Cheshire Observer

r I INDIGESTION n! f WIND-BLOATING, DIZZINESS, ))) BACKACHE, HEADACHE, FEAR OF FOOD, ALL GIVE WAY TO Si OTHER SEIGEL'S SYRUP. "For many years I suffered from H indigestion and biliousness. I tried j) one medicine and another and M dragged on till I grew very weak {} and nervous. I could not bear the H thought of food and when I did eat, as I had to do, it all returned. At t< times I could not keep even a drop H of milk on my stomach. I had tj awful pains too, in my head, chest, and back, and was bloated with M wind. I grew so weak that when }Ht I went out I became sick and dizzy. I became depressed and nervous and i would sit brooding over my helpless i lot. For nearly a year I was un- der doctors, but it was not until I J tried Mother Seigel's Syrup that any relief came. The first bottle did me a world of good, and when I had | finished a second bottle I was almost M well. I could eat and sleep, my J pain and dizziness left me and I picked up so rapidly that soon I 1 was completely cured. I take the Syrup now, when I feel the need of it, and recommend it to my friends. Mrs. Rose Ravenhill, 32, Spring M ( Gardens, Doncaster, Sept. 1st., 1905. JM PRICE al.II PER BOTTLE. HJ M The a/6 bottle contains 3 times M ))) much 88 the I I: size. tM PRIZE BOOKS.—Large new stock of Snndav School Prize and Christmas Gift Books, at very low prices.—F. W. CHAPMAN, 8, St. Werburgh street, Chester. FOOTBALL.-Man7 a goal is missed by reason of faulty Boots. Hewitt's Boots are faultless. Try a pair. and raise your aver.%ge. -HEWITT, Abbey Gateway.

The keteh "Rova1 Oak" has arrived at Mel- bourne. with the body of an unknown man, found on Three Humruocks Island, in the Hunter Group, north of Tasmania. Close to the corpse were a rifle, swoid, and revolver, a frying-pan, and a kerosene stove. In a Norwich Parish Sunday night services are being held in the dark so that those attending may not feel out of place because of the poverty of their apparel. There are also a hand shaking brigade to offer welcome, and twenty ladies to take care of babies so that the mothers may fully benefit from the services. The Postmaster-General has made arrangements for relaxing the regulations by which picture post- cards sent to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia. Sweden, Switzerland, and Tunis, have been debarred from bearing a communication on the left hand half of the address side.

AGRICULTURE. PROMISING FINISH. He would be at best but a querulous indi. vidual who would find fault with the recent weather as it has affected farming oper atoions. Dry and open, and for the most part mild, it has offered a fine chance for fetching up much work that was delayed through the wet of November; and though, as a rule, wheat sow- ing is not countenanced during the last month of the year, the opportunity has been too good to resist where it has been thought prudent or necessary to be availed of. According to all ac- oounts the wheat area is not likely to be so large as that of last year; for although the latter was oonsidered the best crop of the season, much of it has turned out light in the threshing both in grain and straw, and present prices are not tempting. A greatdealdependson the weather, however, butif the opportunity is not embraced early and sharply— that iif to say, within the next week or two—it had better be deferred till the general spring sow- ing", as it is unusual for the soil to be fit for drill- ing or harrowing in January. Present conditions have been most favourable for ploughing after mangolds. I CROPS IN THE PTTTV.T A TTTI Reuters Lahore correspondent. telegraphs that spring orops in the Punjaub are beginning to re- quire rain. The need is not yet acute, but clamago h- already been done through lack of inoterture During the next few weeks the fate of immense orops of wheat and oil seeds will be hanging in too balance. OUR WHEAT SUPPLY. I ho Mark Lane Express" says:—A tempera- ture ten degrees above the mean has reduced the retail- inquiry for breadstuffs besides the natural food wants of livo stock London has been busy enough with the crowd that attends 001 the Smith- field Show, but the country markets have been mill, and great ports like Liverpool, Bristol and Hull have also done a smaller trade- than usual. beat prices are sixpence cheaper for foreign soda afa number of the larger towns, and the condition of English deliveries shewing a falling off, this branch of trade has also presented a; woaker appearance. Dry and good samples of English, however, are not lower in price. The market for flour is depressed by reason of America s free offers to ship in January at sub- stantially lower prices than are quoted to-day at London and Liverpool. The market for maize continues to be quoted rather freer for immedi- ate delivery, but for delivery a fortnight hence value is a shilling below spot terms, and for de- livery a month henoe is a florin, under currencies, so that buyers naturally pursue a policy of ex- treme reserve. Barley is steady both for malting and grinding descriptions. Oate have been held by some firms, for quite fancy prices on the ex- pectation that Russia, the great source of supply, would cease to ship, and that America would then! hold back her surplus in order artificially to en- hance quotations. These anticipations of im- porters have not. been productive of much beyond an increased caution on the part of buyers, though here and there, where contracts to de- liver by a specific date had to be fulfilled, sub- stantially higher prices have actually been paid.

