The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S SALARY. A QUESTION OF PROCEDURE. INCREASE NOT CONFIRMED. Almost the first item on the agenda was the f olio wine •.—"To confirm, pursuant to standing orders, the increase of salary voted at the last meet- ing to the Electrical Engineer." The following letter was received from Mr. G. H. Ev ans, secretary to the Traders Associa- | tion T am requested to communicate to you ttie following resolution, passed by the executive committee this evening (February 15th), and to ask that the same may be brought before the Town Council at their meeting on Wednesday next: 1 hat the Committee having learned that the proposed increase had been improperly voted, as contrary to standing order No. 38, trusts that the resolution may not be confirmed, and takes this opportunity of expressing* the opinion that the salary proposed to be paid is excessive. Mr. Beresford Adams, secretary of thei Utiester Ratepayers1 Association, wrote on the 17th Fehru- ary At a meeting of the Committee of the Ratepayers' Association held yesterday, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously adopted in visw of the very strong feeling existing in the c|^y wi^h rfsrard to the proposed increase of salary, this Association strongly urges the Council not to con- firm the resolution passed with regard to it at its last meeting." The Town Clerk also announced that he had received the following from Mr. R. H. L.%iieeley:- "Will you please note that at the meeting of the Council to-morrow, it is my intention to call in question the validity of the resolution passed at the last meefnig of the Council, purporting to authorise an increase in the salary of the Electrical Engineer also on the proposal to confirm the same, to a3k the opinion of the Town Clerk thereon, and that his opinion and your ruling be recorded in the minutes Of proceedings." Mr. Lancelpv said it was evident from the word- ing of the reference on the agenda that it was put ther« in comniiRnce with standing order JNo. oo, which provided in reference to "any payment or grant of riorev. whether the same be for agratuity.an increase of salary or an additional allowance to any officer or servant of this Council, by recommenda- tion of any committee or otherwise, consideration of the same shall be deferred until the next meeting of the Council after notification of such resolution, and the same be explicitly inserted in the notice summons to members of the Council. He sub- mitted that the proceeding of the Electrie Lighting Committee recommending an increase of salary to the Electrical Engineer, as well as the proceedings of the last Council so far as regarded the adoption of that recommendation were ultra vires. Standing order No. 33 was disregarded entirely inasmnch as the Council ventured to consider, and not only to consider but to adopt, the resolution in regard to the matter. He asked the Town Clerk's ruling as to whether in his opinion the proceedings of the last Council meeting were # quite regular, and whether it was altogether regular for that Council meeting to confirm it. He further asked the Town Clerk's opinion of the pro- visions of standing order No. 38, which read Wo motion for increasing the salary of any officer of the Corporation be entertained except at the monthly meeimg of the Council in March, and then only on report from the Finance Committee." The recom- mendation in question had not gone before the Finance Committee at all and he finally submitted that it was quite irregular for the Council to con- firm the re.-oi u lion of the last Council meeting. TOWN CLERK'S ADVICE. The Town Clerk said it would be within the recollection of the members of the Lighting Com- mittee that when this matter was under considera- tion and they decided upon their recommendation to the Council, he mentioned to the Mayor, who was chairman of the Committee, that he was of the opinion then that the standing orders would have to be suspended before it could be submitted to the Committee. The Council were aware that the potion he (the Town Clerk) occupied at the Council was simply one of advising the Mayor on procedure, and that he (the Mayor) bad sole authority as to the procedure of the Council. When he had ventured to submit that opinion to him, the Mayor very wisely said he had heard the ex-Town Clerk advise previously that in matters affecting the Electric Lighting Committee, it being a trading undertaking, the standing orders must not be construed strictly against them. The Mavor did not move- the suspension of the standing orders, or deem it necessary that they should be suspended. It would also be within the recollection of the members of the Council that no reference was made to the standing orders at their last meet- ing, when the suspension was not moved, and the Council voted upon and carried the confirmation of the Lighting Committee's recommendation. He (the Town Clerk) had had an opportunity since the last Council meeting of consulting wilh Mr. S. Smith, his predeceasor, upon the standing orders, and upon the ruling ho had given fioni time to time. Mr Smith was perhaps the oest authority to guide them in thes- .natters, because the standing orders were his (Mr. Smith's) own preparation, and were c-onfirm,(i, hy the Council from time to time. Any advice he (the Town Clerk) was now going to give the Mayor he could say Mr. Smith thoroughly con- firmed after full consideration and discussion with him upon the matter. With regard to standing order No. 38, the Council would observe that the wording of that standing order was very different from the wording of standing order No. 33. The former spoke of "officer of the Corporation," and the latter alluded to officer or servant of the Council." He wa* of opinion that the Electrical Engineer was not an officer of the Corporation within the mean- ing of standing order 38. The "officer of the Cor- poration was the one who was referred to under statutory powers, such as their Town Clerk, or Medical Officer of Health, or City Surveyor. Their Electrical Engineer waa not an officer within the meaning of that phrase; but he was a servant of the Council within the meaning of standing order No. 33. and he advised that the last-mentioned standing order applied to him. Mr. Lanceley (interrupting): And not standing order 38. The Town Clerk replied in the negative, and proceeded to state that the Town Council having at the last meeting considered the matter in spite of their standing orders, whioh only governed their own procedure and was not binding on anyone else, they by implication suspended that stainling order; and although the matter was not one he could say confidently was free from doubt, th? resolution then passed! was perfectly valid. There was « precedent with regard to the par- ticular que--1iuii raised by Mr. Lanceley. From time to time increases of salaries had been voted to th, ir servants and officers, and the procedure the Council were now asked to follow was the procedure they adopted on those previous occa- tw''l'' TriHccrl during the time he (the Town Clerk) had been an officer of the Council the course had been followed, for in March last. without any previous recommendation, the Coun- cil considered an increase of salary to their then Deputy Town Cleik, and at the meeting in March voted "it to him. At the meeting in April the course Mas followed which the Council were now asked to follow, namely, to confirm the resolu- tion. He was of opinion that if the Council adopted that course it would make it quite free from any doubt whatever as to their procedure; it would be perfectly in order. MR. LANCELEY UNSATISFIED. Mr Lanceley said ho was exceedingly sorry he pe could not accept that opinion. He would like to ask whether seeing the Town Olerk did not consider the Electrical Engineer an offioer of the Corporation in the sense intended in standing order 38. he recognised the Electrical Engineer as an officer of the Council, in view of the terms of section 19 of the Municipal Corporations Aot. 1892. The Town Clerk pointed out that he had not had notice of this question, and said he should like to have time to consider the matter. But he did not see that that affected the question. Whether the Electrical Engineer was an "officer" or not would not affect the advice he had already given to the Mavor as to the question ot the standing orders. RIr. Lanceley took it it very materially affected the phraseology of standing order 38. He had no doubt soma would like it to be construed1 into meaning that officers only were provided for in the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1892. He submit.ted that in every possible sense Mr. Thursfieid was an officer of the Corporation. He (the speaker) credited the- Town Clerk with the Utmost desire of being perfectly conscientious in this m-,ttter-(bear, hearl-but he must say that the reference to the non-suspension of the stand- ing orders was a very easy way out