Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

--1{+- The four Indian orderlies who are to at- tend on the King were received by his Maj- esty at the palace on Tuesday.

.041* 1- WELSH M.P.'S 44 FIRM." Mr. T. H. Parry on the Church Bill. At St. Asaph, Mr. T. H. Parry, Liberal M.P. for Flint Boroughs, addressed his constituents, and referred to the "warning" of the Rev. Owen Owen, a previous speak- er, as to the consequence of any weakening of Welsh Liberal M.P's regarding the bill. He said he was glad to say that not a single one of his colleagues in the House of Commons was weakening on this question. The members of the Welsh party, said Mr Parry, were as united to-day as ever they were, and they meant to stand firm on this question and see that now, at the "third time of asking," the Disestablish- ment and Disendowment Bill was placed on the Statute Book. They as Welsh people had a right to have this question settled on the ground of nationality. A great Unionist authority had admitted that if a federal system of Home Rule should come about the first thing Wales would have a right to dispose of would .be the question of the Established Church. Therefore, if it was right and fair for Wales under a Home Rule scheme to settle the Church question straight away, then surely it was rignt that when they in Wales sent thirty-one out of thirty-four Liberal members to the British House of Commons their claims for dises- tablishment and disendowment should be recognised now. Surely, if ever there was an overwnelm- ing claim it was the demand of Ireland for Home Rule, which could only be rivalled by the demand of Wales for disestablish- ment and disendowment of the Church. The Liberal party in Wales and the Natio- nalist party in Ireland had asked so con- sistently and persistently for these measures of reform which concerned their respective countries that it was quite time those claims I were recognised, and he firmly believed that before many weeks or months had passed the Irish and Welsh bills would be firmly fixed on the Statute Book.

.:+-- CAUTIOUS BURGLARS. Burglars who visited the premises of Messrs. Ellis, Walker, and Co., in Cam- bridge-street, Birmingham, moved a heavy safe from one room to another, and then stole the contents. When they had finish- ed their operations they obtained a bucket of water and carefully scrubbed the safe, evidently to remove finger-prints. They also made cups of tea, but washed the cups before leaving.

FLIGHT BY A ONE-LEGGED MAN. Marcel Desoutter, the young Hendon air- man who met with an accid-ent while flying at Hendon last year and lost a limb, has made his first flight since the accident, de- scending safely after spending an hour in the air.

LOOKERS Telephone 948. = LTD. = 134. Foregate St., CHESTER. For High-class CARS ON HIRE. 9 7 1 BODY WORK. REPAIRS (Ford Experts). Agents for- LANCIA, HISPANO SUIZA, STRAKER SQUIRE, SWIFT and FORD CARS. ——————————————_—— Stocks held of I TYRES, GREASE, SPARES, OIL, PETROL. Delivered Free within Five Mile radius. I SpeciAlity-Maintenance of FORD Delivery Vans. I The UNITED MILLS Co., Ltd., New Large Premises, 14, NORTHGATE STREET, CHESTER, For inexpensive smartness in Ladies' and Children's Millinery, "Seini," "Ready-to-wear," "Sports," "Tourist," etc. Dainty Hats of rare charm. Exclusive Ideas at Moderate Cost. Call and Inspect Large Salon. Also LADIES' OUTFITTING, "BLOUSES," 1 j Dainty Neckwear, Hosiery, Gloves, Corsets, Umbrellas, etc. The "HOUSE of RENOWN" For BLANKETS, SHEETS & QUILTS, HOUSEHOLD LINEN, etc., direct from the Mills; thus saving incermediate profits. We heartily Invite your Inspection. NOTE THE NEW ADDRESS:— The UNITED MILLS Co., Ltd. 14, Northgate Street, CHESTER. With Retail Shops at Manchester, Southport, Preston, Wigan, and Shrewsbury.

