Cheshire Observer

CADBURY's COCOA, on the testimony of the Lamet, represents the standard of highest purity.' It is entirely free from all foreign snbstanoes, such as kola, malt, hops, Ac., nor is alkali used to darken the eolour (and so deceive the eye): Dr. Andrew Wilson, in a recent article in the Illustrated London News, writes Cocoa is in itself a perfect food, and requires no addition of drugs wbate yer.' CADBURY's Cocoa is absolutely pure, and should be taken by old and young, at all times and in all seasonsfor Children it is an Ideal beverage, promoting healthy growth and development in a rowmals degree. Insist on having CADBURY's, as other Coooae are often substituted for the sake of extraprofit. Sold. only in Packets and Tins. 3 MACCLBSFIKLD JPABISH CHURCH.—The rtostora- tion of Macclesfield Church is now nearing completion and the sacred building is to be reopened on April 24th. The preachers, throughout the octave will be the Bishop of Chester, the Bishop of St. Asaph, and the Bishop of Bzeter, Archdeacon Wm. Dean Kgoa. Dean Darby, Canon Taroer? and Ebondary EaK!Iey.WiJmpt. The reatoration 1w cost the large smocf ?0.060? INFLUENZA SUBDUED IN TWENTY,FOUR HOURS. If you am sufferip&, $or it any of yoar chtldren are suffgring from coughs, influenza, bioneblitio, asthma, sore throat and whooping aough, VENO'S LIGHTNING COtJGH CUBS will rapidly core you. It is a new &cieDWIb rtM«d? of mMurpMMd exceUence, vastly 8Upedor to ordingry eoagh mixtures or any of the em:r nana. It dean t, Eo bronabial tabes, ^removes oold from the head, and cures the achizsa I of inflnenaa and tdenrisy, &ives P8rlectéûeio' brtMhinjr an d will STOP A coooa IN 0 JI ØT. During the epidemic of La Grippe or Influenza which raged throughout North America list year. Veno's Lightning Cough Core reduced the DEATH BATE to such an extent that physicians never hesitated to pre. leribe it. It has the peculiar effect of rapidly subduing affliction, at the same time Overcoming the after I electa. Ask for VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CUBE. Price 1tl Ilud 2/9. Sold by BooTS LTD., CHEERS and HopLBT, Pi:Al:a0s and BAKTON, ar-d all Chemists. fftf -1 ifft.

AGRICULTURE. I MORE SEASONABLE WEATHER. I Since last writing the weather has taken a favourable turn, and we are now having a spell of winter, which is more agreeable to the farmer, and which it is hoped may last a week or two longer at all events. The frost has made the surface soil sufficiently hard to bear carting over, and farmers have net been slow to take advantage with the manure cart. It seems to be the general opinion that there will be a decrease in the breadth of wheat sown, as the continued wet weather in the autumn prevented a good deal of work of this nature being carried out. Moreover, the poisoned beer scare has intervened, and it is not at all improbable that more effort will be directed to the cultivation of barley wherever circum- stances and opportunity permit. So far the autumn sown wheat, winter beans and seed grasses are promising well, and there is at present no indication of a falling off of keep. The fall of lambs in the southern counties is still represented as satisfactory, excepting that twins are not numerous. The mothers are, however, doing as well as can be expected during such weather as we are having. There is little or no variety in the cheese trade. There has been rather more doing in English makes, with a fairly good inquiry for strictly finest goods, while secondary has been in small supply. Finest Cheddar has been selling at 72s. to 74s., anything below ranging from 66s. to 70s. Business in Canadian has been much interrupted. Finest quality fetches 54s., and is not in plentiful supply. United States, very few on offer. New Zealand, 51s. to 54s. for finest white. BIRMINGHAM SHORTHORN SHOW AND SALE. The thirty-second annual spring exhibition and sale of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle will be held at Bingley Hall, Birmingbagg, on Wed- nesday, Thursday, and Friday, Mp.rch 6th, 7th, and 8th. 9396 in prizes are offered, and the schedule comprises eleven classes, viz., four for cows, heifers, and heifer calves, and seven for bulls and bull calves, including the champion class, with prizes of X50, X20, and 910 for bulls between ten and twenty-one months old on which a reserve up to lOOgs. may be placed. An extra prize of lOgs. is offered for the best lot of five young bulls from nine to twenty-one months old, bred by the exhibitor. IMPORTATION OF LIVE CATTLE. I A statement has gained currency on what appears to be pretty good authority, that a movement is on foot to stop the importation of live cattle into Britain, and that the matter is to be brought before the House of Commons on an early date. It is well known that cattle in transit to this country suffer fearfully. During the voyage the beasts are afflicted with sea-sickness, and when landed at the ports are in a weakly and enfeebled con- dition, and when slaughtered their flesh is flabby and unwholesome and even dangerous as food. As the law stands immediate slaughter is enforced, in order to protect our own stock from infection, but it stands to reason that time is required for the poor beasts to recover their natural state of health which can only be attained by rest and proper feeding. