Cheshire Observer

MR. YERBURG-H AT SALTNEYI ♦ I CHINESE SLAVERY HOAX. I NEW HEBRIDES CONVENTION. I OnFridayevenxngMr. Yerburgh addressed a suc- cessful meeting in the Lecture Hall, Saltney, under the auspices of tho St. Alary s Ward branch of the Chester Conservative and Union- ist Association. Mr J. PeroivaJ Gamon pre- sided, and was supported by Messrs. T. O. Hogarth, G. F. dough, Channon, E. H. Jones, and C. If--Glas&ey (secretary and registration Chairman, paying a tribute to the lato ex-Premier, remarked that those who differed from him in politics, could not but admire the fine sense of duty which he shewed in accepting the groat responsibilities of State under the burden of heavy domestic bereavement. As to tho position of the Unionist parly, the Chair- man said that the result of reoent eleotions in- dicated that their return to power was now within measurable distance. Mr. Yerburgh, who had a cordial reception, said he carried w:i,h him a lively recollection of a mefcting he addressed in that hall before tho last general election, when he was subjected to a good deal of heckling. He remembered the occasion well because the subject then de- bated was one that was most before the elctors at thac tiIll-the employment of the Chinese in the South African mines. With the electors throughout the country they were told that the conditions under which the Chinese wero working amounted neither to more nor less than slavery; and that they were raking the place of white men who ought to have the labour which the mines afforded. Not only in Chester, but ail over the country those argu- ments had a tremendous effect. They had a most vivid presentment of the Chinese in chains, arid pictures shewing thorn as being unmercifully flogged. The generous instincts of the English people revolted against aIlY-j thing that partook of the nature of slavery, and it wa6 no wonder that they voted against a Government who they were led to believe I had introduced slavery into our Colonic*. But WHERE WAS THE SLAVERY AGITATION I now.' (Hear, near.) hveryono now knew I there was not a word of truth in the accusa- tions of the Radical party. Air. Winston Churchill's explanation was that the language used upon the question was really composed of "terminological inexactitudes, by which he (Mr. Yerburgh) supposed he meant- to say that the statements he made with regard to Chinese slavery were directly contrary to the truth; while Lord Elgin. the responsible Minister for the Colonies, had apologised for what he Mid on the- question. The present Government were returned on this question, and if slavery had really existed it was their bounden duty to nnm diately send every Chinaman from South Africa. (Hear, hear.) Yet the number at present in the mince was only about 10,000 lesi than in 1207, while there was now a brgely i!,oreaJc{\ number of natives working in the mines, there baing a total increase of yellov¡ anJ other coloured labour of 45,777. If the Unionist Government by introducing the Chinese were keeping vihite men out of the mitres, what wore the present Government guilty of when they had in- creased the amount, of coloured labour by over 45,OOO? (Cheers.) If the Chinamen were working as slaves in the mines the other coloured labourers were also working as slaves, and the Government had increased the IlurnLer of slaves by over 45,000 The Govern- ment offered in 1906 to repatriato the Chinese who wanted to return home under very ad- vantageous conditions, yet within eight weeks only 54 out of 50,000 applied to go home. On ♦lie 8 th June in that year we found Mr. Win- ston Churchiii saying in the Hottse of Com- mons It is impossible tc resist the conclusion that there is no general desire on the part of the cgolies employed in the Witwafersrand to leave their work and to return home." The present Government, who spoke so strongly against the Chinese labour ordinance, declared th rough the present Prime Minister that if it was proposed by the Transvaal Government to re-enact it the House of Commons, would veto it; but they had actually re-enacted it for two and a half years or thereabouts. IlYPOCHITf('AL CONDUCT. Such conduct could not be characterised ot.ner- wissthanas iOypccr¡nenL Cheers.) For his own part, i: he had believed what those gen- tlemen affected to believe he would never have Tested until we had got every Chinaman out of South Africa (Hear, hear.) England had large trade interests with China, and it was essential that wo should cultivate good rela- tions with China. The Chinese were very jealous, of foreigner;, and as many people of our own blood ros-ided in the country it was necessary to take every precaution not to arouse the jealousy or hatred of the Chinese. While in China in 1306 Lord Ronakkhay found that exact copies of the posters depicting Chinamen being tortured, that. were circu- lated in this country. were being distributed by the Chinese among their own countrymen. Had not the people responsible for those placards a great deal to answer for and was it not possible that they had jeopardised the lives of many of our own countrymen and women in China? (Hear, hear.) He hoped that we would neVBi" again have a general oko- tion disgraced by posters of that character. (Cheers.) Under th" New Hebrides Conven- tion, signed by a Government who rooe into power on the cry of Chinese slavery, and signed in face of the protests of the Govern- ment* of Australia and Now Zeabnd, power was given to indenture children of both sexes '> labour for three years, provided they were io.Jl enough. Women oould also be taken away Oy the consent of the head of the tribe to forced labour for throe years. The Chinaman worked for ten hours a day at Is. 6d. a day, and of his own free-will but iiitfortti-iate women and boys and girls had to work from sunrise to sunset, with one hour's interval for the mid-day meal, for 4d. a day. ("Shame.") If they did not work they were liable to different penalties, including- imprisonment for one month. Putting those two Conven- tions side by side which was least to the credit of thivi country—that which sanctioned the movement of Chinamen of their own free-will, or that which a Mo wed defenceless women and children to be taken away to lalxsur from sun- rise to sunset at a miserable pittance? He co'dd not beH?ve t.?at any ?upporMr of thO./ ppeaont Government wonid aanction by his vote a poUcy of that kind. (Cheerg.) Referring to his attitude at the last election towards the Trade.3 Disputes Bill. Mr. Yerburgh Mid that had he chosen to abandon his principles He had no doubt that he would now be the member for Chester. Being opposed to the measure, he acted hofteytly and he hoped that his holding to his prineiples