The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-03-09 00:00:00

Borsetshire,

L()CAL BOARD OP REALTH.

On Friday morning the monthly meeting of the
Town Council of this Borough, acting as a Local Board
of Health, was held in the Council Chamber, TownhalL
There were preseat—The Mayor, William Manfield,
Ras., in the chair ; Councillors Garland, Galpin,
Hodges, Legg, Ensor, Devenish, Bishop, Lock, Coombe,
and Andrews.
The TOWN CLERK read the minutes of the proceedings
.of the last meeting, which were confirmed. He stated
that he had complied with the Board's request and
written to Mr. Bennett relative to that gentleman's
claim for compensation for damage dome through the
aewerage works.
THE DRAINAGE AND W kTER QUESTION.
After a brief conversation on the liability of the con-
tractor to meet claims similar to that of Mr. Bennett's,
during which—in reply to Mr. Coombs, who represented
Mr. Bennett—his Worship reiterated the opinion given
by him upoa the subject at the last meeting of the
Board,
The MAroa said the first business sras to receive Mr.
Whitehead's report as to the amount of all expenses in-
curred la carrying out the contracts for works completed
and in operation, under the Public Health Act, up to the
idol February last, isicluding all extras of every kind,
and as to the time when the works will be completed for
use, and an estimate of any further expenses before
such completioa.
The Town CLERK said he transmitted the resolution
passed at the quarterly meeting to Mr. Whitehead, the
engineer- and on Saturday he told Mr. Whitehead that
he would let him know when the next meeting of the
Board wou'‘d take place. Having informed Mr. White-
head that a meeting was to take place on Friday he (the
Town Clerk) received on Thursday evening the fol-
l Owing :
"lit Feby., 1858.
" Weston Super Mare,
"March 3rd, 158, 6.30 p.m.
"My dear Sir,—l have just received your letter of
-y_esterday. Before leaving Dorchester on Saturday
Mr. Rutledge told me that the Mayor had fixed next
Monday for the meeting of the Council. I em expect.
dug to receive some returns from Dorchester, in explana-
ttion of the contractor's bill of extras which was only
.delivered to me on the morning of Saturday, and it will
:not be possible for me to forward to you a report for a
meeting on Friday next. I hope I may be able to
.do so
*.before the close of the week, but this weather willin-
terfere with the work I require to have done before I
:satisfy myself as to the amount of extras fairly payable
vs Mr. Dodson's contract.

" fain-,4ours truly,
'ARTHUR WHITEHEAD.
" G. Symonds, Esq., ok.,
" Dorchester."

The MATOIL : When did you communicate to him the
reitolutioa

The TOWN
CLERK: On the day of the meeting,
February lat.
ILTOR then called on Mr. Gilpin to make his
Inotioa, adding that it was very extraordinary the
Board's surveyor should take no notice of their commu-
nication for a month.

Mr. Oai.pig said
he was about to ask if there had
been any bill of extras presented heretofore. He had
two or three times named the subject, but had not re-
ceived a distinct answer. Had any serious amount of
extras been asked? The Board ought not to be placed in
• false position, which he considered they were in when
their actual expenses were kept from their knowledge.
Mr. COOMBS said the Board had always been led to
understand the extras were so trifling as not to be worth
'talking about.
The MAMOR said that as Chairman of the Board not •
'single rekrence had been made to him on the subject.
:Dlr. 'XYLEM!: (Mr. Whitehead's Clerk of Works),
'who 'Was present, stated that Mr. Whitehead on receiv-
kg the Board's resolution wrote to him for an account
of all'he (Mr. Rutledge) had ordered beyond what was
contained in Mr. Dodson's contract. Accordingly, he
(Mr. Rutledge) made out • list, met Mr. Thomas Dad.
on on the subject, and the document, minus money
value, 'consisted simply of measurements and descrip-
tions of items. A few days after Mr. Stannard, Mr.
Dodson's deputy, delivered to Mr. Rutledge a statement
of his claim, a very different document to the one pre
rdby him (Mr. Rutledge), and both were sent off to
Whitehead. In consequence of this, on the 26th
alt. Mr. Whitehead came to Dorchester, and on Satur-
day, the day following, until three o'clock went through
the work with Mr. Rutledge. Just before the investi-
gation was completed Mr. Stannard brought anotherand
a different statement from the one previously delivered.
Mr. Whitehead took the document and said he would
•go through and cheek it himself.
The MAYOR: Then you had no communication with
our surveyor from the time the documents were sent
wail the 27th?

