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POLLUTION OF THE DEE. ■0
POLLUTION OF THE DEE. ■ 0 ENQUIRY AT CHESTER. "WELSH AUTHORITIES AND THE CHESTER WATER SUPPLY. On Thursday, Dr. Bruce Low and Mr. F. H. Tulloch, the commissioners appointed by the Local Government Board, sat at Chester Castle to consider the application made by the Cheshire County Council, conjointly with the Flintshire County Council and the Chester Corporation, for a provisional order constituting a joint committee to enforce the Rivers Pollu- tion Prevention Act, 1876, throughout the watershed of the Dee. Mr. E. H. Lloyd appeared on behalf of the Cheshire County Council; Mr. G. A. R. FitzGerald, for the Chester Corporation, which was represented by the Town Clerk (Mr. S. Smith) and several members, including the Mayor (Mr. B. C. Roberts) Mr. S. Moss, M.P., appeared for the Chester Waterworks Company; and the "opposition was led by Dr. Pankhurst, for the Denbighshire County Council and the Urban and Rural Councils of Llangollen, Edeyrnion, and Uchaled. The Council Chamber, in which the inquiry was held, was crowded with Numerous representatives of other authorities interested, including the Flintshire County Council, the Shropshire County Council, the Merionethshire County Council, and urban rura,l sanitary authorities at Hawarden, 7**old, Holywell, St. Asaph, Oswestry, Wrexham, -"•arvin, and Malpas. .g Mr. HONORATUS LLOYD, in opening the case the applicants, said the Rivers Pollution revention Act of 1876 did not obviously go enou"k iQ its machinery, because steps ere practically limited to be taken by the anitary authorities within whose district the ■Pollution took place. That that was a short- ^o^iing of the Act with reference to streams *hich passed through more than one district became very soon obvious, and a further ex- "tension of jurisdiction was granted to County Councils, yet the same difficulty remained in case of a stream like the Dee, running through more than one county. As to whether be river was polluted or not, the report of r* Bruce Low upon that point could not be otradicted, and he thought bis opponents have a very hard task before them if they C aXoure(^ to remove from the minds of the *adltni8sioners ^a°t that pollution did exist j would exist unless steps were taken, j Mediately the Cheshire County Council came th on the passing of the Act of 1888, j at once became conscious of the additional j y that had been placed upon them with I-IL enco to the purification of streams, and joined with Lancashire in obtaining the ^sional order and Act of Parliament which »i^blished the Mersey and Irwell Committee. Q that, in November, 1895, the Cheshire °Unty Council appointed Dr. Vacher as e<«cal officer of health for the county, and °f the duties prescribed for that gentleman th ^ea,l with the matters of pollution in .« Various streams and rivers in the county, y report thereon to the County Council. Dr. j^acher had not dealt in detail with the river because during the course of his investiga- l<oQ' k0 bad the benefit of seeing Dr. Bruce w s report, to which nothing could be added. Cort. rePort was laid before the Rivers Pollution '*t»d mittee of the Council on the 1st May, 1896, Resolution was then passed instructing ijoarH to inform the Local Government titn« L *be report then issued was the first a^i ^heir attention had been called to the j>ie Us condition of affairs, and they wero Colo .acquiesce in the formation of a Wte to deal with it. On the 19th June a 6eCt Was received from Mr. Adrian, assistant ^hiciTuy to the Local Government Board, in the g suggested that it would be best, in C°Un/Sfc iQstance, to communicate with ot her •joij.4. y councils concerned, with a view to a ouc application being made. That was at a<*opted by the Cheshire County Council, Of J* letter to that effect was written to each ^fci County councils by their clerk, Mr. C^Li^d Potts. A conference was held at f' Castle on the 12th April last, when a Q affirming the expediency of the tio,^ interested jointly concurring in peti- Bocal Government Board was ■•hC1 by Cheshire, Denbighshire, Merioneth- shire' a°d the borough of Chester, while Flint- against it, and Shropshire refrained ot,ing. The second and third resolutions Pu^' dealt with the questions of ^8<Oti0n an<^ representation, and it was that in the opinion of the conference it k? ^bat representation should sJ&sjP0r^oneci as follows:—Cheshire 3, Den- ^opSL.re 5, Flintshire 3, Merionethshire 1, Th* anci Chester 6, making a total of >6P*eg resolution was supported by the ^Cepj-^atives of all the councils with the Denbighshire, who did not vote, a disagreement among its representa- V* L "be contribution he need not dilate it followed exactly t'.ie percentage ^Presentation. After that Che matter 0Psh^°^ 'be vari°us county councils. JT'W nlre now asked to be omitted from the to the very small area of their Jud 1^u^e<J in the watershed of the Dee, 3u llder n by the experience of Derbyshire 10tI ilar circumstances, in the case jl'at th6 f Mereey and Irwell, he argued l bnbit>u6 would be a great mistake. As to fS although they were a little ^iginaij ,s*eeP by the favourable attitude th V*keH UP by that county, they now conf ~enbighshire joined Shropshire in that the present powers were p t° meet the case. They knew that in *t those powers had not been exercised ,n<* if a majority of representation was the j; those counties at the upper part of StiH Ver' would result in the Act remaining ■<W a dead-letter. The Cheshire County C0t^Cil had recognised that the Chester ^^Poration had an interest in the Dee far over above the others—that was to say although t *ere commonly interested with Cheshire *io*i -6 other counties in minimising the pollu- 1 .^e'^nn rid of the terrible state of the exi3ted, they were also interested thft ct that they took their water supply th^ t%coo^er" Cheshire County Council con ^a^^ised that under those circumstances ^Co., which was a separate We belonging to the Corporation, must ila^6 °arriZi derive benefit if their proposals beh»out, and he thought the company Wo by DO means unfairly in the o appreciating the benefits which upon them, the Waterworks -v. Poaij:4^ the same time dreaded the key of b» r con°n- being left in the hands of the in and they were therefore pre- 6 event of the majority of the o ^ties 5l0n being in the hands of the lower H ? ^ct |hf Sllbscribe half the cost of putting Ik! operation for the first three years, £ 500 a year, and afterwards in bl,lt Cq y one-third of the expenses of the Wink. not exceeding £ 300 a year. tf atiVe t; disabuse the minds of the repre- the8-°^ 8°me of the counties interested |0°^cU a l^Pression that the Cheshire County the the Corporation of Chester were h thin r^°ses this matter one and the I'be county which he represented VK^ative 111 beginning to end on its own Och tj, It strenuously opposed the Bill Chester Corporation promoted last and to erecting sluices on the TV68 wifvT° ac1uiring powers to deal them- obi ,a^ offences in all parts of the river. & thrted Chester's having sole control c^ste<j Pollution of the river, and they sug- M^lHitt 16 alternative scheme of a joint n, the r\6e county councils in the watershed iQ eshireee. The Bill was thrown out, and the 14 ire %ty authority took the initiative t oitlt nl!1 the Local Government Board to G Chent ^0int committee. To suggest that County Council and the Chester e otj, 1011 were acting in concert as against counties was, therefore, untrue and fihd byfacts- tfWicati witness called in support of the waa Mr. Reginald Potts, Clerk to br '°U i?lre County Council, who said in his °vi§ion Was n°t possible to carry out the s the Act of 1876 in its entirety in o^t 0j as the Dee, without the appoint- ^be committee having jurisdiction watershed area. M be w amined by Dr. PANKHURST, Mr. Potts boH n°^ aware that Chester discharged th(» untreated sewage into the Dee taljjv. Weir. He understood that the city V6 to deal more efficiently with co»af Wag.e> an<i furthermore that they .With ructing an intercepting sewer to iltel.. all the sewage on the south side of Is not the main reason for this enquiry and for the setting up of a joint committee to benefit the waterworks of Chester ?