in the facte of what ) he knew to be cert-am defeat would be taken ns an earnest of what they might expect from him m the future. (Cheers.) Dealing with the charge of extravaganoe aga inst the last I Government, Mr. Yerburgh pointed out the folly of the present Government in repealing the duty Oil exported coal imposed by the ¡ Unionists, which had increased the country's revenue by about eleven million sterling. The duty was paid by the foreigner, and the effect. iff its removal had been to force up the price of coal at home, affecting both the householder and the large industries. As to the Miners' Eight Hours Bili, he sympathised with the miners in their extremely hard and perilous work: but the miner3 were not at all agreed t h -,(, in Itle nortli Lc?,I:ng upon this question, those in the north being opposed to any legislative interference wit-h their hours of working. It was said that if the Bill became law the price of coal was bound to go up. Speaking of the Govern- ment's efforts in the interests of SO-CALLED ECONOMY, I Mr. Yerburgh said that in addition to taking off the t&x on coal, they had placed large orders for horseshoes for th., Army in the hands of foreign firm,?. If there was any infinitesimal difforcr.ce lot ween tho price of foreign and Eng- lish-ma do articles, he preferred those produced by our own people; but That was not the Radi- cal theory. They had also thought fit in their ardent desiro for economy to diseliargo num- bers of skilled workmen from 1h3 Woolwich Arsenal, and to vote for the payment of salar- ies and election expenses to members of Parlia- ment. Members of Parliament used to be paid. but they wore paid not by the State, but by tha constituencies which returned them. A 131il for tlio payment of members by the constitu- encies would now stand small chance of pass- ing. (Hear, hear.) He believed that a mem- f bar oould at the present time claim wages from his constituency, although the point had never been decided and lie suggested that any Radi- cal member who wished ro test the question should demand wages, and if refused enter an i action against his constittlc-ney. (Laughter and hear, hear.) Turning to the education question, Mr. Yerburgh said we knew that the Govern- ment wero returned partly to remove certain grievances under which certain religious bodies were labouring but they weiio not returned to remedy one injustice by creating another. The withdrawal of their first Education Bill shewed clearly they had found out-that the COUNTRY WAS AGAINST THEM. and that if they had appealed to its verdict I it would havo supported the House of Lords. Was tho Bill now before the country going to meet any better fate? Churchmen and Roman Catholics insisted on tho right of the parent to have his child brought up in the religious prin- ciples wirich he professed, and demanded that religious instruction should be given in school hourc. (Hear, hear.) He was told that in Franoe, where the- name of God had been prac- ticaUy banished from the sobools, thinkers were realising the mischief they had done when they saw the enormous increase of juvenile crime; and they were turning admiring eyes to tihe religious inst.ruction of the young in this coun- try. Let ns not make- the mis-take of depriving our children of that instruction by regarding it as a mere extra. (Cheers.! There were signs that the Government were seeing- the mistake thev had made, and there was a proposal for a round table conference in order to bring about a 1-appy solution of this :homy question. That was a sensible way to appioaoh the question. The Unionist party would be most happy to facilitate a settlement, and by th-o exorcise of a little Christian charity and forbearance it would be accomplished. Turning to the licen- sing question, Mr. Yerburgh said ho had always held that if the. State and the pcopl? thought. the existence of public-houses was bad. by all moans lot the State take thorn, but let it pay the fair market piice for what it took. (Hear, hear.) The Slate had ne ver token anything in this country for the good of the people- without giving a fair market price, and lie saw no roo- son why it should not do so in this instance. No foreign country which had tried to prohibit th2- 1120 of strong drink by legislation had ever succeeded. All they had done was to drive the disease of excessive drinking underground, and if we did this we would poison the social sys- tem. (Hear, hoar.) In thoe matters wo couid not go beyond public opinion, and surely the best thing io do was to elevate the tonc, of pubiic-housce. Workingmen ought to be against- any proposal -,vhieh would lead to an increase in drinking clubs. Personally, he was in favour of the pioper ie duct-ion of licences, and the Act pacsod by the last Government had been work- ing well towards that end, compensation being provided by members of tho trade..ilea: hear.) He could only characterise the present Government's piopo-sais as robbery. (Cheers.) The Government. undoubtedly wore in a very difficult position, and unless they were prepared to put dtinking ctuba under the same regula- tions "hiGh governed public-hou;ee they would be s i mr>! v I NT K N SI FY IN G THE DRINKING EVIL. (Hear, hear.) A speaker who addressed a rifl- cent- meeting at Saltttey. under the aegis of the Radical party. dealt with the Small Holdings and Allotments Act. He iMr. Yerburgh.) had been interested in the land question almost be- fore any recent member of the Ilous » of Com- mons on either side, and he was a member of <ho committee whioh sat under Lord Onslow on tho subject of small holdings. As the speaker at Saltney alluded to co-operation among small holders, he (Mr. Ye rc, i i rgh) might tell them that it was h? who was instrumental in tho inclusion of %as -iio was in-triinirntal I *ii ?.reli?sI on commending the adoption of co-operation. (Hear, hear.) As to the pait played by the Unionist party in the Act. they had the testi- mony of Air. Maatcrman that thev had cxhibi- ted every intention to make the Bill a satiisfae- to:y one. On one point, however, the Union- ists and Radicals wore at distinct- variance the former believed in ownership, and wero strongly opposed by the Radical pasty in their anwnd- merits to effect it. In conclusion, Mr. Yer- burgh paid a high tribute to the late ex- Premier, who he said had left a legacy of a llifeo well lived and of duly to his country well performed. (Hear, hear.) On tho proposition of Mr T. 0. IlogarMi, seconded by the Chairman, Mr. Yerburgh was cordially thanked for hi* address; and a vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr. E. H. Jones..seconded by Mr. Ohannon and sup- ported by Mr. C. II. Glaasoy, concluded Q il nvx.ing.