Mr. RUTLEDGE : No, Sir.
The MAYOR. said that was nearly a month, during
which month, he was sorry to add, an enormous sum ac-
cruing for pumping daily at the well, and no one to attend
thereto, would have to be paid by the Board of Health. He
was told that really, after all, the pumping was of no use,
and when the boring was begun it was doubtful whether
water would come. If so, what was the use of the
outlay? Mr. Whitehead let that go on for one month at
the expense of the unfortunate ratepayers, no surveyor
going near the place. All he (the Mayor) could say was,
that he was of opinion that it was exceedingly wrong.
Mr. HOOOEB asked Mr. Rutledge the cause of the
pumping during the last mouth?
Mr. RUTLEDGE : Deficiency of the pumps.
Mr. HODGES : Exactly. And are not the contractors
for the pumping-power at work endeavouring to put
other pumps to do what is required
Mr. RUTLEDGE replied that the pumps required a day
in the week to be put to rights, and sometimes on Mon-
day mornings, when extra water had collected, the rods
broke, which caused delay. Mr. Rutledge, in reply to
several gentlemen, stated, that at present chambers were
yet being made at the bottom of the well; that the
state of things he had described went on every week;
that by Saturday night he expected to have 201 feet of
chamber room 8 feet high and 6 feet wide, which he
calculated would contain 95,000 gallons of water—space
for 100,000 gallons was to be prepared. There was
no supply of water through the chalk, without boring,
even when the chambers were finished and would
contain 100,000, and there was not a sufficient supply
of water for the wants of the town. He could not say
'whether the whole chamber room would be required if
-water followed the bore, but he had not seen such chambers
before where boring was done ; the smallness of the well
was one reason for having the chambers, for there would
not be room enough in the shaft for three pumps. Sup-
posing permanent pumps were erected, and no chambers
below, should the yield of water be sluggish, owing to
whatever cause, dry season or otherwise, the engines
would not be able to pump more than 20 minutes at a
time before the short supply would be pumped up.
Mr. GALPIN certainly must say that it was a very
great disappointment not to receive a report. The an-
swer given in his opinion did not justify delay. The
answer given .es that a hill of extras having conic in on
Saturday Mr. Whitehead was not prepared to send a defi-
nitive report. Now, had all the other estimates been
'laid before the Board, be (Mr. (hlpin) certainly should
have filmed the one omission; for if the motion passed
at the last quarterly meeting were referred to, it would
•be seen to relate so many other matters besides
Dodson's contracts.

_
The Tows CLERK, referring to the minutes of the
proceedings of the quarterly meeting held on the let of
February, read the following motion which was then
adopted : " That Mr. Whitehead be requested to fur-
nish the Board with an account of all the expenses in-
curred in carrying out the contracts for works completed
and in operation under the Publit Health Act, up to
this date, including all extras of every kind; also, to
report as to the time that he expects the whole work
will be completed for use, with an estimate of any
further expenses he anticipates before such works are
completed.'
Mr. GALPIN thought every member of the Board must
admit that the answer sent by Mr. Whitehead was not
sufficient to that motion. His answer was that he did
not receive till • certain date • bill of Mr. Dodson's on •
portion of the works already executed. Now, he (Mr.
Galpin) asked for extras to come, and what might here-
after have to be done. He had no wish to cast any re-
fleotion on Mr. Whitehead, yet, for himself, he must say
that, while the Board met to discuss various points, no
reason was offered why greater expense was being in-
curred—for he was confident the Board were incurring
many expenses beyond what had been estimated. He
thought, therefore, it behoved the Board to insist on—
es he believed they had the power he must, therefore,
employ that word—information, and he protested against
the Board being placed in an unfortunate position, to
be liable for bills coming in they were unprepared to
pay. He hoped the delays would not again occur, but
that Mr. Whitehead, who was to give from time to time
statements of the position of affairs to the Board, would
be desired to give a more satisfactory answer than that
now read. Mr. Galpin was not prepared to make a dis-
tinct motion. . . .

