Cheshire Observer

APPOINTMENT FOR THE HON.I A. LAWLEY. I WESTRALIA'S NEW GOVERNOR. I From the Colonial Office it is announced that the King has been pleased to approve of the appointment of Captain the Honourable Arthur Lawley, Administrator of Matabeleland, to be I Governor of the State of Western Australia. —————— 0 ——————

DUKE OF YORK'S ILLNESS. I The Duke of Cornwall and York, it is officially stated, is suffering from a very severe attack of German measles, which has caused much sleep- lessness and great bodily discomfort. The latest information is to the effect that his Royal Highness' condition is entirely satisfactory, but, of course, he will not be able to take his place in the funeral procession on Saturday. —————— ——————

THE HAMPSTEAD TRAGEDY. I On Wednesday, at the Marylebone Police] Court, Mr. Plowden heard the charge against thel young woman, Maud Amelia Eddington, for the ] wilful murder of her lover, John Bellis, a native ] of Mold, by shooting him with a revolver. After ] some evidence had been given prisoner was again ] remanded. — ♦ |I ——————— ———————

THE KING'S THANKS. I ADDRESSES TO ARMY AND NAVY. I MOVING APPEAL. Orders to the Army and Navy were on Satur-I day issued by the King. His Majesty says he is' desirous of expressing to the Navy his he&rtfelt thanks for its distinguished and renowned ser-j vices during the fong and glorious reign of hisl mother. Her Majesty was ever proud of the ] great deeds of her Navy, which was the pro- ] fession of his late brother, and was also chosen by ] him for the early education of both his sons. The ] King concludes by saying he confidently relies ] upon that unfailing loyalty which is the proud in- j heritance of that noble service. To the Army his ] Majesty tenders his thanks for the splendid ser- j vices rendered to the Queen during her reign. ] His mother, he observes, invariably evinced thej warmest interest in her troops, and she was proud of the fact of being a soldier's daughter. TO secure the best interests of the Army will, the King remarks, be one of the dearest objects of his heart. |

TRAGEDY AT THORNTON I HOUGH. SUPPOSED SUICIDE. I On Tuesday evening the quiet little village ofi Thornton Hough was thrown into a state of; intense excitement by the discovery that a terrible; tragedy had been enacted at the local Post-office. ] About seven o'clock Miss Rock, a young lady employed as a teacher at the local National Schools, entered the Post-office, and found it eippty with the exception of a female attired in deep mourning. The latter stood in a corner with her face to the wall, in a crouching attitude, and was moaning as if in pain. When Miss Rock entered she turned her head and gave her a sharp glance, but made no remark. Thinking the lady Wks in mental distress owing to some recent bereavement, Miss Rock felt reluctant to intrude upon her apparent grief, and proceeded to the counter. She afterwards turned to close the door, wfien the female again glanced at her and a second later fell heavily to the floor. Miss Rock at once called for assistance, and Mr. Egerton, B •tlje postmaster, ran into the office. He at once divined the true state of affairs, and. unbuttoning tag lady's collar, called for salt and water to be used as an emetic. Meanwhile Miss Rock called in the assistance of Constable Diskin and one of lyfr Egerton's assistants ran for Dr. Whipp. The Jatter happened to be passing at the moment, and at once hurried in. Despite every attention, tha sufferer died about eight o'clock. There was a strong smell of carbolic acid, and as an empty clVbolic acid bottle has since been found in the rear of the Post-office there can be no doubt as to the nature of the rash act. The deceased was of attractive appearance and apparently from 25 to 30 years of age. It has transpired that site was the sister-in-law of the officer who was called in, and who lived next door to the stores. She had been living in the neighbourhood of Bjrkenhead, and as she had not called upon her ster it was not known that she was in the neigh- bourhood of Thornton. It is stated that her name is Mary Byrne, and that she has twice pre- viously been charged before the magistrates with attempts upon her life, the last occasion being afjput a year ago at New Ferry, when it was stated that she had drunk carbolic acid. The body was removed to Clatterbridge Workhouse to await an inquest.

KELSALL. I GAME TRESPASS.—At Eddisbury Petty Sqpsions on Monday, before Mr. H. Lyle Smyth (in the chair), Sir Philip Egerton, and Mr. H. E. Wilbraham, Enoch Astbury, labourer, Kelsall, was summoned for trasing in pursuit of game on land ûl the possession of William Frith, in the township of Kmgswood, on the 20th December. Defendant ,dtd not appear. Walter Harrison, gamekeeper, deposed to seeing Astbury in the afternoon in the act of setting snares for rabbits. He admitted to witness that he was trying to catch rabbits. Witness told him he had no business on that land and ordered him to give up the snares. Wit- ness added he believed defendant went on the CLown land in the district osteasibly for the purpose of working under the Crown, but as a matter of fact he only .r ?; pretence at working, his object being the 1 aa?Qg of snares for rabbits.—Defendant was j&d?d 206. including costs.

BARROW. I CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.—On Thursday evening the children attending Barrow Church Sunday School, with their parents and friends, were invited to a magic lantern entertainment in tit Public Hall. The views were a series from the Holy Land," and each was described by the Rev. S. Schor, a native of Jerusalem. Daring the evening a number of beautiful prizes were distributed to the children by Mrs. Arnold, and to the one who had made the most attendances a Bible was presented by the Rector. Mrs. Cheers, the Hough Farm, Little Barrow, also presented two prizes to the children who had made the highest attendances. Before leaving each child was given a bun and orange by Mrs. Arnold, and the scholars departed well pleased with the evening's entertainment. Among those present were Miss G. Lyle Smyth, Barrowmore Hall, Misses Okell, Manor House, ete. E S

FCH ESTER S FLORAL TRIBUTE ITbe citizens will be pleased to learn that the Mayor is sending in his own name and that ofl the citizens a wreath to the Queen's funeral. The wreath, as is most fitting, is an extremely beautiful one, and it may be seen in the window of Messrs. DicksoDs, Eastgate-street. It bears the inscription From the Mayor and citizens ot Chester." The wreath is a triumph of the Horal art, and is composed of orchids, lilis of the valley, hyacinths, freesias, arum lilies, cyprepediums, spirea, wbite tulips, asparagus sprengerii, white azaleas, and the usual maidenhair fern, &e.

SPOSt OFFICE ARRANGEMENTS.! S All the Chester Sub-Post Offices, with the exception of Hoole and Boughton, will be closed entirely on Saturday. The public counter at the Head Office will be closed at noon for all business, except telegraph business, the reception of parcels, the sale of postage stamps, and the registration of letters and parcels. There will be a morning delivery only of letters and parcels, and only one despatch, for which letters and parcels should be posted before 10 p.m.

