Cheshire Observer

TO ?DrERTrs?RS. Adv e:: 'N:E'Zl:e:j OBSERVER MMS? reach the OBSERVER Office, not ta?er than 12 o'c?ct (noon) each Frtde?. Under no ct'fc?MM?ctMCM whatever can we insert in the First Edition ?Jt)er?MetMeM?s received after that hour..

A NEW LIGHT. I The Vienna correspondent of the Times has forwarded to that organ an important letter which throws a new light upon the North Atlantic Shipping Trust. The writer is credited with exceptional sources of in- formation with regard to the attitude- in Berlin political circles towards questions of vital importance to the relations between the United States, Great Britain and Germany. According to this authority, the present scare in England over the formation of the shipping combination is being exploited for all it is worth in Germany, with a view to sowing distrust and jealousy between the United States and ourselves. It is pointed out that the growing friendly relations be- tween America and Britain have for long been one of the bugbears of the rulers of Germany. Hence the extraordinary efforts made by German agitators to propagate pro- Boerism in the United States. Although these attempts have proved a signal failure, that is no fault of the Germans. They did their little part both in America and in their native land, and with regard to the latter we have seen that their endeavours were only too successful, for the campaign of Anglophobia has disgusted numerous English and Colonial clients, who have for patriotic reasons dis- continued patronising the German markets. The alarm which was at first felt in England on the revelation of the Atlantic shipping combination was eagerly seized by German politicians. The German Press," says the letter, received instructions to represent the combination as a formidable blow dealt by the Americans to British shipping, and to depict in glowing terms the preferential position which the German lines had secured for themselves, as a proof of the vigilance with which German interests were safe- guarded by a paternal Government." All this profession of patriotism is in reality only so much bunkum, for it is generally believed that the German ship- owners would have been only too glad to have joined the shipping combination on the same terms as the British lines, only they did not have the opportunity. The two points upon which the British scare has been fostered were that the British ships that will enter into the combination will pass under a foreign flag, and that the Admiralty will in future have no hold upon the vessels which have been subsidised in the past as cruisers for use in war time. To both of these suggestions the representatives of the shipping combination return a categorical denial. As the British ship-owners are men whose integrity and patriotism have never been in question, we are bound to accept this assur- ance, and it is but bare justice to acknowledge that from the point of view of these ship- owners their action may have been for the best, so far as the national welfare is affected. They are good business men. They have parted with a share in their fleets for a very satisfactory consideration, a good bargain for themselves, and, as they form' part of our nation, a good bargain indirectly for this country. They were face to face with an acute commercial crisis. Supposing they had declined the American overtures, they would have been confronted by a cut-throat com- petition in which the American capital and American Government influence must have told heavily. The merely outside observer is obviously in no position to aver that our ship-owners have acted rashly or foolishly. From the excellent terms they have obtained, it is to be assumed that they have acted with prudence and wisdom, and they are admittedly the best judges as to what would have been the issue* of a war of freights and rates between America and England. There is yet another consideration which appears to have been hitherto overlooked in favour of the combination. Under the former arrangement, in the event of our being involved in a European war, and over-sea food supplies being of prime importance, the American interest in the supply would have ceased when the British ships were loaded with grain and flour at American ports. The risks of the sea passage would not have con- cerned the United States. Now, however, with a large American interest vested in these merchant steamers, the citizens of the United States would have a deep concern in the safe passage of the vessels to this country. This is an element that is well worth taking into calculation in such a contingency. In any event, however well or ill the combination may turn out from the British standpoint, it may be accepted as an absolute certainty that, when we find Germany endeavouring to foster English antipathy to the Shipping Trust, it is not done from disinterested motives, but rather from a feeling of chagrin and malevolent jealousy. It cannot be gain- said that a combination of this nature tends to cement the British and the Americans more than a war of freights. Anything, therefore, that operates in a friendly direction between the two great English speaking nations is anathema to the Germans, who forthwith proceed cunningly with an attempt to stir up distrust and enmity among the British people by a travesty of the actual facts. It is the most re-assuring feature in the situation that Germany should be making a pretence of sympathising with the supposed misfortunes of the British ship-owner.

