Cheshire Observer

CHESTEU TOWN ^OUNCIL. I The monthly meeting of -Ae Council was held on Wednesday, the MPYor (Alderman H. T. I Brown) presiding. THE L'1'E MR. DUTTON. I The Mayor %,id he was sure the Council would join _th him in expressing regret at the loss wb'.eJi had fallen upon the Council since their last meeting in the death of one of their members-Mr. Cha-i). Wm. Dutton. He had not been very long a member of the Council, but he always proved himself a regular attendant, both at the Council and committees. He moved a vote of condolence with Mrs. Dutton and family in their bereavement. The Sheriff (Mr. Edgar Dutton) seconded, and it was carried. AN IN rERESTING GIFT. I The Mayor announced that he had received a letter from Mr. P. Ironside Bax forwarding an engraving of the City of Chester in the 16th Century, and asking the Council to accept it to be hung in the Mayor's Parlour. Mr. Bax, in his letter, said he found it at Frankfort, Germany, and so far had been unable to find a duplicate of it. The Mayor said the print had not been known in Chester before, and it was very interesting. It was taken from the Brewers' Hall, and shewed the river Dee flowing up to the Watergate on one side, and up to the Water Tower on the other. He moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Bax for his gift to the town. The Sheriff seconded, and it was carried. MR. CARS AND THE FAIR WAGE I CLAUSE. I THE POLICE CLOTHING CONTRACT. I SOME DISCLOSURES. I Mr. Carr asked a question which gave rise to a lengthy discussion anent the Council's en- forcement of the fair wage clause. The minutes of the Watch Committee set forth that seven tenders to supply the City Police with new uni- form clothing were opened and considered, and it was resolved that the tender of Messrs. Hebbert and Co. (London), at X137 19s. 4d. be accepted. Before the minutes were passed Mr. Carr asked whether any local tradesman tendered for the contract. Mr. Holmes There were no local contracts. The Clerk of Committees (Mr. Peers) There was one two miles outside the city, but none in- side. Mr. Carr Can we have the names ? Mr. Holmes: Is it usual to have the names ? The Mayor The committee do not have the names, and I am afraid we cannot have them. Mr. Carr I will have to vote against it, as they do not work to the fair wage clause, and if the other shop is a fair wage shop, or anything approaching it, I would move an amendment, but, in the absence of the information, I cannot do so. Mr. Holmes said he thought they had to study the ratepayers in a matter of that kind. Adver- tisements went out to the city and elsewhere, and the committee, of course, were obliged to take the lowest tender after knowing that the firm named could carry it out satisfactorily, and he understood that the firm named had, on many occasions, carried out the orders of the Council very satisfactorily indeed. If the Council wanted to spend considerably more of the ratepayers' money it was for them to decide, but the committee certainly recommended a reliable firm who had done work before. Mr. Carr said he would just like to say that he would have liked to have known whether it was one that came under the fair wage clause, and he would have known better how to have acted. It was all very well for Mr. Holmes to say that they would be spending more of the ratepayers' money, but, if it was spent in the town they were spending it to advantage, and they were then carrying out the principles of the fair wage clause. In the present case they were not doing so, and it was simply a farce. Mr. Holmes .said, subject to the wish of the Council, he did not think there was any reason why the amounts should not be given to the Council. He would say that the firm were Government contractors, and he did not presume that the Government would employ a firm that did not carry out the work satis- factorily. Mr. Lamb: I move that the names and amount of each tender be given to us. Mr. Moss, M.P.: I second it. The Sheriff thought they were opening a wide door if they did this, as there were many contracts in connection with other matters. Alderman Churton said this matter was entirely under the control of the committee, and the Council had nothing to do with it, as the Council had passed a resolution some time ago giving the Committee authority to accept these tenders. The Clerk of Committees That is so. Mr. B. C. Roberts said he wanted to point out .for the satisfaction of Mr. Carr that the firm whose tender had been accepted was a firm who had been employed by Government, and if that was so-and he knew it was so-they would be working up to the fair wage clause in supplying the Government, and he took it that they would do the same with the Corporation's contract. Alderman Jones said the question was as to the Council having something to do with observing whether the fair wage clause was being honourably carried out. If he remem- bered correctly, when the name of the firm to whom the contract had been given was mentioned in the committee, certain enquiries were made with regard to them, and it was stated for the information of the committee that some two or three years ago this same firm had received the contract to supply the police clothing, and exception had been taken to it on the fair wage point. A deputation of the present High Sheriff and Mr. Vernon went to London and spent a few days making enquiries with regard to this firm, and they could find nothing but that the firm was observing the fair wage clause. That was stated in the committee and mainly on that ground, and that they did the work satis- factorily, the committee were guided in giving them the tender. He did say this, that while the Council had nothing to do with the giving of the contract, it had something to do in find- ing out whether the firm was honouring the fair wage clause. Mr. Vernon said it was proved up to the hilt that they were not working up to the fair wage clause. They went to London and made enquiries of Messrs. Hebbert, and from their own statement they certainly did not admit or did not say, at any rate, that they were carry- ing out the fair wage clause. He asked per- mission to interview their workmen, and they readily consented because it was the Jewish • holiday, and they (the firm) knew that they could not see them. (Laughter.) Instead of interviewing them then, however, he went a fortnight afterwards, and tipent several days in London, for he was determined to get to know the truth. He tried to get at several of these tradespeople, and he at last met the very man who made part of the clothing, and from the information he got from him as to the way in which the work was done and the conditions under which it was done, he was firmly con- vinced that at that time, whatever they were doing then, they were not carrying out the fair wage clause. That was his impression, and that was the report that was presented to the Council. Alderman Jones: Alter a report was presented to this Council like this, with regard to the firm in whose hands the Council had placed the contract, I am at a loss to understand how it was that Mr. Vernon and others should have allowed it to go on. Mr. Vernon: We could not help its going on. We were given to understand that the Watch Committee had a perfect right to let any contract like this. Mr. Haswell: Why should we come here to whitewash any committee's work ? It is a waste of time. Mr. Carr said that up to the present the fair wage clause had not been carried out. How were they to be guided in voting in respect of the fair wage clause if they did not know the names of those who tendered ? The Mayor pointed out that a resolution was passed in November authorising the committee to provide the police constables with the usual winter clothing, and they had done so. It was hardly fair to be making these random state- ments in the Council. Mr. Carr: I beg your pardon, Mr. Mayor, they are not random statements. They have been proved. The Mayor: That was years ago. Mr. Carr: This factory has not {altered its system of working since that time. The Mayor Then you take upon yourself to make that statement, and if you have any objection you had better go to the committee. Mr. B. C. Roberts said when Mr. Vernon and he went to London they found that Messrs. Hebbert & Co. supplied clothing to the Govern- ment and to the London County Council, and both these bodies inserted in their contracts or estimates the fair wage clause, and Mr. Vernon and himself felt that it was satisfactory in a great measure that that was the case, and they felt quite sure that Messrs. Hebbert & Co. were doing right, and they reported that things were as they should be in regard to the firm. What Mr. Vernon found out afterwards he did not know, as he did not accompany Mr. Vernon, nor did he (the speaker) go in the Jewish quarter. They were quite satisfied at the time. Mr. Vernon said if the report was looked up it would prove up to the hilt the statement he had made. The Mayor: What they were three years ago is no guide to what they are doing to-day. Mr. Holmes pointed out that this special clothing was a speciality among certain firms. Mr. Moss rose to a point of order and asked that the names of the firms who tendered and the amounts should be given. He had not yet been ruled out of order. He did not see why that contract should be on the minutes at all for confirmation. The Mayor: It is not for confirmation. The committee accept the tender, not the Corpora- tion. Mr. Moss Who enters into the contract, the committee or Council ? The Town Clerk: The contract consists of