The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-07-11 00:00:00

-
11100ki3•
.KNAP,7IIIID
_

The IOUOWiIg letter from Mr. G. J. Andrews was read :
To tAg Mayer, A Memel% and Buripsgagg of tAg Borou9A of
" Dorchester.
. .

datT.

" Gentlemen,—On b•Lii ola number of the ratepayers
of the Borough consisting amongst others of several
members of your Corporation_ J.P.'s, bankers, sod
.übitnntini trsdewen, I beg to offer to rent the northern
=ci of Bear's Kau, lately purchased by you of the
of council, for 21 years at • rental of CM • year
to commence from midsummer next the 6th of July,
subject to such reasonable reservations and covenants as
are usually inserted in gum of lead. I need hardly
=Wthat the advantage you would derive in granting
it law would be the securing to the town an
immediate and substantial rental, and that if the
necessity arose for the town is obtain possession of this
land during the term you would be enabled to do so on
mumble term.
s.
' I have the honour is be,
' Your humble servant,
" (3..1. Aintaren-
In reply to Mr. F. LOCK, the Maros said Mr. Andrews
had not stated for what purpose he wanted the ground;
and another Councillor made the remark that it was very
kind.
A letter from Mr. Newman was also stated to have been
received.
It wu suggested there wu no occasion to read it, as
everyone had seen it in the Chronicle.
A member of the Council remarked that he had not for
one; and, another having said they didn't read the
On:mirk it was read as follows
" South Walks, Dorchester. July 1, 1876.
"To Alfred Fannon, Hog., Mayor of Dorchester.
"Sir.—lt has occurred te me whether it would not
meet the views of all parties, or nearly so, if this site
could be disposed of in the manner named below. From
my own personal experience I know there is • great
demand for smell houses in Dorchester, so much so that
last month on my completing the re-erection of • small
house on the estate of which I have the management no
lass than 20 persons applied to become the tenant, and
all of them parties to whom there could possibly be no
objection
" Such being the use, could not this land be
turned to account for building purposes, and at the
same time the wishes of the large number of inhabi-
tants se to the non-destruction of the trees be met in the
following =noir :—On thistle might be erected eight
pairs of erni-detached cottage villa reddences, with •
t for each pair of M, houses somewhat similar
ground rent renwhich have within the lest few years been built
near the Wimberns Railway station. They would let for
about CIO each. They could be placed nearly clog to the
nothern boundary wall of the new fair pound facing the
trees, and the tress and the site whereon they stud be
reserved to the Council far the gooses of the town, sad
not included in the Willi. Under the trees a nicely
formed and well lighted gruel walk might be made,
with • dwarf wall and iron railings itiq th.
Opposite the Junction Hotel • tree, the outer one, could
well be spared to widen the reed and improve the
ooiFto the town end some steps could Uwe be
tsedi the
er thay les=ptotothe Greer the °
Atirle.f ootway al
station by
Mr. Ounnington's house will become dangerous for foot
rerrl market and fair days when cattle are being
vae and an
from We market.
" I belies* the above eresseusent vrosild, as nearly as
=ile, he seeegable te all Parties, and if saw such
owid be arrived at woukt give satisfac-
tion. You are quite at liberty to we this letter in any
way you mai think proper
have e honour bobs, Sir,
"Yew very obedient Servant,
" T. Nzwitu."
The Kann pre it se his ortolan they could not do any-
o d thabaguisaggi rel thaw Were et Pentent
movet the receipt of tiles be
tleaccirsowledeped, but that the OestsolA poiding the
cit lbwfa the nowt smoky. "straw the ooadisratics

Aldermen Loci considered Mr. Newman's • very proper
and vary ales letter, and one for whtelt they were Teri
much obliged to him. He thought they wars quite Lama
position to take Hr. Andrews s over into m
It did not matter whether the Lords of the Treasury
approved of their plan or not.
Ir. GIULOORT thought it worth consideration, because
there was a general opinion the trees should be preserved.
Alderman LOCK : The Council have never decided to
iestrey the trees.
Hagoonv : Why orders were given to cut them
do7P.

