The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-11-26 00:00:00

TIMPERANCY ORATION.

Glougester-uxeet filltoolrooln had • very respect ible
audience on Friday evening tat, in
...914i of the dreadful
weather. the attraction being Dry. Molloy. • temperance
orator from the United Staten The lady wag described by
the American lapin aa "the female Gough," and without
detracting from the fame of Mr. J. B. Gough, so long and
well known, we may say that Km Molloy Is worthy to
stand on the front rank of temperance orators. The
tinar, of her value is not that high-pit !led 'cream whioh
often ia so painful in lady orators ; bat, tonal down by
mournful experienced; to a ociatralt,, though never descend-
ing to a groan. She spoke for long over an hour. and gene-
rally matained • powerful flow of reel eloquence through-
out.. .

The preliminary. objection that women ought not to
speak alio met in • forcible way—if we could look into the
lives of many of the women of to-day, who have pressed
Into the front ranks of this battle, we should see written
over their hearts histories so deep and mournful that not
• word of censure or even surprise would fall from ire at
their coming to the front, for if men had suffered from the
drink traMe and customs one quarter of what women
ham the rause would have been wiped out rears ago.
Underlyieg all our G iverensent there is the Home, our
Government I. fed from the Home, and if we would have
..pure Government we must have a pure Home, Women
had from the cuss and blight in their bolus cried unto
God against this traffic, the light luid begun to dawn, the
women felt they were in wale measure responsible, they
set to work, the wine man* off the sideboard and out of
the cellars, and the women of America declared "W. will
have no more." The mothers Cr. taking such a grand
stand in America that public feeling arose as it had
before known. They found that unless they stopped
raising drunkard. they need not expect to deal with
It, and If we In England could strip from around
the drink Walk the respectability of the Christian
Church, in 30 years it would be no more, there would be
no new drinkers, and tbe old drunkard, would have died
out, and the publicans would be like Othello, with their
" occupation gone." (Applause.) In America, even
before the crusade movement, they were 100 years bafore
the people of England, and now it is not considered
rospectehle in America to have drink in the families
Many in England who are impressed with the necessity
of total abstinence, and with the dire evils of intemper-
ance, cannot remove the drink from their tables without
incurring the censure of their friends'
, "but if," said she,
"you understand the principle of Night, you are not a
brave maa, or • brave woman, if you do not take that
stand which your conscience approves." is you love the
utua one. In your homes, as you look forward to their
future lives of use( ulnees, all you value their immortal
souls, I plead with you in God's name to take a stand
upon this question, and never ban the drink In your
hum Years ago I was visiting an old schoolmate of
mine who had married well, and was settled in • neigh-
bouring town. We had not met since we were old school-
mate,. and I toned the had all the comforts and most of
the luxuries of life around her. I saw gathered around
her all, I thought, that could make Ufe beautiful, and
I said "Life is lookini very bright for my friend Janie.;
I Mew God for her. The I linner table was laded
with every delicacy, but when dessert was brought In, the
wine was brought also. I looked wonderingly at her, for
we did not take wine when young, but the said " My
husband has rather educated me ; we are in a different
circle now, and I have had to succumb to the custom"
After a little time, as the dessert was being eaten, she.
turned to her little babe, a flne boy of two years old, and
put • gleam of wine to his lips, and the child drank it
before it was taken away. I was horrified ; "Woman r
said I, "You are committing arson in your own flash and
blood! God pity you, for the appetite you have instilled
Into that child may never be mortared. Oh Jane I
If that was my boy, I would rather see him lying cold and
lifeless, than give him so fatal a taste " She laughed
lightly, and said " What is • glass of wine r It is very
bannle, not stronger than our cider. lam sure there
Is no danger I said " Well Jena, I hope you will never
live to see the day when the thorns you are now
sowing will pierce your own heart." I arose from the
dinner table, and saw she wee anxious to turn the
conversation. Her hasband came home, and I wee pained
to rind his breath was loaded with the fumes of wine;
he finished a bottle of wine, and WM exceedingly merry.
My reproof of the af Gamow, had been so UI received that I
did not venture any remarks; but I feared I saw falling
; the shadow of a great sorrow coming upon my friend. I
bade them good bye—l was —end moved to a
Western state, my friend Joni* and her husband to a
Southern one. Some rears alter I was in Loalsiana, and
went to the city of New Orleans, where I visited the
hoepital. The woman came to ate suddenly one day with
horror in her face. "Oh, do come," said she, " • dread-
ful thing has happened." She led roe into the corridors,
and I looked on the face of a young man about 10 years,
dead, and there was a look of undefinable tenor on his
fain, just as if the spirit before its dieb t had had glimpse
into the horrors beyond. Said she "This young man was
brought in about a week ago in delirium; I found he
belonged to a mother in a neighbouring town ; I tale'
graphed, and next train brought the widowed mother into
the hospital; she hung over hio, night and day, never
left him, even to take bee restless sleep. He was her only
son, sad day altar day the mother asked God to restore
him. The day pre...tons the doctor came along, saw the seal
of death on his face, and passed on. "Are you not going to
do something for ray son, doctor r cried the mother.
Said he "My deer woman, if you have anything to say
to your son, you bad better ruy it quickly, for it will not
belong before his soul will be with God f' She dropped
oo her knees, and the hot tears dropping from his
mother's eyes on his face aroused him, and he looked tip
with terror. The mother cried Oh &idle I look unto the
dear Lord, look to the Lord June r The boy stared at
her with the terror of death on him, then, retains him-
self with his last remaining strength, he seized her, and
cried—" Mother I how dare you talk to me of Jest's!
You taught me to drink! I am dying a drunkard, and I
shall go to • drunkard'. hell I It is too late r He died,
and the lady wu borne front the bedside with a stony
look in her epee that never departed, and up and down
she paced the floor all the night, with nover • groan or
tear. But as the night wore on she began to ser "Ills
too late I It ia too late I God pity roe ; it is for ever too
later • few days &fun, my friend Janie, far It WU her,
was taken to an insane asylum I went to see her,
hoping as I went that old memories might reawaken
recollections of the h.)1111 time when we were school-
mates. I said "Doe t you remember Emma r She
began to wall "It is too late, I tell you it is too late I It
I, everlastingly too late r And the words increased in
swiftesees and heightened in tone till she was pouring
them at the highest pitch of her voice, and with awful
rapidity, and the nurse told me she never uttered any
other words than these. The impression it made on my
heart will never be wiped out; and I my God pity the
fathers and mothers that are writing such histories as
these on their children'. Una, who are writing these
, words to be reverberated in the corridors of eternity—
who for the take of • little sensual enjoyment would risk
the immortal souls of thus dear to us as our lives." Mrs.
Molloy continued to pour out anecdote, pleading and
withering satire, yet always with the tender tone of one
; who wanted to win rather than wetter. She told histories
of great teetotal leaders, and what they suffered from
, public fashion, and declared that teetotallers most dare to
, stand against fashion; we waat Stephens who are willing
to be stoned Humes who are willing to be burned;
martyrs to ory "Here I stand, God helots; me, I can do
nought Weer Lathers who will declare "Though there be
as many devils in Worms ass tiles on housetops,lo Worms will
I go." The lecture was rendered still more piquant by an
occasional firemen( Yankeeism; but this was sligituate throughoutthe English was good.—Tbe her. L
in moving a vote of thanks to the lectorer, announcedhi
would eve a temperance sermon on Stuaday, and should
not speak with bated breath as to what he considered
temperance —nothing but total abetinenm from the
dangerous thing is worthy of the name. (Applause,)

