The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-10 00:00:00

Miltsbirc.

SALISBURY QUARTER SESSIONS.

These sessions took place on Monday last, at the
Council lloue, cfore John David Chambers, Esq.
Reuniter.

The Recorder, in his charge, said he could not better
begin the few observations he had to make on the pre-
sent occasion than by offering thins all the good wishes
of the *canon. Having done that he had to thank
them for their punctual attendance, but at the same
time he could not help remarking upon the absence,
without excuse, of eight of those who had been sum-
moned, lie thought it rather hard upon those in attend-
1111CC, for all should take upon themselves a fair share of
public duty. He was happy to observe that the morality
of Salisbury during the year had been, on the whole,
tolerably good, and also that there were only two cases
to be tried at these bessimis, neither of which were of
any great importance. He found that there hail only
been four suatim•ry convictions since the last Sessions,
making with the two cases now to be tried, a total of
six, which was rather below the average at this period
of the year. One of the cases to come before them—a
charge of larceny—was very plain indeed; the other
was an indictment for misdemeanour against a person
named Everitt, for having in his possession a quantity of
counterfeit coin. Now it might Weill on the first blush
that this was no crime, but the Legislature lied thought
otherwise, becanse, of course, persons might have such
coin in their possession with intent to utter it. and so
to defraud Her Majesty. Therefore by Chap. 34 of the
2nd William 4, any person having in his custody or
possession three or inure pieces of false or counterfeit
coin, resembling or apparently intended to resemble or
pass for the current coin of the realm, knowing the
Mlle to be false or counterfeit, and with intent to utter
and put off the same, was held to be guilty of misde-
meanour. In this case, therefore, it would be for them
to judge, from the evidence, whether there was a prio4a
facie case to go before the petty jury. Both the cases
were very short, amid he would therefore request them
to return the bills as soon as possible.
The (hand Jury then retired.
Mary Ann Moss pleaded guilty to stealing two calico
shirts, value 41., the property of Martha Matthews, at
Salisbury, on the 2nd December last.
. . . . . .

The limo' rder said he believed her to be a very bad
girl. She was only nineteen, but before arriving at
that age she had been guilty of two heavy crimes, and
he had just learnt that she had behaved in a most
shameful way during the time she had been an prison.
He believed her to be radically dishonest, and severe
measures must therefore be adopted to bring her back
to • proper course of life. Sloe must be kept in penal
servitude for four years. but on the recommendation of
the magistrates, the Goveniinent would allow that I.en•
tense to be carried out at the Britton Penitentiary. On
behaving well, and acting upon the instructions there
given her, she would once more have • chance of a fair
start in life.

_
John Ereriet, a commercial traveller (on bail), was
indicted for having in his poratession three and more
eounterfe t pieces of coin, knowingly and with intent
to utter the same, contrary to the statute, at Salisbury,
on the 25th October last.

- -
Mr. H. J. F. Swayne (who appeared for the prose-
cution) having stated the leading facts of the case, evi-
dence waa andnee I, after which, _

The jury delibera' tvil about O minutes, and the Fore•
man then said.' We find the prisonee guilty of having the
coin in his possession, knowing it to be bad."
The Recorder: That is not sufficient. You must fiud
that he intended to utter it.

Mr. Read tubinitted that the finding of the jury nega-
tived the uttering.
The Retorter : Oh, no; they have only found half •
verdict. They have found on two pointa, and have not
de.ilt with the third. _ _ . - . .

The jury again deliimrated, and afterwards found the
prnonier guilty with intent to utter.
The Recorder: I .tuite agree with that verdict, and
to, in my humble opinion, Inuit every person in this
court. . .

Mr. Read asked the Recorder to reserve this point,
and to allow the prisoner to be bailed to come up for
judgment when called upon.
The Recorder said the jury at first returned no ver-
dict at all. Still he had no objection to hear connect
on the point.
Mr. Read uid he must submit that the verdict
amounted to an acquittal, inasmuch as it iinpliedly
negatived the intention to utter.
The Recorder mid judges frequently put various
points to a jury, and if they only returned a verdict on
one point they were sent back to reconsider the others.
Mr. Swayne said he had no objection to the point
being reserved, but he believed that on being further
advised, his learned friend would not proceed in the
matter. He must object to the prisoner being bailed.
The Recorder said as the first finding of the jury was
not • complete verdict, he 'suet decline to reserve the
point, lie then sentenced the prisoner to six mouths'
imprisonment with hard labour.
There was no other business.

