The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-07-13 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

Music.—On Wednesday evening Mr. R. Eyer's cele-
brated band gave • performance of brat-clasa mune in
the beautiful pleasure grounds fronting the Crown
Hotel, which were throo a open to the subscribers to
the band fund. We need hardly say that many enjoyed
tbe treat thus efforded. The following was the pro-
gi&MMe !-
I,,up Redouble .......... ................... ...Light Ibgak
........ . ...... ............. .. .. . E:renips.!

- ........ . ...... ...........
...... ..... I•eaapler.d.rilseee.
Se .......... ................... .
fur Supraeu. Gwent, aud
Welts ........... ............ ......
• • •

6.-ii,T,;" • • -

...... .
........

BLANDFOKO WOOL FAIR.

The tenth annual Wool fair at Dlandford was held on
Saturday last, and era. one of the largest attended both
by agriculturists and buyers that has ever taken place.
It must be a source of much sati•(cction to the wto thy
promoter of this fair, Mr. John Ford, of Rushton, that
his more than most sanguine expectations of its success
have been realised. Between 21 and 34) souples from
Dorset, Somerset, and Wilt*, reprvventlaß some of the
moot celebrated fiorks in the county, were exposed for
public competition in the Corn Exchange. In addition
to the well-known dealers rasiding in the county, several
Northern firms were reprovnted. _ .

After viewing the samples, the greater part of those
present, proceeded to the Cr we hotel, when • very
excellent dinner was provided by Mr. Ey. rs. The
room was crowded, fully 13.) being present in
the market-room, and aeveral who cams in late were
accommodated in an luljoinitui room. The chair was
taken by Mr. H. Fookiet. and the vice.chairs by Mr. C.
Flower and Mr. Tett. Very few of the leading agricula
teneta but were present, end to give • list of names
would take up too much of our space.
On the removal of the sloth the CHAIRMAN said that
as time was fast panting ater:y and they had • good deal
of business to do, he should not trouble them with many
toasts, but there was one, which he trusted he should
live many yew to give in that 'von., and it was one
which was ever loyally received in the county of Dorset,
and in that room, "The health of liar Majesty the
Queen"—(ebeerel. "The health of the Prince mud
Princes. of Wales" followed, in proposing which the
Chairman remarked that this toast was one which he
considered they ought heartily to receive. inannush as
the Prince showed great Interett in agriculturo, and be
hail had the honour of awarding hint • prize for South
Down sheep. He yaw also that at the Norfolk meeting
the Prince had taken another erire. This showed that
in agriculture the Prince of Wale. took eonsiderable
interest. He wes also a pretty good shot, and in many
ways showed his appreciation of English spurts—
(cheers.) . . .

•
The CHAIRMAN in proposing the nest toad, said it
was one which he had on that as on former omaisions,
much pleasure in giving. It was the "health of those
gentlemen who attended to buy their wool." lie could
not congratulate them as farmers upon prices being
high, but was reminded of a sayint by an old farmer,
that if they could get the some price per pound for their
wool as the old women sold their rock they must be
astiafied -(laughter). He trusted, however, that some
slight advance over Dorchester prioes would be realized.
At any rate he himself and he believed his friend around
him came there to sell their wool at the best prices
they could get, and he trusted that the gentlemen
present who mune as buyers would give them as high
as they could—Onsar, beer). He did not like long
speeches at such dinners, and thought that the plan
adopted at an agricultural dinner which he attended in
Suffolk:a Rood we, that no speech waste occupy more than
ten minute., and though there were several nobles,lords,
and gentlemen aomutomed to .peeking. the rule was
carried out. With the toast, he shoeld add the name
name, as on former occasions, n! their old friend Mr.
Boon. Perhaps he would read the market prices ;if he
had • Bradford paper in his pocket, he would take it
out—(laughter)—as he bad done on a previous occasion.
Mr. 800., in responding to the toast, said, it fell to
his lot as usual on behalf of the trade, to tendet hie
thanks for their annual compliment. The chairman
had laid a burden upon his shoulder. which he did not
intend to carry, for although he unite read the Bradford
report to them, he did not eonsider it his business to do
51 again. It bad been said that there was no friendship
in trade, but he had lived long enough to prove that
there often was much (Mendable in trading, and be
agreed with the Right Honourable President of the
Board of Trade that as with individuals no with nations,
the more their mutual interests were bound together by
trade and oommerce, the less were they likely to make
their difference. the cause of injury to their interest..
For the present the war cloud between America and
this oountry hail passed away —( ea r,b•ar)—and he hoped
It would be lost in the bright and peaceful horison of
mutual exchange. There had usually been a difference
at that table between
.buyer and seller, hut it geninally
had ended in A very peaceful result, and so Inc as the
growers of wool were concerned, • very profitable one
for them—(cheers). There was &question now between
seller and buyer, but he had known them quite as wide
, apart, and yet before the close of the market they have
• come together. We began the salaam with a wide
margin between the two growths of the county—Downs
and Horns—but an he was not able to see so much diffe-
rence in value between Diem, he went away at a
rattling pace At Dordieater for the Down., and took best
floras, lota of them at 141. He was reminded
of what his friend Mr. William Watte said at Dor-
@luster, "They looked on Illandford an a Down fair
me chatty," and node.' be. But they did find exceptions,
of course, and there were outside alarm, then present in
the room, 'midst the Down firmament. His friend Mr.
Vile Watts woo one of thease—(loud laughter) and he
was not content to be a mere satellite either, but
claimed to be • Horn Jupiter—(roers of laughter)—
'midst the starry beet of Illandford Wool fair. [Here
Mr. Watts was greeted with loud cheering). Instead
of giving his usual toast, remembering that a marriage
had recently taken place in the county, in which he woe
sure they all felt an interest (and here he could not help
remarking that the best thanks of the county were due
to Mr. Oliver William Farrar for the very nice way he
had discharged his trust), he was sure that what he was
about to propose would be received with all honours.
He gave them "Health and happiness to the Karl and
Countess of Eldon"7(loud and continued cheering).

