Cheshire Observer

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.] THE ROGUES' SYNDICATE, By TOM GALLON, Author of "The Dead Ingleby," "Dicky Mwiteith," "Tatterley, "The Lady of the Cameo," &c., &c. [COPYRIGHT.] I CHAPTER IX (Continued). -1 I No, sir; 1 will not," said Mr. Uttiey stimy. From inlormation received 1 know w ere this particular Mr. Kenway now is; but it appens w be a sort ot tainily business, an' 1 don't want cu git the gentleman into trouble. lve known a many in my time, sir, as was wanted for ono tiling or anomer- not always to their advautag-e. ■Consequently, bein', in a manner of speakm connected with the gentleman, througn my .vife's partiality for a certain young lady as ohall be nameless, an' as is a ornament to any business, whether tobacco or not, i must ae- I.lne. ?Veil, who do ypu come here for, then? Do ,ou think we are going to do the young gentle- •Iian any ^'iaid Sam. I would like to know Cant ?y" said Sam. I would hke to know dr.? of aH what the young gentleman is wanted for." ?' As a matter of fact only for the pieasantesc possible reason. There is a certain Uncle Joiiii- (- there was a certain uncle joiii--oniy brother vi this Mr. Arnold Kenway's mother. That gentleman has died, and left a very considerable lortune to the young man. Will that satisiy It's good enough to go on with," said Sam, 'Aving promised a certain party, I'm going to- day to find the gentleman (that is, if e appens to be the right one), an' I will, in due course, -uforin 'im ot 'is luck. I might ask, though, wot I'm to git out of it, if 'e 'appens to be the right party?" You may be very sure, my good man, that you will be generously treated," said the little man. As a matter of fact I think you would be .viser if you left the matter to us, and allowed us to trace Mr. Kenway. "No, sir; this is my charnce," said Sam, • and in addition, i here are private and family reasons w'y I shouldn't. I will endeavour, sir, to bring Mr. Kenway to a right feelin' in the matter, an' if 'e should be in want of a fortune I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you didn't see im afore very long." With these words Sam Offley departed. Find. "L .L .In. tag, in a. moment or two, mat Ii. l-äl.,CU,aU.1 brisk-looking young clerk, whom he had noticed in the office, was following him, Mr. Offley, with the cunning of old experience, dodged through an unexpected door and out at another itito a side street, and so evaded pursuit. Half .!a, hour later he was in the train which was bearing him at a good rate towards Oyton, in Hampshire J\ ohday, an' maybe a twenty-pun note at the other end of it," murmured Sam to himself. It's wot I've always said: study the noospapers, an' you can't go far wrong, to say nothink of the romance of it." That old habit of watchfulness which had grown up in Sam Offley as a part of himself was jiot to be easily banished. Alighting at the little station of Oyton, he began to call it into play at onoe; walked out of the station and made his way into the village itself before in- quiring in what direction the Retreat lay. Finally, in the most innocent fashion, he walk-J into a shop and made a small and innocent purchase, and then, when he was leaving, inquired casually for the place. Being directed to it, with much care, by the proprietor of the shop, he set out for it. But, let it be noted, not unobserved. As he came into the sunlit littlo street, the figure of an elderly man. of venerable aspect, with a long white beard, drew back from a contempla- tion of the shop window, started slightly, una immediately became interested in the window again, witn only an occasional glance at Sa:n Offley, who was leisurely looking about him before setting off on his walk. The venerable one was no other than Mr. Enoch Chickley and ho watched Sam with a fascination altogether re- markable. When, presently. Mr. Offley, having lit mother of the mottled cigars, set off towards ins destination, Mr. Chickley, like a shadow, fol- lowed him on his way. Sam Offley, still pursuing the policy which was a part of his second nature, came to the Retreat m duo oourse, and looked about Lim. On such .au errand it was, he felt, absolutely impossible that he could go to tha^ou.se in the ordinary iashion, and ring the bell, and ask for Mr. Kenway. This was a romantic business, and must be treated accordingly. Therefore, he walked about the grounds tor a little while, as though admiring the beauties to be found there; and presently came upon a small man with a large head, industriously engaged in digging. The small man with the large head, observing foam watching him, suddenly dropped his spade. and his jaw at the same time, and faltered out :a.n exclamation. Sam, for his part, raised his eyebrows, and uttered a most intelligible ex- clamation himself. Hullo!" I'm sure it ain't anything but a pleasure to see you, Mr. Offley," said the little man, who was no other than Timothy Jyber. Of course, we gave up knowing each other long ago, as the say- ing is, and I have long since taken to the narrow way, and forgot all sinful things," he added nervously- Is there anything you might be wanting, Mr. Offley—" Sam was puzzled. In the old days, in his official capacity, he had more than once had to deal with Timothy regarding certain rnattors which had brought the little man within the clutches of the law; to find him here, pursuing this peaceful avocation, was surprising, to say the least of it. However, Sam was here on another errand; and this man might be useful. 'Ow do. Jyber," he said, slowly. Pleased to see yoa-an' to 'ear you've turned over a new leaf. Do you 'appen to know a gent of the name of Kenway—stoppin' 'ere?" Haven't heard it," said Timothy, after think- ing for a moment. '• Name of Matherwick, perhaps?" Timothy looked up at him quickly. What do you want with him?" he asked I'm lookin' for a young gent named Kenway, who is staying with another gent named Mather- wick," said Sam. "I thought you might know 'im—if this is the Retreat." There is a young gent staying here," said Timothy, and, talk of the blessed angels, here he comes!- As a matter of fact, Arnold was at that very moment sauntering towards them down one of the paths. Sam Offley, going towards him, greeted him by name, and then drew him aside. Timothy resumed his work, with many glances towards Offley, as he did so; and that venerable figure which had followed Offley so closely stood back among the trees watching quietly. Mr. Kenway, sir," began Sam, if you are the Mr. Kenway I'm lookin' for, I've got some good noos for you. It's in two pieces, so to speak, and I'll start with the business one first." My name is Kenway, certainly," said Arnold. "What do you want with me?" You once 'ad a certain Uncle John, I believe. Mr. Kenway, ou y brother to your own mother," said Sam. Once had' exclaimed Arnold. "I don't quite understand." "'E's dead," saicl Sam. "an' 'as bin good enough to leave to 'is nephew, Arnold Kenway. the 'ole of 'is fortune. In a word, sir, if you'll cast yer eye over that, you'll find what I say is true, an' that you're wanted very pertickler." With these words Sam handed the young man the cutting from the newspaper. "I understand now," said Arnold. And I wish, with all my heart, I had known this a week ago!" The second piece of noos I 'av(, iaid Sam Offley, imperturbably, takes the form of a letter from a certain young lady, which I now 'and in." And Sam took the letter which Margaret had written from his pocket, and held it out to Arnold. Wonderingly, Arnold tore it open, and his face lighted up as he read. Where did you get this?" he asked eagerly. In a confidential whisper Mr. Offley explained all the circumstances, whilst Arnold, with a new light in his eyes, listened atentively. Presently he turned to Offley, with a glowing face. You've changed my world for me, Offley," he said. "I'm going back with you now at once, to London; you've-given mo a fortune-and some- thing