T H E T E E S D A L E M E R C U R Y — W E D N E S D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 16 ; 1927.

M I D D L E T O N - I N - T E E S D A L E C O N S E R V A T I V E A S S O C I A T I O N .

T H E A N N U A L D I N N E R

W I L L be held oti S A T U R D A Y , F E I - . R U A R Y 19TH, 1927, at 7 p i n . prompt, at the

g]cvelaud Arms Hotel, Middleton iu-Teesdale.

c P L . O N E L C . M. H E A D L A M , D.S.O. , M.P., will be present.

Tickets—Gentlemen, 3'6; Ladies, 3/-.

^ E E S D A L E L I M E . Best for the L a n d . Delivered by motor within a radius of 15

wiles or by truck to nearest railway station. Sin»" quantities of Whitewashing and Garden Lime, 2/6 per cwt. bag; five bags for 12/6 • cash with order), carriage paid within radius 0( 50 miles.—Teesdale L i m e Works, Middle-tou in-Teesdale.

We Give You a Bonus on All Cash Purchases of

1/- in the £.

Coupons can be exchanged at ANY TIME

within 6 months from the Date on the Check.

FRED NEVISON, BONUS SHOP,

35Ua, BANK, BARNARD C A S T L E .

* T R Y

McVitie & Price's DIGESTIVE.

The Most Sustaining Biscuit Made.

She Geesdale (Depcuiuj " I A R K A R D C A S T L E , F E B R U A R Y 16th, 1927.

The outward journey will be by way of Berwick, Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Dunferm­line, Stirling and Buchlyvie, and the return via Dumbarton, Glasgow, Lenzie, Edinburgh and Berwick. Breakfast will be served on the train after leaving Edinburgh, and dinner ou the homeward journey after leaving E d i n ­burgh. T h e return fare including the three meals and the steamer dues will be £ 1 9s. 9d.

LOCAL AND DISTRICT.

OCCASIONAL NOTES. I B Y M B R C B B I D S . ]

Barnard Castle Choral Society is entitled to congratulation on the result of the concert of •'community songs" which took place at the Witham Hal l under its auspices last week and nearly filled the building with enthusiasts. The venture brought together many former neiubers of the Choral Society and incident­ally gave an idea of what a splendid musical society could be had in the town if the, former members would only join the present members. Is there no way of inducing these veterans, some of whom sang in Mr Raper's choir half-a century ago, to return to the fold ?

* , * * Oue notices with pleasure as a bird lover

that measures are being adopted to prevent the taking of plover eggs from nests on the moors in and near Teesdale. Through the instru­mentality of the National Farmers' Union, in coujuuetion with the police ou both sides of the Tees, a decided stand is being taken against the continuance of the raids upon plovers' nests which are common in the summer months. ' I t seems to be iu the interests of flocknusters that these depreda-

l '.ions should be made to cease, although some may wonder how the matter of plover eggs directly affects the flocks. Well, the plovers' cliitt item of food is the water-snail, and, as naturalists know, the water snail is the host of ihe parasite which causes "f luke" in sheep—

i'a disease of the liver. Therefore, if plovers ' are prevented from multiplying by people who rob the nests of the eggs the water snails will not be kept in check, and as a result " fluke " in sheep will increase in severity. So let us all do our best to discourage our youth of both sexes from spending their summer afternoons in looking for plovers' nests on the moors.

i * *

How many of us have listened in vain these wintry mornings for the ringing of the • waking bell " from Barnard Castle Church tower ? There is always a certain amount of satisfaction in the knowledge that when it rings there is a margin left for most people in which to prepare for the effort of emerging from the snngness that surrounded slumber, lor a fortnight the six o'clock signal has not been heard, and the reason is that the ringer himself has not been equal to the task of turn­ing out of his house iu order to fulfil the duty M his office. Mr John Blenkinsopp, who has more or less regularly rung the waking bell for the best part of forty years, has been ailing of late, and as no one seemed inclined to carry on in his place the familiar sound which distinguishes Barnard Castle from many towns, has not been heard. Happily the ringing of the curfew, which connects these times with those of the Norman period, has been maintained, and so there* has been no hreakiug of that valuable historical link with 'be past. One is glad to know that Mr blenkinsopp is better for his brief respite from duty, and the hope that he will be speedily

red to health, despite his weight of years, •ill be generally endorsed by all who read these lines. We shall all readily excuse a

apse over which he bad no control. * * *

Badgers are still doing great damage in Mid teesdale, and poultry keepers are at a loss °w to guard against them. An ordinary '"oltry house is forcibly entered and owners *> asking, is there no badger-digging club C*t Would, to some extent, lessen them ? Mr

& Helmer, at Wildon Grange, has just had f o r the third time this season and they

sixteen valuable R . I . Red pullets, already some hundreds have been killed this *'iter in the district.

* * * There will be an excursion to Newcastle on

jaturday, March 19th, in connection with the l i t r e s and the football match between Newcastle and Sunderland. T h e return fare

he 8s. 6d. from Barnard Castle and Bowes, ""14s. from Middleton-in-Teesdale.

