Cheshire Observer

Raincoats, smart goods, 25/6, 27/6, 30/- to 45/— Bradleys, Foregate-street (corner of Seller-street).

CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SERVICE LIST FOR WEEK COMMENCING Nov. 15. SATURDAY, NOVKMBKR 15TII.-lorning, 8.0: Holy Com- munion. 10.15 Service, King in F; anthem, "0 taste and nee" (Sullivan). Evening, 4.15: Service, King in F: anthem, "0 where shall wisdom" (Boyce SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH (Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity).-Morning, 8.0: Litany and Holy Communion. 10.30: Service, Hopkins in A; introit, hymn 317 Holy Communion (Bridge in G); preacher, the Lord Bishop. Evening, 3.30: Service, Bridge in G anthem, Sin?, 0 Evening, (8uliivan); hymn 2o. 6.30: Processional hymn, 2U7 Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis to Chants hymns 181, 190, 223; preacher, the Rev. W. H. Draper, M.A.

The Rev. W. H. Egerton of Whitchurch cele- brated his ninety-first birthday on Thursday. Sir Humphrey and Lady de Trafford, who have sold their London house, are at Hill Crest, Marke t Harborough. The Marchioness of Ormonde and Lady Con- stance Butler were the guests of the King and Queen to meet the German Emperor. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., C.B., has been somewhat indisposed during the past week, but we are glad to say he is now in his usual health. The Earl and Countess of Harrington have returned to Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire, for the hunting season, and are entertaining a small party for Derby races. In consequence of the death of Sir James Graham Montgomery the Duchess of Buckingham's (his sister's) ball, fixed for the 10th of December, at Tatton Park, will not take place. The Princess of Wales is godmother to Lord and Lady Shaftesbury's little daughter. The child is named Mary Sibell, after the Princess of Wales, and her grandmother, Lady Grosvenor. We regret to learn that illness prevented the attendance of Mr. George W. Haswell (councillor) at the mayor-choosing ceremony on Monday. Mr. Haswell has been laid up for nearly two weeks. A marriage has been arranged, and will take place on the 1st of January, between Ernest Bernulf, youngest son of Neville Clegg, of Oldfield Brow, Altrincham, Cheshire, and Edith, youngest daughter of James Worrall, The West Hall, High Leigh, Cheshire. Countess Grosvenor, accompanied by Lady Lamington, performed the opening ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at Church House, London, of the seventh annual sale of work organised by Bishop and Mrs. Johnson in aid of church work at home and abroad. Lieut. Herbert Wicksted Ethelston, of the Grenadier Guards, second son of Mr. Edmund Peel, Bryn-y-pys, near Wrexham, who has just I attained his majority, was the recipient of a number of presents on Thursday from his own tenants and his father's tenants. The young gentleman is now the landlord of the Wicksted estate, Shropshire and Uplywc, Devonshire. The Rev. Henry James Lawes Arnold, vicar of East Dereham, who was ordained in 1881 by Dr. Jacobson, Bishop of Chester, and licensed to the curacy of Tarporley, where he remained for five years, has been appointed to succeed the late Canon John Patteson, of Higham Grove House, Norwich, as an honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral. The Earl of Shrewsbury, premier Earl both of England and Ireland, was 42 on Thursday. The title is one of those that figure largely in the history of England, for it dates from 1442, in the reign of Henry VI., and the present peer is the 20th holder. Lord Shrewsbury is well known for his sporting proclivities, especially coaching. For some years he ran a coach daily from Buxton to Alton Towers, his residence at Stoke, and patrons had the privilege of inspecting the mansion free of charge. At present his lordthip is taking a great practical interest in motor-car affairs. The Duchess of Teck, who was accompanied by the Duke of Teck, on Tuesday opened at the Leeds Town Hall a four days' bazaar in aid of the fund of ten thousand pounds which it is hoped to raise in connection with the Yorkshire Ladies' Council of Education, in order to provide ladies with such teaching as will enable them to accept lucrative employment. The Earl of Harewood presided at the opening ceremony, and said he understood the objects were to provide ladies with an education which would enable them to enter into lucrative employment, and it was provided that the money should be repaid when- ever they were in a position to do so. The Duchess of Teck, having declared the bazaar open, was tendered thanks, on the motion of the Mayor of Leeds, seconded by Mr. Arnold-Forster. The Duke of Teck replied, and said he and the Duchess were not strangers to Leeds, of which city, indeed, they had many happy memories. NEW HIGH SHERIFFS. On JVednesday the ancient ceremony of nominating the High Sheriffs for the counties of England and Wales took place in the Court of the Lord Chief Justice of England, in the London Law Courts. The following were among the Sheriffs nominated, the first on the list being generally chosen or "pricked by the King, to serve for the year 1903:—Cheshire: Thomas Bland Royden, of F rankby Hall; Geo. Littleton Dewhurst, of Beechwood, Lymm Arthur Hornby Lewis, of Marbury Hall, Northwich. -Shropshire Win. Henry Foster, of Apley Park, Bridgnorth; Edward Brocklehurst Fielden, of Condover Hall, Shrewsbury; Charles James Cotes, of Pitchford Hall, Shrewsbury. Staffordshire Chas. Tertius, Manderoy Mount, Wolverhampton: Robert Halstead Hargreaves, of Knightly Grange, Eccles- hall; Robert Heath, of Biddulph Grange, Congleton.—Denbighshire John Morris, of Hetty Llansannan, Abergele Edmund Andrew Ffoulkes, of Errivialt, Denbigh; Chas. Salusbury Main- waring, of Bloclohy bendy, Cerrigydruidion.— Flintshire: John Watkinson, Brook Park, Northop; Horace Mayhew, of Broughton Hall; Samuel Perks, of Dolanog, Rhyl.—Herefordshire Sir Joseph Verdin, Bart., recently of Cheshire, now of Garnstone Castle, Herefordshire, is I nominated first. We are requested to announce that the Mayoress of Chester (Miss Roberts) will be "At Home" at the Town Hall on Wednesday the 19th inst., from 3.30 to 5.30. Mr. George Barbour, of Bolesworth Castle, has kindly forwarded a present of thirty rabbits to the Chester Certified Industrial School. The gift was much appreciated. Mr. W. H. Lever, of Port Sunliht:and Mr. J. P. Thomasson, former M.P. for Bolton, were on Monday elected honorary freemen of the latter borough, both gentlemen having been benefactors to the town. Lord Mostyn has signified his acceptance of the presidency of the General Committee of the National Eisteddfod of 1902. At the first meeting of the Executive Committee, Mr. H. R. Hughes, Kinmel (Lord-Lieutenant of Flintshire), was elected president. We regret to learn that Canon Lynch is lying very ill at his residence, Grosvenor Park-road. The Canon, who has been indisposed for a long time, met with an accident a fortnight ago by falling while alighting from a tram. On enquiry yesterday (Friday) we were informed that the patient is in a grave condition. The secretary of the Chester General Infirmary begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following donations :—Miss Agnes Kelsall, 9250; Miss Helen Forbes Kelsall, £ 250; Rev. P. F. A. Morrell, Bl Is surplus of Grand Jury Luncheon to the High Sheriff, November Assizes, per R. G. R. Brocklebank. Esq, P,5 15s., and 916& 3d. to the Convalescent Home from Wm. Fryer, Esq. also the following Church collections: Hawarden Church, Pll 8s. 4d. St. Ambrose School Chapel, 7s. lid.; St. Winifred's School Chapel, 6s. 9d. St. Mary's, Bruera. P,3 All Saints', Hoole, £12128.; Handbridge CongreKationaL C2 2s. Primitive Methodist, Queen's Ferry, £ 1 is. St. John-street Wesleyan, £ 4 13s. 5d. HONOUR FROM THE KING.—Miss Beatrice Wininarleigh- Wilson is in receipt of a kind message of thanks from his Majesty in return for her piano- forte co" mposition The Winmarleigh Coronation Waltz," composed during the week of the Corona- tion. ODDFELLOWS' CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MA YOB.— At a meeting of the Perseverance Lodge (G. U.O 0.) on Saturday evening, it was unanimously decided, on the proposition of the N.G. (Bro. G. Lloyd), that a letter of congratulation be forwarded to their medical officer (Dr. Roberts) complimenting him on his elevation to the mayoralty. THE LATE MR. J. R. RAE.—At a meeting of the committee of the Mold and District Licensed Victuallers' Association held on Friday evening, sympathetic reference was made by the president (Mr. Josiah Simons) to the loss sustained by the association and the trade generally through the death of Mr. J. R. Rae, of Chester, district secre- tary to the National Trade Defence Association. A vote of condolence was unanimously passed with the relatives of the deceased gentleman. The com- mittee fixed Friday, 19th December, as the date of the annual dinner of the association. THE TRAMS.—The tram returns for the week are as follows:—Monday, passengers 3,107, receipts £14613. (id Tuesday 2,700, £ 12 7s. 4d.; Wednes- day 2,655, E12 2s. 5d.; Thursday 2,924, £ 13 7s. lid.; Friday 2,994, E12 4s. 9d.; Saturday 4,949, B22 10s. 6d. Sunday 1,351, S6 12s. 3d. The totals for the week are 20,536 passengers and £ 94 lis. lid.; as compared with 7,253 passengers and £ 09 10s. 7d. in the corresponding week of last year. It will be noticed that the numbc r of passengers has almost trebled, the increase being 13,283, while the increase in the receipts amounts to jE25 Is. 4d. VENICE IN CHESTER.—The members and friends of the Queen-street Mutual Improvement Society attended in large numbers in the Lecture-room on Wednesday to hear a lecture on Venice" by Mr. E. M. Sneyd Kynnersley, H.M.I S. The lecture was illustrated by upwards of 160 beautiful pictures carefully shewn by Mr. R. Lamb's splendid lantern. The views were explained by the lecturer, who evidently spoke from a full and perfect knowledge of his subject, and gave much delight to the audience. Preceding the lecture a series of 18 capital Coronation pictures were placed upon the screen. Mr" H. G. Hope, M.A., presided. TIME TRIES ALL. For over 50 years Hewitt's Boots have stood the test of time, and are still unsurpassed and unequalled. Abbey Gateway and next to Music Hall. CHURCH ARMY.—Chester Workhouse has during the past week been visited by Mr. Arthur Hanson, of the Church Army. Services have been held each day. The Gospel has been preached in a plain, simple way that all could understand. CHESTER POST OFFICE.—Messrs. Leonard Jones, Cornwall-street, and Owen Owen, St. Anne-street, having satisfied the requirements of the Civil Service Commissioners, are taking up positions as telegraph learners. They were prepared for the examination by Mr. Skeldon, of the British School. CHESTER COLLEGE CLUB.