Cheshire Observer

TRUMAN'S BOTTLED BEER (Eagle Brand) is sold at 2 0 per dozen pints, in screw stoppered bottles, hy H. MAETIN & Co., Fcregate-street.

THE ALDFORD FATALITY, j THE INQUEST. I An inquiry touching the death of Mr. Benjamin Roberts, of the Westminster Hotel, Chester, who, as reported in our last issue, met with a fatal cycling accident at Aid ford, was held on Saturday at noon, in the Board- room at tiie Chest-er General Infirmary, by Mr. E. jBrassey, city coroner, and a jury. The Chief Con- stable (Mr. o. H. Lay bo II me) was present. Dr. j a,rues George Taylor, Chester, stated thai just after Wednesday midnight he was sent for to Aldford, aud found the inj ured man in the Lodge He was totally unconscious, and there was a wound at the back of his head. This wound ex- tended about an inch and a half in a vertical diroction. and nearly the same transversely. Mr. Roberts removed to the Chester Infirmary by his (witne.-s-) instructions.. Witness saw him at tha Infirmary a few minutes after his arrival. The Coroner: We have it he was thrown off his cycle. Would that be likely to cause such a wound ?—Dr. J. G. Taylor: If he turned a com- plete somersault and came down on the baok of hia head, certainly. The Coroner at this stage called attention to the bicycle, which was present in the room. It was seen that the machine was of a racing model, with bent handle-bar. The top part of the bell, which was secured to the left side of the handle-bar, had been struck off, this part of the machine having evidently como in oontact. with the stone post. Reuben Roberts, junr.. the Nook. Hough Green, Chester, said deceased was his brother, and was ag-vl 27 years. Deceased was short- sighted. and wof& spectacles. His brother's spec- tacles had been Tost the last few day-, %nd he had not troubled about getting others, as he. thought he would be able to End the old ones. Deceased was a. good oyclist. Leonard Bromley, gardener, said he was at Aid- ford on Wednesday evening, and was returning to Eaton cI upon ten o'clock, when it was moonlight He was walking, and deceased passed liim on a bicycle at a point about 30 yards from wh,- r o the accident occurred. Witness was going towards the Lodge gate, which was open. When he got to the entrano- to the Park he noticed a man lying on the ground, and saw it was Mr. Roberts who was unconsoious. Witness did not 890 the accident. Deoeased was lying- about five yards inside the gate, and in the middle of the road. Mr. Robertg's fact were toward s the gate, whioh was hung on the right-hand side of the entrance, and his head was towards the Park. He was lying on his back, and his cap was on the ground about three feet away from the body on the left side. The Coroner: Did you see anyone near mm, or did anyone pass you going in the same direc- tion?—No. sir. Did you hear anyone shout?—No, sir. I heard the noise of the bicycle's striking the stone post. Witness further added that the bicycle was on the ground close by. He did not examine the bioycle, as he was too busy with the injured man. The lamp of the bicycle was extinguished. De- ceased did not say anything. The Foreman (through the Coroner] Is it likeiy that anyone could have struck him off hj bicycle? —No sir. There was no one about but the man on the bicycle. The Coroner: Have you any idea of the rate a-t which he was travelling?—Witness at first replied in the negative, and then said he thought deceased was riding at about twelve miles an hour. He would lose some of the speed in riding upf to the gate. Sergt.-Major Maurice Dye. residing at Aldford Lodgo, said he first knew of the accident when the former witness and: another knocked at his door, ft was just about ten o'clock. He saw Mr. Roberts lying about five yards. inside the gate, on his back. and with his feet towards the gat-a and his head towards Eaton. He would be iyfng quite in the middle of the road Deceased had been at a lecture in the Boys' School, Aid ford. The Coroner, in summing ti p, said he was sure they were all sorry for the bereaved family, for whom universal sympathy was expressed in the town. The matter seemed perfectly clear. The deceased had not his spectacles, and was riding a bicycle which was of a racing pattern, he un- derstood, and had no brake on it. How the acci- dent happened could be easity inferred from the damage to the bicycle. He must have taken the corner too closely, caught the bell against the stojvework and tumedl a somersault. He sug- gested. that their verdict would be that the de- ceased came by his death accidentally. He (the Coroner) had not deemed it necessary to ash any questions to the state he was in on leaving Ald- ford. Deceased was a very steady man and there was no occasion for supposing anything to the contrary on this night. The jury returned a verdict of ''Accidental death." and passed a vote of condolence with j Mr: Roberts, senr., and the family in their bereavement. THE FUNERAL. ine remains were interred a.t Chester Uemctc-y j o-.r Monday, when the large attendance of mourners testified to the respect in which deceased v. as held and the .sympathy which the terrible accident has aiou.-ed. The cortege left The Nook Hough Green, about two o'clock, and we„s escorted by close on 50 members of the Eaton Squadron of Yeomanrv (under SergL-Major Dye end Sergt. Major Lamb), who had attended to pay a las.6 tribifto of esteem to their comrade, to St. Maryv.- vithotit-ihe-WalLs, where the first part of the service was conducted. There was a large gather- ing in the church- The officiating clergy were the Rev. Canon Cooper Scott and the Rev. H. Grantham. The service was choral, the hyrr.r.3 used being- "Rock of Ages" and "Peace, pcrfsrt peace. Tho mournful procession left the church to the solemn strains of tho" Dead March." Among those present in the church and at the graveside were Mr. and Mrs. Roberts (father and mother), Miss Roberts (sister), Mr. Reuben Roberts, jun. (brother), Mr Edwards. Caerwys (uncle), Mrs. Richard Jones (aunt), Messrs. J. O. Jones and J. S. Jones (cousins), Mr. F. Stanley Tollifc, Mr. and Jrs. Wilson Williams, the Rev. Jonathan Evans, Alr. and Mrs. J. Richardifvi, Miss Rich a; ct-on, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Owen, Mrs. • Strong, Mr. and Mrs. Rigby, Mr and Mrs. J Kiernan (Liverpool), Miss Kiernan, Nllr;e Hirsohmann, Colonel T. J. Smith, Alderman John Jones (Boughton), Messrs.- Joshua Smith, John Owen, C. Greenhouse, J. T. Golder, G. F. Nichoils, J. E. Newman, F. Turner, S. Moss, M.P H. B. Diitton, H. F. Thomas. J. Simon. G. Day, J. W illiam.son, W. C. Thornhil!, F. Sharpe. G. Barlow, W. H. Denson. R. Denson, J. Gardner, W. H. Burleigh, E. Lbyd (Hoole-road) Frank Eoll&nd, Peel Yates. J. Delanv, R. Watkins, W. B. Davis, D. Pugh, E. H. Pickard, W. Roaaldson. j McLeilan (Rhyl), J. Kendrick, T. Davies Jones, G. Roberts (The Shrublands), T. M. Parker and A. H. Motley (Whitchurch). W. G. Nixon, J. Cauim. the staff from the hotel, the .servants from The Nook, and many others. The floral tribni.es were very numerous, and were sent by the follow iug:—"In sweet and loving memory of au" <.hrling, from Father and Mother," Brotherly love, from 'Will,' California. U.S.A. "With many loving thoughts and sad regrets, dear brother Ben, Edith and Rube." "With sincer^st sympathy, Lom his firac, the Duke of Westminster," Sergt.-Major and Mrs. Dyo, deepes sympathy," "A few Comrades of the Eaton Squadron, deepest sympathy," Colonel Radley Hobbs. C.M.G.. deepesr sympathy, Captain and Mrs. M. C. P. Ward, "In fond and j loving memory of Bennie bach.' from Auntie Annie, Uncle JoM>, Uncle Charlie and Cousin Jack," "Affectionate remembrance of Ben, from I Whitchurch cousins," With deep sorrow and everlasting regret, from F. Stanley Tollit," My last token of my deepest devotion and love to T- 'k W: darling Ben, from Amy Hirschmann," With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs John Hughes, The Manor Hampton-on-Thames," Mr. and Mrs. William Spibey, From ail at The Nest, Pulford," Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Richardson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Williams, Mr. a -id Mrs. George Linncll, "With sincerest regrets P-id deepest sympathy, from E. H. Pickard, W. Ronaldson, D. Pugh and T. Stark," "From Will, Helen and Maud." Mr. and Mrs W. F. Barling, T. J. and F. G. Nichoils. Mr Walter Conway, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards (Caerwys), Mrs. George Munro &nd family (Bolton), Mr and Mrs. F,-cci Tolli (London), Mr. and Mrs. R. Fearnall (The Tonh (London). Mr. and Mrs. R. FearnaH (The Lea), ''Wi]l and Elsie," Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick, Mr. and M"s. Frank Turner. A few friends at Rowtcn," Mr. and Mrs. John Simon. Captain Parker (Whitchurch), Mr. A. H. Manley (Whit- I church), Mr. C. Freeman. Mr. and Mrs. F. J. I Jones. Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Green (Wrexham). Miss G. Bird. E. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Bass. Mr. and i Mrs. Howell Jones. Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Davis, Mrs. Richardson (Poulion). Mr. and Mrs. Ceor.cre j Day, Miss Maggie M. Jones (Westminster iioto:). Mr. and Mrs. Corlett. Mr. and Irs. Edgar Dutton, MM. Jones. Mr. and Mrs. James Kiernan (Liver- pool), Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilkinson, "Alice and Nellie," S. A. Gunner, A. Baker, F. Ainslow and Mary Kearns Jack, Tom and Frank," Eve- remembered by the staff of the Westminster Hotel." Mr.. Mrs. and Miss Reddish, Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh (Queen Hotel). Mr. Ernest Sharpe and Mr. Byers (Washington Hotel). Mr. and Mrs. Watkins'GoldenLionTTotel). Mr. and Mrs. Hallinan, An unknown sympathiser," A token of respect and sympathy, from the Chester Corporation Tram-vay employes," "With deepest sympathy, fthe Cheater Tramways Company." etc. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Messrs. Brown and Co.

