The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

BETTING PROSECUTION AT WREXHAM. » PUBLICAN HEAVILY FINED. On Friday, at the Denbighshire Quarter Sessions, James Williams, licensee and occupier of the Cambrian Vaults, Town Hill, Wrexham, was arraigned for an alleged offence under the Betting Act. Mr. S. Moss, M.P., prosecuted, and for the defence Mr. Clement Higgins, Q.C., and Mr. Trevor Lloyd appeared.—Mr. Moss, in opening, said there were seven counts in the indictment, their gist being that defendant permitted the use of the house for betting, or for the receipt of money for bets made else- where.—Constable Parry said he went to the vaults on Chester Cup day, and saw about 200 persons enter and leave during the dinner hour, many passing slips of paper, some con- taining money, over the counter. He saw William Williams tread on the foot of a person about to pass a paper and money over the counter, and the man withdrew them and left. Replying to Mr. Higgins, witness said he had only been made a constable on the day in question. William Williams, stonemason, was called by Mr. Moss, but finally treated as a hostile witness. He deposed to having made bets at this house, but it was over a year ago. He did not know the con- stable, and he gave no signal as described.— Deputy Chief Constable Edward Jones said he went to the vaults, and found Mrs. Williams in charge. He seized a cigar box containing X60 odd and a quantity of books and papers. He was about to describe the books and documents when Mr. Higgins protested, as they had not been proved to have come to the knowledge of defendant. The objection was sustained, and the case closed.—Mr. Higgins submitted that there was no evidence on which to send five of the seven counts in the indictment to the jury, but the Chairman said he would not take the responsibility of withdrawing any of the counts. Counsel then addressed the jury for the defence, and said the prosecution had hidden the name of the person who made the only bet mentioned in the evidence, who was one Mortimer, a turf commission agent, but whom he should call. Mortimer took the docu- ments to the Cambrian Vaults for reasons of his own, and defendant knew nothing of them. As for Constable Parry, he went with a suspicious mind, and he was absolutely without ex- perience. The case was adjourned till Saturday. At the resumed hearing on Saturday, evidence was called for the defence.—James Jones said he had been a customer at the vaults. He had seen no betting going on there, or slips of paper handed over. On May 4th he received a telegram while he was at the vaults. Margaret Williams, wife of John Williams, 56, Vernon-street, Wrexham, and sister-in-law to defendant, said that when defendant was away from home she went to assist in the bar. She was in and out of the bar in the dinner hour on May 4th. She saw no betting. She saw Parry there, but did not know he was a constable. She did not hand any telegram to Tom Smith. She, however, handed one to Mr. J. Jones. She saw a man trying to pass two slips of papers to Mrs. Williams, but she refused them. If a series of these papers had been accepted by Mrs. Williams she could not have failed to see them. Someone came in and asked for Smith, who came out of the smoke- room to see him. Tom Smith said he was one of the defendants in the cases. By trade he was a hairdresser, but he had been the clerk to George Mortimer. He bad been frequently at the defendant's house, but had never used it for gaming. He was at the vaults from twelve to a quarter to one on the Chester Cup day, and he saw Parry, the constable, there. He received no telegram at all that day. He remembered being called by the last witness to see a friend. This was John Williams. He saw him, and their inter- view did not relate to betting. On that day he was not in the employment of George Mortimer. He left on the Saturday before the Cup day. He was at the Cambrian Vaults when the police came. There were seven officers, and all in the house were arrested, 19 persons altogether. It would be about ten minutes past one o'clock. He was searched, with the others, and nothing was found upon him relating to betting. He had never known James Williams, the defen- dant, make any bet in the house; on the other hand, he had heard him refuse to bet. Cross-examined by Mr. Moss, witness said that George Mortimer was a turf commission agent-in common terms, a bookmaker. He had gone back to the service of Mortimer, and was now his clerk. Mr. Moss Then you had a convenient break ? Witness: I got on the loose, and had the sack. Cross examination continued: Mortimer's office was in the Public Hall Chambers, Wrexham. He had been employed by him eighteen months altogether. He went back to Mortimer on the Monday following the cup day. Edward Price Jones (engine fitter), John Walsh (labourer), and John Romane (stoker) were called. They were present when the raid was made, were searched, and upon them nothing relating to betting was found. They saw no signs of betting while present on May 4 and 5. William Mortimer said he was the brother of George Mortimer, turf commission agent, Wrexham, and acted as his clerk. He identified half-a-dozen small passbooks and a bundle of tickets as the property of George Mortimer, and witness left them at the vaults in the charge of Mrs. Williams on the morning of the Chester Cup day. He was going to the tailor's shop at Penybryn to be measured for a suit of clothes, and he did not wish to have these bulky articles in his pocket. His reason for leaving them at the vaults, and not at his house, was that he was going to Chester, and would require them. He made a bet with William Williams in King-street on that day, but he left no money at the Cambrian, nor was any received there on his or his brother's behalf. Tom Smith was dismissed for drinking. He did not turn up to business on the Saturday, and wit- ness went round and told him not to come any more. John Roberts said he was in the vaults between 10 and 11 on the Cup day, and he saw Mortimer, the last witness, leave a number of small books and tickets with Mrs. Williams. Deputy Chief Constable E. Jones was re- called, and said that two of the books were found on the top of the cigar box containing over JE60, money alleged to have been received on behalf of Mortimer. Other books were at the back of the bar, and the bettings tickets were discovered in the defendant's bedroom. The jury found the defendant guilty of keeping the house open for the purpose of receiving money in connection with betting hazards. The Chairman said the verdict was a very proper one in his opinion, and the defendant would be fined £ 50. No c|sts would be awarded, as it had not been thfe practice of the Court to award costs in criminal cases. Mr. Moss was proceeding with the indict- ment against Mrs. Williams, wife of the inn- keeper, when the Chairman suggested that it should be allowed to drop. It was hardly the thing, as the husband had been convicted, to proceed against the wife, who, of course, would be more or less under the leading of her husband. Mr. Moss replied that he had made a proposal to his friend, and as it was not listened to he was obliged to proceed with his instructions. Mr. Higgins said the prosecution wanted him to promise to pay the costs if the other indictments were withdrawn, and he thought that a most improper proceeding. The Chairman: I think, Mr. Moss, your in- structions are rather strong. After a consultation with the Chief Constable, Mr. Moss said he would' withdraw the indict- ments against Mrs. Williams. He would proceed with the case against Tom Smith for using the house for betting purposes. Mr. Higgins asked for a new jury, and one was empannelled. When it had been sworn, it was intimated that the prosecution proposed to withdraw, and a verdict of not guilty was given on the direction of the Bench.

