Cheshire Observer

EASTER FASHIONS, 1905. THE LATEST STYLES IN LITTLE BOYS' FANCY SUITS, AT P WORI I I H 8 IN FOREGATE STREET. PRICES: 2/11. 3/11, 5/11, 6/11. YOUTHS' & MEN'S SUITS, IN TWEEDS, SERGES, VICUNAS, &c., YOUTHS' FROM 10/6. MEN'S FROM 21/ Hepworth's Specialite: GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING MADE TO MEASURE, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN EXPERT CUTTER ON THE PREMISES. Ask to See the New Season's Patterns, now ready. OUR 30/- SUIT IS A MARVEL. I "MONEY SAVED IS MONEY EARNED." J. HEPWORTH & SON, LTD., 83, FOREGATE STREET, and 150 other towns. W ITBI?cEAI)'S CELEBRATED LONDON STOUT 2/6 per doz. large bottles EXTRA STOUT 3/- ditto (RECOMMKNDWJ FOR INVALIDS). INDIA PALE ALE 2/6 ditto SPECIAL ALE 3/- ditto AGENT:- W. eJ. CIIESTER, I "CROSS FOXKS." BOUGHTON, CHESTER. Ordeis by Post will receive Prompt Attention. Van Deliveries Daily in Chester and District SUPPLIED IN ANY QUANTITY FROM HALF-A-DOZEN UPWARDS. ¥ .->- ANOTHKR RICH TREAT FOR READERS OF THE (JHESHIUK OBSERVER. NEW SERIAL STORY E have pleasure in stating that on Saturday Next, April 15, a New and Original Serial Story of absorb- ing and sensational interest will commence in these columns. It is a delightfully written Romance, and is entitled— THE UNINVITED GUEST. OUR NEW SERIAL STORY is'from the fertile and talented pen of Miss Florence Stacpoole, whose recent works- "THE KING'S DIAMOND," "THE MYSTERY OF THE MANOR HOUSE," &c., &c., were recently accorded such a favourable reception by lovers of fiction all over the world. In her new and dramatic serial, THE UNINVITED GUEST, the talented authoress has far excelled all previous productions. OUR NEW SERIAL STORY, THE UNINVITED GUEST, is of such absorbing interest that we feel assured our readers will derive much pleasure from the perusal of this charmingly written romance. THE OPENING CHAPTERS OF THE UNINVITED GUEST, Our New Serial Story, WILL APPEAR IN THESE COLUMNS ON Saturday Next, April 15. j f | iHE scenes of the Story are laid Ta,naong the well-born, and the well-to-do classes. But from the incidents therein narrated it will be seen that the well-born are not always well-to-do. And in THE UNINVITED GUEST the writer has produced a Domestic Love Story of exceptionally strong sensational interest. READ THE OPENING CHAPTERS OF THE UNINVITED GUEST, BY Miss Florence Stacpoole, WHICH WILL APPEAR IN THESE COLUMNS ON SATURDAY NEXT, APRIL 15. Guaranteed Pure Malt. Ye Olde Crypte" Blend of Fine Old Scotch W hiskey. 21/- per Gallon. 42/- per Doz. Bote. 3/6 pr Bottle. QUELLYN ROBERTS & CO., WINE MERCHANTS. The Old Cnpt, Chester. THE NESTON & PARKGATE HYGIENIC LAUNDRY & CLEANING COMPANY, LIMITED. LAUNDRYMEN, DYERB. AND FRENCH CLKANEBS. SHIRTS AND COLLARS A SPECIALITY, Special Prices quoted for Hotels, Restaurants, and Institutions. All classes of DYEING & FRENCH CLEANING done on the most improved principles. GENT'S & LADIES' CLOTHES A SPECIALITY. Our Vans Collect and Deliver Free in Birkenhead and District, West Kirby and Hotflake, Hooton and Bromborough, Little Sutton. & Chester & District. PRICE LISTS SENT ON APPLICATION. WORKS: NESTON, CHESHIRE. RECEIVING OFFICE: Theatre Building, City Roa d, Chester. QUALITY pERFECT. AS ALWAYS! PRICE REDUCED TO I m A LB. YES, these are the two popular points about" MAYPOLE" BUTTER, which are now making it more than ever the family favourite everywhere. In- deed, every careful Housewife is in- terested in the fact that MAYPOLE BUTTER, The very Best, is now Selling at ONLY 1 A LB. MAYPOLE DAIRY Co., LIMITED, 8. WATERGATE STREET, CHESTER. 390 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM. I MISCELLANEOUS. WIRE NETTING from halfpenny per yard, at  Wm. Clarke's, Cheese Vat Maker and Repairer, 52 and 56, Frodsham-street, Chester. TENNYSON, Horticultural Builder, Crane A • Bank, Chester. Greenhouses, Garden Frames, &c., at the shortest notice. First-class testimonials. Estimates free. 2674 ? ?7C?rAYLORT si?bion-atreet. and 38, We Union Hall. Furniture reupholstered. Bedding remade. Carpets taken up, beaten and relaid. 2456 KQ PENNY PACKETS of choice FLOWER <L?? SEED (all different), post free 18. lid. Imperial Supply Stores (258) Crampton-street, Walworth, London. 2530 Y" EADON & SAWYER, Wholesale Bedding JL Manufacturers. Cabinet Makers and Uphol- sters to the Trade. Send for Price Lists of Bedding, now ready. Furniture stored in good Dry Rooms. —Address Eastgate-street, Chester. 2665 ATEST WASHING AND WRINGING JJLJ MACHINES. Rollers turned up. All kind of Repairs to Mangle& -Haselden, Wood Turner and Mangle Roller Maker (Works), Delamere-street, Chester. N O RENT. One halfpenny spent on a postcard will save you many pGunds. Send card mentionin g this paper to Manager, 72. Biahopsgate- street Without, London, E.G., for illustrated booklet, giving partieului's as to "How to Live Rent Free." 2570 IF the Baiiie Fleet were as good and as reliable JL as our 16/- LEVER WATCHES, they would never be beaten, not even by all the navies in the world. Guaranteed splendid timekeepers, and dust proof. Absolutely non-magnetic. We give with every Watch a written guarantee for 10 years, and also contract to keep it in order for 1/- a year.—Note Address Rowley's, Cow Lane Bridge, Chester. VALUABLE DISCOVERY FOR THE HAIR. If your hair is turning grey or white or falling off use the MEXICAN HAIR RENEWEE, for it will positively restore, in every case, grey or white hair to its original colour. It makes the hair charmingly beautiful, as well as promoting the growth. Price 3s. 6d. per bottle. Spring Cleaning Requisites. FLOOR CLOTHS, CHAMOIS LEATHERS, SPONGES, Step Ladders, Furniture Polish, AND ALL Household Ironmongery. ANDREW STORRAR AND CO. (R. F. Billings & R. A. Squibb, partners), CHESTER. iKitchen Ranges and Stove Grates a Speciality. VIRE041 '& SIJN SUN FIRE OFFICE. Funds in Hand— £ 2,535,800. For all particulars apply to the followmg Agents-.— CHESTER MESSRS. CHEERS & HOPLEY, 6, Northgate-street. II MESSBS. W. DENSON & SON, Northgate. MALPAS MR. THOMAS MULLOCK, Cuddincton Heath. ELLESMEREPORT Mr. R. B. BLAYNEY.

