Cheshire Observer

PRIMROSE LEAGUE MANIFESTO. An ad vance copy of a precept by the Primrose League to the members of the league throughout the United Kingdom appeals to all members to take their part in the coming struggle to secure the return to power of the Unionist party. The mani- festo states that two principles of the league are at stake. First, religion is threatened by the avowed intentions of the Radical party to secularise the schools secondly, the integrity of the Empire is menaced by the unfurling of the Home Rule banner by the Radical party. On the question of Fiscal Reform, it is pointed out that the Unionist party is unanimous in its demand for some change in our existing Hystem and for a free and unfettered confer- ence with representatives from our Colonies and India, as to the beat method of securing closer and more advantageous commercial relations between the different parte of the Empire.

RADICAL PROGRAMME. I ——.—— CHINESE LABOUR I The new Radkvil Primo Minister on Thursday even.ng addrasfsed meeting in thx- Albert Hall. Lenders., and, in i-.peafcing of the Radical policy RICISP.ot.n,, Indja, rAid the new Govern na&afc would make themselves. parly to no invasion -Of the. great principle of the fiubordination of Ili,, military to the civil authority. Respecting1 South Africa, the Government hvl resolved bo stw forthwith the recruitment and ewbJ rk;:¡,t.i()n of v)li2s from China. imo South Africa until the opinion of the representative Government of the )!-rilY could be had, and irusi-r act ions had, been already given to thid eSec:. The existing fnendship w?'? Fr:moo would be cordta.ity m?nt-tin?. H2 -?bel'eved there wore fresh r-oaw. of taxafc ou t-> be tapped, Bufch as the land and licences. Mi'iKarLsm, ex- travagance, and Protection were weed,, that grew in the same field, arid mu.it all be cut out. The country would iic-v-r have been oonfi-ontad with the spectre of Protection if it had not been for the South Africa)* war. The Governinent be- lieveii in seK-gw?mmenfc atnet peputar control. What other than t his, he vtked, tiie- founda- tion of our Irish policy, thxc those' donvwfcie affair*' which concerA-i,-d Ir:iL people only and not ourselves should be placed1 a tfhm L:ub? li? i sent, a Lord Elgin, the Colonial Secretary, liais sent a tong te l tçng telgra to Lord S?bome? Ht?h OMnm.is- &loner or ?cuth Aff?. ?xp?ininer G-ove m- ment's intentions v.'itb regard to Ch <!•"•*< labour, and stating that, till the opinion of the Colonies tiaa been obtained through repr?son*MSi»ve> Legis- lature, all reeruHitig1 and embarking of fresh labourers to be stopped.

MAIN ROADS DISPUTE. IMPORTANT DENBIGHSHIRE QUESTION. Colonel Slack. of the Local Government Board, sat at Abergele, on Wednesday, to arbitrate between the Abergele Urban District Council and the Denbighshire County Council as to liability of the latter body to pay for improvements carried out on main roads in Abergele. The amount in dispute was 94,000. The issues raised were considered to be of serious concern to the County Council, inasmuch as, if the claim for the improvement of the main road was sustained, the county ratepayers might subsequently be required to contribute large sums for the widening and betterment of main roads in other urban areas. It was also understood that the County Council questioned the bona-fides of the District Council's claim for expenditure in the ordinary maintenance of the main roads. There were a large number of expert witnesses present, and the major portion of the morning was taken up in settling matters of detail as to accounts. Mr. Moss, M.P., in laying the case for tlie Urban Council before the Inspector, 3aid that as far back as 1899 the question had been considered of widen- ing the main road from Abergele to Penrn. where !V. ra.Iwav station cerving a large district was located. The Local Government Board granted powers to borrow certain sums, but it was found impossible to get the necessary land until the Council obtained a provisional order for the com- pulsory acquiring of the land. The Countess of Dundonald gave a large quantity of land at a nominal charge of 65, and other land- owners sold land at 4s. Id. per square yard, but laid down a condition that a substantial wall, surmounted by iron railings, should be erected. The Local Government Board granted powers to borrow money under the pro- visional order, and £ 3,9?r» was spent, and there was also a charge for upkeep. This sum, the Urban Council contended, should be repaired by "be County Council, as the work carried out was. a reasonable and necessary improvement to a main road which was the only outlet for a district of sixty-three square miles to Abergele Railway Statian. Replying to the Inspector, Mr. Glen said that it was not so much a question of amount with the County Council as one of principle and liability. After several witnesses had been called the inquiry was adjourned.

SPORTING. I THE DUKE'S FOALg. I NAMES REGISTERED. I His Grace the Duke of Westminster has named I his nine foals, which will be yearlings after the 1st I Januarv next, as follows:- C. by Orme. out of Vampire V-vmose F. by St. Frusquin, out of Rydal Butterorag F. by Ladas, oat of Lowood Lowgill C. by St .Simon, out of Princess Mary.. Morena C.by Flying Fox, otitof Mim Unicorn.. Mowsali F. by Orme, out of Rydal Mount Etydal Water C. by Orme, out of Kissing Cup Tryatiug Tree F. by William the Third, out of Gay Rose Orange Rose C. b; William the Third, out of Profit.. Boyne

The Home Secretary has appointed Mr. H. L. Boyd to be his assistant private secretary. The Earl of Crewe, Lord President of the Council, who will represent the Board of Education in the House of Lords, has appointed Mr. G. E. P. Murray, one of the examiners at tho Board of Education, as his private secretary. SEQUEL TO A CHESTER MARRIAGE.— In the Divorce Division, on Tuesday, tho President had before hini the petition of Mrs. Elisa Harris for a di voree bv reason of the cruelty and adultery of her husband, Mr. Thomas James Harris. The petitioner deposed that she was married to- the respondent on September 5, 1876. at the paxish ■c hurch of St. Mary. Chester. Thi* -iftwwards lived together at Shrewsbury. There owe cbild of the marriage. For the first ten yflare of their married life she lived with bar bustowd at the George Hotel. Shrewsbury, where 'h" waa a. waiter. He treated her very unkindly Ha gave way to drink, and suffered from delirium tremens On one occasion he tried to choice her. Ho loot place after j place. Ultimately he got employment. at a Brad lord club. but was aftewards disrated, Evidenoe was given that at Higher Chatham-afreet, Cboriton- j ,on-Medlock the respondent stayed with a woman other than the petitioner. A decree nisi, with costs, was granted 1

MR. HOULT'S CAMPAIGN. I Mr. Hoult. M P., whose meeting at Ellesmere Port an Monday is reported in our inside pages, addressed a capital meetiing at New Ferry on Tuesday night, under the onairmanship of Mr. H. R. Rodger, who confidently prophesied another triumph for Mr. Houit at the poll. Mi1. Hoult said a Government which had as its head a Prime- Minister who held communion with the avowed enemies ot this country, and who gave those people advice which, if followed, would leaci to the ruin and destruction of our Emp re. was not a Government in whidh hk- nad the slightest confidence- (Cheers.) In his humble opinion it was the rottonest Government we had over had. (Applause.) It was a conglomeration of incongruities in the shape of a Government 's 'ch as the country had never before seen. lAp- plause and cries of drssent.) What was the Liberal programme? (A V 0100: "Turn the Chinese out of South Africa,") Ho was delighted that that subject ha.d been mentioned. They had licard a great deal about the Chinese, but they would not hear so much from their opponents about them mow. If everything the Radicals had said about the Chinese were true, ib was the duty of the Government at ouoeto i-evoke the ordinance. (Ap- plause.) Whv did they not, do it? They did not do it because they "know perfectly well that a great dea.1 of what they had been saying up and down the country ivas absolutely wrong. (Ap- plause. ) Mr. Maelver also spoke, and exposed some fal- lacious Fiscal arguments by Mr. Lever and his friends He reminded them, that both Sir John Brunner and Mr. Lever were manufacturers in other lands as well as in this, and they knew how to combine the advantages of Protection else- where with Free Trade here. In addition to tii,, girnt works at Port Sunlight, Mr. Lever's firm had associated companies in other lands, some of which in the words of the Port Sunlight souvemr. whio l i, "aiready talking of the time when they would be bigger than their parent." (Laughter aiid applaus,- .) In ootnolusian, Mr. MacIveT ex- pressed the hope that they would not be misled by the statements which were being made by their opponents, but would stand true to one who had discharged his duti-es faithfully and we!L (Applause.)

