Cheshire Observer

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. I BOER SURRENDERS INCREASING. General Bindon Blood's movement in the Middelburg district has been attended with singular success. Larg-e captures of stock and transport material have been made, and the surrenders are increasing daily. General David Schoeman had great difficulty in escaping from the British troops with a hand- ful of followers. Major Kirk wood and the Wiltshire Regiment have effected an important capture of prisoners, including the former Landdrcot of Pietersburg and Boksburg and his son, the ex State Mining Engineer. Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, after a severe engagement on Tuesday near Smithdorp, forced the enmy to retire, capturing quantities of stock and several prisoners. The Boers fled in all directions A despatch from Dordrecht states that the Yeomanry from Wodehouse have com- pletely defeated the commando in that neigh- bourhood. The Boers, who are now thoroughly demoralised, are making for Alleman's Poort. Their horses are in a miserable condition. The organisation and establishment of the Civil Administration of Transvaal Colony are pro- ceeding. The svstem of relief hitherto in force for refugees and indigent Boers is being altered, and a llelief Committee and stores established. 624 PRISONERS IN A WEEK. C't BUSHMEN'S SMART WORK. oome important fresh captures are reported to the War Office by Lord Kitchener. In the Northern Transvaal the columns have taken alto- gether 269 prisoners; fifty-two Boers have sur- rendered, and sixteen have been killed and twenty wounded. A considerable quantity of ammunition, mules, cattle, sheep and wagons have also fallen into British hands. These captures, added to those reported by Lord Kitchener during the week, shew that in prisoners aione the columns have taken 624 Boers. The feature of the operations was the smart work of twentv Imperial Bushmen, under Lieut. Reid, who crept up and surrounded a small com- mando, bagging the lot, commandant, gun, and all.

GALLANT DEFENCE BY 20 MEN. 500 BOERS DRIVEN OFF. I The magistrate of Mahlabatim, in Northern Zululand, reports a determined attempt by the Boers, early on Sunday morning, to capture the magistracy. The eneirn- were 500 strong, under Commandant SchoJtz. They crossed the Zululand border during the night, and surrounded the towif- ship. Before daybreak the Boers attacked on all sides. There were only twenty Natal Police at the station, but the magistrate's clerk and the court officials were all crack shots, and turned out smartly to assist in the defence. The magistrate himself shouldered a rifle and took command of the defenders. The fighting, v/hich was very severe, lasted over six hours. At the end of that time the little defending force had been reduced r»v five lcillod and two wounded. Eventually the Boers were beaten off and retreated across the border. They carried away several killed and wounded, but two wounded prisoners were left in the hands of the defenders. The enemy had cut the telegraph wires to Eshowe, but they were soon restored. On receiving information of tfye raid the officer commanding the Zululand forces despatched reinforcements from Melmoth. Among the five killed at Mahlabatini were two sergeants of the Natal Police, who until they were mortally wounded were the life and soul of the defence. LORD KITCHENER'S PRAISE. -1 Lord Kitchener has wired his appreciation of the gallant defence of Mahlabatini by the magis- trate of that place, together with his staff and a detachment of the Natal Police. He says that he greatly regrets their heavy loss, but in such a brilliant action losses are inevitable. He further asks for the names of any men who may have dis- tinguished themselves in the defence.

LAST LONG TOM. I BOERS BLOW IT UP AND TAKE FLIGHT. I The following despatch from Lord Kitchener was issued from the War Office on Wednesday evening:—Residency, Pretoria, May 1 (2.20 p.m.). Grenfell attacked Boers at Bergplaats, Rear Halvertsberg, where the last Long Tom was in position. Opened fire at 10,000 yards. Kitchener's Fighting Scouts advanced rapidly up to 3,000 yards, when gun was blown up, and Boers fled. Ten prisoners captured. Other columns re- port ten Boers killed, six wounded, six prisoners, sixty surrendered; 30,000 rounds S.A.A. captured. Our casualties, four killed, seven wounded."

A RHODES CANAtiD, I Kimberley, Monday. The rumours that Mr. Rhodes narrowly leaped capture by the Boers are untrue. Mr. Rhodes has not left Kimberley, and no train was captured.

BOER BARBARITY. I Standerton, April 25. Two of our Kaffir scouts were killed in a shame- ful manner yesterday at. Platkop by a party of Boers. After severely wounding them the enemy blew the men's brains out. while they were lying on the ground. The same party also visited a number of kraals for the purposd-of collecting the hut tax. A "boy" who refused to comply with the -demand was shot through the leg.

GRAVES OF THE FALLEN. I Princess Pless is collecting for the Guild of Loyal Women of South Africa. The members of the guild earnestly appeal for help to enable them to carry on the work of caring for the graves of those who have fallen in the war. The money collected will be sent to Mrs. Sclater, Stellenberg, Kenilworth, Cape Colony. An account is now opened in the name of Princess Henry of Pless (" for the Guild of the Loyal Women of South Africa") at Mosers. Hoare's Bank, 37, Fleet- street.

DEATH OF A WHITCHURCH I VOLUNTEER. BURIED AT SEA. I Quite a sensation was caused at W hitchurch OIL Monday night, when it became known that Private Arthur Connor, who went out to South Africa, with 13 other Volunteers from Whit- chureh, at the beginning of March last year, had died at sea on his way home in the ship Formosa, which is due on the 6th. The infor- mation was Bent by Lieut. Head to Colonel Robinson, of Shrewsbury, who at once com- municated it to Connor's mother, who lives in one of the Oddfellows' Cottages, Wrexham- *oad, Whitchurch. Her husband, Colour-Sergt. Connor, was drowned accidentally on the 1st December, and this second terrible loss pro- duced the most intense grief. No particulars are to hand, but it appears that Capetown was left on the 10th April, among the passengers being Private Connor and other members of the Whitchurch Volunteer Corps. Whether Conner was ill at the time of embarkation is not known, but it would seem that when near St. Vincent on the 17th, Connor died as the result ?f enteric fever, and was buried at sea. Connor joined the Whitchurch Volunteers on the 1st July, 1896, and probably no young man in the company was more respected. When the call tO arins 11 came. he was one of the first to give his name, and being quite six feet in height he -as readily accepted. He was only 23 years of aK. He was the mainstay of bis mother.

DANGEROUSLY ILL. D ^.r'vato William Geo. Watkins, of the 21st Im- I ?''ta.t Yeomanry, is reported dangerously ill at '?tandert,o 11, and Private John Scragg, of the 1st ?Romrc Regiment, and Private Thomas Perrin,  tne 2rd Chpshire Rr?;m.'nt, are fc-poit?d ???Sero.:s:y ill at Sprln?fo?tcin. I

TRANSVAAL ADMINISTRATION. Pretoria, April 25tb. The organisation and establishment of the civil administration of Transvaal Colony is pro- ceeding. The powers held by the State Attorney of the late Republic are vested in the legal adviser of the Administration. The magistrate is given power to grant interdicts subject to confirmation by special courts, re- specting cases both prior and subsequent to the annexation in which the High Court formerly had jurisdiction, and, in conjunction with Mr. W. G. Hamilton, the Postmaster- General and Registrar of Deeds, to open registration con- tracts, &<J. It is notified that, though admitting no legal liability in the matter. his Mlijesty's Government desires to pay just claims on account of requisitions of goods or damage to property resulting from the operations of the British troops. Claims in respect thereof are invited for investigation. The system of relief hitherto in force for refuge and indigent Boers is being reorganised. A relief committee and stores are being estab- lished. All receiving Governmpnt, relief are sent to the refugee camp except those residing on their own property or employed on muni- cipal works. Up to the present Boer refugees in the town received rations, but this system has now been abolished.

NESTONIAN AT THE FRONT. An interesting letter has been received by Mr. Robert Bridson, of Neston, from his son Oliver, who is on Lord Kitchener's bodyguard, but is at present serving with General Dartnell's column. Writing from Vryhied on March 25th, he states: "We have just arrived, but how long we are go- ing to stay I don't know. I believe we will soon leave either for Natal or Zululand. I have been in good health all the time, but we are terribly short of rations. You want to know what kind of a life we lead? Well, I may tell you it is terribly rough and hard. We are chasing the enomy all the time. Perhaps you will have seen in the papers an account of the fight we had at Intombi River a couple of weeks ago. We were in that and lost three killed, six wounded and twelve prisoners, but have since captured the scoundrels that did the damage, the leader of whom we shot. the next day. We are burning most of the farms and bringing- the families along most of the farms ati d bi- with us. We joined with General French this morning. I saw him to-day for the first time as he passed. He looks much older than hisphoto- trraph. You would also see about us finding a Hotchkiss gun. I was there when it was dug up in a garden. In fact I got the pencil and this paper out of the same house. I can't put all on paper that we see, but I could tell you better if I had the time. I will do so as soon as I get back to civilisation if I get through this lot all right." In a letter written a few weeks previous to the foregoing Mr. Bridson remarked: "We have been short of rations for some time. We have had nothing but mutton and mealie meal to live on, but a large convoy has just arrived. I hear Botha is in Pretoria arranging for a complete surrender, and that we are to be disbanded in Johannesburg on 1st May."