of it. The standing orders were- under revision, and lie hoped the committee charged with the work would tako notice of this point: Was it not a fact that there was no provision in the standing orders themselves for tbole suspension? There was no provision made for their suspension, and they cculd not be suspended without due notion. If the Council confimic-d the resolution they would be taking a course that was absolutely irregular. Dr Griffith asked that the ruling of the Town Clerk should be placed on the minutes. He (Dr. I Griffith) had consulted two barristers, who had advised him to see that the ruhoc of the Mayor and Town Clerk was recorded on the minutes. c, o that they could cons'de*' it in the future crh:, Town Clerk said it would be rather a diffi- cult matter to put the whole of his advice on the minutes If a reference' was made that the Mayor acted upon the advice of the Town Clerk in allow- c ing the confirmation of the resolution, to go to th" Council, he took it that would1 meet the point ra sed by Mr. Lanoeley and Dr. Griffith. Dr. Griffith insisted that the rulings of the Mavor and Town Cierk should be on the. minutes and if he did not geO this, he hoped the reporters J .Tones (C-t. Oswald's) said he should I:k" to a:k the Tow,} Oierk on? question which would perhaps put the whob question in a nut- shell and almost obviate the n^^ty of recording the Town Clerk's opinion on the minutes. His action was whether the reference on the agenda, "to confirm, pursuant to standing orders, the increase of salarv votoo at the last meeting to tne Electrical Engineer," oonformed in every respect J with the standing orders of the Council. The Town Clerk said that was a point which he duly considered when drawing up the agenda. He came to the conclusion that following the pre- cedent of his predecessor and putting a full reference to the minutes of the Council where that particular resolution was recorded, would be complying with standing order 33. Alderman J. Jones (St. Oswald's): I am not sure that the precedent of predecessors is alto- gether infallible. (Laughter.) I should rather like the Town Clerk to have said "Yes" or "No" to my enquiry. The Town Clerk: Well, sir, I say "Yes" straightaway. Mr. Lanceley: And the same applies to stand- ing order 38? The Town Clerk: Standing order 38 I advised the Mayor does not apply to the case. THE MAYOR'S RULING. The Mayor said tha4 with the Town Clerk's ad- vice he ruled that the recommendation on the agenda was in perfect order. He wished to say that since the installation of the Electric Light Works, now six years ago, the ex-Town Clerk advised that the standing orders did not apply to the electric light undertaking; and perhaps the present Town Clerk would excuse him if he said that he would rather accept the advice of a greater authority than himself. That was the reason he did not accept the advice of the present Town Clerk as to getting the standing orders sus- pended. Mr. Lanoeley: It is quite oontrary to the Munici- pal Corporations Act. The Mavor: It is all right, Mr. Lanceley. Dr. Griffith: I move that the Mayor's ruling be taken down. (Laughter.) The Mayor: With the greatest possible pleasure, Dr. Griffith. Mr. Egerton Gilbert asked if it was not necessary to move and second the confirmation. He pointed out that up to the present there had been several speakers, yet the confirmation was not moved. The Mayor now moved the confirmation, pur- suant to standing orders, of the increase of salary voted at the last meeting to the Electrical Engineer. Mr. R. Cecil Davies seconded. NAMES AND VOTING. Mr. Siddall: I beg to propose that the names be taken down. (Hear, hear.) Several seconded this, and others said it was too late. Alderman J. Jones (B.): I move that a black list be kept. (Laughter.) The voting then took place, 16 being for and 19 against the confirmation. When the result was announced there was an outburst of applause from a considerable assembly of the public occupying places in the gallery over- looking the chamber. The Mayor rebuked them with "Now, gentlemen,, order, please, in the gallery." The request for the names and voting to be recorded was renewed. Alderman John Jones (B.): That is unanimous. We are all in favour Mr. Vernon raised the question as to whether the request for names should not have been made before the voting. Alderman J. Jones (B): If it is only to oblige the gallery, I move that the names be taken. The voting and names were then recorded, as follow:— For the confirmation: The Mayor, Alderman John Jones (B). Alderman Dr. Hamilton, Mr. Barlow, Dr. Mann, Dr. Archer, Dr. Lees, Mr. R. T. Wickham, the Sheriff, Mr. R. Cecil Davies, Mr. Egerton Gilbert, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. J. F. Lowe, Alderman J. J. Cunnah. Alderman Thomas Smith, and Alderman H. T. Brown—16. Against: Alderman Dr. Roberts. Alderman J. Jones (St. 0.). Alderman Stolterfoth, Mr. Fer- guson, Mr. Lanceley, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. H. B. Dutton. Mr. Siddall. Mr. J. G. Frost, Mr. M. Gibbons, Mr. Henry Dodd, Mr. John Dodd, Mr. Edgar Dutton. Dr. Griffith, Mr. W. H. Denson, Mr. C. P. Cockrill, Mr. J. Williamson, Mr. Carr, and 1\1r. Vernon-19. Mr. Vernon asked for the Town L<lerk s opinion as to whether a motion for names to be recorded should not be put before the resolution which it had reference to. The Town Clerk said the motion ought to have been put to the meeting before the resolution. Mr. Vernon That was not done in this case. Mr. Carr: Seeing that the standing orders are being revised, would it not be well if the com- mittee took note of this question and answer, in order that we may have some guido in the future? The Mayor replied that that would be done. DR. GRIFFITH SATISFIED. Dr. Griffith had given notice that he would call attention to the resolution passed bv the Council meeting, held January 20th, 1901. re the electrical engineer's salary, and move the following resolu- tion:—"That the minute of the Council meeting held January 20th. 1904, re the electrical engineer's salary, be rescinded, and the question be referred back to the committee for further consideration." When this was reached Dr. Griffith said he was so satisfied with what had been done that he would now withdraw his motion BIBLE SOCIETY'S CENTENARY. The following letter had been received from Mr. Frederic S. Bishop, hon. county secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society:—~Dear Mr. Mayor.—Referring to our conversation of Sunday nfternoon. I have since communicated with the Dean, and am now empowered by him to give you and the Corporation a cordial welcome to the 10.30 a.m. service in the Cathedral on Sunday, the 6th March, 'the Universal Biblo Sunday,' at which the Bishop will preach. I am also enabled by the committee of the Chester Auxiliary to strengthen this invitation from the Dean by one from them as the representatives of the society in the city, who will rejoice to think that the City Fathers will publicly join in the public thainkseiving to Almighty God for his revelation- of Himself in the Scriptures of Truth. The invitation which I was also asked to give you and the Corporation on Monday afternoon, March, 14th, when the public meeting will be held in the J Assembly Room, I now confirm in writing, and can only add how grateful we shall be for this great help to the cause we have in hand. Ifou will be pleased to learn that the Duke has given JE200 to the Centenary Fund and has signed the appeal to the Chester public for the fund." On the moton of Alderman John Jones (0.), seconded bv the Sheriff, it was decided to accept the invitation to attend the service in the Cathedral. ELECTION OF GUARDIANS. A discussion took place as to the desirability of makinsr an alteration in the date (i.e., Monday, the 28th March next) fixed by the Local Govern- ment Board for the election of Guardians for the city. It was decided to alter the date to the 30th of March, the hours of polling to be from ten to eKili A MARE'S NEST. Mr. Denson called the attention of the chairman Mr. Denson called the attention of the chairman of the Improvement Committee to an article which appeared in the Chronicle." [The writer of this article was mystified at some delay in the repair of Newgate-street and the temporary laying of some wood paving, and suggested some connection between this "extraordinary incident" and the bazaar held in the Assembly Room of the Conservative Club.] Mr. Denson said it was suggested that there was some waste of public money in connection with the laying of wooden blocks in Newgate- street, and he was sure the citizens would welcome something on the matter from the chairman of the Improvement Committee. Alderman John Jones (St. 0.). after the con- firmation of the minutes, said his attention was called by the City Surveyor to the observations that were made in the Press in relation to Newgate-street, and in consultation with the sur- veyor he ascertained