—Emphati- cally no. Is it not to enable the Waterworks Company to evade the duty of taking their supply from another source besides the Dee ?-No, it is not, but I may say in my opinion it is an additional reason why a joint committee should be formed. Was not the Sluices Bill mainly promoted in the interests of the Waterworks Company to keep the Dee water pure as a supply to the city of Chester ?-I think it was promoted more in the interests of the inhabitants of Chester. Was not that because the inhabitants of Chester doubted the purity of the Dee water as a water supply ?—The Corporation and the Waterworks Company, I have no doubt, wanted to allay the suspicion that had arisen as to the water supply. Further examined, Mr. POTTS said the Chester Corporation had taken every possible step with a view to preventing pollution, and had made complaints to offending sanitary authorities. Mr. LLOYD: Did the Waterworks make any application to you, or was it on the joint appli- cation of the County Councils that the Water- work s'contrib ution was made ?-Mr. Potts: Yes, the Waterworks Company made no application whatever to us. The conference passed a reso- lution appointing a sub-committee to interview the Waterworks Company and arrange terms with them. So that this is not an application made by the County Council at the instigation of the Water Company, but an application made by them upon their own responsibility, and they having invited the Water Company to contribute ?- Yes. In answer to Mr. T. T. Kelly, clerk to the Flintshire County Council, Mr. Potts said his Council considered that the authorities at the lower part of the river ought to have a greater interest in maintaining its purity than the counties higher up, and consequently they ought to have a greater representation, and pay a larger contribution. The place of meeting would be settled by the Joint Committee when constituted. The next witness was Mr. T. W. Killick, J.P., vice-chairman of the Cheshire County Council, representative of Cheshire on the Rivers Mersey and Irwell Joint Watershed Committee, and chairman of the consultative committee of that joint committee. He was strongly of opinion that to enforce the Act of 1876 it was better to work with a joint committee than to work by separate authorities. He adduced statistics with reference to the district of the Mersey and Irwell Committee, to shew the far more satis- factory work that was done under that joint authority than was possible before. With reference to representation, he thought that the communities who drank the water should have a greater voice in the enforcement of the law than those who did not. Cross-examined by Dr. PANKHURST: You gave us a list of works that you had caused to be set up in your Mersey and Irwell Joint Com- mittee jurisdiction. Don't you know that the manufacturers along the course of that river are up in arms against your committee for your exactions upon them?—Witness: No, I do not. I think I may state that the manufacturers within the area of our jurisdiction have met the committee in a very handsome and full manner. You don't know of a society formed to oppose your exactions and unreasonable processes ?—I know a society was formed, or it was called, but I don't know whether it has ever taken any action. Do you know that Manchester feels so much your exactions that it is going to Parliament to get out of your juriidiction ?-Yes, that is so, but why ? Is it not because of your unreasonable exactions ? Is not that what they say ?—Yes, what they say, but what we deny. What you say, but what we deny ? (Laughter.) Is it not a fact that you have only succeeded in the case of small authorities ?—No, it is not a fact. Do you justify Chester in using the Dee water for drinking purposes ?—I have no opinion on the question. My position is this, that every authority should treat its sewage, and that no authority should turn its sewage into a stream, whether used for a water supply or not. Is it not a fact that the interest in the water in Chester is simply to make it fit for drinking purposes ?—That is the reason why I think Chester should contribute more. Are all the rights above Chester to be con- ditioned in order to make the water of Chester drinkable by the people of Chester ?—No, they are not to be conditioned, but no authority above Chester has a right to sin against the law. I want the law put into force. Do you think it is a proper thing to build up a private enterprise by imposing obligations on riparian owners or riparian authorities ?—The obligations exist, and I think if you can get from a private company a contribution towards the relief of the rates, you are doing very good business. Evidence having also been given in support of the application by Dr. Vacher, medical officer of health for Cheshire, and Mr. H. S. Wnalley, surveyor, Mr. FITZGERALD, on behalf of the Chester Corporation, said he did not propose to call any witnesses, but he addressed the Com- missioners at some length upon the importance to Chester of having an administrative body over the whole watershed. There was an invitation on the part of the Legislature to constitute joint committees, and if councils interested in a particular river applied for the constitution of a joint committee he shouldiventure to say that the granting of it was almost a foregone conclusion. He sub- mitted that the apathy or even antipathy of one or two councils ought not to be a bar to bringing the whole of the watershed within the jurisdiction of a single strong representative authority. The borough of Chester at present discharged no sewage whatever into the Dee above the weir, and was now undertaking works which would have the effect of removing the sewage which at present went into the tidal estuary below the weir to land for the purposes of irrigation on the other side of the river. Since the Act of 1876 the Corporation had used very strenuous endeavours to put pressure upon the local authorities higher up the river, and had even, he was afraid, worried the Local Government Board with their impor- tunity. The constitution of this joint committee was the only remedy for a great and admitted evil. Chester had drawn its water supply from the Dee from time immemorial, and it was ludicrous to contend therefore that the borough had not a greater interest in the purity of the river than any of the other riparian counties. There were certainly among the opponents of that application people who said We seek representation on this Board to ensure that I nothing shall be done." Dr. PANKHURST My friend has no warrant for such an imputation as that. I Mr. FITZGKRALD Have you seen a document called a memorial addressed to district councils in Flintshire, Denbighshire, Merionethshire, and Shropshire ? Dr. PANKHURST: No. Mr. FITZGKRALD: Well, I don't think if such a contention were raised it would find favour with the Local Government Board. Mr. Moss, M.P., next addressed the Com- missioners on behalf of the Waterworks Company, whose hands, he said, had been rather forced by the action of the joint conference in April last. While the company knew that they were supplying water of the purest