Cheshire Observer

TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements intended to appear in the C HBSHIRB OBSERVER must reach the OBSERVES Office, not later than 12 o'clock (noon) each Friday. Under no circumstances whatever can we insert in the Flirst Edition Advertisements received after that hour.

A MODEL FOR LIBERALS. I Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Premier of Canada, I has given the pro-Boers, both at home and I abroad, a sound lesson, and has at the same moment raised himself immeasurably in the eyes of all patriotic Britishers. Daring the sitting of the Dominion House of Commons on Tuesday, a Mr. Bourassa., who has been a notorious opponent of the British war policy in South Africa, delivered a violent "Stop-the- War" speech, and concluded with a motion that no more Canadian troops should be sent to South Africa, and that there should be no enlistment in Canada of recruits for the South African Constabulary. This is the same member as resigned his seat over a year ago as a protest against the despatch of the Canadian con- tingents to South Africa. Now, as then, he had no supporters in the House to speak of, and his motion was ignominously defeated by 144 votes to three. The incident is remarkable mainly for the splendid Imperialist speech of the Premier, who affords a shining example of patriotism to other less distinguished members of the Liberal party nearer home. Sir Wilfrid's exuberant loyalty is all the more acceptable when it is remembered that he is not only a Liberal, politically, but that he was the first Roman Catholic French-Canadian to become Premier of the Dominion. After twitting Mr. Bourassa with being unwilling to fight for the cause of Britain, although he was anxious to sit at the Council board and discuss the cause of England, the Premier quite concurred in the first portion of the motion, because there was now no necessity to send more Canadian troops te Africa. The war, he believed, was now at an end, although there might still be some guerilla warfare or brigandage under the name of war. As to the enlistment of Canadians in the South African Constabulary, he asked, with pardonable warmth, why the Canadian Government should interfere with the liberty of men who might desire to offer themselves for that service. My honourable friend," he continued, has spoken well and eloquently on the cause of liberty, of which he has constituted himself the sole champion in this House; but I must ask him what kind of liberty is it which will not permit a British subject, it he so choose, to offer to serve his King, no matter in what capacity ?" This pointed question was answered by ring- ing cheers in the Chamber, and the enthusiasm was re-awakened when the Prime Minister went on to discuss the hon. member's proposition that Great Britain should restore their indepen- dence to the two late Republics of South Africa. He quoted Mr. Bourassa's recital of the miseries of the war, and drew a vivid picture of the miserable state of the once proud Boer Republic, "Miserable by reason of its ruined farms, its closed mines, its cities arrested in their growth, its people impoverished and its aged president a fugitive in Europe-a fugitive from the misery which he has brought on his own country." Miserable also he depicted the condition of the once happy Orange Free State, which had no quarrel with Great Britain, but which was precipitated into the horrors of war and invasion by the man to whom it had entrusted its destinies, himself to-day a self- constituted outlaw in his own country." Sir Wilfrid Laurier's answer to the plea for the restoration of Dutch supremacy was logically unanswerable. After shewing how the Boers had appealed to the God of Battles and how in the first flush of the campaign they bad invaded and immediately annexed several districts in Natal, Cape Colony, and Kimberley, and forced British subjects to serve in the Dutch Army, he enquiredbow the leader of a defeated people could complain if be received the same treatment a3 he had himself meted out to his enemies. In the opening stages of the war, he said, the Burghers bad laid down the principle that South Africa must be either Dutch or British, and the verdict of the God of Armies had been that it should not be Dutch but British." It was for South Africa a choice between the enlightened power of Great Britain or the semi- barbarous civilisation of the Dutch. Now, however, there was but one future for the Dutch, and he pledged his reputation and his name as a British subject that if the Boers had lost their independence, they bad not lost their freedom. The future of South Africa was one grand confederation on the pattern of the Canadian Confederation, under the British flag, with liberty for all, equality for all, justice and civil rights for British and Dutch alike. At the conclusion of that stirring oration the members voted down the resolution and then stood up and sang the National Anthem. Is not the action of Canada both as a nation and as a legislature sufficient to make many so-called Liberals in this country ashamed of their conduct, if shame is still to be found in their lexicon ? Were anjthing required to alienate the sympathies of the most persistent friends of the Boers, is it not supplied by the rapidly accumulating body of evidence as to the fiendish brutality with which some of the Dutch leaders comport themselves towards defenceless British subjects and natives? It is impossible to read without a shudder and an irrepressible indignation the authenticated reports of the barbarous sjambokings and shootings that cover the Dutch name with eternal disgrace. We publish to-day a narrative of the cold-blooded murders of Mr. Morgandal and Wessels, the envoys who went to make known in the Boor laagers the terms of Lord Kitchener's proclamation, and we invito any unbiassed readers to say whether I the men who have been guilty of these crimes are entitled to the treatment of ordinary, I civilised belligerents. How any self-respecting Liberal can wasto a moment's regret on the lost independence of the Boers passes compre- hension. One of the fundamental principles of Liberalism is, or used to be, trust in the people and government of the people by the people. Throughout its squalid, ignoble history the Transvaal has studiously ignored this bed-rock principle of Liberalism. It believed in the government of the people or rather the oppression of the people by the favoured few, in taxation without representation and in treat- ing the natives worse than they would treat their dogs. Yet this is precisely the old, corrupt, cruel form of government which enlightened Liberals in this country would wish to see re-established in South Africa, against the deliberately and strongly expressed pro- tests of our fellow-subjects in Canada, Australia I and all our dependencies in every quarter of the globe.

