Cheshire Observer

TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements mtend8d to appear in the CHEsHmn OBSERVEB must reach the OBSERVER C?tM, not later than 12 o'clock (noon) each Priday. Under no circumstances whatever can we insert in the First Edition Advertisements received after that hour. I I

THE CORN TAX. I The various antagonistic sections of the Opposition have, as we predicted, seized upon the corn duty, because it is one of the few subjects under the sun on which they are not seriously divided, and because they accordingly hope to present a united front upon that question. The matter was very fully debated in the House of Commons on Tuesday, and, as Mr. Balfour observed, although the Opposition seemed to think they had a very good platform case which might do them a service in the otherwise em- barrassing circumstances in which they found themselves, so far as the House of Commons was concerned, they had cut rather a sorry figure. No one reading the speeches delivered from the Opposition benches can bring him- self to believe that the opponents of the corn duty are sincere in their attitude or that,they themselves really believe in the evils which they prophesy will follow in the train of the new impost. Two rather stubborn obstacles stand in the way of the arguments advanced by the Opposition, namely history and arith- metic. They trot out the sadly worn and halting bogey of Protection, and they predict that the present impost is but the beginning of a protective tax upon all the articles which we import. Some of the bolder spirits among the Opposition have even ventured rashly to speculate upon what Mr. Gladstone would have said to this monstrous return to Protec- tion. The inspiration was singularly unhappy. If we also may be granted the privilege of a guess at the private opinion of the shade of the late G.O.M., we can fancy his quiet observation, By all means, re- impose the duty. I was a fool to take it off." Strive as they will to twist and warp the public mind on the question, Radical poli- ticians cannot get over this indubitable, historical fact that the 3d. per cwt. duty on corn and the 5d. per cwt. duty on flour and meal is not Protection in any sense of the word and that it was suffered by such men as Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Gladstone to con- tinue for many years after the country had embraced Free Trade. Not only was the duty allowed to continue, but, as Mr. Balfour pointed out, Mr. Gladstone, besides support- ing the shilling registration duty which Sir Robert Peel had imposed, actually re- modelled it, and introduced into it kinds of grain which had been omitted by Peel. How then can present-day Radicals contend with any pretence to honesty that the new corn duty is a revival of Protection, when it was countenanced and perpetuated by Peel and Gladstone, long after they had sounded the death-knell of Protection! If the opponents of the tax are beaten upon historical grounds, their case is still more hopeless when it is submitted to the simple test of arithmetic. They profess to speak on behalf of the thousands of people who are living on what they describe as the margin of starvation "-strange, is it not, how Radicals always arrogate to themselves the privilege of acting as spokesmen of the starving millions of their fellow-countrymen 1 —and they say that this new impost will inevitably result in a dear loaf which will be beyond the purchasing power of the aforesaid starving millions. Thus, Sir Henry Fowler predicted that the burden of the new duty would take the form of an additional half- penny on the loaf, which would fall upon the poorest of the poor." Sir William Harcourt roundly denounced the duty as an act of injustice to people living on the margin of starvation." These and many more ad captandum arguments were employed, and Sir Henry Fowler so far forgot the realities of life as to deny that bread was not often wasted in the East End of London, when it is a notorious fact, capable of every-day proof, that nowhere is there a more shocking waste of bread than in the lowest slums. Sir Henry, it is to be feared, has never done much slumming, or he would have been staggered by the shameful waste of bread that the gutters of these localities constantly testify. Where is the proof, however, that bread will be increased in price to the tune of id. per loaf 7 Even if the whole tax fell upon the consumer, and if our daily bread were wholly composed of foreign flour, which it is not, the duty would amount to only one eighth of a penny on the four-pound loaf. If the baker has the audacity to charge a halfpenny per loaf more, which would be a monstrous imposition, then, as Mr. Bonar Law remarked, "we should all become bakers. In other words, competition would speedily kill this sort of artificial raising of the price of food. Evidence is available in abundance to prove that the baking fraternity dare not increase the price of bread on account of this trifling duty, and that, if they do recklessly attempt to make a profit out of the new duty, the rise will be only of a temporary character. We have quite as much sympathy with the lot of those to whose domestic economy a half- penny per loaf is a grave consideration, quite as much sympathy as those politicians who prate about a margin of starvation" but we cannot overlook the fact that out of this insignificant tax a round sum of two-and-a- half'millions is anticipated to be added to the revenue, and that no critic of the scheme has been able to suggest an equally easy and ready method of raising the money. Sir Henry Fowler croaked about putting the increase upon beer, tobacco and the income- tax, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer returned the convincing reply that beer and tobacco are already taxed up to their full limit, beyond which any addition would not prove remunerative, while the income-tax is about to bear an additional penny in the X, making a grievous drain upon one special class of the community. The corn duty, on the other hand, will fall upon all classes equally, for, with all respect to the logic of the Opposition, the consumption of bread is by no means confined, as they would have us believe, to the "poorest of the poor." After a thorough but rather one-sided debate, so far as the merits of the case were touched, the resolution imposing the new corn duty was passed by a majority of 86 votes, and there is every reason for the belief that the great body of the electors in the country would back up the Government in their new method of find- ing a very substantial addition to the revenue. The Opposition will doubtless masquerade about the country trying to draw an unenvi- able contrast between the Liberal big loaf and the Tory little loaf, but no man of intelli- gence will be grilled by this rhetorical trick.

