The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-03-07 00:00:00

pORCIIILSTp TOWN COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting Of Ithe auneil and
Urban Sanitary Authority, was held on Aah Wednesday.
There were present the Mayor (Mr. A. &mon), Aldermen
J. Galpin. and H. Lock ; Councillors M. Devenish, T.
Bennett, E. Burnett, F. hock, W. Durden, W. Slade, Dr.
Aldridge, J. F. Hodges, G. J. D. Gregory, and W. Vernon,
with the Town Clerk, Mr. Giles Symonds.

-"ygmaLx 1.10 FITS.

A member of the cla-si7ZIO-ce-designated by Sir H. James,
M.P. as "ladies who having proved social failures are
desirous to become political successes Lydia
Becker. had forwarded to the Town Clerk a lithographed
circular which stated she had the honour to present to him
a copy of • petition in favour of the Bill to extend the
Franchise to women now on the Bursa's roll of Municipal
Boroughs, and otherwise leWly qualified for the Parlia-
mentary suffrage. It had been adopted by the City of
Manchester and many other Corporations, and she trusted
he would lay It before the Town Council, and that they
would we the propriety of also adopting
Councillor Holism* asked if Miss Be_ker was the same
Lade who came down last year and canvassed the town.
The Tows aria believed she was He thought she also
called upon him, but she did not make much impression
he was afraid.
Councillor Bettswrr thouttielhe gave • vary glowing
account of the rights of the
The matter then dropped.
THE HEALTH OP THE TOWN.
The yepm-t of the Medical Officer was laid on the table.
It stated the health of the town to be improving, and
that though there had been some considerable amount of
sickness his attention had not been called to any epidemic.
To the report WWI also appended • tabulated statement of
the different illnesses and deaths among paupers and
hospital patients.

INTILOVINVITE.
A letter was read from the Duchy of Cornwall ufßro
stating the Duchy would have no objection to the proposed
widening of the portion of the Wareham-road. leading by
Mr. Heine • utalthotise. by 30(t. No charge would be
made for the land thus thrown in, on condition the Cor-
p‘wation built a retaining wall eft high; and that if Ur.
Mayne requested compensation for the land thus taken
alu
the Corporationland. should My him • year, the computed
ve o( the
Alderman Cistrits objected to their acceding to terms
which were sought to be arbitrarily enforced upon them;
and after some conversation, in order to bring the rnatter
to a conclusion, he proposed the following resolution :
e That in reply the letter the Council intimate their
obIIiLOn for offer of the land, but the terms proposed
not be aorePted. They would undertake to build a
retaining wall of Zit. an. out of the ground."

Mr. Hew= thouOt it was a question whether they
should make any outlay on the road at aIL He believed
the widening of the road would not in any way lessen the
danger of accidents He considered on the other hand it
would be a great improvement if they could obtain the
extension of the Wareham turnpike to South-street.
Coundllor GRZOORT agreed with Mr. Hodges, and was
in favour of delay. Ile did not think the outlay would
be compensated for by any advantage gained.
A letter was read from Mr. Rayne, stating that before
any work was commenced at the point in question, he
should require a written guarantee that a fence should be
erected sufficiently high. say If t, from the level of the
field, to protect the cattle from falling over the bank, and
that such fence should be approved by the Steward of the
Duchy.
Dr. ALDRIDGE seconded the reselution of Alderman
. . .

Councillor Davimma propoioa u en emendmaut that
the terms of the Duchy be accepted. The road at present
was positively dangerous for the pealing of carriages-
The amendment was not seconded, and on the proposi-
tion being put to the Council it was earned, two only
voting against it.

TOR WATERWORKS.

The ex-Surveyor iet;orto;ci upson the tenders which had
been received for the repair of the engines. The coat be
stated would exceed his original estimate, and he advised
that one of two London firms who had tendered respect-
ively C.5:111 and CM I (Messrs. Simpson and Messrs. D. and
A. Derrin) be
d accepted. Mr. Tracey, of Dorchester, sent
in a tener of Mri.
Mr. 1101)0113 thought it a serious consideration that the
firms who had tendered had declined to undertake the
responsibility of supplying the town with water during
the repairs, which were cAcubsted to take three months,
by means of the auxiliary pumps. He advised the Council
that they ought to be perfectly satisfied before commen-
cing the work that they would be in • position to main-
tain the supply.
Mr. VZIVION suggested the auxiliary pumps should be
put to work for a week as an experiment.
Councillor Holmes stated in n and 74 £4OO were laid
out on engines and the reservoir— Z 145 being applied to the
latter..

