The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-10-21 00:00:00

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

The meeting of this body took place on Friday at
the Boardroom, the Rev. R. Huyshe occupying
the chair, am! there were likewise present : John
Wood, Esq., Mr. S, Browp, Mr. Joseph Trask, Mr.
0. Harding, Mr. W. H. Longman. Mr. it. Genge,
Mr. J. Brook, Mr. J. Cooper, Mr. Joseph Pool,
Mr. T. Dampier, Mr. T. Honey, Mr. James Penny,
Rev. C. F. Vowles, Mr. William Marden, Mr.
Joseph Staple, Captain Draper, Mr. J. Sampson,
Mr. H. Male, and G. Harbin, Esq. The time of the
Board was occupied almost solely with the subject
of

THE RELIEVING OFFICER'S RESIDENCE. Mr.
Marden, in bringing forward the subject of the
residence of the relieving officer, said be thought
the Board was perfectly aware that it was from no
personal feeling towards Mr. Jennings that he
did so, but it was solely on account of the incon-
venience which the paupers had to undergo in going
to the residence of the relieving officer. He should
leave the matter in the hands of the Board, and it
was for them to decide whether they thought Mr.
Jennings' residence convenient and accessible for
paupers. Mr. Penny said that in this matter they
stood as guardians in a two-fold acceptance of the
term. The first was to see that the public money
was well expended and not misappropriated, and
the other to sue that the destitute poor were well
provided and cared for. Having done that he
believed it was their duty to see that the poor have
easy access when in/need of relief. He thought they
would all agree with him when he said that there
was no rate which the ratepayers more cheerfully
contributed to than the rate for the poor, and he
thought it would be an injustice to the ratepayers
if they saw the poor subjected to any grievance,
and which they now sustained through the incon-
venient residence of the relieving officer. He then
proceeded to point out some of the grievances which

