Cheshire Observer

TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements intended toappearin ME CHESHIRE OBSERVER must reach the OBSERVER Office not later than 11 o'clock exch Friday. Under no circumstances whatever can ice insert in the First Edition Advertisements received after that hour. ..&.

—————— y CHESTER AND MR. YERBURGH. I After Friday night's magnificent demonstra- tion of Unionism at the Music Hall, no doubt can be entertained as to the vitality of the party locally. The only difficulty experienced by the organisers of the meeting was in finding accommodation for the people who wished to attend. Since the General Election, Chester Unionists have discovered that the Music Hall is fitted only for a ward meeting, and the suggestion has been made that, in order to accommodate the throng, the next gathering of the party will have to be held on the Roodee. Mr. Yerburgh, who had a rousing reception from his old supporters, for once in a way was permitted to deliver a speech without un- mannerly interruption, and we must congratu- late our political opponents in the city upon their improved manners. Life is too short to quarrel over politics, and much friction and inconvenience would be avoided if the exuber- ant members of the Radical party were to continue in the amiable mood which they manifested on Friday evening. It seems to be recognised that a political meeting in Chester without the subject of Chinese "slavery'' would bo like Hamlet" without the Prince of Denmark. The topic is one of which our opponents are becoming shy, and it will have been observed that the representative of the neighbouring constituency of Eddisbury now asseverates that he never called this indentured labour "slavery." However that may be, there is not a shadow of a doubt that he gained hundreds of votes on the "slavery" ticket, and he went to the poll under the slavery" banner, inasmuch as his placards asked the voters to support him against "Yellow Slavery." The latest phase of this intermin- able controversy is instructive, for the Boer leaders, who always posed as strongly anti- Chinese, are now stating that they will be no parties to the repatriation of the Chinese coolies, unless their places are taken by native labourers. In the course of his address Mr. Yerburgh also touched on the danger of Home Rule in the future, and the reality of that peril is all the more apparent when it is remembered that Mr. Birrell has been appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland this week- Mr. Birrell is one of those who, during the late General Election, scouted the bogey of Home Rule, but at the same time insisted upon the duty of educating England and Scotland to believe that the Irish are well qualified to govern themselves. The English- man who subscribes to the dictum that Ireland is capable of self-government is to all intents and purposes a Home Ruler, although he may call himself a Devolutionist or any other high- sounding name. Towards the close of hIS speech Mr. Yerburgh uttered a warning against another grave national peril, the peril of the spread of Socialism, and shewed how the industrial classes of this country will be affected by that undesirable development. If it is true, as many thinking observers helieve, that the next great struggle in this country will be between the forces of Capital and Labour, let not the working men fancy that they have no stake in the contest. As Mr- Yerburgh pointed out, the capital held by the working-classes in industrial and provident societies represents the enormous figure of more than four hundred millions of money. This sum represents the thrift of the wage- earning classes, and, be it noted, it is capital, against which the Socialists have declared war. When the property of the wealthy man is attacked by the cupidity of the Socialists, this tempting sum of four hundred millions, the property of the working-classes, will not escape. Workingmen, therefore, who have a stake in any of the friendly and provident societies had better bo forewarned against the pitfall into which their Socialist friends would lead them. When war against capital is declared, the artizan who has an interest in a a provident society to which in his prudence and wisdom he has contributed, will find that little nest-egg as directly endangered as the millionaire's hoard. Mr. Hayes Fisher, who was the other principal speaker, awakened the enthusiasm of the gathering with his brilliant effort. Devoting himself mainly to the subject of the House of Lords, he subjected that Chamber in the first place to a critical analysis, and next examined its performances during the past year to which so much exception has been taken. Judging from the Radical prints, he said, one would fancy that the House of Commons consists of 670 men, all wise and the House of Lords of 600 men hereditary imbeciles. The people who talk in that rash fashion forget that no fewer than 160 members of the House of Lords previously had served in the House of Commons that one-third of them had been in the Navy or Army; that one-fourth of them had served either as chair- men of their county councils or mayors of great cities and that over a hundred of them had been judges, diplomatists or men eminent in the public service. As to their personal fitness, the speaker delivered a home thrust, when he asked a Chester audience whether men like the late Duke of Westminster, men like the present Duke of Westminster were not every bit as much representative Englishmen as the man who now represents the city of Chester in Parliament."