* * * Looking ahead one is able to announce

a ij excursion to Scotland on Friday, Juue 10th, *" e» the days are longest and the nights Shortest. T h e special train will depart from ? w nard Castle about midnight and re ~aUoch on Loch Lomoud about 9.15 a.m. on ^turday. Half-an-hour later a steamer will ?* V e y the party up L o c h Lomoud, past Ben ^tuond, to Tarbet which- will be reached

i u t 11 a.m. There will be a walk of about ^"oile-and-ahalf from Tarbet to Arrochar t'̂ 'e luncheon will be served on the boat hi JJ* Arrochar Pier at 3 p.m there will be

Loch Goil and lb/ ^ o w a L o c h Long and np j ? * * to Craigendoran, which will be reached »ta P , n 1 , Glasgow will be arrived at l t . u t an hour later and after a stay there the j j * m journey homeward will be begun

a r»ard Castle being reached on Sunday "wiling.

Our report of the farmers' dinner in Balders-dale last night will appear next week.

Cotherstone Conservative Association has given J£5 to the local Nursing Association, and £'< to the local hospital committee funds.

T h e guarantee fund of the proposed North-E a s t Coast Exhibit ion had yesterday reached £73,000. I t is proposed to hold the exhibition from May to October, 1928. -

T h e Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle wil l administer the rite of Confirmation at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Barnard Castle, on Sunday evening, at 6-30.

Barnard Castle ratepayers will be asked to appoint six representative trustees of the Bowes Museum for a term of six years at a meeting to be held at the Witham Hal l on Wednesday evening, February 23rd, at 7.30 p.m.

T h e latest type Four-Seater Morris C o w l e y with Four Door Body and New Type Radiator' may be seen at L S M I T H & Co., Morris Service Dep6t, Barnard C a s t l e . — A D V T . Cotherstone Fie ld Reeves.

Mr William Dent, Naby View, presided last week at the annual meeting of the stiutowners on Cotherstono Regulated Pasture, and was re-elected a field reeve for the fortieth timo, as also was Mr Joseph W. Dent,*now of Brough. Other reeves re-elected were Messrs J . Ridley (Lopes), J . W. Kipling (Clove Lodge), and J . Iceton (Willoughby Hall) . An application for permission to take peat from Cotherstone Moor was refused, that being the privilege of stiut owuers only.

Wesley Guild. I n connection with the Barnard Castle

Wesley Guild, a social evening was held on Friday. Musical items occupied the first part of the evening. Those taking part were Miss W. Coates and Miss Singer (songs), Mr S. Morton (violin solos), Mr John Pratt (humorous amcdotes), and Mr G. V . T a r n (song). T h e rest of the evening was taken up in games and competitions. Refreshments were served. A collection was taken for the National Children's Home and Orphanage. T h e Rev. J . W. Garforth presided. T h e accompanists were Miss Coates, Miss Singer and Mrs G . V . T a r n .

Bellringcr's Funeral . The remains of Mr John Wright, whose

death we recorded last week, were laid to rest iu Barnard Castle cemetery ou Thursday afternoon. Service was held in the parish church, where Mr Wright had officiated as beliringer for many years, the Rev. J . Meeser officiating, and as the cortege made its way to the cemetery the ringers rang a mufflad peal to his memory, standing in the belfry in the followiug positions : Mr It; Bleukinsopp (tro'ble), Miss Chatt , Messrs Wi Cheesebrongb, A. Stoddart, W. Ridsdale, W. Mitchell, T . Chatt (captain) and E . Willis (tenor).

T h e Scale Cinema. T h e feature at the Scala Cinema for the last

three nights of this week will be a presentation L a d y Windermere's F a n , " the great play

by Oscar Wilde, starring Ronald Coleman, Irene Rich, May McAvoy and Bert Lyte l l . I t is regarded as oue of the greatest pictures now on tour. One of the Kindle comedies will be shown on the same evenings. Next week Mr Sutherland has arranged for the exhibition of ' T h e Duke's Motto," after the famous novel

by Paul Feval , with Gaston Jaquet in the dual role of Lagardare and .Esop the Hunchback.

Barnard Castle Men Charged. \ t Kirkby Stephen on Fr iday afternoon

three young men from Barnard Castle— Thomas Boyd (26), E d w a r d Boyd (23), and John Boyd (16), all of Bridgegate—were remanded on a charge of having stolen lead from the roof of Kirkby Stephen parish church. Sergeant Scott said the three prisoners were arrested at Kendal late on Thursday night and accused of having taken lead from the church roof during the past three weeks. T h e lead had been sold at Kendal. He asked for a remand, stating that probably another charge would be preferred against the accused. T h e magistrates granted a remand.—Yesterday prisoners were again before the bench and remanded for a week. „

Primitive Methodist Church . A short and interesting service was held at

the Primitive Methodist Church, Barnard Castle, on Sunday, when the Sunday School prizes were awarded to the scholars. Tho proceedings were under the direction of the Superintendent, Mr T. Gowlaud. Parents and friends of the scholars attended in good numbers. A short programme of solos, recitations, etc., was provided by the scholars, after which Mr George Elliott, for many years one of the superintendents of the school, gave a brief and interesting address, and presented the prizes to the scholars. , I n addition to the large number of prizes there were five certifi­cates awarded to scholars who had secured the highest possible number of marks, and 14 certificates won by scholars iu the Connexional Scripture Examination. Miss D. Emmerson received the second prize for the Stockton and Darlington District, the prize taking the form of a handsome music copy of the church hymnal, bound in leather.

