The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-12-06 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.

The ant meeting of the Couocil under the presidency
of the newly-elected Mayor, J. I'. Aldridge, Eeq., took
plaoe on Monday. Present Aldermen Coombe, Caron,
&nor ; Couocillon Vernon, Frood, Oregori, BishoP,
Easor, Steele, Lock; Mann, Andrews, rind Bennett.
mg DurroulAaut ON tag Etta Or 00V111/111.
The fitet business wee to receive and consider a report
from the Watch Committee as to the result of their in.
vest4ation of the proceeclinp on the evening of the sth
of November, and determine what, sad if anything, is
further required to he done.
The Towle CLOIK read the report, which was of a
lengthy character and from whieh it appearrd that the
Watch Committee had investigated the conduct of P..
Cousins on the night of the felt of November, and were
unaniinoualy of opinion that he had not exceeded his
duty in committing the aleault opal Holland.
Ms. LOCK asked if any other persona had ben
examined beside the police.
Toe MATO' replied in the negative.
Mr. Loci said the inquiry was into the conduct of
the policeman, and yet no other persons had been
examined.

The MATO' explained that Holland was invited by
Me Town Clerk to attend the investigation, but, owing
to the abortnees of the notice, and the *biome of his
legal adviser, he was unable to do so.
Mr. LOCK asked it be wait to and. dand that that was
• oopy of the letter mid answer which appa•red in ono
of tlx• no
The Tonirrurla said he did not me what appeared
in any ppm ; he pm Holland Doti*, that be might
attend the inquiry if be liked.
Mr. LOCK sad, warn he to understand that the com-
mittee wore satialled to rent the inquiry upon the mem
avidoitoe of the polies
Alderman rams said they were not open to any
charge; no one oamo forward to make ons against them.
The Hattie detailed a conversation respecting
Holland about his non-attending the inquiry into the
condoet of Cousins, who asked bun whettor he thought
the committee would re-epee the investigation if he
come forward. He (the Mayor) told him ho thought
not, but if he wished to make any statements he would
pleas them before the committee, and if there was any
Iditional eeidenco to show that the matter ought to
be re-investigated it should be done. Holland gave
him his version of the Adair, the fads of which wen.
placid before the Watch Committee, but as the state-
menta did not appear to be tionflictiox with the evidence
already hoard, it was not deemed nommary to re-open
tho matter.
_

Mr. Loon remarked that the report stated that
Coquina was justified in committing the outrage he had
done. He weld not agree with the coininittee upon the
Litter part of the ',port, which stated that there was a
tribunal open to /UMW. There would be no qaestion
that ha was engaged in an illegal act, and that was in
letting off ilreworks in the streets, bat although it was
an illegal act, it was one which had the private sanction
of the authorities of the town.

HZ. COINS: I do not know of the authorities of the
town.

Mr. Loci : What t MAUI tcl say is, that I conidder
parties had the pernitasion of the authorities of the
LOl/11. betause--
Mr. OUNCE : I bog to deny it.
Mr. Loci replied that it was his opinion that they
had. The authorities of the town issued • circular to
the effect that tar barnils alsould not be burnt, bet
there wee not • word *aid about fireworks, and there-
fore he took it that the authorities only prohibited the
burning of tar barrels, and not the letting off of fire-
works. In that respect, however, Holland committed
an illegal act, under the sanction of the authorities of
the town. Ho considered the proper way when a
queation area brought before the Watch Committ-e re.
lating to the conduct of a policeman, was that they should
have the assistance of those persons who complained of
their sonduct, and thought they ought to have leaned a
circular announcing that they were going to inquire
into Cousins', conduct, and incited pule. to be present.
There was • strong feeling in the town that Cousins had
ezosedei ho ditty, and the public were not sati-
with the conduct of the Watch Committse. Therefore
bieseid_ that—

: limit will be for this meeting to decide.
Mr. LOOK remarked that he presumed thia meeting
was called for the purpose of receiving and adopting the
report which had been read. What be complained of
ass, that the Watch Committee had received no other
evidence but that of the police.
Yr. CUSUI readadisd Mr. Lock that there ens also
the evidrnee of the superintengsnt.
Mr. I.ocir said the anperintendont was one of the
body. He had seen Holland about the matter, and bad
also heard the static:vest of Cocaina, and the former
dewed that h had let off fireworks at the latter.

