SUM TEESDALE MERCURY—WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1887. Besting to Naturalists.-^ , ^ I was fishing in the River Tee 9 „ ^ r J Castle, on Saturday last, h" 0 ' fa STABTFOBTH. Jjsee a pair of kingfishers (male •remaining' unobserved, eventual! a n ^ fi •t. A s it is very desirable t n ,.' V dj, pld be allowed to rear their V o u ''and erhaps not be wise to indicate t!,„ 'o nt. I e e xa c t | ipendent Order of Good To • quarterly ses.i m of tbe South T) J P^„ fge was held in the Weslev»n Chi Ur,la >H l iWhic Tuesday, presided over hi' C otk p.C.T., of Hartlepool, and W l H J psentatives and visitors from a u *" ' ^UeJ Tbe Executive Committed rei,n,E aH « of; Jof juvenile and adult of 5,415. I ecl a , •ile Templars was admitted. j j _ Put Stockton, submitted, on behalf 0 f°,", • h Btatives to Grand Lodge, an inter ^'K j-oceeclings of I hut body at tl 1 ( , nm'" 1 * *« [London during Easter week, 'j-j *e». In was unanimously adopted •—.'!••" '^''ow latives and otter Good Templar/ 1 ' 1 ' *»,] ath Durham District Lodiie. cord i l '" es etf In of its representatives to Grand Y e 1 bR a contribution of £ 5 0 0 t,> tbe « G ««] JXX), during tbe next five years. vy C ' e ' a ll Br part toward? realizing this j , n , ' Pfo lhat with such a missionary fund at" * n ' lented by missionary effort on i i , 0 UQl ttiM febip, our district may be pla.-^ : 1 <*] bus position than it has yet oceur, ;f -d D 8 * DO members which our D.C.T • , at ><M hay bi readily realized. We claim t? ' J * best efforts of our lodges and of ou-'' 9 q fcork. In the evening a public rnoer" •tided over by Ere. J. J. Woods, and ! i M). J. Seaman, of Stockton ; and iH •On. of tue North of England Te I JSfext session to be held at C ^ * 1 Auckland Abduction Case •y, a hawker named Thomas Varey C>i\ . fcnnded on a charge of abductiu.r a "i •Annie Boss, under 16 rears of a » e '• . Un »1 fat Crook. Prisoner was appro^he'niM 1 • at Carlisle, on Monday, lie a „ d ^ « •at Hamsterley on the 4th Mav, and at at •in Bridgegate, Barnard CJstle, o n tl S Rig days, and on the 7th the pair i la( j 9 < |dletou-in-Tee =dalo. They also obtai. It St. John's CcapeL. when Varey 'jt, ll his wife to the police -sergeant t.'ier %as further investigated on Friday' ir was further remanded, but admitted" t IT. Proud protecting against Mr Sunt rcharge of the girl. Varey was as-u\ h* "londay. The father of the girl, H»nry , Wis cross-examined by Mr I\ u u j Jed. He said he. never objected to br r ' Because she bad gone awav so mai y fcsly. They had been m a r r i e d sine- Bay with his consent, as he thought it ths •> do, as prisoner had made a stain ( •er.—Cross-examined by Superintendent a Rected so much, when he heard that his dan Vie away with prisoner that he took a Lifter Varey wi.s apprehended, witnea pr's friends came to the conclusion that it i ler for tbem to be married.—Annie Ross n toed by Mr Proud : It was her own fault! ler asked her to go away with him, because! ten with him many a time before.—Dr. ksed and said that did not affect tbe'n lion.—Mr Proud : If they had got uiarr [hare been an end of the case.—Dr. Joba I so sure about that,—Mr Proud: Of, [could not get married without the fa pt.—The Girl: I said I would have him.. What did you go away for?—Becaj him, (Laughter.)—Mr Proud : No; lou go away for?—Because I wanted T».—Mr Proud : Why did you not get mart ause he had not the money to marry us | h e left her to join the militia he mad pment for her to meet bim at the Castle i le, when they were to be married.—Bi |: They had been from home a montb ! •rangement was made to get married. Pri| •rer to the charge, eaid be and tbe girlj Mo be married, but he had no mor.ey t| Ted with until he drew big money froot t; when he would bare married the girl.4 I also addressed the Court, and, alludin? t* j of the Act under which the proceedings i i said he was confident that there was no icteL i man's mind to simply take tbe girl awaj »es of prostitution. His intentions were 1 pe whole proceedings, from beginning toj jd that the idea to marry ber was to be I The couple had been married since then* carriage certificate Mr Proud now pro lobson (aid the Bench considered there \facie case made out, and reluctantly comn per to take his trial at the nest assizes, ecepted. BOKEBY. IT and IMrs 31orritt left Eokeby fcdnesday last, for London. They will fn six weeks. The family are at Bedcar. LARTINGTON, wcking and Fatal Accident.—On •Best was held at Mr Peirse's, Pecknall, neari fc, on the body of Miobael Wynn (64), w M| (injuries received on tbe 27th ult. He *° T ploughing, and went to the horses bo a cord, when they bolted, and decea ltd down, and the ploughshare catch tog ^ M dragged a considerable diftance. H e " , [»nd "lingered until Thursday, when be i •cation. A verdict of " accidental deal led. WOODLAND. . ti0 _ |B C o l l i e r y D i s p u t e a n d the Ev^nj jj.