MOTOR TRAFFIC IN CHESHIRE. EFFECT ON THE RATE. At the Nantwich Board of Guardians' meet- ing on Saturday it was intimated that the Main Roads Committee had had under consideration the condition of the main roack, owing to the effect or t.he motor car traffic, and that to pro- vide fc r the extra co.-o¡t of maintenance the county rate would have to be increased by a halfpenny or three farthings in the pound. Mr. S. Jackson said he did not think that motorists were entirely to b'.a.rne for the con- (Iitiot, of the roade. The marerial of which roads were made was not at; good and did not lant as long arl when the metal was broken by hand. Mr. R. W. C'artwrigilt Iiioaid he di.sliked motor cars on the high roads bscauwe of the dust set up, and the opinion that motorists theuuselvcis ought to provide and maintain special tracks from great centres. Eventually the lioard parked a re«du! ion (proposed by Mr. W. Emberton) expressing the opinion thar in view of the larger revenue anticipated from increasing the licences of motorists there should be some larger alloetftion of fund* from the Imperial Exchequer to local authorities responsible for tho upkeep of roads. It was decided to memorialise the Chan?Uor of the Exchequer and the Pre?dent of the Local Government Board to that effect.

PROOF UPON PROOF. I This statement made by a Wrexham, woman I wa3 confirmed by her four years afterward. Mrs. K A. Cope. 4, Holt-terrace, Wrexham, says:—T gladly confirm all I said for Doan's backache kidney pills over 4 years ago, and I am pleased to be able to add that my cure by the medicine has been lasting. I am still free1 Lorn kidney complaint, and haven't needed to take any more of the pills for a. long time now." The following is the statement Mrs. Cope re- feN to:- I i),ega!-i lo stj ffc?r with "About six yc-?rs ago I !?cgan !o suffe.r with pains in my back, jWH over whmc the kidneys j aT<?. They w?ro vc,y harp when I was bending about at my wo;k—more like a knife-thrust t.han anything else. A litile exertion made me turn quite dizzy, a.nd there seemed to be specks floating before my eves. I was troubled with nervousness, too, ts well at> a weak, languid feeling, and I often had chilly sensations. "Although I had medical advioe, and tried many remedies, nothing gave tne any lasting relief. •'The benefit I have iccetved from Doan's back- ache kidney pills, however, has proved perman- ent, aaid I feci quite myself again. Doan's pills did me good from the first., and I didn't need to take them long before I was cured. I have recommended these kidney pills to my friends. (Signed) E. A. Cope." Doan's backache kidney pills are reliable in every form of kidney and bladder compiaint- in headache, rheumatism, dizziness, "leep¡"ss- ness, dropsical swellings, in lumbago, sciatica and nervous di-ordess. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shil- lings and ninepenee per box (six boxes for thir- teen shillings and ninepenee). Of all chemists and stores, or post free, direot from Foster- McClel'an C0.. 8, Wells-street., Oxford street, London, W. Mrs. Cope was cured by Doan's; be sure that you get "Doan's."

IIESWALL. I THE REFORMATORY QI'KSTK.)N.—The controversy regarding the establishment at Has- wall of a reformatory for the boys who has been removed fiom the old Akbar training- ship has now readied almost- iTie final stage, at which it wilt be. thro shod out by the Livetpoo! City Council. According to tho "Liverpool Daily Post." the work of the Akbar has Ixeu oarriod on for many years by tho Livorpooi Juvenile Reformatory Association, with sub- stantia! Home Office grants. As oxpeiienco has shown that an institution on shore is more suitable than a ship for this special work, no attempt was made to repair the Akbar when it was found that she was becoming unsound, and a tmporary homo was established at Heswall. It is now proposed to erect a permanent build- ing. arid the Liverpool Corporation are being asked to sanction a loan for t.his purpose. The proposal hart ltatusaliy a touted considerable opposition from residents in Heswall, w ho not unnaturally point to tit-) prejudicial effect on the randejit development of the district likely to be caused by the establishment of the reformatory. Tito sito seleoteid is in fuil view of the whole hillside, and in the only quarter where the village is likely to ccctend, and a large building of the barrack would dominate tho district. Tho Liverpool Finance Committee have end eavoured to airuige. an amicable settle- ment bv tho comini11- o of t.h.c Reformatory and the losidentfl of Heswall, but the former have decided to stand or fa.U by tihe result of tlio Liverpool Corporation's consideration of tho scheme.

CHESTER RACES.—For choice York, Cumberland and Irish Hams, of superior quality, try Thorn peon, Son and Gkwnenoa, Provision Merchants, 10, Northgate-etreot, Eaat gate-street, aaid braauohea.

ECC LESLYST1CAL APPOINTMENTS. — On Friday the Bishop of Chester ad. mitted the TIeL A. II. Barnes, M.A., to the church and benefice of St. Peter's, Stockport, and licensed the following to assistant cura- cies The Rev. C. Tansley, L.Th., to St. John the Baptist., Cheeier; and the Rev. R. J. B. M-otroran, M.A., to Wefa viir.ha.m, Norlhwich. His lordship also licensed the Rev. E. H. Ed- wards, M.A.. chaplain of Hih Leg-h private chapel, Cheshire, to officiate irt the diocese. _h

