The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-01-21 00:00:00

gorresponbenre.

RAILROAD TO PORTLAND:

The following letters appeared in our contemporary,
the Telegram:

SlR,—lam as fond of fair play as any man in
either Weymouth or Portland, and in reply to "Fair
Play's" letter, I would advise him, when he next
uses his pen, in reply to "Looker On's" remarks,
relative to the absurdity of a railroad to Portland, to
use some other signature more in accordance with
the contents of his letter; for any free-school-boy
would pronounce that it is anything but "fair play,"
either towards Mr. Herbert Williams, as the bond-
holder of the Pile Pier, or the bondholders of
the harbour; and he makes a bold assertion, which is
.only surmise, "that he (Mr. Williams) knew a rail-
road to Portlanll had been long agitated, Am."—
whereas, if I may be allowed to say, neither Mr.
Williams nor any other person of common sense,
ever dreamt of such a stupid and reckless scheme
being set on foot by any member of the Weymouth
Town Council. He again states that "he (Mr.
Williams) advanced his money with his eyes open."
This is • shrewd and wonderful piece of discovery on
his part, and 'a piece of information "Fair Play"
need not have troubled himself to inform any one.
All I hope is, that if Mr. H. Williams's " eyes were
really open," as stated by "Fair Play," that the
body corporate and trustees of the Pile Pier and
Harbour, won't "open the eyes" of those who have
advanced £30,000 upon the honourable understand-
ing that all was to have been "fair and above board."
"Fair Play" again makes another vet y bold assertion,
and in the true spirit of a man that possesses neither
charity or good feeling towards his fellow-men, he
says, "As far as Portland is concerned (and here he
must include himself as the author of such an ill-
natured remark) it would be a good thing if the Pile
Pier were washed away by the sea." Is this, Mr.
Editor, and readers of the Telegram, fair play, or
exhibiting a fair feeling towards such a splendid
erection as our Pile Pier? One thing alone he is
very candid in, namely, that he never would have
expressed his 11111IMIS and bitter remarks,were he not
annoyed at having his own "eye opened," by being
saluted on his landing on the pier, by tho tell col-
lector, with " A penny, Sir, if you please?" and not
twopence as he states; for after coming by the
steamer, if he begrudges his penny, be is at full
liberty to walk home if he please; for the whole
sum and substance of his letter seems to be only
(and warmly that) of the value of twopence.
I could have asked" Fair Play" why he did not
include the penny toll on landing at Portland, cheer-
fully paid by all Weymouthiane and visitors,going to
and leaving Portland by steamers or pleasure boats?
I should he very uncharitable towards Portland
"Fair Play," if I were to wish that useful &imam°.
dation to be washed into the see; and for the credit
of the islanders generally, I firmly believe there
is not another man on the island of Portland who
coincides with such • wish. I must book him in my
estimation as a mere looker on, and not a real
" kimber man"—and may add, for his information,
if he ever visits Southampton, lie will tind he has
to pay 2d. each time he goes off or on their_pier.
In conclusion, if this is all that "Fair Play" can
advance as an argument in favour of a railroad from
Weymouth to Portland, I can assure him neither
the good inhabitants of the island have anything
to thank him for his communications through the
medium of the Telegram, and much less can he ex-
pect the thanks of Mr. Alderman Devenish, or the
other six " wiseacres" who supported the scheme.
I remain, Sir, yours truly,
A LOOKER ON.

PORTLAND.—The Wesleyan anniversary ser-
vice% in connexion with the eastern branch, were
held on Sunday week. Two pow erfal sermons were
preached by the Rev. T. Adams, returned missionary
from the Friendly Islands. The missionary nieeting
was held the following Monday. it. Itaggett. Esq.,
of Weymouth; occupied the chair. Addresses were
delivered by the Bev. H. Jutsuin, G. Hobill, T.
Adams, and other gentlemen. Notwithstanding the
wet evening, the chapel was full. The eloquent
address of timelier. T. Adams made a great impres•
&ion on the congregation, and the meeting was the
best ever known in Portland. The Collections were
in advance of lad year.
PORTLAND r. WEYmouiv.—,The Portlenders here
are highlymmused with the epistles of 'A Looker-
On," and one or two other writers which have been
contributed to the Telegram. One is only to be
told what all Portland knows—that it is impossible
• for doeke to be made here—seeing that no land can be
purchased for the purpose—and the absurdity of all
the froth and fury displayed by the writers about the
imaginary injury a railroad to Portland would inflict
upon the Weymouth harboar fund. becomes mani-
fest. But it is time the Portland people began
to look a little to their own interests. If
they were to do this, they might make
the place far more important than even now it
is. A more healthy spot than Portland it is impos-
sible to find, and were accommodation provided for
them, many ladies and gentlemen would prefer a
residence on the island to Weymouth. But the
roads require improving, and above all a system of
drainage—which might be done at a trifling expense
—must be carried out. This is so necessary a
measure, even for the benefit of the inhabitants
themselves, that steps should be taken to ascertain
the best means of doing it, whether under the Local
Board of Health Act, or whether it would be de-
sirable to apply for a local act. Will not some one
make a move in the matter Communicated.