LOCAL AND GENERAL NOTES. The demise of Surgeon-General Gore closes the career of an officer who was well-known in Chester Military circles from 1891 to 1893, when he was principal medical oficer of the North-Western District. He joined the Army as Assistant-Surgeon in 1860, and retired on the 1st December, 1898. A most conscientious officer who never spared himself when the interest of the Service was concerned, he gained his pro- motion step by step to the rank of Surgeon" Major General, which was conferred upon him in 1895. Surgeon-General Gore's record of war services is one of which any officer might be justly proud. He took part in the operations on the West Coast of Africa in 1861:; also in the Ashanti War of 1873, when he was twice wounded and received the medal. On leaving Chester in 1893 Surgeon-General Gore proceeded to India, where shortly after- wards he was promoted to the important post of Principal Medical Officer of her late Majesty's forces in that country. He was not only granted the coveted honour of the C. B., but was given a special service pension of £100 per annum as a reward for distinguished and meritorious services. His house at Whitchurch is a veritable museum, being fitted with a unique collection of Indian and other curios. He leaves a widow and four children, to whom in their bereavement much sympathy is extended in the Whitchurch district, where his son, Dr. Gore, is one of the leading practitioners. A propos of Mr. Winston Churchill's forth- coming visit to lecture at Chester, the following paragraph from M. A. P." may be of interest. An all-night sitting is very hard on a good many members of the House. There, for instance, was poor Mr. Winston Churchill. It was nearly six o'clock when he left the house he had to be in a train at ten o'clock on Friday to deliver a lecture at three o'clock at Exeter, and another at eight at Plymouth. The one consolation in his case is that he is piling in the money. He made as much as L4,000 in one month last year." The Bishop of Chester's idea of municipal public-houses is gaining ground, the latest con- verts being a special committee of the Glasgow Corporation. If a big, go-ahead city like Glasgow takes up the scheme, some remarkable results may be anticipated, for they are not all teetotallers on the banks of the Clyde, and the profits on the liquor trade in that community would make a pretty pile. Alas for the constancy of men that a 34 years' courtship should terminate in a breach of promise action. The village of Bettws-y- Coed, where the parties resided, weuld seem the very spot to inspire sentiment in an unemotional lover, but the circumstances of the case were disappointingly prosaic. Ladies with fickle followers may be interested to learn of the plan adopted by the fair plaintiff, who had reached the mature age of 53, to retain her swain's affections. In a fit of jealous anger he, so it was alleged, cast certain reflections upon her, with the result that she promptly adopted the business-like method of serving him with a lawyer's letter. Full of penitence he indited an epistle withdrawing the accusations, promising marriage, and vowing faithfulness from now until death." This was his undoing, and though he pleaded that his sweetheart intimidated him into writing the letter, the jury gave him credit for greater strength of will, and awarded the lady a solatium in the shape of X50. Mr. W. H. Churton is probably as good a judge of a road as any man in Cheshire, for he has had a protracted experience as clerk to the defunct Wirral Highway Board and as clerk to its successor the Highways Committee of the Wirral District Council. When, therefore, Mr. Churton states that a road is in such a disgrace- ful condition that it is next to impossible to cycle on it, his testimony ought to carry weight. This was the judgment he formed of that length of road between Saltney and Broughton on the 4th of January, and in order to mark his disgust at the conduct of the Flintshire highways authorities, he deliberately left the roadway and rode his cycle along the footpath. An Argus-eyed roadman descried the tres- passer from afar, and frantically waved his arms to warn him of his impending doom. Mr. Churton, however, rode close up to the officer of the County Council and engaged in a conver- sation with him on the quality of the county highways. The custodian of the road, when he ascertained his victim's identity, was surprised that a man of Mr. Chuiton's experience did not know better than break the law. In the sequel Mr. Churton made his bow to the Broughton Magistrates on Thursday in the role of a first offender. He entered a vigorous protest against the condition of the main road in question, and every cyclist in this quarter of the world will endorse his criticism as just and unexaggerated. Whatever the Flintshire County Council may do in other areas, it certainly cannot claim to have made a brilliant success of that particular length of roadway, and it ought, as Mr. Churton contends, be made obligatory upon highway authorities to maintain their roads in a state fit for cyclist traffic, especially seeing that in other respects the law regards a cycle as a vehicle. The County Council, moreover, will be extreme! ■? short-sighted if it permits this eminently unsatisfactory state of matters to continue. Do the members ever consider the revenue that North Wales derives annually from touring cyclist* 0 If the county acquires an evil name for us roads among tourists i it will speedily be tabooed, and the inhabitants will be the losers. Cheshire has shewn a splendid example of how roads ought to be maintained, and we should advise the Highways Committee for Flintshire to make a cycling tour through Cheshire, in order to see- how roads ought to be repaired. It is, after all only a question of money, and if the Flilltshir Council will give its surveyor a free hand he could soon put a very different surface upon the quagmire which does duty as a road just beyond Saltney. Mr. Churton, of course, was technically in the wrong, and had to pay his fine, but it is to be trusted that the publicity given to the matter will have some beneficial effect upon those responsible for the up-keep of the road. Mr. Trevor Dickson, it will be observed, does not again seek election as the Newton represen- tative on