The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

ODDFELLOWS AT CHELTENHAM. OLD-AGE PENSIONS. Preparations on a great scale have been made 'for the entertainment of the 700 or 800 delegates who are attending the Annual Movable Com- mittee of the Order of Odfellows at Cheltenham during the present week. This is the second oQccasion on which the Annual Movable Com- mittee ha- met in Chelteunham, the previous -meeting being 35 years ago. The progre-s made since that time by the unity has been remarkable. On the 1st January, 1868, there were 453 districts, 3,828 lodges, and 417,422 adult benefit members. On the 1st January this year there were 458 dis- tricts, 4,897 lodges, and 862,673 adult benefit mem- bers. The growth of the financial resources of the unity has been even more remarkable. On the 1st January, 1868, the sick and funeral funds of the lodges amounted to E2,389,165, while the latest financial returns available shew the sick and funeral funds to amount to £ 9,747,001. Therefore, while the membership has doubled, the principal fund of the unity has increased four- lold. The delegates assembled in the Winter Gardens on Monday. Mr. R. W. Moffrey (Grand Master), the president, in his opening address, congratu- lated the delegates on the splendid position of the order. The latest figures shewed, he said, that the membership now totalled considerably over a million souls, who in one way or another owed allegiance to the society. He next gave them a warning as to their investments. In face of the reduction of the rate of interest on Consols, they should, he said, exercise greater vigilance as to the offer of securities which could have been safely taken 20 years ago, but not at the present time. He reviewed the policy of the unity and the pro- posed pension scheme. He said it was based upon self- help and -elf-dependence, and. speak- ing personally, he failed to see what the unity had to do with co-operative societies, building- societies, savings banks, or £ 250 houses. All those objects were laudable in themselves, but wore outside those followed by the Manchester Unity. But there was a section of members in the Manchester Unity who had for some time past looked to extraneous sources to shower down pensions en certain classes of applicants. Should a Government be found to introduce a Bill such as suggested and it became law—a most unlikely supposition—the duty of the Manchester "Unity Would remain clear. Their society must still fili- al its obligations until it reached its goal by rneans of pensions in lieu of sick pay after 65 years üf age, not by charitable donations or Government doles which might never arrive. but by the honestly-earned reward of the members' prudence and forethought. (Cheers.) The less the Man- chester Unity had to do with Parliament and the less it expected to get from Parliament the hotter for the society and its members. (Chocs.) The spirit of self-help and self-independence dis- played by their forefathers had built up an in- stitution which for wisdom, strength, and powe- in its own sphere had never been equalled, and which never could have been created by all the Acts of Parliament ever pa-sod. Let them devote themselves to their own affairs, and discourage the practice, which sf late years had become too com- P, mon, of crying- out, for Acts of Parliament to remedy every fancied grievance. They were de- termined thnt the policy of the unity should be continued without clamouring for help from Par- liament, which, if given, must inevitably lead to interference and to the order being made the shuttlecock of political parties. (Cheers.) The Conference then welcomed a deputat'on ;roni the local Fores+ers. the Chairman remark- 1;lg that. while the Oddfellows took the lead, they mid the Foresters were working in the same 'Qirect-.on, and by almost the same means, for the destruction of want and the encouragement of independence. (Cheers.) Sir Ed. Strachey, M.P., who was described as tne member for friendly societies, was invited to say a few words, and he took the opportunity to de.ploret the fact that the Outdoor Relief (Friendly Societies) Bill was rejected by "what was called the Upper Hoim\" ("Shame.") He could not help fe-ling that the question had been confused oven bv the noble lords themselve=. It only s aewed how those noble lords were like men in a balloon-—seeing only dimly what was going on in country. They should insist that the Bill should be ultimately passed, and that no change bc, iiiide in it. (Cheers.) b Mr. A u^-Oardncr, M.P. for Cheltenham, alluding to the same Bill. said there were two sides to every question, and no doubt the lords acted without complete individual information. A more urgent Whip would have secured a larger attendance, and. he believed, in that case the Bill would have been passed. Colonel Rogers, Mayor of Cheltenham, also addressed the conference. I A delegate, in speaking to votes of thanks to the of Parliament and the Mayor, said that the Government should be compelled to take the Bill up as a Government mea ure. A discussion, going practically to the root of the society's raison d'etre, took place. It arose on the proposition of the Investigation Committee to grant the widow and children of a member £ 10 under most distressing circumstances. The general feeling was that a hard and fast rule should not be binding in every case. An amend- ment to increase the amount to £25 was defeated, but the conference ultimately decided to make the sum JE15, a hope being expressed that indi- vidual lodges should do more to as-ist distressed brethren. On the recommendation of the Investigation Committee the Conference decided to impress upon those responsible for relief cases that in future the fullest and clearest possible informa- tion should be supplied, as in the past many necessary particulars had been kept back. The conference also urged the necessity for the estab- lishment of benevolent or distress funds by every lodge in the unity, and it was also decided to alter the rules so as to prevent the authorities of a workhouse or lunatic asylum taking any portion of a member's funeral money should he die in either of those institutions. Another suggestion -of the committee was adopted, strongly advising the amalgamation of small districts in the in- terests of the members of the districts themselves, ard the financial solvency of the unity as a whole. The proceedings were adjourned.

NATIONAL INDEPENDENT ODDFELLOWS. The annual Moveable Committee of the National Independent Order of Oddfellows began its sitting in Edinburgh on Monday, Grand Master Bake presiding. One hundred and twenty-three delegates attended. The chairman, in his annual address, fcaid if the principles of their order were carried out there would be little need of legal provision for the poor. The total membership was 75,514, an increase of 731. The official valuer's report shewed that the relative degree of solvency was 15s. 52c1., of 7^d. in 4 the pound more than the general rate of the 1805 valuation. ORDER OF SHEPHERDS. On Monday some 160 delegates, representing various districts of the Order of Shepherds, met in conferencc at the Town Hall, Chorley. Bro. Alexander S. M'Given, Chief Shepherd, of Glas- gow, presided. After the roll call, the delegates wore cordially welcomed by the Mayor. The Chief Shepherd, in his address, regretted that there were still many largely-populated towns ia Lancashire where Shepherdry was but poorly reprcs nrrd. which left the arduous work to be undertaken. The past year had shewn a gratify- ing increase of membership and also of funds, and a number of d i s'tr'c, had been planted in the colonics of South Africa. A good deal of work Was being done in connection with the juvenile order, but. he urged loyalty and adherence to the Ilew rules. c A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chief on the motion of Bro. Renwick, seconded by Bro. Robertson. Th" Chief Secretary reported a membership of 258 an of 2 452. The income was £ 196 235 14*. and there was a, iii on the year of £ 49.956 16;.

ANCIENT ORDER OF SHEPHERDS. At the High Sanctuary meeting of the Ancient rdfr of Shepherds at Maidslon\ on Monday, a v'Sohuioti was adopted, after considerable discus- tv°n'. '.xPress ng the opinion that the quest on of j.'ovirhiijr foi- the maintenance of the aged desen-- +.'S poor was one for Parliament to deal with, and '"o scheme should be proposed by the friendly '°cieties asking for class legislation on the subject.

