Cheshire Observer

1"- 1. GEORGE DAY & Co., EASTGATE STREET, CHESTER. I ?re the Sole Manufacturers of the following j popular Brands of Tobaccos | "BLENDED 1 lb. Tin 6i8 Post Free 71- SMOKING ? „ 3;4 „ 317 i Fixture (Mild) i 1/8. 1/11J "BEST SMOKING 1 „ 6/8. „ 7/- | MIXTURE" 3/4. „ 3/7 | (Medium) ? „ 1/8. ^*1 "SPECIAL MILD 1 „ 714 7,8 SMOKING ? „ 3/8. 3/ll| MIXTURE" ? „ 1/10. 2/1 I ,k.D.C. SMOKING 1 8/ „ 8/4 | MIXTURE ? „ 4/- „ 4/3 | (Extra. Special) i 2/ 2/3 | L. & CO.'S PIPES. I

TO ADVERTISERS. I vertisements intended to appear in the CHESHIRI. OBSERVER must reach the OBSERVER Office, not v: ter than 12 o'clock (noon) each Friday. I Ulm. no circumstances whatever can we insert  t?e First Edttto? Advertisements Mce?ec! fter ?< ?ow'

THE LAST SAD RITES. I The national calamity of the death of Queen l Victoria is still the ever-present theme of con- Ver8ation and interest. It will be some time let ere the Empire realises the full sense of ailg 1t has lost by the demise of its late venerated J Ve*eign, but the impressive scene to be enacted on Saturday on the occasion of the °M1 obsequies will shew, so far as the out-' 1tll.rd and visible manifestations of a grief- | tricken and mourning country can, how f tensely real and personal is the feeling of j i and regard among the sorrowing w Jects. The British as a race have never j i een accustomed to carry their hearts on their yes, have never allowed themselves to be tle^ away, like some nationalities, by tran. s either of joy or sorrow, and when, there- for,, the nature and scope of Saturday's o b servance are examined, some comprehension tn.a.y be formed of the genuineness of the Pes sorrow. It is not, of course, the <?n majesty of the funeral pageant to which ^e, U(*e« so much as the spontaneous desire 0j the Populace all over the country to make t4e day a hallowed one to the memory of their lately-'()St ??- It scarcely required the Co Con? issued by the King 0 n Monday night to 6 Saturday, the funeral day, an occasion for eneral mourning, but in the interests of j i ?Qif?"y the royal mandate is welcome, and the f— of a unanimous public opmion will nliure th ?au? ? ".?? carrying out of the observance to th ?y letter. It is in order that Saturday  be regarded as a day of solemn mourning 44" ??itation that this journal appears so ?  ? the week ? Thursday afternoon, and this ?? but a type of what is happening in ail ?tbn ? '?°???s of industry. Business is to be ?Qt' ?'y suspended. The banks, shops, manu- f?. t O'Ctl,riL,s and other hives of industry are to be 'CIO,3 ?hUe even the licensed houses of rfresh- ,?t are to be shut for the greater part of the 80 that the employes may have an oppor- tuir y °f joining in the memorable services of tb r)?' ?? funeral day will, to all intents and b?n ??s, be a Sunday. The Sunday time-table >}jl 'B 6a oreed upon our railway systems, and itl he enforced upon our railway systems, and it Is ??' perhaps, to remind our country 110 es who intend being present at these ser- eee ? this or any other city of this fact, also of th neCb38ity of making arrangements for their ? ?? comfort in view of the general closing ? houses that ordinarily minister to the *4nt 8 ? visitors. This simultaneous and ?. ?? *??ting of the people in city, town han"! et ?? the hour of the funeral to join ? th ? Memorial service to the beloved memory (? ^Qem°rial service to the beloved memory ? theIr late Sovereign will exercise an even Hj0 te Widely-felt influence than the imposing jf ^1 ?°d Military procession at the actual obse1uies, and cannot fail to leave an indelible t??P??saion upon the mind of every participant. 4 Our o?n neighbourhood the service at the Q 1^ral attract an infinitely larger con- 8 gRty ation than it is possible to accommodate, \1t, &s we explain elsewhere, the Cathedral Verities are striving their utmost to arrive ? solution of the problem which will reduce appointment to a minimum. l??e funeral itself will be on a scale of stately 1v:gnificence, worthy of the greatest monarch 0 eVer swayed the destinies of this vast l  It is exceedingly appropriate t\at the \1:\t rtion of the last journey of the mortal ? aiQs of Queen Victoria should be by sea, h? ? it admits to a share in the mournful B ?tf) ? ? ?? Navy, which, above all things else, ? ^g8 ^koiical of the might an d greatness of Q???cal of the might and greatness of r,ba.tritain in the eyes of the world. At an ? hour on Friday afternoon the casket con- t? °S the Royal remains will be removed from O?L °rne House and will be borne on a gun- ? House and will be borne on a gun- I (i?..?SC with a military escort to the pier at  the naval part of the ceremony I ? b?. ?' where the naval part of the ceremony 1 1> 1ns. In the quadrangle of Trinity Pier a y of bluejackets will move the body on 1  ?ne Royal yacht Alberta, which will be bil"t ell by eight torpedo-boat destroyers in t 'tr iltirans of division, and will ba followed i4ltQ,d1.8'Wly by the Royal yacht Victoria and 416 rt,conveying the King and Queen and all I t? p?? Family, also the German Emperor. 4 T? °?I yacht Osborne, the Imperial yacht 4 DZ°^ftra and the Admiralty and Trinity ?cbt 8,ro to o °??? in order of the procession, ??ich ?? steam through the lines of British I ?d steam through the lines of British 067ad forein warships, cruisers, and gunboats ^red ??° ?? ? ??1? cables apart ftolq wo and a half cables apart ?!h ?owes to Spithead. The moment ^6AlhGrta leaves Cawes the mournful booming ??. ?te-guns from the battle-ships will be?. the fact that the body of the dead qtl '?ell has been taken in charge by the Royal Navy an(J the progress of the cort?ge will be Y4g,t-ke1cl by the ceasing of fire by each ship the r4o)JQ,B the Royal yachts pass that particular station ?°?? the procession passes the last ??-of '??' the Majestic, the forts and ships Itt (,rta Outh Harbour are to contribute their ?ta. ?we-inspiring music in the form of ilill -911,18 and funeral airs from the bands, ??e te ???P? will be manned and ensigns ?? TT ??? Jacks displayed at half-mast. The ?t? ? the Solent have been the silent ?it? ?? of many a brave Naval spectacle, but ?thi ? a roaching the solemn grandeur of a6 It ill be seen there on Friday. In Satur- tQ.el s Prora.mme the Army will have the ei P' 11 privilee of bestowing the honours ? a ???htary funeral upon her who was ao go iQ its head and who was proud It herself a soldier's daughter. I ?. F4 impossible in advance to con- j &Q exaggerated impression of the splen- ??f ? ?? military and State pageant tha I Of the military and State pageant tha ?Ha ??Pany the royal funeral through the !tt? 8 the metropolis on its way to Windsor, bq:t8 ? the metropolis on its way to Windsor, 4t it 13 ratifying to know that the volunteers M<iij.- ???°?I forces will bd represented, in i. t ? ?o the regular army, and that the ri 7a clIl)a" states of Europe have sent as their ??t? ??"?Hves their actual rulers, their heirs- ? ??o .? or specially distinguished envoys, *4 0 Will find a place of honour in the proces- latter fact bespeaks the vital import. ? %i4 Wh i,-h constitutional sovereignty possesses ? thn ?? of these Powers, while the presence ? ? tho? representing the Colonies is peculiarly Rtt, 11 at a moment when the bonds between b\> other-country and her over-sea possessions 4 A,, ti been kmt together by the unmistakable  estations of exuberant patriotism and ?t?t ??tions 04 exu b erant patriotism and ?y?.