Gstrix challenged the statement
Mr. Ilonogs contended that if such large rePairl Were
required from time to time it became • question whether
it would not be better to puts thoroughly reliable engine
in place of auxiliaries and then repair the other.
Alderman GALPIN would not in any way assent to the
carrying out of the report of the ex-Surveyor. Re had
no hesitation in saying be had not the slightest confidence in
St. and asserted that some unprejudiced person ought to
have been called in. They were asked to do repairs at
nearly one half the original cost of the engine, and he main-
tained there was no more necessity to lay out .C. 500 than
there was for him to throw down MOO on the table to pay
for the work. He entered his protest, and would take no
part in it, but would let the responsibility rest upon the
Council. . .

Mr GREGORY could not help thinking the best and
cheapest plan would be to have • skilled mechanic,
purchase tools, and do the work themselves.
In reply to Councillor licaxgrr, the Town Clerk stated
that at • previous meeting of the Council it was resolved
the works were to he carried out under the supervision of
Mr. Phillips, the late surveyor, at • salary of 14a. •
day.
Councillor DRYINISR thought the selection of Mr.
Phillips was • very poor compliment to those members of
the Council who dissented from his fancies.
Mr. VIDNON thought nothing had occurred to interfere
with the opinion that Mr. Phillips was a good mechanical
engineer. He challenged any proof of the charge that he
was biassed. Did they mean to say Mr. Phillips was in
collusion with the great firms who hail be.,n down and
examined the engines, and supported him in his opinion I
(no, no). Ile could see no reason for supposing that Ur.
Phillips would do anything but what he believed to be for
the good of the town.
Alderman GALPIN would not occupy the attention of the
Council by answering Kr. Vernon ; but maintained he had
a perfect right to hold his own opinion.
Mr. Veitgox objected to charges being made against
persons in their absence, unless they were substantiated.
Dr. ALDRIDGE drew back the attention of the members
to the question as so ably laid before them by Mr. Hodges,
and suggested if they were not satisfied with Kr. Phillips
opinion, let them get a second one.
Alderman Loos contended that the auxiliary engines as
shown by previous trials, were able to do the work, and
that the Council ought to commence it at once.
Mr. Buaxgrr proposed that the old or auxiliary engines
he worked for • fortnight, under the superintendence of
the Borough Surveyor, in order to ascertain their power.
By that time they would better be enabled to judge of
their position.
Mr. GREGORY seconded the proposition.
Amendments were proposed by Kr. HODGES and Dr.
ALDRIDGE but were not seconded, and on the original
. . . . . . . .

resolution being put,it was declared carried unanimoualy.
Mr. Galpin and Mr. I)evenish not voting.
The plan for the extension of the cooling pond was
referred back to the Surveyor to make certain alteration&
With reference to a statement made by Mr. Homagis, and
disputed by Mr. Alderman HALPIN, 111 to the coat of the
engines, etc.. in 1g714, Mr. Hodges said the following
figures were extracted from the published accounts.
Cost of engines and linters, £lll4l in 1013; in 11174, engines
and buildings, £1111; and on the reservoir, £ll5.
This concluded the business.

THE SUNDAY (EA)SING OF PUBLIC
HOUSES.

