The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

njieSTER DIOCESAN ASSOCIATIONS. ♦ ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meetings of the Chester Diocesan Associations were- held at the King s School, Chester, on Thursday. The Archdeacon of Chester presided, in the absence of the Bishop, and among those present at one or more of the meetings were Canons Gore, Moore, Hignett, Cooper Scott, Maitland Wood, Upperton, A. P. Holme, Symonds and Webb, the Revs. E. C. Lowndes, T. J. Evans, J. Melville RaIl. Trampleasurc. T. H. Sheriff. F. T. Stonex, J. D. Best, L. E. Owen, etc., General Mocatta, Messrs. BuLkelcy Allen. Allan J. Sykes, B. C. Roberts, R. H. Joynson, G. Barbour, D. A. V. Colt Williams. R. T. Richardson. J. R. Thomson, Grafton, G. R. Griffith. C. Coppack, etc. THE BISHOP'S COURAGEOUS CONDUCT. The Chairman announced that he had received a letter from Mr. Gatehouse, written from Tor- quay, in which he said:—'The anxiety which I, in common with many others, felt in respect to the Conference has been most happily dispelled by the very satisfactory result, which reflects great credit on all the work conected with the organisation. One thing which stands pre-eminent, and which will strengthen and encourage all true friends of the Church in tho diocese of Chester, as well as throughout the length and breadth of England, u the courageous and dignified attitude of the Bishop, which deserves, and I am quite sure has gained, the admiration and respect of everyone. His address, while characteristically courteous, was clear and fearless in the expression of his opinion on the several weighty matters on which he touched—evincing thereby his sense of the great importance of an earnest and calm consideration of the present situation, and also his desire to review it with aa absolutely unprejudiced mind, and with wluii, to the best of his judgment, is in the true interests of the Church and of the nation at this peculiar period in their history. I enter- tain a very strong opinion that the fact of tho conference being held in the borough of Birken- head—the largest town in the diocese—will produce most beneficsai result.?, in allaying the excitement of persons who have not had the advantage of I looking at thins" in their true light, and whose zeal is not according to their knowledge." FINANCE ASSOCIATION. The meeting of the Diocesan Finance Associa- tion was the first to be held. The Rev. J. Melville Hall (hon. secretary) read the thirty-first annual report, in which the committee stated that the receipts for the year were £3,530, against £4,7ó4 in the previous year. The total number of ehurchus and licensed rooms in which collections were made was 248 out of the 337 in the diocese, the number-for the previous five years being 259. 230, 237, 2o5. and 244. The number of schools which nad subscribed to the religious inspection fund during- the year was 131, as against 186 in the previous year. At the request of the Lord Bishop, the committee had accepted the trust of a fund given by Mrs. Twemlow, the interest of which was to be applied as an honorarium for future honorary canons on their appointment. The committee desired to place 0:1 record their sense of the servic(- rendered lay the late Canon Henry Ireland Blackbm-ne, as a deanery treasurer for considerably more than a quarter of a century. and of hi- liberality tu the diocesan institutions. They also lamented the loss which the Finance Association and the diocesan institutions, in com- mon with the whole diocese, had sustained by the sudden death of the Rev. R. J. Fairclough, for many years an active member of both the general and the sub-committees, and so justly valued as an inspector in religious knowledge, first as an assistant and for the last year as chief inspector. His clear judgment, practical commonsen-te. and devout loyal Cnurchmanship had often been a great assistance to both committees. It was most desirable that such an enthusiastic sense of diocesan fellowship should be aroused as should result in more liberal support being given to the Church's work in the diocese, for building more churches and mission .rooms, for increasing the number of clergy and lay readers, for the main- tenance of the Cnurch training colleges for masters and mistress?-, and for the inspection of school., in religious knowledge, At present the number of subscribers to the diocesan institutions, which existed for furthering these objects, is far belo's what it ought to be The committee, therefore. appealed to every Churchman and Churchwoman in the diocese to become a subscriber to one or more of the d-ocesar institutions, or to the un- appropriated fund. divided each year between them in proportion to their respective needs. The Chairman explained that the general com- mittee had passed resolutions of sympathj with Miss Fairelougn Mrs. Goldwyer Lewi*, from whom letters of acknowledgment had been re- ceived. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Archdeacon regretted that many of the. churches and licensed rooms in the diocese still did not contribute in the way of collections to the diocesan funds. In conclusion, he alluded to the appointment of Mr. New a.? the new religious inspector. Mr. Allan J. Syl;c > seconded, and the- proposition W2s cr!"lcd. Mr. R. H. Joynsc- proposed a vote of thanks to the clergy who had advocated the claims of the diocesan institutions, the deanery treasurers and secretaries, and the other honorary officers of the association and committee. He expressed the opinion that the laity, generally speaking, had not the slightest idea how much they owed the clergy, not only for their spiritual work, but also for the assistance they gave in financial matters in the various fjaVi-Iit's. Mr. George Barbour seconded, and Mr. D. A. V. Colt Williams supported the proposition, which was carf!ect. THE CLERGY AND EDUCATION. At the meeting of the Diocesan Board of Educa- tion, Canon Holme- submitted the annual report, in which the committee stated that in August Mr. Cox obtained the office of inspector under the Norfokc County Council Educational Committee. Having regard to the valuable services rendered by him as organising visitor in tho Chester diocese, a sum of money was raised a" a testimonial to him. Mr. R. T. Richardson kindly undertook to be treasurer of the fund, and eventually £152 was forwarded to Mr. Cox, and duly and gratefullv acknowledged by him. The diocesan inspection 111 religious knowledge had again suffered the loss of the head inspector, the Rev. K. J. Fairclough Those who knew him best would say that he ex- emplified in his life the Apostle's words—"stead- fast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. The Lord Bioiiop had appointed the J' Rev. J M. New to be head inspector in the place of Mr. Fairclough. At Chester Training College (the college for mc: thnre had been .in residence 13C2-03, 105 students. With regard to the examina- tion for the certificate, held in Aprii, 1903. this ye: calculating the percentage I of students in the fus): clasn, Chester stood first among the men's colleges. At the training college for women at Warrington the accommodation had been increased. The report concluded:—Even when we take into co nsideration the new develop- ment of the Diocesan Church Schools' Association, it will be seen that there is still a more necessarv and important work for the Diocesan Board of Education to fulfil. Amidst the many voice-. that are heard on all siÖe; dealing with questions of education, we must keep the listening ear for the I' voice of the One Authority. We cannot neglect that. We must, withdraw from the noise and dis- turbances in which we are obliged to take part, often perhaps with some exasperation. Let us sometimes commune with our ow:: hearts and in our chamber and be still. Then let us think of our children. To us how much more are thoy than mere subjects of educational experiments. Our One Authority took them up in His arm- and blessed them. His words remain and now receive new life. t. Feed mJ bmb." The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. J. R. Thomson) sub- mitted the balance-sheet, which shewed that the receipts during the YI1:' amounted to £ 750. The Chairman moved the adoption of the re- port and statement accounts. l\Ir. Richardson, seconding, said the Educa- tion Act had not put Church schools, as a, whole, in a more, secure posit-.on, as was rather supposed by outsiders. He 0 J not mean there wc-idd be more colls upon Cin:.c-.imen on account cf it. but it was more d-ffiouit to present the need-, of Church schools to Cu-. r:hmen than, it was before. It required zeal and energy on the part of Church- men to m-eet ihe requirements which were put on them if Church schools were to survive as they all hoped. He was very glad to hear of the suc- cess with which a had been started with a view of plTs0P:ing HLe fabrics of thpir schools. He urged Churchmen to contribute, and not only contribute, but contribute