ACROSS SIBERIA. MR. FOSTER FRASER'S LECTURE. Tho Y.M.C.A. syllabus of lectures is nearly gone through, and the. hundreds of Cestrians who have on each occasion packed the Music Hall are wishing that the next lecture was the beginning instead of the end of the series, so delightful has each engagement proved. On Monday night Mr. Foster Fraser, F.R.G.S., the distinguished journalist, author and traveller, came to Chester to tell us something of his travels in Siberia and Manchuria, and to teach us by means of lantern views and graphic description the truth about that vast country. Mr. Robert Yerburgh, M.P., pre- sided, and when he, the lecturer, and Mr. H. T. Brown (president of the Chester branch of the Y.M.C.A.) ascended the platform there was an unmistakably warm welcome from the audience. Mr. Yerburgh, who was received with another out- burst of applause on rising, said that before intro- ducing to them the lecturer who was to give them pleasure that night he should like to say one or two words about the Young Men's Christian Association, who had been the means of providing intellectual treats for the people of Chester. (Ap- plause.) Everybody knew what admirable work the Y.M.C.A. were doing throughout the country, and he was quite sure all were anxious to assist them to the best of their ability to carry on that work to its fulfilment. In Chester they were not quite so well ciroumstanoed as their well- wishers would like them to be, and at the present time they were housed in a building altogether inadequate for their needs. He felt that those who had means would be only too glad to assist them to accommodation more adequate for the work they had to do. (Applause.) They had provided a series of lectures. That night they were to have one on Siberia and Manchuria, and that was to be followed by a lecture on Japan. In that way they would get presented to them a description of a. great portion of the oountry under Russian rule, and the con- dition of the country of her late antagonist, Japan. He had great pleasure in introducing to them Mr. roster Fraser, who was well known as a great traveller and distinguished journalist. (Ap- plause.) Like so many successful men, he was a Scotsman. (Laughter and hear hear.) We owed so very much to Scotland. (Hear, hear.) When- ever we wanted a Prime Minister we had to go to Scotland. (Laughter and applause.) Into his not very long span of life Mr. Foster Fraser had crowded many great achievements. He was probably well known to them as having done what nobody else had done—he had ridden round the world on a bicycle, covering 19,000 miles in 774 days and traversing 17 countries. He had also visited the United States, where he had conducted an inquiry into industrial conditions; he had in- terested himself in the aliens question, having given it consideration on the spot; he had been to Uanada to study the question of immigration; and, last but not least, to come to the subject they were to hear about that night, he had done what nobody else had done, he had travelled through Siberia and made a daah through Man- cnuna at a time when that country was closed to the outside world. (Applause.) Mr. Foster Fraser, cordially welcomed, then began his lecture, which certainly proved one of the most popular of a very popular series. We have all been studying Russian life lately and forming our own opinions of the ruling methods of that vast empire, but Mr. Foster Fraser shewed us a new side. His etory possessed all the fresh- ness and veracity of personal experience and the keen observations of a journalist, and the educative value of the lecture was further enhanced bv the exhibition of a capital collection of Mr Fraser's own photographs. He first of all intro- duced U8 to the wonderful Trans-Siberian railway, and described an express on this line as the most magnifioent train in the world, having a dining- room, a drawing-room with piano, a bathroom, and even a dark room for photographers. He knew of no country where the railways were pro- videdwith such excellent refreshment-rooms as in the tK>ussi• n empire. They were neoossary, as the Russians are great eaters and drinkers. We travelled with the lecturer over the Ural mountains, and were naturally pleased to hear him state that he had come to the conclusion that, travel as one would in Europe, Asia and America, if one wanted to find really beautiful and pic- turesquo villages, it was always necessary to come back to old England. Mr. Foster Fraser afforded us some interesting and amusing glimpses of the habits of the people of Siberia. Speaking of the agricultural possibilities, he said Siberia was a twin country to the Dominion of Oanada. There was this difference. In Canada were some of the finest farmers in the world; and in Siberia were Mnrie of the worst farmers of the world. The' Siberian did not work; he always found some reason to avoid work, and his crops rotted, he was reduced to famine, and then he grumbled at how he was negated by the Almighty and crushed' under the iron heel of an autocratic Government. The Government. was introducing up-to-date American machinery, but the Siberian did not want up-to-date machinery: as long as he had his rudo, crude plough he was content. It was this lethargy that would long stand in the way of Siberia taking its i place as a great food-supply ins- oentre of the world. The lecturer conducted us through Tomsk, the great education oentre. and then to Irkutsk, the Paris of Siberia. Here he. paused to tell us a great deal that was fresh and mteresting about the prison at Irkutsk, and that at Alexandrovski, the largest in Siberia. He found that the prisoners were allowed four hours a day to do very much as they liked. Good conduct prisoners were allowed to fol!ow their trades out of prison, and all the servants in an hotel in Irkutsk, and many of the railway servants were good conduct pri, nerf, In theprisons them- selves the prisoners had the opportunity of learn- ing a trade, and were given wages, which accu- mulated, or which they could spend in supple- menting their diet from the prison shops. The food was good, and at Alexandrovski he found that prisoners were allowed to read newspapers and novels, and even had their own theatre, where perr. ormanoes were given each Saturday night good conduct prisoners alone being allowed to  He cntiosed M'verp'y the ruthless wav in which Ru.?ia.n omoa!? cn'shed out exoression6 of nohtical op.nion?, and said the bhck spot of K'lMia wa" her treatment of oolitic?s. Summing up his visit to the prisons, Mr. Foster Fraser ex. pressed the opinion that t.he prisoners were as well treated as those in any other part of the worid. The lecture-- gave a thrilling- acoount of his (lasli through Manchuria. He travelled in dis- Riii-c, through the Forbidden land, and had to- endure many privations. End was onoe arrested as a suspected spy. The Cossacks are associated* in the rnrnd of the average Englishman with grore cruelty, but Mr. Frase*- said be never any where came across more genuine, warm-hearted' men than he found the Cossackt* to be in Man- oftaria. He praised the Russians for their hos- pitality, and shewed us that Siberia suffered from the fact that to the out-side wOl-ld had been pre- sented only one side of it, because it was the most thrilling story to tell. If he had done no more than suggest that there was another sido i he was rewarded.—The loud applause which fol- lowed the concluding words of the lecturer was*, oloquent of the appreciation of all present.

Feel good all day on Grape=Nuts The Perfect Food.

CHESTER EDUCATION COMMITTEE I A meeting of the Chester Education Committee I was 'held on Monday, the Ch.Ht'm?D (Alderman I H. T. Brown) presiding. THE DIRECTOR'S STAFF. I Mr. James G. Frost moved the foUowmg reso- lution: "That a junior clerk be appointed z?t- l salary of L45, Tisini by JB5 per annum to £ 65; and that. after public advertisement, the Director of education make the appointment." He ex- plained that the clerk was required to take stock in the various schools, and to assist the other olerles in the office, who at the present time were very muoh over-worked. It would really mean an addition of only JB5 a year in expense to the rate- payers, as they had previously had to obtain ex I tra. help. Mr. W. Vernon seconded. Mr. R. H. Lanceley asked why it was said the oost would be only JE5 a year more that at present. Tho Director (Mr. A. E. Lovell) said the extra annual cost of temporary assistance was J624 a year; but the annual stocktaking in April would be much heavier. For the preparat-on of inven- tories and checking stock on the appointed day Messrs. Churton, Elpnick and Co. charged fifteen guineas, and that was representative of every an- nual cheque, the total oost therefore being about E40 a year. The ultimate additional cost would be E25 a year. Mr. Lanceley said he happened to know a little bit about stocktaking, and he failed to see how the April stocktaking was going to be so much heavier. He tertainly failed to see how the em- ployment of a clerk at JB45 would cost only an additional J65. It was out of the question to reckon the fifteen guineas in making the com- parison. If the employment of the extra clerk was going to increase the efficiency of the staff he was prepared to vote for it, but he should like to be satisfied that it was within the compass of the amount voted in the estimates to the Elementary Sub-committee, and that the addi- tional olerk was going to provide greater zime for the Director himself to practically supervise the work in elementary schools. Complaints had already oome to his ears that the Director was not sufficiently in evidence at elementary schools. The Director said the cost was with:n the com- paes of the estimates. As to the second point, he was loath to answer the question off-hand. He would take note of anything required as an ex- tension of his duties, and do his best. Mr. T. Mills moved an amendment that the appointment be made by the Elementary Sub- committee and not by the Director. He had no idea of reflecting upon the Director, but he wished to protect him. It was highly undesirable to throw the responsibility on a gentleman who had an official occupation. Mr. Frosfc accepted the amendment after the Higher Education Sub-committee had been sub- stituted for the Elementary Sub committee. The motion in its altered form was then asrreed to. SCHOLARS' BAD ARITHMETIC. GRAVE INDICTMENT. Mr. J. D. Siddall called attention with regret to the recent examination for labour certificates. Surely the time had arrived when some real steady attempt at modifying or changing the most unfortunate result that had again been at- tained of the failure on the part of the pupils to pass in elementary arithmetic. He had enquired