Cheshire Observer

THE W A K IN SOUTH AFRICA. KAALFONTEIN FIGHT. SPLENDID GALLANTRY OF CHESHIRE INFANTRY. HEROIC STRUGGLE. TROOPER'S DARING ACT. [From the "Morning Post."] Pretoria, Jan. 12, 10.15 p.m. Early this morning one thousand of the enemy attacked the Kaalfontein garrison, consisting of one hundred men, mostly of the Cheshire Mounted Infantry. Lieutenant Williams Freeman, in com- mand of the garrison, abiy assisted by Lieutenants Clark, Redfern and Garland, conducted the de- fence with great skill. Though two guns and a Maxim played on tho position for six hours, and the Boers besides poured in a heavy rifle fire from close quarters, not a man was hit. This, I think, may be described as the "record" repulse of the war. The enemy only succeeded in smashing the station and killing eighteen mules. The Boers lost heavily. Many of them were dressed in khaki. One man who was shot through the head while waving to his comrades to come on, and fell close to the British trenches, was wearing a soldier's uniform of khaki tunic and trousers, but without the Army buttons. A number of the wounded Boers were carried to a neighbouring farmhouse. The work of collecting the dead was attended with good deal of difficulty, as the bodies lay among mealies and long grass. A gallant act was per- formed by Trooper Park, of the Cheshires, who, at the beginning of the attack, rode through the Boers under a very heavy fire with a despatch COveying news of the affair to Irene. The Boers -tired at one o'clock. Shortly afterwards Col. Knox, with a force of cavalry, arrived from ?andsfontein, and Colonel Rochfort came with a Impounder gun on an armoured train from Pre- toria. Alderson's Mounted Infantry was also sent lrl Pursuit of the Boers, who retreated north-east Awards Tygerspoort. Their convoy was half a talle long. OTHER ACCOUNTS [REUTER'S SPECIAL CABLE.] Pretoria, J an. 14. The Boers gave evidence of their proximity again last night by cutting the wire between Irene and Olifantsfontein stations. A patrol consisting of sixteen men of the Cheshire Mounted Infantry Was sent out from Irene and reached Kaalfontein, the third station from here, at daybreak. They had no sooner done so than an alarm was given that the Boers were approaching. The enemy, who were estimated at eight hundred, and were supposed to be under Commandant Beyer, at once invested the station from all sides, and opened with shell fire from two field pieces and a 'Maxim. They also poured in a hot rifle fire. The mail train was at Olifantsfontein, and was just about to proceed, but a message was received in the nick of time saying "the Boers are here," and so the train was saved. The Boers kept up an incessant fire, and shells fell about Kaalfontein station every minute or so for six hours, in addition to the heavy and sustained rifle fire. Two shells passed through the station, and one burst in the orderly's office, completely wrecking it. The hundred and twenty men who formed the garrison at the station, under Lieutenant Freeman, assisted by the small patrol of the Cheshire Mounted Infantry, gallantly held their own, and by noon they had succeeded in driving the enemy off without sus- taining a single casualty. The Boers had a transport train half a mile long with them, but as we had no cavalry available they were able to re- tire unmolested. The Boers blew up the line beyond Kaalfontein, and the mail train had con- sequently to put back to Pretoria. The enemy's object no doubt was to obtain supplies, of which a large quantity was known to be stored at Kaal- fontein. The Daily Mail Pretoria correspondent tele- graphs: -Kaalfoutein Station was guarded by 120 men of the Cheshire Mounted Infantry, Berkshires, and details under Lieutenant Williams-Freeman. A large quantity of stores was kept there. At daybreak the Boers, with several guns, opened fire on the station from a neighbouring eminence, while a big force went down the line towards Pretoria tearing up the rails. They also cut the telegraph wires, and awaited the arrival of the train with the English mail on board. Another party proceeded to the Johannesburg side of the station, and tore up the rails there. Our men at once took to the trenches. Just before the firing began a patrol of sixteen men of the Cheshire Mounted infantry arrived, and joined in the defence. One of the Cheshires performed a brilliant act of daring. Seeing that the wire was cut while reinforcements were wanted. Private Park volunteered to ride through the Boer lines to the nearest station, and tele- graph to Pretoria for assistance. This he did through a shower of Mauser bullets, reaching Oliphantsfontein Station, from which he tele- graphed the news of the attack to headquarters. Meanwhile the English mail had arrived on the scene. The driver, seeing the attack was about to be made, reversed his engine, and before the Boers could approach he was steaming full speed back. Several volleys were fired at the train, but no damage was done. This time the Boers shelled the station buildings. Two shells passed through the roof and one exploded in the end of the building. The stores luckily were untouched. The enemy's shooting was very poor. About nine o'olock the Boers descended the hill with the object of seizing the station. Our men, however, poured a continuous and deadly rifle fire into the approaching enemy, which forced them after a time to retire. Many Boers were wounded and carried off, while three were left behind, one mortally wounded. Shelling was then resumed, and was kept up for six hours. Reinforcements were despatched at nine o'clock, and the Boers, learning of their approach, began to retire. As the armoured train drew near the last man cleared. Notwithstanding the fierce shelling, not one of our men was even injured. The Boers are supposed to have been under Beyers. They had a supply of wagons half a mile in length. All praise to the heroic Lieutenant Williams-Freeman and his men. Throughout the long and terrible bombardment they acted with the utmost coolness, thanks to his example. His captain, owing to illness, left the post the pre- vious day, and the command devolved upon Lieutenant Williams-Freeman. He has an ex- cellent reputation as a soldier, and is cool and capable. Private Park's magnificent dash through the Boer lines is the theme of admiration. He is quite young and noted for his daring. The authorities are pleased with the alertness of the sentries, and the good entrenchments, which proved the impossibility of the success of a Boer attack, however strong. The trains resumed running this morning as usual, and the telegraph was promptly repaired. LIEU I1. FREEMAN'S LUCKY CHANCE. Pretoria, Monday.—While the Boer attack on Kaalfontein was proceeding on Saturday, another party of the enemy delivered an attack on Zuurfontein, the next station beyond in the direction of Johannesburg. A section of them who were dressed in khaki deceived a sentry and took him prisoner. The same ruse enabled them to capture a Cossack outpost. The garrison, which consisted of a detachment of the Lin- colns and a detachment of the Norfolks, perceiv- ing that something was wrong, opened fire. The Boer commandant led his men on with a rush to attack the trenches, and was shot down when within seven yards of them. The others then fled. Meanwhile the attack was being con- tinued in other quarters, but it was gallantly repulsed, with a loss on our side of a corporal killed and two men slightly wounded. Eight prisoners taken by the enemy were released. The Boer who was killed had papers on him shewing him to be a member of the Free State Raad. Lieutenant Williams Freeman, of the Cheshires, who so gallantly repelled the attack on Kaalfontein, only took command on the previous evening owing to the illness of his captain. In view of the continued abuse of the khaki uniform by the enemy, stringent regula- tions on the subject will be enforced. Lieutenant Williams Freeman is a well- omcer at unescer, wnere he was stationed at the Castle for about two years. He has already seen a few years service with the regiment, and ie a very promising young officer. He is the son of Colonel Williams-Freeman, a retired officer now residing at Brighton. His gallantry, along with the little detachment of mounted infantry at Kaalfontein, has brought the work of the regiment before the military authorities and the public generally, who are speaking in terms of admiration of their conduct. Private Thomas Park. the gallant trooper who galloped across the zone of fire, and successfully arrived atOlifontein Station, where he wired to Pretoria for reinforcements, is a native of Preston. He was for some time stationed in India, where he had considerable experience with the mounted infantry, and he had only been invalided home to Netley Hospital two days when the 2nd Battalion were ordered to Africa, and he volunteered his services and sailed with the regiment. As a first-class footballer, Park was well-known in Preston, and when he was stationed in Chester he played for two seasons with the Chester Garrison Football Club.

PREMATURE REJOICING. I LORD ROBERTS'S SENSIBLE VIEWS. I Before Lord Roberts crossed the Solent to Osborne on Monday, the Mayor of Portsmouth had an interview with him to fix the date for his lerfship to receive a sword of honour. In reply Lord Roberts has sent a muBMiga expressive of the view that it would be more suitable to postpone all public entertainments until affairs in South Africa are more settled and we can see the end of the war, a war resulting in a daily loss of life to our soldiers and fresh bereavements to their families at home. It is most distasteful to me," says Lord Roberts, "to be honoured, feted, and called upon to rejoice while so many people are in bitter grief, and before we can properly return thanks for the cloud being rolled away, which has for more than a year darkened the homes and crushed the hearts of so many people in this country.

