The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

SPORTING. -—«. NOTTINGHAM MEETING. TUESDAY. TRENT STEEPLECHASE.-Ravenscliffe, 1 St. Hilarious, 2; Borderer II.. 3. Thirteen ran. BENTINCK PLATE.—Hairbird, 1; Atrato, 2; More Haste. 3. Six ran. BROUGHTON HURDLE -Kirkby, 1; Bret- tanfcy, 2 Heworth, 3. Seven ran. SELLING HURDLE.—Stolen Jewel, 1; Less Speed, 2 Blue Beard, 3. Thirteen ran.

HOCKEY. --+- CHESTER 2ND V. SEFTON 2ND. This match was played at Chester on Saturday. Though Chester had rather the best of matters it was a hard fought game all through. The backs on both sides played a sound game. Chester scored one goal in each half and won by two goals to nothing.

SMITHFIELD CHRISTMAS SHOW. ——■—♦ FINE QUALITY AND SPLENDID PRICES. Feedera and buyers of fatstool- from far and near crowded the Cheater Smithfield yesterday i Tuesday) on the occasion of Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts's prize show and sale, which is always an agreeable re- minder of tho advent of Christmas and ite time- honoured association with good English beef. This annual show is ever anticipated with the keenest interest, and there was enthuillastio competition in the ahowya.rd and 6&le ring yesterday. The entriee were well up to the average, there being no fewer than 1,400 head of fat stock, while the general level of quality more than maintained the reputation of the district, and would have done credit to any ahowyard in the kingdom. The well-known firm of auctioneers may indeed be heartily congratulated on a most successful Christinas show. The following acted as judges, and discharged their duties in a manner which gave all-round sat'.sfact Icn:- Cattle, Messrs. A. Wall (Chester), T. Swift (Neston) and W. Maher (Chester); sheep and calves, Masers. Hugh Davits (Hawarden), W. Manley (Roesett), Henry Dodd (Chester) and W. Eastwood (Liecarrl). Mr. T. H. Banks again efficiently and oourteouely carried out the duties of steward. I That coveted prize, the Chester Smithfield Challenge Cup, value 70 guineas, for the best butcher's beast, in the cshow, not more than 14owt. live weight, was awarded to a splendid Aberdeen-Angus cross, fed by Mr. George Lee, Cop Houoe. There was great excitement in the eale ring when this beast was offered. After spirited bidding it was knocked down to Mr. A. Wall far £ 51. Tho Duke of Westminster, as usual, aent some very fine beasts, and carried off a good ahare of the prizes. His Grace won the champioruhip laet year, and was Mr. Lee's moet formidable rival for that honour this year. One of five excellent Galloway bullocks from the Eaton Home Farm was reserve for the championship, and wu add to Mr. Wall for 230. The prize heifer was bought by Mr. John Lloyd (Tarvin) for E26. 10s.. and the second best heifer was bought by Mr. Bankes (Liverpool) for LV. Other beasts eent by the Duke sold at C28. 15s. (Mr. Vaug.han, Abergele), £25. 10s. (Mr. Bankes), E23 5s. (Mr. Okell. Chester), EM. 10s. (Mr. Kingston, Manchester), etc. Mr. Lee will hold the challenge cup this year, and both he and Mr. Wall will each have a commemorative challenge cup. Other prominent and successful exhibitors in- cluded Messrs. T. Smith (Blacon), W. Carter (Mollington), T. Handley (Broughton), and W. Minshull (Poulton), whose exhibits all realised <hieh prioes. There was also a very good show of calves and sheep. Appended are some of the awards: — Heifer, with not more than two broad tooth 1 and 2. Duke of Westminster; be, G. Lee; c, T. Smith. Bullock, with not more than two broad teeth: 1, G, Lee; 2, T. Smith h c and c, Duke of West- minster. Heifer, with four broad taeth: 1. W. Carter, MoWngton; 2 and o, T. Dawson, Willington; he, W. Shepherd, Sealand. Bullock, with more than two broad teeth 1. G. LAo; 2, Duke of Westminster; he and c, T. Handley, Broughton. Cow. which has been in milk: 1, Duke of West- minster; 2 and ho, T. Smith; c, W. Toft. Bull: 1, T. Smith; he, W. Shepherd; c, John Pickering, Dod'eston. Calf 1, W. Mortimer, Broxton (Adams, Liver- pool. £ 6. h); 2. R. Cathcart Smith, Guilden Sutton (Adams, £ 3. 165.1. Five Cheviot \vethers: 1. S. Davies, Brimstago (Richardson. Chester, 56s each); he, S. Davies (Venablos. Chester, 48s eaoh); c, S. Jones, Pool Hall (J. Lloyd, Tarvin, 48s. each). Pen of hogs or gimmers: 1, T. Smith, Blacon (F. Price. Chester, 55s. cadh); h c, Duke of West- minster (Pric' 49s. each); c. T. Smith (A. Wall, 49s. each). Five Scotch horned wethers: 1 and h c. T. Smith (A. Wail, 62s., and J. Lloyd, Tarvin, 54s. each respectively); c, H. M. Davies, Frodsham (H. Dodd Chester, 47s. 6d. each). Five sheep, any other breed or cross-bred: 1. H. M. Davit's, Frodsham (G E. Oldmeadow, Chester, 63s. each); h c and 0, Duke of Westmin- ster (J. C. Okell, Chester, 56s. 6d>. and 53s. each respectively). Liverpool Vesta Cake prizes: Heifer, W. Shep- herd bullock. W. Minshull; pen of ehecp, W. Fryer, Leighton Hall (Hy. Gerrard, 49s. 6d. each). Bankhall cakes and feeding stuff prizes: 1, Duke of Westminster; 2. T. Handley. Hallmark and Harwell's prizes: 1. W. Min- èull; 2. R. and W Roberts; 3, W. Shepherd. Silcock's cake and feeding stuff prizeo-Bul- lock 1 and 2. Thos. Handley, Broughton. Heifer: W. Carter. Mollington. Cow: Mrs. Worrall, Caughall. Bull: J. Rutber, Woodside.