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. I The imports of frozen meat into England shew no decrease at present, but as regards next season it is considered that colonial sup- plies cannot be heavy, as time must be allowed for Australian flocks and herds to recover from the losses incident to three successive years of drought. In New Zealand the stock of sheep has been at a standstill since 1896, while the increase in cattle has been unimportant j con- sequently no immediate extension in the output can be looked for. In the Argentine there is the prospect of a full supply of cattle and sheep, though the quality of the latter may not recover immediately from the effects of the recent floods. On the whole. it may be said that supplies from home, colonial, and foreign sources in che immediate future will probably not shew much, if any, increase upon those of 1900. The bouth African market seems likely to continue to absorb considerable quantities of beef and mutton from Australia. No reduction in values is therefore probable for many months. FOOD ADULTERATION. I According to the recently-issued report of the Local Government Board, 53,056 samples of foods were examined in the course of the twelve months under the Food and Drugs Act, and of that total 4,970, or 9'4 per cent., were found to be adulterated. Faulty samples were slightly more numerous than in the preceding year. London shewed an improvement in milk; but only nine of the thirty-two great towns had a worse record. The practice of adding large quantities of water to milk is declining rapidly, and the process of watering rich milk down so as to make it resemble a naturally poor sample, which may just manage to pass, seems to be more common. A great deal of mar- garine is still sold as genuine butter. In the north-west of England the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society took up the work of sub- mitting samples which its agents believed to be spurious. Many analysts drew attention to the growing practice of making up margarine so as to resemble real dairy butter. In all, 666 penalties were imposed, the fines amounting to £ 2,657, which included three of ESO each. HOW TO TELL AN IN-CALF COW. The following teat is, we believe, a very old one, but it may not be generally known, and is worth repeating. It is brought to mind by a writer in an American journal who says:- "The cow to be tested ia, of course, milked separately, and as soon as possible after the milk is drawn we dip a straw, or timothy stem, in the bucket of milk. Have a glass of pure water at hand, and allow one drop of the milk to fall into the water—only one; if the milk quickly dissipates and renders the water murky, she is not in-calf; but, if the milk-drop sinks to the bottom of the glass before mixing with the water, she is pregnant. If you are not sufficiently expert, take the milk of another cow that has newly calved, and pursue the same treatment with both at the same time, and you will not fail to note the difference in the way the drop of milk will mix with the water. I have practised this method of deter- mining pregnancy in my herd for years, and I never knew it to fail. Of course, I only speak from my own experience; but the theory is that the milk of a pregnant cow is viscous, or has a sticky, adhesive quality that causes the particles to cohere more closely; consequently, the tendency to drop in a mass instead of mingling immediately with the water. I usually take the morning's milk for the test, and use cistern or rain water, if obtainable, or, better still, filtered and boiled water."

DENBIGHSHIRE AND FLINTSHIRE AGRICUL- TURAL SOCIETY.-A meeting of this society was held on Tuesday i,at Mold, under the presidency of Mr. J. E. Davies (auctioneer). There was a fairly large attendance of mem- bers.—In the absence of Colonel A. Mesham (who was not able to arrive until a later stage of the meeting) Mr. Storey moved the following recommendation of the Finance Committee:— "That, in the future, in the interests of the society, the local committee in each town the society visits must undertake to guarantee a sum of not less than .£150 for local prizes, &c., and also find a suitable piece of ground, free of cost to this society, to hold the annual show on." The motion was carried, but it was ex- plained that the new regulation would not apply until the show was held at Ruthin next year.—The following rule was also added :— That in future all exhibitors whose entry fees amount to 5s. and upwards shall have a non- transferable pass sent to them, which will admit them to the show free."—It had already been decided that this year's show shall be held at Mold, and Thursday. August 15, was now fixed as the date.

FRODSHAM. I CONSERVATIVE CLUB ANNUAL MEET- ING.-The annual meeting of the members of the Frodsham Conservative Club was held on Wednesday in the Club Rooms, Main-street, Mr. E. G. Steward presiding. The hon. secre- tary and treasurer (Mr. C. H. Hibbertt) pro- duced the balance-sheet for the past year, which shewed that the olub was in a most flourishing and- prosperous condition, there being a larger balance in hand than any previous year. The officers were appointed as follows :-President, Mr. Alfred Thomas; vice- presidents, Messrs. John OeWeston, F. P. Weaver, Mil)., H. Tiley, H. P. Mortimer,W. Collinaon, and M. Steele; hoi secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. H. HibberfctV hon. auditor, Mr. E. G. Steward; committee, Messrs. P. Spencer, J. Gorst, A. J. Ash worth, J. Entwistle, L. Pollard, E. Lawlee, J. J. Wilkinson, J. Hoilarfd,aenr.,andF.Gleave. > j

— —k HzmTT'S toh BOOTS RtPAUHNS.— 'l. 1 No matter where your Boots were bought. we Oda them repw* And when you think they're It for naught We'll maketbem lit to wear. Fifty years' reputation for Durable Boots [ OLD FALSE TjSBTH BOUGHT. 3tany Indies, and gentlemen have by them old or disused false teeth, which might as well ft turned into money. Messrs. R. D. & J. B. Frasb, of Princes-street, Ipswich (established since 1833), buy old false teeth. If you send your teeth to them they will remit you by return post the utmost value; or, if preferred, they will make you the best offer. and hold the teeth over for your reply. If reference neoassary, apply to Messrs. Bacon & Co., Bankers, Ipswich.