BUCKLEY PROTESTANTS AND I THE ACCESSION OATH. On Tuesday evening a public meeting was held at Buckley, under the auspices of the Buckley Protestant Alliance.—The Rev. J. Idloes Edwards, who presided, said that the meeting had been cailed because persistent efforts were being made by the Roman Catholic clergy to have the Royal Dcc l aratlon Declaration against Transubstantiation modified. They understood that their respected member, Mr. Samuel Smith, had expressed himself in favour of some modification. They were not there to condemn the attitude of Mr. Smith, for they knew there was no more faithful Protestant in the House of Commons. They were there to obtain the feeling of the inhabitants whether the Declaration ought to be altered in any way. (Ap- plause.)—The Rev. Alexander Roger, of London, having spoken, Mr. John Taylor moved the fol- lowing resolution:—"That this meeting, con- vinced that nothing short of the abolition of the safeguards for protecting the Protestant Throne and Constitution will satisfy the Romish hierarchy, earnestly trusts that our Parliamentary represen- tative will resist any attempt to tamper with or abolish the Protestant Constitution secured to us by the Act of Settlement and the Bill of Rights." —Mr. Joel Williamson seconded the resolution, which was carried amid enthusiasm.—It was de- cided to forward a copy to Lord Salisbury, Mr. Balfour, Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman and Mr. S. Smith.

THE ARMY AND VOLUNTEERS. Lieut. and Quartermaster R. Mackay, of the 4th Cheshire Regt., is on his way home invalided from South Africa. YEOMANRY TO TRAIN AT WTNNSTAY.—A brigade order, issued by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., commanding the 15th Yeomanry Brigade, announces that the Secretary of State for War has approved of the assembly of the 15th Yeomanry Brigade for 18 days' permanent duty, from May 22 to June 8, at Wynnstay Park, Ruabon. FROM PRIVATE TO MAJOR.—Captain Herbert Bryan, of the Manchester Regiment, who has been promoted brevet major in recognition of bis services during the fighting in West Africa last year, was only promoted to a company in the Manchesters in July, 1899. He now steps over the heads of about a dozen of his seniors in the regiment. Major Bryan's previous com- missioned service-seven years—was passed in the Lincolnshire Regiment, whose home repre- sentatives are now stationed at Manchester and Preston. He began as a private soldier, and spent upwards of six years in the ranks. NEW VOLUNTEER PARADE GROUND. — The parade ground which has been made at the rear of Chester Castle, overlooking the river, for the use of the 1st Cheshire and Carnarvonshire Volunteer Artillery, is now ready for occupa- tion, and on Tuesday evening the volunteers had their first parade upon it. For this parade ground the military authorities are exceedingly grateful to the Cheshire County Council, who liberally gave the large piece of ground at the rear of the old Castle buildings for the purpose. The new ground affords better facilities for parading the men than the Drill Hall, and it will accommodate two batteries in line. The corps has been given a new battery of position, which is the second it now possesses, and they will be able to house the guns upon the ground and carry out all gunnery drill upon it, which has been hitherto impossible. The Artillery Corps in Chester have been recently making great progress in the improvement of their strength and- equipment, and it is expected that they will be provided with 4'7 quick-firing guns before the end of the year. 1ST CHESHIRE AND CARNARVONSHIRE VOLUN- TEER ARTILLERY.—Regimental orders by Lieut.- Colonel and Hon. Colonel Wilford N. LLoyd, (commandant), for week ending Saturday, 11th May. Thursday, 2nd May, 1901. Notice- Chester Volunteers' Church Parade: The head- quarter batteries and No. 3 Garrison Company will parade on Sunday next, 5th inst., at the Drill Hall, at 10.15 a.m. for the annual church parade on the Roodee. 1. Drills and Parades: Race week no drills. 2. Examination of officers in artillery: At the Castle at 10 a.m. on Monday, 6th inst. all officers have been separately notified. 3. Camp Allowances, etc.: It is notified that camp allow- ances can only be drawn for a. maximum period of 8 days. 4. Competitions, Garrison Companies: The instructions for practices seawards. 1901, have been issued to all companies; the competitions will be carried out in accordance with these in- structions. 5. Specialists: Officers commanding batteries will be gdod enough to submit their lists before next parade. The layers' special course will be carried out on Wednesday even- ings at 7.30 p.m. until further orders. 6. Returns: Much inconvenience is caused by delay in rendering returns. Officers commanding must pay very particular attention to this matter. 7. Transfers: From late Brass Band to 1st Position Battery, F. Barlow and A. Thomason to No. 1 sub-division, F. Waller and S. Alderton to No. 2 sub-division, J. Rowlands and W. Rowlands to No. 3 sub -division, H. Cartwright and J. Battersliy to No. 4 sub-division, H. Brown 3rd Battery, to No. 1 sub-division. 8. Bugle Band Trumpet- Major E. J. Bowes "will attend at Sandycroft on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to instruct the trumpeters of 2nd Position Battery. 9. Detail: Orderly officer, Lieut. V. H. Dickson. Orderly sergeant, Sergt. J. Harper. Orderly trumpeter, Trumpeter W. E. Crossley.-By order (signed), C. E. FottEBTIBR. WALKER. Captain R.A., Adjutant 1st C. & C.V.A. 2ND (EARL OF CHESTER'S) VOLITNTBBR BAT- TALION CHESHIRB REGIMENT.—Headquarters, Chester, May 1st, 1901. Regimental orders by Lieut .-Colonel T. J. Smith, V.D., commanding. For week ending Saturday, 11th May, 1901. 1. Drills Headquarter Companies (Trained Volunteers), Wednesday, no parade. Recruits, Monday and Friday at 7.30 p m. Saltney Company (Trained Volunteers), Thursday, 7.30 p.m. Recruits. Tuesday and Thursday, 7.30 p.m. 2. Church Parade The Headquarter Companies will parade in review order in the Drill Hall at 10.15 a.m. on Sunday next, 5th inst., for divine service on the Roodee. Honorary members are requested to attend. 3. Musketry The class-firing detailed in regimental orders, No. 2, dated 27th March, for K Company, ia postponed until further orders. Altcar Rifle Range is closed for class-firing from 9th to 11th inst. 4. Outdoor Drills: Outdoor drills will commence on Wednesday, 15th inst. The commanding officer hopes ever member will do his utmost to attend all drills previous to camp. 5. Camp: The battalion will go into brigade camp at Conway, 10th to 17th August. Detail: Orderly officer for the week, Captain C. E. Bromley battalion orderly sergeant, Sergt. J. C. H. Hankinson A Company, Sergt. W. E. Clarke B Company, Sergt. W. Tilston; C Company, Sergt. E. Harper; E Company, Col.-Sergt. fl. T. Holland; K Company, Sergt. J. Willetts; orderly bugler, A Cornpony.-By order (signed), D. B. THOMAS, Captain, Adjutant 2nd V.B. Ches. Regt.

HEWITT'S FOR BOOTS REPAIRING.— No matter where your Boots were bought, We can them repair; And when you think they're fit for naught 'Ii\' .1 i wake them fit to w,-jar. Fifty years' reputation for Durable Boots.