-Alderman LOCK: No such orders were ever given by the

i;101210if : I was told that iii bought a plea, of land
I could cut down the trees or let them stay, 111 I chose.
Is that correct

-7-1-16-ICr.coV: 'Quite eo.
Mr. Vensom: Then it is quite at the option of the
borough whether they shall be destroyed or not
Mr. Carmody (to the Surveyor): Did you not receive
orders to sell the trees!
Mr. Noadas : I received orders to mark a certain
number at this end, where it was contemplated widening
thf_r°B4

VICKNON : What were they marked for
Mr. NOILKAN : Ws not for me to say. I received orders
mark them.
Mr. Venison : And for the purpose of selling them.
Mr. GILLOORY : Are they not all marked
Mr. Nosawr : Only a few at this end.
Mr. Gasooar : I think you will find No. 12 lion one of
_trees.

Sualegrr : You might perhaps find 111.
Alderman Loot : We are told, and it is published, that
as a Council we have ordered the trees to be destroyed,
whereas it is no such thing, and I think that ought to be
generally known, that people may not be imposed upon
by statements of this kind which have no foundation in
fact.
__

Mr. Vimuos rose to put a question to Mr. Lock.
The MATOI objected to it bein; done during Mr. Lock's
address. When questions were interpolated in speeches,
arguments were apt to degenerate into conversations.
Mr. Yams contended it was • recognised procedure
in the HOOKS of Commons, and there was no reason to
depart from it there.
The Msvois : Members very often enter into • conver-
sation with speakers under the plea that they are putting
questions.
Mr. Vganos : Then we must call upon you. sir, to
exercise your authority.
The Marisa: Very welL Then, Mr. Vernon, I call you
o order. (Laughter.)
Mr. Veasos : And I am perfectly ready to bow to your
,ecision, air.
Alderman LOCK continued. He thought it very
especially on the part of members of the Town Co7ol
to inake the statement that the trees had been ordered
to be cut down, and to make that amnion before the
Council as a matter of fact.
Mr. Gummy : I have made no statement that I cannot
substantiate. I say the Surveyor had orders to mark the
trees ; and I can bring parties forward who were invited
to give prices for them.
Aldermen Locit And now you hear what he says—
that he had orders to mark • few of the trees for the
purpose of widening the
Yr. 01.10011' : I pardon, it was more than that
Yr. Buz.vcrr : Mr. is quite right.
Mr. 01.3001 T : No he is not
Mr. VKIVION : I cal upon you, Mr. Mayor, to exercise
your authority, as you did with me.
The Maven: You are quite right, Mr. Vernon: but I
am afraid they are not all quite as obedient and amenable
is order as you are. (Laughter.)
Mr. Btiaswrr would like to ask Mr. Gregory who were
the parties who had been asked to give prices for the
trees. (No, no.) Whether they had been asked by the

exerciae

decon.

—Mr. Victim"; wanted to ask Mr. Lock where he had
seen the statement alleged that the Council had ordered
the trees to be cut down.
Alderman LOCK replied that Mr. Gregory had made it
that very morning and at that meeting.
Mr. Vgagog was sorry to differ with Mr. Lock, but he
did not think Mr. Gtegory used the words.
Alderman LOCK uudntained that they were to that

Veasoe : We must not go upon effects ; we must
take wQrds'
mr. Lock Zid It was at all events • fact that remarks
had been made In ropers and in.public, founded upon
the error that the cenhe2 had dem&d to cut down the
Mr tree•
Gazooar would like to have 1.::! metier cleared up,
for he had said nothing but what he could :::Iwtaistiaba
The MAYOII : The point under discussion is t:2O recep-
tion of these letters, and we must keep to that. (Resa,
hear.)
Mr. Velcro"; enquired whether if an order was received
from the Treasury authorising the Council to seU Use
sites, they would be in • position to consider the letters
afterwards. Being answered "unquestionably" he said,
"Then let them be deferred by all means," and no it was
agreed.
A question concerning the Northern Boundary Wall
was then, in accordance with notice given, brought

