Cheshire Observer

V — THE ARMY. 1 —— « | CHESHIRE MARKSMEN. At the County of Lancaster Rule Association s meeting at Altcar, which comme-nced on Friday, a prize of £1 was gamed in the competi- tion for the Legh Challenge Cup by Sergt. W. Lomas, of the Cheshire Yeomanry, with a score of 63, as well as a prize of £ 1 in the "All-comers" competition with a score of 95. Other Cheshire prize-winners included Veteran J. H. Simcock, late of the 2nd Cheshire Regiment, who competed for the association's prizes, and in the All- comers" competition Private W. T. Sprigings, 4th Cheshire Regiment, secured the second prize of S7 with a score of 100 out of the possible 102. Private H. Gillham, of the Cheshire Yeomanry, also obtained a prize of;21 in this competition, his score being 94.

ARCHjEOLOGICAL FIND. AN URN 3,000 YEARS OLD. ,I An interesting archaeologicalnnd bas been made in the yard of the old Bury Grammar School. Some men were digging a drain, and about three feet from the surface one struck his pick into what appeared to be a piece of pottery. Upon examination it was said by Mr. Townend, the curator of the Bury Museum, to be a cinerary sepulchral urn. More than half the urn was saved from destruction. It contained a portion oi a decorated bronze dagger. The urn is believed by Mr. Townend to be about 3,000 years old. Its material is coarse baked black clay, extremely brittle. In shape it is a truncated coney and bears rude decorative lines, evidently made by the finjers. In size it is 1¡ÿ.1 inches high and about IIA inches in diameter. The portion of the dagger haa a decorated middle rib and there are indications of rivet holes.

DENBIGH MOTOR ACCIDENT. I ♦ —— INQUEST AND VERDICT. I On Friday, at the Denbighshire Infirmary, an adjourned inquest waa hold on the body of Mr. E. H. Timson, Birmingham, who was killed in a motor accident on the 14th inst. The inquest had been adjourned from the 15th in order that Mrs. Timson and Harry Steele, the chauffeur, both of whom were also injured, should be present. Dr. Lincoln Roberta said that Mrs. Timeon could not be present, as »ho was suffer- ing from severe shock. The chauffeur, Steele, was present with his head envelope d in bandaged. He said that Mr. Timson was driving. He was a capable driver, but the witness used to drive occasionally, so that Mr. Timson could reet. They were not driving fast. The indicator (pro- duced), which pointed to 43 miles an hour, was out of order. He was certain that they were not driving at such a rate. The car skidded, and he was sure that thia skidding was the cause of the accident. He noticed it skidding, but did not remember what happened afterwards. Other witnesses were called, and the jury re- turned a verdict of accidental death, and patted a vote of sympathy with the relatives.

HOLIDAY-MAKERS ROBBED OF I £400. —— 1 PICKPOCKETS ON LIVERPOOL BOATS. I Passengers by the Manx an-d welsh boats run- ning from Liverpool have recently been robbed to the extent of between E400 and E-500. Special police were consequently placed on duty, and three men— William Evans, William Price (alias Henry Whitehead), and Edward Flinn-were arrested. On Friday they were charged with loitering on the landing-stage with intent to pick pockets. When apprehendod, the prisoners, who pre- tended not to be acquainted with each other, had a number of railway tickets and a book of French phrases in their possess-on, while Evane had E8. lie. Id. in cash, Whitehead E10. 2e. 10d., and Flliin ;69. The latter also had a packet of cigars, which appeared to have been bought in Ostend. The police records shewed hat Evans had been convicted of larceny at Lucerne in 1904, and sentenced to a year's im- prisonment and fifteen years' expulsion from Switzerland. He had also baen convicted at Brighton and other places. There had been convictions against Flinn at London and in the Midlands, but nothing was known against Whitehead. Each of the prisoners was com- mitted to prison for three months. Six pounds of the JE27 found in their possession was or- dered to be used in defraying the expenses of the prosecution, and the balance was set a",ide to pay the ooet of the prisoners maintenance while in gaol.

COUNTY POLICE COUKT. I ♦ SATURDAY.-Before Messrs. B. C. Roberts (in the chair), J. M. Frost, J. W. Macoo, C. E. Linaker, R. Wallace and R. P. Wailey. SUCCESSFUL ALIBI.—Georgina Walker, an Ellesmere Port woman, Bumillonod her neighbour, John Lewis, for abusive language on August Bank Holiday. Complainant gave evidence, and was supported by two witnesses. She said defendant was at liome drunk all that day.— Defendant said lie went away with his wife early in the morning and did not return until late in the evening.—Mary Lloyd said she was in charge of defendant's house on Bank Holiday. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were away all ciav.-Anothcr woman deposed to being in the company of defendant and his wife at Little Sutton from p.m. to 8.40 p.m. on the same day.—The case was dismissed.—Mrs. Walker also summoned Lucy Cope for abusive language on August 5th.—In her evidence complainant said the offence took place on August 4th.—This case was also dismissed, and the Chairman expressed the hope that the parties would behave better in the future. A NEGLECTED WIFE.—Mrs. Jane Palin, of Faulkner-street, Hoole, summoned her hus- band, Thomas Palin, for negloct. Defendant did not appear.—Complainant said she had been married thirteen years, and she did not think defendant had maintained her for twelve months during the whole of that time. He was a tin- smith, and could earn from two to there pounds per week; but he had never given her more than 15s. per week, out of which she had to keep him. During the last twelve months she had reoeived nothing, and had to go out working and to take in ledgers. Defendant lost all his work through drink.—Complainant was corroborated by Evelyn Wilkinson, her daughter by a former marriage, who is in service at Bidston. She said her step-father had been a perfect brute to them.—A separation order was granted for ten shillings a week.

