Cheshire Observer

ADJOURNED QUARTER SESSIONS. The adjourned Quarter Sessions were held at Knutsford on Wednesday, befor his Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd (chairman), Mr. H. C. Yates (chairman of the second court), and a full bench of magistrates. NEW JUSTICES. The following qualified as magistrates :—Dr. Joynson and Mr. J. W. Deakin, of Northwich Dr. Tinker, of Hyde, and Mr. T. Pilkington Young, of Marples. THE SEACOMBE SENSATION. j Echel bitlingham, a girl of prepossessing appearance, came up for judgment for attempted suicide. Prisoner, who pleaded guilty at Chester, agreed with a companion to make away with herself. The two girls purchased salts of lemon, and then went to the Liverpool landing stage intending to drown themselver. It was too crowded, and they crossed over by the ferry to Seacombe. There they partook of the poison, and the other girl threw herself into the river and was drowned. The prisoner was found unconscious, and but for the prompt conduct of the police, must have died—I'he Chairman said inquiries bad been made as to a home for the prisoner, and it was found that they wero willing to take her at a ttoman Catholic Home, where she would be among people of her own persuasion and interests. If she elected to go there and to remain there for at least twelve months they wuuid not pass sentence upon her for what she bad done, and she would be bound over to come up for judgment when called upon. He thought it, was due to the police, and he I would like Colonel Hamersley to convey to the officer in question their appreciation of his conduct. He behaved exceedingly well, and but for his skill and promptness in restoring the young woman 8be, hk<? her companion, would probably have lost her life. Ske was in imminent peril, and the knowledge the officer had gained from the ambulance classes bad proved of great value.—Mr. Colt Williams (the prosecuting counsel) said he was glad to have such an expression from the bench. EXTENSIVE THEFTS OF CORN. Alfred Fernyhough, 30. corn miller, and Wm. Holt, 28, carter, were indicted for stealing 18 sacks of corn, the property of Charles Frederick Mills, Stalybridge. Thomas Kelly, 49, a well-known Stalybridge and Ashton corn merchant, was charged with receiving the stolen goods. Holt pleaded guilty.—The prosecution alleged that ex- tra sacks of corn were delivered at Kelly's mill, where Holt was foreman, and that the money thus obtained was divided. It was contended that Kelly was well aware of the character of the proceed- ings.—For the defence Mr. Gibbons urged that it was preposterous to suggest that Mr. Kelly, who had had yearly transactions with Messrs. Mills to the amount of f,4200, should conspire with two men, one of whorp he did not know.—Holt went" into the box and deposed that Kelly was absolutely ignorant of what was going on--A number of wit- neses were called as to the integrity of Kelly, who was found not guilty and was acquitted. The other men were sentenced to three months' im- prtsrounent. THEFT AT NORTHWICH. Ba.rah O'Dowd, 32, charwoman, and Mary Douglas, 23, servant, were indicted for stealing a pair of boots from the shop of the Leeds and Leicester .Boot Company at Northwich. O'Dowd saw the boots hanging at the shop door, and quiotly commandeered them. She and Douglas then went to a woman named Hankey and asked her to pledge them. It was thus the theft was dis- covered. O'Dowd is a woman with a past, and she was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Douglas was committed for one month. HORRIBLE BRUTALITY. I A shocking -3tory was told in the case against John Robert Mottram, a Dukinfield labourer, who was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm upon his wife. He went home drunk, and, having knocked dowa his wife, who was in an exceedingly delicate condition, jumped upon her. But for timely medietl aid she would have bled to death, and she narrowly escaped peritonitis.-He was sentenced to sine months' imprisonment.. SAD COURSE OF CRIME. By representing in various places that line had to call upon certain well-lcnown solicitors to draw money which had been left her, Doris Walton, 23, a. good-looking factory haud, was enabled to ob- tain money, food and lodgings. She attempted the .same ruse at Dukinfield, but as the legacy did not materialise, suspicion was aroused, the police were put on their guard, and she ¡\Vas arrested.—The Chairman sa id she had committu:1 herself to a fad course of crme, and she was sentenced to six I months' imprisonment. ) I A VILLAGE TERROR. Thomas Barber, a burly miner of 29, pleaded guilty to extensive thefts of clothing, tools, etc., from beat3 on the Manchester Ship Canal at Dun- ham Masaev and at Sale, and also to the theft of twelve pageons at Altrincham. The police de- scrib?d im as a most desperate character, a j ?otonous thief, poacher, and a po!lhv& terror to the neighbourhood. For 18 months the district will be relieved of his pretence, for that was the tyf his sfritelice. SRVTEWES. 1 J?MS Hurat, 50, I?bo"??T  Months for a.mes Ul S tT«nn^ J&onths (ot r ?w\ .teeing at Warburton; Wood g??j ,'£5, *2* .M?ultin? Harold Oke"» a !)ukin6? v bailiff ??' on MTvia? a judg!D? summotM wa? attacked with IL poker; Wm. Crook, salesman, Stockport, found wt gmlty of the charge of horse gteaang.