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE CONSERVATIVES. I THE COAL TAX DEFENDED. I MR. B. C. ROBERTS ON CORRUPTION. A quarterly meeting of the Council of the Lancashire and Cheshire Division of the N atiollal Union of Conservative Associations was held at the Unionist Club, Chester, on Saturday afternoon. Sir F. S. Powell, Bart., M.P. (chairman of the Council) occupied the chair, and the attendance included Messrs. D. Maclver, M.P., B. C. Roberts (Chester), Edmund Taylor (Birkenhead), Lance Bentley (Knutstord), W. P. Fuilagar (Blackpool), 1'. A. Bagley (Ulverston), J. B. Brade (Bccles), James Bromley (Gorwn), Joseph Cadnian (West Salford), Robert Siandnng (Middieton Division), J. W. Gregson (Rochdale), G. H. Ball (Wirral), Alderman Leyland (Wigan), J. C. Buckley (Ashton-under-Lyne), R. F. Ware (Accrington), Ernest Mullin and the Re v. Dr. Rainsford (Crewe), R. N. Owen (Eddisbury Division), A. H. Hay ward (Leigh), W" A. Cook- son and Isaac Turner (Ormskirk), F. C. Danson (Birkenhead), F. iVioociy, J. T. Cunnington, 11. W. Lovett, William Conway, William Jones, H. J. Price, F. Ward, and T. Prescot (Chester), James Thornton (Manchester), G. H. Crostun (secretary), &c. After the transaction of the ordinary business of the Council, The Chairman regretted that the war had not yet come to an end, although he thought it was approaching its conclusion, and he referred to the mischief created by pro-Boer orators, whose weak- ness was not duly appreciated by our enemies, and said the policy of the Liberal party, so far as he could discern any approach to policy, was becoming increasingly perplexing. As regarded the Government, we must not expect this session a great mass of legislation. He thought the duty of the Government at all times was to pursue that policy which the country demanded. The present condition of the public mind was that there was no wish for change, and the Govern- ment were acting wisely in devoting their atten- tion to works ot administration rather than to the task of legislation at the present time. The most important proceeding of Parliament up to the present moment had been dealing with the Budget. The first consideration was the laying before the country of the war loan, and he was sure the Chancellor of the Exchequer had shewn wisdom as well as prudence in his action. That the loan was subscribed over and over again proved that the country had the fullest and most complete confidence in its own financial strength. (Applause.) He regretted that it had been necessary to re-establish the tax on sugar. But every tax had its difficulties, and they had to accept these necessities. The manner in which the public had received the proposal to reimpose the sugar duties was one of which every English- man ought to be proud. The increase 01 the income tax to Is. 2d. had been accepted in a like spirit. With regard to the tax on coal, he con- fessed that, as representing a district in which the coal industry flourished, he felt he required time to consider the question in all its bearings, but after the fullest consideration he had arrived most firmly, decidedly, and unchangeably at the opinion that it was a just tax. (Rear, hear.) He thought they might fairly ask those who were interested in the production of coal, employers and employed alike, to bear this small share of the national burden. It would be a great mis- fortune to the coal trade if by combination a policy were adopted which would designedly cause a scarcity of coal, and thereby increase its cost to the great consuming population of this country. If such a dangerous suggestion were entertained it would be most injurious to the coal interest. The legislation of the remaining portion of the session would not be large in its range. He rejoiced to know that the Govern- ment were determined on introducing in the House of Commolls an Education Bill. He hoped that the Government would be alive to the agri- cultural side of education. A complaint was made by Sir Hart Dyke a few days since that the Board of Agriculture had still some functions to discharge in connection with education. He entirely agreed with him that the whole oLedu- cation should be dealt with by an Education Department. He hoped that the Board of Agri- culture would be relieved from all duties as regarded agricultural education. Having re- ferred to the second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, Sir Francis said as far as could be judged by the notice papers, he rejoiced that they would not be submitted to any of those angry debates upon Church discipline and upon ritual. (Hear, hear.) These discussions in the House of Commons were, in his judgment, in- jurious to the cause of religion. (Hear, hear.) They diverted their minds from the great realities to the minor details of their faith. (Applause.) Mr. D. Maclver also made a few remarks, in the course of which he observed that there was a great deal of difference of opinion upon both sides of politics irî regard to the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, of which he was one of the sponsors. They all knew how enthusiastio Sir Francis was in the great cause of education, but he confessed that he did not go the. whole length that he did. He was rather one of those who felt, as he thought his constituents felt, that school board rates were already somewhat high, and a good many of them did not see why higher education should be supported out of the rates. He wished to remind them of what those on the other side of politics were so anxious to obscure in reference to the war, that it was not we who declared war, and that we could not possibly help ourselves when the ultimatum was presented to this country, and that we should not have been Englishmen if we had not gone forward to do our best to maintain the rights of British subjects in South Africa, and we had to thank the Colonies for the loyalty with which they had come to the aid of this country. (Applause.) Everyone knew that the war could not be carried on without a large expenditure of money, and it was a very dishonest way in which the other side were striving to make political capital out of the necessary taxation which arose largely as the fruits of the war. (Hear, hear.) In regard to the coal tax, he thought a great deal of the agitation which they heard of and saw in the newspapers was a thoroughly dishonest agitation, and in the Monmouthshire election the coal question was being worked for all it was worth. The tax might have the effect of reducing the cost of coal in this country, because the coal masters would have to come down in their prices a little to compete with foreign coal. Cheap coal was a very essential thing to have, and he could not help feeling that the tax was a perfectly wise and legitimate tax, and he should be very sorry to see it taken off again. (Applause.) Mr. Edmund Taylor, in moving a vote of thanks to the Chester Unionist Club for placing the room at the disposal of the council, said there was no trade that was so able to be taxed as that of the coal trade. The experience of the last 13 months was that coining money was foolish to what the coal masters had been doing. (Laughter.) They had been piling it up hand over fist, and few would be sorry that they were being made to forego some of their ill-gotten gains. Mr. G. H. Ball seconded, and agreed with Mr. Maclver that perhaps we were riding this hobby of education too far. Education was now avail- able to every child in the country, and if they were going to advance it so as to make it of a higher character at the expense of the nation, our education would be so much increased that it would become a burden which we should revolt against. He should like to know whether there was any prospect of a redistribution of seats taking place. The census shewed an enormous increase in the population of Wallasey. Their population and ratable value were far in excess of the parliamentary division of Chester. Their population was 10,000 over Chester, and he thought the Hundred of Wirral ought to have two members instead of one. The vote was carried. Mr. B. C. Roberts, in returning thanks on behalf of the Club Committee, said he had not been a political worker during the last twelve months, but he had not been prevented from bqjng an observer, and his observances had led him to think that there was a very great deal of apathy among their party at the present time, and it was shewn in his opinion at the last election. They then had an extraor- dinary record to go to the country upon, and the subject before the country was the war, and the outbreak of the war. For these reasons it seemed to him that the Unionist majority in the House of Commons was infinitesimal com- pared to what it would have been if their organisation had been thoroughly good, and there had not been that apathy which he was certain existed. There was another matter with regard to their party organisation which he thought required their consideration, and that was the question of corruption at elections —corrupt practices. There was no doubt that for some years they had been creeping in again, and the experiences of 1880 had, he was afraid, been forgotten. He knew that in large, intelligent constituencies such as London, Liverpool, &c., this sort of thing did not exist, but undoubtedly in old boroughs like Maid- stone the same old corrupt practices were arising again, and he thought they, as repre- senting the Conservative Associations of Lancashire and Cheshire, would do well to consider this matter, and take steps for lec- tures, or something of that sort, to be delivered throughout the division now, and until the next election came on. They ought to put their foot down and let it be well known, not only by the voters, but also by the wire-pullers on the other side that they were Hot going to incur corrupt practices themselves, and that they were not going to allow them in others, and that serious conse- quences would follow corrupt practices. (Hear, hear.) The law always was, to bis mind, made far too severe for it to be put into force with any proper effect. He felt very strongly on this matter, and he believed that the corrupt practices entirely arose from municipal olections, when there was, undoubtedly, on both sides a great mass of corruption, and in that way workers and voters got imbued with the idea that they must receive money. It was resolved that the next meeting of the council should be held at Southport.

TIME TRIES ALL. For over 50 years Hewitt' Boots have stood the test of time, and are "toil unsurpassed anti unequalled. Abbey Gateway and next to Music Hall. I

