Cheshire Observer

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. ] I A DEAD CERTAINTY, I, By NAT GOULD, lI Author of "The Gentleman Rider," "The Pace B That Kills," "Racecourse and Battlefield," W "The Dark Horse," "The Double m Event," &c., &c. I [COPYRIGHT.] I SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. I CHAPTERS I. & II.-A young and hanasome gin, Patricia Royston, commonly called "Pat," is in charge of a friend of her mother s, Miss Helen Woo-druff. They.are staying at Bettws-y-Coed, where "Pat" makes the acquaintance of Mr. Arthur Dunbar, a Yorkshire squire of sporting proclivities, whilst salmon fishing. Dunbar resolves to improve the acquaintance. CHAPTERS III. & IV.-Pat and her companion visit Llandudno, and are followed by Dunbar. They there meet Maud Bexley and her brother Hector. Maud has had some ac- quaintance with Dunbar, and still loves him, though on his part it was only a flirtation. Maud resolves to win him at all costs, and asks her brother to help her in her task. Hector is a gambler, and Maud helps him to money. In the meantime Dunbar is summoned to return to his country house in Yorkshire on the report that his horses, especially one Whirlwind, a favourite racehorse, are "coughing." CHAPTERS V. & VI.—Dunbar finds that his favourite horse is not hopelessly ill, and the report is that he will recover for the Spring. Dunbar meets an old companion, Harry Hawfinch, who goes to stay with him at his Yorkshire house, Glen Royal. CHAPTER VII.-THE SEAMY SIDE. 1 I Sitting in the smoking-room at retty s Hotel, Svdney, was a powerful, well-built man of about fifty. He was carelessly dressed, and evidently not muen accustomed to town life. He was reading the "Herald," and his attention was fixed upon j,, sporting columns, in which the weights for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups appeared. He glanced down the lists carefully, and summed up the chances of the various horses. This handicapper is a fool," he muttered. Fancy giving my horse even weights with Bal- main. Hang it all—Balmain ought to give The Rake at least 101b. on his form," he added with a cunning smile. "There's one satisfaction, however. I know The Rake is well in with 7st. 81b. By gad, if I hadn't run him a few times when he had no earthly chance there is no telling what weight he would have got. Good old Rake. He's done me one or two good turns." Several men were chatting in the room, and one of them glancing round saw a figure in an easy chair, half-hidden by a newspaper, which he thought familiar. That looks like Royston," he said to a com- panion. I didn't know he was up from the West." It's him sure enough," was the reply. The first speaker went across the room and said: Who'd have expected to find you here, Royston? When did you leave the backwoods?" What's that to you?" Royston was about to say, when he saw the speaker, and changing his intention said, Came here to see you, of course, Carlton. How are you?" "Fairiy well. Not had much luck lately. Hav you seen the weights?" Just looked over them. The handicapper is a fool!" growled Royston. -Not satisfied with The Rake's weight, I sup- pose?" answered Carlton. It's a confounded shame the way my horse is treated," said Royston. Fancy placing him on the same mark as your horse. Balmain." Then you think Balmain ought to give The Rake weight?" "Most decidedly." On recent form, perhaps, but you forget The Rake once gave my horse a stone and beat hi m. That was eighteen months ago; and The Rake is not the horse now he was at that time," said Royston. "He has certainly run indifferently," said Carlton, dubiously. And a handicapper ought to frame the weight on the running of the horses," said Royston. In most cases certainly he should do so," said Carlton, but- he was going on when Royston interrupted him and said angrily: "But! But! What the devil do you mean?" Don't lose your temper. You know as well as JL know, and heaps of other people know, that The Rake has not shewn his true form for a long time, not since he beat Balmain," said Carlton. Mind your own business and don't meddle with my concerns," snapped Royston. But, my dear fellow, it is my business, and it does concern me. You know perfectly well that Balmain has no earthly chance of beating The Rake at level weights. That is where the handicapper has made a mistake." Do you mean to say The Rake has not been a trier since he beat Balmain? If you do you are Never mind what I am," said Carlton. inter- rupting him. I know what you are, and there is no occasion for angry words between us. I want to hear what you have to say about the handicaps." "Then you value my opinion?" said Royston, pacified. Of course I do. There are few better judges of a handicap than yourself." Henry Royston's weak spot was touched by this remark. He knew he was a good judge of handicaps, and he liked being told so. If I tell you what I think of the handicaps will you tell me the truth about Balmain?" asked Royston. What do you mean?" said Carlton, some- what taken aback. I'll tell you what I mean after I have given you my opinion of the weights, if you will do as 1 ask," replied Royston. I do not know what you are driving at, but I will try and answer any question you may ask about my horse." I'm satisfied. Well, then, I think the Mel- bourne Cup looks a very fair thing for my horse jf-" he hesitated. "If what?" asked Carlton. That is the question I wish you to answer," said Royston. "Indeed. What is it?" I think The Rake can win if Balmain was a trier when my horse gave yours a stone and beat him." Robert Carlton stared hard at his questioner and said: Do you think Balmain tried in that race?" "I thought so at the time." "Have you changed your opinion?" Yes." "What reason have you for doing so?" "My own; I do not choose to tell you." Then I shall not answer your question," said Carlton. ■ You promised to do so." B I said I would try and answer you." Rf "A subterfuge!" said Royston. "Come, tell me the truth, it will be more profitable to both of il us. Robert Carlton hesitated for a few minutes before he answered. He was summing up the consequences of his reply. He did not wish to tell Henry Royston too much, for he knew he would get little in return. They were unscrupulous where their interests were concerned, but Carlton knew Henry Royston would go to greater lengths and take greater risk than himself." Come, out with it," said Royston. It can- not take you such a deuce of a time to make up your mind." I think Balmain would have beaten The Rake that day only he was a bit off colour," said Carlton. The horse had been off his feed for a couple of days before the race. You know what; that means." ] Henry Royston smiled grimly as he answered: ] Yes, I know what that means. It may mean. -anything or nothing. One excuse is as good as, another for a non-tryer." S Balmain tried right enough. I have told you the truth." j "For a change," said Royston. j "I don't wish to have any words with you, said Carlton, but I advise you to be careful: what you say. I can't stand too many of yourj insinuations." jj Then sit down to them," said Royston, as he|j took up his paper again. "The vulgar bear," thought Carlton, but be made no remark. He had reasons for not quar-| relling with Henry Royston. g "I'll scratch Balmain if you'll let me stand inl| with you on The Rake, saId Carlton. t Henry Royston put down the paper and re- f garded the speaker with searching eyes. | He would not make that offer if he was suro? of beating me with Balmain," thought Royston Aloud he said What are your terms?" | This was a blunt way of putting it that Robert Carlton did not relish, but he smothered hIs feelings and replied, "Terms! It is not a question of terms. I wish to arrange the affair to our mutual advan- g tage." I "Balmain cannot have much of a chance with | The Rake if you are so ready to scratch him," said Royston.. À1 He has a chance, a decided chance. You saId, as much yourself. What I mean is there can be no necessity for running one horse against the other, if we can arrange matters." fj Then you have reduced the possible winner to Balmain or The Rake?" said Royston. £ "That is what it amounts to. What do you think of it?" ? I think your decision is not very flattering to the handicapper," said Royston. gl "Hang the handicapper." With pleasure," answered Royston. "That ought to be his ultimate fate." < "Will you lay me two thousand to nothing; about The Rake if I scratch Balmain?" ifj "No; I'll lay you half the amount," said Royston. fS Remember my horse has a good chance." Jgt Then run him," said Royston. ?