Cheshire Observer

TEtE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. HELVETIA DISASTER. BIG GUN TAKEN BY BOERS. > PURSUIT IN CAPE COLONY. Lord Kitchener has telegraphed to the War Office further details relative to the disaster at Helvetia. The post, it appears, was surprised at half-past two o'clock in the morning, the enemy first rushing the 4.7 gun. At dawn the officer commanding the post at Swarzkopjes sent out a patrol and shelled the enemy out of Helvetia, making them temporarily abandon be gun. The Boers, however, then formed our prisoners around the weapon and eventually got it away. We had four officers wounded, one dangerously, while eleven of the rank and file were killed and twenty- two wounded. Another telegram from Lord Kitchener shews that the bodies of the enemy which have invaded, Cape Colony are still endeavouring to make their way southward. A portion of the eastern force has broken away in a south-westerly direction, but is being closely pursued, while the commando on whose track Thorneycroft and De Lisle are hotly following has also doubled back. The abandonment of horses shews that the pace is be- ginning to tell on the enemy.

KNOX PRESSING DE WET. General Charles Knox has been able to report to Lord Kitchener the capture from De Wet of aome horses, five wagons of supplies, and 6,000 rounds of rifle ammunition. Seventy-six Boers, who were being kept on commando by force, have also fallen into his hands, and have been allowed to depart to their farms. It is officially explained that the latest proclamation of Lord Xitchener applies only to Boers who surrender voluntarily, those who have broken the oath of neutrality included, provided that they have not incited others to do the same.

CAPE COLONY RAID. COLONIAL DEFENCE FORCE. A Government notice has been published, stating that, owing to armed forces of the eaemy having penetrated south of Carnarvon in the west, and south of Middelburg in the east, it is necessary to repel the invasion promptly. The Government, therefore, call upon the loyal inhabitants of the Coiony to aid the military therein by the formation of a Colonial defence force for the sole and exclusive purpose ot repelling the invasion, guarding the lines of communication, and maintaining order in the disturbed districts. Volunteers are to earol with the Civil Commissioners in their respective districts. Pay will be at the rate of 5s. daily, with rations, forage, arms, and horses.

CONVOY TRAPPED. STORES CAPTURED. A convoy, escorted by 25 police, fell into an ambush on the 23rd ult., near Kuruman. The prisoners were subsequently liberated, but atores to the value of £ 50,000 were seized. The enemy in this instance appear to have been a portion of the force which recently crossed the railway westward near Vryberg, and which is now reported to have split into two parties, one retracing its steps, and the other proceeding in the direction of Prieska. —

GOODS TRAIN BU RNED. A train has been held up six miles to the north of Bangor, between Rosmead and Sher- borne. It was a goods train of 30 vehicles, and 60 men of Prince Alfred's Guards were travelling with it on their way back from the front, wj.ile there were about 40 passengers, women and children. The enemy numbered 200, while their tiupporta were seen in the distance concealed behind rocks close to the line. The soldiers defended themselves until their small quantity of ammunition was exhausted, when all were made prisoners, but they were subsequently released. The passen- gers had a narrow escape, as the saloons were perforated with bullets. None of them were hit, but the troops were less fortu- nate, as an officer and three men and a native were wounded more or less severely. After the train was brought to a standstill firing was maintained for at least 10 minutes. The car- riages were looted and then burnt. The guard was ordered to Sherborne to meet the engine, and haul back the saloon and a van with the ) wounded and the women and children. This was done. The passengers were attended to at Naauwpoort, and the wounded were taken to ) the military hospital. The satisfactory feature of this incident is that the Boers do not appear to have touched the permanent way. On the news becoming known, military supports were sent north.

GENERAL CoLVJLE'S DEFENCE. General Colvile has made public, through the I medium of Reuter's Agency, his reasons for de- clining to comply with Sir Evelyn Wood's request I that he would resign his command at Gibraltar. He states that he is accused of being chiefly re- sponsible for the surrender of the Yeomanry at ( Lindley, but gives it as his opinion that the primary cause of that episode was the insufficient information given by the Headquarter Staff to Colonel Spragge and himself. From the nature of his orders lie judged that he was urgently re- ¡ quired to be at Heilbron on the given date and even if he had had foreknowledge of the fate of the Yeomanry he would have felt it to be his duty to push on to that place. Moreover, if he had returned to Lindley he would have reduced the Highland Brigade to the verge of starvation, as he had supplies for only two days when the appeal for assistance reached him. In conclusion, Sir H. Colvile reviews his record during the war, and claims that he has proved himself to be a capable general.-Sir Henry has made a further statement to the Press Association, and interest In the case is now focussed on the telegram which he believes was sent by a Boer from Lindley in his name, asking Col. Spragge to make all haste to his assistance. It is reported from Capetown that such an appeal, disclosed by the commander of the captured Yeomanry after his release in tugust, was the cause of the re-consideration of  H-ry's action in the matter of the catastrophe. Morcwl? \¥ Sctr R?v- ? K. Southwell, who was in tC fW,ifrnJ?ry as a military chaplain, has written to the Press giving an account of the 1  ??sy from May 17 to 24, according to Xf'k the place was in the possession of the enemy on the day of the receipt of the message by Colonel Spragge.

MOVEMENTS OF GENERALS. General Douglas, who was originally Lord I Methuen's Chiet of Staff, and who, after being for some time in command of the Ninth Brigade, later commanded a separate Column in the Transvaal, has arrived at Capetown in order to undergo a slight operation. His work during the campaign has been consistently I good, and the Army jwill feel his loss, even though only temporary. During his absence his column will be under the command of I Colonel Kekewich. Generals Broadwood and Cope have also arrived at Capetown. The former, who has been invalided, is returning to England for a short rest.

29th IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. I LIVELY EXPERIENCES. I A Moldavian has received the following letter from Private Ernest Cartwright, of Mold, on active service in South Africa with the 29th Com- pany Imperial Yeomanry. The letter is dated s near Abraham's Kraal, 29th Nov., 1900, and reads: "The 29th Imperial Yeomanry have been attached to Col. White's column for the last four months. We have had no end of fighting, and relieved the following towns: Ladybrand, Reddesberg and Phillipolis. Our (29th) fighting strength is about 50, and up to the present we have had two killed and eight wounded. Albert Williams, Jim Evans and self are the only Mold boys who have done any 'scrapping,' all the others being in hospital sick. Both Albert and I got our horses shot at Reddesberg a few weeks ago. Oh! we are seeing life! Tell you all about the game when I come home; it would take a book to describe all that we've seen and done since we left Old England in February last. We had a fine 'scrap' here on Tuesday. The Boers held a very good position on the Modder River, but we managed to m= them after about three hours' fighting. We put six of them to sleep and wounded a lot more. On one of them I found several clips of soft-nosed bullets. He had, however, paid the penalty, one of our fellows having shot him through the head. We had four men wounded in this fight, and a lot of our horses shot. We shall not be home for the 'Good Old Annual;' in fact we expect 'every moment to be our next' on this job. At any rate, .you can send me, a few smokes out."

4TH CHESHIRE CASUALTY. The death is announced from phthisis at East London, on December 25th. of Private G. B. Bradley, of the 4th Cheshire Regiment. j

CHESHIRE SOLDIER WOUNDED. 4,373 Private A, C his worthy 4th Cheshire Regiment, is reported to have been slightly wounded at Driefontein on December 27th. i

WELSH CASUALTY. Tr-lt-,L 5,892 Private W. J. Jacooe, JLBT, aoyw H,UU.l I Fusiliers, died of enteric at Ladysmith on [ April 23. —♦

BRADLEY'S sell Alhfur Elastic FBLT HATS, at 3/9, in any shape as comfortable as a cap, really 4/6 goods.-Foregate-street (corner of Seller-street; and70, Brook-ftnet.