CITY QUARTER SESSIONS. 1 The general Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the city of Chester were held at the i Town Hall on Tuesday, the Recorder (Sir Horatio Lloyd) presiding. Accompanying the Recorder on the Bench were the Mayor (CoL H. i T. Brown), the Sheriff (Mr. Edgar Dutton), Dr. Stolterfotb, and Mr. F. Bullin. THE CHARGE. The Recorder, in charging the Grand Jury, I of which Mr. John Sheriff Roberts was chair- man, said there occurred on the present occasion one of those periodical changes in the fluctuations in crime which it was always exceedingly difficult to account for, and which he never professed to be able to. They had been in the happy position of having never more than one or two prisonet-s there for some years, and it was quite a sudden change to find in the present calendar the names of seven prisoners. He thought they would find that some of the present cases involved somewhat trifling amounts of property, but they might take it from him that there was DO reason on that ground for finding fault with their being sent to that court on trial. There were circum- stances in all these cases which rendered it very desirable that they should be taken in another court than the court of summary jurisdiction. There was nothing further to call their attention to except the case of the woman Sarah Ann Walsh, who was charged with unlawfully and wilfully neglecting the care of her young children. The evidence which would be placed before them would, he thought, satisfy them that there was a case for investigation. There was another count in the indictment which charged the woman with being an habitual drunkard. It might possibly turn out that that was the cause of her conduct towards her children. He bad never yet decided, and he did not know whether it was necessary for the Grand Jury to enquire into that question. The Act of Parliament pre- scribed that where a person was being tried for cruelty to children, and if it turned out that the cause of the trouble was a woman who was an inebriate person, then the ordinary jury would try the case and not the Grand Jury, and would have power, if it was alleged in the indictment, to consider the question. Moreover, if it was found that she was an habitual drunkard within the meaning of a former Act of Parliament, then the court bad power to seud her to a certified home for inebriates. THE CHARGE AGAINST A COMMERCIAL I TRAVELLER. Mr. Colt Williams mentioned the case of Joseph Henry Gibbs, commercial traveller, against whom there was an indictment for feloniously and fraudu- lently embezzling and stealing sums of money amounting to JB20 9s. Id., received into possession by his employer, George Day, at Chester, between the 3rd December, 1900, and the 4th March, 1901. Mr. Colt Williams explaine d that another charge against the prisoner arising 'practically out of the same matter was to be heard at the Assizes, and Jw'suggeated that the case of embezzlement shetald be transferred to the Assizes. The Recorder said he could not grant that until the grand jury had decided upon the bill. If the bill was thrown out there was an end of it. The grand jury subsequently returned a true bill in the case, and Mr. Williams renewed his application, which was granted, Mr. Trevor Lloyd, who appeared for the prosecution, having stated that he had no objection to that course. TRIAL OF PRISONERS. I TILL ROBBERY. I Thomas Mulraney, 61, labourer, pleaded guilty to stealing four shillings, the money of Patrick Perkins, at Chester, on the 12th April.—Mr. Morris appeared for the prosecution, and said the prisoner visited the Shakespeare public- house, Foregate-street. The landlady thought he was leaving the premises, but she heard the latch of the bar door, and caught the prisoner putting his hand into the drawer of the till. A struggle between them ensued, and the prisoner eventually got away, but was caught by a police- constable, to whom he practically admitted that he committed the theft. At the police-station, however, he had nothing to say. He was under the influence of drink.—The Recorder said it was in the year 1889 that the prisoner was last in trouble, and he thought the ends of justice would be met if he was kept, in prison another two months. SIX MONTHS FOR AN IRON THIEF. I Charles Edge (24), labourer, was indicted for stealing a quantity of scrap iron, the property of the Chester Tramways Company, Limited, at Chester, on the 10th May, 1901.—Mr. Owen Roberts, for the prosecution, said at 3.50 o'clock in the afternoon the prisoner was seen by a man in the employment of the Tramways Company taking a quantity of iron weighing about 6!b. or 71b. from the company's yard. He followed the prisoner, who ran away, but was found on the Little Roodee by Constable Griffiths later in the day. In reply to the charge prisoner said, "I did not steal it; two fellows made a bat with me that I dared not fetch it."—A Tramways Company em- ploye named Allman gave evidence.—Prisoner pleaded that he had had a drop of drink. There were three of them, and there was a bet made about the iron.—Prisoner, who was found guilty, had been previously convicted of felony.—The Recorder said the last conviction was for stealing iron. Twice before that he was convicted of felony. He appeared to have been leading a loose life of gambling and sleeping out. It was a pity he did not take warning by some of these imprison- ments. He had already been in prison for two months, and he should not deal severely with him. He would be imprisoned for six months. ROBBING A FELLOW LODGER. I William Hopkins, 40, chainmaker, was indicted for stealing a silver watch belonging to. John Kelly, at Chester, on June 10th, 1901.—Mr. Lance Bentley, for the prosecution, said that the pri- soner and Kelly were fellow-lodgers at Swindley's lodging-house, Lower Bridge-street. Kelly had a cupboard belonging to himself, and in this cupboard he locked up his watch in the morning. It was there at noon, but in the evening, on re- turning home, he found that the lock had been split in two, the cupboard broken and the watch gono. A man named Jones called at Mr. Bradley's pawnshop in Brook-street and offered the identical watch in pledge. The pawnbroker's, assistant asked him whether the watch was his, and while the conversation was going on the prisoner came up and admitted at once that he was the owner. Jones was then given 6s. advance upon the watch, and they went away.—John Kelly, Robt. Kearle (the pawnbroker's assistant), Detective-Sergeant Crewe, and Henry Swindley (lodging-house keeper), gave evidence.—The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the Recorder said the prisoner had been convicted several times before-at the City Sessions for stealing, at Mold Assizes for burglary, at Chester Castle for stealing fowls. He had been summarily con- victed eighteen times for drunkenness, assaults, and breaches of the peace. The Prisoner: For seven years I have tried my utmost to get a honest living. The Recorder said it was seven years since, fortunately for him. The sentence upon him was eight calendar months. THEFT OF CHEESE. I Thomas Heath, 51, labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing as bailee 25lb. of cheese, the property of George Thomas Owen, at Chester, on the 19th June, 1901.-Mr. Wilbraham, in stating the facts, said the prosecutor was a provision dealer in the city. He employed the prisoner to deliver the cheese. The prisoner, however, sold the cheese to another provision dealer, to whom he stated that he had been employed in the country by a farmer, who gave it to him.—The Recorder said he could not help thinking it was a pity that the person to whom he sold it did not act differ- ently. The pioce of cheese of 251b. weight was bought by that person for 3s. 6d., and it seemed difficult to understand that the purchaser had no notion that the prisoner had come by it dishonestly. The prisoner had been in trouble before, but he would give him another chance. He would have to go to prison for four calendar months. PENAL SERVITUDE FOR AN OLD I OFFENDER. I John Jonas, 57, a joiner, was indicted for steal- ing a set of table legs, the property of Frank Betteridge, at Chester, on the 11th June, 1901.— Mr. Montgomery, who prosecuted, said the prisoner was known to Betteridge, to whom he had unsuc- cessfully applied for work. Betteridge, whose premises were in Lower Bridge-street, was a wood turner. He missed the table legs in the afternoon of June 11th. The prisoner appeared at the place of Mr. Henry Jones, carpenter, Queen-street, with the legs, which. he told them, were the last of his furniture, all of which he had sold.-Wm. Henry Jones said the prisoner told him that he got the legs from George Taylor, turner, George-street. He told him he did not want them, and eventually he gave him a shilling for them. The prisoner said they were the last of his furniture.—Detective- Sergeant Crewe said the prisoner was handed over to his custody by the Wrexham police. The prisoner said he was guilty of selling the legs, but not of stealing them.-The prisoner, who had cross-examined each witness at some length, now occupied considerable time by addressing the Court in his own defence. He went into family matters, and said he was one of a family of thirty- three. Then, shifting his ground, he spoke of the table legs, and stated that he had not stolen them, and that he was asked by a person to sell them for liim.—-The jury found him guilty, and the Recorder said the prisoner had been in and nut. nf that "Tort ni6ighbourin courts year after year.-The p-i;n;;7 I Mn entirely m your b&nds?-The Recorder: I know you are. (Laughter.) You have had a pre- I vious sentence of penal servitude.—The prisoner: I am wel! aware that my record is a bad one, but—-The Recorder: I have a duty to perform to the public as well as yon. Having regard to j yonr record, I shall send you now to penal servi- j tude for three vears. CANDIDATE FOR AN INEBRIATES' HOME. Sarah Aon WsL)i;b, 35. married woman, was iadieted for wilfully neglecting the care of her children Archibald, fight years, Daniel, three years, and Patrick, onA yiA r. at Chester, between the 14th MaY and thR 3rd June. 1901.-Mr.: ■ Trevor Lloyd, who procecuted, said tije proeeed- j injrs were taken by thp N.S.P.C.C. Unfortun- ately the woman had given way to drink on many occasion?, and it was through that her trouble was chif-flv canned. The neglect had been systematic, and was of ft most disgraceful and horrible character. The Inspector of the Society had been many times to her house, and: on nearly every occasion she was drunk, and the cMlh-t-n were left in a Flthy a-,o ratryed state, black with dirt. She made no attempt, appar. ently, to look after them. Her husband was in no way to blame in the matter. He was a good steady man. and gave his wife 24s. per week towards carrying on the home in a proper way. She, however, squandered the money in drink, and pawned furniture, the children's clothing and her husband's clothing for the purpose of getting money to satisfy her own craving for drink. She had been seen by her neighbours going t out to pawn things; and coming in a disgraceful | state of drunkenness as the result of which the children suffered. On one occasion isbe was prevented by her husband from striking one of the children with a hammer, while her husband himself had had missiles of different kinds thrown at him, such as knives and the hammer. At another time the prisoner struck him in the hand with a fork. She was very seldom sober, and it would be for the benefit of her children, her husband, and herself if she was looked af r for some little time and was kept away from I the drink.—Inspector R. Nicol stated that be visited the house several times, and one night on going upstairs be found the children on the bed in a very filthy state. They looked as if they had just been picked out of the gutter. The woman was nearly always drunk and the children were filthy and dirty.— Cross-examined by the prisoner, be said it was true she bad been in the asylum twice, but that drink was the cause. She was never otherwise insane.—Joseph Walsh, husband of the prisoner, said he was a labourer and received 27s. per week. Out of this sum he was in the habit of giving the prisoner 25s. She provided provisions and part would go in drink. While she was sober she looked after the children. Once he came home and found his wife drunk in the street; one of the children was sitting in the gutter while the mother was dancing. On January 2nd she turned the children and him out of the house and fastened the windows. Since May 15th she bad been more or less diunk.—A neighbour stated that the prisoner was regarded aa the terror of the yard." On one occasion Mrs. Walsh poured boiling water over her.—Thomas Morris, King-street, testi- fied to the good character of the prisoner's husband.—The jury returned a verdict of guilty with a strong recommendation to mercy. —Mr. Trevor Lloyd said it was now for the jury to say whether she was an habital drunkard within the meaning of the Inebriates' Act.- The Recorder pointed out to the prisoner that the Act prescribed that where a person by reason of habitual intemperate use of intoxicating liquors was at times dangerous or incapable of self-control, the jury could decide that she was an habitual drunkard, and the Court had power to order her detention is an inebriates' home.—Mr. Trevor Lloyd said that on one occasion the prisoner knocked a parrafin lamp off the table, and sub- mitted that if ever there was a case of a person being an habitual drunkard, this was one. It was much better that she should be sent to a home, where she would have such care as would help her to get over the habit.—The Recorder said it was far better, where the foundation and origin of crime was drink, that instead of sending prisoners to gaol they should be sent to a regular inebriates' home.—The jupy found that the prisoner was an habitual drunkard, and the Recorder said he was in some difficulty ih passing sentence, as her ad- mission to an inebriates' home depended on the willingness of the authorities to receive her. There was, he believed, no inebriates' home belonging to the State.—Mr. Trevor Lloyd said he thought one of the letters before the Court was from a home under the State.—The Recorder said they had declined to receive her, and there was an end to that.—The Recorder said there was not the slightest doubt that she ought to have more than three months' imprisonment. He would, there- fore, postpone sentence until the next Sessions. The prisoner in the meantime would remain in custody, and if arrangements could be made for her admission to an inebriates' home, he should substitute detention in that home for imprison- ment.

