The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

NESTON PETTY SESSIONS. FRIDAY.-Before Col. Lloyd and Messrs. C. E. Hope and J. K. Catto. CRUELTY TO A CART HORSE—William Shone- was charged by Constable Oultroin witJi cruelly beating a horse at. Heswall on Oct. ulst. -The officer said h0 saw defendant driving a horse and cart up the Wallrako-road, Hcswali, and although the animal was. going willingly he cave it about 23 strokes with, a stick. \V.itnes3 afterwards examined the horso, and found marks of ill-usage on it.—! inc-d 10s. and costs SWINE REGULATIONS.—William Smith, of Pensbv Hall Farm, was summoned by fcergt. Ratcliffe for unlawfully removing swin-L- in can- travention of the terms of his licence.— Def<?-nd- tint, who had sold the pigs to a Mrs. Swift, of Heswall, instead cf keeping them upon his own premises during the tune required by the terms of his licence, now pleaded1 that he thought the local police sergeant had power to amend the lie-once in favour of the last puronascr.—He was cautioned and fined 5s. and ooste. THE HORSE BROUGHT HIM HOME.—Jas. Ouldrod, a Neston fisherman, was fined 20s.. and ensts for being drunk in char go of a hors-3 ana cart^—Constable Pearson stated that at 8.15 p.m. on Oct 28th defendant's cayt. came full speed into Neston without a light- The reins were. en- tangled about the horse's feet, and when the cart stopped Ouidred fell in trying to get out.

MISSTATEMENTS BY MR. LEVER. MR. HOULT REQUIRES AN APOLOGY. Speaking at a supper at Scacombe on Thursday might, Mr. Joseph Hoult, M.P., made a rousing speech. Referring to the attack made upon him by Mr. W. H. Lever, he said more than a week ago Mr. Lever was in the district replying to a spsec'h which had been made by Mr. Courthope Wilson at a meeting of the Primrose League. Mr. Lever had said—"We have not succeeded in drawing out Mr. Joseph Hoult to address a public meeting, but we have succeeded in getting him to send across to Liverpool for a gentleman-who, I understand, is a barrist>sir—to come and speak for him." He (Mr. Hoult) begged to say that Mr. Lever was wrong. (Hear, hear.) He had never paid anyone to speak for him. He had never asked anyone to speak for him in that Division. (Applause.) He had relied entirely upon his constituents and on voluntary speakers like Mr. Courthope Wilson, to whom ho was in- debted. What he had dons in the past he in- tended to do in the future. He intended to rely solely upon his constituents, and he was satisfied that if they were animated with the same feelings that animated his audience that evening that Mr. W. H. Lever would receive one of the greatest political hidings that he had yet sustained. (Lcud applause.) While Mr. Lever had been on his introductory campaign, he (Mr. Hoult) had re- frained from addressing meetings. He did so because he was anxious that Mr. Lever should have an opportunity of applying himself solely to the political questions of the day. (Hear, hear.) He was afraid that his object had not been achieved, but Mr. Lever had still some meet- ings to address, he believed, and at the next one lie (Mr. Hoult) felt sure that, having drawn his attention to the misstatement, he (Mr. Lever) -would think it was his duty to offer him a com- plete and ample apology. (Loud applause.)