the Chester Rural District Council, on the ground that he is unable to spare the time for the important duties of that office. We are glad, however, to know that an eminently suitable candidate is forthcoming in the person of Mr. G. F. Cox, of 1, Halkyn-road, Newton, who has numerous claims upon the suffrages of the ratepayers of that district. Mr. Cox is already a member of the Newton Parish Council, where he has done useful work he is a considerable property-owner, knows every nook and cranny of the district together with its wants, and he is in the happy position of having ample leisure to thoroughly carry out the duties of a member of the District Council. We, therefore, hope to see Mr. Cox returned by a substantial majority on the polling day. While being desirous, nay anxious, to do all they can to protect cyclists in Cheshire from the inconvenience and annoyance of punctures, the County Council have very properly hesitated to follow the lead of the Middlesex authority by passing a bye-law which makes it an offence, punishable by a fine, to place or to leave broken glass or other sharp substance on the highway. This bye-law was moved and would doubtless have been passed had not Mr. R. T. Richardson elicited from the Clerk the legal opinion that if it were passed as it stood, the mere placing of thorns on the highway would be a punishable offence. This informa- tion naturally threw a new light on the matter and it resulted in the proposed bye-law being referred back to committee. The contention of Mr. Ridhardson-who, by the way, is himself a cyclist, and therefore not unmindful of their interests—and those who supported his amendment is that the mere placing of hedge-clippinge on a road is inevit- able. They, however, were not opposed to a properly constructed bye-law which provided a penalty for the leaving of thorns on the roads for an unreasonable length of time. A bye-law of this character would be useful and welcome, but even in its absence cyclists in Cheshire can suffer very little, foe already, we understand, hedge-trimmings are ewept off the main roads by the County Council roadmen. Moreover, the Cheshire main roads will compare with any in the country for cycling purposes. The calendar for this week's assizes has been a somewhat formidable one. Several of the chiet offences have been attributed to drinks but this, as Mr. Justice Mathew pointed out, is no excuse for crime. The one charge of murder was a case in which a young Irishman killed a fellow Irish labourer. The evidence shewed conclusively that the affair was a drunken quarrel, and that prisoner had no intention oi inflicting fatal injury. The jury, under the circumstances, wisely reduced the charge to ona of manslaughter, and prisoner got off with a sentence of five years' penal servitude. A fiendish case of cruelty was reported from Congleton. A man named Clarke and his paramour celebrated Christmas D.;Ly by drink- ing in a public-house. When they got home after closing time they quarrelled, and the man deliberately poured paraffin oil over the woman, and applying a lighted match deliberately set fire to her. The unfortunate woman was severely injured, and it is almost a miracle that she survived. The brute was sentenced to eight years' penal servitude, and he may think himself lucky he got off so lightly. The letter of Lodging-house Manager in another column points a warning as to the danger of importing small-pox from Glasgow by means of tramps and other undesirables." It is of the utmost importance to protect the community against this terrible scourge, but the remedy, of course, is vaccination, as everyone except the fanatics admits. The country owes a debt of gratitude to those magistrates-and there are many of them—who have placed every legitimate obstacle in the way of granting exemption certificates UpGU that monster of absurdity the "conscientious clause." It requires only a really serious epidemic to bring about an abrogation of that deplorable concession to the conscientious objectors," and the pity is that so many innocent people should have to suffer for the fads of the few.

LOCAli NEWS. I The Earl of Crewe has been re-elected presi- dent of the Royal Literary Society. A memorial tablet has been placed in Christ Church in memory of the late Mrs. Eleanor Jones, nurse for many years in this city. Lord Mostyn has been appointed Knight of Jus- tice to the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England. The Bishop of St. Asaph, Chancellor Espin, and the Dean of Chester were among the deputation from Convocation to the King on Tuesday. Sir Arthur Lawley, the governor-elect of Western Australia, is at present staying in London, but will shortly leave for Perth, Western Australia, to assume his duties. Colonel Hugh C. Cholmondeley, of Edstaston House, near Wem, commanding the London Rifle Brigade, has resigned his appointment, and is granted permission to retain his rank and wear the uniform of the corps on his retirement. Lord Egerton and the Duchess of Bucking- ham have left St. James's-square for Naples. They will remain in Italy until the end of April, and are expected to return to Tatton Park, for the Whitsuntide holidays. Captain J. B. Royle, 2nd (Earl of Cheater's) Vol. Battalion Cheshire Regiment, has been seconded for service with the Imperial Yeomanry, as have also Lieut. G. M. Frost, 1st V.B. Cheshire Regi- ment; Capt. H. D. Meredith Jones and Lieut. W. M. Griffith, of the 1st V.B. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and Lieut. R. T. Ford, of the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. A marriage has been arranged between Captain George Hibbert, Royal Fusiliers, second son of the late Colonel Hibbert, Royal Fusiliers, of Birtles Hall, Cheshire, and Mrs. Hibbert, of Broadgate, Barnstaple, and Mary Alice, second daughter of the late Major-General Hugh Chichester, Royal Artillery, and Mrs. Hugh Chichester, Pilton House, Barnstaple. Several members of the Royal Family have been giving family parties to take leavo of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the last of these was that which took place at the Duke and Duchess of Teck's House in Devonshire-place. Both the King and Queen were present, with Princess Victoria, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Prince Francis and Prince Alexander of Teck, and several ladies and gentlemen in attendance. Mr. Pennefather, of Calveley Hall, Cheshire, has accepted the Mastership of the Herefordshire Hunt. Mr. Pennefather, who is well-known in the Cheshire hunting field, is very popular, and on Thursday while out with the North Cheshire Hounds he received the congratulations of many hunting friends. He keeps a private pack, and recently, during the indisposition of the North Cheshire pack, he placed his hounds at the disposal of the Hunt. For several seasons past he has rendered good service to the Cheshire Hunt by hunting at his own expense the Cheshire hills. Mr. Henry Dennis, of Ruabon, has been elected President of the Miners' Association of Great Britain. The marriage of the Rev. George Williams, Rector of Trefonen, and Miss Parry Jones. Oaklands, Chirk, will take place at Chirk Church on Thursday, April 11. Countess Grosvenor, Lady Lettice Grosvenor, the Earl and Countess of Bradford and Lady Florence Bndgeman, and Lady Clanmorris are staying at Hotel Costebelle, Hyeres. The Earl and Countess of Crewe have arrived at Wiesbaden, and are staying at the Rose Hotel. Other new ariivals at the same hotel are Major and Captain Crofton. The Secretary of the Chester General Infir- mary begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following donation :— £ 5 7s. 6d.. balance of Grand Jury luncheon fund, per Mr. R. O. Orton. Mr. Yerburgh, M.P., and Captain Heywood- Lonsdale were among the exhibitors at the Thoroughbred and Hunter Show, which opened on Tuesday, at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington. The Hon. C. T. Parker was one of the judges. Miss Ward, niece of the Rev. Harry Drew, who came over for a visit to Buckley caught a chill. Pneumonia set in, and the young lady is lying seriously ill at the Vicarage. Mrs. Drew and Miss Dorothy Drew, who are abroad, have been telegraphed for. Lieutenant Frederick Albert Betteley Pook. of the 4th Battalion (2nd Royal Cheshire Militia) of the Cheshire Regiment, who died at Burgersdorp, of enteric, at the age of twenty-eight, was the eldest son of Mr. Fred Pook, of South Norwood Park. He only obtained his commission on March 13th last, the Battalion having been embodied for service in South Africa. in the preceding January. LORD ARTHUR GROSVENOR AND THE YEOMANRY.—Captain Lord Arthur Grosvenor has resigned his commission in the 2nd Battalion of tbe Imperial Yeomanry, The announcement appeared in Friday night's ■ London Gazette." WREXHAM'S NEW COUNTY SCHOOL. The estimates for the new County School at Wrex- ham range from R12,575 down to 49,425 (Mr W. E. Samuel's). The latter has been accepted subject to the approval of the Charity Commissioners. The architect's estimate was £ 9,700. CHESTER COACHBUILDSR'S FAILURE. A receiving order has been made upon the debtor's own petition against John Maddocks, residing at 2, Lime-villas, Sealand-road, Chester, and carrying on business at Gorse Stacks, Chester, as coachbuilder. HER 28TH APPEARANCE.—At the City Police Court on Tuesday morning Ellen Kilfoyle, a noted character in Chester, was sent to prison for two calendar months with hard labour for having behaved in a riotous manner in Com- mercial-court the previous night. This was her 28th appearance. AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Mr. Charles Bennett, secretary to the Chester Licensed Victuallers' Protective and Benevolent Associa- tion, has received a suitable acknowledgment from the Home Office, London, of a letter of condolence sent by the association to his Majesty the King and the Royal Family on the occasion of the lamented death of her late Majesty Queen Victoria. RIGBY BENEFIT CONCERT.—We waderstand that this concert, which was put off on account of the lamentable death of Queen Victoria, will take place on Monday, 29th April. The concert will be under most distinguished patronage, and it is hoped a substantiallÕum may be raised by its means for the benefit of the late Mr. Rigby's widow and five infant children. CHESTER CENTENARIAN'S DEATH.—A notable inmate of the Chester Workhouse died last week in the person of Mrs. Mary Stewart, who recently attained her hundredth birthday. The venerable lady, who had been an inmate of the house a little more than a year, possessed a wonderful physique, retaining the use of all her faculties except that of hearing up to the last. CHESTER ODDFELLOWS AND THIC LATE QUEEN VICTORIA.—A letter has been received from the King acknowledging with thanks a resolution of condolence on the death of the Queen, passed at a meeting of the Loyal Earl of Chester Lodge, G.U.O.O.F., at the Red Lion, and forwarded to his Majesty. The letter having been read at the lodge meeting on Saturday evening, it was ordered to be entered on the minutes. CHESTER AND NORTH WALES ÅRCHEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC SOCIETY.—The fourth meeting of this session will be held on Tuesday evening next, at eight o'clock, in the Lecture Theatre at the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, when a paper will be read by the Ven. Archdeacon Barber, entitled The Nave Roof of the Church of St. Mary-on-the- Hill." This interesting subject should ensure a large attendance. FAILURE OF CHESTER TRADESPEOPLE. A receiving order was made on the 4th instant on a creditor's petition against Edward Lamb, trading as E. and T. J. Lamb, brickmakers, Newton Hollows, Chester. Ou Friday a receiving order was made on the debtor's own petition against Sarah Maria Lightfoot. carrying on business at 20, Eastgate-row, Chester, as draper and milliner, and at 27, Foregateetreet, Chester, as fancy fair and smallware dealer. JAPANESE FANCY FAIR.—The bazaar to be held in the Northgate Congregational School- rooms on Wednesday and Thursday will bare several features of special interest. The stalls will be artistically arranged and attended by ladies in Japanese costume. There will be a j realistic representation of a Zenana, and a i telephonic transmitter will enable any one in the large room to hear the musical recitals being given in one of the lecture rooms. The music on both days will be by the Massa i Brothers. QUEEN-STREET P.SA.-Tho meeting was in I charge of the P.S.A. Lodge of Good Templars and was conducted entirely by them. Mr. W. S. Moss (chairman) intimated that this was the sixth auniversary of the P.S.A. Lodge, and that this year is the jubilee of the order, it having been founded in America in 1851.