16-S-30—& ONE. I Strange hooding, isn't it? Mrs. Dixon, of Crost wight, East Norfolk, knows what a lot it; means. She tried sixteen various 'remedies' for indigestion and biliousness in vain, and had eight doctors, And suffered for thirty yeais. Her hus- band couldn't smoke hi:, pine in the house because the smoke brought on her biliousness. Then sh,) tried one more remedy—Chas. Forde's bile beans, aDd was cured. only a little village. Mrs. Dixon has lived there thirty-seven years, so her case h;:s naturally aroused considerable interest. Reader, if you are bilious or have spells of di, gestive disorder, or heada.cha. if you can't eat much, and when you do eat your food repeats, with a. nasty acid taste, just remember this—Mrs. Dixon suffered all that you are suffering for thirty years. To-day she's cured. You've tried so many things? That's just what shE" said! HFtve you tried Chas. Forde's bile baam? She hadn't at one time, and suffered. She has now, and is well. Do you think her case is widely different from vour own? Bile Beans differ from all other j>:operations in one important particular—they don't merely relieve, they c-iire! Ali chemists ptock them at one and ttireg-lialf-peiie- or two a'd nine p?r box (famijy size). Don't take sub- i ,-1 n(? p,-r Lox k'? Fan-i.;Jy s:ze,?. Do-,l,, take s,i b stitutes.

THE DUKE & SOUTH AFRICA. I THE NEW ESTATE. I RETURN HOME. j On Saturday morning his Grace the Duke of l Westminster, acompaniftd by Colonel Wilford LLcyd, arived in the Kinfauns Castle at South- ampton from South Africa. His Grace was met by the Duchess, and proooeded to Grosvenor House, London, arriving at Eaton on Sunday. I. The Duke left Capetown on November 18th, and had a pleasant voyage, experiencing smooth seas almost the whole way. The mission which took his Grace baok to South Africa is now pretty well known to Cheshire readers. He has acquired am estate in the Orange River Colony extending to 16,000 sores, whereon he intends to aettle a considerable number of English farmers. This property lies midway between Ttiaba 'Nahu and Ladybrand, and thither the Duke and Colonel LLoyd pro- oeeded on landing in South Africa. The pros- pects of the men who undertake the tenancy of the various farms will be enoouraging, for the soil is capable of producing all kinds of cereals, in ad- dition to tobaeoo. Colonel J. J. Byron, G.M.G., who represented the Australian troops on the staff of Lord Roberts in the late war, has been appointed agent to the estate. His Grace was engaged for the most part, during his stay in this quarter, with the all-important subject of irriga- tion, with the selection of the sites for the farm- housee which are to be erected on the property, and with the approval cf the plans of the houses themselves. His Grace also arranged for tree planting on a somewhat extensive scale. As soon aa a certain number of farm-houses are ready, it is proposed to send out English farmers to occupy them.

DEATH OF THE VICAR OF I BACKFORD. We very much regret to learn that the Rev. Richard John Fairclough, M.A, vicar of St. Oswald's, Backford, died on Tuesday. Deceased had been away from home on account of indifferent bealth, and the immediate cause of his death was a heart affection. Mr. Fairclough had held the living of Backford since 1877. He had been assistant inspector of schools for the diocese since 1878. and org-anising secretary to the S.P.C.K. since 1890. On the death of the Rev. W. Buckler he became Diocesan Inspector of Schools. The actual nett value of the living of Backford is £ 220, and the Bishop is the patron. Our Backford correspondent writes:—Mr. Fairclough had been ailing, and had returned on the Friday from Devonshire, where he had been for a month for the purpose of recruiting his health. He ex- pressed himself as feeling better, and took the services at the church on Sunday. On Monday he visited the Mollington and Backford Schools, of which he was the official correspondent, and was the last to retire at tho Vicarage that night. On Tuesday morning he was discovered prostrate on his bedroom floor, and Dr. Duff, hastily sum- moned from Chester, pronounced Hfe extinct; heart failure the probable cause. Mr. Fairclough was unmarried, but residing with him and render- ing invaluable help in parish work were his two sisters, the Misses M. and J. Fairclough. Deceased's career was as follows:—Scholar of Christ's College, Cambridge; ordained deacon, 1862; ordained priest by the Bishop of Carlisle, 1863: curate of Aspatria Church, Cumberland, 1862-65; curate of St. Nicholas's, Liverpool, 1365-77: presented to the vicarage of Backford, 1877. In Backford parish Mr. Fairclough's name will be associated with the restoration of the church, 1879, the enlargement of Backford School, and the building of a new school at Mollington. He had also been chairman of the Rackford parish meeting since the passing of the Parish Council Act, and was a member of the recently-formed sub-committee for the Chester Union under the County Education Authority. The interment took place yesterday (Friday) afternoon at I Backford.

ARMY AND VOLUNTEERS. I I I THE ROYAL WELCH.—Friday's "Gazette" I j contained the following notification :—1st V.B. the Royal Welch Fusiliers: Captain O S. Flower, the I Royal Welch Fusiliers, to be adjutant, vice Captain R. B. Barker, whose tenure has expired. I PRESENTATION TO A STAFF-SERGT.- I MAJ OR.—The Garrison. staff mess room was I crowded on Saturday evening by a host of the friends of Sta-if-,Ser,-t.-Maj or W. Bullock, Army Service Corps, assembled for the purpose of bid- ding him faroweli on his departure fiom Ciiester to Aldershot. A smoker waa held in his honour, end during the proceedings Staff-Sergt.-Major Pea- cock, on behalf of Staff-Sergt.-Major Bullock's colleaguw and other friends, presented him with a silver-mounted pipe with amber mouthpiece, and a tobacco pouch decorated with a. ?ilver shield, as a mark of their appreciation of his many valuable ) | qualities and the esteem in which ho is regarded by them. Staff-Sergt.-Major BuUock, employed as chief clerk in the Headquarter Offices, North- Western District, Watergate House, for the past j three years, joined his new station at Aldershot on December 1st, but is now on six; weeks' ab- 1 seno. ) VOLUNTEER SMOKING CONCERT.-Tlie ( second of a series of monthly smoking concerts in connection with the 2nd (Earl of Chester's) V.B. Cheshire Regiment was given in the Town Hzill (by kind permission of the Mayor) on Saturday night, when there was an attendance of upwards of 200 Volunteers, including Colonel T. J. Smith, V.D. J (the commanding officer). Captains Clarke (North- wich), Linaker (Runcorn), and several officers from the city and outlying con.panies. The first concert was held at the Drill Hall, but it was found to be rather cold and unsuitable, and the change was an t improvement. An enthusiastic audience had j assembled, and almost every item was encored. A good start was made with the overture La Couronne D'Or" by Mr. H. Crane's orchestra, who later on also gave" Caliph do Bagdad," each with capital effect. The cornet solos of Mr. T. Ross, "The Lost Chord" and The Better Land," also appealed to popular tastes, and he had quite an ovation. Mr. Myatt sang with great acceptance The Merry Monk" and Star of the Desert," while Mr. Robinson found an appropriate song in "The Young Soldier Boy," and again in "Goto! Sea," referring to another branch of the service. ( For encores he responded with When bright eyes, glance" and "The Veteran's Song," in the chorus j of which the Volunteers joined lustily. The comic II element was sustained by Mr. L. Bailey, who took the place of Mr Loui Parry, and brought down the house with his humorous recitals and Mr J. F. Bunce, who makes up excellently. The accom- panimenta were played by Mr. R. Thomas. 1ST CHES. AND CARN. R.G.A. (VOLS.).— Regimental orders by Lieut.-Col. and lion Co!. I Wilford N. LLoyd, commanding 1st Cnes. and Carn. R.G.A. (Vols.), for week ending Saturday. 19th December, 1903. Chester, Wednesday, 9th December, 1903. 1. Command: Colonel Wilford N. LLoyd, commandant, having returned off leave j of absence, will resume command from this dite. j 2. Result of fuze-setting competition, 1st and 3rd HoL,vy Batten,es--Ist H.B. Corporal J. F. Powell 1st, time lmin. 13seo., points 10; Corpl. O. Cioss 10; Corpl. W. Tap.or 3rd, lmin. 16sec., 10. 3rd H.B. Corpl. W. J. Hib- bert 1st, lmin. 7sec., 10; Gunner J. J. Evans 2nd. lmin. 8sec., 10; Corpl. F. J. Boulton 3rd, lmiu. 9800. 10. Result of competitive practice a.t Aber on 17th October. 1903; 1st, Llandudno Detach- ment, .0723 2nd. No. 6 Company, .0618; 3rd, No. 7 Company, .0039; 4th, No. 8 Company, .0026.-By order, (signed) F. F. Lambirde, Cap- tain R.G.A., Adjutant 1st C. and C. R. (7A. (Vol".). CHESHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY BRIGADE BEARER COMPANY. Head- quarters, Chester. Orders by Brigade-Surgeon Lieut.-Colonel H. W. King, M.D., commanding, for week ending December 19th, 1903. 1. Parade on Monday and Wednesday at St. Michael's Hall at 7.30 p.m. for lecture. The instructor will give a course of instruction from 7.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m., followed by half an hour of practical work. 2. Parade on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m for drill in Drill Hall. Dress, drill order. 3. Orderly N.C. officer for the week, Sergeant Pritehaid.—(Signed) H. for the week, Sergeant Pritch.ird. —(Signed) H. W. KING, Brigade-Surgeon, Lieut.-Colonel, officer eommanding C. V. I. B. B. C.