HOPE PARISH CHURCH. RE-OPENING OF THE ORGAN. SOME EXQUISITE MUSIC. The old organ at St. Cynforch's Church, Hope, Ivas dedicated and re-opened after restoration on Wednesday. Tiicro is an old tradition in the parish that it was originally built at Haarlem, Holland, and was once the property of Queen Caroline, but ot this there is no authentic con- firmation. Messis. Young and Sons, of Man- chester, to whom was entrusted the enlargement and restoration, cannot trace any foreign work in its construction. It originally belonged to the Misses Topping, who lived at the Etryth House, and was glVdl to the cnurch in 1852 by Miss Lucy Topping, the a ster-in-law of Mr. Serjeant Atciifiriey, of Cynmiau Hall, in the pttiiaU, wiiu waa reeled .ht;vù1l1eJ' oi C-nest,er 111 1814, and had as ill" lesidoneo -Decide,' nOW a large part uI tiie picsent I'maoe. Messrs. icuung and Sons nave certainly built a very pretty instrument, under the super- vision 01 lir. Bridge, of Chequer (Jatheurai, who has most kindly given his »Jrv.ce6 and valuable aid to the committee, and he has expressed gioat satisfaction witn it, the tone be-ng remarkably sweei. A brass plate has been aiiixed wmeii reads as follows:—"This organ, built n, the 18tii Century, was given to this ohurch by M.ss Lucy Topping, who lived at the i fryth in: the ad- joining parish, sleer-lin-law to Dav-d FrancM Atcherley, Esq., Serjeant-at-Law, ot Cymm.au Hall in 1852; was restored and enlarged by public subscription, November, lb05. Placed by her great nop new, Jlichard T. B. Atcherley. Two services took place, the dedication of tho organ being in the afternoon witn a short service and address by the Rev. John Wakeiord, B.D., vicar of St. Margaret's, Anfield, Liverpool. Dr. J. C. Bridge, M.A., organist of Chester Cathe- dral, gave an organ recital. The order of serv.oe in the afternoon was :-Hymn 242 (A. & M.), processional (without organ), dedication prayers and Lord's Prayer, versiclts with organ), Magni- ficat, ohant 356, creed, versick-s and collects, Grace, hymn 438, address, hymn 550 and offer- t-ory, blessing. The rec.tal was as follows: Concerto in B flat (Handel), maestoso, allegro, andante, moderato; Nocturne in G. Minor (Chopin); baritone solo, "Whosoever drmketh of this water (Steindall Bennett). Mr. Allister M. Proctor (of Chester Cathedral); offertoiro on two Breton carols (Saint-Saons) largo from sym- phony "From the New World" (Dvorak); bari- tone solo, "It is enough" (Mendelssohn), Mr. Allister M. Proctor; march from "Ruins off Athens" (Beethoven). Evensong opened with, hymn 242 (processional); Psalms 149, 150, chant 377; 1st lesson (2 Chron. v., 11 to 14); Magnjficat, chant 265; 2nd lesson (Eph. v., 15 to 21); Nuno Dimittis, ohant 345; creed to the end of servicle, omitting State Prayers, etc; hymn 239; sermon; hymn 302. The recital then followed :-Alr for oboe and variations (Handel); baritone solo, "There is a green hill" (Gounod), Mr. A. M. Proctor; fantasia on an old XVI. Century air by Aoeadclt (Liszt); offenrtcire on two Christmas carols (Guilmant); ba-ritone solo, "Thus saith the Lord" (Handel), Mr. A. M. Prootor); air and variations (Haydn). The service in the after- noon was taken by the Rector (the Rev. T. E. Jones), and the Curate of Hope (the Rev. Duder), assisted by the Rev. A. Baxter, Minor Canon of Chester Cathedral. In the evening thp service was intoned by the Rev. A. Baxter, as- sisted by the Rev. — Duder. The lessons were read by Mr. R. T. B. Atcherley. The address by the Rev. J. Wakeford in the afternoon was very telling, and was listened to with great at- tention by a crowded congregation. He touched on the subject of music in relation to the serv'.ce in tho ohurch. In the evening Mr. Wakoford again preached a stirring sermon to a densely filled ohurch. and his words were evidently keenly weighed, being a distinctly clever exhortation. 'fic, Dr. Bridge's magnificent interpretation of the various musical items was a great treat, being listened to with rapt attenfon by the large con- gregation. His playing displayed masterly skill and shewed the marvellous capabilities of the organ. Mr. Allister M. Proctor's rendering of Handel's "Thus saith the Lord" was extremely tasteful, and "It is enough Lord" was much appreciated but h:s most perfect effort to 0ur mind was in "There is a green hill," which. as accompanied by Dr. Bridge, was given with most beautiful cffec-t. So full was the church that many had to stand at both services. The offer- torias realised some Ell. The historic old church looked extremely pay with the !St. George's flag on the top of the tower. On the opposite side of the road the quaint thatched Red Lion inn was prettily dressed with the Union Jack and red, blue. and white ensigns, the White Lion also having its flags. The last train to Chester was specially stopped, and many availed themselves of this advantage to travel from intermediate points, several coming long distances. Many thanks are due to the Rev. J. Wakeford and especially to Dr. Bridge, who, with Mr. Prcctor, as well as the clergy and others, con- tributed to what were most impressive services, and afforded the parish decidedly superior music of a character not often obtained in country places. The organ has been entirely paid for, which is most satisfactory, though it has taken some five years of hard work to raise the needed sum of about B270.

£ 1,000 TROPHY STOLEN.—The Coupe de Pyrenees, a silver trophy valued at £ 1,000. was stolen early on Saturday morning from the motor exhibition at the Oiympia.

Ro n 7 AN I of no I ROWLANDS! KALYDOR FOR THE SKIN COOLING, SOOTHING, HEALING BamoTti Freckles, Tan, Bsnburn, Irritation. 2ii 3d. ft ea. Cki, of StorM and Chemists. GMMNAUM

