The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-07-22 00:00:00

WA21200/11211.

LrmrlNG OF THE WATEECOMBE RAMS.

On Wednesday afternoon last took place the annual
event which has eo much helped to make Watarcombe
noteworthy in the agricultural world. Everyone
knows the excellence of the pure-bred Sussex Downs,
so far as fine quality is concerned, and for an enjoy-
able as well me wholesome dinner, the haunch of a
Southdown may well form one of the principal dishes
—" A rum 'un to follow, • bad 'tin to beat." But, good
se is the flavour of Sussex Down mutton, it is a
truism that the joints are hut small, and we are not
sure that we ahould have to search far in this county
before we could find diners who would claw the
Southdown haunch with the goose, as • " foolish dish"
because it's "too much for OW and not enough for
two. To combine the quality of the Southdown with
the size of other approved breeds Is the object of those
celebrated breeders of the Watercombe flock, Mr. T.
Swindon, end his worthy eon, Mr. Chapman
Saunders. "Twould be but repeating an often
I told tale to narrate how Mama Saunders,
father and goo, hare exercised the highest practical
skill combined with science in their selection of the
best animate to enlarge the breed of downs, and how
their wooer has increased from year to year, until, as
we were reminded on Wednesday, there is scarcely a
flock of repute but has some of the Waterconibs blood
in it. Alongside with this skill and patience, and
probably helping to make them more publicly
sucoui, the Mama Saunders have exercised that
hospitality which always aids manes in
rgiand•
- • • • ---

Among thoae who gathered to the Waterannbe male
on Wednesday afternoon were :—Mr. Pullen (Way.
ford), Mr. Huneey rettincombel. Mr. J. H. Saunders

