Cheshire Observer

TO ADVERTISERS. Advsrtiscmenisintended toappear in tli e C, Ell R-9 OBSERVER must reach the OUSKIIVEU Office itoc laicr than 11 o'clock e:1ch Friday. Under no circumstances whatever C'trl we insert Ù, fl,- lNr.t Kstition Advertisements received after that ——————

CHESTER UNIONISM. liwmtay nights splonoiid demonst-raction of Unionism in tho Mirsio Hall was one mors testi- mony to tho lively vitality of the paity in Ghœ>ær. Circumstances had conspired to mar and even to wreck the gathering. Aecide.i.i. or illness prevent?. throe of the principal spea- kers from attending, and at one time it had looked almost as if it would be necessary to abandon tho fixture. A hunting accident kept the Duke of Westminster from taking tho, cihair, and influenza made a prisoner both of ATr. Yer- burgh and Mr. Ilarry Rarnston. Although tliosa untoward circumstances wore a keen dis- appointment, excellent substitutes wore found for tho absents, and the chief speaker of the owning, Mr. Akcrs-Douglas, M.P., was a host, in himself. Ilis address, delivered in a cool and unimpassioned stylo, without any straining after rhetorical cffccts, was a masterpiece of close reasoning, which will prove a very hard nut for any otitic who attempts to give him a public answer. The greater pan of the speech was ooeupied with a oonsideration. of the two prc,datorv Bills introduced last week, on educa- tion and licensing. The former was shown io Iwive for its main object tho destruetion of idio, VolinitAry soliools and ths striking of a dcadlv b'ow a.t the Church of England. The way in which the Voluntary schools would be cripplcd in tlicir efficiency, if derived of rate-aid, was strikingly demonstrated, and tuii;d ehoers Mr. Akew-Douglas doclared tlmt tha Bill was neither good: for religion nor for education, ami would meet, must moot with the uncompromising- rosistanoe of the Unionifrt party. The Licensing Bill is a moasurc whose flagrant (lishoncr'y may not have boen apparent to the maji in the street at firet glance. The intri- oacios of a timi>limit present a problem not too attractive for the casual dabbler in politics, but abxwJv the full significance of the trick is being nealiaxl by even- class in the community. If a small fihopkcepoi" is told that the Covemment have fixed a fourteen years' time-limit on his business, that within that period his livelihood will revert to tlio Stato. tho cruelty of the blow, tho rut hi rssnoss of the confiscation will not be rondo ajiy lighter by tiho aauve oxj>!a.nation that it is done- under a t i mo I unit. Nor would the struggling tiadteman bo mollified by the com- placent inj miction that during the remaining fourteen j'oars lie would have to aavo enough of money out ol his proSt.<? to insure himself for the rewt of his life. Yet this is practically what tlio Licensing Bill tdJs tho licensed victuaifer. and there is no guarantee that to-morrow wnle. other industry will not be similarly attacked a.nd undermined. Tho Socialists already have fixed thc-ir greedy eyes on the railways and the mines of tlio country, and who knows that the next move in the game of confi seat ion may not bo the nationalisation or annexation of iheoo industrial concerns? This is the aspect of the Bill aa presented to those who have invested their inoncy in the liquor trade, a trade, bo it remembered, which has been ^auctioned and regulated by the State for a long- period, which is a lawful and an honest trade. How will tlio Bill affect the general pu blio or the oattso of Temperance? Is there any real justification for legislation on these drastic lincc,? To judge from the speeches on the Government side, one wou!d infer that the whole nation was going to the dogs through drunkenness. The facte, happily, are against any such theory. Intoxica- tion is brooming rarer, and the consumption of strong drink is shewing a. steady decline. The liquor trad? is by no nMUTs a gold mine now, if it ever was. Under the Licensing Act of the late Govern- ment liocsnoes are being reduced wholesale., and on an equitable footing. More than, 4,000 lioenocfl have been surrendered since tale Act of 1904, without cost to the public, and without injustice to the trade. As we shewed last week, the present Bill, if passed, would compel the snriv-iwter no fewer than 131 Chester licences. Will any one outside a lunatic asylum contend that drunkoamckss is GO rampant in our midst that it is imperative to sweep away 131 pubiic- hon, in this øiiy? The proposition may ap- but it, is pear a "reduotio ad abslrdum," but it is nothing more nor less titan the strict applica- tion of the provisions of the Government Bill. Supposing this revolutionary moaTure were car- iiod, the inevitable result would be to drive tho workinginan to mere drinking dubs, and the women to the licensed gTooenB, both of which systems remain practically unaffected by tho Bill. It is true tJiat tlie i>la.in clothes polic-cmaji is to bo niad-c, an honorary member of every olub, arid is to be granted free entrance, but what good will aocni,? from this innovation re- mains to be proved. Ask any housewife whtthN she would prefer her hueband to spend his even- ing in a public-house, where everything is con- ducted in an open and abovo-board manner, or in a drinking club, which keeps late hours and where too only safeguard is the occasional visit of an officer in mufti. The wliole scope of the Bill is eo unjust and rockk-as, as Mr. Akers- Douglas