The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-03-08 00:00:00

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the Yeovil Mutual
Improvement Society was held on Thursday evening
last fir the transaction of the usual business. Mr.
Cuthbert Raymond was voted to the chair. From
the report read by the brio. secretary, Mr. Aldridge,
It appeared that the number of members for tbe past
year had been 6R, day and evening, besides ladies
and youths, and 17 honorary member,; and that 190
volumes of books had been lent from the library
during the year. Received by subscriptions from
honorary members, £l9 2a. 6d. ; day and evening
members, £44 Se. 5d.; by lectures, £2O ss. 9d.;
sale of papers and periodicals, £6 11.. bd.; letting
ball, &a, £l6 12a. Bd.; balance from last year,
£l6 6.. 7d. Diabureements—interest on rent,
£lB Se. ; one share redeemed, £5; land tax, 4s. Bd.;
insurance, 2t 6d. ; repairs, £l2 111. 7d. ; coals,
.CI IS.. ; gm, .C 7 Si.; librarian's salary, fibs. 4'.;
lecture., £l4 5a ; papers and periodicals,
£l7 16a. 3d. ; printing, £4 12s. 9d. ' • stationery
and stamp., 10,. 6d.; sundries and cleaning,
15a, Id.; balance in the hands of the treasurer,
LIO 17a. 3d. The secretary Mated that had it not
been for the expenditare of such a large item for
repairs, the balance would have been much larger.
In consequence theykb:: been obliged to draw £6
from last year's . The roof, however, waa
now in good condition, and therefore but little more
would be required for repairs. Mr. Raymond said
he hoped the report had given satisfaction, and he
believed there was no item open to any complaint.
It was then moved by Mr. Stone, and seconded by
Mr. Doe, that the report be adopted.
ELECTION 01 PRZEIDENT.—Mr. Stone said that
Captain limiter had been their president for the
past year. In more than one instance he had been
a great friend to the institution, and had allowed
the nee of his grounds for their welfare. They
could not do better than to realect him. The pro-
position was 'wooded by Mr. Hodge rg and carried
unanimously.
ELECTION Or VICE•PRESIDENTIL —On the proposi-
tion of Mr. Way, seconded by Mr. Rana, Mr. Wu.
Cox was elected in the place of Mr. Lyon, whom
many duties would not 'Mow him to hold the office.
It was therefore proposed that Mr. William Cox,
Mr. Whitby. Mr. Tucker, Mr. Hanzuun, Mr.
Thomas, and Dr. Worry be skated. The proposi-
tion was carried aria. con.

ELECTION Or • CONINT/TRIL —Tho retiring
members were—Mmyna A. Edwards, Chant, John
Curtis, Harwood, Doe, Burt and Dr. Bennett. The
following gentlemen were then proposed and seconded
U the committee for the ensuing ymr :—Moen.
Edwards, Burt, John Curtis, Stone, Doe, Chant,
and Harwood. Mr. Whitmey was unanimously re-
elected as transom.

ELECTION Or SECEETART.-Mr. Doe said they
could not do better than to re-elect Mr. Aldridge.—
Hr. Stone said that the institution bad never been
in • more prosperous state than it was at the present
time, under their secretary's able management,
which needed no comment whatever. In
many other respects be had devoted much time to
aid in every way the institution's interests, and he
should therefore propose theta cordial votaofthanks
be accorded to bun.—Mr. Raymond said that the
secretary had in every way displayed his readiness
to promote the interests of the Institution, and he
therefore deserved not only their thanks but more
I than thanks—Mr. Aldridge begged to thank the
members for the good feeling which they had dis-
played towards him. He had obtained great emir
tame from time to time from the hon. meistante
secretary, Mr. Masters, which be trusted they
would again re-appoint. He should be most willing
to again accept the offloir of secretary.—Mr. blathers
said what he did from time to time was from pare
regard to the interest of the institution, and respect
to his friend Mr. Aldridge, whom he had known
for many years, and who he knew generally had his
' hands fully employed, and therefore be felt mach
pleasure in assisting him.