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. -4 The arrangements for the Coronation festivities in Chester are progressing, and there is every likelihood of the event being celebrated in a manner worthy of the traditions of the loyal old city. The proposed procession of Friendly Societies and City Guilds will probably be aban- doned. Representatives of the societies attended a meeting of the committee responsible for this matter, and informed them that some difficulty would be experienced in getting the members to process unless there was some definite object in view. The procession of school children will still, however, take place, and this should be a pretty sight. The Decoration Committee have had a number of tenders submitted to them and we believe have accepted that of Messrs. Guest and Wardle for decorating the exterior of the Town Hall and Market; that of Messrs. Garnett and Son for adorning the interior of the Market, and that of Messrs. F. Brown and Co. for the beautifying of the City Gates, while Messrs. Richard Jones have also secured an order. The Committee also have under consideration estimates for illuminat- ing the Town Hall and City Gates. As we go to press the River Illumination Com- mittee are holding a meeting, and we hope the result will be a decision in favour of making the river carnival a grand spectacle. The Duke of Westminster has promised J650 towards the illumination of his property on the south side of the Dee between the Old Bridge and the Snuff Mills. The Dee Mills and adjoining bridge will probably be lined out with electric light; the Suspension Bridge will be made a gay sight; and if funds will permit the whole length of the frontage from the Bridgegate to Dee-lane will be illuminated. If the clerk of the weather does not order a iine night for the occasion the invectives that will be heaped on his head will be something terrible. We are requested by the Bishop of Chester to state that every incumbent of the diocese will receive from him a copy of the Diocesan Gazette" for May, containing a communication from his lordship about the form of service for the Coronation day, which has been issued by oommand of the King, and which the Bishop is sanctioning for use throughout the diocese. His lordship will also send a copy of the form, and information as to where and on what terms further copies can be obtained. The old Floating Baths will soon be a thing of the past. The upper portion has been broken up, and only the tank remains. It is pro- posed to tow this up to the Fords, beach it when a high tide occurs, and break it up there. It is always sad to lose an old friend, but lovers of the picturesque will rejoice over the removal of the unsightly hulk which has for so long dis- figured one of the prettiest views in Chester. Everyone will be pleased to learn of the suocess of the Chester and District Hospital Saturday Committee, for there is no institution more worthy of support. Their grant this year to the Infirmary is a record one, but the committee do not intend to let it remain, for they will not be content until they can make a grant of JB500 to that institution. If, as was suggested at the meeting on Thursday evening, every working- man would contribute one penny per week, the committee's ambition would soon be realised. Employes in Workshops and factories who con- tribute to the funds of the committee are reminded that they have the privilege of electing one of their number on the oommittee, on an intimation being given to the secretary, Mr. F. A. Crosby. Lord Durham, in bringing forward at the Jockey Club his motion against the use of assumed names on the Turf, said: Surely it was most undesirable that a bookmaker at Leeds and a starting-price merchant at Chester should both have assumed names and win off people who might be backing that horse with this starting- price merchant at Chester. They would remem- ber that the Liverpool Bank robbery had put all these sharps on the qui vive. They were ex- tremely jealous of Mr. Kelly, and the only thing they did not envy was his imprisonement. And by allowing these assumed names the Club were helping these men to rob the public. If the public knew Hercules II. belonged to a book- maker at Leeds and a staiv.r.j^e merchant at Chester, they would very likely have suspicions about it, especially when the horse disappointed his friends." The Saughall School dispute has again come to the fore, and another unfortunate conflict seems imminent. The grievance this time is that the managers have seen fit to submit to the Board of Education a new scheme for the government of the school. Certain ever-vigilant critics of the managing body have conceived the idea that nothing short of capturing the school for the Church of England is intended. They have discovered an opportunity for another attack upon school authority, and have, in fact, already renewed their aggressive policy. Men who year in year out give no support to the school and even some non-residents have suddenly found that the institution is dear to their hearts, and cry aloud that they are about to be robbed of precious rights and privileges. Let us divest the matter of the veil of suspicion which was thrown over it at the parish meeting this week, and examine it fairly. A generous-minded man left the school as a legacy to the parish about half-a-century ago, and the trust deed specifies that the management shall be vested in and exercised by the annual sub- scribers of 20s. and upwards to the school. This provision was doubtless made with the best of intentions, but it has been exploited in a way that could never have been contemplated by the founder. Could he have foreseen that this easy qualification of management would be taken advantage of, as it was in 1899, to thwart the legitimate plans of the acting managers, a limit would probably have been placed upon this clause of the trust deed. In the very elasticity and openness of the clause lurks an ever-threaten- ing danger. The new scheme would obviate such a difficulty which arose two and a half years ago, and which, under the old constitution, might recur at any time. It would also ensure permancy of management which is most desirable. It is pure nonsense to talk of capturilig the school for the Church. The proposed new list of managers includes, we observe, two Noncon- formists. They are Mr. G. Nicholas and Mr. Thomas Williams, the only two Nonconformist members who ever attended the meetings of the present committee. We are not sure that the reference at the Parish meeting to the school as an undenominational institution is justified. It should be remembered that in the original trust deed it is declared that "no person shall be appointed to be a master or mistress of the said school who shall not be a member of the Church of England." Then we have the fact that Mr. Wedge himself was a churchman. We should not perhaps, be wrong in stating that the vast majority of the subscribers have always been Churchmen, and that nearly nine-tenths of the j money given in support of the school has come I from Church people Under these circumstances we are inclined to the belief that the school par- j takes more of the character of a Church school with an elaborate conscience clause. j A correspondent professing to be a ratepayer of Flint sends a letter to the Liverpool papers this week containing so many misrepresentations that some corrective is required. After a protest against the extravagance of the Town Council in voting the appalling sum of £ 100 for the Coronation celebration, this public mentor complains that "the ratepayers are not at all well represented on the Council," and goes on to make the following extraordinary allegation The Mayor lives in Bagillt, one alderman lives in France, another alderman lives in Rhyl, the Town Clerk lives in Chester, some of the councillors live in lodgings, and the others just manage to get on the list of ratepayers." It would be a difficult task to compress more inaccuracies into a single sentence than are con- tained in the foregoing sentence. So far from the Mayor's living at Bagillt, Mr. Hughes lives at present and has lived all his life in the Parlia- mentary and municipal borough of Flint, besides practising as a solicitor in the borough for a period of almost twenty years. In addition to that, the Mayor is one of the largest individual owners of property in the town, paying both general district and poor ratp to a considerable tune. ■. ■ ■ i The allegation that "one alderman lives in France" is an unworthy aspersion upon one of Flint's most honoured sons, Alderman S. K. Muspratt, son of the late Richard Muspratt, for 17 years Mayor of Flint, and the founder of the Flint Chemical Works. It is true that Alderman S. K. Muspratt happens to be at the present moment residing in France for the education of his children, but this is merely a temporary arrangement, and the alderman still retains a house in Flint, so that his qualification is not in any way in question. In reply to the accusation that "another alderman lives in Rhyl," it ought to be pointed out that Alderman James Muspratt, who is evidently meant, has two houses, one at Flint and the other at Rhyl. This gentleman is the ex-Mayor and a member of the Flintshire County Council, and it is some- what of a revolutionary doctrine that because a gentleman happens to have a country or a sea- side house he is to be debarred from sitting on the Town Council. The Town Clerk of Flint is accused of the heinous crime of choosing the city of Chester as his residence, but the pertinent facts are sup- pressed that Mr. Henry Taylor also practises as a solicitor at Flint and has for many years held the offices of Registrar of Flint County Court and Clerk of the Peace. The last count in the indictment is that some councillors live in lodgings." From enquiries which we have made, we find that this criticism applies only to one member of the Corporation, but it is hard to see why this fact should be an objection to him as a representative of the ratepayers, seeing that he possesses the requisite qualification, by being a burgess, and he is, moreover, a property-owner in the borough. Verily the protesting "rate- payer" of Flint must be hardly pressed for genuine grievances against the municipal authorities when he has to resort to a catalogue of misrepresentations of this daring character. During the recent House of Commons debate on the Welsh Local Government Bill, Mr. LlgVd-George made the astounding' declaration that the county councils of Wales con- ducted their work without thought to political issues, and not a single Welsh county Council had taken advantage of its party majority to elect the whole of its aldermen from the Liberal party." Mr. F. J. Gamlin, of Rhyl, a member of Lhe Flintshire County Council now writes to point out the glaring absurdity of Mr. Lloyd- George's statement, a statement which would never have passed unchallenged in a meeting cognisant of the doings of Welsh county councils. To take the Flintshire body as 301 sample, it is interesting to note that, since its creation thirteen years ago, out of the total number of fourteen aldermen the Radical majority have never allowed more than one single Conservative representative, while for the first six years the Radicals elected all the alder- men from their own party. If the Radicals had desired to display mag- nanimity, they had another opportunity in the election of members to serve on the Standing Joint Committee, yet it is a fact that out of the twelve gentlemen selected for this honour the Radical majority have never conceded a single seat to their opponents. The same observation applies almost wholly to the chairmanship, for during the life of the Council the chair has been filled, with the single exception of one year, by Radicals. So much for Mr. Lloyd-George's pro- fessions that the Welsh county councils are free from political bias in the conduct of their business and the election of their aldermen. If he had stated that the Welsh county councils never conducted their work nor their election of aldermen without an eye to political effect, he would have been much nearer the mark.

CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SERVICE LIST FOR WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 26. SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH.— Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10 15 Service, King in F; anthem, "The Lord is my shepherd" (Ouseley). Evening, 4.15: Service, King in Y; anthem Oh that I knew (Bennett). SUNDAY, AiRii, 27111 (Fourth Sunday after Easter).— Morning, 8.0 Holy Communion. 10.^0 Service. Ouseley in A; anthem, "0 Lord, my God" (Wesley); introit, hymn 362; Kyrie and Credo (Best in B flat) preacher, the cailon in Residence. (Collection for S.P.G.) Evening, 3.30: Service, Ouseley in II flat; anthem, "O come let ue worship, <fce." (Mendelssohn) hymn 284. 6.30 Processional hynin, 001 (verses 1, 2, 9, 10) Magnificat and Nunc Dirnittis to Chants; hymns 110, aOù, 550 preacher, the Rev. J. Sti»j)ieton Cotton. (Collection for S.P.G.) MOJTWAV APRIL 2sru. Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10.15: Service, UWie-VV'hitfeld in E; anthem, "The Lord is in His Holy Temjile" (Thorne). Evening, 4.15: Service Glarke-Whitfelcl itA E; anthem, "O Lord, the Mul*oerr' (King Henry VIII.) TUBSDAY, APRIL 29TH. Morning, &0 Matins. lo 15 Service, Reay in F anthem, Thus saith the Lord (Jod 11 (Sawyer). Evening, 4.15: Service, Reay in F; ankhpm' They that go down (Attwood). WEUNKSDAY, APRIL WTH.-ormng-, S.0 Matins. 10.15: The Litany hymn 175. Evening, 4.15 Service, Russell in A; anthem, We have heard" (Sullivan). THURSDAY, MAY 1ST (SS. Philip and James, AA.?\f \?. Morning, 8.0: Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, 111(?ker- man in G; anthem, "What are these "(Stainer). m-? Holy Communion. Evening, 4.15 Processional hymn .?. ? Service, Weeden in C: anthem, "The souls of t'; righteous (Woodward). FRIDAY, MAY 2ND.—Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10.15: The Litany; hymn 04. Evening, 4.15: Service, Farra-t j. G minor; anthem, Yea, though I walk "(Sullivan). m —

Lady Puleston has returned to 97, Cadogan- gardens from the Riviera. The Hon. Mrs. Edward Kenyan has arrived at 105, Eaton-place for the season. We are glad to hear that Lord Tollemache has derived considerable benefit from his winter resi- dence at Hindhead, Surrey. His lordship, with Lady Tollemache, arrived at 61, Cadogan Gardens, on Wednesday. At a meeting on Thursday of the Wrexham Board of Guardians Captain G r i ffi th Bosca w«?n was unanimously re-elected chairman for the thirty- j third time in succession. Mr. Simon Jones was re-elected vice chairman. We regret to state that Maria Catherine, Lady Dixie, widow of Sir Alexander Beaumont Churchill Dixie, tenth baronet, of Bosworth Park, Leicester- shire, died at Stanton House, Leicestershire, on Wednesday week. Deceased was mother of Mrs. Park-Yates. The marriage arranged between Mr. E. Ramsay Moodie, of Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America, and of Hoylake, and Helen Agatha, second daughter of Mr. Henry L. Cripps, of 12, Queensberry-place, and Great George-street, Westminster, will take place early in June at St. Margaret's, Westminster. Earl Egerton of Tatton was the chairman at the opening of a three days' conference in the Hoare Memorial Hall, Church House, West- minster, organised by the Gardner's Trust for the Blind. An exceptional feature of the con- ference was the fact that a blind man, for the purpose of supplying the official report, took down the speeches in shorthand by means of a special machine. About seven o clock on Wednesday morning, Mr. J. Macgregor Laird was out riding at Bidston, when his horse took fright, Mr. Laird was thrown to the ground, and sustained a compound fracture of the right thigh. The injured gentleman was removed to his residence bv the Birkenhead ambulance, and attended to by Dr. Blood, and afterwards by Sir William Mitchell Banks. He is progressing favourably. MAJOR-GENL. LORD CHESHAM.—Tuesday night's London Gazette" contained the following Imperial Yeomanry (in South Africa). Local Major-Genl. the Right Hon. C. C. W. Lord Chesham, K.C.B., Inspector-Gen1. of Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, lieutenant-colonel 10th Batt., on relinquishing his commission is granted the honorary rank of major-general in the Army. The cuckoo has been heard at Rossett this week. Prince Alexander of Teck arrived on Monday morning at Kingstown, Lady Kathleen Cole is among the party being entertained this week at the Viceregal Lodge by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Countess Cadogan. At the Pendle Forest Point-to-Point Steeple- chases, held at Gisburne, Yorkshire, on Saturday, the Yerburgh Challenge Cup (given by Mr Robert Yerburgh, M.P.), was won by Mr. J. R. Aspinall's Daffodil. The many friends and patients of Dr. Lees will be pleased to know that he has recovered from his recent accident. We are glad to learn that the Doctor is about again and is now attending to his professional duties. Earl Egerton and the Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos have arrived at St. James'e-square. They were delayed by her Grace's contracting a severe chill, and were unable to attend the funeral -of Earl Temple on Saturday. A marriage will take place in July between Major H. C. Morland, Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles, late 9th Lancers, of the point, Rye, and Bessie Josephine, second daughter of the late Mr. John Laird, of Oakhurst, Birkenhead. Mr. T. Vaughan Hughes, A.R S.M., F.I.C., of Norwich Union Chambers, Birmingham, agricul- tural analyst for the county of Flint, has recently been appointed public analyst for the county borough of Dudley, in succession to his late partner, Dr. Warmington, F.I.C. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have kindly lent Grosvenor House for a concert in aid of St. Barnabas Country Holiday Home, on Tues- day, 29th, at three p.m. The patrons and 6i.tronesses include the Duchess of Sutherland, the uchess of Westminster, Mr. George Wyndham, Lady Grosvenor, and Lady Crewe. The Duke of Westminster has sent a cheque for 2100 to the North-Eastern Hospital for Children, to start a purse of P,1,000 for presentation to Princess Henry of Battenberg, when her Royal Highness visits the hospital on May 8, to lay a memorial stone in the new building now under construction in Hackney-road. The committee ask for nine similar donations to make up the required amount, which the institution urgently needs. The Secretary of the Chester General Infirmary begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following donations:— £ 22s. from the Pride of Wales Lodge, Ashton Unity, Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds Friendly Society, per Mr. T. Ellis; £ 1 Is. from the Crewe and District Hospital Sunday fund, ger Mr. J. Armstrong; £ 2 2s., being offertory at St. Mary's Church, Acton, per Rev. H. Moore; and C2 14s 3d., offertory at St. Jude's Church, Tilstone Fearnall, per Rev. T. M. Standring. A marriage has been arranged, and will take place early in July, between the Rev. Frank Whitworth James Daniels, rector of Stan wick, Northamptonshire, eldest son of the Rev. J. J Daniels, rector of Beckbury. Shropshire, and Mary Geraldine, second daughter of Mr. C. A. S. Wetenhall, of Stanwick, and formerly of Hatton Hall, Wellingborough, and great grand-daughter of the late William Wetenhall, of Wettenhall, Cheshire, and of Hankelow Hall and Bostock, in the same county. The King held a Levee on Monday. The pre- sentations included the following :-Lieut. -Col the Hon. G. R. C. Ormsby-Gore, on appointment to the command of the Shropshire Imperial Yeomanry by Major-General Lord Chesham Major R. S. Oxley, King's R.R., on promotion and return from active service, by the Deputy Adjutant-General; Major J. S. Oxley, 3rd V.B. Royal Sussex Regi- ment, by Major R. S. Oxley Lieut. Francis Swaine, Grenadier Guards, on return from active service, by the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting and 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. E. Hill-Trevor, Montgomery- shire Imperial Yeomanry, by Lieut.