The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

AGRICULTURE. AN "OLD-F ASHlONED" WINTER. The advent of the New Year brought with it a "touch" of old-fashioned winter. It is majiy years since the weather was so severe; but wii-la bringing with it much of trial and inconvenience, fanners have welcomed the frost as a. friend in due season. Ploughing ceased at Christmas, though the land was in better condition than for several weeks pre- viously, and those farmers who were fortunate enough to have broken up their stubbles will be benefited later on with their ccding. The fro>>t has given opportunity for carting manure such t6 has net been presented for many winters, and good use has been made of it for clearing the accumulations of farm- yards. Stock oi all kinds is needing greater "ttAm:on, and ii gees without saying that in- creased duties make sufficient demands on the time of all connect.ed willi farming, especially with dairying. The severe weather has given a sudden check to the milk flow, and milk- sellem find it hard work to supply their usual customers. The "Field" reports and illustrates the case of a calf born wnh three lojjs 011 NovCtnbcr 23Ul, the property of Mr. T. Swinnick, ct Margate. 'lhù owner describes it. as the produce of a large cross-b-red ehorfchcxn dam and a pure-bred shorthorn sire, and as being an unusually sLrclIg, healthy, and well- made youngster, bigger tnan many calves of the Mine agv, and as experiencing little incon- venience from the want of the fourth limb be- yond a limp in its gak. It is reported iiiuc anthrax is increasingly prevalent in Scotland, and that there is a strong suspicion that. the deadly disease is brought into the country and spread by means of imported feeding-stuffs. The Board of Agriculture have been approached with the view of contributing to a fund for investiga- ting the matter. COLOURING MILK. From proservathes in milk to colouring the oamo to give it a rich apjx-arance thaie Sëel.i.16 Lule diilereiioe in the eye of the law. At the South-Western (London) Police Court, John Heaver, a dairyman, with a farnl at Ciiichesler and a depot ao Battcrsea Fail;-r<-ad, was sum- moned at the mstano; ct U;e Batteisca iio-rough Council for selling rnilk containing 11 per cent, of added water. Air. Caudwell (prosecuting for tho Council) said the milk had also been artificially coloured. Air. Chuter, the Council's ins-pec-tor, said he pur- chased the milk fri.a a youth in charge of a wrrow. lie re.narked to that the lriilk app<\uvd to bo highly coloured, whereupon the youth IX plied, "S es, I Sllppcee thoy overdid it rnirt morning." Air. Rieketts (for the defen- dant) said he had sola miik for 19 years with- out complaint Th.e magistrate: What du you say about the colouring? Mr. Rieketts: it ii, generally klown that dairymen use a harmless colouring. The magistrate: What is it? Mr. Ricketts: Annatto. People in their ignorance think the natural colour of milk is creamlike, whereas it is white. Tho publio refuse to have white milk, and consequently dairymen are forced to colour it. Mr. Chuter admitted that it was customary for dairymen to colour their milk. Mr. Rieketts said a teaspoonful of the colouring was used to a churn of It was a vegetable matter and perfectly harmless. The magistrate: The whiteness cioes not appeal to the public then? Mr. Rieketts: If dairy- men could educate the public into the belief that milk is white and not creamy-looking, traders would be saved the outlay of using an our ii, I expensive colouring without any corresponding return. It cost dairymen a good deal, and they received nothing in return. The magi- strate imposed penalties amounting to Jo5 with 23s. "ts.-lt will be noted from the above facts, reported in tho "Times" of Friday, that while the defendant was summoned for adding water to his milk, no evidence or analysis bearing on the point is given, but the crux of the caeo seemed simply to turn on the colour- ing matter. If that was so the heavy penalty inflicted ought to put an end to the practice, not only in Heavor's ease but generally throughout the trade. FARMING IN CANADA IN 1907. A Saskatchewan (Canada) farmer correspon- dent, writing in the "Midland Counties Herald," describing the past eoason, &iys:- "When April commences the farmer begins to look over his implements, and, as a rule, he is ablo to use them about the middle of the month, but last April came and went, and half May also before the land had thawed out sufficiently to enable the seed to be sown. Owners of cattle had hard struggles to bring their herds through, as in this district of 'L.a.t Mountain' we were feeding indoors from October until June, and some of the stock were oorry-lookmg objects before the grass came again A groat number of farmem were not through seeding until the middle of June, and a largo part of the crops put in were not worked at all-just seeded on stubble. By the middle of July hopes ran high for a good crop, and less was heard about the bad points of tho country, but these hopes were doomed to disappointment, as, although we had grand growing weather, it kept too cool and wet. The latter part of July and the month of August as a rule arc hot and dry, and the gram ripens rapidly, but this year it was not so, and the crops stood still, and most wheat remained in the 'milk' when September came in. Then it was a question of how long would the frost keep off, a6 we look for a killing frcst any time after the. first week in September. Some farmers started to cut wheat the begin- ning of the second week in September, al- though the grain was soft and euro to shrink. As it turned out they were wise, as a most severe frest came the end of the week, when the glass fell below zero. Graan that was standing waa badly frozen, and on the low- lying heavy clay lar.J6 was not worth cutting. Around Regina thousands of acres were burred. In 'Last Mountain' district rncst of the crop was cut and threshed, but the larger part of the wheat crop only grades 'feed.' And to make a fitting ending to a bad season, it froze up solid on November 7th, and stopped ploughing, which ireans that a lot of work will have to be done in the spring, which, as a rule, is done in the fall. Altogether it hae been a most disappointing year, but we are looking forward to a good crop in 1908 to make up for the poor one of 1907."