'Ns SPECIAL Ganzasi. Mthruto.—The members
then resolved themselves ado a special general
meeting, for the purpose of obtaining the opinions
of the members with regard to the following pro-
positions "I. it desirable that an asualp-
maim (under certain restrictions) shall take piece
between the peanut institution and the Working
Men's Club" and 2nd. "1. it desirable to let
off a portion of the institution buildings for the
use of the Working Men's Club, to enable that
society to coutinue a separate institute ?"—Mr.
Raymond WAS again proposed to the chair, but that
gentleman objected, stating that be preferred taking
a pert in the discussions of the evening, and if he
occupied the chair he should not he able to do so.
Snob an honour on that occasion would be a
*wellies of privithge. —Mr. Doe was then unani-
mously voted to the chair, and that gentleman
called on the secretary to reed the notice convening
the meeting. The secretary mid that it had been asked
why they had thought of anything of that sort? It
had been said by many of the working men of Yeovil
that the members of the institution did not want
them there. A meeting had been held by
the working men of the town at the
Townball, at which the institution com-
mittee &Merida, and beard the speeches on the
'abject. At an adjourned meeting of the committee
respecting the formation of the Working Men's Club,
it was prepared that the secretary should oaU a
special meeting, and that a deputation should hold •
conference with respect to the new society. At that
meeting • long dmounsion took pleas, and the
majority appeared to be in favour of an aanalgerwia•
awl, if • room amid be set apart for smoking and
emosenearte. It was then unanimously resolved
that the ecthaeittee of the New moiety should furnish
the wilk • espy of their require
MOO* sod es Sr 19411 of Fareary the eon af
Tibiae& umbewess a loag disemito. name ris.

Iquirements stated that they were perfectly satisfied
C ith the nutitution,and with regaid to themeeli es it
w.whl pet fectly meet their want.; but as they repre-
a uted a number of the working men, it would be of
no two for them to make their arrvngesuents unless
the working mcti were willing to follow them.
What they needed was: —lst. Tea and coffee in a
room at cod mice. 2nd. A room or room, to
smoke and converse in. 3rd. That various games
of skill be allowed. 4th. To pay either weekly or
quarterly at the rate of 2.1 a-week, or 2a. per
quarter. sth. To be supplied with any publications
that were not immond. 6th. That one-half of the
members of committee he working men. Ile found
that the rules of the Literary Institution allowed a
contingency as to whether they should or should not
be working men. Theirs prevented it, and said that
they should be Lona fide working men, which
arrangement bad been found to work well. A letter
was subsequently received hem the committee of
the working men's society, thanking the institution
committee for their kind sympathy for the working
men ofYeo vi I. The matter underwen i a 100 g dill.= ssion,
and it was ultimately resolved that a sub-committee
should be appointed to meet three members of the
Working Men's Club, and ascertain particulars, in.
It was then thought that if an amalgamation took
place of the new society and the institution,
requisite rooms would be required Sr smoking,
reading, game, and clam rooms. It was at last con-
sidered that the institution could let two rooms and
the lecture hall fmr nights a-week for 1.25 •-year.
With regard to the first proposition the committee
rather recommended it. ble.however,conimunicated
with the secretary of the Working Men's Club, and
that gentleman returned thanks for their readiness
to let the rooms, and impressed a hope that they
might soon have an opportunity to commence pro.
ceedings. If the rooms were let it would bring in
an income of £2O a-year more than they were now
getting, which would be a considerable increase of
income, and they would be then enabled to increase
the library. If the two societies amalgamated the
restrictions would be no smoking, no games, and
no tea or coffee.—Mr. Stone asked if the amount
would he greeter than the income, which they
were now receiving by letting the balk —Mr.
Aldridge said they could let it then for the same
as they did now. It was occupied oa Sundays
by the Independent Sunday School, and
occasionally by the Band of Hope Society.
