The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-08-16 00:00:00

C. C. BAILIWIT,
Captain mod Adjutout.

PRESENT APPEARANCE OF THE CROPS.
The whoat crop, says the Gardeners' Chronicle and
Agrirultural Gazette, must unquestionably be pro-
nounced below an average crop. upon the whole; and
all other spring-sown grain crops, ezeept the barley
crop in Scotland, and perhaps the pea crop throughout
the country, are still more below an average. The hay
crop is the shortest ever known ; and green crops
gr nerally, although there is • more than usually full
and even plant of turnips, are stunted for watt of
rein. Ne ither in ito return of food for man, nor in its
promise of food for beasts, does the harvest of WO
Compare favourably with its predeeeesers.
DURSVT : Mr. It. Dance, of Dorchester, reports—
Wheat, barley, and oats under average: peat, average;
root crops, so fa bed ; hay, one-third et • crop.—Mr.
John Ford, of Rushton, soy,: Wheat, barley, and osta
under average ; peas, average; root crops, very back-
ward ; hay, not more than half • crop.— A Wimborne
correspondent : Wheat in bad csondltion from
wet and heat ; barley, good crop, improved by late
rams ; oats, short, and had yield ; peas, fair crop ;
root crops, very backward, and much of them
mieplanted ; hay, a short crop, quality good.-- Mr.
J. T. Homer, Ilemsworth, Wimborne, write, —Some
quantity of corn doven,but IRV° carried; hes ep.outed lie
shelter.' spots and under the teems. Barley the best
crop; this appears to be good both in quantity and
quantity. Wheat and oats short in the straw and •
poor yield, hut generally a good sample.—Mr. Henry
rook's. of Whitechurch, Blandford, reports—Wheat,
• very irregular crop, some very good and others very
thin, and,at the present time,the weather much against
it; barley, the same as wheat, the sample much im-
proved by rain: Oats, the tame as the other grain ;
Done up to an average: 11-ans, very few grown, what
I have seen are very short and thin Peas, • fair crop :
Root crops—mangels very fair, and swedes after fallow,
last after artillerists very bad, ell late turnips very bad :
Hay, a very light crop—Mr. John Pope, of Symonds-
bury, says—Wheat, below average, good yield for
etre, ; bs.-ley, good, laid in some places ; oars, good ;
be.tlll., short, but well podded ; pearngood ; root crept,
mend good, swedes vary very much, common twirled
irregular; hay, very short crop.—Mr. T. 11. Saundere,
of Watercombe, says—Wheat variable, average crops
in good land, light land bad, much wss ploughed up in
aping; barley, very variable early sown, average crop
on georl land, light land burnt up : oats, about half a
crop: peas, good crop: root crops, mange: good, swedes
and turnips very bed: hay, dry meadow, not • quarter
atop, sanfoin and field grans average.

