Cheshire Observer

;? A CYCLE AND ITS FITTINGS. A I CONTRAVENTION OF THE MARKS ACT. I CASE AT NANTWICH. I At the Nantwich Petty SCF-,Siono, on Monday, Joseph Henry Smith, eyefb. dealer, of Burland, near Nantwich, was charged by William Bernard Rogers, of Chorlton-eum-Hardy, Manchester, with having applied a faloo trade description to a bicycle, and also with having sold a bicycle with a false trade description applied to it. Mr. Grace, solicitor, of Manchester, who pro- A,,Ir. Grace, &olilcitor, of .Nlancii--ster, who pro- waa the complainant, the real prosecutors were the Birmingham Small Arms Company. The offences were committed in June, 1903. when Mr. Rogers bought from the accused a bicycle j for ;U'l. ILki., wh:cli the accused represented an built with fittings made by the Birmingham Smalt Arms Company, although he said there was no mark on them. In the rec-eipt which the accused gave to Rogers the dei-cription wad I O ne -?\lav flowor b-?cvclk, One Mayflower bicycle, fitted with Mayflower fittings made by the B.S.A. firm, Birmingham." The fraud wao only discovered in February of the present year, when Rogers, in offering the bicycle for sale, explained that it waa made with B.S.A. fittings. The would-be purchaser, on examining the bicycle, found there were no marks of the B.S.A. on it, and the firm was j communicated with. The accused when written to by the B.S.A. Company said that he bought the fittings some ye.arr; ago from a man who was in business in Nantwich upon his representa- tion that they were B.S.A. fittings. Suc- quently he offered to apologise, but afterwards refused to do so, and these proceedings were taken by the firm to prevent piracies, from which they had MI fie red. Mr. Grace asked for a heavy penalty. The defence was that the accused sold the fittings upon the representation of the man from whom he purchased them, believing that at that. time the firm j-o'd such fittings without marking them, and that he had acted innocently in the matter. The magistrates said it was a bad case, and fined Smith £ 5 and costs on cach informat;on. The fines and conts amounted altogether to E!5. I

HOLT ENDO WED SCHOOLS. I $ ACTION 13Y RATEPAYERS. I On Friday, at a meeting at the Queen Hotel, Chester, the Denbighshire Education Commit- tee considered questions relating to the llolc Endowed Schools. The Building Sub-commit- tee, it appeared, had received a letter from th-e Board of Education, returning the plarw and specifications for altei-aloti and revision in various respects. On completion of the alter- ations, the school would be recognised by tiie Board as providing accommodation for not more than the following number: Mixed 129, infants 60, total 189 At the meeting of the Education Committee the following letter was read from Mr. T. G. Boscawen :—Holt En- dowed Schools. Dear Sue,—In further reply to your jciter of 28th tilt., I am requested by some of the largest rat-epayeryi in the parish of Holt to eay that while they would be prepared to subscribe to the enlargement and repairs to the sehooi, provided the endowment is retained and the school carried on as heretofore, they feel that in view of the proposals now before Parliament they should be repaid their sub- scriptions =n the event of the schools being taken over by the education authority. They feeil strongly that .i,-cy would not be justilied in spending their own and other people's money on the schoc-l unless they were aesurod that the County Council would give them a g;!2rallto' to this effect. The lowest tender for tiio addi- tions, etc., is E497, to which must be added the architect's fee of C20, making i;517 in ail, which figure, however, does not aliow for an) extras.—Yours truly, T. G. Boecawen. Mr. D. S. Davies moved thar the letter be re- ferred to the Building ub-committoc. Sir Foster Cunliffe said if the committee would see fit to adopt the course suggested in the letter they would not, he thought, be go- ing outside precedent and the. course t hcy adopted at one period of the Brymbo School controversy. He liop:d that in view of future legislation the matter would be postponed, and th<tt the committee would fail in with the w ishes of the locality. Mr. Simon Jones hoped the point which had been under (ondderalion for some time would not be lo* sight ol—that was that a majority of the managers of that school had been for some time in favour of transferring the school to the County Education Authority, provided the authority would grant th-em two represen- tatives the Education Committee. There was no ground for any sectarian claim of any kind in connection with the school, and he hoped arrangements would be made to make it, a public schoci, which would be to its ad- vantage. Finally the matter was referr-"d for consider- ation to the Building Committee.

