The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

CHESTER TOWN COUNCIL. » A quarterly meeting of the Council was held in the Assembly-room of the Town Hall on Wednesday, the Mayor (Mr. B. C. Roberts) presiding. THE POLLUTED DBS. The TOWN CLERK (Mr. S. Smith) said the Local Government Board had written stating that they had received the petition sealed by the County Councils of Cheshire and Flintshire, and also by the Council of the county borough of Chester, requesting them to issue a pro- visional order constituting a Joint Board under section 14 of the Local Government Act, 1888, to put into operation the Rivers Pollution Pre- vention Act, 1876, in the basin of the River Dee, and stating that before deciding upon the application the Board would direct a local inquiry to be held on the subject. The inquiry would take place as soon as the other engage- ments of their inspectors would permit, and due notice would be given of it. LANCASHIRE AND THE DEE FISHERIES THE TOWN CLERK'S VIEW. The TOWN CLERK also reported that he had received since the meeting of the Local Government Act Committee a notice from the Clerk to the County Council of Lancashire that under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act they intended at the expiration of one month to apply to the Board of Trade for an Order amalgamating the present Lancashire Sea Fisheries District and the Western Sea Fisheries District, calling such amalgamated district by the name of The Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries District,' and extending such district so as to include from the existing limit of the present Lancashire Sea Fisheries District so mueh of the river Dee as is on the seaward side of a line drawn from Burton's Head, in the county of Chester, to Connah's Quay, in the county of Flint.' The TOWN CLERK added that at the conference of the representatives of Chester, Cheshire, and Lancashire in May it was understood that the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Dis- trict was to consist of the sea fishery district outside the estuary. This notice, however, not only embraced that, but the whole of the river Dee from the estuary to a line drawn across from Connah's Quay to Burton Head or Burton Point. He understood the application was to be opposed by the County Council of Cheshire and by the Dee Fishery Board, and inasmuch as the application was to be made at the expiration of a month, and as there would be no meeting of the Council till October, it occurred to him that the proper thing to do would be to notify the Board of Trade at once that it was intended to oppose the application. If that were the wish of the Council, probably the Chairman of the Local Government Act Committee would -move that the application be opposed, and that the necessary instructions be given for that purpose. Mr. WILLIAM BROWN, as chairman of the committee, moved that they give the applica- tion their strongest opposition. If Lancashire took the whole of the river from Connah's Quay to the sea, it would be practically taking the whole of the fishing of the lower river, and if that were done, and Mr. Hooley carried out his scheme, they would have no river left. Alderman H. T. BROWN seconded. Alderman CARTWRIGHT thought a month I was a very short notice to give. The TOWN CLERK expressed the opinion that the application would not succeed so far as the Dee was concerned if it was opposed by the three authorities. He did not know how Lancashire was going to get over the 12th clause in the Act, which was as follows :— Where a proposed sea fisheries district will adjoin or overlap the district of a Board of salmon conservators the Board of Trade shall, by the order defining the limits of the sea fisheries district draw a line at or near the mouth of every river or stream flowing into the sea or into any estuary within those limits, or at the option of the Board of Trade at, or near, the mouth of any estuary within those limits, and the sea fisheries district shall not extend into any such river, stream, or estuary above that line. The motion was carried. RACECOURSE COMPANY AND THEIR LEASE. It appoared from the minutes of the Racecourse Committee that the committee has been waited upon by the following deputation of the Racecourse Company, who desire an extension of their lease:—The Hon. C. T. Parker, Mr. John Cullimore, and Mr. F. J. Warmsley (secretary). Mr. Parker stated the company were desirous to have an extension of the lease; that they do not desire to alter the basis of the present lease, but more time in which to recoup their expenditure; that an extension of the lease would enable them to pay the Corporation an increased rent, which they will be prepared to do, but desire it shall be fixed inclusive of rates, in consequence of constant questions as to the assessment with the Assessment Committee.— AfL ■ J LI. J Aiuer uousiuarauie aiscussion, in tne course of which the question was raised of building an improved Grand Stand, affording enlarged and improved accommodation, the deputation promised to report to the directors, take their instructions, and come before the committee g;in:-Alderman. H. T. Brown, in moving the adoption of the minutes said, they were in the middle of negotiations with the Racecourse Company, but at present they had no recom- mendation to make.—The minutes were adopted. THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXTENSION. IS IT WORTH THE CANDLE ? ALDERMAN CHURTON DISSATISFIED. It appeared from the minutes of the Local Government Act and Parliamentary Committee that at a meeting on the 7th inst. the Town Clerk reported that queries had been sent to the several local authorities whose areas will be affected, to elicit the detailed information required, and that conferences had been invited with the following :—Cheshire County Council, Flintshire County Council, Hawarden Rural District Council, Chester Rural District Council, Hoole Urban District Council, Newton Parish Council, Great Boughton Parish Council, Saltney Parish Council, and Sealand Parish Council. The replies so far received included a resolution of the Newton Parish Council, as follows:—" That the intended action of the Corporation of the city of Chester to extend its boundary be opposed by this Council, so far as any portion of Newton township is concerned," and a subsequent letter from the clerk to that.Council, as follows:—" In answer to yours of yesterday's date, respecting the queries that you wish me to answer, I beg to say that at the meeting of the Newton Parish Council I was distinctly requested not to answer them. Therefore, for the present, I must decline. —Yours truly, JAB. PBINCE." It appeared that the Committee had reselved that the chairman (Mr. W. Brown), Alderman H. T. Brown, and Mr. J. G. Holmes be the representatives of the Corporation, for conference with the several county and local authorities, and thafr it be left to the Town Clerk (1) with the approval of the chairman and deputy chairman, to retain counsel; (2) to prepare the necessary memorial to the Local Government Board, prepare for the inquiry to follow, and do whatever may be necessary in furtherance of the application. The minutes were formally adopted on the proposition of Mr. WILLIAM BROWN, and immediately afterwards, Alderman CHUBTON asked if the Council were thus pledged to retaining counsel, preparing for the inquiry, &c. He had yet to learn that the Committee had obtained the information they were asked to get before the matter was proceeded with further. He some time ago proposed in the Council and it was