FAliM FIIIE AT CHESTER. I I I LABOURER BURNED TO DEATH. I I TWENTY CATTLE ROASTED. I A TERRIBLE SCENE. A disastrous fire, which resulted in a labourer s being burned to death and twenty cattle being roasted alive, occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning on the Ash Farm, Wrexham- road, which is owned by the Duke of Westminster and tenanted by Mr. William Johnson, farmer and milk dealer. About twenty minutes to two o'clock Mrs. Price, a daughter of Mr. Johnson, was awakened by a crash of falling timber, and, arising, she saw from her window that the middle irange of buildings was a mass of flames. She instantly aroused her father, and quickly the household was astir. A youth named William Lloyd, who works on the farm, was despatched on horseback for the Chester Fire Brigade. The first thoughts of Mr. Johnson and the members of his family were naturally for the two Irish I labourers who had their sleeping quarters in the loft of the range which was now one mass of name. They called loudly to the Irishmen, but there was no response. It was impossible to search for them in the building, as that was already in ruins, it being the crash of the falling floor of the loft which had apparently awakened Mrs. Price. Viewing this terrible scene, they could only hope that the Irishmen had awakened in time to effect their escape. It was evident from the significant quietness which reigned that the cows in this block of shippons had by this time met their terrible fate, with the excep- tion of one which had broken loose and got into the garden, where it soon afterwards died from its burns. No time was lost in liberating the twenty-six head of cattle which were tethered in the adjoining shippons. The Earl of Chester's Volunteer Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Shone and Sergeant Evans, arrived with all speed. A momentary survey of the terrible state of things revealed the impossibility of, saving any portion of it, but, learning that the two Irishmen were in the habit of sleeping in the loft at the end nearest the house, a stream of water was quickly directed on this portion. As soon as possible Superintendent Shone entered the building, and presently discovered the charred remains of Andrew Kennedy, an Irish labourer, who had been in Mr. Johnson s employment about a fortnight. After this horrible discovery, a further search was made for the body of Kennedy's companion, a man named John Gal- lagher, who, to the surprise and relief of every- body, made his living appearance between half- past six o'clock and seven o'clock in the morning. He told a most extraordinary story to the effect that he had effected his escape through the "pitch-fiole" of the loft, but not until he had aroused Kennedy by shouting to him that the building waR on fire. He (Gallagher) then went to the house and endeavoured to arouse Mr. Johnson, and afterwards went to the stackyard, where he lay down. The origin of the fire is a mystery; certainly Gallagher was unable to give any intelligent explanation. The brigade were most successful in preventing the spreading of the flames to the adjoining buildings. A number of the city police also rendered good service. Gallagher, who was burnt on the hands and side of the head and cut on the face, was sent to the Infirmary, and the remains of the deceased man were removed by the police to the mortuary to await an inquest. Later in the day large numbers of people inspected the scene, which was one of great devastation. Nothing remains of the central range of buildings save the four walls, and these with great gaps in them. Fourteen excellent dairy cows and five promising yearlingii wt-re represented by a heap of charred remains lying in positions which indicated an awful struggle for life. Two milk floats, two traps (including a Ralli car which was new and had been given as a birthday present to Mr. Johnson by his son), a chaff-cutter, two turnip slicers, a couple of new stack sheets, a quantity of harness, harvest implements, from 3 ton to 3 ton 10 cwt. of bay, eight sacks of bran, some old furniture, &c., had either been totally destroyed or rendered valueless. The damage is covered by insurance, the live-stock and produce in the Norwich Union office, through their agent, Mr. Lawrrency llooth: Parr's Bank. THE INQUEST. I REMARKABLE EVIDENCE. I A WITNESS CENSURED. I The City Coroner (Mr. E. Brassey) held an inquest on Tuesday afternoon at the Town Hall on the body of the man Andrew Kennedy, who hailed from Ghrah, Karra Castle, Mayo, Ireland, was twenty-five years of age, and employed as a farm labourer by Mr. William Johnson. Mr. Johnson gave evidence as to the breaking out of the fire, stating that he was awakened by his daughter shortly before two o'clock in the morning, and on going into the yard he found the shippon completely burnt out. The deceased, who had only been in his employment a fortnight, slept in the loft with another man. There was stored in the loft above the shippon between three and four tons of hay, in addition to small quantities of other farm produce. In accordance with his usual practice he inspected the buildings and the cattle shortly before ten o'clock on Saturday night, and found everything all right. When witness discovered the fire he did not see a soul on the premises. In reply to. the Chief Constable he said there was a bod in the loft. There was a window close to the bed, and a person could have got through it and jumped about ten feet on to the ground below. In fact there were other simple ways of exit from the loft which could be used without any difficulty in emergency. There were two doors and a window on the first floor, and three ladders leading down from the loft. John Kennedy, who said he lived in Mayo, deposed that deceased, who was his son, was married. Mr. Johnson, re-called, said in reply to the Chief Constable that they had caught tramps some time ago sleeping in the building. Annie Price, widow, daughter of Mr. Johnson, deposed to being awakened about ten minutes to two in the morning by the sound of falling timber, and looking through her window she saw the shippon in flames. She heard no alarm given by any person outside. John Gallagher, seventeen years of age, em- ployed as labourer by Mr. Johnson, said deceased and himself belonged to the same parish in Mayo. The deceased was a smoker, but neither had any matches in the loft and there was no candle or lamp. After finishing their work on Saturday afternoon they came into the town, where during the evening they had two half- pints of beer each. They were both sober, and returned home about half-past nine. They slept together, and he went asleep, but awoke and found the loft near the pitch-hole was on fire and the hay across the centre of the building burn- ing. He called deceased, telling him that the place was on fire, and deceased replied that he would be out as soon as witness. He jumped through a pitch-hole into the shippon below, and left the premises by means of a door. He then ran to the house door and shouted three times "Rise; the place is on fire!" but received no answer. He then went round the building into the stackyard, where he fell asleep near one of the carts. He slept until some time later in the morning, when he went into one of the shippons and sat down on the hay. The Chief Constable said the last witness left a public-house at half-past eight o'clock, and the next thing he heard of the men was that they were drunk in a grocer's shop. George Jones, licensee of the Dublin Castle Inn, deposed that the witness Gallagher came to his house with another man about twenty minutes to eight on Saturday night, and each had two half-pints of beer. They were sober. William Hunter, employed by Mr. Jones grocer, Bridge-street, said Gallagher and a com- panion visited his shop shortly before eleven o'clock at night in a very intoxicated state, and purchased some goods. Superintendent Shone, of the City Fire Brigade, said when the brigade and himself ar- rived at the farm it was seen that the whole building had collapsed. He discovered the charred remains of the deceased. A pipe and tobacco box were found on a window sill near the bed. Gallagher, re-called, said the box had been left in the loft three or four days before the fire. A youth named Thomas Quigley, farm labourer to Mr. Jones, Wrexham-road, deposed to over- taking Gallagher and the deceased on his way home shortly after eleven o'clock on Saturday night. The men were, in his opinion, sober. The Coroner remarked that Gallagher had evidently made up his mind not to tell all the truth of the affair. The jury could not help coming to the conclusion that he and the de- ceased wore drunk, and that probably the fire originated through one of them striking a match to find their way to bed. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and stated that there was no evidence to shew how the fire occurred. The Coroner, addressing Gallagher, said he ought to feel he was a very lucky man not to have got into trouble. His behaviour in not waking up Mr. Johnson's family was most dis- graceful, for had he done so he would have probably saved his employer's stock and saved the life of Kennedy. They could not sufficiently blame him for his drunkenness and negligence on that occasion, and he (the coroner) hoped the affair would be a warning to him as long as he lived. FIRE AT PORT SUNLIGHT. I TIMBER SHEDS GUTTED. I I THOUSANDS OF POUNDS DAM1GE. j An alarming fire broke out shortly before seven o'clock on Sunday evening in the timber and box storage sheds at Messrs. Lever Bros. works, Port Sunlight, resulting in that portion of the extensive premi&es being completely gutted, and damage to the extent of some thousands of pounds. The outbreak, for which no cause is discernible, was first discovered by someone passing the works, and Mr. Peacock, foreman of the boxworks, who was attending service in the village church at the time, was t immediately called out. He rushed into the timber yard, and found that the fire had originated in a northerly corner of the wood shed, abutting on Wood-street, and immediately opposite the row of dwelling- t houses in that thoroughfare. Mr. Peacock I attempted to enter the shed with a hose pipe, but a large mass of burning wood fell on him, and he bad a narrow escape with his life. With great presence of mind he turned the hose on himself and the burning embers, and with great difficulty managed to extricate himself from his dangerous position. Mean- while Mr. E. K. Milting, the works manager, appeared on the scene, and shortly afterwards the Port Sunlight Fire Brigade followed. A telephone message was sent to the Birkenhead Fire Station, a distance of three miles, but, of course, by the time they arrived the building was well alight and blazing fiercely. Hundreds of the employes at Port Sunlight were on the spot directly after the first alarm was given, and they materially assisted the efforts of the brigades. A northerly wind was blowing, and the wharf and tallow shed at the south of the boxworks were dangerously threatened from time to time as the flames forked out in their direction. The timber and box storage sheds, which are about 400ft. by 300ft. in dimensions, are built of corrugated iron and brick, and all the material stored in them was of a very inflam- mable nature, so that the fire quickiy gained a firm hold of these buildings, and aided by the wind, spread over the whole of them. All hopes of saving this portion of Messrs. Lever's premises were soon at a discount, and the attention of the firemen and their large body of willing assistants had from 8 30 onwards mainly to be directed to saving the premises and stock hard by. On the south side the box- building shed, oil stores, and the soap works, with their lofty tower, looked like easy victims to the conflagration, but the steady plying of the hosopipes fortunately kept the fire in check, although from time to time, as it raged and roared, the lfames leaped out dangerously in their direction, almost licking the walls. The corrugated iron roof of the sheds fell in with a crash at about nine o'clock, and the walls were red hot and falling in every direc- tion. As midnight approached the fire shewed some signs of being subdued, and although it was stili blazing away fiercely it was evident that all danger of its spreading to the other buildings was at an end, although the storage shed itself and its contents were totally gutted. The fire burnt on until the earl y hours of the morning. It is estimated that timber to the value of £ 6,000 or £ 7.000 has been destroyed, while another X4,000 is put down as the probable damage to the buildings. About 60 men and 500 girls will be thrown out of employment temporarily as the rpsult of the fire's ravages, but the firm are making every exertion to resume their ordinary output as early as possible. The damage is covered by insurance. CREWE FACTORY DESTROYED. Late on Saturday night a destructive fire occurred at the Codden Clothing Factory, Crewe, owned by Messrs. Holmes. The place had been securely fastened at one o'clock, hut about 9.30 the flames were seen issuing from the roof, which soon fell in, the whole buildings and their contents being then ablaze. The Corporation Fire Brigade worked energetically, hut it was late on Sunday morning before the fire was extinguished. The premises were completely gutted and much machinery and stock were destroyed, causing several thousands of pounds damage. The fire will throw a large number of hands idle. One of the firemen also was injured.

