The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-06-22 00:00:00

INIPLCTION OP PORTLAND ROAD BY THE DIRIZTORS
Or THE GREAT ARM= RAILWAY.

An excursion round the Great Pastern wee organised
for Thursday morning by the Mayor and Corporation,
who had engaged the beautiful Channel Islands boat ,
Cygnus, for accommodating the directors of the Grea
Western railway, while the Corporation end their
friends pointed out to them the advantage of Portland
Roads 11.11 a mail packet station. The rain earne down in
a continuous deluge in the morning, but shout eleven
It abated • little. and • very distinguished p.rty exempted
the invitation of Weymouth's magnates. The Cygnus
was steered out past the Breakwater, and it was ex•
plained by Captain Como', of the Weymouth sad
Portland steamers, that she was making for • position
in the Channel, whenoe a steamer could steer a course
direct for the Atlantic without basing any obstruction
in her ere,. This position the Cygnus reached in 24
minutes after naming the Breakwater end. Hence a ,
eourse W.S.W. 4 W. would have taken her straight oat
into the Atlantic, and at the rate of 10 knots an hour,
she would have been there ii, 16 hours. For the puipoes
of showing how excellent • port Poniard is for a shit,
comiug up channel. Captain Cosine explained that.
measuring from midway between Calmat and the
Lizard, a vessel going to Falmouth would have
to steer N.N.E. E. 55 nautical miles and
from FAlreouth to London passengers or mails
must travel 290 miles, total 345 miles. To
Plymouth from the same point the distance was 76 miles
N.E. E. and from Plymouth to London was 224 miles,
making a total distance of about 300 miles. From the
Mlle to Portland Breakwater E.N.E• II E. 136 miles.
and from Portland to London 142 miles, total only 27d
miles. True the distanos to Southampton was
appareatly shorter still, being from mid.channel to the
Needles E. by N. 160 milea, the Needles to Booth.
ampton about 17 mile., making a total distance of 256
miles. But all these places, except Portland, have
dangers in the shape of foga, rocks, shoal., and strong
tides. The Solent, or passage inside the Wight towards
Southampton, is especially liable to fogs, while the
eounre to Portland is dear and free of all dangers, well
lighted, and Portland can be entered at any time or tide
by day or night.

In the saloon of the Cygnus light refreehment was
provided, and the MATOI proposed the "health of Sir
Daniel Gooch and success to the great andertakiog in
which he was shoat to embark." He thanked Sir
Daniel for having selected Portland for the °ogling of
the Great Eastern, and treated that in a exhort time
they would hear!. had been anomeafal in laying the
cob!. between France and America.
Sir Dania'. (Moue. In returning thanks, exprrseed
hie hopes that the Mayor's wishes for the summesful
laying of the sable might he realised. He bad selected
Portland, as he felt it was the beet port for the put'
They had before tried to coal her at the Nor.;
but the roughness of the sea there, there wee vet)
great difficulty, and it wee found necessary to have a port
rime ale might go oa with her coaling notwithstand-
ing any weather. He was plowed to say sash had been
the ease at Portland, and, although it had blown very
heavily on Tuesday, it did not interfere with the
coal-
ing, the steam colliers being abie to go stooped* the
great ship in perfect safety.
The Cygnus behaved beautifully daring the whole 01
the parade. After an excursion of about an hour. the
party retarned, and early in the diernoon the diljediser
was spewed M a large marquee in the Rings Osmium"
ground. The firm old piece of carving from the Guild-
hall stairs was plated behind the chair, and the marquee
wee decked with dowers and shrubs, while flags gaily
flattered all round the Rip. The weather rather
moderated, and afterwards bream. dee, so that the
party bail nothing to intemipt their maJoymeet
Dann provided a capital lancheou, and the head of the
51st played an admirable selection of music. The
Mayor (j. Thard, Req.) was in the glair, and among
those prevent were Sir Denial Gooch, Colonel Agg,
51* Captain Grant, J. A. Devitalise, Eq., H. Edwards,
Esq., I P., Yr. C. A. Wood. Lleat.olaset &Meld,