invitation for tenders sent out by the Corpora- tion and (the acceptance of the tender by the committee. Mr. Moss pressed for the contracts to be read out, as he did not see that there could be any possible objection to it. Mr. Holmes: The committee have no know- ledge of the names, and I do not see why the Council should have the advantage of them. Alderman G. A. Dickson It is quite contrary to the custom of the committee, and I am quite certain the firms themselves would not like them published. Mr. Moss did not see any objection why the names should not be given now. He declined to be a party to the Council stultifying itself by passing a resolution adopting the fair wage clause, and yet not seeing that it was carried out. Alderman W. H. Churton said as long as it had been left to the committee to provide this uniform it seemed to him to be wholly irregular that there should now be a discussion upon it. The committee had simply taken the course every other committee took. Mr. W. Vernon asked whether the committee had any legal power to accept the contract without the sanction of the Corporation. The Town Clerk explained that the power to do so was conferred upon the committee by the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Council. The practice had been to authorise the committee to get the clothing. If it was intended that the committee should not accept any tender, but should only recommend them for acceptance, this time next year the usual resolution should be varied. Mr. W. Vernon: That is exactly what I think ought to be. Every other committee has sent in a tender as a recommendation. Mr. Carr said misunderstanding might arise from what had been said to the effect that that class of trade was a speciality. It might lead people to believe that there was no tradesman in Chester who could do it. There was no speciality about it. Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes: It was taken by a Chester contractor a few years ago, and all the clothing was spoiled. Mr. Carr said they wanted the contract to be given to a respectable iirm who paid fair wages and were not sweaters." That was the principle which ought to be considered in letting the contracts. Mr. Holmes replied that there was no desire on the part of the committee to give the con- tract to anyone who went in for sweating." Whenever any Chester contractor sent in a tender, he regretted to say, his experience was that it was always almost 100 per cent. more than any of the other tenders. Mr. Lamb offered to withdraw his amend- ment, but Mr. Moss (the seconder) did not consent, and it was put to the meeting. The voting was 15 in favour knd 13 against. The contracts were then read out as follow:— Messrs. Dolan and Co. (London), £200 15s. lid.; Messrs. Pearson, Huggina and Co. (London), 1201 8s. 10d.; Mr. Charles Parkin (Kelsall), E373 Os. 8d.; Messrs. Hebbert and Co., 9187 19s. 4d.; Messrs. Voss and Co., zE277 10s.; Mr. C. E. Rawton (Halifax), two tenders, X218 6s. and 42.33. Mr. Carr said with regard to the Kelsall man who tendered, he surmised that it would have been a sub-contract, as he probably would not have the material to supply the clothing. He would not move his amendment in conse- quence. He, however, could not vote in favour of Messrs. Hebbert and Co. having the contract. The Watch Committee's minutes were then formally confirmed. I EXTENSION OF THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. The Improvement Committee's minutes set forth that a letter had been received from Mr. H. Beswick stating that he had made the suggested alteration in the plans of the pro- posed extension of the Suspension Bridge to the level of the ground by the Park entrance. He also suggested an alternate position which would enable the extension to be carried in a straight line as far as the Park wall over the back road to the Groves. If this alternative line was adopted there would be no necessity to interfere with the tree at the top of the steps. The Committee resolved that as the proposed extension involved interferejace with the I Grosvenor Park, the plans be submitted to the Hon. C. T. Parker before approval.—The minutes were adopted. I EASTGATE ROW (N.) Mr. G. H. Reynolds said there was a steep incline in this Row, and during recent altera- tions a lamp had been removed from near the Boot Inn, rendering the incline dangerous in the dark. He had been asked to inquire if this lamp could be replaced. The Mayor said he understood there were going to be further alterations there, and probably the incline would be put right. Mr. H. C. Roberts said the Lighting Com- mittee had heard nothing about it, but the matter should receive attention. I CHAIN POSTS AT GORSE STACKS. I mr. uarr astcea whether the chain posts in front of the cottages at Gorse Stacks could not be removed. On Fair days men congregated there and used very bad language in the presence of women and children. It was a cause for complaint. The Sheriff (Mr. Edgar Dutton) quite con- curred. Persons tied their horses there on Fair days. Alderman J. Jones (St. Oswald's) said he was afraid that if the chains were removed on Fair days some accident might occur. He under- stood they were removed after Fair days. It was decided that the Improvement Com- mittee consider the matter and report. A SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT. I Alderman Churton asked whether it was not possible to continue the present footpath which bounded the Roodee through the archway, along the Little Roodee, and up to the Bridge Gate. It would make a very good improvement. The Mayor: Going to plant it with trees, Mr. Churton ? Alderman Churton (smiling): That may come afterwards. The matter was referred to the Improvement Committee. PAVING IN CASTLE-STREET. I Mr. Rae said there were numerous complaints about the paving stones in Castle-street. Mr. Yerburgh, M.P., nearly met with an accident while driving in this street at the last election. This was also referred to the Committee. THE WATER QUESTION. I MORE REGULAR ANALYSES. I Professor Boyce, of Liverpool, had offered the Public Health Committee 400 bacteriological analyses of the Chester water for 9100, on con- dition that he was paid X30 for each additional 100 analyses. He proposes to make weekly analyses ot the filtered water, weekly analyses of each filter (filtered and unfiltered water), and monthly analyses of the river Dee. After a long discussion the Committee resolved, That it be recommended to the Council that Dr. Boyce's proposed terms for further bacte- riological analyses be accepted." The Chester Waterworks Company has retained Professor Delepine, of Owen's College, Manchester, to analyse the water, and he reports that a sample of water taken from the main is "quite satisfactory," and the water may be classed as good. Dr. Roberts, chairman to the Public Health Committee, said the Council would remember that a few years ago they decided to engage the services of Dr. Franklin, of Birmingham, to make quarterly analyses of the Chester water, as well as the water from the Dee. A few weeks ago the Committee were anything but satisfied with the report sent to them from Dr. Franklin, and in case of emergency the committee thought it would be more convenient to engage a man who was equally competent and to send the water to Liverpool instead of Birmingham for analysis. The committee considered the terms of Dr. Boyce very reason- able, and he had pleasure in moving that Dr. Boyce be appointed at a salary of 2100 per annum. The old city of Chester still stood well in the matter of public health as compared with other cities of the same size. There were 109 fewer cases of infectious diseases this year than last. The figures were 266 last year and 214 this year, the latter including 26 cases of erysipelas which were not notified last year. The Sheriff did not see why the Waterworks Company should not help to pay for the analyses so long as they contracted for pure water. Publicans were brought to book if the beer was not right. and he did not see why the Water Company should not be obliged to give them pure water. Mr. R. Cecil Davies asked if Dr. Boyce's appointment was to be a permanent one. Alderman Churton: What was Dr. Franklin paid ? The Clerk of Committees (Mr. Peers): X97 16s. Alderman Churton humorously suggested that Dr. Boyce should use phraseology, which ) could be more easily understood than that which was to be found in the report before them- He could not tell from it whether the water was good or bad. (Laughter). Dr. Roberts agreed that the Waterworks Company ought to bear a share of the burden. His feeling was that they might have met and conferred together and appointed one man in whom both sides would have had perfect con- ifdence. The Council had every confidence in Dr. Boyce. Perhaps in time an understanding would be arrived at and matured between the Waterworks Company and the Council. Dr. Franklin made quarterly reports, but Dr. Boyce would make weekly analyses, and that would account for the slight difference in the terms. With reference to Dr. Boyce's appoint- ment being permanent or otherwise, he (Dr. Roberts) would not look upon it as a permanent appointment. Alderman Stolterfoth thought the weekly analysis would be a good thing. The motion was carried. FREE LIBRARY LECTURES. I The Free Library Committee recommended that the Council make a grant of,230 out of the funds received under the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, for continuing the series of free lectures at the Library. On the motion of Alderman Stolterfoth this was agreed to.

