Cheshire Observer

( -———————————— -( THE TEA" OF ALL TEAS IS "MAYPOLE" TEA ? 1 LF\ A LB. AT 1/6Wby Pay Moro? In tlb., Jib., and lib. Sealed Packet.s. ll Wdght of Tea without hi tiding the weight of Wrappers. MAYPOLE DAIRY CO., LIMITED, 8, WATERGATE ST.1 Si, BROOK ST. J Over 520 Branches Now Open. KITCHEN RANGES Dinino cr and Drawing-room GRATES, MANTELPIECES ETC. We make a SPECIALITY of these, and Solicit your Enquiries. STORR AITS SUCCESSORS MANUFACTURING IRONMONGERS, FOREGATE ST, CHESTER. I

'ø, 1-1-1 TO ADVERTISERS. 4dvert isernentsintended toa p pearin the OHES HIKE Observer must reach the Observes OjJLsa no liter than 11 o'clock eich Friday. *}der no circumstances whatever can we insert the First Edition Advertisements received after that hoar. 4 ——————

HALKYN DRAINAGE COMPANY. MEETING AT CHESTER. The e..ixty-fifth ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Halkyn District Mines Drainage Company was he'd at the offices of the company. 16, Corn Exchange Chambers, Chester, on Thursday, Colonel H. R. Lloyd Howard, C.B.. presiding. Apologies for non-attcndanco were read from Mr. John Thompson (chairman of the board of directors) and Mr. J. M. Frost. The directors, in their report, state :-The balance brought forward after payment of tho dividend in February last was £ 340. the profit for the six months ended 30th June last was £ 8,767. 5s. 10d., making a total of £ 9,107 15s. lOd. It was proposed that a dividend for the half-year at the rate of 17 per cent per annun. (free of income tax) be paid, which will absorb £ 6.423. 9s. Jeaving a halanoe of £ 2,684. 6s. lOd. The board resolved to pay off the debentures in January next. They propose, therefore, to place £ 2,500 to the mortgage redemption fund. This, with the amount to be similarly dealt with at the end of this half-year, will provide for the repayment of the debenture's. In the meantime they are now prepared to take up any debentures which hoklera may desire to sell, at par.—On tho proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Charles Davison, a dividend at the rate of 17 per oent. per annum was declared.

"SUMMEK AT LAST."—When the weather n hot. what is wore delightful than a <0 -linj act refreshing drink r There is nothing so cooling, reo freshing and invigoiali,ig as a freshly-made cup c4 "HORNIMAN'S PURE TE* Sold iu: Chester brt W. Alcn Davies, 10, Comrnonhall street (whole, sale agent); Co-operative Society; Cryer, 23 Cbristleton-road Hoiboru RestFLurant, 2;), Foreglte st, Little Sutton SwiladellF. Eliuddlan Roberts g!.oce1!. Bromborrufrh Pool: Co-op. Society. Mold .luvvi::cv_; Co-op. Society. Wrexham: Williams'. W;r:.fc Whitehead, Co-op. Societv; J. Butter b hall; Jackson, grocer, Flint: Topping,

AGRARIAN LEGISLATION. I By no stretch of courtesy can the Govern- ment be complimented upon the progress of their agrarian legislation. On Wednesday tlle Scottish Land Bill received a severe check from the House of Lords. By a Majority of 123 the House resolved to Postpone the second reading of this pleasure, until they have the English Small Ridings Bill under their consideration. his course was adopted apparently on Recount of the violent opposition which the Cottish Bill received in the Upper 104alnber the preceding day at the hands of Ord Rosebery. That the Laird of alrneny knows something practical about the management and tenure of land his Cutest opponents will concede. That he 113 no hide-bound landower of the old Tory school is equally admitted. Yet he con- fessed himself unable to vote for the Bill. lIe drily observed that the members of the Ifouse of Lords probably knew by Experience, not always pleasant, much more about land than the members of the House of Commons, yet, when they were called ttPon to discuss it, there was a suspicion, hich he would not say was unreasonable, but not well-founded, that they were children of wrath. If his lordship had Paired to be severe, he might have added at never before has there been a House of Otnrnons which knew so little about land, "nd it is this ignorance which has been responsible for so much crude legislative effort in this direction. The necessity oich the supporters of the Government's Qiall Holdings Bills both for Scotland and ngland plead is the migration of the ^°Pulation townwards. But Lord Rosebery v ^pinted to France, Germany and the Qited States as suffering in precisely the tne way. He quoted M. Meline's recent ^tophlet as shewing that the great and lowing evil prevailing in France is the f:neral transmigration of the rural popula- t 10n to the cities. Yet France is a nation Of small holders. With regard to Germany telegram from Berlin last week stated "t the ever-increasing movement of Pantry people to the towns in making elf felt to so great an extent that it is toost impossible in some districts to carry t. the cultivation of the soil, and the ilitary authorities have been compelled to e ay callIng out the Reserves for their tbnUal training and to grant furlough to b e greater part of the men, so that the j", "'rve,t, may be gathered in. Yet any is a prosperous nation, and we are of ten being told to emulate her methods. L the United States, where, as Lord Rose- 10 r said, there is no "blight of land- "Drdism and where there is boundless j ?ty, the same state of affairs prevails. t ?as announced only last week that farm I "Id,s in the State of New York had fallen Off ? *0 million dollars in value in the last ^j Qty-five years, and that there were now ?htQ ?fg borders 12,000 abandoned farms, M)!e of rearing a population of 250,000. & "he whole case for small-holdings in Ce^'aQd is discredited by the fact that a enttiry ago sim^ holdings were the rule ftcr °SS the Tweed, and that they disappeared, for best of all reasons, because they ? reasons, because they wrjllld not pay. Moreover, the recent oferrnents in the same way have resulted °Hl In an annual profit of less than £ 45 a Year, ^tth is not equal to the earnings of a labourer. One cardinal error in the Bill is t? .? seeks to apply the crofter system of t? ?S?lands to the rich farm lands of the Lowlands, that is, to put the clock back with a vengeance, or in Lord Rosebery's words, "to supersede the highest farming known to Great Britain and perhaps to the world, by the most backward system in these islands." If the Bill were carried in its present form and the crofter system applied to the Lowlands of Scotland, the result might be to convert a peaceful and prosperous agricultural country into a second Ireland. Another glaiing anomaly in the Government's agrarian scheme is that the land system in England and in the Lowlands of Scotland is being treated from two diametrically opposite standpoints. In Scotland the control of the machinery of the new Bill is to be vested in a newly- created board of Land