I FIGHTS NEAR PRETORIA. ATROCITIES BY GENERAL DE WET. I PEACE AGENT MURDERED. The following despatch was issued by the War Office:- Lord Kitchener to Secretary of State for War. Pretoria, Jan. 13th, 9.25 a.m. Jan. 12th.-About 1,400 Boers crossed the line this morning between Zuurfontein and Kaalfontein, attacking both stations. They were driven off east and followed up by Knox's Cavalry Brigade from Elandsfontein. Two Boers were killed and left on ground; several were seen to fall; one Field Cornet captured. Our casualties two men killed, four wounded. Zeerust was attacked on the 7th, but enemy driven off, loss unknown. Our casualties, six men wounded. Gordon and Plumer were engaged with parties of Boers north of Krugersdorp; killed two Boers and captured two wagons. Boyes was engaged with enemy near Senekal. Commandant Dupreez and eight Boers killed. No casualties. Three agents of Peace Committee taken prisoners to De Wet's laager near Lindley on 10th-one, British subject, flogged and then shot; two Burghers flogged by De Wet's orders.

I THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. I CALL FOR 5,000 RECRUITS. IMORE VOLUNTEER DRAFTS It was on Tuesday night announced from the War Office that, it having been decided to send drafts to the Imperial Yeomanry units now in South Africa, the Secretary of State had authorised the enlistment, of five thousand Imperial Yeomen. -,Tbis foreat,will in no way supersede the South African Constabulary, for which recruiting will go on as before. An Army Order will shortly be issued, setting forth the pay and conditions of service. The War Office on Tuesday inquired of the com- manding officers of Volunteer battalions who have service companies at the front, how many men they could furnish to replace the Volun- teers who have completed twelve months' service in South Africa. It is stated that it is desired to prepare a force of five thousand men. The transport Algeria left the Albert Docks on Tuesday afternoon with cavalry reinforcements for the Cape.

I CHESHIRE REGIMENT I CASUALTIES. 4410 Lance-Corporal Rowbotham, 4th Cheshire Regiment, was reported as being dangerously ill with enteric at Springfontein, on January 12th. 3044 Private W. Greenhalgh died at Johannesburg, on January 12th, from enteric.

RETURN OF VOLUNTEERS. I LETTER FROM MR. BRODRICK. I Un Monday Mr. J. H. Cooke, president of the Chester and North Wales Incorporated Law Society, received a letter from Mr. Brodrick, Secretary of State for War, in reference to affairs in South Africa. In answer to certain questions asked by Mr. Cooke he says :—" The question of allowing men whose presence in this country is urgently required to return at an early date is engaging the earnest attention of the Govern- ment. At the present moment it is, I fear, im- possible for me to ask Lord Kitchener to spare any mounted men, but I hope that the time may not be far distant when it will be possible to do so." Having noticed in a letter received from the front that many of the men were practically in rags, Mr. Cooke asked for an explanation. Mr. ?roa rick replies:—" The deficiency of new cloth- ing to which your letter refers was no doubt due to the difficulty of transporting it from the base to the particular place where the Yeomanry com- pany in question was stationed. I am afraid that the enormous obstacles to regular communication in South Africa in the present state of the country are still not fully understood here."

MOLD LAD WOUNDED. I Mr. John Cartwright, of Bromfield House, Mold, has received a telegram from the War Office intimating that his only son, Private Ernest Cartwright, of the 29th Company Imperial Yeo- manry, has been wounded. Much sympathy is expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright in their natural anxiety, and the good wishes tendered to them by the townspeople for the safety of their son are numerous and sincere. The text of the telegram is as follows:—"Regret to report 3699 E. Cartwright, 29 Company I.Y., slightly wounded near Heilbron, 3 January. No further particulars."

PROBABLE MOBILIZATION OF I CHESHIRE MILITIA. It will be remembered that a short time ago the 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment, more popularly known as the Cheshire Militia, volunteered for active service in China, and were disembodied in iChester a few weeks ago after several months' duties at Aldershot. On Saturday night a communication was received from the War Office by the colonel commanding the regiment asking that the feelings of the men should be ascertained as to whether they were prepared to again offer their services, and if so their services would be acceptable in South Africa. Colonel Hill has replied to the War Office offering the services of the regiment. It is not definitely known yet as to whether the War Office will require the re-embodiment of tLe regiment, and it is understood that to-day the men will be notified of the communication from the War Office. Already quite a number of men, having heard of the prospect of re- embodiment, have put in an appearance at I Chester Castle Dep6t.

GALLANT WELSH OFFICER'S I REWARD. A SWORD OF HONOUR. I An interesting presentation took place at New Broughton Colliery, near Wrexham, last week, when Captain Maurice Griffith. 1st V.B. R.W.F., was presented with a sword of honour in commemoration of his gallantry in the Boer war. Mr. Herbert H. Brown, one of the directors of the colliery, made the presentation on behalf of the officials and employes of the colliery company. In doing so he said he believed he was right in saying that to Captain Griffith belonged the distinction of being the first Volunteer officer mentioned in Lord Roberts's despatches. The workmen desired him to say how much they honoured him for the valuable services he had voluntarily rendered to his Queen and country in South Africa, and for the conspicuous gallantry he had displayed in the war. They were very pleased that his know- ledge of engineering had been of so much value in South Africa. And as they understood he would very shortly sail to take a further part in the war they sincerely trusted he would have a safe campaign and a speedy return. A further presentation, consisting of a gold chronometer watch, was also made to Captain Griffith by the directors of the company.— Captain Griffith feelingly replied.

EXPEDITION TO THE GAMBIA. ENEMY SURPRISED AND ROUTED. I 1'1 Tne touowmg telegram from Sir George C. Denton, Administrator of the Gambia, has been received at the Colonial Office:- Bathurst, Jan. 14. Following message arrived from Colonel Brake: Dumbutu, Jan. 12. Took completely by sur- prise and captured Dumbutu yesterday morning. Enemy resisted. Number of killed about thirty. Have captured Mai Dabu and several persons I believe implicated. Our casualties: Severely wounded, one man belonging to West India Regiment, one carrier; slightly wounded one man belonging to the West India Regiment, two men belonging to Central Africa Regiment, one follower. Marched to Kwinella this dtly. No resistance. Taken prisoners three principal disaffected headmen. No fighting re- p?orte? d from Sandeng." Bathurst, Jan. 13. The transport Dwarka and her Majesty's ships FS. and Dwarf arrived at Tendeba on the 11th inst., at five o cl? ock in the morning. It is reported that the enemy was completely taken by surprise at Dumbutu. The rebels offered resistance, but the troops surrounded and cap- tured the town after an hour's fighting. The enemy lost sixty killed, sixty wounded, and two hundred prisoners. The Thrush has brought down six important chiefs. Our casualties were six wounded, one seriously, among the West Indian troops. The whole force is now con- centrated at Dumbutu. More fighting is ex- pected.

OLD FALSE TEETH BOUGHT. Many ladies and gentlemen have by them old or disused false teeth, which might as well be turned into money. Messrs. R. D. & J. B. Fraser, of Princes-street, Ipswich (established since 1833), buy old false teeth. If you send your teeth to them they will remit you by return post the utmost value; or, if preferred, they will make you the best offer, and hold the teeth over for your reply. If reference necessary, apply to Messrs. Bacon & Co., Bankers, Ipswich.

