Cheshire Observer

CHRISTMASTIDE. — Christmas Day had not the so-called pood, old fashioned" accompaniment of snow on the ground, but it was a pleasant, dry day and out-door exercise was very enjoyable. Large congregations attended the various churches in the city in the morning, and particularly the Cathedral in the afternoon. As usual, a capital dinner was provided for the poor children in the Market Hall; the youngsters at the Industrial School were, in accordance with au excellent custom, entertained by the Sheriff, and no effort was spared to mp.ke the day a happy one for the inmates of the Workhouse. People awoke on Bank Holiday to find that a keen frost had taken place during the night, and that the atmospheric conditions wevo distinctly seasonable. The meets of the Cheshire Biagles at Broxton, and the Wirral Harriers at Stanney were attended by largo fields Football attracted a big crowd to the Chester ground, the Eisteddfod in the Music Hall was again a marked success, and ft full house gratified the management of the Royalty Theatre. It has been noticeable this season that the demand for Christ- mas canl" has been greater than ever. THE CATHEDRAL. Christmas Vay was observed, as usual, with due attention to the raligious obligations in cele- bration 01 the birth of Christ in most of the pianos of worship. The services in the Cathedral were characterised by their cuscomaiy "brighin ess and musical booll ty, and were attended by large congregations. "i'nough any elaborate decoration is unsuitable to ihe o; n&te and dignified architecture of the Cathedral interior, tke, choir screen, lectern and reredos were gracefully em- belhs! led with flowers and cvergroens in (season. an Christinas Eve Gounod's anthem "Cradled all lawly was rendered, and a particularly pleasing featuro was the singing before! the Benediction of a select on of those tuneful carols which perpetu- ate one of the most ancient and cherished re- ligious traditions of Cnristrnastida The services 01 i Christmas Day commenced w.th the Litany and Holy Communion .at eight o'clock. A special eer- vice followed at 10.30, at whioii the Athanasian Creod was chanted, and them was a chorai ceie- brat.on to Smart in F. At the afternoon service the choir gave a beautiful rendering of the an- them For behold darknffi5 for unto us. The Sunday serviCes were also joyous and attractive. In trie evening there was an overflowing congre- gation,, when the anthem "Thpre were Snepherds, ofe- (Handed) and another selection of carols weie SUttg. a tme feature of the latter being Mr. A. M. Proctor's treatment of the favourite "'Nazareth The sermon was preached by the Rev. A. Baxter. ST. MAnYS PARISH CHUuCH. The services on Christmas Day were attended by j large congregations. There were celebrations of tiie Ituty Communion at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. vchoral) and after I Matins. The Rector preached at the 11 a.. m. set vice from 2 Cor. viii.-W, and the anthem "Thus spea.keth the Lord of Hosts' was sung. At the evening service on Sunday the anthem was And the Glory of the Lord (" Messiah" and at the close of tho service the cantata, "The Holy Child was sung, ihe uecoratiun.s were very effective, consisting chitiiv of hoily and honesty. Un the super altar were twelve vases of wJute flower." and the lectein, puit it and font were wreathed with holly, honesty, aiW white chrysanthemums. The ladies helping" in tiie decorations were the Misses Porter, Miss Rbberts, Miss ilargraves Taylor, tho Misses Stafford, Miss Thompson, Miss Grantham, Mrs. Brumop, and others. 1 HE I INFIRMARY. To oIp0nd Cnristmas in the Infirmary is not the I most desirable way of finding the happiness | associated with this season, so that the patients, at tho Chester | Infirmary always welcome with great. zest all efforts made to relieve the tedium and sadness of their enforced idleness. The annual Christmas entertainment took place on Monday, and was highly successful. The rooms were charmingly decorated by the nurses, under Miss Addis, and presented a bright and cheerful appearance. Tho evening's entertainment, which was keenly and Mftiiusiastiealiv enjoyed by the patients, was held in the child-en's wnrd. To the huge delight of the little ones, a large Christmas trel" was un- veiled by a real "Father Christmas," in the form of Ur. iaterson, who performed the offices apper- taining to that worthy by distributing numerous gifts. Under Dr. Bridge, a party of the Cnthe- dral -h(-ir boys sang a selection of carols, and the St. Francis's Minstrel Troujie. went through the following programme:—Opening chorus, the Troupe; songs by J. Cluner, W. Jones, M. Ward, G„ •Moore. J. iNleGii Ire cake walk, the Troupe; ventriloquial sketch, T. Jones; song and dance. H. Savage; finale Ye Ghoste Story," the Tro-ipe. It is interesting to learn that by means of the new lift it was found possible to convey more patients than usual to the ward in which the entertain •. •lent, was given. POOR CHILDREN'S DINNER. As has been the custom for the last 18 years. a dinner was provided on Christmas Day in the Market Hall to about 1,009 children of the poor of the city. Tho two secretaries, Mr. J. T. Golder and Mr. W. L. Davie-s assisted by a committee of gentlemen, had so well arranged matters that every- tfiing went off without a hitch, and the ladies and gentlemen who so ably waited on the children all testify that the hot-pot and mince pies weie thoroughly enjoyed. Plants an 1 flowers decorating the tables were kindly lent by Messrs. Dicksons. During the interval between the "courses," a cracker was given to each ú1:!jld, c usjng great amuse- laent and pleasure. The Mayor arrived in good time oil the scene and said grace, after which Merchant's band played a continuation of merry tunes. We regret that owing to illness Mr. W. L. Davies was unable to ba present. The following kindly officiated as servers and carvers:—Mr. and Mrs. Shepneard, J. J. Cunnah, Mr. H. B. Dutton, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brown, Dr. King, the Misses Davies, Miss Dntton, Miss Brown, Dr. Jephcott, i -.i Gill. Miss Bassett, Misses Gardner, Misses Davies, Mr and Mrs. Walley, Miss Sewell, Misses Price, Dr. and Miss Parry, Mrs. Golder. Miss Henderson, Misses Taylor, Mrs J. G. Powell, Mr. and Mrs W. D, Joiliffe, Misses Smith, Misses Thornthwaite, Misses Jones, Mrs. Harrison, Air. Churiton, Mr. and Mrs. Rowson, Miss Wiseman, Mi><s H. Davies. Miss Whallev. Miss Golder, Miss Whitehouse, Miss Mocatta, Mr and Mrs. Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Lamb Mr. A. Dodds, Mr. Johnson, Air. Day. Miss Day, Mr. G. Lightfoot Walker, Misses liightfoot, Mr. F. Brown, Mr. Hincks, Mr. Elliot, Mr. H. Parry, Mr. Hender- son, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Mtisgrave, Mr. Delaney, Miss Delaney, Mr. H. W. Parry, Mr. M. C. Sunter, Mr. C. Wiseman, Mr W. Dutton Mr. Hardie, Mr. Roberts, Mr. A. G. Collins, Mr. Pollard, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Taylor Harrison, Dr. George Harrison, Mr. Maclean Graham. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, Mr. G. Parker, Mr. Poole, Mr. S. Sprang. Mr. Hodgson, J Mr. Harley, Atrit. Dickson, Miss Feans, Nurse Jackson, Mr Wilfred Parry, Mks Mitirhead, Miss Roberts, MisH Xeild, M" (iou-h, Miss Fee, Miss A. Smith, Mr. W. Davies, Miss Foster, Miss Bell, • Mijvs Dodd, Miss Day, Mr. H. Brittain. I JNDU-TrtiAL SCHOOL THE SHERIFF'S GENEROSITY. Tho Sheriff of Chester (Mr D. L. Hewitt), fol- lowing a time-honoured custom, gavo the usuai "Sheriff's" Christmas dinner at the Industrial School Houghton, on Christmas Day. The dining-hall was tastefully decorated with ever- greens and appropriate, festive mottoes in many cotours, and presented a gay and lively scene as 217 happy and youthful diners commenced an on- slaught on tho good old C11 ristrnas fare of roast beet and plum pudding. After dinner tho ex- Sheriff (Mr. H. Dodd) proposed a vot- of thanks to the Sheriff for his generosity in g.ving such an excellent dinner. He said they WNe lbligfited • and proud to find the boys and girls in such excel- lent trim for the splendid repast, and it must b:; a. delightful tuiug to took forwaid to at that time of tho yoar, when the Sheriff for the bne being v.as so exceedingly kind -s to give them that dinner. They were all delighted to have Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt with them that day.—The Sheriff, who when he rose to respond, was greeted with deafening chteis, which completely drowned his voico for some time, thanked them for the kind I vote of thanks, and said he could assure them all that it gave him great p'casu.e to COf'lf>o among the boys and girls on that day and to Sf:" their happy, haaitiiy-lookihg" faces, and to think that in a small degree he could contribute: to making their Christ- mas a merry time. He hid been coming among them on the occulon of th-, r CJhristmas dinner for eonio years past, but he had no idea when he came there first that he would be the Sheriff and have the opportunity of contributing to their happiness oil that day. Many of the boys before him woukl be going cut shortly into life. Ho hoped they would do w.11, and tint some brig-ht lad would live to see the day when he should be Sheriff of the city of Chester, and come and "stand" other little boys and girls a. dmnor on Christmas Day. (H ar, hear.) lie asked them to remember the lessons taught them by Mr. Thomas, their super- idendent He thought they would all like to ex. press their high appreciation of the services of Mr. Thomas s father who had recently passed away, and who for many years had spent his life in train- ing boys for their future life If h- were alive, he could have looked back to see boys who had bfc-orne respectable citizens in society. He (the Sheriff) hoped that those boys before him wouid grow up to be good men and resp? t.ahA citizens. whole world was op-ti to the lad who was