NESTON. A HESWALL PRODUCT -At Neston Petty Sessions on Monday before Colonel Ltovd and Mr. S Sanday, a Heswall man narr.ed Wilham Price, 32 years of age who had been remanded from the previous Saturday, was charged with being a rogue and vagabond. Prisoner was found by Constable Oultram sleeping in a shed in Pensby-road. Heswall, and when brought before Colonel Lloyd on Satur- day he presented an extraordinary appearance. Notwithstanding many ingenious applications of tF string, his ragged garments of many colours barely hung on to his slouching figure. His long uncombed auburn locks stuck out stiffly from his brimless hat, pointing in every direction like the spokes of a wheel, and this had evidently excited the envy of an unkempt billy-goat beard that was also trying to struggle of fto every point of the compass. His brogues were so loosely held together with twine that they threatened at every step to part company with his feet, and the small portion of his snout that pro- jected from the dishevelled locks and beard was of a deep bronze, several Rhades darker than his hair. His whole appearance was that which might be supposed to characterize Rip Van Wmkle after his twenty years' sleep, and in a beauty competition the average scarecrow could have given him several points and won with ease For reasons best known to themselves the police officers kept a most respectable distance from their shambling prisoner, and the passers-by looked with astonishment at the grotesque figure on its way from the cell to the local hall of justice The bench having decided to convict, Sergt. Wharam submitted the prisoner's record, from which it appeared that he had been nine times convicted of similar offences since 1902. Colonel Lloyd, in sentencing the prisoner to three months imprisonment with hard labour, said the apparently severe sentence was really an act of kindness to the prisoner, who at the age of 32 had allowed himself to get into such a deplorable state. He advised him at the end of his term of imprison- ment to enter the workhouse instead of returning his old mode of existence. I

CHESHIRE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ♦ A meeting of the Cheshire Education Committee was held on Monday at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, Mr. C. E. Thornycroft presiding. The attendance included Mrs. Hermann, Miss Greg, Colonel Dixon (chairman of the County Council), the Rev. T. J. Evans, the Rev. J. Grant Bird, Judge Bradbury, Professor Gonner, Dr. Hodgson, Dr. D. B. Hewitt, Messrs. W. J. Crossley, G. B. Baker- Wilbraham, H. Hodgetts Gordon, A. T. Wright, F. Barlow, Roger Bate, J. Beeley, T. Raffles Bulley, J. Hinchsliff, John Morley, the Hon. J. E. Crorts. etc. TEACHERS' EXTRANEOUS DUTIES. A circular reoentiy'issued by the Board of Edu- cation on the subject of extraneous duties of teachers was laid before the committee and passed without comment. This circular, which has already received wide publicity, points out that it is not uncommon to find either in the advertise- ment of the vacancy or in subsequent corre- spondence with applicants for the post an intima- tion that the teachers will be required to play the organ in church, or teach in Sunday school, or to perform some other duty unconnected wtih the work of the school. The Board think it necessary to remind local education authorities and managers that any such requirement is invalid, and that its enforcement may involve a refusal by the Board to recognise the teacher, and, further, may even disentitle, the school to further recognition as a public elementary school. DEFECTIVE CHILDREN. The county medical officer of health (Dr. Vaoher) submitted a report upon his inspection of the defective children who for some months had been receiving instruction at the Sandle- bridge School.- All the children, it appeared, were well nourished and very happy and cheerful. Dr. Hodgson, in moving the adoption of the report, said it was important that the oommittee should know the result of an experiment they were making in giving a substantial grant towards those schools. The report shewed that the children were receiving a distinct advantage, and it was satisfactory to know that they were happy and well nourished. Colonel Dixon, in seconding, said he did not think the committee had spent money in a better way than by providing a home for those unfor- tunate children. Anybody who saw the bright, happy lives the children were living would be satisfied that the utmost was being done for their welfare. TAKING CHILDREN TO CHURCH. The committee further considered the report of tho director of education, adjourned from the last The committee further considered the report of tho director of education, adjourned from the last meeting, as to taking children from school to cihurch during school hours. The Director reminded the committee that he had written complaining of this practice to the correspondents of twenty-one schools. Up to the last meeting replies had been received from sixteen, the remaining five being left over for further consideration. Dr. Hodgson said the position was unsatis- factory, and an intimation should be sent to the offending managers that unless they gave the committee an assurance that the practice would be stopped they would oeaso to maintain the schools. He knew the various ways in which the managers evaded the committee's directions, but he took it that the latter would not have evasions. As to the Diocesan Church Schools Association, he did not think the committee had anything to do with that body. They were dealing with particular schools, and the managers must square matters with their own association. Referring to the case of the Marbury School, Dr. Hodgson described the praotioe as to religious instruction as a wicked evasion. He moved that a communication be sent to the correspondents of the Tarporley, Wood- churoh, Wybunbury, Marbury and Lower Peover schools that unless they undertook to give a satis- factory assurance that the taking of children to ohurch during school hours was discontinued the committee would, in the case of a further infringement of their directions in this respect, cease to maintain those schools. Mr. John Morley seconded. In the course of some subsequent discussion, the Rev. T. J. Evans pointed out that in justice to the school managers it should be understood that some of them honestly believed that because parents had consented to the taking of their children from the school to the church they were acting quite legally He did not agree with their view, but at the same time they did not wish to evade the Act. The resolution was carried. DAYS OF RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE. DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION'S PROPOSALS. In reply to the request of the committee that they -should specify certain days in the year which they desired to be recognised in their 'schools as days of religious observance, a letter was received from the Chester Diocesan Church Schoolts Asso- ciation, stating that in their judgment it might well be arranged to allow Ascension Day, and, if so desired by the managers of any particular school, not more than five other days as days for religious obligation in any one year, such days to be named by the managers at the beginning of the school year. Professor Gonner was sorry the association had offered the committee an answer which was not relative to the question they asked. While the committee could not consent to the taking of children to church during school -houra, they were bound to consider the substantial prejudices—he used the word in no offensive sense—with regard to certain days: accordingly they had asked the bodies representing the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church in the county to kindly submit to the committee days which they regarded as days of religious obligation. He was sorry that the Teply of the Diocesan Association suggested a course which seemed to him quite an impossible one-viz., that the committee should give up their power of regulating the occasional holidays of school's. It was essential that the con- trol of occasional holidays should remain with the committee. He had thought the association would have suggested a few specific days whereby the committee could lay down a regulation that any school concerned should be entitled to a (holi- day, if it desired, on those particular days. The answer of the Diocesan Association seemed to ,him not an answer to the committee's question. but the offer of certain advice for which they worn were not asked. He hoped the committee would not stultify itself so much as to consider that 10 proposition at all feasible. He moved a resolu- tion that Ul the case of the Roman Catholic Schools the days as set out in their letter be accepted as days on which the managers were entitled to a holiday, but that in the case of the English Church Schools the letter of the Diocesan Association be referred back. Dr. Hewitt eeoonded. Mr. Baker-Wilbraham thought that not more than two or three days throughout the year would be taken as holidays for religious observance in the Church 'schools. The Association bad fixed the number at five because they wanted a oertain amount of elasticity, and they looked at. the matter from the point of view of reducing the number of days rather than increasing it. It was only fair to the association that this should be understood. The Rev. T. J. Evans concurred. It would have been quite easy, he said, for the executive to name a number of days like the Roman Catholics had done; but they felt that in different places different customs had prevailed. They thought they ought to have the power of observing those days equally with the Roman Catholics. If the Committee assented to the course proposed by the Diocesan Association, he could assure them very few of the days would be taken. It was with the desire not to interfere with the routine of the school that they had proposed that course. The Chairman pointed out that, even so. the I Diocesan Association had not given them the answer they asked for, whiJo the Roman Catholics had. He would suggest that. a letter be sent to them- Dr. Hodgson: Oh, no! It is impossible to deal with an association like this. (Laughter.) Mr. Roger Bate claimed that the committee had no right to decree rites or ceremonies or to grant days of obligation to the Church, which was a branch of the State service. Mr. T. Beeiey remarked that lie was appalled at the amount of time the committee took up in matters which had no reference to education. (Hear, hear.) It was absurd that the religion of Jesus CShrist should be such an occasion for dividing sects. He often asked himself which of those sects produced the best men and women. He knew there were more lunatics in the asylums who belonged to two Churches than those who were members of any other Church. (Laughter and cries of "Order!") The resolution was carried CHILDREN UNDER FIVE. SHOULD THEY ATTEND SCHOOL? IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. A protracted discussion took place as to tiio at- tendance a.t school of children under five years of age, a subject upon which the Director of Edu- cation (Mr. R. P. Ward) submitted an exhaustive report. Having given tables 6hewingtoo attend- ance a.t the various schools, Mr. Ward, in the course of his report., stated: "In the introductory memorandum by the Chief Inspector of Publile E.'emontary Schools to the reports on children under five years of age in public elementary schools, issued by tho Board of Education, it is stated, 'there is complete unanimity that the children between the ages of tares -ana five got practically no intellectual advantage from school instruction.' It is doubtful if there is real proof for such a statement. It must be noted that- 'in- telLectual advantages' are only one part of educa- T tion,, especially among young children. It is very difficult to obtain evidence that the attain- m-onts of children who have come to school before five years of age are higher than the attainments of those sent later. In order to gain some lU- formation bearing on this point from our own county, «. circular has been sent to each of th,- 586 pupils holding scholarships granted by the County Council, asking as to the age at which they entered the elementary school. The replies are as follows —Commenced to attend under throe years of age 7, 1.3 per cent. betwecni three and four 148. 