Cheshire Observer

TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements intended to appear in the CHESHIRE OBSERVER must reach the OBSERVER Office not later than 12 o'clock (noon) each Friday. Under no circumstances whatever can we insert in the First Edition Advertisements received after that hour.

I THE HOME RULE PERIL. The debate raised in the House of Commons, on Wednesday night, by Mr. Tuff, served the useful purpose of drawing from the leader of the Opposition another declaration on the question of Home Rule. It is true that he declined to go into details, as he was probably justified, but he said quite sufficient to dear the air and to shew once more that Home Rule is still a black thunder-cloud menacing the political horizon. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman betrayed a plentiful lack of humour or of logicality, when he protested against being catechised upon a question of policy tiui was not at I present before the country. This is precisely what the members of the Opposition, official and unofficial alike, have been doing to the I Government with regard to the Fiscal problem, which is also not before the country or before Parliament at the present moment. That, however, may pass. What concerns and interests us most is that Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman stated on Wednesday that his views upon the Home Rule question were well known, and that he is now practically a more confirmed Home | Ruler than ever. The course of events," he said, "during the last two decades, so far from mitigating or weakening my views, has done much to confirm and strengthen them." The leader of the Opposition is, therefore, in the Premier's words, still saturated with Home Rule. It was not altogether a success- ful trick on Sir Henry's part to try to shew that the present Government have also come round to the view that Home Rule is the only cure for Ireland's woes, because of the unfortunate MacDonnell affair. It so happened that at the previous night's sitting of the House the new Irish Secretary stated in the most explicit terms that there is to be no mistake as to the part to be played by Sir Anthony MacDonnell in the future administration of Irish affairs. "Everything." said Mr. Long, must be under my complete control and subject to my approval. All I said, and to this I adhere, is that I possess and that I intend to exercise full powers of supervision and control." Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman had evi- dently prepared his speech prior to the delivery of this declaration by the Irish Secretary, and accordingly all his de- clamation regarding the surrender of the Unionist Government to the prin- ciple of self-government tor Ireland was beside the point. Mr. Balfour made this point still more emphatic, in winding up the debate on Wednesday night, by asseverat- ing there is not a single man on this side of the House who does not hold as a cardinal article of his political faith that Home Rule for Ireland would be a gift fatal for Ireland and for the Empire." The Unionist party, he added, were just as strenuously resolved to-day as they were in 1886 that the unity of the Empire should be maintained. That is a broad principle upon which all ranks of the great Unionist party are in thorough and complete agreement. If any doubt remained as to the true ambitions of the Irish Nation- alists on the point, it was set at rest by the brutally frank confession of Mr. Redmond, who spoke immediately after the Opposition leader. He fearlessly declared that if the Government imagined that the Irish party were likely to budge one inch from their position, they were likely to be grievously disappointed. If, he said, he had to choose between a continuation of the present system and absolute separation from the Empire, he would not have the slightest hesitation in I deciding in favour of separation. So that there might be no dubiety as to the grim earnestness that animates the hearts of the Nationalists or of the extreme lengths to which they are prepared to go, Mr. Redmond proceeded to state that if he believed there was the smallest reasonable chance of success, he would have no hesitation in advising his countrymen to endeavour to end the present system by armed revolt." Thee, then, are the truculent men to whom the gentle Radicals, who talk glibly of local self government and of the blessed principle of devolution, would commit the destinies of Ireland, men who openly avow their desire for armed revolt, men who would not scruple to give the enemies of England a footing in Ireland, if we should chance to be hard- pressed by a Continental Power. There is, of course, a certain satisfaction in the knowledge that Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman cannot carry all his party with him in this mad-cap scheme of Home Rule. So lately as March last Lord Rosebery stated again that, if Mr. Redmond was in favour of an independent Parliament in Dublin, "he had yet to win over, not only the majority, but the great mass of the nation that inhabited Great Britain." Lord Rosebery still commands a following among the Opposition worth reckoning with, and Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's dilemma at the next election will be precisely what Mr. Gladstone found himself confronted with when he asked the country to give him a majority independent of the Irish vote. Sir Henry will have to trim and shuffle, in order to bag the utmost possible number of votes at the polls, and when he discovers his party unable to proceed without the aid of the Nationalist vote, he will have to surrender to Mr. Redmond and go through the old, solemn farce of introducing a Home Rule Bill that the country will never accept. These are the probabilities, if the country listens to the voice of the Radical charmer at the approaching General Election. English Nonconformists, whose feelings may have been ruffled by imaginary grievances regard- ing the Education Act, if they vote for the Radical candidate, will be placing their party and the country also under the heel of the] Irish Nationalists, who have avowed their desire for armed revolt, for the establishment of a separate Irish Parliament and the destruction of the Empire. In the coming conflict following the Dissolution there is grave reason to apprehend that electors will be induced to give their votes upon small, side issues, to the neglect of the great principles which will be at stake. It is the duty of the Unionist party to educate the constituencies on this subject, to make them view the political situation in its true per- spective, and to perceive things in their actual proportion, the trifling points which appeal to the imagination of faddists and sectaries as opposed to the momentous national and Imperial interests upon which the actual battle will be fought.

