The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-07-04 00:00:00

TURNWORTH.

ON SatUrday, June 24, the worthy squire, with his
customary liberality, oelOrated the completion of his
hay-harvest by entertaining the hay-makers to a sub-
stantial supper in the servants' hall, to which we need
hardly say they did ample justice. J. A. C.

STURMINSTER NEWTON.
ALARMING AND DREITBEICTP7E FIRE.—On Friday
afternoon, about 4 o'clock, a serious fire occurred in this
toen, whereby two farm houses, four cott,ges, stables,
and other out-buildings----all thatched premises—were
consumed. The fire commenced in an old stable
opposite the Police Station, in the occupation of Mr.
T. B. Parlour, draper, whose man was at work in the
building at the time, or at any rate a few minutes
before the fire commenced. Attached to the stable was
an out-house in the occupation of Mr. J. Beat, tinman.
,The whole of the buildings, being very dry, were
enveloped in flames in less than five minutes,
and the fire communicated to some more out-houses
at the back of the main street. From these the
sparks flew over toward' the south-east part of the
town, a large thatched out-building belonging to the
Swan lon, in almost a direct line escaping, and set
fire to the farm house of Mrs. Knott, widow, which
was entirely consumed; thenoe onward to the
farm-house of Mr. John Strange, which was also
burnt down, placing the residence of Mrs. Daahwood
in jeopardy, the coach-house and stable abutting Mr.
Strange's premises being damaged, and had it not been
for the very active exertions of the inhabitants generally
the whole of Mrs. Dashwood's property must have
fallen • prey to the devouring element. On the other
side of Mr. Strange's premises • cottage in the occupa-
tion of Mr. Benjamin Rose, tailor, caught fire and was
destroyed, and opposite to Rose's cottage, adjoining the
new burial ground, three more cottages were burnt
down. The Sturminster fire engines were quickly en
the Tot where the fire oommenced, but it was found im-
possible to save those buildings which had ignited, and
the exertions of those engaged were confined to cutting
4 the means of communication with the adjacent
premises. Unfortunately there was but • poor supply
of water, though the whole of the pumps and wells
were placed at the divosel of the engine men. During
the evening an aro-Bent engine from Stalbridge arrived,
with several hands to work it, and rendered good servioe,
as did also an engine from Okeford Fitzpaine. The
furniture belonging to the several occupants was got out
of their houses, but sustained considerable damage by
hasty removal, and as we are informed the tenants are
uninsured, we trust the neighbouring gentry and
farmers will give a helping hand to those who have
suffered. At one time it was feared that the greater
part of the town would be laid in ruins, and had the
wind shifted to the south, in all probability these fears
would have been realised. Most of the property
destroyed belongs to Lord Rivers, but at present it is
impossible to estimate its value. The fire was mostly
got under about 10 o'clock, but the ruins were
burning all night, and the fire partially increased in
strength about one o'clock the following morning. Its
origin is unknown, but it is supposed to have been
caused by some ohildrea playing with lucifer matches in
the stable where it commenced. This is, however.
being investigated by the polite. Superintendent
Hammond, opposite whose dwelling the fire began, was
immediately on the spot; two other constables arrived
soon after. Some of the force were employed working
the engine, and the rest in protecting the property of
the sufferers. So serious a fire has not been known
here for the last twenty years.

I wax

The following amount is from another correspondent:
—On Friday afternoon an alarming fire broke
out in some old thatched premises used as a stable
by Mr. Paviour, at the north end of the town,
close to the entrant* of the Somerset and Dorset
Railway Station, which rapidly oommunicated to other
thatched premises at the back, occupied by Mr. John
Beat, Unman, and Mr. White, beer-house keeper. The
wind from the north-west, which fortunately was not very
high at the time, carried the flames from the large mass
of buildings forming the Swan Inn, the Crown Hotel,
I and adjoining houses. The old house, many years
belonging to Captain Moore. and standing in a large
garden surrounded, or nearly leo, by thatched premises,
soon became one maas of fire; an old thatched house,
occupied by Mr. John Strange, nearly fifty yards dis-
tant from Captain Moore's, then ignited, and the fire
extended so rapidly that in a few minutes the building
was one entire body of fire. Mr. Dashwood's house,
only • few yards distant, was in imminent danger of
taking fire from the sparks, but it was fortunately well
saturated with wet dad sustained no damage, isteps

part of the back premises which were burnt down. The
devouring dames then took bold of another house,
thatched, belonging to Mr. Benjamin Rose and spread
on to some other buildings on the opposite side of the
street, a hich, in a very few minutes, were all in a blaze.
At this spot, although a number of thatched houses
..djoin,d, the oommunication was out off, the engines
having been able to get a supply of water, and so satu-
rated the thatch, otherwise the whole of the premises
in this locality mtpit have hems burnt down. Altogether
about eight bounce, with numerous outbuildings and
sheds, have been destroyed. The fire engines belonging
to the town were brought as quickly as possible, but
owing to the want of s good supply of water could not
be brought into effect upon the fire until it had spread
to a very alarming extent, and threatened the whole
block of houses adjoining the Market-place. These,
however, were saved, but had they caught fire, it is
impossible to say what destruction of property would
have ensued. The fire engines from Stalbridge and Oke-
ford rdzpaine were brought into the town about two
hours after the outbreak of the fire, and did infinite
service in keeping it down. The property prinolpally
destroyed belongs to Lord Rivers, and is, 're fear, not
insured. Many of the families who have been burnt
out have lost nearly all their furniture, as it was im-
possible to save any of it when ones the fire took hold
of the house, everything being go dry. It is to be hoped
that some better arrangement will be adopted with
regard .to the fire engines, and in obtaining an organised
staff of men well trained, who would be ready to take
the charge of the engines, and give directions in ease of
need, and then such a scene as was witnessed during ths
progress of the fire would not occur again. The authori-
ties of the town ought to look well to this. The origin
of the fire is at pr,sent a oomplete mystery.

PLITT Swami, Tuteday, June 23rd.—Present, C.
J. Parke, Esq. and the Rev. Carr J. Glynn.—Sansom
Bungay, a boy about 12 years of ego, was °barged with
stealing 12 partridge egg., the property of the Earl of
Shaftesbury, at Wiuiborne ht. Giles.—Joseph Way,
keeper, stated that the boy brought them to his house.
He told him to take them back to the nest, but believed
he did not do so—The boy said be had no intention of
doing wrong. The eggs were in the way of the horses,
sad he thought they would be crushed. That was the
only reason he took them to the keeper.—The -Bench
damissed the case, there being no proof that the boy
did not take the eggs back, at the same time they
cautioned him not to touoh such eggs for the future.--
Best r. Lane.— This case was adjourned till the next
court day in consequence of the prosecutor not being
able to attend through the injuries she received.—
George Riles, labourer, was charged with stealing •
blind halter, the property of Mr. Brett, of Corte Mullen.
—The prosecutor not being in oourt at the appointed
time, the prisoner was bound over in his own reoogni-
canoes to appear at the next court