SALISBURY SOUP Kyroiss.—This establishment
is again open for the season, and there will be issues
of soup at one penny per quart on Tuesdays, Thurs-
days, and Saturdays, until further notice.

WILTON.— Volunteer Rifle 'orps. —The committee
met on Friday afternoon week. C. Penruddocke,
Eq., of Compton Park, ham forwarded £2O to the
Mayor in aid of the fund.

Diszsistrriox or l'amm.—A large meeting was
held in the National Scliord-room on Wednesday,
when several books, pictures, and toys, were given
to the boys and girls of the Sunday nod day seloola
by Mrs. Herbert, and the prizes given by the Cor-
poration were distributod among the boys of the
Free.school.

BOWER CBALICK.—Skeep Menling. —This crime, it
appears, is still rife in this locality. Two ewes u ere
stolen from the fohl of Mr. C. Parham lictween the
19th amt 2.lith ult.

.....
_ Byte corp., —There are now
50 effective mentlwrs of this c,rps, and they met
for their first drill on Thursday.
WAIIIMINSTER. —Ball. —rue County Ball at the
Townhall on Tuesday evening week was attended by
upwards of 100 of the aire of the neighbourhood,
and every thing trued off most satisfactorily.
THE ATIIEN.4:I:M. The annual goin'e at the
Atheneum, on Wednesday weck, was attended by
upwards of 500 members and friends. The hall win'
crowded, although optical amusements in the reading
and chess rooms served to draw off a portion of the
°mime,. There was a musical entertainment, and
addresses were delivered by the Vicar and the Pre-
sident (the lion. and Rev. S. Best). The Rev. H.
Dicker also read Dickens's Christmas Carol, and to
crown all, there was a distribution of articles from a
gigantic Christmas tree, which had been placed in
the centre of the room.
nowsKieue. Po/a/steer Rib f'orps. —The
Queen has accepted the services of this corps, which
to to be called the 2111 Company in the County o
Wilts.

SIA Rl= LAVINOTON.— Volunteer Rilfe Corp.,.
A meeting was held at the Green Dragon Inn on
Tuesday to promote the formation of a ride corps for
this locality, when it was stated that there were
more than 60 effective volunteers ready to join.
PK MIMIC. —The inhabitanta of this parish have
presented a testimonial of their regard to their late
much beloved vicar, the Rev. T. W. Dowding, on
his removal to a more extended sphere of chnstian
duty, consisting of an elegantly chased silver flower
and fruit stand, manufactured by Messrs. Hancock,
of Bruton.street. Vpoo one of the rhields of the
vase is engraved the following inscription :—" Pre-
sented to the Her. Townley Ward Dowding, M.A.,
vicar of Preshute, by his parishioners, as a iuiuoriat
of their aasitionate (*teem, and in grateful remem-
brance of his faithful teaching and services during •
ministry of ten years. December, 19."
LANBOUBNIC. -- The Spiny Ashdown Park Meet-
ing.—The Ahem- Coursing Club (Luicashire) has
taken sixteen nominations in the all-aged stakes for
thirty-two dogs, at this meeting, where they are
ready to meet all England. This spirted challenge
will ensure a good meet, and it is expected the match
will be molt interesting.
Flioxvim.n.—.S'easonable Liberality.—.l. L Pop.
ham, Esq., has presented each widow at the college
with a handsome supply of game.
CHIPPENH AM. Terrikc 1/oil Storm.-- This town
has been visited with an extraordinary hail-storm, ac-
companied with vivid lightning and loud peals of
thunder. The roads were almost Unpassable in many ,
places, in consequence of the large quantities of rain
which had fallen during the week, and the fields
were generally inundated to a large extent. The
banks of the river flowing through Hardenhuish
Park overflowed, and some of the labourers' cottages
were flooded. Several persons residing near the
Avon suffenal great inconvenience from the water
flowing into their housta, and the damage done to
their property.
SwisnoN.— The Case of Me Re'. 11. J. Ilatr.h.—
The foreman and ten of the jury who lately con-
victed this gentleman have signed a memorial to the
Queen. stating that if the contents or the petition of
Mr. Hatch to Her Majesty had been proved at time
trial, they should have acquitted him. and that they
now believe him to be innocent. They, therefore,
pray Her Majesty that the truth of the allegations in
the petition of Mr. liateli may he inquired into.
The twelfth juryumu was absent when the memorial
was signed.