Wycliffe Cinema. Patrons of the Wycliffe Cinema will have

the opportunity of seeing " What fools men " (with Lewis Stone) to-night, followed by " One Colombo Night " on Thursday aud Friday, with an excellent Brit ish picture " T h e Squire of Long Hadley," on Saturday. Special attention is drawn to " Classified," in which Corrinne Griffith is the principal star, which is showing from Monday to Wednesday, next week, and to Richard Barthelmess in " Shore Leave " on the followiug Thursday aud Friday . On the succeeding Saturday " Mother "—one of the greatest pictures of its kind—is to be screened A n Alarm of F i r e .

T h e ringing of the fire bell on B a r n a r d Castle Market Cross on Saturday morning informed the townsfolk of an outbreak of fire at the house of Mr J . E . Dent, Summer L e a . I t seems that Mr G . N. Warnes, Master of the Teesdale Institution, had his attention called by some of the men at work in the garden of the institution to an uuusual volume of smoke issuing from near the eaves of Mr Dent's house, Soou the spot began to glow and it became apparent that the woodwork near the roof was well alight. Mr Warnes at once telephoned to the Surveyor's office and the bell was run which brought out the brigade. Mr Pratt's motor van carried the brigade to the scene of the fire dragging behind it a cart with some hose aud other appliances for dealing with such an outbreak. Mr F . Metcalfe was among the first firemen to reach Summer L e a , and the fire was put out by means of an extinguisher. T h e damage, whioi> is estimated at about £30, covered by ii .su ance. I t is supposed that spark from the chimney iguited a small collection of combustible material on the woodwork.

DEATH OF MR F. THOMPSON.

A T R U S T E E O F B O W E S M U S E U M .

We record with regret the death of Mr Frank Thompson, A . R . C . A . , which occurred on Wednesday at his residence,Old Elvet , Durham, at the age of 75. Mr Thompson was a frequent visitor to Barnard Castle, beiug one of the trustees of the Bowes Museum. A native of Darlington, Mr Thompson received his early art training at the local School of Art under Mr Samuel Elton. He obtained a scholarship at the National Art Training School, South Kensington, and studied there for four years, obtaining his degree of A . R . C . A . I n 1878 he was appointed Master of the Durham School of Art, which post he occupied for forty years. I n 1897 he was appointed by the Board of Education as one of the Trustees of the Bowes Museum. Mr Thompson had considerable success as a water colour painter, his work being exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of Brit ish Artists, the Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool), the Royal Institute (Glasgow), and at Leeds, Oldham, Newcastle, and Darlington. I n 1925, it will be remembered, an exhibition of his water colour work was given at the Bowes Museum, attracting con­siderable attention. There is a splendid example of his work in a view of Durham now iu the Museum. Mrs Thompson, who died some years ago, was one of the first women cyclists. His daughter is the wife of Mr Harold Scott, a son of the late Mr Owen S. Scott, Curator of the Bowes Museum.

T h e interment took place at St. Margaret's Church, Durham, on Saturday. T h e Rev. F . H . Bartlett officiated. T h e chief mourners were : Miss Thompson (sister), Miss Deighton (sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs Harold Scott (son-in-law and daughter), and Mr and Miss Lockey, Among others present were Mr S. E . Harrison, curator of the Bowes Museum, representing L o r d Gainford (Chairman) and the trustees. A beautiful wreath was sent by the Museum trustees.

OLD FOLK ENTERTAINED.

M I D D L E T O N WOMEN'S I N S T I T U T E . One of the most eagerly anticipated events

of the year, both by the members and the visitors, was held on Tuesday afternoon, when the older people of the district were entertained to tea and music by Middleton-in-Teesdale Women's Institute. T h e day being very fine, a good number were able to accept the invita­tion, and over a hundred sat down to tea, while those who were not able to be present bad their tea sent to them. Mrs Beadle (President) welcomed the guests, and after the tables were cleared a musical programme was given. Several items were rendered by the Women's Institute choir, solos were sung by Mrs Beadle (President), Mrs F . Watson, Mrs J . Watson, Mrs Woodwark, Mr J . Stobbart and Mr F . Lowe. T h e dance orchestra kindly contributed lively items and the programme concluded with an exhibition of " Mrs Jarley's Waxworks," and the singing by all present of " Now the day is over." I t was felt by all that a very happy time had been spent.