more." While they stood talking, Timothy Jybcr, wheeling about to resume his digging, saw a fecc peering at him between the trees; he moved across towards it, and he and Enoch Chickley dis- appeared togetherr What do you think of that?" asked Enoch, with something of the smile gone out of his face, and with his teeth closely set. What's your idpll concerning gratitude now?" Do you mean-" began Timothy, in a frightened whisper. ti I mean that the gentleman I lifted out of the gutter has done what might have been expected, ard has sold us. Timothy. If you don't know Offley by this time, yon ought to do—that's- all I've got to say. Offley is down here on business; I shall have to sleep in a police cell before twenty- four hours have gone by; and you shall join me, mv dear Timothy!" CHAPTER X. I "HIS DEATH OR MINE." 1. n' 'I Margaret tflorris, during her night to .London, and afterwards, had before her one disturbing vision. Do what she would, go where she would. there rose before her always the grave face of Arnold Kenway, with the eyes looking into hers. Again and again she saw it. as she had seen it at the moment her glove fell smartly across it and the quick blood leapt up into it. Remem- bering that moment, and seeing always that vision she began to have a remembrance of other things. She remembered that night on the vc-randih. when he had tried to shield her and get her out of the way while the story was told she remem- bered that bright morning when she had climbed the hill and had come face to face with him. She seemed again to stand there in the sunlight while she heard his confident declaration of belief in her. And it was at that point that she covered her face, for very shame that she had struck him. As might be expected, in cooler moments a hundred explanations and excuses rose up for him. He might have been at the mined chapel by accident; he might have been brought there by Chickley, without knowing what was to happen he might never have betrayed her at all. The question remained—what would she do? She confessed to herself, new that it -va~ too late, that she wanted to see him, and humble flee- self before him and tell him how sorry she was for what had happened. Already she framed delicate sentences tnat should shew him her very real contrition; cunousty enough, the lonely nunted girl found herself longing to meet mm. So it came about that, after many attempts, sne wrote him a letter, and this is what she wrote:- Dear Mr. Kenway, I have been trying hard, miserably hard, to forget what has Happened. 1 never meant to do it; indeed, indeed I never meant to do it. To shew that, and to shew how much 1 was in the wrong, and hew much I believe in your belief in me, I want you to help me. Thj'e IS no one to wiiom i cai turn; it is a desperate thing to ask, but I am desperate. Will you come to London and see me", 1 will trust vuu fully and completely; 1 will tell you eveiything If only 1 mignt undo that one moment!—Your friend, Margaret Florns. That was the letter which Sam Ufflev, with a halt on the way as has been suggested at the lawyers, took to Oyton and delivered in due course to Arnold Kenway. Every feminine reader of this veracious history will understand, dearly enough, that Margaret would gladly have recalled it a hundred times over; thought that this might have been better expressed, and that not ex- pressed at all; wondered what he would think, cr what he wculd do; and knew. perfectly well, in her heart of hearts, that she was glad the letter had gone after all.. She had not, of oourse, the remotest notion| that Sam Offley had conveyed it personally; she counted and calculated the time thi ordina-y post would take; and grew impatient, as she settled in her own mind that now he had it, and now he was reading it; and now he was starting (or not ,starting, as the case might be), to come to her Tired of her own thoughts, and maddened by the delay, she went out at last into that little street in Chelsea, and started for a walk. The King's Road was too noisy; the river drew her. 6ile turned down towards the quieter place; and, quite innocently, gave Mr. Daniel Redburn his opportunity. That honest toiler had been lingering about during the morning in the hope that the girl would come out. It was not the sort of work he liked, in the sense that it deprived him of those chanoes of rest and refreshment which he ordin- arily obtained. His waiting policy at the little inn at Oyton had been much more to his taste; this cooling of his heels on a London, pavement, with no possibility of getting away. was not to his taste at all. When, therefore, Margazei came out, Mr. Redburn, feeling that his task was at an tici, very gladly followed Waiting until she came to the very quietest part of the little street,- Daniel stepped forward suddenly beside the gl rii,s*nd,put a stiff forefinger to the brim cf his hat. a.- Excuse me, miss, but might I have half a word?" The girl drew back, evidently startled. Re- garding him as some mere sturdy beggar, she began to hurry on a little, murmuring snow thing to the effect that she had nothing for him. Danied Redburn increased his pace, so as to keep beside her "I ain't beggin', miss. I ain't that sort. I'm a honest workin' man. an' I know wot honest tf il means. It was about Dr. Chickley She stopped suddenly "nd faced him. with all the colour gone cut of her. Mr. Redburn plunged at once into his message. I don't know nothink about it, miss; I've on'y got to give the message from Dr. Ciilc!,Iey. says, if you ain't back at Oyton in twenty-four hours, 'e tells the story again—wiv names," He tells the story again, with names," aia Margaret, slowly and deliberately. She rais-d her eyes, and locked fully at him. "Very well, tell Dr. Chickley I return to day. Are you going back to him?" s he asked. "I might—an' agen I mightn't," said Redburn diplomatically. "It all depends, you. see miss. •' If I do not return withm twenty-tour hours, she repeated, he tells the story, with names. Yes, I understand. I must go back; there's r o other way." She thought of Arnold, and of her message to him thought, with a pang, how im- possible it was that she could wait in London until he came. She turned again to the man, who was watching her intently. Can you not go back and tell him that I will com.: as soon as possible?" she asked. Tho-;k. ain't my orders," said Daniel, watch- ing her furtively. But if you were well paid?" "I might give it a second thought, miss," he replied. She slipped a com into his hand, and he nodi-d; then, without another word, turned hirl made off quickly towards the busier streets. She was rbout to call after him, when a thought occurred to her of how strange it would seem to any chance passer-by, to see her calling after a common-looking man like this; the man migns be stopped, and all sorts of explanations be necessary "1 must go," fvhe thought. "This man may not go at all; and Dr. Chickley may carry out his threat. Yos, I must go back." She went swiftly bacK to the little shop, and saw Mrs. Ofiiey. Rapidly explaining that she must leturn at once, and refusing to say anything more, she made her preparations for going. '• Don t think, Jemima dear, that i want to get away from you," she said to the old woman, but something ha. happened which makes it impera- tive that I should return. Please don't say any- thing because, it you do, I shall only feel that I am ungrateful, and shall hate myseli more than ever. Mrs. Offley had been on the very point of say- ing something concerning Sam s journey to Oyton; under the circumstances, however, she decided to be silent. And Margaret started en her journey back to Oyton, ,-with a trembling hope in her heart that she might reach it before Arnold Kenway started. Mr. Daniel Redburn meanwhile had made his way to the ncarfet post-office in order to tele- graph to Dr. Chickley the result of his mission. The telegram took a long time to writo--in fact, Mr. Redburn found it necesary