The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

The Commissioner of Emigration for Canada has received a letter from Mr. F. B. Snlman, formerly of Kingston-on-Thames, a member of the Barr Colony, as follows:—"British Colony, Saskatoon, 24th April, 1903. Dear Sir,—Having seen many misleading accounts in Canadian papers of the treatment received by the Rev. Barr's party, and fearing same may have appeared in English papers, we as members of the party would like to say for the comfort of our friends in England, that we have had no hardships to endure, and are perfectly satisfied with all arrangements that have been made for our comfort.—Yours faithfully, (Sd.) F. B. Sul- n::1D, of Kingston-on-Thames."

NEW BISCUIT. CRAWFORD'S "RAGLAN" RICH. BISCUITS.

RE ASSURING SIGNS. The latest information regarding the small-pox outbreak at Chester is of a re-assurmg nature. Enquiries yesterday (Tuesday) elicited the informa- tion that no fresh cases had been admitted at the Small-pox Hospital up to noon, and this following on a similar happy report for Monday inspires the hope that the Public Health authorities have overtaken the disease in its distressful infecting progress, and that precautions will ulti- mately stamp out the affliction. There have been unfortunate developments since last week's Couranf went to press, the total number of cases which then stood at ten with two deaths, being augmented each day up to Friday, when the total was 23, but, fortunately. without any further fatality. Saturday witnessed the first sign of abatement, if such it can be interpreted, there: being no new patient received at the hospital. Sunday added two to the list of victims, Boughton, a new district, this time contributing. One of the patients was from Tarvin- road, and the other from Lord-street. Thus the total was brought up to 25, and one of these must be discounted, for we learned yesterday that a child who was sent to the Hospital on shewing alarming symptoms, has been pronounced to be suffering from chicken-pox. The outbreak in its first stage seems to have exhausted itself, and if at the end of the usual fourteen days 110 fresh cases arise from contact with the latest patients, the end of the outbreak may be assumed. At the monthly meeting of the Health Committee of the Chester Town Council held yesterday the advisability of closing the public schools was dis- cussed. It seems that, the attendance at many of the schools has decreased to low figures that are calculated to materially affect the Govern- ment grant if continued. The schools at Handbridge, whence the majority of the small-pox patients hail, were closed under resolution passed at an emergency meeting on Thursday evening of the Public Health Committee. The Vommittee yesterday in view of the re-assuring signs decided with reference to the other schools, not to immediately close them, and appointed a sub committee consisting of the chair- man (Dr. Hamilton), the vice-chairman (Dr. Mann), with the Medical Officer of Health and invested '1'( them with power to take that step whenever they considered it necessary. The Medical Officer (Dr. Kenyon) and his staff have been unremitting in their efforts to arrest the spread of the disease, and they are to be congratulated on the prompt measures they took to get control of the outbreak. Every precaution has been taken in Hoole by the District Council against the importation of the malady into that locality. The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Butt) has paid a viyit to all the schools and made an examination of the children who have not already been vaccinated. Only a small percentage were found without vaccination marks, and these will be attended to by the medical officer. Arrange- ments are also beiiiff made with the Chester Corporation for the reception of any cases that may unfortunately arise in Hoole.

ANOTHER CASE. A TRAMP FROM WREXHAM. Later yesterday (Tuesday) we learned that a case of small-pox at the Workhouse has been reported by Dr. Archer, the medical officer to the institution. The patient is a tramp who last night came from Wrexham. Mr C. Atkin, sanitary inspector, at once made arrangements for the case to be removed to the Chester Small-pox Hospital. This case, coming as it does direct from Wrexham, should not be allowed to influence an estimate of the decline of the disease in the city. CASES NOT MALIGNANT. A representative of the Courant" had a chat with Dr. Duff on Friday afternoon on the subject of the outbreak. Asked if the cases were malignant, the doctor replied, "Some of them are bad. but they not malignant. Others are mild. We despair of none of the cases." Dr. Duff explained that there were rather more women patients than men and there was one boy of about 14 years of age. The hospital and two tents were overcrowded on Thursday, but an additional tent was put up on Friday. Asked as to the staff employed, the doctor said there were six nurses and two mrn. under the supervision of the matron pf the Isolation Hospital. It would, how- ever, be necessary to increase the number of nurses. STRIKING LIVERPOOL FIGURES. THE BENEFITS OF VACCINATION. At a meeting of the Liverpool Health Committee on Thursday, the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Hope) reported a satisfactory decline of small-pox in Liverpool, and gave some interesting and signifi- cant figures. He said that during the last six months, 71 children in Liverpool below five years of ago were attacked with small-pox. Out of these 71 there were GO un vaccinated, while the remaining five had been vaccinated very imperfectly. There- fore the 10 per cent, of unvaccinated children had produced 66 cases of small-pox, and the 90 per cent. of vaccinated had produced only five cases. Those facts were in themselves very striking, but the most important aspect of the question remains to be told. In each of the five vaccinated children the illness was of a very mild kind, and each child soon recovered. In all the 00 unvaccinated cases, however, the illness was very severe, and in 30 per cent. of the cases the lives of the children were destroyed. During the last five years, the rate of mortality among the previously vaccinated was 20 per cent. at all age. while among those not previously vaccinated it was 37 per cent. Within the last 18 months an enormous number of people had been re- vaccinated-over 8,000 in Liverpool. From among them not a case of small-pox had been admitted to hospital. Small-pox was, as he had said, declining very fast in Liverpool, but as fresh importations might occur, it would not be surprising if the decline should be interrupted. Hence precautions must not be relaxed, and re-vaccination should be performed wherever it was necessary. HAPHAZARD METHODS IN WALES. Dr. Lloyd Roberts, in his annual report to the St. Asaph Council on the health of the district, draws attention to the haphazard method followed in North Wales of providing means for the isolation and treatment of small-pox cases. His criticism is tIAt while in some counties scarcely any provision at all has been made, in others a large number of small hospitals have been provided instead of one or two well-equipped central ones. Dr. Roberts urges that the county councils should take the matter in hand, define certain hospital areas, and furnish them with efficient means of treating cases of infectious disease.