carefully as he could what was the state of things regarding the teaching of elementary arithmetic in Chester and throughout the country generally. He was quite juatined in saying most openly that due to t'he modification of the curriculum the most important subject of arithmetic was not receiving the attention it de- manded. He appealed to everyone to consider seriously the work done in elementary schools in Chester in return for the enormous expense of conducting those schools since the passing of the Act. There was a. small additional percentage of attendance, which meant an addition to the in- come of the city from the Government; but un- der the old regime the percentage of passes in elementary arithmetic var-ed from 80 to 99 per cent. in city schools, and if they were to take the labour examinations for labour certificates as a fair subject for comparison, the schools did not now attain to fifty per cent. of passes. The chil- dren learnt to read well and to write fairly well, but they did not now learn to do elementary arithmetic. He did not in the slightest degree intend to convey any slur upon the teachers. Teachers, who were friends of his, were perfectly in agreement with him that the standard of ele- mentary' arithmetic was seriously below what it used to be. The matter should be taken into most careful consideration by the Elementary Sub-com- mittee. It was a comparative replacement of arithmetic to give the children a wider know- ledge of subjects in general, and to awaken more widely thlr general intelligence. There was no 6chool in the city, and perhaps in the county at present, whioh if examined in arithmetic could pass anywhere near 85 to 90 per cent. of their scholars in elementary arithmetic, as they formerly could do. The Chairman asked if Mr. Siddall could tell them the experience of other places. Mr. Siddall: Generally the staadard is lower than it used to be. The Chairman: It is not a. difficulty peculiar to Chester. Mr. Siddall: But Chester has always been a I difficult place in which .to work up rithmetic. i It has been notorious. In Chester there seems to be an atmosphere of want of power to take in elementary arithmetic. (Laughter.) I The Chairman said something depended on the papers set. Mr. Siddall said they were not more difficult than they were. Arithmetici was replaced DY others, and the attention was not given to it in schools that uaed to be given. i ■ Mr. Mills thought Mr. Siddall ;was to be thanked for having called attention io«the Serious dofio.ency ia educat lonal results. iHe moved that the attention of too Elementary; Education Sub committee be called to it. < Mr. J. W. Connell seconded. He said he was sorry to hear any school passed ninety per cent. in arithmetic. He did not know whether the com- mittee knew how it was done. Children were kept in late at night, and they were thrashed if they did not do the sums. Parents used to come at 5.30 to look for their children, and rescue them from their tortures, for they were treated in a more barbarous way than now. The arithmetic was not elementary. Supposing cards and papers were given out that afterncon to all members of the committee, and there were several examples. given in stocks and recturring decimals and men- urat.on involving cube and square root. he was afraid they would not got more than fifty pier j cent passes. Mr. W. Vernon stated that the worst sc holars sat for the labour examinations. They very often attended worse than the other scholars, and they did not afford a fair comparison of the children in genera!. Mr. Siddall said he would give £10 to the In- firmary if a school eould be found in the city of Chester to pass more than eighty per cent. of its scholars in arithmetic under the present condi- tions. Mr. Mills's motion was carried. SCHOOL PIANOS NOT NECESSARY. I Mr. Lanceley called attention to a resolution of the Elementary Sub-committee that they were not prepared to regard pianos aj necessary j sanool equipment, and did not recommend that they should be supplied by the education authority. He asked if the pianos in the schools on the appo.nted day did not belong to the local authority, and that therefore they were bound to recognise them. The I Town Clerk (Mr. J. H. Dickson) said the education authority had the use of furniture in non-provided schools, but if a school ceased to be a public elementary school, the furniture re- verted to the managers and was no longer the property of the education authority. Mr. Lanceley moved that the motion in ques- tion be referred back. Mr. Mills seconded in order that the committee might-not make themselves look ridiculous. The part of the resolution referred to by Mr. Lance- ley refused to recognise pianos, and the next clause of the motion arranged for the payment by the local authority of the cost of tuning and small repairs to school pianos and harmoniums. It was not consistent. Mr. Vemon said that so long as the pianos were in use the committee were bound to keep them in repair, but that did not mean that the iciommittee were to supply a piano to every school that asked for one. Mr. J. Egerton Gilbert: And if a school pro- vides its own piano you will tune it. Mr. Vernon: Certainly. Mr. Lanceley's motion was lost. Mr. Mills then moved that the clause that tun- ing and repairs be paid for be deleted. Mr. Frost: The Town Clerk tells me we are bound to keep them in order. Mr. Mills: The Town Clerk has laid it down that we have no power to buy pianos for schcols. I want his answer, is not that so? MT. W. H. Churton: No, it is not so. I Mr. Mills: I want my answer from the Town Clerk, and not from members of the Education Committee. Mr. Churton: I have a right to say what I heard the Town Clerk say. Mr. Mills: I want my reply from the Town Clerk. Mr. Churton: It is waste of time. The Town Clerk It is quite in the power of the education authority to buy pianos and har- moniums for any school in the district. The amendment was lost. MANAGERS' RIGHTS. At a meeting of the Elementary Sub-committee the Director reported that the managers of Christ Church school desired to modify a clause, stat- ing that the engagement of the pupil teacher "shall be terminable by the managers (with the consent or under the direction of the pommittee)" by the addition thereto of the following words— "Provided always that nothing herein contained shall negative the right of the managers to dis- miss the pupil teacher on ground s connected with the giving of religious instruction in the school- house." The sub-committee notified the man- agers that they would accept the following clause "Provided always that nothing herein contained shall negative any right of the managers to the dismissal of the pup:l teacher under the Educa- tion Act of 1902." Mr. Lanoelev moved that the matter be re- ferred back. He contended that the managers could not dismiss a pupil teacher. Mr. Mills seconded. Mr. Lanceley asked for the Town Clerk's rul- ing on his argument, whioh he based on the present code. The Town Clerk rouM not see that tho code could overrule the provisions of section 7 of the Education Act, under which power rested with the managers to dismiss pupii teachers in certain respects. He had drafted the clause himself, and it perfectly safe-guarded the education a.uthority, and only gave managers the powers the law gave them. Mr. Lanceley satid the position of the pupil teachers bad been altered to such an extent under the code, that the sub-oommittee would do well to consider the matter again. The Town Clerk said if the matter was referred back, he would have an opportunity of looking up the provisions of the oode. The Director, who knew the code better than he, said the clauses re- ferred to were merely suggestions and were not binding. The matter was accordingly referred back. COUNTY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. A recommendation by the Higher Education Committee, that., in view of the terms of the letter of the Board of Education, in reference to staff at the City and County School for girls, and having regard to the numbers now in attend- ance, a further additional assistant-mistress be appointed, at a salary of JE90, rising by £ 5 per annum to £ 120; and that the chairman, head- mistress and director make the appointment, was moved by the Chairman and seconded by Dr. Stolterfoth. Mr. Lanoeley moved an amendment that the apponment be made by the Higher Education 1 Committee. Mr. Mills, who seconded, said the appointment of an assistant-mistress was not. so urgent as the Board of Education led them to believe. Having regard to the fact that a number of pupil teachers would be leaving soon, it was quite problemat?cal whether their places would be filled. If repre- sentation was made to the Board of Education, the committee might be excused making the ap- pointment for some little time. He did 'not re- cognise any urgency, and when they remembered that we had now got at the head of the Board of Education a man of some intelligence, it was only reasonable to suppose that things which ap- peared difficult in the past would be made easy in the future. Mr. Ohurton: He is not appointed yet. The Director said his opinion was that pupil teachers who were leaving would be amply re- placed. If they were not, the average attend- ance would be reduced by eight only. There would be more than eight admissions in the secondary side of the school. The amendment was lost. UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. I Mr. Mills called attention to the following, which appeared in the minutes of the Higher Education Committee, regarding the City and County School for girls—"Gravel: The Director presented a further requisition for two tons of gravel; and reported that five tons had already! been laid down. It was resolved that the requisi- tion be passed, subject to the Town Clerk's advice as to whether the Local Education Authority are liable, and if so, to the city surveyor being satis- fied that -a further supply is necessary." The Town Olerk, in reply to Mr. Mills, said the education authority were not liable to lay down., any gravel at the school, and the resolu- tion had not been carried out. Mr. Mills said he would move a resolution about refunding the cost of the five tons already laid down. The Chairman (to the Town Clerk): You do not mean to say that the expenditure is an illegal citpendlture on the part of the committee? The Town Clerk: I should not like to say it is illegal, but I am quite certain the order I ought never to have been given, and if gravel; was wanted the proper people to bear the expense were the Chester Race Company. The five tons had been laid down under a mistake. The Higher Education Sub-oommit-tee would no doubt give some instructions at their next meeting.