arose from the distance the officer resided from the
town of Yeovil, and said that no new case of relief
could belrecieived by the Board unless application had
been made to the relieving officer. Now supposing
a woman found herself destitute on the Thursday
(and be supposed this to be in the winter) she had
to go to Larkhill, distant about a mile and a half;
and this might be perhaps the afternoon. When
she reaches Larkhill, Mr. Jennings was not at home.
Well, this woman would have to wait about until
hchaseerecawomafye a
cmke andaiu
ti)
lie
eer hn
a pici,siho eu wseven
l ad
so
oh' al ovt co.e kkt
eo w fith
tine
destitute
female who found herself on the brink of illness.
She would have to pursue the same course as the
other, and return by the same track through the
wet grass, and that journey might, so far as they
knew, be the means of sowing the seeds of disease,
which might perhaps end in death. Mr. Penny
then said he would give the Board a case which
came under his own observation, and he had no hesi-
tation in saying that if the case had not met with
immediate attention it would have resulted in the
death of the woman. He did not wish to speak dis-
respectfully of Mr. Jennings, but the case was this :
A woman had told him (Mr. Penny) that she had
applied to Mr. Jennings for a medical order, but
instead of doing this he "shoved" het out of doors
mid refused the woman the order for the doctor and
nurse. Well,the woman came to him and said "So-,
and-so was confined, and unless she had a doctor or
muse immediately she must die." He wrote a note
to Mr. Jennings telling him to give the woman a
medical order, which the woman received, and then
the sick person recovered. If Mr. Jennings lived at
Larkhill what would become of such urgent cases?
(A Voice—" Go to the overseers.") Mr. Penny—That
would do very well if they could get an order for such
cases of emergency, but it could not be expected that an
overseer oould give orders, when after all perhaps the
ease might not be one of an urgent nature. Another
case came under his notice last week, when a woman
named Lewis applied to him. She had been deserted
by her husband, and bad relief for two weeks, but Mr.
Jennings forgot to inform this woman that her relief
would be stopped at the end of that time. He wrote
to Mr. Jennings, and sent the woman with the note, but
on her return home she seemed to be alraost exhausted
with the effects of the journey to LarkhilL Was this
a state of things which the Board would sanction?
He did not stand up to advocate the cause of the poor
of Yeovil more than that of the poor of the out-lying
parishes, but lie thought the matter deserved considera-
tion at their hands. In Yeovil they had about 8,000
inhabitants, and he believed (he was under correction,)
that that was half the number of the whole district,
and consequently Yeovil paid half of Mn Jennings's
salary, and therefore, he thought that vras a ground
why the question should receive consideration at their
hands. There were three roads to Larkhill if they
went by the way of Westfield, and in the winter
the approaches were knee deep in water. If
the Board gave their consideration to this
subject they wcnild find that Mr. Jenniugs
residence was not a proper place for him to reside in,
and if they considered that he ought not to live at
Larkhill, he contended that the convenience of the
officer must give way to the convenience of the poor.
This was a grievance which the ratepayers would con-
sider very unfair if Mr. Jennings was allowed to live at
Larkhill. Mr. Longman had given notice that if this
inotion was carried he should propose as an amendment
that Mr. Jennings should receive more salary for the
expenditure which he must incur by changing his resi-
dence. He (Mr. Penny) was not afraid about a little
excess in Mr. Jennings's salary, for he believed about
£5 would cover the expenses, but lie was anxious to cut
down the public expenditure, but it was not to be at
the expense of the poor.—Mr. Genge thought it would
be unjust to remove Mr. Jennings from his present
residence, as he could live at Larkhill for £25 a y.enr
cheaper than he could in the town of Yeovil. He
thought it would be acting very unjust towards Mr.
Jennings in removing him from his residence, as he
had taken his house for a year, but he must admit
that it would be more convenient for him to live in
Yeovil than where he was at present living. To
say, however, that the place Was inaccessible he begged
to deny. He had been to Larkhill that morning, and
found the road to it in a very good state, and the foot
path was also very good. Mr. Penny said that he had
no complaint to make against Mr. Jennings, but in his
opinion he had complained against the officer. As far
as he (Mr. Genge) was concerned, he thought it would
be very unjust to remoVe Mt Jennings until his
tenancy was expired, and he thought it would be
equally unjust to remunerate hien for his exchange of
residence. He hoped the Board would allow the
officer to remain in his house until his term of tenancy
was um—Mr. Longman remarked that there was no
truth in the statement concerning the road being Mao.
cessible, and the road was as good as any in the parish.
The road to which he referred was that which went to!
Preston, and by means of Which the poor would have
to co to get to Mr. Jennings's hoes°. There was
another way to his residence by the nursery, and the t
foot path there was in a very good state. He (Mr.
Longman) would be sorry to throw any obstacles in the
way of the poor, yet he could not see why they could'
object to where Mr. Jennings was living, for if he was;
to remove to the town, a fifth of his salary would
be consuined by additional expenses. He did not see
if the poor of the out-lying parishes had to coins souse
distance for relief, why the poor of Yeovil should
object to come from one end of the parieh to the other.
He could not see the justice of the Yeovil guardians
requiring their relieving officer to live in the toweet
Yeovil. Overseers had been referred to as having been
able to give assistance in distant parishes, but not
in the town of Yeovil, but he contended that overseers
in both places had equal power. Whatever might be-
mid of him he would gladly accommodate the poor of
Yeovil, but not at the expense of the out parishes.—
Mr. Dampier thought that Mr, Penny had too highly