carried, that the Committee should obtain from the different authorities in- formation as to what the probable loss would be to them in respect of any ratable value. He objected to the matter going on until the Council knew what they were doing, and what the probable cost would be, else they would be having the same experience as the Liverpool Corporation who thought they were doing a nice thing in extending the b6undaries, but afterwards they had large claims for compensa- tion. He contended that this was a sentimental question, as regarded the city. Brighton and Hove were close together, and they got on very well with one another. The MAYOR pointed out that it would have been more convenient if Alderman CHUBTON had raised the point before the minutes were passed. Alderman CHURTON said the matter had been brought forward in its wrong place. He wanted to know if they were pledged to retaining counsel, &c., because if so he should bring it iorward at the next meeting in order that it might be rescinded. He could not gather from the minutes if the resolution of the Council with regard to obtaining information had been rescinded. If not, he ventured to say the Council had no right to go on with the matter. They ought to have some information from the chairman of the committee as to what they were going to do in the matter. There was a reso- lution about employing counsel and applying to the Local Government Board for an inquiry, but they did not know anything about the cost. That was a very important item, and he thought the chairman of the committee ought to get up and tell them what the cost was likely to be, and what proceedings were to be taken. They ought to know whether the game was worth the candle. (Hear, hear.) He did not think it was. The people outside were opposed to the extension of the boundaries, and it seemed to him they should know what Chester was to gain by it. Hoole was very well governed at the present time, and very well policed too. He did not not think Chester would gain anything by the proposed amalgamation, and if they were going to spend money in fighting hostile authorities he should vote against it. Mr. WM. BROWN said it was not possible to give an idea of the cost. He believed Mr. Churton was engaged professionally to oppose this Bill. Alderman CHURTON: I beg to say no; I am not engaged professionally for anybody. Mr. WM. BROWN If he says not, of course I withdraw it. I said I believed so. Alderman CHURTON: You were the first to object to Captain Davies at the last meeting. I am simply engaged as a member of this Cor- poration. Alderman H. T. BROWN said it seemed to him that the discussion was irregular. Everybody knew perfectly well, and nobody better than Mr. Churton, that whatever was proposed to be done, whether there was opposition or not, could not be done without an inquiry by the Local Government Board. Until the inquiry came. he should be very sorry to give any sort of idea of the cost, and he was sure if Mr. Churton were in his position and partly respon- sible for the committee, he would be equally unwilling to pledge himself as to what the cost of the inquiry would be. It all depended on the amount of opposition There was sure to be opposition, but in all probability the threats of opposition were much stronger than the oppo- sition would prove. With regard to the information Mr. Churton required, he had already pointed out that it was impossible to arrive at any definite conclusion with the different authorities as to what they would accept in the event of amalgamation with the city. Mr. Churton had spoken about Brighton and Hove, but it was useless to compare places of that description with a place like Chester. In conclusion, he remarked that the Council had from time to time adopted the recom- mendations of the committee, and he hoped their present recommendations would be allowed to stand, and that they would be allowed to go on with the proceedings. Alderman CHURTON quite agreed with a good deal of what Alderman Brown said, but he thought the Council should have been taken into confidence, that there might have been a proper debate on the subject. The city might be involved into an expenditure of thousands of pounds to say the least, and unless the com- mittee could give the Council an idea of what it would cost, they ought not to go any further. He gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he should propose that no application be made to the Local Government Board until the committee could furnish this information, and until the matter had been properly debated by the Council. The ratepayers ought to know what the Council were going to do, and that they were not going blindly forward. They ought to know what the proposed extension was going to cost, and whether it would do any good or not. He doubted whether it would. The Town CLERK explained that some of the different authorities had refused to give answers to the questions. When, however, they came before the Local Government Board Inquiry, the Inspector would make them give the answers. Capt. J. P. DAVIES said the Town Clerk had asked the different bodies what the ratable value of their property was, and some of his friends in Flintshire wanted to know why Chester should interfere in a matter of that kind. (Laughter.) The TOWN CLERK said that was the informa- tion the Local Government Board would require. CORPORATION PROPERTY IN THE MARKET. Alderman JOHN SMITH (chairman of the Improvement Committee) moved the following recommendation of his committee:—" That the committee be authorised to sell by auction the property in George-street, late Campbell's leasehold." Alderman CHARLES BROWN, in seconding, said the property consisted of four cottages in a very dilapidated state, and had a large front- age. He suggested that it should be a stipula- tion that the property when sold should be re-built. The motion was carried. NEW WEIGHING MACHINE. The following recommendation at the Improvement Committee was adopted:—' That the Committee be authorised to purchase an additional weighing machine, for use in the cheese market, at a cost not exceeding £9: THE ISOLATION HOSPITAL. A CONTRACTOR-S COMPLAINT. The Isolation Hospital Committee recom- mended: That the Committee be authorised to accept the tender of Mr. W. W. Freeman, for the erection of the pro- posed Isolation Hospital for the sum of £ 14,400; that the Committee be authorised to accept Messrs. Hughes and Lancaster's tender to provide and fix an Ejector Chamber, Shone Pneumatic Ejectors, Air Receiver, Air and Sewage Mains, &c.,for the sum of £ 1,75316s.; that it be arranged that Mr. A. E. Jones' appointment, pursuant to the resolution of the Council on the 7th instant, as Clerk of the Works at the Town Hall, embrace also the duties of Clerk of the Works at the Infectious Diseases' Hospital, at the salary (for both) of 93 10s. per week." It appeared that there were two tenders lower than that of Mr. Freeman, namely, £13,967 and 914,347. The TOWN CLERK said he had received the following letter from Mr. John Mayers, Queen- street :— Having through the public press learned that the tender for X14,400 of Mr. W. W. Freeman is to be recommended to-morrow to the Town Council by the Public Health Committee for acceptance, and my tender of X14,347 being lower and not accepted, I cannot comprehend why this should be so. For on the one hand tenders were advertised for in the local press, and on the other being a Chester tradesman of quite as long standing as the one recommended, and considering myself quite as capable of carrying out the