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. A The Mayor will be prrsrnt every Monday and Wednesday morning at the Town Hall, between 10 and 11 o'clock, to bre anyone w ho wishes to call upon him. We. regret to learn that the lViayor(" is still confined to the house with in- lfuenza. An announcement will be made sub- sequently as to when and where she will re- ceive visitois. The announcement in the Courant'' that the Town Council had decided to dispense with the services of Major Tulloch in connection with the sewage works was road with keen interest by tho citizens, who latterly have been con- cerning themselves very deeply with the sewage scheme. The opinion is enlei tained by not a few members of the Corpoiation that the diffi. culties will be overcome without involving the city in anything like the heavy expenditure which has been estimated latterly. The Housing Committee of the Chester Town Council have divulged tlie desired information regarding the class of tenants who occupy the Corporation cottages. It will be lemembered that these buildings were erected ostensibly for "the very poor," and that at the public in- quiry Mr. Vernon stated that, "it wa.s under- stood tha.t persons gotting over £ 1 a week would not be eligible for these houses." Ib appears I now that the cottages were not built for "the very poor" at all. This is what we anticipated before the scheme commenced. The neturn of! P be ieturn of wages oarned by the twelve cottagers shews that en?actiy ono-half of them earn more tlnan £ 1 a week, one of them making 24? and another 25s. There is only one tenant in the list earn- ing less than ;Cl, and he gets 18s. a week. Yet these are the class of people, men who get a fair wage of 24s. or 25s. a week, who are the objects of the Corporation's solicitude, and for whom further cottages rue to be built which cannot pay their way. If a man earns more than JE1 a week, why should the ratepayers have to contribute towards his housing? Are there not hundreds of poor men and women in the city earning Jess than 20s. a week, and- sbruggling gallaiit-ly to pay their own rent, and to pay their rates in addition? Why should i t bravo and indcpend-o-irl. workiiigpeol-ilo havo to contribute towards the bousing of their more fortunato neighbouis? We shall be greatly mistaken in the public spirit of our fellow-citizens, if they allow this glaring anomaly to pass unchallenged. Another point which requires elucidation is the statement in the same return that one of the cottages has been "vacant since December 3rd; no satisfactory application received up to 29th December." This, too, in a city which has bean talked about and preached about as if there were 6COreti or hundreds of people home- less or housed in hovels that were a disgrace to civilisation. Where are the families in want of the Corporation dwellings, if a nice cottage is allowed to stand empty a whole month for want. of an eligible tenant'/ Upon that vacant cot- tage the Corporation's rash and extravagant scheme stands condemned. Upon the return of the tenants' wages the scheme is also con- demned as having failed to make provision for "the very poor." for whom the dwellings were intended. Yet not one word was uttered at the Council meeting in mitigation of the com- mittee s action. The inference is that they were unable to defend themselves. If this is not so, the public will be glad to hear an ex- planation. Winter has returned to us this week with a severity suggestive of the Arctic regions. Mr. Wells, at Eccleston, registered no fewer than nineteen degrees of frost during Thursday night. Skating, which commenced cn Thursday at Mickle Trafford, was in full swing on the shallow waters in the district- yesterday. Per- haps the beet illustration of the keenness of the frost is the fact, that the Dee is frozen over in the vicinity of Eaton; in eomc placet- it its skimmed over in patches, and at other points the ice completely covers the river from bank to bank. Skaters are already anticipating the delight of speeding, over the surface of the Dee, and if the severe froit continues this joy may be realised. While those of us who have health and plenty welcome the frost for the change of recreation which it affords, it behoves us to remember that wintry weather and poverty are ill-matecl, and there are many in our midst who suffer severely at such times. The poor will rejoice to learn that the Soup Kitchen is to be opened this (Saturday) morning, and we trust that generous support of this deserving institution will be readily forthcoming. It is natural that in Chester, where we have so many historic churches, there should be a sympathetic desire to assist in the restoration of Selby Abbey, which was so severely damaged by fire some months ago. Mits Darby has kindly promised to receive subscriptions from one shilling upwards at the Deanery, and these sub- scription.9 when oollected will be forwarded to Selby by the Countess Grosvenor. Workingmen who are interested in the friendly society movement and in thrift pro- blems generally will read with deep interest Mr. Yerburgh's pregnant speech on the sub- jeot of "Friendly Societies and Co-operative I Credit," to the members of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, on Wednesday evening. In his I speech at the Music Hall also, Mr. Yerburgh touched on the question of co-operative produo- tion. His views with regard to tho ,orkere 1 themselves being the owners of industries in which they are engaged may be seen in practical application in various industries in Leicester, such as boot factories and corset, fac- tories, and, we believe, in some cotton mills of Lancashire. The Ince School difficulty has been solved, and Mrs. Park-Yates emerges from the contro- versy with flying colours. The Education Com- mittee have now approached her as the owner of the school, for the use of the building tem- porarily, and she has assented readily, the com- mittee paying a rent of E20 a year, subject to certain specified conditions. The result of all this controversy is that the ratepayers will have to pay £ 20 a year for a school which was formerly given them free by Mrs. Parle-Yates. For this extra cost they have to thank members of the County Education Committee like Dr. Hodgson and Mr. Ccoke, who used indefensibly insulting language towards a lady who had done a great deal generously in the cause of education, by providing a school at her own expense. Mrs. Park-Yates was apprehensive that the new Education Bill, if passed, would have taken the control of the school entirely out of her hands, and she had a perfect right to close it rather than submit to that humiliating posi- tion. The Education Sub-committee, at their meeting this week. entirely exonerated Mrs. Park-Yates from all blame in connection with the matter, and held that throughout she "had acted within her right, and had only exercised these rights with great consideration for all concerned." It is true that Mr. Minshull had the bad taste on Wednesday to accuse Mrs. Park-Yates of having been "a little bit fiokle," but for til-is discourtesy he was e-harply brought to book by the Hen. Cecil Parker. Mrs. Park- Yates has been anything but fickle. In addi- tion to the expeiise. thrown