PARISH COUNCILS AND ALLOTMENTS. The Local Government Board has issued to rural district councils a circular-letter calling their attention to the provisions of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act with reference to the transfer to parish councils and parish meetings of the property and liabilities of rural district councils now that the Act has come into operation. Under sub-section 3 of section 20 all property acquired and all liabilities in- curred by any rural district council under the Allotments Act will, as from an appointed day fixed by the board either generally or as re- spects any particular district, by virture of the new Act be transferi ed to and vested in the parish council of the parish in respect of which the properly was acquired or the liabilities incurred. In the case of a rural parish not having a parish council the property will be transferred to and vested in the chairman of the parish meetings and the overseers of the parish. The Local Government Board is dis- posed to think that the most convenient course will be for them to fix generally the 1st of April next as the appointed day for tho purposes of section 20 (3). It appears to the board de- sirable, however, that the rural district council should communicate with the parish council or the chairman of the parish meeting (as the case may be) of any parish in the district in respect of which the council has acquired pro- perty or incurred liabilities under the Allot- ments Act?, pointing out that the powers and duties of the district council are transferred to the parish council or parish meeting as from yesterday, and informing them of the date which the board proposes to fix for the pur- poses of section 20 (3). The Board draws attention to sub-section 6 of the section, which makes applicable sections 68, 70, 72, and 85 to 88 inclusive of the Local Government Act. 1894, relating to such matters as adjustment of pre- perty and liabilities, determination of ques. tions, current rates, account and proceedings, existing securities, and the discharge of exist- ing debts and pending contracts.

REMOVAL OF INFECTIOUS CASES.-A memorandum containing much useful information relative to the procedure necessary to secure the removal of patients to the Isolation Hospital, Sealand, has been issued by Dr. Thomas, medical officer of health.

POACHERS V, GAMEKEEPERS » EXCITING AFFRAY. At Whitchurch Police Court, on Friday, Thos. Young, labourer, of Audlem, was again brought up on a charge of night poaching with violence in Cloveriey Park, in company with several other persons unknown, on Dec. l&th. The. evidence shewed that at 2.30 in the morning Major Heywood Lonsdale's head- keeper, Watts, Priv te Constable John Cock and three others surprised nine poaoher.s. A dog first- came to meet them, and was greeted with three levo'v-rr shots. The poachers replied with a fusilade of atones and bricks, and a hand-io- hand struggle ensued, in the course of which Young, after a severe struggle with John Cock, was arrested. After his wounds on the head and face had been attended to, he was taken to the Whitehuich Police Station. Thirty dead rabbits were afterwards found near the scene of the conflict. \oung now offered to turn King's evidence if the bench wished, but tlie Chairman said they could not consider it at this stagov He was committed to the Assizes.