NORTH SHROPSHIRE ELEC? NOP?Tif SHROPSHIPE EL TCTIO?'  MR. STAMER AT WHITCHL u -,isto !'? Mr. &¡]1' Staner, Unionist caO<J» i> £ t.h? North Shropshire byc-?f?crton.? .?a? D:si, :)pp<?r?ncc at Whitchurch on ?. noon. He had an cnthu-i?ic I'?cP?.i?? bre crowd, whom he addressed fto"1 V; tona Ifotol, boin? introduced )?- c 0iolle, $I, Mr. S».a:iier eaid he stc-pd before 5f°j ??ricutturi-?t., but first and foremost lic  before them as a Tariff Reformer, t There was no such thing as Frco '?  Th? re ??ras no Fr(,.e rr?, je country, (i?ar, h<?r.) The Gov?r? ?f? talking about o'd-age pension' ?-)S talkin,lI tb u,,tt o'c l -agt? 1),ension?-fie that thor- &t.ou!d be od-age P? C ?. wnere v.ere th.ey to get the mon?y? to gd 11'.? money f:om the foreign-r<  As to lh? Li?n.ins Bill, if it w? 3. tellity- m?surc h, .ahou!d have supported it, -b Lit,if I'$ were a t?mp?.<(.nc? mMt?n;? why ?? tjle" e' propo?f to give it to Scotl-uid a;tJ. ¡lbeP Simply because ihcy had so many n1' 1 jjbe^ J tliLV Iiitd ??o  { Scotland and Ireland ihat thy coul d p{  toios?. (Lan?hicr?nd dw?s.! Th<?-?  tho pieeviit Government was a ??"?' it h?d !x?on in the first instance, and t-v gong to try and get Iid of that r< (Cheers.)

MONQrA 2&K[ R like Will do a Day's Work ????L-? "?? Silver j in an Hour I Tin BENJAMIN BROOKE & CO., 1 TP. M j BENJAMtM BROOKE & CO., L TD,??"??

LADY ASKED TO HUNT HOUNDS.- Tho members of the Vale of Lune Hunt on Satur- day met at Lancaster and passed a vote of con- dolence with Mrs. Foster and family on the death of Colonel W. H. Foster, late master of the hunt. It was decided to invite Miss Foster to take the mastership, and in the event of her tccepting it it was unanimously agreed she be appointed. HIS MAJESTY AND CHEST ER RACES.- Prime Old Cheshire Choewe, largest and choicest selection in the ooun.try, including the Gold Medal Dairy, as auppfikd to His Majesty the King, now on sale at lVrs, Thompson, Son and Cl^tnenov Choesefactor.s, 10. North- ga.te-st.reet (John Griffith). Easd-gate-stroetj 16, Fwegac; street, and branches*