MR. VANDERBILT'S EXPENSIVE HOBBY. Mr. Alfred Vanderbilt, the American multi-millionaire, has just started his an- nual London-to-Brighton coaching season. This is Mr. Vanderbilt's pet hobby, and he does it not for profit but for amusement and recreation. The advance of motoring has made coaching anything but a business pro- position. Besides, the Vanderbilt methods could not possibly be lucrative. Some ten teams are used to cover the sixty miles, and the stabling expenses alone for the season amount to at least £ 1,500. Altogether, the cost of the Vanderbilt coaches for a seven weeks' season is about E3,000, while the receipts at 15s. per passenger are not more than £ 500.

— *2*——— SANG ON THE AMBULANCE. A man who was thought to be ill was placed on the ambulance. As he began to sing, however, it was found that he was drunk, and he was charged before the Kingston-on-Thames magistrates.

TAYLOR BEATS DUNCAN AT PRESTATYN. < A match Taylor v. Duncan was played at I Preetatyn on Saturday, resulting in a win f y 0 for Taylor, who covered the course in 74 < strokes against Duncan's 76. Bogey for the course is 78. Last year Ray did it in 70, and Vardon in 73. On Saturday, however, the conditions were slightly less favourable I than they were then, there being a fair breeze and the course being rather hard for want of rain. The wind seemed to trouble neither player very much. Only on two or three occasions were the bunkers fouled, and on these no strokes were lost. The play over the whole 18 holes was charac- terised by clean, hard drives, good ap- proaches, and, on the part of Taylor, ex- I cellent putts. Duncan failed at several short putts. J In the afternoon a four-ball foursome was played, Taylor and Segar Pugh, a local 1 amateur, being pitted against Duncan and I Mr. Lloyd, another local amateur. Playing a best ball game, they ended all square with 68. Lord Mostyn was among the many inter- ested spectators, some of whom had travel- led a considerable distance to witness the play.

MEMORIALS TO BISHOP'S WIFE. A vestry meeting at St. Asaph has re- solved to petition the chancellor of the dio- cese to grant a faculty for the erection of a stained-glass window in the St. Asaph Par- <« ish Church as a local 'memorial of the late Mrs. Edwards, wife of the Bishop of St. Asaph. A diocesan memorial has already been carried out, taking the form of a fund, the interest of which is placed at the disposal i of the bishop for aiding necessitous clergy. j L

lONTARIOl—l | CANADA J the land of fl Bfir opportunities— a week from Xjiverpool. m Bf Improved freehold farms for what British farmers Mm K pay in rent. Dairying-, cattle raising, fruit srowin^, JJw K fpirdenintf. Unlimited market. Grand climate. "!es (educational conditions. Government guarantees farm h<lnd "lud dOIl1c>stÍCs e.f1 J(! Wd M. Marvelious natural resources await nvcsiors.^rtjfe^SSM E Wnte: R. REID, j