DUKE OF WESTMINSTER'S I WEDDING. THE -CITIZENS' PRESENT. I In compliance with a request by the Mayor (Alderman H. T. Brown), a meeting of citizens was held in the Town Hall, on Monday at noon, to consider the best way of celebrating the forthcoming marriage of the Duke of West- minster and Miss Corn wallis- West. The Mayor presided, and the attendance included the Mayoress, the Sheriff (Mr. Edgar Dutton), the Lord Bishop, the Rev. Canon Cooper Scott, the Revs. E. C. Lowndes, F. Edwards, J. F. Howson, H. H. Wright, and W. Jones; Aldermen Sir Thomas Frost, George Dickson, Thomas Smith, William Williams, George Dutton, and Dr. Stolterfoth; Councillors J. Gooddie Holmes, J. F. Lowe, R. Lamb, James G. Frost, R. Cecil Davies, Dr. Roberts, John Jones, J. R. Rae, H. Dodd, Dr. Archer, W. Ferguson, and J. Williamson; Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Colonel Sheriff Roberts, Dr. Granger, Dr. Lees, Messrs. P. B. Ironside Bax, J. R. Thomson, C. Greenhouse, J. L. Kemp, T. B. Meacock, J. A. Mowle, W. E. Lindop, R. P. Bradbury, C. Cooper, W. A. M. Nicholls, G. Parker, G. H. Evans, F. Bolland, G. R. Baker, H. B. Dutton, A. W. Butt, T. Williamson Jones, R. Watkins, T. Hart Davies, G. R. Griffith, J. Minns, T. Matthews Jones, F. J. Beckett, J. H. Laybourne, W. Peers, &c. Several ladies were also present. Letters expressing inability to be present, and a desire to co-operate in the movement, were received from the High Sheriff (Mr. B. C. Roberts) Sir Horatio Lloyd, the Dean, Alderman Cunnah, Archdeacon Barber, Mr. H. Enfield Taylor, Mr. F. Bullin, Mr. R. B. L. Johnston, Alderman Churton, Mr. F. F. Brown, and the Town Clerk (Mr. S. Smith). The Mayor said the first intimation he had of the near approach of the Duke's wedding was the beginning of last week, and as the wedding was fixed for February 14th, it did not leave very much time to make all their arrangements to carry out whatever that meeting might decide upon as the suitable course to take in celebration of the auspicious event. It was unnecessary for him to say anything about the event, because it filled the minds not only of everybody in that room, but Chester at large, because the House of Westminster and the head of that House for the time being, and the lady who was in future to hold the exalted position of his wife and Duelers, were matters of so much importance to them, and so much interest to them, that he was sure the citizens at large would be only too delighted to take advantage of the occasion to express their deep respect for them, and the interest they all felt in so very auspicious an event. There were many ways in which the event might be celebrated, but he thought on the present occasion that there was one that was peculiarly suitable. First of all, he thought they might look to precedents. Upon almost every occasion of that kind with the noble House of Westminster the citizens had testified their respect by making a personal present to the lady who was immediately concerned in the interesting event. He thought that was the case taken on the marriage of the late Duke, and on the marriage of his daughters and of his son, the late Earl Grosvenor. He could not imagine that any- thing would be more agreeable to the feelings of the Duke himself, than some testimony of welcome to the gracious lady who was to become his wife. They knew in Chester how much they owed to the ladies of the House of Westminster. Not only the first duchess, but the second duchess also, won golden opinions from this city by their kindness and deep sympathy and interest in everything that was good in Chester. They had been followed by Lady Grosvenor, and in later days by her daughter, who had taken her place largely in coming among them and testifying the sympathy of the family with all that concerned the interests of Chester. Therefore, looking forward as they did to the future duchess following in those footsteps he could not help thinking that some personal gift to her-though she was a com- parative stranger at present, they all hoped she would be their friend in future-would be the most appropriate form in which their interest on that occasion might be shewn. (Hear, hear.) When they were celebrating to some little extent the home-coming of the Duke, there was a great wish expressed that there should be some sort of treat given to the children. That was abandoned partly in accordance with the wishes of the family, and partly because it was not considered desirable by those responsible for the children of the town that anything of the kind should take place at that time. He believed the same course would be taken at present. First of all the Christmas festivities had just taken place, and the children were returning to their schools after the vacation, and altogether, he believed, and in that he was fortified by those in authority, that it would be a very inconvenient time to attempt to interfere with the routine of the schools by giving the children a treat. Besides that at this time of the year anything that induced the children to go out of doors was perhaps undesirable. Therefore he suggested it was not desirable to do anything further at present than to make a present to the Duke's future wife, more especially as during the last few weeks they had had a visit from his Grace. (Applause.) He proposed That in view of the forthcoming marriage of his Grace the Duke of Westminster and Miss Cornwallis-West the citizens do present their cordial congratulations to the Duke, and testify their welcome and respect by making a suitable present to his intended bride." (Applause.) The Lord Bishop, in seconding, said he would like, as far as he could, to adopt what the Mayor had so wisely and happily expressed, and he would content himself with very heartily seconding the resolution which the Mayor had proposed. The proposition was unanimously carried. On the proposition of Sir Thomas Frost, seconded uy the onerux, it was resolved that a Committee, with power to add to their number, should be appointed to carry the matter out. It was agreed, on the proposition of Mr. Holmes, seconded by Mr. Lamb, that the general committee should consist of all who were present at the meeting. It was resolved that the following ladies, some of whom were present, should act on the general committee:— The Mayoress, Mrs. Jayne, Lady Frost, Lady Lloyd, Mrs. Robert Yerburgh, Mrs. Darby, Mrs. Scotland, Mrs. B. C. Roberts, Mrs. Cooper Scott, Mrs. Edgar Dutton, Miss Howson, Mrs. Lees, Miss Wigg, Mrs. George Dutton, Mrs. Stolterfoth, Mrs. James Frost, and Mrs. John M. Frost. On the proposition of Alderman Smith, seconded by Alderman Dickson, it was resolved that a subscription list be opened, and that a circular be issued requesting intending subscribers to pay their subscriptions to the Right Worshipful the Mayor, at the Town Hall as early as possible, so that the committee might know the amount of funds placed at their disposal. The Mayor proposed the election of Mr. W. Peers as honorary secretary, and Mr. J. R. Thomson as hon. treasurer of the fund. Dr. Stolterfoth seconded, and it was carried. On the proposition of Canon Cooper Scott the Mayor was thanked for convening the meeting, and presiding. At a subsequent committee meeting an executive committee, consisting of ten ladies and ten gentlemen, was appointed. MEETING OF THE EATON TENANTRY. At a meeting ot the Eaton instate tenantry held at the Blossoms Hotel, on Saturday after- noon, under the presidency of Mr. J. Hartshorn, it was decided to open a subscription list, and to make the Duke of Westminster a suitable present on the occasion of his marriage. Mr. Thomas Dodd (Cotton) was appointed hon. secretary, and Mr. Richard Fearnall hon. treasurer.