FROM NANTWICH. I Good news travels just as surely as bad, and this news from Nantwich is so good that it would make its way a far gicatcr distance than that which separates us from Nantvvioh. It is a neighbourly thing to send us such helpful and encouraging intelligence, for many of us will welcome the hope \-vhich this information brings with it Mr. Robert S. Lewis. 70, Beam-street, Nant- wich, says :—I have taken two boxes of Doan's backache kidney pills, and I am plear-ed to say they havo done me a great amount of good. "For somo timo befoie using the pille I suffered very much with palns just across where my kidneys are, but Doan's pii!s have cured me. I have recommended them for miles around, as I consider them a splendid medicine for dis- orù-ercd kidneys; you can rely on me recom- mending Doan's pills all lean. (Signed) Robert S. Lewis." The kidneys are ealled "the filters of life." because their duty is to filter waste matters and poisons from the blood. If they are weak or diseased and therefore unable to do their duty, the whole body sufTeis. You may feel sure that your kidneys are out of order if you suffer from any oi the so s- aches, Pains in tho Limbs or Joints, Watery Swellings round the ankles or under the eyes, Sleeplessness. Nervousness or Headache. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills act directly on the kid- neys; they cure all kidney diseases, such as Rheumatism. Dropsy, Neuralgia, and Lumba.go. Keep your kidnev3 weil and they will keep you well. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shil- lings and ninepence per box (six boxes for thirtee-n shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and stores, or post free, dnect from Fester-Mc-C 1 el 1 an Co., 8, Wells-street, Oxford- street, London, W. Mr. Lewis was cured bv Doan's; be sure that sou -et "Doaa's," I

BILLIARDS AT CHESTER. 1 —A UNIONIST CLUB HANDICAP. I BRIGGS v. MACLEAN. I On Friday evening another exciting billiard match was witnessed at the Chester Unionist Club. It was played between the redoubtable Sergeant- Major Briggs, the recent winner of the Army billiard ciianipionstill p, and that skilled cueist Mr. A. MacLean, and they met in the final for the club handicap. The game was 200 up. MacLean going 80 behind and Briggs 230 behind. MacLean commenced splendidly, and required only about 70 to win when Briggs wanted o50. Brigg?, with characteristic coolness, played a sterling game, making very useful breaks, including two half centuries, and finally triumphed amid great ex- citement by nine points. Both players received an ovation, and Briggs was warmly congriltulated on his clever victory.

RECTOR & CHURCHWARDEN » STRANGE SCENE IN A CHURCH. Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (the chairman) and other magistrates, at the Epping Petty Sessions on Friday, heard a charge of assault and false imprisonment brought by Mr. Henry John Miller, the people's warden at the parish church of Theydon-Garnon, near Epping, against the rector, the Rev. Thomas Lloyd. Mr. H. Warburton, who appeared for the prosecutor, said that on Sunday, March 22, after the morning service, the rector wished to get possession of the offertory, and committed a technical assault on the church- warden, endeavouring to imprison him in the vestry. Mr. Miller gave evidence, and said that in the vestry he said to the rector, Pray be reasonable. You know quite well the Bishop told you you were to have nothing to do with the church account." That, Mr. Miller explained, was the outcome of previous trouble. The clergyman: replied, Mr. Miller went on to say, "I don't care for Buhops and Chancellors any more than I do for you," and snappcelllls fingers in the witness's face. I After he left the church, the witness added, the rector came running down the chuachyard after him, calling out, "You have not got it all," and shook some coppers in his hand. The witness replied, Very well, old man, you can keep them I and spend them." Mr. Murphy (for the defence) Did you tell him to go and buy a whisky with the coppers j Probably I did. I thought a little more would finish the job up. The witness declined to explain why he told the rector to buy whisky. The rector was not in a normal state. Mr. Murphy: What do you suggest?—I know what you want to get at. I Miss Ethel Haydon, of St. Helens, Epping, said that sha went back to the church for her gio,.es, and when the sexton unlocked the door she saw the rector and Mr. Miller in the chancel, the former with his hat on. The rector was very excited and angry, and called out to tho sexton to lock the door. He said it was the last collection Mr. Miller should ever tako in that church. After having been locked in five or six minutes she was allowed out. Mr. Lloyd stated that he paid the collection for church expenses into the bank at Epping by arrangement. There had been continual friction in his parish in regard to money matters. There had never been a custom for the money to be taken away uncounted or unchecked by the rector. When in the vestry on the 22nd he saw Mr. Miller put his hand in one of the plates and take the money out. He declined to put the money on the table to be counted. He denied having snapped his fingers in Mr. Miller's face, pushing- him, wearing a hat in church, or calling out to the sexton from the vestry to lock the church doors. Mr. Murphy Is there any truth in the sug- gestion that you were in any way intoxicated or the worse for liquor on that morning ? The Witness Dear me, no. After retiring for some minutes, the Bench decided that a prin.a facie case had been made out, and committed the defendant for trial. On a further summons for brawling in church the Bench imposed a rine of £ 2 and jc;5 costs.