to go to the counter once and inquire from a pert young damsel there 'ow many hems there was in coming." He contrived, however, to convey clearly enough to Mr. Enoch Chickley that Mar- gard Floras had started for Oyton. That done, | Mr. Redburn adjourned to the nearest house cf refreshment and felt that he had done rather well out of the business. Margaret, seated in the train which was beam- ing her back to Oyton, and wondering vaguely what was going to happen when she should again confront Enoch Chickley, saw various tiains Hash past her in the other direction; and in one of those trains were seated Sam Offley and Mr. Arnold Kenwav-Sam elated at the success which had attended lis journey; and Arnold, for his part, spcc ilating on what he should do to help the girl, and on how much better prospect he had of help- ing her, now that this unexpected fortune had come into his hands. It was good to be travelling to her, with the knowledge that he was no longer dependent upon others-good to feel that he might p,y off what he had been forced to borrow, and lift himself and the girl out of the hands of these people for ever. First, however, he must know what that fortune was—must be certain that no mistake had been made. I want to go first to see these lawyers." he said, when they reached the terminus. "If it's all true, as I feel sure it must be, I can get funds from them at once; if it isn't true I shall at least know the worst. We, li hurry there and hurry away again to your place. I feel so happy that I can't keep still for a moment; every trouble I've had seems to be lifted away from me. Have you ever slept in the streets, Offley C I've walked in 'em many an' many a night- on dooty," replied Sam. An' I never quite 'ad the 'eart to move on the poor 'omeless wretches if they appened to be in a dark enough corner." Arnold Kenway made a mental note to add ten pound s to Sam's remuneration on account of that speech. Then they got together into a cab and drove to Lincoln's Inn Fields; and a very pleasant thing it was to drive through London under those altered circumstances and with the knowledge that Margaret Florris had sent for him and wanted his help. • Disapp" ointment awaited them. Neither of the rartners happened, to b3 in, and it was a little ."i certain when they would return. Arnold walked impatiently about the room, looking at the stiff formal law books on the shelves and at the grim portraits of various great legal cues which adorn -d ihe walls. Some three-quarters of an hour was lost in this way before the little man who had interviewed Sam earlier in the day came in: and then quite a lot of business had to be done. Questions had to be asked concerning Arnold Kenway and his parentage, with many references to papers and books. At last, however, every question had b-jen answer; j sa< >sfactcrily anj a change came over the suspicious attitude of the little lawyer. He rose from his chair and held out hi" hand to Arnold "There is not the slightest doubt, Mr. Ken- way, that you are the man to whom this money has been left," he said, shaking hands, cordially with the young man. Our late client, your uncle, wa.s something of a miser, in the sense that he hoarded his property rather carefully for many years. That is, of course, fortunate for you, because he has really left a very large for- tune—an extremely large fortune. It will realise altogether, at a rough estimate, between sixty and seventy thousand pounds." "How wonderful!" exclaimed Arnold. "I don't mind telling you now-a week ago I hadn't a penny and was sleeping in the streets." It is indeed a world of ups and downs," said the lawyer. Perhaps it would be convenient to you to receive something on account of what is yours, Mr. Kenway I presume, by the way, you will like us to act for you." "Of course," said Arnold; and named a modest sum, in response to the suggestion of the little lawyer. These preliminaries arranged, and Mr. Offley the richer by a cheque which caused him to open his eyes very wide indeed. Arnold set off with Sam to the little street in Chelsea. All these matters had taken so much time that it was grown late when they arrived, and stumbled together into the little shop. Mrs. Offley sat behind the counter, grimly pre- siding over the stock-in-trade. Sam smiled upon her triumphantly, and introduced Arnold. "You see before you, Jemima, a young gent 'oo, if 'e was weighed, an' taken ounce for ounce, as you might say, would come out at about, seventy thousands pounds. I'm in that state o' mind, sir," he added, turnin.g to Arnold, that I oould venture to ask the gentleman—with your permission, my dear-to 'ave onel of the real i Josey Jeaners off the top she-If. They come out at sumthink liice sixpence apiece, an' they've bin there that long-" (To be continued.)

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ATHLETIC NEWS. 0 FOOTBALL NOTES. i Chester first eleven had a blank day on and owing to Chirk's being engaged in a cup tie, they will not play to-day (Saturday). An interesting game wa.s witnessed at Eaton- road on Saturday between St. Mary's and New- town Rangers. After about twenty minutes play Newnes opened the scoring for the Rangers. Soon afterwards St. Mary's equalised. About five minutes from the interval Whtttingham put the ball through his own goal, thus giving New- town the lead. In the second portion of the game Jones scored from a penalty kick, and Ferguson added another for the Rangers, while A. Jones succeeded in scoring for St. Mary's. The teams retired with Newtown victors by 4— 2. Wrexham Crescent were the visitors to Saltnev in a friendly fixture with the Carriage Works. S. Bennion turned out for Saltney after a thirteen months' suspension awarded to him by the Liver- pool and District F.A. for misconduct during a Liverpool Junior Cup tie against Harrowby at Saltney in November, 1902. The ground was frostbound and both sets of players exhibited great carefulness During the first half Saltney. with a fair breeze in their favour,, kept the Crascent on the defensive. S. Bennion signalised his re- appearance by scoring for Saltney after ten min- utes' play. In the second half give-and-take play was the order of things, neither side being able to score. A very pleasa.nt game ended in favour of Saltney Carriage Works by one goal to ml. To-day Saltnev Carriage Works are due at Whitby in the return league fixture. Rhvl Reserve and Flint U.A.C. met on the Holywell-road ground in a Chester and District League match. Great interest was centred in the match, inasmuch as the teams meet again to-day (Saturday) to decide who shall go into the final for the Chester Cup, the two teams having already played a drawn game in the semi-final round of thecompetition. Rhyl started with nine men, and the U.A.C.. going straight away fiom the kick off. scored in the first two minutes Commins easily defeating Ellis. F. Parry added a second goal, and P. Commins a third, at which juncture the. visitors were reinforced to full strength Another goal was registered for the home team before half-time, and the tlémms crossed over with the visitors four—nil to the. bad. On resuming the visitors shewed to better advantage, and a quarter of an hour from the restart. Davies beat Carroll, the home custodian. Give-an d-take- play ensued, the light being very bad. The visitors again scored shortly before time, leaving the U.A.C. winners of a pleasant game by four goals to two. The match today at Shotton should be full of interest and well worth witnessing. The athletic field Helsby, was occupied on Saturday by the local Reserve team. who met Sang-hall under the. ausp-ees of the Chester and District League (junior division). The visitors had a big advantage in weight. and although the home team had somewhat the best of matters, it was some considerable. time before they opened their score, the Saughall goalkeeper, in clearing, kick- ing the ball against one of his own bac ks. with