The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-04-02 00:00:00

mits-1"

Burman Pons Animal Now is the thus to Wile
"4 show 'nor detorodustleo and et/eolith ; if not, you
will rowan orwslied sod Wks. Rome 01 your hr.shr.n.
swing thil largo sums (4 vow money 550504.4. shoot

whtith you had no voice, and that you were treated as
Andrea, and not men of understood*, thought it wan
high time not to mniaia quiet any lougrr, but try and
sae 11 700 and they could not govern yoarielvee.
odi•• • meeting, and you well respouriod to it, for it
was on. of the, largest that has been heti for tn.by a
day in the island, sad Isti unanimously decided that you
would his. the government of the island in your own
kends, uld adopt the Local Governireint Ash, which was
tbs.sisty way to do wa,

You lavigreidy—disphmsed mortals patties, and they
hams mentoraliged against it, and the result of it is that
on Friday, the 20th of Harsh, and following days, as
inquiry Is to be hell by the fiveretm7 of State, at the
George, to see if ills desirable you should or should not
govern yourselves. It is only tado to you and the pink,.
who mut it, that you should see who these womterful
are, who are Ito opposed to Orin: a power to
people
people, or it may be from their having any
power tiken from themselves, and fcr that purpose 1
would have you read the memorial, and the following Is
a copy

(Here follows copy of petiNoo.)
Now Portlenders, look at the names !!! Who are
they Do you think they got up that memorial for
their own benefit, or for yours? Who is the prime
mover ha it? Yoe know withowt my telling you. Havel
you ever heard of grata money? Why to some parties
to eve you an amount of the expetditure of it, would I
be lo tibmn " like a dog takiog PitTen* Doren width*
Legal Government Act here, this lion, the things
your representatives must look into, and certain parties
know It.
What Is this sham mem th• 39 men giv, why you
should dot have the Local Government Art, her,?
These wonderful 39 MD say " the vote was paned by
strangers who intruded into the meeting, and who had
no right lobe there." God bless their simplicity and
yours. It was one of the most ialluential meetinp that
hid for many a day been held in the isined, and neatly
the whole of the principal ratepayers of the Island
were there. Even 101:011 of them very worthies were
present who signed the petition, and who must have
been blind as beta for the oeomion. not to know seeh
, atatement was false, or if they did know, which I esr-
taint, thick they did, then they are trying to blind you.
If It is beneficial tor Dorelsestar. Bridport, and towns
not having half the number of inhabitants your island
has, *here they have no grant monies, no monies
payable from the Government, or parish lands, sorely It
I. for sou. Yen ore not lunatics,—you are not one bit
behind in intellect, and understanding the men who
live In those towns. You have far greater advantages
than th.r have. There is no town of the uses of your
Islam' where there are so many freeholders. If there-
fore the mimosa In these towns eon govern themselves,
sorely you out.
. . . _

--Yes, brother Porthanders, him! yon witl'Mike off
the chain. that are attempted to be fastened on you.
That you require no rim/lents to dictate to you, or
elergymen leaving their clerical duties and interfering
with either grant monies or local matters. Let them
adhere to their preaching, and aim to paint Heaven to
you, as fsithfully as their namesake painted earthly
lanes. Nor do you want Her Majesty's mrvanta, who
are here to-day and gone to-morrow, to dictate to you.
! No! we will not have it. We will Imes the
Local Government Act and support them who have
your interest deeply at heart, born and bred in the
Wand, and known; eh.", to their credit, have brought
it forward. One and all will rally round them, and
show It was cot strangers that passed the resolution,
hut it was the real inhabitents of Portland that did an,
and what le more, that they will carry It out.

For our right. together ere',l Mend,
To each other be loyal and true;
strane,r .ball govern our land,
Or wend our grant looney too.
W. quiet remained long enough,
And no longer tot. d to be ett'l
Mn, of Portland *ha govern for et
And no one Mall fetter onr ejil

Up Porttanders, and be doing ! Stand lot your rights
A WILL-*li2ll to PORTLAND.

