The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-05-09 00:00:00

PORTLAND.

FREZMASONRT.—Bro. Nicholas Howard has been re-
elected W.M. of the Portland Lodge, No. 1037, for
the current year.

RETURN OF THE FLEET.—On Wednesday next is ex-
I ported the return of the Channel Fleet from Lisbon,
to take up their anchorage once more in Portland Roads.
AN IDEPROVEMENT.—Mr. John Patten, builder,
Portland, has been the successful competitor for the
building about to be erected for Mr. Russell, draper,
adjoining the bank, Fortun.'s Well. The design, which
is in keeping with the site of the bank, is by Mr.
Robert Bennet, architect, Weymouth. The building
will be proceeded with immediately.
Naw GUARD SHIP.—The Frederick William is re-
placed by the St. George, 72 guns. She arrived
on Friday afternoon, having left Falmouth the
previous evening, and had a fine passage up, only the
wind was ahead. This arrival will, no doubt, give an
influx to trade in this island, and cause things to "look
up." It has been Nery dull lately.
TRANSFER ir LICENBES.—At the County Petty
Sessions, at Dorchester, last Saturday, the f ollowing
licenses were transferred :—Royal Victoria Lodge. Hotel,
from George Lane to Charles White; Castle Inn, from
Jehu Gould to Thomas Howard; Sun Inn, from the
late Josiah Thompson to his widow; Clifton Hotel,
from Charles White to William Stehle.
SAD FATE 07 A NAVAL OFFlCER.—Staff•Commander
Scott, late of H.M.S. Frederick William, recently re-
moved from Portland Roadstead to Queenstown, was
last seen on board the ship early on Friday evening,
April 28. At a time when it is well known he was in
some compartment below, the sentry on deck heard the
bell in his room ring. It is reported that a splash like
that which a heavy body falling into the water would
produce was heard almost at the sometime. The sentry
Nurricd to the commander's apartment, but he found
no one there. Suspicion was aroused and a search made,
but no trace of the commander could be found on board.
No tidings have been found of the gentleman, or rather
his body, since. Tie unfortunate gentleman has left
to mourn his untimely end a wife and four children.
"THE CLIFTON."—On Tuesday evening • few friends
met at the Clifton Hotel to partake of a repast provided
by mine host Steine, who has lately taken the above hotel,
between 20 and 30 sat down to the good things provided.
Mr. Bristowe presided, and proved himself the "right
man in the right place." The vice-chair was also most
ably filled by Mr. Charles White. The cloth being
removed the Chairmen gave the 'Queen," and it was
liOTronwneddedbtay itnhea r`ilitinlaceyaloTaWeales, This
was
Lquointtelyr
members of the Royal family' which was also drank
with applause. Several good songs were sting between
the toasts. The healths of the Host, Chairman. Vice-
Chairman, Visiting Friends, and &e., were drank with
the honors, and severally responded to. The "Prose,"
coupled with the name of our corresponding agent for
this district, was given and responded to, and toasts,
songs, glees and sentiments were the order, until the
small hours of morning. Success to the Clifton Hotel
and ite inmates was the wish of many as they departed
to their homes.

