Cheshire Observer

 AGO. j A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. I A GLANCE AT THE COURANT" FILES. We reproduce the following from the j pr"ulI wcok 'o Chester Courant "What thoughts dSt1 as one carries one's mind b-.rv hu-idred years! Then Chester was So very different place from what it is now, and it is if those who are continually eisfhia^ for the good old times" would care to revert tuck to the days when Chester was dimly lighted at night with oil lamps; when; the screens wern paved with the disagreeable cobble stones; when law and order were sup- pú,:d to be preserved by decrepid old watch- m,n; and .riea stage coaches were the most up-to-dare system of travelling. Our fore- I f a, h-rs \v,.>rp m w. stoical than we of the present generation, and judging from the" Courant" ) files of a century ago they did not excite th«mseiv 3 to-any considerable extent concern- ing the death or the eighteenth and the birth l G :1: M century. Indeed, the circum- stance was dismissed with a few editorial remarks, an anonymous poem, and an article relating to tt.e death of that celebrated characte r, M. Eighteenth Century, at the great ag* at 100 years." In view of the con- troversy that, raured so fiercely a few months ago as to wnea the twentieth century really commencai, it is interesting to recall that a similar problem vexed our forefathers, for it is stated ia tia 11 Courant" of a hundred years ago that il was reported that Mr. Eighteenth Century died on the 31st of December, 1799, but we al ways ccnsidered that report premature and unfounded." The C >uraat" boasts an uninterrupted weekly that few lournais in the country Cia iqui It w is founded in 1730 by John I A urn?, u i k-tr tbe title of "Adams's Weekly Cour ant," by which n:une it was known until 1793, vuen it became known as "The Chester Cour iat" a title it has since borne. The price of ciie p vp u- W13 originally 2d., from which it r" in 1795 to 2^1., and by degrees to 7d. in 1815, at wouiti price it was sold until 1837, when i" WAS reduced to 5d. At the beginning of the la^t century the price was 6d. This may seem a big sum in the days of halfpenny and penny papers, but as the publisher in a note to his readers at ihat time explained, the price of an: the duty on it were heavy, and in addition the Stamp Office required a con- st Uei-.it> ie payment for the publication of adver- [r, is surprising what little attention was paid in the olden times to local occurrences. In the Oourants of December 30, 1800, and J inmry 6. 1301, to the (features of which wo 'I propose now to refer at some length, the local an. 1 utoLjr:jt aevs occupies an astonishingly I smtli amount of space. Evidently in those days, as is lhe ctse now in many instances, no news 'I was considered .food news. A numtred years ago, as now, England was fc???ed in ho?tdities. and owing to the burden- some r?x?'ion??used by the war, the dearness of provV. ns and the hilure of harvests, keen tilju?s was experienced throughout the land. A, a r??lt br??d riots occurred in many parts of the country, and the Houses of Parliament, At?er Sbri?ujiy comideria? the matter, peti- I tioned Ge >rge III. to take some action. As a result his Majesty issued a proclamation ex- I hortm; h s people to exercise the greatest I economy in regard to food, and, among other I things, to couti.ie the consumption of bread to one quartern loaf each person per week. Cheshire patriotically observed the King's request, as will be seen from the following I advertii.-m-nt which appeared in the Courant:"— Knutsford, Dec. 20, 1800. CUUNTY OF <JH ESTER. ] whose names are hereunto subscribed, lamenting', in common with others, the general distress occasioned by the present high price of Tnr and being earnestly solicitous to pro- mote th" objects of His Majesty's gracious and texii.»i-.t-ui proclamation, do resolve unanimously tbat wo wili sutfer no wheaten bread to be used in oui families, hut such as is made of tit-- witote nour of the wheat, the broad bran only being taken out, except for the accommodation of invalids and children, and except where American hour is made use of. That we' will not suffer cakes of any sort to be used in our families—as litLe pasiry as is possible and of none but the coarsest riour, and that as far as is practicable rice shall be substituted in the place of lfour. That we will reduce the consumption of malt liquor in our 1 tunnies, by every means in our power. That there snail be as moderate "an" use of potatoes as is convenient, where other vegetables can be found to supply their place. That we will care- fuiiy restrict ti.e consumption of oats and other frr;i:n tor the subsistence of horses, particularly of those kept for pleasure, as far as circumstances per i £ That we win, in short, as much as in us nes, dimimsh the consumption of bread, and J of everything that constitutes the food of man, being persuaded that nothing will tend more etuciuai.y to aileviate the present difficulties, and to provide for the wants of the year, than an ex- tensive practice of such a system of frugality. We tj .encore pledge ourselves to the observance of it v»n bin this county, till the necessary articles of pro vision can be purchased at a reasonable price oy 'ower classes of society; and we do most sincerely recommend the adoption of the same or sirIJ: resolUtion to all the gentlemen, and to ti: nusokoiders of every description (to whom they may be applicable) in this most populous county. Ordered, That these resolutions be left at tne George, in Knutsford, to be signed by those who approve of them, and that they be printed twice m the "Sun," the "Star" and the two Chester papers, and that a thousand copies be priat)-J a id circulated throughout the county.— Edward Thomycroft, John Ashton, Maurice .Krai mere, T. B. Hall, Rev. P. Johnson, Trafford 'iraiioid, Rev. P. Halsted, Rev. O. Leycester, Thomas Parker, Rev. H. Cholmondeley, J. T. Si-an.ey, o ames Wilde, Isaac Blackburne, Wm. L orto i, Geo. J. Legh, Robert Brooke, Geo. W iJbraham, Thos. Taylor. Egerton Leigh, Geo. Leyaster, John Glegg, Sir Peter Warburton, C'as. Cholmondeley, Davies Davenport, Randle I'braiiam, Thos. Cholmondeley, Sir John Leicester, H. A. Leicester, Rev. Thos. Black- burne, Chas. W. J. Shakerley, T. L. Brooke, Francis ooddrell, Charles Leicester, Henry M. Mai iiwanng, Thomas Wright, Strethill Wright. -xv-rtig" price of grain (Winchester meisur. ) was, it appears, as follows at the Chester nt;lrk"t on December 27th, 1800:— Wb^at 176 71,1., oats 78. 41d. at Nantwich, whe tr, IS. 41., barley 15" 3icl. oats 8s. 5d.; and at St-x-kporfc "on Saturday fe'nnight," wheat 14s 2d., oatmeal 7d. 71d. and beans 10'. 61. IhH price of bread rose to famine prices, as will be seen from the following:— ASSIZE OF BREAD. I The following is the Assize and Price of Biead for tbi* city (after having been baked t-vunty-four hours) to take place this day and to be in force seven days. The price of the Winc::esr<»r bushel and baking R.1 Os. 9d. The rock 100M Wheaten (171b.) 7/11 ) Ditto boufphold. 5/11 The haf.peek loaf wheaten. 3/11 Virto honnchold. 2il1 The quartern loaf whe%ten 2/- Ditto househoid. 1/6 TUè rmlf-qlla.rttJrn lo",r wheaten. 1/- Vitt,) household 9d. tu is evidH.rr. wroat distress prevailed in Chesrer i<self. In the Courant" of Dec. 30, 1300, it is announced that the subscription for till [ cii r et the poor industrious inhabitants of this ciry is not closed, and that several considerable additions are expected to the undermentioned sums. We also hear that the elaiuis of 7,664 poor individuals to the r.l¡.i have been allowed." The appended fiur,s shewed that the gifts previously a-iverrised amounted to £1,465 14s., and the loans wnnout the interest to 93,100, and that the following amounts had been subscribed siuce :—i un Corporation of Chester, £ 105; the D.> in and Chapter of Chester, 9105; tile Right thn. Lord Viscount Kilmorey, 920; John of tvithington, Esq., £ 20; Sir G. W. Pi>w>ott, Bart., £ 10 10s.; Mr. J. Sorton Hughes, X10 10s. l'ho latter is also credited with;EIOO aa.f loan heading, bringing up the totals to £ 1,735 14h. L-ifts, and in the following week's was announced that further gifts of S50 aad £ 21 respectively had been made by G. H. Druiniu >nd, Enq., and Sir John Thomas Stanley, Bar t. Ia new of the distress that existed, the to! lowing letter, addressed to the Printer, which appeared m the "Courant" of January 6,1801, is vorth re publishing :—"Sir,—In these dread- ful and calamitous times, I think you will agree Y; ÍI h iik,- r, nAt every good and benevolent action ougnt (for tne sake of example) to be made as puoM „s possible; I have the pleasure there- tore to inform you that Wm. Egerton, Eeq., of .rat: on f irk, gave to the poor on Christmas Da- two bu!K cks; and on New Year's Day 3,2001b. of good wholesome bread, half a ten of and a large quantity of wearing apparel. f i- is truly a good man and a real patriot, and I hope you will favor this little piece of intelli- g. n.-e with a corner in your valuable paper, and YOU .via VERY much oblige—DOMESTICUS." An interesting personal paragraph in the paper of December 39th runs as follows :— inr Hyde Parker was married to Miss Onsiow, the daughter of his brother Admiral, The difference of their ages is exactly forcy-three years. Lady Parker has a settle- ment of two thousand pounds per annum." THE ADVERTISEMENTS. I Con-d Wable light is thrown on the manner Hid customs of chose times by the advertise- oiH r8 v appeared in the Courant." For instance, it; appears that Oswestry boasted, what 1 "• uose degenerate days would he caller I Vigilance Committee, but then was t tmed the Oswestry Asso- ciation for the Prosecution of Felons." Ir, seemed from the association's advertisement that wberea- several horses, sheep, and other c, to have beef, stolen, and frequent burglaries, felonies, and larcenies ot various kinds com- mitted m ihv several parishes of Oswestry, Whitfiugton, West-felton, Svlattin, St. Martin's, Kinnerley, and Llanyblodwell, in the county of Salop, and other neighbouring parishes, and the offenders have too often escaped justice for want of immediate pursuit and effectual prosecution: therefore the several persons whose names are hereunto subscribed, associating themselves together in order to prevent and suppress every kind of felony and larceny (so far as in them lie), have agreed to raise and maintain a fund for the prosecution of all such offences committed against the pro- perty of them or any or either of them." A committee was appointed to manage the affairs of the association, and the following rewards were offered to the person or persons who shall first give such information in the premises, as shall lead to the recovery of the stolen property, andjapprehension of the respective offenders in the undermentioned cases, to be paid on the conviction of such offenders." £ a. d. The felonious breaking and entering any house in the night time 5 5 0 The like in the day time. 3 3 0 The felonious stealing, killing, maiming or wounding any horse, mare or gelding 5 5 0 The like of any bull, ox, cow, steer, heifer, calf, sheep, lamb or hog 2 2 0 The stealing of any goose or other poultry < 10 6 Any other grand or petit larceny 110 Stealing any gate, pale or rail, or any iron work, or other thing belonging theretAt, or breaking, cutting down, or destroying the same, or any hedge or other fence. 0 10 6 Stealing, cutting down, breaking, destroy- ing, or damaging any trees, saplings, poles or underwood 110 Robbing any orchards, or gardens, or stealing, or maliciously pulling up or destroying any turnips, potatoes, par- snips, carrots, cabbages or peas growing in any enclosed ground. 