to report that there were 74 patients suf- fering from epilepsy in a more or less aggravated form. The Royal Albert Asylum was essentially a training establishment, and not a refuge for low- grade imbeciles or epileptics. The Rodgett Infirmary had once more done excellent work under the capable management of the nurse- matron.

-+- RUNAWAY.—On Friday afternoon a horse with trap belonging to Mr. Dennis. Barrow, bolted while on the Tarvin-road. After smashing the trap in its flight, the horse rushed through Boughton to the end of City-road, where with a great impact it collided with another vehicle. The horse received such injuries that it had to be destroyed.

CRAWFORD'S "MAYFAIR" BISCUITS. A NEW BISCUIT FOR AFTERNOON TEA.

EDDISBURY UNIONISM. COL. COTTON-JODRELL AT NORLEY. MASTERLY SPEECH. 'V i Col. Cotton-Jodrell, the prospective Unionist candidate for the Eddisbury Division, addressed his first political meeting in the division this winter at Norley on Monday paight. The wea- ther was unfortunately of the most, miserable description, but at the Foresters' Hall, where tho meeting was held, a thoroughly representative gathering of the inhabitants of the district, as- sembled. A pleasing feature was tho large num- ber of workingmen present. Col. Cotton-Jodrell was heard at his best, and his frank and out- spoken delivery of his arguments must have car- ried conviction to most if not all present. In view of the approach of the general election, lie laid down the policy on which hei based his pros- pective candidature definitely and emphatically, and in contrast to his opponent, he had the merit of leaving no shadow of doubt as to his meaning. The chairman was Major H. E. Wilbraham, who was accompanied on too platform, by Mis. Wil- braham, 001. and Mrs. Cotton-Jodrell, and Mr. J. H. Cooke (Winsford). Among those in the audience were Mr. Frank Bel!, Mr. and Mrs. C. Garfitt, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Hugh Peai-,on, Mr. H. Smith (Crowton), Mr. Jervis (Norley), Mr. C. Cooke, Mr. O. Cooke, Mr. C. F. Pricha.rd (Unionist, agent), etc. Ilhe, Chairman, in intioducing Col. Cotton- Jodrell, said he could not help feeling that in introducing a new candidate they were breaking through some old associations, and he was sure it was all a matter of regret to almost everyone. He had heard from Mr. Henry Tollemachc that. day. Mr. Tollemache regretted, very much he could not be present that evening, but he hoped before low,- he might have the opportunity to See the electors of Norley once more. We were all aware that an election would be upon us before very long. Some people, saidf soon and some longer; but we ought to be prepared for it. He felt he was introducing a Cheshire man to a Cheshire audience. (Applause.) Col. Cotton- Jodrell was so well known to all, if not actually, at least by reputation, that it was not necessary for him (the chairman) to say anything. A STIRRING SPEECH. Col. Oottan-Jodreli proposed' the following lesolution :—"That this meeting desires to record a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Henry Tollemache for his long and faithful service as representative of tho Eddisbury Division in the House of Com,- maris, and regrets the prospect of his early re- tirement; also desires to express its continued confidence in the present Unionist Government; &nd considers the time has arrived for the re- consideration of the Fiscal policy of the United Kingdom, with the object of improving the well- being of tho people, and drawing more closely the bond of union with our Colonies." Referring to Mr. Tollemache, Col. Cotton Jodre 11 said he had served his division well, and he had been returned on- every occasion he had stood for it. They might all, irrespective of politics, express their regret at the retirement of a man who had given 25 years to the Parliamentary representa- tion of that particular constituency. He noticed that at. the Liberal meeting at Frodsha,m on Sat- urday, the Chairman (Lord Crewe) had said he supposed all eyes were turned upon the disrup- tive tendencies of the Unionist party. He (Col. Ootton-Jodrell) presumed Lord Crewe alluded to tho differences which were supposed to exist, and which did exist to a small extent, between Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain. At the pre- i bc-nt turn of the political wheel it was unsafe for Lord Crewe to make such remarks, because- they had op-on-A their papers that morning and had Men with very great astonishment that Lord Rosebery had entirely denounced the oilier leader of the Radical party. S'r Henry Campbell'- Banncrman, on account of Home Rule, and Lo d Rosebery had said he would have nothing to do with. it. That shewed at all events that there were some disiuptive tendencies in the different- auctions of the Liberal party as well as the Union- ist party. Thctoo was no doubt a general elec- t-on would come soon. If he was chosen at the last moment to. be a candidate for the re present a- tivee of the Unionist, party, he would make r o bones about it, he would tell them exactly what he had said at, every meeting of the many he had attended in that division, that he was a follower of Mr. Chamberlain's policy as far as Tariff Re- form was eonccrned. (Applause.) Ho proposed to dievote a. few minutes to giving some of his reasons for that policy, with the hope of inducing seme of those who did not already agree with him to do eo. One of the reasons for the advo- cacy of that change of policy was that although we wei-e still undoubtedly the richest country in the world, yet. our prosperity, that was to say, our export trade in goods of ouir own manufacture, was not increasng, first in proportion to our own population, and secondly in proportion to the trade of highly-protected countries. The second reason ho tsked them to consider was dea.'mg