CHINESE LABOUR. ——♦ LETTER FROM THE PRIME MINISTER. "FOOLISH, BUT PERSISTENT DELUSION." In reply to a letter addiessed to him on the subject of Chinese labour in the Transvaal, Mr. Balfour points out that tho Attorney-General (Sir Richard Solomon), in presenting an official re- turn to the Transvaal Legislative Council, dis- tinctly stated that tho large majority of the Chinese labourers word law-abiding .and easily managed. There was nothing (tho right lion. gentleman adek'd) in the condition of things re- vealed by the figures to induce the. Government to reverse a policy which was recommended by an overwhelming majority in tire Transvaal Legis- lative Council, with the approval of the great bulk of the white population. "Tho primary object of that policy," says Mr. Balfour, "was to supply the Labour necessary for working the mining and other industries of the Transvaal. You appear to suppose that th's argu- ment has lost its forco because tlio number of Kaffir labourers in tho mines has increased to the level at which it stood before the war. Even now, however, in. spite of this increase, and in spite of tho introduction of Chinese coolies, the number of unskilled workmen available has not reached the point at which, in the opinion of the Trans- vaal Labour Commission, it must stand if the ni nes are to be worked to the best advantage. "I notice with satisfaction that you give no. countenance to the foolish, but pcrs1 stent, de- lusion which assumes the readiness of the white workmsrman to fill the gaps which may occur in the ranks of the. black workingman. He will do nothing of the kind. And those (if such there be) who prcach the doctrine that in the. South African mrnes 18 to be found an opening for the unskilled labour now asking for employment in this coun- tiy, axe knowingly or unknowingly acting no better part than that of the demagogue. The introduction of Chinese has. indeed, some effect on our home labour market, but, it is precisely the opposite of that which its critics suppose. It does not, exclude the unskilled' white labourer from the minEs, for under no circumstances would he consent to be included. But it does increaso the demand for the skilled foreman, for his chance of employment, depends upon the number of men requiring superintendence—in other words, uppn the ajnount of native and coolie labour available. for the principal industries of the country. The absolute increase of white labour on the Witwatersrand mines is very large, amounting to over five thousand since the first, arrival of the Chinese, and its estimated remuneration cxceeds a nVllion a year. No such increase. could possibly have taken place had the. mines been obliged to rely on Kaffir labour alone. "In a few months' time the Transvaal Constitu- tiorl will be in operation, and the white popula- tion will have an adequate machinery for ex- pressing thc.ir views. Should those views bo in harmony with the opinion expressed in your lot-tor, I shall g'ladly agree to abandon what in the speech from which you quote I rightly do- .'•■cribo as an experiment Should they, on tho other hand, be favourable to the legislation now in force, I do not tlrnk that. they ought to be oycr-rukd from Downing-street." VINDICATED BY LORD HARRIS. WARNING WORDS. Lord Harris presided on Tuesday at the ordin- ary general meeting of the Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa, held in London. His lordship dealt at some length with the labour question. He said that owing to the probability of a General Election, one political party in the State was using the subject of Chinese: labour as a lever with which to rouse the animosity of their supporters against a, Government which, at the request of tho inhabitants cf the Transvaal, porrnitted the experiment to be made. There were mines in America which could be worked with white labour at a very much less cost than tho Transvaal mines ocukl be worked with ooloured bbour, and the assumption of their opponenUlwas that they deliberately preferred to incur a greater cost for some reason or other which it was difficult to understand. ■ It was child sh to suppose that they would prefer' it. Where mines wore being worked more cheaply than in the Transvaal they might be absolutely euro that there were certain conditions existing the absence of which in the Transvaal called for greater expense. In the Transvaal good and comparatively cheap labour wee essential. Every Is. mere per ton spsnt on labour rendered un- payable millions of tons of reef, and every Is. per ton saved compelled the employment of thousards of white nren, because millions of tons more could be m'ned at a profit. As regarded white labour, even assuming that the white miners would condescend to work alongside Kn.flirs.- every reasonable man know that they would rot so condescend, and that it would be a very bad thing for the dominant character of the British race if they would-(hear, hear)—such a rate of wage as white miners must expect if they were to live respectably was, on a good many of the mines, prohibitive. As to coloured labour, it was a fact that at the present time the Native Labour Supply Association were unable to keep up with the demand for Kaffirs. And no wonder! It had been proved to the satisfaction of every reasonable person that even if there were not a emgle Kaffir employed on the Rand mines, thus setting free some 80,000 men for other employ- ments, there was south of the Zambesi a shortage of about 300,000 men for regular yearly employ- ment on farms, public works, railways, transport work, and domestic service. Labour from some- where else in the world must be supplied if a reasonable return were to be obtained upon the larg-e amount of capital that had been invested, partially by the so-called mine magnates, but very largely by tens of thousands of British and foreign investors, and if the Transvaal were to progress and, indeed, to pay its way. To in3;r- fere with the importation of Cninesel- continued tho Chairman would be entirely against the w 11 of the Colonists. This anti-Chinese agitation had been going on for a long time, and appeared to have received an access of vigour during the autumn months, but to a great extent it was only the kind of weapon usually snatched up by the young swashbucklers of either political party pre- vious to a general election, not necessarily author- ised by, but frequently winked at by tho leaders of such party. (Hoar, hear.) Sir Henry Camp- bell-Bannerman said at the end of last session "We suspend our judgment as to the real feelings and intentions in this matter of the inhabitants of tho Transvaal. If you constitute one of the Colonies a responsible item of the Empirp and give it that degree of independence, then, of course, you must aooept the work of your own hands and allow them to deal with this matter according to their conscience. Well, representa- tive government was going to be given next year, and there could be no shadow of doubt that that was only a step towards responsible government. He (Lord Harris) submitted that there could only be one construction put upon Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's speech, which was that pending the fulfilment of the giramting of such a constitution Sir Henry, speaking as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Com- mons, considered that judgment should be sus- pended that was to say, he took it, that the experiment as permitted by the Government of England should continue without interruption until responsible government had been granted. They migh feel pretty sure that if the present Opposition took office next year, they would as- suredly consult those who were qualified and authorised to give an opinion before they at- tempted SO DANGEROUS A POLICY as to interfere with the wishes of the Colonists, and with the most important industry in South Africa. There was one point in Sir H. Campbell- Bannerman's speech which was a little obscure. Was there any confusion between representative government and responsible government. There ought not to be. The government that was to be given next year was representative, not re- sponsible, but the elected members of that Cham- ber would be elected by the free votes of the people, practically as freely as they would give them under responsible government. Would the Radical party, if and when, they came into power, be satisfied with that opinion, whatever it might be? If so, he was qu-te content to leave it at that, for he had no doubt what tho Transvaal would say; but if the leaders of the Radical party meant to say that until responsible government was given they would, by means of such methods as lay in their power, put a stop to the importation until respons-ble government had been given, he (Lord Harris) submitted that the Transvaal had a just cause for serious com- plaint. The companies had undertaken very heavy expenditure, and were they to be allowed to incur it on the faith and word of the Govern- ment of England one day, and the next day, by the order of the Government of England, bo debarred from using all the machinery and plant they had put on the field, to say nothing of the enormous sums which had been speint in sinking and development underground? The word and faith of the Government of England was at, stake in this matter, and he submitted that it was monstrous to suggest that the play of party government was to keep a question of this im- portance hanging in the balance. (Cheers.) Lord Harris said they would put this question to the leaders of the Opposition: Assuming that the elected members of the Representative Chamber of the Transvaal expressed their satis- faction with the result of the experiment, did they wish it to be understood that- England, by its power of domain and its constitutional right of reserving to itself its power as regarded treaty- making, would, when they got into power, not suspend their judgment, as Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman said. but suspend the operations of the existing Ordinanoe, so as to prevent the im- portation of Chinese until such t;me as respon- sible government was given? They were en- titled' to A PLAIN ANSWER to that question, in order that the boards of the mining companies might prepare irn good time their plan of operations. (Hear, hear.) If they would not accept the opinions of officials such as Lord Selborne and Dr. Jameson, and if they were really and honestly doubtful a-s to what the feeling of the Transvaal was upon this quest on— even as it might be expressed by the elected members of the Transvaal Legislative Chamber- he would suggest the appointment of a Royal Commission, and that the experiment should be allowed to proceed until that commission had re- ported. He had very little doubt what such a commission would report. The commission would discover that to interfere with the importation of Chinese in merely absolutely necessary num- _t bars would imperil the employment of thousands of English miners, and also of thousands of Eng- lishmen whose presence in the Transvaal was due to the presence of English miners. Lord Milner had said that it might be calculated that for every English miner necessary on the mines another Englishman was necessary in the coun- try consequent on tho work done by that English miner. Were the Opposition prepared to face the disastrous consequences of checking the em- ployment of Englishmen in South Africa, and turning t-hem back into England into the ranks of those who already found it difficult to get work here. The commission would find that to do so woud be practically playing into the hands of the extreme Boer party, who wished to see the Transvaal an Africander rather than a British Colony, who were playing the same game that the late President Kruger played, of doing every- thing they could to discourage the mining, be- cause they knew that without the mining indus- try a large proportion of the British colonists would evacuate the Transvaal. The commission would also find that the boards of the mining companies had made a most generous provision for the comfort of the Chinese, and that while the Importation Ordinance might have, here and there, to be amended by improvements, which the boards would willingly adopt, upon the whole it had been most generous to the Chines?, and met the susceptibilities of both the Transvaal colonist and the British, public. And they would find that to check the progress of this industry would be M seriously to interfere with the ad- vance of South Africa as to create a feei ng of dissatisfaction in South Africa so profound that its loyalty to Great Britain might be seriously jeopardised. (Hear, hear.) WANTED-FAIR PLAY. Mr. S. B. Joel, the permanent chairman of the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co., speaking at the annual meeting of the company at Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon, re- ferred to Chinese labour. He said the great mi s- fortune in connection with the subject was that after having been sanctioned by the home Minds- try it was, quite independently of its merits or demerits, seized upon by the Opposition for party political purposes. He regretted that unfair and unreasonable accusations had' been brought against the miring companies in their efforts to solve the great economic problem, and said the employment of Chinese was of vital importance to the country. If the system was abandoned four thousand white employes on the mines alone would be thrown out of employment. Th,) allegations of slavery w-ere most untrue and unjust. He regretted they could net have fair play and fa"ir inquiry instead of distorted figures and dishonest statements pub- lished broadcast for political purposes by those incompetent to express an opinion on South African matters. The home Government d'd all that was possible to guard against any evil con- sequences arising from the importation of Chinese. Had the Opposition happened to be xT 1J 1 t .1 'j M 1_ x in omcc r-ney wouia navol- round it lmpossiDie to disallow the ordinance passed by the Transvaal Leeislative Council. NATIVE LABOUR NOT OUSTED. Mr. Francis Oats (chairman), speaking at the annual meeting of the De Beers Consolidated Mines, at Kimberley, on Friday, allud ng to1 the labour question, said that notwithstanding the arrival of Chinamen the company could still take as many natives a.s offered themselves, rind had spent a large amount in procuring native labour from distant parts. It was not the policy of the directors to flood the market with diamonds to the detriment of their prioe, and the sshan.holders of the company were now in a much bctte- posi- tion) than before. The. end of thl century would not see the exhaustion of the claims. ADVICE TO LIBERALS. Johannesburg, Nov. 25. The subject of Chinese labour is agitating the Press here. and on all hands a demand is being made that the leaders of the Liberal party in England should state their policy on the subject plainly and withoutequivocation, and declare whether ornot they endorse the policy of slander and falsehood. English Liberals are advised to take the trouble to ascertain the opinion of Transvaalers them- selves on the subject, and also their feeling. They would find out that interference with the private concerns of the Transvaal would be fraught, with tho gravest results to the Empire.—"The Standard." BACKING OUT OF A CHALLENGE. An interrupter at Mr. Biodrick's recent meeting at Blackheath, Guildford, named Hamshere, who verbally accepted a challenge to go out and do the labour performed by Chinese in South African mines, has received a letter from Mr. Brodrick, enclosing forms of contract of service applicable to Asiatics, and offering to pay the man's expenses if he could obtain a promise of such employment, and would engage on the work for a reasonable period. Hamshere has replied that he could not think of going under the conditions stated. If they did not constitute slavery they were some- thing very much like it.

