The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-12-12 00:00:00

THE DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, TUESDAY,'' DECEMBER, 12, 1865.

by the day-maiL Those who frequent the room for
that perpose will be annoyed by the buzz of conver-
sation, while in time we may possibly see the young
obese-players turned away from their table in order
that the merchants may exhibit their wares. Why,
I would ask, have recourse to the Institute when
they have a magnificent Townhall for the purpose
' where they may strut their hour I beg to throw
this out as a suggestion and would subscribe myself
as EXCHANGE NO ROBBERY.
Bridport, December 4th.

the agriculturists had been poo-poohed. One thing
which appeared to him to he most unfair was, that
parties residing in London, having £l,OOO or £2,000
, in the funds, were not called upon to support their
nnfortunate fellow creatures who had become
• lunatics. (Hear, hear.) Then, as to the Malt-tax,
; he considered that that WM a most *wit and op-
preasive tax on the farmers. If the same kind of tax
was levied on manufactures, they would have John
Bright and his followers bellowing all over the
country, denouncing its injustice. His advice to
them as agriculturists was to see that in any Reform ,
Bill which might be introduced, their interests
should not be forgotten. Another subject he might
' allude to was the cattle plague, and respecting this
he thought he was in good company, for with few
exceptions the writers of letters on the subjeot did
not seem to know much more than he did. The
only ones which appeared to him worthy of notice
was one from " 5.G.0.," who advised that the
cattle plague should be treated iu the same nay as
we should act were the cholera to break out in our
families. But, perhaps, the best letter was (rim
Lord Winchelsea, who strongly condemned the
wholesale destruction of stock. Mr. Shirt then
alluded to the remarks of Mr. Portman at Melplaieh
on the Game Taws, and stated that he should be
sorry to see any very great change made in them. lie
was fond of shooting, and if he wished to have game
preserved for him, he would go to the farmer oc-
cupying the land, and he was sure he would prove
his best keeper. (Loud cheers.) Another subject
Mr. Portman touched upon was the question as to
the right of the ratepayers in having a voice in the
county expenditure. Now, he was prepared to say
they had a just right. (Cheers.) Those who paid
the money ought to have a voice as to how it should
be expended. (Hear, hear.) At the same time, he
believed the Assessment Committee did their best
on behalf of the ratepayers. Having made these few
remarks, he would conclude with the words of Mr.
Jefferson in "Rip Van Winkle "—by giving 'Your
health, all your healths, the health of all your
families, and long life and happiness to you." (The
hon. gentleman teemed his seat amidst loud
cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the health of the
President of the Society—J. J. Farquharson, Esq.,
remarked that before he (the Chairman) was born,
that gentleman's health had been drunk. As one
who contributed so much to the success of their
society, as a friend to the agricultural interests, and '
as one who at his own expense had contributed so
much to their amusement as a Master of Foxhounds
for 50 years, he called upon them to respond to the
toast in the most cordial manner. (The toast was
reoeived with every mark of respect.)
Song by Mr. Distin.
Mr. H. G. STURT said he had often risen to return
thanks and propose toasts in that room, but he
never rose to propose a toast with greater pleasure
than he did the one he was about to give. It was
the health of their kind young friend Mr. Montague
Guest, who had so ably filled the chair. (Loud
cheers.) He was but a "young hound" at this sort
of thing, but he had entered well. (Laughter.) He
had lately come to reside in the neigbonrhood, and
had a charming little Hunting Box, where he hoped
to visit him. Whether they heard of Mr. Guest in
London, at Canford, or in the hunting field, they
always beard what a capital fellow "Monte Guest "
was, and he was sure the company present felt
greatly indebted to Mr. Guest for presiding on
that occasion, Let um give him • cheer as shall be
heard even at Canford. (Laughter.) (The long
continued cheering which followed showed that had
it been possible Mr. Sturt's wish would have been
gratified.)

