Cheshire Observer

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.] A DEAD CERTAINTY, By NAT GOULD, Author of "The Gentleman Rider," "The Pace That Kills," Racecourse and Battlefield," "The Dark Horse," "The Double Event," &c., &c. [COPYRIGHT.] SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTERS 1. & II.—A young and handsome gm, Patricia Royston, commonly called "Pat," is in charge of a friend of her mother's, Miss Helen W oodruff. They are staying at Bettws-y-Coed, where "Pat" makes the acquaintance of Mr. Arthur Dunbar, a Yorkshire squire of sporting proclivities, whilst salmon fishing. Dunbar resolves to improve the acquaintance. CKAPTEBS HI. & IV.—Pat and her companion visit Llandudno, and are followed by Uunbar. They there meet Maud Bexley and her brother Hector. Maud has had some ac- quaintance with Dunbar, and still loves him, though on his part it was only a flirtation. Maud resolves to win him at all costs, and asks her brother to help her in her task. Hector is a gambler, and Maud helps him to money. In the meantime Dunbar is summoned to return to his country house in Yorkshire on the report that his horses, especially one Whirlwind, a favourite racehorse, are "coughing." CHAPTER V.—MIDDLEHAM. Many racing men who know their JNewmarKet like a book have no idea what Middleham, the great Yorkshire training centre, is like; and probably they would not be at all pleased with it as a preparation ground for thoroughbreds. And yet some of the best horses England has ever had were trained at Middleham. Many trainers of note have lived there, and the North Country folk generally place faith in anything hailing from this quarter. At first sight Middleham and its moors look barren and uninteresting, but a stay in the district will speedily dispel the idea that there is very little to be seen. Round Middleham may be found some of the most charming and pic- turesque scenery in Yorkshire, if only the visitor will take the trouble to search it out. The Mid- dleham air is invigorating and bracing, acting as a tonic on the system, and giving life and health with every breath inhaled. Open wide your mouth, eyes and lungs, and draw in deep draughts of Middleham air, and then throw physic to the dogs. A walk on the moors cannot fail to have a bracing effect. How different the scene from the headquarters of the Turf at Newmarket-where men seem to toil morning, noon and night, and never have a minute to spare, trying to crowd the work of two days into a spell of eight or nine hours. The stone walls in the Middleham district re- mind one of the High Peak of Derbyshire, and there is a great similarity in the invigorating atmosphere. Moors are generally supposed to be uninteresting except to shooting men, and such like folk, but the Middleham moors and their surroundings ought to please the most captious critic. It is a mystery how the ailments horses are heir to find anything to work upon at Middleham, and yet stables there are not free from occasional visitations of some dire complaint which cause the trainers weeks of anxiety and the owners many pounds. Gilbert Honey was one of the most careful trainers at Middleham, and seldom had much the matter with his horses. One of the old-fashioned school, he believed in plenty of fresh air for his horses, indoors and out, and did not coddle them up, afraid of the hair on their precious skins being ruffled by a slight breeze. He gave horses long, strong work, and plenty of it, when he thought they could stand it, and many a rousing gallop had he brought off on the moors. The trainer's house was an old-fashioned build- ing, the stables being at the rear and close under the walls of Middleham Castle; in fact, they were almost part and parcel of the castle. The boxes were comfortable but out of date, the stone walls looking well-nigh as ancient as those of the castle at the far end of the yard. Although out of date they were quite as well adapted for racehorses as more modern structures, and Gilbert Honey would not have left the Glen stables, as they were called, for the most fashion- able racing establishment in the land. He was a typical Yorkshireman, and had the accent peculiar to the speech of the men of the county of broad acres; but this only seemed to add emphasis to his remarks. His was not a dialect needing translation to a Southerner, but merely the "hall mark" denoting the county of his birth. When Arthur Dunbar and Gilbert Honey ar- rived at The Glen, Martin Mill was standing at the gate ready to greet them, and Mrs. Honey was inside, superintending the loading of a large table, covered with a snow-white cloth, with true' Yorkshire fare. Glad to see you, Mr. Dunbar," said Mill, and I hope we shall be able to cope with this little difficulty in the stables." Martin Mill was fond of using the expression "little difficulty." and applied it indiscriminately to events of various importance. You have got over many 'little difficulties' in your time," said Arthur. Let us hope you will see your way out of this, which at present seems aerious. Mrs. Honey was just the woman for a trainer's wife. Having no children of her own, she looked after the stable lads like a mother, and kept them well in hand. The Glen stable lads were always noted for their good behaviour, and their lan- guage was far less lurid than is generally asso- ciated with them. It was considered a stroke of good luck to get a lad apprenticed to Gilbert Honey. Not only was he taught the art of riding, but his moral welfare was looked after by Mrs. Honey. The Glen lads were often seen at the picturesque Coverham Church, in the church- yard of which many turf celebrities are buried. In this quiet retreat lies resting John Osborne the elder-father of John Osborne of the present generation. Henry Grimshaw's grave is also here, and the owners of many a good horse rest at peace within the boundary walls. The Cover, a famous trout stream, flows hard by, of which Charles Kingsley wrote, of the glen through which it winds, that delicious glen where, while wading up beneath the ash-fringed crags of lime- stone. the ring ouzel (too wild it seemed, to be afraid of man) hopped down fearlessly to feed upon the strar.a." Many a good rider has come out of the Glen stables, and the popular north country jockey, James Regan, on whom Arthur Dunbar had first claim, hailed from Middleham, and had learned how to ride from Gilbert Honey. By no means a crack rider himself, Gilbert Honey had the happy knack of teaching others much that he was unable to accomplish himself. The trainer was a man possessed of great patience, and he never swerved from what he considered the path of duty. He never gave up hopes of getting a race out of a horse until the animal had proved himself unmistakably bad. He kept on trying where other men would have said in a fit of spleen, Get rid of him, sir, he's no good," and then found out afterwards the "cast-off" turned out a real good one. When Arthur Dunbar saw Whirlwind the ex- pression on his face denoted how keen was his disappointment. Poor Whirlwind seemed hardly able to stand up and support his shrunken body, aad it was evident his appetite had been poor for some considerable time. His coat was dull and staring, and his eyes heavy and melancholy, no life in them at all. He's in a bad way," said Arthur. Will he pull through 1" Yes, he ll get over it now," said Gilbert Honey confidently. I did not tell you how bad he was when I wrote. I thought he would die. I sat up with him four nights, and seldom left him, and then never alone. It has been a tough fight, but the old chap will pull through." It will be a long time before he is fit to race," said Mill. "If he gets through the winter all right he'll be as good a horse as ever he was in the spring," said the trainer. How are the other horses?" asked Arthur. "Nothing great," said the trainer. I have had a very anxious time with them. Still I would rather have the lot down at one time and get it over, and not have this trouble hanging about for months." A tour of inspection of the stables soon con- vinced Arthur Dunbar he would have to exercise patience, and wait until next season before ho could hope to race with any prospect of success. This was hard lines when he had such an estab- lishment to keep up and not too much money to spare. He was, however, determined to hang on," and land a coup with which to clear off all his losses. After a capital dinner, which Arthur Dunbar enjoyed thoroughly, as he always did when Mrs. Honey took matters in hand, they went into the garden to smoke. Smoking has a soothing effect upon mankind, if not carried to excess, and under the influence of a good cigar Arthur Dunbar commenced to take a more rosy view of the state of affairs at the Glen. How long do you think it will take to get Whirlwind right?" asked Arthur. If all goes on well he ought to be well over it and doing good work in six months' time," said the trainer. "Come, that's not so bad," said Martin Mill. There's no chance for the Cesarewitch, but as he is such a sticker you might do worse than try and win the Chester Cup with him. That would be a good start for the year, and we could win & stiffish sum over it." I don't much like Chester," said Arthur. "It is too much on the bend." That will suit Whirlwind," said Gilbert Honey, he likes a round course, and he's a rare one for coming sharp round on the rail." The mere mention of Chester recalled memories of Pat Royston at Llandudno, and for a few minutes Arthur was silent and meditating, as he watched the smoke from his cigar curling up in circles in the still night air. Well, what do you think of it? Shall it be the Chester Cup?" said Martin Mill. It is a long way to look ahead," said Arthur. Nothing like it," replied Mill. I like to have something definitely settled, and then I can put the knowing men on the wrong track." Gilbert Honey smiled. He knew what an adept the commissioner was for laying a false scent which the many followed for the benefit of the few. I will leave it to Honey," said Arthur. If he thinks Chester would suit Whirlwind, so be it." Then my advice is to wait and see how the horse progresses, and then if I can wind him up ready for the Chester Cup we'll go in and win. He's sure to get a nice weight because some of his running has been very bad-so bad I could not understand it. until he fell ill. That accounted for it at once, and I knew the trouble had been brewing some time. After all, this sickness in 'I' the stable may turn out a good thing, and to our advantage. "How so?" asked Arthur. "Well, you see it will have taken at least a stone off Whirlwind's weight, and through no fault of ours, or through running 'byes.' Had he left off in form he would have got 8-7 in such a race as the Chester Cup. Now he will get about a stone less. That I should regard as a dead certainty,' if the horse was at his best." "Yes. it would be a real cood thine-" said Mill, rubbing his hands together and smiling blandly. "And you are as fond of being in at a good thing as any man of my acquaintance," said Arthur. You cannot blame me for that," was the reply. Not at all. I think it a highly commendable trait in your character," said Arthur, laughing. And at 7-7 Regan would be able to ride if he wasted a trifle. What does he scale now?" "About 8st. said the trainer. I haven't seen Regan for a long time," said Arthur. Where is he?" "At home now, I believe," said the trainer, he has had a lot of mounts this season. Owners are only too glad to put him up when they get the chance." He's a steady-going fellow," said Arthur. And thoroughly reliable," added the trainer. And rides to orders. I like a man who does that," said Mill. They smoked on for a time in silence, enjoying the cool air and the far-reaching landscape stretched out before them. I hope you enjoyed yourself in Wales," said Mill to Arthur. Oh yes, I had a very pleasant time. Found it deuced slow at first, but I had some decent salmon fishing, and met some very nice people. It is lovely scenery all about Bettws-y-Coed, but I give me Middleham with its pure fresh air, glorious moors, stone walls, and jolly good folk," he replied. Gilbert Honey's eyes glistened with pleasure as he heard Arthur Dunbar praise Middleham, the home of his youth and the dearest spot on earth to him. The trainer loved Middleham, and every nook and corner for miles around was familiar to him. He was well known in Richmond, about a dozen miles away, his form was familiar at Leyburn, Aysgarth, and Ashgill; and at Northallerton Gilbert Honey was well respected. He had traversed hundreds of times the High Moor, and the Low Moor, where Spigot Lodge nestles near the large plantation, and he had tramped over Penhill, one of the most familiar spots to all men of the North Riding. The Glen trainer could talk for hours about Middleham and the famous horses that had been trained there. He related how the first four horses in the Leger of 1821, won by Theodore, were trained by Croft at Middleham. He had yarns of much interest about Dr. Syntax, Jack Spigot. Van Tromp and the Flying Dutchman. He would relate how Thomas Dawson, one of the most famous of a family of great trainers, won splendid victories with Jonathan Wild, Mark Tapley, Inheritress, Lightning, and Priestess. Ellington aud Pretender were names he re- called with delight. He had seen Middleham under various aspects, and had weathered storms and snows such as are only known in these parts. He had had to cut his way through the deep snow from Middleham to Ashgill to get supplies, and he had seen the drifts against the stone walls the height of a tall man. The moors, so peaceful on this calm, still night, he had traversed in the teeth of blinding storms, and seen them covered with a white mantle of dazzling snow, slow to melt on account of its depth. And he loved Middleham in all its phases, and his heart was glad when he heard Arthur Dunbar, the most generous of employers, a man he would go through fire and water for, praise up the old place, and say he was glad to be there again, at the Glen. I CHAPTER VI.