Meade, Esq., Major Madden. Mr. Niel, Mr.
Carrell, Captain Stokes, Mr. Mioklethwaite. J. F.
Hodges, Esq. (Mayor of Dorchester). R. if. Eliot, Escu,
Captain Prows.. Captain Keene, J. Talbot. Esq., K
Pearce. Fag., Captain B irrett, R N., Mr. Mott, Mr. Micheli,
Dr. For, Lieut. Dyer, Mr. Robinson, Captain Pulkeley,
Captain Trydel, Captain Halpin, Captain Percy Smith,
Captain Nurnt, Mr Young, Major Wood, Mr. Grant,
E. Bayly, EN., C. Penny, Esq.. Mr. Waoklyn,
Lieutenant Bird, Dr. Tisard, Mr. King, Lieutenant
Taylor, Mr. Leming, lieutenant White, Lieutenant
Holland, Mr. Williams, Lieuteoant Ames, Mr.
Orange, Capt. Barrett, Mr. Vertu*, G. Reynold' FAN.
Mr. Pattison. Mr. Coombe, Mr. Welsfold, Lieutenant
Cockburn, G. Eliot, Esq., Mr. A. S. Mason, G. Betts,
EN., Lieut. Gramet Mi. Howard, J. Drew, Esq., J.
Ayling, Esq., Mr. Ifilledge, Capt. Farrington, Lieut.
Haynes, Mr. Arden, Mr. Bocknell, Mr. Grieraon, Mr.
Wimble' Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ward, Mr. Tyrell, Mr. Owen,
Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Looe, Ensign Saunders, Ensign
Sopping, Mr. Viant, Mr. Webb, Mr. Graham, Mr.
Hearne, Auist.-Surgeon Folliott, Mr. Thomas, Mr.
Humphrey, Mr. Maunders, Mr. George, Mr. Chapple,
Mr. Oonsmint, Mr. Brown, Mr. Back, Mr. Aylee, Mr.
Benjamin &riven, Mr. Armstrong, Capt. Comma, Dr.
Cogan, Mr. Reynolds (Froose), Lieut. Matfett, Mr.
Grant, Mr. Masan, Ensign Deushire, Mr. Phillips, Mr.
Cheesman, Ensign Dunlop, and the vioe-ohairs were
occupied by F. C. Staigall, Esq., town clerk, and G.
Andiews, Esq., borough treasurer.
Grace having been said and • most redurrrAd dessert
placed on the table, including some delicious pines,
The MATOi gave the usual loyal and patriotic toasts,
coupling with that of the Army the name of Col. Ag 4,
whom. and the officers of the slst, he thanked for
allowing their band to play at Weymouth every wed.
With the navy he coupled the name of Captain Borrett,
and with the volunteers that of Captain and Adjutant
Barrett-.(hearty cheers, led off by Mr. Ayliog).
Colonel AGO, in responding, kindly offcred that the
band should come to Weymouth every Monday, in
additicn to the present arrangement -(cheers).

,
C.ptain Boansrr end Copt:in Bsaarrr also returned
[banks.