-On Friday the Liver- pool branch held their first Bohemian concert, Mr. R. T. W. Allen presiding. There was also present many prominent teachers of Liverpool and district, and about 200 ladies and gentlemen. An excellent musical programme was provided by Messrs. Allen and E. W. Harriman. Mr. Martin Chapender was a skilful conjurer. He was admirably supported by Miss Mallinson and Mrs. E. W. Harriman (encored for her coon songs)" Mr. Harry Fairfield (tenor), and Mr. Arthur Weber (bass). The latter gentlemen each received hearty recalls. The pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by the violin solos of Mr. B. Rowlands, jun., L.I. U.M., and the accompaniments of Mr. R. T. W. Allen. MR YKRBUlU.it AND WAR PREPARATIONS.—In the House of Commons, on Tuesday, Mr. Yerburgh asked if it were the intention of the Government to keep a force mobilised and ready for embarkation ? Lord Stanley.—No sir. If my hon friend will consider the necessary uncertainty of the country in which the force may have to operate, and the corresponding variations in its composition, equip- ment, clothing, and transport, he will understand that his suggestion to be made effective would have to be carried out on a very large and varied scale. Mr. Yerburgh—Are we, then, to understand that it is not the intention of the Government to keep any force of anysort whatever ready for embarkation? Lord Stanley.—No, sir; the hon. member must not understand that. PRESENTATION TO LORD BARRYMORIZ.We gave an account of this presentation last week. We notice that the silver tea tray, which was then given, is now on view in the window of Mr. Alfred W. Butt, n silversmith, Eastgate Row, who supplied it to the order of the Marbury tenantry. The tray, which is a very fine one, is 28in. long and 250oz. in weight, and was made in the reign of George III. by Paul Storr, the celebrated silversmith of that period. It is oblong in shape and raised on four shell feet, with gadroon edge and very beautiful handles representing oak branch and acorns. A tine heraldic shield is in the centre of the tray, which bears Lord Barrymore's monogram under coronet and his motto, "Boutez en avant." Altogether it is a magnificent piece of silver plate and a fine example of Paul ^Storr's work. UNREGISTERED VETERINARY SURGEON.—At the Over Petty Sessions, on Monday, Henry Virtue, was prosecuted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for practising as a veterinary surgeon without being registered. On October 11 a witness examined defendant's premises in Wood ford-lane, Over, and there saw a brass plate displaying his name and the description "V eterinary surgeon," whereas his" qame did not appear on the register of I the college, which was equivalent to his not being qualified. Defendant sai^ he had neglected to become identified with the college, but had since applied, and his case would come before the council in a fortnight. lIe had a diploma gtanted by the Chicago University certifying that the degree of doctor of veterinary science had been conferred upon him. He was fined 95. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—At the monthly meeting in the Royal Institution, Liverpool, on Monday, Dr. J. Cotton (St. Helens) in the chair, Mr. E. J. B. Sopp pro- posed and Mr. R. Wilding seconded that Messrs. J. F. Dutton (Helsby), and J. R. le Brockton Tomlin, F.E.S. (Chester), be elected members at the next meeting. Handsome donations to the library were announced by the secretary from Messrs. J. R. Charnley, F.E.S. and H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe, F.Z.S., F.E.S. A highly interesting paper on "Some Famous Collecting Grounds was read by Mr. Oulton Harrison (Wavertree), and illustrated by nearly 200 lantern views. The following exhibits were described and shown:—British Donacia, by Mc.wrs..1. F- Dutton and J It lip. R. Tomlin • Emmetica cervinata (Wilts.), by Mr. 0. Harrison; Lithosidae, by Mr. F. N. Pierce; Hymenopterous captures during 1902, by Mr. F. Birch Trigono- genius globulum from Hoylake. and Ixodidae from leg of a tortoise, by Mr. W. H. Jennings Metoecus paradoxus and recent coleopterous captures at Liverpool, by Mr. Guy A. Duulop some magnifi- cent exotic Lepidoptera, and photographic slides of British Lepidopterous larvae shown upon the screen by Mr. J. Jervis Richardson and Coleopteru from the Sibutu and Sulu Islands, by Mr. E. J. Burgess Sopp. PROPOSED INSTITUTION FOR FEEBLE-MINDED.— At Friday's meeting of the Holywell Board of Guardians a resolution passed by the Hawarden Board of Guardians recommending that a con- ference of Welsh Poor Law Unions should be held, to consider the question of establishing an insti- tution for the reception of feeble-minded persons and epileptics now confined in workhouses was under consideration.—Mr. J. L. Muspratt moved that the Board express its willingness to take part in such a conference, and Dr. Oliver seconded.— The Chairman said this question was discussed four and a half years ago at a conference at Mold, when a proposal was made to purchase for the purpose the Jesuit College there, which cost the county originally M,000, besides £ 6,000 spent upon it by the Jesuits. The place could then have been bought for £ 5.000. but. by the casting vote of the chairman, the delegates decided not to buy it, and now the opportunity was gone.—The Clerk (Mr. P. Harding Roberts) said the resolution of the Hawarden Guardians included a suggestion that he, as hon. secretary of the North Wales Poor Law Conference, should call a conference oir the subject, but his hands were too full to undertake such an important matter.—The resolution was carried. THE BISHOP AT BIKKKNHEAD. — Qn Monday evening anew institute at the rear of St. Anne's Church, Birkenhead, was opened, the site of which was given by the late Mr. John Laird. Canon Knox presided and-the opening ceremony was performed by Mrs. Laird. The Bishop of Chester, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs. Laird, said her husband and son would always be held in esteem in connection with it, while she herself was one of the most liberal promoters of that I building. Those for whom the building was intended must rally round and work on its behalf, and he appealed especially to the young men and ladies to use it in the true way, and shew that they were inspired by something of the spirit of Captain Gordon Laird, and a sense of duty that if life was to be worthily lived it must be spent in an earnest and intelligent and self-denying endeavour to make the best use of the opportunities 'ven, and live for their own fellows, for their Church, for their God, and for their country; and not be content with living for their own selves. Mr. C. Gatehouse seconded and Mr. Charles Laird suitably responded. LORD BARRYMORE AND THE LAND QUESTION.— The annual meeting of the County Cork Branch of the Irish Landowners' Association was held on Saturday. Lord Barrymore, who was re-elected Chairman, presided, and there was a large attend- ance. Speaking to a resolution proposed, that the Landowners' Convention, having already set forth the tems on which it was iole for landlords to sell their estates, they consider tenants should now express their views," Lord Barrymore said the landlords had put forward their views at a recent meeting of the Landowners' Convention, and it was high time, if any business was to be done, that the other side should put forward theirs, and then the Government could take these views at one side or the other, and see whether anything could be made out of them, or whether Parliament was likely to adopt one set of views or the other, or a combination of the two. He deprecated the idea of a Conference which, if it happened to be a failure, would do more harm than good. The land- lords were always ready and were still ready to lay their views before the Government. If the Chief Secretary wished to hear the views of the landlords and the tenants at the same time he (Lord Barry- more) did not see they could have any objection to going before him ai the same time as the representa- tives of the tenants. FREEMASONRY IN CHESTER.—On Monday evening the officers and brethren of the Lodge of Inde- pendence, No. 721, departed somewhat from their usual masonic routine. At the close of the ordinary lodge meeting a social gathering was held. to which lady guests and friends of the officers and brethren of the lodge were admitted. The lady guests were graciously received in the lodge-room by the respected Worshipful Master, Bro. F. Coveney, Mrs. and Miss Coveney, and by the officers of the lodge. After this formal reception a banquet was held, to which about a hundred sat down. The gathering proved an unqualified success, every officer and brother present doing his utmost to contribute to that end. The banquet was served in Messrs. Bolland and Son s best style. At the close of the repast a musical entertainment was g iven, the arrangement of the programme being entrusted to Bro. G. S- Hull. Bro. Hall left nothing to be desired in this respect, and he was well supported by several brethren of the lodge. Among those who contributed to the harmony of the evening were Miss Day, Mrs. C. J. Owen, Bros. Loui Parry, S. P. Davies, J. H. Laybourne, F. Coveney, G. Richards, &c. Bro. Walter Howick was the accompanist. The gathering was honoured by the presence of several officers and brethren from Liverpool and Chester lodges. It was the second gathering in connection with the lodge at which ladies have been admitted, but all present heartily appreciated the innovation, and in all probability it will not be the last of its kind. The proceedings terminated about 10.30 with Auld Lang Syne." CATHOLICS AXD VIIR. CECIL DAvirs.-A first-rate "social" was held in the St. Francis's Catholic Club on Tuesday evening in honour of Mr. C. Davies on his retirement from the office of Sheriff of Chester. The Rev. Father Dominic presided. There was an unusually large gathering of members and friends. Mr. Sinclair Jones, Mr. Alfred Davies, Mr. Wm. Hopton, and Mr. W. Jones each sang songs which were highly appreciated. An instru- mental quartette, under Sergt. Kelly, enlivened the proceedings not a little by their able rendering of Welsh and Scotch selections. Mr. H. Savage, a la mode Eugene Stratton, delighted the company with a couple of Eugene's favourite songs. Mr. Hull (of Hull and Benyon's band), acquitted him- self very creditably in a violin obligato to piano accompaniment. Mr. G. H. Moore carried all before him in a couple of recitations. Mr. Ellis ably presided at the piano. The Rev. Chairman, in proposing the health of their guest, Mr. C. Davies, eulogised him for his many acts of kindness to the Catholic body in Chester during his term of office which had just expired.—Mr. Davies. in replying, referred to his deceased friend, Mr. Rae, whose loss he and everyone felt very keenly. He thanked the rev. chairman and the members of the club very heartily for their kind words and good wishes, and hoped to continue assisting all bodies of men in the city as far as he could, quite irrespective of religious belief.—A vote of thanks to the rev. chairman, pro- posed by Mr. W. Jarvis, and seconded by Mr. Jas. Caliill, concluded the evening's enjoyment. Messrs. John Delany, C. Howard, F. Howard, J. Purcell, and many other friends of the club were present. It ought to be mentioned that this club has been in existence over four years, and is in a healthy con- dition with over 200 members on the list.

