Cheshire Observer

SUBSIDENCE NEAR MOLD. I A T OLD PIT SHAFT. Tho danger of disused colliery pit shafts in the vicinity of villages has iust been exempli- fied at Mynydd Is.i, near Mold. In the centre of the village thero is a portion of ground known as "rhe parish land," which is used by ohildron for ,ec;eation, games, c-te. Recently thfe land in one part began to 'subside, ajid con- siderable excitement was caused. At first there was a hole about the size of a cricket ball, which afterwards deve-doped into a gap in the earth a bout. 8ft.. in diameter. Happily the subsidence was gradual and was pcrceived bo- fore any accident took place. A committee of the Parish Council at once. took the matter in hitid, and for safety have had the clan gerous part fenced off. It has since been found that this is the top of a dislIsed pit of con- adeiable depth. Owing probably to the fact that the old pit had bcfn filled up on the top of planks a portion of the way down the pit, tho planks had evidently given way through the recent heavy rains, and thru, the mate-rial at tho top of the pit had alid into the vacant part lower down. A meeting cf tho Parish Council has be-on called to consider the report of a committee "with reference to a dangerous subsidence on the parish la.nd at Mynydd Isa."

I COUNTY POLICE COURT. -4. SATURDAY.—Before Mr. B. C. Roberta (in the chair), the Hon. Cecil T. I Parker, Mr. W. J. Croydon, and Mr. Alec Smith. THREATENING THE BAILIFF.-Alonzo. Emory, bailiff to the Ashton Trustees, Wervin, summoned George Pulford of Wervin, fur throats.—Defendant pleaded not guilty.—Mr. V. H. Dickson, who appeared for the prose- cution, said his client had been for 34 years agent to the trustees of Mr. R. Ashton, of W ,c r vill, a.nd defendant was his neighbour. Complainant had been annoyed for a consider- able time by defendant's abusive language and threats, and he was really in fear cf some violenoo being usod.—Complainaji.t said de- fendant had threatened to shoot him.—De- fendant denied making such a threat, and alleged that ho had suffered considerable an- noyance from complainant.—Defendant- was bound over for f:ix months in "he sum of £10 in his own recognizances, and to pay tho costs. OF BONES.W I Iliam A,,itch-ell, a THEFT OF BONES.—William Mitchell, a rag and bone dealer, was charged with stealing half a hundredweight of bones, the property of Henry Do-dd, Blacon.—The evidence shewed that he had gone out with a rag and bono cart, and had got children to bring the bones to him.—Henry Dodd, butcher and farmer, valued the bones at £ 6 per ton.—William Robinson, assistant magistrates' clerk, proved a conviction at. that court in Juno of one month against prisoner for larceny.—The Chairman said prisoner seemed to be inoor- rigible. He would have to go to gaol for throe months with hard labour. —————

TAItPORLEY GALA. ♦ Tho weather this summer has been altogether against outdoor festivals, but an exception was mad s' for the Friendly Societies' Gala held an Monday, by kind permission of Mr. R. Cowap, m his field at Saltersrwoll. The early part of the morning was dull and showery, but towards 10 a.m. the sun broke through, and the rest of the day was beautifully fine.. At noon the mem- bers. in their various regalias and carrying the banners of their Orders, formed in procession, headed by tho Tarporloy Prize Band, and par- aded the streets, and afterwards to service at th.3 parish church. A principal feature of the -)ro-c-ps.,Ion was tiic- two new banner* of tho Foresters and a gaily-decorated lurry carrying a number of juvenile Foresters. There was an excellent attendance at the church A powerful and instructive address was delivered by tho Rev. W. O. M. Hughes. After service j the members marched to dinner, which was served in a large tent on the ground. In the afternoon thoro was an excellent programme of sports, and this no doubt attracted a large num- ber of people. The following were the officials: President. Capt., tho Hon. H. R. Aijf,ii-iia;lilc- Harniltou; judges, Mr. E. Cawley, Dr. Ile-wor, Mr. J. L Rogers, Mr. J. Lewis; t-h-e Rev. W. O. M. Hughes; starter, Mr. H. Hil- lingion; hori. sooretarios, Mr. E. Wilkinson and Mr. J. J. Daine. There were some capital hnishe?. in the finals, many of the races b'?Ing won just on tho tape. The following were tho results: -120 yards handicap (loeal): 1, W. Fleet; 2, W. Gregory 3, J. Cad man. 120 yards handicap (open)— 1st heat: 1, T. Sawyer; 2, W. Darlington. 2nd heat: 1, T. White; 2. W. Gregory. 3rd heat: 1, R. Philips; 2, C. Cadman. Final: 1,. T. White; 2, T. Sawyer; 3, E. Cadman; 4. W. Darlington. Ono mile bicyclo hapcll,ap-lst heat: 1. H. Scott; 2, W. Bowen; 3. J. Culn. mins. 2nd heat: 1. J. Vaughan; 2, T. Cash; 3, G. Latliai-n. Final: 1, W. Bowdon; 2. II, Scott; 3. J. Cummins. 440 yards handicap (opcn)-1st heat: 1, T. White; 2, R Richards; j It, c i l, 3, W. Gregory. 2nd heat: 1. J. Cookson; 2, W. Cartwright; 3, M. Jones. Final: 1, R. Philips; 2, M. Jones; 3, T. White. Two mile handioap-1st heat: 1, T. Bewen; 2. J. Tomlin- son; 3, T. Cash 2nd heat: 1, W. Sparm; 2, J. Vaughan 3, II. Scott. Final: 1. W. Bowen 2, W. Spann; 3. T. Cash. At the conclusion of the sports tho prizes were presented to the winners by Lady Ruth liaillic-Hamilton. Thero wore the usual round- about8 and other amusements, and in tho even- ing tho Tarporiey Prize Band played for danc- ing.