quickiy. They were very much indebted to those who had taker, the lead in that way because it. undoubtedly was very much a question of ir.c-aey; unless they had funds behind them they wete not in a secure position. Referring to the Education Committee, he ex- pressed the hope that in a Utile time they mi,tht see the importance cf more fully recognising the local managers He thought their action would be considerably modi5.ed in the future, for if the schools were to be managed we!! and in tiie inter- ests of the ch;ldr: it must be by the local managers on the and not by the central authority. Mr J. R Thcmsoa also recorded his deep sense of the* loss the diocese had sustained by the death of the Rev. R. J. Fatcx-lough. The Chairman alluding to what had boon Raid as to the possibility of their being thrust out of tlwir duties as managers of schools, d he ven- tured the other day a meeting of clergy to counsel that- they .should poss?» their &ouls in patience, and not. gire up their correspondence posts and duties as managers in a uff. because thev found they were not having quite as free a hand as thoy thought they ought to have. He felt .that at p'-esent it was the case of the new broern trying to very clean. He thought if thev would only hoid their hands they would j have, not the same power that they had, but sufficient to kindle ani keep alive their interests in the schools. < The proposition was carruxl. Canon Gore proposed that the Dean of Chester and Mr. R. T. Richardson be representatives of the Diocesan Board of Education to confer, when required, with the committee of the National Society. He pointed out with regard to their schools fhat they were trustees, and had no abso- lute liberty of their own They must act under the terms of their trust deeds. That was the "conscience" of Churchmen, and it rested in clear, easily stated facts. They were bound to go by their trust deeds, and those trust deeds laid down that the education given in their schools should be in accordance with the formularies of their Church. kAIpplause.) On the other hand, they ought to act not only with perfect justice, but a large amount of generosity towards those who differed from them. If there were any parents in existence who objected to their children being taught by them—he would not say they were ex- tinct an nials. because b -lid not think they ex- isted in former days; at any rate he had never mot them—in God's name let tnem do everything thev (ould not to have their children untaught, and not to send them to secular work while their Church children were receiving religious educa- tion but do everything they could to give facili- ties that they also might receive religious educa- tion according to the faith of thoir fathers. (Hear, hear) Thero was, however no need why they should relinquish the position with which they hac been entrusted, to which they must be faithful and see that Church teaching was given in Churcl schools. (Apphuso.) Something was said abou their possibly being discouraged by the new Act but he reminded them that the Act of 1870 re suited in an immense impetus to the energy o the Church in religious education, and urgco them to so present the Act of 1902 to Churchmen that they might feel their enthusiasm for Church education infinitely increase. (Applause.) He alluded with satisfaction to the fact that in a very short time £ 10,000 had been subscribed to their Church Schools' Association. Mr. Colt Williams and Canon Maitland Wood both advocated patience with regard to the Education Ait. Canon Gore's proposition was carried. SPIRITUAL AID SOCIETY. Canon Upperton read the report of tho Spiritual Aid Society, which shewed the income during the year was JB700 as against E695 in the previous year. During the year the committee had made 29 grants for lay readers. The amounts sub- scribed did not by any means correspond with the apparent ability to give. There was so much work that ought to be done, and the means pro- vided -were so very inadequate that any new method of rousing people to a sense of their re- sponsibility would be most cordially welcomed. Mr. Bulkeley Allen presented the statement of accounts, and on tho proposition of Canon Gore, seconded by Mr. B. C. Roberts, the report and statement of accounts were adopted. LAZY CHURCH-GOERS. Canon Upperton presented the Church Building Society's report, which shewed that the total re- oeipts during the year had been only JB292 against JE542 in the previous year. During the year the commit-fee had made two grants; one for the pur- chase of a site for a mission church, and one to- wards the building itself. They were pledged to pay grants to the amount of B400, and the largest of these— £ 300—was due almost directly. They were sore in need of increased support. Canon Hignett moved the adoption of the re- port and balance-sheet, and Mr. Barbour. in seconding, alluded to the necessity of providing Church accommodation for pl-cple who would not go long distances to church. Canon Moore (Stockport): People are so very lazy that they want a church brought to their very doorstep; they will not go a hundred yards. (Laughter and hear, hear.) The proposition was carried, and a vote of thanks to the Archdeaoon brought the series of useful meetings to a close.

CHESTER TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. ANNIVERSARY MEETING. The soventieth anniversary of the Chester Christian Temperance Society was celebrated on Thursday evening, when a publio meeting was held in the Musio Hall. Mr. Beresford Adams presided over a moderate attendance, and was ac- companied on the platform by the Archdeacon of Chester, the Dean of Here-ford, Mr. James Tom. kinson. M.P., the Rev J. Glyn Davies, of New- port (the popular temperance speaker of South Wales), the Rev. J. Pryce Davies, the Rev. Wm. Jones, Mr. Henry Dodd. Mr. F. H. lilingworfch. Mr. Andrew Storrar, etc. The Chairman, reviewing the society's work of the past year, said there was evidence of great- public sympathy with their efforts. He con- gratulated the society upon having found in the Archdeacon such an excellent successor to him- self in the office of president for the coming year, and trusted that he would receive the heartiest co-operation on the part of the members. It was satisfactory to know that the results of the acceptance of their principles was an improve- ment to the individual, the home, and the com- munity at large. In fact. the forces that made for righteousness had in temperance organisation the most effective auxiliary, and they were anxious to increas? the sympathy of the people with pub- lic sobriety, for surely there was no question that came more nearly home to us than the sobriety of the people. The Rev. J. Glyn Davies, after congratulating the society upon their excelle11t record of work during the year, said every true man would agree that the consumption of alcohol in England was. to say the le1st. excessive. The consumption of alcohol had grown enormously during the last fifty years, in spite of all temperance work Fifty or sixty years ago the average consumption per head in the United Kingdom cost, under £ 3; now it averaged close on E4, and it was steadily rising, in spite of all temperance efforts. Tho drink bill was close 011 £ 160,000,000 every year- sufficient sum to pay all the rents of houses and farms in the kingdom. This was a fact that ought to strike terror into the heart- of every patriotic man and woman. In the face of those facts there was surely need of aroused temperance sentiment in this country. They watched with alarm the growth of intemperance among women through the agencies of grocers' licences, medical advico and social custom. Intemperance among women was growing at a rate so fast that it threatened to be a public and a national disgrace. Two thirds of the drink bill in this country was in- curred by the working-classes alone-enough monav to provide the old-age pensions we heard so much about, and enough into the bargain to pay off in twenty years the whole of our national, debt. Would to- God that the working-cia.sses or England saw this 1 Last year we saw an awaken- ing among the magistrates to the exorcise of the discretionary powers, yet out of the 130,000 public- houses in this country only 639 were not granted Still, they were thankful for the 639, and he hoped that this year the magistrates throughout the land would exercise their discretion again and if pos- sible double that number. (Hear, hear.) It was time that the number of licences had been re- duced, but he was afraid that. while the reduction was going on, the trade"' was at the same time lebuiiding and enlarging the houses that re- mained. In conclusion, the speaker denounced drinking clubs as den3 and nurseries of drink and shame, and averred that public-houses were rapidly becoming schools of polities and a factor in working all elections. He moved a resolution protesting against any legislation which would in any way take away