FLINTSHIRE STANDING JOINT COMMITTEE. I APPOINTMENT OF CLERK OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Flintshire Standing Joint Committee was held on Monday at Mold, under the presidency of Mr. A. Llew. Jones, for the purpose of considering the question of filling the vacancy caused by the death of the Clerk of the Peace and of the County Council (Mr. T. T. Kelly), and of re-appointing a deputy clerk of the peace and of the County Council. A numerous attendance included Sir W. G. Williams (St. Asaph), Dr. Humphrey Williams, Messrs. P. P. Pennant (chairman of Quarter Sessions), P. B. Davies-Cooke, P. T. Davies- Cooke, J. Prince, J. Reney, W. Astbury, H. J. Roberts, R. Jones, and Major Webber (chief constable). The Chairman said since the last meeting a great loss had befallen the nation and Empire by the death of our greatly beloved Queen. She was undoubtedly a remarkable woman, and the greatest of all monarchs. Her noble and spotless life had raised the status of womanhood. Her wise counsel, so we were assured by eminent men, had saved our country many a trouble. Her reign had not only been the longest on record, but also the most beneficent to all classes of the community. He therefore asked the committee to join with him in passing the following resolution, which he had already sent to Sir Francis Knollys- Will you kindly convey to his Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family the sincere sorrow and sympathy of the members of the Flintshire Standing Joint Committee on the death of our dearly-beloved Queen." While we mourned the loss of our late Queen, we were comforted in our sorrow by the knowledge that she was suc- ceeded by a King who would, as he had said himself, endeavoured to follow in her footsteps, and guided by such noble examples as his late father and mother, we might look forward with confidence and pleasure to his reign, and wish long life to King Edward VII. and the Queen Consort. The motion was formally carried, and at the request of the Chairman the members, standing, then exclaimed in a loud voice Long live King Edward VII." The Qhairman said a paintul duty devolved upon him owing to the death of Mr. T. T. Kelly. He was sure they all deplored his demise very much. Mr. Kelly had been an official of the Council for many years. Many members of the committee bad known him for a greater number of years than he (the chairman) had. He had known Mr. Kelly for nine or ten years to respect and admire him, and he did not think that any county in Wales, or even in England, had a more able and efficient clerk than tho. Flintshire County Council had in the late Mr. Kelly. The way in which the deceased gentleman brought the ijocai (iovern- ment Act of 1888 into existence was, he thought, an instance of his marked ability. He (the chairman) moved that the committee convey to Mrs. Kelly and her family an expression of their deep sense of the loss they had sustained by Mr. Kelly's (death, and of their sympathy with them in their bereavement. Mr. Pennant, in seconding the motion, re- marked that it really required no seconding, because he knew it would be supported unani- mously. He believed Mr. Kelly came to this county and began his duties the same year that he (Mr. Pennant) became a member of the quarter sessions, and he could, therefore, bear testimony to the ability, care, and intelligence which he brought to bear upon the affairs of the county during his long career. Unfortunately, Mr. Kelly had not ,in his latter years, owing to failing health, been able to shew the great ability in county matters which had formerly been characteristic of him. His remarkable business aptitude was particularly evidenced in 1889 when he steered the Council through the troubles of its infancy. There were few county councils in the country which had so soon become accustomed to harness as that of Flintshire. Mr. Reney supported the resolution, which was formally carried, the members standing. The committee then proceeded to consider the appointment of a clerk and deputy clerk of the peace and of the County Council. Mr. Prince proposed that Mr. T. H. Ollive, who had acted for a considerable period as deputy to the late Mr. Kelly, be appointed deputy clerk of the peace and deputy clerk to the County Council, at a. salary ot X250 a year. Most of the labours of the County Council had devolved upon Mr. Ollive, who had performed his duties with every credit, and he would make an excellent deputy. Sir W. G. Williams questioned the authority of the committee to appoint Mr. Ollive, as he understood that gentleman had already been appointed deputy clerk by the committee, and that that appointment should hold good at the present time. The Chairman pointed out that Mr. Ollive was appointed only by Mr. Kelly as his deputy, and upon Mr. Kelly's death his appointment ceased. But the committee had power to re- appoint him. Sir W. G. Williams seconded the resolution, and it was supported by Mr. Astbury. After some discussion, however, it was unanimously agreed to appoint Mr. Ollive deputy clerk, without fixing the amount of his salary. Considerable discussion then arose as to the salaries that should be apportioned to the clerk and deputy clerk. It was stated that the total salary paid to the late clerk, and which included the salary of the deputy, was £ 770. Mr. P. B. Davies-Cooke thought that con- sidering the amount of work Mr. Ollive had done for a considerable time, and the admirable way in which he had done it, his salary should not be less than JE300 per annum. Dr. Williams said there was a strong feeling in the county that the clerk should devote the whole of his time to the duties of his office, which were very onerous. He doubted whether a legal gentleman could be found who was willing to devote the whole of his time to the work for the salary he would receive. Mr. P. T. Davies-Cooke said he understood the salary of the clerk in Denbighshire was X850, out of which X250 was paid to his deputy. Mr. H. J. Roberts thought the county could not afford to pay the deputy clerk more than X250 per annum. The ratable value of Den- bighshire far exceeded that of Flintshire. Mr. Pennant concurred with the suggestion of Mr. P. B. Davies-Cooke, and said it should be borne in mind that the newly-appointed clerk would for a considerable