EXPEDITIOUS TRIAL. A BOUGHTUN BROTHERS QUARREL. THE BOY AND THE HAMMER. An instance of rapid procedure of the usually slow law was witnessed at Chester Castio Petty Sessions on Saturday, when a summons was applied for, granted, served, and tho case dealt with straight away. A boy named Wil- iiam Ledsham, aged oleven, of Stock's-lane, appeared in answer to a summons for destroy- ing cabbages belonging to Thomas John Led- sham. Mr. E. Biassey, who appeared for tho prose- cution, said that if he had boon consulted be- fore the stirninoris was taken out, ho should have applied for a summons against thfather for aiding and abetting. Tho boy's father, Stephen Ledsham, was pre- sent, and Mr. Brasscy applied for tho sum- mons against him. It was granted, and the man was charged from the summons. Both de- fendants pleaded not guilty. Mr. Brassey said that on Saturday afternoon defendant sent his son into complainant's gar- den and told him to play where he liked. The lad went into the garden, smashing the cab- bages, and the 6ides of the wall and the kerb- stones. When complainant's wife came cut, the boy ran away, Leaving the hamnicr behind. Mrs. Ledsham took the hammer into her house. The senior defendant came out and said the hammer had been stolen. He caught complain- ant by tho throat and threatened to take him to the police. Henry Archibald, a boy, deposed to seeing the senior defendant send his boy in the garden with a sledge-hammer, and tell him to play where he liked. The boy started knocking the cabbages about with a hammer. Elizabeth Lodsham, complainant's wife, said she saw the boy hammering the kerbstones. When the boy saw her ho ran away, leaving ths hammer, which she took into her own house. Whon the senior defendant saw her husband ho flew at his th roat, and said he was going to take him to tho "bobby" for stealing the hammer. Tho damage done amounted to five shillings. Thomas John Ledsham, the complainant, gave evidence as to tho claniage to the garden, and as to tho senior defendant's attack on him- self. Defendant and his wrifo gave evidence, claim- ing that their boy had a light to play in the garden, which, they alleged, did not belong to complainant. Complainant- had no right to plant cabbages where he had done so. Tho bench, having considered the case in private, dismissed the summonses, the Chair- man stating that any question of the ownership of the property must be settled in another place.

ARM Y" AND VOLUNTEERS. J ROYAL WELCH.—In tho 2nd Vol. Batt. the I Royal Welch Fusiliers, W. A. Hardem was on Friday night gazetted second lieutenant. CHESHIRE REGIMENT.-The following was gazetted on Friday :—Cheshire Regiment: The restoration to the establishment of Sup. Capt. B. Leicester, notified in the "Gazette" of July 10, 11*07, is cancelled. The promotion to the rank of captain of Lieut. A. C. H. Dixon from the West India Regiment, to be in succession to Major D. C. Boger, who holds a staff appointment, instead of as notified in the "Gazette," of May 28, 1007. VOLUNTEER SHOOTING.—The tenth of twelve meetings held at Altear attracted exactly one hundred members, who took cut cards to compete for the Burgess Challenge Cup, champion- ship gold and siher medals, aggregate money prizes and silver spoons, usual first stage Kings" ranges, N.R.A. conditions, &c. Appended are local scores:-Clas,, A: S.I.M. J. Walden. 4th Manchester. 08 Pte. W. S. Sprigings. 1st Cheshire, Pte. W. J. Stoddart, 1st Cheshire, 95; Vetrn. J. H. Simcoek, 2nd Cheshire. 9i>; Sergt. A. R. Jones, 1st Cheshire, 1)2 Pte. G. F. Taylor, 1st Cheshire, 90. Class B: L.-Sergt. G. Johnson, 2nd Livepool, S5; L.-Sergt. J. Langdon, 1st Cheshire, 90.

RAILWAY PILLORIES. ANOTHER PROTEST. ) At Guildhall Police Court, on Friday, there wart a further discussion of the question raised by Alderman Sir George Smallman as to the publication by the Great Eastern Railway Com- pany of the names and addre-^es of persons who had been convicted of defrauding them. Frank Freeman, a butcher, of Victoria-road, South Woodford, was summoned for travelling on the line from Leyton on July 17 with intent to avoid payment of his fare. The defendant pleaded "Guilty," and Mr. Scott, the company's &olicitor, caid that what Freeman did was to use one ticket twice. Mr. Alderman Alli^ton said he had read a report of what had appeared in that court on the previous day, and he was quite of the same opinion as Alderman Sir George Small- man. What he wanted to know was whether this man's name and address would be placarded at the stations, so as to take it into account in passing judgment. Mr. Scott abt-erved that his Worship would see by the papers what the company's policy was. Ho might point out that persons who chose to commit these frauds knew perfectly well what was in store for them if detected. The publication of the names and addresses was only intended to act as a warning, and it was not done from a vindictive motive.— The Alderman: The man is punished here and his name is published in the newspapers.—Mr. Scott: Not always.—The Alderman.: I know the Great, Eastern Company have suffered a good deal from these frauds, but I quite agree with Sir George Smallman that there should not be two sentences on a man for one offence. Mr. Scott: That is not the intention.The Alder- man But it is the effect, f should have fined this man the full penalty of 40: but. inasmuch as his name will bo placarded at your stations for a month, I shall make it only 5s. and 5e. 6d. costs.