I CHESTER MONEY-LENDER'S CLAIM. 1 At Chester County Court, on Thursday, before Sir Horatio Lloyd, Jonas Mendelssohn, who car- ries on business at the Union Loan Office, 122, Brook-street, Chester, was the plaintiff in an action brought to recover J625 5s. for money lent and interest against William Jones and Mary Jones, his wife, farmers, living at Rossendale Cot- tages, Whitby Heath. Mr. W. H. Churton ap- peared for the plaintiff and Mr. E. Biassey for the defendants.—The question involved was whether under the recent Mcney-lenders' Act there was anything "harsh and unconscionable" in the transaction which entitled the borrower to the, relief of the court. It appeared that Mrs. Jones waited on the plaintiff and applied for a loan of JE20. Plaintiff made a journey to Whitby, and refused to advance more than £ 5, but Mrs. Jones paid a second visit to Brook-street, and there in- duced the plaintiff to advance JB18 in cash, for which the two defendants signed a promissory note agreeing to pay £ 26 back at the rate of L3 12s per month. Plaintiff had thus charged £ 8 .for the loan of £18. The defendants had only* "paid back !5s. out of the whole loan, leaving £ 25 5s. still due. -Mr. Churton contended that there was nothing har&h in the terms. According to his calculation, the interest .represented about 60 per cent., an d ,1 1 1 1 1.. considering tu-- riSKS money-Jcnaers naa to run in such cases, .he thought they would not be justified in describing the case as harsh and unconscionable.; Mr. Churtoxi quoted a caso bearing on the inter- i pretation of the recent Act, and on the strength of that urged that there was nothing in the present! case to entitle the defendants to relief from the ? compact they had entered into.—Mr. Brassey con- tended that the p!aintiff had taken advantage of? the tight corner in which the defendants were placed in crder to extort harsh and unconscionable terms.H.rs Honour intimated that he vould read over the .decision referred to before giving judg-I ment.

CHESTER GAS COMPANY. I No glU consumer in Chester should fail to pay < a visit to the show rooms of the Chester Gas Com- pany in Cuppin-street, where there is oa view an I immense stock of gas cooking and heating appli- ¡ ances in the greatest possible variety. Tnere is probably no department of manufactures which can shew a greater degree of constant improve- ment and (progress than that of gas apparatus, and the stock exhibited by the Gas Company is thoroughly up-to-date, including some of the latest inventions, which cannot be ignored by;I those who have an interest in domestic economy. I Gas files and heating stoves, which a! the prin- I cipal featuiv, can be obtained in numerous differ- I ent makes, suitable alike for residences and places of business. A number of these, manufactured by iMessrs. inetcner and Co., ot Warrington, are coated with enamel of any desired colour, which will not burn off. In the better class stoves the principle of economy is more effectively employed, as in addition to a largely radiated heat in tho front, the flues are utilised for obtaining as much connected heat as possible. Thus a fire capable of heating an .ordinary sized sitting-room can be used for the trifling cost of about three-farthings an hour. Ancther class of stove is one adapted for the "register" fireplaces now so much in vogue, j which specially commends itself for the simplicity of its fixture. A large stock of bedroom stoves is provided, one type being so constructed that the j metal of the top can be sufficiently h sated for boil- ing purposes without any extra consumption of gas, thus differing from the ordinary type of bed- room fires, which consume more gas by means of a boiling burner fitted on the top. There. is a large stove which admirably combines the func-' tions of heating and cooking, and is particularly serviceable in shops where there are often no moans of cooking food. In cooking ranges there: are many styles to select from. Economy is one of the numerous advantages of the cooking range, as it is, indeed, of every gas appliance. It has been shewn that the cost of fuel at the minimum rate for a serviceable coal range is twice that of a gas range, and with coal at its present price the ad- vantage of the latter is obviously considerable. A useful cooking range is given free by the company to their customers who use automatic meters, and I over two thousand of these aic now in use in the city. Cleanliness, which is one of the chief charac- teristics of the gas range, is great ly enhanced in a new class of stove by the enamelling 4pf all the inside fittings. The great popularity of the gas cooker is evidenced by the fact that it is used bv. considerably over fifty per cent. of the gas con- sumers in Chester, and in this respect the Chester Gas Company enjoy an almost unique distinction among the other companies in the kingdom. Among other interesting appliances the company have in stock are gas washing boilers, special kettle boilers and iron heaters. The incandescent gas burners are also worth an inspection, the use of these burners securing economy in consumption and efficiency in lighting. It is a noteworthy fact that, notwithstanding the competition of elec- tricity, the company has a very large number of consumers in proportion to the population of the city.