I PUBLIC TRIBUTES. I I (See also page 6.) I I REFERENCE BY THE BISHOP. At the annual meeting of the Cnester Diocesan [Finance Association in Chester Town Hall, on Wednesday, the Lord Bishop said they would all feel that it was their first very sorrowful duty to make some allusion to the great loss which the nation, and the whole cause of religion had sus- tained. He believed they would give him their I approval when he said he thought it would be undesirable to go over again the ground which had I been so well covered by a number of preachers and speakers. He did not, therefore, propose to speak in detail about our late Queen's character and influence. Nor did he think it necessary to send up a resolution to London. If they exercised their imaginations at all they must realise that those who were at the centre were at the present time overwhelmed with business, and perhaps it might meet the case-and he believed he had the approval of the High Sheriff in saying this-if they simply put on record the following resolution, which he begged to move:—"At the annual meet- ings of the diocesan societies it was resolved by the members to record their sorrow at the very grievous loss which the nation has sustained by the death of her most gracious Majesty the Queen."—The resolution was adopted.—The Bishop said probably many there would have been waiting for instructions from the centre about the memorial service, but here again an intelligent and sympathetic imagination would, he thought, understand how those at the centre had been overwhelmed with a variety of business. He dared say some of them had noticed the remark made by one of our leading statesmen only re- centlv that it was only when he saw the number of letters the Queen had to sign that he realised the amount of work she had to do. He for one certainly could not form the slightest conception of the way in which those at headquarters were overwhelmed with business at the present time. They had seen in that morning's papers that a meeting of the Privy Council nad been held, and instructions agreed upon with regard to the issue of a form of the memorial service to be held on Saturday, and they would probably be in the hands of incumbents by Thursday. Of course with regard to the music and anthems, that would be left to settlement according to the needs of the l particular localities. I WIRRAL GUARDIANS AND THE LOSS. I At the fortnightly meeting of the Wirral Board r of Guardians on Wednesday, held at Clatter- bridge Workhouse, the Chairman (Mr. W. | Knowles) made a touching reference to the [ Empire's loss. He said: I cannot commence the [ business of the Board without first alluding to the mysterious dispensation of God, which has by a stroke quenched the joy of an entire nation and her colonies by the death of our beloved Sovereign Queen Victoria. Not only has this nation felt the loss, but every nation in Europe; even France, with all its republicanism, has sent a message of condolence to the Royal family. It has filled every heart in which there is a spark of social affection with the grief of a domestic sorrow, and from the emblems of mourning we see displayed on every hand, profound sorrow pervaded all ranks from Royalty to the meanest subject in the land. I remember the death of William IV., when in the ninth year of my age, and hearing that a funeral sermon was to be preached on the occasion about two miles away. I had a great desire to go and hear it, but was prevented. I well remember the Coronation of our late Queen, when in her teens she ascended the throne of the greatest nation upon earth to rule over a kingdom upon which the sun never sets. I remember her espousal and marriage to Albert the Good, who gained the respect and confidence of all classes, and for nearly 22 years 1 was the wise counsellor and judicial adviser of; her Majesty. Their happy married life was admired by the nation, and the noble example,, they set before their subjects was worthy of. imitation. They strove together to make the palace the home of purity and conjugal felicity. Then, after 22 years of wedded happy life, came the dark days of sorrow and bereavement. The Prince in whom she trusted, and who had gained J the entire confidence of her people, was suddenly snatched away by the ruthless hand of Death at a time he could ill be spared. She was left with i children to care for and train for the high position of royalty. These heavy burdens were laid upon; her. and, with the trammels of Court, they told heavily upon her both physically and mentally. ,Then came the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny, and hundreds of thousands of her brave ofifcers and soldiers were laid to rest in a foreign land. 'After this, "stroke after stroke fell upon her." The recovery of the heir apparent after the serious illness, when for days his life hung in the balance, can only be attributed to the prayers of a mother, a wife, and the nation at large. Then came the deaths of the Princess Alice, Duke of A Albany, Duke of Clarence, Prince Henry of Battenberg. Prince Alfred of Co burg, and several others. And even on the bed from which she would rise no more came the melancholy news a of the failing health of her eldest daughter, the Empress Frederic of Germany. We are sure, 9 with the kind and motherly nature she possessed, fi all these events must have proved a severe wrench to her parental feelings. But it was a great consolation to all her subjects to know that she wisely saw and acknowledged the hand of God in all her afflictions, and through His grace was enabled to bear all with Christian fortitude* and perfect resignation to His will. But while 1 we deeply deplore the loss we have sustained in the death of our Queen, let us not forget the I mercies which have been so abundantly bestowed upon us, and to express our gratitude to God for i giving us such a Queen and sparing her to us for so many years. We rejoice to think that her popularity has grown with the lapse of time, and after faithfully serving her generation. She died full of years and honour, amid the lamenta- tions of the millions of her people. We hope and pray that her influence will be felt in the Court of the future, and her example imitated, and that the present King may catch her fallen mantle, and also his Royal Consort, who came here a perfect stranger, but through her amiable disposition has won the hearts of all, especially the poor, the wounded, the widows and orphans through the war, in which she has taken such a deep interest. May she continue in these acts of kindness in the land of her adoption, and may God grant that our King and Queen may long be spared to reign over a law-abiding, peaceful and prosperous people. I ask you all to join with me in saying God save our King and Queen." Standing, the members fervently uttered these words. I FRODSHAM BENCH'S TESTIMONY. K At Frodsham Petty Sessions on Wednesday morning, Mr. C. Reynolds, the presiding magis- trate, said before they proceeded to business they would like to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of their late Queen. During her long and brilliant reign her heart was always with her people, and there was no more strong proof of her fitness to govern than the extraordinary way in which she identified herself with the wishes and prejudices of her subjects. Another proof of the great Queen's popularity and her splendid capabilities as a governor lay in her share of the extraordinary flame of patriotism which had spread like an electric flash to the extremities of the British Empire during the last twelve months in the matter of the South African War. They truly mourned her loss and deeply sym- pathised with the Royal family in their bereave- ment. The beloved Queen was dead, but long live the King. Although they deplored the loss of so noble a Queen, they should unite in fervent hopes and heartiest good wishes for the King on his accession to the throne. Might his reign be as glorious and his influence for good as strong as that of his predecessor, and might he also be T| guided by that ever-present sense of duty which g was the guiding star of the late Sovereign, who g had entered into her rest after an unparalleled j reign. God save the King. HOPE PARISH COUNCIL. I At & meeting on Monday Mr. E. 0. Probert chairman) moved That this Council greatly re- n rrets the loss sustained by the death of their beloved Queen, and sympathises with the King, and the Royal family in their bereavement." Mr. ø John Bellis seconded and Mr. Joseph Griffiths supported the motion, which was carried in silence. B MOLD MAGISTRATES. I Presiding at the Mold Petty Sessions on Mon-| day, Mr. E. H. Wain referred to the great loss the country had sustained by the death of herl  late Majesty Queen Victoria. Having paid aj tribute to the virtues of the deceased monarch and her influence for good, he said the country | had never sustained such a loss, and would | probably never sustain such a loss again. He expressed the Bench's sympathy with the Royal j family.-Mr. Hugh G. Roberts, as senior advo- j cate in court, said the members of the legal pro- I fession wished to associate themselves with what a had fallen from the chairman- I

I BUCKLEY. I 1ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.—Major Gibson has F generously defrayed the expenses of completing the gas arrangements at the church. He is one of the principal supporters of this church. t BISTRE CHURCH CLOCK.-This clock, which is one of the institutions of Buckley, and  which was erected in memory of the first vicar ? (the Rev. Edward Jones). has been for some time out of repair, and the inhabitants have missed its familiar chimes. However, the clock has now been repaired, and is in excellent order. THE DINNER HOUR.—The parents of the ichildren attending Buckley and Bistre National t Schools and Bistre Board School have been in- formed that henceforth children cannot be with- L drawn from the schools for the purpose of taking i dinner to the various works before 12 o'clock This change affects about 70 per cent, of the children, and has become an absolute necessity, not only on account of the inconvenience and harm caused at the schools, but also because H.M. Inspector does not approve of children 8 leaving the schools half an hour before closing time. The Rev. Harry Drew wrote the various I employers of labour, asking them to change the time of dinner from 12 to 12.30, but they refuse B to acquiesce in the matter. Feeling is high ainnfll 'some quarters at the change, and it is said an agitation will take place in favour of the old rule. f

I CONNAITSQUAY. I I CHILDREN'S CONCERT RECEIPTS.-Inl connection with the recent children's concert held in St. Mark's Schools, a sum of RZ7 2s. 4id. was realised. After deducting the [necessary expenses, a sum of E30 Is. 7!d. has [been handed the managers of the schools ,towards paying off the debt remaining on the new class-room. THE GALE.—During high water on Sunday a heavy sea was running in the river, but no damage to shipping property is reported. At the brickworks of Mr. James Prince, a rather serious accident occurred on Sunday during the height of the gale. A chimney which had only been built the previous week was blown down, and crashed through the roof of a boarded shed, carrying the greater portion of the roof away. In the village chimney pots were displaced, and many slates carried off house property. I NEW SEWER.—The Urban District Council B! "have carried out an important sewerage work I in the Wepre portion of their district. There j fBas existed alongside the main road an open i fsewer known as the Custom House Tavern 'ditch, which has for years proved a great S N nuisance. The Council have substituted for fli this sewer a piped drain, and have thus effected S a great improvement and at the same time 'removed a serious menace to the public health. flc iMr. J. R. Freme, through whose estate theSt sewer runs, has contributed S20 towards the cost, and the Council will effect a saving eachflii year in the cleaning out of the ditch, which p amounted to a large item. ga

THE ?1 SOUTH AF'CAN WAR. I BOER SUCCESS AT FOURTEEN 1 STRAM. g. TRAIN CAPTURED. t.. I Capetown, Saturday. & The Boers have blown up a culvert near Four- 51i. I teen Streams, and have captured a military train, ip

ENGAGEMENT NEAR BALMORAL. ENEMY DRIVEN OFF. J Pretoria, Friday. d < Yesterday a train, with Lord Kitchener and a number of troops on board, proceeded in the direction of Middelburg. The armoured pilot i engine which preceded it was derailed by dyna- mite near Balmoral. Soon afterwards the troop train came up, whereupon the Boers shewed them- selves in numbers, and opened fire. The troops immediately took up positions in the vicinity and, after a heavy fire had been exchanged, the enemy were driven off with loss. There were no casualties on our side. E

MILITARY ACTIVITY IN CHESTER. ? I & I AN IMPORTANT ORDER. r-, I The authorities at Chester Castle were busily £ I engaged on Monday, in consequence of anv important order received from the War Office" shortly before noon. The order is to the effect that 116 rank and file and four officers of the > Cheshire Volunteer Brigade are to be/ mobilised almost immediately, to proceed to Africa, where they will relieve the Volun-v teer Company at present with the Cheshire Regiment, and enable them to return home. J There are ninety men on the Volunteer. Reserve available for service, and the remainder will be taken from the 5th Cheshire V.B. The men will be equipped by the authorities,? &nd will be accommodated at Chester Castle.f YEOMANRY RECRUITING. ? Recruiting is actively proceeding at the"| Chester Imperial Yeomanry Offices, and Sergt.- £ Major Cooper, Sergt.-Major Bag-g, and a ,-pecial staffare kept busily employed. Twenty candidates for the Imperial Yeomanry finally passed in shooting at Wrexham on Wednesday, and eight; for the South African Mounted Police. Thets former will leave for Aldershot on Friday morning, and the latter will sail from Liverpool on February 8th. The recruits are a fine set |! of young men, and they hail from Northwich,f St. Asaph, Liverpool, and Southport. j|