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. The insulting reference to the Duke of West- minster at the Y.M.C.A. Conference last week, to which we dnew attention in our last issue, was -L,ven worse than we understood at the time. It will be remembered that a Mr. G. Clarke there made an invidious comparison between the treat- ment of the Y.M.C.A. in America by millionaires and by "the rich swells of England, who promised to come and then did not turn up." Ir. so hap- pened that apologies for absence had been ro- ceived from the Duke of Westminster and Mr. Yerburgh, M.P. It also happened that the latter had entertained the conference at. luncheon earlier in the day. and that the conference was accepting the hospitality of the Duke at a reception at the moment of the unfortunate speech. So far as Mr. Yerburgh was concerned, his absence. was accounted for by his attendance in his place in the House of Caramons. The Duke was absent because he had given the entertainment, on the distinct understanding that. he should not- bo ex- pected to attend personally, as he had another engagement. The history of the incident ought to bo made public. It appears that some time ago the secre- tary of the Y.M.C.A. wrote, asking the Duke of Westminster to give a reception at the Town Hall on the occasion of the conference, a.s Mr. Yer- burgh was giving a lunch. His Grace replied, legret-ting his inability to accede, because he could nob be present;, a party of friends being arranged at Eaton for that date. A day or two later the secretary went to Eaton with the re- quest that the Duke should reconsider his decision. It was not at all necessary, he said. for his Grace to be present himself, so long as he gave them the tea, etc., i.e., should pay for the entertainment. To this the Duke assented, and the secretary was thus twice explioitlv informed of his Graoe's inability to be present, and the entertainment. proceeded on that footing. Although the conference was seemingly dependent upon the hospitality of the Duke and the member for Chester, its principal epeaker, a gentleman of "almost world-wide fame," had the amoving rudeness to utter the disparaging remarks quoted above. The so-called explanation which Mr. Jameson furnishes in our columns to-day serves cnly to make matters worse. It purports to "clear Mr. Clarke from blame," but the exoneration is so blunderingly performed that we fear Mr. Clarke may pray to be saved from his friends. In the rush and scramble of arranging the Conference programme, it reemis that someone omitted to inform Mr. Clarke_that Mr. Yerburgh hoo given a luncheon and that the Duke had given the re- ception. on the understanding that he was not expected to attend. Because of this omission Mr. Clarke "understood" that his Grace "had not come, nor had he sent any reason for his ab- sence." Who gave Mr. Clarke to "understand" all this? That is one weak point in the explana- tion. Did Mr. Clarke evolve it from his own inner consciousness? If Mr. Clarke has a habit of falling foul of "the rich swells of England," why did not the secretary who knew the circumstances warn him on this occasion to keep off the grass? There are many Socialist and Radical speakers who cannot forbear from having a tilt at the. British aristocracy in season and out of season, no matter what be the subject of discussion. If Mr. Clarke belongs to this category, as a practised orator, he ought to have made sure of his facts, before venturing to hold up the Duke of Westminster and Mr. Yerburgh to ridicule. To any person of ordinary intelligence and courtesy, how/ever, it would ap- pear that the well-known reputation which both these gentlemen bear for good works and assist- ance to every deserving cause would have pro- tected them against a rude, blundering attack of this description, especially in an assembly where Christian charity is supposed to prevail. The further plea that this grossly vulgar attack upon the Duke and the member was "a sort ot aide remark, in a very decidedly jocufar spirit," and "a mere pleasantry" shews that the writer has failed wholly to appreciate the gravity of the offence. It may be considered a mere pleasantry and an evidence of "jocular spirit" for a gathering of a Young Men's Christian As- sociation to throw mud at their generous patrons, but public opinion will not support that yiJew. TEe boy in the fable, engaged in pelting the frogs in a pond with stones, thought the proceed- ing "a mere pleasantry," and he dad it. in the most "jocular spirit." But the opinion of the poor frogs was different, judging from their com- ment:—"It may be all fun to you. but it is death to us." In the concluding sentence of the explanation, tho writer degenerates from weakness into down- right impertinence. He presumes to lecture the reporter, whose accuracy he impugns, for having recorded this extraordinary example of rudeness in a public meeting. It is not the author but the chronicler of the offensive remark that is held up to reprobation. This is a strangely perverted view of a reporter's functions. Had the reporter omitted to make mention of the incident, he would have been sadly failing in his duty. Why should speakers on public platforms allow their feelings to outrun their discretion, pillory unoffending and absent mem bers of society, and then expect a complaisant reporter to keep the matter out of the newspaper, to protect t-he offending orator? The public, who iro now in possession of the full facts in regard to this "regrettable incident" will be able to judge whether it was "an unavoidable accident," as suggested by the apologiist, and whether Mr. Clarke has taken the manly, straightforward course to extricate himself and the Association from the discredit in which he has involved them. Probably Mr. Clarke now regrets that his fame is so "world-wide." In the interests of eoonomv it is to be hoped that the dispute between the Corporation and the Assessment Committee wiil not be carried to the Quarter Sessions. If the parties cannot agree, would it not be cheaper to refer the matter to arbitration The assessment of the Electric Lignt Works, the Tramways, and the Public Market is the cause of trouble. The whole ratable value of the Electric Light Works was formerly £1.500, and the Committee wish to increase it to £3,200. The Corporation object, and say the undertaking is worth only JE541. 19s. 6d. The discrepancy, it will be noted, is con- siderable. But the difference of opinion with regard to the value of the Electric Trams is even more marked. The assessment of the old system was J6478. 15s. The Committee wish to increase this figure to £1.500. whereas the Corporation say the amount ought to be reduced to J6162. 3s. 8d. The old value of the Public Markets was £1,103. 5s. The Committee are willing to reduce this sum to £1,000. but the Corporation contend that the proper assessment should be £ó90. 16s. 3d. We again express the hope that it will be possible to avoid expensive litigation in the matter. We are not surprised to hear that Chester shop- keepers are annoyed at the "mobbing" of the Duchess of Westminster when her Grace comes into the city to do some shopping. On Friday in last week the Duchess visited a shop in Bridge- street Row, and quite a large crowd assembled in the Row and street. A moment's reflection should have taught those people that their con- duct was not likely to encourage her Grace in these shopping excursions. A policeman did attempt to disperse the crowd, but as soon as his back was turned they re-assembled. Mr. Fish's letter to the Chester Education Committee, protesting against the proposed grant to the King's School, has been received in the city with no small surprise. The arguments employed shew a failure to appreciate the difference between private trading and a public institution. Mr. Fish, speaking on behalf of the proprietors of private venture schools, objects to a subsidy to a public school like the King's. His feelings are perfectly natural, but they are not restricted by any means to matters scholastic. When the electric trams were started, the owners of omni- buses and cabs doubtless felt exactly as Mr. Fish does. So in the case of the electric light. The shareholders of the Gas Company must have been exasperated at the competition