The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

--I LATEST NEWS. COURANT Office, Tuesday Evening. THIS DAY'S TELEGRAMS. THE LATE PRINCE CONSORT. To-day being the anniversary of the death of the Prince Consort, a memorial servioe was held at Frogoiore Mausoleum. The Queen, t},e Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal Family attended. Her Majesty placed two wreaths on Prince Albert's temb. ALARMING- FIRE AT DOVER. A Dover correspondent telegraphs At 11.15 this morning an extensive fire is raging at Dover Castle. The officers' quarters have been practically gutted, and the names are increasing in intensity. The fire engines from the town and the YVegtern Heights are proceeding to the Castle. A later telegram says the whole block of the officers' quarters is probably doomed. A strong wind fans the flames. The entire garrison has hsen called out.

NOTTINGHAM MEETING.- TUESDA. y, ELVASTOX STEEPLECHASE.— Missionary, 1; SOUVAI" ff. 2 Syndic, 3. Nine ran. ADB.IOI.TON- HURDLE.—Herbarium, 1; Ebbing Tidn, 2; P.Tivale, 3. Eleven ran. WELBECK HultDLE.-Grimpo. 1; Sicily Queen, 2; Morg^nne, 3 Twelve ran. BROUGHTON HURDLE.—Electric Ray, 1; Chop, 2; N >. 3. Eight ran. SELLING FLAT. Barba Rossa, 1; Little Boy Blue, 2 Grenk Lad, 3. Three ran.

CHESTER GOLF CLUB. The ladies of the Chester Club held their sixth competition for the gold medal on TIlA",ti)1.V week, with the following result:- Gross. H'cap. Nett. ♦Miss F. Shar.d Ill 20 = 91 *'Ai- Miss M. E. Comber 109 9 = 100 Mrs. ^wetenham 122 21 = 101 Miss A. L Rowley. 113 11 = 102 Mi-ss M. B Comber 120 16 = 104 Win in for final and 1st sweep. The second sweep was won by a member whose card was returned, but not for publication. Six competitors made no return.

CHESTER V. CREWE CONSERVATIVES. BILLIARD AND WHIST MATCHES. The return match between the Chester and Crewe *V'Tv^erva-Hve Clubs was played at St. Jobn's House on Saturday evening, and resulted in a victory for the visitors in both contests, the total score being-Billiards: Crewe, 1,598; Chester, 1,540. Whist Crewe, 69; Chester, 59. At the conclusion of the match, a smoking concert was held under the presidency of Councillor R. Cecil Davies, who was supported by Councillors Eardley and Coates, and Mr. H. Piatt, of Crewe, and Mr. J. H. Jones (chair- man of the club), and several prominent Chester Conservatives. The following contributed to the programme, viz.:—Messrs. A. Greenwood, J. H. Ditchhvtrn, G. Green, J. H. Williams, and the Cestrian Quartette (Messrs. F. Mill- ward, W. E. Snelson, J. Skeldon, and E. Robinson) of Chester, and C. Bradshaw, J. Cnaliiaor, J. Lane, G. H. Crawford, and a glee partv, frr.m Crewe. The various items were greatiy appreciated, and the concert was one of the most enjoyable and successful ever held in St. John's Hou- Messrs. R Batterworth and F. Winhy acted as accompanists in their usual efficient manner. Scores:- BILLIARDS. CHESTER. CREWH. A. C. Lockwood 112 C. W. Jones 150 W. Lipsham 150 A. Piatt 83 M Holmes 97 Coun. W. H. Coates 150 H. H. Smith 100 G. Meadows 150 T. Rioe. 78 J. Warburton 150 E-. Griffiths 150 J. Brocklehurst 95 H. S. -tubbs 150 R. Kirkham 97 T. Wooliscroft 150 M. Kenyon 148 E. Lloyd 133 F. Winby 150 A. E. Lipaliam 150 W. Lyons. 125 C. Davies 136 G. H. Heath 150 M. Crewe 134 H. Preston 150 1540 1598 WHIST. CHESTER. CREWE. H. M. Stone 7 W. Morgan > 1Q P.Stone ) E.Edwards ) Covin. K. C. Davies' > H. Piatt W. MacLellan i W. Marshall j K.H.Williams c H. Sephton 7 13 W. Wr ty i J. Pctts j W. Tulloch X q J- Warburton 7 13 F. Probert ) E. Autxll j B.S.Lund 113 F.J. Winby ? 1Q C. E.. u^tace > C. W. Jones ) A. C. Lockwood 7ix A. Piatt fig J. H. Jones ) G. Meadows ) 59 69

INFIRMARY BALL. ♦ The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Chester begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following donations to the ball fund :— The Mayoress of Chester (Miss Holmes), E2 2s.; Countess Grosvenor, JE1 le. the Mar- chioness of Cholmondeley, L2 2s.; Lady Tolle- mache, £1 Is.; Lady Frost, JE1 Is.; Lady Lloyd. El la. Mrs. K. A. Yerburgh, 910; Mrs. Alder8ey, £1 Is.; Mrs. Adair, El Is.; Mrs. Harmood Banner, £1 Is.; Mrs. Fred. Bullin, JE1 Is.; Miss Blackburne, £ 1 Is.; Mrs. St. John Charlton, £ 1 Is. Mrs. J. G. Churton, £1 Is. Mrs. W. H. Churton, 91 Is. Mrs Combe, £1 Is.; Mrs. Pitcairn Campbell, Li; Mrs. George Dickson, 91 Is. Mrs. C. P. Douglas, £ 1 Is. Mrs. Ambrose Dixon, JE1 Is.; Mr. W. Alfred Dickson, 91 ls.; Mrs. Dixon (Gresford), £ 1 Is.; Miss Denton, £ 1 Is.; Mrs. Gibbons Frost, il Is.; Mrs. John M. Frost, £1 Is.; Miss Frost (Exeter), 91 Is.; Mrs. J. G. Frost, 91 Is.; Mrs. Samuel Holme, El Is.; Mrs. Hamoraley, Xl Is. Mrs. Hamilton, El Is.; Mrs. Tom Hughes, JE1 Is.; Miss Hum- berston, E2 2s.; Miss Hobdzty, Ll Is.; Mrs. Townsend Ince, X2 Mrs. Roger Jackson, ^1 la.; Mrs. W. Carstairs Jones, £1 la.; Mrs. Carrtairs Jones, X2; Mrs. Henry Jolliffe, El Is.; MiAts Sneyd Kynnersley, JE1 Is.; Mrs. J. L. Kemp, JE1 Is.; Miss Kelsall, Y.1 Is.; Mrs. H. A. Latbam, El la.; Mrs. Bolton Littiodate, Ll; Mrs. E. Honoratus Lloyd, 91 Is.; Mra. t. 11. Lloyd, El 18.; Mrs. Logan, 91 la.; Mrs. Lockwood, El Is.; Mrs. Lockley Meire, 91 Is.; Miss Massie, XI Mrs. McClure, iEl Is.; Mrs Mann, El Is.; Miss Naylor, JE1 Is.; Mrs. Arthur C. Preston, £ 1 la.; Mrs. Pover, XI Is.; Mrs. Potts, J61 Is.; Mrs. Park-Yates, £ 2; Miss Perryn, E2; Mrs. Reginald Potts, 91 Is.; Miss Richardson, JE1 Is.; Mrs. Charles Reynolds, 91 Is.; Mrs. Wm. Rogers, 91 Is.; Mrs. B. C. Roberts, El Is.; Mrs. John Rogers, 11 Is. Mrs. G. H. Reynolds, El Is.; Mrs. Morden Rigg, Ri Is.; Mrs. Royle, 91 Is.; Mrs. Spibey, E2 2a.; Mrs. Lyle Smyth, El Is. Mrs. Saml. Smith, JE1 Is. Mrs. Swetenham, ii Is.; Mrs. Swaine, £1 j Mrs. F. W. Sharpe, El Is.; Mrs. James Tomkinson, 95; Mrs. Tyrer, 91 Is.; Mrs. H. Enfield Taylor, El Is.; Mrs. Townshend, JE1 Is.; Mrs. Warren Trevor, E2 2s.; Mrs. Charles l'hrelfall, 91 Is.; Mrs. Crosland Taylor, 10s.; Miss Wigg, R,2 2s.; Mrs. Way, El la.; Mrs. Wolley-Dod, iEl Is.: Mrs. St. Jobn Yates, 41. Donations to the ball fund maybe sent addressed to the Town Hall.