ARMY AXI) VOLUNTEERS. ONE OF THE SIX HUNDRED.-Sergt.-Major Nunnerly, one of the Balaclava six hundred, died at Ormskirk on Wednesday. lie rode in the famous charge with the 17th Lancers. Two years ago he received from the King the meritorious service medal. Nunnerley, who was 75 years of age, was born at Warrington. On leaving the army he served as drill instructor to the late Lord Latham's Yeomanry Cavalry for 22 years. VOLUNTEER DINNER.—"A" Company of the 2nd E.C. V.B. Cheshire Regiment held their annual dinner at Williamson's Dining-rooms on Wednesday evening, when the office-r command- ing the company, Major Evans, presided. He was supported by Colonel T. J. Smith, V.D., Major R. Cecil Davies, V.D., Capt. J. William- son, Lieutenant J. Day, and a good muster of past and present non-commissioned officers and men of the company. The toasts were given of "The King," "The Navy, Army and Reserve Forces," "A Company of the 2nd Earl of Chester's," "The Guests and Musical Friends," "The Chairman," etc., and a vote of condolence was passed with the widow and family of the late Lieut.-Colonel C. H. Edwards, V.D., who had served with the company for a number of years. The following musical programme was enjoyed by an appreciative gathering :—"The Veteran's Song," Scrgt. J. H. Williams; "Mary of Argyle," Mr. T. D. Bradburn; "The Old Brigade," Lieut. J. Day; "Nomination Day," Mr. W. H. Hallmark; "When other lips," Mr. W. E. Snelson; "Down at the Farmyard Gate," Private F. W. Sullivan; "Excelsior," Mr. W. E. Snelson and Corporal C. Hibbert; "Th" Old Soldier," Mr. W A. Hopton "Here's Life and Health to England's King," Messrs. Hopton, Snelson, Huxley and Williams; "Eileen Alan- nah," Mr. T. D. Bradburn; "In cellar cool," Mr. W. A. Hopton; etc.