I UNIONISM AT NESTON. I MR. HOULT ON FISCAL MATTERS. Mr. J. Hoult, M.P., addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting on Thursday evening at the Neston Town Hall.. Mr. C. Maelver, vioe-chairman of the Wirral Conservative Association, presided, and on the platform were Mr. H. F Russell. Mr. A. Birkett, the Rev. W. Poetanoe, Mr. H. T. Gill, Miss Hoult, etc. The speakers obtained a very patient hearing, and their remarks were followed with interest. Moderation was the prevailing note of the various speakers. Mr. C. Maclver was at once accorded a respectful hearing, and Mr. Hoult, who devoted himself almost entirely to the Fiscal question, delivered one of the most lucid and trenchant speeches ever given from a Neston plat- form. As a speaker he was at his best, and the question of Free Trade versus Fair Trade;. i,rom the Feir Trader's standpoint, has seldom been handled in a more convincing manner. Mr. Joseph Pemberton, chairman of the Neston and Parkgate Council, in the course of a thoughtful address, reviewed the services rendered to the country by the late Government, and, as shewing the practical sympathy they had evinced with the working-man. quoted the Employers' Liability Bill and the Aliens Bill, while their magnificent foreign policy, by means of which Japan was barring the grasping ambition of Russia in the Far East, won the admiration even of the Radicals. On the whole, the result of Thurs- day's meeting should do much to advance the Unionist cause in the Neston portion of the Wirral Division. Mr. C. Maelver warned the audience not to acoept too readily the promises which might be made by many Parliamentary candidates. The Conservative party made resistance to Home Rule the firit plank of its platform, and asked for a i weapon in the shape of retaliation for the do-for.ee of the manufacturing interests. (Hear, hear. ) Mr. Joseph Hoult, in a most interesting speech, dealt with the Fiscal question in connection with th? unemployed. The great stress of ureemploy- ment, he said, was not duo to any temporary cause. It had been going on for a long time, but he was afraid it was likely to continue for a long time -still. It was extraordinary that this should be so when at no period of the country's history had the pending power of the well-to-do-people been so great. At no period had so much money been spent in luxury as at the present time. It wu a deplorable thing that when all this wealth, w- accumulated by individuals there should be all this poverty among the poor. It seemed as if the present system was 1. system which made the noil man richer and the poor man poorer. It had been said that a changt) in the Fiscal system woaki have that effect, but he did not see how any change could make the rich man richer or the poor man poorer than they were. It was absolutely essential that something should be done to change the condition of the poor man. Tn,) present state of affairs certainly ought to be changed, and the unemployed had a right to demand that wor( ",hould be found for them. Mr. Hoult said that goods exported from this oountry to other countries had a heavy taxation imposed upon them. Was it fair to the British workman that t.he)3 foreign country were allowed to send their goods into this country to compete with ix.ni free? He pointed out that Free Trade had been established in this country in the anticipation biiat Free Trade would gain over Europe to itself, but to-day It, was seen tthat that anticipation was wrong. The time had arrived when the country had to reconsider the position. Mr. Cobden's eal had turned out to be all wrong. If he had i1 riglt in his anticipations they would have Jrad no unemployed now, and'not been called upon to pay 13 millions per annum for the phrpose of supporting one million paupers in the w6rkfoouses of England and Wales. (Heir, hear.) That was what the Liberals were doing now. It Mr. had been correct, and other countries followed the lead that, was given, the whole position would have been entirely different. In later years Mr. Cobden got the idea that his opinions wer-P, wrong, because in the later sixties he negotiated a treaty with France. That treatv increased thio country's trad e with France. and F'ranc.e'g trade with England. It was allowed to lapse, and was not renewed. The result was that France gradually increa^ her import trade. He oou.id not convince a man who was a bigot, but ho wanted to get. at the man who had an open mind. (Hear hear.) They wanted fair oondition.s of commerce. It was to the- interest of every man 1:1 the country. It was their duty to see that thev obtained t'l&se conditions. There was a duty laid upon every man's shoulders to see that the •vorlcing-men got, fair play. (Applause.) The working-man w far aa he was concerned was going to get fair play. (Hear. hear.) He might not think he (Mr. Hoult) was his friend, and that be had a friend elsewhere; but he assured the working-man that he had no one who was more sincere in his desire to help him, and no one who would try to do more for him than he (Mr. Hoult) wouid. Thev had been so kind and atten- ttv,, irL listening to his remarks that he would be extremely sorry on tiiat occasion if he, wer,, to say something which would raise a feeling which perhaps might not. be altogether in harmony with the pleasantness of the meeting. On the motion of Mr. J. Pemberton, seconded by Mr. H. T. Gill a vote of confidence was ac- corded Mr. Hoult.

RADICAL MEETING AT HOOLE. MR. MOND AGAIN ADOPTED. A meeting in support of tie candidatures of Mr. Mond and the Hon. A. Lyulph Stanley was held at the Westminster Schools on Wednesday evening, under the presidency of Mr. T. A. Rigby. A letter was read from Mr. Herbert Gladstone wishing Mr. Mond success. Mr. Mond said in the last twelve months many tilings had ohanged, and among them his own position. He spoke to them that evening for the 1 first- t*mo within the confines of that city a.? the ?top'?i Liberal candidate for the city. (Ap- phu.) He .had pa.d whim on the preview evening unanimously the kind and cordial invita- tion of the. Liberal 300 of that town to represent their cause in the coming fight, and he had gladly and willingly accepted the call to battle. Pro- j oaeding. he. asked in what: position was Mr. Yorburgh in regard to thai great Fiscal issue; what was his declaration on the question of. the moment at the next election. Free Trade or Pro- tection? He beUpved Mr. Yerburgh had been in he town for soe tizno. He had seen. him flitting about-—(laughter)—but he had not lfe,,n that he had called together khe men who had sent him to Parliament and explained to them where he was to be found on that question. Mr. Ye-rburgh cpoke with no uncertain voice at Black- burn, but at Chester he was silent. He chal- lenged .him to repeat on a platform in that town the declarations he had made elsewhere. (Ap- plause.) Referring to Mr. Yerburgh's sporting challenge regarding Chinese Labour, he said that was one of the things Mr. Yerburgh was going to do. like the Cheshire Regiment and other things, which never came off. He (Mr. Mond) had kept his promise to send six men out, and they were working very successfully. (Hear, hear.) The- men were rewarded for championing the came of white labour in South Africa with insults a.nd ridicule. These men had gone out to a strange land, under conditions which were harder than they were on the Rand, to a hotter place than Johannesburg, where the conditions were rough and arduous in the extreme, and they were working manfully, 6trongly, and without fear or quavering, certain that they could manage the job. %nd confident in their ability to represent their capacity as workmen. These men were a credit to them. When they returned they ought to be acclaimed by the working population of this country. It was said th-ev were out on a picnic, but he would like to see the men who sat in arm- chairs and scribbled doing the same work. It was also said that the men were working on the surface. So they were some time. There waa surface work ae well as underground work to do. These men were not working at Johannesburg, but at Ba-rberton, the oldest goldfield in South Africa. He could assume them that the men were now working underground. (Applause.) He had a letter from the mining captain out there stating thflt they were working on the shafts, and were drilling with hand drills and blasting just as in any other mine in the oountry, and doing it aa successfully as all other work they had under- taken. (Applause.) Mr. Stanley and Mr.-Hemmerde (Radical candi- date for Shrewsbury) also spoke. EAST DENBIGHSHIRE. I Mr. Samuel Moss, the present Radical member, was again -viopted on Thursday as the Rid;cal I c mdidate. His opponent is not yet anonoonced.

COLONEL COTTON-JODRELL. I 0 I A PRACTICAL, AGRICULTURIST. Colonel Cotton Jodrell, C.B., will make an ideal representative of Eddisbury. As a practical agri- culturist, he is admirably qualified to voice the views of the electors of this important agricultural constituency. The gallant Colonel has now addressed enthusiastic meetings in all parts of the division, and his thoughtful peeches have made an excellent impression. Ho has under- gono a useful training in Parliamentary life, having sat as the member for Wirral for fifteen years. Colonel Cotton-JodreU, then Captain Cotton, was first ohosen as candidate to succeed the Hon. Wilbraham Tollemache in West Cheshire. When the Redistribution Bill was passed he stood for Wirra!, and in 1885 defeated his cousin, Mr. James Tomkinson, by nearly 1,500 votes. In the following year he was un- opposed in 1892 he defeated Mr. B. C. de Lisle by 2,458 votes, and in 1895 he had another walk over. When Colonel Ootton-Jodrell returns to the House of Commons he will find many changes, and many missing faoes. Since he first took his seat death has hushed the voices of Mr. Glad- stone, Mr John Bright, Lord Randolph Churchill, Sir William Harcourt, and many others. Colonel Cotton-Jodre 11 was born at Rugby in 1847, and is the only son of the late Bishop Cotton, of by his marriage with Sophia Anne, daughter of the Rev. H. Tomkinson, of Reaseheath Hali, Naptwich. Bishop Cotton was a native of Chenier, and in 1866 was drowned in the Ganges. Colonel Cotton-JodreU was edu- cated at Rugby and Marlborough, and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He entered the Royal Artillery in 1868 and retired in 1881, when he took up his residence at Reaseheath Hall. In 1890 he assumed the name of Jodrell. The gallant Colonel's great interest in agriculture is almost too well known to need mention, but we may remind our readers that he is president of the Cheshire Chamber of Agriculture, and his im- partiality and courtesy in the chair have materially helped to promote the usefulness of that body. Tnen he is chairman of the pros- perous Cheshire, North Wales and Shropshire Farmers' Supply Association, and vice-chairman of the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association and the Cheshire Da.iry Farmers' Association. In all these capacities he has gained the respect of the farmers with whom he is associated. Some time ago he conducted an interesting experiment with a view of proving whether the harder kind of wheat which is grown in America is suitable for cultivation in this country. The result was that in two years' time he found the American wheat, owing doubtless to climatic influences, lost its speoial characteristics and developed into ordinary English wheat. Colonel Cotton-Jodrell takes a. deep interest in the question of rural de- population, and as a remedy for the evil he advo- cates the erection of sanitary and suitable cot- tages, the provision of village clubs, and the securing of a.notm'en? where required. Next to Agriculture. Army reform occupies a prominent part In his thoughts. As the com- "mandm*g oSccr of the 2nd Cheshire Royal Engineer (Railway) Volurtteers, he has rendered valuable service to the Voluntoonffiovement. The corps was founded in 1887, and he was appointed to the command in 1838. It is composed, with the exception of himself, the second in command and the adjutant, entirely of men employed by the London and North-Western Railway Company. By an Army Order, any man ceasing to be in the company's employment is at once struck off the muster roll of the oorp& The strength of the corps is about 700. and during, the South African War they sent out about 280. offiøe-rs and men, of whom a half were there from the beginning, November, 1899. They were employed oja railway work in the Transvaal, and were of great assistance. One officer got the D.S.O. several were mentioned in despatches, and two or three; reoeived the Distinguished Sendee medal. Col. Clotton-Jodrell was made a Companion of the Bath in 1902 in recognition of his valuable ser- vices. The gallant Colonel is a staunch advocate of greater efficiency in the Volunteer force. He argues that to bring this about it will be neces- sary to recognise the principle, if not of actual remuneration for services rendered, of the pay- ment of out of pocket expenses, so that the Volun- teer shall not at all events be the lo&er by his ser- vices. In company with some other commanding offioers of Volunteers, he drew out a scheme on the subject, and it was submitted to the Duke of Norfolk's Commission. The scheme was not adopted as a whole, but oertain parts were. On the question of Fiscal reform, Colonel Cotton-JodreU is a supporter of Mr. Chamberlain. His theory is that anything that will benefit the wage-earning class gc-nerally will re-act upon agriculture, because there would be a greater demand for agricultural produce. With regard to education, he take,3 tha view that the Act "peree" is a very good one, and that the troubles that have arisen are easily capable of a solution by unbiassed people. He does not lose sight of the heavy financial burden the Act throws upon those engaged in Agriculture, and he suggests that they might be lessened by providing for the education rati by a separate assessment upon farmhouses only or by making a great proportion of the rate a charge upon the National Exchequer. Colonel Cotton-Jodrell is, of course, strongly opposed to Home Rule. As to his prospects at the coming election, they are very rosy. The organisation of the Unionists in Eddisbury was never better; and, with a united party at his back, Colonel Cotbon-Jodrell should be assured of success.