HAWARDEN SESSIONS. I THURSDAY.—Before Mr. W. Carstairs Jones (in the chair), Messrs. J. Watkinson, H. Hurl- butt, R Podmore, J. Rowley and T. R. Probeix. THEFT OF CABBAGES—Mrs. Moulion, Stone Bridge, Saltney, summoned Jphn Bride for ettal- ing two cabbages. The case was first heard at Broughton Sessions, and was,, adjourned for the atkndanc? <pf witnesses.—Mrs*. Moulton repeated her evidence, which, shortly, was to the Effect that on the night of September 24th defendant came into the garden and pulled up some cabbages. She chased him away.—Defendant contended that he I was in bed at the time, and brought a witness to prove this statement.—Fined 5s. and costs (9s. 6d.) and damage (6d.), with an alternative of seven days AN UNPLEASANT PROPOSAL.-NVM. Wil- liams, engine tender at Messrs. Webb and Son's Boneworks, Saltney, summoned Michael Stretch for threats.—Complainant said that on October 16, at seven o'clock in the evening, defendant came into the coke-house, spoke to him, and wanted to fight him. While defendant was getting his coat off, complainant dashed out of the place. He was afraid of defendant.—Sergt. Adams said he went to the works to arrest defendant. Defendant be- came yery violent, and struggled the whole of the way. He was drunk.—Defendant was bound over to keep the peace in his own surety of 910 and two others of E5. He was ordered to pay the costs. A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR '_Frederick Cliff, of Soaland, applied for a certificate exempting his child, Sarah Ann, from vaccination.—Applicant said he did not believe in it. One of his children had suffered for ten weeks from vaccination.— Granted. ILLEGAL SWINE REl\fOV AL. Edward Whitehouse, of High-strest, Saltney, ''was sum- moned for a contravention of regulations of the county of Flint by removing pigs that he had ob- tained from Cheshire, within 28 days.—Sergt. Adams said that on October 23 he received a swine movement order from defendant. He went w l t to his premises and saw three pigs there. He told defendant that he must keep the pigs on his pre- mises for 28 days. On October 28 witness visited the premises again, and found that two of the pigs had been moved.—Defendant was fined 10s. and costs (7s. 6d.) or seven days. HAWARDEN FARMER FINED.-George William Bower, Manor Farm, Hawarden, was summoned for illtreating a steer between the 27th and 31st October.—Mr. J. B. Marston prosecuted on behalf of the R.S.P.C.A. He said defendant possessed a bullock which was suffering from con- sumption. He turn?d it out into a field, and it ultimately became so weak as to be unable to walk. The animal collapsed, and was destroyed on the intervention of the inspector.—Inspector Blake- Jones said he saw the animal, which was evidently dying. It was perfectly helpless. It was a skele- ton, only bone and sinew. The only evidence that it was alive was an occasional groan. The animal was subsequently destroyed. He had examined the stomach, and found that it contained no food. -A fine of 20s. and costs, including the advocate's fee, w a simposed. BADLY-SPENT SUNDAY;—James Wilkinson. Connah's Quay, was fined, on the information of P.C. Wm. Roberts, 10s. and costs or seven days for beincr drieik and disorderly on Sunda-v. A SMALL BOY'S THEFT.—A small coy named Richard Povey, aged 13, of Shotton, was l summoned for stealing a pair of reins. valu? 4s., the property of John Richard Chaln-ilc:y, Of Shotton Hall Farm; while David Ilhars: a Queen's Ferry man, was summoned for receiving tho reins, knowing them to have been stolen.— John Richard Charmley identified the reins as his property, which he had missed from his stable. On Nov. 4th he saw David Williams driving his pony with the reins in question. Williams told witness that "our Jack" had given a boy 2d. for tllcm.-Geo. Povey, brother of the younger de- fendant, said he was with his brother when he received 2d. for the reins.-P.C. Hill, of Shotton, said Povev admitted to him that he had stolen the reins. He said that he had told David Williams so.-After retiring for a. short time,- the magis- trate's bound the boy's (Povey's) father over in the sum of L5 as a surety for his son's good be- hav iour, and fined Williams 40s. COAL TI-TEFTS.-Three girls named Mary Har- riet Jones, Eiizabeth Bitheil and Minnie Edwards, John Wm. Edwards and his mother, Mary Edwards, and another woman named Amy Bithell. were summoned for stealing coal, the property of Messrs. Watkinson and Sons, Buckley. The de- fendants were seen picking the coal off wagons on October Ilth.-In reply to the Bench, Thomas Edwards, timekeeper at. the colliery, said there were notices up warning people against taking coal. Defendants had been cautioned several times. The company were losing a considerable amount of coal, iron and timber by this means. The only way to stop the practice was to bring the offenders before the magistrates.-The parents of the girls and the bov were ordered to become sureties in the sum of L5 for their children's good behaviour, while the women were fined 5s. each.

CHESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. I A quarterly meeting of the Cheshire County I Council was held at Chester Castle, on Thursday, the Chairman (Col. Dixon) presiding. CONSUMPTIVE SANATORIA. I The Uhairnian reported that he had attended the opening of the consumptive home in Delamere Forest, for Manchester patients, given by Mr. Crossley, who he was proud to think was a member of their council. He hoped that before long they would see something of the kind done for Cheshire patients, so that they might have some place where they could send their DOOr natients to. THE DEE FISHERY BOARD. I On the proposition of Alderman John Thompson, the folAswing were elected representatives oi the council on the Dee Fishery board :—The Rev. C. Wolley-Dod, Messrs. C. Birchtil, J. Thompson, E. w- Swetenham, G. Wall, and H. Barnston. NEW COUNTY BYE-LAWS. GLASS AND THOliS ON THE 1IOJLD. Ajkuerman S. H. Sandbach moved the adoption of the following new bye-laws:— No person shall place, deposit, or leave, any article of glass or any broken glass, or other sharp su bstance, not being road material, on any high- way or public place, in a position in which the same is likely to cause danger or annoyance to passengers or damage to property." -No person shall suner any cuttings of trees or hedges to remain upon any highway or public place, in a position in which the same are likely !to cause danger or annoyance to passengers or ,damage to property, for a longer period than one hour after sunset on the day uptui wnich they ,shall have been cut." 11 No person on any publicooach or other public ,vehicle for the conveyance of passengers, or on .any coach, brake, waggonette, or other vehicle .hired or used for the conveyance of pleasure parties and the like, shall on Sundays blow any .horn, or use any other noisy instrument, or make, or combine with any other person or persons to make any loud singing or outcry while passing through any town, village, or hamlet, or by any church, chapel, or other place of public worship, to the annoyance or interruption of residents within any such town, village, or .hamlet, or any persons worshipping in any such .church, chapel, or other place of public worship. Nothing in this bye-law shall prevent the use-of a horn in a reasonable manner by one person on a coach or .similar vehicle." The maximum penalty on summary conviction &r each offence is to be forty shillings. Mr. R. T. Richardson, in seconding, said they had done their best in order that tne byr-law should not be obnoxious to farmers and others who had to cut hedges. The bye-Jaw had been passed by the Secretary of State. The clause relating to the prevention of noise on Sundays htd been ob- jected to on the ground that it .was grand- motheriy, but this matter was a real -evil in the oounty, and he would like the bye-law to apply not oniy to Sundays, but to night time as well, because at present many workmen could not get their sleep at night on account of the noise. Colonei Franoe-Hayhurst asked the meaning of the term "highway cr public place." He took it that there couid be no objection to the placing of hedge cuttings in a ditch by the roadside. He thought that cyclists did not case as a rule to "bike" in ditches. (Laughter.) The Clerk (Mr. Reginald Potts) said the words in the bye-law were "in a position in which the same is likely to cause danger or annoyauoe to passen- gers. "—The bye-laws were adopted- BOARD OF AGRICULTURE'S COMPLIMENT. Mr. C. B. Davies (Eardswick Hall), in moving the adoption of the Chief Constable's report on disea-ses of animals in the county, said it was the mostsatwactory that had ever been presented to the Council. He drew attention to a complimentary letter from the Board of Agriculture, regarding the good results which had accrued from the operation of the local regulations respecting the movement of swine. The Board expressed their appreciation of the methods adopted for the protection of the district against the introduction and spread of swine fever. Mr. George Cooke (Cia3ley Hall) seconded, and the reDort was adopted. ( A TRIBUTE TO CHESHIRE ROADS. Alderman Sandbacn, referring to the main roads, said the cost of maintenance was higher than he liked, and he jiopad that in time they might be able to reduce it. 'Ihe steam-rolled roads had a short life, and another cause Rf expenditure was that people were constantly applying for new foot- paths and for road widening. They must expect the latter expense now that people used motor-cars and bicycles to much. The Chairman read a letter from an independent quaiter with regard to th-ur roads. The writer said he had been cycling from London to Wigan, and he would like to express his high appreciation of the excellent cycling roads they had in Cheshire. Every cross road had a signpost, and he did not require to dismount once horn Talk to Warring- ton to cnquire his way. Tne roads were in splen- did condition, and he should always have pleasant recollections of his ride in Cheshire. (Hear, hear.) CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOSPITALS. I PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PHILANTHROPE. I It appeared that the Public Health Committee had approved of the Hospital Contributions Bill introduced into last session of Parliament. One of the clauses of the Bill empowers the council of any county, borough, or urban or rural district to make contributions to any public hospital available for the use of the inhabitants of their county, borough, district or city. Alderman Ckc^.w»ani ifctalybridge) moved an amendment to the adoption of the committee's approval of the, Bill, to the effect that they ex- pressed no opinion on the sulbjeet. He considered the proposal was of a far-rc-iching character. He was not aware t4at any case had been made out for subsidising the various hospitals in the county out of the county rat«J, and be contended that such a policy would be prejudicial to those institutions. It would diminish the sense of responsibility in the management, and would check1 the flow of bequests and contributions to infirmaries. Mr. A. T. Wright (New Brighton) seconded, and remarked that the poor contributed in larger ratio to the. hospitals in his district (Wallasey) than the richer people did. Dr. Hodgson (Crewe) supported the Bill, on the ground that contributions from public authorities were necessary in poor districts. Dr. Hewitt also supported the Bill, contending that the principle, was not new, as it was carried out by boards of guardians. Alderman Beeley said the moment they enabled hospitats to draw on the county rate, salaries would go up and extravagances would be committed- Mr. C. H. Pedley (Crewe) pointed out that if the Bill were passed the contributing authority would be the urban or rural councils or the borough councils. He was of opinion that such a Bill was necessary to enable less fortunate districts to carry on their hospitals. The amendment was carried, and therefore the Council will express no opinion on the Bill. STERILISED MLLK. I Mr. George C<>oke, while he believed that I sterilised milk was a very excellent thing for in- fants and adults, deprecated the Council's re-com- mending public authorities to provide it. If public bodies undertook the task in Cheshire it was cer- tain to be a failure, because the population was not large enough for the demand to be sufficient to make it profitable. The Liverpool Corporation had found it did not pay, and he claimed there was no necessity for municipal trading in a matter of this kind. The public authorities should endeavour to secure the co-operation of one or two of the best people engaged in the milk trade, and ask them to carry out the work on the legitimate lines of trade and if they wished to assist the very poor they could adopt the Copenhagen system, by which tickets were given to the very poor to enable them to get the milk at a cheaper price. Dr. Hewitt had no objection to any fanner establishing sterilising factories for supplying milk in the same way that the Liverpool Corporation had done, if it would have the effect of saving human life. THE COUNTY'S FINANCES. I Dr. Atkinson (chairman of the finance Com- mittee) moved That a county rate of 2jd. in the B. be levied for the purposes of the County, for the ensuing six months, and that precepts be issued accordingly"; "That a general police rate of gths of a Id. in the £ be levied for the purposes of the County for the ensuing six months, anthat precepts be issued amordingly." "That the fallowing local police rates be levied for the ensuing s* months, the same to be collected and paid with the* county rate, viz: Broxton district at g of a penny in the jE. Altrincham, 4; Eddisbury. £ Kantwidi, 1; Crewe, Id.; Middlewich, g; North Wirral, i; houth Wirral, i Dukinfield, lid. Prestbury, § Stock- port, J RuncorD. J." In the course of a statement regarding the county's finances he explained that the bills and accounts submitted that day provided for expenditure to be met before the meeting of the Council in February next, a.nd amounted to £ 103,844, against £ 94 149 that time last year. The general cash balance of the county fund was .u,, against ?92,389 that time last year, and the county debt at the present time was £ 127,845. The proposition was adopted. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. I Mr. C. E. Thornycroft moved :That the Technical Instruction Committee be authorised to determine to what extent, and upon what terms, they consider school boards should be empowered to carry on the work of the schools or classes to the maintenance of which the school funds are not lawfully applicable, and also what sums should be applied out of the school funds in the maintenance of such schools or classes, and generally to exercise such other powers is are con- ferred upon the County Council by the L, ducation Act, 1901, as extended by the Education Act, 1901 (Renewal) Act, 1902."—The return prepared for the Board of Education, shewing the extent to which, and the manner in which the county councils have applied funds to the purposes of technical education during the last year, gives the total sum at £ 19,300, as against £ 18,031 the previous year, the different heads being as follows, the figures in parentheses referring to last year :—Amount granted to town councils and urban sanitary authorities ( £ 6,390 lis. 3d ), £ 7,172 4s. oeL; amount expended in director supplying technical education ( £ 3,776 10s. 5d.), ?,5M) Is. 2d. by grants to grammar or endowed schools governed by schemes under the Endowed Schools Acts ( £ 785), £897 10s. grants to schools and classes in receipt of aid from the Board of Education, under tne directory (EI,881 10s. bd.), £ 2,226 13s. 4d. grants to evening schools and classes in receipt of aid from the Board of Educa- tion under the code 13s. 2d ), £ 1,014 10s. 4d.; amount expended in scholarships and exhibitions (£3,405 7s.), k3,457 3s. 6d. and expenses of' administration (£927 16s. 4d ), £ 935 18s. od. UPTON ASYLUM. I Alderman John ihompson movedIhat a further sum of £50u be granted for the carry- ing out of the works at Upton Asylum, in respect of which a sum of £ 1,750 was granted at the meeting in February; also that £ 1,700 be granted for the purchase of 33a. 2r. 23p. of land adjoining the Asylum estate at Upton, and expenses in con- nection therewith.—The proposition was carried.

CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY.-Tlie following is the return of the issue of books for the week endmg Saturday, 8th Noveifiber, 1902:—Lending depart- ment Religion and philosophy, 6; sociology, 2; arts, sciences, and natural history. 43; history, biography, geography, and travels, 55 poetry and the drama, 6 prose fiction, 81:0; miscellaneous literature, 23; juvenile literature, 182; total, 1,137. Reference department: Religion and philosophy, 14; sociology. 5; arts, sciences, and natural history. 59 history, biography, geography, and travels, 91 poetry and the drama, 5 eneyclo- ptedias, dictionaries. &c., 200; miscellaneous litera- ture, 14 total, 388; combined total, 1,525; daily average (lending department), 227; daily average (reference department), 78; combined daily average, 305.

FLINT RECTOR'S OFFER. A REPLY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—I have seen in the "Chester Courant" the report furnished by Mr. Hy. Taylor of my offer- in no way a challenge, as he calls it-to the Flint Town Council, and his reply and "A repudiation." I first of all congratulate myself that the attack has been made in a Chester paper, for writing, as I am, about Mr. Hy. Taylor, I know I am address- ing a largs number of people who at any rate know of him by repute. Mr. Taylor starts in a manue-T strange),y char- actristic A his usual mode of warfare. In order to belittle my offer, he states that I sent it to Mr. W. E. Bitheil, inspector of nuisances, Hint. I sent my Jotter to "Mr. W. E. Bithell, Deputy Clerk, the Town Hall, Flint. with a request that he itouldplace my offer before the Town Council. I sent my .offer through Mr. Bitheil. the DeDutv  ded?, .simply because the T&wn Clerk k an absen- tee, and I know not where to find hinia I am sorry that .Mr. Taylor should thus sneer at Mr. Bitheil because of his office, as inspector of nuis- ances, Jor degrading as the position may be in the eyes of Mr. Taylor, yet in my epinion Mr. BitJicll sank to a much lower level jfhen he be- came clerk to Mr. Taylor. I may also add that however poor the present position of Mr. Bithell, he has sprung from a parentage as honourable and as iaonest a., -Air. Hy. Taylor, solicitor, Chester. Having first, cleared the ground, J now come to the zeal "causa belli," and will state the matter as briefly and clearly as passible. When I was appointed to (the Rectory of Flint in 1880, the first wodc I had tc engage in was to overcome a very strong and well-organised attempt tÐ force a school board upon Flint, of which board Mr. Hy. Taylor would have been the highly-paid cleik. But with the generous assistance of the late Bishop Hughes, the late Duke of Westminster, the late Mr. Bam- ford Hesketh, Mr. Huntley, Mr. Charles Davison and others, the attempt failed; and inasmuch as it has been already reported in your paper, I there-! fore make no apology for saying that .more than half the cost came from my private jpurse. A few years later ano ther subtle aiid weIl- plannod scheme was set on foot for a huriaJ aboard, of which again Mr. Hy. Taylor was W,bave been paid deck. This scheme had been saguietly car- ried on that the first thing I heard of it Ivas "a dinner given in honour of the formation of a burial beard in Fliai." Alas! the folly cf-dividing tho lion's skin before the hunt. I will tGnJy add that the scheme wac- checked, and that .with the timely support of the late Duke of Westminster, Mr. Hunttey, the late Mrs. Lewis (Bryn .Edwin), the North Wales Papex Co., Mr. Peter Bihby, etc., together with free callage by all the farmers of the parish, I added two acres of land to the church- yard, and can venture to state that nowhere in the United Kingdom are Nonconformists treaied so j liberally as in the parish of Flint in the buxw o?, their dead. Simply because I did my duty by keeping out a school board aud burial board. I incurred the bitter j hostility of Mr- Hy. Taylor, who was thus 4<>- prived of two well-paid clerkships. This hostility I was displayed in various ways, but I will now come to the chief attack of Mr. Taylor on myself. It. appeared that after the lamented death of Mr. Richard Muspratt, who knew Mr. Taylor well and kept him in his proper place, in time Mr. Taylor instead 01 a wen-Known nrm oi iiverpool soticnors, I became the conndentia! adviser of Mrs. Muspratt! who had always acted for the whole of the Mus- pratt family. Mr. Taylor made Mrs. Muspratt's will, and later on made my wife's will, which is dated June 10th, 1896. In this will my wife left to Mr. Taylor and his family a sum of £700, How- ever, some time later on my wife went to the old family solicitors and made a fresh will, and in this will, which was proved at her death, no mention W&S made of Mr. Taylor or any member of his ? family. It was now the storm burst upon me in all Its violence. Within a fortnight after the: funeral of my wife, I received a letter from Dr. Alfred Trubshaw, of Mold, who had been the medical attendant of my wife, and whose family had reoaived countless kindnesses at our hands. informing me that he was about to lodge a caveat against the will. It appeared that my wife left j350 to a daughter of Dr. Trubshaw, but he ex- pected £ 500. But, you ask, what has this to do with the case? I will now come to that In Dr. Trubshaw's letter there is this sentence: "I have seen all the correspondence which took place, etc., including your wife's instructions in her own writing." I now ask who disclosed those papers to Dr. Trubshaw ? The correspondence was between my wife and her solicitors. I will not answer the question, but merely state that th; caveat was loand SoydoN and Tay- lor, solicitors, t'hester, acted as Dr. Trubshaw's solicitors. I will only add that the caveat was withdrawn after a while, but. as Dr. Trubshaw s letter will shortly be published-for legal proceed- ings are to be taken as to what right anyone had to give Dr. Trubshaw such inspection of my wife's private correspondence—I will say no more on this point. No doubt if Mr. Hy. Taylor had received dBTOO under my wife's wil1,. it would have recouped, him some TiM]e for the loss of the two clerkship&, but to lose this and £ 700 as well only served to j intensify his bitter hostility against me. Now for my offer of £ 500 as a memorial to the late Mrs. Muspratt. Why was not my letter shewn at once to the two surviving sons, who were present: at the Council meeting in Flint on November 10th ? No, Mr. Taylor takes the matter in hand, and though in his letter we read "I am directed by the Mayor, etc. anyone who reads between the lines:, sees that on this occasion Mr. Hy. Tay!or was both Mayor and Town Clerk. If the matter had i been, as it ought to, placed before the two sons, I have no hesitation in saying that in 1903 Flint j would have possessed a much-necded cottage hos- f pital, but Mr. Taylor interposed and himself added "a repudiation." I will merely add that I hope the workingmen of Flint will, as in the past, always honour the sur- viving sons for the sake of their parents, and while I confidently expect a suitable memorial will soon be erected by them to their much-respected mother's memory, I will put my offered £ 500 to some good and useful purpose in the town of Flint.. I see from your columns that just at present Flint Is very much before the public, and some might be led to think that it is a hotbed of "envy, hatred, malice and all uncharitableness." but; I' really it is a delightfully quiet place to live in. with the rates at so low an ebb that the whole of the Coronation festivities could be paid out of them. Indeed, when I look around, I know of no town more desirable as a place of residence than Flint. It is one of the very few bilingual towns > Flint. It ??ales without a school board and a burial board, and it is the only bilingual town in North Wales where the Church population outnumber the whole of the Nonconformist bodies. If strangers from Chester, Connah's Quay and Bagillt would only leave us alone, one living in Flint would imagine the millennium had surely ( nrrived.- Yours, etc.. W. LJ. NICHOLAS. Rector of Flint. Nov. 12th, 1902.

