The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-24 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

DORSET CENTRAL RAILWAY. —First Section
Blandford to Wimborne.—But for the difficulty,
first of getting possession of the land near the
Wimborne end; and secondly, the necessity of cut-
ting a new bed for the river Stour at the same point,
this line would have been opened for traffic before
Christmas. We understand Mr. Gregory, the engi-
neer, has been over the line during the past week,
and advised the contractors, Messrs. Waring, to dis-
continue working at the Wimborne cutting until
drier weather. The contractors have been indefa-
tigable, and have, by employing very large gangs of
men, made a new bed for the river. The stations
are in construction, and the spring will, despite
these impediments arising from the ground, coupled
with the weather, witness the opening. In the
course of the next week a portion of the Dorset
Central, in Pitaximbe, near Bruton, will be com-
menced.

The Blandford members of the Q.O.D. Yeomanry
Cavalry met for drill in the sword exercise at the
Corn Exchange, on Tuesday evening.

Ruts CORPS.—The bugle sounded for drill on
Monday evening last, at the Corn Exchange, at 7
o'clock, when about 70 meinbers responded to the
call, and were drilled in squads, by Captain G. P.
Nlansel, and by several corporals and sergeants of the
artillery and infantry now staying here on furlough.
The number of volunteers now amounts to 77, and we
are informed that subscriptions are pouring in on a

liberal scale. _ _
On Monday evening last the annual tea-meeting of
the Sunday school teachers in connexion with the
Church National Schools took place at the Girl's
School-room. There were about GO persons present.
After the tea addresses were delivered by the Rev.
William Harte, Rector; the Rev. E. L Stuart,
Messrs. Edwin, Kent, Loader, Fulton, Griffiths
Bishop, Moore, Baker, and Hooke. Hymns were
sung between the addresses. The meeting was spent
most agreeably, and the remarks made tended to
encourage the teachers in their work of faith and
labour of love.
INSTITVTION 'ACTT:NE—On Tuesday evening last,
Horace Motile. Esq.. delivered a lecture on "National
Defence," to the members of this institution, at the
Townhall, F. T. Johns, Esq., Mayor, in the chair.
The attendance was good.
Evans' CONCERT.—The charge of dulness so in-
digenous to small towns can never he laid to Bland.
ford whilst such beneficial institutions exist as the
. .

—.—
Mechanics' Institute and the Working Man's Club,
with their fortnightly lectures, or whilst there re-
sides there such a spirited caterer to the amusement
of its inhabitants as Mr. Eyers. His annual concert
was given on Friday evening last, and seldom or
never has such a rich musical entertainment been
provided here. The Corn Exchange, in which the
concert was given, proved itself admirably adapted
for it, and the brilliant light from the gas pendants
above was an accessory which conttibuted to the
pleasures of the evening. Another and a still better
aid was a large audience, more than 31.10 persons
being present, the larger proportion in the front
' and second seats. The programme contained the
names of five musical professors besides Mr. H. It.
Eyers, the conductor for the evening, who presided
at the pianoforte, and who, though he played the
most unobtrusive part, was by no means the least
valuable auxiliary, and no doubt the happy selection
of the songs was another considerable item in obtain.
ing what cannot be styled other than a most une-
quivocal success. It would be invidious to name
particular performers, or songs most pleasingly
given, when all were worthy of commendation, and
when we mention Mr. G. Allen, Mr. G. (lenge, Nliss
E. Lyon, and Miss Medora Collins, as vocalists, with
Miss Dledora Collins as solo concertina, and Mr.
Viotti Collins as solo violin, it will be sufficient
guarantee that first-rate fare (as is usual with Mr.
Eyers) was provided. Among the company present
were .dr. and Mrs. W. P. Okedon, the Rev. Robert
and Misses Farquharson, Mr. Farqcharson, jun.,
Mr. .1. Watts, Mr. Harding and the Misses Harding,
Mr. Forrester, Mr. and Mrs. Castleman and Mr.
Castleman, jun , Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Smith (Lytton
House), Mr. 11. Fookes, Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Flower, Mr. J. S. Daniell& and family, Mrs. and Miss
and Mr. Nlanstield, jun., Mr. E. 0. Spooner, Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Frampton, Mr. H. W. Abbot, Mr.
P. Hill, Mr. Baker, Mr. T. M. Parke, tic.
COUNTY COVRT.—There WU hardly a case of pub-
lic interest at this court, which was held at the Town.
ball, on Monday week, before E. Everett, Esq. The
only one worthy of notice was Elkins r. Fisher. The
defendant in this case was a yeoman, residing at
Damory Farm, Blandffird, who had employed Elkins,
the plaintiff, to remove some loads of night soil from
the town to his farm. The sum sued for, IS.. 5d.,
was for monies kept back by defendant's carter, as
his own share of the work done, at which lie and two
other men had helped the plaintiff. The monies
having been paid to the carter by plaintiff's order,
the defendant pleaded not indebted, inasmuch as he
had only engaged with Elkins to pay him so much
per load for the removal of the soil. It appeared that
plaintiff expected Mr. Fisher would pay the carter,
while the defendant expected the carter would he paid
by Elkins, who had engaged him. The judge
ordered the carter to pay the sum (la. 5d.) to
Elkins, on whose account lie had received it.