on the oounty by the rash action of Dr. Hodgson and Co., the elementary eduoatiori of the district has be-en at a standstill since the let November, the sufferers, of course, be.' iig the children. But the last thought in the minds of Radical edu- cation "reformers" is for the welfaro of the child. The triennial elections of the Cheshire County Council are drawing nigh, but it is too early ae yet to speculate upon the chances of contests in tho local divisions. The 22nd of February has been fixed as the last day for the receipt of nominations, the date of the elec- t ion- being Saturday, the 2nd of March. In view of tho rout of tho Progressive party at t.he polls in the London boroughs the county- council elections will be anticipated this year with a. greater degree of public interest than they have formerly evoked. This week the "United Service Gazette" gives it" place of honour to Sir Percy Girouard, now at Wa?orgato House, Chester, whose temporarv appointment as High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria, tho "Observer" was the first of tho local papers to announce last week. In an in- teresting sketch of this officer's brilliant career, our contemporary gives facts that had n. t h.t'rorto been published. It mentions that while Sir Percy was at Woolwich he formulated his scheme for the defence of England by a cast railway and mounted guns on trucks, which has been partially carried into effect since. Ae lieutenant he was given charge by Lord Kitchener of tho railway const'.uction in connection with the operations in the Soudan. In tho two yeans between 1896-8 Lieutenant Girouard, assisted by six subalterns of Royal Engineers. planned, constructed and worked some 600 miles of railway under peculiarly- arduous conditions as to staff, materials a-nd money. Tho railway was not. only completed within the specified time, but it oo.it some £200,000 less than was anticipated. "It is quite safe to say," the "Gazette declarer, "that without it (the railway) tlie reconquest of the Soudan might still be one of t.he pro- blems engaging the attention of the War Office." He gave the army in South Africa a railway service second to none in the history of campaigns, if all the difficulties -official opposition and otherwise—are considered. Lord Milner. in paying an eloquent tribute to his work, said Sir Percy Girouard "will leave South Africa with in enhanced reputation for the manner in which he had grappled with one of the biggest railway problems that ever presented itself for solution." Mr. Balfou1* also paid him a high oompJiment by referring tj his scri-icvswhen he moved after the Souda operat ion6, that the best thanks of Parliament be given to General Kitchener. Was it by accident or design that Mr. Stan- ley. speaking- at the annual meeting of the Edclisfoury Liberal Associattioti, referred to Air. Harry Barnston as the "adopted" Unionist can- didate? He said Mr. Barnston "claimed to have held twenty meetings since he had been adopted as candidate." Mr. Barnston is the last man in the world to make any such claim. Although it may please the Radicals to call the Tories "the st-tipid party," thoy are not. so stupid as the Radicals of Eddisbury, who "adopted" Mr. Stanley as their candidate a couple of yoa.rs before tlie Dissolution. Ml-. Barnston has been selected merely with a view to the possibility of his adoption, when the General Election occurs. One of the best recommendations which Mr. Hurry Bsniston has in the eyes of the Eddis- bury electorate is hie high character as a land- lord. Cheshire perhaps is blessed with the finest body of landlords among all the counties of England, and it is, therefore, no sniallei-edit to Mr. Barnston to be praised so sincerely among the best class of landlords in the coun- try;. On several occasions his own tenantry have testified to the eKoellent relations existing between him and them, and this week Mr. Joseph Beccroft added some further testimony from the outside. He informed a Tilston meet- ing thai, he had made enquiries of gentlemen in the neighbourhood, not tenants on the Barn- ston estate, and of gentlemen who are tenants, and he was told "there was no be-iter landlord in Cheshire than Mr. Barnston. There was no family better than the Barnston family. If he were to toll all he had heard of Mr. Barn- ston as a landlord, all the farmers in Eddisbury would want a. farm on the Barnston Our hunting correspondent, writing with re- ference to tlse retirement of Mr. Hubert Wil- son, the popular master of the North Cheshire Hounds, f,ays :-It will be recollected that he wished to retire some two seasons ago, but. a largo deputation from a meeting of large far- mers prevailed upon him to carry on the master- ship. This he has done for two saasons longer. When he retires at the end of this season he will have the satisfaction of knowing that the North Cheshire has shewn the ben- sport this focson up to the present of any pack of hounds in England. Mr. Wilson will be very haid to replace. A better master with his servants could not he found. Money has been no con- sideration in doing tho thing well, for lie in- variably not only mounted himself, but his hunt fviva.nte, on the best horses be could find. In fact the whole establishment haa been hand somely carried on. and great regret is felt at his impending retirement. A. funny incident occurred at the prize distri- bution at Ilawarcien County School on Thurs- day. but it seems really too rich to have been the result of ch ance. Vice Chancellor Dale, of Liverpool University, distributed the prizes, and in the course of his address he said he noticed one defect in the building, which cer- tainly in his own school days would not li,a-v o been tolerated for a moment. "I liave looked to left and right," lie continued, "and in front I of me. It may be due to my own short sight, but I have failed to see any sign of a clock anywhere." The children, who were facing the speaker, stared, then a smile passed over them, 'i,h>en they laughed their hetartieet, aiid the grown ups joined in the fun too. The dock was cloeo behind the Chancellor, and almost over his hoo.d! He suddenly suspected the joke, and turned too, and then joined in the merriment himself. "All I cam eay," he roe- marked, "is that it is a most extraordinary ar- rangement to asib a man to speak to you and expect him to have eyes at the back of his head," The North Wales Asylum Committee have made a somewhat awkward attempt to explain away the curious oircumstanoes surrounding the sale of part of a temporary building to tho Rector of Denbigh. The official copies of the correspondence shewed that the Buildings Sub- committee had accepted the Rector's offer of JB40, and that the House Committee had subse- quently cancelled the bargain. The Rector, as we shewed last. week, complained of this treat- ment, and pointed out that the majority of i tho<-c present at the House Committee meeting were Nonconformists. At the meeting of the Asylums Commit lee this week it was feebly urged that they understood the Rector wanted to get rid of his bargain, and one member actually asserted that what they had done was entirely from a business standpoint. We can- not agree that a breach of contract is good business.