DEATH OF DR. BURGES. We regret to announce that Dr. Robert Evans Burges, M.D., died about 6 a.m. on Satnrday at his residence, 59, Hoole-road. Dr. Burges had been unwell for some time, but the state of his health gave no cause for alarm unfil Friday when Dr. Giffen, his medical attendant, called in Dr. Taylor for a consultation. The patient, how- ever, became unconscious, and died as stated. The deceased was a native of Fethard, co. Tip- perary, and studied in Cork and Dublin. He was the son and grandson of well-known medical gentlemen of that district. On completing his studies Dr. Burges came over to England, and had been in Wolverhampton, in Devonshire and North- umberland. He first, however, set up in practice at Kettoring, and immediately prior to tnen he was surgeon for a period of about one year on Lamport and Holt's line of steamers to South America. During the time he held that appoint- ment he made three voyages. From Kettering he came to Chester about the year 1888, and began practice in Hoole, where in May, 1896, he was appointed medical officer to the Hoole District Council. At the time of that appointment he held a seat on the Council, and had also been a member of the old Local Board for some years. Dr. Burges was a member of the British Medical Association and a Freemason, being a Mark Mason and past master. He was 51 years of age, and would have celebrated his 52nd birthday next week. He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters for whom the greatest, sympathy is felt. I THE- FUNERAL. I The interment took place on Tuesday at Chester Cemetery, and the funeral was of a quiet and private character. The representative gather- ing of local medical gentlemen, however, was an evidence of the esteem in which the late Dr. Burges was held by his, confreres in the profession. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. F. Ander- son (vicar of All Saints', Hoole), and the. first por- tion of the service was conducted at All Saints' Church. The bereaved mourners in attendance were Messrs. W. Burges and Herbert Burges (sons), Miss Burges and Miss 0.. Burges (daughters), and Captain Ormsby (cousin). The other mourners included Drs. Duff, Giffen, Williams, Butt, Archer, J. Roberts, G. A. Kenyon, R. B. Wright, Mann, Lees, J. T. Roberts, and Henry Dobie, Messrs. F. Coveney, T. Hart Davies, A. E. Caldecutt (clerk to Hoole District Council), R. Cecil Davies, T. B. Richardson, C. Atkin, Watts, Carline, A. L. Williams, W. Williams, John Taylor (chairman of Hoole District Council), D. L. Hewitt, Appleton and J. Hewitt. There was a large number of floral tributes. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. W. and F. Brown and Co.