CADBURY'S Cocoa is absolutely pure, being entirely freo from kola, malt, hops, alkali, or any foreign admixture. Caution! The public should insist on having CABBURT'S—sold only in Packets and Tins-as other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra profit. 4

THE BEER QUESTION. I MEETING AT CHESTER. 1 SENSIBLE SPEECH BY ME TOLLEMACHE. Under the auspices of the Chester Farmers' Club, a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, on Tuesday, to consider the beer question. Dr. Stolterfoth presided, and a meagre attend- ance included Mr. Henry Tollemache, M.P., Messrs. J. Beecroft, P. Allen, J. Prince, E. Dean, W. Fryer, J. Dickson, J. R. Rae, C. G. Haswell, J. W. Hincks, T. J. Dutton, G. Mullock, W. E. Phillips, M. Kennedy, George Roberts, W. Williams (Hoole), R. Jones, A. P. Smith (secretary), &c. Apologies for absence were received from the Hon. Cecil T. Parker, Messrs. George Barbour, Robt. Yerburgh, M.P., Joseph Hoult, M.P., Harry Barnston, who wrote that the question of pure beer was of such immense importance to the community that any effort which the club made to strengthen the hands of the community would, he was sure, receive the support it so fully deserved Geo. Dickson, J. R. Thomson, Lord Kenyon, who wrote that he thought they must all be in favour of having pure beer, but he believed the question was a much more complicated one than it appeared to be; James Tomkinson, M.P., Dr. Mann, and Dr. King. The latter, referring to the statement that arsenic was found in malt, wrote that the highest authorities agreed that the amount of arsenic that could be absorbed by growing plants was infinitesimal. The Secretary explained that the meeting was called by the request of the Central and Associ- ated Chambers of Agriculture. He called the meeting with some diffidence lest they should, in their public zeal, as well as their zeal for the farmers, interfere in any way with those who might be, or who had been, their patrons. That diffidence had, however, been entirely dispelled by nothing so much as by the action of the brewers themselves, and the course they had adopted. The assistance they had given in every inquiry, especially in Manchester, had proved that nobody was so anxious to get at the root of the question as they were. Whatever might be the result of the agitation now being pursued with reference to beer, this result would remain, that it would be shewn how inseparably the interests of the British public were bound up with the interests of the British farmer, and how dependent the health and prosperity of the country were upon the oldest and one of the largest industries in the country. (Applause.) MR. BEECROFT AND THE BREWERS. Mr. J. Beecroft proposed:- That in view of the recent serious epidemic attributed to poison in beer. this meeting desires to urge strongly upon Her Majesty's Government the necessity for passing, at the earliest practicable date, a Bill to secure purity in beer and the legal definition of beer as the product of barley malt, hops, water, and yeast. This meeting also desires to urge strongly upon Her Majesty's Government that, in the interests of the public health, brewers of fermented liquors intended to imitate beer, as above defined, should not be allowed to use more than a fixed percentage of malt-substitutes, and that those substitutes should be defined by law And, further, that the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Inland Revenue should be requested to direct forthwith that (in addition to malt and substitutes for malt now entered) entries be made by all brewers of the quantities of hops and hop- substitutes used, and that in the return relating to brewers' licences the name of each and every brewer for sale be given, together with the materials used of every class and the quantity of beer produced by him, and that these particulars be published quarterly. He explained that on the previous Saturday he happened to meet the member for Chester and had a short corversation with him. He put it to Mr. Yerburgh whether he thought it was desirable to call that meeting, and Mr. Yerburgh replied that he thought they would be making a great mistake if they did not call a public meeting, as the question was ripe for discussion. In 1896, through the instrumentality of Sir Cuthbert Quilter, a beer materials com- mittee was formed. The committee consisted of six gentlemen, and it sat for three years. When their report was issued it appeared that five of the gentlemen thought there was no need for any change in the system of brewing, and one gentleman—Mr. Clare Sewell Read- stood out by himself and said he believed beer was not so pure as it ought to be, and was hurtful to the public health. The Government had appointed another commission to enquire into the matter, but he hoped they would not have to wait another three years for the report. This was a vital question, and it was high time the Government took it in their own hands before appointing another commission. He saw it stated that beer con- sisted of 16 or 17 ingredients, and he thought those who used so many concoctions in beer ought to be called mixers and not brewers. (Laughter.) Years ago it used to be a common thing in Chester to see carts coming from the breweries laden with grain, but they did not see them now. They know there was no grain coming out of breweries unless malt was used, and if malt was not used it followed that they must be brewing on some other system. Mr. Walter Long had gone so far as to say that everything bad been done that possibly could be done to prevent this poisonous matter from going into beer, but he very much doubted it. Mr. Long had just become President of the Local Government Board, and he said that the Pure Beer Bill was no use to him. He said before we destroyed the Free Mash Tub we must consider our position as taxpayers. He (Mr. Beecroft) bad no doubt we derived some- thing like £ 12,000,000 from the taxation of the brewers, and if we destroyed the Free Mash Tub, he took it we should expect to find some of this taxation from another source. They knew that when a public-house that probably was worth 91,000 unlicensed, when it came to be sold would realise RIO,000 because of its licence. Who paid that £ 10,000 ? The public—(hear, hear)—they gave so much for their beer, and they had to pay for the house. The public would not mind losing this twelve millons, and paying threepence a glass for their beer, if they could get pure malt and hops. It had been stated that the public had not a taste for beer made of pure malt and hops, and that they preferred these thick sort of concoc- tions, but he thought that if a gentleman asked for a glass of beer he ought to be supplied with a glass of beer, and that the ingredients of beer ought to be defined by Government. (Hear, hear). If he sold milk adulterated with water, or boracic acid he was fined, and he did not see why equally strict rules should not be enforced with reference to beer. (Applause.) Mr. P. Allen seconded the resolution. MR. TOLLEMACHE ON PURE BEER. Mr. Henry Tollemache, who was cordially greeted, said he had some hesitation in coming there that evening and appearing on the plat- form, but he was very anxious to know what the feelings and wishes of his neighbours at Chester and district were on this question of pure beer. He did not like to propose the reso- lution or to second it, for the simple reason that he thought this question was not nearly such an easy one as many people seemed to imagine, and he very much doubted whether the lines on which the present agitation was being conducted were the most practical and the best that could be devised. However, there could not be too much discussion on subjects of that nature, and he was very glad to hear what his friend Mr- Beecroft bad said, as he was a practical man. They had got to consider this important question, and it seemed to him that they had to find out first of all what they had got to com- plain of, and what was the best and most practical remedy for what they were suffering under. What they were suffering under was a very sad infliction it was a widespread out- break of arsenical poisoning, and as far as they could judge at present there was little doubt it was due in a very large measure to beer. It had brought misery and woe to hundreds of households, and it was quite evident it was time to stop it now and prevent its re- occurrence. That was a grievance that was perfectly simple, but the question of, what was the best remedy was a very much more difficult one. He spoke with diffidence on the subject, because at present it was sub judice, but he felt that if the law was not strong enough at the present moment to prohibit the use of these dangerous materials in the brewing of beer, the law ought to be strengthened, and strengthened at once. (Applause.) The remedy proposed was one that had been honourably connected with the name of Sir Cuthbert Quilter for a considerable number of years. It was first looked upon as a sort of harmless fad, but in view of the epidemic it was being taken 4p all over the country, and the object which these gentlemen put forward, and with which he thoroughly sympathised, was that the beer sold to our people should be a pure article. (Ap- plause.) As to the means by which under r the Pure Beer Bill of Sir Cuthbert Quilter and others, the Government were to be asked to carry out that most desirable object, it was, so far as he understood, to say that anyone who sold beer should be bound to sell a mixture simply made out of malt hops, yeast and' water. The effect of that would, undoubtedly, be to cut out nine-tenths, or more, possibly, of.the beer brewed in this country at the present moment. Mr. Beecroft would say, A very good thing too," but he (Mr. Tollemache) rather doubted it. Mr. Beecroft contended that thick glutinous mixtures under the present system of brewing were foisted on the public. His (Mr. Toilemache'a) experience