The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-03-29 00:00:00

N!IMBORNR.

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Erni eoltra.- It le contemplate/ to hot/ a local
volunteer review at ginirston. Lamy Park, on Easter

lino As',

Pits RARIOT7A CR Altni •GAMPIT • Rattler ANT, A
SHAPHRILL —At the Petty fleasions on Friday John
romoton and Thomas St'snes. bailiff and aherherd to
Mr. Luff, surrendered to their recognizanem and came
np for judgment. They were defended hy Mn. Atkinson.
who, however, admitted that as the evidence was closed
he could only (with the riertnimlorl of the Conch) ask
a few general questions as to the hiring. With respect
to the shepherd. Strange, Mr. Liiff said that when he
engaged him he made a memorandum in pencil, hut the
contrast was nevor romnb•ted. On bring requested to
produce the memorandum he stated that he believed
he had loft it at home, but it was written so small that
it terl'iireti a powerful Risotto decipher it. The memo.
random was given to the shepherd, and hy him
...turned to Mr. Lid to have a cony taken in ink.
Mr. Loft theft stated that to the beet of his memory
the ahepherd was to have 10.. a werk, a house, garden,
and *boat VS or 40 log of potato ironed. and also the
usual allniranne of 14. per head at the time of tailing
the lambs. He entered his service on the 11th October.
and • month's notice was be given on either side. He
had the entire oh •ree of the sheep, and had hi. grand.
son, • led about fifteen years of age, to assist him, and
was allnwerl whatever extra assistance he reonired.—
Mr. Atkinson then asked as to the number of
sheep he heel before and after the climove.y
of his loss. kint to this Mr. !Jiff replied that
not expecting to be further interrogated on that
point, he hal not broosht his memorandum with hi..
The Chairman then read the minutes taken at the last
meeting. hat decided that defendant's eche-War could not
crowar amine on that pnint.-1n reply to Mr. Atkinson,
Mr. Lnff denied that both before aed during the whole
time that Strains had ahem of the sheep a large
number had the foot dimes., but dated that they were
now an affected in conarrence of the negligence of
Strange. He aim denied that some of the lambs three
day• after. their birth showed symptoms of the same
dieeme.--Eridenee was then given as to the terms of
oontract with Compton. Re had a house, garden, fuel,
and 14s, per week, with the prornim of increased wars
If be gave satisfaction. The agreement was made the
twrMning of April. Iso9, and defendant entered wr.
for. aerates about the middle of that month. The
bailiff's duties were the general superintendence of the
farm, and his wages were paid fortnightly. Two weeks
were due.- -Mr. Atkinson then lammed the Bench.
R. said he could not understand how it was that a man
like Strange, who had been for 35 yeas in the service of
Sir Edward Baker, and borne an excellent character,
then for 27 years with Mr. Tett. of Haigh farm, who also
gave him a good character, and than with Mr. Galpin.
of Keynetone, who had given • written character
testifring to his attention and diligence, that each a
man Should all at once, After so many years of faithful
servitode, now be placed in the cloak to answer such •
charge an that brought against hint. Re certainly
thought there most be something behind which had not
come oat in evidenee, and which unfortunately he was
prevented rota searehing into then. His client. were
lebarred from saying anything now, but as be was
instrusted the shepherd's statement was this. that he
bad not mfficient aseistanee, the sheep were diseased,
and the number said to have died was considerably
overstated. With respect to Compton. the bailiff, be
had been a farmer himself, and though, unfortunately,
he had not snOtietled. he had since acted as bailiff for
seven years. and borne a good chancier. His defence
was that during the greater part of the time this loss
was goir,i on, he was unable through illness to be
about on the farm, and th•t would account, in some
measure, for not giving that attention he otherwise
would. Re (Mr. Atkinson) treated that if the Bench
proceeded to a conviction they would do so under the
9th petition of the Act, which gays them power to
inflict a fine, abate wages, Ica., and not under
the penal section, the 141 h, on the ground of their
previous good character, and their age.—Mr. Parke
and Mr. Austen, the two msgistrses before whom
the Due was first heard, then retired for • short
time, and on returning into court said that they had
even the case their most careful consideration, and
were of opinion that they thould not be doing their
duty it they did not convict under the 14th section.
by which the defendants were liable to a fine of £2O
or three months' imprisonment. Taking, however, Ito
ooasideratioe their advanced age, and the previous good
character, especially of Strange. they should not inflict
the full penalty, but for the protection of employers,
and as • minting to others, they seatepeed each to one
month's imprisonment without hard labonr.