The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

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' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually 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 6 Co., Ltd., Homoeopathic Chemists, London." 1

IMPORTANT RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT. 4 PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE WIRRAL SYSTEM TO RHYL. Satisfaction has been caused in Flintshire by the notice given by the Wirral Railway of their intention to apply to Parliament in the ensuing session for a Bill authorising the com- pany to extend their system to Rhyl. The projected extension will commence in the township of Little Meolse, in the parish of West Kirby, by a junction with the main line of the company between their Hoylake and West Kirby Stations. It will then be carried across the Hoylake links to the shore of the Dee, where it is proposed to throw up an extensive embankment from which a bridge will be carried across the river to a point about mid- way between Mostyn and Point of Ayr. This bridge, it is stated, will be about three and a half miles in length, and will be one of the largest structures of the kind in the country. The railway will then pass on to Trewaelod, along the Dee, to Gwespyr, Gronant, Llanasa, Prestatyn, Nant-with-Prestatyn, Meli- den, Dyserth, Rbydorddwy, Trellwalyn, Bryn- hedydd, and Rhyl. A considerable district of important country at present, to a great extent, at a distance from railway facilities will thus be opened up, and it is believed that an impor- tant mineral traffic would be conducted over the new railway to the Liverpool and Birken- head docks. By the existing lines the journey from Liverpool to Rhyl extends over about fifty miles, but by the proposed new route the distance would only be twenty-four miles, so that for passenger traffic to North Wales watering places, las well as for the conveyance of minerals, agricultural produce, &c., a very great saving of time would be effected. The London and North-Western Railway Com- pany have also given notice of their intention to apply for an Act to acquire by compulsion, in Flintshire and Cheshire, land abutting on their system, with the object of carrying out a large scheme of railway extension, embracing mainly the improvements contemplated in their Bill of two years ago, which was withdrawn in con- sequence of the strenuous opposition offered to it by the Welsh members.

MR. J. HERBERT LEWIS, M.P., ON OUR SUBJECT RACES. ♦ Presiding on Thursday evening at a public meeting in connection with the English Congre- gational Denomination at Mold, Mr. J. Herbert Lewis, M.P. for the Flint Boroughs, made reference to his former visit to Africa, and to the British treatment of subject races. He said that he had had a great many opportunities of seeing their mission fields in various parts of the world, and he could testify that the lives led by their missionaries abroad condemned the calumnies they sometimes heard. If Great Britain, in extending her empire, were to bring nothing better than gunpowder and alcoholic liquors to the native races who had been com- mitted to her charge by.:an over-ruling Providence, that would be a terrible state of things. Anyone who knew the terrible trade carried on both in North and South Africa in liquor knew what a terrible deterioration of the native races this trade had resulted in. They had given native races the means to destroy one another, and sad indeed it would be if they did not send out some kind of antidote. They had a great responsibility in this respect. It was par- ticularly necessary that in these days they should see to it, as citizens of a country the sway of whose sceptre extends far over the world, that our rule is founded upon justice and mercy. The British constitution was based upon freedom, and they should see that the essence of that constitution was applied to every part over which Great Britain was called upon to wield authority. They ought to support to the best of their power those who went from our shores to propagate the Gospel, and who west forth with only one end in view, not for greed or gain, and not to make merchandise of men, but simply and solely to elevate their moral and spiritual nature, and through that to elevate their material conditions as well.

THE LATE MR. R. GRANDIDGE. 0 VOTE OF CONDOLENCE. At a special meeting of the Hoole District Council, held on Friday, Mr. W. Nightingale, who occupied the chair, said that taking Mr. Grandidge as a man, they would have difficulty in that district in finding his equal. From outside sources they learned that what Mr. Grandidge gave away with his right hand his left hand knew not. He had spoken to men in the trade, and they had remarked in high terms of him, while only the other day a foremost paper in the timber trade published a photograph of the deceased gentleman, and alluded to him as the king of the timber trade. Mr. Grandidge had sat on that Council for eighteen years. He (Mr. Nightingale) had the pleasure to par- take of his hospitality at his Birkenhead works, and had had the opportunity of going over those works, which were of most gigantic pro- portions. Mr. R. CECIL DAVIES, as the oldest member of the Council left, seconded the resolution. He had had a long experience of Mr. Grandidge, and always found him a just and upright chairman, and a good councillor in the interests of the ratepayers. Mr. PHILLIPS, in the course of a speech highly eulogistic of the late Mr. Grandidge, said that that gentleman had been one of the first financiers among the commercial men of the day, and had carried out with great administrative ability commercial transactions with almost all the countries of Europe. He would have indeed been pleased to hear, had he lived a littlo longer, that the County Council had sided with Hoole against Chester, for they all knew that Mr. Grandidge had at heart the cause of defending Hoole against her outside enemies, in order that the ratepayers might enjoy the fruits of their own expended money and live in a healthy, low- rated, and well-governed community. In the matter of improvements, their late friend hated the policy of tinkering and patching, being a firm believer in the maxim that a thing well done was twice done. Might they all emulate his useful life! Mr. WOODWARD had known Mr. Grandidge for 30 years as a man of generous disposition and straightforward character. They were indebted to him for the great improvements in that neighbourhood, and he had spared neither time nor trouble in bringing them forward. Dr. BUTT said that during the time he had attended Mr. Grandidge in his illness, the deceased gentleman had proved himself patient in his suffering, and always ready to help him in his work. His mind was not all centred on his own affairs; he was always thinking of other people. Mr. E. N. HUMPHREYS also wished to asso- ciate himself with the words that bad fallen from the lips of the other speakers. As a chairman Mr. Grandidge had shewn himself to be fair- minded, considerate, and courteous at all times, even when they were at variance on public matters. Mr. A. E. CALDECUTT, clerk, spoke on behalf of himself and the other officials. He thought actions spoke stronger than words, and thev had only to look at Hoole to find Mr. Grandidge's monument. It was his ability and business perceptions that had brought Hoole to what it was. It was one of his objects to do away with the old streets- dark, dismal, dirty looking places, as they were in those times, and he took the bull by the horns and carried through a bold stroke, which had shewn itself to be the best and cheapest, by borrowing a large sum of money through the Local Government Board. With this they bad put the streets in a properly sanitary state. Hoole was now a marvellous improvement on what it was, and it was Mr. Grandidge's great object to develop and improve the district, and he did his best for the ratepayers. Hoole had lost a public benefactor. The motion was carried unanimously.

