The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-04-13 00:00:00

THE PORTLAND 00RONSRSHIP.

The CHAIRMAN, in allusion to the resolution moved
by him at the last Sessions respecting the Portland
eeronerahip, said the Court mune to the oonolusion it
then arrived at, in consequence, first, of the coroner of
Portland having died ; and, secondly, as Portland had
become a very important place, not merely as to its
population, but as to the employment of the great
majority of its inhabitants, so many accidents happen-
ing; and the Court was advised that no inhabitant of
Portland had moved for the requisite writ for a fresh
appointment. Meanwhile he had learnt that the
islanders began to look at things in a different light and
had commenced steps to be taken to obtain a writ; and
if they took it up the Court would be very glad indeed
to let them. He was glad to see Captain Manning pre-
sent, whom he looked upon as King of Portland.
(Laughter and applause.)
Lord PORTMAN thought the Court should insist upon
its standing orders. At the last Sessions no one knew
that • word would be uttered about the Portland
ocronership, and when magistrates were almost all gone,
, about 6 o'clock, he (Lord Portman) found • motion
carried for altering that which, on great and mature
deliberation, was established in 1.847. Why, the
changing of a coroner was one of the most important
things that this Court of Quarter Sessions could accom-
plish. Hence, resting on their standing orders, he sub-
mitted whether the Court should proceed with the
matter without having notioe, and, if notioe were now
given, to take the subject into consideration hereafter,
and not sign a petition to the Queen asking the altera-
tion and consolidation of the Portland coroner's district
with that of Dorchester upon no notice whatever.
The CHAIRMAN read the resolution passed at the last
Sessions, remarking that his memory would not serve
him as to bow the resolution came to be passed. There
were two modes of appointing a oorouer, one upon peti-
tion from this Court, and another by application from
the inhabitants of Portland. He was sure the passing
of the resolution by the Court had been for the purpose
of ensuring • coroner for so important an island speeUy.
He should he glad to hear Captain Manning.
Captain MaNNING observed that in consequence of the
contemplated Government works, in 1846, he, in the '
Midsummer Sessions, brought before this Court the pro-
priety of making Portland a separate coroner's district.
Indeed, it was then questioned whether Portland would
not be made distinct from other parts of the county.
The arguments were extended to the following year, and
the resolution was adopted without one dissentient voice,
after full discussion. Since that period—as almost all
were aware—most extensive fortifications were in pro-
gress on the island and a large convict establishment
erected, containing 1,500 prisoners. The population
consisted of no less than 6,000 people, amongst whom,
from their dangerous vocation, the most frightful acci-
dents were very frequently occurring. Captain Clay had
recently communicated to him that there were about
1,500 convicts' on the island. Well, not only in that
establiehment but in similar ones throughout the
'Pantry, if any prisoner under restraint happened to die,
whether from accident or other cause, an inquest had to
be held on the body. Between 500 and 600 persons,
also, were employed at the Breakwater works, at which
plea, and likewise in the quarries. alarming accidents
sometimes occurred. Now, the inhabitantsuninimously
elected the highly talented Dr. Frost, and under Ina
judicious arrangements it was impossible for any mea-
sure to work better, and perfect satidation was given to
all the inhabitants. He (Captain Manning) was
thoroughly convinced that the island should 'till remain
• district of Itself; and he knew nothing whatever of
the proceeding of the last Sessions in the matter, except
from the report in the county paper.
Mr. POROHICR thought the question must close now
because what took place at the last Sessions was nuga-
tory. No notice had been given, and the subject was
Improperly entertained. It would be a pity to break
the bye laws just as they had been agreed upon.
Mr. °IRIAN : And cost MO. (A. laugh.)
Captain MANNING added that, on the score of economy,
he believed making Portland a separate district had been
a considerable saving to the funds of the county. The
writ had been moved for and he had signed the nears
strY inners.
Mr. ELIOT said Dr. Frost died very shortly before the
Janua7 Session', in the latter part of November, but
it was in contemplation to move for a new writ and two
candidates had presented themselves for election.
The subject then dropped.