the discretionary power3 of the licensing magistrates. The Dean of Hereford, who seconded the reso- lution. said temperance workers ought not to be disappointed at what seemed to have been their very slow progress, because all great reforms had only been brought about after a great length of time, and perseverance, and energy on the part of the piomoteis. They had, however, made pro- gress in various directions; they had converted a great number of medical men and clergv to their side, and had got certain classes to take an in- terest in the movement who never did so before. At the same time he saw a dark cloud approaching, and felt that they were at the present time on the verge of a terrible crisis. They would have to do ad they could to prevent the move- ment from going backwards, because there was a great, organised, tyrannical monopoly which was ruling. or trying I to rule, the country with an iron hand. and was doing its best to get the upper hand. The re- tailers of alcoholic liquor were among those who were enslaved by the traffic, and he pitied and sympathised with them. Now. the "trade" had actually sent its mandate to Manchester not to .elect certain councillors to whom it objected, and had not only deposed Mr. Arthur Chamberlain from the chairmanship of the Birmingham licensing magistrates, but had removed him from the licensing bench altogether. because he had been opposing the "trade" (""Shame.") The trade had actually captured the heads cf the Government, whose business, as laid down by Mr. Gladstone, was to so legislate as to make it easy for the people to do right, and difficult for them to do wrong. When the nation became the slave cf its revenue, the abuses which tended to in- crease that revenue were likely not to be opposed, -c and when the people of this country were spend- ing £ 170,000,000 a year they became the tool of the political party which was prepared to pander to their pernicious practices. (Applause.) Tiie resolution was carried. Mr. James Tomkinson. M.P.. in proposing a vote of thanks to the speakers and chairman, agreed with the Dean of Hereford that there were rocks ahead, and he would go to Parliament next week with an earnest determination to take his part in resisting to the utmost any threatened invasion of the discretionary powers of the magis- trates. The extreme sensitiveness of the trade was due to the fact that the huge brewery com- panies were over-capitalised, and saw that any limitation of their trade meant a reduction of dividend. The Archdeacon seconded the resolution, which I was heartily carried. Solos and recitations were given during the evening by the Brython Male Voice Choir, Mr. H. Doad conducting.

COUNTY POLICE COURT. + SATURDAY.—Before Mr. Horace D. Trelawny (chairman), the Hon. Cecil T. Parker, Mr. B. C. Roberts, Mr. John Thompson, Mr. R. T. Richardson, and Colonel Evans-Lloyd. GUARDIANS AND A PARENT'S INTER- FERENCE.—William Henry Swain, bricklayer's labourer, was charged in custody with unlawfully and knowingly assisting his child, John Thomas Swain, to escape from a home at Mollington, while the child was under the control of the Guardians of the Chester Union. Mr. H. G. Hope defended the prisoner.—It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Rowe Morris (chairman of the Board of Guardians), Mr. John Minshull, farmer, Molling- ton, and Mr. Nickiin, assistant clerk to the Guardians, that on the 3rd June. 1902, the boy was adopted by the Board of Guardians, because it was considered that the parents were not suit- able persons to have charge of the child. The lad was sent to the Central Children's Home at Saughall. As the home was very full at the time, Mr. Minshull agreed to take the boy into his service, agreeing to send him to school for half of each day, and to let him do what work he oould do in the other half, until he was fourteen years of age. The boy, who became fourteen years of age in October, remained at Mr. Minshuli's, where he was fed and clothed, until the Sunday evening after last Christmas, when the father paid a visit to the farm, and said he was going to take the boy away. Mr. Minshull warned him that he would be prosecuted by the Guardians if he did so, and advised him to apply to the Guardians for their consent. The father, however, removed the boy, and took him to Manchester, where he was since been employed in nippering "-to use the fathers own expressive phrase—by the Midland Railway Company.,—Mr. Rowe Morris said the Guardians wished for a conviction as severe as the magistrates could inflict. At the present time they had another boy belonging to this man in the Saughall Home chargeable to them, and another boy, William, was in the Fulwood, Homo for the Blind, chargeable to them at £ 20 a year, whioh they were paying. The City Police had twice received t:2 bonuses for apprehending him. Prisoner was also owing to the relieving officer 12s. 6d.-Mr. Hope said the prisoner was liv- ing apart from, his wife, and was anxious that the lad should not bo allowed to visit her as he had been m the habit of doing while employed at Mollington. He did not think the mother's in- fluence upon the boy would be for tho lad's good, and that was the reason for his removing the boy' and he had no idea that he was committing a breach of the law.—The Bench imposed a fine of -Us. ^lnoludmg costs, with the alternative of 14 days imprisonment.—The Chairman said they had taken into consideration the fact that he had been in custody seven days. The Guardians must be supported, and they (the magistrates) had been rather too lenient with prisoner hitherto.—The Magistrates Clerk (Mr. Churton) intimated that it the Guardians were satisfied that the boy was bona fide in the employment of the Midland Rail- way Company, it was the magistrates' feeling that sdxndd be allowed' to remain there—Mr Minshull mentioned that he gave the character upon which the boy got the appointment under the railway company. Charles Darlington, a master carter, of Whitby, was summoned for illtrcatina a oow by causing it to be driven along the high- way at Newton, on the 21st January, while in an ™ ^Sergeant Jackson said ho was in com- pany \v it.1 Constable Ailman in Newton-lane .nd saw two little boys driving two cows. One of the cows was very lame cn the near hind leg tn 1 could scarcely hobble along. Every step she' took snt left marks of blood from her toe. Cross examined by Mr. Bras.-ey, who appeared for the defence, he said he did not know that the road had been freshly macadamised The cow was suttering from being over-driven.— P.C. AMm-vi gave corroborative evidence.-Joe Pulford. one .f .-ho boys, said Mr. Darlington told him to drive, the cows from Chester—Mr. Brassey said it was an extraordinary case, inasmuch as the defendant was not the owner of the cows, which belonged to a Mr. Parker, farmer, Ellcsmere Port. Moreover, he was not in charge of the cows. and if he did pen. out the cows to the boys he ceased to have a.ijt.un" to c.o witn them outside the aiea ov-r vwiich that Court had jurisdiction. The facts were t-.iat_i.he cows were purchased at Hooton on the previous day by Mr. Parker. and slioul.1 have be-n taken home from there. Owing to a rnisunde' stariding, however, the auctioneer's clerk declined to let the animals go. end they were diiven to Chester on ihe following day. It was cn Mr 1 arker's instructions that Mr. Darlington came r fr'"eltor to Tscn(1 tho covs to Whitby in charge ot tl:o boys. lie contended that any offence com- mitted by ins client was in Chester and not in the crunty.—Mr. Darlington said he last saw th., cows in Chester, and all that was wrong with the irijur-d cow was that it appeared a littl-, stiff. I-Ie admitted that he told <he boys to drive the cov3 steadily.—Fined 10s. Including- costs. PILFERING AT UPTON.-William Jones, a wagon builder, lodging at Upton, was charged tvitii stealing four pieces of wood, the property of George Austin, Quoen's-road, Cluster, and vaine 6d. Prisoner pleednd guilty.—Mr. Austin said he was building some new houses at Upton Heath, and the wood (prod",cod) was part of some timber he had there. He did not wish to press the case. -P.C. Allman said he suspected pilfering from these new houses, and watched. About > on Friday morning he saw Jones go to the hou-.es and leave with some wood under his arm. !!e caught him on the doorstep of his lodgings, and prisoner said he was taking it for firewood Prisoner was further charged with being drunk nt Newton. Mid his scared face suggested a pain- ful adventure, in which as Mr. Churton put it probaoly a lamp post had played a prominent part P.C. Ailman found him holpless against a will .\t 10.15 p.m. oii-Frl'(i -i v. -Prison (,r told the Bench that he was making )rrr)-, fhe road and his went loose"—also that he d'd not like the buttons of the nohce officer, and was retfinsr out of tho rOM1. (Laughter.)—Fo»- the theft- the Bench fined him jO; and costs. and for being drunk he was ordered to pay the costs.