28 per cent. between four and five 155, 2$. per iD-,nt. between five and six 136, 26. per cent.; over six 80, 15 pc cent. Hence it appears that 510, or 58.3 pur -k- Lit. or the-so scholarship holders oominenocu to attend the ele- mentary sciiool bofoie the. age of five. Evidence is pretty conclusive that ciu.dreii who can. obtain suitable advantages and care. a- home do not go to school before the ago oi live, w^ile the less fortunate, the poor and helpless and neglected, aie sent to school as oariy its possible, l'ak ug iboso facts into cousideratiou, it iz no wonder it at the age of seven or eight iL is not possible to distinguish be-tweeu the rutci:eûuuM aiut:innent3 of the well-catcd-for child- wiio entered \achooi at five, and the uncared-for clHd who enteied one or two years earlier." The Director p-ooeeded to tabulate the course of action taken by some other county committees on tuis quesnon, and quoted the recommendations of the \anous sub-commit- tees in the county area. Tne ivport concluded as follows: "Much has been said dl the public prints and elsewhere as to the imancial gaui to be effected by the exclusion ot cniidien under five fiom tho schools. The cost involved divides itself under two heads-(l) maintenance, (2) provision of accommodau on. The i-k)a,,d of Education has stated that it proposes to lay before Parliament early next session that no annuai grant be paid in respect of schoiais under tive years of age. The fee grailt and the special a d grant wili, how- ever, it is presumed, be continued. These two grailts amount to about 18s. Sd. per unit of average attendance in th s oounty. Hence by excluding children undor five we should lose this grant on average of 4,334. The gains on the other hand would resiuit fiom such reduction in the staff of the schools as would be found possible. In the majority of cases, the numbers under five are so small as not to make any differ- ence in the staff. Aitogctner, probably a reduc- tion of about 80 teachers might be accomplished, many of whom would be supplementary teachers. Taking ain aveiage of L50 for each of these. A small t'eduotion. in the. aii.ount required for sta- tionery and apparatus would also be made. And lastly, the average attendance in some depart- ments would be. -lowered, br.nging about a lower- ing in the head-teacher's salary. From this rough calculation it appears the gain and loss would be about equal. here at p. esent the accommoda- tion is not sufficient, and the schools crowded, the exclusion of childien under five night be of assistance, also in growing districts. It must, however, be borne in mind that in Voluntary schools the provision of accommodation is for the managers; tire county only comes in where Coun- dil schools exist, or have to be built, or where Voluntary schools are taken over." Dr. Hodgson moved-- That no change be made at present in the admission of children under five years of age in the sehoola maintained by this county; and that a letter be sent to the Board of Education intimating that this committee is of opinion that it would be unreasonable and un- just to reduce tho grants to local educational committees on account of the attendance at school of children under five years of age." The speaker characterised the action of the Board of Education in reducing the grants for the attend- anco of children under five as one of the most monstrous pieces of impetuosity that that autho- rity had ever been guilty of. To turntho young children into tho streets was lamentable. When one considered the way in which the Board had arrived at their resolution it appeared still worse. He did not know whether any members of the oommittee had read the report made by "five maidens all forlorn, whom the Board sent out to investigate this subject. (Laughter.) He had done so, and he had never read anything which moved him more than their report. Dr. Hodgson proceeded to road several passages from the reports of the lady inspectors, which caused much laughter. Describing a slum dis- trict, one of the ladies observed that the poor children wore either clogs or bad boots, adding that she would rather see the children bare- footed than that they should wear clogs. On reading this statement Dr. Hodgson remarked he was sure that the lady who wrote so could not bo a mother. Proceeding, he said ho had made inquiries, but had never found any tangible evidence to support the statement that children who did not enter school till they were five caught up in their education with those who had attended school from an. earlier age. On the contrary, he found an almost unanimous consen- sus of opinion among niedicai officers to educa- tion authorities in favour of children being sent to school between the ages of three and five years. In some districts of Cheshire it would be madness to do anything wlrch would result in turning infants into the streets. They could not afford to do so, even at the bidding of an ill- advised and insufficiently informed Board of Edu- cation. What they wanted was to provide the best conditions in the schools, and then he had no doubt the retention of the younger children would bo beneficial to their health and to their education. He wanted to give the poorest of the poor their best chance, and it was their only chance. He hoped the committee would not in- terfere with the status quo, but wait for further evidence. There was nothing more unfair in the interests of education than for the Board of Edu- cation to tempt local authorities with the economic aspect of this question, because they hoped to save £850,000 by cutting down theer grants. Such a revolution as the Board favoured ought only to be made after the report of a Royal Commission. Tii3 Rov. T. J. Evans seconded the. resolution. heartily agreeing with what Dr. Hodgson had said. Dr. D. B. Hewitt pointed out the difference of opinion -that existed on this question among tho administrative sub committee! Were the com- mittee deciding the question upon a philan- thropic basis, or an educational bas':s? The well- to-do members of the community did not send their children to school until they were five or older, and it was a question whether babies of three years of age would benefit educationally by attending school. He considered that the proper place for children under five was a nursery, and the authorities ought to provide a nursery for those infants whose parents were unable to provide one for them. Children under five might learn something by attending school, but they interfered with the education of the older children. If education in their schools was to ba of any vaJue the children of three or four should bo carefully separated from and taught very differently from those who were five years or older. (Hear, hear.) There was a considerable number of children under five attending school in Cheshire, and he hoped Parliament would awaken to a sense of its duty to those children by making some proposal to "deal with them in scpa.rato establishments. Children from three to five should bo developed in their physical quali- ties, and should do very little in the way of learn- ing except what could bo taught when they were congregated together in a creche. He moved as an amendment that each administrative sub- committee bo empowered to decide whether chil- dren under five years of age should be excluded from all or any of the elementary schools within its area. Judge Bradbury said it was very ca:sy to attack the Board of Education, because there was nobody present to defend' that, body. For J.is part, he believed the Board were desirous of ad- vancing the education of the country, and it was a pity that suggestions like those of Dr. Hodgson should be made. The lady inspectors had all come to one conclusion—that they must dis- tinguish between children who came from homes whore they were neglected and those who were well cared for at home. They were also unani- mous in the conclusion that, children under five derived no educational good from attendance at school. School was not the proper place for a child of three. It was the duty of the committee to lead public opinion on this matter, and not to allow parents to send infants to school under the mistaken notion that their intellectual develop- ment. was. being carried out. By receiving ehil- d"rL of such tender age into school they were ridding parents of their responsibility and taking a large sum of money from educational purposes which ought to be spent in other directions. Miss Greg urged that the most valuable edu- cation a child could receive was imparted between the ages of Tour and five. If creches were pro- v:ded by the authorities the ratepayers would have to support them, and aho thought a well- ordered infants' school would meet the require- ments of those children. Col. Dixon advocated the exclusion of the chil- dren from rural schools. urging that infants ought not to be allowed to undergo the hardship of walking two or three miles every day to the village school in all weathers, and sit there from morniric till ni<rht. morniric till nig-ht. Mr. T. Raffles Bulley thought the attendance "f small children was sometimes invited in schools. because it affooted the teachers' salaries. If they gave an assurance -to the teachers that their salaries would not. be reduood after the exclusion of those children he thought there would be very little disposition to press them into the schools. Prof. Gonner thought that until the commit- tee had fuller information on this important sub- ject they were entitled to say it was better that matters should continue as at present until they saw more clearly the lines which future develop- ment would take. Mr. Hinchsliff (the teachers' representative) said tho toachers wero generally of opinion, from other than sordid reasons, that it was better chil- dren should be permitted to attend school he- tweeu the ages of three and1 five. The Rev. J. Grant Bird thought it would be almost a crime to take away machinery which had been hiiilt up to meet. the necessities of the case. Did they think managers would have en- larged schools at their own expense unless they saw the necessity for doing so? Tl;« amendment, on being put to the meeting, was lost by a large majority. Dr. Hodgson's iesolution was then put and carried. INCE SOHOOL. On the consideration of the minutes of the Chester Union Committee, the Director of Edu- cation called attention to a singular resolution which had been passed in reference to the Inco C. E. School. Mrs. Park-Yates, who was the owner of the echool buildings, had intimated her intention to give the managers three months' uotico for them to terminate the tenancy of the school, and that after the expiration of that period ehe would be willing to transfer the sohool j to the County Council. Tho sub-committee there- I nppn r-sclved that subject to Mrs. Park-Yates being still willing to accept the nominal rent of Is. payable at present by the managers under an agreement, ehe be offered this amount on behalf of the County Council, the school to remain a Voluntary school. Mr. Ward said he had ap- pealed to the clerk to tho County Council, who assured him that such a payment would be illegal, as they could only pay for a Council school. Th's had been explained to Mrs. Park-Yates, who had replied stating she was willing that the school should go on as it was for the present. She felt now that under tho new Government, with its avowed opposition to and dislike of the Education Act, (with wh'ch she cordially agreed), she would rather wait a little and see if any change in the Act was to be made. On the motion of Dr. Hodgson, it was decided to refer back the resolution to the sub-committee with an intima.tion that the payment suggested would be illegal.