— On Friday a painful stage in ff8 _ lland was reached, when ejectment _l ied at Barnard Castle about three w ^ ^ Enforced in three instances against str ^ wing colliery houses. This u n f o r t . u P u tsif •Btinued for some six weeks now, witno ^ ( tmpromise, and in fact the places o ^ r r j. fhave been gradually filled up by ne f J Wing of tbe district is rery strong, b Jie bitter expressions are made u e e ° r> , lots against Mr Shipley, the roaD ^ eD t , m towards tbe men. No exciting '? i aa e- J In connection with tbe evictions too * P ( vVsj •evicted families were those of ,»TvVJ| lohn Lowe, at Lane Head, and J^ n " jflO J ly-lane. A crowd numbering a b ° b \ e d Vouths, chiefly strike bands, M 9 e I ° 8 c o^ a fat the evictions, but everything W u D eri" , e l fj orderly manner. Mr Shipley eUK I bo" , l irk of evicting, and Superintenden T b e e^ iforce of police were in attendance. ^ t m •ies were not without friends, 8nd h ° aJ eBte »°' , J brniture was removed to other n furO 1 '*"! Jurtber intended that tbe family ? D °a o<* a "A lHauxwell, another miner on B t r , * e ^ r g H» U |1 liery house, should be ejected, v t e ^J [g been confined about a fortnig^^i B»H lecided to postpone proceedings ftr d lonyfhould declare favourably i n , tb» fc J3 E ii. Hauxwell, however, decla. r e" ^ I to be evicted, and that » » » £ of b U bave to be taken as in the c» tb e ^ »urs before he was remold rrv #o rtictions were carried out during ^ are completed by about balf-p 8 * 1 v j-;lios of Startfortli aud Barna k' l i , , .),• ictically one, in the celebration of t E' 1 .he 21st of June. The choirs of the t rd the wo we trust The sermon ' !l j o i n ^ o r " i e o c e '"' o n , when i * ' j,'j;rand and hearty service i' 1 '' acbfd by the Rt ;r. Canon Brown, who has Klf'fpnjeiited to ]>reach at the Jubilee Service •CO' infT Sunday at >' Inmich in- the er in forth, and the Vicar ing. A t a meeting. '•'.'^.'cvtiiings a:jo, it w.-.s decided that all the J tpicbers should wear suitable medals on >B ,T)ny. A procession of children without Lp-;." or ese»t a uielancholv sight; but we have r ;/r f" 1 ' Sunday or Day School. Will the • '''jj^ pmish kindly undertake either to make ,le * BOWL RES. jtivc Methodist Sunday School Anni- vfrg anniversary in connection with tbe wi.= celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, «V.h of May. Tea 9<-:is provided in the . , • olars at 4 o'clock, after which the hi "eek-end were commenced with a ,.., • presided over by M r B . F . Eac>, ve an excellent t- no to the meeting „., w very practical remarks on Sunday }[r J. Dickinson was the next speaker, reditibly discharged his duty, and then lo the Rev. W . A . French, who <«ire a ot a':d appropriate addre-s for the occasion, the interest of the mi eting till the close of A public coffee suoper was held, the presided over by Mrs Wearmouth, Mrs VVi urraouto, :»Tr; Beadle, Mrs Balmer, tbridge and Miss lion.. The repast was j by a host of gues's, who heartily partook jjthtliuv- provided, and who so ably discharged *j that t'ie services pi Mr W. Gibson, whose ijll ever be revered a Bowlces, were scarcely On the Sunday Mr J . J . Spoor, of Bishop S preached two excellent sermons, at 2 p.m. p.m. The musical part of these services was ,n excellent character, and in which great jrtond to be taken. Appropriate hymns and vfere suni» by the children and choir, Miss A. presiding at the harmonium, and we might •tat credit is due to tbia young woman for anoer in which she has filed this honourable not only on this but all other and is not likely to stand in less s >» barmoniumist, than any of her ancestors, kelv to distinguish herself as one of the ible of tbe day. A few dialogues and recitations Jj, eu by the children. The weather was fine, and irere iarge congregations. BOLDRON. A special effort will bo made to raise funds for the purpose of building a Mission Boom at Boldron, during the present year. A sum of about i-ToO has been already raised, but upwards of £200 will be required before the work can be satisfactorily completed. A very suitable site lias been procured from Mr Thomas Plews, at a cost of only X'25, and, as ho himself kindly contributes £o, the purchase money will really be £20. An old house now stands on the site from which as much stone can be obtained as will build tbe room. Mr John Ileslop, church- warden, has made a plan of a very suitable building, giving church accommodation for about SO persons. STAINTON. The Misses Dcut, of Streatlam House, most kindly provided tea for all the children, the Sunday School teachers, and Choir, at Stainton School. After- wards the prizes were given away in the course of a concert given chiefly by the children themselves, assisted by Miss Wood, Miss Appleby, Mr R. B. Gent, and the Rev. W . F . Curtoys, who wis in the chair, and distri- buted tbe prizes. The most attractive item in the programme was the recitation " What good cats do," by Maggie Stoddart and others. Hearty roteB of thanks were given to the Misses Dent and M r Judson. UIDDLETON-IN-TEESDALE. [oposed Celebration of the Queen's ,_0D Saturday evening a public meeting was h the Board School, at the instance of the tjiiiiuer and Mr A. Hope. The gathering was KrpKsentative, including most of the public and in the town, besides a good master of the generally. C. E. Bainbridge, Esq., in the he Rev. J. Milner (through indisposition), lously elected to preside on the occasion, f resolutions were then submitted to the pj.soiongst tbe principal of which was one by 'Jioaipson, that there should be a public tea mes and sports, which might be defined by- tee subsequently. M r F . E . Gibson also REMINISCENCES OP A VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA, EXPERIENCES IN THAT COLONY, AND RETURN TO ENGLAND, IN THE YEARS ISoS TO 1870. INCLUSIVE, BY TEESDALE EMIGRANTS, After the substantial meil had been dispatched at 1 he restaurant, and a short rest enjoyed, the male por- tion of the emigrants sallied forth under tbe guidance of tome of the partners of the establishment, on a short tour of inspection, and to obtain an initiation into the mysteries and novel surroundings of