Cheshire Observer

A CHESTER DRUGGIST'S AFFAIRS I BORROWED CAPITAL. I On Tuesday, at the Chester Bankruptcy Court. before Mr Registrar Giles, Ernest Williams, aged 28, photographic dealer and druggist, lately residing at The Mount, Queen's Park, and formerly carrying on business at. 59, Bridge-street, Chester, attended for his public examination. The .summary of debtor's state- ment of affairs, shewed liabilities expected to rank at £ 1,826. Os. 5d., and assets estimated to pro- duce JB205. 15a. 10d., leaving a deficiency of £ 1,620 6s. 7d. The caitses of failure, as stated by the debtor, were "insufficient capital and ill-health." —Examined by the Official Receiver (Mr. LI. Hugh Jones) debtor said that prior to April, lS9tl. he was in the employnient of Mr. Kemp, ohemist, Bridge-street, Chester, first as an appren- tice ana aiterwards as an assistant. Hearing that Mr. Kemp was intending to retire, debtor arranged to buy tone busmw* from Mr. Kemp. He had no capital of his own. The business was valued in Maron, 1899, at £ 1,536. 9d., and he took over the business then, paying down a Rum of 2900, whaen tie borrowed as tallows: -jW from his father, £ 200 from his brother, Mr. W. E. Wiiiiatns from his sister-in-law, and 2200 from his wife. He married his wife about the time he bought the business. That was before he was 21 ywirs of age. The Official Reoetver: The acoount shews your brother lent you, -PIOO in nber. 1897.— Debtor: I intended to go to London to study for my final examination, and in order to satisfy Mr. Komp that I would purchase the businetss, I asked my brother to lend ine the money to lend Mr. Kemp as a bond that- [ would purohase the business when I was qualified. The money was paid over to Mr. Kemp. Did you qualify?—No, I did not. Debtor further stated that ha pMd his brother 10 sum of £ 25 in Aon I. 1899. out of the takings of tha business. He did not hand over the books when he sold the business. H. collected his book debts though a soiicator. He thought the. books were defrayed. About E60 was owing to him in book debts when tie gave up fcha business. He car. ied on the business until 1902. and found himself getting into- difficulties aiter the first twelve months. In the year 1902 tha business was Relet to Air. Normansed for He ctfoctod the sale through a ML-. John Man- ners. whose charges for valuation and commission on tho sale amounted to L90. After paying a cer- tain sum to Air Kømp- and discharging other liabilities in eouneotkm with the business, the-ro was nothing left of the purchase money he re- ceived. He paid nothing to his sister-in-law, his father or hia wife. There was still £ 223. 16s. 8d. due to Mi-. Kemp. His sster-iii !;v\v went bond fcr him nt the bank for f-250, -.iid at fcho time of the sale he owed that to IV'I' Of his present liabilities about at the time of the. sale of the business to Mr. Normansell. Tho Official Receivar: Why did you not file your petition?—My solicitor ailviiiod me- to sign my petition. I thought I should probably ob- tain a good situation, if I recovered my health, and that I might then be able to ptay off everyone. If you got a good situation. hoiv much would you earn?—About. £ 250 a jc-iMr. The Registrar: What as? -Photographic ma:vv ger or ohemist's assistant. You anticipated getting C250 a year as an unqualified manager to a ehetnist or manager to a -or in photographic materials?—Yes. Tho Official Rooeiver: Of that £2S{) a year how much would it ooss you to live?— £ 3 a week. That would leave 2,100 a year to pay off £ 1,330. That would take. 16 years. What reason had you to suppose your creditors would wait?—I knew my O-.vil peopie would wart, I had ito reason to sup- pose the ocners would. f Have you paid off any oroditers? —I have been ccntmuaay paying off c-ieditois in small sums. How much have you paid off?—Probably £200. So tna.t reaiiy your was £ 1 500 in debc? —Yes. The Registrar: What happened after the first twelve Did Mr. Kemp lotire?—Yes. You knew all the ms and ou's of the busi--weol- Yes. How oamo you to get into difficulties?—I had only £ 900 capital to buy the business. I WiW practically in oebi the time I went there. Answering further questk>r*s, debtor said his difficulties increased in tho «eoond year, and he was advised to sett the business. Tle turnovor of the busuie^s wa- ELboitt E-1,400 a year, and his gross prolits 276- p" oent. He had- to keep a qu&iified. assistant, to whom, \y» Vi-id 970 a and his keep. The Registrar: And you yoiwseif expected to 9. a. sahu-y of £250 as unqualified assistant ?— Debtor said that for a period of twelve mouths after salting the business he was not abie to do anything; but in February, 1303, he was ap- pointed traveller for a patent, mtxiicine firm, whioa appointnv>-i! he g> v{' rp after holding it two months, as lire wa-3 undor the doctor again. A few days before he filed his petition ho obtained his present appointment, as photographic assistant in London. He had made a mistake in saying he had pa.d £ 200 to biri oreditois sinoo he gave up Ins business. Prior to his mtairia-go his sister-in- law and wife carried Oil a boardmg-hou»e busi- ness m White Friars. They removed on,his ma-f- r.age to 67, Bridge-street Row. His sister .a-law went with them bringing lior furniture. In April. 1903 they removed to "The. Mount." Queen's Park. Ho afterwards took "The OhaJet" adjoining. He was the tenant, and paid a rental of £ 60 a year for each houso. His sister-in-law v/as with them, aad up to a shoit time ago they earned on tiie boarding-houso* bus'ineis^ at the two house5. tho business belonging 0> bankrupt and his; wife. He and iri > wifa and slstor-in-iaw were j now living at 6. Staruey-road, T;Xldington, Lon- don. His salary was E2. 10,i. par week. With a L'm of Eiji) he had borrowed in Liverpool he hud paid money cue for his insuranoa. rant and other bilia and the rest he had put into 9 bank. He thought he should be able to pay t back from what he 'voc-ivod fmm The Mount. Mr. Wardie, of Messrs. Guest and Wardle, a creditor, a;,ked: Do you agree with the Official Receiver that at th?> time thrit ycwi took credit from us to the extent of 9% yon know you were hopelessly insolvent for £ 1,300? -Yes. Mr. Owen (representing- Messrs. Thompson, Son and Clemenee) You lost £ 320 on the trarisaotion of selling the, business, and you still owe Mr. Kemp E223 and £ 103 to your ixothor?—Yes. You made a profit &t Queen's Paik?—Yes. The 0racial Receiver: You have given up all your profit-I have not anything, sir. I hare not a pennv left. The examination was closed, subject to the signing of the shorthand notes.

j S Witri the aid of Brown ?-9 Po i son s B r 0, vv'-a raising powder P AISLEY FLOUR" Scones, Calces, plain -pa.try. cUc., are made with such ease. turn out so I dsliciously light. look so I te?ptr.:? t??.t new users .u.1 .1: 'l1. 1 L 't Y I art'd l;ntc.d vr; ck it. You ar?J<'i?n?.v-;c??. You I ? you try it—d? 3C? soon. I k..„ 7L & 3V2«i. packets- t -—————————

FORTY YEARS AN EDITOR. I One of the lithest and- most vigorous members I of the House of Commons kept an anniversary on Sunday. Sunday was Mr. Fred Wilson's i birthday, and it marked also his fortieth year in the twofold capacity of newspaper editor and proprietor. Mr. Wilson comes of an eld Norfolk family. His father was one of tha founders of the "Norfolk News." and in that office the young man was indentured under the care of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett eomtime member for the city of Norwich. At the age of 21 he acquired the "Cheshire Observer," and a few years later he improved hi3 journalistic experience by serving cn the "Liverpool Daily Post" under Mr. (now Sir Edward) Russell- Mr. Wilson returned' to East Anglia to associate himself with Suffolk and Essex journals, and in 1874 started the "East Anglian Daily Times" at Ipswich. Like Aaron's rod, it swallowed up all the rest of its competi- tors in the immediate neighbourhood. Mr. Wil- son has mixed his editorial devotions and over- sight of the counting-house with recreations not often associated with journalism. He is a keen hunttng man, and it is of interest to notice that in 1897 he rod o in the Parliamentary Steeple- chase. He presided over the inaugural meeting of the Fehxstowe Golf Club, and he has done much to encourage rifle-shooting in the Eastern Counties. A further illustration of his width of attachments is that he is president of the Norfolk Chess Association, and played for the House of Commons against the American House of Repre- sentatives. Mr. Wilson farms his own land in Mid-Norfo!k, the constituency he represents. It is a curious circumstance that as far back as 1866 he was one of a body of Volunteers called to shoulder rifles to defend Chester Castle against the Fenians, and that 21 years afterwards he met- one of the attacking party as a colleague in the House of Commons!