remarked, and affects the oaiiw of Tem- perance so little, that one is tempted to ask "Is this Bill genuine, or is it another act in that comedy which is now going on among the Liberal parly of fil.,I,ing up the cup,' or of enter- ing into a new field of tactics against the House of Lords?'' The other rki-forrm "Ccs of the Government were scathingly analysed by Mr. Akcrs-Douglas and the other peak tie. It was fihewn how the removal of the ooa.1 duty played deliberately into the hands of the foreigner, by giving him an unfair advantage over the British manufacturer, besides foolishly sacrificing a Txwenuo of two millions a veer to the National Exchequer; how the Radicals had dangled the imaginary Big Loaf in the faoos of their dupes; how tlio tianie politicians had impudently played on tlio sentimeiils of t,}x> British, nation, by the "lavINY" misTepicseiiration in South Africa, while to-day there are still more than 30.000 of those -art-to "slaves' in the Transvaal mines. Altogether the speeches wiil form a nice text for the next Radical mooting at Chester, and the s k-rnio-ri will be awaited with no litile in- teieet,

GERMAN INFLUENCE. The "Times'' yesterday created a sensation, by publishing tho statement that a letter re: oently has boen writ-ten by the Germ.an Em- peror to Lord Tweedmouth on the subject of British and German naval policy, and that a. reply has been despatched. Tho Emperor's letter, it is averred, "arnollilts to an attempt to influence, in German ;rnerests, the Minister resjonsiible for our Navy Estimates." The 3 imes" demands the publication of the corre- spondence, and the country will back it up. If such a letter has been reoeived from Ger- many, the surprise ie that the Minister con- ceincd has not published it on his own respon- sibility. The fact that the German Emperor licildis the honorary rank of Admiral of the Fleet. in the British Navy is no justification for hi3 interference in our rieval affairs. What- ever may be the outcome of the incident, it may have the effect of abolishing these inex- plicable <?ynaBt.;c compliments btetwoen one nation and another. What a !ogical absurdity it is for the Gei-man Emperor to hold an honorary colonelcy in a Russian or a Prussian regiment, or for the King of Spain to be an honorary admiral of the German Navy! Pend- ing the publication of the correspondence in <yic:U-K>n, we reserve comments, but if there is any foundation for the alarming rumour of the "Times," serious oornplicatiolls nwght I supervene, in tho absence of careful handling.

LOCAL & GENERAL NOTES. I We arc glad to know tliat Mr. Yerburgh j6 much better and hopes to be out shortly. He was greatly dieappoint-ed at not being ab!û to be at the meeting on Tuesday, especially a* hie many friends had worked eo zealollhix- to give him a welcome. Minor Canon Baxter preached at the 4.15 p.m. service in the Cathedral on Ash Wedne«- day, in the place of the Dean, who is still un- fortunately upon the invalid list. Mr. Ilarry Barnston has so far improved in health that he wae able to go out on Thursday for a Rihort drive. Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Summers have given up the houoo thv took in Stanley Place, ajid arv moving into Devonshire. A packed Music Hall and a splendid en- thusiasm ciiia.raoteriwm the political demon- stration of Tuesday night, when Chester Unionism rallied in its new might and vigour, and gave a cordial weloome to Mr. Akers- Douglas. LTnfortunately, a series of contre- temps deprived the meeting of the happy dis- tinction of being presided over by the Duke of Westminster, and of the pleasure of seeing Mr. Yerburgh and Mr. Barnston en the plat- form, but these disappointments notwith- standing the 'netting was a striking- success. The Dlichens of Westminster graced the plat- form with her presence, and the- audience ex- pressed their delight in three ringing cheers. Altogether it was such, a meeting as would have rejoiced the heart of Mr. Ycrburgh had lie been able to come. The Volunteer honours gazetted thif. week reveal the fac- that the Chester Town Council, WIIO recently 60 effectually espoused the cause of the locj 1 Volunteers, can shew a. very good rcoor-I in practical volunteering. Major Cecil Davie« is the fifth member of the Council to giin the Volunteer officers' distinction for long service, the other four being- Surgeon-Leut.- Colonel A. Hamilton Lieut.-Colonel T. J. Smith, Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel II. W. King, and Major Lamb In addition to these Cap!. llharnson and Colonr-Sergt. Oa.rr have the Icng service medal, and the former will soon be entitled to 1 is V. D. as an officer. The aggre- gate years of service of these seven men can- not fall far short of 200. In addition to these there is Captain W. A. V. Churton, the youngest member of the Council, and while speaking of military service, we Iiiict not for- get Major Meredith, who has served 21 years in the Regular forces. Nearly cpri quarter cf the members of the Corporation have, there- fore, a military training, and surely this is a record of which the Council can be proud. Mr. Diu-k has the following notice of motion down for next Monday's mottling- of the Hoole Urban Council:—That this Council invites tne attention of his Graoe the Lord Lieutenant of the county, to the fact that with the excep- ion of the chairman of the Council, who is ex- officio a justice of the peace, the Urban Dis- trict Council of Hoole, comprising