RHEUMATISM CAN BE CURED. -40. Anyone who doubts that Rheumatism can be cured should ask Mrs. E. H. Stokes, Hulver-street, near Wrentham. Suffolk. This what Mrs. Stokes say. I was a martyr to Rheumatism and was several month* in hospital. I would get a little better for a time but would soon be laid up again. I was weak. my limbs ached, my feet were sore, I had to go upstairs on my hands and knees, drawing my- scif up by my hands along the rail. X was almost helpless and was drawn out of shape. I began taking Dodd's Kidney Pills, and continued until I was completely cured. My work is now a pleasure to me, and I feel better than I have for years." Another lady who claims that Dodd's Kidnev Pills will cure Rheumatism is Mrs. Pollard, Lodge- lane. Bolney, Sussex. She says: Until I took Dodd's Kidney Pills I never knew what it was to have my body free from pain; if the Rheumatism was not in my hands, it would be in my feet, for it was always somewhere, and nothing I ever took seemed to shako it off or give me any relief, until I used Dodd's Kidney Pills. me any relief, until I used Dodd's Kidney Pills. They have worked wonders in my case, and I feel! like another woman."

FRIENDLY SOCIETY AND ITS TREASURER. POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS AT CHESTER. At the City Police Court, on Friday, before Messrs R. L. Barker (chairman), J. J. Cuanah and F. Skipwith, considerable time was occupied in the hearing of a summons taken out under the Friendly Societies Act, under which an order was asked to be made against Charles Cordery, licensee of the Nag's Head Hotel, Fore- gate-street, Chester, for the payment of a sum of £ 57 Os. 4d., which the complainant (.Jesse David Hodgkinson), secretary of the Court Westminster, No. 1591, of the Ancient Order of Foresters, alleged was due by the defendant to that court, for which until recently he was treasurer. fr. S. Moss, M.P., appeared for the complainant and Mr. W. H. Churton for the defendant. Mr. Moss first asked the permission of the Bench to amend the summons by altering the sum from £57 to £77, because it had since been dis- covered that the latter was the amount in Mr. Cordery's possession. Mr. Churton objected on the ground that no demand had been previously made for the additional JB20, but the money was forthcoming. The Bench therefore refused to amend the sum- mons. Mr. Moss, proceeding, explained that the sum- mons was taken out by tho secretary of the Court Westminster, to which the defendant was until recently treasurer. Cordery was appointed treasurer in February. 1900, and began his duties on the 1st of March. Mr. Hodgkinson was ap- pointed secretary on the 8th September, 1903. The treasurer, whose duties were not very onerous, received a nominal salary of L5 a year. Accord- ing to the rules of the society, auditors had to be appointed twice a year to audit the books of the secretary and treasurer, and in January, 1902, Mr. Hodgkinson was appointed auditor, and the trouble with Mr. Cordery began at that time. The returns for the year 1901 not having been com- pleted, Mr. Hodgkinson asked the treasurer to produce his books, so that he could audit them and present his report to the society. The treasurer, however, did not do so, and on the 28th February, 1902. the auditor wrote him a letter reminding him that he had not yet sent his books. After that repeated applications were made to Mr. Cordery. Eventually Mr. Cordery produced his cash book at a court meeting, which, curiously enough, shewed that a sum of B17 12s. 6d. was due to him and nothing was due to the society, whereas the auditor found from the secretary's books that a sum of JB28 9s. 6d. was due from Mr. Cordery. This difference he failed to explain, and at a later meeting he accepted the fierure of £ 28 9s. 6d. as correct, and entered it in his own cash book. Mr. Churton. interposing, said there were only four items in dispute between the parties, and he considered that the only sum his client owed was f24 odd. He thought in fairness to defendant Mr. Moss might have explained that during the year 1901 Mr. Cordery was ill and unable to keep the accounts and receive any moneys, the whole of the work having to be done by the secretary. The dispute was purely a question of account. Mr. Moss denied that the case was purely a question of account, and thought that when the situation was explained the Bench would come to the conclusion that it was something more. This was not an isolated instance where a man through illness was unable to comply with the request of the court to furnish accounts, but was a case where a man had for a period of nearly eighteen months systematically defied the officers of the court and refused to give any account whatever. In July, 1902, Mr. Hodgkinson was again ap- pointed auditor, and the treasurer m spite of repeated promises to produce his books, remained a defaulter. After making repeated applications, the complainant wrote to defendant on the 4th: November, 1902-11 1 beg to remind you that we have not yet had your books for audit. The next meeting takes place this day week, and I should be glad to report that we have finished." To that letter defendant made no reply, and, if he had any excuse to make, one would have thought that in ordinary courtesy defendant would have replied that he could not prepare the accounts owing to illness. At every successive court the matter was brought up. but no accounts were presented, and on the 10th March last year the trustees and auditors were directed to meet Cordery and go into the accounts themselves. The books were produced and found to be very incomplete, no balances having been struck. De- fendant promised to go into the matter and present proper accounts. On the 23rd March another court was held, and the treasurer's books were found not to have been touched, whereupon the auditors were instructed to examine the books and compare them with the secretary's books. At the April court it was found from the books that £ 60 88. 7sd. was due from Cordery. but Cordery's own figures shewed that J347 5s. 4d. was due from him at that time. The court was now getting into serious trouble with the Order, and a committee was appointed to investigate the whole matter. Defendant said the 1902 accounts were on a wrong basis altogether, but the committee, on investiga- tion, found that his statement had no foundation. He then urged that the accounts had been wrong since he became treasurer. The books were then given to him, and he was told to prepare a balance- sheet shewing what was alleged to be due to him or from him in connection with the society. De- fendant, however, took no notice of it, and the matter was again delayed until August last year, when the district book examiner came and ex- amined the books and made a report. On the 5th of November a letter was written to defendant, of which he took no notice, and, as the situation was becoming serious, formal notice was given on the 19th of November, demanding payment of all money due and a return of the books belong- ing to the society in his possession. On the 27th November a further notice was sent to him, and on the 1st December he wrote to Mr. Hodgkinson: I will send down to-morrow at noon for books. I shall be confined to the house for weeks, and will do my best to find the error, which I am sure must exist somewhere." They knew now that in the year 1900 defendant had the sick pay which had not been entered in the books at all. After being further pressed, defendant returned the cash book, and it was found that he had dropped the balance of JB47 4B. 5Ad. and omitted several figures which were entered in red ink. On Dec. 0 18th last Mr. Cordery wrote a regrettable letter to Mr. Hodgkinson, in which he stated: Your statement is to hand. and am very pleased with it. Are you incapable of keeping accounts, or arc you conspiring to obtain more money under false pretences? There is something radically wrong somewhere. Are you all of the same mind, or is it a one-man show? You can take what action you like, but I think you had better get your books properly audited beforehand. It seems you have made up your mind that I have £ 57 0s. 41d. in my possession belonging to Court Westminster. To make up that amount you do not care what amount of cooking you do. It is either cheek or incapacity, T don't know which you possess." He concluded I am not going to be fooled any longer by you. Be careful and make no mistake. Per- haps it will pay you to consult Bro. Burrows, and, finally, I tell you I have not had or got your money beyond what I gave in my statement." In reply to this letter the secretary wrote stating that as he refused to rocognise the items which he (the secretary) had added in red ink on his