Commissioners in Edinburgh, each drawing a salary of £1,200 a year. This, too, in spite of the fact that the correspondents of the Board of Agricul- ture in Scotland were asked the other day whether they would prefer to be under the new board or remain under the Board of Agriculture, and by an overwhelming majority they pronounced in favour of the Board of Agriculture. In Scotland the popularly-elected bodies, the county councils, are to have no hand whatever in the management of the small holdings business, because, as Lord Rosebery complained, the Government insulted the people of Scotland by their want of trust. In England, it is true under the new Bill the county councils are not to have supreme power, but at all events they do have a share in the working of the small holdings machinery. When the English Small-holdings Bill was under consideration in the House of Commons, on Tuesday, Mr. Balfour, with telling raillery, contrasted the different land policies of the Government. In Ireland they are encouraging the multiplication of owners. In England they discourage small ownership, while in Scotland they are giving small holders fixity of tenure, and withdrawing it from their brethren in England. It is altogether a topsy-turvey and inexplicable muddle. Throughout the protracted debates on the measure the Government always have stubbornly resisted any proposal to allow the county councils to sell the land to the small-holder- The county council will have power to acquire land, but only to lease it to the small-holder Sir J. Dickson-Poynder, himself a Radical, moved an amendment, proposing to allow the county councils to sell the land to small-holders who desired to purchase. Another Radical, Mr- Bertram, seconded. The principle of private ownership of land, of course, is obnoxious to the Labour and Socialist group, and it was doubtless a wholesome dread of this section of the party that made the Government decline the amendment. Perhaps another reason was that men who become possessed of a piece of land, even small in area, have an awkward habit of shewing Conservative tendencies. That they are good citizens cannot be denied' while the knowledge of ownership makes them infinitely better agriculturists than any system of tenancy can accomplish. Mr. Harcourt was appealed to, to allow the supporters of the Government to vote on the amendment without regard to party allegiance, but he refused this petition, and the amendment was defeated by a sub- servient majority of 133. How the Bill will fare in the House of Lords remains to be seen, but the Peers would be doing a national service, if they altered both the Scottish and the English Bills and made them one harmonious whole, seeing there is really little difference between the agricul- tural system of the Scottish- Lowlands and that of the predominant partner.

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. 4 A wide circle of Chester citizens will be ex.rry to leatn of the approaching- retirement of Mr. S. A. James, tho popular Postmaster of the city. During the few years of his regime at the Post Office, Mr. James has, by uniform courtesy and shrewd knowledge. of business a.ffars, made the wheels of that im- portaint nuiohine work with agree-able smooth lit bis, alike so far as the public and the staff a.ro concerned. The Pest Offioe is probably more exposed to public criticism than any other of our institutions, and its etiooeFBf ui working augurs efficiency in every detail. Mr. James's bonhomie outside- his official duties has made him hosts of friends in and around Chester, who will sincerely regret his retire- ment into pr.,v-,bte life while still in. full vigour, deepite his long record of service in tele- graphic and postal work. The Eaton polo week, which ends today (Saturday), is proving quite as successful as any of former years, although the arrange- ment-shave been hampered by the weather. In view of the interest taken in the event by the public, the Duke thoughtfully providied ac- commodation for those who oared to see the games, and large numbers have taken advant- age of the proffered facilities. Among the active participants in the tournament are some, of the best players in the country. For in- stance, there ate no botter known men in the polo world than the Miller brothers, all of whom have been playing. Captain E. D. Miller, D.S.O., who has been chiefly respon- sible for the management of the tournament., W¡:5 captain of the Rugby team which won the Champ-onship Cup at Hurlingham in 1897, W98, 1899, 1901, and 1903 the Rsenola.gh Open Cup in 1897, 1898, and 1901; the Irish Open Cup in 1897 and 1898; the Paris Open Cup in 1896; and t'hb County Cup in 1895. His biothe; Mr. G. A. Miller and Mr. C. D. Miller, have shared in some of thet--e honouis, while Mr. C. D. Miller played for England against America in 1902. The principal tournament has been for the cup presented, by the Duke of Westminster. Last year' winners were Eaton, who have again qualified for the final, which takes place th:8 (Saturday) afternoon, whan their oppon- en1. will be Saightoci. or the Hotspur*. Pro- vided the weather is fine, and the ground has a chance of recover ing from the heavy ro-ak, ing of the prist few days, this should be an inktúotjng match. The appointment, of Mr. Ellis J. Griffith, M.P., to the Recordership of Birkenhead will interest many people in t,h:s district. For a number of years he has carried on an exten sive and inipoirtant, practice a barrister on the Chester and North Wales Circuit, being a familiar advocate in the local courts. In that capacity, and in his act.ive political life lie has made a wide circle of frionds in Chester and throughout the neighbouring Weli-h coun- ties. The new Recorder had an amusing experi- ence upon one occasion some years ago. He wa.s appearing in a. case at Mold County Court before Sir Horat-o Lloyd, and it was found impossible to complete tho hearing, as the had to catch a train, in order to fulfil an important, engagement in Chester. A few minutes would have sufficed to conclude the cai-e, as it only remained for Mi-. Ellis Griffith and counsol on the other aide to address his Honour. Both were anxious that the action should be disposed of without adjournment, so his Honour obligingly invited them to ac- company him by train, and offered to con- stitute tlio railway carriage a temporary oourt of justice. This war, done, and during the fourteen nulls' journey Mr. Griffith and his frieind delivered their epeeohes on behalf of their respective cliente. Curiously enough, Mr. Elbe Griffith had another unique expert onoe of a similar nature. This was his enc- oossfut defence of Major Spilsbury in tho famous Tourmaline case On two occasions when the judge was sick the oourt wais trans- ferred to the judicial bedside. The