WILD WEST SHOW. RUABON INSTEAD OF CHESTER. The great attraction in Chester during the present week, the visit of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which was fixed for Friday next, on the Roodee, is unfortunately postponed. The management of the exhibition inform us that, owing to the number of cases of small-pox in the city, the authorities have requested them to post- pone the visit of the show until a later date, and they have, therefore, been compelled to abandon their exhibitions in Chester on Friday, but will kpond the day at Ruabon. We are also requested to state that all tickets issued for the Chester entertainment will be honoured at Ruabon or any I other city visited by the show this season. Tickets for the Ruabon visit will be sold by Messrs. Row- land and Co., High-street, Ruabon, to whom dis- appointed Cestrians should make application for bookings. The entire exhibition will be presented at Ruabon, exactly as it. delighted thousands during its fourteen weeks' engagement at tho Olympia. London, last winter. Colonel W. F. Cody, whose business methods command universal respect and confidence, refers to every railway official in proof of this, and moreover specially re- quests us to fortify the assurance with his per- sonal word of honour. It has ever been his rule to treat everyone, everywhere, alike, because it is honest as well as sound policy. The splendid reputation which this exhibition has attained and steadily maintained, its vast resources of capital and experience, and its unlimited credit the world over, give it. tremendous advantages with which no other can hop;1 to compete. Another fact .wll' en should be remembered is that everything in the Wild West exhibition is reality itself. All the scenes of border life are absolutely truthful re- productions of events which actually occurred during th" settlement of the great west of the United States, presented by those who were ac- tually participants therein, while the military exercises and drills are executed by detachments of veteran cavalrvmen of many of the leading armies of the world, every man of whom has seen actual service in warfare. Soldiers in the battle- field, dynamite makers and handlers and nurses of the plague stricken run no greater risks than the men whose profession it is to save human lives from shipwrecked vessels, in all sorts of gales and high seas. Many of them lose their lives every year in th:s hazardous service. A crew of these heroes, on a summer furlough from the United States Government service, are with the Buffalo Bill Wild West exhibition, shewing the public how their arduous work is done. It is a thrift ng, effective performance.

A CHALLENCK.—Major M'Bride, writing from Paris to the Irish press, says it seemed that the mere fact of his wife being a lady prevented Messrs. Redmond, Harrington. and their friends from summarily dealing with her at the Rotunda meeting. They evidently regretted it was not her husband that was present. If there are any of them that felt aggrieved at his wife's action, he should t>e most happy to afford them satisfaction in the accommo- dating country of France.

YEOMANRY ENCAMPMENT. -+-- ASSEMBLY ON FRIDAY. OAKMERK, Saturday. If the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry are to undergo their fortnight's encampment at Oakmere under the same climatic conditions that pre- vailed on Friday during their mobilisation, they will have no reason to complain on that score. Town and country were bathed in the benignant rays of a summer sun which shone in a perfectly azure sky, and the day was an ideal one. It would be well nigh impossible to find a more suitable ground for a Yeomanry camp than that at Oilkmere, which lies off the main road from Chester to Nprthwich, about eleven miles from the city, for the soil is dry and sandy, and an excellent supply of fresh water is obtainable from the pipes of the Liverpool Corporation, while the great expanse of gently undulating land is admirably adapted for field drills and manoeuvring. The preparations for the encamp- ment Lave been going on for some days past, under tlic superintendence of Quartermaster Cooper and Quartermaster-Sergeant Lewis. During the past year the regiment have made remarkable strides, and as a result of a special activity in the work of recruiting since the framing of the new Army orders, their strength has been increased by over two hundred, making a present aggregate of 596, which is the maximum strength limit. The recruits have furnished new detachments in Liscard, Crewe and Nantwich. Another development of the year has been the formation of a new band, composed of twenty- one members belonging to the Stockport district. The ii-o'ips aimed in camp on Friday after- noon, and there was a full muster of men, drawn from Le following squadrons:—A (Tatton and Knutskidj, B (Eaton), C (Northwich) and D (Congleton and Macclesfield). Colonel the Earl of Harrington is in supreme commanct, with LieuL-Coiond J. Tomkinson, M.P., second in command. With a few exceptions, the men are provided with smart khaki uniforms with red facings, and serviceable head-gear in the form of slouch hats. All the troops, excepting that from Liscard, proceeded direct to Oakmere from their respective towns. The Liscard Troop, which is attached to the Eaton Squadron, assembled at the Giosvcnor Paddock, Chester, to the number of about 36. and left for their destination under the command cf Major Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Captain the Duke of Westminster, and Captain Swetcnham. Ar Tarvin they were joined by the ) Farn •don, Aldiord and Eccleston Troops, under Lieutenant Harry Barnston, and the Tattenhall and Wavcrton Troop, under Lieutenant Barbour. The Eaton Squadron has been augmented during the past year by 67 recruits, who bring its total strength to 142. The training will be on almost exactly the same lines as that of last year. In order that the men may better understand the principles underlying the various movements, lecture- in the afternoons by the squad'on effi ers. The recreative side cf the camp has also received full attention. A capital new (•* ground has proved a valuable acquisi- tion, and in the evenings the time will be. pleasa.iMy "pent in smoking concerts, etc. On Saturday. May 30, the annual tournament will be held. th finds in which will be docided at the Oulton I'rU ,n Bank Holiday. On F.idi^y the camp presented in the brilliant sunshine a very picturesque and pretty spectacle amid .he bright vernal colours of the surrounding landscape. Ine snowy-white tents, two lines for each squadron, are arranged in a different pos:- tion to la^i year, and several large marquees whicii flank them on either side represent tho canteens, hospital and orderly room, while the officer nw's, a handsomely painted building of wood, lie. under the shelter of the belt of trees on the south side. It was about five o'clock before t> e whole of the four squadrons reached ¡ camp. The following are the officers in com- mand:—A Squadron, Major the Hon. A. de TaLou Egerton, Captain W. R. D. Phillips, Second L euienants M. Egerton and V. Herruoll; B Squadron, Major Lord Arthur Grosvenor, Captains tho Duke Wetniinster and E. W. Swetcnham, Lieutenants Harry Barnston and Robert. ibitrbour; C Squadron, Captain H. M. W ilsoii, Lieutenants R. N. H. Verdin and W. F. E. Massey, Se-cnd Lieutenants Giazebrook, De Knoop ,:<j J. Egerton Warburton D Squadron, Major Brockiehurst and Lieutenant A. M. R. Legh; Forest Troop, Captain Sir Philip Grey- Egerton. The officers constituting the head- quarter staii of the regiment are Colonel the Earl cf Harrington (in command), Lieut.-Colonel J. lo.i.kin on, M.P., Captain Neil Haig (adjutant), the Rev. C. H. Prodgers (hon. chap- lain), Surgeon-Captain J. E. Phillips, Malpas; Veterinary Surgeon R. C. Edwards; Regimental Quartermaster G. Cooper. As is well known, tho Yeomanry horses were formerly stabled. At last year's camp, however, a somewhat n-cvel experiment was adopted by the tethering of the horses by a. stout rcpe in front of each line of tents, with a short "hobble" attached to the near hind leg and a peg to keep in check any steed that might manifest a roving tendency. The success of this system has 'led to its adoption in the present camp, and it is believed that the horses are healthier under this treatment than when housed. The open-air "stabling" has also the advantage cf economy, and had it, been substituted for the huge and costly wooden buildings that were provided for the accommo- dation of the horses at Altcar three years ago, a great saving of expenditure would have been effected. The men receive the usual allowance of JB5 for each horse in camp, and their pay amounts to about 6s. 8d. per head, from which is deducted about 4s. 6d. for their food. The Government store, include a horse-cloth and mackintosh for the protection of the animals during cold or wet nights, but as the weather has beon perfect up to the time of writing there has been no need to requisition them. The guards, pickets and sentries do duty in the same form and for the same length of time as proscribed in I the Army regulations. Oakmere, Monday. Glorious summer weather oontinues to favour the camp, in striking contrast to the wet and cold that were experienced for the most part last voar. Warm, interrupted sunshine, almost cloud- less skies -and refreshing westerly breezes have constituted the weather which has prevailed since Friday, and to-day is one of almost tropical brilliance. The personnel of the camp was in- creased on Saturday morning, and the exact number of men now under canvas in each squadron is as follows:—A (Tatton and Knuts- ford), 115; B (Eaton), 141; C (Northwich and district), 131; D (Congleton and Macclesfield), 125; Forest Trcop, 49. The total strength of the camp is 571, the only absentees being twenty odd men who were on sick leave. Generally speaking, the programme of operations during the encamp- ment has been divided into three parts; the first four days are being devoted to troop and squadron drills, four will be given up to drills under the commanding officer, and the remaining four to a tactical scheme on practical lines. Though the camp ground itself is only fifty acres in extent, the fences all round have been removed, thus enabling between three and four hundred acres to be used for drill, parade, eto. Friday was occupied in the necessary preliminaries for settling down to camp life, and no practical work was done by the regiment. On Saturday morning the regiment paraded in drill order, with arms, at nine o'clock, and after being inspected by the squadron commanders, marched out to the drill field in their own time for troop and squadron drill under their own officers. The senior captain of each squadron inspected the forage cn return- ing from parade, and this duty is performed each day. Lieut. Verdin acted as orderly officer. In the afternoon a cricket match to-ck place on the new pitch between elevens representing A and B Squadrons, and resulted in a draw. A foot- ball match has been arranged between representa- tives of C and D Squadrons, but was abandoned owing to the warmness of the weather. The day was notable for an unfortunate accident, the victim of which was a waiter, who had a finger cut off by a bread-cutting machine, while manipu- lating it at breakfast time. Shortly afterwards another member of the commissariat staff sus- taincd a similar accident, though with a less serious result. Considerable diversion is occasionally afforded in camp by horses that manifest obstinate roving propensities, and several exciting pursuits of the equine fugitives have been witnessed, with a little practical display of tactical skill on the part of the pursuers in running their cunning quarry to earth. One animal led a lively game of "catch as catch can" for a considerable time, baffling every attempt to stop itz. wild career until it was obliged to surrender itself. On Sunday morning reveille sounded at six o'clock, and breakfast was served at 7.45. Lieut. Legh acted as orderly officer, being accompanied during his tour of duty by Second Lieut. De Knoop. An inspection of the forage waz. made by Captain Swetenham. The regiment paraded for divine service at ten o'clock, which was con- ducted by the chaplain (the Rev. C. H. Prodgers) and attended by a number of visitors. A celebra- tion of Holy Communion was held in the hospital tent at eight o'clock. In the evening a voluntary service was held in the recreation tent. It was attended by a crowded congregation, and was cf a very bright and hearty character, the band ac- companiment to the singing of the hymns pro- ducing a beautiful effect. The men commenced their training in earnest on Monday. They paraded in drill order, turning out at eight o'clock, a general parade following at 8.30. After inspection by the squadron commanders, they marched on to the drill field, and spent, the morn- ing in troop and squadron drill under squadron arrangements. At half-past two there was another general parade for rifle and firing exercise drill. A word as to the catering arrangements might re' be of interest, as shewing the heavy demand which the healthy appetites of the men make upon the commissariat department. This im- portant work is carried out with general satis- faction by Mr. Hcugh, of Southpcrt, a military caterer of long experience. A glance at the dietary is sufficient to shew that the fare is much better than could be reasonably expected. Breakfast consists of bacon and eggs, dinner of roast beef, or mutton and lamb, with vegetables and potatoes and sweets in variety, while for tea. there is cold meat, bread and butter, salad and cake. The average daily consumption of victuals amounts to about 1,400 eggs, 12(Xib. of baron, 9001b. of beef, mutton and lamb, 6001b. of pota- toes and 1001b. of jam. Up to the time of writing the camp has presented a clean bill of health, and the surgeon has found his office almost a sinecure.. All the horses, too, lock in excellent health, and have given the veterinary surgeon but very small opportunity for demon- strating his usefulness.