:Ii l' 1\t:t -+- )a It ]tit R-IICS ALL. For over 50 years Hewitt's :J.1:'}) hQ.'Ve ?°°? the test of time, and are still ,4t,l 8ed ?? unequalled. Abbey Gateway I! b,, t Music Hall ? ^'s COCOA has a world-wide reputation EL (iei'. eldus, strengthening beverage, and a ??a.) ??le ??ritiYe food. The La?ce? says it repre- tt4Li Ylutritive food. The Lancet says it repre- ?M?on?????d of highest purity." Always "'li?t Oll i.Vln? CADBURY'S—sold only in Packets rill,? '?F3 other Cocoas are often substituted^  8ak of extra  =' 2 

^LOCAL AND GENERAL NOTES. ø The United Kingdom will on Saturday pre- | sent an appearance of woe that it may safely. be said it has never worn before. The King's l order for the day to be observed as a day of t mourning was scarcely needed, for to every one £ the death of the Queen is as a personal loss, and the expressions of sorrow that have been on all sides during the week have had no empty ring about them. All the shops in Chester will be closed throughout Saturday, and the public-houses will not open until six o'clock in the evening. The day will be Iobserved as one of general mournin"through- out the railway systems. In a communication to the Stan of the London and North-Western Railway the general manager (Mr. Fred Harrison) says:— I" The o&ces, except so far as it may be needfu ?to open some of them for the transaction of nece8sary business, will be closed, and the regular week-day service of trains will be suspended, trains bein run only as on Sundays, supplemented by any extra trains that may be found indispensable to meet the requirements of the public service. Subject to the foregoing, there will be a general closing of the offices* works, goods stations, and other establishments belonging to or connected with the company, and it is hoped the staff will co-operate in giving effect to this order and join in securing ta due and proper observance of the sad occasion which calls for the temporary suspension of t business." His Grace the Duke of Westminster has given instructions for Saturday to be observed as a day of general mourning on the Eaton Estate. No work will be done on that day except that which is absolutely necessary in connection with stock, &c., but all those employed will receive their pay as usual. His expresses the hope that everyone on the Estate will attend one of the morning services which will be held that day. Captain the Honourable Arthur Lawley is to be Westralia's new governor, and the announce- ment of this appointment, of which his Majesty the King has been pleased to approve, has given the keenest satisfaction to his innumer- able Cheshire friends. Captain Lawley is the fourth son of the late Lord Wenlock, and brother of the present peer. He was born in 1860, and was formerly adjutant of the 10th Hussars, with which regiment he saw active service in the Soudan expedition, taking part in the engagements at El Teb and Tamar. Mr. 'I Lawley married, in 1885, Annie, daughter of the late Sir Edward Cunard, and sister of the present baronet, and they have several children. From 1892 to 1896 he was private secretary to the late Duke of Westminster. In the latter year he accepted the position of secretary to Earl Grey in Rhodesia, and severed his connection with Cheshire, where he was immensely popular. We recall the regret with which this announcement was received among his host of Cheshire friends, amid whose good wishes he set out for Africa to take up his responsible duties at a critical time. Subsequently he was chosen Administrator of the vast territory of Matabeleland, and now he is about to leave South Africa for Australia, whither heartiest wishes for bis success will follow him from Chester and Cheshire friends, who will continue to watoh his career with great interest. The bye-election in St. John's ward passed over without attracting much public attention. It was a misfortune that it should have occurred at a period when men's minds were too deeply engrossed in the national mourning to pay much heed to matters of purely municipal concern. It was another misfortune also that the polling day should have been characterised by wretchedly bad weather, which prevented many old and delicate ratepayers from record- ing their votes. Mr. Haswell personally made a most plucky fight, which certainly deserved the reward and victory if it did not secure it, but he was handicapped by a paucity of workers and still more by a scarcity of carriages, which, in such wintry weather, counted for much. Mr. Siddall, on the contrary, although he came out nominally independent of politics, had the full advantage of the active support of the Radical party, while he played the non-political card skilfully among the adherents of the l Museum, many of whom, although strong Unionists, gave him their votes and influence. Mr. Siddall has given us his assurance that hitherto he has never allied himself to any political party in the city. It remains to be j J seen how long he will succeed in preserving his virgin independence within the Council Chamber. He began rather maladroitly on B Monday night at the declaration of the poll by avowing that he would have preferred to have seen Mr. Frank Brown elected in his stead. H The Marquis of Cholmondeley, who will act l is Lord Great Chamberlain during the new reign, is in his 43rd year. He succeeded to bhe title and the estates, in Cheshire and Norfolk, on the death of his grandfather, the bhird Marquis, in 1884. Lord Cholmondeley ieriveB his share of the office of Lord Great Chamberlain from the third Marquis's mother, who was a daughter of the third Duke of Ancaster. The Lord Great Chamberlain is the principal official concerned when Parliament is opened in State by the Sovereign, and when a coronation takes place he is mainly responsible For all arrangements, in conjunction with the Earl Marshal. A Marquis of Cholmondeley icted as Lord Great Chamberlain during the long reign of George III. In the penultimate number of the Sheet Racing Calendar" it was announced that the young Duke of Westminster had registered black jacket and yellow cap for his racing colours, instead of the yellow jacket and black sap," which his great-great-great grandfather (the first Earl Grosvenor),his great-great grand- father (the first Marquis of Westminster), and finally, his grandfather (the first Duke of Westminster) had caused to be honoured and respected wherever the yellow badge of the House of Grosvenor was seen upon an English racecourse. The Sportsman," however, rejoices to dispel this mistaken impression, which resulted from a printer's error, corrected in the last number of the Sheet Racing Calendar." The old yellow jacket and black cap will still be the colours of the young Duke, and it will be the universal hope that they may be borne to victory by as long a line of good horses as that recorded in the pages of the Old Sporting Magazine," when the nrst Earl Grosvenor, who had been on the Turf for fifty years, died in 1802. His lordship won the Derby thrice—in 1790 with Rhadamanthus, ridden by J. Arnull; in 1792 with John Bull, ridden by Frank Buckle; and in 1794 with Daedalus, ridden also by Buckle. For the Oaks, the first Earl Grosvenor's five successes have only been exceeded by the six victories of fillies belonging to the fourth Duke of Grafton. Perhaps the best horse Lord Grosvenor ever owned was Pot-8-os (by Eclipse), who was bred by the Earl of Abingdon, and became the sire of that grand horse Waxy, who won the Derby in 1793, and is undoubtedly one of the corner-stones of the Stud Book. The first modern Peer of the Grosvenor family, who died as Earl Grosvenor in 1802, registered for his racing- colors in 1762 the one word Orange." Having commenced as a Liberal, Lord Grosvenor became subsequently an ardent supporter of Mr. Pitt, who raised him to an earldom in 1784. Not till 1799, however, did he register the colours of yellow, black cap," which have since been so famous, and which, in point of fact, were the colours of Sir Thomas Mostyn, who was his racing confederate.

 BRADLEY'S sell All-fur Elastic FKLT HATS, at| I 3/9, in any sha.pe; as comfortable as a cap, reaBy 4/6 ?oods.—Fore?ate-atreet (corner of Seller-street)I and 70, Brook-E'et. |