city guides have lately been misse d from their aoeustomed haunts. It will be remem- bered that a short time ago the Town Council determined to cxerciws supervision over those gentlemen by limit.ing their number to twelve, and requiring that they shall bo lioeitised and wear badges, the appointments to be made subject to proof by oral examination of their frfcnees for the calling. A scale of charges author aed to be made by the guides was also fixed. Only six applicants presented them- PCUXPS for examination, but not one of them was deemed eligible to act as a guide. Thit; interesting arnouroemicnt was made nearly two months ago, and the Corporation are Ptill in want of oc-mpetent city gnid»s. As no fur- ther ap<plicnu iort.s 'h(a,Q been -received, it is evident that competition is not keen for the occupation, and one is forced to a. happy con- clusion with regard to the numbers of the alleged unemployed in Chester. As shewing how public ooinfidenoe is being shaken and oap:tal scared out of tho country by the alarming stride* of Socialism, a Chester tra;dt,t;,tlia.ti this week received a circular firom a London company eloquent of the state of affairs. The company, who need not be named, as it is not our custom to give gTat,ui- tous ad v'ertifremetnts, state: "The recent Jar- rox, Goltie Valley, and North StafFo:dsJi-ire elections ha' e made it apparent that a Social- istic wave is theatening all vested interests in Great Britain, and renders home investments daaigorous, and rrakee it prudent to invest abroad, at least in part." On receipt of a postcard the company offer to send free of charge a list of all particulars, reports, etc., of selected Colonial and foreign investments, yielding from pet. cent. to 6 per cent., in well Hjstablished aind prosperous enterprises, situated, let it be notied, "in countries in whioh the intelligence and prosperity of the people guarantee freedom from Socialistic up- heavals. This company, it should be added., is not a stock-broking concern, nor does it buy or sell securities for commitsion, but merely profeesen toO act as a directory of information concern- ing Colonial companies. It may be objected that, this is simply an artful dodge, to catdi investors for Colonial and foreign securities. but the mere fact that such an agency exists is significant of the state of feeling in the financial world. It i6 notorious that British investors have bean placing- their money abroad in increasing amounts of late, just as British manufacturers, many of them pillars of 60- called Free Trade, have been establishing works in Protected countries. Wh.e.:1 we find a Socialist like a correspond ent in curcoi umns to-day, expressing the w sii that both capital and capitalists would leavt this country, it can be seen whither these extteme politicians would likJC U8 to drift. Ireland is a standing monument. of the poverty acid distress that overtake a country when public confidence- is disturbed and capital is reared out of it. It is scarcely possible to take seriously the Social sts who argue that ou.pit..alibis arO llJ1d.c6intblû and, tvnniocaaelii y, because they toil not, neither do they spin. In the ancient days, when the world was com- paratively young, old yEsop disposed of this glaring fallacy, by his fable on tho belly and the other members of the hu.ma.n body. For the success of any business enterprise capital is as neee3?ary BB the employment of the human b-aiii and muscle, and the two arc mutually dependent. That men calling them- selves publicists should deny this self-(wick\1I1 truth at tihis time. of day betokens) either incredible ignorance or audacious insincerity. A p:cpo,- our announcement a few weeks ne.o of the proposed new golf links at Capcnhur, il. a meeting of thoso who favour the idea took place in Liverpool on Wednesday. A resolut ion affirming the desirability of a club having been unanimously passed, th? pio-ceedings were ad- journed. It is proposed that a clubhouse ehould be constructed pI imarily on a modified scale, and a nine-hole coui-se laid out to commence with, land for a full eigliteeai-hole course being available as soon as the membership warrants. Tho site is an excellent one, and has the ad- vantage of easy accessibility from Chester. Parkgaie, Birkenhead and Liverpool. Ttiefir&4 hundred members are, it is suggested, to be admitied without entrancs fce, at a yearly su b. scription of three guineas, while the next 150 should bo oalleidl upon for an few of two guineas as well as tha annual subscription. At the recent nw>r>,tings of the Forestc: High Court tho question of old-age pensions naturally formed one of the principal topics of discuesk-a. It w is agreo-d to submit to the incoming Executive a proposal that new en trants should bo required to pay for a pen- sion of five shillings per week to commence at the ago of seventy, in lieu of sick pay. Although this proposition was carried almost unanimously, there exists throughout t-herarikr, of th- great friendly societies a considerable hody of opinion in opposition to such a de- parture. Why there should bo this feeling it is somewhat puzzling to understand, because it is acknowledged by all rightthinking people that the country munt took to the great friendly societies for a practical solution of the old-age pension problem. It was pointed out in our columns some time ago that the MaJpas United Friendly Society, a small and independent organisation, actually has solvvd the question for itself. Fci- many years past this society, which owes allegiance to no particular order, has been piying a superannuation of five shillings per week to its members at the age of seventy, and this without levying a special cha.rge for tho purposa. The member's ordinary contri- butions entitlo him to reoeive this benefit. Malpas thus cla;ims to occupy a unique posi- tion ajnojig friendly societies. Surely it can- Titct bo for tho gitoat flriteindiy societies to attempt what this small local or- ganisation has accomplished successfully for n'.a,ny years Chester seems to be developing into quite a cosmopolitan city. Am-clricans. make- it their rendezvous, as a mat-tor of course, when in England. The latest visit wo aro to receive is one on Friday next from the foreign dele- gates to the, uiilvers-al Congress of Eeperantists now taking place at Cambridge. Suitable arrangements are being made by tho Chester Esperanto Society fbr the reception of the visitors, who aib fxpectied to number 150, hailing from all quartets of the, globe. A short historical descriptive account in Esper- anto of the city has been printed for distri- bution to the visitors. The now language is said to bo making great head-way in this country, and it is estimated officially that tbci e are about thirty thousand people in the world conversant with it.