camp life at the diggings, and to receive a few practical hints and wrinkles as to the requisites necessary to enable them to secure as much comfort as possible, with as little cost as practicable, when they should settle down to life at, the diggings, to which they were bound. They were amply rewarded for their pains, a? their good-natured guides were glad to render to them any service in their power in putting thorn on their guard against the devices of those harpies who, while tbey will neither work nor want, with oily tongues, under the guise of pretended friendship, look upon new chums as fair prey, and allure them to the drinking or gambling saloon, there to effectually fleece them, and thus turn them adrift penniless, with dear-bought experience, to make their way as can, or to Bink into a premature grave best thev or to through hard labour and exposure, embittered by galling disappointment and useless regrets at their folly in being decoyed by unscrupulous strangers into indulgences which had left them with empty purses, and thus deprived them of those necessary comforts which are especially requisite until they have passed through the transition from the comforts and conven- iences of home-life in England to the rough life at the diggings. Even in cases of exceptional prosperity it is some time before tbe rude furniture and domestic utensils, where one vessel or implement must do duty for various purposes, and the canvass covered tent give place to the more substantial dwelling, and the the day should be observed as a general I various appendages associated with a refined and well- icn which the Chairman remarked i to-do home in the old country. The presence of these »d this would extend not only through- older denizens with our emigrants as effectually ilic works in the place, but to thop-hands j checked any advances from these light-fingered gentry I (tiers in whatever capacity they might be as would be the case in London, if strangers from the A committee of gentlemen was then selected, | country were under the protecting wing of well-known b E, Gibson as secretary, Messrs A. Hope' and vigilant officers of Scotland Yard. So, after a lVSaine treasurers. At this stage a few very ! pleasant stroll, and a cursory glance at the busy sasions were made by Mr J. Readshaw and j stores, drinking bars, and the motley groups who t.jt, that the organisation should be a3 repre- ! thronged the thoroughfares and places of amusements, n as possible by inviting the co-operation of | tbey returned to their quarters, where their wives had feet societies, viz., the Mechanics' InBti- I made themselves quite at home, and had prepared I Good Templars, and the various Sabbath ' tea, and given to their bedrooms a few finishing • tbe place. A ladies' committee was also touches, which made them at, the Antipodes separated the names of which were read over by the ; from the place of their birth by over twenty thousand and were most heartily approved. It may j miles of watery waste, which forms tbe ocean pathway, iture to say as to what dimensions this demon- j yet here they had found a temporary home replete wall assume until defined by tbe committees, j with every substantial comfort, and a truly generous •mi trea' may be anticipated. The Chairman, i welcome, which greatly enhanced their pleasure, and b'ion, said there was unfortunately one cir-| bad a wonderfully recuperative effect. The advantages tucewbich would be a great drawback to the,'of the short rest could scarcely be overestimated, as j proceedings, was t h a t the excellent brass band ) the result was an infusion of greater vigour, and an the effect on the place an engagement elsewhere on that day, not iog cf this event taking place until that He hoped, however, that they might be able Iwene their engagement. A vote of thanks to the ^»an concluded a most agreeable meeting. GAINFOED. [piit Tuesday, as usual, was a busy day T tbe Coagregationalists in this village. F o r a «*tof years the day has been set apart by this Pousbody for promoting some of the many schemes jutted with the Evangelistic work so long carried Nthe villages around. Great interest attached to yprtsent occasion, on account of the visit of the "•Andrew Mearns, of London, equally well known *M»t2trts on behalf of tbe Congregational Home *onarj Society, and his more recent labours among ( P«* and destitute of the great city. Mr Mearns •also greatly bestirred himself in the cause of "8 e Missions, so that bis visits to the country are P)J* looked upon as a bappy augury in any such ftat is carried on. This, indeed, proved to be ««eat Gainford, on Whit Tuesday, when large *rs from surrounding towDs, villages and rural JJJjS drew together. During the earlier part of there was a sale of work on behalf of the „*p s fi"id. This proved a great success. At puncheon was served in the School-room adjoin- H>el,and a large number sat down to partake «excellent repast which had been provided. At 8 concert was given in the same place, which was - M t o overflowing. The Bev. A . G . Bowman stai * ^P'kl programme, consisting of instru- Pj Sections on the piano, part songs, trios, vocal rfavt « Amongst those who assisted were Miss ^otLeeds, Mr Press, of Bradford, Miss C . M . p«,and Miss Ethel Liveeay, of Staindrop, tbe 'Adaiuson and Glendinning, Gainford. The I0I > was much enjoyed by all present. At 4-30 Lj**«d in the Recreation Boom of Gaiaford '•nd'lt ^ e ^^i 0 0 . Large numbers poured * tw 0 h P t k"*' 6 * presiding very busy for the space * - ou r». Ihoee who discharged this duty were i -a, W D l a n ' M r s Charge, Mrs T. Nelson, Mrs B, |*»tin» n ' a u d M i s s Dodds. At 7 o'clock a public lit » * M beld in tbe cbapel. In the cba ; r was tbe Ijli ^^-man, at the organ M r F . E. Bowman. ft*"anrt°i ^ a T e 8 8 B 8 0 ' ° ' " •A- n 6 l, l s e v e r bright and Ej" 8l » 0 joined Mr Press in D r Stainer's beauti- rthed, i 6 Divine" taken from tbe oratorio, K a tst 8 l t e r o f Jairus." The Eev. H. Kendall gave B )*fc.,,*?