time be de- pendent upon the knowledge and experience of Mr. Ollive. That fact should be borne m mind in fixing the salary of Mr. Ollive, who had been a faithful, good servant. (Hear, hear). It was eventually decided nem. con. that the salary of the clerk of the peace (who must be a barrister or a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature) should be L770, and that out of it Mr. Ollive, as deputy clerk, should be paid X270 per annum. It was also agreed to invite applications for the appointment of clerk of the peace, which would be made at the quarterly meeting of the committee at Mold on the 21st inst. Candidates who would undertake to reside in Mold or its neighbourhood would be considered more eligible, and the clerk of the peace would be required to give the whole of his time to the duties of his office, or should at his own expense provide any additional clerical assistance that might be necessary for the due performance of his duties. Canvassing on the part of a candidate would not disqualify him. Mr. Ollive thanked the committee for his election, and remarked that it was only a further evidence, if such were needed, of that good feeling which he had experienced with the committee from the first. It was a very pleasant reflection that during the whole of the time he had been connected with that large body of men representing all shades of opinions, he had never received one harsh word from any of them. (Hear, hear.) Referring under the influence of emotion to the death of Mr. Kelly, he said there was, perhaps, no man in the county who felt his loss more keenly than he did. He (Mr. Ollive) had been associated with him for a great number of years, and the severance of their connection was indeed a shock he would never forget. A vote; of condolence was passed with Mr. Charles Davison, ft member of the committee, in hw bereavement through the death of his wife.lj

I A YOUNG* WIFE'S DILEMMA. A young wife wrote the other week to the editor of a ladies' paper asking the surest means of retaining her husband's affections. The reply was "always be as attractive, look as pretty, and pay the same attention to hfm as you did daring the days of courtship." It has been admitted, however? tu& woman's good,Iooka?re dependent to a great extent ,aa hit h46a?lth4 CII-harlea Fo*,do, 13ue B"uo for MMnMness, are, in tb4 connection, woman't greatest friend. They preserve the appetite, and thus ensure keeping up the strength. They stimulate the liver it inclined to be sluggish, thus ensuring energy and briskness. Their action on both liver and kidneys results in these organs being always reguftLt in their action; and conrtipation, headache, nausea, and debility are thereby rendered highly improbable. The blood is purified, and the result of the occasional use of Bile Beans is seen in the sprightly step, the bright eye, the healthy colour, and the clear complexion. These qualities, which Bile Beans ensure, go far towards making a young lady attractive.

CLAIM BY A HAWARDEN I ENGINEER. At Chester County Court, on Thursday, before his Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd, James Ratcliffe, engineer, Hawarden, sued Charles Wycherley, colliery proprietor, of the Sandycroft Colliery Com- pany, Buckley, for J650 in respect of a transaction with reference to the purchase of two pairs of winding engines. Mr. W. H. Churton was for plaintiff and Mr. S. Moss, M.P., represented de- fendant. Plaintiff's case was that there was an agreement between defendant and him that he should buy two second-hand winding engines from defendant for JE277 10s. each. One of the engines plaintiff sold for 2360, and he alleged that after he had spent about 220 in advertising the en- gines, defendant told him that he had sold the second engine, and had got a better price for it than plaintiff had offered. Plaintiff contended that the second engine was his, and that Mr. Wycherley had no right to dispose of it. De- fendant, however, denied this and stated that he did not sell the second engine to plaintiff, because the latter would not agree to his terms.—His Honour delivered his judgment in the case at a special Court held on Tuesday. The Judge said there was unfortunately considerable difference in some of the main features of the case between the two parties as to the facts. He did not mean to suggest that there was any wilful difference or any misleading of the Court in the evidence of either one side or the other. At all events, there was a very serious difference between the parties as to what really took place and as to their recollection of meetings, to say the least of it. After reviewing and commenting upon the evidence, his Honour said the onus was upon the plaintiff to shew him that there was a contract, that there was a sale of the second pair of engines. He had considered the matter very carefully, including the contemporaneous letters, and he could not come to the conclusion that there was such a contract with reference to the second pair of engines, and consequently he could not give damages. He thought there was a great deal to be said on the plaintiff's side. The negotiations had been going on since the pre- vious January, and were continued down to the 30th August, when, according to the defendant's view of it, he left it in this state-that he told the plaintiff he could have them for J6300, and he must have known that after that the plaintiff was moving among his customers in order to see whether he could find a customer who would enable him to give the JB200 asked. Yet, with- out a word to Mr. Ratcliffe, these engines were sold to a stranger. He (the judge) should have thought it fair and honourable dealing if Mr. Wycherley had written to Mr. Ratcliffe and said Now the engines which you were in negotiation for. and which have been offered to you for £ 300, I have an opportunity of selling for that amount to a third person. Let me know whether you want them or not." But not a word was said to him, and he was told bluntly that the engines were sold after he had incurred the expense. He (the judge) must say there was a good deal to be said on the side of the plaintiff. Although he could not give damages to enforce the contract, he should certainly not give costs against the plaintiff. He gave judgment for the defendant without costs.