CHESTER BANKRUPTCY COURT. I TUESDAY. -Before Mr. Registrar Giles. I A DEBTOR AND HIS THOUSANDS. I George Adolphus Ralph Dawson, The Nash, Churton-road. Rhyl, of no occupation, attended for his adjourned public examination. Debtor's statement of affairs shewed a surplus of assets of 23,558. 10s. 9d. Included in the assets was a sum of £4,000 share of debtor in trust funds. The causes of failure were:—"Living beyond my means in tho expectation of reoeiving moneys after my mother's decease." The case had been transferred from the Bangor Court. Debtor had stated that lie was entitled to an interest under .1 °1. <0" the will ot tus maternal graodtatner, Jonah Harrop, of Ashton-under-Lyne, and there were some proceedings pending in Chancery with re- ference to this estate. The Official Receiver (Mr. Ll. Hugh-Jones) now stated that the trusteo had ascertained that there was no chance of obtain- ing any funds in the Chancery suit which was pending. In reply fo the Official Receiver bank- rupt stated that in reference to the Chancery proceedings the question- had been raised as to whether he received E4,000 which was to come to him under various appointments made under Jonah Harrop's will.—The Official Receiver: I think you admit you aigned a deed of release to the trustees of the will?—Yes.—I think the Master in Chancery has now found as a fact that the £ 4,000 appointment was properly made and that the same was afterwards paid to you or your nominee?— Yes, so I heard.—He has deoided that any question of attack upon that appoint- ment of 94,000 or the fact of its apportionment to you cannot be raised in these Chancery pro- ceedings?-Yes.-And if raised' at all must be the subject of a separate action by you or your trustee?—Yes.—Are you aware that if you have any faith in this claim of £ 4,000 it would be: open to you to get rid of these bankruptcy pro- ceedings by proposing a compwition?-Yes.- Say 7s. 6d. or 10s. in the £ It would not take more than E3,30 or £ 400, and it would be open to you to obtain this 24,000, would it not ?-I cannot find the money now.—In reply to further ques- tions debtor admitted that he had received JB56 more than his due out of his mother's estate, and to that extent ho was indebted to his sister.— Questioned by Mr. H. J. Price (Chester), the trustee, he had1 pawned a diamond ring, value 227. 10s., and when he was married his wife redeemed it for 212. 10s. He was willing to hand ovr that ring for the benefit cf his creditors provided his wife was paid back the sum she had paid' to redeem it.—Mr. Price: When you lodged with Miss Owen. Bouverie-street, Chester, | a.bout last May, had you not a gold hunter watch ? —No.—Is Mr- Dye wrong if he says it was in Mr. Bras,,y';{ safe for a time?—Certainly; I never had a watch in my life in the safe.—Mr. Brassey is scheduled for E25, is he not?—Yes. I was wrong.—Mr. Brassey sends me a claim for £64. Where i3 the difference?—At the time there wene two accounts.—Then this cla.im is oorreet?—If it is the aocount.-Replvin,- to ques- tions by Mr. Pearce Lewis, debtor said when he incurred his present liabilities he had in view the receiving of the C4,000. He was advised by counsel that he had a bona fidc, claim.-The Official Reoeiver: If you got a little more Kime do you think you could pay 20s. in the £ ?—No; I not now ths Chancery proceedings have gone against me.—As a matter of fact you have been hopelessly insolvent for some time and keeping out of the way of your cre-ditors ?-Crtainly not. ) I lIved among my creditors at Derby.—The ex- amination was closed subject to the signing of the statement. BUTLER WHO TURNED GROCER. I Wm. James Archer, butler, Great Barrow, near Chester, lately carrying on a business as grocer j and proyis'on dealer at Marlpool. near Heanor, Derbyshire, attended for his public examination. His liabilities were expected to rank at J6187 and his deficiency was JE166. 3s. Id. He attributed his failure to "bad trade, bad debts, and keen competition." Debtor, who answered the ques- tiens put to him in an unhesitating and straight- forward way, said that up to Ocober, 1901. he was in gentlemen's service, and hadsinoo rø- turned to the same occupation. In October, 1901, ho invested his own savings of £200 and a. further  of ;6200 and a. furt h er sum of £ 200. being a legacy which he received under the will of his late wife, in the grocery business at Marlpool. He employed his brother- in-law, Matthew James Holland, to manage the business of which he (debtor) had ha.d no experi- ence. In May, 1904, he sold1 the business for he paid away in settlement of the claims of creditors. Of his present indobtednoBS £ 50 was due to his wife, who advanced him that sum to carry on the business. Hi; si ster-in-law had also advanced him £30. He had lost £ 566 in three and a half years.-The examination was closed subject to the signing of the, transcript of the shorthand notes. I A YOUTHFUL BANKRUPT. Edward Jonc. who is only 21 years of age, and is a cycle, dealer of Holywell, attended for his public exam iii-Ation.-Th,, Official Reec-iver r, marked tint he was another "boy bankrupt," and was making a bad beginning. Up to Nov.. 1903, debtor wast cycle repairer. He serve d his time with a cycle dealer at Hol-weit. After- wards h.g. worked twelve months at Frodsham, ancv went to Ilelsby Wire Work-, where he re- mained for a month or twc. He did not like i the plac*. There was too muc!i tnd he I went to Holywell.—The Registrar: To tret out j of the pmcll ?—Yes.—Fhnt is next to Holywe'l j and Mostyn is on the other side?- y" (Laugh- ^r )—Is_ not that bad enough 1-We are on the hilt.—Alter b°tng err.pi yed at Holywell twelve months he obtained a situation at Edenderry. Ireland, and happened to be there when the motor races were on. In November, 1903. he opened a j cyele' dapot in 'Hotyw?I. His capital was £10. which he had corned about with h:m. H? failed owinz to a ?drop ii the prices of cycle" in Aug., 1904." H:s deficiency was £ 52.—The examina- tion was closed subject to the signing of the tran- script of the shorthand notes.

HAVE YOU CATARRH? ETKI'.Y FourtTK PERSON YOU MEET HAS IT. AN iNsimour. AND DANGEROUS DISEASE. WOANB THAN BRONCHITIS. Catarrh coTirrie >ces frequently by running at the-nose; sets up inflammation of the mucus ? etubr?nx of the nose an? thr 'at, follows! i.y ? -"I?Ped up feefit? in the nose aud drop?in? of mucus :n the ttiro?r It parti?Uv stops up • h"m;-v?t'tf..t' the lun\{. niR?me" the i?,;rChial surface, sets up catarrhal bronchitis or catarrhal asthma, accompanied by a <!ry ur loose c.ugii, difficulty in breath- ing, with unpleasant hawking 11.11<1 expectorating. The macus thus secretsd works its 'j" d.,iva the aliuientarv canal to tl-lc stomach, "at ir-h of the stomach and intestines {o: owiiiij. It th n twcr.mes a pel si .tent con- stitutional direus*, both dangerous aud disa*re?able leaving the paVent very sn^ceptiule t > cold, a cd every additional cold agnravn-tes the symptoms until it allsots the be-iriu-r ino fjradually The •ense of smell and tast"}. VKKO'S l.r.BTMjr, COUGH OPRS is tbe nr's;; efficient remedy for thi< flisasri eable complaint It, :iccj dirt-etly upon the mucus surf ice, relives the irritation, clears the h:Oiii'bi»l tubes and air v iwicle™ and relieves the stopped up F-eluiif in the Ilil" It is inline«!y superior to any local ireat-nii-it. Jt • cts c .n.-titu-kmally, clears catarrh tlioro,hl,, Ott-, rf th s> s t"iu ,011 feei bitter the first day; jon b«»in ti breathe freriy through the urge and r»sfc c refirt III y NT iiisrh' Ask FOR VETO'S LIQHTNISO COUGH CURB, is lid. and 2 s. 9d. at Clieruist everywheic.

N EW ZEALAND IMMIGRAl'TS.-Reuter's Agency has received the following communica- b-orl W it.'A reference, to the figures cf British emigration to Australia and New Zealand in 1904, reoentiy published by the Board of Trade, the Agent-Generai for New Zealand desiree to point out that the nstt gain to New Zealand by excess of immigration from all sources during last calendar year was 10,355 persons." RELIGIOUS MANIA AND SUICIDE.—A verdict of Suicide while of unsound mind" was returned by a coroner's jury at Southampton on Monday in the case of Albert Edward Yea1, market gardener, cf Sholing. There was a revival recently at Sholing, and. according to the evid- ence, thp (ikc-ased became very much worried, and r",ad his Bible a great deal. He was found on Sunday almost- naked and covered with blood, and had mutilated himself in a shocking manner. THE RRV. R. C. FILLINGHAM.—The Rev. R. C. Pill;ii,-ham. vicar of Ilexton, Herts, on Monday night delivered1 a lecture in the Primi- tive. Methodist, Cha.pel. at Chatham, where he had preach d two sermons on the previous day, his subject being "Why I am a Protestant." There was a crowded audience, and a resolution was unanimously passed prot-esSng against the Bishop of Ht. Albans' thr°at*ned prosecution of Mr. FiUinghsm. Mr. Fillirpham said he did not believe his lordship's attitude was one of bluff. T'-ey might succeed in getting him out of the Church of England, but as far as God gave him health and strength he would make thiings hot for, the bi shop. It is understood the Primitive Methodist minister will shortly occupy Mr. Fil- lingham's pulpit.