Independent Order of Rechabites. Annual Meeting of the Chester District. GROWTH OF THE WORK. Appointment of District Insurance Committees Urged. ONE VALUATION. The Chester District No. 12 of the Inde- pendent Order of Rechabites held its 66th annual meeting at the Temperance Hall, Chester, on Monday week, when the follow- ing District Officers were present:—District Chief Ruler, Bro. J. M. Edwards, Brymbo; Deputy Chief Ruler, Bro. Joseph Coppack, Connah's Quay; Past District Chief Ruler, Bro. T. E. Parrish, Chirk; District Super- intendent, Bro. T. H. Whitby, Ellesmere Port; District Trustees, Bros. John Min- shull, J.P. Mollington, James Clark, Flint, and Henry Jones, Crewe; District Audi- tors, Bros. W. R. Rowlands, Rhos, W. H. Wilcock, Buckley, and the District Secre- tary, Bro. W. D. Forber, Connah's Quay. There were also present 42 representatives from the following adult branches: Chester, Wrexham, Coedpoeth, Saugliall, Crewe, Summerhill, Cefn Mawr, Connah's Quay, Ellesmere Port, Nantwich, Flint, Tryddyn, Rhos, Caergwrle, Buckley, Holywell, Ffyn- nongroew, Chirk, Brymbo, Coppenhall, Crewe, Leeswood, Mold, Queen's Ferry, Bagillt, Little Suttou, Vron, Llangollen, Neston, and Christleton. Bro. J. M. Edwards, District Chief Ruler, presided, and offered a hearty wel- come to the members of the Council. He referred to the large increase in the busi- ness of the District as evidenced by the financial statements before them, and to the increase in sickness experienced in the voluntary section of the District, in com- mon with friendly societies in general, which was owing to various reasons, one of which was the increasing amount paid in accident pay as compared with previous years. This was a question which, no doubt, would receive the attention of all branches. Then it was desirable now that they had compulsory State insurance for practically all persons over 15 years of age, to restrict the amount of sickness benefit for such members in the voluntary section until the age of 21. Persons under 21 who are State insured should only be allowed to insure for two shares in the Sick Fund, and he was glad to find that the branches were adopting this safeguard against over-insur- ance. SOCIETIES AND THE DOCTORS. With regard to the State Section it would be seen from the interesting financial statement prepared by the District Secre- tary that they had for the first year ending January 11th, 1914, a very favourable sick- ness experience, although the sicknet36 amongst women was higher than amongst men, which appeared to be the general ex- perience of approved societies. The Dis- trict Chief Ruler then dealt with the ques- tion of medical benefit, and to the trouble which some doctors caused by their unwil- lingness to fill up the medical certificates forms of approved societies, although the Insurance Commissioners' regulations de- manded the same, as also did their agree- ment with the Insurance Committees. This was, however, being gradually overcome, as cases of non-compliance with these require- ments were and should be promptly repor- ted to the Insurance Committee and Com- missioners, so that insured persons should not be put to the unnecessary trouble and delay in obtaining their benefits. Then he considered that doctors should be compelled to provide seating accommodation at the surgeries in proportion to the number of members on their list. Much inconvenience was suffered in some localities in this r. spect. Then why should insured workers in places where there 'vas no chemist's shop within a mile be compelled to wait for one, two or three hrnw for medicine? These were a few of the questions which would be -a.r. I attended to by the establishment of District I Insurance Committees. The ye,m 1911 and 1912 were looked upon as the most his- torical in the history of the Friendly Socie- ty movement. The question raised by the operation of National Insurance and its re- lationship to our Order would prove of great importance. They were moving from stage to stage. Every care should be taken in admitting persons in their Tents—not only in the selection of lives from a health point of view, but also of that moral fibre which was characteristic of the Order. THE ACCOUNTS. The District Secretary, Bro. W. D. Forber, presented the annual statement of accounts for the year ended December, 31st, 1913, which showed that £ 413 had been paid in funeral benefits for 31 claims, representing a death rate of eight per 1000. The amount paid in the Voluntary Section for sick and accident benefit was £ 3300. The District Funeral Fund amounted to £ 8600, which, with the Sick and Manage- ment Funds belonging to the Tents, amount- ing to P-16,000, made the total funds of the District £ 24,600. In the State Section, which had a membership of nearly 