LECTURE ON SCOTT.On Thursday evening, at a meeting at the Museum of the Lterature section of the Chester Natural Science Society, Mr. James Stirling delivered an interesting lecture on Sir Walter Scott. The Rev. A. H. Fish, president of the society, presided over a large audience, in 4-i,„ Q.l- -1 4. "H'1.1 l-11'\j kJ':VlUll 1\111Uv was "ry J.1rullllUHL. Mr. Fiflh, In introducing Mr. Stirling, mentioned that during all the years that that section had been in existence no two people had offered to give a paper on the same subject That illustrated the great breadth of English literature. Mr. Stirling reviewed principally Scott's literary works, and did not go into the history of his life. Evidently an ardent admirer of the great author, he quickly gained the sympathy of his audience, and his enthusiasm for his eubjcct, based upon a thorough and appreciative knowledge of his works, spread to his hearers. To Mr. Stirling no other author of modern times could surpass Scott, and he placed Dickens alone of English writers in comparison with him in wealth of characterisation. Thackeray probably excelled in the number of his characters, but they had not become "uch household words as those of Scott and Dickens. It was said that the popularity of Scott was on the wane, and that now he was rarely read. He doubted the truth of that, statement, but- if it was true, more the pity. Writing such as his, full of life, revelling in keen- ness of insight, tenderness of feeling and glow of genius was not only bracing, but its beauty, passion and brilliance cast the same glamour over the reader as the epell of some magician. Mr. Stirling briefly reviewed Scott's best known poems, and from his large collection of novels he selected three as representative, Old Mortality." to which he gave the premier position of all as the author's best, "The Heart of Midlothian." and "Ivanhoe." Mr. I Stirling read or recited several extracts from Scott's prose and poetry, and his choice shewed true literary taste. Mentioning modern litera- ture. Mr. Stirling regretted that he could see no signs of the 20th century equalling the 19th century in novel writing. Practically all the books published to-day were of that ephemeral char- acter which created no lasting impression on the individual reader or the literature of the time. The lack of eminence or prominence certainly served to make more conspicuous the notable and outstanding figures of the 19th century, of whom Scott was the chief. When one considered the utter futility of modern novels, to turn to Scott or Dickens was to pass to a new and more bracing atmosphere.—On the motion of the Sheriff (Mr. W. Ferguson), seconded by Mr. J. R. Thomson, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Stirling. BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES CW-Cure Coueh, Cold, Hoarseness, and Influenza, Cure any Irritation or Soreness of the Throat, Relieve t.he Hacking Cough in Consumption, Relieve Bronchitis, Asthma, and Catarrh. Carry them about with you. Sold everywhere. Is. I A cl. per box. BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES

FLINTSHIRE UNIONIST CANDIDATE 0 A HAPPY SELECTION. A meeting was held at the Rhyl Constitutional Club on Thursday of the committee appointed by the Flintshire Constitutional Association to con- sider the question of a candidate to contest the representation of Flint County in Parliament. Lord Mostyn presided and Lord Kenyon was also present. The proceedings were private. It was unanimously decided to recommend the selection of Mr. Harold Edwards, eldest son of the Bishop of St. Asaph, who, it was stated, is willing to come forward. Mr. Harold Edwards is a graduate of Oxford, and was formerly a soldier, and served through the South African campaign, in the course of which he was held a prisoner by the Boers. He has now forsaken the Army for the Bar. The present member for Flint County is Mr. Samuel Smith, who. however, does not intend to again contest the seat. The Radical candidate is Mr. Herbert Lewis, the present member for Flint iJoroughs. Mr. Howel Idris will seek to succeed Mr. H. Lewis in the Radical interest in Flint Boroughs. Mr. Edwards's name will be submitted to a meeting of the Flintshire Constitutional Asso- ciation in December for approval. WEST DENBIGH. A meeting of the West Denbighshire Conserva- tive Association was held at Rhyl on Thursday. Colonel Mesham, Denbigh, presided, and among those present were Colonel Mellor, Abergele; the Hon. L. A. Brodrick, Coed Coch; Mr. Stanley J. Weyman, Ruthin; Captain Jenkins, Ruthin Mr. J. Hannah, Abergele; Mr. B. Bryan, Denbigh; Mr. Ll. F. Hughes, Colwyn Bay; Mr. John Davies, Denbigh; and Mr. Mark Cross, Abergele. Apologies for non-attendance were received from other prominent Conservatives. The proceedings were conducted in private, but it is stated that the political situation was discussed together with the question of a candidate, and it was decided to appoint an organising agent and to adopt certain fresh arrangements in the division with a view to the coming election.

REPRESENTATIVE CHURCH COUNCIL. The Representative Church Council met on Wed- nesday, and the draft constitution was presented. The Dean of Ripon declared the purposes of the Council had not been defined, and moved an amend- ment that it was premature to consider detaiis tiil some clear statement had been made as to the Council's relations with the nation. The amend- ment was, however, defeated. The question of the powers of the laity was under discuosion at the adjournment. The eeoond meeting was held on Thursday und'^r the presidency of the Arcnbisiiop ci Can- terbury, who was supported in the cnaur by tiie Archbishop of York. The constitution or tne Council was settled according to the report oi tl;e -eoinmiUee appointed to draw it up with a few a^teriuiens, of which the only Ir"portaii i' one gave the lay house the power to vote on doannal questions with the other houses. Tne standing orders drawn ud bv the colnrnitr worn n., "rl without alterat.on, and the oGunc.l tuen pro- ceeded to deal With the question of the repre- sentation of the laity. Tne committee thought sentation of the laity. The committee thought t'.iat only those persons who 'had the status 01 a oommuiiioant should b3 qualified to vote tor lay representatives. Lord Stanmore moved an amendment to this. Mr. Cripps, K.C., M.P., seconded the amendment, which provided that the House of Laymen should determ-ne the quali- ficat. on necessary tor electors. He objected to restricting electors to communicants. Every parisiiioi-er who declared himsulf a member of the Church oug-ht to have a voice in the selection of the lay body. Tho amendment was lost. A similar fate befell an amendment moved by the B.shop of Hereford, who moved that. a quali- fied elector should be a baptised person, who had a. voter's right in the parish to which he be- longed. On Friday the Bishop of Birmingham moved that the franchise should be given to women who were entitled to veto at vestry meetings. Dr. Gore said there were some people who "desired to see men and women treated wit.h perfect. equality on this matter. For himself he would go. further than this, but in the present etato of opin.oa in the country ;t would not be possible to do so. Many people on the other hand, he said, wished to exclude women, altogether. Tho oommittee which had discussed the matter had taken too proverbial middle course. Mr. Oliver Jones moved an amendment that all women who are communicant members of the Church of Eng- land should have this franchise. Chancellor P. V. Smith opposed. He said it would result in two votes in each house, and husband and wife would vote together. At least, he said, he hoped they would. In small villages the squire's wife would bring up all the maidservants from the hall and swamp the other electors. The amend- ment was lost, and the recommendation of Dr. Gore was then agnced to.