works, as not only works previously done by me, but also what I am now doing will show. I therefore trust that the letter will be brought before the Council, and that my tender will receive further consideration, other- wise I do not see why tenders should be asked for or contractors put to the expense of making them out. Dr. ROBERTS, in moving the adoption of the recommendation of the committee, said they took the general course with regard to the tenders. Of course they left that matter to the architect, and they selected the tender they did on his recommendation. The tender was not adopted unanimously but by a majority of the committee. Mr. Freeman promised that the building should be com- pleted by November 30th, 1898, and Mr. Mayers promised it for May 20th, 1899, practically six months later. The committee considered the building would be a model of convenience and comfort, and thoroughly up to date, and that opinion had been practically confirmed by the Local Government Board, judging from the few suggestions for altera- tions they had made. Dr. STOLTERFOTH, in seconding, said the hospital would be of very great use indeed. The architect had spared no pains or trouble, and with regard to the tender he thought the Council would agreed that it was of importance the building should be finished as soon as possible. A difference of six months was something to be considered. Alderman GEORGE DICKSON was not quite sure whether Dr. Roberts made it clear that it was owing to the length of time Mr. Mayers wanted to build the hospital that his tender was not accepted. It was only fair to state that, because, in his opinion, Mr. Mayers was as capable of executing the work as Mr. Freeman. Alderman BIRD raised the point of whether this six months was a second consideration or not. He had known Mr. Mayers for many years and in his opinion he was as capable of carrying out the work as anybody in the city. He did not think the Committee had done what was right in the interests of the ratepayers. Mr. J. J. CUNNAH replying to Alderman Bird contended that the tender of Mr. Freeman was the lowest the Committee had before them, taking into consideration that he would do the work in less time than Mr. Mayers. He did not know Mr. Mayers, but he knew Mr. Freeman. He did not think it was fair for gentlemen to come to the Council and make the reflections that had been made. He thought the Committee were to be complimented for the pains they had taken for threshing this out in a satisfactory manner. j Alderman CHAS. BROWN pointed out that Mr. Freeman's tender which the architect selected, was very near the estimate made originally by Mr. Beswick, Ald. CARTWRIGHT inquired what penalties would be incurred if the contract was not com- pleted on the precise date. The TOWN CLERK The penalty is;620 a week. Alderman CHURTON If you get it. (Laughter.) The motion was carried. HfNT TO THE GAS COMPANY. Alderman CHURTON said he noticed from the papers that the price of gas was to be lowered. He thought they had a good deal to thank the Electric Lighting Committee for that most desirable result. The only question was whether they might not ask the Gas Company to adopt the plan of Liverpool, and give them 20 candle-power gas instead of 16. He saw that the price of gas in Liverpool was 2a. 9d., the same as in Chester. —(Mr. R. CECIL DAVIES: The price is 2s. lid. in Chester),—but in Liverpool the candle-power was 20 instead of 16. If the Gas Company wanted to keep to the front in the race with the electric light in Chester, they should consider the question.

WIRRAL BOARD OF GUARDIANS. 0 The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday, Mr. W. Knowles pre- siding. There were also present Mesdames Hampson, Hodgson, and Sawers, Captain Congreave, Messrs. C. Morris, Colonel Lloyd, Hutton Wright, W. W. Christian, T. Davis, G. Simpson, J. H. Grundy, J. R. Turton, W. Burkey, Evans, E. Hughes, Sherratt, with the clerk (Mr. J. E. S. Ollive), the relieving office (Mr. J. Hignett), and the house master (Mr. W. L. Richards). VACCINATION STATISTICS. The following are the returns of the vaccin- ating officers for the various districts for the half year ending 31st December last:-Neston. births, 133; successfully vaccinated, 103 died, 16; postponed by medical certificate, 3; re- moved to places unknown, 4; unaccounted for, 7. Woodchurch; births, 158; successful, 128; died, 14; postponed, 11; removed unknown, 1; unaccounted for, 4. Eastham: births, 96; successful, 182; died, 2; postponed, 2; removed unknown, 3; unaccounted for, 7. Bebbington births, 187; successful, 156; died, 11; removed unknown 9; unaccounted for, 11. THE CHAPEL. Colonel Lloyd said the Chapel Committee had met that morning, and the architect (Mr. Francis) suggested that two members should be nominated to lay the two chief corner-stones, The committee recommended the chairman and Mrs. Hampson to lay the stones a month from that day (Wednesday).—Mr. Morris suggested that, as the matter was a public one, the Board should invite some visitors as well as their own members, and should advertise the function. HOUSE STATISTICS. The number of inmates at present is 127, com- pared with 122 last year, and 53 vagrants against 42. The finances amount to E156 7s. lid., 975 of which were spent in outdoor relief.

FASHIONABLE CHESHIRE WEDDING. + On Tuesday afternoon, at the Parish Church of Kensington (St. Mary Abbott's), London, with choral service and splendid floral decora- tions, and in the presence of a large and aristocratic assembly, the marriage took place of Mr. Charles Frederick Coryndon Luxmoore, Captain 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment, and eldest son of the late Captain Charles Luxmoore- Brooke, of Ashbrook Hall, Church Minshull, Middlewich, Cheshire, formerly of Witherton, Devon, and Miss Rosalie Maud Ack worth Ommanney, younger daughter of the late Mr. E. W. Ommanney, of Penlee, Devonport, and grand-daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Ommanney. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Charles Coryndon Luxmoore, M.A. (cousin of the bridegroom), assisted by the Rev. Aldeo S. Bees Heffitt, M.A., vicar of Christ Church, Church Minshull,Cheshire, and the Rev. E. Clementson, M.A.,of St. Mary Abbott's Church. The bride was accompanied by her brother, Mr. M. C. Ommanney (R.M.L.I.), who conducted her to the chancel rails, and in due course gave her away. The bridegroom was attended by Lord Gerald Richard Grosvenor, son of the Duke of Westminster (a brother officer in the 3rd Bat- talion Cheshire Regiment), who acted as best man. The bride was married in a dress of white duchesse satin and full court train,the skirt being draped with an old family Brussels lace veil. The bodice was also trimmed with old lace, and handsomely embroidered in pearls. Her fine tulle veil covered a wreath of real orange blossoms, which, along with a diamond drop fastening the same, and a diamond emerald and pearl neck- lace and pendant and bridal bouquet of white roses, were the gifts of the bridegroom. There were five bridesmaids in attendance upon the bride, Miss A. H. W. Ommanney (sister), Miss Gwendoline Bolster (cousin of the bride), Miss Helen Tagart, Miss Dorothy Heffill, and Miss Doreen Hough, who were at- tired in white grass lawn over pink silk, with trimmed lace and insertion, artistic- ally arranged with sashes of pink satin. They also wore small hats trimmed with chiffon, ostrich plumes, and pink roses. The bridegroom's presents to them were gold curb bracelets, set with turquoises and diamonds, and nosegays of La France roses tied with streamers en suite. There were no pages. The reception given by Mrs. E. W. Ommanney (the bride's mother) at 89, Philbeach-gardens, South Kensington, was largely attended, among the invited, of whom many were present, being Mr. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. G. Woodyall, Dr. and Mrs. Bolster, Commander and Mrs. Lang, Mrs. and Miss Lowe, General and Mrs. Burton, Miss Burton, Mr. G. Burton, Mr. M. Burton, Colonel France Hayhurst, Lord Gerald Grosvenor, Sir Charles Penrose, Mr. and Mrs. G. Allen, Miss Toser, Mrs. M. Ommanney, Sir M. and Lady Ommanney, Captain and Mrs. Ommanney, Sir S. Verdin, Miss Verdin, Mr. and Mrs. Verdin, Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Mr. Carrero, Colonel and Mrs. Hill, Mr. C. Luxmoore, Mr. L. Luxmore, Colonel and Mrs. Wakefield, Mrs. Heffitt, Miss and Master Heffitt, Miss Elliot, Mr. Gillington, Mrs. Tagart, Mr. J. A. Paterson, Miss H. Tagart, Mrs. Trevor Roper, Miss Sheppard, General and Mrs. Cadell, Mrs. Grey, Mr. G. Hennessey, Mr. Williamson, Mr. H. Luxmoore, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, Captain and Mrs. Edye, Mr. and Mrs. Eves, Mr. and Mrs. Kay, Miss Higgins, Miss Bettess, Mrs. Sumner, Mrs. Coode, Miss Jago, Mr. and Mrs. Otto, Miss Potts, Miss Robinson, Miss Woticke, Misses Moore, Admiral and Mrs. Cardall, Miss Cardall, Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Miss Yates, &c. Early in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Corydon Luxmoore left en route for a tour round the world, the going away gown being of embroidered grass lawn over pink silk, the bodice being trimmed with chiffon and lace, and white hat trimmed with pink and white chiffon. The presents numbered over 300.

Four thousand persons have been rendered homeless by a disastrous fire at Ostrow, in Germany, over 400 houses being destroyed. Several persons. were burned to death, while others are missing.

BREWSTER SESSIONS. .0 CHESTER CASTLE. The annual licensing sessions for the Chester Castle Petty Sessional Division were held on Saturday at the Castle before Messrs. J. Thompson (presiding), J. Davies, and J. Pover. THE CHAIRMAN AND THE SERVING OF DRINK TO CHILDREN. The Chairman, in addressing the Court, said there were just one or two points to which he wished to allude before proceeding to take the applications for renewals of licences. One was as to the number of people proceeded against during the year. There were three convictions recorded against holders of licences, two for permitting drunkenness and one for selling adulterated spirits. He thought it was rather a large proportion, out of thirty- two licensed victuallers seven beer-sellers, and four other off-licence holders. If that propor- tion were to hold good in the city, it would be a very serious thing. There had not been one single person proceeded against in the city for a breach of the licensing laws, and it was rather a slur on the county that so many cases should be brought before that division. The other point was as to the circular which had been issued at the instigation of the Standing Joint Committee in reference to serving children with beer, and giving them presents of sweets and other inducements. The serving of drink to children who were sent by their parents had been objected to and was becoming the subject of general objection throughout the country. It was not for him to give his own individual opinion; he simply stated what the Standing Joint Committee thought, viz., that it was unfair to young children that they should be sent so early in life to public-houses for beer. Many people thought that there was the other side which ought to be named, viz., that if the children did not go, the parents would go them- selves, and perhaps meeting other people these might be tempted to stop and drink on the premises. That was the other side of the question, but he thought they would all agree that it was not desirable that children should be encouraged to go for drink, and certainly not by presents being given to them. What the result of the circular would be he could not say. Of course he need hardly say that that was not one of the grounds of objection upon which a licence could be refused. No licence, at present at any rate, could be refused simply on that ground, but if a proper objection were laid against a house where this practice was habitual it might weigh with the justices in giving their decision. He felt that the licence-holders would help the Standing Joint Committee to carry out their resolution. The applications for renewals were then heard. THE NAG'S HEAD, BRIDGE TRAFFORD. Upon the application of Mrs. Cheers, widow of the late Samuel Cheers, for the transfer and renewal of the licence ot the Nag's Head, Bridge Trafford, Superintendent Macdonald said he had been instructed by the Chief Constable to point out that in December, 1896, the late tenant was cautioned for permitting drunkenness, and to ask the Bench, if they thought it neces- sary, to caution the present tenant.— The Chairman observed that he did not think it was competent for the justices to caution a person simply because that person had been cautioned by the Chief Constable.— The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. Churton) Besides, the present licensee was not cautioned.—The Superintendent admitted that there had been no complaints against the present tenant.—The application was granted. THE GREYHOUND, SHOTWICK. James Wilkinson, for whom Mr. E. S. Giles appeared, applied for a new licence in respect of the Greyhound Inn, Shotwick.—Mr. Giles explained that the facts were before the Bench on July 24th, when he called the executor of the late tenant who produced the probate of his will. Temporary authority was granted, because under the circumstances which then exieted they were not quite certain whether the tenancy would go on, but now Wilkinson had been accepted as tenant, and an agreement of tenancy had been signed.—The new licence was granted. HOOLE LICENCE IN JEOPARDY. VURTHEB CONSIDERATION ADJOURNED. The application for the renewal of the licence of the Royal Oak in Faulkner-street, Hoole, was opposed by the police, for whom Mr. E. S. Giles appeared.—Mr. Pugh, barrister, Liver- pool (instructed by Mr. F. B. Mason, Chester), supported the application.—Mr. Giles said the ground of objection was that the house was of a disorderly character, and it occurred to him that if ever the word disorderly did apply to any house licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor it applied in this instance. I Disorderly' was defined in Webster's Dictionary as con- fused,' 'irregular,' 'net restrained,' I lawless,' and vicious,'—(laughter)—and their worships would be asked to say whether this house came under any of those definitions. He was going to ask them to believe that it had been continually disorderly, but whether it arose from the position of the house, the struc- ture of the house or from the neigh- bourhood in which tke house was situated, he could not say. However, he should ask them to say that the house was disorderly, and to find that from its record.'—Mr. Pugh pointed out that when the case was before the court last year the old convictions and the whole previous history of the house were fully discussed and considered. The Lord Chancellor had laid down that unless something had occurred within the current year, which might lead the magistrates to suppose a house was disorderly, the past history of a house ought not to be re-opened.