FEWER ALIENS.-A marked diminution in the number of immigrants entering the United Kingdom is shewn in a return issued by tho I Homo Office, recording the working of the Aliens Act in the six months ended with June 30 last. Some 226,COO alien passengers landed at British ports in the fix months, as compared with 211,000 in the corresponding half of 1906; but after the proper deductions had been made for first and Kooond class travellers, transmigrants, and sea- men, the residue who may fairly be regarded as immigrant& i. reduced to 12,937, which com- pares with 17,825 in the first half of last year. Leavo to land was refused in 310 cases, against 270 a year ago. While the tide of immigration decreased, the number of expulsion orders in- creased. The total for the half year was 164, the figure for the earno period of 1906 being 123.

LOCAL JL NEWS. 1  ) Earl Egerton has paired for tho rest of the session with iEarl Temple. The Rev. L. M. Farrall and family have left Chester for North Wales on a motor tour. Colonel Evans-Lloyd and Miss S. Clarke have gone to Germany for a few weeks, leaving this week. Tho Earl of Harrington, who has been taking a leading part, in the polo tournament at Frank- font-on-Main, has arrived at Homburg' with the Countess of Harrington. St. Asaph Miniature Riflo Club's new range was opened on Wednesday by Mr. H. R. Hughes, Lord-Lieutenant of Flintshire, and amons; tho?? invited to engago in the inaugural competition was the Bishop of St. Asaph. Tho Countess Grosvenor on Wednesday after- noon opened a sale of work at Combermere Abbey on behalf of tho Combsmieroi and Dis- trict Nursing Association, in which her Grace Katharine Duchess of Westminster, who lent the abbey grounds for the occasion, takes a great interest. Th? Duchces, Lady Helen Grosvenor, Viscountess Criehton, and Lady Hugh Grosvenor weio stallholders, and the effort was supported by, among others, Lord Gerald Grosvenor, Lord Hugh Grosvenor, and Lord Ecfwaixl Grosvenor. The Earl of Denbigh left town on Monday for Newnham Paddox, Warwickshire. The Earl of Crewe returned to Crewe House, Curzon-street, on Monday from Crowe Hal), Cheshire. A marriage has been arranged between Alwyn Foster, fourth son of Mr. John Foster, of Coombe Park, Whitchurch, Oxon., and Muriel Wave Frances Corbett, third daughter of the late Mr. Uvedale Corbett, of Crabwall Hall, Mollington. "TIlE MONKS OF OLD CHESTER."—Ou r advertising columns announce a new and en- larged edition of Father Rudolph's interesting loot tiros. This edition is very tastefully got up. and contains new matter of interest to Ccstrians CHESTER SCHOOL OF ART.-The 1907 examinations in geometrical drawing resulted as follows:—Frank W. R. Marston, Arthur H. Dut-ton. and Thomas Jacques, lsot class; Fredk. Matthews, 2nd class. WILL OF MISS SARAH LYON Miss Sarah Lyon. of Nicholas-street, who died on tho 4th of July last, has left estate, of the value of £ 5.551. A legacy of JE50 has been left- to the Chester General Infirmary. WIRRAL AND BIRKENHEAD AGRI- CUL1 URAL SOCIETY.At a meeting of the Council, held on Tuesday, it was unanimously l-csolved t-liat the society's next stow be held on Wednesday, 15th, and Thursday, 16th Jirv. im. GREAT BOUGHTON CHURCII—The usual men's meeting of tPe Great Bough ton Congregational Church was held on Sunday. Mr. W. Jones predded over a good attendance, and tho meriting was addressed by Mr. J. II. Jones. Tho soloist was Mr. W. Green, of Khat.ton. A NGLING.-Tho Ol-J C¡O.1S Key. Anglimr Society fislied th:-ir third openi match on Sun- day, which proved a success. The winners of prizes aro as follows:—1, D. Deakin. Piatt Bridge; 2, R. Meakin. Wig-an; 3, N. El cook Piatt Bridge 4. R. Moiling, Wigan; 5, S Harker, Manchester; 6, W. Bettio, Liverpool; 7. F. Jolly. Warrington. ST. OSWALD'S AND BOUGHTON (No. 1) WOMEN UNIONISTS--In our report of the \isit of tho members of St. Oswald's and ikmghton (No. 1) Women Unionists to Mol- lington Hall in our last week's issue, the iia-m.cc, of Mrs Minns. Mrs. Pco'o and Miss Hallows were inadvertently omittcxl in the list..of the arrangements committee supplied to us for St. Oswald's Ward. QUEEN-STREET P.S.A.On Sunday Bio. J. C. Kendall piesided, and asked for new niorn- bus to join the Bible Class. Mr. Tunnicliffo. in a capita! address, urgexl all to shew good examples to the children. Miss Nellie Laing sweetly rendered the SO03 "Orilv Tired' and "Maiden's Prayer." Mr. Riley accompanied on tho organ. Bro. Harborno read the Scrip ture portion, while Bro. VanrosEitm offered prayer. Mr. P-carsoaj also took part. PRESENTATION TO PASTOR DOBSON. -Pastor R. Dobson, late of Sa'tney, was made tho recipient of a pleasing testimonial last week, in the form of John Morley's "Life of Gladstone," in two vols. The gift was ail ex- pression of appreciation and esteem from the young people of the A1 vanley-plaoe Church of Christ, Birkenhead, whose pulpit Mr. Dobson has occupied for three months as temporary pastor. The Mayor of Birkenhead presided over the public mooting at which the presenta- tion was made CHESTER MAN'S SHOCKING AOOI- DENT.