The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-06-01 00:00:00

Dorfsetisbirt.

DORSET COUNTY FRIENDLY SOCIETY.
STURMINSTER BRANCH.
The second anniversary of this society WWI cele-
brated on Whit-Monday, at Sturminster Newton.
The town assumed a holiday aspect and flags sus.
vended from many of the bonus, were fluttering in
the breeze; and we noticed one large flag suspended
across the market place, and bearing in large capitals
the words "Success to the Sturtninster Club."
There was, however, one thing wanting to complete
the joyous tone of the day—a merry peal from our
beautiful church bells, but our present worthy vicar
objects to their being rung on any occasion. The
reason we know not, but we conclude they will
shortly be advertised for sale. At half-past
twelve o'clock • procession of the members and
friends of the society was formed at the
National school-room, Whence it paraded the
town, headed by a brass band. Dinner was provided
at the Crown Inn, by Mr. Hutchings, to which about
70 members and friends sat down. Mr. W. C.
Isaac, the indefatigable steward and local secretary,
had also made arrangement. for dancing, cricket,
climbing the greasy pole, and other out-door amuse-
ments ; but the unpropitious state of the weather
prevented his efforta for theme amusements being
carried out, Amongst the company present were
the Rev. H. F. Yeatman (whopresided), Revd. G. F.
St. John and C. Nichol!, 8. W. Long, Esq. (presi-
dent of the branch), Messrs. H. Isaac, T. Brown,
T. Haines, &a. The band played, during the after.
noon and evening, sonic appropriate airs in a very
creditable style.
After the cloth had been removed the CHAIRMAN
proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were received
with enthusiasm.
Mr. W. C. lasso (the vice-chairman) then pro-
-1:=1" the Bishop and Clergy," coupling with the
the name of the Rev. G. P. St. John, who
briefly responded.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the "Army and
Navy," observed that he did not wish to carry them
back to the eventful period of 1815, when the battle
of Waterloo was fought, but they would find that
the English army had always done their best to se-
cure the rights and liberties of their fellow-subjects
within this realm. Under the scorching rays of an
Indian sun, where during the rainy season the con-
stitution of the British soldier was sorely tried, see
in what manner they had done their duty, defended
the honour of this country—see how they had re-
claimed again the van country of India; and en-
nobled the name of the British soldier! (Loud
cheers.) Look at those distant hills: there they
would see a monument raised to Hardy. Look at
the western part of the county, where, if every
man had done his duty, a lofty and towering monu-
ment would have been raised to the name of Strang.
ways I Look at the Peninsula field, and see what
Sir George Bingham did, who went and fought and
conquered, and received a mark of approbation from
the Crown. General Michell, not only upon the
burning plain, of Africa did his duty in repelling the
Kafir forties who came by huncireda and by thou-
sands to invade our just rights, but he had again
gone out to do duty in India. Again, let him name
the present (he hoped) General Greathed. No man
bad ever done more than he did in repelling those
hordes in Eastern India; he, too, had received •
mark of approbation from the Crown. Again, look
at poor Lieutenant Salkeld. He believed he MY
right in saying that there never was, in the history
of events, more marked courage, more determined
resolution, and more willing self.sacrifice than was
shown by that hero upon the memorable occasion
which caused his death. (Loud cheers.) Then,
again, with regard to the son of his late dear and
honoured colleague—Mr. Bankes—intelligence had
been received that in the battle of Luoknow he had
. been smitten from his horse he had lost one arm
and one leg, and three of his fingers had been taken
off. These were men who breathed the same air
as they did—men of their own °entity of Dorset,
who had done their duty for the country and the
Crown. (Great cheering.) Therefore without
giving anything. like a new title to the i toast, he
would propose ' the Army and Navy of old Eng.
land, with a thousand thanks for all their ser-
vices." (Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed what he considered
to be the toed of the evening, to wish success to
the "Dorset County Friendly Society," and more
*specially the Sturminster tiranoh of that society,
About 20 years ago it was found desirable to 'stab.
lish a society in the county of Dorset, in opposition
to several Which had been established, and lied not
been carried on as they ought to have been. His
honoured friend and colleague, Hr. ?moiler, had first
conceived the ides of founding their society ; and he
had down to that time strongly supported it. There
was no society in Dorset which offered such adven.