AGRICULTURE. A PROMISING OUTLOOK. I The beautiful weather of the past week came in pleasing contrast to its predecessor, which was more noticeable for cold rains and generally un- comfortable tendencies. irtually the last week or ten days days have been days of sunshine, affording agriculturists admirable opportunities of getting on the land, wi.th the result that a good deal of oat and baxtoy sowin- and potato planting has been accomplished. The land was heavy at first, but a day or two sufficed to dry the surfaces so as to permit the drills and harrows to travel freely through a fine tilth. Large areas have been thus covered, and another week or two of such weather will see the finish of the bulk of this kind of work. It goes without saying that with such weather the growing crops, together with the early seedlings, oontinue healthy, while the pastures could scaroely present a more encouraging appearance for the coming grazing season. Sheep are doing well, though there are still complaints of the dearth of twin Iambs. It is stated that sheep-breeders in the southern and south-western oounties are finding that the growing of kale is especially profitable for feeding Iambs and ewes in the eariy spring. It sprouts sooner than swedes or turnips, affording dainty pickings for too lambkins while being suckled. A plan advocated and largely followed in the cultivation is to grow swedes and kale together in alternate triple rows. The Essex County Council have acquired a field at St. Osyth, in that county, with a view to ex- perimenting as to the utility of growing sugar- beet. Numerous experiments in different parts of the country have proved that the crops may be grown successfully wherever nmngoids flourish, the only question is- whether it would pay to make beet sugar. • A farmer summoned at the Wigton Police Court the other day for neglecting to report sheep scab, declared he did not know what it was; and the Bench, in fining him 10s. and costs, said they quite bioliewd the defendant's pLea. thereiope they dealt lightly with him; but, being a farmer, be ousht to know. DRY AND RAINY SEASONS., I At the recent meeting ot the xtoyai oiaiisticai Society. Dr. W. N. Shaw, secretary of the Meteorological Council, gave an address on the I weather, his remarks dating back to the year 1878. He mentioned among others the following facts :-Dryest spring, 1893; ramlall, l..aj incnes. Wettest spring, 1878; rainfall, 7.55 inches. Dryest summer, 1885; rainfall, 3.63 inches. Wettest summer, 1879; rainfall, 12.99 inches. Dryest autumn, 1904; rainfall, 3.80 inches. Wettest autumn, 1885; rainfall, 12.63 inches. Dryest I winter, 1890 and 1891, rainfall, 2.68 inches. Wettest winter. 1899-1900; rainfall. 12.25 inches. MILK TESTING. I The Board of Agriculture Journal" for March contains the announcement that an ar- rangement for milk testing has been made by most of the agricultural colleges and agricultural departments. As is well known, it frequently happens that for some reason as yet unexplained a cow will give milk which does not come up to the standard in percentages of butter fat and other milk solids; and in order to avoid the trouble and annoyance of a prosecution, farmers, dairymen, and other cowkeepers are strongly reoommended to have samples of the milk tested from time to time. By such means they would be enabled to watch the seasonal and other varia- ) tions in th. fat contents of the milk. and by modification in the feeding, housing, or time of milking of their oows, and, if necessary, by dis- posing of animals that give milk of low quality, to keep the quality of their milk at a satisfactory level. Samples of milk should be sent to the colleges, together with particulars relating to the conditions, etc., under which the milk is being produced. The fee for the determination of butter fat is a merely nominal one of 6d. per sample. It is laid down that (a) the report sent will only refer to percentage of butter fat; (b) eaoh report refers to the sample tested, and im- plies no guarantee as to the bulk; (c) each report is supplied only for the milk producer. For Shropshire and Staffordshire the work will be done at the Harper-Adams Agricultural College, New- port, and particulars as to how to take and send samples can be obtained on application to the Principal of the College. I ONLY WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EX- PECTED. Farmers in South Lincolnshire have reason to regret thoir last season's speculations in fanoy seed potatoes. They are now reoeiving the sup- plies which they bought last year for forward delivery at the rate of B15 to C20 per ton. The same variety of tubers are, now obtainable at 40s. to 50s. per ton. One farmer has just received delivery of a lot which, costing him £ 600, can now be obtained for £100. The Northern Star variety. which sold last year for £ 200 per ton. has made an enormous drop to JE2 per ton. It is still held that the new types are fine disease resistors, and their yielding powers are unquestioned,, but the faith of the many growers has waned, and with shaken confidence theJ market lias gone to pieces. A similar fate befel introductions of certain new varieties some years ago, but the public memory —as represented by some unsophisticated agri- j culturisis—is very short. AGRICULTURAL LEAFLETS. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have recently issued a series of interesting leaflets on such subjects as tho Hessian Fly, the Sheep Mag- got Fly, the Soleroterium Disease (Sclerotinia), the Winfor Egg Production, and Navel III or Specific Anthritis of Lambs. Most of these sub- jects just now po?s?ss particular interest for far- m,cr??, who eh?uid take care to possess themael?-?s of oopies. which can be done without cost and for the trouble only of writing for them to the Board. As re,, -ards tl-Lo throe first subjects named, the remedy, goneially stated, consists of easeful and select cultivation, a thorough cleaning and treat- ment of the land, a.nd burning all suspected and infected haulm or other vegetation. To secure winter egg production, comfortable housing and the selection of bona not more than two years old are recommended. Navel ill. which is^caused by the entrance into the- system of the newly-born lamb, through its unclosed navel, of germs whose special function is the formation of pus or matter, 1 is to be detected through the lambs a few days after birth moving about stiffly and being dic-in- clined to walk or suck. In such a caiSe isolation is prescribed, and bottle fing- for th worst cases, care being taken that tho lamb does not always lie on on^ side, mnning the risk of paralysis. j

CHESHIRE AGRICULTURISTS. ..—— j BUTTER AND MARGARINE. At a meeting of the Cheshire Chamber of Agri- oulture held on Monday at Crewe, over which j Co'onel Cotton-JodreU presided. a letter was read j from Dr. Young, the medical officer of health for Stockport, on the subject of the sale of butter I substitutes. Dr. You ng said he thought it was J time that hodj like Chambers of Agriculture should take noir;ce of the enormous sale of mar- I garine and artificially prepared fats, the con- sumption of which he considered to be'detrimental to the twmMi of the population. He pointed out that so-called butter substitutes, although wrapped in a paper marked "margarine," often had an outside wrapper of brown paper which ooncealed the word from the public. He had written to the Board of Agrioui'r.ui" suggesting that the legis- j lation on the subject- should be made more stringent, and especially that the sale of butter substitutes ♦.liould be prohibited unless the word "margarine" appeared on the outside wrapper, He asked the Board to support him in the action j he had taken. The Chamber passed a resolution expressing the opinion that the '?xi.?:mg ?tate of the law as to the adulteration of food, and more particularly with regard to the f«.!e of margarine and butter sub- atitutes. was inadequate; that the marking of margarine should b" distinctly visible to the purchaser; and that the present penalties for breaches of the law were insufficient in amount. I OLD AND NEW FARMING. Mr. T. C. Toler, in the course of an address on British Agriculture during the last one hundred and fifty years," shewed how in 1846, before the repeal of tie Corn Law, the wages of labourers were nine shillings and sixpence, and in 1902 their wages were eighteen shillings and ninepence. The progress of manufactures and mining was re- sponsible for this. After referring to the fluctua- tions in: ront and prices, Mr. Toler said Free Trade for twenty years, had not permanently reduced prices below a remunerative level," and there was no question that the fall of prices in commodities ] had induced landlords and farmers to breed the best of "rock. which they had failed to do in the years of greater opportunities. In conclusion he said r—" Land tenure has passed through many vicissitudes. But whatever the future may bring for our present system, it is absolutely imperative that some of the weight that land tarries should be removed. Given fair rent. security of tenure, all permanent chttrges redeemable at a reasonable figure, full allowance mnde from property tax for all repairs, money advanced by the State, at a reasonable rate of interest, for improvements, so as to give good landlords some encouragement to help their tenants and keep their estates in efficient condition, education and nroia roads a cnarge on tne I national exchequer, and fair railway rates. I feel sure that we shall get the most out of the land under modern ideas. But without capital, hard work and brains. I will defy any man at present prices, however clever he may be with suggestions, to make farming pay, and there is no industry in the land, in which a man can lose money quicker, than on a. badly managed farm" (Applause). The Chairman complimented Mr. Toler on his excellent paper. Mr J. Young (Principal of Holmes Chapel Agrioltural Collegu). in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Tcler.«SAid the want of really expert labourers was n^v^r so acute as at the present day, and he though' if the Board of Education could s, its way to arraage for practical, instruc- tion to be giv-Hi to farm labourers, they would do one of tho best things thejr cculd in the in- terests of agriculture. (Hestr, hear.) What they diesired was to see fajfia labourers who could use their brains as well/1 as their handu. Referring to agricultural corteges tre speaker said the great, thing to b? aimed at was to put -SON and definite' information beforerthe farm-er-definite and prac- tical information »s to diseases which ravaged his stock. diseases that affected his crops, and lastly a knowledge- of how to properly use fer- tilisers. It, was the latter that brought about the cultivation of th" ¡.oil. and that above anything else mu-st not be lost sight of. (Applause.) Mr. Roger Bate, seconded the proposition. Mr. S. Gloavo (Audlem) thought that the writer of the paper alluded to the prospects of the present generation of farmers in rather too gloomy a style. The British farmer had never had a better > chanoe of holding his owu. He had never had moro money invested in his land. In the course of further discussion, Mr. McCracken said the prosperity which Mr. Toler in his paper said the British farmer had enjoyed during the last. 50 years was due, perhaps, to two things the introduction of the thorough drainage of land, and the carrying out and ex- tension of our railway systems. Further ad- vantages which the farmer had to-day we-re in respect of manures, and the advance made by viewerinarv science. (ADDlause.) Mr. W. J. Dutton said of recent years the ad- vantages they had of education and scientific ex- periment had doae a lot to help the farmer to do his work better than previously. If they were not better than their forefathers were then so much the worse for the manhocd of this country. In his opinion the farmer of to-day was very much superior to the farmer of oito hundred years ago. Proceeding. Mr. Dutton said they had been asked to be patient, but he thought they had been unduly patient. They would certainly have less room for complaint if the public of this country would relieve them of what he considered an unjust taxation. The Education Aot was likely to cost from 6d. to lOd. in the E, and why should that be thrown upon the broad acres of the coun- try, when they considered that it was not the broad acres that required the education, because the population was not with them. If they could have an assessment and a valuation which would be something like equal in proportion to the population they would not complain about the rates. (Hear, hear.) The preposition was carried. THE BUTTER BILL.-The Sale of Butter Bill introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday by Mr. Fellowes adheres closely to the lines of the measure of 1903 as amended by the Standing Com- mittee. That is to say, it renders any person manufacturing, selling or exposing for sale butter containing more than 16 per cent. of water or butter to which any substance has been added whereby the amount of water in it is increased, liable for the ) first offence to a fine not exceeding £20, for the second offence to a fine not exceeding R)0, and for the third or any subsequent offence to a fine not exceeding Eloo. The Bill also makes provision for the inspection of butter factories, and contains a clause exempting from the operation of the enact- ment, until such date as may be fixed by an Order of his Majesty in Council (the draft of which must lie before Parliament not less than 30 sitting days), any Irish salt firkin butter which does not contain more than 20 per cent. of water, and which is sold in a package or paper wrapper bearing in a con- spicuous fashion the words Irish salt firkin butter. SALE OF HORSES AT CREWE.-Messrs. Henry Manley and Sons, Limited, conducted their quarterly prize sales, extending over four days, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week, the catalogue embracing an entry of 1,000 horses. A pleasing feature in the first two days' sales was the much improved demand for seasoned harness horses and good class harness cobs with action, the total amount of actual sales in this section shewing an increase of 50 per cent. as compared with the corresponding sa.les of last year. It is seldom that a better lot of heavy draught horses has been seen together than the 500 exposed on Thursday and Friday, and trade in this section again shewed a great improvement, private buyers from Lancashire and Yorkshire being the best customers. In the light horse section Mr. John Jones sold a fine chestnut gelding for 190gs. to Belfast, his stable companion going on the Continent for 81gs. these pair won the 5-guinea prize. On the Thursday, Mr. J. W Phillips, M.P., won the 10-guinea cup offered for shire stallions, and Mr. John Walley. the reserve, the latter animal going to Lord Rothschild at 300gs. Mr. A. Romanowski, of Ostpreus-en, Germany, purchased 12 shire stallions. The Earl of Powis purchased Mr. Averill's shire J mare which won the cup.