INFIRMARY BALL.-The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Chester bens to acknowledge with thanks the recei pt of the following donations to the Infirmary Ball Fund Mrs. G. H. Horsfall, 21. Is.; Mrs. Edwin Gardner. 4:1. Is Mrs. Welsford. £ 1; Mrs. J. M. Frost. El. Is.; Mrs H. J. Birch, jBl. Is.; Mrs. Elliott, 91. Is.; Mrs. Skipwith. jSl. Is.: Mrs. Reginald Potts, £ 1. Is.; Miss Sneyd Kyiinersley. 21. Is. Mrs. Grandidge, £1. la.; Mrs. G. H. Reynolds, fil. Is. CHESTER PAXTON SOCIETY.—At the annual general meeting, which was held in the Grosvenor Museum on Saturday, under the chair- manship of Mr. N. F. Barnea, Eaton, the report for the past year was presented and other routine business transacted. Mr. Miln, in presenting the annual report, commented upon the fact that the recent exhibition of fruit and chrysanthemums was the most sucoossful that had been held under the auspioes of the society, but the exhibition of spring flowers had unfortunately resulted in a financial loss, and it was in consequence resolved not to continue this exhibition. The autumn exhibition will, however, be held in November, as usual. The members and subscribers have during the past yea.r increased from 530 to 560, this being the largest number of names on the society's books at any one time. A sincere expreffiion of regret was expressed at the impending departure from Chester of the popular president of the society, Major MacGillycuddy. The Chairman commented upon the eminent services that Major MacGillycuddy had for same years rendered to the society. From the time of his coming to Chester he had i!1fud a very great amount of enthusiasm into the society, and had also con- tributed generously to the prize funds by present- ing challenge cups and other handsome prizes; and in addition to thus he had been instrumental in getting the support of others, who had also rendered great assistance -in giving challenge cups and prizes for competition at the autumn shows. A hope was expressed that the Major's absence from Baohe Hall would be only temporary.—Mr. T. Gibbons Frost, the senior vice-president, who has for some years taken very practical interest in the work of the society, was unanimously elected president for the year. Major MaoGillycuddy and Mr. J. Garrett Frogt being elected vice-presidents. Mr. N. F. Barnes was unanimously re-elected chairman of committee, and & request was made to Mr. Miln to continue to act as secretary and treasurer. Mr. Robprt Newstead .was thanked for his services as con- sulting naturalist, 3nd he promised to continue in th's q>ffice. An executive committee was then elected £ s follows :-Me&lrs. A. W. Armstrong, J. Clack J. Dufcton, A. Ellams. O. Edwards, T. Gilbert. J. Jackson, H. G. Little, G. Lyon, S. May, W. Prinele, Jos. Ryder, J. D. Siddall, E. Stubbs, R. Wakefield, J. Weaver and J. Wynne. The proceedings closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Barnes for his services as chair- man of the meeting. Useful presents for Christmas and New Year. Splendid selection of new goods at THORP'S Hosiery and Glove The Eastgate (opposite Grosvenor Hotel).

CITY POLICE COURT. I (See also page 7.) I I YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).—Before the Mayor! Alderman. R. Lamb) and Colonel Evans- Lloyd. I AFTER THE CAKES.—Three small Saltney boys named John Hughes, George Snell, and Herbert Ridgway, whose ages were between 11 and 12, were summoned for stealing on Sunday, December 10th, a quantity of sweets and cakes, to the "alue of 12s. 6d, from the Co-operative Stores, S?ttney.—The Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne) said he had reduced the charge from one of shop-breaking to one of laroeny. The lads went to the stores and got over the wall at the back, while othors kept watch. When they were tackled they admitted the theft.—Saml. Bradley Settle, manager of the stores, ga.ve evi- they i er ? tt I., left the place safe on Saturday j t h h night. The goods were missing on Mcnday.- P.O. Griffiths sa-id the boys had admitted the offence.—The Chief Constable said the Co-opera- tive Society would not have taken procee ings: but on the previous Sunday a similar thing had occurred.—Defendants' mothers, who were pre-: sent, said they and their husbands had thrashed' the boys.—In order to avoid recording a oonvio-1 tion the magistrates discharged the boys on the promise of their parents to birch them again. SUSPICIOUS POCKETS.—Richard Littler. a Chester man with a poaching record, was fined: £ 5 and oosts for having been found in poæejon of one bag, one net and seven pegs.-P.O. Bo wen sa.id he met the absent defendant in Niaholas- stireet on Wednesday morning. Notioin- has pockets wore bulky he searched him and found the implements named in tho summons.—The Chief Constable said there were 21 convictions against Littler. A GROWING LIST.—Sarah Ann Dobson, Handbridge, made her 29th appearanoo, and was fined 10s and coots for being drunk and dis- or d er l y. "OUT OF THE FRYING PAN.The occu- pant of a house in Crypt-oouTt, Watergate-row, was summoned for having a chimney on fire.- The Chief Constable said he believed the ex- planation was that there was too much fat in tbe frying pan. (Laughter).—Defendant was ordered to pay the costs.

WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY. BALL AT CHESTER. I A tluooossful ball in aid of the Church of Eng- land Waifs and Strays Society was held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester, on Thursday evening. The attendance included the following:—Mr. J. B. Arkle, Miss Arbuthnott, Mr. Arthur Anderson, Miss Harmood-Banner, Mr. Walcot Harmood- Banner, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Blain, Mise Blain, Miss Dora Blain, Mr. A. W. L. Butler, Miss Una Butler, Mr. L. F, Beatson, Miss Bridge, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bonnalie, Mrs. and Miss Beat, Mr. F. G. Barker, Capt. Biomfield, Mr. H. E. Bushell, Miss Court, Mr. E. S. Clark, Mr. A. Pitoairn- Campbell, Miss A. Carson. Mr. A. R. V. Cor- bett, Mrs. Uvedale Corbett, Miss Corbett, Miss B. Corbett, Miss Donne, Miss Margaret Donne, Mr. Stephen Donne, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Dobie, Mr. E. H. Darby, Mr. H. O. Dickson, Miss Mabel Dickson, Mr. A. E. Dickson, Mr. Guy Tritton Dickson, Miss I Dickson. Mr. E. D. Dickson, Miss Constance J Dickson, Mr. R. Bevis P. Dixon, Mr. F. Mostyn B. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. W, L. Cameron-Davies, Miss Duckworth, Dr. Cyril Dobie, Mrs. 0. P. Douglas, Miss Douglas, Miss Dale, Mr. H. K. Douglas, Miss Dansey, Miss Elly, Mr. and Mrs. James G. Frost, Miss Fulton, Miss V. Fulton, Mr. and Mrs, T. Gibbons Frost, Mr. Geoffrey Meadows Frost, Miss Margery Frost, Miss Hilton Gardner, Mr. E. Hilton Gardner, Mr. H. L. Greenhouse, Mrs. Garnett, Mr. N. F. Granger, I Mr. and Mrs. E. Graener, Mr. E. S. Giles, Miss Gannett, Mr. C. S. Gamett, Mfl. W. Gamon, Mr. A. Graener, Mr. R. C. Chipple Gill, Mr. J. Perci- val Gamon, Mrs. P. Gamon, Mr. F. M. Granger, Mr. R. Johnson-Houghton, Miss Johnson- Houghton, Miss Holland, Mr. H. Johnsan- Houghton, Mrs. Dimond Hogg, Mr. A. D. Hol- land, Mr. Hunt, Miss Daisy J. Houghton, Mr. Chas. Johnstone, Miss Jolinstone, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Johnstone (Surrey), Miss Jacson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry JoLLiffe, Mrs. Latham (Hooton), Miss B. Latham (Hooton), Mr. H. R. Latham (Hoo- ton), Miss Latham (Hooton), Mr. Malcolm Logan, Mr. G. Lockett, Mrs. F. E. Lees, Miss Muspiratt, Mr. J. R. Muspratt, Miss Mina Muspratt, Mrs. Muspratt, Dr. Percy Muspratt, Major and Mrs. Meredith, Major and Mrs. MacGillycuddy, Miss S. J. Marriott, Miss M. E. Morris, Miss Maclaran, Mr. M. Maclaran, Mrs. Porey Miller, Dr. Mott, Mrs. O. Moser, Miss Marjorie McLeod, Miss McLeod, Mr. G. Nicholson, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. St. C. Nicholson, Mr. C. M. Nicholson, Mrs. Nicholson, Mr. C. G. Nicol, Mr. H. Nicholson, junr., Mr. R. W. Norton, Mr. John Okell, Miss Maud Okell, Mr. Frank Okell, Miss Okoll. Mr. J. Forsett Owen, Miss Owen, Mr. 0. Tudor Owen, Miss Perks, Miss D. Poggi, Mr. E. Gordon Poggi, Mr. and Mrs. Pocklington, Mrs. Arthur C. Preston, Mr. H. M. Preston, Miss E. Porter. Mr. J. Pearson, Miss Frances Radcliffe, Miss Radcliffe. Mr. W. E. H. Raynor. Mr. S. C. Richards, Miss A. Rogers, Mrs. W. Rogers, Mr. C. W. Rogers. Miss C 4 Rogers, Miss J. Salkeld Robinson, Miss Salkeld Robinson, Miss J. Reid, Miss E. Reid, Mr. A. Reid, Miss Reid, Mr. C. B. Royds, Mr. and Mrs. Rogerson (Poiefield), Mr. John Rogers. Mias Read, Mr. F. Read, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Robertson, Mr. S. A. Robertson, I Mrs. Philip Rees, Miss C. M. Roberts (Oakfiedd), Mr. C. P. Smith, Mr. Sanderson, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sharpe, Miss Stevenson, Mr. Westrope r Selby, Mr. W. R. W. §4iand, Miss ,R. Scott, Miss Coopm Scott, Miss L. Howard Stafford, Miss Howard Stafford,- Mrs. Howard Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. F. Skipwith, Mr. Lawrence Speak man, Miss Savage, Mr. Geoffrey Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Thomson, Mr. Tyrer, Miss Tyrer, Mr. Temple, Miss G. Temple, Miss Hero Taylor, Dr. J. G. Taylor, Miss F. M. Taylor, Miss Amy Taylor, Mr. Henry Taylor, Miss M. V. Taylor, Mr. F. Verdon, Miss Ogilvie Will, Mrs. Way, Mr. and! Mrs. Wickham, Mr. Winter, Miss Winter, Capt. 0. G. V. Wellesley, Miss Geraldine Welles- lev, Miss Watson.