—Mr. Giles said he was sorry his friend had raised that point, because there was a conviction against the Royal Oak during the current year. It had been ruled in several well-known cases that evidence of offences by former occupiers and the conviction of former occupiers was evidence of the disorder., conduct of a house, and Lord Chief Justice Coleridge had stated that Is disorderly house is a Parlia- mentary phrase, and clearly distinct from the character of the applicant.'—Mr. Pugh again submitted that unless something had transpired during the current year to suggest that the house was badly conducted, the Bench should not go into the records against the house. The offence this year was not a serious one.—The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. Churton) ruled that a conviction this year was sufficient justification for inquiring into the previous character of the house.—Mr. Giles (proceeding) said the record against the Royal Oak was as follows:—On October 31st, 1891, the then tenant, Chas. Green, was convicted of permitting gaming, and ordered to pay the costs; on October 22nd, 1892, Chas. Roberts, a succeeding tenant was convicted of selling beer to a drunken person and fined £1 and costs; on March 11th, 1893, Robert Clinch Parker, another tenant, was convicted of per- mitting drunkenness and fined 10s. and costs; on April 25th, 1896, the present tenant, Thomas Lockley, was convicted of permitting drunken- ness and fined 10s, and costs; and again on July 17th, 1897, Lockley was convicted of permitting drunkenness and fined 20s. and costs. He (Mr. Giles) ventured to say that so far as public- houses in this district were concerned the Royal Oak held a unique record. The police had tried warnings and they had tried prosecutions, and now they had to ask the Bench not to renew the licence again. The tenant was a clerk in an office in Chester, so that it seemed obvious he could not eke out a living at the house without outside employ- ment. Where a tenant was absent in another occupation he (Mr. Giles) was bound to suggest that the house could not be properly conducted. If the police could not rely upon the assistance of licensees, they would find it an impossibility to cope with the vice of drunkenness.—The register recording the convictions having been produced, P.S. Finchett, stationed at Hoole, was called. He said he had been at Hoole 4! years, and during that time the Royal Oak had not been properly conducted at all. Men frequented the house who had been con- victed of drunkenness many times. Witness had appeared twice in that court against Lockley, and on both occasions defendant had been convicted. He could not give any reason why the house should not be properly conducted. Cross-examined by Mr. Pugh: The defendant on one of those occasions had the benefit of Mr. Giles'advocacy? (Laughter.) Witness: Yes.—Mr. Pugh: And I think you heard Mr. Giles say there was nothing that could reasonably direct attention to the condition of the man who was alleged to be drunk ? (Laughter.)— Witness did not reply. He admitted that the magistrates in 1896 said the case was not a serious one. The licence was not endorsed upon either occasion.—Mr. Pugh, addressing the Bench for the application, con- tended that if the Bench did not feel justified in finding the house disorderly' 12 months ago, the trivial conviction and fine of 20s. and costs during the present year would not be sufficient justification for refusing the renewal. It was sometimes the most difficult matter to determine whether a man was drunk or sober, and he said without fear of contradiction that there was not a single publican who at one time or another did not commit such a slip as applicant had committed this year. Mr. Pugh also pointed out that if the Bench took away the licence, they would be depriving the owners of a valuable property. If they thought that sufficient care was not exercised by the present applicant, they would undertake to have the licence transferred by the adjourned sessions. Thomas Lockley, the applicant, gave evidence, stating that he entered upon the tenancy of the Royal Oak in 1894. For the first year there was nothing against the house at all. When he was fined in 1896, he was away from home, and the Bench, in giving judgment, said the offence was not a serious one. With regard to the second offence, he served a man who was sitting down on one of the benches. He noticed nothing wrong with him, and when the police sergeant said he was drunk, witness asked to have him examined by a doctor. The doctor said the man had had a little drink, but he was all right. He admitted that in court he said he was drunk. Witness had been in the same employment as a clerk for 22 years.—Mr. Cooper, a resident in Faulkner-street, Hoole, gave evidence to the effect that the house was well conducted. He only lived four doors off, and had never seen anything wrong.—A witness named Woods said the house was as decent and respectable a house as any in Hoole, and a man named Ashley, formerly a cab proprietor, informed the Bench that there was not a better conducted house in Chester.— The Bench having held a short consultation, the Chairman said they had decided to adjourn it to the Adjourned Licensing Sessions. They could not shut their eyes to the fact that there had been two convictions against the present tenant. DRINKING REQUIREMENTS OF BOUGHTON GARDENERS. APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENCE. Mr. Giles, on behalf of James Gow Smith, applied for an off licence to be attached to a grocer and pro- vision dealer's shop at Boughton Heath. Mr. Giles stated that applicant was the son of Alexander Smith, who was for some years owner and occupier of the White House, and who was the fee simple owner of the premises in respect of which the licence was sought. The shop was situated in the centre of the market gardening industry, and it was felt that facilities for supplying beer for off- consumption would be a great convenience. Applicant, giving evidence in support of the application, stated that during the five months he had been at the shop he had been asked by at least a hundred people to supply beer, because they did not like to send their children out on dark nights.—Mr. R. Cecil Davies architect, produced plans of the premises, and stated that they were 700 yards away from the White House, and 416 yards from the Cherry Orchard.—Alexander Smith and Geo. Green gave evidence to shew that the house was required, and Mr. Giles presented a petition signed by 72 local residents, including 21 gardeners. The Chairman remarked that market gardeners were a very thirsty lot. (Laughter.)—The Magistrates' Clerk: As a rule they go to the public-houses themselves. (Laughter.) Col. Cope (Deputy Chief Constable) objected to the application on the ground that no new licence was required. The house in question was only six yards outside the city boundary, and there were plenty of facilities for obtaining drink at hand. As to the convenience of sending children for beer, publicans were now warned against supplying beer to children. —Mr. J. W. Travis, temperance agent, also opposed the licence.-The Bench, after a short retirement, decided that the licence was not necessary. CAERGWRLE. THURSDAY.—Before Col. Roper, Messrs. R. H. V. Kyrke, W. C. Jones, Wm. Davies, and H. H. Hughes. THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.