| I will," said Carlton emphatically, and walked  away. & He'll come back and take it before the day's out," thought Royston. || Robert Carlton did not come back, and Henry ? Royston commenced to think he had made a mis- ? take, and Balmain might be even better than he /J thought him. The day after this conversation he again mot: Robert Carlton, who said as they passed: "Have you changed your mind, Royston?" V Yos. Come in here and we'll settle it." They entered the smoke-room and sat down. '• The question is when shall Balmain be cratched," said Royston. Strike him out at once," said Carlton. Why not leave him in and work the market iccordingly," said Royston. "I don't care to do that," replied Robert Carlton. You have not always been so scrulptilous." Perhaps not. but I'm growing better as I çow older." Then you wish me to lay you two thousand about The Rake and you will scratch Balmain now," said Royston. That will suit me." Very well. I'll give you a note saying I have laid you a couple of thousand The Rake for the Melbourne Cup," said Royston. Thanks, and I will strike Balmain out at once," said Carlton. Robert Carlton felt satisfied with himself, for he had beaten Henry Royston at his own game of "spoof," and few men could do that. The fact was that Balmain, though a really good horse when well, was very much off colour, and Carlton would probably have struck him out of the Cup in any case. To get two thousand laid by Henry Royston, if The Rake won, for doing what he would probably have done under any circumstances, rather tickled his fancy. If Royston crows over me I'll tell him the truth some day," chuckled Carlton to himself. Robert Carlton struck Balmain out of the Cup, and when the announcement duly appeared in the papers he went to Royston for his acknow- ledgment, stating that he had laid him two thousand if The Rake won. Royston handed it to him and said I will keep my word because you have struck Balmain out; but you would have done that under any circumstances." Robert Carlton was surprised. Royston had taken the wind out of his sails after all. "Why should I have done so?" faltered Carlton. Because you are a fool," was the blunt reply. Balmain is 'off colour,' I know; but he might have pulled round, and in any case I would rather he did not run." Why?" Because I know he was 'pulled' when The Rake beat him," said Royston. It's not true." You can deny it as often as you like, but it is true," said Royston. Who told you?" -Never mind where I got my information. You may as well acknowledge it is correct." Robert Carlton did not do this. He was morti- fied to think he had not got the best of Henry Royston after all. Henry Royston was the father of Pat Royston, and the incidents related shew what manner of man he was. Not a desirable father for a young girl without a mother, and it was greatly in Pat's favour that she was so genuine and honest considering her surroundings in her younger days. This arrangement between the owners of Balmain and The Rake, made thousands of miles away from England, had far-reaching effects upon the fortunes of Pat Royston and Arthur Dunbar, which could not have been foreseen, or expected. The Rake ran in the Melbourne cup and lost- and ugly rumours were afloat about him. The horse finished in the ruck," but on the last day of the meeting won a race with ease, beating several horses who finished before him in the Cup. An inquiry was held by the stewards into the horse's running, and although nothing could be brought home to Henry Royston there was a grave suspicion that a big swindle had been worked-for it could be called by no other name. For some time Henry Royston had been con- templating a trip to England, and when nasty remarks were passed and severe comments made in the papers about The Rake's form, he publicly announced he would have nothing more to do with racing in the Colonies and that he would go to England, taking The Rake and the best of his other horses with him. Several sporting writers sarcastically remarked in various terms to the effect that "Mr. Royston's absence from the Australian turf will be a great blow-to the bookmakers-for his horses by their in-and-out running have filled the bags of the j pencillers with much public money. Mr. Roy- ston's career in England we shall closely watch, and fully expect he will in the course of time announce in formal terms his determination to re- turn to Australia and resume his connection with the Turf here." Although warned not to take his horses over to England to arrive in the winter, Henry Royston insisted on leaving Australia. I'll land 'em in France," he said, "and keep them nice and warm in the South until the, Spring. Then I'll slip 'em across the Channel! and give some of the boys a surprise." He made arrangements for his horses to travel1 to Marseilles on one of the M.M. line of steamers and accompanied them himself. j They were landed safely and placed under thei care of a competent trainer in the South of' France. j Leaving them there Henry Royston crossed over to London, where he arrived shortly before- Christmas. He had not written to his daughter] or Miss Woodruff telling them of his proposed1 visit, and they were unaware of his arrival in i England. I I'll give them a surprise," said Henry Roy- stone to himself. I wonder how Pat looks., Must be a fine girl by this time. We never hit! it together. Pat's much too straight-going for me, or at least she as good as told me so. Not! very dutiful of her. but there may be some truth] in It. I expect she will not be overjoyed to see. me. I'm her father, there's no disputing that] fact, and she must shew me some respect or take' the consequences." j I CHAPTER VIII.—ROYSTON'S PLAN. I "Woody, what makes you look so glum?" said Pat Royston as Miss Woodruff entered the room.! They had returned to the cottage at Bettws-y-? IC?d and Pat was glad to be back in her oldj] haunts. < Miss Woodruff looked serious, and the open letter she held in her hand was the cause of it. j It was the middle of January, and outside the hoar frost lay thick upon the trees and the air! was crisp and sharp. j "I am afraid this frosty weather does not suit; you," went on Pat. "We shall have to remove to a warmer clime." "It is not the weather," replied Miss Woodruff, "but something far more serious." "Do tell me what it is," said Pat. "I hate to be kept in suspense." "I have received a letter from your father," said Miss Woodruff. "And I hope there was a good big draft in it," replied Pat. "I have been very short of pocket money lately." You have had quite sufficient for your wants, and it would not be for your good to have more., There was no draft in the letter." "No draft?" echoed Pat. "What has hap- pened?" she asked in an alarmed tone. t "Your father is in England; he wrote me this [letter from London," said Miss Woodruff. I Pat was dumbfounded. This was the last thing ishe had expected to hear, and it was not pleasant ] news to her. G I Her father in London! What did it mean? she thought. Why had he come—and at such a time of the year? It must have been very important ] business to induce him to land in London during the winter. She suddenly remembered her father -had said when she left Australia, "Recollect, if I think it is to my interest I shall fetch you home again; and bear in mind you will have to obey me in all things." ? Had he come to take her away from Miss Wood- I ruff and the modest home she had grown to love ?80 well? pj The thought startled and alarmed her, and turning to Miss Woodruff she said quickly: !? "He has not come to take me away, has he? e  I will not go. I will never leave you, Woody." g Miss Woodruff was touched by this display of P.tls affection, and replied: j ? "He does not mention that in his letter, but he g. wishes to see us m London." I  "When are we to go?" j ? "As soon as convenient. Read his letter; it is ?written in a kinder tone than usual." ? Pat took the letter handed to her and read it ?.'twiee. When she had read it the second time her face brightened and she said: j b "Come, that is not so bad. I do not think he? 11has any intention of separating us." j 85 "I hope not," said Miss Woodruff, quietly. | I "When shall we go to London?" asked Pat. ? "I think the sooner the better. Your father will' ? be anxious to see you." j jj £ "Trat will be a new trait in his character," |said Pt. "He has always been pleased to get rid' of me. 4 ? "Since you have been away from him so longi ?(he may have changed for the better," said Miss! Woodruff. J "Let us hope so, answered Pat. g i "Do not forget he is your father," said Miss ] !i Woodruff, reprovingly. I ?3 "I am not likely to do that, was Pat's reply. fl M Miss WoodruF answered Henry Royston's let- ter, and Pat enclosed one saying, not very truth- j fully, she would be glad to see her father again. | ? It was a cold journey to Euston, and whenj they arrived there London was at its worst, a] ??thaw having set in after a fall of snow, and thej t streets were sloahy and slippery. S 3 They drove to thQ Hotel Victoria, where Henry Royston was staying, and he was there to re- |ceive them. a t "You have grown. Pat," was his comment when' ?he saw her, "and Miss Woodruff has evident,ly I, taken good care of you—more than I should have L done. & ? Pat greeted her father cordially; it was not i S fher, natura to "b atherwise, and she quickly notIced a change in him for the better. He [looked more of a gentleman, and was more par- S iticular about his dress. 