The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-11-14 00:00:00

FIFTH"

THE PORTLAND ELECTION.
THE JUDGMENT.

Rev v. Collim.—ii;;l:ial-rie;;lOcirraisto Local Board
came is settled at last. t will be in the recollection of
the Portlenders that so long ago as the latter end of
May, 1874, an election was held for six members of
the Local Board of Health, in the room of the six
gentlemen forming portion of the Sanitary Authority
for the island who retired by rotation ; but who were,
nevertheless, eligible for re-election should a majority
of the voters so think fit. The right of election being
In the rated occupiers, according to rateable value, for
Instance, an occupier. whether male or female, posses-
sing a rating qualification up to 1:50 per annum had
one vote, and increasing in proportion up to five votes,
in addition to which, if an individual occupied his own
property and had given the previotut requisite notice,
he would be enabled to double his vote. The return-
ing and presiding officer was (as appointed by the
Local Board Act of Parliament) Mr. Jonathan
Comben I.ano, who sent out voting papers which were
collected by the persons chosen by that official for the
purpose. A large number of candidates being duly
nominated, the Chairman declared Mr. Benjamin
Collins returned a member, placing him the sixth on
the poll by a majority of three only over Mr. William
Coombe and Mr. Richard James Andrews, two other
of the candidates, and Mr. Collins qualified and took
his seat at the Board meetings accordingly. The
Vigilance Committee being dissatisfied with the
decision of the returning-officer, having inspected the
voting papers, rate books, Ac., took steps for
impugning and setting aside the return of Mr. Collins,
and placing Mr. Richard J. Andrews in his stead,
and which have now been brought to a successful
issue. An information at the relation of Mr. Robert
Pearce was filed in the Court tif Queen's Bench,
against Mr. Collins to show cause why he claimed the
office of local board member; and affidavits having
been filed on both sides the trial of the issue raised
came on at the assizes at Dorchester in July, 1875,
when the jury, under the direction id the presiding
judge, DOW the Right Hon. Lord Blackburn, found
for the defendant, Mr. Collins' leave being reserved
for the relator, Mr. Peens, to apply to the Court
above to set aside the verdict, should he be so advised.
Application being in pursuance made the Court of
Queen's Bench, by a majority of two to one, reserved
an the verdict, d onlered judgment to be entered for
the relator ; but still Mr. Andrews could not take the
coveted seat, notice of appeal being given, and his op-
lenient tenaciously holding on filling the position of
chairman during Mr. Lasso's absence. It would seem
the moot point was as to whether the decision of the
returning office with reference to his declared compu-
tation of the votes was conclusive and final to all
intents and purposes, or whether, as the relator's
Counsel, Mr. ICingdon, Q.c., and Mr. A. J. H. Collins
contended, clerical errors and miscalculation in reckon.
lug up the total number of admitted and allowed votes
' could be shewn so as to invalidate the official declare-
' tioti and return in the case of a candidate, thereat
r numbers of votes for whom were disputed, and there
being no reported case or Act of Parliament bearing
on the subject. Lawyers were much divided thereon;
however, all doubt was at length removed by the
Court of Appeal on Saturday last expressing a decided
opinion on the question submitted to their lordships,
and ordering a verdict to be entered for the crown
with costa. This, we hear, willpbust Mr. Andrews after
so much protracted litigation In the office for which his
friends have so courageously, and in spite of Romany op-
posing difficulties, sought to place him, unless indeed the
gallant sergeant-major should be game enough to resort
to the new final appellant tribunal. Large sums in the
shape of bets and costs will have to be provided by the
islanders on this event Mr. Kingdon, t.c. and Mr.
Collins (soon to be Q.c.), with Mr. Weston, of
Dorchester. as solicitor, conducted the case for the
prosecution from its commencement; but two of the
defendant's counsel were not in its termination, Mr.
Nianisty, having just previously to the decision
been raised to the Judicial Bench, and Mr. Pinder,
another of defendant's learned counsel, about the
same time, almost suddenly departing from this
earthly scene. Mr. R. N. Howard,of !Weymouth, the
Clerk to the Local Board, acted as defendant's
solicitor throughout It may be added that by a
curious coincidence Mr. R. J. Andrews, now declared
elected, has a similar majority of 3 only as that
poesessed at the election by his then successful
, opponent, Mr. B. Collins.

PIDDLETBENTHIDE.
rms.—Late on Saturday night some ilbdisposied person
or persons set fire to a large furze rick, containing from
one to two thousand of faggots, besides a quantity of fire-
wood underneath the rick, in • field belonging to Mr.
Whittle. The whole was destroyed, valued from .Cl 5
to .LIO.
This pretty little village was quite in a state of
excitement on 'Tuesday last upon the occasion of
the marriage of Mr George Davie, of the firm of
Davis and Son, builders, Dorchester, with Miss
Jams Collier, obtest daughter .4 Mr. James
Collier, farmer, of this place. The ceremony was
performed by the Rev. J. Hicks, the bride being
given away by her father, the bridegnson being
attended by his best man Mr. John Hazel, Don-heater.
The bride was attired in light mauve silk with veil and
neangebleasoms, and =Tied a beautiful bouquet from the
nurseries of Metiers. Harris and Son ; the 'bridesmaids
wearing Gainaborough hats trimmed with cerise, and
neetumesto match. After the ceremony a large party
sat down to a champagne breakfast at the house of the
bride's father, when good wishes passed freely: The
happy pair afterwards left, amid showers of rice, for
Bath, en route for the metropolis. Amongst the
numerous presents were a sulenilid salver and cruet
from the em Nom.' of Mr. Davis with suitable fuser'''.
tions engraved upon them. During the day the bells
of the village church rang out merry peals, and the
event was also notified by the bells of St. Peter, at
Dorchester. Mr. Sly, of the Antelope Hotel, furnishe 1
a neat turn-out in the way of carriages. The Town
Band performed in the evening outside Mr. Davis's
residence.