I NOTABLE CHANNEL SWIM. I ——— T ——— BURGESS' GALLANT ATTEMPT. I A SPLENDID FEAT. I After remaining in the water 22 hours and 45 minutes, and getting one and a lialf miles off GraveJinea, Burgess failed in his second attempt to swim the Channel. The spot where Burgess reluctantly relinquished his splendid feat of endurance is about fifteen miles to the east of Calais. The swimmer, in spite of his long immersion, was able to climb actively up the ladder at the side of the accompanying tug Gnat. He left the water three minutes before midnight, after a long struggle against the adverse tide, and as a record endurance swim he has beaten Holbein's best. NIL DESPERANDUM. I Burgess intends making another attempt in I five or six days. PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. I The following is a list of previous notable at- tempts, including Captain Webb's suco: hr. nun. 1875—Captain Webb (successful) 21 45 1877-Cavill (claimed success; disputed) 1890-Dalton (U.S.A.) (claimed success disallowod). — — 1901—Holbein (gave up live miles from I)over) 1902—Holbein (failed throe-quarters of a mile from coast) I Holbein (gave up two miles from English coast) 22 15 1903-Hoibein (failed seven miles from France) 17 30 1904-Holb-ein (failed eleven and a quar- ter miles from France 10 1904—Burgess (gave up six miles from Cape Grisnez) 8 22 1905.Burgess (failed four miles from France) 12 30 Burgess (within four and a half of the coast). 14 45 Holbein (abandoned after swimming 16 miles) 1906—Wolffe (four miles from Franoe-). 11 45 Burgess (within four miles of France; covered 42 miles). 18 1 Wolffe (within a mile of Calais). 15 16 1907-NVolff-c (within three-quarters of a mile of Ca.ta.is). 15 15 Wolffe (within two miles of France) 11 3D 1908-Wolffe (failed th-rle niiies from Franoe) 13 43 Wolffe (failed six miles from Eng- I'LL71d) J. Moaarns (collapsed and narrowly escaped drowning) 14 Bur-gcss (within a mile of Franco) 20 11

SPORTING. I y WREXHAM RACES. I Un jdoiiua^' thia popular North Wales gather- ing was patronised by a large crowd of lioliday- makere, but the chief riug was hardly so crowded as in previous yeans. The fields hardly realised expectations, but there were some stirring finishes, notabiy in the chief event, the W rexhain 111'00 Handicap, which resulted in a dead-heat between the two outsiders, Poppy and Adolay. In this race Tiny Taylor and Loch Sween beat each other by making the pace a cracker. A furlong from home they were lengths in front, but compounded in the run in. Detai.16 ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP, value 65 guineas (given by the British Pony and Galloway Racing Association); penalties and allowances. About a mile and a quarter. 9 6 Mr. J. Hope-Nelson's THANKS AWFLY, 3yrs Mr. J. Hornsby 1 13 2 Capt. Stapleton-Bretherton's Belgravian Lad, 6yrs Owner 2 (Winner trained privately.) Betting: 11 to 10 on Thanks Awfly.-Tllanke Awfly waited on Belgravian Lad to the distance, when he ohallenged, and won a good raoe by half a length. PLAS COCH PONY LEGER of 15 sove; penalties and allowances. One mile. 10 10 Mr. Wm. Perrin's PRETTY MOLLY, a Mr. J. Hornsby 1 10 6 Mr. Charles Trevenna's Fabiana, agod E. Strugnell 2 12 7 Mr. W. Thomas's Springfield Thrush, byre G. Rees 3 12 12 Mr. J. S. Walcy's Snip Snap, 4yr6. C. Walley 0 (Winner trained privately.) Betting: 6 to 4 each agst Snip Snap and Springfield Thrush, 7 to 2 Fabiana, and 100 to 8 Pretty Molly. Pretty Molly made all the run- ning, and won by liaif a length; a length separ- ated second and third. An objection to the winner was overruled, and the deposit money returned. WREXHAM FREE HANDICAP of 30 sovs; penalties and alowances. About a mile and a half. 10 12 Major Purvis's POPPY, aged Mr. T. Stanley t 7 7 Capt. T. M. Parker's ADOLAY, 4yrs. G. Kettle + 9 0 Mr. J. Wilson's Tiny Taylor, 5yri. E. Poaroo 3 10 0 Col. Hopwood's Loch Sween, 4yrs. E. Roweon 0 8 13 Mr. H. Crawford's Teify, 6yra. W. Liblond 0 Dead-heaters tratncd by J. Meakins and J. S. Walley respectively. Betting: 11 to 8 on Tiny Taylor, 5 to 2 agst Loch Sween. 7 to 1 Teify, and 10 to 1 each Poppy and Adolay. Dead heat, with Tiny Taylor a length and a half away third. STEWARDS CUP of 25 savs; penalties. Five furlongs. 10 12 Mr. J. Hornsby's DOROTHY MAY, 6ym Owner 1 11 10 Capt. Stapleton-Brotherton's Cress:da, aged. Owner 2 11 0 Mr. J. Hope-Nelson's Thanks Awfly. 3.16 Pea roe 3 11 12 Mr. James Hart's Loyalist, 6yrs. Mr. E. C. Turner 0 10 6 Mr. J. S. Wailey's Snip Snap, 4yrs C. Wallev 0 9 10 Mr. W. Westgate's Bar One, 5yrs Mr. C. Piggott 0 l 10 0 Mr. Chas. Trevenna's Fabiana. aged t E. Strugnell 0 (Winner trained privately.) Betting: 6 to 4 agst Bar One. 5 fo 2 Cressida, 6 to 1 Dorothy May. 8 to 1 Thanks Awfly, and 10 to 1 any o&,cr.-Won by four lengths; half a length separated second and third. GENTLEMEN RIDERS' RACE of 25 eovs; penalties and allowances. Six furlongs. 14 4 Mr. W. Bass's FARTHINGHOE, aged Mr. Piggott 1 12 7 Mr. J. Wilsons liny Iay:or. aged Mr. Crawshay 2 12 0 Capt. T. M. Parker's Adolay, 4ym Mr. T. Stanley 3 Betting: 100 to 15 on Farthinghoe, 8 to 1 agst Tiny Taylor, and 16 to 1 Adolay. Won by two lengths; three lengths separated second and third. WREXHAM STAKES of 2Qsovs; allowances. Five flirion". 11 10 Capt. Bretite-rton's BELGRAVIAN LAD. 6yrs Owzi,-r 1 9 5 Mr. W. Thomas's Springfield Thrush. 6Y6 G. B. Rees 2 Betting: 15 to 8 on Belgravian Lad, who made all the running and won easily by two lengths.