I CITY-ROAD SALE OF WORK. A successful sale of work was opened on Wed- nesday afternoon by Mrs. Alfred Mond in the schools connected with the City-road Presbyterian Church. The object of the undertaking was to defray the debt incurred in carrying out improve- ments in the church, and in redecorating the schoolroom, etc. There was a large attendance, which included Mr. Alfred Mond, and the Rev. Richard Jones (minister). Mr. John Owens, who presided, explained the object for which the sale, had been piomoted, and congratulated the ladies who had worked for several months in the pre- paration of the stalls. In introducing Mrs. Mond. he stated that she and her husband had for some time given their services generously in Chester, irrespective of politics, denomination or sect.-A handsome bouquet was presented' by a little girl, Dorothy Atkin, to Mrs. Mond, who then de- clared the sale opein.—A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. Mond, on the proposition of the chairman, seconded by the Rev. Richard Jones. The stalls were presided over by the following 'ladies:—Ladies' Sewing Meeting Stall: Plain needlework. Mrs. Daniel Jones, Mrs. Leah. MIs. Maddock, Mrs. McKay, Mrs. H. Richards. Mrs. J. H. Wynne; fancy work, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Lawson, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Warms- ley, Miss Mima Jones. Flowers and Fruit Stall: Mis W. Welsh, Miss A. Roberts, Miss .L. Roberts, Miss Royle, Miss Salisbury. The Roberts. Stall (cakes and sweets): Miss Cooper, Miss Harvey. Miss Jcanie Harley, Miss Leah, Miss K. Richards, Miss Hilda Williams. Refresh- m..nt Stall and Tea Rooms: Mrs. Haswell, Mrs. Harley, Mrs. Millar, Mrs. D. Richards, Mrs. John Roberts, Mrs. Wm Roberts. Mrs. Willcocks, Miss Edwards, Miss M. Haswell, Miss Ja Haswell. Produce Stall: Mr. D Richards, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Izzett. Miss Mabel Richards. A capital pro- gramme of entertainments had been arranged, in- eluding vocal and instrumental selections under the direction of the choirmaster (Mr. W. Hor- ner) and the musical committee, a performance by the Misses Cooke and Rowley's string1 band, a dialogue arranged by Miss Harvey, two evening concerts, scientific exhibits, and competitions. I

THE BIBLE AND THE SCHOOLS. I THE DANGER OF SECULARISM. 1 At Mold Pariah Church on Sunday evening the I pulpit was occupied by the Rev. R. E. Roberts, senior curate. In the course of an impressive disoourse, based on Romans xv., 4, the preacher eaid:-Among all the multiplicity of books in this age of writers and printing presses, there is none so worthy of study a.3 the Bible. It is a treasure- houao always full. No need in the varying for- tunes of lifo can be experienced that the princi- ples laid, down in Holy Writ are powerless to meet, and henoe the incalculable importance of the instilment of those principles into the mind" and hearts of the rising generation. Parents have in the *past recognised this. Amid the thunder- orashee of the education struggle, and the fog I of party abuse that tended to obscure righteous- ) neea and truth, there was apparent an earnest and universal desire that children be taught in the faith of their fathers: but now we are threatened with a change, and there is launched forth on the deep sea of human controversy as dangerous a barque as over carried sail. I can trust you to a i l I can tru.,t vou to impute to me no base political motives, and there- fore, lest any should be ignorant or oblivious of the issue at stake, let me tell you that some of the most influential politicians in Wa'cs have openly declared themselves to bo against an' v kind of religious instruction in the day schools. 'niev will rob millions of little children of the Bread of Life in order to silence their awakening con- science in another controversy: they will appear at tlie fountain of lawful authority, and the shrine where the destinies of this country are decided with a mandate. if they can secure it, from Bible- loving Wales to usc, their great influence in the interest, of secularism and godlessness in schools; to kindle and fan into a fire the millions of school Bibles for which there will be no more use. And all this in the midst of a great religious revival! W hen I contemplate the disastrous effect of a barren secular instruction, I recoil in fear and trembling, dazed by the very depth of degrada- tion into which generations yet unborn shall be made to stumble, and I take my stand firmer than ever by the historic National Church which, at much sacrifice, has raised and maintained schools with the one object of laying a sound religious foundation upon which to build the sacred edifice of character. I stand not here in the capacitv of a political advocate, but I do stand hero as a priest of God to cry "Hands off" when men would 6toop to steal the Bible from t.he sanctum of tho school. Never was it so essential that we should rally round this sacred volume and keep it pro- tected as the apple of an eye. Let us add one more endearing association to those which already cluster around it. How manifold and wondrous those associations arc I need hardly tell vou. In its words while yet we were helpless babes we were admitted into that flock whereof Christ is the Good Shepherd. In its words we early learnt at a mother's knee to be acquainted with the story of the Saviour. In its words we found the consolation of immortality when they laid our dear one in the grave. Who can tell what life- history hangs upon its every page? And this is the one book to be denied our children!