-Col. Sir Watkin Wynn, Bart. Among those who attended the Levee were Prince Henry of Pleas. Lord Rossmore, the Dean of Chester, Col. Cornwallis-West, Col. Sir Watkin Wynn, Bart., Capt. Sir Philip Grey- Egerton, Bart. DEATH OF MRS. YORKK.—We regret to record the death on Monday at Christleton, of Mrs. Caroline Yorke, widow of the Rev. J. Yorke, M.A., of Marbury, and youngest daughter of Sir Harry Mainwaring, Bart, aged 81 years. ST. GEORGE'S DAY.-The festival of the patron saint of England, on Wednesday, was kept by a festal evensong with sermon and procession at St. Mary ,s-on-the-Hill. The altar was decorated entirely with roses, and a special hymn "Claim St George for England was sung to Sullivan's familiar tune St. Gutrode" for the procession. The service, with the exception of the hymns, was sung in unison to old melodies. There was a large con- rgation, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. B. S. Branscombe, rector of Pulford. The preacher made an appeal for a higher patriotism, and enumerated some of the disquieting tendencies in national life which those under the banner of St. George ought to combat. The service was arranged by the local branch of the English Church Union, and was sung by the secretary (the Rev W. N. Howe), the Precentor (the Rev. H. H. Wright) giving the blessing. The lessons were read by Mr. W. F. Butler, president of the Chester and St. Asaph District Union. SUICIDE AT CLATTERB RIDGE.—Mr. J. C. Bate, County Comer, on Wednesday held an inquest at Clatterbridge Workhouse on the body of William Henry Watson, a New Ferry man. From the evidence it appeared that deceased, who was a cdachman, aged 53, had been out of work for some months, and had come home drunk on many occasions. His son and daughter, with whom he lived, remonstrated with him, but he had never been heard to make any threat. On Tuesday afternoon he went out, but did not return. Sub- sequently he was discovered near the Clatterbridge Workhouse with his throat cut and bleeding, and with a razor lying close by. He was taken into the workhouse, and died shortly afterwards. He had a letter in his pocket in which he blamed his son William, for telling him to clear out of the house. The son said he had only remonstrated with his father when the latter had been drinking, and had on one occasion told him that he must clear out unless he reformed and he would keep the family, which included two invalids. The coroner exonerated the son from all blame, and the jury returned a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane. MOLD AND DENBIGH JCNCTION RAILWAY. The half-yearly ordinary general meeting of this Com- pany was held on Thursday in London. Mr. P. P. Pennant, the chairman, .in moving the adoption of the report and financial statement for the half year ending the 31st of Decem ber last, said that those documents bore very much the usual complexion of their reports and balance sheets, showing a small increase. The increase was 2 per cent. for the half year, which was satistactory as far as it went. Fortunately that Company was unaffected bv any fluctuations in the cost of coal or labour. Tender their agreement with the London and North- western Railway Company, who worked the line, they always received 50 per cent of the receipts, whatever might be the working expenses. The only factor that affected the Company was the amount of traffic carried. Unfortunately theirs was not a district in which minerals abounded. It was largely dependent upon agriculture and tourist traffic. While agriculture was not a prosperous in- dustrv, the North Wales tourist traffic was a flourishing business, and they derived their share of that. When the country was generally pros- perous they found people more disposed to resort to watering-places for rest and pleasure, and the beautiful scener y of North Wales proved very attractive. Their proportion of traffic receipts for the last six months was £3,536, or an increase of jS74 as compared with the corresponding period of 1900. That was about the sort of progress they kept steadily making from year to year. He trusted that their line would continue to have an upward flight in future as it had had in the past.— Mr. A. P. Roberts seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and after the re-election of Mr. F. P Robjent as a director and Mr. D. S. Derry as auditor the meeting ended. THE KOYAL ALBERT ASYLUM.-Tbe annual meeting of the Cheshire Committee and the Com- mittee and Collectors of the Cheshire Ladies' Association in connection with the Roval Albert I Asylum, Lancaster, a training institution for the feeble minded, was held at the Town Hall, Chester, on Thursday afternoon. Among those present were Mrs. Fluitt, Mrs. Lionel Garnett, Mrs Johnstone, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Maylor, Mrs. Meacook, Mrs. Pitcairn Campbell, and Miss Barclay (hon. treasurer of the Ladies' Association). Mr. James Diggens, the principal and secretary of the Institution, was prevented by illness from attending. The balance sheet for the year ending 30th June, 1901, of the Ladies' Association was submitted, from which it appeared that:PA14 7s. 9d. had been received in annual subscriptions and £ 36 14s. lOd. in donations; total 2451 2s. 7d. The amount received so far, for the year 1902 was £401 Is. Jkl. A statement of perpetuated and transferred votes at the disposal of the meeting was made, and a report was given of the circumstances and elegil)ilt)- of the candidates for the three vacancies allotted to Cheshire at the election to be held at Bolton on the 28th instant. The candidates were Ethel Berry, Heathowe, Knutsford Isabella Devaynes, Whitby Heath; Willie Dodd, Manley, Helsby: Fred Harrison, Edg(-,Iey, Stockport; and the meeting voted for three of them. It may be mentioned that there are 54 Cheshire patients in the Royal Albert Asylum out of a total of 583 feeble- minded inmates. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the committee and collectors of the Ladies' Association for the valuable services which they had so ably rendered in aid of the institution. On tb6 pmapzsa-l of Mr. Geo. Arthur Dickson, se< by Nfi,, -bar, it. elcpression of sy; ;v-tl. y, 7W<g<m>»- 'cded, together witi. J.¡.. ho-* tha*. ho nrght be on enabled to ¡Ï1.. Mvore in which hf b-id for such a nuijiftr • >f years taken hn active and untiring interest, and which had oomr,: Uitec so greatly to l the b'. of ttv institution. GREAT BOUGHTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.—In connection with the twenty-ninth anniversary on Sunday, the Rev. Wi Mottrjun, of London, preached two practical sermons On Monday evening he delivered an interesting lecture, entitled "An Evening with Adam Béder; Mr. Sydney Clarke was the chairman. ROYALTY THEATRE.—This week Mr. John A. A. tkins company has. paid a return visit in the powerful drama The Grip of Iron," the scene of- which is laid chiefly in Paris. A numerous and able company includes Mr. Fred Powell, who gives a striking impersonation of "Simmonet," the strangler. The elaborate and imposing scenery is a great feature of the play Next week Mr George ?dwardes Company 'p?IT appear in San Toy." SERVICE ON THE ROODKK.—A special service will be held on the Roodee on Sunday, May 3. The paddock has been lent for the occasion by Mr. J. J. Cunnah, managing director of the Race Company, and the Rev. Hy. Gnmtham will conduct the service. In addition to the Volunteers of the city the Regulars from the Castle will attend. It 18 expected that four bands will be present. The service will commence at 11 o'clock, and will be on a much larger scale than previously. I \.iUI UEITHAB OYKEY VAER —The annual meet- ing was held on Friday evening in the Free Library, Mr. R. Mills presiding. After the adoption of the accounts the following officers were elected:— President, Mr. R. J. Davies; treasurer, Mr. Evan Williams; and secretary, Mr. W. Alun Davies. From the report it appeared that the session had been a very satisfactory one. The following were elected vice-presidentsDr. J. Roberts, Colonel E. Evans-Lloyd, Messrs. W. T. Davies, W. L Davies, Henry Jones, M. Parry, and R. Mills, the Revs. R. A. Thomas, M A., J Pryce Davies, M.A., and Wm. Jones. A committee was also elected. ALBION BOWLING CLuiL-The annual dinner of the Albion Bowling Club was held at the Albion Hotel on Wednesday evening. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr. Burleigh), the vice- president (Mr. Fred Jones, Bridge-street) occupied the chair. From his opening remarks it appeared that this old established club is in a most flourishing condition, both as regard members and finances, and the prospects of the coming season are the best the club has ever known. The following gentlemen contributed their best efforts to the enjoyment of the evening :-The Cathedral Quartette (Messrs Milward. Ditchburn, Greenwood, and Williams), Messrs. Hallmark, Loui Parry, Isaac Williams, and John T Ball. A NEW CURATE.—The Bishop of Winchester held a private ordination in the chapel at Farnham Castle on Sunday, at which Mr William Lucy. of Gloucester, was ordained deaoon by letters dimissory from the Bishop of Chester, in whose diocese Mr. L .abo Ut to begin work as curate of St. Paul's, Chester. Mr. Lucy is a Master of Arts of Trinity College, Oxford, and has taken great interest in the work of elementary education, having been one of the first Church representatives elected on the Gloucester School Board. He was for a number of years associated with his father in a leading firmpf corn merchants in Gloucester. He has been in the commission of the peace for Gloucestere for nearly twenty years, and for a long time on the board of directors of the Sharpness New Dock Company. He is married and has a grown-up family. TEMPERANCE HALL P.S.E.-The Handbridge Glee Club, conducted by Mr. T. D. Huxley, pro- vided an admirable programme on Saturday. Mr. Charles Wright, the police court missionary took the chair, and gave a brief earnest address Several glees were efficiently rendered by the club- Comrades in Arms," "The Patriot," The Hem- lock Tree," &e. The Misses Edge and Orme each warml?-appreciated solos, and the duett, ?? lx'_elsior was also very ably rendered by them Mr. m D. Huxley sa-ng "The Deathless Army" and The Jovial Monk in his usual able manner; and ?M/ r. W. Huxley received well-deserved com- mendation for his excellent rendering of "Eily M?voumeen and Edward Gray." "f Eily items contributed by Mr Jarvis in his humorous songs added greatly to the delight of the audience. Air. T. D. Huxley was the accompanist.

CHESTER'S PAUPER CHILDREN. I ANOTHER COTTAGE HOME. The final stage of the echeme of the Chester Guardians for the provision of detached oottage homes for workhouse children in the Chester Union was reached on Thursday, when the founda- tion-stone of the home at Upton was laid by Mr. Wm. Vernon. The Chester Guardians were one of the first boards in the country to carry out a scheme of cottage homes for children. This will be the fourth cottage home that has been erected. About eighteen months ago the Central Home in W rexham-road was opened, and sinoe then the smaller buildings at Dodleston and Saughall have been erected and occupied. The Upton Home, now in course of erection, will be about the same size and cost as the others. The site is about a quarter of an acre in extent, and has a frontage to the Long-lane of about fifty feet. The site is the smallest of the four, but, as already stated, the building will be no smaller in oompariaon with the others. It was found necessary to make a slight alteration in the original plans, owing to the narrowness of the ground. At the commence- ment of this important scheme the guardians thought a fourth home would be unnecessary, but the success of their experiment with the existing homes determined them to proceed witit the Upton Home. This is being built in the same style as the others, with terra-ootta brick and tiled roof. The accommodation comprises on the ground-floor a living room, in which the children will take their meals, a scullery, where the cooking will be done, a day-room with a lavatory and cloak-room, store and larder. Upstairs there will be two dor- mitories, bathroom, sick-room, and mother's room for the matron. There will also be the usual outr buildings. The facilities for escape in case of fire will be afforded by outside balconies. The home will accommodate twelve girls and infante. The builder is Mr. P. Edwards, of Dodleston, and the architects Messrs. T. M. Lockwood and Sons. The situation of the building is admirable, and com- mands one of the finest and most expansive views in the county, including the range of Welsh hills in the background. The ceremony was attended by a goodly num- ber of guardians, including the chairman (Mr. T. Knowles), the Rev. F. Edwards, Messrs. Rowe Morris, W. Vernon, W. Denson, M. Gibbons, A. W. Jones, H. B. Dutton, H. Crowder, J. Min- shull, J. Pover, Pastor Dobson, M. Kennedy and Wedgwood, with the Rev. H. Davenport, who attended by invitation, and the clerk (Mr. W. Tumock). The Chairman, in a short address, referred to the success that had resulted from the erection of the other three homes. Though they suffered a drawback in the Central Home, owing to the re- moval of some of the children by their parents after a brief stay, a distinct improvement had taken place in the con- dition of the children. They had increased in weight, they had lost the stupid, heavy look that was characteristic in workhouse children, and they associated freely with the village children. They were, in short, as happy as one could desire them to be. The children who were being brought up at Dodleston and Saughall would compare very favourably in their conduct and life with any children, and not a single complaint about them had been made by their school teachers. Their various religious creeds were strictly respected, but every care was taken that they attended school regularly, and had religious instruction on Sun- days. The girls were taught housework m a thorough manner, and the boys also could under- take all kinds of housework excepting, perhaps, washing, and he was not sure they did not tackle that sometimes. (Laughter.) The boys were also taught gardening. The gardens surrounding the homes were under cultivation, and it was hoped that in course of time the product of those gar- dens would be sufficient to supply the children with the potatoes and vegetables they would require. Such was the progre-ss that was made already in the homes. To judge by the efficient manner in which the homes were conducted, one would think they had been going on for quite twelve months, instead of the short period of four months. The credit for the carrying out of the scheme was due in the largest measure to Mr. Vernon, whom the committee had requested to lay the foundation- stone. (Applause.) Mr. Wm. Vernon then performed the ceremony, after which prayers were read by the Rev. F. Edwards. Mr Vernon next briefly addressed the meeting. He said he felt it an honour to have his name associated with the children's homes. He had wr- tainly taken a great deal of interest in them, but his efforts without the great help from many guardians would not have brought the scheme to a successful issue. There were many people who complained of the cost of the homes, but he con- sidered that the mcney they were spending in connection with them was being well spent. (Hear, hear.) The children of our country were its t? ?set and he honelv believed there ^as nothmg ?o valuable as a child's life, which could be made a vast. benefit to the country, or a source of con- siderable loss and degradation. The country itself was the worse for everv e.hild that was badly brought UP. Tliev believed that, children brought up in these homes would be better able to hold their own in the future battle of life than they would be under the old system. The old system, however, was a very great improvement upon that fiftv years ago. He was sure that under tne irk fluence of the homes the children would in future years be independent of poor-law reliei, and prove useful members of the community. _1- _01. .J.J_nø C The Rev. H. Davenport, in a short aaaresa, ex- pressed his hearty sympathy with the scheme of cottage homes. In building those homes their aim was to give the children such an environment and such & favourable ?rt in life th&t the chanoee ?,)?he heavily against their returning in after years as paupersto the unions. Every m&D who TwL as &ctu&ted by a human feeling, not to speak <« the hi igher Chnstiaji ifeeeeliiini 1g1, must rejoice at. tbe ta].rn laoe in  poor-law of the country since the day!: when 111e nistory of  Twist cou1d be givèn to the public a8 a  faithful portraiture of the we t.ated th06e ??w? ho wou.d be P"?' him  lads and girls who would be privileged to q)end t. .CTht. "øntnte a few years in 1,3S tto JZ 5S2lSgl?with the past! have | a goodly hentage. 11 He was verv pleased to be  ?hey had done Mr Vern?o  presen,. b?e ?? lay the stone. 11, Would  ?r?up?n Mr. Vemon'? many virtu(?s   ?ut he had had many opportune exceHeoM? ?'' work, and they ?ou?d agree with   the honour conferred upon him. (Hear, heax.) He was 6ure Mr. Ver- non would find his Kreatest reward for his efforts in the advocacy of that movement m ^atemg, m he did that day, that it ?as ?re?d  promised to be a yet more brillian %u had been. (Applause.)