thus introduced with the assistance of the credit of the rates, to which they are also contributories. In a larger way the Post Office introduced an unfair com- petition with numerous public carriers, but all these aggrieved private traders have been obliged to grin and bear it. Municipal trading cannot be developed without treading on the corns of some private individuals. The state of matters of which Mr. Fish com- plains is one result of the democratic develop- ments of modern times, and that Mr. Lanoelev Should take up the cudgels against the march of democratic progress is little short of amazing, in view of his professions in favour of public insti- tutions and popular, representative government. Mr. Fish's criticisms of the King's School are. to say the least, in questionable taste, as coming from a brother professional. The King's School, with its brilliant record of scholastic successes, can be left. to take care of itself very well. As wo pointed out. only a week or two since, it is the best school of its type in the county, it is an institution of which the citizens may feel justly proud, and it deserves the public recognition and support of the Corporation, which will help it to secure countenance from the county authority also. Onlooker's suggestion in our columns to-day proposes a fitting termination to the heated con- troversy that has been proceeding for some weeks as to the oldest King's Scholar. The restoration of the Refectory, which was the old King's School, by a body of old King's Scholars would be ex- ceedingly appropriate, and cannot but appeal to the public spirit of a large number of citizens who received their education ae. the school. Probably the Association of Old King's Scholars will have something to say to the suggestion. Tho Hoole District Council on Monday evening will appoint their chairman for the ensuing twelve months. The time is not very far distant when the question of amalgamation will be brought to the front, and it is not improbable that the District Council will have ceased to exist before another year has elapsed. We therefore think that it would be a mistake at this critical juncture to change the chairman. Mr. William Williams has filled the position with ability and impartiality, and we think, without in any way disparaging the claims of other gentlemen, that the Council would make a wise choice in re- electing him. The Local Government Board have signified their intention of holding a public inquiry with regard to the sewerage schemes for Bache, Upton, Newton, and a portion of Great Boughton on the the 25th inst. The local Artillery Volunteers are looking for- ward with keen pleasure to the interesting route inarch which has been arranged bv their popular Col LLovd. AND WHICH AH' PHCE to-day to Eaton. The march will prove an agree- able change from ordinary drill, and the enjoy- ment will be materially enhanced by the kind I ospitality which is promised them at Eaton. By a happy arrangement, the Depot Cheshire Band will accompany the corps. We should not be sur- prised if the march-out has the happy sequel of attracting recruits, for it is a step in the direction of popularising the Volunteer movement. The salmon fishermen in the tidal parts of the Dee have not done so well this week. There has been a small fresh in the river, and a good many salmon have crossed the weir at Chester and gone to the middle waters, where they have fallen a prey to the coracle nets, which continue to do well. Anglers are also having some sport. Mr. Peel caught four beautiful fish with rod and line in his salmon pools above Overton Bridge last Tuesday, the heaviest being 16jlb. and a few odd ones have been landed between there and Llangollen, but the water has generally been too high for some of the best casts in the river. I During the past few days the first of the American visitors of the season have been observed in Chester, and their study of the old city's unique attractions has been pursued with characteristic diligence. A very dainty brochure, entitled Historic Sites and Scenes of England," has just been published by the Great Western Railway Company, and makes an opportune ap- pearance, since it is specially designed for the use of visitors from across the Atlantic. Both the letterpress and the copious illustrations are ex- cellent, and altogether it is an artistic work. Cestrians will be glad to know that their city is not overlooked; but, of course, in a volume of this nature the story of Chester's rich memorials of the past is very inadequately presented. The improved service of trains which the London and North-Western Railway are about to institute upon their Chester to Mold. Denbigh and Ruthin line will be of the greatest value to passengers, and indicates much enterprise and a desire to meet public convenience. Passengers will now be able to reach Denbigh from London in four hours and 35 minutes, and travel from Chester to Denbigh in 50 minutes by the new 3.55 p.m. fast train. By this train. Ruthin is reached at 5.5 p.m., and St. Asaph, via Denbigh. at 5.15 p.m. This new train, therefore, gives Denbigh passengers an advantage of one and a quarter hours over the time now existing on the journey from London. Ruthin passengers two hours and fifteen minutes, and St. Asaph pas- sengers one and a quarter hours. The new trains from Chester at 8.45 a.m. and 9.10 p.m. will also be very useful. Although "the tramp nuisance at Buckley" has long since been regarded as a stereotyped head- line. there are few who can conceive the extent to which the brick town is infested by this social pest. Duiing the progress of a vagrancy case at the Hawarden Sessions on Thursday the Buckley Police-Sergeant stated that constant complaints were received as to the manner in which tramps cccupieà the brickworks at. night. "One night last week" continued the Sergeant, "I turned five out at one works, nine the next night, and nine the night after that. As many as 40 havo turned out of the works in the morning. They then procsed to the workmen's houses and frighten the women after the men have gone to work." This is truly an alarming state of things, and illustrates the urgent need of legislative measures for dealing with the outcasts of Europe who over- liin our country.

I LOCAL NEWS. I I CHESTER CATHEDRAL. I SERVICE LIST FOR WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 15. SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH.-Morning-, 8.0: Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, Wood in C; anthem. Daughters of Jerusalem" (Elveyi Evenincr. 4.15: Service, Nares in F; anthem, Try me, 0 God (Roberts). SUNDAY, APRIL 16TH (Sunday Next before Easter. Palm Sunday).-Morning, 8.0: Litany and Holy Communion. I '.SO Service, West in C; introit, hymn 322; Holy Com- munion (Merbecke); preacher, the Canon in Residence. Evening, 3.30: Service, Kehvav in B minor; anthem, "My God, my God" (Mendelssohn); hymn 161. 6 30; Magnifi- cat and Nunc Dimittis to Chants Processional hvmn. 99; hymns 214, -267, 30tj; preacher, the Rev. J. H. F. Peile, M.A. The Story of the Cross. MONDAY, APRIL liTH.-Morning', 8.0: Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, Monotone; hymn 106. Evening, 4.15: Service, Monotone; choraie. "O Blessed Jesus" (Bach); preacher, the Rev. J. H. F Peile, M.A. TCKSDAY, APRIL ISTH.—Morning, 8,0: Holy Communion. 10. In: Service. Monotone; hymn 105. Evening, 4 15: Service, Monotone; chorale, "My sin it was" (Bach); preacher, the Rev. J. H. F. Peile, M. A. WEPNESDAY, APRIL 19TIl.-Mormn, 7.45: Litany and Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, Monotone; hymn 17. Evening. 4.15: Service. Monotone chorale. Commit Thy ways "(Bach); preacher, the Rev. J. H. F. Peile, M.A. THURSDAY, APRIL •I'ITII.—Morninsr, 8.0 Holy Communion. 10.15': Service, Monotone; hymn 110. Evening, 4.15: Service, Monotone chorale, "O Father, let Thy will" (Bach); preacher, the Rev. J. H. F. Peile, M. A. GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 21sT.-Morninlr, 7 45: Litany and Holy Communion. 10 15 Service, Monotone hymn 201. 12-2: Service of the Three Hours preacher, the Rev. J. H. F. Peile, M.A. Evening, 4.15: Service, Farrant in G minor; chorale, "O Thou. whose head" (Bach). 7.30: Special Service with Sermon preacher, Rev. H. Chignell, M.A.