a popula- tion of nearly 6,000 persons, has no representa- tive upon the Oounty Bench, and respectfuily si'ggests that his Grace will make representa- tions to the Lord Chancellor, with a view to the claims of the district being fittingly recog- nised. While Mr. Mond has been earning notoriety by stopping tho Hastings express, because lie. believed the train was going too fast, a Hoewall young man waa summoned at Nekton a week ago for pulling the communication cord on a train between Hooton and Hadlow Road, because, as he averred, a fight waa going on in the com- partment, and he apprehended eerious conse- quencefl to persons or property. The Heewall traveller was dismissed, on payment of ooste; the member for Chester is held up as a hero. What makes the grievance of the Heswall man worse is that, although the cord was pulled, the train failed to stqp until the station was rcadhed. A correspondent eenda ue a very per- linenfc letter on the case to-day. and asks the railway companies to define the "cases of emergency" in whicli the communication cord may be used. After Mr. Mond's exploit, ie any one who fancies the train is going too fast entitled to pull the cord ? After the Neeton case, is nothing short of actual homicide to justify the stoppage of the train on emergency? On the converge, is a passenger who ileems the pace too slow allowed to pull the cord, so that the cow-catcher may be attached to the guard's van? The Vic.1r of Ilolf recently received a letter from a clergyman in the Isle of Wight in which was eneloeed a postal order for 28. 6d. in answer to an appeaJ made by the Rev. Wm. Jones, who was curate of this parish as far back as 37 years ago. It was at that time that Holt Ohurch was restored. There was a movement to raise an additional sum of £ 1,000, which was required to complete the rastora- tron, so the clergyman wrote to all the vicars in England and WalcF. asking them to send one shilling's worth of stamps. The clergyman from ho Isle of Wight found the appeal among his. papers, and as there was no date upon it, he thought the appeal was a recent one. The Vicar explained in his reply that the vicar and curate of those days were both dead, and 'hat the church had been re- stored and added that he did- not quite know what he should do with the half-crown sent. In a second letter which the Holt vicar re- ceived occurs this passage: "I have full per- puaslon l)]a.i, every Welsh parish needs all the help it cswi get in these troublous days when our Church is assailed and abused by bitter foes. Pray keep the 2s. 6d. sent, and add the enclosed 2", 6d. to it to help in any repairs which may he needful in your church." The Cheshire Imperial Yeomanry, which numbers among its field officers the Duke of Westminster and Mr. George Wyudham, M.P., has now got two new majors, both of whom have seen act ive service in South Africa. Major W. S. W. Radcliflc already lie Id the brevet rank of major, won for good work in the field when an officer of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He joined the line in 1386 and the Yeomanry in 1906. For five yoare he held the Volunteer adju- tancy at Newport. Major R. W. D. Phillips- Brocklehursfc has been connected with the Earl of Chester's for nearly 24 years, and he got his troop in 1902. He holds the honorary rank of lieutenant in the regular army for work with the 2nd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer war. The Havraixlen Guardians are considering the advisability of brightening the religious services in the Workhouse by providing a musical instru- ment. At present- the singing is unaccompanied, and an instrumental accompaniment would, it is reasonably argued, appreciably improve things. It is also suggested that singing los-ons oould be given. Curiously enough, a similar question was discussed on the same da V at Northwich. where the Chairman. Colonel France-ITayhurst, solved the problem by presenting a fine self- acting piano for the use of the inmates. There is A chance for wmo philanthropic gentleman to follow the example of tlie Chairman of the Northwich Board. The Lancashire and Cheshire Conscrvaiive Working Men's Federation have approached Mr. Yerburgh, among other leaders of the parly, on the subject of trade union compulsory contribu- tions to Parliamentary funds for the up-keep of Socialistic representatives in Parliament. At a recent meeting of more than 500 delegates, in- cluding trade unionists and others, a rewolut-ion wafi passed unanimously, condemning this com pulsory contribution as "a grave injustice to tho political convictions of a large body of both Conservative and Liberal trade unionists." The meeting further urged an alteration of tho law, making these contributions optional instead of eompulso'-y. Here is a case where Unionists and Radicals can join hands with mutual advan- tage, as they aro bound to join hands «ooner or later against, the common enemy of Socialism. Because a man, for the exigencies of his living. happens to be a trade unionist, it is a piece of tyranny to compel him to contribute towards tlio maintenance in Parliament of a Socialist member. If the Socialist;, arc as powerful a body afi they would have people believe, why do they not support their own members out of their own pockds? Tlie Conservative working men of I/aneashire and Cheshire may rely upon Mr. Yorburgli's hearty c-o-opcation against, this tyrannical compulsion in the interests of Socialism.