ERMINE CATTLE MART. CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE. For three days this week, namely, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Mr. W. H, Nightingale conducted his Christmas show and sales of fat stock and poultry, and on each occasion was wall supported by the leading agriculturists. of the surrounding districts. Monday was set aside for the disposal of calves and pigs, there being no deoline in the lecoid entries with which this old- estabHshed mart is so well patronised. The calves were the first lot to come under the ham- mer, after being ably judged by Mr. Geo. Adams (Liverpool) and Mr. Sinclair, of Perth. Mr. Bee- j croft, of Eastham, again gave his valued services as steward. Nearly 150 calves were entered, and a capital trade was met. The prize calf was the pioporty of Mr. Robt. Wade, of Aston Grange, ¡ and was bought by Mr. Geo. Adams for j67. 3s. This calf was only a:x weeks old. and sold at the lecord price of Is. lid. per Ib: Mr. Gregory owned the h c calf, tho same being secured by Mr. J. Riobardson for £ 5. 5s. Mr. Putt, of Capon- hurst, with a calf which was sold to the buyer of the prize-winner at JB5. 7s., gained the c card. Grea.t interest was taken in the pig sale. It was generally acknowledged tha,t a grander lot of pigs had rarely been penned in the one yard, the only detriment being that tiw entry might have been somewhat larger, as several buyers could not fulfil the orders they had to execute. The judges had a difficult task to award the prize cards, but this was capably undertaken by Messrs. Jos. Mos- ford and W. Gosmorc, of Chester, their decision being received with every satisfaction. The awards and prices are as follows :-Pig, over 16 score live wee. ght: Prize. Mr. Spencer, Handley (3). JE25. 5s., buyer Mr. W. Gosmore; he, Mr. T. Toft, Cotton (3). £ 19. 16s., buyer Mr. Nicholas, Saughall; c: Mr. Brereton, Rowley Hill (3), 218 10s., buyer Mr. Horswill. Mr. Brereton's entry of 24 pigs averaged j66. 2s. per head. Pigs under 16 score live-weight: Prize, Mr. Geo. Mullock (3), E20. 15s., bfiyer Mr. B. Bennett; he, Mr. W. Toft, Pulfond (3), JBIS. 12s. 6d.. buyer Mr. Jos. Brown; c.. Mr. 'r. Toft (3), E16. 12s. 6d., buyer Mr. Bert Gerrard. Porket pigs: Prize, Mr. R. Feamaii (5)t £ 12. 5s., buyer Mr. Hoiswill; h c, Mr. (5), C10. 10s., buyer Mr. A. Wait;, c. Mr. Edwirds, Queen's Park (5), J69. buyer Mr. Bennett. Bacon pigs averaged 10s. 6d. per score dsad weight, and porkets lis. per score. Tuesday was devoted to the sale of sheep and cattle, the auctioneer in both olasses receiving first-class en- tries. The adjudication of sheep was in the hands of Messrs. Arthur Smith and B. Bennett, of Chester, and cattle prizes were awarded by Messrs. Jos. Richardson and Jos. Mosford. of Chester. A start was made with the sheep at 11 o'clock, and a. splendid clearance was effected. mutton making quite 9d. per lb. The prize for poai of five 1 Scotch sheep was secured by Mr Thos. Smith, Blacon, reahsing JS15. 10s., buwr Mr. Jno. Lloyd; he. Mr. Hassall, LIO. 11 tcci,, buyer Mr. A. Ciewo; c, same owner, Z10. 10& buyer Mr. T. Smibh. Other breed of sheep: Prize. M. Lloyd. Trafford, JE13. 15s., buyer Mr. Jos. Mosford; he. Mr. Hassall, of Trafford, jS12 15s, buyer Mr. A. Smith; c, Mr. T. Handley, £ 11. 10a.. buyer Mr. A. Smith. At 12 o'clock a start wa3 made with the cattle, but unfortunately a dull market was experienced, beef being low at 6d. per lbi, only some very choice small weights produced in the neighbourhood real- .isin.g 6d. per lb. In the bull class Mrs. Beech's entry secured preprer honour, selling at JH20 10s., tho buyer being Mr. J. Carr; h c. Mr. Edw. Dean, :CZD. buyer Mr. O. Lloyd. Bullock: priae, Mr T. Handler, £ 24. buyer Mr. J. Riohasrdson; h c. Mr. P. Owen, E20. 10s., buyer Mr. E. Llovd; c, Mr. T. Handley. £ 21, 10s., buyer Mr. J. Richardson. Cow; Prze, Mr. Geo. Cooke, JE21 15s., buyer Mr. Geo. Parker; he. Mr. R. Wade, JS22. 17s. 6<1. buyer Mr. Edwards. Buckley; c, Mr. R. Wade, E19. 5s., buyer Mr. Barlow, North- wioh. Heifer: Prizo, Mr. R. Wade, JB21 55.. buyer Mr. Jos. Mosford; h c. Mr. Spencer. Hand- lov-, Llcl. 2s. 6d.. buyer Mr. J110 Lloyd: c, Mr. Peter owell. P,20, buyer Mr. O. Lloyd. The przo for best four beasts in the show was won 'by Mr. T, Ilandley, the priccs baing £ 24. 15s., £ 24, D21. 10s., JB21. 10s.; lie, Mr. Lloyd, of leJn- ondestall. £ 23., £ 22. 15s., £21. 12s. 6d. a.nd:£21 10s.; è, Mr. Peter Owen, £ 20. 10s., £ 17. 7s &d., JB16. 2s. 6d. and JB15. 5s. On Wednesday the auctioneer' heM his annual poultry sale. The entries comprised 292 ducks, 169 geese, 352 couples of fowls, and 156 turkeys. The top prices were: Couples of fowls to 8s. 3d., a turkey weigh- ing 161b, sold at 149., geese 16s. per couple, and ducks to lls. 6d. per couple. From this sale it is -apparent that it would be profitable for farmers to fatten, poultry for the Christmas markets.