Mr. ERROR asked if the meeting could not be ad.
journed for • week or so.
The TOWN CLERK remarked that Mr. Whitehead's
note said that in the course of the week he hoped the
report would be ready. It would be advisable to adjourn
to • set day.
Mr. GALPIN did not think benefit would result from
adjourning, inasmuch as those present only would know
of the proceeding, and many did not usually attend ad-
journed meetings. This was • matter calling for the
serious attention of the Board, and he begged them at
once as they seemed at • loss with regard to their
position, to sift their affairs and find out how they stood.
Mr. BISHOP observed that the Board's request was very
reasonable. It was not • question of bills not delivered;
Mr. Whitehead was asked to give • statement of affairs
up to the Ist of February. But the Board were told—•
few hours previous to their meeting that • bill had come
in, immediately when this meeting was announced, and
the account to Feb. let could not therefore be made out.
It was anything but satisfactory, more especially is the
Board was already at the verge of borrowing power per•
muted by the Act. Indeed they were quite in the dark
as to whether or not the borrowing power was exceeded,
while they could get no information as to the amount of
expenses incurred.
The MAYOR said that the present meeting would in
regular course, have been held on Monday but for the
election of auditors and assessors ' • and though five days
more had elapsed, the Board could not get what they
wanted. It was not satisfactory.
Mr. ROTLIDOR said the point that engaged Mr.
Whitehead's attention when In Dorchester last was—the
water in the main sewer, and the bill that same in just
before he left had reference to the experiments mode
recently respecting the water In that main *ewer and the
consequent alterations. Mr. Whitehead then pre ?dr,
Stannard orders in his (Mr. Rutledp's) preaenoe to
show • certain length of the sewer that had been allayed
round, to test the accuracy of Mr. Stannard'e last state.
meat. That work was to be set about on Monday, but
the weather would not allow of it. being done. The
result of this exhibition would affect the amount of
extras considerably j and, as he (Mr. Rutledge) could
not report whether the experiment had been successful
until the weather permitted men to work, of wane
any adjournment of the meeting would, in some degree,
depend on the weather. That morning he bad 'pu aer2
of men reedy to work, but they could not yet p
M. Rutledge then, in reply to his Worship the Mayor,
said tint a large body of water at the mill meadow did
not pan into the sewer, as suppoesd, but was absorbed
Into the sezth.

Mr. ANDREWS asked if it was not questionable
whether the sewer would carry the water even after
being cloyed round? It seemed questionable whether
they were going to have any sewers at all.
Mr. Rt:Thicnox said openings lied been made in several
places in Fordisigton meadow recently. The crown of
one arch had not been clayed round, and, finding • large
body of water, all the shafts were opened along the
sewer to examine them. Mr. Whitehead ordered all to
be °hayed. A very strong leak into the sewer was found
to arise from two defective jesictions to house drains.
By remedying this four inches vertically of water had
been stopped from going into the sewer. Mr. White-
head gave more ordens with a view to further reduce the
quantity of water in the sewer, telling Mr. Stannard he
had not constructed the sewer properly or the water
never would have been there, adding that he (Mr.
Whitehead) was to report to tlit next meeting and was
ready to go into the matter with Mr. Dodson.
Mr. ANDREWS: 'rite question is whether or not Mr.
Whitehead is satisfied that this amount of clay is
sufficient.

Mr. RUTLEDGE: That was what the experiment was
for.
Mr. ANDREWS : Then, it is an experiment now?
Mr. DEVENISH : A frightfully expensive experiment,
I am afraid.
Mr. ANDREWS: Yes.
Mr. GALPIN said what rather alarmed him was Mr.
Rutledge saying these experiments were wanted to be
tried in order to Sad what the extras were.
Mr. ANDREWS : Mr. Dodson is not bound by his con-
tract to clay the sewer.
The MAYOR: He is bound to make an efficient
sewer.