I LOCAL NEWS.. I LOCAL & N -E W S The Prince of Plc-ss has arrived in London fioni Berlin. The Rector of Ha warden (the Rev. Canon Drew) has returned from Biarrtiz consider- ably improved in health. On Tuesday Lord and laidy Hugh Grcsvenor arrived in town from Chester, and Mr. Wyud- ham, M.P., and the Counter Grosvonor also journeyed to London from Soighton Towers. At All Saints', Funisinore-garxlens, on Tues- day, tho marriage was celebrated of Colonel Cl aries Dobeii, D.S O., Royal Welch Fusiliers, son of Mr. Richard Dobell, of Beauvoir Manor. Quebec, and Mrs. F. L. Campbell, widow of Captain F. L. Campbell, R.N. Mr. Henry Taylor, who met with an accident early in D2..c.mber. ix)d ha,s been laid up since at Cu-rzon Park with a long attack of phlebitis, is now becoming convalescent, and we are glad to know t. ',io-t he was able to get down stairs this week. The Hon Mrs Grant, daughter of Lord Stal- bridge, on Tuesday launched the new steamer, Rathmore, at Barrow, for the Irish Sea. ser- vice of the London and North-Western Rail- way Company. The vessel has accommodation for a thousand passengers, and will be able to attain a speed of twenty knots. Among the members who supported Mr. Murray Macdonald's motion in favour of "re- trenchment and reform" in expenditure on armaments were Sir J. F. Brunner and J. F. L. lir t, ii tier. Against; the motion the-re voted A. Mond, Sir F. S. Powell, A. Lyulph Stanley, J. Tomkinson, Colonel Walker, etc. The late Dr. John Roberts, of Hough Green, whose will has just been proved, left gross estate valued at £ 24,821 and bequeathed £lOG to the Chester and District Skin Dispensary. j Mr. Marshall Hall, K.C., and Mr. E. Bowen- Rowlands have been retained for the defence of Mr. Dymoek in the Stockport Co-operative case at the ensuing Chester Assizes. Miss Katherine Wickham, daughter of the Dean of Lincoln, and a granddaughter of the late Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, has accepted the post of head of the new Women's Settlement to be opened in Fulham in April next. Lady Delamere formally opened at Whitegate, Northwich, on Saturday, a village recreation room built, by public subscription on land given by Lord Delamere. The building, which has cost £ 300, is situated near the Cheshire Hunt kennels, and members of the hunt were among the subscribers. The Hon. Thomas Price, the Prime Minister of South Australia, who is visiting this country as tha representative of South Australia at the forthcoming Franco-British Exhibition, is a native of Brymho, near Wrexham. Born there in the year i852, he spent the early part of his life in Liverpool, where he received some little educa- tion, but was early apprenticed to the trade of his father, a stonemason. In 1883 ho emigrated to Australia, where he followed the same occupation, being engaged at one time in preparing stones for the buildings in which he now sits as Prime Minister. The hon. gentleman's wife is a first cousin of Mr. Alfred T. Davies, secretary of the Welsh Department of the Board of Education. PEPPER STREET P.S.A.-The Rev. E. Colley presided and gave a short address. Mr. Wm. Bowker led the devotions, and read the scripture lesson. Mr. H. Teasdill sang Angels Guard Thee and Thou art passing hence," which were much appreciated. Pastor John Bage gave an address on "The Bible." Mr. B. Wat- mough presided at tho organ. B 0 UGH TON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCTI.—At the .men's meeting on Sunday the chairman was MT. Naylor, the speaker Mr. Meadows, the soloist Mr. Williams, the reciter MIPS Barton, and tho organist Mr. R. Wallace. The Rev. J. L. Jones and Brothers Hughes and Cook assisted in the meeting; UPTON SHOW.—The popular show of the I- pton Horticultural Society is to be held on Wednesday, July 29th, at Plas Newton, by kind permission of Mr. Alfred Tyrer (presi- dent). The schedule, which ie now ready, shewp that special prizes are being offered by the President, Mr. a.nd Mrs. B. C. Roberts, Mrs. Reginald Pot its, Mrs. Tyrer, Mrs. Douglas Dobie, M. Gibbons Frost, Mrs. C. May, Mrs. Walker (Ghorlton Hall), Mrs. Helenus Robert- eon, Mre. Sweien ham, Mrs. W. Richardson Moss, Mrs. Ernest F. Gossage, Mil36 Da-reie, and Mossis. E. Dean, C. Dean, E. Dean, jun., R. lthell, J. D. Thorburn, 11. Cheers, and Nicholson iMollington). Tiio balance-sheet shews that the dreadful weather experienced at the !ast show resulted in an adverse balance of £ 14. 