I LOCAL NEWS. j His Grace the Duke of Westminster went to j Ruthin Castle on Wednesday, and on Thursday 3 he left for Grosvenor House. | The proposed banquet to Sir Joseph Verdin> Bart.,at Winsford, has been postponed owing to j the death of her Majesty. I Bishop Scott of North China, brother of the; Rev. Canon Cooper Scott, will be in Chester for j the S.P.G. bicentenary meeting in February. The Earl of Denbigh was in attendance upon |] the King of Portugal on his Majesty's arrival at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. Earl Crewe on Wednesday took the oath as a member of the King's most Honourable Privy; Council, and was present at the Privy Council held by the King at Marlborough House. I Captain B. T. Gn&th-Boscawen of Trevalyn | Hall, Rossett, has been appointed a member of the Wrexham Branch Board of the Alliance Assurance Company. jj Mr. George Leigh, of Knutsford, the clerk of the Bucklow Union Board of Guardians, was | called to the Bar at Gray's Inn, on Monday. Mr. Leigh is very well known in connection with! poor-law work. 1 A dozen members of Queen Victoria's Prussian Dragoon Regiment are to attend the funeral of the Queen. Lieutenant-Colonel Waters, Military Attache at Berlin, son of the late Dr. Waters, of Chester, will be in charge of the party. The Rev. A. Alston, curate of Bewdley, Worcestershire, formerly a curate in connec- tion with Christ Church Parish, Crewe, died at | Bewdley Rectory on Saturday morning, after a very brief illness, as the result of an attack of appendicitis. The Gazette" states that the King has been pleased, by letters patent under the great seal, to appoint sixteen gentlemen who were recently appointed Queen's Counsel, but who had not been called within the Bar at the time of the Queen's death, to be respectively of His Majesty's Counsel learned in the law." These fl gentlemen include John Eldon Bankes, of the Inner Temple, Esq., and Collingwood Hope, of the Inner Temple, Esq. Mr. Wyndham, M.P., Chief Secretary for Ireland, left London on Friday night for Dublin. His Grace the Duke of Westminster on Satur- day kindly forwarded the much-appreciated gift of thirty rabbits to the Certified Industrial School, Boughton. The Marquis of Cholmondeley has been prevented by a severe attack of gout from going to London to take the oath of allegiance to the King. His Lordship hopes to go to town for this purpose in a few days time. It is interesting to recall that the Morning Post," June 29th, 1838, describing the Corona- tion, said, Viscount Combermere rode on one side of the Queen in the procession from Buck- ingham Palace to Westminster Abbey." Earl Egerton of Tatton, under medical advice, has been compelled in consequence of ill-health to resign the chairmanship of the Royal Commission on the Port of London, as he is ordered to take complete rest from further work for some time. A marriage has been arranged between Mr. Algernon Earle, Sandiway, Cheshire, third son of the late Sir Thomas Earle, Bart., of Allerton Tower, Lancashire, and Edith, third daughter of the late General Disney Leith, C.B., of Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire, and of Mrs. Leith, of West Hall, Aberdeenshire, and North Court, Isle of Wight. Mr. Christopher Kay, of Davenham Hall, recently entertained the Sproston tenantry to dinner, in the Middlewich Town Hall, in celebration of his son, Mr. John A. R. Kay, coming of age. On behalf of the tenants, Mr. Job Evanson, of the Manor Farm, Sproaton, presented Mr. Kay, junr., with a handsome hunting whip, silver mounted, and bearing the following inscription Presented to John A.R. Kay, Esq, on his 21st birthday, by his father's Sproston tenants. January 17th, 1901." The remains of Mr. Algernon Charles Heber- Percy, of Hodnet-hall, Shropshire, were interred on Tuesday in the family vault immediately beneath the mortuary chapel of the Heber- Percys at Sc. Luke's Parish Church, Hodnet. Among the many mourners were the Duke of Northumberland, Colonel Percy, the Hon. Mrs. Hood, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Percy, Mr. and Mrs. Eustace, Mr. Alan H. Percy, Mr. and Mrs. Monckton, Mr. and Mrs. Boughton Knight, the Hon. A. Hood, Sir Edward and Lady Durand, Mrs. B. Heber-Percy, the Rev. J. Adams, Mrs. H. Heber-Percy, the Hon. Mrs. Alan Heber-Percy, Lord Algernon Heber- Percy, Lord Hatherton, Captain the Hon. Algernon Littleton, the Hon. Henry Littleton, the Hon. Mrs. Jackson, Sir Walter Corbett, the Hon. Frank Hill, and Captain Heywood Lonsdale. UNIONIST CLUB ANNUAL MEETING.—The annual meeting of the Chester Unionist Club was held on Monday under the presidency of Mr. George A. Dickson. There was a large attendance of members. Mr. R. A. Yerburgh, M.P., was re-elected presi- dent, and Mr. G. A. Dickson hon. treasurer. The accounts shewed the club to be in a flourishing financial position. Messrs. Clare, Mondy, Gilbert, Dutton, and Holland were elected on the house committee. THE LASCELLES ENTERTAINMENT.—All lovers of a high-class, light, bright, and refined enter- tainment should be present at the Music Hall on Monday or Tuesday evening, the 11th and 12th February, when the talented Lascelles Company will pay a visit to Chester. They will appear in handsome Georgian costumes, and will present a similar programme to that they recently gave at St. George's Hall, London, before a distinguished audience. Messrs Philip and Vernon LasceHes have won a reputation for their versatility. They are assisted by the talented actress, Miss Luise Sandys, and by Miss Gow-Stewart, who possesses a refined soprano voice, while the soloist and accom- panist, Mr. Sydney Smith, R.A.M. (medallist), is an accomplished player. ALLEGED FRAUD ON A RELIEF FUND.—At the Crewe Police Court on Tuesday afternoon Hannah Goode, the wife of an army reservist, of Coppenhall, was charged with obtaining money from the Crewe Reservists' Fund by false pretences. The defendant's husband, who was employed in the Crewe Railway Works, was called out on active service in December, 1899. During his absence his wife received allowances from the fund amounting to £32 9s. Her husband returned from the front in October, and on October 13 resumed his work in Crewe works. The defendant still presented herself before the Committee. In November she received four weeks' allowance, in December five weeks', and in January four weeks', all at the rate of 13s. per week. It afterwards came to the knowledge of the Committee that the defendants husband had resumed work twelve weeks. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial. PRESENTATION TO A SUPERINTENDENTNURSE.— At a meeting of the Chester Board of Guardians on Tuesday, a letter was received from the secretary to the Northern Workhouse Nursing Association, stating that Miss Morton, the superintendent nurse at the Union Infirmary, having completed three years' service to the association in a most satisfactory manner, was now entitled to the silver medal of the associa- tion. Sheforwarded themedal,and her committee would esteem it a favour if the chairman or some other member of the board would present to her that token of their appreciation of her work. Such a presentation gave great encour- agement to nurses.—Miss Morton was called into the board room, and the chairman, in a few appropriate words, presented to her the medal.— Miss Morton thanked the chairman, and hoped the guardians were as satisfied with her as the association was. She would ever try to fulfil her dutiea to the best of her ability. (Applause.) NORTH WALES REPOSITORY.—Messrs. Frank Lloyd and Sons held their opening sales of the 20th century on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in last week. There was an entry of nearly 700, and a large attendance of buyers were present from nearly all parts of the kingdom. Sound horses of all classes found a very ready sale at highly satisfactory prices. The following are the prize-winners:—Hunter mare or gelding: Mr. R. Whitworth, Warley Stud. Mare or gelding, over 15.3: Mr. John Jones, Whitegate Stud. Mare or gelding, over 14 3: Mr. W. H. Munro, Buxton. Cob, over 14 hands and under 14.3: Mr. S. Evans, Abbey Stud. Pony, under 14 hands: Messrs. John Jones and Sons, Dinarth Hall. Pony, under 13.1: Mr. A. E. Johnson, Egerton-street. Pony, under 12.2: Mr. S. M. Wilmot, The Chalet. The North Wales challenge cup for the best wagon gelding in the sale: Mrs. Francis, Lower Leighton. Mare or gelding, not exceeding 16.1: Mr. Wm. Mercer, Poulton-le-Fylde. Clean-legged lurry horse, over 15.3: Mr. Francis Langford, Court Calmore. Parcel carter, or van horse, under 15.3: Mr. J. Massie, Aston Hall Farm. Three-year-old gelding or filly: Mr. J. Hayward, Weston Coton. Two-year-old gelding or filly: Mr. E. Moreton, Market Drayton. Mrs. Francis's bay gelding, winner of the North Wales challenge cup, was sold to 8 a Liverpool buyer for lOOgs. I WATERPROOF GOODS.—Coats in a. large variety Iof styles and patterns, at BRADLEY'S, Foregate- | |street. None but guaranteed articles sold. Prices I 116/11, 21/11, 27/6, etc. Cycle Capes, Leggings, etc.