CHbSHIR? IMPERIAL I YEOMANRY. i INTERESTING LETTER. THE WORCESTER I We are favoured with the toiiowing extracts from the letters of an Officer of the 21st Company Imperial Yeomanry:- Worcester, 11th Dec., 1900. On October 20th the Cheshire Yeomanry re- ceived orders that they would leave Upington immediately another squadron of the Border Scouts Regiment could be raised to suppress any further attempts at rebellion. The 22nd Com- pany left on October 30th, and we (21st Company) crossed the Orange River on the evening of November 1st, an operation which occupied some hours, for our convoy of wagons and carts was considerable. One wagon drawn by six oxen con- tained the sick men; these were the convalescents which the lingering river fever at Upington leaves so weak. Immediately we received our marching orders all sick men became convalescent, or affected miraculously speedy recoveries, to avoid being left behind. Another wagon was loaded with rifles and arms taken from the rebels, a very heavy load; behind it came our own ammunition cart, nearly as full as whlen we marched in the opposite direction eight months before, a proof of the peaceful suppression of the rebellion. Among other trophies and impedimenta were three monkeys perched on top of the kit. Every- body was thankful to get away from Upington; troops had been wanted there, but nearly seven months of police duty was more than our snare. We left the town, still under martial law, to the care of two guns of the Australian Artillery, the Border Scouts, and a few Cape Police. Mr. Turner, the leading Loyalist, who has had his life threatened by the rebels on more than one occasion, said he was sure the rebels would rise again almost immediately; but, however much they may wish to rise, they have not got the heart. They require outside help and particularly leaders. All over the North-Western rebellion the commandos were led by Transvaalers, and J never by Cape Dutchmen. On our first night's bivouac there was heavy rain, the first rain for five months. At Draghoender we halted for a day, and were entertained by Orpen's Lighft Horse, who are stationed there, with a lively con- cert, in which the Cheshire men did their share, It was here that we arrived with General Settle's column in the fearful. storm of March 25th, and we occupied the building which had been used as a hospital for the column while we were there, and also for the wounded after the fight at Kheis. Outside iF# the graveyard, and among the graves is Bradshaw's. As we crossed the brow of a Kopje above De Aar you would have realised that we had been in outlandish! regions if you had heard the cheer which arose on the first sight of a railway train. From Prieska all far as De Aar we escorted two guns of the Australian Artillery. On the morning of December 15th we entered De Aar; we had averaged, including halts, 20 miles a day for 14 days, and the horses were in perfect condition, without a single sore back. At De Aar we had to part with our MAJOR, LlJtLD AllTHUlt GROSVBNOB. He had not been well for some days, and so the doctor sent him to Deelfontein Hospital. We little thought we were losing him for the rest of our stay in South Africa. He well deserves to get home, for he has never missed a day's duty since leaving Chester in January. Officers and men who served under him all miss him, but hope to see him in Chester strong and well again before very long. Captain Rennie was left at Upington to square up the stock and possessions of the rebels, but joined us later. Meanwhile, Beau- mont was in command. Our destination was Colesburg, and, entraining at De Aar, we reached it on November 16th, to had the 22nd and Lanca- shire Imperial Yeomanry there. All around were signs of the fighting which took place early in thle year, when the Boers were in occupation of the town; every hill and kopje is sprinkled with trenches and sangars, and the houses in the town shew a few signs of the British investment. We were encamped at the foot of the hill, now known as Suffolk Hill, where the Suffolks lost so heavily. We saw all the Boer trenchtes, and picked up a few bullets and shell fragments. In one grave close by there were forty of the regiment all together. At 3 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20th, we received orders to march to a farm north-west- wards. After the farms which we were accus- tomed to in the north-western district, this farm (Hamelfontein) was a very pleasant change. The farmhouse was a good, substantial brick building; thle out-buildings, even in Cheshire, would be considered fair, and four large kraals shewed that the owner must have had large herds and flocks. But the most delightful thing about the farm was a very strong spring rising close to the house, so different to the rough and artificial supplies which we were accustomed to. This stream is capable of irrigating a large area of arable ground; at present 50 acres are all thtot are under cultivation. Beyond the homestead to the horizon was veldt on every side, very good grazing, par- ticularly for horses. When we saw it the farm was deserted, the kraals empty, the irrigated land a wilderness, and even the furniture gone from the house. The owner, we were told, was on commando with the Boers. Three columns were moving southwards across thte Orange River Colony, and all the drifts along the river had to be held to keep the Boers from crossing into the colony. A column of mounted infantry was ready at Colesburg and at Petrusville to tackle any who did get across. At Hamelfontein we were fifteen miles from the Orange River and a unit in the cordon of mounted infantry which connected Petrusville and Colesburg. On Nov. 22nd I was sent with twenty men to hold Sand Drift; this was our first sight of the Orange River Colony, though the nearest we ever got to it was ,only swimming across to the other bank aftei dusk. After two days here we were relieved by a detachment of the Grenadiers, who were moving along the river to hold the drifts. Each morning we heard THE BOOM OF GUNS 0 I lower down the river. It was the column to the west bombarding a laager across the river. As we were leaving the drift two shbts from the other bank told us some sniper was watching us. Two days later the Boers attacked this drift; the Guards were reinforced by some of Nesbitt's Horse and held the position, but lost one man killed and two wounded. We wished they had attacked two days earlier. We rejoined the rest of the company under Beaumont at Venters Vlei. Lieut. Grosvenor is with the 22nd, who only had two officers left. A small patrol of our men went down to thte next drift, which was not occupied by Grenadiers, and were enjoying their breakfast when a hail of bullets was poured into them from a kopje across the river. They quickly got under cover and returned the fire, but it was a miracle there were no casualties, as the bullets pitched right among them. I went down with more men, and we rigged up some little forts on the kopjes commanding the ford; an occasional shot from a sniper told us Boers were about. Patrolling the river each! day, besides placing guards, kept men and horses all busy. On December 1st a despatch came in saying the company was to return imme- diately to Colesburg ready to entrain, but we had to remain at the drift till relieved. A contingent of the Leicester Yeomanry relieved us on the evening of December 1st, and on the next after- noon we reached Colesburg (50 miles). The Cape ponies which we have for troopers are splendid mounted infantry ponies; for instance, in the last fortnight most did 20 miles and more every day on 81b. of oats only-this is an unusually bare ration-and they did 50 miles into Colesburg in 22 hburs, carrying the man, his arms, food bed, and horse food as easily as possible. We all thought that the urgent orders for our return to Colesburg meant a' column was entering the Orange River Colony from Colesburg to relieve Philippolis, but all our hopes were blighted when we heard that we were to proceed to Naauwpoort and receive orders, but secrecy seemed to sur- round all our movements. We entrained at Coles- ,burg on December 3rd, and at Naauwpoort it was quietly divulged that we were. ON OUR WAY TO WORCBSTER. I Travelling in open trucks or among the baggage, as most of our men were, is comparatively pleasant, so long as the weather keeps fair, but very heavy rain all night turned the trucks into lakes. Along our route we heard that for the last two days troops had been passing down to Worcester, and by the time we arrived, on the evening of December 5th, every kopje near the town was dotted with a camp. It was Congress week, and on December 7th the great meeting was held. Delegates by the thousand flocked from all over the colony; the most influential members of the Bond and the chief antagonists to English rule collected to have their say. How- ever much they may hate us, they have not got the heart to do more, though all sorts of rumours were current, and had led to so many troops being brought to Worcester. The day of the meeting no troops were allowed at it, or in the town; the speakers were allowed perfect freedom, and were not even hanroered bv the sicht of khaki. The only step our authorities took was to distribute a memorandum, vouched for by Government, containing an accurate account of all events of importance touching the present condition of affairs in South Africa. This memorandum the Dutch received with absolute incredulity. Thb speakers were thoroughly anti-British, and many of them most inflammatory, but the result fell very flat, and the policy which our authorities took of giving the leaders of the meeting plenty of rope answered splendidly. We hope the Dutch, who are very ignorant throughout the colony, I will soon realise that they have been fooled I by the OARBTTLOUS AND TRUTHLESS SPEECHES I of their leaders, and though now, if they only had leaders, they would rise almost to a man, yet if they were told the truthful state of affairs in- stead of having to listen to inflammatory lies they would be the most loyal of British subjects. Worcester is a pretty town, quite the best we have struck yet; its streets are edged with) a ) clear, swift stream and shaded by tall gum trees. Patrolling yesterday one of our men said "Well, after all there is one spot in the colony worth fighting for." Our camp (21st and 22nd Imperial Yeomanry) is on the slope of a kopje above the j town, with batteries on the kopjes on each side; j behind is the comparatively high range of the Drakenstein. The thermometer goes to 100 deg. in the shade each day, and probably to more in the tents. What our next move will be we don't know, probably home. We hope so, for we did not volunteer to police the country. The men from our company who joined the Cape Police fought magnificently at Hoopstad. General Settle thanked them for saving the convoy. Thornton and Huskisson were killed and Simon and Selby wounded. The 21st Company, not including sick men, numbers 62 men and three ofifcers at 11 present in camp at Worcester.