—GLEN ROYAL. From the trainer's quarters at Middleham Arthur Dunbar proceeded to his home at Glen Royal, and he did not seem enthusiastic about arriving there. He had been away for six weeks, and during the last week of his stay at Bettws-y-Coed and Llan- dudno his life had been changed. He could not banish the image of Pat Rovston from his mind, nor had he any particular desire to do so. He liked the freedom of Pat's manner and the honest, straightforward way in which she spoke. He felt that in many things they were congenial spirits. She loved horses, so did he. She was fond of sport, angling especially, and that was one of his favourite pursuits. He had never met a girl before who had so taken his fancy as Pat Royston. Glen Royal would be solitary when he arrived there. True, the servants were devoted to him and the old place, but he could not talk to them as equals, although he was affable, not to say free and easy, in their presence. How much better it would be if Pat Royston had been at Glen Royal to greet him. Arriving at his ancestral home he met with the usual hearty and respectful welcome. The housekeeper, Mrs. Honey, a sister-in-law of his trainer, was a very capable woman, and had been in the service of the Dunbars for many years. She exercised quite a paternal authority over Arthur Dunbar, and instead of being offended when she gave him advice, he was amused, and sometimes followed it. He knew Mrs. Honey was only anxious for his welfare, and that every- thing she said was well meant, and not intended to be disrespectful. She always called him Master Arthur," and felt she had a right to do so, having nursed him when a child and acted as a mother towards him when Mrs. Dunbar died. The good woman always made great prepara- tions for Master Arthur's home-coming, when he had been away any considerable time. She had the house turned out from top to bottom, and the under-servants knew what it was all for and said, The master is coming back." Not a room was neglected, and Mrs. Honey, to see there was no shirking, attended to the arrangements her- self. "Drat the girls!" she would say. "They are not half what they used to be in my young days," and she was right. So when Arthur Dunbar arrived home, and had refreshed the inner man, Mrs. Honey, as was her wont, came and related to him any im- portant matters that had occurred during his absence. Arthur Dunbar did not wish to hear the minor details as to the management at Glen Royal, but he good-naturedly listened to what Mrs. Honey had to say. On the present occasion, however, he felt depressed and out of sorts, and Glen Royal seemed lonely and unsociable. So when Mrs. Honey had rambled on for some time she could not fail to notice his abstraction, and thought to herself, "I don't believe he's heard a word of it, but I have done my duty and told him. "I'm afraid you are tired, Master Arthur," she said: "so I won't worry you any longer about the domestic affairs of Glen Royal. What I have to say will keep, but I do think you ought to speak to Thomas about flirting with the housemaids; he has disorganised them, and caused no end of mis- chief and iealousv." "Thomas shall go, said Arthur. "Dear me, no, Master Arthur," said Mrs. Honey, "Thomas go! Why, he's the best of the whole lot." "Then why do you complain about him?" "It's not Thomas I complain about; it's his flirtations," said Mrs. Honey. "Thomas is responsible for his own flirtations, surely said Arthur, amused in spite of himself. "Well, yes he is," replied Mrs. Honey, "and I must say in his favour he receives plenty of en- couragement both from Mary Ann and Betsy." "Then Mary Ann and Betsy had better go and leave the susceptible Thomas in peace," said Arthur—comically serious, for he knew Mrs. Honey's ways. "I couldn't part with either of them," said Mrs. Honey; "they are both very good servants." "Perhaps Thomas had better marry one of them," said Arthur. "How would that do away with the difficulty?" "And a deal of good Thomas would be, married to either Mary Ann or Betsy," said Mrs, Honey, contemptuously. "Then you are not a great believer in matri- mony?" said Arthur. "No, Master Arthur," she replied emphatically. "After my experience with Honey I can't say I am." He laughed as he thought of the different views held of the situation by Gilbert Honev and his sister-in-law. The trainer always declared Martha Honey had talked his brother into an early grave, and Mrs. Honey regarded it as a merciful and wise dispensation of Providence when her husband was taken away and she was left in peace. "I know what you are laughing at," she said, "but Gilbert Honey is afraid to speak the truth. If he did he would say I had much to be thankful for when I became a widow." "That's not kind of you," said Arthur. "It's true," was the reply. "Then you would not advise me to marry, and bring a wife to Glen Royal," said Arthur, some- what anxiously. The reply was unexpected, for Mrs. Honey said sharply: "I think it would be the best possible thing could happen you, Master Arthur-if you met the right young lady." "Then in my case you are in favour of matri- mony," he said with a laugh. "Pray, why am I an exception to your general rule?" "I don't know as I have any general rule," she said, "but I do think if you married well you would be happier. It would make a difference to me, of course; but yon are my first consideration." "If I did marry you would remain here, Mrs. Honey," he said quickly. "And I would do my best to please your wife," she said. "That I am sure you would," was the reply. "But you need not be alarmed on that score yet. I am not at all likely to marry—at present." "I'm not so sure of that," thought Mrs. Honey, who noted several symptoms pointing in that direc- tion. "I think I shall run up to Scarborough to- night," said Arthur. A shadow passed over the housekeeper's face as she thought: "The old home is dull for him. Yes, it will be all for the best if he marries a good woman." Then she said to him "You had better have a rest after your journey. You can go there in the morning." He gave an impatient gesture and said: "No—I'll go to-night. I feel awfully dull here. The place is too big for a bachelor like me. I've & good mind to get rid of it." This half to him- self but Mrs. Honey heard it. "Master Arthur, you can't be serious," she said, and her voice shook. "You'd never so much as think of selling Glen Royal." Her words and tone struck the right chord in him. He felt ashamed of himself for this petty display of temper. He looked at Mrs. Honey and i saw the tears in her eyes. If his old nurse and housekeeper loved the place so well what ought he to do?—think a thousand times more of Glen Royal. "Nurse, you're a good sort," said Arthur. "No, you need never be afraid I shall sell Glen Royal while I have a 'feather to fly with.' The old familiar "Nurse" affected Mrs. Honey strangely. He seldom called her by that name, but when he did her heart went out to him. "Thats right, Master Arthur, she said cheer- fully. "That's spoken like a Dunbar, and one of the best of them." "One of the weakest," he replied. "Not at all," she said, confidently. "If ever you are put to the test you will prove yourself as brave and noble a man as any of them." "I hope I shall not be put to the test," he said, laughing, "or I might shatter the faith you have in me. "That you will never do whatever happens," was her reply. Arthur Dunbar changed his mind, and remained at Glen Royal for the night, much to the worthy housekeeper's delight. Next morning, however, he went away early, and drove to Scarborough, a distance of from eight to ten miles. He was well known at the Queen of Yorkshire watering places, and generally found plenty of friends and amuse- ment there. The season, however, was on the wane, and even Scarborough looked dull to him. He went on to the Spar and found very few people about, so he sat down near the sea. wall and looked out across the ocean. The tide was in, and the wind fresh, and the waves dashed up against the stones, sending up showers of spray and foam. He wished he was back at Llandudno, and talking to Pat Royston. "Such a jolly girl," he thought. "Drives all melancholy thoughts away, the mere sight of her." He was about to get up from his seat and re- sume his walk when a voice said: "You look a bit hipped, old fellow. Where the deuce have you been all this time? Scores of girls have been bewailing your absence." Arthur Dunbar turned round to the speaker and said: "You here, Hawfinch? I heard you were hunt- ing grizzly bears in the Rockies; or had gone to Patagonia or some other outlandish place." "Wrong—quite wrong," said Harry Hawfinch. "I have done 'em all. At present I'm in search of some new sensation." "Then take a header off this wall into the sea," said Arthur. "I'll rescue you, or attempt it, and then you can suggest I receive a medal for my conduct." "The attempt might fail," said Hawfinch; "in which case the consequences to me would be disastrous, and you would be put to the un- pleasant necessity of attending my obsequies. No, my boy, you must suggest something a trifle more reasonable. "Come and have luncheon with me?" said Arthur. "I will!" replied Harry Hawfinch. "That cer- tainly is within the bounds of reason." Arthur Dunbar glanced at his watch and saw it was close upon one o'clock. They went to the Grand Hotel and had an en- joyable repast. "Much better than diving off sea walls," said Harry. "Where have you been all this season? I It seems a deuce of a time since I saw you." "I have been fishing in Wales. Who do you think I met at Llandudno?" "Give it up. I have had too good a luncheon to go in for conundrums," said Harry. "Hector Bexley and his sister." "You don't say so. I wondered where^hey were. He's a shady lot-Bexley. You were on very good terms with his sister at one time. She is a hand- some girl." "Yes, she is fairly good looking," said Arthur. "I fancy neither of them was overjoyed at seeing me. They happened to be with some people I know, so I went up to them. Have you heard much about Bexley of late?" asked Arthur. "I hear he is in very low water, and owes a heap of gambling debts. At the races here the other day one or two 'bookies' asked me where he could be found." "He'll get into trouble one of these days," said Arthur. "I am sorry for his mother." "And his sister?" queried Harry. "Yes, and his sister-although I think she will not deserve much sympathy, or expect it," said Arthur. I was a trifle 'gone' in that direction myself at one time," said Hawfinch, "but you cut mo out dead. By Jove, you made the running strong that season; many people thought you were engaged to her." "They were mistaken, and never had cause to think so," was the reply. "Sore subject with him," thought Hawfinch. "I'll drop it. Are you going back to Glen Royal to-night?" he asked. "If you will come with me," said Arthur. "It is lonely there by one's self." "Then I'll take compassion on you and come," said Harry. Harry Hawfinch was a well-to-do young man, who would have been a far more useful member of society if he had had to work for his living. He was not a rich man, but had a sufficient income to } enable him to live comfortably without work. j He was fond of racing, and indulged in a "mild nutter" when he knew, or thought he knew, "anything good." His father was a neighbour of Arthur Dunbar's, but he was a crotchetty man, and not one to get on well with his sons, of whom he had four. Harry Hawfinch was the third son and, luckily for him, the favourite of Squire Hawfinch's maiden sister. This lady had taken Harry Hawfinch under her protection from an early age, and educated him at her own ex- pense. Squire Hawfinch was selfish enough to be glad one of his four sons had been taken off his hands. When Miss Hawfinch died she left the whole of her fortune to her favourite nephew, much to the disgust of Harry's brothers, who had expected a share each. Squire Hawfinch, too, felt aggrieved he was not mentioned in the will, called it base ingratitude, and so forth—though why, it would have been hard to discover. So Harry Hawfinch found it advisable not to remain under the paternal roof, and set up a small establishment of his own at Scarborough. He had known Arthur Dunbar ever since they were lads together at school, and although they were widely dissimilar in force of character, still I they were very good friends. They had onel thing in common. Both were fond of racing, and most healthy and manly sports. Harry Hawfinch was seldom in a serious mood, I and when he did look solemn and in deep thought, Arthur Dunbar found him a fit subject upon which to vent a fund of humour. "You are positively funny when you are seri- ous," Arthur had said to him, and Harry replied "It is one of my misfortunes that when I am in trouble I merely provoke the amusement of my friends. "Poor fellow!" said Arthur, laughing. "But you do not look a deserving object for pity or even sympathy." Mrs. Honey was rather partial to Harry Haw- finch, so when he came home with Arthur Dun- bar, she was pleased her young master had a lively companion. (To be continued.) 40.