We have received from Messrs. Iliffe & Son, 3, St. Bride-street, London, E.C., a capital little book on cookery. It is one of the nutshell series, and is published at 6d. The work contains a number of practical recipes, and all housewives will find it of great assistance. We ask the Public to insist on having CADBURT'S Cocoa, because adulterated cocoas are sometimes pushed for the sake of extra profit. CADBURT'S Cocoa is a perfect food,' and is not prepared with alkali or any mixture. It is absolutely pure therefore best.

MR. S. SMITH, M.P., AT HAWARDEN. 4 SPEECH ON CONSERVATIVE POLICY. Mr. Samuel Smith, M.P., addressed an enthusiastic Liberal meeting at Hawarden Boys' School on Wednesday night, which was presided over by Mr. Hugh Davies.—Mr. Smith, who was heartily received, said he was glad to meet his constituents at Hawarden on that auspicious occasion, because there could be no doubt now that the flowing tide was with the Liberal party. In all the recent bye-elections there had been an increase in the Liberal vote, and he believed a calculation recently made showed that if a similar change occurred in all the con- stituencies the Liberal party would come in with as large a majority as the Unionist party now had. One naturally inquired what was the cause of so great a change, and he would answer 'mistakes in home policy, and still greater mistakes in foreign policy.'—(Applause.) Two out of the chief measures which the present Government had passed were decidedly class legislation. The Agricultural Rating Act practically made over to the land-owning class a subsidy of nearly two millions ayear. The Volun- tary Schools Act was also practically a subsidy of seven or eight hundred thousand pounds to the Anglican Church. The unfairness of these measures would become more and more obvious as time progressed. The feeling throughout Wales was strongly opposed to the additional endowment of Voluntary schools, which in many cases were used for the purpose of killing Dissent and teaching sacerdotal doctrine which was deeply opposed to the convictions of all Protestants both inside and outside the National Church.—(Applause.) The Workmen's Compensation Act was one to which the Liberal party had offered no opposition. It was, in fact, a development of Mr. Asquith's Bill, which was rejected by the House of Lords in the late Parliament. Commenting upon the evidence before the Agricultural Commission, he said the main point to be brought before the public was this, that to get better farming in England they must give security to the farmer that he would reap the benefit of his improvements. (Applause.) They required in Wales a Land Act similar to that enjoyed by the Irish tenants, whereby the Welsh farmer would have security of tenure and a fair rent fixed by a court, if he and the landlord were not agreed between themselves. That was the line the Welsh members were agreed upon, and upon which they brought forward a Bill, which was ignominiously thrown out by the present Government, and he believed Welsh farmers would never get a really strong and useful measure of redress so long as they had a Conservative Government in power. (Applause.) With regard to the engineering dispute, he was most thankful that there was a prospect of this lamentable strife coming to a close, and he hoped neither side would push matters too far, but would listen to judicious counsels. So far as Lord Salisbury's foreign policy was concerned, he maintained that they had never had any Ministry in his time that had had so many rebuffs and so many failures in foreign affairs as the present Government. No Government had ever passed through two or three years in which there had been more uneasiness, more frequent danger of war, more anxiety, and more trouble at every point of the compass than they had had during the past two or three years. The Govern- ment had done little in solving the difficulties of Crete and Greece. He did not deny that Greece was foolish and wrong in plunging into a war which she was utterly unable to carry out. With respect to Crete they had all failed most signally, and the Turk continued, as usual, to defy Christian Europe. The failure of the Government in Eastern Europe had been most ignominious. The Armenian massacres had sunk .deep into the heart and conscience of the people. This country was under a treaty obligation to protect Armenia, but had utterly failed to fulfil its duty, not because Lord Salisbury had not the will, but because of the bitter opposition of the great military Powers of Europe. Why did Lord Salisbury encounter such bitter opposition ? Because in the crisis of the war between Russia and Turkey in 1876 and 1877 he joined with Lord Beaconsfield in upholding Turkey and humili- ating Russia. He destroyed the treaty whereby Turkey had pledged herself to a Russian pro- tectorate over Christian populations, and he substituted the Treaty of Berlin, whereby united Europe undertook the task. United Europe had proved to be disunited Europe, and had utterly failed to fulfil its obligations. The Armenians had been massacred, and England had been powerless to discharge the duties which Russia freely undertook twenty years ago. The Russian people had not forgiven or for- gotten the action of Lord Salisbury, and that accounted for the desperate jealousy with which his proposals had been received. The fact as our fathers had eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth were set on edge, and we were suffering from the pro- Turkish policy of former times. The South African policy of the Government had also been highly discreditable within the last two years, and a most unpleasant suspicion rested upon the Colonial Office. England bad escaped a war with the Dutch population by a merciful providence, for which the present Govern- ment was not to be thanked. He hoped that the racial bitterness would gradually subside under the able govern- ment of Sir Alfred Milner. There had been of late years a marked doterioration in the moral conscience of this country. We had fallen from that supreme standard of righteous- ness that Mr. Gladstone for so long tried to uphold in dealing with foreign nations. They bad never had a higher standard of righteous- ness than that which was held up for many years by their late illustrious leader. He had the pleasure that evening of an interview with Mr. Gladstone, who expressed his sorrow at the Jingo spirit which had swept over this country, at its needless and unwise extensions of ter- ritory, and at the great military expenditure to which it was now committed. India had passed through a most disastrous year, and he looked with grave uneasiness upon the present im- poverished state of that country. Never had India suffered so much in one year as it had done in 1897, and no such explosion of disaffec- tion had taken place since the Indian Mutiny. Part of it was unavoidable. It was owing to the famine, which was the act of God. Part of it was owing to mistakes in administration, and much of it was owing to the present wretched war with the hill tribes on the North-West; frontier. He was altogether opposed to that forward policy which had forced us into collision with the wild and barbarous tribes which inhabited the slopes of the Himalayas. Those tribes had always been independent of the Indian Government. The wisest Indian statesmen had all been opposed to interfering with their independence or attempting to occupy their country. The Indian Government had weakly given way to the military party, and had brought upon us a very destructive war, in which our troops had shewn splendid courage, but in which no real laurels were to be won. The finances of India were in a very bad condition. The cost of the present frontier war would be enormous, and it seemed to him that India was within measurable distance of national bankruptcy, unless this country interposed. England was sowing the seeds of a bitter harvest in that great country, and he warned the nation that unless we governed India with more regard to the real welfare of its vast but impoverished population, we should have an Ireland on a gigantic scale. He considered that if the ex- pense of the recent wars on the frontier was borne by this country, it would be a great security for peace. If the country was going to embark in this Jingo fever of endless contests in various parts of the world, we should have to make a large addition to the Army, and if we could not get the men by enlistment, which did not seem likely, he was very much afraid we should have some kind of foreign conscrip- tion ultimately forced upon this country. He agreed with Mr. Gladstone in the few remarks he made to him that evening that the country was suffering from a Jingo fever. They were passing through a period something like that which they passed through under Lord Beacons- field 20 years ago, and the Liberal party would have a great task before it in undoing the mis- takes of the policy to which we were being committed all over the world, and in bringing back this country to the true path in which it used to tread, of peace, retrenchment, and reform. (Cheers.) On the motion of the Rev. R. Jones, a vote of confidence in Mr. Smith was passed.—The meet- ing was afterwards addressed by Mr. T. Worthington, of Wigan. Mr. Smith informed our representative that Mr. Gladstone looked very aged, and he trusted his sojourn on the Riviera would remove the ailment of neuralgia from which he suffered at present.