CADBUBY'S COCOA is absolutely pure, and is therefore the best Cocoa. It is a refreshing, stimu- lating drink, and a nutricious food, containing no foreign substances, such as kola, malt, hops, &c. The fact cannot be too strongly impressed that Cocoa must be unadulterated to ensure its fullest beneficial effects. Always insist on having CADBURy'S-sold only in Packets and Tins—as other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra profit. 3

COMING OF AGE OF MR. NORMAN VERDIN. + REJOICINGS AT DARNHALL. [BY OUR OWN REPORTER.] What the town and district of Winsford owe to the munificence and fostering interest of the Verdin family cannot very well be over- estimated. It was therefore only natural that the residents should hail the attainment of the majority of the heir of Darnhall with keen feelings of pleasure, and they certainly left no no stone unturned to shew their esteem and respect for the family. In celebration of the auspicious event Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Verdin entertained a large company of guests at Darnhall Hall on Wednesday last. The town of Winsford itself looked gay with bunting, and on the road to Darnhall the tenantry had erected triumphal arches, bearing appropriate mottoes, wishing long life and happiness to the heir and success to the Verdin family. In the afternoon about 120 guests sat down to luncheon in a large marquee in the grounds adjoining the hall. Mr. W. H. Verdin presided, and was supported on his right by the heir (Mr. R. N. H. Verdin), and on his left by Mr. W. Stubbs, chairman of the Winsford Urban District Council, wearing his chain of office. The company also included Sir Joseph Verdin, Bart., Captain Turner (Over Hall), the Rev. F. E. Powell (vicar of Over), Captain Crichton- Browne, Messrs. F. Cooke (Town Clerk of Crewe), J. H. Cooke (Winsford), Verdin Cooke, Horace Cooke, J. P. Jackson (agent to Lord Delamere), Ezra Gandy (agent to the Darnhall, Wimboldsley, and Brockhurst estates), Dr. Okell, the Rev. G. G. Whitfield (Congrega- tionalist), Messrs. W. Blagg, T. B. Manley, Prescott, and Houlbrooke. In addition to the ehairman, the Winsford Council was repre- sented by Messrs. R. Chesters, Jabez Hulse, R. Phipps, T. Massey, C. Massey, Simon Leach, and F. W. Johnson; while the following depu- tation attended on behalf of the subscribers to the Winsford tradespeople's presentation:— Messrs. Prince Lewis (chairman), Arthur Hamlett, Henry Briggs, William Williams, Jabez Lightfoot, Joseph M. Dean, and E. Hamlett (hon. secretary). After the usual loyal toasts, the CHAIRMAN read the following telegram which he bad received from the clerk of the Northwich Urban Council:—" Chairman of Council, on behalf of your native town, offers most sincere congratulations to you and your beneficent house on the attainment of Mr. Norman Verdin's majority. (Signed) Cowley, clerk. In the absence of Mr. Rigby, the CHAIRMAN proposed The Bishop, Clergy, and Ministers of all Denominations,' to which the Revs. F. E. POWELL and G. G. WHITFIELD responded.— 'The Navy, Army, and Auxiliary Forces-' was suitably given by Captain TURNER, and acknowledged by Captain CRICHTON-BROWNE. The principal toast, that of The Heir of Darnhall,' was entrusted to the Rev. F. E. POWELL, who submitted it in happy terms. He said that as he was asked to attend Mr. W. H. Terdin in the capacity of chaplain during his year of office as High Sheriff, his pleasure was equally great in proposing the toast of The Heir of Darnhall.' He knew he was giving expression to the sincere feelings of all present when he said they shared the gratification of Mr. and Mrs. Verdin in this auspicious event in their family. (Applause.) They appreciated to the full the kind interest which Mr. Verdin took in all that affected the well-being of the neighbourhood, and on the principle like father like son' they believed this augured well for the future. Mr, Norman Verdin had, of course, his spurs yet to win, but he had the advantage of the priceless heritage of a good name-a name which bad been honourably borne before him. Upon him rested the responsibility and privilege of hand- ing that name on to those who would come after him with added lustre and honour. Might a long, happy and useful life be his, might health and every other blessing attend him in his career, and might he see that Wordsworth was right when he said The best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unrememberd acts Of kindness and of love. (Applause). The toast having been drunk with musical honours, Mr. STUBBS supplemented a few felicitous words in the name of the Winsford Council, wishing Mr. Norman Verdin long life and happiness. The body he represented, he added, had commissioned an artist to paint a portrait in oil of Mr. W. H. Verdin, and the picture, it was hoped, would be presented to Mr. Norman on the occasion of the opening of the Albert Infirmary, a few months hence, as a mark of their appreciation of his father's noble services to the community.—Mrs. Verdin having entered the tent a few minutes pre- viously, Mr. Stubbs then, on behalf of the Council, begged her acceptance of a beautiful bouquet. A series of presentations to Mr. Norman Verdin followed. Mr. PRINCE LEWIS, the chairman of the Tradesmen's Committee, handed to him a handsome illuminated address, silver punch bowl, and a photographic album, containing the names of the osubscribers, who numbered 170. He said the response to the committee's appeal had been most spontaneous, in fact, no movement of the kind had ever in his experience been entered into so freely by the tradespeople. The following was the text of the address:— To Richard Norman Harrison Verdin, Esq., of Darnhall Hall, Lieutenant in the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Cavalry.