LOCAL NEWS. A The Marchionc? of Ormonde left Euston on Tuesday afternoon for Eaton, on a visit to the Duchess of Westminster. The Earl of Shaftesbury wap on Wednesday, at a meeting of the Belfast Corporation, installed as Lord Mayor of the city, in succession to Sir Daniel Dixon, M.P., who has lic, d the position for seven years. Lord Egerton and the Duchess of Bucking- ham, who have been residing for several weeks at Tat.ton Park, arrived at their town house in St. James's Square on Tuesday. Yesterday (Friday) they left England on their way to Egypt. The marriage arranged between Reginald Vincent, son of Lionel Peel, of Avebury, New Ferry, Cheshire, and Ella Janet, eldest daughter of the Hon. Gervasc Bushe, Auditor-General of Trinidad, British West Indies, will take place very quietly at the Church of St. Andrew's, Fulham, on the 12th of February. The marriage arranged between Mr. Perceval Sumner Mayhew, of Duxbury Park, Lancashire, and Miss Constance Evelyn King, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Henry King, of Quebec, Canada, will take place at St. Margaret's, West- minster, on Wednesday, the 30th inst., at 2.30 p.m. Colonel Wilford LLoyd leaves England for South Africa in the 6.6. Briton on the 2nd February, and expects to be absent from home for about three months. He is going on business connected with tho Duke of Westminster's estate in the Orange River Colony. All business correspondence for his Grace or for Colonel LLoyd should be addressed, after the above- I mentioned daio, to the Private Secretary, Grosvenor House, Upper Grosvenor-street, London, W. Miss Harriet.e Clarke, of Park Hcue, Maccles- field, who died on February 7, gave her freehold and leasehold property in Ireland to her nephews David, Cecil and Wilii.am Gardiner; E5,000 for a public ball at Berrisokane, Tipperary, in i memory of her father; £1.000 to the Higher Hurdrifield Sunday School; £ 500 for stained glass windows at Holy Trinity Church, Hurdsfield; and £ 500 each to the Children's Convalescent Home at Broadstairs and the Thornycroft Con- valesceni; Fond, Macclesfield. All otfier her property she left as to one-ninth each to the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Church j Paetoral Aid Society, the Salvation Army, the Liverpool Navy League Sea Training Home, the Anti-Vivisection Society, the London City j Mission, the Tower Hamlets Mission, Dr. Barnardo's Homes, and the London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution. The value-of the estate is £ 120.093, of which £ 105,-226 is nctt personalty. We regret to announce the death of Frances Elizabeth Baxter, the second and last surviving daughter of the lato Mr. Robert Baxter, of Dee } Hills, Chester, who passed away at Sandown Park, Wavertree, Liverpool, at the advanced age of 89 years. TIIE KING'S ACCESSION.—Flags flew from the Cathedral tower and the Town Hall- Square oil Tuesday in honour of the sixth anni- versary of the accession to the Throne of King i' Edward YII. QUEEN-STREET P.S.A.-—Dr. Welsh occu- pied the chair on Sunday. The speaker was Mr. J. 11. Reed, of Leeds, who gave a capital address j on "Clear Visions." Mr. W. H. Harker 6ang The Mighty Deep" and "Arm, arm, ye brave," j accompanied on the organ by Mr. Skcldon. j Bro. W. Fyfe read the lesson. Mr. J. Vanroasum offered prayer. Mr. J. W. Marriott also took j part in the service. CITY-ROAD WESLEYAN P.S. A.—Last I Sunday the President thanked the mem- bers for their message of sympathy in his recent bereavement. Mr. Sharps gave an address on "Hope." Tho soloist was Miss Atherton, who rendered" Into Thy Handa" The Scripture portion was read by Mr. E. J. Haby, the prayer being taken by Mr. B. Meadows. Me?ra. R. Butterworth and G. Jones helped as usual. PREFERRED GAOL TO WORK.-At an I occasional court held at Mr. Churton's office on j Wednesday, before Mr. J. M. Frost, James i Kelly and William Tiiorptoi, two tramps, were charged with refusing to perform their task at i the Workhouse. Mr. Dugdale, tkma6ter, i proved the ea?e, and said the prjnerB told hjm II they would rather go to gaol than do their work. j Each prisoner was sentenced to seven days' j hard labour. t TEMPERANCE HALL P.S.E.-Tho enter- tainmcnt on Saturday evening was provided by I MrÑ. Crewe. Tlie chairman was the Rev. P. H. Simpson, who also gave a short and bright address. "Die artists taking part were as fol- lows:—Mrs. Crowe, Miss James, Miss Irene Crewe, Mr. Millar, Mr. Parsonage, and Miss Maggie Jones (pianist). Mr. Lea also gave two humorous readings. The entertainment waa nicely varied and most enjoyable. TRAP ACCIDENT.