The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-05-06 00:00:00

Sometortobirt.

YEOVIL. —SUDDIN RECOVIRT OF HEARING
AND SPEECH. —James Mason, a tramp, feigning to
be deaf and dumb, to elicit the charity of • bene-
volent public, was brought before F. Greenharn,
Esq., on Saturday, charged with begging. It
appears he had been levying blackmail on the loyal
citizens for two or three days previously, by means
of a petition, stating that he was "deaf and dumb,
and without tongue or earholes, by trade a stone
engraver and letterer, but for the last 29 weeks out
of work." On Saturday mornieg he went to the
Castle Inn, and by means of a slate pencil appealed
to the occupants. Re obtained a penny and a glass
of ale, but suspicious being entertained as to the
existence of his physical infirmities, information
was given to the police, who speedily had him in
the grip of the law. Upon reaching the station the
use of one of his faculties suddenly returned to him,
and he called for water; and when before the
magistrates it was evident that there was little, if
any, defect in his hearing. On being told that he
was committed for 14 days' hard labour, he ex-
pressed his thanks to the magistrate. To guard
others against the deception of the imposter, we
may add that he is between 50 and 60 years of age,
about 5 feet and • half high, dark complexion, and
dark clothes.

A MIEINDKRSTANDING. —Mark Ricketts, II car-
penter of Yeovil, was summoned before the county
bench of magistrates on Friday, for cruelly in-
truding his wife. The husband, by the face of his
better half, it appeared, had been taking a few lessons
in portrait painting, Mn. Ricketta having a die.
coloured= of both eyes, with a slight abrasion of
the skin. The defence set up was a neglect of
domestic duties, and selling part of the husband's
geode. lie farther Oftded that the wife wee the

