The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-12-04 00:00:00

MR. AVANT'S CONCERT.

It wee very gratifying, on Tuesday evening last, to see
the excellent good taste of Mr. Avant so fully acknow-
ledged by the attendance of a large and fashionable com-
pany, at the II wall Hotel Assembly Rooms. Mr. Avant
has laboured for many years in the cause of good music in
Weymouth, an I has throughout kept the style and the
details of his concerts up to a claredcal, or at least, a refined
standard, never letting his entertainment descend in any
port aft eeptanduon vulgar. We can well fancy that the
temptations have sometimes been great, to induce him to
unbend a little, and to try a slight infusion of the comic
element, for it has not been always that the Weymouth
public would p.iy for good music,
_par of simple. But Mr.
i Avant's clear appreciation of what was and s due to a
gentlemanly profession has, we venture to hope, carried
him through the first trials, and his concerts will in future
lie known not only as opportunities tiir hearing undoubtedly
pure music, hut also for meeting many representatives of
the fashionable world. The long list of patrons announced
last week uo doubt helped to attract the ladies and
gentlemen, the attraction being supplemented by the
announcement of Miss Royds, Herr Van Heddeghem, Mr.
Avant, and Mr. Thorne.

The announcement of the programme was marked by
some good classical music, but concerts are proverbially
tame at first, and it waa not even Beethoven or Blumenthal
that could rouse the enthusiasm. When Miss Royds,
however, came forward, and with clear and silvery notes
gave Fncker's "Marguerite," then we began to warm
Mr. Avant next rendered Beethoven's "Adagio, scherzo,
and rondo," from Op.lo, as a solo on the grand pianoforte,
and his dexterous and delicate touch received much
applause.—Mr. Sidney Tower sang "Only for Thee," with
some pciwer, and received much encouragement.—
Paganini a "Dense des Sorcerers" was essayed by Herr
Van Heddeghern who elicited some beautiful tones, the :
management of the instrument was clever, ready, and
smart; but, to our fancy, the quality of tone was not
evenly maintained ; huts string broke, and on resumption
mein herr, doubtless encouraged by the sympathy of the
audience, improved very much, and ended amidst flatter-
ing marks of approval.—The nest song was one of the
gems of the evening (though not the only one); it was •
conipoaitlon of Mr. Avant o, "Awake! Sweet Warbling
Bird." The lady began with full confidence and immense
spirit, and being accompanied by the talented composer
in his best style, the whole went with elan; the harmonies
were frequently exceedingly beautiful, while passages of
melody were heard with eiarming effect; in fact we must
write this as a masterpiece alike for composer, singer, and
accornpanyist.—Mr. Avant's piano solo was also very much
aiplauded, and of the two we are bound to confess a pre-
ference for his own "Summer Reverie," over even the
"Souveniede Versailles," by Be Sivrai.—Miss Royd and
Mr. Tower next sang a duet, " hlaying," and the lady
seemed so to inspire the tenor singer with her own
brightness, that this duet was • rich treat.
The second part opened with a violin and piano duet
from Beethoven's " Kreutzer Sonata," Andante e Presto'
tiere was much indication of applause long before the
piece came to an end, and we are inclined to think the
artistes would have had a warmer reception had they been
shorter.—The culminating beauty of the concert, we fancy,
WAS the "Shadow Song" from Dinorali, wherein Miss'
Royds gang so sweetly and with such ease and !Trace, that
she surpassed herself, the lady's high notes especially, were
remarkably pure and clear, and the echo beautifully
imitated. The audience were enraptured, and heartily
encored, when Miss Royds gave a very pleasing and
wimple balled—" Through the woods."—Herr Van
Heddghem played next • violin solo "Souvenir du
Conservatoire," which was much applauded; Mr. Tower
also won applause in his rendering of Sullivan's "Sweet'
hearts."— Another treit for piano connoisseurs was Mr.
Avant's performance of the serenade "Corn e Gentil"
(Don PaaTtale) wherein the other softer chords sounded
deliciously, and, as the time was getting late, the short-
ness was an additional merit, —Mies Boyd again won great
honours for herself by her brilliant execution and delicious
notes in the Soldier Tired" (Arne) which she commenced
with brightness and freshness that could not fail to
engage attention; her trills were most artistic and pleas-
inz. After • sonz by Mr. Tower—" Then you'll remember
me," the concert closed with • most agreeable duet—" I've
wandered in Dreams," be Miss Royds and Mr. Tower, and
we decidedly give the honours to the lady whose higher
notes are even better than when heard on a former
occasion. Whether the cultivation of the high notes will
endanger her middle and lower ones must be left for the
lady to decide. Temoss edam reams is dangerous to singers
who don't anticipate the future, when they may have to
rely on a ocaWaW voice, and we bane reed of aeaticious

teacher who used to say "We must keep this voice in the
middle notes." Meanwhile Miss Ftoyds is progressing in
the rourae no often adopted by soprano singers, the high
notes improved and cultivated, while they endanger the
lower °neg. A hint may perhapl be forgiven even by so
charming and painstaking a song.itreas a. Min &Was.
We congratulate Mr. Avant on the concerts suedes.