I AUCTION SALES. j I FARM STOCK SALE. Messrs. Pickering and Nightingale, favoured with instructions from Mr. Dean, of Thornton-Ie- Moors, conducted on Wednesday a highly success- ful agricultural and furniture sale at the Church Farm. Thornton-le-Moors. The stock and imple- ments were in exoellent condition, and competi- tion for the large number of lots, namely, over 300, was most spirited. Dairy cattle met a some- what awkward market, as they were for the major part late calvers. The implements were the first lots to go under the auctioneer's jurisdiction, ladders making up to 21s., ploughs to 37s., har- rows to 348., carts, milk floats to £ 9. Dairy vessels and harness met a rapid clearance at top value. Cart horses reached 21 gs., and foals 16gs. and 14gs. Calving and barren cows made chiefly the following figures: £ 19 2s. 6d, jE:17 12s. 6d., £ 17, F,16 12s. 6d., B15 17s. 6d A pair of heifers made JE17. and three in-calf heifeis £ 27. A small portion of the household furniture was offered. A smail oak bureau made JE5, an oak settle one guinea, a small marble timepiece 30s., a corner cupboard JB1 Os. 6d., an inlaid oak grandfather clock £ 5 5s., a mahogany chest of drawers E3 2s. 6d., and an inlaid mahogany eight-day clock was, after spirited bidding, sold for J312 2s. 6d.

THE RIVAL AMERICAN MAIL SERVICES. j The Cunard steamer Lucania left the dock at New York at 11 a.m. on Saturday, the 28th November, and arrived at Queenstown at 12.30 on Friday. Her London mails ware transferred to the after- noon mail train from Queenstown, and icacbod London at six o'clock on Saturday morning. They were delivered at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, in sufficient time to enable replies to be despatched by the Cunard steamer Umbria. which left Liver pool the same day. The American line steamer St. Paul. with the bulk of the American mails on board. left the dock at 9.30 a.m. on the same day as the Lucania. passing Scillv at 12.30 p.m. jr. Saturday, and would in the ordinary course hare reached Southampton on Saturday night—too late for replies to her mails to be despatched by the Umbria. There was a heavy fog in the Channel, and. n fact, the St. Paul did not land he" mails until six o'clock on Sunday morning.

I DEATH OF BISHOP SANDFORD. I We regret to hear that the Bishop of Gibraltar has died at his residence at Cannes. The Right Rev. Oha.rles Waldegrave Sandford, Bishop of Gibraltar, was the seoond son of the late Arch- deacon Sandford, and a grandson of Dr. Sand- ford, a former Bishop of Edinburgh. He was also cousin to the late Lord Sandford, so well known at the Education Office. Dr. Sanafcrd was born at Snowsgreen, Medomsley, Durham, in 1828, and was educated at Rugby and Chris; Church, Oxford, where he had a distinguished career, first as student and afterwards as tutor, oensor, and public examiner. He graduated B.A. with a first class in the final classical school in iemi ""H M.A- in 1853. In 1855 Mr. Sandford was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Oxford, a.nd priest in the following year, but undertook no parochial duty until 1870, when he was appointed reotor of Bishopsbourne, in Kent. The memories of those days were revived in the name of his residence at Cannes. From 1855 to 1870 Mr. Sandford was tutor of Christ- Church, and from 1860 to 1870 he was senior censor, while he served as proctor in 1859-60, and was select preacher in 1868-69. Archbishop Tait had a very high regard for Mr. Sandford. who acted as hi3 chaplain from 1864 to 1868, while Dr. Tait was Bishop of London, and on the translation of tha.t prelate to Canterbury, became his examining chaplain and commissary. From 1862 to 1864 Mr. Sandford was a Whitehall prachor, and in 1871 was appointed honorary canon of Canter- bury. On the resignation of Dr. Harris, Bish-op of Gibraltar, in 1873, Canon Sandford was nomi- nated to that see by the then Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the University of Oxford granted him the degree of D.D. by diploma. Dr. Sandford was consecrated in 1874 br Archbishop Tait and other bishops in Christ Church Cathe- dral, an unusual distinction to which his long I connection with "The House" entitled him. I

| NANTWICH GUARDIANS. DRINK AND PAUPERISM. A meohiis" ot this Board was held at-.Nantwlch, on Saturday, Mr. W. J. Dutton occupying the chair.—The Vice-chairman drew attention to the case of a Crewe woman, the wife of a soldier who wa3 serving with his regiment in Nova Scotia This woman had persistently neglected her chii- dren, and had boon convicted by the magistrates. The children were being maintained in the work- house at the expense of the ratepayers, while the woman remained at Cre-w, spending in drink the allowance of her husband's pay, which was Sent to her by tho Vvar Office. The military autho- rities had been written to, but up to the present the guardians had not received .any coaimimica- tion with respect to the maintenance of the chil- dren in the house.— The Vice-chairman proposed, and Mr. J. Sadler seconded, that instructions be given to the clerk to write again to the War Office.-The resolution was carried. The Clerk read a letter from the Ilaslingden Ur nion calling attention to the pauperising results of the drinking habits of poor people, and asking the Board to pass a resolution calling upon the local licensing justices to exercise to the utmost the powers i they possessed when considering the needs of particular neighbourhoods. They fur- ther asked the Board's support to a resolution in- viting the Legislature to pass more drastic legis- lation with the object of diminishing or putting down drinking in clubs—Mr. B. S. Bostock thought the guardians would agree that intem- perance was the cause of a vast amount of pauper- ism. and they would not be doing their dutv to the ratepayers it they d:d not support the resolution. Ho moved that the Board should do sa -Mr. J. H. Manley sc-cond,-d.-Tho Chairman said he was bound to point out that the com- munication urged that the licensing justices in tho union should carefully consider the necessities of each district Was it not a fact that the licensing justices in the Nantwkh Union had already oarefully considered the needs of that particular neighbourhood ?—Mr. W. Emberton moved that no .action be taken. The resolution, he said, invited the Board to tread upon danger- ous ground. He thought that a board of guardians should not concern itself with politics.—Mr. J. Furber seconded. He said a Bill had recently been passed the object of which was to pui down bogus clubs. As to tho other portion of the oom- munication, h > was of the opinion that the mugis- trates in the Nantwich district understood their duties without that Board telling theT--i.-TIl-) Vice- chairman supported the amendment. He said that by supporting the resolution of the Hasling- den Union it might appear that tho Board were of the opinion that the magistrates in the Nant- wich district had not hitherto done their duty.— Mr. J. Sadler, in supporting the resolution, said it was the duty of boards of guardians to do all they could to prevent the children of dmnlfAn parents being pauperised. It had been suggested that the resolution reflected upon the magistrates of that district, but when they considered the in- lfuence that had been brought to boar upon the magistrates from high quarters in an entirely opposite direction, it was necessary that boards of guardians should take action when the object was such a commendable one. (Hear, ho-ir.) He felt that the magistrates of that district and other d;stricts should be given all the moral support that the public could give them to encourage them to do their duty "to the utmost of their power. The Chairman remarked that although he sym- pathised with the views of Mr. Bostock and other guardians, he could not support the resolution in the form in which it was drafted The resolu- tion contained an implication which was not justi- fied in that district—that the magistrates had not done their duty.—Mr. Bostock Where is the im- plication?—The Chairman replied that it wis con- tained in that part of the resolution which urged the magistrates to cons;der carefully the necessities of each neighbourhood and to exercise their utmost powers.—Mr. Bostock said he failed to see any implication.—The Board then divided, and 19 voted for the resolution and a similar number for the amendment.—The Chairman gave his casting vote for the amendment, which was accordingly carried.—The Vice-chairman gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that in Christmas week the adult recipients of out-relief be granted -in additional shilling and the children sixpence each.—Mr. Wilmot Eardlry wrote to the effect that at the next meeting he would move that tho usual supply of beer be allowed the adult inmates at Christmas.