0 10 6 A long list of names was appended. An advertisement, in which hunting men will be interested, ran as follows:— SHREWSBURY HUNT. I The members of the Shrewsbury Hunt are requested to meet at the Lion Inn on Monday, the 5th of January, 1801, to spend the week with the president. RICHARD LYSTER, Esq. N. B. -A pack of foxhounds will attend. Shrewsbury, Dec. 10, 1800. In another column Charles Potts, clerk to the trustees of turnpike roads," gave notice that on a certain date the tolls arising and to be collected at the several toll-gates erected on the turnpike road leading from Chester to Northop, called the Hough Green Gate and the Ewloe Gate, would be let by auction to the best bidder, at the Inner Pentice, in the city of Chester. He further mentioned that the said tolls produced in the previous year zE652 above the expenses of collecting them. Several adver- tisements related to the tickets and shares of the English State Lottery. The appended advertisement conveys an idea of the manner in which the authorities endeavoured to cope with the existing distress The public are respectfully informed that a cargo of herrings, provided by Government for supplying the poor in this part of the kingdom at a moderate price, is arrived at Liyerpool, and any order from magistrates or others, for the above purpose, addressed to the Collector of Customs, Liverpool, will meet with due atten- tion." In a subsequent advertisement instruc- tions were given for preparing and cooking the herringrs. GENERAL NEWS. Whatever may be said with regard to local news, the readers of the Courant" of those days were well catered for in respect of general news. The attempt on the life of the then Consul" Bonaparte in December, 1800, is described in the following terms :—" Another attempt of a most curious and extraordinary nature has been made upon the life of the Consul Bonaparte. As he was going to the opera on the evening of the 23rd instant with a slight military escort a waggon with a con- cealed machine placed in the street in such a manner as to obstruct his carriage, made a sudden explosion, broke all the glasses, killed five persons, and wounded fifteen others, all bystanders and inhabitants of the adjacent houses. The Consul, however, received no personal injury, but with the utmost composure proceeded to the opera, and sat out the whole of the performance of Haydyn's eratorio of the Creation." Madame Bonaparte, accompanied by her daughter and sister-in-law, (Madame Murat) followed very closely behind her husband. She was in the Carousal at the time the explosion took place. The glasses of her carriage also were broken; and the horses becoming frightened could not for some time be made to advance. She, however, ordered the coachman to proceed, that she might partake, if possible, of the perils of her husband; but her solicitude was happily soon calmed, on her meeting the Consular guards, who were sent back for the purpose of assuring her of the safety of the Chief Consul. On the senators expressing their horror and affliction to Bonaparte at the atrocious attempt he coolly answered thus:- What would you have ? It is id the first situations of the magistracy exactly as it is upon the field of battle." Among other general paragraphs of interest are the following :—" There are some who sup- pose that the mission of the Russian envoy now at Paris relates to an object of no less magnitude than the discussing and digesting a plan for a combined attack upon the Turkish empire—Russia attacking it on one side and France on the other."—" Mr. Shaw, the messenger, was sent off by ministers on Saturday, with despatches for Lord Carysfort, his Majesty's ambassador at the Court of Berlin. They are reported to contain proposals for the amicable adjustment of the existing differences between Great Britain and Russia, through the medium of his Prussian Majesty. Should this effort prove unsuccessful, the most vigorous measures will no doubt be immediately adopted on our part to chastise the flagrant insolence and revenge the daring aggressions of the capri- cious Autocrat of the North." An unfounded report has lately been circulated of an epi- demic disease having broken out amongst the troops under the command of Sir Ralph Aber- cromby. On December 3rd, 16,000 of these brave fellows sailed from Tetuan Bay tor Egypt in the most perfect state of health. General Craig is said to have departed from India with 10,000 Sepoys, exclusive of other troops to form a diversion on the side of Suez Little Englanders would not have been viewed with favour in these days, judging from I the following paragraph "Two of the Lough- borough Volunteers having given in their resignation and surrendered their arms, the corps have voted them cowards and dastards. that they be sent to Coventry, and their names be advertised three times in the Leicester papers. Here is a pathetic item :—" As the lady of Captain O Brien, of the 24th Regiment, was paying with one of her children a few days ago, at the Now London Inn, Exeter, her clothes caught fire. She was about to roll herself in the carpet, when she saw the flames com- municating to her infant. All regard to her own safety was lost in the more powerful consideration of saving her child, and rushing downstairs she preserved its life by the sacrifice of her own. The fla.mas were soon extinguished, but she was previously burnt to such excess that after languishing four days she then expired, in the nineteenth year of her age. Her remains were deposited in the Cathedral, and followed to the grave by all the officers and men of the regiment." IMPORTANT EVENTS OF 1800. I We take the folio wing from a lengthy chrono- logical list in the Courant" of the most I remarkable events in the year 1800 January 1. Overtures of peace received by the British Government from the First Consul of France, but rejected.-9th. The Bank of England agreed to advance three million pounds to the Government without interest for six years, in consideration of the renewal of its cbarter.-15th. The Irish Parliament met, and a long debate took place on the subject of the Union. 17th. Another overture of peace from the Consulate of France, which was also rejected.-23rd. An account re- ceived of the death of the celebrated General Washington in America on the 15th ult. at the age of 63.-27th. Strong resolutions entered into in different parts of Ireland against the proposed Union. February 5th. Accounts received from Jamaica of an alarming conspiracy of the negroes having been detected in that island.- j 5th. The Irish House of Commons, after a long debate, declared in favour of a Union with Great Britain by a majority of 158 to 115. Some popular dis- turbances took place on the occasion.— 7th. Advice received at the India House of a desperate action having taken place in the Straits of Babelmandel between his Majesty's ship Trincomalee and a French frigate, in which both vessels were unfortunately blown up and their respective crews entirely lost.-17th. The House of Commons resolved to grant a supply for raising troops in Germany to co-operate with the Austrian Army.-17th. The debates in the Irish House of Commons on the subject of the Union were so high and became so personal that a duel took place on the occasion, between Messrs. Grattan and Corry, in which the latter was wounded. March 6th. The Attorney-General of Ireland introduced in the House of Commons a Bill for continuing martial law in that country, which shortly atter passed into law.—10th. His Majesty's ship Repulse of 64 guns lost near Ushant. A few of the crew were drowned, some of them affected their escape, but the greater part were made prisoners by the enemy. -12th. A general fast and humiliation throughout England.—15th. His Majesty's ship Danae of 22 guns, commanded by Lord II Proby, carried into Brest by her mutinous crew and delivered up to the enemy. April 2nd. A message from his Majesty on the subject of the union with Ireland6 delivered to both Houses of the British Parliament.—7th. The Common Council of Dublin agreed to petition his Majesty against the union. May 5th. Bonaparte set out from Paris to superintend the operations of the Army and Reserve destined to act in Italy.—15th. While his Majesty was reviewing the first division of Grenadier Guards in Hyde Park, a bullet was discharged from a musket in the front rank, which passed through the thigh of a gentleman who stood but a few yards distant from the King. It appeared, however, upon strict enquiry, tuat the ball was not fired with any evil des.^ri. The accident was occasioned by the soldier inadvertently leaving a ball cart- ridge in his cartouch-box.—On the evening of the above day their Majesties and the Princesses went to Drury Lane Theatre. Just as the King entered the royal box, a pistol loaded with slugs was discharged at his sacred person from the pit. The assassin, whose name is Hadfield, was instantly secured, and shortly after brought to trial, but acquitted on the score of insanity. He is, however, detained in custody as a lunatic. June 7th. The French Army under the orders of General Maffena, evacuated Genoa by capitulation, having been literally starved.— 11th. The boats of Sir John Borlase Warren's squadron cut off from St. Croix eleven French ships laden with provisions and stores for the combined fleets in the harbour of Brest. July 15th. A smart action took place off Oatend between H.M.S. Nemesis and a Danish frigate called the Freija. The Dane first fired at the boats of the Nemesis, while going to examine the papers of her convoy. The conflict lasted an hour and twenty minutes, when the Dane struck, with her convoy, to the British flag, and was brought into the Downs.-28th. Preliminaries of peace signed between Austria and France at Paris by Count St. Julien and M. Talleyrand, which, however, the Emperor refused to ratify. August 29th. A Convention signed at Copenhagen by the British and Danish ministers, by which the differences between the two countries were partly adjusted, and the Danish convoy detained in the Downs was in consequence permitted to depart.-31st. A pro- posal made to our Government by the French Consulate for a naval armistice as a necessary preliminary to a pacific negotiation which, after an interchange of several despatches, was rejected by Ministers as incompatible with the honour or security of this country. September 15th. Serious commotions took place in London in consequence of the high price of provisions, and the misguided multi- tude committed in several parts some very unwarrantable outrages. The tumult con- tinued for six days, during the whole of which time the exertions of the Lord Mayor and the other magistrates were well supported by the gentlemen of the different Volunteer Associa- tions, who cheerfully came forward in defence of their fellow citizens, and continued on actual duty, day and night, till the morning of the 21st, when the metropolis was happily restored to its wonted tranquility.—21st. A fresh armistice concluded between Austria and France at Hohenlinden, in consequence of the former having agreed to surrender the important for- tresses of Ulm, Ingoldstadt, and Philiptburg. The Emperor also agreed to send a Plenipoten- tiary to Luneville, to treat of peace with France. October 9th. The Common Council of the city of London resolved to petition the King to convene Parliament to take into their con- sideration the high price of provisions. His Majesty returned a gracious answer, and the 12ch of November was fixed for the meeting of the great council of the natiou.-llth. The Park and Tower guns were fired on the occasion of the capture of Malta. November 8th. The Emperor of Russia, in consequence of the disappointment which he experienced in not having the island of Malta ceded to him by England, laid an embargo on all English vessels in his several ports, and ordered all property belonging to this country in his dominions to be sequestrated. The sailors belonging to the ships were all marched into the interior of the Empire.-27th. Mr. Sheridan made a motion in the House of Commons for a committee to inquire into the state of the nation, which, after a long debate, was negatived by a great majority. December 1st. Mr. Sheridan made a motion in the House of Commons to address His Majesty to omit no opportunity of entering into a separate treaty of peace with France, which, after a long debate, was negatived by a great majority.-5th. His Majesty issued a pro- clamation recommending to his subjects a necessary economy in the consumption of bread, &c., in consequence of the existing scarcity of corn.—10th. A dreadful fire broke out at Manchester which destroyed a great number of houses and goods to an immense value.—27th. The House of Lords agreed to a Bill sent up by the Commons prohibiting the making of bread from fine wheaten flour.