I INCREASED RATES. I TO THZ EDITOR. •=>irJ—Alderman John Jones said that they had been working on a oheese-paring policy. Alder- man Churton said that they have been having luxuries and they must pay for them, and he oon- fessed that they had not been as careful as they ought or might have been with the ratepayers' money. Which of these two men is oorrect? In my opinion, the people should send to the Council men who would faithfully promise to vote against all further improvements or alterations for the next ten years, and who will promise to vote against any further increase of rates, no matter how small the amount. A 5s. rate is quite large enough for a town like Chester. I think that you ought to have printed in your paper the namps of the 19 men who voted for the increase of rates and the 12 good men who voted against it, so that the people might know who to vote for next November. I consider the plan of Mr. Gilbert's a very good one—to place before the Council every three months a statement of money spent. and cash in hand. The very day the Council com- plained-about the money going too fast, they voted another £ 2,000 to help the Tram Committee and JB800 for alterations in the Town Hall. It is laughable to read such bad management, and a big farce to have suoh men in the Counoil. The next item on the boards will be workmen's housing scheme, which is not wanted in Chester, but the men in the Council will make themselves believe that it is wanted, and then more increase of rates. Only last week Mr. Winston Churchill drew the attention of Parliament to the growth of municipal expenditure, and said it was time it was curtailed. The sooner the better.—Y ours, etc., CITIZEN.

THE CORONATION FESTIVITIES. LICENSED HOUSES. TO THE EDITOB. Sir,-As arrangements for the Coronation fes- I tivities are growing apaoe in the country and in I the city of Chester, may I ask the favour of a small space in your paper? It is generally under- stood that Thursday and Friday, the 26th and 27th June, will be observed as Bank Holidays, which means that a vast number of people will be released from their daily occupations and be en- abted to participate in the general rejoicing and otherwise recreate themselves. Not so, however, licensed victuallers, their wives, barmaids, bar- men, etc., employed in the lioensed houses of the city, who, under existing circumstances, will be compelled to be at their posts on those days from, say, six in the morning to eleven at night. in order to minister to the wants of their thirsty fellow-citizens. Now, the injustice of this might, in my humble opinion, be mitigated to some extent by the "Trade" agreeing to make the hours of opening on the 26th and 27th June similar to those in force on Sundays, viz., 12.30 to 2.30 p.m., and 6.30 to 10 p.m., by which means a hard-worked body of licensed victuallers, barmaids and barmen might have a few hours' liberty to see the turnout of friendly societies, school prooessions in the morn- ing part of the day, sports on the Roodee in the afternoon, illuminations of the city and the river Dee at night, the latter taking place about 10 p.m. The suggestion may, perhaps, appear to some impracticable and absurd, but I feel sure that the committee of the Chester Licensed Victuallers' Association might bring this before the members at their next meeting in May. By doing so, they will be promoting the best interests of themselves, as well as of the community at large, by arriving at some such compromise as I have suggested, and which is commended to their earnest attent;cn.- Yours, etc., BOBS. Chester, 22nd April, 1902. A GENEROUS OFFER. TO THE EDITOB. Sir,-I am told that the demandsontheo 000 voted by the Town Council, in connection with the pro- posed procession and various entertainments, and for decorating and illuminating the city gates and public buildings, &c., will be such as probably to starve the River Carnival, a feature of the pro- ceedings which appeals with special interest to me, and should attract thousands of visitors to the city. I hear that the river frontagers are promptly and most generously responding to the appeal made to them. Doubtless some of them reoognise that their quota of the rate will be a bagatelle compared with the subscription which would otherwise have been expected of them. This will also be the case with many others of us. Cannot we, there- fore, who have not the good fortune to be river frontagers meet their loyal effort by helping to make the River Gala a spectacle transcending any- thing that has been before ? If funds admit, I should like to see the Bridge Gate. the Old Dee Bridge, the length of the City Walls along the Groves, the old Hermitage and its garden, and both sides of the Suspension Bridge illuminated; also good prizes provided for the best decorated and illuminated frontages, boats, &c. In the absence of the Council vote I should have subscribed at least ki(t. I don't suppose my rate will come to V2. If, therefore, the suggestion finds favour, I am ready to hand £5 to the committee to assist in the direction indicated, and shall still think that I am the gainer by the vote. AN OLD STROKE-OAR. A FRODSHAM INCIDENT. TO THE EDITOR. bir,—At the public meeting of ratepayers in the Town Hall, Frodsham, in answer to a question relative to raising the necessary amount for the proposed Coronation oelebrations, a question which, by the way, was not apparently unex- pected, Mr. Wm. Youd deliberately accused the reporter of making a statement in the Press that he (Mr. Youd) had at a joint committee meeting suggested that a rate be levied to meet this ex- penditure. This Mr. Youd totally denied, and, in tones certainly more forcible than oourteous, wished his "brother ratepayers" to exonerate him from any complicity in the matter or any desire to thus spend their money, as such a mode of pro- cedure was entirely antagonistic to his views. Now, sir, I do like fair play, and with all due deference to Mr. Youd's attempt to conciliate his "brother ratepayers" and to pose as a champion of their rights, in all fairness to those "brother ratepayers" who.may have been influenoed by Mr. rat,epayers" w b o-ma Y.  ia l. d more particulariy Youd's vehement denial, and more particularly in order to vindicate the reporter thus falsely IW- cused (who, on retaliating on Mr. Youd, was called something by him which would even disgrace a taproom of the lower type), allow me, as one who knows, to most emphatically assert that Mr. Youd did, in the hearing and presence of the chairman and members of the joint oommittee assembled, suggest "that a rate be levied upon the townships (upon his 'brother ratepayers,' mind you), in order to meet the necessary expense oonneoted with the proposed Coronation festivities in Frodsham." This, however, met with no support.—Trusting you will kindly insert this explanation in your valuable columns, so that Mr. Youd's "brother ratepayers" may have the unbiased truth of the whole matter, I remain, yours, A RA TEPA YER.