5000, the amount paid in sickness benefit for the twelve months ending January lrth, 1914, was E2343 5s. 7d., which was considerably below the amount calculated by actuaries under the National Insurance Act, and augured well for good valuation results. The sum of P-375 had been paid in 250 maternity claims. The State Section mem- bership showed an increase of some 500 members for the year, and included the transfer of many abstainers who joined other Societies at the commencement of the Act. Bros. W. R. Rowlands, Rhos, and W. H. Wilcock, Buckley, gave a report of their audit of the District accounts, and said that the books and accounts of the District were most satisfactorily kept by the esteemed secretary. The investments of the District were all sound, and the interest paid regu- larly and promptly. JUVENILE WORK. The District Superintendent of Juvenile Tents, Bro. T. H. Whitby, of Ellesmere Port, gave his report upon the juvenile work for the year. There was a nett increase in the juvenile membership of 413. During the year, in addition to the public meetings for adults held throughout the District, when Mr. Sam Pilling, of Leeds, Rev. D. Gwynfryn Jones, of Flint, and Bro. Ernest Walker, of Chester, were the speakers, a number of lantern entertainments had been held for children, and much valuable work done at the regular meetings of the Juvenile Tents. Since the coming of State Insur- ance with the keen competition for mem- bers, the Juvenile Section of their work had become more indispensable than ever. The Council would have to consider the adoption of new tables for Juvenile Whole Life Insurance, which had now been actu- arially certified. These table when thor- oughly brought to the notice of the public could not fail to receive appreciation for the very exceptional advantages they offer- ed. The District Executive were confident that they would be a great attraction to parents, and that they would enable them to carry on their Juvenile work with great- er success. He appealed to all superin- tendents, .secretaries, nnd workers to con- tinue and increase their efforts to bring the children into the Order. Bro. Percy Harrop, Queensferry, pro- posed that in addition to the officers at pre- sent forming the District Executive, two members of the District Council be appoin- ted such representatives to serve for not more than one year. He said that while he had no fault to find with the manner in which the Executive Committee did its work, it would be more democratic to have members from that Council who were not officers eligible for service on the commit- tee, and it would create greater interest amongst the representatives in the work of the District, which was now considerably increased. Bro. W. H. Wilcock, Buckley, opposed the motion. Last year, he said, they con- sidered the question of the District Exe- cutive, and increased it by giving the two auditors for the time being a seat on the committee and Council, which, he consid- ered, made the committee large enough for the transaction of all business. It would only add to the expense of the management to increase the committee. The District Chief Ruler pointed out that the matter would receive further consideration at the half-yearly meeting, when it would arise out of the revision of District rules. The pro- position was lost. APPEAL TO COMMISSIONERS. Mr. T. Roberts, of Brymbo, proposed that this meeting should express regret that no District Committees had as yet been form- ed in Flintshire and Denbighshire, and re- spectfully appeal to the National Health In- surance Commissioners (Wales) to use their influence to establish same. He stated that District Committees would stimulate an in- terest in the administration of National In- surance, and would provide more direct communication between insured persons and the authority administering medical and sanatorium benefit. Mr. James Clark, Flint, seconded the proposition, and said in Flintshire the Friendly Societies had taken joint action in approaching the County Insurance Com- mittee, and a deputation had been received by the Insurance Committee and the Depu- ty Chairman of the Commissioners, but so far nothing had been done, although he un- derstood there was a prospect of a scheme being brought forward for co-opting mem- bers to serve on the various sub-committees of the County Committee. He, however, held strongly that the administration of National Insurance would gain greatly by the adoption of District Committees. The proposition was carried unanimously. THE VALUATION. The District Secretary stated that he had received from the National Health Insur- ance Commission at Cardiff a copy of a communication sent by the Commi6sioners to the branches in North Wales, and which was also sent to other Friendly Society