DEE ENCROACHMENT. THE DEFENCE WORKS TESTED. j The equinoctial spring tides, which reached their highest point at noon on Thursday, are, ac- cording to the Liverpool data, reckoned tho highest of the year. Thus, even though the waters came in with no wind-fretted turmoil, they have put to the test the great loose rubble em- bankment which the London and North-Western Railway Company now rely upon for the defence of their main line between the Holywell and Mostyn stations. Last October the threatened land between the railway and the reach of the river, which was thrusting shorewards, was thronged with active workmen and traversed night and day by ballast trains. Now it is once more deserted and silent, the great effort to check the encroachment having entirely succeeded and the expenditure of further money upon the I works being for the present deemed unnecessary. This is what has been accomplished: Across the broach in the old Dee embankment, now en- tirely washed away for about quarter of a mile, a new bank of loose stones of varying size has been formed. The bank extends for some distance eastwards, or up the river, at a slight- angie to the old earthen embankment, which there is in- tact and westwards or down the river, likewise outside the old bank. From end to end the rubble bank approaches a mile in length, and it is of varying thickness and depth according to the ex- tent to which the shore outside has been lowered by the erosive channel. Westwards the bank is continued to the Llanerohymor gutter. Thus any further shifting of the river's course is guaaded against within certain limits. At high water in the latter half of last woek the field within the bank was flooded, but the inundation of the land oast or west of it was prevented by the oross- banks of clay which were constructed in Novem- ber last. The railway embankment, within the limits of liability to attack, has been puddled with clia-y, pitched with stone, and flushed with cement. This would preserve the railway from damage, for a long time at any rate, if the outer embankment were again to give way. Careful observation continues to be made bv the company a3 to the effect of the works already carried out and the extent and direction of the further erosion of the beach, a member of tho engineering staff being constantly engaged; and it may be that additional works will be proceeded with before very long with the object of making assurance doubly sure. At present the crown of tho outer bank is below the level of unusually high tides, and of course it h?,s not been mado impervious to water. There is also a question as to whether the bank has been carried far enough i:n the direction of Holywell Station. But the bank gives the impression, of stability so far as it goes, and as it sustains a. line of rails it can bo reudily added to or strengthened at any point as may be required.

j "WAS WORST IN SPRING!" I -9- I A WORKER'S STARTLING STORY. IRRITATING ERUPTIONS ENDED BY ZAM-BUK. AJI who are sorely troubled with skin eruptions at this season should lay to heart the personal ex- perience of Mr. Frederick Perry, cabinct maker, of 45, Pritchard Street. Birmingham. To a Sunday Sun reporter Mr. Perry said:— My troufcl-e began when I was a boy of 14. I had a breaking-out all ovar my face. and the doctor put it down to my system being poisoned. After a course of medicine and external fapplica- tions the disease seemed to die away, but from that time until a few months ago I have always had these- periodical outbreaks on the skin. At any time that I caught the least cold, or my blood got out of order, I would have the fearful break- ing-out on my face. It got so objectionable that I had to stay away from the works, as my fellow- shopmates used to object to my appearance. Springtime used to be the most trying season for me, and then the disease was at its worst. I used to suffer untold agonies from burning and irritation. At different times I bought, all sorts of salves and' ointmente, none of which, however, effected a cure. This state of affairs continued, on and off, for over thirty years. Now I am in a position to declare that my face is completely cured through the use of Zam-Buk. After the first application of Zam-Buk, the j burning sensation disappeared. I persevered, and after four or five dressings the scabs came off my l face just like one great plaster, and underneath was perfectly. dry and healthy skin. The skin continued to improve, 'and after I had used three boxes I had obtained" a perfect cure. Since Zam- Buk first healed my face. I have never had the j j le3f1t sign of an eruption." The skin cannot remain unhealthy long with Zam-Buk. Zam-Buk expels disease, puts the tissues into a healthy condition, and is thus un- i equallecf for- all eruptions, pimples, blackheads, ringworm, poisoned1 or festering sores, eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, pile*, bad legs, diseased ankles, sore backs, scurvy-, dandruff, scalp irritation; barber's rash, abscesses, boils, cuts. bruises, burns, scalds, sprains, OOTÐ feet, neuralgia and nerve pains. cold: in the head and on the ohest, and all inflammations and diseases of the skin. Price Is. ljdi per box. or 2s. 9d. for large size (2s. 9d. box contains nearly four times the Is. 10-); of all chemists, or post free for same price from the Zam-Buk Co., 4. Red Cross Street, London. E.C.

DOG SAVE9 A BOY'S LIFE.-The eixteen- year-old son of Mr. Thomas Greer, Bailly«r°agh, near Portadown. was eutting hay from a large rick, when the entire stack toppled ever, burying the boy, and with him a little dog. The animal managed to work its way out. and' this kept a slight current of air and breathing spa«e for the imprisoned Pad. Twice the dog managed to work his way baefe, and kept the current of air free; Then relief came, afcnd the boy was extricated. THE G RF, AT STCTN CURE.—BUDD EN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one apdlimtion destroys every form of Efczema heal* old Wound's and met; like^ a eh arm on bad Legs Pyevents Cuts from Festering will enrt) Ringrworw in a few dava retnwes the naost obstinate Eruptions tnd %mrvy. Roxes. 7¥l. and Chester G. H. Moss. Chemist, 68, Tirook-Rt.: and tT. W, NORMAKSKLL (late Kpmp), -rA. IRria-o-Ftt.. & R. Walker-st.. Hoole. Mold D. liKWis FKLIX. 2. New-street. ANOTHER RROOTtD YEAR.-The uBpreeedented demand for Horniman's Pure T Qnn/or the re-rit voaj is a positive proof that, tha consumer is not to No put off by substitutes and the sayine-, "it's n&od." Ask fnr Hornimnn's Tea. and see that yon hare it Sol(lhy- Chester: W. Alnn Dfttiea. 10. Oommonball-st. (wholesale mmnt) Co-op. Society: Cryer, 25, Chriatleton-rd.: Hot. horn Rest-ail runt, 29, Forwate-st Neston Lee. T-itfcle born RestqnrRnt-. 2D, 'Rhn4d]Rn B -be?ts, grocer. Upper Sutt.on: Swindells- B berta. grocer. Upper Brighton: Romerville. Bromboro\i«[h JF ool-. C.,Op. Society. Mynydd Isa: Co-op Society.Mold Junction: Co-op. Society. On eon's Perry: Spark's Stores. Hoole: JOliet" Daviep. Wrexham: Feltoiu Saltney Kobinson.