come, and the poor convict copied for him several
DORCHEATER. hymns and adapted one to his own condition, (Malting
ILLEGALLY DEMANDING TURNPIKE TOLLS OT I the lost page with these words :
"On the 15th of August I die, but the Lord died
VOLUNTEERS WHEN ON DUTT.—During the camp week
a party of the 3rd D.R.V. Corps were proceeding in
even the bitter death of the cross to save such sinners
a
as me. God be thanked, and may ths Lord receive my
carriage, which passed through Mack's Gate on the
Wareham turnpike road, to join the main body of their soul when 1 die. Amen."
corps, when the toll collector, John Thorne, demandet A few days ago a memorial was addressed to the
and reoeived ninepence toll. This was paid under pro-
Home Secretary by Mr. 11. Lock, who generously
test, the volunteers being clearly exempt. A summons
undertook the defence of the poor fellow at his trial,
asking for a niitigation of the sentence, bet the reply
was obtain. d against the collector, who hid incurred a
Len was, that after careful consideration of tic case, Mr.
pc natty net exceeding 1:5, for illegally hiking the toll,
Hue° saw no erounds for ieterfering with the judgment
and the case would have en heard befere the county
of th law. Ratcliffe was informed of the re-nit of
justicis at Dorcbe-der on Saturday last, but just heirs
this effort to save his life, and he replied that I e did
the magistrates assembled the collector celled on the
not expect to eellepe death, and would retie r die than
volunteer complainant and expressed his regret at
having taken the toll, whereupon the summons
suffer penal servitude fin life. He was • most teachable
was
withdrawn on repayment of the toll exacted, together suliet front the beginning, he remembered many
pi.sages of Scripture learned when • boy, and the gaol
with the cost of the summons, and its service by the
police. officials were more favourably impressed by him than
DORaitaTES GAS AND OISE COMPANY.—TLe annual sty previous culprit. He was very fond of sin;ing
hymns, and for several nights put when visited by the
meeting of the ohiarthelders of this company Was held
Chaplain and the Deputy Governor, he has asked them
at the Gas Works on Tueeday, under the presilency of
Mr. Coombs, chairman of the directors. The directors , to sing with him, and the poor fellow led off each verse
without the lea.t faltering,indted be showed composure
presented their report, in which they expressed the
most favourable opinion of the state of the company's almost amounting to cheerfulness.
affair,, which presented every proepect of ceutinued On Supday the service in the prison chapel was
marked by special solemnity, the hymns and the
success. During the past year they had substituted
sermon preached by the Chaplain from John iii., 15
a din. hating main for the tin, which was originally
antll6, hiving reference to the sad deeth of Retell&
hail in Bell-street as far as email!, wing such of the
old main as was serviceable. The directors con template in this morning. The sacrament was administered to the
the metre, of the eiming year to relay and perfect a convict'
The Chaplain was with him a clod deal during Sun-
further pertion of the existing mains. A divirli nil of
5 per rent.. payable at the expir 'time of ten days after day, and at eight Mr. Bawler saw him. Before he
lit Ratcliffe said, " To-morrow will he the last time I
the adoptien of the report, was recommended. In the
course of the centing year they hoped to be enabled to shall eee the sun rise : I shall nevi r see it any more,
for there is no sun there (in heaven), there is no need
reduce the mertgage debt of the company to the extent
of 1:500 at Is sat. The report was unanimously adopted. . of it ;', and he told the Deputy-governor, that he
should sing in the morning " Nearer my Gni to Thee."
The retiring directors, Messrs. Thomas Saunders and
dny or two beerre this Mr. Bawler had said tr
Henry Lock, were re-elected for the ensuing three ' e
years, as also were the enilitorteMes.rs. G. H. Davis and Ratcliffe ho should like when he was gone to have
have some ground for believing he Was hapey : could
I'. C. W. Saunders, for the ensuing year. A unanimous
vote of tbanke Was ace Idea to the dire--tore for be give him any re ison for thinking so without any
quetetiona from the 111,1, or hymns 7 In answer the
their able management of the comps, y's bit-iness '
:
, durieg tie past year. A similar compliun nt was paid convict wrote the following
" I am, 'Elms. Retcliffe tie the truth, I am 26 on the
, to the auditor'', and the proceedings terminated.
AhNUAL sCIIOOL TREATA.—On Thursilay afternoon ' 117th of August, truth, truth, truth.
I was wanes • gr..at sinner to God, but thanks be to
beat, the children attending the West F.mlinaton school
Go I. loan look behound the grave I am able to say
had their annual out-dour to,, in a field close to the
parsonage. At lialf•past two they assesublea, In the by God's strength th.t he has pardon me of all my
sins which I have committed against him throueh our
number of shout NO, including the Sunday scholars, in '
lord and Saviour Jesus Cbriet our Lord. Amen. I
the schoolroom from whence they walked to the field,
where they were provided with an ample quantity of feel as if I was in heaven already. I feel that happy
that 1 am longing to be with Christ our Lord to sing
plum cake end tea, with the metal etceteras. A short
1 time previous the teachers and friends of the school , his erases in heaven.
I
Mr. Bottler I feel quite happy and I know that I took tea together in the garden at the back of the
shall go to heaven, for 1 know and feel that e`.briat has
I Rector's house, when smong.t those present were Mr.
I
forgiven me all my sins which I have romenitted and Mrs. Bird. Miss Curare. Dr. and Mrs. Pave,. the
I Mi.s -s S, inks (2). Misses nowt (2), Mist' Fudge, Miss against the 0 Lord. Happy, Happy—Happy—But
Steele. lain J. Reynolds, miss Watson. mi.. Bane, it is trough Jesus Christ our Lord that I over Came
Miss Candy, Mr. Howes, military .cripture reader from them. Amen.
Weymouth. Miser, eunnington (2), Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. , lam one in Christ Jesus our Lord. Happy, Happy,
and Miss Leek and Messrs. Gilbert, C. Famine, H. Be I Happy'
McDonald, Dennis, ice. A few kind remarks were made ' Thomas Ritelifle Age 26 Burn 1844, August 17th.
1 verse
by the rector, and an agreeable 'honr WRS spent. After ' The 'hieing lase can Cheer
the children had partaken to tle ir entire satisfaction, This alunge.n where I dwelt
the Rector pronounced the grace after meat. Varies TIR raratl.ow if thou
.art here
.. . .. . . ..

