The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1885-08-18 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED INVITATION TO THE BATH
AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

A wild' ha% iug hergi y‘pr0..i....1 to Mr. 1.. .1. t.
iregory. ih. Lyor, that the Rath and Wee,. ol
England .Ngricultural S.peiety 41011.1 bid their
annual meeting for the year Inn 7 in Hore
Word lip eon, ened a Diddle ineeting in the I:ail1.1hall
Saturday afternoon U. immAitirr du. xubjert
gb•termine thereon. The Nlayer. who nu-Aided, tea+
vougeortr4l by Mr. .1 111.,yer, NIA._ Major Hodgee,
C.tplain E. W. William., ?.Ir. 11. Sy di. (.I....iedant-
Town Clerk). Nlamrs. 11. Thornton. E Hatinton, F.
littnedt. 11. Durden. .1. Svinontle .1. troveleee,
H. S. EY.wt, G. Syinoildi‘. 1N1p... I .1. Holland,
kc. _ .

uoit explain...l he had hoped there would
have lawn a larger attendance at the meeting, and
I that tlei people in the neighlmurhood would have
taken a great interest in it. The society had been
to the town on two pervious occasions—in HMO and
1572. Both times their visits wery vvry propitious,
I and he hoped that if it cause again in IWO dim weather
would be all that could be desired. Ile wished to
I explain bow the matter oto.ei at the present time.
The first intimation he rectivisil ,1-34. iii * letter from
I Captain Williams, dated June :eh, from the toilubi•
tion at Brighton. It read as follows
Brighton, June Nth.
My dear Mr. liregory,-1 presume I ant doing
right in writing this to you, but I hare been requested
by many M vur Council to find out if the inhabitants
of Dorchester would Ake this society, "The Bath and
West of England,- to visit isortiststor in 1887. We
to Bristol in 18tri, where we expect to en t good
many •isittirs, which will pay our way towarili what
we may lose the year following at a smaller town
We have a meetinafierc ,in the 10th, and if it should be
podsible to give a reply to tht Council by then I
would get it proposed, or do it myself, an/ try and
get it promised in favour of Dorcheeter.—believe
me, ever very truly yours,
....

y.DWARD W. WlLLtAtim.

In consequence of that letter beis.lA recrived 'in the
Friday there WU not time to call a meeting, so lie
(the Mayor) considered the only thing he could do
a,. to .0e aoine af the principal tradesmen and
gentlemen in the town, al., the hiding agriculturists
111 the neighbourhood, On Sltun hs went round
the market and Apokt• to some of the agriculturists, Ai
al., the townspeople, respecting the matter. The
general opinion seemed to Is, that it wan desirable
to have the show, but the question ar...e As to
whether they could raise the t:s00. To this he
retilied that much depended ins,n the way in which
the latidlcrds and townspeople were diapiwed to can.
tribute towarda it. On the iith he therefore -ant as
letter, in reply to Captatt. aa follows :
Dorchester, .i.e 9th.
My dear Sir,—ln reply to your letter i.t lb,. Iltk
inst., I have done the hest I could in the short time
to ascertain the feeling of the inhabitant., of Dir.
cheater in regard to the pr0p...4 visit of the Bath
and West of England in lee. On Saturday I saw
most of the loading inericulturiste ado. ot our
market, and fast evening, at a public meeting held
raipecting the visit vi the Volunteers to Dorchester in
July next, I took the ...pivrtunity ~f naming the
subject, and I find tbe wieL is general that the
~ciety should sonie here in 18rI7. The only question
is the amount .4 money your socitty would mittire
to ho guaratiteed.---I am, dear sir, your. faittfully.
Ono. J. G. Ont.:oat,
Edward W. William., Esq., Bath and West of
Englaud Exhibition, Brighton.
On June I ltk the following reply was receii -
Brighton, June 11th.
Mr. tiregory,—l duly received your reply accepting
the 'der of this society to visit leorele.rter in 107.
X have placed it in the weretary's hands to prriant
to the Council in July. at their next meeting.
Believe me to be, a; er truly yours,
EI:WARI. W. WILIAM.,
He did not think his letter was ion( enderstood by
what kisi been *aid as to the acceptanee,
Captain WILLIMIA observed that, with regard to
money, when the eociety tail,, t. Ilkirellewt.T oil a
former occasion the auui,,unt WA* 1.1.411Cr4 by £lOO,
inasmuch se it used formerly to be. OM. Mince that
time it had not been raised, and they had sontinned
at £OOO.