with THE UNEMPLOYED question, that question of the large number of unemployed people in London and other of our great towns this winter, and an increasing ques- tion from what it was last winter. He thought it was likely, unless some drastic alteration was made in our Fiscal system, to be augmented in the future. That question of the unemployed came in with Tariff Reform, because they desired' by some reform in the Tariff system to secure to the wage-earning classes of the country better and more regular employment, therefore steadier home comforts and less t'nw when they are un- employed and unable to find labour. His third reason was that those who thought with him de- sired by a change in the Tariff system to try and do something towards consolidating the Empire f-nd bringing into closer union the bonds between the Colonies and ourselves. Those were h;s three reasons, and they would observe that the first cue was a purely business concern, while the second and third not only combined business, but they combined sentiment and humanity, and he could not conceive how any Free- Importer or Free Trader, so-called, could object to discuss the policy in a fair and square and reasonable way, it only he could bo induced to think as everyone must do, that it was an attempt, to deal with the question of the unemployed and our hungry people. (Ap- plause.) Tariff reform pure and simple was making the foreigner pay some toil for those manufactured aiticles we could produce equally well ourselves, and which he sent into this coun- try now, under present conditions, absolutely free of all toll, to the handicapping of our own manufactures and; t'he dislocation of trade and, the loss of employment among the wage-earning classes. In the first instance- he had stated that our export trade was diminishing in proportion to the growth of the population of the United Kingdom. In 1880 our population was 34 mil- lions, and our exploits amounted to 96. 13s. 2d. per head. In 1902 our population was 40 mil- lions, and our exports were E6. 12s per head of the population, shewing a. decrease. in that period of Is. 2d. per head. If that was worked out it shewed a decrease of nearly two and a half mil- lions during the period of twenty years. If they went back further the difference would be more. The Liberals said we were still ahead, and up to a certain point they wore perfectly correct. While to-day England exported B6. 12s. per head, the United States only exported R3. 14s. 2d., France JS4. 7s. 4d., and Germany J34. 3s. &d. Their friends, the Free Importers, who did not take the trouble to scratch beneath the surface, said our trade was flourishing. In steel and iron, for in- stance, we used to be first, but now we were third. He would apply the same test exactly to the trades of highly-protected countries, as he had dono to our own. He took all figures from the Board of Trade returns, which were generally stated by all parties alike as conclusive. The export trade of the United States had increased by 5s. 9d. per head. instead of falling, a.s in our own caw, by Is. 2d. Applying the sa.me test, to France, he found an increase in 2G years of 12s. 9d. per head, while in Germany tho in- crease had been 19s. ld. per head. The unem- ployed question, oil which his second1 reason was based, must, appeal to all apart from party spirit, and we must all feel that if we could sug- gest any remedy by which that. terrible. problem could be alleviated, it would commend our thoughts and our sympathy. (Applause.) Let them fancy all those men in the big towns on a night like that, pouring with rain, with in- different shelter, the fewest possible articles of food, many men themselves gong out to seek food and work, with their wives and little ones exposed to the pitiless rain and cold wind. Any attempt to try and DEVISE SOME SCHEME for altering that state of things—for bettering it, for we could not remove it altogether-must. com- mend our sympathy. (Applause.) An Unem- ployed Act had been passed. He thought the Act under existing circumstances was necessary; ho thought it was necessary in the case. of humanity, but. the pity of it, as it appeared to him, was that such an Act in this country of ours, this country of boasted prosperity, should have been necessary at all. (Applause.) Firstly, he looked upon it as a stop-gap, because it had been made, unfortunately, the sport and play of political faction, and it was a bad Act. He thought, secondly, it was a quack remedy, be- cause it was economically unsound, and therefore it was. worse; and thirdly, it was degrading to the country, and that perhaps was worst of all. It. might be the means of causing human charity to provide funds, to follow up the noble example set by our Queen and King—(applause)—to supply funds at all events to alleviate present, distress. To look at it from a national point of view, it could not be surprising to thinkers, after what ha had' said and shewn as to the- decreasing amount oi our export trade in regard to popu'la- tion, that that would have some effect upon the proportion and various degrees of pauperism. The ratio of pauperism in this country was consider- ably higher than in other countries, and' yet he was afraid a good many Free Importers or Free Traders in the country would hold up their hands in holy horror if they thought that in Free Trade England there was no less a proportion than one pauper to every forty of the population. They would raise up their bands still more when they learnt that in France the. ratio of pauperism was another thing which should make them think. A return had been made contrasting five large manufacturing towns in Germany with five simi- lar towns in England, and it sliewed that- the rate of pauperism in those towns in England was four times the German towris. Figures also had been