BARRACKS ON SALISBURY /1 PLAIN. A NEW MILITARY CENTRE. I For some time past much has been heard as to what uses the Government intended to put the new military training ground on Salisbury Plain. Definite information is now forth- coming that it is to be something more than a summer manoeuvring area as in the past few years, and that there will soon be established on the Tidworth end of this Wiltshire territory I a permanent military garrison. After much consideration and preparation on the part of I the heads of the War Office, with Colonel R. M. Barklie, R.E., as the resident engineer officer, it has been decided to provide, without further delay, considerable additional accommodation for home troops, to meet the needs of the time at that part of Salisbury Plain known as Clarendon Hill, near Tidworth. The plans of the first portion of the new scheme are now practically complete, and these shew that the barrack blocks are to cover an area of some- thing like 480 acres, with a frontage extending fully two miles. Sufficient accommodation is to be provided for two Infantry Brigades of eight battalions and two brigade divisions of Field Artillery, with three batteries in each, together with barracks for the necessary Engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance, Medical Staff, and other departmental units required to complete the garrison. One con- tract has already been placed for Warrant Officers' quarter-. and the others are expected to be ready in February. The completion of the work will occupy something like five years, but portions of the barracks will be ready for occupation at an earlier period. Marked pro- gress has already been made with the War Office Light Railway running from Ludgershall Station to Tidworth, which is to be used for the conveyance of materials required in the construction of the barracks; while it has now been decided to continue a contractor's line right into the barrack-site at Clarendon Hill.

RE-OPENING OF CHRIST CHURCH. The opening services in the enlarged church in Newtown were continued on Sunday. The vicar (the Rev. J. F. Howson) preached to a large congregation in the morning from the text "They will go from strength to strength" (84th Psalm), and made an interesting local and general retrospect of the past century. Review- ing first the nation's record during the century, the preacher said the words of his text were in- spired words for them as they said goodbye to one century and began to look timidly ahead to another, and they were hopeful words for them that day in their new church. To look back was highly encouraging, because on the whole we saw improvement, and saw a wonderful guiding, shaping process going on. He was quite sure that on the whole tilings were much better than they were, for there was enormous change in wealth, in comfort and conveniences of life. Improved sanitation, better lighting, and closer guard over life and property all improved social and moral well-being of men, but the important improvement- of the century was that there had grown a higher consciousness of ideals and a higher conception of duties in every branch of life than there was a hundred years ago. In the Church, in Parlia- ment, on public bodies, and in private life loftier standards had been set, infinitely loftier than used to obtain. The nations of the world had grown from strength to strength there had been ad- vance all long the line. As a simple illustration could we imagine now a bishop of Llandaff who lived always at Windermere when he was not in Italy, and a young Welshman from Glamorgan- shire who wished to receive holy orders having to walk to Windermere—to walk because young Welshmen were then poor and coach fares were high-to interview his lordship? That was taken as a matter of course by Churchmen of the day. Counld we imagine the House of Commons being led by men, brilliant and patriotic, but who were drunk three times a week; the iniquitous state of things under the old poor law and the horrors of the old workhouses; the shameless corruptibility of public men, the nameless cruelties on board men-of-war, the frightful condition of the debtors' prison, and a thousand other things of the past as going on at the present time? He wanted their retrospect, however, to take a much more local form. He wished to think of Chester in 1800. Standing in imagination on the City Walls near the old Phoenix Tower in the year 1800, they saw George-street a country lane, leading down by the side of the old moat of the city, which was now used for the canal. It led along a shady lane now called Brook-street to Flookersbrook, which prob- ably got its name from the flocks of sheep which were taken there to be washed. The area now in- cluded in Christ Church parish then consisted of nothing but fields, with a small farmhouse here and there. The district was then part of the old parish of St. Oswald s, whose church was the south transept of the Cathedral. About the year 1834 the General Railway Station was built, and presently the land on each side of the railway cutting through the parish was turned from fields into market gardens, to supply vegetables to the population, which was growing by leaps and bounds. St. Anne-street was made about 1835, and the land was subsequently seized upon by the builders, and the population of the district in- creased until in 1836 the idea of building a church in its midst was suggested, and under the guidance of Chancellor Raikes—a man with an honoured name in Chester, and whose grandson represented Chester in Parliament for many years —the work was taken up, and on June 23 in the following year the foundation-stone of the parish church was laid. The church, when built, was very small, and as every seat even in the old gallery was rented, there was no provision made for the poor, yet the population grew by leaps and bounds. It was not until 1870 or thereabouts that the church was made free and open. In 1890 they began to face the need of enlargement and extension, and since then by God's mercy they had gone from strength to strength. Every stage of the work was full of interest-first the sanctuary, then the chapel, then the vestries, then the chancel arch and roof, and then the nave, un- til now almost every trace of the old church had been removed. I THE BISHOP ON CHURCH CEREMONIAL. .1-1_- _1_ At the evening service tnere was a large con- gregation. The lessons were read by Canon Upperton and the Vicar (the Rev. J. F. Howson), and the sermon was preached by the Bishop of Chester, who took as his text "Because ye are God's sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father"- Galatians iv., 6. In the course of his sermon his lordship alluded to Church seasons and cere- monies, and said the more they studied the New Testament the more they would see how little stress was laid upon forms and ceremonies and outward ordinances and things which appealed to the senses, all these things being regard ed as having quite passed away into the subordinate position of good and useful helps which were never to be magnified into more important things. Directly they were; they came between us and Christ and did great harm. On the other hand there was a danger of rushing into an opposite extreme-imagining we were stronger and more enlightened than we really were. and despising and thinking we could do without the helps which had been provided for us. By neglecting all forms and seasons it was very easy to slide into forms of our own. Take for example that most estimable body of religious people the Society of Friends. They started on their career endeavouring to put aside all forms, and yet in some respects they had become the most formal of people—in their dress, modes of speech, and so forth. They could not dispense with all these things. Our Lord himself provided us with sacraments for instance, which had an outward and visible sign as well as an inward and spiritual grace, and His Church from the earliest days had observed some days and some forms of ceremonies. One of the most thoughtful of our theological students of the present day had said It is safer to follow the general rules of the Church, so long as it is done intelligently and not in a spirit of mere mechan- ical routine." Pealing with the words of the text as implying a cheerful, loving, obedient ser- vice to God, the Bishop said he t prayed God to grant that in that noble church there might be, with all its outward beauty, that which was the kernel, the supreme life and beauty of all-the spirit of God's Son striving and moving in their hearts as they poured forth their hymns and spiritual songs, their prayers and intercessions. At the conclusion of the sermon a collection was taken in aid of the Church' Enlargement Fund, and when the ordinary service had terminated the choir sang a selection of carols.

CHESHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. The general Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the county of Chester were opened at Chester Castle on Monday, Sir Horatio Lloyd presiding in the first court and Mr. H. C. Yates in the second. Among the magistrates present were Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Mr. Christopher Kay, Mr. H. E. Wilbraham, Mr. H. D. Trelawny, the Rev. C. Wolley-Dod, Mr. George Barbour, Mr. H. Barnston, Mr. G. B. Baker-Wilbraham, Mr. C. Threlfall, Mr. John Thompson, Captain Congreve, Colonel Evans-Lloyd and Mr. R. N. Verdin. A DISCOURAGING CALENDAR. I Sir Horatio Lloyd, in charging the grand jury, regretted to say that the number of cases com- pared very unfavourably with that which had been prevailing now for several years. Last year this number of prisoners in that division of the county was four; on the present occasion there were eight prisoners. But at Knutsford the number of prisoners was still more. The number of pri- soners to be tried at these sessions was 34 as against 14 for the corresponding sessions last year. This increase was rather discouraging. He did not know what might account for it; he had long since ceased to speculate on that subject, because the ups and downs of thtose matters were very frequent and invariably threw all calcula- tions out. The Chairman mentioned that the jury would not be troubled with the first case on the calendar-that of Thomas Reardon- because circumstances had arisen and matters had oome to the knowledge of those interested in that case since the prisoner's committal for trial which made it unnecessary to proceed with the case. The other cases were of an ordinarv and simple character. He offered them on behalf of the Bench, on that closing day of the year, best wishes for a happy new year. MAGISTRATES AND LICENSING REFORM. I DESIKABIlUTr OF LEGISLATION. Ihe magistrates retired to consider county business. Sir Horatio Lloyd presided, and moved the re-appointment of the twelve justices who had served as a Visiting Committee for H.M. Prison at Knutsford: This was carried.—Sir Joseph Verdin, Bart., was re-appointed under the Upper Mersey Navigation Act, 1876, to represent the justices of the peace.—The Chairman called attention to a letter received from the Secretary of State as to the payment of respondent justices' costs in licensing appeals, and reported that it had been the practice in Cheshire to allow justices whose decisions had been reversed under appeal all costs reasonably in- curred by them in connection with! such appeals, and that the Secretary of State had been so in- formed. This practice was in conformity with the recommendation by the Secretary of btate. He moved that the practice hitherto prevailing in the county be approved by the Court and directions given to the Clerk of the Peace to continue the practice in the future.—This was agreed to. I The Chairman said the next business was to receive a communication from the Clerk of the Peace for the county of Lancaster, transmitting a copy of resolutions passed by the adjourned Court of Quarter Sessions held at Liverpool on the 11th December, unging the desirability of the Government introducing legislation at an early date upon the lines of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Liquor Licensing Laws. The resolutions were 38 in number, and thte sug- gestion was that they, as Cheshire justices, should follow suit, adopt the resolutions and forward them to the Secretary of State with their ap- proval. He should like to express his own personal view on the matter. He did not presume in any shape or form to dictate, but he thought it was his duty to give his personal opinion. He had a communication about six weeks ago. He believed it was from a justice of this county who was also a justice of the county of Lancaster. That justice forwarded him a copy of those reso- lutions and asked him if he would undertake to bring them before that Court of Quarter Sessions. He wrote to say what in effect he felt bound to repeat that day—that in his individual opinion that was not the tribunal to take action in that matter. (Hear hear.) He had a view—he mighlt be wrong—that that Court of Quarter Sessions was, more particularly now s ince the institution of County Councils, a purely judicial body. They had in their collective capacity there, and in their individual actions in petty sessional divisions, to administer the law as it was, and they had no right, he thought, to dictate as magistrates what should be or ought to be the law. He knew- unfortunately it was a matter of experience with many others too-that a good deal of misappre- hension prevailed sometimes when the individual opinions of magistrates were known, not so much in this county—although he was bound to say it had happened here—but in neighbouring counties. Frequently on occasions when licensing appeals had been heard parties to the appeal, whichever side, had gone into the court, and before a single word of the case had been heard, such expressions had been used by those of one side as we are done," and on the other We are all right." When the individual opinions of magistrates were known an ignorant public immediately came to the conclusion that those views were carried out, no matter what the evidence might be, or what arguments were laid before them. It was on that ground that he rather deprecated public dis- cussion in a court like that, and on matters of that kind magistrates had views either one way or the other and if they expressed those views and expressed them publicly it got out and into the courts where they had to act independently, and it prejudiced the tribunal. He did not hesitate to say there were a great many of the resolutions to which he assented, and there were a great many which would be of great advantage to the public if carried. He should be very thankful indeed as a magistrate, and in every other capacity, to see some of them adopted, and there were some which-it was idle to exclude this from view- would give rise to controversy, and on which magistrates on one side or the other entertained perfectly honest and properly strong views. It was the discussion of those views and the identi- fication of magistrates with those views, one way or the other, that he did not like in a judicial tribunal. They ought to be actually above sus- picion in these tribunals and the public ought to have confidence that their cases would be heard honestly and fairly. He should be very glad in- deed to see legislation on the lines of most of the resolutions before him, and he did not think it would be a wise thing to discuss them publicly there that day. Mr. Herbert Phillips (Macclesfield) asked the Chairman whether it would be advisable to pass a resolution on general lines as to the desirability of legislation on the question. It was scarcely necessary to take the resolutions separately. The Chairman said it was a discussion of par- ticular questions which he wished to avoid. Mr. Phillips now moved the following resolu- tion:—"That in the opinion of the justioes of the County of Chester, assembled in Quarter Sessions, there is in these recommendations of the Royal Commission on Licensing Liquor Laws, which were passed unanimously, a basis upon which a useful measure of reform may be founded; and, considering the prevalence of the great evil of intemperance and the widespread misery and crime of which it is the cause, the justices urge upon her Majesty's Government the necessity of giving such a measure a foremost place in the legislative programme of the coming Session." Mr. F. Johnstone (Macclesfield) said coming as he did from one of the largest populations in the administrative county, he felt very strongly the sentiments expressed by the last speaker. He seconded the resolution, which, without going into controversial matter, would enable them to approve of such steps being taken. Mr. 1'. Comber (Neston) said the resolutions were not submitted by the Lancashire justices in any spirit of dictation, and he wished to correct any idea that there was anything in those resolutions which partook of a con- troversial character. The chairman had mentioned that there were 38 recommendations, but he would call their attention to the fact that the resolutions before them only numbered 31 owing to the omission of resolutions upon which the Royal Commission were not practically unanimous. The Royal Commission consisted of three parties. They numbered, he believed, 24. Eight of them were appointed to represent the trade some of them were licensed victuallers and some leading brewers and so forth—eight the temperance party, and the remaining eight were appointed being presumed to be entirely unbiased in the matter. it was, of course, quite impossible for the Royal Com- mission so composed to come to a unanimous decision, but the wonder to him was that on 31 resolutions they practically agreed. He supported Mr. Phillips's resolution, which was on the broad basis of the Royal Commission's recom- mendations. If they omitted any of these recommendations or altered any of them in any way, it was no longer a recommendation of the Royal Commission, and became a recommenda- tion of that court, and however much import- ance attached to the opinion of that court, still more importance attached to the recommenda- tion of the Royal Commission, who had very carefully sifted evidence. He appealed to the magistrates present not to refuse to join in the proposal simply because they did not agree with some of the recommendations. The Rev. C. Wolley-Dodl said he had read both reports of the commission very carefully, and he thought it ought to be known that only seven members signed either report without some reservation. Mr. John Thompson (Chester) If you pass cms resolution do we agree to the recommenda- tions en bloc ? I agree with the resolution, but not if it is understood that I approve of the recommendations en bloc. The Chairman said although he was in favour of a great many of the resolutions, some of them might not be in favour of all, and in order to avoid any reference to the Royal Commission, he bad suggested the following amended reso- lution to Mr. Phillips, who bad accepted it:- That considering the prevalence of the great evil of intemperance, and the. widespread misery and crime of which it is the cause, this Court respectfully urges upon her Majesty's Government the desirability of introducing legislation at an early date to amend the licensing laws."—This was carried. NEW MAGISTRATES. Tile following gentlemen qualified as new magistrates :-Sir William W. Forwood, Brom- borough; Dr. Munro, Nantwich; and Messrs. E. luiison, Runcorn; W. Galloway Meller, Romiley; A. Brooke, Aspland, Hyde- J. Boulton Littledale, Hartford; F. W. Carver, Bexton; J. M. Edlesfcon, Grappenhall; J. Rall, Sale; and F. Merriman, Knutsford.