FLINT BOROUGHS SEAT. THE UNIONIST CANDIDATE. We understand that very soon a delegates' mating of Fit! Boroughs U nionists will be heiu to s,-I. ct their champion for the next elec- tion. Judging from the list of candidates which was rem-ntly rmt. forward it would appear that tine delegates will have no easy task in making a selection. It is, of course, impossible to pre- dict. with any ocrtainty what may be the result of the meeting, but we should not be s-uiprised if the: de'ogatcs' choice is Mr. H. A. TiIby, of Rhyl. Few men are better known in Flintshire than Mr. Til by, who as Unionist agent has performed his duties with tho zeal of en- thusiasm. In other spheres he has rendered valuable service, notably in the County Council, where he lias fought valiantly for justice and has dis- p'ayed com picuous ability. On the public piat- forms he has done yeoman service for the causes which ho has so much at heart—Unionism and the Churoh. Without in any way disparaging the c'aims of the other candidates, all of whom are eminently qua'sfied to serve the constituency, we think the Unionists of the Boroughs would br- fortunate in securing Mr. Tilby as their champion.

SHEEP-WORRYING AT FLINT i SUCCESSFCL POLICK TRAP. At Flint Pe'ty Sessions, on Wednesday, be- fore tho Mayor (AM. A. B. Lloyd) and other magistrates, John Jones, of Pentre, Flint, was summoned by Mr. WiUiam Oldfield, of Bryn Coeh tLml, for the payment of L- 2. 6s. 9d. for the loss of sheep worried by defendant's dog. Air. T. W. Hughes appealed for the complain- ant. and said it appeared that on the 29th July Mr. Oldfield went among his sheep to count them, and in one of his fields found the carcase of a sheep. After a watch had been set, tho polics were informed, and on the suggestion of the police, traps were set, with the result that tihe defendant's dog was caught in a trap. The dog was ciaimed by the defendant. A second sheep was also found cut about by a dog. Mr. Hughes contended that it was not necessary to actually catch the dog in the act. Tho defendant had been before the court pre- viously for not keeping his dog under proper control, but as he had stated the dog had been destroyed, the summons was witl-.drawn.-The defendant stated that it oould not be proved that it was his dog which killed the sheep in question.—Air. Oldfield boro out Mr. Hughes's statement. At the suggestion of Inspector Wil- liams ho set eight traps, and on a Friday morn- ing he found a dog, crossed between an airedale and a retriever, in one of the traps. He sent defendant a bill for £3. 3s. on the 3rd August, and defendant told him t'h.a.t he was "only a poor chap."—Inspector Williams stated that de- fendant called at the police station and ad- mitted ownership of tho dog. Defendant said that if no moie sheep were killed in the dis- trict he would be satisfied that his dog had done it.—Air. J. W. M. Evans, Flint, described1 the injuiies to the second sheep., which was treated by ham.—Defendant contended that there was no proof that his dog killed the sheep. The dog had been fastened up for a week pre- vious to th? date when the sheep was found, but he admitted that, it was his dog which was caught in the trap.—Air. S. K. Muspratt cn- cjmred whether the dog had been now destroyed, and it appeared that it li-td.-Aii order was made for payment of the amount claim:xl, with an advocate's fee of £1. Is. and witnesses' allow- ances, the Mayor remarking that the he-neh we;e quite satisfied that the defendant's dog killed the sheep.

OLD AGE ECZEMA. WONDERFUL CURE AT 90 BY ZAM-BUK. "SKIN NOW CLEAR AS A BABY'S." Many cases of chronic eczema and obstinate ulceration, fioin one to sixty years' duration, have yielded to Zam-Buk, thus proving beyond question that- this vegetable balm to ba of unique purity and of unparalleled skin-healing power. Now comes the greatest proof of all-the final triumph which places Zam-Buk aliove all ordinary skin-medicines. Mr. James Stall wood, of the Cottages, Prestwood, Great Missendem, has just been cured, at nearly 90 years of age, of oLd-ago eczema. The doctor called Mr. StAHwood o a hopeless case, yet Zam-Buk not only brought him relief from the itching, but expelled the disease and renewcd his skin until it was "as clear as a baby's." To the "Bucks Examiner" th3 veteran said: "Last January a rash broke out on the lower part csf my body, and nearly covered my legs. Aly logs got greatly inflamed, and tho irrita- tion was so very bad that I could not rest at night. After this bad gone an for some timo I had tho doctor. Ho described my ailment aa cczoma,' and said nothing could cure me. He gave me some lotion, but neither this nor many other things I tried did me any good. I had to take to my bed, and my legs became very bad. Week after week I lay in torture, too weak to gc-t up, arid so despondent that I thought I was going to die. "Fourteen weeks passed by like that, and I suffered shockingly from the maddening irrita- tion. Then my nepbew visited us, and immedi- ately recommended Zam-Buk. The first dress- ings allayed the irritation, and I began to have more rest. Then I had another box, and at the end of a fortnight I was able to get up. I con- tinued with Zam-Buk, and got rapidly better. The irritation ceased entirely, my legs healed up, and coon the eczema was all gone. Now my skin is as clear as a baby's." "Nobody," interposed Mr. Stall wood's daugh- ter, "tilought. my father would Jive through it. The doctor told me it was a hopeless caee, but Zam-Buk acted liko magic!" Writing a few days ago, Mr. Stallwood, who is now in his 90th year, says: "My skin is still as well and smooth as when I was cured by Zam-Buk. I am still without a blotch or dis- figurement on me." Only Zam-Buk with its remarkable medicinal juices and unique healing properties could bo expected to successfully treat a case so difficult as Mr. Stallwood's. Zain-Buk cespels disease and grows new healthy skin in a most wonder- ful way, whether the patient be old or young. Dr. Andrew Wilson's handsomei e'oth-bound book, "Homely Talk on First-Aid," wonth 2s. 6d., post free for 6d. from Zam-Buk Co., Leeds.