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE,

-----
Fur Monday last, • meeting was called. to be held In the
Guildhall, to decide whether an application should be
made to Parliament for powers to alter the present bridge
between Weymouth and Melton:do Regis, and to impose
atoll.
The Guildhall being occupied by the hearing of the cam
Against Pollard, the meeting was commenced in the
Council-chamber, where, however, only about five or six
persons besides the Council were present The Town
Clerk (Yr. F. C. Stengel) read the notices, after which
Mr. LVNIDIE, er-mayor, who presided, said the Council
had discuswd the mntter, and were almost unanimously
(the diaeenlient being Ir. Charles), in favour of the
alteration, and for an application to Parliament for power
to awry out the work, collect tolls, en
Mr. LUNDIS, as • ratepayer, proposed that they apply
for these powers, and Kr. JAMIE RORZIMON •••••ded.
Mr. Bovocrr roes to propose an amendment He said
If the proposed alterations were carried out, they would be
inadequate to the requirements of the Borough, and it WM
of no use altering unless they could do so effectuallY.
(Hear hear.) It ought not to be done without careful
consideration, and due consideration had not been given
to the matter. A new bridge, he considered, ought to be
built, and the old thing swept away. Among the
argument' in favour of • new bri that were— if carried
lower down, a larger space w be given to the Quay,
which would be very beneficial. For 10 years he had seen
what they bad been doing ; everything had been done
piecemeal, consequently it had been done badly. An
Improvement Committee ought to be appointed, and they
ought to work with some definite plan; it was useless
putting a patch here and • patch there. This matter
ought lo be carefully considered, for if the alterations pro-
owed wereoarriedeut,they would maketheleridepe intensely
ugly. Many thing" want doing; the Becicw must be
seen to, and some of the timber piles along the quay are
crumbling to dust like the MOON% Re proposed that no
application be made to Parliament, but they should wait
until they could build • new bridge.
, Mr. W 114701113 asked If Mr. Bennett knew what the
cost of • new bridve would be
Kr. Bayern was not come with any plan.
Mr. Lovsm.: It would coot A 15,000 or £16,000.
Yr. T. & Watite seconded the amendment ; he was in
favour of • new bridge
Mr. Ltoinin said the Council were anxious to save the
pockets of the rategeyers.
The amendment was pot to the meeting, and__nly six
voted for It; but for the original propoeitkak utterly in
samnbers of the Corporation, voted.
YE WALL= then euggeated • poll of the perish.
In answer to Kr. Bloat, the Town Clang said tide
would cost .Cloo.
Mr. WAWA Then let the meeting be adjourned until
this evening.
Kr. Bawozrr styled the present a bole-andoorner
maaelag ; permes had oome to attend, but on account of
its being held in the Council Chamber, instead of the
German, they didn't like to come In.
Mr. LOWIWI. MP, IF••••• to see the plans, to which
The Town Cu= answered they would"pteeed as the
oak* of the Parish Clerk for Inspection.
Mr. BnlltlrTl thought that the plans ought to be
radioed.
Mr. T. R. CaLizias objected to the resolution of the
CounciL
/I.r. LOTILL asked whether another meeting could not
be held to Prevent the IMMO, Of • poll
- -

Kr. Swan could noise* TAM tim 00°°°11 wished to
=lts /148917111. they ought to look after their
In
The Yorou (Mr. 'hot): Oar plans hors been submitted
to the very best meatus In to. kingdom.
Mr. Loma., Yr. Passau, Mr. Wosszo, mod Yr.
Hugon emaidend More ought to be swamis reiNag;
bed