in- dustrous who FpokP the truth and was honest. The g eat captains of indtishy at the present time tud nearly ail of them been poor in life. Ho thought that the boys there that day had some- thing to look forward to and something to hope for a.nd he hoped to soe the lads to whom he gave Ohriaim is dinner that day become, leading citizens in Chester or any other city. (Applause.) -Alderman W. H. Churton moved a vote of than 'ks to the donors of gifts, who were a-A fol- lows:—H 8 Worship the Mayor (Mr. Robt. Lamb) fcox nf oranges: Mrs. Pitcairn Campbell box of oranres; Dr. and Mrs. Lees, box of oranges; Mrs. N. Harrison, box of oranges; Mf. U. E. Old- meidow barrel of epp'es; Mrs F. Bull in, 100 «n*an>ies and illustrated papers; Sir Horatio 500 crackers: Mr. F. Horatio Lloyd, 250 of sweets; Mrs. J. D. Siddall, football; Mr K-mdrick fancy paper for decoration Messrs. Hollands large cake. Mr. remarked thit h. had had the privilege of moving that vote of thinks Fo, many years past. He was thinking fl, othrr day that it was 25 Y(',I' ago since he w:'o Sheriff of the city, and of course there was not a single hoy or girl there now who was there the:1 Fm- (Hlwt hing like. 30 years he had been a Sundav school teacher in Boughton &-hoof. He he^tr^d to -est fy to the enormous benefit the In- duf^r'a] School had been, They at the school had au o.inortiurty given to them of learning their hii^.ness, and if they did not learn it. it was en- tirely their own fault.. There were opportunities for" .11" humblest boy to obtain a high position in Jifv> "id In ^ocety. He hoped they would all learn to be good boys—The children carried the motion by cheering lustily.—Mr. R. C. Davies pro- posed a vote of thanks to the superintendent [ matron, masters and mistresses for their kindness in giving their time in getting the dinner ready and other preparations.—More hearty cheering oirried the motion, and the children dispersed. On leaving the room each child was presented with an apple,, two oranges, a packet of sweets and crackers. Among the visitors and helpers at the dinner were the folIowi ng -The Sheriff and Mrs. Hewitt, Mis-s and Master Hewitt, Mr. II. M. Boweis, Mr. H. Dodd, Mr. and Mrs. D. Edwards Mr. R C. Divies and the Misses Davies, Mr. and Miss C. Polkinghorne. Mr. J. H. Bowers and Miss E M. Bowers Mr W. Johnson, Miss Bur- c'er, Mis-s N. Richmond Mr. F. Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson-Wynne and family, Mrs. J. Frost md fam d y the Rev F and Mrs. Edwards, the Rev. T. E. Evans Mr. Geo Davison (magistrates' -ie:k). Mr. J. H. Laybourne (chief constable) Mr. F E. Roberts. J.P. Miss Stuart. Alderman W. H. Churton, Mr. W. A. V. Churton. Mr. H. L. Chur- ion Mr. S. Smith (ex-town cierk). and Mr. R. Lloyd (headmaster of Brshop Graham School, and who had 117 of his scholars at dinner). THE WORKHOUSE. I The inmates of the Chester Workhouse spent a happy Christmas Day, thanks to the kindness of the Guardians, the generous help extended by a number of ladies and gentlemen in the city, and the kind solicitude for their comfort by the Master (Mr. R. C Turner) and all the officials. The dining- hall was brightly decorated for the occasion, the walls being covered with seasonable texts and greetings framed with holly. Breakfast, consisting of bread, butter, and coffee, was partaken of by 4o7 inmates, to each of whom a Christmas letter was given During the morning tobacco was served to the male and tea and sugar to the female inmates. For dinner the people had an excellent bill of fare, consisting of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and plum pudding, an three oranges were served to each afterwards. The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lamb) were among the visitors who were present during the dinner. A large number of gifts to the i^ nmates j were received and highly appreciated. XMAS AT THE POST-OFFICE. I A BUSY TIME. Christmas comes but once a year, and when it '■cmes—the Post-office officials are thoroughly pre- pared for it. The postal official m ght surely -be pardoned if he does not cherish the traditions of Yulotide with the enthusiasm of a Dickens; he must possess a remarkably cheerful and buoyant temperament if he can contemplate the approach of th? festive season with anything more than equanimity. To expect him to share the pleasur- able feelings with which Christmas inspire* other mortals would be unreasonable. The inexorable Jaw of necessity donunds that he shall sacrifice himself to the happiness and convenience of his fellow-men. Yet how many appreciate the magni- tude of tho labour which the exchange of Christ- mas greetings imposes upon the thousands of i officials in every department of our postal system? Notwithstanding that the Post-office is the most successfully conducted of a.ll the great businesses in the world the enormous burden cast upon it by the ever-growing popularity of the Christmas card greetings and the Christmas parcel would causo a collapse in the service but for the oare and forethought of the executive in preparing for the expeditious disposal of the eno mo us bulk of Yuletide correspondence. So ela-borato are the necessary preparations that they have to be com- menced as early as the beginning of October, for th" abnormal pressure requires special trams, ad- difc'Oiial mail-cart services and the employment of manv extra hands. The shoals of letters and parcels dealt with at Chester during Christmas week were unpiece- dente-dly large and appre-ciabiy greater than the numbers last year, which were then considered to have eclipsed in volume all previous years. In the absence of any carefully compiled official returns, it. is approximately estimated that during the, we4: about 15 000 parcels alone were delivered, being an inciease of over ten per cent, as compare d with the numbers of last year. The parrel pressure commenced as early 11_'> Saturday the 19th and in- creased in volume daily. The p essure is of course keenest on the day before Christmas Day. a.nd on Thursday uowards of four thousand par- cels were delivered in the city, while on Wednes- day the number diealtwith exceeded three thousand. It is difficult to make anything approaching an exact computation of the number of letters and other things transmitted by letter post, but on in- quiry our representative was informed that at leist 60,000 were deHvered in the city and suburbs on Christmas morning, and that the number of letters dealt with between Monday and Friday was greatiy in excess of any previous year. To cope with the extraordinary pressure of work the postal staff at Chester was largely augmented and about eighty extra hands, were employed in ail departments. Twenty-eight men are ordinarily employed in the city in the delivery of letters but during last week there were no fewer than sixty engaged in this work Notwithstanding this large temporary auxiliary, the ordinary staff worked at the highest pressure, and had to perform practi- cally double their norm-d amount of work. Chester is an important postal centre being to a large extent aclearing house or distributing oentro for the whole of North Wales and for this class of work there are two large offices at the railway station, one for parcels and the other for letters. Here fo" several days there was a continuous flow of parcel hampers. A large aggregation of trucks, heavily loaded with baskets appeared in unbroken line hour after hour for no sooner was one truck- load emptied into the sorting-offioe than another took its place, as van after van disgorged its heavy load on the station platform. Inside the office thousands of parcels met the eye in every direc- tion, while busy groups of men were transferring them from tho baskets to the sorters The Chester Postoffice building is altogether inadequate for the abnormal work of the Christ- mas period, and to provide space for dealing with this extra work th" commodious Grosvenor Schools were hired and fitted up as a temporary sorting- office. All the rural parcels and letters and all the town parcels were dealt with from this centre while the offices in John-street were devoted ex- clusively to the town letter delivery. A large num- ber of extra carts and trucks hed also to be requisitioned. Owing to the improved system which was adopted this year, and the particularly favourable weather throughout the country, the officials accomplished their work with praise- worthy promptitude, tho whole of the letters re- ceived in Chester up to four o'clock on Christm is morning being despatched the same day by the two deliveries at seven o'clock and nine o'clock in the morning. Lost Christmas the pressure was so great under the circum-tances that about 150 baskets of letters were left unopened, but this year. thanks to the good weather, good train ser- vice and better local postal organisation, not a single basket remained undent with. The public made a pretty general rosDonse to the appeal to post early, and thus greatly facilitated the work of the office- a.nd benefited in oon"equence. The postmaster (Mr. S. A. James) has made a. written acknowledgment of the services of his staff in coning with the great pressure of work, adding, "The general reports of the supervising officers. the ample truth of which I know from personal observation, all go to shew that the heavy and con- tinuous pressure was met by everyone with a cheery resolve to overcome difficulties and a firm determination not to be beaten in their efforts to deal with an unprecedented amount of work. This attitude of the staff is. I know quite usiiii in times of pressure but none the less it is de- serving of th9 highest recognition and apprecia- tion." TRINITY ENTERTAINMENT. A specially attractive programme was provided for the patrons of Holy Trinity Mission Room entertainments on Boxing night, and there was a crowded gathering. Tho principal feature was a performance of Naval Engagements," a