18s. 10-d This has now been wiped off by a donat.ion of JC13 from Mr. W. R. Moss, and special donations from Messrs. F. B. Summers, J M. Frost, J. G. Frost, and Ernest. Jones. CHESTER AND DISTRICT MUNICIPAL OFFICERS' GUILD.—The first annual moot- ing of tlio Clieater and District Municipal Officials' Guild was held at the Town Hall on Friday evening. Mr. J. H. Dicksoj) presiding over a goodly attendance. Tlio President, in his opening remarks, alluded to the growth of the GuiJd, and expressed his great pleasure that practically the whole of the ofifcers eligible had become members.—Tlio hon. secretary (Mr. F. C. Brown) presented his report for tlio yoar 1907, sketching the inauguration of the Guiid and the work of the exocutive. He stated that the number of numbers of the National Asso- ciation of Local Government. Officers, the parent- association, exceeded 13 000 at tho end of De- cem ber, and mentioned that associations were continually being formed in various parte of the country.—The hon. treasurer (Mr. F. J. Beckrtt) load his financial statement, which shewed a balance in hand of £ 2. 16s. 6a.—Tlie officers of tlie Guild were re-eieeted, viz. President, Mr. J. H. Dickson; yice-piosicknt, Mr. A. E. Lovell; hern, ticasurer, Mr. F. J. Beckett-; hon. secretary, Mr. E. C. Brown; and they, with M<'ssiv. G. Avery, P. D. Bown, J. Gardner. J. n. Johnson. W. Matthews Jones, W. D. Seoul lor, and J. White, were appointed tho Guild Executive for the ensuing yoar.—A Sports Committee was also elected, and the pro- ceedings terminated with very boarty votes of thanks to tlie Guild Executive for their services during tiio past year, and to the president for his kindness in taking the chair. CHESTER AND N. WALES INCORPORA- TED LAW SOCIETY.—The twenty seventh an- nual general meeting of this society was held at the Town Hall, Chester, on Thursday, the 27th February. Mr. Henry Martin (Nantwich), in the alce of t.he president, Mr. Henry Taylor (Chester), was in the chair. The report of the oommi ttee and the treasurer' s accounts for the p<;t ycar were adopted. The pr)xo for artic'ed o!er!M, found? by :Mr..Jo]:i1 A¡!inü:l lIughl':sl when president of th0 society in 1891-2, was w,hc-t prc?- -'d-?jit of ii-O soc iliv ill -,8G-1 2, was thu)' Hugh<:?,w]i!Oserv<?d lii.? Ni,itit Mr. Franci s Nmin and Mr. O. B. Lowe, both of the firm of Messrs. Nunn and Co.. of Colwyn Bay, and was placed fifth in tho first-class in the honours examination held in June, 1907. At this examination Mr. Hughes was awardea one of tho Law Society's prizes. The following- ofifcers of the society were unanimously elected for tho ensuing year:—President, Mr. Hemy Mart-hi (Nantwich); vieo-preshlent, Mr. J. Hop- lev Pierce (Wiexham) hon. treasurer, Mr. F. B. Mason (Chester); hon. secretary. Mr. H. G. Hope (Chester), in the place of Mr. Farmer (Cheslei), who retired after 21 years' service. Tho following gentlemen are the committee for the year: Mf-ssss. II. A. Cope (Holywell), J. K. Cooke (Wins-ford), W. Thornt.on Jones (Bangori, Francis Nunn (Colwyn Bay), and Messrs. W. II. Ramos, W. A. V. Churton, C. P. Douglas, R. Farmer and II. Taylor, all of Chester. Messrs. E. S. Giles and N. A. E. Way, both of Chester, were re-elected auditors. The annual dinner was held at the Blossoms Hotel, Chester, after the meeting. TROUT IN RESERVOIRS.—Anglers will be glad to hear that tho Liverpool Corporation have restocked their reservoirs at Rivington with trout. The Chirk Fishery Company sent a consignment of 5.000 brown and raiubow yearling trout from t.heir fishery at Chirk, and planted them in one Jot. in the reservoir? without loss and within five hours. weie a splendid lot of well-grown yearlings, and by next fishing -season (1909) they will run from nine to twelve inches in length, and afford some good sport for rod aaid line. This means putting tlie reservoirs to another good purpose, for in addition to providing sport, which may be remunerative to the Corporation, tine trout undoubtedly will purify the water, in devouring much of the insect life- that infes4« large sheets of water. It