- -
The Town( CLIME stated he Ihni dams aU &al was
lieo6llllllT.
Toil MATO' thouiht it would bs bogie, to adjommlleel
meetue until *even that night, and ultimately
The Town CLERK waa requested to send out noUnee of
the meeting, and
Mr. Whugs resolved to send round the Town Grier.
Tin ADJOURSID MIntING
Was bell at seven o'clock, and a very reepactable number
of ratepayers gathered, among those preeent being—Kr.
Alderman Howard. Mr. Alderman Thomm, Mr. Alderman
Roberteon, Messrs. Clouncilltes Avleettury, Graham, Wel.
ford, thane, Snook, J. Groves. Charles, T. Wall% L 111•11,
Seaman. Ayles, and J. Z. Rubella. Mr. F. D. W 40.11
(town Clerk), and Yew,. J. Vincent, Pell, Himmel'.
)iajor, Gibbs. Hodder, J. Y. Atkins, Crocker Kia Lee,
Hayman. W. Roberta, Lyles, F. mace. Wilitaia.
! Hibbs. Bowe, Lockwood Reynolds. Freeman. B. Damon;
J. Rona, Hann, J. B. Cok Le. Bennett, W. J. Newton.
Garter, Self., T. B. Groves, Green, I B. Kam, Morg tn
@,rengli surveyor). Whettam, W. LOWI¢AII. 'en., Stine,
R 0. Hallett, Brown, W. J. Martin, J. Thrsons, Plowman.
, E. Lanigan. It. twee, Burch, White, Ma. litiekland,
B. D. Farwell, B. Ken-id... Bowling, IL Mom. Tucker.l
I W. Hallett, Rendall, and many others who ware buried
La the crowd.

--i.Torntil;Cild plan of the proposed improvementa banS
at the head of the room.
There was some delay, daring which Mr. ATLI:6BMT
Informed the gathering that Mr. Liman had been invited
to become chairman of the meeting.
Mr. WIILAPOILD Won after stated Mr. Loathe was unable
to emus out, owing to a sore threat.
On the peoposition of Mg Hers; seconded by Mr.
Bows, Mr. Alderman Hofffird was called to pnuide.
Mr. HOWARD, on ruing, wu remind with &pilaus
The notice of the noon meeting, wall ma-
nta Gintuun said this muting would have take%
place at twelve o'clock ; but unexpectedly in that hall four
different meetings were going on at Distend the we thee.
It was intended to hold it to the Council-chamber, but
that was not large enough, and that was why they were
called together at seven o'clock. Ile celled upon the
Town Clark to state what was done.
The Town Qua sided theta proposition and amend-
mut were put, the latter wee voted for by five indiriduals
the hlO • large majority. Afterwards Hr.
Wallis demanded • poll—(Mr. ' I beg Perth.°
seconded- ")—Mr. Bennett proposed that a poll should
be token. nuked for the meeting to be postponed.
The Cowman said there must be order.
Mr. Mess : Do! understand fhb inseam adjournment
to consider the propriety of atpilitzi to Perliameat Or
wee the
w original proposition c The Tore Cigna said the proposition was carried by •
large majority: • poll was demanded by Mr. Bennett;
but it WY thought the ratepayers and owners should have
an opportunity of expressing their opinion as to whether
there ought to be • poll or nor.
Mr. HAMM asked for the proposition and weadment to
be read, which was done.
H Mr. ums remarked the proposition wag carried.
I The Town ante assented, but this meeting woe to
decide whether Mr. Bennett and Mr. Wallis should be
&eked to have • poll titan or not, for it would be • lane
expose, that would come out of the pocket, of the
ratepayers.
Mr. %Valais said when he went to the meeting, he
found so few there he thought it not the right plain to
take the voice of the ratepayer*. If the whole of the
ratepayers attended, it would he impassible for them to
get into the Council-chamber, and when he Ind for the
meeting to be potponal, waa told it would be illegal.
Then he said he would call • poll of the borough. If this
meeting is illegal, why did the Town Clark advise the
Mayor to call an illegal meeting!
The Town CULIu : The present Mayor out of courtesy
to you and others. recommended the uniting should he
called to consider the adeloihility of bating a poll or not.
You have the opportunity of insisting on • poll.
Kr. Watus : The first meeting wee celled for the Guild-
hall, but if you call the Council-chamber the Guddhall,
you might as well cell the police cells. (A few hires.)
Mr. ATLitninti suggesting they proceed to badness, said
the application to Parliament was that a toll might he
levied to pay for the alterations, and unless Parliament
sanctions • tall being potion, nothing will be carried out.
Mr. MOSER, with the exception of the Chairman, had
air much ti do with this matter so anyone else. About
January or February last, a complaint wee made that the
bridge was not sufficiently wide far the purposes of the
town, alio that it was very difficult for hones to dug
weights over the summit, so that it wonid he the best to
alter it that horseo might have Isee trouble and peaseneers
greater accommodation. On looking into the mount Act
of Parliament, it wee found it gives power to repair. bet
not for any alterations, therefore while the alterations
were felt to be desirable, and many who would reap the
advantage would contribute lowans the cat, it wee seen
to be necessary to apply for an Act for the toll. Al
to new bridges or roads, the Legialature seta itself directly
against the Imposition of toll.; turnpike roads are being
done away with, es they could observe negotiation then
was—Should the Council build • new bridge I That would
out from £15,000 to £lB,OOO for the structure alone,
pullets having properly near would apply for COMPeltastlow,
and a much larger sum would be required. The Legisla-
tore, it was felt, would not allow tolls to be imputed so
much and so long a. would pay for the new bridge, and
the net would be landed on the rater. The alteration
moorieed wag rudely shown in the diagram, and they
believed it might be done on the lines of the present Act
of Parliament—the basis on which they were going being
to alter or improve the structure without taking it dorm
—so the Act enables the Corporation to reimpose the tolls
in order to pay for anything necessary for the repair, and
they asked for it to be extended se sate meet this im-
provement, and believed they asked what the Legislators
would grant If it were usable to build • new bridge
, and inopose tolls on which • revenue to pay for Ito cost wool
be obtained, no one in town but what would go in for a
new bridge, a structure to be • credit not oaly to the town
at the present, but suitable for what it is going to be. It
had been said "Have • new bridge if you can get it for
£16.000 or £17,003 ; and nothing but wooden piles eupport
your quays, which are going into the harbour: why not
Improve the whole r Bet the maintenance of the quays
depends on the harbour dues, that is not to be put en the
raise, when there is already a fund large enough to so.
°mulish it as it falls due. Happily, at the present we
have an increasing trade, not only to gay the bondholders,
but leave • balance to keep glare in repair. The
question now is as to the bridge; the improvement is not
suggested sia the test to be one in itself, for if anew
could be obtained on the same terms, then all
would vote foe a new one. But were they prepared to
spend ii:75,000 for • new bridge when ander the present
Act they already Ind the power of repair, and could get
an improvement on the lines of the present from the tolls
on hoirsea, carte, and carriages! At the present time we
We an expenditure of no small amount Mt as, and
almost certain to fall. (Mr. Wawa : "Who caused it r
Mr. Haus : Wallie) If they put the cost of the
bridge on the rates what will be the weight of those
rates I At torrent they are heavy enough, (User, Pearl
Those who drive carriagee over the bridge are the parties
who ought to pay for it, and not the poor ratepayer,.
(Applause.) Therefore he advocated that, instead of
putting up a new bridge, which must be done out of the
rates, they should repair and improve the present one,
and with the tolls re-imposed for repair, it may be made
good and wide enough for all existing porpoise They
knew whether the town could bear an increasing weight
of taxation but if • new bridge were built, no goons
exist' out of which the money necessary can be derived.
Therefore, he asked that the resolution puled this morn-
ing In the Coundishatabsr be Millard on the present
ocession. .