Mr. Raymond asked what advantage they would
reap supposing the two societies were amalgamated;
and what advantage it would be to the working
men were they debarred games, tea and odic*, and
smoking ?—Mr. Rails said they would promise 160
members, and guarantee an income of i'6o a-yeer.—
Mr. Stone: You estimate it at that, but you would
not guarantee it.—Mr. Haywood : The society is not
yet established, and supposing you were to establish
it, and it afterwards failed, who would be the
guarantee 7—Mr. Halls said he would guarantee that
the money for rent should be paid for the Bret year,
as the general feeling was to rent the rooms rather
than to amalgamate. He would throw aside the
first resolution.—Mr. John Curtis laid it was desir-
able to let the rooms, and it would be better for the
two societies to remain separate. Not that they did
not wish to mix with the working men, far from it,
but he thought it would be more satisfactory to both
parties.—Mr. Stone would propose that no
amalgamation take place.—Mr. Denman: Mr.
Rails, as secretary of the club, has withdrawn
that proporation.—Mr. Raymond: I second it.—
Mr. Aldndge said that a portion of the committee
recommended that they should let the premises, but
would leave the decision entirely in the hands of the
general meeting. They would recommend that
their reading room and committee room be entered 1
from the lane,and the present doors blocked up, and
the club could make what use they liked of the two
rooms ' • and when their society gave • lecture the
members of the Working Men's Club would have
the same privilege to attend as the present members,
and they would enjoy the same privilege from the
Working Men's Club. The outlay for the required
alterations would be about £2o.—Mr. Vincent re-
garded the outlay as neosewary,as they bad an outside
room which was now of no use, but which, if it was
done up, could be turned to account. He considered
such an outlay would be money well invested.—Mr.
A. Edwards said he was • member of the committee,
and many who subscribed to the funds of the insti-
tution had often asked what good they did there,and
when they attended lectures they were charged for it.
You have nothing there but papers, to which we
subscribe. He considered that if • Working Men's
Club was established, many who had hitherto
subscribed to the funds of the institution would then
withdraw their contributions. It would therefore
be • source of income to the institution.—Mr. Mall,:
Pecuniary benefit ought not to be the only motive
you should have in view. The interest of the

;vorking man ought also to be looked Tit;,;:- They
bad not hitherto bad the opportunity of attending
the institution ,and therefore had not attained to that
proficiency those above them bad. They could now
gradually draw them up, give them better feeluip
and ideas, and be believed in course of time be
societies would be enabled to work together. The
institution would thus be doing a much greater
good than it had ever done before. If it
was in their power thus to do good it was their
duty to do it.—Mr. Raymond said with all due
-deference to the ides.' expressed by Mr. Rails,
there was one observation which he had made,
which ought not to be passed unnoticed. He
had said that it was their duty to pay more atten-
tion to the welfare of the poor, than to the paltry
consideration of pence. His ideas were very good
in their place; but in course of time it would become
a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence. It was
his desire to do all in his power to assist the
working classes, but the institution was now poor,
and the alterations which were required to be made
would, should the new society not succeed, make
the place very inconvenient for them. Was there
a probability that there would be members enough
to cover the expense, and make it,after its establish-
ment, a permanent institution? It seemed to him
absurd to pull the place to pieces unless they were
on sure ground, as they could now only just live.
He did not think it would do to make such altera-
tions What was the data on which Mr. Rails
booed his ideas with regard to the moues of the
society, and that it would be•permaneet institution ?
—Mr. Rails. At least we shall have 150 members.
Mr. Milborne : But we have nothing to do with
them, we have merely the rent to rely upon.—Mr.
Manning: They would be merely yearly tenant&
Mr. Harwood said it had been in contemplation for
some time past to alter the doorway.—Mr. Edwards
said if they did not have the DOW club on the pre-
mime, such alterations would be of no benefit what-
ever to the institution. —Mr. Manning thought if the
plane were improved for their benefit, they had
better expend the £2O, and they would allow out of
the rent per year. —Mr. Chant said they could
net let a place, and throw the expense of the altera-
tions on the in-coming timiank—Mr. Manning: Then
they most do without the alteestiona —Mr. Ray-
mond said what money he spent be liked to spend
well, etd also know that he could afford it. —Mr.