CURE FOR DRUNKENNESS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—At the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children meeting, at the Chester Town Hall on April 15, 1902. among the examples of the cases brought forward was one where the parents were both such oonfirmed drunkards that the only chance to save the children seemed to be to irc, move them from the parents to some suitable home. That was agreed to be the wisest pua>i. But another and more difficult case seemed to be where the mother only was the victim of drink, the father being a respectable man. In this ca? the woman was removed to a home for tDebna?. That also seemed a good plan. But there is another question which proper y does not claim to be. dealt with by this Society for Preventing Cruelty to Children, and yet which is 60 closely and unavoidably oonnect-ed with i as to suggest an idea to my mind in the midst of the society's meeting. It is this—the treatment of drunkenness as a disease. Is it true, as I have beard, that these homes for inebriates do not cure, but only restrain for a time, the craving for drink in these poor unfortunates, which returns to them with renewed force on their release from the re- strictions of these homes? Also I have heard, and read in the "Strand Magazine" for 1901, that a cure has been found called the Keely Cure. The vice of drink, when exaggerated, no longer continues to be a mere pleasant vice, but a d.«^fae which the victim can neither oontrol nor enioy. And for this disease Dr. Keely has found the cure, and has proved its success both in Amcnc-a and England. A truly great work is his. and a noble benefactor to England is he wbo oa-,) destroy her greatest curse and the secret 01 all her etirnefi. Now, I cannot help thinking that whc.t Dr. Keely is doing for the few who have the meai:s to procure the result of his speoial care and goodness we, as a nation, might surely try to do for others less fortunate. I appeal to the whole of the medi- cal profession and ecientifio men to form a great national movement together, for the express pur- pose of recognising the fact that drunkenness is a disease, and, therefore, must have a cure. Apart from Temperance lectures and societies, etc., which as a preventative are excellent, but cannot. cure a i man whose moral powers have already been destroyed by drink, we 'have no great na-^oual liiovenifc'at, beyond the London Committee, to bring into general use a cure for this diseasf (40 a disease, and reach the poorer as well as the richer classes. I do not mean a quack medicine to be handed about, but the houses which now exist for inebri- ates might, if there is a cure to be found, be made not mere places of detention as now, but hospitals where special methods are adopted for this specjELJ and most serious disease. If once England can cure this disease- which. 1, she has brought upon others as well as herself, she may rightly hone to .Ie the world, but not until. A. C. P.

I Provisions continue very strong, the tendency is for miieh higher nrices all round. The advance in of all xinds will materially strengthen trie W-nl marker, and by the Coronation we are likfcly to see m •; prices for hams.

HOSPITAL SATURDAY COMMITTEES ANNUAL MEETING. r The annual meeting of the Chester and District Hospital Saturday Committee was held ili the Town Hall on Thursday evening, and was presided over by Mr. E. H. Thomas.—In pre- senting the sixteenth annual report and balance- sheet, the committee recorded another satis- factory year. The total amount collected in the workshops was £21\5 5s. 5d., which was an in- crease of L5 10s. 3 £ d. on the previous year's collections, and special thanks were due to the following firms for the substantial collections made by the employes:—Messrs. J. Summers and Co., Hawarden Bridge, £ 25; Sandyeroft Ironworks, jB20 13s.; Aston Hall Coal and Brick Co., 1:15 4s. 6d.; G. W.R. Carriage Works, Baltney, :£11 10s.: Messrs. Spencers' Clothing Factory, £10 6e. 3jd.; Messrs. Williams Bros. and Co., Kaleyards, £ 10 4s.; Helsby Teleg-rapit Co., £10 2s.; Messrs. F. A. Frost and Sons, £ 9 7s. bd. Chester Steam Laundry Co., £ 6 14s. i^d.; Messrs. Webb and Sons, Saltney, :1;;6 2s.; Messrs. Turner and Co., Queen's Ferry, ;Cb li-s. 6d-; Messrs. Parker Bros., jB5 8s.; and Midland Wagon Co., 45 Is. 3d. This clearly illustrated what could be done by hearty co operation, and the committee recommended the example to the employes of other firms. The cycle parade held in September was not, the committee regretted to say, as successful as usual, but after paying all expenses the sum of £125 was available for distribution. Thanks were due to the Chester cycling dubs, the various bands and fire brigades, donors, judges, Dr. G. Harrison and his assistant marshals, collectors, cyclists from other towns, and others who assisted in various ways; also to the Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne) and the members of the force for their efficient assist- ance on the evening of the parade. The com- petition for the Yerburgh Football Challenge Cup roai!sed :Clo 14s., a satisfactory increase on the previous year. Since the formation of the committee the sum of £4,070 had been paid over. to- the Chester Genera) Infirmary, and L307 to other local chanties. The grant this year was the largest ever paid, and it was a source of gratifica- tion that notwithstanding the decrease in the largest ovemr ptwaiidt, hsttahne d t?le Para d e Comm;ttee, amount voted by the Cycle Parade Committee, they had been able through the increased con- tributions received from other sources to vote this record amount, in addition to wixich the fol- lowing grants bad also bees madeChester Side N uraing Home, £ 20; Chester Skin Dispensary, £ 10j Parkgate Convalesoent Home, £5 5! &nd Rhyl Men's Convalesoent Home, JBl; leaving a balanoe for disposal of jE42 9s. 8d. Mr. F. A. Crosby had consented to act as hon. secretary, an offioe for which he was peculiarly fitted. and they anticipated that the assistance he would be able to afford would materially forward the work of the committee. In conclusion, they tendered their best thanks to the Mayor of Chester for granting the free use of the Town Hall for meet- ings, etc., to the Chester Fire Brigade for their kind assistance on Hospital Saturday, to Mr. W. Conway for auditing the accounts, and to all others who had in any way assisted in this noble work.