,r 11 .....
TM following latter was else road:- (Geslinanstone), ....r. Tucker (North Parrott), Mr.
" at, /Larket-plare. Devisee. lionlyr (Holworth), Mr. Wilson. Mr. S. Symes
"hum 300,1 Wit =ler Cense), Mr. W. Chick (Dorchester), Mr. It.
"lbw Str-di I understand you have had satisfactory I jun. ( Winfrlth), Mr. Denning (Code,
learnt for water re Kr Good's laud, f inissins Isbell be Medic from you as to who.. I sin to most in memo. so
Taunton),
Mr. W. Lucas (Bindon Milla),_Mr. Bryant,
the mho sad quantity of land required foe year vamoose Mr. T. Dowden (Hoke), Mr. Chombed Morn Falcon,
. I am, deer sir. Taunton), Mr. Badcock (Gotten. Taunton), Mr. Tory
"Yours faithfully. (Turnworth), Mr. R. Lock (Kiniotton), Mr. Wyatt
"Jima KOMI- " (West hfonckton), Mr. K Blanton (West Knighton),
Is was remind to send • similar reply to tots Ismer. Mr. Bond (Beathfield, Taunton), Mr. Crooke (Warm.
Tar. DOT-111Z C 111•11111•4 SURCHANGED.
ellowing ow reed :-
well), Mr. C. Wordaw.irth (West Lulworth), Mr. R.
lloi
"I o u hereby mut, MU in the accounts of the Blettd• Fool(' (Mangerton), Mr. Dunning, Captain G.ssrhice
lord yte ue Local Board I have disallowed the soma of (Compton. Sherbdite). Mr. Mouton (Lyme Regis),
LIS aid .11. together Cie. as paymeut! illegally made out Mr. Chappell (Lyme Regis), Mr. !tenter (Donyalt),
or the fm,, 4 1111 ilia said Board; and I find that 11tH. Mr. Hellier, itun, Mr. Homey (Channinster),
ch berths,. a'alaaa of Me said Board. authorised these Mr. JH . F. i me (Dorchester), Mr. Rawleoce
'll•olllarrare,* awl I herein eurcharld Ws said Kr. IL (Salisbury), Mr. T. Keynes (Kingstone), Mr. Tucker
Demon nith uk• mar. m witness my hand, this Bat dor stpocrin4oo. captain Foster (Warmwell). Mr.
of July By% jot. se Trask Auditor of the Somerset and
Wilts otttnet. octh anon. lb. otoreoitomd Looni Hull (Symondsbury), Mr. Duke (Wotodaford),
Samwari (Broadmiivno), Mr. J. Saunders
"rt 11".......f,'"' sb"."ll°.""w am*" s" Me.
. Randall IWinfrith), Mr. Frederick
nue of rit ....none. shove is_a payment to the tivesures (Mutual, Mr. R.
OW lussokoo pont,. Loral Bosrd for remonaratiolt.Wat Sailor, Mr. Comm (Waterton), Mr. Rogers (Cbebbardt
ill "lan Ova the laid t Mame, los net be D. Mr. Beeent (Roger 'shill), Mr. annotate (Puddletown ,
ash sow , w his estelete, and it arther Mr. Porter (Orichell, Mr. T. Pope (Sutton Poyntx
Wenn that the laid sem a.'. ki tack Pad 10 the ~.. egn.d Mr. H. Pope), Professor Buckman (Bradford Ariti),
trimmer to make an to hoe tikie with 4 glf •e". ""' • $r J. Groves (Weymouth), Mr. Sprackling ftyrning-
...."kh I tud toaloesti nis Pearl.'" rear • ee'reen‘ ' tr. -.1 8 (Caine). M C Beal fW
""" which .14 dlarrod by Lass - 4 tceasurer for interest tool. esr• • Ewe" •r• • e i arellanik
r 7 A Homer (Tolpuddlel, Mr. 111, You
"4°lnnitirso.nain't'ustonnoft 'ITO tiht‘" e "Mi`Wweikard'r"; "4"d
the
(111310.IW:4114. Ur. W. Spicer (Boy Nam), Mr. Oaklengy I
il t ur w . Ni. itiMt Ow =mutt Saunders (Forstim), Mr. Saunders, Mr. F. Mahone 1
einem' to the said Board, ,as lee aelkoritr (Martitustovrnl, Mr. Hull (Steeple Tyneham), Mr. 1
Muth sationses such nsk• tii to ts ..
...
BeWlt (Kingston), Mr. Lock (Kingston), hived.
"034=1), Jail= 7:lotitee.i. ihiby (Frampton and Dole's Ash ), Mr. Ingram
.A. (=V, Mr. J. Mayo (Perwell). Mr. Henry Fookes
ll' heeeN comPiatied that o notice vremit "I'l4 the Mr. Tucker (West Lul worth Mr.
semelleiiritysocbto"b:"Xith attend.Db" be DD." k°°W Jf rfir.ry (hdomenrchniet). ), Mr. Wood Homer (AthalharaLpton);
Ilr P. A. BAILVIM reed the feitewtee tett, , Mr. J. T. Hamer (Nlartinstown), Mr. J. Hull
" Blmdford. Jane 18, Mg (Stiasfurdh Mr. H. Duke (Little liliarse), Mr. Beet
" ('eti_er"!•-wo. the undienutned, Wog newly- (Wannwell), Mr. Beat, tun., livv. E. P. Cambridge.
teetett,:rorowes Ti the Blandford Local Board, oast hfr. J. Mayo (Upwey), and ee.eral other gentlemen,
5....- orPiT t. you for infivination respecting tea wh,..e am,. we could not gather, as they were not 1