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. The announcement by the Courant" of the engagement of Lady Lettice Grosvenor to Earl Beauchamp created the liveliest interest. Lady Lettice's savoir faire and charming disposition have endeared her to everyone, and she will be an undoubted acquisition to Worcestershire society. Lord Beauchamp is one of the most promising young peers in the House of Lords, and for one of his years has had an extensive experience of municipal and Imperial matters. His popularity in his own county is unbounded. The Worcestershire Echo commenting on the "Courant's" announcement says :—" Since his coming of age Lord Beauchamp has endeared himself to city and county by a brilliant and munificently hospitable Mayoralty, by valuable municipal work, and by consistent and generous efforts to promote the well-being of his tenants and neighbours. Everybody will join in the cordial congratulations and good wishes which the auspicious intimation is sure to call forth." The "Worcestershire Daily Times" remarks: "All classes of citizens of Worcester will anticipate with much pleasure the wedding of the noble lord, who for some time was an active member of the Corporation, was a most gracious and generous Mayor, and has shewn a liberal appreciation of benevolent, educational, and other good work in this city." In response to the Lord Mayor of London's appeal for subscriptions in aid of the distressed inhabitants of St. Vincent a list was opened at the Town Council on Wednesday and the satis- factory sum of f34 17s. promised. The chief donations were £10 by the -1-laygr, 95 each by Alderman Cliurton and Mr. B. C. Roberts, and £3 by the Town Clerk (Mr. S. Smith). The decision of the Chester Town Council on Wednesday, by 14 votes to 11, to appoint a superintendent and clerk of the sewage outfall extension works at a salary of f20 per month fully warrants Alderman Churton's censure, more expenditure, more extravagance Mr. John Jones was unfortunate in attempting to justify his motion for this step by calling to mind the procedure adopted with regard to the electric light works. The course pursued in that case, as Mr. B. C. Roberts pointed out, was not analagous at all. Dr. Kennedy, ithe con- sulting engineer who was then called'in, had a resident representative here all the tiuie the work was in progress, and, what is more ^impor- tant, Dr. Kennedy paid his salary. < This is not a question at all of Mr. Robinson's qualifications, as some members of the Council seem to suppose. That gentleman's credentials appear excellent. The question however, is who should pay him ? In the execution of a great undertaking of this description, there can be no doubt that the onsulting engineer, Major Tulloch, ought to be either on the spot person- ally all the time, or ought to be directly repre- sented here. If Mr. Robinson comes here as Major Tulloch's representative, which he will be, he ought to be paid by the Major, not by the Corporation. Alderman John Jones must fancy that his brother Councillors have very short memories, when he ventured to trot out the comparative statement of rates levied in various towns in England last year and compiled by the Borough Treasurer of Preston. The document might have been interesting if it had not been out of date, as applicable to last year, and if it had not al- ready been rather fully given in the issue of the Observer for the 23rd of November last. We do not share Alderman Churton's objectipn to the proposal to put a notice on the flag-post on the Town Hall Square indicating why the flag is flying at full, or half, mast. The practice is adopted at the Liverpool Exchange. When people see the flag at half-mast they naturally wish to know what mournful event it indicates, and we do not think it would give pain to any- one if an explanatory notice were affixed to the post. It is not safe at present to chaff the boat pro- prietors on the Dee about the weather. They are not in the sweetest tempered frame of mind, and the man who tries to cheer them up by telling them that they will fill their pockets in Coronation week gets no thanks for his pains. Really they are deserving of much sympathy This is Whit-week, the great holiday in Lan- cashire, when, as a rule, the air in the neigh- bourhood of the river is pregnant with the sound of the unmusical Lancashire dialect. There is, howevsr, scarcely a boat to be seen out, .1 ..1.r-l..=_- 11, to ilUU luc cunuitious resemoie those 01 November, more than the so-called merry month of May The only consolation the boat proprietors have, is that if they are miserable the unfortunate holiday-makers are equally so. The s.s. Canada, with 2nd Special Service Com- pany of Cheshire Volunteers en board, is nearing England, and relatives and friends are making ready to accord a welcome-home to the heroes. They are expected to land at Southampton on Sunday, and will probably arrive in Chester on Monday. Their return to the city is to be marked by a hospitality befitting their loyalty, for tho Mayor is arranging to receive and entertain them. The gallant company left for South Africa some fifteen months ago, under Captain C. lVI, Aber- crombie and Lieutenant G. M. Frost (Heswali). Prior to their departure they were billeted for some weeks, by the kindness of the Chester Race Company, in the general stands on the Roodee. Like all other Cheshire men who have been at the front, they have given a gcod account of themselves, and they deserve to be honoured for the rest of their days for their patriotism and their courage. Something of the experience of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeomanry under canvas at Oak mere, may be gauged from a remark which was made by a visitor who was leaving the camp on Thurday. They have had," he said, two fine days and brag about them!" Strictly speaking there had been three fine working dayet in addition to a long spell of sunshine on Satur- day for the sports in camp, and a glorious day for the tournament at Oulton on Monday Surrounded with comforts at home, we have extended our sympathies to our gallant friends in the forest; yet a visit to the camp would convince anyone that their case is by no means pitiful. The camp is well equipped, and the men's creature comfort3 and amusement are admirably catered for. 'The chief misfortune is that a portion of the instructive work which was mapped out for the training has had to be left undone. Still, much has been accomplished, and there are traces of the beneficial effects of ten days in camp. One thing which strikes every visitor to Oakmere is the wide difference between the training under canvas and that which we were accustomed to witness on the Roodee. The work now undertaken is of a thorough and practical character, and there is no attempt at useless display. Every day brings new lessons to be learned, and the men are engaging in reconnaissance and outpost duty with intelligence and an enthusiasm becoming Cheshire soldiers. We hear that this week one of the staff officers of the Cheshire Volunteer Brigade, at Perham Downs, unofficially paid a tribute to the loyalty of the commanding officer of the 2nd V.B. Cheshire Regiment in allowing the Bearer Company of the Brigade to be separated from his battalion. He also complimented the members of the Bearer Company on taking up the responsibilities of hos- pital work. While the 2nd Volunteer Battalion furnishes the Bearer Company for the Cheshire Brigade, it belongs to another Brigade, and that is the reason why the two do not go into camp together. Not many of the present generation know how the Royal Chester Rowing Club came to receive permission to use the prefix Royal," of which they are so proud. While looking through the files of the Courant" the other day, we came across a lengthy account of the Regatta of 1840, which, by the way, it was found impossible to conclude in one day in consequence of a dinner taking place at the Hop Pole Inn, and a ball at the Royal Hotel." In this year, it seems, Lord Robert Grosvenor gave a prize which he named Prince Albert's Cup," in honour, of Queen Victoria's nuptials. Lord Robert also sent the following letter to Mr. E. Watson Lloyd, the hon. secretary ot the Chester Rowing Club, as it then was entitled 109, Park-street, June 20th, 1840. Sir, I have just received her Majesty's most gracious per- mission to desire you to inform the members of the Chester Rowing Club that from this day they are entitled to the appellation of the 'Royal Chester Rowing Club.' I remain, sir, your obedient servant, R. Grosvenor." The King, it will be remembered, has graciously permitted the continuation of the prefix Royal." The final heat of the race for Prince Albert's Cup, it may be added, resulted in the victory of a Liverpool four over Royal Chester Rowing Club. The new St. Deiniol's Library at Hawarden, the national memorial to Mr. Gladstone, which will cost £10,000, is now nearing completion. The exterior is exceedingly handsome, the stone being of light colour, and the architecture Gothic. The interior comprises two large halls, corridors, studios, etc., and the fittings are of carved oak. The foundation-stone bears the inscription: "In this building, erected to his memory by a grateful Nation, is preserved the Library of William Ewart Gladstone, who, eminent no less as Theo- logian than as Statesman, established this founda- tion for the advancement of Divine Learning. This stone was laid in the presenoe of the Lord Bishop of the diocese, by the Duke of Westmin- ster, K.G., Oct. 5, 1899. G. C. Joyce, warden." The weather prophet is already busy with his forecasts for Coronation day, and his predictions cannot fail to be interesting for the vagaries of our English climate, especially after our experi- ence this month, naturally inspire anxiety as to the atmospheric conditions that may prevail on the occasion of the great festivities in June. The prognostications of Mr. Hugh Clements, of Dulwich, who adduces some remarkable instances of the accuracy of his predictions on former occasions, are not all that we could desire. But we have not yet sufficient faith in the weather prophets to be guided by the advice he offers that the best time for the Coronation and the procession of the following day "would be the 27th and 28th, instead of the 26th and 27th." His predictions include the following :-J une 26 Generally cloudy in the morning, with slight rain fine and partially cloudy till evening, then overcast for a time, with some rain. June 27 Misty and hazy in the morning fine with some flying clouds not so warm.

CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SERVICE LIST FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAY 24. SATURDAY, MAY 24TH (Ember Day). Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10.15: Service, Gibbons in F; anthem, "Turn Thee again" (Attwood). Evening, 4.15: Service, Gibbons in F anthem, "Praise the Lord (Goss). SUNDAY, MAY 25TH (Trinity Sunday). — Morning, S.0 Matins and Holy Communion. 10.30: Processional hymn 601 (verses 1, 6, 7, 8, 10); Ordination service: choral celebration (Hanvood in A flat); preacher, the Rev. Wynn Healey, M.A. Evening, 3.30: Processional hymn Service, Bennett in G anthem, I saw the Lord" (Stainer): hymn 159. 6.30: Processional hymn, 161; Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis to Chants hymns 163, 358, 366; preacher, the Canon in Residence. (Collection for Queen Victoria Nurses' Fund.) MONDAY, MAY 26TH. Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10.15; Service, Kempton in B flat; anthem, "I will arise" (Creyjjhton). Evening, 4. 1-1: Service, Kempton in B flat; anthem, "I will sing of Thy power" (Greene). TUESDAY, MAY ZiTU. Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10.15. Service, Parker in E; anthem, "Incline Thine ear" (Himmel). Evening, 4.15: Service, Parker in E anthem, In Jewry is God known (Clarke-Whitfeldl WEDNESDAY, MAY 2STII,-Morning, 8.0: Matins. 10.15: The Litany hymn 280. Evening, 4.15 Service, Kelwav in B minor anthem, Lift up thine eyes (Goss). THURSDAY, MAY 29TIl.-Morning, 8.0: Holy Communion. 10.15: Service, Nares in F; anthem, Lord for Thy tender mercies (Farrant). Evening, 4.15 Service, Nares in F; anthem, Lead, kindly light" (Stainer). FRIDAY, MAY 30rii.-Moriiing, 8.0: Matins. 10.15: The Litany; hymn 43. Evening, 4.15 Service, Wesley in F; anthem, Hear my prayer (Arcadelt).

