The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

1 THE T I I liia li • K OF w AK. Our special map illustrates the scene of the war between Japan and Russia, and will no doubt assist our readers in their study of the unfortunate struggle in the Far East. Port Arthur, the great Russian naval base in Manchuria, witnessed the first naval battle in which the Japanese fleet, under Admiral Togo, shattered the Russian Squadron. The bombardment is stated to have caused great destruction in the town. Chemulpo was the scene of another Japanese naval victory, two Russian warships being sunk.

GOUT CURED COMPLETELY. ♦ Miss M L. Hammond The Strv.! flimirf/m near Guddford Surrey lias wnften a letter in wh'ch sh? dcclai-ps positively that -she- hps been completely cured of a very serious case of gout About throe years ago I had au attack of b ood poisoning wh eh was followed by Rheumatic it ,W/uS S? b'd tha1t J was '!>•'•• unable to ■valk and the do 'o said that T would alwava be fb ks. ow: subject, to s':n"1.r atta ks. Th r, foilowmo- year f was 3?;:c.;d v., t fr(-tit.z,an and became woire than be'oro; T id kern -mv hed a whole! month. Durm- t! '= time the doctor attended me ':n- 1 r',e to '<P i^d go about ■iy work, I wi- cn -n--l!ed to use ji stick to walk I was so'zod w't' W-n>» p:vn -■ a-y I at- t"TiDtod to moro a'though I k-rw on akin, I med'eine. I cro! -o K"tt~r. ° Arter upincr TWd 5 Kidnov "P;u,. ;• short time I f"lt:J¿ t'(' "'H' comp'r<>' ,Cq( am r>ow quite cured T 0-,q Wall w thout for-hnr the liisf n in, sad considering hew bAl I w,i, it 's wonde-i' and "hew:" what Dodd's K d- ney Puis wl! icr

On arrival at T. o-v>l nn Fn v: or th. Majestic from New York h «' 181b. of dynamite Of 'An A:I,tr,;in emigrant in whos*- ov,-r 3 000 deroriM.tors. fr,nt0 todv and later remanded bv I'endia ry tt.> (,Dah; the polico to invest.ig"t. j,tter.

CHESTER OLD KINGS SCHOLARS ■V ANNUAL DINNER. The 39th annual dinner of the Chester Old King's Scholars' Association was held at the Blossoms Hotel on Tuesday. The following mem- bers and friends attended:—Dr. Wright (presi- dent), the Rev. R. A. Thomas, Messrs. 1-1. McLean and L. Hales (vice-presidents), the Rev. J. T. Davies, the Rev. D. Falle, the Rev. A. E. Fuller, the Rev. A. E. Farrar, Dr. Jephcott, Dr. Lees, Messrs. H. Beswick, \Y. Haswell, W. E. Lindop, L. Booth, G. Lowe, W. Hunter, T. J. Dutton, G. E. Oidmeadow, J. J. Roberts, G. J. Roberts, A. E. Dickin, C. C. Jones. W. H. Davies, E. Cunnah, A. H. Davies, F. Mason, F. G. Brown, W. H. Brown, W. Bower, S. Williams, G. Evans, H. G. Hope, A. E. Day, G. Dutton, W. Illingworth, A. E. Jackson. J. Henderson, A. O. Roberts, W. Shepherd, C. H. Minshull, W. O. Whalley, A. Naylor and C. Howard. Dinner was served at seven o'clock in the Egerton Room, and at the conclusion the loyal toasts were given bv the President, with musical honours. "The Navy, Army and Auxiliary forces was pro- posed by Mr. J. J. Roberts, who included the names of Major Mason and Major Lea. Mr. Roberts drew attention to the fact that a rifle corps had been formed at the school, which was received with applause by the "old boys" present. Major Mason responded. Following that The School was proposed by the Rev. R. A. Thomas, _e and the Headmaster (the Rev. J. T. Davies), in responding, gave an outline of the work, past and present, at the school, from which inference was drawn as to ti e splendid management and the numerous successes gained by the scholars, especially that of Mr. A. Naylor. The Associa- tion was proposed by Mr. McLean, who recalled many names and events connected with the time of the old school. The names included those of many well-known men who were King's scholars. Mr. W. Haswell, the oldest member of the asso- ciation, responded. "The Immortal Memory of King Henry VIII. the founder of the school, was proposed by Mr. H. Beswick, and received in silence. Mr. Oidmeadow proposed The Retiring President," and the latter (Dr. Wright) responded. "The Visitors" ,was proposed by Mr. W. Brown, and the Rev. A. E. Farrar re- sponded. Mr. L. Booth then proposed the health of the energetic hon. secretary (Mr. H. G. Hope), a toast which was received with enthusiasm. Musical items were contributed by the Revs. R. A. Thomas and A. E. Farrar, Messrs. L. Hales, L. Booth, G. H. Davies, A. H. Davies and W. Haswell, whose annual song, When we were boys together." is a recognised feature of this gathering. The singing of Auld Lang Sync brought one of the pleasantest of these dinners to a successful termination.