Monday morning Mr. Roger Baker and Miss jOrothy Baker, brother and sister, residing at reatley, engaged a punt on the river. A few a>. ?u^es after leaving the bank they neared the weir, ;ui,i ^'('re drawn to the sluices. The boat was upset V!ltv, J<r-c.rne wedged tight, the young lady being <uV,Vnto I>ool on the other side. Mr. Baker ur his sister, who was quickly taken from ar'eri died without recovering consciousness.

Whit-Monday, ushered in with a grey sky and a somewhat cold air, developed with tbe"lafternoon into a perfect dav. About noon brilliant sunsnine and a steadier barometer dispelled all doubts, and locally the multitudes of holiday-makers entered upon their round of pleasure without restraint or misgiving. Quite as large a number of visitors as usual arrived at Chester, and were observed viewing with interest the quaint features of the old city. The river, of course, claimed the majority, and the steamers and pleasure boats were sorely taxed to accommodate all who sought the pleasure of a trip. Craft of every description were requisitioned, and each bend of the river between the Groves and Eccleston Ferry revealed a pretty picture @f pleasure afloat. At the Ferry in the evening: a remarkable sight, suggestive of the pantomime season, might have been witnessed. People stood two abreast in long rows awaiting their turn to board the steamers at the landing stages. It was an ideal evening, and one could scarcely imagine a more delightful experience than that return trip to Chester. A considerable number of Cestrians sought change and a day's pleasure outside their own city. Hooton Park proved an irresistible attraction to a large number, while Oulton Park Fete claimed its customary patronage from the city.

RECORD RAILWAY TRAFFIC At both the General and the Northgate Stations the traffic was exceptionally heavy; in fact the work was heavier than it has been on any Wn It- Mondav for years. Every train was well loaded at the General Station. So large was the number of passengers from Birkenhead and Liverpool to Llangollen and Bala that most of the trains had to be run in duplicate. Between Chester, Man- chester and the North Wales coast travellers vc ry numerous. The arrangements in the district had been made with customary care and efficiency by Mr. Entwistle and Mr. G. Grant, the respective district superintendents, ana their staffs, whitJ Mr. W. Marrs (stationmaster) and his assistants discharged their duties most satisfactorily. Tiie effect of the fine weather as very noticeable at th" Northgate Station, where large numbers '.f tiiiins had to be sent away in duplicate. The railway ,tocl was insufficient to accommo- date the excursionists, so that additional stock had to be hired. The Yeomanry Cump at Deli- rrore was evidently a great attraction, while numerous trains to Hawarden were all well filled, 300 people being booked for one train alone. Grear, attention was given to the New Brighton district by holiday makers, and one train load consisted of 600 persons. Many Cestrians also visited South- port. The popularity of the river Dee with Man- chester people has not decreased, judging from the number of people who journeyed from that place for the sake of the boating. Mr. Mitchell and his staff proved equal to the task, and every train was safely got away. It is expected that the traffic will remain heavy all week, and special ar arrangements are being made at each station to ccpe with it.

OULTON PARK FETE. MILITARY TOURNAMENT. The Oulton Park Fète is now quite an old Whit- Monday fixture, and holds a high reputation among the local public. To write the history of this fete would be to tell of a succession of very delightful gatherings, and this notwithstanding that the weather has not always been auspicious. One might search the country over and find no more pictur- e que Fetting for a country festival than Sir Philip G--ey-Egerton's park with its great, leafy trees and cha-ming walks, always looking so well at this time of the year. Should the visitor tire of watching the sports, he may break fro n the crowd surrounding the enclosures and ramble at will over this extensive park. To this freedom is added the privilege of wandering through the pleasure grounds, taking in the conservatories and gardens, and all without extra charge. These advantages so kindly offered by Sir Phdip are much prized by the public, and when it is con- sidered how ,liberally they are catered for in the matter of the programme of events, it is no wonder that the attendance returns point to a steadily growing popularity of the fete. The actual figures for Monday are not yet available, but a rough c tlculation places the attendance at over 4,000, a record number. This was probably due principally t two things—-i perfect day and an extended pro- gramme. A firer day could not have been wished for. In the earlier hours a Je iden sky raised some doubt, but with noon came brilliant sunshine. Oulton was approach ?d from all directions by large crowd < on cycles, in brakes and a-foot. All were bent upon a round of pleasure, and they certainly did not lack facilities. The fete this year, as last, was largely a military tourna- ment, and for this purpose the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry deserted their camp at Delamere. The officers and troopers as they rode about the park lent a very pretty effect to the animated scene. The tournament took place opposite the terrace, while horse-jumping com- petitions and athletic sports were held in another enclosure on the opposite side of the hall. Both Captain Sir Philip Grey-Egerton and Lady Grey-Egerton were present, and among a distinguished company of visitors were most of the Yeomanry officers, including Colonel the Earl of Harrington, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Tomkinson, Major the Hon. Alan de Tatton Egerton, Captain and Adjutant Neil Haig, Captain R. D. Phillips, Lieutenant H. Barnston, Lieutenant R. N. H. Verdin, Lieutenant J. J. de Knoop, Lieutenant M. Egerton, Lieutenant A. R. M. Legh. and Hon. Chaplain the Rev. C. H. Prodgers. Among others on the terrace were Sir Joseph Verdin, Bart., D.L., Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Wilbraham, General Rimmmgton, Major and Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Mr and Mrs. W. H. Verdin and Miss Yerdin, Mr- Christopher Kay. Mr. J. L. Birkett. Miss Maud Main waring, Mr. A. Tyrer, Mr. W. R. Court, Mr. O. Tyrer, Mr. E. W. Watson, Mr. T. F. Linnelb Mr. and Mrs. Alec F. Douglass, Mrs. Dods, Mrs. Hewer, etc. Great interest was evinced in a polo match between officers of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry Cavalry and a county team. The sides were- Yeomanry Col. the Earl of Harrington, Captain Neil Haig, General Rimmington and Captain the Duke of Westminster. County Mr. W. R. Court. Mr. A. Tyrer, Mr. O. Tyrer, and Mr. E. W. Watson. A keenly-contested game ended in favour of the Yeomanry by seven goals to five. The goals for the winning team were scored by Captain Neil Haig (3). Captain the Duke of Westminster (2), Col. the Earl of Harrington (1), and General Rimmington (1). Captain Phillips and Hon. Chaplain the Rev. C. H. Prodgers acted as umpires, and Captain Sir Philip Grey-Egerton as time-keeper. Th ire was some interesting horse-jumping. The judges were Lieut.-Colonel Tomkinson, Lieutenant Massey, and Lieutenant J. J. de Knoop. The prizes in the competition confined to a 16 miles radius from Oulton Hall were SO, S3, and £1 respectively. Mr. J. H. Astall's (Tarporley) Sarah Jane secure-I the first prize, Mr. J. D. Dutton's (Chestr) Spring Heel Jack the second, and Mr. A. Burston's (Tarporley) the third. There was another jumping competition confined to members of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry Cavalry, with prizes valueC4, £ 2, and £ 1. This resulted in Corporal Salmon's (Eaton Squadron) being first, Corporal Astall (Forest Troop) second, and Trooper W. Jones (F-aton Squadron) third. The tournament itself provided an enjoyable spectacle for the multitude. There were the usual events, and Gen. Rimmington judged most of them, being assisted by several of the officer: The arrangements were most complete and the sport of a Keen order. Th results were briefly ,I, Lemoii-cuttlii, Corporal Salmon. Eaton Squadron, 1; Sergeant Jones, Arley Squadron. Sergeant Astall. Arley Squadron, 3. Heads and Posts: Trooper H. Hull Arley Squadron. 1; Trumpet-Major Yarwood, Arley Squadron, 2: Sergeant Jcnes, Alley Squadron. 3. Tent-pegging: Sergeant Astall, Arley Squadron, 1: Sergeant Wright, Tatton Squadron, 2: Sergeant Jones. Arley Squadron, 3. Bending Race; Trooper Hull, Arley Squadron. Victoria t ross Race: Sergeant Jones, Arley Squadron, 1; Irooper Hull. Arlev Surr.dron. 2: Trooper fiV. wV"' Arley Squadron, o. It will be ob-erv" ) that the majority of the prizes went to the Ariev Squadron. d tl as,.nK sPPetacle was the musical drill bv a i t.mber ot Yeomanry on horseback. To the ac- companiment of the excellent regimental band, stationed on the terrace, the Yeomen executed vaiiou> figures under the direction of Sergeant- Ma jo Hopper, who is to be cone-ratulated on tlv clever result of his training. The drill was re- ps aterl m the evening. A committee, with Mr. J. Lewis, Cotebroak. a secretary, carried out in satisfactory style th:* athletic sports, which were witnessed by a dense and enthusiastic crowd. There was a splendid card of events. Results:—120 yards handicap: First heat: 1, W. F. Groucott (scratch) 2. S. Bronilev (lOvds.). Second heat: 1, F. Pierce (5yds.);' 2, W. Johnson (Ioycl.). Third heat: i. H. Jones (10yds.): 2, J. Nixon (llyds.). Fourth heat: 1. J. W. Weedall (gy(ii.): 2, B. Bostock (!3vds.). Final: 1, W. F. Groucott; 2, J. W. Veedall: 3. B. Bostock Quarter-mile handicap: First heat: 1, James Bojth (45yds.); 2, R. B. Salmon (40vds.). Second heat: 1, F. Hodkinson (35yds.): 2, R. Burgess (20yds.) Final: 1, James Booth: 2. R. Burgess: 3, F. Hodkinson. One-mile bicycle handicap: First heat: 1, H. Dutton (90yds.); 2. C. Manning (30yds.). Second heat: I, W. Hamblett (100yds.); 2, T. Dunning (scratch). Ihird heat: 1, T. Welsh (90yds.); 2. F. Walton (90yds.). Final: 1. F. Walton; 2, W. Hunt (120yds.): 3, W. Hamblett. The Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Band and the Winsford Volunteer Band played selecitons of airs and dance music during the afternoon and evening, and assisted the general enjoyment materially. Mr. Alec F. Douglass spared no trouble to secure the successful carrying out of the host of attractions which he and the committee had arranged for. He dis- charged the hon. secretarial duties with his usual affability and kindness. In connection with the tournament we must not forget to mention the enthusiastic work of Quartermaster-Sergeant Lewis and Sergeant-Major Hopper.