SUGAR IN BREWING.—A meeting of Warwick shire agriculturists was held at the County Hall, Warwick, on Saturday to consider the question of pure beer, Colonel Victor Milward, M.P., sent the following reply to an invitation to attend- I am endeavouring to acqnaint myself fully with the merits of this question, but as far as I can see at present it is suicidal of the British farmer to endeavour to prevent sugar being used with his barley. It requires the addition of sugar to British barley to make t equal in saccharine quality to the Eastern or 3myrna barley. If Parliament were to say that -he term 'beer' can only be applied to a liquor nade from malt, hops, and water the result pould be a very heavy blow to British agricul- ure. Some of my friends may think that be- i ause I am interested in the growth of sugar l leet I am in some way interested in sugar tself, but this is not the case. I have no l nterest to serve except to discover the best l olicy to pursue in supporting British i griculture." f :'o.tc;;+-é: n;7:

FRODSHAM PUBLICAN FINED.! NOVEL DEFENCE. ii MUSIC AND DRINK. IS At Frodsham Petty Sessions, on Wednesday, James Worrall, licensee of the Bridge Inn, ?rodsham, was charged before Mr. C. Reynolds ji. md other magistrates with permitting drunken- less on his premises. m Mr. E. Brassey (Chester) appeared on behalf B )f the police, and Mr. A. Brown (Warrington) lefended. K P.C. Dickin, stationed at Frodsham, said he was standing opposite the public-house at ten p.m. on January 11th, when he saw about twenty men turned out of the public-house, it being ? dosing time. Among these men was Herbert jgji Parkinson, a labourer living at Frodsham, who appeared to be drunk, and was supported on each side by two companions. On getting outside Parkinson commenced to make a great (lis- jj turbance and challenged someone to fight. He I made use of bad language, and witness requested ™ him to go away quietly, but he continued hisl unruly conduct for some time. Witness then ? said he would have to report Parkinson for being drunk and disorderly. Parkinson eventually went | away with some friends and proceeded in the s direction of the Union Church. In consequence of certain information he received shortly after-? wards from Sergeant Hunt, witness went in search aj of Parkinson, and found him lying down on a? footpath with his hat off. The man, who had ? been deserted by his companions, was in a dirty | and wretched state. He (the constable) raised him up from the ground and asked him to go S home, but he became very disorderly. He said ? he would not go home for anybody, and witness was obliged to lock him up for the night. Inl. company with P.S. Hunt, witness proceeded to the Bridge Inn, and the sergeant questioned the ? landlord as to why he had permitted drunkenness -j on his licensed premises. Worrall said he had ] only seen Parkinson twice on the night referred to, once when Parkinson was playing a tin whistle and again when he ordered the men out at j closing time. When P.S. Hunt informed the j licensee that Parkinson would be summoned for| being drunk and disorderly, Worrall said "Hel did not seem so bad." fl In reply to Mr. A. Brown, the policeman sald? he found Parkinson lying down a quarter of an i hour after he came out of the Bridge Inn. Wit- i ness was sure that Parkinson had not previously been home. He denied that he knocked the manjlj on the head. Parkinson was certainly drunk. t P.S. Hunt deposed to finding Parkinson on thel footpath without any hat on. He was the worse for liquor. I Questioned by Mr. Brown, the sergeant said it would be five or six minutes' walk from the public- t house to the spot where Parkinson was found, and it was not likely that he went home after coming out of the inn. There was no doubt that ;■ Worrall had permitted drunkenness. | Herbert Parkinson said he went to the Bridge' Inn shortly before eight o'clock, and stayed there' until ten. He was out of work at the time, and a friend paid for the drinks he had. He had not tasted intoxicants before he went to the Bridge i Inn, where he had a bottle of stout, a small i ?wh*sky, and a pint of beer. j Mr. Brown: Were you drunk?-Witness: I was' !?not. ? In answer to other questions Parkinson con- I |tended that he walked out of the public-house? | without any assistance whatever. He went to I ?the inn at the request of a friend. He was play-! ting on a tin whistle "Old Folks at Home," with! | four variations, and other well-known songs I during the time he stayed at the inn, and that ir alone shewed he was not drunk. (Laughter.)' ?The constable did not say that he (witness) would i.be summoned. He denied having created a dis-! turbance. Parkinson also stated that he drank ?a bottle of ginger-beer at Mrs. Caldwell's shop, ? which was close to the Bridge Inn, and afterwards walked to Newtown, where he resided. He re-! turned to see a friend, when P.C. Dickin accosted him and shoved him against a wall. Mr. Brown: What song were you playing on' the tin whistle shortly before ten o'clock when the landlord requested you and the other men to leave?—It was "I tickled him." (Laughter.') I believe you played other songs very well?- Well, I am not a professional, you know, but I think I can play pretty well when I am sober. (Laughter.) I gave The Manchester Ship Canal Hornpipe"-rny own composition-" Old Folks I at Home," and other popular songs on the whistle. (Laughter.) I You sang comic songs too, I understand ?—Oh, yes. | And you swear that you were not drunk?- I do. H Further questioned, Parkinson said he also played The Liverpool Hornpipe," which was 8 rather difficult. (Laughter.) He was standing up when P.C. 'Dickin and P.S. Hunt arrested him. He was certainly not the worse for drink, and he was quite capable of looking after himself. For the defence, Mr. Brown said the fact that Parkinson was playing a tin whistle for the amusement of his friends was sufficient proof of his sobriety. How could anyone fancy a drunken man playing Old Folks at Home," with four variations? (Laughter.) It was ridiculous. Unless it could be proved that Parkinson was drunk to the know- ledge of the landlord, who saw the man only twice on the night alluded to, there could be no conviction. He had no fear in saying that his client was convicted about twelve months ago for a similar offence, but that fact alone would serve the effect of making Worrall more careful, and it was doubly obvious that the licensee would not allow a drunken man to remain on his premises. Worrall kept a public-house in Warrington for over twenty years without any manner of com- plaint, and for twelve years previously he was a member of the police force. Arthur Jackson, residing at Newtown, Frod- sham, said he was in the Bridge Inn with Parkin- son, who was sober. Peter Worrall (who is not related to the de- fendant) said he took Parkinson into the public- house and paid for drinks. The latter played "The Watercress Girl" on the tin whistle very well. (Laughter.) Parkinson was not supported out of the public-house; he walked out quite straight. Thomas Allman was the next witness called, and questioned by Mr. Brown as to whether he was a teetotaller, he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Brown What did you have in the public- house?—Witness: Two bottles of stout and a small port. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Brown: Oh, I thought you were a teeto- taller. (Renewed laughter.) Continuing, Allman said Parkinson, in his opinion, was quite sober. He was not drunk, at any rate. Other witnesses were called for the defence. including Mary Ellen Gibbon, a servant at the Bridge Inn, who said there was not a sign of drink about Parkinson when he left the premises. Her instructions were very strict with regard to permitting drunkenness, and Parkinson on this particular occasion was sober. James Worrall, in the witness-box, emphatically denied that Parkinson was intoxicated to any serious extent. He heard him sing and play several times, and Parkinson's voice and manner were certainly not those of a drunken man. A few minutes before ten o'clock witness went in the room where the man was seated and ordered the men out of the house. Parkinson said "Time is not up yet, boss; let me finish this tune." He was playing Old Folks at Home," and defendant complied with his request. Then the men were turned out, Parkinson going through the door by himself. About 11.30 that night the constables called upon him, and he told them that Parkin son appeared quite sober. He denied having stated that he did not look so bad." Since the last conviction defendant had been very particular in conducting his house properly. Superintendent Nield said Parkinson was fined 5s. including costs for being drunk and disorderly at the last court, when he pleaded not guilty. The magistrates retired for a few minutes, and upon their return the Chairman said they were perfectly satisfied that drunkenness was permitted, and Worrall would be fined 20s. and costs (£3 7s. altogether). Mr. Brassey's application for his usual fee was granted. ♦

I MALPAS. I I JOINT BURIAL BOARD.-A. meeting was held on Wednesday. Mr. E. Langley, who presided, spoke in feeling terms of the loss sustained to them and their country in the death of our beloved Sovereign. He asked all present to give the deepest meaning to his remarks by rising silently in their places. This they did. The Board considered the new table of fees for the cemetery preparatory to submitting it fo-1r the approval and sanction of the Home Secretary.