—A shocking accident, occurred at Ruaboa on Tuesday night. Asliton Edge, a firr-man, of Hoole, Chester, was knocked down whilo attempting to cross tho railway lino by a Llangollen mentor train, which reaches Rua-bon at nire* o'clock. His own engine was waiting in a sitting to take him on a gokii train to Chester. His head was shockingly cut and mangled, and the ground was. pte?ped in blood. GALLANT RESGUE FROM DROWNING At an occasional court, held at Mr. Churton's offioo on Tuesday, before Mr. A. R. Smith, a woman named Sarah Elizabeth Rodon, aged 47 years, was eha.rged with attempting to commit suicide at Great Bough-ton 011 Monday. The evidence shewed that prisoner was seen to jump into the river Dee from the landing stage at the White House Hotel. Happily Mr. J. T. Milne, the landlord of tho Bridge Inn, was noar, and at great personal risk gallantly jumpw. into the river and rescue d the woman. Thero was a strong current running at the time. Prisoner was formerly employed as a cook in Upton Park. She was remanded. DEATH AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY —A young woman named) Catherine Elizabeth- Jones, 26 years of age, died undoeT tragic circumstances on Monday. The young woman, who resides at 26, Seller-street, and whose father is a pain- ter, went to a birthday party at a friend's house in Edna-etrect, Iloo'e. After ten she had a seizure of an apoplectic nature, and died a few minutes before a doctor could bo sum moned. Deceased had a charming voice, and was a memlier of the Baptist Church ohoir. On Sunday she effoctivcly rendered two solos. "When I survey the wondrous Cioss" and "Anywhere with Jesua" Miss Jones was well known, and much sympathy is felt for the family in their sad bereavement. CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS.—Lord Stan- ley of Alder ley has appointed the Rev. W. llttd son S-haw, rector of South Luffenham, Stam- ford, who is woll kncwn a.) a University Ex- tension k.ctiiner. to tho rectory of Akfarlcy, ci-hire. The Rev. W. F. J. Timbrel!, curate of St. Maigaret's, Ahfield, Liverpool, has been appointed to ths vicarage of Stoak, C-iicoliire- pitions. the Dean and Chapter of Chaster. The Rw- W. Hudson Shaw, who was educated at Oxford, took his B.A. (2nd olase Mccl. llist.) in 1883, and M.A. in 1887. Ho was ordained dea- con in 1884 and priest in 1886 In 1898 he was appointed rrctor of South Luffenham, having formerly held curacies at Horsliam and Ilkley. From 1889 to 1892 he was vicar of Thorn thwaite with Braithwaite. The Rev. W. F. J. Timbrdl graduated at Oxford, was ordained deacon in 1892.. and priest in 1893. Since 1901 h? has been curate of St. Margaret's, Anficld, having formerly held curaoios at Buckingham and Weist Kirby. POOLE'S MYRIORAMA —On Monday evening Mr. Joseph Poo'e's No. 1 Myriorania will open at the Music Hall, Chaster, with a V-ti icd and instructive entertainment. This compa-ny is stated to be the original mj-riorama, whioh has not visited1 Chester for the past ten years. The engagement is for eleven, nights only and matinees. On August 24th there will be no peiformance, owing to the Music Hall being previously booked for that night. Among tho many attractions that a.ro promised in ad- (i iti. to the famous pictorial repreieentations of eccncs at homo and abioad, Mcesia Poolo have engaged a number of star varieties. Theeo include Felix de Marco's trained; animals; the threei BOO03 on the triplo bars; tho four Rosaires, gentlemen acrobats; the Seddons; the Tissots in their living marionette* entertain- ment and others equally clover and humorous. The animated pictures aro Maimed to. bo of tho best in tho world. Popular prices will be charged for admission, and facilities are offered ¡ for the admission of children. SALE OF CHESTER PROPERTY. — On Saturday Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts held a sale at the Blossoms Hotel. The dwelling-house, No. 4, Tramway-terrace, was sold to Mr. Jonas for 1 £215. Four houses in Churchill-terrace, Garden- lane, were started at £800, and withdrawn at £ 875. Messrs. Bridgman, Weaver and Wild acted as vendors' solicitors. ROYALTY THEATRE.—A splendid pro- gramme is announced, in our advertisement columns, for next week's variety entertainment at the Royalty Theatre. Among the artists who will appear are the Brothers O'Brien in their horizontal bar act; Johnny Walker, comedian the Wakeman Quartette, and Fred Mulver and Minnie Miriam in The Reporter." CHESTER ATHLETE'S SUCCESSES.—Mr. J. L. Biookes. the Saltney sprinter, won at Hereby on Saturday the 100 yards handicap, and doad heated in tho 220 yards with W. Far- rington, Eitc-smere Port. Brook es also ran at Bunbury Horticultural Sports on NVcdnesdav. and won the 120 yatcte handicap (beating W. Grocott, "World's Champion"), and running second in tho 440 yards handicap. A PREACHER MA YOR.Dn Sunday the Mayor (Aid. John Jones) preached morning and evening in Qnoen-street Congregational Church to crowded oongrogations His Worship in the morning was in a reminiscent mood, and gave his congregation a glimpse of his early life struggles, mentioning that. when he was born his father was in receipt of the enor- mous sum of 9s. a wc-?k as an agricultural labourer. ANTIQUARIES AT CONISBOROUGH.— On Saturday a party of the members of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society visited Conisborough, under the leadership of Mr. Geo. C. Yates, F.S.A. On arrival, they were met by the Rev. W. A. Strawbridge, who con- ducted them to his interesting old church and pointed out the many objects of antiquarian interest therein. He afterwards took fhem to Conisborough Castle, which was chosen by Sir Walter Scott as one of the principal scenes in "Ivanboe." Tradition assigns the origin of the castle to Early British times, while modern antiquaries attribute the foundation of the present structure to William, the first Earl Warren, to whom the surrounding estate was granted by William the Conqueror. Another object of interest to the visitors was the magnifi- cent keep or round tower. An interesting historical paper was read on the subject by Mr. Walter Ellis. CESTRIAN'S CYCLING SUCCESS.—Many local cyclists will be interested to learn that J. Huskisson. who left Chester a few years ago. and who if; now in Melton Mowbray, won the Earl of Lonsdale's challenge cup in the two- mile race at Melton Mowbray last week. Hue- ki«x>n once belonged to the Chester Cycling .ub, and competed for the 25 miles champion- ship, for which tho Yerburgh Challenge Bowl was offered. The prwent year is h:e first season's riding since 1901, although it is eight Ve3rp. since he started racing. The Lonsdale Challenge Cup race is an important event, and thero was an excellent entry this year. Hus- k'eeon won a capital race in 5min. 35 4-5. sea*. Ho also won the half-mile cycle handicap, and was second in a novel race called the Ten Little Nigger Boys' Cycle Raoe, in which the last man in each lap had to drop out. SCHOLASTIC SUCCESSES. Group oouroo certificates have been awarded by the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes to the fol- lowing students of the City and County School for Boys (lato Secondary Day School):—Firift year's course, preliminary to technological sub- jects: James Herbert Weights, 1st in order of merit in the w hole L. and C. district: Thomas Jacques. 