The ILITOIt next gave " The health of the Great
Western Directors," coupling with it the name of Sir
Denial Gooce—(elseers). Weymouthians are exceed.
ingly grateful to the Greet Western directors for havine
recognised this port as their principal outlet for this
south of England and it was • matter for congratule-
tionehat they heft a beard meeting here, among other
thistle to auertain the adventages of the port se •
southern outlet for traffic between England and the
north of France. He hoped that some day a very
large traffic from the South of England would pass rist
Weymouth to Cherbourg—(hear). Sir Daniel Gout'
was also superintendent of the laying the telegraph
cable from Brest to America, and they heartily wistied
sucseet to the enterprise, and hoped in three weeks to
hese the ceble was successfully laid. In conclusion
be promised the Greet Western directors, in all their
operation* cotinected with the railway, every support
from the local autborities in carrying out their views—
(applause).
Sir DANIZI. GOOCH said if anything could add to the
pleasure he and the directors felt in visiting Weymouth,
it was the kind and hearty welcome given them that
day. The Great Western Railway are deeply interested
In the prosperity of Weymouth, for they had many
hundred milss of line affected by the traffic brought to
their system from this point. Nobody 000ld visit the
magnificent berbour of Portland without seeing it
was admirably adepted for shipping purposes for traffic
with France and other parts of the Continent. What-
ever the Great Weetern could do for Weymouth eon•
eistently with their duty to their shareholders, they
weald only be too glad do—(cheers.) The fact of the
Great Eastern being here was evidense of the apprecia•
tion of Portland se • fit port for coaling the great ship.
Coaling operations required a port where the water was
both deep and safe, so that they might proceed without
delay ; and in spite of the rough weather on Tuesday,
their coaling had gone on without interruption—(beer.)
This proved the port adapted for =sling Her Majesty's
Sort, and it might some day be selected for that tin-
portent operation. The Great Western are connected
with some of the finest collieries In Wales, and they
only required about 200 yards of line laid down at Port-
land, when the Channel Fleet could Naive their oath
almost as fresh and large as at the colliery mouth.
Thie advantage was fully appreciated by the Govern-
ment, and the time, he hoped, was not far distant when
a large trade would be tarried on with them at
Portland—(applause.)
Tee MATOIt then gave "The health of the Members
for the liorough"—(cheers.) They were favoured with
the presence of one of their representatives, and beheld
• letter from Mr. Hambro, which he would read. It
wait as follows
11, Oarendiehsquare, W., June HOMO.
" Desritir,—l am very sorry to my I cannot. ...vase down to
Weymouth on tbe and 17thou I should very much like to
have done, and so must decline your kind inviletion.
" Believe me yours truly,
CO. RAMIRO.
" I shall be happy at all time. to advocate the claims f Port-
land as small station, for, In my opinion, lie claimeammperior
lowly other port along the south ormet."
Both members were always reedy to ass their In-
fluence and put their hands in their pockets to assist any
movement for the good of Weymouth. Members of
Puliement are very hard-worked, for they sat op till
two o'clock in the morning and attended the House
again at ten nest day. If both their members had
some down, it would have been • little holiday for
them, and after inhaling the fresh see brume, they
would have returned to their duties with new vigour
—(epplausa)
H. EDwAnDyk Esq., kLP., said he rose to express,
' however imperfectly. on the part of himself and his
honourable colleague, their warmest thanks for the
honour done them by the invitation to that splendid
entertainment, for the Endued of the Mayor in intro-
duoing their names, end the kind way In whiela the
company had received them. He must eonfese that
he felt se if he was playing truant, and running away
from his duties in Parliament, hut he assured them it
wig great pleasure to be with them, for they were
assembled to carry out • work in which he was mire
they were all deeply Interested—the future welfare and
prosperity of Weymouth. He believed the principal
object of their meeting was to convince the Directors
of the Great Western Railway and other gentlemen, of
the fitness of Portland for the lauding of Her Majesty's
mails. Hs only hoped they were as mtiefied as he wu
that it was not only a fitting place, but as most fitting
plan for that purpose. He regretted very mull be
wag not present in the House of Commons when the
hon, member for Falmouth proposed that the mails
should be removed from Southampton to Falmouth.
He should like to have had an opportunity of saying •
wind for Weymouth, but lee was aUient on • visit to •
sick Mond ; but ea his return be lost not a moment in
mtrahey:beaaminieaviivi'pti:ofrttasatyhdacwhPiraaimptataabehiih-Ciamadei. haw.mestrtnal'tashing him if,
be
landing o
Boa, and his lordship promised him that such eh sni,
be the tass—{epplusel. He was_ Every 1.4 to tridlok
that the subject had been so ably anemia by
the
Counsel,wiaatdh that
they
wrhy OafflarliOaVhillitliT vitlerythisM-Utaaahtioillifn: reseed prolatal7 for them to give • long pull,
sad • strong pull, and it wis not unlikely would have the mails brought to We th that
they
it
thought
haandlionlidy mwureesiashtilly ampolinwerkci7
When he
iinew plums very 8008
al
d.ooo:llllytr,doolawir.omikteat
would pay another visit to
brought forward the nuitter""a4Poa"ting"artlanclL His lordship
interview with the kW • mu.'
"d h 64
a personal
mthenyputitoldozahlin that the the Government wa their only object ngnotthweeddedgood toot
the
""1". RU lookillP Warred to • map, sad

