The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-02-01 00:00:00

MERCHANTS AND TRADERS' DINNER.

This ancient reunion of the professions and treies of
Weymouth VIM bell at the Victoria Hotel on Thursday
evening last, when Mr. and Mrs. Dann placed on the
tables an excellent repast Including the delicacies of the
season; an abundant supply of the best wines was also
pr ividoil, and at the instance of the chairman, on behalf
of the hr men Inomhers, • large quantity of champagne
was hr meht forward, that the guests might thus specially
drink their health.. The room hae been recently decorated,
and the adornments looked fresh and tasteful, while on the
tables were placed many beautiful flowering plants. The
chair was taken by Mr. R. N. Hower I (Mayor). ',repined
by the Rev. R. Gilbert, Mr. J. Roberteon, Mr. Mercer, Mr.
C. F. Arden, Mr J. 'I) 'vanish, Ac. Mr. Petty Hooper.
Town Clerk, occupied the vise-cheir, and among those
present were :—Dr. Simpson, Mr. R. T. George, Mr. A.
Curtis, Mr. A. Dennis, M. S. J. Fowler, Mr. H. Green'
wool Mr. G. Cooke. Mr. A Graham, _Mr. R. C. Bennett,
Mr. T. B. Oftener. Mr. G. S. Russell. Ur. J. Richards, Mr.
Stroud, Mr. H. Mille. Mr. D. H. Williams, Kr. Woodward,
Mr. H. Nobb", Mr. C. Rowe, Mr. GP,ILe. Mr. M. Robert.
son, Mr. G. Crickmay. jun., Mr. Boston Smith, Mr.
D owdeswell. Mr. .1 G. Rowe, Kr. H. Naugle, Mr. T. H.
William., Mr. T. It. G•oves, Mr. F. Crabb. Mr. Vine, Mr.
.1. H. Williams. Mr. Cosh, Hr. Abbey, Mr. Z. Milledge,
Mr. W. T. Hallett, Mr. S. S. Milledge, Mr. C. Jesty, Mr.
Templemen, Mr. Hill, Mr. J. Rowe, Mr. J. Ford, Mr.
E. Blanton. Mr. J. Groves, Mr. G. Rolls, Mr. W. T.
Aylesbury, Mr. J. T. Abbott, and Mr. G. R. °Hokum.
After dinner the CHAISMAX gave "The Queen," and
then "The Prince and and Princess of Wales, and the rest
of the Itsyal Family," with appropriate remarks, and the
toasts were duly honoured.
Next followed "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese,
and Christian Ministers of all Denominations." We have
to congratulate ourselves that none of the clergy in this
diocese have note= Points to be confined within four walls,
but lit this Moos"e we are proud of the clergy. The
mipisters of other denominations are hard-working. and
have the respect of those with whom they are brought into
contact The CHAIRMAN had the astrefaction of coupling
with the toast the name of the Rev. K. Gilbert, who bre
recently come amongst us to take the arduous post of
educating the young, and their piety and knowledge will
rreatly depend upon the energy and skill of the Rev. M.
Gilbert (Applause.)
Rev. Mr. GIUMULT only wished the Bishop and Clergy
of the diocese had a better representative than himself.
He had not the pleasure of the Bishop's acquaintance, but
he was well spoken of ea a thoroughly good Bishop, who
who does his duty as he ought. The clergy of Weymouth
are a body of men who well deserve the honour the corn-
pany had given them; they are thoroughly hardworking,
and amongst other attractions of Weymouth not the least
is to be found in the efficient instruction received from
the pulpit He was very much obliged to the Mayor for
mentioning his name, and hoped he should be able to
make his school efficient, and provide with education a
large number who may gather roand this board on a
future occasion. (Applause.)
Mr. T. R. Commis, councillor, was called on by the
Mayor, and remarked it appeared they were to look for
speeches not from those who proposed toasts, but those
who responded. He gave "The Army, Navy, and
Auxiliary Foredo," coupling therewith the names of
Lieutenant George and Q nartermaster Simplon, whom
they were more than pleased to have present. (Applause).
Lieut. H. TIZLID Geoaoi, 12 Company. D. FLIT.,
responded. We all know what the army had done in
day. put, and also in recent times—the comport of the
Zulus at Ulundi, and the heroic march to Candahar of
General Roberts. The navy will light at well behind the
iron walls of the present time as behind the oaken ones of
former days. Of the auxiliary forces we can speak with
some pride; last year the rcluntears completed 21 years of
service, and now there are 90,000 men, and are increasing
In numbers every year, constituting one of our national
defences, whom we can look on with • great degree of
pride. (Applause).
Q H. Benwren, on behalf of the Yeomanry, returned
thanks. When we look at the Cape, and see the Yeomanry
are doing good service, he hoped the day might come
when these at home would also be called cn to act—
(applause)—and if that day did come, they would be sure
to do their duty.
Mr. GIORGI Carouser said in an assemblage of Eng.
liabmen, perhaps, the most popular toast Is the health of
the Members of Parliament and he gave the "Health of
our Borough liferubsra" (Applause.) A more enduring
lot of men could not be found than the members of the
House of Commons, who sat night after night endeavour.
tog to establish law and order against anarchy. We should
try and strengthen the hands of those gentlemen who are
endeavouring to keep up the honourable feeling which
has always been understood of members of Parliament,
and our own members are quite ready to do what is
required of them to maintain those English laws of which
we are so proud. We must regret the necessity of that
legislation which has kept them in the House so many
hours, and are proud and delighted they have given their
time to the attempt; be hoped they would be successful,
and that Ireland would be pacieed—yet he hardly supposed
that would be possible, but that Ireland would be in some
way quieted.
The toast was received with musical honours and the