forward by
Mr. J. F. Honors. He said althoug the contracts had
been agreed upon for the enclosure of the fair ground
as it at present stood, he considered the situation In
which the Council was now placed was rather different
from what it was originally. Memorials had been sent
to the Lords of the Treasury for leave for certain
appropriations of the northern portion of
)(nap. There had been an enquiry consequent upon that.
and they were cow awaiting the decision of their lord-
ships, and pending that, it struck him they were going a
little too fast in deciding what proceedings they should
take in the matter. It could not be denied there had
been a very strong manifestation of public feeling, in
which he heartily joined, to the effect that the Lftt
position for the fair ground was at the northern end,
nearest the town. He did not wish to interefere with
the proper course of proceeding for the Council alter they
had come to a decision; but inasmuch as that decision
might not be sanctioned by the Lords of the Treasury—
and to put • supposition case, they would decline to do
so—he asked what was the position of the Council!
Would it not be good sense on their part to look into the
matter and ice if they could not meet public opinion—
the opinions of • large body of memorialists—and so
arrange the fair ground to suit all parties, and thus
bring about • feeling of unanimity 1 To come to his
question, he found that since the meeting the northern
boundary wall had been commenced. Now, be wanted
to know if there were anything in the specifications or
In the acceptance with the contractors which made it a
condition that the northern boundary wall should be the
first to be proceeded with I
The MATOR : There Is no specification or direction on
that point. The contract was taken by Messrs. Well-
spring, and they were allowed to begin when and were
t2eLpleased. I don't know that it can be said any
ity was shown to the northern wall for the founda-
tions the southern boundary are in together with the
concrete, and the brickwork is going on, although the
northern boundary certainly has made more progress.
Alderman LOCK: And that is by accident!
The Moron: Certainly not by design.
Mr. Sisurarr believed a proposition was moved by him
that the northern wall should be commenced first,
Mr. HODOlig said he believed Mr. Councillor Gregory
was able to tell them that the Surveyor bad stated belia
received instructions to get on with the northern wall
first, and to carry it on as quickly as presage.
The Mon: He bad general instructions as to both
walls, to go on with them with all his might, and to let
there be no doubt or hesitation in the matter.
Mr. Holmes : What I say Is that I think it a rather
ungracious proceeding towards the memorialists and
inhabitants generally that the northern wall should be
pressed forward in the extraordinary way it has been. It
simply, I consider amounts to this, that as regards their
wed the Council are determined not to reconsider the
matter under any circumstances, but to stand by their
original resolution.
The MAYOR: I hope so.
Mr. HODOZI: I am sorry to hear you sno..ufrotrl hops
they won't In case the Lords of the should
withhold their sanction to the other portion of the plan,
I say it would be good sense to remodel the arrangement/
of the fair ground. That is my opinion.
A COUNCILLOR : And a professional opinion.
Another COuNCILLM: And that we should begin de

Honoce : There ia a great preponderance of public
opinion In favour of that course.
Mr. FLOCK : Certainly not

Mr. HOMES contended that if they looked over the list
of the members of the Council who opposed the present
scheme It must be admitted their lion, their know.
ledge of tie wants of the town, and e interests tkey had
at stake entitled them to some consideration.
. . .

(lazoogy quite iii—i.id--Wiera—iii—e--;emarks Mr.
Hodges. had made with regard to the procedure of the
works. He thought It most injudicious to say the least of
it. He further quite agreed that it wee the express wiah
of • large Portion of the inhabitants. that the northern
part should be reserved for the market ground. and there
was no doubt the inhabitants, and the farmern generally,
were almost unanimous in that. With regard to the re-
marks which had been made about the Surveyor, he would
state that he was in conversation with a gentleman not
very long ago— a gentleman from a neighbouring town,
and the remark he made was, what a pity it was that the
Council should go on with the north wall until the matter
bag been decided. Mr. Norman happened to be present,
and he said "well I had my orders to proceed with all
possible despatch with this north wall, and I had to carry
them out of course. If I had orders to take out the trees
and pout them upside down. I should do it." (Laughter).
Well the Surveyor was the servant of the Council. and of
course he was quite right in saying that, and no fault
could he found with him for it. (Hear, hear.) But it did
seem to him, as if there wait • set determination to go on
with the work in opposition to the express wishes of all
the inhabitants of the town (No, no), Well it had the
a=ce of it at all events,
iumrr protested against Mr. Councillor Hodges
and Kr. Councillor Burnett, needlessly taking up the time
of the Council. Whatever decision the Lords of the Treasury
might come to would not affect the plan of the fair
ground. (Hear, hear). The Council had adopted a
plan, and they had passed a resolution to get on with it,
and that they intended to do.
Mr. Vcason thought It was time to puts stop to this
and amid some interruption be rose, u he said, to do so.
On behalf of the Surveyor, he thought the remarks be
made were very natural—(hear, hear)--and no one could
say there had been any betrayal of confidence. (Hear,
hear, and "Certainly not.")
Mr. GRICIOAT : There was nothing in what he said.
What we want to know is from whom the order

