The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-06-01 00:00:00

who would ace what could he done in the matter, and
when the club broke, two gelrs hence, would be the time
to make any alterations. The 'untie in the hank at the
present time amounted to Di:V.l 0:1. ; and during tho
year £2l ga. had been pail on the death of a member and
the wives of two inetubers. He was pleased to say that
only about SO member, were absent from their gathering
that day, and he hoped they should meet next year tinder
such favourable/pier, NI the present Aviolau4e).
The Omutax said he had been retie...U.4 to .tate that
there were five members at the present time bit, and he
solicited the alms of those present on behalf of those
who were at home stilferins4 . .

In answer to the appeal I. 4. 1.1. was raised.
The Cif tilth AY gay.) the " Health of the medical officer"
(Dr. Denxiloa From what he (the speaker) had seen in
the village he could hear testimony to the excellent
manner in which their noslied olli,er hail always a.me
his duty, and lie had, therefore, pleioire in proposing Ina
health—(applause, and band : "For he's a hearty good
fellow.")
The Maio* proposed the next toast- "The honorary
Members and Visitors.- The former were not only very i
ornamental on occasions like the present, decked as they
were in handsome Lathes and rosettes, but there were I
times when they were found to be very useful, when
funds were wanted. As the sun was shining so brightly
he would not detain them by wing more, for he was sure
the ladies were longing to trip it on the light fantastic--
(applause).
Mr. C. Ithookfas responded. the was much obliged to
Mr. Tucker and them all for the way in which the toast
had been received. There was no mistake, he thought,
that the hon. members were very ornament:ll lin the
present occasion, in art, lie did not remember ever having
been so decorated before, and instead of being called
honorary members he thought they should be called
hOsOnled members, as they were indeed honoured to la
connected with such a society. Ile had of ton heard about
so many having died, and so many sold out, that the
society must break up, but he was glad to find such was
not the case, and he hoped it would be still immure prosper.
ous. That the society had done good lie had lately had
opportunity of seeing, for a po..r man who lived near him
died and left a large family. he belonged to the society.
and the payment at his death WM very acceptable to his
widow. Perhaps this society had not so many advantages
as the Oddfellows or Foresters, hot it was still very useful
to the poor man, and as those in towns hail their hank
holidays he did not see why those in the villages should
not also have a holiday when they could enjoy themselves.
Ile would read a few lines of poetry lie had composed on
the subject :
isimONIMURT

Our club day comes in Merry May,
When Noture's dressed in bright array,
With life and beauty all aniund
A better time could not be found.
We rise betime to milk mill churn,
Anil serve the pigs and fowls in turn;
The farmer's a to see his stock
The shepherl hurries to the Bock.
Above the towel the banner gay
Proclaims • holiday ;
The bells with merry notes reply,
And no one needs to question why.
The village home. look clean and bright,
The maidens don their drum, light.
And laughing IsAs with favimrs gay
In hearty frolic spend the day.
The road is spanned by arches green
With worda of welcome in between ;
Laburnums hang in graceful forms,
And lilacs sweet the whole adorn.
In Pridport town the members meet,
With band, and flags march through the Mae:
They wend their way up Skilling steep,
And ne'r forget to call at Eype.
Then pressing on fnn, friend to friend,
With cheers and health' the morn they spend I
A welcome walts at eery call,
Tis open house for one and all.
The house of God they visit next.
They take their seats and hear the tent;
The preacher's earnest- not to deep—
And no one dares to go to sleep.
The dinner tickets now arc got,
No time to lose —'tin such • lot :
Friend Stickland hopes they'll get their fill,
But not too much, to make them ill.
The dinner o'er, the tents begin,
And lu.ty cheers manual within- -
The Prince," "Coat, red and blue,"
All find response in Britons true.
"The Church " and " Club" receive their due,
"The chairman "gets a bumper too;
"The officers," in order come,
And "ladies" fair who shine at home.
The Chairman calls "The Press" at last,
Now sure we think the toasts are put,
But one gets up and with a thump,
Cries "Cheers for Foster', band and Trump."
"Aunt Sally, boys." so off we race,
We throw the sticks to hit her face;
The pipes, unbroken, seem to say
"Come, go a,(ain —the piper pay."
To kisa-in-ring sonic have a mind,
Tom gets the handkerchief behind;
lie catches Jane, and criu, "Now Miss,
I'll pay you off."—atet gives • kW.
The lads and lasses try • reel,
A [Wks next -mime Wilily feel.
Some scramble nuts, or have • run,
Till dew and darkneas stop the fun.
The band strikes up "God save the queen,"
The crowds returning home are seen,
We feel wo've had a Jolly day.
And almost wish 'twas always May.
—(applause). lie honed the day was distant when the
itriiiimilsbury Friendly Society would have pawed away.
fie had the pleasure of proposing the health of the
chairman that dav and the rector of the parish (the Rev.
H. Itawliniont Ile was glad to see him occupying the
position he did, after his absence for some years, and hoped
he would he Messed with renewed health and vigour—
(three times three, for Mr. and Kra. Rawlinson and
family.)
The I.IIAIRMAN 14-11.1 for five or Rix years his health had
been so had he had unable to he present, but previous
to that lie hail Wen tne chairman (or many yeara, and
had been connected with them for Di years. lie WILt, very
pleased to he with them again, and should be happy to
aid the society on all omissions. Ile found he had now
three told ronduct stripes on his scarf which he was wear.
ing that day, hut he hoped the next time he had to pre-
side MA chair would not be docked with nettles; as
they bad been rather annoying to him —(laughter and
applause).
"The Ladies," and "The Press," were given from the
chair; the Chairman remarking that the reamm these two
came last wt., he supposed, that they did not know which
were the greete.t disseminators of news—the ladies or the
press.
The Cwitamm then gave the" Host," thanking him
for their capital dinner, and remarking that he was a
regular " truinp."
Outside all now soon became very animated. Mr.
Foster's band played a capital selection of dance music,
in first-rate style. The number who engages! in dancing
was very good, awl during the evening there was a large
concourse of persons assembled. Kiss-in-the-ring and
the other amusements were largely patronised, and a very
pleasant and happy day was spent by the inhabitanta of
Symondsbury and the surrounding neighbourhood.