llPOrtl wl re. DOW entered into bY all—the girls betaking

llthou depurl. 11. 1;e. li

themselves to one part of the field, where. swings, Ice,
had been provided for their enjoyment, while the boys
soon broke up into little parties, each bent on some
kind of amusement. The Rector and Mrs. Bird spared
no efrirt to enhance their pleasure, and races, jumping
in Backs, and cricket were all patronised spiritedly. The
children of the men of the Royal Horse Artillery were
kindly invited to take part, and about 40, under the
superintendence of Mrs. William Jordan, joined the
others and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. As
the evening advanced the little epee were
called together, and after receiving a bun each,
they separated, highly gratified with their day's treat.—
On Friday afternoon the Milne* Churchill, of Colletoo
House, gave the Girls' National scholars their annual
afternoon's noting in the park adjoining the house.
About 270 children assembled, and under th "'leer.
vision of their mistres+, Miss Way, and tin, SiindAv
School teachers, proceeded to the greensward. Mr W.
woolaton provided an excellent tea, of which they
tar ook at four o'elook. Their want, were attentively
supplied by theit kind teacher+ and the Rev. T. A.
Feltner and Mrs. Falkner exerted, themselves to aid in
the happineis of the scholar's, The Misses Hodges (2),
e
Miss Stone, Misses Lock (2), and other young ladies
were present, mu! entered into the duties of the tea
table, throwing quite a plessurab'e aspect over the scone
by their genial demeanour and willing activity. After
the children rose from tea, they amused themselves in
an endless variety of ways. Apples and books were
Own distribute I amenst them, to their evident delight.
Some hymns were song nicely, awl much credit is due
to Iliss Wey for the decorous conduot of the ehildren
under her charge. They left just after eight, and
returned to their homes with feelings of pleasure and
gratitude to the kind ladies who had entertained them.
OnuaTT PETIT SgattlONo, Saturday.—Refore R. 0.
F. Stewart, Esq. (chairman), E. Pearce, Esq., G. Marry, Esq:,
and 11. It. Middleton, Esq.
The following transfers were granted :Roac and Crown beers
house. Portland, from Abraham White Comben to William
Stone ; Traveller's Rest, P itland,from Ehiali Stone to Falward
!Avg ; Fountain Inn. Portiaird, from Mary 0.1 to Saltine'
Smith; altsr license at Maiden Newton from William Hood to
Vernon. William
A license to dad incense was granted to George Whiny, of
Maiden Newton.
Two veung urchins of Dorchesternamed CiimitatiCuracuitt
and NAII.'LL lIIMCOCII was chanced alth fish poaching.
Last Tuesday mornieg the boys were seen fishing in Mr
Thorston s water. near Frome House, with a heist wire oil the
end of a stick The gardener and a •' lot f them" went its
pursuit, and a young man named Henry ',awe came site s.lth
them near From: bridge. Thev b Ited send. the river, but he
told them he knew them, and it was not any use for them to
run further. On the ground he found a roach and a duet:—
neither . I them weighing half a pound. A. Dose was /salting
into Ihirehester to issue a ..1111M..131., he saw Hiss, sek 4so From°
hank, tshcn he asked him oust he did with the fish. lie said
bet-ft hix sin the ground, but Churchill threw his away on
From, lank. The gardener said the boys had been taken up
later Mr Thornton before and forgiven.
They were fined gx, lid. each. Allowed a week to lay in, and
told that if they ',ken, mught there again tiny would be likely
to be sent te pri dt.
thou Li . and lIRMIT Cueacinta, of Powerstock,
acre summoned for poaching.
dame. Froorne. gamekeeper for Mr. Sheridan, said that at
10 ptn., on August 0, he found some wires set In a piere
a heat on land .sslipied by Mr. John/don:4 southoter. in the
perkh of Frampton. Ile watched and at five o'clock next
morning the defendant, came and took up the xvirta ; he found
thi-ns a Ith a hare each
Defendants pleaded guilty and MA they ha.) no excuse at all.
Nothing wax known against them, and they were cash fined
10a and tic. costs,
ThfOillAs CHANT, an elderly firm., Of We mouth, a-as brought
up in custody for stealing vegetables.
pc. Roper maid I.e Wan *sailing Captain Bunietes garden at
Ralipole, between nine and ten on Thursday iligh•, a hen
rkoner came in and broke off ten cabbages. A. he was going
away with his booty, the constable apprehended him.