In °marquee°, of the representatioes made to the
(lovernmemt by the appellanta, an inquiry into the
proceedloge at the meeting for adopting the Act,
took place at the George Inn, Reforne, last Friday,
I before Mr. Commissioner Taylor. The large room
was croeded to exam, and the proceedings at several
points threatened to sesame a "lively" aspect, but
the oourtesy united with firming which the Com-
missieeer displayed, had • deterrent effect on those
disposed to be noisy, and the proosedings were
conducted in a plummet and orderly manner.
Mr. T. Coombs, solicitor, of Dorchester, rappated
the appeal, and Mr. R. N. Howard, solicitor, of
Wmiaost.h, appeared for the respondenta
The Commiseirmet, in opening lb.proceedings,
said he attended by the direction of Horne
Secretary Walpole, in consequeeoe of a petition
received from certain inhabitenta and ratepayers
of Portland, appealing against the proceedings at a
meeting held on the 10th of January for the estop.
lion of the Local Government Ain, and it wee his
, bunnies to receive the statements and evidence of
persona interested in the metier. The Inquiry would
be strictly limited to the question of the legality
of the adoption prooesdings. Ho did not see any
statement to the contrary, so he presumed Portland
was in a position to adopt the Leal Government
Act, provided it was done in • legal manner, and
according to the provisions of the Aitt—,bear, beer).
There would he no dimeesion as to whether or not
the Local Government Act would be a good or • bed
ding in operation, but the inquiry would be simply
as to the legality of the adoption proceedings. If
any had attended thinking there vrtuld be voting,
be informed them they were in error on that point,
for thine would not be any voting.
The due publicetion of es notice calling the meet-
ing was admitted.
The Gosnintesisster then read the petitions. The
first wag an appeal avian the vote and resolution at
the meeting of Jan. 10, for adopting the Load
Government Act, 1868, on the ground that theseme
was "Invalid and illegal—biasses the WWI was not
the vote of the owners and ratepayers of the laland
and parish of Portland. but of oertain peniasa who
intruded into the meeting, and who bed no right or
claim to vote therein upon any question at the meet.
ing"—(Crise of" Oh) oh I") nis was signed by 38
0110411 end ratepayers. The emend. which was
signed by the same persons, appealed against the re-
solution for adopting the Act, on the ground that
It could not be successfully applied to the island as •
whole, that the rates it would occasion would Infer
I In 'ZOOM of the beceflt to be obtained, and that the
resolution for adopting the Act was not the resolu-
tion of the responsible owners and ratepayers of tbs
Island, and that persons were induced to vote for it
with • view to check outlay for public improvements
and conveniences, and not to afford incensed facili-
ties for such outlay atmay be opoossery Ind requisite
—(hisses, and a Voice "That. • lie" The Com-
midwinter remarked that this was a public wart, but
no one would be allowed to speak, much IWO to is-
terfens, except he was under examination. Tbe
petition thancloded by praying that the resolution
might not be confirmed, and that Portland might be
excluded from the operation of the Act.
Mr. Howard aid he challenged the rot* of font,
petitioner.
Mr. Coombe remarked that it would not be pacer
eery to go into that as to the petition against the
validity of the voting, as one ratepayer might appeal
against it.
-Mr. Howard mid he had never seen • copy of the
seeped petition read.

A ootirperison of the rating of the plititiobers ao-
oording to the memorial with that of the rat* book
was merle, and the result showed that whereas one-
twentieth of the rateable value aooording to the
Overseers' returti was £869 Se., the rateable value of
Lb. memorialists wee upwards of £9OO. During this
scrutiny there wee a good deal of talking and die.
oussion between ratepayers present an the
scrutineers, insomuch that the Commissions; wee
obliged to interfere. He sold: "This is tot 4 teikn's
meeting where you can all talk alld row, bat a
Government Inquiry : I am taut down here, and I
must ask you to pay proper resrot, not to me, but
to her Majesty's representative. Thisappeal ko the
loyalty of the Portlanders evoked a bank of applause.
Mr. Howard objected to the rating of the Rector
of Portland, the Rey. David Hogarth, being included,
as he was on the rate.booklfor tithes, in the main of
£207; and against Mr. Richard Reynolds Wog
included, as rated £22 10a for "stone quarries."
He also objected that the adoption meeting having
been held on the 10th January, and the appeal not
presented till the 21st February, it, *al hot pre-
sented within the prescribed period of sit weeks.
Mr. Edward Prams was milled, and produced
the church-book, containing the minutes of the
meeting on the 10th January. He mid : About
500 or *lO ratepayers and owners of property were
present. 1 read the notice calling the meeting, and
some discussion ensued. Mr. Charles Hine pro.
posed, and Captain Seriven seconded, that the Local
Government Aot, 1858, be adopted in the pariah
sod island of Portland.