General the Hon. Savage and Mrs. Mostyn have arrived at 35, Beaufort Gardens for the season. Mr. Wilbraham, of Delamere House, has ac- cepted the presidency of the Middlewich Agri- cultural Society. Sir Pyers Mostyn has bought the long lease of 53, Onslow-gardens, which is to be ready this week for the reception of Sir Pyers and Lady Mostyn of Talacre and family. It is announced from Sydney that the Earl of Hopetoun will reside there during the last two months of his stay in Australia. The Countess of Hopetoun will leave for England on June 3. The Mayoralty of Macclesfield, which was ren- dered vacant nearly a fortnight ago by the death of Alderman Frederick Hill, has' been accepted by Mr. Thomas Crew, a former mayor of the borough. The family of the late Mr. T. Hardcastle Sykes, of Cheadle, have offered to build a parochial hall at Cheadle to his memory. The cost will be about E-1,400, and E450 which had been subscribed for the purpose locally will be devoted to the purchase of the freehold of the site. The marriage arranged between Mr. Hamish Cross, son of the late Majoi James Cross, J.P., o Widnes and Mold, and of Mrs. Cross, of Llangollen, and Lily Constance, fourth daughter of the late John Pinckney, of Great Durnford, Salis- bury, will take place very quietly, on the 19th of June, at Great Durnford. The Earl of Shaftesbury presided on Wednesday night over the 104th anniversary festival of the Royal Society of Musicians, held in London. There was a large attendance, including many eminent members of the musical profession. The Chairman pleaded the cause of the Society, which, since first it was founded by Handel, had, he said, done noble work in providing for aged or disabled members, or for the widows and families of musicians, who had brought much happiness into the lives of the general public. The first annual dinner to commemorate the first employment of Volunteers in actual service was fixed to take place last (Friday) evening in London. Major-General Turner, C.B., Inspector- General of Auxiliary Forces, will preside, and the invited guests will include the Duke of Cambridge, the Right Hon. W. St. John Brodrick (Secretary of State for NN-ar), General Kelly-Kenny, Colonel Sir Edward Ward, General Sir H. Trotter, and possibly Lord Stanley and Dr. Conan Doyle. The movement, which has been taken up with great enthusiasm, owes its inceotion to Captain 4" M. Keene, Mold (A) Company, 2nd Vol Bat. Royal Welch Fusiliers, who is the hon. secretary. We regret to learn that Mrs. Griffith-Boscawen, of Trevalyn Hall, is indisposed. The Countess of Selkirk, in consequence of mourning, was unable to be present at their Majesties' Court on Friday evening. We are requested to state that Mr. J. R. Thomson was unable to attend the funeral of his old friend Colonel Miller owing to his being from home at the time. b} D The date of the Uill to be given by the Duchess of Westminster at Grosvenor House has been altered from Tuesday, the 1st, to Wednesday, the 2nd of July. It is announced in our advertisement columns that Eaton Hall and gardens will again be open to the public from Monday, June 2nd, until further notice. on the rsual conditions. A marriage has been arranged, and will take place in July, between Mr. Stephen Leech, Second Secretary at his Majesty's Embassy at Rome. vounger son of the late Mr. John Leech, of Gorse Hall, Cheshire, and of Mrs. Leech, 4, Kensington Palace Gardens, London, and Alice Florence second daughter of Lord Elibank, Darn Hall, Peeblesshire. The Duchess of Connaught has arrived at Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, on a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of Ormonde. Her Roval Highness, who travelled from Adare Manor, where she has been the guest of the Earl and Countess of ofUSghr accompanied by Princess Margaret of Conn?ght. \T The marriage of Vaux of Harrowden to Miss Margaret Plowden, daughter of Sir William ?hichele Plowden and niece of Lord Mostyn, took E?-e at the Roman Catholic Church, Welling- r.ugh, last week. The bridesmaid? were three daughters of Lord Mostyn. The bride was given away by Lord Burton. VII une  day of the Welsh Industries E?xYhhi-hbi?ti- on in Grosvenor House, the sale was opened £ Jt S Duchess of Beaufort. There was V far better attendance than on the previous day, as it known that the Princess of Wales intended visiing the exhibition. Her Royal Highness arrived at 3.30, attended by Lady Mary Lygon and Captain Dugdale. The Princess was received by Ugl -Bpeaufort, Lady Llangattoek, Lady Eva 'Wyndham Quin and Lady Lettice Grosvenor. Her RRoojva?l HHighuness spent over an hour at the sale, and visited each stall making various D?u-rcha?ae? and appeared much interest^ in the ^ms and endeavours of the association ?EPPJCR-STREET P.S.A.-Mr. E. Pitchford pre- sided on Sunday afternoon and gave a helpful  ?'?J'?n'? j the ,essoHS> and two sSolooL s, 5 '< -rnhe Holy City" and "The Children's Walmsley!ere pleasingly rendered by Mr. Walter Walmslev* CU£BTER ??'' WINDFALL.-Mary Howlev  Cl0t dealer, Bernha"tts Coui 'S Tt the City Police Court, on Tues- day morning, for the S^Dg of the papers relating ito k L fortune which she understands ?na? t)ee:n ?left her ?by her sister in New York The amount of the windfall is £ 1,900 Qs. 2d The application was granted. KJKDXIKS TO ANIMALS.—Nora Watt, aged 12, a pupil at St. Paul's Girls' School, has obtained the, first prize offered by the Smiety for the Prevention of Crueltv to Animals for an e&say on Kindness, to Animals This is the second time a girl fmul this school has .Su? ??°?,? ?'?°' upon which the head nStS E Ml3s Moulton, is to be congratulated. CHILD'S MYSTERIOUS    been rejMrt^ toTh^ city roroner T^ ^11 of May Capper Dutton & 2 months old, daugbter of Arthur A, Dutton, joi?er" Overleigh-road. About half-past four on Wednesday, decea,,4ed went to -Qee on the sofa. Two hours later the mother noti,p ced something Was wrong with the child. Dr ?NewaH was ?ent for, but death bad taken place before big arrival. An -quest was held yesterday (Friday) afternoon. ? ? ? ?? yesterday AN EXITING CHASE.-At Over on Thtirsda,v G^ge EBSwLf^ ^^Thtm^ cL-kL K"?5' Warrington, were remanded to Oakmere Sessions !o! 8ti!lg a till and 17s. 4d- f,?? "k CLJ-> "On. JL&btOO, ?1"" loitering about all h, afd been at night,- Clarke, it is aJl. -i7A tbe S?e Te boots, jumped into a brook where be lay face down- Birch- W(-d was arrested in anoth- direction.   returns for the week are as follows :-Monday. Passengers ??- ?e'P? E13 10s. 8d. Tue^sday 'l9 d °? ? ??i?- day, 2,307 SlO 168. Id Th 2,GM, £12 2s. 9d. Friday, 2 7<tt i'19 ^UrS?aJ' 2'655' £ l2 5 550, ?25 7s. Ild. Sunday, i ? S i* > total for ?? total for the week, ?path??en2eSrs'???M.? ?''? ? ? 2d., compared with 10,248, £ 8!t0s 7d ing week last vear „ 11n1 ? correspond- ing week last   an increase of 9 941 passengers and (?4 7s 7d. On Bank Holidav there were. 5.159 pa^aSsenp\-pr a^ 10d- Uken- On Whit-Monday?.st?? and ? ??? ????r ??en. On A P were 6s M. wereT. ?cH?'B??'h??o???F?? ay and Saturday next a   To4,n Hall for the purpose of aiding the Retired Teachers' Homes Association. As inn? in these columns last week ?00 is needed for fund and ?0 in order Ttentation fu^ and £ 70 teachers and scholar!^ of ??^es ,from debt- The Scho°1? in the in hers h??e b?een working- ha^f tlme Past for this worthy object, and the bazaar 8^ou^d prove a huge sucocS ess. On Friday ^,r- R. .,urgh' M.P., will  ?M?oresa. the ceremon/y will be perfo/rmNI!E^ D by JL Mayorem. Saturday the QuEE.,v-sTREL-r ?.A.-There was a good attend- anee. Mr. J. D Siddail 3 ^.a 8°°d attend- ing of "the merry montlT^f cAairl?ian> and speak- ? his hearers oto f spend thpir P ,recommended le?fy lanes Shire H°hday amo^ th« leafy lanes of Cheshire, and to give some study to thestruetuteoftheS?v? f' The study would amply repay them. The Rev. J. p gave an excellent scientiously thMer a?? nf ?? ?°   address on the an nf i-/ n,SOn an excelient address on the art of Ii ving nghtly and con- scientiously. }fr. H. Bogie  effective in his vigorous re" nderi°ng ? of ^e P%n■m's Hope" and Salvator.?' Williamson. J..3. Jones and Marriott also took part in the service. ?- Skeldon was organis th«S £ oJf po laces Morf Jyisio^iH lraSSfH1T\-We°''de"to°'1 that a fund is being raised to purchase for the city some of fr. Juison'" drawingl:Jin "Mack and white of places of special local interest. Those who have ,een these drawings will read'lv understand that it somplc.aocefs ?Mrdra?w.?? shouJd be secured and preserved for future generations. The Fund is ope?I at L?vds ?„' ??" ??? The Fund is inviting subscripton* ,1 Bishop, the Recorder the fh by, the Mayor, the several ot h ers, It is possible that son^> of our readers have received the circular and net yet ansTred it. We trust they will make a favonrM r ep Iy, and that others who a fchat others who read this will see their w *COntnbute to the fund. Mr will gladly acknowledge suchcontriteF ii £ RolS rl♦ S"'JI ~k»»»l«ige CHESTER FREE LIBRAR¥.-The fOllowing ? the return of the issue T of books for the week ending 17th :My, 1902:-Len,ding department: Religion and phIlosophy ?S. h? 2, arts, sciences and and travels S te?'??P?'' geography ?cticn 954 rn?r? ? ??'? ? ???" ?. prose ifisccli,' ,Il e U's literature 15, juvenile literature 192 total' reference department: Religion and' l^ 8ociology 0, arts, sciences, and nXrli.A biography, *?? £ bi <^raPhy- geography and di?e-J????- ??y- ?ogr?Phy. ?-ncyclop?di?s ?? ?''?? 41, literaturelO t?!? ? ??-' ? mMceIIaneous literature 10, wtal 47U; combined ?to' tal 1,705, daily average (lendm^V T,Uent;) 247, daily average (reference department) '8, combined daily average 325. HOOLE DISTRICT 0[^CIL'7;A special meeting of the Hocle Urbtt an 9)tnet '7'? ?? .??"? on Thursday for the   general district rate^M^ W" llliams presided, general disrict rat ??? ???..??ms presided, and there were also present D; Lewis A. Williams, fessrs, A. L. Williams, '?- T- Ball, W. H. Nightingale T. Woollam, W. Mealing, W. E. aMned ssrs i?Te   F?- ???? ? .(??torof nuinces) illipse'Ts)-n M^N^hS^ laP asked i•f ni £ peetor of get a flag-pole Rag for i they could ground and pay for it out of the loan.-The deputy clerk was LC0UdI10t'\7Mr' W. Wmiams e Park and pleasure thought is nthat the surveyor should be instructed t f* '6Stlmate f°ra Pok-Mr. J. T Stll mo^tat tbe iurvey°r be instructed to obtain a n tender for « for use at the Coronation 'and that 1t be PT 1*?^ 6*1 ln the Park ?er- wards -Mr (<. i ?carried. Bi a"dit was carried. BIHOP OF ST A 1 ON BCLLFI?HTS AD R\CI\G —At V ,eLste(J JdJf? «l held at Cefn Mawr, Ru-dxm on Monday, the Bishop of St. Asaph said h d had ?'??? from the South of Europe and had Ieen the Spaniards, t?ga on the shoulder like t?e S ?? ?ans, nocking to the bullfights. He hal  say ^amst ??= he had not come tthheJrm e to discuss morals. But when he ie the bulinghts with their a.nusemen? he felt bound to say that the We] shmen did not he felt t bounrf l to say that the Welshmen did not comeout?? 'When he got to London he found r ^reat crul J the railway station waiting for a ?soec??? tr? ? convey them to a race meeting not far wav 'nrr}^ not in the special fortunately. but?e?? ?? ? the special fortunately. bu4t t he nS; theSe he never saw such a ,?et of^ as these rac ng  He never saw such m l6^ or h? grosser language ?whe?e Fmg r might P?de themselves ? on n? ii? ??r-mes and tal?k disparagingly of the 1 h' f" ??k ?bo?e.?hen ? Sne  old ? ales. It was not a great country f„ UJt it had ???' ?rtues. He was verv fond of horses, but he had never been to a great race meeting in   He coi?dSed? eisteddfod ? much better form of national amusement than some p?Ie found pSure in, in(I lie con,-ratolitc-d tlier? upon vitality of eiste?dlodio institutions.