CANON GORE ON PATRIOTISM. REFERENCE TO BISHOP STUBBS. I Preaching at Chester Cathedral on Sunday morning, Canon Gore alluded to the patriotism of Israel, which was everywhere exhibited in their history, and which in great put constituted their religion. Proceeding, he said:—Their patriotism was founded on faith, a historic faith. Never was there a people so well taught in history as they were. Their history was their Bible. And it was a history not of what they achieved, but of their God's achievements for them. His wondrous works in Egypt, at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, at the rivor Jordan, His deliverances of them per- petually from their oppressors, His promises to them in the House of David. If we looked only at the human side of their story, it was one rather of failure than success, perhaps even of shame than of glory. And it is all told truthfully. Shame and glory alike, rebellion and obedience, the mag- nificence of Solomon and the misery in Babylon— all known to every one of them, sung in the psalms, read in their synagogues, carefully taught to their children, handed on from generation to generation; but it was not their deeds or the deeds of their forefathers that aroused the spirit of patriotism in them; it was this, that through evil report and good report their God had held them in His hand. They were His people and the sheep of His pasture. He had not left them or forsaken them. Their chastisements and deliver- ances were both from Him. He had written their history in deed and in word; He had shaped their destinies. He had brought them to the present through the well-known past; His love, however tried, had been an unfailing love. There they were now before the world a unique people, held in safety against all the nations not by their own virtue, not by their own powers, but by His strength who had chosen their Zion to be an habitation for Himself, who had longed for her; who had said "This shall be my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein." And we know that their faith is not yet dead. Still they would cry, "If I forget thee, ° Jerusa- lem, let my right hand forget her cunning." Still you may see them in wailing-place, beating their breasts and watering her stones with their tears. They still ask, "Has God forgotten to be gracious? Are His mercies clean gone for ever?" We can give the answer. God has not forgotten His people whom He loved. He could not fulfil their mistaken forecast of His purpose; but He has given them and is giving them in their Messiah a spiritual empire such as eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor heart of man conceived, but which shall be revealed to them when once more they shall return to the Lord their God. We turn to Eng- land. We are living in patriotic days. The flame burns bright and high. We will not obscure it, we will seek to feed it that it may burn brighter and higher. We love England. The sons of Athens used to say that they would give each man his life to his city, as the fairest offering he could make at her feast. And this is what the sonn of England, hundreds of them, ah thousands of them, have been doing before our eyes. We love England because we know England, because we have read her history, because we have taken it into our hearts, seen its structure, marked its progress, looked with intense interest into its times of distress and deliverance, of shame and glory, of sin and repentance, watched its great men and its sordid, its patriots and its cowards; the evolution of its people through days of dis- tress and prosperity, of darkness and light; and we have noticed all through that history had a strange persistency, carrying the people forward; dashing them with troublesome waves hither and thither, but like the flowing tide lifting them all the while higher and higher, giving them some in- stinct of greatness and making their instinct true, and knitting them father to son, brother to brother. And as we read and understood it came upon us, "This is not of man; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." Then found we the true basis of true patriotism: this God is our God for ever and ever, our guide unto death. We have an advantage over our fathers in this matter. God gave us the greatest of his- torians to teach us, in the illustrious Bishop-once our Bishop and our friend—who has now finished his work on earth. He knew England and he loved England. I do not say that history passed before him in splendid pageant. It did not pass, it lived and moved and had its being, all and always from earliest days till now-monarchs, princes, people breathing, working, giving, con- sciously or unconsciously, each his share to the building up of the mighty and glorious fabric. He saw it with the seer's eye; he saw what was contributory to the whole: the dust, the debris he brushed aside. He saw England. living England, living by the finding for the purpose of Cod. And what he saw he taught; and what he taught he saw. He did not add to the vision nor take from it. God shewed it to him and said Write, and he wrote down the truth and nothing but the truth. He worked in no purple patches for effect. He did not prostitute his powers to political aims and ends; he did not stoop to be a partisan. He could not, he dared not. He knew that lie was sent to tell the truth, and I do not suppose that in any single instance he intentionally or consciously failed to tell it. Hence the world s galll in his work; hence our treasure in it as Englishmen. We know now what England is, and that God has made her what she is. Our patriotism can rest in faith. There is a temptation to speak of the man himself; but I have no words in which to speak of him. He changed the lives of those who knew him. He taught us such lessons of greatness as we could learn. He bade us, by example, seek it in simplicity, in sincerity, in love and compassion for man, by profound devotion to God. The Athenian whom I have already quoted tells us that the whole eart h is the sepulchre of famous men; for their glory is proclaimed throughout it in word and deed. But the man, the man himself, to whom God gave the ten talents and the grace to make them ten times ten, what of him, the r true citizen of his country? He is now fellow- citizen of the saints in the kingdom of truth, of I light, of God.

EYBSTGHT TicSTING.-It is now nearly six I hundred years since spectacles were first devised as a remedy for defective or failing sight. But it is only within the last few years that a system of thoroughly testing the eyes and adjusting special glasses for each case has been in operation. At the eyesight testing rooms of Mr. H. C. Houghton, 23, Eastgate- i street, Chester, the latest scientific appliances for this purpose are to be found, and the best information respecting the sight is willingly given. Mr. Houghton's rooms are fitted with the most modern scientific instruments, which make it possible, by careful examination, to detect the most minute error of refraction. Special attention is paid to the accurate fitting of the frames to the individual face, as the good effect of the most «or«fullv selected lenses maybe frustrated by iu,i-ronera«jv.s.< Mr. Houghton was r.nt' recently TIansvtr f. r Wood, Abraham's," l OLD FALSE Full value in cash ••it•• r per return ,»f p y-' | P. D & J. B. Frasei Lv-J Princus-f t, Jpswu-h 'I he largest and old 1 iu; "hi

BIRKENHEAD ELECTRICAL I TRAMWAYS. I The traffic receipts on the New Ferry route for the four weeks ended with Sunday, April 21, were as follow, the figures in parenthesis being the returns for the previous four weeks Miles run, 16,392 (14.611) penny tickete, sold, 1146,213 (136,116) twopenny tickets, 32,449 (26.606) total passengers carried. 178.662 (162,722) total receipts. 1879 12s. 7d. (£788 17s. 4d.). It is proposed to construct double tracks in place of single tracks at an estimated cost, as follows:—Prenton-road West. £ 2 086; Park-road South, £3,136; Park-road North, £ 4,694; Cleveland street, Corporation road, and Beaufort-road from Duke-street to the borough boundary, £ 6 569; New Chester-road, between the abattoirs and St. PauFe-road (in- cluding two passing places), £ 205; Laird-street from Park-road North to the car sheds, £ 4,066 a passing place in Argyle-street, £ 468 passing place in Hamilton-street, £ 468 total, £ 21,693.; Arrangements have been concluded securing to the tramways committee the use of land on the north side of Woodside Ferry approach for the erection of tramway offices. It is proposed to increase the salary of the borough electrical engineer (Mr. WiHiam Bate?) from £ 300 to £ 500, of which one-half shall be contributed by the tramways committee.