CHESHIRE POLICE COMMITTEE. 1 I CONSTABULARY INCREASED. I IMPORTANT DECISION. I The annual meeting of the Cheshire Standing Joint (Police) Committee was held on Satur- day afternoon. Coloinel G. Dixon moved the ro-election of Colonel France-Hayhurot aa chair- man, and congratulated him on looking so well after his serious illness. Dr. Hodgeon seconded, and, the motion being carried unanimously, Colonel France-ITayhuret took the chair. The Chief Constable, in hia quarterly state- ment of crime, stated that the total number of persons apprehended and summoned had been 2.152, of which number 18 had been committed for trial, 1.724 summarily convicted or orders made, 409 discharged, and one died. Of the number summarily convicted, 1,216 had been fined. One hundred and eight persons had been sent to priaon in default of payment of fine and costa. In comparison with the corresponding quarter of 1907, there was an increase of 28 apprehended and 15 summoned, the former caused by more offences of larceny simple and vagrancy, and the latter by more prosecutions for offcnces in relation to dogs. When com- pared with the same period of 1903 there was a • lecreaso of 44 apprehended and 159 summoned, the former caused by more offences of larceny simple and drunkenness .and the latter by fewer prosecutions for drunkenness, cruelty to animals, offences in relation to dogs, and c'; under the Elementary Education Act anJ Diiwases of Animals' Acts. Thirty-two po'eons under sixteen years of age had been appre- hended, 25 being first offenders. Fifteen had been discharged, the remainder being pur shed. One hundred and thirty-six persons under sixteen years of age had been summoned. One hundred and twenty-six had been firA offenders, and 28 had been discharged. Two hundred and seventy-three males and fifty-nine females had been proceeded against for drunkenness, being a decrease of two males and 10 females when compared with the same period of last year, and a decrease of 31 males and 16 females when compared with the same period of 1903 During the quarter 10 licensed houses had been proceeded against, three convicted and seven dismissed, as against 11 proceeded against, eight convicted and three dismissed in February quarter. 1907, and twelve proceeded against, six convicted and six dismissed in the same period of 1903. At the licensing sessions throughout the county 65 licences had been objected to by direction of justices; 31 had been granted, 33 referred, one lapsed. Two other licences had lapsed, the re- no-vals not being applied for. Nine new licences had been applied for, and one off beer licence had been granted. DEMANDS ON THE POLICE. The Chief Constable recommended the increase of the constabulary by 35 men. This included two more for Eddisbury, 12 for North Wirral, three for South Wirral. In his report Colonel Ilaniersley stated that the additional cost would bo £ 2.541. and that the proportion of the present estimated population to constables would be 1.128 to each officer throughout the county generally. In explaining the recommendations to the com- mittee, the Chicf Constable eaid the amount of work which the police had to do in rural districts was tremendous In the Broxton diYision an acting sergeant, had had to travel 250 miles through an outbreak of swine fever. The s heep scab regulations had also to be considered, and lie did not think the work of the police wa. appreciated. A police sergeant, who had been eighteen months in one place, had told him that he did not consider himself a policeman at all, but a cattle inspector. If the men were drawn off for that kind of work, they must be replaced by others if property was to be properly pro- tected. Mr. J. J. Evans thought the committee ought to have further information before they sanctioned an increased expenditure of £ 2.541. It was true the population had increased, but it was not ler-19 true that there was less crime and fewer apprehensions for drunkenness and other offences during the quarter. That proved there was leco work for tho police rather than more. He moved that the matteT be referred to the Police D ist ric ts> S ub-eorn m i t tee. The Chief Constable said he did not mind an inquiry at all; hut three busy months were coming on, and the matter should not be de- layed longer than necessary. As to the cost, -they got half of it, 21.225, f ro rii the Imperial Exchequer As regarded crime, there might be a reduction in drlJnkenn('; but there certainly wto no reduction in the number of people appre- hended. For crime against the pCToolI last year there had been 28 apprehensions, now it was 47; offcnces against property with violence last year, 96. now it was 143; offences against property without violence last year, 675, now 739. There might be a slight decrease in drunkenness, but there was- no decrease in larceny and burglary, and that wae. what the police had to look to as -? I '] l ie much as anything else. The estimated increase in the population in Cheshire was 87,529 sinoc 1901. Col. Dixon asked if the police had to do a great deal of extra work in controlling the motor Iraffic. In iiis village the police had to stand at cross-roachs nearly the whole day to control the traffic. Tho Chid Constable said the motor traffic had very considerably increased polioo duty. Dr. Hodgson aeked if it was not noce&sary in the summer months to engage other con- | stables for special duty in North Wirral and | New Brighton. That was becoming an increas- ing holiday ground The Chief Convtablo said it was frequently n-pessary to send a great number of men to th3 different holiday spots in the county, cs- I pcciaUy Noith Wirral. :a. laad given the mat- ter considerable consideration. He did not want tho ratepayers to pay one halfpenny more than was necessaiy, and il21 had been asked by the superintendent's for many more officers than the number h) was recommending. In April, 1902. the proportion of population to each con- stable was 1.087; in 1903 it was 1,045 and last year it. was 1,184. Cheshire was peculiarly sitsuitod, being surrounded on the north and east by large towns. He did not wani: to say anything to tho dotrinx-nt. of their neighbours, itig t0th-c, d?,tr1 n- K-,i I but it was in large towns that thieves congre- gated, and in county they wero subject to raids from those p~op ie. Mr. C. H. Pedley said he understood that when they had augmented th-o constabulary they would not iiave moie constables in proportion to the population than eight or ten years ago. Thos3 figures alone made out a very strong oaso for tho increase. Tho Chairman said an increase of 35 at onoo w.a.: a large order. He suggested it inig-ht be bettier to allow the extra. constables in the large centres and leave out the. rural districts such as Eddisbury and possibly South Wirral. Col. Dixon moved that tiie increase recom- mended by Col. Hamersley be adopted. Mr. G-corge Wall aoeonded. Mr. J. J. Evans said there was a great out- cry against increasing ratet?, and as there worried to b3 a diminution in crime he thought they might wait three moniiM. It did not necessarily follow that as the population in- creased they had to increase 1he number of polioo. They must hops that the morals of the people were improving, and that as years went on they would require fewer po)ice. It was just possible that in the- next six or twelve months they would not have eo many public- houses to look after, and that would diminish the work of tlie police. Dr. Hoth?on hoped th?t Ü:ü rc<:oœml'!1dation I of the Chief Con&tahie would b? adopted at that mOning. The increase was absolutely over- I due. It was an economy to have ec¡0nt polioo a dministration. The rccomm/ndation was adopted. THE PENSIONS BURDEN. I Tho Pensions Sub-committee reportwi 1-iaving considered a communication from the Homo Office Oil tho subject of the Polico Superannua- tion Act, 1906. They recommended that only s-ueh officers, having completed more thnll 25 years' service, as were specially recommended by the Chief Constable, should be eligible to havo their pensions guaranteed under tho Act. They also resolved that application be made for the Secretary of State's sanction to the pay- ment of non-pensionable, allowanoce to the fol- lowing officers: Deputy Chief Constable W. Loah, L60 per annum, from 1st July, 1907; Supt. J. Downes, £ 45 per annum, from 26th October, 1907; Supt. R. S. McDonald, £20 per annum, from 26th October, 1907; Supt. J. OkeoU, JE:20 per annum, from 1st February, 1908; Supt. L. J. Croghan, £20 per annum, from 1 at April, 1908; Inspector D. Robinson, £ 30 per annum, from 26tli October, 1907. It was further re- solved that application. be made for the Secre- tary of State's sanction to the payment of a non-pensionable allowance of £ 100 per annum, to comm?-itoo is frol-a t,l, .,a 1st day of July. 1907, to the Chief Constable (Lieut.-Col. J. H. Ham- ersley), the sub-oommifctoe being of opinion that such allowance was advisable so as to secure the continued service of a specially efficient and uf^eful officer. Dr. Hodgson (chairman of the sub-committee) said the demand on tho rates in regard to pen- sions increased every year. This year it amounted to between three and four thousand pounds. They could remember the time when it, was infinitesimal, being only a few hundreds. Next year it was estimated about ono thousand pounds more. It behoved them to consider very seriously how to decrease the burden on the rates. They ought in the first place to have a larger contribution from tho Imperial Ex- chequer, and representations should bo made- to that effect. The deficit in the pension fund was increasing year by year, and somothing should be done by way of administration to docrease the deficit. They considered that a number of officers of various ranks left the force and received pensions just when they were best capable of r-ideting otticietit. service. It would be far better to givo some of those moil Eorn-e increase of pay non-pensionable allowance, and guarantee' their pensions, in older to retain tiheir services. The recommendations were adopted.

V ———— MR. MOND'S ELECTION TACTICS. I Sir,—1 have received a copy of what is de- ecribed as Mr. Mond's "Great Specch on the Licensing Question" (rather differently de- scribed in the London papers of the dato fol- lowing its deiivery), also a postcard inviting me to signify my approval of the Licensing Bill. This is a new Election dodge, and simpiy means a canvass of the whole of the city con- stitaency, 16 a feeler for the next election, and is a fair sample of the new methods of Radical electioneering. Will Mr. Mond publish a return of this i canvai-b and. assuming- that he does, who is to verify it, and ¡lOW? I am afraid little import- ance would be attached to any return winch might bo made, especially after our experience with Mr. Mond's re-ports of the Chester work- men's Chinese slavery experiment, which was prove d to be an absolute farce.—Yours faith- fully, AN OLD CAMPAIGNER." 30th April, 1903.

