The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-07-19 00:00:00

BLA NDFORD.

CHURCH RATEN.—What no doubt WU a well
meant attempt to compromise the rather critical
puition which church rates now occupy in Bland-
has signally failed. It will be remem-
bered that at the last parish meeting a protest
was entered by Mr. Malachi Fisher against any
rate being made till his amendment was disposed of,
but that the Chairman put the original resolution,
"that there be a rate of 2d. in the pound," which
resolution was carried unanimously, the anti-rate party
having left the room, on giving in their protest. Since
this high legal opinion has been taken on the point,
and the protesters were confident of the inability of the
churchwardens to make and enforce the rate. A noble
Lord living in the neighbourhood had been consulted,
it was publicly reported, on the question by the Church-
wardens, and his advice was to let the matter alone
altogether, and et the amount by voluntary contribu-
tions, as be believed Church-rates were doomed. We
believe we have this statement on the best authority,
but at all events it seemed good to two very worthy
ratepayers, the one a liberal Churchman and the other a
liberal Dissenter, to away their powersof collecting volun-
tary contributions to the amount of the rate, and the
Atiti-church•rate committee of this town accepted this
mode of dealing with the difficulty, and threw their
influence into the scale to further it. The plan proved
completely successful so far as the two collectors were
concerned. Churchmen and Dissenters were visited
alike, and alike contributed voluntarily that which, as
a rate, the latter were, and we believe are, resolved to
resist to the utmost of their power. Some exceptions
indeed were found, some Churchmen resolved not to
contribute if Dissenters were called on, and some
Dissenters flatly refined any comprointie whatever,
believing that even were the collectors successful, and
the rate abandoned, all previous resistance would have
been thrown away, and nothing gained save the pleasure
of contributing to support a service they
The conscientieiozyl
objected to. e sequel was only what many expected.
When the collectors had succeeded to their earls'
content, they offered the amount of the rate to the
Chumbwarden, Mr. Johns, who retuned to have any
thing whatever to do with it or to receive it in lieu of
the rat.; stating, at the same time, that lie should
proceed to make the rate and affix the notice to the
church doors the following (last) Sunday.—Pron a
Correspondent.

CHURCH 1118810N8.—A meeting on behalf of
church missions, was bold on Monday afternoon,
the 11th inst., at the Assembly Room, Blandford,
two sermons having been preached on the Sunday
previous. The collections amounted to the large
sum of .e2O. - -

Bum" Somrrv--The Blandford branch of the
Bible Society held its 45th anniverearyat the Town-
ttlenobny WlLidrlanseinesda,yEagev.en.
thinegßelasv.t.j.
HThewels,etthatrattean•das.
Mg as a deputation from the parent society. The
meeting was also addressed by the Bev. Doge, of
Durwreton, and Baglin, of Witchampton, who
impressed the importance of the work in hand in
some very able and interesting speeches. The
secretary read the statement of the funds of the
society, which showed a very encouraging and
favourable aspect of affairs. It stated the amount
received during the past year to be £528 4a. 1 id.,
which, after paying remittance fees, bibles, testa.
manta, and other items, left a balance in band of
£92 17s. 104 d. The statement of the Blandford
Ladies' Association showed that £2.5 14". had been
received as free subscription', which amount had
been forwarded to the parent sbciety. About 250
or 300 persons were present.
BLAND7ORD MARKST. Saturday, July 16.—The
corn market is dull to-day, and quotations much the
same as lug week: We 'reglad to seethat every accom-
modation is given to the factors and farmers attend-
ing the new corn exchange. All the stands, 18 in
number, are taken, and sixteen very handsome
wooden benches have been placed round the room,
affording ample resting convenience.
Tnomeuum.—The annual dinner given by the
Lord Portman to the various huntsmen and ',toppers

employed on Nis estate, took place at Therniken on
Wcdneay.Ato 35 sat down to the vsry ample
fare provided, and his lordship's health, with other
toasts, were drunk with loti'ft dicers. The greatest
merriment and hilarity prevaiicd. and though few
apecclusi were made, some excelleVi songs were
sang, the standard of excellence in this Core being
not who could make the best speech, but who sould
I beast the greak-it number of litters and cubs.
Messrs. Dinnicomb, Cox, Richard and John Drake,
and others were present.