the- result that the ball rebounded into the net. About ten minutes after J Harding added a second from a good centre by Littlemore. The game was well contested up to the interval, when the score st-ood 2—0 in Holsby's favour. Not long after the restart the home forwards rushed the ball into the net, thus scoring a third point. With the advantage of the wind the visitors then press-cd, and not long afterwards opened their ac- count with a long shot. This was followed by a second goal from a penalty kick. while a third was obtained directly afterwards through a, little looseness on the part, of the home defence. The game was well contested up to about ten minutes from time, when the referoe stopped p'av on ac- count of darkness, and it is understood that the match will have to be replayed. Hawarden Bridge played their return fixture in the Flintshire League with Flint Town on Saturday, before a good crowd,, on the Hawarden View enclosure. The ground was in a dangerous condition, and both sets of players used the ut- most caution. The home forwards got going, and Griffiths had hard lines with a shot that almost beat Bradley. A free kick against the home team transferred play to the other end where Atherton saved a hot shot from Owen O'NieL and another almost simultaneousl y from D. Llovd. Hewitt and Dawson cleared them out, and H. Lrreen, W. Thomas and W. Riley carried on a waim fusilado raTOund Bradley, but Griffiths failed to utilise several good passes. Several corners fell to the home side,, but the visitors' backs played a ster- ling defensive game. The visitors took up the running, but Hewitt forced E. O'Nid to kick out Both teams tried hard for a point, but the interval arrived with a clean sheet. On resuming, the visitors' forwards got- around the home custodian, who was lucky to save a high shot from J. Hayes at the expense of an abortive corner. A foul against J. Price relieved the pres- sure, and away went the home vanguard to the other end. where a good shot by Tullock was in- tercepted by Jones in a masterly manner. Flint got going on the left, and through some shaky play on the part of Hewitt. Atherton was almost beaten by O'Niol. The visitors were now monopo- lising the major portion of the game, and Ather- ton had to deal with three good shots in quick suc- cession. Ab last. however, their energies were rewarded by eome judicious passing, which resulted in the scoring of a goal two minutes before time. After this the home team made a raid on the Flint goal, and although H. Green tested Bradley with a good shot. they could not ecore, and the game ended in favour of Flint Town by one goal to nil. On Saturday Davenham had as visitors Kingslev, the result of a one-sided game being a win for the home team by seven goals to none. Kingsley's ill- fortune stieks with them in the new year as in the old.—Winnington Park encountered Gymnasium on the ground of the latter, and obtained a win of two goals to one.- Weaverham journeyed to Tar- porley to play their return fixture, and succeeded in making a draw. Not every team which goes to Tarporley this season will come back with one point, much less two. A special meeting of the Executive of the Chester and District League was held at Chester on Monday night (Mr. G. S. N. Hull presiding) to investigate the report of Referee J. H Russell re the Saltney and Hoole League match. The referee stated that he stopped the game fifteen minutes off time owing to darkness, that Hoole arrived ten minutes late, and complained of the conduct of the spectators during and at the conclusion of the match. After a lengthy investigation of the matter, the Executive decided that the referee was justified in his complaint against the general conduct of the spectators, being of opinion that had it not been for the adequate police supervision the case would have been a serious one. and it was ordered that the Saltney Committee be warned that in the event of a repetition of such conduct the ground would be closed, and that warning posters must be exhibited on the ground. It was also decided that A. Priest (the linesman) and J. Williamson icommittee-man) be suspended from taking part in League football until F ebruary 1st; that the match be replayed on neutral ground, and the proceeds be applied to the League medal fund. Saltney and Hoole were ordered to play their Charity Cup tie on the 16th inst. (referee, Mr. N. Hull), and Connah's Quay and Chester United were ordered to meet on the same date (referee. Mr. J. H. Russell). Helsby reported that Wrexham Crescent failed to turn up on Bank-holiday to play their League match. The matter was adjourned. I FIXTURES. liie following is a list of the local matches to I be played to-dav (Saturday), on tho ground of the first-named club —■ CUP ilKS. Chester Reserve v. Helsby (4th round for the Cheshire Amateur Cup). Rhyl Reserve v. Flint U.A.C. (at Shotton. in re- played semi-final tie for the Chester S2nior Cup). CHESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. Division II. Chester United v. Frodsham. Connah's Quay Reserve v. Hoole. Chester Garrison v. Helsby Reserve- Little Sutton v. Saughall. Whitby v. Saltney Carriage Works. COMBINATION. I RESULTS UP TO DATE. I r-Goals^ P W. L. D. ForAffst. Pts. Chester 14.10. 3. L.43 19.. 21 Oswestry .1: .10. 3 0. 30 ..19.20 Wrexham 15. 8. G.. 1.36.2G 17 Bit-kenhead 12. 7 3. 2 21.17 H; Broug-hton .13.7 4. 2.28 1!1G Bangor .1: 7.. 5. 1.SS 32.15 Nantwich 9. (> 2. 1.29.12.13 Witton Albion 14.2 6, 6 23 31.10 Chirk 14.. 7.. 4 30.43.10 Tranmere Rovers .10, 4.. 5.. 1 20 27. 9 Middlewich 14. 2. 9 3.15.35 7 Rhyl .11 3 8 0 16 ..31. 6 Winsford United 14 2 10. 2.1G 34.. G CHESTER & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE I DIVTSION I. I RESULTS UP TO DATE. I ^-Goals->, P. W. L. D. ForAgst. Pts. Connah's Quay. 5. 3. 0 2.14 5 8 Flint 4. 2 1.. 1 6 2. 5 Hawarden Bridge 1. 1. 0. 0 2. 1. 2 Flint U. A. C 5. 2,. 3. 0.10.13. 2 Chester Reserve. 3. 1. 2. 0. 9.13. 2 Rhyl Reserve r, 2 3. 0 10 14. 2 *Two points deducted for playing an ineligible man. CUDDINGTON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. P. w. D. L. Pts. Tirporlev I. < 4. 1. 1. 9 Weaverham 5. 3.. 2. 0.. 8 Winnington 3. 3. 0. 0. 6 Gymnasium. 5. 2. 2. 1. (> Cuddington. 7. 3. 0. 4.. 6 Davenham 3 1. 0. 2. 2 Kin?sley ( l.. o. 5. 2 AahtonHa.yes 5. 0. t: 4. î

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I AGRICULTURE. — 0. I THE NEW YEAR'S OUTLOOK. After the recent doleful experiences it cannot be said that farming prospects have much improved with the opening of the New Year, more particularly as far as tillage is concerned in Cheshire. Those farmers who managed to get in a little grain during dry intervals in November and December may or may not be congratulated on their achievement it al depends upon what weather is in store in the immediate future certainly it is no time for sow. ing this month. The late spell of frost was helpful for drying and getting manure on the land, and should there be a "break" of open weather m February without too much accompanying wet there may be the prospect of a fair tilth and seed- bed for the spring sowings. At present there are large expanses of stubbles unbroken much of which it is quite possible may not be broken up again for some years. It will need one good season at least to bring the land into condition again from the low, cold and raw state into which it has subsided through the late abnormal summer and autumn, not to speak of its impoverishment through constant washings. The frost stopped the ploughs in the middle of last week, and what threshing was effected was much of a hand-to-mouth description, mainly to supply straw The sales at Chicago last month of pure-bred cattle arc reported as having been highly success- ful. Sixty shorthorns averaged JE48. the highest figure being £ 205; seventy-one Hcrefords aver- aged L33, the highest £ 280; and eighty-two Aberdeen-Angus averaged £37, and up to E92. It is stated that the Pri