—As representing the different trades and manufactures carried on in the town of Winsford, we desire most heartily to tender you our congratulations on your attaining your majority. You have been most intimately and honourably assooiated with this town from the day of your birth at Highfield House, which through the liberality of your esteemed father is about to be placed at the disposal of the sick and poor, and by Her Majesty's special permission is to be known as the Albert Infirmary. Many of us have witnessed with pleasure your physical and intellec- tual growth from then until now, and we have the satlstaction ot believing and hoping that as the heir to the Darnhall estates, you will for many years to come take an interest in the welfare and good government of this district. From its inception the house of Darnhall has been associated with good works. More than 600 years ago Edward, eldest son of the illustrious King Henry III., founded on the site of the present hall a monastery for monks of the Cistercian order, and by means of letters of recommendation the King himself furnished a library of manuscript books for the benefit of the monks occupying the Abbey of Dernhall. Former residents of Darnhall com- prise Thomas Lee, Esq., whose liberality exactly 200 years ago in founding and endowing Darnhall School has been in the past, and is now, of great benefit to the public, whilst you in your office of governor ef the Verdin Technical Schools in the town have shewn your appreciation of the efforts madeby your uncle, Sir Joseph Verdin, Bart., to improve secondary education. The salt trade of Winsford witnesses in the late successful firm of Joseph Verdin and Sons what great and beneficial results accrue to a district from the exercise of intelligence and industry. We wish you a long life and a happy one, and as a memento of this day we beg your acceptance of this illuminated ad- dress, the accompanying silver punch bowl, together with an album containing many interesting local views and photographs, also of the names of the subscribers, which we trust you will accept as a small token of our good wishes and esteem.— Dated this 20th day of May, 1898, Prince Lewis (chairman), Henry Briggs (treasurer), Edwin Hamlett (hon. secretary). Mr. PRESCOTT, on behalf of the Wimboldsley tenantry, next presented the heir with a silver tankard, and eulogised his uncle's generosity to the farmers, whose position had been vastly changed during his regime. Mr. HOULBROOKB also presented Mr. Norman Verdin with a lengthy illuminated address, bearing the names of 54 of the Darnhall tenantry, together with a magnificent silver centrepiece. He said they, as tenants, were interested perhaps more than any other body of people in that day's rejoicing, because in the natural order of things Mr. Norman would become their landlord, although they hoped that day might be far distant. (Hear, hear.) But they felt quite sure that with the admirable training and the worthy example set to him by his respected father, he could not be other than a good, kind and considerate land- lord. (Applause.) He believed it was the first time in the history of Darnhall that an heir had come of age living on the estate, and it was a great relief to some of the older tenants to know that the changes in ownership which they had witnessed in days gone by would now in all probability be done away with, and they should have a family living among them whose name every tenant on the estate held in the highest respect. (Applause.)—The address (which limited space precludes us from publish- ing in full) wished Mr. Norman Verdin a long and happy life, and trusted that his father might long be spared to give them the benefit of his wise and beneficent counsel. The con- cluding paragraph ran:— So brilliant and so rich an inheritance carries with it many responsibilities, for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.' Riches area blessing to those only who make a worthy use of them. Our heart's desire, therefore, can only be that the training and education you have received at home and at Harrow, and Magdalen College, Oxford, the dis- cipline you have voluntarily submitted to as an officer in the Cheshire Yeomanry, and the excellent examples before recorded may, and we fully believe will, fit you to assume the responsibilities of manhood, and that by zeal in all matters which are for the public good you will prove yourself worthy of such an ancestry, and be proud at all times to maintain the good feeling existing between landlord and tenant on these estates. Sergeant MANLEY spoke of Mr. Norman Verdin's popularity with the Cheshire Yeomanry, and stated that during the last training at Chester the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Bostock troop presented him with a silver salver. In reply to the toast Mr. NORMAN VERDIN, who was received with prolonged applause, said :—I am afraid I cannot adequately express my appreciation of the kindness of all my friends. First, I must thank you for having received in such a hearty manner the remarks the Vicar has been good enough to make about me to-day. I feel that he has allowed his good- will towards me to outweigh those failings of which I am only too conscious. Then I must endeavour to express to the members of the Winsford Urban District Council and to the other subscribers to the portrait fund how deeply 1 feel their kindness. Without wishing in the slightest degree to lesson my sense of indebtedness to others, I am sure you will all agree that no more accept- able present could be made to anyone than the portraitof hisfather—(applause)—especially when it comes from so official an authority as that represented by Mr. Stubbs to-day. To the subscribers of the tradesmen's handsome bowl, album, and address, I wish to offer my sincerest thanks. The representatives of the donors present to-day know how absolutely spontaneous the gift has been, and to me quite unexpected. If it had been on the occasion of my marriage —(laughter and applause),—I might have considered it as a mark of sympathy and consolation; but under the circumstances I must regard it as one of congratulation only. Surely, gentlemen, no man would reserve for himself the quantity of liquor this bowl would contain. (Laughter.) It appeals to one of the noblest virtues-hospitality-and I am sure that none of the donors would object to my reminding my father that if his own resources of civilisation fall short, this bowl will always be at his service for the use of my Winsford friends. (Laughter and applause.) To a better use, also, I could not put the massive tankard which the tenants on the Brockhurst and Wimboldsley estates have given me. I cannot thank them too much, not only for their unexpected generosity, but also for the kind manner in which they have, through Mr. Prescott, expressed their good wishes for my future. Gentlemen, I cannot disguise from myself that each of these three valuable gifts has been made to me not for any personal merit of my own, but rather that the occasion of my attaining my majority has been chosen for the expression of your regard for