THE TRIAL OF ALCOHOL. I AMUSING PROCEEDINGS. Mr. Tennyson Smith brought his ten days' temperance mission in Saltney to a somewhat memorable conclusion on Monday evening, when "The great trial of alcohol" by a judge and jury of local gentlemen took place in the Lecture Hall. Considerable curiosity had been aroused in the novel entertainment, and, although there was an admission fee, the hall was filled to over- flowing some time before the commencement of the proceedings. The Rev. T. P. Dimond Hogg (vicar of Saltney) acted as chairman. Mr. F. Horatio Lloyd, solicitor, had undertaken to defend the prisoner Alcohol, but general dis- appointment was caused by that gentleman's non-appearance. Fortunately, an able substitute was found in Mr. W. H. Barnes, solicitor, who consented to undertake the task at the short notice of about an hour and a half. Mr. Tennyson Smith appeared as counsel for the prosecution. In the absence through indisposi- tion of Mr. Henry Preston, the office of judge was filled with becoming dignity by Mr. J. M. Hawkins, while Mr. W. H. Hallmark acted as clerk of the court, Mr. George Robinson appearing in the humble role of a constable. The jury empanelled consisted of the following gentlemen:—Messrs. F. W. Marillier (foreman), William Jones, George Evans, John Jackson, John B. Davies, R. Roberts, Jos. Lovett, Thomas Hughes, Thomas Large, J. Jenkins, W. Proffit, and J. Lawrence. An assurance had been given that the jury would not be packed with teetotallers so that the prisoner might have a perfectly fair trial.— Before the entrance into court of the judge, jury, and counsel, the chairman explained that he had not come there to let the audience imagine that he saw eye to eye with Mr. Tennyson Smith, and he must say that there were some methods which that gentleman saw fit to use in the furtherance of the temper- ance cause with which he could not honestly associate himself. Nevertheless, the committee who were responsible for the mission pressed him to take the chair; he consented to do so because they told him that his views on the temperance question were well-known in Saltney, and that there would be no misunder- standing. In fact, they told him they would prefer he should take the chair to anyone who was likely to be from beginning te end absolutely in sympathy with everything the lecturer might say. Under those circumstances he felt no difficulty in acceding to the request. With regard to a gentleman who ought to have been there and taken part in the trial, he only regretted that his decision to withdraw came at the time of day that it did. (Hear, hear.) There was a rumour that some remarks- and they had probably reached Mr. Lloyd- had been made which might be construed into a want of respect towards the Bishop of Chester. If he had believed those remarks to be true he (the chairman) would, in allegiance to his bishop, for whom he entertained the highest respect, have refused to attend the meeting, but from information received from the committee the rumour he had heard was not correct. Mr. Tennyson Smith had criticised the Bishop of Chester's licensing scheme, and, of course, any- one had a right to criticise it. (Hear, hear.) MR. IBANK LLOYD'S WITHDRAWAL. I In conclusion, the Chairman read the follow- ing telegram, which he (the chairman) had received since he came on the platform:—" The vicar, the Lecture Hall, Saltney. Please tell Tennyson Smith and public cannot attend to- night. Religious and other reasons which will be published if necessary prevent me.—LLOYD, solicitor." This telegram was received by the audience with considerable adverse feeling.- The appearance in court of the judge, wearing the large wig and scarlet gown (without the ermine) of her Majesty's judges, the clerk, with wig and gown befitting the part, and assuming an expression of professional solemnity, and the constable in uniform produced a general outburst of humour from the audience. The prisoner, Alcohol," represented by a bottle of beer, was brought in by the constable and placed in the dock. The clerk, with amusing legal formula, then empanelled the jury. Though each counsel had a right to challenge any juryman whom he believed to be unduly biased for or against the prisoner, no objection was raised. The indictmemt was next read, the prisoner being formally charged with "robbery and murder," with having robbed A, B, C, and D of their will power, prospects in life, happiness, health, wealth, and other things of value.-As the prisoner was deaf and dumb, Mr. Barnes pleaded not guilty on his behalf.—Mr. Tenny- son Smith first expressed his disappointment that Mr. F. H. Lloyd should have intimated at the eleventh hour that he could not come for religious reasons. He thought it was part of religion to keep an agreement with a certain committee. They, however, were not in such a fix as they might have been, and they were much indebted to Mr. Barnes who had come on such short notice to make a fight to get the prisoner off. (Applause.) Mr. Tennyson Smith then proceeded to make out a strong case against the prisoner, dwelling at considerable length upon the enormity of his crimes. He would shew the jury that the prisoner Alcohol robbed men of their will power, of their self- respect, of their good name, ef their hope and their happiness, and that it had murdered several individuals whose names would be brought before the jury. He believed there was good in the most debased and degraded man, and it was the duty of philanthropists to find out that good spot; but he did not think there was a good trait in the character of the prisoner. The prisoner went about his business in a most subtle fashion. Even the burglar had one good trait in his character in shewing a certain amount of brute courage, for he absolutely carried his life in his hands. The prisoner, however, first of all robbed his victims of their perceptive faculties so that they would not be able to understand the injury he was about to do. Having weakened their will, he committed the robbery. Having given harrowing illus- trations in support of his case, Mr. Tennyson Smith produced a wallet containing letters from relatives of drunkards. In conclusion, he asserted there was not a tradesman in Chester whom Alcohol had not robbed.—Mr. Barnes: Is my friend going to call a number of Chester tradesmen to prove this P I do not think he has had very much experience of Chester tradesmen, having been here only during the past week or so. (Laughter.)—Mr. Tennyson Smith's eloquent and impassioned speech was punctuated by frequent applause, which was duly resented by the judge, whose repeated threat to clear the court only created laughter. His serious declarations were occasionally relieved by humorous anecdotes, to which counsel for the defence objected. The prose- cuting counsel, however, justified the anecdotes as a useful means of keeping the judge and jury- men awake. This, and numerous other AMUSING SALLIES I on both sides kept the audience in laughter throughout.—The evidence given in support of the case was by no means devoid of humour, or even sensation.-P.C. Robinson was the first witness, and he gave evidence of arresting the prisoner in a well-known Saltney hostelry. He had to bribe the landlord to give prisoner up.—In a comical cross-examination counsel for the defence elicited from witness that he made no charge against the prisoner on apprehending him, as he was a deaf mute. But he is not blind as well/' persisted the counsel amid laughter, pointing out that prisoner had not been shewn the warrant. Counsel next drew his lordship's attention to the officer's serious offence of bribery. That point was, however, promptly cleared up by the remark of the Clerk It is frequently done, sir." The con- stable eventually left the box with the imputa- tion against him that he did not know what was contained in his own affidavit.-Evidence was next given by Pastor Dobson, who related an instance in which Alcohol robbed the Christian church of its members. Scores of people had been struck off the rolls of his church for drunken- ness. In a searching cross-examination he admitted the latter statement was exaggerated. —Mr. Joseph Roberts, a venerable Salvation Army officer, proved an excellent witness for the prosecution, alleging that he had been robbed of a fortune in prospect in his young days by his intemperate habits.—Mr. Alexander Macdonald, an old friend of this witness, sub- stantiated his statement from personal knowledge. In further evidence, he spoke of how a drunkard's position was frequently taken advantage of. For example, his friends sometimes put a certain ingredienc in his beer for a joke. Mr. Tennyson Smith But they do not do it now ? I under- stand now the brewer does it. (Laughter). This witness having undergone the ordeal of a subtle and amusing cross-examination, Mr. John Bellis, another Salvation Army officer was called, and gave personal testimony that the prisoner had robbed him and murdered a relative. To the surprise of everybody, this witness so evidenced his prejudice and vindictivenees against the prisoner that he took off his coat and attempted to assault him. He was fortunately intercepted by the constable, and a somewhat exciting, though probably good humoured, struggle ensued, with the result that the witness escaped from the officer's clutches, and escaped from the room. The constable went after him in hot pursuit, and in the space of a few minutes brought him back in the presence of the highly-amused audience. The judge administered a severe reprimand for this unruly conduct, and the witness expressed his regret for having acted so impulsively.—Mr. Thomas Foxall, a Salvation Army member, was the next witness to give evidence for the prosecution. He instanced the case of a person who died in delirium tremens. That person had been an habitual drunkard, and the only time he abstained from drink was for the short space of about twelve hours before his death.—This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. Barnes, who had made a skilful cross-examination of each witness, then addressed the court on behalf of the prisoner. He was unable to call any witnesses owing to the short notice on which he had been retained for the defence, and all he could do was to confine himself to cross-examination of the witnesses for the prosecution. He accused his learned friend of having put a considerable amount of feeling into his case, pointed out the extremely biased nature of the witnesses, and the exaggeration on the part of one of them, enlarged upon the conduct of Mr. Bellis, argued that the instance of an intemperate man dying after giving up drink for twelve hours proved that abstinence had caused his death, and submitted no case whatever had been made out against Alcohol alone. Mr. Tennyson Smith having replied to this speech, the judge summed up the case in orthodox manner, weighing the pros. and cons. with a skill that would have done credit to his name- sake, the former Justice Hawkins. While the jury were considering their verdict in private, Pastor R. Dobson moved, and Mr. T. C. Davies seconded, the following resolution which was heartily carried, That at the close of a most successful ten days' mission in Saltney, we beg to express our best thanks to Mr. Tennyson Smith for his earnest and brilliant advocacy of temperance principles, and we beg to wish him all possible success in his future work."—Mr. Tennyson Smith, in reply, claimed that although there was plenty of humour in his speaking, there was nothing of levity, and behind all his humour there was an earnest purpose. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to Pastor Dobson, the Committee, the Chairman, Mr. Barnes, and the children of the combined Sunday schools for their services.— The Chairman responded on their beh,alf.-Af ter an interval of about fifteen minutes the jury entered the court, and their foreman said they were not agreed upon their verdict, but they decided that the case was not proven according to the evidence.—Mr. Barnes said that, as a teetotaller, he regretted the jury had not returned a verdict of guilty, but as a lawyer he had endeavoured to see the trial was conducted on strict lines.—The trial lasted considerably over three hours, and if it did not exactly prove the temperance cause triumphant, it provided an entertainment which will not soon fade from the memory of those who witnessed it. —,—