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SEASONABLE NOTES. I There is little of change to report in farming affairs from week to week just now, except as to the weather, which has been changeable as ever. November went out and December was ushered in by a snap of keen frost, which, after a stay of three or four days, vanished as with a breath, giving place to a return of showery intervak and a dry and tine day in between. On the whole the weather may be considered seasonable, and the best use has been made of the opportunities afforded on the arable soils. The heavy inter- mittent rains have considerably marred the pro- gress of cultivation in many places where the soil was already overcharged and had no capacity left for absorption, as was plainly to be seen from the accumulations in the hollows both on arable and pasture lands. In spite of the large quanti- ties of rain we have had during the late summer,. scientists tell us that the water "underground" remains abnormally low. The severe nature of the recent wintry visita- tion may be gathered from the fact that snow fell to the depth of two feet in South-east Durham. Owing to tne frost and snowfall outdoor work had to be suspended in the shipyards on the Tees. Sixteen degrees of frost were registered at Langholm, south of Scotland, where, it was added, the harvest was not yet all in, though six weeks later than during the past forty years. This, surely, must be as near an approach as possible to the state of things that our grandparents used to speak of, when the stooks of corn stood out at Christmas time covered with snow. In North Wales snow fell heavily, especially in the Snowdon district, which was described as wearing a beautiful appearance in the succeeding sunshine. There is still a fair bite left on the pastures, which, if the weather keeps open for any length of time, will go far towards saving the winter keep, as the prospects for the coming spring are none too healthy in this direction, on account of the failure of catch cropping, and there are no late sown turnips for the ewes and lambs. A good deal of inferior hay will be brought into use, and will come in handy for home con- sumption. It has been detrimental that the sheep should have been largely unable to be placed on arable soils on account of the water standing en them. àli a special meeting of members ol the Lieioester- shire Chamber of Agriculture, to consider Mr. Chamberlain's fiscal proposals, Mr. Hicks, who introduced the subject, declared that Mr. Balfour's policy of retaliation merely was no good to agri- culturists, thousands of whom are to-day face to face with bankruptcy, as a result of depression. The discussion was adjourned. A fire at tho Midland Dairy Institute, Kingston- on-Soar, midway between Nottingham and Derby, has entirely destroyed the large amount of valuable machinery it contained, together with about twenty tons of cheese. The institute, which is the centre of instruction for a largo number of students, is supported by the County Councils of Notts, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. The students, who turned out in their night clothes, were powerless to do anything towards arresting the progress of the flames. At the Inverness fat stock show, Mr. J. Douglas Fletcher won the championship with a cross-bred bullock, which at 2 years 7 months and 20 days oJd weighed within 141b. of 19cwt. The same animal championed the Edinburgh show only three days previously. It is on record that a farm of eighty-one acres, near Bishop's Stortford, Essex, fetched £ 10,465 at public auction, or at the rate of J3129 per acre. In this connection it is also stated that the farm ii let for the next two years at E160 per annum. The accounts for the current year of the Bath and West and Southern Counties Society have not yet been finally made up, but it is estimated that the profit on the late show at Bristol will not be less than LA 000. Notwithstanding unfavourable weather on two of the show days, 108,888 visitors paid £ 7 859 for admission at tho gates. This is stated to be by far the largest attendance at any agricultural show in the kingdom during tne present year. At the previous visit to Bristol, In 1886, 100.579 persons paid for admission. THE SMITHFIELD CLUB AND EXHIBITS. At the annual meeting of the members ot tne Smithfield Club, held at the Royal Agricultural Hall on -4lie 8th inst., Col. Sir Nigel Kingscote, the new president, in the ohair, the resolution adopted by the Council at the November meet- ing, to the effect that no animal should be al- lowed to be exhibited a second time at the Club's show was withdrawn. The announcement gave general satisfaction. On the proposition of Sir Walter Gilbey, seconded by Lord Coventry,Prince Christian was elected president of the olub for 1904, and Lord Tredegar was chosen, president- elect. THE WHEAT CROP IN ARGENTINA. w ,1 1_- 1">0. It can scarcely be expected that tne eany trea- sonable estimates of crops in any country can ba more than apprcximate. We are therefore not surprised that rectification has to be made in re- gard to some items of the Argentina wheait har- vest. A "Corn Trade News" cable mes.s-age states that the wheat area has been officially esti- mated at 10,400,000 acres, against 9,100,000 last year, the official estimate for whioh, however, was 8,901,830 acres, and the unofficial highest 11,700,000 acres. In respect to the yield, too, a considerable discount has to be madle. It is seated that the crop may possibly reach 18,000,000 quarters, and the surplus to 14,000,000 quarters. But some experts regard the estimate as fabulous, and if it wore correct the surplus could not pos- sibly be more ihaa about 13,250,000 quarters. MIGRATORY IRISH LABOURERS. ,A I The introduction and gradual but certain de- velopment of agricultural machinery have had nob a httle to do towards displacing Irish agriculturai labourers, whose aid in gathering in both the hay and corn harvests on this side of St. George's Channel in days gone by was such an appreciable, item. Mr. W. P. Coyne in his report to the Irish Department of Agriculture, says the migra- tion of Irish labourers to Great Britain had pro- bably been going on for a ooupLe of centuries, and as emphasising this he quotes some remarks by Bishop Berkeley, published in 1735, expross- ing dissatisfaction with the movement as tending to keep Ireland insufficiently cultivated. But the Irish labourers of those days, especially those of ?iteady, Lrdu?gtr.4ous dispü"itions, knew what of stea d y, industrious dispc?itiona, ''gol d en har- t?ey were about, and used to reap a "golden har- vedv" in more senses than one; and for the most part went baok t-o their country enriched with money whioh went a long way towards adding to their oomfort, if it did not absolutely maintain them-as some asserted—through the winter months. But the case is much altered now. In 1841, the first year in which the number of mi- grants was systematically taken, the total was 57,651, or 7 per oent. of the Irish population. In 1903 the number was 17,566, or 3.9 per sent. Both the supply and demand for them have been greatly and steadily diminishing. Tho popula- tion) -of Ireland is not very much more than half what it was in 1841-4,458,775, against 8,196,597— and, while there are fewer men to migrate, the movement has found vent in another direction viz., in emigration, very much to the advantage of i-h-3 men than:s»lvea and their families. "BACK TO THE LAND." At the annual meeting of the Allotments and Small Holdings Association, held at Birmingham, Sir Walter Foster, M.P., the president, said that tho report disclosed very satisfactory results as regarded tho main object of the Association in helping the labourer to obtain a foothold on tho soil. The Local Government Act of 1394 had proved a great success, 45,000 labourers having ob- tained allotments under it, and during the last three years an average of 1,000 acres a year had been added, making a total of 18,759 acres. The associa- tion had never expected much from the Small Holdings Act of the Unionist Government, and the result of 483 acres, with 171 occupiers, in ten years shewed that it was really an abortivo measure. The last census had shewn that in the southern division of the Holland part of Lincoln- shire rural depopulation had been practically checked, and here it was that the greatest progress had been made in creating small holdings. It was therefore obvious that the only effectual means for the prevention of rural depopulation was to give the labourers access to the land-not to bring back the bad old days of Protection.—Sir Walter Foster and Sir John Brunner were re-elected president and treasurer respectively. OUR MEAT SUPPLY. -1 ine stocit markets vary considerably wIth the weather, especially at this time of year. and from day to day. Dull, muggy weather brings de- pression, but, given a touch of frost, business re- sponds as to briskness. This has been the case very much with the London markets recently. But a considerable factor to be reckoned with is the very large importation of beef and mutton both dead and alive. In the first ten months of this year there have been landed in this country from abroad 432,775 cattle, against 349,081, and 272,459 sheep, against 237,614 in the corresponding period of 1902, while the total arrivals of dead meat have amounted to 14,611.316cwt., compared with 14,442.219cwt. in 1902. Canada seems to be mainly responsible for the large increase in the shipments of cattle, and Argentina also records a substantial growth of trade. In the face of these figures the meat markets, and especially those for cattle and beef, are bound to be prejudicially affected.

SHREWSBURY STORE STOCK SALE.- I The last of these important sales for the present year took place on Friday, when Messrs. Preece, Everall and Waddington offered upwards of 1,300 cattle of various breeds and classes. The majority were of high quality and breeding, and buyers ap- peared satisfied both with the number and quality, which, considering the lateness of the season, were better than had been anticipated. The Marquis of Sligo as usual showed a nice lot of 80 black POILS, his bullocks nuking jEll 12s. Gd. to £ 13 (30s. to 32" aewt.), and heifers £10 12s. 6d. to £ 11 158 (30s. to 32s. 6d.) Alr. Rd Gibbons sold 80 nice black polls and shorthorns, the former at 20s 6d. per cwt., the latter 283 Gd. Mr. McMahon sold shorthorn bullocks at E12 2s. Gd. to £ 14 10s., shorthorn heifers at £ 12, Angus bullocks Ell, Angus heifers £ 12 '2ot. 3d. to 32s.) The sale rin throughout the daV was well attended by buyers from v?riou? parts of the I' Country, and there was spirited bidding for all the lots. The sale was a very satisfactory winding-up of the year.