account, he had no alternative but to proceed as indicated in his last letter. Evidence in support of counsel's statement was then given by Mr. Hodgkinson, who was cross- examined at considerable length in reference to the treasurer's accounts. Evidence was also given by several members of the society. Mr. Henry Jones, chartered accountant, de- posed to having examined the. accounts, for the year 1902 and verified the accuracy of the balance- sheet as presented by the officers of the e^urt. Mr. Churton, addressing the Bench on behalf of the defendant, contended that the section of the Act under which tho proceedings had been taken was a very drastic section and applied only to dishonesty Unless the Bench were satisfied, that what Mr. Cordery had done amounted to de- liberate dishonesty, they would have no alterna- tive but to dismiss the case. If they were satis- fied that there was no intention to defraud, and that there had been merely carelessness or negli- gence in the style of his book-keeping it would be no part of their duty to decide whether he owed any money to the society. Where was the evi- dence of dishonesty? The only thing that had been disclosed was that defendant had not. ren- dered proper accounts. The prosecution probably argued' that because defendant in the end owed them a sum of money he must have known of it, and therefore withheld it dishonestly. Defendant, who was one of the oldest members of the society, only took up the offioe of treasurer with the greatest reluctance in succession to a Mr. Powell, who had been nearly worried to death by the troubles connected with it. In the year 1901 Mr. V-Oruery tell ill, and tor nearly six micnths was unable to attend to the duties of the office, which were performed by the secretary. Unfortunately, the secretary had also been more or less ill. At all events no proper accounts were ever kept. Mr. Cordery frankly admitted that he knew nothing about book-keeping, and it was only aftar em- ploying Mr. Conway, chartered accountant, that he was able to satisfy himself as to what he owed to the society. Defendant had intimated his willingness to be responsible for £ 32 Is. 5 £ d., al- though his accountant had found, that ne owed the society only JB24 odd. Defendant gave evidence, and was cross- examined at great length by Mr. Mass-Mr. Moss: Do you think now that the secretary has been cooking the books to make you appear to be owing more than you were?—Defendant: I was certainly under the impression there was some- thing radically wrong. Defendant. added that he was now sorry he had written the strong letter to Mr. Hodgkinson. Mr. Walter Conway also gave evidence as to an examination of defendant's books on his behalf. MAGISTERIAL DECISION. After a few minutes' private consultation the magistrates decided to convict, and fined defend- ant 25 and" costs. They also made an order upon defendant to pay to the society the sum of J647 10s. 4id., and in default of distress sentenced him to one month's imprisonment. The Chairman an- nounced that they had omitted two of the items, about which there appeared to be some doubt.

CHESTER NURSING ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Chester District Nursing Association was held at the Town Hall on Friday afternoon, the Mayor (Mr. R. Lamb) presiding. The Hon Secretary (the Rev. F. Tilney Stonex) read the annual report of the General Committee, which shewed that the work, under the superin- tendence of Mrs. Batoson. with the 'assistance of five nurses, had been regulaily and satisfactorily carried out throughout the year. 20,087 visits paid to 988 patients had been made by the nurses during the twelve months and the ladv superin- tandent had paid 297 visits during that time to see the nurses in the performance of their duties. On all sides the oommittee received' most gratify- ing testimony to the value of the services of the nurses but no testimony could be more valuable than the following letter of Dr. Hamilton, the president of the Chester Medical Association:- "I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the good work done by the Chester District Nursing Association and its nurses among the poor of tho city, and I know of no institution which is more deserving of support. Unfortunately for the association its nuises work so quietly and un- obtrusively thÜ the general public do not realise their value, and, I may also say the absolute necessity of such an institution. Having had ex- perience of the old order of things in the past. when the nursing of the sick poor (if nuising it could ba called) was done entirely by well- meaning but "gnoraiit neighbours. I am better able to appreciate the value of the work done by the district nu ses than the younger generation of medical men. I feel sure however, that all the medical men of Chester will support me as to the valuable and indispensible services which the district nurses render to the sick poor. I should regard it as nothing short of a ca11m:tv for the poor of the city if the district nurses are obliged, from want Of funds, to discontinue their work I sincerely hope that when the public of Chester knows the good work which this association is do'ng and the absolute necess ty of increased sub- scriptions. it will come forward and prevent the closing of so valuable an institution." The ex- penditure for the year 1903 had been E671. The actual receipts fioin subscriptions, donations and offertories £ 448 lea.ving a deficiency of £ 223 to be met. Towards the considerable deficiency £ 100 had been provided through the kind per- sonal exertions of Mrs James Taylor, to whom the grateful thanks of the institution and the public were due. The actual financial position was as follo-,vs--A debt to the bank to the ex- tent of J385. an annual cost of £ 670 or thereabouts and an in ome (which must be to some extent un- certain) of JS450. It was obvious that if the in- stitution was to I've it must have a largely increased and an assured income. With that in view a committee of hdies interested in the work had been formed, who would almost immediately commence a personal application to all who were not yet contributors to the funds, soliciting their heip either as annual subs- ribers or donors. By the valuable help of this committee it was confidently anticipated the public of Chester would be made aware of the value of the institution and that they would rea-dilv and generously come to its aid The work of the institution being limited to the borough of Chester t' e larger part of Salt- nev which lay outside the borough did not come within the scope of their work. The committee was, however, glad to say they had, on the invi- tation of the committee formed at Saltney for the purpose, come to an arrangement to undertake the nursing of the sick poor of the entire d'strict of Saltney as far as Sandy lane, in payment of £ 60 per annum. That would necessitate an ad- dition to the staff but it was thought no material increase of costs to the institution The commit- tee placed on record their appreciation of the valuable wo k done by the lady superintendent and her -staff, and of the zeal and ability with which their several duties were performed. Their grateful thanks were aarain tendered for their generous support to the institution to their presi- dent, his Grace the Duke of Westminster, to the Hospital Saturday Fund, and Cycle Parade Com- mittee, to the trustees of the various municipal and parochial charities, to the hon. surgeon tor his-valuable servires to the editors of the "Chester Chronicle" and "Cheshire Observer" for their courtesy in publishing the weekly statistics, and to a large number of friends for special gifts. Although not ooming within the time covered by this report the committee desired to express their very warm thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pres- ton for their kindness in giving to the funds a share of the proceeds of their recent amateur theatrical performance. The £29 received from that source would appear in the accounts for the year 1904 -Mr. Stonex then read letters of apology for non-attendance from the Bishop, the Sheriff (Mr. D. L Hewitt), Dr. King. Dr. Roberts. Dr. James Taylor, and Miss Emily Birch —In addition to the report Mr Stonex gave some in- teresting figutes concerning the work of the institution. He said 988 case-s had been attended. against 924 iast year. Though there had been more cases, there had been fewer visits, on ac- count of the less sr rious nature of the cases. The lady superintendent had made 297 visits, against 402 in the previous year, when one of the nurses was away and the lady superintendent had to do some of the ordinary work. Colonel H. T. Brown, in the absence of the hon. treasurer (Mr. W. Conway), presented