Cheshire Observer

CHESHIRE TRADES COUNCILS '"P,,A-i? ES 1-.? MAGISTRATE AND VACCINATION. STRONG CRITICISM. A meeting of ic.r delegates of the Federated Trades and Labour councils of Cheshire was held at Chester on Sat,,day, Mr. Jones (Birkenhead) presiding. The following co^nmun cation from the North- wieh and District Trades and Labour Council was read by the hon. secretary (Mr. W. Carr): -"The Council had before it. the reeent case of Mr. Hmg-ham, of Northwich, being refused an ex- emption certificate for vaccination in respect of his child, and seeing that ther* have been others in Chester, Crewe a,d elsewhere, we consider that the attention of the Federal Councils and the afriuated councils should, be called to the same, and to that end I bide to ask if you can communi- cate to the councils this opinion, and ask them to take the matter up, with a view of the case being brought before Uv- Home Office and the Local Government Board and the support of the local AI.P.'s asked to th", same in the House of Com- mons if the opportunity arises." 1. Ashley \North vich) said he was not going to declare that the Northwich Council was consti tuted of aati-vaecuii.ite, but they looked upon the matter as a question of principle and right, so far as the Act of Parliament was concerned. They claimed tuat not only thi", man. but everyone who appeared before the magistrates to ask an exemp- tion for his children, being vaccinated, had a per- fect right to obtain a certificate, according to the Act of Parliament. When Mr. Hingham applied in the first instance there were two medical gentlemen on the Bench, and he (the speaker) pre- sumed they influenced the rest of the Bench, and the order was not granted. Ho applied at the next sessions, with the same result, and one of the told him he would not be con- vinced that lie had a conscientious objectioa. His council considered that this was a scandal and an inj ustice. The magistrates having refused to grant an exemption, <t would be incumbent upon the vaccination, oiffcer to summon the man to shew cause why he would not have his child vaccinated, and they .had called the Local Government Board's attention to this. pointing O"t that it was just possible that the same gentlemen who had refused the exemption order would sit in judgment upon the man when he wis summoned to shew cause why his child had not been vaccinated. It had been stated that Local Government Board would send an inspector down to enquire into the case, and from a. discussion at the Board of Guardians, it seemed that there was an unwritten understanding that :he vaccination officer should be quietly spoken tn. and that they should not ase their inuuence to obtain a conviction. The magistrates sat Oil the Bench to administer the law, and the Northwich Council claimed that they ought to submit to the. conscientious scruples of any individual who presented himself. In the neighbouring petty sessional division of Middle- wich, a week after., when a conscientious objector appeared before the Bench, the Chairman called him an ass, and told him he should hold him rtespousible if there was an outbreak of small-pox in the neighbourhood It was absurd for a man in the position of a magistrate to use language like that. He moved that the matter be brought before the notice of the members of Parliament for Cheshire and the bodies he had named. Mr. Blower (Northwich) seconded, remarking that he thought it was the fault of the Act, which provided that two magistrates must be satisfied that an applicant h-?d a conscientious objection. He thought a member of Parliament should be appealed to to amend the Act. Mr. W. Carr (Chester; considered it a great mis- take that there should be any exemption clause at all, but they knew there was a great deal of difference of oDinior on the question, and it was nof for them to discuss the rights and wrongs of vaccination. They had to discuss the right of the magistrates to refuse an exemption certificate to any person who gavi a proper reason for his appli- cation. The case at Chester Castle was a most glaring one. A man gave a very intelligent ex- planation—whether ha wa? wright or wrong he (the speaker! was not going to sav-of his reason for applying for an exemption certificate, and the magistrates treated, him in a most scandalous way, and i way unbecoming the digni- fied position of a magistrate. The proposition was carried. CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES AND TRADES UNIONISTS. Mr. Ellis (Crewe) proposed that the council issue a circular to the various trades councils in the countv and to the members of co-operative societies, asking the latter to employ trades union- ists, not to deal with any sweating firms, and to declare less dividends, and give all goods to cus- tomers at cost price. Mr. Higgms (Hyaef It you sell goods at cost price, it will do away with dividends altogether. Mr. Ellis: Do away with dividends altogether, and allow our goods, to be so'd at cost price after paying working expenses. The proposition was not seconded. Mr. Hisgins proposed that they issue a circular asking co-operative firms to employ trades union labour, and not to deal with non-society firms. Mr. Ash!ùv seconded. He approved of the sug- gestion that co-operative societies m Cheshire should be called upon to employ none but trades union labour, and that trades uuionists should be called upon o tgive their custom to those societies which did 50. If that were generally done, it would remove the d ,grace from societies that had not only encourage, non-trades union labour, but had r'k r. -:i.re,j sweating. Mr. \Y. Carr said th>? question was a very im- portant. one to trades rjiuor.rst-. He did not think any trade was more affected than that of the tailots. and he instanced a case where a society had encouraged sweating m the making of clothes. Mr. Ashiev submitted that t?e matter was in ¿he i1il' oF tha woi-k'tigmei;. The resolution was cirri- The wai AMALGAMATION WITH LANCASHIRE i I .I- 1\1r. Can' e-??piaine?& result ot a conversation i h& had ?ad with the pecret&ty ot the Lancashire 1 Feder?fed Trades Cc.tM 1, one oi the provisions drawn up beirg tha- m the event of the Mnatga- mation of t two DOh J wou!d be knov,n as Lancashire and Cheshire lacerat_i.on of Trades and Labour Council. All tbe delegates said tbe1.o councils were in I favour of amalgama'-ioa, and was d ided. on the preposition of Mr Jepheoft ;'Crewe»,•seconded by Mr. Samuel Knowfe- <HYDC>, to amalgamate. Mr. Carr was elected the k-p rosentative on the executive.

To MOTHFP Winslow's Soothing Syrup I has been uHcd over fifty years by millions of mothers for their children while teething with perfect success. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasant to taste; it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the iitt.e cherub wakes up "as fcrieht as I a. outwn.. jf an < formats. Is. lct. per bottle LIVERPOOL AND XOHTH IVI!,Es.-Tlie re-ul,,ir sailings of the steamers of the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Co to and from Liverpool and Llandudno and the Straits have vastly increased the popularity of North Wales as a holiday resort, seeing that the destination can lie reached with such facility and in such comfort. For the Whit- week holiday" special sailings are announced, and, given fine weather, there should be no more popular trips than those by the St. Tudno, St. El vies, or Snowdon. The St. Tudno and St. Elvies will sail on Saturday at 10.45 and 2.15 respectively. On Whit Sunday the sailings will be St. Tudno at 10.45 (due back 7.30), and the Snowdon at 11.15, passengers joining the St Tudno either at Llan- dudno or Beaumaris. On Whit Monday the sail- ings will be St. Elvies 9.15, for Llandudno and Holyhead (due back 8.15), and the St. Tudno at 10.45 on the ordinary run. Subsequently during the season the St Tudno takes up the regular daily sailings for North Wales, leaving the Landing-stage at 10.45 a.m. Special rates are in iorce for members of families, season tickets, week-end tickets, &c.

C0XGLET0X MAY FAIR. I The time-honoured custom of holding a May Fair was again observed at Congleton on Monday. This privilege was granted by the charter of Henry VI., given in the year 1430, which reads quaintly thus:—"By charter dated at Gloucester, 1430, the King concedes and gives licence that there shall be one annual fair in the town of Congleton, viz., in the vigil and feast of the Apostles Philip and James, and on the morrow of the same feast, besides the one other fair there held at the feast of St. Martin in the winter. These being witnesses, the venerable fathers John Archbishop of Canterbury, etc., Chancellor H. Winton, our brother, and H. Sarum, our treasurer; Edward Duke of York; John, Earl of Somerset, and others." The old-fashioned May Fair, with its bear-baiting and cock-fighting, is now a thing of the past. To-day we find the roads covered with carts, heavy wagons, and caravans bound for the meadow, where the pleasure fair is held. In the streets the usual horse and cattle fair was held. At each street comer stood some loquacious cheap- jack. This year a little hitch has arisen. A sug- gestion was made by one of the councillors that the authorities should order that the pleasure fair should close at eleven o'clock p.m. instead of at midnight. With this purpose in view, the new I Chief Constable interviewed Whiteing, the great t showman, who promptly refused to close, and said he ought to have had due notice given him before he took the ground and before he brought such a retinue of travelling-van-dwellers to the town. He further stated that if he was pushed he would be pleased to fight the matter out, and would have at his back that powerful organisation, "The Van- Dwellers' Association."

MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO. OF NEW YORK. In another column will be found an advertise- ment of the fifty-ninth annual report of this insurance company. The continuous progress which has characterised the operations of the com- pany ip every department, from the outset of its career, remains. a prominent feature in the report herewith presented. As the distinctive benefits offered by "The Mutual" become more widely known, so the business continues to in- crease, notwithstanding the maintenance of the conservative policy of accepting none but first- class lives. Specially gratifying is tho circum- stance that, although doing a larger business, the working expenses ot tile company shew a de- creased ratio. The funds in hand have increased by £ 5,469,081, and on the 31st December. 1901, reached a total of £ 71,975,776. As shewn by the accounts deposited by the Board of Trade, these are invested in mortgages. Government Bonds and carefully selected railway and other securities of the highest class. As evidencing the care exercised in the investment of these funds, the market value of the securities exceeded their cost or book value by £ 5,160,740. We must refer our roadors for fuller details to the advertisement. One feature of "The Mutual" is the guarantee of cash surrender values. The guarantee of really liberal surrender values, set out in the policy, removes a serious objection to life assurance.

£ 8,150 IN A CASH-BOX. I -+- I STRANGE DISCOVERY IN THE MERSEY. On Tuesday forenoon, while the tide was at its lowest ebb at Liverpool, a constable noticed some unusual object in the mud banks behind No. 2 bridge, left bare by the receded water. The services of a ferry stageman were procured, and the object, which turned out to be a cash-box, was recovered. It was taken by the police to the detective office, and there opened. It was then discovered that the contents were of an extremely valuable character. There was a sum of about £ 150 in bank notes, and, in addition to this, there wore securities for a sum understood to amount to £ 8,000. How long the cash-box has been embedded in the mud bed is a matter of conjecture, but it does not appear to have been there very long. A curious feature about the matter is that the police have not received notice of any robbery having taken place. The mystery is on this account greatly heightened, as it is hardly possible for any person to have lost so much without the loss being known. It is surmised that a considerable robbery has occurred somewhere; whether in Liverpool or close to is not known. The supposition is that there was a considerable sum of gold in the box, and this having been carefully abstracted, the box, with the rest of the contents, was thrown away to avoid discovery. Among current rumours as to the find it is affirmed that the cash-box was being taken to a safe deposit in the city, that the person to whom it was entrusted was followed, and while the door of the safe was being opened, the box being placed temporarily on the floor, it was cleverly scoured, and the gold appropriated. But a robberv of this kind would become known at once, and would certain,ly have been reported.

FISHING- BOAT DISASTER, I One of the most seriOtfS 8ccidents that have over taken the St. Andrews fishing boats for many years occurred on Monday afternoon about halt- past 4, resulting in the drowning of five persons. The weather on Monday was bright, but a stormy north-easterly wind blew with heavy squalls at tiipes; the St. Aiidrewi; fishing boats, however, worked in the bay, and all returned home in safety, with the exception of the yawl belonging to James Gourlay Grieve. It is surmised that the boat, which was carrying full sail, was caught In a sudden squall and had filled and sunk. Seeing that the beat had disappeared, and no signs of it could be observed near where it was last seen, the worst forebodings were entertained. The alarm was at cnee given, and five fishing ooats put off from the shore. Several fishermen, noticing the disappearance of the boat. iaimedi- afely put out from the harbour. They discovered the yawl, but lID trace of the crew could be seen except several caps floating in the water. The yawl was taken in tow and brought to the West sands, where it was beached. The names of those who are drowned are James Gourlay Grieve, shipper, married, with a family of five; two of his sons, Fred Gourlay, 17, and Bruce Gourlay, 16; Alex. Burns Slater, 36, married, with a family of five and Alex. Greig Slater, a young lad 15 years of age. James Grieve was for many years coxswain of the Boarhilis lifeboat, and several years ago distinguished himself by his bravery at the wreck of the Francis, of Drammon, and was specially recognised by the Norwegian Govern"¡' mcnt. The disaster naturaUy created great excite- ment on Monday night in St. Andrews, and much sympathy was expresn?d for the rülatives of hOSÐ who had so suddenly perished.

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CREAM OF THE MAGAZINES. I 1 CORONATION CEREMONIALS. I Everything attecting coronations is eagerly perused at the present time, and an article by William Sidebotham in "Chambers's Journal" on "Westminster and Coronations" will be read with peculiar interest. The writer points out that a coronation is the only Royal ceremony which now takes place in Westminster Abbey, every English Sovereign from the time of Harold having been crowned there. The Coronation of George IV. was the last which took place with the full ceremonial observed in the previous reigns. It included both the service in the Abbey and the great banquet in Westminster Hall. At the latter function the King's champion, Mr. Dymoke, of Scrivelsby, mounted on a charger and clad in complete armour, entered Westminster Abbey and "challenged" anyone to say that his Majesty was not the rightful heir to the imperial crown. This part of the ceremony was also extremely gorgeous, and, although some oritics condemned the great expense it entailed, Sir Walter Scott, who was present, was most favourably impressed with the scene, holding that "it operated as a tax on wealth and consideration for the benefit of poverty and industry." As the King left the Hall of Rufus, his Majesty's Herbwoman and her maids scattered flowers along the route, and as an example of the lavish way in which every- thing was done, it may be pointed out that the charge of Messrs. Rundle and Bridge for the loan of jewels was sixteen thousand pounds— an amount which was supposed to be interest on their value. I THE CRICKET CAPTAIN. I The current number of the Badminton Magazine" has an interesting article by Lord Hawke on oaptaincy in the cricket field. He defines three qualities necessary to the making of a captain of a county cricket team: He must have cricket enthusiasm, a quiet self-confidence which is not mere vanity, and every-ready self-sacrifice for the benefit of his side. The captain of a county cricket team, says Lord Hawke, must be capable of choosing the county team if he oannot, he is not fit to be captain at all. But this should not make him self opinionated or over-bearing. If I am to allude to my captaincy of Yorkshire," he writes, "I should like to say that I have taken counsel in former days with Tom Emmctt and George Ulyett, while for years I have found John Tunnicliffe a right-hand man." Upon the sensible words of a practical cricketer Lord Hawke would have all captains place relianoe. Upon another point Lord Hawke observes:—I also believe in a captain knowing all about his men. Let 'him feel interest in their home-life, and let them be- oome aware that in him they have a sincere friend. The way in which he will come into touch with them by this means would surprise some captains who could not tell you the trades by which their professionals earn their winter wage. Cricketers are human, and when they play together for three or four months bonds of mutual attachment and respect ought to have been formed. I consider that a captain is responsible to his committee and to the public for the morale of his team. The man who is a pernicious example ought to be sacked, no maiter how skilled he may be as a cricketer. u. DEBUTANTE'S ETIQUETTE. I Au rait, whose articles 111 The Queen have attracted so much attention for a long time past, is writing an article on "Etiquette" each month in "The Lady's Magazine." In May she deals with "Debutantes," and gives them much information as to their entrance into Society and presentations at Court. On arrival at Buckingham Palace a debutante, and the lady who is to present her, leave their cloaks in the cloak room, and carry- ing their trains on their arms, after crossing the Great Hall, join in the throng ascending the Grand Staircase to the corridor. Here the card of invitation is shewn to a Gentleman Usher. They then pass on to one of the saloons. If they arrive early they gain admittance to the saloon next to those reserved for the entree; if late they have to take their places in the first rooms of tho suite according to the numbers already present. The gilt barriers are closed as soon as each saloon is fiiled with company, and as the ladies advance from room to room, others take their place. On reaching the door of the Picture Gallery their trains are let down and spread out by the Gentleman Ushers in attendance, they walk across the gallery, with their trains down, to the Presence Chamber. The lady presenting the debutante enters first, the debutante follows in her turn and gives her invitation card to one of the officials, to be handed to the Lord Chamberlain, that he may announce her name to their Majesties. Previous to entering the Picture Gallery she should not, as formerly. take off her right-hand glove, but should hold her fan, bouquet, and lace handkerchief in her right hand. On being presented she should curtsey to the King and curtsey to the Queen and then pass on; she does not, as formerly, kiss the Queen's hand. Her train is replaced on her arm, when she leaves the Presence Chamber, by one of the Gentlemen Ushers. These are the brief details of a presentation at the first Court held this season, but as it was rather of the nature of a trial Court, altera- tions may possibly be made at succeeding ones. LORD SALISBURY. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., contributes an Lntereetnig critical character sketch of Lord Salisbury to the May number of "Pearson's." D: us ng Lord Salisbury's habits as a recluse, 'b ury's habits as a rec l use, the writer says The head for many years of aM overwhelming majority in the' British constituencies, un- disputed master of a great party, the chief figure in a somewhat noisv, turbulent, and garrulous democracy. Lord Salisbury still remains largely a Mokanna—a prophet behind a veil. His habits continue amidst all the turmoil to be those of the student and the re- cluse. This is partly, doubtless, because. like most Englishmen, he is intensely shy, and hates converse with the ordinary man. And all this attitude is brought out to the average man by his habits. Hatfield is just eighteen miles from London. WThatever the political crisis, you read two or three times a week—sometimes every day—that Lord Salisbury has gone down to Hatfield. During the full season he used to give occasionally huge receptions; there are I often housefuls of people at Hatfield, and there are great garden parties in the months of July and August; but these are more or less formal and official entertainments, and Lord Salisbury probably hates them. It is significant. of his shyness and seclusion that, when he is travelling down to Hatfield, he gets into a carriage by himself if he can, and if he happens to be unfortunate enough to have some fellow- travellers he buries his nose in a bock and never exchanges a syllable with anybody. Thus it comes to pass that while he has been the fore- most figure in England for many years, he is little known to the man in the street. Indeed, he is so little known in general society that a man so prominent as Mr. John Morlev has never exchanged a word with him. Probably, there are not half-a-dozen men, outside the members of the Cabinet, who have ever had a conversation of any length with him. This hatred and dread of the masses of the people were less concealed in Lord Salisbury's early days than they are now. There have been many rasping tongues in the British Parlia- ment, but there have been few-at least ;1-gl educated men of high birth-whoso tongue has I left so many stings as that of Lord Salisbury. AMERICAN COMPETITION. I The Idler" contains a striking article by Sidney Brooks on "Britain's Position A Candid Critioism." In it will be found abundant food for speculation by all who are interested in the neice competition between Britain, Ainereic a and Germany. The writer considers that the chief reasons for England's falling off are her want of earnestness in educational matters, and tho un- willingness or inability of the State to concen- trate on the development of commerce. He also believes that England must give way befor,) the American advance, because America is too bi<r, too wealthy, too energetic to be successfully f withstood. He does not, however, altogether despair of the future of this country. While there is much to be done in the way of reform, the commercial and political position of Great Britain is still of extraordinary strength. The total value of her external trade is over £ 300,000,000 a year more than any other nation; she is still the greatest ex- porter in the world; her Navy is absolutely unnvalled and must long remain w; a more than handsome share of the world's carrying*- trade falls to. her mercantile marine; the' Empire she has founded is unparalleled ila; history for its vastness, loyalty and prosperity; and her Army, after some bitter experiences, has just given signal proof of constancy aaet ability to learn its business. Not much fit all this. surely, to justify pessimism. Indeed, t-o one who knows how the Europeans detest England, envy her stability and success, anvi profess to think themselves endangered bv the rapacity, there is something almost humorous in the sight of Englishmen plunging into ,t fit of nervous self-depreciation. So far as lean see, the facts do not warrant lamentation. Granted' that the commercial sceptre must eventually pass to America, enough will still he left for England to nic-.k, i living. The times call not for dejection, but for resolution. The great need of England is science, and the next decade or two will shew how far she Is sincere in wishing to equip herself for toe life of the twentieth ccmturv.