THE ltOYAL SOCIETY. I A NEW HORSE DISEASE. I Lord Derby presided over a. meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society an Wednesday, at which the balance-sheet for the meeting this "year was presented. The total expenditure was £ 28,301, and the receipts only £ 18 620. In view of the altered conditions which will now come into existence by the formation of Park Royal, Ltd the Finanoe Committee suggested the appoint ment of a sub-committee, to consist of the Earl of Derby, Earl Cawdor, Sir Nigel Kingscote, Mr Ashworth, Mr. Sanday, and Mr. Wheeler, to COil- sider and report to the council what alterations should be made in the organisation and duties 0; the staff at the London headquarters and at the showyard. and whether -any economies in the general administration of the affairs of the society could be effected and in what way its revenue might be increased. The Veterinary Committee presented a report by Professor McFadyean, drawing attention to a serious disease affecting horses, known as "epizootio lymphangitis," which appeared to have been int ixxluced into this country by the return o.( diseased horses from South Africa after the close of the war. Professor MeFadyean explained that this disease had been known for a long time in "India anti some Eastern countries, and until oomparatively recently had not been distinguished from farcy and glanders. It was certainly difficult from mere examination to distinguish between "epizootic lymphangitis" and farcy, but when sus- picions had been awakened and the observer was provided with a microscope it could be dis- tinguished. It could also be distinguished by testing the animal with Mullein.

CHESHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRI-I CULTURE  e [BY OUR OWN REPORTER. J "I A general mooting of tms Uhamber was neia at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, on Monday afternoon. Colonel Cocton-Jodrell, C.B. (chair-I man), presided, and the attendance included Mr. Henry Toliemache, M.P. ANTHRAX AND COMPENSATION. "I I-. Mr. Rowe Morris (Chester) had given notice oi a motion advocating compensation for all animals slaughtered because of anthrax. Having asked and received permission to change the wording of his motion, he submitted the following:—"That this Chamber is of opinion that the powers of local authorities in dealing with outbreaks of anthrax need extending so as to enable them to 'slaughter animals affected with anthrax, or sus- pected of being so affected, or having been exposed to the infectton of anthrax, when in the opinion of the local authority such slaughter is necessary or expedient to prevent the spread of the disease; and that compensation out of the local funds be paid for all animals so slaughtered." Mr. Morris said his object was first of all to help farmers, including himself, who had their cattle attacked with the dreadful scourge He almost thought he had one of the worst cases ever known. In tho interests of farmers and the public at large the owners of the boasts which were slaughtered should be compensated for the loss. If an out- break of anthrax occurred on a farixi the police stepped in and took control of the cattle, and practically the farm. Of course the police would not allow anything to be moved off the farm, and he (Mr. Rowe Morris) thought it was quite right. The circumstances of the outbreak on his farm were rather peculiar. The first beast that was taken was alive at the present day, and others which were taken wer3 alive, whereas others which seemed in the morning all right were found dead before noon. Some lingered on a week or nine days before they died. To the police, from Colonel Hamersley downwards, he must accord every praise. They had helped in every possible way, and had been no more stringent in their orders than was necessary to stop the spread of the disease. (Hear, hear.) Undor the law as it stood to-day it did not pay anyone to be honest over that matter. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) In most cases a farmer did not know it was anthrax, and often put it down to "strike." When a farmer did not recognise that the disease was i anthrax he would often havo the carcapo removed or let it be flayed on his premises, and the offal might be boiled for pigs. Therein lay great danger, and in his (Mr. Rowe Morris's) opinion a farmer should not allow a dead beast to be re- moved from his premises until a veterinary sur- geon's certificate was obtained showing what it had died of. Mr. George Cooke (Clayley Hall) seconded, and said the County Council had had very great diffi- culty in dealing with the disease, and were not at all satisfied with the powers they had. If the law was altered as suggested they would be able at once to prevent the spread of the disease, and with less loss to the farmer.. Mr. Emberton (Nantwich) thought the words or having been exposed to the infection" would simply enabl e the local authority to exterminate a man's tcek. Mr. T. Baxter remark that as the local authority would have to pay for them it would be unneces- sary to eliminato the words, as they would be careful not to destroy any animals other than those from which there might be danger. Mr. Emborton agreed that it would bo a good check Mr. Laithwood (Congleton), county veterinary inspector, asked if the motion included animals found dead or only those slaughtered. The slaughtering of affected animals was for tho public rzood. and therefore the miblic ought to pay for it. MR TOLLEMACHE'S SYMPATHY. Mr. Henry Tollemache, M.P., said he did not think there was much chance of getting compensa- tion for animals found dead. They could scarcely say that that anima! died for the public good. and I they oould not say it had been killed for the pub- Ilia good. (Laughter.) He thoroughly agreed with Mr. Rowe Morris's motion that the local autho- rity ought to have extended powers, for giving compensation especially. It mis in the Anthrax Order, 1895. and it seemed to him a great mis- fortune that the Order was withdrawn and modi- fied. He fancied the idea of the agricultural authorities then was that animals affected with anthrax were sure to die and die rapidly. and therefore there was not so much necessity for killing them as there would be for animals that might re-cover It was most disastrous thing. One wanted to enlist the support of every farmer in the country, so that the moment his animal was shewing any suspicious signs he would at once, in his own interests and in the interests of the community, give notice to tho authorities. (Hear, hear.) It seemed to him a great, many farmers might be tempted to say, "After all, I don't know it is anthrax. It may be some other thing, and if I am not going to get compensation why should I give notice to the authorities?" and then might be disposed to risk what might be a. most disls- trous outbreak. They ought to revert to tho Order of 1895 and lay it down that where animals 1 were affected the local authority should be em- powered to give fair compensation to the owner. He hoped tho Chamber, if they passed Mr. Rowe I Morris's motion, would send a copy to Lord Ons- low. Ho (Mr. Toliemache) would be very pleased i to forward it. or write to Lord Onslow, drawing j his attention personally to the matter. It ought to be done in the interests of the farmer and the community. (Hear, hear.) Tho Secretary explained that the "locul autho- ritv" would be the County Counc il. Mr. Baxter understood that the. proposition was that compensation should be given for all animals destroyed after the police had taken possession. Mr. Linaker: One would not mind so much losing the first cow. It is tho subsequent loss for which oonroensation is sought. Mr. Millington thought it would be an en- couragement to farmers to help the loca l autho- rities if compensation were pa;d for even beasts that died though not slaughtered Mr Rowe Morris, in reply to a question, said I sixteon of his cattle were affecte d, three died, and thirteen were isolated. Eight died besides. TIH" motion with the addition ot tho words "or dying after notification to the local autho- rity," was carried, and it was dccided to send a copy to Lord Onslow (President of the Board of Ag-riculture) and the Central Chamber of Agri- culture. Mr. W. J. Dutton. with a view to tracing the probable cause of the outbreak on Mr. Rowe Morris's farm, asked the latter if he had been using any feeding stuffs manufactured abroad, and if so what. Mr. Rowe Morris said he had not had a ton of cake on the farm for three months; he was only using Indian mpal, bran and thirds. Mr. Rowe Morris was further asked if he had had any manure sent to him. and he replied in the negative, stating that the cattle were on a grazing field which had not been boned for twelve months. He had not the slightest knowledge j where the disease came from. Replying to another question, ho said there was a stream running through one part of the land where the cattle went at night. Tho Chnirman called attention to a leaflet on anthrax, issued by the Board of Agriculture. He had sent copies to his tenants, and thought other landlords might do so, as a wide circulation was desirable. I CERTIFYING ENTIRE HORSES. I Tho Chamber next discussed the following motion down for discussion at the next meeting of the Central Chamber: "That all entire horses hired for service should be ^licensed and p-.ssed as sound by a qualified veterinary surgeon." Mr. Byrd (Spurstow Hall) wrote suggesting that the motion should read "hereditarily sound." Mr. Laithwood (Congleton) agreed with Mr, Bird's suggestion, and moved the resolution with the word "hereditarily" added. There must b, he said, objections and difficulties, but there were none which could not be easily overcome. It had been carried out in other countries with great success, and he saw no reason why it should not be carried out here. It would undoubtedly have great effect upon the future progeny of our horse population. Mr. Linaker seconded, and it was carried. THE METRIC SYSTEM. I There was some discussion on the desirability of a. uniform system of weights and measures. 0 The Sec rotary (Mr. C. B. Die.vies) said there were scores of different weights and measures by which produce was sold at the different mar- kets throughout the country, and this was con- sidered by many farmers to be very unsatisfactory There was a proposal that the metric system should be adopted. Mr. George Cooke said it would bo a great ad- vantage to have a uniform system. Tho Chairman said he had been in many coun tri,-A. and the metric system was as simple a? A.B.C. This system prevailed practically all over the world except in this country. Mr. Whittaker fiso spoke of the advantages of the metric system. On the motion of Mr. Linaker, the following motion was passed, -"That this Chamber is of opinion that a uniform system of weights and measures should be eompulsorily adopted, based upon the metric system."—An amendment moved by Mr. Parton. that there should be a universal weight of 1121b. adopted, was lost.