nce of Wales has con- sented to become President of the Royal Agricul- tural Benevolent Institution, in succession to the late Duke of Richmond and Gordon The Yorkshire Agricultural Society have deter- mined to hold their exhibition next year at Hud- dersfiild. Much apprehension is expressed relative to the spread of cattle plague in Egypt. Accounts at present are extremely unfavourable, and it is feare l that during the winter, when the circum- stances arc stated to be more favourable, the dis- semination and development of the disease may become intensified. Mr. Robert Brydon, president of the Clydesdale Horse Society, has presented to the Glasgow Agricultural Society a challenge cup and shield, valued at a hundred guineas, to be competed for at their entire horse show. The Nottingham Agricultural Society ha\ 'e taken a favourable view of their City Council inviting the Bath and West of England Society to hold their annual exhibition of 1905 at Notting- ham. This is significant, and shews a kindly feeling where antagonism might have been ex- pected to an institution wandering so far out of I its way. A YEAR'S MEAT IMPORTS. I During the past twelve months 677 stoamor3 brought to the port of Liverpool alone 238,343 live cattle, 177,325 sheep, 1,868,041 oarcases?f shoop, and 1,234,017 quarters of beef. The foreign meat trade of the port, in the live cattle and sheep, however, still falls short of the supply which this oountry receives from Ireland, the en- tire number of cattle from the latter last year having totalled up to 894,371, and of sheep 834,193. Liverpool is essentially a port for the American meat trade, which has now attained enormous dimensions, and is valued at from C12,000,000 to £ 15,000,000 a year. GRADING AND PACKING FRUIT AND I VEGETABLES. Following on the heels of such a disastrous year as the last for the production of fruit and vege- tables, and almost everything else on farms and gardens, it comes rather as a touch of irony that the Board of Agriculture a.nd P'isheries should be issuing a leaflet on. this subject. But so it is. And without attempting to allude in detail to the "leaflet," which extends over nearly nine pages of close print, we can, give the Department credit for attempting to enforce many salient features in packing, which, if carefully attended to, might considerably enhance the profits of growers. It cannot be questioned that too much looseness exists in this matter, exoept perhaps in the early districts, where much produce, especially of soft fruits, requires delicate handling. But the bene- fits derivable, from careful and systematic grading are by no means confined to fruits, as vegetables also afford considerable encouragement to those who strive to make the most of them in the samo direction. Potatoes are specially alluded to as being all the better if graded inte sizes; but in | this connection it is deserving of mention that much deterioration is caused through the manner in which the tubers both In cartloads and in bags are shot and banged down by careless porters, large numbers being split and rendered almost useless; and when the process is repeated, as it often is, many times, it goes without saying that the loss is more acute. All other crops pay for attention in the same direction. j WILLING WORKERS WANTED. Considerable discussion and newspaper corre- spondence takes place every now and again re- specting the perennial subject of the agricultural labourer, and how to obtain his return to the land'. It is even now being pointed out that labour is urgently needed in the rural districts, and a correspondent points out that the money being raised at the Mansion House, London, to encourage the unemployed to work on the land, might very well be devoted to paying the expenses of the migration of surplus hands into the ooun- try rather than to maintain any specially formed colonies. An Epst Dorset farmer writing to,, 8. 1 contemporary, remarks: "It has been said that a continuance of frost wili add Seriously to the now general distress, especially in the country, where work has been scarce. I assure you there is plen- ty of employment in the country for good agri- cultural labourers. You might travel for miles in East Dorset and not see an instance of distress. Indeed, labour is so scarce that it is difficult to get sufficient extra hands on a farm to start a thresh- ing, and this notwithstanding it is now mid-win- ter, when the lack of daylight must of necessity limit outdoor work to eight hours, for which we' pay 2s. 6d. per day." And then he goes on to say that ever since JVIichaeimas he has been trying to obtain a carter-ploughman through the local papers and an organisation which provides Reser- vists and ex-soldiers, but without success,, though the average wage for agricultural labourers in the district varies from 15s. to 17s. a. week, with gcod cottage, garden, and potato ground. Instances such as these need little comment; either the labourers are beter employed or they have not sufficient industry to turn to at hard but healthful work. A CHICAGO CHAMPION. The champion beast at the Chicago fat stock show was again a bullock, which it appears until very recently had had no special feeding for exhibition purposes, anI the result furnishes further corroboration of the capable results of cross breeding. The animal in question was the produce of a Hereford sire with a cross-bred Holstein shorthorn dam, and was the property of and shown by the Nebraska Experiment Station His course of treatment was as follows :-On ar I riving at the experiment station last spring he was turned out to grass, and was only taken under cover in July to escape the excessive heat and torture by flies. Whilo on grass the steer received a. grain ration < f about 12ib. daily, consisting of 50 per cent. Indian corn, 20 per cent. oats. lcper cent. bran, and 15 per cent. oil meal. After Lis removal to the shed the grain ration was con- tinued, and gradually increased until fo.- the iast six weeks it amounted to 241b., the oil meal being increased to 20 per cent., and the bran cut down to 10 per cent., and 31b. of ground wheat introduced for ariety. Prairie hav and alfalfa (lucerne) were I also wn, but the oil meal and alfalfa caused scouring, and the latter was accordingly stopped. Since the second week of October the bulbok _=-1 1 veu ln addition 6ib. or 41b. of sugar beets oailv. Durin" the six and a half months li(- was at tho experiment station he gained 5501b in live weiQ"ht. and ln the last two months he added over 1001b. per month, which shows that the feeding process was admirably timed to suit the show. FATE OF THE "GREATEST INDUSTRY." I D"r'>t.J" L J -jorin vvngnrson remark:, in tho I Agncultural Gazette":—During this sad vear the hopes of farmers have been raised bv Mr. Chamberlain's proposal to reverse or modify our I existing system of taxation. That, [ petition has killed, or is killing, British "a srioii- ture there can be no doubt. although it mav be a fT()OO thing- for tho nation at large. Corn went first, but horn is following aft-r. Beef and mutton no longer fetch the prices of even twenty years ago. when first quality of beef made a first quality of mutton 7. 3d.. nor 81b. Now 4s. for bc?f ?id 5-?. 'for motton of th? samo qusHtv. or a reduction of something Hk? 30 p"" c?nt 'th' "Wt Tt is pleosnnt. to think that fool is ohean but t v uV'T f.? of thp '?r?t?t Industrv" of tnI' Rritih h]('s? A ?' '?? ?? we were to](I eorn-?ro-.n? in great Britain was ttn exntor?d tr!?,. and that we n?st donond un.T? live stoe.-c Now that grazing is rapidly ceasing to be nrontable whit are we to do next? Ga. ne appears to he the next line of defence T,et es snvo up ao-rieuIt"rp arr? rrrazino\ and go in for came as this is the on? fern of rural rents that ]s nsipo-. This nup?t'on of foreign competition is Thl., n,ic,,tion of forc-ilrii CoMpeti?,io" the Britih nation h??;na to wonder what it i? to do ir case (V a hie1 wax.