Mr. COOMBS : 'Where does the water get In?
Mr. RUTLEDGE : At different points along.
Mr. ERROR: What is your opinion of the construc-
tion of the sewers in the town?
Mr. RUTLEDGE replied that he never saw any better
or laid down better, and he had had a similar admission
from many gentlemen from different parts of the
country. The water getting in would be no impedi-
ment to the admission of the sewerage. Mr. Rutledge
said, in answer to further questions, the only disad-
vantage of the water was the loss it would cause in the
value of the sewerage as manure. No contractor would
take it if he had one-third spring water. There was no
specification to clay the sewer.
The MAYOR put an end to the desultory conversation
by asking what was the subject before the Board?
Mr. Giarirr was not at all prepared to go to extreme
measures; he simply wanted what all had in view—to
aseertain the amount of extras.
Mr. HODGES thought it would be better to revert to
the wetter of Mr. G'alpireir motion, because he (Mr.
Hodges) was desirous to have an idea of actual expenses
as early as possible, in order to know the sum of money
to provide and to be disposed of. He looked upon some
points differently from other gentlemen. Mr. Whitehead,
as the Board's engineer, had got • good many serious
matters to weigh. The extras must be received from con-
tractors. and then, when prepared to give a proper and
decided opinion as to the liability of the Board and the
correctness of accounts, the engineer would do so.
Then it was found that an important amount of extras
had only been delivered from the contractor on Saturday
last, and, while it was important for Mr. Whitehead to
say what was the amount of the extras, it was also im-
portant for him to test the sewer; he must take care
to have it made aooording to the contract But he (Mr.
Hodges) did not we how any engineer could give an ac-
count of future extras before they were demanded. He
did not see there was any amount of blame attached to
Mr. Whitehead for not preparing during the past month
what only reached him on Saturday. If anything
reached him before it was proper for the Board to
know; and he (Mr. Hodges) took it that the engineer
would let them know what it was proper they should
know. Much that had been said about the sewer ought
fairly to be left to the engineer, as he had to see
that the undertaking of the contractor was fully carried
out, and when he furnished a report thereon he could
say if the sewer had been properly made or not. Till
then the Board might leave the matter to Mr. White-
head. He (Mr. Hodges) was more hopeful than some
that the well would answer its purpose.
Mr. RUTLEDGE, in answer to Mr. Coombe, said the
work that the late delivered account referred to was
finished on the preceding day (Friday) only, and some
of the figures were written in on the Saturday morn-
ing.
Mr. GALPIN said he had prepared a resolution ex-
pressive, at least, of his opinion on the matter, though
he did not know if it contained the opinion of the
Board. He must say he should not have gone so far
had the affair passed over without the defence brought
forward by Mr. Hodges. He (Mr. Gilpin) had no inten-
tion to cast any reflections on Me. Whitehead, but when
after so long, up to the sth of March, the Board got no
answer to their reasonable request, be (Mr. Galpin)
must ask gentlemen to allow him to submit the follow-
ing resolution—That this Board, having heard the letter
read addressed by Mr. Whitehead to the Town Clerk
respecting the estimates and expenses of the works in
progresa,. regret that it does not contain any satisfactory
explanation; and direct the Town Clerk to write to
Mr. Whitehead requesting his immediate attention to
the communication sent to him on the Ist of February
last. As to the time of the adjournment suggested it
appeared to depend on Mr. Whitehead's report.
MY. HODGES explained that he thought Mr. Galpin
misconceived his (51r. Hodges') remark, and he would
repeat it. He did not volunteer • defense of anybody,
but merely gave a common-sense view of the question.
His observation was, that he did not take the letter in
the light some did, as a censure on Mr. Whitehead for
not furnishing extras which only reached him in blank
on Saturday, particularly as the extras before they
could be properly adjusted must depend on the comple-
tion of the main sewer which was not complete. He saw
nothing unreasonable in this; but he did not feel dis-
posed to defend any one in doing what the Board
deemed • dereliction of duty. Mr. Galpin entirely mis-
conceived him if he thought he (Mr. Hodges) wished to
shield any one from proper attention to the Board's
reasonable requests ; at the same time he was not pre-
pared to say there was sensors due to the conduct of •
public officer until that officer had withheld from the
Board that which he had clearly the power to fur-
nish.
The MAYOR said it did not seem to him that Mr.
Whitehead had the power else he would have made the
report before the extras came in: On receiving the
notice sent after the meeting of Feb. 1, requiring a report
up to a certain date, surely he might have proceeded
with the statement up to that time and communicated
to the Board afterwards the extras that subsequently
came in. From the facts of the CAM it appeared that he
had paid no attention to the request till very lately.
Mr. GARLAND considered the proposition of Mr.
Galpin very moderate, and had great pleasure in
seconding it.
. . .