of beer was distinctly the Reverse he thought ? tendency 'f lat? y?ars h? been to m?g Titiriiiifi lighter beers, and they might depend upon it that what the brewers would put on the market was the beer that the public demanded and wanted. Sir William Harcourt stated in some Budget Bill in the House of Commons that he did not think. it was practicable to brew these lighter beers without the use of sugar. Sugar was cut out under this resolu- tion and no man would be allowed to use it and call the product beer. The growth of the use of sugar in brewing had been enormous, and if they were going to say by a stroke of the pen that no more stuff brewed with sugar should be sold as beer they would be absolutely starting a revolution in the brewing trade which would knock out any enterprise in that quarter. The object they ought to have in view was not so much to prohibit the use of wholesome articles in the brewing of beer, as to insist that whatever articles were used in beer should be pure and wholesome. (Hear, hear.) He quite believed that if the Commission to which Mr. Beecroft re- ferred, and which sat for three years, were to sit again now and take some further evidence, and hear the list of abominable acids which Mr. Beecroft had quoted as being used in the manufacture of beer, they would certainly modify their views, and Mr. Clare Sewell Read would not be in a minority. They had to consider that what had been called the Free Mash Tub was the result of a compromise, and an arrangement honourably suggested and agreed to by both parties to the controversy, and that could not be upset by the mere stroke of the pen without entirely re-modelling the whole of the great question of taxation in relation to beer. The use of sugar in beer had been recognised since 1847; there had been no dispute about it, and it had worked extremely advantageously, possibly for the brewer and certainly for the consumer of beer. In 1880 the Malt Tax was done away with and the Beer Duty was sub- stituted, and Mr. Gladstone, as the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, in moving the resolution, made use of the words that the brewer would brew from what he pleased, and would have a perfect choice of his materials and methods. They could not go in the face of that compromise, which was accepted and had been loyally acted up to without revising the whole scale of the taxation of beer. In 1880 the tax put on beer amounted to an equivalent of 22s. a quarter of barley used for malting purposes. Since then successive Chancellors of the Exchequer had gone on adding to the tax until at the present moment brewers were paying an equivalent of 32s. a quarter for the barley used for brewing purposes. As Mr. Long said that produced an income to the Treasury of something like twelve millions a year. He was not sure if Mr. Beecroft realised that Mr. Long in his speech about this Bill said not that it went too far, but did not go far enough, because he said as a guar- dian of the public health he would like to see legislation applied not only to beer but to other articles which might contain injurious sub- stances. If they were going to make it impossible for brewers to brew at a profit, one of two things would happen, either there would be a large deficit in the Budget or the working- man would have to pay a very large additional sum for every pot of beer. Therefore he did not want to see brewers prevented from using cheap and wholesome substances, so long as these substances were of a wholesome nature. At the same time he thought these detestable acids ought to be done away with at once. (Applause.) He was not at one with the Chamber of Agri- culture in wishing to see the use of sugar, maize, rice, and other articles rendered impossible in the brewing of beer. They must remember that under the present circumstances it was quite possible to have a pure and wholesome beer brewed, but under Sir Cuthbert Quilter's pro- visions it would be perfectly possible to have an impure article foisted on the public. They wanted to see that the ingredients should be pure and wholesome, and so long as these conditions were carried out, he did not think they ought to trouble themselves unduly as to particular articles such as maize, or rice, or sugar being used in the brewing of beer. For those reasons he did not feel justified in going to the whole extent which he was asked to do in the resolutions put forward. There was one matter apart from the question of justice to the brewers which could not be put on one side; if they entirely altered the whole system of the taxation on the brewing of beer, they would raise a great fiscal revolution which it would take months and months for any Chancellor of the Exchequer to master and control. He did not think it possible for effect to be given to any such resolution as that now proposed during the ensuing session, for the Chancellor of the Exchequer had to settle the details of the very unpleasant Budget which must come before them soon. He was thoroughly in favour of pure beer, but he would like to see that purity obtained by the use of wholesome articles, no matter if they called them sugar, or maize, or rice. He was most anxious, to further the object they bad in view, and that was that their people should have pure beer when they asked for it. (Applause.) I U T A SCENE. iur. J. K. itae (local agent and secretary to the National Trade Defence Association) rose in the body of the room to speak, whereupon Mr. M. Kennedy, who was on the platform, said: This gentleman is representing the brewers' interests, and I do not think it is in order. This is not a debating society. You should put the resolution, Mr. Chairman, as Mr. Beecroft has to catch a train. The Chairman: Well, I must put the resolution then. Mr. Rae: I beg your pardon; this is a public meeting. The Chairman: Be short then, and say what you have to say. Mr. Kennedy: I insist he has no right to speak. Mr. Rae: I beg pardon; this is a public meet- ing, and I have a right to speak. (Applause.) Proceeding, he said he was quite in agreement with the gentleman who moved the resolution that they ought to have pure beer, but after all what was pure beer? Mr. Beecroft took them back to 1896, but he would go back to 1880, when Mr. Gladstone gave a definition of what pure beer was to be in future. Mr. Rae was proceeding to refer to the bargain made by Mr. Gladstone with the farmers of the country, when Mr. Kennedy interrupted by remarking: I think this is altogether out of order. It is open ing a question which does not affect the Farmers' Club. (Cries of "No, no.") I do not think you are invited here to detain this meeting. Mr. Tollemache has gone over your ground. I do not see why you should detain these farmers here; they want to catch a train. Mr. Rae said he was only emphasising what Mr. Tollemache had put before them, and letting them see what the effect of the passing of such a measure as they had put before them that even- ing would be. It was said that the growing of barley in the country had decreased in conse- quence of the passing of Mr. Gladstone's Free Mash Tub, but he maintained that it had not. The growing of wheat and oats had also declined in a considerable way, and the whole of the farming interest had gone down together, but the singular fact about it was that the decline of wheat and oats had been greater than that of barley. The whole thing came tumbling down together, and they must admit that it was not entirely due to the Free Mash Tub that the far- mers' interests had declined during the past ten years. If the farmers of the country passed such a resolution as that proposed that evening they would be driving trade away, and would be forcing brewers to use more foreign barley and less English barley than in the past. Brewers were only too anxious to meet the public in the matter. He was sure they were all there to do the best they could to prevent the introduction of any deleterious matter into the beer, and to do the best they could to provide the British public with pure beer. (Applause.) The proposition was carried, and on the propo- sition of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Prince, a vote of thanks was accorded the chairman for presiding.

CHESTER CASTLE PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY.-Before Mr. H. D. Trelawny, Colonel Miller, Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Mr. J. Thompson, Mr. J. Pover and Dr. Butt. I THEATRICAL LICENCE FOR SAIGHTON. —Mr. Robert W. Bowden, architect, Saighton, was granted a theatrical licence for the Duke of Westminster's School at Saighton, on the 22nd I January, for a performance in aid of charity. NEIGHBOURLY LOVE. -"David Jones, hawker. Christleton-road, summoned his next- door neighbour, Elizabeth Baker, for stealing a hen, value 39.-Complainant alleged that his neighbour was in the habit of enticing his poultry with food into her garden, and that on the last day of the old year she managed to get the fowl in question into a trap which her son had made. The said fowl, he complained, never came back for the reason that it got eat that dee."—Mr. Brassey, who defended, contended that this was a return match," inasmuch as complainant, having been previously summoned by defendant for stealing a fowl, was now returning the compliment.— Complainant said the fowl he was charged with stealing was his own. He was first sum- moned in that cOHrt, and then the case was taken to the County Court.—Mr. Brassey: Were you summoned for taking a cock ?-Yes. It was my own cock. (Laughter.)— Mr. Brassey You had my friend Mr. Churton appearing for you, and you won your case triumphantly? Yes. Complainant's wife having given evidence, the Bench dismissed the case. (The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

TIME TRIES ALL. For over 50 years Hewitt's Boots have stood the test of time, and are still unsurpassed and unequalled. Abbey Gateway anu xmxt to MUdic lull.