POLO AT EATON. It FRIDAY. In cold and showery weather tho tournament for tho Duke's cup was brought up to the final stage. The remaining match in the pre- liminary tie Avas between the Hotspurs alrd Saighton. Theore were two alterations in tho latter team owing to accidents. Lord A-rthur Grosvenor played instead of Mr. Wyndham, and the Hon. 0. Hastings took tho place of Captain E. D. Miller. For the firet half-hour the game was fairly oven, the Hotspurs get- ting Ciao goal in each of tho periods. In the fourth and in the fifth ten minutes the Hot- spurs scored twice and Saighton got one goal only. making their second in the last ten minutes. Tho final read:—Hotspurs 7 goals, Saighton 2. An American Handicap Tourna- ment followed. Tho ground was soaked and was, of course, badly cut up during the game. FINAL FOR THE DCKE'S CUP. BRILLIANT PLAY. The L-aton polo week ended on Saturday, when those who woro fortunate enough to bo present witnessed the best game of the tourna- ment. It was the final tie for the handsome cup prosiiitod by the Duko of Westminster, and the teams were as follow: — EATON. HOTSPURS. P. Wyndham (1) Capt.D.V. Campbell (1) F. Bellville (2) C. W. Banbury. (2) G. A. Miller (3) C. P. Nickolls, (3) Duke of Westminster—back—Capt. de Crespigny Umpire, Mr. C. D. Miller. The day was bright and warmer than auy during tho week, while the ground had ro- coven-cid somewliat ilioru tlia rain. It was quickly cut up. however, and it3 condition md2' play exceedingly difficult in places. Among the spectators wero the Duchess of Westminster and her party, Loid and Lady Arthur Grosvenor, Mr. George Wyndham, Ca.pt. E. D. Milieu, Mrs. H. Diew, etc. Tho teams had shewn themselves easily superior to the other six in tho preliminary tios, and wer:" so evenly matched that the con- test called forth the best qualities on each side, and some brilliant polo was teen. The first ten minutes consisted of end to-?nd play, and left the scoring board blank. The scoond period opened with a free hit from goal by Eaton. and an exciting passage was witnessed around the home citadel, Mr. Miller just saving his side. Eaton then bioko away, a.nd after a fine ga1!op down the Hall sido of tho ground, Mr. Miller hit a fino goal. Eaton continued their p;-ossure, and tho Hoi spare had to piay hard to save themselves. AS. last Mr. Nickalls saved cleverly almost on the goal lino and raced awa.y, leading the field, and almost scoring. Tho Duke returned the ball, and Mr. Miller put in a long hit. Capt. de Crespigny raced to savo a goal, and was just too late. The Hot- spurs tallied and kept play around their oppon- ents' quarteis, where the Duke was the saviour of his side on several occasions, and a long hit by Capt. do Crespigny just missed the mark. Th? teams changed with E.aton leading by two goals to nil. Immediately on resuming, the Hotspurs had a great chance. They found a good opening, and Capt. Campbell rode the Duko off the ball. but Mr. Banbury failed to take it, and Ea.ton cleared. Shortly afterwards Mr. Wyndham- was unhorsed, but fortunately not hurt. There was no scoring during this period, half of the game thus going with Eaton leading by 2—0. The Hobpurs madp. a deter- mined attic-Ie after th:- change, and were within an ace of success several times. At last Mr. Beilvillo hit their first goal amid applause. Even play followed, both goals being in dan- ger; but the bell rang before there was any fur- ther addition to tho score. Only two periods of ton minutes remained, and there was only ono goal between th? teams in the scofe. The excitement, increased, and all the players seemed to increase their efforts. The Hotspurs held the uppc'r hand for some time, and interest reached its highest point when they drew level. Shortly aftoiwards, Capt. de Crespigny gave them the lead. After the bell had rung, Eaton pressed. Mr. Miller shewing biiliiant form. A keen struggle in front of the Hotspius' goal took place, and eventually tli3 ball came out of the crowd of players to the Duke, who sent it back through them all into the goal. The teams commenced tho last round on level terms, The Hotspnrs made a clever dash and gained the lead, while just afterwards Capt. de Crespigny's pony prevented Eaton from equal- ising from a fine hit. Every hit was now of importance, and the spectators followed tha gamo with groat zest. Eaton drew level from a free hit, and during a rush by the Hotspurs, the Duko saved close to th-, goal. The teams retired with the score four goals each. The game was really over, but in order to decide the ownership of the cup, the players changed ponies and went back to the ground fo:' extra time. The Hotspurs made a sudden dash, and after two minutes' play Mr. Nickalls, whose brilliant performance had been of the utmost valtio to his side, scored the winning goal, amid applause. Eaton, who were the winners last year, were thus honourable losers to the Hotspurs by tho narrow margin of one odd goal in a total of nine.

TO MOTHERS.-MM Winslow's Soothing Syrup has been used over fifty years by mil- lions of mothers for their children while teetBing, with perfect success. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasant to taste; it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and. tho little cherub wa.kes up "as bright 88 a tniton. Of &U chemists, 113. lgd. per bottle.