ALLEGED CHURCH ROBBERY. I CASE AT CHESTER. I ■ f" th<LGty P,ice COtut: yesterday (Friday),  Mr. R. L. Barker (presiding) and Dr. -qtf olterjo? tii, Annie Edwards, of no fixed address was. charged on remand with stealing a Com- mumon cloth and four candlesticks from the church of St. Mary's-on-the-Hill, on Thursday week.- The Chief Constable informed the magistrates that prisoner was seen in the church, and shortly after- wards the articles referred to were missing. She dealt with them a few hours afterwards.J<)scpb Nie'.d, verger of the church, stated that the church was open daily from 7.30 in the morning until dusk. On the morning of the 15th inst. he saw the dk cover and the candlesticks, which were N-A!LIC i at £ 4, safe in the church. He missed them at 6,30 in the evening, and saw prisoner in the church, under the influence of drink, at 6.45, and turned her out.—Margaret Cane, 16, Love-street, said prisoner called at her house about 2.50 the same day, and after asking for a drink of water, offered her two of the candlesticks (produced) for one shilling, representing that they were her wed- ding presents. Witness gave her the shilling, and .afterwards handed the articles to the police. Stephen Sheldon, manager for Mr. Dutton, pawn- broker, Lower Bridge-street, deposed to advancing pr.soner 3s. for two candlesticks, which she brought to him at 4.30 in the afternoon, and which she represented to be her wedding presents. He handed the candleslicks to the police next morn- in?- Ellen Nicholson, 10, Potter's-couit, said prisoner called at her house at half-past five o' clock the same day, and asked permission to sit down and rest, as ¿he had walked from Birkenhead and was tired. She remained in the house about balf- an-hour, and on leaving left the cloth (produced) behind her.—P.C. Hewitt arrested prisoner at tie Groves about, four o'clock the following morning, and on being charged with the theft, she admitted her guilt.—In reply to the Magistrates' Clerk, prisoner now sajqhe was very sorry for what she had done. She was under the influence of drink wh01 she. ccmmitted the theft, and did not know what she was doing.—The Chief Constable pointed out that prisoner admitted a. previous conviction on indictment at Birkenhc-ad in October, 1900. of shopbreaking, burglary and larceny. Nine other convictions were recorded against her.—Prisoner was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

CADBURY'S COCOA is highly nourishing and easily digested, repairing waste and preserving health. It is absolutely pure and untampered with, being entirely free from drugs, alkalie-s, or any admixture. CADBURY'S is a perfect food, suitable for all ages and for all seasons of the year. A J