—Bro. James Dunkerly, secretary of the Ashton- under-Lyne Branch, gave the address. Miss Bogie rendered the solo How can he leave Him ?" and Mr. and Miss Bogie gave much pleasure by their singing of the duet Away with the Bowl.Bros. Cunningham and Wolfe also took part in the service. THEFT OF IRON.—At the City Police Court on Wednesday morning Joseph Hughes, Jas. Hewson, and Wm. Fisher, labourers, were charged with stealing iron valued at 3s. 9d., on the 8th inst. It appeared from the evidence that these men were employed by the Corporation in depositing rubbish at The Tip" at Sealand. It was the duty of defendants to pick out any iron found among the rubbish, and afterwards convey it to the Corporation Yard for sale to marine store dealers. Instead of doing this, however, the men had sold a quantity of the iron picked out to a man named McDermott in Queen-street. Each defendant was fined 3s. 6d. including costs. THE PENTREBTCHEN ESTATE.—The estate of Lieulenant-Colonel Henry Warter Meredith, of Pentrebychen Hall, Denbigh, who died on the 7th of January last, aged seventy-five years, has been valued at C71,765 2s. gross, including personalty of the nett value of 48,345 7s. The testator bequeathed to his wife, Mis. Sophia Henrietta Meredith, £ 3,000 and his house Oaklawn, Upper Norwood, and its furniture, and he charged the Pentrebychen estate with a life annuity of £ 5C0 for her, and, subject thereto, he appointed his interest in the settled Pentre- bychen estate to his son-in-law, Mr. Peter Macara. The testator made heirlooms of the effects at Pentrebychen, and be devised his copyhold and freehold estate in Pontesbury and his house at Talwyn to his daughter, Mrs. Alice Warter Macara; and he left the residue of his property in trust for her. Persons entitled under the settlement to possession of the Pentrebychen estate are to take the name of Meredith. WILL OF Miss A. M. LAIRD.-Miss Agnes Macgregor Laird, of Cathcart, Grosvenor-road, Birkenhead, who died on the 4th of January last, aged 61 years, daughter of the late Mr. John Laird, M P., left personal estate of the nett value of S37,310 7s. 3d.,and the gross value of the whole of her estate is JE38,371 Miss Laird's will bears date July 28, 1893, with codicils 25th September, 1895, and 30th June, 1899, and the executors are her brother, Mr. Egerton Knox Laird, and her nephew, Mr. Roy Macgregor Laird, and the testatrix bequeathed to her sisters, Mrs. Harriet Bristow, Mrs. Mary Hamilton Busk, and Mrs. Jane Macgregor Goldney, JE600 each; to her said brother, Egerton Knox Laird, £ 4,400; to her sisters, Ellen Fawcett Laird and Alice Maud Laird, X5,000 each and numerous legacies to her nephews and nieces. She left the residue of her property in trust, in equal shares, for her said brother Egerton and her said sisters Ellen and Alice Maud. CHESTER TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY'S DINNER. -About thirty Chester compositors and their friends spent an enjoyable and convivial evening on Saturday on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Chester Typographical Society, which took place at the Bull and Stirrup Hotel. Mr. W. Williams, the president of the society, occupied the chair. The loyal and patriotic toasts having been honoured, Mr. W. Carr proposed in felicitous terms the toast of "The Typographical Association," which was ably responded toby Mr. S. Hall. "The Chester Branch" was submitted by Mr. S. Mason and acknowledged by Mr. T. Hargreaves. The health of the host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Bates) was cordially drunk on the initiative of Mr. F. Lowe. Songs were given duiing the evening by Messrs. H. Gandy, Cunningham, J. Pearson, and J. Tomlin- son, while a clever ventriloquial sketch and an entertainment with musical glasses was given by Le Quist (Mr. W. Rowe). Mr. W. Williams acted as accompanist. The function was voted the most successful the society has yet held. CHESTER LICENSING SESSIONS. These sessions were held on Wednesday morning, the magistrates on the Bench being Messrs. John Thompson (chairman), T. Smith, and Roger Jackson.—On the application of Mr. W. H. Churton, the licence of the Prince of Wales fnn, Henry-street, was transferred to Frank Johnson, who was formerly a coachman residing near Rossett. Mr. Cburton also applied for the licence of the Angel Hotel, Brook-street, to be transferred to Leonard Pearson, whose mothc-r keeps the Bars Hotel, Foregate-street. The application was granted.—The licence of' Salmon's Vaults was transferred to Percy Haywood, who had previously been granted temporary authority to sell a the public- house. Mr. Churton also made this application. The licensee was formerly club steward at the Oddfellows' Hall.—Thomas Reynolds was granted the licence of the White Lion, Foregate-street, He has been licensee of the Vaults in Watergate-street. In reply to the Chairman, Mr. T. Reynolds said he bad paid for all the furniture, ke., in the house.—On the application of Mr. N. A. E. Way, the licence of j the Saddle Inn, Grosvenor-road, was trans- ferred to Mr. Greaves.—Mr. T. Cartwrigbt, junr., applied for the transfer of the licence of the George and Dragon Hotel to John Roberts. This application was granted.—On the applica- tion of Mr. H. Jolliffe, Elizabeth West was granted the transfer of the licence of the Exchange Vaults, Boughton.—-Mr. E. Brassey applied for and was o'l"¡:¡"t.d tf-o s> the licence of the C, "t,, V, who previously gai:, d poriv-v auttio-i'v, and who once kept U Hop-pole Hotel.—Th, licence of the Carnar <:> CistJe in Wnterg^te- street was trausft. red to V"tHRPI~ James Jones on the "fttion ■ V H. Reynolds. CHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS BILL.- This Bill was on Monday read a second time in the House of Lords. THE ELECTION OF GUARDIANS.—The only withdrawal in the nominations of guardians for the Chester district is that of Mr. Henry t Crowder, merchant, who was nominated for St. Oswald's ward. j HOOLE PUPIL'S SUCCESS.—Alice Hibbert, a pupil in Westminster Girls' School, Hoole, has been successful in obtaining a bronze medal presented by Lord Strathcona for an essay on Canada." ACCIDENT AT THE LEAD WORKS.