GREAT CONSERVATIVE GATHERINES. + ABUNDANT EVIDENCE OF VITALITY. THE NATIONAL UNION.' At the opening of the conference of the National Union on Tuesday, the chair was taken by the retiring president (Lord Derby), and a large attendance of delegates included:— Mr. B. C. Roberts, Chester; Mr. St. John Charlton, Eddisbury; Messrs. J. Atkinson, R. Court, R. L. Develly, S. Edwards, Eardley Wilmot, and J. Mullin, Crewe; Mr. T. Ward, Northwich; Mr. C. Duckworth, Knutsford.- Mr. Smith Barry, M.P., moved the adoption of the annual report, which stated there were 1,150 associations and clubs now affiliated with the Union.—Mr. James Lowther, M.P., in supporting ite adoption, warned the Govern- ment to avoid in future any departure from the desire for more repose and the dislike to ambitious departmental adminis- tration, and far reaching or fussy or subversive legislation.—Earl Cadogan was elected presi- dent for the ensuing year.—Resolutions in favour of the establishment of a Royal residence in Ireland, reforms in Army adminis- tration, and improved local government for London were afterwards adopted. A resolution which declared that the system of foreign bounties, particularly as applied to sugar and shipping, demanded the immediate attention of the Government was adopted, but a proposal that the Government, by bounties or other- wise, should encourage the growth of sufficient wheat to secure at all times a six months' supply in the country was strongly opposed Mr. J. J. Hope, the late candidate for Sheffield, pointed out that the proposal made by Mr. Yerburgh on this question was being considered by the Central Chamber of Agriculture. A committee had been appointed, who would report on the subject next spring. The resolu- tion before them was inconsistent with the resolution that was carried last year, and inconsistent with the scheme now being investigated by the Chamber of Agriculture, and he trusted that it would not be carried.— The motion was rejected by a large majority, and the Conference adjourned. LORD SALISBURY ON FOREIGN POLICY. Lord Derby presided in the evening over the demonstration in the Albert Hall. Lord Salisbury, after deprecating any introduction into the field of political discussion of the great industrial conflict at present raging, said the splendid example of bravery, devotion, and patriotism now offered by our forces in India was commanding the public attention. He bore warm testimony to the administrative ability displayed in circumstances of exceptional diffi- culty by the Viceroy, and observed that it was strange that the accusation of breaking faith in the policy pursued towards the frontier tribes should have been preferred by the Opposition not against a political foe, but a political friend. For that charge there was no foundation. After referring and replying to Opposition criticisms on the questions of Tunis, Siam, and Madagascar, Lord Salisbury proceeded to say that condemnation had been freely levelled against the Government in respect of their policy in South-Eastern Europe. They pro- fessed to be a British Government, and British interests and rights were the main objects of their policy. Enthusiasm, whether for Greeks or Turks, could not weigh with them; their object was to maintain peace, and if that had not been effected, great calamities would have fallen upon the world. (Applause.) Turning from foreign affairs, Lord Salisbury said that in regard to the government of London statesmen had fallen victims to the common complaint known as 'megalomania.' While he reverenced the London County Council for the amount of time and labour they bestowed fruitlessly upon the public good, he thought they would have obtained more efficient machines if they had been content to look on London as what it was —not one great municipality, but an aggregate of municipalities. The London County Council were running into danger of becoming pro- fessional politicians, and their debates were devoted rather to abstract Iquestions relating to politics than to those matters on which the welfare and happiness of five millions of people depended. The question would not be solved unless they consented to give a large portion of the duties at present performed by the Council to a number ef smaller municipalities, elected within narrower area, and probably legislation on the subject would be introduced by the Government next session. A resolution of con- fidence in the Government was afterwards unanimously carried. SOME PRACTICAL DISCUSSIONS. The conference was resumed on Wednesday. Sir E. A. Bartlett, M.P., moved a resolution congratulating Mr. Rhodes upon the comple- tion of the railway communication to Rhodesia, and trusting that the Government would be successful in their efforts te uphold the rights and interests of British subjects throughout South Africa. At the suggestion of Mr. Tirland, a rider was added to the effect that the Government should use its best endeavours to protect the rights of the Swazi people, and the resolution was then carried. On the motion of Sir H. Vincent, M.P., a resolution thanking the Government for having denounced the com- mercial treaties with Belgium and Germany, and recognising in the Act to prohibit the im- portation of foreign prison made goods the earnest and abiding desire of the Unionist Ministry to do all they possibly can to advance the welfare -of the industrial masses of the United Kingdom' was unani- mously adopted. A proposal in favour of the reform of the registration laws was adopted, but a resolution expressing satisfaction that a measure for conferring the Parliamentary franchise upon women passed the second reading during the last session of Parliament by a large majority and urging that serious consideration should be given to the question by the Govern- ment was rejected. While a motion condemning the existing method of levying and appro- priating the land tax was under discussion, the previous question' was moved and carried. The Conference afterwards adopted a motion endorsing resolutions passed at previous con- ferences concerning the necessity of placing under proper control the immigration of aliens into the United Kingdom, and urging upon the Government the necessity of proceeding as soon as possible with a Bill on the lines of that introduced by Lord Salisbury in 1894.- Subsequently the Earl of Derby presided at a complimentary luncheon, which was given at the Molborn Restaurant, to her Majesty's Ministers, by the representatives attending the conference.—Earl Hardwicke proposed 'Her Majesty's Ministers,' and the Home Secretary, in responding, said he welcomed the criticisms which were passed upon them in the same candid spirit in which he trusted they were given. He did not adopt the slightest apologetic tone in regard to what they bad done, but they were, nevertheless, grateful fer the support which had been given them. The proceedings of the present conference were a most complete answer to those other opponents who declared that there was a want of political solidarity or enthusiasm in the present Con- servativa and Liberal Unionist party in this country.