The Manna : How then came his trousers ani lash
burnt?

Mr. Lori rep lad that Holland WU ready to corro-
borate his statement by TO witnesses, who would come
forward and prove it. He bad known Holland many
years. and did not think he would &tate anything
unfairly, or do math a mischievous set as was imputed to
him; Ile (Mr. Look) thdtight there *es reason for the
dissatisfaction prevailing is the town, and he, for one,
before the report was adopted, would be ready to move
that it be referred bask to the Watch Committee to
take other evidence on, and that persons should have
ths opportunity of coming forward and stating that the
conduct of Cousins was such as ought not to have been
on the night in question.
Mr. CIX)MRS much regretted that after the Watch
Committee bad received the letter froin Hidland the
meeting should not lave been adjourned, in order to
have given him an opporrentty to attend. It seemed to
him that they were going mituely wrong in the matter,
for it wail no question of the policeman exceeding hi.
duty at all. Letting off fireworks was allowed sad
sanctioned. He allnded to the tar barrel which he taw
the pollee put out near Mr. Tester's 'hop, and remarked
that the niob did not interfere with them then I but he
did not know of anything which took place soon
after. The tprmeot WU not a question of
assaulting • poliosuith in the szecution of bia duty; it
was a question of an iadieidual Ising in the public
streets not chosen to be maibbed, and whether Cousins
misting as a private individual—which was the only
right he had—did not challenge the squibbing, and
thee use .me violeoce than VOA needed, inasmuch SS
Ise did not get out of the way, knock the squib dews,
but struck a conch heavier blow than was required. It
was not sat atoms or breach of duty, but more violence
Moat not be used than was nthessnry.
The Nato' mid the matter mu amorally ineestigabsd
by the Watch Committee.
Mr. Loon said wbst be complained of 'nu beams it
woe only a partial investigation. He wished to ask
one question. After the protection from the lire which
Holland held in his hand was taken from his, was it
given in evidence by one of the poliosinen that Holland
took a Mack out of his pocket?
The Town CLtith Tea it was.
Yr. Luca : Th, n he would be this to prove that be
could not have done so, for owing to the disguise which
he wore be mild not get at his pockets.
The MAYOR : If he is aggrieved, why does he not take
tel A sumo& ageinstaresin, and then the matter
be menial thoroughly in .
Mr. Loon said the inq should have taken place
before. - _

--
Mr. CONON gild at the time this mishap occurred
Cousins was not & poliounan at all. The public had
leave given to 1.1 off dreeorka
Mr. Venison saki if liberty worn given the chances
Were greatly in ifolland's favour if he summotted
Consina

--Mr. Loot said there wee no doubt at all in this ; that
' whatever inviellotion the Watch co.ist„..
have made, a dimatiefaidion prevailed in the town
owing to the winos whisk they had arrived at
Mr. /Mut remarked that that dissatisfaction wenid
be mash modified U the public would reed the 'videos*
token before the committee. They oely seated to
koow Um reel fact. of the seas, sod I. kaow whether
Cousins had exceeded his duty or not. With that view
Hollind wan asked to attend, and was allowed the
liberty of bringing any friends who Gould explain
matters conneeted with the subjoin. The whole affair
was gone into so far as the committee were enabled to
carry it, and remelted in the committee imottentting the
policeman fresh the &use of eloseding his duty.
The Maros alluded to the remark made by Mr. Look
that the ingairy ouht to have taken place before.
Mr. Loan said it could have taken plass before the
present Mayor took ellen
Mr. Humor : How could that possibly be
Kr. Loci: The Stli was an &tardy, when this mai
was booked down, and there was no reason why the
*airy should not have taken plans on Monday.
Mr. Manor said be did not wait until Monday. He
took the evidence of the polieseneo at tho Maws sad,
although it was expernthe satisfied himself that assaults
bad been corninitted upon them. The inquiry did not
lest Mere, foe on Monday • meeting of the magistrates
was maenad for the consideration of the vocation,
and the next day he went out of office. Be wu very glad
that Mr. Lack had given him an opportonity of elating
that the affair was *sired into on Saturday by him-
self, aod on Monday by the magistratot
The KATO' : And the matter remained until the next
dinurbence took platis.
ILL COWIN The policeman was not putting oot fire-
works. It wee a private individual who did not choose
to be squibbed that oommitted the asaault
The TOWN CLINK: Then the Watt* Committee got
lathing to do with it.
Mr. : That is my opinion. You have nothing
atoll to do with it.
_ . . . .

