Cheshire Observer

I I. ACTED LIKE MAGIC," I SAYS MB. GEO. SCOTT, WHO WAS CURED OF SEVERE PAIN IN THE BACK BT ONE BOX OF DODD'S KIDNEY PILLS. Wearying, ceaseless backache. W ?11419.;? ti. 17Ld constant pain. l? li No comfort by day. No rest at night. Aches in the small of the back, pain low down in the side. No spirit for any task, no hope for relief. Great numbers of people are not free from backache from one year's end to another. Dodd's Kidney Pills is the only medicine that never fails to cure backache. Writing from Lane Side, Cnmberworth, near Huddersfield, on September 29th, 1900, Mr. Scott says "Dear Sirs,—In November last I was scarcely able to work, owing to such a terrible pain in my back. Hearing of Dodd's Kidney Pills, I got a box, they acted like magic. I took only one box, and have been quite a different man since. I assure you, should the complaint attack me again, I will take no other medicine. My trade no doubt has a tendency to bring on such ailments as Kidney Disease and backache, owing to being exposed to all kinds of weather, and in addition to which, being such laborious work. "I have not failed to recommend Dodd's Kidney Pills to my many friends.—I remain, yours faithfully, GEORGE SCOTT." Dodd'a Kidney Pills are sold by all Chemists, 2s. 9d. per box, six boxes for 13s. 9d.; or sent post free on receipt of price by The Dodd's Medicine Co., 23, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C. Remember D-O-D-D-'S are the genuine.

FOOTBALL NOTES. I [Br SPHERE. J I In the second round of the Charity Cup compe- tition Newton Rangers met Chester St. John's on the ground at Hoole on Saturday afternoon. With the expectation of witnessing a keen eu- counter, a large number of football enthusiasts gathered on the field. As will be readily imagined, the teams were strongly represented. The visitors played with the aid of a strong wind, but the Newton forwards nevertheless attacked repeatedly, and Roberts, the visiting custodian, was obliged to save pretty smartly on several occasions. The Saints were often dangerous too, and exciting scrimmages were frequently wit- nessed but although the visitors had more oppor- tunities to score than their opponents, half-time arrived with a clean sheet. Favoured by the boisterous wind, the Rangers made matters rather warm. and about fifteen minutes after the interval the homesters placed the ball into the net, but the point was ruled off- Sid's, to the surprise of some of the spectators. however, the Rangers seemed determined to win, and it was not long before they scored their first goal. Barnes was the scorer. Splendid oppor- tunities to score were lost on both sides through somewhat bad shooting. The wind, however, militated to a great extent against anything like accurate shooting. Before the whistle blew for cessation of hostilities the homesters scored another point, and therefore ran out winners by 2-0. Teams representing Chester King's School and Whitchurch Grammar School met at Eaton-road on Wednesday. During the first half play was to the advantage of neither side, though J. Roberts made several fine attacks on the Whit- church goal. After half-time the King's School took up the offensive, and J. Roberts scored cleverly. Soon afterwards the fortunes of the game changed, and after several ineffectual corners at the King's School end, a Chester player accidentally put the ball into his own goal. The game terminated in a draw—one goal for each side. Walton cleared grandly, and Lowe, Gardner and Lloyd-Jones also played very credit- ably. After a long absence the Frodsham Parish Church were at home on the Athletic Ground on Saturday, the visitors being Warrington Trinity Athletic Reserve. The first portion of the game was evenly contested, and at the interval the Frodsham men were leading by one goal to nil. In the second half Warrington scored two goals in good style, while the homesters were unable to gain another point. Thus the visitors won by 2-1 after a good and interesting game. Shotton received a visit on Saturday from Flint in the Chester and District League. The game was evenly contested throughout, the home- sters being a trifle smarter on the ball. An unfortunate accident occurred in the first half, Darlington spraining his ankle very badly. Shotton, however, won a good game by three goals to two. An exciting game was witnessed between St. Paul's Juniors and Chester Albion Reserve on the Roodee on Saturday. St. Paul's won the toss and Bass started the game. From the be- ginning the game became fast and exciting, the ball travelling from end to end with rapid speed. From a run by Gray; the Albion obtained a corner, which Owens saved in grand style. Mid- field play ensued for a time, until Evans, obtain- ing possession, ran up, but failed to score. The Albion then made a determined rush, Butler shooting into Owen's arms. The game continued fast up to the interval, which arrived with a clean sheet. Resuming. St. Paul's made tracks for the goal, but H. Dutton shot over the bar. The Albion then made a combined run, Williams and Wood playing a fine game, but J. Ormrod and Howie stopped them time after time. Both teams tried hard to score, but could not until four minutes before time, when C. Dutton getting a pass from Sproston, sent in a simple goal. From the kick- off the Albion raced off, but L. Williams got possession of the ball and gave it to W. Ormrod, who scored a second goal. The game ended in favour of St. Paul's by 2 goals to nil. After an absence of several weeks Helsby ap- peared at home on Saturday, Wrexham Victoria being visitors in the second round of the Yerburgh Charity Cup Competition. Much to the disappoint- ment of their supporters the local team went down to the extent of 3 goals to 2. -Helsby, who are at present holders