''''''' ""Ch the oldoosol hu incurred, !mounting ie ....„,„, the first /whale.
Libut LSO, At it recant B wad meeting it as. Mated
...L.-
-, ia 44 amber that the 4; u ent Auditor will set Lunch."' eon gots providad..,__ in the barn in grand style
'wait istoroot to h., she.„ . paid the dew het by 1/5. Frost, of the 'Cult; a Arms Hotel. Dorchester.
aloes 5 set mut on Me amount to beoupald es aIN to whose *adoring was exoe ant, se meal, and courteous
Ms
- Tromme. this sisesisel Trreurrr being the banter Mr YOWW• of Puddi•t°w°' was
in
°UMW° of
' advaseed the Board tho money. This appears ertnes, and wen poodneted that and other depart.
Mrlli to be 1111 unlawful smumement Caa mint'., ...al:. y
~..t.
i.t. .
utorty, suvm. anrilefm eutlivarig.t. The dnooratiom of the barn MIN elaborate A
caimidm id I
W is
can.'" hall rear• bemuse out a ti, a emmilleat taste ; they were =designed an
11' ilrtiDD ttheo to PSI the booker: aforesaid fa*. out by Md. Duke and the Smith, assisted by
.... o: 1
-- -"4 °eve"! other reteParera. wL t your reply Mr„ BAIOIOII, Round the room yid diipl•Yed MO I
I
too. spume the said raw. Ass., inenib ere wish to usil.knowa apicuitural motto Vll
his, if we arc In me way, liable me the debt incurred "Good loak to the hoof and tbs born.
Mtbl MA Board. I may here remark that we are Good leek to the look and the fleece ;
Wins Ti that sassy of the !swearers stead &slogan&
th• len 414 of the debt oft the sett measles of the Good hick its the sewers of cons :
hector% • noit With the blendsp of plenty sad psalm" ,
' . We remain Yost most obedient servants. On the wall at the tweed of the room, jut behind and
"Plum. A. Baulks. el • the Chairman were ptomain wiebee for "Health
- & J. L Beth",
.I. and B • ear," and " Peace and Plenty," the inter.
" I. Beluga
'T the vetoing spear ceekPied bY large g aimide a pleasing
Government
Board.
.. e . . W"""1i" design. to amo ms used se a butler's-room was • well-
ar tar,,• Weld whether the auditor did not hinisoll , executed ":'°"-° Got Save the Queen," over the
displayed gen largo silver
Digrsiaa, that no the treasurer could not be allowed Intar.t 1 entrance to this mom were._..,
„_"• be eiessrsted for his moviess as treasurer. sad fwelale, which had hen was DY ''' sneep• a •electin°
"'• dleirmaaNK 'lathed said this was so. from • very large number of Isocours gained by this
..
_Tr Board sot *tia to appeal to the Local Government celebrated breed Oa the wall oppoeite to the
game te allow G. •SU disallowed liy the au i itor. Chairman was the ornamental mottos - " Live
The Beard thee Psoceedad to eLnuider whet should he and let Ilv ." From the rafters busy , a lit,.
w_esas as to Um debt,. which cosounted to SOH lfile 94. on
ef March I. tea imid as which interest rsie hetet. et Liwoci inoorthed • • Army," ' Navy,.
-•• °kb at the ..
aam we east. per . moues has to he paid to the bank. i Yeeemerr.' " "'lateen," "Agriculture," and
-
T 4 unatmo, said ow with", tog bias %hog own to " Commeroe.' alternated with Oral Amon which , for
tieh• • etyma! rate (or Ws sotssat. I quality and weight thashedip to be firsterats wool.
11,. POND rave settee that at the next meeting be' bearers. On the walls were imitated great lengths
Nimbi more that a orra•dal rate of a Wiling in the Lbe of wreathe so dispomd as to form the letter. W
nan. m
Ivey. ee the debt.. ! (Watensombe) and A (Agriculture -en we ea
•to, nuat said he weeld second the motiori,
_end and err. of mt.& of othervets
aseaedat that the atTlllll aloha current nite be museum hie..., "owing fmor to ruatioi7 it from lb.
her ere the pedal rate. 1 rafters, deeming geraniums sad obetbaksar Lac% plants
Misr owns tombs, renews the biota
Ilk J. L Karel. Iserieed a ii• Lists: Arag:TieuMatid . and ala" f nrwA nen t""tc"red ea ""tad DD
PINY aI a sea bow-hare. SIMI Sim were the walla. 'nes whole effect was eery beautihd, and
Mb robssMst was histegogg le gamaae 31",:senset who in fact anteertod tin barn Into • most coadortahle-
tit aet of 4 this Isla lookiag and attractive dialacitall, sad Ire used not