CHRISTMAS TREAT TO AGED I POUR. The annual treat for the aged poor of Chester was given on Friday evening, and although a storm had been raging all day and continued to do so during the night, the attendance was greater than ever before. A good tea was provided for over 500 of the respectable poor, through the kindness and energy of the secretaries-Mr. A. H. Davies and Mr. C. C. Bowles-and of a devoted band of ladies who had collected the necessary funds. The officers of the Volunteer corps kindly lent the Drill Hall for the occasion, and it was decorated with flags and bunting to present a bright appearance. The collectors were Misses Challinor, Cook, Day, Eastwood, Griffiths (2), Haswell, Jones, James, Johnson, Ledsham, Marshall, Meacock, Phillips, Smith, Kershaw, Turnock, Welsh, and Mrs. Heeley. Most of these ladies presided at the head of a table, and with the kind help of other ladies and gentlemen served out the tea and provisions. It was a delightful sight to witness so many of the aged poor enjoying themselves. While the tea was in progress the Mayor (Mr. H. T. Brown) came in, and with some welcome words wished them a happy now year, commenting on the speedy process of time and the passing away of so many during the past year. At intervals Miss N. Welsh and Miss Thomas played several duets on the piano, and Mr. F. Waller gave solos on the cornet. After tea the chair was taken by Mr. A. H. Davies, who wished the audience a very happy and pleasant new year. A blessing upon the meeting was asked by the Rev. R. Radford, rector of the parish. Miss Welsh sang very beautifully the anthem 0 Rest in the Lord," and Miss Heeley recited the Handy Man," for which she received an encore. The gramaphone, which was kindly lent by Mrs. Dale, gave much amuse- ment, being heard with remarkable clearness. A stirring and seasonable address was given by Mr. W. Denson, and a capital limelight exhibi- tion of war pictures, &c., was given by Mr. Siddall. Mr. Denson asked the audience to give three cheers for the lady collectors and contri- butors, Mr. Siddall, and all who helped to make I the meeting such a success. This was heartily responded to. Mr. C. C. Bowles concluded the meeting with the Benediction. One of the I events of the evening was an interesting poem composed by one of the aged poor for the occa- sion. It was read by Mr. Brooker. On leaving the hall each person was presented with a 41b. loaf and a quarter of a pound of tea. In addi- tion to this 100 others had tickets for those who were too infirm to come. In all over a ton of bread and upwards of 600 packets of tea were presented.

A vivid description of the race for the Chester Cup is the leading feature of our new serial tale which commences in this issue of the "Observer." The author of A Dead Certainty is Mr. Nat Gould, who has won a lasting reputation as a writer of exciting sporting novels of a healthy type. The story opens in North Wales and culminates in some thrilling incidents of the Cup race. ASTONISHING CURES OF BRONCHITIS. COUGHS, ASTHMA, AND INFLUEZA, BY f'ENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CUBE. Tsiro's Lightniug Cough Cure is a new scientific remedy endorsed by Medical men. Far superior to ordinary coutrh mixtures or any of the emulsions. It eclipses all other remedies. ASTHMA AND BRONCHITIS. Mr. JOSEPH SCOTT, 1, Joseph-terrace, Spiyey-street. Groves, Hull, writes, June 14th, 1900:—Dear Isirs.-I have great pleasure in recommending- Teno's Lig-htning- Cough Cure. It is a valuable medicine, and I am RUle I cannot praise it too much, as it has done me a wonderful lot of good. I have been a great sufferer for the last four years from bronchitis and asthma, and it has done for me what other medicines could not do. I am taking Veno's Seaweed Tonio for Kidney trouble, and it has done me a great deal of good. Should any sufferer doubt my word, he can write me. I am a retired N.E. Goods Guard. INFLUENZA AND INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS CURED. Mrs. SMITH, 71, Linney-street, off Platt-lane, Wigan, writes :—My daughter came home from the mill with a very severe attack of influenza. She was very feverish and had pains in the chest She had suffered for nearly a week with a nasty hacking cough, and at night she could n t sleep for coughing. I got a bottle of your Lightning Cough Cure for her an t?it t cured her com- pletely. She has never coughed since, and is back at her work again. ,#. 8K FOR VENO'S LIGHTNIHG COUGH CORK. Don't be persuaded to talte a substitute or an imitation. Price Is. i;d and 2s 9d. Sold by BOOTS LTD., ( HEEBS and j HOPLEY, PFABSOX and BauTuis, and all Chemists.