-4_ TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements intended to appear in the CHESHIRE OBSERVER must reach the OBSERVER Office not later than 12 o'clock (noon) each Friday. Under no circumstances whatever can VMS insert in the First Edition Advertisements received aj t. t- that how.

LICENSING MUDDLING. The decision of the Court of Appeal in the Birkenhead licensing cases, on Tuesday, ought to serve as a warning to those licensing Justices who pander to the party of extremists that are bent upon harassing the liquor trade for the mere sake of harassment. The Birkenhead Magistrates had taken upon themselves to impose six conditions to the renewal of the borough licences, without any regard to the legality or reasonableness of the stipulations. These conditions are worthy of recital, in order that the public may gauge the lengths to which extreme licensing reformers will go. They were (1) No intoxicating liquor shall be sold or supplied upon credit. (2) No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to any child under the age of 14 years. (3) No games, draws, or raffles shall be suffered to take place upon the licensed premises (except billiards in alehouses). (4) 1 The licensee shall devote the whole of his time to the business of this licence. (5) The back door of the premises shall be kept locked except for domestic purposes. (6) No clubs for the purpose ot a. distribution of drink at Christmastide or any other period shall be permitted at the premises." Some of the stipulations may have been unobjectionable, but others of them were a deliberate attempt to over-ride the law of the land. The credit clause, while probably useful as regards the sale of liquor in small quantities, would have proved ruinous to those licensees who did a large trade in the supply of liquors for domestic purposes on the same lines as wine- merchants. The objection regarding children customers also would over-ride the pre- cautions which Parliament has taken with reference to sealed bottles. In other words, the Birkenhead Licensing Justice set them- sel ves up as superior to Parliament, which is an intolerable position. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that the bench, going to the ppposite extreme, had decided that in Birkenhead, children, irrespective of age, should be entitled to be served with liquor, whether the vessel was corked or not. What a. howl oi indignation would have gone up from the teetotal party against the wicked- ness of magistrates who bad dared to set the law of tho land at defiance! Yet this is precisely what the Birkenhead Magistrates' have endeavouredto do, in an opposite sense, by imposing the vexatious conditions upon the renewal certificates. What authority had they, for example, to stipulate that a licensee must devote the whole of his time to the conduct of his licensed house If a licensee allows his business, through neglect, to decline, that is his look-out, and concerns only himself and i his family. If, on the other hand, he neglects his business, and allows his house to become disorderly, the police may be trusted to make a note of it, and that license will disappear. The whole of this tinkering with the licensing problem by over-zealous licensing reformers is a vexatious waste of time and a pandering to sentimental objections to a lawful trade. It will not make one citizen more sober or reform one living dipsomaniac. The new Licensing Act, much abused as it is by the so-called Temperance party, is gradually reducing the number of dram shops in our midst, and is doing so in an equitable manner. This is a sore point with the teetotal faction, who would deny bare justice to the publican, because he is, in their view, outside the pale of civilization. How this reduction of the opportunities Jor drinking will affect the drink question/emains to be seen. We have our own views on the subject, but the illogical part of the business is that the Temperance party have been clamouring for a reduction of licences for many years past, and when a Unionist Government pass a measure aiming at granting that reduction, the teetotallers are up in arms. They bewail the fact that the dispossessed licensees are to receive com- pensation, and although that compensation is ,to be provided out of the funds of the trade itself, they denounce the provision as an endowment of the drink trade. The whole business, from beginning to end, is a farce, and it ''would be a rude reflection upon the intelligence of the reforming zealots to say that they do not know it.