I TO IMPROVE THE BRITISH CLIMATE In reference to the excessive rainfall of the past summer and its disastrous consequences to farmers' Mr. John Henry Knight. Barfield, near Farnharn, writes to the Morning Post :—" Can science do anything to make our olimate driAr? I think it can. About one hundred and fifty or two hundred years ago the West of France was threatened with a great disaster. The sand thrown up hy the Atlantic was creeping inland, carried by the westerly winds, covering valuable farms and meadows. The encroachment of this sand was stopped by planting a very large district with fir trees The traveller of the present dav from Paris to the Spanish frontier passes through more than ft hundred miles of this forest, which not only averted disaster but is now a very valuable pro- perty. As forests are known to increase the rainfall I would suggest the planting of trees. largely under careful supervision and protection, in all available space-,i in the 'vvest and spaces in the West and South of Ireland and in parts of Cornwall. In fifteen or twenty years the trees would draw the rain from the clouds'rolling off the Atlantic, and our British climate would be drier and possibly in winter a little colder. It would be a dry cold, however, and not the damp cold we have at present. It may be objected that the cost would be great-which it undoubtedly would be. but the gain would be very great in many ways. Besides, the forests would in a few years be j extremely valuable. The world's supply of wood is rapidly diminishing.

THE EDUCATION ACT. I BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH ON A COMPROMISE. I r THE PRACTICAL QUESTION FOR I CHURCHMEN. The Bishop of St. Asaph, in an article in the "Nineteenth Century" on educational con- cordats, starts with the recognition that irre- trievable inj ury will ensue if the present strife continues, and that the Education Act of 1902 has aroused an opposition which, although varying in intensity, is almost unexampled in its extent. j The really formidable objections to the Act come, however, in his opinion, from moderate men who, without distinction of party, make educational efficiency the first consideration The Bishop j claims that the Parliamentary and extra Parlia- mentary discussions on the Act have made two facts clear-(I) that the people of this country will not have a secular system of education; (2) that they are determined t(i) make the national system of education as efficient as possible. II Dr. Edwards reviews the negotiations in refer- ence to the proposed Welsh concordat, and then I proceeds to state the Nonconformist grievances under the present system. Admitting that the I present Act intensifies the old grievance by making the Voluntary schools rate-aided, he proceeds:—" Two grievances, however, surpass all others in their magnitude and prominence in every Nonconformist discussion on the Education Act. The fist is the retention of a religious test I for head teachers; the second is the question of public control. I desire to state the facts fully and frankly on both these points. There are 31,026 certificated head teachers in the publie elementary schools of England and Wa es. I)f that number 10.919 are employed in Board schools, 16,144 in Church of England schools, and 3,9b3 in other denominational schools. Now, the broad fact stands out that 20.107 cc-rtificat ecl head teachers out of a total number of 3i.02o are em- ployed in denominaticnal school- -Putting the case in another way, the head teachers in our ele- mentary schools are now for all practical purposes Civil servants, and the Act of 1902 leaves un- altered the fact that two out of every three head teachcrships arc subject to a religious test. I j only wish to state this fact without comme it. Then there is the second and the greatest j grievance of all. The demand for public control in the non-provided or Voluntary schools is urged upon the principle that the measure of public control must be commensurate with the contribu- tions made from public funds. Of the total cost of maintenance for each child in average attend- ance in the Voluntary schools 37.7 per cent, came from public funds in the year 1869. This had I risen in 1879 to 44.2 per cent., in 1889 to 47.7, in 1899 77.6 per cent. In the year 1904 the contriba- tion will be over 90 per cent. It must be at once granted in the f ce of these facts that the control cannot remain where it was in 1869. i There is already public control, of which iaono complain, but the present demand is that the local management should be local public control. I do not desire to oppose this contention; but it may be reasonably asked why, for the purposes of control, the difference between rates and taxes should be obliterated in this connection and em- phasised in another, and the ratepayer claim for his representatives what in many cases may be a disproportionate share of control? But let this point be waived, and, for the sake of peace, let it be planted that there must be public control through and through. and that theoretically private management is indefensible, and that public control, locally and imperially, is symmetrical and less open to criticism. Only let it be remem- bered that it is on these general grounds and not always on that of financial equity, that the rate- payers can claim to be the predominant partner. Speaking of the grievances of Voluntary schools. and after pointing out the large expenditure cf Churchmen on their schools, trusting to the settle- ment of ltf70. the Bishop says Practically the compromise has worked in this way. The ral-os and taxes have been paid for the School Board religion and the Church schools have paid ior then- own. For thirty-three years an undogmatic religion approved by the Nonconformists has been taught in public elementary schools of this country. The State in the Cowper-Temple clause, more brief but not less binding than the Thirty- nine Articles, defined this School Board religion and established and endowed its teachers. For thirty-three years this compromise—call it, if you like, concurrent endowment—has worked tairly well. Under the plea of public control and the grievance of rate aid a demand is now being made to force this School Board religion upon all the schools of the country, or to exclude all religion. The Free Churches, we are told, are opposed to any dogmatic teaching whatever. It is. then. abundantly evident that while Churchmen are asked to give up the control of their Voluntary schools they are not to be offered freedom and toleration they are not even to be allowed to pro- vide at their own expense for the teaching of their own children in their own faith." looking from these considerations to a practical policy for the future, Dr. Edwards sees no prospect of extending the Voluntary school system under the Act of 1902. If that is so (he proceeds), the Church of England will be left with her own non-progressive system, and. as a penalty for this possession, she will be permanently shut out from teaching her own children in the provided schools. The prac- tical question, then, for Churchmen is this—Is it better to retain our own schools, where we can teach some of our children in our own way. or to accept a compromise which vould give us the right (I assume that no other compromise has any chance of acceptance in this country) of providing i religious instruction for our own children in fur own faith in every public elementary school in the countrdy"? The acceptance of the latter alterna- tive woul, I believe, greatly promote the cause of religious instructicn ;)1 what are now provided schools, where the adoption of such a syllabus as that of the London School Board would und? the new conditicns probably meet with no oppo.i- i tion. The practical working of such a com- promise does not seem beset with great difficulties. The general syllabus of religious instruction would be taught in all schools on four days, and on one day there would be facilities for unrestricted re- ligious teaching. Under this plan every denomina- tion would have the light to provide for the religious instruction of their own children, in their own faith, at their own cost. All the Voluntary schools would then become provided schools, hther by sale or lease. What is the great- obstacle to such a olan as this?" TH 3 MONTGOMERYSHIRE RATE. CLUN GUARDIANS FOLLOW J:<U.KU1<jlY; I EXAMPLE. P' I' The Board of Guardians tor the oiun t,nion, which, with the exception of two parishes, is in Shropshire, have followed the example set by