—An elderly man named William Jones, Suffolk-street, was conveyed to Chester Infirmary on Friday, suffering from two fractured ribs, caused by an accidental fall at the Leadworks, where he was employed. He is progressing. FORTHCOMING LECTURE. Mr. Winston Churchill, M.P., has consented to give a lecture entitled "The War as I saw it" in the Music Hall on Friday, the 29th of March. The popular lecture will be illustrated by lantern slides from photos, and the chair will be taken by his Grace the Duke of Westminster. An advertisement in reference to the lecture will be found in another column. HORSE PARADE.—An advertisement announces an entire horse parade to be held in the Gros- venor Paddock, Newgate-street, on March 30th, under the auspices of the Chester Farmers' Club. This annual event has become to be regarded as a great opportunity for farmers to choo&o the best horse for their mares, and is sure to raise the interest and support it has received in former years. GREATER BIRKENHEAD SCHEM: E. On the motion of& Mr. T. L. Dodds, the Birkenhead Town Council has appointed a special commit- tee to consider the desirability of exten ding the boundaries of the borough. Mr. Dodds proposes to take in the urban districts of Lower Bebinglon, Port Sunlight, and Higher Bebing- ton, and the townships of Prenton, Bidston, Noctorum, Upton, and Moreton, a total area of about 600 or 700 acres. LICENSING APPLICATION REFUSED.-At the City Police Court on Wednesday morning, Mr. R. Cecil Davies, architect, asked for permission of the magistrates—Messrs. John Thompson, T. Smith, and Roger Jackson-to pull down the Freemason's Arms, an old public-house in Frodsham-street, and to practically rebuild it. A plan of the proposed alterations and improv- ments were inspected by the Bench, but the application was refused. UNDER THE RED CROSS."—This is the title of an emotional drama which has occupied the boards of the Royalty Theatre this. week, and attracted large and enthusiastic audiences. This powerful patriotic play, which is staged in a thoroughly capable manner by Mr. Fred. W. Crellin's company, presents a vivid picture of South Africa in the early days of the war, and illustrates the bravery and devotion of the sisters of the Red Cross. GLEE CSAJB SOIREE.-The Assembly-room of the Town Hall presented a gay and attractive appearance on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the annual soiree of the Chester Glee Club. The dance is a reeognisti favourite in u,ne CITY, ana is generally well attended. That on Tuesday evening proved no exception, nearly 100 couples being present. A tastefully- arranged programme had been prepared, and dancing was spiritedly kept up from half-past eight till two o'clock. The muisic was supplied by Marehant's Band. MR. YERBURGH AND MILITARY SYSTEMS—Mr. Yerburgh in the House of Commons on Monday asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government would appoint a commission to inquire into and report on the military system of Switzerland, such inquiry to be directed not only to the character, efficiency, and cost (,f the system, but also to its effect on the industry, physique, and morals of the population. Mr. Balfour: I do not think much would be gained by the appointment of the commission desired by my hon. friend. There is a great deal of information in the possession of the War Office at the present time. DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN.—A well-known figore in Chester passed away, after a lingering illneBS, early yesterday (Friday) morning, in the person of Mr. George Bessell, who resided in Cheyney-road. Deceased was in bis 79th year, and although he took no prominent part in public matters many citizens of Chester can testify to the sterling qualities he possessed and to his genial good-natured disposition. Over a dozen years ago Mr. Bessell kept the Boot Inn, in Eastgate-street Row, and he was once a conscientious member of the Town Council. His loss will be keenly felt. He leaves a widow with whom much sympathy is felt. WELSH FUSILIERS VOLUNTEERS AT DINNER.— The annual regimental dinner of the 1st Volun- teer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers took place at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham, on Friday in last week, and was largely attended. In proposing the health of Colonel Wynne Edwards, Colonel Cornwallis West, Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire, insisted strongly on the necessity of the Militia ballot in order to get hold of the men who, like those in one of the North Wales counties, are backward in joining any Militia force. He also expressed in unmeasured terms the disgust entertained by all loyal Welshmen at the disgrace inflicted on the Principality by two notorious members of Parliament, who, in the House of Commons, and on public platforms, vilify and insult the officers and men of the British Army by slanderous and utterly unfounded remarks. DEATH OF CANON HENRY LiNTO.-q.MaPy church people in the Chester diocese will learn with regret that Canon Henry Linton passed away at his residence, Poplas, Colwyn Bay, on Monday. Canon Linton graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1845, taking second-class honours in Divinity. After serving as curate of Bray and Killygordon, in Ireland, he worked in the parish of Holy Trinity, Birkenhead,from 1847 to 1859. being also for a great part of that time Divinity lecturer at St. Aidan's College, Birkenhead. He was then curate of St. Paul's, Nottingham, till 1864, when he returned to Birkenhead as vicar of St. Paul's, on the nomination of the trustees. After an incumbency of 18 years, he was made, in 1882, vicar of Birkenbead parish church, which is in the gift of the Simeon Trustees. His long service in the diocese, from which he retired in 1896, earned him an honorary canonry of Chester Cathedral at the hands of Bishop Stubbs in 1887. He was rural dean of Birkenhead from 1888 to 1895. FUNERAL OF MRS. R. W. WILBRAHAM.