The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1916-08-26 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DISTILLER. Court. The Spey Valley is known the world over, and this for three reasons. One, because it is one of the most picturesque in all Scotland—and this is saying a good deal—another because the salmon fishing is 'unsurpassed in the British Isles; and a third because it is the home Of the whisky distiller. A remarkable combination stirely. Notwithstanding all these attractions it i. but little known to the cycletourist why it is difficult to 148 . The best way to SPQ this charming valley is :—lnverness to Moy Inn 11. Carrbridge 131, Grantown 9f, Bridge of Avon 131, Creigel, lachie 101. Garmouth 141, Elgin 10, Forres 12 Nairn IN, Idteerness 151, total 1211 miles.. Leaving prvernesa by the Culcabock road there is an easy climb for a mile and a half, followed by a 'very steep descent into Daviot. Again after Freeburn Inn there is a very steep .ascent, fol_ lowed by a grand coast run Into Cartbridge. Then ensues a ride to Grantown along a very fine road, with easy undulations part of the way and level for the remainder. The surface is excellent and the scenery lovely. Grantown, about halfnorth of the river Spey, was founded ilpOn an uncultivated moor in 1766 by Sir James Grant, situ* whetiit has risen to a flourishing condition, and is one of the neatest and most interestingi 'towns in the north of Scotland. An easy road follows to Advie. with a fairly good surface; then by a hilly and rough run as far as Iffilnashaugh, improving greatly towards Craigellachie. The scenery onthe run to Garmouth is very fine indeed, especially during the latter part, for the road runs through some extensive woods. Elgin. the capital of the county, is called after Helgyn, the Norwegian Earl of Orkney, who in 930 made himself master of the greater part of the north of Scotland. The town, which is beautifully situated on the river 'Jessie. 'contains some rather good buildings, chiefly the remains of an ancient cathedral founded in 1224. Some very line views over the Moray Firth and of the Sutherland and Caithness hills are seen on the way back to Inverness. Two interesting towns are passed through, , namely, lorres, in the castle of which the King of Scotland was murdered in 966, and Nairn, a town of very great antiquity.  There was an attempt made at the County Police Court, Birkenhead. on Thurs./lay, to amicably settle the differ- • ences between two resilient:, of Lower liebington. which Mid culminated in a summons being issued. But the attempt did not succeed. Hence the magistrates had to inveatigate the case—one wherein George Leaver White, of Briardalle-road, summoned jean Francois ('harps, an adjoining resident, for assaulting him. Mr. Cecil Holden appeared for the defendant. The complainant is a foreign correspondent, ' and the defendant an analytical chemist. Differences appeared to have arisen between the parties, and complainant said he was returning home at night on August 16th with his wife, when one of defendant's; dogs jumped op at him, and then a second one. He asked defendant why he did not keep his dogs under control, when defendant told him to "shut his mouth," and afterwards struck him a severe blow. The next morning defendant offered an apology for the assault, but he (complainintl had then been to the police-station, and therefore told him the matter was not in his hands. Mr. Holden keenly ceoss-examined complainant as to whether he did not win towards defendant one of the most ovprobrious terms it was possible tor a man to use, and White said he had heard worse expressions used in England. Evidence was given by complainant's wife, and P.S. 41 said that he saw WlLite's mouth cut and bleeding, his spectacles were bent, and there was a swelling on the chin. Mr. Holden said the defence was White brought his injuries on himself. There was a dispute about the dogs. White 'lost his temper, put himself in a fighting atti-' tude, and defendant. seeing this, hit him on the jaw. He was justified 'll so doing in self-defence. The remark osed to defendant by complainant was one of the most insulting ones that it was possible for a man ..to use. . _  Defendant and his wife gave e-!idence .to the effect that the complainant appeared about to make an attack upon the firstnamed, when he, acting in self-defence, did as his solicitor had said.  Other evidence was also given. The Bench held that whatever provocation might have hen given was not sufficient to jusify Charily in assaulting White. They imposed a tine nf 20s.