published shewing that in this year, when trade was booming and we were flattering ourselves that we were coming to BETTER TIMES, the amount of outdoor relief in Poplar had in- creased in one week by £3,000, compared with the corresponding week of the year before. There was the serious case of the Yarrow Shipbuilding Company removing their works from London to the Clyde because they could not withstand the lteavy nates. If those shipbuilding works re- moved, 'it would involve the loss of employment of 1,500 hands in the district of Poplar. li we could devise some remedy, at all events it would bo a relief to this country. They talked of those things and discussed them, but he said boldly to them that night, that Tariff Reform of all schemes had this merit, that it held the field at present of all schemes. (Applause.) His third point was as to the Colonial aspect of the question. If Lord Rosebery was sincere in the remarks he made at Penzance, we were getting to a reasonable dis- cussion of the subject. (Applause.) The Board of Trade returns shewed that we were losing 32 millions a year in trade with the Colonies through the manufactured articles, which we might suppry ourselves, but which foreigners supplied to the Colonies. If we could get that export trade, 0 1 about half that. sum of 62 millions would go in wages in this country. Canada had already given us a relief of 33g per cent. in the duties she im- posed on her imports. The returns shewed that for the five years previous to 1898, when the re- lief was given, our export trade to Canada fell by 22 per cent., but during the next five years it had riselI by 84 per cent. He did not wish to advooate Fiscal Reform as regarded the Colonial aspect of the question merely from the somewhat sordid idea of trafficing with our Colonies, but after the splendid example which our Colonies had shewn to us by helping us when we were in difficulties in South Africa, he thought it was a fine thing for a great statesman of this country to have conceived the idea that the moment had come when it might be possible by some means to draw still closer than ever they had been be- fore those bonds of union., which ought to unite us with our children in the Colonies. If we could only attain those results and draw together our children in this way, and engage the sympathy of our children, and increase their love of the Mother-country, and have sympathy with them ourselves, we shall as a consolidated British people shew to the world at large such a seii- provided and relf-supported. Empire as the world has never seen. (Applause.) Mr. Richardson seconded the resolution moved by Col. Cotton-Jodrell, and it was carried with (,no dissentient. MR. STANLEY TACKLED. Mr. J. H. Cooke, reviewing the political situa- tion, pointed out that the Liberal party had sug- gested no remedy at all for the unemployed question. Theer idea was to continue the trade of the country exactly as it was under the pre- sent system of what was called Free- Trade. The suggested remedy of Mr. Stanley and the Liberal party was simply ''stand where you are and do nothing." (Laughter.) The question to be con- sidered was why we should try to mend or end this state of things, and the exposition from Col. Cotton-Jodrell was a suggestion to mend the mat- ter so that we should not have seven-and-sixpenny doors b-ought from Belgium, to London, while tho carpenters of London were parading the etwxts. (Applause.) In referring to Mr. Stanley, he sa:d it was pleasing to see the gentlemanly manner in which his part of the contest, so far as it Lad commenced, had been conducted. There lad been no personal abuse, and everything had been conducted in a fair and proper manner, and just the way in which an election ought to be conducted. He felt sure that spirit would con- tinue oa both and that whatever was the rcsu.t. although personally he had not much doubt about it, each candidate would be able to shako hands and say how gentlemanly everv- thing had passed off. (Applause.) On me que-s- tion of Home- Rule. Mr. Stanley expressed him- self favourable almost- as far as the Home Ru e Bill of Mr. Gladstone. He (Mr. Cooke) did not know where there was much distinction between what, Mr. Stanley had said he would give to the Irish nat-.on as compared with what Mr. Glad- stone was prepared to gvVe, because Mr. Glad- stone was not piepared to liand over the ques- tion of tne Army and Navy to Ireland, and allow then-, to levy duties against, us. Mr. Stanley Baid he was prepared to hand over the police in Ireland to Irish local government. The only protection the fanner had was that the police should be under the control of the nation, guided by the Irish Secretary and controlled by Parlia- ment, and if the control of the police were handed over to any government in Ireland con- st tut,ed by the people, we might rest assured we would EIOC restored to Ire,and the state of crime which had existed in 1885 and 1886. In the year 1886, 1,056 agricultural crimes were committed, but in 1903, with the police under the control of the Irish Secretary and Parliament, the num- ber was 195. That shewed that a firm. hold of government and control of the police by persons who wanted to do what was right and see tho King's writ canted out when the law required it, had reduced crime in Ireland to a large extent- Mr. Cooke afterwards spoke of the benefit of the Agricultural Rates Act, which he said reduced the farmers' rates by one-half. Mr. Stanley at one time had actually been in favour of its re- peal, but finding that his views did not quite answer, he- had changed his position. Mr. Bell proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Col. Cotton-Jodrell and Mr. Cooke.— Mr. Jeffreys seconded, and it was warmly ac- corded —Col. Cotton-Jodrell, who was heartily cheered, briefly responded.