MEMORIAL TO FLINT VOLUNTEERS. I TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The last letter of the "senior curate" is I another "attempt to deceive the public." The sup- posed sum of JB250 was not "planked down" by the Rector "out of his own monies" when he first came! to Flint as a Rhyl curate. The money required for the enlargement of Pentre Schools was contributed by others. The "senior curate" fails to furnish particulars ? shewing how the Rector spent lavishly "out of his own monies" to keep school and burial boards out of Flint, for the good and sufficient reason that he cannot. The money obtained was the gifts of sub- scribers and not the Rector's "own" This is another attempt "to deceive the public." Of course, Nonconformist and other youths do j flock to the church on a Sunday night. It is part! of their week-end programme. They go by the excursion train on the Saturday night to the theatre at Ohester, and on the Sunday night to the parish church to hear the "pulpit utterances." On a, Monday morning it is a common question in the streets of Flint, "Well, was there anything spicy in church last night?" I fear the Flint youth has of late had too much "religious education." Per- haps after all it would have been better if the Rector had not spent his own money so lavishly i as the senior curate alleges, and we had had a school board.—I am, sir, yours obediently, VERAX. Flint, 13th Nov., 1902. j I TO THE EDITOH. Sir,—A more effective and crushing reply to your correspondents "Lux in Tenebris" and Mr. T. J. Roberts than appeared in the Observer" of last Saturday, it would be difficult to conceive, and if they have any sense of self-preservation left, they will no doubt change their tactics, and adopt some measures more in consonance with their daily avocation, and desist from attempting to throw mud at better men than themselves. There is just one incident in connection with the Memorial to the Flint Volunteers that has been omitted by your correspondent, "Disgusted," and which may possibly serve to throw some little "light in darkness on the attitude of the Rector of Flint towards the memorial. I refer to the fact that on Thursday, the 30th ult., there appeared in one of the Liverpool evening papers a paragraph headed "The Rector of Flint and the Mayor-a vigorous protest," which contained a blunt and emphatic denunciation of the rector's pulpit performances by Dr. Williams. On the following morning the rector's senior curate makes it his business to find out what was the amount subscribed by the Mayor towards the fund, and forthwith the rector send s in his subscription for £5. ¡ Lux in Tenebris was let into the secret, and was apparently so astounded at this fit of generosity on the part of the rector that he immediately takes steps to proclaim it from the housetops, through the medium of your valuable columns. This, sir, was of course only a coincidence, yet it is none the less instructive. We in Flint await with special interest the answer to the last paragraph in the letter of Verax," and trust the particulars will be in the form of a protit- and-loss account shewing, among other items, the amount received by the rector for burial fees during the last 22 year&-Youi-s truly, A-N TI- H U-VIBU, G. -11 I TO THE EDITOR. olri—mree letters appeared in the last- Observer on the above subject, and they form a complete biography of Mr. 'i'hoinas Hugnes from his baptism to his JVlciyorcilty. Those itti-ero reveal gioss ignorance of the differeaice between a borough and a parish. Peop.e who &rc capable of recognising this difference know that me Major's parish church is at Bagillt. His residence is almost lialf-wav between Bagiiit Church and Funt Church. This bubble has been pricked long ago, a.nd 1 am surprised that the Mayor should aLow this dead horse to be trotted into print again. The man who asks wnat the Rector has done to keep out a school board must aiso reside at baglilt. The Rector, immediately upoa hia ap- pointment to Flint Rectory, planked dc-vu the burn of 1;250 in order to buiid a. new infaut school in the Pentre district and to keep out a school board. The Jiector has published every Easter for the past j 22 years a statement of aJl accounts connected with the senools and churches in this pansh. 1 have no time to go into these accounts, but will be pleased to lend them to your anonymous cone-: spondent if he makes a personal application to me. I again repeat that the petition to the Mayor originated in the Conservative Club, and n t only ■ that, but with the knowledge and guidance of the: Mayor. The Mayor was determined tnat this was the occasion to rehabilitate himself into the favour i which he lost through his ignominious failure to give a public reception to tie Volunteers who re- turned from the Front* The aocount of iri-v cx- i animation of the subscription list at the Town Hall is aiL,?-?,utel-?? false. | is absolutely faise. There was no list whatever at the Town Hall. One writer mentions that the Mayor was churchwarden, but he did not men- tion that h-j resigned after one years sexwice owing to his quarrel with the senior churchwarden. Ttlls: writer also drags the name of our Town Clerk into; the controversy, but be did not mention that our, present Mayor and some of his friends introduced the subject of tne borough seal into the .Council, which brought about the resignation of the Town Clerk. The. crowded state of our parish church on Sunday evenings when the Rector makes occasional, allusion to matters of public importance, the ocua- sional jtresence of the Mayor in a church which is J not his .parish church, the Nonconformists m their scores leaving the chapels for the old Mother j Church, the average of 500 Communicants at Easter during the last few years, the presentation of 900 candidates for confirmation in eight jears, would have been, impossible in a. population ci 4,700 it 1 there were a true foundation .to the statement j of j vour corresDondents. These facts cast a lurid light upon the pulpit attack of Dr. Williams, who is a local pre-achel, and tne fukciraations of, Mr. John Williams, who is a deacon with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists. Churchpeqja!e in Flint are asking the queóitKm- why NaDoociormisu who hold tea-parties, contorts, and political meetings in their chapels, and whose history in Wales for the past 50 years is nothing, but a series ,of pulpit attacks upon the Church and clergy, should interfere at the present juncture. There is not a single respectable Churcnman in Flint who will sign his name to a letter against the Rector in defence of the paid agent of the Conservatives. Only once has the Fleeter, durir^r his 22 years in Flint. been insulted from the Mayoral chair in the Town Hall, and that was by the paid agent of the Conservatives on June 9till 1902, and the amount was duly recorded m the Liverpool Courier." 1 ask the question that is on the J:p cf every true Churchman in Flint-would a paid agent of the Liberal party oppose a Welsh Nencontormiat minister in the same consistent manntr that the paid agecit of the Conservative party has ob- structed the work of the Rector of Flint during the last ten years? I will take no further notice cf J anonymcus letters. Yours, etc., T. J. ROBERTS. ) TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The Rev. T. J. Roberts s letter in tne "Courant" of last Wednesday is another fair sample of the personal abuse and gross misrepre- sentation which periodically adorn the puipit cf the Flint Parish Church during divine service. Your correspondent seeks to justify his loid and master by saying that these are "matters of public importance." Has it come to tni, then, that during divine service it is a "matter cf public importance" that the dead should be libelled and the living persecuted simply bec-ai-se they had not seen, or do not see, eye to eye with the Rector of Flint? Your readers will nc doubt, remember that some years ago, dur.iig divine service in the parish church, the Rector made a disgraceful attack on the memory of the late Mi. T. E. Ellis, M.P., such as called forth a storm of indignaticn from all sections of the community throughout the country, irrespective cf creed or party, and among the host of others who then condemned the action of the rector wa? Sir George Kekewich. Secretarv of the Education Department (just resigned), who, speaking at Cardiff shortly after this attack appeared in the j Press, took advantage of the occasion to refer to I the rector's notorious sermon, and to pay a warm tribute to the memory of Mr. T. E, Ellis. He I said that by the dc-th of Mr. Ellis "The cause I of education in Wales had lost a staunch and an eminently practical friend, and he (Sir George) a personal friend of great beauty of character. Mr. Ellis was one of the frankest, most open, and most natural of men. Deceit was a vice utterly foreign to his nature, and he was the last man who wculd ever take an unfair advantage of any human being. He (Sir George) had seen certain 1 despicable references to his friend since his death, and he felt he must bear testimony to his noble qualities." But," I fancy I hear one Or two of ycur I readers exclaim, "what has this to do with the controversy about the Mayor of