The Marquis of CholmQndeley has arrived at Cholniondeley Castle, from town. The Countess of Crewe left for the Continent on Wednesday. Sir John and Lady Brunner are among the recent arrivals at Cannes. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have lent Grosvenor House for a matinee concert to be held in aid of the League of Mercy on Tuesday. June 27. Mr. Cotton, of Penley Hall. who was hurt while riding in the Wynnstay Hunt Point-to-Point Races on Thursday, is progressing favourably. Lord Barrymore, who has been over to Fota, county Cork, for a few days, has returned to town, where he was joined by Lady Barrymore, who spent last week in Paris. The wedding of the Rev. C. A. Griffin to Miss Lucy Brown of the Folly, Flookersbrook, will now take place on Tuesday. May 23rd. The date has been: changed owing to the recent death of Miss Nessie Brown, of Boughton. The Duke of Westminster has kindly lent Gros- venor House for the meeting of subscribers to the Central Public-house Trust Association, to be held on Tuesday, May 23, at three o'clock. The Earl of Lytton, president of the association, will be in the chair. A LOCAL PETITION.—In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr. Yerburgh presented a petition from inhabitants of Chester against the Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill. THE DUKE'S MUNIFICENCE.—The Duke of Westminster has promised £1,000 towards the fund for building a parochial institute for the parish of St. John's, Westminster. His Grace has also given JE250 towards the re-building of the City of London Lying-in Hospital, City-road, London. MR. YERBURGH AND EVENING SCHOOLS. Mr. Yerburgh, M.P., and an influential group of various classes of members irrespective of politics, have, it is understood, arranged to introduce shortly into the House of Commons a slightly modified version of the Bishop of Hereford's Continuation Evening Schools Bill, the second reading of which was recently defeated in the House of Lords by the aarrow majority of two. The Earl of Haddington has left town for Tyninghame, East Lothian. The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury have arrived in Dublin from London. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster left Eaton on Saturday for a motoring tour in France. The estate of the late Mr. James Marshall Brooks, 83, of Portal Lodge, Tarporley, Steward of the Tarporley Hunt Steeplechases, has been valued for probate purposes at £ 4,526. County Alderman C. H. Booth has been appointed leader of the Unionist Party in Stalybndge and Dukinfield vice Alderman Mark Fentem. who has been compiled to resign owing to illhealth. beAen t the ???loe; Hunt Steeplechases on Wednes- day the members of the hunt entertained over 1,000 farmers at a champagne luncheon. Mr. John Baker, Tattenhall, catered in his usual, satisfactory manner. The Earl of Denbigh and Desmond (Lord-m- Waiting to the King) represented his Majesty at the Memorial Service for the late Sir Martin Le Marchant Gosselin, which was held on Saturday morning in the Roman Catholic Church, Farm- street, Berkeley-square. AN OLD NEWSPAPER.-Mr. H. B. Dutton has shewn us several copies of the "Chester Weekly Journal," dated 1725. The paper was pub- lished by William Cooke, of Chester, and the price was lid, The Chester corn market report reads as follows in one of the copies Wheat, 4s. to 5s. per measure; eats, Is. Id. to Is. 6d.: barley, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 8d.; rye, 3s. 6d. to 4s. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE LICENSED VICTUALLERS.—At the annual meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire branch of the Licensed Victuallers' Defence League on Wednesday, at Bolton, attention was drawn to the growing com- petition offered to the public-houses by clubs. A resolution was adopted calling for more stringent legislation for the regulation and control of unsatisfactory clubs. The Chairman (Mr. Isaac Turner) expressed the hope that the judgment in the Birkenhead appeal will remain a standard decision." MR. YERBURGH AND WIRELESS TELE- GRAPHY.—Mr. Yerburgh asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the importance of wireless telegraphy on the coasts of the United Kingdom in relation to national defence, any steps were being taken by the Admiralty to secure the were beionf g all wireless telegraphic stations.—Mr. Pretvman (in a written reply): This matter has been and is occuping the instant and earnest atten- tion of the Admiralty. A LUCKY PRISONER.—William Brown was agreeably surprised at King's Lynn Quarter Ses- sions. on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny and to several previous oon- victione. It so happened that he was the first prisoner brought before the new Recorder, Mr. j H. St. John Raikes, who has succeeded the Hon. John de Grey. To mark the occasion the Re- oorder exercised clemency, and merely ordered Brown to be conducted by the police beyond the borough boundary. QUEEN-STREET P.S.A.-Sunday's was an "open" raeeting, it being Railway Sunday. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Worrall, who was p leased to see the great interest taken in such meetings as the P.S.A. by his brother railway ser- vants. The speaker was Mr. Morris (Shrewsbury). A special feature was a recitation by Miss Lily Jones, entitled "Our First Railway Journey." Mr. H. Bogie rendered the solos. "When I survey" and "Thy will be done." There also took part in the service Mr. Beswick, Mr. Davies and Mr. Skeldon (organist). OPPONENT FOR MR. MOSS, M.P.—It was on Wednesday reported at Wrexham that the Vnionists of East Denbighshire are taking steps to oppose the candidature of Mr. Samuel Moss. M P., at the next election. N.U.T. CONFERENCE.—The delegates from the Chester District Teachers' Association to the National Union of Teachers' Easter Conference at Llandudno are Messrs. G. T. Lodge, president; S. Earlam, ex-president; Pryce. Thomas, vice- president; Lockett, secretary; Turner, Bebbing- ton, Lloyd, and Parry, and the Misses Middleton and Withers. SUCCESS.—Mr. R. Cecil Owen. of 89, Fore- gate-street, Chester, was successful in the minor examination in connection with the Pharmaceu- tical Society of Great Britain, just held in London, and is now fully qualified as a chemist and drug- gist. Mr. Owen was the winner of the gold medal given by his Grace the Duke of Westminster to the bo-st science student, at the Chester Museum last session. I.O.G.T., CHESTER EXCELSIOR LODGE.— The weekly session was held in the Temperance Haii on Monday, when the programme was pro- vided by Sisters N. Taylor and A. MansJey. After a song, "The Boys' of the Old Brigade, by Bro. T. L. Williams. and a song, Flight of Ages,' by Sister Mansley. the remainder of the evening was devoted to a humorous sketch, en- titled "The Runaway Matches, in which the following membeis took part:—Sisters Mansley and Taylor, and Bros. T. Blower, T. L. Williams and A, Dodd. Bro. T. Price. C.T.. presided. EXTRAORDINARY DEATH OF A BABY. -11r. J. C. Bate held an inquest on' Wednesday on the body of Doris Muriel Stapley, aged nine months, daughter of William Young Stapley, oommercial clerk, residing ar, Clare-avenue, Hoole. On Tuesday morning as her mother feeding her, she gave one little cry and then be- came stiff, and black in the face. Dr. Knapton was summoned and came in in a few minutes, but not before death had taken place. A verdict was returned of deaJh from natural causes, prob- ably asphyxia produced by spasm of the glottis. FIRE BRIGADE.