1 "You had better remain here a few days," he a said, "if you are not in & hurry to return to-what is the name of the outlandish place you live m? I cannot spell it without referring to the railway guide, and as for pronouncing it, that is quite out of the question." igj "Bettws-y-Coed it the name," said Pat. "You must come down there. We can put you up at the cottage if you prefer it to the hotel." w "Thank you, not this weather," said her father, "and you will be wise to remain in town for a few weeks." B Pat was nothing loth to do this, for she longed j S to have a peep into the various phases of London S life of which she had heard so much and seen so l Little. So it was settled they should remain at the Hotel Victoria for a time, and her father ordered rooms for them accordingly. K As Fate willed it, Arthur Dunbar came up to London with his friend Harry Hawfinch; and when the owner of Glen Royal was in town he jsually stayed at the Victoria. c Pat met them in the coffee room before break- :ast, and she gave a start of pleased surprise when i :rf o_ -.¥ :¡¡:k_tf:¡' she saw Arthur Dunbar, which he did not fail to notice.. B| "This is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Royston, ■ he said. "I did not expect to find you in town so H early in the year. Allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Harry Hawfinch." H "I ] am pleased to make your acquaintance, ■ said Harry. "I have heard of you from Arthur. You are an enthusiastic angler, I believe, and ??'hat is .?!?. passport to his favour." "Mr. Dunbar has never seen me handle a rod, so he cannot be a judge." "But you gave me some sound advice," said Arthur, "from which I took my cue." Miss Woodruff happened to be indisposed and remained in her room. Henry Royston came in while they were con- versing, and Pat introduced him. They had breakfast at the same table, and Pat noticed with pleasure that her father had much improved in his manner. After the meal Pat went upstairs to see Miss Woodruff, and the others adjourned to the smoking room. You met my daughter in Bettws-y-Coed, I think?" said Henry Royston to Arthur. "1 had that pleasure. I was salmon fishing when I first saw her," and he proceeded to explain the incident. "That is just like Pat," said Henry Royston. "I am afraid she is rather wild and untameable- but perhaps I am responsible for that." "It constitutes her greatest charm, said Ar- thur. "She is so unlike the ordinary run of girls." "This young man is evidently smitten with Pat," thought Royston. "I wonder who he is." The conversation drifted into a sporting chan- nel-as it always invariably does when people in- cline that way. It is often said that racing men can talk nothing but "horse." This may be true to a great ex- tent, but they are not the only class of men who continually converse about their favourite sport or amusement. "Then you are an owner of horses?" said Royston with increased interest. "Yes, I have several in training," replied Ar- thur. "He has one of the best stables in Yorkshire, said Harry Hawfinch, enthusiastically, "and the best trainer in England, or one of them." "I do not know about my stable being the best in Yorkshire," said Arthur, smiling, "but I thin I can lay claim to having a very clever trainer in Gilbert Honey." "One of the celebrated Yorkshire Honeys?" said Royston. "Yes, he comes from the old Middleham family," replied Arthur. "Then you are fortunate in having such a man in charge of your horses," said Royston. "Has his fame extended to Australia?" asked Arthur. "The Honeys are as well known there as in England, by repute." "Gilbert will be quite proud to hear this," said Harry. "And you must run down to Glen Royal," said Arthur, "and we will go on to Middleham and have a look at the horses." "Nothing would please me more," said Royston. "I have a few horses in training in the South of France. I brought them over from Australia. One of them, The Rake, is a pretty good one. He ought to have won the last Mel- bourne cup, but did not. He managed to win a race a couple of days after, and some very un- pleasant things were said about his running. The stewards held an inquiry, but nothing came of it; but I determined to quit the Turf there, for a time at any rate." 9 Arthur Dunbar's face clouded, and Royston noticed it. "He's one of these strait-laced owners, I reckon. I have heard a good deal about such men in England. Perhaps I have shocked him," thought ■ Royston. Rj "It must have been unpleasant for you to be placed in such a position," said Arthur. "It was deuced unpleasant, but I came out of it all right," was Royston's somewhat careless ■ rejoinder. B Arthur Dunbar did not like the tone in which Royston spoke, but he thought, "He is Pat's father, and I must propitiate him." B "Perhaps Miss Royston and her companion will K accompany you to Glen Royal if you will accept my invitation," said Arthur. "I am only a 8 bachelor, but I have an excellent housekeeper, who, I am sure, will make you all comfortable." ■ "I can vouch for that," said Harry. B "It is very kind of you," said Royston, "and I think I may safely accept the offer of your hospi- tality." When Henry Royston mentioned the matter to ■ R| Miss Woodruff and his daughter it caused some surprise, and on Miss Woodruff's part misgiving. She hardly thought it proper for Pat to go to Glen Royal, but Royston laughed at her scruples, and as for Pat she seemed to be on her father's side. B As a matter of fact Pat was anxious to see Arthur Dunbar in his home. Since he left her at Llandudno she had thought a good deal about him, and could not disguise from herself that sh liked him, and that he was an agreeable com- I! panion. 9 Miss Woodruff, however, bad a strange fore- boding that no good would come of this visit. It was not that she was afraid of Pat and Arthur Dunbar being thrown together. From what she had seen of him she judged him to be an estimable ■ young man—as young men are regarded nowa- m days. H Henry Royston was the disturbing element in Miss Woodruff's thoughts. She knew a good deal about him, and what sort of a character he bore. -Mrs. Royston's letters had plainly indicated that, E although she had taken pains to conceal un- l pleasant facts. H Miss Woodruff was inclined to think Pat's father had some ends of his own to work in accepting P Arthur Dunbar's invitation so readily. She!! R knew, however, it was better to keep such thoughts to herself, but she determined to keep H her eyes and ears open at Glen Royal. B Arthur Dunbar did not remain long in London. He arranged a date with Henry Royston when they were to come to Glen Royal and then de- 1 parted to prepare for their reception. w B Mrs. Honey was surprised to bear ladies were coming to stay at Glen Royal, but when Arthur S explained how matters stood, and that Henry Royston was the young lady's father, and Miss Woodruff an elderly companion, Mrs. Honey smiled cheerfully and confidence was restored. n ? "I want the old place to look at its best," said Arthur, "and you know how to do it better than anyone. e K "I think I do, Master Arthur, after all these years," she replied. K Mrs. Honey thought a good deal about the com- S ing visitors, especially the young lady. Sj w "I wonder if he has any idea of marrying her," thought Mrs. Honey. "He ought to be very care- Eful before he takes such a step. It would never do to have an improper young person installe ,as mistress at Glen Royal. Master Arthur has too much sense for that." H S In due time, about the middle of February, Henry Royston, his daughter, and Miss arrived at Glen Royal. gS B Pat Royston was at once charmed and im- | pressed with Arthur Dunbar's home. She had not f# seen many old country houses of such dimensions, and Glen Royal was a place anyone might be proud to call home. Miss Woodruff, too, was | agreeably surprised, and thought that it was prob- ably to Pat's advantage she had come. As for Henry Royston, he summed up the situa- tion in a manner favourable to himself. He had not anticipated Arthur Dunbar being the owner || ?of such a place as Glen Royal. It was a decided s stroke of luck Pat casually meeting him in Wales. fi I Henry Royston had an idea Arthur Dunbar would be useful to him when he started racing.? ?He wished to become connected with a good stablefl fin England, and he knew this was a difficult mat- 5ter. Here, however, was an opportunity he must? not let slip. Perhaps he could gain a footing in I Arthur Dunbar's stable; and, if so, it would be a|i great slice of luck. ? The name of Gilbert Honey ranked high j j amongst the trainers in England, and Henry Roy- j i* piston knew if he could place his horses with him, | by permission of Arthur Dunbar, it would facili- j j ? ?.tate matters for him greatly. | He did not mean to broach the subject too soon, but when a favourable opportunity occurred hej would not hesitate to speak. g ? Arthur Dunbar was desperately in love with Pat, or thought he was, and the only drawbackJ i  was Henry Royston. R  The more Arthur Dunbar saw of Pat's father? :the les3 he liked him; and Royston quickly sawq ?his host was not partial to him. There was'? nothing particularly against Henry Royston, and q?; ?Arthur would have found it difficult to state why [the disliked and distrusted him. That he did both, A however, he knew full well. N He was, however, in such a condition of mind ? in regard to Pat Royston that he would have i .tolerated a man he disliked far more than her3 ?father for her sake. g |? As for Henry Royston, he was a man not easily? r daunted, once he had made up his mind to a.? icertain line of action. He meant, if possible, to? ?get his horses into Arthur Dunbar's stable, and?' (he thought he could work it by the aid of Pat, if he went about it in the right way. t (To be continued.) B