CHESTER FIRM AND THEIR FOREMAN. ALLEGED WRONGFUL DISMISSAL. His Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd, sitting at Chester County Court on Thursday, heard a claim by Mr. John Burnett, practical engineer and smith, of the Druids' Arms, Seller-street, against Messrs. Ockleston and Drayton Johnson, Ltd., of Liverpool, and Water Tower-street, Chester, metal workers, for JE25 9s. Id., for goods supplied, and J3100 for wrongful dismissal. Mr. E. Owen Roberts, barrister, instructed by Mr. R. T Morgan, solicitor, Chester, appeared for plaintiff, while Mr. F. A. Greer, barrister, Liverpool, in- structed by Messrs. Lindsay, Squarcy and Co.. solicitors, Liverpool, defended. Mr. Owen Robert. in opening the case, said that plaintiff entered the service of the defendant company in July, 1902, under verbal agreement. He remained there four months, and then a written agreement was entered into, to remain m force for 13 months, from December 1st, 1902. to December 31st, 1903, when the arrangement could be terminated by three months' notice on either side. or renewed for a further twelve months. His wages were fixed at 10d. per hour from January 1st. 1903, and at lid. per hour from Juno 1st, 1903. There was a condition that de- fendant should devote the whole of his time to the work of his employers. Any work brought in by him was to benefit him 5 per cent. on the selling price, provided it showed not less than 15. per cent. profit. On May 30th defendant was dismissed. Between July and November, 1902, plaintiff sold to do fondants his tools and appliances, and the claim of JB25 was in respect of appliances he sold tfc. defendants. Plaintiff was apprenticed for seven years in the works of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and he afterwards was in the employment of several firms in Birkenhead and Liverpool, having moved about in order to gain a wide experience of his work. No complaint was over made in regard to his competence and ability. In 1891 plaintiff came over to Chester and took over the business of J. G. Yates, Foregate-street, and for four years he was joined in partnership by his brother. The partnership was dissolved on his brother's receiving an excellent appointment in Colombo. Plaintiff carried on business for a few months by himself, and then he purchased the business of Mr. Stevenson, in Seller-street. He afterwards sold it to Messrs. F. J. Jones and Co., and remained with them as their foreman, meet. ing defendants while in that position. Messrs. Jones and Co. Tailed, and plaintiff rented the business at 8s. a week. One Saturday Mr Drayton Johnson came to him and offered fcc make him foreman in the new works he was start- ing in Water Tower-street. Mr. Johnson told him to bring with him his men and his tools and appliances, offering to buy tho latter from him. me following Monday he went to work in the service of the new company. He found the work- shop in a very unsatisfactory condition; the machinery was out of order, and there were no tools. With regard to the tools, on January 2nd plaintiff made a list of them and the price he sold them to defendants for. The amount was E73 and E50 had been paid in instalments, and plain- tiff now claimed the money for the remainder. He had been in business for himself for 13 years, and he knew of no reason why he should have been dismissed. It was a very grave reflection on nim. John Burnett, the plaintiff, in confirming this statement, said he was 38 years of age, and he had had practical experience of the work of engineer and smith since he was 13. when he was made an apprentice. Speaking of the tools, he said when he entered defendants' employment he took only half his tools with him, keeping the other half at his own shop for two months, when he disposed of the business. In giving him notice of dismissal defendants wrote that during the previous six months his department had lost £ 150, and that it was better the agreement should be terminated in order to bring the "horrible situa- tion to an end. Plaintiff had received no com- plaint. and he knew no cause for the dismissal. He did not suggest to Mr. Johnson that his em- ployment should be terminated. He had since obtained a testimonial from the firm stating that he had collected a large amount of knowledge from his varied experience as an engineer and smith."—Witness was cross-examined at great length by Mr. Greer about several uninteresting details of his work. He denied that he accepted the testimonial because he acquiesced in the dismissal. He had done no private work for cus- tomers. but only for his private friends, who had paid him for it. He Had not employed defendant's iiien to do his private work, except out of working iours. -,ii William James, Borough-road, Birkenhead, an •ngineer and machine smith of 30 vear.,i' ex- jorience. gave evidence as to the value of the tools in dispute. He thought that in some cases plaintiff might have obtained 25 per cent. more. Edward Henry Williams, 24, Chapel-lane, Houghton, deposed as to the the condition of the cools. James Hooney, fitter, Chester; Wm. Roberts, Handbridge, shipwright; Wm. Williams, Lead- works-lane and the Groves, boat builder: and Thomas Archibald Capner. Longport, Staffs., formerly of Chester, testified to plaintiff's general ability. The case was at this stage adjourned until a future date.