Mus. KENDALL INDIGI;Ail-T.-An extraordinary scene occurred on Saturday night at the Royal Opera House, Leicester, at the close of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal's new play, Conscience." When tin. curtain fell on the last act there were loud and: enthusiastic calls from the audience, and Mrs Kendal came forward with the intention of na, kirt 9 a speech. The crebestrit, however, commenced to play and quite drowned the actress' words There were angry protests from the audience, and a scene of great excitement and uproar occurred. Missiles were thrown at the orchestra, and efforts were made to stop the mosic by physical forcL, and eventually the musicians were compelled to retire. Mrs. Kendal then made a strong attack on the manage- j ment, declaring that the indignity she had suffered was the result of complaints made bv herself and the company against the lack of attention that the artistes had received behind the scenes. Mrs. Kendal made her speech in darkness, the electric light having been turned off. FLORTLINE!—FOE THE TEETH AXD BREATH.— Thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, and gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly whiteness and a delightful fragrance to the breath. Price 2s. 6d. for the liquid, or Is. per iar for the Floriline Powder." of all Chemists and Perfumers. j

DEE FISHERY BOARD. I THE COCKLE BYE-LAW. OBJECTION BY CONSERVATORS. The quarterly meeting of the conservators of the River Dee Fishery District was held on Saturday at Chester Town Hall. Mr. John Thompson pre- sided over a small attendance, including the Rev. C. Wolley-Dod, Dr. Easterby (St. Asaph), Messrs. Walter G. Hargreaves, J. Gooddie Holmes, J. E. Green, Joseph Hall, W. H. Lloyd, C. H. C. Cal- verley, H. R. Lovett, C. Morrall and Charles Bircnall, with Major Leadbetter (hon. secretary), Mr. H. D. Joiliffe (clerk) and Supt. Simpson. The following letter was received from the Board of Trade :With reference to your letter of the 10th last., in which you submit for approval a bye-law made by the Board of Conservators of the Dee Fishery District for fixing the size at which cockles may be taken, I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit to you the accompanying copy of an objection to the bye-law in question which has been received by this department, and I am to state that the Board would be glad to be furnished with the observations of the conservators thereon." The copy of objection enclosed was as follows:-Flint, April 4th. We, the undersigned conservators of the Chester Dee, hereby wish to enter an objection to the confirmation of the ap- pended bye-law, on the ground that a cockle, being of three dimensions, cannot be adequately measured by a gauge measuring only two of them. Some cockles attain maturity in bulk Dr them. Some cockles attain maturity in bulk or L.ucKness witnout proportionally mcreaSin g ',n I area.—Joseph Hall, Edward Bithell, J. E. Green." The proposed bye-law in question is as follows: "No person shall remove from a fishery any cock!" which will pass through a gauge having a square opening of 13-16ths of an inch, measured across each side of a square. Any person who shall com- mit a breach of this bye-law shaH be liable to a penalty not exceeding, for any one offence, a sum oi zzu, and in the case ot a continuing offence the additional sum of £10 for every day during which the offence continues." Mr. Hall said he and his fellow-conservators thought it was hardiy fair to measure the cockle in the way proposed, because a cockle might be fully grown within the specified dimensions. The Chairman asked how they would measure a cockle in any other way than that which was adopted throughout England. The Board were under a pledge to the Lancashire authorities to adopt a bye-law practically the same as theirs with regard to cockles, in return for certain concessions. Their cockle-pickers worked on the same bank as those in the other district. A Member: Not necessarily. The Chairman said that they arranged with the Lancashire Board that if they would adopt tho Dee Fishery Board's suggestion as to mussels, they would adopt their suggestion as to cockles. The suggested cockle bye-law was identically the same as the one adopted by the Lancashire Sea Fisheries. In answer to Mr. Green, the Chairman said the Lancashire authorities had conceded all that they were asked to concede. Mr. Hall said he opposed the interference of the Lancashire authorities from the commencement, because they had no right to dictate to this Board. But now they were going to pay defer- ence to them. The Chairman: We gained our point as regards mussels on condition that we shauld concede the point as regards cockles. Dr. Easterby moved—"That the Board feels it is not at present in possession of those data which will enable it to give a definite reply to their Ij 1 1 r rn 1'. 1 kitie -ooarci oi iraae s) letter, and that the clerk obtain from the fishery boards who have cock.e beds what are the bye-laws in each case in force. Mr. W. H. Voyd seconded. The Chairman moved as an amendment that the reply to the Board of Trade be as follows:—"That the principal cockle bed is one which is common to the two boards. The gauge proposed to be used by the Dee Fishery Board in measuring cockles on the cockle-beds at the estuary of the Dee will be precisely the same as the one in use by the Lancashire and Western Sea. Fisheries Committee. The cockle bye-law in force in the Lancashire district appears, from a letter of Mr. R. A. Dawson, superintendent, to have worked successfully, and the Board do not think it desirable that there shouid bo different gauges in the two districts." The Rev. C. Wolley-Dod seconded. Mr. Hall pointed out that there was no line of demarcation between Hilbre Island and the Point of Ayr. The Chairman That is precisely the reason why we are trying to assimilate the two bye-laws. Mr. Hall: Then I should object to the Lan- cashire Board interfering at all with the limits of the river Dee. Mr. Green: I certainly agree with that. Mr. Hall: We are ignored as a board. Mr. Green: We are. Proceeding, Mr. Green said they were not practical cockle-gatherers, and therefore they wanted expert evidence before them. The Chairman: The very object cf all this is to give the Board reasons whether they should hold a public meeting to get this expert evidence. All this is preliminary to their seeing whether they will hold an inquiry. Mr. Green: V. e must do what we can to have such an inquiry. The Chairman We can neither cause an inquiry nor prevent it. Mr. Green: A great deal lies in our power. We can say that this Board is principally composed of riparian owners who live some miles away from the cockle-beds, and who know no more about cockle-beds than ihe cockle-bcds know cf them. The Chairman ruled Mr. Green out of order. Mr. Green But I maintain it is quite in order now to discuss the matter of expert evidence. The Chairman I rule it is not in order. The resolutions were then voted up^n, and the amendment was carried. Dr. Easterby moved that the defected motion be also forwarded to the Board of Trade, together with the fact that it was lost by eight votes to four. The Chairman did not see why the Board should stultify itself by adopting a bye-law and then say- ing they were very sorry they came to a wrong conclusion. The motion was defeated, but the Chairman pointed out that any member was at liberty to forward the motion independently to the Board of Trade. Mr. Hall said he would like to move that those conservators who were only acquainted with the higher reaches of the Dee should not control the lower reaches, of which they knew nothing. (ijamrhter.) The Chairman I am afraid you will have to go to the House of Commons to do that. (Laughter.) Mr. Hall: And I may say that I was appointed a representative of the Flintshire Couniy Council not to quibble as you are this morning. My in- structions were to support the peopla in their in- terests as ratepayers, to do what I could to ad- vance their interests, and here we ares-now passing laws fixing a maximum penalty of £ 20.upon a poor person for getting a few under-sized cockles. The Chairman: I am afraid that cannot bo dis- cussed. It is quite open to you to object at the inquiry. Mr. Green said he had been informed that a now water bailiff had been appointed", at Heswall. Supit. Simpson: That is so. Mr. Green: Who appointed the new water bailiif? Supt. Simpson I employed him. Mr. Green: Are you authorised under Act of Parliament to appoint him? Supt. Simpson I am. Mr. Green: The Act of Parliamont savs the Beard shall appoint him. The Board has not ap- pointed a new bailiff for Heswall. Major Leadbetter: We are conafcantk clischarg- ieg. men. Mr. Green: It is informal. I raise my objec- tion on the ground of informality. The Chairman: I move that, the temporary appointment of this man be approved by the Board. Mr. Green: It is ultra vires. I shall have to call attention to it in other quarters. The motion was seconded and'carried. PIKE WIRING. The following interesting, report by Supt. 3impsoll was read to the committee:—"I have to report that in accordance with your instructions I made arrangements with Mr: Wynne Corrie and visited his fishery on the Itchen, with a view to obtaining some knowledge in pike wiring. I went there on Monday, the 7th April, and stayed until the following Saturday. Unfortunately the weather became stormy and unfavourable, but through the kind perseverance of Mr. Corrie's keepers I was enabled to see a few pike wired, and ultimately had the satisfaction of wiring two myself. From my little experience I am satisfied that pike wiring, like other mocks- of fishing, re- quires considerable practice before one can attain any efficiency in the art. Probably the most diffi- cult part is the spotting of the fish. Mr. Corrie's keepers, through constant practice, axe marvel- lously quick in this respact, and will at times have a fish on the bl'.nk befove an inexperienced person can detect it. The Itchen, tarilike the Dee, is never flooded, and as the clear water (mostly from two to three feat deep) flows. evenly over a white chalky bed, the pike. wheth not concealed among the reeds, are more easily ireen than they can be in any part of the Dee or its tributaries; but I hava seen pilp in the tipper reaches of the Dee which I now think could have been wired. If the Bojvrd could get permission. from the riparian owners and fishing associations to kill pike in their water: and equip-, the bailiffs with the necessary rods and wires, a few of these destructive fish could- be destroyad in this way. Even in the Itches, where the nature of th» river is favour- able for pike wiring, the keepers often resort to the more general methods of trawling and setting trimmers for them, and I have no doubt that by a more diffusive use of these apmts a great number cf the large pike now infesting the Dec- could be got rid of. Before closing- this report, I would like to mention that Mr. Corrie afforded me every facility for visiting his- fishery. His keepers were most kind, and did all they could to assist me."