WHEN CHESTER PAYS ATTENTION Page after page of news from some distant town may appear in our local papers, but as often aa not we pass it by unnoticed. But when the item is a local one—some good news about a Chester man or woman-it engages our atten- tion at onoe. for we are loyal to our town, and its welfare is our welfare. There is sortie good news for Chester, in what this resident says. Mrs. M. Crawford, 4, Union-terrace, Chester, says:— Doan s backache kidnev pills are the best medicine I have ever tried, and I oannot speak too highly of them. "For a long time before I used the pills I didn't know what it was to be free from pain. In the lower palrt of my back there were severe shooting pains, and sometimes round my hips. Whenever I stoooed, the pain was iust like a knife-thrust, and I had to take hold of something to pull myself up by. I seemed to he full of wind. I knew by ot-heir symptoms that my kild- neys were the cause of my ailment. "Hearing so much about Dean's b-ickicb- kid- nev pills, I thought I would try til-m. There p:1I5 have helped me a lot: the pains have erone. and I feel better in all ways. (Signed) Mary Crsi wford. Doan's backache- kidney oil's ar" two shillings and ninepeno- oe-r box (six bmcPQ, for thirteen shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and stoi-es, or post fr^ on rerr-'pt of pnro, direct from Fos+er-McCMlan Co., 8. Wolls-stre^t. Oxford-street. London. W. D- sure viu get the same kind of pills as Mrs. Crawford had.

The best place in Chester for Fancv Boxes, filled with Chocolate, is R. Davies and Co., 26, Bridge- street, Chester. SULPHOLINE SKIN LOTION. The only effecti ve remedy for SKIN TROUBLES Sulpholine quicklv drives away Eruptions. Pimple3. Eczema, Acne, Blackheads, and all Disfigure ments, developing a fair, spotless akin and beautiful complexion. Try Sulpholine Lotion Shilling Bottle&

CHESHIRE EDUCATION COMMITTEE I A meeting of the Cheshire Education Committee I was held on Monday at the Crewe Arms Hotel, I Crewe, Mr. C. E. Thornycroft presiding; TEACHERS' EXTRANEOUS DUTIES. A circular recently issued by the Board of Edu- j cation on the subject of extraneous duties of teachers was laid before the committee and passed without comment. This circular, which has already received wide publicity, points out that it is not uncommon to find either in the advertise- ment of the vacancy or in subsequent corre- spondence with applicants for the post an intima- tion that the teachers will be required to play the organ in church, or teach in Sunday school, or to perform some other duty unconnected wtih the work of the school. The Board think it necessary to remind local education authorities and managers that any such requirement is invalid, and that its enforcement may involve a refusal by the Board to recognise the teacher, and, further, may even disentitle the school to further recognition as a public elementary school. DEFECTIVE CHILDREN. The county medical officer of health (Dr. Vaoher) submitted a report upon his inspection of the defective children who for some months had been receiving instruction at the Sandle- bridge School. All the children, it appeared, were well nourished and very happy and cheerful. Dr. Hodgson, in moving the adoption of the report, said it was important that the committee should know the result of an experiment they were making in giving a substantial grant towards those schools. The report shewed that the children were receiving a distinct advantage, and it was satisfactory to know that they were happv and well nourished. Colonel Dixon, in seconding, said he did not think the committee had spent money in a better II way than by providing a home for those unfor- tunate children. Anybody who saw the bright, happy lives the children were living would be satisfied that the utmost was being done for their welfare. TAKING CHILDREN TO CHURCH. ihe committee further oonsIoored the report of the director of education, adjourned from the last meeting, as to taking children from school to church during school hours. The Director reminded the committee that he had written complaining of this practice to the correspondents of twenty-one schools. Up to the last meeting replies had been received from sixteen, the remaining five being left over for further consideration. Dr. Hodgson said the position was unsatis- factory, and an intimation should be sent to the offending managers that unless they gave the committee an assurance that the practice would be stopped they would cease to maintain the schools. He knew the various ways in which the managers evaded the committee's directions, but he took it that the latter would not have evasions. As to the Diocesan Church Schools Association, he did not think the committee had anything to do with that body. They wore dealing with particular schools, and the managers must square matters with their own association. Referring to the case of the Marbury School, Dr. Hodgson described the practice as to religious instruction as a wicked evasion. He moved that a communication be sent to the correspondents of the Tarporley, Wood- church, Wvbunbury, Marbury and Lower Peover schools that unless they undertook to give a satis- factory assurance that the taking of children to church during school hours was discontinued the committee would, in the case of a further infringement of their directions in this respect, oease to maintain those schools. Mr. John Morlev seconded. In the course of some subsequent discussion, tho Rev. T. J. Evans pointed out that in justice to the school managers it should be understood that some of them honestly believed that because parents had consented to the taking of their children from the school to the church they were acting quite legally He did not agree with their view, but at the same time they did not wish to, evade the Act. The resolution was carried. DAYS OF RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE. In reply to the request of the committee that they should specify certain days in the year which they desired to be recognised in their schools as days of religious observance, a letter was received from the Chester Diocesan Church Schools Asso- ciation, stating that in their judgment it might well be arranged to allow Ascension Day, and, if so desired by the managers of any particular school, not more than five other days as days for religious obligation in any one year, such days to be named by the managers at the beginning of the school year. Professor Gonner was sorry the association had offered the committee an answer which was not relative to the question they asked. While the committee could not consent to the taking of children to church during school hours, they were bound to consider the substantial prejudioes-he used the word in no offensive sense—with regard to certain days; accordingly they had asked the bodies representing the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church in the county to kindly submit to the committee days which they regarded as days of religious obligation. He was sorry that the reply of the Diocesan Association suggested a course which seemed to him quite an impossible one—viz., that the committee should give up their power of regulating the occasional holidays of schools. It was essential that the con- trol of occasional holidays should remain with the committee. He had thought the association would have suggested a few specific days whereby the committee could lay down a regulation that any school concerned should be entitled to a holi- day, if it desired, on those particular days. The answer of the Diocesan Association seemed to him not an answer to the committee's question, but the offer of certain advice for which they were were not asked. He hoped the committee would not stultify itself so much as to consider that: proposition at all feasible. He moved a resolu- tion that in the case of the Roman Catholic Schools the days as set out in their letter be acoepted as days on which the managers were entitled to a holiday, but that in the case of the English Church Schools the letter of the Diocesan Association be referred back. Dr. Hewitt seconded. Mr. Baker-Wilbraham thought that not more than two or three days throughout the year would be taken as holidays for religious observance in the Church schools. The Association had fixed the number at five because they wanted a certain amount of elasticity, and they looked at the matter from the point of view of reducing the number of days rather than increasing it. It was only fair to the association that this should be understood. The Rev. T. J. Evans concurred. It would have been quite easy, he said, for the executive to name a number of days like the Roman Catholics had done; but they