NEW PETROLEUM OIL FIELDS. ♦ Among the unexpected sources of wealth in the United States and Canada which have been discovered within the last thirty or forty years none has.perhaps,yielded more substantialresults than the petroleum fields. Gaspe, the field of the recent discoveries, is in the province of Quebec, and Gaspe Bay is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Sir William E. Logan, provincial geologist, visited the district in 1844, and in his report for that year elaborate descriptions are to be found of the oil springs of Douglastown and Silverbrook. In a report published in 1846, Count de Rotter- mund suggested a possible future use for the petroleum of Gaspe. In April, 1865, Mr. Charles Robb, the well- known mining engineer, was sent to Gaspe to make a thorough examination of the district and to select and secure all the best locations for oil-bearing purposes. He spent three menths there, and his explorations resulted in the pur- chase of 40,137 acres of land in fee simple, and 10,220 acres of mining rights in perpetuity, together 50,357 acres. These lands are situated (geologically) upon the three main 'Antielinals' of the Gaspe oil region; they include all the locations set forth in Sir Wm. E. Logan's official reports, and embrace the best portion of the largest tract upon which indications of petroleum has been found. Mr. Malcolm Sinclair (assistant to Mr. Charles Robb), who explored these lands for indications of oil, found 68 distinct surface indications upon them. It will thus be seen that the recent discoveries made by the Petroleum Oil Trust, Limited, an enterprising and influential body of English gentlemen who formed themselves into a com- pany in 1892, for the purpose of acquiring and .working the oil deposits at Gaspe, only bear out the opinions contained in the reports of the ex- perts made over twenty years ago. As to the productive capacity of the company's territory it is of such dimensions that at the lowest esti- mate it is stated some 10,000 to 12,000 wells may be sunk. Professor Boverton Redwood, the greatest authority on oils, made a report upon the pro- perty in conjunction with Mr. Stockpleth and Professor William Topley, fully confirming the statements made by the Geological Survey as to the future of Gaspe as an oil-bearing region.— Bullionist, Oct. 5, 1897.