FETE AT "HAWARDEN. The annual demonstration of the Shepherds and Druids Lodges of the Hawarden district, was held at Hawarden on Bank-holiday. The proceedings commenced in the morning with a p-oeession around the village. The local volunteer band led and was followed by the members of the L.O. A.S. Prince of Wales Lodge (1010), senrs. and junrs. with banner and regalia. The Buckley Town Band came next followed by the Loyal Dee Lcxlge of Druids, No. 887. senrs. and junrs. with banner and regalia. A sho-t and hearty service was held in the church, at which the Rev T Caine, curate, preached. The hvmns used were All people that on earth," and How sweet the name of Jesus sounds." Mr. R. W. Prinsrle presided at the oryan The procession reformed and went as far as Ewloe. On returning each society sat down to dinner. Dr. Burlinghain presided over the Shepherds' Lodge. After the loyal toasts, Bro. Wm. Bellis proposed" The health of the Hawarden district Lodges," and commented on the flourishing state of the Prince of Wales Lodge. Mr. Thomas Ellis, secretary, submitted the report and statement of accounts. It appeared there were 508 members in all, including 02 juvenile members. £471 10s. Id. had been paid to sick members during the year, and £]53 in funeral benefits. During the twelve months the funds had been increased from JE1842 JOs. ld. to £1855 18s. an advance of £13 8s. 8d. At the dinner held by the Druids, the Rev. A. Abel, presided, and was supported by the Rev. J. Storey. Mr. Willeock. the secretary, said the total number of members was 551. The accounts shewed that the sick and funeral funds amounted to £1721 lis. 3d. In responding to a vote of thanks, the Rev. J. Storey said it was one of the most pleasingr features of national life that we supported friendly societies. The remainder of the day was spent in the Park. which was kindly lent by the trustees. As our representative was refused admission, we are unable to say what took place there. EASTHAM. The ferry steamers from Liverpool earried thousands of passengers to Eastham on Moruliy. the regular fleet being reinforced by the Birken- head ferry steamer Cheshire, chartered for the day. This vessel alone carries 1,500 persons, an 1 each trip she had a full complement aboard. Nearly 3.000 excursionists from Northwich the day at Eastham. The river banks, the lane«, and the woods were thionged. and it is safe to stute tha the number of visitors contitutcd a record. The gardens, affording a de.'ightful rural retreat, the trees being bright with luxuriant foliage, were extentivelv patronised. Bands pro- vided music in the open and in the large pavilion, the latter being devoted to dancing all the day through. On the open-air platform also dancing took place, and at intervals a capital variety per formanc" was given. The different sideshows dotted about the gardens all had their patronage. It was evident, on all hands that the popularity of Eastham as a pleasure resort is increasing every season. The ferry and the gardens will be coren daily. MALPAS. On Monday the Malpas Football Club held a prosrramme of sports in a field kindly lent by Mr. J. Eaton The several items included foot races. cycle races, and a novelty race. There was a capital attendance, and the various events created much interest. The judqres were the Rev. the Hon. A. R. Parker, and Messrs. G H Ainsworth and S. Medley, while Mr. J. Done kindly acted as starter. During the afternoon the Whixall Silver Band played a selection of music on the sports field. In the evening they played for dancing upon Castle Hill, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. S. H. Aingworth. The arrangements were efficiently carried out by Mr. E. Mercer, the hon. secretary to the Football Club, and everything passed off with success. FRODSHAM. On Whit-Sunday, early Communion was celebrated in both the Parish and Iron Churches, and again after morning service at the Parish Church, when the vicar (the Rev. H. B. Blogg, M. A.) preached. The service was fully choral, the processional hymn being "When God'of old came down from Heaven," and the recessional" The dav thou gavest." The anthem, It shall come to pass" (Berthold Tours) was creditably rendered by a full choir. Masters F. W. Spencer and J Gilgrist taking the solo. In the afternoon the Vicar con- ducted a childrens' service in the Parish Church. At the Iron Church evening service the anthem, "I will lift up mine eyes" (Clarke) was well rendered by the choir, Mr. J. Holland, sen., taking the bass solo. On Whit-Monday the town was as usual filled with visitors The pleasure grounds on Overton Hills were well patronised. The three Friendly Societies of the town assembled in front of their respective quarters, and headed by bands marched up to the Parish Church whore the ante- Communion service was read, and the Vicar gave an address. The Foresters Club, with the Helsby Band, had about 40 members in the procession, the Druids, with Weston Salt Works Band, had about the same number, and the Oddfellows, with the Frodsham Volunteer Band upwards of 80 followers. The usual swings, merry-go-rounds catered for the enjoyment of the juveniles.