-The fire report for the Chester Fire Brigade for the year ending Feb. 28th, 1905, shews that the number of calls had been 26, the brigade calls 12, country calls 7, hand-pump oalls 7. The average time spent at town fires had 54 £ minutes, and at country fires 11 £ hours. Seven town fires and one country fire had been out before the arrival of the brigade. The estimated amount of risk from fires in thie town had been £16,010, and in the country £ 7,000, while the estimated amount 6f damage had been £1,302 in the town and £3,670 in the country. The causes of eleven fires were unknown. DUKE OF WESTMINSTER S COLONY.— According to the "Rhodesian Heiald," trie Duke of Westminster's scheme for placing English yeo- men on South African soil is working with dis- tinct success. There are over twenty farms on the estate. which takes the name of its owner, and is situated about fifty miles east of the capital of the Orange River Colony. The houses are well built of local stone, and have tiled roofs, and they have been placed amid picturesque surroundings As for the faims, though not extensive, they are said to be better equipped than usual, and have every advantage, especially in the way of water. Thero is plenty of land for cattle and the soii being particularly rich, nearly everything can be grown. PRESENTATION OF A GOLD CUP TO EARL GROSVENOR.—The solid 18ct. gold birth- day cup to be presented by the tenantry of the Eaton and Chester estates to the young Earl Grosvenor, the son and heir of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, is now on view at the shop of Mr. A. W. Butt, goldsmith of this oity, by whom it has been specially designed and manu- factured. It is a perfectly plain two-handle cup and cover, of the Early English period, being mcdelled from a very ancient silver gilt cup of great value. It stands on an ebony plinth and bears the following inscription"Birthday Cup. Presented by the Tenantry on the. Eaton and Chester Estates to Edward G-eorge Hugh, Earl Grosvenor 16th November 1904 METHODIST NEW CONNEXION, PEPPER- ^ST—Unn Tuesday evening the. Rev F J ewell, a former minister of the Methods New Connexion Church. Pepper-street, delivered a lecture at the church on "Billy Bray." a Ccrnish missioner of the early 19th aenturv. ?\1r. D. L. Hewitt presided over a large and appreciative audienoe. He referred feulogistieally to Mr. Jewell s ministry in that church, ar.d said it was 21 years since he commenced his work there. The church was then in a decaying state and It was he who changed it into the flourishing con- dition it had been in ever since. Mr. JwølJ. who a Cornish man, and knew "Billy Bray" in his last years, gave an interesting account cf his work, and m his blending cf humour and pathos he quite held the sympathetic attention of his audience from beginning to end. CHESTER SAVINGS BANK.-The quarterlv meeting of the Committee of Management was held on Wednesday. Dr. Stolterfoth presided. The secretary tMr. H. E. Crane) submitted th? quarterly statement of accounts, also a comparative statement shewing the progress of the bank during the quarter ended 20th February last. The number of depositors was 6,398, as against 6.0C9 for the correspondmg period last year, shewing an increase '? number of transactions was 6,261, as agai- nst 5?2o last year, the increase being 336. The amc,unt due to depositors on 20th February last was £ 199,465. 4s. 9d., as against £19ï,899. 9s. lOd. last year, being an increase of £1,&65. 14s. lid. The amount in the hands of the National Debt Commissioner was increased by JS2323 6s. lid. and S^ bTS of stock ld by depositors was finnccrreeased by £833. <6L s. Id. oT?hife committee expressed their satisfaction at the continued progress of the bank. The auditor (Mr. Chas. Coppack, CA) read his report. The Secretary also stated that the returns from the school penny bank were excellent opened™ new penny banks bad recently been opened. THE LATE MRS. S. SMITH.—The funeral of the late Mrs. S. Smith took place at Chester Cemetery on Saturday. The first part of the service was conducted at Trinity Church, where the Rev. L M. Farrall and the Rev. T. W. Mundy officiated. The service was concluded at the Cemetery, where the same clergy officiated. Among the mourners present were Mr. S. Smith widower), Mr T. Smith, Mr. Wm. Whalley (brother), Col. T J. Smith, Mr. L. P. Smith and Mr. C. P. Smith (nephews), Mr. T. A. Beckett, Dr. Granger, Dr. Newall, Mr. N. A. E. Wav, the Grange r Smith, Mr D. L. Eewitt. Mr. W. Peera Mr. T. H. Hignett, the Office Staff, &c. The Rev. Henry Smith and Mr. Geoffrey Smith were unable to be present. Among these who sent the beautiful floral tributes were Mr. S. Smith (widower) Air T. Smith Mr. C Smith, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Smith, Mn and Mrs. L. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Way. Mr. and ?'?' D?so° Messrs. H. C. and E. !?'PT?.?'e Smith (Weymoutb). Mr. and Mrs. ?Wenll). u ?- ? Eustace Jonea (Barrel- Trevor Dickson Mrs. W. Smith and Miss ATX shton. MP,r T H. Hignett, the staff at Messrs. Walker Smith & Way soffice, &c., Miss O'Gorman Miss Newall, the Servants, &c. The funeral a^^mDentS were carried out bT Messrs. J. Smith ZE?NA nSSION.-TOO annual meeting of the Chester branch of the Zenana Mission was held on Wednesday afternoon in the Assembly Rooms, Newgate-street Mr. F. S Bishop pre- sided over a la.rge attendance, including Cancm Gore, the Revs. F. Anderson. A. H. Waller, T. P. Dimond Hog-g, A. H. Arnold, G. Hindhaugh, Phillips, Mr. F. Amos (hon. treasurer). Mrs F S Bishop (hon. secretary). ApoJogies for absence were read from the Bishop.. the Archdeaoon of Cnester, Canon Cooper Soott, the Re-vs. H Grantham, J D. Best and C. A. Griffin.—The Cha.irman read the annual report of the committee of the Chester branch, who stated that the work had been earned steadily on. A few fresh sub- scribers had been obtained but there was room for improvement, and they longed to see a more wJlhng response and an increase of regular sub- scriptions, if only for small sums. The fund for the Chester bed in the Matala Hospital, which was in charge of a lady doctor, Miss E. G. Stewart, was more than last yoar. but still 10s less than the promised £ 10.—Mr. Amos pre- sented the balance-sheet It showed that the ladv collectors had provided JB52. 8s. 8d.. while JB9 8s 9d. had been given towards the Chester bed. The sale of work realised £29. 6s.. and the total Kvoeipts came to JB110. 17s. lid., oompared with :£98. 7s. 7d. in the previous year, when there was no sale of work. Two years ago, when a sale of work was held., the receipts amounted to JE122 4s. lid.—The Chairman said the difficulties of women shut out from all social influences and from the sound of the Gospel must appeal to the sym- pathies of every woman, who knew and loved the freedom the Gospel had established for her in this country. They were a can to her to do her ut- most for her sisters in that great land of India, for which we were so greatly responsible.