I FRODSHAM. I CHOIR SUPPER.—On Thursday evening at the Vicarage, the Rev. H. B. Blogg, M.A. (vicar), and Mrs. Blogg entertained the choirs of the Parish and Iron Churches at supper. Mr. C. E. Linaker (churchwarden), was present in l idIition to almost the full complement of the choirs, but the two organists, Mr. C. H. Hibbertt and Mr. H. Tiley, were unavoidably absent owing to illness. Subsequently a musical pro- I gramme was excellently rendered by the members of the two choirs, Mrs. Rees accom- panying. PAROCHIAL COMMITTEE—The monthly meeting of the Frodsham Parish Council, act- ing as a parochial committee, was held on Friday, Mr. C. E. Linaker presiding.—Mr. Kydd reported verbally upon the visit of the sub-committee to the premises of Mr. Watson, Church-street, to inspect the wooden erection which had recently been put up, and read a long letter addressed to him by Mr. Watson. After fully considering the matter, it was agreed that a breach of the bye-laws had been com- mitted, and it was resolved that Mr. Watson be called upon to remove the shed complained of within a month.—An account was submitted from the gas company for X69, for gas supplied to the street lamps, and passed for payment.1

I FLIGHT OF TWELVE BANK NOTES.—While a'? solicitor's clerk at Rhyl was proceeding to thie bank with a dozen five pound notes the wind blew them out of his hand, and they wentj g whirling through the air. When th affrighted messenger let passers-by know wha.t he had lost, there was an exciting chase after :the flying notes. Two or three were blown along the ground and easily recovered. were whirled through the air as high as house tops. Elderly people threw dignity to the p, wind, and joined in the frantic scramble.? Eventually the messenger succeeded in securing all the notes, and safely deposited them inj? Parrs Bank. ? •

Ilik; ARM* AND VOLUATttJbttti.l WELSH VOLUNTEERS AT BRITSTOWN.1 CAPTAIN KEENE'S FUKIH^K EXPERIENCES. I On Saturday the ionowing dated Bntstown, January btn, 1901, was received from Captain T. M. Keene, of Mold, who twelve months ago sailed to Soutn Attica in command of the Service Company raised trom the 2nd Vol. Batt. R. W.F.:—' This is a life oi changes. Here I am now commanding the Britstown district, a county about as big as ilillitsitire, an absolute autocrat, with powers of life and death aimost. B The place is under martial law, and 1 can do pretty H well what I like, close the 'pubs,' make the in- B habitants be in their houses by nme, and put their lights out by b.30, make them bring in their gunsffl [ and any spare horses, and generally ride rough-snod H over everybody, if I felt so disposed. We have B tto be caretul, though, not to put trie people's [backs up, it possible. At the beginning ot the [war nearly every larmer in the piace was pro- lf .Boer, rebel at heart, and ready to assist the Boers H ?in every way, but owing to recent events they [have very much changed their tune. Last Sunday week, or just a week before I arrived, a Boer H icoulmando invaded this district and town, and asS 'they went through took all the farmers' horses |and forage, and killed what sneep they wanted llihis so annoyed their pals that they are now ready to do anything against the Boers. They come in |g ?and give information about them, and do all they ?can to assist us. Nothing could have been better Ifrom our point of view than this, as instead of j [people crowding in from all parts to join them, | Jthey are cold-shouldered everywhere, and if the 1 ?feeling lasts it will do more towards stopping tne j ?war than any amount of fighting and chasing them j j ?about. When they came in nere they took all they could carry, stuffed the magistrate m gaol, 3 ?took his pair of horses, put the bank manager? ?under arrest, and pretty Weu cleared the town of j; |horses. They cut the wires between here and aj9 ? place called Hawwater for miles, and broke down 3 .about 100 telegraph poles, which are all made of feast-iron in these parts. 1 have sent a i party out to mend them. So far they have been J at it for four days, and haven't finished yet. The ? enemy seemed to have pretty well cleared out of ?this district for the present, but there is no know- ?ing when they will break back again from the j ¡orange River Colony. I came here in charge of fa convoy, consisting of 76 wagons, with an escort ?of 100 infantry and 80 mounted men. The column l was about two miles long, and if the Boers had chosen to attack they could have cleared half of it ?with the greatest ease. I was in command of the ?show, and I was jolly glad when it arrived safely. You never saw such a circus in your ?life—mule wagons, ox and donkey wagons, iall straggling along at their own pace, the mule wagons in the front shoving along at about three miles an hour, and the don- 'key wagons bringing up the rear at about two ? miles an hour. The consequence was it used to ?take about two and a half hours to laager up at ?each halt, as they used to come straggling in at sail hours. The original intention was that we were ?to go straight along to Thornyeroft, and take | the convoy on to him, but by the time we got ?here he had pushed on beyond our reach, so we Stwere stopped here, much to every one's relief, as, ?it was very trying work for the men marching along ?with a convoy in this weather. The heat is terrific in the middle of the day, about 100 in the shade, and it simply kills the men and animals Shaving to march through it. I think now we shall remain here as a garrison, as I have strongly ?recommended that one should be kept here. I ?am collecting all the stray horses in the district, Boer and military, and as soon as fit I send them ion to De Aar. I have got 116 already, but they j ?are nearly all of them run down. Some of them, however, will pick up again in a week or so, when I expect to get some serviceable 'crocks' of some sort, I have already sent 28 into De Aar, and by g|the time I have sent the next crowd in they ought 'to have something to go on with. This is rather a *g pretty little town, with a good church. I am get- ting some photos of it, which I will send along. I am also getting my own 'mug' snatched by the local photographer. The result will probably be i gbastly, but that is a detail. We are right in the middle of the Karoo desert, not a tree to be seen for miles; but there is something very fascinating about this kind of country. It is very flat in the .low scrub and patches of grass, and you can ijgallop for miles without a hill. I went yesterday to a farm (about horses) 10 miles out, and drove back in the moonlight; it was a ripping drive, and the air was lovely and cool. Britstown is i 25 miles west of De Aar Junction."

■ VOLUNTEERS AND THE PRESS.—Colonel Mothersill, commanding the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment, on Friday caused the following notice to be posted in North- wich No member of the battalion is to com-I municate battalion orders to the Press, or mak public comments on them, without the sanction of the commanding officer. This order is to be circulated among all ranks." ■ 1ST CHESHIRE AND CARNARVONSHIRE VOLUN- TEER ARTILLERY. Regimental orders by Lieut'-I Colonel Wilford N. LLoyd, commanding, for week ending Saturday, 9th February, 1901. Chester, l Thursday, 31st January, 1901. Notice. A memorial service will be held in the Cathedral on Saturday. The 1st Cheshire and Carnarvonshire » Volunteer Artillery will furnish a party of three officers and 80 men, to parade at the Drill Hall at' 10 a.m. sharp. Bands will not attend. Dress:1 review order, dismounted. The following officers' are detailed :—Major F. B. Mason, Captain F. J. Bonnalie, and Lieutenant V. H. Dickson. The N.C. officers and men will be selected on Thursday night. N .B.-Ladies who get tickets must be at the private gate in Abbey-street not later than 11.10 a.m.] 1. Memorial Services: It is notified for informa-I tion and guidance that under instructions from' O.C. M. & V.A. N.W.D. the companies at out-? stations may attend at memorial services where held. 2. Mourning: Extract from A.O., dated; 25th January, 1901, His Majesty the King com-j mands that officers shall wear mourning with their uniforms as follows:—Black crape (31in wide) on the left arm of the uniform and of the great coat. Mourning to continue until 24th July. Drums are to be covered with black untW after the funeral of her late Majesty. 3. Bands, I &c.: No music will be played either at parades or any other occasion until the funeral of her late Majesty. Authority: War Office, 23rd January, 1901. 4. Drills and parades: Tuesday and (Thursday, 7.30 p.m., foot and physical drill. Wednesdays, at Rand-room, this year's recruits. Officers' class, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sword drill for officers and sergeants, Thursday, after drill. The adjutant will visit out-stations as under Sandycroft, Monday; Carnarvon, Friday Bangor, Saturday. 5. Appointment: To be orderly room clerk, 3rd Position Battery, Gunner Robert- son. He will report himself to the orderly-room sergeant. 6. Details for ensuing week Orderly officer, Second Lieut. H. E. W. Ballance; orderly sergeant, Sergt. E. R. Ward; orderly trumpeter, Trumpeter E. Edge.—By order (signed), C. E, FORESTIER-WALKER, Captain R.A., Adjutant 1st C. & C.V.A. 2ND (EARL OF CHESTER'S) VOLUNTEER BAT- TALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT.—Headquarters, Chester, Jan. 30th, 1901. Regimental order by Lieut.-Colonel T. J. Smith, V.D., commanding. 1. Mourning: Order for mourning for the Army of her late Majesty Queen Victoria, to be worn until 24th July, 1901. His Majesty the King commands that officers of the Army shall wear mourning with their uniform, on the present melancholy occasion. as follows :-Officers are to wear black crape on the left arm of the uniform, and of the greatcoat. 2. Memorial Service The Headquarter Companies (strength as notified to officers commanding com- panies) will parade in review order for attendance at a service to be held in the Cathedral on Saturday next, 2nd February, hour to be notified hereafter. Band will not attend. 3. Parades for week ending Saturday, 9th February, 1901: Trained Volunteers (Headquarters), Wednesday, 7.30 (plain clothes), squad drill, paras. 1 to 8. Headquarter recruits, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7.30 p.m. Saltney recruits, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 30 p.m. 4. Recruits: Young men desirous of joining the corps are requested to make application to the sergeant-major at the Drill Hall. Detail: Orderly I officer for the week, Second Lieut. E. D. Dickson battalion orderly sergeant, Sergt. C. Sconce; A Company, Sergt. W. E. Clarke; B Company, Sergt. G. Tilston; C Company, Serert. c. U. Barrow; D Company, Sergt. W. Jackson; E Com- pany, Colour-Sergt F. T. Holland; orderly bugler, C. Company.—By order (signed), D. B. THOMAS, Captain, Adjutant, 2nd Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment.