** ! h, and struck a bappy keynote to tbe P court pr ** edin gs. Mr Mearns followed, and in l^int^ 0 ; a . lon g end able address kept the unflag- |Vh w o f t D e audience for about an hour. His |**otiT eg * 8 one of wonderful records and earnest in- |» eor dial° T° ur * Mr J . H . Jowett, M.A., received IVvt „* e kotne, and gave valued counsels. The B*> ba' 6 ^ "l 5 0 ^ w ''b his usual power and vigour. He r j 0£ 8 a k? t t e r meeting been held at these annual 7*»»a 8 understand that in every respect the t < ? In ' ) ' ,;,;e success, and greatly encouraged *' 0| ir»t)j* . ' D this good work. The day wss very k!*larr-» , n 8 occasion, the lovely weather draw- P'^SML !***' o f f r i e l ' d 9 t o t h e village. Tb» i ' 8< "i Sr s 0 T e r t n e 8 t * 1 1 8 w e r e M r s B o w m a n - M r 8 JSiiio', j 8 Copeland, Miss Bowman, the Misses v>jl M i ' 8 We.tcott. Bev. A. G. Bowman I V er ", su n b "'l, assisted by a willing band of ^8e*en *t fnUy C m i e d o u t t h e m i n o r d e t o i l s o f increase of stamina, while tne effect on tne nervous system of the first long voyage soon wore off, and the courage of all rose to do and to dare and fight their way with God's blessing over or through every diffi- culty which lay in their future path, so that by honourable means they might attain the goal of their expectations in a comfortable competence. After tea the conversation was kept up to a late hour, and, as our emigrants were all of them strictly temperate in their habits, and three of them local preachers, and consequently none of them worshippers at the altar of Bacchus, tbey truly enjoyed the " feaBt of reason and flow of soul" without tbe aid of intoxicating stimu- lants. Uniting in gratefully acknowledging the past mercies of their Heavenly Father, and commending themselves to the Divine protection and guidance for the future, they retired to rest, and enjoyed a repose of unbroken rest, undisturbed either by the nocturnal gambols of the rats, or the buzz of the mosquito, for although it was rather early in the season for these pests of colonial life to appear, yet lest some audacious pioneer of these insect plagues should disturb our s l e e p , o u r thoughtful landlady had kindly shielded us front their attacks by providing our beds with mosquito curtains. Saturday morning dawned, but, it being tbe rainy season, although we had hitherto enjoyed immunity, with one exception, from wet weather, tbe dark canopy of clouds which for a con- siderable period obscured tbe atmosphere, threatened to prevent outdoor explorations. After breakfast, which was of a solid character, the curtain was lifted, and tbe bright beams of the sun struggled through the rifts, and gradually flooded the landscape with glory, so that by the time breakfast was finished the party were again ready to emerge on .their quest of exploration and inquiry. They were well rewarded for their labour, in seeing gold digging and dressing in all its phases and various operations. To watch the various groups as they industriously plied their several callings ; for tbe rainy season, on account of the scarcity of water generally, is highly prized, and consequenty, we arrived at a season of great activity. On some stations, especially where pumping operations were carried on, small reservoirs or dams were con- structed to carefully conserve the water for dressing purposes, while steam power at that early period bad been brought into extensive use, both for pumping and lifting tbe work from tbe bottom of the shafts, and driving tbe machinery of the stamping machines to pound down tbe quartz, which was auriferous, being generally impregnated with gold to a lesser or greater degree, while many were engaged in rocking the gold washer's cradle hour by hour. There were various nationalities. The Chinese or celestials were there amongst the rest, but tried to keep up, as far as possible, the exclusivenees of their nation, by having as little as possible to do with the " foreign devils," the appellation by which the natives of Europe were generally known in their native country. Tbey had their own particular quarter, where they indulged in the vices of home to an extent which wae shown in many of them unmistakeably, as the victims of opium smoking, and the offensive smell, which was anything but odoriferous to our nasal organ, made us give these dens a wide berth. (To be continued.) BAENAED CASTLE DISTRICT HIGHWAY BOARD. The usual monthly meeting of the members of the Barnard Castle Diatrict Highway Board was hold on Wednesday, in the office of M r R . T . Richardson. Mr R. S. Bainbridge (chairman) presided, and there were also present Messrs Hollidar, Harris, Walker. Saver, White, Dowson, Brass, J. W. Myers (mana- ging clerk), and Harrison (surveyor). TilR CHAIRMAN". The Chairman said that he begged to tender his thanks for electing bim once more to the pest of chairman, and he hoped Unit they Trould go on as satisfactorily this year as they bad done last. THE CALLS. The Clerk stated that the townships of Cookfleld, I.angleydale, Middleton, Staindrop, Walkerfield and Win-ton, had paid their calls, amounting to £ 4 0 0 l.")s. — r fhs' Chairman : There has only a week passed. There is a poor-rate to pay in next month, and as far as wo are concerned we pay boih together, The real time was to call them over at the next meeting.