The TOWN CLERK said he communicated the Board's
resolution to Mr. Whitehead on the lot ult., and had
had no communication with him subsequently till
Saturday, when he told him the usual monthly meeting
would not be held on Monday owing to the election of
assessors, adding that he could not say when the meet-
ing be held, but as soon as he knew he would
inform Mr. Whitehead. When the Mayor on Monday
fixed the meeting for Friday Mr. Whitehead was ac-
quainted with it.
The MAYOR explained that the Town Clerk sent a
clerk on Saturday to inquire when the meeting should
be held, knowing it could not take place on Monday,
and his Worship replied that Mr. Symonds was to fix
the meeting to snit his convenience. The point was
mentioned on Monday at the election, when his Worship
said, let the meeting, by all means, be held on the
earliest day. He acid this in order that no delay in the
public business should take place, and the meeting was
then appointed for Friday.
Mr. Devzsman asked the contents of the Town Clerk's
first note, communicating the resolution.
The Town CLERK said he studiously abstained from
:etter-writing on the occasion, simply transmitting the
resolution, and saying, I send you • copy of a resolution
passed at our meeting to-day.
Mr. HODGKB repeated that he thought from what
Mr. Rutledge had said that the work now going on in
connection with the main sewer occasioned the remark
in the engineer's letter, that he should not be prepared
until that work was completed to finish what was
requested.
The MAYOR then put the motion, when there appeared
eight in favour of Messrs. Galpin, Garland,
Legg, Andrews, Bishop, Look, Coombs, and Ensor ; The
Mayor, Messrs. Hodges, and Devenish did not vote.

The Nuisance liumeotor's report wet then presented,
and it contained a oomplaint respectiit • nuisance in
Princess Street, resulting from the careless removal,
during the night, of nightsoil by three men. Sum-
monses were ordered to be taken out against them.

THE WILL.

The MAYOR maid he had desired to have the oonaidera-
tion of the state of the well on the Bridport road intro-
duced in the Agenda Paper, because he had been
informed by the Clerk of Works that the expense
incurred there might be useless', and it struck him that
had Mr. Whitehead been prelim:it they might have ascer-
tained if it was desirable to commence boring. However,
the matter must etand over till Mr. Whitehead was
available, to let them know what he wished them to do.
Mr. GALPIN inquired if, when Mr. Whitehead was in
Dorchester on Saturday, he visited the Mayor to receive
instructions f . .

The MAYOR said M. Whitehead went to Mr. Symonds
for instructions.

Mr. RUTLEDGII, in reply to Mr. Devenish, stated that
Mr. Whitehead gave him instructions to go into the
well and make sections, which would take up three days
to acoomplish, and this had not yet been completed.
Thursday night he received • letter from the engineer,
from which it appeared that Mr. Whitehead'e object
wu to maintain with the greatest nicety what quantity
of water the heading+ would contain. Mr. Whitehead
bad decided that boring should take place.
Mr. BISHoP said in the report of Mr. Whitehead sent
in on February lot something was said about the time
when the chamber, should be completed.
Mr. HODGES thought that the report said the work
was to be completed in about ten days; but it had since
appeared that the pumps had broken down.
Mr. LOOK asked if advertisemente were to be issued
to have the boring done by contract.
Mr. ()ALM presumed there would be no boring till
there was an estimate of the code before the Board.
Mr. RUTLlCDOlaequiescied.
Mr. GA3LAND: Yee, We muse wait again for Mr.
Whitehead's report.
The Laois said boring would be • heavy expense.
Geologist' had told him that the boring would have to
extend to 300 feet at the least before any thing but chalk
would be got at; and he thought, and he sail It ad-
visedly, that they would have to bore 700 feet deep, the
stratum of chalk was so thick. The chalk, too, was
very porous. However, when Mr. Whitehead was ready
with his report, his Worship would be most happy to
call • meeting of the Board of Health to suit his eon.
venience at any time.
Mr. °ALMS said he believed the contractor for head-
ings, Omelet, had made a claim for oompensation.
Mr. RUTLZDON explained that during one week Claw.
her could not work, but he was obliged, In order to keep
his men together, to pay them for that time. Hence
the claim.
The Idaroa : And we must pay for all this.
TEM

Mr. Eason brought forward the question of the foot
pavements of the borough. He deemed it importent
a. belting on tin character of the town, Ishii* formerly
had bad lb. lianas of being the &anent and neatest in
111211 Wild of England. Hi desired to provoke disouasion
on the subject, that some moans might be devised for
doing the work at once, and thoroughly, rather than