CHESTER SCIENCE, ART AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION. DR* HODGSON ON DOMESTIC SCIENCE. The prizes and certificates awarded to the successful students at the Chester School of Science and Art and Technical Schools during the session 1899-1900 were presented by Lady Lettice Grosvenor, in the Town Hall on Friday evening. A large attendance in the Assembly Room was pre- sided over by the Mayor (Mr. H. T. Brown), and included Dr. W. Hodgson (of Crewe), the Mayoress, the Sheriff of Chester and Mrs. Edgar Dutton, Mrs. Keith Douglas, the Rev. J. F. Howson, Dr. Duff, Dr. Stolterfoth (chairman of the governing body), Messrs. G. A. Dickson, J. R. Rae, J. Williamson, R. Newstead, J. D. Siddall, G. R. Griffith (hon. sec.), James Williams (hon. treasurer), J. A. McMichael (headmaster of technical day school), W. G. Schroder (art mas- ter), John Dodd (clerk to governing body), &c.- Letters of apology for absence were received from the High Sheriff of Cheshire and Mrs. Roberts, the Bishop of Chester and Mrs. Jayne, Sir Thomas and Lady Frost, Mr. Henry Tollemache, M.P., Mr. Jas. Tomkinson, M.P., Mr. Rogers, Mr. Thomas Shepheard and Col. and Mrs. Dixon. Mr. Jas. Williams submitted the annual financial statement, which shewed a more satisfactory state of affairs than last year, as they had made a small profit out of the funds at their disposal on the year's working. The total cost of carrying on the work of the schools was £2,401 16s. 6d., and the total year's income from all sources £ 2,448 Os. 9d. The nett cost of working the in- stitution during last year was JE857 18s. 5d., after allowing for the earnings of the pupils. This was met by the grant from the Government duties of £ 750, the County Council contribution of J378, from Dr. Oldfield's Charity E70 2s. 8d., and from the Raikes Memorial Scholarship Fund of L6, making a total of JB904 2s. 8d., leaving a balance to the credit of the year's revenue account of J646 4s. 3d. That, however, had been absorbed in re- ducing the balance due to the bank incurred in former years, and of which there now remained still due to the bank a sum of JB505 18s. 9d. The grants earned by the -students were larger than those of any previous year by about five per cent. (Applause.) The annual report of the governing body on the work of the school, which was presented by Dr. Stolterfoth, stated that they had the satisfaction of being enabled once more to record an increase in the total number of students. It would be noticable that by far the largest numbers were in connection with the evening classes, and in view of the fact that the school was originally founded to increase the efficiency and technical skill of those engaged in the various trades of the city and district, it was a matter for congratula- tion. At the same time it was most important to bear in mind that a considerable proportion of the work done in evening classes was limited in scope by the insufficient preliminary training of many of the students. It was on this account that they must regard the technical day school as one of the most important departments of the insti- tution. In the evening classes they could not hope to do much beyond instruction, whereas in the day school they aimed at the far higher and more important work of education, i.e., the de- velopment of thinking powers and other faculties. The day school underwent an annual inspection by several inspectors of the Board of Education, South Kensington, on the results of which the annual grants were assessed. It was gratifying to know that the report was eminently satisfac- tory, and that the grant was higher than in any previous year. During the past session the grants from the day and evening classes, received for the work of the previous session, were assessed under the new regulations in the form of an attendance grant based on the inspector's report, coupled with the examination results, instead of as for- merly being grants on examination results pure and simple. The result was very satisfactory to the school, the aggregate grants being consider- ably in excess of those formerly obtained. The grants on the past session's work had not yet been awarded, but an equally satisfactory return was hoped for, as the examination results had been distinctly in advance of those obtained in former years. The new system of registration of at- tendances enforced by the Board of Education was exceedingly stringent-those who arrived late being marked absent-and as the grants depended directly on the number of attendances, the im- portance of regularity and punctuality must be impressed on all students. The subject of secondary (including science, art and technical) education had received very considerable atten- tion, in view of the legislation promised by the Government for the efficient organisation of local authorities for secondary education. The con- stitution of the local authority for secondary (in- cluding science, art and technical) education would, it was expected, shortly be the subject of legislation. The question was, therefore, a mat- ter of serious concern to the Technical Instruction Committees of the county boroughs, whose councils devoted all the funds derived from the local taxation (customs and excise) grant to the promotion of technical education and, in addition, in the great majority of instances, also levied rates for the same purpose. As by the terms of the Technical Instruction Act of 1889, the admin- istration of science and art education, including modern languages and commercial and agricul- tural subjects, devolved upon the county and borough councils, it would appear that these councils would be the proper authorities to en- trust with the further duties required in the ad- ministration of secondary education, acting by means of a committee upon which representative persons of educational, industrial and commercial experience would be co-opted by the City Council; reserving, however, to the Council, as representing the ratepayers, two-thirds of the total member- ship. It was clear, therefore, that the best inter- ests of secondary education demanded that, for educational purposes at least, the urban districts coterminous with the county borough should be regarded as within the province of the local authority, and be administered by it as the authority responsible for the establishment and control of secondary education in all its forms. The governing body tendered hearty thanks to the Corporation and the trustees of Dr. Oldfield's Charity for their financial support; also to the Free Public Library Committee for the use of books to the students. The governing body, in conclusion, referred to the steady and satisfactory progress of the schools. An increasing number of students was each year brought to the institu- tion, and the quality of the work done was surely if slowly rising. The comparatively small cost at which this great work was done fully justified the confidence with which it appealed for the hearty support of all within the area of its operations. The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts, congratulated the committee and the Board upon the result of the year's work. He understood the schools were now more than paying their own way. For the usm of £ 2,400, which was the entire cost of the work of the institution, an enormous amount of instruction was given, for as many as 2,136 persons were receiving instruction at the schools. He thought they would agree with him that the cost for such excellent instruction was extremely small One subject which he wished to call attention to was the instruction given to boys and girls in the elementary schools. He found that from the elementary schools com- paratively few boys availed themselves, or were allowed to avail themselves, of the advantages of the technical schools. The returns shewed that the manual training classes were attended by only 146 boys from the elementary schools— a number that seemed very small considering the large number of boys educated in elementary schools. The girls of the elementary schools, however, attended the domestic department class to the number of 334. He was somewhat struck with the great disparity in the numbers sent from the various elementary schools to take advantage of the opportunities at the science and art schools. The numbers varied from thirty to three. There might be good reasons for that which were unknown to him, but it seemed a thousand pities that the children from the ele- mentary schools should not avail themselves largely of the advantages which could be derived from the technical and domestic department classes. The Rev. J. F. Howson seconded the resolu- tion, which was carried. Lady Lettice having distributed the awards, Dr. Hodgson delivered an interesting address on various educational topics of the day. The whole scheme of the schools appeared to him to be a most excellent one. In Chester they had not any special industry which required very particular technical training such as would be found in many of the industrial centres of this country, and therefore it was necessary to en- deavour to get, as they appeared to have done, a good hold of the people in the way of general culture. He did not altogether like the word technical as it was used to-day, and probably a few years hence they would be able to restore the word to its proper meaning. Looking down the list of subjects taught at this