_
Yr. PaLLY 1100IMIL, Town Clerk„ gave "The health of
the County Maris:rates," expressing his sorrow none were
present that 'mooing, (Applause.)
Bong, Kr. W. Robertson ; "Drink, Puppy, Drink.'
Mr. A. DIN2IIII proposed " The Borough Magistrates,"
some of whom he was exceedingly plumed to know were
piesenr, and whit were sleeps nedy to attend large
number!' and do their duty so as t irorumand the apprJval
of the town. and if there are excaptims, we are quite
ready to extend to them that !•harity we should with
extended to ourselves. To Br. Itrberteon he per•onally
felt such gratitude as woul i be quite out of place to
shores., and m Cr Dr. Simpro!!, he had the greatest
rrspeirt and admiration for WO public character.
(Applause.) •

Mr. J. itoisearsow, J.P., returned thanks. 111 did not
know auy more strdriag instance of the11111111C1p•i ireedum
we have in Englaud thee that the chief insaottratm ii
choe,n by the popular vole. rho borough magatratea
endeavour to do their d uty, bud are most efficiently assiatad
by a v, ry able magistrates e'eak.

Dr. SUMMON, being loudly caimi for, could only re-echo
the "euumeute of hie wort iy frieud and colleague. Mr.
it 'benison. He did not of ten prif..rta the duties of the
magistracy ; but when ho erred it was on the dill° of
mercy. lie gave the hesith of • body of gentlemen whom
all valued mut thoroughly, and owed • deep debt of
gratitude— "I' he Corporation ot Weymouth." (Applause.)
He sometime' saw them wading down through slush and
mire to t .1 up the weekly tolls, and always felt sorry for
them. We have to thank them for the patient way in
which they do their business; they do nut hurry teak
and lie had often been supriewo to see what a large
portion of the middle sheet of tne Southern Timm is
devoted to the proceedings of tho TUVILI (-1411IICti. (A.
laugh.) The town tea, well watered and well cleaned ea
any, and when the Co rporation do get together their labours
are f ree frJILI any political bias whatever. At tithe kaput
-
ant question— " Who is going to be Mayor, it might be
well to adopt the same plan sa hosed in Norwich,
where it Is understood there shall be a Liberal Mayor one
year and • Wineerviiiive Moot the next, thus 00000
member throws politics on one side in that often most
political vote, the choocing of Miu or and aldermen. This
plan might be woith the c maid/ration of the Council
whoa next they held that mysterious hole-and-coruer
meeting. He oopled wito the tout the names of Alder-
man Grum', L onctllore Naugle, Milledge, and Curtis.
(Applause.)
- - - -

_
Alderman John GROVZS, responding. maid he had
belonged to the Corporation • few years, and though they
seemed ewe difficulty in carrying out the duties, yet
they ha I a guod general. In opinion they might dider ;
but only had one object in vie a—to do the best for the
good of the town. He had been indebted to the present
chairman tor pulling them together, now they are under
• very efficient Mayor, and make • very happy family.
(Applause.)
- - •• •