The 6gstanms : It now rests with the meetittlf to
pass a resolution deciding whether the society should
he invited Or WIC and if we are prepared to give an
answer as to whether we can guar.intev them the
amount they require.
['twain Wittians explained that a few days ai",
before going to Bristol, h.. interviewed several
gentlemen, including the Mayor, to obtain
instructions, because at the meeting one of the
first questions put WM as to the advisability
of coming to Dorchester. He thought that se W&A
taking part an the matter it was his duty to attend
the meeting, and hr accordingly did so. When the
question we. brought up Sir John Duckworth, who
was iv the chair, pointed out that It could not be
settled that day whether the offer from lhochester
should be accepted, because there were two or thr,
offers to he considered. He (the speaker) got up awl
said that as he had bad the refusal for poreheAter h,.
ought still to have it, and he staked this as a personal
request ; also that he had had a letter from the
Mayor of Ducliviter a. to his convening a tumting
for guaranteeing the knee, and • gentleman then
suggested something shout their ending the question.

To this he replied—" No. As I came to fight for
Dorchester, I intend doing NO. If nobody else will
guarantee the money I will. Sir John Duckworth then
proposed that it should be arranged for Doreliester,
and left in his (Captain William') hands. He ;the
speaker) considered they ought to have the show.
especially as there Wen- two other town. in Dorset.
shire in which it could be held, and it would he rattier
hard if the chief town could not have it, partieulaily
as he had asked for it as a request.
I Mr. I'.-pc: Which are the two towns ?
I Captain WILLIAM+ : I am not prepared to NAV. I
felt so angry at the idea of being beaten that I wa%
, induced to make an offer.
I Mr. Fuffen :As no offer has yet been accept. .I
• the seciety in regard to other towns, what we ut.ist
do is to decide in re3llPeCi to the guarantee.
Captain WILLIAM+ : The Chairman said they wool I
not settle it then, but that they would ;:i‘.• me an
I ipportunity of communicating with the Mayor of
' Dorchester, and of reporting thereon. All st be
aware that the gathering would bring a deal of money
: into the town ; men would arrive some mouth.; before
and would have to live and be maintained here, then
when the show comes you all know as well as I do
what that is worth,
I Mr. FLOIER :It would be a great advantage to
most agriculturists in the neighbourhood, for although
there are some who travel about and see a great deal,
there are others who do not go long distances from
home, whilst working men have not any opp.rtunity
of ..doing, WI that by a meeting of the kind being
held here they will have the chance of seeing the
progre being made in respect to agriculture, stock
breeding, kc., and it may, I hope, be looked Ton as
an opportunity for improvement as well am pro t.
Captain WILLIAMS : SO far 11. my personal know-
ledge kg. ies, I believe that unless the matter be settled
we shall lose it. It will have to be settled at the next
meeting of the society. From what Sir John Duck
worth said it was evident there were one or two other
places to which the society was very anxious I.) go.
Mr. FLorts Li there any strong feeling in favour
of having the toseting here? Will the matter be
taken up-by the town ? We have a fair representation
of agriculturists in the neighbourhood who would be
able to say what they think. I presume we shall
have much the same support as we had 13 years ago,
although the "landlord element doe 4 not appear to
be more "flu-1 " with money than anybody else.
(laseghter.i I, however, do not doubt but that they
will come forward, and I hore othero will do the
same. The town of Dorchester has grown very much
'tering the past 19 years, and sonic Of the wealthy
v-eple who have come to live here will. I hope,
support us. We now have a flouriehing school too in
Dorehesor, in which I hope people are interested. I
do not see why we ahoidd hare le. einvort than 13

years ago.
Major llssisaa I have chatted with various people
in regard to the matter, and I fear there are few
chances if raising the 11800 for the Show to come
here in Mg. The townspeople, judging from past
experience, would not be able to raise DM them-
selves, awl I fear the agricultural depression will
affect the landlords, &c., so that few .4 them will be
prepared to o 'forward a, they did 13 years ago. It
also is very evident from the two previous shows we
have had here that it does not pay the society to
come to Dorchester, as they always lose by it. We
cannot therefore expect them to take less than £BOO.
iptain WILLIAM.: It would he impossible for
them to take lass. I asked particularly.
Major HOlkinil: Thirteen years ago s:icieties were
less in number than now. At the pre-ent time we
have very go.el lie:d shows. TO •..• ,• improved
very intieb in Dorchester during the Isom tew years.
Mr. Mynionds Will tell you that 13 yeAr4 a;t•r there was
is difficulty in ~lit. • • sr the
not the amount if money left in ihe town that some
people sow NW. A• to I ht. Art Exhibition, people
spent money in connection with it, hut not in the
town, beyond their eating and drinking. I am now
only telling you what I base ascertained from the
agriculturists, as well as the tradespeople in the
town. Ido not think there would Ise any very great
loss to Dorchester if we let one I.f the other towns in
the county have the show. I should not objects
indeed. I should feel pleased if we could invite the
show, but if it comes to "going round with the hat"
for the money, we should have very great difficulty
in
_raising it.
Mr. Srliumes, as the seeretary if the Reception
C,onunittee, explain.] that altliongh it war not
exactly known how all the expenses were met on the
former occasion, they had 1:10 or CIO to the good, out
of which the conunittee prawntssl hint with £4O, and
with this was bought the presentation watch he was
now wearing. .%Ithough the Money we.. obtained, it
was with a deal of difficulty, even after it had been
subscribed.
_

