Widnes Examiner. — 1913-09-27 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

STOCKTON HEATH  TOWNSHIP TITTLE-TATTLE.  " Mum " is the word this week.. Chrysanthemum growers are responsible. Tales of wonderful flowers have been told. Two dead hares were seen in the canal. An inquest has not been held on them. It seemed a palpable ease of double suicide. The dock strike has vexed a Stockton Heath man. - He lives by the side of the Ship Canal. This " Heathen " sags he has not been able to sleep.  The cause is the absence of the 'music of the ships' sirens.  These noisy things act upon him like sleeping araugnts. _ ; _  Of --course, it is very difficult to please everybody. Two swans appeared on the canal this week. The passin'g barges ,annoyed them, however. So they have shifted to the old Mersey, near the Causeway.  Courting couples have a walk which is very popular. It runs from London-road to Hill Cliffe. There are several secluded, nooks en rout,.. At one a notice board used to stand. It was a ,warning against the act of trespass. A wag with a tar brush, however, came along. He tarred out the official notice effectively. Another wag hove upon the scene later. , With chalk he wrote upon the notice board. The cryptic but expressive words, "Kissing allowed." Gourtiers _ are reported now to be availing themselves of the privilege. There •is now a "Kissing Spot" in this "Lovers' Lane."  Bugle and drum now disturb the silence of the More particulorly so in tho vi(•inity of Hill Chile. •  The members of ,the Boys' Brigade have got new instruments.  And ,we good people enjoy the nightly serenades. Harvest festivals have now become the rage. In fact, "everybody's doing it ". just now. The 'largest vegetable marrow will probably now appear.  Quiet on the Canal.—lt is a long time since the Ship Canal has been so slack as it has been this week, owing to the dockers' strike at Manchester. The traffic was practically nil. Stockton Heath folk, however,, know what will happen after work is resumed. They will be held up at the Swing Bridge almost continuously.  Wesleyan Growth.—The Wesleyan cause in Stockton Heath is progressing rapidly and a satisfactory state of things exists. The Wesleyan Church at the corner of Walton-road and Heath-street every Sunday cOntains large congregations, and the demand for seating accommodation is reported to have reached a record. Generally the Wesleyan cause seems to be thriving in the township.  Boys' Brigade.—There was an interesting little gathering at the school of the Hill Cliff° Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, when the members of the local detachment of the Boys' Brigade were presented with a new set of pretty instruments. Members of other corps\were also in attendance and the function proved of an attractive character. The new instruments were presented by Mrs. T. Williams, and several tributes were paid to the useful work the Boys' Brigade were performing in connection with the youth of the district. The proceedings were enlivened with songs and duets.  Burmah.—A lantern lecture on "Burmah" was given in St. Thomas! Church Room on Monday evening by the Rev. E. H. Day, the organising secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, in the Dioceses of Liverpool, Chester and St. ASaph, Wales. The Rev. J. Collins, the vicar, presided. The Rev. E. H. Day furnished some interesting information about the habits and customs of the Burmese and smile hopefully of them all becoming Christians in the future. They were an enlightened Oriental race and were ready to grasp the truths of Christianity. The number embracing the faith was steadily growing, and at one place the native converts were sufficiently numerous as to enable them to erect a church without outside aid. Some excellent views of Burmese life and scenery were shown.  Class Service in a Garden.—On Sunday afternoon, thanks to the kindness of Mr: and Mrs. Lyon, the members of St. Thomas' Men's Class B, together with their leader, Mr.. Hallows, and a number of friends, met at Appleton Hall. After a walk through the beautiful grounds and gar-. dons, the party gathered on the lawn, where seats had kindly been provided. Here the usual class service was held, the lesson being read by the Secretary (Mr. Morris), and a very instructive and interesting address was given by the Rev. C. F. Cross, vicar of Stretton and rural dean; on " Rehoboam." The singing, which was very hearty, was led by Mr. Baguley on the cornet. At the close Mr. Stannard and Mr- C. Hallows, on behalf of the class, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, the Rural Dean, and Mr. Baguley. Mrs. Lyon, who, with a few other ladies, had been with them during the service, said how pleased she was to meet them once,more at the Hall. A parting hymn was then sung, and the party quietly wended their way home, well pleased 'With the visit.