HELSBY WOUNDING CHARGE. INJCRED MAN'S EVIDENCE. At Frodshami Police Court, on Monday, before Mr, Alfred THomas, Jos. Frcdk. Ody, of Helsby, was charged on remand with unlawfully wound- ing" Wn:. Henry Hyde, at Helsby, on Nov. 11th. Tho case had been adjourned! for the attendance of Hyde, who was now present, having sufficiently recovered to leave tiio Chester In- firmary. Mr. W. H. Churton, solicitor, Chester appeared for the prisoner, who was in custody. W m. Henry Hyde said he was a pJpe. fitter re- siding at 14, Oroislanci-teiTace, Heisby. On the ilth November he left his house- about 8.6u p.m. and went to the Helsby Social Club. He had a drink of whisky in the house before he- lelt. Ho was perfectly sober and had been working until five Q clock. On arriving at the club he went into the biihard loom, then upstairs, and next into the newsrojm downstairs. He sat there about half-an-hour, and then returned] to the billiard room. Tliat would be about nine o'clock. Tne prisoner was playing, billiaAls there. Witness had four glasses of beer. Posoner, on finisiiiuig playing billiards, came up to witness and asked him if he would have a drink with lnm. They had a glass of whisky each. Witness asked him if ho was going home, ajid prisoner stud, ''Yes." They went out together about 9.25 p.m. Tney made a call and1 saw Wm. Oates, who also lived in Uross;and-terrace. The three lett together, and Oates left witness and prisoner on reaching the second block of houses in Croesland-terrace. Wit- ness and Ody went straight ahead along the ter- race until they got just past witness' gate. The Magistrates' Olerk: Why did you go past your gate? Vvlitness: I wanted to see him home. Witness added that he tried to persuade Ody to go with him to his (Ody'e) home, and he would not. Ody was drunk, and had witness left him he would have fallen down. When they were about half- way between witness' garden gate and Ody's garden gate, Ody put himself against the hedge again. Witness was still trying to persuade him to go homo when Ody's wife- came down from. her house. She asked, him to come into the house, and witness said, "All right. I'll get him in." Witness went forward towards him and put his hand on his shoulder to persuade him. Wit- ness then felt a blow in his stomach, and said, "Oh, he has struck me, and walked straight away and into the house. The Magistrates' Clerk: Where was your wife? Witness: My wife was there. Sho came along the terrace when first. we stood near our gate. Sho went into our house, and came out again just before Mis. Ody appeared. Ody was speak- ing rather loudly, and my wife went in and came out again. Who were there when you felt the blow?—My wile was there. I do not remember if Mrs. Ody was there. Witness further stated that when he got into the house he sat down in a chatir and telt that there was a lump on his groin. He asked his wifo to feel it. He opened his clothing and saw the bowel hanging down. He swooned away and came to himself in the Infirmary on Sunday. The Superintendent, of Police (Mr. Beeley): Is it a fact, you were owing money to Ody?—Yes; two shillings. Tho Superintendent: How did you come to owe it to him?—I borrowed it on Whit Sunday. I have not repaid it, and it has not caused any ill-feeling to my knowledge. Could you cay why you did not repay it?— Mere thoughtlessness, Mr. Churton thought the question was im- material. It would be a. different thing if it were JB200. Witness said Ody and he were good friends that evening, and always had been good friends. The only thing he could be vexed at was his (witness') trying to get him home. He did not see that prisoner had anything in his hand, and he did not see him take anything out of his pocket. By the Superintendent: The gate to my gar- den is iron-spiked, but the spikes are four inches higher than my wound. I am positive the blow came from prisoner. Mr. Churton: I am not going to suggest any- thing about the- fence. Witness produced the vest, trousers, shirt and singlet which he was wearing. They we«i all cut through. Cross-examined by Mr. Churton: He had lived alongside Ody over five years, and he and his family had always been on the best terms with Ody the whole time. Ody had not a cigar when Ody the whole time. Ody had not a cigar when he went home with him. Ody had his back against the fence. When Ody's wife came up she went to prisoner to get him home, and prisoner pushed her away. He was not sure which hand prisoner used to push her away. It was immediately after prisoner pushed his wifo away that lie gave witness the blow. He could not say which hand prisoner used to strike him. It was done very suddenly. He could not «ay 1 whether the prisoner had time to put his hand into his pocket and! take out a knife as witness approached: him. Re-examined by Supt. Beeley: Prisoner stood with his back to the fence, and witness was facing him about a yard away. He put his left hand on prisoner's shoulder, and it was then that he was struck. The wound was on the left side. By Mr. Thomas: It was threepennyworth of whisky that he had at. the club. Clara Hyde, wife of the last, witness, supple- niented her previous evidence. In leply to tho Superintendent of Police sho said she remem- bered coming back from the village.. After she heard her husband say "Come along, Joe," Ody gave a nasty reply, but she did not remember his words. That caused her to run into the house his words. That caused her to run into the house to knock foi Mrs. Ody. She got no reply, and went back to her husband and prisoner. She found Mis. Ody there. Mrs. Ody had hold of prisoner's shoulater, trying to persuade him to go along. Prisoner said, "Here, wait a bit," and put his right hand into his trousers pocket, pulled it out again, and did something with both hands. It was then that her husband, came towards the prisoner, and the latter struck him. Her hus- band said, "Oh, he has struck me." Cross-examined by Mr. Churton: She could not say whether prisoner had a cigar in his hand. Dr. Bryant, of Helsby, was called, and his previous evidence was read over to him. Th:s was to the effect that he was called to Hyde and found him suffering from shock. There was an incised wound, an inch long, in the lower part of the abdomen. He dressed the wound and or- dered iiis removal to the Infirmary. He received a penknife from Sergt. Millington, and found a blood stain on one blade. Cross-examined by Mr. Churton: He saw Hyde last. evening The wound wa.s healed. He ap- prehended no serious consequences from the wound now, provided there was ordinary care. Acting-Sergit- Millington also reaffirmed his statement, which was that he went to prisoner's house, on the Saturday night and found him drunk and smoking a cigar. He asked prisoner if he had a knife, and prisoner handed him the pen- knife produced. He told prisoner to consider himself in custody, and prisoner said, "I have done nothing." When charged prisoner said, "I oannot believe it." Supt. Beeiey said they had photographs of how the men were supposed to be standing. Mr. Churton objected, and they were not put in Then Mr. Churton addressed the magistrate, asking that prisoner should be sent for trial on a charge simply of unlawful wounding, and not charged with unlawful wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The latter charge would require his trial at the Assizes, and it was in the interests of all parties that the trial should take place at the Quarter Sessions. and not. be delayed until tho Assizes. Moreover, no jury. he argued, would convict prisoner of wounding with intent. There was an entire absence oi anything in the nature of malice. The whole circumstances, went to shew that it was one of those unfortunate cases due to drink entirely. The question was whether prisoner knew what I.e. was doing. He might have had a knife in his hand, but whether he intended to stab Hyde was open tOo doubt. He also renewed his application for bail for the prisoner, who had been in the employment of the company seventeen years. If he were granted bail. the company would give h;m employment at the Liverpool works instead of at Helsby. The Superintendent of Police1 thought there was .some evidence of intent, but he left it en- tirely with the mag-is.tratet His Worship acceded to Mr. Churton's applica- "I tion, and committed prisoner to take his trial at the Cheshire Quarter Sessions on January 1st. Bail was granted, two bondsmen (each in the sum of j325) coming forward in the persons of 1h. John Head, Warrington (son-in-law of prisoner), at d. Mr. Mark Johnson, Lloyd-street, I Wan ington.