CITY POLICE COURT. -+- WEDNESDAY.Before the Mayor, Colonel Evans-Lloyd, and Mr. J. G. Holmes. THE PUBLIC-HOUSE TRUST COMPANY.— Mr. Pearson (Messrs. Potts, Potts and Gardner), on behalf of the Cheshire Public-houee Trust Com- pany, applied for the transference of the licence of the Grotsvenor Arms, Northgate-street, to Mr. Nice, formerly tenant of the Red Lion, Frodsham- strcet. He explained that Nice would be the tenant of the company. This was the first house the company had taken in Chester.—Granted. WENT TO THE POLICE-STATION.—Alice Green. 16, Canal-street, was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Detective Hughes said de- fendant went to the police-station drunk and said she wanted to make a complaint, but no sense could be made of her. She had recently given way to drink.—Fined 2s. 6d. and costs or seven days. FRIDAY.—Before Mr. J. G. Holmes and Colonel Evans-Lloyd. TROUBLES OF A MATMAKER —William Howes, the well-known matmaker, whose face is so familiar, appeared in the dock charged with I being drunk and disorderly in Cuppin-street on the previous evening. P.C. Partington said prisoner was oausing a crowd to assemble, and he had to lock him up.-The Chief Constable said prisoner had been continually before the court, and in. his own interests and the i rite rests of justice he thought he might now be sent to prison to be medically examined. He had been before the court about eight times in the last twelve months. Ho was now out on bail for £ 50.—Prisoner asked the bench to forgive him, and said he would never touch again.-Mr. Bras- sey, who appeared for Howes, agreed with the Chief Constable's suggestion, and thought that prisoner might be remanded until Wednesday.— Prisoner told a wonderful story about being knocked down several times and robbed of every- thing except 6d. Some people thought Mr. Brassey had given him a lot of money, and they knocked him down.—Mr. Brassey said during prisoner's remand he thought he ought to be ex- amined physically as well as mentally, as he was in a very shaky state of health.—The Chief Con- stable said that should be done.—Prisoner was accordingly remanded. MONDAY.—Before Mr. R. L. Barker (presiding), Dr. Roberts, and Col. Evans-Lloyd. A CHARGE WITHDRAWN.—George Bloor, a middle-aged man, who a week ago was remanded on a charge of unlawfully frequenting Hough Green was again brought up.—The Chief Constable stated that as a result of inquiries he bad ascertained nothing against the prisoner, who appeared to be more simple than anything else, and he proposed to withdraw the case.—This was agreed to. PARK PESTS.-Jane Bailey and Joseph Edwards were each sent to gaol for 21 days with hard labour for an offence in the Grosvenor Park. UNEMPLOYED OR UNEMPLOYABLE?— Edwin Hughes, a chain-striker of Saltney. was charged with neglecting to maintain his wife and three children whereby they became chargeable to the union.—Mr. Harrop, relieving officer, said the wife and family were turned out of a house in White Lion-yard, and entered the workhouse. Defendant left the workhouse on the 20th Septem- ber to look for work. This he did not get, and last Tuesday week he asked the guardians for relief1 The guardians offered to give him work but he refused it.—The case was adjourned.