INCE SCHOOL QUESTION. I I RATEPAYERS' STRONG PROTEST. I THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. I EDUCATION COMMITTEE CONDEMNED. A largely-attended meeting of the ratepayers of Incc Elton and Thornton was held in the Inco Schools on Friday evening, to protest against the proposal of the Chcshire Education Committee to erect a new school at Elton Green for the three parishes. Mr. C. K Linaker pre- sided, and these present included Mrs. Park- Yates, the Rev. F. Clifton Smith (vicar of Ince), and Meters. Charles Gamon, Joseph Warburton (Elton ITall), W. J. Lee, T. Jeffs (Thornton Grange), H. Hyder (over6ecr, Eiton), Richard Lloyd ((.'ro.? Uou?c Farm), G. Bower (Elton), W. Brown. James Warburton, R. Kcnner'ey (Holme Farm), Thomas Darlington (Grove Farm), W. Grccnway (Yew Tree Farm), John Warburton (South Bank), H. Latham, W. G. Rieketts (stationmaster), etc. The proceedings were most enthusiastic, and a spirit of unanimity prevailed. The Chairman at the outset read a letter which the Rov. F. Clifton-Smith had sent to the Prc.-w, and also read extracts from the newspapers of the meetings of the Administrative Education Sub-committee for the Chester Union area, and the Cheshire Education Committee, detailing the facts of the controversy up to date. Con- tinuing. the Chairman said they would recol- lect that when they previously protested against the action of flic, committee in serving notices for a school at Elton Green for 150 children, to serve the parishes of Ince and Elton, it was thought that there was something behind it, especially in view of the fact that the number of ell Iclr,cn on the books at Ince School for March, 1906, was only 79. It would have been the height of folly.to build a school for 150. and it was then rightly suspected that the county authority were not acting squarely and openly, and that they intended eventually to bring in Thornton without shewing their hand. Now the cat was out of the bag, and the committee had revealed their intention. It seemed to him the height of absurdity for men at Crewe, and the others who had been the primo movers in the scheme, to think they knew more of Incc anci its requirements than the local representatives Mid tho ratepayers. Referring to Dr. Hodgx>n, the chairman of the Education Committee, as cn0 of tho prime movers in the matter, the Chair- man said he believed the doctor resided in Crewe, and all the education rate he paid went into the coffers of the borough of Crewe, and not one copper to the education rato of the county area. Messrs. Minwhull and Cooke knew little of the district, and he felt sure that if a similar scheme was propounded for the areas i.n which they resided they would be the very first to resent it, especially if they had schools which had obtained such good results as Ince and Thornton. What could be the reason for that EXTRAVAGANT EXPENDITURE? They were not told that the accommodation was insufficient. The number of children attending Ince and Thornton schools had decreased very considerably, and between 1905 and 1906 there was a decrease of eleven children. Last year there were attending the Ince school 79 children and the Thornton school 56, so that it could not be a question of floor or air space. They were not told that the schools were insanitary or in- oonvenient; but they were told that it was a question of economy in building one school. The population of Ince was only 290 to 300, and it had not materially increased for the last twenty years, and it seemed to him to be the height of folly to build Jarge brick s-chools for an area where the population was not increasing. The committee had no justification on the ground that the two fichcols were not efficient. The Ince and Thornton schools had always earned good grants, and when compared with the average Council school thcy would find that these two schools earned considerably more per lioad. How could that be if the schools were not efficient itnd not up to date? There must be something wrong somewhere. There must be .some ground other than efficiency. The re- marks about Inco school apptied to Thornton also. If they took the cost per head in these schools, it did not excaed the cost per head of the Council school The number of school children in the county was 59,000, of which numlier 51,COO attended non-provided, or Church or denominational schools. There were 300 non-provided schools in the county and 43 Council ech-ools, the attendance at the latter b?ing between eight and nine thousand. If it wad the Intention of the Education Committee, as he was sorry to say he believed it was, to CRUSH OUT OF EXISTENCE all the non-provided schools—the ?choo'o which j ha(l y)rov i d,(,( l t? had provided the people with free education since they were started—and 6et up schools which they calll Council school. they were to be con- demned. In order to do this it would cost the county something like £ 750,000, which was equal to a rate of 4d. in tho JB, in addition to the excessive rate already levied. That, of course, was a very big order, but he thought they were trying to begin by degrees. This he considered to be an unworthy motive. (Hear, hear.) It was stated that it would be cheaper to build a new school at Elton Green for 150 children with one staff than maintain the present two schools. This was a matter of opinion, and he did not agree with it. He found that the average cost of running a Council school for 130 or 150 children was R350, while the cost of running the present scnool was £ 282, so that- if the present schools were maintained there would bo a saving to the county. A new school for 150 children, at the Council's own estimate of £ 15 per head, would cost £ 2.250. That money could not be borrowed at a loss rate of interest to cover principal than 6 per cent., which would mean that £ 135 per annum would have to be found by someone, and assuming that the county would pay one-third of the cost, it left a sum of B90 to be raised by Ince, Elton and Thornton. This would be equal to a 4d. rate, in addition to the 8d. already paid. Did anyone, he continued, think that the edu- cational interests of the district were suffering to such an extent as to justify a county authority in placing a burden of 4d. in the £ on the rate- payers for the provision of a central school to replace the two existing schools? Taking Ince school alone, it was now costing the county 4d. in the L, which was for the deficiency rate, this meaning the sum of money the county had to oontribute between income and expenditure. If they took that figure they found that Ince school could bo run at 4d. in the JS, but they were paying 8d., so that the ratepayers would be paying, if the new scheme was carried out, 8d. in the £ more tiian th-, actual requirements of the present day, and all for no benefit to any- one, but simply to please certain individuals who thought they knew more about education than anyone else. (Applause.) Passing on to refer to the question of the interests of the chidldren, the Chairman &aid the interests of the children were to have convenient school, which could be attended without difficulty. Ince and Thornton schools were very convenient, and were easilv reached by the majority of the children; but if they built a new school at Elton Green they would placo great hardships on many children, especially those living at the extreme end of Thornton, and the little children from Ince. The new school at Elton Green would also be isolated, there not being any other building within 400 yards, and difficulties as to meals, etc., would arise (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, Mr. Linaker pointed out that Ince and Thornton schools earned more than £2 per head, which was clear proof that they were not inefficient, either in teaching or accommodation. (Ap- plause.) The Rev. F. Clifton Smith moved the following resolution:—"That this meet- ing of tho ratepayers of the parishes of Ince, Elton and Thornton deeply resent the action of the Cheshire Education Committee in their intention to erect a school for 150 children at Elton Green, to serve the three parishes, on the following grounds:— That the Ince and Thorn- ton schools, as at present established, have not been condemned; that the said schools meet the requirements of the population of th ese parishes; that the grants earned by the schools are in excess of grants earned by Council schools; that tho erection of a new school would place a heavy burden on the already overburdened ratepayers, without any compensating results; that the increased distance to be travelled by the school children, especially infants, would decrease the attendance at the schools and thus injuriously affect the results at present obtained." It was also agreed to canvass the district and obtain signatures to the resolution. He said i he was I there to raise hie voio? in protest against tho action of the Cheshire Education Committee I in forcing upon them another school for the two parishes lie