AGAINST 'FREER" TItADE.1 PROTESTS AT CONGLETON. I On Monday night Lord Stanley of Alderley presided at a meeting of the Free Trade Union at Congleton, which was addressed by the Honourable Arthur Elliot, M.P., and Mr. J. Nicholson. Lord Stanley said Mr. Balfour, while protesting that he was not a Protectionist but a Free Trader, wanted the nation to coerce foreign nations to give us freer trade. It was not right for a states- man to pursue a policy which might inflict misery on millions. The Honourable Arthur Elliot said that taxes which should bo raised solely for the purposes of providing our military, naval, civil, and other servants flowed largely into private pockets in- stead of into the coffers of the State. The House of Commons, composed of every class of men, was surely able to look at the question of Protec- tion, and decide if it wero wise and safe to adopt. Why was not Mr. Chamberlain's policy laid before the House? Because Mr. Chamberlain did not wish it. Mr. Chamberlain was willing to dis- cuss it at Birmingham, Preston, and on other public platforms, but not in the House. Mr. Balfour had kept back the opportunity of pro- perly discussing the proposals.

I VALUE OF INN BACK DOORS. I — ♦ The licensing magistrates at Altrincharn on Mon- day granted John James Atherton, who stated that he had kept a public-house in the Old Trafford district, temporary authority to sell at the Stone- masons' Arms, Timperley. He told the Bench that the reason ho gave up the house referred to was because the back door was closed. The back door led to another street and was equal to a front door. He could not afford to pay the rent The Chairman remarked that this was a little sidelight on the value of back doors. Some ten transfers in various parts of the district were granted by the magistrates. Superintendent Okell said that the number of applications for transfers was the largest since he had been there, and the Chairman said it looked as if the trade must be bad. The transfers included that of the licence of the Swan Hotel, Bucklow Hill, from Alice Barlow to Thomas Ackerley. It was stated that there was an agreement between the Cheshire Public-house Trust Oorr.pany and Mr. Ackerley which gave the manager no interest or profit on the sale of drink. He had to provide at all times hot and cold articles of food to anyone requiring such refreshments and to conduct the house on Trust principles.

A CHASE IN THE CHANNEL. I1 I CAPTURE OF A SMUGGLER. I There is a thrill of the old smuggling days about a Channel adventure reported by a Dunkirk correspondent on Monday, recording tho chase of a smuggling craft, boarding with revolvers and crowbars in action, and the seizure of a prize with £ 1,000 worth of contraband. Captain Maoe, of the Dunkirk Customs Depart- ment, having come to the conclusion that smuggling was being extensively carried on, fitted out an expedition in the sloop La Flandre to watch for the smugglers. With Captain Mace in charge, and an armed crew of customs officers and boat- men, the expedition left Dunkirk on Sunday night. A suspicious vessel, anchored near a Lonely part of the coast west of Dunkirk, took to flight as the sloop bore down upon her. Chase was given, but the smuggler had the advantage. and a boat's crew, undfer Lieutenant Ramondt, went after her from the customs sloop. They grappled the stranger, which proved to be the Belgian fishing smack, No. 48. of La Panne. On trying to board they wore threatened by the crew with iron bars, but the Customs men drew their revolvers and captured the vessel, which was loaded with 36cwt. of contraband tobacco, valued at about £ 1.000. She was taken into Dunkirk.

THE LATE LORD SALISBURY'S FISCAL VIEWS. The following letter, from the Marquis of Salis- bury, appears in the "Times" —"Sir,—I feel bound to take notice of the references to the late Lord Salisbury's opinions upon the Fiscal ques- tion which appear in Mr. Chamberlain's letter upon the choice of a candidate in Greenwich. There are, of course, reasons connected with my c.wn position which might have led me to be silent; but it is clear that I have a special re- sponsibility which cannot be avoided that the views of my father should not bo misapprehended. I think that he was for many years inclined to favour a policy of retaliation. How far he would I' have continued to hold that opinion un der present circumstances it is impossible to say. But I am obliged to add that he profoundly dissented from Mr. Chamberlain's Fiscal policy.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, SALISBURY. 20, Arlington-street, March 24." Mr. Chamberlains letter was published last Friday, and was a reply to a request from a corre- spondent at Greenwich for guidance as to the attitude Fiscal reformers in the constituency should adopt towards the rival Conservative can- didates, The passage in the letter to which Lord Salisbury refers is as follows:—The question is not, as some of our opponents contend, a now one, although it has only recently become one of practical politios. But you will remember that the late Lord Salisbury, while Prime Minister, on several occasions called the serious attention of his countrymen to the defects of our present system, and pointed out that some form of retalia- tion was the only remedy. He also, on one occa- sion at least, advocated the policy of closer com- mercial union with our Colonies." The Marquis of Salisbury's letter was reported in the Lobby to have been written without any consultation with the Prime Minister. Tariff reformers ask when the late Lord Salis- bury began to dissent from Mr. Chamberlain's policy. They point out that although Mr. Cham- berlain foreshadowed his policy at Birmingham in May, 1903, tho late Marquis was already too ill to pay any attention to public affairs. The policy was not fully expoun d ed until the Glasgow speech in the following October, and Lord Salisbury had passed away two months earlier. It is recalled that Lord Salisbury, addrcssliig a deputation from the United Empire Trade- League respoctin.g the trea.ties with Belgium and Germany, so far back as dune, 189L said:—"I foel deeply the very gneat importance of the subjects submitted to us. involving as they do not only our relations, and the continuance of our re-btions. with tho Colonies, but also raising those vast Fiscal ques- tions which are engaging more than any other political or perhaps social question the attention of every nation, in the world. With respect to those two unlucky treaties, precluding British Coioaios from admitting British goode on mOle favourable terms than foreign goods, that were made some thirty years ago. I am sure the matter of tho relation of our Colonies oould not have been fully considered. I can give you. with the greatest oonfidenoo, an assurance that not only this Government, but no future Government, will be disposed to. enter into such engagements again. We shall be glad, indeed, to take every opportu- nity that arises for delivering ourselves from those unfortunate engagements. Those who believe, as you believe, that you .are the representatives of a. rising movement, in possession of a policy which only requires tQ be explained to your countrymen in order to be adopted by them, your duty is plain. You have to state the details of your policy and spare no paills in the effort of impressing it upon your fellow-men. You are invited, and it is the duty of those who feel themselves to be the pioneers of such a movement, and the apostles of such a doctrine, to go forth to fight for it Friends of the late Marquis of Salisbury say. that it is well known that after he retired into private life his views were altogether opposed to those of Mr. Chamberlain on the question of Colonial pre- ference. I MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S REPLY. Mr. Chamberlain, writing in the limes on Tuesday, says: — I regret that Lord Salisbury should think that I have in any way misapprehended' his father's views on Fiscal policy. My reference to these views was based entirely on tho late Lord Salisbury's public speeches, and especially on that of May 18th. 1802, and one made in 1895. They are well worth study as a whole, bus I will new only call attention to two passages. In 1892 Lord Salisbury said:—"I would im- press upon you that if you intend in this conflict of commercial treaties to hold your own ycu must be prepared', if need be, to inflict upon the nations which injure- you the penalty which is in your hands-that of refusing them access to your markets. In 1895 he said:—"There is another question, namely, the question of altering our duties in favour of our Colonies, that is to say, drawing our Colonies nearer to ourselves by abolishing, so far as may be, the custom-houses that separate the two. r cfo not put it before you as a matter that is free from difficulty. but what I demur to is that you should be prohibited from entertain- ing the idea of differential ditties in favour of the Colonies as though it was an economical heresy. Having regard to these declarations, and to the fact that Lord Salisbury was privy to the negotiations with the Colonial Prime Ministers up to the date of his resignation in 1902, it is clear that till that time be approved both of retaliation and of Colonial preference. In the period intervening before his death in 1-003 I do not think tnat I said anything which went in any way beyond the reassertion of these two general principles. The speeches in which I have devetopecj the policy have all been delivered sub- I s.-eqnentl,.hinnin wth that mado in; Glasgow on October 6, 1903.1 am, sir, your obedient servant. II J. CHAMBERLAIN. I

No afternoon tm table is complete without 0116 of Dean's Princess Bun Loaves (as used bv Royalty). Have Joutried their wbole Meal Bread made from Cheshire-grown wheat, which is ground by the old stone process at the Windmill, Uptoa. A postcard will ensure a call. BOOTS TO ORDER—not hand-aewn prin- ciple," but real Hand-sewn, made on the premises by expert workmen in the old-fashioned way with oak bark tanned Leather these are a comfort, walking become* a pleasure, and the price is reason- able. HEWITT'S, ASBKY GATEWAY, the Old. gitablisbed Hand-sewn Bwtmske".