m LY. Kimoc Family liniment. kills all pain whther caused by Gout., Sliraiiis, Bruises or etc., etc, YOII should never he without this re- iiiark-able Ask for Kimoc Family liniment andseetliat-ouiZetit. Forsalebv D. IIU(',141-11,, Che;is,, High St'.1 Nlold, at is., aid 4s. 1-)er I)otLIe, or post free froiii IIFAI,Y aii(I 27, Coiqllitt StIceL, 1,,ng

Alleged Midnight Assault Serious Charge Against a Buckley < Collier. "YOU HAVE DONE IT AT LAST." At Mold Police Court on Tuesday, before Mr. Thomas Parry, a collier named John Roberts, of Buckley, was cnarged with hav- I' ing assaulted George Millington. It was stated that Roberts, who was a native of Buckley, had been working at Dinnington, Yorkshire, up to the time of the coal strike in that county. Superintendent R. Y. Davies briefly out- lined the case against the prisoner. On Saturday evening Roberts had been to Mold, being a member of the band which played at a boxing match. Millington, who was the son of Thomas Millington, Griffin Inn, Mynydd Isa, had also been to Mold on Saturday evening. He came to Mold for a trap which had been under repair. It was after twelve o'clock when he was able to start home. He was accompanied by a young man named Thomas Hopwood, to whom he was giving a lift. As they were going up the Wylfa Hill they saw two men. One of the men took hold of the horse's head and said, "Give me a lift." Milling- ton told him that there was no room in the trap, and asked him to leave hold of the horse's head. The man refused to do so. Millington got out of the trap. According to Hopwood, Roberts then approached Mil- lington and hit him with a music stand which he was carrying. Millington fell to the ground. Hopwood jumped out of the trap,. and said to Roberts, "YOU HAVE DONE IT AT LAST." Seeing the condition of Millington, he (Hop- wood) asked both Roberts and the man who accompanied him to give him some assist- ance, but they refused. Millington was taken home, and was unconscious for the greater part of the night. He was unable to attend that. day. Supt. Davies asked the Bench to grant a remand till Monday next. P.S. Ferguson stated that he arrested the prisoner on warrant near the Central Hall, Buckley, at a quarter to eight on Monday evening. He conveyed him to the Police Station, read over the warrant, and cau- tioned and charged him. In reply to the charge Roberts said, "I know all about it. It is his own fault. I did it in self-de- fence." The case was adjourned till Monday next. Bail was allowed—Roberts' own re- cognisances for E25 and one surety of £ 25.