the other and older members of my family. (Hear, hear.) I look upon myself to-day as simply the medium for the expression of your good feeling, and I value the gifts all the more OR that account. Especially must this be so in the case of the Wimboldsley tenants, who out of goodwill towards my uncle, Sir Joseph Verdin, have extended to me to-day some share of it. (Applause.) There is one more presentation to which I must especially refer-that from my friends and neighbours the tenants on the Darnhall estate, for which I heartily thank them. My father would be the first to express his regret if kindly feeling for myself, as apart from him, did not animate those who have so generously subscribed for this handsome present. He would consider that I had not sufficiently conciliated that goodwill which ought to exist between a landlord's son and the tenants, especially when the latter have on all occasions treated me with the utmost kindness and courtesy, and which I hope I have always reciprocated. (Hear, hear.) I hope that they understand that I am at all times interested to hear of everything that affects the welfare of them- selves and their families. (Applause.) Let me thank those gentlemen who have made the presentations to-day for the more than kind way in which they have spoken of me. I hope that I shall be able to justify in time to come their expectations. But should I fail, I trust that it will be ascribed to no want of appreciation of the kindly feeling they have shewn to me to-day. (Applause.) I have already had an opportunity of thanking the members of the Bostock Troop for their very handsome piece of plate. I am pleased to be associated with them in serving Her Majesty the Queen—(applause)—and should an occasion occur, I am sure that they will do their duty as well as any other soldiers in the British Army. Gentlemen, I again thank you for all these presents, and for the cordial way in which you have drunk my health. (Loud applause.) Dr. OKELL afterwards submitted the health of Sir Joseph Verdin, Bart., and the latter, in reply, gave Success to Agriculture,' coupled with the name of Mr. J. P. Jackson.—' Success to the Town and Trade of Winsford' was pro- posed by Mr. F. COOKE, and responded to by Mr. BLAGG, and the concluding toast was that of The Chairman,' given by Mr. J. H. COOKE. In his acknowledgment, Mr. W. H. VERDIN further offered to make himself responsible for the furnishing of the Albert Infirmary, and announced that the Duchess of Westminster had graciously consented to perform the opening ceremony, which would probably take place in October. Subsequently a company of upwards of 700 were entertained at tea, and various games were provided, in addition to dancing. The rejoicings were spread over Thursday and yesterday (Friday). The catering was entrusted to Mr. John Baker, of Tattenhall, and was carried out in his well-known excellent style.

PRESENTATIONS TO THE RECTOR OF TARPORLEY. « INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS. On Wednesday (St. Peter's Day) the parishioners of Tarporley pleasantly celebrated the completion of 10 years' ministry among them of the Rector (the Rev. W. O. M. Hughes). The day was quite a gala one in the old town. The Rector and Mrs. Hughes had issued invitations to a garden party in the afternoon, and they had also invited every school child in the parish, irrespective of creed, to tea. This repast was served in a spacious marquee, and fully 700 children sat down to the heavily laden tables. In the evening the parishioners testified their respect for Mr. and Mrs. Hughes by making them a series of handsome gifts. Two bands played for dancing, and hobby-horses and swings had been engaged for the amusement of the young folk. The company included the Earl of Haddington, Lady Ruth Baillie Hamilton, Lady Grissel Baillie Hamilton, Captain the Hon. Baillie Hamilton, Mr. J. Marshall Brooks, Miss Mendel, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Herbert and Miss Cooper, Mrs., Miss and Mr. Blain, Mrs. J. H. Stock, Mrs. Hall, Dr. and Mrs. Fr&anr Mr- and Mrs. Douglass, the Rev. T. J. and Mrs. Evans (Tatvin), the Rev. A. T. Powley (vicar of Shenstone), Mr. and Mrs. T. Cawley, Mrs. Tylden, &c. The arrangements were excellent, and everything passed off without a hitch, thanks to the efforts of a committee, which included the following:—The Revs. E. W. Evans (vicar of Little Budworth), F. Clifton Smith, and E. M. ISllis, Messrs. P. Roberts, S. Wilson, J. Hines, A. Symm, J. J. Hulse, R. Hayles, J. Burston, E. Fitton, W. Carter, A. Williamson, J. Burgess, W. Crank, W. Walker, J. H. Billington, H. Woodward, J. J. Daine, W. Beckett, Ac., with W. E Garner and H. S. Grocott, hon. secretaries. In the evening service was held in the church, and a public meeting was held, under the presidency of the Earl of Haddington, subsequently, when the various presentations were made. The CHAIRMAN said it was a great pleasure to him to see so large an assembly, because it was evident they had come there with one feeling and one object, and that was to shew their respect and esteem for their respected and esteemed rector. (Applause.) It was a matter for congratulation that Mr. Hughes had now reached the conclusion of the tenth year of his able and energetic ministry among them. He was speaking the opinion, the hope, and the prayer of every man and woman present, he knew, when he said he trusted that Mr. Hughes might long be spared for a continuance of his useful life and his useful work, which had been so great a benefit to that parish. (Applause.) Mr. WILSCN, senior churehwarden, remarked that he had sometimes heard people say, perhaps in jest, that parsons in Tarporley had a nice time of it. (Laughter.) The RECTOR: So we do. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. WILSON, proceeding, said he thought if they followed the parsons round the parish they would find that a clergyman's life was not always a bed of roses. Mr. Hughes had nobly dene his duty to all, and he was sure there was not one person there that evening who had not a warm corner in his or her heart for the rector and Mrs. Hughes. He had great pleasure in asking tho Earl of Haddington, on behalf of the parishioners and also of friends in the adjoining parishes, to present the rector with an illuminated album. (Applause.) Mr. J. HULSE, another churchwarden, in supporting the request expressed the hope that the rector would long be with them. The CHAIRMAN said he had been deputed by his fellow parishioners to present the rector with a small token of their respect and regard, and more especially as a memento of that particular day on which he concluded ten years of his active ministry among them. In the rector's presence it would be difficult for him to express fully the friendly spirit and kindly feeling that had actuated his parishioners in giving him that small token of their esteem and love. (Ap- plause.) The inscription in the illuminated album he had the pleasure of presenting him with was as follows:— To the Rev. Walter Octavius Marsh Hughes. We, the undersigned, parishioners and members of the four churches of the parish of Tarporley, wish to offer you our most sincere and heartfelt con- gratulations on the completion of ten years' ministry as rector of this parish. We gratefully appreciate the noble and excellent work that you have undertaken and accomplished for the benefit of all classes. The endowment of Cote- brook, the erection of churches in Eaton and Utkinton, the extension of the parish churchyard, the re-casting of and addition to the bells of the Westminster chimes as a memorial of the Diamond Jubilee, the enlargement and vastly improved state of the four schools, together with the kindly care you have ever shewn in providing recreation for the young are lasting monuments of your sympathy and interest in this place. And especially are we mindful of the deepening of the spiritual life among us, which is evidence that your labours have borne much fruit, and our earnest prayer is that you may long be spared as our rector to advance still further the temporal and spiritual welfare of this parish. It was quite unnecessary for him (his lordship) to say that he fully endorsed every sentiment in the address. The album might not perhaps he of any great intrinsic or pecuniary value, but he knew Mr. Hughes would value it none the less. The album had been signed by 1,410 of the rector's parishioners—(applause)—and in making the presentation in their names and in his own, he expressed the hope that Mr. Hughes might be long spared to continue the good work which had been of inestimable benefit to that large community. (Applause.) Capt. BAILLIE HAMILTON then presented Mrs. Hughes with a handsome silver tea kettle, bearing the inscription, Presented to Mrs. Hughes by parishioners and friend, as a token of their esteem and goodwill. Tarporley, St. Peter's Day, 1898.' During Mrs. Hughes' stay in Tarporley she had, he remarked, gained all their hearts, and he was sure she would keep them. (Applause.) Mr. GARNER (organist) next, on behalf of the choir, presented the rector with a silver- mounted blotting pad, and expressed in suitable words the esteem in which Mr. Hughes was held by the men and boys of the choir. Lady RUTH BAILLIE HAMILTON then handed the rector a silver match-box, subscribed for by the Young Women's Bible Class, remarking that it was a small token of their affection and grati- tude for what he had done for them. Mrs. COOPER followed with the presentation to Mrs. Hughes on behalf of the Mothers' Meeting of a handsome silver chatelaine, and Mr. Lewis finally handed Mrs. Hughes a silver tea caddy, subscribed for by the Young Men's Bible Class. The RECTOR, who was cordially received, in returning thanks, said he was exceedingly obliged to the Earl of Haddington for adding by his presence there that afternoon to the many kindnesses he had received from him, and his family, since a little more than ten years ago when he met Lady Haddington at Durham, and she put before him the opportunity of coming to Tarporley. Never had any man been backed up by all classes as he had been at Tarporley,-and if any good had resulted during the ten years he had been there it was due to the Church and not to the rector. He wished they would remember that they were the Church; if he buried himself at the bottom of the sea the Church was still there. There were four people he would have been particularly pleased to see there that day; one was the late Countess of Haddington, whose kindness he need say nothing about to the Tarporley people; another was his old father, who in spite of his 83 years would have been present had not the Bishop of Exeter required him for some important work another was dear old Edwin Woodward, who did so much in Tarporley for the Church—(applause)—and the other was Mr. Blomfield, who wrote to say that the distance between Tarporley and Cannes was so great that he could not get there in time. He had been asked if he could shew in any way the amount that had been collected for Church purposes during the last ten years. He had spent considerable time in looking the matter up, and he knew he was very much under the mark when he said the sum was £ 28,500. (Applause.) He knew he might add another £1,500 to that. He had capitalised the endowment for the three outside churches of X100, so that really in hard cash rather over X25,000 had been collected. (Applause.) He was ashamed to say how often he had found the Earl of Haddington's name and that of his family in the bank book, and also that of Mrs. Mann, who had done so much for the Church in Tarporley. Out of the sum he had mentioned £ 3,666 had been spent on the secular education of the young children of Tarporley, thereby saving a good deal. They might say that the Church was a stumbling block to advance, but the inspector had told him that their schools were far in advance of any board schools they visited in Cheshire. (Applause.) Whenever they found that a child had any special bent the managers always brought that child forward and gave him the opportunity by books and correspondence classes to bring forward the gift that God had specially endowed him with. Large sums of money had been spent on the churchyard, which had saved them a burial rate; large sums had been spent on the sick and poor, and also in making their schools and church what they ought to be. No less than X8,000 had been spent for wages in Tarporley parish, which must have been a benefit to some of the Tarporley people. When he came to Tarporley it was with the distinct understanding that he was not to stay less than seven years, and not more than ten. Things had, however, happened lately which made him determined, if God gave him strength, to stay there another five years if he could. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he thanked all the subscribers towards the hand- some gifts that had been made to Mrs. Hughes and himself, and particularly alluded to the loyalty of the choir, the church officers, and the day and Sunday school teachers. Mr. STHM, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Earl of Haddington, remarked that as a church officer he knew how his lordship had helped the church and schools, and as a tenant he could testify to his kindness as a landlord and the interest he took in his estate. (Ap- plause.) The sick and poor had reason to be thankful to his lordship, for he had been a friend to them in providing a district nurse, and the children of the parish had also reason to be thankful to him. (Applause.) Mr. FITTON seconded, and the proposition was carried with acclamation. Lord HADDINGTON, in returning thanks, said he thought a man possessed of a larger share of the good things of this world than some of his neighbours must be a pitiable and despicable object if he could not to the best of his ability help the poor, sick, and destitute. (Applause.) A man must be a selfish man if he did not to the best of his power contribute to the happiness of those around him. He had, to the best of his ability endeavoured to carry out these objects. The other objects alluded to by Mr. Symms were those which were of deep interest to his beloved wife, and which he felt it a holy duty to carry out. (Applause.)

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SCHOOL DIFFICULTY AT SUTTON-IN- HOOTON. « CHURCH SCHOOLS AND 'HIGHER' EDUCATION. We have received the following communica- tions regarding the dismissal by the Sutton-in- Hooton school managers of Mrs. Cocker, widow of the late head-master:— TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The enclosed circular and letter have been issued this week to all subscribers to Sutton-in-Hooton Schools. Quite apart from personal considerations, the details of these documents will furnish evidence for those at the head of the Government who are con- ducting the great struggle for better education in England. Justice to parents and subscribers,' regard for the rising generation,' 'response to the great national cry for better, higher, more advanced education,' these are phrases full of sound and fury signifying nothing when the actions of individual managers are investigated. When the children of Sutton School are provided with backs to their seats, when their playground is put into a sanitary condition, when decent apparatus and sufficient material are supplied for ele- mentary education, it will then be time enough to consider education of a higher and more advanced kind. If there has been this won- derful regard for the rising generation, why are two young pupil teachers engaged whose health, has broken down under the strain of taking entire charge of large standards ? These young teachers are the rising generation, yet no regard is had for them. Let Sir John Gorst's speech in the House on Friday, June 17th, he read in its entirety, and who will stand more signally condemned than the ignorant managers of Voluntary schools ? Sir John Gorst alludes to 'the beggarly wages which many managers are not ashamed to give,' and also to the practice of employing pupil teachers because they are so extremely useful as furnishing in the schools cheap child labour.' Or take the regulations set out by the Chester Diocesan Association for the Advisory Com- mittees, in allotting the aid grant to Church Schools. No. 2 runs thus: 'That the teaching staff is increased in number or qualifications where money was granted for improved stafl.' Consider with what kind of managers the Church expects to have to deal. The Church herself cannot be certain without investigation that the money will be honestly spent for the purpose for which it was granted. Schools have been indiscriminately classed as 'necessitous', and Sutton among them. But this year a platform has been made, and a shed in the playground to house it has been erected, although the school remains scantily appointed. It will be interesting to know under what head of expenditure these items will be placed, from which no benefit will accrue to the children of the day school. Let the supporters of the Voluntary schools in Sutton be honest and admit that they support them not because they are Church schools, but because they are cheap schools. Without adopting the lengthy method of taking the circular clause by clause to shew its inaccuracies, I will take a few points which will conclusively prove how unreliable the informa- tion is throughout the whole circular. It is amazing that a committee of men could put their names to a succession of false statements which this circular proves to be. The point they have made is this, that the late headmaster's widow is incapable of carrying on the school; and in endeavouring to convince the neighbourhood against its expressed wish for her appointment in the petition that was presented to them, the managers have not hesitated, (1) to misquote a subscriber's words, (2) to quote wrong figures in connection with the late headmaster's salary, (3) to apply incapacity to manage her house- hold, (4) to attribute statements to her about not being able to control the boys without the aid of a master, (5) to imply that the school is composed principally of boys, (6) to assume that her attainments are of an inferior order, and that her leadership would be disastrous to the school. Let me remark on these points, (1) this is answered by the accompanying letter, (2) the lowest salary paid to the headmaster in the seven years, from 1889 to 1895, was not X196 Is. 7d., but X178 5s., which was paid in 1891, (3) two years ago when the voluntary teachers placed their resignation in the hands of the managers, the master's wife was ordered into the school. There was no consideration for her household then, (4) when the questions appended to the accompanying letter are answered this statement will be corrected, (5) it should be understood that Sutton School is a mixed school, that at present the majority of the children are girls, and that play is organised not only for the boys but also for the girls. (6) The assumption about her attainments has been made in entire ignorance, and the fact that she has, in spite of her terrible home anxiety, carried on the school successfully during her late husband's illness and absence proves the injustice of the insinua- tions about her leadership. So that if the managers could not see fit to appoint her as headmistress of Sutton Schools, and had pro- ceeded to the appointment of a master, it was doubly unjust to have published a circular which is calculated to damage her future prospects.