A large and influential meeting was held on Thurs-
day evening at the Corn Exchange, in connection
with the society for stopping the sale of intoxicating
liquors on Sinn lays. The Rev. E. W. Pears, ?.LA.,
rector of St. Peters, presided, and on the platform
were Mr. E. Whitwell, of Kendal, awl the Rev. W.
Mottrant, Melksham, (the deputation), the liev.
Henry Motile, Rev. IL P. Raiketi, Rev. William
Allen, Rev. T. Neave, and General Frasier-
Tytler. Among the audience we noticed Mr. E.
Steele, Dr. Aldridge, Colonel and Mrs. Bingham, and
others, the hall being well filled The meeting was
opened with prayer by the Rev. 11. P. Raikes, after which
the CHAIRMAN said that this was not a total abstinence
movement, but one to bring about a better observance of
the Sabbath day. He looked upon it as an Important
matter, and remarked that the opening of public-houses
on Sundays was ens very powerful argument used
in favour of opening museums and places of amuse-
ment on that day. And whilst he believed it would
injorw none, but, be for the benefit of • large number, and
would raise the publicans muck in the social scale, and
remove the social scandal which rested upon them as
desecrators of the Sabbath, he pointed out a couple of
difficulties which seemed to arise against the movement
First was that of supplying travellers on the Sunday, and
then as to the workingmen, Ile did not like being
virtuous at other peoples expense, nor to aid in passing
sets which would put restrictions on those in humbler
ranks of life—(applause.) He had time every day of the
week to have his dinner at home, and everything which
he thought to make it comfortable. But many of the
working men could do that, and the only day on which
they could sit down quietly and comfortably was on the
Sunday. lie (the speaker) liked to see them- going home
on Sunday morning with their smoking dinners and he
thought
them
that if they had • glass of beer with that dinner
it might do em good, and he did not see why they
afoul be debarred from getting it, or compelled to drink
that which had been bottled up from Saturday night
But perhaps Mr. WhitweU would be able to clear up
these difficulties, or tell them how they proposed meeting
them—(applause.)
Mr. WHITWELL, the hon. secretary of the association,
then addresses the 'fleet i nst at considerable length, referring
in the outset to the past legislation on this subject showing
the various seta which had been passed, and bringing his
audience down to Mr. Bruce's noted Bill of 1872. He
remarked that then houses were kept open from half-past
twelve to two o'clock, and again from six to ten, but there
was a provision in the Act of which he much approved,
which gave publicans the privilege of closing at nine p.m.
But in the next year Mr. Cross introduced his Bill which,
the speaker said, had done much injury, and had deprived
the publican of the privilege which he before enjoyed--of
claming earlier on Sunday night But now they had a
Bill which would close them the whole of Sunday, and it
would be introduced by Mr. Wilson and Mr. Birley—
(apptause). With regard to the first objection of the
Chairman, he said that under the present law public.
houses were closed 18 hours on Sundays except to
travellers, and they did not propose any alterations in this
respect—the traveller will be able to obtain refreshments
as before. The speaker then advanced several important
reasons why these houses should be closed. Some time
ago the men in the North of England agitated for a
reduction in their hours to nine hours a day, which he
considered plenty long enough to work; this would give
them Ed hours a week. But the public-houses were open
from 6 am. to 11 p.m.. which was 17 hours a day, or 102
hours per week; add to that the six hours which the
publican had to keep open his house on Sunday, and they
had just double what it was said was long enough for a
mechanic or anyone else to work. The speaker dwelt on
the nmeessity there was for this day of rest, and remarked
that He who had made us has shown that both man and
beast required it. Speaking of the long hours which
barmaids and others, in the large towns especially,
had to work, he could only describe it as "whit, slavery.
•
The negro slavery of which they had heard so much, was
only as a drop in a bucket compared with this. He
argued too, that the publicans needed the hallowing
influences of the Sabbath day more than any others—
(applause). He then read a number of statistics, showing
who were in favour of the measure and who against [The
i
speaker had been frequently interrupted n nis remarks,
iz
ean an individual, who was asked by the chairman to act
th
e man, d come out so that they might see his face;
but this he hut not the courage to do. It was said he was
avenged at a public-house, which, perhaps, accounted for
the state he appeared to be in; but a threat of ejectment
quieted him for • tone.] Mr. Whitwell proceeded with
his remarks. Ile spoke of this effort as one which
affected our young men and young women. He had
visited several of the gin shops of London on a recent
Sunday, and he had there found boys, girla women, and
wen, the worse for liquor, but this would not he if they'
were closed ; and he appealed to them as to whether the
gin shops should be or ought to be the schools for our
boys and girls --(applause). On behalf of these young
people he asked them to help on this cause—(applause).
Nined.enths of the criminals of this country attributed
their downfall, he said, to a strong drink. They had con-
sulted the working men of the country on the subject and
as a rule they were In favour of the movement Their
public meetings had been very enthusiastic and almost
unanimous—(applause). In quoting from further statistics
Mr. Whitwell remarked that the little town of St. Ives
was canvassed and of the householders 1t.7 were in favour_
I &mutat, and 8 were neutral. At Birkenhead 3,101
working men were for them, and 186 against, whilst of the
upper class 1,356 were for them and 1,W16 against, so that
this return showed that the working man really
desired the closing of these hours —(applause). In conclu-
sion he expressed the hope that Dorchester would be
canvaseed, and he asked that those who had the privilege
of spending their Sundays quietly in their own houses
would make an effort to help on this great movement—
(applause). Mere there was more Interruption, and a
fellow who evidently new more about rags and bones than
public speaking, and who appeared to have embibed
"heavily assayed to speak, but our reporter could not
sufficiently understand hi iuto give a report of his remarks.
The wan might do better next time were he to keel)
sober till after the meeting).
The Rev. 11. Hotta, vicar of Fordington moved the
flr.t resolution as follow.s