character, it had been represented to them that it would be an advantage to have any suspicion against the water removed, and from that point of view they thought it would be worth their while to co-operate heartily with those who were moving in this matter. They attached, however, a condition to their contribution, namely, that the representation of Chester and of Cheshire should be such as to guarantee to the company the effectual carrying out of the provisions of the Act. Mr. ELWT WILLIAMS, chairman of the Flint- shire County Council, said the eyes of the representatives of that body had been consider- ably opened with respect to the position of the Chester Waterworks Company, and they wished the matter to remain in abeyance until they had had a further opportunity of consulting the Flintshire Council as a whole. Dr. BRUCK Low: You object on the score of the Waterworks Company being benefited by the scheme ? Mr. WILLIAMS There is no doubt the Water- works Company is interested, and the authorities are woven together. They want to rule the roost. (Laughter.) Mr. T. T. KELLY (clerk to the Flintshire County Council) said they would not be satisfied with the proposed constitution of the committee, and would make direct representa- tions to the Local Government Board on the subject. Mr. J. B. MARSTON, chairman of the Mold Urban Sanitary Authority, urged that that body had already spent X6,900 on a new sewerage scheme, and they objected to being handed over to the tender mercies of the Chester people. There were several other speakers in opposi- tion to the proposal, and Dr. Pankhurst, who did not call any evidence, characterised the applica- tion as an attempt to saddle the authorities on the upper reaches of the Dee with the cost for the purification of the river water for the benefit of a private concern, the Chester Waterworks Company. It was an attempt, he said, to escape the alternative of a fresh source of supply for the city of Chester. The Waterworks Company were in this difficulty. They had been setting up before the quiescent and quiet people of Chester year after year that the water they supplied was pure, and that there was no pollution in the river. Was that con- sistent with their contention to-day that the river was so polluted that they must have a joint committee ? The suggestion by Mr. FitzGerald that there were authorities up the river that did not care what they did in the way of pollution was odious and detestable, but was it not more odious and detestable when it came from the most flagrant offender down the stream P He never heard before of a private company being joined in prosecutions by con- tributing expenses, and he should like to see Parliament asked whether that was the kind of thing it approved of. Llangollen had a separate water supply, and it was a very dangerous state of things that the city of Chester persisted in drinking the river water. (Applause.) He could not help being a little vehement on the subject when he saw the effect of the epidemic at Maidstone, and when it was known that perhaps the most exclusive source of the epidemic was the water carriage of the germs which destroyed human life. Personally, he should not sleep comfortably in his bed with the newspaper from Maidstone before him if he had to drink the water from the Dee. It was quite clear that the motive which set up this inquiry was a sinister motive; it was not a motive in the broad public interests, and powers ought not to be withdrawn from com- petent public bodies to serve the interests of a private concern. (Applause.; Denbighshire and the authorities he represented had already sufficient powers, and were ready and willing to put them in force. They had not exercised them before because they had not known the urgent need for their exercise. Why had not they been since 1888 more vigilant ? Because it was not until Dr. Bruce Low's report of the 9th January, 1896, that any complaint whatever was made of the pollution of the River Dee. How could the County Council of Cheshire come now and say that the powers of Denbighshire and other authorities up the Dee were not suffi- cient, and would not be exercised when they from January, 1895, having been asked by the Local Government Board to make application to those authorities higher up, never made any application at all ? He submitted that the case for the order had entirely broken down, and that the authorities he represented, who would henceforth be found a diligent and effective body, should be left masters of their own destiny. (Applause.) Mr. LLOYD Are you going to call any wit- nesses ? Dr. PANKHURST: No. Exercising my own judgment, and believing that the case for the applicants has not boon made out, I have advised that my clients tender no evidence, but I intimate that they will resist any order finally imposing a joint committee on those authorities. Mr. TULLOCH Do you mean they would oppose in Parliament ? Dr. PANKHURST: Yes. We should take the proper means to prevent the order from becoming final. Mr. E. STANLEY CLARKE, on behalf of the Rural Sanitary Authority of the Wrexham Union, opposed the application, on the ground of insufficient notice having been given to that body, and also objected to the constitution of the Commission, in view of the fact that the matter had already been prejudged in Dr. Bruce Low's report. (Applause.) He also protested against a wealthy, populous city like Chester wishing to impose obligations on their neigh- bours for the purpose of saving expense, when they ought, as every other public-spirited com- munity would do, to put their hands into their own pockets, and provide a proper water supply. Mr. E. H. LLOYD, in reply, expressed surprise that not a shred of evidence had been adduced in opposition to the application. The previous speaker, who objected to the constitution of the present tribunal, appeared, like many others in the room, suffering under a misapprehension. The object of the present inquiry was not to ascertain whether pollution did or did not exist; it was to consider whether there were fresh steps necessary in order to take proper precautions to prevent pollution either now or hereafter. It was very curious that the authorities represented by Dr. Pank- hurst who were now so eager and anxious to be up and doing, had done so little since the pass- ing of the Act. He confessed he was utterly unable to understand the position of several of the Welsh councils. Flintshire and Denbigh- shire who were once in favour of the scheme were now opposed to it, but it was evident they did not know their own minds for two days together,and their conduct in the matter was another reason for notentrusting them with a preponderating voice on the committee. As to the contention that the Cheshire County Council had themselves taken no steps to prevent pollution, the fact that they had brought about that inquiry was sufficient evidence of their activity. Dr. Pankhurst alleged that the Cheshire County Council, the Chester Cor- poration, and the Waterworks Company were acting in collusion, but the suggestion, as had been proved by sworn evidence, was absolutely without foundation, and Dr. Pankhurst asked the Commissioners simply on his own ipse dixit to say that what had been testified on oath was untrue. He also thought it right to suggest, when he knew the mouths of the Waterworks Company were closed at that period of the case, that the water was absolutely unwholesome, and he introduced an allusion to Maidstone. He dared not, how- ever, call a single witness to substantiate his allegations, and to make use of such state- ments, when unsupported by evidence, was both unprofessional and improper. As to the