two-act comedy by George Dance, which occupied the greater part of the evening. The characters were. represented by Mrs. W. V. J. Walley, Mrs. W. F. J Sheoheard. Mr Alfred Pavne Mr. Wallace H. Powell, Mr. W. V. J. Walley and Mr. G. W. A. Williams. The action of the play takes place 111 a Portsmouth hotel, whore Admiral Kingston awaits to greet his son, Lieut. Kingston, on his arrival home after a lengthy absence on foreign service. A ludicrous situation is developed by the fact that the father and son are about to make two singular matrimonial alliances, the young officer being engaged to Mrs. Pontifex, an elderly widow whose acquaintance ho had made abroad, while the old Admiral has become the successful suitor of Miss Mortimer, a charming young lady who has scarcel y crossed the threshold of womanhood. Both were anxious to confide to each ether their affaires do coeur, but are embarrassed in doing so on account of a former agreement between them that every individual should be allowed to decide for himself on the question of marriage provided there was no disparity in the ages of the couple. The Ice. however, is eventually broken, and both are equally amazed on hearing of the state of affairs. The Admiral indignantly refuses to countenance his son's marriage, and a stormy scene ensues between them, while the two ladies also have an unpleasant meeting. It is soon realised on both sides that an unfortunate bargain has been made, and by an exchange of partners matters are eventually put right with mutual satisfaction. The play is a somewhat ambitious undertaking for amateurs, occupying about an hour and a half, but the performance was highly creci itable, and received the warmest encomiums of the audience. Mr. Alfred Payne, upon whom devolved the most exacting part of the cast, gave a spirited and forcible representation of the bluff o!d Admiral, his love-making with the elderly widow being a piece of particularly good histrionism. He had an able coadjutor in Mr. Wallace Powell, who gave an excellent account of himself in the role of the dashing young officer. Mn Walley and Mrs. Shepheard successfully por- trayed the character of their respective roles of Mr. Pontifex and Miss Mortimer, and actod in a natural and spontaneous manner that was dis- tinctly pleasing. The minor part of the hotel landlord and the eccentric waiter. Dennis, were ably filled by Mr. Walley and Mr. Williams respectively. Mr. Alfred Payne was responsible for the stage management. The remainder of the programme included songs by Miss Hero Taylor, a pianoforte duct by Mr. S. J. and Miss Marston, a solo vaise by Miss Marston between the acts, two humorous songs—" Not a return and "When father laid the carpet on the stairs"-by Mr. S. J. Marston, and a humorous sketch by Mr. W. H. Hallmark. CHESTER EISTEDDFOD The fifteenth Chester Christmas Eisteddfod was held in the Music Hall on Bank Holiday. There was a fair attendance at the afternoon meeting, over which Mr. R. Cecil Davies presided in the absence of the Sheriff (Mr. D. L Hewitt). He was accompanied on the platform by Dr. Roberts, Mr. Henry Jones, condtiotor, in expressing his re-rret for the absence of the Sheriff, said that for 600 years Chester had two Sheriffs, but since the Reform Act of 1835 we had had only one. In olden times the two Sheriffs used to meet on the Roodee and bring down there the town councilors, ma-yors and citizens and have a contest in shoot- ing. Afterwards they retired to the Common Hall and partook of a breakfast of oalf's head and ba on—(laughter)—at the expanse of the Sheriffs. Now we did not dip so deeply into the pockets of the Sheriffs. In a short address, the Chairman said, as a Welshman, he had to confess that his accomplish- ments did not inolude a knowledge of the language of his forofathers. (Laughter.) Ho felt it an honour to assist at such a noble institution as that gathering. The eisteddfod Lad a healthful influ- ence, in that it induced us to cultivate a taste for music and literature. Such pursuits must have a refining and elevating effect upon us, and he re- joioed in tha competitive spirit in music and poetry so dear to the hearts of Welshmen. (Applause.) The first competition was a Welsh reoitation, for which there were sven entries. Of those, two namely "Randlr' (Miss Maria Edwards, Mold) and "R. H. T." (Mr. Thos. Hy. Reæ. Chester) wore sole: ted to appear before the audience. The title of the piece was "y Diluw'' (Ap Yychan) The Rev. Daniel Hughes (the adjudicator) divided the prize between the two. Tho tenor solo competition, for which the test piece was Handel's beautiful song, "Lova in her eyes sits playing," followed. Two ("Marcus" and "Togid ) out of eight competitors were chosen for the final test. Mr. Emlyn Evans, in giving his decision, said that at the preliminary trial in the morning ho wondered why some of the gentle- men who took part did not learn to sing A.B.C. b ifore going to an eisteddfod. Towards the end of the preliminary test there was an improvement. a.nd they had found two tenors they were not afraid to put on the platform. "Marcus" had better stylo and pronunciation, sentiment, and par- ticularly good feeling. He was really a very good singer and he (Mr. Evans) wished he had another prize to give. "Tegid (Mr. Edward Lioyd. Llanuchllyn) was slightly throaty, but his was a more perfect and artistio performance. He awarded him the prize. For the chief .choral competition for mixed voioes the test pieces wero Handel's "May no rash intruder" and Emlyn Evans's "In vain you tell It was disappointing to find that only one choir had entered, namely, Trinity Wesleyan Choir. Crewe (conductor, Mr. A. Hough, F.R.C.O.). They sang before Mr. Emlyn Evans. The adju- dicator complimented the choir, and said he was very sorry that there were not more entries. There ought to have been at least half-a-dozen compe- ting choirs with a piece such as Handel's choral serenade. He would not say that if those half- dozen choirs had come they would have beaten Crewe but neither would he say that they would not have beaten them. They had had a fair per- formance, the basse3 and contraltos being very good, if a little inanimate. Of the tenors he could not say that they were better than fair. On the whole it was a weil-balanced choir, but wanting ill life and sentiment. The latter remark also ap- plied to the part-song, inis was a new piece, ana I was pcrforr.-i.ed quite as well as ho expected, though he did not usually expect much (Laugh- ter.) There was a I ttle wanting in tender ex pre-s;on but they kept the pitch, and on the whole he thought they were- worthy of the prize. (Ap- plause.) The soprano solo competition piece was '"J-erusa- le-m thou that. killest the Prophets" (Mendel- ssohn). Miss Florrio Williams. Wrexhom, was the winner, beating a well-known and often successful competitor in Miss Ada Roberts, of Buckley, as be ng more natural. For the baritone solo competition eight entries were received, and three of the competitors sang before the audience. The test piece was Rossini's "Pro Pe-ccatis." The adjudicator said he was not pleased with the competition Not one of the singeis had much idea of what music meant. The piece was taken in a dead-alive way from begin- ning to end. That was not good feeling at all. and even Latin word s had meaning. "J. P. S. who sang in Latin had a squeezed voice. His cadence was faulty, and he slurred too much. "Cambria" was slightly inanimate but taken on the whole he gave a very fair performance and had a fair style with good reading. "G. C had a fair voioe, but he rendered the pianissimo very inanimately He had thinking of keeping tx< prise back, but he had decided to award it to "Cambria" (1\1r. Percy Stone Chester). The choral contest for male voioe choirs at- tracted four chol rs, of whom three appea.red ba- fore the adjudicator. The piece was "Lovely Maiden" ("Teyrnged Gariad") by Mr. D. Pughe Evans. The adjudicator said it was a very in- teresting competition Tha audience would ap- prove of the course taken by the committee in doing without the piano. He approved of the piano in its place. but he thought they were in- debted to the committee for the change. Ho commented severely upon the bad form of the audience in applauding one of the competing choirs and demanding an encore. He reminded them that the choirs were taking part in a compe- tition, and could not give an enoore. As to the choirs, he said that in the first (Gooeen's Choir. Liverpool, conductor Mr. Eugene Goosen) the voices were upon the whole most excellently trained, and it was hardly possible to make them more perfect in tempo, expression and tone. He did not think he had heard the piece rendered in a better manner. The choir had ended in perfect p tch, a feat not so easy in a piece like the test pieoe. The Gwaiia Choir, Halkyn (Mr. W. J. Harper conductor) chopped up their phrases and notes, and the first bass was too hollow. They were jerky and flighty at times. The Warrington Apollo Male Voice Choir (conductor, Mr. H Berry) opened too slowly but they imnroved. There was, however, a slight absenoe of senti- ment. He gave the first prize to Goosen's Choir and the second to Warrington. The chairman was accorded a vote of thanks on tho motion of Mr. W. Fergusson, seconded by the Rev. Daniel' Hug-hee The afternoon's meeting closed with "Hêll Wind fy Nhadau." The enjoyment of the gathering was much en- hanced by the singing of the following artists:- Miss Maggie Purvis (soprano).. who was encored for "Love the Pilgrim Miss Rosina Beynon (contralto), who received a similar compliment for "Love, the Pedlar"; Mr. Gwilym Richards, who was recalled for "Tr Hen Gerddor" and Mr. Ivor Foster, who sang "Cymru fy Nscwlad." THE EVENING'S PROCEEDINGS. There was a largo audience at the evening's meeting, which is always the more popular of the two. The Mayor (Mr. R. Lamb) presided and in a short address said he