WHEN THE GOOD NEWS FIRST REACHED CHESTER It created considerable excitement. But as week after week went by, many well-known and highly-respected Chester people spoke out honestly, and their statements were published in the public press, there was no longer room for doubt. Chester people said —" This must be true." Well, here is just such another statement, and it comes from a Chester man. For over a year I have been troubled with bad backaches." Mr. W. Beresford, of 114, Westminster-road, Chester, told us lately. The pains commenced across the small of the back, and shot up between the shoulders. These pains increased whenever I attempted to stoop. When I had to bend I could only straighten myself again with difficulty. I got weak and depressed as time went on, and these back pains seemed gradually to become worse." "The kidney secretions also worried me, for they were unnatural, so I finally had to give up my occupation at Walker, Parker and Co. 's Leadworks. On consulting a medical man, he told me I suffered from kidney disease, but his treatment failed to do me any good. I persevered, however, and obeyed his instructions, without. any relief, until he declared that Bright's disease had developed. My eyesight also seemed to become affected, becoming weak, and I was told that I could not hope for improvement." "Hearing so much about Doan's Backache Kidney Pills as a genuine remedy for kidney complaint, however severe, I resolved to try them, and obtained a supply from Boots. They quickly went to the root of all my ailments, the kidneys, relieved them, and all the distressing symptoms improved at once. The pains in the back are gone. The secretions are now clear and natural. My appetite is good, and I feel a different man in every way. These pills have done me a great deal of real good," added Mr. Beresford. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are guaranteed to cure all forms of kidney and urinary troubles. They are sold by all chemists and drug stores at 2s. 9d. per box (six boxes 13s. 9d.) or sent direct, post free, on receipt of price, from the Proprietors, Foster-McClellan Co., 57, Shoe Lane, London. If you have symptoms of any kidney trouble write us about it fully, we will be glad to reply. As these pills are not purga- tive, you can take them without interfering with your work. Be sure you ask for the same pills that Mr. Beresford had.

Mr. Justice Grantham will preside at the I summer assizes for the Chester and North Wales Circuit.