Mr. Lowmas. sea. asked the cost of the proposed
alttration I _

-11.r7R-iricvs said .C4OOO.
Mr. Waius : L 5,000.
Yr. Lowman called this no improvement Mall, and yet
the cost was to be £4,0011 He recollected when those piers
were put in, on shingle; net another soul, he summed,
recollected that' but the pion were put in on shingle, and
the swing had to be chipped away, Mr. Trentham wee
called to do It to give it cranes, becalms it used to jam.
As to the iroe-work, if it MY put level, it would run for
1170 years, for it is not worn out, but it was on account of
the giving Ivey of the piers that it had got out of level,
and by moving or interfering with them the bridge would
be end angered. The arch had not been rightly shown on
the diagram • there it was shown as • rendeirch, whams
it lien elliptic arch, and the least movement in the world,
end down earns the melee. It would cost no more to
have nearly a level bridge. How was that to be carried
out) (Hobe) If any practical man was there, he would
emelt to him. Yr. Lowman went than into " plan and
'pacification"- for the alteration, suggesting, the driving of •
pile at each spring, laying down Malik, getting 15inr-h
deals, dm He added they could nee the same iron-work,
because the zaultiplicity of the machinery is 70 to one,
and any one that understands it could move it with the
finger, instead of requiring so many men. He mid—Take
out the arches, and carry what Is termed a level bridge
on the same piers, then pet down iron girders from
the pier, to the outer part—ebnply wrought iron,
about li inch thick, and about • foot deep. The
emu. awing could be used, or they can have a
the same as is seen in the canals, so that • man Vapc:ili
his finger and open it will come. —(The meeting began to
get impatient, when Mr. Lowman continued) One word
more and he would finish, because there was • lot of
ignorant fools there (looking at • part of the crowd).
Great laughter followed; when Kr. lawman added he
understood his work; he was brought up to mechanical
science all the days of his life; his father was • mill-
wright. (interruption, the chairman interposing.) Well
then I what was the use for men to rattle there I He
would face them either with his hand or (fiouriahlag his
stick)--(A Voice: "Mind that stick °(yvum. Laughter )
Mr. It. (1 Bursgor (architect) had proposed an amend-
ment in connection with this bridge—" That no appl-
tion be made to Parliament for altering the bridge, and
it was Just to the ratepayers that they should hew some
of the ideas he had in opposing the matter. (Hear, bear.)
First of all, all that Yr. Bobens had said was mere myth
--myth I He called their attention at once to the dia-
gram and reminded them that at the present either aide
of the bridge had certainly a neat appearance, and some
arcbitxture In It; but what did they propose to do I To
cut off the top of the bridge and make it Sat, and what
would it appear then) He was a good prophet' some of
them would remember what he had said before,
and how truly It came to i pas.: now he was
going to prophesy again—" You touch that brides,
and down it goes." The diagram was very badly drawn,
it was not the shape --(V ica I "It was done in Sr.
minutes.") Well, it was itch ch boast et When the
tte
railway went there (polo to the northern part) they
away
cut ay the abutment, the consequence was it went
down three or four Inch..; and now the "Scat engineer of
the day" Comes forward and Iwo:yogis of these plans. Mr.
Bennett would tell them there was not the weight on
those arches, not by a long way, and as soon as the weight
was taken off these arches, where would be the bridge)
He warned them they dare not touch it unless they had it
down. He was told he exaggerated when he said they
were going to throw C 30,000 into the Backwater', but
what about that now) At the present time, with a little
alteration, the Bridge would do for 50 years, more or less ;
'Would do for him, 'tweak! do for them. But he wanted
It altered by-end-by, great improvements were going on,
he and they could see; but don't let them fritter away
their money now. Thousands and thousands of pounds
had been thrown away for which not • halfpenny had
been got, and this /2,oiii or .1.4,000 inight Just as well be
thrown away as expended on this altem. It was mere
nonsense I Look at that tramway, who knows how it
came there; but there lii., and "My deer Christian
friends,"—(roars of taught/0)-'there wason the diagram
the high water mark ; but it was ever so much lower than
that, and two men had been killed them.—(Voice: "So
they ham-) Where was Mr. Bennett, at the Crown)
They had detained him up—another Am there I
That place ought to be dons away, and if anything Is
done to that bridge, s weep it away I The idea of ha -
a toll-rata Had the ratepayers read the list of tolls_ ,
were they yang to stand haviug • toll put on the bridge ;
It was nonsense I absurdity I But it wee not the mere
toll be objected to; the plan had been before the enginma.
bet be (Mr. Bennett) said it wee • perfect absurdity.
How were the approaches to be Improved I How did it
go up by Mr. Beyntoor's I • Ins hapeoventent of
54 raising it a footer two I Lxok at the absurdity
17e.tak matter; ths hrido it good *VI fox um : it win
bat, wham long beyond our time. If they could not
have a now said.. suitable for such • waterregeb. sa
this, let non wait till they could get the loooste. No
doubt • prayer new bridge ought tote Put there ; bat It
would met and/ PAW to ma* • ate, while
the shanties was being carried ouirTyak ..„,
rat...over the Baskwater bridge) fas wash saz,
smut that. Don't let the Ostsgsgsgs gig
them-
ashes—tio sash a hole and come—Oen and Inghter)—
as this. Welt, It they nal have a new s feu
noted badly eassgh—weit sad an be away by
the Istostren they had Inerd. 'nu would be the
Wien idatel-losideg this' Bay mortal rasa weld awry
out, insteed of sa inprovsneat It would be a isessessat
of ugliness
I& Mug crairthisk the natter of ths=gs was
noting of at the yredges neellag. He 40804
had talon moo ha the rola tbe hall.
:ardeTelt It wee sot a fr
express their galore
on • subject which issySmil illikaligii tort No *lnk
nest had he hi the matte; ace wlsh lo ; 13:11
line bed wired gybes seems@ s$ ,to al We