I I A QUIXOTIC RULER. The extraordinary report was published in Paris, this week, on the authority of a St. Petersburg correspondent, that the Czar intends to submit the alternatives of peace or a continuance of the war to the decision of an assembly of Bishops. A Patriarch, it is added, will preside over the deliberations, and the Czar professes that he will be guided by the decision. Whether he does or does not carry out this promise will not surprise us much, for nothing that this quixotic ruler commits himself to will greatly astonish observers in this quarter of the world. If he does leave the final arbitrament to this ecclesiastical tribunal, it is to be trusted he will be more fortunate in the result than a celebrated character in British history. The Battle of Dunbar (1650), it will be remem- berei, was lost to the Royalist Scots, because of the fatal advice given to their commander, General Lesly, by the crowd of Scottish ministers, who had arrogated to themselves the role of military counsellors. Hume, in his drily humorous style, thus describes the incident"Night and day the ministers had been wrestling with the Lord in prayer, as they termed it; and they fancied that they had at last obtained the victory. Revelations they said were made them, that the sectarian and heretical army, together with Agag, meaning Cromwell, was delivered into their hands. Upon the faith of these visions, they forced their General, in spite of his remons- trances, to descend (from his impregnable position) into the plain, with the view of attacking the English in their retreat. Cromwell, looking through a glass, saw the nemy's camp in motion and foretold without the help of revelations, that the Lord had delivered them into his hands." The rout was complete. About 3,000 Scots were slain, and 9,000 taken prisoners. If the clerical advisers of the Czar make up their minds that the ruinous war shall continue, we trust they will have no harebrained revelations from Heaven that the Japanese have been delivered into their hands. The facts are sadly opposed to any such theory. While the tone of official circles in St. Peters- burg is still warlike, the great majority of the Russian people cow have come to view the war with aversion, and this feeimg is happily gaining ground.

I THE EDDISBUJfcLY SEAT. I The Unionist meeting at Marbury, on Tuesday evening, was the twenty-fourth gathering that Colonel Cottoll-Jodrcll has addressed in the Eddisbury Division during the past few months. Practically every district in the exten- sive division has been -visited, and the electors have had an opportunity of see- ing and conversing- with tho gentleman who is to bo the Unionist candidate at the approaching General Election, and. wo may safely say, the member after that event. Not that the Colonel required any formal introduction to the con- stituency, for he is .one of the best known publio, men in Cheshire. and one who, in a variety of ways, has devoted practically the whole of his life' to the public service and interest. The reception which has been accorded to him throughout the division augurs well for his reception when he comes out as candid-ate. Enthusiasm and unan- imity have marked almost every meeting, while in the localities formerly reputed ,to be hot-beds of Radicalism, the woioe of dissent has been scarcely articulate. This silencing -of the Oppo- sition can be readily understood by those who have had the pleasure of attending the Unionist meetings and observing- the ease with which Col. JCotton-Jodrell tackles bis subjects. The secret of ilils case is that the speaker lias made himself master of his subjects. As an old Parliamentary hand, he is an fait with all the political ques- tions of the, hour, while upon not a few he is an expeiit. Notably is this the case with sogard to the question'of Army Reform, for he spent many years as an officer in the Regular Army, axd many as oommanding officer of a Volunteer corps. If the electors of Eddisbury wish to haw: their views adequately represented in the new House of Commons upon the momentous problems of Imperial defence, they could not have a more capable mouthpiece than Colonel Cotton-Josireli. We det-criba the Army as a momentous question advisedly, although the Radical candidate, in a rash moment, has thought, fit to be-little its im- portance, and we are. not afraid how the voters of Eddisbuiy will view the gravity of the subject. Upon the equally important question of agricul- ture the Colonel has spoken with telling clearness.. He is fully alive to the necessity for renewing the I Agricultural listing Act, which has proved a boon te thousands of hard-pressed farmers, and they ought to understand how little they need expect in this direction from the Radicals, should the country return them to power. The Fiscal ques- tion has loomed large in the Eddisbury speeches. Colonel Cotton-Jodxcll. avowing llimelf a strong supporter of Tariff Reform, Iras advanced cogent., arguments in favour of his position, and has ap- pealed with success to his hard-headed agricaltui-al audiences Ho has not used a collection of stock aiguments gleaned from pamphlets, but has given proof of his own poisonal inquiries, investigations and experiences. As a traveller in many lands, the Colonel has been a shrewd observer, and even upon the vexed question of Chinese labour in the Transvaal mines ho has been able to clinch his arguments with observations made on the spot. It only remains to be added that there is a, grati- fying prospect of seeing the Eddisbury contest being fought in the best traditions of the con- stituency. The Radical candidate has given on earnest of a desire to conduct the election in a friendly spirit, and we feel sure. he will be met more then half-way by Colonel Cotton-Jodrell.