I -1-?,,?-11-?-? I A GAS COMPLAINT. TO THE EDITOR. I Hir.-Can you through the medium of your paper saddle the right authority with the horrible stench which is at present permeating the city ? I know If at least six premises in different parts of the city, where living is hardly possible. Is it coal gav, or are the sewers responsible? I know one business premises where they are burning incense to count- eract the sickening smell.- Y ours, D. L. HEWITT. Abbey House, 54, Northgate-street.. v .-¡¡.

FOOD STUFFS IN TIME OF WAR. TO THE EDITOR. Sir.-Following- on the paper I recently read before the Royal United Service Institution, I should like to put my final conclusions in a concrete form. They are as follows Impose a duty of 4s per quarter on foreign wheat and 2s. por quarter on wheat from British possessions Impose a duty of fis. and 3s. respec- tivelv on flour imported from forei gn countries and British possessions In 1002 we lost 7,f>38,13.3cwts. of wheat offals by importing flour instead of wheat, hence the suggested increased duty on flour. Admit feeding stuffs free, because they materially assist in the production of beef. mutton and pork. The proposed duty would produce roughly five millions sterling, and this I propose should be given as a bonus to British farmers to double the present wheat acreage and liold a fair proportion of it in stack. Proposed bonus—10s. per quarter for that kept in stack until January 1st, and Pzl per quarter for that kept in stack until July 1st. The results following on the adoption of this scheme would be (a) Double quantity of wheat would be grown, as it would once more become a j paying crop. and the cost of securing this increased growth would be practicallv nil so far as the con- j sumer was concerned, (b) We should always have a certain reserve of bread stuffs, and panic and high prices in case of an outbreak of hostilities would be averted to a considerable extent. (c) Farmers would be in a position to pay better wages and offer inducements to the rising generation that would ,Z generat i on that woul d stop the continual gravitation to the towns. In 1851 our agricultural population was nearly two millions, and we now number only about one million, and the number of males and females under 20 years of age is the very insignificant figure of 195,141. It must not be overlooked that the flower of the British Army hitherto has been drawn from the agricultural districts. This will be innxxssible in the future unless the repopulation of the country districts is successfully dealt witb. (d) With a certain reserve of food stuffs in the country, the Navy (which, of course, should be kept up to the highest standard) would he able to allocate to a section of that force the important duty of acting as convoys to vessels laden with animal food, raw materials for manufacture and other merchandise. Lastly we should bo giving the Colonies a certain preference and stimulate the extended growth of wheat amongst our own kith and kin. Bread stuffs would be as cheap or cheaper owing to the larger area grown, and we should have cheapier offals to enable the British farmer to keep an increased head of live stock, and put him in a better position to compete I against imported meat. This would therefore automatically give us a larger reserve of animal food. In conclusion, I would like to point out that we now import five-sixths of all the bread stuffs we consume, and that one country (the United States) sends us no less than 32 per cent, of all we import. This is not a safe or sound position for any country no matter how powerful her Navy may be.—I am, Yours, etc. ALFRED MANSELL. College Hill, Shrewsbury. December7, 1913.

♦ WELSH SCHOOL OF FORESTRY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—It is good news to hear that Wale-9 wants a School of Forestry. Tho Board of Agriculture is preparing to do something in this matter, and it would be well if the proposed committee, as soon as it is formed, were to put itself in com- munication with the Government. The methods of Government Departments are often slow, but they should bo sure, and it would be better to strengthen the hands of the Board of Agriculture by working with it than to try to work independ- ently. The Government scheme includes all that is needed in the way of education for foresters, from the highly-trained professor to tho woodman. "Plantkr" suggests that an expert should draw up a report giving the following details about a plantation of 1 000 acres:- I. (a) Cost of planting. (b) Cost of fencing and draining (where neces- sary). (c) Tending, and filling vacancies. (d) Rent and purchase of land. (e) Rates and taxes. (f) Compound interest on outlay for 40 years. (g) Cost of felling, carting and freight. (h) Price obtainable when delivered. (j) Trees most suitable for mountain planting. (k) Number per acre required. Ho adds that he "knows of no one more capable of giving a sound opinion on many of the above questions than some of the great nurserymen in the Kingdom, notably those in Chester." A nurseryman, as such, knows as much about forestry as the man who keeps a brood sow and sells the little pigs knows about scientific pig- feeding and the bacon trade. The raising of young trees for sale is a trade by itself, and a man may spend a lifetime at it without learning even. the alphabet of scientific forestry. A knowledge of nursery work is part of a. forester's education, but a knowledge of forestry is no part of a nur- soryman's, unless ho goes out of his way to make it so, and few nurserymen who attend to their business have .time to do this Certainly a nur- seryman could go and advise on tho planting-up of mountains, or .anything else, if called upon to do EO; but he would go. not as a eciertific forester, but as a grower with plants for sale, and if the plants were bought fiom him he would not charge a fee for his advice. No doubt he would under- take to do the planting at a price, and perhaps even guarantee to fill up blanks for one year, but there Ï3 no reason to suppose that his advice would bo worth having, even at a gift. There are two Schools of Forestry in this coun- try. and the chances are that any nurseryman called in to advise would be a disciple of the old and unscientific British school, to which nearly everyone who has had to do with our woods, whether ho be a landlord, a land agent, a sur- veyor. a woodman, or even a forester, belongs. Very few of us have studied in, or even heard of, the Continental school which is, with us. the new, and, it is to be hoped, the coming School of Forestry. It is no exaggeration to say that 99 out of every 100 men called in to advise would give us the teaching of Brown, who wrote "The Forester," our standard British work, rather than that of Professor Schlich, whose "Manual of Forestry" is. and will 110 doubt remain, the standard work, in English, of the new school. It is possible that the nurserymen of Chester may be brilliant exceptions to the general rule, but in so important a matter as the re-afforesting of our bare wastes it would be far wiser to call in a trained German forester, (a) The cost of plant- ing may b9 as low as JB2 but need not exceed JB5 an acre on the average. 1,000 acres at L5 an acre equals £ 5,000. (b) A fenoe five miles long will enclose a square of 1,000 acres, and at Is. a yard, or £ 88 a mile, with 10 gates at £ 1 each, will cost J6450. A mountain is not likely to want draining, but if there are 100 acres of bogs which can be drained for L5 an acre it would cost £ 500. (c) Filling vacancies, say 5 per cent, on E5 00C— £ 250. Tend- ing may be set off against intermediate returns (thinnings), (d, e, f) Rent,, rates and taxes, sav I 5s. aii acre, capitalised at 30 ye-are' purchase— £ 7 103. an acre, 1 000 acres— £ 7 500. These sums together como to £ 13.700, which at 3 per cent. compound interest will in 40 years be- £ 44,690. Using the Saxony yield tables given by Schlich (Vol. III.), wo find that a third quality yield for oak, beech, nIden, birch, Scotch pine larch. spruce and silver fir will average 2,142 cubic feet per aore, which will be 2,142,000 for 1.000 acres. This is the total volume. Deducting 15 per cent. for firewood, we havo left. timber with bark 1,820,700; and deducting 10 per cent. of That for bark, we have left, timber only 1,638.630 cubic feet, which at Id. per cub c foot-E6 827, and at 6d.— £ ^40 962. If the firewood pays for felling, trimming,and hauling out of the wood, we have a loss of £ 44,690—40,962— £ 3,728 at the end of 40 years. In the same way it can be shewn that a pocond quality yield, with a total volume of 2.880 000 cubic feet, and a nett volume of timber of 2.203,200 cubic foet, will be worth, at Id. per cubic foot £ 9,5S6, and at 6d. £ 57,576. Deduct cost, and we have £ 57.576—44,690—- £ 12,386 profit, or an average of £ 12 17s. an acre. Those figures may not be very accurate, and the whole estimate is simple to the verge of rough- ness, but such as it is, it is offered to "Planter" to shew that with a knowledge of the growth of trees in the neighbourhood, and with the help of bonhch (vol. III.), some idea may be formed of the probable yield at tho end of 4 years. (g, h) How anyone can make even a reniote. guess at the probable cost of felling, carting and freight 40 years hence it is hard to see. The price obtain- able now can be found out. It will probably be much higher in 40 years (j) The sorts most suitable for mountain plant- ing depend on the mountain. A careful study of the trees, if any, in the neighbourhood is the safest guide. Probably conifers would do best. (k) The number per acre depends on several things, such as the size of the plants, the situa- tion, etc., and may be anything fiom 10,000 or even more to 3.000. On s tc-s generally the planting should be dense-, that is, for small seedlings dibbled in with a peg or a planting spide, about 10.000 to 8 000, and for two to three- 'j a_'I d for twa to t!) rle- year old transplanted trees 7,000 to 5.000. On the more sheltered parts the planting may be wider, but four feet, apart square, or 2.722 to the acre, is wide. enough anywheie except for very large throe-year-old larch, which may be planted five feet, or 1,742 to the acre. Of eour&e, the wood is only supposed to be cut right down for the sake of argument. 4 It- would probably be a most- unwise thing to do so early as 40 years, when trees would be just beginning to put on girth.  r. h (, rft t .? of groivt h of The rate of growth of trees depends on the species, the locality, the system of management, and so forth. In any particular locality it can, be round out by examining trees. "Planter" will find nearly all his questions --nswered in the first three volumes of Schlich's Manual. Note.—The volume of timber given is in the round. Our mode of measuring by quarter girth iquared gives only 78 £ pCL. ccnt. of the true vol- On the other hand. the price allowed for, Sd. a cubic foot, one sort with another, is probably very low. HARALD G. HEWITT, Ha.? II Chilworth, Romsey, Hants, 