the ac- counts, shewing that the expenditure amounted to £ 671 lis. lOd and the receipts to :6448 5s. 3d., leaving a deficiency of JB225 6s. 7d.. which had been reduced by the contributions of Mrs. James Taylor and a balance to the good iii the previous year of E37 9s. 4d. obtained from the sale of work, to JB85 17s 3d. The Cha.irman proposed that the report and statement of accounts be adopted. He expressed the hope that the adverse balance would soon be wiped off. Colonel Evans-Lloyd seconded. Alluding to the Infirmary Board, he said they looked on the Nursing Institution as a valuable handmaid in carrying on their work. As to an adverse balanoe, he did not think that a credit balance was always desirable. Dr. Mann supported, and paid an eloquent tribute to the good work done by the institution. He felt it a privilege to have the opportunity of stating ai a member of the medical profession how very much he appreciated the work the associa- tion was doing in the city. Ho wa.s sure there was not one who had had to attend the poor and sick who was not constantly impressed by the valuable work which was being done by that association. He was sure that all medical men agreed with wtiat Dr. Hamilton had written. He personally had been acquainted with district nursing for 17 years, and he could speak with personal knowledge as to the extreme value of the work. Great as it was. however, he thought it might well be extended. He wished that some- thing could be done in the way of providing night nurses. He wished there could be some pro- vision for specially bad cases where the nurses might stay in the house. He had also heard it suggested that it would be a good thing in most oases where a nurse remained in a house, she might have the help of some able-bodied paupers from the workhouse to do the rough work. He recommended that suggestion to the favourable consideration of the Board of Guardians. That plan had been tried in Peterborough with great success. He also knew something of the great appreciation the poo; had for the nurses. The nurse was much more popular than the doctor, and she even rivalled the clergyman. (Laugh- ter.) The nurse was a great civilising influence. She was one of the greatest missioners in the land. She penetrated the dark and dangerous corners of great cities and brought to the poor people a decidedly good influence. She taught them the virtue of personal cleanliness, self- respect, and patience and fortitude under acute suffering. He did not think the noble work of the association ought to be dependent on spas- modic efforts. They wanted an income derivable from regular subscribers. He suggested that more subscribers should be obtained, or that people should be asked to double their subscrip- tions. The Archdeacon also supported, and pointed out how very much tha clergy valued the adminis- trations to the sick poor. The work was carried on with strict loyalty to instructions. He hoped the operations of the new ladies' committee would be most. successful. The resolution was carried. The Rev. Father Chambers testified, on behalf of the Catholic community, to the excellent work of the association. He moved that the retiring members of the committee be re-elected, namely, Mr. J. Maclean Graham, the Rev. H. Grantham, Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes, the Rev. J. F. Howson, Dr. King, and Dr. Lees Mr. Yates, representing the Hospital Saturday Committee, seconded, and Dr. Newall supported. The motion was carried. Colonel Brown pioposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor, and remarked that he was quite sure that if the work cowld be made universally known the people would readily, and with great generosity, come forward and place the association in such a position as to retrieve them from debt and care and anxiety in the future. Canon Cooper Scott, in seconding, said he did not agree with Colonel Evan^-Lloyd that a credit balance was undesirable. When the deficit amounted to one-third of the expenditure, and recurred every year. it was a very serious matter. The resolution having been approved, the Mayor briefly acknowledged it.

CYCLIST RUN OVER. -On Friday morn- ing an accident, fortunately attended by no serious consequences,, occurred at the Cross. As Mr. W. H. Eccles, of Henshall-street, was cycling up Bridge-street the driver of a dog-eart attempted to pass him. Unfortunately he was too close, and the wheel caught Mr. Eccles and threw him under the horse's hoofs. He was picked up in a dazed condition and taken into Mr. Donald's (the ohemis?'s) shop. He quickly revived, and was able to leave no worse for the accident save for bruise about the head and face.

CHESTER CITY GUILDS. ♦ ANNUAL DINNER. MR. YERBURGH ON NATIONAL EDUCA- TION. The fourteenth annual dinner of the Chester City Guilds was held on Friday in the Assembly Room, Newgate-strcet, and proved one of the most successful gatherings which have been organised among the members of these ancient companies. Mr. Edgar Dutton presided over a company num- bering upwards of 120, and was accompanied by Mr. Robert Yerburgh, M.P., Mr. H. D. Jolliffe, Dr. Archer, Messrs. R. G. Gerrard (vice-chairman), A. S. Dutton, Stanley Gerrard, Charles Parry, S. W. Lee, George Jones, H. W. Lovett, G. E. Old- meadow, D. Sconce, W. H. Coppack, A. Godwin, etc. A letter explaining inability to be present owing to a cold was received from Mr. B. C. Roberts. After an excellent dinner, supplied by Mr. Durish, Foregate-street, the customary toasts were honoured. The King and the Rest of the Royal Family having been given from the chair, Dr. Archer proposed His Majesty's Forces," and alluded to tne painful experience we had recently had of the uses to which our forces could be put. Our Army, he was afraid, had been more or less in a muddled state for a generation or two, ami the Boer War certainly did not shew it to be what it ought to be-an organised fighting machine. There was, however, one redeeming feature about it, for it proved the grit, perseverance and courage possessed by Tommy Atkins, and which he in- herited from his ancestors for centuries past. (Ap- plause.) He thought the War Office was responsi- ble to a great extent for the mistakes that were made in tha war. For instance, he believed that the War Minister of that day (Lord Lansdowne) and the Commander-in-Chief (Lord Wolseley) were more or less at loggerheads. Wolseley saw what was coming, and tried to put the matter before the War Minister in order to prepare him for cominu hostilities. He advised that an army corps should be sent to South Africa within a certain time, but Lord Lansdowne scouted the proposal and said he would not have it. The Government ought not to allow a War Minister who was not a professional soldier to ride over the head of a man who nad been in the Army all his life. At th. present time we were fortunately on the high road to having an efficient Army, with a War Minister of whom we might well be proud. England ought to be provided with a small active Army that could It be mobilised in a short time and made ready to go anywhere. He did not think conscription would ever receive the sanction of the British nation. The last war was the most remarkable one the world had ever seen, because we performed tho herculean feat of transporting about four hundred thousand men a distance of six or seV"1 thousand miles to the seat of war and conquef-J 1. The success of that feat of transport was really due to a magnificent fleet, and if other nations had so powerful a fleet they would readily have stopped our transports. But they 1-new better, because our fleet was able to face those of any combina- tion of nations on the globe. (Applause.) It would be rather interesting—but Gcd forbid that it should haT-p(-ii-to see how the Japanese war- ships would acquit themselves against the Russian vessels in the event of war. because about half-a- dozen of their first-class battleships were built and equipped on exactly the same lines as our own first- class battleships. We must all hop-?. hove,r that such an event would not occur. (Hear, hear.i Alluding to the auxiliary forces, Dr. Archer said they were a feeder of our regular Army which had been too long neglected. The Volunteers were the very bulwarks of this country, and would be of invaluable service in meeting a foreign in- vasion. It was regrettable to see that there had been a great fallimr off in the numbers of Volun- teers during last year. both of officers and men. about twenty or thirty thousand having retired. The Volunteer forces were an admirable substitute for conscription, find ought to be encouraged in every possible way. (Applause.) Sergeant MvddMon responded to the toast. The Pious Memory of Owen Jones" was