COUJiTY POLICE COURT. I v SATURDAY.—Before Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Mr. H. C. Roberts, Mr. K. T. Richard- son, Mr. J. Mr. W. J. Croydon, and Mr. H. P. Waiiey. CATILE-DR1 VERS TICK ET.—James HutBt, a Liverpool cattle-driver, was summoned for travelling un :lie London and North-Wes- tern Railway, between Liverpool and HOly-\ head, without pr??tously paying his fare, and with intent to avoid payment.—Mr. Eddy, EUHOIl, prosecuted cn behalf of the railway company, and .aid that defendant defrauded the rail?v???- company by traveJJ:ng with a cheap cattle ticket, which had been issued to eon:e- one cdsc, which was a?M) out of date. On Feb- ruary 4th he was found at C,K?ster in a third- class compartment of the Hoiyhead train by a ticket examiner, who asked for his ticket. He produced the return half of a third-class "cattle series" ticket issued from Blackburn to Dubiiu The collector noticed that it was a month out of date, and this was pointed out to defendant and he was ad.:ocl where he had got it. lie said his boss, Mr. Lambert, cattle deaiier, Liverpool, had given it him. The collector took his nam.; and ad- dress and allowed him to go on. Mr. Lambert was seen and he denied having given the ticket to the defendant at ail.—Jeremiah Demeen, a railway clerk at Dublin, deposed to issuing an order to Mr. J VVarbarton for a cheap ticket in considsratio > of 1115 having consigned cattle.—Thomas Crawford, ticket collector at ( luster S'anoii, grated that he examined the defendant s ticket and pointed out to him that it was out of date. Defendant said his boss had given it to him.—John Edward Neaie, detective-inspector at Lime-street Station, said rrat after defendant liad told him the story of the ticket being given him by Mr. Lambert he (witness) interviewed Mr. Lambeit. and sub- •oequentily saw defendant again. Defendant then admitted he had met Mr. Warburton out- side Exchange Station, and ho had given him the ticket.—Simon Lambert, 61, Mces Grove, Liverpool, said the defendant was in his em- ployment until Febrw ry 24. He did not give the defendant a ticket on that date.—Defendant was fined 20s. and costs (a total of E5. 6s. 6d.), with the alternative of a month's imprison- ment. ASYLUM PA TIENTS' MAINTENANCE.— Samuel Williams, aged 60. farm labourer, Back- ford, wes summoned by the Chester Guardians fcr the maintenance of hife daughter in the Upton Asylum.—Mr. R. T. Morgan defended. —Evidence on behalf of the guardians wae given by Mr. Harry Anderson (relieving officer). It appeared that defendant's daughter had been in the Asylum since November, and he had made only two payments, the arrears amounting to five guineas. Defendant has land and keeps two cows, and the Guardians asked for an order for 3s. a week, although the case cost them 8s. 5gd. per week.—Defendant said hi] daughter had been in the Asylum for a short period in 1898, and afterwards fihc had been able to earn five shillings a week. Re- cently she had had an accident in the laundry and had lost four fingers on one hand, and she would never be able to support herself.—Mr. Morgan explained that it was on account of this accident that defendant thoug-ht heshoufd not be called upon to pay.—Defendant offered in court 2s. 5d. per week, and an order for this amount was made. AN UNDERMANNED ENGINE —William Carter, of Saughall Mills, was summoned for h.ivin,- ouly two instead of three men in charge of a traction engine at Whitby on April 14th. —The case was proved by P. C. Dai,les.-De- fendant said that the engine was inf. drawing another vehicle and he did not know that more than two men were required.—The Clerk (Mr. W. H. Churton) said three men were always required by law, and "sometimes four.De- fendant said he couJd not see the uee of the third man. The Clerk: Well, you must talk to your member of Parliament, or to Mr. Winston Churchill, and get him to alter the law. (f,attgbte,)-Defendant was fined 5s. and C'33t«.

THE CHURCHES. A THE REV. W. M. n. LUTENER. NEW VICAR OF OSWESTRY. Ihe Rev, W. M. B. Lutener, vicar of Knighton, has been appointed by Lord Powis to tho vicarage of Oswestry, which becomes vacant on the 30th inst. by the resignation, in consequence of failing health, of Archdeacon Wynne Jones. Mr. Lutener is a son of the late Rev. W. Lutener, of Beech Holm, Curzon Park (for a long period the esteemed Hector of Hartitill), and his mother still resides in Chester. He is a son-in-law of the Rev. Canon Gore.

The Rev. E. A. Crakes, senior curate of St. John's, Derby, has been offered, and has accepted, the living of Weston, near Crewe. The patrons are Sir Delves Broughton and the Bishop of Chester. Mr. Crake is a late exhibitioner of Jesus College, Oxford, and was ordained in 1805 by the Bishop of Newcastle. He succeeds the Rev. Norman Gourlie, who has accepted the living of Hartford, Cheshire.

I BROXTON SESSIONS FARNDON POLLING INCIDENT. A. ,1 1 At tneso sessions, on Tuesaay last, be- fore Messrs. John Howard (in the ohair), Harry Barnston, R. W. Ethelstori and W. R. Cart- wright, Frank Stookton, a wagoner, of Tushi- ingham, was charged with being drunk in charge of two horses and a lurry at Bicktiey at mid-day cn March 30th.-P.C. Crowther proved the case, and said he took charge or the horses and saw defendant home.—A fine of 5s. and &. 6u. costs was inflicted, the Chair- man commenting on danger of the offence. -John J(,iiei,, (,f th3 Boat Houije, Farndon, was, on the evidence of Acting-rgeant Mig- hall, fined 5s. and costs for using obsoene lan- guage at Farndon on the 6th April. The officer stated that it was the day of the polling for a district councillor, and defendant ° used abusive language to people at tne booth. He had to be ejected from the polling station, and was a source of annoyance all afternoon.—Mr. Harry Barneton did not adjudicate in this case.