I TRIAL OF PRISONERS. I FIFTEEN YEARS OF CRIME. Howard Clements (33), described as an elec- trician, pleaded guilty to charges of stealing a lady's ring and two half sovereigns, the goods and moneys of Eliza Harris, at Crewe; obtain- ing by false pretences from Lizzie Williams, certain articles of food, the goods of William Williams, with intent to defraud, at Willaston and, further, fraudulently taking and converting an umbrella, the goods of William Williams, to his own use, at Willaston, in November last.- Mr. Trevor Lloyd, who prosecuted, said prisoner's modus operandi had been to take lodgings at certain houses and, in order to ingratiate himself with the people, to offer to pay more for his lodgings than was asked, and afterwards commit the otTences.-The Chairman pointed out that prisoner had led a life of crime for the last 15 years, and had been convicted several times. He had already received a term of four years penal servitude. He was now sentenced to five years' penal servitude. ALLEGED UNLAWFUL WOUNDING AT I CREWE. 1_ James Robinson (DO), stoker, surrendered to his bail on a charge of unlawfully wounding William John Ledmore Dodd, at Crewe, on the 10th December. The evidence for the prosecu- tion was to the effect that the prisoner had slandered Dodd at the George and Dragon, Crewe, and Dodd lost his temper in the street, and struck Robinson, knocking him down. They closed, and Robinson with a knife stabbed Dodd just above the heart and near the left shoulder. The knife was found on the road covered with blood. Fortunately the wound was not a mortal one. Dr. Millar (Crewe) said the knife had penetrated one of Dodd's lungs. Had the knife travelled a little further it would probably have had fatal results. When Inspector Crogan arrested him, prisoner had said that what he had done was in self-defence.—Prisoner, in his defence, said he was cutting tobacco outside the George and Dragon Inn when Dodd attacked him. He could not remember stabbing Dodd. He was so frightened because Dodd said he was going to give him a good biding.-Evidenee was called to shew that the prisoner bore a good character.—Mr. Yates, who defended the prisoner, argued that there would not have been any trouble but for Dodd, who commenced by striking Robinson. He also pointed out that prisoner, owing to his being a cripple, was unable to go and fight for his country, but he had collected funds for the families of those fighting in South Africa.—The jury found prisoner guilty of common assault, and he was fined Wg. I ADVENTURES OF A PIANO. Blanche Maunder (40), married, surrendered to her bail on a charge of unlawfully and fraudulently converting a piano to her own use, she being then the bailee of the instru- ment, which was the property of Mrs. Emma Sarah Stevens, at Liscard, between the 3rd July and 12th September last.—Mr. Trevor Lloyd was for the prosecution and prisoner was defended by Mr. Ralph Bankes.—For the prosecution it was stated that Mrs. Stevens, who belonged to Pontrefact, Yorkshire, went to reside with prisoner at 9, Haydock road, Liscard, on June 4th last. She had with her a piano valued at 65 guineas. On the 3rd July prosecutrix intimated that as she was leaving she would leave the piano and pay a small sum per week for doing so. until it was sent for. In September last she wrote to the prisoner, but not receiving a reply, proceeded to Liscard and discovered the house where Mrs. Maunder had lived was empty. Subsequent inquiries elicited that prisoner bad sold the piano to a Mr. Strother, pianoforte dealer, for L7, and who afterwards sold it for 30 guineas to a person at Seacombe. When Mr. Strother bought the piano he enquired if it were her property, and if so he would like to see the receipt. Prisoner replied that she could not produce the receipt, as it was a wedding gift. When charged with the theft by the police prisoner replied I did not do it intentionally.The prisoner gave evidence in her defence, stating that her husband, receiving an appointment at Bristol, she decided to remove the furniture, but did not want the piano. She did not know Mrs. Stevens's address, and not being able to communicate with her she advertised in one of the Yorkshire daily papers to the effect that if the piano was not claimed it would be sold. She admitted selling the instrument, as she could not afford to pay the railway carriage or storage of it, and told a falsehood in order to readily dispose of it.—The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and prisoner was recommended to mercy. Prisoner was bound over in the sum of E10 to come up for judgment when called upon. i 7. A DRUNKEN FREAK. I jonn JJixon (ZZ), painter, pleaded guilty to maliciously damaging a plate-glass window at the shop of Mr. Robert Payne, hairdresser, 114, Brighton-street, Seacombe. It appeared that prisoner visited the shop on the 5th November, saying he had got several parrots and canaries to dispose of. He was ordered out several times, and finally he smashed the window.—Mr. Trevor Lloyd, for the defence, said prisoner was in drink at the time.—Prisoner was bound over in R10 to appear for judgment if called upon. ADJOURNED QUARTER SESSIONS. I NEW CENTURY OPENS BADLY. I The adjourned quarter sessions for Cheshire were opened at Knutsford on Wednesday, Sir Horatio Lloyd presiding over a full bench. The Chairman, in his charge to the Grand Jury, said he regretted to say that, as far as crime was concerned, the New Year has not opened very auspiciously. The number of prisoners in the calendar was 26, and that com- pared very unfavourably with last year, when the number at the corresponding sessions was only ten. NEW MAGISTRATES. The following gentlemen qualified as magis- trates :-Thomas Taylor, Sale; A. R. Clegg, Handforth E. N. Galloway, Altrincham; and C. Leycester Warren, Tabley. I BIRKENHEAD COCKLE STEALERS. George Smith, Michael Tierney, and John Ridihough, labourers, of Birkenhead, were indicted for stealing two bags of cockles, the property of various fishermen on the Dee, at Neston.—Mr. O. M. Latham prosecuted, and said for some time past cockles had disappeared from boats on the river. The prisoners were found in possession of a quantity of the shell- fish which they had collected from the boats. Why fishermen left their catch in their boats he did not know, but that did not exonerate the prisoners. It was a mean and petty theft, and fishermen must be protected. Other offences had been committed by the prisoners, and one of the donkeys in the cart had been stolen. The police, however, decided to proceed with the one case only.—The chairman (Mr. H. C. Yates) said, taking into consideration the prisoners' previous good character, they would be bound over in their own recognisances of JE5 each to come up for judgment when called upon. The Bench hoped, however, that they would not mistake the leniency of the sentence. BOGUS TRANSACTIONS AT MACCLES-I FIELD. SMART SENTENCE. I Arthur Whalley, aged 23, a well-educated clerk, was indicted for stealing two bags of flour and a bag of crushed oats, belonging to Messrs. Isaac Thompson & Co., of Macclesfield, by whom he was employed. Frederick William Hobson, 41, baker and Edwin Hobson, greengrocer, were indicted for receiving the flour and corn. Evidence shewed that Mr. Thompson had sus- pected that corn, &c., were being stolen, and on the morning of the 22nd December he marked a number of sacks. Subsequently, the Hobsons were seen with a horse and cart and sacks of flour, which were delivered at their warehouse. The elder prisoner was seen by the police, and averred he had only just got up, and had not seen a sack of flour. The marked sacks were found in the warehouse, and Whalley pleaded guilty.—The jury found the younger Hobson not guilty, and he was acquitted. The other two prisoners were found guilty, and the chair- man, in sentencing them to nine months' hard labour, said Whalley had been in a position of trust, and ought to have conducted himself more honourably. Hobson was exceptionally bad, and he had endeavoured to get his son into trouble by trying to screen himself. I u_u.. SENTENCES. John at .Nabb (46), groom, whose career of crime commenced in 1893, was sentenced to two months for stealing a horse collar at Agden on the 11th February.—James Moores, who bad undergone innumerable terms of imprisonment, chiefly in Staffordshire, was committed for six months' imprisonment for stealing two pair- of stockings and a cotton shirt at =ek Gralam.—Edward Burrows (26), quarryman, who obtained a fellow-workman's wages by writing an unauthorised letter at Disley, eight months' bard labour.—William Jones (27), labourer, one month for breaking into a house at Disley.—Charles M'Dermott (32), labourer, an old gaolbird, on licence, with a bad record dating from 1882, was sentenced to complete his term and undergo an additional nine months' hard labour, for breaking into the house of Joseph Ernest Callow at Dukinfield, on 13th November.-James Brookes (21), spinner, who appealed for another chance for his mother's sake," was sentenced to three months' hard labour for fowl stealing at Mottram.—James Ashton Potter (25), labourer, one month for taking and converting a mare to his own use.- William Slater, collier, fined X10 for assaulting and ill-treating Mary Ann Moores, Congleton. < OLD BURGLARIES-—A NEW ROLE. I Henry Johnson, alias Thomas Wilson, alias George Bqrgess, aged 55, was indicted for steal- ing £1 in money, a pair of trousers, and an overcoat, at Northwich. Prisoner had been convicted of burglary, housebreaking, thefts, and other offences in all parts of the country. He obtained lodgings at Northwich with a labourer named Thomas Finningham, and during the man's absence at work deftly removed the money and clothing from the house. He was arrested at Nantwich.—Sir Horatio Lloyd said he had a bad record and was such a danger to society that he must be put on one side. He would again have to undergo five ¡ years' penal servitude. APPRENTICE'S EXTRAORDINARY FALSE I PRETENCE. George R. Hadfield (16), stone mason's apprentice, was indicted for obtaining 6d. by a false pretence from Mary Elizabeth Gibson, Hyde.—Mr. Montgomery, in opening for the prosecution, said the amount was paltry, but the case was a serious one. The prisoner called upon Mrs. Gibson, and represented that he was a footballer and was collecting for the funds of the Hyde St. George's Club. She said she had no money, and asked him to call again. He called on the following day, and she gave him 6d. It transpired that he had nothing to do with the football club, and was not authorised to collect money.—Prisoner had been previously convicted, and was now sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

FLINTSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. The quarter sessions for the county of Flint were held on Wednesday at the County Hall, Mold, before Mr. P. P. Pennant (chairman), Mr. J. Eldon Bankes (deputy-chairman), and a large attendance of magistrates. The calendar I contained the names of five prisoners. I CRIME IN THE COUNTY. I DECREASE DURING THE PAST CENTURY. The Chairman, in his charge to the Grand Jury, first offered them his best wishes for the new year. He would only be expressing their feelings and those of everyone present when he expressed the hope that the country might during the coming century meet with the same prosperity which it enjoyed during the last. They had seen advancement and improvement in matters during the last century in no respect greater than in the administration of justice, and when he said the administration of justiee he included prison management, and such methods as the establishment of the police. At the beginning of the last century the popula- tion of the county was not a third of what it was at the present time, yet there were far more criminals then than there were at the present day. That was partly due, no doubt, to the improvement in the criminal codes. Formerly the only idea of repressing crime was by severity. Now they had adopted many other methods, signal among which was improved prison management. The time was within his recollection when prisoners were huddled together in gaols so that the bad were able to infect those who were new to crime. There was nothing of that sort nowadays. He remembered that on the closing of the old gaol at Flint, where it was absolutely impossible to deal with criminals in a proper manner, and where they were more or less huddled together i so that the old gaolbirds were able to con- taminate prisoners who were there for the first | time. the number of criminals in the county decreased by one half. It was an old saying that prevention was better than cure," and the establishment of the police had also had an enormous effect in the diminution of crime. The adoption of the rural police had done more, perhaps, for the prevention of crime than any other single circumstance. The first appointment of chief constable in the county was so recent as 1857. He was sorry to say, | however, on this occasion that his remarks did not seem to be corroborated by the ealendar of prisoners that day, because they had more cases than they had bad at several previous quarter sessions, but their average compared very favourably with neighbouring counties, being very light indeed. As there was always fluctuation in the number of cases they could not judge from one instance what the actual state of crime was in the county. A communication was received by the justices from the Home Secretary, and ex- plained to them by the Deputy Chairman, and on the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Dr. Easterley, it was resolved that in all licensing appeal cases the full costs of the licensing magistrates shall be paid." A "CUT" BILL. I The Grand Jury found no true bill against I Thomas Jones, 33, collier, who was indicted for I criminally assaulting Florence Millington on the 24th of November, at Buckley. I FOWL STEALING. ) William Ellis, 51, labourer, was found guilty of having stolen two tame hens, value 4s., the property of William Williams, between the 13th of November and the 4th December last, at Northop. Mr. Ellis J. Griffith, M.P., appeared for the prosecution. Prisoner, against whom previous convictions were recorded, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. A NEIGHBOURS' AFFRAY. I Elizabeth Morris (57), a respectably-dressed woman, was indicted for maliciously inflicting upon Margaret Jones grievous bodily harm, on the 8th October, at Mold. Mr. Ellis Griffith, M.P., appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. R. V. Bankes (instructed by Mr. J. B. Marston) appeared for the defence. It appeared that the parties are neighbours living at Llyn-y-Pandy, and that a dispute arose as to whether pro- secutrix had taken a garden as well as the house. It was alleged that on the 8th of October Mrs. Jones hung some clothes out to dry on a hedge, and that prisoner took them off, and threw them in the yard. Mrs. Jones put them on again, and prisoner repeated her previous conduct. They had some words, which culminated in prisoner throwing a stone at Mrs. Jones which struck her on the right temple and inflicted a wound an inch and a quarter long.—Mr. Bankes, on behalf of prisoner, submitted that the stone was thrown in self-defence.—The jury found prisoner guilty of common assault, and the Bench ordered her to be bound over to come up for judgment when called upon. She was also ordered so pay L2 towards the costs of the prosecution. I THE MOLD WOUNDING CASE. I The Grand Jury found no true bill against George Oscar Marsh (21), labourer, who was indicted for inflicting grievous bodily harm upon John Jones, collier, Pontybodkin, on the 8th November in the parish of Mold. ASSAULT ON A GIRL. William Evans Williams (55), postman, was sentenced to four months' hard labour for 1 assaulting a girl named Gertrude Sybil Smith, at Mold, on the 12th September. ————— 0 ——————

BOARD SCHOOLS FOR WREXHAM. OPENING CEREMONY. I On Tuesday the commodious new Victoria Board Schools at Wrexham were formally opened by the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Jones) in the presence of several thousand spectators. The Mayor having formally opened the new schools with a silver key, presented to him by Lady Egerton (wife of the chairman of the School Board), a public meeting was held in the boys' schoolroom, under the presidency of the Mayor. Sir R. E. Egerton said the new board schools had cost E16,000, of which £ 14,000 odd bad been provided by loans from the Public Works Department. The Hon. G. T. Ken j on, M.P., referring to the decision given by the Court of Queen's Bench as to science grants, said that some might regard this as a desire upon the part of the Board of Education to discourage the growth of higher elementary schools and the teaching of science, but he did not think that was a fair estimate of the facts. He believed the Board of Education had no option whatever but to abide by the decision of the courts. He thought we had not yet arrived at a satisfactory condition in regard to the teach- ing of science in the higher elementary and secondary schools. He thought all would agree that if the decision was upheld, an Act would speedily have to be passed to enable pupils to the age of 15 in the higher I elementary schools to obtain their science teaching under proper conditions. ———.—— ——————

TIIB CHXQCE BANI.-The extraordinary general meeting of the Cheque Bank (Limited), summoned to consider the directors' recom- mendation that the concern be liquidated, was held on Monday in the Cannon-street Hotel. Mr. W. P. Forbes, who- presided, ex- plained the causes which had induced the board to make their proposal- the forgeries passed on the Continent, the oompetition of the Post Office I and ordinary banking houses, and unwarranted attacks, which had brought about a reduction in their balances—and moved that the company be voluntarily wound up. An amend- ment in favour of a compulsory order led to a somewhat acrimonious discussion, but the chairman kept control over the meeting, and the substantive motion was eventually adopted with only a single dissentient. WATEEPRoer GOODS.—Coats in a large variety of styles and patterns, at BRADLEY'S, Foregate- street. None but guaranteed articles sold. PriceB 16111, 21/11, 27/6, etc. Cycle Capes, Leggings, etc.