IHOW IT FEELS TO BE STABBED! I Many people who read of soldiers being' (bayonetted have their curiosity aroused as toj how it feels to be stabbed. Mr. Tbos. Banks, a rminer engaged at Bewick Main Colliery, IDurham, saysBefore I took Chas. Forde's: Bile Beans for Biliousness I suffered severelyi from pains in the chest. It felt just like a'. knife going through me. Indeed, I might have been stabbed. Many a time, the pains in? my back and between my shoulders were sol ?bad that I had to lie down in the pit to get ] relief. I was an in-patient at the Newcastle ] Infirmary for some time, but came away prac-? tically no better. I got worse and worse, until J |I was unable to do my work, and bad to take? mployment reserved for old men. Then 1? began to take Charles Forde's Bile Beans, and? [they have now entirely cured me. I am wellj ?and strong again; have gone back to my old | li-?; and never know what it is to have the oldI pain in the chest and between the shoulders—| as if I was being stabbed. l

I IN THB CORONER'S PRESENCE.—A remarkably sudden death occurred at the railway station at i Millom on Monday. The curate of Holy Trinity Church, the Rev. H. V. Banks, had jus booked for Kendal, and was talking to the coroner, Dr. Stoney, when he suddenly stopped short, fell down, and expired in a few seconds. 8 The affair has caused profound grief at HiUom.fl where the deceased was to have been married l next month. TIME TRIES ALL. For over 50 years HH cc ww ii tt tt 1, as Boots have stood the test of time, and are still, lDBurpø.eeéd. and unequalled. Abbey Gateway and Mnsid Hall.

I MR. REGINALD CORBET. I In the Cheshire hunting field theie is no g more familiar figure than that of the veterar g g Master of the South, Cheshire, Mr. Reginald g Corbet, whose resignation is just announced. S | Mr. Corbet has the distinction of beiirig the oldest M.F.H. in England, having H een associated with the fortunes of the chase in Cheshire for nearly 35 years. the South Cheshire Hunt dates from 1877. Prior to that date the country was one with the North Cheshire, and the whole was hunted six days a week- four days by the huntsman, and two by Mr Corbet himself for eleven years. Mr. H. Reginald Corbet, since the divisiot was made in the year 1877, has huntec the South country pack. He has there- ore held office since 1866. Mr. Corbet\ predecessor was the late Duke of West- minster (then Earl Grosvenor) who waf master of the combined packs from 1858 t< 1866. It is generally admitted that as a master Mr. Corbet took first rank. I'll,- annals of the Cheshire Hunt record many famous runs in Mr. Corbet's country and those who have hunted under Mr. Corbet's directorship will readily testify to his brilliant qualities as a M.F.H. Mr. Corbet is descended from an old and highly respected Shropshire family, and lives near the border of the county at Adderley Hall, Market Drayton. The I CORBET FAMILY I have taken a prominent part in the affairs of Shropshire for generations, and their history is closely bound up with that of the county. The founder of the family was William Corbet, of Wattlesborough, Shropshire, and an interesting story is recorded that his son and heir, Thomas fl Corbet, was taken captive while in the Holy Land, and, as he was supposed to be dead, his brother Robert engaged to marry that he might continue ■ the line of his family. A pilgrim joined in the wedding festivities, and subsequently revealed B himself as the long-lost brother. Robert at once offered to surrender the estate to the heir, but the latter declined to take it, and hence it is that the descendants of the second brother have upheld the position and retained the wealth of the family in Shropshire. Another ancestor, Sir Richard Corbet, of Moreton Corbet, in Shrop- shire, played a gallant part in the Wara of the Roses. A devoted Lancastrian, he saved his chief from imminent danger at Banbury, and when he arrived at Shrewsbury, in 1485, on his way to Bosworth, Sir Richard, with a band of eight hundred stout followers, was there ready to accompany him to that bloody battlefield. He j H placed before the King, after his investiture with regal dignity, in a simple form, the services he had rendered to his Maj esty, and we may hope I that the King req?itMed a teism ty, and w. -ay' h o P. that the King requited tim right royally for all he had done and suffered for him. Richard Corbet, second son of Sir Richard Corbet of [ Moreton Corbet, was, it is stated in "Border Counties Worthies," born in that place, and became "carver to Prynce Edward, standard s tbearer to hys bande at Bullen, and one of the IQueen's Majesties' Counsell in the Marches in j 'Wales." He adhered to the cause of Lady Jane H 'Grey, was committed to the Tower in Queen H Mary's reign, and was one of the four gentlemen !excepted from her general pardon. He was SB [Sheriff of Shropshire in 1561. Reginald Corbet, la third son of Sir Richard Corbet, of Moreton, was [a man of peace. He rose to eminence at the Bar, jbecame Recorder of Shrewsbury, and in 1559 a Judge of the Queen's Bench. He had in 1546 ^married Alice Gratwood, and through her acquired from her great uncle, Sir Rowland Hill, | very large estates at Stoke and Adderley. Of|| another ancestor—Sir John Corbet, of Stoke andj? j Adderley—Mr. E. G. Salisbury wrote He was :one of the five illustrious patriots who. in 1627, opposed the forced loan and other illegalmeasuresB tof the Court. When the Civil War broke out he espoused the cause of the Parliament, and did [service to his country. He was one of the patriotic band who sacrificed every personal con- || sideration upon the shrine of duty, for he could gain neither wealth nor honours by adopting the popular side, and had to face dangers and persecu-s tions in view of the fearful struggles about to ensue." The subject of our sketch inherited al famous name in hunting annals from his grand- father, Sir Andrew Corbet, of Acton Reynald, H who, in conjunction with Mr. John Corbet, of)? Sundorne Castle, hunted the whole country from Shrewsbury to Warwickshire, including what is now the country of the Warwickshire Hunt. Mr. Reginald Corbet commenced hunting with beagles as early as 1849, and afterwards hunted a pack of harriers for a considerable number of I vears. Of his HONOURED ASSOCIATIONS I with the Cheshire Hunt much could be written. In early years of sole mastership he had for his huntsman Peter Collinson, one of the old school who thoroughly understood his business. Collin- son's successor was John Jones, of honoured memory. Jones retained the post of huntsman under Captain Park Yates. From the time when the country was divided Mr. Corbet carried the horn himself, a fashion which was followed by many well-known masters, none of whom has hunted his hounds more successfully than Mr. Corbet. Since Mr. Corbet first assumed the role of M.F.H. the preservation of foxes in Cheshire has been quite extraordinary. This will be gathered from some figures we are able to give.1 In 1866 the number of foxes killed in the whole of the country now known as the North and South Cheshire country was about 50 brace in one season. More than once in recent years the number of slain has reached 150 brace per season.! Unfortunately, at the present time, we have it on the authority of Mr. Corbet that mange is] prevalent, and it is feared that this will reduce the stock of foxes. Few people can control a hunting field better than Mr. Corbet, and it was ever a fine sight to watch Mr. Corbet get a fox away from some of the well-known covers. Royalty and other distinguished personages have come beneath his rule in the hunting field. The late Empress of Austria hunted for two seasons with the South Cheshire from Combermere Abbey, which is only six miles distant from the kennels. The Empress was piloted during the first season by the late Captain Myddleton, and in the second by Colonel Rivers Bulkeley. Among others, Prince Adolphus of Teck has enjoyed many capital runs with Mr. Corbet's pack. A fine horseman, Mr. Corbet has been singularly fortunate in the matter of hunting accidents. Only once, we believe, has he met with injury in the field, and this, be it known, was not due to any timidity on his part, for he has won a reputation as a straight rider to hounds. The single mishap was when his horse slipped near Aldersey's Gorse, at Ridley, on a wooden bridge. The horse fell on its rider and brokej a small bone in his right leg. Treating this as a mere trifle, this keen sports- man was actually in the saddle on the fol- lowing day, but the pain became so great that he was obliged to return home, where he lay up for three weeks and three days. Mr. Corbet tells many a story of his experiences in the field, and, in course of a brief chat with our