The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-01-20 00:00:00

—Au awful instance of the uncertainty of human
life occurred at Witchampton on Monday, to a man
named John Baker, aged 63. For many yams
past he has been employed as postinas between
Wimborne and Witchampton. As he was passing
through Witehampton he was seen by two boys to
stagger and fall, who quickly gave an alarm, and
P.C. Damon and others came to his assistance, but
he was past the help of human aid. Au inquest was
held on Tuesday, before F. Johns, coroner,
when a verdict of "Died from muses unknown" was
returned.

BROOM H ILL.—Tx MEETING. —A tea meeting
was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, on Monday
evening, for the purpose of raising funds to pay off
the remainder of a debt of 17 10s., incurred in
making repairs and alterations of various kinds.
5a had already been raised by subscriptions and
donations. The altetations comprised four addi-
tional scats, and four neat lamps suspended from the
oeiling, in place of the unsightly tin cansilmiticks OD
the walls, and • neat time-piece, placed in the centre
of the gallery, fronting the pulpit. The evening
was very wet, and in conseqttence, the attendance
Was not so large as expected. The chapel was very
tastefully decorated with wreaths, and festocrns of
evergreens, and over the pulpit was a motto, bearing
the meriPtion, "Let brotherly love continue."
After tea a public meeting was held, when Messrs.
J. NVyeth, 8. Vesper, Maker, Cobb, and others
addressed the meeting. Altogether, a very pleat/ant
evening was passed, and at the close a vote of
thanks was unanimously given to thaw by whom
exertions the room had been so tastefully decorated,
and the comforts of the evening insured. The
meeting closed by singing and prayer.
1 POOI.E.—A FRIVID TO tits Puoa.—The ladies
who forum the Committee of the Poole Soup Mitcham,
commenced their annual campaign on Tuesday last, the
13sh Met., by distributing a goodly number of small
loaves, and innumerable quarts of savoury soup to the
poor of the town. We are happy to inform our readers
that this benevolent institution—which is • truly great
bleasing to many pour familias during the winter
goalie's—was originated, and has been carried on daring
successive years, by a few humane ladies of the town,
who have anperiniended the solleation and erection of
the copper.; the purchasing and preparing of the neeeas
sary Viands, arid their distribution to the very poor, on
three deys a week. The nominal char made fat the
bread and sonp prevent* time iietitntion from being self-
supporting, and therefore the benevu ent ate tailed
Upon to 'mist, in some way, the good "sinter' of
charity," who are doing so mush to alleviate the
sufferings of the poor.
"TIM OLD Tows House!" —Our curiosity was ex-
cited the other day by the appearance uf the above four
words hi one of the local publications, and ma snaking
inquiries, we were given to understand that it is the
name of a new work, written by a talented young man
of this town, who has already given several works of
fiction to the ptiblics and which have met with deserv-
ing approbation.
Atthe P3ola ()eerier Session", held In the Guildhall,
on Friday, before the Recorder. J. SteChemls
L L D., the Mayor. George panatela, jun. Esq., and t
borough magistrates, the prisoner George Sweetapple
was arrainged upon the two charges of entering g dwel-
ling house, and stealing pieces of cloth theref tom, and
of feloniously breaking out of, and making his escape
from one of her Majesty's gaol., while in cuistody in the
same. In a third indictment the prisoner was charged
with stealing from the prison, at the time of his escape,
varies:a "Aides of clothing, being the property of Dia
Visiting Juslleer of the borough of Poole, but this
chaise was not preferred. The evidence of the former
eitmeittationg hating been recapitulated, the learned
Recorder eurrimMied epi. rind the jury retired, but re-
turned into Wart spin after the absence of a few
minutes, with a verdict of "Not Quilly" rtpon all the
wants, from want of:sufficient evidence.
At the Police 0114cie on Friday, George Frampton
was charged with having in his poasesaion *quantity of
lead, of which he could not give satisfactory replies IA
to Its ownership. Superintendent Gifford of the borough
police disposed that he bad noticed the prisoner with
something bulky in a basket, and when questioned, he
gave a statement to the effect that the lead was rent to
his isailgiiiss by hh father, but he (the Superintendent)
had ascertained thit ihi" etitement was fake. Mr.
&twill, painter, gave the prisoner • good character fut
honesty. Further time beingdesired to obtain eridence,
the prisoner was reminded.
CH.II(MOUTIL—Po —I4ORIGATIONAL
We regtet to state that the Itev. George Cooke has
been compelled to resign the pastorate of the above
chapel in consequence of bad health. His successor,
(at present,) is the Rev. Mr. Nash, whose 'tattlers
appear to be very much appreciated by the congre-
gation generally. The Rev. G. Cooke, having
resided in Charmouth nearly four years, liu, during
that Ilene, gained the respect of a large circle of
friends, *he Very mesh regret his departure from
amongst there.
MAIDEN NEWTON.—Scffoot Asnittltatitr.—
On Friday. the 11th inst., the School children of this
parish were inVijed, with the church choir, to partake
of a Chriatmas treat which had been provided by Sub-
scription. The clew give an annual treat irt the
summer, but, as many of the inhabitants had espreeeed
a wish to take a part in providing an extra one, hub-
scription papers for the purpose were sent round by the
children; and in the coerce of one evening 'efficient
money liras raised to defray all expenses. It is a good
sign to see the inbabihnts of a village take interest in
the public school of their parish, and at Maiden Newton
we are glad to notice an increasing interest in its welfare,