A CHESTER APPEAL CASE. BRASSEY v. BECK. On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal, oomposed of the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices Romor and Matliew, heard the appeal of the defendant and cross-appeal of the plaintiffs in this case from a judgment of Mr. Justioe Phiilimore, who tried the action at Chester Assizes. The action wan brought by the plaintiffs, Mr. Ernest Brassoy, solicitor; Mr. Samuel Hamley, costumier; and Messrs. Hart Davies and Son, shirtmakors. all of Chester, against the defendant, Mr. A. E. Bcck, of Eaileswood House, in the county of Warwick, claiming damages for an alleged breach of agree- ment, dated July 15, 1902. It appeared that Mr. Brassey, acting as solicitor for Hamley and Davies, had obtained judgment against a Mr. Mitchell for sums amounting to JE50 16s. 7d. Thereupon the two judgment creditors instructed Mr. Brassey to file a petition in bankruptcy against Mr. Mitchell, who was in the service of the Bettisfield Colliery Company, Limited. Mr. Beck, ono of the directors of that company, on July 15, 1902, however, entered into an agreement in writing with tho plaintiffs, which was the agreement now sued upon. It was to the effect that, in con- sideration of the- plaintiffs' withdrawing tho bank- ruptcy petition against Mitchell, Mr. Beck would obtain from the Bettisfield Colliery Company an undertaking binding them to pay the plaintiffs the sum of £10, and afterwards JB2 a week until the debts of Hamley and Davies, together with all costs of judgments, bankruptcy notice, and petition, was paid in full. Mr. Beck paid Mr. Brassey the £ 10, but tho other terms of the agree- ment, it was alleged', were not carried out. This action was accordingly brought, the piaintiffs claiming JB52 17s. 3d., being the amount of the judgment debt, together with L12, the costs of tne bankruptcy proceedings, less £10. the sum paid by Mr. Beck on the agreement being entered into at the trial. Mr. Justice Phiilimore gave judg- ment for the plaintiff Brassey for the amount claimed with costs, and the defendant now ap- pealed. The cross-notice of appeal of the plaintiffs asked of that the judgment of the learned judge might be varied by judgment being entered not only in favour of Mr. Brassey, but also in favour of his co-plaintiffs, the judgment creditors. Mr Lin- coln Reed and Mr. Montgomery appeared for the defendant., and Mr. F. Marshall, K.C., and Mr. Ellis Griffith for the plaintiffs. In the result, their lordships dismissed the de- fendants' appeal with costs, and allowed the plaintiffs' appeal with costs, judgment being entered for all three plaintiffs in the amount claimed.

CHESHIRE ELECTRICITY AND POWER-GAS. With a. capital of £10,000 a syndicate has been formed and a Bill has been deposited in Parlia- ment for the purpose of obtaining a Bill in the next session to manufacture and distribute elec- tricity and power-gas throughout the whole of the county of Chester. The syndicate is composed of well-known gentlemen in the county interested in manufactories and other undertakings. The area over which powers are sought was originally in- cluded in the North-Western Eleotrioity and Power-Gas Bill which received Royal assent last x session. The committee, however, excluded Cheshire from the Bill on the ground that the North-western, etc., Bill did not provide, suffi- cient capital for the whole area. The district has some 654,000 acres with a population of 814,000, in which there are one city, three county boroughs, six boroughs, thirty-six urban district councils, and thirtoeen rural district Councils, in all some fifty-nine authorities, few of which have erected electrical generating stations. In the area there are large industries, comprising salt works, col- lieries, lead mines, steel and iron works, chemical works, and factories for the production of bricks and tiles, pottery, soap, and paper. There are also cotton malis, oalico printing works and dye works, silk spinning mills, hat manufacturers, and considerable engineering and shipbuilding trade. An exclusive licence has been obtained from tho d Power-Gas Corporation for the manufacture and distribution of power-gas. The Bill provides for the protection of all local authorities with regard to their streets, etc., and the urban district councils have already had a meeting for the purpose of passing a resolution supporting the Bill. The Cheshire County Council, Shropshire Union Canal, and Weaver Navigation Trustees are all protected by special clauses. No monopoly is to be created by the Bill, and it is not intended that the gas shtdl bo used for lighting purposes. Among the sub- scribers to the Bill are Major Henry Brunner, Edward Basil Lupton, Alfred Mond, William Mo DonneU Mackey, and other gentlemen from Bir- kenhead, Northwich, Middlewich, and other parts of the county. By the syndicate prospectus it is proposed to enter into an agreement with the Northwich Electric Supply for the purchase of toear undertaking, and as the demand for eløe- tricity in this district has con sidcrably grown, the promoters of the Bill intend if these powers are obtained, to at once provide for the larger de- mand. The capital of the company is fixed at 21,000,000 in shares of JB1 each, with power to borrow £ 333,000. The number of directors is to be nine, and their qualification not less than 500 shares, except in the case of the director to be nominated by the Power-Gas Corporation. In- terest at the rate of three per oent., in the aggre- gate E40,000, is to be paid during construction of the undertaking The solicitors are Messrs. Row- cliffe and Co., of 28, lctoria-strect, Westminster,

j BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES ttle- Couah, Cold, Hoarseness, and 1, ftlienza, ("Jure m.v Irritation or Soreness of the Throat i he I I ae: in Cough in eoitsump, Ion, Relieve BroDnhitis, Asthma, and Catarrh. Carry them about with you. Sold everywhere. Is. ljd. per box. BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES t BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES

CHESTER BOATMEN'S MISSION. .— The annual meeting of the Chester branch of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society was held at tho Boatmen's Bethel, Victoria-place, Frod- sham-street, on Tuesday evening. A fair attend- ance was presided over by Mr. J. G. Hope. The mnual report of the local committee was pre- sented, and stated that, while rejoicing in the good which they trusted had been done, the com- mittee had been anxious to widen the basis of the mission and endeavour to give better effect to the work they had in hand, viz., of bringing religious and moral influences to bear upon the men, women and children engaged in canal work, and to make the mission-room a place of useful- ness on week evenings. Writh that object they had approached the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society and arranged to make the work a branch of that society, and had the services of one of their missioners for a portion of each week, in- cluding Sundays. The sum they had agreed to pay was £ 35 per annum, which they hoped the public would assist them in raising. If funds permitted, they looked forward to having the continuous services of the missioner during the week in meetings with the boat people on the canal in the district. The committee expressed their acknowledgment to her Grace Katharine Duchess of Westminster for an annual donation for the entertainment of the children on the boats, which had enabled the teachers to take them for a day's outing to tho seaside; also to Mr. Sidney Clark for a contribution to an annual tea and entertainment for the boat people, which had been much appreciated; and to other subscribers for their kind help. The committee also thanked the members of the different Christian com- munities for the assistance they had given.-Tlie statement of accounts, presented by Mr. Hopkin- I son, the treasurer, shewed that the balance in hand was £ 6 17s. 5d. The Sunday School account shewed a balance of j61 lis. 3d. in the treasurer's hands.—On the motion of Mr. A. W. Armstrong, seconded by Mr. J. Shires, the report and accounts were adopted, and the following com- mittee elected for the ensuing year:—Miss Boaz, Miss Agnes Jones, Miss Jones. Mrs. Hatcher, Mrs. Williams. Miss Strong, Mr. E. Pitchford, Mr. Robert Griffiths, Mr. B. Hulse, Mr. A. W. Armstrong, Mr. E. Noel Humphreys. Mr. J. G. Hope. Mr. W. Boaz. Mr J. A. Lawson, Mr. D. Sconce. Mr. George Huehes. Mr. A. Coveney and Mr. H. Hopkinson.—The Chairman, in a shon address, referred to the oritrin of the mission to boat people 25 years ago, and to the advantages which would accrue from their becoming a branch of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society, and thus obtaining the services of one of their ex- perienced missioners. He appealed to the people of the citv to take some interest in the work among that neglected class of people, the boat peoole.—The Rev. J. M. Wilkie, superintendent of the Liverpool Society, and Mr. Robert Clark, deputy superintendent, afterwards addressed the meeting, and a collection was taken on behalf of the mission.