of the handsome trophy, were fully expected to make a big effort to retain it, and although it was generally acknowledged that they would have all their work cut out to shake off the smart Welsh team, no one was prepared for the poor display given by the homesters. On the other hand, no one could begrudge the visitors their olever victory, which was won by smartness and all-round play. Helsby lost the toss, and the visitors had the advantage of a rather strong oblique wind. There was a good crowd of specta- tors present. In the first few minutes Hough, the home custodian, had to clear from Williams, a couple of fruitless corners being followed by a free kick, which the visitors failed to take advantage of. Helsby retaliated, but Cook shot outside, and mid-field play was then the order of the day. Another free kick to the visitors shortly after- wards was well placed, and enabled J. Davies to open the score for them. The Vics, kept up the open the score for them. pressure, and Hough had several shots to negoti- ate, one from Williams being a particularly smart save. The visitors gained a couple more comers, Hough again clearing grandly. The Hefebyites now had a turn, and after being driven back several times R. Jones scored the equalising goal. The homesters still kept up the attack, and Mathias cleared well from Bibby, and again from a subsequent corner. A free kick to the homesters was eventually put outside by Cooke. The Vies attacked, and J. Lewis scored a second goal, which the home team strongly ap- pealed against for offside. The referee decided otherwise. A further free kick to the homesters was followed by Mathias having to clear a shot by Bibby, while Hough had to save from F. Williams. Half-time arrived with the visitors lead- ing by 2 to 1. The Vies. re-started, and Helsby immediately attacked and gained a comer, from which Bibby headed a splendid goal, this again equalising the scores. From a further corner to the home team the ball was put outside by J. Jones, and then Mathias saved another capital header by Bibby. The homesters still kept up the attack, but were met by a resolute defence. Mathias cleared from R. Evans, and afterwards Hughes shot over, and a further corner was gained. Evans, however, kicked outside, while Cook with a rasping shot only just missed by inches directly afterwards. Try as they would the home team could make little impression on the visitors' de- fence, who were playing grandly, Billington, tne left back, being always conspicuous with splendid work, while their forwards made many determined attacks on the home goal. Eventually loose play on the part of the home backs lot them in, and J. Lewis scored their third goal. From now to the finish there was little to choose between the two teams, and although the homesters, urged on by the shouts of their sup- porters, made several attempts to get on level terms, they were unable to again break through the visitors' defence, and had to retire beaten. On the day's play the visitors were certainly the better team, and although there was a doubt as to the legality of their second goal, they deserved to win. With one or two exceptions the home team were weak, and unless they shape decidedly better to-day (Saturday) in the semi-final of the Cheshire Amateur Cup tie with Winsford United, they will stand little chance of getting any further in that competition. In the match played on Saturday between Tarvin and Christleton, on the ground of the latter team, Tarvin were again successful, winning by four goals to nil. CHESTER & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION II. I- RESULTS UP TO DATE. Pld. Won. Lost. Drn. For. Asrat. Pts. St. John's .11 9 1 1 .56 .12 .19 WrexhamS.Giles.13 9 3 1 .47 .29 .19 Rowton ,10 7 0 3 .36 9 .17 Hoole Rovers 10 7 3 0 .46 .16 .14 *Sealsnd Road .11 4 3 4 .37 .23 .10 Helsby Reserve. 10 5 5 0 .31 .23 .10 Chester Albion .11 1 9 1 .12 .38 3 E. Port Christ Ch.11 1 .10 0 .17 .57 2 Ince & District .11 1 .10 0 7 .82 2 Two points deducted for playing an ineligible man.

WHIST. OLD ST. MARY'S v. ST. JOHN'S. .a This match was played at Hasting's School, on Monday evening. Scores:— OLD ST. MARY'S. ST. JOHN S. W. Huxley. 7 W. H. Whetnall > M C. Davies ) W. E. Hignett > M. Mead F.Weston   M. Mead 121 T. R. Hignett 8. Webster J iX J. R. HIgnett ?'' J. Harris > H. Mitchell „ R. Oliver I ? A. Jones j H. Snelaon 7 91 A. W""smu 19 J.Abbott. 5 J.Price J. Jones \« W. Rowley .???— J. Jones 121 H. Rowley 11,3 R. suelson H. Rowley ) 1,3 F. Latham A. Weston ? — P. Rmson 115 F. Argyle 100 87 Majority for Old St. Mary's, 13. S'B. BARNABAS'S v. ST. JOHN'S. This match was played at the St. John's Club on Friday evening. Score:— ST. BARNABAS'S. ST. JOHN'S. A. J. Blakeman ? T. Harris 71t- J. G. Speakman > W. E. Hignett > is T. H Tenkins. 7 9, W. H. Cheaters' }10 R. Mason S H. Mitchell > 1U W. Barton 79, F. Weston 71Afta W. Whetnall S J. R. Hiznett > 18 Rev. G. C. Bri?aL. ? 01 Rev. H. B. Sherwen7 «- W. H. Whetnall ) 21 A. Williams ) Jos. Tullook 7™ A. Weston 719 E. Howell J ? F. Argyle J P. Lythgoe 12i J. Pryce 7 d Jno. Tulloek t? H. Haaw;h > J. Bowker. 7 m E. Hignett 7 J. Bowker. I 21 R. Oliver J. Savage ? B. Oliver. ) W. H. Savage. 7 01 W. H. Haswell 7 S. Howell ) W. Rowley J G. F. L-fi?*' 7 -to W. Clare 7 91 W. Cl.r W. Pran(U« j1B A. Jones I2-1 186 106 Majority for St. Barnabas's, 80.

BILLIARDS. I ALDFORD v. PULFORD. I On Saturday evening, at Pulford, a billiard match was played between teams representing the Aldford Institute and Pulford, resulting in I a win for the latter team. t;core ALDFORD. PULFORD. I G. Astbury 100 L. Bebbington 97 F. Jones 100 W. Taylor. 98 1 E. Prioe 101 E. Davies 88 G. Taylor 44 T. Pate 102 J. Allman 101 D. Davies 98 J. Price 87 E. Roberts 100 j Total .533 Total 583 I Majority for Pulford, 50.