was sorry to hear that the eisteddfod had not been as successful as hitherto. He hoped, however, that when the receipts were counted up the financial result would prove satis- factory. The Trinity Wesleyan Choir, Crewe, who re- ceived the prize in the chief choral contest, re- peated "In vain you tell." and highly delighted the audience with their performance. Mr. Goosen's Liverpool choir, the winners of the choraJ contest for male voices also sang their test piece. So finished was the rendering that the audience wore raised to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. ?nd they were satisfied only with an encore. Mr. Goosen's method of conducting was unique, and in no small degree was the choir's success due to him. The Enerlish recitation competition, for which Mr. W. H. Watson officiated as adjudicator, at- traded an entry of nine. Two girls named Miss Elsie Lunn and Miss Wainwright. both of Chester, recited to the audience "The Enchanted Shirt" fColonel John Hay) Mr. Wits on said his had been a task of considerable difficulty, as both the competitors had acquitted themselves admirably. In making his award he had endeavoured to have regard to the following essentl als: -Audiaitity, distinctness of utterance correctness of pronuncia- tion naturalness of tone and variety of expression. Miss Lunn had fulfilled the whole, of those requis- ites, and he therefore awarded her the prize. At the same time he felt bound to say that Miss Wainwright had recited with very much charm, vivacity and archness,, but some might have noticed one or two very slight and scarcely perceptible slips in pronunciation. Those defects might be oasily remedied, and he had no doubt that a very prosperous career as reciters awaited both the young ladies. Bv spiral request Mr. Watson re- cited Sir Edward Arnold's "The Hostage." The five competitors for the contralto solo con- test wero by the preliminary trial reduced to three ("Monica." "Ethel and "M. H "). Han- del's "Return. 0 God of Hosts" was the test solo. The adjudicator said it had been a most interest- ing competition, and he thought one of the mo,t interesting they had had in that Hall during his experience. He did not think anyone did as well as they did in the morning. He quite understood why, even an old stager like himself got ner- vous. It was difficult to get the tone and keep the body quiet and command the voice propeiiv "Monica" had a. very good voice and used clear good English. Her phrasing and general feeling were good and she b: ought out the sentiment of tho piece and the exquisite prayerfulness. All the notes were properly held. "Ethel" squeezed the tone too much, and she was a little shaky in the introduction Her voic-o was too wavy, and she was inclined to close li-r mouth too much. "M. H." had a. most peevdiar pionunciation, and her tone was rather too hollow. The most artistic and refined performance was by "Monica" (Miss Annie Ellis, Chester), to whom lie awarded the nrize. The final contest was for quartettes of tenors and basses, who were required to sing "The Hun- ter's Faroweu." by Mendelssohn. There were three entries, namely, the Cecilia Quartette "Mar- cus and friends, and the Southport Orpheus Quartette party. After expressing his pleasure at seeing this fine part-song on the programme, the adjudicator said the Cecilia party had good voioes, they weie well balanced, they had a good plain pronunciation, and their pitch was correat, to the very end. He did not think he could say much more than that As to the second party, the first tenor was flat from the beginning, and the whole party seemed to be taken up with a tremulo. The Southpart party were very differ- ent to the second quartette, but number two bass was really veiy clever, but he did not answer the purpose in the quartette by combining with the others He adjudged the Cecilia party (Messrs. Stone, Chester, and Campbell. Smith and White- way, Liverpool) to be the best. During the remainder of the evening beautiful solos wore given by the following artists:—Miss Maggie Purvis. soprano; Miss Rosina Beynon, a new Welsh contralto; Mr. Gwilym Richards tenor and Mr. Ivor Foster, bass. They were all in excellent voioe. and their performances were most enjoyable, and numerous en,ores were de- manded. The following were the songs they gave:—"What does the littla birdie say?" (en- cored), "Mia Piccirella" (encored), Miss Maggie Purvis; "My Rose, "Ballad of Kisse.s" (en- cored), "Three Green Bonnets" (encored), M:ss Rosina Beynon; "My Dreams" (encored). "Bi- anca" Mr. Gwilym Richards; prologue, "Pagli- acci" (encored). "The Young Soldier Boy, Mr Ivor Foster; duet, "The Ballad Singers," Messrs. Richards and Foster (encored); and quartette, "A Regular Royal Queen," by the four artists. All the accompaniments were played by Miss R. A. Evans. A vote of thanks to the chairman was moved by Colonel Evans-Lloyd.—111 seconding. Dr. Roberts said he thought they ought to (-all the eisteddfod a musical competition. It wa-s not an eisteddfod in the real meaning of the word, as the contests were confined almost entirely to music. He hoped the committee would broaden their field.—-The motion was carried. The National Anthem ended the proceedings. That the gathering was such a sucoess is a matter for congratulation to the following offic' als: -Presidentg afternoon Mr. R. Cecil Davies, evening the Mayor of Chester; conductor. Mr. Henry Jones; adjudicators, music Mr. D. Emlyn Evans English recitation Mr. W. H. Wat- son. Welsh recitation the Rev. Daniel Hughes; chairman of committee, Mr. Henry Jones; treasurer, Mr. H. J. Hughes; &ecretary(|wMr. D. Rees Evans, 18. Northgate-street. FARNDON. The Christmas weather which we were for- merly accustomed to see depicted in pictorial newspapers and on cards was again absent this vear. There were no frozen water tanks, no boys sliding on the ponds, no bobbing one's head to avoid the lusty snowball, no biting north wind indeed, even the proverbial Robin never came near the window, or Jack Sparrow either, for they found plenty of natural food elsew here owing to the warmth of the earth and mildness of the atmosphere Our church bells rang out a merry peal at midnight. The Rector held four services in the church, but the congregations were not so large as in former years, probably owing to the absence from home of several large households. The school children opened their "Waifs and Strays" box as usual after service. It contained £ 2 18s. fid., almost entirely in copper coins. Subsequently the children were entertained by Mrs. Owen with some wholesome Christmas eatables. At the second morning service the hand- some new churchwardens' seats were used for the first time. They are of oak, stained to he in tone with the prevailing red sandstone, canopied, carved, and of good proportion. At the corner of each stall is a staff of office, surmounted by a silver ball and cross. As the church is dedicated to St. Chad. the Bishop's arms are carved in panel A neat brass tablet is inserted, without unnecessary prominence. stating that the seats are the gift of Mrs. Gilbert Parry, in memory of her late husband, who was churchwarden of Farndon for seventeen successive years, and who died 10th February, 1903. The prayer books are unusually handsome, bound in green morocco leather. These books are the joint gifts of Mrs. Parry's children. Mr. Frank Wtile., architect (from Messrs. Douglas' office), had rather a hard task, owing to tho church containing many different styles of architecture, but he has been most discerning in fact, the stalls look as if tb,y had been always in their present position The present churchwardens are Mr. Harry Barn",ton. of Crewe Hill, and Mr. Thomas Brereton, of Rewley Hill; and the sidesmen, Mr. Grange and Mr. Ben. Ince. BEESTON. 11 I I A Christmas treat was given to the scholars ot the school on Wednesday by Mr. and Mrs. John Nay lor, of Beeston Tower, who wero present with the members of their family. The schoel had been decorated with great taste for the occasion, and a platform erected. Upon tho latter was a Christ- mas tree laden with gifts. The scholars assembled at four o'clock, Lnd had an excellent tea, after which the room was cleared and a magic lantern entertainment followed, with recitations by the scholars and items from the gramophone at intervals. Many parents of the children were present. At the conclusion of the e-,tert,,tinrneiit the Christmas gifts were distributed, and cheers were given for those who had so kindly provided the treat. The National Anthem was heartily sung. CPIOLMONDELEY. ,1 On Tuesday morning, at tmolmonrleley uasti, the usual Christmas presents of beef and flour were given to the cottage tenantry and workmen on the Cholmondeley (Home) Eitatei. The presents were made by the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, -N l r assisted by the Lady Lettice Cholmondclcy, Mrs. St. John Char'ton and the Rev. E. F. Gorst. Each cottage tenant and- each employe received (as for many generations they and their predecessors have done) ten pounds weight of prime bocf and four shillings'-worth of superfine flour. Old men and old women, living alone. receive half that quantity. This year some eighteen hundred pounds weight of beef and a lartre lurry load of flour were given away. Needless to say. this kindly Christmas present of Lord and Lady Cholmondeley is mucn apnreciated. The usual services were held on Cnriqtma-q Dav, viz., Holv Communion in St. WVnefrcdp's Church at nine o'clock, and mornincr service and Holy Com- munion in Cholmondeley Chapel at eleven. The chapel was tastefully decorated bv the Choi- monnplpy crardeners under the supervision of Mr. Chas., Flack. On Sundav evening- Rervir-e wag held in St. Wenefrede's Church, Bickley, when a larg-e congregation attended the service was fullv choral and was as follows.