ANTI-VIVISECTION. I TO THE EDITOR. I Sir,-In last week's "Chester Courant" "Corre- spondent" writes on the subject of vivisection and anti-vivisection. Those who defend viviseotion say it is practised for the "good of man," and experi- ments made by scientific men and women upon poor, defenceless (so-called) dumb animals are also upheld for the same reason; also that both vivi- "cction .and the experiments made on living ani- mals are practised for the sake of knowledge! Does that outweigh the agonies of the animals? Are we, for the sake of knowledge, to reap the old sins of disobedience and falsehood? "Be ye also merciful" is the command of God. "Ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil" are the temp- ter's words-—-tempting many, besides Adam and Eve, to disobey God. "IU-got gains never pros- per" is the old saying. NVill vivisectors them- selves and those who uphold that awful torture think over these words. To do evil that good may come is to fly in the faoe of ail divine law and morality. The. doctors and scientists who say there is no suffering caused to animals by expen- ments and vivisection had better try it on them- selves in like manner and see! I think, rather am sure, they would find themselves mistaken. But, further, let us grant (for the sake of argu- ment) all that is claimed by the advocates of the benefits to man by vivisection, and more—if the secret of everlasting life should be discovered eventually by such means, no end or aim or cowardly benefit to self could justify those means in the eyes of our common Father and Creator. Whose Na.me is Love. and "Whose tender mercies are over all His works" Who has taught us that "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour." There- fore love is the fulfilling of His law, and without that love. knowledge and everything else is worth- less in His sight.-I am. sir, etc., MANOS.

COTLNTY JPOLIOE COURT. I SATURDA Y.-Bofore Messrs. H. D. Trelawny (presiding), B. C. Roberts, C. H. Broadbent, and Colonel Evans-Lloyd. POACHERS CAPTURED AT LACHE.—Two Chester men, named Joseph Williams and Frank Pemberton. were summoned for being in unlawful possession of game and poaching implements on the 23rd November. Both pleaded guilty. -Det.eotive-Insp-actar Hoole stated that about half-past four in the morning. while in company with several other officers in Kinnerton-lane, Marlston-cum-Lache, he saw four men cross the road and go through a gateway. The polios gave chase, and witness caught Pem- berton, who had in his possession a bag contain- ing a number of rabbits and poaching apparatus -gorgt. Johnson stated that Williams was found' hiding in a, hedge, and a net, driving line and a number of pegs were found in his possession. Witness picked up seven rabbits from the field across which the other men made their escape.- P.C. Whalley deposed to capturing Williams.- The Chairman said the defendants appeared to have spent their lives in poaohing, and were evi- dently quite accustomed to paying fines. They would be fined £ 5 and costs each, or go to gaol for two months, and the rabbits and implements would bo confiscated.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER DEE. WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED. 'I At H rid ay b meeting ot the Holywell Board of Guardians, the Vice-Chairman (Mr. J. Petrie) presiding, a circular letter was read from the Lambeth Board of Guardians with reference to the provision of work for the unemployed, and sug- gesting that the Government should deal with the matter by carrying out national works.—Mr. J. L. Muspratt said there was one great work which might be undertaken with advantage to Flintshire —a large scheme for the improvement of the river Dee. (Hear, hear.) With regard to that matter the Flint County Council was conferring with j other authorities. Anything of that kind-tho reclamation of land round the coasts—should be national work. Ho moved that the resolution of the Lambeth Board be adopted.—Mr. Treon j Jones said the question was to come before the County Council on the following Wednesday, and a resolution of the Board of Guardians might help.—The Rev. Dr. Oliver: Could we not tell the Council that it is our opinion they should undertake the improvement of the Dee?—Mr. Muspratt: The Council won't undertake it them- selves.—Dr. Oliver: Don't put it in a dictatorial way, but give it as our opinion.—Mr. Treon Jones said the County Council had an elaborate scheme, but he had not time to go into it now.—Mr. Muspratt said not only the Flintshire Council, but the Councils of Cheshire and Denbighshire and the Chester Town Council were concerned in the deliberations.—Ultimately a resolution was passed, to be forwarded to the Flintshire County Council, to the effect that the Board were pleaded to know that the Council were considering the improvement of the Dee, and that they considered the present an opportune time to proceed with the works in order to afford work for the unem- ) ployed.

STARVING WELSH SCHOOLS. I MAKING THE EDUCATION ACT UNWORKABLE. The position of the Voluntary schools in Wales in consequence of the County Councils' decision not to levy rates for their support under the Act pot to le?7,)Zon_ 'ing dc spara-to. At Friday's meeting of the Merioneth County Council, Alderman W. P. Evans, chau- man of the Education Committee, stated that the committee had no monoy to pay the salaries of Voluntary sob-col teachers, because the County Council had ordered the committee to give no money from the rates towards them, and the grants were totally inadequate for the mainten- anoe of ihe schools. Mr. Robert Evans, Cefnddwysarn, then pro- posed that the Council should adhere to its pre- vious resolution not to levy a rate for the main- tenance of nonprov-id-ed schools until such schools were placed under public oontrol and all religious tests upon teachers abolished, but that the grants earned by each school be handed over to the managers. This was seconded by Mr. Thomas Jones, Brynmelyn. The Hon. C. H. Wynn proposed an amend- ment that a rate be levied for the efficient maintenance of all provided and non-provided soho-cls as the Act of 1902 directed. Mr. Wynn said that the Act had deprived Voluntary schools of most of their advantages, and now they were fairly stranded. They had no money, and the County Council would not assist them. The Council seemed bent upon rendering the Act un- workable. If the worst came to the worst Volun- tary school managers would close their schools and use them for Sunday schools only. The county would then have to spend large sums of money in building now schools. Mr. W. R. M. Wynne, Peniarth, as senior magistrate, called the attention of his brother magistrates to the oaths they had taken to ad- minister the laws whether they liked them or not. Mr. Humphrey Roberts said they must stand by their friends in England. They would never be able to get rid of a bad law if they submitted to 1 t. Mr. W. Hughes, Dolgelley, said that had it not been for the children of Nonconformists in Yfales, the Voluntary schools would have been closed years ago. Alderman Haydn Jones said that if Voluntary school managers wished to teach religion in the schools they must pay for it themselves. But putting the religious question aside the general principle of good government was that if the pub- 11c rates were used publio management must follow. Two only voted for Mr. Wynn's amendment and the No Rate policy was again carried.

DEATH OF COLONEL WYNNE FINCH.- Lieutenant Colonel Wynne Finch, of Voelas Hall, died on Friday morning, after a few days' illness. Colonel Wynne Finch was an extensive landowner, his property in North Wales including the V oclas estate in Denbighshire and Cefn Amlwch in Carnarvonshire, and a,s a landlord he enjoyed great popularity. The Conservative party in both counties, and more especially in Car- narvon, will suffer a heavy loss by his death, as the fortunes of the party were very near to his heart, and in all organisation movements he in- variably took a prominent part. He. moreover, manifested a real interest in county matters. He was a member of the Carnarvonshire County Council and the Joint Police Committee, being an ex-chairman of the latter body. He was a mag-istrate for both counties, and served in 1881 as High Sheriff of Carnarvonshire. He was a retired lieutenant-colonel of the Scots Guards. and was 62 years of age. He was descended from the founder of the Eleventh Tribe of North I Wales. I CONGREGATIONAL CHOIRS' CONCERT. I -A oiijuyauia concert was given before a. numerous audience on Friday evening at the Music Hall, under the auspices of the Chester United Congregational Choirs' Association. The first part of the programme was devoted to -a per- formance of Cowen's tuneful cantata, The Rose Maiden," the principals being Miss Tyson Piercy (soprano), Miss Edith Randies (contralto),. Mr. A. Greenwood (tenor), and Mr. W. S. Jones (bass). The choir was conducted by Mr. Skeldon, and their singing throughout presented a well- balanced harmony, leaving scarcely anything to be desired. Their treatment of the chorus 'Tis thy wedding morning" was highly meritorious, and an enthusiastic encore had to be responded to. Miss Edith Randies captivated her audience with her rendering of "Yet chime they so sadly," and was warmly re-called. Another charming feature of the cantata was the duet between Miss Tyson Piercy and Mr. Greenwood, "I know a rosebud shining," for which the audience would not be denied an encore. The accompaniment was skil- fully played by Mr. Norman Jones. The second portion of the programme was opened with a violin sonata of Handel in D major by Mr. Theodore Lawson (of London and Liverpool Concerts). Mr. Lawson gave a highly artistic performance, which shewed a wonderful command over his instrument, and had time permitted the audience would have insisted upon an encore. His other items were "Reverie" (Vieuxtemps) and Mazurka" (Wieniawski). Miss Edith Randies was encored for a beautiful rendering of "Th(, Gleaner's Slum ber Song." Miss Tyson Piercy gave a very pleasing interpretation of ",tolcti Wings" and "If no one ever marries me," in which she infused a delightfully piquant ex- pression. Messrs. A. Greenwood and W. S. Jones gave a finished rending of the duet The rrroon hath raised" (Balfe), and a most enjoyable pro- gramme concluded with two part song-s, The river floweth" (Rogers) and "The Anvil" (Adamh The baton used on this occasion was used by Sir Michael Oostn, and bears his autograph with date, 1859, It ia now the property of Mrs. James! Storrar, jun., Newgate-street House, Chester. (Tho above artxclef apfxa-ed in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