The CHAIRM AN said there was one more toast Cr; lied
to propon. He considered they would all admit that
the Blandlord Wool Fair was a great success, and he
only espreased his own and his friends' feelings when
he add they were pleated so nee so many buyers and
gentlemen present from different parts of Dorset and
the adjoining counties He hoped that the basin.'
would go off anisfaetorily. and that dealers would he
inclined to meet them in • liberal spirit. He now pro-
posed the health of his good friend, the founder of the
wool fair. But a week or two ago he was afraid that Mr.
Ford would not have been able to be 'intent, and be
(Mr. Fookes) was sure that his presence there must be
very gratifying to them—(loud cheers).
In responding, Hr. Folio said that some ten years
ago he and. few friends were talking the matter over,
and cams to the conclusion thin illandford would be a
good central position for • wool fair. The result Ind
proved the correctness of his views, for the fair had
gone on year after year increasing in popularity and
success and now the only thinc yea for those gentlemen
who attended as buyers to offer them 153., and the
sooner thay did so would they be ready to oiciunence
business with them —(lond laughter and cheers).
" The health of the Chairman" was proposed by Ur.
C. lliu. of Tarrant Hinton, and having been briefiy
acknowledged, the company returned to the Corn.
exchange, which was soon crowded, and businesa be-
none general.—We understand that • Inge amount of
business was done. at 11d. for Downs and Iloilo, and •
few of the picked lots were taken at • half-piamy shove
these quotations. Mr. Boos. of Up-Lyme, was as on
former occasions the largest purchaser. In the evening
• goodly pint, enjoyed • selection of music performed
by Mr. E'er'', band, the neatly arranged lawn affording
a pleasant retreat after the fitti4ucs of tlaeday't bubilauab.

PORTLAND.
Tun FiIABBOUR.—In the Howe of Commons on Thurs.
day night, a vote of LOW WU agreed to on account of
Portland Harbour works.
ItuihwuV. A new etation Is to be isomer
diatrly eretted nes: the bridge under the Wyke Road,
for Ole accommodation of the reshients on the Wey-
mouth side. This berm has been granted in consequence
of a in, anorial presented to the Great Western direetots
during their visit to Weymouth et the time the Great
Eastern was in Portlend Roads. and if no other adv.!,
tnse in gained from the hoepitelity which the town then
offered them, the endeavours of the Mayor and Corpo-
ration to enlist their goodwill will not Its./ been in
•sin. 'Fr t. aito of the atstion ins flied on Ttutsday
last, when some of the Company's engineers for that
purpo.e sis•tld the piece. The Portland Railway Com-
pany run frequent tia,ns during the day rt prewnr, and
we may he pardoned for suggesting th.f it would
eonnact them with a more eztende I neighbourhood if
they all tan In coneectiou with the trains between
Weymouth and Dursimster.