Sharp considered from the estimate there was a
great deal of work required to be done, and £2O
would not do it —Mr. Raymond was sure if the
plea was pulled to pieces they could not make the
alterations for £3O or £4o.—Mr. Vincent: It would
be unjust for the Working Men's Club to pay for
accommodation. —Mr. Whom" said the question
was, was it desirable to let the rooms, and
if so, on what condition? He should propose
that it was desirable to let the rooms if the
committee could come to an t They
ought to waist the working claaea arrangement
been a
member of the institution ever Moos they had left
Vicarage-street, and bad seen it ebb and flow, and
the 7 had had, from time to time, to keep putting
their hands into their pockets for the expenses. He
would suggest that the new club be separate, at
present, from the institution; but after a time they
might become members.—Mr. Rails: There will be
150 members at 2d. per week.—Mr. Harwood
emended Mr. 14illiorne's proposition. It was then
considered that the rooms could be let, subject to
the alterations, the expense of such alterations
Dot to moiled the first year's rent —Mr.
Ifilhorne said he had no doubt that they
had oonfidenos in the committee. Mr. Raymond
said it wail no me to stifle disoussioe, by saying that
they put confidence in the committee. He coo.
'Wired the matter ought to be decided there, to
lessen the responsibilities of the committee. They
would also be more cootentin the end. Mr. Milborne's
idea was to encourage the working men. If they
threw cold water on the proceedings the club
might not be formed.—Mr. Raymond said he
desired to see the club established, but they oould
not live now, and if the club failed they would be
both dragged into the mire. Mr. Halls would
not recommend their committee to pay for the
required alterations, as they could go elsewhere
and do that. They would, however, rather go to
the institution. It would give the working men an
idea that they wished to do them good; other-
wise they would my, what they had always said,
that they never wanted them there.—Mr. Mil-
borne asked whether he, Mr. Rails, could do with
that room and the lecture tall for the first year.—
Mr. Rolls replied that he could not, as they
required a smoking room, and another for asses,
as many wished to learn to read and write.
It was ultimately decided that the rooms be let to
the club for the first year at £25, and £2O per year
afterwards, and that the wormer, alterations be
made st a met not exceeding the first year's rent.
A vote of thanks was acoonled to the chairman, and
the meeting terminated.

SHEPTON MALLET. —Mscanxics' Inertsurn
On Thaiday evening readings were given in the
mono Hall, in aid of this society, but unhappily
they were not generally ap Ewe the
room was only half filled with listeners. Previous
to the isms of the notice, it was understood that
singing would form an important part iii the
evening's entertainment, but through mine mis-
menagement this was altered. After a few remarks
from the chairman (Mr. Harris), the Rev. Harem
Or read from filiakspeare's "Usury V.," NA
which was suellently rendered. Mr. Forster ...a
• poses styled "Loch at the Cloak;" Mr. Strange-
way, Netting et, wear," by Haller, as Americas
poet and Hr. Joseph Anna, "The insimnion," by

T. Intoldaby. The readings, taken as a whols,
were very creditably performed.
"ittllLh.t: LA, D..- Pry' Saratoga.- (Sel4re
Captain Se:die:ll, W. S. Wit, W. B.jiaish, and V.
'd • IIUI, &dim James Pm, Leila to the Tinosbnry
Con' CompIIIV, was c 44av ict4il of feloniously stealing,
antans 4,f a skeleton key, a quantity of 11011111 and
L 1.. P MP" tY Of the company. , and was sen-
tenced to two calendar months' iniprieonment.—
Moses shepperd, butcher and beer seller, of
Tunsbury, was lined Cl, including costs, for selling
beer at unlawful hoary, on Sunday. -- Alfred
Church, of the Castle of Comfort Inn, at East Harp.
tree, was lined 14s. 61. and costa for muelty to his
home.- -Edward Perry and John Perry, of (Ail.
compton, were each fined 10.., and 6i. 6,1. costa, for
assaulting Farmer George Haiku, at Downside.—
Mark Harwell was lined 7a 64. for profane swearing
at Chew Magna. William Kiddie, of Compton
Martin, and Joseph Clare, of Farmborough, were
each tined 10.. 6d. for drunkenness.— Valentine
Franks, of Übley, was ordered to psy Cl 7s. and
costs to Thomas Nlapstone for wages as a carpenter.
