The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-04-12 00:00:00

POLTIMOkiI.

On Saturday afternoon last a meeting of the members
and frieods of Lord Yoltisnore's hunt was convened at
the King's Arms, Dorchester, by the Lord Digby,
on • requisition numerously signed which wee pre-
sented to his lordship, "to take into consideration the
general wish to present to Lord Poltimore some token
of the esteem and respect universally entertained for
the v, ry courteous. sportsmanlike, and liberal msnner
in which he has hunted the Cattistock country for the
last ten years." There were present: The Lord Dishy
(who presided), Mr. Gnadry, Mr. B. P. Gaudy, Mr. J.
P. F. Gundry, Mr. J. F. Holgss (Mayor of Dorebester),
Lieut. Hodges, Mr. A. Pope, Mr. 8. 8. Cox, Mr. J.
Bis Lop. Capt. E. W. Williams. Mr. M. M. Leggin, Mr.
Cam Sykes, Mr. H. Mayo, Capt. Foster. Mi. John
Homer. Mr. Batten. Major Astell, Mr. H. B. Middleton,
Capt. Thresher, Colonel Digby, Mr. P. Cox, Msjor
Clapcott. Colonel Templer, Mr. Peatherstonbaugh,
Messrs. Synies (S). Mr. H. Dunning, %IL Whistle, Me.
Saunders (We+tbrnoke), Mr. Gale, Mr. H. Pope, Mr.
sanaoni, Mr. J. Crane, Mr. J. C. Fooks, Mr. Batten,
junr.. Mr. A. Martin, Mr. Cooper, Mr G. Symonds
(Sydling), Mr. W. Henning, Mr. Randall, Mr. J.
Quiche, Mr. Sprake, Mr. W. Smith (Exeter), Mr. J.
Tizsrd, Mr. 11. Duvet:ll6h, Mr. COCkerll2l, Mr.
Furrnedve, ka.
_ . _

Lord Dicer said the meeting was called in um-
pllance with • remieition moet noturrottely signed by
the gentlemen bunting with Lord Poltiroore's hounds,
to take into consideration the propriety of offering to
the noble lord some token for his great liberality and
the sportsmanlike way in which he has hunted the
Cattistock country for • period now of upwerds of tan
years. He we...ore that he need not, with all his friends
shout him, expatiate on the good quolities of the noble
lord. They all knew Lord Poltimo es courteous manner
and kindness in the field—they ackno•ledged it and
appreoiated it, and be was sure that be repressed
the opinion of every one present when he
said that Lord Poltimore wu whit an
English nobleman ought to be In every respect—
(gpplause)—vti , a thorough Enslah gentleman --(loud
applause). The proposal he bad to make wee that a
committee slould be formed, for they all agreed with
him that the object of the meeting was what ought to
he—thot they should offer some token of their regard
end esteem for the noble lord t was that AO ( rs .)
Then, if they pleased, they would form a committee,
and he heaved to Footstool the following—Captein E. W.
Williams, Mr. Bishop, Color.el Digby, Mr. J. Foots of
C,erne, Mr. H. B. Middleton, Mr. P. Cox, Mr. John
Homer, Mr. Randall, Captain Thresher. and Mr. Pearkei
Gundry. Capt. Williams had kindly eonseneed tomtit as
Honorary Secretary— tepplauml—and Mr. Syke. as
te &surer, end subscriptions were to be paid into the
Dorchester bank.

lir. J. Horst saki he thnoght they had omitted
Mr. Smith who was from the Exeter district. He (Mr.
Smith) was of opinion he Gould do something
towards the the testimocial in view with the Eteter
men. He suggested that Mr. Smith's name should be
added.
The CHAIRMAN said he should be most happy to do