BIRKENHEAD AND CHESTER RAILWAY. DOUBLING THE LINE. A GREAT WORK COMPLETED. [From the Liverpool "M?rcury."] One of the busiest lengths of railway in the wholo country is that which connects Chester with Birkenhead. The line stands in a position of con sidsrable importance for the reason, among others, that it forms part of the Great Western Railway main line from London and the South of England, iikenhead being the northernmost terminus of ti.e Great Western Railway Company, and their nearest point to the great city of Liverpool. nginally, tho Birkenhead and Chester Ra.lway was the property of thj Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire J unction Railway Company, but about half-a-century ago it became vested as a joint stock concern in the two great railway com- panies of Eii- land, the London and North-Western and the Great Western Railway Companies, and is still controlled by a joint committee of these two companies. The lins carries an enormous co.t traffic from North and South Wales, the bulk of which is run from the Chester d'^ t line along the Birkpnh" h? Pe Chester d'^ t line along thrown the town Jiue' which Cuts the Great F& °W levd to tips, it is loaded diiect fnto tht gmnt steamers. Incidentally, it might be°^t«S that tiio wide aroa about these coal tips presents a most interesting sight to the visitor, tiie long, serried rows of loaded railway wagons giv ng to the place the appearance of an immense field of coal. The coaling fac.lities of Birkenhead docks form, indeed, one of the points upon which tiie dock system on the Cheshire side of the Mersey surpasses the accommodation provided 011 the Liverpool side. At the present tims, it is spe. ially interesting to cad attention to the Birkenhead and Chester Railway, because of the recent complet on of a comprehensive improvement which adds mmicasur- ably to the value of the route. In short, the wT P thf, ra:lway has ju-t been doubled, fo! nn%r°rme y^]ere ™ but two tracks, one S- „P1wT?Ud the4ot!»'r for down trams, there This nofjiWU' Sf'pd!; • ro^s" or pairs of rails. tiie stat on of°T iTk"1 "aS een came(* out from nu!tnl uds}?am' near Chester, to Green- eth't m hs10!ivad; a total about roads, the company liafe f°al'rar;adeperifdent a^lc^ °uf a st 1 wee of express trams, the othgr two 'line rno'^nm fc>r the slow passenger traffic and the mo c piosaic, but .11 many ways much more vaiu- able, business of goods transport. Prior to the widening of the line (now in full use under the prov.sional 'sanction of the Board of iradc, whose inspector. Colonel Yorke, has just inspected the new works), the demands of the goods traffic were so great it was absolutely impossible to handle it with anything lik° th« fS,*?,'?" r<"»,U.'rCd tradSj competition. It was no uncommon occurrence i'or a gooas train bound from Chrslpr w u docks to occupy several lnnf -B-rkdihead miles. Often enough the l^mKnv ^1S1U? ° 16 gons must perforce be shunt^H '"f vvaS" await a convenient opportunitv "g to th« line r^nnirtrl SXTVaneo OV £ l* I the Ime reqUJIf:d peremptorily, perhaps, for a pas- W ml °)i0W' m turn- otiicr equalJy s of ladf.n "agon, whose journey com mcneed hours earlier, and for whose coming prob- kS ] Jmi& an,x ously waiting in the Bir- n ;Caid0Cuks/, P,anks to increased facilities, .c traffic, both for passengers and goods, is now much more expeditiously handled, and there is a great gain in all directions. The passenger is provided with an accelerated and more frequent service, and the trader is spared a deal oi worrv over inconvenient delays in delivery, and gains considerably in time, which to him frequently enough is money also. At holiday times, and summer excursion days paiticularly, is the improvement most welcome to the passengers. The line from Birkenhead is the most convenient and popular route, not only for the townspeople of the City of the Future, but also ior tiie vast community resident in Liverpool S?W^1,0per„er»]'u,?lf'SUrf'> r" side and country res™ of1" the famous sea- holiday-time «e«re strvice from the Woodside Station. That bur<fen is now substantially lightened A more frequent service of trains can and will be despatched to meet the demands, and to the travell.ng public th:s will be a substantial boon. Whether this great railway improvement will serve to damp the ardour of those who are urging the establishment of an electric tramway connecting Birkenhead with Chester remains to be seen. A tramway would certainly tap many of tho villages of Wirra! situated, slightly off the ra lway line, and possiblv heie as elsewhere, facil.ties might create traffic; but theso are matters for the future. It will probably interest readers to note that, as the railway lines between Ledsham and Birken- hoad have been doubled, so all the stations on that route have necessarily been extended and increased in size, and in many cases practically rebuilt. All are now constructed of br.ck and stone, and the old woodwork has disappeared. Another matter which marks the modernity of the work is the pro- vision of stationmasters' houses, not in and upon but adjoining the stations. The stations sharing in the improvements, taking the direction from the Chester junction towards B rkenhead. are Ledsham, Hooton, Bromborough, SpitaJ, Bebing- ton and Rock Ferry. In each case extra platforms have been erected to accommodate the traffic on the new lines; and at one or two places a new feature is noticeable in the method of construc- -> In ^ad of the platform sloping and drain- fos T hi'0 Fen outwards towards the ra.lway lines, it has been laid with the gradient sloping inwards towards the platform centre. One of the advantages this innovation secures is the preven- tion of that not unlikely mishap, a truck acci- j dentally moved or blown by the wind runn.ng with the gradient and toppling off the platform upon the metals, occasionally at a very awkward, J if not dangerous moment. All the new platforms are provided with suitable waiting-room accommodation, and a.re sheltered 1 with zinc-covered timber-work verandahs, except at Rock Ferry, where the style of the existing station has been copied in the addition. There the roofing is carried by steelwork resting upon substantial built-up columns of similar material r. A striking contrast is afforded at this latter station, for at one side are the electrified lines of ths Mersey Tunnel Ra lwav, over which every few minutes come and go the bright new electric cars, free from the steam, smoke, and grime in- separable from the steam railway alongside, and eloquently suggestive of the thin end of the wedge in railway progress. At every station, too, the footbridge connecting the up and the down plat- forms has necessarily been extended to embrace the new platforms, and at Hooton the venerable timber bridge has given place to a more modern structure spanning the whole w dth of this busy junction. It is here where the lines branch into many sidings, and also fork off to serve the Dee- s de villages as far as West Kirby, and south- wards the quiet hamlets down to Helsby. Another station which benefits considerably by the general improvements is that at Bebington, which has been transformed from a rude wooden open platform, erected on piles, into an up-to-date station. with conveniences which will doubtless be generally appreciated by the thousands who will use the station in connection with the annual show next month of the Wirral Agricultural Societv, whose fine permanent ground is closely adjoining' As already indicated, the new line follows the contour of the old line, and is, therefore, practi- cally straight all the way, possessing no curves or gradients of serious note. The permanent way is of the London and North-Western standard type. consisting of bull-headed section steel rails, in 60ft. lengths, fixed on cresoted sleepers la d upon a bed of hand-set rock pitching, and ballasted with blast furnace slag. This latter material, with hard stone, has practically replaced on most railways the gritty cinder ballast, which has not the dura- bility suitable to modern conditions, and which, not infrequently, proved harmful to the mechanism of the locomotives and to the rolling stock. The wholo of the great work has been carried out from the plans and under the directions of Mr. Robert E. Johnston. the engineer to the Joint Railway, with the assistance of Mr. J. E. Croasdale as resident engineer. The permanent way was laid entirely by the railway staff. The contractors for the excavating and banking work and the bridge widening were Messrs. Price and Reeves, whose sk 11 was not a little taxed by the occasional slipping away of the banks at t?rom- borough owing to the loose nature of the origina soil. Here constant care and prompt remedial action had to be taken repeatedly for a csrtain period before the banks set solid enough for the purpose. The contractor for the station buildings and similar work was Mr. James Salt, of Buxton.