TOWN COUNCIL.
Thursday: Present. the Mayor ((r. Lundie), Alderman
Milledge, Howard, Thomas, and Rebertson: Councillors
Charles, N.l. Groves, Snook, Dennis, Seaman, kyles,
Lanning, Webb, Ranne, Wallis, Lovell, Weldor&
Robens.

POSTAL lIIPROTEIIISTIL
The MAYOR mentlined that a aatiafactory reply had been
received from the FAtinitster General, ann,unciog that
lettere may be posted until nine o'clock at night, the extra
penny fee for posting till that time, being abolished. The
plllas3b ix, opposite Mr. T. Williams's, Maryatreet,
would be granted, and would he erected.
THE OUTER PIER AND CAB STAND.
Mr. Alderman HOWARD noticed that the two members
of Parliament will be both here at the Mayor'. dinner,
and, as one bad taken great interest in the Extension of
the Outer Pier, and the other in the improvement of the
calestand, would it not be possible, by the Surveyor
putting on a little pressure, to get the works sufficiently
advanced for the members to take part in a little
ceremony on the completion of the same I
The MATOR was very favourable to the plan, and
remarked that there is no doubt that Sir Frederic Johnstone
is to he here.
It seemed, however, that the cabmen's shelter wee not
sufficiently advanced when Mr. Alderman Howard asked
that the other event should he ii*Dalised.
Kr. MANGLE proposed "That this Council submit to Mr.
Edwards the idea of wane little extra cetemony in con-
nection with the laying of the Met stone of the Outer
Pier—Agreed to.

LANDISO STAGE IN THE HARBOUR PROPOSED.
Mr. Wimble male application to he allowed to erect •
small glngway or landing stage at the east end of the
Harbour platform, for the purpose of landing pusengers.
Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet
Company, Limited.
Qoay, Weymouth, November 3, 1977.
To the Mayor and Corporation of Weymouth and Meteombe
Rept,
Gentlemen,—As the Company contemplate bringing
their steamers alongside the new landing stage opposite
Bank House, in order that the passengers and baggage
may be examined by the Customs Officers in the new
premises now being fitted no for the purpose in Bank
noose, I beg most respectfully on the part of the company
to be allowed to erect a small gangway or landing stage at
the etsternioat end of the present platform for the porpose
of landing passengers arriving from the Channel Islands
by our steamers. This Company is willing to Dear the
expenses of such erection. Awaiting your reply,
I am. gentlemen.
Your most obedient sert ant,
Joitx Wtw•Lx,
Manager and Secretary.
Mr. SALES was consulted, and did not see.o to have any
objection, it would be very handy for the Portland

steamers.
Mr. Alderman THOMAS said the platform was erected for
the special purpose of the potato trade ; but now they
proposed to do their ordinary bminess there. He id jected
to the times at which the boats arrived, and considered
they would be a nuiaance to any person living there, an
intolerable nuisance if they continued to come at the game
times as now. The company had obtained the Harbour
platform being erected—be did not like to say by false
pretences—but by misrepresentations r he WWI opposed to
any further facilities being given them unlesa they altered
the time of their arrival and departure to suit the public.
The MAYOR considered this was another hindrance to
the company having anything to do with us in the way
of business; we
,certainly offered no facilities, but put

every hindrance In the way.
Mr. Alderman HOWARD asked how the granting of this
would affect the Pile-pier, which was built for the
purpose, among others of landing passengers from steamers
there.
Mr. Alderman ROBERTSON took exception to the Mayor's
remark—that we offered the Great Western no facilities;
the company had treated our quays as if they were their
OWD.
Mr. WELSPORD said that the company represented, as
a reason for the Harbour platform—that the potato
traffic would interfere with their ordinary traffic. The
company now proposed to use the Harbour platform for
their ordinary traffic, and, though they said it would be
open to the whole of the public, they would virtually
monopolise it. A great deal had been said shout granting
facilities for trade ; but when we balanced against the
extension of tne trade, the importance of keeping our
position as a watering-place, he asked, which was the
most important? He and his relatives were very much
interested in valuable houses there, and asked was there
a necessity for the company to take possession there, or if
there was a necessity for them, was there a necessity that
we ought quietly to submit to. The company has
monopolised the quays, as if they were private quays of
theirs, and they actually raised the road at the hack of
Pulteney-buildings, and laid lown another siding. He
thought they ought to be called to task, and the Council
should decide what they are to be allowed to do in future.
Private interests ought to be respected; Sir William
Pillteney leased that part and expended thousands of
pounds in filling up the land, and raising the Esplanade
wall. By and by the property would come again into the
possession of the Council, and if they allowed a traffic
there that would damage property which will eventually
come into the Council's hands. it would be better to pay
money at once out, rather than to suffer so large an
eventual loss.