HOCKEY. I HOOLE v. NEW BRIGHTON WANDERERS. After defeating Oswestry the previous Satur- day to the tune of 7 goals to nil, the Hoole eleven were again seen on their own ground on Saturday, their opponents on this occasion being Now Brighton Wanderers. Despite the sodden condition of the ground the game waa very fat. and energy on both sides was exerted to score the first point. Hoole, however, were the first to score, and shortly afterwards the Wanderers equalised. At half-time Hoole led by 2 goals to 1. On resuming Hoole pressed, and kept the game in the visitors' half, forcing corners repeatedly. Hoole finally won by 5 goals to 1. The home forwards shewed good combination, the halves playing a strong game, and Ned Jones and Kelly were always safe at back. The goals were scored by Dr. Williams, L. Evans, W. H. Powell (2), and H. Jones. W. Roberts, who played a grand game, was too closely watched when near the circle. Hoole team Goal, E. E. Owens; backs, E. Jones and F. Kelly halves, F. Billington, Blayney Jones, and H. F. Davies; forwards, Dr. Williams, L. Evans, W. H. Powell, H. Jones, and W. Roberts. I NESTON AND DISTRICT v. NEW BRIGHTON WANDERERS 2ND XI. The match was played at Parkgate in fine weather on Saturday. As the visitors arrived only eight strong, three substitutes had to be found for the missing men. The home team scored five goals in each half, A. Barrett being the principal scorer, while Capt. Tyler, R. Comber, and Martindale scored one apiece. Tyler and Comber played a very strong game on ilip right wing. Pemberton at left back hit sti Jogly. but the defence was not much bothered. For the Wanderers Tyrer and Muter played well. Neston won by 10 goals to love.

AGRICULTURE. I SEASONABLE WEATHER. I The winter, which may be now regarded as rapidly drawing to a close, has not been so bad after all. People have been disposed to cry out about the wet, but it will doubtless surprise many to learn that the aggregate rainfall has been much below the average. February has certainly not fulfilled its alleged characteristic of fill dyke," but has produced as much frost and snow as most of the other winter months put together. On the Continent the cold has been the most intense that has been experienced for over fifty years, as many as fifty degrees of frost, it is said, having been registered. A large number of lives have been lost as a consequence, and packs of starving wolves have been ravaging the district of Nancy. The past week with us has presented a counter- part of a good deal that has gone before, a mild atmosphere mostly prevailing, favouring the idea of the approach of spring, and the ploughs have been able to move more freely. Intervening sharp nips of frost have somewhat changed the aspect of the pastures, which are now exceedingly bare and brown, while cereals and other growing crops, being uncovered with snow, have received a set-back which may not in the end prove un- beneficial. A few lambs are to be seen here and there dotted over the pastures, but the time is early yet for our northern situation. From ao- counts received from other counties, and princi- pally from the South and Midlands, however, the season has not been so roseate in this particular as in the previous two or three years. The break in the weather, it is scarcely necessary to state, is welcomed by and has stirred to activity gar- deners who like to be forward with peas and beans and early potatoes. The cheese markets during the week have been almost featureless. For English makes the demand was quiet and prices remained about the same. There was a fair demand for Canadian at 51s. to 52s. for finest; other grades from 46s. to 50s.; New Zealand, a fair enquiry; finest white 528. coloured 50s. From Liverpool it is reported that the market was quiet all the week, and al- though quotations were reduced about Is., holders fought very hard against a further reduction. A sale by auction of 10,000 cheese brought a fair com- pany, but the bidding was by no means brisk, and the business done was not satisfactory. MIXING SEED OATS. A writer in "The Field" having recently given prominence to the idea of mixing several varieties of oats for seeding, as favouring economical and improved principles, a "Northumbrian Farmer" replies in the current issue of that journal:—The habits of each must surely have a strong family likeness to the others, or, judging from my ex- perience, the result would not be satisfactory. I have grown six kinds in the same kind of soil, drilled one alongside an- other. One grew to be 3 £ ft. high or more, viz., the Hamilton, while its next door neigh- bour, the Racehorse, did not reach 2ft. in height, and was comparatively a very shabby looking crop. Had the seed of these been mixed in drilling the stronger would have smothered the weaker before harvest. DIPLOMA IN AGRICULTURE. I The second examination for the national dip- loma in agriculture, conducted under the auspices of the National Agricultural Examination Board, will be held at the Yorkshire College, Leeds, on Monday, May 6, and following days. The entries for the examination will close on Saturday, March 30. The regulations of the examination and forms of entry may be obtained either of Sir Ernest Clarke, secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, or of Mr. James Macdopald, secretary of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. LUCERNE FOR FODDER. I The Agricultural College of Ontario having car- ried out a series of experiments on the value of lucerne as a forage crop, reports arriving at the following general conclusions for the instruction of agriculturists: —(1) That the composition of lucerne is very similar to that of the clovers both in food and in ash constituents; (2) that it is quite as digestible as red clover or timothy when cut at the proper stage of maturity; (3) that in the On- tario experiments a much larger amount of di- gestible matter was obtained by cutting when the plants were about one-third in blossom than by cutting eitner two weeks earlier or two weeks later; (4) that after the early blossoming stage the deterioration both in percentage, composition, and in digestibility is very rapid; (5) that cut when about one-third in blossom lucerne yields more digestible proteine than either re d clover or timothy; (6) that there appears to be danger in feeding lucerne hay mad e from the plant in ad- vanced stages of maturity; (7) that, notwith- standing the rapidity with which lucerne deterior- ates after passing the early blossoming stage, the fact that when properly saved it yields a large amount of nutritive food makes it a most desira- able addition to our list of fodders. SHEEP WORRYING. I This formed a prominent item in the discussion at the recent meeting of the Macclesfield Chamber of Agriculture, when the president (Mr. Jabez Wright) said the matter was getting a very serious one. It was high time something was done to stop these depredations. In his opinion, the wisest step to take would be to draw the attention of the members of Parliament