-On Wednesday morning Mrs. Martin, of Chemistry-lane, Boughton, was driving a pony and governess car down Boughton in the direction of Eastgate-street, and when passing the end of City-road the pony took fright at a passing tramcar and bolted. It raced along Grosvenor Park-road. The governess car was overturned and Mrö. Martin thrown out. She sustained a slight cut on the head, and was taken into a neighbouring restaurant and treated by Dr. Giffen. THE VISIT OF DR. PIERSON.An ad- vertisement announces the coming visit of the well-known divine, Dr. A. T. Pier son,of America, to Chester. He is to speak at Queen-street Con- gregational Church on Saturday evening, with the Rev. J. Lyali, at a revival meeting, and preach and speak on Sunday. Each time Dr. Picr80n has visited Chester he has attracted large congregations. Those who intend to hear him should go early if they desire a comfortable seat. GLEE CLUB DANCE.-Tiiiis popular annual fixture took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Owing to the number of other dances I that have takn plaoe locally of late, the company was not so numerous as usual, but there were between ninety and a hundred ladies and gentle- men present, and the function was much enjoyed. The Assembly Room had been tastefully; decorated for tlie occasion, while the platform presented a charming appearance a lso, being adorned with plants kindly lent by Meters. Dicksons. Dancing commenced at 8.30 p.m., and was continued until 2.30 a.m., to tlie strains of Messrs. Marchant's band. The duties of M.C.'s were discharged by Meters. J. II. Jones, R. Butterworth, W. 0. White and Ireland. The president for the year is Mr, Loui Parry. Tlie arrangements for the dance were in the capable hands of Mr. A. Myatt (the secretary) and a small committee. MR. EDWARD COMPTON'S VISIT.-One; of the most interesting events of the local theatrical season is the annual visit of Mr. Edward Compton and his talented company. I TIle delightful series of old English comedies which have become so intimately associated with Mr. Compton'e name lose none of their interest by repeated representation, as is proved by the fact that he is now in the twenty-sixth year of j hie management of the Compton Comedy Com- pany. The attractive programme which Mr. I Compton is placing before his patrons next week will include five plays from his admirable reper- toire. Opening on Monday with the popular favourite, Davy Garrick," in which Mr. Compton plays the title role for the 1,341st time, preceded by the delightful one-act comedy, The Desperate Lover," both plays will be re-! peated on Friday, Mr. Compton's benefit night. At the Saturday matinee Sheridan's grand comedy, The Rivals," will bo played. I ACCIDENT.—Samuel Breeze, employed at Messrs. Summers's Iron WorL\ Hawarden Bridge, was engaged in building a tower at. the work? on Monday, wheoi a plank fell on his foot, severely crushing one of his toes. He was re- moved to the Chester Infirmary and was detained as an in-patient. I EDDISBURY WOMEN UNIONISTS.— We are able to publish the gratifying state- ment that the Eddisbury Women's Unionist Association, recently inaugurated, has made an I cxcd]cnt start. Highly successful meetings have been held at Eaten, Incc and Barr'4rDw- more. The idea has been enthusiastically re- ceived by the women of the division, and we feel sure that the work thus happily begun will prove a valuable help to the cause. THE CLIO TRAINING SHIP.-Captain Edward P. Asbe, R.N. (inspecting captain of the Western Coast Guard District) on Friday paid a visit of inspection and examination to the training ship Clio, moored in the Menai Straits, off Bangor. After mustering the officers and crew, Captain Ashe exercised them at fire- quarters. On the supposition that the vessel was being abandoned in a sinking condition, all hands wore exercised in the work of leaving the ship in the boats. Finally all the boys were exercised m gun and physical drill, etc., and closely questioned to ascertain their understanding of their work and duties. DEATH OF VISCOUNTESS CROSS.-We regret to record the death of Viscountess Cross, which took place on Sunday at Lord Crops' country seat, Eccle Riggs, Broughton-in-Fur- ness. Visoountets Cross was in her eightieth year. Six1 was Georgiana, third daughter of Mr Thomas Lyon, J.P., D.L.. ot Appleton ilaJJ, Cheshire, and was ma.rried to Lord (then Mr.) Cross in May, 1852. He.r ladyship leaves two sons and three daughters. Viscountess Cross was nominated Lady of the Imperial Order of the Association of India in August, 1886. her husband being at the time Secretary of :)4ale for lilcba, MR. GEORGE KEMP'S AFFAIRS.-On Tuesday, at the Birkenhead Bankruptcy Court, before Mr. Registrar Cave, Crc-orge Kemp, tobacconist and t-tationer, of 59, Market-street, Hoylake, and formerly in business at. Chester as chemist., appeared on his adjourned public examination. Mr. A. Quiggin, solicitor, ap- peared for the trustee (Mr. C. Hewetson Nel- son), the examination having been adjourned to enable the trustee to look further into the debtor's affairs. The statement of affairs shewed a. deficiency of £ 460. From 1875 to 1898 debtoi- ca ri-led on business in Bridge-street, Chester. He gave it up in the latter year, owing to failing eyesight, and sold it to a former apprentice of his ntuned Williamt>, the purchase money being about £ 1,500. Debtor received the greater part of the money, but before the payments were oompleted Williams became bankrupt. In 1898 he went to reside at Hoylake, whore finding hie income was not sufficient, for life maintenance, he purchased his I present business. He had sunk money in the firm of W. II. Evans and S?ne. Ltd.. printers and publishers, Chester, which went into liquid- ation early this year.