felt that in different places different customs had prevailed. They thoug'ht they ought to have the power of observing those days equally with the Roman Catholics. If the Committee assented to the course proposed by the Diocesan Association, ho could assure them very few of the days would bo taken. It was with the desire not to interfere with the routine of the schoo! that- they had proposed that course. The Chairman pointed out that, even so, the Diocesan Association had not given them the answer they asked for, while the Roman Catholics had. He would suggest that a letter be sent to t, 'err Dr. Hodgson: Oh, no! It is impossible to deal with an association like this. (Laughter.) Mr. Roger Bate claimed that the committee had no right to decree rites or ceremonies or to grant da .Y s of obligation to the Church, which was a branch of the State icrvice. Mr. T. Beeley remarked that he was appalled at the amount of time the committee took up in matters which had no reference to education, (Hear, hoar.) It was absurd that the religion of Jesus Christ should be such an occasion for! dividing sects. He often asked himself which of those sects produced the best men and women. He knew there were more lunatics in the asylums who belonged to two Churches than those who were members of any other Church. (Laughter and cries of "Order!") The resolution was carried I CHILDREN UNDER FIVE. I SHOULD THEY ATTEND SCHOOL? I ? I I ? I A protracted discussion took place as to the at- tendance at school of children under five, years of age. a subject upon which the Director of Edu- cation (Mr. R. P. Ward) submitted an exhaustive report. Having given tables showing the attend- ance at the various sohools, Mr. Ward, in tho course of his report, stated: "In the introductory memorandum by the Chief Inspector of Public Elementary Schools to tho reports on children under five, years of age in public elemental Y schools, issued by tho Board of Education. it is stated, 'there is comptete unanimity that the children between the ages of three and five- get practically no intellectual advantage from school instruction.' It is doubtful if there is real proof for such a statement. It must be noted that 'in- tellectual advantages' are only one part of educa- tion, especially among young children. It is very a flicult to obtain evidence that the attain- ments of children who have come to school before five years of age are higher than the attainments of thoso sent later. In order to gain some in- forma.t:on bearing on this point from our own county, a circula.r has been sent to each of the 536 pupils holding scholarships granted by the County Council, asking as to tlie age at which they entered the elementary school. The replies are as faows:-Conim--nced to attend under three years of age 7, 1.3 per cent.; between three and four 148, 28. per oent. between four and five 155. 29. per cent.; between five and six 136, 26. per egat. over six 80, 15. per cent. Hence it appears that 310. or 58.3 por cent., of these scholarship holders oommencod to attend the ele- mentary school before the age of five. Evidence is pretty conclusive that children who can obtain I d rc.,ii w h o can olyti suitable advantages and oare at home do not go to school before the age of five, while the, less fortunate, the poor and helpless and neglected, aie oent to school as early as possible. Taking theso facts into consideration, it is no wonder if as the age of seven or eight it is not possible to distinguish between the intellectual attainments of the well-oaied-for child who entored school at five, and the uncared-for chi!d who entored one or two years earlier." The Director pioceeded to tabulate tbo course of action taken by some other county committees on this question, and quoted the recommendations of the various snb-commit- tees in the oounty area. The report concluded as follows: "Much has been said in the public prints and elsewhere as to the financial gain to be effected by the exclusion of children under five from the schools. The cost involved divides itself under two heads—(1) maintenance. (2) provision of accommodation. The Board of Education has I, stated that it proposes to lay before Parliament early next session that no annual grant be paid I in respect of scholars under fivo years of age. The fee grant and the speciaJ aid grant will, how- ever, it is presumed, be continued. These two | grants amount to about 18s. 9d. per- unit of i average attendance in this county. Hence by excluding children under five we should lose this grant on average of 4.334. The gains on the other hand would result from such reduction in tho staff of the schools as would be found i possible. In the majority of cases, the numbers j under five are so small as not to make any differ- once in the staff. Altogether, probably a reduc- tion of about 80 teachers might be accomplished. many of whom would be supplementary teachers, j Taking an average of £ 50 for each of these. A small reduction in the amount required for sta- tionery and apparatus would also be made. And lastly, the average attendanoe in some depart- -en d anoo an soi-no deparl, mcnts would be lowered, bringing about, a lower- ing in the head-teacher's salary. From this rough calculation it appears the gain and loss would be about equal. Whore at present the accommoda- tion is not sufficient, and the schools crowded, the exclusion of children under five might be of assistance, also in growing districts. It must, however, be borne in mind that in Voluntary schools the provision of accommodation is for the managers; the county only comes in whore Coun- 0.1 schools exist, or have to be built, or whoie Voluntary schools are taken over." Dr. Hodgson moved-That no change be made at present in the admission of children under five years of age in the schools maintained by this county; and that a letter be sent to the Board of Education intimating that this committee is of opinion that it would be unreasonable and un- just to reduce the grants to local educational committees on account of the attendance at school of children under five years of age." The speaker characterised the action of the Board of Education in reducing the grants for the attend- ance of children under five as one of the most monstrous piecas of impetuosity that that autho- rity had ever been guilty of. To turn those young children into the streets was lamentable. When one considered the way in which the Board had arrived at their resolution it appeared still worse. He did not know whether any members of the committee had read the report made by "li^ ve maidens all forlorn, whom the Board sent out to investigate this subject. (Laughter.) Ho had done so, and he had never read anything which moved him more than their report. Dr. Hodgson proceeded to road several passages from the reports of the lady inspectors, which caused much laughter. Describing a slum dis- triot, one of the ladies observed that the poor children wore either clogs or bad boots, adding that she would rather see. the children bare- footed than that they should wear clogs. On reading this statement Dr. Hodgson remarked he was sure that the lady who wrote so could not: be a mother. Proceeding, he said he had made inquiries, but had never found any tangible evidence to support the statement that children who did not enter school till they were five caught up in their education with those who had attended school from an earlier age. On the contrary, he found an almost unanimous consen- BUS of opinion among medical officers to educa- tion authorities in favour of children being sent to school between the ages of three and five years. Ia some districts of Cheshire it would be madness to do anything which would result in turning infants into the streets. They could not afford to do so, even at the bidding of an iU- advised and insufficiently informed Board of Edu- cation. What they wanted was to provide the. best conditions in the schools, and then he had i no doubt the retention of the younger children would bo beneficial to their health and to their; education. He wanted to give the poorest of the poor their best chance, and it was their only ohanoo. He hoped the committee would not in- terfere. with the status quo, but wa- it for further evidence. There was nothing more unfair in the interests of education than for the Board of Edu- cation to tempt loml authorities. wiith the economic aspect of thi." question, because they hoped to save £850,000 by cutting down thetir grants. Such a revolution as the Board favoured ought, only to be made after the report of a Royal Commission. The Rev. T. J. Evans seconded the resolution, heartily agreeing with what Dr. Hodgson had, said. Dr. D. B. Hewitt pointed out the difference