LORD BARRYMORE AND IRISH LAND.— At the annual meeting of Cork landlords Lord Barrymore commented upon the seriousness of the movement for compelling landlords to sell at what he considered ruinous prices by withholding rents. If this were persisted in, he said, agrarian dis- turbances were inevitable. There was something in the air which induced them to don rather than doff their armour. It was said that agricultural tenants were looking hopefully to the general election placing a Radical Government in office, under the control of the Nationalist party. Therefore the combination of landowners was more important than ever.

ALLEGED HIGHWAY ROBBERY -+- FRODSHAM WOMAN'S STORY. On Tuesday morning, before Mr. A. Thomas at the Court House, a man named Charles Arthur Boughey was charged with highway robbery with violence and stealing from the person of Margaret Trick, a leather purse and contents, value 5s. Id., on Frodsham Marsh, at 3.30 p.m. the previous day. Margaret Trick, giving evidence, said that on the previous afternoon she left her residence at the Huts, Frodsham Marsh, and went to Frodsham to do some shopping. She started homewards about three o'clock, and when about half-a-mile from home the prisoner overtook her and spoke to her, saying You have got a good load. Missus." She sold "Yes, I hive." The prisoner then suddenly seized her, and after throwing her violently to the ground, he dropped on her witn both knees, caught hold of her pocket saying Have you got anything in here?" She replied "I have a httle and will give you what I have if you will let me go." The prisoner then drew out a knife, and she felt him cutting her pocket away from her skirt. He then went away, and she hurried home and informed a man named Youd, who was working close by, of the robbery.—Youd, it appeared, went off in pursuit and came in sight of the prisoner near Frodsham. Evidently Youd was also seen, for the prisoner at once quickened his pace and entered the town some distance ahead of his pursuer. How- ever, Youd hurried to the police station, and P.C. Proctor took up the running In a very short time he smartly apprehended the prisoner on the Chester main road near Helsby, and brought him to Frodsham Police Station, where he was identified the same evening by Mrs. Trick as her assailant. Prisoner had Mrs. Trick's purse in his possession.— On the application of P.S. Breese, prisoner was remanded until Wednesday, the 29th inst., to enable photographs of him to be distributed.

LOCAL COAL MERCHANT'S APPEAL. -+-- In the Court of Appeal, last week, before Lords Justices Roiner and Mathews, the appeal of J. H. Billingtcn against, J. H. Billington, Ltd came on for hearing. The appeal was the result of a claim by Messrs. J. H. Billington, Limited, 8gainst Mr. J. H. Billington, their managing director, amounting to £3,300, alleged to be owing. Tho matter had been before the Master of the Court and also before Mr. Justice Philli- more., who had ordered the defendant to pay £ 500 into court and then to be at liberty to de- fend for the residue. Air. Billington appealed against this order. Mr. Eldon Bankes, K.C., and Mr. Montgomery appeared for Mr. Billington, and urged that an agreement between Mr. Bil- lington and the company dated in 1899 was void. By this agreement Mr. Billington purported to have as-signed certain railway wagons and book debts of tire old company, and Mr. Bankes eon- tended lie had no power to do this. The- Lords Justices concuned in that argument. Mr. Bankes further explained that there were counter- claims against the company amounting to £ 7,300, and that this was not a case where the defendant should be prohibited from setting up any defence he had in the matter. Mr. Macnaghten urged for the company that promissory notes had been signed, one of which he admitted was improperly stamped and could not be sued upon. No doubt the defendant alleged that the other two promis- sory notes had been paid off, but questions of fact would arise as to the same. The Lords Jus- tices, in allowing the appeal, said this was evi- dently no,t a case for Order 14. It was ono in which the whole question should be investigated by the official retoree, or some special referee, having tho legal knowledge of company law. The piomissory notes referred to were so rnixoo up with tire agreement of 1899 that it was impossible to separate one from another. The agreement, of 1899. on the face of it. looked bad and void. The whole question must be gone into, and Mr. J. H. Billington's appeal allowed.