Mr. Coombs • Then—your minutes are wrong : they
say the Chairmen proposed it, and you were in the
chair, were you not?
Wangle: Yes; end in that capacity proposed the
resolution to the meeting.
Q. Did you call for • show of bands, or any vote?
—A. I did not. I imbed three time' if there was
soy amendment to the proposition which I pet to
the meeting, and, there being no amendment, I
declared the resolution to be adopted.
Q. Then no one had an opportunity of showing
hands against it ?—A. There was no one against It,
I don't think. Amongst the epseken were Mr.
Sampson, Mr. Howard, the Rev. D. Hogarth, Am,
but no misspoke against the Act Rev. D. Hogarth
suggested that six sensible persons—(l4olo4er)
should be appointed to examine the Act before it.
adoption.
A ratepayer pushed to the front and nanted to
"my $ few words; but the Commissioner objected,
reminding him that anyone who wished to my any-
thing in the matter, would have an opportunity of
doing so in the minim of the inquiry.
Crose-examined by Mr. Howard: You my the
Rev. D. Hogarth spoke there. Was be not one of
the parties who signed the reqeisition to you milling
the meetieg t— A. Yes, he was one of the flnit who
signed it.

-Q. be not use thaw words, that "hi was in
favour of the Local Government Act; hut be thought
• committee of az should be appointed to look into
it before it was finally oarried ?"—A. No; be said be
was in favour of it "up to that day ;" but be had en.
&mined the Act of Parliament, and, as be did not
understand it, be wished to have it referred to wiz
sessibie men before it was adopted—(latighten).
Q. Did be put it in the form of a reinlntion that a
committs• should be eppointed 7—A, No.
Q. Was there an °rio:tit, for everyono to
"ask t—A. Yes, certainly.

Q. As roast tbst, gess sgsvici or
four times, did law, not 4—A. Irstbaghtsr).
Q. tVben yob put 'the reimlutios 10 the nassling,
did you call Otlb&Iod voice "I.ayssspuulo
make an amendment to it."—A. I did.. laud eel
bould, and it was in such • voice as Imola be beard
throughout Pb. meeting. 1 celled out three times,
and waited to see if anybody did in. No one did.
end I declared Pb. resolution carried. to order that
I might he beard I stood on a meat, where I Gould be
seen by everyone in the (March.
Q After you declared Pb. same carried did you
stay on the seat for five minutes or more I—A. I
should think I did. .

Q. Daring those fire mingles did anyone say, or
attempt to say, he opposed the Act If —A. No one.
The Meeting was most unanimous; I Deter attended
one which wee more so. lam accustomed to attend
public meetings in the island of Portland, sod this
was one of the largest and most influential that I have
attended here for many years past. Almost all the
largest owners and ratepayers were present at the
meeting. With the exception of • drunken man
against the chewed door, who made some disturbance,
all was quiet and orderly as usual (!) The meeting
was held in the church by adjournment from the
vestry. Every one who spoke was listened to with
great lineation. Mr. Hogarth had every opportunity
of propasing an amendment if he bad wished to
do so. _