OBER-AMMERGAU PASSION j PLAY. 1 CHESTER LADY'S EXPERIENCES. I At a meeting of the Chester Caledonian I Association on Monday evening, at the Grosvenor Museum, Mrs. Hamilton read an interesting paper descriptive of her experiences at the famous Ober-Ammergau; Passion Play last year. The lecturer; first spoke of her disappointment when, on ar- j riving at Ober-Ammergau in July before the earlier run of tourists, she was informed at a house agency that the order which she had pre- viously despatched for a room and a seat at the theatre where the Passion Play was performed was received too late for the officials to secure her a room for that week, or a seat at the theatre, but they could do so the following week. After travelling four days and one night in broiling hot weather that was not cheering news. As she bad no intention of staying at the village till the next week, having made an appointment to meet her husband elsewhere, she explained her difficulty to two officials who, though kind and polite, gave her cold comfort in saying she ought to have sent her order sooner than she had done. She ex- plained that she received their post-card on a Sunday, when in England it was impossible to get an order from the Post-office, which surprised them immensely. Then she tried what a sad, mournful attitude would do, and looked as pathetic as she could, appealing to their sympathies by say- ing she had come from England direct, and would be content with the most humble room in the village available. The two officials consulted for ten minutes, after which one, a small, gentle- faced man, came forward and said his wife could give her a room for that night, but it was engaged with all the other bedrooms for the next night. Still they could provide her a bed in the living room for Saturday and Sunday nights, and would do all in their power to make her comfortable. A ticket he would also give her, as one of the people in his house was not going to the play, having seen it already. Gratefully accepting the offer, she went off to Frau Weite (the man's wife), who gave her a most kind and motherly welcome. The house was a good-sized one, with a shop on one side of the entrance. After luncheon, which she had at an inn close to, and where she was served by the lady who enacted the role of Mary Magdalene, she took a stroll round the village. The houses and the church, with its Mosaic-like minaret, were all white-washed outside, having bright green window shutters, while many had pictures painted on the outside walls, and all the better houses had coloured frames, round them. The village had a population of 1,300, each family owning from thirty to sixty acres. The inhabitants owned between them 500 or 600 cows, which were marched in picturesque procession every morning to milk. Speaking of the characteristics of the natives, the lecturer described them as having the most refined spiritual faces and gentle manners of any people she had seen. Both men and women were most devout, God-fearing people, and during the ringing of the Angelus even the most con- vivial party ceased from merriment, and with closed eyes and bent head offered up their even- ing prayer. Mrs. Hamilton related an amusing experience on returning to her lodgings. She found that her hostess was very tired and troubled, having her shop full to overflowing with visitors, many of whom were Americans, and as neither she nor her assistants could speak English she was afraid she would lose their custom. Remember- ing that she and her husband had been more than kind to her, she was determined that the customers should not be lost, and she repaid the kindness. She went in the shop and sold, not only to Americans, but also to Germans, French and a grand duke of Russia. For this she won the respect and admiration of Frau Weite, who asked her if she kept a shop in England. (Laughter.) She might also say she was much complimented on her English accent, and when Americans said to her, "How very well you speak English," she felt tempted to reply, "Yes, a great deal better than you do," but instead she smiled sweetly and said, "Oh, do you really think so?" (Laughter.) Proceeding to speak of the Play and the theatre in which it is performed, Mrs. Hamilton said this year for the first time the auditorium had been covered over, but the stage was still exposed to rain and wind. The theatre, which was situated in a field outside the village, cost the villagers £10,000 to build. It looked very much like the inside of one of our railway stations, and consisted of six iron arches, each having a span of 140ft. and reaching a height of 65ft. The building only accommodated 4,000 people, and the cheapest seats were to the front, because it was difficult from those places to see into the central stage and when it rained the occupants were drenched. The seats sloped so considerably that a good view could be obtained from any part of the auditorium. Upwards of 685 persons were engaged as per- formers, of whom 50 were women and 200 children. Only 125 of those had speaking parts. The lecturer passed on to speak of the cir- cumstances of the origin of the time-honoured play, and described the striking tableaux of the play, photographic pictures of which, together with portraits of the principal characters in the performance, were thrown on the screen by the lantern. The views were an excellent and striking collection, and numbered about seventy. The lecturer made a remarkable impression on her large audience, no less by her perfect delivery I than by the charmingly popular styl..e in which the subject was treated. As our summary indi- cates, the amusing incidents of her experiences were capitally hit off, while the more sombre por- tion of the subject, the Passion Play itself, was given with a reverent impressiveness in keeping with the solemn and moving interest of the theme. At the close of the address the lecturer was warmly thanked for, and highly compli- mented upon, her enjoyable evening's entertain- ment, on the motion of the president (Mr. D. Robertson), seconded by Mr. Fleming, of Rowton, and supported by Mr. J. R. Thomson.

WATERPROOF GOODS.-Coate in a large variety of styles and patterns, at BRADLSY'S, Feregafce- street. None but guaranteed artioles sold. Prises 16/11, 21/11, 27/6, etc. Cycle Capes, Leggings, etc. UNPATRIOTIC TOWN COUNCIL.—A good deal of indignation has been aroused in Guildford at what is considered the unpatriotic action of the Town Council in passing a resolution to exclude Reservists from membership of the local fire brigade. When the Fire Brigade Committee made its recommendation to this effeot Colonel Nourse, commanding the 2nd Regimental Dis- trict at Stoughton Barracks, wrote to the Council expressing his surprise and regret at the decision. He pointed out that the whole nation had now realised that the soldiers were a most efiueedwk body of men, and that it was impossible to have a reserve of men unless it was recognised that being in the Reserve was no bar to employment in civil life. Col. Hughes, a member of the Council, warmly supported Co!. Nourse's views. The Council, however, by a majority of one vote, declined to eliminate the clause excluding Reservists, on the ground that great inconveni- ence would be caused if Reservist members of the brigade were called up for active service. To MOTHERS.—Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrap has been used over fifty years by of mothers for their children while teething with perfect success. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasant to taste i it prodsoes natural quiet sleep, by relieving the ohild from pain, and the little cherub wakes up all bright as a button." Of all Chemists, Is. lid. veroottle,