CO-OPERATIVE BANKS. — The second annual report of the Co-operative Banks Association, which has just been issued, giv,g an account of the steady progrresa of the movement for establishing people's banks in urban districts, and agricultural credit societies in country villages. It contains testimonies to the utiliy of the system from those connected with local societies throughout the kingdom, also some recent recom- mendations from Mr. H Ridr Haggard and other public men. Now that the association has demon- strated by its existing town and village societies the advantages of this form of economic self-help, the Council (of which Mr. R. A. Yerburgh, M.P., is chairman) appeal with confidence for greater public support and a larger accession of subscribers. Those interested in this growing movement for the popular welfare can obtain further particulars from the offices of the association, 29, Old Queen-street, Westminster. I (The above articles appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

COUNTY POLICE COURT. SATURDAY —Before Mr. Trelawny, Colonel Miller, and Messrs. J. Pover and T. B. Richard- son. MOVING A PIG.—Charles Newport, farmer, Barrow, was fined 6d. and ordered to pay the costs, 4s. fich, for moving a pig without having the necessarv permit. A FREQUENT OFFENDER.—Lydia Roscoe, of Primrose HiP Ellesrnere Port, who did non appear, was charged with being drunk and dis- orderly. -Slie was fined 10s. and costs.—The Chairman stated that she had been fined 10s. and costs six times and 5s. and costs once for a similar offence. ELLESMERE PORT AGAIN.—Bertha Knight summoned Wilfred Grimes for assault, and Ann Grimes, mother of the other defendant, summoned Bertha Knight for a like offence. The parties live at Sunnyside, Ellesmere Port, and it seemed that they had some unpleasantness, which culminated in some discreditable language and the alleged assaults. The Chairman said the Bench could make very little out of the case and considered one as bad ag the other. They bound each over in £ 5 to keep the peace, and ordered the parties to pay the costs between them. ALLEGED THEFT AT THE STATION.- Agnes Wilson, of Liverpool, was charged with stealing on the previous afternoon a Gladstone bag, valued at 25, the property of the L. and N.-W. Railway Company.—Prisoner pleaded not guilty.— Detective Throstle said that on thet previous after- noon he received information that a Gladstone bag had been stolen from off the platform at the General Railway Station It appeared that a lady named Miss F. M. Butcher was travelling from Glasgow to Colwyn Bay. She got out of the train at Chester and placed the bag in question on the platform, telling a porter to take it to the Colwvn Bay-train A few minutes later the bag disappeared, and on a search being made two railway employes found the bag in possession of the prisoner, who was in a third class compartment of a Birkenhead train. Prisoner was afterwards taken into custody, and on the platform she became very violent, g-ivi .iig one of the inspectors a black eye.-Miss Butcher, at present staying at the Y. W. C A. house, Colwyn Bay, identified the bag, and said she remembered seeing the prisoner on the platform, where she left the bag in charge of the porter.—Prisoner was remanded for a week.

BILE BEANS IN CHESTER. ————- fl. ———— THREE YEARS OF INDIGESTION ENDED. The people of Chester will; be interested in the story of a Chester woman who has been cured of onronic indigestion- and pains in the chest by Chas. Forde's Bile Beans for Biliousness. Mrs. Annie Hargreaves, of 23, Queen-street, has been a sufferer from indigestion for over three years, and during that .scried her life was one prolonged agony. By the use of Bile Beans, however, she has been once more restored to her wonted health and strength. When visited by a Chester reporter- she gave the foMowing- information with a view to its ptibli cat?on-- to ..ii" Iic3rd for over three years with indigestion and pains in the chest; and during the whole of that time I was in terrible torture. My back and sides ached c-ontitmally, and life, seemed almost unbearable. One peculiarity of my case was that I had a, sensation as of a large- hnnp on either side* of my ribs." "Did you not have medical advice?" queried- the reporter. "Yes, replied Mr?. Hargreaves, "1 consulted two doctors, and each prescribed for me, but their medicino only gave me temporary relief; After a ti.,?}e I became just ns bad again, and IT began to think I should never get better." ''How ad you iii-st become acquainted with Bile. Beans "I read in a paper about some remark- able cures which had been affected by the Bc-ans and I resolved to giva them a trial. I sent Iur a cox ana commenced to take them. Soon j;ter commencing w?h them I felt better and a,?.h. result of a full course the indigestion has entirely disappeared. My appetite has been fully restored, I am wed and hearty, and feel ten years younger All this I oan safe*- say has beer, done by Chas. Fordo s Bile Beans for Biliousness. I have given some of them to a friend of mine who suffered as I did and she has also experienced great relief. I shall neVl:'t Ce&e to be thankfj[]l for Beans, and shall locommend them to my friend's when- ever an opportunity presents it-self." Chas Forded Bile Beans for Biliousness, which 1 ,ecompl,'shecl f-iie above cure, are purdy vegetable m composition, and their excellence has been so well proved that many doctors are now prescribing them larg-ely. They are a certain euro for indi- gestion, biliousness, pains in the chest and sidc- congestion ûf the liver, headache, neuralgia, faint- ing fits, attackt s of dizziness, flatulence, defective, secretion of the bile, wasting affections, female irregularities, pimples, skin eruption, and the host of ?!'?''?'? a common ??'" "i impurity of the blood, a general conation, of the syst? and loss of v'i-? tal force. Obtainable from all chemists, or post free from the Bile Bean Manufacturing Co., 119 and 120. London Wad, London, E.C., upon receipt of prices, Is. 121 d. or 2s. 9d. per box (2s. 9d. box con- tains three times Is. ld. size). Bile Beans are sold only in sealed boxes; never loose.