2nd; Thomas Arthur Mills, 3rd; Leonard Roberts, 4th; John Pryoe Wynne. Burton Ankers. Herbert J. Hewitt, of the above school, has passed the matriculation ex- amination of the London University. At the Chester School of Art, the Society of Arts' examination in book-keeping, grade 2, resulted follows:—William Alun Davios, 2nd class; Neman Newton, 2nd class: John Noden, 1st clans; William A. Shuttleworth. 2nd class. The Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes have awarded Frank L. Williams the third prize for advanced book-keeping on the result of the r. cent examination. SQUALL ON THE DEE.A sudden and fierce squall swept over the Dee at Chester between four and five o'clock OIl Tuesday after- noon, and at its height tho river at the Grovee resembled the Mersey in one of ite turbulent moods. There were irtany pleasure boats out at the time, and exciting scenes wero witnessed. Several boatt, had to be taken in tow or other- wise rescued by the boat proprietors and their handy men. The occupants of a number of small craft appeared to lose their heads and allowed their boats to drift to the right bank, and abandoned them, to be towod down subse- quently by their owners, while tho rowers, many of them ladies, walked back to the city down the meadows. There were fortunately no up- sets, although thero were one or two narrow escapes. Rowing parties who wero in charge of skilled boatmen all landed in the Groves with- out anxiety or alarm. It M a Jong time since the usually placid Dee was soen lashed into such a fury. VIPERS (ADDERS) ALONG THE LEETE. Nature study, when conducted in the field and away from books, would seem to have its risks. Mr. J. Arkle writesVisitors to the Leete, especially in August, who stray from the path in search of plants and other nature objects, will do well to look out for vipers among the grass, ferns, short furze and heather. J killed one of these unwelcome companions last Saturday, measuring two feet in length. As usual, it did its best to get away, but a blow from my stick broke its back and closed its career at once. I brought it home for measurement, and to look at the structure of its mouth and arrangement of the fangs, as well as the scales which it can raise or depress at will and use as organs of exceedingly quick locomotion even upon branches. I never knew a viper to attack, except when trodden upon or cornered—that is where the danger lies. But it has long since been shewn that a bite, although causing great distress and pain, is not necessarily fatal. People who gather bilberries often carry a small bottle of ammonia to apply if bitten. The beneficial effect, as an antidote, from immediate application would seem to shew that the active principle in the viper's venom is an acid. FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION.-The second annual competitions of the Chester Fire Brigade took place on Monday and Tuesday evening on the Deanery field, the Mayor and Sheriff and a large number of the Corporation being present. The results were are3 follows:— One-man manual drill: 1st, Branchman Elson; 2nd, Sergt. Evans; 3rd, Sergt. Sumner. Two- men manual drill: 1st, Sergt. Evans and Branch- man Jones; 2nd. Sergt. Sumner and Fireman Lightfoot. Four-man manual drill: 1st, Sergt. Sumner, Branchman Harrison, Firemen Light- foot and Smathers; ,2nd, Firemen Coombes. Davies, jun., Croft and Douglas. Four-men how cart. drill: 1st.. Sergt. Hunt, Branchman Elson, Firemen Leatherbarrow and Staton; 2nd, Sergt. Sumner, Branchman Harrison, Firemen Lightfoot and Smathers. Four-men dress and hydrant drill: 1st. Sergt. Hunt, Branchman Elson, Firemen Leatherharrow and Staton; 2nd, Sergt. Sumner, Branchman Harrison, Firemen Lightfoot and Smathers; 3rd, Firemen Coobes, Davies, jun., Croft and Douglas. The following gentlemen were the ofifcial&Starla-,r. Lieut. Noblet; timekeeper, Mr. J. H. Laybour-ne; judges., Major R. Cecil Davies and Hon. Lieut. J. L. Walker; ringmaster,s, Capt. Williamson and Lieut. Yates. TRADES EXHIBITION. On Tuesday a general trades exhibition was opened in the Drill Hall, Chester. It is promoted by the Industrial Trades, Food, Laundry and Domestic Appliances Exhibition Syndicate, inaugurated in 1891. com- posed of well-known manufacturers, and through the exhibition they seek to bring their goods be fore the public in an effective way. The stands are systematically and attractively ar- ranged. and arc filled with a variety of interest- ing and useful articles. Messrs. Dale occupy a central position with a capital display of musical instruments, including the latest modal grama- phones, auto-piano, tho Gors and Kallmann piano, a new style in Chappcll piano, etc. A prominent stall is that of Messrs. F. J. Jones and Son, electricians, who exhibit all kinds of lights, up-to-date lamps, electric novelties, etc., also the latest kind of gramaphone, which is minus. the troublesome needle. Select ion on this and other instruments are given in tho Armoury at inter- vals. Besides the stalls there are other attractions. Miss Baseball, of London, lectures twice daily on cookery and laundry, and there are also biograph entertainments at inter- vals, while the Crescent Ladies' Orchestra dis- course enjoyable musical selections. The exlIi- bition will remain open till Friday, August 23rd, ¡ and it will be found well worthy of a visit.

