The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-01-05 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.

Yesterday (Monday) morning a meeting of the
Town Council was held in the Council Chamber,
Townhall. There were present—Williani Manfield,
Esquire, Mayor, in the chair; and Councillors
Devenish, Garland, Stanton, Lock, Bishop, Galpin,
Ensor, and Coombs. The Town Clerk read the
minutes of the proceedings of the last meeting
of the Council, which were confirmed.
. _

The Mayor' said the first business on the agenda
paper was to appoint a surveyor and transact some
business relative to the transfer of a house in Wol-
laston field; but, as Mr. Coombs, who had given
notice of the motion, was not present, it would be,
perhaps, beat to postpone the matter till his
arrival.

The following letter, addressed to the Town Clerk,
was then read :

Dear Sir,—l write at my sisters' desire to say that
they should feel obliged if you would inform the Town
Council that unless the posts near their lower garden
door are remo‘ed three yards beyond the door towards
the North Walk so as to allow free access for a horse
and cart they shall feel themselves, this day fortnight,
under the necessity of cutting the posts—a hostile mea-
sure they would be sorry to resort to. Even without
the posts the access for a horse and cart is rendered
very difficult by the pathway thrown up by the Town
Council, but with the iron sockets belonging to the
posts it is now impossible.

Your's faithfully,
WILLIAM CHURCHILL.

Calton, December 18, 1887.
From the conversation hereupon ensuing it appeared
that when improvements were made a-few years
ago in the North Walk the wooden posts complained
of—and which were erected for the protection of the
public—had been set in iron sockets so as to be
readily removable by the residents at Colliton
House when necessary. Mr. Galpin moved—That a
letter be addressed to Mr. Churchill requesting him
to name a time when he will be next at Dorchester,
in order that a meeting may be had on the question
between him and Mr. Ensor, on the part of the
Council, with a view to effect an amicable arrange-
ment. Mr. Garland seconded this proposition, and
it passed.
The Mayor said, the next business was to appoint
some one to act as surveyor to the Council to cer-
tify the performance of the covenants for building
in the Wollaston field leases already granted to
Messrs. Mondey and Gregory; and to seal a license
authorizing an assignment by Mr. G. I. G. Gregory
of lot 34 of Wollaston field to Mr. Thomas Whittle
Pearce. His worship remarked that the question
was, whether the Council would be at the expense of
appointing a special surveyor for the particular work
now named, or appoint a surveyor who would act
under the Local Board of Health, which appoint-
ment might be looked forward to, and which officer
when appointed, would also work for the Town Conn-
appeared that the certificate would not be
needed till- the houses were completed, and the lease
stipulated that they must be finished by March 25;
and, as Mr. Coombs had given notice to move the ap-
pointment of a resident surveyor to act under the
Local Board of Health, who would likewise attend
to the business of the Town Council, the decision
was postponed till the result of that motion was
ascertained. Mr. Eimer, however, moved, and Mr.
Bishop seconded, the appointment of Mr. Henry
Barnes to survey the four lots of Wollaston field
from 33 to 36, provided his cost were but two
guineas.
The Town Clerk read a report from the Watch
Committee upon a communication from Captain
Edward Willis, given in the Dorset County Expreao
GPM time ago, relative to the state of the borough
police. The committee were "of opinion that the
efficiency of the force is capable of improvement,
and that it is desirable, as far as the means at the
disposal of the Council will allow, to act upon
Captain Willis'. suggestion in respect thereof ;" but,
as the maximum amount to be raised by a polioe rate
was £3OO, they could not entertain the inspector's
proposition of reform. The committee wore favour.
able to Col. Cox's application for the use of the
borough lock-up houses on the part of the county
police, but thought some rent might be paid fur the
accommodation. A letter had been received from the
Home Office, stating that Sir George Grey did not
feel justified in granting a certificate authorizing
the Treasury to pay any sum towards the maiute-
nano° of the borough polies during the past year.
The report whence this decision had been arrived
at mentioned that the Borough of Dorchester com-
prised 571 i acres, and in 1851 the population was
6,394.—The Mayor moved that a letter be written to
Col. Cox in answer to his letter to the Mayor, of
December 23, 1857, stating that the Council will
grant his request on the part of the county to use
the look-ups of the borough, as proposed by him,
upon payment of rent, at the rate of .610 per annum,
from Christmas last. The Col's, words were, "when.
ever they (the lock-ups) may not be wanted for the
1118 of the borough." -Mr. Lock seconded the motion,
and it was carried.—Mr. Lock proposed, and Mr.
Garland seconded, That a letter be written to the
Home Office, saying that this Council cannot carry
into effect the recommendations of Capt. Willis, as
the rateable value of the property in the town is
insufficient to raise by a watch-rate of sixpence in
the pound an adequate stun for the purpose; but as
far as the funds may enable them they are prepared
to put their force into a state of efficiency. This
resolution was agreed to.—Mr. Galpin moved, That
the Watch Committee be retruested to take such
steps as may appear to them tit for the purpose of
putting the present borough police force into the
most efficient state. This proposal was acceded to
and the Council adjourned the remainder of their'
business till after the

LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH
had held its meeting. The minutes of the Local Board's
last meeting having been read and confirmed, a nui-
sance at (Tallow's-hill was reported, and the usual
order given. —An order for the payment of the pur-
chase money of the stable and premises recently
bought of Mr. Francis Henry Lambert was made,
and the seal affixed to the deed of assignment thereof,
on the motion of Mr. Coombs, seconded by Mr.
Galpin.
The Town Clerk read a report from the Streets'
Cogunittee. The committee had considered the
street nomenclature, and proposed that the streets
should be formally named as indicated on an out-
line-tracing of the borough produced. No member

from Fordington attending die meeting, the com-
mittee had not attempted any alterations in that
locality—Mr. Deveniah moved that Hospital-street
be named Princess-street, and with this emendation
the report was received and adopted, on the motion
of Mr. Coombs, seconded by Mr. Ensor. It was
decided to paint the names black upon a white ground
on walls at the cornens of the town streets.
A communication wan read from Mr. F. Bennett en-
closing a claim for damage done to a meadow in his
occupation at Fordington, through which a sewer
had been made :—damage to grass in May, June,
and July, 3 acres at £5 each-615 ; damage to
ground by destroying surface over the portion occu-
pied by sewer, and which could not be restored in
less than three years, .61 10a—total, £l6 10s. —The
Board appeared to be of opinion that the contractor,
Mr. Dodson, was liable for this claim. —The Mayor
said he apprehended Mr. Bennett could take out astern-
mons against the officers of the Board of Health,
and, as the damage was under .£2O, and must be paid
out of the rates, obtain reasonable compensation be-
fore the magistrates. Every claim would have to be
settled in a legal way, and those above .620 would
necessitate an arbitration. This step having been
accomplished, the Board would have to recover from
the contractor, and, in order that Mr. Dodson should
be saved the law costs in such cases it would he
better for him to meet the demands at once—Mr.
Coombe then moved, and Mr. Deveniah seconded,
That the Town Clerk be directed to communicate to
the contractor the Board's opinion of his liability for
damages, and to inquire what course he will take in
' respect thereof; and that Mr. Bennett be informed
that the Town Council are in communication with
Mr. Dodson, and that he shall have an answer as
soon as practicable.
Mr. Coombs then proposed, in accordance with his
notice, That it is expedient and necessary to appoint
a resident surveyor competent to superintend the
repairs of highways, and the execution of other
works, required under the Local Board of Health;
and also to take charge of the Municipal Corporate
property. NO One seconding this motion, it
fell to the ground.
The Town Council meeting then resumed, and Mr.
Bishop, in the absence of Mr. Ensor, moved, and
Mr. Garland seconded—That Mr. Henry Barnes be ap-
pointed for the purpose of surveying the four houses
in Wollaston field, lots 33, 34,33, and 36, and to
certify if the covenants are performed for building in
the Wollaston field leases already granted to Messrs.
Mondey and Gregory. Mr. Routledge obtained
leave to have some flints broken and placed along the
banks of the Mill stream from Froome path to Mill.
street.
The Council then broke up, between one and and
two o'clock.

WEYMOUTH.
senntede RtouatteanToVwnn,Coa untrocpilhym byfrothe Sebastopol,
linister war,
has now been placed
.in position near the Binge, on
the Esplanade.
A large Christmas Tree brilliantly lighted with
gas, was exhibited at the National School-room, on
Monday and Tuesday last, to a large number of per-
sons who were admitted on the first day at Is. each,
children 6d. On the second day the public were ad-
mitted at half price. The tree was elegantly fes-
tooned with a large number of fancy and useful
ornaments, which in the gas-light had a pretty and
pleasing effect. The money raised was devoted to
the Church Missionary and Pastoral Aid Societies,
as well as to some local charities. All the arti-
cles displayed had a quick sale, and realised a
very liberal sum.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION—Mr.
Macready on his recent visit to this town having
presented two lectures by Dr. Booth, on "How to
learn" and "What to learn", on the evening of
Wednesday week Mr. H. Fudge read the first one
to a goodly number of the members of the Institution.
Dr. Moorhead presided.
Mr. Bower was the successful bidder on Tuesday
last, for the Harbour and Wharfage dues, for the
sum of .£1,210.
Sir John Lethbridge, hart., distributed about 460
loaves amongst the poor of this town during Christ-
mas week.