GENERAL BOOTH AT CHESTER. I On Monday evening "General" Booth visited this city and delivered an interesting lecture in the Popper-street Methodist New Connexion Chapel, entitled "The lesson of my life, as illustrated by the spiritual and social work of the Salvation Army." There was a crowded attendance, which included a very fair sprinkling of Sal vationists. Mr. V7 Vernon presided, and was j accompanied on the pla.tform by "Colonel" Tjiwiey, A.D..C., London, "Colonel" Jeffries, "Brigadier" Mitchell. "Major" Hillery, etc. The Chairman referred to the successful mission which had been conducted in that chapel 40 years ago by "General" Booth, and said that the result and effect of that mission, was felt by Chester to-day fcr its good. They had since then, as they all knew, seen a very won- derful organisation established—the Salvation Army. There wer« people who, he might say, had been given up by other churches, and the Salvation Army had got hold of them and had made them helpfrd and useful fellow-citizens. The result of their labours would be felt in this city for its good. hume people were inclined to criticise a movement of this kind, but he felt- sure the Salvation Army deserved their sympathy and assistance. "General" Booth, who was received with ap- plause. asked them co judge the Salvation Army by the work done md the results attained, not I by what people said about them, because they all knew public opinion was a very unreliable and changeable thing. He asked them also not to judge the work by what they said themselves. They had a good opinion of themselves. (Laughter.) That was the standard which was expected in the commercial world. If they turned to one of these great combines, syndicates or companies, call them by what name they would, they had to issue their balance-sheets and shew what their profits veer*. The shareholders wanted to know what were the profits and what were the dividends. The "General" proceeded to relate several instances illustrative of the rescue work of the Salvation Army, ilLd said that 25 different Go vernments subsidised them. Australia paid them no less than £ 5,000 a year for the work they did. This kind of work was bound to become universal. Turning to the history of the Army. he said the" began 37 years ago in the East End of London They worked through the metropolis and the provinces, and through Ireland and Scotland. They had extended all over the world-Into France. Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Germany. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and to the borders of Russia. In Asia 1.5CO officers were ->i;ng their, work. They ha.d also gone into Chhi.j. and Japan, and among the aborigines in Australia, the Zuius and Hotten- tots, and the Rea Indians in America. Their operations were extended over 44 different countries and COicilWS, anû thy had between seven and eight tho-and different societies, many of them self-supporting. They had 14,000 "separate" officer, u:'id 40,000 "local" officers, also musicia is Th?y preached the Gospel in 35 different languages. Their literature em- braced 27 newspaper Ttie *'General" proceeded to deal with the "sc>t.i.al wing- and spoke of their shelters, homes, fam; colonies, etc. He made an eloquent appeal to t, IS audience to assist them in the great saving work. On the motion of Mr. E. Pitchford, seconded by Mr. Griffiths, A vote of thanks was accorded to the "General," who suitably responded, and on t his proposition the trustees of the chapel and the chairman were a'so thanked.

YORKSHIRE MIN'ER-^ WAGKS.—All branches of the Yorkshire Miners Association have decided to refer the question, of \tge<; to the arbitratioil of Lord James of Hereford. Grateful ar-r-I Comforting. EPPS'S COCOA Prepared from the finest selected Cocoa w;tb the natural oil preserved. It is far and away the most nutritious beverage You can take EPPS'S COCOA For breakfast and supper.

MORETON OLD HALL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY'S VISIT. j Than Moreton Old Hall there is no more inter- esting example of Tudor and Jacobean architecture to be found in the country. Cheshire is peculiarly rich, says the Daily Dispatch," in manor houses of this character, but by virtue of its picturesque quaintness and antiquity Moreton Old Hall occupies a pre-eminent position. No wonder, then, that the members of the Manchester Geographical Society should desire to renew acquaintance, as they did on Saturday, with the old place that lies under the shadow of Mow Cop. The old hall is situated in the midst of rich pasture lands about a mile from Mow Cop station. The walk there across the fields proved bracing and enjoyable. From afar the many gabled buildings in black and white were picked out amid the bright greens of spring foliage, and very soon the visitors crossed the moat and passed under the gateway into the quadrangle of the hall. Members of the Manchester Geographical Society did not on Saturday exhibit an over- whelming desire to accumulate every known fact concerning the building. They preferred to get into sympathy with the genus loci and catch some- thing of the spirit and romance of old time that brood over the picturesque pile. For instance, they caught sight at once of the following inscrip- tion in old-fashioned letters round the upper of one of the groat bays in the courtyard: -"Cæd x is x al x in x al x thing x This windovs x whire x made x by x William Moreton x in x the x veare x of x oure x Lorde x MDLIX." And be- low, in a panel against the ground floor window, they noted the maker's record as follows: — "Rycharde x Dale x Carpeder x Made x Thies x by x the x Grao x of x God." Fifteen fifty-nine Why, that date carried one back at once to the spacious times of Queen Elizabeth, when Shakes- peare and Kit Marlowe were giving to the world immortal works, and Englishmen filled with high aims and noble ambitions burned to do immortal deeds. Moreton Old Hall is a standing reminder of, and a visible link between, what has been called the sublime period in England's history and the feverish restlessness of to-day. Nay, as a matter of fact, it may be said to connect us with an anterior period, and on that. ground alone is well worthy a visit. The date given apparently only relates to the window. Parts of the hall are very much older. At any rate, the Manor of Moreton, which, like others, was held by knight service, is known to date back to Henry III. In that reign Lettice Moreton, who had become the heiress through failure in the direct male line, bestowed the estate in marriage upon Sir Graham de Lostock, of Lostock Gralam, near Northwich. In the reign of Richard III. we have mention of Bishop Moreton, who contrived the project of marriage of two heirs of the houses of York and Lancaster, and who is supposed to have been born at Moreton Old Hall. The family story of the Morotoas, of which one heard bits on Saturday, is a long one. Correspondence which is still acces- sible reveals the existence of a feud between the neighbouring families of Moreton and Rode, which, though not so deadly as that between the houses of Capulet and Montagu, was bitter enough to be the ta1k of the county. One dispute. ion the tune of Henry VIII.. was over a matter of pre- cedence "which of thcym should sit highest in the churche, and foremost- goo in procession." The decision of Sir Wm. Brereton and Justice Bramley, to whom the matter had been submitted, was that pre-eminence in sitting at church and in going in procession should belong to the gentleman who should ''dispende in lande by title of inheritance kn marks or above more than the other."

CANON SCOTT ON EDUCATION. THE ELEMENTARY SIDE. ITS HISTORY IN BRIEF. On Sunday evening in St. John s Church, Chester, Canon S. Cooper Scott preached on the subject of elementary education. He said that before 1G98 there could not he said to have been any system of education at all, but towards the close of the 17th century there arose several societies, and one of their chief aims was the education of the people. It was in the year 1(398 that five earnest men combined together for the promoting of Christian knowledge. Their efforts had been attended with remarkable success. They began their work by the founding of schools in the various London parishes. Not con- tent with the education of the children, they extended their influence to the prisoners in gaol, also the soldiers and sailors. One great difficulty was the provision of teachers. As time went on inspectors were provided, and in this way began English education. In 1717 the Chester Boys Blue School was built by subscriptions, and it had been maintained by the same means. The Girls' Blue School was built in the following year, with the object of teaching poor girls to read and write and to understand the Church Catechism and to knit and spin." In 1741 there were 2,000 schooLs, many of them being known as charity schools. In 1781 the Sunday school system was established and prospered very greatly all over the country. The children in these schools were taught elementary subjects such as what were known as the three R.'s.' namely, reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as religious subjects. At the beginning of the last century they found a great advance in educa- tion. In 1807 Mr. Whitbread asked in the House of Commons that all children, between the ages of seven and fourteen, should be compelled to gc to school for a period of two years. Unfortunately, his proposal was rejected "on economic grounds." In 1808 colleges were erected for teachers, while in 1811 a National Society was formed out of the old S.P.C. K. It was in that year that Earl Grosvenor built what were then considered the very magnificent Grosvenor schools, where 400 children were continuously educated. The school work was so encouraged by the National Society that in 1818 there were 19,230 schools tnd 674,(A scholars. In 1833 a very important departure was made. Previously, every effort which had been made for the education of the people had been purely voluntary. For 150 years, voluntary effort had been working in this direction, and had moved the country to take some interest in that important matter. In 1833, the Government ventured to give a little encouragement to those Voluntary schools. A grant of £ 20,000 was made and continued in succeeding years. These grants were made for the encouragement of schoolbuilding. The money was divided between the National Society and the British and Foreign Bible Society, thus accounting for National" schools and British schools. In 1839, a Minister of Education was appointed, and something like a national system came into existence. Between 1839 and 1870, the Voluntary School System flourished very greatly. The Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Board Schools entered upon the work with enthusiasm. As one who had lived among those who were hard workers for the cause, he could remember what a great day it was when the Inspector's visit was paid. Those were the days of hard work for school managers and teachers. Until 1870. the Government continued its grants for the building of schools. These were given without any favour to any religious body which was willing to comply with the conditions. The Church of England was not favoured any more than other societies. The reason for the Church of England schools receiving much more in grants was that she contributed much more money than others did, con- tributing over £ 43,000,000 to the National Society. That sum did not include the valuable sites on which the schools were built which were given in many cases, nor did it include the benefactions such as the building of the Grosvenor School by the late Duke of Westminster about 20 years ago. It was by the efforts of these societies that the way was prepared for the Government to take a more active part in the education of the people. About the time when the late Queen came to the throne the Government formed the first educational Parlia- ment and took a direct interest in the work of education. About 30 years later an Act of Parlia- ment was passed, which provided for the building and maintaining of strictly Government schools, known as Board schools. Another generation had passed since then and the Government were now engaged with another Education Bill, for the promotion of secondary education. Looking over the parish registers, he found that in 1837, out of every thousand persons, 3ti!) were unable to write and confirmed their marriage con- tract by making a mark. In 1870 the number had been reduced to 140 out of the thousand, while at the present time the number was 20, made up largely of persons who worked on the canal, and who had greater difficulty than others in attending schools. In 1837 no children were obliged to attend school; but the Education Bill of 1870 had wrought a very great change. In the preacher's parish at that time a night school was a regular part of parish wor" and for several nights in the week the clergy were engaged in teaching grown up men to read and write. Very touching were the efforts of some of those people to supply the want of early educa- tion, awl he did not think he was ever engaged in a more useful work. The younger men who had been neglected in their youth were much more difficult to reach. He had by him a programme of the arrangements made for the festivities in celebration of the Coronation of Queen Victoria,. The school cniidren were, of course, considered. From the arrangements he saw that there were 14 Sunday schools and only rive day schools. There were 2,281 children receiving religious instruction, and 995 in the day schools, which were referred to aa free sc h ools '?5 in the day The subject, which W3 listened to with great interest, will be continued to-morrow (Sunday) evening.