taps as were offered by their society. It not only
offered relief for the time being, but also permanent
relief when old age crept over them. (Cheers.) U
they looked back for the short period of five years
they would find that in 1e53 the moiety numbered
1,000 members, but at the end of 1857 they had
1,227, being an increase of 158 members. Then,
with regard to capitol, in 1853, on the 31st Decem-
ber, they had in hand £1,015 I on the 31st Decent. I
bar, DiA7, they hut £3,501 in band; so that there
wee a positive Memo of £1,570 that year, which
was plead to the credit of the society. Let them
take what olub they would, whether east, west,
north, or south, there was not one which oould show
such an imam in the funds as this society had
done. In 1858 there was in hand £3,121 ;in 1057,
there was a sum of £3,591 so that there was an
Increase of capital in that year to the amount of
£470. He had been told that 1857 was a very un-
healthy year; 377 persons had received sick pay,
and £599 10s. Id. had been expended for medical
relief. Go where they would they could never have
• more triumphant statement. Notwithstanding all
these advantages, it was an undeniable fact that there
had not been that increase which there ought to have
been in the number of members. He would pro.
pose "Success to the Dorset County Friendly
Society, and more especially the Sturm:niter
Branch." (Cheers.)
The Rev. G. F. ST. JOHN, in responding to the
tout, said it WM usual for the youngest members of
a society to return thanks. As he believed he was
the youngest member present, having but recently
If
it he would take the opportunity of doing so.
He begged to propose "The Lord-Lieutenant and
Magistrates of the County," coupling with it the
name of the Rev. If. F. Yeatman.
The Rev. H. F. YEATMAN responded, and pro.
posed "The Press."
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Members for
the county of Dorset." He said thst they had three
members, of whom one was an old member, who
would, if it had been possible, been there that day,
to support the principles of the society. He alluded
to Mr. Ker Seymer. When in 1813 he began to act
in that division with his father, the present Mr.
Seymer was but a little boy in his little blue frock,
with a vast number of little brawl buttons.
(Laughter.) That same Mr. Seymer was now a
grey-beaded gentleman, and, he believed, he was
standing as high in the estimation of the public as
any gentleman in the United Kingdom. (Cheers.)
Whether they were proud of him as their represen-
tative he was not to say : but he was proud of him as
a colleague and as a friend. Mr. Sturt was a gen-
tleman of great vivacity • he was one of the old-
established families of the county- but he had, if
you put him out, a great deal of what was termed
"hard working." The other gentleman, Mr. Port-
man, was a grandson of one whom he (the Chairman)
knew well in former days; and he (Mr. Portman)
had also hereditary claims upon their consideration.
Under those circumstances, therefore, he had no
doubt they would warmly receive the health of
"The County Members." (Loud cheers, and "one
cheer more for Mr. Start," who was an annual sub-
scriber of two guineas to their society.) The health
of the President of the Sturminster Branch (S. W.
Long, Esq.,) was then proposed by the CHAIRMAN,
sod Mr. LONG having briefly responded,
The CHAIRMAN WS he was about to propose the
health of a gentleman to whom the society was
under great obligations. He believed that for the
duties of the acting secretary of this branch his ex-
cellent friend was peculiarly adapted. He had done
a great deal towards increasing the number of mem-
bers. He begged to propose the health of Mr. W.
C. Isaac. (Drunk with musical honoura.)
Mr. ISAAC thanked them for the kind manner in
which his health had been received; and assured
them that if there was a falling off in the number of
visitors that day, it was from no want of exertion on
his part. He had sent about five hundred invita-
tions. He then read letters of apology from Sir
Edward Baker, Ker Seymer, Esq., M.P., and C.
Porcher, Esq. ; and concluded by adverting to the
progress of the society since its formation. List
year they had twenty-one new member.; and. he
then advised each of the members to get another;
they did so, and this year they numbered forty-two;
if they went on increasing in that way year after
year, they would in a few years defy the whole
county; and then they would not only have the
cleverest man in the county to preside over them,
hut they would also have the largest society in the
county for him to preside over. While he had
health and strength he would do all he could to bene-
fit them; and he wished them all long life, wealth,
and happiness, and hoped he should never have
any of them on the list for sick pay. (Cheers and
laughter.)
The health of C. Porcher, Fact., the founder of the
society, was drunk with enthusiasm, as was also the
health of Sir Edward Baker. The Chairman did
not vacate his seat until nearly 7 o'clock, soon after
which the relit of the party broke up, highly delighted
with their day's pleasure.
--
BLANDTOILD.—The Clertthip to the Board qf
Guardiaag. meeting
of the of Guardians
—A
of this union was held on the 1
Farquharson.sth n e r
The the
presidency of the RAT. Robert
principal business for
cc"deration was the ad.
cgnonai remuneration to which the
e extra labour
clerk, W. H.
Atkinson, Req., was entitled for th
which had been thrown upon him in the erection of
the new Union.house, • beautiful and commodious
etruoture a short distance out of the town on the
with
was that Mr.
Salisbuu reel One Pr° •aa a gratuity of .C3O
Atkinson should be preeen
for his extra services during the Peet Year, "i