ATHLETIC NEWS. FOOTBALL NOTES. [BY SPHBRX. t There was a large crowd of football enthusiasts on the ground at Hoole on Saturday, when the Chester Locos met Ellesmere Port in the semi- final tie of the Challenge Cup competition. There is no doubt that the Port club can boast of some clever players, and the Locos on this occasion were not seen to any particular advantage. Both sides played with great determination, and the game was of a fast and exciting character. During the first ten minutes the Port men ran swiftly along, and almost scored on several occasions, Campbell, the home custodian, having to save pretty smartly. The railway men, however, scored first, Hope doing the trick with a swift, low shot. Even play followed, but the Port in- dulged in some fine passing movements, and equalised just before the interval with a long shot. The second half was characterised by good scientific play, and the teams attacked and defended in turn, but for some little time no goals were registered. On one occasion, how- ever, the Ellesmere Port forwards made a spirited attack, and, despite the good defensive tactics of the opposing side, they placed the ball in the net for the second time. Campbell, the Locos' custodian, may well be pardoned for not having saved the point. Becoming desperate, the Locos played up in grand fashion, and suc- ceeded in equalising soon afterwards. And a good aii-rouna game ended in a draw of two goais each. Henshaw, Hope and Huxley, of the rail- way men, were conspicuous with fine play. One of the finest matches witnessed on the Helsby ground took place on Saturday, when the locals met Sale Homefield in the fourth round of the Cheshire Amateur Cup. After a splendidly- contested game the homesters won in clever fashion by four goals to two. The start was delayed half an hour owing to the late arrival of the visitors, who were nevertheless accorded a hearty reception on making their appearance. There was a good number of spectators when the visitors, who had lost the toss, kicked off with the slope and the wind in their favour. The visitors, who very soon won the good opinions of the crowd by their capital display, were the first to become aggressive, and Hough had to clear his charge in the first few minutes, a fruitless corner fol- lowing. After a series of combined moves the Sale men scored through Miller ere the game was ten minutes old. After three abortive corners had been gained by the homesters, capital work by the visitors' forwards enabled them to again bring pressure to bear on the Helsby goal, in which Hough was conspicuous with several capital saves. Hoole, the visitors' custodian, saved a grand shot by Hughes, and another from Bibby directly afterwards. The homesters strove hard to get on equal terms, but they were met by a steady defence, Whittaker, the visitors' right back, shewing particularly good work. Each side attacked in turn, and although several corners were obtained by both teams, the score remained unaltered for some time. At length Dennison scored the visitors' second point from a scrimmage following a corner. The Sale men now had the best of the exchanges, and Hough again dis- tinguish himself with a couple of clever saves when the downfall of his goal seemed certain. The homesters now made several determined but unsuccessful efforts to score, Hughes on one occasion getting in a splendid shot, which was, however, finely cleared. The interval then ar- rived with the visitors leading by two to none. A few minutes after the re-start Boyle opened Helsby's account with a splendid shot, amid cheers. The ball had hardly been kicked off again when Hughes beat the opposing back and got in a splendid centre, and J. Jones scored the second goal. The home team were now going strongly, and were continually on the attack, but the visitors defended finely. The visitors occasion- ally broke away, but their forwards seemed to have played themselves out in the first half, as their final efforts were now very weak and they were easily repulsed. The home lot, on the other hand, displayed grand all-round work. Hoole, in the visitors' goal, saved several shots in splendid style. The homesters, however, were not to be denied, and at length Boyle converted another grand centre by Hughes, thus giving the homesters the lead. The home team still kept up the pressure, the forwards being backed up by some good work on the part of the halves, in which Cooke was always prominent, and after Hoole had saved from Bibby, Hughes beat him for the fourth time with a grand oblique shot. This seemed to take the heart out of the visitors, who, although several times in the home half, were never dangerous. The home team continued to have the best of the exchanges up to the close, but no further scoring took place. The visitors were decidedly the better team in the first half, and it certainly looked odds on their winning, but they had apparently shot their bolt when the interval arrived. Afterwards there was only one team in it, and that was not Sale. The play of the homesters in the second portion was nothing short of a revelation, and it clearly proved what a splendid uphill game they can play and what excellent cup-fighters they are becoming. The display of the forwards was a treat to wit- ness, while the halves were equally good. Hough was in grand form in goal, and the backs did some excellent work. On Saturday Helsby will again be engaged in a cup tie, as they meet Newton Rangers on the Ellesmere Port ground in the re-played semi-final tie in the Chester Cup. If they play in the same form as they did on Saturday they should have no difficulty in again reaching the final tie. Frodsham Parish Church premier eleven were at home on Saturday, Wynnemarle (Warrington) being visitors on the Athletic Ground. There was a moderate attendance. The homesters, losing the toss, had to kick off in the face of a strong wind, but immediately pressed. T. Janion scoring with a good shot after a few minutes' play. The visitors then had at turn, but, unluckily for them, shot wide when in a fairly good position. The Parish now asserted their superiority, and R. Rodgers scored goal No. 2, G. Harvey, from a nice centre from Nicholas, doing the trick again soon afterwards. Wynnemarle seemed now to lose heart, and played in a very lackadaisical fashion. The Parish youths completely routed them, T. Jannion adding two more clever goals before half-time, the score sheet being then 5—0 for Frodsham. Resuming, the visitors at once pressed, and for some time looked like making up for their weak and futile efforts of the initial period. Turner, however, averted disaster finely. However, the Churchmen once more got into their stride and made matters uncomfortably warm for their opponents. After some uninteresting midfield play, G. Harvey gained possession and scored, T. Jannion, for the third time in the matoh. fol. lowing suit with the 7th and final goal. The home lot were a long way ahead of the Warring- ton contingent, and to shew how one-sided was the play at times, the home custodian (Turner) fearlessly left his charge and essayed the task of trying to get goals with the forwards. The pre- vious encounter between these teams resulted in a win for Frodsham by 6 goals to nil. A capital game was witnessed at Saltney on Saturday, when Saltney Stonebridge United met Halkyn Rovers. Lewis set the ball rolling for Saltney, who at once made tracks for the visitors' goal, but were driven back by the Rovers' halves. The visitors now took up the running, and from a nice pass by Whittaker Read hit the crossbar with a rasping shot, from which rebound the ball was sent wide. After about half an hour's play Saltney scored from a scrimmage. This aroused the visitors, and three minutes afterwards Read shot hard into the homesters' goal, hitting the upright, and the same player meeting the re- bound, scored a beautiful goal. Half-time- Saltney 1, Halkyn Rovers 1. Read started for the Rovers, who at once made for the home goal, but were repulsed. The second half had only been in progress ten minutes when Lewis beat Davenport, who made a capital effort to save. The Rovers now set to work and from a neat centre by Hayes Hill made the score equal. From now to the finish Halkyn pressed severely, and were unlucky in not further increasing the score. For the Rovers, Paskins and Lockley played a capital game at half-back, also Gregory and Phillips at back. Davies, at left full back for Saltney, played a grand game. The final result was Saltney 2, Halkyn Rovers 2. For the first time this season, League matches were interfered with on Saturday, and two games had to be abandoned owing to the prevalence of fog. Bolton Wanderers could not resume their fixture with Notts County after the interval, which had arrived without score, while Liverpool did not even commence their encounter with West Bromwich. The present leaders of the first division came out again on the winning side, scoring twice as many goals as their opponents from Manchester. The two Sheffield clubs were among the losing teams, the Wednesday being vanquished at home by Bury, while the Rovers proved too much for the Bramall-lane contingent at Ewood. As the present cupholders are drawn against the Blades at Owlerton, their League game attracted considerable attention, and much ex- citement prevailed. But Bury were rather for- tunate in winning. Preston North End improved upon their last visit to Derby, and succeeded in bringing away one point, which in the present state of affairs is extremely valuable. Sunderland made a sad example of the Wolves, who on their last visit to Wearside were vic- torious. Seven goals are rarely obtained by one side in these days of keen competition; but the Northenders came with a strong rush at the finish, and fairly overwhelmed the Midlanders' defence. Stoke gave a capital display against Newcastle and fully deserved their two goals' victory, this result being likewise an improvement upon last year's result, when a draw was the verdict. CHESTER & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE I DivieuoN 1. RESULTS UP TO DATE. C Goals 1 Ptd.Won.L'st.Dr'n.For.Afrt.Pta Ellesmere Port 7. 7. 0. 0 26.10.14 Shottoit Range-fs 9. 5. 2. 2.23. 8.12 Wrexham Vios. 8. 6. 2. 0 31 13 12 Newton Rangers .12. 5. 5. 2.27.27.12 Helaby 9. 4. 3. 2.21?. 16. 10 Flint. 9. 5. 4. 0.19::17:10 L. & N.-W. Locos 12. 4. 8. 0.22.16.? 8 Tarporley S. Helens 9. 2. 7. 0.16.39. 4 Buckley Swiffa 7. 0. 7. 0, 8.30. 0

HOCKEY. i NESTON & DISTRICT v. BE BINGTON "A." I JLhis match was originally arranged with Bebington 2nd XI. As, however, three or four 1st XI. men, including the International Anderson, were eventually played, the Bebing- ton team could hardly be termed a second Xc. Owing to the wet the Spital ground was unfit for play; hence the venue was at Parkgate. The Neston team suffered from two scratchings at the last moment, so they had to play nine men and two small boys of 13. During the first half Bebington pressed, and mainly owing to the fine work of Anderson scored three goals, notwithstanding the magni- ficent defence of Hubback and the plucky and effestive goal-keeping of Partridge. Neston piayea only tour forwards throughout.. In the II second half Neston, with the breeze and hill in their favour, had quite as much of the play as their opponents. A. Barrett scored two good goals, being well backed up by Captain Tyler, Morrison, and Martindale. For Bebington Anderson and the right wing were very aggressive, but were held in check by James and Gill at half-back and by Hubback at right back. The Bebington centre-half, Ormrod, was as safe and useful as ever. Peel also did good work at right half for Bebington, who in the last ten minutes of a very dark afternoon shot the ball into the net twice, thus defeating the home side by five goals to two. Despite the odds against them every member of the Neston team, including Edgar Clover and W. Ward, the two boys, played a keen and plucky game. ♦