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ACROSS SIBERIA. MR. FOSTER FRASER'S LECTURE. The Y.M.C.A. syllabus of lectures is nearly gone through, and the hundreds of Cestrians who have on each occasion packed the Music Hall are wishing that the next lecture was the beginning instead of the end of the series, riO delightful has eacn engagement proved. oil Monday night Mr. Foster i'raser, F.R.G.S., the distinguished journalist, author and traveller, came to Chester to tell us something of his travels in Siberia and Manchuria, and to teach us by rneaiir-i of lantern views and graphic description the truth about that vast country. Air. itaobei-t Yerburgh, M.P., pre- sided, and when he, the lecturer, and Mr. H. T. iii-own (president of tne Chester branch of the Y..VI.(J. A.) ascended tne piatiorin there was an unmistakably warm welcome, trom the audience, Air. Yerburgh, who was received with another out- burst ot applause oil rising, said that before intro- ducing to them the lecturer who was to give them pleasure that night he shouid like to say one or two words about tho Young Men's Christian Association, who had been the means of providing intellectual treats for the people of Chester. (Ap- piause.) Everybody knew what admirable work tne YM.C'.A. were doing throughout the country, and he was quite sure all were anxious to assiibt them to the best- of their ability to carry on that work to its fulfilment. In Chester they weri-, not quite so well circumstanced as their well- wishers would like them to be, and at the present time they were housed in a building altogether inadequate for their needs. He felt that those who had means would be only too glad to assist them to accommodation more adequate for the work they had to do. (Applause.) They had provided a series of lectures. That night they were to have one on Siberia and Manchuria, and that wao to be followed by a lecture on Japan. In that way they would get presented to thorn a description cf a. great portion of tho country under Russian ruic, and the con- dition of the country of her late antagonist, Japan. Ho had great pleasure in introducing to them Mr. Foster Frasor, who was well known as a great traveller and distinguished journalist. (Ap- plause.) Like so many successful men, he was a Scotsman. (Laughter and hear hear.) We owed so very much to Scotland. (Hear, hear.) When- ever we wanted a Prime Minister we had to go to Scotland. (Laughter and applause.) Into hitt not very long span of life Mr. Foster Fraser had orowded many great achievements. He was probably well known to them as having done what nobody else had done- he had ridden round the world on a bicycle, covering 19,000 miles in 774 days and traversing 17 countries. He had also visited the United States. where he had conducted an inquiry into industrial conditions: he had in- terested himself in the aliens question, having given it consideration on the spot; he had been to Canada to study the question of immigration and, last but not least, to come to the subject they were to hear about that night, ho had dono what nobody else had done, he had travelled through Siberia and made a dash through Man- churia at a time when that country was closed to the outside world. (Applause.) Mr. Foster Fraser. cordially welcomed, then began his lecture, which certainly proved one of the most popular of a very popular series. Wo have all beentudying Russian life lately and forming our own opinions of the ruling methods of that vast empire, but Mr. Foster Fraser shewed us a now side. His story possessed all the fresh- ness and veracity of personal experience and the keen observations of a journalist, and the educative vaJue of the lecture was further enhanced by the exhibition of a capital collection of Mr. Frasers own photographs.

THE LATE MRS. TURNER, NESTON. «. The funeral of Mrs. Turner, wife of the Rev. Canon Turner, vicar of Neston, whose death we recorded last week, took place at the Parish Church, Neston, on Friday afternoon and waa an affecting spectacle. Deceased was an honorary member of the Neston Female Friendly Society, and between 20 and 30 members, attired in deep mourning and bearing the white wands of the society draped with black crape, formed in order at the head of the pro- cession. The casquet was covered with floral tributes. The latter, over 40 in number and formed of exquisite blooms, were in stoking contrast to sombre sunouncLngs and the leaitess trees and hedgerows througn which the cortege moved on its way to the churoh. A large number ot broughams and of mourners on too;, followed, every portion of the parish being represented, and symeois of mourning appeared all along the. route. The parish Hag had remained at half-mast on the ohurdh tower, and as the cfortege came into now a muffled peal sounded trom the be 1 try. At the churchyard entrance the ladies at the head of the procession filed to the right and left, and the remains of the deceased s.ster member were borne shoulder high through the gateway, and the clergy—the Revs. Hamilton Shenvin Graham, Bull, and Moirrell—and the surpliced ohoir, led the way to the porch, the Rev. h. R. Sherw-n re- -citing the opening portion of the. bur.al service. The scholars from the Neston, Parkgate and Ness Holt Churoh schools were drawn up on either s,de of the path, and the church was filled with parish.oners who, almost without exception, wore mourning. Appropriate selections from the principal composers had been rendered during the interval by the organist (Mr. R. G. Howick). and these closed with a solemn funaral march as the eesquet was borne up the nave. The service was choral, including the hymns, '"0 God our help in ages past" and "Thy will be done." The customary lesson was read by the Rev. H. J. Graham, and the Dead March from "Saul" pealed from the organ as the oortege, followed by the congregation, moved out to the grave by the belfry. The prayers at the graveside. were offered by the Rov. C. W. Hamilton, and the hymn "Rock of Ages" was finely sung by the entire gathering. The interment was made in a new grave cut from the native red sandstone, and the breastplate bore the simple inso-iption, the breastplate bore tho simple inso-iption, "Harrietto Turner, died1 4th December, 1905, aged 64 years." Among the chief mourners were the Rev. Canon Turner (widower), tho Rev. were the Rev. Canon Turner (widower), the Rev. C. W. Hamilton (vicar cf