—The OHicia.) Receiver (Mr. D. Williams) intimated that he had no further questions to ask, and the examination was closed subject to the usual formalities. CHESHIRE COLONEL'S BEQUEST.— Lieut.-Colonel David Joseph Lea Jones, of Aberhafcsfr Hall. Newtown, Montgomery, and of the 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment, who left gross estate valued at JB22,235, with nett personalty £ 18,436, bequeathed £ 2.000 to his former governess Mary Lavinia Howard, a.nd £ 6G0 to his wife, and left to her the income of his residuary estate during her widowhood, and in the event of her rc-maniage an annuity of LIOO. and the residue of his estate he left, in t.ru.t for all cf hi? children in equal shares. Subj(.d to hi" widow 's interest he bequeathed L500 to the Vicar and Churchwardens of Daven- ham, for keeping in order certain family grav-p. £ 2,000 to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, £ 2.000 to Annie Connor, of Dublin, £ 1.000 to Goodwin Puroell. £ 1,500 each to Mabel. Edith, and Winifred Hanwr, and the remainder to such persons as would havo been entitled to share in his esiate if he had died intestate, and the other moiety of his esta.te he left to Mary Lavinia Howard subject to her bringing into hotchpot the £ 2,000 bequeathed to her. YOUTH AND PATRIOTISM.-A minia- ture rifle range was opened at Knut.sford on j Saturday evening by the Earl of Albemarle. Thanks to the generous interest of Earl Eger- ton of Tatton, through whose munificence the enterprise has ma.inly become possible, a splen- didly-a.ppointed club has come into exis:ence. the influence of which is likely to be entirely beneficial on the youth of Knutsford and neigh- bourhood. Earl Egerton presided over the in- augural ceremony, which was largely attended. His lordship was accompanied by the Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos. who fired the first bhot on a sub-target machine kindly presented by Earl Egerton. Colonel McConnell propoeed a vote of thanks to her Grace, and hinted at further developments of the building which were contemplated in the futu'.e by the pro- vie.on of a gymnasium, reading-room, and so forth.—A vote of thanks to the Earl of Albe- marle was acoorded on the proposition of Col. McConnell. seconded by Mr. R. C. Longridge. —Mr. J. W. Rooke proposed a vote of tha-nks to Earl Egerton and other contributors to the funds of the club, and gave an outline of the movement leading up to the formation of the club. The initial difficulty, he said, was one of finance, but that difficulty had been removed by the generosity of Ivirl Jigerton, who no! only guaranteed the rent, of the building for the first five years, but had presented them with a sub-target machine. ( Cheers.) They had re- ceived two hundred pounds in donations, but their expenditure on neoessary features of tlie building had exceeded this amount by over fifty pounds, which they hoped the generosity of other friends would enable them 6oon to clear off. (Hear, hear.)—Co!o;fei Legh seconded the resolution, which was heartily carried, and briefly acknowledged by Earl Egerton. HOLY TRINITY PAROCHIAL TEA On Wednesday the Holy Trinity parishioners held their fourteenth annual tea and entertain- ment at the Town Hall, Chester, where there was a good bill of fare provided by numerous ladies of the pari-zh. The tables were tastefully decorated with plants and flowers, and every- thing proved sueccesful throughout the even- ing. Much credit is due to the ladies and stewards who so ably and willingly carried out the arrangements. Tho following is a list of I donors, table-holders, and half t.able-holders:- Mrs. B. C. Roberts, Mies Addis, Mrs. Arthan, Mrs. Ateherlev, Mis. Bagnall, the Rev. J. L. Bedford, Mr. Barlow, Miss Birley, Mrs. Blag- don, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. G. Churton, Mies Clark, Miss Clay, Miss Clough, Mrs. Cuzner, h Mrs. C?uzner, Mrs. Davios, Mr. Ed. Dixon. Mrs. Elliott, Fa.' re l eag' Mis:-es Fairclctigh. the Rey. L. M. Fa.rraH, Mrs. Farrall, Mks Franks, Mrs. Goodhart, Mrs. Hales, Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. II. Taylor Har- ris:n, Mrs. Henderson, Mise Kerr, Mffi. King, Knowles. Mrs. Knight, Mr. Fred Lloyd, Miss Lyen, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Millett, Mrs. Pate, Mrs. Patterson, Mts Powell, Mrs. Potts (tho late). Mrs. Quellyn Roberts, Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs. Wm. Rogers, Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Segar, Mrs. L. Smith, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Taylor. Miss