Da-examined by Mr. Coombs : There was • good
deal of talking et the meeting, but it hardly came
to • debate. There was no fighting that I saw. If
we were to bare • meeting about the grant money I
.apace, MO or 600 would again attend.
The Rev. David Hogarth, rector of Portland—l
wee peweent at meeting 10th Jan., and I signed the
requisition for calling it, and have signed petition
against the adoption of the Act. At the meeting
there wee first a proposition that I should be chair-
man. This I declined, and proposed Mr. Pearce.
After the notice was read and proceedings oo m mewed,
l suggested that the matter should be referred to •
ottaimlthesbo see whether the operation of the Act
would be beneficial or otherwise. I saw the Act for
the first time the morning of the meeting, and though
before I was strongly in favour of Local (loverment, I
found the Act eeceedingly difficult to naplerstand,aad
I became tionvivied that it wee in6.d for large
towns and not for country parishes like ours. I
stated this to the meeting, and asked if any one
understood the bearings of the Aot, and Mr.
Howard. replied, " I for one don't"—llaughter.)
Mr Howard : You had better say I did it by way
of 'chaff"—(renewed laughter)."
Witness: I then pat to the meeting whether it
was wise to adopt the Act under such circumstances,
when the very lawyer who persuaded them bad
confessed ha did not understand the Act himself
(loud laughter), . .

Mr. linwai:d : That is Mr. flogartb's speech.
(To the Commissioner) : Don't take that, or I shall
have to apply to be examined. Mr. Hogartb
made a very able speech. and I give him credit for
It.

Witness: I rsoommended the meeting to pause,
and appoint a small committee to examine the Act,
and report upon 11 hefore they went any further.
Mr, Howard: You said, "Sensible men."
Witness ! Yes; I mid it was madnem to ran their
beads spinet a wall lb the. dark --(laughter). I
made no antendlnent. Mr. Pearce's statement is
enbetantially accurate. What he has said is a fair
siltement of the proceedings.
Cross-examined by Mr. Howard: I was standing
does by the side of the Chairman, and heard him
pot the resolution. The whole spirit of the meeting
was In favour of the resolution, but I could see they
were all in the dark as to the working of the
Act.

In answer to Mr. Coombe, Mr. E. Pearce said he
thought the meeting knew about the working of the
Local Government Sot pretty well, they say so much
about it in the newspapers.
Mr. Coombs: Yea, • greet deal to much; If you
adopt the Act, don't admit Reporters to the meetings
—(The Reporters : hem, bear).
Voices: "Ye., yes : the Press does a great des' of
Mr. Coombs remarked that he hail only now to
submit that the resolution wee never legally and
properly carried ; it was never put for the accept-
ance or rejection of the meeting, and therefore not
carried in snobs way as to make it binding upon the
pariah.
The Comrnissiotier said the matter did not rest
with him. He merely attended to report the
proceedings He must say, however, there was one
simple method by which delay could have taken
place, which was not adopted in this oar*, that was
by demanding a poll. That would have afforded
the very opportunity that was required for farther
coairideration.

Mr. Howard said be only knew of one petition,
and he came prepared with every document to show
the whole meeting was properly conducted.
The Commiseioner said he did sot give his decision
here; bathe was bound to my that, as far as he
could gee, the Act had been legally adopted. It
was of no use to take them into questions whether
the Act was or was not suited for the island. That
was a matter for the inhabitant' themselves. Hit
must be allowed to say that Mr. Hogarth's advice to
the meeting was very good, 60 got slz hensiblo men
to look into the Act. Now the Act was adopted he
thought they 'mild make it very useful—(applause).
Mr. Howard said if the Oncuniesioner knew the
pros and COM he would say the Act would be very
onsfal in Portland.
_

, The 0001111/111gOtter :It is like other thing.; 1( 700
make improvements yoe wrist be prepared to pay
for them. It is an Act which gives you facilities for
borrowing money, and an eery way of paying it off.
Mr. Howard said: We don't want to borrow
bets; we have EOO or £BOO a yell' limning in. (A
Voice: "But the job is we can't get hold of it"—
laughter.)
Mr. Coombe again urged that the resolution was
oc4_ properly carried by the meeting.
The Commissioner mid the demand for a poll was
the eseenoe of the whole affair.
Mr. Howard thanked the Commissioner for the
courteous way in which be had (*Mooted the
inquiry.
The Commissioner replied that it was his basineer
to bear everything out fully and fairly, and to keep
aa good order aa he could.
Mr. Coombe aid: I think, gentlemen, I meet
some and take a house in Portland and try as a
candidate for your Local Board—(langhter).
A Voice : "Try your lock, air. Try your luck"
—Bringliter).
The Commies! advised the meeting not to
appoint too law • Board; nine would be plenty :
tU bigger the Board, the ees work they would get
done.
The proceedings then terminated.