information which he gave for the benefit of Mr. Denson and the benefit of the city at large. The work in Newgate-street was not suspended by reason of the bazaar which was being held—(hear, hear)—but was simply and solely suspended because of the weather that obtained. (Applause.) He had further ascertained that the expense of the suspension to the Corpora- tion would really not amount to more than JB1 or 30s. That was the statement of the city surveyor to him as chairman of the Improvement Com- mittee, and that was the statement he (the chair- man) had to make, and he believed it was satis- factory. (Applause.) I PROVISION FOR SMALL-POX. Alderman Dr. Hamilton in moving the confir- mation of the proceedings of the Health Commit- tee. said the committee wanted to be authorised to sp?nd a sum of money, not exceeding £ 100 for the purpose of making some provision for treating any small-pox cases that might occur in the future. He explained that this matter was only decided upon at their meeting the previous day, and that accounted for no reference to it being in the minutes now before the Council. It was a matter of urgency, as small-pox stiil ex- isted in various places round Chester, viz.. Bir- kenhead, Warrington and other Lancashire towns and they were really not safe from an outbreak. Dr. Kenyon, the medical officer, recommended that some more permanent provision should be made for small-pox cases, but his scheme was of such great magnitude that the committee did not consider it would be wise to recommend the Council to adopt it. in view of the small number of cases they had had to treat from year to year. The original scheme would have involved an ex pcnciituro of between £ 9,000 and £ 10,000. What thev proposed now was to raise the foundations above the level of the present field, so that they could be used either for the erection of tents in the summer time, or to fix up temporary corru- gated iron buildings. The great object was to have the foundations ready. The cost of this. as estimated by the Surveyor, was E87, but this was contingent upon their getting the material free of cost. Dr. Mann seconded the resolution. In reply to Dr. Archer, the Mayor said the present small-pox building would accommodate from six to eight patients. The minutes were confirmed. TOWN HALL ALTERATIONS. "AN INSULT TO THE WORKING-CLASS." It appeared that the Town Hall and Local Government Act Committee had referred to a sub- committee a report from Messrs T. M. Lockwood and Sons, setting forth a scheme for the extension of publio offices over the Market, thereby bringing all the principal departments of the city on the same floor, being the principal floor of lie Town Hall. On the consideration of the minutes, Mr. W. Carr said he could not see any reason why any outside architects should have been engaged to draw out plans for these alterations, when they had their own surveyor on the spot. He thought it was acknowledged all round that the time had come to economise. He wished to move an amendment on the matter. The Mayor pointed out that the matter was at present in the hands of a sub-committee, and that Mr. Can- would have an opportunity of dis- cussing -it when a recommendation came before the Counoil. Mr. Carr said he moved that the letter be struck off the minutes. It contained what he con- sidered as a direct insult to the working-classes of the city by the statement, "We also think it neces- sary to provide a separate entrance from Hamil- ton-plaoe to the education and sanitary depart- ments, as a different class of people use these der partments, and it would be desirable to keep them away from tha main building." He contended that the people who used those departments were the working-classes, and he contended it was a gross insult to them to use such words as those in a letter connected with public business. The architect had no right to say who it was desirable should use the main entrance of the Town Hall. Mr. Williamson seconded. Alderman Cunnah pointed out that the back entrance was suggested in consequence of a re- minder by the medical faculty that many infec- tious cases would otherwise have to come through the same entrance. In the interests of the public. therefore, it was suggested that those persons should come through the other door. The Mayor said he was advised by the Town Clerk that he could not accept the amendment. The minutes were accordingly confirmed. CONDITION OF SCHOOLS. Aid. H. T. Brown, chairman of the Education Committee, in moving the recommendations (already reported in our columns) regarding the sanitary and structural conditions of schools, said the reference to Chester Wesleyan (St. John- street), Christ Church (boys) and Saltney-cum- Lache schools being unfit for their purpose of elementary schools, did not mean that the local education authority intended to insist that these schools should be closed immediately or in the near future; but they gave notice formally that they agreed with the Board of Education in the representations they had made, and unless the management of these schools were prepared to make very large alterations, or even re-erect their schools, ultimately they would have to be closed. There was no intention to deal harshly with these schools; it was merely a warning. They merely pointed out what they considered necessary, and what the Board of Education considered in many cases necessary, and it was left to the managers to submit proposals to the Education Committee. They had no desire whatever to press unduly on the managers. MR. LANCELEY'S CURIOUS GRIEVANCE. Mr. Lanoeley said the members of the Council would notice that each of the recommendations alluded to concluded with the words and will be glad to receive the proposals of the managers at an early date." He wanted to ask the question What managers?" He was recently asked if he had received a summons to attend a meeting of Church managers to consider the recommenda- tions of the Education Committee regarding the schools. He (Mr. Lanceley) replied Certainly not." There were so many managers, and if the proposals were going to be considered by a section of the managers he was going to demur to it. He submitted that any meeting of managers must be notified to the managers appointed by that Council. Alderman H. T. Brown took it that the various correspondents of the school should see to that. Mr. Lanceley: There is a body calling them- soh-es The Central Board of Church School Managers." Alderman H. T. Brown: I have heard so. Mr. Lanceley: And have recently been called together to consider these recommendations. Now, sir, I am a Church school manager, and as such I consider I ought to have been summoned to that meeting. Alderman Brown said he knew only in a hazy sort of way that there was such a body as Mr. Lanceley mentioned. The recommendations of the Education Committee would be made to the correspondents of each particular school. Mr. Lanceley thought it should go forth that to any meeting of Church school managers called to consider these recommendations the representa- tive managers from the Council should be called. Alderman John Jones (St. 0.) asked was it not implied by the very title of the association that gentlemen were called to a meeting of that sort to consider Church schools from a Church point of view. In that case, he took it, they would not want Mr. Lanceley's views expressed on that point: and that was the reason, he thought, Mr. Lanceley was not invited. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) That was the interpretation he (Mr. Jones) should put upon an action of that sort. They were a body of gentlemen belonging to the Church who met together to consider school questions and education questions from a Church point of view; and they did not want Mr. Lanceley, and they did not want him (Mr. Jones), or anybody else outside that body. Alderman Stolterfoth said he had not been called to attend any meeting of that kind, and he was one of the representatives of the Council. Mr. Vernon said this only proved the point he I had raised several times. The Council appointed two managers to meet four other managers, and if those four gentlemen were to meet in a body by themselves and decide what they were going to do in reference to the recommendations, or any other recommendations, what on earth use was it the Council appointing two to so and meet them? Mr. J. G. Frost: I take it this association has nothing in the world to do with it. All we have to do with is the correspondent of each par- ticular school. I take it we have nothing to do with the association. The Town Clerk said any communication from the Council would be made to the correspondents of the different schools. The Council would refuse to consider any resolution unless they were assured that it was fully considered by the statutory managers, who included not only the representatives of the foundation managers, but also the representatives of the Education Com- mittee.