FLINTSHIRE EDUCATIONAL I SCHEME. INTERESTING PROPOSALS. I IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. I At the Rhyl Town Hall on Saturday a con- I ference was held to consider a scheme for the education of pupil teachers from the elementary schools of the county in county schools. To the conference were summoned by the Flintshire County Governing Body. the Chief Inspector of the Central Welsh Board (Mr. Owen Owen), her Majesty's Inspector of Schools (Mr. L. J. Roberts), the members of the County Governing Body, the members of the local governing bodies, the head master and head mistresses of the county schools, the members of the school boards in Flintshire, the managers or representatives of voluntary schools, and the head teachers of elementary schools. The following is the scheme as finally drafted by the County Governing Body, and now sub- mitted for criticism and adoption if approved by the general education opinion of the county. Clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5 will not take effect until 1903: — 1. The County Governing Body will recognise as full scholars all probationers or pupil teachers attending the county schools, although present only half their time, provided the other half of their time is spent in acquiring practice in teach- ing in a primary school in the county, and will recognise them as eligible to hold scholarships and bursaries. 2. These facilities are intended for candidates for pupil teachers who shall have attended for not less than three years at a county school. 3. Pupil teachers shall not be admitted for en- gagement until they attain 16 years of age. 4. Candidates shall have passed the junior or senior examination of the NNeish Central Board. 5. Those selected will have to be articled for a shortened period of two years, and be placed on the staff as second year pupil teachers. 6. Each county school will offer facilities for the holding of special classes, at which pupil teachers will continue to receive instruction in certain subjects, and at certain hours to be ar- ranged between the authorities of the county and elementary schools, provided that a sufficient number of students join to ensure the success of the scheme. 7. Full liberty shall be left to the local governors to make such financial arrangements, for which they alone shall be responsible, as may prove necessary for meeting the expenses of the classes, for which the following sources of revenue will be available, viz.:—1, Capitation grants from the County Governing Body. 2. Grants from Educa- tion Department. 3. South Kensington grants. 4. Contributions from elementary school bodies. 5. Fees charged to the students. 8. Pupil teachers attending these classes, pro- vided they are qualified under the county regula- tions, shall be eligible to compete for county exhibitions. 9. Elementary school authorities are invited to formulate schemes by which provision may be made for offering annually to boys and girls a number of probationers' exhibitions, tenable at the county schools. The chair was occupied by Mr. P. P. Pennant, who said that the teachers and managers of 99 schools had been invited, 65 National, 9 British, 8 Roman Catholic, 4 parochial, and 13 Board schools. The proposals were nearly a year old, and the object was to sfecure satisfactory ele- mentary school teachers for the future. This could not be done adequately in a county like Flintshire by a system of pupil teacher centres, hence, obviously, the best method was to educate them in the county schools, and it was possible to utilise such schools for the purpose without seriously interfering with the ordinary work of the secondary schools. Mr. Lloyd Parry, head master of the Mold County School, opened the discussion. He hoped the scheme would have a favourable reception from all true educationists on abstract grounds, and he hoped it would have a satisfactory re- ception from the head masters of the elementary schools, who in the past had carried on their work under discouraging conditions. He ex- pected the objection would come from the mem- bers of School Boards and the managers of the Voluntary schools, who might find difficulty in carrying the scheme out for financial reasons. The scheme might be an ideal one, but it was drawn up with the hope that there would, be nothing in it which would retard the best interests of education. Breadth of knowledge, experience, wider culture, and more liberal views were needful in teachers in elementary schools. Mr. H. A. Tilby said that managers of schools had failed in their duty to pupil teachers for the last 15 years. Children had been brought into the profession and afterwards neglected. All, therefore, recognised the necessity for a scheme of this kind. As to the difficulty of forming classes suitable for the pupil teachers, he re- garded those difficulties as more or less theoretical, which would be overcome when tackled. As to the question of finance, the county schools should take pupil teachers free of charge. If that were done the pupil teachers would have a. wider cul- ture, which would leave its influence upon the children in the elementary schools, thus im- proving and increasing the very material upon which the county schools depended. (Applause.) Then at present the county schools were the only body which could raise a rate for educational purposes over the whole county, and he believed that a united application to the Government would result in power being given to increase the rate to a Id. in the pound, which, in Flintshire, would give the county schools an additional income of B100 a year, quite sufficient to provide the necessary additional funds. The Rev. W. Morgan, chairman of the Mold School Board, said at Mold there was a pupil teachers' centre, which cost altogether L480 for three years, towards which they received about £ 80 in three years in the shape of Government grant, and about jE45 for pupil, teachers from schools outside their district, making a nett cost 1 of J6565. On the other hand, to send the pupil teachers to the- county school would cost £500, towards which the Board would only receive the Government grant of j680. He did not see how the Mold School Board could be expected to abandon their present system for one which would cost so much more. Of course, they might do so, but the case of the Voluntary schools would be a much more difficult one. He thought the object should be to place the intermediate school within the reach of every pupil teacher, and that they should proceed step by step. In his opinion the scheme as it stood would prove utterly elusive J 1 1. 'I" I 'I in tno poor agricultural districts. Mr. Llewellyn Jones, chairman of the Rhyl Intermediate School Governors, said in one respect the Central Welsh Board stood in the way of the seheme. At present half-timers were not recognised in the county schools, and those schools which had taken pupil teachers for half time had their reports pulled down in conse- quence. He agreed that the county schools should give free instructioa, to the pupil teachers, and the only difficulty on that point was the f question of the Voluntary schools. If teacher apprentices were taught free in the county schools, Voluntary school managers should abandon their condition that such apprentices should belong to their particular denomination, otherwise denominationalism would profit to a certain extent at the expense of the country. Mr. F. Llewellyn-Jones (Holywell) moved the following resolutionThat this conference begs to express a general approval of the recom- mendations made by the County Governing Body, and refers the further consideration of the matter to a committee representing the different bodies comprised in this conference, such com- mittee to revise the scheme before the meeting, and to submit the same at a future date to. an adjourned meeting of this conference." (Apr plause.) Dr. Easterby (St. Asaph) seconded the motion. Criticism wa# offered by Mr. Goodman Roberts, Mr. Thomas Parry (chairman of the County Council), andf the Rev. John Owen (Mold). The Chairman doubted whether, under the intermediate education scheme, the Governors could forego the fees, but the pupil teachers would bo eligible for the scholarships and bur- saries, which might be high enough to make the education practically free, as two speakers sug- gested it was desirable that it should be. He felt conifdent that those who had to deal with education would come to the conclusion that the county schools were the proper places in which to educate pupil teachers, and that a perfect system for that purpose would in due time be evolved. (Applause.) The resolution was carried unanimously and the committee having been formed, the con- ference terminated.