'I NEW USE FOR TARVIN WORK- HOUSE. I PROPOSED HOME FOR EPILEPTICS. I IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF GUARDIANS. [By OUR OWN REPORTER.} I A conference was held on Wednesday at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, of representatives of Poor Law Unions in Cheshire to consider the desirability of providing accommodation for imbeciles and epileptics outside of workhouses. The unions represented were Ashton-under-Lyne (Cheshire portion), Bucklow, Congleton, Maccles- field, Nantwich, Northwich, Stockport, Tarvin, and Whitchurch (Cheshire portion). Colonel France-Hayhurst was voted to the chair. Mr. C. E. Speakman, clerk to the Nantwich Board of Guardians, who had acted as convener of the conference, said this was called for the pur- pose of considering the following resolution passed by the Nantwich Union Board of Guardians at a meeting held on the 10th November last:- ".That in the opinion of this Board the time has arrived for the provision of institutions for the reception of imbecile and epileptic inmates of union workhouses, and the Board approves of action being taken by the unions of the county or the Local Government Board to carry this into effect." He had communicated with fourteen unions in the county on the subject, with the result that eleven expressed themselves in favour of a conference. The Chester Union replied that they had already made provision for the treat- ment of their imbeciles and epileptic cases; Hay- field, owing no doubt to their very small area, made no reply, and the Wirral Union declined on account of the attitude taken up on the question. Alderman Pedley (Crewe) asked if there would be any Exchequer contributions in support of the inmates of an institution for epileptics, as there was with regard to the inmates of asylums. Mr. Speakman had no doubt that that would be worked out according to the circumstances. He pointed out the advantage of separating imbeciles and epileptics from the other inmates of workhouses. Mr. A. E. Fletcher (Northwich) said guardians, under existing powers, had no right to combine for the purpose of providing such an institution as was proposed, though they were empowered to subscribe to institutions to which they might send diseased or infirm persons. He admitted it was extremely desirable to separate the classes of inmates spoken of. He suggested that, while they might not legally provide such an institution, they might find the Tarvin Workhouse, which was practically without inmates, would be available under an arrangement by Tarvin with the other unions. Mr. Speakman had prepared a report shewing, as far as he could ascertain, the number of imbeciles and epileptics in the county, but he (Mr. Fletcher) did not think the report was a correct representation of the actual number of epileptics and persons for whom it was desirable to have special treatment, because from his own knowledge in his own union there were cases where epileptics had been given out-door relief in preference to being brought into the house. Mr. H. Grant Bailey (clerk to the Tarvin Union) considered from the return that had been presented that Tarvin Workhouse was not large enough to accommodate the epileptics. The Work- house was originally built to accommodate 147 inmates, and his Board must have accommodation for about thirty ordinary inmates. They had no epileptics, no imbeciles, and no insane jn their house. He thought there would be no objection on the part of the Guardians of the Tarvin Union to accommodate such a number as the Workhouse was large enough for, but he did not suppose they would care to enlarge the Workhouse to accommodate epileptics from other unions in the county. Some time ago, when there was a pres- sure on the County Asylum at Upton, it was proposed that a small number of patients should be sent from the Asylum to the Tarvin Work- house, but when the Workhouse was inspected it was found that such extensive alterations would be necessary in order to comply with the require- ments of the Lunacy Commissioners that the idea was given up. The question arose in the case of these imbeciles and epileptics whether they were to be classed as insane or not. If they were to be classed as insane the county had accommoda- tion for them now, and was providing further accommodation by an extension of the Parkside Asylum. He agreed with Mr. Fletcher that the Guardians had no power at present to set up a special building for the accommodation of this class of inmates. Mr. Speakman thought that it might be taken they had no power. It was a question whether they should go to the Local Government Board to get power. Mr. Bailey questioned whether the Local Gov- ernment Board could give consent, and suggested that an Act of Parliament would be required, as was the case in Lancashire. The Chairman: How many inmates have you in Tarvin Workhouse? Mr. Bailey: We have 21. The Chairman: I thought your workhouse was shut up. Mr. Bailey: No, we have no intention of shutting up. Mr. R. Cathcart Smith (vice-chairman of the Tarvin Union) said the Workhouse was costing them JB600 to L800 a year, and he thought it was a scandalous waste of money. He thought the best thing to do would be to board out their poor people. If they closed the Workhouse and boarded out their inmates with other unions they would save at least JB500 a year. He believed the Workhouse adaptable for the purpose suggested, and if it was necessary to enlarge they had several acres of land available. Mr. H. Meadows (Bucklow) suggested it would be well to know. what they were dealing with- whether it was both with imbeciles and epileptics -and whether they were at one in the matter. They had sane and insane epileptics, and he thought the meeting was called mainly to con- sider the case of sane epileptics. According to the return, there were 58 sane epileptics and 51 insane, and if they arranged with the Tarvin authorities there ought to be room at their workhouse for the sane epileptics, and even more. Mr. Speakman said at present they were deal- ing only with sane epileptics. Mr. Cathcart Smith said that for years they had had people boarded out with them at Tarvin. They would be glad to take in boarders now, as they had virtually an empty house. The Rev. C. Wolley-Dod (Whitchurch) asked if it was not the case that insane epileptics were now sent to the asylums. Mr. Speakman replied in the affirmative. Mr, Cathcart Smith: We have virtually an empty house. Mr. Howitt (Northwich) proposed that in the opinion of the conference all epileptics and imbe- ciles ought to. be provided for in a separate institution and not to be inmates of any union workhouse. Canon Hignett (Bucklow) seconded the motion, and said the feeling of his Board was strongly against keeping imbeciles and sane epileptics to- gether, a practice which they regarded as cruel and inhuman. Mr. Fletcher suggested that the resolution should only apply to the reception of sane epileptics. They had no power to constitute an asylums board. Their power was quite sufficient having regard to the number of sane epileptics. It was agreed in the first place to consider only the case of the provision for epileptics. Mr. R. O. Orton (chairman of the Tarvin Union) was sure Tarvin Workhouse was not adapted for insane epileptics without an immense amount of alteration, but it might be adapted for sane epileptics, and he thought it was large enough for that purpose. The Rev. C. Wolley-Dod considered that imbe- ciles were a far greater nuisance in a workhouse than epileptics. The Rev. Thomas Bridge (Macclesfield) con- sidered that it was absolutely the duty of the County Council to look after insane epileptics. It was a great hardship, and intensely cruel, that sane epileptics should be forced to live day- and night with imbeciles. If Tarvin Workhouse had room for the sane epileptics, why should they not take advantage of it? Mr. Roger Bate (Tarvin) pointed out that the County Council had increased the capacity of the Upton Asylum from 600 to 1,000, at a cost of 990,000, and they had increased the accommoda- tion of Parkside for 200 more at a cost of £ 70,000. That would make it quite possible for the insane epileptics to be treated at the asylums. The Rev. J. F. Messenger (Ashton) said, as to the hardship of sane epileptics associating with the insane, that he did not see this was necessary in any workhouse properly arranged. His union would have to provide for five sane and five insane epileptics; Bucklow would have four sane, Chester six sane, Congleton one and Macclesfield four sane and six insane. If it was a hardship, and no doubt it was, for sane epileptics to be put with insane, it would, on the other hand, be a hard- ship for the sane epileptics to be forced to go away perhaps for a distance of forty or fifty miles to a central establishment, where it was more difficult for their friends to visit them than in their own union. The Chairman said the resolution in the form finally before them was—"That all sane epileptics be provided for in some separate institution or institutions. This resolution was adopted with two or three dissentients. In answer to Mr. Whittaker (Sandbach) as to whether every Board would be expected to send its epileptics to the place or places approved, the Chairman said this would be at their own option. Mr. Whittaker thought it would be a hardship to send sane epileptics out of their own union away from their friends. Mr. Meadows said that with regard to what steps should be taken in approaching Tarvin or fixing upon some other centre, he thought the Boards should keep the matter in their own hands, and that they would be better able to manage such an institution than the County Council. He suggested that the best way of managing that institution would be to have a body of representatives from the various Boards of Guardians. Mr. Bailey said that if the sane epileptics were sent to Tarvin he thought the guardians of that union would have no objection to a committee formed from the various Boards having some con- trol of the epileptics. Mr. Alderman Pedley .(Crewe) thought that un- less they were prepared to consider the question of the treatment of imlxciles a* WPII PIOTtl*cs the scheme would not re -o.ive tl; unauin-.rm# sup- port of the unions of tho county, and 7••mid be surrounded with some difficulty Mr. Howitt moved a second resoluti 'J to the effect that a committee be appointed to sxmsider the best means of giving effect to the 1 "solution already adopted. Canon Hignett said hie Board were in favour of something being dOlL; for the imbeciles, but they thought the two cases shenid be kept separate. They were strongly in favour of a central institution, central as regarded the whole of the county, in preference to sending patients to Tarvin. One side of the institution should be reserved for epileptics and the other for imbeciles. Tarvin was a very difficult place to get to, and in the next place it was most desirable they should have a special staff to deal with these special cases. They would require a medical man who was more or less a specialist. The Chairman pointed out that the expense of the proposed institution would be very large. Canon Hignett: We should have less expense in our workhouses. The Rev. Wolley-Dod thought it would be far better to have the two institutions together; separate if they liked, in some central position. The resolution was carried by eleven votes to five. Mr. J. Emberton (Nantwich) thought it would be well if the question of the treatment of imbeciles were reserved for later consideration. There were questions of Poor Law reform and old-age pensions being raised, and not yet solved. He suggested that if outdoor relief were increased and sane epileptics were with- drawn from the workhouses they might have gigantic workhouses practically empty and maintained by large establishment charges. He did not think the time was ripe for dealing with the imbeciles. Mr. R. Cathcart Smith explained that the reason the Tarvin Workhouse was empty was that they had never forced any deserving poor into the house. Mr. Meadows feared that the imbecile ques- tion was the rock they would split upon. Mr. R. Bate said there had been a steady decrease in pauperism owing to the more temperate habits of the people and the spread of education. After further discussion, Mr. Howitt proposed that the question of provision for imbeciles be deferred until a future meeting of the Conference, and inti- mated that they would doubtless have a report then before them. Canon Hignett seconded the resolution. Mr. W. J. Dutton (Nantwich) remarked that there were, according to the return, 363 imbeciles in the workhouses of the county, and he thought they would admit that a large number of them would be better away. If the County, Council had only a section of their asylums set aside for imbeciles he thought the Guardians would be glad to send them. He moved an amendment to the effect that the Conference approved of the provision for imbeciles being made by the County Council. Mr. J. D. Penny (Stockport) seconded the amendment. Mr. Evan Langley (vice-chairman of the Whitchurch Union) in supporting it said: his colleagues from Whitchurch and he thought the Conference was going to deal principally with imbeciles, but he regretted to find that many were of the opinion that sane epileptics should be dealt with. His Board thought that a home should be provided for the idiots, the imbeciles. A Member thought an institution for imbeciles and epileptics such as bad been pro- posed, would cost, on the basis of 9300 a bed, £ 110,000. In the voting the amendment was rejected by 17 votes against nine. The original resolution was then adopted. It was further decided to have two members from each union on the proposed committee, and Mr. Speakman was re-appointed clerk to the conference and convener of the next meeting.

DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON. A GREAT PRELATE. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Dr. Creighton, who has been described as the most popular Bishop who has presided over the diocese of London for many years, died at Fulham Place on Monday afternoon, after an illness of several months' duration. He underwent two separate operations in the hope that the internal disease from which he suffered might be alleviated. This hope was for a time realised, but a week ago grave symptoms developed them- selves, and for the past few days the Bishop had been hovering between life and death. The Right Rev. Mandell Creighton, D.D., D.C.L., LL.D., was born at Carlisle in 1843, and was educated at the Durham Grammar School. In 1862 he matriculated at Merton College, Oxford, where he took a First Class in Literæ Humanioris, and a Second Class in Law and Modern History. In 1866 he was appointed fellow and tutor of his college, which post he did not relinquish until 1875. He took his M.A. degree in 1870, and was ordained deacon in the same year, thus commencing a brilliant ecclesi- astical career. In 1871 he was appointed Public Examiner at Oxford, which appointment was repeated in 1875 and in 1883. In 1873 he was ordained priest by the Bishop of Oxford, and the following year he was appointed Vicar of Embleton, in Northumberland, a small living in the gift of Merton College. Mr. Creighton occu- pied the living until 1884. Meanwhile he began to receive ecclesiastical honours, being appointed Rural Dean of Alnwick, in 1882, by Bishop Lightfoot, and Honorary Canon of Newcastle, on the formation of the diocese, in the same year. He also became, in 1882, Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Newcastle. Whilst Vicar of Embleton he kept close connection with his University, and held the appointment of Select Preacher at Oxford during the years 1875-7 and 1883. In 1884 he resigned his living on his election to the newly-founded Dixie Professor- ship of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Cambridge, which seat he occupied until 1891. At the same time he was elected Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Many honours were accorded him. In 1885 he was granted his M.A. degree at Cambridge, and also became LL.D. of Glasgow University. In the same year he received the honorary degree of D.C.L. at Durham University. In 1885 he re- ceived the Crown appointment of Canon Resi- dentiary of Worcester Cathedral. In 1886 he was again appointed Select Preacher at Oxford, hold- ing the post until 1888. In 1887 he was appointed to the same office at Cambridge. In 1886 he became Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Worcester. In November of the same year Dr. Creighton was chosen to represent Emmanuel College, Cambridge, at the centenary celebration of Harvard College, Massachusetts. Harvard shewed its appreciation of Canon Creighton's erudition by conferring upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. Dr. Creighton also becdme Honorary Corresponding Member of the Massachusetts Historical Society and of the American Church Historical Society. During the years 1888-9 he was Public Examiner at Cam- bridge. In 1889 Dr. Creighton becanfe Honorary Fellow of Merton College, Oxford. In 1891 he was appointed by the Queen as Canon of Windsor. He did not, however, enter upon the duties of his canonry, for before he could do so he was offered the vacant see of Peterborough. On St. Mark's Dav, April 20th, 1891, Dr. Creighton was consecrated Bishop of Peterborough by the Arch- bishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey. His rule at Peterborough (says Our National Bio- graphy ") was peaceful, and marked chiefly by the great progress made under his wise and careful administration. The new Bishop was by no means a revivalist, but the five years he spent at Peterborough shewed a steady increase in the work of the Church in his diocese. One of Bishop Creighton's characteristic utterances at Peterborough illustrates his broad-minded con- ception of the duties of the Church. The Church has a great work to do, a work which it is only possible to do by throwing itself heartily into the current of public life." On leaving the diocese, Dr. Creighton gave it as his own testi- mony that while at Peterborough he was conscious of no parties." Bishop Creighton was Rede Lecturer at Cambridge in 1895; Romanes Lecturer at Oxford the following year, in which he was the representative of the English Church at the Coronation of the Emperor of Russia. On the appointment of Bishop Temple to the Arch- bishopric of Canterbury, on the death of Dr. Benson, Dr. Creighton, on November 2, 1896, was appointed 109th Bishop of London. The enthrone- ment took place on Saturday, January 30, 1897, at St. Paul's Cathedral. The Bishop was received in the Consistorial Court by the Dean and other clergy of St. Paul's, together with the Chancellor of the Diocese, the Commissary of St. Paul's, and other officers. The Archdeacon of Canterbury administered the oath. As a historian Dr. Creighton attained considerable eminence. He was the author of the following works, several of which have become standard text-books:- Roman History Primer (1875), Life of Simon de Montfort" (1876), Age of Elizabeth (1876), The Tudors and the Reformation" (1876), "History of the Papacy during the Reformation," five volumes (1882-941. "Life of Wolsev (18841. History of Carlisle" (1894), The Early Renaissance in England (1895), The English National Character (1896), "The Story of Some English Shires" (1897). He was the founder and first editor of the "English Historical Review," which he directed between 1886 and 1891. —————— ——————