ST. MARY'S PARISH GATHERING. + — The annual parish tea and entertainment in connection with St. Mary's parish took place in the Handbrictge Schools on Shrove Tuesday. Long before six o'clock, the hour fix-ed for the tea, the parishioners began to assomble, and by 6.15 the whole of the tables were packed, and a start made with an excellent tea, which, as usual, was admirably catered for by a committee con- sisting of Mrs. Atherton, Mrs. Gould, and Mrs. Joinson, assisted by the day and Sunday school teacheri. After tea an adjournment was made to the Infants' School, where a splendid entertain- ment had been provided. The Rector (the Rev. H. Grantham) presided, and was supported by the Rev. P. J. Beveridge, Canon Weeden, the churchwardens (Messrs. J. T. Golder and F. Bar- nett), and Messrs. H. B. Dutton, E. Mulvey, R. Atherton, and W. Underwood. The Rector, in a short address, welcomed all present, and said he was sure that such social gatherings were a source of much good as well as of much pleasure to the parishioners, and he trusted they would always continue to be so. He also thanked those ladies and gentlemen who had so willingly pro- vided the whole of the expenses of the tea, and those who had assisted in making it such a suc- cess. The entertainment consisted of action songs by the boys and girls of the day sohools, and songs by Miss Gertrude Thompson, Canon Wee- den, Mr. Egerton Snelson, Mr. Warren Trevor, and Mr. R. T. W. Allen, and an amusing sketch entitled "The Brown Paper Parcel" by Miss Thompson and Miss Broadbent. This latter item kept the audience in a oontinuous roar of laughter, and at the close was loudly applauded, as were also the humorous songs of Mr. -Allen, while Mr. Snelson was encored for the beautiful rendering of his songs. Mention should also be made of the songa and drills of the boys and girls, which were admirably given and shewed that great pains had been taken in thoir training by Mr. and Mrs. Atherton. The following is a list of the ladies and gentlemen who gave tables and donations: — Mrs. Jaoson, Miss Massie, Miss Fletcher, Mrs. Thomp6on, Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. H. Taylor, Mrs. Golder, Mrs. H. T. Brown, Mrs. Sl-uttleworth, Mrs. Grantha.m, Mrs. Lutener, Miss Sleigh, Miss Mill, Miss Porter, Miss L. Porter, Mrs. Long- bottom, Miss Fraser, Mrs. Denson, Mrs. H. Brassey, Mrs. Stolterfoth, Mrs. Bleckley, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Stafford, Mrs. J. H. Dickson, Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Jolliffe, Mrs. Warren Trevor, the Hon. Mrs. Carr, Miss Griffith, Mrs. G. Day, Mrs. Vincent, Mrs. Bull, Miss Hargreave3 Taylor, Mrs. Newman, Miss Eaton, Mr. Nicholls, Miss Potts, Mrs. Siddall, Mrs. Atherton, Mrs. Richard- OOtl, Mrs. Roberts (Nook). Mrs. Maclaren, Miss Higgins, Miss M. Higgins, Mrs. Willis Taylor, Mrs. Gilbert Parry, Mr. J. G. Holmes, Miss Eggers, Mr. H. Y. Barker, Mrs. Rowson, Mr. R. L. Barker, Mrs. N. Harrison, Lady Frost, Mrs. Johnstone, Mrs. T. L. Edwards, Mrs. Has- well, Mrs. Oxley, Mrs. Gresty, Mrs. Lockwood, Mrs. Jordon, Mrs. Bolland, Mrs. Stonely, Mrs. E. Lloyd, Madnm Micbcd. Miss Williams, Mrs. Sykes, Mrs. James Williams. Mrs. R. P. Ward, Mrs. Welsby, Mrs. George Parker, Mrs. Royle, Mrs. H. B. Dutton, Mr. W. J. Hughes, Mrs. Dryland. Mrs. Booth, Mrs. Schroder.

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COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION, MR. R. T. RICHARDSON AT HOOLE. INVITES AN OPPONENT. On Thursday night Mr. R. T. Richardson, the county councillor for the Chester Castle Division, which embraces Hoole, addressed a meeting of the electors in All Saints' Boys' School, Hoole. There was a moderate but representative attendance, and the proceedings were characterised by many evidences of continued confidence in Mr. Richard- son, of whose return to the arduous duties of county councillor there is very little doubt indeed. Dr. Butt presided, and was supported on the plat- form by Mr. B. C. Roberts, Mr. Geo. A. Dickson, Mr. W. Williams, Mr. G. F. Cox, Mr. W. E. Phillips, and Mr. Samuel Davies (Moliington). Among others present were Messrs. E. Dean (U^ton), A. L. Williams, T. W Chalton, W. D. Laird, C J. Owen, E. Mealing, W. Allen, C. Maddock, Geo. Barnes, H. W. Lovett, etc. Dr. Butt said he was right proud to be chair- man of the meeting, and to introduce their repre- sentative, Mr. R. T. Richardson. (Applause.) The Chester Castle Division was one of the most important divisions in the county, embracing as it did the rapidly increasing townships of Hoole In I and Newton, and also a large rural area. It was highly necessary for them to have a repiesentative of both ability and leisure. They would agree with him that in Mr. Richardson they had such an one—(applause)—with his wide experience of all matters appertaining to county administra- tion. A little while back it was whispered there was a sort of remote possibility of some opposition forthcoming to the re-election of Mr. Richardson. He (the chairman) could hardly think that such really could be the case, because anyone who took any interest in the work of the County Council and had read the newspaper reports of their pro- ceedings knew what valuable service Mr. Richard- son had rendered to county administration. (Hear. hear.) He was sure that for Hoole's needs he had been most untiring in his exertions. (Applause.) Never had anyone written to Mr. Richardson but had received a courteous reply and prompt atten- tion to the matter referred to. (Hear, hear.) Con- sidering all these facts, they would, he felt, have no difficulty in passing a unanimous vote of con- fidence in their member. In conclusion, the Chairman read letters from gentlemen who re- gretted inability to attend the meeting. Mr. T. B. Richardson wrote he was confident they could not have a better repiesentative. Mr. R. Cecil Davies expressed the hope in his letter that Mr. Richardson would be returned unopposed Mr. W. H. Nightingale wrote that he hoped there would be a successful meeting. (Applause.) Mr. Richardson then addressed the assembled electors, among whom he had hoped to see some ladies. After expressing his pleasure at meeting those present, he alluded to the whisper of a possible contest for the seat, and said he should rejoice if there was a contest. (Hear, hear, and applause.) He had been their member for six years, and had taken great interest in Hoole. It was, however, his first actual appearance before them, and that was because things had been so deadly dull. He thought this time they should wake up a bit, and the best way was for some other gentleman to come out, and let them have a fight and get the ratepayers to take some inter- est in the issues at stake. Loud applause.) It was a great misfortune for the County Council that things had been slow for a long time, and rate- payers had not taken an interest in things. It would be a capital thing if there was a fair con- test, and he would be glad if there was a contest. (Hear hear.) That was a business meeting, and they would rightly expect from him an account of his stewardship. In the first, place, how did he come to be their member? He would give them a few reasons It was the division in which he re- sided, in which his father and his grandfather before him resided; and it was his legiti- mate ambition to wish to represent the division in which he lived. (Applause.) Further, his property was in that division, and therefore he had a very considerable stake in the division, and naturally he was interested in the good govern- ment of the division and county, and wished to do all he could to advance that good government. (Applause.) Dr. Butt had kindly alluded to some other qualifications of his—that he happened to be in a position to have time to devote to the duties; and happened to have some training which might qualify him for the position. (Hear, hear.) He had had some legal training to start with; and he had also had the pleasure and privilege of joining in the local government in the district before he had the honour of being a county councillor, on such authorities as the Board of Guardians, the Rural Council, and the Highways Committee. It had always been the ambition of both his father and grandfather to take part in the local government of the county, and the Chester Castle division was his division if he was to be a county councillor at all. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Richardson proceeded to assure the electors assembled that in whatever he did on the County Council he always remembered that he represented a division which comprised urban as well as rural areas. Moat of the work of the County Council was done in the committees. When he had attained any promi- nence by championing any cause in which perhaps the rurals were more especially anxious than the urbans, it was only because there were not so many speakers on that side. He always spoke and voted in the way he believed to be right, and he always bore in mind that he represented an urban district such as Hoole. (Hear, hear.