Mr. Pon: : I have F 44144411 certain trinhoinen in the
town, awl 114V11 1,4411 requestegi by theta to +tat.. that
it wag no great advantage to the town ,vhon the ,how
was 11011 11111:14. Very many of the agrii•ultnriata
around slient oonsiderable mains if money in buying
iinplenientv and wi on hitt the show W:1•1 a kind of
bazaar, and th•• money went away (nen ti. • nohrlihnir•
less, instead of Iwing .pent in the Th..
Deolole .if II irelie•ter have anked tn.• t . in •ution thvt
fact how, so we cannot upon a v..se •n•••••it •le ii
~f 3.l.rney coining from the town it •••If. X.werthelios
I feel sure if the landlords wish 1.9 11 as.• 4411•14 V (1144
Mayllr allll the pe.tple of I/arch...it., 4,1: :11 41 1 :01 they
can to inak•• it a /1114:4.4944141. hilt I think it will •1••iinell
twin there tieing i L,r,c tinning ••f oilycriptionv
towards the OW fro,,, the 4/nlllOl4 II irele.,l..r.
lir. It. MA tn : I think it will honk • i re hal for our
old county town if we cannot receive the •swietY in
PINT.

- l'orK : The present Ms-. mit ainszirl.. lie lb
Vr•ry representative iins.ting. I .1.. ism it
was conten.4l. If there wen a strmnr in the
t..wn anti neights.urlmod res !meting the matter I
should e‘pert t.i nee, nut this small remit tilled. Mit
tlie_Tiwn Hall.
. _

rhe MAU.R I hit.l the nweting :alverti.ed
in lie local netvApapero. al,s a large quantit.s
hand hill. and lad.. for lotion windo ei
w. rodatt
that every loiblicity tea given to the matter. I do
not
_PDC..that noire could he 4.1. no.

. .
Mr. ItauvrioN : Owing to the feeling evlsibiteil by
the people i 1 Dorelle”ter, I II not S., Ally chant, of
their cieoperatiug ith the agricalturiiit.l in getting the
aiPell•tY here. If ie. money cone+ frith horeleoiter, it
wait 1.11 l f PHU the agricultural ititil landlord interriit.
sh.illl.l ha.: 16040'10 the of would
iIISI heen .if 1(0 at advantage to the town. I
1 not
think the oho% would be att.:ll4l,d it 111, 46.45:10:wee
t•• kcal trail...own if they 11. :111 with their.urieultural
eicitonieri., II reapett to the implement,. by being
~atiAlied with a conunimion. If they put theniu.lves
11l the way for iloing 1. they aught.
Mr. l'oca : If the aatriaulturiai, and landlorda do
what they an. they way detain 11111 al the town acting
with them. If it i,i that th • DAt aon •
to I loraheder, depend upon it the town will all it
can ti tnake the event a alltltea., St. they have d •on
~ther oecamionn.

Nlr. :IrmoNt.e: The toe,nuy tlien fr.sn
the land annera. Ihike ~f Iledfard gaae han
guineas, and the l'ritiee of Wab.. fifty,