6:Taiti; Do I uodarstand Oat you find bait
with the policeman I
Ooosse : No. I do not find fault with the
policeman for being similar moro than I do with
enroll for ring out. The questioo a whether the
man did riot re more riornse than was neemary whilst
he was being squibbed. The matter has nothing to do
! with the Weals Ocicasittee .
' Mr. Loos intimated that he worn oaa of the last
in the world that roar obiett So sa7 Moog'
Vara by the magietraiss is Oar Palatal ripasity,
as know tho &Salty of isame4 those arms ;
ar
bar
Li would take the liberty at one or Iwo A
with regard to the appointors& weal
It sea sash** whir had rshessee to re smatter is
caestion.
It woo explored lairmvem, that It had Berri is do
with it, atter whisk

Mr. Hisernoir mid that he was one of the Watch
Committee, and the evidence given by the polio* did
not lead him to supp se that Cousins had esoreled his
duty. piece then be had hoard Holland's stateurect,
and he should now like to hear both Mats Of the story.
Mr. COOXIM said, even suppodng it Gould be proved
that Cousins knocked Holland down In • brutal 'wooer
the COui nil coult have nothing A° with it.
Mr. CORSI : I take it that if the man was in uniform
be -sea polo:lemon.
Mr. COOSIM : When be went to pat out the tar
barrel he was, but on his return, end when he found
his clothes Ming sunibbed, the best thing be could have
done was to have gone away.
Mr. AsDIEWs said for years past fireworks had been
allowed to be let off in the streets. Unfortunately—
be might my unfortunately—a certain handbill vat
issued cautioning parties not to burn tar barrel*. By
this people were lead to suppose that they might let off
sgibbe.
The CUSS replied that be only issued the bill by
order.
Mr. ANDISWe regretted what had taken place, but
considered it was a subject upon which the least that
could be said would be beat. The people bad broke°
the law; and if the authorities of the town were to do
their duty they would summon them, but most un-
pleasult and unpopular it would be to do so.
After some farther di-cumion, Mr. Frond propued,
and Mr. 'Vernon seconded, that the report be received
and adopted, which was done.
THZ APPoISTIISIT OF " SPICIALS."
Mr. LOCK inquired if he was right in thinking that
before the umeistratcs determined on apgointing special
constable* in the town, whether the assistance of the
°minty police ...ought (.4 mid refused.
Both the MAYOR and El-Maron said they had no
knowledge of such being the case.
Mr. LOOlt replied that he beard they had. He would
now ask, why did the majisterial authorities of the
borough think it necessary to haws assistance for the
lichee ?
. Alderman &ISO*: From sworn information.
Mr. Loci: And yet you did not think it necessary to
invite the co-operaton of the county podoe ?
. The Tows CURIE espluned that whenever their
I senior, had been applied for they had always been
refused. . . . . . .

•
Mr. LOCK considered the magiAnites had acted
properly in keening the handbill ceiling upon all well-
disposed persons to come forward end preserve the
peace of the town. Hs now wished to know the result
of that proceeding. Was it true thst not more then
six persons came forward on video sere?
The TORII CLIME said he could not tell There were
• great many afterwards.
Mr. LOCK inked if the expense would come out of the
county rate or borough fund.'
The Tn‘u Cten• replied that he would much rather
that Mr. kook would not mine-examine him. If lie
had given him noun of what he Wien led to eel
would have looked at the law on the subject.
(Laughter.)
Mr. LOCK said all questions affecting the borough
funds were questions to be answered at thrin meeting,
and he now wished to know whether any part of the
expense connected with the spectil constable business
would come from the fond, of the borough
The Tows Cum replied that his impression was
that it would not. He however would tell Mr. Lock
at the next meeting, U be would put a notice on the
paper to that effect.

TUB POLICI FORCE.

The next balance' was to noose and consider tire
eetimate of the expen.we of the police force for the en-
suing year, and to make a rate for raising the same.
From the report read, it appeared that the estimated
expense would be £414 Be. To meet this sure -.bare
was a balance in hand from last year of £lO6 131. 11d.,
and this, together with the Government allowance of
07 14s. Id., would leave £220 to bs raised. A ratv
of 4d. in the pound was ordered, amounting to
£251 7a. 3d., leaving a surplus of £29.