Mr. Alderman ROBERTSON had not objected to the plat-
form at first because he understood it was only for the
potato traffic, which would only last a few weeks; but
now he thought faith was being broken with the owners
of propsrty there.
Mr. WELSPORD added that the horses were galloped On
the pavement for the purpose of shunting at all hours of
the night, creating a fearful noise.
Mr. Alderman Howsio mid the Quay was • public
thoroughfare, and the traffic there eould not he interfered
with. He had himself suffered from the coaling there;
but he did not see any help for it, and bore it without
comfits' nt.
Mr. lgs.voLE showed that the grievance was owing to
the noise of the work at night. Could the company so
alter their traffic sio. to have it by day instead of by night I

Mr. Alderman MILLEDGE would be sorry to see any
private interest injured ; but if the traffic were taken
along the Front instead of by the tramway, how much
larger would he the amount of property injured?
Mr. SNOOK said the Council seemed drifting back into
the time before they granted permission for the Harbour
tramway to be erected.
Mr. WEISFORD moved a resolution "That considering
the nosition of the platform erected at the back of Bank-
buildings, and that at present no necessity has been
ahown for removing the ordinary traffic of the Channel
Steamboats from the position occupied for many yeera,
that the Harbourmaster he requested to instruct the
Company to keep to their former berths."
There was no seconder, and the resolution dropped,
Mr. WF.LSFORD warning them that other means would be
adopted.
Mr. LANSING moved that permission be granted to
erect the landing stage, the same to become the property
of the Corporation, and to be removed at their pleasure.—
Mr. CHARLES sec, sided. . .

Mr. Alderman TIIOIII.OI proposed an amendment, KS the
passengers were broughs their at such an untimely hour
in the morning. Paasengers at such an hour could do but
very little good to Weymouth; they went off at midnight
to the Islands, where they stayed till they had no money.
The amendment was that the application be referred back
for the purpose of seeing whether the traffic can be carried
by day instead of night.
The following was the division
For granting the Landing For referring the Appli.
Stage. cation.
Alderman Howard. Alderman Thomas,
Mr. Lanning. „ Robertsbn.
Aylea. .• Milledge.
„ Snook. Mr. Nangle.
„ Dennis. Welaford.
„ Charles. „ Groves.
Robens. „ Lovell.
flanne.
„ Webb.
. Seaman.
On the proposition of Alderman HOW/RD, seconded by
Mr. ROBENS, the following rider was appended to the
resolution: "That the Mayor be requested, in sending the
former resolution, to the accompany it with a request
from this Board, urging on them the desirability of
' performing their passages by day instead of, as at the
present time by night, the interests of the town suffering
from the present night passages."
THE BALLAST QUAY WALL -

Part of this baiorg began to sink, the approach of
danger was reported to the Surveyor.
Mr. SEAMAN recommended some oak piles.
It was resolved, on the proposition of Mr. CHARLES,
seconded by Mr. THOMAS, to have tenders invited, in
accordance with plans and specifications prepared by the
surveyor.
LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

Mr. HOWARD put an important quettion to the Town
Clerk.—Whether it would be possible to get an Act of
Parliament to blend all the funds into one, and in the
same Act to provide for the erection of a new bridge,
improved streets, a recreation ground, improvement of the
Park. and any other improvements that the Town may
approve of ; and if not, why nut
The TOWN CLERK said it is just possible to do so if the
town does not oppose it.
Mr. HOWARD: Do you think there would be any great
objection?
The TOWN CLERK: I think the Legislature would offer
very great objection.
Mr. Howatri : Supposing we went to the House of
Commons with the sanction of the town, do you think
they would raise a fatal objection?
The Tows CLERK : I think so.
Mr. HOWARD: Can you give me any reason
The TOWN CLERK Because they are perfectly incon-
sistent, The first Act had reference to the Harbour and
the Bridge.
Mr. HOWARD asked supposing the Market House and
our other present funds were put together—Did the Town
Clerk think the House of Commons would blend the
different f unds 1
The TOWN CLRRK : I don't think they would.
; Mr. HOWARD was of a different opinion.
The TOWN CLERK: That is the opinion of counsel, not
; only my own.

THE. DRAINAGE OF THE PARK,

The MAYOR read the resolution passed on the proposition
of ,Mr. Alderman THOMAS, seconded by Mr. Alderman
HOWARD, at a meeting of the Local Board in committee,
in reference to Mr. Hawkesley's report :—" That
the Town Clerk be requested to forward to the Local
Government Blard a copy of Mr. Hawkesley's report,
and to state this Board is considering how they
shall deal with the Park drainage under the guidance
of their surveyor, and for the present withdraw its appli-
cation made in Marsh, 1876, for the loan of £B,OOO, and
that this Board is pleased to say that the town is in •
ino4 healthy state."—The following addition was now
inade.—" And we append herewith the reports of the
niedical practitioners of the town, including the medical
officer of health."
After a long conversation with reference to the state of
the Park, the resolution and addition were approved.
Mr. AYLESBURY had a motion to consider the propriety
of placing additional lamps in the Park, and this wee
referred to the Lamp Committee.
TREES.
Twenty pounds, for the purchase of young trees during
the ensuing year were voted by the Board.