for Cheshire to the matter, and ask them to endeavour to promote a Bill in Parliament whereby dogs should be put under proper control during night hours, that was from sunset to sunrise, so that farmers could feel their stock were safe from dogs of that description. His long experience in reference to the matter shewed that a dog that had done that sort of work would go home and lie perfectly quiet for perhaps a day or two at a time, and when it became hungry, and well rested, it would go with its mate worrying the stocks. Experience shewed that one dog did not go by itself, but always went with a mate. Mr. Gleave, a Prest- bury farmer, said there had recently been thirty sheep worried within & radius of three miles of his farm, and only a fortnight ago either 11 or 13 were worried on one farm at Prestbury. The President thought it was a matter in which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals might oo-operate with the farmers, and the Treasurer of the Chamber (Mr. A. E. Allen) promised to bring the matter before their notice. I THE CENTRAL CHAMBER. The next council meeting of the Central Chamber of Agriculture is fixed for March 5th. when the following are the special subjects to be discussed:—(1) Agricultural measures before Parliament; (2) combination as affecting the supply and purchase of agricultural machinery; (3) the report of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation (if issued). With the present month a new series commences of the "Proceedings" of the Central Chamber of 'Agriculture, which are printed from larger type. and in a more con- venient size than heretofore. The "Proceedings" will contain the only authorised and complete report of the meetings of the council. BATH AND WEST CHEESE OUTPUT. I The fifth draft (weighing 77cwt.) of last year's cheese made from August 17th to October 31st at the Cheese School carried on by the Bath and West and Southern Counties Society for the Somerset County Council, at Vale Farm, Bat- combe, Evercreech, has just been sold at 66s. per cwt. of 1121b.; 8,943 gallons of millf made 9,6351b. of green cheese, which when sold weighed 8,6661b., shewing a shrinkage of about 10 per cent. The school will re-open for the season on April 1st, at Hambridge Farm, Taunton. THE DUNSMORE SHIRE HORSE SALE. I Some high prices were made at the recent unreserved sale of shire horses, the property of Mr. P. A. Muntz, M.P., at Dunsmore, near Rugby. Notwithstanding that the weather was unpro- pitious the attendance was very large, it being computed that something like 1,000 persons were present. Messrs. Sexton, Grimwade and Beck were the auctioneers, and the following were the chief items of 52 lots:—Brood mares: Lockinge Belle, a daughter of Prince Harold, and apparently in foal to Dunsmore Jameson, was quickly run up to 660gs., the hammer falling to the nod of Mr. R. W. Hudson (Danesfield). This was the highest price of the sale. Mr. Walpole Greenwell (Marden Park), who secured the next lot, the chestnut brood mare Embargo at 330gs., also claimed another high priced lot, Dunsmore June Rose, a three-year-old filly by Harold, at 380gs. Lord Llangattock bought Dunsmore Gradely for 240gs., and the Duke of Norfolk Cinderella for 200gs. The four-year-old mares numbered six, Sir William Wills starting well by purchasing Moors Czarina for 240gs.; Sir Oswald Mosley secured Hazelwood Baroness at 210gs.; Holker Queen' was sold to Mr. Cross at 290gs. For Dunsmore Jessamine Lord Llangattock gave 300gs.; Mr. Eadie, acting for Lord Wantage, secured Barberry Queen at 280gs. There were several choice lots among the two-year-old fillies, as was proved by the follow- ing purchases: Dunsmore Kitty, Mr. J. j Eadie, 360gs.; Keepsake, Mr. Henderson, 220gs.; Keepy, Lord Rothschild, 220gs.; Hendre Mistress, Sir Jas. Blytb, 310gs.; and Duns- more Kathleen, Mr. Parnell, 170gs. Of the yearlings, Dunsmore Lady Love, the Marquis of Winchester, 320gs.; and Dunsmore Gloaming II., Mr. Kearns, 310gs., were the pick. Of the stallions offered Mr. Hobbs purchased Duns- more I X L, a brown, foaled in 1897, tor 300gs. For a three-year-old stallion, Sterling Harold, Mr. Langham went to 310gs, and the Hon. Ralph Nevill, paid 140gs. for the two-year-old stallion, Dunsmore Keswick, the last lot of importance. The sale worked out at the very satisfactory average of E187, the next highest this season to that of Sir Blundell Maple's, at which the lots averaged £197.

CHESHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICUL- TURE. I LIABILITY OF RAILWAY COMPANIES. A meeting of the Cheshire Chamber of Agri- culture was held at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, on Monday, under the presidency of Colonel Cotton-Jodrell. The secretary (Mr. C. B. Davies) reported that Mr. Jeffreys was introducing into the House of Commons a Bill to make railway companies responsible for damage done by fires caused by sparks from engines; but in order not to overload the measure, damage to growing crops had been excluded.—Mr. J. H. Siddorn (Knutsford) enquired whether railway companies were not responsible for such damage now.-The Qhairman said years ago there had been cases where railway companies had admitted liability and paid compensation, but no recent cases.—Mr. W. McCracken (Earl of Crewe's agent) said there was a test case not long ago where the Great Western Railway Company had paid damages. There were two engines, one of which emitted sparks, and the other-an experimental one-from which no sparks were emitted. The Court held that sparks could be kept in, and damages were given.—Mr. Siddorn thought the existing law ought to reach all cases where damage to build- ings or crops was caused by fires or sparks from engines as they were running through the country.—Mr. S. Jackson said he knew of cases where buildings, stackyards, and crops of wheat and oats had been set on fire by sparks from rail- way engines. The damage was increasing. It had never been so great as it was to-day, because railway companies had larger traffios and heavier loads. It was resolved to support Mr. Jeffreys's Bill.—A long discussion took place upon the com- bination which has been formed for regulating the prices of agricultural machinery. Complaint was made of the advance in prices of machinery used for agricultural purposes, and that the effect of the combine was to interfere with freedom of purchase.—Mr. Cotton (Holmes Chapel) and Mr. S. Hunter (Shavington), said that agriculturists could not condemn such combinations any more than machinery and implement makers could condemn agriculturists for combining together. —A resolution was passed stating that, in the opinion of the Chamber, no good could accrue to farmers by the combination among implement makers to limit the amount of discounts to indi- vidual buyers, but while the Chamber sympathised with the Worcester Chamber of Agriculture in the matter they could not endorse the methods suggested for combatting the association, namely, to boycott it.—The subject of adulteration of beer was also discussed.