aggressor, assisted by his eldest son, The case wag
ultimately adjourned te the 7th of May to see if the
happy couple could heal their differences without
magisterial intervention.
GREAT CRY, LITTLE WOOL."—A late assistant
of Professor Gingell, named Caldwell, after an ad.
journment from the previous evening, attempted on
Thursday to gratify the public with a pyrotechnic
display, the handbill leading anyone to suppose
that they would behold an exhibition not mutiny
seen In the West of England. It was a miserable
exposition, and we beg to hint to the operator that
though Lynch Law may be an American institution,
yet it may be attempted even in Eogland, and the
public are not to be called from home by fah.
,pretences. To retrieve his character the shadow of
the professor essayed another exhibition on Monday
evening with somewhat better success.
CERTIFICATE ON MERIT.. -Mr. P. S. Colmer, son
of Mr. Colmer' chemist, of Middle-street, at the
closoof the winter amnion, was awarded a first class
certificate of merit in the Materia Medico section
of the Andersonian University of Glasgow.
• ADDITIONAL RAILWAY AOCONNIODATION.
Arrangements are in progress for making a piece lot
line connecting the Great Western Railway with the
South Western Line, at the Yeovil Junction Station,
thus bene6tting passengers, and facilitating the ex-
change of goods traffic. The necessary parliamentary
powers were obtained some time since, but the un.
certainty as to the permanency of the Junction SW
tion militated against its speedier formation. The
contract has been placed in the hands of R. Brother-
hood, Esq., of Chippenham.
VIC4TRT MEETING AT Sr. JOHN'S CHIIRCIL—The
annual vestry was held on Thursday, for the first
time in the new vestry room, formed out of one of
the crypta formerly need as a storeroom. The
churchwarden's account she wed that from church.
rates,£l43 12s. Id. had been received; cask received
from burial board,£3o 7s. Od. ; monies received on
account of bell ringing, £3, making a total of £176
198. Id. On the opposite side we find that thevisita.
tier) fees were,l9s.; land tax on school 2s. 4d.; insurance
£6 19s. 3d. ' • registration of the Rev. W. James, as
curate, 3s. ; cash paid to T. Lyon, Esq., Secretary of
Registration Committee, £l3B Se. od.; commission on
collecting rates, £7 Ile. 9s. ; cash paid to the vicar
on account of burial board, £lO 2s. 4d. ; ditto the
Rev. J. D. Elliott, £lO 2s. 4d. ; cash paid to Mr.
Mead for cleaning lectern, Si. ; cash paid to Mr.
Jeans, forbell ropes,l3B.—total £1753.. Od.,leaving
a balance in hand of £1 16s. Id. lieirs charity
account shewed that-the income for Dm year wag
£l7 198. 10d. ; and the expenditure £lB 4e. &1.,
being dne to the churchwardens 4s. Bcl. A discussion
then enacted and took a wide range—from the
amount into which the church was insured to the
whereabouts of some registers and an old bible
belonging to the pariah.
VESTRY MEETING FOR HOLY TRINITy. —The
parishioners met on Thursday in the vestry, under
the presidency of the Rev. J. D. Elliott. The
churchwardens accounts 'hewed a balance in hand
at the commencement of 1561, of £5 165.
collected pew rents, £6O 14s. —total £66 10s. 34d.
The expenses were £62 6s. 34d., leaving a balance
in band of £4 4s. Messrs. Penny and R. Welsh
were chosen churchwardens. A vote of thanks to
the retiring churchwardens, and to the chairman for
presiding, concluded the business of the meeting.
MEETING ON GUARRIANS.—The first assembling of
the new Board was on Friday last. The Revs R. Rapala
was re-appointed ehairman, and Messrs. Wood and
Trask re-elected as vice-chairmen. Votes of thanks for
past services were accorded them. The visiting and
finance committees were chosen, Mr. Kettle on the
latter being selected in the room of Mr. K. Raymond,
who has ceased to be a member of the Board. Some
discussion ensued upon the proposition being put as to
the appointment of the school committee, several being
in favour of its consisting of the whole Board, while
others were in favour of • selection. The latter view
was carried. The united *accent* for the various
parishes were then read and passed, after which the
Board separated.
YEOVIL UNITED CRICKET CDOE.—The opening of the
summer campaign was effected on Tuesday last, by a
friendly game being oplayed between the members.
We do not net why this manly and exciting game
should have lees attrition paid it than prior to the for.
mation of the Rifle Corp.. In Yeovil that charge can-
not be brought, but in many other places the withering
influences of the volunteer movement is more mpicially
felt. Judging from the play displayed on Tuesday, we
believe that the Y. U. C. ei has nothing to fear from
opponents, if it does but to itself prove true. "Practise
and persevere" should be the talismanic words. After
the finish of the outdoor exercise, the members and
friends adjourned to the interior of the Pen Mill hotel,
to partake of that, without which, any meeting of
Englishmen is said to be incomplete—a dinner. The
catering of the hostelry is so well known in Dorset and
Somerset that to mention Pen Mill hotel is sufficient.
With knives shall!, and appetites sharper, hill justice
was done to the 'spread." The usual patriotic and
complimentary Masts were given, and warmly responded
to; the toast of the evening—" Success to the Yeovil
United Cricket Club "being especially put from the
Chair in a felicitous and happy manner by Dr. Bennett,
and ably responded to by the vice-chairmen, MT.
Edward& Several honorary and playing members Were
proposed and accepted. The remainder of the evening
was spent in the expression of kind feelings, and song
and sentiment had full scope.
PENSFORD. —On Wednesday afternoon the anni-
'versary of the Pensford Friendly Society was held
at the Wesleyan Chapel, when addresses were
delivered to the members of the society by several
ministers and friends, and the party afterwards
adjourned to the grounds of Mr. J. C. Wait, the
treasurer of the society, who had kindly invited the
members to spend the remainder of the day on his
beautiful lawn, where they were substantially
treated to a plentiful supply of tea and cake,
furnished in first-rate style. The day was very
pleasantly spent, and the company separated early
in the evening. The society is in a very flourishing
condition, and during the year several new members
have been enrolled.
WEST COKER. —San REsuLTE OF INORDTRATI
DRINICING.—An inquest was held on Wednesday,
before Dr. Wybrants, coroner, and • respectable
jury, as to the cause of death of William Woods,
aged 44. On Saturday evening it appears he wee
very much under the Maumee of drink, and on
his way home he fell over a wall or embankment of
thirteen feet high, receiving such injuries as to
result in death. He was seen by one or two persons
lying under the wall, but fancying that he was only
drunk, and that sleep would restore him, no Rake
was taken of him. From a little after twelve Os
Saturday night, until about 8 o'clolk on Sunday
morning, he remained without attention.icAt length
he was discovered by the humane village policeman,
and taken home, expiring about 11 o'clock on
Monday morning. The jury returned a verdict of
"Died from the effects of falling from a wall."