,
The Cusinsterr, in acknowledging the toast, said
that he should ever remember the kind reception he
bad received at Sturminster Newton, the heart of
the Vale of Blackinoor, where he was about to take
up his abode. He hoped that they would make use
of him in any way in which he could be useful to
them, and he wished them all prosperity. (Cheers.)
The Secretary then read the following

g to them was to be careful how they dealt
t with a Yorkshireman. (Laughter.) The hon.
I gentleman here stated he felt in a generous
humour, and began to remark that the horse he
bought was 6 yrs. old, hut unfortunately was not
eland.— Mr. Watts ! "Are you going to give him
away." Mr. Stort: "Yes, to you if you like."
Mr. Watts "Thank you, Sir." (Loud laughter.)
Mr. Start concluded by proposing " The successful
candidates," coupled with the names of Mt. J.
Coates, Mr. Fooks, and Mr. Frampton.
Mr. 1 Coarss and Mr. Fooxs acknowledged the
compliment, the latter jocosely remarking that as
he had entered two pigs in competition with Mr.
Sturt, that gentleman ought to give him a Sunday
and an every-day hat, but he would te content if he
presented his wife with a new bonnet. (Loud
laughter.) For the other prize (for roots) he
returned his sincere thanks, and he would give his
friends, Mr. Sturt and Mr. Guest, • hint as to their
growth. A friend of his, when he saw the roots,
advised him not to shew them in case his landlord
might raise his rent. He replied, he hoped he would
not, ea he had already done so. The roots were
grown on a barren hill at his farm at Abbey Milton,
and were brought to that perfection by the mosey
he bad expended in manure. What he wanted
his young friends and all other landlords to do was
thie, not to raise the rent of those who expended
their substance to improve the land, but oa the con-
trary, to rain ihe rents of those who did nothing to
improve it. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Fooks concluded
by remarking that he knew their chairman was a
jolly fellow, and he would now ask him to give them
a song. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave a capital hunting song
in first-rate style' and was loudly cheered.
The next toast was that of "the Judges," in pro.
posing which the CHA.IRMLN remarked that ihtiir
task was a most irksome one, for the man who lost
generally was dissatisfied, as was their friend on his
left. (I,,ughter.)
Mr. STORT, amid mach joking and laughter, en-
quired of the judges as to their opinion about hie
pigs, to which Mr. BARTUrrT, who responded, said
Mr. Sturt's pigs were entered in the wrong class.
They were entered as breeding etock; and when he
told the man to turn them out for inspection they
could hardly walk. (Laughter.)
Mr. Ilioonve also responded, and said that be
feared if Mr. Sturt did not bring his pigs in proper
condition he would lose the race. He then referred
to the breeding of stock, which he considered as of
vast importance at the present time, and expressed
his opinion that the only way to stay the Cattle
Plague was to cut off the communication, and that
when they began to slaughter they ought to begin to
pay. (Cheers.)
Song by Mr. 'Natio, " Widow Macree."
"The health of the press" was then given and
responded to. Then followed that of the committee,
couplecrwith the name of Mr. V. B. Watts, who
stated that though some of the classes were not
represented, and the show was smaller, yet some of
, the animals were exceedingly good specimens.
! At the suggestion of Mr. STOUT, the Chairman
then sang another song. which called forth load
cheers, and evidently highly ggratified the company.
"The health of Mr. Dashwood" (hon. secretary),
was then proposed and received with great cheering.
That gentleman, in responding, said he was pleased
to say that the society was in a very prosperous con-
dition. They were pretty well off for funds. The
only thing in which they were deficient was by the
loss of prizes formerly given by 11. Ker Seymer,
Esq. Mr. Dashwood then referred to the encourage-
ment given to labourers for long servitude, and
remarked that it proved that good masters were
almost sure to have good servants.
Mr. STOUT said that on the present occasion he
was rather put on his mettle. He was game for
another trial with Mr. Fooks. (Laughter.) He
would show 12 roots against bun for a new hat next
year.
Mr. FOOKS : Very well.

The CHAIHM iN, amidst loud cheers, announced
that he was willing to fill up the vacancy in the prize
list caused by the death of Mr...Seymer.

Mr. W. C. ISAAC, of Reading, said that three
years ago he offered to give a prize of £5 for the beat
10 acres of swedes. That offer had not been ac-
cepted, but on the present occasion he would renew
it. The conditions being that there must be three
competitors, open to members of the society free,
and to non-members by paving a subscription of 10s.
Song by Mr. Long—" Paddle your own Canoe."
Mr. STURT intimated that Mr. Guest, who had so
ably presided on that occasion, would take the chair
at the Stalbridge meeting on the following Monday.
"Our next Merry Meeting" was then given by
the CHAIRMAN, who thee vacated his seat, and On
leaving the room in company with Mr. Start, was
loudly cheered.