BOERS AND THE GERMAN I COLONIES. -— +- Mr. Buchanan, secretary to his Majesty's Em- bassy at Berlin, has written a valuable report on the German Colonies for the year 1901 02, and on the Estimates for 1'03, which has just been pub. lished in the Foreign Office Annual Series. On the subject of Boer immigration to South-west Africa. Mr. Buchanan writes:—"The increase of 1.031-.from 3 643 to 4,674-in the white population of South-west Africa is due largely to Boer immi- gration. The number of Germans is. indeed, said to have increased by 372, but among these must be reckoned some Boers already possessed of German nationality, while, on the other hand, the number of Boers and of settlers from Cape Colony has risen fiom 5S9 to 1,354. In the district of Keetmans- hoop, in the south of the Colony, there are 1,133 Boers, as against 268 Germans, 90 British sub- jects, and 27 persons of other nationalities. The question of Boer immigration has attracted much attention both in the Press and in th? Reichstag, and an idea at one time gamed ground that the refusal of the Government to sanction certain con- cessions, in connection with the proposed founda- tion of a branch of the Dutch Reformed Church in German South-west Africa, had been made on political grounds. This impression was, however, soon corrected by a statement which appeared in the 'North German Gazette.' to the effect that the favourable attitude of the Colon:al Administration towards Boer immigration had undergone no change. It was not, it added, so much proposals for the settlement of ecclesiastical relat ons, as certain concessions claimed in the matter of schools, which could not be granted even to sub- jects of the Empire, that had occasioned any diffi- culties; and a renewal of the negotiat ons would. it felt convinced, result in a solution satisfactory to both part es. On this question of immi- gration being raised in a recent debate in the Reich-tag, the Governor of South-west Africa, GoJonel Lcutwein, remarked that it was a mistake to confound the question of sympathy with the Boers with that of their qualifications a" settlers in the Colony. The only occupation for which tliey were fitted, that- of cattle-breed njr, required capital; and so long as the intending immigrants could satisfy the authorities that they were pos- sessed of the necessar ymenns and purposed to become regular settlers, they would be welcome. On the other hand, experience had shewn that the indigent Boer, who would neither work as a labourer or an artisan, was n. most undesirable type of immigrant. He n: ver became a settler in the proper sense of the word, but travelled about the country in an ox-wagon with h s wife and family and a small herd of cattle, living clnefiy on th" game which he killed, and doing incalculable damage to the wells, pasture and timber along his roirte. In many districts in the south of the Color'V, such as Grootfontcin and Keetmanshoop, the Boer population, Colonel Leutwein^ stated, vastly exceeded the German, and he therefore stiongly supported, both on political and economic grounds, the vote of asked for in the Esti- mates for the encouragement of German immigra- tion to those districts. The importance attached by the authorities to the need of preserving the national character of German South-west Africa is evidenced by the report, presented to the Reich- stag, from the acting governor of the Colony, ex- planatory of the objects for which th s money is required. The state of the country does not. in the opinion of the writer of the report, yet admit of a large influx of white settlers, and the Govern- ment will first have to prepare the way by marking out suitahle grants of Jand as farms for th" futurs immigrants, and by improving the wster supply by systematic boring. The German farmer is told that he has no reason to fear the competition of the Boar settler, who. in spite of the advantages de- rived from his knowledge of the conditions of life in South Africa, will soon be left behind by the more progressive German. The initial capital re- quired by a farmer in South-west Africa—inclu- sive of the expense of his journey out—is esti- ted at between JB750 and £1.000. and the sum which it is suggested that the Government should advance to any German family desirous of settling there is not to exceed j6500. The vote wa3 even tually sanctioned by the Reichstag." j

DECLINE OF SMALLPOX. -♦ — Enquiries yesterday (Tuesday) elicited the cheer- ing information that for nearly a week there has been no fresh case of smallpox in Chester. The latest patient was admitted on Wednesday, making the total number in the Smallpox Hospital twenty-nine. It is expected that the patient who was the solitary occupant of the Hospital when the fresh outbreak occurred about a fortnight ago. will be discharged this week, for she is now quite convalescent. All the other patients are progressing most satisfactorily. The severe cases shew unmistakable symptoms of amelioration, and there is a general im- provement all round. The outbreak in its first stage seems to have exhausted itself, and if at the end of the usual fourteen days no fresh cases arise from contact with the latest patients the end of the outbreak may be taken for granted! The onlv case which has occurred since the last issue of the Counuit" is that of a gardener from P\ ecroft^ree,, who has the disease in a mild form. Mr. W harton, the Sanitary Inspector, has been t]r £ ? loave- The duties of the [oftue, wh:ch uarc been particular!v &nerous during the present outbreak of smallpox, have been efficiently discharged in Mr. Wharton's absence by his trustworthy assistant. tir. R. H. Jones. An absurd rumour has gained some considerable currency in the city aud beyond to the effect that only a small proportion of the patients in the hos- pital are suffering from small-pox, and that a specialist from London has been at Chester. As a matter of fact, there is one case, that of a child, which has turned out to be chicken pox, while there is doubt as to the exact affliction of one other patient. Except these all the case are genuine. The story of the London specialist's visit )5, of course, purely fictitious. In addition to the skilful and anxious supervis on of Dr. Duff, many of the medical gentlemen of the city visit the small-pox hospital, chiefly no doubt, with a. v:cw of perfect- ing their knowledge of the terrible malady. All agree witn Dr. Duff as to the genuineness of the cases, and this statement should remove all public scepticism on the matter. The Health Committee have caused to be issued a public notice, in which they impress upon house- holders, parents and guardians the importance to themselves, their families and the community generally to have th? children under their care vaccinated and themselves re-vaccinated, if thev have not been re vaccinated within the last ten years. They also indicate that Dr. Harrison, the public vaccinator, will attend daily at certain hours at the Lecture Hdl. Lower Bridge-street, and the Lecture Hall. Hope-street, Saltney, for the purpose of vaccinating, free of charge, all who may apply to him for the purpose. Those who may be still doubtful as to the wisdom of vaccination will be well advised to study the figures rjcentiy re- corded by the Medical Officer of Health for Liver- pool. It is a striking commentary that there is not a single patient in the Chester Small-pox Hos- pital who had been re-vaccinated, while some have not been vaccinated in infancy. Some of the patients v,-er? vaccinated after taking small-pox. but the pro'-cnce of the disease robbed the patient of any benefits he or shiv would otherwise have de- rived from the precaution. The ineffectiveness of vaccination is proof positive of small-pox -In a patient. For instanco, the chicken-pox pstient was vaccinated at tl1e hospital, and the success of the inoculation was certain evidence that the ch Id was not a fina. victim.