against a turnpike-gate I it cants with such bed gram from
the advents, of program all their 111., at • time when
turnpik.:-gatin are being swept away, far them t con.
template an alteration, and pay fog it by • toll-gate.
Should • poll he demanded on this natation, the vote. he
could nut think. would tre favourahle to a toll-gate. Ho
wet intwreted in having a new bridge put up at that
place When the Act of Parliament wee applied for, for
the Portland railway, and tin tramway on our quays,
h.vl it not b-wn for one man, an eiderm on of she borough
at that time. be had not the slighteet doubt o I-v.. 1 bridge
would have been putacro r. net 13j LP wee mked "Would
you ark for compensatiou if sheet. done(' It. replied
"Yea" Then lir. Jame. Aldridge Dereuish—all knout
to him—raid "Teen lynch my hands of it" There was
an opportunity lost, or the bridge • mild have been put
over by Staanarde Brea. and Co. Mr. Wituble. Of the
Weymouth and Ctaanel Islands Steamer Compeny, had
mid " If the Corporation of Weymouth kV" to sitar the
bridge without removing the piers, it will be a lees to
them.. The state of the quay is comphined of, end it to
& disgrace. Mr. R rhea, is out of badness ; bob we are in
business; be naturally wants to keep down the retie; bat
we want to increase our business, and that will not be
done without improvementa. Don't let them pat up a
turnpike-gate to cheek business; but wait if they have
not got the money. Taney what an oily With the
structure will make I He did not want to dad fault with
the Surveyor, for he bad been called upon to propose
something, be cense within the present Ant of Parit,
so that • toll can be levied to pay expenses. Bet he
bagged of them not to do that, for we have lovely building
epot
from Let :gito.daleme,mtl'la Johnstoneotothgesid.lismltk/niattothiachfewbuwextaaontertrleanethw; iswbothiergreir,:stmligniciisabutwifetwkiirr7y.
spend trakooo, the ratepayers will be =AO in pocket'
but he did not like a toll-gate in the centre of tbe
town. (Applause.)
• • • ••

Mr. Weteroeth when the question was mooted in the
Coque/II bed asked "Would it not be better to have a
new bridge! But when it was cone Into, it wee found it
would be necessary to Pay Alfaffili) or £16,090 for the
structure, Molise • very °amide/cable amount of com-
pensation. Was the town ready to spend .00.000 or
£39,000 and take the burden on their own shoulders!
Were the ratepayers ready to hove imposed upon them
the payment of this large sum, seeing this heavy amount
of rates of which there is very great likelihood and almost
certainty) The Council were not prepared to put the
large amount on their shoulders, and there was this
satidactiou, before they could do a°, an Act of Parliament
must be obtained and before that, a public meeting must
be held, so that it reallyerested on the ratepayers to my
whether it should be done That meeting wasi held at
noon that day Yr. Wallis, in his undoubted right,
demanded &look and the present meeting was called to
say whether . motion should be carried out, or
Mr. Wallis should be asked not to enforce this motion.
Were they willing the additional amount for the erection
of • new bridge Amid be laid on their shoulders or that
• smaller amount be e xpended for repair and improvement
to be ispatd by the reituposition of iciest Very moth
surprised he was to hear Mr. Bennett say there is no
necessity for improving ths bridge, for if there is one
crying evil that wants to be got rid- of, he could not put
his eye on • single thing or place where • greater improve-
ment can be oarried out than at the bridge. Every hoer
of the day caniages are being pulled to allow others to
page, and in such • town as this, item= simply monstrous
that rabbles should not be able to pass, but be obliged to
pull ep and take their turn. This state of things is dl..
graceful to the town, and steps have been taken to
rectify it. The Surveyor woo asked "Can anything be
done to effect this great improvenisat f" Not only the
lowering of the bridge wee desired, because wymone go
ever with greet difficulty and danger in descending, and
in the design it Is intended to Widen the badge so that
they may not be impeded. Shall we remain as we are or
wait to SOCA future time when we are prepared to incur
this expense f (Wait I watt n mid °minter mien) If the
Improvement is made and the SAIL roimpreed, about eve
Of years will be sufficient to pay off the cost and clear
the and then we shall be in no worse position as
to money than before. (Cries of " Where shall we be
thou f") He hoped he and they would still mast in that
room and for years after. (Applause.)
Mr. WLLL/S looked in any alteration of the bridge
would the harbour be deepened
Mr. WILIFOILD Yid certainly not ; It was not intended
In any way to touch the harbour. nye or six years hence
we shall be in the SIMS position as at present
Mr. fire..: You will have lost your money.
Mr. WILLIPOLD returned yea; but we shall have had the
bridge wonderfully improved, and we shall find it suffi-
cient for many years. Notice having been given (and it
Ii too late to give any further notice) it is well to carry
out the improvement, for it will melt the requirements
of the caw With structures looking handsome and well
he quite agreed; but in these days the beautiful must give
way to the useful; and if they could not have the ores.
mental, yet if • better bridge can be obtained for the
purposes required, let them get rid of the beautiful and
have the useful. Is had written out • proposition—
'That Mr. Wallis be requested not to put the ratepayers
to the expense of enforcing the poll of the borough which
he demanded this morning."
W au.te : I think that is rather out of order.
. _ .