— On Friday afternoon in last week the funeral of Mrs. Wilbraham, widow of Mr. R. W. Wilbraham, of Delamere House, took place at Weaverham Parish Church. The mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Wilbraham (son and daughter-in-law), Miss Vere Wilbraham, Miss Alice Wilbraham, Miss Beatrice Wilbraham, and Miss Ada Wilbrabam (daughters of the deceased). Major Herbert Wilbraham, Langley, and Mr. Wm. R. Wilbraham, Holt (sons), Mr. Chas. Wilbraham, Overdale (nephew), Colonel Gosling and Mr. Herbert Gosling (brothers), Sir Wm. Clarke (nephew), Mr. Leycester Penrhyn (brother-in-law), and the Rev. J. Francis (Langley). Among other mourners were Dr. Moreton (Hartford), the Rev. and Mrs. J. F. Phelps, Mr. C. T. Gar fit, and Mr. G. Youd (Cudding-ton). The Revs. F. Long and J. Francis and the choir met the cortege at the gates. There was a large assembly at the church of villagers to whom the deceased lady had endeared herself by many acts of kicldnpss The Dead March" in Saul was played on the organ. Floral tributes were sent by Mr. and Mrs. Wilbraham (Delamere House), sons, daughters, and grandchildren of the deceased, Dowager Lady Clarke (sister), Mrs. Gosling (sister), Mrs. F. Hothan (sister), Mrs. Henry Wilbraham (Overdale), Miss Esther Wilbra- ham, the Misses C. and R. Wilbraham, the Missea Leycester Penrhyn, Mrs. Gosling, Mr. Robt. and Mrs. Gosling, Mrs. Cunliffe Smith, Mrs. Wilbraham and Mr. H. Wilbraham, Mrs. Woodhouse (Longley), Mrs. Randall, etc. «

WALES A.ND THE ROYAL ARMS.—Lord Aber- dare, the Hon. George Kenyon, and Mr. Brynmor Jones have performed the task entrusted to them of drafting a petition to the King in favour of the recognition of Wales on the Royal Arms. Truth to tell, however, the committee are less sanguine than they were as to the success of the movement, although every possible assistance has been rendered them by the officials at the College of Heralds. THE CUNLIFFE BROOKS WILL.-In the Pro- bate Court on Monday, Mr. Justice Barnef4 granted probate in solemn form of the will of the late Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, Bart.. banker, late of Manchester. The will consisted of two documents, one relating to property in Lancashire and elsewhere, and the other to real property in Scotland. The plaintiffs were Mr. Henry Brooks (xaskell, Mr. Tom E&rrop Side- botham, Mr. Francis Gaskell, and Mr. Henry Wood, the executors of the will. The defendant wag Amy, Marchioness of Huntly. Both cunaents were signed by the testator in the presence of Mr. Wilson. his solicitor, and Mr. Wison's clerk. Mr. Charles Edward Wilson, solicitor, and member of the firm of Wood Norreyg, and Wilson, of Manchester, gave evidence as to the signing of the documents and said Sir William Cunliffe Brooks was undoubtedly of sound mind at the time. The C!r»aH; if A -,al on Wednesday commenced the appeal against the decision of Mr. Just?' ,i, s in the Cunliffe Brooks will suit. i Hpjetdir » » pleadings by striking out the j *.>" ne as t domicile. I I' IN,X.A RE-COVERED and REFINISHED equal tr; Lad;(\s' or Gent's, with the nota-d B E M 6 each, and at all prices from 111 to 12 6.— BRADLEY S fregate-atreet, Chester

THE CHINA LEAGUE. MR. YERBURGH AND FAR EASTERN TRADE. I Mr. Robert Yerburgh, M.P.. President of the I P Presi d ei3t of the China League, occupied the chair on Wednesday at a luncheon at which the secretaries of thf principal Chambers of Commence of the Unitei Kingdom were entertained by the League at tilt Hotel Metropole. The Chairman, in proposing "Our Guests," obeer-ved that the chambers of commerce represented the interesii of our great trading industries, on whose vigorous life th< welfare of the country and of the Empire de- pended. There had been an idea prevalent among the commercial community that the league con- sisted of a body of jingoists who wished to add to the responsibilities cf the British Empire, which were already almost too heavy. That had prevelted people here and there from joining them, and so he was anxious to dissipate any such impression. Their motto was "China fur the Chinese, and the trade of China for all the world." Let the nations of the earth strive for the trade of China by friendly competition, and he was sura they were all willing that the best man should win. Given fair play he believed that the Britisher would win. They hoped to gather into the ranks of the league those with special knowledge of of the tea--ue those w Far Eastern affairs, and to be able, with the help of such experts, to furnish chambers of commerce with information which would be oi value to them as affecting the various interests winch they represented. They also had the advantage cf having associated with the league members of Parliament like Mr. Walton, who had approached the question with an intelligem apveClaticn of the issues involved, and had put before the country the result of his experience. It was obvious that with such gentlemen in their ranks the league stood in a strong position tc give the advice which chambers of commerce at one time or another might need, and they wouid also have the benefit of being represented in the House of Commons by men who had made a special study of the subject. He hoped that the great chambers of commerce would see their way to give the league their support, without which, he confessed, they could not do the work to which they had set their hand. Mr. Helm (secretary of the Manchester Chamber), in responding, said he believed that the chambers of commerce were more than ready to respond to the chairman's appeal. He was of opinion that the movement would spread. and one ground on which he based his expectations of the success of the league was that it had nothing to do with party politics or anything to dhert attention from its main object. Mr. Kenric Murray (secretary to the London Chamber) also responded. Mr. Watson (secretary of the Blackburn Chamber) submitted the toast of -The China League." Mr. Walton, M.P in responding, wished to make it clear that this league was founded with- out the slightest leeling of antagonism towards the older institution known as the China Associa- tion. It was felt that, in addition to the excellent work which had been done by bur association, there was, at the present time, when other nations seemed to be making more vigorous efforts than ever to secure the trade of the Far East, and especially in view of the crisis in China, need for a more active propaganda to be adopted. By. means of educational work they hoped to excite greater interest in upholding our com- mercial position in China. It was unfortunate that the War in South Africa had resulted in this country not being able to exercise a more power- ful influence in connection with recent Chi: e»-e Affairs It must not be forgotten that we had opened China to trade and did more trade with China than all the other nations put together- Germany, the United States, and Jtpsn v^re seeking to oust us from the position cf commercial supremacy which we had enjoyed, and it was with a view to creating interest in tbi" question on the part of employers and employed alike that the league sought the eo-operr.ticn cf the cham- bers cf commerce throughout the country. — .—