THE TBANSVAAL. The enlarged Legislative Council was opened on Wednesday at Pretoria. Sir A. Lawley, the Lieutenant-Governor, delivered a long inaugural address, in which he reviewed the work thus far accomplished, outlined what would be attempted in the immediate, future, and said that heavy expenditure would be necessary, but he took a hopeful view of the ability of the colony to bear its burdens.

CONSERVATIVE ORGANISATION IN NORTH WALES. --+- APPEAL BY LORD POWIS. The leaders of the Conservative and Unionist party in North ales have long been dissatisfied with the position of affairs and the state of the party's organisation. An effort is about- to be made to strengthen th? Unionist position, and with that object in view the Earl of Powis, the prrsi- dent of the North Wales Division of the National Union of Conservative Associations, has issued the following circular letter to the local loaders of the party:- "De-ir sir.-As president of the North Wales Division of the Nat.onal Un on of Conservative and Unionist Associations. I am calling a meeting of the leaders of the Unionist party in Mont- gomeryshire and Montgomery Boroughs, for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means to be adopted for strengthening and im- prov.ng the party organisation The general apathy which exists in the Unionist organisation throughout North Wal has been receiving the serious attention not only of the local leaders, but also of the Central Council of the National Union, and at the annual meeting of the North Wales Division held recently it was unan mously decided to take energetic action to remedy the existing state of things, and as a preliminary to call a meeting of the leaders of the party in "each of the North Wales counties. This meeting will be at- tended by myself as president.. Mr. P. P. Pennant, chairman of the North Wales Division; Lord Kenyon, Lord Mostvn, and Mr. L. A. Brodrick, vice presidents; Air. H. St. John Raikes. repre- sentative of the Central Council of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations and Mr. A. E. Southall secretary of the National Union. The meeting for Montgomeryshire and Montgomery Boroughs will be held at Weishpool on June 5. I look forward to receiving your ac- tive support and co-operation in this attempt to place our organisations upon a more satisfactory footing, and I trust, you will make a special effort to be present at this meeting."