Broughton, York- shire), Messrs. F. Graves and H. Graves (nep- hews), the Revs. T. H. May (Heswall), H. A. Bull (Thornton Hough), J. Torr (Eastham), P. F. A. Morrell (Burton), Walsham Post an ce (Willaston in Wirral), H. R. Shcrwin (Chester), II. J. Graham (Neston), G. McNeilc (Neston), Mr. J. B. Yeoman, M.D., Dr. Lewis Grant, lcssr (j. P. N. Stone and J Pemberton, Colonel Lloyd, Mr. R. L. Price, Captain R. Houghton, the Rev. J. Toweit, Messrs. J. Maclean Graham, A J. Bus- ton, J Johnson, J. Gilbert, F. Russell, T. Moly- ueux, W Jones (Broadlake), Ariel Gray Cramer- Roberts, W. H. H. Quinsey, T. Jennings, M. Livermorc, J. G. Lee, W. A. Higginbottom, F. Kidman, A. Jamieson, J. Begg, G. H. Millman, Kidman, A. Jamieson, J. Begg, G. H. Millman, J. Royden, J. Basnett, T. Oxton, G. Hunter, T. Cottrell, T. B. Swift, R. Ostle, John Birch, E. Rcoke, J. Cottrell, G. O'Neil Bridge, W. M. Coventry and Sidney H. Pemberton, Mr. J. S. Warren. Mr. J. S. Worsam, Mr. H. Stringer, Mr J. E. Evans, Mr. R. Jones, Miss Fairbrorher, Miss Sheard, Miss Mealor, Miss Jones, Miss Shone, Miss Caunce, Miss Jones. The Neston Female Friendly Society were represented by Miss MalTY Lyon and Miss Roberts (honorary stewardesses), Mrs. T. Comber, Mrs. W. F. Bar- rett, Mrs. Theodore Rathbone, Mrs. Arid Gray, Mrs. Pemberton, Mrs. A. S. Grenfell. Mrs. R. L Pr-ce and Miss Lacy (honorary iraembers), Miss Webb and Mass Henderson (benefit stewardesses), Mrs. J. Coventry, Mrs. Roberts, Mre. M. Bushell, Mrrs. J. Birch, Mrs. W. Jones, Mrs. S. Davies, Mrs. Parry, Mrs. J. Ellison, Misses Bushell (Park-street), Miss M. J. Kamecn, E. Kameen, the Misses Oxton (bonefit members). Wreaths were sent by the following—"Her bereaved husband." "Sarah and Eliza," Dr. J. B Yeoman, Mrs Bushell and Miss Lilian Hope Bushell, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Price, Mrs. Thomas Comber, Mis J. G. Churton, Mrs. C. W. Yeoman, Miss Roberts, Miss Lydia Roberts, Mr and Mrs. W. Jones (Broadlake), Miss Clarke, "Tom and Georgy," Mir. and Mrs. J. Pemberton, Mrs. Theodore Rathbone and Miss Rathbone, Mrs. Heaton, Mr. and Mrs. G. O'N(,i] Bridge, tho Misses Gamon, Lilian M. Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. I P. N. Stone, Mre. and Miss Watson (Eastborne), Mr. T. Clarke (Eastbourne), Mr J. S. Harmood- Banner and M'ss Banner, "From all at Spring- field," Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Bull, Miss M. E. Young, Messrs. A. and J. K. Fleming, Mrs. Chat- terton and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ariel Gray, Miss Clarke, Mr. J. Maclean Graham. Mr. E. T. Turner and Miss Turner, Sister E. Wulff, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Livermo.-e, "Ellen" (Mrs. Swain), Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Rimmer, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Will-ams, Misses Cowan. Mr. and Swain), Mr. and Mrs. Herbert RImmer. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Will-ams, Misses Cowan. Mr. and Mrs. Cramcfr Roberts, teachers and scholars Neston mixed school, teachers and scholars Ness Holt school, Parkgate school. Neston infant school, Neston Quoit Club, Ashton House Committee, 'The Mothers' Meeting," and "Nurse," etc. A muffled peal was rung upon the church bells on Sunday morning, and the funeral Jiymns were. repeated at the morning service, and a special sermon, but containing no direct reference to the swd event, was preached bv the Rev. H. J. Graham. At. the close of the service the congre- gation remained standing while the Dead March was played by the organist. References, to Mrs. Turner were made at the Neston Presbyterian ■church on Sunday morning and evening- by the Rev. J. Towert.

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FOX HUNT IN A TOWN. STIRRING SCENl IN NANTWICH. A hard day's hunting Friday with the Cheshire Hounds, which met at Raveiistnoor was brought to a finish with a sensational kill in the town of Nantwich. Hounds found this fox at Haughton, and after hunting him in a half ling by AlpritliLLtii they ran through Wardle, past Riders Green, nearly to bnndley Lea, where they swung round through Burland, and ran past Acton Church straight into Nantwich. The people of the town ran out of their houses as hounds raced through the town, and there was a great hue and cry. The fox dead beat, got as far as Welch Row Bridge, and there crawled into a culvert by the riverside. Two leading hounds, how- ever, were at his brush, and killed him, while one of the whips waded into the river to the rescue. A bold and resourceful fox, he had given the hunt a run of an hour and thirty minutes, with a seven- mile point. The field included the Duchess of Westminster, Lord and Lady Arthur Grosvenor, and Lord Cole. SIR WATKIN WYNN'S HOUNDS. There was a large field out with Sir Watkin Wynn's hounds on Saturday. The meet was at Shaving-ton. The Duchess of Westminster, Lord Gerald Grosvenor, and Laxly Helen Grosvenor were among the field. At Shavington Big Wood hounds accounted for a brace of foxes before they had an opportunity to run. A few minutes later, however, they were away with a third fox from the same cover, and they settled down well on a good run that lasted nearly an hour and a half. The line was firet taken out on the left of Tittenley Lodges, over part of Mr. Jones's farm, past the Bank House, and to the Boa Hills in the South Cheshire country. Without hesitation the fox raced over Mr. Major's farm and through Cox Bank Wood, alongside the Shropshire Union Canal, close to the Poole House at Addcrlev. Turning to the right, the cOtlr. was past Adderlev Gor.se. and leaving Collins Rough on the right, to Bellaport Hall. Here there was a little, heelta. tion, but hounds struck the line again, and tho gallop was renewed over Norton Wood and Mr. Norton's farms away through "the Brand Park," and up to Ridgwardine, where the fox swung round over the North Staffordshire Railwav, right-handed through Glade Wood, on by way of Adder-ley Lees, and right-handed again almost t otho lime kilns at Adderley. Doubling back, however, he came past Adderley Lees a second time. and finally reached the Brown Hills, where he was lost. It was an enjoyable run, the first portion being exceptionally good. From Cloverley Gorse there was another run. The fox bolted out close to Ightfield Church, and doubled back as far as Ash Wood, near Shavington. After forty minutes the chase was abandoned owing to r-cetit failing.