The (NAUMAN: That is foram to decide, Mr. Wallis.
You think more, ant speak less, until he boo cluished.
Mr. Witurs said the words that had emanated from
Mr. Robena had been very Impressive on all right-think-
ing minds; he did not want • new bridge stthe present
time, while the ratepayers are in such • dilemma It
had emanated from Mr. Hibbs that U. Wiroble had
spoken about the quay wells; they were not prepared to
spend £lO,OOO to £17,000 now' but U the water could be
made deep enough for vessels to to above the bridge to
load or unload they would be justified. It would be very
nice to take vehicles over without .topping; but they
want to lay out more than £5,000 for the interest' of the
town at large. Lit them wait and put up with • little
inconvenience and raise the money to make • new bridge
and deepen the harbour, then we should have the whole
of the Great Western steamboate, which mean business,
for the company intend to lay out £l.lOO to deepen the
harbour. Let the old structure remain while they build
a new bridge elsewhere, other wise for • temporary brides
they must lay out £lO,OOO. (Voice "Not £1.000')
Then the whole of the harbour will become a parade or
esplanade, sheltered in cold weather. Ye. Robens mieht
laugh, but he had heard him say **How beautiful this
is r He should certainly oppose laying out £5.000 for
the repair.

- -
Yr. Cuestas said as it ha, he was the only
councillor in the room that morning who upheld his hands
against the proposition. The time had arrived, he agreed,
for opening up thoroughly the other side of the water, and
our bridge does not meet the requirement. now ; but the
question they went to Parliament for L 4,000 or
km,ooo (they had better say £7,ooo)—how far Parllement
would allow them to impose tolls. Government from time
to time is taking off tulle; in the city of London the last
toll was taken off lately, and was it likely they would allow
a small Corporation like theirs to reimpose • toll I Tiva
very Arst thing be should ask What is the number
of inhabitants r Next, '' ls the town prosperous r And
on being answered—" Yea," he should reply— n Why do
you alit the Public to pas tolls t Why don't you pay
them yourselves! They were, in going to Parliament,
running the risk of losing £4OO, because, if the preamble
of the bill were thrown out, f. 400 would be lost ho he
thought they would be in • better state altogether, not to
go to Parliament Weymouth is not altogether rips for
the bridge yet; we may in • few years incur a far lees
expmditure than we shall upend by going to Parliament,
end then, when we go for • new bridge, let us have • good
one. (Applause)