silently drunk on the proposition of Mr. George Jones. Mr. Yerburgh, who was cordially received, sub- mitted "The Chester City Guilds." He said he had great pleasure, as he had had on many pre- vious occasions, to propose that toast. He was pleased to learn from the chairman that the pros- pects of the guilds were very bright. Mr. Dutton told him that the young men were coming forward prepared to take their share of the burden that had been borne so long by the elder men. (Hear, hear.) That was a very good sign. It was, of course, impossible that the work connected with the management of the guilds should be dis- charged without those responsible for it feeling the strain, and he thought Mr. Dutton and his colleagues were now fairly entitled to some rest from their arduous labours. In discussing the work of the guilds with Mr. Dutton, he had been struck with one or two instances of good that they had done. The work they were engaged upon was indeed admirable. They were providing for tne education of the young people belonging to the guilds, and that in itself was a very admirable work, because at the present time we lived in an atmosphere of the keenest competition, and It was essential that we should place within the reacii of all the children and young men the best pos- sible facilities for education. (Hear, hear.) One of the secrets of the success of the great Napoleon was to be found in the familiar saying that every recruit in his army carried a marshal's baton in his knapsack, which meant that every soldier in Napoleon's army, if he was a man of abilty and courage, had the opportunity of becoming a field marshal. That was what we wanted in our ranks to-day. (Hear, hear.) He wanted all the youth of the country, rich and poor alike, to have the same opportunity of succeeding in life. (Hear, hear.) Those who were in a better position for educating their children were enabled to give them a better start in the race of life than those who wen less fortunately placed, but by degrees we were arriving at a position in this country when the children of the very poorest would have the same opportunity of gaining that requisite know- ledge in tne pursuit of their affairs that the chil- dren of the -it people possessed. The educa- tional work ot the Chester City Guilds was an admirable one, but there was another extremely useful branch of their work in the giving of assist- ance to those members who from no fault of their own found tiiemselves in temporary difficulties, lie wa.s sure that Air. Dutton, knowing how that particular scheme had worked, would be able to testify to its admirable results. Then there was a tinrd branch of their work—the pensions. In their pension scheme they had one admirable rule that not apply to any other scheme of old age pensions he had heard of: they had no limit to that age at which a man was entitled to a pension. ihe test oi a pension wa.s the physical capacity of the man who applied for it; and that was the right test, because one man might be vigorous and able to earn money at sixty, while another, through no fault of his own, might be totally in- capacitated at thirty. (Hear, hear.) The City Guilds had applied that rule with the most ex- cellent results, lie had been greatly interested in the sad case of a young man—a piano tuner—who was seized with creeping paralysis, and en- deavoured to get him admission to a hospital for incuraoles in London. He, however, failed to do so. and the only alternative was to start the various funds for the assistance of incurable patients in connection with the various hospitals throughout the country. Be was glad to say that Mrs. Yerburgh and himself inaugurated one of thv,n funds "I connection with the Blackburn Infirmary, of which he had the honour to be president. tAp- plause.) He understood frcm those who had the working of that fund that it had proved most acceptable to that busy neighbourhood. It enabled them to. give weekly grants for the benefit ?i Juo'lra'e. cases, and the advantage of it was that the patient lived among his own people. A similar fund had been started in connection witn the Chester Jnfirmary. The City Guilds were to be congratulated upon the fact that they had not to go to the public fcr that assistance, but pro- vided it for themselves. Moreover, the guilds had not forgotten what they owed to women, and tiiev were now in the position of being able to give pensions to the widows of those who had been in the receipt of pensions. (Hear, hear.) That was a work of which the guilds ought to feel very proud. He could safely say that a large propor- tion of the position they retained was due to the efforts of Mr. Dutton and those associated with him. When Mr Dutton rcached his pinnacle cf years he would look back upon a busy life. and feel that he had done his full share of work. with his fellow-men. particularly in connection with the City Guilds. (Applause.) The Chairman, in responding, said the guil Is had been carried on successfully for ceusturies, and. were to-day in a better position than ?ver before,, They had on the books at the present time upwards of twenty pensioners, who were in receipt \,f weekly sums varying from 7s. 6d. tr,- a maximum of 12s. To those receiving the maximum alli- ance they were paying upwards oil £ 1,100 in in- vested money, those- receiving 10, a week were paid out of an invested capital of £ 1,000, ald to those who received! 7s. 6d. a fund' of £ 750 wis dis- burse 1, while the widows of th,« pensioner-wero receiving £ 650 a> year from thi> invested Anif-il' (Hear, hear.) Out of their invested capital th^v were not only paying pension*, but also, s l.. r! amount of money for educational purpo^nri grants to school's. They had' upwards of fi ,n,n invested in the King's School for the so«s of mem- bers of the guilds, and £ 3,000 invested in the Queen's School, for the benefit of daughters of members of tho guilds, and had been navin" their children for good attendance at school a'su-n of about £ 120 a year. The guilds were also giving grants for sickness of about £ 90 a year. Four or five years ago he was dissatisfied with the pension scheme, and appealed to the commissioners in London with a view of getting the scheme altered in order to provide for the widows of men who had received pensions. The commissioners granted their request, and now. on the death of any member of the guilds, granted a pension of 7s. a week as long as she lived. (Hear, hear.) Although their society was a very ancient one, they were working on the most modern lines. Mem- bets of the Government had advocated 1 pensions, but the matter ended in promises. From the enormous amount of money absorbed by the guilds in this direction, they knew liov impractic- able it would be to provide a national old-age pension. He thanked Mr. Yti burgh for the kind- ness he had shewn togards the guilds from time to time. The success of the guilds was due largely to Mr. Yerburgh hirnscif-thear, hear)- and they would never have had twenty pensioners but for Mr. Yerburgh's help. Mr. B. C. Roberts, whose absence that night they regrelied, had als.> been an invalauble friend to the guilds. (Applause.) Mr. Jolliffe proposed The Guilds' Tontine Society "—the youngest branch of the City Guilds. He pointed out that, though the society had been in existence only one year, it numbered 97 members, and it was gratifying to find that during the year they had only had five members on the sick list, and that they had been able to, divide a sum of 23s. per head. This society '.ad excellent officers and gave the most favourable promise of development in the future. Mr. S. Gerrard (the secretary), in icsponding, said they hoped in a few days, with the accession of new members, to have a total member-hip of 120. The members contributed Elio to the sick fund, out of which JE7 8s. was spent, and after all expenses were paid they were able to pay a divi- dend of 23s., after making a deduction for the reserve fund. The tru-tees of the Chester Muni- cipal Charities had granted them a sum of £ 10, and they hoped this year to receive a larger sum. The results of the first year's working had been very gratifying, and he had now more confidence- in his wcrk than he had twelve months ago. Hear, hear.) ? The other toasts were "Mr. Yerburgh, and Guests, proposed by the Chairman; "The City and Trade of Chester," proposed by Mr. Ledsham and responded to by Mr. G. E. OH- meadow; and The Chairman, Committee, airl Representative Trustees." proposed by Mr. D. Sconce and replied to by Mr. T. P. Tushingham. The toast list was enjovably interspersed with songs by Messrs. A. S. Dutton. F. Tushingham, T. Oa,kes and A. H. Jones, and recitations by Mr. G. Moore. Mr. F. Tushingham and Mr W. H. Davies accompanied.