iil;-.7.7u,;,r-liW,;pinion that the sale of intoxicating
liquors on the I..ord's Day is productive of • large amount of
drunkenness, irreligion, pauperism, and crime meow the
people ; and Inasmuch as it t. enacted that other trades shall not
be pursued on that dity, It is both impolitic and unfair that
such mle should be sanctioned, as at present, by the laws of
Me realm." . .

He said he was quite ready that evening to take up this as
• question of social policy, although he must avow his
conviction that to one taking his stand en the Fourth Coin-
mandment its general aspect was strictly religious. He
did not, however, on that ground feel any diflicriii
as appealing on this subject, was procured, to the
Legisla-
ture. For in doing so they were not endeavouring, as it
was said, "to make men sober by Act of Parliament," but
they were 'Acing the Legislature to retrace its steps and
to repeal such Acts as by licensing the opening of public
houses on the Sabbath had legalised the profanation of
that day and largely oromoted the drunkenness and the
degradation, especially of the working classes. As one
who had for 48 years in this town kept constantly in view
the best interests of those classes he would boldly say
that it was on their behalf especially he stood whore he
did to-night. But from the interests of the working man
he could "yet *BMWs in his mind those of the working
mane wife and children— (applause). And of the misery
occasioned to them by Sunday drinking he would en-
deavour to give them loose ides. A little enquiry and
calculation would establish the fact that not much, if any-
thingiess than £2ouo per annum was spent on the Sabbath
In the public houses of this town. Did they think this
possible He would give these two (arta. A t• total abstinence
meeting some 25 Years ago, in reply to one objecting that it
was hard on the working man to press him to give up his
beer in his work, one of that class exclaimed—and with
no Milo applause—." Nonstnao about the working man
sad his work. Yo be mos* all of ye Isolotalses dall