I MOTOR CABS. Sir,-I 500 that two letters have been sent you ostensibly coming from cab-drivers and their wives. The hand may be the hand of Jehu, but the voice it* t.he voice of one not unknown to the Council. I am accused of ratting, but that is a great- error. When t.he large, order for 15 motor- cabs was befor-3 the Conned, thought, as did others I have no doubt, that to license so many for a plaoe iiko Chester would be a real hurt j for the cab business of our poorer citizens. 1 opposed it, therefore, M being too sudden and too rnwll of an opposition to our existing nen But I oould not plant myself across th., path of progress and say it shall stop at this oitv. Now th< committee which had this matter in hand, of which I am r.ot a member, unani- mously doomed to adopt, a suggestion of mine, that if any motor-cabs were to come. they were to be confined to three only. According- ly Mr. Churton proposed thai three should be licensed, arid Mr. E. Owen Roberts, present a.t the time, had nothing to say against it. When, thprefore, iliat committee produced this plea, I ooutd not as an honest iiati do anything else but vote for this modern experi- ment. The public will see now, I hope. that, in acting as I have done, I have consider d our own men in the business, and at the same time kept the spirit of progress among u»» alive. I have no apology to make.—Yours, etc.. I 7, 1. "pi-)er W. II. GRIFFITH. I 7, Upper No.'thgate-str^et. Chester. I April 30th. 1908. A

WAVERTON AND TATTENIIALL CHURCH BELLS. Sir,—Since my recent letter appeared in the "Observer" of the ISth, the Re' F. WHIoughby Jones, Roc-tor of Waveilon, has kindly sent m? rubbings) of one- of the Waverton Church bel's. IHIGVS BE OVR SPEED 1815 G.L.- W.R. with bands of ornament between the words of the inscription and a border above. I have compared these with my own tubbings of the Tattenhall Church bells, and further studied the matter and compared the tubbings with the i Illustrations of bell founders' marks. etc.. in books dealing with the subject of church bells in Nottingham, Lin- oo'n, Loiocste-r. Norfolk, Stafford, Shropshire. Woroosber, etc., and can now say that from a comparison of the crosses, founders ma; ks and lettering it. is quite clear that t.he four church bdl at, Waverton, dated 1015, were cast at Congkyton by G.L. (George Lee), who was the bell-found?r there fiom 1602 to 1617, and per- haps to 1630. when I.he foundry was tenanted by Paul Iftittoii. Ttio initials W.R which also appear on the church bell at Waverton, appar- ently refer to some unknown founder who worked with George Lee at Congleton. The exact connection that George Lee had with the Nottingham bell-founders named Oldfield has not been traced. Henry Oldfield, of Notting- ham, was in 1585 married to Mary, daughter of R I cli-Ird Speacor. who was Mayor of Congleton 1582-3, 1585-6. and 15956. In 1587 Henry Old- field recast at Nottingham the Wilmslow (Cheshire) Church bell. Eight years after, i.e., in 1595, the same Henry Oldfield casrt a.t Not- tingham two cluirch for the Higher Chapel at Congk'ton, and those two bells have th? same oioss as the four at Waverton. He also cast many church beils in Lincolnshire, at Haceonby (three) 1596, Kirkby-eum Osgodby (two) 1598. Limber Magna (three) ] 555. Partney (one) 1595, Seainpton (one) 1582. Washing-bor- ough (3) 1589. The inscriptions on nil these bells ane ptecocSed by tho same initial now us t.h.a.t on tihe Waverton and Congleton Church bells. He died in the year 1620. The fame croee is also found on church L\('l13 in Siafford- ahire, at Blore Ray 1590 and 1616. and else- where, but it doe-s not appear in Lincolnshire after 1636, when George Oldfield placed it. on the second boll at Wclby. The bell dated 1616 lm,, I)eli date(] 1.616 at Ray was most probably ca¡.;j, by George Lee at Oonglofon, as not only the initial cross but th? 1ctt.c!i.1 also corresponds with that on the Waverton Church bells. It has been sug- gosted tha.t Henry Oldfield may not improbably havo been a Cheshire man, the name being frc- 1 quently met with in the neighbourhood of Con- gleton. A difficult point to set.-lo in connection with the Congleton bell-tounder. George Leo, is that at Wellingorc. in Lincolnshire, there is a church beU with the inscription "+ Ma.d? by me George I.K 1613," but the cro<? is smaller and of another form than that on the be!! at Wavcrton. AnothN belt at Kirton Liudsey, Lincolnshire, dated 1615. and other bells in The F.arrv." county, ltave been assign-; d to this founder, whose connection with the Nottingham founders w shewn by (he use of a baud of ornament— stoma of oak forming with oak leaves and acorns an interlaced oval pattorn-Oll his bell at Wel- lingorc, Lincolnshire, but with a different cross. Whether this Georgo Lee is the saute maJl who cast b-ils at Cbngieton in 1602. 1608, 1615, 1617, I have faik-d to trace. Possibly he was, or a relative. George I/ce, of Congleton, used bands of ornament between the words of the inscriptions on the- bells cast by him. but the bands of ornament and border on the Waver- ton Chuicn bells do not correspond exactly with those I have examined in the works referred to. In some oases a cross like that on the Waverton Church boib is found alone on Lincolnshire bells cast at Nottingham by Henry Oldfield and dated 1589. 1595. 1596, and its presence on I tho Waverton Church Wis proves a connection between the Nottingham a.nd Congleton bell- founders. Georgo Lee was most prolxtbly a partner and managed what may have been the- Congleton branch of tho Nottingham foundry. A further proof that the Waverton Church bells in 1615 woue casrt at Congleton is found a.t 11a.t- tenhall. Tho treble bell there, cast by Gabriel Smith, of Congleton, in 1710, has fclio same bajid of ornament as appears on the Waverton bells. This stamp had evidently been passed on fiom Georgo Løc to his successors at the Congleton foundtly. As to Henry Oldfield, with the Mayor of Congleton for his father-in-law in 1595-6, one can well understand tho influence in his favour as the founder of the two Congle- ton Church bells in 1595, and the possibility of a further extension of his business to Tattenhall in 1596. TATTENHALL CHURCH BELLS. 1596. I As to the TattenhaU Chuwh bells, a compari- son of tho initial cross and l?tbcring and further study of tha master convinoca mo that ?aso thrco bclia were ca9t by Henry Oldficid at the Nottingham foundry in 1596, and not at Congle- ton. The croas on the Tattenhall Church bells correspond s with that on the boll at Rusking- ron (2nd) 1594, and Boothby Pagnell 1594, Lin- colnshire. both cast by Henry Oldfield, also with that at Bittcrley (3rd), Shropshire (' Shropshire l'hurdl Bells," page 103 and plate ix.). The peculiar form of the letter D in the word '-Spodo" is also found at Bitterloy. Mr. 1-1. B. Walters tells us in his "Church Bdls of Shrop- shire," page 291, that this cross formerly be- longed to the Worcester "Royal Head" founder. It is also figured in "OhurcÏt Bells of Worces- tershire," piag-e 15. and in Dr. Raven's "Church Bells of Cambridgeshire," page 15, and L'Est.range's "Church Bells of Norfolk," page 55, and in other books on church "I". The foUowing couplet ati the foot of the "R itigers' Rules'' at Tattenhall contains a ro- fereneo to the- name Oldfield, which I have not met with else where "If for to ring YOII do oomc here. Yon must Ring well with hand and ear." "By Atkins made and Oldfield writ also That foreign Ringers mav their forfeits know." Ano. 1757. Joseph Wright. Robert Edge, Chutchw a rde ns. What is Kcaily needed is for omc enthusiastic Cheshire Mitiquary to compile a history of t,h? church c)f Chc?.,Ill r(-, the S3me <.? h?s been don?- for many o.her counties. This would raise up a monument less perishable than stone, which is said to "tell the t"rtILh scatce forty i vcars. HARPER GAYTHi >RPK. F.S.A.Scot. I Burrow-in-Funless, Apiil 27th, 19C8.