AGRICULTURE. SEASONABLE CHANGES. To most people the snap of wintry weather we experienced recently gave an idea that at last we were in for one of the old-fashioned ones"; but one had hardly realised the fact that it was really frost and snow we were having when a breath of wind from the south-west dispelled the illusion in a single night, and the rapid thaw was all the more emphasised by the heavy rain that followed on Thursday. The pity of it is that the frost did not last longer, to harden the surface for the manure carts, it is apparent, however, on all sides that advantage has been taken of the mild and open weather in regard to the various phases of farm work. The fallows have been broken wherever the state of the soil admitted, hedge-row trimming has proceeded apace, and stock-owners, especially flock-masters, are now looking forward anxiously for a. dry spell in the interest of their flocks and herds. Lambing has commenced in the south, where the hard weather was welcomed as an improve- ment on the recent protracted wet, and we hear of cases of a few. early lambs here and there in the Cheshire district; but of course these are mostly isolated cases as yet, where the owners of breeding ewes make a hobby of obtaining "one or two" about Christmas or the New Year. Another advantage primarily due, perhaps, to the cold snap has been observable in the im- provement in the prices of stock and meat. In recent years it has been the custom to expect a falling off in values as soon as Christmas had turned, but at recent sales prices have been well maintained, pigs especially selling at improved rates. Anyhow, taken all round, there is apparent the usual seasonable relief of feeling at having "done with the old" and a looking forward with hope to the new season which has dawned. There is a slight improvement in tone in the cheese markets, and though no great amount of business is stirring, it is sufficient to maintain prices. The official (London) report on the week in regard to English produce was that the market was quiet, without special feature. Quotations for finest Cheshire. 70s. to 74s.; finest Cheddar, 70s. to 72s.; fine, 64s. to 68s.; good, 56s. to 60s. In Canadians there was no change, and enough to do to maintain values, and it was only in Liverpool that dealers were buying a little more freely, but stocks were large and there was no change in prices. A THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE. I I B.n agricultural contemporary ventures on a prediction as to what will be the train of events connected with agriculture in the new. century upon which we have entered, and which, judging from present prospects, seems to be not an un- likely augury. Beginning with what everybody knows to be a truism, it says growers of corn have been doing poorly, and breeders of live stock fairly, for several years, and the outlook favours the expectation that this statement will continue to apply in the near future. Every year, it is added, must bring us a little nearer to the time when the virgin soils that are fertile will be all tilled, but while the process is going on, it is al- most certain that improved farming will raise the standard of production on land already occupied. In this way the period when consumption will overtake and threaten to pass production will be deferred. Yet, sooner or later, the demand must exceed the supply at such prices as prevail at present, unless some unforeseen discovery should cheapen production in a manner not now imagined, and in that, presumably, British farmers will share as well as their competitors. As for live stock, if its production increases and spreads to tracts of country not now fully grazed, the demand for pure-bred animals is almost certain to spread with it. The supply of dairy produce, excepting fresh milk, bids fair to keep well up to the demand for manv vears to come. v PROTECTION IN GERMANY. -brom Berlin it is stated that Count Von Bue- low, speaking in the Lower House of the Prussian Diet, made the following statement:—I consider it to be the foremost duty of the Government to effect a reconciliation between existing economical differences and an adjustment of varying inter- ests-(loud cheers)—and also to support those who are unable to help themselves with their own strength. I shall abide by the opinion that when one member of the social body suffers all the other members suffer with it, and especially that as long as so important a member as agriculture suffers the whole organism cannot enjoy perman- ent health. I am convinced it is the duty of the Government to afford trade, industry and agricul- ture an equal measure of protection—(cheers)— and that our agriculture absolutely needs strong protection. (Cheers on the Riarht.) A NEW BREED OF HARES. I lruly there seems to be no > limit to Yankee ingenuity, even among agriculturists. The "latest on record is to the effect,that at the Rhode Island (U.S.A.) Experiment Station a successful attempt has been made to develop a black variety of Belgian hares, the details of which are given in the report for 1891. Some very dark young hares, it is stated, were found, in litters—probably from atavism-thrown by pure-bred Belgian does, and as .these were remarkably, fine, it was decided to try and "fix" them by selection and appro- priate matings. This has been accomplished, and a variety obtained which is sure of being trans- mitted by heredity. The colour is a solid glossy black, which is a great contrast to the lighter, but likewise handsome, red markings of the stan- dard-bred Belgians. These black hares are a little longer and heavier than the regular Belgians, and are an improvement for table and market purposes. This is the second distinct breed that has been produced at this station. A few years ago it produced a fowl which is now popular and known as the "Rhode Island Red." These birds are prolific layers of nice brown eggs, and furnish plump dressed poultry at any marketable age. The breed was built up so. as to provide the far- mers of the State with an all-round profitable fowl for the farm. NEW MOVEMENT AT WARRINGTON. I Milk producers in the Warrington district have taken an important step during the week, as the practical outcome of a meeting held at the Blue Bell Hotel, Warrington, after hearing an address delivered by Mr. James Sadler, secretary to the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association. Mr. Marsh presided in the absence of Mr. W. Bennett, of Padgate, who had promised F,50 towards starting a local. association if a hundred members joined, each contributing JB1. In the course of his address Mr. Sadler remarked that the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association had been in existence for two years, and had already done good work. On their own admission, it was more difficult now for milk dealers to buy low- priced milk in Cheshire, and the association wanted to make it altogether impossible. (Ap- plause.) The Staffordshire and Derbyshire Associations had an agent in London whose busi- ness it was to sell milk for members. This agent had only been appointed a few months, and had already earned his salary in the better prices obtained for the milk of those he represented and in preventing milk being sold below a certain definite price. They might usefully follow the example of these associations and have their agents in Manchester and Liverpool. If necessary the association might even undertake the dis- tribution and sale of milk in these cities. They had tried the experiment a year ago of arranging a minimum price with the Manchester milk dealers, but he regretted to say that the Man- chester milk dealers very soon repudiated the agreement. What was needed was an agree- ment among the producers themselves. (Hear, hear.) Another necessity to successful working was some method of dealing with surplus milk, so as to prevent the periodical flooding of the milk market. Last summer he recommended some members of the Cheshire Association to make cheese for a time rather than, sell milk. Those who took his advice did so greatly to their own advantage and the advantage of those who continued to sell. milk. Mr. Sadler, in concluding, said that the Cheshire Association began with 340 members, and they had now 840., After a brief discussion,, a resolution was unanimously passed to join the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association, with a committee at Warrington to manage the work of the district. WATER IN, BUTTER. I me ijrocers journal, commenting on tne Preston case, remarks :"So far the question of water in Irish butter is settled, but it must not be concluded that the decision will, hold good in all circumstances and in all places, for the simple reason that the determining what is and what is not adulteration is left so much in the power of local authorities, and so the old difficulty remains much as it was before., the appeal. The Court themselves realised this fact, as was clearly proved by their expressing the unanimous opinion that, having regard., to the magnitude of the interests involved and. to the possibility of varying decisions, the question of fixing a pre- sumptive standard or standards merited the early attention of the Board of Agriculture. It is much to he hoped that that Department of the Government will take notice of the magisterial recommendation but to ensure a successful inter- vention the trade and others interested shoul(L rouse themselves to combined effort and. make their views on the matter understood, possibly this ancient grievance might be satis- factorily settled." THE FORTHCOMING ROYAL S-aOW,. The Royal Agricultural Society of England has now issued the prize sheet for live stock, poultry, produce, implements, etc., at the country J meeting of the society to be held at Cardiff from Wednesday, the 26th of June. to Monday, the ,1st of July next. The total value of the prizes offered (exclusive of champion prizes and medals ? given by the breed societies) is £5,9, oS which t7y ?? is contributed by the Cardiff local com- mittee, and JB555 by various breed societies. For horses, £ 1,695. is offered; for cattle* £ 1,778; sheep, 21,332, 1,0S. and pigs, £ 396. Prizes to the value of £ 252 will be given for poultry, JB65 for butter, £.1,,04 {or cheese, and £ 40 for cider and perry. In the implement department the society offers prixes of £40 apdf,20, for portable oil engines, and prizes of the same value for agricultural locomotive. oil engines, with a prise of JE15 for small ice-making plant, suitable for dtairy jjtse. Entries for these last classes close 13th, entries, of stocfc on April 15th, ag(j of poultry and pro- duce oa May 1st.

AQMCULTUSI8T8 ANj). PUR. BEEP..—A public meeting of agriculturists and others was held at Cambridge Guildhall on Saturday in support of a Pure Beer Bill. Resolutions were passed urging the Government to introduce legislation defining beer as a product of barley malt, hops, water, and yeast, precluding the possi- bility of brewers of fermented liquors intended to imitate beer, as defined above,, from using more than a fixed percentage of malt substi- tutes, and that those substitutes should be defined by law. At a similar meeting at Hert- ford a resolution was unanimously adopted in.  favoM of Pure Beer Bill, ) CHESHIRE FARMERS AND MILK SUPPLY. MANCHESTER AND TUBERCULOSIS. On Tuesday a largely attended meeting of the Macclesfield Chamber of Agriculture was held at the Macclesfield Town Hall to hear an address from Mr. H.. Percival, veterinary surgeon, on "Tuberculosis How farmers are affected there- by, and its effect on the public supply of milk." Mr. Jabez Wright presided, and among those present were Mr. James Sadler, secretary of the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association. Mr. Sadler addressed the meeting upon the ques, tion in relation to the powers possessed by the Manchester Corporation. When a farmer supply- ing his milk to Manchester discovered a cow in his stock suffering from tuberculosis, it was- his duty under Act of Parliament to notify the Man- chester Corporation, but they had no power to do more than to isolate the cow. and to gpp. that, its milk did not find its way into the city. The Man- chester Corporation sent out circulars recommend- ing farmers with cows suffering from tuberculosis to slaughter them. When they found that a far- mer's milk was tuberculous there was only one thing more they could do, so far as the provisions of their Act went, and that was to prevent any of that cow's milk being sent to Manchester. When a farmer had "notified the Manchester Corporation and had isolated a deceased cow he had fulfilled the law. Whether the Manchester Corporation could go to the length of stopping a farmer's milk supply going- into the city when he refused to have his cow slaughtered under their inspection was a point that had never been raised, but it was a point that would be raised in the future, and when it was raised it would create a great deal of inter- est. The association that he represented was taking a very great deal of interest in the matter, and there was no doubt that sooner or later there would be cases brought before the court either in Manchester or Liverpool. It was certain that the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association would not allow its members to be bandied about by any corporation without putting forth its great strength to assist them in every possible way; (Hear, hear.) The thanks of the meeting were accorded both to Mr. Sadler and Mr. Percival. The question of the carriage of milk to Man- chester was also discussed, upon a letter from the London and North-Western Railway Company suggesting that better facilities for the carriage of milk could be granted if farmers agreed to use the 6.30 a.m. train.—Eventually a resolution was carried that the company should be asked to pro- vide another train, in addition to the one at 6.30.