—-Miss Valpy, a lady who has been working with the Mission in India.. and has recently returned to this country, gave an interesting aooount of the work now being done out- there. PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION. — The second annual photographic exhibition of the Chester Natural Science Society was opened in the Art Gallery of the Museum on Thursday evening. The opening ceremony was performed by the Sheriff (Dr. Mann). The president (the Rev. A. H. Fish) presided over a fair attendance. He expressed the hope the exhibition would become a regular annual event and would increase considerably. The Sheriff spoke in similar terms. Alluding to the departure from Chester of Mr. Newstead, be said be believed he was not actually represented in that exhibition, but he hoped that in his new sphere Mr. Newstead would not forget his old friends in Chester, and that by contributing to such exhibitious as that, he would keep up his connection with the old place, which had such a strong admiration for him. He would carry with him the heartfelt wishes of all for his future welfare and happiness. (Applause ) On the motion of Mr. J. D. Siddall, seconded by Dr. Hamilton, the Sheriff and the exhibitors were accorded a vote of thanks.—The exhibition occupies one side of the Art Gallery and the pictures are artistically arranged on a dark background which with the quiet coloured frames throw out the work to the best advantage. Although numerically there is a slight falling off compared with lost year, the quality on the whole is decidedly better. One of the principal exhibitors is Mr. Frank Simpson, who shows some very good photographs, among which The Choir Screen at the Cathedral," and "The Dee Bore," deserve mention. Dr. Stolterfoth has a large view of Chester, taken from near the railway bridge over the river at the Roodee. Mr. J. A. McMichael, who is also a prominent exhibitor has an excellent view of a- laboratory taken by artificial light. The ball room at Haddon Hall," by H. Wiseman, i and "In the Shade," by Mr. G. Ledsham are among the most pleasing views. Mr. W. H. Ankers shews a beautiful view of the Lledr river, while chief among Mr. Normansell's pictures is a pretty scene in a Sutherland glen. Quite a feature of the exhibition is an excellent collection of lantern slides by Col. Lysaght, Col. Dowdall, Dr. Stolter- foth, Mr. Frank Simpson, and Mr. H. N. Hignett. The last named has a beautiful set of four slides j prepared by the Sanger-Shepherd tri-ooloar process. The exhibition will be open daily until April 28th.

f THE Y.M.C.A. INSULT TO THE DUKE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Who is Mr. G. Clarke? It might be said of i such a one "Nobody knows and nobody cares." An individual who in any public capacity can insult the Duke of Westminster ought to be. and really is, unworthy of notice and his utterances beneath contempt. This sir, I venture to say, is the prevailing opinion concerning Mr. G. Clarke. And thus the matter might end, but unfortunately Mr. G. Clarke! presumably speaks as the chosen champion of a Young Men' s Christian Association, and this is the worst. feature of the speech to which atten- tion has been drawn. What many people are asking is-Are such results as emanate from Mr. G. Clarke the produce of the study of what is fur- nished by this Christian Association? Truly, a most important point, seeing that it is an Associa- tion not above receiving public subscription. And you may depnd upon it there may as likely as not be those who will decline to continue giving their monies for any such purpose as to insult the Duke of Westminster. Well within the recollection of your readers is the insult heaped upon the late Duke, for political purposes, by the Radical party in this city. And so to-day history repeats itself. Here is some Mr. G. Clarke speaking of the present Duke in a com- munity of Christian men. Yet there is not even one found to rise and condemn the remarks you place on record. So much for the outcome of the Young Men's Christian Association, ever un- worthy of the term "Christian" unless repudiation of Mr. G. Clarke and his remarks is speedily forth- ooming.-YourtS truly, April 12. 1905. A CITIZEN. April 12. 1905. MR. CLARKE'S APOLOGIST. I TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-I have just received a visit from one of the most influential members of the local com- mittee of the Y.M.C.A. at Chester. He and others are much disturbed at. the remarks you make in your leading article regarding the sup- posed statement made by Mr. George Clarke. In fairness to Mr. Clarke, I should like you to publish the following statement, which, while clearing Mr. Clarke from blame, will also explain to his Grace the Duke of Westminster and Mr. I Yerburgh that the "regrettable incident" was an unavoidable accident. In the absence of the Travelling Secretary, who had the Conference arrangements in hand I may say that it was intended for Mr. Yapp to be the principal speaker at the meeting. He unavoid- ably failed us. At the last moment I thought of Mr. Clarke, whose fame as a speaker is almost- world-wide. I persuaded him to corije and ten minutes before the meeting ocanmenced he arrived. at Chester. I did not know that his Grace was not expected, and the Travelling Secretary had no time to explain to Mr. Clarke the reason of the absence of his Grace, and all that Mr. Clarke understood was that he had not come nor had he sent any reason for his absence. That this was not told Mr. Ciarke is to be regretted. I was myself obliged to bo away from the meeting. I have seen Mr. Clarke to-day, and ho is naturally very provoked at the occurrence. He bids me say that he never said Mr. Vanderbilt was in the habit of going to the Y.M. C.A. every month, etc. What he did say was that many rich men made a pi-actioe of giving these re- ceptions in America, and then a-s.. a sort of side remark, in a very decidedly jocular spirit. he said it was different from the way rich men treated U6 here. Everybody that heard Mr. Clarke. I am told, understood that it was a mere pleasantry, which, however, he would not have used had he known what you tell us as to the facts. Mr. Clarke did not know that there had been a lunch, so that he made no intentional reference to Mr. Yerburgh. The whole matter is much to be regretted for Mr. Clarke's sake, a.< also for any unintentional rudeness to his Grace the Duke of Westminster. From our point of view, it is a great pitv the reporter, selected the one unimportant and un- prepared sentence from Mr. Clari?e's &p!endid p repare d from speech for publication. THOMAS JAMESON. Co-District Secretary. Liverpool. April 12, 1905. 41,

