The Ellesmere Guardian. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1891. Notes by the Way.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 926, 15 July 1891, Page 2

The Ellesmere Guardian. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1891. Notes by the Way.

Has it ever occurred to the members of the Town Board that the Southbridge Town Hall offers every facility for a terrible tragedy m the not impossible event or' a fire breaking out, or an alarm being given when the Hall is fairly filled with people ? From the stage end there is but one means of exit, unless those leaving choose to risk a, jainp down of four feet or thereabouts. To active men this may not seem much, but to ladies, and to the Ipss active it would be, to say the least, awkward, But the stage end of the Hall is not by any means the worstipnrt, As it is now arrange^, the only means of access to the gallery is by a narrow stair, both steep and awkward. The foot of this stairway is so close to the principal entrance that when the front doors are opon the stairway is completely blocked up. Hence m case of any panic, thn occupants of the gallery .would be completely penned m until thoso on the floor had made their escape. As there is but the one means of exit, from the floor, by the time it is cleared the unfortunate folk m the gallery won't; care much whether they escape or not. The jiie'n'fjf' Southbridge are waking up. The untiring efforts of 'the ladies of St James-G uild towards the improvement and renovation of the interior of the Church has aroused a spirit of emulation m the masculine brqast. The neglected lookihg appearance of the grounds surrounding the building offers them an opportunity of displaying their zeal, and now a " working bee " has been formed amongst the parishioners, the members of which agree to devote an hour or two 'a week towards beautifying the church grounds. A few weeks ngo we were horrifiet) by the details of the premature explosion of a submarine mine m the finest harbour m the world, A few days ago came the news of a fatal gun explosion on board a man-oi«war m Australian waters. Now we are told that the Admiralty has issued instructions that guns similar to that which bur^t on board the Cordelia the other day, are m future to be fired with half charges only. Whether the' limitation applies to actual or only to mimic warfare, is not very char. A half loaded gun will not do much damage to the foe ; a fully loaded one seems dangerous to our own men. So the Cordelia and her sister ships are between his sable majesty and the lie-p blue sea For the first time since the middle ages, an Emperor of Germany has visited the City of London. The cable man gushes m his usual style over the rank and beauty which graced the various ceremonies, and reports the usual platitudes delivered by the Corporation *

'atid tbeir augttst gut'st. In particulnr, the l ( J/nperor's opinion of Her Majesi 1 'the Queen whom lio deems " a noble ia<lyvof nrpafc wisdom," is dwelt upon. His Imperial Highness has changed his opinion wit Kin the last year or two, or else was dis.iu : ."ing hi.s sentiments.