MOTOR-CAR NUISANCE. RECKLESS DRIVER FINED At Broxton Petty Sessions, yesterday (Tues- day), before Mr. R. Howard and other magistrates, V-ctor Lee, Brynypys Hall, Overton, driver, was summoned for furiously driving a motor-car, to the danger of the public in Wrexham-road. Cud- dington. on May 12th.—Mr. J. M. Etches, solici- tor, Whitchurch, expressed his regret that defend- ant. was unable to appear, as he was in London. Colonel Francis Barnston, CnorUon Lodge, said he was riding on horsoback from his house. On approaching the main road, he heard and saw a car pass at a tremendous pace towards Worthenburv. It was go ng at 30 m les an hour, or as fast as a train. He was afraid to meet it. and pulled up about 20 yards from the junction of the road. His hors; was startled. and jumping up, overbalanced. The animal fell one side of the road and witness was shot the other. receiving a bad injury to his arm. It was quite possible that the people in the car had not soon him. By Mr. Langley: There was a big d'p in the road. Continuing, witness said the horse was a quiet on? as a rule. Cross-examined by Mr. Etches, Colonel Barnston admitted that he was not favourably impressed with motor-cars. Mr. Etches: Doos not that lay you open to a charge of prejudice'—Witnes-i Certainly not. Mr. Etches: Why did you not turn back?—Wit- ness: I don't scc- wpv I should turn back anymore than the car should stop. Mr. Etches: Did you hold up your hand?—No. Why didn't y.ou :-Because I thought they could not see rne. Don't you know that a car going at nine miles an hour makes more noise and frightens a horse just as much as if it was going fast?—No. Mr. Etches: Weil, I may tell you from experi- ence that it does. Can you say positively that the car was going more than 12 miles an hour?—I swear it. Joseph Harrison, labourer, Threapwood, saw the car pass. He had no sooner seen it than it was out of sight. Wm. Crump. Threapwood, said the car was going from. 30 to 35 m les an hour.Cross- examined He had not seen cyclists going so fast down that particular hill. Henry Williams, Threapwood. labourer, said the car came around a corner at Malpas about three or four miles an hour. I Wm. Boycott, Malpas, said ths pace was 12 or 13 miles an hour. Wm. Hr. Hobson. Worthenburv, saw the car near Cuddington Hall go.ng at express speed. He had difficulty in getting the horses he was driving out of the way. j Henry Crane Parry, Cuddington, farmer, est;- ( mated the speed at 30 miles an hour. ] P.C. Richardson, of Threapwood, said he was ( at Cuddington when he heard the car approach- ing. He timed it for a distance of. roughly, 446 j yards, which was covered in less than 30 seconds— ] a speed of about 30 miles an hour. Next morn- ( ing he went to Brynypys Hall and saw defendant, who said he was not going more than 12 miles an ( hour. t This closed the case for the prosecution. In address.ng the Bench for the defence, Mr. ] Etches expressed his regret that the car had been the cause of an accident to Colonel Barnston; but ( for that the magistrates would never have heard j anything of the matter. < The Chairman: Then I differ from you. Continuing, Mr. Etches oomplained that though his client had been summoned for an offence at Cuddington. some extraneous evidence had been brought of what had taken place miles away. It lay upon the police to shew there was danger on ( the road. and the only evidence of that on which the magistrates could base the.r decision was that of Colonel Barnston's, who was not actually on tho high road itse-lf. There was a. certain amount of commonsense to be used by both horsemen and of commonsense to be used by both horsemen and drivers of cars. It would have been perfectly easv for Colonel Barnston to raise his hand and stop the car; or he might have turned his horse's head around. That was the method he would have thought Colonel Barnston would have adopted, if he thought there was danger. The defendant left Mr. Hugh Peel's house at Bunbury between 10.15 ind 10.30 in the morning, and, according to the I j prosecution, they reached Malpas about 12.30, j ;o that the oar was not going more than 14 or 15 } miles an hcur. He maintained that Colonel f Barnston ought to have raised his hand, and then ;he car would have been stopped and the danger f avoided. Motor-cars had come to stay, and t they would have the roads. It was an extra- j ordinary thing that a few days ago they could j not pick up a paper without seeing accounts of cvclists being summoned for furious riding. Now they never saw cases against cyclists. The car was a four-cylinder one, and two of the cylinders were not working, so that it was abso- lutelv impossible for it to go at the &peed alleged.. Gerald Crane said he, in company with Mrs. Peeil, was a passenger in the car driven by de- fendant. It was not possible for a big, heavy car like that, with two cylinders out of order, to go at 30 miles an hour. They were two hours going from Bunbuiy to Brynypvs, and the dis- tance was 24 miles. He saw Colonel Barnston on horseback, and if he had made a signal the car would have stopped. He saw the horse turn, and then the car passed, so that he could see no more. The Chairman said defendant might have come from where the roads were wide and different 1 from the roads in Cheshire. There was no ques- tion the car wa- going at a dangerous rate. The public had the right to be protected, and so far as the Bench were concerned, they were deter- mined that as long as the Act of Parliament re- mained as it was the public should be protected. The roads were equally for the use and benefit of the poor man with the donkey-cart as they were for the man with his E50 or £100 motor- car. Motorists must not set azide the safety of the public, and must consider that in the country they must refrain from going at that pace. He knew every yard of.the ground on the Cudding- ton-road. He knew perfectly well that as the car was descending the hill at the bottom of the Malpas-road Colonel Barnston would not have the opportunity of seeing the car until he was almost upon it. It shewed they never sounded their horn, and that they did not sound it around an exceedingly dangerous turn in Cuddington. The public must be protected against these rash and furious drivers, even if the masters were pre- pared to endanger their own live=. Motorists must know and ascertain how fast they were going. The witness for the defence said he saw Colonel Barnston and took no notice of him. He saw him turn round, and the inference was that the car was going at a dangerous pace. He regretted the driver was not there to hear his remark?. It must be distinctly understood that the roads in Cheshire were not suited for motor- cars to go at the pace the drivers wished them to go. The cars had no better right to the road than the private individual. Under the circum- stances, the magistrates imposed the full penalty of JB5 and ocsts.

FAITHFUL DOG'S TRAGIC DEATH.—A dog's great affection for its master has cost it its life, writes a Windsor correspondent. Its owner, on returning to Windsor from journey to Swindon, was shocked to find that in his absence the animal had been cut to pieces It seems that the dog followed him to the railway station, and ran after the train in which he was travelling for nearly a mile. Then it appears that another train came along on the down line. overtaking it and killing it instantly.