is well known that, the Yyrnwy Reservoir was stocked with trout many years ago. and the subsequent sport. was exoetknt, so much so in fact, that angieiv wera restricted to killing only a certain num- ber of tiout. pc-r day. Th dys, however, unfortunately haw gone by. This is the invari- able experience of ,twkl iig r,?kwrvoirs with 6s.h, md'?? ?xlr?nn) care is taken in the mana?c- ment. For the first, year or two after stocking, they afford 5pend.id angling, but the large Sd) that escape capture then begin to constitute a serious menace to the. whob fishery. After being pricked with the hook and escaping several times, thfy i?fmc to rl.? to th? ny. Wi? iji tJiei:' gn?rr.tion, they nght. ?hy of Iiook?, and live ami fatten. So ion" M these finm' mon- sters arc aJJcwcd to romjn in the reservoir, it ia useless attempting to restock with young trout, owing to the camiibalistic propensities of the large fish, some of them good six- poundej-s, which would devour the youngsters wholesale. The only remedy is to run off the water at the sluioifs and clear out the overgrown trout, when a fresh lot can be planted. Where it is impossible to run off the water, the ne-xt best thing is to net the reservoir in a thorough fa'hion. Fih life has boen so disastrously affected by tho pollution of our watercourses that if. is gratifying to see any systematic effort to stock reservoirs with tiout and to keep them in good condition. A CONVENIENT DF.LAY—On Thursday. at Chester CcKiiiiy Court, before His honour Judge Moss, Messrs Hart Da-viee and Son, drapers, Eastgate-street Row. sued Hugh G. Hincks, of Chester, for an account of 1;3. 8s. Mr. R. T. Morga I appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr. F. B. Mason d efended.—Mr. Morgan said the account; was dated August 31st, 1901. Short- lv after that time defendant went to South Af riea, aril although plaintiffs made every en- deavour to obtain his addrees, they failed to do so. He returned to Chester in the autumn of 1907 and went to plaintiffs' shop, where he I made a verbal promise to pay tho account cut of money which lie was expecting from South Africa. lie had not done so. and plaintiffs were persisting in the case only because they felt that they ov.ed a duly to their fellow- tradesmen to shew the abominable and rascally manner in which they had been treated.Ali liar, Davies, a partner in the firm, said defen- dant, called in December, 1907. and made a promise to pay tho account early in the New Year. Ti, Jud.ge: All I can say, Mr. Davies, is that; whe-i anybody comes in like this in ti e fiiiuro you b«.d better get them to sign their name to something—Mr. Morgan: They are too to do that.Ciws-examined, witness said thai defendant told him that he had been under the impression until he came home that the account had been paid.—Mr. Mason, for the defence, chimed the benefit of the Statute of Limitations — Mr. Morg-m asked the judge to take that defence into account when he con- sidered tiM question of costs.—Mr. Mo«m con- tended that defendant could not, be deprived of his ccr-is because he claimed the benefit of the Statut3.—Mr. Morgan said that if plain- tiffs had been negligent they would not have been mÜitbd to costs, but they had brought the action as soon as they oould. Defendant had been a per&onil friend of Mr. A. Hart Davies, and they had been very unwilling to take that, stap. —The Judge said that if it was a succossftil Statute defence, defendant would be entitled to costs. That was the High Court decision. It would not bo his decision. The case was different where defendant bad been absent in a. foreign country and it had been impossible to ooryc a writ against him. He did not. know whether absence in South Africa would be considered sufficient.—Mr. Mason: As a matter of fact, it is not., your Honour, and Mr. Hincks did not go to South Africa for six or eight n onthe afterwards so that, from a. legal standpoint, there wa« plenty of time for plaintiffs to havo commenced1 an action.— Hie Honour gave judgment, for defendant, with costs reserved. lie said he would look into the question, and ho would not give de- fendant cceta unices lie was bound to do so. CHESTER CYCLING C-LUII.