then observed that so far ea be modal ataaa he quite
agreed with him that Portland wee very favourably
situated. He therefore thought they had • very god
prospect before them that the mails would be brought
to Portland shortly —(apylause). He was very glad the
directors were present that day, for be believe! it wsa
not only In their minds, but in the minds of the railway
directors on the other aide of the water, to op. n • c,ro-
mono:ration by which Weymouth would be materislly
benefited and improved. They ell knew the vast trade
carried on between France and Southampton, and he
did not see why Weymouth should not have • share,
and he should be pleared to do anything he could to
further this object. There was one matter, and he
believed it waa the most important of all, in reference
to the prosperity of Weymouth aa connected with
Portland. It was one in which the Government took
a deep interest, and via that which Sir amid Go.als
had alluded to—the coaling of Her Maj. sty's navy at
Portland. Only as late as Saturday last, be had •
lengthened interview with the First Lord of the
Admiralty, who ustired him of the deep interest of the
Government in the matter, and of their deep anxiety
to carry it out. He asked Mr. Childers whether, in
the event of tluit being done, they would allow nee
chant vessela to reap • portion of the benefit. His lord-
ship said it had not been under the consideration of the
Government, but he was not personally ocfairoarable
to it. When they therefore looked at the matter, eon.
nested as it wee with the mails and the coaling at
Portland, the only thing they bad to do we. to court
the owners of steamers and offer them ev-ry induce-
ment to come to Portland, and he thought this could
be effected by a good coaling apparatus. No prqrarer
tion was needed; they had only to go ti the Govern•
ment and show them the advantages of the place, and
be had no doubt they would have the mails :soled at
Portland at an early day. He wanted the Town
Council to move earnestly and energetically in toe
matter, for he knew that the hon. member for Femouth
could do nothing this session, but that he intended
moving for • se-ct oommittee to inquire into the
matter, during the next. They must therefore move
at once, and ho only hoped he should, at a day not fee
distant, have the plessure of congratulating them on a
very large aceession of prosperity to Weymouth
falnrlatt.7). . .

„
The Ma Toil proposal "The health of the Directors
of the Channel Islands Stesnipaaket Company,"conpling
with it the names of Messieurs Neel ant Cerra, and
Captain Orange, Mr. J. A. Devenish, and Capt. Previa