CHESTER PAXTON SOCIETY. MR. YERBURGH ON FRUIT CULTURE. Mr. R. A. Yerburgh, M.P., who was accom- panied by Mrs. Yerburgh, performed the opening ceremony of the Chester Paxton Society's show at the Town Hall on Tuesday last. The Mayor (Mr. J. G. Holmes) presided, and the company included the Sheriff (Mr. J. W. Huke), the ex-Mayoress (Mrs. B. C. Roberts), Major General Swaine, Colonel Butlin, Sir T. G. Frost, Mr. John Thompson, Hia Honour Judge Wynne Ffoulkes, Alderman Geo. Dickson. Alderman H. T. Brown, Dr. Stolterfoth, Canon Upperton, the Revs. H. Grantham and L. Garnett, Messrs. J. J. Cunnah, J. R. Thomson, J. M. Frost, T. Gibbons Frost, A. Barker, Reginald Potts, J. D. Siddall, J. Wynne Ffoulkes, W. W. Johnstone, J. H. Dick- aon, Johnson Dickson, G. R. Griffith, N. F. Barnes, R. Newstead, W. F. J. Shepheard, J. Simon, Flack (Cholmondeley Castle). John Taylor, A. Lamont, E. Andrews, J. McMichael, H. W. Lovett, J. Pie, J. Hobday, W. Turnock, G. P. Miln (hon. secretary), &c. The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, said the citizens of Chester were always glad to have an opportunity of inspecting the beautiful fiowers and splendid fruit which the Paxton Society annually placed before them, and in this instance it was the more gratifying, because the entries were far more numerous and the exhibits themselves were of far greater excellence than they had ever been before. He Congratulated the society upon this result, for he believed there was nothing more interesting and elevating than the cultivation of flowers and fruit-the most beautiful and useful pro- ducts of the earth. (Applause.) Mr. YKBBOROH, who was cordially received, said he undertook the honourable duty of declaring the exhibition open with the greatest possible pleasure; indeed he thought it a great honour to have been invited to perform the Ceremony. Perhaps it might be well to remind themselves for what purpose the Paxton Society was formed seven years ago. In the first place he believed its object was to discuss matters affecting agriculture and horticulture which had any bearing upon natural science. That perhaps was an obiect which did not altogether appeal to the man in the street—a Tery excellent and very worthy and most useful object, but perhaps a little bit too far in the air for the ordinary person to appreciate. The next object was one that they could all under- stand, and that was to encourage the growing of hardy fruits among farmers, cottagers, labourers, and others. He was sorry to hear from a gentleman of great experience that in this direction the society had not met with the encouragement and assistance it was hoped to obtain from, among other classes, the farmers. He was told by the same gentleman that there were many places upon the tarm where fruit trees might be grown without any trouble, and in positions the most advantageous, but so far farmers had shewn no desire to avail themselves of the teaching and assistance which would be freely given by the society. He could only hope the gospel which the society was preaching would reach those deaf ears and be accepted by them. (Applause.) There was a third object, and this again was one which would commend itself to everyone in the room, and especially now in view of the feeling which had sprung up of late years and which was rapidly growing in force that the Britisher must deal in things British. (Hear, hear.) This object was to bring growers and consumers together, and if they did that, they took the most effectual means of wresting back the fruit market, so far as they could grow fruit in this country, from the foreign grower. He observed also that the society was now offering prizes for the exhibition of bottled fruits. When they considered that at the times of harvest fruit was so plentiful that plums had been allowed to rot on the ground because the price was so low that it would not pay to send them to market, it must be obvious that any plan which would teach people how to bottle and preserve fruit must be of great advantage. They would then, instead of neglecting a good harvest, be able to make the best possible use of it. He recollected very well, some years ago, Mr. Gladstone advising the farmers of this country in view of the great fall in the price of wheat, to turn their attention to making jam. He was much laughed at. The cynic said, What is the use of jam ? Is that the way in which the farmer is to recover his position ? He (Mr. Yerburgh) ventured to think there was a great deal of commonsense in what Mr. Gladstone said, and as one who had for many years advocated the extension of small holdings, and as one who had advocated the extension of allotments, he thought this advice to grow jam, if taken up by the small cottagers, by the small holders and by the cultivators of allotments, would have an advantageous effect upon their pockets. It was somewhat startling to learn that in the nine months ending September 30ch, 1895, apples, cherries, plums, and pears were imported into this country to the value of 2932,554. Those were all fruits which could be grown at home, and why should not all that money go into the pockets of our Own growers ? (Applause.) If they had Paxton sociaties scattered broadcast over the country he had no doubt half of that at any rate would be secured by the British grower. Coming down to the present year, and taking the same space of time, he found that during the nine months ending 30th September last, the im- ports of the same fruits stood at JEl.678,409, an increase in two years of £ 748,855. In face of those figures, he thought if the cynic who decried the making of jam would hold his tongue, he would be a wise man. (Applause.) With regard to one other point, he had been told that the society holding meetings in the winter fortnightly had given the most valuable assistance to Mr. Newstead, the able curator of the Museum—(applause)—and whose admirable work everyone who knew the Museum appre- ciated. The members of the society had given their assistance to Mr. Newstead, and had been a great aid to him in the laborious investiga- tions he had conducted into the life history of insects which were injurious to fruits and other species of plant life. He believed the result had been the acquisition of an extremely valuable body of information, the use of which to the farming community he needed hardly emphasise. (Applause.) In conclusion, he would like to quote a few words from a most interesting report lately published by the Duke of Bedford and other gentlemen I upon the result of the year's cultivation at the Woburn fruit experimental farm. If we are to aid in the extension of the culture of fruit, it will not be by the direct, or still less by the indiscriminate advocacy of the industry, but by increasing our knowledge of it both from a scientific and practical point of view, so that those who may embark upon it may be able to equip themselves better for their profession than they can now." Those words he found were a most admirable exposition of the aims of the Paxton Society. Recollecting that that society started only seven years ago with a very small number of members, it must indeed be a great gratification to them to know that at the present time their membership amounted to something like 200, which represented a great progress against prejudice and ignorance. He also congratulated them on the fact that the exhibition was steadily improving, and that the present exhibition was- as good as they could in any reason expect; indeed, he was assured by a great authority that it was worthy to rank with the exhibition at Liverpool. (Applause.) Having said that, he had said as much as could be said on behalf of the Paxton Society. They had undertaken a great task, they had carried it out well, and to-day they stood in the light of all men as having achieved a great, and he hoped it might prove an abiding, success. He had great pleasure in declaring the exhibition open. (Applause.) Mr. JOHN THOMPSON, in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Yerburgh, said the diffi- culty the farmers found in disposing of their fruit to any advantage was due in great measure to the fact that in the selection of fruit they grew they did not cultivate that which would be the moat advantageous to themselves. Here the Paxton Society stepped in, and advised the growers as to the qualities of fruit best suited to our own climate, therefore if it did nothing else, the Paxton Society performed a very valuable work in this respect. Mr. J. D. SIDDALL seconded the resolution, which was carried with applause, and briefly acknowledged by Mr. YERBURGH. Mr. GIBBONS FROST, in moving a similar com- Eliment to the Mayor for presiding, congratu- ited him upon his first appearance at a public meeting. I he vote was seconded by Dr. •STOLTSUTOTH, and warmly accorded. meeting. I he vote was seconded by Dr. SToLTzaroTm, and warmly accorded. Mr. N. F. BARNES moved a cordial vote of thanks to the honorary secretary (Mr. Miln), and said they hoped the time was not far distant when the funds of the society would enable them to make some recognition of that gentle- man's valuable services.—The resolution was seconded by Mr. G. R. GRIFFITH, and passed with enthusiasm.—In acknowledging the com- pliment, Mr. MILN spoke in praise of the work done by his colleagues, and said one of the greatest secrets of their success bad been the very harmonious way in which all the members of the society had acted together. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. The prizes were distributed on Wednesday evening by the Mayoress (Miss Holmes) before a crowded assembly. Mr. G. A. Dickson took the chair, and was accompanied by the Mayor, the Sheriff, and Mrs. Huke.—The Chairman, in intro- ducing the Mayoress, spoke of the gratifying attendance that evening, and remarked that the show was evidently becoming more appreciated by the public. The exhibition had been the most successful and excellent they had ever had. (Applause.)—The Mayoress, having gracefully distributed the awards, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded her on the pro- position of the Sheriff.rhe Mayor, in acknow- ledging in her behalf, said that at all times it would afford Miss Holmes the greatest pleasure to do whatever she could in the interest of the citizens. (Applause.) He congratulated the society for the splendid exhibition they had placed before us this year, not only on account of the great number of entries, but of their supreme excellence. He also wished to com- pliment those who had contributed towards the production of the show. (Applause.)—On the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by the Sheriff, the committee, with Mr. Miln, were thanked for their valuable services—Mr. Miln, in replying, said the labour they had bestowed on the exhibition had been amply repaid by the liberal way in which it had been appreciated. This show had been more successful in every way than any of its predecessors. (Applause.)— A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman.