(HESTER WOMEN'S UNIONIST ASSOCIATION. w — BRA.NCIF. lWOLE AND NEWTON -? ? I 1 iio annual meeting ot tins branch was held in the Assembly Rooms on Friday evening, Mr. Atcherioy in the chair. There was a very good attendant. The f!¡:t hu.sincs.i was the passing of the report and accounts, which shewed the gratifying piogncss of this branch, both numerically and financially, there being much omhudias'iu and spirit di-played. A committee of fifteen was then elected, on the proposition of Mrs. Lcc.be, seconded by Mrs. Long—On the proposition of Mrs. Williams, Miss Keith Doug- las was elected president for 1908-1909. Mr. Atehe-r'roy read a letter of thanks and offer of help from Ivlif. Wctsford. of Hoole House. Mrs. Bpstock was appointed vice-president. Mrs. Williams was elected honorary treasurer, on t:he proposition of lVIl"3. Ciowder, seconded by Mrs. Loc-kwood; Mrs. Andrews, of 51, Halkyn-road, being elected honorary secretary, proposed by Mrs. Cooper, seconded by Mrs. Ashwoith. These narnevs wore all received with applause. An n:tainmC1IL ('()Ynm.itt('. w!s ¡h'lI appoinl,>d. with power to add to its numbers. Mr. Wil- liams, for-Mr?. Williams, who had a heavy cold, in a. very eulogistic and helpful speech proposed a vo.e of thanks to Mr. Ateherley, which was sie.-eontled by Douglas in very flattering terms, to which the Chairman replied, saying how glad he was to help in any useful manner, and that ii? much appreciated t'hc compliment paid him. and of having been invited to pre- side. lie pointed out that with unanimity and harmony t.he swot-ess of the Unionist ciuiw would be assured. Anyone wishing to join and any communicaiiions should to Mrs. An drews, at 51, Halkyn-road, Hoole.

I GRESFOIID, CONCERT.—A successful concert was given at the new schools on Saturday afternoon in aid of the Church restoration fund. The artists wore Miss A moth? Leadbettor (violinist). Miss Hutton (pianist), unci =\1r. John Mahler (vocal- ist). A fair attendance included many of tho principal residents of the neighbourhood, and the different items of the programme were greatly appreciated. Among those present wero the Vicar and Mis. Fiahbourne, Lady Margaret Choimondeley. Miss Egertou. the Rev. and Mrs. VVell-esl-ey Lloyd, Mis. Flo.ctier (Marchmei). Mr. and Miss Allington Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hanson, Misi E. Sandbaeh. t.[¡-e .Mi"c.s Howe-Ii Evans, Mrs. and the Misses Holland, Mis. Oscar Finlay and Miss Duck worth. Mr. and Mis Reginald James. Mrs. Percy James, Mrs. Maii- isty, Mist, Manisfy, Mrs. Ll. Hugh Jones. Mrs. Sisson, Mis. Stanley Owen, Miss H. Boydell. Miss Graham, Mis. Hood and party (Stratalyn). Miss Hitsch, Miss Jenkins, Mias Taylor, Mr. Campbell, Mr. C. E. Lloyd. Mr. E. J. Cunnah, etc. At. the close of the proceedings, the Vicar moved a vote of thanks to the- artist-s for so b?aurifni ? concjtt.. and to Mrs. Ho!!and for supplying rehoshnicnts. to -Alrs, liu!.Iand for a. ?v | accoided. «— «- —

i MOLD. I ClnROH DEFENCE UNION.—A meeting I of Churchmen was held at the National Schools on Monday evening, th9 Rev. Evan Jones, M.A. (vicar), presiding, when a large number were enrolled as members of this uniofi CYCLE C'AkNIVAL—A general meeting was held at the. Town Haiil on Monday even- ing. Mr. J. Wynne Williams (president) in the chair. Various arrangements were made. It was resolved that in addition to tho services of the garrison band from the Wrexham Depot the tender of the Buckley Town Band be ac- cepted. and the engagement of other local bands was deferred. Mr. J. Harvey Davios was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy on the Cottage Hos- pital Committee caused by the departure from the district of Mr. William Da vies. Messrs. C. II. Dodd, D. C. Roberts and Thomas Parry (oha-irman of the Urban District Council; wero unanimously elected on the General Commit- tee.—It having been represented that tli.- ear- nival representatives had only been appointed to serve on the General Committee of the Mold and District. Nursing Association, a.n opinion exproseod !.hat the carnivail pro- moters should be represented on the Executive Committee, and tho hon. secretary was in- structed to write to this effect to the Nursing Association. —— Jk