THE OLDEST KING'S SCHOLAR. THE DILAPIDATED REFECTORY. TO THE EDITOR. I bir,— lhe rc, oc n t correspondence in the [ "Observer" concerning old King School reool- lections would seem, in an almost natural manner, to draw attention to the present dilapidated ex- terior. and certainly interior, which is not. at all clean, of the Refectory, or the Old King's School. I frequently wonder if any of those grown-up boys, who nowadays arc men, and men of means, who received their education in this building ever go and take a look at its exterior, especially the east end roof and the window, which is filled up with brickwork, while the stones on the roof seem quite ready and almost willing to fall with- out the asking. The window certainly inside is blocked with the organ used for choir practices, but this need not prevent restoration of even this one window at the very least, giving attention to other por- tions of 1..1C building as funds come in. Ordinary readers as not being possessed with that enthu- siasm in this matter presumably held by ex- King's scholars, vide the recent letters, and the reputed oldest boy having acknowledged defeat, might be forgiven when such are inclined to attribute a lack of tangible reality and want of practical enthusiasm. They seemingly would allow the edifice to become ruined, for not one word has appeared in the correspondence concern- ing the dilapidations here referred to. The con- clusion would really peem to point more to self- glorification than anything else, while enthusiasm of the solid, tangible and practical £ s. d. stamp ie put off. as it has ever been, to a more con- venient season, and thus the matter fizzles out at the finger ends. Can it be possible that the veterans of this school, who have of late appeared in your columns in all the glory of print, should be willing to thus efface themselves and collapse? No. sir! Your readers consider such an ending inglorious, on any inspection of the edifice which presumably they have so much affection for. yet neglect so much. 0 temporal 0 mores!—Yours very truly. ONLOOKER. April 12, 1905. I TO THE EDITOR. I Sir,-Mar I aak the favour of a little space to reply to the letter of Mr. W. E. Phillips which appeared in your last issue? The question "Who is the Oldest King's Scholar?" cannot be answered by the charter of the school, nor by anything "which should always have existed," but only by reference to what was the state of things which actually existed for some genera- tions before 1850. Wha.t was a King's Scholar? The Cathedral Grammar School was a close school before 1853-54, and oomprised 24 boys under a headtaaefer, with, as a rule, a junior I assistant master. The headmaster was allowed I to have a. limited number of private pupils. Ap- plicants for admission had to get a nomination I from some member of the Cathedral Chapter, and when vacancies occurred they were filled up by the Dean and Chapter from the boys who h-ad been so nominated. When the Rev.. James Harris was appointed headmaster in 1853, a change was made, the school was thrown open, and he was allowed to have an unlimited number of private pupils. The King's scholarships were competed for in an examination- open to the boys who had been in the school for six months previously. When the scholarship was awarded the boy was called to the headmaster's desk, and his name, the names of both his parents, their place of resid- ence and their occupations, were entered by the headmaster in a. book provided by the Dean and Chapter. The boy was then said to be placed on the foundation and thereby became a King's Scholar. With regard to the choristers before 1850. there is no record of a separate chorister school or of chorister boys. The King's Scholars had to do duty as choristers, but they were. fimt put on "the foundation," and became choristers after- wards. Mr. Prichard in his last letter points this out as the state of things in his time, and it is endorsed by Mr. Wm. Haswell, Mr. T. S. Deakin. and Mr. Wm. Roberts as the same when they were in the .school. I really cannot make out how Mr. Phillips can have been mistaken about the location of the choristers' schcolhouse in Mr. Prichard's day, for that gentleman said very plainly "that the school was held in the Old Refectory." The late Mr. Thomas Hughes, F.S.A., founder of the Association of Old King's Scholars, searched the archives of the Chapter Houses and found that there was a complete record of the names of all boys who had been in the school as King'? Scholars since the time it was founded by King Henry VIII. But tlhcre was a curious break in the continuity which was j co-incident with the period of the Common- i'wealth. | I do hope that I have now made it plain to Mr. Phillips that Mr. Wm. Roberts. Mr. Pricha.rd and others are rightly designated King's Scholars, and that the claims to the honour of being considered the OldesT King's j Scholar are nonsensical and absurd. I was sorry to see from Mr. Phillips's letter that he did not withdraw his scandalous attack on the Association of Old King's Scholars and made an amende honorable for writing it. I trust that p po will be manly enough to do so in his njext letter if he writes one. Hoping that I have not tres- passed too much on your patience.—I remain, yours faithfully, I JOHN GRIFFITHS. I The Hollies. Upton Park. Chester, April 13th, 1905.

SALTNEY PARISH COUNCIL. I ANNUAL MEETING. I The annual meeting of the Saltney Parish Council was held on Thursday evening at St. Ambrose School, Sandycroft—On the proposition of Mr. James Challinor, Mr. John Jones was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year.—On the motion of Mr. S. Manley, seconded by Mr. Chatterley, Mr. Jamee Challinor was reJ elected vice-chairman. The overseers and tho- assistant overseer were reappointed. Members. of committees and Council managers of too various non-provided schools witnin the parish' were also elected. PUBLIC LLGHTI-NG. m The Clerk (Mr. R. W. Carter) read the minuter of a meeting of the East. Ward Lighting Com- mittee, called for the purpose of considering the question of providing additional lamps. As the committee had already extiaustcd their 3d. rate. they decided that no further lighting extension could be considered without calling a meeting of ratepayers to sanction an increased rate. The minutes were confirmed. THE CLERK'S SALARY. m The Council had under consideration an appli- cation by the clerk for increased remuneration for the additional work imposed upon him by the collection of a special expenses rate. The clerk pointed out that. he would be obliged to keep a separate set of books for the collection of the special rate. Seven- years ago the rate for the pariah was made on a ratable value of £22,724 17s. 6d., whereas the ratable value now was £ 33,436. 8s., shewing an inerea-se of £ 10.761 IQs. 6d. during seven years. or an average per year of £ 1.537. 4s. The L. and X-W. Railway Co. were the largest ratepayers, and seven years ago their ratable value was £ 11,122 8s., while to-day it was £ 13,155. having, increased by £ 2,032. 12s. These figures gave an idea of the increasing work that had devolved upon him, irrespective of the special rate, through the increase of the ratable value. He applied for a salary of JE20 in con- nection with the special rate.—The clerk retired from the room, and the Council discussed the matter at some length. it, was ultimately de- cided. on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Lee, to fix Mr. Carter's salary for making the special rate at LID, and to recommend the District Council to increase his salary as collector by £10. NEW STATION FOR SHOTTON. A letter was received from Mr. R. Turnbull on behalf of the L. and' N.-W. Railway Company, intimating that the directors had decided to con- tinue the widening of the lino from Wepre to Connah's Quay, and that they would be able to meet the Council's request to provide a passenger station at Shot-ton. It was decided to thank the company for making this concession at the Council's request, and at the samo time to state the Council would be glad if they could see their way to remove the other disability under which the parish was labour- ing through the want of a passenger station on the same line at Mold Junction.