THE HIDDEN TREASURE TRICK. ♦ ATTEMPTING TO DUPE CHESHIRE FARMERS. An attempt bas been made, but it has not succeeded, to victimise a Barrow farmer by means of the Spanish Hidden Treasure Swindle. The dodge is an old one, and it has been repeatedly denounced by newspapers all over the country. The would-be swindler's ntodws operandi is to send the following letter to the person he hopes to make a victim Castle Fort of Valencia, 28/10/97. Dear sir,—The cruel situation that surrounds me and the sad fate in which finds herself my daughter, sixteen years c Id, whom I maintain as boarder in the College of St. Ougat, are the circumstances which oblige me to direct myself to you, of whom I have the best references of honorability. Being a captain treasurer of the 22 of foot soldier in garrison of Carthagene, to comply with my conscience I joined the rebellion which was to take place in the month of March last, in behalf of the republic, but as we were victims of the greatest treason, I was obliged to emigrate in English ground, taking along with me the money which I had in my charge, valued to £ 15,000. After having resided some time in this country I received the sad news my wife had died, leaving my dear daughter in despair and without help. In this sad situation I found myself in the necessity of coming back to Spain to help my daughter, and bring her in my company to England. Before starting, considering it imprudent to take along with me this sum of money, I decided to hide it in the neighbourhood of Barrow, taking immedi- ately a plan of the ground, with all the marks and measure of the spot there, very satisfied that the money was in security. I started for Spain, where I was discovered by the police, brought immediately before the military authorities of Carthagene, and condemned to 8 years' military seclusion, when the government decided that I should be a prisoner in this castle. Thus by return of the mail let me know if you are willing to lend me your help and protec- tion to recover this money in order my daughter and her governess may start for your home, bring- ing plan and all instructions for the discovery. If you accept my proposal in answer to your next letter I shall tell you the exact conditions to realise plan, about which you must keep the most absolute secrecy at the same time I shall send you a certi- ficate identifying my person and the causes of my captivity. As I am strictly watched it is dangerous you direct your letters straight to me for this reason. I expect you will get your answer within two envelopes, the name of my servant who has the charge of helping me.—Wait- ing for your answer, I am yours faithfully, MARTIN SAUZ. Here is the address ESPANA, Sr. D. Carlos Mendorra, Estrella 4-30, Valencia. It is not surprising to learn that the Barrow gentleman has not yet made any advancement of cash. Several other farmers in Cheshire and also a resident at Christleton, we learn, have received similar letters. We understand that the county police are most anxious to assist the writer of these epistles to find his hidden treasure, but probably he may not consider it advisable to take the officers of the law into his confidence.

At Redhill Junction, Surrey, on Friday, during the fog a passenger train ran into a coal train. A postal official was cut on the face, and a guard shaken. At Northampton Assizes, on Friday, William Smith Wheeler was sentenced to eight years penal servitude for stabbing his wife. Prisoner was strongly recommended to mercy because of provocation received. SEQUEL TO A LOVERS' QUARREL.—William George Golding, a clicker, was sentenced at Northampton Assizes to ten years penal servitude for attempting to shoot his sweetheart during a quarrel over the putting up of banns, and the buying of furniture.

EXTRAORDINARY COUGH CUBE. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Tor Coughs. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—For Colas. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed Coughs.-Asthwa. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—coughs.—Bronchitis. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs—Lung Troubles. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs.—Night Coughs. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed-Coughs.-Intiuenza. Powell's Balsam of Auiseed-Coughs.-Relieveslnstantly Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs.—Safe and Reliable. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs.—Estab. 70 Years. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs.—Refuse Imitations Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Coughs.—Sold by Chemists. Powell's Balsam of Aniseed—Bottles, 1/1 j, 2/3 & upwards. See Trade Mark-Lion, Net, and Mouse, on Wrapper. LIVERPOOL SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. — The Liverpool School Board election has resulted in the return of eight Churchmen, four Nonconformists, and three Roman Catholics, the Church of England gaining two seats, and the Nonconformists one seat, all at the expense of the Roman Catholics. MR. LABOUCHERE AND MR. Himss.-In the Chancery Division on Friday Sir Edward Clarke mentioned the case of Labouchere versus Hess and Sala, which was an action to restrain Mr. Hess, editor of the African Critic, from publishing, and Mrs. Sala from handing over for publication, certain private letters written by Mr. Labouchere to the late Mr. Sala. Sir Edward stated that they had not been able to serve Mrs. Sala, as she was abroad, and asked that the motion should stand over until the next motion day. Leave was granted. CLARKE'S B 41 PILLS are warranted to cure, in either sex, all acquired or constitutional Dis- charges from the Urinary Organs, Gravel and Pains in the back. Free from Mercury. Estab- lished upwards of 30 years. In boxes 4". 6d. each, of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors throughout the World, or sent for sixty stamps by the makers, The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Company, Lincoln.

COUNTY POLICE COURT. SATURDAY.—Before Messrs. H. D. Trelawny, John Thompson, R. T. Richardson, and J. Davies. TRESPASS.—William Henry Faulkner was summoned for trespassing on the 10th of November on a field occupied by James Crimes, at Little Stanney. Mr. E. S. Giles appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. E. Brassey defended.—Mr. Giles said that on the day in question the gamekeeper to Mr. Crimes found the defendant Faulkner in the field with a gun, and in possession of two rabbits. Two other men were with him.- Stephen Davies, gamekeeper, cross-examined, admitted that the ditch at the side of the field belonged to Mr. Gaskin, who occupied the field adjoining, but the defendant was not on the ditch. —For the defence, Mr. Brassey contended that defendant, and the other men were shooting on Gaskin's land, and never moved from the ditch.—The Bench considered a trespass had been committed, and imposed a fine of 10s. and costs.—Ralph Edwards and Thomas Griffiths, the men who were in company with the defendant in the last case, were summoned for trespassing on Gaskin's land. For the defence, Mr. Brassey maintained that Gaskin had given permission to Mr. Faulkner to shoot on his land, and the latter, with the two defendants, had been doing so for three or four years without being interfered with.- The Bench dismissed the case, but advised defendants to keep off the land in future.