} He was PREPARED TO JUSTIFY anything he had said or any vote he had given if he were asked, and he only wished they would ask him. He did not know that he ever gave a vote or made a speech that was in any way antagonistic to Hoole. He had a real—he might say a pocket-interest in the rates. He wished more gentlemen on the County Council would take an interest in the rates, and should rejoice and be glad if there were contests, something like a fight along the line. More gentlemen were wanted on the Council who would look after the way they were spending money. At the present moment, I in many constituencies, especially at this end. there was a doubt whether there was going to be a fight, and there were questions of compromise in the air. He did not want that (the Chester Castle) constituency to be involved in any com- promise. He desired their- verdict as to whether he was still a fit and proper person to represent them, and was prepared to await the issue with confidence. (Applause.) They were entitled to a iPorspna,l statement, and he told them he was a Churchman and Conservative and Chamber- lainite. (Loud and continued cheers.) If there was anything else they wished to ask. he hoped they would ask him. Ho was a whole hog^er," as Lord Hugh Cecil put it. (Laughter and hear, hear.) Proceeding to review some of the work of the County Council, Mr. Richardson said he had something to do with the roads. He challenged any member of the Main Roads Committee to shew a record of attendances better than his (Mr. Richardson's). He had always heard people say how excellont the roads of Cheshire were; and he thought they were really best value for money. Of course there were people who thought the roads could be kept up at less money. The present chairman (Alderman Sandbach) was most anxious for economy in that way. and he (Mr. Richardson) had always been ready to back him up. Mr. Sandbach had not, however, seen his way to a reduction at present. They had a very able chairman in Mr. Joseph Beckett, and they owed him a great deal. Mr. Beckett was pro- fessedly a spending kind, and always used to promise a future reduction, which never came. He (Mr. Richardson) had been one of a committee to periodically go over the roads, and had come to the conclusion that they were not doing more than I maintaining the crust of the road, and, with a view to future traffic, he did not see much chance of a reduction. Hoole had not given him anything to do on the Main Roads Committee, except one thing, namely, FLOOKERSBROOK BRIDGE. He undoubtedly thought there ought to be an improvement made there if possible. (Hear, hear, and. applause). He did not want to say anything against tne railway companies, but he was afraid they would not help them, and whether expense would prohibit it he could not say. But any feasible plan put forward he should certainly sup- port, and he thought and should press upon the County Council that they should undoubtedly give a grant for the improvement of that bridge. (Applause.) That bridge would very much increase the ratable value of Hoole side of the railway. Another thing he perhaps had a small share in doing—and on this matter he must congratulate the clerk of their Urban Council, who was spokes- man on the occasion-was in getting some relaxa- tion with reference to the establishment expenses of the main roads. He supported that on the Main Roads Committee. He had also rendered some further help to urban districts with regard to the removal of snow. It was felt that the County Council ought to pay for the removal of heavy falls of snow, and that was granted. On the Finance Committee his hobby had always been to keep the rate steady, and not let it vary any more than they could help. (Hear, hear.) He had trod to prevent its going up and down, but. he was afraid it would be all up in the future. Alluding to the Public Health Committee, he said that was presided over by Dr. Hewitt, who was a very able man. He had heard the remark that they were "over-doctored" on the County Council (Laughter.) He had no objection to doctors, if thev only got the right sort, but they did not grow the right sort at the other end of the county. (Laughter.) He thought for meddlesome interference the Isolation Hospitals Sub-committee were hard to beat. Before the County Council existed, in this district, both rural and urban, every case that ought to be isolated was isolated, and all sanitary arrange- ments were carried out. If ever there was a district which ought to be let alone, this was the district. But not a bit of it. They compelled them to make a payment to Chester before it was asked for; they made them pay £ 100 for four beds, and it was thus a very considerable expense they were put to which they were not put to before, and which there was no occasion for, The only thing was to mitigate the expense by the County Council's giving them a grant towards I it. He supported them on that occasion, and had a good deal to do with getting the grant. He also had something to do with upsetting a hard and fast ruie. The population of that district was over 5,000, and the rule was there must be one bed per thousand all over the county. He took considerable part in the discussion, in which they openly beat those who differed from them on the matter. He had been told that the County Coun- cil was very unpopular, and he should like them not to visit that on their own member, but con- sider who it was that made the county authority unpopular. He had been told that some letters had been received which were not satisfactory. They all knew Mr. Potts, and if the letters which came were not thought proper ones it should be remembered that they were really not from him or any other official, but from those behind, whose instructions were being merely carried out. (Hear, hear.) Discussing THE POLITICAL ASPECT of the County Council election. Mr Richardson said they did not want to bring politics into the County Council if they could help it; they had done their best to keep them out. He did not want to bring them in. Who was it who was bringing them in? If another gentleman came out in that division for the County Council, it would not be one of their friends present. If the election was going to be fought at all it would be fought on politics. He did not think his adver- sary, whoever he was, would venture to say that he contested the seat because he (Mr. Richardson) had neglected his duty as their member. (Ap- plause.) It would be simply a matter that he (Mr. Richardson) voted one way, and the other gentle- man would vote another way on a certain few questions on the County Council, whereas the great work of the County Council was simply ad- ministrative, and what they wanted in their mem- ber was a man who understood that administrative work and would attend to it. (Hear, hear.) He was quite ready to meet any gentleman who came out on that subject, and was quite ready to answer any question which anyone wished to put to hifli. Turning to the Education Act, he asked them not to visit on him any of the responsibilities for whether or not they liked the Act, because the County Council did not make the Act, and all they had to do was to administer it. (Applause.) His friend, Mr. W. Williams, had taken much interest in the question of a secondary school for Hoole That was not a matter which was ripe yet He had spoken about it on the Education Committee to the extent not to make any arrange- ment before they had heard the case for having a secondary school at Hoole. (Hear, hear.) If he found there was a general wish on the part of Hoole that there should be a secondary school there, it would be a great pleasure to him to state their views. He had taken care that the matter was left open, and should do his best if he found it was wanted. (Applause.) As to the rate, he maintained that it was likely to differ in certain counties in the same way that it had differed in School Board districts. The Act could be admin- istered extravagantly and it could be administered reasonably. He could not commend the County Education Committee in that respect. Regarding the position of Voluntary schools, there were in the county 71,700 school places belonging to the Voluntary nciiools, and 6,800 belonging to the Board schools. That was to say the Board schools had not a tenth of the accommodation of the Voluntary schools. If they took the value of Voluntary schools at :66 per head, it meant some- thing like 9430,000, so that if all the schools were to come over to the county authority absolutely, and fair value was to be paid, it would mean a very costly thing, independent of repairs. His policy, for a financial reason, ana, he fully admitted, as a Churchman, was to give fair play to these schools, and let them exist if they could. (Applause.) He did not want anything for the Church that they would not give to all other denominations. (Applause.) He wanted no privi- lege, no advantage of that kind; and let them remember that the Church schools had not grown up as any part of the Establishment. They had grown up simply by tho liberality and con- scientiousness of those gentlemen who found the money, and he looked upon them as trusts. They were built for certain purposes, and should have a fair chance. While he was, both on financial grounds and as a Churchman, against the turning of these schools into Council schools, he was not at all against Council schools if there was a popular wish there should be one. He did not believe there was such a feeling under the present law as to make it essential that any such a change should be made. The Act had not put Church- men in a better position, nor did it put Noncon- formists in a worse position. It put Church school's in a more dangerous position, and it would be much more difficult to maintain Church schools in the future than in the past. (Hear, hear.) He wanted NO PROSELYTISM of children. They should all have every chance of being brought up in their parents' religion. (Applause.) The only difficulty was in the single school areas, and in such areas he would favour such an arrangement as his friend Mr. Eldon Bankes had advocated, namely, some arrangement for confining dogmatic teaching to certain days and simple Biblo teaching on other days. There was a matter in which he did not think the Educa- tion Committee had shone as a business com- mittee, and that was the way in which they dealt with the provision of 'stationery and school furni- ture for