—Processional hvmn "Hark the Herald." responses to Tallis. Magnificat find Nunc Dimittis (Bennett in Fi. anthem "O Zion that Brin«rest Good Tidings" (Sir John Stainer). hymn "0 Come all ve Faithful." selection of carols, duet Glory to Thee my God this night." chants (Gounon), blessing. The church was prettily decorated by ladies of the congregation. NORLEY. The Christmas services at the church were as in previous years. Larger congregations than usual attended. The church was beautifully decorated. and the special music, anthems and carols were well rendered. On Christmns Eve two sets of carol singers from the Wesleyan Chnel. Norlev were abroad, one led hv Mr. James Chrimes, and the other hv Mr. William Hough. They realised something like €7, which after paying for tea for mothers, children, nd sincers, goes to the school On Christmas day the nsuaA tea. took place, the children at four o'clock and the adults at five o'clock, in the Temperance Hall. Afterwards a public meeting was held. Mr. William Dutton presided. The scholars contributed songs and reci tations. Eierht of them received a medal for never having been absent once during the year. Other special prizes were distributed, and all recci ved a bonk prize. The number of scholars on the books is 75. 1S0RTHWIUH. The weather gave little suggestion of Christ- mas in Mid-Cheshire. Truly, it was a green festival. In shady nooks wallflowers and hero and there primroses were found to be blooming, having escaped the biting teeth of the only week'3 frost we have yet had this winter. On every hand there was evidence of a warm and k:indl*_y regard for the poor. At tho Northw ch Union W'-rkhouse, everything had behn transformed. With loving care the inmates had adorned their own quarters, and great was their appreciation of the lavish hospitality of guardians and friends. The first of the rejoio ngs took place on Christ- mas Eve, when a heav:ly-lad!'n Santa Claus visited the children;" quarters and crammed their stockings with sweetmeats, oranges, toys. etc. T' pr& was special fare for each mea l on Christ- mas Dav. The hou^e roll shewed 200 inmates, of whom 60 were children while Quit", a large num- ber had parsed the age of 80 years, and the veteran of all had reached 86. After breakfast, there was a spec al Christmas servioe, and at noon came the dinner. Great, juicy joints of English prize boef had been cocked to a, turn. and were carried into the hall in triumph. There were 2201b. weight of beef, hundred's of pounds weight of vegetables. Th crowning feat was the plum- puddingõ. There were two giants, each of 561b., and any number of smaller fry. For dr'nk, there was mineral water ad lif).-in fact, everything was ad lib. And the guardians voiced their wishes for the inmates' happy Chistmas, and the inmates returned their thanks in cheers. Impromptu enterta'nments were got up for the pleasure of the wc-rkhouse inmates during the afternoon. The children had their games, and for the older folk there wera distributions of tobacco and fruit. ûuh:de the workhouse, there were many chari- tab!? efforts. A part of a big scheme for the feeding of 1,000 poor children was carried into effect with great success by the Northwich Christian ffndeavcurers. From all parts of the district the children are drawn, and the com- mittees who have sought for the poor urchins did their work magnificently. A tea, contracted for at 8d. per head, followed by an entertainment, was included in the programme. Thanks to the Vic-ar of Witton (Northw'ch) a weekly soup k tehen has been established in Northwich, and much distress is being relieved thereby. BURLEYDAM. Un Christmas Day the parish church was beauti- fully decorated by Lady Helen Grosvenor, Miss Frank, Miss Bulkeley (Oak Cottage), Mrs. Adam. son, Mrs. Foden, Mrs. Warner and Mrs. Dutton. The reredos bore a magnificent cross composed of white chrysanthemums and maidenhair fern and flowers, sent by Katharine Duchess of West- minster. The vicar conducted the servicer. The offertories were in aid of the Sunday School fund. KELSALL. h. I i^or the feast of the Holy ZVativity St. Philip s Church had been tastefully decorated by ladies of the congregation. The festival commenced with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. Matins, followed by a second celebration, were said at 10.30. At the evening service carols were sung, and the choir gave an excellent rendering of the anthem Be glad and rejoice, O daughter of Zion (Hayward). The offertories during the day amounted to £ 1 16s. 9d. AUBLEM. I The services at the church were well attended on Christmas Day and the number of communi- cants large. Tho Rev. Staplcton Cotton preached from St. Luke ii., 7, and remarked that business, pleasure and the cares of life tended in a great measure to crowd our Saviour out. In the ovening, after service, the choir sang a nice selection of carols, and Mr. Blakeman gave an organ recital. The church decorators had, as usual, done their work exceedingly well. SHOCKLACH. The church was very prettily and effectively decorated with evergreens for Christmas Day. The east window and altar rails were very, taste- fully done with variegated holly, and the text, Glory to God in the Highest," cut in white paper, which extended acrn: the arch of the chancel, lent a pretty contrast to the crimson and green. This portion of the work was undertaken by h", Mathias and Mrs. Brassey. The font reflected crept credit upon Mrs. Houlbrook's and Miss Nickson's taste: it was done in crimson cloth and white wool, with variegated holly. The reading desk was undertaken by Mrs. John Mate. who di«r>inyed great skill in the arranging of the chrysanthemums. The pulpit, chancel rails, and lectern also looked very pretty and neat. The service was bright and cheerful. The collections, with tho amount in poor box, arc to be devoted to the poor. FPO-DSHAM. Chri<tir>a«tide in Frodsham was perhaps rather n'tieter than in most years. One pleasant feature to be recorded was the absence of anything per- ta'ni"sr to rowdvism, most people taking their en- iovment in a sober and quiet way. On Christmas Eve the usual croups of singers patrolled the "eichbourhood. and even these were fewer than in recent years. Communion and morning ser- vices were held in the parish church on Christmas P,v. T. V. (? nnr!1, the Rev. T. V. Garnier preachinff- The festal services were continued on Sunday, the e^-irch beinc full in the evening. The usual Christmas hymns were heartily sung, 0 oome, all ye faithful being taken as a processional and "Our day of praise is done" as a recessional. The anthem, Behold I bring you good tidings (Norman Churchill), was well rendered by the choir, Mr. T. Moores taking the tenor solo. The vicar (tha Rev. H. B. Blogg) preached. After the evening service a well-attcndpd organ recital was given by the organist (Mr. C. H. Hibbortt, L.L.C.M.), and carols sung by the choir. Mr. J. Lomas was the soloist, and sang" Ecce Homo" and I know that my Redeemer liveth in a very impressive manner. The carols included 'While shepherds watch," "Silent Night," and "The Bethlehem Babe," while the organ, selections were "Nazareth" and "And the glory of the Lord (Handed. HELSBY. I Services were held 111 the parish church on Christ- mas morning and evening, the Rev. E. W. Evans (vicar) preaching on both occasions. Thedecoration of the interior of the church wai, as usual, very effective. At the morning service the choir sang the anthpffi Behold Ihriu?." and at the evening Service they rendered a number of Christmas carols, Mr. R. W. Hill presiding at the organ. MALPAS I Christmas was heralded by a midnight peal on the church bells, while in the early morning there was a celebration of the Holy Communion at the church, and a second celebration took place at mid-day. At the morning service the sermon was prcached by the rector, the Rev. the Hon. A. R. Parker. The interior was seasonably decorated with evergreens by several members of the con- gregation. The offertories amounted to upwards of will be devoted to the poor of the parish. There were over 100 communicants during the day. On Christmas Day, by the kindness of Squire Drake, between twenty and thirty of tho oldest inhabitants of the town were regaled with a capital dinner at the Wyvern Hotel. The re- cipients highly appreciate this time-honoured custom, and after the repast had their social pipe. Boforo dispersing they pledged the health of the Squire who so kindly continues to think of them in this practical way. TARPORLEY. Christmas has once more come and gone bringing with it its usual joys and sadness—joy to those who can once again gather around the festive board as in former years, but sadness to those homes where there is a vacant chair. There are many, very many homes in this parish this Christmas that only too well know what that sadness is. For several days the usual small band of devoted workers were busy with holly and evergreens, preparing the decorations for the Parish Church. All was finished early on Christ nas Eve. and the sacred edifice looked beautiful indeed. On Christmas Day the choral celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7 a.m. was very well attended, there being consider- ahlyover 200 communicants. A plain celebration followed at 8.40, and another after matins. On account of Boxing Day's falling upon a Saturday this year, it was not ob-erved as a Bank Holiday, but Monday, January 4th, will be kept as the Bank Holiday. N ANTWIOH. "1'T I uorisrmas was usneren in at rsantwicn oy merry peals on the bells of tho parish church, and the streets were crowded bv carol singers and bands until the small hours The festive season has, how- ever, been remarkably quiet in the town, and tradesmen generally have complained of the slack- ness of trade. There wag early communion at the parish church, and matins and evensong. The sacred building was very prettily decorated in the interior with masses of evergreens, which had been tastefully arrayed by the