CITY POLICE COURT. 0 WEDNESDAY.—Before the Mayor (Mr. J. G. Holmes), Messrs. J. G. Frost, J. R. Thomsen, and Dr. Stolterfoth. LICENSING.—Robert Taylor was granted temporary authority to sell at the Harp Vaults, Boughton. Mr. W. H. Churton ap- peared on behalf of applicant. DISCHARGED.—Alice Shaw, brought up on remand, charged with loitering, was dis- charged. THEFT AT A PAWNSHOP.—Elizabeth Arm- strong was charged in custody with stealing a counterpane, value 4s. 6d., belonging to Mr. Dutton, pawnbroker.—Stephen Sheldon, assis- tant in Mr. Dutton's shop in Lower Bridge- street, said on the previous day the counter- pane was hanging in the passage leading from the front shop to the pledge office, which was open to the public. He missed the article about three o'clock that day, and identified it that morning at Bradley's pawnshop. Prisoner was in witness' shop the previous day about half-past two, and pledged something. Detective Hughes deposed to recovering the counterpane from Bradley's shop, when prisoner was in the act of pawning it. She gave witness a wrong name and address.—Prisoner pleaded not guilty.—This being her first offence, she was fined 5s. and costs or seven days. FRIDAY.—Before the Mayor, Mr. Chas. Brown, and Dr. Stolterfoth. MARRIED AT FIFTEEN.—Annie Lawson sum. moned her husband, Thomas Lawson, for using abusive and threatening language to her on the 12th Inst. Complainant, a young-looking girl, in her evidence, said she had been married to defendant seven years. She had on two or three occasions summoned her husband at the Court.—Mr. Fenwick told the Bench that com- plainant married at fifteen.-Defendant, who denied the charge, said his wife followed him wherever he went; he could not go alone for a shave. (Laughter.) rhe Bench considered the case proved, and bound defendant over to keep the peace for three months with a surety of E5, or in default to suffer seven days' im- prisonment. MONDAY.—Before the Mayor, Messrs. F. Bullin, Geo. Dutton, and J. R. Thomson. ALLEGED DARING THEFTS BY A YOUNG WOMAN. Margaret Bowen, Canal-side, was charged in custody with stealing a piece of bacon (value 8d.), and a tin of salmon (value 7d.), the property of Frederick Owen; and also with stealing an astrachan cape (value 16s. 6d.), belonging to Henry Stark.—Prisoner pleaded guilty.—Frederick Owen, grocer, Brook- street, said prisoner came into his shop on Saturday night. Witness was busy at the time, and there was a crush in the shop. After she had been inside about five minutes, his assistant told him there was somecning missing from the counter, and said he-had noticed something protruding under- neath prisoner's cape. Witness questioned her, and she brought from under her cape a basket, with the bacon and salmon inside. He recog- nised them at once as his own, but she denied having stolen them, and said she had bought them from another shop.—Henry Stark, draper, Foregate-street, identified the astrachan cape (produced) as his own. He missed it on Friday night. Detective Thomas Hughes said prisoner was brought in custody to the police office on Saturday night on these charges. She was wearing the astrachan cape, and said she bought it some days ago, but did not say where. When the cape had been identified, however, she confessed to taking it from a peg near Mr. Stark's shop door. Detective Hughes said prisoner was a native of Chester, but had lived in Liverpool for I some years.—The Bench remanded prisoner till Saturday. CHARGE OF USING FALSE TESTIMONIALS.- Alice Pugh, domestic servant, was charged with asserting a false character, under the J Act which states that any person who falsely ) represented to have been in service, or forged counterfeit certificates of character, was liable to a penalty not exceeding £ 20.—The Chief Constable said that prisoner, in the middle of August, called at Mrs. Coventry's Registry Office, in Watergate-street, to seek a situation. She produced what was apparently a character from aMr.Mosford, monumental mason, of Crewe, which gave her a good recommendation. On this letter the prisoner obtained a situation at the Marine Hydro, Rhyl. When she left there she forwarded to Mrs. Coventry more testi- monials, one from the manager of the Hydro. All the testimonials were found to be quite false, and had been forged. Prisoner was a short time in the service of a lady at Southport. Hes mistress sent a letter by her, enclosing a postal order for 2s. 6d., for Mrs. Coventry at Chester. Mrs. Coventry bad not received the order, which had been taken and cashed by the prisoner.—Harriet Coventry bore out this state- ment.—Prisoner was remanded till Saturday.