MARTOCK. EArrza VIEwiILT Maretso. 7-92

—.416 ceer•Wp—;•36eii:Vast ii-urtiii;eira -of the
rate-payers began to congreigate around the church,
which 'made it too evident that matters of no ordinal
interest were about to be discussed. After an ad,
jeurnment to the ',Schoolroom, the chair was taken
without request or proposition, by the vicar. Tlie
ordinary business of the meeting—passing accounts, &a.
elicited no particular remarks or notice (however illegal
some of the items charged may have been) until the
appointinemt of churchwardens for the year ensuing,
when the vicar remarked upon the vtrife and division
which had unhappily so long existed between himeelf
and his churehwarden, and endeavoured to convince
the meeting that nothing but the dismissal of both the
present officers and the election of two flesh Onel
would restore the harmony of the pariah. Suiting the
action to the word, he immediately nominated Mr.
'Gwrge Stuckey, surgeon to be Aia churchwarden ill
'the place of Mr. Wood, vilio has assiduously discharged
the duties for eight or ten years. Mr. Thomas
',Dight proposed, and Mr. George Parsons
seconded, Mr. Haggett Richards, of Stapleton House, (a
-young gentleman much beloved end respected by eve/
one in the room) as parish churchwarden. Then
followed a display of feeling such as is seldom
witnessed. Dr. Martin proposed, and Mr. Samuel
Darby seconded,Mr. Wood as being suited to the office.
Each gentleman stated his reasona for the course he
had pursued. Mr. Marty la d,epreoated the bitterness
and strife which had so long existed, and, in reply to as
excited gentleman near him, asserted that the vicar was
the cause of eJL Mr. John Nicholetta followed ins'
able speech, lamenting all the evils and setting forth
the wisdom and necessity of restoring Mr. Wood to °filo&
Mr. Nicholett'a earnest efforts to restore and preeerve
the peace of the parish will not very soon be forgot'
ten by those who heard him. The friends if each earl
supported the man of their choice with much ability,
and the vicar disclaimed most emphatically being do.
serving of the imputations made; and profeased, with
much apparent sincerity, to be deeply anxious that
peace and good will might reign. Mr. Wood addressed
the meeting for neatly an hour, pouring forth
avalanche of withering words, which we have no doubt
will be productive of benefit to all. Ile also repudiated
the charges laid against him—traced the alleged era'
to their source, and declared, in impassioned langur'
hie firm adherence to the old protestant orthodox
religion," and his determination to resist thow
encroachments on its parity which are too conspicuous
in many localities. After touching upon all the we'
tent points bearing on the subject he declared Me
preference to decline the office of churchwarden, were
it not from a sense of public duty and rasped for
call of the parishioners. It is due to Mr. 11
_1184!,"
Richards to state that he repeatedly expressed a ,";
to retire from the contest, but his friends dragged °I;
to a polL A show of hands was then taken. when "
were held up for Mr. Itichards, and 120 for Mr. Wsid„,
Mr. W. G. Palmer proposed a vote of thanks to /U.
Elliott, which was seconded by Mr. bight, and canied
, by acclamation. The meeting then broke up.
• SRI PTON.—.lttwfftliut THEAT.-011 Easter sasn'
1 tress
day the Lady Georgina Pane gave the illtllls
to the school children of Brimpton do A,boot 100
assembled on the West lawn at 4 o'clock, when they
were ushered into the spacious entrance ball ""
they partook of tea, buns, cakes, &a., do. Her 1931'
ship in her usual kind manner 'superintended the tilde'
which added much to the comfort and pleasure of th!
children. After they bad partaken of sufficient fool
they adjourned to the South lawn, were they sum""`
themselves with dancing, ball playing, runpri g'
jumping, and other juvenile games, till 8 o'clock, w.
they retired to their respective homes, their nibns!
Impressed with pleasure of having had • jovial ma
Innocent day's recreation.
STORR—On Wednesday, a concert from the wcrire.,
of Beethoven and other eminent composers solte IP°e"
in the, church schoolroom, in aid of the school buildul
destroyed by fire about twelvemonths since The who
of the pieces were executed in a masterly manner, infe.
particularly Beethoven's pastoral symphony.
Walker, of Martock, and Mr. H. M. Custard, of Yee
m u_
lent their veluable assistance in the good cause. !
juveniles who deserved to have their names pa
i blished,
indulged n unseemly oondust, to the annoyance of thso
who were analogs to imbibe di this blautiful mug*

WESTOS-SUPRR-MARE, FATAL ACCIDENT.
Mary Jane Ridley, • little girl about eight years of age,
daughter of Thomas and Jane Bailey, of Now Street, in
this town, after being at Sunday school in the afternoon
of Sunday in company with some other achool children,
left the town with the intention of going to pick some
wild flowers (cowslips), and on their way stopped at
the brickyard clay pit, belorgiug to Mr Charles Phillips,
in the Immlity of the Looking Road, where they com-
menced amusing themselves. The unfortunate little
child, who was very shrewd and interesting, intending
no doubt, to show her bravery, ran partly along a place
that was placed over one of the clay pits (used by the
wet knicn for conveying the clay in barrows to the clay
house), and when part of the way across she turned
giddy, and fell into the stater beneath, which was
about 4feet deep. There being but the little children
present the unfortunate child remained in the water for
upward, of 15 minutes. When removed Mr Joseph
Springfield, surgeon, was sent for, and on his arrival
pronounced life extinct.
DATIL—ODD FELLOWOHIP.—The officers of the
Rath District of Odd Fellows (MU.) have awarded to
the widow of the man Vowles, who hung himself in the
Abbey Green, the full pay front the general fund and from
the Widow's and Orphans' Fund. As the verdict of
the jury did not, according to the rules of the order,
strictly entitle her to these benefits, it is a gratifying
proof of the liberality with which the society treats the
survivors of members in adversity.
25D Solt ERSET IdILITI A.—The non-commissioned
officers and recruits, consisting of 35 aergeants, 14
corporals, 24 drummers and fifers, and 285 privates,
assembled in Bath, are now under the Adjutant, Captain
Macpherson, for 14 days' drill, preliminary to the
general assembly of the regiment for training on the Bth
of May.