- -
plained
befortardpl7,-'blis.CLLy voted for for thetha
posing ttet wratohtronthinim"Wriboandithationwfadasitbmugg:li I
them in the face, that they would have to pay £17,000 or
£OO,OOO for rectifying the present system ef drainage, he
would not hold up his hands for the mtepamtrpay one
penny for the alteration of the bridge. , he did
not see we shall have the vales of our money, when it is
altered according to the plan. We shall be improving the
surface only; thee. was in the original plan, an arch
between the two piers, and of cosine if it was required
when the pliodwas drawn, it is wanted now. In its present
form the bridge is • credit to the man who built it, it is •
good place of ma=:, and the ironwork is nil good as
when put there. e • few pins which of cow" have
worn, by the frequent opening and closing. Yet they went
going in for surface improvements only, f what is
under water ; ships are often brought uparogn'ththisifidco and
are detained for • week or eight days on account of the
lowness of the water, for there is • difference. Its under.
stood, of 18 inches between that of the bed between the
piers and the Harbour-bed above and below. When we go
In for Improvement at • cost of £5,000. we ought to do at
electually, or leave it alone. Could we oscura ourselves
with the Lacal Government Board, then he would like to
go in for a new bridge, and rsimpet the toll (Appleton.)
The CnAllni.l had taken the greatest interest in the ,
matter of this evening, and should be pleased to ase two
new bridgm—one from George atrest across the Backwater,
even lilt cams on the mtepaysers' pockets, it would b• the
best investment ever made. et a rannrl lor had said the
town was not ripe for it in the present state it could not
be entertained, and the only present question Is the alter-
"ion of the existing bridge. No ono could gay it is such
an one as ought to connect Weymouth and ltsloombe
Bogie as one borough, or such ae we ought to have in the
prseent day, with As 'rent traM going noose ; they could
not toll him it ought not to be such that two carriages
could pea each other. (Applause.) Next, better amoco-
inodeelon ought to be provided for passengers, who ought
not to be hal id and ahnfilsd about, nor ought the Wee
to be dangerous for children and Invalids, The Council
had enquired into the amount of traffic, and found the
average of "Dole using it is 10,000 per day, and of vehicles
700. Public outlay Is licIRLIlo conontionce, and no pines
did he know wham • could be spent, so certain of
being ,genorally useful to Public as on that bridge.
Next, bow was the improvement to be carried out 1 It
was useless to say the Council are not than public
guardians because some of the Council had to spend con-
siderable sums for rates, even • penny in the g was to
them a considerable sum, and they are not anxious to
throw away mousy, they may err in judgment, but not to
throw away their own. The improvement was to be for
the convenience of vehicles, and they are to pay toll, while
the 10.003 foot emeeereri will get the improvement for
nothing. If the vehicle-owners will pay, and the
10,001 piseenisre get the advants^ why should they not?
Quite true, they most risk an application to Parliament,
for permission to impose the toll, but with that exception,
every shilling, comes upon the owners of vehicles and
bones, and why they not be allowed to do so as
they were vvi. 1 The general body will get such an
Improvement as will be very useful and would not have
to pay one penny. Somebody said—" Brewers r Well,
the brewers use the bridge most, and they will pay the
most for the improvement. So, if any One Went over
with • vehicle or horse ton tunes, and would agree to be taxed
why should he not be taxed, if he wanted the improve-
ment IHe could not at all see why. Again, they knew if
any person used a drag going over, he was Ilablo to • fine
every time, but who who would liks to see the weggons
going; down that hill without a dreg; (Heir, hear.) Winn
drawing • fresh or • young bores Shoe, the wonder is
there in not an accident every time, sad he ad seem some
thatw are very nearly serious ones. A fresh horse, unless
they had somebody to hold it, was very likely to back
into somebody else. (Hear.) As ratepayers, would they
help partial who are willing to tax themselves and every
one hors will get the benefitS As to the " ornantottar
= won, what Is intended to be t there will not be. he
, otherwise than ; but certainly the
=t via( ) is • very handsome thing
ter.) The top-stonework Is certainly very
ter)—what is its architectural style he
could not t notwithstanding its benuty—Gatighter)
—nothing would be put there to look worse, and ths niers
will pay the cost deacon as the town is ripe for it, be
come forward ready to pay his proportion to rint
"Vpircabri: From Burdon'e-lidltage to Boot-lano—Paaeb•
ter), and
l(r. Howann : "Avery good plea too." (Applause.)
Hints said when the old toll was taken Of, coals
went down • penny • hada Would that be put on
asoin I
The enamour: No; teat wee the old otal dues. Every
bushel of seals that ear" In paid tell; but the oral does
were token ea, end they wrn not In put on again, only
toll on vehicles and hors" (Appian")
ler. 13sonslirr persons who go over, builders and
others, will have to pay.
Yr. Miami I Aooot yott
onhe rs only. (LangliOr.)
iron going to put the toll
t brewe
The Ournitee : I am afraid Yr. Baste brewed that out
of his own idiom (Laughter.) Ido not know an owner
of. horse or vehicle that we will pay the toll gladly; I
wit
Mr. J. B. Coen Are we we all owners of harm will
be pleased to pay It Is all very well I. mg the large
owurs will be very pined : the question Is will the your
ono I
The Cnetnltin : Tee, for they did not cone down to
obj
_eat to lt
Mr J. B. Oota reanarkod the alteration proposed is
noe..%thag to got rid of the difiloolty as to a realt bores
ActA Rivirof ?erbium" ATrWirlatlrmaktflihrdwahilibirbottorthilio"oredimitillmatheinint
hides being Intik
Kr. Comm: Do the. Rebel° nedeeetand
th wmat
em m
e egorethhee el the ess will nth be

, -

The Pummel : Yee. they will be widesed particularly
oo the Weymouth die.
Mr. J. B. Oohs Bahl before the swatter la fully mottled
ownora al bones should see whet they en • going to bon
for their mew I Would e cornet be cot off, end the
spur-mob oombe round with • Woo ileum or remain oe
Do2r I _

-ft;• OIgaIMPIAN said the plans will be planed hare before
their are laid before Par Unmet.
Kr. OHS d 1 I not oppose an Improvement; he would
like to have anew bridge and retireeo half the Backwater.
and if this was not done now, the whoa town would soon
be up in ann. to have something better dune.
Mr. Lornu, pointed out that something would be
thrown over on seek gide so the owner. would be tiara
off, and there would to no difficulty. When trucks with
projecUng timbers oome they can just get round now,
and with six feet more that will osa • wonderful
difference. A. to the depth of water be wanted ti point
out we are contemplating an increase of trade in the port,
two boats are running, and when the summer cornea, three
extra potato boats will run. With two French boats,
three Channel Wands boats, three p.tato boats, and the
Weynx.uth and Portland ones; it will be found necessary
to utilise the port of the harbour above the bsidge.
There we hare unlimited apace, whereas below it is coa-
-1 treated, and he urged the harbour ought to be deepened
Iso that ship. elsould not hive to wait. Haring decided to
I lay out t. 5.000 let it be done to the portion, and it rirght
;ho dons, he believed, on the present site. Mr. Bennett
had stated the removal of the atoms would bring the
weight on • different part, end Mr. Lovell added that
eh,oLooks but been roc, wisell Put in, but WM, bad
been removed, and he believed It was very dangerous to
muddle with the pretreat structure ; ills quite possible the
bridge may go into the harbour, and where shall we be
then! It Is possible to makes good Job by sending,
little more, and be hoped they would be in the majority
and be able to
:,irrni,F theth toll. Supposing we want to
bring down the to e loyal, and let the tramway
go over, it is now, t la said the owners near will claim
compensation. But they have already done that for the
tiormeimes liotel7yett. eri,lrred their priqinitjohiacteried., Could
6.. worth.") He did not think ft would cost ab:ve.
/2.000„ nog that we should require • temporary bsidge at
all; a peat.n bridge would sal le for the passengers, and
let the vehicle* pass over by the cemetery. That punt/00
bridge might be made for LlOO or £m
Mr. WALLIS wished to act for the good of Blom he
rapreaaatad, seeing that the meeting at twelve war—he
would not we the wail " packed,' but—not sullciently
large to represent the views of the tow?, he immediatel7.
In the impetuosity of his nature, said • I shall demand a
of this matter will be-1.100 r That
TmbritTleowthn.(llmerakttarsaltkrd otalgtihin.""tDob°ugiotabi
tkooFikli:nhwotTrtllLaclagnithhat.tec"); but be trusted they would exaoerate
him from soy imputation on his public character as trying
to harden the town and the rater..l.ra A. t,ir maatiag
was constituted • legal one he I for the ratepayeri
voice to know if they desired a poll er not?
Mr. Bizingrt : Mr. Wallis has demanded • poll; I
wooed 1c
Mr. Hue; I certainly hope we shall go to a poll,
(Voice "If the bridge should fall down Melcombe Regis
will be starved."),,