LIGiimTx-UP TABLE. -+-- All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted upas stated in the foliowii.g table :— P.M Wednesday, June 3. n.2H Thursday, June 4 9.3) Friday, June 5 9.31 Saturday, June 6 9.32 Sunday, June 7 9.33 Monday, June 8 9.34 Tuesday, June 9 9.34

CHESTER INFIRMARY. • ♦ WEEKLY STATE. EXDED SATURDAY LAST. In-patients are admitted on Tuesday morninsrs at 11 o'clock. In-patients Discharged In-patients. Cured Admitted 17 Kelieved ti Kernain in the House SO Made Out-Patients Unrelieved Irregularity Dead 3 OUT-PATIENTS. Medical cases are seen on llonduy, Wednesday, aud Saturday mornings at Kleven o'clock. Surgical caaea are seen on Thursday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Ophthalmic cases 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 Saturdav last. 62

CHESTER DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION. 9, WATKH TOWER-STREET. WEEKLY REPORT. Old cases 70 Removed 2 New cases 10 Deaths Cured 18 On books •">•> Relieved 8 1 Visits i5& E. BATESON, Lady Superintendent. May 23, 1903.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS BIRTHS, MARK-IAOHS, and DEATHS are charged at the rate of 20 words for Is. (prepaid). If not prepaid. Ue charge will be 2s. (id. The announcement must Us vhen cated by the Signature and Address ot the Sender. ti BIRTHS. DOBIE-Alay 30th, at 2, Hunter-street, Chester, the wife of Mr. Henry Dobie, M.C M.K C.S., of a daughter. Fox—May S, at Woodhey, Ledshaui, near Chester, the wife of Frederick H. Fox, of a sou. MOKLAKD—May at W exford Lodge, Oxton, Birkenhead, the wife 01 LteuL-Coionfi H. C. Morland, The Point, Rye, a son. MARRIAGE. ABISOTT—MOKFAT—May 27, at St. Mark's Church, Dunham Massey, Cheshire, by the Rev. H. D. Lockett, Vice- Principal of Wyclille Hall, Oxford, assisted by the Rev. IL K. Preston, vicar of the parish, Charles Ernest Rowland, only son of Thomas Charles Abbott. of Netherby, Bowdon and of Manchester, to Elizabeth Hay ton, of Bayrield, Bowdon, younger daughter of the late J. B. Moff ê, of Liverpool and Manchester. DEATHS. BYOLIN-May 20, at Stonehouse, Shrewsbury, Anne, widow of Thos. liyoim, a<;ed 8^ years. CAMPBELL—May 2J, at Tettipie-road, Prenton, aed 76 years. Captain Henry Campbell. Joussos—On the May, at Deganwy Castle Hotel, Llandudno, Major Bryan Johnson, of Chester, aired i9. MLRLKSS—May 2. at Christohurch-road, Ciausfhton, in tiis 50th year, Alfred Laurence MurJess.

JU E R 0 R I A JL 8 AT ALL PKICES, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE & ALABASTEit, On View, and to order. W. HASWELL & SON. MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Esti,imtes and Designs Free on application. Telephone Nr. lolA. __H_

CHOaAL COMPETITION AT SHREWSBURY.—Much interest was taken in the choral competition held on Monday at Shrewsbury Friendly Societies fete, in which a prize of 9100 was offered to choirs of not less than 136 voices. After a splendid contest the Talke and District (Staffordshire) Choir was placed first, the next in order of merit being Mountain Ash (South Wales) Choir. The challenge solo competition was won by Miss Shirley, Stoke-on-Trent; Miss Theresa Tidbald, of Cardiff, was sooond, and Mr. William Bennett, of Haudsworth, third.