L 1 CHESTER DIOCESAN MEETINGS. i I FINANCE ASSOCIATION. I !The annual meetings of the Chester Dio Associations were held at the Town Hall, Chester,1 on Wtdnesday, the Lord Bishop presiding over a good atLend&nce. The first meeting held was that of the Finance Association. Apologies for absence were received from Canon Cooper Scott, the Rev. H. Grantham, Colonel France- Hayhurst, Messrs. A. H. 6ykes, George DicKson, J. R. Thowson, Herbert 6ykes, and W. Congreve. The committee reported that there was an in- crease ot hity-one suosenbers. The collections had decreased by JblbS. The tailing off in COllectIOns I had no doubt been caused by the special calls which had been maae upon the liberality of !'Englishmen, owing to the war in South Atrica. The committee trusted that in the ensuing year the support given to the diocesan institutions would be not only restored, but largely increased. Those institutions had a ciaim upon the hberanty ot Churchmen, second only to the claims of their own pansnes; and any extra claims, which the war necessitated, ought to be met by greater self- denial. Tne committee felt that the assistance -iven to the diocesan institutions during the last ??renty years had not kept pace with tneir ever- increasing needs; and they trusted that, with the beginning of a new century, there might arise a deeper sense of the responsibility ot tne diocese towards those institutions, and a consequent m-I crease in their funds. The continued increase of j spiritual work, which arises from the ever-j increasing population of the town parishes m the diocese, demanded a proportionate increase in pecuniary support from the laity to the Church Building Society, the Spiritual Aid Society and the Board of E ducation, if the object ot the Diocesan Finance Association, namely, --the main- tenance and furtherance of the Church of England within the diocese," is to be adequately accom- plished. The committee asked all tne Churchmen. in the diocese to do their utmost, on the Diocesan Sunday, to raise the collection in their several parishes to an amount more nearly commensurate with the needs of the diocesan institutions. The committee desired to express their sense of the liberality of the present Duke of Westminster in taking upon himself so large a share of the subscriptions which were given by the late Duke. The committee, considering that all the diocesan institutions are in need of increased aid, desire to call the attention of the diocese to the several objects which they respectively had in view, and to the amount given to each in the year 1900:- 1. The Church Building Society made grants (1) to meet local efforts towards the building or enlarging of churches and the building of mission rooms. (The Church Building Society received in 1900 2324 Is. 2d.) II. The Board of Education had to provide for (1) the maintenance of the training colleges at Chester for masters and at Warrington for mistresses; (2) the inspection of religious instruction in all Church schools; (3) assistance to schools in poor districts. (The Board of Education received in 1900 £ 956 7s. 4d.) III. The Benefices' Augmentation Fund was applied towards permanently increasing the income of inadequately endowed benefices. There were in the diocese of Chester 65 incumbencies under JB200 per annum each; five of these were under £ 100; 29 were without parsonages. (The Benefices' Augmentation Fund received in 1900 JB525 7s. 5d.) IV. The institutions at Warrington comprised (1) the institution for granting pensions to widows and orphans of the clergy; (2) the Clergy Daughters' School. Its objects were (a)« To educate the daughters of clergymen who have died while at work in the diocese; (b) to offer to the clergy of the diocese an excellent education for their daughters on advantageous terms. (The institutions at Warrington received in 1900 £ 860 | 12s. 7d.) V. The Spiritual Aid Society helped to 5 supply additional clergymen and lay agents to meet more fully the spiritual needs of poor and populous districts. (The Spiritual Aid Society received in 1900 £ 662 17s. Id.) The total receipts of the Finance Association for 1900 were:- Appropriated, £2,468 13s. lid.; unappropriated, £1014 17s.— £ 3,483 10s. lid. In accordance with a resolution passed by the committee at a meeting held at the Palace, Chester, on Thursday, Dec. 27th, 1900, the Lord Bishop in the chair, the fol- lowing grants were made:—Church Building Society, jB98 12s. 9d.; Board of Education, jB295 18s. 4d.; Benefices' Augmentation Fund, JE98 12s. 9d.; Widows' and Orphans' Fund, JB59 3s. 9d.; Clergy Daughters' School, £59 3s. 8d. Spiritual Aid Society, L123 5s. lid.; total, jB754 17s. 2d. The Bishop, in moving that the report and statement of accounts be adopted, said the de- crease in the subscriptions was attributed to the war, but to transfer a subscription from one fund to another was not perhaps the highest form of liberality, and the way in which patriotism ought to operate. In 1899 E169,000 wan voluntarily contributed to church work in the diocese, and it was satisfactory to find that last year, in spite of the war, X178,000 was con- tributed, being an improvement of about £ 9,000. It was very important that these figures should be known lest unwary critics should suppose that the whole contribution to diocesan objects was contained within the four walls of the diocesan charities. He thought a large number of contributions was not included in these totals. Archdeacon Barber explained that many sub- scriptions did not appear in the total, so that there was a large amount to be added. The Bishop, proceeding, contended that the number of collections made during the year in churches and licensed rooms could hardly be called satisfactory. They all knew what a muni- ficent benefactor to the diocesan societies and every other good object the late Duke of West- minster was, and they were prepared after his death for a considerable reduction in the various contributions he made. The present Duke had been good enough to take upon him- self those subscriptions to a far larsrer extent than they expected. (Applause.) They could not expect the Duke to come completely up to what the late Duke did, and there was a falling off of X200 last year under that head alone. Mr. Joynson seconded, and the report was adopted. Archdeacon Barber proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the clergy who had advocated the claims of the diocesan institutions and to the gentlemen who had served as deanery treasurers and secretaries during the past year, and to the honorary officers of the association and the committee. He expressed the hope that the diminution in the collections would not continue. General Mocatta seconded, and the proposi- tion was carried. The High Sheriff (Mr. B. C. Roberts) pro- posed the re-election of Messrs. Wakefield, Enock, and Jackson as auditors for the ensuicg year at a remuneration of ten guineas. Mr. Bulkeley Allen seconded, and it was carried. Archdeacon Woosnam proposed the election of the Rev. R. J. Fairclough and Mr. Douglas as representatives of the Chester Deanery, and the Rev. H. Lancaster in place of the Rev. G. A. Stolterfotb for the Nantwich Deanery. Mr. R. T. Richardson seconded, and the pro- position was agreed to. Archdeacon Gold wyer Lewis proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for the use of the Council Chamber, and also for the use of committee- rooms for the meetings on Monday last. He thought the city of Chester was to be very sincerely congratulated on its good fortune in having secured for the second time the services of so many a sided man as the Mayor. (Hear, hear.) One scarcely knew his Worship in his different capacities. He had read Shakespeare with him in the drawing-room, and he had seen him as head of the civic functions, and only last week he heard him read the proclamation of the accession of the King. The Rev. H. B. Blogg seconded, and the pro- position was carried. The Bishop called attention to the great loss which the diocesan societies, in common with the county as a whole, had suffered by the death of Mr. Duncan Graham. All those who had to work with him knew what a strength he was, and how invariably pleasant and courteous he was to deal with. He was sure very many of those present felt they had lost a very true friend and guide in Mr. Duncan Graham. He proposed that they signify their deep sympathy, and their sense of the great loss which they, in common with so many, had experienced, and perhaps he might be allowed to convey their sympathy to Mrs. Graham and the members ot his family. The suggestion met with the approval of the meeting, and on the proposition of the Rev. T. H. May it was also agreed to insert a para- graph in the report expressing their regret at the loss they had sustained. I BOARD OF EDUCATION. I At the meeting of the Board of Education Canon A. P. Holme read the annual report of the Executive Committee, in which it was stated that the receipts for 1900 were JE856, as against £ 912 in 1899. The amount put down under the head of subscriptions might be misleading unless it was remembered that this sum included L100 given by the Duke of Westminster, and JB70 by the Lord Bishop, and contributions from schools for re- ligious inspection. The subscription list, from the diocese in general, was not very large. There was also still a backwardness on the part of the managers of some schools to pay the voluntary fee for the* inspection of their schools by the diocesan inspector. It was pleasapt to record, however, that there was an increase this year in the number of subscribing schools of 34. The training colleges and the religious inspection re- quired nearly all the money that. was raised, con- sequently there was very little left for grants to school. The training colleges continued their work with success. With regard to the college at Chester, the report of his Majesty's Inspector of Training Colleges (Mr. W. Scott Coward), from the Blue Book of 1900, was as follows: "There are 90 students in residence-three of them are pre- paring for London matriculation, one for inter- mediate arts, and one for final B.A. There are no students in the third year. The staff is unchanged. The students seem happy and contented; and the (discipline and general tone are satisfactory. The ICOIlege is governed wisely, and is doing good work. ) The lectures heard were of practical value; the! ?reading and recitation gave satisfactory evidence? fof having been carefully taught: and the teaching ?exercises displayed skill and knowledge. The professional training is conducted on broad lines, sufficiently varied to create interest and thought. git would be well to extend the visits of observa- Etion to schools beyond the limits of Chester. The new practising schools are in course of completion. The college will gain by utilising the old ones for other needful purposes. There is room for Ïm- gprovement in the direction of the decoration of the interior." Mr. Coward's report with refer- ence to the Warrington College shewed that there t were 125 students there. Schemes had been pro- posed for the expansion of the college, but no K matured plan had yet been settled upon. The Executive Committee of the Board felt that the t work for which the Diocesan Board of Education existed was upon the whole satisfactory, except in the matter of grants to poor schools. The remedy for this exception was more subscriptions to the generaHfund of the Board from those interested in the work, and a more general response from the schools inspected by diocesan inspectors. Mr. J. R. Thomson (honorary treasurer) sub- Ijmitted the statement of accounts, and on the pro- position of Mr. R. T. Richardson, seconded by the Bishop, the report and statement of accounts were adopted. | On the initistive of the Rev. H. B. Blogg, seconded by the Rev. R. J. Fairclough, the Ex- ecutive Committee were appointed, and on the suggestion of Canon Upperton, seconded by Mr. sGarfit, the Dean and Mr. R T. Richardson were elected representatives of the Diocesan Board of Education, to confer when required with the com- mittee of the National Society. a SPIRITUAL AID SOCIETY. I Canon Upperton presented the report of the [Spiritual Aid Society, which shewed that the re- ceipts for 1899 were E663, and for last year JB596. During the year they had made 25 grants for curates' stipends and five grants for lay readers, while in the previous year there were 30 grants for curates' stipends and five for lay readers. In 1898 there were 32 grants for curates' stipends and six for lay readers, so that there had been a falling off in grants in the last two years, and in the year that was past they had even had to diminish the already inadequate amount given. The committee regretted to report that although Ithey had had 30 applications for renewals, they had been obliged in half the number of cases to ireduce the grants made. The committee were of op. I nlon that if this movement for extending spiritual aid was ever really to make progress, or frise to the spiritual requirements of the diocese, it would have to be taken up by the laity and be made a laymen's matter. They would sincerely ■ welcome such a development. 2 Mr. Bulkeley Allen presented the statement of accounts, and on the proposition of the Bishop, seconded by the High Sheriff, both the report and f statement of accounts were adopted. | Mr. D. A. V. Colt Williams moved that the following be electtd members of the committee: — I Canon Robson, the Rev. the Hon. C. F. Cross, I Canon Hignett, the Revs. S. A. Boyd, Dr. Cogs- well, W. Binnev, W. L. Paige-Cox, Messrs. E. R. Bellyse, G. Sborland Ball, H. Charlton and H. R. Sykes. i The Rev. R. J. Fairclough seconded, and it was carried. I CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY. I At the annual meeting of this society the report shewed that the receipts had been J6524 Is. 2d., as compared with £ 360 2s. 6d. in 1899. Grants had been made during the year to Latchford St. James's of £ 30 towards the building of a mission church, and C20 towards the acquisition of the site; and to Egremont B250 towards the site for a church. There were, in addition, grants promised, when they could be paid, amounting to £ 500; and, as was mentioned in last year's report, there were the requirements of the Wallasey district in respect of sites. Two grants had been made so far for thi. purpose out of money lent to the society at a low rate of interest, amounting at present to LI,267 12s. The committee hoped that they would be supported by the diocese, and thus be enabled to make large grants towards the ex- tinction of these loans.—The report was adopted. —The General Committee were re-appointed, the name of Mr. G. B. Baker-Wilbraham being sub- stituted fAtliat of the late General Sir Richard Wilbraham, regarding whose loss to the diocese a fitting reference was made by the Bishop, who said the late General was one of the best citizen Christians and Churchmen in the diocese. He wished to have Sir Richard's name, together with that of Mr. Duncan Graham, recorded in the re- port of the Finance Association.—Archdeacon Bar- ber said he knew Sir Richard in London before he came to Cheshire, and was very much struck with the keen interest he took in every good work. When Sir Richard came to live in Cheshire he was pretty well advanced in life, but he threw himself with the activity of a young man into the work of the diocesan societies. (Hear, hear.) On the proposition of the Bishop, seconded by Canon Gore, the hea.rty thanks of the meeting were tendered the honorary secretary and treasurer of that and the other diocesan societies for their indefatigable exertions.