BANK DIVIDENDS. » The directors of Lloyd's Bank have decided to recommend at the ensuing general meeting a dividend for the past half year of 15s. per share, being at the rate of lSJ per cent. per annum, fiee of income tax, making a total distribution for the year of 18à percent. £ 50,000 had been added to the reserve fuud, E35,000 placed to the bank premises account, and £ 200,000 applied to writing down the bank's investments, leaving about £ 75,00 i to be carried forward. A dividend of 16 per cent. is declared by the North and South Wales for the past six months, making a total distribution of 13 per cent. for the year. The directors apply £ 25,000 out of profits against depreciation in investments, and £ 3,000 in reduction of premises account, and add £ 2,010 to officers' pension fund.

THE SOBER CONTINENT. 4 FEWER RESTRICTIONS, LESS DRUNKEN- NESS. The past year has been anything but a happy and pros;lerous one for those concerned in the Trade," said Air. N. Christensen at a. meeting on Uiureday of the Liverpool and District- Licensed Victuallers' Association. "The lo rmmerouiS restrictions and the burden of heavy taxation have become IX) harassing that the life of those engaged in it is scarcely worth living." He thought they were on the eve of a great struggle fraught with serious consequences to ail interested. lie hoped the time was not far off when every self-reliant citizen would refuse to be dictated to by cranks and fanatics as to what ho should drink and where. Restricting the sale of drink would not mend matters. On the Continent there was lü"-8 drunkenness and the cafes and restaurants were open all night. Instead of constantly harassing and vilifying tlie licenced victuaLer, these agitators should fry to attain their object by assisting and encourag- ing the publican in the proper conduct of a difficult, business,