ladies of the congregation. At Acton Church a number of carols were sung by the choir on Sunday evening. At the Nantwieh Workhouse the whole of the 313 inmates spent a happy day, and bore philosophically their depriva- tion of beer. The Master (Mr. Jones) and the Matron (Mrs. Pritchard) and the whole of the staff did not spare themselves to make their charges pleased and contented. Considerable pains had been taken to make the institution wear a festive aspect, and evergreens and mottoes abounded. At mid-day the inmates sat down to a substantial Christmas dinner, for which there had been pro- vided 3001b. of the choicest beof and 2501b. of vegetables, succeeded by a similar quantity nf olurri ouddintr. To wash down the solids -well," -35 -of-- coff'- The old folk were given a quantity of tobacco, aud later in the afternoon t her" was a good tea, and a capital concert wound up a completely haopy day. ELLESMERE PORT. On the whole the Christmas festivities have passed over very quietly here. On Christmas eve both brass bands were "out" and received satis- factory contributions from their supporters. Suit- able Christmas services were held here in the places of worship on Christmas morning. The attendances were good. At the close of the service in the Primitive Methodist Church Mr. Stockton, on behalf of a number of the Rev. W. Spedding's admirers, presented the rev. gentleman with Morley's" Life of Gladstone." On Saturday some hundreds of the residents accompanied the local football team to Port Sunlight, and were delighted to witness their favourites take two points from Sunlight" in cho league competition. HAWARDEN. The usual services took place at the parish church on Christmas Day. A peal was rung on the bolls at midnight on Christmas Eve. The church was beautifully decorated, and the services were well attended. There were celebrations of Holy Com- munion at 6 7, 8 and 11.45 o'clock, the 8 o'clock celebration being fully choral with procession. At matms Smart in F was sung for the Te Deuin. At evensong the anthem was Let us now go even unto Bethlehem" (Hopkins). A selection of carols was sung after the blessing, including "Cradled all lowly" (Gounod). Away, with loyal hearts and true" (Gray), and The First Nowell." The rector preached the sermon.. CONNAH'S QUAY AND SHOTTON. The Cnristmas holidays commenced here on Thursday, when largo crowds took their departure for the North an d the Midland counties, the stations at times presenting quite an animated ap- pearance. On Friday tho Quay wore a quiet appearance. Special services were held in the various churches and chapels, and were fairly well attended. To avoid the monotony which usually reigns over this place at this time of the year, Air. E. Garland, tho president of the Twenty Club, ar- ranged a football match between that club and the Quay Reserve, which terminated, after an in- teresting game. in a draw of one goal each. In the afternoon a good crowd assembled at the Half- way House ground to witness a math between the Quay Reserve and Bootle Amateurs. The spectators were treated to a fine exposition of football by the Amateurs, but the Quay were tco good for them, and the visitors had to retire de- feated by four goals to two. ROSSETT. There was a goodly number of carol and instru- montal musicians touring the neighbourhood on Christmas Eve. A party of colliers, who sang with splendid effect, wore particularly noticeable. Through the generoity of the local ladies and gentlemen seasonable gifts were distributed among the deserving poor of the neighbourhood. At the local Po=it. Office parcels and Christmas cards were said to be more numerous than ever, necessitating the larger proportion's being sent by rail to Rossett Station, the ordinary mail cart from Wrexham being unable to bring but a por- tion. The mild weather experienced during the day gave way in tho evening to a keen frost. The Trevalyn Meadows, which have for some time been submerged with water, were on Boxing Day covered with a "l10ding of iCH. WREXHAM. The weather in the Wrexham district was quite spring-like, and the sun shone brightly for several hours. A Combination match on the Racecourse between Chester and Wrexham in the morning j drew large crowds, an excursion from Chester bringing several hundreds into the town. There was also a Chester and District League match on the Racecourse in the afternoon. The usual ser- vices were held in the various churches, and were well attended. GRESFORD. There was but little 111 tne weather to indicate the Christmas season. Even wallflowers and primroses were seen blooming in the gardens yet the day was bright and cheerful. As usual, a goodly number of carol singers visited the princi- pal residences on Christmas Eve. The Gresford Handbell Ringors were also abroad. On Christ- mas Day there was Holy Communion at the parish church at 8 a.m., and a service at 11 a.m., which was conducted by the vicar (the Rev. E. A. Fisbourne) and the Rev. R. J. Barker Owen (curate). Appropriate music was rendered by the choir, under the conductorship of the organist and choirmaster, Mr. E. J. Cunnah. F.R.C.O. The anthem, There were shepherds (Foster), was given with pleasing effect, the solo parts being taken by Mr. Reginald James and Masters Molesdale Williams and J. Roberts. In the after- noon there was a special choral service given by the choir. On Sunday the services had special reference to the Christmas season, the Mag-nificat being sung to Maunder in G. The edifice was tastefully adorned with holly and evergreens, while the altar was prettily decorated with white flowers. An organ recital was given prior to the evening service. MOLD. It is many years since such excellent music was heard at the Parish Church at Christmastide as was the case this year of grace. A speeial feature was the anthem "The evening stars sang together," wherein a quartette was rendered by Mrs. J. P. Adams, Mr T. H. Rowson, Mr, G. H. Thomas, and Mr. Elpbin Davies. Congratulations and seasonable greeting to the popular choirmaster (the Rev. R. E. Roberts). The annual Christmas Eisteddfod at Mold Town Hall (promoted by the Calvinistic Methodist authorities) was once again a pronounced success. The Rev. John Owen, the pastor, presided on each occasion. In the afternoon the following were the principal results:—Contralto solo, Miss H. Vaughan Davies, Halkyn; recitation. Master J. E. Edwards, Mold; solo for girls, prizes div^ed between Katie Edwards and Edith II. Lloyd; pencil sketch of the English Presbyterian Chapel, Mr. E. H. Dodd, Buckley: translation from English to Welsh, 1, Dewi Meirion," Flint; 2, Fred A. Roberts, Ty Binth; mixed choir competi- tion (prize six guineas), Broughton and Brymbo United, led by Mr. J. Arthur Griffiths, Broughton baritone solo, Mr. Davies Hayes, Buckley; malo voice choral competition (prize £ 15), awarded to Voel Gaer Choir, led by Mr. Peter Williams. In the evening the principal competitions resulted Duet (tenor and bass), Messrs. John Morris and Tom Jones (Brymbo); recitation, prize divided between Emlvn Jones (Tryddyn) and Katie Edwards (Mold): speech on "Social Gatherings, Mr. William Parrv (Stanley-street, TIold) boys' i solo competition, prizes divided between Eddie P. Rees (Mold) R. E. Jo"es (Tryddyn), and J. J. Cunnah (Mold): translation of sentences from English into Welsh and vice versa. Robert John .Jones (Bwlchcwyn); soprano solo competition, Miss C. Hewitt (Mynynydd Isa): tenor solo. Mr. John Foulkes. Hn lkvn. The following officiated as adjudicators:—Musical, Mr. J. T. R(,(, Mus.Bac. litc-rarv, Professor E. Edwards, Aberystwyth; recitations and translations, Messrs. W. R. Howarti, Evans. R. Lloyd, and J. J. Morgan; art, Mr. T. G. j Williams, Liverpool. RHOS. The annual eisteddfod, promoted by the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, was held on Christmas Day at tho Public Hall. The presidents wero Mr W. Edwards and Mr. Z. Dodd, Rhos. The musical adjudicator was Mr. Tom Price, Merthyr, and among t hose who adjudicated in the literary sections, etc., were the Revs. R. Jones, W. 11. Lewis, Johnstown, and R. Williams, and Mr. Alderman E. Hooson, Rhos. The follO\ing are the results of the principal competitionsChief choral contest (test piece, "Y Wybren DIlls "): After a keen contest the prize was awarded to the Rhos Choral Union (leader, Mr. Edward Davies). Soprano solo, Miss J. Davies, Rhos; contralao solo, Mrs. S. A. Griffiths, Ponkey: tenor solo, Mr. E. W. Bollis; baritone solo, prize divided between Messrs. Jacob Edwards and R. A. Green, Rhos; glee party, T. W. Jones and party, Rhos; trio, "Lift thine eyes," the Misses Parry; pianoforte solo, J. Williams, Rhos; essay, R. Parry, Holywell: congregational anthem. Mr. W. 0. Jones, Blaenau Festiniog; juvenile choral contest, the Wern Choir, conducted by Mr. Allen Dodd; tenor solo, S. Edwards. Rhos; soprano (juveniles), Miss S. A. Dodd, Rhos: stanzas, Mr. Morris Kyffin, Rhos; prose, E. R. Davies. Rhos; recitals, John Williams, Tai Nant, Ruabon, Miss S. A. Powell, and Miss Annie Rogers; answers to questions on religious subjects. .Tohit W. Edwards, John Davies, Rhos, Miss Lizzie Jones, Rhos, Miss E. A. Edwards, Ponkey. The Rev. R. Williams, Rhos, acted as conductor of the meetings.