,
The CIIALIMAX (to Mr. Willis): You very properly said
" As there is not a suAicient number present I demand a
poll." Again you said "I require a little time to think
over it, for consideration." It is now for consideratiom
whether the poll shall be demaaded or not; the whole
" Wit, rests with you-
Weltratnns... again explained the position. end said
he should take the sense of the meeting.
• VOICE: Is it necessary to hare either the bridge
or the poll. . . _

Mr. Wmxis : I don't care about the cost at all. Igo la
for honesty (bringing his hand heavily on the bar.)
Mr. J. Passoss thought there was an ides that the
malority of the vote. at this meeting would affect the
Bridge question. They had merely to decide whether
there should be a pole or not, and if the borough is polled.
two-thirds of the ratepayers must give their consent before
the Town Council could carry out the alteration.
The Tows Cue& said that the majority would be enough.
Mr. J. PkISONS believed they could not go to Parliament
without a majority of two-third&
Yr COL/ remarked, the question was as to saddling the
town with till° for the expense of a poll, or £7,000 for the
ei of the bridge
Ce. Ceelaxsy It is not saddling the town; it is
saddling the owners of vehicles.
Mr. Hines: Destroying the trade of everything else.
Yr. C. J. FURMAN believed the mere collection of the
toll would be ea great an hindrance to trafffc as the present
narrow bridge, and visitors would certainty object to the
toll. . .

r. HIBBS said there is a very strong feeling that a
public meeting should be really a public one. The late
meeting had raised the feeling of homey in the town that
the vote was obtained by a ede wind, in such a manner as
the town would not recognise or sup port. There wee
nothing like open handedness, open straight forward
conduct. He saw and heard nothrng of the meeting, there
being no Mainsail of the sort going on when be mine into
the Hell, he thought it had been put off. Afterwards he
found an adjourned meeting had been called through the
town crier, and now, when he came to that adjourned
meeting, he found Mr. ifttesgall said it had already been
arranged in the Council, with about 24 people ! Did they
mean to tell him they represented the ratepayers of the
town! The way in which this was taken this morning was
disreputable and dishonest to the ratepayers, and he
ho Mr. Wale would press his motion for • polL Mr.
hit the right nail on the head, when he said " Let
it work a bit, and by-and-by the new bridge would
be demanded; but don t let them put a bridge that would
bring no good but the brewers dram. Again, Mr.
Freeman remarked anithe):olleetion of the tolls. He knew
, Mr. Howard is particularly anxious about this, and had
tried to throw open the whole approach to the other side of
the water; but the trades pleople and people that do
business here would prefer a new bridge carried out
properly, even if it cost itil),000. It had been made
=that the working men would be opposed; but he
Ter known the working man to oppose paying his
share. (Hear.)
Mr. Boum was very happy to hear that Mr. Hibbs is
so strongly in favour of honour and honesty. He had mid
the rown Council had done what was inconsistent with
those, but the meson why the hall was not employed for
the meeting at noon ma the magistrates were engaged
unexpectedly in their duty from eleven till nearly one.
The Council wished to adjourn from their chamber to
here, sent three or four messages, the Town Clerk came In
, two or three times, and • public announcement wee aleo
made in the hall that a public meeting of the ratepayers
upon this gaieties wee being held in this Council-chamber,
and those who Moos were invited to be present. He said
to this the Council had nothing to do with a holwandmormr
nseeting—(sear, hear end great laughter—but that honour
and hearty are quite as much esteemed by them as by
Mr. Hibbs, therefore to make such • charge, so unsupported
as this, against the Town Cloancil, ought not to be done.
Applause) Everything that could be was done that to
riliaMtants might come and express themselves to-night,
for himself, he did not care whether this matter mg
carried, except that many people are anxious to have the
advantages of the improved -bridge. As to a new bridge
the working men would feel a tea of N. in the L. He
advocated the improvement because parties who consider
It would be • great convatience to them are well sble to
pay, and it ought not to be put es • burden on thereto.but those for wham the traffic is carried on should
=TM weight As to theStml ictions of danger—whether
the opinion of Mr. Matheson a skilled engineer, is equal
to that of our great prophet Mr. Bennett, or whether he
knows as 1110Cif as our native prophet about building
bridges, he did not know; the question really was—are
the rateisaYers to pay, or will they put it upon the
vehicular traffic! .

iirTE FAIISOIti said tha other could not he sidled a
public =sting. U the public had no opportunity to
attand.

--Vot-ins: This ought to have been an adjourned °mottos.
Mr. (Imam : Can't we take it this omitting is good for
nothiag I
The Citatimux explained that four meetings were held
In the morning, tames of the county magistrates. the
borough magistrates, the Commlaidonara who sat in the
small room, and the Council in their chamber. The Town
Clerk came into the Court, and asked him to Irei op
publicly sad tell ths people the meeting was held. Ile
again explained the poetion, and after some farther con-
versation took the votes, when a considerable majority
voted in favour at Mr. Wallis going to the poll.
The OnAIIUILN &dared aooordingly, sad the meeting
was dosed with a vole of Umiak&