CORPORATION" ACCOUNTS. — ♦ THE AUDIT QUESTION. The Finance Committee of Chester Town Coun- cil have received tho following letter, dated the 4th inst., from Messrs. Wa-msloy, Jonos and Co.. accountantsAs so much misapprehension ap- pears to exist as to the present combination of the offices of elective auditor and professional audi- tors, and as the question has been raised more than once in the Council, we think it well to state the facts of the matter so far as wo are personally concerned. On the death of the late City Treasuier in 1891, a. general readjustment took place in the treasurer's department of the Corpora- tion and the Council decided following tho ex- ample of many other towns that the city accounts should be audited by professional accountants, and honoured our firm with the appointment. Pre- viously, the only audit had been that provided for by the Municipal Corporation Act. 1882. viz., by two ratepayers who had to be elected for the purpose, and who were known as elective audi- tors, and by the Mayors auditor, a city council- lor appointed by the Mayor. There had been little or no. competition for the office of elective auditor, and as the law had to be complied with, it was left for the officials in the Town Clerk's de- partment to se-e that nominations were forth- coming, and they had usually, if not invariably, at the last moment, to peisonally solicit and get nominated burgesses to undertake the duty We annex a list of all who have held the appoint- ment since the 1882 Act- It is no disparagement to say that many of the gentlemen appointed had no special knowledge of accounts, or training for the work, and as a fee of 42s. only was ailowed for an audit which thoroughly carried out would have occupied very considerable time it is obvi- ous that such an audit could afford little protec- tion either to th? Council or to the ratepayers. It will bo known that we had no connection with the elective audit until after we had held the professional audit some years, and then the step was taken, not for any benefit to ourselves, but at the instance of the Council, to protect the city against double payment for auditing under the following circumstances. Under the Municipal Act, the elective auditors were, like the council- lors elected to and served office, without payment for their but the Public Health Acts provided (a) That. the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Council under the Public Health Acts should be audited and examined by the auditors of the borough; and (b) that each of such auditors should in respect of each audit be paid such reasonable remuneration not being less than two. guineas, for every day in which they woro employed in auditing the accounts under the Public Health Acts as the. Council, as the Urban Sanitary Authorities, should from time to time appoint. It will be noted the payment was sane tioned for audit of the accounts under the Public Health Acts and not of the accounts of the Coun- cil as municipal authority. Hence the origin of tho two guineas payment, but in 1897 the then eloctivo auditors expended a large amount of time over tho audit., and a, large claim was made in respoct of it. What proportion of that time was bestowed on the audit of the municipal accounts and what on the public health accounts did not, wo think, appear, but we behave tho claim was resisted and not paid. T'lio result of their audit has not, so far as wo tan find, been ascertained beyond the fact- that they passed and signed the accounts. In the following year the elective auditors, (ono being the same as the previous year) sent in a claim which we believe exceeded the amount of our professional charge. We under- stand that the Council repudiated the liability but. eventually tendered a. much smaller amount which was ultimately accepted. The sending in of a bill for anything beyond the J32 2s. fee was a new experience, but it. was found o be the experience, also of other municipalities, some. claims running to hundreds of pounds for time oil municipal as well as public health audits. and also in pursuing iirelevant matters quite outside the functions of an auditor; a test cas.. was taken to the law courts by one of the boroughs, but the. result was not such as to satis- factorily dispose of the difficulty. The Council, therefore, in common with many other Corpora- lions. found themselves in the very anomalous position of being called upon practically to pay twice for an audit which general business experi- ence only requires to be done once. The position was discussed by the Finance Committee and bv our=elves with the then Town Clerk, with the result that it was considered that if the practice of some other boroughs of electing the profes sional auditors elective auditors was adopted, the question of both liability and expense would be disposed of, and this was a<:L'd upon. It was certainly not in the mind of anyone at the time to deprive the ratepayers of any right of audit, but only that if the ratepayers did not nominate other auditors, measures should be taken to .nominate the professional auditors. Nor did the proposal involve any alteration of or addition to the duties or the fee of the professional auditors; we do not derive any benefit directly or indirectly from the appointment- of elective auditors. Our professional audit goes far beyond the limitations of the elective audit, which is said to be con- lined to tho examination of the city cash book and vouchers. We carry out the audit precisely on the. lines we should apply to all other audits, and pay especial regard to the municipal trading undertakings of the past, few years Our audit is, moreover a continuous one entered upon as. soon as possible after each previous years accounts are closed, and continued as cioselv as book-keep- ing permits. The piofessional audit is not, there- fore. in any way accountable for any delay in the publication of the accounts, a,nd we should be pleased to do, all we can to expedite the publi- cation, as well as to facilitate the issue of half- yearly accounts. We may add that a former elec- tivo auditor called upon us in September last, after our usual nomination papers had been lodged and stated that it was intended to nominate him- self and another for the office of elective auditors. We informed him that the ratepayers were en- titled to exercise their right of nomination, and that if he and another were proposed, we should not put the citv to the expense of a poll. The foregoing observations will shew that our occu- pation of the two offices has only had the one ob ject of obviating the liability to double payment, which the Council, like the Councils of several other towns, were anxious to avoid, while com- plying with the. law on the subject and securing an effective audit of all the city's accounts, whether municipal or public health. it also! I we trust, be clear that our undertaking also the office and duties of elective auditors affords us no personal benefit, and we shall have no reluct- -jec ance whatever in relinquishing the office of elec- tive auditors whenever the interests of the city can no longer be served! by our retaining it.

As a number of hounds belonging to Eton Col- loge Beagles were crossing tho railway line in the neighbourhood of Lamham Royal, near Slough, on Thursday, they was killed by a passenger train.