repre- sentative the other day, he mentioned an 1- INTERESTING INCIDENT. During a great run from Rudheath, many years ago, the hounds seized the fox at the top of a bank of the river Weaver. Hounds and fox rolled together into the Weaver, and they killed him in the Weaver. The present -Colonel Dixon, of Astle Hall, was one of those who were in at the death," and Mr. Corbet relates how he was obliged to lay hold of him and prevent his diving into the water to bring out the fox. It has often been noted that the servants of the Hunt under Mr. Corbet's mastership have always been well mounted, and this is in a large measure responsible for the good sport which has in- variably been shewn. On one occasion, on riding into the kennel yard on the last day of hunting,1 Huntsman John Jones testified to the excellence of his mount by mentioning that he had not had a single fall that season. Mr. Corbet's services have been worthily appreciated. Years back he had won the high esteem and respect of the members and subscribers to the Cheshire Hunt, who gave him, as a token tnereof, plate to the value of £ 1,100. To his keen disappointment, declining health and increasing years have obliged him to resign the office which he has invested i with so much lustre, and the announcement was received with great regret in hunting circles. It is doubtless a source of delight to the veteran l master to know that his son, Mr. Reginald Corbet, jun., who has hunted the hounds for the past two seasons and who is also a keen sportsman, is to? carry the horn in his stead, and the selection will assuredly give general satisfaction. Our sketch would not be complete without a reference to the exceptionally good relationship which has existed between Mr. Reginald Corbet, sen., and the I farmers. We need say only that he has never once experienced any friction with either farmers or landowners during his mastership. This is the best possible legacy he could leave to his son, who, it is hoped with every confidence, will emulate his worthy sire's tact and kindness. I

I KELSALL. S  DEATH OF A FORMER KELSA.LL IN-f I CUMBENT.-On Thursday the news arrived that ,,he Rev. H. Taprell dark, rector of Daresbury ind a former incumbent of Kelsall Chureb:i?? 6ad died on Wednesday evening. The intelli-fe ??ence was received with many expressions ofI regret in the parish. a M —————— 0 —————— t9

I DUNHAM HILL. I N SAD DEATH OF A FARMER.—Mr. J. C. Bate (county coroner) held an inquiry at | Dunham Hill on Monday morning touching the death of a farmer named Gilbert Littler. 29 $ years of age, who resided in the village. The medical evidence shewed that Littler died from injuries he sustained a week ago through beingg thrown out of a trap at Mickle Trafford._ The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentals death." ||

CONNAH'S QUAY. I SCHOOL CONCERT.—On Friday evening the sixth annual concert was given by the scholars attending St. Mark's National Schools; The proceeds of the concert are to be devoted to; the liquidation of a debt which remains on the: new classroom which has been added to thel schools, and which was opened by the Bishop) of St. Asaph last year. The main classroom ] was requisitioned for the purposes of the' concert, and there was a crowded and apprecia-'j tive audience present. A feature of the pro- ?amme was a representation of the Connah's] Quay Volunteers, under Sergeant Craig Band j The youthful Volunteers, dressed in fuUI uniform went through their drill without a] single mistake. A musical sketch by Standards] V. and VI. girls, entitled, Mistresses »nd| Maids" wa exceedingly good. The Stage epresented a modern registry office, whither| the mistresses repaired to recite their tale of omestic woes, and seeking advice on the management of their servants. The servants^ on the other hand roundly abused their mis- | tresses, and openly revolted because they could not leave their work to ride their bicycle and | possess other liberties. Peace was restored ] through the kindly medium of the head of the registry office. The second portion of th programme consisted of a cantata entitled Ally Sloper's Holiday." The cantata repre- sented a party of light-hearted youths and maidens proceeding into the country as the j guests of Ally Sloper." Upon arriving at their destination they were heartily welcomed and royally entertained by "Ally," the day being spent most enjoyably in the pursuit of rustic games and other forms of amusemente. S The cantata was given by the scholars of | standards V. to VII. with a precision and effect | that left nothing to be desired. Each of the | youthful actors shewed much ability in the E performance of their respective parts. The | reparation of the scholars must have entailed immense labour on the part of Mr. Connell (headmaster) and his staff, and they are to be • ■ongratulated on the excellent result obtained. The solos were rendered with much taste by the principal characters, while the various were excellently rendered by a selected choi!' drawn from the schools. Mr. Connell acted as? accompanist. T

AGRICULTURE. I THE OUTLOOK. I The short spurt of wintry weather at the be- ginning of the month, though not of much apparent severity, has done considerable damage to crops in various localities. It was what was known as a "wind" frost, or blizzard on a small scale, than which perhaps no frost is more destructive. As a consequence growing wheat and rye were shrunk up, although they have since recovered under the influence of the suc- ceeding mild weather. Not so with the pastures, however, which have in great measure assumed their wintry brown, while winter tares and beans have suffered somewhat severely. In common with all other vegetation that in the market gardens has, of course, suffered from the keen (wind sweeps, broccoli, cabbages, brussels sprouts, celery, etc., being much cut up and presenting the appearance of having passed through a severe 'winter. Nor are we exceptional in this particu- lar. Severe weather has made itself felt on the f Continent. Russia and Germany have been visited by heavy snowstorms and keen frost, but ¡in Roumania and Austro-Hungary, where a l similar state of affairs has prevailed, the crops I have been protected by heavy falls of snow. From France the outlook is said to be more ( favourable, while wheat, it is stated, promises as well as ever on the American Continent. One ,of the worst features in connection with these sudden changes in the southern counties of l England is the ill effects on the lambing. Ewes i have suffered considerably, and as a consequence t the lambs have not been doing well through the íl wet weather. A change to a dry, if keen atmo- sphere is now most desirable. In this connection ?it may be mentioned that according to the British Weather Chart, by Mr. B. G. Jenkins, the year 11901 comes in the middle of a five-year series, and I-the actual thermometrio readings will be four days in advance of those given by calculation; consequently, the year will, in all probability, ?have a warm, dry summer, followed by a wild stormy autumn and winter. | Nobody looks for much diversity in the cheese | markets at this time of the year, and it is as much | as can be expected that cheese should hold its own in value, as, fortunately, seems to be the a case at present. English produce is reported firm, with a steady demand; Canadian also steady, with demands on the lower values at 48s. to 52s.; United States, 2s. to 3s. lower. From Bristol the tone is reported decidedly better, S with Canadian shippers holding firm on September R Ontarios. N CLEANLINESS IN MILKING. I According to a cutting from a Canadian paper, kindly forwarded by a valued correspondent, the dairymen of the Far West are waking up to the necessity for observing cleanliness in milking, a subject to which we have called attention more than once in this column. Our contemporary says: A clean, wet towel, though not so wet as to drip, is probably the best and most convenient means of cleansing the udder." This naturally strikes one as the commonsense of the whole thing, for, as our contemporary continues, "When this is not done, germ-laden dust falls into the milk pails continually during the milking time, and in any weather, but in summer weather especially, the germs multiplying by millions." No further evidence of the neglect of the precau- tion is needed than an inspection of the residuum of milk in the cans of most milk sellers, or even at the bottom of jugs containing the daily supply of those households which happen to be served last. Too much attention cannot be given to this sub- ject, as probably no greater source of communi- cating lung diseases exists. It would require very little time to modify if the dairyman or milker would only take the trouble. N THE "CHESTER WHITE PIG." ine Kural World says:—it is surprising how very little we in England know of the pure breeds of live stock which are kept in other. countries. On the Continent of Europe there is1 not a breed excepting what has been produced from English stock which is worthy the name of pure. Perhaps the best of all European breeds is the Craonnaise, which is able, even