—Supt. J. Ivor Davies in his annual report stated that there were in the division 19 fully-licensed houses, three beerhouses, and one off beerhouse, a total of 23 licensed houses in the petty sessional division of Hope. The population of the division according to the 1891 census was 4,446, this giving one licensed house to every 193 of the inhabitants. Two innkeepers had been convicted and fined 20s. and costs in each case, while there had been four convictions for drunkenness, a decrease of two on the previous year. LICENSING APPLICATIONS. — Mr. Maddocks, Chester, applied on Ifehalf of Thomas Jones and -John Probert, executors of the late John Davies for a special licence to sell at the Royal Oak, Kinnerton, until next transfer day. Granted.— Joseph Wright, applied for the transfer and renewal of the licence of the Crown Tavern, Tyn-y-cyffion, Hope. Granted.—Eli Humphreys was granted temporary authority to sell at the Crown Inn, Penymynydd. IT RAN IN THE FAMILY.—The fact of the de- crease in drunkenness, mentioned in Superin- tendent Ivor Davies' report, is rather curious, when it is seen that there were no fewer than six cases of drunkenness on the charge sheet for the day. The charges, except in one instance, were against members of the same family. In the first case, Daniel Parry and David Parry, with Robert Williams, were charged with being drunk and disorderly, at Pontybodkin, on July 3rd. Richard Darbyshire, a resident near the bridge at Pontybodkin, stated that the bridge was a regular place where such men came to have their fights out. Shortly before eleven o'clock on the night of July 3rd defendants were fighting on the bridge. They were drunk.—Dr. Jones gave corroborative evidence. The men were making such a row that he had to get out of his trap to keep his pony, which was rather a restive one,from clearing the square. There were men, women and children collected, and they were all making a noise. Defendants were drunk.— Sergeant Hughes saw David Parry after eleven o'clock. He was in the condition described and was using language of the most fearful description.—In this case Daniel Parry was fined 10s. and costs (16s. lOd. in all).—The next case was one in which Robert Williams and David Parry, two of the previous defendants, were charged with similar behaviour on the 16th.—Mr. Darbyshire and Sergeant Hughes again gave evidence, and Williams on this, and on the previous summons, was fined 91 and costs altogether; while David Parry, who did not appear, was sent to gaol for 21 days with- out the option of a fine.-J ohn Parry was the next of the family to appear. According to Sergeant Hughes' evidence John was at the Bridge—which, at this rate, will soon become historical-after ten o'clock at night. He addressed himself in a particularly obnoxious manner to the Sergeant, his grievance being the fact that his two brothers had been summoned. He wanted to fight, and even kill Hughes.—The Chairman: Well, what have you got to say ?—Defendant (tapping his forehead with his forefinger in a particularly respectful manner) Sir, to your worship, I don't know what I was doing. I was drunk.—Anything more ?-No, worship, sir to your worship, I—.—Ten shillings and costs. WHAT ARE LICENSED PREMISES: A POINT FOR PUBLICANS.—William Piercy, landlord of the Glynne Arms, Caergwrle, was summoned for unlawfully selling intoxicating liquor in a place where he was unauthorised to do so, on August 2nd.-Mr. G. H. Bradley, Mold, who appeared on behalf of the police, said that for some time the annual club festival had been held in the Glynne Arms, and defendant had been selling in a tent erected in the field at the back of the house.—Defendant, in reply to the Magistrates, admitted selling on the field in a temporary tent.—Mr. Bradley, continuing, said this was simply a test case, taken by the police because other licence-holders were in the habit of selling in crofts near the houses on similar occasions. Defendant having admitted the selling of the liquor, no evidence was called. In his defence, Piercy stated that the liquor had beeneold under similar conditions for 20 years, and he contended that the croft was a portion of the premises, as the house and land were assessed together. The Licensing Com- missioners had based the licence upon the assessment, and it had never been questioned as to whether the land was part of the premises or not until the summons had been taken out.- Mr. Bradley suggested that that defence was rather a dargerous one, as defendant would not like to be accused of permitting drunken- ness, if a drunken person went into his field after having got drunk at some other place.— The magistrates concurred.—A nominal fine of one shilling and costs (19s. 6d. altogether) was inflicted.

RULE OF THE ROAD AT THE CROSS. ♦ SOME OFFENDERS. At the Chester City Police Court, on Saturday morning, Dr. Beard, of Holt, was summoned at the instance of P.C. Griffiths for violating the rule of the road as to vehicles the previous Monday. The defendant pleaded that although he had been coming into Chester during a long period of years, and had always tried to abide by the law as much as possible, he was not aware that he had done anything wrong. He was ordered to pay costs.—John Fox, farmer, Malpas, was summoned for a similar offence on August 18th, at the instance of P.C. Rogers. In this case the officer stated that although he stood exactly in the middle of the thoroughfare at The Cross, the defendant, despite his (witness') constant request, would not keep to his proper side of the street. Witness followed him, and demanded his name and address, and another man, who was in the cart, advised the defendant not to give the information. Witness, however, eventually succeeded in getting the informa- tion, but before he could do so he had to follow the defendant at the back of the cart, with the result that his mackintosh cape was torn through the defendant's not stopping. A fine of 5s. and costs was imposed.

Mr. George Palmer, head of the well-known Reading firm of biscuit makers, who had greatly benefited the town, and who sat in Parliament for some years, died on Thursday, at the age of 89. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT STOCK PORT THREE MEN INJURED.—Three men, William Maull, gasworks foreman, and Peter Higgins and Joseph Woodall, labourers, were engaged on Tuesday in removing the site for the buildings at Millgate, Stockport, clearing the site for the erection of an electric lighting plant, when a beam on which they were working gave way, bringing down a large quantity of brickwork, and precipitating the men into underground chambers, a depth of more than 40 feet. The beam bad formed part of a roof over tanks used formerly for receiving tar. All the men were removed to the infirmary. They were found to be seriously injured, especially Woodall, about whose recovery grave doubts are entertained. Maull is 50 years old, and is injured about the head and spine; Higgins is 37 years of age, and is badly cut on the head and injured in the back. Epps's COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFORTING.— By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected COCOA, Mr. Epps has provided for our breakfast and supper a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' oills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradu- ally built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame.Civil Service Gazette.-Made simply with boiling water or milk.—Sold only in packets and pound tins, by Grocers, labelled-JAMEs Epps & Co., Ltd., Homoeopathic Chemists, London."—Also makers of Epps's Cocoaine or Cocoa-Nib Extract: Tea- like A thin beverage of full flavour, now with many beneficially taking the place of tea. Its active principle being a gentle nerve stimulant, supplies the needed energy without unduly exciting the system.