I MO-LD. I LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASSOCIA- I,rl.ON general meeting of this ?S. ?iti.. was held at the Black Lion Hotel, Mold, on Thursday afternoon, when there were present Mr. Robert Morris (president), Mr. D. O. Davies (vice-president), Mr. J. S. Swift (treasurer), Mr. J. M. Lowsby (secretary), &c. The Secretary reported that no legal expenses were incurred for the past year, and the treasurer's report shewed a substantial balance in the bank. The president, vice-president, treasurer, solicitor (Mr. J*. B. Marston), and secretary were all re-elected. Messrs. Josiah Simons and G. R. Petrie were appointed auditors, and the committee was elected as follows:— Messrs. T. Whitley, S. Geach, J. Swan, G. R Petrie, J. Davies, J. Bell, E. Davies, and Hv. Smith, of Mold; and Mr. J. Brady, of Flint. A. number of new members were elected. It was decided that a picnic be held in the summer. FRAUDULENT RAILWAY TRAVELLING. -At the Mold Petty Sessions, on Monday, Mr. John Fenna appeared on behalf of the London and North-Western Railway Company to prose- cute Thomas Roberts, Thomas Williams and Samuel Jones, labourers, all of Maesydre, Mold, for travelling on the L. and N.W. Railway from Chester to Mold without having previously paid their fares, and with intent to avoid the payment thereof. Mr. Fenna stated that on the night of Boxing Day it was customary to run a late ex- cursion train, known as the pantomime train, from Chester to Mold after the performance at Ithe Theatre. On the occasion of the last Bank IHoliday the Mold stationmaster obtained the iassistance of the local police, who were stationed on the railway premises at different points prior to the arrival of the late train. Another pre- | caution was taken to search the station before the train arrived, so that all persons subsequently found on the platform would be liable to produce tickets. The young men Williams and Roberts 1 walked in the opposite direction to the station exit, and in their efforts to leave by way of the adjoining timber yard they ran into the hands of Police-Sergeant Jones. Almost simultaneously the defendant Samuel Jones was being asked for his ticket, when he replied I haven't been by train; I've come to meet my little daughter."—1 Williams and Roberts now pleaded guilty, and were each fined 2s. 6d. and 6s. 9d. costs. Jones, who denied the intention to defraud, was fined f; 5s. and 8s. costs. jg

ATHLETIC NEWS.1 FOOTBALL NOTES. I FBY SPHERE. I I The Helsby ground was occupied on Saturday by Chester Locos and Ellesmere Port, who were re-playing their semi-final tie in, the Chester and District Challenge Cup. Although the weather was of a vile description, rain falling for quite two-thirds of the game, there was a good at- tendance of spectators. The Locos were unfortu- nate in having to take the field without their captain (Jim Harrison) and Henshaw, while Elles- mere Port also were without one of their regular players. Mr. Jas. Taylor kicked off, the Locos having the wind and hill in their favour. Elles- 1 mere Port were the first to attack, but were penal- 1 ised for off-side. The Locos retaliated, and Hux- i ley called upon Atherton, the Port, custodian, who cleared in good style. Following a couple of free kicks to each side, the Locos again forced the | pace, and Atherton had to concede a corner in saving. This was cleared, and the Port were again penalised for off-side. Wakefield, however, had to kick out to clear when the Port looked Jdangerous. A further free kick to the Port close iin gave them a chance, but Moorcroft relieved Iwith a huge kick, and the Locos ran the ball out. Directly afterwards Atherton' had to save from Rogers. The ground was now in a very slippery state, and spoiled many good efforts on the part of both teams. The Locos appeared to adapt themselves l to the conditions far better than the Port, and displayed some capital passing, at times quite non [plussing their opponents; but their finishing touches were very poor, or they would have scored ] several times. After Thompson had put over [from a free kick by the Port, the Locos again at- j stacked strongly, and as a result of some capital ?work by the whole of the forwards Atherton had] ,to again clear his charge. Campbell, the Locos' l "custodian, had then to kick out a long shot. The] Locos quickly returned, and after Sproaston had i put outside Tomlin kicked out of the goal-mouthj when a score seemed certain. Sproaston again] lgot in a capital run and a shot, from which aj fruitless corner resulted. The Port now had a] Iturn, and Moorcroft had to give a corner to clear. This was got away, but the Port returned, andj Campbell effected a grand save from a shot at' close range from Clay. The Locos nearly scored [ from a free kick close in, Hesketh relieving finally, After mid-field play Atherton had again to fist out I from Huxley, and then the Port got away and, Igai? n ?d a corner, which was, however, cleared. ] H ali_time,was called with no score. j 8 The Port, who re-started with the advantage of; the wind, which was now blowing much stronger,' missed a capital opening in the first minute. The Locos, however, called upon Atherton, who cleared a shot at short range from Hope. Camp- bell cleverly saved a shot by Nicholas. The Port I attacked strongly, but Campbell and his backs de- fended splendidly, and soon drove them back.' The Locos missed a grand chance of scoring when they had only the goalkeeper to beat. In spite of the wind the Locos now had quite as much of the game as their opponents, and were continually |harassing the Port defenders, Atherton in their goal having far more to do than Campbell. Owing | probably to the slippery state of the ground free kicks were frequent, but it must be said that the i Port were penalised more often than the Locos. The game continued to be keenly fought out, but the defenders maintained the upper hand. Comers which subsequently fell to both sides were not taken full advantage of. Huxley headed outside S from a capital centre by Rogers, and Atherton saved directly afterwards. The Port had a further turn of attacking, but their final efforts were ex- tremely weak, and they were met by a resolute defence. Towards the close the Locos made re- i peated attempts to score, and were attacking when the whistle blew, leaving the game a pointless f draw. EThe Locos, who were undoubtedly the betterj team on the day's play, certainly deserved to win. | Their passing was far in advance of that of the? Port's, and had the latter had a less capable man in goal than Atherton, who played grandly, the? Locos would have won by two or three goals. It was extremely hard lines that they had to take! the field minus the services of Harrison and Hen- shaw, who would have strengthened the team very" considerably. On the defence the Port were very good, but their forwards were seldom dangerous. The tie is to be re-played at Helsby again on ] Saturday week. a The Frodsham Parish Church premier eleven, 5 I who have been disappointed of several games re- J cently owing to their opponents failing to appear, or bad weather, journeyed to Warrington on ] Saturday to play their return match with War-j rington St. Mary's Reserve, under the auspices ] of the Warrington Junior League. The homesters won the toss, and the visitors kicked off against*] a very strong wind, with the rain in their faces. j Each side attacked in turn, and Frodsham had ex-i tremely hard lines in not opening the score with a fine shot which hit the upright. The backs or? each side were in tip-top form, and would not] allow of any libertieš being taken. The WarJ ringtonians, however, just before half-time scored] with a neat shot from the left wing. Re-starting, the visitors, with the advantage of the wind in their favour, immediately were aggressive, and, at times gave St. Mary's a lot of trouble. As in' the first half, the home lot broke away with a wild rush and scored just as the whistle finally sounded, Turner not being able to effect a clearance on account of the mud. Thus the game ended in a win for the homesters by two goals to nil. M A match between St. John's Reserve and H Queen's Ferry was played at Queen's Ferry, on ■ Saturday, in wet and boisterous weather, the ground being in a fearful condition. Within about ■ five minutes J. W. Lewis, from a breakaway, scored Queen's Ferry's first and only point. Upon changing ends St. John's immediately penned their opponents in, and in a short time C. Woods Sequalised with a long shot. Keeping up the pres- sure, R. Evans scored a second goal for St. John's. This was soon followed by a penalty goal by the same player. Queen's Ferry were now com- pletely outplayed, and before the call of time L. Hope had added a fourth point for St. John's, the final score being 4-1 in favour of the Saints. For St. John's the best players were B. Haddocks and J. Ryder, while Massey played a good game fori Queen's Ferry. We are pleased to see that a local player, Mr. Lee Roose, of Farndon, has been selected to repre- I sent London v. The Army, and also in the Inter- national trial game. At an emergency meeting of the executive of the Chester and District Football Association on Monday night it was ordered that the semi-final tie for the Challenge Cup, to be played on Satur- day, and all other matches under their jurisdiction, be postponed on account of her late Majesty's funeral. The re-arranged semi-finals were ordered to be played as follows —Newton Rangers v. Helsby, on Chester Locos's ground on February 9th; Ellesmere Port v. Chester Locos, on Helsby ground on February 16th. At a meeting of the Chester and District League executive all League matches for Saturday were postponed. All League matches with Buckley Swifts were can- celled, and it was decided to report them to the Welsh Football Association on account of their non-payment of 15s. 3d. owing to Newton Rangers, as ordered at the last League meeting.

I HOCKEY. I I HOOLE v. SEFTON A. I This match was played on the Roodee on Saturday last in fearful weather, the ground being very heavy. Hoole turned out with only eight men, and placed them four forwards, two halves, and two full backs. Sefton, very soon after the bully off, scored the first goal. This reverse made the home team play for all they were worth, and notwithstanding that they were three men short, they soon managed to equalise. The game was of a scrambling nature, neither of the teams making any attempt at combination. Hoole, however, scored two more goals before the interval, which arrived with the score-Hoole 3, Sefton 1. On resuming play Hoole again scored, and after some very good play placed two more goals to their credit. After this the homesters again asserted their superiority, scoring two more goals, Hoole winning in the end by six goals to three. Blayney Jones, for the homesters, placed four goals in the net, and W. Powell two. —————— ——————.