A CHESHIRE ROMANCE. 6 HEIRESS AND TEAMSMAN. A romantic story is reported from Weaverham. Near the village stands Weaverham Grange, and for many years this was the residence of Mr. Heath, a Brazilian coffee merchant, possessed of a large fortune. He died some three years ago, leaving a widow and two daughters. The elder has been married sometime, and the younger, Miss Robena, who is just nineteen, is the heroine of the romance. Under her late father's will Miss Roljena was left f2,OuO. in trust, for her education until she came of age, when in certain con- tingencies ehe would inherit a further SLO.OOO. This young lady was in no want of matrimonial offers from eligible suitors, but she rejected them all. The young lady's trustees and guardians decided to send her to a high-class educational establishment for young English ladies on the Continent, and her departure was fixed for Tues- d&y last. Mias Heath managed, however, to let her lover know how matters stood. The result was that they determined upon an elopement. Mr. Toru- linson has a relation living in Manchester, aid use was made of this fact to take out a special marriage licence at a Manchester church. Good Friday night, or, rather, the early hours of the following morning, was the time fixed for the elopement. At the hour appointed the anxious lover stolo close under the young lady's window, and helped his future bride in her perilous descent, aided by the ivy on the wall. Miss Heath had her bicycle handy for the emergency. Together the young couple left the park un ptir- sued. Near the bridge the lover had his bicycle also ready. They then sped at their be.-it pace towards Manchester, a distance of about 24 miles. They made for the address of Mr. Tomlinson's relati ve, who had necessarily been let into the secret, and after breakfast set out for the church, whero in the presence of only two or three of the bridegroom's friends they were married.

DEATH OF COL. KENYON-SIAXEY. I T Wo regret to.anaounce the death of Colonel the Right Hon. William Kenyon-Slancy, M.P., which occurred ,at Ilatton Grange, Shifnal, i on Friday afternoon, from pneumonia. For twenty-one years he had been a familiar figure in Parliament and a valued supporter of the Unionist party. First returned for the Newport Division of Shropshire in 1886, after the .rejection of Mr. G ladstone's first Home Rule Bill. he retained the ^uffrages of that constituency at each succeeding election, and in 1895 and 1900 was unopposed. He wad one of the county Unionist members who retained hie old 6e.at at the debacle of 1S06. Colonel Flenyon-SLaney was largely interested in Army matters and the welfare of agriculture. Recently, on behalf of the Whitchurch Dairy Farmers' Association, he took up the question of "Dutch Cheshire Chee»e." His chief legisla- tive achievement was on the Education Bill of 1902. He wars the author of the important "Kenyon-Slaney clause" in Mr. Balfolll" measure which placed the control of religious instruction under the managers, as apart from the trustees or founders, of denominational schools. As a candid critic of War Office admin- istration he was listened to with respectful atten- tion during the Army debates, in which he fre- quently spoke, and he gave enthusiastic support to the full programme of Tariff Reform. In all parts of the Hou.se Colonel Kenyon-Slaney was dearrvediy popular. Although he never ob- tained office, hiti useful services as a private member were recognised by his appointment to tho Privy Council shortly before the fall of the late Unionist Government. Born in India Gl years ago the late Colonel Kenyon-Slaney was the eldest son of Colonel William Kenyon-Slaney, and after leaving Eton and Oxford he entered the Grenadier Guards. With the 2nd Battalion of that famous regiment he served in the Egyptian War of 1882, was present at Tel-el-Kebir and the engagement at Tel-el-Mahuta, and received the medal with clasp and the Khedive's star. Apart from war and politics lie had considerable renown as a cricketer, and for several years scored consistently for the M.C.C., the 1. Zingari, and the Household Brigade. A keen footballer, he was chosen to phsy for England in one of the International Association matches. Colonel Kenyon-Slaney married Lady Mabel, eldest daughter of the late I Earl of Bradford, in 1887. r Appended are the polls at the last two con- r oils It the ].%st two con- tested elections in the Newport division :-1906: Colonel Kenyon-Slaney (U), 4,843; Mr. t Francis Neilson (H.), 4, t;S2; Unionist majority. 10(5. 1892: Colonel Kenyon-Slaney (U). 4,815; Mr. Lander (R), 3,530; Unionist iiizi.joritv. I At a meeting of the Newport Division of Shropshire Unionist Association at Shrewsbury, on Saturday, a resolution was adopted, on the I motion of Mr. R. Tayleur, president, seconded by the Earl of Powis, expressing heartfelt sorrow and grief at the death of their beloved represen- tative. Colonel Kenyon-Slaney. A pathetic circumstance is that at this meeting it was intended to present Colonel and Lady Mabel Kenvon-Slaney with their portrait in oils, in appreciation of 21 years' con tint oas Parliamen- tary representation. Mr. Beville Stainier, of Peplow Hall, Shropshire, may be asked to stand for the Unionist c?H?e. and it is ,tated that Mr. Neilson, who was defeated at the Inat election by a majority of 1GG, will again be the Radical candidate.