THE NEW CENTURY. Ring in the Love of Truth and Right, Ring in the Common Love of Good." This, let us all hope, was the wish conveyed by the Cathedral bells to the multitudes of Ceatrians who, on Monday evening, thronged the streets on the last night of the closing year of the nineteenth eentury. The occasion was fittingly celebrated in the city. Now Year's Eve-no good can be served by disguising the fact-is not, as a rule an occasion when the youth of Chester is seen at its best. To anyone who takes a walk through the streets it is evident that too many of the young men of the city celebrate he event by a debauch, but it was satisfactory to note on Monday evening that cases of this sort were not so numerous as usual. The Mayor's idea of a public service on the Town Hall Square to celebrate the death of the century was a bold one. There was a danger that it uaighr, tend to irreverence, but it is gratifying to be able to state that, although there were solitary exceptions, the behaviour of the vast crowd was most devout. Particularly striking was the reverent demeanour of the woikiugmen and their wives. Impressive services were held in the Cathedral and the city churches and ohapels. I bEiiVICE AT THE CATHEDRAL. A speciai service, to mark the clostug day of I the century, was held in the Cathedral on j Monday evening. A large congregation assembled, the Mayor (Alderman 1:1. i. biown) being among those present, iiie clergy taking part in the kidrvict3 were the Dean, AicQdeacou Barber, the Precentor (the iiev. ii. ii. Wright), Canon Cooper bcott, and the Kev. H. Urantuaiu. The processional nyrnn was To me Name of Our tia-lvation," and at the close the hymn 0 Gud, our help in ages past," was sung. The prayers were intoned by tue Precentor, and the lesson, troin Anovulations xxi., was read by Aicadeacon Barber. Au impressive address, was delivered by Dean Darby. Preachiug on the texi, Me. Luke ii., 21, the Dea.n said that the Church bids us remember that the eighth day after Christmas was marked for us by the giving to our Saviour of the name Jesus, wiucn is above every name. Quoting St. Paul, he added that no one without the aid of the Holy Spirit could in any true sense say that Jesus is tne Lord. This should make us careful how we join in the worship of Almighty God, lest we should take His name in vain. The Dean also dwelt on tne danger of midnight services. The risk of pro- faning God's House had been shewn to be too great for him to run it. The Cnurch of England intended her evensong at four o'clock to close what is called a congregational service, while the Hours" maintained the unbroken round of prayer. The sentiment of Pope Gregory Xiii. in the year 1582 in having a calculation made as to the length of the year was interesting, for he desired that the vernal equinox should fail on the same day as it did in the year A.H. oZb, probably to keep Easter as near the time of the Passover as possible. This new style was adopted in England by Act of Parliament in 1752, wflen September 3 was styled September 14. This but illustrates the uncertainty of time, as does the uncertainty of the year of our Lord's birth, which according to the best authorities was in the year 5 before the Christian era invented in the sixth century. The preacher concluded by exhorting his hearers to remember that our religion was based on the acts of God, not on the vicissitudes of time, and to meditate on the name of Jesus, which may so lead us in sanctification of life that we may nave our fruit unto holiness and the end everlastintr life. UNIQUE L>EJdONSTJtiAlIOJS Ai' CHESTiiiii. On Lhe initiative of the Mayor (Col. H. i. Brown) a unique religious puoiic service was held on the Town Hall Square to mark the death of the old century, and the birth of the new one. It was undenominational in character, and was shared in by several thousands ot Church people and Nonconformists. The demonstration had the approval of the Catnoiic clergy, but they were unable to be present as by the express wish of the Pope they were holding midnight services in their churches. toe service was deeply impressive. Long before the time fixed for its commence- meat-half-pasr, eleven—people assembled in great numbers. Meanwhile the old year was rung out by a muffled peal on the Cathedral bells. Punctually at half-past eleven the Mayor, attired in his robes of office, and attended on either side by the civic mace bearers, emerged from the Town Hall and took his stand on the steps, His Worship was accompanied by the Bishop, his chaplain (the Rev. J. F. Howson), the Revs. Canon S. Cooper Scott, F. Tilney Stonex, H. R. bherwin, Ward, j. Pryce Davies, P. Barnes, J. Cairns Mitchell, and D. l'reborth Jones, Col. Evans-Lloyd, Dr. Kroberts, Dr. Maun, Messrs. J. R. Thomson, V. H. Churton, D. L. Hewitt,. W. Ferguson, J. Williamson, W. Carr, G. P. Miln, H. Dodd, R. B. L. Johnston, W. Peers, J. Matthews Jones, J. H. Lay bourne, G. Avery, and a number of ladies. 1'he service commenced with an address by the Mayor. His Worship said: I have asked you to come here to-night in the presence of the Bishop, the magistracy, town councillors, and the clergy and ministers of the city to spend the tew remaining minutes of the year that is now fast passing away, the few remaining minutes of the century—a century which in many respects has been one of the most momentous in the history of the world. I am going to ask you to spend those few minutes in solemn medita- tion and in prayer. I will ask you, in the firbt place, to bear in mind the long and glorious reign of our Queen, and to offer a very fervent prayer that it may please Almighty God to spare her lite to her loyal and devoted people for many years to come. I will ask you to bear in mind all the mercies bestowed upon our land, and to pray that God will give strength and support to this great Empire, tor perfecting the mission to which she has been calle(A-for the spread of Christianity and of the principles of liberty and justice. Let us bear in honoured remembrance all those of our rela- tions and friends who have already been taken to their rest, of all those who have laid down their lives tor their country, all those who have suffered, and are now serving in the wars and troubles of this land. Let us pray that peace may soon be restored to this country, and that the land may have rest. Let us be thankful for the many mercies shewn to our city, and let us pray that wisdom and right judgment may be given to those who control its affairs, and that they may use their opportunities for the good of the city, and for the health and progress and prosperity of its people. And surely at this solemn hour it is well that we should turn our thoughts towards ourselves, and to confess with humility our many and great shortcomings, "Lest we forget." And let us pray that in time to come we may be enabled to spend our lives in the love and fear of God, and in love and charity towards our neighbours. In conclusion. I Drav that every blessing may rest upon this city; that every joy, every happiness, and every blessing may be the lot of every one of you in the coming year and ever. The termination of this short and appropriate address was marked by considerable applause. The grand old hymn, "0 Gpd, our help in ages past," was then impressively sung. The singing was led by a small brass band and contingents from several church and chapel choirs in the city, who were conducted by Mr. A. Millward. The hymn was sung in excellent time, and the render- ing was, if not harmonious, inspiring in its heartiness. The singing having ceased, the Mayor's chaplain asked the multitude to join with him in saying the Apostles Creed. The creed was then solemnly recited in unison.—The Rev. F. Barnes next said, "Let us all unite in saying the Lord's Prayer," and the prayer having been reverently said, the Mayor's chaplain offered three short prayers, which were followed by a pause for silent prayer. The Chaplain suggested the follow- ing petitions: —That God's way may be known upon earth, His saving health among all nations; for the whole Church of Christ; our Queen, country and empire; our soldiers at the seat of war; the city in which we dwell; our friends and homes; ourselves. An impressive silence reigned while the populace were engaged in private prayer.—The service then concluded with the pro- nouncement of the Benediction by the Bishop, and a hearty rendering of the National Anthem. POLICE CONGRATULATED. The Mayor of Chester, on taking his seat in j the Police Court on Tuesday morning, wished all the officials of the court a prosperous New Year, and mentioned how gratified he was to observe the orderly demeanour of the great assemblage outside the Town Hall during the religious service. The crowd was most reve- rent and orderly, and he thanked the Chief Constable (Mr. Laybourne) for the excellence of the police arrangements. KELSALL. The watcbnight service held in the Wesleyan I Chapel, on New Year's Eve, was well attended. I CONNAH'S QUA T. the ushering in of the new year, and with it the advent of the new century, was an event in which more than ordinary interest was taken in this district. Throughout the evening the streets presented an active and lively appear- ance, and few of the residents retired to rest until the old year had closed. There were numerous choirs singing carols at different points, and the Connah's Quay Prize Brass Band discoursed lively music. In the Methodist New Connexion Chapel a watchnight service was attended by members of the various de- nominations. The proceedings were of an impressive nature, addresses being delivered by the Revs. E. Griffiths and J. C. Bevington, and Messrs. J. Prince. W. Reney, E. Roberts, and Captain T. Guest. Shortly before the old year closed merry peals were rung on the bells of St. Mark's Church, and continued until the old year had passed away and the new one com- menced. In the streets crowds of persons heartily greeted each other. THORNTON-LE-MOORS. I A short service was held in the church at 6.30 on the first evening of the new century. Special hymns and prayers, and appropriate psalm and lesson, and a brief address by the reotor, drew the attention of the congregation to the date. An adjournment was made after service to the parish- room, where a most successful and pleasant even- ing was spent. All adult parishioners had been invited to assemble at 7 o'clock, and most of them came. Refreshments of various kinds were pro- vided and dispensed by numerous active helpers. A table was arranged with illustrated papers and periodicals, draughts and dominoes, which en- gaged the attention of some of the younger bachelors most of the evening. Other games were played. Some well-known and favourite carols were sung, and several songs were capitally rendered by various members of the choir. NORLEY. I A very interesting watch-night service was held in the Wesleyan Church at 10 o'clock. Mr. Wm. Dutton conducted the service. The order of ser- vice issued from London was adhered to, and a few short addresses were delivered. A few moments of silent prayer finished the old year. With the hymn "Come let us anew our journey pursue" and prayer the service came to a close. NESTON. Watch-night services were held at the parish church and the Presbyterian Church on New Year's Eve, and were attended by large congre- gations. According to the good old annual cus- tom a large number of inhabitants assembled on the Cross at midnight to greet the New Year, the gathering on this occasion numbering fully a thousand. The advent of the New Year was heralded by the customary ringing of bells and demoniacal shrieks from the various works in the locality, and shortly afterwards the Presbyterian congregation, headed by the Rev. J. Towert, quietly made their way to the Cross, and took up their usual station by the fountain. Col. Lloyd afterwards briefly addressed the gathering, re- ferring to the progress made during the past century, and to the fact that the new century once more found us engaged in war. Good would, however, eventually come out of the latter. At the close of his remarks, which were listened to with deep interest, Col. Lloyd asked the gathering to join once more in singing the hymn, "Jesus shall reign," remarking that this was the forty- first time it had been sung there at the opening of a new year. He then gave out the words verse by verse, and the strain was very heartily taken up by those present. The Neston Volunteer Band afterwards played "Auld Lang Syne."