THE LATE MR. HARDCASTLE YKES. I The funeral of the late Mr. Hardcastle Sykes took place at Cheadle Parish Church on Monday. The cortege was marshalled at the entrance gates to Cringle House at 11 o'clock, and half an hour later started on its way to the church, a distance of a little under a mile. The pathways on either side of the road were lined with specta- tors, and blinds were drawn at nearly every house on the road. First came a carriage containing the Lord Bishop of Chester (the Right Rev. Dr. Jayne), the Rev. F. A. Macdona (rector of Cheadle), and the Rev. Cecil Hook (Leamington). Then came a carriage containing Dr. Wilson, Dr. J aebon and Dr. Graham Steele (Mr. Sykes's medical attendants). The Victoria funeral car, drawn by four bays, and bearing the coffin, was next, and was immediately followed by Mrs. Sykes's private carriage. Then followed the chief mourners, -viz., Mr. Alan J. Sykes (son), Mr. A. H. Sykes, D.L., and Col. Sykes, R.E. (brothers), Mr. Frank S'kes and Mr. H. R. Sykes (cousins), Col. Platt, C.B., Mr. S. R. Platt, and Mr. Miles Radcliffe, Mr. H. Champion, Mr: A. T. Mitton, Mr. Charles Buxton, Mr. William Turner, Mr. H. Lyle Smyth and Mr. G. Lyle Smyth, Mr. G. W. Mould, Col. George Dixon, and Mr. W. H. Cooke, Mr. A. E. Ferns and Canon Symonds. The Cheadle and Gatley Conservative Association was represented by Mr. John Marriott, Mr. Adshead Eiliott, Mr. James Webb and Mr. Wm. Lomas. The Colwyn Bay and Pwllycrochan Es- tates Company, Limited, was represented by Mr. Edmund Milnes and Mr. Robert C. Haworth. Mr. J. W. Hill was present on behalf of the directors of the Springfield Towel Works, Stockport, and among others present were Mr. A. C. Maberley, Mr. Alec Reiss, Mr. G. H. Gaddum, Mr. George Walls (representing Mr. W. Goldthorpe), the Rev. J. H. Thorpe (vicar of St. George's, Stockport), Mr. W. S. Kennedy, Mr. Clifford Milne, Mr. E. H. Gregg, Dr. Little, Mr. J. C. Macdona, M.P. (formerly rector of Cheadle). Private carriages were sent by Mr. Jas. Watts, Mr. T. H. Miils, Mr. C. M. Elliott, Dr. Godson, Mr. H. T. Crofton, Mrs. Silkenstadt, Mrs. Hulse, Mrs. Wright (Mot- tram Hall), Mr. G. C. Greenwood, Mrs. E. H. Sykes, Mr. Herbert Milne, Mr. J. A. P. Porritt, Dr. Murray, Major Fearn, Mr. S. H. Moorhouse, Mr. T. H. Neville, Mr. J. B. Milne, Mr. S. T. Smith, Mr. Robert. Hollindrake, Miss Ashton (Didsbury), Mr. E. Frank, Mr. Robert Clay, Mr. J. B. Parkinson, Dr. Rayncr and others. A large number of wreaths and other floral tributes were sent by relatives, personal friends, and various public institutions with which Mr. Sykes was associated. The service in the church and at the graveside was fully choral. The officiating clergy were the Bishop of Chester, the Rev. F. A. Mac- dona and the Rev. Cecil Hook. Mr. F. C. Seddon presided at the organ, and the hymns sung were '"Christ will gather in his own," "On the Resur- rection morning," and "Now the labourer's task is o'er."

RAILWAY SERVANTS I DISMISSED. RESOLUTIONS BY RAILWAY MEN. I A meeting of railway men in the Stockport I district was held on Saturday evening at the Blue Bell Hotel, Stockport, to discuss the dismissal of certain of the employes of the London and North-Western Railway Company, and other matters of difference which have arisen between the company and a number of their men. Mr. Tenevan, president of the Stockport Trades Council, was in the chair, and there was a large attendance.—The Chairman said he made no doubt that the company had dismissed the men in question because they had appearbd as witnesses in a certain law case, but he: ventured to think that during the next few days the expressions of indignation that would go up from the district would be such that the directors of the company would not be able to ignore it. If the matter were put before the public in a right ligqt, the company would be compelled to recede from the position they seemed to have taken up.—The following resolution was unanimously carried:—" That this meeting protests against the action of the London and North-Western management in dismissing from their service, without any apparent reason, a number of men who have been in their employment for a considerable number of years; and pledges itself to do all that possibly can be done to bring about their reinstatement."—One of the speakers said the trouble was not new, but had been expected for a long time, and now that it had arrived they' must stand together and fight to a finish for their rights. (Applause.) Mr. Thomas Arnold, secretary of the Man- chester Conference of Railway Workers of Lancashire, thought it would be advisable to prepare for the worst, and if it did come to a fight they must be in readiness. A meeting of members of the local branches of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was held on Sunday evening in Stockport, and it was largely attended. It was reported that after considerable but unanimous discussion the following resolution was adopted without dissent:—" That this meeting of the three Stockport branches considers that these men have been discharged for their connection with the Linaker libel case. We protest against such action as being detrimental to the liberty of the subject, and that the strongest legitimate steps possible be taken to see that justice is done. We would further urge upon our general secretary to come to Stockport as early as possible and take charge of the matter, and, should be think it advisable, to bricg the organising officers with him." Arrangements are in progress for meetings, if necessary, of protest during the week, and on Sunday next, in addition to ordinary branch meetings, a mass meeting has been arranged for. MEETING TO BE HELD AT CREWE. I The railway men of Crewe have arranged for a great meeting in thetheatre to-morrow (Sunday) to protest against the discharges of Amalga- mated Society men from the North-Western Railway. It ie expected that Mr. Richard Beli, M.P., Mr. John Burns, M.P., and Mr. James Tomkinson, M.P.J will be present. The society is very strong at Crewe, and Guard Hindle, the Crewe man who was dis- missed, is well-known and popular. The men held a meeting on Sunday. There was a large attendance. Some of the Enginemen Society's men were also present, and not only expressed sympathy with the discharged men, but promised to try and get their society to stand by them. The attitude of the men is exceedingly firm. They feel sure they have the public behind them. They say that the traders of Manchester are on their side and prepared to help them. The Stock port men who were dismissed by the London and North-Western Railway Com- pany have received a communication stating that their petition asking for reinstatement will be placed before the directors at their next meeting. Mr. Melville, M.P., is endea- vouring, in conjunction with Mr. Bell, M.P., to bring about an amicable settlement. STRIKE THREATENED. < Mr. R. Bell, M.P., in a statement in regard to the recent dismissals in the northern part of the London and North-Western Railway system, points out that he has been using his influence in various ways to get this subject brought before the board of directors. The men of the Manchester and Liverpool division are pressing him, he says, to go down there and take charge of a movement for a strike, or, at any rate, of a violent agitation, and there has been considerable difficulty in restraining them from taking extreme measures. Colonel Lock- wood, a director of the company, informs him that the reason given by the board for the dis- missal of these men is that the board are of opinion that the men combined unfairly to obtain the dismissal of their superior officer on false charges. The directors have "agreed to confer with the men next week, when they will have an opportunity to make out their case. Mr. Bell thinks that the directors will find it impossible to hold to the belief that there was a combination against Mr. Linaker.

1>. MOTHERS.—Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrap tup be" i used over fifty years by milUens of I inotl.vrv for their children while teething with j tic cess. It will relieve the poor sufferer aocii. tely. It is pleasant te taste: it produces quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, little ohemb wakes up "tM bright as a button." Of aH Chemists. is. lid. per bottle