when fat, to walk to market, and this will in- dicate practically that it is somewhat a lanky and lean animal, quite the opposite of the British breeds. Next to our own, the best pure breeds are those which are bred in the United States, where the leading variety is know as the Chester-White, which has undoubt- edly been made by the aid of English blood. The animal is not unlike the Yorkshire breeds in form, but it has something of the Continental head, the flap ears, the thick collar, and the form of the face. It is a deep-bodied pig, with a broad back and big hams. and is one of the most valuable aids to the American farmer in the conversion of his maize into pork, so much of which reaches this country. N STRIPPING COWS CLEAN. Carefully conducted experiments, as well as the everyday experiences of stock-owners, go to shew that clean milking exercises a very material influence, not only upon the quality of the milk and butter produced by cows. It is well known that in the hands of careless milkers, cows which would otherwise continue, giving a good flow of milk for seven or eight months after calving are often run dry within four or five months of having produced their young. The great cause of trouble on this score is incomplete stripping. The necessity for the thorough removal of all milk in the udder is rendered of special importance by the fact that it not alone induces a cow to continue longer in milk than she would otherwise do, but that it also ensures a considerable improvement in the I yield of butter obtained from the milk produced. The last milk to leave the udder is, as is well known, many times richer in butter-fat than that which is first drawn. Too much emphasis cannot, therefore, be laid upon the neoessity of thoroughly stripping dairy cows at all seasons of the year. H VIRTUE IN BASIC SLAG. Professor Maiden, of the Uckfield Agricultural College, has been conducting some experiments I which disprove the theory accepted in some quarters that basic slag used on pastures has al deleterious influence on sheep. Three plots were selected, and basic slag was applied to one plot in the proportion of 10 cwt. per acre, to a second lot in the proportion of 5 cwt. per acre, while to I the third plot no slag was applied. The result shewed that the sheep fed on the first plot reached' the heaviest weight, the feeding extending overi ten weeks. No ill-health appeared among the, sheep. IBIRMINGHAM SHORTHORN SHOW AND SALE. j H Ihe inrmingham bpnng 6horthorn show and j?sale is announced to open on March 6th next. I Prizes to the value of £ 396 are offered. and entries may be made until Tuesday, February 5th. I

ICHESHIRE MILK PRODUCERS' M ASSOCIATION. I ANNUAL MEETING. I I [JIT OUR OWN REPORTER.] I ilne Earl ot Crewe on Monday afternoon pre- sided at the second annual meeting of the members of the Cheshire Milk Producers' Association, held at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe. A good attendance of members included Mr. H. J. Tollemache, M.P., Colonel Cotton- Jodrell, Messrs. George Barbour (Bolesworth Castle), G. B. Baker-Wilbraham (Rode Hall), C. B. Davies, W. McCracken, D. Byrd (Spurstow j Hall), R. Pedley, Rowe Morris (Chester), and Mr. J. Sadler (secretary). Letters apologising for absence were received from Sir Delves Broughton, Mr. Lee (Adlington Hall), Mr. C.? E. Linaker (Frodsham), Colonel Dixon, Mr.S George Dickson (Chester), and Mr. Harry! Barnaton (Crewe Hill).  a THE ANNUAL REPORT. I | The Council, in their second annual report ofl ?the work of the association, congratulated thel ^members on its continued prosperity and use- | fulness. The work of the year has been largely one of extension and organisation, which was? ?inevitable in a new institution, and particularly! gone that extended its influence over so wide an | area as the Milk Producers' Association. It *| Jwas gratifying to note, however, that the effortsi put forth in this direction have been attended^ ?with such a large measure of success, and tbat? tbere had been during the year. and especially^ ?in the early part of it, a considerable increase ?of members. The number of members given in i the last annual report was 738. ThA T-nn.h?L.? Ihwed at the close of 1900, 859. It w-¡;.a;' ?satisfactory to note that every district included ?in the association's area had contributed its' jjgquota to the increase. The increased member-? ship was naturally accompanied by an improved? 'nnance. The statement of accounts showed? 'that the balance in the treasurer's hands was? R191 19s. Id., and when all liabilities were paid! there was still an actual balance in hand of' ?R128 19- 4d. When the association was estab-? lished two years ago, there were four general? objects in view :—1. To endeavour to increase? the price of milk. 2. To improve the transit" of milk. 3. To aim at securing a uniformly? good quality. 4. To defend the interest of| members in every possible way. Although alll that was hoped for bad not been accomplished, the Council were glad te be able to report pro- S1 Igress in regard to all these matters. 8 I PRICE. D I There had been a better tone in the milk market all through the year. There was jless surplua milk on the market inl the montha of April and May than formerly. In the latter part of July and August prices ruled high, largely owing to the? drought and consequent shortness of keep, which caused a serious diinution in the pro-? duction of milk, together with a heavy demand !< in the London market; and although thes high prices were not in all cases maintained, ] there had been a healthy trade right to the end of the year, a larger number of sellers obtain- ling better prices than was the case last yeemar. [And although the Council regretted to find that the prices recommended to members were not in a large number of cases realised, they had ample evidence that much good had been accomplished in this direction, and it was not S too much to say that hundreds of pounds had, been put into the pockets of milk sellers as a result of the efforts of the association. IMPROVEMENT IN TRANSIT. ? The Council had made repeated tions to the railway companies with respect to the various matters included in the transit oh; milk; inadequate accommodation for loading;! the condition of the vans; carelessness in I handling the milk, resulting in much loss to senders; damage to cans, &c. The railway companies had received these representations < on the whole in a perfectly fair spirit, and in a? number of cases improvements had been made. | Phe question of lost cans was still engaging1 ?he attention of the Council, and they were of R opinion that the railway companies were not in any large measure to blame for actual loss ot empty cans, but that the blame rested largely & with the milk dealers, who were not sufficiently careful to see that they were promptly returned, t, IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY. P me k,oun 1 were anxious mac memoers or« the 813,ociion should do all in their power to |t supply milk of good quality. They are well? aware of the great difficulty of doing this at$ certain seasons of the year, but trusted that no?;, dlort would be spared by farmers in their own? interests to supply the public with what they? demanded, viz:—pure milk of uniform quality; g and they especially urged upon members thej| necessity of observing all cleanliness in dealing with their milk, in addition to thoroughly cooling it, in order to give complete satisfaction? to the consumers. ? I SEALING OF CANS. is Numerous complaints had been made of milk CI I arriving at its destination less in quantity than f the farmer had sent. While there must always. be a certain amount of loss in transit owing to accidents, the Council were of opinion that if members would seal their cans, as advised byi? circular, very much of this irritating diffic would disappear. ultv? I U WARRANTY. f I The Council again advised members not to warrant their milk beyond the station to which  it was consigned, as several instances had I occurred where farmers had been prosecuted and fined for milk which had been exposed during several hours for sale, and hvi thus been entirely outside the farmer's control. s I LEGAL DEFENCE OF MEMBERS. If Several members had been prosecuted during the year for alleged adulteration. The Council- had considered very carefully each case on its 3 merits, and where they had been satisfied that,3 though the milk has been proved by analysesi to be below the standard required by the | Corporations, the member had not in any way sj tampered with it, the solicitor to the associationjl had been instructed to defend them, and a largej portion of the cost of such defence had been j paid by the Council. B ITHE MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL CORPORA- I t TIONS AND TUBERCULOUS MILK. § The new Acts of Parliament obtained by these cities were now in operation, and con- | siderable anxiety was felt by dairy farmers as | to their effect. The Council had these Acts | under their careful consideration on several | occasions, and had issued a circular clearly l setting forth the powers which the Corporation had obtained, and