POTATO GROWING IN CHESHIRE. I INTERESTING EXPERIMENTS. I We have received Mr. J. S. Gordon's report on the potato experiments conducted at the Agricultural and Horticultural Schools at Holmes Chapel, under the auspices of the Cheshire County Council. This was the fifth year the experiments had been undertaken, and Mr. Gordon is to be congratulated on having placed before the farmers of Cheshire such a mass of valuable information regarding potato growing, a branch of farming of great importance in the county, where in 1900 no fewer than 25,514 acres were under potatoes. A field of two acres was planted in which the soil is a heavy loam, on which a crop of un- manured oats had been grown the previous year. Seven pounds of each variety were planted on April 10th; each variety occupied a drill 27 inches wide and 21 yards long, and as nearly as possible the same number of tubers were selected in each case. Manures were applied in the drills at the rate per acre of t—20 tons farm yard manure cost R6 3 cwtea. superphosphate (29 to 31 per cent. soluble), 8s. 3d.; 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia (24 per cent. ammonia), 13s. 6d.; 1 cwt. muriate of potash (96 per cent. purity), 13a. 6d. total cost, £ 715s. 3d. The artificial manures were sown on the farmyard manure in the drills at the time of planting. The similarity between, last year's and the previous, year's results, in yield and position, in the small plot experiments, is striking; those varieties which occupied the four top places holding almost similar positions. The three varieties which were the first ripe the previous year, viz.; Ruby Queen, Klondyke, and Early Puritan, also ripened first. The year's yield is at least 25 per cent. less than before, when, out of, 120 varieties tested, only 26 shewed traces of disease, whereas last year, nut of 129 varieties tried, 1277shewed traces of disease; and the majority were badly affected. The smaller yield was due to the unfavourable season. Experiments ware conducted to try the effects of different sized sets, and the results confirm those obtained in previous years. It was found that sets which will pass through a If inch riddle, but not through a lgnnch, produce the most economical results. Sets weighing Qfx- ounces and passed through a lf-inch riddle, but not through, a 11-inch, gave a profit of 1;65 19s. 3d. per acre, while sets weighing 3,9 ounces, that passed through a 2-inch riddle, Id-t a profit, of £ 3 15a. per acre, and seed weighing 1.37 ounces, passed through a liiDOh riddle, and not througbt,&,li-inch, gave exactly the same profit as in the previous year, viz., £ 2 2s. per acre. In the experiments with different manures it was noticed, among other things, that the superiority of mmciate of potash over sulphate of potash and kainit was again demonstrated. It was also found that the application of 2 cwt. of muriate of potash per acre is not as advan- tageous, as I,, cwt. per acre gave a larger yield and left a greater profit. This is probably due to the fact that the potash was in the form of potassium chloride, and chlorides, when used to excess, are injurious to plant life unleso,applied a considerable time before seeding. Interesting observations were also made as to the effects of manures on the foliage, size, and percentage oi small and saleable potatoes. Taking the results generally, it apppars that there is very little diXereuce between planting whole sets and cut sets of coloured blossomed varieties cut sets gave the best results, but the average results of the last five years are slightly in, favour of whole sets; that it is a great mistake to cut sets of white blossomed varieties or the tubers of weak budding varieties; that medium sized sets are more profitable to plant than either very lareje, or very small sets, although large sets will give the greatest yield; that a suitable mixture of artificial manures containing nitrogen, phos- phorus and potash will give more profitable returns than no manure, or a manure contain- ing only oae or two of those ingredients; that the best-, returns were again obtained from a good dressing of farmyard manure, supple- mented with a full mixture of artificials, con- taining superphosphate, sulphate of ammonia, and muriate of potash. The experimental work is being; continued by Mr. E. Druoe, who succeeded Mr. Gordon on his receiving an appointment under the Irish Board of Agriculture.

EARI,Y, L&ISBS.—Mr. J. H. Leche, of Carden Park,.informs us that his first pedigree Shrop- shire lamb, came on Friday, week, and is doing well. He expects more in a few days. Co-OBfiEATivE Farmibgvt-There was a lively discussion regarding the deficit on the working of their farm by the members- of Dunfermline Co-operative Society on Monday night. The loss, was said to be due. to the wet weather having set in after the grain was in stook. Mr. James Galloway did not see. any use for con- tinuing in possession of-i the farm, seeing that during the last eight yoars they had contracte a Joss of 11,100, and' he suggested that, after the lease expired, all milk, should be bought in. —Mr. David Boaer said thait he would not be a party to throwing up,,tbe farm and hunting for, profits in the other deparbments.-Mr. Andrew ;Harre-wer held that, the dairy stock was- the ruin of the farm.—Hn George Bewick said they would be quite safe-in saying that co-operative, farming had been a. failure so far as they wero- concerned.—Mr. Wilson., :■ No, not so suocessful as anticipated. --The, Chairman (Couueilloi). Richardson) said.tbe oommittee would carefully consider whether they should go on with lbs- farm.

TIME TRIES AMt. For over 50 yeais. Hewoftbvs Boots have stood the test of time, and are still i unsurpassed aad uneqpalled. Abbey Gateway aad next to Musio Hall. MARCHWHI, PAROCHIAL CHARZTIBIS. —» The gentlemen who held the position of trustees of Marchwiel parochial charities have just dis- charged oce of the duties with which tb, are entrusted,, nanuay, the disbursement of the income darived from those charities. The village oS Marc&wiel is exceedingly well off in respect to parochial charities, for there are three connectod, witlb the parish, one of which, ia very valuablte. Tkey "ire the charity of Thomas David Ellis, which is valued at 1,4,000, and brings in am income of £ 113; the. charity of James ap Edwards, valued at £ 60% and yield- ing am income of £ 17; and the Tyddyn Daniel Charity. The total income is about £ 140. Of this,.aboafc £ 100 has been distributed, chiefly among fefoe deserving por and the aged and infirm.

THE TALK OF ST. HELENS' DOCTOBS FAIL. VENO SUCCEEDS. A MAJfcYELLOUS CUES OF CHRONIC BEONCHITIS, AND ASTHMA. BY VENO'S LIGHTNING, COUGH CURE. Mr. TOOLE, 8, Warrington New Boad, St. Hetaqs,, writes Sept. 20th -.—The Veno Drag Co. Gentlemen,— I have great pleasrjpe in adding my testimony t. the wonderful effect of Reno's Lightning-Cough Cure. I, ha/l been suffering from a bad cough, and bronchitis foe more than two years. I kave tried doctors and many different medicines. I have been in the hospital three times, and went to one doctor for 18 months, but he did me no good. It coat me 3s. 63. per week for medicine. I Uve not been to my wojk for two years, but I am glad to say I am starting again next week. My fellow workmen and friends are quite surprised to see such a change in my health in such a short time. I have slept wore this last fortnight than I have done for nearly two years, all through taking yow Lightning Cough 4NXe. years, all make .U ?.e you like of this. VE:liols LIGHTNINS COTJGH CUKE cures, the worst and most, desperate cases of coughs, bronchitis, asthma, influenza and whooping cough. It is wed and endorsed by Medical Men, because it is far superior to ordinary cough mixtures or any of the emulsions. Price Is. and 2s. 9d. Sold by BOOTS I.TD., CHEERS, AND Horusr, PE4JRSQ^ and BARTON. and all Chemist&