CHESTER TRADERS' ASSOCIATION. -+- NAVIGATION OF THE DEE. "CASH ON DELIVERY" POST. The first quarterly meeting of the association was held at the Holborn, Fore gat e-=treet, en Thursday evening. The President (Mr. F. F. Brown) presided over a representative gathering, and, after the election of new members, he ad- dressed the meeting. He said he felt rather dis- appointed that so very few suggestions had been made to the seretary, as he could not help think- ;ng that there were many questions in which the members of the association had a common in- terest, and that by acting in common they could advance the trade of the city. He reported that the question of the improvement of the river Dee had come before the councils of the city of Chester, and the counties of Chester, Flint, and Denbigh. The oouncils of Chester city and Flint- shire were favourably disposed, and had appointed representatives on a committee to discuss the best methods of proceeding, and it rested with the chairman of the Flintshire County Council to summon the meetings. The Flintshire County Council had been very busy with the Education question, and their clerk of the peace had been seriously ill, but he was informed that they would make a move shortly in the matter of the Dee. As to Denbighshire, he had not heard what view the Council took in the matter. Cheshire had declined to support by appointing a representative, as they had no interest in the matter. For his part, he could not understand this att'tude. Per- haps the representatives from this part of the country, being chiefly interested in agriculture, had not given sufficient consideration to the im- mense commercial possibilities. When the Act of 1720 wis passed, by wh'ch the whole of Sealand had been recovered and the whole of Saltney, no thought seemed to have been given to the ques- tion of boundary. The consequence wa.s that Flintshire, without having contributed anything to the cost up to this time, had drawn rates not only from Saltney, which was on the Flintshire s;de of the river, but from Seiland also, which, was on the Cheshire side. Providing there was a fair depth of water in the river, there was an Immense industrial development in the future for Sealand. The coal under it had been proved, and after- some years of litigation, the rights of owner- ship had been established, and already a company had set to work to extract this coal. As long as the r:ver wandered at will over this land. it was too dangerous to work the coal. but now it was po-sible, in consequence of the river being within bounds. If the work proceeded as it should, the land below Connah's Quay would sradually be- come like Sealand, and is we see collieries both at Flint and Neston, oould we doubt that this bed of coal is to be found under the whole estuary? As far as he lcn-w, there was no defined' boundary between Cheshire and Flintshire much below Con- nah's Quay, and in his opinion, the Cheshire County Council would be very blind to the in- terests of the county if they did not seize the op- portunity of discussing this lmttor with Flint- shire with a view to defining this boundary, so that Cheshire should have a frontasro to the river. Thi- matter affected their association inasmuch as the prosperity of the district around affected the trnde of the city, and therefore he trusted .n that any members who had* an opportunity of soeakincr to their friends in Cheshire would press thorn to have a broad view of the matter. The meeting considered the proposed Post- office "Ca,oh on Delivery" system.—The Hon. Pe-retarv (Mr. W. H. Denson) drew attention to the fact that the agitation against the proposed introduction was growing RPare. A vast system of fraud was being carried on by meins of adver- tisement, and this would be crreatlv helped by "C"°h on Delivery." A circular had been sent out f"om the Drapers' Chamber of Trade, and out of 119 replies to this letter, 99 were against the- proposed introduction. A very large number of' trd bodies were add'rc>scing protests to Lord Stanl°v on the subject, and this association should do likewise. The Grocers' Federation had drawn attention to the uncalled for interference of a Government department with commercial affairs at f>e exoen<se of taxnavero. and to the detriment of individual enternWss and it was undoubtedly true that the Parcel Post "Cash on Delivery" proposals would fo"m no cheek on fraud, because flip recini"nts would have no opportunity of ex- amining the consignment or it Vilti- before part- irsr with the mice charged' for it. which was a vm-y undesirable thing. M". Tom Mills also stron2"br opoosed the intro- duction of this system into t1-)- country, as being o«1enl«tf-.ed to afford ir-pit facilities for fraud, as te"d,nor fo oUce provincial trTcIcsmpn at a ereafc di--a'Vantifre as compired w-it'-> the:r brpfhren with ^fabli^ments in the great centre". and also homer tot-illy unnecessary in a thi-Vlv-pcpu- Intpd country such no Groat BntvJ". The tacili- ty for Oro.ci,r;ns- froods locally we-e far in advance of those possessor! Hv other counties where this pvstem was already in existence.—Mr. A. W. Butt- 1<;> opposed^ the nronosed system from the rvoint of view of tho. Timber-; of his trade.—The followf,^ resolution wa<, carried" s -siherle dissentient" T'^at this o^tim of opinion that the proposed • Cash on Dobvpry system is not reouired in t'us country; that it would tend to concentrate busing in large- centres to the detriment of the trade in the- Provinces, and thoy would view with alarm any- thnG- by wbioh the ran cf delivery of lottors and parcels would be impeded that a conv of this resolution be spnt to the to the members of Parliament for the eitv and divi- sion of the county, with a rpnueot that they will opno any proposes of this description." The ouestion of inaccuraces in railway way bills was Strong^ commented upon by several members ot the association, and1 various susrtrestions put forward for obviatincr the difficulties Zm plained of. and stroner recommendations wra ni,.de to call the attention of the various rajTway companies to the importance of the matter, to prevent a recurrence of this very objectionable state of things. The Secretary reported the action of the Execu- tive Committee at their bst meeing in reference to the proved increase in the. remuneration of t no. citv Electrical Engineer. Mr. J. A pole ton raised the nuestion of the pre- sent nagcrimr of the Rows, which, he sa:d. was in som fases in a very rougli and unsatisfactory advocated a more uniform system ot nagging. Mr. H. B. Dutton, as representing- the city of Cnester on the committee consisting of the most important subscribers to the Nafonaf Telephone Company throughout North Wales, raised1 the ouestion of the making of the whole of North Wales a free area. Tli-e following- resolution was submitted to the meeting, and unanimously 55?opt«d That the users of the telephone in- Chester present at a general meetihg of the Chester Traders' Association, heltf on the 23th of January, cordially ap- proved of the. movement for t'-e ex- tension of the telephone free area, as outlined by the committee recently formed.A further reso- lution embodying the foregoing was also passed and ordered to be laid before the Finance- Chym, mittee of the Chester Corporation.

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