piecemeal, and he considered it unjust to levy the sum
required on the present rate-payers, instead of letting it
run over a series of years, because that would make the
present inhabitants pay fur the wear and tear of many
generations. It would be unjust towards those also
who might be leaving the town within a few years. He
contended, then, that the only means of getting over
the difficulty, and putting the town in proper repair,
was by borrowing money, and throwing the re-payment
over several years, as under the Public Health Act.
For the information of those not aware of the dilemma
Dorchester was now in, he referred to the period when
the business of paving was under the management and
control of Commissioners appointed under the Paving
Act. About twelve years ago these Commissioners,
finding a considerable outlay was required to put the
town in thorough repair, discussed the subject at a
monthly meeting, and resolved that • survey and esti-
mate should be made of the probable expense of paving
the town properly. At the next meeting a report was
accordiugly presented, and the estimated cost was about
£l,OOO. About that time the Wilts and Dorchester
railway was being commenced, and it was thought that
by waiting two years, when the line would be finished,
paving stone could be obtained at 2d. • foot less than by
cart-carriage. 'Then ensued the panic all no well remein-
bered, and which delayed the completion of the railway
till a twelvemonth ago. Under the Commissioners' Act
there was power to borrow money, but by the present
Act the Board bad no such facility. He suggested,
therefore, that a case be sent to the Board of 'Health,
showing the large outlay requisite, stating that formerly
the town authorities had kiower to borrow money for
paving. If this course wan ineffective, • Bill introduced
by Mr. Blaney in the House of Commons, entitled the
Towns' Improvement Bill, might contain a clause suit-
able, or if not the incorporation of a clause, conferring
the needed power, might be suggested to the hon.
member. If this failed, an Act of Parliament might be
obtained, giving the power. Under the last estimate for
local expenditure—amounting to Is. 3d. in the pound,
it was found that only £lOO could be devoted this year
towards paving. Now, should a few members select a
particular part of the town for the outlay of that sum,
great jealousy would, in all likelihood, arise.
Mr. COOMBS : Do you want to know where to begin?
Begin at my house. (A laugh.)
Mr. ENSOB: That was the feeling. Besides, some
parts of the town were already indictable, he believed.
He would add that the amount estimated for the needed
outlay was £2,000. •

The Totem ei,Eax said he had considered the question
and found it surrounded with considerable difficulty.
He did not think the object could be effected in any way
except by obtaining an Act of Parliament.
Mr. COOMBS thought an Act might be obtained under
the auspices of the Board of Health. Would it not be
well to apply to them, briefly stating the facts and in-
quiring if they could point out a oourse for the Dor-
chester Board to take?

Mr. ENsort then, at the suggestion of the Mayor,
moved that the matter be referred to the Streets' Com-
mittee, an early meeting of which was to be held alter
the Assizes.

Mr. BISHOP seconded the proposition, and it passed.
The CLERK of the MARKRT (Superintendent Portnoy)
received instructions to stop the prooeedings of " Cheap
Jacks" at fairs for the future at 9 in the evening.
The Board„broke up about one o'olook.

Punnacx.—The last Gazette contains the official
despatches of Admiral Sir Michael Seymour to the
Lords of the Admiralty, detailing the proceedings con-
nected with the late taking of Canton, and capture of
conunissioner Yeh. Inthese, as well aethe acoompaay-
ing ones from commodore Elliott, amongst other
names of whom honourable mention is made, we are
glad to find that of Lieutenant A. Alson, eldest eon of
the Rev. George Alston, rector of Studland, Isle of
Purbeck, prominently stands forth. This young
officer has met the reward of his gallantry, in having
been selected to fill the responsible post of first
Lieutenant of the Niger, under the Honourable
Captain Cockrane, one of the most distinguished
officers in the service.

SmarrEsnurty.—The Ingitution.—On Wednesday
evening last, Mr. Kidd, (editor of Kidd's Journal,
&c.,) gave a pleasing and agreeable lecture at the
Townhall, to the friends and members of the in-
stitution, entitled "An Evening in Nature's Study."
The lecturer treated the subject in a very pleasing
manner arranging it at follow.:—" On the ad-
vantages derivable from the study of Nature—All
True Naturalists proved to be good men—The
Delights of Country Joys—Birds, Flowers, Trees,
Gardens, and the Chemistry of Nature—Wonders of
the Microscope, and Original Anecdotes of Animals,
&c.," which were delivered with great zest and
humour, and attentively listened to by a pleased and
numerous audience.

SHERBORNE. —The Hon. Secretary of the Yeovil
Agricultural Society, (Mr. H. S. Watts,) has re-
ceived a note from the munificently liberal owner of
Sherbonie Castle, G. D. W. Digby, Esq., in reply
to an application made to him by the secretary, in-
timating his intention of contributing to the society
annually, the sum of twenty guineas, as given by
him last year.
Mr. H. Roberts, the lessee of the Sherborne fairs
and market tolls has resigned them, and they have
been taken by Mr. John Forward.

