Widnes Examiner. — 1909-04-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

VII. which stands in the vestibule of the Warrington Town Hall, has just completed an heroic figure of the Prince Consort. It is a fine piece of work and will be placed in its position over the main entrance to the new South Kensington Museum, in the course of a few days. Carved in Portland stone, the statue is eight feet high,and those who have seen it consider it among the famous sculptor's happiest efforts. It will be supported by ail architectural pedestal. An accompanying panel contains the figures of Queen Vicloria St. Michael and St. George, Knowledge and Inspiration, all of which have grown under Mr. Drury's hands, and are now in the places reserved for them. * *  The insuperable difficulties of settling the religious education controversy on any other but a secular basis are frequently illustrated by incidents from the schools which are more potent than argument. Dr. Clifford tells the following story in the " Baptist Times" :—" A child taught in a Council school is, along with some other children, misbehaving at home, and mother says, What naughty children you are!' and the child answers, 'I know why we are naughty; it's because we have not been chistened.' The startled mother says, Who told you that ?: and the child replies, Teacher says if we are christened and have the mark of the Cross on our foreheads we shall he good for ever and ever.' The father who sends this to me vouches for its accuracy." * * *  The Board of Trade return shows that last year there was a decrease of 74 in the number of persons killed on the railways of the country, and 827 in the number injured, compared with the previous year. Satisfactory as the diminution is, however, the casualty roll is still a serious one. The twelve months' fatalities numbered 1,043, and the cases of injuries totalled 7,984. Passengers provide only a small proportion of the fatal cases, less than a tenth, in fact. Three railway servants are killed to one passenger. The companies have done, and are doing, all in their pclwer to minimise the risks of their men, but the familiarity which breeds contempt is evidently responsible for the loss of many lives each year. Suicides and other trespassers account for the bulk o the fatalities, last year's number being 479. _ _  All who heard Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., when he visited Warrington, were agreed that he is a powerful orator, full of enthusiasm for. the cause of which he is such an able and untiring exponent. As President of the recent momentous Conference of the Independent Labour Party at Edinburgh he was heard to such advantage that Mr. Keir Hardie described him as the "largest intellectual asset" the party had. This tribute was evoied by the formal address which Mr. Macdonald delivered from the chair, but more remarkable even than the qualities of this set oration was Mr. Macdonald's manner of guiding and controlling the deliberations of the three hundred not very tractable delegates. It is not in vain that Mr. Macdonald has studied the methods of the of the present Speaker, who may be called the best, as he is the first chairman of the day. These conferences with the widely scattered delegates, and often with a disturbing echo in the hall, are difficult to move along their appointed course. A voice which could on occasion bear down all opposition and the clearest of clear heads were the two qualities with which Mr. Macdonald carried it successfully through an exceptionally heavy and intricate programme of business.  A fine old warrior is ,Colour-Sergeant Henry Bond Bowers, 9, Mill-lane, Warrington, the subject of this week's "life story." It is given to but few men to have passed through such stirring and epoch-making experiences and Colour-Sergeant Bowers is justly proud of his record and of the wellwon medals which adorn his breast. He 'was one of that contingent of intrepid, tireless heroes who gained renown as " Havelock's little band." In the full glare of the scorching sun they tramped, mile aftef mile on their errand of succour to Cawnpore and Lucknow, and although often outnumbered, they carried positions which seemed impregnable and put a determined enemy to flight. The old 64th Regiment, to which Colour-Sergeant Bowers belonged, acquitted itself with such gallantry as to win the special commendation of General Havelock. For forty years the Colour-Sergeant has drawn his pension and we hope he may long continue to enjoy the bounty which he has so fully earned by service to his country. To hear him recite "The Gallant 64th Regiment" is to realize something of the horrors of Cawnpore, for he throws his whole soul into it with a fervour inspired by the memory of comrades, who fell on the field in recapturing that hapless town.