I MUSIC IN THE PAKK j It is gratifying to be able to state that the first of the series of band performances to be given each Saturday evening in the Grosvenor Park passed off with the success the venture deserved. From half-past six to a quarter to nine on Satur- day evening the headquarters band of the 2nd (Earl of Chester's) V.B. Cheshire Regiment, by j kind permission of Colonel Smith, the command- j ing officer, occupied a stand which had been specially constructed under the supervision of the City Surveyor, on an open space in the Grosvenor Park, and played music to which a large crowd listened with evident delight. The mcmbers of the band numbered some twenty-four, under Bandmaster T. Outhwaite. Their performance was of a highly creditable character. The pro- gramme was as follows :—March, "The Yeoman's Return" (Hall); valse, "Woodland NNhispers" (Round); selection, "Songs of England" (Round); gavot, "Chatterbox" (Ulrico); fantasia, "Oceanic" (Auber); valse, "Krolls Bailklange" (Fauby); selection, "Songs of Scotland" (Round); galop, "Go it" (Potter). Among those present were the Mayor (Colonel H. T. Brown), the Bishop, Arch- deacon Barber, Alderman Stolterfoth (Deputy Mayor), Colonel T. Smith, Alderman John Jones (chairman of the Improvement Committee), Messrs. R. Cecil Davies and G. H. Reynolds (councillors), Colonel Fluitt, etc. Sheets were pro- vided to receive contributions towards the ex- penses, and every contributor was entitled to a programme. The sheets were under the charge of members of the 2nd (Earl of Chester's) V.B. Cheshire Regiment, firemen and park-keepers, wearing their respective uniforms. Some idea of the patronage accorded the venture rrJfy be gathered from the number of coins contnbutod. The total was J63 Is. 34d., made up of 1,020 pennies, 175 half-pennies, 24 threepenny pieces, 15 six- ponces, 17 shillings, three florins. seven half-crowns, one five-shilling piece and one half sovereign. 980 programmes were distributed among the con- tributors. The selection of music was of a popular and attractive class, and frequent applause told of the appreciation of the gathering. Colonel Smith's scheme will undoubtedly provide weekly musical treats and al fresco concerts which will be enjoyed during the summer months by the masses who probably would not otherwise take more than a merely passing interest in good music. A fitting termination to Saturday night's proceedings was the rendering of "God save the King," during which the male section of the audience stood with bared heads. Colonel Smith subsequently an- nounced that, by the kind permission of Major Lamb and Captain R. Cecil Davies, the band of the 1st Flint (Buckley) Royal Engineer Volunteers would occupy the stand during the absence for trainiig purposes at Salisbury Plain of the 2nd (Earl of Chester's) Volunteers. Next Saturday the band of the Runcorn detachment of the latter regiment will play in the Park. Colonel Smith thanked the chairman of the Improvement Com- mittee, the Town Clerk and the City Surveyor for their co-operation and assistance.

A HALF-PINT LEMON JELLY I FREE. We do not know whea we have been bo pleased with" table delicacy as we have been with "Eiffel Tower Table Jellies." They are simply delicious, beautifully clear, exquisitely flavoured, and the colour a deHerht to the eye. A pint psueket can be obtained of Grocers for 3jd. We understand that Messrs. Foster Clark and Co. (makers of the well-known Eiffel Tower Lemonade) are so desirous that, everybody should become acquainted with the exceptional value of their jellies that they are sending a half-pint Lemon Jelly free on receipt of a post- card. Do not miss this opportunity, but send post-card at once to Foster Clark and ( o, 3578, Eiffel Tower Factory, Maidstone.

THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE I PROBLEM. "A DISGRACE TO CHESTER." 1 ACTION BY LOCAL TEACHERS. A quarterly meeting of the members of the Chester and District Teachers' Association was held on Friday in the Grosvenor Museum, the 1 acting president (Mr. S. Earlam) presiding over a fair attendance. Mr. R. Lloyd reported that Mr. R. A. Yerburgh, M.P., had promised to support a Tenure Bill on be- half of the teachers if it was introduced, and had also expressed a hope that although the present Education Bill had dropped it was probable that another Bill on similar lines might be brought in next year. The association must try to influence the local members of Parliament to support the next Bill. Mr. Turner (Eccleston) said he had written to the M.P. for Eddisbury, who replied that he was rather sorry the Education Bill had been dropped, but thought it would pave the way for a better Bill next year. Mr. E. Teare (Backford) also had the assurance of the M.P. for Wirral that he would support the introduction of a Tenure Bill. Mr. Wood (Northwich) called attention to the deplorable position of defective children in ele- mentary schools. An Act of Parliament, he said, was passed in 1899 especially for those children, ia which authority was given to make special pro- vision for them to be instructed in manual work, or in any other work for which they shewed any aptitude. What was being done in regard to that Act? He wished to ascertain if the provisions of the Act wore taken advantage of in the countv of Chester, and if so, how the scheme was worked for the benefit of that unfortunate class of children that was so much neglected. From personal ex- perience he had found it was a monstrous failure to attempt to teach such children the alphabet, although they attained a certain amount of proficiency in drawing designs from copies and drawing maps. Provision was made under the Act that those children were not to be called de- fective by their teachers, but were to undergo a special examination by a certified medical authority, and their parents were to be compelled to send them to school regularly, under the penalty of JE5 if they neglected to do so. That Act ought not to be a complete failure in this county, and it would be well to request the Cheshire District Union to institute an inquiry into this subject throughout the county. Mr. Teare supported Mr. Wood's views, and men- tioned the case of a girl fourteen years of age who could not be taught simple subtraction, despite the assiduous efforts of her teacher, but a better manual worker did not exist in the school. He therefore thought the idea embodied in Mr. Wood's suggestion that there should be a home for defective children, where they could be turned into practical workmen, was a very good one. In reply to Mr. Lloyd. Mr. Wood said grants were authorised to be paid under the Act by the Education Department for the support of classes for defective children, and a district council or other school authority were also enabled to pay grants for such classes. When a teacher had what he considered to be a "defective" child, the course was to report the case to the school authority, whereupon the child would receive a medical ex- amination by a qualified medical practitioner, who had to give a certificate to the effect that the child, not being imbecile, was. by reason of one mental or physical defect incapable of receiving instruction in elementary schools, but was not incapable of receiving instruction in a certified special school. He (Mr. Wood) had over twenty of those cases, and they were a source of great sorrow to him. He moved that the consideration of the case of defective children be urged upon the Cheshire District Union. Mr. Connell (Connah's Quay) seconded. The Chairman said they would all be heartily in accord with Mr. Wood. There was machinery in existence for securing funds for that very desirable object, and he did not think any better course could be pursued than that suggested by Mr. Wood. The proposition was carried unanimously. Mr. Teare introduced a discussion on the sub- ject of the unsatisfactory state of school attendance in Cheshire and the city of Chester. He suggested that owing to the very low position occupied by Chester and Cheshire with regard to school at- tendance in the latest table of statistics, Chester, with 81.8 per cent., being 43rd out of 64 boroughs, and Cheshire with 80.8 per cent., being 40th out of 49 county divisions, it seemed quite time that the various associations in connection with the Cheshire District Union drew up a statement of facts to be supplied and vouched for by the mem- bers with regard to special cases of bad attendance for publication in the press, in order to call public attention to the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. The state of school attendance was a standing disgrace to Chester. In the table of statistics another Cheshire borough, Stockport, came absolutely last in the number of attendances, He thought there was something radically wrong somewhere. Why should the attendances in, Cheshire, both in the county and in the boroughs, be so much behind those of other places, even Liverpool? He had calculated that Chester lost last year something like £1,800 in grant that could have been earned by getting 100 per cent. of at- tendances. Of course they knew that was impossi- ble, but allowing half of the number of absences as legitimate ones, he thought Chester should have received from Government grants £ 900 more last year than it did. That money had been lost simply through the bad attendance of children at school. He had particular reason to feel aggrieved over this matter. Although flagrant cases of non- attendance were brought before the attendance authorities time after time in his district they did simply nothing to ensure a better state of affairs in the future, so he thought it was time the teachers took a determined action. He proposed that steps be taken by each association in con-, nection with the Cheshire District Union to obtain returns with regard to special cases of bad at- tendance, with the view of bringing1 the matter! forward in the Press in tirder to endeavour to raise j the attendance in Chester to a better standard than it was at present. The Chairman asked if satisfactory results would be obtained by bringing instances of non- attendance before the school attendance' authorities in the county instead of the Press. Mr. Teare replied that the school attendance authorities had their own ideas of what should be done, and the teachers ought to shew them up, and, if possible, shame them a little. The Chairman: That you cannot do. (Laugh- ter.) Mr. P.. Lloyd seconded the proposition, and said the question ought to be brought more prominently t before the school managers. Mr. Teare pointed out that magistrates did not give the serious attention to cases of irregular attendance at school that they deserved, and when a particularly flagrant case was brought before the Wirral magistrates they only imposed a fine of six- pence. The zeal of the school attendance authorities was wasted through the neglect of magistratea- The resolution was unanimously carried. (The above articles appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.) I