eo.
Mr. GUNDIT proposed that Mr. 1L S. Yeatman should I
be added for tie Sherborne district- (hear, hear).
Mr. Sntrit •ai.l that he had spoken to some of his
lordship's tenants at Poltimore and elsewhere In Devon•
shire, uti they would be most happy to join in the
testimonial, if they were allowed.
The CH•IRMAN though, that the more universal the
testimonial was the more gratifying it would be to Lord
Poltimore.
Mr. SMITH suggested that two of Lord Poltimore's
principal tenants in North Devon should also be added
to the committee.
Mr. BA/TIN said he feared that enlisting the Devon.
shire men ia the matter was rather departing from their
design. If his lordship's tenants in Devonshire wished
to have an opportunity of showing their regard for
hint, no doubt they might arrange it. He pro.
posed that subscriptions should only be received from
those who hunted with Lord Poltimore in the Cettiatock
country.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that so fu as Mt. Smith
was unseated be hunted with them.
Mr. SMITH said let H be talked over In committee,.
and if it ern thought the Devonshire friends of Lord
Poltarnore subscribing would rather interfere with the
Dorset testimonial. there would be an otid to thoir
joining in it; but if his lordship's Devon tenants amid
subscribe he was sure they would be most happy.
Mr. BISHOP seconded Mr. Batten', proposition. He
thought ad.nitting his lordship's Devonshire taunts to
subscribe would alter the character of the testimonial.
Mr. Barran said his object was that Lord Poltimore,
when hereafter he viewed the present they intended to
give him would be enabled to say "This is the gift of
my Dorset friends," and he hoped his lordship would be
able to add "and here is a present from my Devonshire
blends "—(heer, hear). He desired that Lord Poltimore
might be able to identify their gift as from thou who
hunted with him in Doiset.
Mr. J. HONKS angew.Rad that they might put it on •
wider basis by embracing the gentlemen who hunted
with Lord Poltimore.
The CHAIRMAN thought it would be better to read
a copy of the original advertisement, and did so. It
will be remembered that the proposal was to present
to Lord Poltimore "some token of esteem for
the manner In which he has hunted the Cattistook
'wintry.
Mr. J. C. FOOKB proposal that the name of Mr.
John Berth should be added to the committee.
The CHAIRMAN then read a statement of the object
resolved upon: "That • subscription be entered into
for the purpose of preeentiog to Lord Pultimore •
testimonial from the members and friends of bis lord-
ship's hunt, as a token of esteem and regard for the
very courteous, sportsmanlike, and liberal manner in
which his lordship has limited the ('attistock cot:tutu
for upwards of ten yeare—(hear, hear).
Mr. SMITH thought that would give an opportunity
for the Devonshire men to subscribe. As his lordship
had been spoken of here, no he was regarded there.
The CHAIRMAN said he was run that was the cue.
But it must be perfectly understood that the feeling of
the meeting was against having subscriptions from
Lord Poltimore's tenants Meatus they were his termite
- it was simply as bunting men—(hear, hear).
Mr. Sums again expressed the interest of the Devon
men in the matter.
The CHAIRMAN said it showed a great deal of good
feeling on their part. He remembered that many
thought it very hard that Lord Pultimore should hunt
here instead of in Devonshire.
Mr. Stgrrn said they felt it very mach when Lord
Poltimore left them.
The CHAIRMAN: Their following him as they did
showed the affection they had for him.
Mr. SMITH: If his lordship bad come double the
distance I think I should go where he did.
Mr. J. C. FOOKB proposed that Lord Dishy be asked
to be chairmen of the committee— (applause).
The CHAIRMAN said he should do his best to
fulfil the objects of the meeting, and be
hoped they would be sucoessfuL He proposed the
ollowing to collect subscriptions in the several districts:
—Dorchester. Captain E. W. William:a, Mr. H. Fookes,
Captain Foster. and Mr. R. Genre Weymouth, Major
Sykes. Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Devenish Bridport, Mr.
P. Gundry and Mr. N. 1L Loggia Beaminster, Mr. P.
Cox, and Mr. Lem ; CaHistoalC, Mr. Bridge, Mr.
Randall. and Mr. Whittle; Cense, Mr. Burn, and Mr.
Pooks ; Martinstown, Mr. Homer and Mr. Mayo;
Melhury, Mr. Martin and Mr. Henning; Yeovil, Mr.
Tompkins and Mr. Bretton; Dockland, Capiela
Thresher and Mr. Cale • Buckland Newton, Mr. Haan,
and Mr. Hawkins; Ch.Uminater. Mr. Devenish ; Slier.
borne,
11;forst. DiAatrtiesaidhae:haunehigairr.mYrineahh:duLperrnitted bun
to propose a resolution, and he was sure it we. one
which wool I meet the approval of all of them— it was
that they tender their thanks to Lord Digby for the
kind way in which he had been pleased to preside over
that meeting, and to assist them in getting up what
they all desired to offer. He had not the least doubt
but that the testimonial would be a very umnieful
affair, and for its auspicious beginning they were
mainly indebted to the noble lord who had been kind
enough to preside. He begged to propose that the
thanks of tbe meeting be given to Lord Dishy for the
kind and able manner in which he had filled the chair
o a that occasion.
Mr. Cog mounded the motion, and it wee eordially
adopted.