the Forden Board of Guardians and refused to levy the Montgomeryshire County Council's education rate of 2d. in the pound. The two parishes in the union within the county of Montgomeryshire are Hyssington and Sneyd, and under the Mont- gomeryshire County Council's resolution of October 20 the sch JOb there would not receive any rate aid. It is upon these grounds that the Clun Guardians have refused to levy the rate Their refusal will probably necessitate a special meeting of the County Council to consider whether the precept shall or shall not be sent direct to the overseers of the two parishes. The question as it affects Forden Union is to be discussed again to-day (Wednesday), when a motion will be made to rescind the resolution of November 11, in which the Guardians decline to levy the rate There is also a resolution on the paper to ask the County Council to rescind the no rate-aid resolution. LIABILITIES OF SCHOOL MANAGERS, 1 At the meeting ot the Koc-nester t^aucntion Committee on Friday the Secretary reported that he had sent the following letter to the Board of Education: ",S.,r,-S,ome of the members of the Education Committee who have been appointed as managers of the. Voluntary schools are very anxious about their position. In several cases the old school managers left a debit balance, and there are be- sides considerable repairs to be done to tho schools, without there being any visible means for raising the necessary funds. I should be much obliged if ycti could inform me whether the man- agers appointed by the Education Committee by accepting such appointment render themselves liable to make good any debit balance existing on the appointed day _°r for any future liability in- curred in respect of the cost of repairs, to the schools required to be executed by the Educaton I Authority. The reply of the Board was as follows;- "The questions which you ask are such as can only be decisively answered by a court of law. The Board, however, find nothing' in the Educa- tion Act, 1902, which would lead them te suppose that the liability of a debit balance existing on the appointed day oould be transferred from the old managers to those appointed under the Act. As regards the question of repairs, I am to state that the managers of a Voluntary school ap- pointed by the local education authority on the minor local authority, under section 6 (1) or 6 (2) of the Education Act, 1902, have the same rcspon- sibilities with respect to management as the foundation managers appointed under section 11 of the Act, including that of carrying out the rea- sonable requirements of the local education authority as to repairs under section 7 (1) (d) of the Act. That section, however, merely imposes a. condition, and does not create an obligation. If the managers fail to observe the provisions of thi5 section the nmscgnenco will be that the school will cease to be maintained as a Voluntary Public elementary school. The persona liability of the managers to pay for any repairs of the school which they decide to make will depend in future, as it has done in the past, on the extent to which the managers, whether individually or collectively, make themselves personally liable m giving orders for repairs without having funds arising from subscriptions or other sources in their hands to meet the ccst. This is a matter, now as before, entirely in the hand's of each manager, and t,his Act makes no difference in the law which governs it. Any manager may guard himself at the outset by giving notice that he does not re- cognise the other managers individually or col- lectively "as his agents to bind him for building charges.

THE CHIEF CONSTABLESHIP OF CARDI- GANSHIRE.—The Home Secretary has declined to reconsider his refusal to confirm the appointment of Sergeant and Chief Clerk Richard Jones as Chief Constable of Cardiganshire. The Home Secretary, according to the "Western Mail," is of opinion that so responsible a position could not be adequately filled by an officer who had previously occupied no Higher position than that of sergeant and clerk. TO MOTHERS, Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup has been used over fifty years by Millions of mothers fer their children while teething, with perfect success It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately It 13 pleasant to taste it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub wakes up "a? bright as a button." Of all chemists, Is. ljd. per bottle.

HUNTER BREEDING IN SHROP- SHIRE. On lines which bear some resemblance to those of Mr. Phillpotts Williams's Brood Mare Soc.ety scheme, Mr. F. A. Wolrych Whitmore, of Larden Wenlock, Shropshire, seeks to quicken the interest of farmers in that county in the breeding of hun- ters, an industry for which Salop was formerly famous. Mr. Whitmore points out, as we have often done, that farmers are too apt to breed from any Lght-legged mare they may have without any regard to her suitability for the purpose. In the hope of achieving his much-desired end Mr. Whitmore is circulating a letter, a copy of which he has kindly sent us ("The Field"). The material parts are:- I believe that if the landowners and others who hunt, or take an interest in the Wheatland coun- try, will agree to guarantee among themselves a, subscription of S100 a year for, say, ten years, the nucleus of a stock of suitable mares could be at once secured, and that at the,end of the ten years there would be at least thirty really good brood mares within the limits of the Wheatland coun- try, and moreover, at the expiration of that period, such a sum of money would be found; to have accumulated as would render the scheme eu- tirely self-supporting for the future. Now, supposing that in 1904 such an association were set on foot on the lines I have suggested, the committee would be at once in a position to pur- chase, say three brood mares, with good should- ers and plenty of substance. I believe fairly young mares, either incapacitated from hunting by accident, or so worn in the legs from work as to be of little money value as hunters, could be easily found' at, the price I name (three mares for £100). Each of these mares I propose to let to tenant farmers at a rental of C5 per annum. Supposing that in each suooessive year three more mares be added to the stock in the posses- sion of the association, I estimate that at the end of ten years, no less a sum than £ 845—^without considering interest-will have accumulated from rentals alone. It is, however, obvious that allow- ance must be made for "wear and tear," that is, that from accident or old age some of the stock will have dropped out of themselves or have had to be drafted, and their places supplied by fresh purchases, but. I think we may fairly estimate that at the expiration of ten years, the association would have thirty brood mares, let at a total ren- tal of C150, and a sum of E400 or thereabouts, to their credit in the bank. It is pretty plain, then, if my figures can be taken as approximately accurate, that with this substantial annual inocme of J6150, in the shape of rental, no interference with the capital will be necessary, unless to meet some unforseen con- tingency. I append a tabulated sketch of my plap, and should it_appear from any replies that may reach me, that it Ls thought worthy of serious consideration, I propose to call a meeting at Bridg-north, or elsewhere, in due course, in order to discuss my scheme in detail, and if thought well, to establish it if possible on some praotical basis. I take it that in Mares Paid as Subscribed. bought. rental. 1004 £100 3 £lG 11)05 3 £:30 190G 3 £45 1\}07 „ 3 1,109 3 £ 90 1910 „ 3 £ 105 1911 £120 3 £];)5 1913 „ 3 £ 150 £ 825 During the ten-year period, the rentals paid by tenant farmers for the "yearly" use of mares would have thus reached the cumulative sum of £825. But, as, before stated, some of this money would have been used to replace mares lost, to. the association by accident or illness. I hope I' am not too sanguine in estimating, that of this R825, a balance of S400 would, at the end of ten years, be to the credit of the association. In connection with the above apparently feasible plan, we (" The Field ") would only point out that it does not follow, because the required number of mares are bought, be they ever so promising in appearance, that they will breed good hunters. It often happens that the most promising mares never throw anything worth £ 25. This would no doubt cause the casting of several, though time must elapse for experience to be gained.