I" TWELVE QUARTS OF BEERI j A DAY!" I I SUPPOSED ARSENICAL POISONING. I The West Cheshire coroner (Mr. J. C. Bate) has been notified of the death at Tarvin Workhouse, Boughton Heath, on Sunday morning, of Richard Betley, 54, farm labourer, who is supposed to have succumbed to arsenical poisoning combined with alcoholism. The deceased, who lived at Eaton-by-Tarporley, was brought by the relieving officer to the work- house where he was placed in hospital. He was medically attended until his death by Dr. Giffen, who believes his death was due to the causes stated. The deceased informed the workhouse master (Mr. Atkinson) that he had, before his illness, been in the habit of drinking twelve quarts of beer a day at a certain public house which he named. An inquest on the body was opened on Wed- nesday by Mr. J. C. Bate.—The Coroner said the only evidence that could be heard that day was that of Mr. Atkinson, the workhouse master, who would simply give evidence of the identification of the body. It would be neces- sary to adjourn the inquest for a few days, for although a post-mortem examination had been made, he did not yet know the result of it. He bad been informed by Dr. Giffen, who attended the deceased, that he was strongly of opinion that Betley suffered from alcoholism, and died from the eSdcts of arsenical poisoning. He proposed to adjourn the inquiry for a week, in order to ascertain the result of the post-mortem examination and make enquiries in the district1 where the deceased lived.-Evidence was then given by Mr. Hugh Atkinson, the workhouse master, to the effect that the deceased was ad- mitted in the workhouse on Tuesday, the 27tb of November last, and remained there until his death.—The inquest was adjourned until Tues- day next.

IMUNICIPAL BYE-ELECTION. I An election took place at Chester on Monday to fill the vacancy in the representation of St. John's Ward caused by the death of Mr. C. W. Dutton. The candidates were Mr. C. G Haswell and Mr. J. D. Siddall. Tb former came out in the Unionist interests, and Mr. Siddall claimed to come out on independent lines. The weather was wretched, and polling proceeded very slowly. In the matter of workers Mr. Siddall distinctly had the ad van- tage. Little interest was taken in the election, and when the result was declared from the Town Hall by Dr. Stolterfoth very few people were on the Town Hall Square. The figures were as follows :— ISlDDAIiL 360 Ej  HASWEL. ? M?jority 170 1, There are 684 electors on the list. Five voting papers were spoiled. Mr. Siddall, in returning thanks for his grand victory, said he was very grateful to them. He quite understood how the election had been won, and why it had been won. He would do his best to represent j equally as far as lay in his power the interests of one and all in the ward. (Applause, and a voice: "Never mind the 'Observer.) Thby had no enemies, they were all friends together. He asked them not to forget that their beloved Queen lay dead and unburied, and in the presence of that great national, as well as civic, sorrow to them all, to go home quietly. He had bad a courteous friend to contend with that day. and he ventured to think that bad Mr. Haswell known a day or two before he did that he (Mr. Siddall) was nominated, that old frienda like they were would never have found themselves opposing one another. They had put him in the Council, but he would ten times rather they had put his friend Mr. Frank Brown in. He asked them to do their best to put Mr. Brown in. (A voice: We will next November.") Mr. Haswell, iu also returning thanks, said as Mr. Siddall had been good enough to say, they had no enemies- They bad had a good and gentleman lyigbt, and had enjoyed them- selves very much. He was obliged to those who had voted for him. (Applause.)