RAILWAY SUPERINTENDENT I LIBELLED. HEAVY DAMAGES. I Mr. Henry Linaker, a district superintendent of the London and North-Western Railway Com- pany, at Manchester on Thursday week com- menced, in the King's Bench, an action for libel against the registered proprietors and editor of the "Railway Review." It appears that articles printed in this paper had imputed to plaintiff habits of insobriety, and had made other disparaging statements concerning him. Liability was in part admitted, a sum of money being paid into court; but justification was pleaded for the rest of the libel. Sir Edward Clarke, opening the plaintiff's case, pointed out that the plaintiff had been 33 years in the service of the company, and had risen to one of the most important positions. It was impossible, therefore, that there could be any truth in the statement that plaintiff was of habitually intemperate habits. Indeed, his position was one of great responsibility, and the testimony to be adduced would shew that there was no foundation whatever for these libellous statements. He submitted that it was a case for substantial damages. Several witnesses gave evidence in support of the foregoing statement, including Mr. Robert Turn- bull, superintendent of the London and North- Western Railway; Mr. Oliver Stanbrook Holt, of the Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge Railway Company; Sir Thomas Brooke, a director of the London and North-Western; and Mr. Fletcher, another director, all of whom spoke to the uni- formly sober and careful conduct of the plaintiff. Mr. Linaker himself gave evidence, and was cross-examined at considerable length by Mr. Isaacs. He said he might have walked stiffly at Stockport Station, but that was owing to illness. He did not stagger across the platform and lose his hat, and no one had to assist him into a cab. He did not remember being drunk at North- ampton, and standing drinks all round in the Red Lion and losing his watch. He never lost his watch. He never went to a Mrs. Pearson's house at Northampton and had whisky and soda. He did not remember any one taking him home when he lived at Northampton. He knew of no public- house there called the Quart Pot. The further hearing was adjourned. At the resumed hearing on Friday John Nichol- son, stationmaster at Stockport, said there was no. truth in the statement that plaintiff had to be assisted out of the train and into a cab by the station staff. Plaintiff stated that he was not feeling well, and was afraid he was going to suffer from a return of an old complaint. William John Chapman, district goods manager of the London and North-Western at London-road Station, Manchester, said he saw Mr. Linaker in the afternoon of the day specified as that on which I he was allegted to have been intoxicated. Plaintiff I was then perfectly sober. Mr. Campbell, merchant, and other witnesses also spoke to being with plaintiff on the same day, when there was nothing in his behaviour to sug- gest any doubt as to his sobriety. Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.C., then opened the case for the defence, and disclaimed any intention on their part of a mere vulgar and malicious charge of drunkenness put forward for no reason except to injure the plaintiff. This was only one of many serious complaints there were against Mr. Linaker in his conduct as superintendent, who had, in fact, exercised a reign of terror over the men under him, exhibiting vindictiveness, oppression, spite, and inflicting undeserved punishment. The only case now before the jury was whether the plaintiff was intoxicated or hilarious on the dates specified in the particulars. What the defendants desired to raise was the treatment by the plaintiff of the men under his control, and that was the object of the publication of the letters which contained the alleged libels. They could not now go into the question whether those charges were true, though the object of the letters was to secure an inquiry into them. He repudiated the suggestion of plaintiff's counsel that the witnesses for the de- fence had concocted a story for the purpose of injuring the plaintiff, as many of the witnesses who would give evidence had never been under his lash. In fact, many of them risked their positions by coming forward. Mr. Justice Matthews pointed out there was an appeal to the directors. Mr. Isaacs said nevertheless the position of the men must be affected by their coming for- ward. There was no charge of habitual intem- perance made against the plaintiff, but that he was drunk on August 1 and February 22, and the large body of evidence that would be called for the defence would satisfy the jury, he hoped, that the defendants were justified in making the charge. Evidence was then called for the defence. John Green, the guard of the train by which plaintiff travelled on February 22, said his atten- tion was called to the plaintiff by a first-class passenger, and witness noticed when plaintiff got out of the train at Stqckport he did not walk. straight, but wobbled and staggered about. In witness' opinion he was intoxicated. Cross-examined, he admitted his duties would: render his observation of any one on the plat- form only momentary. He gave no information of the incident, but it was general talk among the men. Witness was a member of the society, so he read the "Review," but he did not renieniDer plaintiff being attacked in the "Review" and described as Superintendent Chin-licker. (Laugh- ter.) Henry Fisher, a porter at Edgeley Station, Stockport, said he saw the plaintiff, and formed the opinion that he was drunk, and called Mr. Nicholson's attention to it. Frederick William Wood, another porter from Edgeley Station, also saw Mr. Linaker walk along the platform, and thought his walk was that of a man under the influence of drink. He called the attention of several porters to it. I Edward White, a porter at the same station, gave corroborative evidence; also Stephen BUl- lock, another porter, who booked the fact in his pocket-book. (Laughter.) J. The case was again adjourned. During Monday's hearing, Henry Wood, cab inspector, Stockport, said because be saw plaintiff get in a hansom with his face towards the driver/he thought he was intoxicated., Sir Edward Clarke Do all persons get into a hansom in the same way ?—No. How do they generally get in P-In a business- like and straightforward manner. (Laughtér:) How would you get into a hansom ?—-I should get up, twist round, get my right foot inside the hansom, and sit down. (Laughter.) Sir E. Clarke: That would make people think you were drunk. (Renewed laughter.) Several witnesses were called to shew that plaintiff was of dfnnken habits. > > I THE VERDICT. I Mr. Justice Matbew summed up on Tuesday, | and said if defendants had been misled by the ,I evidence laid before them with regard to three- fourths of the case, was it not likely that they had been misled as to the other fourth ? With regard to the Northampton accusation, a dis- reputable charge had been made-the charge of intimacy with a witness. His lordship had expected to see something attractive—(laughter) —but when she was called he thought he had never seen a more astonishing Juliet. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, and assessed the damages at £ 1,000. Mr Justice Mathew said on a future day he would hear counsel on the point whether trustees could be sued so as to bind the property of the society.

