The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-01-11 00:00:00

GATHERING OF ELECTORS TO MEET MR.
HAMBRO.

After many years. Portland has at last an opportunity
of taking part in a Parliamentary electioneering contest,
On Thursday Mr. Charles Hambro, after meeting some
friends at the Royal Hotel, Weymouth, came to the island
in the afternoon, and commenced preparations, the crier
announcing a meeting at the Royal Hotel (Host Board's)
that evening. The large room upstairs was soon about
half-tilled, and a little delay taking place in the appear-
ance of the candidate, some stamping was indulged in,
to let the gentleman know that the audience were
waiting. Mr. Hambro entered the room attended by
many Mende, among them several gentlemen from
Weymouth, and this was noticed, and in the course of the
evening, some Portland Liberals took exception to this
feature, for they tht.ught Mr. Itambro out: to have had
the meeting more excltisively for Portlan ers. A vestry
meeting was taking place at St. John's at e same time,
and either this, or the fact that Mr. Digby's supporters
had been already at work, canoed the number to be
shorter than it otherwise would have been. There were
present of the inhabitants of Portland— Messrs. R. Pearce,
$ J. Pearce, W. Lano, W. B. Scriven, J. Ward, Hodadon,
GilL A. Stone, R. Northover, H. Pearce, It. Lowman, H.
0. Mabey, T. Pearce, J. Chard, Robert Hinde, J. Ftodd,
John Carter, J. Winter, J. J. Royal, Z. Milledge, Absalom
Gale, 11. Pitt, Edward White, $ Rodd, J. White. Josiah
Wallis, K Lowman. FL Sours, A. Winter, 3. .L R. Short,
Parsons (station-master), It. Cox, Bristowe, ; but by
the time the Proceedings commenced the room was too
full for us to attempt to give the remainder of the names.
Of the Weymouth inhabitants there were :—Mr. G. B.
Webtforel (Mayor), Messrs. It. Thomas, J. Vincent, Curtis.
W. B. Barrett, G. R. Crickmay, J. Lee, T. Hanna, T.
Snook, It. Ayles, G. Andrews, jun., W. T. Aylesbury, H.
T. George, Turner, and W. Smith. The entry of the
candidate was received with applause.
Mr. R. Pearice thought the meeting should have had a
chairman, and he expressed his surprise that Mr. flambe,
had not bad the courage to come to Portland alone. If he
studied Weymouth interests, Mr. Hambro would not
study Portland interests, and therefore it would have
been better if he had come to Portland with less company.
Every man looked out for his own interests, and
Wevniontluans somewhat sought their own; but in
Portland they wanted a member who would go to the
House of Commons for the benefit of the country at large
and of the place. Here they were on • rock ; the stone
trade was the staple trade of the island, and they wanted
that represented, and Weymouth would not do it for them.
The meeting ought first to have a chairman, and the
candidate could be questioned as to his views.
Mr. Arts:sneer proposed Mr. Pearce as chairman.
111 r. W. Servo said e had been identified with Portland
for more than 10 years, and, although a Weymouth misn,
he represented the interests of Portland as well as
Weymouth. He seconded the preposition.
Mr. ArLitißeliT pressed that Mr. Pearce act as chair-
man, "and then." said Mr. Aylesbury, "I shall have the
pleasure of speaking to you myself."
Mr. PEARCE : I think it would speak well fur the
behaviour ol Weymouthians, if they would hold their
peace.
Silence followed, and was getting awkward. when Mr.
U. M. Carousal, said it almost seemed as if they had met
at a Quaker's meeting. It had been proposed and
seconded that Mr. Pearce take the chair.
Mr. PRAISER declined.
Mr. THolla proposed that Capt. A. Scriven, whom he
had known for many years, take the chair.
This was carried by acclamation; but Captain Scriven
declined. He was taken by friendly force to the chair;
but would not preside.
Mr. E. J. PEARCE said Weymouthians were pressing a
certain chairman; but it was for Portlanders to chose.—
(Cries of "Adjourn
Mr. K J. PLAICE proposed SCRIYER seconded. Capt Scriven, and Mr. W.
Capt. SCRIVVi still refused.
Mr. ()surmise
This also failed. proposed Mr. W. Scriven.
hinopte:dditong
adtodreca.l.l
"a
othmeeerting...inungPor:li,inad,fubtuurte beoecaingsios:
Mr. HANRRO said he was gratified that so many had
attended. He mime to Weymouth that morning without
close, he took the opportunity of coming over, and he
Many who promised to come were at a vestry meeting,
more important to them than an electim still future, for
Mr. Stun was not declared • peer in the Gazette. Ills
elevation was a gracious recognition of past services,
for both Mr. Start and his father had done their best for
the county. Mr. Hambro continued that after the vacancY
he was first in the field, and he at first thought no canvass
would be necessary, but that he should have the support
of all cleanse. Ile would not say anything against hi*
opponents, but be did not intend to retire, and confidently
believed he should have the honour of representing the
county, then he would consider and study the interests of
Portland. The Government had given some relief in Porte
land, by the Act for rating Government property and he
fully considered that it should hear its share o( isirdens
equally with other property. The Government ought not
to use their vast quarries commercially for their own
benefit, but should go into the market, and obtain supplies
like any one else—(applause). Government ought also to
raise the wreck of the Royal Adelaide, which interfered
with the Portland fishery, and it only needed, he believed. I
• member to press that on the Governments and it wouU
be done, as it always wee when a ship was in the way in

the Thshm_(ipplause). Government had relieved the
local rater tech. extent of about £1,000.000, andi the Pei.--
Minister had stated that to raise taxation fee general aa.--•
poses only from one kind of property was 1111 great • viola:
tion of justice as could be conceived; therefore he heliev
the Prime Ministrr would carry insiders, into effect, eaci
i
more relief would be given. As to School Bow.. he
not anxious to see them n every small pis,.
already, by aid of subscriptions, satisfactory education ie
given. The British Army he would do everything Cl
sible to keep efficient; he was opposed to short seni
for we should have an army of fighting men who a.caLl
devote their lives to the profession, and when wore 0,4
should have sufficient pensions. The navy ought to be aiaa
best in the world, and when we have decided which is taa
best kind of iron-clad, we should have enough. The
volunteers should have efficient support, thole of Doreaa
were second to none in the country, and volunteer,
should not be put to any personal expense for arms. u.i.
form, or practice. Mr. Plimsoll he supported, but nor
all things: he was an enthusiast, and went too fir; th"
required no frivolous restrictions on shipping; but recurity
that the ships were good, sound, and seaworthy; if a shin
owner could not buy • good ship, let him buy half %vitt
another man. He should. if returned, support kgr
Disraeli's Government; but if no Liberal came forward;
ha hoped to have the votes of many Liher.l,o4.
lissom: You will have them). In conclusion, as he could
not see the 6,000 or 7,009 elector, personally, he hoped his
friends would Mayan, for hint, awl the result he hot rio
doubt of—that he should have the proud honour of briog
their representative.
A shim of hands was called for, and • moderate number
held up.
Having invited questions from any elector., hit,
Ilsreao then thanked the moetang for attembng and
listening to him, promised another meeting, and left, to
take the train.