CHRISTMAS TREES. I CHESTER INFIRMARY. As in former years, Christmas was celebrated at Chester Infirmary in an auspicious manner- On Friday the interior of the institution presented a festive aud animated appearance on j the occasion of the Christmas tree and entertain- ment tiee. Mios Crtlswall (the lady superin- tendent) and her staff of nurses were enthusiastic in attending to the comfort of the patients and the visitors. The adult inmates assembled in the ward, and were addressed by Col. Evans Lloyd, the chairman of the Infirmary board of manage- ment, who wished all an enjoyable evening and a happy new year. The drawing aside of a massive curtain revealed an imposing tree, brilliantly illuminated, and heavily laden with dainty articles in great variety, and beside it Dr. Herbert Alai-kby, the popular house surgeon, impersonating Santa Claus. lie wished every- body a happy Xmas and a bright new year, and then the task was proceeded with ot doling out Santa Clau.'s treasures. The mayol-ess (Mrs. H. T. Brown), Mrs. Wright, Miss Creswail, and other ladies assisted Dr. King to unload and distribute the gilts, all carefully wrapped up in parcels, and one addressed to every patient, young and old, and every nurse. Atter the parcels had been dis- tributed Father Christmas and his assistants carried large lucky bags into which everyone was allowed to make a dip. A very enjoyable feature of the plocoedin-s i was the rendering of several carols by a number of Dr. Bridge's choir boys, Dr. Bridge himself accolnpanyin9 on the piano, and the Rev. H. H. Wright, che Rev. H. Grantham (cnapiain), and the Rev. L. M. Parrall assisted by taking the bass parts. The carols were followed by a humorous enter- tainment given by Mr. Leslie Harris. The visitors present, in addition to those already mentioned, included the Mayor (Mr. H. '1'. Brown), Miss Keith Douglas, Miss Wilbraham, Dr. Stoltertoth, Dr. Mann, Mrs. H. Wright (the Precentory), Miss Sybil Clarke, Dr. Newail, Dr. Prytherch, Dr. R. B. Wrigut, and Dr. Sutton. I CdESfER WORKHOUSE. The Christmas tree proceedings at Chester Workhouse, on Friday afternoon, were charac- terised by even greater enthusiasm than ever before. This was partly on account of the fact tnat the children will probably not enjoy auch an annual treat again at the Workhouse, because they are shortly to enter the new homes which have recently been erected tor their benefit. The Christmas tree on this occasion was given on a large scale, being decorated with a plentiful supply of toys and sweets. The pleasant faces of ail the children shewed that they fully appre- ciated the entertainment, which was the twenty.tourth of its kind. The room in which the proceedings took place was prettily deco- rated with evergreens and Chinese lanterns, while many suitable mottoes were to be seen here and tuere. Beautiful presents were dis- tributed to the boys and girls, and the Rev. F. Anderson, Hoole, made an appropriate address. Selections on the gramaphone by Mr. Hybson, Cnichester-street, also interested the children, who afterwards rendered several popular songs. Among others present were the Mayoress (Mrs. H. T. Brown), Mrs. Douglas, Miss Rose, Air. H. aud Miss Anderson, Miss Warmsley, Miss C. R. Cras-p, Mrs. Armstrong, Miss Clarke, Miss Williams, tne Rev. F. Edwards, Mr. J. Pover, Mr. William Vernon, M.r. J. Dean, Mr. W. Turnock (clerk to the guardians), &c. Appended is a list of those who gave4Chribcmas gifts:—The Countess Grosvenor, Christmas letter and card for each inmate; Miss Churton, Hill Side, scrap books Miss Rougier, Liverpool-road, ginger nuts, for Imbecile Wards, crossovers, &c.; Miss Barclay, sweets, &c., tor Imbecile Wards; Rev. Fathur Hayes, 5s.; Mrs. Wiseman, Ll ls'. Ur Thos Williams, Saughali, 5s.; Mrs. Carstairs Jones, XI; Miss Massie, 2s. 6d. j Mr. G. W. Hayes, Xi Mrs. Turnock, 5s.; the Misses li. and F. Smith, 5o. Mrs. R. Roberts, Overleigh, iCi; Mrs. Potts, Nicholas-street, 5s. Mrs. Granger, Nicholas-street, 5s.; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, iiigbtiold, box of oranges, dolls, &e.; Mrs. (green's School, quantity of toys Messrs. Davies and Sons, 63oz. of tobacco for distribution in the hospitals; Mr. Thomas Nixon, quantity of sweets; Mr. J. G. Holmes, box of oranges Mrs. Pitcairn Campbell, box of oranges, &c.; Mrs. Siddall, pocket knives; Miss Brassuy, Bowden, sweets, &c.; the M.ijur (Col. H. T. Brown), box of oranges; the Sneriff (Mr. E. Dutton), box of oranges; Mrs. Willis Taylor, tea and sugar for the old people in the body of the house; Mrs. John Frost, tea and sugar for hospitals; Mr. W. Vernon, grapes for hospitals; Miss Chapman, Lorne street, tunes for organette, Imbecile Wards; the Hon, Mrs. Trelawny, ferns tor Imbecile Wards; Mrs. A. E. Pottfi, StaLuford Bridge, parcel of toys; Mrs. James Dickson, Upton House, pocket knives; Miss Donne, Nichoiaa-street, quantity of bweets Messrs, G. Dutton and 6uus, biscuits, crackers, &c.; Mrs. Bourne, Golden Grove, sweets and oranges; Mrs. Wilson Swetenham, oranges; Messrs. Bolland and Son, large Christmas cake; Mrs. Colonel Read (Dee Banks), quantity of toys Miss Brown (The Folly), twenty boxes of sweets; Miss etc Warr, number of dolls; Mrs. Cross, quantity of toys; Miss Baker (Bridge- stree ), quantity of bonbons, &c. Messrs. j Dickson kindly supplied the Christmas tree. j I HA WARDEN UNION. The annual Christmas tree and treat to the inmates of the Workhouse at Broughton was given on Friday evening, and despite the in- clement weather there was a large ato;. -dance of those who take a kindly interest in tile inmates. The hall was beautifully decorated by the master and matron (Mr. and Mrs. Roberts) with ever- greens. The large Christmas tree in the centre of the dining-hall was laden with various useful presents for the inmates, provided by subscriptions from guardians and friends in the district. After j partaking of tea, the inmates were given an ex- cellent entertainment, the following taking part: Mrs. Seed (gramaphone selections), Miss Houl- grove, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Barrett, Misses Newton, Mrs. Hodges and Miss Wright, and two capital recitations were given by Mrs. Sarah Turner (an inmate), who is now 96 years of age, and were much appreciated by the audience. The second I part of the programme was provided by the Hoole Minstrel Troupe, to the delight of all. Among those present were Mr. W. Fryer (chairman), Mrs. Fryer, the Rev. Mr. Hodges and Mrs. Hodges, the Rev. Mr. Fleming, Mr. Wright, Miss Thom, Mr. J. Bellis, Mr. J. Cunnah and Mrs. Cunnah, Mr., Mrs., and the Misses Newton, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Jones, Mr. Wm. Bellis, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Beresford, Misses Price, Mr. R., Mr. W. and Miss Roberts, Masters Roberts (Pontblyddyn), Mr. S. and Miss Handley, Mr. Dale, and others. Mr. Fryer (chairman) pro- posed a vote of thanks to those who had so ably contributed towards the enjoyment of the even- ing, and with the singing of the National Anthem a memorable evening was brought to a close. It j should be mentioned that the treat. Christmas tree and entertainment were provided from sub- scriptions given by guardians and friends in the I district, and that the inmates had their usual Christmas dinner on Christm&s Day, consisting of roast beef, plum pudding, and coffee instead > of beer. )