— The Clerk : Wc have £100 in hand. The Surveyor's paybill amounts to £U)0 los. Sd,—Tae Chairman: That leaves us a balance in hand. We don't meet till live weeks to-day. Most, if not all the calls will be i n at the next meeting. WOODLAND RAILWAY. The Chairmad read the following letter :—" At a meeting of the ratepayers, duly convened, and held on Thursday evening, ths 12th of May, 1367, after other business, tbe following resolution was proposed and seconded, and unanimously enrriod—that gates bs put on over the Woodland Colliery Railway Crossing, in Retford-lane, and a man kept to attend to t h e m :>.j a protection to man, horse and cattle, &c, according to law, and that the assistant-overseer write to the ourveyor of the Highways to write to tbo company respecting the matter." The letter was signed by James Dunn, Bssistant-overseer.—The Clerk «tated that leave had been granted to the Woodland Colliery Company to make toe crossing, providing that it did not become a nuisance, and this leave had been crnnted in April, 187o. —The Chairman : They really have the railway only on sufferance.—Mr Harris: Has there any bad feeling got into the matter?—Mr Dowson : I t is a fair nuisance end an obstruction. A man nearly got killed there lately, and it is nothing but an obstruction.—Mr Harris : Is it any more a nuisance than it was fourteen years ago ?—Mr Dow- son : I f I had bfen a waywarden then I would not bave allowed it. Why was Mr Shipley turning men out of their places, and bringing nothing but raff into Woodland ? (Liughter).—Mr Harris : I f M r Shipley is simply carrying out the orders of the company there is no reason why we should sat up our hsck.—Mr Dowson said that this crossing should have been put in with gates and attended to by men to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. They were determined that the Act of Parliament should be carried out, and they would see to it. — Mr Harris: The question seems to rest, with the Surveyor.—The Surveyor said that so far as keeping the road in repair was concerned that was ail right. — Mr Dowson : I a m not a new catched one. 1 served thirteen yean in succession as a waywarden.—The Surreyor remarked that he had only had one complaint, lodged against this crossing, and that was about twelve years ago. Mr Nellist happened t o be riding near this point, and narrowly averted an accident. He (the Surveyor) wrote to tbe manager of the colliery, and the man bad to apologise to M r Neilist. The railway leads down to another colliery.—Mr Bell said that he considered* this a very dangerous crossing.—The Surveyor remarked that it was not a dangerous place if a man attended to it.— Mr Bell: But there is no pereon to attend to it, and it is not too late to make amends.—The Chairman : The question is, —Is it dangerous or is it not ?—Mr Sayer : What is the law upon the subject ?—The Clerk stated that it was laid down that " wherever a railroad Bhajl cross any high- way the proprietors or directors of the company or proprietors of the railroad shall make and maintain good and sufficient gates at each end of the road, at each of the crossings, and employ good and proper persons to open and shut tbe gates, so that the persons, carta or carriages, passing along the road, shall not be exposed to any danger or damage by the passing of any carriage or engine along the roid."—Mr Saycr asked if it was the business of tbe Board to see that the railway company looked after these township roads?—The Clerk: There are no township roads. They are all district roads.—Tbe Chairman : W e should certainly require tbem to have gates.—Mr Harris again asked what the difference was as betweeu now and thirteen years ago. He did not think tbat they should take any notice of any ill-feeling imported into this matter.—The Chairman : B u t i t is only the law.—Mr Harris: Why didn't tbe parties carry the law out before ? Have they not had their eyes open ? The Chairman : But if we are liable in any accident which might occur?—Mr Harris: But they bave brought no facts, and that nuisance bas been going on for thirteen years.—Mr Bell: It does not matter if it has been going on for one hundred years.—The Chairman : We have no business to put the ratepayers' money at risk, and we are now called upon to carry out the law.—Mr Harris : I t is a proper thing to do, I grant, but the Board ought not to be guided by peevish ill-feeling. He believed in going straight.— Mr Bell: I am quite out of the district as well as you. —The Chairman : W e bave no right to risk the ratepayers' money on that notice.—Mr Sayer again proposed and Mr Bell seconded .a resolution calling upon the Woodland Colliery Company to fix the gates and appoint a gateman.—Mr Walker said that very bad feeling existed at Woodland, and he proposed an amendment that if the colliery company would give a guarantee of indemnity against any accident which might occur that that Board take no action.— Mr Bell (warmly) : What guarantee can you give if a man is killed. You cannot bring him to life again.— The motion was carried. PRICE OF STONE. Tbe Surveyor said that the owners of tbe Wood- land Quarry had reduced the price of stone twopence per ton, which brought it down to Is. 4d.