WHAT IS A "GENTLEMAN?" I MR. R. ST. J. CORBET'S OPINION. I The difficult question "What is a gentle- man P" has been exercising the correspondents of the Spectator." The latest is this effusion from Mr. R. St. J. Corbet:- Surely there can be but one definition P A. I gentleman' is a man of gentle birth, a member of the gentry, a member of a family I untainted by trade' (as the expression went) for three generations. I think it was Sir Walter Scott who said that three generations are sometimes insufficient' to breed out trade,' and that five should be substituted. No Psalm or sentiment can make a man a I gentleman' any more than Psalm or sentiment can make a man an Admiral or an Attorney-General. A nobleman' is not so called, or entitled to be so called, because he is a man of noble bearing, or noble acts, or noble thoughts; he must be a member of the nobility or he cannot be a nobleman.' In the same way a man cannot be a gentleman' unless he satisfies what is meant by gentle.' During the last quarter of the nineteenth century everybody's desire was to be a' gentle- man and to be addressed esquire,' yet not one probably out of five hundred aspirants had a right to be either one or the other. Nobody wished to be considered a judge or an architect, or to be addressed as Baronet or F.B.S., yet it was a general aspiration to bear other styles, and without the smallest justification. You are not a gentleman' because you wear a clean collar and pay your bills, and you are not an esquire' because you do not dig potatoes or drive an engine; definitions are definitions, and even David and all his Psalms cannot twist them to mean what they do not mean. In America I understand that 'Judges' and Colonels' are numerous; at this nonsense we smile, but are we much better ourselves ? Our gentlemen' and esquires' are probably far mere numerous." This letter has roused the usually phlegmatic editor of the "Spectator" to the following note:—" We publish our correspondent's letter because we desire to express our absolute and total dissent from the pernicious view it sup- ports. The whole of our social and political history is a protest against his attitude on the subject. Mr. Corbet is, of course, perfectly right as to the derivation of the word (every schoolboy knows that' gens' means class' or race'), but it is the glory of the English nation that derivatives of this word soon altered their meaning here and gave us the significance of 'gentle'—the very antithesis of all that is associated with pride of race and arrogance of blood. We have often thought that the history of the meaning of the word gentleman shews in epitome our happy social evolution-an evolution which preserved us from the degrada- tion and danger of a noble caste. The French preserved the true' meaning of the word gentil homme,' and its preservation may in a sense be said to have produced the Revolution. How we steadily gave up the narrow use of the words gentleman' and gentle' is seen throughout our literature. When Chaucer talked of a very perfect gentle knight' (we modernise the spelling) he did not mean, as the context shews, that the knight was of high lineage, but that he was courteous and kindly and without a proud and overbear- ing spirit. When Shakespeare uses the word gentleman' we see again how the idea of race an blood is failing. Dekker clearly bad no thought of the derivation when he called our Lord the first true gentleman that ever breathed.' Cromwell uses the word almost in the modern sense. In our later history it has been a commonplace that the word gentleman' is not reserved in England for men of birth, but for men of conduct and good-breeding. It is true that George IV. said of Sir Robert Peel, He is no gentleman; he divides his coat tails when he sits down,' but no reasonable person ever seriously says that Peel was not a gentle- man merely because of his origin from a trading family."

I BANK MEETINGS. THE NATIONAL PROVINCIAL. The annual general meeting of the National Provincial Bank of England, Limited, was held last week at the head ofifce, 112, Bishopsgate- street, London. Mr. Robert Wigram, who pre- sided, submitted a special resolution in connection with the death of her late Majesty the Queen, which was unanimously agreed to. He then called attention to the very satisfactory report submitted to the proprietors, and referred to the fact that this was the first occasion in which the report had been issued before the meeting. The year had been a peculiarly difficult one, but the bank rate had ruled high, and the time had been profitable for banks. The reserve fund now amounted to 22,275,000, and the whole of it was invested in Government securities. The current deposit and other accounts shewed an increase of £ 1,120,000. After paying the dividend of 21 per cent., and carrying JMU,000 to reserve fund, they were able to carry forward nearly £97,000, or an increase of £ 17,000 over last year. The cash at Bank of England, head office and branches, and at call and short notice, shewed an increase of £ 1,166,000; and the item of bills discounted, loans, etc., an increase of £ 244,000. The result was a most satis- factory one, and reflected the greatest credit on the managers and the staff. The bank had now between 13,000 and 14,000 shareholders, and if each one would only do a little toward bringing in new business, it would be of advantage to them- selves as well as to the bank. The report was unanimously adopted. In our advertising columns we publish the re- port and balance-sheet. I PARR'S BANK, LIMITED. I The obth annual ordinary general meeting of this company was recently held at the Cannon- street Hotel, London. Mr. Cecil F. Parr (chair- man of the board of directors) occupied the chair. The Chairman said: Before beginning the busi- ness of the meeting, I cannot but allude to the shadow of the great and irreparable loss which hangs heavy on all of us here to-day and on the whole nation. The greatest individual personality of the whole of this civilised world has gone from it. Never before in the history of that world has so much love, so much reverence, irrespective of colour, of race, or of creed, been bestowed—aye, and rightly bestowed—on one single human being as on our illustrious Queen, now lying dead at Osborne. Death has robbed us of our Queen, but not death, nor time, nor eternity itself can rob us of the priceless heritage of the noble example which she has bequeathed to her people; an ex- ample of a white and blameless life, of