The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-11-10 00:00:00

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

The annual election of Town Connei'lore took pleat
on Monday. There was no opposition in either the St.
Edmund's ward,or that of St. Martin's. For the former
Mr. Biafora was elected at the room of Mr. Ewer,
retired, and Mr. Collier was re-elected. There being no
other candidate in St. Martin's ward, Messrs Ottaway
and Woodlands were re-elected. In St. Thomas's
ward, however, the retiring • councillors were not
allowed to h•ve it all their own way. Mr.
Rigden and Mr. Westbridge the retiiing members offered
themselves for re-election, but they were opposed
by Mr. John Harris Dawkins, auctioneer, who was
undoubtedly the popular candidate. The inhabitants
of Salisbury, it cannot be questioned, have for • long
time past been satisfied and contented with the manage-
ment and control of the municipal affairs of the
borough,as they have contributed to the borough funds,
and met the demands of the rate collector with an
alacrity and cheerfulness not to be excelled in any
other town. They are without doubt possessed of an
unusual amount of amiability in this respect, for It
cannot be said that those who have the charge of the
city purse are at all sparing or economical in their
demands. Speaking of the rates levied upon the citizens,
it is impossible to deny that they are enormons,and such
being the came it is the imperative duty of those who
accept the office of Town Councillor to watch and see to
the interest+ of their constituents. The ratepayers
have a right to demand it, and although they have
shown great apathy in this respect of late years ;
there is every prospect from the election of Monday
last that in future matters will be alteied. It
is well known that during the past year the
attendance of the members of the corporation,
at their monthly and quarterly meetings, has been
very thin indeed. In many instances great difficulty
has been experienced in obtaining • sufficient number
to enable the business to be proceeded with. Fre-
quently half-an-hour, and sometimes even three.
quarters of an hour, hes been wasted before the
requisite number has been collected, and in the col-
lection of these the whole staff of officials, beadles,
mace hewers, ko , have been employed as whippers-in.
This is well-known, and we are astonished that such a
state of things haa been allowed to continue. The
office of • councilman is, perhaps, an unthankful one,
and many would decline the honour ; but surely it is
only fairness on the part of any gentleman, if he feels
he cannot adequately perform the duties, to place the
trust is the hands of the burgesses, who we are quite
certain will not experience considerable difficulty
in procuring candidates actuated by patriotic
motives, and who will do all they can to pro-
mote the prosperity of this ancient city. It can-
not be denied that unneccesary expenses have been
incurred. As an instance we might mention that of
the South• Western-road. The Council by the recom-
mendation of their Surveyor have adopted the road by
giving it a name, although, previously it was • private
one. By their act, however, the citizens have been led
into additional expense, for the pathway has had to be
paved. We will grantthat this is agreat accommodation
to the public, but the South-Western Railway. Company
were equally interested in the matter as the inhabitants
of Salisbury, and they will, there is little doubt, through
the secretary—or at least the citizens ought to receive
it—send • suitable letter conveying the thanks of that
Beard for the accommodation and comfort thus afforded.
The expense, however, falls upon the ratepayers. If
an application had been made, the South- Western
Railway Company would no doubt have oontri-
buted a moiety of the expense, but this
has been overlooked. It is therefore the duty of the
Corporation to see that money is not spent unnecessarily;
but unless the members attend the meetings they cannot
watch the interests of the public. During the time Mr.
Wristbridze has been in office his presence at the
Council Chamber has not been so constant as the bur-
games anticipated, and in order to show their feelings '
upon the matter they nominated Mr. Dawkins. There
was but very little done in the way of canvassing until
the day of election ; but finding that Messrs..
Rigden and Wristbridge had coalesced, the sup-
porters of Mr. Dawkins exerted their utmost to
return their candidate. The Wilakire Mirror,
in recording the proceedings, was anxious to infuse
a little political interest into the contest, and they
informed the public that the Conservative candidate,
Mr. Rigden, "was safe from the first." We believe
we are correct in stating that politics had nothing to do
with the election, for bad the Liberals been thus raided
the result undoubtedly would have been different ;
as it was the contest was an exceedingly aces one.
The premiership was taken by Mr. Rigden, but he was
waited upon very closely by the two other candidates,
who ran a neck-and-neck race to the end. Towards the
close of the poll the excitement heightened, And the
Council Chamber was crowded. Mr. Dawkins sup-
porters were in strong force, and when • vote was re-
corded in his behalf they welcomed it with cheers.
At four o'clock the presiding alderman Mr. G. Pain)
declared the poll closed, Mr. Dawkins thus win-
ning the election by four votes may. On the
result being known the cheering was loud and prolonged,
and it was some minutes before the room could be
cleared. About half-past four the numbers were
declared as follows :
'Brien ... ... 117
Messrs Magda° and Dawkins were accordingly declared
elected, and we trust this contest will have the
efiect of causing the members of the Council to give
that attention to the municipal business of the city,
which the ratepayers expect at their hands.