DWINDLING RADICALS.-Polling in I Kincardineshire resulted in the return of Captain Murray (R.) by a majority of 1,698 over his Unionist opponent, the figures being Captain Murray, 3,6G1; Mr. Gammell (U.) 1.9G3. There is no change, but tho Radical poll has been reduced by over 600 votes. WEDDING AT HOLY WELL.-Quietly, on Sunday morning, at St. James's Parish Church, Holywell, the marriage took place of Mr. Charles Hall, third son of Mr. Wm. Hall, of tho Cross Keys Hotel, Holywell, and the St. Winifred's Aerated Waterworks, Greenfield (formerly of Warrington) and Miss Mary Finchett (Minnie) Davies, of Lambert's Hotel, Holywell, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Charles Davies, solicitor, Chester, and granddaughter of the late Mr. Davies, of the Commerc?I Hotel, Chester. The bride, who was attired in pretty grey voile trimmed with lace and velvet, and wore a white hat trimmed with heliotrope flowers, was given away by Miss M. E. White, of Lambert's Hotel. Miss M. Hall, was bridesmaid, and Mr. Jas. Hall beat man. The bridegroom's gifts were silver and ivory-backed prayer books. In the afternoon the happy pair left Holywell for the North Wales coast. The presents were very numerous. For Black or Tan or Glaoe Boots or Shoes, for Athletic Shoea of all descriptions, for quality, for style, for reasonable prices, you cannot do better than Hewitt's, Abbey Gateway, fifty years good reputation

THE MURDER NEAR OSWESTRY. —— A, The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Lloyd, a widow, who was found murdered at her homo on the afternoon of April 16, was held in Trefonen schoolroom on Saturday morning, and again adjourned without any additional evidence being tendered. The Coroner (Dr. Aylmer Lewis) made anotr journey from Barmouth in order to be present, and the inquest was attended by Alfred Scott, the Nantmawr youth who stands accused of the crime, and who was brought from Shrewsbury gaol, at his own request, in the custody of two warders. Superintendent Hamlet, who has charge of the case, made a brief statement to the effect that since the adjournment the two men first arrested on the charge had been discharged, and the present prisoner arrested. The police, however, were not in a position to offer any evidence that day, their investigations not yet being complete, but they hoped to be ready in a week's time. He accordingly asked that the inquiry be again adjourned to that day week. This was agreed to, and the jury having been bound over to appear next Saturday the inquest was once more adjourned, and the accused taken back to Shrewsbury.