-Alderman (Istria (emphatically): And I want to know
, why It is two individuals are to sit at this table and to
dictate in the strong language that we have just beard
I made use of, what course, and, as they presume to term
It, what is the only reasonable course for the Council to
pursue. I think the voice of the It or 14 other gentlemen
sitting round this table ought to have some respect shown
it as well as the two gentlemen who assume to represent
' the majority of the inhabitants and ratepayers and
everything of the kind. Now I have • very strong
opinion, and one that I have good grounds for, from con-
versations I have had with owners of p even
since this enquiry has been held. I have brzrad by •
gentleman who may be supposed to be an advocate of the
feelings of the memorialists, and one of the largest owners
of property In the piece, this, 'you as • Council ought to
know what is hest,. and I am perfectly satisfied with
what you are doing. I have been told the same thing by
ninny others. I have no objection to a scrutiny of the
rating powers, of those who uphold the Council, end
those who oppose and the proportion shown between the
two.
Mr. Howes : I am quite willing.
Alderman (ULM : Well, I give you the challenge.
Mr. G 111.00111": And you would find the proportion
against the scheme very large.
Alderman GALPIN continued : I wish to know if the
time of the Council is to be taken up in this way. Ido
igrrotest against gentlemen saying they represent the town.
e. Homo: No, no.) And making statements as to
what they allege takes place at this table, which are not
In accordance with facts and ought to be repudiated. No
gentleman has • right to stand up and criticise what other
members do, when they know that their statements are
not at all in accordance with facts Statements of various
kinds have been made. It has been said that only eight
gentlemen ever supported the resolution, and that the
other eight if canvassed would probably hhve gone the
other way. I ask if that is consistent with truth or fact,
(No, no.) Then such statements ought not to be made,
and the time of the Council ought not to be taken up with
diacuedous upon them

siM: ILr. Aldermau Calvin has Pl"'
Roush imputed to me and. I mamma Mr- Gree°l7. the
wish io dictate I mpudia. It entirely. I trust
_,I °TT
have, sad never exhibit in myself say s'•
dictation, and I only wish, end it would be as walk if I
could say the same of *gore. Perhaps thaw has been
too much dictation, and it is an answer to agreed doel
which in this Council is becoming unpleasanti Its
disotaions. But to that as it miky, OOP Ihe
position of the Council is materially digerati now from
what it was whoa tho wham was Imi mooted. West.
sow small's a daisies which will sled our mike Tors

materially. and therefore I venture to say it would be
wise on our part to await that decision.
The Maros, in reply, said : All I hear from Mr.
Coluscillor Hodges and Mr. Councillor Gregory only con-
firms me in my opinion as to the wisdom of the course
which we are pursuing. People, I think, should allow
that others are as capable of thinking in a matter as
themselves, but this is a point that seems hardy to ho
considered. If we look at the composition of the
Council we find we have 10 gentlemen who are natives of
the town, thoroughly well acquainted with all its needs
and what is regulate for the advantage of its Inhabitant,;
and if I am not to be guided by those gentlemen in this
my conduct in the chair, I do not know who Li to guide
me. (Hear.) As to the assertion that there is such &
unanimous feeling—a strong feeling against the Council
(Mr. Honon : I did not say unanimous.)—Well, almosb
unanimous. If that strong feeling exists I am only
Fanused people allow me to pass without saying • word
nat what we are doing. lam very often taken hold
o d told "You are quite right, go on," by people who
are quite as capable of thinking, and know am much as
either Mr. Councillor Hodges or Mr. Councillor Gregory.
They tell me to go on with the work, for it will end well.
As to the wisdom of waiting for the derision of the Lords
of the Treasury, I cut only say that whatever that may
I be it will not altar the Northern boundary, whether they
' withhold their salient from our plan or not. They have
not the power to alter it. Parliament will not give it to
them. And the wisdom of the minority will be shown if
they bow to the majority. We shall never work well and
pt on until this chronic irritation subsides, and we no
longer find two or three gentlemen whenever they have
the opportunity calling the decisions of the Council in
question and endeavouring to make us recede from them.
In the present instance we can only show our wisdom by
letting them lee that our reply to them id to be found is
the solid and substantial wall on Beggars Knap. All the
effect of this is to make me more determined to pursue
that course which has been approved by the majority of
the Council. (Hear, hear).
Mr. Hooon said he wished to close the discussion.
Mr. Vmmon : Before you do so I with to ask whether
if we be two or ten, and wish to express our opinions, we
are not to have the opportunity of doing so.
The MATOR: Certainly you will have.
Mr. Vganom : Then I can't understand why you should
find fault with Mr. Gregory and Mr. Hodges for doing so.
I can't find that the lame course id pursued on the other
aide; and if liberty is granted to them, why is it not to
others. If I felt aggrieved with anything in the
conduct of the Council, I should stand up in the
face of the whole of them and declare it, and I claim for
Mr. Hodges and Mr. Gregory the same right.
A COUNCILUA : question.
Mr. Yeanom : It is no use calling out "Question" to
me, for I'll only stand up the longer. (Laughter.) I have
asked • question, and I think the Mayor is bound to give