RADICAL MEETING AT CHESTER. MR. HERBERT GLADSTONE ON FISCAL POLICY. CRITICISM OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN. A well-attended Radical meeting was held in Chester Music Hall on Monday evening in support of the candidature of Mr Alfred Mond for Chester. Mr. James G Frost presided, and the attendance included Mr. Herbert Gladstone, M.P., and Mrs. Gladstono, Sir Edward and Lady Russell, Mr. James Tomkinson, M.P., Mr. Ellis J. Griffith, M P.. Mr. Saml. Moss, M P., Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Mond, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Lover, Mr. and Mrs. J. Allan Bright, Mr. Howell Idris, Mr. Edward Evans, junr., Mr. A. C. Humphreys Owen, &c. Air. Herbert Gladstone, who was received with loud cheers, said it was a duty to strengthen the hands of the Opposition, and far more to strengthen the Opposition in their efforts to maintain Free Trade. They were there in support of the candi- dature «f Mr. Mond, who, he was sure, would prove a candidate worthy of their confidence. (Applause). They were in a peculiar position, oec&u^e me sitting member, Mr. Yerburgh, had taken a line of his own on the fiscal q uestioll which did him great honour (applause), and many people might ask why should two Free Trailers oppose each otner. But Liberals were in a peculiar position, because it was clear that when Liberal candidates offered their services to a constituency they had to formu- late a policy. The pol cy of Free Trade was right and good, and if, as he believed, a great. majority of lrrootrader were returned to the House of Commons at the next ge,nerai election, they would be expected to carry out the verdict of tho coun- try, and they would have to carry it out in the d "rection desired by those who had sent there, to the House. Under those circumstance? they must say that they could not aonept tho Education Act as it stood. It was an Act forced upon tho coun- try, without consultation with Liberals or with Nonconformists. (Applause.) Liberals were compelled at the present juncture to ask where was the Prime Minister. The country was in the greatest turmoil over the great fiscal question, and it had been handed over apparently to Mr. Chamberlain. Not long ago Mr. Balfour told us that  that he wag the that he was Prime Minister, that he was the leader, and that lie intended 10 lead. ^augnter.j He (Mr. Gladstone) could net help remembering a picture in Punch some year* ago, which re- presented a gigantic fenude armed with a heavy broomsti'C-k, and stand ng over a I)ed, uiiclor which crouched the very small figure of her husband, I Come- out, Jimmy," sh& said. I will not, Maria," was the reply; "I will bo master in my own house." (Laughter and applause.) That at the present time represented tho be- tween Mr. Chamberlan and Mr. Balfour. (Ap- plause.) Free Trade had, in the main contri- buted to the great and astonishing wealth of this country, and Free traders maintained that this country acted as the agents, as tho bankers, as tne shippers, as the middlemen, so to speak, of a groat part of the world. Protection, or a system of preferential tar-Ss, would diminish imports, and by diminishing imports would diminish ex- ports, would diminish employment, and reduce wages. The que-tion of Free Trade required the closest study and reflection, and ought not to be treated with the language of the prize. ring. No man was competent to speak on it without long and anxious study, and without the advice of numerous experts skilled in the various branohes of the trade of the country. We must be guided by those who had studied he question. (Applause.) Mr. Ohamberlain called Free traders Little Eng- land'ers and Pro-Boers, and tr.ed to identify Pro- tection with patriotism. He implied that Free- traders were all knaves or fools. Mr. Chamber- lain, for 25 years of his political life, wag one of the most oonvinoed and outspoken of Free-traders, and he (Mr. Gladstone) thought with pain and grief of the horror and contempt with which Mr. Chamberlain himself must regard three fourths of his political existence. Alluding to the Govern- ment inquiry, Mr. Gladstone said the whole of the material was found to be on the side of Free Trade. The inquiry oomol dited the position of Free Traders, and made it c earer than ever that though Free Trade might not be a perfeot sys- tem, yet it was by far the best system available to us, and enabled this great country to get through a period of difficulty and danger in a far better way ihan any system that could be devisod. He (Mr. Gladstone) would not aoeept as gospel the hasty and inaccuraio statements that Mr. Chamberlain put forward, his perversions of his- tory, and his fallacious figures, for the purpo-o of shewing himself to be in the right and overybody else in the wrong. If Protection enme back to this country, he would not say they would be near civil war, but it would make civil war once more perhaps possible. If the members of Mr. Chamberlain's caucus committee at Birmingham wandered about Yorkshire and Lancashire trying to find out which trade wanted Protection t,pd- which did not, these men would require polioo protection, and their office would be comparable only to the office of referee at a, football match. Ho (Mr. Gladstone) had endeavoured to point Gut to them that Mr. Chamberlain wa; not a heaven- sent authority. Mr. Chamberlain was not en- titled to the position he claimed, either by his own record or his own business record. His case h,id been riddled in argument. He dare not in tho House of Commons, repeat a great number of his statements, which had been absolutely pulverised by speakers on the other side. There was no half-way house in this matter. The flimsy sheHor Mr. Balfour had put up was a makeshift, and a sort of temporary shelter for a passing shower about which there was nothing solid. Were they going to give Mr. Chamberlain a blank cheque, and were they going to throw into the melting pot the intrioate and d ffi: ult methods of conduct- ing their fiscal, their oommercial, and their manu- facturing business? If they did, he said they would live to rue the day, and he did not believe they would do it. (Applause.) Mr. Alfred Mond remarked that Mr. Chamber- lain had usurped tho position of party leader, and had now usurped the privileges? of the Sovereign, having appointed a commission to be final judge J of the tariff which he h?ped to present to the Hou'se of Commons. He protested as an English monu- facturer against Mr. Chamberlain's hole-and- corner commission, and asked whether he ex- pected him (the speaker) to lay his bu^'ness secrets before a rival. The promises Mr. Chamberlain had made before he had not carried out, and his present promises would end .n the same way. He would advise the workingman to get the promise of higher wages from their own employers be- fore they believed Mr. Chamberlain. (Applause.) Mr. Chamberlain had pledged his honour that his proposals would not increase the cost of liv- ing, and this was not a question of honcnr but of arithmetic. (Applause.) He would not support a ohor?ie whc'h wouid lay an extra penny UDOn hard workingmen %nd ',heir families. The promised red uotions of the tax6g on ,oa and sugar they were already entitled to, as they were war taxes. (Applause.) The Liberal Budget would remit the war taxes. and it would relieve work- ingmen of nearly 4d. a week taxation without adding one penny to the pre-ent taxation on food. If the foreigner was going to pay the duties why make them so small? He agreed with Mr. Felix Schuster that to discuss the question of who paid import duties was to accuse an audience of wa,M of intelligence. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Chamberlain seemed to admire the political methods of America, but he hoped they would not be copied here. In the United States it was calculated that 1,000,000 people benefited by Protection, and! the EJtbør 79.000,000 paid for it. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. Chamberlain accused others of being Little Eng-landers, but he was the greatest of them him- self. Like a modern Jeremiah he {'asts é\Wf'3 on his head, and lamented dead or dying industries. (Applause.) He saw no prosperity but shut down furnaces on all hands. He did not inquire into the reasons why industries had been unsuccessful, but promised that Protection would stop all that sort of thing. They did not want his terrifying tit-b ts for timid Tories or his preferential pills for pale politicians, or any other quaek Birming- ham remedies for imaginary diseassi. (Laughter and applause.) John Bull might be a. little lethargic and stout, but he was sound in wind and limb, and, did not want the crutch of Pro- tection. Protectioniot,; profes<;2d to be anxious to 'get the labourer back to the land, but it would be in the old position as serfs. Liberals wanted to see them back on their own land. (Applause.) The r:diculous system of land laws required re- form. Were they satisfied with the Education Act? (Voices: "J\o.") Were they satisfied witJi their educational system? He said "No." Only t-he other day h& met- a most distinguished f For who had recently returned from America, where he had been on a commission to inquire into education, and t,he professor told him that America was far ahead of England as far a.s secondary education was concerned. 140, (Mr. Mond) would never be satisfied until they had a better system of education. They also wanted better hind laws, better drink laws, and better distribution of taxation, and if he had the honour of representing that ancient town—to which his curliest recollections, dated back as far as 187?— in the House of Commons these wero the ideas he should loyally advocate if they sent him there. (Applause.) On the proposition of Sir Edward Russell, rcoonded by Mr. Ellis Griffith, a vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Gladstn" aud on tits motion of Mr. Lever, seconded by Mr. Idris, a. similar compliment was paid to the Chairman. Mr. Idris rcmarked that that political meeting reminded him of the real, good time they had in Chester three years ago. It was a short time, and an unsuccessful time, but still it was a real, good time. The election in Chester went wrong then because some of them believed the misrepre- sentations made to them by Joe Chamberlain. He told them that the war was over, and that they could vote for the Conservative party with- out hurt to their Liberal principles and many other things of the same kind. They had now found him out, at least he (Mr. ldris) hoped so.