DENBIGHSHIRE HUSSARS. 0 INSPECTION BY BADEN-POWELL. On Monday, in fine weather, Major General Baden-Powell, who was accompanied by Captain Kearsley, inspected the Denbighshire Hussars Imperial Yeomanry. The General, on arriving at Abermule by the 9 32 train, was met by a crowd of school children, who greeted him with a number of school songs, in some of which the distinguished visitor joined. So pleased was the General with his reception that he asked the village school-master, who was present, to be good enough to give the little ones a holiday. I regret I cannot," was the reply. "Why?" asked the General. "Because the inspector, I am afraid, will not allow it," answered the schoolmaster. "Then tell him to come to me, and I will fight him," jokingly replied the General, who, after thanking the children for what he described as an unexpected pleasure, finished the rest of his journey on horseback. At Kerry he came in for a similar reception, his appeal for a holiday this time meeting with success. The General was not long- in getting to work on his arrival at the camp. He first inspected each squadron under its squadron leader, and afterwards each troop individually under its own leader. This work kept him occupied till three o'clock. Then there was a short interval for luncheon, and at 3 30 the General was again busy inspecting the camp. In the evening he was the guest of the officers at dinner in their mess tent, retiring for the night to Brynllywarch, the residence of Mr. G. D. Harrison, the clerk of the peace. Yesterday (Tuesday) morning the General gave the regiment some tactical schemes to go through.

EDDISBURY PETTf SESSIONS. ♦ MOiN DAY. Before Messrs. H. E. Wilbraham (presiding), James Tomkinson, M.P., H. C. Burder, J. S. Neill, Roger Bate, and Dr. J. Smith. SUPERINTENDENT NIELD'S RETIRE- MEN T. Before the commencement of the ordinarv business, the Chairman said he believed that was the last occasion on which Supt. Nield would be at those sessions, as he was now taking a well-earned retirement after long and honourable service in the Cheshire Constabulary. He was sure he had the best wishes of the M wLo wislxad bi- prospenty in his retirement. He had alwavs done his best to assist the magistrates and the public in general. Mr Fletcher, solicitor, Northwich. said •u .wou^ emphasize the remarks of the chairman. He was sure if the members of the legal profession who usually practised at that conrt were present that day thev would fully corroborate what he had said. Personally, he had' known Mr. Nield for a longer period than he almost cared to think thniif n».^ 4 .1.. _.v 1 r1 O.UU uuiuii; uie wiioie 01 tnat period his attitude towards the members of the legal profession had been one of uniform courtesy and consideration. 1 Cu uld aIso ,jear ,testimon.v to the able way in v done his work and the fairness which had characterised his administrations —Mr. Trafford (the magistrates clerk) said he could confirm what had been said by the Chairman and Mr. Fletcher.- Superintendent Nield thanked the speakers for their remarks, and said it was pleasing to receive them at that penod of his service. PROPERTY-OWNER'S OFFENCE.-Thomas Ikm. farmer. Mar ton, was summoned for permit- ting a dwell ng-house to be occupied without naving first obta ned a water certificate -lr. Algernon Fletcher, prosecuting on behalf of the Noithwich Rural District Council, said defendant purchased a Primitive Alethod;st Chapel at Mar- ton and l gnverted it into a dwelling-house. While the operat ons were in progress the inspector of the Coune I communicated with defendant and pointed out how he must satisfy the requirements regarding the water supply. The inspector was prepared to arrange with the Winsford Urban Council 011 Mr. lkin's behalf to give a water supply from their mains, v.'inch were close to de- fendant s property. He. however, could not be persuaded to do what was required, and the Council were obi ged to take proceedings. They did net press for a penalty, and would bo satisfied with an adjournment of the case if defendant now undertook to carry out his obligations.—Mr. Ben- 11 tt, nett, inspector to the Council, stated that defend- ant WPS supplying the building in question with water from a neighbouring brook, wh-ch was not Eafe for dome-tic use.—Defendant contended that he had appl ed both to the Northwich and Wins- ford authorities for a water supply, and been re- fused. H? therefore took the matter in his own hands, and had provided a pipe and a pump of his own for the water supply. end he declined to be "humbugged" any further.—The magistrates decided that defendant had incurred a penalty, and imposed a fine of El and costs (8s. 6d.). IMPUDENT THEFTS AT TARPORLEY.— Thomas Scott, labourer, no fixed abode, was charged on remand with steal-iiiz -an iron pick the property of Messrs Reeco, Bros., Tarporley, a spade belonging to Fredk. Johnson farmer. Tar- porley, and an iron bili-hook bolong ng to Albert Mitchell. Tarporley. between 28th March and 2nd April.-Prisoner pleaded guilty-The evidence shewed that on the 28th ult. he obtained employ- ment under Messrs. Reece builders, and absented himself from work, taking an iron pick with him. He subsequently sold the pick to the licensee of j the Red Lion Inn. After his fcxuag turned out of J his lodging* lor dfufllppnuew and ooo- J duct. his landlord missed a bill-hook. Prisoner also v s ted Johnson's farm, and there asked for a spade, which was given to him on his representing that he had got work at Messrs. Reece.—Prisoner, who pleaded hav.ng committed the thefts while in drink, was sent to gaol for one month. ALLEGED GAME TRESPASS—William Crank, wheolwright, Eaton-by-Taiporlev. was summoned by Wm. Barrow, gamekeeper to Lord J Harrington, for trespassing in pursuit of game at < Eaton on May 14th. It was alleged that defendant ] was seen by complainant's son to shoot a rabbit ] on a farm, but defendant pleaded that he had been 1 in the habit of shooting rabbits on that farm with- out interference for five yeais —He was dis- ] m ssed with a caut on. ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A CAT.—John Jameson, a young man residing with his father, a farmer at Roughlowe. Delamere, was sum- moned at the instance of Inspector Blake Jones, of the R S.P.C.A., for ill-treating a cat by shoot- ing it on the 8th May. It appearod from the evi- deiiee that defendant fired a gun at a cat in an adjoining yard, belonging to the house of a neigh- bour named Read. The cat's eya was destroyed. and it sustained other injuries, from which it died a few days afterwards. According to Read's statement, defendant told him he did not intend to kill the an mal, but to frighten .t, because it was in the habit of catching his rabbits. The In- spector, however, said defendant admitted to him that he had never seen the cat going after his rabbits.—For the defence, Mr. Turner, solicitor, submitted that the prosecution had no legal J foundation. The cat was :n the habit of stray.ng from its owner's premises and killing defendant's rabbits, and it was only natural under ths circum- stances for defendant to frighten it away, He simply fired the gun in the direction of the cat, and had no intention of injuring it. The magis- tratcs must be satisfied that he shot at the cat with the intention of causing it unnecessary pain or torture.—The case was dismissed. NEIGHBOURS DISPUTE ABOUT A HEN.— John Scott, labourer, Tiverton, was summoned by a. neighbour named David Dutton for stealing j a hen and fourteen chickens on the 19th inst. Complainant said he missed the hen and chickens on the day named, and on making enquiries from defendant he admitted possession of them, but claimed that the hen was one that he had lost, and that it must have hatched the chickens in its absence from home. Compla. nant, however, identified both the hen and chickens as his own.- P.C. Harrison examined defendant's premises on a search warrant, and on finding the hen and chicken5 took him in custody. Defendant pro- tested that the hen was his, and had come back again of its own accord.—Mr. A. Fletcher, for the defence, ridiculed the suggestion of felonious in- tent on defendant's part, and urged that a most improper proceeding had been taken against a thoroughly honest and straightforward man. De- fendant had lost a fowl, which was away a month, and when it returned with the chickens he natur- e 1 13( ally supposed it had hatched them. If there w any question as to the ownership of the hen, it would have io be decided by another tribunal.— After hearing considerable evidence on both sides, the magistrates dismissed the case, and allowed the advocate's fee (£1 Is.). MISCELLANEOUS—Henry Snelson, farmer, Oakmere, was fined 2s. 6d. and costs for be;ng in charge of a horse and trap without a lighted lamp on April 24.-Fredk. White, labourer, Sandiway, was ?n ■> 2s. 6d. for riding a bicycle without a light on April 3O.-Louisa Fleet, married woman, Tarporley. was fined 2s. 6d. for being drunk on licensed pre- mises at Tarpoiley on 9th May.