Flint?" Well, sir, it has just this much to do with it, that the man who is at the present time making use of his pulpit during divine service to make unwarrant- able personal attacks upon the Mayor of Flint and other public men, is the same man who wa.s so mean and cowardly as to make this attack on the memory of one of the finest characters that Wales ever produced, and that the Rev. T. Jones Roberts is the "paid agent"' of this identically same person. So now your readers know what value to place on his vituperations and blowing of trumpets in self-glorification. By the way. this just reminds me that the excellent report of the proceedings of the election of Mayor in the same issue of the "Courant" as this letter ap- peared is a significant commentary upon the "crowded tate of our parish church," when out of all this "crowd" the Rector could not find a single "respectable" Churchman to obey his behests and oppose the re-election of the Mayor I have too much respect for the intelligence and good taste of your readers to dwell any further upon the literary productions of your correspondent, but having regard to what took place with reference to the Flint Schools in Parliament some three years ago, I would rt spectfully commend to the notice Œ himself and his chief the following remarks, which were j uttered in the House of Commons a few days ago during the debate on the Kenyon- Slaney amendment:—" What is it that has raised all our difficulties in the sphere of religious teaching? Is it not the abuse here and there-rare though the instances may be—of the powers entrusted to the clergy ? The are isolated cases, but the harm they have done is not to be measured in words." These, sir, are not the words of a "Welsh Calvinistic Methodist deacon," but are those of the head "paid agent" of the present Govern- ment, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, Prime Minister.—Yours trulv, J. WILLIAMS. Flint, November 12th, 1902. P.S.-For the benefit of your readers who do not reside in Flint, I ought perhaps tc explain that there are 16 members on the Flint Council, seven cf whom, besides the Mayor, are Church- men, some of them church officials. With cne exception, all these were present on Monday, and, of course, voted for the Mayor, three cl them, including Major Dyson, who is commanding officer cf the Volunteers, gave public Expression to their sentiments regarding the Mayor, cne (Major Dyson) stating with "no uncertain hound" that he was "an ideal Mayor." Thus T. J. R.'s challenge to produce "a single respectable Churchman who will sign his name against the Rector, etc. has been forestalled. So far. with the exception of the Rector and his "paid agent," not a single person, be lie "respectable Church- man" or not, has either by public fpc-ec-h or signed letter uttered one word against the Mayor on this question. I hope my mere reference 10 these facts will not be made the basis of a charge that the Churchmen on our Town Council are not respectable Churchmen, and that they have insulted the Rector, and therefore subject them to personal abuse either from the puipit, through the Press, or by private letter. TO THE EDITGR. ?ll' I I Mr,—with great interest have 1 read the corre- spondence in ycur valuable oclumns under the above heading, and although I had decided to adopt the old adage and "let sleeping dogs lie." the supplemental letter of Thomas Jones Roberts appearing in the "Courant" must have some remarks from me. I would not attempt to waste my time in replying to the false statements seriatim, but will deal concisely with what he wculd like to thrust upon the public were they feeble enough to be led by him. Whether the Mayor's parish church -is Lt Bagillt or Timbucteo to my mind matters not one iota, for the fact still remains that the Mayer attends no other church than St. Mary's Parish Church, Flint, having paid sittings in that church. The cause of his irregular attendance has already been explained, being none other than the per- sonal attacks and insinuations which are fre- quently voiced fiom the pulpit. Imagine, for a moment, the chief magistrate of his native town being present in a place of worship and having to listen to a delivery from the pulpit of the fol- lowing words: "Twelve months ago there was a lot of scheming for the Mayor's en air. Corona- tion honours were in view and knighthoods, with the result that better men were left cut in the cold." As to the Rector's having pufclkhfd j school and church accounts, this is net a "vexata quaestio," and therefore may be- ignored. New we come to the petition. Ob, that petition! It is grossly unfair tc say that the petition originated with the knowledge and guidance cf the Mayor. If the petition emanated from the Conservative Club, which is not ad- mitted, how could it be with the knowledge and guidance of the Mayor, when the Mayor, ,1:0 was for many years hen. secretary, net paid secretary this time, immediately on his selection for the mayoralty, resigned the secretaryship of the Conservative Hub and took no ftrtnc part III Its affaus. As to the alleged ignominious failure to eii a public recep?n to the V oluntens rerumin. Cni the frcnt, ? '?? a failure is appaen e?eCt<r as ??? chap?n of the 2» V R R ] \v-FT- Miargdy InvOlvw, and aDprcpri? words from the commanding ofic? of tit battalion would be let him rejgu aLd another take his teat." 1 All Flint knows the episode of the v-it of t Rector's understudy tc the Town Hail to view th subscription list subsequent to the public mee l ÏIlg. As to the "Pa;d ageLt of the Conservatiii- par.y, ,t,he ffootnote of the "Courant" Edi-or quantum sufficit." Well, I think the ouestioT may be asked at this juncture, is not Thorn Jones Roberts the "paid ag-cm" of the Redo and as such paid agent he has. perhat inadvertently, transposed the last paragraph i his letter, as the boot without a doubt, is en th ether foot. j- For Mr. Thomas Jone- Roberts's ir^onrat'oii I may tell him that I do not hail from Bagllf but am a regular attendant at the Pf>.n<h CLarc., t> unt, and I care not whether he t:.k."s rc-ce c otherwise of the letter of. yours, etc., PRO BGI.O PUBLICO. 1 o- T TO THK edttob- r T. -u 1 1--? ?our IWL ]M;up Dr. Williams 0-.?'.? £ empha.tic demal to two minor point- in n? ie? «>the above subje--t. denial ?is a mere cu?bf and the red hemn? drawn across the trail Tit Hport of this speech disc.o?d the traces of t horary pen, also a skilful att-up: to cloak tif inconsistency ? the Doctor's conduct on this ocSci' "jen. The report gave Lll pa?iLul<Lrs of DMicr s prot ap??t what le t.??d pu? M?cks. but ? o?ttc-d to m,.nt,on th? df. Doctor s protest ?d attack were ddiH>lT ro, the rostrum of a Nonconformist- t_har>p]. Tro report reveals the same siimness bv omitti- t5 Doctors remarks upon the- teachers. TherT is r striking coincidence in these omissions. L I may inform your readers that the Doctor dif net speak from a manuscript, and from his appeal anoe 111 the rostrum he seemed to suffer from F painful memory cf a public meeting in the Tow*. Hall to discuss the question of education, whei he and his friends were compelled to beat a hasq retreat. On this occasion the Doctor add xsse* an aildienoo which mostly consisted of those of his own faith, and under the friendl" r prd tection of four policemen and the privi;e' of tt Nonconformist chapel. I venture to state that, when mv a,p-am, in the Press, he did not know what he had said the meeting, for he immediatelv set out to makP enquiries, and was told that my statements we«f a correct inference cf what he said at tiI" People i14 Flint now know why in the DoetorT op,?:ii('n we want, a opinion we want a bettci class of teachers, yea, thfc be-st, of teachers. The pe-st of governess to thfj Doctor's children is to be filled from the ranks ot our teachers. Is it consistent for the Doctor, w has for years shewn the most bitter opposition M| the church and schools m this parish, to c-ngagtJ a teacher from the Church Schools without eve the knowledge of the managers?—Yours, etc.. T. J. ROBERTS. j TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—In your issue of November 8th I gave aiv 1 emphatic deaial to three statements made bv th Rev. -L. jorv--s Roberts. curate of Flint, concerninif,' me. On Nowmber 12th you publish a long aju? characteristic communication from him but wi?h iM? reference to my letter, but connining another-4 what I am afraid I must c&n-delD.er?tp f.?ehoo? when he wntet. "the pulpit a.tt?k of Dr. Y.'ill?ms ? He made the same s?tements in the "r'?nt-hil? but improved upon Lis letter to th? Courant j Observer, bv adding M? ke?din?. I enclose th? j -remarks, which I must ?k you to pub;i.sb. made b? ?he editor of the Fhntsh?e Observer in io?% ?ue, after he had ?ent a reporter to investigate th. facts; and I am now q?te wi:Ii? that th?puHi? I!\t.vuld be lefl to draw their O\rn conclusion  i object andt^thf,,w\^ aS totl 13, ^MPaRY M.D; !??? I [With regard to the letter on this subject in ow l la,t issue, s?ed T. Jones RoWrts, and headed! PWpIt attack by D: q. we ?-e assured§ tfie heading ? entirely misleading as Dr ? ??lUi- ?as did not speak on the oc-c?ion in cation ? from & pulpjt, nor did he make ?nv aac:k upon tb e rs 'n the Flint School.-E?. -Fint-? shire Obaer ver. "j