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. I People who accept the hospitality cf others generally refrain from speaking disrespectfully of their hosts. We cannot help being astonished that an exception to this excellent rule occurred at the Y.M.C.A. conference at Chester this week. Thta- delegates were entertained at a reception by the Duke of Westminster, and at luncheon by Mr. Yerburgh, M.P: The Duke was, however, unable to be present, and- Mr. Yerburgh was detained in Londcn by his Parliamentary duties. Their absence apparently furnished one of the speakers, a Mr. J. Clarke, with the text for a cheap sneer. Alluding to the support given to the Association by a oertain American gentleman, he said "That was very unlike the rich swt-lls in England1, who promised to come and then did not turn up." To say the least the remark was in extremely bad taste, and it is regrettable that the statement should have been made at a meeting of an asso- ciation which is doing such valuable work in the direction of stimulating politeness among its members. The Dee salmon season ,has opened auspiciously, and the fishermen are anticipating, not without reason, a repetition of the fairly good luck they experienced last year. Usually few fish have been caught before May, but this year. like the last, is proving an exception, several of the boats hav- ing had quite extraordinary catches. The largtst haul in a single draught during the week, has numbered seven, while five were netted in another draught. The largest fish caught up to the time of writing weighed almost. 281b. Practically all the fish have been caught near Chester mostly in thie Handbridge locality, and sold to dealers in the city. At the present time, however, Dee salmon is rather an expensive luxury, the prices varying between 2s. 4d. and 3s. per pound. We are informed that a deputation representing the Welsh churches engaged in the revival move- ment in Chester have had an interview with Mr. Evan Roberts at Liverpool, with the result that he has given them to understand that he will consider the claims of Chester when he finishes his work in. Liverpool at the end of next week. A band of young Welsh people, numbering be- tween eighty and a hundred, will oommence next Tuesday to make a canvass of the city with the object of obta,ining a list of the Welsh "non- adherents," that is the WeIsJi people who are not connected with any of the churches. The frivolous grounds on whiah the B,.rkenhc- ad justices have refused1 to renew licences have naturally been the subject of comment at the Adjourned Quarter Sessions for the county. The decision of the Bench was appealeu :igainst in five cases, and the appellants were succesifnl in no fewer than four instances. The pokc poke in 1 igh terms of one licensee, who had gained the displeasure of the magistrates-, an-cl Sir .Horatio Lloyd vigorously criticised the unreasonable con- duct of the justices. He said' it was monstrous that the case should be brought there at the ex- pense of the public funds, and added that if the court had the power- they would have made an order on the justices for the payment of the oosts. It is not surprising that the recent es- capades of the Birkenhead justice have aroused the indignation of the ratepayers, who have the painful duty d paying for this mistaken zeal. We learn from Mr. T. A. Beckett, secretary of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, that the appeal for J350 towards the proposed new horticultural section has resulted in only about JB50 baing sub- scribed by the public up to the present. It will be remembered that the society, whose show takes plaoa on the, Roode on 30th August, agreed to add a horticultural section to the attractions of the show and to contribute the sum of JB50, pro- vided that the public would make up a like sum. It would be a pity if the scheme should fall through for the sake cf JB20. A thoroughly good and attractive prize-list has been drawn up and we ask thos3 who wish to see this section, added to the show to send in their contributions before the Council meeting, which ie to be hJeld on 11th April. The recent marriage of Mr. R. L. F. Cheese, the esteemed agent of Mr. Henry Tollemache, M.P., has been made the occasion of a very pleas- ing expression of gcodwill on the part of the Dorfold estate tenantry. They have presented him with a beautiful timepiece, with silver in- scription plate attached. Mt. Cheese's dozen years' association with the DorfQldJ estate has been very happy for all concerned. He bears a singularly appropriate iiame. The looal hunting Season has closed, the music of the hounds has ceased', and the surviving foxes are left to their own reflections. It used a genera- tion ago to be the ambition of many hunts to kill a May fox, but this practice has quite gone out of fashion, and at this moment there is scarcely a foxhound pack which continues opera- tions many days beyond the present. We are in- debted to the respective Masters of the two Cheshire packs for some interesting facts illustra- tin-c of the season. The North Cheshire were cut hunting 122 days, which is probably a record num- ber of hunting days in Cheshire. Their return is 46 brace of foxes killed and 35 brace run to ground. The season, so far as the North Cheshire hounds are concerned, may be described as wery fair; there has been something to do every day, though not many extra good d'aye. Ihe latter was absolutely owing to want of sq-mt. which factor has been worse in Cheshire than any time in the last ten years. When there was any bcent hounds ran well. Generally, t heae hounds have done better than most packs in England, and hunting prospects generally are good. The South Cheshire hounds' record reaes: Number of foxes kiilod, 48; run to groand, 30 The sport in the South country during the early part of the season was on the whoLe bad, sand- wicb.ed with some very good days. Then there was aspell of very gocrf sport. In the latter part of the season, owingchiefly to stormy weather, sport was bad, with tome capital days when the weather was favourable. It is satisfactory to know that the fieeling towards hunting is in ac- cordance with the best sporting traditions of Cheshire, an d, happily, illust.rative of this point is the fact that, in -the N-ort-h country -at least, there has been less wire during the past ■season than at any time within the last ten years. We are asked to announce, that the sta:cmr-nt cf accounts in connect 101 .with the Ho-cle Boy Heroes Memorial Fund may be seen at the office cl Mr. C Wright, the treasurer, in Watergate -street. The sum received amoimt'ed1 to £33. 10s. 3d., and includes J68. 4s- eollccted by playmates, and £25 169. 3d. subscriptions fmt to the secretary and treasurer. The balance-sheet is signed by Mi. W. Williams and the enthusiastic secretary Challis). Th?2 comra i ttk? iChallis). The committee<out of their own Pee-f,-Cts have sent subscript-ions to, the Royal Humane Society and the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, in recognition, ayf -the good work there societies are doing, also at ,an acknowledgment of t1:ü generous way in whirs tfrhey granted rewssds +bey grante d rewzwd s in the Hocle case.