Mrs. Leigh and Miss New, Suffragettes, who were sent to prison for breaking the Premier's PADESWOOD STATION BROKEN INTO. The local police are busily investigating a case of nocturnal robbery at the Padeswood railway station, in which the efforts of skilled thieves were apparently baffled by an office safe. It appears that late on Friday night the thieves effected an entrance into the booking office by carefully removing the glasa from the booking aperture. The office safe which contained money to a considerable amount resisted every effort of the intruders, who retired perforce more or less content with a cheap brooch and some linen handkerchiefs abstracted from a parcel. WELSH BARONET AND FOOTPATH.— Friday's meeting of the Holywell Rural District Council, the question of a footpath on the Talacre Estate of Sir Pyers Mostyn was con- sidered. Sir Pyers had closed it, and a letter was read from Sir Pyer's agents, stating that the path was a private one, and Sir Pyers had'kept it so by closing it one day in the year.—Mr. E. Jones (the local representative): He has not started yet (laughter). Proceeding, the speaker said an attempt was made to close the path two yeara ago. People went off the path into the wood to cut wood and ferns.—It was decided to reply to Sir Pyers Mosyn's agent that the path was a public one.

PARTRIDGE PROSPECTS, j PARTRIDGE  PITOSPECTS. 1 T In Cheshire, where good stocks are reared, in spite of hunting rather than shooting being the popular winter sport, it is thought that the season will be an average one, for the heavy rains did not do so much harni as they did further south. This applies to both partridges and pheasants, and in the Tarporley district, at all events, coverts have not been so well stocked for a good many seasons. —" Standard."

THE PATENTS ACT. I —— j GERMANS AND WORKS AT FLINT. It is stated that, in consequence of the Patents 1 Act, a German firm of manufacturers are in nego- tiation with the solicitors to a Flint landowner for the purchase of fifty acres of land on the Flint Stream as a site for the erection of extensive mercerised cotton works. Conditions have been drawn up, and the purchase is approaching com- pletion. The works, if established, will give em- ployment to 1,000 men.

CENTENARIAN MINISTER. I » On Friday the Rev. Thomas Lord, the oldest Congregationalist minister in England, died at Horncastle. Mr. Lord was born at Olney, Bucks, on April 22, 1808, and therefore entered on his 101st year just four months ago. On that interest- ing anni versry he received a congratulatory message from his Majesty. Lord Knollys tele- graphed:— "I am commanded by the King to congratulate you on the attainment of your 100th year, alter a most useful life." So late as last Sun- day fortnight he preached twice, and apparently with unimpaired vigour. His health continued satisfactory until about ten days ago, but alarming symptoms appt a.cd on Thursday. The immediate cause of death was heart failure. Mr. Lord was married three times, and celebrated his golden wedding with his second wife.