could not find language sufficiently st:ong to mark the dealings of the-08, members of the committee who were always "rubbing it in" that the will of the people must prevail, when they were now acting exactly the other way. (Hear, hear.) He wanted tho ratepayers in Ince, Elton and Thornton to show that they had wills, and they did not mean to be bullied by gentlemen who thought t.hey knew local needs and local affa-i rs bettor t-h-an thilie who lived in the dis- trict. (Hear, hear.) They had shut up two schools whioh had never boon condemned, and it was that which made him so indignant. There was hardly a school in England whioh his Majesty's inspectors had not found fault with. It was their duty to do 00, and it did not follow that for that reason a school was to be condemned. There might b? things iequir- ing alteration at Inoe and Thornton, but tho Edueaticn Committee should deal fairly with tho managers and owners of the school, be- cause they were not to be bulliod. As ro- garded the Ince school, if the committee had met Mrs. Park-Yates in a friendly and proper manner, all their little requirements would have been met. He ha,d been correspondent of the school, and he knew they had never treated Mrs. Pank-Yates in a proper and n- tlemanly manner. The sum of £ 80 had been spent on the Thornton school not long ago. The managers had dono what was asked of them, and it was a DOWNRIGHT SHAME to shut the sc hool up. Every village liked to have its own school. They in Inco were fond of their school, and they did not mean to allow it to be clcsod if they could help it. (Hear, hear.) Every ratepayer m Inoe would feel sid and very much annoyed if tho school was closed and their children had to go for their education to Elton Green. It had been open for a long time, and it had met the educational requirements of lnoe, (Hear, hear.) Nowa- days, people wero very ungrateful in certain things. The Education Committee at Crowe did not think about the people who had given tho money for the school, and what a saving in the past it had been to the people who had lived in Ince. (Hear, hoar.) The firet thing some people d.id when they got on a commit- tee was to spend other people's money. (Ap- plause.) He did not think that was fair. For the 1 fe of him he could not see what was wrong with the Inoe school buildings. There was a splendid roo n and a capital class-room. The lighting might not be as it should be per- haps, but thc" things could be improved, and why in tho name of all tea.son were they in Inoe to be put to the expense of building another school, when Mrs. Park-Yates was per- fectly willing to allow the Education Commit- tee to have the use of the school. Some people in authority talked such a great deal and, of course, they never went the right way to im- provo things. Messrs. Minshull and Cooke said t,he children must not suffer any longer; but the children would suffer a great deal in future if the new school was built., because they would have further to go. Often they would not bo ablo to have dinner at home, and of course they would have many wot and weary walks. Ho was sure if the people of Ince put their shoulders to the wheel and said plainly that they did not moan to have the school, they would got their own way, and they would teach Dr. Hodgson and his friends a lesson, and after all the will of the people would prevail. (Applause.) Mr. Joseph Warburton seconded, a.nd said 90 per cent. of tho Elton ratepayers were fitrongly adverse to a new school at Elton Green. Ti,y wanted to know what was the matter with T hornton school. As a manager, he could say it was good enough for the next 50 ye a re. (A Voice: "150 years.") Messra. Hodgaon and Co. had strongly insulted Mrs. Park-Yates, and it was a piece of political and religious spite. Mr. Lee supported, stating that, the people of Thornton strongly objected to the erection of a new school at Elton Green, considering that the existing schools were more convenient, and that a new school was unnecessary. If a ccntral school was built at Elton Green many children would have to walk two and two a.nd half miles, and the younger children could not be expected to do this during the winter months. (Cries of "Certainly not," and hear, hear.) Mr. Gamon, who remarked that that was the first time he had takon part in local affairs in tho district, said he came forward because he was so indignant with the proposal to do away with the well-appointed and well con- ducted and old-established schools at Ince and Thorn ton, and to build a new school at a re- mote and "tinl dist?t-i(,?t of Elton Gioen. Thornton was an old district.. It had a church before the Conquest, and the school had boon built originally in 1722. It had been improved from time. to time to meet increasing requirements. About, twenty years or more ago fresh land was t%. ken in, and a new porch and playgrounds and other things were added, for which they paid the large sum of sixpence a year. Three years ago more improvements were asked for and £ 80 was subscribed and tho schools were put in good order. It was there- fore nonsense to build new schools a.t Elton. The heart of the village was the life of the children, and when they took away the schools and the teachors from the village they struck a blow a.t the spiritual and social life, which it would take years to get back. (Ap- plause.) The only reason for the new school was that, the committee wished to remove the present schools from the hands of the Church and the present landlords. (Hear, hear.) He held no brief for either church or landlords, but being a Churchman and a landlord he sympathised with both. They knew from time immemorial that the Church had educated the people of tho country, and especially the people of the villages. As to the landlords, speaking of Thornton as he found it, he knew that Mrs. Park-Yates, who was the principal landlord and owner there, and the family of Perryn had always come forward to do their duty a,nd do wha.t they thought right for the best interests of the district. (Applause.) There was another reason why they should not build new schools. Ellesmere Port was growing rapidly, and in the course of time the population of the district might increase. Peoplo went to live near to where there was a church and village life, and Inoe and Thornton were places where the people might come to live in the future. Continuing, he said that they knew tha,t the people ruled. Then let them shew the Ed ltcati on Committee what j their will was, show them that they wee united and that they meant what they said. They must keep on fighting u.ntil they had done away for ever with the INTOLERABLE FOLLY of building a school at Elton Green, and until they had kept their schools at Inoe and Thorn- ton in the surroundings in which they should always remain. (Loud applause.) Mr. Swinburne suggested that a house-to- house canvass should be made in the throe paii ishes, and that the inliabitantti should be asked to subscribe their signatures to the reso- lution. Other speakers stated in Elton and Thornton the majority of the peoplo were against build- ing a new school. Mr. Priestner declared that no member of the Education Commit tee who proponed imposing the burden on tho ratepayers of the district knew what. it was to live on 18s. a week, or they would not be so extravagant with the rates. Many people in the district had to live on 18s. a week, and keep large families. Where was the money for the increased rates to be obtained? The councillors had only to write out a cheque to pay the rates, but the villagers had to work for the nicne y. He added "Old Nixon's prophesy is coming trW, that 'you will soon have to get the ;rates with- out money.' (Applause.) The Chairman said that one objection ra;ood to Thornton schools was that the walls were only nino. inches thick. This, he thought, was very childish. The walls of the houses in which the majority of the. children lived were not more than nine i.nches thick. A member of the audi,enoo said the walls were more than nine inches thick. (Hear, hear.) The Chlirm-tn., continuing, said public popular control was now coming to tho front. What they were suffering from, however, was tho wrong isoirt of public control. They in th-it district, who had managed their schools eS'cct.ivdy, without any cost to the mtel)ayers, before 1902, wmted to be allowed to s}Y<'ud I their money as their representatives desired. What wao wanted was proper control by the people in their own areas, subject to the super- vision of the same authority. They had heard of passive resistance to the education rate, and he believed that if the County Council per- sisted in erecting the new school and inflict- ing another 4d. rate, there would be many passive resistors in the three townships. (Ap- plause.) The resolution was then put to the meeting, and was carried unanimously and with accla- mation. It was also agreed to obtain all the signa- tures of the ratepayerc, possible to the resolu- tion.