coloured the ease, but as he (Mr. Dampier) understood
that the relieving officer shortly intended earning
' nearer the town to reside, he should have nothing more
to say on the matter.—Mr. Trask said he had coins
from Larkhill, and he thought it was not a convenient
place for Mr. Jennings to reside at. The Board might,
of course, consider the officer's convenience in ellowing
him to remain there for the time he had taken his
house, but he did not consider that Mr. Jennings' resi-
dence was a fit or convenient place for him to live.—Mr.
Longman said that an overseer could give Immediate
relief, in cases of emergency, until the time when the
relieving officer came inte the ditittict, and when he
came the overseer could tell him what he had dune,
The overseers in his parish did so,- The Chairman said
lie supposed he was expected to say a few words on the
subject, but it was a matter, as he did not live in
Yeovil, that he had not thought much about, however
he was of opinion that Mr. Jennings had kept faith with
the Board in moving to his present residence. He (the
chairman,) had looked at which was the best place for
Mr. Jennings to Hie, itbd Mid he was old enough to
recollect the time when Mr. Cave wits relieting officer,
and they never had • better one. Well, he once fired
in the town but afterwards resided in the suburbs, and
he found dist he coeld do his work with much less
trouble by living out of the town;but he (the chairman)
was well aware that the officer's residence should be •
oonvenient one for the poor. He thought it was not
necessary that. Mr. Jennings should be compelled to !
lire within the precints of the borough, but looking at
all the cirednistences of the ease, lie could not think
that the officer's residenie wtte a corittenient and acces-
sible place for the poor to get at. Me thought like-
wise, that it was not a convenient place for the paupers
of the out districts. In his own parish, the paupers of
East Chinnock found it a very inconvenient thing to
have to go to Montacute to obtain every medical order.
He thought the best way to settle the case would be
that Mr. Jennings should be advised to change his resi-
dence ss quickly as possible and they might do this I
without any division of the Board and leave it to Mr.
Jennings to change his residence.— Mr. Lofigtnats :
Would they allow the officer to remain until Ms tenancy ,
was expired?—The Chairman: As the winter was
coming on, he thought it was not convenient for the
paupers to have to go to Larkhill, and he was of
opinion that Mr. Jennings should remove as quickly as I
possible. He thought it wag generally expressed by •
good many membefs of the Board, that the residence of
Mr. Jennings was not convenient, and he thought it
would be much the best plan if he would agree to leave
as quickly as possible—Mr. Brown said he should like
to ask Mr. Jennings for how long he had taken she
house, and desired Mr. Jennings to be called in. Upon
the admission of the relieving officer, he said he had
taken his house for a year, and his tenancy commenced
last Midsummer.—The Chairman: Could you get into
sonce Mote convetieht place before the winter set in?
He did not meen in the town, but in any place where
It was more accessible fat the pattper to get *l.—Mr.
Dampier : Did you not apply fat Mr, Tucker's house?
—Mr. Jennings: Yes, I hve, but I cannot get it for
less than £29 a year, exclusive of all out-goings.—Mr.
Penny : I can get you a house in the town for £l6 a
year. The premises are in good order. - Hr. Genge
Can you live for £25 a year cheaper at Larkhill than
you can in the town.—Mr. Jennings: Yet.—
The Chairman, addressing Mr. Jennings, said
be did not wish to divide the Board on
the question. They did not require him to reside in
the town but in any convenient place in the elbtarbs
which would accommodate the paupers, but they had
expressed a very strong opinion that his present resi-
dence was inconvenient and oft-times inaccessible.—
Mr, Jennings said he had no objection to change his
residence if the Board would make him some compensa-
tion, as his wages were not sufficient to allow his
living in the town. lie had always complied in every
respect to the wishes of the Board He could not make
it convenient until lie could find a suitable place. (Kr.
Jennings was then requested to withdraw.)—Mr.
Marden said that if Mr. Jennings was left to chemise
his time for leaving, he would not leave at all. He
thought the Board should fix a time when be should
remove.—Mr. Wood said he could not but think that
it would be the best plan for Mr. Jennings to remain in
his present residence until his tenancy was expired*
and then he would remove. They should not mak,
him leave at once as it would entail espense, and‘ha
was not a wealthy man—Mr. Marden : That does not
make any difference, it would be found to be a great
inconvenience to the paupers. The Rev. C. F. Vowles
and Mr. Male coinceeded with Mr. Wood's remarks.
The Chairman said he thought it would be acting rather
unkindly towards Mr. Jennings in making him remove
at once, and he quite agreed with Mr. Wood's observa-
tions, that it would be the best way for him
to remain until the end of his year. Alluding to the
overseers of the town the chairman said he thought
they were required to work as well as overseers of
parishes, and that the overseers of Yeovil could grant
orders as well as overseers of parishes. The relieviug
officer could not be always sit home ; it was his duty to
go from one place to another, but in Yeovil the officer
was soinlotie'to their noses that they would not doiso.—Mr.
Wood: If Mr. Marden does not take my suggestions,
you may depend upon it he will be beaten altogether.
Mr. Harden: I will never compromise affairs of this
nature. I would be rather beaten.—Mr. Wood said as
he was obliged to leave, in case of Mn Mardsn's mo-
tion being carried, be would move as an amendment
that Mr. Jennings be not ordered to remove from Lark-
hill until his year was up—Mr. Trask remarked that
the Board discouraged overseers in giving orders, and
I alluded to • case in point where an overseer gave
an order for a pauper to come into the union,
when the Board at their next meeting wrote a
letter to oenaure him fur so doing.
This Rev. C. F. Vowles seconded the proposition of
Mr. Weed—The Chairman said he wished Mx, Mullin