HA WARDEN GUARDIANS. On Friday the fortnightly meeting of tho Hawarden Board of Guardians was licid art Bioughton Workhouse, Mr. W. Fryer presid- ing.—Hearty thanks were accorded all who had scut gifts and helped to provide enjoyment for th? inmates at Christmos tI Chairman eulogised the woik of the master and matron (Mr. and iAl Is. Roberts) and the relieving officer (Air. Jones) for making the treat so succeesfid, and for promoting the entertainment and decora- ting the icom. Their grateful thanks were also due, he sard, to all the people who in any way contributed to the. enjoyment of the. inmates. Th", Master ic,poil-od that Airs. Mayhew and Airs. TO\l' had distributed at Christmas tobacco to the men, tea to the women, and toys to ;ho chi;dT,c,n in the house, while Mr. iFox, Seahuid, sent a box of apples. DISTRICT COCXCIL. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD RECOM- MENDATIONS. A meeting of tho District Council followed, Air. irycr again presiding.—The Clerk (Mr. H. G. Roberts) said the Local Government Board had forwarded copies of a leport on the sanitary oireumstaiuxa and administration in the Ilawaiden district. The report suggested that thy Council should appoint one medical officer for the whole district. The two present, medical officeis he.d office until the end of April, and the Council would have time enough to con- sider the matter. The report also referred to the need for water in the Hope parish, for which an agreement had been signed between the Council and the Wrexham Water Co. It caiied attention also to the need for sewerage schemes for SaJuiey and Caergwrle, which, it stated., should be prooceded with without delay. Plans for .Sa.tney had been prepared, and were being stent to tho Local Government Board. The Council had had a preliminary report with re- gard to Caergwrle from Alessrs. Eli iott and Brown, and further consideration had been ad- joined until that day fortnight. With refer- ence to the sewerage of Broughton, to which the xxjport cal.'ed attention, the Council were waiting io know whether they could have the choice of patches in two fields for outfall works. Ino report further called attention to the &ewer- age of Penyfford, Pontybodkin and Coed Talon, which, the Clerk stated, were things for the future rorisidciration of the Council. Mr. Millington said he did not think they nrx-d I consider tho report further. During the last ten years no Council in the country had done more work to improve tho parishes in its dis- trict than had the Hawarden Council. He mov-d that the clerk reply to the Local Govern- ment Board on the lines Mr. Roberts had indi- cated. Capt. Yiekers remailic-d that he tliought the Local Government Board Inspector ought to have given them credit for the improvements made in their district during the last ten years. The Chairman said the recommendations were all common information to tne. Council. There were seve-ra! points in the report which would not be taken as evidence in a court of law in many oases the Inspector g-ave his evidence from hearsay. The report, he considered, was a compliment to the Council, as i-i-iost of the. sug- gested improvements were already in hand. The chief point that appeared to be on the Local Government Board's mind in asking their inspector to visit that district was tlie objection by tho Council to the appointment of one medi- 001 officer for the district. That was the be- ginning of the report, and aiso the ending. Tho Council were of opinion that two medical officers in a ecaltered district liko theirs were better able to look after the district than one. Air. John Wright stated that the machinery of tho Council was working so well now that ho thought it should be left alone. Mr. Ford endorsed the Chairman's remarks about the lepart of tho Inspector being a com- pliment to the Council, but he added that he did not think they would be putting themselves in tho right position with the Local Government Board and their district if they did not acknow- ledge the recommendations made, which were going to engage their attention for the next few years. He suggested that they should answer tho reooEomcTidations and take the report in the right spirit. Referring to the medical officers, he said tho doctors were paid E20 It3 they wore at, present, which was absolutely insufficient for the office. They simply put the money in their pockets and S1.t on it tightly. (Laughter.) lie contended that the medical officers should be paid a handsome sum to enable them to be use- ful officers and advisers to the Cbuiicil. Ho moved that they should add to Mr. Alillingion's resolution that they noticed the recommenda- tions in the report with regard to the sanitation of Pontybodkin and other places, and would do thoir best to meet them. After further dis- cussion Mr. Aldington's motion was carried, with the addition moved by Mr. Ford. DANGEROUS LEVEL-CROSSING. Mr. Fox, in accordance with notice of motion, moved that the Council request the Great Cen- tral Railway Co. to provide proper accommo- dation to safeguard the publio at the level- crossing noar the Welsh-road eiddng, Sealand. Mr. Fox said the crossing at pret-ont was very dangerous, and there had been several fatal accidents, cattle and horses being killed. At present there were two gates near the lines, which had to be opened and closed by people who used them. Tho Sealand Parish Council had had the matter in hand for three or four years, but the only reply to their recommenda- tions had been to the effect that the railway company could not admit any responsibility for damage done, because it was not a publio road, and they wci,e, going to close the gates. Subse- quently the gates were locked, but they were broken open by someone, and had never been locked since. The Parish Council thought that the District Council ought to try and compel the company to put up proper gatcs and safe- gua.rd the public. Oapt. Vickers seconded. Mr. Spcnoer suggested that the following should bo added "and also provide a better road to the station for passengers at Shotton." -This was agreed to, and the resolution Wfu, carried unanimously.

CARNIVAL PRIZE WINNER. At tie New Brighton Tower carnival on New Year's-eve Miss Bessie Kendrick (Chester) took third prize for her costume, representing "Oriental Beads."

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CHURCHMEN'S PROTEST. DENBIGHSHIRE TRICKERY." On Friday night a meeting of Churchmen at .Brymbo, Wrexham, protected against the action of the Denbighshire Education Authority in refusing to maintain the Brymbo Church Schools as the elementary schools of the district, and resolved to carry them on as free schools for the children of Churchmen. The Bishop of St. Asaph announced that the schools would in future to be carried on by the Diocesan Associa- tion, and characterised the action of the Local Education Authority in trying to get possesion of the buildings, site, and endowments of those schools as nothing less than trickery. He said: "Thi is recognised as a Church charity. The site upon which the school is built was given and conveyed by the Marquis of Westminster to the Vicar of Brymbo. The L.E.A. desire to posftess themselves of the charity, the school buildings, and the school site. I do not con- eider that it is right or just that, they should do so, but even supposing that it was right and just, I think every honest citizen will agree that they should make their claim known in the way and form prescribed by the law. If they can carry their point legally. Churchmen, always loyal to the law of the land, will acquiesce in the decision, however ha'd it may soem to them to bo. But what have the L.E.A. done? Instead of committing their case to legal procedure they have taken counsel together, and, working I meanly, are attempting io gain their ends by a policy of trickery. They hoped by closing "the schools to force the hands of the Trustees."

