The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-12-18 00:00:00

THE SCHOOL REGISTER QUESTION.

At the B rowth Petty Sejou on Tue ~Inv lost, nefore
the Mayor (Mr. Lambe), Mr. James Millochre, :mil Dr.
Edward stai summoned for rat -ending his
child t echo.ol.-li. ,eoulant. in answer to the Bench, mid
he had had a great deal of trouble let dr,
Mr. Pi-kand mho 1 airetnliinee °them, produced a
document in order to pray,' the mon-attendance,
Dr. Drew asked him if Dm: was the c•hool ry.dater ?
Mr. Pickard mail that put before the Bench was the

Dr. Drew replied the, it Wa.,ee oulary evidence, and
asked if the Bench were nit untitled to have the best
evidence prociarable
Mr. Stegall said this was not a rase iu which the
magistrates would proceed to a conviction; it was only a
preli minor, stet..
Dr. Drew is asking the Clerk to the mazistrides for
his advice. Were not the magistrstes entitled to have the
bed evidence /
_

lir. Arlen: Tcannot to agaiwit what ydu my. sir.
Dr. Drew: 11l am sittin: here to adjudicate upon cvi-
denc,, I must have the best evidence that can be procared
in the ease. . .

VIIC
Mr. Pickard said this waY the way in which these eases
were proved in other large towns.
Mr. Stec:tall : Have a auhpusna f sr the muter to attend !
Such a thing was never contnitplated hy the Act. This is
simply a preliminary step, and it is perfectly rhibt.
The Mayor.l.l inniTt say. ay,one of theiriagiytrat,i, that

sh,uld not like t, have to attend here t or throe iiree.,
for the gake of any hotter evidence that may he hrou4ht.
WWI Mr. Stezfail satisfied that this was the proper way to
proeeed
Mr. Stegzall 1,14 perfectly RatiAied.
Dr. Drew : Rut the Nlseistr!tel 1:Inylt is not.
. . .

Mr. Miledge : Hove oe really ouflicient evidence to go

_
with the ease before
Tho Mayor: We have the party appearing here in
answer t the stuninens, and here is a copy tit the school
register before ug
-7," • • •

-ii;71);;;;. ,:risfoir Mr. Steggall ought to produce the
original, and he did not think they eight to go ott with
the ease without it. After the remarks made by the
Bench last time, the partie: connected with the school
were so exceedingly straightforward in their answer to
the argument that he began to question whether he was
right or not. But, looking into the matter, he found that
in the proseeutions in London, where Mateo' Board cases
were continually going on, the magistrates bad ruled
these copies were in•cowlary evidence and they would
have the registers. The magistrates had nu evidence that
the copins were correct.
The Mayor eoeld quite understand why, having had
those strictures made upon his remarks. Dr. Drew should
take exception.
Mr. Steggall said he had a duty to perform, irrespective
of other people's opinions, and he reiterated that he wee
not asking for Sc MVieri et but only asking. the Bench to
make an order that the child should atterl school, and
then, if it tel not attend after that order, he sheet,' ask
for the Bench to indict punishment. When they reached
that stage, the argument used by Dr. Drew might apply
(though even in that east., be believed the handwriting
of the echordmaster wneld be quite enough); but in tlxis
CM, it was quite unealled for.
The Mayor asked hf Collins object to the registgr, that
it was not sufficient evidence I
C Iliac answered : Olt no, not at all. But they sent the
boy so school, and htiievel he had gone.
The Mayor : .lire you one of the cabmen on the 'ant?..
Herrn- lant : Yes, yr : hat I have not lithm driving
latslr : I have been in the stable.
D.fewlant was next asked if he had a wife, awl he
rePis iug "Yes," was told that either he or his wife must
see that the boy attnteied school.
The Mayor toll him that he was summoned there for
neglecting to carry out the promise he gave to the tinbool
Attendance Committee. He must take care it did not
happen again, or he would he fined.
Mr. Pickard rem Irked that yesterday morning ha saw
the wife taking the child to school, and she had the
greatest diffinulty in getting him to gs.
Order made that the by should attend.
Mr. Milledge (to defendant): Take upon yr/emelt to self
that the chill goes to school, and you will then be doing
your duty.
Thmaas Talbot was summoned for similar neglect
The Mayor ton him that he had been ordered to attend
before the Sch.l C enetittee, and if he had attended, he
would not have been summoned this nierning.
Defendant mid it was through a mistake. He coull not
make out the figures, as he could not read writing. All
he could understand was "ll' and that be thought
meant he had to appear on the llth. Defendant handed
up his notice, which was that he should appear at 11
o el ..ck.
Mr. Pickard had given the wife to understand her
husband was to 'sewer or. Monday. before the committee.
The Mayor asked would defendant see that Lis child
ent to school
Defendant: I am bound to have him home sometimes,
for I have no one to work for me hut this boy.
Mr. Arden: That is the very thing you rill not be
wed to du-5s
,k,reynor boy e wk.

hu&.rnl

went

Defendant : Jr learn a Atilling. I ltave to part it between
three.

The Marnr: We have no option at all or choice in the
matter. Your boy must he sent to school ki complete 38,
the number of attendances required, and we bring you
here to tell you what is your duty with retard to the boy.
Next time you will be fined or you and your wife must
we to the child. You have a wife. I suppose!
Defendant: I had one once; but I don't know where
she in now.
The Mayor: lam very sorry for you. Have you no one
hoagies house for you
Defendant : I have jest soma one to watch, irk