HK-WITT'S FOR BOOTS REPAIRING.— I No matter where your Boots wore bought, I We can them repair: i And when you think they're fit for risniThUII We'll make them fit to wwr. Fifty years' reputation for Durable Boot*,

EDDISBURY PETTY SESSIONS. I MONDAY.—Before Messrs. J. Tomkinson, M.P., H. C. Burder, Col. Lascelles, and Dr. Smith. BROTHER ASSAULTS HIS SISTER.-Joseph Birchwood, junior. Alton-street, Crewe, was summoned for assaulting his married sister, Elizabeth Briscoe, residing at Wistaston-road, Crewe, on the 24th of November, at Ashton. It appeared irom the evidence that on the after- noon of the day in question the parties bad attended a funeral of a relative at Overton, after which they journeyed to their father's house at Ashton, refreshing themselves liberally on the way with alcoholic beverages. In the house a quarrel, the cause of which did not transpire, arose between them, and defendant struck his sister five or six violent blows with his fist on her face, causing her nose and mouth to bleed profusely. Defendant alleged that the affair was the result of an old-standing grievance between him and his sister. He alleged that his sister struck him first, and he simply retaliated, whereupon she attempted to strike him with a chair.- Phe llench regarded the case as a very disgraceful one. They could not exonerate the complainant from blame, but they fined defen- dant 10s. including costs. FIGHTING. — Jonathan White, labourer, Kelsall, and James Lyons, farm servant at Willington, were ordered to pay the costs (4s. 6.1.) on a summons for fighting in Yell- lane, Eddisbury, shortly after ten o'clock on the night of the 1st December.—P.C. Wilson proved the case. IGNORANCE AN EXCUSE.Frank Williams, joiner, Cuddington, was summoned for riding a bicycle on the footpath on Cuddington-road. Defendant did not appear, but sent a letter expressing his regret for the offence, and stating he did not know at the time he was violating the law. Under the circumstances the case was dismissed. A RECALCITRANT LABOURER.—Thomas Gaffey, an elderly labourer, of Northwich, sum- moned Frederick Fowles, farm labourer, at Weaverham, for assault on the 25th December. The parties, it appeared, worked at the same farm. Gaffey alleged that defendant ordered him to do some work that he was unable to do, and when he protested that he could not do the task Fowles knocked him about like a foot- ball."—The evidence for the defence shewed that Fowles on the day in question had sole charge of the farm. Gaffey came to his work under the influence of drink, and firmly refused to do any work at all, and defendant simply ejected him from the premises.—The case was dismissed.

BROXTON PETTST SESSIONS. I TUESDA Y.—Before Messrs. J. H. Leche (chair- man), R. Barbour, R. Howard,R O. Orton, and H. Barnston, and the Rev. C. Wolley-Dod. COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.—Before taking his seat on the Bench the Chairman wished all present; a Happy New Year. LICENSING APPLICA ION.iNIr. H. Jolliffe (Chester) applied for the licence of the Butchers' Aims, Tilston, to be transferred to John Aslatt, formerly of the Marlborough Arms, Chester. It was explained that applicant having had to leave the Marlborough public-house because it bad changed owner- ship, had purchased the Butchers' Arms, Tilston. Testimonials were put in from Councillor J. Jones (Chester) and the Chief Constable, and evidence of good character was given by Ed. Bass, vice-chairman of the Chester Licensed Victuallers' Association.—The application was granted. THEFT OF A PLANK.—A tailor named Elijah Prophett, residing at Malpaa. was charged on remand with stealing a plank belonging to Thomas Huxley, a builder, also of Malpas.— P.S. Howard gave evidence as to seeing Prophatt with the plank late on Christmas night on the Chester-road near Malpas. When witness asked him where he got the plank from, prisoner replied that he had found it, and did not know it belonged to Mr. Huxley. It was stated that the pJank would cost about lOd.—Prisoner emphatically denied the charge. The Bench fined Prophett Is. and costs (£163. 4d. altogether). CRUELTY 10 A HORSE—George Batho, a carter, living at Malpas, was charged Hot the instance of the R.S.P.C.A. with illtreating a horse by causing it to be worked while in an unfit state, at Overton, on the 1st December; and Richard Chesworth, Tilston, was charged with working it.-P.S. Howard said at 3.15 o'clock in the afternoon he met Chesworth on the Tilston and Malpas road, driving a brown gelding, which was attached to a cart. The animal appeared to be very lame, and could scarcely walk. He examined the horse and found on the nety fore foot a large ringbone, while both hind legs were in a very bad state. On the off hind leg there was a large lump, out of which matter oozed. Ches- worth told witness that he was taking the horse back to Malpas from Crewe-by-Farndon, where he had worked it with a steam roller. Witness subsequently saw Batho, the owner, who said he thought the horse was in a fit condition to be worked.—Inspector Channing, of the R.S.P.C.A., who also examined the animal on Thursday, the 6th ult., gave corroborative evidence.—The magis- trates fined Batho 10s. and costs, and Chesworth was mulcted in a fine of Is. and costs only. A COWARDLY AsSaULI'.—Au elderly man named Henry Faulkner, Bickerton, summoned two young men named John Blythin and Thos. Blythin, brothers, living at Burwardsley,, for assaulting him on the 24th ult.-Complainant, in his evidence, said defendants assaulted him with- out the slightest provocation between three and four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two de- fendants struck him with a large stone and broke his right thumb, and he still felt the effects of the wound Inflicted.-Defendants contended that com- plainant was the aggressor, and that they were aggravated to the assault.—They were fined,, how- ever, 10s. and costs each.