While Isaac Watkins, of Liverpool, the driver of an express from Liverpool to Euston, was climbing over the coal in the tender, his head came into contact with a bridge, and he was knocked into the six-foot way. He was oonveyed to Crewe Railway Hospital, where he died on Tuesday. HIMROD'S CURE FOR ASTHMA.—Estab- lished over a quarter of a century.—Prescribed by the Medical Faculty throughout the world. It is used as an inhalation, and without any after bad effects. Testimonials of efficacy from the late Lord Beaconsfield, Miss Emily Faithful, Sir Morell Mackenzie, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Trial sample free by pest. In tins at 4/3. British Dep6t: 46, Holborn Viaduct, London; also of Newbery, Barclay, Sanger, Edwards, May Roberts; Butler and Crispe; Thompson, Liverpool; all Wholesale Houses.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. THE WEATHER AND THE BIRDS. The old idea that a plentiful supply of berries is a sure sign of coming hard weather, because the berries are provided as winter food for the birds, has long since been knocked on the head. Big berry crops do not, as we know from past experience, mean hard winters. If Nature worked in this way, why does she not influence the birds and make them thrifty? She deos not, for the birds attack the berries when other food is plentiful, and, being incapable of thought, take no thought for the morrow. Then there is another idea, namely, that when we have an unusually large number of northern birds here in winter we shall have hard weather. This has a little more foundation, because it seems probable that hard weather and early frosts in northern lands drive the birds to us in great numbers and earlier than in milder weather. And if there is hard weather in these northern lands, it is not unlikely that a little later we shall feel the effects. On the other hand, there are certain species of birds which are undoubtedly irregular in their numbers, and if the winds are not favourable the great migrating host miss our snores altogether and pass down the eastern coasts of the North Sea. It. is probable that the numbers which reach us are regulated more by the prevailing winds at the season of migration than by the state of the temperature. East-coast observers, however, find that, given certain winds and a spell of hard weather in North Germany and Southern Scandinavia towards the close of the year, there is a second migratory movement along our costs; this looks as if there were birds which, so long as the weather remained open and food was abundant, would winter on the Conti- nent not far to the south of their summer haunts, but that these birds are influenced by climatic conditions. THE NORTHERN HOSTS. Be this as it may, we have this year an un- usually large number of these winter visitors with us. When I last wrote I mentioned the bramblhigs. Since then I have come across braniblmgs in greater numbers than I ever re- member before; they are everywhere in Cheshire. When wo walk beneatii the beech trees we disturb hosts of finches, and as they rise and fly from us we see the white wing flash of the chaffinches and I wJiite body flash of the bramblings. We hear tho snarp "pink" of the former, the harder "chib" of the latter, or its long drawn and not over musical call. Tho birds feed together, fly to- gether, and no doubt roost together, but on the last question we need more information. In the old days, when sparrow catching at night, I have taken bramblings in the nets, but not in any great numbers. We caught them in evergreens where a few sparrows and other birds find shelter. This season, too, there are hosts of northern thrushes, both redwings and fieldfares. We see them moving across the country, and hear the soft call—"seeou"—of the redwing, or its harder quacking alarm note, and the sharper "zach" of the larger bird. We see them perching in the tress or scattered over the grass lands in dozens, scores, or even hundreds, searching for insects, or in the hedges greedily attacking the haws. But there is another northern bird here this winter, a bird we do not always see—the siskin, or, as the brrd-catchers call it, the aberdevine. Thit- graceful little greenish-yellow finch, a near rela- tion of the goldfinch, haunts the river-side aiders. Alder catkins are its favourite food, and ttiese, like haws and beech-mast, are plentiful enough this autumn. Small flocks of siskins have been noticed in the Delamere country, and I have eeen them at Ashley, near Bowdon. No doubt other observers will already have noticed this irregular winter migrant. Although a true finch, the siskin resembles the tit6 in its arboreal per- formances; it. swings beneath the slender twigs with the case and grace and constant movement of these popular little acrobats. Often siskins feed in company with redpolls, and unless we have a glass and a good light it is not easy to distinguish the birds. The siskins, however, are usually very tame and keep up a continual twitter when feeding. So tame are they that the bird- catchers too easily secure them; I remember one man tolling me that he had picked them from the branches of an alder with a limed twig fastened to the end of a fishing-rod. Siskins and tits arc not. the only birds which occasionally feed in an upside-down position; redpolls frequently upend in this way, and I have seen bullfinches and other birds hang by their feet when reaching for seeds beneath them. DUCKS AND GEESE. As we might expect, the geese are now back on the marshes. According to information I have received, the pink-footeds number about three hundred, but it is not easy to estimate the num- bers, for on the great extent of sand, slub and salting, to say nothing of the Sealand fields and the wide waters of the estuary, there may be flocks which we know nothing about. Still, three hundred pink-footed geese is well up, to the average of birds which appear in these years, for there is little doubt that geese are fewer in the estuaries of the Dee and Mersy than they were, say, twenty or thirty years ago. Perhaps there are other geese here too, but I have not heard of any white-fronted geese so far. The other day, when crossing the marsh in a fog, we flushed a goose which we felt almost certain was not a grey goose; it rose from the "knobs" and skimmed away down wind towards the sea, but though we could not see it clearly we had reason to think that it was one of the now rare bernacle geese, which, according to all the old wildfowlers, used to swarm on the marsh. It was far too grey on the back for a brent, but it was shorter and squatter than the grey geese, and we saw its black neck though we could not see the dis- tinctive markings on the face. On the slub we found the footprints of many geese, but these were probably the marks where the pink-footeds had been feeding. Inland the ducks weekly increase in numbers. On most waters-such as Rostherne, Budworth, Tatton and Oakmere—there are a fair number of mallards, and on the first two large quantities of tufted ducks. Pochards, now in excellent plumage, are getting more numerous, and golden eyes have visited several meres. Teal, in vary- ing numbers, are frequenting some of the pools; I counted fourteen yesterday, and put up six from a narrow little brook, and there are a few wigeon about. There were eight on Budworth this week, and on Tatton the other day we saw a drake in splendid plumage, the finest old drake I have seen for some time. A friend of mine who has just returned from North Uist was astonished to hear of this bird; he and his companions saw many wigeon in the Hebrides, but not. a single drake had apparently come completely out of eclipse, that is to say none of the birds he saw had attained the full winter plumage. A few shovellers have been consorting with the mallards, but as a rule these birds do not seem to remain long on one water; perhaps they are only passing 1 u _1 L J.. ..L L -= autumn uirus, as no UOUDI many oi wie wigeon which we see inland are also. The diving ducks remain with us so long as the meres remain un- frozen. WILD TRAITS IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Many domestic animals when hunting become for the time practically wild, and none more so than our fireside cat. I was much interested by a tabby which I saw in a field at some little distance from a. cottage. The. cat, like a small tiger, was half-crouched in the grass near the edge of a marl pit. It was eagerly peering over a screen of grass, taking cover. Suddenly it sprang lightly over its screen, and in a moment appeared again holding a feebly kicking rat by the head. Then it saw me, and in an instant became a wild beast. It glared at me, terror and rage in its eyes, and stood thus for perhaps half a minute. I did not move, but watched the cat with my glass. Very slowly it placed the now weakened rat on the grass, licked its jaws, and then picked it up again. Then almost inpercept- ably it sank lower and lower among the herbage, and, taking advantage of a rut, slipped almost out of sight. Then it glided rather than crept acrot-s the field, and reaching the hedge, bounded across the open bearing its prey like a great carnivore rushing to its lair. In this case the lair was its home, and the cat did not feel safe until it had reached the cottage where it lived, though I had made no attempt to scare it in any way. T. A. C.