—The Board adjourned. iLfttcrs to tfje Erjttor. Our columns are open for tlie expression of opinion, but we do not necessarily adopt the views of our correspondents. BUILniNO SITES FOR CHURCHES. SIR,—It would seem from Mr Martin's letter that I had enly frankly to admit that I was quite mistaken in supposing that there was no law which enabled Churchmen to compel owners of land to sell sites for churches: but be only gives disconnected extracts—and very brief ones—from the Act of Parliament, and .here is nothing to shew that the said Act was intended to apply to every parish in England. It might, for any- thing one can see to the contrary, hive been pissed for some merely temporary emergency, such as that to which I will presently allude. I f it. Was I be former, of course I am wrong instating that "there never was any such Act passed" for <he purpose named, tfut before I can make iids admission as frankly as 1 could wish, I should like to see the whole context ui.d preamble. I knew of no such "general" Act, and my ignorance is shared, I should think, by nearly the Whole community of Churchmen. I know that in 181S—the time referred to by M r Martin—" the Government had received from one of the foreign powers an unexpected payment ot n loan of some millions, and persuaded Parliament to apply the su:n of one million towards the builiing bf churches in towns where the population had so rapidly increased that Churchmen, by tin ir unaided effort!, founc them- selves powerless to cope with the difficulty of providing church accommodation for them." It is possible that the Act quoted was passed to facilitate this object. At all events it is to all intents and purposes obsolete and inoperative. During the hist 40 years hundreds, 1 may say thousands, of now churches bave been built by the liberality of Churchmen, aid if Mr Martin can quote one single instance where the Act was put in force for a site, he would greatly improve his cise. His authority is the Liberator, and lhat is suspicious enough ia ait conscience. JOHN Mll.NES. ? It is Martin ..te that Darlington Board of Guardians.— i At tho meeting of tue Boar i on Monday, toe General Purposes Committee reported in favour of a reduction of salaries of difnrent officer-, clerk, re!i:'ving-oflicers, collectors, &c. The matter, bowevr. was left for discussion till the next •iiwhiu The General Pur- poses Commi'tee recommended 'be adoption o f a petition to the Local Giver.mrnt Board, tbat orer- seers, a-sistant-o.-ersecrs, collectors, &c, ehoukl submit their r.ccoonts to the Board orce a month. The Board adopted the petition, omitting the word overseers. EOMALDK1RK. Tiic Wedeyxan of llic above place held their Sunday School Annivenary on Saturday and Sum!..y last. On a' irday, a publis lea meeting waa held, ably presided ore* by Mri Lm^staff, Mrs Whitfield, Mrs V ;;i )r .l, Mi-s : : .ivd, aid Miss Aiderson, when sareral More t ; .un on previous years partook of the rieh reo-.-t. Afterwards a public net -ling w.is iio'd. prt.idd ov;»r by Mr J. Langsiau", of L'ip>d..l-. Bulging and prayer over, the chairman gave a practical sp.-;'ch on ;!i • need of Sunday school work. Next taa report «as read, showing that tbo it i.» e.f t ••» <•'•'. a r«-yearly advancing, fever*' scholars, after v.:;i di'livtred un address on character mid the influences that mould character. Tbe meeting w.is then brought to a close by sit.gb-g * !e tioxoiogj. On Btusday, two services wore held, When -eveal renditions were renderrtl by the sc'iob-.rs. I'acli time Mr Hiewitsmi preached a soul-stirring fcrmon to ;i crov :t. i audi?nce, the choir sung several p i ees of n:u-ic. Mii-s Smedley presided at the hantonhim. Weather favourable, companies I^me, and the proceeds above a pound in advance of last veir. rtcit .iHi '.s w«r* rendand by the l, Mr Hew.ton, 'Yatsrhouses, A?.' :\!NG THOOOHT. r-OLITICS V. RELIGION. SIR, — Where is this discussion getting to very amusing to notice the way -Mr C. B. shuffles out of it. Your reielers wilL take n he deies not put before them a single argument rr face in support of the statement ho u;sda in the Music Hall. He merely inelulges in gross abuse, ransacks his mind for phrases and similes which he thinks are most likely to give pain to his opponent (but which only excite pity) ; he dips his pen in gall and worm- wood (as he imagines), and writes i n a strain which clearly shows bow bitterly he bates the Church anel all who would speak a word in her bebalf. I t is thus he wishes to draw the attention of the public from the fact that he has made a statement which he cannot prove. I f he were aware of tbe circumstances (which he afterwards put before the public) at the time he made tbe statement to which I have drawn attention, then your readers must come to tho only possible con- clusion, namely, that in his eager desire to damage the cbaracterof tbePrime. Minister, be suppresses tbe truth, and suggests what is false. On tho other hand, i f he did not know the facts of the case (and it appears he did not from what he says), wher he foun r i he had made a mistake, he should have honourably confessed tbat he had been wrong, and should have apolo„'i>ed, as nny gentleman would have done. Moreover, he had no business to make such an accusation at a public meeting, if he were not i n a position to vouch for the accuracy of his statement. Here I leave the matter; bat the thought presses itself upon me that it is such conduct as that exhibited by M r C. B. Martin that generates and keeps alive discorel, and