BIRMINGHAM SHORTHORN SHOW AND SALE.- The thirty-third great annual spring show and sale, to be held on March 6th, 7fcb, and 8th, in Bingley Hall, Birmingham, has secured a larger number of entries than at any show for many years past, the total reaching 611, being an increase of 44 on last year. The cows and heifers number 129, twenty-five having calves at foot, and the bulls total 482, being principally from 9 to 21 months old. Many prize winners at the leading shows are entered, and there are representatives of nearly all the most noted families. Thirty-eight prizes, ranging from R50 to 94, are offered in eleven classes, and the judging for these commences at 9 o'clock on Wednesday, March 6th. The cows and heifers are sold the same day and the bulls on the two following days, Messrs. Lythall and Co. being the auctioneers. On 16 animals only is there any reserve beyond X21. The catalogues are now obtainable on application to Mr. Lythall, at Bingley Hall, Birmingham.

DEATH OF MR. TYSON, OF BUCKLEY. Buckley has sustained a great loss by the death on Tuesday week of Mr. Joseph Tyson, head master of the St. Matthew's National Schools. Mr. Tyson first caught a chill while on a visit to Chester; pneumonia supervened, and his illness terminated fatally, to the great regret of a large circle of friends, at the age of 53 years. He was a native of Lowick-in-Furness, and came to Buckley Schools direct from college in January, 1871. He had therefore just completed his 30 years of teaching in the one school. He was an excellent master, and was greatly beloved by all his scholars. Mr. Tyson was also superintendent of the Sunday Schools and a member of St. Matthew's Choir, and had also for many years acted as churchwarden. He took an active interest in the local technical classes, and in con- nection with these, as well as in respect of many other duties which he had voluntarily undertaken, will indeed be greatly missed. He was most thorough and conscientious in all his various duties, and it may truthfully be said that the district is much poorer through his early demise. He leaves a widow and seven children, for whom widespread sympathy has been shewn. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon in St. Matthew's Churchyard. The scholars of the National Schools lined the Church-road from the School House to the church gates and up to the church door. When the coffin was brought out of the house and placed on the wheel bier the scholars and Sunday school teachers sang the hymn Praise to the Holiest in the height." The bearers were Messrs. Edward Wright, James Wright, Thomas Williams, Charles Aston, R. D. Davies and John Davies. On arrival at the church gates the mournful procession was met by the surplioed choir, the Rev. Harry Drew, M.A. (vicar), and the Revs. Kitcat and Compton (curates). The opening sentences of the funeral service were chanted on the way to the church doors. After all the mourners and general public were accommodated in church, the scholars marched in and took their places four deep in the aisles. The Rev. Harry Drew intoned the service and the Rev. Mr. Kitcat read the lesson. The hymn Art thou weary, art thou languid was sung, and at the close of the service in church the hymn "Now the labourer's task is o'er" was rendered. During the removal of the body from church to the grave the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played by the organist. The Rev. Harry Drew read the remaining portion of the service at the grave, which is situated at the east of the church, where the masons are now engaged in putting a new chancel end in memory of the Kight Hon. W. Jtli. Gladstone, and in which work the deceased had taken great interest. Among those present to pay a. last tribute to the deceased, in addition to the chief mourners and relations, were Mr. and Mrs. John Dunn and Mrs. Parry (The Oaks), Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Prince (Ewloe Hall), Mr. and Mrs. T. Jones (Clayton House), Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. T. Williams (Vaults), Mr. W. and Miss Lloyd, Messrs. W. Hopwood and Jonathan Catherall (manager and cashier respectively -At Elm: Collieries) Mr. T. Jones (head master Bistre Board Schools), and the Misses Jones, Mr. Llewellyn Jones (head master Bistre National Schools), Mr. Spencer (formerly head master Hawarden National Schools), Mr. L. J. Roberts (H.M. Inspector of Schools), Major and Mrs. and Miss N. Gibson, Miss Price and the Misses Newton (Drury Bank), Mrs. Walter Hewitt and Mrs. Higgins, Dr. Fraser, the Rev. T. M. Rees (pastor of Congregational Church), Mr. Reney, Mr. W. and Miss Ellis (Cefn-y-Bedd), Miss Jacob s (head mistress girls' school), Miss Price (head mistress infants' school), Misses Williams (Boot Depot), Mrs. Gregory, Miss L. Williams (Glynne Arms), Messrs. S. Reynolds, W. Nunns W. Beavan, Levi Thomas, T. Williams (builder), Mr. and Mrs. Latham Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. James Brookfield, and many others. Beautiful floral offerings were sent by the scholars and teachers of the boys' department of St. Matthew's Schools, the scholars and teachers of the girls' department of St. Matthew's Schools, the scholars and teachers of infants' de- partment of St. Matthew's Schools, the scholars and teachers of infants' department Lane End Schools, the scholars and teachers of Bistre National Schools, St. Matthew's Church Choir, the Rev. Harry and Mrs. Drew, Mr. and Mrs. W. Nunns, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Latham Ellis and family" His sorrowing widow and family," his nephews and nieces in Liverpool, his nephews and nieces in Chester, the Rev. and Miss Kitcat and the Rev. J. Compton, Mr. and Mrs. T. Lindop, Mr. and Mrs. Williams (Vaults), Mrs. Gregory, Mr. P. B. Davies-Cooke (Gwy- saney), Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Prince (Ewloe Hall), Mr. Beavan and family (The Feathers), Mr. and Mrs. W. Newton (Drury Bank), Mr. Ellis and Miss Ellis (Cefn-y-Bedd), Mr. J. E. Hughes and family (Chesnut Cottage), "All at Oaks Farm," Mr. and Mrs. Jones (Clayton House). Miss L. Williams (Glynne Arms), Misses Jacobs and Price (School House), Mr. and Mrs. Alderson, Mr. and Mrs. Copeland, Misses Williams (Boot Depot) Mrs. Samuel Roberts, and others.—Preaching in St. Matthew's Church on Sunday morning the Vicar took as his text the 8th verse of the 5th chapter of St. Matthew-" Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," and throughout his dis- course he most feelingly referred to the late Mr. Tyson. There was a very full church both for morning and evening services.