In the King's Bench Division on Tuesday, the action brought by Mr. Clarkson, a young Militia officer, against Messrs. Drucker and Morris, to recover a sum of money which he alleged had been lost by him an the Stock Exchange through the misrepresentations of the defendants, resulted in a rerdietr for plaintiff for £ 17,000.

DEATH OF ilIR. RYDE JONES. ♦ It is with much regret that we chronicle to-day the death of Mr. Thomas Ryde Jones, who was exceedingly well known in this city. The deceased had been in poor health lately, in consequence of which he had to relinquish his banking duties. He died at Maesgwyn, Flintshire, on Friday morning. Formerly a member of the staff of the Chester branch of Parr's Bank, Mr. Ryde Jones was appointed to the management, of the Chester branch of the Union Bank of Liverpool, then just opened, and on the amalgamation of that concern with Lloyd's Bank, lie was taken over to the latter employment. A few years ago he went to that company's bank at Eastbourne, where he re- mained until stricken with illness As a Volunteer and Freemason the late Mr. Jones had a wide circle of friends. Formerly holding a lieutenant's le commission in the Flintshire Royal Engineers (Buckley), he afterwards transferred to the 1st Cheshire Volunteers at Birkenhead, where he was promoted to a captaincy, and on his removal to Eastbourne he received the command of a bat- talion of Royal Engineers there. In Freemasonry he was known as one of the founders of the Travellers' Lodge, Cheater His all too early demise wH bo reg-ietted by a large number of friends, who were attached to hira by his genial and kindly disposition. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon at Chester Cemetery, the service being conducted by the Rev. Mr. Roberts, curate of Flint. The chief mourners present were Mrs. Ryde Jone3 (widow), Miss Marion Jones (daughter), Miss Jones (sister), Mr. C. Lewis Jones (brother), Mr Faichney (brother-in-law) and Mis. Faichney (sister). Others present included the Mayor of Chester (Major Robert Lamb), Major J. M. Gibson, Major R. Cecil Davie3, Lieut. D. Fraser and ex-Lieut. W. H. Roberta {representing the 1st Flint Royal Engineers Volunteers), Adjutant Captain R. L. Hutchinson, Captain G. Graham-Jones and Captain James Green (representing the 1st Cheshire Royal En- gineers Volunteers), Messrs. J. Williamson, John iSnelson (Delamere), Percy G. Haswell (Lloyds' Bank), and John Barwise (Flint). Wreaths were sent by Colonel C. Brownridge and the officers of the 1st Cheshire R.E. Vols., the officers past and present of the 1st Flint R E. Vols., Charlie and Annie, David and Mary. Flo and May, "All at Maesgwyn," and Mrs. Snelson -ind family (Dela- mere House, Northwich), The funeral arrange- ments were carried out by Mr, W. H. Hallmark.

BOLLAND'S CHRISTMAS SHOW I Christmas is now not far distant, and already there are abundant signs of its approach in the special attractiveness which the dressings of shop windows are beginning to assume. Despite the misanthropes who are fond of croaking that the traditional observances of the festive season have lost their charm for the present generation of practical-minded people there is ample proof that Father Christmas is no less dear to the juvenile heart than he was fifty years ago. There is nO firm that ministers to the good cheer of old and young alike more successfully at this period than the old-established one of Messrs. R. Bolland and Sons, Eastgate-row. The otherday our representative paid a visit to their special Christmas showroom, and found they bad completed their preparations for the season in a manner eminently worthy of their high traditions. The room was, in fact, tilled with one of the largest and choicest collections of goods they have ever shewn. Visitors may con- tidently rely upon those goods being up-to-date in every respect. Each season the ingenuity of the best manufacturers is successful in producing something quite new and unique: hence many interesting mechanical and other novelties are to be found among Messrs. Bollands' goods. Handsome satin boxes, some hand-painted in exquisite designs, are a speeial feature, and the daintiest Parisian productions obtainable are represented by a bewilcering variety of elegantly-trimmed baskets lined and fitted complete as work-baskets, china. Venetian glass, gut and silver bonbonieres—all tilled with the choicest bon- bons, chocolates, maroons, glaces and crystallised fruits. Special care has been given to the selection of cosaques suitable tor table decoration, children's parties, etc. These will be found in all sizes, trom the giants containing as many as a hundred toys to the very smallest sold at the modest price of 6d. per box. Mechanical toys of endless varieties will specially appeal to the children, and can be had at prices from Is upwards. The excellent value of all the goods can only be appreciated by an inspection, which the numerous patrons of Messrs. Bolland would do well to make at the earliest opportunity. In Christmas cakes, plum puddings, &c., tLe firm has also maintained its reputation for the highest quality consistent with the most moderate prices.

HOCKEY. CHESTER THIRD v. BANKFLELI) SECOND. Played on the Roodee, and resulted in a win for Banktield by 3 goals to 2. In the first half. play was fairly even, but in the second half the visitors had much the best of the game, but lost numerous chances of scoring through offside play. FRODSHAM v. BROOKLANDS. Frodsham received Brooklands as visitors on Saturday, and a good game resulted in a draw of three goals each, a score which about represented the play. 08deii, Thorpe, and Pearson were the scorers for the visitors, who were, however, rather handicapped owing to the absence of two of their players.