"DISTRESSING INCIDENT AT BURTON." I TO THE EOITOB. I Sir,-The short paragraph under this heading whicn appeared in a previous issue seems to have very greatly excited the ire of the Vicar of Burton. -do was not referred to either directly or indirectly in the very brief description of what was in every sense a truly distressing scene, yet he has felt it necessary to go out of nis way to make what must be oonsidered a bitter attack upon the writer., Had his charge been one of exaggeration, often a. debatable point, it might have been passed over in silence, leaving the matter to the judgment of your readers; but he I makes such a reckless and uncaliedifor attack upon your correspondent's veracity that it would be mistaken kindness to ignore it. According to his assertion my seventeen line paragraph is "unfair," is "inaccurate," it is "pure fiction," and with one exception it is "misleading from beginning to end." In fact, judging from the worthy vicar's summary, It is just the kind of ■paragraph that may be expected of the father of lies when he sets up in business as a newspeper correspondent. The paragraph was in reference to the burial of the late stationmaster of Burton Point, who unfortunately died a few months after being transferred to the station. The paragraph briefly narrates these facts and goes on to state I that "owmg to some misunderstanding no bearers were provided to remove the body from the hearse to the church. A man who was driving by I kindly consented to help the driveir and under- taker. After a painful wait the three men con- trived to carry the bier into the building." Commenting on this the Vicar says:—"The story of the man's driving by who, together with the undertaker and driver contrived to carry the bier into the building, is pure fiction," for, as he very glibly puts it, "the extra help required was furnished by the sexton's son." By carefully perusing these words the reader will find that my captious critic and myself are quite in harmony over the essential point, viz., that three men instead of the customary four were finally got together to oarry the bier up the flight of steps leading unto the church- yard. In the original paragraph I frankly stated that the incident was du-e to a misunderstanding, and the Vicar explains this as being due to the faot that "a 'bearer' party was told off by the railway authorities, the latter being under the impression that the coffin wouJd be brought to I the stationmaster's house, thence to the church, whereas the body was brought direct to the churoh." For a lover of lucid statements this is not a good sentence, as it is calculated to produce that misleading effect which he so much detests. It gives the casual reader the impression that the I beairers were waiting at the residence while the I funeral was taking place, whereas-I wonder if the Vicar is aware of the faot-those homy- handed employes of the G.C.R. were at the moment engaged in their daily labour miles apart from eaoh other. I As regards the kindness shewn to the widow both during heir husband's illness and after his death there has never been a doubt. The lady 1 of the manor has acted with characteristic '¡ generosity, and the railway company—to their credit be it said—not only arranged for bearers, but even consented to 'remove the remains to the old home in Kent free of all charge. The widow, however, decided against this at the last moment. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, she had not had the slightest experience of funeral arrangements, and the kindly word of advice that would have prevented the contretemps at the chuiroh remained unspoken, though it would have cost infinitely less trouble than, say, the Vioar's letter to the Press. The peoplo of Burton were well aware that there have been strong remarks anent the matter, but like the innocent friars in the legend who were banned for misdeeds of the little jackdaw, they are not a penny the worse, at n( I ,h'" n: justice" which the Vicar so earnestly deplotes wiU not affect their appetite during the present season of peace and goodwill. TheIr oommonsense tell them that the strong remarks" were made by people whose sympathy was with the widow and fatherless, and who were under a misapprehension as to the facts, while the correspondent would have failed to do his duty if the incident had not been reflected' in his journal. What has really surprised them is the fact of finding their Vicar in the public Press, seeking further publicity for a "distressing inci- dent" and laying about him in such evident anger. With the exception of the error mentioned, which is very much akin to "a distinction with- out a difference," I flatly deny that the inac- ouracies and misstatements referred to by the Vicar exist. He has himself fully proved by the statements contained in his letter that the para- graph is not a fiction, and I now ask him to bring forward some of the wholesale misstate- ments to which he so publicly refers, or to plainly acknowledge that it is he himself who is in error. —I remain, YOUR CORRESPONDENT. I

TRAGICALLY SUDDEN.—Mr. E. Brassey held an inquest on Thursday on the body of Eliza- beth Law, married woman, 20. Talbot-street. Deceased, who was 31 years of age, was the wife of Jaines Law, railway porter. She went to bed on Wednesday night in apparent good health, but died suddenly on Thursday morning. A verdict of natural causes, namely heart, disease, was returned. DRINKING THE KING'S HEALTH.-Rear- Admiral King Hall has now been permitted to make public the following letter from Lord Knollys written in October, 1902: "His Majesty is afraid that it would be difficult to make any public an- nouncement that he considers his health can be as loyally drunk in water as in wine. The King com- mands me, however, to say that you are authorised to make it known, privately, and in any way you think best, that you are authorised to state that total abstainers can always drink his health in some non-alcoholic drink to his entire satisfaction." n CHESTER GLEE CLUB.—The first lades' night of the season was on Tuesday. The Presi- dent (Mr. Hopton) was in the chair. There was a splendid attendance, and the glees, songs, etc., were much enjoyed. Madame Croxton was in excellent voice, her singing of Ardito's "Dream of Home" being exceptionally fine. The pro- gramme was :Glee, "The Mighty Conqueror," Club; songs, "The Curfew," "The Litte Irish Girl," MT. Proctor song, "She wandered down the mountain side," Madame Croxton; glee, "This pleasant month of May," Club; pianotorte solos, "Waltz Caprice," "Rock of Ages," Mr. Butterwort.h; song, "A May morning," Madame Croxton; songs, "Her mother's a.t th? bottom of it a Croxtonll; vh? Irish walk," Mr. Loui Parry; lee, "The anvil," Club; recitation, "Address of Sergeant Buzfuz," Mr. Atherton; song, "Love in her eyes," Mr. W. E. Snelson; songs, "A Dream of Home," "When Jack and I were children," Madame Croxton; glee, "The young musloians," Club; songs, "Thy Foe," "Bid me to love," Mr. Proctor; songs, "'is Pipe," "My Old Dutch," Mr. Loui Parry. CESTRIAN TONTINE SICK AND BURIAL SOCIErY.Ile ani-iual meting of this society was held at the Queen's Head Hotel, on Monday, Dec. llth, when after the election of president for 1906, and le-elcction of secretary and treasurer, the retiring president was presented with a handsome gold-mounted fountain pen m recognition of his services during the past year. The balance-sheet was very favourable, consider- ing the great amount of sickness that has pre- vailed. No less than £ 190. 18s. had been paid out in sick claims, J642. 10s. in members' death claims, and £ 10 for members' wives' deaths. A sum of E587. 2s. 3d. was duly distributed at the rate of JS2. Os. 5d. for each, full member, while the reserve fund was substantially increased. This proves (says a correspondent) to critics that ton- tines "registered" are working on a Sle founda- tion, and really doing good work. During the last 30 years tho society, which now numbers about 300 members, has paid out in siok pay £ 3,083. 16s., in funeral claims £693. 78. During the Last ten years the wives' funeral fund, with I a oontributioa of only Is. pTer year, has paid out jbl63. STEWARDESS' FORTUNE. Death has revealed a remarkable secret pre- served with strictest inviolability during her lifetime by Mrs. Mary. !Martin, a tormer stmewairdesa employed in tha service of the P. and O. Steamship Oohipany, who died at sea. whiiie on her way home from Bombay on board the mail steamer Egypt, which has just reached London from India. It appears that Mrs. Mar- tin, who was a widow,' joined the Egypt as a passenger. Nothing about her was known ex- cept that she had been for many years a steward- ess, and that her husband, when living, was em- ployed in the Bombay dockyards. When her body had been committed to the sea. her effects were overhauled with the v:ew of discovering the names of her relatives. The search failed in this direction, but in a cash-box concealed among clothes in a cabin trunk was found documentary proof -that the dead woman had to her credit in a well-known London bank the sum of £ 10,000. About 230 in gold was discovered in a bag whioh Ma. Martin was accustomed to wear round her neok while asleep, and the jewellery found stowed away has been valued at several hundred pounds. In all probability the securities, mousy, and valuables will be sent to the Board of Trade pending further efforts to find the deceasod's relatives. WIRRAL HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE.-A meeting of the Highways Committee of the Wirral Rural Council was held on Monday—The Chair- man (Mr. T. Davies}. in submitting the report of the Road Inspection Committee, said they found' the roads of the district in first class order. They had only one or two verv smisll improvements, and repairs to recommend. (Hear,, hear.)--A letter was read from Mr. Chofmondely, on behalf of the Naylor trustees, in' referenaR to the suggested widening of the road from Hooton Hall gates to Kennel-ward corner. The master arose through the Chief Constable (Col. ^amersluy) calling attention in July to the narrowness of the raiid. The letter states that the Naylor'.trustees were prepared to give land for a rond way of an avpragp width of 3t) feet, but they considered that the Hooton Park Club should bear some portion of the cost of the work. As the Hooton Piirk Club, however, could not see their way to bear any portion of the cost, the Naylor trustees regretted that the matter must come to an end. -The Chairman said the compiittee, bad done all the widening they were going to do there.—Mr. Latham pointed out that the widening was for the good of the club and the club alone.— It was decided to inform the Chief Constable of the information contained in the letter just read, and to suggest that he himself should communicate with the club.

ORDINATION. DIOCESE OF CHESTER. j The Lord Bishop of Chester held an Ordination j in Chester Cathedral on Thursday (St Thomas's Day), when the following were ordained DEACONS. I Charles William Bennett, M.A., of St. John's College. Cambridge, licensed to St. Peter's, Rock Ferry. Thomas Story Busher, B.A., of Queen's College, Oxford, licensed to St. Philip's, Chorley. Frederick De la Poer Beresford Corfield, B.A., of Christ's College, Cambridge, licensed to Frod- sham. John Herbert Da vies, B. A.,of Bishop Hatfield's Hall, Durham, licensed to Holy Trinity, Runcorn. Thomas Monckton Tunnard, L.Th. of University College, Durham, and Salisbury Theological College, licensed to Alderley. PRIESTS. David Richard Davies, B, A., of St. John's College, Cambridge, and St. Michael's College, Aberdare. Urban Lindsay Johnstone, B.A., of Trinity College, Dublin. George Septimus Payne, B.A., of St. John's College, Oxford, William Warren Smith, of St. Aidan's College, Birkenhead. William George Walsh, of Lichfield Theological College, licensed to St. Mark's, Dukinfield. The gospel was read by the Rev. T. S. Busher, B.A., The?os d:ned deacon, and the sermon preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Owen Evans, M.A., vicar of Carmarthen and chaplain to the Bishop, from Proverbs xxiii., 23rd verse.