un- swerving, unstinted, single-minded devotion to duty, and of wide, loving sympathy. Surely the memory of that good example will quicken the conscience and nerve the arm and the heart of millions of English men and women in ages yet to come; and in so doing will fulfil in the best and in the triudt sense the prediction of our great poet, the poet of her own Victorian era, when he said: Let children of our children say "She wrought her people lasting good." (Applause.) Mr. Parr then spoke as follows:—When at mid- i summer, in my remarks to the shareholders at Warrington, I noticed the unmistakable signs of a set back in trade, we scarcely expected that such a set back would have become so accentuated be- fore the year drew to a close. A certain re-action from the superabundant commercial activity which prevailed in the early months of the year was, perhaps, inevitable, but it was greatly aggravated by the tremendous rise in the price of ooal—a very good thing for coal owners and coal workers—but a very serious handicap on the energy of every other trade in the country. The depression thus begun was intensified by the prolongation oi hostilities in South Africa, by the troubles in China, and a general feeling of political unrest. However, taking the year altogether, prices were so good, and the expansion of trade so great, not- withstanding the falling-off in the latter part of the year, that the total results for the twelve months have once again established a record in the total value of our imports and exports, and also in the case of most of our leading commodities, a record in volume as well. The report and balance-sheet in your hands differ chiefly from their immediate predecessors in that they record an increase of capital, of paid-up capital to the amount of £93,600-, and a corresponding increase to our re- serve fund, raising them both to 21,463,500. In the course of the year, as you are aware, we ac- quired the business of the Ashton, Stalybridge, Hyde and Glossop Bank, Limited, the transfer be- ing completed after our meeting at Warrihgton in July. In order to pay for this business, we asked you to create 1,250 new shares, and at the same time, feeling that we could employ the additional capital profitably, we created 3,425 more shares, which we allotted to our old shareholdort at JB70 in the ratio of one share to every 20 then held. This meant, of course, a corresponding increase in the amount required for dividend, and, there- fore, it became a question with the Board whether in the face of this increase they would be: justified in paying, ih addition to the usual dividejnd of 19 per cent., the bonus of 4s. per share, being equal to one per eent. for ther year, as well. I:am glad to tell you that good banking rates and an im- munity from bad debts, exceptional beydnd even our ordinary experience, have enabled us, prudent aa we are, to recommoid payment of the bonus as well. I trust, therefore* that our shareholders will be more than satisfied with the results of the past year, for we have not.only by the operation of the increase in capital givei) .to each shareholder an additional benefit of nearly 16s. per share on his holding, but we have also earned enough to pay both dividend of ,19 per cent. and bonus on that increased apita. thus, I venture, to think, justifying in the most practical manner the. pro- priety of the operation. P., You will 'notice that we have opened new branches and sub-branches at St. Leonards, Stalybridge, Gateacre and Gorton. After some further remarks Mr. Parr moved— "That the report now presented be received and adopted, and that a dividend at the rate of 19 per cent. per annum be now declared for the quarter ended 51st December, 1900, together with a bonus of one per cent., both payable, free of income tax, on and after 1st February, and a dividend at the rate of 19 per cent. per annum, free of income tax, for the quarter ending 31st March, 1901, payable on the 1st May, to the shareholders whose names shall be on the register on the 11th April." (Hear, hear.)—The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. ,<> I; ,>, :d ;<, :,¡<r.

CONNAH'S QUAY PETTY i SESSIONS. I THURSDAY.—Before Mr. J. Watkinson and l Mr. James Reney. THE LATE MR. T. T. KELLY.—After paying a tribute to the memory of our late Queen, re- ported elsewhere, Mr. W^kinson said it was his painful duty to refer to the demise of Mr. T- Kelly, late Clerk of the Peace for Flintshire. The deceased gentleman was well known and highly respected, and they would deeply feel his loss.- Mr. Henry Taylor (Chester), who was present, said he had known Mr. Kelly since boyhood, and he could testify to the late gentleman's many sterling qualities. The late Mr. Kelly was noteit for his excellent tact and sound commonsense, and among his professional friends he would be remembered for many years to come. LICENCE TRANSFERRED.—The licence oi the Miners' Arms, Halkyn, was transferred from Thomas Wellburn to Riohard Jones, a miner, 0» the application of Mr. Henry Taylor. j THE MAGISTRATES IN A LENIENT MOOD.—Catherine Bennett, living at Connab's Quay, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, valued at 9s. 6d., the property of Messrs. Robert Smith, Limited High-street, Connah's Quay.- George F. Mann, the manager, said the woman came into the shop on the 14th of January aD purchased a sheeting. Shortly afterwards the boots (produced), which hung outside the shoP, were missing, and information was given to the police, with the result that Mrs. Bennett WO charged with the theft.—Defendant said she took the boots on trial and meant to return them. Defendant was discharged in consideration of tbe Bang's accession to the throne. ——————— ——————

