The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-04-20 00:00:00

Sameratshire.

Haw M AGISTRAJISEL —At the Somerset Spring Ses-
sions, at Wells, on Wednesday week, the following
gentlemen
_qualified to act u mgCm
ates for this
county:—William Nash Alford, ~ of Sherboe;
Thomas Edward Clarke, F,sq., of mlett House;
Inigo William Jones, EsqisiZelston Park; Henry
Acland Fownes Luttrell, ~ of Badgworth Court;
William Melliar Foster-M • , Esq., of Wells;
William Tite, Esq., 42, Lowndes-equare, London,
( M. P. for Beth; ) and Sylvanwi Fox, Esq., of
Wellington.

Tautrros Vats HUNT. —The gentlemen and
friends of this hunt have resolved on presenting Mr.
James Scarlett, of the Nag's Head, with a substantial
testimonial of respect. A subscription list of a very
liberal character is open. The proposition emanated
from Samuel Pitman, Fail., at a recent dinner at the
Nag's Head, on the close of the season. We need
scarcely say that Mr. Scarlett is greatly respected by
all to whom he is known, and that the gentlemen of
the Taunton hunt have especial reasons to esteem
him.

ROTORATION OF CURRY RiVEL CHURCH.—On
Thursday week • large and influential meeting of the
ratepayer, of Curry Rivet was held at the Vestry-
room. The Rev. Mr. Roberta, the vicar of the
parish, took the chair at 12 o'clock, and after much
preliminary discussion, Mr. Munckton made a state-
ment respecting the defective state of the tower of
the church, which had lately been pronounced to be
in a dangerous condition, and no time should be lost
in its repair; for if it fell it would in all probability
fall upon the church and destroy it. Mr. Everet,
and some of the renting farmers thought some of the
outlay should be borne by the proprietors of the land
who had a more permanent interest in the parish
than the occupiers of the land, who were a fluctuat-
ing body. CoL Pinney, M.P., said he had agreed at
the invitation of several of the ratepayers of this
parish to meet them on the present occasion, to see
if some method could not be devised of Repairing the
tower, and, if possible, of raising funds for the res-
toration of the church. He quite agreed with the
opinion that had been expressed, that on this occa-
sion the landowners should render their assistance as
well as the occupiers. From the opinions expressed
all were now agreed that the tower was in a danger-
owl state, and must be restored immediately. It had
been suggested that the landowners should bear half
the rate. He was quite willing to bear his share, or
to endeavour to raise a subscription to meet the rate.
He did not conceive the opinion given respecting the
tower of Taunton was at all applicable to this case;
for they did not intend wholly to pull down the
tower, but only to rebuild the upper part of it, the
foundations and lower part of the building having
been pronounced to be in a sound condition. Col.
Pinney said that they had better see whether they
could not get a subscription to begin with, as he was
most sure that if the parishioners would not begin,
they could not expect any aid from extraneous
souroes. He then named a subscription of £5O, and
other gentlemen in the room made up nearly .£2OO.
A rate of £5OO was also agreed to, to be collected in
ten years. A letter was read by Mr. Munokton
from the rural dean (Mr. Lance) announcing a sub-
scription; and the meeting went off in a highly
harmonious and satisfactory manner.
GLASTONBURY.—Mr. Hodge and tie Friends.—
On Thursday week the news arrived here that Mr.
Hodge was liberated. The bells of St. Benedict's
tower sent forth their merry sounds, but St. John's
were mute, and the reason being inquired, it was
found that the Rev. A. P. Lovekin, curate of St.
John's parish, had given orders that the keys of the
tower were not to be had. On Friday the bells of
St. Benedict were again ringing merrily, and two
bands of music paraded the town. The tower of
that noble edifice St. John's was still /lent, and
greet dissatisfaction prevailed, the curate still holding
out, until T. IL Roach, Esq., and Mr. T. Monier,
churchwardens, waited on him and demanded the
keys. The ringers were soon in the bellfry and com-
menced their work in style, keeping it up until late
in the evening. Bonfires were lit on the top of
High-street and in the Market-place. The ringers
and musicians were paid liberally by R. Beth, Esq.,
and a plentiful supply of strong 'beer, cider, and
spirits were given to them by many of the inhabi-
' tents who are well wisher% of Mr. Hodge. We
hear there will be grand doings when he arrives in
' the town.
' BiutrroL.—An enormous quantity of brocoli
, reached this city, from Cornwall, on Wednesday, by
the steamer Hawk. It was shipped at Penzance pier
by cartloada.
ATTACK BY A Baaa.—At the Bristol Assizes, on

Saturday, Miss Besozzi, an Italian governess, brought
an action against Mr. Harris, the keeper of the inn
at the Steep Holmes, for injury sustained by her
from the attack of a bear kept by the defendant. In
passing its kennel, without being aware of ita vicinity,
the young lady was caught by the brute, thrown
down, and "hugged" in a manner rather more warm
than welcome. The bear drew her towards him, and
so soon as he had got her within his grasp, begsn to
worry her with his mouth in the most ferocious
manner, tore her clothes, and pained his fangs
through her person right down to the bone. Her
terror was extreme, and her screams were fearful, so
great was the agony the endured. The savage beast
for a time retained his hold, but receiving a blow
which struck him on the eye, he let go Miss Swazi,
and Mr. Gully pulled her away. For nine long
weeks Miss %some was unable to attend to any
duties. During her illness she had to submit to
painful surgical operations, her nervous system was
completely shaken, and she suffered from a lameness
which it was probable she would not recover from.—
For the defence it was contended that the beer was
quite • little bear, and that he must have been
=l7l64irritated.—Verdio4 kw the plaintiff with ASO

FIRE AND LONN Of LITT AT BATIL—On Sunday
night the Caledonian Tavern, Trimatreet, Bath,
wee destroyed by lire, and a woman, named Ann
Harper, perished before she oonld be extricated from
the burning premises. The unfortunate deceased
had only become a lodger on the previous Saturday
evening, having been discharged on that day from
the Both General Hospital es incurable. She in-
tended to return to her home at Trowbridge, on
Monday. At the inquest held on Monday, and, by
adjournment, on the following evening, the evidence
went to show that the firs-escape had been broken
in consequence of over anxiety on the part of the
polka to rescue the poor woman ; but it also ap-
pured from the statement of Clare, a fireman, who
courageously ventured into the room, and suoueded
at last in getting out the body, that the deceased
must have been dead before the fire•escape arrived
at the spot. The jury returned a verdict of "Acci-
dental Suffocation," accompanied with an expression
of admiration at the conduct of Clare, and a recom-
mendation that some person should be appointed to
take special charge of the fire-escape, as it appeared
that much precious time was consumed in getting
the machine into working order,