CHESTERBANKRUPTCY COURT TUESDAY.—Before Mr. Registrar Giles. I BARROW FARMER'S FAILURE. John Wright, farmer and butcher, Barrow, came up for his public examination. The liabilities are expected to rank at £ 1,311 12s. 4d and the assets at jS214 Is. Id., leaving a deficiency of £ 1,097 11s. 3d. He attributed his failure to Losses in the partner- ship with Mr. Hitchin, losses in cattle and horses, and trade losses; family illness and deaths." Mr. Brassev represented debtor.—In reply to the Official Receiver (Mr. LI. Hugh Jones), debtor stated that he had been a wholesale butcher, and had carried on a potato business and small farm for 21 years. He had about £ 10 and a young heifer to start with, and he borrowed £45, which had been repaid. He had kept no books. He did not know what business he had to go on in debt without keep- ing any account of the money he owed. He had only 10 acres of land to start with at a rental of £ 40, and afterwards he had 22 acres, for which 10 or 12 years ago he paid S83 10s. a year. He gave notice twice, and his rent was reduced finally to £ 64. From 1886 to 1895 he paid B78 a year rent, and he estimated £ 44 a sufficient rent, the excessive rental thus being £ 306. For the succeeding seven years he paid E64, and lie estimated the excessive rental at E70. He did not know why he kept on at the farm when he was paying too much rent. He had always found the rent high in comparison to other people's. A neigh- bour who lived only 150 yards away from him and had the same quantity of land and buildings paid only £ 38 a year. He went into partnership with Mr. George Hitchin, putting in j6100 which he borrowed from Miss Martha Wright. The business was to buy early potatoes in Jersey, and send them to Chester, Man- chester and Birmingham. The partner- ship lasted two years, and lie got very little out of it. He got some money the first year, but he had no written agreement, and when Mr. Hitchin died, and the business got into the executors' hands they would not pay him anything. He sued but did not recover a penny. He lost j6120 in that business in 1885 and 1886, and he finished paying the money back only two years ago. The Official Receiver: You have been insolvent since 1898 You have had this excessive rent going on for many years, this loss of stock, and this loss with Hitchen. Could you have paid your creditors in full if you had had to pay them all ?—I do not know, I am sure I did not put the thing down. You have had a bank overdraft of between £ 100 and £ 200?—Ye3 sir. When did you think you could not pay your creditors in full ?-I have not thought anything about it until Mr. Davies sent me a letter.—Con- tinuing, he said he thought his position was a little worse now than it was four years ago, owing to the bad stMe of trade and the losses he had had. At the private meeting of creditors his brothers offered to pay 3vS. 6d. in the £ The result of the meeting was that a committee of investigation was appointed, and they recommended the acceptance of 5s. In reply to Mr. Brassey, debtor said the compo- sition of 5s. in the £ was to be paid partly out of his assets, and partly by his brothers contribu- ting to it. That did not go through on account of one creditor. The examination was closed, subject to the sign- ing of the shorthand notcs. DEALINGS WITH MONEY-LENDERS. WHAT WAS THE RATE OF INTEREST ? Frederick William Rigbey, who had carried on business at 10, Brook-street, and 66, Bridge-street, Chester, as a stationer, was publicly examined. The liabilities are expected to rank at JE759 2s. 2d., and the assets are estimated at J3502 4s. lid., leaving a deficiency of B236 17s. 3d. The alleged cause of failure is "bad trade and bad debts." Mr. Payne, solicitor, appeared for the trustee, Mr. Town ley Trotter. Debtor stated that he started business in Janu- ary, 1896, with JE80 capital of his own. Six months afterwards he got 981 under the will of his aunt, He commenced business in Bridge-street, and twelve months ago set up also in Brook-street. Ho became short of. money 2^ years ago.. The Official Receiver: And then you startctd I borrowing from money-lenders at an exorbitant rate of interest—the usual thing, I suppose?—The usual rates. Who did you go to first?—Mr. Harris, Newgate- street. And what did you get there?— £ 30. How much did you sign for?— £ 36. Payab'e how?—Re-pavable at £ 8 a month. So that would be something like 30 or 40 per cent?— Y es, something like that. Or more. perhaps?—Twenty-five per cent., per- haps. You did not have it for a year?—Oh, no. Were you being pressed by your creditors at that time-Yes, I was. And you staved off actual proceedings by means of borrowing from money-lenders?— Y es, from time to time. The Registrar: He paid B6 for the use of £ 30 for about, five months. The Official Receiver: He did not have the use of the full £30 for five months. The rate would be something like 60 or 70 per cent. Continuing, debtor stated that the reason he was short of money was that he could not collect his accounts quick enough to meet his payments. He had not given credit rashly, and had not betted or speculated. He had drawn about £ 2 a week from the business. Hi, turnover from 1897 to 1898 was about a thousand pounds, and the average profit would be about 25 per cent. He always thought he was solvent, notwithstanding that he had to deal with ten of these professional money-lenders. Why did not you file your petition instead of borrowing off these money-lenders?—I thought it would pull me through. The total amount you owe the money-lenders is about £ 154. How cou'd you possibly pay some- thing like 50 or 60 per cent. out of your business? If you had thought it out for a moment, it must have struck you that you could not pay that annual charge. What was it going to pull you through?—To pay off my trade accounts. When you had done that, you had the money- lenders to pay, plus 60 per cent. What justifica- tion had you for thinking you would be ab,e to pay the money-lenders?—I did not think of it in that Debtor was ordered to furnish accounts of his dealings for the past two years.

) T! A KM A I I I-ICTORY.-Tiie case of Daniel Brown (Ltd.), the only employers of barmaids m Glasgow, who have refused to comply with the order of the magistrates to dispense with female bar attendants, and who resolved to risk the issue at the Appeal Court. came before the Court of Quarter Sessions on Monday. It had been suggested to the appel- lants, who are leading restiturateurs in the city, that the obnoxious bar should be placed against the wall as a means of evading the difficulty, so that, technically, the barmaid should no longer be a barmaid, but the firm refused to adopt this make- shift. For the magistrates it was urged that no exception could be made in this instance. They had decided that, for the benefit of certain sus- ceptible young men, and old men, too, the barmaid must go. and they could not in any instance go back upon this decision. On a vote being taken the appeal was sustained by 59 votes to 38, and the licence was unconditionally granted. TIME TRIES ALL. For over 50 years Hewitt's Boots have stood the test of time, and are still unsurpassed and unequalled. Abbey Gateway and next to Music Hall.