also making certain sug- gestions for the guidance of milk-sellers. It was hoped that members would not only care- fully read the circular, but that they would carry out the instructioItB contained therein, as the Council felt strongly that the only wise course to follow was to carry out the provisions of the acts to the very letter, and assist the authorities to free the market of all tuber- culous milk with as little delay as possible out in the event of a Corporation in their zeal seeking to go beyond their powers the farmer should at once seek the advice of the Council through the secretary, who would assist him in every possible way. Several farmers had already been summoned by the Manchester Corporation for having failed to notify a case ut suspected tuberculosis of the udder," and in one. or two instances fines had been imposed. There was little doubt that very shortly the powers obtained by Manchester and Liverpool, enabling them to deal with tuberculous milk, would be extended to other local authorities;; and in the event of any authority seeking to! obtain the further power to have condemnedl animals slaughtered in the public interest, the, Council would at once consider the advisability] of appealing to Parliament asking that adequate; compensation should be given for all suchj slaughtered animals. j Nj FACTORIES. j In the early part ot the year the council I appointed a committee to consider this question,! to collect information, and to report to a future meeting. The committee had not yet completed its investigations as the subject was a very large one, but the Council was of opinion that if such a scheme was found to be feasible it would prove to be of enormous benefit to the milk! trade, as in addition to controlling the supplyi to towns and thus preventing milk being sold at low prices, it would provide means by which the milk could be collected in local centres I where it could be filtered, pasteurised, properly refrigerated, and sold with a guarantee as to cleanliness and quality in such a manner as was impossible under present conditions. I APPOINTMENT OF ANALYST. I ■ The Council had appointed Mr. A. bmetnam, F.I.C., as consulting analyst to the association. In conclusion the Council urged upon the ■ [ members the necessity of continued effort, with a view to making the association a still greater power for good in the coming year, so that by means of a powerful combination they might not only make the dairy business a more profit- able one than it had been for years past, but that they might also secure for themselves by combined effort such improved conditions in the carrying on of the business as might from time to time seem legitimate and desirable. H The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts, referred tg the great national anxiety on behalf of the ■ Queen. At that moment of great national distress when they were all under the shadow of a great grief, when there was only one thought in the heart of every Englishman, and when the eyes of everybody were turned upon one sick g g room, they would have been glad to postpone even a meeting of that kind. Had the meeting been at all of a social character, he need not say they would have done so. but it was a purely business meeting, and even at such a time they felt it ought to be held. They had to congratu- sg late themselves upon the progress of the association which the report indicated. It was a striking fact that they had been able during their second year to add a very considerable | g number of members to the association. It shewed that the organisation was not merely pressed forward in a moment of enthusiasm by a few persons specially interested in the subject, } but that it represented a real need on the part of farmers and land owners of Cheshire, and jg that it had obtained, and would continue to obtain, an increasing measure of support. With an increased number of members, they naturally had a fairly satisfactory financial position, and there was a small, but under the circumstances a sufficient balance in the bank, while there was no prospect of any special claims upon their purse at the moment. The report drew attention to the fact that on the | whole there had been a somewhat better tone in the milk market through the year. Probably, individual experience might in some instances contradict that, but taking the district as a whole, he thought everybody's knowledge of l the subject would confirm that statement. On the subject of improvement in transit the Council had taken, through their energetic secretary, measures wherever possible, to in- js duce the railway companies to give new l ^facilities, and to improve the facilities that? already existed. They felt that was a very im-? portant matter, for at a great many railway ^stations the accommodation was distinctly in- $f adequate. (Hear, hear.) He hoped thel association would continue to press upon thei railway companies, and especially the London?! land North-Western Company, their very strong wish that reasonable accommodation might bevf granted to farmers for the sending of their f? imilk to market. One of the conditions oni iwhich railway companies existed in this country was that they should be servants of] the public. The council had certainly, from the side of the public, en-| deavoured to impress upon the memberE;I. the importance of supplying, as far as possible,! jwmilk of uniform quality, and another extremely ^useful point that had been urged was withi? ,regard to the sealing of cans. The sealing of? ?cans had been adopted very largely, and he | sincerely hoped that very simple remedy against loss in transit would become anf absolutely general practice. ?ith regard to' I the legal defence of members, they were, of course, desirous not to defend in any case l where there was suspicion of a doubtful practice on the part of a farmer. Where a farmer was| prosecuted for a breach of the law the associa- tion considered it their duty to assist in putting. ?his case before the court in the clearest way, nd if he should be, as in a great many cses hey believed he was, a wronged and innocent person, they desired to give him all the assist- ance in their power. On the other hand, if there was any suspicion of shady practice, I they naturally did not wish to lend themselves j I to it. He was glad to say that in a great jj any cases they had been able most con- | scientiously to support farmers who had been prosecuted with very satisfactory results. Perhaps the most important question before Cheshire farmers at the present was that of tuberculosis in milk and its effects on those [farmers who supplied the great towns, especially anchester and Liverpool. There had been Ifa disposition on the part of the local authorities S | to go, as they thought, outside the powers which H | had been entrusted to them by Parliament, and in some cases to unduly interfere, no doubt with the best intentions, with what they considered to be the liberties of the farmers of Cheshire. In those cases the association had lost no time in protesting. They were perfectly willing to loyally assist those corporations in carrying out the Acts of Parliament, but when they went a step further J in what they considered to be the public interest, and assumed powers which had Hot been givenRi them, the association were bound to protest. The, obligations which were laid upon farmers were, quite onerous enough without others by irre- sponsible authorities in the great T-,aneashire". momnnBmnBB towns or elsewhere. With a view of arriving at some understanding as to what the powers cf those corporations were, and how they should be exercised, it had been suggested that a small com- mittee should enter into friendly conversation with the corporations, and to come to a perfectly clear understanding as to the limitations which the association, on its part, as representing the Cheshire milk dealers, felt must be placed on those corporations. He expected a good result from such a meeting, and he sincerely noped that the authorities of Manchester, and perhaps also of Liverpool, would join the association in a friendly way in discussing this matter. The question of the formation of factories was always present in the minds of the association, but there was a feeling that the matter was not a very urgent one. There was certainly a considerable difference of opinion upon it, and so far the association had not seen its way to recommend the formation of factories in any particular place. In con- clusion, his lordship paid a high compliment to the secretary (Mr. Sadler) for the manner in which he had discharged his duties. He would be sorry to sit down without expressing the opinion that the success which the association had obtained was largely owing to Mr. Sadler's exertions and to the tact and good sense he had in the execution of his work. (Applause.) I Mr. Tollemache seconded the resolution, and bore testimony to the very useful work the asso- ciation had done during the last year. He had great hopes that its sphere of usefulness would be even more extended in future years. After all, there was nothing which they wished to .advocate or oppose which ought not also to be advocated or opposed by the great corporations. i He did not see why the association and those corporations should not work hand in hand, and he hoped the earnest which they had given that they wanted to do their duty by the public would lead those great towns to look upon them, not as enemies who were endeavouring to foist an un- "wholesome article at a ruinous price on their I citizens, but as people who were equally anxious .with them that the great staple article of food should be provided in a clean and wholesome Istate to the towns which were so largely de- pendent for their health upon it. He thought :there was a somewhat strong feeling in former days that the milk producers were anxious to go .on an antagonistic line to the corporations. He t maintained that the producers ought to, and Icould, work on the same lines as the corporations. IAII they asked for was fair play, and they were | equally anxious with the municipal authorities ?that the milk provided for the public should be a pure and wholesome article. a The resolution was carried. ? On the proposition of the Chairman, seconded lby Colonel Cotton-Jodrell, the statement of ?accounts was adopted. < NEW MEMBERS.  