tar —what is nevettimisse the truth—that it did gres
credit te the efforts of those Ladies and gentlemen
who had effected the adornment.
At the luncheon, Capt. Foster, the landlord of
Wataroombe, presided, supported by the Rev. E. P.
Cambridge, by Mr. Romer, who was for many years
chairman at these annual gatbenage, Professor Buck
man, Capt. Goodden, sad other gentlemen.
- -

After justice bad been done to the excellent
catering,
The CRAIRMAN mid at these meetings. as • rule,
they proposed no toasts; but there were two which a
body of Englishman, and certainly • body of Dorset-
shire yeomen, never met without drinking. Nothing
be could may would induce them to drink more loyally
and entbmiastkally than they would now, " The
health of Her Majesty the Queen," the beet Queens
and he believed the beet Sovereign, we seer had.
(Drunk with enthrudasm, and three cheers.)
-

The Chairman next gave "The health of 'the Prince
and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal
Fatally." (Applause.) The Prince of Wales at Least
they might claim as one of themselves—a well-wisher
to agriculture In every respect. (Drank with three
sheen.)

The Citatanag gave one more tout—a very important
otie—" The health of Mr. Chapman Saunders."
One thing he could congratulate him and all
of them on—lie never saw a better attendance than to-
day and be hoped the good attendance augured rattling
Wa thee for very fine sheep. He had seen the
a tercombe sheep ever since he could remember, their
size then almost frightened him, and now he thought
they were twice as big. (Laughter.) They all knew
the importance of good mutton and big mutton ; he at
one time warp pleased with the pretty little sheep, but
now he was so practical that be was pleased with the
good big ones, lie wee glad to see new faces to-day,
one gentleman from near Shoehorns, who had looked
round like • buyer, and would put them up
• pound or so. He hoped they would bid like
men, and if they had not yet made up their minds, that
they would take an extra glass of champagne. Until
to-day he did not know, as ladies have not yet token
to farming, that there was any prospect of • summer
In the direct line; bit he had to-day heard there was
• little Prince Imperial. (Great enplanes.) He gave
the health of Mr. Chapman Saunders, Mrs.
and the Wateroombe lobby. (Great applause.)
Mr. Holm gave the health of Mr. Chapman
fiannden's much-respected father, Mr.
Den., in order that Mr. Chapman might not re cutri
on to return thanks so often. After dwelling on the
good qualities of Mr. Sunders, NIL Mr. Houser
expressed the regret of all that the state of
Mr. Semnders's health did not allow him to be there
to-day. (The toed was received with repeated cheers,
the company riling as one man.)
Mr. CHAPMAN atournont scarcely knew how to re-
turn thanks. He acknowledged the kindness of Capt.
Foster, deo of Kr. John Homer, for proposing the
health of his father, and he thanked them all for the
very high compliment they had paid his wife, and
"altogether." (Applause.) He left It to than to say
whether he was going backward or forward in the
breeding of the Wateroimbe flock; there were the
sheep offered to them; in these times he did not expect
extraordinary prices, but he was prapared to receive
what they offered him. The motto said "Good luck
to the growers of corn," but they would have to say
"Good-bye' to the growers of corn,for they must look
to Mock and not to oast. Re gales " The health of the
Chairman, with whom he had lived many "with
the beet of feeling. and he gave the heal of ptain
Foster, not only as a landlord, but as a captain of the
Dorset Yeomanry. (Applause,) They would fill up
their glasses, and drink his jolly good health. (The
toast was vociferously received, the company rising
and cheering loudly.
Captain Forrin returned thanks. He hoped to
visit them again; but had let Wannwell for one year
to • gentleman who was well accustomed to country
pursuits, and a good judge of them. Be (Captain
Foster) had no intention to take up fanning at
present; but he liked all his friends to try experi-
ments for him, and in ten or twenty years' time, when
his young friend had tried all his experiments, he
might
bogand pray of him to give up Wateroombe
and Let him try his hand at farming. (Laughter.)

Mr. H. Poem (White-hutch) gave "The health of
Mr. J. Homer," who will carry with him the good
wishes of all around him. Mr. Homer had been in
former years a most exoellent chairmen at them
annual luncheons; but he (Mr. F'ookes) was glad to
see the post in younger bands. (Applause.)