M. Councillor Na:Ml.g said the Council endeavoured to I
do is their corporate capacity what each would as an I
individual, to economise the rates, not to save all they !
could, but to du the beet for the town as • watering place. !
Watering pieces are different from others they must !
keep parse with the times, and only to do what '
our forefathers did would be for the rising
generation a fallacy; we must see what other
places are doing to casks themselves prosperous, and
throw • sprat to catch a herring. Among the visitors
relaxation is wanted, there ie a certain amount of busy
Idleness, and toe beauties of the Bay are not gaits so
beauteous on • wet day, when see see the people putting
their noses to the windows of the houses on the front. If
these people could meet in Soak, plane where they could
kill time, we should have • much longer season.
(Applause.) It we could tied • piece of ground we should
have a considerable sum giros us towards building a
Winter Garden; but the place bas not been found. Since
then has been pieced before us the idea of • pier—(hear,
hear)—ami that idea of • pier is • vexed question • in the
minds of some the pier would spod the Bay—(partial
spidause)—while to others it seems the very thing t
advance the beet interest* of the town. (Applause.) We
had not come sufficiently between the two moot points :at
any rate we ought to pick and chose whether we
should ignore the idea, or whether we could possibly
embrace the objects of the present pier with the objects of
a pleasure pier pure and *myn. The two ideas, he
' thought, might be met; :he Piers Company see we are
opposed to their ideas, we shall drive them away; but if
we can lay before them certain propositions, they may me
they can make the pier remunerative. It occurred te him
whether such a meeting coald not be celled as should
bring out the ideal of venous pirties. As to what Dr.
&meson said about wading through snow to the bills, that
was the beginning of an improved plan, and the town's
accounts deserve yet better scrutiny than they receive.
(Hra-, hear.) As to wh,l, ,s seri about the prosperity of
Bourneruouth, Eastbou,n-, and other plume, whet is the
Callan that has me is those pi tams flourishing f It is purely
sensational; they get • neue or something, and thousands
upon thousands flock there; but Weymouth seems Is be
isolated. Kr. Mangle, at considerable length, spoke of
various matters for incr....dug the prosperity of the town,
anti aini much applauded.
Mr. S. S. hllid.ithog hardly knew why it falls to the
unhappy lot of the youn rest councillor to respond, unless
it is thought advisable for those who respond to know as
little about the working of the institution as puenble.
(L kughtar.) One of the most important businesses of the
Council is the Improyenrent Scheme ; they having applied
or borrowing powers, and a most interesting feature is
that the time over which the repayment is spread is as
long as psuible, that those who come after may have the
sweets of paying for what they enjoy. As to the proposed
pier, the town is showing it wish, s the plan carried out,
by the fact that those representing two-thirds of the
rateable value of this borough hove signed • memorial in
favour of the plan. (Hear, and applause.)
Mr. Wuncillor CURTIS, in responding, said all political
matters were drooped most firmly when the members
came inside the Council Chamber. As to the pier pro-
poeed, if it be erected purely as a pleasure pier, no doubt
It would be an advantage. In the course of his speech Mr.
Curtis said something, which was seised by
Councillor GILLMAN, who said—When • member of that
Board got up and makes use of the word " nmpectsbe" he
took exception to it, and asked Mr. Curtis to withdraw it.
Mr. Craws did not intend no use the word, and subati.
tuted "respected' for "respectable."
On which Ur. CILUILIS thought Mr. Graham should
also favour with some remark.; but Mr..Gltalta.M did not.