ALLEGED WIFE DESERTION AT HOOLE.—At the County Magistrates' Occasional Court (Mr. Churton's Offices) yesterday (Tuesday), before Mr. G. A. Dickson, a man named Alfred Craw- ford was remanded until Saturday on a charge of having deserted his wife and three children, leaving them chargeable to the ITnion.^ Mr. H. Anderson, relieving offioer, said prisoner left them about three jews ago.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF ST. WERBURGH-STREET. —The Improvement Committee will submit a recommendation to the Town Council to-day (Wednesday), that the sum of £1,000 be con- tributed to the cost of improving St. Werburgh- street, on condition that the block of buildings at the top of the street is pulled down and removed.

besttt ;btoctt ant) tJare iLtst. "r" ,I" .J" Reported by Messrs. EDWARDS, SON, & W ABMHUT' 29, Eastgate Row (North). Chester. ProBeut Chester Corpora- price. tion 3i Irredeemable Stook. £ Hl Chester Gas Com- pany 10% A Ordinary Stock. 7 B & C „ .jEiti'i—101 ,t 7 Con. I'ref. Stock £ 200—205 hester Water- works Co 7\ Consolidated Stook.iilSO—185 7 New Ordinary Stock, 1st and 2nd moieties &170-175 6 tiO Perpet'l. Pref. Share*, fully paid £ 17—18 Haw'd'n & District Water Company £10 Shares, fully paid par Nat. Prov. Bank of England Lirn. A;75 Shares, 210 10s. paid £ 50—51 D.J. do £ W Snares, £ 12 paid A;57-M North and South WalesBank Lim. £ 40 Shares, £ 10 paid 3i¡ 1'.11'r's Hank Lim.. £1UO 1::i11>1.n; :;u Imlù ,81i :1 Liverpool Union. 1100Shares, £ 2 > paid Lloyd s Bank Lim. AW Snares, ti paid l27j—SHJ tJauk of Liverpool. £ lu0 Shares, tiz 10s paid £ ot»t —JSJ British Law, Lite, li'ire lusurtuce.. CIO Shares, t:1 paid A:I-ii Chester Boat tiO Shares, fully pail Ulieste Cocoa House Co £5 „ £ i „ £ lo«. 1:5 1;;3 £ 4 Chester General Cemetery Co. £ 5 .pa.r 0 hesterGros venor Hotel Co. £ 20 £ 50 Uht>,st'rNewMusio Hall Co kL,5 „ £ 20 C lies t' rN or thgate Brewery UO Ordinary £ I0Shart>M,fully I)d ell-iii 6 Pref. £ lWSharo.fuily yd £ i^J—iJJ Chester Queen KailwayHotolCo £ 20 Shares, fully paid £ 3.-—32 £:0 „ £ 10 1. 1; 15 -16 Chester Steam Lauud,!y C e5 £ 1 10s 6 Chester Tramway, Co tio „ t'uily £ 4 —=> Chester ltme Co iLlOO J;73 £ 150 Walker, Parker & Co £10 1::iila.c. [llily patel. ri Cum. Pi-et. t:>4 -4J 4. Debentures i-6»— iH) LialkyuMiuiugCo. A;1 Sitartis, fully paid. £ 10 Halkyu Drainage Co £ 10 Share*, fully !t¡,1 £ 21—23 East Halkyu Alin- ing Go £ 1 .15- 18/- SouthHa Iky uMiu- ing Co ti fully 25 —80/- 91 14. North Heudre Mining Co t2 10s. Shares, £ 5^—6 BhosesinorMine. JUt fully paid 1'alauro Mining Co £ 1 19,3 paid 1-ts.—16s. „ „ £ 1 fully | aid Isle ofMtLi AEiniug Co. (Foxdale) Mines £ 5 £ JJ—3} 111 „ 7t Pret. £ 25 Shares, £ l lUs pa. -304 „ £ 1 „ 10s. 1 Llanarinou Mining Co £ 1 Ord..19/- 10/- to 12/6 I „ £ 1 Prat, fully par