I GARDEN PARTY AT TATTON PARK L L I I FULL LIST OF GUESTS. had lgertoll of Tatton and the Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos gave a garden party at Tatton Hall, Knutsford, on Monday after- noon. It was a beautiful day, and the guests spent a pleasant time in the pleasure grounds and gardens, which were ooen at their best. The band of the Earl of Chester's Imperial Yeo- manry played on the terrace in front of the Hall. Tea was served in the dining-room, stair- case hall and billiard hall. Among the house party were Mr. T. and Lady Clare Egertcn, Mrs. George Egerton, Miss Mar- garet Eg-erton, Miss Kathleen Egerton, Mr. and Mrs. H. Montgomery, Hon. Chandos Grenville, and Hon. Thomas Grenville. Among those who accepted invitations and brought parties were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Manchester, Mayor and Mayoress of Salford, Hon Alan d'è Tatton and Mrs. Eger- ton, lIon. Lady Leigh ton Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Leicester Warren, Lady Mainwaring, Mr. and Hoii. inli-fi. Egerton Warburton, Mr. and Mrs. George Egerton Warburton, Mr. and Mrs. Egerton Leigli, Colonel and Mrs. Franee-Hay hurst. Col. and Mrs. G. Dixon, Rear-Admiral a.nd Hon. Mrs. Anson, Sir William and Lady Pollitt and Mrs. Harry Pollitt, Sir Joseph and Lady Leigh. Sir William Bailey, Sir Frank and Lady Forbes Adam, Col. and Mrs. Hubert Leigh, Colonel and Mrs. Gotton-Jodrell, Colonel and Mrs. Gartside Tipping, Colonel and Mrs. Thorp, Colonel and Mrs. Birley, Colonel and Mp-i McConnel, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbraham, Mrs. Kin loch, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Antrobus, Mr. A. Ash worth, Mr. P. Ashworth, Mr. E. Hyde Greg and Mres Greg, Captain and Mrs. Alex- ander Greg, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Wilson, Mr. NevilL Mr. and Mrs. H. Sowler, Mr. and Mrs. Ussher, Mr. and Mrs. H. Worrall and Mies Worrall, Mr. and Mrs. Riddick and the Misses Riddick. Mr. and Mrs. Brocklebank and Miss Maud Mairiwaring, MT. and Mrs. F. Merrunan, Mr. and Mre. R. Garside, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bell, Mr. and Mrs. C. Bell, Mr. and More. Hiworth, Canon and Mrs. Gore, Canon and Mrs. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, Canon and Miss Symonds. Mr. Hazzopulo, Mr. end Mrs. A. E. Ferns, Canon and Mrs. C. V. Merriman, Mr. Leicester Caldecutt and Miss Caldecutt, Mr H. Caldecutt. the Rev. C. H. and Mre, Conybeare and the Mioses Convbeare, the Rev. W. and Mrs. Armour, Dr. and Mrs. Surridge, the Rev. G. and the Misses Birtwell, the Rev. F. Challoner, Dr. and Mrs. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. Lowcock. Captain T. L. Fennell, the Rev. J. W. F. and Mrs. Drury, the Rev and Mrs. E. Evaris. Mr. and Mrs. G. Comber, Mr. and Mrs. L. Rivett, the Rev. T. E. and Mrs. Floyd, the Rev. G. C. Little, the Rev. G. J. and Mrs. Lovett, Mr. and MTS. Andrew Jones, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Kilvert, Mr., Mre, and Miss MoKie, tllp Rev. R. and Mrs. Masheder, the Rev. W. and Alr-s. Muzzell. Mr. and Mrs. S. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Nicholson, the Rev. J. A. and MM. Pattinson, the Rev. A. D. and Mrs. Powell, Mr. and Mrs. W. Peer Groves, Mr. and Mrs. C. Owen, Mr. and Mrs. W. Crabtree, the Rev. and Mies Surridge, the Rev. T. A. and Mrs. Schonberg, the Rev. W. H. and Mrs. S-martt. Mr. and Mrs. C. Greenwell, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Rahr. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, the Rev. W. N. and Miss Truss, the Rev. H. S. Taggart. Mr. and MKS Earlo, Mr. Guy Vernon, the Rev. F. E. and Mrs. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. H. Edwards, Mrs. Symondn and the Misses Symonds, the Rev. E. B. Ward, the Rev. and Mm. Wareham, Mrs. Royds, Mias Lloyd, Mr. J. A. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. G. Duckworth, and Mr. and Mrs. H. Carey.

At Lincoln, on Friday, the chaaffenra of Sir Gilbert Greenall (Walton Hall, Warrington) and Baroness von Eckardstein were fined 93 and costs for motoring at an excessive speed.

CHESHIRE CHEMICAL TRADE CHESHIRE OH}IIOAL TRADE I 4 IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. The announcement has just been officilally made that before the end of October the manu- faotiire of soda ash, bicarbonate of sodi, soda crystals, and caustic soda will have been com- menced at the new works of the Ammonia. Soda Company at Plumbley, near Narlhwich. The first year's output is eMimated about 20,000 tons of sodla ash, etc., and, with the exception of 2,000 tons a year, the output has been sold for the next five years. All rlie machinery will be worked by electricity, and labour-saving d. vices which will tciid to ceonomy in manufac- turo are being put down. With the exception of four engines from Austria, all the machineiy and plant has been made in England, and Eng- lish—local as far as practicable—workmen will be employed. It is expected tha.t a start will be made with 300 men. The works adjoin the Cheshire Lines Railway, and a branch has been laid, the company having contracted for the carriage of all the manufactures and raw material.