THE MOAT FARM MYSTERY. — At the con- tinued hearing of the murder charge against Samuel Dougal on Friday, a London boot- maker identified the shoes taken from the corpse found at the Moat Farm as having been made by him for Miss Camille Holland. A local farmer said the prisoner lent him a revolver with which to start the races at the village Coronation sports. The weapon was returned. Mr. Gurrin. the hand- writing expert, expressed the opinion that a number of documents purporting to be signed by the deceased lady were in the accused's band writing. 1 A gunmaker deposed that the fatal bullet was similar to those found at the farm. The hearing, 1 was adjourned for a week. SIR R. POLE-CAREW ON BorTH AFRICA.—Sir Reginald Pole-Carew unveiled a memorial tablet in the Liscard Guildhall, on Saturday, to townsmen who served in the South African War. At the luncheon which followed, Sir Reginald said he would back the British Army against an equal number of any other nation. The General explained that he refused to act on the committee for the memorial in Cape Town. believing that the proper place for a memorial to British soldiers and sailors was in their own districts. We bad to solve many difficulties in the new colonies, and to take by the hand as brothers those men whom we had been fighting, and he hoped in future we should be brothers in fact as well as in name.

The Editor not responsibl.e for the opinions of his Correspondents- AU letters must be avJhenticxited by the sender's name and address, not necessarily for publication Correspondents are particularly requested to write only on one side of the pallPT

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS* TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-Here is an example of the method some- times adopted by inspectors in examining public elementary schools. The number 2.35S is put on the blackboard before Standard II., that is, before children about eight years of age. Cross out the 3 and the 5. The crossed-out figures represent A's share, and the others, B's share. Write down A's share, which, of course, is 350, and B's share, which is 2 008. W hat I should like to know is, are the new education authorities created under the Act to have any say over this sort of thing, or are they simply expected to pay up and look pleasant ?-Yours truly, A TAX AND RATEPAYER. -+--

LUKE FILDES. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-Ir. Luke I iides, the fauious Roval Academician, the artist of the portrait of King Edward VII. in the last Academy, and of the far- famed Doctor," recei ved his early art training in Chester, and is a distinct credit to the School of Art of an earlier generation. An excellent bust of him by Mr. Herbert Hampton, is shewn in this yearV Academy. Could not a subscription be started in Chester to purchase the bust for the Town Hall or the Grosvenor Museum ? Mr. Fildes was brought to Chester when only a few weeks old, and resided in the first house in the Groves with his grandmother, until he left Chester for London. The house waa for many years the home of another artist of note, Mr. William Huggins. Could not our City Fathers emulate their colleagues at Bath and place a. memorial tablet on this buHding- ? If it is possible to acquire the bust of Mr. Fildes for Chester, X shall gladly contribute. -Yours truly. T. CANN HUGHES. 78, Church-street, Lancaster, 25th May, 1903. --+-

THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. TO THE EDITOR. Q- T1 i „ ui.-iuesiepsiaKen ov the Provisional Education Committee of Chester Town Council in reference to the appointment of a secretary of education have caused surprise in the minds of many ratepayers. They find it difficult to understand why some of the committee are so determined to appoint an educational expert. The sections of the Act provide no ground for such a procedure. It is only too clear that if the committee wish any assistance, they should look for it not from an educational ornament but from a person who can properly interpret a verv complicated Act. and advise them as to its provisions, and one who has had a large secretarial and financial experience. Several towns have already recognised that solicitors can perform the work with greater efficiency and satisfaction than a so-called educa- ticnal expert, because they have had a better training and better experience in the duties that will be required. A short summary of these duties would be more than sufficient to shew the absurdity of the committee's suggestion.—Yours. &r. DAR GATO POR LIEBRE. TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—May I appeal through your columns 'to one of the town councillors to explain the duties which confine this appointment to schoolmasters. What has the poor Chester clerk done to deserve this snub Let us all have a free field and no favour. I have heard a rumour that our city clerks propose to have a sort of Hyde Park demonstration on the Roodee to protest against the violation of our rights.—Yours obediently, JUNIOR CLERK.

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted up as stated in the following table P.M. Wednesday, May 27 9.20 Thursday, May 28 9.21 Friday, May 29 9.22 Saturday, May 30 9.23 .yr{?' !=: Monday, June 1 9.26 Tuesday, June 2 9.28

CHESTER INFIRMARY. 0 WEEKLY STATE. ENDED SATURDAY LAST. .n-patients &re admitted on Tue.may inorniture at 11 o'clock. In-patients Discharsred In-patientl. Jured Adinitled 24 Relieved 22 Remain in th« Houae 95 Made Out-Patients ) Unrelieved. [rregnlarity 0 Dead 2 OUT-PATIENTS. Madioal caaes are seen on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday morning's at Eleven o'clock. Surgical cases are seen on Thursday inornings at Eleven o'clock. Ophthalmic CMes are seen on Friday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Dental cases are seen on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Ten o'clock. Out-patients admitted since Saturday last. 77

CHESTER DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION 9, WATKR TOWEII-STIIKICT. WEEKLY REPORT. Old casea 70 ] Removed 2 New cases 10 Deaths 2 Cured 18 j On books »0 Relieved 8 J Visits SaS E. BATESON, Lady Superintendent. May 23, 1903.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS -+-- BIRTHS, MARRI>9RS, and DrUTRB are charged at the rate of 20 words for 1& (prepaid). If not prepaid, the iharsre will be 2& 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. BIRTH. MCXEILE-lhy 4, the wife of the Rev. George McNeile, The Priory, Xeston, Cheshire, of a son. MARRIAGE. FRASCKUS—POOLK—May 19, at St. Peter's, Eaton-square. London, Edward, second son of J. L. Francklin, of Gonalston Hall Nottingham, to Florence Mary Charlotte, only daughter of C. H. Poole, J.P., of Marbury Hall, near Whitchurch. DEATHS BYOLIS- May 20, at Stone House, Shrewsbury, Anne, widow of Thomas Byolin aged 82 years. DB.VTOJJ—May 2: 1903, at her residence, Opperstone House, West End-avenue, Harrogate, ajred 46 years, Constance Margaret, eldest daughter of the late Hughes Ridyway Denton, Esq., barrister-at-law, of the MiddJe Temple, London, and of Plas Drau, Denbighshire. Interment at Llan^ynhafal, Ruthin, North Wales, to-day (Wednesday), 27th inst.. at 3 o'clock. Dic SOBERos-May 23, at Stoneyhurst. West Kirby, Henry Manuel de Soberon, of Liverpool and Manchester, barrister- at-law, aged 49 years. LEES-May IS. at Lyndhurst. Buxton-road. Stockport, Sarah Ann, widow of the late Thomas Lees, J. P. MADDOCKS-May 17, at Tilstock, near Whitchurch, Elizabeth, widow of Joseph Maddocks ag-ed 76 years. MINERS—May "24, at Oakland*. Rock Park, Rock Ferry, Mary Anne Miners, of Liverpool. TUDOR-May 17, at Eton Cottage, Column-place, Shrews- bury. Abraham Tudor, ayed 79 years.