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, E. AUGUSTA JONES. The Grange, Hooton, June 30th, 1898. The following is the circular referred to :— Little Sutton, June 25th, 1898. SUTTON-IN-HOOTON NATIONAL SCHOOLS. Sir or madam,—We, the managers of the above schools, beg to submit to you the following statement:—A number of the sub- scribers have recently addressed to us a request that the schools be conducted in future on the lines which have been temporarily followed since the beginning of Mr. Cocker's last illness; Mrs. Cocker to be continued at the head of the schools. At this point it is necessary to state that the subject having been under the careful consideration of the managers during the period which has elapsed since Mr. Cocker's death, thev, at the monthly meeting, which took place on Tuesday, 7th inst., came to the unanimous resolution that the present arrangement be continued till the end of the school year, viz., 30th September, 1898; that from that time a master be placed at the head of the schools, and that an advertisement, inviting applica- tions for the office of master, be inserted in the Schoolmaster of the 18th inst. One reason why 30th September was fixed upon as the terminating date of the present temporary arrangement was, that a lady much in Mrs. Cocker's confidence, and taking a deep interest in her affairs, informed the managers that Mr. Cocker, on his deathbed expressed a wish that the change be deferred till that date, inasmuch that it might enable Mr. Kynnersley to give her a good certificate with a view to another situation. The lady in question, on being visited by one of our number appointed to see her, stated in most precise terms that if Mrs. Cocker's services were retained till 30th Sept., that would be entirely satisfactory, and was all that was expected. Apparently up to this stage no thought of Mrs. Cocker's services being continued beyond 30th September had entered the mind of either the late Mr. Cocker or of the ladies who have been acting in what they have called, per- haps mistakenly, the interests of Mrs. Cocker. Now, we are asked to continue some such arrangement as the present, and that is the question we have to consider. Any well supported representation from the subscribers is undoubtedly entitled to the careful considera- tion of the managers, and we can assure the signatories that their present communication has received such careful consideration from us, under a full sense of the responsibility of our position; but we cannot see that it would be right to depart from the resolution already arrived at. We think it cannot be denied that we have had opportunities of observation not possessed by a single one of those who have signed the document, and our belief is that under an able headmaster the school would respond better to the great national cry of the present time for better, higher, more advanced education. Everyone who reads the daily and other journals is aware of the frequent references to the inferiority of education in England as compared with that given in other countries; and only the other day Sir John Gorst, Vice- President of the Committee of Council on Education, said in the House of Commons, when moving the education vote, I feel con- vinced that Voluntary schools can only con- tinue to exist on condition of their being made thoroughly efficient." In a later part of his speech he also said, I wish to call attention to the inferiority of rural schools throughout the country. The education of the country population is more costly and more difficult than the education of the town popula- tion. I think it is more important, because it is mainly in the country that the future nation is bred." In the face of considerations like these, we must not go back-we have to go forward. It follows from the foregoing, that while the managers desire to treat Mrs. Cocker sympathetically, they have a duty to perform, and regard for the rising generation precludes their neglecting its performance. It cannot for a moment be said that any reasonable expectation is being disappointed, for the engagement was with Mr. Cocker, not Mrs. Cocker, and has come to a natural end. Nor can it be said that services rendered have not been sufficiently paid for, because there is not a doubt that, even in recent times, hundreds of pounds have been paid to Mr. and Mrs. Cocker in excess of fair remuneration. The proof of this is that in the seven years from 1889 to 1895, the lowest annual salary paid to Mr. Cocker was X196 Is. 7d., the highest C230 2s. 6d., and the average 9209 2s. Id. As these figures included the services of Mrs. Cocker for teaching sewing-deduct say jE15 per annum for that duty, it made Mr. Cocker's personal average salary X194 2s. Id. per annum. In 1896 the salary was reduced to X200, and the present rate is X180, equal, after deducting sewing services, to CI85, and X165 respectively for the master. All these rates of salary, it is to be remembered, were in addition to the school-house, rent free and free of taxes. In response to the advertisement for a master in the Schoolmaster of Saturday last, we have received about 160 applications, of which about 30 are from men who possess very superior qualifications, and the salary asked by these 30 ranges from £ 110 to 9130 per annum. A number of the applicants ask less than C110, and a number ask more than X130, but of the whole 160, about three-fourths offer their services at from JE110 to X130. These figures prove convincingly that the services of Mr. Cocker have been well paid, or rather have been overpaid, so that no claim for special con- sideration in respect of the past could be supported. Quite apart from the very high- class master we have the opportunity of selecting from the list of candidates who have applied, there is one very obvious disadvantage Mrs. Crocker would be under, viz., that while the master has his wife to manage his household, Mrs. Cocker, in addition to the anxieties of a large school, would have the cares of her household on her hands. It is also to be remembered that it is a long time since Mrs. Cocker acquired her qualifications as a teacher, while education has, from year to year, been making great strides. There is, besides, the