t ST. AIDAX'S COLLEGE. I I INTERESTING FUNCTION. I f THE DEARTH OF CLERGY. I [ lHy OUR OWN REPORTER,! I On Thursday a gathering of representative clergy and laity in the dioceses of Chester and Liverpool took place at St. Aidan's Theological College, Birkenhead, on the occasion of a luncheon by means of which function it is hoped to stimulate interest in the important work of this institution and secure more liberal pecuniary support in order to combat the difficulty of the dearth of candidates for the ministry On all hands the keenest anxiety is being felt concerning the dearth of candidates for Fd i..tl.n 'Nvhich is regarded as a crisis. It appears, however, that there are many men, otherwise clearly quahtied for the ministry, who are debarred from offering themselves for training on financial grounds alone. In connection with St Aidan's Uollege alone there are good grounds for believing that the ministry of the Church is annually losing many valuable men for lack of the necessary funds to enable the college authorities to receive them for training at reduced charges. In other religious bodies, such as Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and the Church of Rome, candidate5 for the ministry are usually provided with the means for their train- ing if they are not themselves able to afford -he expense. It is not generally known that at St Aidan s Coliege a fund called the Students' Exhi- bition Fund has been established to meet p*Shie need, with a twofo: d object. The nrst is to  ^d> ^h f twofold object. The first is to vide exhibitions to be awarded by competition? on the result of the Bishops' Entrance Examma- tiou, By this means the number of men entering the -'Iege can- generally be increased, and in particular the entry of the better-qualified be se- cured. The second object is to make crania in I aJG, to be assIgned at the discretion of the college auth 0r,t,c 2. By this means, men qualified for the work of the ministry, but unable to meet the en- tire expenses of the college course, can receive such assistance as each case requires. To further tnese objects the oouncil make a twofold appooJ- (l) for donations with a view to raising a capital sum of £10,000, so as to secure the foundation of competitive exhibitions; (2) for annual subscrip- tions to provide grants in aid according to need. Mr. E. W. Bird (chairman of the council) pre- sided at the luncheon, and a large gathering in- ciuded the Bishop of Chester (Visitor at the Col- lege), the Bishop of Liverpool, Archdeacon Mad- den, Canon S. Cooper Scott (Chester), Canon bymonds, Canon Hodgms, Canon Armour, Canon Honeyburne. Canon D. Thompson, Canon Weatherhead, Canon Tyrer, Canon Rob- son, the Rev. Dr. Cogswell, Bishop Jhe Revs. W. L. Paige-Cox, C. HyltQn Stewart W F- T orr, U. B- Blogg åLld T. May, the Mayor of Birkenhead (Mr (1 R I uazienurst), the Mayor of Chester (Mr. J G F--st), General Mocatta (Chester), Professor Gom- mer, Colonel Stitt, Messrs. C. Gatehouse, W. H. Churton (Chester), J. T. Golder (Chester), C. J. Bushell, J. P. Hargreaves, C. J. Procter. G. A. Soliv, T. W. Tetley, J. R. Ward and J. Calder, and the principal of the college (the Rev. Arthur Tait, M.A.) and the vice-principal (the Rev. F. S G. Warman, M.A.). The Chairman, in introducing the Bishop of Liverpool, referred to the great dearth experi- enced for many years of candidates for the mmis- try, and its effect upon the theological college* throughout the country. The numbers of students attending those colleges had been going down, and St. Aidan's had not escaped the de- c'eiision. When the Archbishop of Svdiiey (then Dr. Smith) was appointed principal of the college the institution was full, and the numbers rose as high as eighty. During his time there was a gradual decrease, and when he left the numbers had gone down to about fifty. His successor (Mr. Elmer Harding) was helpless to prevent the nun? ber still going down, though no one cou'd have l been more devoted to the college and its interests than he—(hear, hear)—and when he left there v. ere only about 25 students in the college. Of that number some were finishing their course, and in con sequence only seven or eight. old students re- mained to greet Mr. Tait, the new principal. In spite of that position, Mr. Tait oommencpd his first term in October last with fourteen students, and by dint of energy he had now 27 students. (Ap- plause.) It was pleasing to know that Mr. Talt's former parishioners at Eastbourne not only shewed their appreciation of him. on his leavin"g, in a very substantial form, but had also taken a great interest in the college, and had raised among i them a fund of over JE70 to be applied in heipin? I capable and earnest students who were unable for one reason or another to complete their studies. (Hear, hear.! In addition to that, effort, an old student of the college, whose name he was not i allowed to disclose, had generously offered to de- fray the cost of that luncheon. (Applause.) It was hoped that that influential gathering would be the means of making the college more widely known and bringing friends to it. The Bishop of Liverpool, in proposing the naF4,. "Prosperity to St. Aidan's." remarked that he had no official connection with the college, except to perform the duty of appointing four clerical mem- bers of the council. He had, however, the greatest pleasure in moving the toast for two reasons. First, because the diocese of Liverpool was only separated from St. Aidans by the Lioad waters of the Mersey, and because in days gone by they owed a great deal to the clergy who had been trained in that place. Secondly, because some thirty years ago it was his lot to be placed in very much the same position as their new principal to find himself il!?harge of a theological establish- ment which had to be nUed somehow with ca?d?' dates for the ministry. As Bishop of Liverpool during the last- two years he had learned two I lessons first, thht there was a senc-iif Isck of candidates for ordination. He reckoned that ;n? the diocese of Liverpool they required a? kat thirty young men every year to be crdajc?d, who had not been ordained. In other word? thn had only two-thirds of the number of candidates for I ordination which the great diocese of Liverpool needed, and one-third of the curscies lacking curates had to go without. He learned that there was no lack of men wishing to take orders. During last year he received no less than fifty applications most of which came from men who, though thoroughly sincere in their desire to take orders had not the qualifications of ruling ar.d in«truct- ing which a clergyman required. He was sure he would be expressing the opinion of the clergy and laity present when he said that a bishop ought not, even at a time when candidates were sorely needed to lower the standard of qualifications. (Hear: hear.) There never was a time when they needed to have well-qualified men for ordination more than at the present. These two things had struck him during the last two years—the comparatively smalil i number of qualified men who were ccming forward for ordination, and the very large liumbe-r of sincere but unqualified men who desired to take hoiv orders. He was sorrv to say that fewe- ana fewer rich men were taking orders every vr-ar. He thought if they were to appeal to the wealthy churches in the dioceses of Chester al-d L verpooi to choose godiy and qualified voung men frcin thf", midst, and send them to St. Aidan's, and Year bv year subscribe towards the cost of their college course, they would obtain not only men, but means to defray the expenses of their mainten- ance in college. It. was a great law of God that the ministry was not confined to one class cf the community, and when we found, as we did, among the poorer classes men who had at once the ceeire and the iftness, it was the duty of t-he Church to come lorwara and supply the third need, and to give them the opportunity. Some of the most useful men in the Church of England to-day were men who would never have been able to take orders had it. not been for some generous fnend or some exhibition such as this; aud f in future they desired the Church of England to keen ner hold upon the people, they must be content to search out. men who were fit for the work, and to put their hands in their pockets and support those men at the university or the theological co eee He did not hesitate to say that no Church did less to pay her ministers and to train hei can:- dates for holy orciers than the Church of -England. (Hear, hear.) When he heard what their Noncon- formist ana Roman Catholic friends were do;ni', ne could net help sometimes being ashamed bv he could not hc' lp thinking that their slackness wa, due more to ignorance than anything else, and that the laity did not realise the state of thing's. He was sure that English Church laymen were always equal to the occasion, and when thev heard of a real case of need, when they saw t was absolutely necessary for money to be JUD- plied to maintain the Church in her present state of efficiency, the money required would be forth- coming. The Bishop of Chester, in responding to the toast, said he was indebted to the college for a certain number of men who had come into the diocese. During the thirteen years he had been Bishop of Chester, he had ordained ten men from that college, and some of them had been exceed- ingly helpful. A great help had been rendered to the diocese by the general tone, k-armnc a.i;G readiness to help in every good work which was found among the clergy who were at the head cf the institution. What was the real function of St. Aidan's College with reference to the ministry of the Church of England? That was obviously the first question to ask before they went on to dwt]] upon what the Bishop of Liverpool had sc dea-'v and powerfully put before them. He supposed they would agree it was the beet thing for who were going to be ministers in the Church of England to go. if they could, through a university course, and they would give precedence to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Those uni- versitic-s had a very valuable appendage in the unattached or non-collegiate system, which supple- mented some of the advantages of the cohegiate system it did not possc&s by great advantages, both social and religious. He thought it. was possible that in the future St. Aidan's College might take a very valuable and fundamental part in connec- tion with the growth of the univers;ty-as he sup- posed it soon would be-—of L iverpool. '.Hear, hear.) There were certain subjects in connection I with theology which could be perfectly wc-il taught in what was termed an undenominational I university—taught by men who had a single eye j to the truth. Lectures on such subjects, fcowever, would require to be supplemented by colleges be- J ¡oning to diffc-rent denominations, and St-. J Aidan's, in connection with the T?niv&rsity of 1 Liverpool, would supply that devotional assistance upon denominational subjects. He was certain the college could be trusted not to be carried on upon anything like partisan lines. The Church of Eng- land did comparatively little towards the education 1 of those who proposed to be its miniten:, and he | agreed that to a great, extent they must fee; i ashamed ur-o? that subject when ,I?ev oose-11,?;l? what was done by other religious bodies. On the other hand, let them be .fair to them&elvp&. The reason the Church of England did less in this respect than other religious bodies was, perhaps, partly because the Church of England had been able to draw upon what he might call self- supporting classes of the ministry. Long might that be so. But it was decreasingly so. In former davs there were comparatively few occupations which were considered to be open to the sons of gentlemen, but now, happily, the number cf Em- ployments in wmch edited gentlemen cculd take S rhLm°'l Jegion. ?? was ? of the results of Christianity leaven.n??c?ty. At the Eame time, ? brought a drawback: thev Lad fewer men of -vrNpi+- A v,- k edju^°° ? e?er ? Church. Thheer^e floorreJ rth! ere Wca ?.ii incr<?'b.ing demand fr»i» Euc?t t=xhibins as tlKJ Proposed at St Aida'ø. an^ d he hoped j thaa one of the good re suite thib would come of tl-,e r-,h of m:Ll%-z?re was that the laity would realise their resnona* -biii- t?es more than they done hitherto. He did not see any Drœpect, b?maBeIv speaking, of their being abie to prov?e ?, the future r.?o? ?? of such a country ? Enpl?nd ui? the VPlj- ohosen ministers of the (,'hurc:b of Engiazi,]-a small but influential body-were more and more supported by the co-operation of the laity who were not merely ccntei.t io give, but who were also "wixiing" to act"p u> their position. The Principal of the a llege proposed the hea:th of the old students, "C plmg with the toast the name of one of the old.«t students, the Rev. J. G. Haworth. The Rev. J. G. H&worth. in responding, inti- mated that he would g.ye th-■ (-o")rn-,tt-e £ 000 towards the £ iC,000 recr.ired to be raised, if ttey would raise the other £ 9.000. If. as an alterna- i ve, they preferred o ?id<?pt a vc?a,- I v 5uL--cript,;On t?e, they preferred to adopt a Tcarh subscription scheme, he would give £ 100 as soon as they had a subscription list of L-)-CC, a. year. The health of the C arman was drunk, on fha proposition of the of Birkenhead, and the Chairman s response oo^oiuded the- proceedings.