I LIGHTING-UP TABLE. I All cycles and other V3bicles in the Chester district must be lighted up as stated in the following table:— Saturday, March 16. 7.4 Sunday, March 17 7.6 Monday, March 18. 77 Tuesday, March 19. 79 Wednesday, March 20 7.11 Thursday, March 21 7 X2 1 Friday, March 22 7 14

♦— CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SERVICE LIST FOR VVICSK COSLKTFKCIN.4 MAR. 16. SATCBDAT, MARCH SU: MATINS. 10.15: Service, Stainer Ho. 1; anthem, incline Thine ear" (Himmel). Eveninsr, 4.15: Service. D^kesm I"; aLtLdra. 0 for a closer walk (Foster). SDHDAT, MARCH 17TH (Fourth Sunday in Lent).- Morning, 60: Litany and Holy Coiumainor.. 10.'JO i Service, Hervey lu A flat; mtroii, hymn 318 Holy Com- mlinion itbt,msi)u in A flat) preacher, ti e (L.rc)n ia Residence. Evening, 3.30 Service, fcivey in A authem, Hear my cryuif-" (Weldon); hymn o.Sv Mag- nificat and Nunc Diiiuttie to Chants; Processional hymn 274; hymns 183, 256, 492; preacher, the Uev. Canon Co per, M.A. The Miserere. MONDAY, MARCH 18TB.MQrniu, « 0: Matins 10.15: Service in Mouotoae. Eveuiug, Keinptoa iu B flat; anthem, Blessed are the merciful" (liilt-s). TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH.-Morning, t-.O Miitins. IV.15: Service, Wood in D; antiiew, "O hnw amiable" (Barnby). Evening, 4.15: Service, Foster in A anthem, "Come; and let us return (Goss). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH. Morning, 8 0: Matins. 10.15: The Litany; hymn 3. Evening, 4 15: Service, Harll-ood In Å fiat; unthem, "By the waters, (Boyce). 7.30 Special service with sermon hymns P5, 2-4. THURSDAY, MARCH 21ST.—MORNING, 60: HOLY Com- munion. 10.15: Service, Stewart iu C: anthem, "Call to remembrance" (karramt). Evening, 4 15; Service. Ouseley in B flat; anthem, My soul is weary ;tteckl with). FRJDAV, MARCH 22ND.-Morning, bG: Matins. 1015: The Litany; hymn It U. Evening, 4.15 Service, Roeera m A minor; anthem, 0 Saviour of tLe worÚl" iGoss}.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGE^& D-JAm.h. BIBTHS, MARRIAGES, and DEATHS are charged at the rate of 2() wards for Is. (prepaid;, it not prepaiu, the charge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement n.usi be authenticated by the Signature z-Li AILI,ess 01 the Sender. BIBTHS. owcN-March 7. at 17, The Crescent, "West Eirby, the wife of Thos. H. C Owen, of a daughter. PYE- W eduesday, March 16, at Anchor Lodlr0, Clevedou. the wile of Joseph Hurger Pye, of i MARRIAGE ASTOlq-CROMPTOlq -March 6, at tl r "r Wrexham, by the Rev. Canon .Plet< V only son of Mr and Mrs. Thomas A road, Hoole, Chester, to Gertma Mr. J. U. Crompton, Norman Vill i, DAVIE6—BECWM—March j4. at AS iiootle, by the Rev. Charles Lus youngest son of the late K.;w-ra to Maggie, second daughter flie, of Crewe. DEATHS. BIESSIELI-Nilareh -15, at 13, Cheyney-r, Funeral Monday, 11.3', at Ceiuot please accept this—the oIÙY-lntllti: HABIUSON—March 11, at j 07. tia vbtst.I Elizabeth Harrison, wue of Sauiut, TO ■- 60th yesr. 1 N M L "A o it 1 b. D"S1S!S&—In loving1 memory of • l daughter of Mary and the late Ar.4. died jiarch 12, ;8r'9. [At re"LJ ELLIS-In affeCLiOUUte remembrance of Prank Kilis, lata of Newgate-street, Chester, wLo ci,.e,i A.aioli 15tbo l'fiWJ, aged 6 years U months, aa-i was interred in Chester Cemetery iViarck E!b. Dfath coaies in unexpected f.jru,s, At unxptcred hours To-morrow y u may utver soe To-day alone is ours. HAI-rs-lu loving tueuiury of iny ,¡tar a,f)')ct", ""z",beth Hayes, who died at No. 13, A.1UÚ)n.trecL kwest), Chester, March Litll. 1891'. You are not f"gútel1, mother dear, Nor ever wii. you be So long a-s life and memory inst I will rein, tuber thee. (A Hee.) Jor,s-In bad but aliee'.ionate remembrance or TLomaa, the beloved liusbtiul of S. Jones, to rmerly d Shrews- bury and Soutliport, who died at hi", residence, Burton- road, Neston, on March htb. IM-, ai.dw.ts illerred at Heston Churciiyard March 17th. Stop, a.ud iu pity sued a silent tear, For all that was Jones's uow lies mouldering here. A partner coantunt and a pareut n:d. Few of his equals has he left behind. His only caN at t very step he troa How best to serve his neighbour and his God His race is run, earth claimed her kindred clay, His soul now dwells in everlasting day (Sadly missed by his loving wile an i children ) PARTIN-In ailectionatu remembrance of James fartiHa of Gresford, who died March tith. 79 vcars, and was interred in Gresford Churchyard March 11th. A loving- father, true a.,ù kind He was to me in heart and mind; A faithful lather too, as well. While he us on earth did well. (Inserted by his daughter Ann.) SMITH—In ever-loving memory of my ie-r husband, Stephen Smith. ittc- of Masouic Hall. Quttn-street, who died March 1-uh, ;S95. Time roils 011 and still I rni:;s Ura. Never will j,i,¡ wemary ::<de Loving thoughts will ever linger Around the spot where he I" laid.

M EMORIALS. JJ1L. AT ALL PRICES, im MARBLE, GRANITE, STOIvE A ALA BASTfS R, On View, and to Order. W. HAS WELL & MASONS, JbL A L Y A ^T £ 3i £ »{i«;afcs end be; 1:e ou ,cr J C I Telephone Nr,

FAT:" B 'JN ACCIDENT.—'A YOUN^ farmer Earned Harry Jackson, the elder son of Air. John oaekson, Lime Tree Faim, 'lirnperlcv, was accidentally shot by his younger broÜer at TiniperJey on Monday night. He wtg a member of the Altrinebam Volunteer and was practising with a. rcok rife at a target with his brother Sytinty. Ho Lad to leaVC- to attend to some horses, axel on rdu:l:r.g p:E£t;d c!os& by the target just as his biO-Ler fired. He unfortunately received the. charge in his breast. I He succeeded in reaching tho sl^bles, where he m",t his fattier, who asked him what- was the matter. He exclaimed, •• It's ret Sydney'* fault. I'm shot," and almost instantly expired. BRADLEY'S fell All-fur Elastic FELT at 3/9. in any sh:\}.(,: as comfortable as a cap, reallj 4 6 eft (corner of Seli i-atreet and 70, Eroon-street.