ROYAL MOTOR MISHAPS. w By a singular coincidence, both the Prince of Wales and the Princess were subject to delay and inconvenienoo on Monday owing to mishaps to their motor cars, while travelling in different part", of the country. The Prince was motoring from Bolton Abbey en route for Abbey stead, Lord Sefton's seat near Lancaster, when a mishap occurred to the royal motor car. One of the rear tyres was badly punctured at Sawley Grange, near Clit-heroe, and as the chauffeur had considerable difficulty in replacing it, the Prince and the gentlemen in attendance walked until the car overtook them. The Princess of Wales left Marlborough House for Frogmore by motor car in the afternoon to join her children. When in the neighbour- hood of Staines the car broke down, and as the mechanic was unable to effect an immediate repair the Princess engaged a cab, and con- tinued the journey to Frogmore.

OXFORD LOCAL + EXAMINATIONS. 4 The lists of th? Oxford local examinations, tho results of which are published this week, shew that t.ho total number of candidates ex- amined was 18,514, as compared with 15.066 last year, and 12.990 certificates w-,t(, awarded, as against 11,568 in 1306. Among the local suc- cesses are tho following in the boys' division Seniors.—Honours list—Denbigh M. II, O'Brien, IIowoll School, El les me re: F. E. Hughes, Rilston School, Oswrstry. Warring- ton: W. M. Watkiiig, lioteler Giammar School. Northwich: J. L. Pritchaid, Wit ton Grammar School. Runcorn: J. H. Richardson, Pupil Teachers' Centre. Pass List.—Denbigh: A. Hill, private tuition; E. L. Hughes, N. Langley. E. B. Rey- nolds, L. W. D. Stanton and M. M. Williams, Howell's School. Eilesmere D. W. La?, T. S. Loueh, L. B. C. Nowell, C. E. Scott., F. W. Wood and M. L. Wynne, St. Oswald's Coll; S. A. Deens, St. Mary's Sohool. Whitchurch. Northwich: E Barlow, A. H.Bostock and E. II. Piatt, Witton Grammar School; G. Carter, F. M. Minshall and L. Whitlow, private tuition; If. T. E. Burton and E. Rob intson, High School; E. C. Gentles, E. A. Macpha.iL and J. Mitchell. Wine-ham Hall College. Run- corn: P. Ath?rton, T. F. Ford and H. Garner, Frodsham T. Howard, A. Shaw, F. G. Taylor, J. Gibbs, E. M. Grice, E. Hankey, E. Haynes, B. A. Hough. E. C. Jeffs. E. Jones, M. M'W aters, E. Oulton, M. Roscoc, E. Routledge, N. D. Savage, J. A. Thomas, A. Williams, A. W ilson and II. M. Youd, Runcorn P.T.C.; II. G, Bunco, T. E. Griffiths, F. Crew. and F. Hancock, Runcorn Institute School; Misses M. Daviee, A. Wilson and McWaters, Frodsham. Elk-sm?ro: G. F. Hedley and W. T. Owen, private tuition; A. Morrison. Normal Corre- spondence College, London. Northwich: B. Roy lance, private tuition, and A. Whalloy, Wincham Hall College. Runcorn: H. Wilkin- son, A. Cowap and A. A. Sandbach, P.T.C.

WIRRAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. — A. T of this COllnc-il was Tho monthly meeting of this ConncH was held o.? Monday at Birkenhead, Mr. T. Davics (ch?i rman) presiding. BIRKENHEAD WATER BILL. Ihe Cleric (Mr. J. E. S. Ollivo) reported that Mr. Thompson, th? Council's solicitor, bad for- warded a iis.tof clauses for in ion in the Birkenhead Cbiporation Water Bill. The committee appointed to attend before the oommittoa of tJu House of Lords in connec- tion. with the Bill in July reported that tho committee had refused to give the District Council compulsory powers for oblaining water from the Corporation's mains. In regard toth? required clauses for the protection of sewers belonging to the Distict Council at present in existence, and those which in future are to bo constructed, the committee granted clauses in coirnecrion with the former, but- refused to givo any protection for sewers which a.rc not in existence at the present time. Mr. F. E. Priest (engineer) said the decision was a great disappointment to both the officials and th? members of the deputation, because at an earlier period of the proceedings it appeared peifectly olear that the District Council were going to get practioally all they asked for as regarded protection for works. In an extra- ordinary way, however, the committee worn persuaded by the superior strength of the coun- sel on the other side to change their mind, with the result intimated. Thoe Chairman said it was goneially thought that if they had had a stronger counsel plead- ing on their behalf they would certainly have obtained tho clauses. Mr. J. R. Turton: That is so, I think our counsel did satisfy the committee that what we asked for was quite reasonable until arguments wero heard from the other side. The Chairman pointed out that the Council had obtainc-d protection for existing sewens. The Engineer suggested they should now en- deavour to persuade the County Council to so- cure protection for their future works. The Chairman agreed, believing that. if the County Council would help them they would get protection. The Engineer advised that overtures should be made to tho County Council at once, be- cause the Royal Assent had already been given to tho Bill. It was decidcdto open negotiations with the Countv Council immediatelv. OVERCROWDED DWELLINGS. In connection with the case of an overcrowded house at Little Sutton. Mr. Douglas called at- tention to the great. need which existed for cottages in the district, and assured the Coun- cil that there were many more oases of over- crowding than wero officially reported. Ho asked whether the Council had any powers to pvovido accommodation under the Housing of the WToiking-classes Act. Tho Clerk replied that he believed they had somo powers under the Act, but he was not in a position to advise deifnitely. The clerk was instructed to ascertain and report.

CHESTER TRAVELLER'S SAMPLES.— At Wrexham on Friday three tramps who gave tho names of James Leech, of Limerick, John Burns, of Manchester, and Wm. Lloyd. of Oswestry, were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a quantity of sample blouse- and stockings, value 4(Js., the property of Messrs. Thomas Collier and Co., manufacturers and merchants, Manchester. The stolen goods were left by Mr. M. Calvert Hunter, Chester the representative of the firm named, in baskets in the luggage room at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel. CHARGE OF ABDUCTING CIRLS-At Alnwick, OIl Saturday, Beresford Lisle, aged twenty-one, who had com, into' a large fortune, was committed for trial charged with having taken Lizzie Rose Whittle, a god fifteen, out of the possession and against the, will of her father between tho 23rd and 27th of June. For tho prosecution, it was stated that on th? 23rd of June Lisle induced Lizzie Whittle and another girl, Theresa Roper, to go with him for a drive in a motor-car. He was accompanied by a lady, said to be his wife,. They drove from Ainwick to Alnmouth. There the lady left the car, which proceodiecl to Durham. At Durham Whittle and Roper told a policeman they had beein driwn away from Alnwick, but lie only laughed. From Durham they went to Darling- ton. Hero they stayed for the night, the two girls, however, occupying bedrooms by them- selves. Afterwards they visit-ed Newcastle, York. Huntingdon, and London. Hero the de- fendant bought them hats and' took them round in hansom cabs. He then sent the girls home by train, paying their fares, and giving t-likm money for expanses. Each girl stated that Lisle was intoxicated at the time they left. Alnwick, and that no impropriety took place ait any time,

I SUNDAY "TRAVELLERS." CAPTURES AT THE WHITE HOUSE. un Saturday, at the Chester Castle, four sum- monses were heard against men for being at the White House Hotel, Groat Boughton, on Sunday, during prohibited hours. The first two dealt with were George Ellis and Joseph Challinor, two Chester men, who pleaded guilty. Inspector IIoolc said that, on Sunday after- noon, August 4th, ho visited the White House to see that the regulations regarding boiia-fide travellers were carried out. He found defend- ant.s there, and lie said to Ellis, "What are you doing lwr<>? You are a Chester man." He was in company with another man from Birken- head and one from Buckley. Ellis and Chal- linor had told the doorkeeper that they had como from Broughton. Corroborative evidence was given by tho doorkeeper, and a fine of 20s. and costs was imposed on each defendant. Frank Gonockie and John Baddon, also of Chester, pleaded guilty to a similar offence, and a similar penalty was inflicted.