iEarkets and Jaiirs. LIVERPOOL CORN, TUKSDAY. — VVheat, quiet trade, more enquiry, d. to Id. under Friday's prices No. 1 Calfornian, 8s. 4d to 8s. 4 £ d.; new northern, 7s. 6d. to 7s. 8 £ d.; Kaaaas, 7s. 3d. to 7a. 4Jd. B,ans, 6d. over Friday; Saidi, 26s. 6d. to 6s. 9d. Peas, scarce; 4a. 8d. to 4s. 9d. Oats, slow new white, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. Maize, quiet, id. over Friday mixed, 3s. 2 £ d. to 3a. 2fd. Flour, unchanged. SALFOKD CATTLE, TTJBSUA?.— At the Christmas market to-day there were 3,941 cattle (with prices disappointing), 9,876 sheep (with better trade), and 157 calves (trade ruling slow). Quotations — Cattle 4Jd. to bid., sheep 5d. to bd., calves 5d. to 71d. per lb. WBKXHAM CATTLE, MONDAY.—There was a large supply of stock at the cattle market to-day owing to it being the Christmas show of fat pigs. Beef made 6d. to 7d per lb., and mutton 7d. to 8d. Pigs sold well at from 8s. 6d. to 10s. per score lbs., the clearance being a very good one. There was a large number of fat and store cattle and fat sheep and calves on offer, aud these changed hands at satisfactory prices, sheep selling quite 2s. a head better. LIVERPOOL CATTLE, -MONDAY.— The supply of cattle was larger than last week, and considerably in excess of the corresponding market last year. Trade was of a disappointing character. A few prime Christmas cattle made a shade over late rates, but the tendency was to lower prices all round, especially so for middling and inferior qualities. Sheep supply larger. A fair demand and prime quality made late rates. Other descriptions lower. Prices:—Beef, 6d. to 4d. j mutton, 8!d. to 6d. per lb. LONDON CATTLE, MONDAY.—To-day witnessed the holiday of the great Christmas cattle market, the consignments from Scotland shewing con- siderable increase compared with the last great days. Trade opened extremely dull, partly owing to higher rates demanded by sellers, which they were not successful in obtaining, and partly to the unseasonable weather. Rates ruled fully 4d. per 81bs. lower than on the corresponding day last year, but fat butchering cows of best qualily sold steadily at a slight advance. F MANCHESTER FAT PIG, MONDAY.—Supply good and demand slow. Quotations First class, 8s. lOd. second-class, 8s. 4d, to 8s 6d. and third-class, 6s. 6d. to 6s. 9d. per score of 201b. MANCHESTER HAY AND STRAW, MONDAY.— Hay 4. to 5id. clover 5;d. to 6!d. straw, wheat, 3d. to 3id.; ditto oat, 3d. to 3!d. per stone of 141b. BRADFORD WOOL, MONDAY.—The wool market is steadier than for some time past, the conviction gaining ground tliat prices cannot go lower. Although business is still small there is more in- quiry. Mohair is without change, holders re- maining very firm. In the export yarn trade business is as full as ever, and speculation offers are at prices absurdly low. Spinners having nothing to gain by selling are exceedingly firm. CHESTER CORN, SATURDAY. There has been a fair quantity of wheat sent in to the millers by farmers this week, and the value of prime grain remains generally as last quoted. There is not much doing in all other grain, but prices are firm and without changeable alteration, Indian corn is lower on the week's rates, while foreign wheat shews an advance since this day week. Quotations:— HEW. OLD. 8. O. S. h.1 ä. 4). 8 Wheat, white per 751ft,; 5 0 to 5 3 0 0 to 0 0 Wheat, red 751b. 4 6 — 5 01 0 0 — 0 0 MaltingBarley 602). 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grinding do. ,» Gitb. 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 — 0 J Oats 16H>. 2 0-2 5 3 0-0 0 Beans •• 80Ht>. 4 0 — 0 fcj 5 0 0 Beaus 8i)lb. Indian Corn. >-¥Hh. 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 Printed and published for aad o. behalf of the Cheshire and North Wales Newspaper Company, Limited, by JAMES ALBERT BIRCHALL, at the Chester Couranf Office, 8, Bridge-street, ia the City of Chester* WRIDNESDAY. December 15, 1897.

ELLESMERE PORT. ANOTHER FATALITY AT THE WHARF: A DEFECTIVE CAPSTAN.—The County Coroner (Mr. J. C. Bate) held an inquest here on Friday into thn circumstances attending the death of William White, aged 17. an employe of the Shropshire Onion Canal Company. Deceased died the previous day as the result of injuries sustained by getting between a capstan and a r(.pe while moving some railway wagons. Jos. White, fatii-r, said his son was a general labourer at the Shropshire Union Wharf. He saw him last at home getting his tea, and he told witness he was going back to work over- time. He was next brought home dead on a stretcher.—John Ashton, foreman under the company, said deceased was on duty at the wharf at'seven o'clock on the night in question, and witness ordered him to bring the capstan topes from a shed for the men to draw the wagons with. There were lights on the wagons, and at the capstan. Witness saw deceased bringing the roj>as out of the shed, and after- wards he himself entered the shed. Afterwards a man named Wood came and told him that White was in the capstan. Witness went to the spot, and found the deceased bad been extricated from the ropes, and was lying unconscious. The only injuries witness noticed he had were on his head and face. He thought he died on the way home. Deceased did not work overtime often, and wit- ness thought he had come back that night in mistake for another man. A man named Rimmer had charge of the capstan, and was helping to load the wagons. Deceased had no right to interfere with the capstan, and witness had warned him not to touch it. After the accident the trucks were moved about 50 yards. Two of them were loaded, and one was empty. It would need considerable force to start the trucks, but not to keep them going. Witness had not worked the capstan for a number of months. A capstan in proper order should stop when the foot was removed from the lever, but sometimes it required an extra push down to do this.—By the Foreman He did not know who started the capstan, which was under the charge of the hydraulic department.-William Howard, an employe at the wharf, deposed to discovering deceased perfectly entwined with the ropas, and he did not speak. It took five minutes to extricate him.—Arthur Ward, who was engaged with deceased in laying out the rope to movs the wagons, corroborated.— James Rimmer said the wagons had been moved, but he was quite sure that orders had not been given to move them. Witness worked the capstan the previous Monday, and it was then in perfect order.-John Bridge said no order had been given before the accident occurred to move the wagons.—The jury found that death was accidental, but due to the defective state of the lever of the capstan. They added a rider to the effect that in- experienced prson3 ought not to be permitted to do such work.—Mr. Shepherd, agent to the company, expressed his astonishment at the verdict, which he described as 'shameful.'— The Coroner told him he ought not to make such a remark.—A Board of Trade inspector was present at the inquiry.

Lord Elgin will resign the office of Viceroy of India early in the new year, and he is to return to England in April.

CITY POLICE COURT. 0 YESTERDAY (TUBBDAV). -B",fore Dr. Stolter- foth and Mr. George Dutton. DISTURBING THE PEACE.— Henry Aspin was charged with committing a breach of the peace and damaging the door of his mother-in-law, Margaret Williams, Fosbrook-street, to the extent of a shilling. Defendant had been separated from his wife since last February.- He was ordered to repair the damage or go to gaol for seven days, and was bound over to keep the peace for three months.