subscription of the Waterworks Company, Dr. Pankhurst seemed totally ignorant of the exis- tence of a parallel case, but one did exist none the less, for Parliament had provided by the Thames Conservancy Acts that the London Water Company should pay no less than X25,000 a year towards the expense of keeping pollution out of the river. Dr. fjgUCB iow, at me conclusion or a pro- tracted inquiry, said: We have heard a large amount of evidence and a good deal of specula- tion as well, and it will be unnecessary for me to add anything to what has been said. The objections under the scheme seem to be based upon, firstly, representation; secondly, upon the probable and necessary expense the scheme would entail, and there seems to be a certain amount of jealousy of the city of Chester and the Water Company; and, thirdly, there seems to be a distrust between the upper parts of the river and populations on the lower parts. Whether these are substantial facts or they are mere passing opinions it would take some time to shew. This large amount of evidence that has been submitted will take some time to .digest, and when my colleague and myself have had an opportunity of digesting it and drawing it out on paper, it will be pre- sented to the Board, who will send you the result of the deliberations. VIGOROUS PROTEST BY RUTHIN I COUNCIL. At a special meeting of the Ruthin Rural District Council, on Monday, Mr. Owen Williams presiding, the Clerk (Mr. R. Humphreys Roberts) drew attention to the fact that he did not receive notice of the Government inquiry at Chester in reference to the proposed forma- tion of a joint board to prevent the pollution of the river Dee and its tributaries, until it was too late to consult the Council upon the matter, or he should have advised that they should send either himself or counsel to oppose the pro- posed provisional order. He, however, attended the inquiry on October 7th, although he had no authority to do so. The whole scheme was intended to save a private company from the expense of seeking a new source of water supply, and it would entail a large cost upon the districts which had already obtained water supplies other than the rivers. He feared that an order would be made, but he thought strenuous efforts should be made by Denbighshire to oppose it.—Mr. Thomas Jones said it seemed to him the Cheater people wanted the three Welsh counties to pay for purifying their water.—The Clerk said it practically came to that.—After a discussion, the Council passed a resolution to the following effect, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Jones, seconded by Mr. E. T. Jones That the Council protest against the short notice given of the inquiry, and no order should be made until all the districts had had due notice and the opportunity of being heard." All complaints with reference to this district in Dr. Bruce Low's report had as far as practicable been remedied. Dr. Bruce Low, being the inspector who reported to the Local Govern- Board, should not have been one of the com- missioners to hold the inquiry. Chester and the Cheshire County Council proposed that they should have representation on the suggested Board of nine out of 19 members, instead of by ratable value, as is usual. The Council regarded the whole proceedings in the matter as an attempt by the county borough of Chester and the Cheshire County Council to force upon the authorities of the upper reaches of the Dee the cost of the purifi- cation of the river water for the benefit of private interests, namely, those of the Chester Water Company, in order to escape the alternative of having to provide a fresh source of supply for the city of Chester. Nowhere on the upper reaches of the Dee was the river water used for drinking purposes, and assuming that the pollution from sewage was prevented, at an enormous cost, the rivers would still be polluted by surface water from the lands, roads, &c., owing to the formation of the country, to such an extent as to make the river quite unfit to be a source of supply for drinking purposes. The districts in the watershed of the Dee above Chester having provided other sources of supply than the rivers for domestic use at great expense, it was most unjust that the expense of the administration of the pro- posed board, and also in the abatement of every imaginable pollution, which would be such as would be quite beyond the resources of the dis- tricts, should be thrown upon these counties simply to procure a supply of water for the city of Chester, and so save a private company from the cost of providing a wholesome supply for itself. The Council urged the County Councils of the Welsh counties to use every means in their power to prevent the formation of a com- mittee constituted as proposed; and if a committee was necessary at all, it should be representative of these three counties only- Denbigh, Flint, and Merioneth—which had only public interests to serve, and that Chester and the Chester county should be excluded, as having only private interests at heart.
HARVEST FESTIVALS. ———*———
HARVEST FESTIVALS. ———*——— ST. MARY'S-ON-THE-HILL. The harvest festival of this parish was held on Wednesday evening, the service being at- tended by a crowded congregation. The ancient church presented a pleasing appearance, the decorations being most effective. The Rector (the Yen. Archdeacon Barber) took the service. The special music rendered included the anthem 0 Lord, how manifold are Thy gifts," by Simper, which was done full justice to by the choir. The preacher was the Rev. Mr. Elcum, vicar of St. Agnes', Liverpool, who took for his text Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." We were forced to admit, he said, that what was called materialism had very much increased of late years. The present age was charactorised by the spirit of independence and over-confidence. This was instanced in a notice in a newspaper of the huge reservoir in connec. tion with the Liverpool waterworks, in which it was incidentally mentioned that with such an acquisition we should be able to set Providence at defiance. Of course this assertion was not meant seriously and literally, but still it be- trayed some underlying ideas, if not belief, of this. It was appalling how in the present day people were getting less trustful in God concerning their well-being, and growing more an more self reliant on their own powers. While we were offering thanks for what had been a good harvest, we were obliged to reflect on the position in which we should inevitably be placed were we to depend entirely on the produce of our own land. To quote from the official statis- tics, if we were obliged to depend fer food upon the produce of our own country, there was not in its confines at the present time enough to last us three months. Then supposing in the event of an outbreak of war, our fleet should fail in its duty of protecting our commerce-and he did not say that such was improbable in the face of official statements made, t hough God forbid— we should inevitably be faco to face with starva- tion. We had cause to be thankful, however, that the long cloud of commercial depression was passing away.