LOCAL NEWS. I The Marchioness of Ormoadie has left town fIX Ireland. Sir Philip Grey-Egerton, But., arrived at Oultoa Park on Wednesday from India. The Marchioness of Ormonde will christen the new baialeship Hibernia on June 37th. Mr. Yerburgh has paired with Six Lewis Mclver against too Deceased Wife's Sister Bill. Sir Arthur Lawley was sworn in at PretoTia on Wednesday as High Commissioner and Governor of the Transvaal. The BJsiaop of Chester has collated tie Rev. j H. Norman Lowndes, M.A., to the church and benefice of E4, Paul's, Macclesfield. The Hon. William George Arthur Ormsby-Gore, son and heir of Lord Harlech, attains hit twentieth birthday on Tuesday. The Duke of Teck arrived at Marlborough House on Wednesday night from Vienna on a visit to the Prince and Princeee of Wales. Among the latest wills proved is the following :— William Stewart Gladstone, of 102, Huskisson- street, Liverpool, clerk on the Liverpool racecourse, i groas, £ 5,545. Katharine, Duchess of Westminster, has returned to Combermere Abbey, with Lady Helen Grosvenor, who has been staying in town since her presentation at the last Uourt. Mr. Yerburgh was one of the backers of the Local- Authorities (Qualification of Women) Bill, read a. seoend time in the House cf Com- mons last week. Mr. Herbert Gladstone was among those who had the honour of being invited to meet Princess Louise Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein at a dinner party given by the Duke and Duchess of Somerset on Tuesday at 33, Grosvenor-square. For the chairmanship of the Congregational Union, in succession to the- Rev. Dr. Forsyth, nonination papers have been numerously signed' in favour of the Rev. Dr. Chapman, Prinaipal of the Western College, Bristol. Dr. Chapman's ministry began at Chester so long ago as 1857. A marriage is arranged to take place on April 26 between Mr. Edward Dalrymple Wayne, second son of Mr. R. S. Wayne, Bryn Llwyn, Corwen, and Miss Maud Etheldred St. Barbe Sladen, elder daughter of Mr. F. St. Barbe Sladen, Lutwyche Hall, Much Wenlock. No invitations will be issued, owing to the illness of the bride's mother. I Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales, visited the studio of Mr. Luke Fildt%, RA., in Melbury-road, Kensington, on Saturday afternoon. THE REV. F. JEWELL AT PEPPER- STRjET-As will be seen from our advertising columns the Rev. F. Jewell will lecture on Pepper- street Chapel on Tuesday evening on "Billy Bray, I the famous old CoroishmaB." THE FIRST DEE SALMON.-The Rector of St. Mary's prize of half a ton of coal for the first salmon caught this season by Handbridge fishermen, has been won by Joseph and Thomas Bellis, of River-view, Greenway-street. The fish was caught on Monday, really the first day of the season, and weighed 91b. CHESTER SOCIALIST SOCIETY.-On Tues- day last, Mr. M. T. Simm, organiser of the Independent Labour Party, addressed a meeting of Chester socialists on the need for a separate and independent organisation on the part of the labour party. In a speech of over an hour's duration, he reviewed the attitude, past and present, of the two great political parties towards the claims of labour, and strongly urged the necessity of independent action for the labour party, to secure the due recognition of its j industrial policy. ) DEE NAVIGATION SCHEME.—At a meeting of the Dee Conservancy Board (sitting as a Works Committee) held at the Town Hall, Chester, on Monday, it was proposed by Mr. F. F. Brown, seconded by Mr. Samuel Coppack, and resolved that the minutes of the conference and reports now j submitted be and they are cordially approved, and. in so far as this Board is concerned, confirmed and that this Board do all in its power to further and assist the objects of the conference. FATAL CYCLING ACCIDENT.-Late on Saturday night Robert Jones, 26, a miner, residing at Pontfadog, in the Glyn Valley, was cycling home from work. While descending Pontfaen hill Jones suddenly dashed into an aged man named William Hughes, of Pontfaen, was hurled violently from his cycle, and alighted upon his head. Hughes, who had turned to wish two other cyclists Good- night," picked up Jones, who was found to have been killed instantaneously. A SHREWSBURY SCHOOL SCHOLAR- SHIP.—At the March examination at Shrewsbury School, William Twiston Davie8. namesake and grandson of Mr. Wm. Twiston Davies, J.P., of this city, was successful in gaining a house scholarship. He is a pupil of Mr. A. H. Raikes, of Windermere, and we hope that while at Shrewsbury he will win still further honours. TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.-We r have received a copy of the annual report of the United Trades and Labour Council of Chester for the year ending March 14th, 1905. The secretary (Mr. W. Cair) reports that the Council commenced the year with 21 delegates from 15 branches of 14 trade societies. Two new branches, the Chester branch of the Postmen's Federation and the Chester branch of the Society of Painters and decorators, had joined, making 25 delegates for 17 branches of 16 societies. There was a slight improvement in the financial position of the Council. The year com- menced with an adverse balance of £1. 13s. ld., and ended with one of £ 1. 3s. 7d. The report goes on to discuss the Trades Disputes Bill, of which it gives the text. Referring to the Board of Guardians, the report said that silica the election last year two attempts had been made to get the Fair Wage Clause adopted, but the proposal had been rejected. They should return to the question at the next election for the Board of Guardians. In the mean- time they must try to get a number of workingmen to contest seats in every ward. JAPANESE EXHIBITS. Its an ill wind that blows nobody good." If it had not been for the strict government censorship that detained the correspondents so many months in Japan it is doubtful if the interesting collection of Japanese exhibits now on view, free to the public at 4, City- road, would have been made, and the inhabitants of Chester given the opportunity of seeing the most unique little exhibition that has visited the town for many a day. To describe it as the miniature Madame iussaud s of: Japan is perhaps the better way to prepare visitors for the fare provided. Here we have tiny effigies, exquisitely modelled and clothed in gorgeous silk trappings of the ancients of Japan, and the present day costumes. Everything here is actually from Japan, even to our own I Union jaek hanging on the wall, which flag came from the Glunza, Tokio. The proprietors of Horlicks Malted Milk have acquired the collection and are to be congratulated on adopting a novel way of advertising. We are asked to state nothing whatever is sold on the premises. THE CABMEN'S SUPPERS.-Perhaps of all the many entertainments of the kind gi ven in our hospitable city in the course of the year, none is better deserved or more appreciated than the annual supper given to cabmen, tram drivers, &c., under the auspices of the Chester Cabmen's Mission. To see some 80 hearty men sitting down to a feast, spread upon a daintily decorated table, carried one's mind back three months, and suggested the good fare of real old-fashioned Christmas. As the men cannot all leave duty at once, the suppers and entertainments are repeated on consecutive evenings, and in all about 180 representatives of these most useful brancliei of industry partook of the bounteous spread. The arrangements from collecting the funds to seeing them carefully spent are in the able hands of Miss Emily Thomas, and her indefatigable energy and organising power are indicated by the increasing success and popularity of this admirable scheme. On Thursday the Rev. S. Stockton, M.A., presided, and on Friday the chair was taken by the Rev. F. E. Hicks, M.A., and these gentlemen delivered interesting addresses. Miss Thomas was ably assisted by the Misses Thompson, and the Misses Robin, Thomas, Hales, Woolam, Sybil Clark, Irving and Hawkins, and by Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Cuffe, inirs. Jarsom, and Mr. Egerton Gilbert, while Mr. LongbottQm gave a "Lantern Chat" each evening.