J BOARDS OF GUARDIANS. I CHESTER. I Tile rortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday I morning, Mr. J. Pover Drasidinc. I AN APPOINTMENT. Ihere were three candidates for the position of female attendant for the imbecile department- Miss Ellen Jones, Station-road, Chester; Miss E. Gill, Great Barrow, near Chester; and Miss L. E. Williams, Hoole. Miss Williams received the appointment. I REPRESENTATION ON THE INFIRMARY I BOARD. Mr. Rowe Morris proposed that the Chester Union should be represented by two of its members on the Board of Management of the Infirmary. They had sub- scribed five guineas annually to the latter insti- tution for a number of years, and he thought the cases which occasionally came before them would be dealt with more amicablv if the proposition was carried. He had no wish to say anything about the recent sensational case of Williams, but he was nevertheless of opinion that both institu- tions would work together in a more amicable spirit if one or two members of the Board repre- sented them on the Board of Management. Mr. Kennedy seconded the proposition. They ought to have a member on the Infirmary Board, although there was not the slightest doubt that the Infirmary was at present managed in a splen- did, business-like way. The adoption of such a proposal would enable the guardians to under- stand the various cases which the Board had to deal with. The Rev. E. C. Lowndes objected to the pro- posal because tho rules of the Infirmary Board pre- vented members from being appointed in the way Mr. Rowe Morris seemed to suggest. He said the sum contributed to the Infirmarv last year in subscriptions, donations and collections amounted to about £3,000, out of which the Chester Guardians only gave five guineas—the ratepayers' money. As a matter of fact that Board simply contributed one sixth-hundreth part of the whole contributions. The Board of Management com- prised 34 members, and 13 of these were ex- officio. He believed the Chester Corporation gave £ 50 a year towards the benefit of the Infir- mary, and must they therefore have 20 represen- tatives on the Board of Management? It was unreasonable to propose that two members of the Board of Guardians should be elected when they only subscribed five guineas annually. They had members who belonged to the Board of Management at the present time—Mr. B. C. Roberts, Mr. J. G. Holmes and Mr. R. T. Richardson for instance, who were quite in a position to watch the interests of the ratepayers and guardians. Acting in accordance with the existing rules of the Infir- mary Board, he now proposed that the chairman only should be appointed as one of the govel-s to represent them. If this were agreed to he would himself propose that the chairman be elected a member of the Board of Management at the annual meeting of the Infirmary on January 29th. Mr. Kennedy thought the last speaker had taken Mr. Morris's motion in a wrong light. In his opinion Mr. Morris was not desirous that members should be appointed as representatives simply because the guardians contributed five guineas every year to the Infirmary, but with the main object of watching more closely their inter- ests at. the Workhouse. As representatives of the ratepayers they ought to have something to say in the matter, and they had only to remember the recent case of Williams, which caused a great sen- sation at the time, to remind them of their heavy responsibility in regard to such cases. With re- gard to their annual subscription, he could assure Mr. Lowndes that many members of the Board contributed largely to the Infirmary in a private way. He certainly thought they should have some voice in the matter. Mr. Rowe Morris thought they might increase their yearly subscriptions to, say, £20 a year, and thus have better representation than Mr. ( Lowndes suggested. t Mr. Kennedy thought the proposal a very sensible one, because the facts of any particular case which came before them could then be in- vestigated with ease and without any unpleasant- ness. Mr. Rowe Morris said the case of Williams, and other similar cases they had previously in- vestigated with a considerable amount of diffi- culty, should make them be in earnest in regard to representation on the Infirmary Board. With- out representation they would be quite unable to pursue a right and speedy course if anything serious occurred in connection with patients brought to the Workhouse. The Rev. F. Edwards seconded the motion of Mr. Lowndes. Mr. J. Minshull thought Mr. Morris was un- aware, when he moved his resolution, of the existing Infirmary Board rules, and his only desire was to prevent, if possible, a recurrence of a dispute similar to the one referred to. Mr. J. G. Holmes said as a member of the Board of Management he knew perfeotly well that the Infirmafy authorities had the greatest desire to work amicably with the Workhouse Board for the benefit of the public generally. He was a very regular attendant both at the In- firmary and the meetings at the Workhouse, and he had assurance in saying that any questions affecting the Guardians had every attention by the Board of Management. (Hear, hear.) He thought it spoke well of the Infirmary authorities when they received into their institution fever patients, who incurred a cost of about 17s. 6d. per week. The Guardians paid this money but he knew that the patients cost a great deal more. Then he believed the Infirmary had consented to take in children from the new Homes erected for them, whenever necessary. All this kindness, he thought, ought to be reciprocated. On a shew of hands it was decided to act in accordance with Mr. Lowndes's proposition. Mr. Rowe Morris: I am well satisfied. I am glad it has come to a satisfactory ending. (Hear, head DEPARTURE OF A MEMBER. it was stated that the Hev. J. V. Morgan had resigned his position as a member of the Board in consequence of taking up a new sphere of labour. A resolution of thanks was passed. WIRRAL. A tortmghtiy meeting of this Board was held J at CIatterbndge Wor"ouse on Wedne-T. Mr. I W. Snowies Dreeidinc -o"r &- odod attAndane,?- THE LATE MR. DUNCAN GRAHAM. I Colonel Lloyd spoke in feeling terms of the death of Mr. Duncan Graham. He said they would all feel an irreparable loss, as the deceased gentleman was an ex-officio member for a number of years of the Wirra.1 Board, in which he took a great deal of interest. The late Mr. Graham was present at the opening of the Workhouse Infir- mary and the chapel in which they at present met as guardians, and they could all testify to his great assistance for various praiseworthy objects. He (the speaker) was associated with deceased in many public matters for the past forty years, and he could unhesitatingly say that he never met a more faithful and conscientious gentleman, whether as a Volunteer officer, as a councillor or as a magistrate. In every relationship of life Mr. Graham performed his duties in a most con- scientious manner. The long and useful career of their departed friend would never be forgotten, and he moved that a vote of condolence be sent from that Board to Mrs. Graham and family in their bereavement. Mr. H. A. Latham, in seconding the motion, heartily endorsed the sentiments expressed by the last speaker. In the death of Mr. Graham they (the guardians) had lost a true and large-hearted friend, and a man who was deservedly the most popular in Wirral. Around the district of Hooton in particular the loss of such a prominent figure would be keenly felt. As a magistrate he was most sympathetic. Mr. s W. Congreve supported the proposition, and said he knew the deceased gentleman fifty years ago as a sportsman. The late Mr. Graham, to his credit, never allowed pleasure to interfere with matters of business, and they all knew the great services he rendered as chairman of the County Council. The motion was carried in silence. [_ FINANCE. Mr. H. A. Latham moved that bills amounting to £ 475 Is. 10d., including £ 90 for out-door re- lief, be passed for payment. This motion was carried. It was also decided to continue paying, one shilling a week for coal to every person receiving out-door relief until the next meeting. I A COLD ROOM. Mr. S. W. Gill complained that the. room in which they (the guardians) were seated was not sufficiently warm in cold weather, and he thought the matter should be investigated. There was no telling what might happen if any of the members caught co!d through insufficient heating apparatus. Mr. T. Davies agreed with the, last speaker's remarks. In his opinion there was something radically wrong in the room to interfere with the proper warmth they wanted. The Chairman said the front door was un- doubtedly the cause of the room being so cold, because a great draught came through, notwith- standing the screen at the entrance. Mr. 0. Francis, Liverpool (the architect of the l building), who was present, said in his opinion the heating apparatus was quite ample for the purposes of an ordinary room like the one they were in. He attributed the coldness of the room to the cold east wind which was blowing at the time. (Laughter.) Any room would be cold in such weather to a certain extent. After a heated discussion, during which several members protested in strong terms against the in- suiffciency of warmth, it was decided to fix a I heavy curtain over the door inside, to prevent all draughts. THE GUARDIANS AND CONTRACTS. I it appeared that several tenaers naa Deen re- ceived for the erection of a shippon and cart- shed, and for making certain alterations and im- provements at the Infirmary.-It was proposed and seconded that the lowest combined tender, amounting to JC629, and sent in by Mr. John Thomas, of Oxton, be accepted. Mr. J. MeLeavy objected to the hasty way in which the tenders had been inspected and rushed through. They would spend perhaps twenty-five minutes in discussing the purchase of a paltry whitewash brush, but dispose of a tender amount- ing to nearly J6700 in a very short time in com- parison. Mr. T. Davies spoke in a similar strain. He thought they always seemed to favour ratepayers in regard to the acceptance of tenders. In considering the estimates they should never aim at accepting the lowest of them, but the best. The proposition was eventually carried. THE CARE OF WORKHOUSE CHILDREN. I ARE THEY COMFORTABLE? A circular was received from the Local Govern- ment Board asking if the guardians boarded out the children who were admitted to the Workhouse, and whether they were placed under suitable care. Colonel Lloyd thought the children were very I comfortable and well looked after in the Work- house. which was in a very pleasant and healthy neighbourhood. Mr. C. J. Townshend said he feu very strongly on v hls P°lnt- He thought that the children in on .t of every six workhouses ought to be re- five ou ~WriTfmU IaS possible, under the move d aw f home life. Where th? system had inBueace c  the venture had P??  been carried Veu | u £ e Provec very sue- been carn v w should ? taken away without cessful. Chifcbv ??o??? house upon them, practit the stam of th8 ally. arran,,( a.l1y.. ti, ? ?" P/6!61?1 arrang* I Mr. S. w. GIn  ? ?°? children whi ments with regard to + ° iL brought to ti^ were unfortunate enough » ?'s"?? ?  Workhouse were perfe?T ?. ?tory. ordd Mr. C. W. Morris said m?r ?natural ord? rely of things the inmates would mere. ???"?? ° ?- number before very lg, and tbe? wo? ï m$§ forced to make provision for the chil?m way suggested. It was agreed to write stating that the existing arrangements at Clatterbridge Workhouse rela- tive the and well-being of the few chil- dren ? at present accommodated were considered quite satisfact-ory, the lnstitut-ion being situated in a health v np1P'hhrm..hÀ PAUPER LUNATICS. a meeting ot the Committee of Visitors at the County Asylum, Chester, it appeared the rate of maintenance of pauper lunatics for the qutarter ending March 31st, 1901, was fixed at 8s. ?d per head for each week.