"RELIGIOUS" SLANDERS. -+- A KINGSLEY CHALLENGE. The following corespondence appears in the "Cheshire Observer" TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—My attention having- been drawn to a speech made at Northwich by the Rev. H. R. Didcock, Primitive Methodist minister, and re- ported in your contemporary the "Chester Chronicle" of 28th ult, in which the speaker stated that 320 out of 330 children in his circuit were obliged to attend Church day schools, in which they were taught that "it is sinning to go to chapel," I challenged the truth of this state- ment. and the following correspondence ensued, In rr which I should be glad if you can find space to insert-.—Yours faithfully, ALF. P. REYNOLDS. K'ngsley Vicarage, Warrington. [CORRESPONDENCE.] Kingsley Vicarage, Warrington, 31st Oct., 1905. Dear Sir.—You are reported in the "Chroniole" of 28th inst. to have said in a speech made by you at Northwich that "320 out of 330 children in your circuit were obliged to attend Church day schools, in which they were taught that it is sin- ning to go to chapel." Aa this is a most- serious reflection on the Church day schools in the parish, will you kindly furnish me with the; autho- rity on- which the statement was made by you.- Yours faithfully, ALF. P. REYNOLDS. ALF. P. REYNOLDS. Rev. H. R. Didcock. Kingslcy Manse, near Warrington, Oct. 31. 1805. Dear Sir,—In reply to your note of to-day, I may say that my authority for the number of Piimitive Methodist children attending Church day schools is our new yearly schedule of Sun- day schools in this circuit, made out at the yearly meetings, which you will please note, includes five other places besides Kings ley. I did not speak parochially, but of the district which my circuit 'n includes. As to the remark re "sinning by going to chapel," I am not going to give particulars which would, as has been done in many other cases, give an opportunity for the children or parents in tlie places concerned to suffer persecu- tion in consequence; there is enough of this in the villages without giving opportunity for more, and I do not speak without knowledge of the fact that the teaching given in some of the Church day schools in this district is most objectionable to us as Primitive Methodists—Yours very truly, I H. R. DIDCOCK. The Rev. A. p, Reynolds. I Kingsley Vicarage, Warrington. 16th Nov., 1905. Dear Sir.—With further reference to the state- ment made by you in a public speech at. North- wich that the children attending Church schools in your circuit are taught that "it is sinning to go to chapel," I have now ascertained that in the I five schools in your oircuit such teaching is not given, and never has been given. Before. sending this correspondence to Press, ae I intend to do, perhaps you may wish to explain a statement made by you so utterly devoid of truth.—Yours faithfully, ALF. P. REYNOLDS. The Rev. H. R. Didcock. Kingslcy Manse, near Warrington, 17th Nov., 1905. Dear Sir,-Yo-ur letter of 16th to hand re my speech at Northwich, in which the statement occurs to which you take exception, I see no reason to change my attitude in the matter, for if the same phrase is not used, yet the words used have the same meaning, and I also protest against your characterising my statement as "utterly devoid of truth" The reason which I gave you in my last letter for not giving my authority is a just one. for what has been said and done in the Kingslcy parish schools re this controversy has stirred up a spirit of bitterness I among the children here, and this has been vin- dictively directed against my own. I should be interested to know what methods you have pur- sued in making your futile moui very truly, H. R. DIDCOCK. Rev. A. P. Reynolds. Kingsley.

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BARRISTER M.P.'S AND "TRADE" BRIEFS. DENBIGHSHIRE AND ANGLESEY APPEAL At the last meeting of the Cymru Fydd Blue Ribbon Brigade- it was unanimously decided to make the following appeal to the Welsh temper- anoo societies in Denbighshire and Anglesey: — "Our brigade desiro to address this appeal to you, in the hope that it will be the means of arousing you to do your duty at. the foithcoming general election. For some years you have been expressing- your dissatisfaction with the practice of Welsh barrister M.P.'s in accepting briefs on behaJf of bifwers. You have moved resolutions, protested from platforms, written letters to the Press, and interviewed the members in question Your efforts were futile. The members turned deaf ears to your requests. It is time you should try a. different expedient. The general election ia at hand. Immediate action is, therefore, im- perative. What action? Now, as the M.P.'s have refused to give an undertaking, th-erc, is only one other alternative. Their return to the House of Commons must be challenged. There should be no difficulty in selecting two strong candadates to champion your cause, and to vindicate the prin- ciple for which you are fighting. If the temper- ance candidates are beaten, no one can reproach you for cowardice. If the Slitting members are defeated, they only get what they deserve. The probability is that in these two counties temper- ance adherents are strong enough to return their candidates. We, therefore, appeal to you as societies to select su'itable champions for Anglesey and East Denbighshire. We appeal to the chair- man of each society in those comities to take immediate steps. The chairmen of societies would be an excellent nucleus for the formation of a Parliamentary committee. We feel con- vinced that temperance leaders like the Rev. H. Barrow Williams, Llandudno; the Rev. J. Charles, Denbigh and the Rev. T. Roberts. Ooed- poeth, will give you every assistance. Our bri- gade have no desire to dictate, but they make this appeal, believing that mart societies are inactive for the reason that they expect some other body to give, the lead. If cur principle is worthy of a fight. let us fight, for it. Otherwise, we might as well dissolve all our societies^"

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