The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-02-09 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

BOROUGH POLKA Friday.—Before the Mayor.
John Orays, from Cheshire, and Jana Wilson who
dated that he belonged to Dublin, hat whom speeeh did
not bear out that assertion, were severally charged and
pleaded guilty to vagrancy le the borongb.—They were
sash sentensed to seven days' hard labour.

figocg Sam —On flatarday lest, Yams. &niter and
Itowden submitted to public oompetition in a portion
of Lord Portman's Park, the dairy-stock of Mr.
Matthews, of Pimperne, who is relinquishing a portion
of his farm • The attendance was large, and priors
ranged high. Cows with calves from 14 guineas to
£/0: cows from £l2 to 15 guinea.: barrenners
£lO to £l4, and two-year old heifers, a Dios lot of
Herefords from £l4 and upwards.

WOILKING MSll'3 CLUIL—ne fontieenth annual
meeting of the members took place on Friday evening, in
the Reading-room of the Club-house. Yr. T. IL
Park, with his usual kindness, disposed of the =
by pablio auction, indlurcepoac. to a vote of
unanimously paned for his valuable writes, expressed
his unabated interest in the isstilation and kis willing-
ness so long as he yielded the "hammer" of thaw giving
his assiatanoe. Yr. H. Hodges, was this unardineeely
voted to the chair. There was & nuseroes eidsodestee