—The services were continued on Sunday, when there were large congrega- tions, and the musical portions of the service were very well rendered. The rector (the Archdeacon of Chester) made an earnest appeal for more liberal support for the Infirmary, speaking from a grateful experience of the advance made in surgical science, and of the sympathy shewn by the members of the medical profession; and this appeal was renewed in the evening by the Rev. H. S. Branscombe. It is gratifying to learn that the appeal was not without its result, for the collections amounted to LS 8s. 6d., the largest sum yet contributed by this parish on Hospital Sunday. EATON CHAPEL. The harvest thanksgiving service was held at this chapel on Sunday evening, when the chapel was re-opened for service on the return of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster to Eaton. The interior had had much time and taste bestowed upon it by Mr. Barnes and his assistants, and the decorations throughout presented a very effective appearance. The materials used were for the most part white and yellow flowers, corn, autumn leaves, and fruit. Inside the communion rails was placed a large sheaf of corn, while on the Communion table were two smaller ones and three large bunches of grapes. In addition to the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, there were present at the service Lord Gerald Grosvenor, Lady Helen Grosvenor, Countess Grosvenor, Ladies Constance and Lettice Grosvenor, Mrs. Wyndham, &c. The service opened with the hymn Come, ye thankful people,' and the special psalms were the 150th and 185th. The other harvest hymns were We plough the fields' and 'The Sower went forth sowing.' The Rev. J. R. Fuller intoned the service, and an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Canon Robins from the words 'They joy as of the joy of harvest' (Isaiah ix, part of 3rd verse). The offertory was in aid of the Church of England Society of Waifs and Strays, a society which, the Rev. Canon said, was doing an excellent work, and was a worthy object for their alms, taking charge as it did of children either without parents or whose parents were not fit to have charge of them. ST. MARK'S, SALTNEY. As usual, the harvest thanksgiving service at this church were very well attended, and there was nothing lacking in the way of heartiness in the singing of the well-known hymns, while the harvest anthems were brightly sung. The Rev. H. Grantham, rector of St. Mary's, preached at 10.45 a.m.; the Rev. J. D. Best, principal of the Chester Training College, at 6 30 p.m.; and the Rev. P. F. A. Morrell gave the address at three p.m. There were two cele- brations of Holy Communion, viz., at eight a.m. and at the morning service. The offertories for the Infirmary amounted to iC5 14s. 4d., and Window Fund 12s. Those who decorated the church are to be congratulated upon their success, while it is with pleasure we note the ample offerings of the parishioners and friends. The services at Mold Junction Mission Church were very similar to those at St. Mark's. The Rev. E. Lees, curate of Holy Trinity, Canning- town, E. (and formerly lay reader in Saltney), was the preacher. Unfortunately some were unable to find sitting room at the evening service, the accommodation not being equal to an occasion of this sort. The rendering of the anthems, hymns, &c., reflected great credit upon Mr. E. Fell, who trained the choir, and the efforts of those who undertook the work of decoration produced a very pleasing effect. The offertories were-for the Infirmary 21 9a. 6d., Waifs and Strays 4s. 9d. ELLESMERE PORT. The harvest festival was held at the parish church on Wednesday evening. The church was beautifully decorated by Mesdames Bloomer, Finney, Price, Stanway, Steel, Worsey, and the Misses Parker, Dutton, McGervas (2), Willans, Platt, Ledson, King, Nicholas, Worsey, &c. There was a large con- gregation, and an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. Francis Long, vicar of Weaverham. The anthem, O worship the Lord in the beauty I of Holiness,' was nicely rendered by the choir. The collections were in aid of the National School. The services will be continued on Sunday- DODLESTON. The harvest thanksgiving service was held in the parish church on Wednesday evening. The decorations, which were as usual very effective, were carried out by a willing band of workers, including the rector (the Rev. A. C. Gordon), the Rev. J. C. and Mrs. Trampleasure, Mrs. P. Edwards, Miss M. Jones, and a number of other ladies. The service throughout was most hearty. The anthem, Give thanks unto the Lord,' was capitally rendered by the choir, the solo parts being creditably sung by Miss Amy Roberts and Mr. John Smith. The Rev. J. C. Trampleasure intoned the service, and the Rev. T. J. Evans (vicar of Tarvin) read the lessons, and preached an earnest sermon. KINGSLEY. The annual harvest festival thanksgiving services commenced at the parish church (St. John the Evangelist), Kingsley, on Friday night. The pretty village church as usual was most tastefully decorated with corn, vegetables, and flowers, contributed by various members of the congregation. The screen in front of the chancel and the pulpit were specially worthy of admiration, both being artistically decorated. The following ladies and gentlemen were responsible for the decoration :-Miss Mills, the Misses Ricketts, the Misses Gerrard, Mr. and Mrs. A. Faulkner, the Vicar, and others. The Rev. A. P. Reynolds (vicar) conducted the service, and the Rev. A. Miles Moss, of Birken- head, preached an excellent sermon from Psalm 106, vi verse. Special hymns were sung, and the anthem Fear not, 0 land-' was exceedingly well rendered by the choir. After the service an organ recital was given by Mr. A. Conway Golding. On account of the inclemency of the weather the congregation was not so large as is usually the case. The offertories were in aid of a fund for the repairing of the inside of the church, an object which has been a very desir- able one for some considerable time past. The services were continued on Sunday, when the church in the evening was full. ASHTON HAYES. The annual thanksgiving service was held in this church on Thursday last. The vicar (the Rev. A. Hey gate) and Mrs. Hey gate were assisted in decorating the sacred edifice by a most efficient band of helpers, including Miss Fawcett, Miss J. R. Gamon, Miss Harrison, and a number of other ladies, and the church pre- sented, perhaps, an even prettier appearance than in former years. There was a very large congregation, who listened with rapt attention to the sermon preached by the Rev. J. T. Evans (vicar of Tarvin), from the text Jeremiah viii., 20, The Harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved.' The prayers were said by the Vicar and the Rev. B. N. Atkinson (Kelsall) read the lessons. The musical portion of the service, which included the anthem 1 0 Lord how manifold are thy works,' by Barnby, was well rendered by the choir, assisted by Messrs. S. Dean and S. Williamson (Tarvin). The offertory, which amounted to about X5, together with the fruit, flowers, &c., used in the decorations, were forwarded to the Chester Infirmary. STOAK. A harvest thanksgiving service was held in this church on Thursday evening. There was a profusion of flowers in the window-sills, and on the pulpit, reading-desk, lectern, and chancel rails, interspersed with fruit and corn, impart- ing to the sacred building a very bright and cheerful appearance. The music was of a simple character, but was carefully rendered by the choir, and taken up by the congregation with much heartiness and spirit. Prayers were said by the Rev. R. W. Prichard (vicar), the sermon being preached by the Rev. W. Sparling, vicar of Upton, from the text' What- soever a man soweth, that shall he also reap'— Gal. vi., 7. At the close a collection was made on behalf of the funds of the Chester General Infirmary. ROCK FERRY. The harvest thanksgiving services at St. Peter's commenced with a special service on Friday evening, and were continued on Sunday. The church had been tastefully decorated by a number of the ladies of the congregation, and was greatly admired. On Friday there was a large