r •
-(applesse).7
Mr. Nut, in returning thanks, mentioned the
attempts of the company to establish • trade with
Cherbourg. and trusted that, though they bad been
hitherto unsueoessful, they would succeed in the end.
Mr. Neel also spoke of the praetical advantages of
Portland Roads.' • roadstesd.
Captain ORANON said he had been al years at sea,
and engaged in foreign trade, and believed he could
form a proper idea of Portland, especially since the
Breakwater had been completed. No other port in the
channel was so easy for • vessel to enter, COMILLA from
foreign ports. There were no rocks as was the cue at
Falmouth, and no 1116m:thy as on the Ram head at
Plymouth —(hear, hear).
The /throe then gave "The health of the Lord
Lieutenant and Magistrates of the County," who he
said dseotel • great deal off tune t the runty
business, and perforated their duties gratuitously—
(hear).
S. Meant, Esq., in reeponding, alluded to the merite
of Lord Sltafte.bury, and his exertions in the cause of
philanthropy for many years. As to the magistrates
be acme 1 for them that they were always willing•
faithfully and firmly to discharge their duties without
favour or fear.—(hear.)
The HALO' gave the " health of the Mayors of
Dorchester and Exeter." Messrs. Hodges and Ellis.
—(amelettes.)
J. F. Flown, Esq., Mayor of Dorchester, returned
thanks, and said the inhabitants of Dorchester had the
liveliest interest in everything that related to the port
of Weymouth. He felt peculiar pleasure in meeting
those gentlemen connected with the great public iota-
pani.o represented that day.—(applause.)
The Mayor of Exersa also responded.
The lINTOR neat gave the toast of "the borough
megletratee, 'mentioning the rum, of J. A. Dust n*,
Bsq.—(oheera.)
J. A. DWZNIISH, in reply, said he regretted to moires
that for a long time part, he had been neglectful of his
duty ail a magistrate. He found there were so many
younger magistrates coming into work, and he knew they
would have the same desire for the proper performance
of their duties, as had always been shown by the men
who were very much his seniors when he joined them,
bat he left the duties with great confidence in th
hands. He hoped they would live to give the sass
satisfaction as he really believed the old and late
meistratee had given from time imatemorial—(cheers).
The Maros then proposed "the health of Captain
Haplin end the officers of the Great Eastern."
°apt HALPIN said it was not a sailor', fork to make
long speeches, and he was sorry to say he was no exam-
tion to the rule. He thanked the company for the kind
reception they bad given him since he had been in Way.
mouth. He was indeed proud of commanding the
Great Eastern, and to be connected with Sir Daniel
Gooch. He joined them in the hope that after six
weeks he would return, after haring succeeded in
bringing together two of the great countries of the
world, 17ranee and America, and that what they were
about to do would atrengthen the friendship of England,
France, and Aineriea.
Mt. AIDISIO. 140 replied.

Mr. HOWARD said the Mayor had given him per.
minion to propose • toast. It warn" the future prosperity
of the Great Western Railway Company, especially ia
any undertaking that may be developed in eonmotion
with Weymouth sod Portland Harbour "—(applause).
This tome was one of some importance for thmuselvea,
and. he would almost say, for the country at large-
-(bear, beer). Ac far as Weymouth was concerned, it
appeared at the present day like • young lady passaged
of numerate charms and attractions, which one lover
after another hod passed by, and she began to feel
deserted, and to use all her powers to get a lover after
her own liking —(laughter). Weymouth is 'reared to
compete with any other port on the south east. =4
any other port cannot be plum' ui antagonism
her, for abets also in conneetion by means of (be Gras
Western Railway, with the North of Ithelood. Why.
then should the port of Weymouth hare tab"' a
Position so inferior to other ports w'aith have
I not hail its Rd vantages ? It Is not the ease of • Port
with few natural advantages, end where the inhabitacta
are afraid to have an emanation of its eapebilities take
place, tor fear it should be seen that thae seelay•ei
advantages are unreaL The more Her Majesty 'e
Government and the more the Great Wale,*
directors looked into these advantages the more real sad
substantial they would be found —014.4 They tuna
opine to the game croselnales as the gentlemen of the
Great Western Railoar, that it was sot only tine
ehannel port, bat the channel pert at all If4ljl&Pd—
(alum . s). They wished the Great Western Oast
Company every prosperity, bat at the same time they
hoped their object had been attained—that of drawl*(
their attention to the numerate advantages ebb*, be
would not say they bad not neglegted. but 'aid' hi
hoped they would pay doable attention to in filters.
As rvirdad Portland, they cue sot reqelzi •• expeed •
altpenes, they had no duels to make ; they bad tiatal,
to yet
_those who rule this country to older the Walla to
be Waded hers. Other parte realized desks to be eon-
egret:aid am , and Southampton and rainioath required
thoneende and thoeseade of pomade to be laid out upon
them—thear). Bat at Portia's& the Great Beaters
had Amply to drop her lavabos' whitest any Uvalde.
• mail Oman would bath no dose of any kind, no