MILWR MINES. I ANNUAL SUPPER. I The annual supper in connection with the works of the Holywell-Halkyn Mining and Tunnel Com- pany, Limited, took place on Monday evening at the Calcot Arms, Milwr.. Full justice having been done to the repast, a meeting was held and presided over, in the unavoidable absence of Capt. M. Francis (Halkyn), by Capt. Peter Griffiths, the much respected mines manager. The toasts of "Her Majesty the Queen and Royal Family" and "The Army and Navy" were loyally and warmly received.—In proposing the toast of "The Directors and the Tunnel Company," Mr. Edward Hughes said that he had lived all his life in the district, having been more or less connected with mines for the last forty years. During that time com- pany after company had attempted to explore and develop the various mines, and while the out-put of minerals was very large, one company after another had succumbed to the water difficulties. liut. now these large and valuable setts had been j grouped into, perhaps, one of the largest mineral setts ever held by one company in the county, and were about to be tapped by the great Milwr Tunnel. He (Mr. Hughes) was conscious that he was then in the presence of, and speaking to, some of the most practical and experienced miners in the district, but he could say without the slightest hesitation that the prospects of the com- pany were brighter even than the Halkyn Tunnel which had done so much good in the Halkyn dis- trict, and proved so very remunerative. He would even go so far as to say that there was nothing to prevent the Milwr Company doing something equal to the great Halkyn Mines. (Applause.) Mr. J. Langford Williams, M.E., in supporting the toast, said he had had a vast experience, and had gained considerable knowledge of the geo- logical formation of the county, and he looked upon the district about to be tapped by the Milwr Tunnel (being the eastern belt of the metaliferous formation) as the most important between Talar- goch and Minera, and the tunnel would in a few months not only tap the water, but would also intersect some of the richest lodes in that dis- trict, and which, if proved in the eastern portion (in the chart) as they had done in the western (in the limestone), must contain an immense deposit of ore. It was impossible to speak too highly of the prospects of the company, and this of necessity would' be a great boon to the miners and the dis- trict generally. (Applause.) The Chairman (Capt. Griffiths) fully endorsed what had been said by the previous speakers, and although he had been connected with mines in the Milwr district for nearly 20 years, and had during that time carefully studied the formation and bearing capacity of the various lodes, he was forced to the conclusion that there was an immense deposit of ore in the immediate district where the tunnel would cross from the Coal Measures into the Millstone Grit. He had not the slightest doubt as to the ultimate success of the scheme. (Applause.) Mr. R. Ankers, the tunnel contractor, said he was a comparative stranger in the district, but the more he inquired the more he learned from every source that the prospects of the company were of the brightest type, and everyone he came in con- tact with seemed unanimous on the point. This naturally stimulated him to push on with the driving of the tunnel, and he was extremely pleased to tell them that the rate of driving for the last twelve months had nearly averaged 20 yards weekly. Mr. Jno. P. Jones (secretary), in responding on behalf of the company, said nothing would have given the directors, shareholders and himself greater satisfaction than to hear such a spon- taneous and unanimous outburst of enthusiasm by such practical men as to the prospects in the near future. It appeared to him that the tide of opinion had gone entirely with the company, and snrely when everyone agreed there must be something substantial at the back of it. (Hear, hear.) He looked forward with the utmost con- fidence, believing that the completion of the tun- nel would prove one of the soundest and, lucrative investments, and a lasting boon to the district. (Applause.) Songs having been rendered and speeches de- livered by Messrs. R. Ankers, Llew. Hughes, Richd. Jones, H. Rowlands, Edwin Jones, Robt. Davios and others, a most, interesting and enjoy- able meeting was brought to a close, hearty thanks having been acoorded to the chairman, and others.

CHESTER SIGNALMAN S DEATH. UNCONSCIOUS IN HIS BOX. Mr. E. Brassey (City Coroner) held an 1 inquiry at Chester Infirmary on Friday afternoon, touching the death of a signalman named John Rigby, who resided at 4, Cornwall- street, Chester, and was found lying unconscious in a signal-box at the General Station. Messrs- J. Fenna (solicitor), J. Williams, and J. T. Reddish represented the London and North- Western and Great Western Joint Railway Company.—Mrs. Eliza Rigby, the widow, said 1 the deceased, who was 40 years of age, left home about 9.45 p.m. on the 10th instant, and that evening he complained of a headache, but otherwise appeared in fairly good health. She had never known deceased to have fits before.— Dr. Markby, surgeon at the Infirmary, said deceased was admitted to the institution about five p.m. on December 11th. He was uti- eonscious, and there was a slight abrasion on the right temple, which might easily hav., been caused by a fall. Rigby regained sufficient consciousness to recognise his relatives, but remembered nothing of what bad happened. He died on Thursday. — In reply to Mr. Fenna, the doctor said he made a post-mortem examination, and came to the conclusion that the man di..d from apoplexy and not from any violent blow he might have received.-Qu-stioned by a relative of the deceased, witness said he thought Rigby's death was not due to over-eating. He failed to notice that any of the man's teeth were knocked out; he undoubtedly died from natural causes —Chaa. Bishop, Westminster-road, Hoole, said he was working on No. & platform shortly before two o'clock on the morning of the 11th, when another employe called his attention to a signal-box close to, which from the outside seemed to be empty. Witness at once a^c^nded the steps leading to the box, and found deceased lying face downwards in an unconscious state. He procured other assistance, and deceased was eventually conveyed to the Infirmary.-In answer to Mr. Fenna, witness said the approach to the signal-box was a rather difficult one. There were no signs of personal violence in the box, and Rigby's head was quite a foot away from any obstacle.—The jury returned a verdict of Death from natural causes."

TERRIFIC GALE. I COAST DISASTERS. I OVER FIFTY LIVES LOST. I As the sudden and remarkable fall of the barometer had indicated, a gale from the south- west sprang up on Thursday night, and continued to blow on Friday with terrific force. The greatest force of the storm was perhaps felt in the south, but the telegrams from correspondents afford an adequate idea of the widespread destruction which has been wrought all round the southern and western coasts. Altogether, the loss of life definitely recorded amounts to the heavy total of between fifty and sixty. Inland there is the same tale of destruction of property wherever a district was visited with the violence of the storm. Chimney- pots flew through the air, roofs were stripped, panes of glass were smashed, and in the country trees were uprooted. In the metropolis the full force of the gale was felt between seven and nine o'clock in the morning, when pedestrians on their way to business were buffeted to and fro by the wind. A number of barges in the Thames broke loose from their moorings, and the River Police were kept busily engaged in recovering the craft. In the suburbs great damage was done to gardens, and several cases of minor injuries were met with. On Friday a cabman named Alfred Barnes, of Westbourne Park, was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital suffering from a severe scalp wound, which he had received through a chemist's sign- board falling on him in Queen's-road, Westbourne Grove. He was subsequently discharged. WRECK OFF HOLYHEAD. THIRTY-THREE MEN DROWNED. The four-masted ship Primrose Hill, owned by the Primrose Hill Company, Tower-buildings, Water-street, Liverpool, which left that port on Thursday, in tow, outward bound, with general cargo, was on Friday night seen to be in distress about a mile from the South Stack, off Holyhead. A steam lifeboat put off to her assistance, but failed to reach her, and subsequently she was reported to have gone ashore about a mile and a half south of the Stack and to have broken in two. The life-saving apparatus was despatched to the scene. THe steamer Hibernia stood by for some time, but was unable to help. She put out anchors, but in consequence of the terrible sea running at the time they failed to hold, and no effective help could be given. When the Primrose Hill struck three of her masts went by the board, and the vessel herself soon broke her back, and fell to pieces in a few minutes. The solitary survivor of her crew of thirty-four hands was saved through the plucky efforts of the men in charge of the life-saving apparatus. Thie officers of the Hibernia say that no vessel could possibly have I lived in the situation of the Primrose Hill, so dreadful was the gale. The wrecked vessel was built at Liverpool in 1886 and her registered tonnage was 2,333. Chief Boatman Finch, on returning from the scene of the wreck, reported that the ship dropped anchor and drove ashore. Mountainous seas were then running, and no, sooner had the vessel touched the rocks than the three masts went by the board and she broke in two, leaving the foremast standing. In three minutes this also went, and the vessel became a total wreck. The crew huddled together on the poop, and a huge sea washed them away, with the exception of one sailor, John Petersen, who was thrown on to the rocks and sustained terrible injuries. Grills, a coastguard, who went down on the rocks, was dashed about by the waves, and badly hurt. The captain of the Prim- rose Hill was Mr. Joseph Wilson, of Altrincham, an experienced navigator. DISASTER ON CORNISH COAST. I A Bude correspondent telegraphed on Friday: At mid-day a barque, with all her sails torn, was seen about two miles off the harbour. She drifted shorewards, and at a quarter to two a tremendous sea struck her and washed nine men overboard. With great difficulty a rocket-line was thrown over her amid- ships, and another over her bow. The crew either did not understand or the line fouled, as they did not then avail themselves of the help sent. At five p.m. one man, Edward Francis, able seaman, of Leghorn, came safely ashore the whole length of the hawser, sitting in. a simg. The ship is the Capricorn, of Trieste, from Cardiff to Bilbao, 1,000 tons gross burden. She sailed on Dec. 24. She carried 14 hands, three Italians and the rest Austrian. HUNTING STOPPED IN CHESHIRE. I For the first time in many years tempestuous weatfcer stopped hunting in Cheshire on Friday. The meet was at Wistaston-by-Nantwich, but when the hounds moved off to draw Wistaston, the storm was at its height, and drenching rain, driven in sheets by the boisterous wind, quickly scattered the field, and the hounds were taken home. The field included many holiday people, and visitors from the W ynn, Shropshire and North Staffordshire Hunts. CHESTER. I The terrific storm did a considerable amount of damage in Chester and district, but luckily no loss of human life is reported. Trees were uprooted in all directions in the neighbourhood, while in the city itself sign-boards were blown off, windows broken and chimney pots and slates removed. Several narrow escapes occurred. In Northgatc- street a glass case fell on a man, who fortunately was not injured. A large window at the corner of St. Werburgh-street and Northgate-street, in the shop of Eastmans, Limited, was blown in; a signboard over Messrs. Huxley and Son's premises at the Eastgate was carried away by the fury of the gale; the shop of Mr. Roland Dawson, Foregate-street, was partly unroofed, and slates flew about galore. Considerable damage was done to the scaffolding erected for the purpose of re- pairing the roof of St. Mary's Church. A portion of the scaffolding was being removed from one end of the roof to the other, when the gale inter- vened. A portion of the timber which was blown down came in contact with a stone cross at the east end of the church, and took a piece off the top of it. The gale brought the tide up to Chester with strong force. According to the table the tide should have been 16ft. Tin. in height, but it really reached a height of over 20ft. MISHA.P ON THE DEE. I Our Neston correspondent wires :—The storm, beat with fearful violence on the Cheshire shore of the Dee, sinking and wrecking a number of punts, including that of the Dee Fishery Board, which is believed to have gone to pieces. A valuable trawling boat belonging to John Lewis, of Park- gate, is hopelessly shattered, and there are a number of minor mishaps. The damage on the whole is, however, less than was antiotpated. Many chimney stacks and roofs have suffered. COACHMAN KILLED AT WINSFORD. I The storm raged throughout Friday with the utmost severity at Winsford, and was. respon- sible for a shocking death. Shortly before six o'clock George Bratt, aged 73 years, coachman, was proceeding down Swanlow-lane, and when opposite Over Congregational Church a poplar tree fell upon him, death being instantaneous. He was found with his head on the kerbstone, with wounds on bead and face. The affair cast a gloom over the district, as the deceased was well-known and respected. (Tho above articles appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