of opinion that existed on this question among the administrative sub-committees. Were the com- mittee deciding the question upon a philan- thropic basis, or an educational basis? The well- to-do members of the oommunity did not send their children to school until they were five or older, and it was a question whether babies of three years of age would benefit educationally by attending school. He considered that the' proper place for children under five was a nursery, and the authorities ought to provide a nursery for those infants whose parents were unable to provide one for them. Children under five might learn something by attending school, but they interfered with the education of the older children. If education in their schools was to bo of any value the children of three or four should bo carefully sepa-rated from and taught very differently from those who were five years or older. (Hear, hear.) There was a considerable number of children under five attending school in Cheshire, and he hoped Parliament would awaken to a sense of its duty to those children by making some proposal to deal with them in separate establishments. Children from three to five should be developed in their physical quali- ties, and should do very little in the way of learn- ing except what could be taught when they were congregated together in a creche. He moved as an amendment that each administrative sub- committee bo empowered to decide whether chil- dren under five years of age should be excluded from all or any of tho elementary schools within its area. Judge Bradbury said it was very easy to attack tho Board of Education, because theie was nobody present to defend' that body. For his part he believed the Board were desirous of ad- vancing the education of tho country? and it was a ?t? that suggestions like those of Dr. Hodgson should be made. T!? lady Jpeclœ'6had -aU oome to one- conclusion-—that they must dis- tin guish between children who. came from homes whese they were neglected and those who were well- cared for at home. They were also unani- mous in the conclusion that children under five derived no educational good from attendance at school. School was not the proper place for a child of three. It was the duty of the committee to load public opinion on this matter, and not to allow parents to send infants to school under the mistaken notion that their intelleotual develop- ment was being carried out. By receiving chil- drien of such tender age into school they were ridding parents of their responsibility and taking a large sum of money from educational purposes wh/ch ought to be spent in other directions. Miss Greg urged that the most valuable edu- cation a child could receive was imparted between the ages of iour and five. If crechos were pro- vided by the authorities the ratepayers would have to support th-em, and she thought a well- ordered infants' school would meet the require- ments of those children. Col. Dixon advocated the exclusion of the chil- dren fiom rural sohools. urging that infants ought not to be allowed to undergo the hardship of walking two or three miles every day to tlie village school in all weathers, a.nd sit there from morning- HI night. lVIr T Rafflos Bull-ev thought the attendance d small children was sometimes invited in schools. because it affected the teachers' saJarica. If they gave an assurance to tho teachers that their salaries would not be reduced aft-er the exclusion of those children he thought there would bo very htt? d?posit?on to press them into the schools. Prof. Gonn?r thought that uuLI the commit- ite-P had fuller information on this important sub- ject they were entitled to say it was better that maibtes should continue as at present until they saw more clearly the lines whioh future develop- ment would take. Mr. H-nchsliff (the teachers' representative) said the teachers were generally of opinion, from other than sordid reasons, that it was better chil- dren should be permitted to attend school be- tween the ages of three and five. The Rev. J. Grant Bird thought it would be almost a crime to take away maohineiy which had been built up to meet the necessities of the case. D:d they think managers would have en- larged schools at their own expense unless they saw the necessity for doing sol Thl) amendment, on being put to the meeting, was lost, by a large majority. Dr. Hodgson's resolution was then put and oarried. EDUCATION FINANCES INTERESTING FIGURES. Dr. D. B. Hewitt, in accordance with notrce given at the last meeting, gave a brief review of tho ifnances of the committeo for the last-two yoars. Dr. Hewitt said he would confine himself to shewing what tlie cost per head had been in tlvo schools of the county for tho year ending 31st March, 1905. This had been £ 2. 15s. 8d.. of wh'ch £ 2. 12s. Hid. had beon paid by grant and rates, and 2s. 8id. from other sources. Of the £2 12s. 11 M. 18s. Id. came from the rates, and 21. 14-s. 10d. from grants from the Board of Education. Some time ago the committee stated that the grants wore not sufficient. In his opinion the contribution of one-thircf out of the local ratee and two-thirds by the grant of the Board of Education was the only safeguard they had to economy in the schools. If the whole of the cost was borne by thp central au-thority they would lose, in hvs opinion, a very valuable incentive to economy During the nine months ending 31st March. 1904, there were 56,777 children in the schools; on the 31st March, 1905. there were 58.934. a.nd he thought they in Gheshire might congratulate themselves tnat under the. n-lw ad- ministration there hnd been a very considerable i increase 'n the attendance at the schools. Whe.n t he saw the Lanoash're average of 84i per cent. t he felt, perfectly confident that in Cheshire they lip., d done much better. The total amount of ) grants given bv the Board of Education in the year ending 31st March. 1905. was £ 108.708! lis. 3d.. whereas for the nine months nrcvious to thaA perod thev received only £ 43,249. The balance went into the pockets of the managers of the Voluntary schools and those of them who j had paid thp-i wav fed now got a nice sum nut by to enable them to build schoo's ;n the future. During last vear the c-omm''tte? nd- vanced tr? sa)arT? o? t.?e teachers in the cointy hv ?20.627. and exwnded on furniture, a?mr- at.??. fu.?f. 'ight and Penning a ?um of 215.704; yet tV c harTe. upmi fhc rate.? for the last twelve j nsontlvs was 18;; Id., as compared w?th 1R" M. I in tbi-ii.ii-ir- months. He thought thol committee might. t.a? to thom?rlves considerable I f-T-e?'?. for hvin'" fone iu=t;oe to <hp te??h??s j and the soMars bv ipcrea^intr th? ?'ari cs of the tormrr and bv s"endni>r money noon --ich itvvs- sarv things as furniture, apparatus, fuel, light I and cleaning. (Hear, hear.) The. Director of Education pointed out that the cost of carrying out elementary education in the fvnintv was practically R3 per head, but all of I that did not come out of the ratepayers' Dockets. The balance to be paid from the rates was I £ 66.287. 16s. gel. NEW SCHOOL AT ELLESMERE PORT. The following resolution passed by the Bobing- 1 ton and Neston Area Committee was referred to the Building Cbmmittee: -"That the further re- i commendation of the Schools Accommodation Sub- I committee in reference to provision of a new school be adopted, and that it,be a. recommendet. Iron to the County Eduoation Committee to pur- chase the site adjacent to Enfield-road, contain- ing two acres and thIrte-on yards, at. the price of Is. per square yard (as per resolution 2 of Sep- tember meeting), and that a school be erected theneon to provide immediate acoommodatiOtQ for not exceeding 350 children" INCE SCHOOL. I Un the consideration of the minutes of the Chester Union Committee, the Director of Edu- cation called attention to a singular resolution I which had been passed in reference to the Inco C.E. School. Mrs. Park-Yates, who was the owner of the school buildings, had intimated her intention to give tho managers three months' notice for them to terminate the tenancy of the school, and that after the expiration of that pc; iod she would be willing to transfer the school to the County Council. The sub-committee there- upon resolved that subject to Mrs. Park-Yates being still willing to accept tho nominal rent of Is. payable at present by the managers under an agreement, she be offered this amount on behalf of the County Council, the school to remain a Voluntary school. Mr. Ward said he had ap- pealed to the clerk to the County Council, who assured him that such a payment would be illegal, as they could only pay for a Council school. Th's had been explained to Mrs. Park-Yates, who 'had replied stating she was willing that the school should go on as it was for the present She felt. now that under the new Government, with its avowed opposition to and dislike of the Education Act (with which she cordially agreed), she would rather wait a little and see if any change in the Act, was to be made. On the motion of Dr. Hodgson, it was decided to refer back the resolution to the sub-committee with an intimation that the payment suggested would be illegal. ) ——————————