—Lewis Cotter, for bores-stealing, was di..
charged.
IL3dINSTEII. - Hawn St7cICLID IT A CAT.—
The Rev. A. 11. P. Trewman, vicar of Ilminster,
communicates the following to the Field :-A
singular 14444t2nee of the extraordinary agreement of
some animal.. together was narrated to me the other
day ; I can veudi for the truth of the whole
statement, as I auk personally acquainted with the
narrator. He is a magistrate for the counties of
Dorset, Somerset, nod Devon, and well-known f,r
his stroi.tht riling with hounds, and for being •
'borough good sport.man and country gentleman.
He is poss,seel of • very tine and favourite cat, which
is reuownid for 1,1144 the most inveterate rabbit-
killer -she was constantly out in the coverts, adjoin-
ing the house, 'mil always brought borne some young
rabbits, and sometimes as large as nearly half-grown.
This was not coordered a great fault, as rabbits
were plentiful; but fears were entertained of other
game, and thoughts were passed about poor puss's
life. However, my fr:end's son, a flue lad of POMO
fourteen years old, in his rambles one day in the
coverts, found a rabbit-stop, dug it out, and brought
home See or six young rabbits. Pam bad, just pre-
vious to this, Lad • litter of kittens; the kittens
were taken away and the young rabbits put to the
oat. She nestled and suckled them, and cared for
there as if they hal been her own progeny; and
there they are now more than half-grown, and she
has never attempted to kill or eat one of them, not-
withstanding her predilection previously for young
rabbits.

n
a Av. Lvo.—oCrPPRLVIIOK OP • BROTH IL, AND
COMMITTAL OF TOR K Foe Tata L. —Sarah
Hawkins was brought before the Taunton magis-
trates on Wednesday, charged with unlawfully
keeping a brothel in one of the main streets of
Taunton. It we. proved by Superintendent Gold-
smith and one of his officers, and an innkeeper re-
siding in the locality, that the house was a notorious
brothel, tbo resort of raveral prostitutes, amongst
whom was the daughter of the accused, a girl
scarcely fourteen years of age—Tbe Bench com-
nutted the accused for trial at the ensuing amuse,
offering to accept bail in two sureties of v 2.5 each for
her appearance, and for her good conduct in the
mean ti nie.

BBISTOL.-111rORTANT TO BRAWIERL—At the
Council-house, on Tuesday, Mr. Edward Strotton,
brewer, Volly.lane, St. Phillip's, was summoned
before Messrs. J. Fisher and R. O. Barrow. on an
information that he, on the 10th of Deoembe. , 1863,
at his brewery, altered • certain entry theretofore
made by him,as brewer of beerpurportingtobe made
on the 9th December, 1863, and stating that he in-
tended to mash 2 qnart.ers and 2 bushels of malt
on the morning of December lath, and that be
altered the entry to 3 quarters 4 bushels of malt,
whereby he had incurred a penalty of .C2OO. A
secound count in the information charged the
defendant with obliterating the entry made by him
on the 9th of December, whereby he had forfeited
another sum ef £2OO. Mr. Stanley (of the firm of
Meows. Stanley and Wasbrough) appeared to prose-
cute, and Mr. Pigeon represented the defendant.