THE LICENSING BILL. + At a meeting at Driffield, Yorkshire, Mr. R. H. Scotter (London) referred to the demonstia- tion in favour of the Bill recently hold in Hull, when an illustrated souvenir programme was sold having Mr. Asquith's portrait as tlie "author of the measure" on the titl page. This, Mr. Scotter said, was not correct, because the vvho'e Bill could be found verbatim in one of Sir T. P. Whittaker's journalistic effusions pub- l!f!i?d last autumn. The sp?aker d.CdarCd that according to that a?icio the teetotalers only <-qtt,alz ow'.Lenlh of th) nation, and thcr?,for,? they tv?re tiying by this Bill to conw rh? other nin-e-tenths into a slavish obedience to their grandmotherly fanatical ideas. Would Englishmen submit to legislation on tliese lines? (Cries of "Never.") Then, said the speaker, it was tlieir ditty to themselves and to the-ir children to use every endeavour to pre- vc-nt such a measure from being plaoed on the Sitatute-book. Ho pointed out that the true province of the Government was protection for ?i i on ior all, and therefore any Bill which violated this principle was a bad Bill. The present Bill not only withdrew piotcotion from a lu!go class of property now duly protected, but it introduced a principle which, as the Socialists had already said, might be used against any or all kinds of property in the future. If it were the Jaw to impose a 14 years' time limit before the Stalc- confiscated licensed property, what was to pie- vent a similar principle being adopted by a Government who wished to grab the railways, the land, or tracks union funds? Another prin- ciple by which every new Bi il could b0 judged was, "Will it carry out the particular reform it pietends to aim at without doing injustice to a large number of other persons; and, lastly, is the Bill wanted at all? On this latter point Mr. Scotter very emphatically stated that t,ll, 1904 Act was working admirably, meting out justice to aJI, and that the reduction of redundant licences was proceeding at 'ho mto of some 1,500 per annum, a ngure "qua[ to 75 p<?r c<?nt. of the total amount prop,)-d to be doood under the new Bill. Hence, all the bather was about a paltry addition to the present number of ie- ,rkictiatio, equal on the average to 25 per cent. (Laughter.) This fact proved that the real object of the Bill was not the reduction of licences in order to promote temperance. What their teetotal frionds wanted was to get the present Government (the strongest in modern tiin making promises) to strike a financial b'ow at the brewers in order by fair means or foid to cripple them for over. This object peeped out through every clause in th,, Bill. Take the farcic-al amount offered as compensa- tion during tbe time linlit. nerioi. Mr. Scotter shewed by typical examples that whereas com- pensation under the 1904 Act was fair and equitable, tho present Bill substituted for this an altogether unfair and inadequate amount. Inadequate because it woidd reduce the amount I paid from thousands to hundreds, and unfair because it would not bp arrived at in opeon court, with leave to appeal, but in the un- approachable seclusion of the Inland Revenue officer's chamber, and from him there was no anpeo.1. ("Shame. ") Mr. Scotter concluded by calling upon all present first to carefully con- sider botli sides of the question, giving the points ho had urged special attention, and then to use all their efforts to prevent such a dis- graceful, unjust and confiscatory measure from boing placed on the Statute-book. (Loud cheers.)

LOCAL LEGACIES. I 9 I H MR. GATEHOUSE'S WILL. H I ivir. onarles U-atehouse, of Westwood, iNoc- torum, Birkenhead, brewer, chairman of the West Cheshire Brewery Company, Ltd., of Tranmere, Birkenhead, deputy chairman of the Birkenhcad Corporation Libraries, Ltd., a past president of the Wirral and Birkenhead Agricultural Society, and prominent Unionist, left E33,368, of which the nett personalty is £ 12,223. Probate of his will, dated 13th June, 1907, with a codicil of the 3rd October last, has been granted to his son, Mr. Richard Geo. Gatehouse, brewer, of Abbotts Grange, Heatli- road, Lower Bebington, Cheshire, and Mr. Frank John Leslie, solicitor, of 15, Union- court, Castle-street, Liverpool. The testator left £ 100 each to his eon Richard Geo. Gatehouse and Mr. Frank John Lp'slie a6 executors. JS500 in recognition of her kindneiss and devotion to his family to Mildred Salome Townsend, £ 1,000 to his daughter Hope- still Eliza Browne, to whom he also left the option of the purchase of his house Firwooo or the rental thereof on favourable terms. He left L3, 000 each to his grandson Leslie Russell Ailcock Gatehouae and his granddaughter Rose Gatehouse, payable on their respectively at- taining majority £ 500 to his daughter-in-law Rose Stewart Lindsay Gatehouse, E100 to his friend Jas. T. Thompson, solicitor, of Birken- head £ 200 to Mari e Marchise Victoria Orr, of Belfast; life annuities of to Annie and Edith, daughters of his cousin Elizabeth Clark. Among testator's other bequests were £ 100 to William Malcolm Barlow, if etill in the service of the West Cheshire Brewery Co., Limited £ 10 each to the secretary and each other employe of the said company holding, in the opinion of his trustees, a superior post in that conoern; £ 20 for distribution in the discretion of his executors among the other employes of the company, a life annuity of £ 10 to his coachman, Thos Dawes, to » aoh indoor domastic servant, one-fifteenth of their yearly salary for each year of service. To each out- door servant other than his coachman one- fiftieth of their yearly salary for each year of service. He left his residences Westwood and Fir wood and lands held therewith, and his household and personal effects to his son Richard Geo., and he left to his daughter Hope- still Eliza Browne, the balance of hie prefer- ence and ordinary shares in the West Cheshire Brewery Co., not allocated to provide for other legacies and annuities. The residue of his pro- perty he left as to one-half to his son Richard George Gatehouse absolutely, and one-half upon trust for his daughter Hopestill Eliza Browne and her issue. Mr. Tom Harrop Sidobottorn, of Etherow House, Mottram, Cheshire, M.P., for Staly- bridge from 1874 to 1885, with brief intervals. J.P. for Cheshire and Derbyshire, at one time a director of the old Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, and an authority on bimetallism, left £ 16,954 gross. The nett per- sonalty W3.6 sworn at £ 101.