Mr. Homan returned thanks for their drinking his
health as the old chairman of this meeting. He
returned thtoks, end gave "The health of Mr.
Knew, the Auctioneer," who is the right man in the
right place

Mr. T. KIIMOII ably responded. He did not expect
sensational prioee (the only sensational thing is the
weather)-(bear, bear)-bat he hoped they would give
him fair prim. The mainstay of British agriculture
lathe good down cheep; you never see hat 63. a It.,
bat 93. or Sid. for very fat stocc. Had they moon the
foreign sheep at Kilburn they would acknowledge
they were 500 years behind English. The Water-
combo flock he had known for many years and they
had always increased in symmetry till now they were
perfection. They always came to the front at every
agricultural show, and there was scarcely a first-clime
flock bet had some of the Wateroombe sheep in it. He
hoped they would give Mr. Saunders fair remotion-
-1 dye prices. (Hear, and applatume.)
The party then adjourned to the salefield, where Mr.
T. Ensor conducted the sale with his old accustomed
ability. He said that any remarks he might make
about the Watercombe sheep would only wade their
time, as the flock had been before the public for 50
years, and had been awarded more than WO prier at
the Bath and Wert of England and all the local shows.
The sheep were now in fair stock order, had never
been forced, and with the exception of two or three,
had never been housed during the fearful winter,
which indeed had pretty well lasted till now. He
added that each sheep would be started at five guineas
and anyone bidding MOSt rise half-a-guinea, so that
no one would be let under 54 guineas
The catalogue numbered 130 very superior rams, the
most numerous of whom were the two-tooth,the major-
ity of the rams being let for the season until November
6. It will be seen that Capt. Goodclen, of C,ornp-
eon, secured lot 32, at 25 go. and the celebrated
breeder, Mr. Morrison, of Foothill, secured lot 55 for a
month, at 34g1. Prices and purchasers of.. remark-
able lots may alio be interesting, we therefore rive
e part of the resulte of the gale: Lot 1,64 g.. Kr. Hull ;2,
6igs.. Prof ewe Buckman ;4, sigo. Mr. , Watarson ;
5,53 g.., Mr. Young; 6, combining • deal of die
and quality, figs. 7, "one of Mr. Senn ers's old family
wort," figs.; 8. • good meaty aheep, Thp, Mr.
Wordsworth; 9, 74ge. ;10, • very beautiful sheep, met
a brisk competition, and ran up to 13gs. very soon ;
but there were two buyers and be fell for 16ge, to Mr.
Sprackling ; 11, 7gs. ; 12, 90., Mr. Denning ; 13,
Mamber_s ; 15, 12gs, Mr.
Keynes ; 16, 17ga Mr. Rogers ; 17, figs. ;
18, 12is.' Mr. Wyatt, West Monckton, Taunton;
19, to be let from August 12, Pke., Mr. Bftant ; 20,
54gs. ; 22, 6gs., Mx. Wordsworth; 23, a magnificent
broadbacked sheep, to be let for three weeks, hg,.,
Mr. Read, of Homiugton ; 24, 9igs. ; 25, fig,,; 27,
51ge., Mr. Hull; , 17gs., Mr. Horner, Somerset;
30, a very lively sheep, segs, Mr. Wordsworth ; 31, a
capita cheep, whose father won all the local prizes
fee years, 22g5., Captain Goodden, Compton, near
Shoehorn*; 32, "with all the size and quality you
could want," 25ge., Captain Citadel=; 33, 16ga., Mr.
Besant, Roger's Hill; 34, the last sheep of the above
family, of which there were four only, lOgs., Mr.
illowman • 35, 14srs, Mr. E. Bement; 36, 14e. Mr.
Hull, Stindced ; 37, 10r., Mr. Hull, Forei ; 38,
liega, Mr. Young; 39, 130., Mr. Keynes ; 40, a young
sheen. Sir. ' • 41,15 g.., Mr. E. &sant ; 42, got by the
father of a champion sheep at Abingdon, and half
brother to him, 12gs. Mr. Sentwaye; 43, Bgs. ; 44, got
by one of Mr. Reads sheep, 7ge., Mr. Chambers; 45,
61gs., Mr. Young; 46 6ge., Mr. Hull; 47,
gige. Mr. felt • 50, 7iirs. 51 14cs.
ISL. ;Stant ; 1511, 15ga., .' Hemet; 55,, to -be
let for one mouth, 34g5.. Mr. Morrison (Fcnithill) ;56,
14gs., Mr. Chappell (Lyrae Regis) ; 58, 120., Mr.
Betant ; 59, 16ga. Mr, Secant; 60, 94gs. 4-TOOTE
62, 63ge., M. Buby ; 64. 7igs ; 65,53 g.. ; 66, 14F.;
67, gr s. s. ; 68, l. Mr.Bogert ; 70, Siga ; 74,
Mr. Mull (oUndord) ; 76, 661.; 70. 11445. ; 00, wi •
good leg of mutton and a good loin, want at 9igs. to
Mr. Young.

