The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-02-14 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

REVIVAL MOVEMENT. —The part taken by many
of our leading religious men in reference to united
prayer meetings appiars to have rendered them dis-
satisfied with themselves, and we shall soon have
each distinct religious body developing separate
efforts and giving to them sectarian characteristics.
It would be more in accordance with the spirit mani•
[tided in other places in reference to this movement
if the various religious bodies could unite, forget
their non-essentials, and remember only the common
faith that makes them one. But, as these spiritual
attainments do not appear to have been reached
here, we cannot but hope that the efforts being now
and about to be made will lead to a practical develop-
ment of true Christian sympathy.
WILTS AND LOKNIT BANKING COMPANY.—The
extensive business transacted by the Wilts and
Dorset Branch Bank in this place, and the number of
shareholders resident in the town and neighbour-
hood, induce us briefly to refer to the proceedings at
the annual meeting held at the head office, in Salis-
bury, on Monday, the 6th ult. The public have
beed already informed that Mr. Provis, the late
manager, was obliged to relinquish his appointment
on account of having dealt with the shares of the
company in violation of what the directors conceived
to be his duty. About 100 of the proprietary
assembled —a much larger number than usually
attends—evidently drawn together for the purpose
of receiving an explanation from the directors rela•
tive to the late manager's conduct. It appeared
1 from the statement made, that in two or three cases
brought before the meeting, of which there could be
no doubt entertained, Mr. Provis had taken advan-
tage of his position as manager, and realized a very
handsome 811111 at the expense of certain customers of
the lank, who had negotiated through him the sale and
purchase of shares. The manner in which entries
of the transactions was made in the bank hooks first
awakened suspicion, and led the directors to make
that investigation, the ultimate issue of which was
the immediate dismissal of the !manager. Another
of the officers of the bank, a Mr. Ahl, was proved
to have been cognizant of the course pursueAl by Mr.
Provis, and WU also sutumarilv dismissal. Beyond
this irregularity nothing has been imputed to the
late manager, and the interests of the bank in all
other respects are unaffected. The financial affairs
of the company appear to be in a most flourishing
condition, and the choice of W. C. Bore, Esq., from
the Bank of London. seems to have given general
satisfaction. The intimate acquaintance with banking
matters which this gentleman showed at the meeting,
his business aptitude, and courteous manlier favour-
ably impressed all present. The long retention of
office by Mr. Proves, and the great personal intlu-
ence he had acquired in the management of the
company, would have induced some mea to have
palliated his offence, if not wholly to have excused
, it; but the directors of this company have profited
from the lessons read them by the frauds in the
commercial world, and have had the moral courage
to check wrong in its first stages. By doing so they
have proved their fitness for the office they fill ; and,
as a consequence, increased the already good confi-
dence entertained by the public in the sound manage-
ment of the company's interests.
Special. SEnvives.—Srmons are announced to
be preached in Blandford church, on the Wednes-
day evenings in Lent, as folloes :
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. —The Rev. W. Fletcher,
WlDAbovne, Di,., from Acts iii. 19.
Wednesday, Feb. 29.—The Rev. Talbot nreaves,
rector of Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, from

Proverbs i. 23. _
Wednesday. March 7.—The Rev, Edward Duke,
_ _ .

from I John, v. 4, 5.
Wednesaay. March 14.—Rev. J. Stephenson, In-
cumbent of St. Johns, Itatlipole, from Hebrews,

ii. IS.
Wednesday, March 21.—The Hon. and Rev. S.
Waldegrave, Canon of Salisbury, from John
vii. 26.
Wednesday, March 2S.—Rev. James S. Ruddach,
Curate of St. Leonardwon•Sea, from I Cor. x 31. '
Wednesday, April 4—Rev. W. Iligden, Rector of
Cann St. Rumbold, from Matthew xxvii. 42.
A petition for the continuance of Church•rates has
been presented for signature to most of the known
friends of the rate, and we understand has received
a number of signatures. A petition for the revision
of the Prayer Book has been numerously signed.
Tint RIFI.E CORPS.—On Monday last the Captain
(G. P. Manuel, Esq.), informed the company that, as
as the Government rides might not arrive for some
time to come, he intended to obtain 3110 r 40 rides
from Birmingham, for the use of the corps and their
instruction in ride drill.
Tows AND COENTRY BAI.L.—Mr. Eyers' annual
ball, which took place on Friday night last at the
Corn Exchange, was attended by about 60 persons
from the town and neighbourhood. The number
was not so great this year as last, but all present ap-
peared determined to enjoy themselves, and maii.
feasted a spirit that tended to render the affair more
, than ordinarily agreeable.