The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-01-23 00:00:00

THE DAM.
To the Mier.

SIR, —Mr. Walker contends that it is the Dam which
is flooding Melemobe Regis. TO pass from the remark
of the Mayor, who has been forty five years in Wey-
mouth, and whose servants cannot use the kitchen*
every now and than, at high tides —I would ask Mr.
Walker, Whether it is Weymouth Backwater Run that
is flooding Puddlehinton and Puddletrenthide. Dor-
cheter lower meadows, tie- valley of the Fnsene
generally, that isolates I frwlish in a waste of watem,
awl cuts Off Milborne from Abbey Milton? Is it the
Dam that covers the roads at Kingston Lacy, and
muses the valley of the Stour to be drowned ? Is it
Weymouth Backwater Dam that brought about the
rise of the Witham and the Foss-dyke, and made
Lincoln city an island in the midst if a flooded shire'
Thew matters need hut be re-called to any one who
reads about what is going on beyond our liosnigh, and
they will show the ralartia alstardam of Mr.
Walker's theory. The thing might be latwhed to
scorn were. it not a very serious danger, viz., that Mr.
Walker appears to be in favour of eompensation !
claims. But let our Coronation be wide awake, am!
not be frightened at any demands from the Park. The
Yankee Government demanded extravagant comm-n.
cation on account of the Alfruna damages, and it turns
out that after their claims were greatly disallowed by
the arbitrators, they were yet so 'cute as to get alarge
sum of money more than they have since paid in claims.
Mr. (?euncillor Walker has lived in Yankee land, and
we don't want such opinhOls as his on compensation
claims. What I weld.' suggest Mr. Walker and his
party should do is to revive the plan for getting
command of as much as possible of the water above
the Dam. I would, in floods, use the Dam, not to
keep the water in, but with the weir, to let it out, aml
keep it out. Mr. Harrison proved that, on onfinar7
OCCasionA, to let the Harbour water out by the weir
proposed, would only bring it back on the return tide;
but with such floods as we have hail, how advan-
tageous it would have been to open the weirs, and
!Ave free outlet for the water: then at low water,
shut them again at the rising tide. Thus a vast basin
would have been provided for the reception ,of the
fresh water from the land; it would have given great
relief from flu. cling, and weuld no doubt have obviated
Mr. liarrieon's objection, for with such great volumes
as come from behind (from the land), the Backwater
lake might have been nearly refilled before the harbour
was brough back over the Mum Nine of the party
that opposed the webs ought to blame the Dam, since
the Local Government Board will not allow it to be
removed, and the opposition to th, webs has retained
the Dam in an unmanageable state. While parties
here are determined of extremls we shall *away, be in
danger of damage and waste; but let Us blame the
right cause, or rather unite to mend what we cannot
get rid of.

Young truly,
D.

Weymouth, January, 1877.

TEMPERANCE Atomona. —Mr. Futcher, from the
Dorset Temperance Mission. fuldre—.ed a meetinc at
the Ilatiden Well schoolroom, on Tuewlay cveuing
last

1 4 THE EA.4IT WEIR .—Corporal Lardner. of
--1-VRIL •
the 314 regiment, was buried in the East Weir
cemetery on Friday morning. lie wa.s 44 years of age,
and leseer a wife and family.
DRAFT FOR INDIA.—Veut. Lams.len, Lient. Smith,
and about 50 non-commi.wioned officers; and men, ltft
Portland on Wednesday, 10th ingt., for Portsmouth,
where they embarked on board H.M.S. Malabar, for
India.

ColcaltEl; ATIONALIRM. -The Rev. W. M. Fell, from
Chorley, is to commence his mitilitry at the Congrega-
tional chapel, Chesil, on Suralay, February 18. We
understand that the congregation at ('honey were
very desirous to retain their minister, and offered
him a considerable increase of salary, if he would
remain.

---
A Grin! ia Titorin.E.—Last week, during the
hearing of the Great Western Robbery cases at Wey-
mouth, Anthsas entered the Court, and being noisy,
was ejeeted. He continued shouting, and wan kept in
the eelL, till next day, when he was ',sought up before
the raNgistrates and punished.
NEETHODIST ENTERTAINUF.N7 - At the
sch.s.lroom on Wednesday a re. y successful entertain
inent was given. The llev..F. Hawkey presided, awl
Mr. H. Ralson], Mr. J. Way, and the chairman read.
the harn,unjueu sest.4 ably played by Miss E. .tlien,
who with herheother, snugs prvtty dust; her younger
mister also sang "Will you boy my pretty flowers r
Miss Ransom, Mr. E. Allen, and others also took part,
and the time was "met plesantly passed.
Ft.,,ODING THE GRAVES. —Nto e are informed that a
grave can hardly be dug in Reforne churchyard, with-
out its being .-..,ered with some inches .4 water, :Ind,
although it may lc baled out as fast as possible, there
always collects a large quantity more during the
intervals of the service, enough, sometimes, to threaten
to make the coffin float.