ART EDUCATION IN WALES. On Saturday a large gathering assembled at St. Clare's Convent, Pantasaph (Holywell) on the occasion of the annual distribution of certificates to the pupils of the various science and art classes held there u.idcr the Technical Instruction Com- mitteo of the Flintshire County Council. Lord Mostvn, who was accompanied by Lady Mostyn, presided, and the attendance included the Earl and Countess of Denbigh, Lord Mostyn of Talacre, Miss Isabel Tate (hon. "ee. of tho Flintshire Branch of the Welsh Industries Association), Mr. L. J. Roberts (H.M. Inspector of Schools), Mr. Taylor (Inspector of Drawing and Manual Work for Wales). lr. R. LI. Jones (chairman of the Flint- shire Education Committee), etc.—A report having boon made to the effect that the class had been eminently successful during the past year, Mr. 1j. J. Roberts delivered an address, and Mr. Taylor, in the course of his remarks, said a few years ago he took part in the selection of specimens of Welsh art work, to be sent to the exhibition at Paris, and no better work was sent in than that from Pantasaph—especially their needlework; and the commissioners who came down to select the exhibits to go to Paris unani- mous!- selected the whole of the Pantasaph goods. (Applause.) He visited the exhibition at Paris, and ho considered the needlework and lacework sent from Pantasaph was equal, if not superior, to the elementary school work of the world. (Loud L applause.)—The Earl of Denbigh said he saw a, great field of usefulness before classes of this character.-Tlio certificates were distributed by Lady Mostyn, and the company present inspected with interest and delight the pupils' productions— displayed around the walls—in the shape of needle and lace work, drawings, paintings on silk, marqueterio and inlaid woodwork, etc. marqueterie and inlaid woodwork, etc.

BLUE COAT BALL. -+-- The triennial ball in aid of the funds of the Chester Blue Coat Sohool was held on Thursday evening at the Grosvenor Hotel. The function. was a sucoess in every way. The attendance numbered over 200, and dancing was enjoyed to the bright, music supplied by Herr Wurm's White V ennese Band. Supper was catorcd for by the manager of the hotel (Mr. Collins) in his aocus- tomed style. The arrangements were most satis- factory, and praise is due to th? following, who constituted the Management Committee:—The Mayor (Mr. R. Lamb) and Messrs. Douglas Dobie. N A. E. Way, Arthur L. Birch Walter Conway and H. J. Howell Evans Mr F. Skipwith was the hon. treasurer, while the secietarial work was capabiy carried out by Colonel J. Sheriff Roberts and Mr. C. P. Smith. The following is a list of those present:—Dr. and Mrs. Archer, Major J. R. Birch Miss D. Birch, Miss H. Birch, Mr A. L. Birch Mr A. P. Blunt. Mr F. G. Barker, Mrs. Burton. Miss M. S. Broaubcnt, Miss D. Bates, Miss G. Bates the Rev. J. L. and Mrs Bedford, Mr. F. W. Blood, Mr. R. W. Corbett-Winder, Mr A. R. Uvedale Corbett, Miss A. M. C. Cor- bett Miss V. M C. Corbett Miss C. V. Corbett, and Miss Hulton Harris and Captain Lee, Mr. and Mrs. C. Carson, Miss A. F. Caison, Mr. J. F. Crean. Mr. A D. P. Campbell, Mr. E. J. Chur- ton, Mr. W G. J. Currie, Mrs. Cay Mr. Walter Conway. Mr. G. Clayton, Mrs. J. Cullimore, Mr. E S. Clark. Miss Davison Miss Nora Davison, Capta;n G. S. and Mrs. Davies. Mr B. Dixon, M:ss Duke, Mr. A. W. Dodds Mr. S Donne, Mr. Dougla3 Dobie, Mr. and Mrs. R. Farmer, Miss Fulton and Miss V. Fulton, Mr. and Mrs. James G 'Frost Dr. W A. and Mrs. Fitzgerald. Dr. and Mrs. Granger Mr and Mis. J. Stuirt Goold, Miss Garnett and Miss B. Garnett (Frodsham), Mr. T. E. Goodeve, Mr. A. Healey. Mr. H. J. and Miss Howell Evans, Mr. Maysmor Harrison, Mrs. and Miss Allington Hughes, Mrs Illingworth, Mr. W. S. Jones, Mr. Norman Jones, Mr. J. Eustace Jones M;ss Jones Mr. H A. Jenner, Dr. and Mrs. C. Jephcott, Miss N. Jacson. Miss Kerr. Mvs. Stewart Kelly (Mold). Captain and Mrs. F. F. Lambarde. the Mayor (Mr R. Lamb), Major and Mrs MacGillvcudd.v Mr. Ma an, Mr- A J. Musgrave, Mr. C R. and Miss M. E. Morris. Miss Maclarrn. Mr. J. D. Mavhew. M'ss N. Mus- pratt, Miss Mucpratt Mr C. Muspratt, Mr. R. Muspratt. Mr. C. Tudor Owen. Mios Ommanney. Mr J. Okell Miss H. and Miss M. Okell, Mr. and Mrs. R. Potts and Miss Winifred Potts, Mr. and Mrs. E. Powell. Miss M. Powell, Mr. W. P. Powell Mr. and Mrs G. Parker, Mr. J M. Pod- more, Miss A. and Miss M. Podmore Mr B. C. Roberts. Miss C. C. Roberts, Miss C. M. Roberts and Mr C. Johnstone, Miss Roberts Miss Salkeld Robinson Miss J. Salkeld Robinson, Mr. C. C. Rogers Colonel J., Mrs. and Miss Sheriff Roberts Mrs. 0 Richards, Miss G. Rolt. Miss F. Rovle and Miss Royle. Miss D Sandbach Mrs J. W. Savage, Mr. G. T. Savage, Miss Savage, Mr. and Mrs Sydney Sha'po Mr. J. Lintoine Shore, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Swoienham Miss M. E. Swetenham, Dr. Smartt (Tarporley), Mr. C. P. Smith. Miss Smith, Miss F. Smith, Mr. and Mrs F Skipwith. Miss Summe"3 Miss Howard Stafford, Mrs. James Tay- lor, Miss H. E Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Hv. Taylor. Miss Amv and Miss Florence Tavlor. Miss C. and Miss L. Tomlin. Mr. H. F. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Thomson. Miss Tait, Miss L Tob'n. Mr. and Mrs. N A. E. Wav. Mr. and Miss Winter. Mr. R. G. Williams Miss E. Williams. Mr. R. T. Wic-kham, Mr. H. W. Williams (Holywell), Misa Young, etc