RKONDDA ROYAL GLEE SOCIETY.—A concert is to be given by these well-known singers at the Music Hall on Tuesday. This concert will be partly in memory of our Ja<e Queen. A song will be rendered in memoriam. These singers had the honour of singing before her Majesty at Windsor. FOB BOOTS REPAIRING.— No matter where your Boots were bought. We can them repair; And when yon think they're fit for naucrht We'll make them fit to wear. Fifty years' reputation for Durable Boots FLORILINE !—FOR THE TEETH AND BREATH.— Thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, and gives to the teeth a P., pearly whiteness and a delightful fragance to the- breath. Price 2s. 6d. for the liquid, or Is. per jar gfor the Floriline Powder: of all Chemists and F erf um ers. f V r i'ri I*

I REAL RECLAMATION. I I FROM INCORRIGIBLE TO V.C. I IsWhile the Hooligan problem is engaging some of the most thoughtful minds of the country, so far with disappointing results, philanthropists may, says the Chester Courant, well take heart of grace from the communication which we publish in another column from the Home Secretary. It will be seen from the document which wf reproduce that boys from reformatory and industrial schools, and now serving in the ranks of the Army in South Africa, have covered themselves with distinction. Several have won the medal for distinguished service in the field, while two have gained the soldier's highest honour, the Victoria Cross. Since the Home Office minute recording this fact was written, our late Queen has passed away, but it will remain not the least gratifying recollection ot her devoted subjects that one of her last public acts was to confer this coveted distinction upon two soldiers who owe their early training in the incalculably valuable department of discipline to reformatory and industrial schools. In these instances history is but repeating itself; foi innumerable examples are on record where the incorrigible rogue or the hopeless dunce of the school has, in manhood, belied all his earlier promises by becoming a pattern of good citzenship. The moral of the incident will not, we trust, be turned to bad account by being used by the slothful and ne'er-do-weel as an excuse for idleness, truancy and insubordina- tion. The better purpose of the picture is to stimulate those large-hearted philanthropists who are the mainstay of our reformatories and industrial schools! to continue. their generous efforts and be not weary in well-doing, when such excellent results are witnessed. The Clio training-ship has turned out for service on the ea many lads of whom their country has had reason to be proud, and it is encouraging to know that the Industrial School at Boughton has been responsible for the education of some eight or ten men who are now fighting their country's battles in South Africa. The head- master of the latter school, Mr. Thomas, has received some gratifying letters from one or two of his former pupils who are now serving in various capacities under Lord Kitchener, and the supporters of these admirable institutions will doubtless be pleased to know how fruitful education and discipline have proved. The communication, to which reference is above made, is as follows:- Mr. E. H. Thomas, headmaster of the Certified Industrial School, Boughton, has received the fol- lowing communications, which will be read with keen interest and pleasure by all concerned in the welfare of industrial schools:- Great Scotland Yard, S.W., 25th Jan., 1901. Dear sir,—It is with a lively feeling of pleasure that I send you a copy of a minute addressed to me on the 18th instant by the Home Secretary. You will share my feelings, doubt- less, and send on the minute to be read by every one referred to in it. Girls will be as glad to read it as boys. Since the minute was written our beloved Queen has passed away! When we think of what we all owe to her, let us remember with pride that one of the last public acts of a life spent in noble and gracious deeds, was to confer the Victoria Cross on one of our Old Boys.- Yours faithfully, JAMES G. LEGGE. (Copy.) The Secretary of State: Home Department. I am highly gratified at the instances which have been brought to my notice of the achieve- ments of boys from reformatory and industrial schools, particularly with regard to service with the colours in South Africa. I have no doubt that there have been many instances of duty well done, and many acts of daring, self-sacrifice and generosity which will have escaped notice. The consciousness of having served Queen and country truly will be to their authors no small reward. Several Old Boys," however, have been awarded the medal for distinguished service in the field, and on two who have done things entitling them to be brought even more directly under the eye of the Queen herself, her Majesty has been pleased to confer the highest honour given to a soldier, the Victoria Cross. This is very striking evidence of the good material to be found among the boys in the "Home Office" Schools, and it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Mana- gers of the schools, superintendents, the schoolmasters and all other instructors on having, with the help of H.M. Inspectors, made such good use of it and fostered so fine a spirit. The boys themselves, too, deserve every credit for having seized successfully the opportunity of shewing what is in them, and I doubt not that many now in the schools will be found to follow in the same path of good service to their country.  18th Jan.. 1901. (Signed) C. R.  I 18th Jan.. 1901. (Signed) C. R. II

(BRITISH WOMEN'S TEMPER.) ANCE ASSOCIATION. | I MEETING AT CHESTER. I A public meeting under the auspices of the Chester branch of the British Women's Temperance Association was held on Monday evening in the Temperance Hall. Mrs. James Tomkinson (Willington Hall) presided over a somew hat sparse audience, and was accompanied on the platform by the Hon. Mrs. Bertrand Russell, Col. Evans-Lloyd, the Rev. G. M. V. Hickey, Mr. James Storrar, senior, and others. During the evening songs and recitations were contributed by Mrs. C. H. Minshull and Miss L. Holliday. In the course of an encouraging address Mrs. Tomkinson said there was much in the history of the late Queen's rbign to encourage the temperance party. Though much remained to be done for the improvement of social life there had been distinct progress. There was now far greater earnestness in the temperance question than was evinced some forty or fifty years ago. The change that had been brought about was largely owing to the little earnest band of total abstainers that began work on temperance lines some 60 years ago, when the principles of total abstinence were so little understood that it was regarded almost as a danger to one's life to become a teetotaller. Gradually the old prejudices against the move- ment had been overcome until now it was at least universally granted that it was quite as whole- some to be a teetotaller as to be a very moderate drinker. (Laughter and hear, hear.) Much benificent work had been done during the Queen's reign for the protection of women and children, though they had not progressed much in regard to child protection and home protection. Nowa- days, however, there was more real philanthropic Christianity than there was forty or fifty years ago. One reason why the condition of women and children had improved had been that the country had a woman on the throne full of kindly Isympathy and full of those tendernesses which ?were the woman's prerogative, and they were thankful she had been permitted during her long reign to shew how noble a woman's life could be. Mrs. Tomkinson proceeded to refer to several dis- couraging matters to the temperance movement, and emphasised the fact that the nation's drink I bill had appreciably increased during the last 'ten years. The national drink bill ten years ago i was £ 3 9s. lid. per head; in 1899 it was £ 3| 19s. lld. per bead. A great reproach to the l ,country was the fact that England was the only country in the United Kingdom where public- houses were opened on Sundays. The liquor £ trade was almost the only big organised trade in 9 England that did not have a half-holiday. There ?was no rest for the publican and his assistants, and although public-houses were closed a portioD I of the Sunday, the publicans were not by any| means freed from a trade which they all must feel ? ?was an onerous one. It was cueltv to the f publican that he should not have a Sunday's rest ? and it should be remembered that he had no? bank holiday. The long hours of duty under thel trying conditions under which the publican had? ,to work were a terrible blot upon our social I system, and she thought that, not only from a? stnctiy Sabbatarian and religious point of view, i ¡ but from a humanitarian point of view, it was a? 'sha-e there was not a greater agitation for? i ^;ntaCl0fing'*Applause-) Reverting to the l drink bill, Mrs. Tomkinson said there was never? jj, a greater fallacy than the popular belief that the í enormous amount of the bill was good for trade. j | In fact, for the amount of capital that was in- | vested in the liquor trade, and for the amount- of interest that was given by that capital, thel amount that was paid for labour was extra ordinarily small in proportion. Having contended that the drink traffic did not, as popularly sup-i posed, augment enormously the revenue of the t country, the speaker referred to the alarming! I extent to which women were addicted to drunk- enness. The knowledge had come like a thief lnl the night to us that during the Queen's reign, the number of women who took alcoholic liquor to excess had increased enormously. Speaking! of the serving of drink to children, Mrs. Tom-j kinson expressed a hope that the temperance party would make every effort to pass a Bill: through Parliament in the coming spring, similar to the one brought forward last year, in favour of the positive legal prohibition of the serving of drink to children under sixteen years of age. (Hear, hear.) The Hon. Mrs. Bertrand Russell next gave a forcible address. She remarked that many public- spirited brewers had said "We do want reform. It is you temperance people who will not meeti us half way. You ask too much. The country is not'ready for it. Ask for a little." The tem- perance party thereupon asked their support of a little moderate measure to keep little children out of public-houses, and though a great many brewers and licensed victuallers expressed ap-I proval of the measure, the "trade," by well- organised action, prevented the Bill from passing, the House of Commons, and thought it had prevented a very great danger. Mrs. Russell urged temperance people to work with the con- viction that the interests of the licensed victuallers of that powerful organisation, with over two hundred million pounds invested in it, were not identical with the interests of the community, and as the temperance party could not com- promise with them they must, fight them. v On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Hickey, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs. Tomkinson and the Hon. Mrs. Russell for their addresses. :=-