SUPPORT HOME INDUSTRIES. TO CHEESE MAKERS! R. J. FULL WOOD & BLAND beg to remind Cheesemakers that they are giving SPECIAL PRIZES to the value of nearly t200 IN CHESHIRE and DISTRICT during 1908. Their celebrated STAG" brand and MICHELL'S ANNATTO have been DOUBLED IN STRENGTH. The BRIGHTNESS OF COLOUR is still maintained. f Their "DAIRY" brand RENNET is still unrivalled on account 0 the GREAT STRENGTH and FINE FLAVOUR. When Ordering, please Insist upon having the Jars properly Sealed and LaúeLled. LARGE FREE SAMPLES sent on application to l' STEAM ANNATTO WORKS, HOXTON, LONDON, ENCOURAGE BRITISH TRADE. I -=- _ft.!

CHESHIRE VILLAGE TRAGEDY. I —— A TERRIBLE STORY. I T It- village of Hartford, near Northwioh, was I on lVIonday the scene of what appears to havo been a double minder and suicide. Tho vic- tims were the wife and two youngest daughters of Charles (-c-rai'd. who i, a farm bailiff to his mother at the Grange Farm, and has for 20 voars been secretary to the- local Tent of Recha- bites. Tluoe of the Gerrard children are away from home, whi'e of t li(- remaining four Edith I (seven) and Margaret (2J) have, it is believed, boeu killed by iheir own motl^r. Mis. Cenard had been f.uffcltng fiom severe headaches during the pt. week-end. but on Monday morning was able to go about her household duties. Iter husbtind went to work at six o'clock, a.nd on his return breakfast was ready for him. The iwo elder children, Victor and Be at riot*, were sent: to -chool at nin?, and the otlte.r two kept at home. During the morn- ing Edith was sent to a neighbouring shop for a bottle of ginger Uvr. Nothing was seen or ho,:lrd of the family until tho return of the children from school at 12 o'clock. They found the ctoo loctied and tho window barred, the keyhole of the door having been stopped with paper. One of the children ran to acquaint his father and was given the latchkey, but failed to gain admiifanoe. as the bolts had been t-hot. Then the boy's untie was summoned and the door was burst open. Lying doNld on the hoaithnig were tho children Lkiith and Margaret, their clothing saturated w water. Seated at the table, her head bent, was the mother; Conarable Brett was ITctis£.c.d that she had been de.ad for some little time, and tihat the children had been dead for an hour and a half. Thete was a CIO'IV tab on parrially fillcd with water, and the appearance of i he clothing and t.he children's liair indicated tihat- they had been forced into the tub. probably one after the other, head downwards. Not a found, however, had been heard by the n?igh- bours. It would seem that the mot her had contem- plated thiee method* of suicide. In the scul- lery, hanging from a hook in the ceiling, was a- rope which she her<*elf had secured. On the I was a razor, slightly bloodstained, a.nd there was a small scratch on the throat evidently inflicted hy ihat instrument- Death, however, was caused, Dr. Ilines declared, by poisoning. A packet of rat poison 11.1.1,11 1X"'ll mixed w ¡ ¡.(¡ the ginger beer put chased by her daughter and placed iu a cup, the entile contents of the cup being swallowed. THE INQUEST: A PATHETIC LETTER I The inquest wa.? heid on Monday. froq,,iently The w-dcwpr said hi" wife had frequently i?en?f-anse'in he. manner, and became very depressed last Friday. She was a very good rao/ber. lIe hod found a in the do- coasod's bank It was addressed, "My d-*ar husband." and went on: "This is the last ,-oil. I am sorry to leave you and my dear children. Don't bring the girk to Hart-ford, but get out of thisdread- ful cottage. I want you to divide the money r.hat i It, iti my name oniong my sor- rowing children, Lvciia, Mary. Frn". .-t Victor, and Beatrice the moneys in the Winntng- ton C'o-cp. Society, end my watch for Mary, and ail my (I -o i cs to be divided among tbe girls. I feel .-ure you will do your bect for them and make them happy. I d,) hope Ernstr-t will be a good boy and rise up to a good man and keep in eood company. Don": let ■anybody ^ee me and the children." The letter wanton to mention the names of several persons, and said they had been the tans? of this. "The}- have turned my brain." After many other names she oaid: "God hetp them and bleeps thetn mine enem-i. Dear Charlie. T warn for nothing, :-0 it is not your fault. Put its I'1 together, and don't make a fuss. No For two months 1 have suiTer d with In v head. I could not do my duty !o children and house, so cry. bur ju-t laugh. 1 am going to make luppiiies'; not trouble. Don't send for a lot of people to bury 115 Don' telll people about my business or anything about me. as I know I aryl to reot, a n"t I have prayed for for a long time. Dear Charlie, my tife i ended, my time is pa.t, and now I am gone no sorrow make, but love my dear children for my sake. I know you will be happy, for you are happy anywhere. I was your loving wife, Frances Cerrard, Chcffter- ro.p.d. Hartford." NlHdiC:11 erider.ee having been givnn. The Coroner eaid the letter was that of a I deranged woman. Tho jury returned a verdict ijiat the children were willfully murdered by the mother, and that e.he nlso committed suicide during a fit of insanity. Tho jury and the Coroner ex-I pressed sympathy with Mr. Cerrard. 1