I not


would withdraw his motion, to which request however
that gentleman would not comply. The Chairinan then
put Mr. Wood's proposition, That Mr. Jennings be
not ordered to remove until his term of tenancy Was
expired," when nine guardians voted in favour of it.
Mr. Marden's motion was then put,—" That the resi-
dence of the relieving officer for the No. 1 district
should be in Yeovil, as his present residence was very
inconvenient." Upon a division, only five voted M
favour of it, and the motion WM lost. After &valets:
ing the usual relief business the Bowl broke up.

RIFLE SHOOTING AT YEOVIL'.
On Tuesday some of the members of the rifle corps
again assembled at the rifle range, Yeovil Marsh, to
shoot for the remaining prizes left over from Thursday.
There was not • very strong muster, and several who
fired the first five rounds for the Ladies' Cup on Thurs-
day did not put in their appearance to-day.; The
weather was very unfavourable for shooting at the
early part of the day, a drizzling rain cowing down at
Intervals, but shout 2 o'clock "old Sol" came oat in all
his glory, which made a decided improvement, not only
in the weather, but also in the spirits of the volunteers.
The wind was in the same quarter as on Thursday, but
the shooting was very good. Owing doubtless to the
unfavourable aspect which the weather presented at an
early stage of the proceedings, hardly any epectatore
were in attendance, and the grossed presented quite •
solitary appearance from that which it did on Thurs-
day.
A Silver Cup, value 12 guineas, (presented by the
ladies of the town and neighbourhood of Yeovil), open
to all members who have passed through their three
periods of class firing for the current year, and have
attended at least 12 company drills between August
1861, and August 1862, five rounds at 300, 400, and
600 yards.
300 yds. 400 yds. 600 yds.
hits pts hits pts hits pts Tot.
Captain Messiter 4 9 3 9 2 5 23
Ensign Watts 3 7 4 11 3 7 25
Col-Sergt. Chaffin 2 5 5
Sergeant Cox 4 11 4 11 0 0— 22
Milborne 0 0 5 13 2 5 18
„ Raymond 3 6 4 11 3 8— 25
„ Wadman 2 3 3 8 1 2 14
Corporal Jennings 3 7 5 12 4 13 —33
Private Trent 5 10 4 12 3 5 28
„ Stickland 4 9
„ Matthews 5 10 —lO
„ Oliver 4 10 5 15 4 8— 33
„ Woodman 3 7 4 14 2 5 96
„ Burt 4 8 3 7 3 7-22
„ Jones 1 3 3
. Thomas 1 2 2
„ Singleton 4 8 2 4 0 0— 12
„ Vincent 2 4 4
„ Hine 1 2
„ Bibby 2 5
Pavitt 5 14
„ Taylor 3 6
„ Ryall 2 5 1 2 0 0— 7
„ Forth 4 9 3 7 3 6-22
It will be seen from the above, that at 300 yards Private
Pavitt made the highest number of points, (14,) but
did not come and contest for the prize to-day.
Sergeant Cox was next, and then followed Private
Oliver. At 400 yards, Sergeant Cox scored 11 points,
when Private Oliver, by some very good shooting, sue-
ceeded in making 15, by means of a bull's eye, three '
centres and an outer, and left his opponent three points
behinehim. The shooting at this range was capital,
Ensign Watts scoring 11, Sergeants Raymond 11,
Sergeant Melborne 13, Corporal Jennings 12, Private
Trent 12. and Private Woodman 14. At the long
range, 600 yards, Sergeant Cox was very unfortunate,
and missed the target every time, and the tug of war
was now between Corporal Jennings and Private
Oliver, the former of whom made two bulls' eyes, a
centre, an outer, and an unfortunate miss, 13 points,
which was the mean" of depriving him of this prize,
whilst Private Oliver made 8, by four outer" and a
miss, and this with the gain at the two former ranges,
secured him the victory, but only by one point. The
next prize contested for was
A Piece of Plate, value 5 guineas (presented by Israel
Rendell, Esq., of West Coker.) 300, 400, and 500 yards
(open to all members who have passed through their
three periods of clam firing for the year,) 5 rounds at
each range.
SOO yards 400 yards 500 yards
hits points bits points hits points Total
Captain Messiter 4 9 3 8 4 11 —2B
Ensign Watts 3 7 5 15 5 12 —34
CoL-Sergt. Chaffin 2 5 3 8 0 0— 13
Sergt. Cox 3 6 3 9 3 9-24
„ Raymond 4 10 4 11 5 14 —35
„ Milborne 4 9 4 13 5 14 —36
„ Wadman 4 10 3 7 2 4 21
Corpl. Jennings 4 9 4 12 4 12 —33
Priv. Forth 3 7 5 13 3 6—26 '
„ Woodman 4 8 $ 16 3 7 31
„ Trent 1 2 5 14 2 4 19
„ Oliver 4 9 3 10 4 10 —29
„ Ryall 3 7 1 3 1 2-12
„ Singleton 3 6 3 7 3 6 19
„ Vincent 2 4 4 9 0 0— 13
Milborne 2 5 3 8 4 10 23
Burt 2 6 8 6 1 3-14
Thi's shooting for this prize was the beat of any that
had taken place, and reflected great credit upon the
competitors. The worst part of the firing was at the
cloae range, 300 yards, when the highest points obtained
were 10, which were scored by Sergeanta Raymond and
Wadman, the successful shot only maklng-9. At the
trial at 400 yards the shooting was much better,
Ensign Watts making a bull's eye, three centres, and
an outer, 15, whilst the highest scored was by Private
Woodman 16, in two bulls' eyes, two centres, and an
outer, whilst Sergeant' Raymond and Milborne made,
the former 11, and the latter 13. This state of things
brought four of the competitors into very close quarters
with each other, Ensign Watts being 22, Sergeant
Raymond 21, Sergeant Milborne 22, and Private Wood-
man 24. It was at the next range that Private Wood.
man was brought to grief, missing the target twice, and
only making 7, his total now being 31. Ensign Watts
ran up a score of 12, 34 in all, whilst Sergeant Ray-
mond madc some good shooting, having two bulls' eyes,
and three outers, (140 his score now being 35; and
Sergeant Milborne made the same number, but being
one in advance at the other range, he won the cup
with 36 points.
L'2, presented by H. B. Batten, Esq., at 200 and 300
yards (open to third class members only), 5 minds at
each range. _