A WORD FOR CHESTER. The state of school attendance was a stand- ing disgrace to Chester." This serious corn- plaint was uttered at a meeting of the members of the Chester and District Teachers' Associa- tion on Friday everting, by Mr. Teare, of Backford, and passed uncontradicted, llappiiy for the fair fame of the city it i* not; correct, and we cannot help thinking that the gathwr- ing must have been labouring uuder some mis- take. Chester as a macter of tact has a very fair record in respect of school attendance. Taking the return for the vear en-ung June 30th. 1900. we find that the percentage of average attendance to the number on the books wtt8 82, against 80.589 in the previous year. The per- centage of the attendance of boys was 8789; that of girls 84'3, and that of infaut.s 72 6 j It will thus be seen that the average was reduced by the illfau ts, the ages of many of whom ranges from three years to ifve. Mr. Robert Lloyd, of Bishop Graham's School, supported Mr. Teare, but he personally cannot have much to grumble at with regard to his own school, for in the year under'notice his j average attendance reached the excellent figure of 94*5/ The statistics" for the- year ending June 30th last are not yet prepared, but we have ob- tained one or two returns from Mr. George Avery, school attendance officer, which are eminently satisfactory. St. Mary 's, Hand- bridge, heads tiie list with a percentage of 92; Christ Church comes next with 91 5. and St. John's (boys) makes a good third with 90. The attendance of girls is not so satisfactory owing, doubtless, to the fact that their mothers in i many cases keep them at home in order to help in the household work. Holy Trinity (girls) for instance has a percentage of 84. The percentage ot attendanco at St. Werburgh's Infant School iS 77 4. The average of the per- centages its not at all bad when it is considered that many children are prevented from going tu school for varying periods owing to sickness. If a baby in a house has whooping cough, measles, or any other contagious illness, none ot the children in the house is allowed to attend school. At the Teachers' meeting, criticism was passed on school attendance authorities, and magistrates. This criticism, however, is not deserved in Chester, for the School Attendance J Committee discharge their duties with great care, and endeavour to act fairly between the school authorities on the one tide and the parents on the other. Moreover, a strong point in the Committee's favour is that during the 25 years they have been in existence they have not received a single complaint from school managers concerning the percentage of attendances, and if they are annoyed at some of the remarkti made at the Teacbera* meeting it is not surprising. A word should also be said for the magistrates who sit on the! Chester Bench. Last year tbey inflicted 460 fines in school attendance cases, and we know while they abstain from inflicting harsh penalties they conscientiously try to make. the pamahmaat fit the crime. We think it will be I seen from this explanation that, though Chester is not absolutely perfect in the matter, of j school attendance—and where ia the town that i>* ? she is «"<>rtaintly not eo black Id, she was piiated.l' Cheater Courant."

Whitbread's, or Ind-Coope's. Ale and Stont, in ( pint bottles, can be had in single dozens from i H. Martin & Co., Foregate-street, Chester.