YOUNG HELPERS' LEAGUE. I I DUTCH TEA AT CHESTER. I In connection with the Chester Habitation of the Young Helpers' League a successful Dutch tea was held on Thursday at Bishop Lloyd's Palace. Lady Howard, the president of the Chester branch, performed the opening ceremony in the presence of a large gathering, which in- cluded the Hon. Mrs. Foilden, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Smith (Queen's Park), Miss Brown (hon. secre- tary of the Chester branch), and Miss Shilling- ford (warden of the Y.H.L.). Apologies were announced from the Mayor and Mayoress and the Rev. H. Grantham. Miss Shillingford, in a brief address, stated that the Chester branch of the League was making steady progress. The homes had been passing through a most difficult crisis through the death of their founder (Dr. Barnardo). They mourned his loss, but the machinery of their rescue work went on, and since his death 660 pitiful and hungry children had been added to their very enormous family. She was glad that Chester was doing something for the Y.H.L. Speaking of the Hoole branch, she said the membership had increased from 16 to 52, and the work was in the capable hands of Miss Atkin and Miss G. Smith (oo-secretaries). On behalf of the sick children, she thanked all those ladies who had so generously thrown open their houses to the young leaguers while the latter worked for the homes. They were enabled to continue the annual payment of £30 for a cot in the Llandudno Rome, while what they obtained above that amount would go towards the National Memorial Fund. The Chester branch was indebted to Miss Brown, who had only held the offioe of hon. secretary for six months. The stallholders were: Fancy stall, Miss Pritchard and Miss E. Croston; bran pie, Miss R. Spencer; sweet stall, Miss N. Higgins and Miss May Miller; work done by crippled girls, Miss D. Smith; children's stall, the Misses J. and M. Brown; tea room, Miss Whalley, Miss Arnott and Miss Spencer, assisted by a band of young helpers who wore picturesque Dutch costumes. Miss Lucas and Miss Lindop were presented by Lady Howard with prizes for the largest collections. An entertainment was given during the afternoon, the following ladies and gentlemen assisting:—Miss Lloyd, Miss C. Formby, Miss Hero Taylor, Miss G. Bradford, Miic; Harvey and Mrô. Sansom, Messrs. J. T. Dean and J. P. Hodge. A representation of soenee of "Alice through the Looking Glass" was given by Miss Trixie Tait, Miss Leila Hornby and Miss Dorothy Hyde. A handsome Ohjutmu tree was given by Messrs. Dicksons Limited.

OHARING CROSS DISASTER. I EVIDENCE OF EYE-WITNESSES. I HOW THE ROOF COLLAPSED. I At the Westminster Coroner's Court, on Mon- day morning, Mr. John Troutbeck resumed his inquiry into the death of the six men who were killed in the terrible accident which occurred at Charing Cross Railway Station on December 5. John Paslett, a draughtsman, of Craven House, gave evidence as to how the accident occurred. Witness was following his usual avocation as a draughtsman on the fourth floor of Craven House when he heard a noise like the report of a gun, and, on going to his window, saw that a "sagg- ing" of the roof of the srtation was taking place about forty feet from the end of the roof over whioh the wind-soreen hung. As far as he could say, there was about a quarter of an hour be- tween the first noise that he heard and the final fall of tho roof, which was collapsing slowly all the time. There were about ten men on the roof at the time, and apparently they made no effort to get off. James Uiaen, an Admiralty surveyor, also gave a ciescription of thej accident, which, he thought. was due to the snapping of a. tye-rod. He 0001- mented on the surprise ho felt on seeing that the men on the station jroof a.t the time of the acci- dent made no effork to get to a place of safety, before the final fall.i George Graves, a .steel worker, said he was at work on the roof of the Avenue Theatre on the day of the accident, and heard a noise like a gas oxplosion or a train smash. On this he shouted to his mate, "Hullo, there's a train smash," and both ran to see it. They were unable to see any- thing, however, and returned to work, but ten minutes afterwards, on getting the first warning that anything was wrong, he shouted to his mate, "Joe, for God's sake, jump; the roof is coming in." It was the collaps:e of the station roof which brought down that of the theatre. George Colson Sterling, of Catford, foreman in oharge of the ioof ironwork painting and glazing m connection with the work of repair whioh has been going on at the station since the beginning of July, said they had' erected a staging 35ft. in width across the station about 17ft. on each side of the principal support. This was the second stretch of the roof on which thev were working, the repairs to a stretch nearest the wind screen having been completed, and new braces substituted for the old where necessary. None of the scaffolding was attached to the broken tie- rod, which had not been reached at the time of the accident. and consequently had not been ex- amined but the one tie-rod on the portion of the roof that was completed had, of course, been in- spected. Witness was in his office at the time of the aocident, but on hearing the first crash rushed out, and see ing the workmen running down the roof, shouted out, "What's the matter, men? What's the matter?" One of them re- plied, "The staging has given way, sir," and wit- ness then rushed on to the roof. Under his super- vision as much weight was taken off as possible, but then he noticed that the cast-iron gutter was cracked, and realising this was more than tho slight subsidence he had at first thought, he shouted out. "Good God, mates, come down; come down No sooner had he said this than the roof fell. Witness took part in an inspection of the roof of Charing Cross Station two and a half yeais ago. Cross-examined, he admitteci that it was about eight years since the interior of the roof of Charing Cross Station had been painted, and it was because- the braces had been corroded and rendered unsafe that they were renewed. By the Coroner: At the last examination he noticed that the condition of the paint was very good in some parts and very bad in others Nothing was done at the time to the very bad parts. Thomas David Bolter, of Lewi sham, foreman painter, in the employment of the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, said the station. had not been painted for about nine years. At that time the old paint was not burnt off. but. merely wire brushed and scraped, and given only two co$is of paint, not, three as had been stated. BefoiWthe accident none of the tie-rods had been examined, tfrere being none in that portion.- CU, which-' work had -been completed. William- Lowes, a platform inspector, said that about two miirutes before lie started the 3.25 Hastings corridbr express he heard something fall on' the corrugated roof overhead to- protect the passengers, but he did not see anything until the train had left, and then he noticed' a tioixxv hanging down. At, that time his attention was called tOo a boat train coming in on- platform, I, and he hastened to divert it to platform 2. which he considered safer. Before he could do so, how- ever, the roof came down. Evidence of the finding of the- bodies of the victims was then given, and the inquiry- was ad- journed until January 8.

PENRHYN HALL, BAN?OR.—Tha JWhyn Hall, Banger, originally presented to the town by the late Lot'd Penrhyn, has ever since been run on behalf of the town by a body of trustees. Efforts have been made for some years to have the hall vested in the Corporation, and. the trustees were quite willing that this should be dene, but have found it impossible to gathar a quorum to givo effect to this. On Friday afternoon, however. Colonel Piatt presided over a cguorum of the. trustees— Coloaei Savage and Dr. 3t. O. Price—arad by resolu- tion,the trusteeship was formally transferred to the Corporation, who will undertake all liabilities. The hAll is handed over free of debt. PATHETIC STORX—A smart-ksofeing young fellow named Frank Watnev war, ebaxgod at the Graves&nd Police Caurt on Saturday- with beg- ging. He informed the beach that for over Bevon years he served in the Garrisoaa Artillery. lie saw active servioo in South Africa, and on re- turning home was. sent as an invalid to Netley Hospital. He wris discharged from that institu- tion suffering from a weak heart, and not being allowed to return to his rnt, had taken casual work at the Soutliairmtoa docks for eighteen i months. He had walked from that place to Graveaend, bst nothing, offered itself. Be had not a friend in the world, and waa altogether un- able to obtain, permanent employment. The magistrates were evidently much impressed "with his story, and, though they inflicted a small fine, they paid tho amount themselves, and ho was discharged. CHRISTMAS PRFSENT-o.Stitton Cheese, and blue. York and Cumbeiiand Hams in primo oondition.-Thompson, Son and Clomemce, j 10, Northgate-street, 17. FAstgato-,tr-et, 15, Fore- gate-it ree t. and 1, Market HalL

NOKTHOP. WEATHER.—The weather has been so mild in this district that wallflowers are to be found here and there in full bloom. MEASLES.—There is an outbreak of measles in the district. The attendance at the National School in three days dropped down 30. <»

ALBFORD. DANCE.—The second of the series of danoes I held annually on behalf of the funds of the Read- ing Room took place on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Messrs. J. Allman and J. Thomas. The mucio was supplied by Mr. and Mrs. Alf. Jones, of Chester.

UPTON. JVLIINIAI U-RIli Kir-Lbi CLUB.—Two scratch competitions were held at this club on Tuesday and Wednesday evening last, for prizes value 21. 5s., kindly given by Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Kendall, for men and boys respectively, members of the club. Some very good scores were made. The conditions for men were five shots each standing, kneeling and I n The following were the winners and scores, tV,igheat score possible being 76 :—Tbos. Moma. 69; Wm. Morris, 68; John Williamson, 67. The boys' condition were five shots each kneeling and lying. The following were the prize-winners, the highest possible score being 50:—Chas. McLean, 45; Ernest Shaw, 40. It may be mentioned that a schoolboys' club has just been formed. A Com- petition is to take place during February, for which prizes are kindly offered by gentlemen in the neigh- bourhood. Mr Alfred Tyrer has kindly offered to provide ammunition for the schoolboys' practice.