E M 0 R I A L 8 ,] AT ALL PRICES, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE A ALABASTER, On View, and to order. W. flASWELL & SON. MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Free on application. Telephone Nr. lblA.

THE NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE.—In their first annual report, the Executive Committee of this organisation congratulate the members on the successful beginning which has been made. That success is indicated, they say, not only by the long list of distinguished men, representative of every 3hade of political opinion, who have given their support to the objects of the League, nor merely by the way in which members have contributed to the expenses involved by a great work of propaganda, but, above all, by the marked increase of interest taken in the question of national defence as a whole, and universal training in particular, during the past year. One of the most satisfactory features has been the amount of support received from keen volunteers. There is, however, a tendency on the part of the public to return to the old optimism. The League welcomes the adoption by the Board of Education of a model course of physical training and military drill, for use in public elementary schools, as an important step towards fitting the youth of the nation to take a part in the work of national defence.

PROPOSED INEBRIATES' HOME FOR NORTH W ALES.-At Rhyl. on Monday, a meeting was held of representatives of the five North Wales county councils for the purpose of considering the steps to be taken to establish an inebriates' home for North Wales. There were but three representatives out of 15 appointed present, and nothing was done. This is the second conference held, the former meeting being adjourned to give more representa- tives an opportunity of further discussing the matter. CORIOUS LICENSING CASE.—A curious point in licensing law was raised at the Llandudno Police Court on Monday. Three residents of Llandudno were charged with being on licensed premises during prohibited hours. They were found on a Sunday afternoon by a police constable in the Penymynydd Farm public-house with glasses containing whisky and milk before them. The milk had been pur- chased from the landlady, but the whisky they had supplied themselves. In these circumstances it was contended that there had been no breach of the law. The Bench, however, lined the defendants 2s. Gd. and costs each. L. & N. W. RAILWAY AMBULANCE CLASS. —This dass at Mold Junction has been examined by Dr. Lees, of Chester. Twenty members attended to be examined D passed and one failed. The names of the men who passed are as follows:—E. R. Myddelton, G. R. Hewitt, W. R. Hall, T. Liver- sage, J. W. Evans, C. H. Brown, H. P. Jones, H. J. Chilton, E. J. S. Abram, H. Roberts, J. Condon, T. Lemon, J. Douggie, J. T. Wakley, W. Chamberlain, T. Caddy, \V. Owens, W. Da vies, and A. Powell. The lectures were given by Dr Lunt, of Mold, and practical work and stretcher drill were taught by Hospital-Sergeant E. Myddel- ton, 2nd (E. C.) V. B. Cheshire Regiment. CREWE RAILWAY STATION-. -Crowe railway station n, is to b« enormously enlarged to enable the officials of the London and North-western Railway Company to cope with the growing traffic between the North and South and the Midlands. The extensions which will necessitate the employment of hundreds of men for an indefinite period, were commenced on Monday. When completed, it is stated, Crewe station will be the largest in the country. There will be eight platforms each over a quarter of a mile long. The headquarters of the telegraph department are being consolidated at Crewe, and large offices will be erected on the west side of the station. Mr. Arthur Moore Thompson, superintendent of the signalling and electrical department of the railway company has been given entire charge of the whole telegraphic work on the system. TKAM RFTUR.N.S.-The following are the tram returns for the weekSunday, passengers 3000, receipts jEK; His. 5d. Monday 5,708, i:25 15s. Gd. Tuesday 5,140, £22 15s. 6d. Wednesday 5,183, £23 4s. Sd. Thursday 5,895, £ 20 8s. 5d. Friday 4,098, £ 20 13s. 10(1. Saturday 8,580, 07 7s. 5d. total for the week, passengers38,802, receipts £ 172 10s. lid.; totals for the corresponding week of 1902, passengers 25,908, receipts £ 123 2s. lid. increase, 12,894 passengers, k49 14s. receipts. The early cars for workmen commenced running on Monday, and the following return of the number who used them shews how far thcv have been appreciated. Monday, 00 passengers; Tuesday, 80; Wednesday, 111; Thurs- day, 98 Friday, 108 Saturday, 139. The cheap tickets for school-children have also been issued this week, and already about forty children have availed themselves of the reduced fares. ST. WINEFRIDE'S WELL.—On Sunday the first evening service of the season was held at St. Winefride's Weil. There was a good attendance in the crypt of the well, which was brilliantly illumi- nated." Over the "Ladies' Well" was suspended a huge candelabrum of lighted candles, and arches of candles also spanned the spaces between the pilasters supporting the roof over the polygonal basin in which the spring rises. The altar and statue of the saint were decorated with flowers. The Litany of St. Winefride was recited by Father Borscht, who afterwards delivered a brief address, in the course of which he alluded to the excellent relations which now existed between himself, as lessee, and the Urban Council, as owners, of the well. Subsequently all present paraded the outer baths in procession, carrying lighted candles, and to close the service Father Borscht presented for the veneration of the worshippers the relic of St. Wine- fride-a small piece of bone from the saint's grave at Gwytherin, which is preserved in a small gold medallion case. ROYALTY THEATRE.—MI#S Haidee Gunn, who is playing in classical repertoire at the Royalty Theatre, Chester, this week, is a young actress who made a brilliant debut last November in Dublin, and has entered upon her stage career with tremen- dous possibilities. She wins favour with first introductions, and her magic spell did not fail to operate at Chester on Monday night when she played Beah-ice" in Much Ado About Nothing." Vivacious, piquant, and withal graceful she was as happy a Beatrice as we have seen. Added to her other gifts is the charm of a clear, soft voice, which she uses with delicate taste. In her playing we have natural ability combined with that effective- ness which can be obtained alone by sympathetic and painstaking study. Her success is unquestion- ably aided by a first-rate company, agiong whom may be particularly mentioned Mr. A. E. George as Leonato, Mr. Harcourt Williams as Benedick, Mr. Geo. F. Black as the Prince, and Mr, Eric Blend as Claudio. Other favourite Shakespearian plays will be produced during the week.