The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-04-11 00:00:00

FIRST COURT. —Warmsanmr.
[Before 3. FLOY6II, EN., M.P., Deputy-Chairman

There wee a fair attendance of grand jurors, and Mr.

G. H. Davis acted as foreman.
In charging the Grand Jury, Mr. FLOIIUt observed
that the calendar contained only • sin dl number of
names, and the offences were of the umsl eh iraeter.
Looking at the small amount of businc-s, it might he
asked whether it was desirable to bring here
a large number of gentlemen like themselves having
very serious and important duties to attend he in their
own spheres of life. Reference merely to the cases might
throw some doubt on the subject, but they came there
to testify that they were ready to assist la the due
administration of indica and uphold the law. In this
country the course of law runs no smoothly that we
hardly recognised its great importance, and it. intimate
relation to the welfare, security, and even the very
existence of the community. Now, looking at a neigh-
bouring country, they saw all law subverted. rather. he
perhaps should say, the law of might prevailing over
the law of vght—soolety, lie•eing w.tls ooneelaions
which might well appal t stoutest heart, reel C ,use
even the most sanguine patriot to deseund
for the future of his country. These things
reminded them how much they owed of the
blessing* enjoyed to the paramount action of the law,
and the importance of meeting from time to time—
the Court, Grand Jerora and Potty Jurors- to show
their interest in the in deter:lance of the law, and con-
firm what bad happily been the character of English-
men from time immemorial, that of being a law.
loving and law-abiding people. He then spoke of the
Lloeusing Bill and the Local listing Bill joat intro-
duped in this Heusi of Commons. lie moitioned the
latter because on Tuead ty a memorial was laid before
the Court signed by a large number of ratepayers of high
character and position, ansl possibly by many of those
present. It could not meet with the attention,
it would otherwise have received, because presented
jest as the Government Bill had been introduced, end
when the magistrates had nut had sufficient opportunity
of mastering its provisions, consequebtly no good re-
sults were likely to costal from a discesdoir thereon.
But the memorial was received with that rerpeat to
which the high character of the signatories entitled A.
The petition was adjourned possibly for further omen-
deratioti ; and in the meantime the matter would be
cionsidered in both Houses of Parliament. Turning to
the calendar Mr. Floyer pointed out that in the NM
of an assault on Mary Jane Thomas, the charge being
an attempt, they would only have to be satisfied that
the girl was under 12, and that the facts were sufficient
to support the Indictment. Referring te the case of
Louisa Ann Colliogwood who was charged with f caudn-
lent conversion of 2s. given to her by a cook she had
englged,to pay a porter, he Kale the non-payment of the
porter waahardly a proof of fraudulent conversion. True,
when searched no money was found ou her; they roust
sstisfied she did so frandelently con vs rt it with intent
to deprive the owner of its proper application.
second charge of attempting a miedomeauour in trying
to obtain goods by a false pretonee, was brought
against tho same i.crson, and in that they must be
satisfied that it was by a pretence of an existing foci,
such as could be negatived.
INDICTMENT-

Tla Inhabitants of IVliii,harc't f'irtgai,!ormin were
Indicted for nowrepair of Neel ui ft hriig.. Mr.
Foetal prosecated, Mr. Castle for the inhabitants, who
pleaded guiltp—Fined CZ with the under.tanding that
if the bri Igo be put in repair in a rualionable thee, the
fine will not be levied.

APPLICLTION.

Mr. Ffooka appli,l for an an order of the Court to
enable the parish of Broadway to raise 1:300 ter the
purpose of making the neoessary repairi to the biz
ways of that perish. The order was granted.
13URGLA.BY BY A LITTLE BOY.

Charles Tolley, 10, described as a labourer, but wl o
wan obliged to stand on a seat to make hiintelf seen,
was indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling•
bruise of Reuben Hansford, at Notherbury. and stealing
a piece of bras', an•l • br.s. stAn l„—Nir. Fti,iks pro-
seanted.—Reaban liansford left his hone. quite
safe on Starch 21th, when he cisme back, he
beard footsteps on the 6,0 r, ma I now • light burning,
found some bread and cheese and but'er removed, and
put on the cellar window. Thu window of the bed-
s %nem had 1.•••• 'MOO. br.ken The boy o•abo ors of tho
window and was seised. None of the boy's friends were
in court.—Found guilty.—The pollooman mad both
parents of prisoners were hard-working indwitrieus
people, but this was the thir I tint, prisoner I. eel
entered • house in this way within three mouths. —One
month's hard labour.