EXETER COURT OF BANKRUPTOT.—Tneschy : Before
Mr. Commissioner Andrews.—Re Wm. White, of
Portland, Dorset, butcher, dealer, and chapman.
Meeting for last examination and discharge.—Mr.
Terrell appeared for the estate.—The official assignees
stated :—Bankrupt's liabilities, £41.2 19s. Bd. ; payable
in full, £7 10s. ; total, £420 9s. Bd.; assets, good. debts,
£39 4s. 24(1. ; doubtful, £1 16s. 4t; bad, £7 Is. 6d.;
estimated value, £39 4a. 21.; property given tip,
£2B 10s. 6A; total meets, £67 14s. Bd. ; deficiency,
£359 15s. Bankrupt's expenditure for the past two
years, £lOO per annum. The debts were estimated at
the amount of those entered as good, but the debtors
could not be applied to for payment within a few days,
as he had only recently received the books from Mr.
Look, the solicitor to the estate, who detained them.
The bankrupt had disregarded his repeated requests for
his attendanoe at his offioe to render his assistance in
making out his debtors' accounts, and giving informa-
tion as to his affairs. The bankrupt comes to the court
on his own order. The creditors' assignee is Mr. Jno.
Laver, of Weyinouth. The Commissioner asked Mr.
Look why he had retained the bankrupt's books.—Mr.
Lock said he thought he had a lien on them.—The Com-
missioner: Have you looked into the Act, MO—Mr.
Lock: No, I have not, or I should not have kept them.
—The Commissioner said that owing to the bankrupt's
conduct the examination would have to be adjourned
for a considerable period. It was a bankrupt's duty to
attend the office of the official assignee, and give every
information in his power, so that it might be known
what state his affairs were in. He adjourned the ex-
amination until the 30th of May.
A STRIKR.--1T is singular to have to record a Portland
strike. Wears hsppy, however, to say it is not a pro-
tracted one. The Portland quarrymen are proverbial for
their tenacity to their rights and privileges, and, when
put to the test, they always show a bold front. The
cause of the disagreement appears to have been owing
to some contractors undertaking to work the cap and
rubble, and to quarry the stone at Weymouth and
Kinson, and introduce some of their own countrymen
(Yorkshire). A large number were said to be coming to
commence the work. This appears to have given great
umbrage, and on Monday a number of the Portlanders
struck, considering this an innovation upon their
ancient customs. On Tuesday many others turned out
and met near the " Traveller's Rest." At length the
agent put in an appearance, and, after making inquiries
and ascertaining their wishes, the arrangement made
was that the men should return to their labour, and
that no more Yorkshiremen should be allowed to work
in the quarries. They were to work the stone at 4s. 9d.
per ton, instead of working by day work, the contractors
to find all tools and plant. This arrangement appeared
to give satisfaction to the majority of the men, and
they were ordered to return to work the next morning.
Mr. Edward Pearce then asked the men what they
intended to do respecting their sick gatherings
he wished they could establide a sick fund amongst
themselves. Some of the quarrymen advocated 10s., and
some 12e. per week, but ultimately it was decided that
fis. per week should be paid either in sickness or
accident, and a man being ill for a month should receive
four weeks' sick pay. Many of them it was understood
were in benefit societies at the present time, and if too
large a sum were given, they would receive more in
sickness than in health. A committee was proposed to
draw up a code of rules whereon to base their calcula-
Vons, and submit them to the men assembled at a
future time. The proceedings were conducted in a very
orderly manner, and there was none of that mischievous
feeling engendered such as is too often the'casein these
unfortunate struggles. We hope the Portland men will
see the evil of strikes, and always reason sensibly and
temperately, rather than allow passion to overcome
their judgment. We congratulate them on their general
good behaviour on this OCOILEiOD, and hope the time may
be far distant when they will be compelled to have
recourse to strikes to carry out their wishes.

MINTERNE.
LORD AND LADY DICEY returned to town on TUN-
day, from Minterne House, Dorset. The marriage
of the Hon. 'Victoria Digby with Mr. Marker,
nephew to Lord Poltimore, will take place the latter
end of this month. An influential deputation from
Lord Digby's tenantry at Minterne, and from many
of the inhabitants of Came Abbas, waited by
appointment at Minterne House on May-day to
testify the esteem and respect in which his lordship
and family are held in the neighbourhood, and to
offer their congratulations and good wishes on the
approaching event, and further to present the
affianoed bride with a chaste and elegant silver tea
service as a wedding gift. Dr. Dowling, on behalf
of the deputation, said a few words on presenting
the gift, which was graciously received and suitably
acknowledged. It bears ths following inscription
"Presented to the Hon. Victoria Alexandria& Digby
on her marriage, by some of the inhabitants of Cerne
Abbas and Minterne, with their beat wishes for her
happiness." The kind reception aooorded to the
deputation was very gratifying.

WAREHAM.
THE COMING ELECTION. —We bear that J. S. W.
H. Erie Drax, Esq., will offer himself for re-election
to represent this borough in the next Parliament
There is some talk of an opposition.
AT a meeting of the Board of Gsardians on Tuesday,
May 2, Mr. J. Hallett, relieving officer for Use district
of Bern Regis, was appointed inspector of nuisances ler
the pariah of Morden.
Goaanhuis.—At the first meeting of the newly-
elected Board of Guardians, held on Tuesday, Mr. John
Hales Caloran was re-appointed chairman, and Mr. W.
Voss vice-chairman, Mr. W. Cl. Lacy being appointed
second. vice-chairman, in the stead of Mr. J. A. Dam en,
who does not come in this year. The following members
were appointed the Union Assessment Committee for
_
E. J. Weld, H. Frampton,