 .I HOLT. '• I ACCIDENT.—Rather an unfortunate accident occurred on Saturday evenin g to the conductor of the G.W.R. motor bus, plying between Farndon and Wrexham, the car passing over his legs. Fortunately no bones were broken and he is now favourably.  MISSIONS. FOREIGN MISSIONS.-On Sunday at Farndou Parish Church the Rev. A. French preached morn- ing and evening on behalf of the foreign missions. A collection was made at the close of each service. A lecture, illustrated by lantern views, was given on Monday evening in aid of the missions. TONTINE SOCIETY.-On Tuesday evening at the White Lion Hotel the Holt and District Tontine Society held their annual supper, at which the Hon. G. T. Kenyon, M.P., presided, and was supported at the honorary members' table by Messrs. M. Route and W. Meredith (trustees of the club), the Rev. Jenkyn Jones, Dr. Parker, Mr. R. Price and others. The secretary (Mr. Holmes) gave a resume of the progress ot the club during the past year, stating that the receipts had been C102. 17s. 4d., expenses £72. 18s. 3d., leaving a balance to the sinking fund of k29. 19s. ld. During the evening several toasts and songs were given.

CONNAH'S QUAY & SHOTTON. I IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.-In connection with the Rivertown Mutual Improvement Society Mr. T. H. Haswell gave an interesting lecture on "The Bard of the Empire" on Wednesday. The lecturer discussed Rudyard Kipling in an interest- ing way. DEATH OF MR. E. COLLINS.-The death of Mr. E. Collins occurred at Chester Infirmary on Wednesday morning. Deceased went there to undergo an operation for appendicitis. He was only 21 years of age, was a fitter employed at Messrs. Summer's works, and lived with his parents at Hawarden-terrace, Shotton. He was a pro- minent member of the Hawarden Bridge F.C., and played with them on Saturday week. Deceased was much liked by all who knew him. TONTINE SOCIETIES;—The ninth annual meeting in connection with the New Inn Benefit Society was held on Friday. Mr. Thomas Dodd presided. The accounts shewed that after paying IC68. 12s. 9d. in sick and funeral allowances there remained £112. 14s. to be divided among 98, which worked out at :Cl. 3s. per member.—The first annual meeting in connection with the Custom House Tontine Society waa held on Thursday even- ing. The balance-sheet shewed that they had a membership of 59, and after paying all expenses there was a dividend of PL 3s. per member.

THORNTON-LE-MOORS. CHILDREN'S CONCERT.—This concert is always the most popular entertainment- of the year, and the concert given by the scholars 011 Thursday evening was no exception to the rule. For weeks past Mr. and Mrs, Parkington and Miss Stafford bad been teaching and drilling their young charges, and the utmost secrecy had been observed as to the programme, so that it might be a complete novelty to the audience. The Parish Room was crowded to its utmost capacity by a most appreciative assemblage of parents and friends. The young people had "donned their bast array," the _platform had been tastefully decorated, and- E. Lanceley, W. Wright, J. Hughes and W. Harrison attended to the cur- tain. Item succeeded item with commendable regularity, and there was every evidence of care- ful and repeated rehearsals. G. Bailey gave, the first recitation with great spirit, accompanied by an admirable chorus, "The boy who cried." Then, came a vocal gavotte, delicately danced by the girls of tho upper standards. The 'little girls came next, with a serious account of a new baby. Six charming little milkmaids gave their song and accompaniments with evident, enjoyment. The .intricate drill with wands was gone through without the slightest hesitation and in perfect timo. The action song "The Cobbler" gave full employment to the intelligence of the younger children. Three little maidens, with arch glances and graceful dancing, rendered a Japanese piece most successfully. The pretty garlands drill was much admired, and the chubby little people who lamented the sad lot of a baby were heartily cheered. The sneezing song gave the boys & chance of finishing the first part of the programme with a little jest at the expense of the company. The ilaughable extravaganza of a sham inspection was thoroughly approved, though the praise was pretty evenly distributed between the scape- grace (W. Wright). the mock inspector with his red beard (A. Dugdale). and the wooden attend- ance ofifcer (E. Lanceley). The schoolmistress ance o iff cer (E. I.,ance 2 )h. er part with edifying (Miss S. Bailey) performed her part with edifying primness, and the true inspector (F. Allen) did his best to look the character. A hearty vote of thanks to teachers and scholars for the entertain- ment waa proposed by the Rector (the Rev. C. C. Prichard, M A,), and carried by acclamation.

CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SEBVIOB LIST FOR WEKK COMMENCING DEC. 23. SATURDAY, DRCHJTBKR 23RD (Ember Day).-Morning, 8.0 Holy Communion. Service, Martin in G; anthem, "Sing (I heavens" (Lucas). Evening, 4.15: Service, Far- rant in G minor anthem, Prepare ye the way (Garrett). SUNDAY, DKCEMBKR 24TH (Fourth Sunday in Advents- Morning. 8.0: Holy Communion. 10.30: Service, Frost in D; anthem, "Sleepers wake" (Mendelssohn); introit, hymn 49 Kyrie and Credo (Merbecke); preacher, the- Canon in Residence. Eve of the Nativity, 3.30: Proces- sional hymn 62; Service, Bridge in O anthem, Cradled all lowly" (Gounod); A Selection of Carols will be sung- before the Benediction. 6.30: Processional hymn, 261; Service. Hopkins in F; anthem. There were shepherds (Handel); hymns 59, 307 preacher, the Rev. H. Chignell, M.A. Carols will be sung. MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH (Festival of the Nativity of our- LordV—Morning, 8.0: Holy Communion. 10.30: Proces- sional hymn, 61 (verses 1, 2, 5. 6); Athanasian Creed Service. Smart in F: introit, hymn 309 (Part 1.): choral, celebration (Smart in F); Benedictus and Agnus Dei (Tours- in C): preacher, the Dean. Evening. 4.16: Processional hymn. 00; Service, Smart in F, anthem, "For behold darkness. For unto us (Handel); A Selection of Carols. will be sung before the Benediction. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26TH (S. Stephen, D M. I -Mornin, 9.0: Holy Communion. 10.15: Service Stainer in B nat; anthem. And they stoned Stephen" (Mendelssohn). 11.15: Holy Communion. Evening, 4.15: Processional hymn, 65 Service. Stainer in B flat; anthem (hymn 62). "While shepherds watched" (Best); carol, "Good King' Wenceslas (Traditional). WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 27TII (St. John, E.M.).—Morning, 8.0: Litany and Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, Stan- ford in B flat; anthem, How lovely are the messengers" (Mendelssohn). 11,15: Holy Communion. Evening, 4.15: Processional hymn, 66; Service. Stanford in B fiat; an- them, In dulci Jubilo" (Pearsall); Carol of the four day*s (Hugrhesl THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8Tn (Holy Innocents, M.M.)— Morning 8;0; Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, Selby in A; anthem, "Let us now go" (Hopkins). 11.15: Holy Communion. Evening. 4.1o Processional hymn, 69: Service. Selby in A; anthem, "In sorrow and in want" (J. F. Bridge); Coventry Carol (Traditional). FRIDAir, DECEMBER 29TIL-Morning. 7.45: Matins and Holy Communion. 10.15: The Litany: hymn 58, Even- ing. 4.15,: Service, Bridge in G anthem, Behold I bring" (Goaa) carol, II Eala Earendel. Corol of the Star (Noble).

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. -+- All cycles and other vehicles in the- Chester dfetoiei must be lighted up as stated in the follow.. ing table:- P.M. Saturday. December-23 4..54. Sunday, December 24; 4;54i Monday, Decernber 25> 4,54i Tuesday, December 26 .4.56, Wednesday, December 2ï. 4.5T Thursday, December 28. 4.58, Friday, December 2& 4.59i

RAILWAY PRESENTATION. -On, Monday tbe memWrs of the G. W. R. headquarters stad at; Chester and others met ia the superintendent's, office to present Mr. E. Hitehcock with, a. handsome- set of Ciwvera (enclosed in case, suitably, inscribed to. mark tlW event) to shew their appreciation of hie. comradeship for so many years, and their good wishes for his happiness and prosperity at Shrews-. bury. where he is located, since his promotion to the post of Assistant Superintendent. Mv. Paxton. in asuvking the presentation referred to Mr. Hiteb- cosk's sterling worth as a friend, and as a keen raiJway officer, and to the excellent example he had set to the young men who had passed throngh the office during his tenure of the- post of cbief elerk. On behalf of these assembled, Messrs. Powell, Phillips, Edwards, Oswell. Thomas and Parry, all %xpressed their tieep respect and sincere thanks to Mr. Hitchcock for his many kindnesses, and referred to his well-known zeal and devotion to the affairs of the company and to his extreme modesty. Of the latter they hud had an example in his aversion to testimonials, which had prevented them making the present one on a far larger scale. Mr. Hitcb-. cock, in responding, gave some interesting remind oences a»d offered th-.> younger inombers of the s4af £ excellent advice for their encouragement in tbw railway career. 1 Printed and published for add on behalf of tlw Cheshire and North Wales Newspaper Company, IjtniSed, by JAMES ALBERT BIRCHALL, at the C'hcnkire Observer Office. 8. Bridge-streot, in tb8 City of December 23, 19C6,

CORRESPONDENCE. I (See also page 3.) The Editor is not responsible for the opinions his Correspondents. All letters must be authenticated oy the 8endel" name and address, -riotttecessariby for publication, Correspondents are particularly, requested to writ<■ j only on one side ot the paper.

LATEST MARKETS & FAIRS. (&$& also page 3.), LIVERPOOL. CORN, FRIDAY. Whe market small attendance, very little business trans- acted, prices about the same aa Tuesday. Flour dull enquiry at- late rates. Maize slow dmand, nnxed American, old. 4s. 9id.; New Gulf, 48. 8d Northern, 4s. 7*1. Plate, 0M. per cenSah Beans, and oats firm,, unchanged. Peas and feeding bariey steady.