I DEATH OF MR. T. SALMON. As we announced in our last Saturday Evening Edition Mr. Thomas Salmon, of Cheaveley Hall, Huntington, one ef the most widely- known farmers of this district, died on Saturday morning at half-past five o'clock. Mr. Salmon was very highly re- spected, and his demise will be the more regretted as it was unexpected by his very numerous friends. On the previous Saturday morning deceased attended a meeting in Chester of the Duke of Westminster's tenantry, and he then contracted a chill. He was in Chester again on Tuesaay, when he went Co see Dr. Henry Dobie, and on returning home he took to his bed. Mr. Salmon belonged to tne well-known family of Salmons, of Farndon, and he was one of the oldest farmers on the Eaton estate. He was a successful agri- culturist, and was noted for his"dairy and cheese, out he very seldom exuibited. At the time of his death he was a member of the Tarvin Board of Guardians and Rural District Council. He had been a member of the Council since its formation, and he was an old Guardian In this public work he evinced deep interest; he was a member of the Assessment Committee dot the time of his death. Mr. Salmon was a sound Conservative. He was in his 62nd year, and he leaves a widow and three children, with whom the greatest sympathy i& felt. His death is believed to be due to pneu- monia. On Saturday morning, at a meet- tng of the Tarvin board of Guardians, Mr. H. darneton, who presided, alluded with deep regret to the death of Mr. Salmon, who, he said, was a; very active guardian and district coun- cillor. By his (Mr. Salmon's) death many persons like himself would lose an old personal friend. He moved that a resolution of con- dolence be sent to the family, also to his brother, Mr. Joseph Salmon, of Farndon. This was carried unanimously and in silence. Mrs Boden, of Saighton, is deceased's sister. At a meeting of the Eaton and Chester tenantry of the Duke of Westminster, at the Groevenor tlotel, on Saturday afternoon, the chairman (Mr. J. Hartshorn, Eccleston) made a touch ingly sympathetic reference to the mournful event. By his death they bad all sustained a great loss, for Mr. Salmon's integrity and genial qualities had gained him friendb wherever he went. He was sure it would be their wish that their honorary secretary (Mr. r. Dodd, Cotton) should convey their condo lences to the widow and family in their grievous affliction. This course was agreed to in silence. 1 THE FUNERAL. I Amid many manifestations of esteem the morta* remains were interred in Bruera Churchyard on Tuesday. Snow lay upon the ground, but nevertheless a large number of deceased's friends attended to pay their last tribute of respect to one who never made an enemy, and was loved by all who knew him. The first part of the ser- vice was conducted in the quaint old church of Bruera by the Rev. J. C. Berkeley (vicar), who also officiated at the graveside. The mourners present included Mr. R. Salmon (son), Mr. Joseph Salmon (brother), Mr. George Parker (Farndon, father-in-law), Mr. George Parker (Farndon, brother-in-hi.), Mr. Noah Parker (brother-in- law), Robt. Boden (nephew), Mr. Richard Salmon (Rowton, cousin), Mr. T. Salmon (Waverton), Mr. Willie Parker (Roden's Hall), Mr. J. W. Corson, the Rev. G. A. Robins, Messrs. J. Hartshorn (Eccleston), J. Alcock (Pulford), Wm. Fearnall, Herbert Dodd, T. L. Dodd, Tom Toft, W. Toft, J. Hughes (The Beachin), R. Parry (Ches- ter), James Parker, N. Barnes, E. Wells, Joshua Smith, G. Killick, John Jones (Saighton), Tom Jones, W. Taplin (Chester), C. Corson (Chester), Rowe Morris, H. Grant Bailey (clerk to the Tarvin uuardians), W. K. Jackson (Sibbers- field Hall), J. Holmes, W. Akitt. (Huntington), C. Davies (Saighton), W. J. Walley (Whitchurch), E. Partington (Jimmy the Boats), Partington, junr., T. White (Aldford), F. Howell (Huntington), j. F. Pickering (Rough Hill), Chap- man (Eaton Stud), T. Truss, J. Wild (Chester), William Denson (Bretton), T. Deakin (Chester). Beautiful wreaths were sent by the following :-The Widow, Mary, -— T he Widow, M ary, Sarah and Robert," Mrs. Boden and family, "Noah and Maria," Mr. and Mrs. Watkins (Ches- ter), Mr. J. W. Corson, Mr. Charles H. Davies, Mr. and Miss Taplin, Mr. J. Wild (Chester), "George and Annie," Mrs. Wiseman and family, Mrs. J. AstJe and family, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Dodd, Mr. and Mrs. W. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. C. Corson, William and Elizabeth Edge, John and Ada Jones, Mr. and Mrs. R. Peacock, Mr C. J. P. Harding (Farn- don), "All at Huntington Hall," Mr. and Mrs. E. Wells, Mr. i homas Griffiths and family, &c. The funeral arrar. elements were carried out by Messra. E. Dutton and Sons. ——————— ——————

ICHESHIRE LIBERAL UNIONIST j ASSOCIATION. I I REASONS FOR THE CREWE DEFEAT. I The annual meeting of the Cheshire Liberal Unionist Association was held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester, on Saturday. Mr. H. E. Wilbraham (Delamere House) presided over a moderate attendance. Letters apologising for absence were received from Mr. F. J. Norman (Runcorn), Mr. Thorburn (Hooton), and Mr. Collingwood Hope. The Hon. Secretary (Mr. J. H. Cooke, Wins- ford), in his annual report, said the total Unionist majorities in contested elections in Cheshire at the elections prior to the year 1900 amounted to 5,937, and the total Radical majorities for elections prior to 1900 amounted to 1,638, leaving a balance to the credit of the Unionist side for those elections of 4,299. The total Unionist majorities for the year 1900 amounted to 3,821, and the total Radical majorities amounted to 2,289, leaving a Unionist nett majority of 1,532. It would thus be seen that the Radical majorities as between the prior elections and the election for 1900 increased from 1,638 to 2,289, a nett gain of 651, whereas the Unionist majorities decreased from 5,937 to 3,821, a nett decrease of 2,116 Unionist votes. The nett result for the year 1900, as compared with the two previous general elections, left the majority of 1,532 votes for the Unionist candidates in contested seats in Cheshire. The wonder to a large extent was that the decrease was not greater, as it was a generally accepted principle that a Government in office for five years must have lost some friends and gained some enemies. The result was not discouraging, but it shewed the great necessity for watchfulness, care and attention, not only to registration, but to the maintenance of their political organisation on the Unionist side. The association was very much indebted to Mr. Reiss, a vice-president of the association, for his gallant attempt to retain the seat at Crewe. It was owing to no want of effort on his part that the seat was lost. Several excellent reasons might be summarised as fol- lows :-The conduct of the late member for the Crewe Division caused several difficulties, and occasioned a transfer of a large number of votes; the attitude of Mr. Bell, M.P. for Derby, in urging upon the members of the Trades Union Society, for which he was the secretary, to sup- port Mr. Tomkinson had a very telling effect upon the success of Mr. Tomkinson the electors clearly saw that the Government had a large majority without the help of Crewe, and probably took some notice of the spirited efforts of Mr. ?Tomkinson in the past, and thought it would not do much harm if he were returned for once. IThey had also to congratulate Mr. Samson upon the vigorous attack he made in the Nortbwich Division, and although not successful, it went i,far enough to shew that that constituency was not in sympathy with an attack upon the Govern- ?ment in the matter of their South African policy, I and that, like all other parts of England, they I were determined to maintain the honour of the ?country and support our Army and Reserve jj Forces to the fullest extent necessary to vindicate ?the integrity of the Empire. The association was ?further to be congratulated on the fact that his Grace the Duke of Westminster had kindly con- sented to act as president of the association in | the place of his late lamented grandfather, whose loss they all deplored. They must all trust that] the alhance about to be formed by their newly-j | elected president with a distinguished famiiy? intimately connected with their own political ? party would ever remain a happy one. ? The report was adopted. g B The Secretary stated that he had written to the Duke of Westminster asking if he would kindly kaecept the presidency. His Grace had replied ?through Colonel Wilford LLoyd thanking the f association for their congratulations on his ap- e proaching marriage and accepting the presidency. (Hear, hear.) S The Chairman was sure they were all pleased to hear that the Duke had consented to be their president and he begged to propose the election Kof his Grace to the position. The late Duke was their president from the formation of the associa- S tion, and they looked to the head of the House of E Grosvenor almost as their mainstay. p Colonel Evans-Lloyd seconded, and the proposi- tion was carried unanimously. 8 The vice-presidents and executive committee having been re-elected, M Colonel E. Evans-Lloyd moved a resolution ex- || pressing confidence in the Government and urging them to use every effort to bring to an honourable and satisfactory conclusion the war in South g Africa. He said there had been deplorable dis- S asters now and then in South Africa, but they had ■ full confidence that the arms of this country would ■ prove victorious, and they were all of the same mind as the Government, that thev should never R again give independence to the South African Republics. They had every confidence in the B Government, and hoped they would carry on the B campaign in South Africa in such a way as would ensure the declaration of peace very soon. B (Applause.) | Mr. J. D. Crosfield (Sandiway) seconded, and 1 the resolution was adopted. ■ Mr. Crosfield next proposed the re-election of Colonel Wilford LLoyd as hon. treasurer, re- marking that they could not have a better treasurer, for despite the general election be had managed to keep well within his income. The proposition was seconded and carried. The hon. secretary was also re-elected. On the proposition of Colonel Evans-Lloyd it was agreed to present the Duke of Westminster with an illuminated address, tendering his Grace the congratulations and best wishes of the asso- ciation on his approaching marriage.

? TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY. ? Take L&x?tive Bromo Quinine Tablets. All ?Drugg?ts refund the money if it fails to cure '!j  ?1/1?. The ?enmne is stamped L. B.Q.

I THE MEMORIAL SERVICE. t A SUGGESTION. I TO THE EDITOR Sir, Will you kindly grant me the privilege through the medium of the Courant," to make a suggestion with regard to the solemn Memorial Service to be held in the Cathedral on Saturday next ? As the south transept is now closed, the accommodation in the Cathedral for a very large congregation, such as will wish to be present on Saturday, is inadequate. I would suggest, therefore, that on this occasion all the chairs be removed from the nave and choir, and that the congregation stand. I feel sure the majority of the citizens would much prefer this to being unable to gain admission on such an important occasion. The aisles might be kept clear by the Volun- teers, who, I understand, will be present, and who, I am sure, would be pleased to assist if they were asked. I would also suggest that the admission be without tickets, and that the stalls in the choir only be reserved for His Worship the Mayor and suite, &c.-Yours faithfllll v. I Chester, 29th Jan., 1901. LOYALIST. -0

IWIRRAL BOARD OF GUARDIANS The fortnightly meeting was held on Wednesday at Clatterbridge Workhouse, under the presidency of Mr. W. Knowles. Payment was authorised to be made of the fortnightly accounts, which amounted to R504 19s. 6d., and included a sum of JE85 for outdoor relief and zC49 15s. 2d. for the services of Messrs. Thomp- son, Hughes, and Mathieson, Birkenhead, in connection with the Board's compensation claim against the Birkenhead Union. The number of inmates was reported to be 168. com- pared with 160 in the corresponding fortnight last year. The number included 19 male and 21 female patients in the infirmary. The number of vagrants relieved during the fort- night was 50 against 40 during the correspond- ing fortnight last year.—Mrs. Hodgson moved that an ambulance or suitable covered carriage be provided by the guardians for the purpose of conveying the sick poor to the workhouse infirmary. At the last meeting, she said, a representation was made by the Clerk (Mr. Ollive) of the difficulties experienced by doctors and overseers in having urgent cases of sick- ness promptly removed to the workhouse infirmary. The guardians were told they ought to have better provision for the removal of urgent cases, and that they ought to have an ambulance or suitable conveyance at the work- house, and unless one was obtained there would very probably be a public scandal, as cases re- quiring the immediate use of an ambulance were constantly occurring in the union. An ambulance was sent for on a Thursday to re- move an old man over eighty years of age to the workhouse, but the patient was not removed till Saturday. She understood the doctor ex- pressed the opinion that the delay in removal accelerated the man's death. In the discussion that took place on the subject at the last meet- ing many guardians considered that the relieving officer was to blame for not removing the man more promptly, but as a matter of fact the delay occurred in consequence of an un- fortunate mistake on the part of the doctor. The Board exonerated the relieving officer from any blame, but she (Mrs. Hodgson) did not believe the guardians would be free of blame if they allowed such a case to oceur again after receiving a public warning of their responsibility. A man who was brought to the workhouse in a cab a short time ago was found to be covered with vermin. Who would like to use that cab afterwards ? Objections to her proposition had been made by the guardians on the grounds that an ambulance would be expensive (about R150), that they would require an additional man and horse, and that there were very few cases that required the use of an ambulance. They were entirely under a misapprehension, as an ambulance, similar to the one in use at Birkenhead, fitted with stretcher, wire blinds, and rubber tyres could be purchased for the sum of £ 79. She did not think an ambulance would require the use of another man and horse, and on the third ground of objection she might say that she bad ascertained from the relieving officer that 43 cases suitable for removal in an ambulance had been brought to the infirmary during the year at a cost in cab fares of £14 17s. Besides, if the cases were few in number, all the better. Because there were few fires in Birkenhead did the ratepayers object to support the fire brigade that was always ready to turn out at a moment's notice. Were the guardians going-to allow an outlay of about X100 to weigh with them when it might mean a matter of life And death ? Surely life was of more value tnan property.—Mr. Townsend seconded, and Col. Lloyd supported the motion, and it was carried almost unanimously.—On the motion of Mr. Delamore a small committee was appointed to consider the purchase of an ambulance. A letter was received from Mr. Barnes, of Babington, tendering his resignation as a guardian, and enclosing a cheque for one guinea as a penalty.—The Clerk said he had submitted Mr. Barnes's letter to the Local Government Board, who would require him to state his reasons for his resignation. —————— ——————

I LIGHTING-UP TABLE. [All cycles and other vahicles in the Chester distnct must be lighted up as stated in the ithowirig table:- P.M. Saturday, February 2 5.49 Sunday, February 3 551 Monday, February 4 5 52 Tuesday, Pebruary 5 5.54 Wednesday, February 6 5.56 Thursday, February 7 5.57 Friday, February 8 5 59

I CHESTER CATHEDRAL. [SKRVICI LIST FOB WEEK COHMKNCING FEB. 2. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND (Purification of the B.V.M.). Morning, 8.0 Holy Communion. 9.30: Service, Stainer in A anthem, "Blessed are the merciful" (Hiles). 10.15: Holy Communion. 12.0: Memorial Service for our late Sovereign. Evening, 4.15: Pro- cessional hymn, 407; Service, Stainer in A; anthem. I" Sing, 0 heavens lsullivan). SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 3RD.-Morioing, 8.0: Litany and Holy Communion. 10.30: Service, Sullivan in D; introit. hymn 320; Holy Communion (Tours in C) preacher, the Lord Bishop. Evening, 3.30: Service, Bennett in G; anthem, "In the beginning" (Haydn); hymn 83. 6.3iv.- Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis to Chants; provisional hymn, 23,; hymns 172, 181, 276; preacher. the Bev. Canon Blagden, M.A. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH.-Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10 15: Service in Monotone. Evening, 1.15: Service, Colborne in A anthem. "O taste and see" (Goss). TUESDAY, FJEBBPAET 5TH. Morning, 8.0: Matins. 16.15 Service, King in C; anthem, Shew Thy servant" (Tours). Evening, 4.15: Service. King in C; anthem. The Lord will comfort Zion (Hiles). ^ED*ESI>T FEBRUARY 6TH -Morning, &.0.: Matins. 16 z): The Litany; hymn 178 part 2). Evening, 4.15: r Service, Foster in A; anthem, 0 come everyone" I THURSDAY, FEBRCAKY 7TB.—Momii)g. 8.0 Holy Com- (Mendelssohn). 7TH.-Morning, 8.0: Holy Com- munion. 10.15: Service, Garrett in F; anthem "If ve love me" (Monk). Evemug, 4.,5: Service. Garrett in [*F; anthem, 0 LorA, my God (Nares). FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH.-Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10 15- The Litany hymn 259. Evening. 4.15: Service, Board- man in G anthem, Remember not (Macfarren).

MEMORIALS. ———- AT ALL PRICES, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE A ALABASTL: a On View, and to Order. W. HASWELL & SON. MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Free on ojiplieatiow. Telephone No. 161A. 't

I TARVIN. I DEATH OF MRS. BECKETT.-The death Sarah Beckett, widow of the late W of Grore House, took place on painful suddenness. Her death i' syncope. The funeral took IChurcbyard on Wednesday was aged 72 years.