Urine ten, Mns. Walley, Mre. Way. Mrs. G. P. Webster, Miss Webster, Mrs. Whaley, Mrs. Woolman, Mj Aldersey Wil- liams. The concert was held in the Assembly Room, tho stage of which was lavishly decor- fed with huge fer'.s. which, as was the case with the plants and flowers used in the decor- ation of the tea-tables, were kindly lent by Messrs. Dickson1-. The concert proved success- ful. The selections wcie varied and consisted of the following items:—Pianoforte duet, (a) "Gondclina" (b) "Tanz Ungariech," Mrs. j j Wykes and Mr. Pate; Mng, "Come lasses and ia?s, Mr. S. Whiklcy; song. "ToH me, my j heart," IrB. Dring; 'ceHo. solo, "Le Revc," Mr. A. WeigLill; musical sketch. Mr. F. H. Lloyd; conjuring exhibition. Professor W. F. Gilbert; character song, "The countryman," Mr. Dick Howick; serio-comic song, "Betty's way," Mr. H. M. Stone; songs, (a) "Snow- flakes" (b) "A little bit of string," Mrs. Dring; legerdemain, Professor W. F. Gilbert; song, "The ould plaid shawl," Mr. S. Whiteley; Imilo solo, "Serenade," Mr. A. Weighill; duologue, "The beggars' combine," Messrs. Keith and Dick Howick. During the interval the Rector made a short speech, which was of great interest to his people. He referred to some of his old oollc-aguer, who had done 60 much to promote the welfare of the parish. He I then thanked all the ladies concerned, the 6towards, and all pre?nt? also those who had come to entertain the audience. The singing of the National Anthem brought the entertain- ment to an end.

I CHESTER CONSISTORY COURT. j —— t —— THURSDAY.—Befcrc :h Yen. Archdeacon of Chester. THE REGISTRAR S ILLNESS. Before commencing the business of the court, the Archdeacon said that while they ail missed their venerable Chasoellor they were glad to know that it was not illness which kept him away, but it wLe wisdom und prudence which prevented him taking so long a journey in the present severe wcath-er. He regretted his ab- sence because the Chancellor would have spoken with his long experience of the lost the court had experienced through, the absence of the senior registrar, Mr. John Gamon. Tlie Chancellor would also hav-e spoken of Mr. Gamon'e valuable experience, his sound eom- monsense, his knowledge of law, and the courtesy with which he treated everyone con- nected with the court. Although these quali- ties were not absent in the other registrars he (the Archdeacon) was sure they would join with him in expressing deep regret that Mr. Gamon had been visited with sov,ro illness, and at the same time their hope that. he might be restored to his former health a.nd vigour. It was the excellent qualities he had referred to that had made the court a model for con- | sistory courts in the country. NEW ORGAN. The Rev. J. Clare Trampleasure and wardens of the church of Nether Whitley sought per- m-iss-ion to remove the old one-manual organ from the ebureb and-erect a new two-manual organ in its place. The expense will be de- frayed by voluntary contributions. The pre- sent organ is, it was represented, not suited to the requirements of the church.—In reply to the Archdeacon, the Vicar said the new organ would not interfere with the accommodation.— The faculty was decrecd ST. CHAD'S. OVER. The Rev. W. II. Stables. M.A., vicar, and the wardens of the parish church of St. Chad, Over, ask-f-d for permission to teke out the pre- sent, lead lights from the three westernmost windows in the north aisle. and to erect in liosi thereof stained depicting scenes from tho life of St. Chad; also to take out the glass from the three windows, a.nd to erect in lieu thereof stained glass representing s nglo figures of children and young people of tho Bible. The proposed windows were intended to b? a memorial of Sarah, wife of Alexander Piazzi Leak, M.D., deceased, and the cost-there- of will be defrayed by their eon. Hector Leak, M.R.C.P., of Dingle House. Orer. Tho faculty was granted, subject to certain conditions being carried out CHRIST CHURCH MEMORIALS. Mr. Michael Harrison and Dr. T. S. Parry, wardens of Christ Church, Chester, af'ked for sanction for the removal, which had taken place, of the plain glass fr01D the easternmost window in the north aisle of the church, and to erect in lieu thereof stained glass representing the figure of St. Edmund us King and Mamr; aho for placing a small marble tablet, bearing an inscription in the right embrasure of tlio j said window. They further sought permission to place a tablet of alabaster, bearing a.n in- scription, on the north wall of the side chapel, within the communion rails, as a memorial. by the Rev. James Fr.ne' s Hc-wson, M.A., the late vicar of the said ohuroh, of his brother, Edmund Whytcfhead Howson. deceased. it was also represented that it was desired to cut a IOOOSB in the south pillar of the chancel arch immediately over the reading-desk, aud to iu- sert, thereon a tablet of marble, with an in- scription thereon recording the ministry of tho