ST. MARY'S BYE-ELECTION. I THE NOMINATIONS. J. uesoy was the last dùy appointed for tlioi nominations of candidates ? for the oL?etion of  a town councillor for St. M?rv's Ward to 511 the ?cancy caused by the death of Mr..) R The election will take place on Wednesdav the lh inst. Both pohttc?I parses have brought forward a candidate, and there is every pr?p?tof an interestmg ught. The following numin?tioQS have been romiv:gllt. ?lie follox%"Illg nolrii'l??tions Charles Pritchard Coekrill, Briercliffe, 31 Hough Green, coal aDd lime merchant; proposed i by Henry Stolterfoth, seconded bv Smuel Moss. Andrew helkirk Jack, Belle Y mè," Hough Green, geritleman proposed by Da\cl L3 thall Hewitt, seconded by James Knicht.

*Iff'L'R. SKELSEY'S AF-P-kIRS. t MR. SRELSEY' AFrIRS. I SEQUEL TO BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS. i At Chester County Court, on l'iiuida- lú. | Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd gave judgment on a | motion heard a mcnth ago, asking him to reverse I the decision of the trustee in bankruptcy of George jj Henry Skeisey, wbciein the trustee had rejected j a p:oof for £9,898 put forward by Mr. Chancellor, I | of Louden. Mr. Skeltiey, formerly of Weprc- H", against. whom a receiving order was made early í. in the year, was. it will be remen.bered. connected I with the Dec Lard Estates, and his name was at i one time prominently associated with that ot Mr. i Terah Hooley in a great onteipnse connected e with those estates. INbcii the matter came into v bankruptcy, Mr. CLance.lor, cf London, who had í net only advised Skelsey in seveial of his vf iii-Lires, but had also advanced him large sums of money in connection with ene enterprise known as the I Magnetite Sewage and Water Purification Com- ? pany, tendered a proof for nearly il0,CQ0 under an agreement signed by the bankrupt, which stated t in eifect that in consideration of the assistance Mr. Chancellor had rendered him in his affairs, he lMr. f Skelsey) undertook, on the completion of the pur- chase of the Dee Estates, Ltd., to purchase at par Mr. Chancellor's shares in the Magnetite Company, I in whole or in part, and when called upon to do' so, either by Mr. Chancellor or his brother.—Hia Honour remarked that it was admitted bv all the parties that the shares in the Magnetite Company f were worthless. They were not worth a farthing, f but their par value was £1 each. There were- 9,900 shares allotted to Mr. Chancellor, and he claimed to prove on Mr. Skelsev' s estate for that amount. The trustee tMr. Waniisley) had rejected • the proof on, among c, hcr grounds, the follow inn I ,1) That the sum named never was, legally payabis by Skelsey to Mr. Chancellor; (2) there never was any binding contract by Sktlse- to purchase. After reviewing- some quoted decisions on the subject, i his Honour held that the trustee was perfectly right in deciding thaTthis was not a claim which he could properly admit on the estate. As to the question of costs, he said they must come out o# the estate. The Judge asked if tlH-r¡> was anvone^ in court who could give him any information as to the condition of the estate as to what likelihood there was of a dividend.—Mr. Harry Jones irepre-i senting the trustee): There will be a probablei. dividend, your honour, of about 3d in the £ t- (Laughter.) í

I UGHTLNG-UP TABLE. f I cycles and other -vehicles in the Cheste ? district must be lighted up as stated in the foUowin? j table P W 1 Saturday, November 15 5.15 Sunday, November 10 5.1& Monday, November 17 5.12 t Tuesday, November 18 5.1" j Wednesday, November 19 5.9 » Thursday, Novembe: 20 5.8 Friday, November 21 5.6 (

BIRTHS, MAKltlAGES & DEATHS i BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, and DEATHS are charged at the rate of a0 words for la (prepaid). If not prepaid. the charge will be Zs. 6d. The aiiaouncemenc must Le authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. DEATHS, EATUnAV—November 13, at Wes: View, Liverpool-road Chester. Edith A. Barclay, second daughter of the late" Canon Barelay, Vicar of Runcorn. LETTS—November 0, at Black Brook, Hope, the dearly- beloved and ycnnyeBt son of Henry ?nd Annie Elizabeth J Letts, aged 9 ,-ea LEWIS—November 8, &t Chorlton, near Chester, Edward f1 Lewis, aj^ed 84 years. PRICE-November 13, at 38. Garrlen-jane, Chester, Franklyn £ Western, adopted son of Frunklvn and Nellie Price, aged to four weeks. [Thy will be done. ] i WRENCH—November S, at Bathford, Somerset, Edith Helen, youngest daughter of the late Hev. Harrv Ovenden Wreuch, C.F., and Helen Diana, his wife. [Lovin" g lIIuch, and much beloved. J Vi lUiiAMS—November 7, at 27, Forejrate-street, Chester' Jdarjraret -Mary, the wife of William Llewellyn Y,ïllia.lll8, ajjed 29 years. b IN MEMORIAM. | MiijLi'?Tnx—? ?oviu? nn-morv of Wii!:am Hc-nrv the beloved husband of Fanny Miliingtoi:, WHO died Nov io iodit. [Thy will be done, j (S. M.)

MEMORIALS.| AT ALL PRICES, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE & ALABASTER. On View, and to order. W. HASWELL & SON, I MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Ijesiyiis Free on application* Telephone Nr. 161A.. f

I  ::??  TATTEXHALL. JUM.KL.E.SA?K.—OnWecb.? 0 ,Val  z?ale ?s hcld m tne. Institute on beh??? ????teuh&tt Cricket Club. The ener?e? ? /? ?''° captaing (Mr. Lutener and Mr. M (Mr. L?lHipr &ud Mr. ? )..?'??''?"? (Mr. Sur?cr ?nd ?.. fT k ana "'0 cl):rmittee and t-- te Iaei y jr,fc?,ess The amount ?en v.? ?cW-? orga.n- I J  ..? '31-gan I ised a shooting ccn.p?nt.<.? \? f??'' ;?-?d very popular. very

C &S.:a^the^t0S "venile C¡(' !j,1g '(;;1lity. ee Bradley's windows, }'OF]rate-strœt, corner of Seller-stHtt.

and men of the transports have earned the grateful recognition of their fellow- countrymen, and the King has chosen a happy way of marking the popular approval of the patriotic service rendered. In passing, it may be incidentally asked why the crews of the transports are being left out in the cold. While the officers receive their medals, the men who worked with equal loyalty and success in subordinate positions ought also to be acknowledged. This, hnwpvpr. is a detail that will in all probability receive attention, but in the meantime the stupendous facts brought out by the movement of enormous bodies of troops over the world without the loss of human life form a proof of the British mastery of the sea that may well make all other nations jealous, while it gives our far-scattered Colonies confidence and hope for the future.