ROYAL VISIT TO WALES. I ♦ THE PRINCE INSTALLED. I A special outburst of Welsh fervour and loyalty marked the installation of the Prince of Wales as Chanpellor of the University of the Principality, a ceremony which took place with becoming pomp and dignity at Carnarvon on Friday. The progress of the Royal party, escorted by the Denbighshire Yeomanry from VaynolPark, where the Prince and Princess are the guests of Mr and Mrs. Assheton- Smith, was made to the accompaniment of hearty cheering. The order of the carriage procession from Vaynol Park to Carnarvoii was as follows:—Carriage No. 1: Lord Kenyon, Master R. Williams Bulkeley (trainbearer to the Chancellor). Carriage No. 2: Mrs. Cornwailis-West, Sir R. Williams Bulkeley, Bart., Captain Evans Lombe, H.L.I. Carriage No. 6 Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Lord Mostyn, Lord Boston, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Colonel Cornwallis-West. These left Vaynol Park at 10.30, and were followed by—Carriage No. 4: Countess Spencer, Countess of Powys, Earl Spen- cer, General Swaine, C.B. Carriage No. 5: Lady Mary Lygon (lady-in-waiting), Mrs. Assheton- Smith. Sir Arthur Bigge, K.C. V.O. (private secre- tary to the Prince), Sir Charles Cust, Bart., R.N. Carriage No. 6: His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, Mr. G. W. D. Assheton-Smith, Sir Wm. Carrington, K.C.V.O. (Comptroller of the Prince's Household). The Mayor of Carnarvon (Councillor R. 0. Roberts), together with the Mayoress, the Town Clerk (Mr. J. H. Bodvel-Roberts), and the mem- bers of the Corporation, with their mace-bearers, met the Royal party opposite the Royal Hotel, and on their arrival Mr. Assheton-Smith presented the Mayor and Mayoress. The Mayor presented an address on behaif of the Corporation. The Prince replied in the following terms:- "Mr. Mayor and gentlemen,—I am glad our first official visit since the ancient and distinguished title of Prince of Wales was conferred upon me should be to your historic borough. The pleasure of the visit is greatly enhanced by the fact that I come to be installed in that high and honourable position of Chancellor of the University of Wales, vacated by the King on his accession to the Throne. It is, I feel sure, a matter of congratula- tion to the University that his Majesty is still associated with it under the title of its Protector. The Princess and I are deeply sensible of the kindly and loyal words of welcome and good- wishes to which your address gives expression, and we shall ever watch over with heartfelt inter- est the welfare of the people of the Principality." The Mayoress then presented a bouquet to the Princess. The approach of the Prince and Princess to the Pavilion was heralded by the booming of the guns of H.M.S. Skipjack, lying in the bay. The Royal party were met at the entrance by the President of the University College of North Wales HLord Kenyon), who presented the officers of the University, as well as the Lord Lieutenant (Mr. J. E. Greaves), the High Sheriff (Mr. Ephraim Wood), and the chairman of the County Council of Carnarvonshire (Mr. Charles A. Jones). A brilliant scene was witnessed inside the huge building. The Pavi'ion, which, by the way, has been the scene of many eisteddfodic triumphs, is capable of holding about eight thousand persons. [ts capacity on Friday was not fully tested, but the gathering was unquestionably one of the most distinguished and representative that could be drawn together in the Principality. The varied hues of the academic gowns of the professors, the scarlet uniforms of military officers, the crimson robes of the Mayors, not to mention tho gay toilettes of the ladies, supplied abundance of colour and made a picture that was strikingly effective. The brilliant company assembled in the Pavilion included the Bishop of Bangor and Mrs. Watkin Williams, the Bishop of St. Asaph and Mrs. Edwards, Major-General and Mrs. Swaine, Captain and Mrs. Griffith-Boscawen, Mr. S. Moss, M.P., etc. When Mr. Ivor James rose to read the deed of appointment, and the Prince also rose, the whole congregation joined in a mighty shout of welcome. The deed having been read, Dr. Isambard Owen read the address of the University Court, and pre- sented the key of the University Seat and a copy of the Charter and Statutes—the instruments of the Chancellor's office. Members of the Court having resumed their seats, Principal Roberts, LL.D., the Vice-Chan- cellor, read an address on the part of the Senate and Theological Board, and presented a patent, under seal, conferring the degree of Doctor in Lcgibus, to the Prince. Mr. D. E. Jones, B.Sc., next presented an address on behalf of the Guild of Graduates. I THE PRINCE'S REPLY. His Royal Highness, on rising to reply, was received with loud and continued cheering, tho w hole congregation upstanding. The Chancellor said — Mr. Deputv-Chancellor, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Warden, Ladies and Gentlemen,—The Prin- cess joins with me in expressing our sincere thanks for the hearty welcome with which the University has greeted us. (Cheers.) The Princess is proud to receive the Degree which you hava so gener- ously authorised me to confer upon her as my first ofiicial act. (Cheers.) It was deeply gratifying to me to Wtiow how immediate and unanimous was the desire of the members of the Court that I should succeed to the vacant Chancellorship. (Cheers.) I accepted your invitation with equal readiness. (Cheers.) I shall trust to shew that the welfare of the University is no less dear to me than I know it was to the King—(cheers)—whose continued interest- in it has been so significantly exhibited by his recent assumption of the title of "Protector of the University." (Cheers.) The establishment of this University was the fulfilment of a long-cherished national aim, the honourable accomplishment of a wida-spread popular move- ment—(applause)—and it is with profound satis- faction that I make my first visit to Wales as its Princc-(Ioud and continued applause^—in connec- tion with a work so creditable to the country, so important in itself, and one so precious to Welsh- men of the present generation and of all the future generations. I have learned with pleasure of the success which our Ulliversity-(Ioud ap- plause—has even at this early date achieved, of the brilliant band of teachers which it has gathered round it, of the increasing number of students who enter its collegc-s, and who seekand obtain its degrees, of the distinction which they have gained in tho University examinations, and, what is of still greater moment, of the work that our graduates are already doing in the world. (Loud applause.) It is interesting to note that the University is endeavouring to make provision for those of its graduates who desire to devote them- selves to the career of learning or scientific re- search. (Cheers.) The University has done wisely; it is not so much in the school and the examina- tion rooms, but in the world beyond in the after- life of its graduates, for which schools and exam- inations are but a preparation, that the reputation of the University is Teally made. (Cheers.) The world before our graduates is no narrow one. The Empire has ample need of trained intellects to aid in the development of its vast inheritance. Let the spirit in which it has begun continue—as I am confident it will continue—and the University will steadily grow in vigour and reputation with the coming years, and its sons and daughters will make the name of Wales an honoured one wherever the British flag- floats. As my father—(loud cheers)— on the occasion of h;3 installation at Aberystwyth had an opportunity of inspecting the pioneer COl- lege of the University, I am glad that I. too, sl!all be able to-day to visit one of its two sisters—tho University College of North Wales—('oud cheers trom xsangor students.) I have learnt with deep interest of the magnificent offer of a site which has just been received and accepted from the city of Bangor, and with no less interest of the equally generous offers that the Corporation of this borough and other towns in North Wales were pre- pared to make in the event of the college con- templating a removal of its site. (Cheers.) I thank the Guild of Graduates for the allusion to the ancient badge of the Red Dragon, which it is now my privilege to use. I am proud to be associated with the cciebrated emblem which re- calls the historic fame of Arthur and Cadivaladr, as well as the memory of nearer ancestors—the Tudors—the strong race that did so much to lay the foundation of Britain's greatness. (Loud cheers. ) Sir John Puleston, D.L.. and Sir Llewelvn Tur- ner, D.L., then proceeded up tho dais, and pre- sented the keys of the Carnarvon Castle. An address from the county magistrates was presented by Mr. J. E. Greaves, the chairman of the Quarter Sessions, and Mr. Charles Jones pre- sented an address from the County Council of Carnarvonshire.—The Prince returned his thanks. The Chancellor then admitted the Princess to the degree of Mus. Doc., also conferred the de- grees of. LL.D. upon Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Lord Rosso (Chancellor of tho University of Dublin), and Sir Roland Vaughan Williams (Lord Justice of Appeal), and of D.Litt. upon Dr. Edward Caird (Master of B-ailiol College, Oxford), Sir R. C. Jcbb, M.P., Dr. J. A. H. Murray (etiitor of the English Dictionary) and Principal John Rhys. Then to the strains of Land of my Fathers," the '.congrega- tion," as it is terrned, broke up, and the royal party proceeded to the Castle-pquare, where, under the frowning battlements of the old fortress wherein tradition assigns the birthplace of the nrst I Prince of Wales, a wreath was placed on the statue of Sir Hugh Owen. I BANGOR FUNCTIONS. lheir Royal Highnesses tnen drove to Bangor for the lunch in a mareiuee in the grounds of the Old Palace. Thereafter considerable speech- making took place.—Responding to the toast, of his health, submitted by Earl Spencer, the Prince of Wales, in a speech not without its felicitous touches, said:—"I am proud to think that almost the first event which connected me with the Prin- cipahty after that ancient and distinguished title which 1 now bear was conferred upon me bv the Kiilg-(applause)-was the unanimous request that I should become the Chancellor of the Uni- versity, an office which his IMajesty's accession had rendered vacant. The office is endeared to me by the very fact that it was held by him—(applause) —and the work is one which I am glad to have tht- opportunity of promoting. The objects of the University and its colleges, as I understand them, are to search out the best intellectual ability to be found in the country, in whatever class it may arise, and to train and bring it to the front, and to render it available for the public service. One experience gained in that memorable tour which we màde last year-(applause)-was that our practical-minded brethren across the seas have already recognised that to ensure these objects in their Universities is a public duty. The University of Wales and its colleges, the c.utcome of an earnest and united public effort, have made a good beginning. The lists of the college staff, the re- sults their pupils have already attained, inspire us with ample hopes of the future. The Univer- sity, I am glad to say, does not !et its respon- sibility end when its candidates have taken their degrees, but endeavours to hold out a helping hand to those who aim at a career of learning or I scientific research." (Hear, hear.) The Prince concluded by proposing the toast of; "The University of Wales and its Colleges," and associated with it the names of the Vice-Chancel- lor, Principal Roberts, of Aberystwyth, and the Principals of the other two colleges—Dr. Reichel, of Bangor, and Dr. Griffiths, of Cardiff, each of whom responded. One other function remained. That was a visit to the University College, where the Prince un- veiled a bust of the junior Vice-President of that institution (Mr. W. Cadwaladr Davies), the sculp- tor of which, Mr. Goscombe John, A.R.A., was presented to his Royal Highness. This closed a heavy day's engagements, and the Royal party drove direct to Vaynol, a salute being fired from the Clio as the Royal party passed Menai View Terrace. AT LLANBERIS QUARRIES. I I _I The Prmce and frincess or vvalCS maae a pleasant excursion from Vaynol Park on Saturday to Dinorwic Quarries, the property of Mr. Assheton Smith. Their Royal Highnesses, with their suite and Mr. and Mrs. Asshetou Smith, drove to Llanberis, and were there met by a large crowd of people. Among those awaiting the arrival of the Royal visitors were members of the Vaynol House party, who had travelled by Mr. Assheton Smith's private railway from Port Dinorwic. The visitors ascended in small wagons to a height of 800 feet, from there to view blasting operations. The party was accom- modated en an improvised platform, separated from the rock to be blasted by a gulf of con- siderable extent. By pressing a small button within a box, the key of which was presented in a slate casket to the Princess by Mrs. Assheton Smith, her Royal Highness gave the signals for the firing of the fuse. When the explosion took place a huge piece of mountain side fell with a crash. The results of the explosion were in- spected by the party, and it was calculated that some 50,000 tons had been removed. The visitors afterwards partook of tea in the foundry. A musical programme was given by a choir of quarrymen and a band, whose respective con- ductors had a message of thanks conveyed to them from their Roval H ifidmesses -0-' I RHYL HOSPITAL OPENED. A BRILLIANT CEREMONY. -1 The Prince and Princess of Wales on Monday conoluded their visit to Wales. Their Royal Highnesses broke their journey from Bangor at Rhyl to open the new buildings of the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the foundation-stone of which was laid eight years ago by Queen Alexandra. The residents of the popular holiday resort had made full preparation for the honour conferred, and the decorations were everywhere on a most elaborate scale. A truly Welsh welcome was ex- tended to the Prince and Princess by the thousands of people who lined the route, about a mile in extent. The Royal party were met at the station by Mr. H. R. Hughes, Lord Lieutenant of Flint- shire, and Mr. H. A. Tilby, the chairman of the Rhyl Urban District Council, who presented her Roya! Highness with an address of welcome from the Council. The Prince, in his reply, said: "We are much pleased to pause here on our journey in order to assist in the inauguration of the new buildings of the hospital which bears the name of my dear mother, and the first stone of which was laid by her. I know with what satisfaction she will hear of tho completion of the work. It is interesting to know that I receive this address within sight of a spot so closely connected with the history of the ancient title which I am proud to bear." After the little ceremony the Prince and Prin- cess proceeded through the brilliantly decorated streets to the hospital, where they were met by the Bishop of St. Asaph, who shewed them through tho new buildings. The opening ceremony took place in a special marquee, whore there was a distinguished gather- ing of over a thousand people. The Bishop, on behalf of the committee, wel- comed the prince, and Sir W. Mitchell Banks, the eminent surgeon, gave a short account of the that hospital. (Cheers.) The Prince of Wales, in declaring the building open, made a fluent speech, in the course of which he congratulated the institution on the excellent work it had accomplished during the thirty years of its existence. Its benefits and its blessings had spread far beyond that immediate locality. Per- sons had been attracted not only by the well-known regulation of the hospital, but by the fine healthy and bracing air of Rhyl. (Cheers.) They knew that, through the munificence of the late Duke of Westminster and others, the buildings had been enlarged, but it was upon the liberality of the public that the maintenance of the hospital de- pended and would depend. Much had yet to be accomplished to meeL the ever-growing demands upon the charity, and he trusted that as the field of its labour extended, there might be a corre- sponding expanse of the area from which liberal and adequate financial support was obtained. It had given the Princess and himself the greatest possible pleasure to visit the hospital, and he could only say that thr:y were delighted with everything they saw, and he was sure that everything with regard to hospital work in modern days existed in the hospital. (Cheers.) The Princess of Wales afterwards received presentations of purses from 110 daintily-costumed children.—The Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Alder- man Charles Petrie), who was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, proposed a vot of thanks to the Prince and Princess, which was seconded by Sir James Sawyer, on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who said, as a doctor, that at Rhyl, with its bright and sunny skies, its temperate seasons, its fresh sea breezes, and its ozone-laden air, there was a maritime climate unsurpassed in its salubrity in the tour, and there was also a hospital unsurpassed in the efficiency of its equip- ment. (Applause.)—The vote of thanks was heartily carried, and the Prince briefly acknow- ledged it. Before leaving, the Prince had a conversation with a youthful patient, who was presented to him, a.nd who two years ago met with an accident by falling from the top of Rhuddiaii Castle, breaking an arm and sustaining other injuries. On the re- turn journey to the station the Roya! visitors were heartily cheered, and they left Rhyl for London at 1.20 p.m. The proceedings passed off with much smoothness, and made a fitting wind-up of the Prince's first tour to his Prin- cipality since assuming the title. The following were in the carriage procession from the Town Hall to the railway station, there to await the arrival of the Royal train :—Mr. J. H. Lewis. M.P., Mr. W. Daviess, chairman of the Flintshire County Council; Mr. R. Bromley, clerk of the peace Mr. L. J. Roberts, H.M. Inspector of Schools Mr. Trios. W. Hughes, Mayor of Flint; Mr. A. 0. Rvam. Mayor of Denbigh Mr. Henry Taylor. town-clerk of Flint; Mr. J. Parry Jones, town-clerk of Denbigh. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Chancellor of the University, has made a donation of £100 to the Fellowship Fund of the University of Wales.