STURMINSTER. —Tenders delivered February 25th,
for new road, banks, fences and briclige in the
parishes of Sturminster, Lydlinch, and Fifehead, in
the county of Dorset. Haggett and Pecklington,
architects, Sherborne, Dorset: -.H. Bland -ford,
Blandford, £605; Humphries, Upwey, Wey-
mouth, £405; Jesty and Son, Broadway, Wey-
mouth, £394 Ss. 9d.; Fish, Sturminster.
£373 16s. 9d.

_- -
HAWICCHURCH.—FataI Accident. —John Gapper,
a carter in the employ of Mr. Glyde, of Abbots
Wootton Farm, met with his death on Wednesday
week while returning from Lyme with three horses
and a wagon containing a ton of coal. There were
two other men with him. Whilst descending Green
Pit Hill, between Charmouth and Wootton, with
both wheels dragged, one of the men being in
front of the horses and the other leading the fore
horse. Gapper, who was by the side of the horse in
the shafts, being drunk, struck the horses, which
made them trot down the hill so bat that the men
could scarcely run with them. Of a sudden the men
missed Gapper, and on looking round they saw him
lying in the road, and at once went to his assistance,
but he was nearly insensible, and could only articu-
late "Lord have mercy upon me !" He was imme-
diately lifted into the wagon, but before it had
arrived at the first house, he was dead. Neither of
the men saw him fall, or could say if the wheels
passed over him. Death was caused by severe in-
juries about the head and body. An inquest was
held on the following day at Wootton, before S. S.
Cory, Esq., of Bridport, and the jury returned a
verdict of Accidental Death.
BRIDPORT.—Charge of Wilful and Corrupt Perjury.
—Silrester Follett, William Thomas, jos., and Alfred
Batson, of this town, were charged before the worshipful
the Mayor T. Bwens, S. Whetham, J. P. Stephens,
J. Barniaoit, and R. Tucker, &qrs., on Friday week,
with wilful and corrupt perjury, committed in the
Townhall, Bridport, on the 11311, ultimo. Mr. Weston,
of Dorchester, appeared for The proseention, and the
prisoner was defended by Mr. Manley and Mr. Richard
Tucker. The ease limited several hours, and caused
much excitement in the town. The new county polioe
force has recently been introduced into this town, to
the infinite disapprobation of a great number of our
population, and to the evident satisfation of many
others. The working classes in particular feel some-
what annoyed, as they anticipate some augmentation to
their rates, and are likewise submitted to • survillance
of whioh they altogether disapprove. On the 16th ult.
policeman Kellaway, No. 18, was charged with assault-
ing Silvester Follett, who swore that the polioeman had,
on the day when a person was examined for breaking
Mr. Flowe's window, called him • liar, and struck him
1 three or four times, whilst standing in the footway
under our Townhall. In this he was corroborated by
two other witnesses, but a host of witnesses on the part
I of the police gave a different version of the story, so
that the charge of assault was dismissed, and the former
1 plaintiff and his two witnesses in turn became defen-
dants on the charge of perjury. The statement of the
' policeman was to the effect that, after coming from the
1 Towuhall when the person was examined on the charge
1 of breaking Mr. Flowe's window, he was socasted by
Follett, and after some uninteresting conversation
Follett called him • liar. The policeman not relishing
this ephithet, ordered him to move on, as he was ob-
structing the pathway; he refused, and said he had
or, right there than the policeman had, adding that
he had to work hard to keep the police. The witness
told him that what he paid for the support of the force
would not keep A church 'noose; and told him to move
on. Follett still refused, saying, "I suppose you think
I'm not a ratepayer," to which the policeman replied,
"You do not look much like one." Follett then stepped
up close to him and called him a liar. The policeman
put his hand against him and desired him to go on, or
he would find another place for him. He used no vio-
lence towards him, and never struck him in any way.
Several parties then swore that they had witnessed the
whole proceeding, and did not see the policeman strike
the man, although he certainly pushed him, desiring
him to go on. One witness for the defence swore that
the policeman did strike lain, and others that he
"shoved" him two or three times. The magistrates
committed Follett for trial, but be WAS liberated on
WI. The other two parties procured bail to answer
any indictment which might be preferred against
them.