CHARITY ORGANIZATION I SOCIETY. DEAN DARBY ON ITS WORK. I The annual meeting of the Chester Charity Organization Society was held at the Town Hall, Chester, on Friday afternoon, the Dean presiding, over an attendance which included Archdeaooi r Barber, the Revs. G. A. Robins (Eccleston), G. C. Briggs and A. Radford, Messrs. C. P. Douglas, H. J. Birch, J. Scott, J. R. Thomson (hon. treasurer), S. B. Jacson (hon. secretary), and E. Johnson. The Hon. Secretary read the following report: — "The committee of the Chester Charity Organiza- tion Society have to report that in the year 1900 there were 119 cases dealt with, as against 146 in ¡ 189. There were 43 cases dismissed, as against 38 in 1899; 9 of these were dismissed as unde- serving, as against 5 in 1899; 14 were withdrawn, as against 9 in 1899; and 16 have been referred to poor law, as against 15 in 1899. The fund for giving permanent relief to the aged poor has done increased good work; there are now 27 pensioners on the list; 6 vacancies have occurred during the year, and 4 fresh cases have been added. Six cases have been investigated by 4 other societies, as against 7 in 1899; and 37 reports were sent to private persons who wished for informa- tion, as against 41 in 1899. The amount of sub- scriptions and donations to the ordinary fund— including a donation of £ 50 from his Grace the Duke of Westminster—was JB155 7s., as against JE155 8s. in 1899; to the permanent fund-in- cluding a donation of J650 from his Grace the Duke of Westminster—the amount subscribed was JB89 3s. 6d., as against JB151 9s. 4d. in 1899, when two special donations of JE50 and £ 35 were re- ceived and to the special permanent fund £234 Is. lid., as against £ 215 11s. 2d. in 1899. The committee were able to assist two very deserving cases from the special appeal fund to the amount of £ 3 3s. and 22s. respectively." J He Hon. Treasurer presented a detailed state- ment of the Unances, and, in reply to the Dean, said the funds were in a very satisfactory state. The Dean, in proposing the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, characterised the report as a modest statement of what the committee had been enabled to do through the kindness of their friends. Last year they had, he said, to deplore the loss of their president, the late Duke of West- minster. Through the kindness of Mr. Robins in communicating with the present Duke, they now had the pleasure of announcing that his Grace was willing at the request of the committee to accept the position that his grandfather had occupied—(applause)—and to shew the same interest in the society that his grandfather did. There were three things relating to the work of the society that he should like to call attention to. All who were deeply interested in the work of charity organization knew that there was a great difference of opinion as to whether the Charity Organization Society ought tohelp any case which was receiving assistance from the poor law. The confession they, had to make was that while he thought the majority of them thought the central body in London was perfectly right in setting their faces against assisting cases in the hands of the poor law, they had not in Chester seen their way to make that strong line of demarcation which was advocated by the authorities of the Charity Organization. It no d6ubt would be much preferred if they could hand over cases to the poor law and say If you will grant this case 7s. 6d. per week instead of 2s. 6d. we will take other cases out of your hands and we will undertake from private sources to make up the amount they get weekly to a sufficient sum to live upon." They in Chester had every will and desire to meet the views of those working the central society in London, but they had not yet arrived at exactly that state of affairs which would enable them to do what they believed on the whole would be the best if they could accomplish it. He trusted that the public in Chester in supporting the society would feel that in adding to what the poor law guardians in some cases granted they were not at least misusing for charitable purposes the funds which were placed at their disposal. Alluding to the fund for permanent relief, the Dean men- tioned that the six vacancies had been filled, and said the fund was doing extremely good work, because it derived really the larger part of the money it dispensed from the friends of the poor. Explaining the modus operandi of the fund, he said if a friend of a deserving person over sixty years of age produced 6s. per week, the society added Is. 6d., or possibly more, so as to bring the deserving cases out of the necessity of enter- ing the workhouse. If the working of this fund was more fully known to the public, he thought they would be inclined to give them increased support for the permanent fund, for he was sure all united with the committee in desiring not to have aged, deserving poor persons who had led respectable lives, and had done as well for them- selves as they could, but who in their old age were unable to support themselves, entering the workhouse as a matter of necessity. (Applause.) He did not mean that as a covert attack upon the workhouse. Far from it, for he believed that in the workhouse the inmates were made as com- fortable as they could be. They, however, were perfectly well aware that there was a strong feeling-and they respected that feeling—among respectable and aged poor against going into the workhouse. That feeling was emphasised by what had come to their own knowledge in the society—to what extremity of distress the aged poor would allow themselves to fall before they thought of going into the workhouse. It was painiul to know the miserable way in which they had, he might say, starved themselves rather than go into the workhouse. If the public assisted them more extensively in the permanent fund, the society would' be able perhaps to take more cases in' hand after due investigation into each. The chairman proceeded to speak of the special appeal fund, by means of which the society were able to assist cases which did not come strictly under any heading of the charity organi- zation. In reference to these cases they made a statement to certain charitable persons and said You have offered to give us three guineas, one guinea (or whatever it might be), and here is a case which we cannot organize under any heading which we have on our tabulated forms, but we think it eminently deserving of relief in order to get them in some definite way of earning their own living." The J65 3s. mentioned in the report had been expended in helping a man who was dying of consumption, and who had no means of paying for a nurse or any of those little comforts which were necessary for a dying bed. (Hear, hear.) If there was a little word of warn- ing needed it might be this. It had been often stated-and it was stated strongly by the late Duke of Westminster-that the public must not suppose that the Charity Organization Society was primarily intended to be a relief society. On the contrary, it was intended to organize what was given in charity, and they appealed to the public not to be too ready in giving what thev could give without investigation. The investiga- tion which the society made was of the greatest possible use in directing charity to its proper channel. As much mischief, he believed, was done in giving money away where it was not well deserved as would possibly be done by with- holding it altogether. In fact, they probably did more. Therefore, those who made use of the society ior the investigation of cases were making a really proper use of the society, and they could trust the reports sent when investiga- tions had been made. (Hear, hear.) He ex- pressed thanks to those who week-by week gave their attention to each case as it arose. Those wno came there and gave their time and, if lie might use the word, trouble to weighing the evi- dence given were doing very charitable work, not only to these who were the recipients of the cliarity, but also to those generous persons who placed their money at their disposal. In con- clusion, the Dean said no one could have heard the accounts read without feeling grateful to the hon. treasurer. (Applause.) Archdeacon Barber, in seconding the motion, said the enquiries which were made.. were an im- portant part of;tbe spciety's work, and thus the work was not to, be measured by the 'iamount dis- tributed.  The motion was carried. .?Ir. n lVti'on wag carried? Mr. H. J. Birch proposed that the existing committee be appointed with power to add to their number. He appealed to the general public to send them more cases for investigation. The applicants they dismissed were not suitable persons to be relieved, and he therefore hoped that, not- withstanding the number dismissed, the public would give them more cases and trust them to find out whether they were deserving cases or not. Mr. Scott, in seconding the motion, which was carried, said so far as his experience went the utmost care and attention had always been given to every case. On the motion of the Rev. G. A. Robins, seconded by the Rev. G. C. Briggs, the Mayor was thanked for granting the use of the Town Hall. His Worship, said Mr. Robins, was one who appreciated their work. The Rev. A. Radford proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. John Davies, of Parr's Bank, the auditor. Mr. C. P. Douglas seconded, and it was carried. Mr. J. R. Thomson proposed a vote of thanks to the Dean, not only for presiding, but for his continued interest in the society. Mr. Thomson said he did not think anyone who knew anything about the society could disassociate its great work from the Dean, whose kindness and influence had done so much. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Johnson seconded, and it was carried. The Dean assured them of his interest in the work and his continued support. (The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition).

ROMANCE AT SEVENTY. An interesting wedding bas been solemnised at Gorleston Parish Church, Yarmouth. The bridegroom, who is seventy years of age, was united to a blushing bride of seventy-one years. Both bore the same name—Gann—and in their halcyon days had been sweethearts, but the path of love was crossed, and they parted, each being Married. They lost their partners long since, and Mrs. Gunn fell jnto such poverty that she was compelled to seek assistance from her former lover, wbo not only generously responded to her appeal but chivalrously renewed his old love and offered marriage. CADBURY'S Coooa is absolutely pure, being entirely free from kola, malt, hops, alkali, or any foreign admixture. Caution! The publio should insist on having CADBURY'S—sold only in Packets and Tins—as other Cocoas are often substituted for the make of extra profit. 4