THE BIRKENHEAD MURDER-i A RESPITE GRANTED. I On Saturday morning, the High Sheriff of Cheshire (Mr. G. L. Dewhurst), received a letter in the following terms from the Home Office The Home Secretary has advised his Majesty to respite the capital sentence passed upon George Huxham with a view to its commutation to penal servitude for life." The execution was to have taken place yesterday (Tuesday). Some three or four score years ago, when Birken- head was a mere Mersey village, tradition says there lived there an old dame with supernatural powers. who prophesied that no Birkenhead man should ever be hanged. It is stated that no Birkenhead man has yet been hanged for murder.

CHESHIRE'S SECONDARY SCHOOLS. I COST OF THE NEW SCHEME. I On Friday, at a meeting of the Cheshire Higher Education Committee at Crewe, the Director of Education presented a report on the provision of secondary schools for the county. A rough esti- mate of the number of pupils to be provided for is 4,300. By the Special Committee localities are sug- gested for secondary schools. The places starred (*) require building, the others are in existence, but many need alterations and additions:— Con- gleton, 100 pupils; *Crewe, 500; Hyde, 300; *Stalybridge and Dukinfield, 160; Macclesfield Grammar School (Boys), 180; *Macclesfield Girls' High Sohool, 250; Wallasey Grammar School (Boys), 200; *Wallasey Girls' High School, 250; Altrlllcham (Boys and Girls), 200; *Bebington, 160; *Chester area (Boys and Girls), 160; Sandbach Grammar School (Boys), 80; Calday Grange Grammar School, 160; *Hoylake, 160; Knutsford Grammar School, 80; *Wilmslow, 80; Lymm Grammar School, 100; Mottram Grammar School, 100; *Nantwioh Grammar School, 200; Audlem Grammar School, 80; *Northwich (Sir John Brunner's New School), 200; Northwioh-Witton Grammar School, 60; Weaverham Grammar I School, 60; Runcorn Secondary School, 120; Sale Boys' School, 100; Sale Girls' School, 100; *Tarvin Grammar School, 60; *Malpas, 60; Wins- ford Secondary School, 100. There are funds available for higher education in the county amounting to—local taxation (Cus- toms and Excise) grants for the year, £ 16,987; amount of a rate of twopence in the pound over the administrative oounty area, £ 27,532; total, 1;44,519. The building and furnishing of these secondary schools will, it is estimated, entail an outlay of £ 75,300. The report was favourably received, but its con- sideration was postponed.

CHESHIRE CHEESE. I NEGLECTED BY LONDON. I (From tho "Manchester Courier.") I iliere is no more delicious cheese than tho curdy, crumbly, rich Cheshire that melts on tho palate, and, itself digestible, assists digestion. Yet, despite an annual output of some 25,000 tons in Cheshire and the borderlands of Shropshire and Staffordshire, the consumption of real Cheshire cheoSt) in London is small, and the London market is of little importance to produoor, and conse- quently to the factor.. The causes of thia are complex and curious. There was once an impor- tant trade with London, and even as far back as the coaching days it was no "negligeable quan- tity." The sign of a famous hostelry is evidence of that. The product of Cheshire is a cheese of various weights, from twenty-five to fifty pounds, with a diameter in most oases low than its depth. Colloquially it is a "thick" cheese, as compared with the "thin" cheese of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, or of Lancashire. It is open in tex- ture. and easily crumblesi, and in toasting it falls into a delicious paste, instead: of becoming a stringy, adhesive mass. It is rich, almost buttery, with a nutty flavour, and a delicate sub-acid smack. It is coloured various shades to suit different markets, but the natural colour is almost white, and that is preferred, in the JVfancheeter market. In Yorkshire buyers are said to like a higher colour, and for the London market the cus- tom is to colour rather highly. It is a question. however, whether it is good policy to colour at all, even for London, and whether the desire of the Londoner for high-coloured Cheshire is not legendary to some extent, and merely continued because ;t is a settled conviction 011 the part of the maker and factor. At any rate, this week London orders have been placed for pale cheese, and cheese just "greening" in places. RUSHING THE TRADE. I The 'passing of Cheshire cheese as regards ) London Consumption must be explained in a roundabout way. Twenty years ago or more the demand for it in the great manufacturing centres of Lancashire and the West Riding, only an hour's journey from the byres of the Cheshire farmer, booamo immense Mill hands, miners and artisans wore busy, and there was a huge demand, for Immediate consumption, for a curdy, quick- ripening cheese, which was quickly on the coun- ter and as quickly became bad. The workers in mill and mine asked for this somewhat flavourless and oliaraoterless cheese, they were able to pay a good price for-it, and its a rnatterof fact they ate oheesc) and bread not bread and cheese. The farmers met the market, and catered for the de- mand. Cheese was rapidly manufactured, not made to keep; quicklv sold, and all the more profitable in that it did not lose weight by any de!ay in maturing, and the money was sooner in the farmer s pocket. It is not too much to say that from tho milk pa.il to the cottager's table in the form of cheese too whole process and busi- ness only covered the brief period of six weeks. The result was that, checee became very plentiful in tlie flush of the season, and had to be sold. It would not keep, and as it was soon over kept it had to be sold for a mere song. This policy simply killed the best home markets for high-' class Cheshire, especially in London, for its reputation Was injured, as indeed was its quality. Before this unhealthy "boom" many tons a, week went up to the metropolis. Irregularity of em- ployment. other cbeaper relishes- to the workers' daily bread, have checked this demand, and at tht- same time skilled teaching and advice have changed the fanners' po'Ley, and now a return is gntduaiiy being made to the production of longer keeping, slower ripening chccse. To-day there is mo: e gcod old oheaTe. 10 be purchased than ever was known in the third week of March during the past twenty years, people .having got tired of the quick ripening stulf. Credit for this result must be largely given to the expert teaching provided by the aid of the County Council. The reputation of Cheshire cheese is re-established and prospects cf an increased London trade are favourable. WHAT LONDON WANTS—AND GETS I It only pays to produce the best. No farmer can afford to compete at the prices which the two and a half million hundredweights of cheese annually imported: into these islands can be sold at. Unfortunately, much imported cheese is sold as English, and floes no credit 'to the fame of the hotiie product. "Londoners do not want new Cheshire cheese" sv, -d. a. large faotD; they would not give sixpence a pound for it. What we have to send to London is cheese of long- keeping character, aged, and1 with body in it. At present business done with London in Man- chester is infinitesimal; it might be big." But neither farmer nor factor can afford to send slowly ripened, fine cheese to London to meet the competition of an imported article which is being dishonestly labelledi and must ba yielding oent. per cent. profit to someone. As an example of how the trade is injured, the following anec- dote will suffioe. A Manchester cheese factor saw outside the shop of a provision merchant in I 1--? I liona-.n a staring nowce explaining in large letter-! that "Cheshire cheese went out of London on acoount of the cattle plague in Cheshire," and adding that the "real articte" could now be bought within at a shilling a pound. He went into the shop, tasted the "Cheshire" eheese, and" his unbiassed Verdict, he summect up to the writer as foliows: "It was not worth mere than sevenpence a pound, and: would not have fetched more than sevehpence in any retail shop in Man- chester. That is what is doing harm to Cheshire -cheese in London." The finest Cheshire caii, be sold at tenpence. DIFFICULTIES, AND ADVERSE INFLU- ENCES, There are influences at work that are not wholly favourable to the industry. Cheshire cheese can cnly be made to pterfectio n in its own. country. Like breeds-, of cattle, varieties of obceso a.re to a great extent indig-encius to the soii. No Stilton can touch that made in the Vale of Belvoir, nor can the best scientific makers in Scotland or elsewhere rob Somersetshire of its pre-eminence m Cheddar. Cheshire's fame is attributed by one expert to tho fact that the oheese country? is on the salt strata, and in con- firmation he instances the advance under good teaching that is observable in Lancashire cheese production, b-ath in quality and quantity, in tho P ylde. In Cheshire, too, the cheese is the pro- due of individual fttr-ror3. and aot the factory. 'Mixed milk; does not blend; it is not uniform like the product of one farm, one soil, ono class of herbage, one style of feed:ng. The mixing, maybe of oombatant elements, causes the cheese to have to be pressed much clcse-r-as in the case of American and Canadian—and then its peculiar characteristics are lost. Cheshire has a kt of excellent individual dairies, and separately they excel. There has been a fait:eg off, however, of some ten to twelve- per cent. in the output, attri- butable to bad tract- and the demand for milk. The individual dairies arc not turning out so much but the making extends over a wider area. The fcowo; demand for milk and th.- development of the oondeosed milk> manulW^ire1 attcaet the milfc producer who is tempt-ed by the mOrE) <ex- ped'ricus and less cH'mcaIt prboedun. o?seHin? his milk straight away from .thf". One" faL+on- at Midd!ewich tak?a th? ?'ift d re d -,t" d seventy-five dairies. This is but one instance. Another difficulty is high cultivation and conse- quent changes and modification of herbage and soil. The effects of this high farming on cheese- making are being oarefuliy and, we believe, suc- cessfully inouired into at the excellent Ounty Dairy School at Worleston, and the result of those researches will be thoroughly laid before the Cheshire farmers by the many organisations in which they are combined for mutual benefit and protection. The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening Ediiian^)