NEW BOOKS. I ——— ?—- "THE BILLIARD MARKER." (By W. V. Burgess, London: Sherratt and Hughes, 60, Chandos-street, W.C., 3s. (id.)—- Cheshire readers already tire familiar with Mr. Burgess as an author who has done much to popularise the rural scenery and dialect of the county. The present volume is a fitting sequel to the charming prose idylls, Cheshire Village Stories," from the same clever pen. It is a romance that deals largely with the charming country of Delamere Forest, where much of the action takes place. The billiard marker, the villian of the piece, is a scoundrel who becomes associated with a peasant girl from Mereham," near Northwich, and while some of the most dramatic scenes are enacted in the slum quarters of Manchester, the great tragedy of the Rye Barn, a really thrilling piece of writing, takes place in the Forest. The love element is a strong feature of the story, while the scenes ot rustic life in the sleepy little village of Mereham," are drawn with photographic vividness. Altogether The Billiai-d Marker" is a valued contribution to the literature of the county, and the volume ought to have a successful run. In view of the high standard of work shewn by Mr. Burgess, we trust he will not rest content with the laurels he has won, but will delight his readers with further studies of Cheshire life in the same masterly style. "THE JAPANESE SPY" (By Lancelot Lawton. London: E. Grant Hich.ardB, œ.),-Th.is I thrilling romance of life in the Orient is made all the more interesting by the fact that the author has a local association. He is the younger son of Mr, Joseph Lawton, who for many years was a well-known journalist in Liverpool, where Mr. Lanoelot Lawton wall born. For three yeara the brilliant young journalist acted as war corre- spondent in the Far Easrt for the Daily Telegraph," and at present he is engaged on a serious work dealing with the Far Eastern situ- ation. The romance of The Japanese Spy is itself a ser.otw volume for those who have the ability and taste to study it in that way, but it is a'so a delightful novel, giving graphic pictures of life among the Japanese. The plot is sufficiently whimsical to satisfy English ideas of Mikadodom. The hero. Kurokawa, a ze.alous lieutenant in the Japanese Army, who is seeking promotion by laborous study and abstinence from all social frivolities, is given an audience of his General and told to his amazement that the only patji of his professional advancement lies through a oourae of dissipation, "to go to the dogs and go to the Devil." The young Patrician, who has been a pronounced ascetic, is taken aback by the mysterious command, but to the Japanese discipline is everything, and he yields unquestioning obedience. The first plunge into the Bohemian life is difficult, but once in the full swim of the Japanese tea-house frivolities, "facilis descensus Averno." The young soldier goes to the dogs hot-foot in real earnest, and finds himself dismissed from the service with ignominy. Nobody but t.he General is aware of I the circumstances that led the promising Lieutenant to disgrace, and it is the General's purpose to utilise the cashiered soldier as a spy. after he has proved his capacity to pull himself tog-ether. The whole scheme is a masterpiece of cunning possible only to the Oriental brain. The author dOCt; not even claim originality for the outline of the plot, and frankly states that the essence of the story is fact. The downfall of Kurokawa and its ensuing circumstances arc known in outline throughout Japan, and no other country could have provided such a theme for the pen." In tlrs we readily agree, and may add that few writers could have invested the remarkable story with tho romantic surroundings which our author supplies. The spectacle of Japanese life after the China War is realistic and deeply interesting. No writer on Japan can avoid the topic of the tea-houses and tho geisha, and thereon Mr. Lawton hangs more than one picturesque Jove story. He leaves the American visitor to give a very downright judg- ment on the Jap?nc?c and their hankering after intrigue and espionage, but he gives many kindly portraits of our Eastern a)!ie? in life both high and low. No one can read The Japanese Spy" without learning- unconsciously a vast amount regarding the habits of the Japanese, and that, too, in the pleasantest way imaginable for Mr. Lawton's style as a novelist leaves little to be desired.

RATE REGISTER AND MOTOR TRAFFIC. Hundreds of Hornsey rate defaulters at High- gate on Monday included half-a-dozen passive registers to the education rate and a passive resister of another sort who paid under protest. His resistance was based on an objection to pay I rates until there was a reduction of the lawful s peed of motor-cars on the highway. The Banch thon?? it the most sensible resistance on record at the Court.