LORD DELAMERE'S RIGHTS. A THE NEW PARK DISPUTE. At the meeting of the Northwich Rural Council on Friday, Colonel France- Hayhurst presiding, Mr. Gerrard said he had a matter of some importance to bring forward. It had reference to the fact that Lord Delamere had once more taken action and had locked the gates which formed the entrance to the New Park- road, which it was held was a public thorough- fare. What he wished to know was how the Council stood in the matter. The Clerk replied that the Council informed Loru Delamere's solicitors that they were eontent to allow the matter to rc-nain as it was before the gates were locked again?:* the public. He had thought that by this time Lord Delamere would have opened the gates as bafore, and would have satisfied himself by doing what he thought sufficient to protect his rights. Mr. Gerrard: As a m&tter of fact, he has closed the gates entirely against the public both, as regards the footpath and the carriage-way. The Chairman: When was this done? Mr. Gerrard: A fortnight or so. The Clerk said that what was intended by the Council, i-o had held several conferences with his lordship's solicitors, was. that, without prejudice to the rights of any party, the thing should revert to its former position, and the same facilities should be afforded to the public as formerly existed. Mr. Watts considered that the last letter from Lord Delamere's solicitors did not lead them to suppose that he would acquiesce in the Council's request. The solicitors averred that Lord Delamere possessed all the rights over the road and the public possessed none. The Clerk He may have asserted it, but we assert the other thing. Mr. Holland remarked that on this occasion Lord Delamere had gone further than he had gone before. He now refused foot passengers admittance. After further discussion, Mr. Howitt gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that, in the event of Lord Delamere's not having taken steps to open the raad to-the public, the Council should remove the gates from their hinges.

Lord Cholmondeley will' act as Lord Great Chamoerlam for the Coronation. He will he the deputy during the present reign. The disputing of the case has been a very expensive one. and it is said that Lord Ancaster wll be oc.t of pocket to the extent of some £ 10,000 over the. matter. Liver- pool Daily Post." THE SUMMER ASSIZES. The following com- mission days have been fixed for the Summer Assizes on the North-. Wales Circuit—(Mr. Justice Jelf), Newtown, Wednesday, May 28- DolgeUy, Friday, May 30; Carnarvon, Tues- day, June 3; Beaumaris, Saturday, June 7; i s, iat., l av, -Tillie 7- Ruthin, Wednesday, June 11; Mold, Saturday June 14. At the conclusion of the business at Presteign and Mold respectively, the two Judges for the North and.: SmIth Wains circuits will return to London. They will go back to Chester and Swansea together, he commission days being Saturday, July 19, and Saturday, July 2(j, respectively. (The above article., appeered in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

KAISER S CONCESSION.—In a rescript addressed to the Statthalter of Alsace-Lorraine the German Emperor authorises that official to enter into com- munication with the Imperial Chancellor with a view to the abolition of what is known as the Dictatorship Paragraph in the Law of 1871, with reference to the government of the conquered provinces.