THE WIRRAL TRAGEDY. f SUICIDE IN A POST OFFICE. ■ THE INQUEST. I At Clatterbridge Workhouse on Friday morn, ing, the West Cheshire coroner (Mr. J. C. Bate) held an inquest upon the body of the un' fortunate woman named Mary Bird, who hail? from Oxton. near Birkenhead, and who coø', mitted suicide in the Post Office, at Thereto Hough, under tragic circumstances, on Tuesd*? evening of last week, reported fully in OUf)aSt week's issue. » The Coroner informed the jury that the d<3' ¡ ceased's name was Mary Bird, stated to be 29 I years of age, and the last address at which sb8 was known was in Oxton, near Birkenhead. Tb' case was of a very strange character, and it ha? been reported to him that on one occasion, aboo? six months ago. the deceased was charged w?"* attempting to take her life, and that she ba been an inmate of Upton Lunatic Those circumstances pointed to a somewhat we state of mind. There could be no doubt the deceased administered carbolic acid to herself-  The first witness called was Police ConstablO Diskin, stationed at Thornton Hough, who state4 that the deceased, Mary Bird, was his w^ej sister. To the best of his knowledge she had b?.) no fixed residence for some time. Her pa?'' resided at Stourbridge, Staffordshire, but sb had not lived with them for a year. Her who was at present in America, was in busidel at Stourbridge as an ironmonger. Deceased b?, been in many situations as a cook and housem*1^ The last time witness saw her was in July last' when she had stayed a month at his house, bet? out of a situation. Before then she was io e situation at Southport as housemaid, and  told witness that she gave it up because it pL not agree with her.-The Coroner Did you tb1^ that was the reason ?-Witness: Yes, I dli, because she was not very well when she Icame to our house.-You have not seen her since Ju'? No, but I heard since she was in Oxton.—P?. i ceeding, witness said he was not aware that ceased was in Thornton Hough on Tuesday, ? he said positively that she did not call at ? house that day. He was summoned to the P0 t of&ce. which was next door to his house, abot) a quarter past seven on Tuesday evening, j? found deceased lying on the floor of the o:& unconscious. He rendered her what assist&?c he could by giving her an emetic of salt and wat øS and promptly summoning Dr. Wbipp, who in attendance two minutes later. Questioned øS to a bottle of carbolic acid, witness said it "0 found by one of the jurymen next morning t?? the back door of his (witness') house.—?' Coroner: Could she get to the back of Y? house easily without your observation?—Witnos? Yes.-Do you know your sister-in law's writes Yes, sir.-The Coroner then handed witne-91 piece of paper containing some writing, ?' asked if he thought the writing was that of'' deceased. Witness replied that he believed )t was. The letter (which was found among the deceased's clothing by a nurse when examined the workhouse) was read to the jury by t Coroner, and was as follows:—" Dear sister ?? Just a line to say when you receive this I sb?it be no more. I fully intend doing this, for yoif j husband has driven me to do this. If I j drink I am not a harlot as he says. If such ?? ? the case I should not be in service. I b? g worked hard for my living, but still I will s, 'j nothing. He will suffer more than your brc)k00' hearted sister Poll."—The Coroner remaJ'? that the letter was written in pencil, and  the somewhat indistinct writing it was evd,"tlyi not written under ordinary circumstances. dressing witness, he asked: Have you had  words with her at all?—Witness None at all s'? 0 I she left our house in July last, when she WO going to a situation at Hoylake.—Witness ? i that about two days after deceased left his ho?'? ? she returned there about one o'clock in the  ing. He was not at home at the time, but his wife told him that the woman smelt very strong of drink and that she told deceased if she did 110' I alter her behaviour she would not keep the hols .? open for her.-The Coroner: You knew that Sbe iI took drink?-Yes, sir. I knew she was i-,athet fond of drink.-I ask you whether you knew  t she left her last situation through drink? It ? ) my idea at the time. I know has been at about a dozen altua.?" g. the year before last in three mont? -Is it not in your opinion that her drink1 was the reason why she had not been able t, I keep her situations? Yes, sir.—Witness adde ø that another reason in his opinion was that tb' deceased would not be spoken to by her m&s^ or mistress. He had never accused her of  I behaviour, as she alleged in her letter.- L Coroner: You are quite sure she did not co!? to your house on Tuesday? Yes, sir.—Proce? ing, witness said the deceased did not contri?' to her maintenance when she lived at his hou9 She had no money, and he gave her some she left to take a new situation. In July, 189 J while in a situation at Birkenhead, she appeaf4^ j !i before the magistrates on a charge of attempt"^ to commit suicide by taking laudanum, and af'^ being medically examined she was sent to  Asylum.-The Coroner: Do you kno her state of mind was the result of dri?'?-NV' ness: I could not say.-How long did she sta ¡ in Upton Asylum? Four months.-When  she attempt to take her life again?—In Fbrl1r last year, at New Ferry.-Was she In a situate then? Yes, sir. She was brought before magistrates and discharged with a caution- What did she attempt to take her life with t ellt Laudanum. The cause of her act was that ? was much upset on receiving a letter from father to say that her brother had died. I Evidence was next given by Hugh Cariip bellI, assistant postmaster at Thornton Hough, V-* deposed to seeing deceased fall on the floor d the office. He did not know how long: she b% been in the office, because he did  see her enter. She must have been in a part the office where she was concealed from his ?'< He had not seen her in the office before he saw fall. Immediately before he saw her fall be served a customer with some stamps. Fearing the I deceased had fainted, he called in ConstaMc P") kin. Deceased did not speak to witness. He b seen the woman before at Thornton, but not day, and he did not know who she was. X Dr. Robert Whipp, of Thornton Hough, depo? to seeing deceased in the Post-office unconsc'? and dyin? from the effects of carbolic ?.' poisoning. She expired a few minutes after\v?,t P.C. Diskin, in answer to the Coroner.  there was no chemist's shop or other place in district of Thornton where deceased could b? obtained carbolic acid. The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that tbo note, which was addressed to deceased's sister, 3fro, Diskin, was written on a paper which seemed J have come from a school, because it was with the words "head teacher." Where the l?o?iet had been written it was impossible to say, bi'1 had evidently been written under peculiar eirctlol, stances. It was quite within the power of the jury to say the deceased was of unsound mind the time she committed suicide. Her letter quite sufficient to account for her not being a. V to keep her situations, and probably the drilli might have been the cause of her attempts suicide.—The jury found that deceased had coJJl mitted suicide while of unsound mind. (The above appeared in our last Saturday EveniO4 Edition.) ———i———'—

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