HAWARDEN. (See also page 7.) BILLIARD MATCH.—A billiard match between Hawarden Institute and Shotton took place at Hawarden on Wednesday. Six games were played. The visitors were in great form. and eventually won by 141 points. Scores :-Hawarden Institute F. Foster 84, J. J. Jones 65, Geo. Bailey 92, H. H. Coleclough 100, E. Ratcliffe 54, Jos. Jones 58, total 453. Shotton Institute: E. Evans 100, A. Green 100, F. Christian 100, T. Williams 94. W. Powell 100, J. Green 100, total 594. 10G0, RAVE CHARGE AGAINST A HAWARDEN YOUTH.—At the Mold Pohce Court on Thursday, before Major Basil E. Philips and Mr. Thomas Roberts, Henry Wyatt, a saddler's assistant and an auxiliary postman, was charged in custody under warrant with the commission of an unnatural offence. Mr. J. B. Marston prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr. F. Llew. Jones defended. Defendant, who reserved his defence, was com- mitted for trial at the Flintshire Assizes.

WREXHAM. (See also page 7.) FANCY FAIR.—On Thursday afternoon Mrs. Kenyon, wife of tho Hon. George T. Kenyon, M.P., opened a fancy fair in the Drill Hall, Wreadiam, in aid of the Wrexham Srtt Giles's Home for Boys, connected with the Waifs and Strays Society, The Vicar, Canon Fletcher, in opening the proceedings, said that .there were 96 homes belonging to the society, and these cou- I tained 3,500 children. Since the formation of that excellent society 23 years ago 10,400 children had been benefited through its agency. Their own home was opened three years ago by Lady Pen- rhyn, and it had done good work. The founder of the society had himself visited the home a few weeks ago and expressed himself pleased with the work that was. being carried: on. Mrs. Ken- yon having declared the fair open. a vote of thanks was accorded to her, on the motion of Mr. T. Arthur Acton, seconded by General the Hon. Sarago Mostyn. Mr. Kenyon responded on be- half of his wife, and said the society had b(t the valuable means of rescuing thousands of slum children.

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE. 1 HELSBY. (See also page 7.) MUSIC SUCCESS.-At an examination in Liverpool in connection with the London College of Music, Mi&s Ethel Brornley, pupil of Mr. Arthur Yould, F.L.C.M., Frodsham, passed with honours in the elementary (pianoforte section). Miss Bromley obtained 89 out of a possible 100 marks.

NESTON. I (See also- page 7.) CONCORD CHORAL SOCIETY.—The first concert of the newly-formed Choral Society was given on Monday evening, in the Liberal Insti- itufce. The first part of. the programme was:- Overture, "Tanuhauser" (Wagner), the Orchestra; song, "Rory Darlin' (Temple), Miss Lilian Rushton; tiong, "An Evening Song" (Blumenthal), Mr. Tom Barlow; song, "At my window" (Partier), Madame Annie Goodwin. Eaoh item of this well-chosen selection was beauti- fully rendered, and the large audience shewed their appreciation by their hearty applause. Part II. consisted of an excellent performance of Dr., F. H. Cowen. 'ti, "Rose Maiden," a work which some of the audience may have remembered hear- ing before in Neston early in the eighties. Their previous knowledge of this tuneful cantata of the popular composer and efficient conductor, Dr. F. H. Cowen, would make them doubly critical of the new society's performance. The solos were taken by Madame Annie Goodwin (soprano), Mies Lilian Rush ton (contralto), Mr. Tom Barlow (tenor),, Mr. Fred Molyneux (base), who. were all well acquainted with their parts, alnd, who. sang with much artistic taste and feeling. The choruses were well and carefully sung, and the choir earned the unique distinction in Neston of receiving an onooce, and thy wedding morning" had to be repeated. During the interval between the first andd parts Mr. A. G. Grenfell proposed a xote of thanks to Mr. W. H. Lever for the use of the institute for the society's, practices and canoerta, and regretted that Mr. and Mrs. Lever were unable to be present at the inaugural con- ,o,e rt. He said the practices had been well attended by about 140 members, and the audience by their applause had testified to, the success of the óJQCie' efforts. Mr.. Hargreaves, of Rock Ferry, who is well known in this part of Wirral for his. interesting and highly artisitic lantern I lectures, seconded the vote of thanks, and con- j gratulated the young society on its satisfactory progress and on their possession of Mr. F. EL Seddon as conductor. A presentation was thtn made on behalf of the chorus to Mrs. Lewis Gramt, the efficient accompanist, and to Mr. F. H. j Seddon, in token of their appreciation of their j arduous services, and as a slight acknowledgment, of the choir's gratitude for such able leadership. Mr. Seddon thanked fhe members for the gur- I prise they had sprung upon him, and replied also on behalf oi Mrs. Lewis Grant. The orchestra consisted of twenty instrumentalists, whose per- formance of the Tannhauser overture wae very greatly enjoyed. The singing of the National í Antham brought the successful concert to a close. 11 Tim Messiah" will be the work undertaken for > next terra's study.

MALPAS. (See also Page 7.) BILLIARD HANDIOAP.-Daring the past two months considerable interest has been evinced in the billiard handicap which has been proceeding in the billiard room at the Institute, and which terminated on Tuesday night in the presence of a crowded attendance. The final game was won by Mr. James Baker, who thus gained the first prize, consisting of a silver cup and a bag. The second prise was won by Mr. C. Dicken. This consisted of a barometer; while the third prize fell to Mr. R. Maclaren, who received a set of carvers; and the fourth prize went to Mr. G. H. Aingworth, who also was presented with a set of carvers. Several other prizes were distributed. The consolation prize was awarded to Mr. Geo. Chesworth, and Mr. R Howard received second prize in the consolation class. The prizes were kindly distributed at the finish by Captain R. W. Ethelston, who was supported by the Rev. L. Armitstead, Mr. M. H. Danily, and other gentlemen interested in the proceedings. The committee. whose handicapping gave every satisfaction, in- cluded Messrs. L. T. Fletcher, S. Huxley, R. Howard, J. Baker, and W. White.

FRODSHAM. (JSes alim page 7.) BILLIARDS.—The Christmas billiard handicap at the Frodsham Conservative Club was won hv Mr. John Holland, junr., other prize-winners being Sergt.-Instructor W. H. Booth and Mr. G. HindLey. G. PIERROT CONCERT.—The comparatively re- cently-formed troupe of Frodsham Pierrots, which made such an auspicious debut in the early portion of the present year, gave their third concert on Wednesday evening in the Drill Hall. The fact of the members of the troupe all being local artists undoubtedly conduced to the great enthusiasm displayed; by a crowded audience. The troupe have had their ranks depleted by the loss of Mr. R. Rodgers, who has emigrated to America, but this has been countenbalanced, by the inclusion of Mr. C. Ford, a young tenor who has lately come to reside in Frodsham, and who made a most satisfactory impression on his initial appearance. Mr. Percy Jones acts as interlocutor and general manager of the troupe, with Mr. Tom Illidge as hon. secretary and treasurer, and to those two in particular great credit is due for their most energetic and painstaking labours on its behalf. The necessary costumes have been happily paid for out of the proceeds of other concerts, and the troupe seem to have a successful career in store. The various items presented were marked with an unusual excellence seldom manifested in an amateur troupe, and spoke of very careful training and attention to details. The comic duet- and cake walk was particularly effective and amusing, while the sketch entitled "The Pawn Ticket," by Messrs. Tom Illidge, Jack Rodgers, Robert Hayes and P, Jones (the latter in lady's costume), was very creditably presented, and met with a most hearty appreciation, the audience being kept in continual roars of laughter by the numerous comicalities of the actors and the funny situations which the play evolved. Mr. Jones must be congratulated on his pourtrayal of the "young lady-Pollie." Mr. Tom Rodgers proved himself an ideal "Lancashire lad" in his inimitable clog danoe, which was highly creditable and fairly brought down the house, while the same membea- was enthusiastically recalled for his song "When the north winds blow," dressed in kilts. Mr. Tom Illidge likewise received warm approbation for his excellent singing and' versatility, as did also Mr. T. Turner and Mr. C. Ford. Messrs. W. Pover and J. Whitby made a couple of grand spersed with the vocal items being very amusing. corner men, their topical and local jokes inter- The following is the programme: —Opening chorus, "There goes my Soldier Boy" song, "The Storm Fiend," Mr.. Percy Jones; song, "Mona," Mr. C. Ford; song, "I wouldn't leave my little wooden hut," Mr. Tom Rodgers; part-song, "On the banks of Allan Waiter," Messrs. P. Pones, C. Ford. T. Illidge and T. Turner; song, "Polly, the jolly little lady," Mr T. Illidge; song, "It's the poor that helps the poor," Mr T. Turner; duet. "Exceilsior." Messrs. T. Illidge and 0. Ford; clog dance, Mr. Tom Rodgers; comic duet and cake walk, "The Lovers' Quarrell," Messrs. J. Whitby and W. Pover; part-song, "Robin Adair," Messrs. P. Jones, C. Ford, T. Illidge and T. Turner; song, ".Thy Sentinel am 1, Mr. T. Illidge; song, "When the north winds blow," Mr. T. Rodgers; duet, "Heigh up, it's coming," Messrs. Whitby and Pover; song, "Mary," Mr. C. Ford; song, "It's all right in the summer time," Mr. T. Rodgers; part-song, "Home, Sweet Home," Messrs. P. Jones, C. Ford, T- Illidge-and T. Turner.

BARROW. (See also page 7.) DEATH OF MRS. LEACH.—One of the oldest inhabitants has passed away in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth Leach, who had attained the ripe age of 86 years. She was for more than sixty years the landlady of the White Horse Inn, Great Barrow, and was said to be the oldest licensee in England. She had been in failing health for some time, the end coming on Sunday. The funeral took place at Barrow parish church, on Thurwlay.