I POST OFFICE CHANGES. I + —— I TWO RETIREMENTS. I POSTMASTER AND CHIEF CLERK. I Important changes are in course of opera- tion at the Post Office, Chester. Mr. J. Blanohctt, the chief clerk, has already Tet-ired on a pension, ind the poermastor, Mr. S. A. Jamee, has made known hip. intention to do likewise in a few weeks; while Mr. J. Carline, who has been in charge of the Station Offioe, has succeeded Mr. Blanoheot.t as chief clerk. On Wednesday evening a large gathering of members of the Post Office staff at Chester was held at the Pied Bull Hotel, for the pur- pose of bidding good-bye to Mr. Blanohett, and of maiding him a presentation. The gift consisted of a hand-some clock, in an oak case, with chiming apparatus; also a silver cigar- ette case, both articles being inscribed as follows: — "Presented to Mr. J. BIanchett by his colleagues at Chester Poil Office on his retirement after 41 years' service, July 4th, 1906." A gold bangle was also presented to Mr. Blanchett's faster. Mr. J. Carline pre- sided and announced that let.ters of apology had been received from Mr. J. B. Harris, Mr. W. Y. Barker, MT. W. Houle (superin- tendent of the Postal Department), etc. The Chairman spoke of his association with Mr. BI-ai)ebe-tt during the 37 yearn lie, had been in the Poet Offioe service. Mr. Blanohett was hlie fir6t mentor, and he had always found him a very good friend. No doubt Mr. Blanchett would feel his severance from active work very much, but foe had the good wishes of all., Referring to the fact t-hat Mr. ¡ Blanchett was a hoiticult,trrirt, a fisherman, and an adept with the camera, Mr. Carline said that now Mr. Blanchett was free from the troubles and triaJs and tribulations—(hear, hear)—of Post Office work they would look forward to hearing of more big fish catches and more of hie beautiful pictures of the Deoc. (Applause.) Mr. J. Keishaw, superiiiitendent of tele- graphs, said that sinoo he joiined the Post I Offioe in 1870 he had never had a wrong word with Mr. Blanchett, and t,hat said a good deal for Mr. Blanohett's good tamper. He hoped ) Mr. Blanchett would be spared many years I to enjoy his pension, and that the mementoes I would remind him of the good feeling of the staff towards him. Mr. White, inspector of postmen, said it seemed bat yesterday nco in the autumn of I 1871 he pulled tho gong in the old HlQl£OmS Hotel yard and was admitted to the Post- Offioe.. The departmental work was febesn more arduous, the attendance was much longl-r. and there was certainly no question of overtime. Every member of the outdoor force-, and woll nigh every member of the clerical staff, had to put in one attendance each Sunday, and lie got no Sunday pay. That indicated that tlio men of Mr. Blancbett's day had done their best to make things better than they found them. In those days Mr. Blanohctt wa3 re- garded as something cf an athlete. He was a. very good oarsman a.nd a deft handler of the willow, and he attended strictly to his duty, and in all matters that he deait with, .neither the mie'i-rsrs of the public nor those j of tho department were ailowed to suffer. The Postmaster (Mr. S. A. James) then madle the presentation to Mr. Blanohctt on behalf of tho staff, and made an appreciative reference to his wark. Although his experi- ence of Mr. Blanchett had boon fOniewliAt limited, Mr. James said he eould heartily coincide with everything that had been said wiDh regard to his amiability. Mr. Blanchett was to bo congratulated on ata.in.ing the gcal of O\ry eiv.J servant—superannuation after do'ig his duty in a thoroughly conscientious, pl'aJwonhy and loyal majmor. (He-?r, bear.) Thoee who knew Mr. Blanchett would agree that he was a faithful and loyal servant, and an amiable and good-tempered colleague, and he had always looked after the interests of the public. In the words of Goldsmith they might say "And even his failings leaned to virtue's side." Mr. Jainos then made the pre- fient at ion, and the gatlk-rlrig mng or he's a. jolly good fellow," and gave cheers for MT. and Mi ,-)., Blazioh-^tt. Mr. Blanchett, in leply, said that when lie entered the Post, Offioe 41 years ago there wre no such things as postcards and pct-itaJ orders, and there was no parcel post, whilo tho tele- graphs had not been taken over by tlie de- partment; and there were no sorting office's at the station. The Post Offioe premises con- sisted of two rooms only and a publiooounter, and were situated where the Blossoms Hotel I now stood- As far as he could mme-mber, the average total number of letters and packets of all kinds dealt with in the week would be 20,000. At t h e present time the number dealt wit'h at the head officio and at the station offioo exceeded 550,000, thus shewing a vast increase in the wea k. It was quite impossible for him to express in words what he felt on that oooasion. He was dtoeply thankful for the very kind things that had been said. and he exprel his thanks for the liandeon-ic- pre- sent that had been made to him. It would frequently bring back memories of the happy times he had spent in the Poet Office. (Ap pla-uee. ) The health of Mr. Blanchett was cordially pledged on the proposition of Mr. R. J. Stubbs. Latar in the evening Mr. James announced tihaa in the course of a few woeks it. was his intention to senor hi8 oonnection witji the Pest Office in Chester, and he should be sorry to leave his old colleagues. He had just said that Mr. Blanchett wae to be congratulated, and in one way he would be able to congratu- late himpelf soon. During the evening a capital programme of musical items was given, Miss Walker, Miss Wilbraham, Mr. Robinson, Mr. L. Parry, Mr. Noblett, Mr. F. Griffiths, Mr. H. Cuzner, and Mr. H. Duyland contributing.—Mr. Bennion proposed, and Mr. Mitohell seconded, a vote of thanks to those who had contributed to the programme. The- oommitteo who were responsible for t.he arrangeroeTits for t.ho presentation ocn' ssted of Messrs. J. Carline, Loui Parry, F. Griffiths, A. Shaw, W. A. Mitchell, E. Evans, and F. Benll ion, The gifts were supplied by Messrs. Lowe and Sons, jewellers, Bridge-street Row, Chester. THE POSTMASTERS CARREER. I AN INTERESTING RETROSPECT. I The- many friends of Mr. S. A. James, the Postmaster of Chester, will regret to hoar of his impending retirement, ajid there-grot will be shared by tho largo staff in the service of the postal authorities at Chester. Mr. Janice has tilled the position of Postmaster ait Chester 6inoo 1003, and during that time he has made many frie-ids among the gesnerul public, while, earning the respect and regard of all those in the numerous departments placiad under h ts charge, both in the city and in the out- lying district. In Hoole, where he resides, 1\1.