(By OCR OWN REPORTER.) A general meeting of members of the Cheshire Cham ber of Agriculture was held on Monday, at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, Mr. Henry Tolle- mache, M.P., presiding over a small attendance. THE LATE MR. HANBURY. Mr. George Barbour (Bolesworth Castle) moved the following resolutionThat this Chamber desires to express its profound regret at the death of Mr Hanbury, believing that agriculture has lost n valuable, sympathetic and able minister, and this Chamber is desirous of recording its deepest sym- pathy with Mrs Hanburyand the other members of his family." Mr. Barbour remarked that the best wish thev could have for the late Mr. Hanhurv's successor (Lord Onslow) was that the mantle of Mr. Hanbury might fall upon him, and that he might take the same interest in nromotinsr the welfare of agriculture throughout the country that Mr. Hanbury had done so efficiently and unceasingly during the short period he held office. Mr J. Emberton, in seconding, said Mr. Han- bury did what few Ministers of Agriculture had done in impressing upon the general public the necessity of taking an interest in the prosperity of agriculture. Had he lived, he (Mr. Emherton) thou eh t. they would have seen the development of aspirit of greater sympathy and much deeper interest by the general public m the welfare of this important branch of the nation's industry. The resolution was carried in silence. THE ADULTERATED BUTTER BILL. A communication was received from the Metro- politan Dairying Societv, requesting the Chamber to adopt a resolution they had passed, strongly objecting to the proposed incorporation in the above Bill of clauses dealing with the bacteriological examination of milk. as such legislation was dis- tinctly outside the scope of the Bill. The Chairman said the clauses as to the proposed bacteriological examination of milk might have been brought forward in the interests of the public, but he was afraid the real object of their introduc- tion was to obstruct the progress of the Bill through Parliament. (Hear, hear.) Mr James Sadler, in movinsr that the Chamber support the resolution forwarded to them, said whatever might be the object of the promoters of the new clauses—whether to improve the Bill or improve it out of existence by preventing its passing—the members of the Chamber ought in their own interests oppose the introduction of the new clauses and ask their members of Parliament to give them the most strenuous opposition. The farmers were going to be prosecuted until there would be nothing left of them to prosecute. (Laughter.) Mr. George Barbour seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. TREATMENT OF ANTHRAX. The Clerk to the Cheshire County Council wrote acknowledging the resolution forwarded to him on the subject of anthrax, and intimated that the committee had authorised the Chief Constable to purchase a cremator for the destruction of the carcases of animals dead from anthrax, that every effort would be made to prevent the spread of the disease in the county, and that notices giving particulars of the disease bad been already extensively issued. The Secretary (Mr. C. B Davies) said lie thought the cremator would be one of the best means of preventing the disease from spreading. THE AGRICULTURAL RATES ACT. SIR JOHN BKUXXER'S VIEWS. The Secretary read replies from several local members of Parliament to a resolut on forwarded to them in favour of the permanency of the Agri- cultural Rates Act. Sir John Brunuer, Bart., wrote as follows:—"If I may be permitted to com- ment upon them, I desire to point out that the large and growing urban districts which th" Chamber looks upon with disfavour are one and all peopled with customer:, of yours, whe, being near at hand, a:e for that reason more valuable cus- tomers than the inhabitants of distant cities. Per- ¡ lap;\ I ought to say that I am well aware that huge quaiit-Ities of agricultural produce are sent into the c ties to come back by rail into these urban districts, and that farmers thereby lose much of the advantage of having customer's near by. But I submit to you that there is, or might be, a large, aud distinct set-off from your points of view against any disadvantage to fanners in the neigh- bourhood of these growing districts. I might add th.it works Ike Brunner. Mond and Co. pay enor- mous contributions which are a pure nett gain to the farmers. We don't use the roads; we provide our own water, our own feWfrs, our own lighting, and the number of people relieved out of the poor rate is no more to-day than it was when we started employing sixty men thirty years ago. During those years I have seen land near to us grow in value from 28s. an acre to J360 an acre, and that land pays only half-rates under the Agricultural Rates Act. No one can expect me to are in making such an Act permanent. With regard to the Sheep Scab B 11. your criticism appears to me to be perfectly sound." clsrn aPP2, Mr. J. Eiitbeifbn thought Sir John Brunuar had mi: const rued tho resolution of the Chamber in stating that they looked with disfavour upon urban districts. They did not wish to dissociate them- selves from the urban districts, but only asked that the burdens created by the urban districts through their enormous growth and placed upon rural districts should be properly apportoned. He was sure that Sir John Brunner would modify iiis views if he compared the magnificent success of his works with the state of agricultural industry. On the motion of Mr. C..Thornhill, seconded bv Mr. Rowe Morr.s, the following reply, which had been drafted by the secretary, was ordered to be sent to Sir John Brunner:—"I am much obliged by your courteous letter of the 5th, commenting on the resolution passed by this Chamber on the Agri- cultural Rates Act. The majority of the farmers would agree with you that large and growing urban populations are excellent customers of the neighbouring occupiers of land, and that although it is still within the recollect on of many of us that by the Union Chargeabilitv Act urban parishes we; e relieved of a considerable share of their poor rates, which by that Act were transferred to the shoulders of the rural ratepayers, they admit they have compensating advantages, and do not ask an absolute severance of urban from rural parishes. Nevertheless there are some points in the Agricultural Rates Ac.t that appear, to be lo't s ght of when considering it as a principle Differ- entnd rat is no new thing. It was introduced nto one of tt Public Health Acts. and is in gcuerat operation in urban areas. land enjoy- "j1? a greater allowance than is given to it under the Agricultural Rates Act. The promoters of this differential rat ng in urban areas evidently eomider that the lighting, sewering, watching, water supply and other charges on the district rates were more advantageous and more necessary I' Is"; for house and business premises than for land. Hence the allowance to land to which little or no objection has ever been made by other ratepayers who directly make good the deficiency, whereas under the Agricultural Rates Act it is found by the taxpayer. In recent years the growing residen- tial semi-urban districts situated in rural parishes are gradually demanding such necessaries as water supply, sewerage schemes, lighting, watching, etc.. and under the Parish Councils Act these demands may be greatly increased for libraries, wash-houses and by other adoptive Acts, which, although ex- cellent in their way, offer very trifling advantage to the land, which, nevertheless, is frequently the major proportion of the rateable value, and liable along with the residential and business property for the costs of such works; and it would appear that differential rating is the most direct, as well as the oldest-established, method ot equalising the liability according to advantages enjoyed. Threatened as they are with continual extensions of rating for matters that offer little or no direct benefit to them as occupiers of land, farmers feel themselves justified in asking that the long- promised alteration in the bas s of rating shall be made. that will more equitably apportion these charges according to the benefits resulting to the various classes of property. Under these circum- stances. the Chamber asks your assistance to get the Act extended until a new Rating Act is passed." ° The Chamber also re-affirmcd the following resolut on. which was passed at a. former meeting "That in view of the serious increase in local rat^s resulting from parish, district and comity council administration, and by the inclusion of large and growing urban and semi-urban districts with rural 11" parishes comprising one poor-law area, which throws on the latter undue burdens for the relief, and maintenance of the poor, this Chamber earnestly requests that in the absence of any legis- lation affecting the quest on of local rating, the Agricultural Rates Act may be made permanent." RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CENTRAL CHAMBER. It was decided to send to the Central Chamber copies of resolutions already passed on the sub- jects of boundary fences, the law of trespass, the Sheep Scab Bill, and sparks from railway engines, which appear on the agenda for the next meeting of that authority. The Secretary pointed out that this Chamber had tak-n more action than any other Chamber in England on the subject of the loss suffered by occupiers of land alongside rail- ways thiough the emission of sparks from locomo- tives. Some years ago a circular was issued from the Central Chamber asking for specific cases o damage to crops from that cause. He received par- ticulars of over fifty comnlaints of fires in Cheshire alone and these he tabulated and sent to the Cen- tral Chamber. When that- body made a report on the subject it appeared that only 75 fires orig- inatcd by sparks from engines had been reported all over England, shewing that more information was obtained from Cheshire than all the o*hrr counties put together. *1Cr PURCHASE OF ARMY REMOUNTS A letter was received from the War Office in answer to a communication from this Chamb-^ asking that department to send a Governm-ml buyer to Yeomanry camps to purchase horses while they were in training. It was intimated that if the convenience of the public service admitted, the suggestion would be acccded Lo.