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DOUBLE NESTON TRAGEDY, — — THE INQUESTS. STORY OF THE QUARREL. JURY DISSATISFIED WITH EVIDENCE. The West Cheshire coroner (Mr. Bate) held the inquests at Neston Police Court on Thursday week in connection with the double tragedy reported in our last issue. Among those present were the Deputy Chief Constable (Mr. W. Leah). The foreman of the jury was Mr. W. Woodward. The Coroner said the circumstances, as reported to him, were that on the 12th inat. the deceased men were in the Liberal Club, Neston, and Reginal Edward Roper, the secretary of tho club, stated that at 11 p.m. Pritchard entered tho club. Grundy immediately began to pick a quarrel with him. Some disturbance followed, and Grundy loft threatening to finish it outside. At Mr. Roper's request Pritchard sat down and waited for him. and they left the club at 11.15. Grundy was wait- ing with some friends in the road, and he lepeatcd his threat to Pritchard. The latter took no notice, and Grundy struck him a blow, knocking him down. Mr. Roper rode away on his bicycle, and returned to find Pritchard on the ground and Grundy on the top of him. Mr. Roper caught hold of Grundy's arm and dragged him away, having seen Grundy strike Pritchard while he was down. Pritchard stooped down to brush the mud off his trousers, and Grundy came behind him and struck him, knocking him down. Mr. Roper took Grundy down the road, and others picked Prit- chard up. Grundy also kicked at Pritchard while he was on the ground. The first inquest was held on Pritchard. Joseph Pritchard, Victoria-road, Neston, stated that Henry Pritchard was his brother, and 28 years of age. Deceased was a journeyman joiner. He returned home at one o'clock 011 the morning of the loth inst, when he had a bandage over his right eye and looked very ill. He said he had been attacked at the Liberal Club by Grundy. Witness asked him if thero was anybody else, and he said Yes: 1 had not a chance." He did not mention any other name Witness helped him to undress and got him into bed. Imme- diately afterwards he was sick. In the morning he called for water to bathe his eye, which was very inflamed. Deceased remained until 1\1:0-. Roper came, and he advised sending for the doctor, who came the next day. Deceased re- mained in bed all day. He died on Tuesday at 5.10 p.m. He made no further statement. The Foreman: Did your brother toll you ths"e were others? Witness: Yos; he distinctly said then were others, but he mentioned no names. THE FATAL ARGUMENT. Reginald Edward noper, secretary ot the Liberal Club, said Grundy was the first in tho club on the ovening. He was not the worse for drink. A member of the club was arguing with witness ss to whether the club ought to close at eleven, that being the registered timo for the closing of the club, when Pritchard came in and walked up to the bar. He was served with a bottle of Bass, and that was the last drink served in the club that night. Grundy took the part of the man who was arguing with witness, and Pritchard said "Eleven o'clock is late enough for enybody." Grundy said If you think eleven o'clock is late enough the proper place for you is in the road." Witness asked them to go away quietly, so as not to havo a row in the club. Grundy went out, and Prit- chard. at his (Mr. Roper's) request, stayed behind. Grundy, as he went out, said, "All right; I will wait for you outside. I will do for you." The Coroner: Do you still say Grundy was sober? Witness replied in the affirmative. Wrhen wit- ness and Pritchard got outside Grundy said "Now then, what have you got to say for yourself?" and immediately struck Pritchard. who ffll down. He got up, ana witness did his best to persuade them to go home. Pritchard did not strike ba"k. Grundy promised to go home, and shook hands with witness Witneg,, rodo round the corner on his bicycle, and returned on foot to find the two men oil the ground. Somebody pushed witness aside and said Leave them alone; two to one is not fair." He dodged nim and took hold d Grundy, asking him not to disgrace the club by making a row in the public street. They had n angry altercation, anil witness said it was dong tho club no good. Pritchard was then brushing the mud off his clothes, and Grundy struck him in the right eye. Pritchard collapsed in front cf witness, who.then went for the sergeant. When the two men were on the ground he thought he saw somebody kick at Pritchard, but he did .'ot know whether Pritchprd received the kick. He did not know who it was who kicked at Pritchard. The kick might have been at cither Grundy or Pritchard. Grundy was the aggressor entirely. By the Deputy Chief Constablo: When he pulled Grundy off he kicked at Pritchard. Among thoso outside the club were Durham, Gill, Barclay, Oxton and Castle. Mr. Roper, in reply to the Coroner, said he did not hear anybody during the disturbance say, "Kick him. ro-&nd-so." Robert Durham, collier Little Neston, said he was at the club on the night in question, and was present at the disturbance outside. When Pritchard came out Grundv said, "What have you got to say for yourself, Pritchard?" Thereupon he struck Pritchard in the face, causing him to fall. Afterwards the two men shook hands at the request, of Mr. Roper, and Grundy immediately afterwards struck Pritchard knocking him down. A struggle on the ground ensued, and Mr. Roper returned. Grundy afterwards struck Pritchard a third time. Both were sober. Witness swore that no one else struck Pr:tcard He could not tell whether anyone kicked Pritchard- When the two men shook hands Grundy challenged Pritchard to fight him for a fiver. Pritchard replied. "All right. I will fight you any time. but not to-night. for a fiver." Grundy went. up to him and said, 1 I "You have no money: out with your money." lIe then hit Pritchard. Grundy used bad language. There w e r'' 20 or 30 people present, but witness was able to give the names of only a few of them. Dr. Lewis Grant described Piitchard's injuries, and said when he saw deceased on the 13th inst.. his mental condition seemed very sluggish. They told him that he had been wandering and deleri- ous during the night. Deceased died on Tuesday, On making a post-mort.em examination witness found that part of the brain was decomposed, and there was an internal fracture of the skull. The oauso of death was fracture of the skull and suppuration on tho surface of the brain. He 1 thought the fracture could be caused by a blow from a man's fist. Deceased told Superintendent Bowyer, in witness's presence that Grundy caused his injury, and he said there were other peopie present during the disturbance. The fractured skull could be caused by a fal1 P.S. Wharam deposed to being infoimed by Mr. Roper of the disturbance.. and on going to the spot saw Pritchard with his face and ooat covered with mud. Pritohard was sober. After Pritchard's face had been washed by Mr. Roper in the club. witness asked him who had done it, and he replied. "Ernest Grundy has done it, but I am not going to tell you anything else." Tho men had since summoned one another, and Grundy had taken out a summons against Mr. Roper. Harold Gill. who was called at the request of the foreman, said he could not give any names in addition to thoso that had been mentioned. Tho Foreman I think ihe evidence is being kept back. The witness added that the deceased men were always on friendly terms. The Coroner, in summing up, said there could | be no difference of opinion as to the injuries be.ng I ,caused by the last blow s-rmck by Grundy, who committed 'an unlawful act for which he was I criminally reponsible. If ho had been alive it would have been their duty to find him guilty of rmmslau!Thter. I THE VERDICT. I TIle jury retired irom cour. to consider tneir verdict, and on their return the foreman said Tho jury agree that tho cause of death was a fractured skull, but they are 1101. satisfied as to who did it, whether it was Grundy or an cut- sider. They were not satisfied with the evidence given from the club. The Coroner: Th en,, gen.lemen, do you return an open verdict ? The Foreman Yes* sir. The Coroner I am bound o record ycur ver- die-, but there is no r«a«n why I should not ex- press to you my opinion that your duty is to re- turn a verdict aocording to the evidence that is called before your and I cannot help saying that you have not returned a verd ot according to the evidence that has been given. Tho Foreman The jury think that there is evidence held back. The Coroner: The jury have no right to think so. W e have the police here to mak; every in- quiry. The police tell me they have made every inquiry, and the only evidence we can get be- yond what has been called is corroborative, The Foreman: We have .bought over all the j [ tilings, with the evidence given, snd that is aitr vordict whatever it is worth. THE SUICIDSL. I Ihe inque-st was then held no. Grundy. William j Grundy, coachman, Parkgatv-ir<_«d, Noston, -aid deceased was his brother, lit; was 25 years, of age and was a bricklayer. He had been ;n bed ainM the 12th umt.. and had complained of a bad head and back. On uesday wxiucss found him in nih bedroum wih his throat eui und u. riuor in !.is hand. He had been in a nervous condition. j had been anxious about the on die- 2t-il. P.S. Wharam said he visited Gruniy on Tues- day afternoon and asked him how he was. Tie said his head was very bad. Witness remarked You had better pull yourself together and vou will soon be all right." Witness, knowing the serious condition of Pritchard, went to soe if Grundy was still at home, ill did not aY a:1 thing about the assault to him. The jury found That deceased committe 1 suicide while of unsound mind, caused by fright. The Coroner informed them it was not necessary to go beyond the actual state of mind. In reply to Mr. Leah. the Foreman said they did not think the visit of the ser.-cart. try- thingr ta do with the fright.