BETTER WORKMEN. TO Tn. EDITOB. Sir,—Will you allow me 2. space in your valuable paper to call the attention of the master bakers of Chester to the want of a technical school for instructing the young men of the trade how to ice and ornament cakes of every description For instance, there are chides held in London, Liver- pool, Manchester, and other large towns, where young men can attend, and for a small fee make themselves efficient workmen, which is a great advantage over Chester. Hoping there are some employers who will come forward and assist those who are willing to improve themselves, ii such a class was held at the Grosvenor Museum or some other place In the city, say once a week.— I remain, yours, ..M yours, YOU JUL RS PRET. May 21mt,. 3H02. lULJÜlRS PRET.

r CORONATION FESTIVITIES. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Bristol is well ahead cf Chester in its treatment of the trades and friendly societies; for I read cf an intended process-iou of military and the above, with tableaux, with prizes, also the novel idea of costumes representing the Kings cf England from the Conqueror to William lY. No cavilling or twitting at such a time, as we witness here, concerning that most important addendum at the termination of tho procession, the roast beef and plum pudding. Yet we find in Chester, although it. :crms the title next to that cf the heir apparent, quibbling and paltry treatment and a preference to spend the large grant of £2,000 chiefly in illuminations. It strikes me a little tact and a desire to share or meet the trades and friendly society men in the expense cf a lunch might yet result in the striking scene on the coming eventful day of such a procession that all would be prcud cf, but as things are this loyal city cf Chester must take a back seat even to Bristol. May 17, 1902. CESTRIAN. May 17. 1902.