of juvenile membert but it a matter Ia regret Piet
no,re of the senior itheibtre did not attel the •000.1
meeting at which questions affeetieg the welfare of the
dub are brought forward. Mr. Mann. one of the
theretaries,read the following report: —"Fellow-member.
—On this our fourteenth annual gathering we have
much plenum in presenting to )cru our report The
theounts have undergone the wail audit, and the
hearty thanks of the members are doe to Mr. If.
Hodges, and to Mr. Amu for the thorough builinessr
like manner with which this has been dote. The
treasurer's financial statement will, we autieitate. be
satisfactory. Our prment number of benefit members I
is 95, • deciethe of ten from last year. Daring the
year 134 member. have been on the book., of whom 39
have left. Our library during the pest year has received
SS
income of 61 new books, besides bound volumes of
magazines, makieg • total of 916 volume now available
for the use of our book readera. A bagatelle board haa
been pu raised by the eons i dee for the am themes t alibi
members of the Club, we believe to the entire satidec-
tion of a great number, as it is is daily use—one part
of the advice generally given is not forgotten, for the I
cues (qs)late constantly minded, whatever may be laid
of the Ps. Our list of honorary members Ins been
slightly increased during ths pad year, and the aineere
and grateful thanks of the Club erodes to our honorary
members for their continual support. Also to those
gentlemed who have so kindly helped us in the penny
readings our hearty thanks are due, and the committee
, would express a hope that the number of readers may
increase, and that the readings may be more frequent.
To Mrs. Edwards and to the members of the Glee Union
we are greatly indebted ; our warmest thanks ere due
to them for their ever ready and well-executed ervi cc 3
In carrying out the mn4wl portion of our programmes
at the readings. The manager and his wife aontinue
ever to manifest the semis good attention to the eleanii•
nese and warmth of the rooms, the arrangement of
ever* and periodicals, the trine of books, and the
comfort of members in general. We now place our
report before you, and conclude by wishing you all •
happy neW year, and Increasing prosperity to the club."
The Chairman having invited the opinion of the
members on the report, Mr. C. Millard inquired if any
Cause could be aseigned why tee number of members
was 10 less than last year, and whether it did not partly
arise through dieutisfsetion with the new books
supplied to the library.—Mr. Butt stated that he under.
stood there was each dissatisfaetion, and that some of
the members had left in eocisequenee.—fn reply to the
chairmen, Mr. Willis. the manager, stated that he knew
of fear who hail left because, as they alleged, they bad
, read the greater part of the works already in the
library, and eould net be supplied to their theta—Mr.
Millard aid that hit reason for asking the question was
this, because O'er 25 had been expended in now books,
and it was of imporlante to the interests of the Web
that the books parehthed shot% be of that clam which
would tend to raise the inthlisetral Menmeter of the
members.—The Chairman, in reply said, that so dar as
his experience went. purely intellectual works were the
least read or inquired for by the members. Light
literature was the most In request. —Mr. Mum said
that if members objected to the books, the beet way
would be to move a yak, of beneath on the secretary and
committee, and takethe sense of the meeting upon it.—
Mr. Amey thought surth a remark totally uncalled for.
Surely any member bad a perfect right to ask questions
on such a subject, without it being taken in any way
personally—Mr. Mann, in explanation, said that • lid
of the books was laid before the committee and not a
single dissentient voice was raised against them. They
were able to punkas., for • little over £5 what would
otherwise have oust £lO. After some farther discussion,
the report as read, was adopted.—The Chairman then
rolled upon the treasurer to read his report and balance
sheet, of which the following lien abstract. —Receipts.—
&knee in hand 1867-8 £l9 2.. 31d.; honorary members
subscriptions, Cl 6 2s. ; members monthly subscriptions.
£3O 3a. 70. Library members, let 3d., entrance few,
17a., visitors penes and fines, 9s. 44.; lectures and
readings £ll 17s. 100. ;surplus books and catalogues,
12s. ; sale of papers. £2 6s. 3d.; rent of room, ES 10s. ;
bank interest ss. fsd., error in payment to frothed,
3e. 64—total, £BB se. 74c1.—Diebursements.--Gratnity
to manager £2 ; rent 2L4; rate., huntranes, wale, wood,
gas, be., £l2 17s. 2d., tradesmen's bills, £l7 4s. 104. ;
books, £5 9s. fsd. ; lecturer's theorises £6; hire of Town.
hail, and Corn Fachange, £3j ; bagatelle board,
£2 ; secretaries' journey to London, 1:3 16..;
secretaries' salaries, £3 3a. ; incidentals, be., £3, total,
£73 31., leaving • balance In hand of EIS 5..
Butt called attention to the item £3 161. for secretaries'
journey to London, and inquired for what purpose such
journey was taken. The Chairman replied thus •
project for a conference of delegates from the Working
Men's Club.' throughout the kingdom, was scot down
and laid before the committee of the Blanaford Club,
and after the matter had been fully discussed, it was
decided to seed their two secretaries to represent them
at the conference. The personal ex penses of the delegates
were guaranteed, and the only outlay Incurred was that
for travelling. Mr. Butt'said he badasbeel for informa-
tion as no one could tell him what benefit the club
derived from suoh visit. He had asked two or three of
the committee but they could not inform him.—The
Chairman said he was one of the committee, and was
certainly strongly in favour of delegates being sent, as
he believed that the Blandford flab was one of the
oldest, if notitheoldest4oreeineial Working Men's Club,
end he certainly considered that at such an important
eneetiog they ought to be represented. With reseect to
what took place at the conference Mr. Mann would, he
' bad no doubt, give them some particulars M .—Mr. ann
baring done so to the satisfaction of the members
present, the treasurer's balance sheet was mooed, and a
vote of thanks awarded to Mr. Eiger for his long con-
tinued and able assistance. Mr. Meadeu, declining to
continue his services as joint secretary, Mr. Mann was
elected at • salary of three pineal per annum. Vote.
of thanks were then passed to the auditors. The
following members were nominated, and chosen on the
committee for the inning year.—Mesers. H. Warehun,
R. Mieikle, W. Meikle, 11. Hodges. T. George W. Lance,
Amity, Or later, J. Lance, F. Freke, J. H. Bartlett.
Mr. Maiden consented to take the pleas of anyone of
the above, who declined to fill the °Mee. Votes of
thanks were then passed to Mr. Bastard, the honorary
members, and the chairman, sod the meeting broke up.