AN IMSB M.P. INSULTS, TUB QUEHN. — Mr. O'Brien, M.P., who was to have addressed a meeting of the electors of Arran Quay Ward in Smithfield, Dublin, on Friday, was unable to attend owing to illness. In a letter of apology, he stated that the only thing now wanted to complete the triumphal procession of the National movement was to wipe out the stain affixed to Dublin by the servility which was displayed last spring to England and the i English Queen. A resolution was adopted denouncing the flunkeys of the Corporation, who had discredited and defamed the city by 1 presenting a slavish address to the QUQSU."

THE JLATft M IS PI 1 CAIRN CAMPBELL. CRUEL STATEMENT. A sensational paragraph appeared in several daily papers on Saturday from a Rome corre- spondent to the effect that a Miss P. Campbell, an English lady," who had been staying at the Hotel Belle Vue, Naples, died on Thursday as the result of a bullet wound. On Saturday we, had a call from Mr. E. S. Giles, the legal representative of Mrs. Pitcairn Campbell, who assures us that there cannot be any ground whatever for the statements published as emanating from the Rome correspondent. Mr. Giles points outAthat the paragraph on the face of it is uutrue, as in the matter of dates and places it is utterly iuaccurate. The facts are that Miss Campbell died on Monday, the 24th inst., not as stated in our contem- poraries, oil Thursday that she was buried on Wednesday the 26th; that, from letters received from her both by Mr. Giles himself and others during the week, it is quite evident she was enjoying her usual health, and was apparently as happy as her friends could wish her to be; that, further, there was not the least ground to suppose that she had been agitated, as srated by the foreign cot respondent; and indeed there was no cause whatever for any agitation. —— ♦

CITY POLICE COURT. SATURDAY.—Before Dr. Roberts, Messrs. J. G. Holmes and Roger Jackson. LICENSING.—Mr. T. Moore Dutton, solicitor, applied fr temporary authority to sell at the Marlborough Arms, St. John-street, until the next transfer day, on behalf of Mrs. Hewitt, who is the present tenant of the Bear and Billet Hotel, Lower Bridge-street. The late tenant consented to the application. Mrs. Hewitt said she was now the owner of the Mai-lborough Arms, and that she had been a licence-holder in Chester for many years. The application was granted.—Mr. F. Turner, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the applicant for the licence of the Bear and Billet, who was unable to appear in court through illness. He therefore applied that Mrs. Hewitt's daughter should be allowed to conduct the business of the Bear and Billet until the next transfer day. He would have to make the application again. Mrs. Hewitt was going out of the house, and he understood there were to be extensive alterations in the premises of the Marlborough Arms which she had taken, so that practically no trade would be transacted there tor some time. There would be no difficulty as regarded the management of the Bear and Billet.-The Chief Constable said he understood Mrs. Hewitt's daughter was well qualified to take charge of the house. The portion Was some- what extraordinary.—The magistrates granted the application. THE ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A SHOP- KEEPER.Robert Jones was charged on remand with assaulting Mr. T. D. Jones, shopkeeper, Northgate-street, and with having been drunk and disorderly.—The Chief Constable said he had communicated with the police in Walsall, where the prisoner was well known, and ascer- tained there were no previous convictions against him. His real name was Philby. Among his papers bad been found a pedlar's certiticate, which was some guarantee of the man's character.—Prisoner was discharged.

I AUSTRALIAN COLONIES UNITED. I QUEEN'S MESSAGE. I STIRRING SCENES. The ceremonies attending the inaugural#* 9f the Australian Commonwealth were celebrated at Sydney on Tuesday, upon a scale wortfcy of the historic importance of the occasion, aai the result was a magnificent success. A procession, which was about two miles long, started at ten o'clock in the morning from the Domaaa to Centennial Park, the buildings along the route being gaily embellished with Venetian masts, flags, and gorgeous decorative devices, of which. eight elaborate triumphal arches were the most striking examples. The streets were alive with a. rejoicing multitude, cheerfully arrayed ia the bright colours of summer vesture. No secfrwa of the pageant was more enthusiastically accbiimed than the troops who represented a wider Imperial idea than that which has been successfully realised in the antipodes. Included in the procession were < allegorical cars representing India and Caaada, j: members of the religious and Consular bodies, the Mayors of the Federal Capitals, members of the Legislature, delegates from the Universities, and judges. The British and Indian contingents, and the marines and bluejackets, the veteraas of India and the Crimea, together witk the Australian Volunteers returned from the Trans- vaal, were heartily cheered by the thousands of spectators. The rear of the processioa was brought up by the Governor General, the fi&rl of Hopetoun, escorted by the New South Wales Lancers. He was received with much warmth. On arriving at Centennial Park, Lord Hopetoun was duly sworn in as Governor General. His Excellency then read the following message from Mr. Chamberlai:n The Queen commands me to express through you to the people of Australia her Majesty's heartfelt interest in the inaugura- tion of the Commonwealth and her earnest wish that under Divine providence it may ensure the increased prosperity and well-being of her loyal and beloved subjects in Australia." The reading of this message excited great enthusiasm. It was supplemented, says Reuter, by the following greet- ing on behalf of the Imperial Government: -"I-ler, Majesty's Government send cordial greetings ttA the Commonwealth of Australia. I They welcome her to her place among the nations united uadpr her Majesty's Sovereignty, and confidently an- ticipate for the new Federation a future of over increasing prosperity and influence. They recog- nise in the long-desired consummation of the hopes of patriotic Australians a further st.ep in the direction of the permanent unity of the British, Empire, and they are satisfied that tho w,*dei- powers and i responsibilities henceforth secured to Australia will gtve fresh opportunity far the dis- play of that generous loyalty and devotion to the Throne and Empire which have always charactcr ised the action in the past of its several States."

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