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I THE CHICAGO DISASTER. FRESH LIGHT ON THE FIRE. As a result of the coroner's inquiry and the municipal officers' investigations fresh facts have been discovered tending to throw light on the cause of the deplorable theatre disaster at Chicago. It appears that the doors at the back of the stage caused a draught which blew out a large fan scene, containing a number of incan- descent lights. The scene fell with a crash, causing a sound like an explosion, which, no doubt, con- tributed to the panic among the audience. As soon as the fire got a hold 75,000 feet of oiled Manila rope used for suspending 180 drop scenes added fuel of the most highly-combustible char- acter to the flames. The asbestos curtain, instead of being arranged to drop quickly, was hung with an endless rope, and could only be hauled down with difficulty. When it was being lowered it struck on an arc light near the top of the proscenium arch. Employes of the Theatre testify that the heat from the flood light ignited the flimsy borders of the adjacent scenery, and thus caused the fire. The managers of the leading theatres have held I a meeting, at which it was resolved to comply in every way with the wishes of Mr. liarrisoit, the Mayor. The latter has decided that asbestos i curtains cannot be relied upon to afford complete protection from fire, and it is announced that henceforth all theatres must be provided with steel roller curtains. in addition, the following new regulations will be enforced: --Every theatre must have wide exits. No combustibles of any kind will be allowed in the house; scenery must be made fire- proof; skylights must be provided over the stage fitted with automatic lids so as to afford egress to smoke in the case of need. Gas jets are to be enclosed in wire netting. Separate stairways will be necessary, each exit having a stairway con- nected with it leading to the street. No calcium or "spot" lights are in future to bo used on the stage. Mr. Fulkerson, City Fire Inspector, states that he has discovered that the descent of the asbestos curtain in the Iroquois Theatre was prevented by a steel reflector, which had been carelessly left open by a stage hand. PAINFUL INCIDENTS. Chicago, Saturday. While the Mayor was inspecting the theatre yesterday lie accidentally trod on a large lock of hair torn from the scalp of some victim. He shuddered as he removed it from his foot and placed it on one side. Late yesterday afternoon a man of tired and haggard appearance entered a street car carrying in his arms the body of his little girl, partially covered with canvas. The conductor informed him that he could not be permitted to remain in the car. Without shewing excitement or irrita- tion, the father rose, holding in one arm the child's body, while with his free hand he drew a large revolver and said in tones of utter weari- ness, I've searched for this child's body all night and all day yesterday. I tried in vain to obtain a cab or carriage. I am taking my babv home to her mother, and intend to do so on this car now. Go on." The other passengers inter- ceded, and the car proceeded with the man and his sad burden. Another father, after a heartbreaking search, for his boy and girl, identified a mangled corpse as his daughter and conveyed it home, where he found both his children awaiting him. They had been dazed by the terrible scenes at the fire, and had wandered about the streets together all night. —Press Association ROYAL SYMPATHY. I N ew York. Sunda v. King Edward and Queen Alexandra and the Prince of Wales have telegraphed to President Roosevelt expressing sympathy with the relatives of the victims. A message has also been received at Washington from the Czar. This message has not been made public.

HOCKEY, "CHESHIRE'S STRENGTH." -1. I Cheshire with victories over cstmorlam!. Notts and Lancashire standing to their creJir. visited Hendon on Friday, and by beating Middle- sex by two goals to nothing established them- selves as about the strongest county hockey team in England. The ground was hard and bumpy. and as a consequence the ball was difficult to control; but Cheshire gave a very clever display, and in their stick-work were decidedly superior to Middlesex. The ball, in spite of its lively antics, was taken on the run by the visitors, who, as a lesult, were dangerous eveiy time they j:>i going. G. F. Tomliiison, at inside right, v, a-> the best forward on the field, his stick-handling being particularly fine. The left-v ing pair, A Barrett and B. Brewer, also did well. Of a splendid line of halves, F. F. Blatherwick at centre was best. L. G. Peel, at back, got his side out of many tight corners, and was perhaps the best defence man on the field. The Middlesex inside wing forwards. Eric Green and L. G. Campbell, were good, ir.it the whole line failed near goal, owing, of course, to a large extent to the fine defence of their opponents. The home halves were cut-playe 1. W. B. Adams being' the only one who offered serious resistance to the Cheshire forwards. As a result H. S. Freeman and C. Pimm, the backs, were kept busy, and it cannot be said that the defeat was their fault. They repelled many attacks in brilliant style. Both goals were scored in the second half, the getters being Barrett and Tomlinson. PAUPERISM IN NORTH WALES.-At the St. Asaph Board of Guardians on Friday Mr. Bircham, the Local Government Board Inspector, gave some interesting figures which denoted a satis- factory decrease in pauperism during the last 10 years. Ten years ago the rate of pauperism in the union waB 4'2 of the population. This year it was 3'2, a decrease of 27 per cent. In North Wales the decrease was 21) per cent. These satisfactory figures were no doubt due to improved administration. Ten years ago the expenditure upon indoor and out- door paupers was £ 7,150 per annum, being at the rate of 4s. 11 d. per head of the population of the union. The expenditure now was £ 7,330 per annum, representing an increase of 2h per cent. Notwithstanding this increase, the number of paupers now relieved was 1,050, compared with 1,231 a decade ago. The expenditure had increased by 36 per cent. in England and Wales, but it had actually decreased in North Wales by 3 per cent. I TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN FLINT SHIRE.—Mr. P. Mostvn Williams, the organising secretary to the Technical Instruction Commiftec of the Flintshire County Council, has issued to the members his report of the work done during the past year. Ihe number of classes held in tho county was 35 and the number of individual students 760. The work of tho students, as tested oy examination, had not shewn any marked im- provement. Even at centres where the best results had been obtained in the past there wa an ap- parent deterioration, although the students had exerted themselves to the utmost. Tho standard of excellence had been raised to a much higher pitch than formerly. Four classes had been held in mining, with 54 students. In the course of his report Air. Mostyn Williams enlarges at some length upon the beneficial effects which will follow the introduction of the New Education Act. point- ing out especially the facilities the Act will give for the working of evening schools for continua- tion purposes, and stating that there are at least thirty centres in the county where such schools couiti be carried on. Mr. Williairs is of opinion tlia'. to thos" children who cannot go into tho county schools the evening continuation school sho iid be made indispensable, as it was the only chance they would have of equipping themselves forUlO irrowing competition of the airc. I ==.

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