BOLLAND'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHRIST- MAS GOOD CHfiEB. + Those famous wedding cake makers of the North, Messrs. Bolland and Sons, of Chester, whose name has sentimental associations to so many brides, are also very intimately connected with the Christmas good cheer of both grown- up folks and the children. They never fail with their supply of toothsome novelties, and among the prettiest prepared for this particular Christmas are the French chapeaux trimmed in the very latest Parisian fashion, and filled-in order to add to their attractions—with the most delicious chocolates. Then again, Swiss chalets, drawing-room suites for dolls" houses, albums, and a host of other quaint designs are utilised as the temporary abiding place of choice confectionery, they themselves remain- ing long afterwards as a remembrance of the giver-and of Bolland's. Of course the baskets and the hana-paintea satin bags and boxes are also well represented, Iond then there are Christmas canes and IVelfth Night cakes of most original design, Iond an infinite variety bedecked with holly and quaint historical figures, while Bolland's speciality, the celebrated and original' Queen cakes, must by no means be overlooked under their new name of 'Jubilee' cakes, for, as pre- sented to Her Majesty during her visit to Chester as Princess Victoria in 1635, and again as graciously accepted by Her Majesty, and served on her table at luncheon on the never- to-be-forgotten Diamond Jubilee day of 1897, they have a very special interest quite apart from their own deliciousness, which is con- siderable. Bolland's Christmas hampers, too, with their treasure-store of plum-pudding, mince pies, dessert bon-bons, cakes, and crystallised fruits, are just as much an institution as Bolland's plum-puddings and mince-meats—in fact the Christmas show at the famous house in East- gate Row, Chester, is a notable one in every respect, and if so be that you live near enough to attend it in person, you are to be congratu- lated.. If not, the post can be called in as an intermediate agent, for as everything that is Bolland's is of the best, it is not necessary to see the good things before ordering them. Lady's Pictorial.

CHESTER ROYALTY THEATRE. The production by Mr. F. R. Benson and his Shakesperian company of A Midsummer Night's Dream,' has evoked such golden opinions in the leading towns in the country that it was surprising to find only a moderate audience in the Royalty Theatre on Monday evening, when this beautiful creation of the great poet's fancy was presented on a scale almost of magnificence. The performance was so enjoyable that there can be little doubt a rush for seats will be ex- perienced during the week. Mr. Benson has set himself many difficult tasks in the past, but never perhaps have his efforts been crowned with greater success than on the present occasion. His 'Midsummer Nighfs Dream' is not only a dramatic, but unquestionably an artistic and a musical triumph. For this reason we regret all the more strongly that the opening night should have been marred by a disagreeable incident. A few unmannerly boors, whose intelligence evidently is a minus quan- tity, frequently interrupted during the latter part of the performance, making themselves a nuisance alike to the actors and the audience, and at last Mr. Benson finding the situation intolerable delivered a well merited rebuke, which happily had the effect of silencing them. The only fault we have to find with A Mid- summer Night's Dream,' is that it does not afford Mr. Benson adequate scope for his histrionic powers, though of course he makes the most of Lysander, the part allotted to him. Mr. H. R. Hignett is success- ful as his rival Demetrius, and among the other male mortals particular mention should be made of Mr. G. R. Weir, whose impersona- tion of the weaver Bottom is inimitably droll. Miss Lily Brayton ably interprets the rSle of the II, ve lorn Helena, and Miss Constance Robertson makes a capital Hermia. Coming to the immortals Mr. Frank Rodney is above criticism as Oberon, the King of the fairies, while Mrs. Benson pourtrays the Queen of the diminutive race with exquisite grace, and Miss Mavis Hope hits off the part of the madcap sprite Puck to a nicety. The enlarged orchestra, under the conductor- ship of Herr Michael Balling, give a charmingly effective rendering of Men- delssohn's beautiful music, which of itself is a rich treat. The soloists, the Misses Nicholls and Gledhill, skilfully acquit them- selves, particularly in the dUGt, I know a bank/ while the chorus is exceedingly well balanced. The comedy is superbly mounted, and the wood scene, with the eerie band of fairies, forms as pretty a picture as one could imagine. In this connection a word of praise is due to a Costrian-Mr. Randle Ayrton-for his stage management. A Midsummer Night's Dream' will be given every evening this week, with the exception of Saturday, when Richxrd III.' will be staged.