CITY POLICE COURT. t MONDAY.—Before Dr. Stolterfoth and Mr. I James G. Frost. A REFRACTORY CUSTOMER.—William I Morris, a stalwart-built man from Saltney, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in City-road on Saturday night, and with assaulting Detective A. Hughes on the same occasion. Shortly before midnight Detective Hughes, accompanied by Detective Crewe, met prisoner, who immediately picked a quarrel with tnem and struck Hughes a severe blow on the nose, causing it to bleed profusely. The officers had great di*u',ty in removing him to the police-station, and in the struggle that took place prisoner tried several times to butt Hughes in the face with his head.—A fine of 2s. 6d. and costs was imposed for the first offence, and one of 10s. and costs, with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment, for the assault. ^ANOTHER PUGILISTIC INEBRIATE.— A respectably-dressed middle-aged man named Joseph Roberts, residing at Stone Bridge, answered in custody a charge of being drunk a::d disorderly at the Cross on the previous day. When remonstrated with by P.C. Clarke prisoner refused to go home, and challenged him ro fignt, attempting to strike him and behaving so violently that he had to be locked up.—Fined 10s. and costs or scvel1 days. HUSBAND'S HEARTLESS CONDUCT.— William Davies, formerly residing at Victoria Buildings, Lower Bridge-street, was charged with deserting his wife and five children, who had become chargeable to the Chester Union cn the 2nd of January last year. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Mr. Harrop, relieving officer, stated that prisoner left his wife and family in January, 1900, and since then inquiries had tailed to elicit any information of his whereabouts until a few days ago. Since his desertion his wife had been in receipt of 7s. 6d. per week from the Union, and the total sum for which prisoner was indebted ic the guardians was about £ 20. Davies was appre- hended on Saturday at Stockport, where he was in employment, earning 24s. a week. This was not the first occasion prisoner had deserted his family and left them cnargeable to the Union.— He was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. SHOCKING CASE OF CRUELTY.—William Lyth, captain of the canal barge "Opal." was charged with ill-treating a mare owned by him that was in an unfit state on the previous day. The attention of Inspector Blake Jones, of the R.S.P.C.A., was directed to the animal, which was drawing a barge along the canal near Hoole- lane Bridge. The mare was a very cld animal, and was a complete physical wreck. Prisoner was whipping her across the hind legs. On the shoulder were two wounds, one quite two inches in diameter, and there were several contusions on the iegs. Prisoner alleged that the contusions wero caused by the animal falling into the canal the previous day, and falling on the towing path. Witness believed the mare was also suffering from prolonged starvation.—The magistrates, after making an examination of the animal, came to the conclusion that it was a flagrant ca^e of cruelty, and sent Lyth to prison for 21 days. They ordered the horse to be destroyed. WEDNESDAY.—Before Mr. John Thompson (chairman) and Dr. Stolterfoth. LICENCES GRANTED FOR THE RACES Mr. A. E. Caldeeutt (solicitor) applied on behalf of Mr. George Browning, refreshment contractor, for occasional licences to sen on the Roodee on each of the three race days—May 7th, 8th and 9th —between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. were the usual hours, and the places for which Mr. Browning required the licences were the County Stand, Tattersall's Ring, the Grand Stand, the Dee covered stand, the Dee open stand, and the paddocl-The Chief Constable said he had no objection to make.—The application was granted.—Wm. Henry Ciucas, The Three Tons, Frodsham-street, was granted authority to simpiy intoxicants on the racecourse in Nos. 1, 4 and 5 tents.—Richard Johnson, Birmingham Arms, Lower Bridge-street, was granted permission to sell in Nos. 2 and 3 tents. A DANGEROUS CHARACTER.—MaTy DoJan, of no fixed abod e, was charged with fre- quenting Foregatc-street the previous day v,lih in- tent to commit a felony.—P.C. Porter, who proved the charge, said he saw the woman moving about in a suspicious manner in Foregate-street shortly before eleven p.m.—The Chief Constable said prisoner had been at the court 47 times previously. She simply lived upon thiI eving .-Pri -;oilc-r was sent to gaol for three months with hard labour. CRUELTY TO A MARE.—Frederick Sheen, 42, High-street, Tarporley, was charged with ill- treating a mare by working it while in a.n unfit state.—Inspector Jones, of the R.S.P.C.A., said that on the 2Cth of April he noticed the mare walking painfully along in Foregate-street.. When he ex- amined the animal he discovered that it was ex, I t.remely lame and totally unfit to work. When II questioned by witness, defendant admitted that the mare was "nearly done. -J. Hadfield, veter- inary surgeon, gave evidence in support of the charge. Among other complaints the animal W3.f I suffering from chronic ringbone.—A fine of 10s. and costs was imposed. ♦

RAWARDEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The annual meeting of this board was held on Monday, at Broughton Workhouse, there being a large attendance. i ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr. W. Jones moved, and Mr. Shepherd seconded, that Mr. W. Fryer be re-elected chairman for the ensuing y«ar.—Mr. J. Jones moved an amendment that Mr. E. Sydney Tajlor be elected. Mr. J. Wright, in se?cond? ing, assured the guardians that he had nothing to say in disparagement of Mr. Fryer. —Mr. Taylor, however, expressed his disinclina- tion to allow his name to be put in opposition to that of Mr. Fryer for the honour of the chair, and declined to accept the office.—Mr. Ctheraa next proposed Mr. J. Jones as chairman, but that gentleman was also unwilling to act.—Mr. Fryer was eventually elected. Mr. J. Wright proposed, and Mr. A. Wright seconded the election of Mr. J. Jones as vice chairman.—Mr. Moses, however, proposed, and Mr. Sparrow seconded tho election of Mr. Maurice Jones, the voting resulting in favour of that gentleman by ten votes to nine. INCREASE OF SALARIES. The principal business before the meeting I was the much-deferred consideration of the applications for increased salaries from Dr. Roberts (workhouse medical officer), Mr. George I A. Jones (relieving officer), and the clerk to the Board (Mr. H. Goodman Roberts). All the applications were made upon the ground that the transference of Buckley (Mold) parish from the Holywell Union to the Hawarden Union had entailed a considerable increase of work upon those officials. It was pointed out that the amount expended in out-relief during the last half-year in the union was 25 per cent. higher I than that of the corresponding half-year in 1899, and that 114 more paupers had had to be relieved since the incorporation of Buckley (Mold) parish. Dr. Roberts stated that when he was appointed six years ago he contracted to attend inmates and supply at his own expense the necessary medi- cines, &c, at a salary of 935 per annum. With the recent increase in the number of inmates his duties would correspondingly increase. He was informed that this was the only workhouse in the country where the medical officer had to supply his own drugs. In reply to a member, the Clerk said the master's book shewed that the number in the house at the present time was 42, compared with 43 at the corresponding period last year. On the proposition of Mr. Millington, seconded by Mr. Maurice Jones, it was decided to increase Dr. Roberts's salary from X35 to X40 per annum. Mr. E. S. Taylor suggested the Board should consider the advisability of establishing a surgery at the workhouse. The Relieving Officer stated in support of his application that his present salary as relieving officer was JC90 per annum, that of his predecessor j being £105, notwithstanding the fact that whereas for the half-year ending Lady Day, 18S5, i i 6 was expended in out-door relief, there had U-t-n spent during the half-year ending Lady Day, 1901, the sum of £ 1,185—shewing the considerably increased work he (Mr. Jones) had to periorm. Since becoming the officer of the Board he had paid his own travelling expenses, and endeavoured to do his duty in strict accordance with the orders and wishes of the guardians. It was stated that Mr. Jones's various appoint- ments under the Board, including that of vaccina- tion officer, yielded him a total annual saiar\ of JB154. Mr. E. S. Taylor moved that his salary be in- creased by JB20 per annum. Mr. Catherall protested in the interests of the ratepayers against so substantial an increase. lie .did not object to giving Mr. Jones a fair remuner- ation for his work, but it was high time the guardians took a firm stand with regard to appli- cations for increased salaries. Mr. Millington contended that the addition to the Union of Buckle-j (Mold) would only necessi- tate an additional half-day's work per week to the relieving officer. He therefore moved an amend- I ment that the salary be increased by JSIO. The amendment was carried by fourteen votes to nine. With regard to the clerk's application, Mr. Millington moved an increase of his salary by £10 per annum. ;C Mr. Catherall seconded. Mr. Wynne proposed and Mr. M. Jones seconded an increase of only L5 per annum. Mr. Taylor was of opinion that the clerk was greatly underpaid. To offer the paltry increases proposed to a man of admitted exceptional ability was nothing short of an insult. To fairiy remunerate Mr. Roberts for his increased duties he had calculated that they ought to grant him £ 125 a year. But the guardians were proposing to give him a smaller salary than they gave their former clerk, who neglected to perform his deities. He (Mr. Taylor) moved that the clerk's salary be increased from JE80 to jElOO. Mr. Shepherd seconded. The resolutions were then voted upon, and Mr. j Millington's proposition was carried, defeating Mr. Taylor's by eight votes.

FLOBU.INE !—FOB THE TEETH AND BREATH.— Thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, and gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly whiteness and a delightful fragance to the breath. Price 2a. 6d. for the liquid, or Is. per jat for the Floriiiiie Powder,' of all Chemists and Feriuiisera.

