The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-01-26 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

The Crown Hotel annual market dinner was cele-
brated on Saturday last. About 40 of the principal
agriculturists, corndealers, and others attending the
Blandford market were present. Mr. Henry Fookes
presided, and Mr. George Lock fulfilled the duties of
the vice chair. The usual loyal and other toasts
were given and duly responded to, and the evening
was much enlivened by the performance of Mr.
Eyers' quadrille band, and the singing of some good
songs. The dinner was of a most sumptuous des•
cription, and called forth the warmest praise from all
present. We must not forget to mention that up-
wards of £5 was collected at the table towards the
Salkeld testimonial.

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. RICHARD WEEKS—On
Wednesday evening last a handsome silver cup and
a purse of 50 sovereigns were presented to this well
known Jehu, at the Crown Hotel, Blandford, in
token of the respect and esteem felt towards him for
his conduct during the 20 years he has handled the
"ribbons" of the Magnet. The testimonial was
handed to him by Mr. Eyers, the present proprietor
of that coach, who spoke of Mr. Weeks in a very
kmd and complimentary manner, and trusted he
would live for many years to enjoy the respect and
esteem of his friends, and that at his death the cup
would be handed down with pride to his family.
Mr. Weeks briefly returned thanks, and was warmly
congratulated by his friends.
ODD FELLOWSHIP—On Monday last "The Loyal
Blandford Lodge," in connection with the Manches-
ter Unity of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
was opened at the White Horse Inn, in this town, by
officers of the society from the Poole district, when
a number of young men availed themselves of the
boon thus offered, applied for admission, and became
initiated members, and we confidently anticipate that
ere long their number will be considerably aug-
mented. The election of the various officers and a
multiplicity of other business consequent upon the
occasion having been completed, the newly enrolled
members, together with the officers from Poole, par-
took of an excellent supper served up in good style
by the landlord of the inn, Mr. Robert Stickland, to
whom great commendation is due, he having placed
at the sal of the members a capacious room for
holding their meetings and transacting the gene-
ral btuaness of the branch. N. G. Foster ably pre-
sided on the occasion, the vice-chair being occupied
by V. G. Hood. After the removal of the cloth
several good speeches were delivered in favour of
the principles of Odd Fellowship, and in apprecia-
tion of the numerous benefits and advantages deriva-
ble from the society by those who became connected
with it. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were
drunk amidst much cheering, and were heartily res.
ponded to, and all present experienced a most agree-
able and pleasant evening.

EXTRAORIIIRART REWEiNG FEAT.—On Monday
last Ekon, the 121Aii whoa fortnight ago walked the
distanee betiveeii Dorchester arid "Blarlaferd 18 times
in 6 days, ran 10 miles within the hour in a field in
the occupation of Mr. Joseph Hart at the top of
Salisbury-street. A circle of a fifth of a mile WAS
measured out, and a large concourse of people assem-
bled. Eisen kept up an equal pace throughout,
never once stopping, and doing each mile within a
few seconds of six minutes. He was a little winded at
the conclusion of the feat but recovered very quickly.
A subscription was made for him by the bystanders,
who loudly cheered him on the accomplishment of
his task.
FIRE Vi'onts.—Mr. Gyngell, the well known
pyrotechnitt, e*Mbited apitnd display of fireworks
in the Market.plaee on kriday evening; arid after-
wards gave a magical entertainment at the Assenibly
Rooms.

SHAFTESBITRY.
The Directors of the National Provincial Bank of
England have again presented all the officer* in their
establishment with a bones of 10 per dent npo'n
their salaries for the past year.

STURMINSTER NEWTON.
Lscroms. —On Tuesday evening the members of the
Literary Institution were favoured by Mr. W. C.
Isaac with a lecture on Spring," a very pleasing
composition, poetical, practical, and admonitory.
There was a large, respectable, andattentive audience,
who appeared to appreciate and enjoy the lecture.
The lecture annottimed for the coming week by Mr.
Huxtable is looked forward to with pleasure by all
classes.

BRIDPORT.
Costrarrnon.—lt is rumoured that the South-
Western Railway Company intend placing a steam-
boat on the line between London and Bndport, in
order to compete with the Great-Western Railway
Company. As most of the principal traders and
manufacturers of Bridport are interested in the new
railway there seems little probability of such an en-
terprize as that just hinted at paying. However,
there is, we understand, a steamboat, the Pioneer,
passing weekly to and fro between London and
Bristol, calling at Fahnouth ; and it is stated,
although the Great Western Railway so nearly con-
nects 'Bristol with the metropolis, that the traffic
by water commtuncation is remunerative.

WAREHAM.
QUEEN'S SCHOLARSHIPS—We are happy to state
that Messrs. Dugdale and Churchill, and the Misses
Ball and Arnold, have all been successful in obtaining
scholarships at the Christmas examination. The
above were from the National School, and will make
up the number of eleven from this school who have
obtained scholarships; six of them are filling impor-
tant situations. It might be interesting to add, that
during the last ten years almost forty persons trained
in this school are conducting schools in various parts
of the country. The average attendance in this
school for the present week is 254.