institution, he found only one branch which could be strictly called technical, and that was the technological class. The bulk of their work was work of secondary education. They began with the con- tinuation classes. There were probably no classes more needed in populous centres than continuation classes, which got down to the brains of the people on the lowest rung of the ladder. Boys and girls who left school very early, sometimes to earn bread to support a family, had very few opportunities of getting more than a smattering of knowledge, which served them very slightly indeed, and it was a glorious sight for anyone interested in education to see people who had had few advantages able to benefit by instruction which would open out life to them in ever so much fuller a way than was possible without further educational train- ing. But they were going further still, and if he liked one portion of their work more than another for its usefulness it was the domestic classes. He was afraid they were not J so popular as they ought to be, and why he could not imagine. Wealthy people were comparatively independent of domestic culture, and anyone who could afford a good chef was fairly independent with reference to the cooking of food. But when they came to the middle class, and more particularly the working class, there arose a very serious question. The domestic question was becoming more important. Girls living in large towns, who worked in factories, neglected the very elements of domestic science which some day they might wake up to find was the most necessary thing in the world to know. He thought every girl, no matter how she might be placed, ought to know everything in domestio science. (Applause.) A girl might not have occasion to apply her knowledge practically, but, unless she was unusually placed, she would have I occasion to take some kind of oversight How few girls there were who seemed to have very much notion of the domestic sciences! Depend upon it, there was no peace in any house where there was very bad cooking. (Laughter and hear, hear.) He thought it was almost as important that a girl should learn dressmaking. It would certainly conduce, not only to the peace of the home, but very much to the beauty of domestic surroundings if all girls knew how to make the most of the very cheap dress materials which could be obtained nowadays. (Applause.) He was sure the domestic classes were doing more to improve the comfort and add to the beauty of many hundreds of homes than it was possible for them to realise. He had sometimes seen homes where girls and women attended domestic classes, and where there had been a vastly improved con- dition to that before advantage was taken of the classes in domestic science. (Applause.) With- out wishing to dictate to the committee, he sug- gested that the people who were trained in domestic science should have an elementary knowledge of sickness. Passing on to the sub- ject of secondary education, the speaker remarked that the institution was doing a great deal of work in that subject. All their evening classes, and especially the secondary day schools, shewed they were keenly alive to the requirements of the community. He hoped "they would be able to develop secondary education in the near future to a greater degree than they had been able to do in the past with the means at their disposal. They were often told that they were a long way behind continental countries, especially Germany, in matters of education. In the report of the governing body he was much struck with the emphasis they laid upon the difficulties in their evening classes on account of the lack of greater preliminary education. No doubt some of the difficulties in some of their evening classes were due to that lack of pre- liminary knowledge, and in the secondary day .schools they would supply the very basis of all that was best in preliminary knowledge—that was, they supplied the methods by which the brain would be cultivated. It was much better to teach a brain how to think than to fill it with facts. Facts, of course, were needed in educa- tional work, and there was still work for the "crammers." To teach brain culture and in- tuition was the work of secondary education. It was sometimes rather misgiving to find how brilliant minds that could absorb an enormous number of facts quickly and brilliantly ,rapidly went behind in the competition of life, and gave place to those who had been slower, but had made better use of their methods and used their brain in such a way that they began to think better. It was perfectly true that on the Continent a step in advance of this country had been made in this respect, that technical educa- tion started when secondary education finished. It was a pre-requisite for entrance into the best technical institutes in Germany that a leading certificate from the secondary school should first be obtained by the student, and they would readily understand that entry with a cultivated brain into the study of the technicalities of an industry was of very great advantage. It was not to be wondered at if some of our industries had not kept pace with the times, and it was necessary that there should be a much better use made of the cultivation of the brains of our youth in the principle of secondary education if we were to take our proper position in the com- petition with other nations in the business of this life. Referring to the new Secondary Education Bill, the speaker remarked that it would be mainly on the lines of that intro- duced last session, with some modifications. The tirst principle would have to be the creation of the new authority, and the proposal which found acceptance in the last Bill, and he believed still obtained in the mind of the Board of Education, was that the unit of area should be the County Council or the county borough. It was very important, if the best was to be done in the provision of secondary education, that large sums of money should be at the disposal of the authorities. He was glad the city of Chester handed over so much of the money to these schools which it received from the (local taxation revenues, but he had no doubt the committee could do with even a little more. He wished he could congratu- late this city upon doing as much as some of the smaller boroughs of the county. He thoughtjthe county of Chester and the city of Chester ought for some purposes of education to work in unison. Districts like Hoole and Newton, which had a special identity of interest with Chester, should in some way be united with the new, authority, which would be con- stituted in that city by the Bill for the purposes of providing secondary instruction. On the motion of Mr. G. A. Dickson, seconded by the Sheriff, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Lady Lettice Grosvenor for her services.—Dr. Hodgson was thanked for his address on the initiative of Mr. McMichael, seconded by Mr. Schroder.—Mr. James Williams moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for pre- siding, and to the Corporation for the use of the assembly room.-Mr. J. D. Siddall, in seconding, referred to the active part the Corporation took in the management of the schools. No less a sum than R20,000 had been spent entirely from voluntary contributions on tne erection of the Museum. He hoped the day was not far distant when the Corporation would help the institution by a grant of £ 300 a year, which was all that was required to carry on the work. -The Mayor, in reply, said if the necessity arose to rate Chester for the purposes of secondary education, he was confident the Corporation and the city at large would be most willing to rate themselves for so admirable a purpose. I PRIZE LIST. I TECHNICAL DAY SCHOOL. I PRIZE WINNERS. jonn Aioert Hester, President s prize tor the most successful science student, and certificates; Fred. P. Jones, commercial subjects, and certifi- cates; John McGivering, art work, and certifi- cates; Charles E. Morris, 4th form, and certifi- cates; Henry G. Sandfield, 6th form, and certifi- cates; Joseph F. Tallon, 5th form, and certifi- cates. Certificates were gained by the following:- Morton Frank Brown, Charles Butterworth, Thomas Peter Candeland, Reginald T. Cotterill, Norman J. Dandy, Fred Darlington, Norman Dixon, Arthur W. Dodd, Charles Colley Dudley, Henry G. Fearnside, John R. Gregory, George Edward Hewitt, Robert H. Johnson, John R. Jones, Warren Jones, William E. Jones, Richard Beniah Keane, Philip Hugh Lawson, Arthur H. Lodge, Gair Pickering, Edward S. Powell, Saml. Purcell Smith, Frank Stockton, Frank M. Tasker, John Percy Wansell, Arthur J. H. Wild, Harry Williams, William E. Woolley. I SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES. I PRIZE WINNERS. Reginald L. Barnett, physiography, and certifi- cates; Jessie Beswick. Vacation Sketching Club (elementary section), 1st prize, study of a flower; Marian Beswick, Vacation Sketching Club (ele- mentary section), 2nd prize, study of a flower; William Bithell, machine construction and draw- ing, and certificate; Margaret S. Bowers, electrical group, practical magnetism and electricity, and certificate. Thomas E. Chamber- el?ctricitoyr, thand (speed); Frank G. Cooke, 5th aggregate art prize, and certificates; Nessie Davies, Vacation Sketching Club (advanced section), lrst prize, landscape, 1st prize, study of the human figure; Thomas Davies, building con- struction (elementary), and