PARTNER OR WORKMAN? I REMARKABLE COMPENSATION CASE. I Sitting at the Moid County Court on Friday, his Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd referred to a reoent decision under the Workmen's Compensation Aot, in a cas6 that has aroused widespread interest. Tho case now came forward in the shape of an application by Mr. T. M. Keene representing solicitors for colliery owners) regard- ing costs. This was a claim by Mrs. Emma Ellis, Mount Pleasant, Buckley, under the Workmen's Com- pensation Act. Her husband, in conjunction with Messrs. Roberts and Taylor, entered into a partnership for the purpose of working a mine. Her husband also worked at the mine, and re- ceived weekly wages, independently of what he received as a parmer. In consequence of an accidental injury while working in the mine, her husband died, and she claimed compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1897. The Mold County Court duclge awarded the widow £ 250. The surviving partners appeared against this decision, being represented by Mr. Arthur Powell, K.C., and Mr. Ellis Griffith, M.P. (in- structed by Messrs. Keene, Son, and Kelly, Mold). The widow was represented by Mr. C. A. Russell, K.C., and Mr. H. C. Davenport (in- structed by Mr. E. S. Giles, Chester). The ques- tion raised was whether a partner could also be a "workman" within tho meaning of the Act. The Court of Appeal held that the deceased was one of the partners in the firm for which he was working, and could not properly bo said to have boon employed by them. The appeal waa allowed, and the decision of the County Court judge rovorsod. Hiti Honour, in making his directions regarding the costs, said that after the decision of the Court of Appeal there was not a county court judge who would know what to do in these cases. It meant that no man was a workman who hap- pened to have a share in a concern. Mr. Keene: It is a decision of far-reaching effect, either way. His Honour: I know; but the point will come up again from somewhere. There is a strong fooling on the subject.

I OOUNTY POLICE COURT I I SATURDAY.—Before Messrs. Horace D. Tre- lawny (chairman), B. C. Roberts, John Thomp- son, R. T. Richardson. J. M. Frost, Guy Fteild- ing and C. Maddock. AT 2 A.M.—Thomas Knijjht, carter, Oaken- gates, near Wellington, was summoned for being asleep in charge of a horse and oart on the Bir- kenhead-road, \Vhitby, on March 13th. He was further summoned for driving a horse and cart without a light after sunset. He pleaded guilty. —P.C. Wilding stated that at 2 a.m. he found defendant asleep at the bottom of his oart. De- fendant told him ho came from Salop and got tired. Knight said ho and another man oame here because they understood there was carting work to be had. He thought the other man was driv- ing the horse all right.—Tho magistrates ordered him to pay tho costs, and granted his request for a fortnight in which to pay the money. They told him it was a very dangerous practice, and he said he would seo it did not occur again. FARMER AND SHOOTING TENANT.—Jos. Newman. tho tenant. of a small farm at Little Sutton, and his son Herbert Newman, wore jointly summoned for trespassing in the daytime in pursuit of oonies on land in the oocupation of Mary Hayes, at Backford, on the 15th March. Each defendant pleaded not guilty.—Mr. John Grace, the prosecutor, stated that at soven o'clock in the evening he saw the defendants with a lur- cher dog which was hunting tlie land over which ho (Mr. Grace) had the right of shooting. After watching them some little time prosecutor went to them and told them they were trespassing. Tho elder defendant said to him, "Mind your own business," and was impertinent. He then told de- fendants to call their dog up. They went on, and he followed them. The elder defendant asked "Where are you going" Witness replied, "I am going to follow you. You have no right liera." The defendant then went into another field.-In reply to the Chairman, Mr. Grace said he saw the dog running game. He had previously warned the elder defendant.—Joseph Newman, the elder defendant, said it wtas quite true they were there. They wore walking down tho lane, and were not in search of game or rabbits. He had never done such a thing, and be would never btgin. They had not a gun or anything to kill a rabbit with. The dog was a cattle dog, and had never caught a rabbit in its life. It was impossible for it to do so. They had started out for a little walk, and went down the lane to see how a friend of theirs (Mr. Hughes, a farmer) was. Mr. Hughes's land waa one sido of the lane and Mrs. Hayes's on the other. Each had a right to use the road, and they (defendants) felt they had quite a right to go down the road Mr. Grace's speaking to him about trespassing quite shocked him.—Mr. Grace: He was on the Beld and land too The elder defendant: What field?—Mr. Grace: On Mrs. Ha-yes s.—Tb& elder defendant: Never You surprise me.—Mr. Grace: The dog went on Mrs. Haytes's field, I mean; and then he and the dog went Con Mr. Hughes's land.—The elder defendant: We never put a foot on Mrs. Hayes's land. I am surprised at your saying a thing like that.-Tlio elder defendant elected to make a statement on oath. He repeate-d in effect what he had already said, and added his opi'nion that it was "a piece of persecution and spite on Mr. Grace's part.—Mr. Grace: Did I warn you ?-The elder defendant: On one occa- sion I was going across to Whitby on business along a footpath. We had the same cattle dog with us, and! a rabbit jumped out of the hedge close to the footpath. The dog ran it.—Mr. John Thompson: Did he warn you?—Defendant: No, sir. The fact is the man is crazy if he sees a dog about.—The Bench retired, and on returning into court, the Chairman announced that they were not quite satisfied that defendants were in pursuit of game, and therefore they dismissed tho oase. At the same time they must tell them that they had no right to allow their dog to wander over land over which another person hadl the shooting. They must keep their dog in. EX-JOCKEY'S CAREER.—Alfred Pugh was charged in custody with begging at Upton Heath. P.C. Allman, saw him coming out of a shop where he had been begging.—The Magistrates' Clerk: What are you?—Prisoner: I am sup- posed to be a gro-om.-The, Magistrates' Clerk: Supposed to be! There is a great deal of supposition about many things in the world. —Prisoner said he served his time as a jockey and got too heavy. He then took to gentle- men's servinTl.Stipt. Hicks said prisoner was a most objectionable character. In the name of l George Alfred Pugh he was convicted at New- market Petty Sessions in June, 1893, for stealing a pair of stockings, and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. Other terms of im- prisonment recorded against him were: Suffolk Quarter Sessions, January, 1896, stealing an over- coat, three calendar months; and uncfcr the name of William Hardy, at Nantwiich Police Court, January, 1901, for stealing 2lb. of sausages and black puddings, one, month. Prisoner was also up at Chester City Police Ccurt on the 16th I' July last- year for sleeping out, and discharged on promising to leave the city.—The magistrates ordered him to Knutsford for seven days.— Prisoner said hlOo had never had a chance- of do- ing any work.—The Magistrates' Clerk You will have a ohanee to do some now.—-Supt. Hicks: They will find you some at Knutsford. I 'U-m -u-

I UPTON. I I MOTHERS' UNION. On Friday after- noon a special service was held in the church. The vicar (the Rov. W. Sparling) conducted tho service, and an instructive and intercf-;ting address from tho text Mary kept all these say- ing- and pondered them in her heart," N" us given by Canon Cooper Scott (rector of St. John's ClH-.t,or) to the members of the Upton branch of the Mothers Lnion. There was a very good Aufcondansc, b>ct\v<Mkn thirty and forty mothers being present. After the service the members were kindly entertained at tea by Mrs. H. Robertson uz The Grange. A walk thraugh the gardens and grounds made a delightful finish to the afternoon.

NEW MOTOR OMNIBUS SERVICE. —The London Motor Omnibus Company oa Friday ran a trial trip with five omnibuses preparatory to starting business on Saturday. In choosing its routes it proposes to select those over which the present means of coni-aunication a.re deftiv. so as to enable people to travel direct without changing between places transit between which now requires the use- 6f two or three separate vehicles. The-route over which it is to institute its first service is between Brondesbury Station and the Law Courts, via Edgeware-road, Maryleftone-road, Tottenham Court-road, Charing Cross-road, Cranbourn-street, and the Strand. The fares have been fixed at a rate which wosksout at an average of between one-and-a-half and two miles for a penny examples of these penny stages, of which there- will be eight between Brondesbwrv and the Law Courts, are Kilburn Station to Praed-street and Bakes-sfireet to Cranbourn-street. The service is to start at G in the morning and cease abcot 2 a. ni., the last omnibus leaving the La.w Courts zit 1-5 in this way it is hoped to got an average milage of about 140 miles out of each vehicle daily. Each yd6 will have two shifts of men, who will thus work about 10 hours a day. and t&eir wages will aiitount to about £ 2. 7s. a week for drivers and two guineas for conductors; these terms are stated to compare very favourably with thoa generally hold- ing for men employed on horse-drawn omnibuses. On Sundays ii is intended to withdraw the service 01), the route followed on week-dsyrs, and to run the I vehicles from Camden Town to Richmond, right up the hill to the Star and Garter, at a fare of lid. for 15 or 16 miles. The omnibuses are fitted -with 2 £ -h.p. Milnea-Daimler petrol motors, and held 16 passengers inside and 18 oa the roof. In general arrangement they reswnble other petrol omnibuses now running in London, blllii a very distinctive appearance has been given them by painting, them in dark blue and red and by affixing the legend "Vanguard" in bold letter- on their sides. They are lighted by acetylene lamps. In the course of the summer the company hopes to have 80 or 90 omnibuses regularly running. (The above appeared in oui- last Saturday, Evening Edition.)