YEOMANRY ENCAMPMENT. Under the oommand of the Earl of Harrington, the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry have been encamped at Oakmere, on the fringe of Delamere Forest, since Friday week under the pleasantest climatic conditions. During the past year the strength of the regiment has been aug- mented by over two hundred recruits, and the camp is the largest that has been held. number- ing nearly six hundred men. The training has been on practically the same lines as last year, the first few days being devoted to troop and squadron drills, four to drills under the commanding officer, and the remaining four to a tactical scheme. WORK AND PLAY. Oakmere, Thursday. Not until to-day was the first break in the weather, which has made life under canvas so pleasant, threatened, but fortunately the clouds have cleared off and the sky is again clear. The troops, who now appear thoroughly at home in the camp, are all enjoying the best of health, and the hospital is likely to prove of little use. The horses, too, share the good health of the:r masters and look very fit. Unfortunately, one had to be destroyed on Wednesday, having broken its leg through stepping into a hole in the ground. Tuesday morning was occupied by much the same work as on the previous day. In the afternoon the troops were put through rifle exercises and skirmishing in dismounted order. On Wednesday the men went on outpost duty from Winsford Junction to Kelsall Church. On Thursday there was the usual drill, first under squadron officers and then under the command- ing officer. Judging distance, practice and skir- mishing was also gone through. To-morrow (Friday) afternocn there. will be lectures on out- post duty and reconnaissance. If the men work hard they also play hard, and sports of all kinds, from polo among the officers to cricket and foot- ball among the men, are indulged in. On Wed- nesday, B (Eaton) Squadron beat A (Tatton. and Knutsford) Squadron at the summer game by 109 to 45. Private Tomlinson played well for 43, materially adding to the Eaton victory. In a second game the Eaton Squadron made 104 for three wickets, and Private Tomlinson was again conspicuous with 51. C and D Squadrons (North- wich, Macclesfield and Congleton) also played a match, while the Eaton and Northwich Squadrons, who are evidently blessed with super- abundant. energy, attempted football on. Thurs- day. The same evening a capital entertainment was given by the band, which, under the con- ductorship of Bandmaster Bailey, is proving itself possessed of great merit. On Saturday, Lieut. Barnston will give a concert after the regimental sports. There was an interesting gathering on Wednesday evening, when several former officers visited the camp. Among them were Major Kirkpatrick (a former adjutant), Major Birlev, Major Barbour, Mr. Birchenough and Mr. Reynolds. During the evening the health of the old officers was enthusiastically drunk. As in previous years, the camp has received numerous visiters, a large proportion of whom are cyclists. THE SPORTS. Ockmore. Saturday. This has been a more than usually eventful day, on account of a tactical scheme, involving an in- teresting display of mimic warfare, which occu- pied the greater part of the morning, and the regimental sports, which provided much enjoy- ment both to yeomen and visiiors during the afte 1:0011 and evening. The carnp has been favoured with a week of almost unbroken sunny weather. This morning, however, was dull and threatening, and when the rain began to fall in copious showers in seemed more than p-.obabie that we were in for a thoroughly wet day. But bef(,re the morning had far advanced the clouds cleared out of sight almost as if by magic, and the sun made a welcome appearance. The remainder of the day was beautifully fine, the only element wanting being a fresh breezj to temper the somewhat tropical heat of the sun. Captain Phillips inspected the forage this morn- ir.g. After the usual preliminaries of the day, the right wing of the regiment—A and B Squadrons—paraded in drill order under the com- mand of Major Alan de Tatton Egerton. The left wing—C and D Squadtons—and the Forest Tioop. under the command of Colonel J. Tcmkinson. M.P., paraded in drill ci der, dressed as far as possible in khaki and slouch hats, for out- post and reconnaissance duties. Every available horse was mounted. Each man carried ten rolii, Is of blank ammunition, and instructions were given t'. the opposing parties not to fire under 50 yards, and no horses to move out of trot. All th" troops were in position by eight o'clock, at which hour the operations commenced. The general idea was that a foreign army, having landed in the south of England, was moving north, and had reached as far as Rugby, where it had to collect Provisions. With a view of harrowing the British, it had detached a raiding party to seize I1H'St important stores, which were mobilised ct Delamere Camp, about eleven miles from Chester. The special idea was that the G.O.C. of the North British Army detached two squadrons of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry to guard the stores at Delamere Camp. and to hold them until reinforcements should arrive from York. Major A. De Tatton Egerton commanded this force, while Colonel Tomkinson commanded the raiding foce, which made Cotebrook its rendezvous. The wing commanders made it their business to ascertain that the plan of operations had been fully ex- plained to every man under their command, and that they fully understood the idea and the manner in which their orders should be carried out. The operations were carried out with con- siderable skill on both sides, and the wing com- manders sent in a written report on their return from the field. The sports commenced at half-past two, and an interesting programme of competitions occupied the afternoon and early evening. There was a large concourse of spectators, including the Duchess of Westminster, Sir Joseph Verdin, Col. Courtenay. Mrs. James Tomkinson. Mr. George Barbour (Bolesworth • Castle). Mr. H. E. Wilbraham, Mr. W. H. Yerdin, and other p-omi- nent county ladies and gentlemen. Colonel the Earl of Harrington acted as adjudicator. During the proceedings the band of the regiment, con- ducted by Mr. Fred L. Buckley, performed an en- joyable programme of music. The following were the winners of the heats, who were selected to contest the finals on Monday at Oulton Park:- Officers' competitions—Tent-pegging Colonel the Earl of Harrington (8 points), Captain Phillips, Lieut. Verdin, Lieut. Leigh and Col. Tomkinson (6 points each). Haig-Harrington competition Col. Earl Harrington and Captain and Adjutant N. Haig (equal 1st): Captain Duke of Westminster (second). Regimental competitions—Heads and posts: Corporal Salmon and Trumpet-Major Yar- v'ood (12 points): Sergeant Wright, Corporal Astall and Private Hull (10 points); Sergt. Jones (7 points). Lemon cutting: Corporal Salmon. Trumpet-Major Yarwood. and Private HuH lrj points): Q.-M.-S. Lawton (11 points): Sergt. Jones (3 points); Corporal Astall (6 points). Tent- peging: Corporal Salmon. 1st: Trumpet-Major Yarwood. 2nd: Corporal Astall, 3rd. Bending Race: Corporal Salmon. Sergt. Jones. Corporal Yarwood and Private Hull. Victoria Cross Race: Corporal Hanna, Privates Richardson, McGregor and Yoad. During the evening Brigadier-General Rimming- ton arrived in camp. An excellent entertainment, arranged by L;eut. Harry Barnston. was given in the canteen. The inspection of the regiment will take place on Thursday and Friday. On Monday the camp was almost entirely deserted, the day being observed as a holiday on account of the Oulton Park Fete. at which the finals of the competitions at the regimental sports on Saturday were contested.

THE WALKING CRAZE.—The charms of Chester will no doubt be recognised by those who are affected by the beneficial craze for walking. Already it is stated that several bodies contemplate visiting Chester. A walking match from Ashton-under- Lvne to Chester is proposed for June 23id the Manchester Wheelers' Club suggest that a walk from Manchester to Chester or Blackpool should take place on July 4th, and the Manchester travellers propose a walk to Chester on August Bank Holiday. DEATH OF LADY MIDLETOX. The death is announced of Visc-ountess Midleton. who, after several years of failing health, died at Peper Harow, Godalming, on Monday morning. The deceased lady, who was within a few days of completing her seventy-fifth year, was the daughter of the nonagenarian, Lord Cottesloe. who. as Sir Thomas Freeman tie. is well remembered as a prominent member of Sir Robert Peel's Adminis- tration, and as chairman of the Board of Customs. Lady Midleton married, in 1853. the present Viscount Midleton, and had a large family, of whom eight survive, including the present Secretary of State for War. The funeral will take place on Friday, at Peper Harow, Surrey, of which county Lord Midleton is Lord-Lieutenant.