PUBLIC HEALTH IN FLINTSHIRE. 0 SEVERE STRICTURES. Health News of Saturday has the following article on sanitary matters at Holywell:- I" There are probably few districts in England and Wales,' Dr. F. St. George Mivart writes in his recent report to the Local Government Board, of which the sanitary condition has occupied the attention of the Local Government Board more frequently, or with less satisfactory results, than the tract of flat marshy land ex- tending along the south bank of the Dee estuary from Chester to the Point of Air' Then he proceeds to enumerate nine different occasions- his own visit of inspection makes the tenth- on which the Medical Inspectors on .he staff of the Board have reported within tie last 26 years upon the sanitation of the varous town- ships and parishes in this part of Hintabire commencing with Mr. Power's repot on the excessive prevalence of scarlet faer and diphtheria at Whitford, in 1871. W, well re- member this report, for it was the fist Local Government Board document of wich he wrote an abstract, after taking the editcship of the old Public Health Journal, rather mo-i than a quarter of a century ago. We ha* seen many changes since then, but in readig Dr. Mivart's report, so little has been the cange in Flintshire public sanitation, that it setis to us but last week that we had Mr. Pver's report in our hands. Dr. Mivart's officialjait was in consequence of its becoming known ithe Board, through the Registrar-General's ret-ns, that numerous deaths from diphtheria ad occurred in both the Holywell urban and i-al districts. Dr. Mivart mentions in connee>n with the subject of diphtheria that an al- gous disease was well known in the Holyflj locality a century ago, and he gives the folic ing interesting quotation from Pennant History of the Parishes of Whitford and Hol well,' published in London in 1796. At pa 278 Pennant remarks :-( Diseases. All tl coast of Whitford and Holywell parishes i more particularly subject than the drier part. to pleurisy, intermittents, and fevers of th< putrid kinds the last chit-fly in places where the poorer people are obliged to crowd iito small apartments, by which the air becoies foul, and so produces this species of fever. 4 cruel kind of quinsy has of late years infesw these parishes and others adjacent. In 179f raged especially in the township of Greenfi and parish of Halkin, and made dreadful ha among children from the age of three to tl of five. The average loss was four or five seyen. The name given by the learned this fatal disease is Angina maligna at Cynanche -maligna.' This was doubtless th same disease as that to which Bretonneau an other French medical authors gave the name Oi diphthdrite some seventy years ago, whence British physicians were led to adopt the term diphtheria, now generally employed. Cruelly fatal, too, is this affection still, just as it was in the closely observant Pennant's time. The HoJywell urban district comprises the market town of that name, situated upon a plateau nearly 300 feet above the sea-level on the northern slope of the Flintshire hills. The population is about 3,000, a falling off in this respect having been evident during the last 30 years, due to the diminished demand for labour, which was formerly brisk at the copper works (now closed), and the paper and flannel mills built over St. Winifred's stream, originating in a spring called St. Winifred's Well. At the present time there is little business doing in Holywell, except in the summer months, when a large number of Roman Catholic pilgrims are attracted thither from various parts of the country, owing to the alleged curative power of the water of this well, by reason of the reputed sanctity of its source. Indeed, some persons regard it as a modern Pool of Bethesda; though, judged by the light of modern science, there is nothing peculiar about the water except its hardness. A better use to put the spring to than the encouragement of superstitious notions would be the supply of water to the inhabitants of Holywell, as was recommended by Dr. Blaxall in his 1875 report, for with the exception of this spring and a shallow pump- well, situated on a slope, only 40 yards below the cemetery, and obviously objectionable, the only supply obtainable is from polluted dip- wells condemned many years ago. Though the advice given by Dr. Blaxall in 1875, as regards water-supply, drainage, sewerage, the discon- tinuance of middens, and scavenging, has been endorsed in the subsequent reports of several Government inspectors, matters not only re- main in the same unsatisfactory condition as twenty-two years ago, but in different important respects have gone from bad to worse. In- spectors may come, inspectors may go, but Holywell stinks for ever.' No matter what the odour of sanctity may be that pervades the precincts of Winifred's Well, there is no doubt about the odour which salutes the visitor as he perambulates the town. Accumulations of filthy refuse, foul slaughterhouses, rotting pigstys, open middens-in short, almost every conceivable species of nuisance, in proximity to dilapidated dwelling-houses, assail the eye (and nose) at every point. r It is,' says Dr. Mivart, after much evidence of this sort, I per- haps a sufficient commentary upon the sanitary administration of the urban district of Holywell to record that this state of affairs is found within, a few yards of the District Council's offices. Who can wonder at diphtheria, or any other infectious disease taking a firm hold, with such insalubrious surroundings ? The public sanitary duties of Holywell are confided to the medical officer of health, at a salary of X15 per annum, and a sanitary inspector, who is paid X30 a year. Dr. Mivart states that the medical officer of health has many times, both in writing and verbally, urged the wants of the district upon the Council. Fortunately he is also engaged in private. practice; otherwise, his zeal for the interests of the community might lead to un- toward resulte through the loss of the 10d. a day, which the Council consider an adeauate 3e(SSnneoir I0" of 3,000 People. Lest anyone should mistakenly imagine that the Council are wildly extravagant- in requiting the services of the sanitary inspector, it should be mentioned that they draw half of his salary out of the county funds;. while in the case of the doctor they have to stump up every stiver. Luckier in this. particular are the Holywell Rural District Council, who obtain a grant from the countv exchequer of the moiety of the modest,935 paid annually to their medical officer of health, who, like his urban colleague, with rash devotion to the public welfare, has repeatedly jeopardised his official position by reminding the Rural District Council of their shortcomings. Not that his admonitions are much heeded, for the rural councillors, similarly to those in the town, having practically ignored the recommend- ations made by the Local Government Board officials for a quarter of a century, are scarcely of the right mould to give any heed to S warning voice of the prophet in their midst. Nemesis visited the district last year, when out of a total of 6,543 inhabitants, there were 155 cases of diphtheria notified in four month, August to November inclusive, and 20 deaths from that disease registered. Most probably there was also a number of milder cases which did not come under medical treatment, and thus escaped notification. This epidemic was by no means limited to children, for adults suffered in unusual proportion, one of these being a woman over fifty years of age. Surely such a terrible outbreak of infectious disease should arouse the Holywell councillors, rural and urban, from their culpable apathy."

SIR HORATIO LLOYD AND THE SOLICITORS.— During the hearing of a case before his Honour Judge Sir Hoxatio Lloyd, at Carnarvon County Court, on Wednesday, Mr. Lloyd Carter com- plained to his Honour that he was being con- tinually interrupted by the opposing solicitor, Mr. J. T. Roberts. This kind of conduct was becoming very common in that court, and was almost unbearable.—Mr. Richard Roberts And you are the greatest sinner. (Laughter.) His Honour I have noticed that there is a good deal of interruption in this court, and my attention is called to matters when there is no need. I am not deaf, and have a good pair of ears. It is unnecessary to call my attention to trivial matters during the hearing of cases. Beyond doubt HORNIMAN'S PURE TEA is of wonderful value, refined flavour, delicious to the palate and invigorating to the system. Chester: Spencer, 36, Bridge-st. Co-op. Society Turver, chemist; Woolley, confectioner; Roberts, chemist; A. Evans. Birkenhead: Dutton, Haywood, chemist; Packwood, Dixon and Osmond, Hessler, Co-op. Society. Rhuddlan: Roberts, grocer. New Ferry: Fawcett, chemist. Upper Brighton: Somerville, Garratt, chemist. West Kirby Atherton and Co. Bromborough Pool: Co-op. Society. Mynydd Isa: Co-op. Society. Northop Smith. Frodsbam Baker. Tarporley Dunning. Port Sunlight Provident Society. Tattenhall: Morgan