schools. That order had gone out of the county, and it was a very serious injury to the firms in the county who had previously supplied stationery to schools. The requirements were not advertised. What had been done was not inten- tional, but he was glad to find expressions on all sides of tho Education Committee against it. In reference to> payments to teachers, and in reference to some other things, the County Council seemed to him to be open to the charge of spending money like water. He did not think the scale of salaries was a bad one, but since it was drawn up the committee had given increases for past ser- vices which had upset the whole scale, and' had brought many up to the maximum straight away. He (Mr. Richardson) fought that, and those who held' his views were only beaten by one vote. The evil of tho Education Committee was that there were a groat number of members who did not represent the constituencies that were going to be charged. The education rate did not spread over the whole county, county boroughs, of course, being excluded. There were also ex- cluded from the elementary education rate such places as Crewe and other municipal boroughs. and bijf urban districts like Wallasey. Yet on the Education Committee the representatives of those placets voted on what money was to be spent; and not only them, but a certain number of experts and a few ladies. Excluding these three classes-borough and large urban district members, the experts arid tho ladies—they would have won hands down on the question he had alluded' to. The borough members ought to bo got rid of. They were not allowed to vote on the County Council, and should not be allowed to vote on the Education Com- mittee. (Hear, hear.) As to the experts-well, he rather gave them up. (Laughter.) He was sorry to be opposed by the ladies, and should do his best to make the acquaintance of the ladies of his constituency, and hoped he would get a few wrinkles. (Laughter.) He had been invited by the urban district to be their County Council representative on the schools- and he considered it a great honour. With regard to the INCORPORATION OF HOOLE with Chester, as long as Hoole wished to be in the' county he was not the man to give them away. (Applause.) He did not believe there was any- thing to bo gained by going to Chester, and the city had a great deal to gain. Finally, he assured them he was not going to take any attack lying down. He did not want to be over-confident, or in any way to despise his adversary. He was r&adv to work himself, and if the attack came he hoped his supporters would work with him. He intended to fight, and he intended to win. (Loud applause.) Mr. George A. Dickson, in proposing a vote of confidence in Mr. Richardson, described Mr. Richardson's speech as a very manly one. The work on the great public bodies was becoming so exacting, that the time must come when we must appreciate more those who did it for us. (Hear, near.) We ought to appreciate those who undertook public duties and carried them out as they had been carried out by Mr. Richardson in the Chester Castle Division. Mr. Richardson was on the most important committees of the County Council, and had attended in three years no fewer than 178 meetings. (Applause.) They would not be considering their own interests in the Chester Castle division if they listened to the candidature of anyone else for those duties. Mr. Richardson was a fearless member, and not a mealy-mouthed member. He spoke what he believed, and what he believed was generally right. (Applause.) Mr. W. Williams seconded the motion, and said of Mr. Richardson that he was a zealous and excellent representative. Mr. B. C. Roberts, who was received with ap- plause, supported the motion. They all knew, he said, what Mr. Richardson had done in the past, and they all knew that he would, as a good and true man, do all he could for them in the future. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Richardson's remarks had elucidated to his mind much of the work of tho County Council. They must admit that they had their suspicions of that body. Whether they in- tended to be or not, they very frequently seemed to bo unreasonable, and sometimes autocratic. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Richardson had told them, and he (Mr. Roberts) knew it was not the fault of the officials, but it was the fault of those cliques who acted on oommittces and sub-committees, and of course gave the officials their instructions. He thought we wanted in the County Council of Cheshire to GET RID OF FADDISTS, as we did in all public bodies. (Applause.) We wanted to get men of thorough experience in business and othir matters, and we wanted no men in those bodies who had got their own axe to grind. That was to a very great extent what occurred in all corporate bodies, whether muni- cipal or county council, and other similar bodies. We wanted men fearless, to go in and do their duty for which they were returned on the several bodies. They said he (Mr. Roberts) was a man of leisure. He was a man of somewhat greater leisure than he was a few months ago, when he retired from the Town Council and its very arduous duties. But, with all that leisure before him, he might say ho should certainly hesitate before he would undertake the arduous role Mr. Richardson was anticipating to again fill-and they knew he (Mr. Richardson) would be their member for the future. So that in that way they should be really grateful to men like Mr. Richard- son, of not only his position but ability, who would undertake those duties. He not only came there to support Mr. Richardson, but was ready to go to every village and hamlet with him, c because he felt he was the man of all others to represent the division. (Applause.) Mr. W. E. Phillips also spoke in support of the vote of confidence. He described Mr. Richardson as an ideal representative, and produced letters from Mr. Richardson to himself on matters affect- ing the welfare of the district as evidence of Mr. Richardson's keen desire to serve them. That anyone should be put up in opposition to Mr. Richardson seemed to him absurd. Alluding to "that horrid bridge," he shewed that both Mr. Yerburgh and Mr. Richardson had expressed willingness to do all they could in the matter, and he was proud to say that some designs were out for the improvement. The motion was carried without dissent, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

WIRRAL RAILWAY COMPANY. A PROSPEROUS YEAR. The ordinary half-yearly general meeting of the Wrrral Railway Company was held on Monday at the Queen Hotel, Chester, under the chairmanship of Mr. T. H. Jackson. In presenting the report of the directors for the half-year, the Chairman said the total receipts had increased by £ 1,174, and the expenses had decreased by JE2 671, leaving an increased profit of £ 3,845 as compared with the corresponding period of 1902. The ratio of ex- penses to receipts had decreased by 12.15 per cent. The train mileage had decreased 4 150 miles, and the receipts per train mile had increased 3.24d., resulting in a profit of 6.73d., as the expenses had decreased 3.49d. The passenger receipts had in- creased JB748, which, with the increase in the goods traffic, made a total increase of £1174. First-class passengers had decreased by 1.162 and £ 246 in receipts, while the third-class passengers had increased 86,256, representing £ 8,353 in re- ceipts. Season tickets had increased by 154 and :6159 in money. The earnings were 4 81d. per first-class passenger, against 5.12d. in the corre- sponding half of 1902, and 2.84d. per first-class passenger, against 2.87d., an average of 3.07d. against 3.15d. The percentage of first-class pas- sengers had been 11.57 against 12.33 in 1902, and the percentage of third-class passengers had been 88.43, against 87.67. Coal traffic had increased £ 92, and shipping goods J6118, while other goods had decreased B15 The summary of expenses shewed that the cost of maintenance had decreased £ 1,617, the cost of looomotive, j3956 carriage and wagon expenses £ 162 mileage and demurrage expenses £ 40, general expenses 937; but them was a slight increase of £ 88 in traffic expenses, the total decrease being £ 2,671. The rates and taxes had slightly increased, chiefly owing to the poor- rate of Bidston and Moreton The locomotive power per train mile had cost. 10 68d as against 11.93d., and the consumption of coal had been 63.831b., against 73.951b. Seeing that we had had a wet summer and autumn, he claimed that the report was satisfactory. The reduct;on of the ex- penditure on the permanent way and locomotive expenses as against 1902. when they had excep- tional expenses, was 91,000. He was glad to say that whereas the company was formerly the sub- ject of great censure by the public, through mis- fortunes that happened to their locomotives in 1902, now the managers had received several let- ters of praise for the way in which the traffic had been conducted. They had also to speak very highly of the way the locomotive suoerin ton dent had worked his department. At the last meeting the new idea of splf-rfopered: motive power to run on railways was discussed, and several railway companies had announced their intention of using it. Some had adopted it successfully, and the Wirral Railway Company intended to profit by the experience of the larger and wealthier tines. and if it was successful tti-v would probably adopt it. He moved the adopt on of the directors' report and statement of accounts.—Sir Robert Egerton seconded, and it was asrreed to.-A divi- dend on the preference -hari?s up to and includincr the 1896 issue, in full and 2 per cent on the 1899 preference shares, was declired leaving a balance of £ 1,150 3s. 4d. to be carried forward.