The CHAIRVAN : There appears to he ilivevaty
feeling towards the society. How wouhl it be if. first
if all. we express an opinion a" to whether it is ,lesir-
able that the society come here. :ind then appoint a
cxeniOtaxe t. alverrtaili nnErbly whether the woney
wouhd b. fortlicotbing ot net hy e riting ti ti.. ixtrtipil
land...wit..rs, agriculturist., aipl iiibal,itants of the
town'? 1 think that if a a...minute.. is forms+l we in iy
very ...sou know whether there is a probability of
getting the ii...iley ..1 itot.
Callotatin WILLI.IIIS :I think that inlglit ic
worked tip at the last inonielit• Ii wen,. to hi..
that all are dead against the show ....timing.
Mc. E. IlcitNrur I .1.. not think we n. I mke
I Mr. l'ope or Major }lodges as the repre...iit:tti, of
the of I Dorchester as is whole. I suirgest th it
to.. sccetiug adj.tunied. so that what we liaVe done
may Kg. ata,md. i.d amiu,tler n
ieetienimay then In.
11.4.1. 1 think if the town is catixasecilit lain be vain.'
a majority are in favour of the show coming h-rn.
• Major llote:cs My nonarl. apisear to be misioi
derstood. We must look at this matter (nom a
Praclica; view. The money has to lie raised, awl are
we in 1883 in tile same pssiation to make its offer to
the society to cute bore AA fortiosrly ! 1 /sac greater
difficulties in obtaining the 000 nos** than 12; or 23
yeti,' ago.
Mr. Fi.otbs : The general fecling seem, ti be in
favour of bringing the society hare. Can we raise the
MO! If there be no chance of doing so, it iii.., :ie.
g&ttitig the Colliillittre to canvass an.l to send l.l
circulars. ton the other band, if there is a clianc.., we
have plenty of tine: in ntinh t+. (In it in the course .4
the next month, and if the committee take the troulile
vi asoartaiu, it could be dv.pp.:4 even than.
31r. :lii fnitnnAn to the town of llorchester
it must Is. renter:l'6re I that this is not merely a .vies-
tion of 0(00. There inust hi. 1.300 or £lO9 forties nu-
ing for decorations. grotiml expenses, &c., which will
fall principally upon the town of I/orchester. If the
show comm we ottglit to do the thing liberally awl
%i-11.

Mr. .1. T. Imaoe mgf,tat....l that the ioeeting
ijourned for a fortnight in order Mat can‘aming
tight he arranged.
Mr. Brima-rr aumorted this prlddsiti.m.
3tAto: It id evident the t..wildiddtple are dead
gam.' the M.A...

The CHAIRMAN :I 41, H.A. tLir.li that. It iii the
id the town generally, awl abhii.t ',cry
inhabitant in the tomn. that they would ht. mismi to
the i..oiciety here, but there ii ii doubt wi to
whether we can do it.

..........
Sitr. nA it P• The trial...mien are afr.tid of other
'amide coining in. *no that yean.l,..ilift t.. wake them
up a bit.
Mr. ',owe It im hardly (hat. What it meant p.
that by the .how coining I, liorcheater there it not
the Atilt ttttt t looney 'pent in the town that ham lamen
reprytented. I only reiterate the word."( other,
Mt. BAVNTON : If the town guarantee.' turn, tha
aglithlturirts might the remainder.
Major Hoii.,nit 4. 6. rtaight im a very mhort tine. in
which to ascertain hew notch tiedimi) ii.ay .daimit. i.
If we could 'int it off longer it w.. 414 it. detine.lii.
Mr. IttIINKTT : Then we tan adjonni for a 'neigh.
Jr. Nl.tvo :It it web... coining h-n. if hi: i‘ry not
voli!tett,

Ntr. IN)PE: You quilt uti.tdokr,tuirt
Nlijor Holm:E.: If oothl .14-o OW OOP 1..,4111
u,1111.1 oto.v._

Mr. RAINTON: There appears t.. a
upon it.
Mr. C. HAI:NIHON: It is well known how the town
came out I ni the 001:11.i0t1 of th.: visit . 4 the volunteers.
It therefore is sunwising that there ahould he a feel.
iog against the Bath and West of linglantl Society
"Aiatilo ir Ff k'ergnuits : It i iito:te wrong of you to say
that.
Mr. THORNTON : I suggest the apviuntioont .d two
committees—one to find out the vieWS of the agri•
culturists generally, and ins those of the town, and
that three week, hence we meet to come to a definite
conc;esion. With regard to .uli.criptions, I ato aske.l
by my par:nods te gay they will renew the sub-erne
tom ..f C5O which they gs.e lest tine. Mein, hear.)
Viii WoUld also find many others wilLnii to do the
same.
__

Ikii.: I Oh. 0111,1 bL.1141111,1 uf 1./oral...ter if
the I*.ple let the show g tq a neighbouring paltry
ailLtge instead of here.

Mr. litany; I, it to go forth that there k
feeling on the part of the people of Dorcheater againat
ttie chow coming here? In no place has it been
more warmly recei%eel than in the county town of