NORTH CHESHIRE. This pack had a bye day at Manicy on Friday. Finding a biace of foxes in Simmon's Hili, houndsi hunted one into the Forest close to Eddusbuiy Lodge, where all tracts* of him Nw,-o lost. The remainder of the afternoon was put in the Fo.est, chasing different foxes, with a poor scent. The same pack paid a visit to the Warrington side of their country on Saturday, the meet being at the Cat and Lion, Strett-on. Foxei unfortu- nately were found to be very scarce. Apple tori and1 H4C.Sewood Covers were all foxless, although it is well known there were plenty there during cub-hunting. Dar-esbirry Firs came to the rescue, and with a very poor scent a fox was hunted for about 4b minutes, and was eventuaily lost without making any great point. Newton Gorsie was next tried, and is usually a sure find, but to-day was drawn without a whimper. Monday brought the North pack to Bostock Hall, near Middlewich. Foxes- were found plontiifui, but no great sport, was had with them. Found near the Hall, one took hounds in the direction of Winsford, but turning back again. was hunted across the park, and was killed near the river Weaver. A second fox was hunted out of the, Willow? again past Bostock Hail and down to tho river, but, returning to the park, was lost. Marshal s Goise was visited. While hounds were drawing the cover a heavy storm of hail and rain came on, which lessened tho field. Hounds did not find, and were taken on to draw Hulme Mill, but. with what success your cone- spondent does not know. BLUECAP. SIR W. W. WYNN'S HOUNDS. Malpas was the rendezvous of Sir Wat-kin Wynn's Hounds on Saturday, when the Master was in charge. From Gocdmore Rough hounds got away with a fox that crossed the railway at Bradley Brook and ran parallel with the line to Hampton Hall, where he doubled back, re- crossed the line, and returned to his starting point; where he went to ground. A spinney at Hampton Hall was next tried, and hounds reused another fox that ran fast towards Malpas Rail- way Station. The quarry sought refuge in a drain under the line, from which he was dis- lodged, and the course was -retraced to the start- ing point. Then doubling sharply back hounds ran over the old ground to the Gocdmore, and L.- ii T>u; I U_I! i 1, IIIM* uut:1 lV X UUJ.llt; HAIL1 LIAU, UATA df::¡d.Ul. ltV Mr. George Denson's farm, where after a. run of an hour and a half scent gave out. Among those out, in addition to the Master, were Lord Hariech, Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Lady Arthur Grosvenor, Lady Lettice Cholmondeley, Earl of Sefton, General Savage Mostyn, Major Henry Gore, Mr. and the Misses S-andbach, Capt. Ras- botham, Mrs. Rasbotham, Colonel Rivers Bulke- ley, Miss Buckley, Mr. and Mre. J. d'Arcy, Hartley, Captain and Mrs. Et-helstcn, Mr. Hugh Peel, Mr. Nugent Howard and Misses Howard, Mr. T. Dugdale, Mr. and Mrs. Greenshields, etc. MR. WILSON'S MASTERSHIP. The most pleasing news this week, says, a hunt- ing correspondent of the "Times," is contained im the denial of the rumoured intention of Mr. Hubert Wilson to resign the mastership of the Cheshire Hounds at the end of the season. Mr. Wilson has been very successful in shewing sport over the Cheshire pastures sir/ie he succeeded Lord,, Enniskillen nearly fivo years ago; amd dur- i-ng his term of office the wire difficulty, once so threatening, has to a large extent disappeared, while the mange, which decimated the foxes of that good grass country a few years ago, has been entirely stamped out. Mr. Wilson has had pre- vious experience of mastership, for he hunted the Ledbury country for two seasons, accepting the responsibilities, upon the death of his brother, the late Mr. F. T. Wilson and the statement that he will remain in office as long as the members of the Hunt desire it and his health permits, has dertainly given the utmost satisfaction to both the followers of the 'hounds and the farmers of North Cheshire, among whom he is deservedly popular.

SIR WATKIN WYNN'S MEET ON Friday, Dec. 1, Wynnstay at 10.45 Saturday, Dec. 2, Iscoed at 11.0

The Prime Minister has sent a Royal bounty grant of £ 50 to be applied to the estate of tho late Welsh Archdruid, Hwfa Mon.

CHESTER'S UNEMPLOYED. MUNICIPAL ACTION. The Chester Town Count11 give notice by ad- vertisement that they have appointed a. special committee to acoc.i iain the number of unemployed and the general conditions of labour witein the city. All persons* cut of employment are invited to attend at the Town Hall (entering from Princess-street), wh-re their cases will be enquired into. The office for this purpose will open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., except. on. Saturday, when the office will bo closed at 12 o'clock (noon) All other persons having knowledge of the conditions of labour within the city are requested to communicate with tho Town Clerk, Mr. J. H. Dickson. We under- stand a register of the i.nem.plcyed is to be pro- pared. Monday was the first day for receiving persons out of employment, and on that day 72 names were given in. We are informed that this does not point to more than a normal state of un- employment in Chester. A classification of the persons who have given in their names has not yet been made. A meeting of the special committee will be held next week, when they will consider what further steps are to be taken.