PENNY POST TO AUSTRALIA.—The Post- master-General announces that arrangements have been made for the reduction of the letter postage w. Australia to ld. per half-ounce. The change will take effect from April 1, and from tho same date the postage on letters from Aus- tralia wiP be reduced to 2d. per half-ounee. At present the charge for letters to the Antipodes is 2!d. per half-ounce. The reduction, so far as the outward, arrangement is concerned, brings Australia within the Imperial penny postage scheme, which is now practically complete, the only excepted countries being Rhodesia and the not lees remote IJeohuanaland, where the old rate will continue to be charged.

UNDERFED CHILDREN. SIR JOHN GORST'S PROPOSALS. CLERGYMAN'S STRONG CRITICISM. The Rev. Henry Pitt, vicar of St. Mary's, Southwark, preaching in the parish church on Sunday, replied to some of the criticisms passed upon him for his remarks on the subject of starving school children. He had advocated the punishment of parents who wilfully neglected to feed their children, and the immediate relief of those who were in press- ing need. Ho objected to the burden of the vicious being placed, through the rates, on the sober, thrifty, and industrious. He thought these propositions were quite reasonable. Passing by the criticisms of the vulgar, he was asked, from more than one quarter, "What would you do with the poor children, and how would you punish tho parents?" "Well, everybody with a heart wished the children to be fed. Everybody with common sense must see that to spend money on education which could not be assimilated by the children because of their bodily condition was disastrous folly. I DANGER OF PAUPERISATION. They were asked by Sir John Gorst to place the cost of feeding the children on the rates. But immediately this was done the question assumed gigantic proportions. All pay rates, therefore all would have an equal right to be fed. and thrifty, hardworking men who at present scorn to receive help from the rates, would not be slow to grasp the situation, and see that they had their share and were not defrauded. The lazy, the vicious, and the drunken would rejoice in their new-found liberty from parental respon- sibility, and the increased facilities to satisfy their besetting sins. Those who for years had been striving to educate the people as good citizens in habits of loyalty and, self-respect, shrank from this proposal with more than dread, knowing full well that it was a retrograde movement, which, if carried out, would shatter many an earnest hope of a higher standard of national life. DEFAULTING PARENTS. He would punish the lazy and dissolute by making them work under the most stringent supervision in labour colonies. like. those of our excellent Church Army workshops, which our most gracious King and Queen., with such characteristic insight, had done so much to en- courage. The fact that Jack Brown had been arrested, sent to a labour colony, and there made to earn his living, as God had ordained, and by his own effort forced to provide food for his children, as taught by the very instincts of mere animal life, would have a highly educating effect on all the vicious circle surrounding him. He would not send him to pick oakum, but to do some remunera- tlive work he would feed him vory plainly and use the balance of his earnings for the support of his children, who might be housed by the guardians for the time being, if such a course, in extreme cases, was really necessary. DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. In the Commons on Monday, on the motion for the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill, Mr. Keir Hardie called attention to the fact that many of the children attending the public elemen- tary schools were underfed, and urged that it was the duty of the State to see that meals were provided such pupils. Dr Macnamara, Sir J. Gorst. and other members supported the same view. Sir. W. Anson in a sympathetic reply. pointed to the difficulties of State intervention, and suggested that voluntary effort might do much to alleviate the evil. He would consult with the President of the Local Government Board to see whether it was possible to carry out a recommendation that bad been made that poor-law authorities in areas where distress existed should provide meals for underfed children, and that the parents should be called upon to pay. An amendment which Mr. Keir Hardie had moved for the rejection of the Bill was defeated by a Government majority of 5G.

THE LICENSING ACT. ——— -—— MAGISTRATES' POWERS. DECISION IN BIRKENHEAD CASE. The Birkenhead case, raising the question whether magistrates have power to require publicans to give oertaan undertakings before their lioences are renewed, was tried on Friday in the King's Bench Division, before the Lord Chief Justioe, Mr. Justice Wills, and Mr. Justice Kennedy. The appellants, the owners and lioonsee of the Commercial Inn, a fully-licened house, had refused to give an undertaking to comply with the following requirements, and the licence had been withheld in consequence:—1. No, intoxicating liquor shall be sold or supplied on credit. 2. No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to any child under the age of 14 years. 3. No games, draws or raffles shall be suffered to take place upon the licensed premises. 4. The licensee shall devote the whole of his time to the business of his licenoe. 5. The back doors of the premises shall be kept locked, exoept for domestic pur- poses. 6. No clubs for the purpose of a distribu- tion of drink at Cliritstmastide, or any other period, shall be permitted on the premises. Mr. Asquith, K.C., M.P., who appeared for the licensing justices, said that before the passing of the last Licensing Act they had been in the habit of requiring undertakings from the applicant, for a renewal to abstain from objectional practices. Section 9 of the new Act was the one which created the difficulty here. Sub-section 2 of that section said if the justices of a licensing district refused to renew an existing on-licence on the ground that the holder of the licence had failed to fulfil any reasonable undertaking given to the justdoes, on the grant or renewal of the licence, the justices should be- deemed to have refused the licence on the ground, that the premises had been ill-conducted, and iiie licensee on losing his licence was not entitled to compensation. Ac- cording to the contention of those who obtained, the rule the whole of this section was absolutely meaningless. The Lord Chief Justice: Do you say that the justices can refuse to g'-ant. a renewal if the man won't give an undertaking? Mr. Asquith said lie certainly went as far as that. Mr. Bodkin, for the owners of the house, said tho important word in section 9 was the word "given. The undertaking was to be given, and not imposed. The Lord Chief Justice: Do you say that the justices must renew the licenoe, although tho licensee won't give tho undertaking? Mr. Bodkin Yas. Mr. Pickford, for ishe licensee, submitted that there was no power to impose or require under- takings. All they collid do was to ask for them. Mi*. Justioe Wills: When they were sure to be refused? Mr Pickford said that before the magistrates Mr. Smith said: "I object to give the under- takings, because if E once give them you can enforce them If I do not give them you cannot enforce them. but the moment I give them I come within the section tha.t entities you to take away my licence without compensation." The Lord Chief Justice said in his opinion this legislation could not be understood without bear- ing in mind the well-kiaown practice which existed in I'eteretico to undertakings' being required and given. Taking the Nwhoto of section 9 together it seemed to him to point to a duty imposed on tho magistrates to see that they only asked for a reasonable under taking, and he could not help feeling that the words asking a licensed holder to give an undertaking were used in the same sense as the word "required," which immediately followed, pointing to a requirement by the jus- tices of an undertaking as conditional to the granting of the licence. T-1-3 came- to the conclu- sion that the justices had got the power to say that if they renewed this licence the licensee must give the undertaking required, subject to tho owner being heard aad subject to the condition of" its being reasonable. In this case no question of re,asonablenes.s arose. The fair reading of section. 9 was that tho justices might, require an under- taking to be given: If he was wrong, and a nar- rower construction, was to be put. on the language, it must be. done by a higher authority. Mr. Justice Wills concurred, and remarked that if they wero to read soction 9 as the appellant wished, so far as renewals were concerned the Act of Parliament would be an extravagantly idle piece of legislation. Mr. Justice Kennedy concurred, and the rules were dischargiad'witth costs. Leave to appeal was granted

ALL UPHILL. UNTIL SH-TC FOUND THB" PROPER BlOOD. Life hfis a very pleasant aspect when* viewed through tiie spectacles of health. We we equal to almost any task, mountains are as molehills, and difficulties matIL, but be overcome wher, vigorous lieaith is ours. Just. as certain as fat, f we overload the. stomach w'ti"? poorlv cooiJed pasty, starchy or gieasy food's we will sufft-r and lose our health, for ail" the machinery of the body ii* dopendentr uponr the food we eat. A woman, living in Maidstone, learned this from bitter experience 'For menths 1 suffered" severely with pains in. my chest, and arms a3 well a.s round" the back of my waist, and always fAt tired an»f lackadi-i'sioal, so that the slightest exertion was an effort My appetite kept growing- smaller and smaller. r consulted two doctors, but no improvement was HotiCr-4r.e whi1 under their resp,-v6ve t,reatmenœ: I Zo-,xm,, despondent and began to think my case* was hopeless, when a friend recommended Grape- Nuts having deriveci great benefit from this truly wonUP1-ful food himself. As at last chance- I in- vested in a. packet, and, after only a couple of trial, it had marvellous effects upon my- health. The pains disappeared entinely. a.nd in their place strength and an excellent appetite returned. I felt strp-ng and fit for anything. that nasty sensation of lifelessness having quite do- parted. "I have put- on flesh rapidly. "I have now used Grape-Nuts for many weeks, and mean to ocmtinue, to do so in the future, for the reason that I and the remainder of the house- hold like it so much. We fat it with milk and a little jam, generally apricot, which is a valuable addition." Name given by the Grape-Nuts Co., 66, Shoa Lane, London, E C.