congregation, which would no doubt have been still further increased had the weather been more propitious. The sermon of the Lord Bishop of Pretoria was an eloquent appeal for missionary enterprise in his diocese, from the text 'Joy in the harvest.' The lessons were read by the Vicar, and the prayers by the Rev. B. B. Slater and the Rev. A. Thomas, who has just come to take up his position in the parish as curate in succession to Mr. Stubbs. BACKFORD. The harvest festival service was held at St. Oswald's Parish Church, Backford, on Wednes- day evening, when there was a very large con- gregation, extra sitting accommodation having to be improvised by the churchwardens and sidesmen. The decorations were tasteful, and were greatly admired, particularly the pulpit and reading desk, beautified by the Misses Fairclough (Vicarage), and the font, the work of Miss Pratt, Backtord Hall. The musical portion of the festival was in the hands of Mr. Walter Howick, of Chester, the organist, who deserves every praise for the satisfactory manner in which the choir, augmented for the occasion by several musical friends from Chester, performed its part of a bright and enjoyable service. A most pleasing feature was the efficient assistance rendered by a string band of eight performers, which, seated in the chancel and accompanying the choir and organ, had a good share in making the festival so successful. The anthem taken was Praise the Lord, 0 Jerusalem' (J. H. Maunder), the baritone solo being effectively sung by Mr. Robert Jones, Chester. The Vicar (the Rev. R. J. Fairclough) read the prayers, while the lessons were read and the sermon preached by the Rev. J. F. Howson, vicar of Christ Church, Chester, who took for his text part of the 4th verse of the 8th chapter of St. Mark—' Bread here in the wilderness.' The collection was in aid of the Diocesan Institutions, viz., the Education Board, Relief of Widows and Orphans of the Clergy and Spiritual Aid Society. WILLASTON (WIRRAL). I The annual thanksgiving service was held in the Willaston parish church on Thursday evening. The church was beautifully decorated, and there was a very large congregation. The service was of a hearty character, the musical portion being rendered in a manner that reflected great credit on the choir and the organist and choirmaster (Mr. Woodward). The anthem, All Thy works praise Thee 0 Lord' (Rev. T. H. Spinney), was rendered with much precision, as was also Caleb Simper's Service in F. The customary harvest hymns and special psalms were used, and the service was intoned by the vicar (the Rev. Walsham Postance. The sermon was preached by the Rev. F. R. B. Pinhorn, M.A., Capenhurst, and the offertory was for the Society for the Propa- gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The work of decorating the church was carried out by the following:- Pulpit, Mrs. Postance and Mrs. Hockin; altar flowers, Miss Dawson; sanctuary and east end, Miss Graham and Miss Williamson; font, Mrs. Longsdale; windows, Mrs. Thornely; reading desk, Miss Pownall; fringes, the Misses Pollard; givers of fruit, flowers, corn, Ac., Mr. D. Graham (Lydiate), Mrs. Catto, Mr. M. Clover (Rose Lea), Mr. T. Clarke, J.P., Mr. P. Allen, Mr. Joseph Pollard, Mrs. Wright, Miss Davis, Mr. Samuel Johnson, Mrs. Mason (Ran's Hall), and Mrs. T. Sharpe (Mill Lane). The services were continued on Sunday. THORNTON-LE-MOORS. The church was beautifully decorated for the harvest festival on Thursday. Plentiful sup- plies of corn, fruit, and evergreens were sent from Trafford Hall and other houses in Thornton and the neighbouring townships of the parish, and they were all deftly and tastefully used. The window-sills were decked with moss, on which fruit and vegetables were displayed. The pillars were festooned with evergreens and flowers. Happily, dahlias of varied colours bad been spared by the frost, and made a splendid show. A temporary screen had been erected under the chancel arch, which bore wreaths of wheat, barley, and oats, skilfully interspersed with flowers and berries. The quaint antiquated sanctuary rails were quite hidden by garlands of corn and white flowers, and the communion table was adorned with ferns and specimens of the finest produce of the neigh- bourhood. The pulpit and font were artistically trimmed with corn and evergreens, the general effect being exceedingly good. Although some who had kindly helped to decorate the church on former occasions were unavoidably absent, there was no lack of willing and skilful workers. Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Richard Lloyd, Miss Barber, Miss Lee, Miss R. Lee, Miss Courtney, Miss McWaters, Miss Briscoe, Miss Stafford, Miss E. Stafford, Miss M. Lloyd, and Miss H. Lloyd were busy the whole of the preceding day, and had ample reason to be satisfied with the results of their work. The prayers were read by the Rector (the Rev. C. Prichard, M.A.), and an excellent sermon was preached by the Vicar of Alvanley (the Rev. E. P. Alexander, M.A.) from the text, Where hast thou gleaned to-day ?' (Ruth II., 19). The collection was given to the Chester Infirmary, and the fruit and vegetables used in the decora- tions were presented to the patients in that institution. The choir, under the direction of Mr. C. Ward (the organist), had prepared an anthem, Ye shall keep the feast,' which was rendered with a certainty denoting careful preparation and great musical taste. At the conclusion of the service the Te Deum was sung with excellent effect. The collection amounted to L4 4s. 6d. MOLD. A crowded congregation attended the harvest festival at St. James' Church, New Brighton, on Wednesday evening, when a successful service was held. The preacher was the Rev. Herbert Evans, B.A., formerly of Abergele, now curate of Mold. The remaining portions of the service were taken by the Rev. Stephen B. Jones (vicar of Caerfallwch) and Mr. C. P. Morgan. The augmented choir, conducted by Mr. C. P. Morgan, sang the anthem' Thougavest food to all flesh (Caleb Simpson) in capital style, tenor and bass solos being allotted to Mr. Arthur Evans and the Rev. Stephen B. Jones. The decorations were tastefully executed by Mrs. C. P. Morgan (Bryn-yr-haul), assisted by Mrs. Eaton and Miss Kellam. BICKLEY. The annual services of thanksgiving tor the harvest were commenced at St. Winefrede's Church, Bickley, on Thursday evening. The church had been elaborately decorated for the occasion, and presented a beautiful appearance, the rich colours of corn, flowers, fruit, &c., blending in perfect harmony. Among the workers to whom this is due were Mrs. J. D. Scott, the Misses Charlton and Master Charlton, Mdlle. Anjard, Mrs. Wilson, Miss Brassey (Cholmondeley), Miss Grey, the Misses Cooper (Bickley), Mr. Evan Langley, Miss Brassey (Bulkeley), Mr. and Miss Cooper (Cbolmon- deley), &c. The service, which was fully choral, was performed with much heartiness by the choir, augmented for the occasion by ladies of the congregation. The anthem selected was The heavens are telling,' and the solo, With verdure clad,' was taken by Mrs. Scott. The service was conducted and the lessons read by the vicar (the J. D. Scott, M.A.), and the preacher was the Rev. the Hon. Algernon Parker, M.A., rector of Malpas. The church was crowded, and the ingenuity of the wardens was taxed to the utmost to find accommodation for the large congregation. The festival services were continued on Sunday morning at Cholmondeley Chapel, which was tastefully decorated by the Cholmondeley gardeners, under the supervision of Mr. C. W. Flack, and on Sunday evening at St. Winefride's Church, the offertories being devoted to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Lands.