DEATH OF MR. T. Q. ROBERTS. ♦ It is with deep regret that we record the demise of an interesting personality con- nected for a long series of years with Chester- Alderman Thomas Queliyn Roberts, the Father" of the Chester Town Council. For half a dozen years past or more the venerable Alder- man had been little in evidence in civic affairs, owing to the feebleness of advancing years, but for fully forty years before then Mr. Quellyn Roberts, as he was generally known, filled no small part in the public life of the ancient city. The deceased had been confined to his room since last January, but his indis- position was of much longer duration, as will be gathered from the fact that he had not been to the Town Hall since at least 1891. He passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon. The late Alderman Roberts attained his eighty-seventh year last October. A native of Conway, Mr. Roberts came to Chester in 1826, and, after a time, went into partnership with Mr. Robert Whitley, the first Sheriff after the passing of the Municipal Act, in 1836, as a draper and woolen merchant, in the shop now occupied by Messrs. Minshull and Meeson, Eastgate Row. Mr. Whitley subsequently retired, and Mr. Roberts continued the business until about 1875. In the meantime he had purchased the business of the late Mr. John Peacock, wine and spirit merchant, in Watergate-street, for his eldest son, who, however, died in 1874, and Mr. J. Sheriff Roberts, the present principal of the firm, succeeded to his interest. The following year the deceased gentleman disposed of his shop in Eastgate Row, and devoted himself entirely to the wine merchant's business, which soon grew wonderfully under his energetic and watchful supervision. In recent years Mr. Roberts had been a Liberal Unionist in politics, but a quarter of a century ago he was one of the pillars of Liberalism in the old city. As long ago as 1865 he was chairman of the late Mr. W. H. Gladstone's election committee. On that occasion the candidates were Earl Grosvenor and Mr. W. H. Gladstone (L), Mr. Raikes (C), and Mr. Fenton (I.L.). The two first named were successful. Mr. Roberts was first elated a member of the Town Council in 1850, being returned for St. John's Ward. Three years later he retired, and in 1867 he stood for Boughton Ward, and was returned. A curious state of affairs prevailed in 1860, when Mr. Roberts again stood for Boughton Ward, the other candidates being Messrs. E. C. Walker and F. L. Bagnall, with the result that Mr. Walker headed the poll with 553 votes, and Mr. Roberts beat Mr. Bagnall by the narrow margin of three votes. At the same election Mr. Roberts was also returned at the head of the poll for St. John's, and he eventually elected to sit for this ward, thus ousting the retiring Mayor (Mr Meadows Frost). Three years later Mr. Roberts again disappeared from the municipal arena. His next appearance occurred in February, 1867, when he was elected a representative of Trinity Ward in the place of Mr. S. Meacock, deceased. In July, 1869, Mr. Roberts, was elevated to the aldermanic dignity vice the late Mr. F. Butt. He continued to hold this office till November the 9th, 1880, when the majority in the Council threw him out. On the same occasion Major French, owing to increasing age, declined to have his name put forward again, and the Vacancies were tilled by Aldermen Gerrard and Gregg. Mr. Roberts, nothing daunted, appealed to the electors of St. John's Ward, his first municipal love, and was triumphantly returned. He was re-elected severally in 1884, '87, and '90, and on May the 20th, 1891, the Town Council shewed its confidence in him by re- creating him an alderman in suc- cession to the late Alderman Gerrard. It was at this time that the U monISt party in the Corporation began to manifest its supremacy in the Council-chamber, and its action on this occesion was popular in the highest degree. The election was marked by a very curious incident. There were two nominations, Mr. T. Q. Roberts and Mr. William Brown. The former gentleman was, after an exciting division, elected by 16 votes to 15. Among those who cast their votes for the successful candidate was the unsuc- cessful candidate, so that Mr. William Brown himself lost his election to the vacancy. Mr. Roberts not only served the citizens in the capacities of councillor and alderman, but likewise discharged the highest offices in the Corporation's gift. In 1853 he discharged the duties of Sheriff, while in 1875 he filled the chief magistracy of the city. Three years after this Mr. Roberts was pro- posed as Mayor at the General Purposes meeting of the Town Council, but Mr. Leonard Gilbert, who was also nominated, was the successful candidate, receiving 22 votes against 8 recorded for Mr. Roberts. Since October 17th, 1875, the deceased had been one of the city justices, while he was also one of the trustees of the municipal charities, in which he took great interest. Gifted with a wonderful memory, Mr. Roberts afforded infinite delight to his friends by his reminiscences of stirring times in Chester years ago. It is not, we believe, generally known that he was at one time a personal friend of the late Richard Cobden, who used to visit him at his shop in Eastgate Row, and invited him to join in his Corn Laws campaign, and Mr. Roberts was so far won over by the righteous- ness of the cause as to attend many meetings in Manchester, driving there and back. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow (who, at the beginning of this year, celebrated her golden wedding) and a family of six. THE FUNERAL. The interment took place at the Cemetery yesterday (Tuesday), the Rev. L. M. Farrall (Holy Trinity) conducting the whole of the service. The cortege was awaited at the gates by the members of the Town Council and many well-known citizens, the Corporation sword and mace bearers carrying the emblems, which were draped in black, in front of the procession which was formed. The mourners were Messrs. J. S. Roberts, Quellyn Roberts, A. O. Roberts, G. Parker, C. Jones, H. J. Birch, J. Doxey, and Dr. Harrison, while others present included the Mayor (Mr. J. G. Holmes), with Mr. B. C. Roberts (ex-Mayor), Aldermen W. H. Churton, J. P. Cartwright, G. Bird, J. Smith, George A. Dickson, and Charles Brown; Councillors J. J. Cunnah, H. R. Bowers, J. Jones (Boughton), J. P. Davies, R. Cecil Davies, E. Dutton, Isaac Jones, and R. Lamb, Drs. Robertl", Stolterfoth, Hamilton, King, and Kenyon, Col. Cooke, Messrs. John Thompson, G. Dutton, J. Cullimore, J. R. Thomson, T. Wood, J. H. A. Hall, C. P. Douglas, G. L. Fenwick (Chief Constable), A. Barker, J. Parker, H. A. Latham, F. E. Roberts, John Taylor, S. Smith (Town Clerk), Egerton Gilbert, R. Williams,Thos. Fox, J. Clarke (Tarporley), W. Peers, F. J. Beckett, G. Davison, H. Price, R. Jackson, J. Price (Upton), J. Musgrave, F. F. Tait, W. W. Tasker, T. Mills, F. C. Barlow, S. Spencer, T. W. Griff ths, Bolland, E. Evans, H. Jones, and J. Kendall. The mourners from the offices, &c., were Messrs. Stretch, Owen, Robbins, Reece, Higginson, Seconde, Henson, and Edward. Beautiful wreaths were sent by Messrs. J. J. Cunnah, J. and J. Parker, W. Hewitt, W orthington and Co., Miss Webster, and Miss Musgrave. Mr. James Tomkinson was unavoidably absent. Messrs. J. Beckett and Co. carried out the funeral arrangements.