CHESTER QUARTER SESSIONS A LIGHT CALENDAR. The general quarter sessions cf the peace for the city of Chester were held on Thursday at the Tcwn Hall, before the Recorder (Sir Horatio: Lloyd). The Recorder was accompanied on the: bench by the Mayor (A.ld'enIl'û.Jl R. Lamb) the! S'heriff (Dr. Mannj, the Under-sheriff Air. Ckl. Davison), Dr. Stolterf-Ah, and Colonel E-.aii-9-1 Lloyd. The calendar contained thld namcu cf only tv 0 ■ prisoners. The Recorder, in charging the grand jury, -of i whom Mr. J. Sheriff Roberts was foreman, said he was glad to tell them thetr labourw would be Niery light. There were only two orisoners for trial, and the offences with which they were ,charged seemed to be .trivia]. The rtato of crane in the oit-y was much AS usual. If anything, theiie had been a slight improvement. The average number -of all k&nde of offencee during this quar- ter for the lait five years had been 239, but this _year it was 224 for the quarter. This was, at all events, on the right side of the average, and the improvement Jtadf been apparently in regard to assaults and other minor offencee. He did i-ot think there was anything to fhew that the c'ty was not satisfactory .D.:3 a whole compared wnih oiher places. I ASSESSMENT .APPEAL RESPITED. I An appeal on the pstut of the "Mayor, Aldermen i And Citizens," was down for hearing against t; c Assessment Committee of the Peer Law Uniui in respect of the assessment cf the tramways, electrio light works, wd- the public markets. Mr. S. Moss, M.P., who appeared on behalf cf the Appellants, formally applied for a respite of the Appeals. Mr. Trevor Lloyd, representing th*? respondent. oensonted to the respite, which was granted. AN "ANNUAL INTERVIEW. I .aider-t .Morton, 2b, labourer, WM indicted for steahng several pairs of boots, the property cf Edwjn Henry Dutton and another. on tho 4th of March. Mr. Thecbold1 appeared for the prose- cution, and the evidence siiewfod that prisoner was seen to take two pairs of boots from the fJGOr, of the shop of the prosecutor*, in Lower Bridita- etreet. conceal them under tne ocst,. and Tafelfc out. He afterwards, sold the boo:* TO a dealer in I r rodsham-street. The jury found prisoner guiity. The Recordo- m pa.ssing i.,enteTq-, sa:d t,.hi:F was the sixth time pri. soner had been before him, M,(i during th-i iaat three years h-t; iippearance had eacn time boeu in the month of April. Within a few days of ocm- ing out of prj?n. aft twe?. j?cnth?' ;ncar- ceration, this w? what hi? did. I- was cnnte fin;.» to stop t?e ?uQM&I mtervi£w,>: ktwocn the pnaonc-r &nu h?Meif, and they ?..id Hot 0ccnT agan for a :rer cr two. Prisoner -M? bo s nt to penaJ servitude for three V66il. AOTHER OLD  1 ANOTHER OLD OFFENDER. | ^wigTe an, Z4, labourer, picadrd guilty to stealing a pair cf dogs, a pair of trc users and a basket, the property of RichaTtJ Handler, and a rir of bc-ctif end a pair of stcck.ng-c. prop*, ~ty cf Eaward Powell, between the IL2i,t] and 23rd cf February. Mr. Lance Bentley for he presecuflion. All the articles were ttolen frcm a canal flat moored near the. Je-i-dworfcs. The Recorder mmarked that prisoner harl wn convicted six times in various places. would be imprisoned for twelve month* with herd labour.

CITY EDUCATION MATTERS. MARRIED WOMEN AS TEACHERS. THE PUPIL TEACHER CENTRES. A meeting of the Chester Education Committee is to be held on Monday, when among other matters the following proceedings of the sub- committees will be under cone:ckra,tio:i. At a meeting of the Elementary Sub-Committee the Director read Memorandum on the employment of marri ed women as teachers in elementary schools. It. was resolved that it be recommend* d to the committee that (1) in the case of principal teachers (a) no further appointments cf married women be made, except that at their discretion, and under exceptional circumstance., the sub- committee may sanction temporary appoinimems only; (b) existing appointments be r^cognked for periods set forth. (2) In the eate of assistant teachers (a) appointments of married wcmcn he sanctToned by the sab-committee at their dis- cretion (b) no action be taken at present to ter- minate ex?t?g appointments ?) 3 a' all c<t.? W]Tlat,c exi5t,-Ifr ap -N.irltM?'L'?l.?. 17,) ],,iall marriage; the tub-committee bemg empowered to, consider further recognition cf assistant teachers (a-8 above), and that in case of failure to notify the sub-committee, marriage terminate employment. Reports were made in reference to the saniru.y and structural conditions of schocH As to tho Handbridge st. Mary's School it wae reported that there had been received a from the Board of E-ducai-ioi inquiring whether the com- mittee are now in a position tc submit plaiig (f alterations to the premises": a,, letter from t-e correspondent- in reply to director's tion intimating that "plans of alt* rat-ions to com- ply with the requirements of the Beard of Edu- cation have been submitted to his Grace the Duke of Westminster (the owner of tho schools)" and his agent has verbally informed the correspondent that in the present state cf uncertainty as to what 'provided' schools may be neoesF-ary in the city, not to mention the possibility of the Educa- tion Act being amended, his Grace cannot see his way to undertake the necessary expenditure." It was resolved that the reply of tho correspondent be communicated to the Board. The sub-committee will recommend to the com- mittee that managers of schools be requested to their schools for the summer, autumn, and Christmas vacations as follows:—Midsummer, close Friday noon. 14th July, cpen Monday morning, 14th August; autumn, close Friday noon, 2Cth October; open Monday morning, lOLl October; Christinas, close Thursday noon, 21st I December, open Ionday morning, cth January; and that the director communicate with the authorities of Sunday schools, friendly societies, etc., informing them of the proposed date cf the summer vacation, and requesting them to facili- tate the work of the committee by arranging any "trip" within the above dates. The sub-committee considered the question raised by Mr. J. Griffiths at the Council meeting on the 22nd inst. as to the attendance of school children at church during houre set apart for religious instruction. The director reported thereon, and it. was resolved "That a letter be addressed to tho correspondent, of Chester Trinity School directing his attention to the attendance of children of the school at church o:i the 22nd and 24th instant, and desiring hirn to call a mock- ing of managers at an early date, and to lay such letter before them; and requesting the managers to elate the circumstances under which children were taken TO church on the occasions above- mentioned. and to undertake to adhere in future to the term- of the instructions cf the Education Committee, as contained in the circular of the 7th January last; and to send a reply not later than Friday, April 14th proximo." In reference to the classes for uncertificated and supplementary teachers the chairman, at a meeting of the Hig-her Education Sub-Committee, read memorandum prepared by the director, which stated that 52 students were in attendance at the centres, and that after the summer vaca- tion the number would probably be fewer, R!nOO I some might be expected to gain their certificate at the July examination and suggesting that too committee should close one of the centres. Details of staff required and duties to be performed were also given. It wa. resolved "That it be ) recommended to The committee that tho College centre be closed at the end of the school year. I viz.. 31st July, 1905: the pupils being transferred to SL Paul's immediately after the summer vaca- tion: the members of the. staff of tho College Centre being infomed that the committee regret- to be compelled to give them notice to terminate their engagements at that- date It was reported to the Higher Education Sub Committee that a letter had been received from the Board of Education with reference to the application for the Girls' Pupil Teacher Centre at the City and Cbu-ity Girls' School to be recog- nised under Article II. of the Pupil Teacher Regulations. The Board wrote that. they were prepared to sanction the temporary use of the County Stand on the Roodee, and. subject to the customary provisions, they would recogni-.o tiro centre in Article II. of the regulat:om. In another letter the Board intimated their pre- paredness to sanction likewise the Boyr' Pupil I Teacher Centre (Chester Technical School). The Town Clerk reported a letter, dated the 18th March, received from t-he clerk to the governors of the King's School, and the attend- ance of a deputation of governors before the Council and the resolution of the Cour.cil thereon. It wu resolved that the ques- tion be considered at a special meeting of the sub-committee to be summoned at the discretion I of the chairman.