-The treasurer's account shewed that the year had been commenced with a balance of £ 70 10s. 3d., and that the total income amounted to zC441 Is. 4d., the expenditure to L398 lis. 8d.. 1 leaving a balance in the bank of £ 42 9s. 8a. The Chairman moved that the report and balance-sheet be adopted, printed and circulated. He said it was a oause of congratulation to all of them that they had been able this year to grant the record sum of ;6& The Infirmary was an institution which deserved every support. He claimed that the working people should sup- port that institution in a greater measure than they did at present. They were doing e. noble work. Since the oommenoement of that oon. mittee the amounts had gradually inoreasea, aid he hoped that as years went on they would still further increase. Every workshop in the town should be represented on that balance sheet and also on the oommittee. The committee not only r -ee not o?lly wanted more money, but they wanted to see a greater interest taken in the wcrk. Mr. J. Shone seoonded. He said thev were gradually oreeping on towards the £500. it was not an impossible sum to realise. He was sure they would exoeed that if every workmg- man would taken an interest in it. If an acci- dent occurred it was the first place a man would run to for assistance, and it very cften occurred that the man who was taken there had never contributed. The motion was oarried. The Chairman proposed that the follcsring grants be made: Nursing sick poor, £ 20: Skin Dispensary, £ 10; Parkgate Convalescent Homo, £558.; and the Rhyl Men's Convalescent Homo, :Cl. These grants were the same as they were last year. Mr. W. Hunter seconded and the preposition was carried. F The re-election of the oid committee E. H. Thomas, J. Shone, J. C. H. hankinsort H. Underwood, G. Baker, G. Crowder. R. Fletcher, E. Yates, W. Ledsham, F. Sullivan, W. Hunter, W. Williams, G. J. Harrison J. Garner, White, W. Carr, J. Brierley, Perni, Norcross, A. Dodd, Kennish, W. H. Minns, Barlow, Mottershead, Hopley, and F. A. Crosby) was proposed by Mr. A. Robinson, who thought it was a good idea that had been adopted in some workshops that every man shotu'o con- tribute ene penny a week towards the Infirmary. It ought to be adopted in every workshop and factory. Mr. Tyldesley seoonded, and the motion was carried. Mr. Barlow suggested that a Red Ci*>ss Brigade similar to the one in Manchester be formed. It had worked very satisfactorily in that town. Mr. W. Hunter moved a vote of thanks to the officers. This was heartily acoorded. The Chairman, in replying, smilingly remarked that he hoped the committee would go forward until they were able to take over the manage- ment of the Infirmary. Mr. Hankineon also replied. There was enly one thing that he was disappointed with in tho work, and that was the football competition. He foud that in 1900, for an income of jE23 Og 6J., the expenses were JE:16 10s. Sd. In 1901 the income was £ 29 5s. 8d. and the expenses jElS lis. 8d. Then, again, the inoome taken on Hospital Saturday in 1900 was JBI2 16s. 5d. and the ex ponsee L3 19s. 10d., in 1901 JS17 5s. 7d. and ex- penses £4 4s. 9d. In the workshops a1 so tho income in 1900 was JB239 15s. Ed. and thp p- penses £ 12 9s„ in 1901. t245 5s. 5d., and expert L12 6s. 8d. He oonsidered that the expense they were put to for these items, especially the. f)ot- ball competition, was entirely cut of proportion to the amount of income and the work entailed. The whole of the sum taken at the pates this year only amounted to about what their balanco was last year. The meeting then went in to committee, and the omoers were re-elected for the ensuing year, viz., Mr. E. H. Thomas, chairman; Mr. J. Shciioi vice-obairman; Mr. Frank A. Crosby, Moss Bank, bon. secretary; Mr. J. C. H. ankinson, Elsooio-terraoe, hon. treasurer.

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted np as stated in the foUovineB- "ble P.M. Saturday, April 26 g29 Sunday, April Zl. 8.30 Monday, April 28 g.gg Tuesday, April 29 Wednesday, April 30 g jjy Thursday, May 1 .37 Friday, May 2. 8.39

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS 0 BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, and DEATHS are charged at the rate of 20 words for la. (prepaid). It not prepaid, the charge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. BIRTH. RoBrARTs--April 18, at M. Cambrian Crescent, the wife of Walter Roberts, of a son. MARRIAGES. EARFF.R—LIJOYD—April 16, at 8t. Matthew's Parish CLurch. Buckley, by the Rev. W. P. de Winton Kitcut, assisted bv the Rev. J. George (vicar of Bistre). iobei-t. I h; rd son of Mr. R. Barker, chemist, Moid, to Mary, younel daughter of Mrs. Lioyd, Sandyeroft Farm, Buckley. JWKBKV—ASTO.N—April 23, at St. Oswald's Church, Chester, by the Rev. P. A. Miller, M. A., W illiam Trevor Wheatland) eldest SOD of William WheaLland Je!?ery, Wrexham, to Annie Sara Read, younger daughter of the late W¡:J.iam Aston, Chester. DEATHS. EAHS April 23, at the Bridge water sJ Edward Bass, aged 62 years. Intern: i- -civ (Sc- at 11 a.m. |Friends please acoer intimation.] DAtfi—Apht 23, at 4, LinenhaH.ptao. J -?,' TheoBhi'c*. Davis, aged 50 y?n, [Frauds pita ??i-t,) ?mm only—intimation.] DUTTON—April 22, at 20, Foregate-stx,Tt ohe beloved son of Alfred Simeon I.V,: !ln(' ÜW¡u.tt Dutton, in his third year. A-April 17, at Barton, Bennett, tin dt-a. ,o\ed #tf of John Lea, 4xid tldesl daughter ot Tuivrfs v„ e 5t) years. I ORKE—April 21, an. Christleton, nea' CBMU 0:,ROII..P, widow of the Rev. J. Yorke, M. • Martv. ry. A# youngest daughter of Sir Harry Ma Hu. n c' Bar* 81 years. IN MEMORIAL. BJTKKIX—In loving: memory of wr dear father, John Bithell, who died April 22nd, 1899 l Peace, perfect pe&oe' with loved ones far away. J (E. C. and H. R) CV_IH68-ln ever-Jovin? memory of my dear mother s&szr™who d ?'? ?? i9c% forgotteil I (Fann?-.)  lvmg memory of my dear husband, ?uL Ellis, of LittlE Barrow, who died April lId. 1901. ?-' but not forgot,?en. I RAMsDEN-In tond remembr?ce of Samuel William Ramsden (late editor of the "Chester Courant" and vhe Cheshire 01 server ■'), who passed away (suddenly) I at his resicienct, Haxrcvv House, CoHc^e-ro&d., Deal, on April 29th, 1900, and was interred in Chester General Cemetery on May 4th: 1900. t" At. rest. "J

MEMORIALS. AT ALL PRICES, IN MABBLE,GRANITE, STONE & ALABASTER, On View, and to order. W. HASWELL & SON, MASONS. KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Free on application. Telephone No. 161A..