WELSH CHFRCH BAZAAR -+- OPENED BY MRS. YERBURGH. On Wednesday and Thursday a highly success- ful bazaar was held in the Newgate-street As- sembly Room, in order to clear off the debt ex- isting on the St. Martin's Welsh Church, Nicholas-street. The prettily-decorated stalls were heavily laden with a variety of articles, and at the- time of opening there was a large gather- ing of visitors The chaplain of the church (the Rev. 0. Alban Thomas) pressed, and in explaining the object of the bazaar said that nine or ten generations l ai-o a gathering like that would have been abso- lutely impossible, for in those days a Welshman vvno was seen in Chester had his right, hand cut off or if he dared to sleep in tho city was killed. outright. Luckny those days had gone. (Laugh- e -.) Many circumstances rendered it exceed- uigly hard and chffLuit to meet the expenses of ilie oish Cnuich. Its position v. as such that nearly all its members lived a very great dis- tance oif. Despite the annual tea and concert, tiiey v, ere not abie to meet their liabilities, and every few years a special effort was necessary to wipe off the accumulated debt. Mrs. Yerbmgh, in opening the bazaar, said she was very pleased indeed to be there that day on her way to London, to help the bazaar. She wished it eveiy possible success, and she had. great pleasure in declaring it open. (Applause.) Colonel H T. Brown proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. \erburgh for her kindness in being present and opening the bazaar. He said the caurch deserved encouragement and help from tiiose outside its own body. They were aware that for a considerable period there was no Welsh Chu c-ii (he spoke now of the Church of England) existing in Chester for the benefit of the Welsh population, wheres there were several Noncon- formist chapels He spoke of the great value of the in lustrations of Lie Welsh Church to young pyop.e coming over the border for the first time. They were soiry not to have the pleasure of Mr. Yerbiugh s presence, but. they knew his many occupations at the piesent time did not enable him to fill all the many offices and duties his friends would have liked to see him perform. No doubt Mrs. Yerburgh was there to express her own kind wishes and Mr. Yerburgh's as well. Colonel Evans-Lloyd seconded, and mentioned the interesting fact that the person to whom they were indebted for the present condition of the church was represented by Mr. B. C. Roberts. who had been a staunch supporter of tho church. and whose father had bu.lt it and endowed it, and pra tically made it wiiat it was. The bazasr on the second day was opened by the Mayoress (Mrs. Lamb) who was accompanied oy the Major The Rev. 0. Alban Thomas again occupied the chair. A vote of thanks to the Mayoi ess was p oposed by Dr. Stoltcrfoth, and seconded' by Mr. B. C. Roberta, who moved that a simiLu- compliment, be paid to the ladies, both. those who were members of the Church and other friends, who by their efforts had mado the func- tion such a sue ess and given euch valuable sup- port to the Welsh Church community. Both propositions were heartily agreed to The takings for the first day exceeded £100, and it is hopl-,d that the second day's takings will cover the sum required, namely J3200. The following were the stallholders:—Stall 1, Mrs O Alban Thomas, .Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Roberts; stall 2, Mrs. Crowley and the Misses M. and K. Jones stall 2a, Mis? Dora Jones, Miss J. I Robeits and Mrs. Humphreys; stall 3, Mrs. Stoltcrfoth M'ss Fluitt and Miss M. Roberts; stall 4, Mrs. James G. Frost; stall 5, Mrs. H. T. Biown, Mrs. J. M. Frost and Mrs. Fitzgerald; stall 6 Miss Sybil Clark and Mrs. Fuller; stall 7, Mrs. B C. Roberts.