- 14

200 yards 300 yards
bits points bite points Total.
Private Ryall 2 4 0 0 4
Vincent 3 8 3 6 14
~ Singleton 1 2 4 11 —l3
Mi'borne 4 8 1 2 10
„
Oliver, jun. 4 9 1 2 11
The shooting bete was very poor, but Private Oliver,
jun., took the lead with 9 points at 200 yards, followed
by Privates Vincent and Milbome with 8 each, Private
Singleton only making one hit., but at 300 yards his
shooting was very good, making three centres, an
outer and a miss, 11, whilst Private Vincent made e,
and this made him 14 points in all, Private Singleton
being one behind him.
The Challenge Medal (presented by Ensign Watts in
1861,) to become the absolute property of a member
winning it two years in succession, and then won by
Corporal Jennings. At 300 yards, by the three best
shots at the shooting for each of the four first prizes.
The 12 competitors to fire 7 rounds each. In con-
junction with the shooting for the above, the following
was also competed for at the same time: Consolation
prise, to be Shot for by all non-winners of prizei, 7
shots at 800 yards. First prize £l, second 155., third
10s.
300 yards 300 yards
hits pts. hits pta.
Captain Memiter 2 4 Private Trent 2 4-
_ __
4 -

Ensign Watts 5 12 „ Woodman _ 12
Col.-Sgt. Chaffin 3 6 „ Forth 5 10
Sergeant Cox 2 4 „ Mitborne 0 0
03ergt Raymond 7 14 „ Singleton 4 10
Sergt. 17f adman 5 11 „ Burt 4 8
Corp. Jennings 0 12 „ Ryall 0 0
Private Oliver 7 17 „ Jones 1 2
Corporal Jennings, it will be seen, has lost his
champion medal, Private Oliver beating him by 15 points.
In the consolation prize, Sergeant Raymond made an
outer every time, and he took away the first prize £l,
Private Woodman second prize of 108. with 12 points,
and [Sergeant Wadman the 10s. prize, with 11 points.
The eighth prize,
A Muzzle stopper and sight protector, the gift of
Captain liessiter, was won by Sergeant CA, who made
the second best score for the second prize.
MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.
A very melancholy accident, attended with loss
of life, occurred on Tuesday at the prize rifle shoot-
ing, Yeovil Marsh, to Sergeant Denty, who is
employed in the recruiting service for the Royal
Marines, and who bas been stationed in this town
for about two years. Just after the Ladies Prize
had been shot for the target had to be changed, and
the unfortunate deceased volunteered to shift it
by himself, although assistance was offered him.
It appears that whilst so engaged the deceased
experieoced some difficulty in removing two of the
bolts which kept the target in its position, and he
fetched one of the staves upon which the target
rested, went in front of it, and endeavoured to
remove it, but he had not been in that position very
long, when from some cause the target fell. The
demised tried to escape, but the ground, which is
pf a very uneven nature, being wet and slippery,
he lost his footing, and the target, weighing upwards
of four cwt., fell on him, breaking the small bone of
his leg, and causing severe internal injuries. The pool.
fellow was immediately taken to the Butcher's Arms,
and Mr. Tomkyns, honorary assistant surgeon to
the rifle corps, together with Doctor Aldridge, were
promptly in attendance and did every thing in their
power to relief the sufferings of the poor fellow,
but without avail, as the injuries received were of
too serious a nature, and the deceased expired in
about four hours after the accident. The poor
fellow was only 35 years' of age, and leaves
three little children without a mother, his
wife having died about a twelvemonth ago.
The deceased sergeant was well known and
much respected, and his untimely end has
cast a gloom, not only among the members of the
corps, but in the town generally. We hear
it is contemplated to raise a fund in aid of the little
orphans, and we cannot but hope that the members
of the rifle corps will contribute liberally towards
eo praiseworthy an object. The jurymen, as also
Mr. Tomkyns, gave their fees for this purpose, and
we hope that a good sum will be collected for those
little ones who are deprived of a father's care and
affection. An inquest was held on Tuesday at the
Chongh's Hotel, before S. Craddock, Esq., deputy.
coroner, and a very respectable jury, when the fol-
lowing evidence touching this melancholy affair was
adduced :

William Grimes, a marker employed by the corps, on
being sworn, said : I was standing at the target which
the members of the Yeovil Ride Corps had been shoot-
ing at, on Tneaday morning, in company with Sergeant
Denty. I was painting one nf the targets, and the de-
ceased was shifting a part of the long range target. No
one was assisting him. The deceased told me that he
would shift the target if I would witali 9114 I did net