certificates; Thomas M. Dutton, applied mechanics, and certificate; Henry Dew, building construction, and certifi- cate; Ethel Dye, Vacation Sketching Club (ele- mentary section, 2nd prize, s ketches in outline; Lionel Earlam, commercial arithmetic, and certifi- cate; Janet Errington, human physiology, and certificates; Arthur V. Ellison, practical inorganic chemistry, and certificates; John J. Evans, 1st aggregate science prize, building trades group, and certificates; Charlotte Evans, 1st art group prize (elementary), and certificates; John George Fergusson, magnetism and electricity, and certifi- cate; Jessie R. Furber, 7th aggregate art prize, Vacation Sketching Club (advanced section), 1st prize, study of trees, and certificates. Monica F. Gardner, medical and biological group, and certificates; John Frederick Halliday, business routine, and certificate; William Herbert Hope, bookkeeping, and certificate; Louie Johnson- Jones, Vacation Sketching Club (advanced section), study of animals; John Jenkyn Jones, 6th aggregate art prize, and certificates; H. Ivor Jones, 2nd aggregate science prize, and certifi- cates Sarah Laing, theoretical inorganic chemistry, and certificate; John Lomas, book- keeping, and certificate; Harry Mansley, 2nd art group prize (elementary), and certificates; Wm. Milton, engineering group prize (applied me- chanics), and certificates; Mary J. H. Monkhouse, pharmaceutical and chemical group prize, and certificates; James Mould, practical plane and solid geometry, and certificate; Mary Minshull, hygiene, and certificates; Patrick G. Nagle, Vacation Sketching Club (elementary section), 1st prize, sketches in outline, and certificates; Her- bert Partington, 3rd aggregate science prize, com- mercial group prize, and certificate; Thomas Henry Pate, shorthand, and certificate; John Bailey Piercy, 3rd aggregate art prize, Va- cation Sketching Club (advanced section) 1st prize, design for Vacation Sketching Club card, and certificates; Edward Pritchard, geometrical draw- ing and certificate; Edward Rimmer, national competition book prize for architectural design; Gertrude M. Siddall, national competition book prize for group in water-colours, and 2nd aggre- gate art prize, and certificates; Jas. A. Stevenson, the president's prize for the most successful art student of the session, Queen's prize for perspec- tive, Queen's prize' for modelling from life, prize in national competition for set of works, and cer- tificates; E. ivi. A. Thornthwaite, Randolph Caldecott Memorial prize (applied art prize, em- broidery and design), and certificate; Reginald A. Tait, machine construction and drawing, French and certificates; John Alex. Vincent, business routine and certificates; May Lightfoot Walker, 4th aggregate art prize and certificate; James Wedgwood, 3rd group art prize (elemen- tary) and certificates; Thos. Alfd. Williams, bronze medal in the national competition for archi- tectural design; Margt. J. Williams, teachers' group prize and certificate; Saml. Whitworth, botany. Certificates were awarded to the following:- Henry D. Adams, Wm. Rowe Aldis, Florence Andrew, Edward F. Andrew, Wm. C. Armstrong, Aruold Atherton, James G. Atherton, Geo. Leonard Atkinson, Herbert Bairstow, G. Wilfen- dale Ballance, Wm. E. Brown, Frances Bradshaw, Agnes M. Beswick, Rowland B. Brooks, Fred. G. Bennett, Harry Bowers, Florence Brewer, Arthur H. Bardsley, Louis John Benyon, Stephen Hy. Benyon, Lily Bianchi, John Fredk. Boulton, Ethel F. Catley, Lilian Corbett, Chas. W. Crosby, A. N. Coveney, Wm. Hy. Clegg, Robt. J. Cop- pack, Harold Corderv, Arthur C. Crowe, Henry C. Carter, Thos. D. Thornthwaite, Elsie Cummin, Lucy Cram, Charlie Chaloner, Nellie Christie, Margery Cockrill, Jas. Hy. Davies. Horace W. I Dutiou, Ifred. A. Jjaym, David Bicbard Daviw, I Gertrude Dodd, John Dodd, Alfred Edwin Dol- phin, Arthur Dryland, John Dunn, Beatrice Ed- wards, Ethel M. Evans, Alfred Evason, Wm. H. Ellis, May Edwards, Frank Flanagan, Ernest A. Farnworth, Cecil Foreman, Herbert George, Geo. Hy. Grant, John B. Gregory, Jos. Henry Griffith, Thos. W. Hodgson, Thos. Hetherington, Robt. W. Hunter, Edward Holland, John E. Harris, Florence E. Higgins, Annie Hayes, Albert John Hodgkinson, Lucy Edith Hawkins, Edith Holo- way, Eliz. E. Higgins, Evelyn Hewitt, Wm. Thos. Hill, Kate Hobson, Ernest Fredk. Howell, Keith Falconer Irving, Alice Maud S. Jones, Benjamin S. Jones, Charlotte B. Jones, Walter Jenkinson, John Bishop Jackson, Thos. Henry Knight, Horace S. Kirk, Tom Vincent Knowles, Wm. Jos. Levingston, Augustus H. Lawrence, Ellen Lewis, Wm. J. Mayers, Wm. Manifold, Edward J. Mansley, Edward J. Mills, John Minshull, Chas. Minns, Alpen McGregor, Margaret Eleanor Maher, Robt. Matthewson, Chas. E. Meacock, Annie Morris, John Moss, Henry Norcott, Chas. R. Nicholson, Florence Orrett, George Parry, George Parker, John D. Parry, Lily Piercy, John C. Parker, Dorothy Parkes, John H. Phil- lips, Samuel Hewitt Pritchard, Wm. P. Roberts, Oliver E. Reeves, Henry W. Roberts, Luke V. Roberts, James Raynes, Chas. B. Roberts, Harry P. Roby, Reginald E. Raynes, William Rogers, Fred. C. Sanders, Harold G. Stanway, Harold Sandford, Alexander Stevenson, John Sconce, Herbert Evans Seller, Sydney F. Sprang, Phillip Alburv Stubbs, Clara Jane Swindales, George Taylor, Albert Thompson, Geo. W. Tremlett, Irene Tanner, Albert Uren, Thos. Vickers, Amy Winfield, Arthur G. Weighill, Hugo Wolff, Sara Ward, Edward J. Williams, Harry Williams, Or- lando F. Windsor, Sarah E. W. Williams, Fredk. Williams, John Williams, George H. Williams, Emma F. Williams, Adelaide Webster, Ernest Walker, Wm. Henry Walters, Frank Warrington, Thos. Leonard Wood, Katherine Woollam, Frank Worrall, Thos. Horace Wynne, Ann J. Youde.

RAILWAY FATALITY AT CHESTER. A railway shunter named Richard Evans, 21 years of age, who resided at 108, Westminster-road, Hoole, died at Chester Infirmary on Thursday night from in- juries he sustained while engaged in shunting operations at the Great Western goods yard. Deceased's left arm was accidentally crushed between wagon buffers, and at the Infirmary it was found necessary to amputate the limb, from the effects of which he ultimately died. An inquest was held on Friday evening at the Infirmary, by Mr. E. Brassey (coroner), when Ernest John Rogers, 15, Prescott-street, Hoole, said he was the driver of the engine, engaged in shunting, and deceased was his fireman. Deceased alighted from the engine to uncouple a. wagon. The wagon did not move as far as was necessary, and after setting the engine in motion again he heard a shout, and on stopping the engine he found deceased standing near the wagon. Deceased said to him, Did you not hear me shout All right, I can push it ?'" but he replied that he did not.—In answer to the coroner, witness said it was no part of Evans's duty to uncouple wagons. He (witness) should have waited until Evans returned to the engine before shunting again.—Replying to the Chief Constable, witness said the instructions were that the engine-driver and fireman must be on the engine when it was in motion. Had deceased been on the engine he would not have met with the accident. Dr. Markby said deceased had sustained a compound fracture of the arm, and he died from the effects of shock. Deceased had in- formed him that as the wagon did not go as far as was necessary, he attempted to push it further, and, the engine being started, his arm was caught between the buffers. Mr. Robert Jones, foreman at the Great Western Railway Company's sheds, informed the coroner that it was the rule that the engineman and fireman should be on the engine when in motion, but the rule was frequently broken. It was not because there were not sufficient men on the spot to attend to the shunting, but it was done to expedite the work. I The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death," and added a rider to the effect that a man ought to have been specially engaged to conduct the shunting, and that the fireman should have been on the engine at the time he met with his accident. The Coroner promised to forward that expression of opinion to the railway authorities.

MID-CHESHIRE LIGHT RAILWAY OPPOSITION TO THE SCHEME.—At the meeting of the Stock- ton Heath Parochial Committee held on Thurs- day evening, a resolution was unanimously passed requesting the Runcorn Rural District Council to oppose the application of the pro- moters of the Warrington and Northwich Light Railway at the forthcoming inquiry, on the following grounds:—(1) That such a rail- way as that proposed would be a danger and annoyance to the residents of Stockton Heath (2) that the roads of the parish are not suitable, nor are they made to be suitable, for the pur- poses of such a railway; (3) that in London- road, Stockton Heath, it is proposed to take the railway past the entrance of the public schools, where over 700 children attend, and if the railway is made, the lives of these children will be in constant peril when going to or from the schools; (4) that we understand there is a contemplated agreement between the pro- moters of the railway and the Warrington Cor- poration for the sale to the latter of the pro- posed railway No. 1 to the detriment of the ratepayers of this parish; (5) if the power of making the railway is obtained, the Parish Council of Stockton Heath should have the right to purchase the railway in their parish at the end of 10 years, and any, five years ttttMWMds.