The MA : I think the very fact they have stated
what they have will show they have that liberty.
Mr. VE3.40,1 : Then why find so much fault?
Alderman emu : Because they have wasted so much
time.

-Mr. HOMES said he would not make a proposition
under the circumstances. He would simply make •
remark, which he hoped would close the discussion. He
hoped he would always endeavour to bow to the majority
se long as he wan a member of the Coundl ; but, he
repeated, he considered the circumstances under which
they were now placed different to what they were
originally.
Mr. Gamma wished, with Mr. lioruma, to bow to the
deason of the CounciL At the same time he claimed the
right, and he would exercise it, to exprem his opinion
upon any matter.
The subject then dropped.
7115 WALK&

On the motion of Mr icuiTerr, seconded by Mr.
0111001 Y, Messrs. Crocker, Fenner. and co.. tender of
fts. for the erection of gates to admit the pasaage of
wheel chairs in the South NV&lks, was accepted, and the
work is to be carried out at once.

POUNDBURT.
Mr. F. LOCK drew attention to the fact that Mr. Legg
had prohibited people walking on this land, and that
railinp were being erected. He wished to know if Mr.
Legg had any right to do this.
The MAYOR and other members of the Council gave a
most decided answer in the negative; and as Mr. Legg has
intimated the Rifle Corps will not be allowed to drill
there, it was stated Captain Hodges would bring the
matter before the authorities, and Mr. Legg would then
learn what his power in the matter was.
The Council rose, after a three hours' sitting.

SEMVICI OF SONG. —On Monday evening a service of
sacred song entitled "The Woman of Samaria," was given
by the Dorchester Wesleyan choir assisted by several
friends, at the United Methodist Free Church, Char-
minster, which had been very kindly placed at the
disposal of the Wesleyan friends by the trustees. This
act of Chrlstain charity was much appreciated, the more
so as the proceeds of the entertainment were to be given
to the funds of the New Wesleyan Chapel, Dorchester.
There was a good attendance, the chapel being nicely
tilled. Miss Hicks presided at the harmonium with great
ability, proved herself an accomplished player, And did
her part in the most praiseworthy manner. The choii
numbering about 20 sang with much care and boldness,
and had evidently spared no pains in bringing themselves
to perfection, whilst the connective readings by the Rev.
W. Allen were rendered in excellent time, and with
much clearness. The whole service was a great success,
and reflects the highest credit on all concerned.—At the
conclusion the Rev. W. Allen spoke in the highest eulogium
of the playing of Miss Hicks, and the singing of the choir,
remarking that he thought the latter had much improved
in singing. —Mr. Crocker, senr., proposed a hearty vote of
thanks to Mr. Allen for presiding, and created much
laughter by jocularly remarking that if Mr. Allen thought
the choir had improved in singing he (the speaker) con-
sidered Mr. Allen had also improved much in reading
He (Mr. Crocker) also proposed a similar vote to Miss
Hicks and the choir for their services.—This was seconded
by Mr. G. Crocker, and carried. —The Rev. \V. Allen
acknowledged the vote on behalf of himself, and Mr.
Christmas did duty for Miss Hicks and the other
members of the choir—On the proposition of Mr. Allen
the trustees were thanked for the Christain spirit they
had shown in lending their chapel for the service of song.
The proceeedings were then closed in the usual
manner.—We should not conclude our report without
mentioning that, previous to the Service of Song, Kiss
Legg sang in a very creditable manner the solo " What
shall the Harvest 1" Miss Hicks accompanying, and the
choir taking up the chorus. It was very ably rendered
and was fully appreciated.