I WIRRAL RURAL COUNCIL. I &- T A meeting of this Council was held on Mon- day at Birkenhead, Mr. T. Davies presiding. HALF-YEARLY CALLS. The Clerk (Mr. J. E. S Ollive) presented an estimate of the calls required for the next half- year. On the general expenses account a rate of a little under Id. in the pound would be re- quired, the total being £ 535 as against E635 for the corresponding period'last year, and 1; 1, 600 last half-year. The call for special expense*; would be £ 3,536, a sum rather 'arger than last half- year.-Th.c estimates were adopted. MEDICAL OFFICERS REPORT. I The Medical Oflioer (Dr. G. A. Kenyon) pre- I sented his annual report for 19C7. It appeared that tho population of the Wirral rural district at the middle of the year 1907 is estimated at 16.500. The births registered in the district during the year number 401, being at the rate of 24.3 per 1,000 persons living in the district, a? compared wifh 21.6 in 1906, and 25.3, the average of the t( n years 1897-1906. The birth- rate for all England and W J 186 in 1906 was 27 The deatho of persons belonging to the district during th? year number 171. This is at the rate )f 10.36 per 1,000 persons living in the district, as compared wit.h 12.1 in 1906 and 12.4, the average of the ten years 1897-1906. The death-rate for the whole of England and Wale.3 in 1906 was 15.4. The percentage of deaths of infants under one year of age to births regis- tered is 6.5, as compared with 7.5 in 1906 and 10.0 the average of the t-oll years, and as com- pared with 13.3 for the whole of England and Wahxs in 1906. Both the general and infantile death rates are very low. Under the notifica- tion of'Infectious Diseases Act wero reported 13 casts <_>f diphtheria, four of erysipelas, 22 of scarlet fever, five of typhoid fever in the district, and 29 a sudden outbreak in the work- houe, one of puerperal fever, and ore of cer, bro-pinai meningitis. Of these eight eases cf diphtheria, one of erysipe'as, ten of scarlet fewr, "nd two of typhoid lever, were removed to hospital. Apart from the outbreak in the Arorkiiot,se, notifiable infectious disea.;i- has been much less prevalent than in the previous year. In 1907 t-hcre were 46 wee* of alii kinds, and in 1906, 66 There were in 1907. at3 compared with 1906, half as many cases of typhoid fever, and less than hailf of scarlet fever. There has been, how- ever, an increase in diphtheria, the number in 190t' being only eight of this complaint. The cases of infectious disease were in general joattered throughout the district, and at different periods of the year, ao that there was at no tim ■ or place any considerable number of cases. There was no spread of infection attri- butable to milk supply, or water, or any com- mon iewerage system. The outbreak of typhoid fever in the workhouse occurred III October, ft was reported by the medical officer of the workhouse, Dr. Yeoman, as scon as it was recognised, and he (Dr. Kenyon) went with him through the building by his invitation the next day. and made other visits. The medical officer and the guardians dealt prompt-, ly and effil icndly with the outbreak, and it was at onoe arrested. It was confined to the chil- dren in the workhouse. The district continues to be supplied with water from the waterworks enumerated in previous reports. Having re- gard to the hardness of the water, and the fact that it is derived from deep wel;l. it is roas- suring to find that the district is to be traversed by yet another large water main in addition to that for Wallasey, from the highlands of Wales, for the supply of Birkenhead, and which, should circumstances require, may be made available for this district also. As to Wilias<ton sewerage, the cause of the delay in the completion of this scheme, referred to in the report of last year, has now been removed, and the work stiil remaining to bo done if> now about to be proceeded with. At Thoruon Hough the Local Government Board enquiry into the application cf the District Council for a provisional order foi- citiiipitisory powers for the purchase of land for the purpose of sewage which had been held at. the date of (he' 1 <1I:,t report, resulted in a refusal of that department, to grant the powers Consequv n!ly upon this the Council have had the mat.ter under consideration, and are now about to make a further attempt to provide the neces- sary sewerage for the place. The report of Mr. Wallie. inspector of nuisance. shewed that 71 complaints were re- ceived during the year; 1,185 houses, pre- mises, etc., were inspected and 327 re-inspected 334 registered oowsheds, dairies or mdkshop- and eight slaughter-houses regularly inspected. Mr Sherman, as building inspector, stated that 123 sets of plans were passed during 1907 for the building ot about 159 new dwelling- houses. j SUPERVISION OF DAIRIES. I In regard to the medical officer's report, a j letter was received from the Local Government Board requesting that the medical officer should prepare a report upon the dairies, cow- sheds and mil:k ;:)}H)p6 under inspection during th? year, shewing how many of them were liable to registration, and from how many milk was sent away in wholesale quantities by rail or otherwise for consumption in other districts, and what was the destination of the milk. The report ohouid also shew whether all persons re- quiring registration should be registered, and what steps were taken to revise the register and shoitfld give an account of the sanitary con- dition of the promi.408 at the last inspection. The Chairman said the Local Government Board no doubt required this information in view of the legislation on the milk supply which Mr. John Burns was going to propose. At present they did not know what the Bill would provide, but there was no doubr that many things would have to be put into order. As a farmer he welcomed the attitude of the Local Government Board on this question, be- cause it was essrnnail that the milk supply of the large towns should be above suspicion. He waa certain there were scores of t,hippons in Wirral the .smitary condition of which ought to b? improved before milk wac supplied. lie hoped tho medioa! officer would send to the Board a report which would shew that the Council were not afraid to do all in their power to secure a milk 3unplly as pure as pos- sible.

GUESTOliD. I RAILWAY TRAGEDY.—Mr. Li. Kenrick, tho East Denbighshire coroner, held an inquesc on Monday, at the County Hall, Wrexham, in respect to the death of John Young, aged 21,-who had been employed as a fireman on the Great Central Railway, at Sheffield. The evidence shewed that a week ao deceased p.?td a visit to his home at G wersyllt, near Wrexham, but left the following day and stayed in Crispin-lane, Rhosddu, Wrcxbam, with the parents, of a youne? woman named Jesaie Allen, to whom he was engaged. While there he was very depressed respecting a letter which he had received from an uncle disapproving of his engagement. He also was very restless, and said he felt lost without Jessie, who was in service at Rochdale. He also expressed a desire to get) manicd as soon as possible. The following morning his body, frightfully mutilated, was found on the Great Western Railway, on Gresford Bank, between Wrexham and Gresford. Mr. Harris, station- master at the Central Station, Wrexham, said the locomotive superintendent at Sheffield had wired that Young resigned from the company's service on April 21st. saying that lie had had a fortune left him by his grandfather. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide while temporarily insane."