C O P L E Y WOMEN'S I N S T I T U T E . T h e Copley Women's Institute annual whist

drive and dance held on Fr iday was a great success, 23 tables being occupied for whist. T h e prizes were distributed by the President, Mrs Russell, the School House, Woodland, as follows :—Ladies—1, Mrs Spencer Wade, who very kindly handed her 15s. voucher back to the Women's Institute funds (amid hearty applause); 2, Mrs Stephens; 3, Mrs L a m b , after cutting with Mrs J . Stephenson. Gentlemen—1, Mr W. H . C l a r k ; 2, Mr Harry Lowther ; 3, Mr Rand after cutting with Mr J . A. Keilett. Booby prizes, Mrs Greenwell and Mr James L e e , the latter being also the holder of the lucky number admission ticket. Mr Fred Stephenson and Mr George Rose very kindly undertook the duties of M.C.'s for the whist. Dancing was kept up until the early hours, the chief feature being the Charleston exhibition dance. Two prizes were given by Mrs T a r n and Miss Robertson, of Woodland, for the most graceful exhibition of the Charleston. T h e winners were Miss Olive Hetherington, Copley, aud Mr M. Shaw, Butterknowle. Prizes for the spot dance were given by Mrs J . Hetherington and Mrs Luther Forster, and won by Miss Cissy Wilson and Mr W. Hobson. A surprise for the company was a song excellently rendered by Mr Thomas Smith, Woodland, " John Peel," an encore being responded to with " Burlington Bertie." Mr Fred Allan was well to the fore with his humorous patter and also gave a selection on the mouth organ. A splendid supper was provided by members of the Women's Institute and the reasonable charge of sixpence each resulted in all the refreshments being sold. Music was supplied by Waller's J a z z Band. T h e room was tastefully decorated by the secretary and assistant-secretary, Mrs Fred Stephenson and Mrs Reed.

DEATH OF CANON GOUGH.

F O R M E R L Y R E C T O R O F B A R N I N G H A M . We record with deep regret the death of the

Rev. Canon E d w i n Speucer Gough, M.A., which ocenrred on Saturday at his residence, Groombridge, Rustington, Sussex. Canon Gough who had reaehed the age of 81 years, had been in Holy Orders since 1867, when he took his B .A. degree.f Ordained deacon by the Bishop of Ripon in 1868, the reverend gentle­man was curate of St. Paul's Church, Leeds, from 1868 to 1870, in which year he was ordained priest, took his M.A. degree and was appointed Chaplain of the Leeds General Infirmary, I n that capacity he remained until 1877, when he was appoiuted Vicar of Burley, near Leeds. I n 1889 the Bishop of liipou, the late Dr. Boyd-Carpenter, offered him the Rectory of Barningham, which he accepted and held until the autumn of 1924, when failing health led to his resignation. Canon Gough was also Rural Dean of Richmond North from 1889 until his retirement. He was made an honorary Canon of Ripon Cathedral in 1911. For thirty-five years Canon Gough was a familiar figurelin the Teesdale district, his position as Rural Dean taking him into all of the other parishes in the deanery. His wife died about twenty-five years ago. He had six children—three sons and three daughters, of whom all but one son, Mr George Gough, are living. T h e surviving sons are Messrs Henry and F . B . Gough, and the daughters are Mrs A. Baines, Mrs E . Ell iot , and Miss Agues Marion Gough, the last named being well remembered with gratitude for the work she did at Barningham in the capacity of District Nurse, a work she continued in the parish of Rustington, Sussex, whither her father retired when be relinquished the Rectory of Barning­ham. T h e funeral will take place at Barning­ham on Fr iday afternoon at 1.30.

FOR T H E L I F E BOAT I N S T I T U T I O N . I n aid of the funds of the Royal National

Li fe Boat Institution, and in connection with the Barnard Castle 'branch, a whist drive and dance took place in the Victoria Hal l on Monday evening. There were sixty players at whist, but a larger gathering for the dance. T h e prizes were distributed by L a d y Barnard, and Mrs Reginald Pease, Sledwich, in intro­ducing her ladyship to the company gave some interesting information regarding the work of the Royal National Li fe Boat Institution. Started more than a hundred years ago, it had been instrumental in the saving of 61,000 lives

an average of eleven per week. During October and November, 1925, stormy months, 117 lives were saved—two every day. I n January of this year, eleven lifeboats put out to sea, among them being the Newbiggin boat, which was again launched by women, the men being out in fishing boats. A motor lifeboat cost £16 ,000 to build, and a thousand pounds a year to maintain. Although living in an inland town, the people of Barnard Castle could not but be interested in lifeboat work since most of our food had to be brought from abroad. L a d y Barnard then presented the prizes to the following : Ladies—Mrs Banner ; 2, Miss J . Hird ; 3, Mrs Holdsworth. Gentlemen—Mrs M. Urquhart (playing as a gentleman) ; 2, Mr H . Peacock; 3, Mr K . Daniels. Mr C . T . Singer proposed a vote of thanks to L a d y Barnard, which was seconded by Mr F . Kitching (Whorlton), and heartily passed. L a d y Barnard, briefly replying, said she was only too delighted to do anything to help on excellent work. Messrs H . Turner and J . Shield were M.C.'s for the whist, and Messrs J . Parkinson and H . Pollard acted in a similar capacity for the dance, which was attended by Mrs Raine's Jazz Orchestra. Among others present was Mrs H . C . Watson. T h e catering was in the hands of Dawsons, of the Scala Cafe. T h e dance prizes were as under: Charleston competition (first in Barnard Castle), Mr H . Pollard and Miss Freda Carter ; 2, Mr J . Brown and Miss Jennie Urquhart ; foxtrot, Mr Phi l Hart and Miss E v a Carter. Both dances were judged by Mr C . Lewis , Golden L i o n Hotel. T h e " Valentine " was won by Miss Ada Nicholson, and the balloon dance by Miss H i r d and Mr L . Musgrave. T h e decorations were kindly lent by the Excelsior Cycling Club and R . N . L . Institution. Mrs Kaye Ramsden, secretary, asks us to thank all helpers.