I TARPORLEY. I MUSICAL SUCCESS.—Miss Winkworth, of Haughton, Tarporley, who holds the pro- fessional diploma of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, obtained the diploma of the Royal College of Organists at the examination held in London last week. Miss Winkworth is a pupil of Mr. J. T. Hughes, of Chester. CHILD FATALLY BURNT.-On Tuesday afternoon the three-year-old child of Henrv Led- ward, Burton-square, Tarporley, labourer, was severely burnt about the face and arms through setting fire to paper while his mother was out in the yard hanging out clothes. He died on Wed- nesday. DEATH OF MR. REUBEN CLUETT,-Mr,! IR,?b?n Cluett, a well-known and highly-esteeme Tarporlean, passed away on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness. Mr. Cluett was in his 58th year, and first set foot in Tarporley when about 13 years old. After serving an apprenticeship he joined the late Mr. W. Aston in partnership, and carried on a grocery and general business. Sub- sequently he took over the entire business, and making a speciality of dairy utensils, was so suc- cessful as to win over 300 first prizes at exhibitions and shows, many of the prizes being won in open competitions. Mr. Cluett was of a kindly dis- position, fond of music, and humorous. His death is deeply regretted by his fellow-tradesmen and a large section of the agricultural community. The funeral took place on Tuesday at the Baptist Chapel, Tarporley, and was largely attended. The officiating clergymen were the Rev. R. Rogers, who delivered a touching address, the Rev. Mr. Lowther, and the Rev. Mr. Radnor. The chief mourners were Mrs. Cluett and her children, Mr. James Cluett, Mr. L. Cluett, Mr. Wilfred Cluett, Mr.. C. Cluett, Mr. W. Cluett, Miss Lucy Cluett, Miss M. Cluett, Miss Lottie Cluett, Miss Cluett Miss M. ?ir. Benjamin Cluett, Liverpool, and Mr. Thomas Cluett, Brewood (brothers), and Miss Dickinson (sister-in-law). Mr. E. Wilkinson (fore- man), the employes and tenants, and some sixty other persons also attended to pay a last tribute of respect to their esteemed friend. Among the many expressions of sympathy received by the [family are those of the Rev. W. O. M. Hughes, [the Rev. F. Clifton Smith, Mr. R. Bate, Mr. [Thomas Corbett, Mr. Joseph Rigby, Mr. G. Eaton Shore, Mr. R. Challinor (secretary Cheshire Dairy Farmers' Association), Mr. S. Walley, Mr. Roht. Dodd, Mr. J. Ray, Mr. W. Dutton and Mr. S.fl Woolley.

ITHE WEST COAST OF AFRICA. i j Writing from Sierra Leone on January 14, a. correspondent says:—On the 11th of last month Sir Charles Anthony King-Harman, K.C.M.G., arrived in the Colony, accompanied by Lady | King-Harman. Immediately after landing he ("was sworn in as Governor and Commander-in- Chief of this Colony. He certainly had a most enthusiastic reception. The streets from the 1 wharf to the Court House, where he took the oath of office, were so crowded that there was barely room for him to pass, though there was a guard of honour, composed of the men and officers of r the West India Regiment stationed here, as well as a large number of the Civil Police on the spot, l to keep order. The crowd was so thick that the- Governor and Lady King-Harman had literally ? to force their way through to reach the Court Hall. The principal men of the Colony were present at the swearing-in, and it is many years since such a reception has been given to a new Governor. I Last week H.M.S. Forte and Dwarf took about f five hundred men and officers of the West India | Regiment, under the command of Major West- s moreland, from here to the Gambia. This force I is to act as a Punitive Expedition to punish the chiefs who last June killed a District Com- ? missioner. The mail steamer Bornu also took, ? the same day, five hundred carriers from here to •' the Gambia for service with the expedition. | Governor Denton was also a passenger on the it Bornu for the Gambia, from Lagos, where he had f been Colonial Secretary. It is rather unfortunate for him that his accession to the Governorship of the Gambia should synchronise with a Punitive Expedition in the country for which he is in »o way responsible. | Some days ago a few engineers arrived here for the purpose of erecting a pier, and, it is also ( stated, for building a dry dock in ClinestowD- j- The latter will be of use if built, but for the former there is not the slightest necessity; the present accommodation for landing cargo and shipping produce being quite adequate for all demands on it. In future it may perhaps become necessary to build a jetty, when traffic has so much increased that the present accommodation becomes insufficient. A breakwater will also have to be built if ships are to lie alongside the jetty, and no one can form even an approximate esti- mate of the cost. With a falling revenue, to go | to such an expense, particularly when the necessity for the outlay is not apparent to on- lookers, seems little less than madness. One [ thing is certain, the Colony cannot pay for it. Of course, if the Colonial Office is willing to pay | the cost, and debit this Colony without charging | interest, then, by all means, let them go ahead. I Perhaps, seeing this place has been neglected for ? many years, it may prove advantageous to the f Colony, if the Colonial Office, or rather the Crown i Agents, having a large debt to account for, bear £ us in mind. Trade is not at all what it ought to f be at this time of the year. This is owing, first, to the natives of the Protectorate only beginning to re-build their houses, and to settle down, and, '• secondly, to the almost impossible conditions laid •! down by the French authorities on their borders. II No trade of any kind reaches the Colony from regions whence formerly gold, rubber, gum, and cattle of all kinds came to this place in (g abundance. The Governor leaves here next month for a tour through the Hinterland, and will probably be f absent about one month. This journey will give him an opportunity of studying the Hinterland t question, and deciding whether the Hut-Tax JS to remain in force or not.

I AUCTION SALES. J FARMING STOCK AT THINGWALL, I BIRKENHEAD. On Thursday Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts, of Chester conducted this important giving- up sale, by brder of Mr. J. P. Briscoe, who is leaving the farm. There was a splendid attend- ance, buyers being present from nearly all parts of Cheshire, and the whole of the lots realised extraordinarily good prices, this being quite the best sale ever held in Wirral. The horses were a nice, useful lot, and if one or two of the shire mares had been eligible for the stud book some remarkably good prices would have been realised, especially for Flower, in foal to Calwich Tom- Mr. Briscoe has for many years won first prizes for turnouts at the various ploughing matches in the district, and some lively and spirited co- petition took place for the possession of his pair of ploughing gears, which eventually fell to the bid of Mr. Owens at the record price of £11. Among the prices realised were —Team of mares, 73! and 49gs.; team of horses, 51 and 335gs- > four-year-old gelding, 36gs.; three yearling geld- t ings, 27i, 26, and 25gs.; fat cattle, E19 5s. to [ JB14 12s. 6d.; dairy cows, £ 18 to £ 15; yearling heifers, JB7 each; swede turnips made 12s. 6d. to 16s, per ton; mangolds, 15s. per ton; main crop sets, £ 3 2s. 6d. per ton; Garton's abundance and iWTebb's Newmarket oats 3s. 3d., 3s. 2d., an d 3s. Id. per measure of 451b.; set of entire horse 'gears, £ 5 10s.; set of swingletrees, £ 1 10s.; wheel plough, 94 2s. 6d.; turnip drill, JE5: cultivator- f £13 5s. clover seed barrow, £5; horse rake, [ 15s. Albion self-binder, £ 20 three carts, £10 to iLl2 each; dogcart, £10. I SALE AT ALVANLEY HALL. 3 On Monday this highly important sale took f place, owing to Mr. Henry Lowe retiring frow | farming. Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts, of 'i he t, ? were the auctioneers, and there was a [very good attendance, upwards of 600 of the lead- ing farmers in the county being present. The weather was wretched in the extreme, and the l heavy fall of snow in the night made travelling on the roads very bad, otherwise we are certain the attendance would have been an enormous I one. Upwards of 72 dairy and fat cattle came under the hammer, and there was a very good [ and spirited demand for all classes. Dairy cows | made up to £ 19 12s. 6d.; many back end calvers f making B14 and JE15 each; two-year-old heifers, J312 to £ 10; yearling heifers, | JE9 7s. 6d. each; fat cattle 218 15s. I to £ 16; best beef being fully 7d. per lb. The I cart horses met a keen demand, and sold very well, realising 55gs., 42gs., 41gs. and 34gs., while a yearling filly made 21igs. The clover hay realised fully JB5 10s. per ton in the stack on the | ground; giant oats, 2s. 7d. per measure; early regent sets, 2s. per box and prime minister sets Is. 6d. per box. The implements, carts, gears and harness also met a good demand, and realised I most satisfactory prices. The whole sale was finished soon after four o'clock, enabling the large S company to leave in good time. It was most r satisfactory, considering the state of the weather. that nearly everyone stayed until the close of the Lsale. I PROPERTY AT NEWTON. Messrs. Pickering and Nightingale on Satur- day offered for sale, at the Blossoms Hotel, a freehold dwelling-house, No. 3a, Halkyn-road, Newton-by-Chester, containing two entertain- ing-rooms, two kitchens, five bedrooms, bath- room and w.c., yard, &c. Mr. Watson, Chester, was the purchaser for X470. + —

I SALTNEY. r GOOD TEMPLARS.-The weekly meeting was held on Thursday night, over sixty members 'being present. Fourteen candidates were initiated, this bringing the membership to over 100. The election of officers took place, Bro. F. Bostock being re-elected chief templar, Bro. G- ?Parsonage vice-templar, Sister M. E. Heatb chaplain, Bro. T. C. Davies secretary, Bro. Geo. Heath treasurer, and Bro. E. Davies, P.C.T- The following were elected representatives to the district lodgeSister R. Dobson, D.S.J.T., Bros. E. Davies and George Parsonage. The remainder of the programme for the evening was abandoned in consequence of the lamented death of the Queen, to which sad event touohing refer- ences were made.