-Tlie annual I BOCKil and dance was held on Monday evening" at the Newgate Assembly Room, when, as in former years, there was a large number pre- &ant. Mr. Harry Bamston (president of the olub) wrote expressing his regret at not being able to be present owing to indisposition. Tho floor was in an excellent condition, and thia, together wit-n the latest music, made dancing delightful. About sixteen dances were gone through to the strains of Mr. N. Hull's bojid,. The dancing was intenspensed with a delightful musical programme the items all being well received. Mr. H Cuxner contributed a eoujg, "Manuelita," which was highly appreciated, while MT. J. Bunce caused much a.musament with his renderings of "You do keep bobbing in and out" and "It's been a nice day, hasn't it 1" wbioh latter he gave as an undeniable en- Gore. Mr. Gilbert gave an interesting conjur- ing enterti nment, and his exposition waa loudly applauded The M.C.'s were Messre. A Craig, L. E. Hope, A. Inns, J. Joiner and B. Challinor. The excellent arrangements were in the capable hands of the genial olub secretary, Mr. S C. Upton, to whom many thanks are due. ST. MICHAELS CHURCH: ANNUAL CHOIR (X-)-NCFRT. -A most successful concert was held on Thursday evening last- week, in St. Michael's Hall, which was tastefully decora- ted for the occasion by the ladies of tlie parish. The programme was very interesting, and r* most enjoyable evening w-as spirit both by per- formers and audiMicc, encore's being repeatedly demanded. It iu to lie regretted that owing to the weather and counter-i-attract-ions the coirocrt, was not baiter attended. The programme was as follows:—Pianoforte duet. Overture, Miss E. Jackson and Miss Parkes; song. "Dollylf, Re- YeJ.lg<c>" Mis N. Ford; song, "A Hoe, where art thou?' Mr. Hugh Brown; glee, "Sleep, Gerutlo Lady," the Choir; song (humorous), Mr. J. Rogo>re; mandoline solo, seVxnions, Mr. Robt. Joi-aine song, "The beautiful land of Nod," M ifs F. Mr. S, F. Sprang; selections, "Faust" (Gounod), Mr. a t t, H. E. Crana's orchestra; overture, "Poet and Peasant" fSuppe), Mr. H. E. Crane's orchestra; song. "When Love is kind," Miss N. Ford; nong, "Ti-L ',g a Land." Mr. F. Good; clarion- ette solo, selections. Mr. B. Waiton glee, "Sea oi i r oa the Choir; sang (humorous). Mr. S. F. Sprang; mandoline solo, selections. Mr. Robt. Jerome; song, "Ta,tt(,J\ M,iss F. \Vilhmlm,m; humorous selection. Mr. J. Rogers The accom- panists were Mrs. 11. E. Crane and 1\1r. C. \"1. Johnson. ARTIFICIAL FLOW ER.-On Monday afternoon the Duchess of Westminster will open at the Music Hall, Chester, a six days' ex- hibition ot artificial lfowers made by blind and crippled girls. The Lord Bishop of Chester has promised to preside, and lie will be sup- ported by the clergy and local ministers and other influential ladies and gentlemen. A contingent of the blind and crippled girls will bo at work each afternoon and evening mak- ling- tlie various kinds of flowers, and there will also be music. The promoters hope that there will be a large attendance daily, and that tho people of Chaster md district will once more shew their practical sympathy with a causa thoroughly deserving of help. The flowers offered for sale will be found good value for the money asked. To Mr. John A. Groom be- longs the distinction of founding tho Water- cress and Flower Girls' Miss'on. Commenced a« a small local market effort for the moral, social and spiritual uplifting of the children, wompn and girls of the London streets, it has now become a national institution. For forty years has it carried on its beneficent work under Mr. Groom's pereonal supervision, and it was he, who in 1879 hit. upon the happy idea of establishing industrial 1 raining homes for artificial flower making. There are now ttome 250 girlft in the homes from all parts of tho kingdom, ineludi lg some from Chester. WILL OF MRS. THWAITES.