NEW FLINTSHIRE LINES. + LONDON AND NORTH., WESTERN SCHEJIE. Li add.-tioai, to the application for an order unoer tihe Light Rail way j Act, 1896. entitling them to extendi their Prtestatyn to Dyserth branch as far as Newmarket, tho London and North- Western Railway Cbmpany (1,?e, in their Bill to bo submitted to Paattaaoeni- in the next session, seeking' powers to construct, a. junction with tho Holywell railway, and a Jeep in the Vale, of Ciwyd connecting the Moldl Denbigh line with the Denbigh amd Rhyl line, in oitSer that trains ma.y pass from father of these, lines to the other with- out entering Denbigh Station. The Dyf „>rth and Newmarket light railway will be a. mile and a half in .length, and wili piotecd in an easterly direction from the present terminus by way of Pandy Mill and: Grove M-11, and the station in Newmarket will bo near tho Felin-d:e com mill. The railway will be of standard gauge, and too motive power will be steam or other mechanical powes. /I'ho works proposed to be carried out. at Holywell will give the company access from a biding an the south-west si tie- of tho muia about. 300 yards fiorn iihe station, buildings, to the Hoiywcd lailway, the projected new line forming a curve and coimceting with. the Holywell rail- way near the bi-idgo which tarries that line over the high road. It wJI bo .€iiicmbe>i-ed that a year or two ago tho compiw y was engaged in litigation with respect, to the ownership of this lailway, and it may be aicumed that they have now either acquired tho raj.lv.ay or entered into some arrangement with the owner of it. a a result, of which it may at l&F/t be opened as* a branch from the main line at. Greenfield to tho town of Holywell, which is situated two miles distant on the Flintshire plateau, several hundred! feet, above --a level. It is proposed to begin tho Denbigh curve by a juncticn with the- Vale of Glwyd line, near tho private level-crossing at Tyncwydd! Farm, and: to terminate it by a junc- tion on the Mold. amdi Denbigh line, near the pri- vate level-crossing- at Tan-y-c!derwen Fa.rm. Tho company will ask Parliament to extend the time allowed for tho construction of the Red Wliavf Bay Railway ill Anglesey.

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. -+-- AU cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted up as stated in tho follow- ing table:- u F..It. Wednesday, November 2!) 4.55 Thursday, November 30 4 54 Fridav, December 1 4.54 Saturday, December 2 4.54 Sunday, December 3 4.53 Monday, December 4 4.53 Tuesday, December 5 4.53

CHESTER DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION, 9, WATER TowLm-sTsEvi. WEEKLY REPORT. Old cases 79 Removed 2 New cases 26 Deaths 0 Cured 11 On books 90 Relieved 1 Visits 554 .F. BATEHON, Lady Superintendent*. November 25. 1905.

CHESTER INFIRMARY. » WEEKLY STATE. ENDED SATURDAY LAST. In-Patiento are admitted on Tuesday Morning a.1I Eleven o'clock. In-patients Discharged. In-patients. Cured 12 Admitted 18 Relieved. 8 Remain in the House 81 Made Ont-patienta 0 Unrelieved. 1 I Irregularity 0 Dead 3 OUT-PATIENTS. Medical Cases are seen on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Surgical Cases are seen on Thursday mornings at Eleven o'clock. OphthaJmic Cases are seen on Friday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Dental Cases are seen on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Ten o'clock. Out-patients admitted since Saturday last.93

I BIRTHS, MARRIAGES &DBATH8 BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS aN charged at the rate of 20 words for Is. (prepaid). If not prepaid, the charge will be 2s. 6d. Tla announcement must be authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. MARRIAGE. POTTER—FLUITT—On the 23rd November, at St. Mar. garet's, Westminster, by the Rev. James A. Sharrock, Rector of Hodnet, Charles John Potter, of Heaton Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne, second son of the late Addison Potter, C. B., to Edith, widow of the late A. It. Fluitt, of Chester, young-est daughter of the late Robert Rob-its, of Overleigh, Chester. DEATH. LEA—On the 23rd November, at Staplefcrd Hall, Lizzie, the beloved daughter of John and ilary Lea. IN MEMORIAM. LOVELL-In memory of dear little Mabel. At rest;, November 2Sth 19 4. (Never forgotten.) WHALLEY—To the dear memory of Henrv Shaw Whalley, who went to rebt November Dth. 1891. t Until the day dawns."}—3, Hunter-street, Chester. 010_

M E M O E I A L AT ALL PRICES, IN MARBLE. GRANITE, STONE & ALAP. ASTER, On View, and to order. W. HASWELL & SO NT, MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Free on application. Telephone No. 161A.

Presiding at the annual meeting of the Rural Housing and Sanitation Association, held in London, on Tuesday, Sir John Goi'-t, M.P., said that one of tho great obstacles to anything like repopula- tion of tho rural districts of England and Wales was the impossibility of finding healthy and suit- able houses, for the workers at. rents which they were able to pay. What was wanted for the country was !Qme kind of arrangement or organi- sation by which houses could be built where they were needed by some publio authority, which should also be charged with the supervision of dwellings generally. KAISER'S SILVER WEDDING CUP.—The Marquis of Ormonde, the Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, has been officially informed that the German Emperor will next year present a Cup and other prizes for a race, starting on June 16, from Dover to Heligoland. The Cup, which will be specially designed, is to be known as the Silver Wedding Cup, in honour of the twenty-fifth anni- versary of the Kaiser's marriage, and on it there will be portraits of the Emperor, the Empress, and King Edward VII. The race will be a handicap, and will be open to boats of any nationality of eighty tons, Thames measurement, and upwards.

ST. ANDREW. -+- Tho' Bums is doifl a l"j» r' year, His memr'y's h('h paint, And Scots are dcing pw they can To mak' him Scotland's Saint. For lang St. Andra hpd the job, And whether wiaiig cr richt, G&e'd mcny a Scot a ciackin held Upon St. Andra'e nicht. But that is neithf • be-re nor there, Scotsmen. maun hao whslty, It's aw the same which o' the twa Maks them fou d.1Hi fvldty. But Rabby Bums. we beii him best, He was a Scotsman tme, While A ricira. was torne foreign chiel, Maist like he was. a Jew. T. J. L.