CHESTER CASTLE PETTY I SESSIONS. SATURDAY.—Before Mr. H. D. Trelawny (chairman), Mr. R. T. Richardson, and Mr. J. Pover. A STRANGER AND STUDS.—John Herne, labourer, of no fixed address, was charged with acting as a pedlar, without a certificate.-Fredk. Win. Atwell, licensee of the Shrewsbury Arms, Mickle Trafford, stated that the prisoner came to his house on the 26th June, and offered to sell a box of studs to him. Herne afterwards offered to let him have them for two pints of beer. When questioned as to where he got them, the prisoner said he found them down the road. Information was given to the police.—P.C. Mitchell spoke to accosting the prisoner, who offered the studs to him for a shilling. The prisoner told him that he bought them from a man at Klondyke," near Lancaster. Witness diacovered another box of studs in a tin can which the prisoner was carrying.— Sergt. Bottom said the prisoner had been sub- sequently charged on suspicion with having stolen the artices from a person unknown, but they had made inquiries and could hear nothing of the goods having been stolen. The Chiet Constable had instructed that the charge of theft should be withdrawn.—PC. Mitchell added ,that the prisoner had behaved with roughness towards him.—The Chairman said the police were justified in taking the prisoner into custody. They let him off this time with a severe caution. AMONG THE STRA WBERRIES.-Richard Chadwick, a man who travels the country with hobby horses, was charged with stealing a quantity of strawberries, value one shilling.- Airs. Bewley, Boughton, said that on Wecnes- day night she found Chadwick in her field on the Christleton-road. He was eating straw- berries and had a few in his pocket. He refused to give her his name and address. She gave information to the police.—Constable Roberts said he went on the gala field at Boughton and found the prisoner with his pockets saturated with strawberries. When charged, prisoner said "All right, thank you. "—The prisoner pleaded that he was under the influence of drink.—The magistrates' clerk (Mr. Churton) Does drink tend to a fondness for strawberries ? (Mugbter.)-Fiued lOa. and costs or 14 days. INsULTS AND A BLACK EYE.-Selina Celia and Ann Moss, two workers in the market gardens at Boughton, appeared before the Bench. Celia pleaded guilty to an assault upon Moss. The latter's story was that Celia struck her with her fist and discoloured her eye.- Celia pleaded that Moss had insulted her by calling her husband a mongrel, and she had called her (Celia) a highway thief.—Fined 5s. and costs. MARKET GARDENER AND THIEVES.— George Taylor and William Woods were charged with stealing a savoy, value Is., the property of John Woolley, at Great Boughton, on the 16th June.—Mr. Giles said he appeared for Mr. Woolley, who has a market garden on Boughton Heath. Mr. Woolley sat down in what he called a hovel for the purpose of watching. At this time of the year it was advisable for somebody to watch over the market gardens. Mr. Woolley saw Woods, a labourer, come into his garden and pull up some of his savoy plants. Immediately after- wards Taylor came through the fence. He also pulled up savoy plants. Taylor was a man who, he believed, worked with a cart and horse. The difficulty his client laboured under was that he was a cripple; he had to move about with a crutch under his left arm and a walking-stick under his right. He came out of the hovel and shouted at the men, who ran away.—John Woolley recognised the two men as those who had been in his garden.—Cross-examined, he said the plants were only small, but they were in a condition for transplanting. He would be seventy yards away from the men when he shouted at them.—Mr. Brassey, for the defence, said his information was that the whole story was absolutely untrue. What on earth could be the object of the defendants' taking such small plants, which could not be eaten? Taylor was a market gardener, but he had no savoy plants in his garden. Had he wanted any, however, he could have had plenty from his father. —Taylor denied having been upon the land. He said he was in an adjoining field with Woods, and it was not until he (defendant) had accused the complainant of having' circulated a statement that he had been interfering with his savoys that proceedings had been taken against him and the other defendant.—Woods said he was a labourer in the employment of Mrs. Chesworth, market gar- dener, Boughton, and he was with Taylor on the day alluded to. He was not on the complainant's field, and he had a perfect right to go on Mrs. Chesworth's field, which adjoined, and where it was sometimes necessary to go owing to birds and people's visiting the field in the strawberry season. —The Bench came to the conclusion that the de- fendants were on the complainant's field, and im- posed a fine of 10s. and costs each.

AN ARISTOCRATIC SHOWMAN. A WASIED LIFE. I Further particulars are to hand concerning the sad end of the Hon. Eric Lascelles, the next younger brother of the Hon. Francis Latcelles, who stands accused in British Columbia of killing a servant. The Hon. Eric Laseelles, who was the youngest son of the late Earl by his second marriage, died on the borders of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. During the last two or three years he had amused himself by travelling about the country in a caravan attending fairs and country-side festivities, and entertaining the populace with an automatic picture exhibition and musical boxes. Unfor- tunately his roving hit. was associated with terrible intemperance, and this vice brought upon him disease which has brought about his premature death. Dr. Stranding, of Broadway, was called to Mr. L_i.-3Ceiic6 wxieii iio was takou ill, aud found him suffering from the t-ffocts or dunk. He prescrioed lor liiut, and thought he would recover, but du,Lii occuued the saint evening. THE INQUEST. I The inquest was neid at VYiliersey ou Thurs- day.—tleury Sttpuej-iS, Womng, gentleman, identified the body of the ueceastd rid LilaL d the Hon. Eric Jauies LaoCeJiisS. lie saiu he had no fixed place ot aboue, but uunug tht winter stayed with viLtje8,, aL Yeumau-teirace, Knapp Hill, Woking. Duung the last two years the dtLeAbe(i lia(i ctLirittA ou too buoincs& of a travelling showman, aiid was the proprietor of horses and a van, wan whicn he went about, the countiy. He w«s 28 years of ago. Witness saw the deceased ihree weeks ago at Yeomau-tei race, wuen he appeared uo be in his usual health, which was famy good. At times the deceased gave was to intemperance. lie had independent means, ana travelled mote all: a hobby than of necessity.—Charles j timer Stranding, surgt.ou, s»iu he attended tht-- deceased on Monday, being told he had epileptic his. Witness told him he had -been urmkiug too mucn, and asfceu now long. Deceased eaiu six Wt-tks." Ho died ir,,j-a a succession of epileptic fits, accelerated by tu c,LxjperitiLed.- I bc jury itcurneda Verdict according LO the medical l. ViUtJi-Cd. CARAVAN LIFE. I One hesitates to apply the term "romance" to such a painfully wasted life as this, but tne im- agination is struck by the spectacle of a scion ot Harewood House living the life of a travelling snowman, and moving slowly about the country roads: of England in a green and gold caravan, a voluntary exile from the society into which he was born. During his few years of wandering he occasionally found his way to Harewood to renew the acquaintances of his boyhood, and play the party of the free and easy patron and generous outlaw. He was fatally weak in moral fibre, says the "Yorkshire Post," but he had a good heart, and made most of those with whom lie camo in contact his friends. He was at Harewood Iars recently as last October, and drew up in his cara- van di-awli by two splendid horses. The van was luxuriously furnished, and he had with him two servants—a valet and a driver. "Dick" (as the villagers always called him) and the valet slept in the van, where there were two folding beds. In the van also were a costly musical box, and an extensive apparatus for shewing automatic pictures. On tins occasion he visited one of his half-brothers and his uncle, Colonel Cust, of Harewood Bridge. He moved on to Arthington for the night, where, as usual, he slept in the van. He remained in the district about three weeks, and, as usual, "treated" the working people with lavish good nature. Like all his brothers and sisters, he was left a substantial fortune by the late Earl. On coming into possession, he made a handsome gift to his old nurse, and bestowed another liberal sum on one of his sistars. Helaad still sufficient capital left to yield him considerably over £ 1,000 a yee.-r.

FATAL BOXING COMPKTITION — Jack Roberts, puligiat, Arthur Frederick BettisEou. elub manager, and eight others were indicted at. the Old Rtiiley. on Fridav. for th(4 fnati- slaughter of Billy Smith, an American pugilist, who died after a boxing competition at the National Sporting Club. The prosecuting counsel intimated that the prosecution was undertaken rather with a view of putting a stop to future competitions of the kind than to get any punish- ment inflicted upon the defendants. If the jury were satisfied that this was in reality a prize fight then in the interests of all true sport these con- tests ought to be stopped.—For the defence numerous witnesses gave evidence that thecon- trn-it was quite fairly conducted according, to recognised rules, and that the deceased met with his death by an accident, the result of slipping in the ring. Ultimately tha jury I acquitted the defendants, who were discharged. (The above articles appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.) TIMK TRIES ALL. For over 50 years Hewitt's Boots have stood the test of time, and are still unsurpassed and unequalled. Abbey Gateway and next to Music Hall j.