Pick your Porringer! They are of several sizes, and their cost is just- NOTHING. It wor ks out like this On every packet of Provost' Oats there's a coupon, and if you save these coupons and send them to the proprietors they will send you, carriage paid, a 2-pint Porringer for 30 coupons, 3-pint Porringer for 50 coupons, 5-pint Porringer for 75 coupons, 6-pint Porringer for 100 coupons. Or, if you don't want to wait until you have accumulated the coupons, you can get the Por- ringers in advance by paying 2s., 2s. 6d., 3s. or 3s. 6d., according to size, and when you send the coupons the cash you have paid will be refunded. R. ROBINSON & SONS, ANNAN. N. B. Try our "Blue Bell" Flaked Rice, it makes dainty puddings in five minutes. Simply drench the flakes in boiling" water and cook in an oven for five minutes. 3d. one pound packet.

THE COMING- ELECTIONS. THE LUDLOW DIVISION. At a meeting of the Liberal Unionists and Con- servatives, on Monday, Mr. Rowland Hunt, of Bascliurch, was unanimously selected as the Liberal Unionist candidate for South Shropshire. Mr. Hunt is nephew of the Right Hon. G. Ward Hunt, who was successi vely Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Admirality in Lord Beacons- field's Administration, and the family is one of the best known in Shropshire. We are requested to state that it is not correct that Mr. J. H Ismay was invited to stand for the division at a meeting of Liberal Unionists when Colonel Lewis withdrew. Several members of the Literal Unionist Committee waited upon Mr. Ismay on their own account, and asked him to allow his name to be submitted to the committee, and he expressed his willingness to stand if no one more closely conneoted with the constituency could be found. THREE RADICAL CANDIDATES. At a crowded meeting of working-men at Llanelly on Saturday night. Major Jones, editor of the" Shipping World," was unanimously adopted as Labour condidate for the Carmarthen Boroughs. A majority of the Radical Executive have adopted Mr. Alfred Davies, the sitting member, while an influential minority has pledged itself to Mr. Terrell, K. C. All three candidates express their determination to go to the poll. I ANOTHER BRUNNER IN THE FIELD. Mr. J. F. L Brunner, son of Sir John Brunner. M.P., was on Monday night selected as Radical candidate for the Leigh Division of Lancashire in place of Mr. C. P. Scott, M.P., who retires at the general election.

I RAND LABOUR QUESTION. I DEPUTATION TO SIR A. LAWLEY. A deputation of the White League waited on Sir Arthur Lawley at Johannesburg on Saturday to urge that the question of importation of Asiatic labour shall be submitted to the popular vote by referendum, relying on the assurances given by Lord Milner and Mr. Chamberlain that there will be no legislation opposed to the popular will. Sir Arthur Lawley, in his reply, said he did not think that the experience of the referendum in Australia formed an oncouraging precedent. He pointed out the great complexity of the labour question, which would render a reference on a simple and intelligible issue practically imposeible. Ho said that the Government would not be rushed in legislating, and would take pains to ascertain tho general wishes of tho population through the medium of meeting. the Press, etc. The deputa- tion will renew their appeal to the Legislative Counoil. The "Johannesburg Leader" points out the mistake of the deputation in thinking that the formation of the machinery of a referendum is a simple matter, and urges the impossibility of de- laying a decision on the subject. Renter's Agency learns that a public meeting was held at Salisbury, Rhodesia, on December 3, at which resolutions were passed by a large majority asking the Government to take steps for th* introduction of Chinese labour. Laffan's correspondent at Pretoria, wiring on Saturday, says: The interest taken by all sections of society the Chinese labour question, and the popular opinion as to the results, it it is introduced, wero shewn in an amusing manner at the doll show in aid of the Loyal Women's Guild, held at Johannesburg, and opened by Lady Lawley on Friday. The first and third prizes offered for topical dolls were won by dolls which had ref er- ence to the "yellow peril." The first was won by a group of Chinese with the motto Now we shan't be long," and the third prize by one dressed as Dinizulii, the Zulu chief, in full war-paint, with as Dinizuiu, If Chinese come, me plenty fight." j the legend, If Chine,4e come, rre plenty fight.

I NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. (From The Field.") I o ■■ — ■- I WEIGHT OF BADGERS. Seeing a recent note on this subject I think it may be of interest to state that on Nov. 24, at Dadbrcok Farm, Cuddingfcon, Aylesbury, a bad- ger was taken weighing 361b., which I believe to be a good weight.—Joseph Roadnight. A BLACK HARE. During the third week in November I shot a bbok hare here. Can you tell roe whether such a variety is very rare? I cannot hear of one hay- ing over been seen.—Frederick Scruby (Church Hall, Broxted, Dunmow, Essex). [Black hares, though of less frequent occurrence than white ones, have been several t'mes met with and re- ported. In the article "Hare," in the "Encyclo- paedia, of Sport" 1867. particulars are given of half- a-dozen or more.—Ed.l TITS COVERING THEIR EGGS. Can any of your correspondents tell me whether it is generally known that a tit covers her eggs as she lays each one? I have not seen it so stated anywhere, and only made the discovery by means of my own nesting boxes. In one case, a great tit's nest presented an even sheet of wool, hair, fluffy feathers, etc.. over the moss. I supposed she was going to hollow out the nesting hole, but t found her next dav sitting on ten e-ggs, which had been hidden under the top layer. This year a blue tit did the same in another of my boxes, and I have a couple of photos showing the undis- turbed nest as she left it, and the seven eggs seen nnoovered. I left home next day, but am told that the brood was successfully reared.—T. E. Hailstone (Cheltenham).

SOMALILAND TROUBLE. ITALIAN OFFICER KILLED. A "Times" telegram, dated Aden, December 6, say:-Lieutenant Commander Charles Grabau, an Italian officer commanding an armed dbow, landed a number of friendly natives at DurtvD, in Somaliland. No Italian flag was flying on the Sort, and the officer ordered it to be hoisted. The-eom- mandant of the fort refused to do so without having received orders from the Sultan. Com- mander Grabau gave two hours for the flag- to be hoisted, and at the expiration of that time opened fire on the fort. The latter replied with a shall, by which Commander Grabau was killed. The dhow put to sea and was picked up by the Italian, cruiser Galileo, which has arri ved here with the officer's bodv. I THE SULTAN DEFIANT. I BRITISH OFFICER WOUNDJ £ D. Aden, Tuesday. ConunanderGaunt, of the British cruiser Mohawk, with 150 men, landed at. Ðurbo to enquire into the death-of the Italian, Li<Mittena.nt Groiiaa. After a palaver, the Sultan said" he would fight it out, and the opposing forces opened fire. Commander Gaunt was wounded tud one marine- was killed. The British re-embaried and the Mohawk returned here. Commander Gaunt is in hospital- doing well.

COUGHS AND COLDS. THE PUREST AND MOST EFFICIENT REMEIVY PROCURABLE IS VENO'S LIGHTNING COJUH CURE. W. LASCRLMR-SCOTT. F R.M.S., GEO, KNOX. Ml), and ()1 h im nrhmt authorities approve if and recommend T IGIITNINCJ Goran CURF. baeause pf its purity a rent- cfti ien'-y i-JJ: cubing cnngh»a, colds, bronchitis, a'»Si>H>a., cnta-rh, wogk luniks, ard children's; OoHB-hs Rev. W. Collie Villas Rov-d, South Hampstead TJ don, writes .TK,U« 171li:—" 1 have a Mgb. opinion •■t Ligutjuxo ?. OIMH CUBK 1 have USWFC ir witb much berefii. tl, myself and have recommended it to Ask fc-fVENO's '.fRHj?'?.xaC'otfattCu''x at Chctoistt and llrwtf Stores. Sold verswhero. BOOTS TO ORA-)Elt-not hand-sewn prin- ciple," but real Hand-sewn, made on the premises by expert workmen in tbA oid. fashioned way with oak bark tanned Leather these are a comfort, walking becomes a pleasure, and the price is reason- AT.BKV GATKWAY, THE Old, established Hand-sewn Bwtnuvkers,

I TRUMAN'S LONDON STOUT, in screw stop- pered bottles, price 2 6 per dozen pints, cftn be obtained from H. MARTIN & Co., Foregate-street. VALUABLE DISCOVERY FOR THK HAIR.—If your I hair is turning grey or white or faIHi? off H? the MEXICAN HAIR R^NEWEH, for it will positively restore, in every Cade, grey or white hair to i''a original colour. It makes the hair charn?oj?y beautiful, as well as promoting the growth. Price  3s. 6d. per bottle.