2,TORTOIC-SITB-HAMBDON.—The annual Raster
vestry was lately held in the vestry room of this pariah.
The rector, the Rev. G. S. Blom&ld, was unanimously
voted to the chair. The accounts of the past year
Were examined and approved. The churchwardens, J.
)3, Hayward, Esq., and Mr. W. Trask, were re-elected
by the vestry. The churchwardens then auggeeted that
• rate of 30. in the pound shold be allowed for the
next year. But the vestry, by way of showing that
they had no wish to be deprived of their ancient right
of making • rate, and to show their reverence to the
church as an institution, granted • f mrpenny rate,
which they thought would not be too much for the
expenses of the coming year.
. .

1/2VElitilt.-BATH AND WEST Or ENGLAND SOCIETY.—
The tunnel show of the Bath and West of England
Society will take place this year at Wells; and, not-
Withstanding the counter-attraction of the Great Ex-
hibition and the Royal Agricultural Society's show of
implements at Battersea Park, it promises to be one of
the most successful the Society has held. Steam
cultivation, It Is said, will be represented on 'the forth-
coming occasion by three of Fowler's ploughs and
Howard's new indent cultivator. There will also be
one or more traction engine,. A flower show, on a
grand scale, it to be added to the other attractions;
and the arts exhibition will be on an extensive scale.
'Phe thhacriptions collected at Wells. in furtherance of
tht exhibition, amount it is said to about £1,500.
SOMERTON.—Our townsfolk have been rather more
talkative than usual during the past week, in con-
sequence of a meeting lately held for the purpose of
making • rate for lighting the town with gas, we having
passed the kat year in darkness, except on the nights
when the moon gave her 'Avery light, free of expense.
Mr Eastlie, secretary to the directors, stated the object
of the meeting, and said that the amount required by
the gas company for lighting the eighteen lamps in the
town for the ensuing year, was 06, which, he said,
was less than any other town in the neighbourhood,
although the price of coals at Somerton is two pence
higher. Mr. George Bishop then proposed that a rate
of ninepenee in the pound be granted for the purpose,
and this was secooded by Mr. James S. Leaver. Mr.
V. B. Walton proposed, as an amendment, that a rate of
srepenes in the pound be granted, which he considered
would pay for all the gas required. This was seconded
by Mr. John Jennings. The amendment was carried
by a nmjneity of lire. Mr. John Newton, on behalf of
the gas company then demanded • poll. The meeting
was a noisy one and, in our opinion, would have been
considered much better conducted if one speaker had
lbeen allowed to address the meeting at a time, and
Withottt interruption. The polling took place on
ilotday, which was consequently a day of great excite-
tarot. All patties were astir at an early hour ; can-
Miners with smiling countenance, and politely knocking
at the doors, and enquiring the opinion of the worthy
hosts. The opposition was not althogether against gas,
but against the management of the town in general, in
rating a portion of the inhabitants only. At 12 o'clock
ihe Gas Company were 14 majority, at one they were
19, and at three o'clock 25 ; and at the close of the poll,
altt majority. The gas proprietors being owners of
property aloe, prevailed in many instances in inducing
their tenable to vote against their inclination and
better judgment, and intimidation was largely resorted
1.. Squibs were freely put forth by both parties, and
party feeling could not have run higher had the question
been as momentous as the separation of the Southern
teens the Northern States of America.

FATAL ACCIDENT. —On Tuesday last the lifeless body
of a poor lad, apparently about 12 years of age, whose
friends resided at Ashcott, wall brought to the Somerton
pollee station. It appeared that the poor fellow was in
charge of a vehicle belonging to Mr. Thomas 'Edwards,
and that be had been run over. He was found lying in
the road by Mr. Coombs, of the Globe Hotel, and
another gentleman, who were on their way to Lang-
port, end who stet the body into Somerton in a cart
that came along about that time.
Fruit trees of every description are in full blossom,
and the face of the country on every aide has now a
delightful appearance.