MR. TOLLEXACHE, M.P., AT TARVIN. ♦ THE GOVERNMENT AND INDIA. THE VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS ACT IN OPERATION. On "Monday evening Mr. H. J. Tollemache, M.P., addressed a well attended public meeting in the Manor House Reading-room, Tarvin. Mr. Hugh Lyle Smyth presided, and there were also present Mr. Harry Barnston, the Misses Lyle Smyth, Messrs. J. Lea, R. Price, G. Johnson, J. Smith, J. Willis, J. Challinor, R. Walker, R. Bull, J. Beckett, S. Dean, J. Salt, H. Hewitt, W. Carter, H. Burgess, H. M. Sacre, Swindley, Wareing, T. Barker, S. Williamson, R. Willis (secretary), &e. The CHAIRMAN, who was cordially received, proposed the following resolution:— That this meeting expresses its continued con- fidence in Her Majesty's Ministers and its entire approval of Lord Salisbury's conduct of foreign affairs, also of Mr. Chamberlain's vigorous colonial policy; and that this meeting begs to thank Mr. Tollemache for his continued efforts on behalf of his constituents in Parliament. He thought they had all every reason to be entirely satisfied with the way the Govern- ment had conducted the affairs of this country—(applause)—and especially grateful to Lord Salisbury for the admirable manner in which he had piloted the country through a most difficult time- a time when there seemed to be a combination of foreign nations, if not actually leagued against us, at any rate very envious of us, and most unfriendly towards us. There had been most difficult matters to negotiate, and, so far, they had all been very admirably conducted. Then, with regard to tne Colonial policy, wnicn Mr. Chamberlain was so ably managing, there was no doubt a vast extension of the Empire going on, and there again the greatest talent and the greatest firmness and courage had been necessary to maintain our rights all over the world. We did not want to be aggressive, and we did not want to interfere with other nations who had aspirations similar to our- selves for Colonial territory, but we were determined that what we had got we would keep. (Applause.) That this was for the benefit of the country was shewn by the fact that our population was increasing at such an enormous rate that, unless we had outlets for it, we should find the greatest difficulty in main- taining our position in the world, and supplying careers for our ever-growing numbers. The two points which he supposed would principally occupy the Government this session were the increase of the Army and local government for Ireland. These were both most important subjects. It was admitted on all sides that THE ARMY WAS INSUFFICIENT for what it had to do, and it would have to be strengthened and increased, and the organisation improved. He thought t ie nation quite recognised that, and was prepared to make any sacrifice that was necessary to enable us to have an Army worthy of our Empire, and sufficiently strong to maintain our rights. Then with regard to Ireland, the Local Govern- ment Bill was a very complicated one, and he, at any rate, knew little about it. The exhi- bition that we had had lately in New York of what an Irish constituency could do was not very encouraging for giving full and ample powers to many of the bodies of Irishmen that would have the control of the local government in Ireland; but still the Government was pledged to give them a certain amount of local government, and that would no doubt be done on as safe lines as could be. Mr. HARRY BARNSTON, who was warmly applauded, seconded the resolution in an able speech. He compared the performances of the last Radical Government, which was in office for three years, and had practically three sessions, with those of the present Unionist administra- tion, which had been in office for two and a half years, and had practically had two sessions. The last Radical Government was certainly a remarkably promising' Government, for ministers promised in their first Queen's speech twelve measures, in their second ten measures, and in their third—probably realising that the election was coming close upon them—they promised twelve measures. Out of all these five only became law, and those five were of such an exceedingly ordinary, humdrum character that he did not think he was insulting the intelligence of his audience when he said they had probably forgotten all about them. RADICAL ASPIRATIONS. It might be replied by the Radicals that if the wicked House of Lords had been out of the way, they would have had a free hand, and could have turned everything upside down. They could have paid their members a nice salary of R300 or R400 a year- which would have been rather unpleasant to the taxpayer, but that didn't matter. They could have thrown their election expenses on the rates-to be sure the farmer might kick, but what did the Radicals care for that? And in addition they could have given Tim Healy, John Redmond, and John Dillon a really good chance of killing each other in their own Irish House of Commons. (Laughter.) He thought the House of Lords, by rejecting the Home Rule Bill, which lived so feebly and died without a mourner, caused more gratitude to themselves than by any other act they possibly could have performed. (Applause.) Very little was heard about the Home Rule Bill now. As to whether it would ever rise again or how it was going to rise again, they were in the same state of ignorance as Sir William Harcourt and Lord Rosebery themselves, but he ventured to say if ever Home Rule for Ireland was proposed under the same conditions, it would be successfully resisted, defeated, and quashed once again by the Unionist party. (Applause.) Another measure which the House of Lords threw out was Mr. Asquith's Employers' Liability Bill, and he did not suppose now any ordinary person, no matter to what party he belonged, would for one instant compare that Bill with THE GREAT BOON TO WORKMEN which was passed in the last session, and known as the Workmen's Compensation Act. Mr. Asquith's measure was condemned by Sir Charles Dilke as incomplete and illogical, and he believed it covered only twenty cases out of every hun- dred. The Workmen's Compensation Act which applied to what were known as the dangerous trades, would cover, it was esti- mated, eighty cases out of every hundred, and he maintained it would be of the greatest benefit to the working-classes of this country. (Applause.) Another Bill introduced by the present Government, and which he thought had not received the full measure of attention it deserved, was the Foreign Prison-made Goods Bill. Before. that was passed, goods made in foreign prisons and foreign penal settlements were allowed to come into this country and compete with those manufactured by our own workmen, although they were not allowed to be sold in the countries in which they were produced. This Bill, though most violently opposed, was carried by the Unionist Government. But it was not only Acts ot Parliament by which a Government was judged. It was judged first according to the prosperity of the country while it was in office; it was judged according to the amount of trade that flourished while it remained in power; it was judged again according to its foreign policy, and the way in which it looked after THE DEFENCES OF THE COUNTRV. When the Unionist Government returned to office, there was a great revival of trade, and he thought that was very easily accounted for by the fact that confidence, which was the centre of all good business, was restored to the country. When Lord Salisbury took up the reins of office, the first thing the Government directed its attention to was putting the Navy, by which it was said we stood or fell, in a thoroughly sound and satisfactory condition. The Chairman bad mentioned that during the coming session it was the intention of the Government to devote its attention to the Army, and as far as he could gather, the objects of the Government would be, firstly, to strengthen the Army at home, so as to enable it to support the strain of main- taining the army abroad; secondly, to largely increase the artillery and, thirdly, to improve the conditions of service in such a way as to attract to the ranks the stamp of men they most required in the army. To bis view, there were two difficulties in dealing with the army-one was to get enough recruits, and the other was to get the kind of recruits they wanted. If they were to do this, they must map out a career for the young men who enlisted, and offer them such a future as would make it worth their while to leave their homes. (Applause.) He thought he had said enough to shew that the Government was worthy of their support and confidence. It was true it embraced none of those wild projects of constitutional change -foreshadowed by its predecessors; it did not embrace any of those schemes of con- fiscation whereby everyone was going to be richer and happier at someone else's expense; but it was a Government whose legislation would permeate into the Jives and homes of the working classes. It was a Government that would endeavour to make them happier, nobler, brighter-a Government to which he ventured to say, when the time of election came round, the democracy themselves would give their own reward. (Loud applause.) The resolution having been carried unani- mously, Mr. TOLLEMACHE, who met with an enthu- siastic reception on rising to respond. remarked that, owing to various circumstances, they had not had a meeting in Tarvin for two or three years, and he had not therefore been able, in Tarvin itself, to THANK HIS KIND SUPPORTERS for all the good work they did for him at the last election, and moreover for the good work they did for the best interests of the country. He begged now to convey his thanks to them for the very kind exertions they made, and which were justified by such a glorious finish. (Ap- plause.) He did not think there was anything in the history