I RESCUE FROM DROWNING. A CHESTER MAN'S GALLANTRY. At Chester Castle, on Saturday, a woman named Sarah Elizabeth Rowdon, residing in Chester, was charged with attempted suicide in tha Dee. Superintendent Ilicks explained that about 11 a.m. on August 12th prisoner threw herself into the river off the landing-stage at the White House. Screams were heard and Mr. J. T. Milne, who was, at the White House at the time, rushed down the steps and plunged in after, her. The current was strong, and he ran con- siderable risk. He rCOCLI-O(i the woman, and Mr. Poison, licensee of the houso, helped to get her out. From enquiries the police found that no one would have anything to do with tho woman. John Taylor Milne, licensee of the Tarvin Bridge Inn, bore out the superintendent's state- ment. Inspector Hoole said he questioned prisoner, who told him she had attempted to drown her- self because she did not wish to live. She said she had tried to drown her,-elf previously in tho pond in Birkenhead Park. She had had a situa- tion in Chester, which she lost in a week through. drink. Prisoner was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions

I RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS. I COMPANY DIRECTORS' VIEWS. Pleasant relations with the staff, the depre* ciation of stock, a determination to brook no outside interference, nor to accede to the men'a demands for a higher rate of wages were soma of the items laid stress on at the half-yearly meetings of the Midland Railway Company and the L. and N.-W. Railway Company on Friday, That of the former was held at Derby, and Sir E. Paget, presiding, dwelt upon the for- midable increase in working expenses duo largely to causes over which the company had no control. Dealing with the agitation among the men and the demand that the latter should be represented in negotiations by the Amalga- mated Society of Railway Servants, he pointed out that the society constituted only a compara- tively small percentage of the railway servants of the United Kingdom, said that the company had persistently declined and would decline to deal with anybody outside their own staff, and replied seriatim to the allegations which had been put forward at the meetings of the Amalgamated Society. Lord Stalbridge. at the meeting of the L. and N.-W Railway Company, said many of the share- holders would have read paragraphs and state- ments which might have led some of them to believe that the relations between the company and their staff were not satisfactory, but that was not, the. case. (Cheers.) The London and North-Western service was an extremely popular one. The vacancies which occurred in the wages staff were few, but, on the other hand, the appli- cations for employment were very numerous. What he thought was the best test of the popu- larity of the service was the fact that, dealing with their wages staff, the company had many, cases in which the fame family took service with" them from generation to generation. (Cheers.) They had had cases where the same family from the great-grandfather down to the great-grand- son had served with the company. At one city alone—and it was only typical—where other means of employment abounded they had 21 instances of three generations and 286 cases of 2 generations all working for the London and North-Western Railway on the wages staff. Thiii shewed that having taken service with the com- pany, and with a full knowledge of all their con- ditions, many of their servants were anxious for other members of their family to serve under tho same masters. (Cheers.)

I DEATH OF A FAMOUS DETECTIVE. A W Mi". Robert A. Pinkerton, the head of the famous American detective agency bearing his name, died en the 12th instant, on beard tho Bremen, which arrived at Plymouth on Satur- day from New York. He had been ill for a day or two on tho liner, death being duo to fatty degeneration of the heart. He was 61 years of a.ge Pinkorton's National Detective Agency was founded in 1865 by Mr. Allan, father of Mr. Robert Allen Pinkerton. Pinkerton's first im- portant case-, after the establishment of tho agency, was in connection with the Adams Ex- press Company robbery. In a few months tho wholo of the. missing- monoy--50,000 dollars— was discovered after the New York police had given the matter tip as hopclesK. In 1861 Pin- kerton. discovered and frustrated a plot to as- sassinate President Lincoln on or before hia inauguration On the outbreak of the Civil War, Pinkerton was appointed Chief of tiro Secret Service Bureau, and was attached to General MeClella;n's staif, under the nom de gueme of "Major Allan." The bureau was of inestimable service to the Northern, or Federal, forces during the war, after the close of which Pinkerton was induced to open a branch in New York, and, later, in Philadel- phia. Since hen t.hü étgency has played an important part, in the investigation of most of the greaetst criminal cases of America and Europe. Pinkerton's hunt after the "Molly Maguires" in Pennsylvania provided 19 vic- tim", for the scaffold. The founder of the agency died in 1884, worth h-alf a million, leav- ing tho great organisation which his geniufl had built up to his on9, the younger of whom has just died. Under their management the agency haa grown more powcrflil than over. In the great Pullman strike in Chicago in 1894 railway traffic in tho Western States was paralysed and trade at a standstill. The Anarchist Governor of Illinois, Altgeld, wlicse sympathies wero with the strikers, refused to maintain ordor, when "Pinkerton's" was invited to/intervene on behalf of the railway companies. They came, not detecti ves, but ar, drilled soldiers, with rifles and revolve is, a.nd so fair broke the strike that there was little to do for the troops which President Cleveland eventually sent to Chicago. They performed military service in connection with the strike that broke out at the Carnegie Steel Worku, near Pittsburg.

AN EPIDEMIC OF COLDS. T The chilly nights that follow sunny days at this season of the year account for much in the prsva-iling epidemic of bad colds and chills. The grandest, insuranoo against these colds and chills, which threaten serious throat and lung trouble if neglected, is a handy box of Peps. It is not necessary to take Peps con- stantly and continuously like cheap and use- less lozenges and medicated sweetmeats. One little n,p, placed on t.he tongue when going out in the ohilly night air, will fill the lungs with powerfully healing and germicidal pino- fumes, whioh impregnate all tho tissues of the throat and lungs. Peps, unlike oiidinairy lozenges, will sa," pounds in doctor's bills if used upon tho first sign of sore throa;t or chilL