DEPOPULATION OF VILLAGES. I ITS EFFECTS UPON AGRICULTURE. I INTERESTING VIEWS. I A meeting of the Nantwich Farmers Club was held on Saturday at the Lamb Hotel, Nantwich. Mr. S. Gleave presided.—The Chairman said that at the last meeting of the club a resolution was passed that the local members of Parliament should be made acquainted with the desire of the club with respect to the re-enactment of the Agricultural Rating Bill. Replies had been re- ceived from two members of Parliament. Mr. H. J. Tollemache, M.P., replied that he should be glad to fto all in his power to secure the renewal of the Act of 1896. Mr. J. Tomkinson, M.P., wrote:—" In reply to your letter and the resolution passed by the Nantwich Farmers' Club, of which you send me a copy, I have to say that I cannot agree with the purport of the latter, nor shall I be able to support a proposal in the House of Commons for the renewal of the Act, either for a period or for a permanency. I have always been of opinion that the Act is not just to the general community, and will not in the end be of any benefit to the tenant farmer." Mr. G. Lewis read a paper on "The depopula- tion of country villages and its effects upon agri- culture." He said there was no problem more serious to the country than that which he pro- posed to discuss. It not only affected their interests as agriculturists, but it affected the com- munity at large, and in its far-reaching results threatened the very life of the nation. Looking back over the last fifty years, they witnessed a very extraordinary spectacle in connection with agriculture in Cheshire and other counties. Capital, enterprise, and skill had been unstint- ingly spent upon the land. and the natural result had been to largely increase production. It would be interesting to know the number of live stock kept on land in Cheshire to-day, and the average yield per acre of crops of oats and mangolds, as compared with fifty years ago, allowance being made for improved methods of culture and the adoption of labour-saving machinery. Such greatly-increased production should, he sub- mitted, have been accompanied by increase of population in the farming districts, yet the con- trary had been the case. Instead of the country population keeping pace with the ex- panding productiveness of the soil it had in many cases actually declined, with the result that for some years past the diffi- culty of obtaining suitable labour to carry on the work of the farm had steadily increased, and to-day was the most pressing difficulty the ordinary farmer had to contend with. It was useless to ignore the difficulty, and the only wise course was to look it fairly and squarely in the face, try to find out the cause or causes, and see if r,om t7 practical remedy could not be devised. The causes to which Mr. Lewis drew special atten- tion were, first, the competition of other indus- tries, the development of railways, and the up- growth of new manufactures of various kinds, with the great impetus consequently given to existing trades. These things had opened up inviting fields of labour to which their working- men had gone. Secondly, there were the attrac- tions of town life, which allured many from the farms, whether to their material or moral benefit was doubtful. In the third place, there was the tendency in all branches of labour towards shorter hours and more leisure. Town labour consisted of a week of five and a half days, with Saturday afternoon and Sundays free, and this was conse- quently an attraction. A fourth point to which he drew attention was the difficulty of finding houses in the country in which to live. This alone drove many into the towns who would not otherwise have gone. The question of wages had less to do with the matter than was ordinarily supposed. He was of opinion that the wages of the ordinary labourer in the country would com- pare favourably with the wages paid in the town when all the circumstances were taken into con- sideration-the cost of living, the production of ifruit and vegetables, house rent, and the health of a man and his family, which was a matter of supreme importance. He was afraid some looked more at the amount of money earned than at its purchasing value. As results of this state of things at the present moment scores of farms were undermanned, and some of the labour it was possible to obtain was not of the kind farmers desired, but none other was available. There must inevitably follow, therefore, decreased pro- duction, decreased profit, and permanent loss to both landlord and farmer. And what was true in their case was true in a wider sense, because the prosperity of the country depended upon the prosperity and progress of agriculture. With a view to ameliorate the existing state of things, he suggested, first, the provision of more cottages in the country districts, of a better kind than many of those now in existence. Then it was essential that sufficient accommodation should be provided in the cottages, so that families might be brought up in decency and comfort. It was a disgrace to civilisation that there were so many cottages with but one or two bedrooms. There should be at least three. (Hear, hear.) He sug- gested, also, that there should be an increase in the number of small holdings, with land sufficient to, at any rate, keep a cow, which should be obtainable at a moderate rent. Some landowners had done a great work in that direction, and the system had answered admirably, but there was ample room for extension in the same direction. He was of opinion that cottages or small hold- ings, as the case might be, should be rented from the owner and not from the farmer. Much might be done for the comfort and recreation of the farm labourer in the long winter evenings. He might be provided with books, games, etc.. and in many small ways his lot might be made more pleasant. (Applause.) The Chairman said it was sad to see so many of their best young men making for the towns, where, really, they did no better for themselves, and some found out before very long that they were in a very much worse position. When their young people went to the towns and married they could not return to the country if they desired to do so, because cottages were not to be got. The question of housing was a great difficulty with which they were face to face, and improved accommodation was imperatively neces- sary. The hovels in which many of the agricul- tural class were compelled to live were not con- ducive to morality or the highest class of living. There was a wide desire for cottages and a little bit of land among the labourers, and much good would result if that desire could be met. If such provision were made, however, he would make it a condition that the tenants should be farm labourers. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. Hobson urged that it was unjust that the few cottages they had in their locality were taken up by platelayers and workers other than agri- cultural labourers. The evils were not all on one side. There was a want of thriftiness on the part of the agricultural labourers and farm servants, and there was too universal a desire to lose time at football and cricket matches. Mr. E. Young said it was largely a question of housing. If there were more houses and better accommodation than existed at present in the country districts, they would never be short of labourers. (Hear, hear.) Level-headed and sensible men were quite aware of the fact that they were better off in the country than in the town. Mr. J. Furber was of opinion that cottages should be made more attractive, and that there should be more small farms. A chance should be given to every labourer to rise and ultimately become a farmer. The wages they could afford to pay for the superior class of men they required on their dairy farms were equal, all circumstances considered, to those paid in towns. If it was to the interest of the farmer to keep the labourers on the farm, they must do something to retain them. If the landowners would not build more cottages they should see whether they could not facilitate something of the kind being done. Land for the purpose might be taken from their tarms where it was convenient. A speaker who said he was formerly an agri- cultural labourer, but now worked at Crewe, said the wages in towns were an attraction. It was largely, however, a question of accommodation. Some of the dwellings in which farm labourers lived would disgrace a Kaffir. Mr. J. Sadler said there were equally wretched dwellings in towns. He endorsed the view that there should be an increase in the number of small holdings. They should give the labourer a chance to rise, give him hope and ambition, and provide him with something like the comfort and conveniences that they would like themselves if they were in his position. (Hear, hear.) Many farmers had done something in that direction, but he was afraid there was a good deal of room for criticism if they looked to the general body of farmers. Mr. J. Crewe, Mr. T. Dutton, and other speakers continued the discussion, and at the elose a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Lewis.

E PPS'S COCOA. The most nutritious E PPS'S COCOA. Grateful and comforting. EPPS'S C'I OCOA. For breakfast and supper. E PPS'S ^jOCOA. With natural navour only. ?E E PPS's COCOA. From the_tbmudo. WATHBLOO Cup. A LOCAL WINNER.—The nomination of Mr. J. Hartley Bibby, the popular honorary secretary of the Altcar Coursing Club and the Waterloo Meeting, again proved successful on Friday in securing the blue riband of the coursing world at Altcar. The winner was trained last year and this year by Mr. Tom Wright, of Saughall. As last year, Mr. Bibby depended upon Messrs. Fawcett's Fearless Footsteps, who, after shew- ing only moderate form in her first two courses, disposed of her kennel companion, Farndon Ferry, in the semi-final, and decisively beat Mr. F. Watson's nomina- tion, Cleughbrae, in the deciding course. The Purse fell to Agile Spurt, Mr. W. Osborne's nomination; while the nominations of Mr. R. Anderton and Mr. J. Coke, Father O'Fire and Cousin Mary, divided in the Plate. The meet- ing, despite the uncertain weather, was voted a great success, and the attendance was up to the average. Our Saughall correspondent writes The fact that for two successive years the Saughall kennels have supplied the winner of the Waterloo Cup has given the most unbounded satisfaction in the neighbourhood. Mr. T. Wright, the trainer of Mr. Fawcett's "Double F's JJ is to be highly congratulated on the success of Fearless Footsteps, and also on the high position gained by Farndon Ferry, one of the othei dogs under Mr. Wright's care.

THE REFRESHMENT OF THE PEOPLE. (FROM THB SPECTATOR.") We feel it at once a duty and a pleasure to call th& attention of our readers to the excellent character of the work which is being done by the People's Refreshment House Association, Limited, its growing scope, and the practically unlimited field for social service which is offered by the develop- ment of its resources in recognition of its proved claims upon public support. We may hold whab views we like upon the thorny subject of com- pensation for licences extinguished by publio authority, and upon the importance of a diminu- tion in the number of licensed houses. We may believe that, ceteris paribus, the temptations to intemperanoe in any two localities vary direotly with the ratio between the number of public- houses and the population. Or we may accept the logio of a distinguished Peer, whose identity nothing shall induce us even to canvass, who maintained that as in his own country house, where there were 40 bedrooms, he did not feel at all more inclined to go to sleep than in mansions of more modest dimensions, so a village with a puDiic-nouse at every tenth door or so was likely to be just as sober as one where there were only two or three. But we cannot differ openly, or even at heart, on the question whether, alcoholic liquor having its undeniable properties, and being allowed to be sold by retail, it can fail to be vastly more desirable that it should be sold under the conditions prevailing in the inns kept by the People's Refreshment House Association than under those existing in ordinary public- houses and beershops. If it be asked what are the chief points of difference between those sets of conditions, we must refer, for a full answer, to the papers setting forth the aims of the associa- tion, and the rules and "instructions to managers" whereby it is sought to carry those aims into effect, all which papers and other supplementary information that may be desired can be obtained from Captain F. C. Boehmer, the secretary of the association, at its office in Broadway Chambers, Westminster. The essential feature, however, is that the publicans in the Association's public- houses are not only men carefully ohosen by a body whose raison d'etre is the fulfilment of the spirit, as well as the letter, of the licensing laws, but are placed in circumstances in which their interests are in line with that fulfilment. In other words, the managers of the association's houses are salaried servants, liable to surprise visits of inspection, and foremost among whose instructions is the prevention of all excess and disorder. They are provided with the necessary supplies on terms directed: to secure that their gains beyond their salaries shall arise from the sale, not of intoxicants, but of non-alcoholic beverages and food. Each manager is "asked, in an admirable clause of the little paper of in- structions, to regard himself as an agent in the cause of temperance and good behaviour, who. by the general tone and system of management of his house, will make it a place where recrea- tion and social intercourse of a harmless nature may be enjoyed, and where refreshments of the best quality may be obtained under conditions that encourage temperance." And