think he was going to do more than ehift the bolts.
There was not plenty of assistanoe, there was only
another person by at the time the occident occurred.
The deceased could not get out two of the bolts which
supported the target, and he took one of the stave*
upon which the target rested, and got in front of it and
tried to remove them. Whilst so engaged his foot
slipped, and one part of the target fall on him, bringing
the other part down also, but this did not fall on him.
I tot him from under the target as quickly as poseibie,
with the assistance of a man named Hurlstone. I asked
the deceased it he was hurt, and he replied that his leg
was broken.
By • Juror : Did the deoeased fall on his beck or oli
his side?
Witness : Be fell on his right side, and the target on
his left.
By the Coroner: Was the ground even where the de-
ceased (ell?
Witness: No, it was not, and the rain had made it
very slippery.
By a Juror: Did the deceased request you to assist
bum stall?
Witness m No ; He said he rould shift the target if
I would wash out.
Charles Redstone, a groom, said: I was sip at the
target at the time when the deceased met with the acci•
dent. I saw him with an iron bar in his hand
trying to lift the target up. I was seat up by
Captain bfessiter to help remove the targets. I new
the target fall on the deceased. The cause of the target
falling appears to mess though something' had slipped
from behind it when the deceased woe endeavouring to
remove the target. I, with the assistance of Grimes,
got him from under the target, when the decedeed said
his leg was broken. He was then placed in a firing
van and conveyed to his home.
By a Juror : I did not see any danger in what the
deceased was doing. I was in front of the target as
well as he was, but I did not have any hold of it. The
deceased's foot slipped, and he fell on his right side,
the target falling on his left. / was sent up to moist
him, but I had not done anything towards shifting the
target. When the bolts dropped out the target fen all
of a sudden. If the deceased's foot had trot slipped be
would have been out of the way of the target,
Mr. Tonikyns, surgeon, and hon. assistant-surgeon to
the Yeovil Rifle Corps, deposed : I saw the deceased
shortly after he was brought home, in conjunction with
Dr. Aldridge. We found him suffering excruciatingagony
in his bowels, and there was considerable Collapse. He
' was quite sensible at the time. He had also a fracture
of the small bone of his left leg. We gave him stimu-
lant., whieh he took with eonsiderable difficulty, and
his pulse became more and more weak, and he gradually
sank, and died in about four or five honre after the
accident. This morning we made a poi aortae ex-
amination oi his body, and found it to be well deve-
loped, and had every appearance of the deceased being
a healthy man. On removing the skin we toned
great deal of blood, and on examining the right kidney
we found that it was very notch lacerated and rap-
tured. That was the cause, no doribt, of the effusion
of blood in the abdomen, and there was considerable
hemorrhage. It is quite impossible for a man to live
after the injuries which the deceased received:-
The Coroner briefly summed up, saying that The
work of shifting the targets was too much for elm mein
to attempt to do, and be thought the accident had
occurred from the deceased being too venturesome.
The jury, after a very brief consultation, returned if
verdict "That the deceased was accidentally killed by
a target falling on him which he was endeavouring to
shift, through his foot slipping."
PRESENTATION AND TEA MEICTING.—One of the
largest tea meetings which have taken plume in this
tow n ,was held on Tueeday, the object of the gathering
being to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rev.
R. Jameati settlement as pastor of the Soeth-streek
Chapel. On this mission, the Tosvnhall was totally
inadequate to accommodate the numbers that peered
in, and long before five o'clock, the hour appointed
for the tea to commence' the room was crammed to
excess, and to accommodate the number of tea.
drinkers, one half was supplied first, and then the
other half come next. It is computed that about
600 sat down to tea. The tea trays were generously
supplied by the friends of the chapel, and the pro-
ceede, we believe, are to be applied in aid of the
funds of the chapel or schools. A wish having bees
expressed by some of the young people of Mr..
James' congregation, that some substantial token of
their esteem of the many ehristian virtues of their
pastor, and of their regard for him both in his
private and public life, it was determined to present
him with a purse of sovereigns, and accordingly a
subscription was set on foot, which resulted in £35
being collected for him. It was then resolved by
those who were at the head of this movement, to
present him with this perm) of sovereigns, at a public
tea meeting, and the result must have been highly
gratifying, not only to the committee, but to Mr.
James, for the interest attached to the proceedings
were very great, and we have never seen the ball
crowded as it was on the evening of Tuesday,
when after the tea a public meeting was
held, Mr. Whitby, sen., occupied the chair,
and the proceedings were opened by singing
the pastorate hymn, and by the Rev. L
Price, of Montoonte, offering up an appropriate
prayer, after which a very affectionately composed
presentation address was read by Mr. G. H. Beers,
-which was loudly applauded, and Mr. Aldridge,
jun., then delivered a few appropriate remarks.
The Rev. R. James, who was welcomed with an.
mistakeable demonstrations of pleasure by the com-
pany, on rising, said he thanked them for the kind-
ness they had shown him, and for the good expres-
sions they had made use of towards him. He
trueted that should hie life be spared, which he
hoped it might be, he might be able to continue in
the work in which he was engaged, and there liati
never been a time when things looked so encourag-
ing. He could look back with feelings of Feat
pleasure for the past twenty years, and could any
that during that time many had been takes
into the fold of Christ from his congregation..
He could also look back with pleasure to his sojourn
here for the 20 years past, for during that time he
had received much kindness and friendship from
the inhabitants of the town. The rev, gentleman
after a few more feeling remarks, concluded by again
expressing the pleasure and gratification it afforded
him at being the recipient of so tangible a proof of
their esteem and regard for him, and resumed his
seat amidst loud applause. The meeting was subse-
quently addressed by the Rev. J. Sampson, Inde-
pendent; the Rev. J. T. Haswell, Wesleyan ; Rev. J.
Price, Rev. Mr. Beckley,Sherborne ; and the Rev. E.
Edwards, Chard. Mr. E. Whitby, jun., returned
mthaenakws in
agotneautp speethechpretablituf of
During
nygonetz
vevereyningnicte'hlye rendered, and anpier did of
ireasacrt credediar Lie those
engaged :—" Oh, Thou that tellest." (Meesiab.)
"All we like sheep." (Messiah.) "The Lord
gave the word." (Messiah.) "The Marvellous
Works," solo and chorus. (Creation.) And the
"Hallelujah chorus."
APPLE STICALING.—WiIIi&M WAtta,a labourer on
the Bristol and Easter Railway, was brought
before G. Harbin, Esq.' at the magistrates' office ea
Mondev, charged with stealing apples at Halsteck,
on Saturday, the property of Mr. Charles Gooch.
The defendant WM mulcted in a penalty of £2,
eluding wets.
LecTuas.—Mr. Thomas Tamer, one of the agents
of the West of England Temperance Association,
delivered a very instructive lecture at the hall of
the institution on Monday, on "Moderate Drinking
the Cause,not the Cure of Intemperance." The chair
was occupied by Mr. Edmonds, but the attendance
was very scanty, owing probably to the unfavour-
able state of the weather. At the conclusion of the
lecture Mr. Turner swig several melodies, which were
much applauded.