R v. J. F. Howson as vicar of the church, i ho cost of the proposed works will be defrayed out of a fund raised by the parishioners and members of the congregation. The Archdeacon, in decreeing the faculty, said it was neediest in Chester to enlarge on what Mr. Howson s ministry had done. They knew that only last week there was a warii ap- preciation shewn by his late parishioners of his ministry and his past services at a public meeting held in the city, and everyone who read the account of thai meeting must havo felt how much Mr. Ilowfon had endear-ed himself to those among win m lie laboured. It was well, therefore, that some permanent recog- nition of his ministry should appear in the church which he loved so much, and for which he did so much. THE LATE MR. C. H. BROADBENT. The Rev. G. C. Briggs, vicar of Christ Church, Latchford, was granted permission to place two sta-ined glass windows, with an in- scription thereon, in the church as a memorial of Charles Harold Broad bent, deceased, t-So j expense to be defrayed by hde widowed mother, Constance Broad bent; and a stained glass win- oow as a memorial of Eleajior, the deceased wife of the Rev. F. A. Screeton, a former vicar. I TO TWO KINGS. I The Rev. T. Pym Williamson, vic.ir, and the wardene of All Saints' Church, Thelwail, de- ssred to erect a lychgate at the main entrant* to the churchyard, and erect also a tablet on the south wall of the nave of the church, with an inscription, in commemoration of Edward the Elder, founder of Thelwail, and the coro- nation of his Majesty King Edward VII. The ocst will be defrayed by private benefaction In the centre of the tablet was the following- in- scription "To the glory of God. This tablet is erected as a memorial of Edward the Elder, ) King of the English, A.D. 901-925, who, in the year 905. built the fortress and town of Thel- wail, and sojourned in this plaoe. Victorious over the Danes he preserved the blessings of „ Christianity, and established supremacy over all Briton. He was crowned at Kingston-o.n Thames on Whit Sunday, A.D. 902. by Plog mund, Archbishop of Canterbury, himself a Cheshire man and lies buriod in Winchester Cathedral. Also to commemorate the corona- tion in Westminster Abbey, 1S02, of Edward VII., of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions be- yond 1he Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, by Frederick, Archbishop cf Canterbury. The King shall rejoice in Thy strength, 0 Lord." On one side of the tablet will appear the following:—"A.D. 923. In thia year, after harvest, King Edward (the B der) went with his forces to Thelwail, and com- ma.nded the town to be built and occupied and manned. (Anglo Saxon Chronicle.)'' On the other side will be the following lines: "Let us now praise famous men; and our fathers that begat us. Such as did bear rule in their king- doms and were men renowned for their power. Their bodice were buried in peace, and their name liveth to all generations. Eoelus. xliv." The Archdeacon said it was an interesting and somewhat unusual application, because it seldom fell to the lot of anyone to apply for a faculty in which the Sovereign was as inti- mately associated as in that case. Had the application been made a few days earlier it would have come on the anniversary of the present King's ascension, which would havo been still more remarkable. He was not aware cf the extract from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, but it was a very good thing to have, as it made people valuo their plaoes and tlteir churches very much more when such things were placed permanently before them. The faculty was decreed.

I THE LATE DU, KE OF WESTMINSTER. A movement is being well supported to erect a memorial of the late Duke of Westminster at St. Paul's Church, Rhosecmor—a parish situa- ted on the Halkyn mountain, between Holy- well and Mold, a.nd a short disumoe from Hal- kyn Castle. It. has been felt for some time that someihing should be done in that part of the county to commcmoi-ate the munifioonoe and kindly interest sh-ewn by his Grace to the church and parish. A representative conimitteo has beon appointed, with the Vicar (the Rev. Stephen B. Joues) a.3 chairman, and Messrs. J. C. Brown and J. Mason as officers; and it has beon decided that the memorial should take the form of a now font. The project has been duly laid before her Grace Katharine Duclicss of Westminster, who readily granted the necessary permission, and in expressing her approval of the scheme her Graoo said: "It will be a most touching gift to tho church in which my hus- band took eo much inte-peat" The Rhosesmor memorial is the first recognition of his Grace's generosity to Wales. SULPHOLINE SKIN LOTION. The only effective remedy for SKIN TROUBLES. Sulpholine quickly drives away Eruptions, Pimples, Eczema, Acne, Blackheads, and all Disfigurements, developing -a fair, spot- less skin and beautiful complexion. Try Sulpho- lioe Lotion Shilling Bottles.