Ttis results of %halals may be judged from the above
gof what was obtained, and it is clearly shown
tragelen,mlnspita of agricultural depression, sciesca, skill,
and industry have a valuable reward even in "bad
times" and further that the fame and appreciation of
the 4,ateroombe dock are not only well maintainai,
but increased.

The sale and letting of rams, mostly six tooth.,
concluded the business of the day ; but lir.Phsunders's
hospitality wee b no mean' exhausted, *Mos tea was
provided in the derated barn at the close of the
sale, aeveral ladies gracing the gathering and presiding
over the trays.

We may note that Mr. T. Ensor, who conducted
the bniinesa with his umal capability, was assieted
moat efficiently by Mr. Frederick Suitor, his son.

Barna° ruin CAmr.—Tbe members of the Let
D.R.V. upon their arrival by the 6.30 p.m. train on
Saturday were met at the station by the band ef the
corps, under the leadership of Bandmaster Fouler.
The men marched to the headquarters (Drill Hall)
and then dispersed. Flap were hoisted at the resi-
dence of Captain Whether°, In Weet-strest.
Mon BICYCLE MIERAPS.-Mr. Purkis, master of
Tucker's School, Beamlneter, narrowly escaped some
serious injuries on Thursday evening. Proceeding on
his bicyrle between Bridport and Bearnbiatar the rim
of the front wheel became broken, and be was violently
thrown off, but escaped with a severs ataking.—Soon
after Mr. Hine, of Besminater, met with a similar
mishap, but escaped unhurt.

CH .01.011 Cc LARCLNY.—At the county polio, COllll
on Mooday, before S. W. Whethain, Ksq., JoAn
Purcil, • young late a convict at Chat-
barn
wan charged in the custody of
Sergeant Will,, of Lyrae, with having on the Bth
Inst. stolen a stirrup leather from an outhouse at
Whitchurch Canonloorum, the property of Mr.
Robert Manley, farmer. Prosecutor stated that the
leather strap (poxiuced) he identified am hie property.
It was safe in the outhouse on the previous day
(Monday). He kept it with • sadcUs in the outhouse.
He did sot see the primmer on the premiess. He
noticed mute one had laid on the etraw in the out-
house. The leather was worth 2.. 3d. Sergeant
Wills More that having received intelligence of the
robbery he went in search of prisoner, whom be found
at Axminster, in custody. Searching him he found
the leather produced, which he wore around his waist.
He gave • false name to the 'intent When charged
with the theft be made no reply, but es route to
Lyme Ragis he made the following statement to the
sergeant—" lam under pollee supervision. I might
as well tell that I had five yeses at Manchester for
ninon at Bolton, in the name of John Powell.
I wite disdained in J. 1878, from ChM.
ham Prison, having had twelve mouths given me
with as good conduct money. I ham failed sines
to reruipriell. Have been to sm, but du ne,g lika
It as cos oi Ina, fowls on the otbsr,
and get no slosp_7 Peisonor mods no maws to
gie &suit was WI) osannittad tee Ida at Do..
ebsiter

Tim MUMS ECLIPIM.—Many Brldportenians
who earnestly rejoiced at the removal of the departed
C Wood are now wishing he had remained
ri:tain than that be should hay, sent two female
fanatics to fill his vacuum. The,. creatures (one
hailing from Wales, the other from Yorkshire) are
carrying things to an &binning pitch. The manifesta-
tion., if such they be, are truly painful to witness.
The Igelsh Ur, in particular. es wildly, and
exhorts the devil to quit Bridport. Upon bier arrival
on Monday, and learning the strength of their com-
munity, numbering something lees than • wore, she
observed that they were numerous enough to drive the
devil out of Bridport, and to set him running. A few
evenings ghee, whilst the army were attracting a mob
In South-street, a widow, named Stembridge, being
jostled, had her shoulder dislocated. The Templar-
hall, where the Salvationists hold forth, is now
placarded with the following words in glaring t
" The London Council of War. Great Battles at
Coventry. Attacks on Northampton and Lynn."