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THE LICENSING BILL. I COMMONS DEBATE. Moving the second reading of the Licensing Bill in the liouo,, of Commons on Tuesday. Mr. Asquith dealt with come of the criticisms to which it had been subjected. While promising that attention should be given to anything which might be said as to the time-limit, he declared that the Government were neither surpnecd nor intimidated by the outcry raited against their proposals, and wou!d persevere in I their task. Mr. Cave moved the rejection of the measure, which he strongly criticacd in respect of its financial provisions, and contended that they could not justify the time limit. except on the principle that if they only gave some kind of notice they could confiscate any interest they liked. Even if it would diminish drunkenneee, which he denied, still to do that good they ought not to bo asked to do that great wrong. Mr. Leif Jones tXlid the predicament which the brewers were in was the result of their own speculations in tied houses, and they had no right to ask for further time in which to retrieve their fortiinei. Mr. Snowden held that temperance reform wa6 impossible utiles* they dealt drastically with club*, arid tlii,, v:ew waa a160 held bv Mr. Ellis Griffiths. Mr. at.son Rutherford spoke against the Bill. and maintained that it was not the tioe of alcoholic liquor that ought to be interfered with, but the ablik,. Public-houses should be made respectable, and not as disreputable aa por>.sib'o. ari was the ca.se at present. Mr. Herbert Samuel defended Bill, and the debate was adjourned. HOW IT WORKS. Mr. Cecil, in the course of the debate on Tuesday night in the HOUM* of Com men-t, men- tioned a striking instance of the working of the Licensing Bill. He raid: The other day he had brought to hiis notice a c:v.(' in which a public- house had been left by a man to his widow. No cau.se of complaint had ever arisen, and the hoitoe was valued, roughly, at £ 15,000. It was necessary to repair it. and the Court gave its .sanction to the lady's trustees borrowing £ 10,000 to carry out the work. She obtained the money from a well-known bank.. Immediately after thiis Bill was introduced. The value of the house wao now no more than £ 7,000. The bank called in the mortgage. because they would neces-arily lose on new valuation in view of the Bill. The woman, who had invested all her saving* in the ho'i-e, had to try and pay the bank. but ziie oouVI not do it. and was ruined. That, continued the lion. member, was not an isolated case, and shewed the evil and unjust effect of fruch a Bill. A IIIT TO THE BISHOPS. I Discussing the attitude of the Bishops to the Licensing Bill, the "Globe" says:—As Mr. Balfour does not lead a party which can by any reasonable stretch of the imagination be sup- posed to be hostile to the Episcopal Bench, the temperate warning he has given to the Bishops to keep clear of the Licencing Bill stands, we hope, some chance of being effective. If the question were purely one of the promotion of temperance, everyone would recognise the right of the various diocesans to pronounce upon it, and their dicta would be received with respect. It must, however, be olear to the least per- spicacious of their lordships that with temper- ance as such it has nothing whatever to do, and that the question really raised by it is whether alcohol eliall be consumed in properly licensed and regulated houses or in almost on- tirely unregulated clubs. An attempt, almost glaring in its crudity, on the part of one poli- tical party to revenge itself upon a clas6 which is supposed to have boon hostile to it in the constituencies, is l.ot a matter calling for epis- copal benediction. Even if we assume that the Licensing Bill can be dissociated from the motives and purposj of its promoters, it stiiil assuredly remains one of those measures upon which a bishop as such would be wifie to pre- serve a careful silenoe. It raises great ques- tion's of law, of the claim of the State to go behind an agreement tacitly if net formally accepted, of the rights of innocent investors, and of the general security of property. We should be sorry to think that the Bishops of the Angfiican Church in general dvvoted such attention to financial probl-ems as would alone justify them in interfering at all in this con- troversy. To be just to them, the majority have vety carefully guarded themselves from any such impropriety, and rhe few who have not strike the lay mind a« belonging to that type which is pohtioafl or fanatical first and ccclesiastieaI af-(-rwitxl. THE CHURCH AXD LICENSING. I The members of tho Norwich Diocesan Con- ference have shewn clearly their view of the Licensing Bill by adopting bv a very large majority a resolution to the effect that while welcoming a further reduction of lieenoes, and the gradual acquisition by the State of tb £ |f monopoly value, the Conference could not suP' port the Government Bill so long as it pro' posed to confi.>eate property without c'Ûmpctlsa' tion. This wa^ the more significant as tIl0 Bishop had stated that he gave the Bill hl general support. East Anglican Churchmen are clearly not prepared to do injustice ovcO that good may come B DRINK IN THE HOUSE. u Mr. F. E. Smith, at HuddersfieldonMonday nifflis said he intended to introduce into Parliament ft measure to abolish the sale of alcoholic drink in the Commons, in order to test whether the supporters of the Licensing Biil were in earnest in their statements about the presence of alcohol being st?itenii-,zits abOLit t!ie presence of alcollo', belll g '?