I BOARDS OF GUARDIANS. r CHESTER. Mr. J. Pover presided over a meeting of this Board on Tuesday, at which there was a small attendance. THANKS. Mr. Knowles moved a vote of thanks to the donors of the presents to the inmates of the house during Christmas. The Guardians, he said, had only power to provide a dinner in the form of roast beef and plum pudding, but the public had provided not only for the sick people in the wards, and the old people and children, but for the poor imbeciles. He did not know of any institution where the Christmas gifts were more appreciated than they were there, and the Guardians ought certainly to express their appreciation of the kindness of the people who made the gifts. He also moved a vote of thanks to Miss Leaton for her gratuitous services in training the choir.—The motion was carried. AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT. I Mr. Kennedy, with considerable warmth, called the attention of the Board to the fact that a mem- ber had accused him of supporting the tender of a certain person for a coal contract at the last meeting because he was of the same religious persuasion as himself. As a matter of fact he (Mr. Kennedy) supported his tender chiefly because it was the lowest, and he did not know that gentleman's religion at the time, while he afterwards ascertained that he did not belong to the same denomination as himself. The guardian who made that aspersion upon him was present that morning, and he (Mr. Kennedy) would give him an oppor- tunity that day fortnight to tender him an apology. If an apology was not forthcoming he awp o 17 (Fi;onsider the advisability of taking legal proceedings against him for slander. He would have more compassion upon the member than he had upon him, and would considerately refrain from mentioning his name. I WIRRAL. I The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday morning, at Clatterbridge Workhouse, Mr. W. Knowles presiding. Also present were Mesdames Hodg- son, Dalglish, and Sprunt, Messrs. P. Allen, K A. Aldred, J. Barnes, W. W. Christian, J. Clementson, W. Congreve, T. Davies, J. Evans, S. W. Gill, E. Hughes, H. A. Latham, H. Lea, H. Price, G. J. Townsend, J. R. Turton, S. C. Woodward, Colonel Lloyd, and the Rev. P. C. Robin; with the Clerk (Mr. J. E. S. Ollive), the Deputy Clerk (Mr. D. Bunting), Relieving Officer (Mr. J. A. Hignett), and the Work- house Master (Mr. W. L. Richards).—Before commencing the ordinary business, the Chair- man wished the members a happy New Year. The Master reported that the inmates desired to tender their sincere thanks to the guardians and others for the good things pro- vided for their enjoyment during Christmas time. Special presents had been sent as follow:-Meisar& Barnes and Christopherson (oranges); Dr. Blunden, lOa.; Mr. Smith (Neston), X2; Mr. Whiteway (Birkenhead), Xl; Mr. W. Williams, 10s. 6d.; and Mrs. Harmood Banner, Mrs. Clover, and Miss Tobin (oranges, tea, sugar, and tobacco). A vote of thanks was accorded the Port Sun- light Prize Band for their visit on Boxing Day. In addition to their musical services, the band kindly made a collection among themselves, and distributed the proceeds among the inmates. Colonel Lloyd, in accordance with the resolu- tion of the last Board meeting, moved that the salary of Miss Hancock, assistant matron, should" be increased from L25 to JB50 per annum.—Mr. Christian seconded, and the motion was unani- I inously carried. Mr. Latham, also in accordance with the decision at the last meeting, moved that the com- mission paid to Mr. Hignett as collector to the Board should be increased from five to seven and a half per cent., and that his allowance for office rent should be increased from E5 to JB7 10s.—Mr. Davies pointed out that they had a short time ago raised the relieving officer's salary, and asked whether they should make the present increases. He did not, however, oppose the proposition, which was carried unanimously. The Clerk reported that be had received 2500 from the Birkenhead Corporation on account of the transfer of Rock Ferry from Wirral to Bir- kenhead Union. A peculiar case was reported from Childer Thornton. A boy, fourteen years of age, named Thomas Minshull, was brought from Childer Thornton to Clatterbridge, as he was subject to epileptic fits and used to chase the children about the village at home. He remained at the work- house for some time, but being considered dan- gerous, was removed to Chester Asylum, whence his mother took him home again. On hearing that he had returned home the children at Ghilder Thornton refused to go to school, but it was now stated that the mother was keeping the boy in the house and looking after him. This was considered satisfactory, and it was decided not to take any action in the matter. -.—————— 0.

HUNTING. NORTH CHESHIRE. A I I I I A Deauuiui morning arter a oaa. night brought the North Cheshire to the fixture, Har- grave Green, on Saturday. A large number of carriages and cyclists were present. Lord Enniskillen gave Gosden orders to draw Saighton Gorse. No fox being here, Platt's Rough, on the drive, was called upon, and as in the last cover no fox was above ground. How- ever, we had not long to wait, as a brace of foxes was found in the long wood, which runs parallel with the Chester and Aldford- road. Hounds went on with the fox, which ran over the big pastures under Saighton Towers, and going over Mr. Minshull's farm we hunted at a nice pace up to the River Dee. Here our fox ran in line with the river up to the old Rake and Pikel, and turning sharp over the road w e crossed the brook. On arriving at Saighton be was viewed by the signal man running down the lineitowards Chester. He was, however, lost close to Mrs. Dixon's house on the Christleton j road. Davies, the keeper at Waverton, had a fox as usual waiting for us. He was soon away j over the lane at Green Looms. Hounds here j started to run at a fast pace past Hargrave Green, where he turned to the right, over the canal, leaving Crow's Nest a field to the left. It looked as if Handley was his destination, but we left that cover a few fields on our left, whereas our fox ran up to Saighton, but being headed here he made another turn as if he meant going back to Waverton. Some men 1 afterwards viewed our fox just in front of hounds, running parallel with the railway. Reynard found an open drain on the road from Golden Nook Bridge to Hatton Heath, close up to the railway bank, and saved his brush after a good hunt lasting about one hour and ten minutes. Everyone had had about enough, and hounds were taken home. A gentleman, whom I believe comes from Hart- ford, had the misfortune to lose his horse; after jumping a fence the animal fell dead. Among those out were the Master, Lord Enniskillen, Lord Cholmondeley, the Hon. Cecil T. Parker, General Owen Williams, the Hon. O. Mullineaux, Mr. Dormer, Mr. James Tomkinson, M.P., Mr. Charles Tomkinson, Mr. and Mrs. Littledale, Mr. Lee Townshend, Capt. Fetherstonhaugh, Mr. W. R. Court, Mr. Wil- braham, Mr. A. Ashton, Mr. Birkett, Mr. Chas. J. Reynolds, Mr. Walter Jones, Mr. B. Jones, Miss 1 Anderson, Mr. J. and H. Tinsley, Colonel. Hamersley, Captain Higson, Colonel and Mrs. Sheringham, Mrs. Hollins, Miss Mortimer, Mrs. Pilkington, Mr. Brocklebank, Mr. E. Brassey, Mr. H. Brassey, Mr. Ockleston, Mr. H. Hewitt, &c. SOUTH CHESHIRE. Mr. Corbet's pack met at Wistaston: on Friday, but owing to the storm of wind and rain Mr. Corbet ordered hounds home after finding a fox which ran across the park. Mr. Corbet promised a meet at Poole on Saturday, but what sport they had I have not heard up to the time of writing. BLUECAF. I SIR WATKIN WYNN'S HOUNDS. There was a large company on Saturday, when these hounds met at Iscoed Park (three miles from Whitchurch), the seat of Major Godsal. The weather was in striking contrast to the previous day, being of the most genial kind. There were any amount of foxes at t Iscoed. The Bubney Moors held a brace, and ) the selected ran through the adjoining coveru-, I then over the Hadley Farm and the canal, and to ground scarcely a mile from Whitchurcb. i He was left there for further use later ou. Several foxes were disporting themselves in Wolvesacre—"Oosiker"—Wood. Tlie bonne ™ soon got away with one, and hunted him pietty much on the same line as the other up tu i I i canal, then back, and he was lost in one of Bubney coverts. A clinking gallop over a stiffish country was then had from Iscoed Big Wood, but unfortunately a section of the field, through taking a wrong turn, took no part in the run alter the nrst rew minutes, The line lay by way of the Sniddell Bogs and over the Parkley-read, to the right of Whitewell Rec- tory, over the farms of Messrs. Pickford, Huxley, and Beardmore to the Wrexham road, ) close to which was a big and treacherous boggy brook. Lord Kenyon, Captain Ethelston, and a Liverpool gentleman-all three hard riders-managed to get over in safety, but the ) major part of the field gave it a clear berth. The road was crossed below the Old London ) Apprentice public-house, the running being: then continued right on towards the village of Hanmer, Reynard saving his brush by seeking shelter in friendly earth just below Hanmer Hall. Going back to the fox that we had left sub-terra in the morning, a nice hunt took place past Handley to Bubney, through the coverts here, and a second time he went to earth at the far end of W 01 vesacre Wood. and was left there. A capital finish was made from the Fenns, which can nearly always be depended upon, j The fox went past Bronington Vicarage, over t the Ellesmere road, to the Pinfold Farm, then I back left-handed from Painter's Green, and to the right for Red Brook, in front of Sir Wynd- h&m Hanmer's domain, and out for the Broad j 1 I'  his way into Iscood Park, hnd ?nally, lJke the   ?=- of Mr. C. HassaIl, of Bubne. Both as -9-ds weather and sport the 20th century opened most auspicousiy for Sir Watkm Wynn's Hounds, a diking h?t one hour and 40 minutes b.? ,.?d? A fox was found soon after "? <'?'"? on Grag Hill, and, ? break?ne' on the Sb^onke side, h? S ran vvSery fast for Wigmar? ?nd. wben near ?Tetsmore, went part Pradoe Hall ?j the chapel for Handley H?U, .nd. cros-ing the Holy head-road, got back to Gr? H,H, the run thus far having lasted ODe) A c.??r fox crossing the line, hounds I deserted the hunted fox and raced the new corner our. hv Ru" vl.a Towers, and straight to H pton; thence for Nesacliffe Hill. The hound" hunted the quarry to Vales Wood. where other foxes were en foot. gid eventaaUy the scent gave out on Nessdiffe HW. CHESHIRE BE A GLEN. J un tiaturctay Beeston Carti. Station was the fixture. A hare was soon found upon Mrs. Wood's farm (Beeston Hall), and aftt.r a ring- ing run of two hours and fifty minnt- JUi at; was run into not far from the Old CUstle. Mr. Holbrooke's farm (Peckforton Hall) pro- vided the next, and after a fast twenty- five minutes' run, all upon grass land- hounds viewed her and c-ir—d ),r into a rabbit burrow ont of which she was pulled by one of the field. We snon füuNI again upon Peckforton Hall farm—a good straight-necked customer too. After taking us close to Beeston village she br^u^nr us back across Peckforton Hall farm. and straight away crossing the Cholmondeley road between Peckforton Wood and Mr. Cooper's farm, eventually she beat us at the Lower Hall, Spurstow, after a capital run of exactly an hour, with a three mile point at the end of it. Two excellent days' sport, we all thought, to conclude the century with. I LEvL