25 YEARS REPUTATION V^\fOR COU6HS.COLOS.SORE THROAT- Etc- Storcroftl /»t | THROATi CHEST CURE RAPID REMEDY, f J &sm&

Wedding at Holywell. BRUNTON-CONDRON. At St. Winifride's Catholic Church, on Wednesday morning week, a wedding was solemnized, in which much interest was taken, and which was witnessed by a large number of friends and acquaintances of the contracting parties. The bride, though not of long residence in the town, has, by her generous nature and kindly disposition, made herself very popular, and this has been particularly evident among the young, her interest in the children of St. Wine- fride's Schools having been a special fea- ture for some time. The bridegroom is one of the younger school of tradesmen, suc- ceeding to the old and \vell established business in Cross-street, of tailornig,.€tc., conducted by Mr. A. Earl, nbw of Bryn Offa. Miss Mary Condron, the bride, is the daughter of tae late Mr. Michael Condron, of Great Crosby, and the "bridegroom is Mr. Thomas Brunton, tailor and gentlemen's outfitter, Cross-street, and son of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Brunton, Lourdes House, Well- street. The officiating ciergy were the Rev. Fr. Ryan, S.J., of St. Winefride's Church, as- sisted by the Rev. Fr. O'Kelherer, of Great Crosby. The bride, who was given away by her guardian, Mr. Carew, of Crosby, was accompanied by Miss Cicely Brunton (sister of the bridegroom) as chief bridesmaid, and Miss Janet Condron, sister of the bride. Mr. James Brunton (brother of the bride- groom) acted as best man. The bride look- ed handsome in ivory satin, trimmed with ninon lace and pearls, and orange blossom. Her train, caught on the shoulder with a pearl buckle, was borne by two little train- bearers, Mona and Ella Sibeon (cousins of the bridegroom), who were very sweetly I dressed in white silk and carried baskets of pink tulips and wore gold brooches, the gifts of the bridegroom. The bride wore a diamond and sapphire ring, the gift of the bridegroom, and carried a lovely sheaf of harrissi lilies. A pretty effect was given to the bride's wedding dress by the delicate colour of the bridesmaids' dresses. They wore pale blue 6ilk crepe, draped with pale pink ninon and lace; white brocaded satin hats trimmed with pale blue and pink flowers, and they carried bouquets of pale pink carnations. Miss Cicely Brunton wore a pearl and amethyst pendant, and Miss Condron a gold watch, these, with the bou- quets, being the 'gifts oi the bridegroom. After the ceremony nuptial ass was cele- brated, the Rev. Fr. Ryrn officiating. Mr. J. Howard, organist, played the Wedding March at the close of the service. The re- ception was attended by a large party of guests, and was held at St. Winefride's New Hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The catering was ably carried out by the Misses Schwarz, confectioners, and the beautifully designed bride-cake was made by Mr. Basil Schwarz. Later in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Brunton left Holy- well for London, where the honeymoon is being spent. The bride's going away dress was of powder blue silk crepe trimmed with lace and rainbow colored silk, and she wore a black tulle hat trimmed with French flowers. The wedding carriages were sup- plied by Mr. W. Brown, of the King's Head Stables. Bridegroom to bride-diamond and sapphire ring. Bride to bridegroom—gold watch and chain Father and mother of bridegroom—marble clock and bronze figures. Mr. Carew and Mr. Stark, Great Crosby- solid silver flower epergne. Mr. Basil Schwarz-Bilver entree dish. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Owen—silver-mounted pickle jar and fork. Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz-hall clock. Mrs. Carew, Great Crosby—gold locket and chain. Mr. and Mrs. Rennie, Great Crosby-pair of silver serviette rings. Mr. and Mrs. Sibeon-padr of oil paints. Miss Mona and Ella Sibeon-pair hand- some vases. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson—silver spirit lamp and kettle. Mr. J. Howard—silver breakfast cruet. Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown-case of pearl- handled and silver fish eaters and servers Mr. John Fowles—silver fruit and sweet stand. Mr. Roberts, Colwyn Bay—copper coal vase Miss Gertie Roberts, Liverpool—silver sweet stand. Miss T. and B. Schwarz—silver tea caddy and spoon. Miss Henry—embroidered cushion. Mrs. Kerwan-pair brass candlesticks. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hughes—case of af- ternoon tea knives. Mr. James Brunton-brass curb and fix- tures. Mrs. Barker—china tobacco jar. Misses Johnstones-Prayer Book. Rev. Fr. O'Kelherer, Great Crosby—statue. Mr. and Mrs. B. Schwarz-set cutlery. Mr. and Mrs. W. Brown—silver sugar scuttle and scoop. Mr. and Mrs. Carney-pair water colours. Rev. Mother and Sisters of St. Winefride's Convent hand-painted handkerchief, sachet and silver inkstand and pen wiper The Boards of St. Winefride's Convent- embroidered afternoon tea cloth. Mr. and Mrs. H. O'Beirne—silver-mounted honey jar and spoon. Miss G. and N. Hughes—silver' cake basket Mr. and Mrs. Scother-tea service. Mr. P. S. Jones-silver bedroom candle- sticks. Mrs. Parry, Strand View—set of jugs. Miss A. Owen—silver egg cup cruet. Miss M E. Thomas—silver-mounted jam dish and spoon. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings—case of silver fish eaters. Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Barber-pair brass candlesticks. Mrs. Fowles and family—silver cake basket Mr. and Mrs. Lowsby—Brussels hearthrug. Mr. L. Brunton—silver-mounted biscuit barrel. Miss Brunton-silver cream and sugar cruet.

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Thomas-hall mirror and brushes. Mr. and MrB. F. Holden—tea service. Mr. and Mrs. J. Evans—statue. St. Winefride's School-children—statue and globe. Miss E. Garrett—silver-mounted sugar sif- ter. Mr. J. O'Beirne—set of carvers. St. Domonie Marie—han<?-painted picture. Sister Madeline-cut glass cake stand. 'Mrs. W. Gallagher—embroidered night dress case. Mr. Bamber—lady's dressing case. Mr. and Mrs. Hensman-half-dozen servi- ettes, water font, and Prayer Book. Mr. Wallace-damask table cloth. Mr. and Mrs. A. Lloyd-white counterpane. Sister Elexia-beaded pin and hairpin trays Mr. and Mrs. P. Brown—silver flower vases Miss M. Hensman—statue and globe. Miss Amos—half-dozen bedroom towels. Mr. Jos. Brunton—silver photo frame. Mrs. Lanley, Liverpool—half-dozen damask serviettes. Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Roberts—china fruit dish and stand. Mr. and Mre. Minshall—pair slippers. Mr. A. Hughes—brass dinner gong and oak tray. Mr. L. Schwarz—case of solid teaspoons. Miss E. Parry—half-dozen teaspoons. jKL