CHESTER'S EXTENSION PROPOSALS. 0 A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT FROMI FLINTSHIRE. Hitherto the proposals of the Chester- Corporation to extend the city boundaries have, met with hostility all around, but at the- Hawarden District Council meeting on Friday it was evident there is a feeling in favour of the- annexation of Saltney, at any rate. The Vice- Chairman (Mr. P. Wilcock) presided, and there- were present Miss Thom, the Rev. C. L. A Edgeworth, Messrs. Gibson, J. Dunn, E. S. Taylor, J. Millington, W. Fryer, J. Jones (Sandycroft), Gerrard, with the clerk (Mr. Horace A. Smith).—The Clerk explained that the Town Clerk of Chester had informed him that he would communicate with him further as to the date of the proposed conference between representatives of the city and the various authorities concerned. The Town Clerk added that he did not suppose it would be possible to hold the conference until December. The Rev. C. L. A. EDGEWORTH said he had been appointed to attend the con- ference by the Sealand Parish Council, as well as by the Hawarden District Council. He suggested that some other member of the Council should be appointed in his place, Mr. Fred. Roberts, of Sealand, for instance. He had been talking about the pro- posals of Chester to Mr. Kelly, the clerk to the Flintshire County Council, and that gentleman suggested that in the event of any development of the scheme it would be advantageous if the clerk of the Council were in a position to take what steps might be necessary without waiting for the next meeting of the Council. He there- fore proposed that the Council strenuously oppose the incorporation of the parts of Sealand and Saltney that Chester proposed to annex,. and that they empower the clerk to take such steps as might be immediately necessary before the meeting of the Council was held. The CHAIRMAN: I think it is quite necessary. Mr. E. S. TAYLOR: Has this Council decided to oppose Chester ? I do not know of any such resolution. Mr. EDGEWORTH said he moved the resolution now. Mr. FRYER (Kinnerton) pointed out that the Council had not yet had any particulars about the incorporation. The CLRRK remarked that he saw from the papers that one of the members of the Town Council (Mr. Churton) had given notice that at the next meeting he would move that the matter be quashed. Mr. EDGEWORTH: The sluices have been. too much for Mr. Churton. (Laughter.) Mr. TAYLOR Does that apply to the whole scheme ? The CLERK: Yes. The CHAIRMAN In the event of the matter coming on, I think it necessary that the clerk should take such steps as may be immediately necessary. Major GIBSON (Buckley) thought it would be sufficient if they instructed the clerk to take> steps to maintain their locus standi. He con- sidered it would be a very good thing for Saltney to be attached to Chester. Mr. TAYLOR: So do I; I know we shall be, well out of it. Major GIBSON remarked that they ought to keep the rural district, but not the urban. Mr. FRYER: I agree with you. Sealand, being rural, is different. Mr. TAYLOR said people had frequently ex- pressed astonishment to him that that part of Saltney between the present boundary and Stone Bridge was not in Chester. Major GIBSON thought they were rather hurrying in the matter. Nothing could be done till Parliament met again. Mr. EDGEWORTH They can go to the Local Government Board. Major GIBSON: No, it is an Act of Parliament they will have to go for. Eventually Mr. Edgeworth withdrew his. resolution, and the matter dropped.

ELECTRIC CABS.—A service of electric cabs for the London streets has been placed at the disposal of the public. STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. — During a heavy thunderstorm at Great Braxted, Essex, on Thursday afternoon a young man named Alfred Crisp, and two horses were killed by lightning. Crisp was ploughing at the time. At the village of Gendros, near Swansea, on Wednesday night, a collier named David Thomas, his son and daughter, and two other persons were struck by lightning and seriously injured. They were insensible for some time. CHESTER CINDERELLA CLUB.—On Wednesday this club took some 260 poor children for a summer outing to Mickle Trafford. The journey, which was made in carts and wagons, kindly lent by friends, was greatly enjoyed by the children. Tea was served in a field lent, as last year, by Mr. Henry Dodd, after which the children played games, and at 7.30 were re- loaded into the waggons and started home, singing and cheering heartily. The committee wish to tender the thanks of the club to Messrs. Chalton (S.U.R. and C. Co.), Davis, Ledsham, Vernon, Weaver, and George Dutton and Sons, for their kindness on this, as on former, occa- sions, in lending carts and horses for the conveyance of the children.

DEATH OF MR. JAMES HALL. « It is with sincere sorrow we record the death of Mr. James Hall, who for many years had been printing overseer on the Cheshire Observer and Chester Courant. Only last Friday Mr. Hall appeared in the best of health, but the following day he was taken ill, and remained at his residence, Liverpool-road. On Monday, as he was no better, his medical adviser, Dr. Roberts, was called in, but still it was not thought that his indisposition was of a serious nature. On Wednesday morning, however, Mr. Hall passed away with tragic suddenness while in bed, one of the immediate causes of death being syncope. The news of his unexpected demise was a great shock to all who knew him. It is difficult to realise that so recently as last Friday the deceased saw the Observer to press as usual, and that on the previous Wednesday he was one of a merry party of Oddfellows who took a trip by steamer up the river to Farndon. Mr. Hall was born at Rode Heath, near Congleton, on February 27th, 1845, and though comparatively but a young man, he had had a lengthy connection with newspaper work in Chester. In 1860, as a result of the interest taken in him by the late Mr. Randle Wilbraham, of Rode Hall, the then proprietor of the Courant, Mr. Hall was apprenticed to the print- ing trade on that journal. On coming out of his time in 1867, deceased continued in the composing department of the Courant, and in 1874 he was promoted to the position of printing overseer of the Courant and Observer, both of which publications were then the property of Mr. John Ramsden. The responsible duties attaching to this office were discharged by Mr. Hall with marked ability up to the end of last week. When, a few years ago, the Observer and Courant were acquired by the present pro- prietors and considerably enlarged, Mr. Hall proved fully equal to the occa- sion, and grappled with the increased work in a highly creditable manner. Conscientious, reliable, and painstaking to a degree, the deceased excelled as a servant, while his cheerfulness and courtesy as a confrere