very important considera- tion that for 15 years Mrs. Cocker did not practise her calling, and that soon after resuming it, to fill Mr. Cocker's place, she informed the managers she could not control the boys without the aid of a master. The teacher who instructs the boys would require to be the ablest in the schools. Is he to occupy an inferior position to the mistress, his inferior in attainments ? Except as a temporary expedient to meet the case of the master's ill- ness, the late arrangement would not have been resorted to. And further, in how many ways can a master interest and benefit his pupils, especially the boys, by organising this or that to occupy and amuse them out of school hours —matters quite impossible for a mistress ? The wisdom of putting forward this claim for Mrs. Cocker is, we think, open to question, especially as from all we hear it is mainly the work of a few individuals. Already several of those whose names are at the foot of the petition, have come to us to inform us that bad they known the full state of the case they would not have signed, and that they have no wish to tie the managers' hands. To sum up, in the educational interests of present and future pupils, and, in justice to parents and subscribers, believing solemnly that the results under Mrs. Cocker's headship would not be comparable with those to be obtained under the leadership of an up-to-date master, we decline respectfully to accede to the prayer of the petition, and shall proceed to the appointment of a head-master. It may not be amiss to remind subscribers that while they elect certain managers, it is provided in the school deed that certain other gentlemen are managers ex-officio. It is, however, proper to remark that on the subject of a master for the schools, there is absolutely no difference of opinion, the managers ex-officio and those elected holding the same view. We are sure you will unite with us in the hope that Mrs. Cocker will soon meet with a suitable sphere for her usefulness.—Trusting the resolution we have arrived at may meet with your approval, we remain, sir or madam, yours faithfully, John Owen (chairman), Percy Douglas, H. A. Latham, Geo. Pollard, John McMurtrie, William Healing (corre- spondent), John E. Harrison (hon. treasurer). The letter our correspondent refers to is as follows:— Crowthorns, June 27, 1898. Dear Madam or Sir,—I regret that owing to my words having been, through some mis- understanding, somewhat distorted in the circular issued by the managers of the school on June 25th, I am compelled to give you the fol- lowing explanation. I distinctly told the manager whom I interviewed on the subject that when I saw Mr. Cocker on his death-bed he was too ill to speak. He was greatly agitated about Mrs. Cocker's future, and I solemnly promised him that I would do all in my power to help her and to persuade the managers to retain her services. As it was the intention of the managers to dismiss her within a month of her husband's death, I made the preliminary request that she should remain until the end of the present school year, at the same time stating that I thought she ought to be retained permanently. The said manager then informed me that H.M. Inspector-Mr. Kynnersley- advised tite appointment of a headmaster, so I purposely did not press the matter further until I had consulted Mr. Kynnersley. The latter assured me that he had no communication with the said manager, or any of the managers on the subject. Far from advising a head-master, he told me he knew Mrs. Cocker was fully quali- fied, and in every way competent to take charge of Sutton School, and that no objection to her appointment would be raised by the Education Department. Everyone will agree that the Managers have had opportunities of obser- vation not possessed by those who have signed the documenf, but they cannot deny that they have not availed them- selves of those opportunities, and they admit that they have no idea how much Mrs. Crocker has taught in the schools during the past 15 years, or what steps she has taken to keep herself in touch with all recent modifications and requirements of the existing Code of Education. Therefore, it was on the strength of the opinion of Mr. Kynnersley, who has known Mrs. Cocker longer than any of the managers (with one exception), and who has seen her valuable work in the schools, that the petition was drawn up and presented to the managers. As Mrs. Cocker has made an independent application for a trial as head- mistress, I fail to see why the question of the late Mr. Cocker's salary has been raised but, as this has been brought forward, I should like to draw the attention of the subscribers to this fact; that the managers have practically been receiving the equivalent of a subscription of from £40 to L50 per annum, through the voluntary services rendered during the past twelve years, and there- by have saved hundreds of pounds' in salaries, of which no acknowledgment has been made in any of the accounts. While thanking the managers for their courtesy in having acceded to my first request that Mrs. Cocker should be retained until the end of this school year, I much regret that the petition, signed by 74 subscribers, requesting that a trial should be given her, has been set aside. Until this trial has been given, are the managers justified in .assuming in the face of the opinion of the Inspector, I that the results under Mrs. Cocker's headship would not be com- parable with those to be obtained under the leadership of an up-to-date master,' or that she would be his inferior in attainments ?'—I remain, yours faithfully, L. E. PORTER. Mr. E. Augustus Jones adds:-With regard to the statement attributed to Mrs. Cocker that she informed the managers that she could not control the boys without a master,' I would ask these questions:—1. Was a resolution passed by the managers on January 4th, 1898, to advertise for a mistress? 2. Was it agreed that Mrs. Cocker should pay the difference between the salaries of a certificated and assistant mistress ? 3. Would these arrange- ments to engage a mistress have been made if Mrs. Cocker had said she could not control the boys without the aid of a master ? 4. Were not all arrangements made, even to buying the postal order to pay for the advertisement for a mistress when a chance visit of Mr. J. Wood to Mrs. Cocker resulted in his appointment on certain conditions C with the approval of tha managers ?|