On the motion of Mr. George Barbour,  seconded by Mr. McCracken, 71 new members ?were elected, and satisfaction was expressed at I this large addition to the membership roll. I THE QUEEN'S ILLNESS. During the meeting the Chairman announced I the receipt of a telegram, signed by the Queen's doctors at Osborne, stating that her Majesty had I slightly rallied, since the previous night, and had taken more food and had refreshing sleep. It added there was no further loss of strength, and that the symptoms that gave rise to most anxiety were those which pointed to a local obstruction in the brain circulation. I ELECTIONS. n o f Colonel Cotton-Jodrell proposed the re-election of the Earl of Crewe aa president of the associa- ion for the ensuing year. He was very glad that the hope he expressed last year that Lord Crewe would return from his tour in Egypt thoroughly strengthened and re-invigorated had been fulfilled, and they were glad to take the opportunity of congratulating his lordship on haviug recovered the health and strength which they trusted would ong continue. (Applause.) Lord Crewe had taken the deepest interest in the association since its inception, having seen it through its infantile troubles, and now it was in a healthy and sound I condition they would be extremely glad to have him occupying the chair for the current year. The proposition was seconded by Mr. C. B. Davies, and carried with hearty acclamation. The Chairman, in returning thanks, assured the members he would do his best in the future to advance the interests of the association in every way. ?"h following were re-elected vice-presidents, with the addition of Mr. A. M. Lee (Adlington Hall):—Colonel Cotton-Jodrell, Mr. Henry Tolle- mache, M.P., Mr. Barbour, Mr. Thornycroft, Colonel Dixon, Sir Delves Broughton, Sir Philip Egerton, Lord Cholmondeley, Mr. Bromley- Davenport, M.P. and Mr. J. Tomkinson, M.P.— Mr. Stanley Rosewood was re-elected treasurer, Mr. A. Smetham analyst, Mr. E. Brassey solicitor, and Messrs. W. McCracken and Alec. F. Douglass auditors.—Mr. Geo. Barbour moved the re-election of Mr. Sadler as secretary, and spoke of the devotion he had shewn to the interests of the association.—Mr. E. Young seconded, and the motion was carned.-On the motion of Colonel Cotton-Jodrell, seconded by Mr. C. D. Slater (Winsford), the following members of the council, who retired by rotation, were re-elected: Messrs. Baker Wilbraham, H. Heywood Lonsdale, R. T. Richardson, D. E. Byrd, W. B. Sadler, W. Thomp- stone, Thos. Davies, C. B. Davies and T. Parton. A vacancy on the council caused by the appoint- ment of Mr. Lee as vice-president, was filled by Mr. C. E. Linaker (Frodsham).-The following committees were appointed: Finance, Messrs. T. F. Egerton, W. McCracken, A. F. Douglass, J. Beecroft., J. T. Pye, C. B. Davies, T. Baxter, W. Beech, D. E. Bvrd, with the president, vice- presidents and secretary; Parliamentary Com- mittee, Messrs. MoCracken, C. B. Davies, Thos. ■ Parton and the president, vice-presidents and secretary; Factories Committee, Messrs. G. Barbour, C. E. Thorneycroft, T. F. Egerton, A. F. Douglass, St. John Charlton, D. E. Byrd, J. T. Pye, C. Thornhill, J. Moreton, C. B. Davies, J. Emberton, J. Beecroft, J. Wright, T. Parton, Rowe Morris, J. E. Lomas, J. Millington, J. B, hVernon and the secretary. I FARMERS AND MILK DEALERS. Nt The Secretary reported that the Council, with a view of settling disputes between milk dealers and farmers, so as to avoid expensive and irrita- ting litigation, passed at their meeting on July 23rd a resolution, on the motion of Mr. Douglass, seconded by Mr. W. J. Dutton, recommending to the general meeting "that a Conciliation Com- mittee be appointed to act in conjunction with a similar committee of the Manchester Milk Dealers' Association, to consist of four members and the ? secretary. a On the motion of Mr. C. B. Davies, seconded by Colonel Cotton-J odrelI" it was decided to ap- prove of the resolution of the Council, and a com- mittee, consisting of Messrs. Dutton, Baxter, J. Wright and W. Beech, with the secretary, waa appointed. I TEST OF MILK. II In answer to Mr. Pedley, the Secretary said the [position of ,the factory question was not very for- te ward. They were considering the question and collecting information, and hoped under favour- able circumstances to make an experiment in the direction indicated in the report. His idea was to first collect the milk from the farmers at suit- able centres near railway stations, there to put it through a thorough process of refrigerating, filter- ing and, if necessary, pasteurising, in order to give them an opportunity of passing it on to their customers with an absolute guarantee as to x cleanliness and purity. They would then be able |to buy their milk, if they were a co-operative society, from the farmers according to the butter- gfat test of their milk, as was the common practice Bin factories. They could, after subjecting the milk to the process he suggested, pass it on to their buyers on a butter fat test, and inaugurate a ?system of selling their milk, not as now, irrespec- Stive of quality, but according to the quality they ?were able to produce. There were difficulties in ithe way of bottling milk for distribution. First /was the question of expense. The poorer popu- lation could not. afford to pay for bottles. Then ?there was the difficulty of having the bottles re- turned, and many would perhaps be broken. Cer- tainly a great deal was necessary to be done in ?order to ensure that the milk should not only be •.pure and free from disease germs, but that it should be protected when it got into the habita- 'tions of the people. The subject of factories fseemed at present somewhat idealistic, but he 'hoped some day it would prove to be more than (idealistic. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Lord Crewe for presiding. ——————— ———————

r STRONG TESTIMONY. THIS IS A STATEMENT BY A CHESTER MAN, AND WILL BEAR INVESTIGATION. I If you doubt this and wish to prove it you (have not got to go to some far-off country, or even to another town. It is not a long story of |someone living in some obscure, unheard-of corner of the United Kingdom. g It is a clear and honest statement by a Chester man for the benefit of Chester people, and published in a Chester paper. 1 Mr. Peter Leake, of 11, Lead works-lane, Chester, says:— I For the last three years I have been a great sufferer from kidney trouble, and although I have tried no end of remedies I never got any relief. I used to be troubled with pains in the back and loins, especially when I stooped; I could not sleep at night, and when I rose in the morning I frequently felt more tired than when I went to bed at night. I used to have giddy spells, my head would swim, my sight was dim, and black specks frequently floated before my eyes. The secretions from my kidneys were thick and cloudy, and often very painful in passing. ( As time went on I grew gradually worse, ,and at last I was so bad that I had to give up work altogether, and was laid up for some weeks. But about this time a friend of mine got me a box of Doan's Backache Kidney Pills from Boot's the chemists in Eastgate Row, and advised me to take them. I did so and soon noticed an improvement in my health. My back grew much stronger, my kidneys began to act more freely and naturally, and I was soon upon my feet again. I got another box, and by the time I had finished that I was as well as ever, and now I can truthfully say I am quite cured." (Signed) Peter Leake. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are sold by all chemists and drugstores at 2s. 9d. per box (six boxes 13s. 9d.), or sent direct, post free, on receipt of price, from the Proprietors, Foster- McClellan & Co., 57, Shoe Lane, London. If jrou have symptoms of any kidney trouble, write us about it fully, we will be glad to reply. Be sure you ask for the same pills that Mr. Loake had.