made him respected and esteemed by all who were associated with him during business hours. He was an enthusiastic Oddfellow, being a P.G. of the Victoria Lodge, M.U., and also one of its trustees. A staunch Churchman, deceased was a most regular worshipper at the Cathedral, and in politics he was a Conservative, being a member of the Conservative Club, and of the local habitation of the Primrose League. He leaves a son and three daughters for whom the utmost sympathy is expressed in their heavy affliction. THE FUNERAL. The remains of the deceased were interred in the Chester Cemetery on Saturday at noon amid many touching marks of esteem. The funeral oortege, which was of an imposing character, left Liverpool-road at half-past eleven, and it was noticeable that many of deceased's neighbours and the residents and shop- keepers in Upper Northgate-street had drawn their blinds and put up shutters. In addition to those who walked in the pro- cession, a number of friends of the deceased were waiting at the cemetery. Minor Canon Bird impressively conducted the funeral service. The four bearers of the coffin were Messrs. Fred Lowe and F. Wheeler (of the news department of the Courant and Observer), and Messrs. R. Gerrard and A. Bloor (jobbing department). The chief mourners were Mr. W. J. Hall (son), the Misses L. A. Hall, E. A. Hall, and A. E. Hall (daughters), Mr. G. Perkins (brother-in-law), Miss Edith Perkins (niece). Among the others assembled at the graveside were the following members of the staff of the Courant and Observer:- Mr. C. Cooper (editor), Mr. J. A Birchall (manager), Mr. W. R. Taylor (commercial department), literary department: Messrs. W. B. Davis, G. Peacock, W. L. Wildig, and A. E. Arkle; news department: Messrs. T. Thompson, John Dain, R. Burkhill, H. Gandy,M. Harrison, T. Hargreaves, T. Malone, G. Boaz, W. Brooks, S. Parker, and H. Price; jobbing department: Messrs. G. Davies, W. Hocknell, E. Huxley, F. C.Lowe, Jones, Stansfield, and H, Bryan; machine room Messrs. H. Bickerstaff and J. Rowlands. Among the other mourners were Dr. Roberts, Messrs. J. King, W. Hughes (secretary Con- servative Club), A. O. Davies, C. E. Eustace, E. Bryan, C. Setchell, &c.; the following representing the Chester Ch)-onicle:- Messrs. E. Robinson, T. H. Bell, S. Hall, Stephen Blake, J. Airey, J. Dumble, R. Rhoden, F. Lancaster, and R. Dutton; Mr. M. R. Corcoran, Chester Guardian; Mr. J. B. Freeman, manager Messrs. Phillipson and Golder's Printing Works; and the follow- ing Oddfollowe :-Deputy Grand Master T. P. Allen, P.P.G.M. E. Jackson, P.G. W Watkin, P.G. J. Adams, C.S. Thos. Mills, Bros. W. Hesketh, S. Dodd, Coathupe, W. R. Conyers, S. Hewitt, J. Hitchen, sen. and jun., Tapley, and H. Johnson. Mr. D. Ross Williams (chief reporter Courant and Observer) was un- avoidably absent from the funeral. Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the fol- lowing:-The Directors of the Cheshire and North Wales Newspaper Company; Mr. John Ramsden; the Courant and Observer Companion- ship Commercial and Literary Department of the Courant and Observer, Mr. W. J. Hall and the Misses Hall; Mr. Perkins and Miss Perkins; Mr. R. Lawrence; Miss B. Towers Mrs. Bryan and Mr. E. Bryan Mr. and Mrs. J. Bentley Mr. and Mrs. Dain; Mr. Millward and family, &c.

SAD ACCIDENT AT BUCKLEY. 4 TWO MEN KILLED. A deplorable accident is reported by our Buckley correspondent. At an early hour on Thursday morning, while two colliers named John Pritchard and George Smith were follow- ing their employment at the Elm Colliery of Messrs. G. Watkinson and Sons, Ltd., a fall of coal occurred, burying both men with fatal consequences. Pritchard lived at the Square,, and was a married man, with one child, while Smith was a single man of 22, and lived at Burntwood. All the employes on the spot began digging for the entombed men, but it took nearly three hours before their bodies, then lifeless, were recovered. THE INQUEST. The inquest was held at Buckley on Satur- day afternoon, before Mr. Ll. Jones, of Holywell, deputy-coroner for Flintshire, touching the deaths of J. H. Pritchard, aged 31 years, of Prenbrigog, and G. H. Smith, aged 22, of Burntwood, Buckley. The bodies of the men had been conveyed to their respective homes, and as these were a considerable dis- tance apart, the jurymen, accompanied by the Coroner, were obliged to walk altogether a dis- tance of about four miles. This occupied nearly an hour and a half, but not a word of complaint was made by any of the jurors.—Mr. Matthews, of Chester, Government Inspector, attended, and put various questions to the witnesses. The first witness was William Hopwood, manager of the Buckley collieries. He produced a plan of the workings where the accident happened, and said he attributed the fall of the roof to the shale suddenly breaking the coal underneath it.-In reply to the Inspector, witness said the two deceased men commenced work about nine o'clock on Wednesday evening, and the accident occurred about 4 45 on Thursday morning. It would be the duty of the deceased men to timber the roof themselves, and there was plenty of timber provided for that purpose. The roof had been officially examined by the fireman. The amount of roof which fell upon the men would be about a dozen square yards. Both the men were experienced, and bore good characters.—Thomas Griffiths, a boy, said he was working as a 'filler' with the two men, and has just been with some coal to the surface. He asked one of the men if he was to take the tub into the place where they were working, when he saw the roof fall, completely covering the two men. He at once went for help. He was about eight yards away when the fall occurred. Replying to the Inspector, witness said the two men were pulling top coal down. He saw them put at least three props in during the night.—Peter Piercey, fireman, deposed that he examined the roof shortly after the men commenced work, and he visited that portion of the works several times subse- quently. He sounded the roof, and could not see there was anything wrong. He was called at the scene shortly after the roof fell in. He shouted at the point where the boy believed the men to be buried, but he got no response. They at once commenced to remove the fall, which covered the men to a depth of from four to five feet. He was present when the bodies of the men were got out an hour or two later.- In reviewing the evidence, the Coroner did not think they would have any difficulty in arriving at a verdict, as from the evidence of the manager and foreman, given in a clear manner, there was no blame attributable to anyone connected with the colliery. Every precaution seemed to have been taken, and it appeared to be one of those accidents which no one could have foreseen.—The jury at once re- turned a verdict to the effect that the deaths were purely accidental.