THE VANDERBILT WEDDIIG. The marriage of Miss Elsie French and Tv, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt caused Newpor, U.S.A., tot be en fete on Monday. Many private houses were decorated, and almost the entire town turned out to witness the arrival of the bride and her guests. It required all the attention of twelve policemen to keep clear the front of the Zabriskie Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist, where the wedding was celebrated. From half- past ten o'^ clock until noon a constant stream of splendid. equipages drove up to the church en- trance with the two hundred and fifty invited guests. There was a rehearsal of the ceremony on the previous day. and earlv this mnrnino- o corps of florists began to decorate the church. On the altar were a number of huge vases hold- ing "American Beauty" roses with stems 3ft. long. Over the entrance was a magnificent floral horseshoe, 25ft. high, made of eighteen hundred Bride orchids. This one piece cost $5,000. Else- where green foliage predominated. The bride entered the church escorted by her brother, Mr. Amos Tuck French. She wore a gown of ivory satin, the entire front being covered with round point lace. The corsage was high, with a tall lace collar, and the sleeves were close-fitting and were trimmed with lace. The train was three feet long, and was bordered with tulle and real orange blossoms. Blossoms were also used to hold in place the veil, which was of Brussels lace, and was the same worn by the bride's sister, Mrs. Eaton, at her marriage to General Eaton in Lon- don eight' years ago; The bride was attended by Miss Gladys Vanderbilt, the bridegroom's sister, as maid of honour, and by eight bridesmaids. They all wore frocks of pearl grey crepe de chine, combined with Liberty gauze. Their hats were pearl grey miroir and panne velvet, and were of the Gainsborough pattern. Mr. Reginald Vander- bilt acted as his brother's best man. Neither Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt nor Mr. William K. Vander- bilt, the other brothers of the bridegroom, at- tended the wedding. Immediately after the cere- mony a wedding breakfast was served at eight different cottages in the town. The bridal party and several specially-invited guests, twenty-eight in all, were served at Mrs. French's summer home, Harborview. The bride's table was decorated with red roses except at her own plate, where white roses predominated. Later there was a re- ception at Harborview, and Mr. and Mrs. Vander- bilt received congratulations under a bell of roses. They will probably go to Europe on their wed- ding tour, and will return to Newport in time for the opening of the social season in June.

DENBIGHSHIRE POLICE COMMITTEE. MR. LUMLEY AND THE CHAIRMAN. WARM DISCUSSION. The quarterly meeting of the Standing Joint Committee for the county of Denbigh was held at Denbigh on Friday. Captain Griffith Boscawen presided over a large attendance of members. Before the first item on the agenda could be pro- ceeded with Mr. J. Watkin Lumley, addressing the Clerk of the Peace, said that the committee met in rather an awkward position. The term of office for which the chairman had been elected expired at the last Epiphany Quarter Sessions, and they were therefore without a chairman.— The Chairman: You are wrong, sir. I was ap- pointed chairman for three years, and my term ,of office does not expire until April next.—Mr.. Lumley pointed out that the chairman himself, while presiding at the last Epiphany Sessions, admitted that the members representing the Court on the Standing Joint Committee were only elected up to those sessions. The chairman being one of them, although re-elected as a repre- sentative for another period of three years, was not now the chairman of the committee.—The Chairman I must interrupt you. I am the last person, in the world to take the chair if I were not entitled to it. The term of office of the Standing Joint Committee as a whole does not terminate until. after the County Council election, and it is after the election of a complete Standing Joint Committee that you elect your chairman.—Mr. Lumley was proceeding to argue, when the Chairman said he had to rule him out of order.— Mr. Lumley: But you are not in the chair.— The Chairman: I am, and I am going to stay there.—Mr. Lumley: I hold you are not in the chair, and I must ask the advice of the clerk as to whether you are really the chairman of this committee.—The Clerk (Mr. W. R. Evans) then read, the minute of the election of chairman in April, 1898, and stated that the resolution in question was coupled with an implied condition that the chairman, whoever he might be, should be in office for three years. As Captain Griffith Boscawen had been re-elected a representative of the Court of Quarter Sessions on the com- mittee, he was entitled to take the chair.—Mr. Lumley: I will take your ruling.—The Chairman: If you think. Mr. Lumley, I take the chair here or anywhere else without being entitled to do so, you are much mistaken, and you ought to know better than to say so.—Mr. Lumley: I don't think I need take that from you. I think that even you can make mistakes.—The Chair- man Very well, I dare say you make a good many. The Chief Constable (Major Leadbetter) sub- mitted his quarterly report, which shewed that crime and offence as compared with the corre- sponding quarter of last year had decreased three in indictable offences, 63 in non-indictable offences, and an increase of JE88 6s. 3d. in the value of property stolen. One hundred and sixty indictable offences were reported during the year, being an increase of seven as compared with last year; 175 persons were proceeded against, 115 of whom were summarily convicted and 29 committed for trial. For non-indictable offences 2,509 persons were proceeded against, 2,005 of whom were fined, 280 discharged, and the remainder punished in various ways. Twenty- nine publicans, etc., were proceeded against for breaches of the Sunday Closing Act, permitting drunkenness, etc., of whom 10. were discharged and 19 convicted. For drunkenness 945 persons were charged, 109 of whom were for being drunk on Sundays, as against 958 and, 132 last year.- Mr. Lumley asked whether he might put a ques- tion to the Chief Constable as to the control and management of the police;-The Chairman having consented, Mr. Lumley asked whether the. committee were not entitled to a report of any- thing special that happened in the force.—The Chairman: What the Chief C-OSistable puts in his., report is entirely within his own discretion.—Mr. Lumley: The question I wish to ask is, had the- Chief Constable during the- last quarter oc- casion to dismiss a constable,?!—The Chief Con- stable: All I can say is that,,the discipline of the force is entirely in my hands.—Captain Cole: Hear, bLear.-The Chairman (to the Chief Con- stable) You had better answer the question, yeg- or no.-The Chief Constilbl" then admitted that a policeman had been dismissed.—Mr. Lumley: I want to know upon what- grounds.—The Chair- man I don't think Y¡j.. are entitled to ask that question. The Chiei1 Otonstable has power to dismiss a policeman ai any time without, giving any reason. It is; a matter of policy, -and I scarcely think that it should be discussed in public.—Mr. Hooson s-,ii4-, he knew the circum- stances of the case, and, wa.s thoroughly satisfied with the action taken by the Chief Constable. (Appiause.)—Mr. Lunuey: I also know-some- thing. about the case, aad I am thoroughly satis- ted' with the action of the Chief Constable. (Laughter.) If he had. not dismissei him If should not have been < satisfied with hia action. And, what is more, sir; it was in consequence of, a dtseassion introduqedrin this very room on the. :management and caatrol of the police that the- man was dismissed. I quite endorse everything- that the Chief Constable. has done in the case ;(Cheers.) An application made- by the ChieJ Constable. for an increase of pay..to the police of- the county, .gave rise to a short discussion, and or..the motion or Colonel Saxon Ditisi seconded by Captain Gol^. it was resolved to-refer the subject tc a committae, consisting of the. Chairman, Sir R. Egerton,. CTolonel Wynne Edtoaris, Messrs. E., Hooson, W., G. Dodd, Isgced Jones, and W. D. W. Griffith. An amendment proposed by Mr. Luniley and seconded by Mt. Garner Roberts to defer the. matter until after tshe County Council election was lost. ——————— ———————

'HEWITT'S FOR BOOTS REPAIRING.— No mat-tor- where yoV Boots were bought, We can them repair: And whon you think they're flUor naachfe We'll make fchem fit to wear. Fifty yea*a' reputation for Durable Boota BRICK COMPANY TO BE WOTI^D Ugy—At an extraordinary meeting of tha shareholders of the Gem. Brick, Tile, and Ter-z&,Cotte. Company, Limited,.whose works are at Coed Talon, near Mold, ifc was rasolved that the company should go into, voluntary liquidation, and', My. T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambarg, Chester, was appointed liquidator to wind up the affairs of the company. ALA. Ki<&arT ON SNOWXJON.—Bffiu.. Long, an, English, visitor staying at Llanberis, has had, an exciting adventure Cll Snowdon. With Mr. Malak, an Indian friend. he essayed to climb one oti the most rocky and dangasroua peaks. Mr., Losg became tired and sleepy.. Mr. Malek loafe. eight of him suddenly, when they had reashed a dangerous spot. Mr. Malok shouted andl searched for an how. and & half. but faed. to discover his friend. Then W hurried back to Iflaaberis and informed fefee police. Sergeast Jones and Dr. Jonas instituted a search party, aad with lanterns and alpenstocks coxunenzed 1. in the dead of night a dangerous climb up the snowy heights. for six hours they met with iao success. At six o'clock in the moaning they heard a faint cry proceeding from the edge of a high cliff overhanging Llanbeim Pass, and here, benumbed with cold and almost unconscious, they discovered Mr. Long lying on a ledge a couple of yards from the edge of an abyss. One unfortunate step and he would have fallen on to the pointed oragg hundreds of feet below. Mr. Long was removed from his dangerous position and conveyed to Llanberia.

TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAT. -1 Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All Druggists refund the money if it fails to Clure, I Ifit. The genuine ia stamped L.B.Q,