DEVIZES.. ..At the Municipal election, held on
Monday, there was but little stir, for althc ugh there
had been several noroinabons, yet most of them bail
been against the will of the persons nominated. In
the North Ward the outgoing councillors were
Maws. Hull, Brown, and Macdonald. The latter
having left the town, and Mr. Hull declining to
serve again, Mr. W. Brown was re-elected, and his
new colleagues are Mr. Charles N. May and Mr. H.
T. Brooka In the South Ward of the retiring
councillors, Messrs. Barnard and W. Reynolds de-
clined to 811 the office again, and Mr. Isaac Clark
was disqualified by removal. Three new councillors
were therefore elected, viz., Messrs. Henry Waylen,
IL S. Thoraley, and H. CalL

TIDCOMBE —The Rey. Herbert Williams, who
was convicted at the last January Senions of an in-
decent assault upon a girl at Tidoombe, (of which
parish he was curate), and sentenced to six months'
imprisonment in the Devizes House of Correction,
has, it is supposed, again come under the cognizance
of the pollos, • person answering his description
having been tried under the feigned name of George
Edward Fenton, at the Carliale Quarter Sessions, on
a charge of obtaining several sums of money by false
pretences. This person appears to have been
entrusted with • commission to collect subscriptions
for the Berkeley)Teetimonial Fund, but his services
in that capacity were soon dispensed with, owing
to his dissipated habits. He then travelled the
country, under the name of Herbert Williams,
falsely representing himself as agent to the Ballot
Society, in London, and stating that he bad been
Dent into the North of England by that Society to
coiled subscriptions, and it is for these impositions
that he is now undergoing a further incarceration in
, Carlisle gaol.
EVERLEY.—Sonnas Diem. —Au old man of
this village, named William Bpreadbury, attended
Divine Service at church on Sunday morning, in his
usual health, and when returning home was seen to
fall. A man named Martin, who was walking be-
hind, overtook him, when he was found to be quite
dead. Deceased was the oldest inhabitant of the
village.
Perry Elnezoxe, October 30th.—Before T. E
Fowls, Esq., and M. H. think Esq., M.P.—
William Berry, of Ludgershall, was charged on the
information of John King, gamekeeper, with tres-
passing in search of conies, on bind the property of
the Marquis of aileabury, at Collingbourne King-
ston, on the 24th September. He was convicted and
fined £l, including costs.—William Hailstone,
charged with aseaulting his niece, Martha Harker, at
Pewsey, on the 18th of October, was convicted and
fined .C 1 2s. 6L, including costa—John Goddard,
labourer, charged with fighting in the street, at
Collingbourne Kingston, on the 28th September, was
ordered to pay ria. 6d. costa

WESTBURY.—VOLONTRIR ROLE CORPS.—The
handsome drill room which has been for some time
peat in course of erection for this company is nearly
completed. This spacious room, which is built near
the armoury, in Church-street, is 50 feet long by 20
feet wide, and is fitted up with every convenience
for drill sad other meetings, and we cannot but con.
vadat.' the members of this enterprising company
on this great acquisition to their comfort and con.
venison*, and whioh is another proof of the great
liberality of their friends and supporters.

WARMINSTER—Timis HALL, Saturday.—Before
N. Barton and J. Davis, Fasqrs.—Rneben Withers, 5.5,
of Heytesbory, an old offender, wee charged with
stealing a melt, the property of Mr. James Lanyard,
of Heyteebury blilL A link in the evidence being
wanting he was discharged to appear again if required.
—Jane Mandrill was sentenced to two months' hard
labour for stealing a cotton dress from the shop of Mr.
Dodrnan, at Warminster.—George Know was coin-
mitted for trial at the next quarter sessions, for steal-
ing from the nursery of Mr. George Wheeler 19 &ohm
standard rose trees. Prisoner sold the trees at 44. and
64. sash. . .

Siroonsci. —An interesting friendly match
came off at the Warminster targets last week, between
Hon. Member W. Humphreys, Esq., and Sergeant
Ewa Conditions :-7 rounds es& at 200 and 300 yards
Enfield rifles. Prise, • guinea hat, to be paid for by
the loser. Mr. Roes scored a total of 41, and Mr. Hum-
phreys 40. The shooting was excellent on both sides.
Tbs remainder of the day was spent in shooting sweep-
stakes, during which some splendid scoring was made.
Ist sweepstakes, 15s. each, distance, 200, SW, 600 yards;
Enflekls to receive 7 marks; 5 rounds at each range.
This was won by Mr. Bobbins, who mark • total of 51

marks. Sergeant White and Mt. Rees were ties for 2nd,
43 each. In shooting if White made 2. Rees 4, which
won the 2ad prise. Sweepstakes at 200 and 300 yards,
it rounds each. Sergeant Jeffery, (36) fist ; Berge.,
Rees (35) second. Sweepstakes at 400 and 500 yards ;
it rounds each. In shooting off the ties between Mr.
Robbins and Sergeant White (35) the former won.
Sweepstakes at 400 yards; 5 rounds each. Mr. Robbiss
S'S lot, and Sergeant White 2nd. It was so dark when
the la,t match vu shot that the target could scarcely
he ouitinguisbed.