INKY RAIN. TO THE EDITOR. 8ir,-IÐ explanation of Mr. Lpchc's t^uest-ons, I write to say that rain like ink in a mere or less diluted form is pbenomencl1 but too well knew. at Edge. A gentle breeze from north by east- the exact direction of Widnes—furnishes the sky with the required ingredients, and a shower urder these oonditions is converted into ink. I find this pollution of the atmosphere dl-. is to aelicate alpine plants, and it greatly increases my difficulty in cuhivating them. When the blaok particles fail down without rain, a scum shewing rainbow colours becomes visible here on the surface of ponds and puddie- These poisonous particles remain high up in sa'pension until they have crossed the ridge of the Pèck- forton range of hills. They then descend upon the Western slopes of these hills, as a-iv cr." Lay find by Dassing his hand over a tuft of one of the young Scotch firs which g.ow there. "Yhen there is a brisk breeze the materials which c-clcur this ink pass quickly over the district, but when calm, anti-cvclonic conditions prevail, with a hght wind from the above-named direction, a bnght morning is nearly always turned here by this bandul cloud into a gloomy afteri ocn as if a thi. understorm was gathering. Though Widnes is the worst offender, Northwich, WinWord and VVarrington contribute their share. Cn May 9th., the date of Mr. Leche's letter, mv gralld- :Xrr Cre nome from gathering cowslips with their hands as black as if they had been grubbing in soot. In summer, after one of the black showers. I have seen all the wl ire flowers in my garden stained as if with spcts cf k and th-, marks last all their life. Cicero, when speaking of the portents which happened in his time, includes showers cf milk, of earth and of blood. and if there had been coa-1- fe-d c?em.caJ works then in Italy, Le ?uid h&vo adwd!i ed of ink. The microsccp? new reveals tJ)e true nature of these rains. Showers of mi k are known to be osased by the pollen of the lfowers of fir woods, carried high in the air tc a distance and coming down with rain. The fine red dust which still falls in parts of Italy, either dry or in drop, is known to be blown by southerly galea from the Sahara. Indeed, Cxero c-cijec-,v.cd its true cause, saying tha-t rain tinted by some red earthy pubsiance was mistaken by the supersti- tious for blood. But in spite cf this explanation, bioodv ram continued to be thought a uper- natura. and awful portent, and the powerful guild of soothsayers at Rome, whose occupation was gone if ruch occurrences ceased to cause alarm, took care to discourage any rational explanation of them.—Your obedient servant. Edge HaJl ]\alp C. WOLLEY-DOD E(i,-e Hail, ILalpas. May 17th..

UGHTLVG-UP TABLE. All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted up as stated in the following ta11e:- p M. Saturday, :åY 24  9*16 Sunda.y,M?y 25.9?17 Moaday,May26 9.lg Tuesday, May 27 <? ?Q Wednesday, May 28 9.21 Thursday, May 29. 9.22 932 Friday, May 30 qgj

BIRTHS, jfAKRIAGES & DEATHS --4- BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, and DKATHS are charged IT  rate of 20 words for Is. (prepaid). If no prepaid. thI oh?e ?i be 2s. 6d. The a?nounc.em.4 must be auUiei.t.ca.ed j the Signature and Address ot the Sender. MARRIAGES. M?CF-VERNON—Cn Wediiesda?, Ma. i: at Geoi-'p Primitive Mehodist Ch, Chests bv the ?pvt Tra 's, a?ste<! by the Rev. H. Davenport: Cha.-l??ace?f of Manchester, to Miss &Hth A. VernoH d?au?"h? ? of Councillor W. Vernon, of Chester. SHEPHERD HKNTERSON May 12, at St. Paul's Church. Chester, John Shepherd (late of Little Stamsev) to Mar? Henderson, widow of the late Ed. Henderson. of Chester. WAYMC;UTfi-FAIRIA'EATHER- Ma ill, at West Te-igimiouth t I»evon, Henry Staines Wayniouth, of .j, Bridge-street | ROT., son of «ohn Staines Vaymouth. Cleneliie, St. R e son of <ohn 'ttuHes Y' Mary Church, Torquay, to Mary Kairweather, daughter of the late Robert Hyne Kainveatnei', ot Kinjpsbridite. DEATHS. *—May If), at Beaumaris, alter a short illness, Joseph Bail, in his SOth year. Was interred at Thornton-le- Jloors Ala;, 19th. BOWERS—May 20, at 19, Hoolc-road, Chester, Henry IL Bowers, J. P., ayed 80 years. IN MEMORIAM. Jo?'In !ovm;r memory of Mary Ann Joies,C' cd M?y .>0 õ'íl  v. One year has ?one. and Li1J we miss her. Friends ma\' think the wound b healed' But they li?tle know the sorrow Deep withio our hearts concealed. MILLEX—May 18, at 34. Oulton-place, George, the beJovecf husband of Sarah MIl/en, aged 00 years Stored Chester Cer.ietery May "hy w;]i j One year has pass- t, ":1 Friends mav think Wfi But they litt ie kn( j. Deep within our >1 :.t;t"O jStuily mj" lJ hit v n IioW. dai-^hw )

j?[ E M O S i a L 8 IEMOR1.ALS. AT ALL phtcrc ;? MARELE, GRAXITE.[T0!" r On View, .n<i to oider. W. HA_SWEtL a- SON. 1 MASONS. ELTELLWS < Estimates an<i Ucsis 1 Telephone No. 161A.. j

TARPOKLEY. j (Sea .tGn rj 1 I CHURCH GARDEN ry evening a meeting of r-. ■ h, 1 the Rectory, It was urn I I the annual e-hureh garden partv in the Rectory troanas tais veav. on Wednesday,\loly 30th. Mr. W. Bulington, of the lirm of BiÎlinzton and Fleet, joiners, wa." r':lJÚring the icof oi ladder on which he slùod slipped and caused him to fall j. upon the upright of an iron hurdle which pene- trated his nef-1, near the j uglar vein, and made a nasty lacerated wound. Owing t.) the ladder ,j having fallen, two men who were on the roof at the time of the aecirient were unable to render Mr. „ Billinarton assistance for some little time. The sail" :y Mr. Lionel Cookson, mason, was unfortu- f. nate t i break his leg through the fall of a grave ?to:? Both are under the care of Dr Hewer, and t f .r-1], f i :JI"I:;re!mg :J' I