NEWS OF THE UPPER DALE. —^

I B Y OUR C O R R E S P O N D E N T ] T h e Mickleton, Holwick. aud Lunedale

Hospital Committee held a successful whist drive and dance in the Church Institute, Mickleton, ou Monday evening, in aid of the medical appliance fuud. Mr J . G . Walton was M.C. for whist, and the following were the prizewinners :—Ladies—Mrs W. Dent, High Green ; 2, Mrs W. Dent, L o w Green ; 3, Mrs Scott. Gentlemeu—Mr fi. Raine ; 2, Mr J . Wearmouth; '3, Mr Thos. Allinson. Mrs Jouathan Nattrass, Holwick, kindly presented the prizes. A .dance followed, Messrs M. Anderson and J . W. Parkin being the M.C.'s.

T h e February meeting of the Middleton Literary and Debating Society was held in the Wesleyan School on Tuesday evening, when a debate took place on the subject " That emigration is the ultimate solution of our industrial problems." Mr Tustin presided. Mr T . Robson led in the affirmative, and pointed out the advantages of emigration as a means of settling the unemployment problem at borne. Mr Cogging, who led in the negative, showed that ernigrlition, with its present restrictions, might be a weakening force for this country, and made several suggestions calculated to help to lower our large unemploy­ment figures. Mr Brown seconded the affirma­tive, and argued that this country was already over-populated. Small holdings, he said, were a failure, and no land scheme would settle the industrial problem. T h e negative was seconded by Mr T . S. Watson, who explained that by improving industries, as regards organisation and mass production, unemployment could bo greatly relieved. A keen discussion followed, those taking part Beiug Mrs Tustin, Miss Hallett, Miss Wilson, -the Rev. H . C . Perrott, Dr. Dawson, Mr G. Addison and Mr Allinson. T h e " Noes " won by a very fcmall majority.

Middleton Primitive Methodist Church Choir held their annual social on Wednesday evening, when upwards of 80 feeinbcr* aud friends sat down to an excellent supper. Afterwards games were indulged in and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was speut.

T h e Middleton-in-Teesdale Cricket Club held their first annual ball in the Assembly Hal l on Fr iday evening. T h e M.C.'s were Messrs G . Dryden, T . Raine, J . W. Stokoe, J . Gibbon, and H . Watson. T h e waltzing com­petition was won by Mrs G . Hunter and Mr T . Anderson ; the Charleston competition by Miss J . Smith and Mr W* Thompson ; the fox-trot competition by Mr K . Clarke and partner; and the spot waltz by Miss Falconer and Miss Fleming. The'Middleton Dance Orchestra played a capital programme of dance music, and an excellent supper was provided by a ladies' committee. There was a good company.

T h e annual meeting of the Middleton Silver Band was held at tho Church School on February 3rd. Mr Walter Morton presided over a large attendance of members and supporters. T h e balance-sheet, presented by the hon. treasurer, Mr H . Ward, was unani­mously adopted and regarded as most satisfac­tory, showing a balance in hand of j£9 6s. 3.\ d. T h e following officers were elected for the coming year:—President, Mr R. W. Raine, J . P . ; vice-presidents, the Rev. H . C . Perrott, Dr . Beadle, Dr . Dawson, Messrs G . A. Thompson, H . Ward, T . Gaskin, and R . J . S m i t h ; hon. secretary, Mr G . G . Morton ; hon. treasurer, Mr Harry Ward; band master,' Mr G . G . Morton; auditor, Messrs R . J . Smitb, Walter Morton and T . Muir ; librarian, Mr A. Wilkin­son ; caretaker, Mr E d . Mason ; general com­mittee, Messrs R . J . Smith, G . A. Thompson, Geo. Stead, Ben Spraggon, H . Wright, J . Evans , Geo. Bradwell* E . Hutchinson, Walter Morton, T . Raine, Herbert Watson, and Thompson Pinkney. I t was decided to arrange a full season's programme for the spring and summer to begin at Easter . T h e members ask us to thank all their friends for so liberally subscribing to the funds during the past year.