THE DUBLIN PACKETS AT PARKGATE. (Continued.) After one hundred years of maritime activity Parkgate began to assume a new aspect. Had the noble river so highly eulogised by --Libciazi the Monk" remained in the navigable condition of his day, the prosperity of the Wirral shore might have been that of the Mersey. About the year lSOD Parkgate became the p-lancer of those numer- ous bathing resorts that now invest and enliven oar shores. In the year 17S2 the first house was built in Southport, and B'ackpool v,:ts then nothing more than a weiid wilderness of sand- hills, while on the other hand, the little watering- place on the Cheshire banks of the Dee v.-as the most fashionable and flourishing in the north of England, and was, moreover, fully entitled to be called the "Brighton of th: XorÖ." There was in England at that period a marked difference between the classes and the masses, so that visi- tors at Parkgate were niaimy those of the f ormer, and were composed of the wealthy citizens of Chester, together with prominent countv and border families. They, with their retillue, drove down to the banks ot the Dee. The people of Parkgate entirely devoted themselves to the com- fort. and pleasure of their visitors, and during the fleeting summer months there seemed to be be- tween them a reciprocity of harmonised feeling; but in the long, dreary winter, when Parkgate lesumed its normal condition, there often came a ruue awakening. In those davs the summer view of the shore was picturescjuo, and was further heightened by tho little "jcttv" called the "stage," which was full of life, joy and humour beaming in every face; while the yachts and pleasure boats stood alongside awaiting distinguished visitors, whose names were recorded in the London Press. The busy scene along the beach was that of the bathing vans, locally called machines, from which in the bright and genial sunshuie immersion blithely proceeded, under the professional super- vision of those bygone Parkgate bathing women, "Moily Petry" and "Molly" Parr." who were doubtless long rcincmbeied by many of the young and timid bathers. While on the shore, amid the [l'ay and joyous multitude, following in the wake of a well-appointed cavalcade of donkevs, the cheery and happy face of "Mark Perry"' might be seen. "Mark," who had lived a long life near the brink of the river, was therefore we-ll known by the annual visitors; and those of his numerous patrons were amply satisfied by a fund of anec- dote and humorous sea-side talcs, by v.-hich he enlivened and beguiled the holiday donkey drive. The following lines more aptly illustrate and typify the dignity of the bathers at old Parkgate. The lines are supposed to refer to the allied old Cheshire families of Lee lownshend and Baldwin, and the last of the three was the then Miss Hester Townshend, of Wincham. Written on seeing three fair ladies come out from bathing at a Cheshire watering-place at the end of the last ccntury. "Three Naiades at Parkgate" Bright was the morn, the season gay, Kind Sol diffused his genial heat. When just arising from the sea, I spied three beauties at Parkgate. The first, whose graceful air and mien Made an impression on my fancy, I thought 'twas Love's imperial queen, But mortals call her lovely Nuic-y. A blooming beauty next appears. Surrounded by the loves and graces; It must be Venus! Critclily swears, I know her well thiough all her paces. Had she her Cestus and her dove, I'd think so too as we" as yon, But if she's not the Queen of Love, It can be none but charming- Sue. Upon the margin of the flood, Like her who vied for beauty's prize, The third, an English Pallas stood, I saw her aegis in her eyes. The faultless form we all commend, But none her name save that could g-ucs, Till Ciio whispered. 'Honest friend, Have you forgotten blooming' Hess?" Since Albion's Isle was famed for beauty, Throughout her incxhausted store, None e'er were seen from head to shoe-tyo Brighter than those who grace this shore. But what is yet still more uncommon. And yet more strictly true you'll und. Though fairest 'mcngst those born of women, Their greatest merit is their mind. Apart from the pleasures of the day, the amusements at Parkgate of our ancestors must have been very limited. The Assembiv-rooms, doubtless attractive, were at times varied bv a company of strolling players, and occasionally, when at home, by the versatile "Riley the Itiner- ant." When the sun of Parkgate had set those rooms were converted into a Congregational place of worship. This body made commendable efforts to establish a chapel in Parkgate. They first built one in the year 1809. hich was a failure. Then about the year 1837 they opened the j Assembly-rooms. I here, under the p??oratc of Mr. Roberts, they were more Fucces'fui. and acain. built the more ornate and substantial building in Mostyn-square. This chapel in the year 1863 they finally &o!d for L500 to the Presbyterians. I The herring yard was an old historic part of Park- gate. The name is suggestive of an mdustrv car- ried on at a period when tho estuary abounded with this fish. John Leyland, who died in 1552, one of the earliest of our antiquaries, and who gives a quaint description of Wirral long before the beginning of Parkgate, goes on to say, "From Hiibyri to compas the shore of Wvral oa Mersey side to Walesay village on the veiy shore wlier men use much to saiie hering taken at tile se by the mouth of Meisy Camden, who died in 1623, bears testimony to the abundance of fish in the river Dee. WritiiHT of Wirral, he savsr "The land beareth small quality of corn, the water yeeldeth great store of fish." There is a tradition iocally maintained that, through the indiscriminate waste and wanton destruction of the superabund- ant herrings that at times entered the Dee, the ban of retribution at. length fell pn the river, and shoals of herrings came no more. W hen Briscoe's Mostyn Arms Hotel early in the last century was extended, the herring yard then obsolete was added. In that yard there was ample^tccommoda- tion for carriages and horses. The yard further contained a ball court for an athletic game now m disuse. There were, moreover, public baths and numerous bathing vans for the accommoda- tion of visitors. And finally, when the military were billeted at f'"lDn and Parkgate-, the officers being at the latter p'aoe, a building in the herring yard was set apart for the incarceration of in- temperate and recalcitrant offenders. This yard that has played an important part m the past is now entirely covered with artistic, ecclesiastic, scholastic, athletic and other useful and convenient buildings in connection with and by the enter- prising and indefatigable master of the Mostyn House School. Of "Drury Lane," onoc the busy centre of Park- gate, there is now no memorial. The Ship Inn was the last of the commercial houses. It is remem- bered under the propi ietorship of Mr. Thomas Williams, a Parkgate man, who was also the owner of a four-horse coach, which for the con- venience of the public journeyed to Chester every Saturday. The old White Lion on the shore was probably the first of the Parkgat-e hotels. It bore the date 1/0. and closed its commercial career about the year 1838. This old Deeside is re- ph-toe with history. Within a lineal mile we have first the great financial speculation of the New Quay for ships that could not reach the city. Then oame the Dublin and Parkgate Packet Station. Later again, but on a diminutive scale, wo had the ferry from the boathouse, and to-day the fishing boats, leng anchored under Parkgate, are far away down the estuary. The Boathouse from whence those ferryboats sailed has disap- peared. It has been a busy place. Above the mantelpiece in one of the demolished rooms, and underneath the plaster cnt in stone, this memorial was discovered: J. B., 1620." Th. h.. hiob seems to have had -various additio M •:ely dated further back, and from its • tion may have been officially conn* rbe port of Chester, foi in lai,)- days a [, on. r' gable in the winter ''Ciltl-s wàs u sign ti to the ferryboats. In connection boaf- house we have the following — v p.ckt t across the Dee. The public are e-v v ,ly in- formed that a new and elegant 1 j called the Ancient Briton, will co :ijif ■ •e -sl!iliDi on the 20t,b June ivotn Parkr- BagiiU*. It will sail every ilu} Lhiee hol:, -t- ingb water, and continue crossing until •" aft<v high water, making three passage; ■. i :r,) NlCb tide. A new pier i., O'ect('d;¡t 1 IlTTd good landing place made at Bagi \enience of landing. Every afforded in forwarding passeni-, ers Ferry, where they will meet with steamboat ca-led the Regulator Further partio- ulars as to time of the coaches meeting the packet will be given in a subsequent paper. Performed by Blore, Hunt and Co., Juno 2nd, 1817." The year 1817 seems, therefore, to have been the commencement, of this ferry. But there is no evidence of this steamboat. The probability is that the Ancient Briton proved a failure. Two sailing boats, however, one to Flint, the other to Bagillt, went for some years. The Flint boat was first taken off the station. The latter, however, struggled on until about the middle of the cen tury, when, owing to more convenient and expe- ditious ways of transit, and also to impediments I in the navigation of the river, the Bagillt boat I finally ceased. I CEORCE GLhiA V iS.

A HALF-PINT LEMON JELLY FREE. We do not know when we have been eo pleased with a table delicacy as we have been with Eiffel Tower Table Jellies." They are simply delicious, beautifully clear, exquisitely lfavoured, and the colour a delight to the eye. A pint packet can be obtained of Grocers for 3jd. We understand that Messrs. Foster Clark and Co. (makers of the well-known Eiffel Tower Lemonade) are 150 desirous that everybody should become acquainted with the exceptional value of their jellies that they are sending a i half-pint Lemon Jelly free on receipt of a post- card. Do not miss this opportunity, but send j post-card at once to Foster Clark and Co. 3573, I Eiffel Tower Factory, Maidstone.

MONMOUTH ELECTION. — The Monmouth nomination is fixed for May 2, and the polling for May 7. Shamrock II. left the Clyde en Saturday for the Solent, where she will race Shamrock I. Shamrock I., however, has been so Hit-red that I she may provo a n.ore formidable opponent 1 than is generally anticipated.