WHITCHURCH GUARDIANS. —A ■■ ■ ANNUAL MEETING. _L ihe annual meeting was held on Friday. 1\lr. W. 1-1. Smith proposed the re-election of Mr. Evan Langley as chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. He said happily they had 110 grounds or reasons for hesitating over the filling of this office, for they were fortunate in having chairman who possessed an unrivalled knowledf?0 of poor law, he having made it. if not a lifelong study, at least a study extending over the life' time of many of the younger members of thfi Board He had everything at his fingers' end s, and he had an immense amount of tact a.n commcnsense and while he upheld the dignity of the chair, he had been able to conduct the business in a perfectly friendly manner, without discord. They had every confidence in thetf chairman (hear, hear). They had been alw-%Ys loyal to him, and the business of the Board And of the ratepayers had been carried out in tbo most admirable manner. For this they were indebted to their late chairman, whose memory they still revered, and also to their present chair- man, of whose knowledge and capacity it would be difficult to speak too highly. (Applause). Mr. Woollani seconding, heartily endorsed that Mr. Smith had said. and added that he cop" sidcred the Board to be highly privileged 111 having such a chairman as Mr. Evan Langley- (Applause). The motion was put to the meeting by the Clerk, and carried with acclamation. Mr. Langley, in accepting office, thanked tuS Board for the hononr they had again conferred upon him, and Mr. Smith and Mr. Woollani the o\erkind things that they had said of hilc" and that he felt he had done but little to deserve. Having been a member of the Board f°r over forty years, he valued very highly  position of chairman of the Board, and he hop?* that with a continuance of their kind support "Id -Ls??istance he should be able during the com?? year to so conduct the business of the Board th' it might prove satifactoi v to all. It would be bis earnest endeavour to do so to the best of his ability. (Applause).. Mr. Woollam then proposed the re-appointm^1 of Mr. W. H. Smith as vice-chairman. Tb" gentleman had served them well during the twelve months, though not often called upf" to take the chair. He considered they were equlllly priyilrged in their vice-chairman as they wcro, their chairman. The motion was unanimously. The Cheshire County Asylum authorities stating that the rate of maintenance in that ¡ostll¡ tution for the existing quarter had been fixed 9 j 8s. 5W. per head per week. The Local Government Board wrote Sblln that k274. lis. Od. had been paid to the credit0 the union under the Agricultural Rates Act. Notice was giv?n that the county rate for coming year would be M follows :—Genera! C0110tf¡ purposes 2d.. special 2?d., police Ed" total county rate Cd.; elementary education rate   higher education rate Id., total education r? (;-Id.; grand total, Is. Od. he Mr. Smith said tho aggregate of Cd" was the same as last year, though there was a slight ?'?"? tion in the items. The eduction rate was a-, the same as last year.

TARPORLEY. ,.N LOCAL SUCCESS.—Amoup tJ? list of s? c?ssfni candtdat?M a,t tho recent examination ^• London for m<'mbcrg of t?c Pha.rmac??'?' Society appears the name of Charles P?? Clueit. lio had pr?vicu?y iakNl the bro? medals at the London CoU?c of Ptmrm?cy ?* Materia Modica and Physic3 and Cflcnii-,try.

CHESHIRE PEER FINED.—Lord of Poynton Towers, Cheshire, was summoned Leicester on Saturday, for having dri ven a. rnO oø car to the danger of the public at OadbV 0 March U. It witsstated that his lordship, dtO &Ø through the village at about tAvent3,- fi,e Milo hour. There was no defence, and, p^v,fifl0 offences being proved, the Bench imposed a fot of £20, and suspended hi3 lordship's licence fot twehemontha. n,00 DOG'S FIGET WITH AN OTTEB.Jd young men, accompanied by a do?. were ?'?frM by an otter near empntll, on Saturday- -? men retreated, but the dog held on ,ind dragged by the otter into a. pond. The men the otter with stones and rescuEd the do?. iI b,dIt otbe otter fo1Jnwed. and a long fight ensued tbo middle of a field. By this time the men had "? themselves with sticks, with which they I<ilia to otter. It was found to be a female, 37 inch'??'i,  and weighing 101b. The do? was budly in The Pick of the Bunch l The Pick of the Bunch PPlantol Soap may well be called the "Pick of the Bunch." It really is so, for it env itf S j i V bodies the choicest essences of FRUIT and FLOWERS. | FOR THE TOILET. If your dealer does not stock Plantol Soap, no doubt he will do so at your request. It will pay him, for once you have tried Plantol you will always use it. Guaranteed Free from Animal Fats. j pa Floral Bouquet, 6d. and 3d. Natural Bouquet, 4d. and 2d.

I '-U- I CRUISER COLLIDES WITH LIXER. On Saturday afternoon the usually calm and peaceful waters of the Solent were the scene of I oneof thomost remarkable accidents recorded in the annalsof the British Navy. The second-ela.-s cruiser i Gladiator, on her way from Portland to Ports- mouth, collided off Yarmouth, in a blizzard, with the American Line's steamer St. Paul, outward bound from Southampton to New York, and was so badly damaged that she had to be run ashore to prevent her from foundering. Twenty-six lives were lost. A severe gale was blowing at the time I of the disaster, and there was a high sea, but I great gallantry was displayed by the coastguards I and Royal Engineers at Ilurst Castle and Victoria Fort in the work of rescue. The St. Paul, which was comparatively littlo damaged, lowered boats and saved some of the Gladiator's men, and then returned to Southampton to be docked for repairs. j No criminal responsibility attached to anyone on board the ships," was the verdict of the coroner's j jury at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, on Tuesday, on j the bodies of the four identified victim,3 of the I collision between the American liner St. Paul and t H.M.S. Gladiator in Saturday's blizzard.

CREWE COUNCIL TO RESIGN.-The Crewe Town Council have received further com- munications from the Local Government Board intimating that it will be necessary for the whole Council to resign when the order for increasing the number of members and re-adjusting the ward boundaries comes into operation. After con- sideration of the matter all the aldermen and councillors will resign in November next and seek re-election. This decision has caused some astonishment.