frustrates all attempts to produce a better understanding and a more kindly and brotherly feeling between the various religious bodies of this country. From his youth upwards he must bave " sat under" (to use a favourite phrase amongst Dissenters) some men at least of light and leading, and yet he can deliberately sit down and try to wound an opponent; and almost in every word he uses there is a conspicuous absence of that charity and of those graces which should shine in the character of a Christian man. I do not think for one moment that my friend is a I true, type of a good Wesleyao, but, if he were, it would be no wonder tbat men should hesitate to sell or give their land to any religious society to which such as he belongs. At any rate, it speaks volumes of the magnanimity of Lord Salisbury in offering " two excellent" building sites for the proposed chapel at Hatfield. Sir, I'm quite sure your readers are not interested in personal recriminations, or I might be tempted to occupy the whole of your available space, and BS it would be unkind to retaliate, I refrain from giving you trouble and your correspondent unnecessary pain. Such are the tactics o f a beaten man ; and though one gets " bit below the belt " occasionally, it would not be considered good form to strike one's opponent when he is " down." Ought we not rather to shake hands and be friends ? I can well Bfford to d o s o on my part, though another opportunity may occur when it may be necessary for me to hare another encounter with M r C. B . M.—Very faitbfullv yours. C." H . C O R B E T T . Newgate, Barnard Castle, June 6th, 1887. Since I to ptaise Almighty Goi h..vc learned. My steps 1 u> th.; sanctuary turned, And in the li.iie cbapel t-„o» i «y snt. Where taints and tionersdii together aieet; The" saints to worship am! to praise tie Lord, And earnest a-.k ills blc .-.-lug on the word ; The careless sinner*, eloquence to hear, As tbey exhorted were t u e Lord to fear, The time for s rvice it had scarcely come, A thought wi Liu the preacher's heart did loom, '• The night is fine, let us go out a':d sing, That we the people may together bring,'' And so we ak with one cogent arose, In front of bhapet we did tak-; our pause. And tbero we sang the praise of <Lsu>' name, Who livis and re gr.s iorewruiore the same ; And as we tang, i ^azed upon the sky, Where shine ths twinkling host of heaven sohigh, And in the west, fair Venus caught u:r view, Tne aiming star. I by its brilliinee know; As to the.sars my thoughts are ofl inclined, A thought did enur then into my mind ; " Yon brilliant orb, which us 1 e.fc have heard, It, is a World created by Ooi's wo.-d. While we are singing Jesus' praises here, While praise djtb rUe on earth bath far and ::;ar, What beings in you realm tbat hangs iu MMD«, May at this moment now their offering raise, Unto their gr at Creator and their Go', As they obey His word, and own AH r.od."' It was a thought so lofty anil so sweet ; In thoughts like tb?se what rapture do I Met, T.iey draw me out in adoration to Toe God who doth sue l mighty wonders d o ; Who hath created all, upholding still, And seasons, limes a.id worlds, perform His will. All things ara for His endless ylory nvide, What wisiom ia throughout Hi? works displa/ed, Who reigns on earth is God throughout all space, Whan he is not, ah, who can find the place ? How numerous are the starry host of hearen, To count them nerer shall to man be given: What numbers now doth science bring to light, Myriads of distant orbs may meet our eight. Astounding thought, how vast, how d :-ep the maze, Imagination fainting, here, she st-iys, Such thoughts exalt conceptions of the Lord, Who brought all into bein^ by His word. What systems He doth keep in constant whirl. What worlds so va -t through ether quickly hurl. What nobis cr.'alures do their surface range, And we 6hall ne'er descry their forms so strange, Yet they may know their maker like as we, Those countless myriads through immensity, Whit lovely scene thro' heaven's expanse appears, What praiee resounds from all those distant spheres, Earth's but a gram of sand amidst them all, Ob, let us humble be, and downward fall, Before our God, so glorious, great anel high, Who holds dominion throughout all the sky. Forest, May 1887. HENRY REOFEARX. THE ROYAL JUBILEE AND BEACON FIRES. A Correspondent says that whatever may be the orders of the day, it is becoming fixed that beacon fires, on their ancient sites, are to be the order of the night of June 21st. On the Wild Boar Fell and probably other points to the west of Barnard Castle, and on tbe Hamilton Range and Roseberry Topping to the east, should tbe night be clear, these fires will be visible from great distances. Uniformly through- out the kingdom, tbe fires will be lighted at 10 o'clock p.m., post office time. Our Correspondent suggests that the best point for observation, and certainly tbe easiest for the inhabitants of Barnard Castle, will be the Darlington highway, even near to Prospect Place, but more especially so, at a rising of the road—about a mile out of tbe town—just past a barn to the left band, still familiarly known to our older inhabitants as " Dickey Harrison's Barn." Tbe fire on Richmond Bace-course may also be commanded ; in fact, the scene from this point is panoramic, and especially to the west and east of great sweep. To these intended beacon fires let us give hearty welcome ; tbey will prove a novel but intere'ting feature in our " Mid summer Night's Dream," and evoke in the breasts of tbe British people a sense of thankfulness tbat these fires are no longer needed, as of yore, to summon men to take up arms and measure their strength and heroism against the ruthless invaders of our land. CRICKET. Cotherstone v. Whorlton, played on Saturday last, at Cotherstone. The bowling, on both sides, was too close to admit of heavy scoring. Results : —Cotberstone, 23, Whorlton, 31, Barnard Castle 2nd eleven v. "Wliorlton.