SIR WATKIN WYNN'S MEET ON Wednesday, December 13, Hardwick at 11.0 Friday, December 15, Acton .at 10.43 Saturday, December Ifj, Fenn's Bank at 10.45

HIGHER EDUCATION. + IMPORTANT CHESTER SCHEME. An important scheme for higher education and the co-ordination of all schools and scholarships in the city, has now been completed by the Higher Education Sub-oommittee of the Chester Educa- tion Authority, and has bé-en circulated to too members of the Press, together with a memor- andum on the subject by the Director (Mr. A. E. Love 11). The proposals first set out the terms on -which schools not under the OOlltfol and management of i-ho local authority should be reoogu'isedi as complementary to tho municipal system. Ae- cording to the sohemo the present elementary school system, subject to modifications by tho Board of Education and tho local authority, is to be accepted as tile first and most general type of public education,, and as satisfying the demands of the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, 1870. Private elementary schools, namely, aohools m which the fee is equal to ninepence a week or less are not to be recog- nised as part of the oo-ordinated school system. HIGHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. One of the most important changes proposed by the scheme is the establishment of what are called higher elementary schools. The sub-oom- mittee state that the development of secondary schools has mado it necessary to reconsider the educational needs of those scholars who cannot atforothe extended period for study which would enable them to profit by admission to a secondary school, but who can with advantage rrloelvo some education more advanoed than that which is given in an ordinary public ele- mentary school and differing some- what in kind. The oiroumstances of Chester are not suitable for upper standard schools of tht-) kind generally contemplated. The schools should admit pupils commencing at Standard I. and should be fee-charging. There would be no in. fants in these schools. It is proposed to utilise (subject, to satisfactory arrangements with the managers) the College School (Boyg') and Hunter Street School (Girls'), as special elemrntary schools; the local education authority providing a new school of two departments, which shall, inter alia, take the place of the Chester Wes- leyan school, St. John-street. Accommodation will thus be afforded for 1,200 scholars, boys and girls being equally provided for. It is sug- gestedf that one-third of the pupils shall be froo scholars, nominated by the managers of elemen- tary schools, and the remainder are to pay a fee of ninepence a week (to include books and other materials). The .suggested curriculum is set. forth in the following clause:—"The ouirr.culum should be that of a good elementary school, but with differences. It must have for tt; object tho development of the education given in the or- ordinary public elementary sohool, and the provision of special instruction bearing on the future occupations of the scholars, whether boys or girls. A cunriculum will not be approved, unle6s it provides, together with this special instruction, a progress ve oourso of study in the English language and literature, in -elementary mathematics, and in history and geography. Drawing or manual work must be included in every case as part of the general or special instruction." NEW INTERMEDIATE SOHOOL. Passing on to the next grade, the sub-committee foreshadows the erection of a new City and County achool for boys and girls, the accommodation, to be for 200 of each sex. The schools, they sug- gest, should belong to the city, and an agreement should be made with the county for the joint user of the school during the period granted by the Local Government board for the .repayment of the loan the basis of -Contribution to the main- tenance fund for the two authorities to be ao- cording to the extent of user of the school by them arrived at on the average attendance for each school year. The county authority are to be asked to guarantee a minimum attendance of 75 boys and 75 girls, and they Me to be limited to u maximum attendance of ono hundred boys and one hundred girls, except with the previous consent of the city. The feos for full-time pupils a.ie to be at least five pounds yearly. It is proposed to pla«> tho school under tho direct management of a body of governors, consisting- of seven members, appointed by the city and five by the oounty. with, in addition, the chairman of the City Eduoation Committee (ex-offioio), who shall be tlie chairman of the body of governors. The city director to b correspon- dent and clerk to the governor". A clause is sug- gested that each authority is to undertake, not to orect another secondary sohcol within the area to be served by this school exoept by consent. Other local authorities are to be charged on ac- count of pupils attending from their areas. The existing accommodation at tho Museum should, it is suggested, be used for evening classes and instruction in art, handicraft and domestic subjects. Pupils from the county should bo ad- mitted for the same fees, the oounty authority paying a oapitation g-ant. GRANTS TO THE KING'S AND QUEEN'S SCHOOLS. The King's and Queen's schools wJI, under the scheme, be recognised as upper schools, and the proposal is that each shall receive an annual grant not exceeding £ 100. The Higher EdHca- tion Sub-committee recommend a grant-in-aid of £ 216 to the King's School towards the oost of the recently equipped laboratory, and a grant not ex- ceeding £ 200 to the Queen's S-'liool foir the eetab- lisrment of a laboratory; provided bha.t the oity elect an additional governor to each school, and that the school accounts be submitted to tho authority. The sub-committee close the scheme with a complete system of scholarships, including thr(-Y.) of an animal value of £ 50, tenable for three years at a university or institution of iiiiiv(--Mity rank, one to be awarded to a girl leaving the Queen's or similarly recognised sdlicol, whose parents have resided in the city for three. years. THE COST. With, regard to the cost, the sub-committee have acoepted the estimates of the D-rector given in detail in his memorandum. The new city and county school is expected to cost 220,000. The report states—"With regard to the total niett annual cost to the city of the whole scheme, when brought into complete operation, the sub-com- mittee aro of opinion that, assuming that the local education authority free 811 the primary public- elementary schools after March 31st, 1907, this total, after giving credit for grants, may b" taken to be B800 per annum, or too equivalent of a penny rate; but, smoe the fees received from the higher elementary schools, though in relief of the borough rate, will not be paid into the higher education aooount, the maximum total nett oost on such highar education account will bo (approximately) £1,800, or the equivalent of a 2id. rate; being an increase of about 21,050 per annum or the equivalent of a lid. rate beyond the expenditure upon higher education account at the commencement of this current financial year; the elementary education account,' at the same time, receiving a credit of about ;CI,OW. At the meeting of the Chester Education Com- mittee, on Monday, it was decided to hold: a special meeting on Wednesday, December 20th, to discuss the scheme. Mr. T. Mills gave notice that after tho Chair- man had moved that the scheme be received, ho would move that the further consideration of i.11 I scheme be deferred for twelve months until tho elementary education of the city be put on a satis- factory footing. Mr. Egerton Gilbert: Is it intended that tho Press be present at the meeting? The Chairman I think so. Mr. Gilbert said he thought their proceedings might be shortened if the Press were not ad- mitted. and no great harm would be done. Mr. Mills So far as I am concerned the pro- oeedings will not be shortened whether the Press am here or not. Mr. Gilbert: I had nothing personal in my mind. Mr. Mills: I did not say you had.