HARVEST ALES. CHESTER NORTHGATE BREWERY CO., LTD. THE NORTIIGATE, CHESTER. BRIGHT SPARKLING ALES In 4a, 9, 18, and 36 Gallon Casks. DELIVERED BY COMPANY'S CONVEYANCES OR BY RAIL. CARRIAGE PAID TO NEAREST RAILWAY STATION. TRIAL ORDER SOLICITED. NOTE. —IS THE ONLY BREWERY IN CHESTER

DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER ACT. A further letter from the Dean of Chester appears in the "Times" on Tuesday as follows:— Sir,—If R. J. T." desires to see the argu- ment from the Bible for the contention that such marriages are prohibited by God's law, he will find it in a pamphlet written by tho late Dr. R. C. Moberly in 1384, entitled The Light of the Revelation of God upon the Question of Marriage with a Sister-in-law," published by I Phiilipeon and Golder of Chester. Or it might be sufficient for his purpose to read the papers published by Murray in 1S04, Probtems and Principles," by the same writer, who was a man of singular ability, acuteneee, and absolute can dour. R. J. T." will probably, on reflection, see that assuming a man enters into a relationship of affinity by marriage, it does not follow that 1he roan's relations do 00; a> on the other hand, if it is lawful for a man to marry his wife's sister, we must hold that relationship by marriage is before God no relationship, "quod est ahsurdum." The fundamental difference between those who are arguing on this subject is really, whether the Church Universal, of which Christ is the Head, is a Society founded by Him for personal holiness," with it6 own strict laws on the subject of marriage which no earthly power haa a right to contravene.—Your obedient servant, JOHN L. DARBY. The Deanery, Chester, Aug. 22.

(UPSTAIRS] ^J// .???  F  ? f?????? ?  j  PAIA(7'kVo,qx ??? ?Ui?cz)?? 3 ?j ?????? !??z) c/???? (AMD) ,Scours TABLES I FLOORS SB C O OKI NO I M UTENSILS I3S-' AND ALL BRASS-WOK* J fDOWK'STA I V 4  ?? < B ?- -?   (CLmN  s???

A boy, aged rune, who had been Teproved, committed suicide at Shields on Friday night by cutting his throat with a razor. WORKHOUSE CHILDREN'S TREAT.— The annual treat to the children on the Chester Workhouse and several of the Cottage Homes, and provided by subscriptions from the members of the Board of Guardians, was held on Friday at Mr. Butler's grounds at Rowton. There were over 100 children present, including a number of older ones who have left the homes and are now in service. Among thor;e present were the Chairman of the Board and Mrs. Maddocka, Mr. Preston and Mies Preston, the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Garnett, the Rev. G. Holt (chaplain), Mr. and Mrs. Turnock, Mr. and Mrs. Dean, Mr. T. Know", Mr. and Mr& War- burton, Mr. and Mrs. M. Gibbons, Mr. J. Seller, Mr. and Mrs. Wilcocks, Miss DavieA. Mrs. Morris, Mr. and Mrd. Nevitt, Mr. and Mrs. Toft, Mr. W. J. Thomas, Mr. W. A. Forster, Mr. and Mre, G. Lloyd, Mr. J. Parker, Mr. E. T. Hail mark, Mr. J. H. Bently, Mrs. Douglas, j Mias Keith Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. W. Daviee, Mr. and Mrs. W. Johnson, Mim Lloyd, Mr. Fearnall, etc. Tea was provided in a marquee provided by the Duke of Westminster, and a programme of sports was arranged. Prizct) for the competitions were kindly provided by Mr. J. Vernon, and were presented to the sucoetaful competitors at the conclusion by Mn, Butler. Before the children left for the various homes, Mr. T. Knowles, chairman of the Homes Com- mittee, thanked Mr. ButJer on behalf of the children for allowing the outing to be held on his grounds. Mr. C. Maddock proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, Mr. H. Preston seconded, and the children gave three hearty oheera Mr. ButJer responded. —The lady members of the Board, together wth the officers of the homes, attended to the requirements of the children at the tables. Conveyances were pro- vided by the Guardians, and Mr. W. H. Hall- mark sent conveyances for the children at the fiftfifcral lion2e,

PICNICING MOUND. I ALLEGED OBSTRUCTION TO RIGHT-OF- WAY. On Fr 'day, at Holywell Rural Council, com- ) plaint was made of an alleged attempt to obstruct ) the iiers of paths through the wooc6 at Panty- newyn, near Mold. There were five path? ttiroti ? I the wood, which were a favourite report for visitors. The owner, it was alleged, objected to visitors in the wood on the ground that they fre- quently trespassed. The Mold surveyor stated that there was a tower in the wood, surrounded by a mound, which made an ideal spot for a picnic. Visitors went there, and the owner, Mr. James Jones, Gwernaffiold Post-office, was afraid lest the wood would be set on fire, as the picnic parties lighted fires for lea-making. The Council considered that the traspat36 was a matter be- tween the owner and the visitors, and directed that the owner be informed he had no right to interfere with the public rights.