The Middleton Garden Association are looking ahead. They are again having their weight-growing competition, each member receiving six potatoes which are not to be cut but grown whole. T h e variety is a "first early." T h e association has a strong com­mittee, and Mr C. E . Jackson is again the secretary, Mr F . Lowe being president. Rules are settled, and the schedule is completed for their section at the Agricultural Show to be held on September 3rd. L a s t year there were 684 entries in the horticultural section, the number constituting a record, and with the addition of classes and the alteration of some others the members are hoping to beat all previous records. They have the full support of the Agricultural Society Committee, and without doubt Middleton Show has the finest horticultural display at any agricultural show in the north of England, due entirely to the harmonious relationship of the two com­mittees.

YOUTHS' CLUB FESTIVAL.

A V A L U A B L E A G E N C Y F O R D O I N G G O O D .

Cousiderable interest has been shown in the work of the Young Men's Club conuected with the Barnard Castle Wesleyan Church, the annual festival of which is now being celebrated. Proceedings began on Thursday eveniug, when the president, Mr J . R. Arrowsmith, gave a lantern lecture on " A Tr ip to Italy." T h e Chairman was Dr . C . H . Welford, J . P . , who, having been introduced to the large audience by the Rev. J . W. Garforth, spoke very appreciatively of the club's usefulness aud told of the deep iuterest that he had in its welfare. Mr Arrowsmith's lecture was of a racy character, his description of the scenes exhibited on the screen beiug interspersed with numerous anecdotes of his experiences. T h e slides were admirably projected on the screen by Mr E . Holdsworth.

I n connection with the festival special services were held in the Wesleyan Church on Sundav. The preacher for the day was Mr J . D . Hiuks, J . P . , Darlington, whose discourses were most welcome. At the morning service he spoke on " Excuses " (Luke xiv., 18). During the service Mr R. Walker rendered the recit. and air, " Thus saith the L o r d " and " But who may abide ? " from Handel's " Messiah." T h e 4th (A) company of Gir l Guides paraded under the direction of Miss Robson. T h e afternoon service was for men only, and the Town Band, under Mr A. W. Robinson, attended and besides accompanying the singing played very pleasing selections. Mr Hinks' address was on " Playing the game." In the absence of Mr Ingram Dawson through illness, Mr G . Clarkson Harker presided. In the evening the church was filled, the members of the club being seated in the front pews. Before the service the Town Band gave a short recital and during the service accompanied all the hymns in place of the organ. Mr M. Wright gave a cornet solo, " T h e Lost Chord." Mr Hinks spoke on " Christianity and Sport." T h e service ended with the singing of " God save the Kiug."

On Monday evening there was a large gathering to hear the Rev. A. E . Guile, Chair­man of the Wbitby and Darlington District, lecture on " T h e Revolt of Youth." Mr W. A. Kellett presided. Mr Guile showed his entire sympathy with the revolution occasioned by the rising generation and urged that it was the duty of the churches to show their sympathy with it and provide for meeting the changed circumstances which invariably marked great progressive movements.

T h e concluding function of the festival will be an entertainment to be given in the school­room to-morrow (Thursday) evening.

COAL PRICES 70 YEARS AGO.

[FROM MR E . HARDY.J

I read Mr William Chapman's descriptions of happenings in his life with much apprecia­tion. Local incidents and history are always interesting, but iu Mr Chapman's case they are more than ordinarily so, as they deal, amongst other curious things, with the first velocipede made in the district, the first hay-shed erected, wages in the '50's, etc. His account of work, price of coals, etc., would be read by many local residents with much iuterest.

I have old papers dealing with colliery working, costs, etc., of the above period at Hardy's pits and hope you will publish the following extracts from them, as some seem fantastic when compared with present high cost of. l iving, and goods generally. For instance, we have all been familiar with coals at £5 per ton, and even at this we have been given the impression they were only obtained after much tribulation and loss.

I n Mr Chapman's younger days one of our family called on residents between Woodlands aud Middleton-in-Teesdale, aud anyone caring to pay £1 in advance could take a cart and get a load of coal whenever in need lor ordinary household use. I give a few unusual items below:—

Woodland, Dec. 31, 1856. T h e Owuers of Woodand Colliery,

Dr. to J O H N G R A H A M . T O oue year's salary for Locked Postbag, £1.

I suppose this would mean daily journeys to Cockfield Station and back with letters, etc.

Jonas Dent, Cartmau, 12 days at 2/6 Mary Turner, cleaning office, 2

weeks at 9d Michael Kirkup, writing in office,

2 weeks at 4/- . . . John Tate, leading coals to Stain-

drop, 4 loads at 2/6 John Carter's expenses when sent

away about old accounts John Vitty, clipping horses, 2 days

and meat at 2/6

£ s. d. 1 10 0

1 6

8 0

10 0

3 6

5 0

£2 18 0 Mary Turner's turn is a good one.

Boys were employed at 3d. per day ; onsetters (Mr Chapman mentions this) at I s . 4d. per day ; putters at 2s. 9d. per day; overman (I don't know if this was full time) 10s. per week; banksmen at 2s. 6d. per day ; hewers 3s. to 4s. per day of 10 hours ; sharpening picks, 2s. 6d. per week ; brakes­man (engine), 13s. per week.

Apparently the highsst wages paid for outside work (screens, etc.) was 2s. 8d. per day. For carrying props to the hewers 2s. 6d. per week was made. Mr Chapman mentions cor-es. These were of 12 to 16 pecks capacity, aud where piecework was paid for, 23 were counted as the score.

