The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-12-14 00:00:00

DISPUTE BETWEEN THE COUNTY COURT
AND BOROUGH OFFICALS.

At the commencement of the sitting of the
County Court before T. E. P. Lefroy Esq., a
difficulty which has been smouldering for some time
came to a crisis. It appears that County Court
business lute occupied all three of the rooms on the
floor of the Hall, the magistrates' room being used
by the Judge ae a rtbing room, and the Registrar
hearing the undefended cases in the Council
Chamber, He Honour deciding the disputed oases
in the Guild hall.

On Saturday moronic, the Registrar beard his
0111011 in the Guild hall, probably because the
Council Chamber was occupied, for at 10 o'clock
the borough magistrates mat in the Council Chamber,
and committed Henry IC earley for six months.
After this a committee meeting of the Towt
Council was to have been held. Shortly after the
arrival of the Judge, he entered the room, followed
by O. Andrews, Esq., and another witneA, and
proceeded to take poeleatiou of the seats. There
were present: Mr. 11. Raggett, Mr. Roberta, Mr.
Dyer, and Mr. Betts. The Judge took a chair at
the head of the room, and directed Mr. Raggett to
give up his seat to the High Bailiff. This Mr.
ltaggett declined unless he had the consent of the
Mayor, stating that they were engaged in a Private
meeting.

During the discuirsioa His Honour stated that while
he was there, the property was under his control,
and if there was any damage done to the furniture,
application must be made to the Treasury. He then
repeatedly urged Mr. Itaggett to move; but that
gentleman declined. -

His Honour then fined him CS, on which Mr.
Haggett, remarking that he did not wish to be fined,
left his chair. The judge thou withdrew the floe,
and the committee gradually withdrew, and
Honour proceeded with the business of the Court.
During the hearing of At/wool/ r. Byall the
Itelthr4azi G. Andrewk EN., entered the Council
Chamber and informed His Honour that the Guild-
hall was at his diaper!, when
His Honour rid be did not think it too much to
ask the magistrates to avoid occupying that room
luring the two or three hour, while the County
(Alert was sitting.
Mr. Itow•an said he would make His Honour's
remarks known to the magistrates and Town Council.
The Juotig said he did think the borough 111840-
tratedi especially should avoid interfering with the
administration of justice, as they had done in this
0n...

Ms' 11°‘saap said they did not wish to Moon-
vesience the administration of justice in any way;
but they did say that room
was furnished in snob a
way with chairs and tables, as showed it was not
intended to be used as an ordinary County Court.
The Junin said they ought to offer every facility
for the administration of justice. How was his (the
Judge's Court to be carried on.
Mr. Howann said the inagietretee and Town
Clerk must settle that matter. They decidedly
objected to the chairs and tables being used by the
people who crowded that room.
The Juan looked round upon the room and
remarked that none of those people were at present
using the chairs. This will entirely • new objection.
If there was the slightest damage done to the chain
by sitting uponthem.that damage would uo doubt
be paid by the Tremury.
Mr. HOWARD said it was not only the question of
damage. The chain werenot made for that purpose.
The .Ttroce thought it was a very far•fetched
objection, and quite • mistake. He could not help
characterising it as a very ill conditioned— Thu
was the only instance In which he had ever come
into collision with the authorities of a town, end it
was the only oocsaion on which his office had not
been treated with proPer.cohytesj.
141edu
inlj this :o°rlna, rinhadaneyv"othhader
. _ .
utlr
accommodation . i w

The JODOR : Yee, at Bridport.
Mr. HOWARD asked his Honour to look a
Wareham, where the attorneys had to sit upon t
wooden stool.

His Ilmoor a said that at Bridport and otherplacm

he had ev&ry accommodation. His only wish wee
to do all be could to forward the ends of ju.tice.
Mr. HOWARD said, as chief magistra,e of the
borough, he could only say the magiatrates' wish was
to do the seam
The Court was then adjourned to the hall.