—Tho late Mrs. Eliza Amelia Thwaites, of London, widcW" of Mr. Daniel Thwaites, of Blackburn, brewer, formerly M P. for Blackburn, left es-tate of the gross value of £ 217.519, with nett person- alty £ 213,973. Probate has been granted ta Sir Luke Fildes, R.A., of Kensington, London, Mr. John Rutherford, of Beardwocd, Black- burn, and her daughter, Alma Amy, wife of Mr. Rober: Armstrong Yerburgh (ex-M.P. for Chester), of Woodfold Park. Blackburn. The testatrix left her valuable collection of pictures in trust for her grandsons, Robert Daniel Thwaites Yerburgh and Cecil Guy Yerburgh, £ 1,000 to Jessie Peebles, £ 1,000 each to Dorothy and Joyce Harrison, £ 5,000 to her niece, Mary Jane Gregory, £ 1.000 eaeli to Con- frtancc and Mary Yerburgh. £ 5,000 to her son- in-law, Robert Armstrong Yerburgh, her dia- monds and personal effects and t-tatuary to her daughter, Mrs Yerburgh, and she left £10,000 in trust for her companion, Edith Weaver, L500 to Edith IIume, i;300 to her butler, Chas. Oann, £ 200 to her housemaid, Sarah Loe, i;100 to her maid, Wiseman, £ 50 each to her foot- man and he* coachman, Sectt, £ 25 each to her gardener and each otlier outdoor servant of five years' eervice, one year's wages to each other indoor eervant of five years' service. £ 1,000 to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, £ 500 to the Cripples' Home, Kensington, and £ 100 to the Blackburn Orphanage. The testatrix left £ 500 each to Sir Luke Fildes and Mr. John Rutherford as executors, and, subject to other legacies and provisions, she left the resieluo of her cstato in trust for her said two grandsons, Robert Daniel Thwaites Yerburgh and Cecil Guy Yerburgh, with other remainders in the event of failure of these trusts. ST. MARTIN'S TEA AND CONCERT.— The annual tea. and concert in connection with St. Martitilt, Welsh Church, Nicholas-street, Chester, was held on Tuesday, and proved one of the most successful for eomo yeare. They were held in the church loom, this being- the first irmG the tea and concert had been held in this room for many years, and the accommoda- tion WP8 taxed to its very utmost limits. A large number of parishioners and friends eat down to an enjoyable tea Tables were given by the following: Mrs. B. C. Roberts, Mrs. Stolberfoth, Mr?. Mond, Mrs. Hughes (Vic- i toria-rood). Mrs. Crowley, Mrs. Geo. Dickson, Mrs. I-I. T. Brown, Miss Sybil Clarke, Mrs. Barber, Miss Fiuitt, Mia* Ewing, Mrs. T. Quellyn Roberts, Mrs. Humphreys (Nicholae- street), Mrs. Jones (Liverpool-road), Mrs. O. Al bar. Thomas, Mrs. Williams (Queon's- aver.ueL Mr?. Stone, Mrs. Roberts (Bouverie- ai-er.u,e). 'I*he foiiowing ladies assisted at tb* tables: Mrs. E. Owen, Mrs. W. T. Roberts. Mrs. Crl ff itli Davies, Mrs. J. Jones (Saltney), Mif-S Williams (Abbey--street), Mrs. Richard* (Newtown). Mrs. Witt (Sa-ltney), Mrs. D. Davies (Talbot st-i eet). M;s. T. Jones (Glou- cester-street). Valuable assistance was also rendered by tlio following: Mcssns. Richard Jones (Sahney), James Pate (.Boug-hton), W. Robert Williams (Queen's-avenue), J. R. Jones (Training College), Griffith Davies and Htcpiicji Jones. There was another crowded attendance at the concert, presided over by Mr. D. Stone (Chief Inspector of the Chester Dis- trict of tho Great Western Railway). All the items were thoroughly enjoyed, and were ex- cellently rendered, reflecting credit, on the artists. The programme was as follows: — Pianoforte solo, Miss Ffoulkes, L.R.A.M. quartette, "Lass of Richmond Hill." Messrs. Jones and Morgans; song, "Nirvana," Mr. W. Davies; so.ig, "Mari Lee" (in Welsh). Miss Morgans; violin solo, Mr. I teg. Williams; .yongr "Loe the pedlar, Mien Cook son; humorous sketch, Mr. II. Hallmark song, "The little Irish girl." Mr. H. Coleman song, "The flower aong," Mr. B. Jones; comic song, "When I was a lioy at school/' Mr. W. Arm- strong; pianoforte solo, Miss Ffoulkes; duett, "A quarrelling duett," Miss A. and Mr. H. Coleman; song, "Mona," Mr. Walter Davies; eong, "Break, break, break," Miss Cookson; ccmic song, "How dare you," Mr. W. Arm- strong; song, "She wandered down the moun- tain side," Miss Morgans; song, "Beloved sleep," Mtss A. Coleman; humorous sketch, Mr. Hallmark; :ong, "Three for Jack," Mr. Coleman; violin rollo, Mr. Reg. Williams; song, "Myfanwy," Mr. B. Jones. All the ac- companiments were efficiently played by Mr*. 0 Alban Thomas. At the close the Rev. O. Alban Thomas proposed an inclusive vote of thanks to the Chairman, to the ladies who had assisted at the tea, and to the artists for their voluntary services, which wa. seconded by Mr. W. Robert Williams, and carried. The ar- rangements, which gave great satisfaction, were carried out by the Rev. 0. Albao Thomas,