There were three pits owned by Hardy's, the High, L o w , and Engine Pits (so called because pits at that time were a rarity when driven by an cngiue.)

Towards the end of the Hardy ownership, coke having just been discovered (before which all small coal was thrown away as useless), two coke oveus were built at the Engine Pit. These were filled by a man wheeling the coat up a plank iu a wheelbarrow, a slow and tedious job, which raises smiles today.

T h e pits were sold in 1869 to Messrs Grieveson and Whitwell, who styled themselves the Woodland Colliery Co.. L t d .

Bleak House, Yarm Road, Darliugton. February 14th, 1927.

H O C K E Y . B A R N A R D C A S T L E A G A I N D E F E A T E D .

Barnard Castle Hockey Club on Saturday entertained .the Howden-le-Wear Club at Barnard Castle and suffered defeat—the second in succession—by six goals to one. T h e home team goal was scored by Mr R . E . Jeffery.

R U C T I O N S I N T H E K I T C H E N — Swarms of Beetles. Nothing any good but " Keating*." That did it. I T K I L L E D T H E L O T . Sprinkle it at night and sweep (lie Beetles up in the morning— D E A D . " Keating's " K I L L S Beetles. Cartols 2d., ad. and l a .

FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE.

MR E . R. HANBY H O L M E S AND MISS TOWN.

T h e engagement is announced between E r i c Richard Hanby Holmes, of Barnard Castle, eldest son of the late Joseph Hanby Holmes and of Mrs Holmes, and E v e l y n Hilda, younger daughter of Mr aud Mrs J . Clifton Town, of Cliff Side, Hyde Park, Leeds.

B I L L I A R D S .

B A R N A R D C A S T L E v. K I R K B Y S T E P H E N T h e Barnard Castle and Startforth

Conservative Club bad a visit on Thursday night from the Kirkby Stephen Brit ish Legion Club who engaged them at billiards and after an enjoyable game the Conservative Club won by 269. Scores :—

CONSERVATIVg C L U B . Mr J . Gar butt 125

„ T . W. Appleby 116 „ W. Bailey 112 „ J . Parkinson 125 „ A. Urquhart 125 „ W. Trott 125 „ A . H . Nicholson 125 „ J . E . Ha l l 125

978

K I R K B Y S T E P H E N . Mr C . Laycock

„ R. Bowman „ A. Wilson „ C . I . Ward „ H . Wilson „ I . Hird „ I . Metcalfe „ H . Grisdale

98 125 136 118 65 75 84 69

709

F O O T B A L L . Barnard Castle School v. Middlesbrough

High School. Oo Saturday at Barnard Castle. T h e ground

was very bard. T h e visitors won the toes and kicked down. T h e home team pressed early in the game aud Dennington scored their first goal, Iveson soon increasing the lead by another. T h e visitors then pressed and scored two goals iu rapid succession, and the score became even, but the home team soon took the lead again by Iveson and Stamp scored off a visiting back. Half-time score—Barnard Castle School, 4 ; Middlesbrongh High School, 2.

I n the second half the home team were kicking down and Stamp scored an early goal. A penalty was awarded to the home team from which Iveson scored. Towards the end of the game Iveson scored another. F ina l score— Barnard Castle School, 7 ; Middlesbrongh High School, 2

Barnard Castle Athletic have Frosterley as visitors next Saturday, in an Auckland League game. T h e following will represent the Athletic :—Brown ; Coates, Robinson ; E . Bailey, J . Peacock, Kirby ; Knowles, Manning, Dalby, Simpson, Kavanagh. A good game should be seen.

G O L F . T h e January Bogey Competition of the

Teesdale Golf Club, postponed owing to bad weather, was played on Saturday and resulted in a tie, Messrs J . H . Brown, C . E . Edmondson and R. J . Bailey being each 5 down.

H U N T I N G APPOINTMENTS : Z E T L A N D H O U N D S .

Thursday, Feb. 17th—Cleasby 11.0 Saturday, Feb. 19th—Heigbington 11-0

(A Cap for the H . S . B . Society). Tuesday, Feb. 2 2 n d - G r e t a Bridge 11-0 Thursday, Feb. 2 1 t h - R a b y Castle 11-0 Saturday, Feb. 26th—Stapleton 11-0

(A Cap for the H . S . B . Society). T H E L A R T I N G T O N H A R R I E R S .

Friday, Feb. 18th—Raygill 12-0 Monday, Feb. 2 l s t — T h e Rigg 12-0

T E E S V A L L E Y B E A G L E S . Saturday, Feb . 19th—Currack ttigg 11-30 Saturday, Feb . 26th—Foggarthwaite 11-30 Saturday, March 5th—Mickleton 11-30 Saturday, March 12th—Langdon Beck 11-0 (Joint Meet with the Wear Valley to finish the season).