No Breakfast Table complete without EPPS'S GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. Ammukk a& Ar-M min COCOA The Most Nutritious and Economical.

defioiency, which would have to be supplied by, not only agriculturists, but all classes of rate- payerSf-h^ of Mr Richardson, seconded by Mr. G. B. Baker-Wilbraham, the subject was re- ferred to the Finance Committee. COUNTY FINANCES. A LARGE EXPENDITURE. Dr. Atkinson, in moving the confirmation of the minutes of the Finance Committee, said they had to ask the sanction of the Council to the bills and aocounts amounting to the sum of £191,782 163. 3d. This time last year the amount sub- mitted to the Council was £ 146,197 17s. 3d., so that on the present occasicn there was an increase over last year of 1;45,584 19s., whioh might be ex- plained very briefly. They were now spending considerable sums of money in carrying out ihe provisions of the Education Act of 1902, and also in the erection of new police stations, magistrates' rooms, and large additions at Parkside Asylum, and the provision for their spending had to be made by the Council, in the quarterly order. On the ordinary expenditure of the Council, however, there had been practically very little, if any, in- )e crease at all. The claims on the exchequer con- tribution account did not this year vary very much from last year's, except in respect of the claims for the proportion towards the cost of mainten- ance of lunatics, which shewed an inorease; also there are slight increases on the other items. But these increases, although of small amount per annum, had during the past ten years, grown to a sum upwards of £ 8,000. The capital expen- diture of the Council had been increased by the work on the new buildings, such as police stations and magistrates' rooms, and at the asylums; and this had proportionately increased the county debt, which at present stood at £ 170.427 6s. 9d. The County Council stood in a satisfactory con- dition at the present time. There was a large balance to the credit of the Council (excluding rates, etc., yet to come in) amounting to £ 135.871 5s. 3d., comparing with the balance this time last year when it stood at E106,765 14s. 7d. The Coun- cil had so far actually paid on the education ac- count the sum of £ 105,762, and the year's income up to the present on this account had been E90,593 9s. 9d. The Council had not required to borrow any sum (because of advances which have been necessary owing to delays in payment of the education rates or non-receipt of grants from the Government), but had met all such monetary advances out of the county fund cash balances. The committee, at their meeting, had before them a communication from the Government as to the advisability or otherwise of placing the Industrial Sohool children belonging to the county under the direction of the Education Committee, and had made the recommendation That all such child- ren, for the future, be placed under the direction of the Education Committee." The children at present in industrial schools it might be desirablo also to place under the direction of the Education Committee, but this would be a subject for future considerat'on after inquiries have been made. The members will see from, the financial statement published by the chairman of the Council that the Council's cash transactions since 1889 had been 23.760,677, and, if taking into account the exchequer transfers, £ 4,692,375. The Govern- ment had paid to the county during those years: — £ 1,439,294 for licences and estate duties, 9267,144 for customs and excise duties, and 86,481 under the Agricultural Rates Act; mak- ing a total sum from the Government of £ 1 792,919. The meeting terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to Colonel Dixon, on the motion of Alder- man John Thompson, for the able and courteous manner in which he has presided over the Coun- cil's deliberations. A TRIENNIAL REVIEW. In an interesting address furnished to the mem- bers upon the work of the Council during the past throe years, the Chairman enumerated thirteen Acts of Parliament passed during that period, the administration of which devolved upon county councils, and conferred powers in some cases not previously exercised by them. Summarising the Motor Car Act, of 1903, he stated that up to the timQ of ping to press the clerk of the County Council had registered 194 motor cars and 143 motor cycle's, and licensed 501 drivers, and issued seven dealers' licences. This is a larger numbo than that reported by the clerk to the committee. having apparently been compiled later. Refer ring to the county rate basis, he states that at thE commencement of the triennial period the basis or standard upon which the county and police rates were levied was £3,538,220, the assessable value of the county under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896. being upon such baois, the sum of £ 3,140,884. The basis had been revised under the triennial period, and now stood at the following siimg, viz:-Basis, £ 3'699-632: ase"sable value, £3,303,877; or an increase of £ 161,412 in the county rate basis, and E162,993 on the assessable value, notwithstanding that a pcrtion of the ad mmistrative county, with a rateable value of un- wards of £ 30,000, had been included wi'hin the county borough of Stockport, thus shewing that the county was, as a whole, pro-pering, and con- sequently increasing in importance. The total average cost of maintenance and improvements of main roads per mile per annum for tho three years amounted to £ P6.25. or an increase of M.W on the previous three years. In regard to technical instruction clisses, orie encouraging fea- ture, which attested the value in which they were held, was shewn m the large number of borousrhs and urban districts which had lovi^ a pe^y rate r made prrants out of the rates for n.ssi^tinir the classes. The work involved in fre:tin £ the Eduoa- tion Act into force had been unu,iii!IY great. It required great ca-e and attention, ") T' d there was no doubt that the demlwds made upon tl-o com. would cortinue for somp r:nd> to be very <,u,e-rous and urgent. In the -i- ndministra-h-on cf the Act lay its potency for go{)d -4