By consent of the excise authorities the second count
was withdrawn, and Mr. Pigeon said that to the
first count the defendant pleaded guilty, but
there were circumstances which could be men-
tioned to the Bench to induce them to redrew the
penalty to the lowest visible sum. lt was
necessary that an entry should be made in a paper
the day before any quantity of malt was wetted.and
the brewer of the defendant received instructions
from him to brew ale on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, and beer on Friday. The defendant
thought that his brewer would obey his instructions,
and made an entry in his paper to the effect that a
certain quantity of malt was used. On Thursday
afternoon the brewer came, and said that he bad
orders for a quantity of grains that bad been brewed
that day. The defendant told him that he weld
Dot have the quantity which he wanted, as he had ,
been brewing ale. The brewer then said that he
thought the defendant told him to brew beer, which
at once alarmed the defendant, who told him that
he did not, and he most increase the entry of the
amount of malt; and It was for that alteration he bad
been summoned. The magistrates said that eider
the circumstances they were inclined to mitigate the
penalty to LSO. Mr. Pigeon then asked that they
would recommend the Board of Inland Revenue to
further mitigate the penalty, but Mr. Barrow said it
required some consideration before they did that.
The collector, el,, was in Court, remarked that
there wore circumstances in the cam which he was
certain would ii L induce the It mrd to make any
further mitigation. The parties then left the Court.
LOCAL SwiNotiNo.—The Bri.lol Daily Pori, in
remarking on the small snpport given by the trades-
men to the Local Tradoe' Protection Society,says :
A short time ago large orders for paper were gent
out, written on apparently official letter paper,
dated from °Susi not 100 mike from Queen-square,
in this city,and beadedoin imposing type, "Tobacco,
Cigar, and Monti Works, Stapleton; and Warehouse,
—street, Queen-square, BriatoL" The orders
were all signed, "Lloyd and Sons," per " H.,"
and to give the order the appearance of greater DlA-
portanoe and magnitude the sanders were all specially
requested to address the goods to the " packing de-
partment," and in too many cases the bait took,and
to the " pecking department"of the pseudo.com-
piny goods were sent acoordingly. By and by the
senders, who would appear to have been requested
to quote lowest price for cask, began to ask for the
mil, and inquines began to be made who and what
"Messrs. Lloyd and Sons" were, but though there
is& most respectable and well-known firm of Lloyd
and Sons in the tobacco and snuff trade at Exeter
and Bath, no such a firm could be found or beard of
in the fair city of Bristol, and DO "Tobacco, Cigar,
sad Snuff Works, Stapleton," could be discovered,
and no "warehouse" at the address in Bristol,
which consists of a mall officio, with a desk and a
stool or two, let, ready furnished, at £l2 per
annum. A month or so ago the "warehouse" was
closed, and no tidings could be heard of the tenant,
and suspicions being aroused arid iueuiriee made, an
ugly fact or two cams to light; to wit, that a large
load of paper had been sent off from the " ware-
house" to the railway, and another quantity had
been offered for sale at less than cost price to another
party, all savouring strongly of a very active
"packing department," though probably of a some-
what different character than that suppoised by the
various vendors. The " warehmuse" continuing
closed for • month or more, the landlord at last
entered the premises, and there, in rich and varied
profusion, lay on the floor, immediately under the
letter-box aperture, a heap of letters addressed to
Messrs. Lloyd and Sons, several of them directed in
that suspiciously short sod decisive caligraphy which
lawyers clerks especially delight in. Curiosity
getting the better band, several of the letters were
opened and some dozen or more invoices from
paper-iakere from all parts of England, for
goods worth some £7OO, were amongst them,
several claims) being supplemented by letters
(rain solicitors threatening legal proceedings
in case of non-payment in return of post.
The "Tobacco, Snuff, and Cigar Company
(Limited)," of London, on beiog applied to, dis-
claim all knowledge of the affair, and state that
they never opened a branch in Bristol, or autborisoxl
anyone else to do so for them. To make the
, matter, if possible, worse, the manager of the con-
cern, who wrote the orders, &c. there is entry
reason to suppose, was a short tit:OA ago in business
in this city in the paper trade, and halos his
' familiarity with the names and addresses of the
, several makers.