COUNTY POLTOE COURT. —— SATURDAY. --Before Aleqsrs. H. D Trelawny (pre- siding), B. C. Roberts, R. T. Richardson. C. H. Broadbent, E. Dean, W. Williams and Colonel Evans-Lloyd. WORKING AN UNFIT MARE -John Evans, farmer, Great Sutton, and his son, Robert Evans. were summoned- for cruelty to a mare by working it in an unfit condition at Hoole on the 9th in,t.-Inspe-p- tor Blake Jones, of the Royal Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Animals deposed .to seeing the younger defendant in oharge of an aged grey mare attached to a tip cart. The animal was pain- fully lame on the near foreleg, and was practically walking on three legs with extreme difficulty. Defendant told witness that the mare, which be- longed to his father, had stepped on a stone that morning, which caused its lameness. On examin- ing the animal's foot however, witness found it was generally diseased The elder defendant afterwards came up, and said the mare was all right when it left his farm that morning. When witness pointed out that the foot was diseased, he admitted that he knew it was diseased, and that this was the first time he had worked the mare for six months.—P.S. Jackson gave corroborative evidence.-Defendant.s, in pleading not guilty, con- tended that the mare shewed no signs of lame- ness when it started on its journey, and only be- came distressed when it arrived' at Chester.—Evi- dence on their behalf was given by Edward Arthur, horse dealer, Little Sutton, who said the mare moved without. any apparent pain or lameness on the day in question, but admitted in reply to the Bench that the foot was diseased.—The Bench considered the case proved, and fined both de- fendants 10s. and costs THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A DOG.-Thos. Amos, oarter. 11, Fosbrook-street, Chester, was summoned for stealing a spaniel, value 25, be- longing to Edwin Anderton of Guilden Sutton, on the 11th of February.—Complainant alleged that he called at a public-house near Christleton with his dog, and after leaving the house he missed his dog. On making enquiries he ascertained that the dog had been accidentally shut in the house after his departure, but the landlord did not know what had become of it afterwards As defendant was in thco nublic-house at the time he called, his suspicion fell upon him. After his son had spent the afternoon. in an unsuccessful search for the dog, witness reported the matter to the police, and eventuallv found tho defendant, who admitted that he had put the dog on h;5 hirry and taken it to Chester.—Sersrfc. Jackson informed the magis- trates that on Tuesday he received the dopr from a lady residing in Queen's Park, who told him that she found it on her doorstep one morning.— Mr. E. Braescy, who appeared for the defendant, denied the theft. He urged that the defendant, seeing the dog unclaimed in the public-house, took it to Chester in order to return it to its owner, whose name appeared on its collar, to- gether with the address "Hoole." He took con- siderable trouble to find Anderton, but failed to obtain any clue as to his whereabouts. In con- sequence, he went in company with a fellow- workingman to take the dog to the Hoole police, but on the way the dog ran off, and he did not see it again.-The Bench dismissed the case.

ARMY AND VOLUiNTEERS. RIFLE VOLUNTEER BALL. The 20th annual ball arranged by the non- commissioned officers of the 2nd (ELC.) V.B. Cheshire Regiment was held at the Town. Hall oil Tuesday evening, and was thoroughly enjoyed by an attendance numbering 130. The programme consisted of 22 dances, and to the bright music of Mr. Hull's Band dancing was carried on from half-past eight until an early hour of the morning. The beautiful decorations were carried out by a special committee under Q.M.-Sergt. Davies, and Messrs. Dicksons, Ltd.. kindly lent palms. The attendance included:—Colonel and Mrs. T. J. Smith, the Misses R. A. and Florence Smith, Hon. Colonel and Mrs. H. T. Brown, Brigade- Surgeon Lieut.-Colonel King, Major and Mrs. R. Cecil Davies, Captain and Mrs. F. F. Lambarde, Capt. Bromley, Capt. A. G. Hamilton, Lieut. A. J. Musgrave, Sergt. and Mrs. Abbott, Mr. and Mrs. W. Allan. Mrs. and Miss Bassindale, Mr. and Mrs J. T. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Bates, Mr. J. H. Cooke, Mrs. C. E. Cattley, Sergt.-Instructor aud Mrs. Chise. Miss B. Charmley and Sergt. E. J. Urmston, Colour- Sergt. and Mrs. E. W. Dyke, Q.M.-Sergt. J. Davies, Mr. A. and Miss Dryland, Miss A. Edwards, Mr. F. H. Frow, Sergt. Goall and Miss Coleshill, Miss E. Hoggins, Miss Hewitt, Mrs. C. A. Hunter, Sergt. J. C. H. Hankinson, Sergt. E. Harper and Misz Wilpock, Mr. A. 3 E. Hull and Miss Richards, Q.M.-Sergt. C. P. Jones, Sorgt. and Mrs. J. K. Jones. Mr. F. Ker- shaw and Miss M. Cummins, Q M.-Sergt. and Mrs. Lockwood, Colour-Sargt. Lewis and Miss Martin, Mr. and Mrs. R. Lloyd, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Leeming, Mr. A. E. and Miss M. Maher, Sergt.- Major and Mrs. Mellor. Sergt. J. Peacock and Mrs. Williams, Mr. A. M. Proctor, Mr. J. Palmer. Miss D. Payne and Miss Payne, Mr! and Mrs. J. D. and Miss Robb, Mr. and Mrs. J. Sampey, Mr. Cecil P. Smith. Mr. T. Thruburne, Miss Turner, Sergt. J. B. and Mrs. Thorae. Mr. A. J. Vernon, Captain and QuartmnastM- Williamson, Sergt. F. Weston, Miss Watts, Miss Wilson, Miss G. Williams. Miss C. M. Williams, Miss A. Williams, Miss M. E. Willcock, Mr. and Mrs. R. Watkins, Colour-Ssrgt. and Mrs. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. N. A. E. Way.