In the week. Ye do drink most o' Sunday." Another
man told Mr. Moule about that time that during 12 years
he had never spent less on Saturday night and Sunday
than ss. in the public house. Well, he went on to sal, if
that I:2,000 per annum could be saved to the working •
man would not this of Heel( tend to elevate him in the
scale of society. No one could desire that elevation more I
than he himself did. But so long as these drinking
habits continued—and he would say especially this Sun-
day public house drinking—there could be no such eleva-
tion. Because of [llia, because of the vast amount of ,
misery which prevailed in the fainilice of Sunday
drinkers; and because of the good results which, with
God's blessing, would attend the closing of public houses
on the Lord's Day, he cordially reconimanded the meeting
to adopt the resolution he had proposed. But he would go
farther. He would ask any of the respectable body of
men whom he saw before him, whether if the closing of
these houses should require them to give up their beer on
Sunday, would they not be willing for the sake of the
thousands of sufferers to exercise that small amount of
self denial? lie would in conclusion hope that the ap-
probation of this movement, already so unanimously
expressed, would be followed by action—that many
amongst the number of young men present would be
ready to canvass the town in the manner Sir. Whitwell
had proposed. At all events he trusted that not one of
the large number he saw before him would ever have any-
thing to do with the public house, at least, on the Lord's
Day.
The Rev. T. Nears seconded the resolution- He urged
that this was not • religious or political subject, but ito
came to the question—is the opening of the public houses
on the Sunday conducive to the benefit of the largest
fraction of the people? If it is not, and these statistics
show us it is not, but that it is in iurious to the people, he
remarked that it was the duty if the legislature to step
in and control the trade so that it should be —(applause).
With the difficulty of the working man getting his glass
of beer on Sunday he would put alongside the great
injury done to the community. He knew the working
man was fond of liberty, but it seemed they were in
favour of this movement, and were determined to go in
for it—(applause). As to the publican.s, he had no doubt
there were respectable and honourable men among them,
and, perhaps, religious men, but they were not such as to
commend their trade to his favourable consideration—
(applause). Every one must yield something for the
public good, and he urged that the publicans had much to
give up. They must decide whether the publicans were
to be the ruling power of this country, whether they were
to hold the reins of Government in their own hands—
(applause). Ile maintained there was nothing morn dis-
honourable to the present Government than to be carried
into office—as he unhesitatingly said they were—by com-
promising the publicans and giving them another hour
longer to keep open —(applause). Although he held the
sacredness of the Sabbath very highly, he asked why
should they keep shut the public libraries and institutions
where our mechanics and artisans can improve their
talents whilst the public houses are left open fie main-
tained that they could properly control the trade without
infringing the rights of the working man —(appl Luse). The
motion was carried with only one dissentient.
The Rev. W. MOTTILAM moved the next resolution—
" nut this meeting rejoices to know that there Is a strong
' and almost unanimous feeling in Ireland in favour of *topping
the sale of intoxicating liquors during the whole of Sunday,
and deeply regrete that, in opposition to the votes of a large
majority of Irish and Scotch representatives, the action of
English members should have prevented the enactment of a
law, which has been beneetting Scotland for IS) sears, and
which Ireland needs and earneeUv &whew That this meeting
now calls upon all the representative, ot English constituencies
, to ere their InfluenUal support to. measure which is fitted to
confer such blaming, on the " Sister Isle."
He maintained that Ireland was entitled to
; the best eovernruent England could give her,
and as the popular feeling of the Irish people was In
favour of this measure, why not let them have it.
Memorials and petitions had been sent to the Govern-
ment, asking them to close the public-houses on the
Sabbath day, and why did they not grant It? It affected
no one save the social life of the people—faitPleme4
Enthusiastic meetings had been held in Dublin, Belfast,
and other large towns, and resolutions in favour of it had
, been unanimously passed. The Duke of Abercorn had
said that the passing of this measure would tend to
promote the peace, sobriety, order, and prosperity of the
people of Ireland. This was the statement of a nobleman
, who was deeply interested in the welfare of the people of
thatcountry--(applause). lie urged them to support unani-
mously this movement In 15151 it was computed that
there were 5,15)0 015) people who were never found to set
their feet in the House of God on Sunday: and how was
that Because, whilst the bells were ringing, and the
chimes wending their sweet music over the fields, those
who ought to be there were passing in at the open doors of
the public-houses. He concluded by moving the resolu-
tion.

The Rev. W. Maim briefly seconded, and it was carried
unanimously
The Rev. It. P..RAIKILS moved

That petitions In favour of the English and Irish Bills be
signed by the Chairman on behalf of this ineeting. and for-
warded to Mr. W. E. Brnner, M.P.. for presentation to Parlia-
ment ; and that mimes of this and the preceding resolutions be
sent to the Members for the borough and county."
This was seconded by General Fasaga-TrrLER and
carried unanimously.
Mr. WRITWELL moved, and the Rev. W. MOTTRAX
seconded • vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding,
which the rev. gentleman acknowledged, and closed the
meeting by pronouncing the benediction.
A committee was afterwards formed, and arrangements
made for • canvass of the town.