LIGHTING UP TABLE. I All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester -1 dietrict must be lighted up as stated in the follow- ing table:- Saturday, April 15 8.10  Sunday, April 16 8.12 !tt Monday, April 17 8.14 Tuesday, April 18 8.15 Wednesday, April 19 8.17 Thursday, April 20 8.19 Friday, April 21 "d' 8.21 1

BIRTHS, M, ARRIAGES &DEATHS BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS are charged at the rate of 20 words for Is. (prepaid). If not prepaid, the oharge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by the- Signature and Address of the Sender. BIRTHS. HASWELL-On the 9th April, at 31, Lord-street, Chester- to Mr. and Mrs. J. Ernest JL. Haswell, a son. HUGHES-On the 8th April, at 27, Thomas-street, the wife of H. E. Hughes (nee Sallie Jones), ot Mottram, of a son (stillborn). MARRIAGES. HATHORK-TRESIDDER-On the 21st March, at St. Paul's, Chester, by the Rev. H. J. E. Williams, M.A., Geoifre Campbell, fourth son of the late Major James George Hathorn. Royal Artillery (Staff Ordnance Depart- ment, Benjral Establishment), to Mabel Emily, fourth daughter of the late Surgeon-General John Nicolas Tresidder, H.M. Indian Medical Service. McROBERT—LORD—On the 6th April, at the Congre- gational Church, Morecambe, by the Bev. J. A. Buttriss, Thomas Little McRobert, Athol House, Huddersfield, second son of Henry MoRobert, Banks Lockerbie, N.B., to Frances Elizabeth Lord, second daughter of James West Lord, Belrave, Morecambe, and grand-daughter of the late Samuel Prince, of Tattenhall DEATHS. CRAIG-On the 7th April, at I C, Derby-place, Hoole, Agnes. wife of the late William Cunningham Craig, aged 6i years. ELLJS-On the 3rd April, at Piper's Ash, Hoole. George, eldest son of Georsre and Charlotte Ellis, in his 28th year. TAYLOR-On the 13tb April, at Cliffe Cottage, Neston. ~John Taylor. aged (1) years. Service at St. John the Baptist, Chester, at 2.30, Saturday, April 15th. WILLIAMS-On the 11th April, at 24, Devonshire-place, Chester, the residence of her son, Isabella, relict of the late T. F. Williams, ol Seacombe. in her 72nd year. IN MEMORIAM. ASTLE-IN ever-lo%,ing remembrance of ru%. dear aunt, Rhoda Astle, who died April 13th, 1904. [" Till the last and brightest Easter Day be bort). ") (Her loving niece, Annic) BROWN—In loving memory of my dear father, George Brown, of Saltney, who departed this life April 16th, 1904. [Gone. but not forgotten by his-daughter, Annie.] BROWN-In lovinc memory of our dear father, Geonje Brown, late of Saltney, who died April 16th, 1904. [" Peace, perfect peace.") (W. and E. Dodd.) DAVIS—In ever-loving memory of my dear mother, Catherine Davis, of So Stone-street, Chester, who died April 19th, 1900. (" Gone, but not forgotten."] (E. W., Acrefair.) EMERSON-In loving memory of my dear husband, John Emerson, who departed this life March 24th, 1904. [" Thy will be done."] JONES—On the 10th April. at West Kirby, Eleanor, the beloved wife of Charles Jones. 53, Hamilton-square, Birkenhead, and daughter of Mrs. Quellyn Roberts, Chester. McWATERS—In loving memory of William McWaters, of Wimbolds Trafiford, who died 16th April. 1904. We may miss the well-known form, We may mark the vacant place But our hearts remember him And the meeting face to face. ROBINSON-In loving memory of my dear mother, Hannah Robinson, who passed away April 12th, 19u3 (Easter Sunday). The golden evening brightens in the west, Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest. (Eva.) CONDOLENCES. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Ball thank all friends for kind ex- pressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement. Mr. and Mrs. G. Ellis, of Piper's Ash, Hoole, Chester, desire to Thank their numerous friends for the kind sympathy expressed to them during their recent sad bereavement.—April lith, 1906.

jyr EMORIALfS, AT ALL PRICES, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE & ALABASTER. On View, and to order. W. HASWELL & SON, MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Free on application. Telephone No. 161A.

ANCIENT CHESHIRE INN SIGNS.—One of tho oldest sign boards in Cheshire is in AldeTley- "The Wizard of the Edge," which has attracted the attention of all visitors forover 70 years. The old board has just been repainted and renovated, and the treatment of the Wizard'' is very effec- tive. He is nepresented with hair and garments flying, looking like King Lear in the thunder- storm. Another old sign is that which was aaoe a feature of the "Eagle and Child" in Nether Alderley. When the "Eagle and Child" was closed some years a.go, the sign disappeared, but it is believed to be lving at Alderlev Hall. WILL OF MR. ROBERT PODMORE.— Mr. Robert Podmore, of Deeside House, Sealand, near Chester, a well-known farmer and breeder of stock, J.P. for the county of Flint, who died on March 5th, aged 75, left estate of the gross value of £ 5,394. 19s. 7d., including personalty of the net value of £ 5,359. 19s. 3d., and probate of his will, dated 8th March. 1897. has been granted to his widow. Mrs. Mary Podmore, and his sons, Mr. Samuel Podmore and Mr. John Massey Podmore, all of Deeside House, farmers. The testator left the income of his estate to his wife for life, and subject to her interest left the ultimate residue of his estate to his children. PRESENTATION TO A LICENSED VICTUALLER.—The quarterly meeting of the members of the Chester and District Licensed Victuallers' Association was held on Friday, the 7tb inst. At the close of business, a presentation was made by Mr. R. Billington (chairman) to Mr. J. R. Tushingham, Black Lion Hotel, Boughton, in recognition of his many years' services as a mem ber, committeeman, and finally as chair- man of the Association. In his remarks, Mr. Billington referred to the pleasure it had given all members to join in some little recognition of Mr. Tushingham's valued work, and he concluded by wishing the recipient and Mrs. Tushingham long- life and prosperity. These remarks were thoroughly endorsed by other speakers, and by the hearty acclamation of all present. BOOKS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL PRIZES — A large selection at low prices^— Minshull and Meeson, Eastgate-row, Chester. BOOTS TO ORDER—not Hnand-sewu prin ciple," but real Band-sewn, made on the premises by expert workmen in the old-Sashionad way with oak bark tanned Leather tkase are & comfort, walking becomes, a pleasure, aad the prio% ie, reason- able. HEWnra, ABBES GATEWAX, the Old- established Hytd-sewn Bootmakers. VALUABLE DISCOVERY FOR THE HAIR. If your hair is turning grey or white or falling off use the MEXICAN HAlB RENEWZK, for it will positively restore, in every case, grey or white hair to its original colour. It makes the hair charmingly Et-tI-tiiv as well as promotUM the growth. Pric? 3B. 6d. per bottle.