M A R K E T S . D A R L I N G T O N P R O D U C E . —Butter, 2s. 24

per lb. ; eggs, 2s. 4d. per dozen. M I D D L E T O N P R O V I S I O N S , Yesterday—Butter,

Is . lOd. per lb. ; eggs, 3s. 8d. per score. K I R K B Y S T E P H E N P R O V I S I O N S , Monday.—

Butter, I s . 8d. per lb. wholesale, I s . l i d . retail ; eggs, 2s. lOd. per score wholesale, 3s. 2d. retail.

B A R N A R D C A S T L E C A T T L E , Wednesday, February 9th.—There were forward 56 dairy cows and 38 store cattle. Calved c o w s — £ 3 7 , T . W. Guy, Gilmonby ; £ 3 6 , W. Robinson, Pierce bridge ; £ 8 5 10s., L o r d Barnard, Raby Castle ; £ 3 4 10s., W. Kidd, Towler Hi l l . In-calf c o w s — £ 3 1 5s., G . Lowson, Staindrop ; £ 3 0 , J . M. Peverley, Boldron ; £ 2 7 15s., J . W . Errington, Brignall. Geld cattle to £ 1 6 10s. ; bullocks, £ 1 7 10s. ,

B A R N A R D C A S T L E C A T T L E , Monday, February 14th. —There were entered 38 fat cattle, 120 sheep, and 14 pigs. A better trade for beef, which made 53s. per cwt. live weight. Sheep—hoggs to 74s,, H.B. ewes to 54s. 6d., and Scots ewes to 45s. Pork pigs to £ 5 .

M I D D L E T O N M A R T , Y E S T E R D A Y — N e a r l y a hundred head of stock entered. Dairy cows—£32, T . Scott, Holwick ; £ 2 7 , J . Hind, L o n t o n ; £26 10s., J , Atkinson, Mickleton ; £ 2 4 15s., Jabez Oar gate, Gateside. Geld c a t t l e — £ 1 7 10s., W . Nixon, Field Head ; £ 2 0 2s. 6d. (6 head), Isaac T a r n , Step Ends ; £ 1 7 2s. 6d. , J . W. Dent, F s i r V i e w ; .£15, H. Coulthard, Baldersdale ; £ 1 8 , ] . H . Simpson, Balders-dale ; £ 1 8 10s., W. Addison, Middleton ; £ 1 7 2s. «d., W. Collinsoti, Middleton. Bullocks—£9 5s., John Gargate, Coldberry ; £ 9 7s. 6<L, Mark Wearmouth, How G i l l ; £ 1 2 10s., T . E . T a r n , Intack, Forest; £ 9 15s., Mis Scott, Whey Syke ; £ 1 0 , Philip Beadle, Forest ; £ 1 S 10s., Joseph Colliuson, Lane Head; £ 1 0 15s., Thomas Hutchinson, Hope House; £ 1 1 12s. 6d., Roland Collinson, Middleton; £ 1 0 17s. tid., J . Raine, Lunedale ; £ 1 2 7s. 6d,, J . W. Longstaff, Green Gates, Lunedale.

Big fleas have little fleas Upon their backs to bile 'em ; And little fleas have lesser fleas,

A n d so — ad infinitum. K i l l the lot with Keating'.- Powder.

Co-operative Society's Whist Drive. Forty-six tables were occupied for whist aud

au additioual 100 people, at least, assembled afterwards for dancing at the whist drive and dance orgauized by the Barnard Castle Co­operative Society, and held iu the Witham Hal l , on Thursday. T h e prizewinners were:— Championship, Mr Denham, Catcastle ; ladies —Mrs E . Down, Miss A. Audas, Miss W. Hell, and Miss L . Banner. Gentlemen—Messrs T . Miunikin, A. Stewart, T . Walker, aud Penuock. T h e prizes were distributed by Mrs J . Audas, to whom thanks were accorded ou the motion of Mr J . Peacock, seconded by Mr E . Bayles. Dancing was continued uutil 3 a.m. to the music of Mrs E . Raiue's Jazz Band. T h e M.C.'s for whist were Messrs J . Peacock, E . Bayles, J . Simpson aud E . Raine, aud for the dance, Mr W. Robinson. Au elimination waltz was won by Miss Smith and Miss Wood.

Births, Marriages and Deaths.

D E A T H S . GOUGH.—On February 12th, at Groombridge,

Rustington, Sussex, the Rev. Canon Edwin Spencer Gough, M.A., Honorary Canon of Ripon Cathedral, formerly Rector of Barningham aud R u r a l Dean of Richmond North, aged S I years. T o be interred at Baruiughani, on Fr iday , February 18th, at 1-30 p.m.

I N M E M O R I A M . S I M P S O N . — I n loving memory of iny dear mother,

Dinah Simpson, of Ox Pasture, who died February loth, 1926.

Resting now iu peace with Jesue, Loving hearts remember you.

— E v e r remembered by her loving son, Jim. A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S .

C O L L I N S O N . —The Brothers aud Sisters of the late Joseph William Collinsou, of Middleton-in-Tees­dale, desire to thank all friends for their kind sympathy during their receut sad bereavement, also for floral tributes.

LINGFORDS' N O T E D

Baking Powder O F A L L G R O C E R S A N D S T O R K S .

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