NESTON MAN'S OFFENCE. f TIIEIT AT CUDDINGTON. At the Eddisoury Petty Sessions, on iMondav, before C-tpf. Wynne Griffiih and. other itipgig- trates, 1 ho Jn5 Jervis, a young gardener, of Littk^ Norton, was charged with stealing, on the* 4ta Dec., a lady's Geneva waich, value £ 2. — Iho-s. Nickson, 13 years of age, living with his parents at Forest-road. Cuddington, staged I that lie lenirned from school at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 4th Dec., and finding his parents away lio stayed in the house' alone. Half-an- hour later ho saw tapping at the kitchen window the defendant, who had formerly lodged at the hou&e. He admitted deiendaut to the- house-, and ho sat on the sofa. In answer to defend- aut's inquiries he informed him that his mother had gone to Oakmere. Jervis asked for tho loan of a bicycle pump, and witness went into the wash-house for one, leaving defendant alone in the kitchen. Later witness, at defendant's icqueist, pumped the tyro of his machine, and on this occasion also Jervis remained in the kitchen. Defendant said he was going to Canada on the Friday, and went away sayimr I lie. wouid go and meet witness' mother. Wit- ness had Born the watch on tlie kitchen drawers the day before. Jervis called, but not while defendant was there.—Martha Nick son, wife of I a gardener and mother of the last witness, sa.id that on Wednesday, 4th December, she locked up the house, leaving the watch (produced) on the chcst of drawers in the kitchen, and went to a friend's house at Oakmere, where defend- ant called, saying he had come to say "Good- byo," as he was going to Canada next day. Two days later witness looked for the watch and found it was missing, so she gave informa- tion to the police.—Acting-Sergt, Can ham, of Nfovon, deposed to apprehending defendant, who in answer to a question whether lie know anything1 about a lady'a wawh which had been missed at Cuddington said, "I have got the watch, but I did not intend to steal it. I was going to take it back." Defendant then handed the watch to witness. As far as witness knew defendant had never been in trouble before, and was a respectable man.—P.O. Meredith, Sandiway, stated that on Saturday, 7th Dec., ho mado inquiries at Cuddington a,nd Oakmere as to the missing watch, and lie obtained a de- scription of the defendant and sent it on to Neston. On the 9th Dec. he received the de- fendant in custody from the Neston police, a,i I charged him with the offence, defendant rep'\ ing, "I am guilty of tailing it, but I was igno; ant of what I was doing.—Mrs. Nick son sai I she did not wish to press the case.—Defcnda.ni now pl-caded that he was sorry, and Eaid he had nevnr done anything wrong before. When left alone in the house he picked up the watoh to look at the lime, and put it in his pocket. He thought no more about the watch until the morning he was seen by the police, when he found out his mistake and was going to return it. He did not try to sell the watch or dispose of it.—Supt. Ikeley said the defendant belonged to Windermere, but for the last seven ye-ars had been working in different places. He had been married only a few months.—Defendant, who said he had been in the Dei! am ere Sanatorium, was treated as a fiiet offender, and was bound over in £ 10 to be of good behaviour for twelve months, the Chairman remarking that he had been treated eo leniently because of his good character and out of sympathy for his wife.

UPTON. RAINFALL.—The rainfall for the month of December, as taken by Mr. J. D. Thorburn, of Upton Cross, has registered 1 inch and 79-100, and for the 12 months 27 inches and 77-100. The t, rainfall of the last few years has varied greatly, and therefore, as an average might be misleading, we give the separate totals :—1S)0: 31 418 inches 1904, 25,175 1905, 24"011 1906. 28-076 and 1907, 27770. )

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BANK RATE REDUCED.—After standing at the hie;h rate of 7 per cent, from November 6 last, the Bank rate was on Thursday reduced to 6 per cent. The withdrawal of money from London during the American financial crisis was the chief cause of the 7 per cent. rate, which was tna highest on record since 1873. The average Bank rate for 1907 works out at £ 4. 183. 3d. rjor eenW which is higher than it has been since 1S6G.