CITY-ROAD WESLEYAN P.S.A.—Tho 15th anniversary service, held last Sunday, proved very successful. In audition to a largo ga+hcring d, members and friend's downstairs, the Su:.<lay school children filled the gallery. Mr. John Griffiths presided. Tho Rev. T. Wheatley gave a bright and earnest address on "Starting points in life."M. Sansom and Mr. Bogie delighted1 the, congregation by their singing. Mr. R. Butterworth and an augmented choir rendeited able assistance. The Queen-street. P.S.A sent their hearty greetings. THE GREAT SK IN CURE.-SUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one application destroys every form of Eczema heals old Wounds and Sores acts like a eharm on bad Legs Prevents Onts from Festering will cure Ringworm in a few days removes the most obstinate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes. 7id. and 18. Hd. Agents for Chester G. H. MOPS, Chemist, 68, Brook-st.; and J. W. NOKUAKSELL (late Kemp), 59, Bndge-st., & 6. Walker-st., Hoole. Mold: D. LEWIS FELIX, 2, New-street

I ELECTPJC TRAMS v. MOTOR BUSES. L -TO THE JSDITOB. I Sir,—Chester >s indebted ior the information your recent aTil(-i have furnished on the abova very interesting eontrover JJ. May I trespass on your column 5 to present a. few imoortan: coa- cunsiderations sf?'ctmg the proposed Houghton route? The most unpr?sd?.'e argument for the sbstituticn cf motor b\i3 is the immense .saving oi capita! outlay, and thJ3 ii.?nc:.d aspect of the matter I propose to deal with first. Pari: of tho route is already available and fully equipped, and to establish a motor bus system to Ciry-roo.4 would be -a needW* overlapping of facilities and waste of traction power, for the trams are more than sufficient for that service at present, while to run meter buee-> sido by side with trams through the city would add vehicular difEoulties where they would be least workable, a:;d at any rate add to present 'inconveniences. On the remainder of tho route larger expendi- ture has already been incwed in view of the tram scheme. True, this expenditure would some day have had to bo undertaken, though it is doubtful whethe' ?o thcro?gh a revision of d!a -otigh a -evlsri of tlo ,w,erag-o been nemEsar- This pan Gf ,he ec.?t will. operate in ti)e way extension, and it is woli that wo should understand that even if by->>:s were adopted the outlay I refer to would havo to stand. Large additiona) capita) outlay will, however, bo called for, but there i3 no proposal that thia ■Aoald be levied on the rateroayers. The books at the Town Hall would disclose, I doubt not tha$ ample money is waiting to be subscribed, and as the trams not oufy provide charges, including linking fund and track maintenance, but return a profit besides, if. TH difficult to -see that the rates would be affected except beneficially. One authority ha^ pointed out that three years' interest on tho capital outlay saved by the sub- stitution cf would provide two motor buseg^ but as Mr. Chftcn Robinson one of the most eminent experts in tins matter, has thewn, the life of a motor bus jg only two years, it is mani- fest that there- is an eoono/cic fallacy in the reasoning of tho suggestion. On the cost cf work-aig trams, we are 011 solid ground in putting it at 3d. a mile, including. road .maintenance, which would otherwise fall on the rates, but, when we enquire- 4 he cost- of motor bus mileage wo enter financial fairyland. The I most sanguine put tho cost at .about Is. a mile, but the question vI depreciation of motor buses is admittedly a tl.enty question about wLjch rone of their supporter*} will eonunit themselves. I. am not at. all impressed by t:oc enthusia-sm of some of our frieji(l,) into liave gathered their informa- tion at tlie show. Most of us know how those show estimtes work out, and that this show was held at Olytypii is typical of the cloudy basis they rest upon. On the question cf speed, motor buses are in operation, and if ought >0 be easy fo- some partisan to rhev., 1:1 jvoduetioi'j of a wav-bi1!. that m some places under equal conditions, motor buses are doing then- journeys faster than our trams. Meter are dependent on a steering, wheel, and I ck>uht whet ho- anyone would acfvo- °aro that tho freedom frotn accident which rails largely secure shou'd bo exchanged for the un- certainty and which would attend a fag* motor service through our narrow street- how- ,c-,vef capablo dri.ers. Some of us lev- sight ç-Î th", fact that trams claim a right cf way and a precedence which all ohicies recjGgn?se; buses, however apeedy. have 110 much right. I can only say I have seen this tli reading proo>?"S in London particularly, where a. lumbering, agitated motor bus may often be seen waddling and panting along entirely at the mercy of ode.. traffic, ior no driver wouid willingly drive behtn? A motor if at the risk of ?Nvillingly drivo t)?e h ir-,ri a n-,ct?c?- ;?f at I .ll. e r.?, k- his life he could ?ecp in f;-on?: You referred, sir, teo tbe adoption of motor buses by Wolverhampton; but it was only because the contemplated route was too narrow for < lee trio cars, whereas Pouglitoi is, cf all the streets Q8 Chester, the best rdapted lor trams, being very wide, straight, and Jjjng through the heart of a tliickly-populated district. It is urged that, if Boughton, why not Liver- pool-road? Well, Liverpool-road resisted the pro- posal and defeated it. Boughton ha. always longed for tho trams, and has petitioned for chern. St. James's and St ha.ve their and dislikes, and both should be studied. 01 course if, like Hoole, Liverpool-road is swallowing rejected addresses, residents, have 03v to è7 so and be satisfied. Do not let us confuse outlay and investment. If we were considering baths, or parks, or libraries, we might hesitate, but we are consider- ing a proposal based on experience which has more than justified all that w-nahow. and which has confounded all the pi-opheta who predicted disaster. I have trespassed, 1 fear, unduly on your spaco, but I can only plead the importance of the sub- ject. It would, ill try judgment, bo deplorable if, at tho last moment, Chester were to abandon ft vjherme which has all the elements of soundness in it, in favour of a novc) experiment which has nothing defmito about it except the smell. Yours faithful'v, ANTI PETROL.

CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SERVICE LIST FOR WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 8. SATURDAY, ApRiL "TIL-Wornin. 8.0: Holy Communion. 10-15: Service, Field in C; anthem, "Ti.ey that sow in tears" (Chipp). Evening, 4.15: Service, Bennett in Q; anthem, My soul is weary (Btekwith). SISDAT, APRIl. STH (Fifth Sunday in Lent. Passion Sunday).-Moming, 8.0: Holy Communion 10.<:0: Service, Martin in E fiat; anthem, •• Seek ye tbe Lord (Roberts); introit, hymn 495, Kyrie and Credo (Merbecke); preacher, the Canon in Resictei.ee. Evening, 3: Service, Gibbons in F anthem, W) y rage fiercely" (Mendelssohn): hymn I 233. 6.30: Magnificat atdNune Diunttis to Chants Pro- cessional hymn, 96; hymns 490, M preacher, the Rev. W. M. B. Lutecer, M.A. The Miserere.

I LIGHTING UP TABLE. All cycles and other vehicles m the Ghastair distinct must be lighted upas stated in the following t^ble P.M. Saturday, April 3 7.53 Sunday, April 0 7.59 Monday, April 10 8.1 Tuesday, April 11 8.3 Wednesday, April 12 8.5 Thursday, Apnll;) 8.7 Friday, Aprii 14 8.3

BIRTHS, M ARRIAGES &, I)EATUS BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS art charged at the rate of 20 words tor Is. (prepaid). If not prepaid, the charge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by tb. Signature and Address of the Sender. BIRTH. FKAR.SSIDE—On the :'tÍ1 March, at 170, Leaburst-roai » I 31inar Park, Lewitham, London, S. E., the wife of Edmund V. Fearneide, of a son. DEATHS. BREWER—On the tith AprU, at 15, Paradise Row Elizabeth, tidli? daughter of the late John Brewer, o! this city. SMITH—On the 6th April, at 16, Nicholas-street, Chester Aliee, wife of Samuei iimiih. (No 'ardsj WHEELDON— On the 2oth March, at 19, Wooc-streett Saltney, William Wheeidon, in his 32nd year. IN MEMOHJAAL EMERSOJJ—la loving- mamorj 0 jy dtai Kichard Emerson, late of 4. Tn. K >rd-stre<w o dud Ai ril 4th, lliOl, aged 55 years. Sadiv m.baecx his wife.) HOOLEY—In ever-loving -,nctiiory -;i Ethel, the"j( Zved daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Hooley, 0: Her.j—- street, who was cdltd :0 her rest, April • aged 15 years. *g Gone the face we loved so dear, Missed tbe form we cheriBheci her.: Her short, bright race on earllh is run' We weep, but say Thy .viu ;.t GJ/I- Tne Family.) HoOLE-In ever-lo-, itj memory of m- jear little eousia Ethel, .ho passed away April 6t.h, 19 4. God grant, that in years to come. We who remain May 6ee her again In that beautiful kingdc-n- etiled Home (Her loviug eo'^sin fcrurna.) J KELLY-In loving memory oi William Henry Kelly, r of 39, Princess-street, who died ilarcb 2Sth, 19u2 aged 40 yeara We cannot Lord Thy purpose see But aii is Wcli thit's done by Thee. (Mother.) MEALOR-In dear father, Satnnet < Meaior, of White House Farm. Little eston, who died April Sth, 1904. (His Children.)

MEMORIALS, AT ALL PRICKS, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE & ALAR ASrSK. On View, and to order. W. HASWELL, & S()N" MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Proo on application. Telephone No. 161A. BOOKS FOR SUNDA YSCHOOL PRIZES.— A large selection at low prices.— Minshuil and Meeson, Eastgate-row, Cheater.