DENBIGHSHIRE HUSSARS.-Friday night's "Gazette" contained the following notice :—Imperial Yeomanry Denbighshire (Husuars): Captain and Brevet -Major Wm. Alexander Crawford Cockburn (retired pay), late 2nd Dragoon Guards, tQ be CfcptiUXU

LOCAL LICENSEES' PROTEST. +- PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. A petition in the interests of various licensees whose applications have been objected to irf Cheshire and North Wales has been drawn up. by Mr. Vince, the organising secretary to the National Trade Defence Association for the Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales district. The petition, a copy of which we subjoin, is to bo signed by those licensees whose applications were put back at the annual brewster sessions, and it is to be presented to the House of Commons by the Parliamentary representatives of the various divisions affected, which are Parkgate. Holywell and Bollington. The petition is as follows:— To th, honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parlia- ment assembled. The petition of the undersigned holders of licences or certificates for the sale by retail of intoxi- cating liquors in the of humbly sheweth,—That your petitioners, being the holders of licences or certificates as aforesaid, have received by direction of the justices notice of objection to the renewal of their said licences or certificates. That your petitioners have con- ducted their business with care and in con- formity with the law. That the said notices of objection do not aver that your petitioners have committed any offence against the Licensing Acts. That there has been no change in the conditions of of during tho year that has elapsed since the licences or certificates were last renewed, and that the said licences and certificates have been for many years annually renewed as being required for the need and convenience of the public. That by the serving of the said notices of objection. your petitioners, though they have committed no offence, are put to grievous loss and incon- venience, seeing that-(I) Even if the said licences or certificates are renewed at the adjourned licensing meeting, your petitioners have to bear the cost of meeting the objections made; (2) Although if the renewals are refused your petitioners have a right of appeal to Quarter Sessions, yet even if the appeal is allowed the successful appellant has to pay his own costs; (3) Your petitioners are by the said objections disturbed in the conduct of their lawful business, and the value and security of their property damaged, while, if the renewals of the licences or certificates are refused, your petitioners, although they have carried on their business legally, are deprived of their livelihood without compensation. Your petitioners there- fore pray your honourable House, for the above reasons, that such steps may be taken as may be. necessary to protect your petitioners from the said hardships. And your petitioners will, as in duty bound, ever pray.

FATAL ACCIDE T AT CHESTER 4 FALL THROUGH A CHIMNEY. On Friday morning a man named John Speed, aged 66 years, a labourer, residing at No. 2, Commercial Hall, Foregate-street, was admitted to the Infirmary suffering from severe injuries to one of his legs. The unfortunate man. was engaged in pulling down a tall chimney, when by some means he fell through the chimney, fracturing his leg below the knee. He died at the Infirmary on Saturdaymom ng. The city coroner (Mr. E. Brassey) held an inquest on the body on Saturday after- noon at the Infirmary.-Henry Speed: deceased's brother, living at 9 Bellis's-court, Cuppin-street, gave evidence of identification Hfc stated that on Friday morning he was working with deceased in pulling down a chimney seventy feet in height belonging to Messrs. Davies and Sons, off Vic- toria-road. Deceased was working at the top of the chimney and witness at the bottom. Wit- ness gave his brother a signal to cease a moment from throwing the bricks, mortar, etc., down inside the chimney Witness could not say how the accident happened. After giving the signal he heard a rumbling sound as of a falling body, and then found his brother at the bottom of the chimney. By the Coroner: Deceased was accustomed to standing upon heights having stood on the top of the steeples of Trinity Church and Hoole Church. In reply to Detective Crewe, witness said the deceased was supposed to be working with a sling round him, but when he was picked up it was ob- served that he was without tha sling. Henry Daves, carpenter. 25. Tomkinson-etreet, who was working near to the chimney, deposed to seeing the last witness signal to his brother. He next found the de, e- sed at the bottom resting on a plank, having had his leg broken by the fall. Witness had assisted to hoist him to the top of the chimney earlier in the morning, and his sling was then attached On the way to the Infirmary deceased said he had no business to have undone the rope. George Jackson, drayman, Belgrave-street. who conveyed deceased to the Infirmary, corroborated the last witness as to deceased man's statement. Dr. Pattison, house surgeon at the Infirmary, described the man's injuries as a fracture of the leg, with several bruises and internal injury, the latter of which was the cause of death. A verdict of "Acoidental death" was returned.

HAWARDEN GUARDIANS. 0 The usual fortnightly meeting of the Hawarden Board of Guardians was held at the Workhouse, Broughton, on Thursday Mr. W. Fryer presid- ihg.-The Vaccination Officer (Mr. Geo. A. Jones) presented his usual vaccination returns, which rea.d as follows:—January to June, 1903, births 364, successfully vaccinated 308, conscientious ob- jections 1, dead unvaccinated 25, postponed 20, removals to districts of which the vaccination officer has been apprised 3, removals to districts unknown 5. unvaccinated 2. Year 1902, births 730; vaccinated 629, insusceptible to vaccination 2, conscientious objection 1, dead' unvaccinated 61, postponed 14 removal to districts of which the vaccination officer has been apprised 6. removal to districts unknown 16 unvaccinated 1. DISTRICT COUNCIL. A meeting of the District Council was held the same day, Mr. Fryer again presiding.-M-r Ford moved that the Council submit the plains for the Caergwrle sewerage scheme prepared by Mr. Davies and Mr. Bell, engineers, to a consulting engineer.—Mr. E Sidney Taylor seconded, and the resolution was carried. DEE ESTATES. The Clerk (Mr. H. G. Roberts) said the Council had a claim aga;nst the Dee Estates of JB907 10s., and the costs allowed on taxation, as an encumb- rance on the estates, which came before every other claim except what was called the Hawarden, annuities. Tho case was now in Chancery, and the- Chief Clerk had disallowed the whole ol the pay- ment of the Council s claim. He (the clerk) had' now given instructions to his agents to place the papors before counsel in order that the Court might be moved to vary the order of the Chief Clerk. If they were not successful, he advised the Council to take the case to a higher court. As to- the Higher Ferry lane, he said the Council' could in the meantime authorise Mr. Newton to repair it from beginning to end, as it was at present in a dangerous state.—The clerk's action was en- dorsed, and he was instructed to proceed with the matter in the way he had suggested.

ADVICE TO MOTHERS !-Are you broken of your rest by a sick child suffering with the pMtts in cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist and get a. bottle of MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING STRUP, which has been used over 50 years by millions of mothers for their children while teething, with perfect success. It is pleasant to taste, produces natural, quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays al pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels. and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Sold by Chemists everywhere at Is. lid. per bottle. SALMON FISHERIES PROTECTION.—Sir Herbert Maxwell, M.P.. presided at thv House of Commons on Wednesday over the Parliamentary Committee of an association formed last year un- der the auspices of the Fishmongers' Company, with the Duke of Abereorn as president, to secure the better protection and regulation of salmoni fisheries. The association, which is known as tho Salmon and Trout Association, proposes to pro- mote legislation for the three kingdoms on the lines of the report of the Royal Commission on the salmon fisheries, and on the Lord-Lieutenant's Commission in Ireland. The committee are drafting three Bills on the subject, which prici- to their introduction into the House of Commons will be submitted tc tho departments conoernett,. viz., the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, tiio Scottish Office, and the Irish Fishery Department. The Original Cocoa. and a Speciality, v EPPS'S being distinguished from all others by its invigorating nutritious qualities and its. delicious flavour. This Cocoa, con- taining as it does all the substance of the Qoooa Nib, maintains its loading position after three-quarters of a Coatury as Alro *1 9 AV 0 COCOA the best form of Cocoa for ever?-day use.