I SIR W. W. WYNN'S HOUNDS HKKT ON Saturday, January 5, Terrick at 10.3() Monday, January 7, Trotting Mare .&.t 10.45 Wednesday, January 9, Hardwick .at 1045 Friday, January 11, Brynypys .at 1045 Saturday, January 12, Macefen at 10.45 — A-

I THE CHINESE NoTE. I TEXT OF THE ACCEPTANCE. The Chinese Note presented on Sundav, un- conditionally accepting the preliminary demands of the Powers, a Pekin telegram states, was worded to the effect that Prince Chirg and Li Hung Chang, on behalf of China, agreed to the conditions imposed, and asked for a Conference. From a Chinese official source comes the iriforma- tion that, while the Chinese Commissioners do not object to any of the demands, they desire to hava some of them explained. The requests for ex- planation are considered reasonable. General Gaselee is suffering from illness and Li Hung Chang is still too indisposed to leave his house, though he is anxious to hasten the "PPtmg- "t.!a the Foreign Ministers, so that the negotiations for securing peace may be eoinmenced without delay. A telegram was received in Berlin on Monday from Count Von Waidersee, dated the 29th, an- nouncing that the German troops, under Colonel Grueber, had seized, at Sm-aa-chen, large supplies of war material which had been left behind by Chinese troops in their flight The Emperor Kwang-su has issued a decree accepting the terms of peace presented in the Joint note of the Allied Powers. A

LORD ROBERTS'S RETURN. VISIT TO THE QUEEN. CONFERMENT OF HONOURS. SPEECH ON THE WAR. Lord Roberts on Wednesday afternoon arrived at Cowes on board the transport Canada, and on landing was received by Princess Henry of Batten- berg, Governor of the Isle of Wight, accom- panied by the Duke of Connaught, and was gree, CLJ with hearty cheering by the assembled spectators. After a few minutes the party drove off to Osborne, accompanied by an escort 01 the Isle of VYigiafc Yeomanry. On the way to Osborne a halt was made at East Cowes Town Hall, where addresses of welcome were presented from inhabitants of the island and from thA local municipal bodies. Lord Roberts, in reply, after expressing his gratitude for the reception accorded to-him said he wished he could think that his return mieht be accepted as a sign of immediate peace in South Africa and the early return ef our Army serving there. At one time he hoped this would be the case, but unfortunately hostilities still continued. It was with great regret that. he left South Africa. Indeed he did not think he should have left his command had he not bad the most implicit con- fidence in his successor, Lord Kitchener. Tha task which had devolved on that distinguished officer was surrounded with difficulties, partly owing to the marvellous mobility of the enemy, but mainly owing to the vast alia A 1J.SU! uta barrenness of the country in which the operations were being carried an. He had sometimes doubted whether these difficulties were sufficiently appre- ciated by those who were unacquainted with South Africa but they were very great. Never- theless, there was no need to fear as to the result if we made our enemies clearly understand that we were determined, however long tha war might last and whatever it might cost, to bring it to a successful issue. He took that, the earliest, oppor- tunity of expressing his pride in having had the command of such a magnifieent Army—an Army drawn from all parts of her Majesty's dominions, and of whom the Empire and their friends might well be proud. Among them there had been aa admirable a spirit of oaniaraderie as ever ex- isted; and with our Empiro firmly knit together we need fear no foe, so long as we were careful to see that there was no weak point in our armour. Resuming his journey Lord Roberts proceeded to Osborne, where he was received and welcomed. by the Queen, who bestowed on him an earldom, with special remainder, and the Knighlhood of the Garter. In the evening Lord Roberts was conveyed by the Royal yacht Alberta to tha Canada, lying off Netley Hospital.

MR. TOMKINSON AND COMMERCE. Mr. J. Tomkinson, M.P., speaking at a luncheon given by the Mayor of Crewe (Dr. Wilson) on Wednesday to commemorate the gift of a loving cup by Mr. F. W. Webb (chief mechanical engineer of the London and North Western Railway) for the use of succeeding mayors of the borough, said that in taking a retrospect of the last century they could not fail to be struck with the marvellous expansion and development in the trade and commerce of the country and the improve- ments that had taken place in the condition of the people. In 1800 the value of their foreign trade was 100 million pounds. In tbe first half of the century it had risen to 120 millions. It was now 750 millions. (Applause.) It had thus increased by six-fold. That. how- ever, did not represent the whole of the increase, because there had been an immense reduction in prices and the volume of trade had enormously increased. What had been the chief cause of that; increase ? No doubt the great system of free trade was one of the chief causes. The removal of the shackles upon their com- merce had given a large impetus to trade and industry. Up to the middle of the last century duties were imposed upon no less than 1,200 articles coming into this country, and now those duties were confined to five or six only. Another cause of their progress was that the country had always adhered to a sound currency and credit. A sovereign in London had always been a sovereign, and that had con- tributed to make London the centre of the trade of the world, and that had been of enormous advantage to the country. Another cause of their growth had been the removal of the shackles on their navigation. They bad now but little short of one-half of the tonnage of the merchant shipping of the world, and con- siderably more than one-half the carrying trade j of the world. It was a great fallacy to say ) that the excess of imports over exports con- stituted a danger to the trade of rho country. For more than forty years their imports had exceeded their exports by many millions, and the trade of tbe country was increasing. It was a fallacy also to say that the introduction of machinery and the cheapen- ing of production necessarily lessened the amount of labour required. The very existence of the town of Crewe disproved that. (Hear, hear.) The population of the country had doubled during the century, and, notwithstand- ing the introduction of machinery since then, work was more general, more e teacty, ana oetter p&id for, while the produce cf the machinery in bringing cheap goods to the doors of the p, pu- lation had immensely improved the conditions under which their artisans and other workers lived. (Applause.) One of the great dangers they had to contend against—but he believed it was a diminishing danger was the war between capital and labour, and he hoped that that trouble would be overcome by m«»ns of conciliation, arbitration, and the common sense of the people. (Applause.) ». -—.—.

PLUCKY RBSCUB AT NOETHWICH.—On Tues- day afternoon a plucky resoun was witnessed at Northwich. A boy named Ernest Rogerson, aged eight, of Smith's-court, was endeavourinr to reach a stick Soatrng down the river Dg? which is much swollen, ?ten he overbad ? ? aDd fell in. Two men tried to rosct '1 ell. failed; then, at imminent peril to e Vnd Th C M.,faman, Thomas Conroy, a young 'imvl ?l.!Ilman, and James M?inwanng jumided ir,'the river and n*ie oy w U!lCO effected a pliucki. y rescue r^*l>;rutlon scions for some time, ??ti?? ??r?p?;,?..t,?am was eventually snccee??