OUR SAILORS' FOOD. I MR. YERBURGH'S VIEWS SUPPORTED;J Mr. Yerburgh's statement with reference. the inadequate rations supplied to Jack Tar receiving confirmation. A correspondent wr?- to the "Daily Mail" that he has a brotK" who has been obliged to cancel his leave all0* .auce home because he wanted the money ? food with. A sailor's sister writing ?' Southampton to the same journal, says'" -j too have a brother in the Navy, who neither send money home nor save. He sp  all on food. Even if Jack had all the r,,i?10aoi the Admiralty allows (which he does not) thoo would not be sufficient, but things would little improved. And what vile tea the sslor drink, too! One fellow told me it tasted ,0 dish-water. Why is there not on board Qv*rl ship a man who would faithfully dischargolbil duties and see that Jack received the rati. 0o he is supposed to, for it is not only Jack w 0 robbed ?

I BRIDEGROOM'S SUICIDE. I SEQUEL TO UNSUCCESSFUL BETlI1^ At Putney, on Friday, Dr. Michael Taylot held an inquiry into the death of Cha Baker, aged 28 years, a gardener, 1»^ residing at 7, Dyer's-lane. A sad feature 1 the case was that the deceased was to ba1 been married on Thursday. Much I is felt for his fiancee, a young Twickeof woman, who was present in court in a very distressed state. It appeared that Baker "as of very sober habits, and had been io  situation fourteen years. On Thursday 'geA he had a considerable Bum of money by  and on Saturday, instead of going to work, bO went to the Windsor races and lost the lot'. Next day he was very depressed, after unsuccessfully attempting to dr° himself in the river, hanged himself ^rOlfh0 large pear tree in an orchard in the Lower Richmond-road. A letter from "j? deceased was read by the coroner, address? To all it may concern," in which he said • then went to Barnes-common and waited tO my adored one come up by train. I watched go to my late lodgings, and I then knew 30* Mussel white would tell her I had not been?-? that day, so I jumped on a 'bus and vvO t Richmond, then walked to Kingston, wbet?? am now (lovely on the promenade), &to.09 the boats. It almost seems a pity to do %W with myself, but it is no use trying live 00 nothing, so good-bye all." The jury returO a verdict of suicide during temporary inaac"

BRAVE SAILOR HONOURED J BRAZIL AND LORD COCHRANE- 1 Following their reception by the King, ™ captain and officers of the Brazilian war? ? Floriano on Friday took part in the touching picturesque ceremony of laying flowers on tbe, tomb of Lord Cochrane (the tenth l?SS t of Dundonald, and Marquis of Maranham)> Westminster Abbey. Lord Cochrane, who ?O' buried in the nave of that famous pile, waS ¿røt founder of the Brazilian navy, and the 00t admiral of its fleet. Long years have since then, yet gratitude is happily not JLII O%o tinct virtue, and the large company wb1.t gathered round the grave was an indication tb' the Brazilians have not forgotten the serviceo of a brave English sailor. A file ot bluejack? from the Floriano grouped themselves the tomb, presenting arms as two beautiful i^ tributes were brought up by their omcers, ?* then for a moment assuming a kneeling st?l' tude. The Brazilian Minister in a few words e* pressed the privilege which it afforded him, ol, behalf of the navy which Lord created, and in the name of the BraziliO nation, to do honour to its first admi? General the Earl of Dundonald, who io military uniform, in rply said n bs?h?al?.? my grandfather's family I thank the Braz'l? nation and the Brazilian Fleet for their tri t of !<speot to his memory." A moment 1?'? and the Brazilian National Anthem rang followed by God Save the King," t e sailor presenting arm. The little procession ?? left, the nave, each of the Brazilian ( c rs he passed Lord Dundonald shaking bnda WIt- him. The noble lord subsequently, in the sp??,, in front of the Jerusalem chamber, inspect? the men, and the Brazilian Minister a few words to them, impressing on them  importance of the ceremony in which they 1? taken part.

SUBMARINE IDESTIIOYER -'I A BRITISH ANTIDOTE. The staff of the torpedo ship Yern° at Portsmouth have for some time been carry ing out experiments with a view to aseertainillg a means of destroying submarine boats. 'fb8' "Engineer "gives some general particulars of the result of -these trials, which it claims to bOi one of the most important inventions of the age.. In the present state of the science a sub" marine, attacking a ship is bound to come to, the surface to take bearings, or else to betray her presence with an optia tube or periscOpe. With the new invention evolved in the Vernon and tried before the Lords of the Admiralty last week, the sighting of a sub- marine entails her almost certain destruction- fighting is now practically certain. It is not to the public benefit that the means which will be employed should be stated, for te principle has other an varied uses. But III general terms it may be stated that it is propose^d that each destroyer should be fitted with a "crutch," upon which a boom, 42ft. long, works- This boom normally stows inboard and forward At the far end of it a charge of explosives JS carried, explodable as are all spar torpedoes. On going into action the boom is slung out well forward, and immersed in the water at tø proper moment. This immersion carries the boom end downward and aft, and is exploded directly the submarine is passed. The speed of the destroyer carries her past the centre of the explosion before its full effects reach her, though in any case destroyers are too light and "cork- like" to be seriously affected. The submarine down in the water is in a different case. It experiences the full force of the terrific concussion. Within from 60ft. to 100ft- or more of the centre of the explosion, aaccording to the charge employed, the sides of the sub- marine should be compressed sufficiently to cause fatal leaks, while even at a greater distance stability should be destroyed. It will be seen, then, that the equivalent to a "miss" is hardly to be expected. The single experiment carried out at Ports- mouth was not sufficient to indicate exactly the best position for the boom, and the first boats to be fitted will probably vary somewhat between having it on the quarter or right aft. The additional weight of the boom is slight; in the case of the Starfish, the destroyer experimentally fitted, the weight has been more than cow- pensated for by fitting her with alluminiuni instead of the usual topedo tubes. This particular device is merely one of several equally-simple remedies against submarines. (The above articles appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

I THE KING'S OATH. I SELECT COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDA- TION. A Parliamentary paper was issued on Saturday containing the report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Sovereign's declaration against transubstantiation. The Committee report that they have passed the following resolution:—That the declaration of the Sovereign on his accession by The Bill of Rights can be modified advantageously, and for future should be as follows I, A. B. by Grace of God, King (or Queen) of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, do solemnly and sincerely, in the presence of God, profeos, testify, bond declare that I do believe that in the Sacrament of the Lord 8 Supper there is not any traneubBtantia- ticu of the elements of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, at or after the consecration thereof, by any person whatsoever; and I do believe that the invocation or adora- tion of the Virgin Mary or any other saint, and the sacrifice of the Mass as they are now used in the Church of Rome are contrary to the Protestant religion; and I do solemnly in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I do make this declaration and every part thereof unreservedly.

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