CHESHIRE ~RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
CHESHIRE RIFLE ASSOCIATION. A VOLLEY FIRING PROTEST. On Tuesday, at Chester Castle, Col. Marshall, Col. Cotton-Jodrell, M.P., and Majors Woolley and Tomkinson, sat as members of the council of the Cheshire Rifle Association to decide a protest lodged by Capt. Tandy, of the 2tid Cheshire Engineers, against the award of the second prize in the volley firing competi- tion, at Altcar, in July last, to G Company (Sale) of the 3rd V.B. Cheshire Regiment. The ground of the protest was that the volley fired by G Company was not a bond, fide one, according to the regulations, several of the men having fired before the word of command was given. In answer to Colonel Cotton-Jodrell, Captain Tandy said it would not benefit his own team if the protest was sustained, because they were sixth on the list, but he wished to draw attention to the unfairness of the practice in order that it might be stopped in future. The Council having deliberated in private, the Chairman (Colonel Marshall) said they could not uphold the protest, which ought to have been lodged on the ground at the time of firing. At the same time there was no doubt that most of the teams competing did not fire bona fide volleys, and the council had decided to make the rules on the point more stringent, and to appoint an umpire in future to see that each squad complied with the conditions. The umpire's decision upon the point would be final
ATTACK ON THE OLD CASTLE AT…
ATTACK ON THE OLD CASTLE AT HAWARDEN. Hawarden was the scene of mimic warfare on Saturday, the village being thronged with red coats of the 2nd V. B. R.W. Fusiliers. A sham fight had been arranged, and companies from Mold, Hawarden, and Caergwrle were stationed in the vicinity of the Old Castle between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, a special train, by courtesy of Mr. Thos. Cartwright (W M.C.Q. Railway), picking up the Caergwrle men at Bridgend and the Moldavians at Hope Junction. These two companies were met at Hawarden Station by the local Volunteers and Colonel B. G. Davies-Cooke, V.D., A.D.C., the late commanding officer, who, although not taking an active part in the proceedings, shewed his keen interest in his old battalion by his presence—on horseback—throughout the day. Major Hurlbutt was in command of this section of the battalion, and directed the movements of the companies. In the absence of Captain A. H. Sparrow, the Caergwrle Com- pany was under the command of Lieutenant Kelly, of Mold. Captain Rathbone led the Hawarden contingent, and Captain Keene, I.O.M., the Mold men. The idea projected was that the enemy bad landed at Birkenhead and was pushing forward on Chester and Wrexham. The officer commanding at Wrex- ham, on receiving information of the invasion, was supposed to send all the available infantry at his disposal to destroy the bridge at Queen's Ferry, with the purpose of holding the old castle of Hawarden pending the arrival of reinforcements. The bridge destroyed, the officer in command of the defending force (Major Hurlbutt) was to make the best possible use of his three companies compatible with the nature of the. ground. As the bridge at Queen's Ferry was supposed to have been destroyed, and there was no means of passage at hand, the attack was naturally expected from Broughton direction, and nothing more was supposed to be known of the movements of the invaders. Major J. H. Sparrow commanded the five companies advancing from Birkenhead, and in consequence of the destruction of the bridge had to proceed along the north bank of the Dee to near Chester before he was supposed to outain Doats for crossing, and therefore a detour had to be made and Hawarden Park entered from the Broughton direction. Major Sparrow having had information that the Castle and village were occupied by small parties of the enemy, who were expecting reinforcements, had therefore to make strenuous efforts to quickly attack, and, if possible, seize the Castle. Fine weather favoured the occasion, and the park and village were thronged with visitors. On the terrace- fronting the hall-Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, Mrs. W. H. Gladstone and family were standing interested spectators of the scene. Mr. Glad- stone, who looked wonderfully well for his ripe age, took alively interest in the proceedings, and was repeatedly cheered not only by the spectators but by the battalion during lunch time, and the venerable statesman entered into animated conversation with Col. B. G. Davies-Cooke and other of the officers. The attacking force, com- posed of companies from Holywell, Rhyl, Flint, Colwyn Bay, and Abergele, detrained at Sandy- croft about 330 p.m. Major Sparrow took command, the cyclists and guard advancing in front. The companies marched from the station to the cross roads, about a quarter of a mile off, and turned to the left towards Broughton and eventually came out on the Chester main road. As soon as they landed in the park they were discovered and the attack commenced. When the bugle sounded cease firing after the attack, the battalion formed up in column in front of the hall, under the command of Lieut.- Colonel Sheriff Roberts, and the officer com- manding Regimental District, Colonel Creek, inspected the companies. Afterwards calling the officers together, he entered minutely into the plan of attack, expressing general approval, and giving them the benefit of his ripe expe- rience. At the request of Lieutenant-Colonel Sheriff Roberts, he presented the long-service medal to Private Adams, of H Company, who had been transferred from the 1st V.B.R.W.F. to the 2nd Battalion after 21 years' service. Among the officers, in addition to those already mentioned, were Capt. and Adjutant Gough, Capt. Herbert Jones (22nd Middlesex), Capt. Fielding, Capt. Keatinge, Capt. Stubbs, Capt. Dew, Lieuts. Foote, Venables, Williams, and Hall, and Dr. A. P. Swaneon. At the request of Mr. Gladstone the battalion marched past the terrace in column, in order that he might have an opportunity of inspecting the different companies.
