The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-10-14 00:00:00

!POI

everything to pieces. Alluding to the war in America, I
the Chairmen' said that although perhaps the war in
that cauntry might not affect this country at present,
still when it was over, events might arise which would
place us In • very different position, and he thought it
was necessary that we should be ready for all emer-
gencies. (Cheers). 'With the toast of "The Army
Neu, and Volunteers," the Chairman ooupled the
name of Sergeant-Major Cornelius, of the Afith Somerset
(Crewkerne) Volunteetei
Sergeant-Major Coilitridon briefly responded. He
said he was in hopes that sonic one was to have repre-
sented the Army or Navy, and thus have saved himself
the trouble of responding to the toast. He was very
proud to belong to the Volunteers. He was very much
surprised that Chard did not have a stronger corps of
Volunteers when he looked at the population of the
town, In the parish in which lie resided their corps
numbered lit men, without the band. He concluded
by thanking the coutpany for the reception the toast
had met with, and tot the honour they had done him
in coutilig he name with it.
The v. IL Tiloileson Bald he had the Chaitman'a
permission to propene the next toast: The Labourers'
Friend Society would meet next Thursday at Ihninster,
He believed that society promoted the interests of the
farnier,—notwithstanding what they said to the con-
trary of tlie labourers and of the landowner.
(Cheers.) He need hot tecomtnend to them a gentle-
moan who they saw occupying the chair, and ;Shout
they all knew so well. He had not the honour of the
chairman's acquaintance for many years, but when
ever he had wet him it was always with feelings of
pleasure. (Cheers.) He (the vicar) thought they had
a good branch of • good stock, and they would
not find a better man to grace the chair in
meetings of this kind. He trusted that they
would give a good welcome to Mr. Addington for his
kindness in presiding that day. (The toast was re-
ceived with much enthusiasm).
The CHAIISMAN, in response, remarked that when
Mr. Thompson had his permission to propose • toast,
he did not tell him what the toast Was to be, or
perhaps he should not have given him liberty to do so.
However, as they had been good enough to drink his
health, he retutned them his sincere thanks for it, and
he wits much pleased that they were satisfied in having
him as their chairman that day. (Cheers.) It was true
that he had not been amongst them very often of late,
but he attributed the cause of it to be, that the
morality of the town had improved so mach, that there
WAS no need of his visiting it as a magistrate. (Cheers.)
He WAS always pleased to take part in proceedings of
this kind, and he was much obliged to those gentlemen
who had the management of the society for taking his
parish into their district, and lie should endeavour to
induce his neighbours to become members and exhi-
bitors, and show more stock than had been exhibited
that day. (Cheers.) He then asked them to drink suc-
cess to the Chard Agricultural Society." He did not
know what sort of an exhibition they had had, but he
had seen some of the finest Dorset sheep that he had
met with for a long time. He thought the Dorset
sheep which had been shown that day, would induce
farmers to carry some of them into their own country.
Nothing could be more beneficial to farmers than
meetings of this kind. He thought that if they looked
back to any branch of industry, nothing had been of
more advantage than the discussion of topics which
induced farmers and landowners to act together, and
was for the mutual improvement of both they and their
neighbours. (Cheers.) They had seen instances of the
good results arising from this source, both in the Seth
and Week of England and the Royal Agricultural
Societies. He hoped that if there ware any gentlemen
in the room who were not members of the Chard Agri-
cultural Society, they would at once join the society and
assist in the movement, and be instrumental in im-
proving the agriculture of the district. (Cheers.) The
chairman concluded by proposing " Success to the
Chard Agricultural Society."
W. Dommrrr, Req., acknowleged the toast, observing
that it was, in a great measure, owing to their chair-
man's presence that they had so large • gathering
around the festive board. Since the time this society
was established, about six years ago, great fears were
entertained as to its suooess. Some people laughed at
the idea of Chard haying an Agricultural Society,
because the countly was so hilly, whilst others laughed
because the stock were not good enough to compete,
Cod lastly became the land of Goshen, (liminster,) was
included in the district. (Laughter.) Since the society
had been established, he was proud to say the stock of
the district had improved, and this was not all, a great
desire to improve stock had sprung up. (Applause.)
The society was prospering, and he had no doubt it
would be a success. The war in America had affected
the town to a great extent, and it was not in a very
good position at the present moment. He trusted that
they would not bold their show upon a Weyhill fair
day again as then they would have mote farmers, and
a larger ;how of stook.
E. CLABKIC, Esq., rose to propose "The flealths of
the Lord Lieutenant and Magistrates of the County," in
a few neat remarks.

The Cimuitsw said he believed it was his duty to
respond to the toast, as he was the only magistrate
present. He said it had been suggested to have paid
Magistrates, but he much doubted if that would be an
improvement upon the present system, and the morals
of the people were so improving, that they would be
paid for doing nothing. With regard to the Lord
Lieutenant, be is known to no not only as a
man of business but as a farmer. It had been
his (the chairman's) duty to have acted with
him on many occasions, and he had always
taken a very active part and given many useful hints,
and done much for the good of those connected with
tgliculttrre. (Applause.) The Chairman concluded by
giving a &Meets to the Tewn and Trade of Chard," and
said he thought they would soon Sea the town improve
when the railway was brought into it.
E. CLARKE, Esq.' then proposed "The Health of the
Vice-ohairman," and said that Mr. Wyatt was a capital
farmer and a good friend,and was also a good vice-chair-
man. (Cheers.)
Mr. Wratr said he thanked them for the very kind
Manner in. ?obi& his health had been proposed and re-
oeived. He was proud to say thfrt their society was
doing well, although the show was not a very large one,
but it was owing to the fair at Weyhill. IFIe observed

that it would be. much more enootiraging to farmers if
landlords would pull down the old farmhouses and
stables which had. been standing for centuriee, and build
new oh'es. Such a step would induce farmers to have
bettek stock if the. landlords would provide better
accommodation. ((Meets.'
The CHAIRMAN then gave "the health at the
Umpires," and said the society was much indebted to
those gentleman for their services. Perhaps some of
their decisions might not please, but they had done
their duty well. (Cheers.) He was much obliged to Mr.
iryatt for the remarks he had made. It was a great
easute tot the latidlOrds to be " to up" some-
imes, and he Was always glad to hear what the tenant
farmer had to say. (Applause.) It had 'been sald
that the best way to improve the condition of the
tenant farmers would be to raise his rent. He con-
cluded by again thanking the judges, and said that they
must have had great difficulty in coming to their
decisions as the animals wars all of high merit.
(Cheerii
MR. ENNINGS briefly responded. lie coughtta ated
the society upon the show of stock in the various asses,
but in some few the competition was not very spirited.
In Dorset sheep the competition was very good, and
the judges had some difficulty in coming to a decision,
as also in hackney colts. He thanked the company lor
the manner in which they hid received the toast of the
um plies.
Mr. Aplin then read the following