BRILLIANT SUCCESS! CRAWFORD'S "POLO" A COCOANUT BISCUIT.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. THE FINAL RUSH OF THE MIGRANTS. When my last notes went to press several of .the summer migrants had not been reported, but since then a great change has come over the avi- fauna of the country. Sedge warblers and white- throats, species which had been noticed in only a few places, now swarm everywhere, while swal- lows, sand martins, and house martins, though they have by no means deserted the insect-haunted meres, are abundant at their nesting sites. The last bird, the house martin, appeared early last month, and by the end of the first week was abun- dant. Almost immediately the birds began to re- pair their mud nests, for they suffered from none of the adverse climatic influences which had de- laved the domestic duties of the other swallows. No doubt a good many of the martins found their hoi-ises in charge of "the man in po-z;ezsion, in the shape of the usurping house spar- row. At Budworth, however, by means of their combined action. the rightful owners evicted the sparrows; it is not often that they are so fortunate. These com- bined asaults on a common enemy are very inter- esting; they are good examples of Prince Kra- potkins' 'mutual aid. There is one thing I should like to know about them. Two or three pairs of birds join together to attack and dislodge another species from a nest; when this is suc- cessfully accomplished, only one pair of the vic- tors can use the captured site; how do they arrange which shall be the fortuntte pair? And do the pair which have received the help of their i fellows in turn aid their friends to evict other enemies? Starlings will join in common cause against the wc-cdpecker, just as the martins fought th-e sparrow, but I have no notes which shew that- the victorious pair of starlings go to find nests for their helpers. Most birds seem to have been noticed in the west of the county before they arrived further east; probably the majority- of the arrivals are from the west, along the coast of Wale-?. Thus the cuekoo and the corncrake were calling near Chester on the first day of April, but it was the second of May before they were heard in east Cheshire, and even then they were by no means plentiful. It would perhaps be a rash statement to oay that all the abnormally early reports of the cuckeo were false, but it is a rather striking fact that, though a large number of careful observer- were on the alert day after day for the bird, it was not until the last day of April and the first three days in May that it was heard. The redstart, leoser whitethroat, whinchat, and garden warbler were all singing during the first week; I heard the shivering notes of the WOQd- wren on the 5th, though it was some days late- before the bird cculd be said to be generally dis- tributed. The swifts seemed to come in very slowly, although they were hardly behind their average time; one or two were seen in Chester on the 2nd, a few in Knutsford on the 7th, and about this time they arrived at Great Budworth, but it was not until nearly a week later that they reached their usual "screaming" ground at Bowdon. The grasshopper warbler and the reed warbler were also heard early in the month in several places; I was rather surprised to hear the long trilhng notes of the former bird sound- ing from a roadside hedge near Chester a little before noon, for as a rule it sings best in the early morning or at dusk. I THE SPOTTED AND PIED FLYCATCHER. When walking with a Chester friend in Mar- bury Park on the 15th, we saw the spotted fly- catcher for the first time. The bird was siting on a rail by the side of a little wood. My friend saw the bird first. and pointing towards the rail ?a:d,—"There is a spotted flycatcher. I looked and replied, "No, it is a male pied." Then we saw that we were looking at two different birds which were sitting a few feet apart on the same rail. It was a strange coincidence, for the pied Jycatcner is only. at present, known a. a paszing migrant III Cnesnire almost every year one or two birds are noticed at the end of April or early in May, as they rest on their way to their more northern breeding haunts. Here wa the ear- best spotted flycatcher, and a somewhat late migratory pied flycatcher sitting together in har- mony—for a time, for in a few minutes the ccm- rcon%bird new at and chased the wanderer round among the trees, driving it away. PASSING MIGRANTS. Perhaps the most interesting passing- migrantf, birds which do not remain to breed with us, were a trip of fifteen dotterel which were seen by a Chester ornithologist near Blacon Point. The birds were bathing in some pools left by the re- cent rains. Very little is known concerning the fly lines of the dotterel through Cheshire, but it is probable that a few pass almost every year; now and again some fortunate bird-lover recognises them. In the east of the county they are some- times seen by the gamekeepers and shepherds as they pass northward along the higher moor?, but riow-a-days these gentry do not take the same. amount of interest in them that they did. At one time a dead dotterel meant money, for tho makers of artificial flies would always purchase them; now the laws for the protection of bird- make the traffic in dotterel rather risky. In the sixties and seventies birds were occasionally shot in the low-lying land close to Manchester; certain sporting gentry, best known as "mollcnen" were constantly on the lookout for them. The white wagtail is another non-breeding migrant which cannot be called common, though a few are noticed along the coast almost every year. There were a score or more feeding on a small patch of marsh land near Crossens on the second of the month. The white wagtail is the Continental form of our pied or water wagtail only on very rare occasions has it been known to breed in England once or twice it has interbred with the pied wagtail. On the Continent, how- ever, it is a common bird, replacing the pied, which bird is only found in a few western locali- ties in France and other countries. In Norway, where I first made the bird's acquaintance, it is almost a; familiar as our house sparrow; indeed it is more familiar, for it does not look upon man with the suspicious eye of the sparrow, but runs about in the inn yards picking up the corn and seed from among the patient ponies' legs, even when their drivers are standing a few feet away. Seeing that in northern Europe, at any rate, the white wagtail has no need to fear man, it is per- haps not astonishing that the migratory birds which pass our shores are always, very tame. The birds at Southport allowed us to stand close to them, only moving when they wished to search fresh ground for food. The grey back, the strong- Iv oontrasted black head and throat, and the lirge patch of white on the cheeb and neck of the white wagtail make it a particularly clean- looking bird; there is really no reason why there should be any confusion between it and the pied wagtail, the two birds, though so closely allied that they will sometimes interbreed, are quite different in plumage and note. On the same day we saw a whimbrel near Southport. This bird, a small edition of the cur- lew, but very distinct in bill, plumage, and call, is a regular bird of passage along our shores in spring. As most of the whimbrels reach our coast in May, the bird is called, in many places, the May-bird. THE FOOLISH PHEASANT. Every breeding season I am struck with wonder that any song thrushes succeed in rearing their young the birds do seem to choose the most fool- ish sites for their nests. The thrush's nest is such a bulky object, and yet the birds place it in the most conspicuous places they can find; but in spite of the huge number of eggs which are stolen by small boys and the many winged and furred enemies of the song thrush, there is no diminu- tion in its numbers Year by year we hear the same number singing in every tree, hedge, and wood singing, too, with so much vigour that we can hardly hear the less strident notes of the early warblers and summer visitors. But the socg thrush is not the only foolish bird; the pheasant competes with it in suicidal nest building, often placing its eggs in a mere hollow in the thick grass that borders the roadside. What the pheasant loses by position it gains by its protec- tive colouration, and it requires a keen eye to spot the sitting hen. A few days since 1 actually stroked one, which was sitting in a hedge, for some moments before it flew I could easily have caught it. Though it remained perfectly still I I while I was standing looking at it, it moved its head to watch my little dog, which, by the way, is fox coloured. The dog did not discover the bird, or no doubt it would have flown before. The fitting pheasant is a far more inconspicuous object than its uncovered eggs. The bird which allowed such fnmiliarity was only sitting on two eggs, and I cannot be sure that both were her own, for one was olive green and the other a whitish brown in colour. T. A. C.

DEATH OF MAJOR BRYAN JOHNSON. We regret to record the death, on Thursday night, at Deganwy, of Major Bryan Johnson. of White Friars. Chester. Just a week ago yester- day (Friday) the Major left Chester for Deganwy, and was then apparently as well as usual. He seems to have been seized with a severe attack of inflammation of the lungs about Tuesday or Wednesday. Dr. Taylor, of Chester, his medical ?wer* ijau su.mm°ned to Deganwy. and did all that could be done for his patient. The news of the Major s sudden death was received with great regret at Chester yesterday morning. He was about eighty years of age. Though the deceased never took a prominent part in the public life of the citv. there were many institutions which claimed his warm support. In the Infirmary, par- ticularly. he evinced a deep and active interest and was one of the city governors and »n' nonorary auditor. The Infirmary will indeed lose a good irimd by hi death. He had an interest- mg»connection wnh the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, He acted as Captain Commandant of the "Old Sixth, otherwise the headquarter companies of the battalion, and re- tired over 25 years ago with the rank of major. He mis"ed his V.D. for IO:1. service by onlv a few days. The Major was also a very old and enthu- siastic member of the Royal Chester Rowing Club. An artist of no mean ability, he would frequently spend his holidays, often at Deganwy transferring to canvas some of nature's pfctures! of thl nu T"aS of' the Sunders of the Chester Hydraulic Engineering Company, and the deceased himself was a director of the company. The Major was a r nitarian. and was one of the oldest trustees of the Matthew H emy Chapel. For three years, 187.5-1878, he sat for St. Os\nJd's Ward in the Town Council.