of the last two and a half years which could occasion the Unionist party any regret or any feeling of shame. They had con- clusively proved that the best interests of the country were safer in the hands of a Unionist Administration than they were in the hands of a body like the Home Rule Gladstonian Govern- ment, which really was only anxious to keep in power by bringing forward absolutely impossible measures, and which neglected the best interests of the country alike at home and abroad. (Applause.) Although the (iovern A 'II 1.0. J r -JI D 1- ment ot Mr. uiaascone anu uoru «<oaeueijr, m Mr. Barnston stated, had only three sessions, it had one exceptionally long session, when Parlia- ment sat a whole year with the exception of two days, and re-assembled again, he thought, within a week. It thus occupied a good deal of public time, and imposed an enormous strain on the attention, powers, and health ot the members of Parliament, but the result had been almost nil. In 1893, out of twelve measures mentioned in the Queen's Speech, two only became law, in 1894 two Bills became law out of ten, and in 1895 one Bill only out of twelve, and those Bills, as had been pointed out, although of considerable public importance, did not arouse very strong party opposition. The Bill dealing with the hours of labour of railway servants was one which no one could object to. The most im- portant measure of the constitution of parish and district councils, which had given to every village a little Parliament of its own, was a most excellent one, and the Unionist party in the House of Commons did their share in bringing it to a successful issue. The other measure was a Factory and Workshops' Act, to which there was practically no opposition. DEFENCE OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS. But the absolute impossibility had been shewn of even a strong Government like that of Mr. Gladstone, and afterwards of Lord Rosebery, carrying drastic measures unless they had the real support of the country which they lacked. The measures which were passed in the House of Commons, and thrown out by the House of Lords, were measures which he did not believe the country wanted; in tact, he thought what had happened since went to shew the country was very strongly opposed to thew. There was first of all the Home Rule Bill, which was passed through the House of Commons by the most severe and wanton use of the gag. It was an enormous measure, bristling with difficulties, and no time in reason could have been too much for its discussion. But it was passed by closing the mouth of the Unionist Opposition, and then was sent up to the House of Lords, who-to their eternal credit be it said—kicked it out. (Applause.) Then there was the Evicted Tenants' Bill, which also was forced through the House of Commons by the same unscrupulous use of the closure, and was thrown out by the House of Lords. It this action of the House of Lords had been un- popular, they would have had such an outcry throughout the country as would really have brought the question of doing away with the Upper Cnamber within the measure of practical politics but there had not been one single word of opposition to what the House of Lords did on that occasion. So far from that, he believed the intelligent electors of this country were devoutly grateful to the House of Lords for throwing those measures out, and enabling the country to give on those measures the extraordinary and decisive verdict which they did at the last general election. (Applause.) AN INJUSTICE TO HOME INDUSTRIES. The Act dealing with foreign prison-made goods, alluded to by Mr. Barnston, was one of the smallest measures passed by the Unionist Government, and did not affect any very great industries, but it was denounced, he believed, without exception, by every Radical member in the House of Commons who spoke on it as being a fraud and a sham. Such men as Mr. John Burns, who posed as the real typical workingman, knowing the wishes of his fellows, characterised it as nothing more nor less than a sham, and said it would do no good. It might be a small measure, but at any rate it was drawn on right and proper lines, and that was, if there were any small industries which were injuriously affected by the importation of prison-made goods from abroad, those industries had a right, although they were small, to look to our Legislature to protect them. (Applause.) These gentlemen of whom he was speaking, however, did not care for small things. If they were dealing with a great big industry, with some millions of men affiliated to it, who could make a great splash and noise in the country, they were very glad indeed to truckle to them but, however prejudicial this foreign prison-made goods question might be, if it affected only a small industry and an insignificant minority, they did not care about it. He thought that was wrong. The weaker a trade was, the more right and reason it had to come to Parliament for pro- tection, and he was indeed delighted that this Prison-made Goods Bill had been taken up by the present Government. Oddly enough, he came across a case under the Bill in this county the other day. A lady friend of his was presented two or three years ago with a beau- tiful carpet provided by a London firm, and as it was a large and heavy carpet made in one piece, she was advised not to move it for a couple of years, because it would get out of shape. The other day, on being examiued, it was found to be full of moths and maggots, and absolutely rotten, and it appeared that this carpet, for which a very large sum of money had been paid, was made in a prison in Austria, and sent over to this country to compete with our own carpet makers. Was this right or fair ? In future, he was pleased to say, it would be impossible to foist these articles on the British purchaser as being made in our own country. (Applause.) STRENGTHENING THE NAVY. Undoubtedly the first thing the present Government had to do when it came into office was to see that our defences were put in a satisfactory condition, to see that our Navy, which was our first line of defence, was made so strong that we need not fear a cQmbination of any forces that were likely to come against us, and he was thankful to say the Government had done that, or was in process of doing it. A sum amounting to ten millions extra, which was to be spread over three or four years, had been spent on the Navy the Government had added ships to the Navy, and was still adding them, and would go on adding them; and in its determination, he believed, it would have the undivided support of the people of this country. (Applause.) Our absolute security depended on our command of the sea. It had been a cardinal rule of Englishmen since the days of Drake and of our great naval heroes that we must have control of the seas, and that Government which neglected our Navy would be a Government that betrayed the interests of the country. Therefore he did not anticipate that even on the Radical side they should find any very great outcry made against any addi- tion to the Navy. (Applause.) COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS. In addition to th-Nt, the Government had passed various measures, such for instance as the Compensation for Accidents Bill, which was a measure of such gigantic importance and fraught with such very grave difficulties that it was rightly looked upon at the present moment more or less in the nature of an experiment. He hoped sincerely that it would result satisfactorily, and he thought it would but on the other hand one would regret very much if any legislation that had been passed in that direction should do anything to weaken the position of those great associations which now existed, such as the North-Western insurance fund, between the railway companies and their employes. He should be deeply I grieved if any legislation was to do anything to impair the usefulness of those institutions, or do away with them. The Act did not come into operation till the 12th July next, and although at present it rather looked as if the managers of some of those great insurance societies would feel inclined to do away with them, he still hoped by that time it would be seen that the new Act did not do anything which would operate unfavourably against them. A REPLY TO MR. S. SMITH, M.P. He saw the other day in a newspaper an enthusiastic article about a speech of Mr. Samuel Smith, the Radical member for Flint- shire, who had apparently been denouncing the Unionist Government in the same way as the 'outs' always denounced the ins (laughter)—and he did not in the least com- plain of Smith's doing so, because he should do the same under similar circumstances. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Smith said this is a Government of sops. It has thrown sops to the parsons, the brewers and the property owners, but the real good it has done to the general community is almost nil. Carrying out its favourite role of friend of the farmers, it has given an Agricultural Rating Act which benefits, not the farmer but the landlord." That referred to the Agricultural Rating Act of 1896, which laid down, what all agriculturists knew, that agricultural land paid unfairly in the. way of rates as compared with other pro- perty. This had always been recognised as a fact, and the Unionist Government brought in a Bill which said that half the rates on agricul- tural land should be paid out ot other moneys than those provided by local taxa- tion. He must say he thought in principle that was a perfectly fair proposition, a very fair measure, and he was very glad it had been passed into law. mu;, uuaouoceaiy, it uiu give to gentlemen like Mr. Samuel Smith and others of his calibre the opening of saying Ob, but it will not go into the pocket of the farmer; it will go into the pocket of the landlord, because the laudlord when he knows that a tenant has got a remission in the way of rates will either stick it on the rent, or else he will not concede any remission of rent where he had originally intended to." He thought that was a very unfair criticism. To begin with, it entirely forgot the enormous number of freeholders in this country who would directly get tne benefit. Of course, it was possible, though he hoped it was not pro- bable, that a landlord might say I don't intend my tenant to reap the benetit of this Act: I am going to put it into my own pocket." But he (Mr. Tollemache) observed that one of the members of the Government stated the other day that he bad not heard of one single, solitary case where there was any idea of this money being taken out of the pocket of the tenant, and put into the pocket of the landlord. (Applause.) According to a recent return, the amount that had been given by this Act in relief of local rates was 91,350,000 a year. Many of his hearers that evening were occupiers of land, and he would ask with confidence was there any one of them who thought this remission of rates would not go into his own pocket, but would go into the pocket of his landlord? He could only say if there was such a ease he was heartily ashamed of the landlord, but he did not think for one moment such a case would ever occur in Cheshire, or, indeed, in any other county. (Applause.) WORKING OF THE VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS ACT. Then Air. Smith, in what was called a 'thought- ful and able pronouncement'- which, as Pick- wick would say, were most beautiful words to huirin u. chuntwr with—said the Tory Govern- -ó" -c- ment had served the Church of England. It had handed over out of the pockets of the public R,700,000 or X800,000 a year to denomi- national schools, mainly controlled by the Church of England clergy. Eight thousand parishes in England and Wales had none except Church of England schools, and to those schools, he was told, no less than 800,000 children of Protestant Nonconformists were sent, and compelled by law to be sent; and the parish clergyman in a great many cases was an advanced Ritualist, teaching almost identically the same doctrines as the Roman Catholic Church." That again, he believed, was altogether opposed to the fact, as far as his small experience went. It had always been felt that voluntary schools were competing on somewhat unfavourable terms with the board schools, which could put their hands into the pockets of the ratepayers as deep as ever they liked. It was felt that where farmers and landowners and the parents of children could come together as they had done, he was thankful to say, in so many cases, and keep up a voluntary school without any charge on the ratepayers, they ought to be supported as far as possible. (Applause.) Therefore a measure which gave out of the consolidated fund a grant to enable the voluntary schools to go on and continue the good work which they had been doing up to now, would be a great boon to the ratepayers of the country, and moreover would be doing good in the great cause of education. As to saying that it was putting it into the hands of the Ritualistic parson to teach the doctrine of the Church of Rome, that was a noble flight of imagination on the part of Mr. Samuel Smith, but he thought it would be perhaps better received by his own constituents than by a more intelligent audience. (Laugh- ter.) He had had some slight experience of the working of this Act in Cheshire, because they did him the honour of putting him on the governing body, and he could safely any as far as their governing body under this Voluntary Schools Act in Cheshire went, there had been a single-minded intention of doing the best service they could, and of apportion- ing this money in the best way they possibly could, solely with the idea of meeting the necessities of the most necessitous Volun- tary Schools. It was perfectly true their association was called a Church of England Association, but it was not confined to the Church of England schools. It was open to any Nonconformist school that liked to join, and in his own rural deanery, the school to which they bad given the greatest assistance was an undenominational school with a great majority of scholars who were children of Non- conformist parents. (Applause.) Realising that that school was the most needy in the rural deanery, they recommended to the govern- ing body that it should receive far more assistance than was given to any Church of England school, and he was thankful to bay the governing body had given that assistance. Therefore, Although it was a good platform argument of Mr. Smith to say it was support- ing the doctrines of the Church of Rome, they might be perfectly certain, as far as regarded the working of the Act in Cheshire itself, it was not done on those lines at all. (Applause.) A POLICY OF SCUTTLE. It was of vital interest to this country that our foreign affairs should be safely and courageously looked after by the Government at home, and in reading the history of the last twelve months in the newspapers, he felt he could not be too grateful that Lord Salisbury had been at the head of our foreign affairs. (Applause.) If their opponents had one steadfast policy as regarded foreign affairs, it was a policy of scuttle. They had demonstrated it time after time. They had scuttled from the Transvaal, he supposed to buy a few Radical votes, and the consequence was that that country, v. ith all its enormous possibilities, was handed over to the dominion of the most narrow-minded Government that existed on the face of the earth. They had scuttled from the Transvaal, abandoning General Gordon at Khartoum, in order, he supposed, again to gain a few Radical votes, and from that day to this that country had been handed over to' the most cruel despotism that existed. The same thing would have occurred in Chitral. Many letters and speeches had appeared in the papers lately declaiming against our breach of faith, as the Radicals called it, in continuing our hold on Chitral, but no one wanted to have less to do with those wild tribes on our Indian frontier than the Unionist Government. It did not want to interfere with them in any way that could possibly be avoided, but when they had a highly civilised nation like India under the rule of a highly civilised nation like England, and when they had just across the frontier line an enormous number of wild, half-savage tribes who were always at war either with themselves or someone else, it was inevitable that every now and then a collision should occur-that they would make a raid into our country or would destroy the forts or roads that we had constructed. Then the question arose whether we were going to take it sitting' or take it fighting.' The Radical policy was to always take it sitting,' and, after being struck, to turn the other cheek. That was a very nice thing in copy books, but it did not do in the practical fight of human life. When these frontier tribes attacked our forts and defences, it was human nature to shew them that they could not do it with impunity. No one hated and detested THIS MISERABLE WAR more than be did. One read day after day the same sad story of our troops going out and driving the enemy before them, performing deeds that were' worthy of the noblest heroes who had ever fought for England—(applause), —and then when they retired to their camp through this impracticable country, broken up into ravines and precipices, the tribesmen stealthily gathered round them, and, crawling to within short distance, shot our men down, with the result that we had this daily, ghastly catalogue of loss and death and wounds to so many who were dear to people in this country. (Applause.) And nothing to gain! We did not want their territory. We only wanted to live at peace with them, and therefore, he said again, that this waa a war which from bis heart he loathed and detested, but, at the same time, it was a necessity and an absolute necessity. We must teach these tribes that they must not interfere with us, and when that lesson had been learned by them, he trusted we should live at amity with them for years and years together, and that we might in the future draw from these tribes with whom we were now at war-as from the Sikhs and Mahrattas-some of the best troops that fought under the banner of our Queen. (Applause.) These good results would never come to us if we adopted the policy of scuttle. Had the Radical Government been in power another month we should have scuttled from Chitral. The dispatch had been t vvritteu telling the Indian Government they should withdraw at once, and the only result would have been that Russia would probably have pushed her advanced posts still further and further on until she came over the barrier of the Indian Koosh, and was actually in sight of the plains or India. That; would have constituted an appalling danger to India. and this country, and it was indeed A MURCIFUL DELIVERANCE when the Radical Government was turned out, of power before it had a chance of consum- mating this crowning act of scuttling and abandonisg this most important post. (Ap- plause.) At the present time this country had got a strong and capable Government, who were sincerely and solely anxious to safeguard the interests of every class of the community. On his own part he begged to thank them very much for passing the resolution. It was no light honour that they had conferred upon him by sending him five times to Parliament— (applause)—and he hoped that during the next few years, while the Unionist Government remained in power, he might have the satisfac- tion of voting for other equally good measures as those they had already passed into law. (Loud applause.) The proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr. TOLLEMACHE, and seconded by Mr. SWINDLEY.