The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-03-20 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

Kinn Conn.—About forty members of this
corps assembled on Mill Down, on Thursday after-
noon last, to be drilled by their officers. The tailors
are working hard to complete their task by Easter-
monday, the day fixed for the corps to make its first
appearance in uniform. The colour of the dress is
ntle green, with little or no ornament, having loops
of braid on the shoulders ; and, with the exception of a
red collar, presenting neither in its facings nor
buttons ought to attract attention or to detract from
its usefulness. The cap is light, but cannot be
designated becoming, and we fear the profiles of
some of the gentlemen will not be improved. The
peak or front is slightly turned up from a horizontal
line, and to those whose most prominent feature is
inclined to be somewhat celestial this turn of the
head-dress will not be favourable. In fact, whether
Roman, Grecian, or indescribable, we cannot think
the style of cap will be thought otherwise than
unbecoming. Its suitability is another matter, and
we confess that it appears to us that instead of the
raised front aiding the sight, it would be unfavour-
able to it on a bright, sunny day. The cap is sur-
mounted with • feather, which does much to lessen
its unsightly appearance. The cartouch box, sus-
pending strap, and belt, are made of patent leather
without ornament.

Cottomutsuir.- -The High Sheriff has announced
that be will hold a court here on the 26th instant,
for the purpose of appointing a coroner for this dis-
trict, in the place of t . Johns, Esq., who has resigned.
We trust the freeholders wifl duly consider the
importance of the appointment, and rote only for
that candidate whose general qualifications seem to
point hint out as fitted efficiently to perform the
weighty duties of the office.

POOLE.

LUCIFERS BY RAIL—A summons, obtained by in.
specter Bent, by direction of the officers belonging
to the South-Vi estern Railway Company, against Mr.
James K. Hardy, of 20,81). John-street, Clerkenwell.
was heard on Tuesday at the Lambeth police office,
in which the defendant was charged with sending,
on the 23rd of last month, a large quantity of Inciter
matches, to be conveyed by that railway to Poole,
without distinctly marking them on the outside of
the packages containing the same, or giving any other
notice of theircontenta. Mr. Elliott remarked that
the most serious consequences might result from the
transmission of such dangerous materials, unless the
provisions of the Act were complied with, and con-
victed the defendant in the penalty of 40s. and costs.
The money was at once paid.
RIFLE CORPS.—On Monday evening week, 72
persons belonging to this corps were sworn in to bear
true allegiance to Her Majesty, ike., before J. W.
Martin, Esq., Mayor, and several magistrates. The
ceremony took place in the Townhall, and caused
but little excitement. Captain, Parr, Lieutenant
Cox, and Ensign Aldridge, were first sworn, after
which, the Captain briefly introduced the corps to
the notice of the magistrates, and afterwerds took
the oath in batches of twelve. The Rev. John
Barrow was unanimously elected hon. chaplain, and
Edward Lacy, Esq.' hon. surgeon. The members
were then suitably addressed be the Mayor, and
after a succession of repeated cheers for the Queen,
Mayor, Sheriff, and their officers, the meeting was
concluded by the singing of the National Anthem.
At a meeting held subsequently, the following were
appointed Sergeants 11. Farmer, C. Keats, E.
Taplin, T. Alfpenny, W. Waterman, jun., H. M.
Aldridge, jun. Mr. J. Harman was appointed
bugler; and now, on drill nights, the "call' is beard
in the streets. Nearly all of the members were
attired in their uniform, and presented a very
soldier-like appearance.
DORSET CENTR•L RAILWAY. Mr. It D.
Seymour has been unsuceu(ul in getting an extension
of this line from Wimborrie to Poole, which is
admitted by all to be so much needed for the
development of the produce of the district. From
the large and influential meeting held in the Guild-
hall some time since, and the great =mint of
shares taken up to the town, we thought the
directors would have been more successful. The
following is the agreement between the South'
Western and Dorset Central Railway Companies:—
The South-Western Company lease the other com-
pany's rails from Blandford to Wituborne, for a
period of five years, during which the lessors are
not to attempt to make an advance towards Poole.
The South-% eaten% company during that time is to
put Poole upon their main line—abandoning the
present drop from the junction—if they obtain the
sanction of their shareholders.
OPERA COMPANY.—The performances of these
artiArA have been renewed this week in our Town.
hail, after engagements in neighbouring towns, On
Wednesday night Auber's celebrated opera of •• Fra
Diavulu" was presented for the first time in this
town, but owing to the unfavourable state of the
weather, the attendance was very thin. On Friday
night the entertainment was for the benefit of Mr.
J. Manley and Mr. E. 1). Corrie, when Balfe's
beautiful opera of the "Bohemian Girl" was
performed, followed by the laughable sketch of
"The Quaker." The company performed their
parts in an admirable manner, and were continually
and heartily applauded.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.—The committee of this
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society bas re-engaged Mr. Thoobald, who so ably
advocated the temperance principle some few weeks
back in our hall, to deliver two orations on Monday
and Tuesday, March 26th and 27th.
LErruite.—On Monday evening, Mr. SlllllOOl gave
a lecture at the Infant School-room, on the "Chemical
and Mechanical Properties of the Atmosphere." The
lecturer is well acquainted with the subject, and
introduced many brilliant experiments.