KINGSLEY TRAP ACCIDENT. t —— MAGISTRATE INJURED. I A very serious accident happened to Mi-. H. P. Mortimer, of Crofton Lodge, Kingsley, on Saturday, as the result of the overturning of his trap. It appears that Mr. Mortimer and a friend, Mr. Owens, were returning home from Frod-diam on Saturday about half-past twelve in a pony trap, and had reached the well-known declivity in Kingsley known as Guest's Slack, when from some unknown cause the pony ap- parently baited, and swerving to the side of the road, attempted to run up a somewhat pre- cipitous embankment, the obvious result being the overturning of the vehicle. Both gentle- men were violently thrown out on to the road, tho horse being found partially underneath the trap. Tlie shafts of the latter were smashed, as were also the sides, while the animal itself re- ceived bruises. Mr. J. Hazlehursrt; was first an the soew. of the accident, and rende-roo first aid to Mr. Mortimer, who was the most unfortunate sufferer. He was carried to his residence on a shutter, and I)r. Burton, of Frodsham, was summoned. It transpired that each gentleman had dislocated his collar bone. Mr. Mortimer, in addition, received terrible injuries about the body, particularly the face and head. He was unconscious nearly all Saturday and Sunday, Dr. Wood, the specialist, of Liverpool, being requisitioned. On Monday morning Mr. Mor- timer was stated to be dangerously ill, and that there was no saying what might transpire, later tha.t he was somewhat better, and in the even- ing of Monday that there was no change in his condition, except that he was easier. Mr. Owens reoeived a nasty cut on the temple, but his in- juiies. although severe, were nothing compared to his friend s.

WIRRAL SEPTUAGENARIANS I DEATH. « I ADJOURNED INQUEST. I Yesterday (Tuesday) morning the West Cheshire coroner (Mr. J. C. Bate) held an ad- journed inquest, at Childer Thornton, concern- ing the somewhat sudden death, on the 9rh of August, of Ellen White, a widow, 73 years of age, who resided at. Childer Thornton.—Mrs. Taylor, wife of Wm. Taylor, residing at Hooton Groen, and daughter of the deceased, stated that her mother, who lived with witness' brother and his wife, had been poorly for about nine or ten months at intervals. Dr. Fisher, who attended her, stated that she was suffering from diarrhoea -an d sicknoss. She seemed to recover for a time, but again became ill. Witness referied to several visits she paid to her motlier for some days before her death. On the first occasion deceased complained of pains in the stomach, and witness' brother suggwsied that sh e should go for the doctor, but Mrs. White would not consent. On the following d-ay witiiess sent her girl to inquire how her mother was, and it ap- peared that she was then a little better. No doctor, however, was called in. On tho next day witness again visited her mother, who still complained of tlie pain in her stomach. Again on the next evening (Sunday) witness saw her, and asked if she was no better, deceiased replying in the negative. She refused to bo at- tended by a doctor, but was eventually per- euadied to consent to the calling in of a doctor the next morning. Dr. Nott accordingly came about 1.45 p.m. on the 9th met. and proscribed medicine. Witness stayed with her mother, who remained in bed. Shortly afterwards her condition became sud- denly worse, and the doctor was immediately telephoned for, but deceased died just before his arrival.-Dr. H. W. Knott stated that he saw deceased on the 9th inst., finding her in bed complaining of pain after eating. Deceased said she had been suffering in that manner for a month. He examined her, but could not as- certain any particular cause for the pain, and told her that probably it was simply a func- tional disorder which would be remedied with some medicine which he ordered. He thought she was a fairly healthy woman for her age. Laitcr the same day he received a telephone message to return to deceased, and w hen he arrived a few minutes past three oclook she was dead. From his previous examination of the patient this was quite unexpected, and he could not account for her death. He asked what had happened, and was told that she had complained of pain, frothed at the mouth, vomited, and died with convulsive movements in the limbs and face. Witness made a post- mortem examination on the following day in company with Dr. Cahill, of Elle-imore Port. All the organs were found healthy with the oxception of the liver and heart, the latter shew- ing signs of fatty degeneration and being covered with an abnormal quantity of fat. The stomach with its contents was sent to the county analyst. In their opinion dfvath was due to heart failure owing to fatty degeneration.— The Coroner mentioned that. the county analyst had reported lie had found no poisoning of any description, and no sign of poisoning.—In reply to the Coroner, witness said the condition of the stomach did not indicate any oause for the pain, and he oould only account for it by the presence of a gall-stone.—Tlie jury returned a verdict of "Dteath from natural causes."

BLAMED THE CAR. OF COURSE.— Writing to the "Daily Mail" on the road problem, M.D. Chester, suggests education in the rule of the road. "The rule of the road should be taught in all schools, and the necessity of looking to see what may be coming before crossing a road or a street should be impressed on young and old. I saw a man walk backwards off a pavement in town a little while ago against a stationary motor-car, and then turn round and blamed the cat,"

REMARKABLE EXPLOSION. -1 A serious explosion occurred on Saturday night at the oilcake works, Liverpool, of Messrs. John and James Bibby, where 1,500 men are employed. Six workmen were injured. They were working in the d rying-room-a department where the meal is dealt with after the oil has been extracted from the oil seeds. In another department in this drying-room fine dust accumulates, and the combustible nature of this dust is thought to have caused the explosion. The men were blown with great force about the room, and narrowly escaped death. Their injuries were very bad, all of them being seriously burned. One man, Thomas Nightingale, had his clothes completely blown off his body. He was lwonght out by a young man who rushed in to the rescue. The interior of the works was wrecked. Iron doors and hoist doors were blown into the street, and the roof of the drying-house was carded away.