Friend is the question on thy (heart) engraved
What must I do to be for ever mend?
Believe on Jesus Is the wale reply
Bleive on Him, and thou shalt never dl..
Ile i my Saviour, Prissit, and King
Who did for me salvation bring
And while I've breath mesa to idng...
Milt for nee.
Christ
Christ

God bless you, dear sir, God only knows how happy
I feel, Amen.
I am Thomas Ratcliffe, Lancashire.'
On Sunday night the convict retired to rest about
half.p.at eleven, and slept till five. He then rose and
drese d : his demeanour was grave, but he m•intained
his nand calmness. For broadest he bad a cup
of tat.; he deelined havinig anything to eat.
The Chaplain was with him very early, and
en t stayed with him till the time for his
Before the Rev. B. L. Watson left him the convict
wie et to sing "Nearer my God to Thee." and led the
hynin with a cheery voice. The Denuiy.Oovernor went
to take a farewell of him, and, in replyieg to his inquiry
how lie h It, he said le was happy -and went as to
remaik. "The sun does not shine here this morning,
but it will shlue the other side."
The morning of the execution was a dull one, and
everything seemed very still when the few who were
admitted (by special ti ket bearing the seal of the High
Sheriff) enta red the enclosure of the prison. At half.
peat 7 the deputy-sheriff. T. Coombs, Esq., attended by
two sheriff's officers, Knight and Foster, carrying
wands of officio, and escorted by a force of the vocnty
Police, proceeded to the front mite of the Prison, which
was closed. The deputy-sheriff knocked three times at
the massive door, and some female !awe looked out
gravely from the grated opening Oxeye. After
• short but solemn delay, the question came
from within " Who is there?" wlt..n Mr.
Coombs replied "The Sheriff of Dorset, who de.
mani's the body of Thomas Ketcliffe, that execution
may be done upon him." At three words the diyir was
opened, and the representative of the Executive entered,
and proceeded to the Governor's office. In an ailiining
room was waiting the executioner, Caleraft, attired in
• suit of black, with black cap, and with a bouquet of
geraninms and mignonette in his button hole. The hell
of the prison boomed out the death knell of the fated
rieiner, and was answered by the tolling of Si, Peter's
bell, as that of the parish in wtich the gaol is situated.
After shout • quarter of an hour's delay, a procession
was formed, headed by the Deputy Sheriff, and the
G..sernor of the prison, followed ler the Depu'y
Gov. rnor, Mr. Bawler, Mr. J. Good, surgeon, Rev. B.
L. Wstaon in his surplice. Caleraft with a carpet bag.
and a number of soh-officials and policy, with the retire.
eentatives of the Press. These witnesses of the law's
dread vengeance went thronea sonic of the peung„,, in
the prison. from whence the efficient can keep watch
through emall window, on the exercise yards. Another
halt ICIA made, and the 110biiet, who had been Cl.fir..ll
in the wait] which was the scene of Detbridge's last days
was brought out to • yard. lie stood with his heed
bent down pensively, but looked up.. Calmat entered
the enclosure, carrying the piuioning straps. Ratcliffe
remained unmoved, and when Lb a body wimeneireled by
the belt, beheld foith his arms so that the executioner
°Add readily put Vie strain around his wrists and
render him powt•rless. The final preparation bete
was made by Wendt passing a strap around the
cuiprit'a dins above the elbows, and drawing them
tegether. 'the convict bore the operation of pinioning
with great firmnesn holding tin head inclined to the
left, stud hi; face bearing the mournful elle% idea so
noticeable at any stage of the proceedings at which he
-,ck wash,

beleudant saki he waa OM' 60 yeare of age, and worked for
Mr. Jody. He had Des or been before • magistrate before. He
had been gleaning wheat :d1 day, and 1“4,1 lw.l a drop drink.
or he Antild not base done it.
egootwoint W 14 &ye Ma 14,04 AG

has bra to appear. Finally his neck was h trod. when he
'lightly shrunk from the contact with Caleraft's hand
otherwise showed no emotion, Ma expreasion of lottled.
but AO malty% Inelauabely, ronuaistiag unaltered.