I MARKETS. WREXHAM CATTLE, MONDAY.—Despite the wintry weather which prevailed in this district, there was a good supply of stock in the market to-day, and buyers quickly bought up all the animals penned. Some fine heifers realised most satisfactory prices, while the few calves present made from 7d. to 8d. per lb. Pork pigs ranged from 9s. to 9s. 9d. per score lb., and bacon pigs from 8s 6d. to 9s Beef,fetched from 5d. to 6Jd. and mutton 7d. to 82d. CHESTER CORN, SATURDAY. Good de- liveries of wheat to local mills have been made since this day week, and prices are well maintained. Barley dull with little doing. Oats and beans are each steady at full rates for good samples. American maize a shade lower. Foreign wheat rather dearer on the week's currencies. Quotations:— HEW. OLD; D. Wheat, white, per 751b. 8. D. 8. D. S. D. a. D. Wheat, white. per 7:SIb,! 0 0 to 4 31 0 OtoO 0 Wheat, red „ 751b.! 4 0 4 2|0 0—0 0 Malting Barley. 601b. j 0 0 0 0i0 U 0 >■ Grindisg do 6i.lb. 0 0 0 (II 0 (1 0 n Oats 461b. 2 3 — 2 6 3 6—3 9 Beams SOlb. 4 6 4 8 5 3-0 0 Beans, Egyptian 2401b. 0 0-16 90 0—0 0 Indian Corn z401b. 0 0 -10 6 0 0 10 9

— CHESTER CONSISTORY COURT.—At this court, on Wednesday, before Chancellor Espin, Emma Rosa Griffiths, Agnes Chambers, and Mary Catherine Griffiths, of Brook House, Saughall, road, Chester, and Edleston House, Aberystwitb, received permission to place a stained glass window in Nantwich Parish Church, as a memorial to Edward H. Griffiths, and Eliza Frances Griffiths, his wife, both of whom are dead. The cost will be about R120. The Rev. W. H. Binney and the wardens of St. Helen's Church, Witton, applied for a confirmatory faculty for the installation of the electric light and the placing of two seats in the church for the use of the churchwardens, and they also applied for permission to carry out other works, including the erection of a bicycle shed against the north tower.—The Chancellor said he did not think a faculty for a bicycle shed had ever been granted before.—The Registrar (Mr. J. Gamon) said it was a novelty.—The faculties were decreed. The cost will be £ 500.—The Rev. S. P. Gray and the churchwardens of the church and new parish of St. Mark, Bradbury, were granted permission to erect a lycbgate of wood in place of the present one, as a memorial to Clegg Livesey, late of Arden, Bradbury. The cost (9250) will be defrayed by deceased's widow and daughters. Printed and published for and on behalf of the Cheshire :and North Wales Newsnaner Company, Limited, by JAMES ALBEttT BIRCHALL, at the Cheshire Observer Office. 8, Bridge-street, in thli City of Chester.—Saturdav February 2, 19ol.

DEATH OF MR. T. T. KELLY.1, I (See alsQ page 2, ) I THE FUNERAL. fi The funeral was of a public character, and took place at the Mold Cemetery on Wednesday. If proof were needed of the high respect and esteem I in which the deceased gentleman was held it wasj abundantly forthcoming on the occasion of his obsequies, for though the weather was winterly and inclement in the extreme, public men as-| sembled from all parts of the county to pay their last respects to the memory of the departed. At | Bryn Coch, the residence of the late Mr. Kelly, prayer was offered by the Rev. J. P. Poole Hughes (vicar), there being present at the house, in ad- dition to the members of the family, the chairman of Quarter Sessions, the chairman of the County Council, the chairman of the County Council com- mittees and the deputy-clerk of the County Council. The vehicular portion of the cortege then proceeded to Penyffordd (mid way to the town), where the procession was marshalled in the following order :—1st carriage Officiating I clergy, the Revs. J. P. Poole Hughes (vicar) and i Evan Jones and Herbert Evans (curates), and Dr. Trubshaw. 2nd carriage: Mr. P. P. Pennant (chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions) and Mr. H. Lester Smith (representing his Grace the Duke of Westminster). Hearse, with posse of Flintshire Constabulary, in command of Supt. Ivor Davies, as bearers. 3rd carriage: Messrs. R. S. Kelly, T. T. Kelly and Cecil E. Kelly (sons), and C. A. Jones (Carnarvon, brother-in-law). 4th carriage: Messrs. J. C. Hughes, Dolgelly, and T. Wood, Chester (brothers-in-law). Flintshire justices: Major R. F. Birch, Maes Elwy, St. Asaph; Messrs. Thos. Bate, Kelsterton; E. H. Wain, Fron Hall; A. Phillips Roberts, Coed du; C. P. Morgan, Bryn yn haul; Horace Mayhew, Broughton Hall; James Reney, Connah's uay; William Davies, C.E., Celyn, Caergwrle; H. Lloyd Jones, Compton House; J. Kerfoot Evans, Greenfield; Edward Wheldon, Hill Grove, Mold; W. Elwy Williams, Rhyl; Peter Jones, Halkyn; Samuel Davies, Plas Mafa, Greenfield; H. H. ■ Hughes, Caergwrle; W. G. Barcroft, Birkenhead; Jos. Hall, Flint; G. A. Parry, Buckley; and Thos. Griffiths, Holywell. The following members of the County Council, not included in the fore- going list of justices: Messrs. Thomas Parry I (chairman), James Peters, Buckley; Hugh G. # Roberts, Hope; J. Humphrey Williams, Flint; T. W. Hughes, Flint; Urias Bromley, Holywell; William Astbury, Galehog; John Bellis, Hope f Station; R. Llew. Jones, Rhyl; F. J. Gamlin, fl Rhyl; E. Sydney Taylor, Sandycroft; and James # Prince, Connah's Quay. The county officials 1 present were Mr. J. H. Ollive (deputy-clerk), Mr. Thos. Williams (county treasurer), Mr. Richard ■ Bromley (coroner), Major Webber (chief con- M stable), Inspector Cunningham (chief clerk), Mr. ■ David Williams (county surveyor), Mr. Robert 8 Lloyd (main roads inspector), Mr. William Jones ■ (clerk to the justices, Overton), Mr. P. Mostyn 8 Williams (technical instruction inspector), Mr. James Thomas (crier to the Court of Quarter S Sessions) and Supt. Hughes, D.C.C. Clerks in the employment of Messrs. Kelly, Keene and Co. ■ The Mold Urban District Council were represented by Messrs. H. J. Roberts (chairman), Robert Morris (vice-chairman), Thomas Foulkes, W. P. ? Jones, J. B. Marston, J. T. Morgan, S. T. Lloyd Powell, Thomas Lewis, Jesse Roberts and Samuel Beresford, Mr. W. B. Rowdon (surveyor and in-  specter), Mr. Joseph Jones (collector) and Dr. ?Edward Wilhams (medical officer of health). The g 1 legal profession were further represented by ^•Messrs A. T. Keene (Mold), Samuel Smith (Town ? Clerk, Chester), Henry Taylor (Town Clerk, Flint), It Alhngton Hughes (Wrexham), J. Llewelyn Roe H■A TBD rowne (Wrexham) and Bernard Lewis (Buckley). i?Included among the general mourners we noticed 1% the Revs. John Owen, T. Jones Humphreys and i?,W. D. Owen (Gwernaffield), Mr. Parry Evans (N.P. Bank), Mr. J. P. Swift, Mr. J. J. Lewis, Mr. R. Barker, Mr. R. Hughes Thomas, Mr. W. H. Cooke, Mr. Webber, Mr. John Fox, Mr. P. Harding Roberts (HoIyweM), Mr. Clement Jones (Holywell), Mr. Ellis Jones, Mr. R. Prince and <? Mr. E. Prince. t The mournful cortege made a detour to the parish church, where the opening portion of the burial service was taken. The bier, borne by police officers, was met at the lych gate by the surpliced clergy and choir, and on the way to the church the vicar recited the opening %entences. As the mourners filed into church the organ sounded Mendelssohn's "0 rest in the Lord." The 90th Psalm having been chanted, the Rev. Herbert Evans (curate) read the lesson. The hymn "I heard the voice of Jesus say" was sweetly ren- dered by the choir, and the Rev. Evan Jones took the remainder of the service. The ?ymn "Now the labourer's task is o'er" was then s ng, and the service closed with the "Dead March" in "Saul," played on the organ by Mr. W. H. Adams. The journey to the cemetery was then resumed via High-street and Wrexham-street, and it was ob- served that all the business establishments and private houses en route displayed signs of mourn- ing. The committal portion of the burial service was taken at the graveside by the vicar, and so terminated a sorrowful ceremonial, which was marked as much by its orderliness and decorum as by regret for the sad event which had necessitated the function. The coffin, which was of pofished oak with brass mountings, was made by Mr. Robt. Edwards, and bore the following inscription:- "Thomas Thelwell Kelly, died 26th January, 1901, aged 71 years." Carriages were sent to represent the High Sheriff (Mr. Henry Hurlbutt) and Col. Trevor Roper (Plas Teg), and letters were re- ceived from the following gentlemen expressing regret at their inability to attend, their respect and esteem for the deceased, and profound sym- pathy with the bereaved mourners:—The High Sheriff, Col. Trevor Roper, Capt. J. B. Fielding, i Sir Pyers W. Mostyn, the Right Hon. Lord Ken- yon, Capt. A. F. Jones, the Right Hon. H. J. Gladstone, M.P., Col. Mesham, Col. B. G. Davies- Cooke, the Hon. G. T. Kenyon, M.P., and Messrs. P. B. Davies-Cooke, R. H. Venables Kyrke, B. T. Griffith-Boscawen, Samuel Perks, R. C. Enyon, W. Trevor Parker, T. P. Jones-Parry, Samuel Moss, M.P., J. H. Warburton Lee, Edward Peel, R. M. Hugh Jones, J. H. Ellis, W. C. Pickering, W. J. P. Storey, W. Bulcock, W. R. Evans, H. A. Cope, Arthur Rowlands, John Cullimore, H. E. Taylor, Reginald Potts, James L. Muspratt, Charles Davison, Robert Podmore, John Roberts, J. Phillips Jones, T. Vaughan Hughes, Chas. Grimsley, T. Lewis Jones, Frank Bellis, P. T. Davies-Cooke and John Watkinson. A collection of choice wreaths and crosses had been received from the following:—Mrs. Kelly and children, Lord Mostyn, Mr. H. Lester Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Keene, Mr. and Mrs. Davies-Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. Wain, Major and Mrs. Webber, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes (Dol- gelly), Dr. and Mrs. Trubshaw, Mr. R. H.V. Kyrke, Mrs. Behrens, Mr. and Mrs. Tudor Jones, Mr. Oswyn Davies, Mrs. Davies, Mr. and Miss Wood (Chester) and Commander Yonge, R.N.