branches with reference to Section 16, Clause 1, of the National Insurance Act, 1913, asking the branches to state their wishes as to whether they wished the Welsh membership to be treated as a separate so- ciety for the purposes of transfers and valuation, and of any surplus or deficiency arising on valuation. The District Secre- tary explained that Section 3 of the 1911, Act, made it necessary that international Societies such as theirs should have sepa- rate valuations under the various Commis- sions, but maintained the authority of the Commissioners in every other respect. Per- sonally, he regarded the amendment as one that would result in great benefit to ap- proved societies. But there was the per- missive clause, which gave the right to societies in each part of the United King- dom to decide whether they would avail themselves of that amendment or not. That was not a question of national sentiment, but purely a society and business question. If they had four veluations of the Order, it might lead to four rates of benefits, diff- erent rates in each country for the same contribution. Certainly it could not be claimed that Wales, with its comparatively small membership, could benefit by a sep- arate valuation. Bro. Joseph Coppack, Connah's Quay, proposed that this District Council strong- ly advise all its branches situate in Wales to support one valuation for the Order and not a separate one for Wales. It was per- fectly clear to the Council from the state- ment before them that the Welsh branches would not benefit by a separate valuation. Moreover, most of their Welsh branches had England members, and a separate val- uation for each country would most pro- bably lead to different rates of benefits in the same branch, and, as the District Sec- retary pointed out, for the same contribu- tion. Bro. Ernest Walker, Chester, seconded the proposition, and said it, was far more desirable to have one valuation and not to run the risk of placing our principles at a disadvantage. Our widest and best inter- est lay in the unity and the ideal of bro- therhood could be best carried out by a world-wide Order. The proposition was carried unanimously SUBSCRIPTIONS. Bro. John Minshull, J.P., Mollington, propcsed and Bro. Henry Jones, Crewe, seconded, that the following subscriptions be paid :—Chester Christian Temperance Association, Y.1 Is. Od.; Lancashire and Cheshire Band of Hope Union, Xi Is. Od.; United Kingdom Band' of Hope Union, £1 lB. Od.; North Wales Temperance Fed- eration, 91 Os. Od.; Flintshire Temperance Association, 10s. These organisations, he said, all laboured in the same cause, and they were always pleased to render their support and to co-operate with them in temperance work. The District Chief Ruler had great plea- sure in presenting to the Imperial Juvenile Tent, Connah's Quay, the District Chal- lenge Shield which that Tent had won by its record increase of 127 members for last year. Summerhill and Chester Tents had also made excellent increases, viz.: 100 and 72 respectively. He hoped that next year there would be the same keen interest to win the shield throughout the whole of the District. Bro. Joseph Coppack, District Deputy Ruler, and also Secretary of the successful Juvenile Tent responded, and said their success was due to constant and steady work which the superintendents and officers carried on from year to year. PRESENTATION. A very successful meeting was brought to a close by a presentation of a handsomely framed illuminated emblem of the Order to Bro. T. E. Parrish, Past District Chief Ruler, in recognition of his services to the District while passing through the chairs. Bro. T. E. Parrish, suitably thanked the Council for their kindness, and said that he was proud of his association with the Dis- trict and of the privilege he had enjoyed as Chief Officer. He would continue his interest and work on behalf of the Order in his own Tent. During the day the Council received a visit from the Ven. Archdeacon Barber, M.A., President of the Chester Christian Temperance Association, and Mr. Beres- ford Adams, Chairman of the Associations' Committees, when both gentlemen express- ed their pleasure at being permitted to call upon the Council and to wish them success in their work. The Archdeacon invited the members, if they had time, to look through his gardens, which were at the present time a pleasant and pretty sight. The District Chief Ruler, on behalf of the Council, thanked Archdeacon Barber and Mr. Adams for the kind wishes they had expressed for the success of their Society and their meeting that day If opportunity occurred during the day, he waa sure the representatives would be pleased to avail themselves of Archdeacon Barber's kind invitation.