T CHESTER STOCK & SHARE LIST — Reported by Messrs. Warmslet, Jonks & Co., 29, Eastirate Row (North). Chester. CONSUMES* Bank IUtk 4% Present price ChesterCorporation 3t Irredeemable Stock 11&-1-7 Chester Corporation 3 Redeemable Stock 90—100 Chester Gas Co 5 Ordinary Stock 110—113 4 Preference Stock 10")—205 .» 3| Debenture Stock TFO—KG ChesterWaterworks Co 7i Consolidated Stock 180-1,s » 7 New Ordinary Stock, 1st and 2nd moieties 170—175 „ 6 £ 10 Perpetual Preference Shares, fully paid .I-I-, Wrexham and East Denbighshire Water Co Consolidated Stock 180—1S5 11 11 41 Cons. Pref. Stock 112—lie Ordinary Stock 125—loU Hawarde & District Water Co ICIO Shares, fully paid 7-li Nat. Prov. Bank of England, Ltd. £ 75 Shares, L10 10s. paid 42 —43 £ t>0 Shares, £ 12 paid 49 —60 North and South Wales Bank, Ltd. Z40 Sbares, £10 paid 36 £ —35| Parr's Bank, Ltd. £100 Shares, £20 paid a6{— Lloyds Bank, Ltd.. £ 50 Shares, £ 8 paid 33 -31 Bank of Liverpool, Ltd £ 100Shares, 412 10s. paid .37 £ —37J British Law, Life, Fire Insur., Ltd. £ 10Shares, .£1 paid 3j— 3i Chester Boat Co., Ltd £ 10 Shares, fully paid 9 -11 Chester Cocoa House Co.,Ltd. £ 5 24 4—a „ „ £ 5 „ £ 3 3 —4 Chester General Cemeter Co. iC5 „ fully paid 33—-ij Chester New Music Hall Co., Ltd. t25 Chester Northate Brewery Co., Ltd. Ord. £ 10 Shares, fully paid 10 —l'>i 6 £10 Pref. Shares, fully pd.. „ 4 JtlOO Debentures 92-4—35 Bent's Brewery, Ld. A;10 Ordinary Shares 7|—7; 6 £ 10 Prei. Shares Birkenhead Brewery Co., Ltd. ktO Shares, C5 paid 14J—154 „ Llo Shares, fully paid 19 Chester Grosvenor Hotel Co., Ltd £20 Pref. Shares -1 1 -2 t Chester Queen Rail- way Hotel Co., Ld. £ 20 Shares, fully paid 2.. 4 „ £ 20 £ 10 Hi—liii Chester Blossoms Hotel, Ltd L10 fully paid 9 —10 Chester Steam Laundry Co., Ltd. 95 „ Chester Race Co., Ltd tlW £.5 Dee Oil Co., Ltd. A;l Ord. Shares Walkers, Parkers & Co., Lt(L .klO Shares, fully paid, 6 Cum. Pref 4 — „ 4J Debentures 63—\>j J. tf. Billing-ton, Ltd., Chester 4$% First Mort. Deben. Stock 5 Cum. Pref. £ 10 Shares Victoria Pier and Pavilion Co., Colwyn Bay, Ltd. i'l Ordinary Shtre8 HalkynDr'inageCo. £ 10 Shares, fully paid -0 —j i Halkyn Mining Co., Ltd £ 1 Shares, fully paid 5—ti Holywell Halkvn Mining and Tun- nel Co., Ltd. £ 1 Shares fully paid 15' 20/- East Halkyn Mining Co., Ltd. £ 1 fully paid 5}— oi- South Halkyn Min- ingCo.,Ltd.JEl New North Halkyn Mines, Ltd. £1 Shares, fully paid .22/6-25/- £ 1 „ 7/tJ li,— North Hendre Min- ing Co., Ltd X2 10s. Shares, fully paid 22—;) a Pantyniwyu Mining Co., Ltd .£1 Shares, fully paid 1 —li Talacre Mining Co., Ltd £ 1 Ord. „ £ 1 Pref „ United Minera Co. Ltd.J.jeiOrd. „ „ Isle of Man Mining Co., Ltd. (Fox. dale) Mines 25 I—1» it Pref., £ 17 10s. paid 2o—3J Llauarmon Mining Co., Lt(L Ll Ord., fully paid £ 1 Pref. Wirral Railway 3 Debenture Stock 754—704 4% £ 10 Pref. Shares (1896 issue). 7;;—Si 4 JC10 Pref. „ (1899 issue) s — <* Wirral Railways Co. Ltd iClO Ord. Shares, fully paid — -il *Ex dividen(L

—— MARKETS AND FAIRS. LIVERPOOL CATTLE, MONDAY. —This being the Christmas market supply of cattle was rather larger than last week, but practically we same as the corresponding market of last year. A considerable number of very choice cattle were on offer. The demand was slow, and trade on the whole of a disappointing character. A few excep- tionally finished lots made the top quotation, but second class cattle barely made late rates. A small increase in the number of sheep on offer compared with Monday last. Demand good. finished sorts readily commanding a substantial increase in prices. Others also easier to place on slightly better terms. Quotations:—Beef, first class, 6-2d., second class, 51d., third class, 4Ad. mutton, y.jjd. to (i^d. per lb. BRADFORD WOOL, MONDAY.-—In the absence of a strong lead the market is somewhat irresolute. Some consumers are looking for reliet in lower prices, for raw material crossbred forties are Is. -!d., and super sixties 2s. l £ d. In English wools values tend to stiffen. Mohair and alpae0* unchanged. In home trade botany and crossbi^ spinners have an increase of business, but export branch is still unsettled by the Russian disturbance- MANCHESTER HAY AND STAYV, MON- DAY .-Hù.y. 4.d. to 5d. clover, d. to ti4d. straw, wheat, u. to 4d., oat, ;)d. per stone. WHITCHUitCH CHEESE, WEDNKSL»AY- —The pitch was about 40 tons, and the quality was up to the average, although in some cases the cheese bad not reached a sufficient degree^ ut maturity. Higher grades realised from 68s. to -J- per cwt., medium qualities from (j;): to bn; and the lower grades down to tiOs. per cwt. CHESTER CATTLE. THURSDAY.— Thorn was a good show of store cattlc, but. no fat stock, which sc-iiors are reserving in anticipation of the Christmas saie-s. There was a small attendance of b'jy:nrs. Stirks made Jb7 to £ 9, and milking stock £ 17 to £ 22. There were no sheep on thf* market. LONDON CORN, FRIDAY.-Fair attendance at Mark-la no this afternoon, holders of wheat steady, but the demand rules quiet; flour main- tained, Iron Dukes 22s. 6d. store maize, firmer, 23s. 3d. paid; mixed American, ex ship Plate, 24s. 9d. landed; barley steady, Black Sea, 20s. 3J. quay;oats firm, fair trade, fully late rates; Ar- gentine shipments wheat 131,000, maize 108,000. quarters. CHESTER EGG AND POULTRY, SATUR- DAY.—Butter, Is. 2d. per lb. eggs, 6 and 7 for Is. chickens, 2s. to 2s. 6<:1. each; ducks, 3s. to 3s. 6d. each turkeys, lid. and Is. per lb. geese, i)d. and lOd. per lb. pheasants, 4s. 6d. to 5s. per brace; partridges, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per brace; hares, 3s. to 3s. I)d. each pigeons, 8d. and yd. each rabbits, Ud. and lOd. each. CHESTER CORN, SATURDAY.—With an indifferent demand for home grown wheat recent quotations are barely maintained, and de- liveries have been made to a fair extent. Oats and barley quiet, but holders of the former are firm at about late rates. Beans quiet, unchanged. Flollr unchanged. Feeding stuffs are in good demand, and with the exception of Indian corn prices favour sellers. Foreign wheat a fair business at recent full rates. saw OLD s. D. a. D. s. s. a. i>. Wheat, white per 751bi OOtoOOOOtoOO Wheat, red 761b. 43 — 4500 — 00 MAILing Barley. COtb. o 0 3 6 oj 0 — u U Grinding do. „ 641b. 0 0 u IJ 0 0 U f) Oats 461b.1 22 — 2600 — 00 Beans SOlb. 0 0 0 U 0 0 (I 0 Egyptian Beans „ 2401b. 0 U 0 0 II o — It (. ixiuian tjorri -.Uui R. o 0 0013 0 1., (i

A SEASONABLE QUESTION ANSWERED. —Those who intend to give present at Christmas time find it difficult to decide what the gift shall be. The time of the year frequently sug-gesta what would be a suitable and seasonable gift, for when it is cold articles t'hat keep out the chilling winds are desirable, and one's eoiamon- sense at onoe slIggests a. useful neck fur, a. muff, a. fur <oa.t-. a dainty fur set, or a fur-lined mantle, in fact anything in the fur line, so long a-j it is smart and fashionable, and reliable. Our advice is: Go where the variety is large, where the goods can be relied upon, and where the prices are sterling- honest value, and where those of limited means are as well suited as those who buy tho most expensive goods. The best pIaco is Messrs. W. Creamer and Co., the world-re- nowned furfie-rs and manufacturers, of 56, Bold- street, Liverpool, who arc exhibiting a wonderful collection of choice neckwear and muffs, vvhicfo must please everybody. There smart sets cait be purchased from two guineas to 200 guineas in all the furs that are fashionable. Also dainly coats from 5 guineas to 150 guineas. 1"881- Printed and published for and on behalf of the Cheshire and North Wales Newspaper Comnanv, Limited, Vv JAMES ALBERT BIRCHALL, at the Chettgr Coura fl Office. 8. Bridire-street, in the Citv of Ohtster.— WBDKMDAV. December 13,190.