CHARD.—The Mayor (R. W. Spicer, Esq.) ha/
ordered all sheep brought into the Market for sale to
be examined, and Mr. Snell, veterinary surgeon, tea
been engeged to fill the office of examiner.
Perry SESSIONS, Monday, October 13.—Before
C. W. Loveridge, Esq. (chaa-man), and IL J. Ilion,
Esq. John Partridge, William Partridge, and
James Rowland, were brought up in custody of
Sergeant Witting, charged with being drank and
riotous at Coombe St. Nicholas, on the previous
Thursday night.--Sergeant Witting deposed that
on the night in question he was requested to go to
the George Inn, and on arriving there he found the
three defendants very drunk and noisy. They after-
wards left, and began fighting in the street. —Henry
Munckton, son of the landlord of the George Inn,
stated that he saw defendants fighting at half-past
four o'clock in the morning:—Fined 9s. 6d. each,
including costs.-- William Creech and Moses
Tucker, -both of Coombe St. Nicholas, were brought
up in custody of Sergeant Witting, charged with
being drank and disorderly on the night of Septem-
ber Bth.—John Grigg deposed that he kept the
Harp Inn, at Coombe St. Nicholas, and that on the
Bth of September, between 11 and 12 o'clock at
night, Creech and Tucker came into his house.
Creech was very drunk, and Tucker was a little the
worse for liquor. They had not been there many
minutes before Creech began to quarrel with Tucker
about some turnip hoeing, and struck him. Witness
ordered Creech out of his house, but be would not
go. He then put him out. When he got outside a
man came up, and tried to quiet him, and Creech
knocked him down. He then sent for the police-
man. Did not draw them any drink.—During the
examination Creech was so disorderly that two con-
stables were obliged to take him out of the room.
The magistrates being of opinion that Creech was
the whole cause of the disturbance, fined him £2
and costs, or in default six weeks hard labour. The
fine not being paid he was committed. Tacker was
fined is., and 78. coats.—William Berry and
Daniel Berry were summoned by Samuel Berry,
their father charged with stealing his apples, and
assaulting him on the night of October Bth, but on
the defendants promising to conduct themselves
better in future, their father forgave them. The
defendants were ordered to pay for the summonses.

. _
CREWRERNE.—Unrraniew Tan Mawrixo.—
On Tuesday afternoon a social tea gathering, com-
posed of the Unitarians of this town and district,
took place in the Townhall, when &bout 100 persons
eat down to partake of the cheering cup and its
accompaniments. The hall was gaily decorated with
flowers and evergreens, which gave it a very pretty
appearance. After the tea a public meeting woo
convened, when W. F. Cuff, Esq., presided, and
sddresees were delivered by various members and
gentlemen. A vote of thanks to the Chairman ter-
minated the proceedings.
Lem:Tex.—A lecture in connexion with the
temperance cause was delivered on Wednesday even-
ing, at the Townhall, by the Rev. S. Annear, the
subject being "The Permissive Bill of England and
Ireland.