TECHNICAL SCHOOL OLD BOYS. I ANNUAL DINNER. I The seoond annual dinner of the Chester Tech- nical Day School Old Boys' Association wata held at the Newgate-street Assembly Rcoms on Satur- day evening. The association was inaugurated only a year ago, but although it is youinig in years the attendanoe and the warmth of feeling and cordiality that prevailed, were ample proof of a robust state of affairs. Close upon a hun- dred sat down to dinner, and the popular head- master (Mr. J. A. MoMichael), as chairman, tem- porarily assumed once again his guidance over his old pupils. Among the guests were the Sheriff (Mr. Wm. Ferguson), Colonel H. T. Brown (chairman of the Chester Education Com- mittee), Dr. Mann, Dr. Stolterfoth, Mr. Wm. Shone, and the assistant masters (Messrs. J. W. Marnott, T. Roberts, C. Warren and R. Chippen- dale). Mr. J. D. Siddalt sent an apology for ab- sence. The caterers were Messrs. Bolland and Sons. The toast of "The King" was given from the chair. i Colonel H. T. Brown, who wore his Volunteer uniform and left early to attend the Volunteer -vize distribution, proposed "The Old Boys' Association." Apologising for havng to leave, Colonel Brown mentioned that during his forty years' association with the Artillery he had omitted to attend the annual prize-giving on two occasions only. Therefore he felt particularly anxious to join his old comrades. (Applause) He was quite satisfied that every school, more es- pecially a public school, owed much to its tradi- tions, and those traditions depended very largely upon the old scholars. He could imagine no means by which the traditions and continuity of a sohool could bo so well kept up as by an aseo- dation such as they had formed in connection with the Chester Technical Day School. The school was by no means unknown to him, al- though for certain reasons he had never been able to take an active part in the management of the school. He had høa-n for some years a 1 governor, but while he had been on the board he had also been chairman of the Education Com- I mittee, and in that capacity he had always thought it was better to abstain from attending the meetings of the board in order that he might keep himself entirely disconnected and indepen- dent of the actual management of the school. It was quite possible that there might be a change m the management of the school, and the Education Committee might be brought into much nearer touch with it. When that change took place, if he was on the committee, and es- peo;ally if he was chairman, it would be one of the greatest pleasures of his position to associate j himself very closely and to watch very carefully the Technical Day School. (Applause.) He thought everybody must feel convinced that such an important school as that would not be done justice to unless it was provided with a proper home. He did not mean to cast any reneot-cn for a moment upon the institution which had har- boured the school up to the present time, but the sc hool was of suc'h vast importance to the oom- munity and the nation that it was quite time the school had a habitat-on of its own as well as a name. (ApplauseJ He was satisfied in his own mind that it wotfld not be long before that took plaoe. He could not say any more, because he was not in a position to bind anybody, but he should be only too glad to see a school established for boys and for girls, the latter of whom had been much neglected in Chester. When that took place he hoped the assoo.at.on would be still more closely bound to the school of the future, and that they would continue their invaluable ser- vices to the school. (Applause.) He did not know whether they had already established a magazine, but he hoped in future they would 'do so. (Applause.) He was quite sure there were .many editors arising among them. (Laughter.) They would be able to contribute moat usefully to the magazine, and not only give their own recolleotiions of their school days, but accounts of the many incidents that must be happening in their future lives as time went on. Such a maga- zine would bind most closely together the boys of to-day with the boys of thte. past generation, and nothing could be a greater incentive to work on the part of the boys of the present day. He hoped their association, young in years but strong in constitution, would continue to tive and flourish, because through their association they were doing an admirable work towards the pros- perity of the sohool, which still retained their strong affection. (Applause.) Mr. Rd. Wright, in responding, said the in- terest of the old boys in each other and in the association seemed to be increasing. Their an- nual gatherings were most enjoyable, and were the means of making friends. Mr. J. H. Davies (hon. sec.) proposed "The School." Speaking on behalf of his old fellow- scholars, he said the deep debt of gratitude they owed to the school was utterly impossible to assess or repay. At a social gathering like that they could acknowled ge the value of the education which had enabled them to climb so far the arduous rungs of the ladder of life. (Applause.) They hoped that the school would give an edu- cation forming1 great qualities such as honour, firmness, self-respect and determination. That was not done without painstaking toil and a. sin- cere and profound love of the teaching profes- sion, such as Mr. McMichael and his staff posessed in an emcnent degree. (Applause.) The Chairman responded. The old boys, he said, could have an enormous influence on the boys at the school at present. On the whole, he thought the boys who were best at school, and had the interest of the school at heart, were those who had had brothers there before them. He had been exceedingly delighted by the way that school spirit had been fostered and handed down through the old boys. One of the ways in whicih the old boys could reach the present scholars better than tho masters was in the prevention of smoking. Excessive cigarette smoking was an exoeedmgly bad thing for boys. Since most of those present had left they had started shooting in the school, and the boys were taking a great deil d interest in it. It would be a rather in- teresting thing to have a ahooting match between the past, and present. (Applause.) They had one or two who wore the little medal he gave to the best shot, so that in time, they could easily get a very good team to put against the present boys. (Applause.) Mr. McMichael also mentioned the growth of the school library, which he said was in a very flourishing condition. (Applause.) Dr. Stolterfoth gave "The Hon. Secretary and Committee," whom he congratulated on the success of the evening. Speaking of the school, he aaiid it had outgrown the Shell which first held it, and from necessity the Corporation must build a now school to carry on the work. He hoped they as an association would feel the same "interest in the new school as in the old one. (Ap- plause. Mr. J. P. Hodge, in replying, said all the credit for the success of that funct.on was due to the secretary, and not to the committee. (Hear, hear.) Mr. R. C. Owen proposed "The Guests." The Sheriff responded and expressed his best wishes for the prosperity of the association. There was nothing whicih bound young people to- gether more than an annual rally. At the present time the school was in a state of transition. The tTmo I Lad come when the city must do more than give a subsidiary grant. We must take the school by the hand and make it the stepping-stone to the universities. Whether they agreed with the Education Act or not, there was a great deal in it that was in the right way. They could not ex- pect to see the effects all at once, but it was a great step the nation had taken when it had said that every child should have the opportunities for continuing at school after the age of fourteen. He believod in a very short time they would have a scheme for secondary education applied in Chester to the great benefit of the rising genera- tion. During the evening musical contributions were given by the following:—Messrs. R. C. Owen, R. and R. Wallace, S. Sprang, R Williams, W. Armstrong, P. Lawson. J. P. Hodge. R. W. Morris, W. Thomas, H. Mitchell, and the "Old Boys" Glee Party. The accompanists were Messrs. C. Butterwonrb, J. Edwards and R. C. Owen.