[No title]
COMPETITION AT CHESTER.—On Wednesday evening an interesting competition took place in the Drill Hall for prizes offered fer the best drummers and trumpeters in the 1st Cheshire and Carnarvonshire Volunteer Artillery. The following took part in the competition:— Trumpeters, Privates Siddall, Small, Tait, and Elson; drummers, Privates F. Dew, Silverster Battersby, and Corporal Burgess. Mr. Handley, bandmaster of the corps, acted as judge, and awarded the prizes as follows:—Trumpet com- petition 1st prize, Trumpeter Siddall; 2nd, Trumpeter Small. Drummers' competition 1st prize, Drummer F. Dew; 2nd, Drummer Silvester. 1ST CHESHIRE AND CARNARVONSHIRE VOLUN- TEER ARTILLERY.—Regimental orders by Lieut.- Colonel H. T. Brown, commanding. Head- quarters, Chester, 7th October, 1897:—1. Repository Competition The following is the result of the Repository Competition held at the Drill Hall, Chester, on Saturday, October the 2nd :—No. 2 Company, 1st; Right Half Battery of Position, 2nd; No. 3 Company, 3rd. 2. Church Parade: The Chester Battery and Companies will attend Divine service at Christ Church, Newtown, on Sunday, October the 24th. No. 1 Battery and No. 2 Company will parade at the Drill Hall at 10 a.m. No. 3 Company at the College at 9.30 a.m. The latter, accom- panied by the band, will march to the Drill Hall. Dress, church parade order (officers white gloves).—By order, CLAUDE E. FOBESTIEB WALKER, Captain R.A., Adjutant 1st C. & C.V.A. WHITCHURCH VOLUNTEER PRIZE SHOOTING.— The annual competition in connection with the Whitchurch Volunteers took place on Saturday. The fifty-guinea challenge cup, which has been shot for annually for over 30 years, was won outright by Sergeant Wyatt, as for the third year in succession he made the highest score, so another company pot' will have to be obtained. Wyatt's score was 87 out of a possible 105. Corporal Stevens made 85. Private Bebbington won third money with 83, then came Corporal Woollam 80, Sergeant Heatley 77, and Private A. Jones 75. The Ethelston Cup has also to be won three times in succession, or four times alto- gether, to become the absolute possession of the winner. Seven shots at 200 and 500 yards were fired, and the drills attended during the year are added. Wyatt, who won the cup last year, only failed to do so again by a single point. Bebbmgton was the winner with a score of 97-44 shooting points and 53 drills. There were twenty prizes in this class, and nine winners had attended the whole of the drills, 53, and six 52. Private A. Jones was third, Private Sherbrook fourth, Corpl. Stevena fifth, Private Tudor sixth, Sergt. Burrows seventh, and Sergt. Heatley eighth. There were three ties for the first prize in the Wakes competition, and in shooting off, three shots at 500 yards, Bebbington made the possible,' Wyatt 14, and E. Harper 10. The four recruits' prizes were won by A. Connor (24), S. Crewe (22), W. H. Eaton (19), and A. Sherbrooke (19). ARTILLERY COMPETITION AT CHESTER. The annual Repository Competition between the Chester Companies of the 1st C. and C.V.A. took place last week, in the Drill Hall. Four detachments competed, one from each half of the Battery of Position and one from each of Nos. 2 and 3 Companies. There were present Colonel H. T. Brown (commanding). Captains R. S. Wood and J.B. Hall, Surgeon-Lieutenants Oldershaw and Wrights, Lieutenant Jayne, and Adjutant-Captain Claude Forestier Walker, R.A. Captain Long, R.A., as in former years, acted as umpire, Surgeon-Lieutenant J. Older- shaw, M.D., officiating as time-keeper. A large and interested assembly of the public wit- nessed the competition, which began about half-past seven. The corps No. 2 Company (Sergeant-Major H. Brown) went on first, and completed the work in 13min. lOsec. The College Company, with Sergt.-Major C. Fisher as their No. iI, followed, and finished in 14min. 15secs. The left half battery of position, under Sergt. Jerome, were very unfortunate in their performance. After proceeding capitally with their work for some time, the gun, having been brought too far forward on the muzzle skid, capsized over the breast of the carriage. The detachment, working with a will, quickly brought the gun round again into position for mounting, but naturally lost so much time that 27min. 40sec. expired before they completed the programme. The right half battery, under Segt. F. S. Proud, then took charge, and finished in 14min. 45secs. The detachments then formed up, and the umpire announced the result as follows :-No 2 Company, 1st; R.H. Battery, 2nd; No. 3 Company, 3rd. Capt. Long then gave some useful hints and good advice ou the work, and the companies, headed by the band, marched to the Hop- pole Hotel, where supper had been prepared. A very enjoyable evening was passed, Col. Brown warmly thanking Capt. Long for his readiness year after year in acting as umpire, and called upon the company to drink his health. This was aceeded to with great enthu- siasm, and amid cheers and singing.—Captain Long, in acknowledgment, said the work done in the competition was very creditable all round. Although one detachment was un- fortunate, if he had his choice of the four for work, he should choose the unlucky one of that night. (Cheers.) He looked forward to meet- ing them again in his same capacity next year. (Loud cheers.)
SHOCKING REVELATIONS AT AN…
SHOCKING REVELATIONS AT AN INQUEST. 0 Mr. H. C. Yates, Cheshire coroner, held an inquest at Crewe on Monday on the body of Richard James, 48, a brakesman in the employ mentof the London and North-Western Rail way Company, who resided in Hugerford-avenue- The evidence shewed that the deceased died on Friday last, but on account of allegations against the wife of gross neglect. Dr. Atkinson refused to give a certificate. It appeared that James came home ill on the 28th September. Pneumonia set in, and Drs. Atkinson and Lawrence attended him and told his wife he needed the greatest care. Dr. Lawrence said that on one occasion he went to the house and knocked, but could not get in. After waiting some time James himself got up from his bed, came downstairs and let him in. He said his wife had gone out. The neighbours said the man was greatly neglected, and he had to warn Mrs. James. She was in drink. — Ivy James said her mother was drunk twice during the time her father was ill. She was drunk the day before he died. Another witness said that the doctor ordered brandy, and the woman drank it. She had to be locked in a room twice, and she kicked the door so much that they had to let her out. The deceased noticed that she was drunk, and it made him excited, and he did not want her in the room. He had a great aversion te her. Mrs. Totill, one of the witnesses, said the wife had threatened to murder her.—Mrs. James was rcalled, and denied having been drunk or having neglected her husband.—The jury found that death was due to pneumonia, and that the wife had been guilty of neglect.—The Coroner, addressing the woman, said she was morally, if not criminally, responsible for her husband's death. His death lay at her door. He hoped it would be a warning to her, and that she would mend her ways and make up for neglect of her husband by paying more attention to her children.
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