The Caste.lath remarked those who are not members of
the Corp,ration would see how very particular they bad
to be in the language they used, for if any word wee not
exactly right they were called t order. But in the Council
are no obstructionists, and if their discussions are • little
lengthy, it is entirely from the wish of everyone to do his
best for the good of the town. The scheme mentioned by
Mr. Milledge is having the best attention, and the
Surveyor is doing his best to get out the plans. As to the
money being serval over a number of years, he reminded
tbem we enjoyed a good harbour from • fund made, and
until • comparatively recent time there was no opportunity
of making streets and pavements by borrowing money, so
that it was • great hardship that those who had come into
the use of good paremente should pay nothing for them.
It was abs dewily neretaay to have good dithers to give
advice to keep them under control, and he gave the health
ffi
of two Very good ocers—" Mr. Arden, Magistrates Clerk,
and Mr. Polly Hooper, Town (Lark." (Musical honours.)
Ur. C. F. itatige, returning thanks, did not know why
he wes called upon, except that be wea the senior oflicer,
said be had liyed here all his I.fe, and loved Weymouth
above other towns. He also thanked the magistrates for
the kindness and courtesy recollect by himself and his
father for be could not tell how many years. (Applause.)
Mr. FILLY Hoopla said there is an old Latin maxim—
&hit:oriel priorsa, and be had not the slightest doubt the
Corporation of Weymouth were just a. pleased for Mr.
Arden to return thauks first for the toast, as for him to do
so. The worthy Mayor had alluded to the fact that our
local Parliament are.not hampered by obstructionists, and
although he occupied the position of Town Clerk, some-
what, though not exactly like that of the Speaker of the
noose of Commons, he had never had to put in force the
extreme powers weich it bad been necessary to put in
force within a few hours. The ceupsuly knew little of
the duties of the chief magistrate, might think he had
nothing to do but to AO to church, or sit at his own dinner
table with • gold chain around his neck, but the duties
ought really to be paid for by • handsome *salary. Two of
the leading lights of the town would not burn, and Mat
night the Mayor was for one hour trying to get the lamps
to burn. As to the Promenade Pier, the Council
personally see it will be an advantage ; but they wish to
be consulted about it, and to know what is put before
them before itis carried out. Thee have tried every means
h)COule to the objects of the Pier C irn pany, but have net
yet lineCeeded. As to the Harbour, the damage which has
occurred is • fleabite to what it would have been were it
not for the Outer Pier. Our worthy member had come
forward and filled up the gap, when funds were not to be
got, and he is now prepared to hand over that money to
the Weymouth people if they will accept it, and if it can
be secured to the poor in perpetuity. There are some
difficulties, owing to its having been lent on • trust fund
but the Mayor he hoped will take an early opportunity to
carry out the wishes of Kr. Edwards,
Mr. W. T. rtiLialUlti gave "Prosperity to the Town
and Trade of Weymouth," coupling with it the names of
Messrs. T. B. Groves, Rowe (Royal Hotel), and G. RuseelL
Seng, Mr. Vine: Gold. gold, gold."
Mr. T. B. GROVES, responding, said Weymouth must
keep pa'. with the tunes, and he advised going • little
beforehand; but we are not doing so. He should be very
sorry to see the bondholders of the sold pier injured, but
did not see why we should look after their interests in per.
ostuity, and shoold hold up his bend for the Promenade
Pier. (Applause.) In front of the Burden Hotel it would
be within moderate reach of those who wanted to use it;
end he should like to see at the end, like that at the end
of the pier at Brighton, a concert room and refreshment
room, where people could meet. A pier of that kind with
• room at the end would be a convenient rendezvous.
Mr. G. Rusitzu. also responded. II hoped other tredesmen
would be as Battened with the trade of Weymouth as he
lirva, and was quite certain that with energy every one
weld have stlititeal in his business here, (Applause.)
Mr. DESIVIS, being also called upon, referred to the plan
in the Town Improvement &brine for making a new road
to Weymouth town proper. If that part is to be developed
as they desired, including the portion built upon by Mr.
Talbot, no better plan c be adopted than by making
this road, pelling dowu Chapehv stairs, and providing an
approach worthy of the 19th century. There M also the
approach to Rodwell and Wyke Regis, and when the com-
missioner comes down he hoped no one will oppose the
schlent. (neer.)

-11•71011.:4 FORD also responded, and expressed himself in
favour of the no* pier.
Mr. Joai. TALBOT proposed "The Visitors," coupled with
the name of Mr. C. JEITT, who responded.
The CRAIIUIAN sloe " Ths Steamer Communication,"
oouPled *WI j.be name of Mr. 8. T. Fowt.zi, who
re•Pq°64 in • &bin *moh. ft the carve of
whims he atated b 4ULDwer hrl been aa exceptionsal7
good one r.r he ere luer ennui ono tragic,
/ions. Mr. Wo Saud L "Et cet,r, ••
Thn iJHiajtaj4 gave "The 11.41 timtem.- and Mr.
DUNN reaponded. -

CRO.DII Dr°Wwo4 "Th. Ladies," and Mr. RosmaSON,
jun.. and Mr. DOWDING responded. 10011 after which the
company separated.