TERRIBLE LOVE TRAGEDY. VICTIM A NATIVE OF MOLD. A shocking tragedy occurred on Monday after- noon at Hampstead, a young man being shot by his sweetheart at his place of business, and dying seven hours later without recovering conscious- ness. The young woman herself, though she was said to have attempted suicide, is uninjured. The scene of the affair was a small shop carried on as an Italian warehouse and oil stores, at 94. Fleet- road, a main thoroughfare leading to the Heath. Though the business was conducted under the name of Griffiths and Co., it seems to have been practically in the hands of the deceased, John Bellis, but his uncle, Mr. George Griffiths, lived with him on the premises. Bellis, who is described as a quiet, inoffensive fellow of twenty- five, was a native of Mold, though he had resided in London since he was thirteen years of age, and was engaged to a young woman named Maud Eddington, residing in Clerkenwell, but owing to some differences at Christmas the relations between the couple had become strained. On Monday afternoon the girl presented herself at the shop, where Bellis was engaged behind the counter. What happened between the two is not known, but a few minutes after her entrance three pistol shots were heard. Dashing into the shop, Mr. Griffiths and his wife found the couple lying on the floor. Blood was flowing from the young man's head, and Miss Eddington lay motionless near the door. By her side was a revolver. For some time she said nothing, but on the arrival of the police she was lifted to her feet and appeared to be unhurt. The young man, however, was unconscious. Dr. Owst, who was at once called in, examined him, and, seeing that life was not extinct, ordered his removal to the hospital on Parliament Hill. Miss Eddington was able to walk to the police-station, where she remains pending magisterial proceedings. It is stated that prior to leaving the shop she was heard to say: Why didn't he come to meet me yesterday? What have I done that he did not do so?" From the first it was evident that Bellis's condition was hopeless. He was the victim of two well-aimed shots. One bullet entered at the right side of his upper lip, damaging the teeth, the other penetrated the head from behind the left ear. Dr. Cook, the hospital surgeon, and Dr. Owst found it impossible to extract the bullets, and the patient lingered on until about 10.30, when be expired. I Mr. George Griffiths told a Press representative that the couple had been keeping company for two or three years. Miss Eddington wanted his nephew to spend Christmas Day with her, but he had decided to visit his parents in Wales, and went there accordingly. Her lover's non-com- pliance with her wishes appeared to annoy the young lady and since his return they had not been good friends. It was, however, only a tiff. Bellis saw his sweetheart on Sunday night, when she seemed to be following him, but he did not speak to her, and held aloof. The girl called at the shop in Fleet-road on Monday about a quarter-past three, when Bellis was alone. She had not been there three minutes (continued Mr. Griffiths) when we heard three pistol reports in rapid succession. There was some commotion among people outside in the street, and calls for the police. I ran into the shop with my wife. They were both lying on the floor on the cus- tomers' side of the counter. My nephew was bleeding from wounds in the head, and as be had a bundle of brushes in his hand it is thought he may have been hanging them up when the first bullet hit him. Afterwards, so the supposition goes, he may have run round the counter to dis- arm the girl, but there were no signs of a struggle. At first I thought the young woman had turned the weapon upon herself with equally fatal effect, for she remained quite still. Five minutes or so afterwards, however, she opened her eyes and surveyed the surroundings. The police assisted her to her feet, and she was not apparently any the worse. On the floor by her hand was an empty five-chambered revolver, so she must have discharged two bullets before coming to Fleet-road. What became of the third shot which we heard fired cannot be ascer- tained. We can find no trace of the bullet in the shop, but it is presumed she fired upon herself, and fell in the attempt. There were marks of powder on her forehead. The only words Miss Eddington was heard to utter before being removed by the police were My dear Jack, I wish I had done it to myself instead of to you." Bellis was a quiet, civil, somewhat reserved fellow, well liked by everyone who dealt at the shop, and it was hoped that his sweetheart would soon join him in the management of the business. She had been a frequent visitor to the shop, and was known to many residents in the neighbourhood. A young man resident in Hampstead, whose people are acquainted with the Eddington family, says tha.t she is the daughter of respectable and well-to-do parents, who have business in the north of London, and is a clever and accomplished young woman. Throughout Tuesday there was a small crowd of people assembled outside 94, Fleet-road, Hamp- stead, where John Bellis had been shot. All scenes of tragedy-the bloodstains on the floor and the confusion among the goods—had been re- moved and the business of the little Italian warehouse and oil stores was being carried on as usual by Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths, uncle and aunt of the deceased. Mr. George Griffiths gave a few additional details as to the relations of the young couple. Deceased had only been in business in. Fleet-road since last March. There had been a sort of engagement between the two lovers, and that engagement had not been broken off, Latterry the girl had seemed a little impatient, and this temper had brought things to a crisis. 11 No Welsh girl," said Mr. Griffiths bitterly, would have committed such a crime." ACCUSED IN COURT. Maud Amelia Eddington, described on tne charge-sheet as a singer, was brought before Mr. Plowden at Marylebone on Tuesday, charged with the murder of John Bellis, by shooting him at 94, Fleet-road, also with attempting her own life. She walked calmly into the dock, sat down, and. having placed her hands against the iron bar in front of her, buried her face in her hands and wept. Her father and one of her brothers were among the spectators. She is a tall and well- built young person, with a profusion of very dark, wavy hair and eyebrows. Her forehead was much marked by a sort of rash of a blueish tinge, the effect of the gunpowder from the revolver. Her conduct is inexplicable to her friends, who regard her as a cool, calm, highly respectable, and well-conducted person. She has entrusted her defence to Mr. Freke Palmer, solicitor, who, addressing the magistrate, said he had only just received his instructions, and, having regard to the very serious nature of the charge, he should not oppose a remand. Subject, therefore, to his worship's approval, he should ask that only sufficient evidence should be given to justify a remand. That, he understood, was the wish of the pollce.-Inspector Waite said that was so. and ne desired to communicate with the Treasury. The first witness was John Harold Shee, tram conductor, of 151, Maiden-road. He said at three o'clock the previous afternoon he was on his tram-car outside the house in Fieet-road, when he heard two distinct reports of firearms. He ran across to 94, and saw a woman lying full-stretched out on the floor and with her head towards the door, and in her outstretched hand was a revolver. At the far end of the shop was the body of a man in a stooping position, with his back towards the door of the shop. He had a wound bekind his ear. Between the two bodies was a large pair of steps, and in the man's hand was a bundle of brooms tied with a string. Witness took the revolver from the woman's hand and placed it near the wall. The landlord came in shortly afterwards and witness left the shop and went on with hi car. The woman was the prisoner in the dock The man looked as if he was dead. Prisone shewed no signs of having been shot. Whe: witness saw what had happened he shouted an' called in some passers-by.—Police-constabv Stone, 534 S, said about 3.15 he was in iieet. road, and from information he received he wet- to No. 94. On entering the shop he saw the prisoner lying on her back on the lfoor, with her head nearest the door. She was apparently in a faint. A revolver was lying about two feet from her. The deceased man was in a sitting position on the floor, with his head covered with blood. Witness at once sent for a doctor, who ordered his removal to the Hampstead Infirmary. On the prisoner coming to she said, It is your fault. I intended to shoot myself." Witness then banded her over to Police-constable 521 S, whz. took her to the station.-Mr. Freke Palmer re- served his cross-examination, and the prisoner wf ? remanded.

BRITISH PILGRIMS' RETURN FROM ROMK — The Duke of Norfolk, with most of the British Roman Catholic pilgrims who visited Rome for the beginning of the new century, arrived at Victoria on Sunday evening. He was besieged by joum&UstB who wanted an explM&tton of the now famous address expressing a the restoration of the Pope's temporal pow but refused to say anything. FLOPJLMZ!-FOU TM TMTH ATU> •_ Tho??My cle^e8Jt^ jr^ e al pa-t- or impurities, ht?denB ?the ??MJ?.n?S_? B?p. demy, Md gives to tao ? ? pecn? SSrtffii« and & d,ehf?M" ?? ??? t  S- tor tb.?.?? Ir*. lioSi Powdar ? OU ChemiffU FtH'tamen.