I

L

• STRINGSTON.—SUSIWTED CHILD POISONING.
—On Thursday morning au inquest was held before
Mr. W. M'• Monckton, coroner, at the house of Mr.
.Grove, at Stringston near Bridgwater, touching the
death of an illegitimate child of a young woman
named Harriett Chilcott, residing at that place.
It appears that rumours bad been circulated in the
neighbourhood that the child had been poisoned, the
belief having arisen from the fact of the mother
having had five illegitimate children, four of which
bad died. Mr. Alfred House, surgeon, of Stogursey,
stated that the deceased child was brought to him
about three weeks ago, and was then suffering from
some internal complaint, for which he had adminis.
urea some medicine. He saw the child again on
the 22nd of September, and it waa then dying.
Recertified the cisme of death, but in consequence
of the rumours which were afloat he felt it his duty
to write to the emoner. He bad made a post-
mortem examination of the body, and had dia.
.covered an dctensive disease about the kidneys and
.blarkter,,,Mich the child must have had from birth,
and he MA also discovered symptoms of the same
disease-in the surviving child. There was no appear-
. wed( any poison in the child's stomach, and he
,waswerfectly satisfied that the child had died from
• Col/NUISioIIS resulting from the disease of the kidneys.
' The child had been properly nourished. The jury
%were perfectly satisfied with Mr. House's opinion,
• and returned a verdict of died from natural causes,
thus dissipating all the suspicions which the loose
way in which the mother of the child had lived, and
• the fact of her having lost so many children, had
; naturally excited.
STOKE-SUB-HAMMDON.—A GOOD MASTER.—
It is with much pleasure that we chronicle an act of
great generosity on the part of Mr. Southcombe,
who has paid the expenses of all his workmen in
the glove cutting department, to the Exhibition.
They atarted in high spirits on Wednesday morning,
and returned on Saturday highly delighted with
their trip ; and we have no doubt that their em•
ployer'a kindness will be gratefully recollected and
appreciated.

BATE—EXTRAORDINARY ATTEMPTED INFANTICIDIS.
—An extraordinary case involving an attempt at infan-
tide,but which was fortunately detected and prevented,
csuie before the Bath nisgietrates on Wednesday morn-
eise•li °metal, • young woman of respectable de-
ineanour, was placed at the bar charged with attempt-
dog to murder a new born infant. l'he mother of the
iinfant, named Caroline Nicholls, is in custody, but not
hi a fit state to be brought up. The particulars of the
,case partake somewhat of an amusing character. It
:appears that shortly after ten o'clock on Tuesday night
ithree young women, named Hucklebridge, White, and
:mother, were passing along the Gravel Walk, near the
Victoria Park, when their attention was called to two
females—who proved after to be Cawley and Nicholls
--mear the bottom of the path; from their cries the
three went towards them, and found Nicholls groaning,
and in &or/edition that indicated that she was about to
be conieed of a child. In a few minute, it was evident
that the woman bad been delivered, for Caseley was
seen to pick up an infant from the ground, and to throw
it over the Park rails amongst the uhrubbery. The
cries of the child tended to confirm the belief that the
prisoners were attempting to get rid of it. Directly on
this, Caseley was heard to say to the other "Now
then," and both took to their heels and ran off. White
and one of her companion& pursued them. Nicholls,
extraordinary to say, escaped, Caeeley, however, having
a larger bundle of wearing apparel, which hampered
her progress, was overtaken at the corner of Gay-street,
and secured. The women charged her with having
thrown • baby over the rails, and desired her to go back
and teke it out. She went back with them, though un-
willingly, to the gravel walk, and then denied throwing
the child over, but Hacklebridge had in the meantime
scrambled over into the Park, and there found the
child covered with some clothes, but which had not
been fastened round it, 'it'Vreti asked if she did not hear
the baby cry, Caseley did not reply, and threw down
her bundle, saying she would not carry it any further.
She was detained till the screams of the women attracted
a policeman to the spot, and into his custody she was
given. Hucklebridge wrapped the infant in her shawl,
and accompanied the officer and his charge to the
polies-station. Mr. J. Lawrence, surgeon, was at once
sent for, and on attending performed what was neces-
sary for the safety of the child. It was then confided
to the care of the wife of Detective-Sergeant Berry. It
I, a female child, and at present seems likely to live.
Whether the rough treatment of which it was the sub-
ject has in any way injured it we have not heard. On
being charged by P.C. Townsend with throwing the
child over the Park rails with intent to do it grievous
bodily harm Caseley replied " Yes." The name and
whereabouts of the unnatural mother were subsequently
ascertained. She was, extraordinary to say, found at
her home, at Etatheaston, but, as may be imagined, wart
In a sad state from the peril she had exposed herself
to. As she could not be removed she him been placed
under the surveillance of a policeman's wife. It is not
• little extraordinary that both the women in custody
are married ; and Nicholls has a large family. The
reason alleged for the attempt to get rid of the child is
that Ificholl's husband has been in Wales at work for
two years past, end the child just born is the result of
an illicit intercourse with another man. Caaeley, as we
have said, was brought up before the Bench on Wed-
neediy, and some evidence having been given she was
remanded for a week, to await the restoration of her
monspanion to convalescence.