each manager knows that it is by the fulfilment of the ideal thus set before him that he will both secure and retain the favour of his employers and develop- his chances of adding to his income. Such is the theory and such is the practice. We should, indeed, be very sorry to suggest that there are not, scattered over the country, a very considerable number of inns in which the per- sonality and influence of the landlord have pro- duced very much the kind of tavern atmosphere which is indicated as desirable in the words above- quoted, and in the general tenor of the paper containing them. But, human nature and alcoholic liquor being what they respectively are, nothing, we think, can be more obvious than that the ordinary conditions of the publican's trade are not such as to facilitate the creation of such an atmosphere, and that, on the whole, they tend to become less rather than more favourable to its development. Nothing, on the other hand, can be clearer than, that provision of opportuni- ties of indoor refreshment with social recreation, of a really wholesome character, is an increasingly urgent need for our working classes. Their homes, it is true, are happily, in many cases, much more comfortable than they were a genera- tion ago. But apart from the great number of instances where the fact is otherwise, there has been with them, as with all classes, a steady de- velopment of the craving for entertainment, which, whether we contemplate it with satisfac- tion or with misgiving, it would be worse than, idle to ignore. This is very observable among the artisans of our great towns, but it is quite equally present and less easy to meet among the> peasantry of our rural, districts. It is, by common acknowledgment, the sense of dulness in the life there which is one of the main influences driving the agricultural labourers into the towns. These things being so, it is difficult to overrate the services rendered by those who set themselves, as the People's Refreshment House Association do. to provide conditions favourable to the creation, at present mainly in purely agricultural villages—though already their work extends beyond that-of centres of wholesome and sober cheeriness. We are convinced that there can. hardly be a squire or country parson or country doctor or farmer of any public spirit and real sympathy with the feelings, and care for the best interests, of his humble neighbours, who would not feel that, if the opportunity arose, it would be an immense gain to get some house in the neighbourhood under the charge of the associa- tion. Institutes and libraries were all very well in their own way. The more we can get our peasantry to find pleasure in reading, the better. But, after all, there will still remain a perfectly- natural and reasonable desire for free and easy chat with one's neighbours in a warm, well- lighted room, over whatever beverage is to one's taste. The People's Refreshment House Associa- tion, so far as their resources go, secure that the best conditions of the good old-fashioned, well-con- ducted village inn shall be reproduced with, as we have shewn, as near an approach as possible to security against temptation to excess. At the beginning of 1900" as appears from the associa- tion's annual report just issued, they had seven inns in their possession, and during the year they took over seven more. For the most part, judging from photographs of them, to be seen at the office, they are attractive-looking houses of an antique type, with pleasant old-world signs swinging in front of them,—the "Green Man" at Tunstall, the "Red Lion" at Broad Clyst, the "Dog and Doublet" at Sandon, Staffordshire, and so forth. Inside, too, there is nothing to distinguish them from the best managed of ordinary inns, with this not unimportant excep- tion, that there are no advertisements of alcoholio liquors, and there are advertisements of non- intoxicants. The sign is enough to shew you that you can get whatever beer or spirits you want, in moderation; but on entering you per- ceive at once that you can also, if it suits you, get milk-and-soda, lemonade, cocoa, or what-not, and such solid refreshments as you require. Some of these houses are on roads frequented by bicyclists, and' receive a good deal of patronage from such travellers. And the total financial result of their working is a dividend for 1900 of 5 per cent. to the shareholders and £ 200 or so of surplus profits. Of this last sum in each year about half, more or less, has been, or is proposed to be, partly placed to reserve and partly carried forward, and the remainder, after the example of the Scandinavian prototypes of the Association. applied to objects of public utility in the localities where the profits have been secured. Thus those of the Sparkford Inn," Sparkford, yielded in 1899 £15 for an improvement in the village water supply; the "Green Man" yielded JE50 for a fund for a district nurse at Tunstall; and the "Red Lion" £ 5 for the Nursing Fund, J65 for the Clothing Club, and £ 5 for the "village lamps and green" at Broad Clyst. Such are the kinds of results achieved by the association of which we speak. It is not pre- tended that every manager has turned out all that was hoped of him, but broadly speaking, the inns appear to be realising the aims of their founders, and we think that the Bishop of Chester, who has been the apostle of the move- ment, and who is chairman of the Executive Council, and all the enlightened and practical philanthropists who are his colleagues and sup- porters are cordially to be congratulated on the large measure of success they have achieved. Most encouraging, perhaps, of all the results, so far, are the returns secured by the Plume of Feathers at Sherborne, where-as is not the case in most of the other places where the association has hitherto operated-there are many competing public-houses of the ordinary type. After a month or two in which the takings were alarmingly small, the Sherborne venture caught on," and has since been yielding distinctly satis- factory returns. Stimulated, perhaps, by this success, the association has completed negotia- tions for the taking over of four more houses, of which three are in the Midland mining districts where there will be competition of a serious character. We cannot but think that if our readers will consider the facts we have sum- marised, and make inquiry for themselves into the working of the People's Refreshment House Association, not a few of them will be disposed* to respond to the urgent appeal which is made, for more capital to carry on its increasing busi- ness. If they are so disposed they have only to write to the secretary (Broadway Chambers, Westminster), and he will inform them how to invest in the association's funds. There are few, if any, businesses in the country the development of which would deserve to be contemplated with; more unmixed satisfaction.

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