<r. James has also made many friends, who will regret to read the news of his approach- ing departure, as he inteinds to take up his re- I sidenco at Forres (Elginshire). We under stand that he will vacate his position at the end of next month." Whilo in his far nocth home, Mr. James will be long remembered by his Chester acquaintances. Mr. James has a long and interest ing career in connection with both the Post Offioe and the old Telegraph Companies. Ilis start JJ1 life dates from 1860, when he joined the Elec- tric Telegraph Company at Bristol, and after- wards lie served the same company at Oxford. Four years later he transferred to the United Kingdom Telegraph Company, with whom he served at various places in the West of Eng- land and South Wales. In 1866 he gravitated to the fa- north in Dundee, and a year later he was plaoed in charge of t.he Telegraph Company's business in Glasgow. He subse- quently entered the service of the Post Office in Glasgow, when the Government purchased the telegraphs. lf<E WE S appointed Chief Snpe. intendent of Telegraphs in Glasgow in 1895, and in 1903 he received the appointment of Postmaster at Chester, which he has filled ever since. Important and beneficial changes have been made in the postal work during MT. James regime at Qi ester. Add-itional postmen's walks have been arranged owing to the in- creased correspondence. Day mail services have been established to Groat Barrow, lIar- grave, Saighton, Stanncv, Waverton, Wervin, Thornton io-Moors, and Ewloe (IJawarden), all in the Chestor district, and morning deliveries have been aooelerated a.t Buckley, Bromton, Saltney Ferry, Sealand, while this growing district of Elleemore Port has received in- creased postal facilities. There have been interesting and remarkable alterations in, and cheapening of, telegraphy during Mr. James's experienoe. In hia early days in the sixties the charge for private mes- sages was as much as 8s. to Ireland for a mini- mum message of 20 words, and 4s. to Scotland, while the inland messages in England iteelf ranged up to 2s. 6d. and i&, according to distance, as a minimum. In 1868 the tariff to New York was as high as £ 1 a word, and £ 20 for 20 words. Now, as is tolerably well known, the rate is only la a word. In the old days, with the comparatively primitive appliances at the disposal of the operators, the speed for the transmission of messages rarely exceeded 40 words a minute, which is about the rate of a fast telegraph clerk's longhand writing. That speed was attained only by skilled operators. The introduction of automatic telegraphy, how- ever, has increased the speed immensely, and at the present time the machines are capable of turning out long speeches and other matter at the rate of 400 words a minute, which is twice as fast as a rapid speaker. This method ia called the Whcatstone automatic working. For the transcription of the message as it is received from this voluble machine, a istaff of seven or eight men would be required, working simul- taneously, like a corps of reporters working at a table. A remarkable revolution has taken place in the increase of what is technically known as the "wire production." In Mr. James's early days, 48 years ago, it was possible to tele- graph only one message at a time on any one wire. Now, by a remarkably ingenious adapta- tion, it is possible to telegraph four separate rneesagc&two messages in one direction and two in another—on one wire at the same time. This is called the quadruplex working. In 1860 also it was not. possible to telegraph more than one message at a time over a wire connecting two towns, and in some cases two such wires were necessary if the communication was made by means of the "double needle" instrument. In the case of Professor Bonelli's printing tele- graph, which was being experimentally worked in the early sixties, the number of line wires necessary was five. This telegraph was experi- mented wit.h between Liverpool and Manchester, but it proved too expensive for practical work- ing. The "Hughes" printing telegraph was introduced about this time, and was operated by the United Kingdom Telegraph Company. This company was established to introduce uniform li;. tariff for telegrams of 20 words. I- is interesting to observe that the "H telegraph is again coming to the front, the Post Offioe having improved many details in ita working. Forty years ago the. Press messages, naturally, were very short and infrequent, com- pared with the enormous rush of news matter which is sent over the wires every day of tho week at the present time. both by the numerous news agencies and direct correspondents of tho newspapers. It is interesting to recall tjjat Tilr. James's early career, before the inauguration of the Press Association, the Central New. and the other Press news collecting and distributing agencies, the newspapers were in the habit of paying a certain sum to the Telegraph Com- pany, who not only sent the news over the wire, but also acted as news collectors and distributors.

SAUGHALL. MISS MINSHULL'S WEDDING.-An inters esting wedding took place at the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Wednesday. The contracting parties were Miss Mary Williams Minshull, only daughter of Mr. John Minshull, of Mollington. and Mr. John Wilson Steen. Mr. Steen is the assistant inspector of the Irish Department of Agriculture for Ulster, and was formerly superin- tendent of Bsdlyhaise Agricultural College, Cavan. His home is at Balleney, Coleraine, Ireland. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. James Dickinson and the Rev. S. Parlow. The bride was attired in a dress of white cashmere trimmed with Valenciennes lace and orange blossom. She also wore a lovely Carrickmacross lace scarf (the gift of the bridegroom), and carried a bouquet of whito lillies. The best man was Capt. R. M. Steen, ot the Indian Medical Service, and brother to the bridegroom. The bride was attended by two maids—her cousins, Misses M. Walley and C. Denson. Numerous preswits included those from the staff and students of the Ballyhaise College, and from the members of the Damage Primitive Methodist Choir, at which chapel the bride was a teacher. Presents were also received from the Saughall Christian Tempi nr>r-e S< ciety. The honeymoon will he p -nt, m Wiltshi e.