OUR LATE QUEEN.1 (Contin-&ed from page 7.) I FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. I I IMPRESSIVE NAVAL PAGEANT. I I Official regulations for the funeral procession from Osborne House to the point of embarkation at Cowes were issued on Wednesday. At a quarter to two on Friday the coffin will be reverently raised on the shoulders of her Majesty's Highlanders, and taken to the gun- carriage on which it is to compass the first stage of its mournful journey. When the cortege starts the Queen's pipers will march before the bier, and the illustrious mourners following afteri !!will be headed by the King and the German Emperor. On arrival at Cowes, the body will be l taken over by bluejackets, placed on board the t Royal yacht Alberta, which will then steam to | Portsmouth, preceded by a flotilla of torpedo- | boat destroyers, accompanied by other Royal t' yachts bearing the mourners, and passing close | to a stately line of British and foreign warships, | cruisers and gunboats, which will fire minute- P guns the while. The Royal remains will lie on 1 board the Alberta till Saturday morning, when they are to be removed by train to London. On arrival at Victoria Station, the coffin will be placed on a gun-carriage and drawn through thel streets to Paddington. It will take the enormousi proce?sion two hours to traverse this route. Thel remainder of the journey to Windsor will be per-] formed by train. ]

I PULPIT RTIFTTRENCES. ? (See also page 6.) I PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWGATE-I I STREET. ? The pulpit was draped in black and the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played while the congregation stood. The preacher took for g his text "By me kings reign" (Prov. viii.), and dwelt upon the high principles which characterised Queen Victoria's reign. As Presbyterians they bad special cause to mourn, for the Queen was a member of their Church in Scotland, and when through increasing weight of years she was unable to attend divine service in the church, a private chapel was erected at the palace at Balmoral, in which | worship according to their principles was? 'conducted by hr Preahy?e?an minister. B I QUEEN-STREET CONGREGATIONAL. a I The Rev. J. T. Miles, of Northwich, occupied] the pulpit at Queen-street Congregational Church on Sunday, and made reference in his prayers ?to the death of the Queen. Several of the Queen's  favourite hymns were sung, and the organist,  ?Mr. J. Skeldon, played the "Dead March" both [morning and evening. I ST. MARK'S, SALTNEY. I A somewhat large congregation attended the morning service, the worshippers being clad in black, while the altar rails, choir stalls, pulpit and lectern were partially draped in black. Although the offertory was in aid of the C.E.T.S., it was inevitable that the preacher (the Rev. G. M. V. Hickey) should speak at some length upon the one all-absorbing topic, the loss of our beloved Sovereign. With great pathos he spoke of her true nobility of character, and read the letter in whioh she both consented to become president of the C.E.T.S. and expressed her warm approval of its work. At the evening service the vicar (the Rev, T. P. Dimond Hogg) preached from Psalm xxi., 4 (Prayer Book version), and dwelt upon the association of the whole people with their monarch in their expression of gratitude to God set forth in this psalm, pointing out that David did not for one moment suppose that God had made his life here immortal, but that he did perceive the perpetuation of the influence of that life. After speaking of the many failures to reach a true conception of life, he alluded to the Queen's life and close association with her people, stating that the true secret of her greatness and influence was due to the fact that at a remarkably early age she grasped the true meaning and sacredness of life, and of her life in the positon in which she was placed. She had won the greatest victories as a Christian woman, and by her sin- cere and unfailing sympathy with her people. Hence that sense of "personal loss" which seemed to pervade every part of the Empire. BKOM HO ROUGH. MuBled peals have been rung on the parish ,hZu, bells, and on Sunday the church was draped in appropriate mourning of Royal purple and black, with white flowers on the holy table. The Rector (the Rev. E. Dyer Green) preached from Rev. ii., 10—" Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Having first made an exposi- tion of the text, special application was made ot the subject to the solemn occasion of the day. After a briet allusion to the death of a most esteemed and valued late parishioner, the Rector proceeded to say that the great and un- expected calamity which had befallen the nation on Tuesday last had eclipsed all others, local or national, the whole Empire being bowed down in deepest consternation and grief on the loss of. our venerable Sovereign Lady, Queen Victoria, whose long life was one con- I tinued stream of faithful devotion to all good. The Rector concluded an earnest and feelingl discourse by entreating all to follow the brightj example of the faithful departed Queen. The Dead March was finely played on the organ,1 all standing; and the hymns and service throughout the day were specially commemora-j tive. There was a large congregation in the; morning, as well as evening, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. a ELLESMERE PORT. On Sunday evening a memorial service was held I in the Primitive Methodist Church. The Rev. T. Kynaston, who conducted the service, took as his text "And he died at a good old age, full of days, riches and honour, and Solomon, his son, reigned in his stead." These words, said the preacher, referred to David, the maker of much of the history of Israel, a man whose name was woven into the life of the nation of his day. And how applicable are they to the life and reign of our Queen? A huge wave of sorrow had passed over the earth. The statesman had forgotten his politics, the merchant had left his merchandise, and even pleasure had ceased in the contempla- tion of the event.—Special hymns were sung during the service, and at its close Mr. T. H. Whitby, the organist, played the Dead March." I lilSifiE. fl Special sermons were preached in the parish church, special lessons were read and psalms Isung. At the end of each service the Dead March" was impressively played by Mr. Peter Jones (organist). fl WHITCHURCH. I At a meeting of the Board of Guardians on Friday, the Chairman (Mr. R. P. Ethelston) re- 1 ferred in touching language to the death of the I Queen. The Board approved of his remarks in silence, standing meanwhile. Memorial services were held at the parish W church and the Wesleyan Church on Sunday morning. The congregations were large, a deep ? solemnity pervading each service. At the several places of worship the pulpit and communion J table were draped in black, and the hymns, lessons, etc., suited to the occasion. The "Dead March" from "Saul" was played, and the [National Anthem was sung, the congregation  standing, and, as might be supposed, many were deeply affected. The preacher at the parish church was the aged rector, the Rev. W. H. Egerton, who is now in his 89th year, and who was listened to with the most rapt attention. The Rev. F. C. Wright preached in the Wesleyan Church.-The innkeepers of the town met on Tuesday, and unanimously agreed to close their houses between the hours of ten and six o'clock Ió' on the day of the funeral. j a INCE. I I On Sunday the services in the church partook1 of a memorial character. Special hymns were; sung on both occasions, and the "Dead March" i was played at the conclusion of the morning ser- ] vice, the congregation standing. The vicar (the1 I Rev. E. Charley) preached two appropriate F sermons from the texts "For David, after he had | served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep" (Acts xiii., 36), an" By me kings reign F and princes decree justice" Proverbs viii., 15), j fand pointed out that Queen Victoria's life had E been plainly marked by a strong sense of duty towed to God and to man. I -0