— This match was played at Whorlton, on May 28tb, and after a most exciting finish resulted in a win for tbe visitors by 3 runs. For the losers J. Byers dis- tinguished himself, scoring 27, by very patient cricket, while for Barney the chief scorers were Cooke, 20, Wrightson, 12, and W. Hunter, 11. H. Hobson and J. Ward bowled well for their respective sides, securing 7 wickets for 25, and 5 wickets for la runs respectively. Barnard Castle v. Mr E. Hall's Team.— Barnard Castle gained another easy victory on Satur- day, defeating Mr Hall's team by 114 runs. This result is all the more creditable, as they were without the assistance of two of their best bowlers and wicket keeper. Mr Hall's team batted first, but, with the exception of Ward, who compiled 24 in something like bis old form, and Hett 10, no one made a stand, the last wicket falling at 65. Mudie, whese first trial as a bowler proved very successful, secured five of their wickets for 29 runs, and Welford three for 12. Barnard Castle commenced badly, losing two wichets for one run, but, owing to tbe stubborn defence of Mudie and splendid cricket shown by Monkhouse, whose fine innings of 48 included eight 4's, the score was carried to 65 before a separation was effected ; and it only remained for Tilburn, who played a nice innings of 23, to obtain tbe winning hit. Good form was also displayed by Welford, 23, Barker 18, John- son-Smytb, 17, Racher, 10, and Hobson, 11, not out, who eventually carried the total to 179. I t is worthy of note that no less than eight batsmen got into double figures. Scores:— Holloway's Pills.—Though good health is preferable to high honour, how regardless people often are of the former—how covetous of tbe latter! Many suffer their strength to drain away ere maturity is reached, through ignorance of the facility afforded by these incomparable Pills of checking tbe first untoward symptoms of derangement, and reinstating order without interfering in the least with their pleasure or pursuits. To the young especially i t is important to maintain the highest aigestive efficiency, without which the growth is ctunted, tbe muscles become lax, the frame feeble, and the mind slothful. The removal of indigestion by these Pills is &o easy that none save the most thoughtless would permit it to sap the spring of life. BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART.—Mr Sidney Trery sold 27 cows, np to £16 10s.; 24 grazing cattle, up to £12; and 12 lambs up to 27s. each. MR HALL S TEAM. Ward, c TUbum b Mudie 2t The Barnard Castle Keservoir.—2nd j"une, 1 o'clock p.m., inflow, 2£ inches: reservoir, 20ft. 9in.; 5th June, 7 o'clock p.m., inflow, 2£ inches; reservoir overflowing ; 6th June, 4 o'clock p.m., inflow 2 inches, reservoir overflowing. Marwood, b Bailey - - Watson, run out - - - Hildreth, c Mudie b Wel- ford Hall, c sub. b Mudie - - Catterson, b Welford - - Hett, c and b Mudie - - Swan, b Mudie - - - - Bland, c Monkhouse b Welford Smurthwaite, b Mndie Robinson, not out - • , Extras . . - , 7 a l l l 10 i l 3 7 2 65 BARKARU CASTLE. Macqueen, b Catterson . Mudie, c Marwood b Hil- dreth 11 Badcock, c Hildreth b Catterson - - - - - 0 Johnson-Smyth, c Smur- thwaite b Ward - - - 17 Monkhouse, c Swan b Hett 48 Tilburn, b Hett . . . - 23 Welford, c aud b HaU - - 23 Barker, c Hildreth b Bland 18 Bailey, b Ward - - - - 0 Rather, c Hall b Ward - 16 Hobson, not out - - - 11 Extras - - - - 11 17D BIRTH. AtMiddleton, on the 9th ult., the wife o f M r W. Galloway, of a son. MARRIAGES. On June 1st, at tbe We?leyan Methodist Chapel, Middleton-in-Teeedale, by licence, by the Rev. Albert Smith, Mr Noah Collings, of Clee Hills, Shropshire, to Miss Mary Atkinson, of Middleton-in-Teesdaie. On June 4tb, at tbe Primitive Methodist Chapel, Middleton-in-Teesdale, by licence, by tbe Bev. Wm. Alex. French, Mr Jonathan Bowron, to Miss Margt. Swinbank, both of Middleton-in-Teesdale. On June 1st, at the Primitive Methodist Cbapel, Staindrop, by the Rev. F. Watson, Mr Joshua Taylor, to Mies Alice Ann Fartbing, both of Staindrop. On June 4th, at tbe Register Office, Barnard Castle, Mr Frederick Ashmore, of Barnard Castie, to Miss Emma Teasdale, of Butterknowle. DEATHS. On April 12th, at Goulburn, Sydney, N.S.W., Gavin Mitchell Alston, aged 19, eldest son i f William Mather, Esq. At Hayberries, Mickleton, on the 3rd inst., aged 1 years, Annie Close, deeply regretted. At Pecknal, Cotherstone, on tbe2nel inst years, M r Michael Wynn. At Beckbead, Forest and Frith, on the ord aged 92 years, Mary, relict of tbe late Mr Hutchinson. At Under Hurtb, Forest and Frith, on the ult., M r John otalty, aged G6 years. At Barnard Castle, on the 1st inet., Mr Chapelow, aged 70 years. At Barnard Castle, on the 3rd inst., Mr George Silencer Gofton aged 79 years. wife of Mr George Tarn, aged 05 inst., Thos. 29: h Wm. NEWCASTLE CATTLE, SHEEP, AND PIG MARKET. The supply of stock smaller, trade ecod, following prices, viz.:— «. o. Beef 0 8 to Pigs (per 6tone of 141b.) 4 6 to Sheep 0 0 to Lamb (sinking the offal.) 0 S\ to Nos. Shown Cattle 2,005 Sheep and Lambs 6 .440 at a> 8 0 0 0 the d. 0 0 3 10