The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-07-12 00:00:00

Somersetobirt.

novu..—E.rploeiox of Gas.—On Saturday week,
an explosion of gas took place at the Medical Hall,
in the Borough, which might have been attended with
most serious consequences to life and limb. The pro •
pnetor, Mr. T. C. Maggs, having been annoyed with
an unusually 'hong smell of gas, lighted a piece of
paperinordertodaicovertheplaceofitaasct'pe. He
had scarcely had time to apply the light to a part of
the shop situate behind the counter, when all at once
a violent explosion took place, lifting up the boards
in various parts of the shop, and scattering bottles of
cod-liver oil, and bottles and jars of sundry chemical
Preparations, hither and thither in the most admired
confusion, mixing their contents together on the floor
in a way perfectly unknown to pharmaceutical prac-
tice, Such was the force of the explosion that two
or three of the pavement stone' near Messrs. Hancock
and Cox's shop, in Middle-street, were ejected from
their position. On examination it was found that
there bad been an escape of gee from the main near
the shop door, which had permeated the earth and
found its way into a drain winch runs under Mr.
Maas shop. The eccentric manner in which some
jaei IA their shelves, very much puzzled and asto-
nished the young gentlemen of the establishment dur-
ing their progress. The unusual noise made by the
explosion brought the neighbours to their doors ; and
our readers may form some idea of the loudnessof the
report when we inform then that Mrs. Bunn die-
tans-By heard it in her parlour at the gas-works.

SOUTH PETHERTON.—At a meeting of the arish-
inners of South Petherton on Thursday week, pre-
sided over by the Rev. Henry Bond, the vicar, and '
attended by most of the influential residents, it was
resolved that messures should be taken for the resto-
ration of their pariah church, including an entire
rearrangement of the interior. On the representa-
tion of Mr. W. B. Peren (churchwarden), the parish
authorised an application to be made for the loan of
.t7OO for the subdantial repair of the fabric. The
Chairman further announced to the meeting that a
committee, which had been lately formed in the
pulish for aiding in the restoration of the church,
had already met with liberal support in the promise
or saheeriptions to the amount of upwards of £SSO.
The architects who have been consulted are Messrs
Hicks and law, of Bath.

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Bairrow.--Oroad Rural Flee in Redlynch Park.
--It having been determined by the tradesmen of
Bruton and neighbouring towns, to celebrate Her
Majesty's Coronation day by a general holiday, a
committee was formed, and having received the
kind permiision of the Earl of Ikliester to hold a
Mte in Redlynch Park, • great treat aoemed to be
within the reach of all classes. The unpropitious
weather, however, prevented anything like open air
amusements, and an adjournment to Thursday was
announced. The holiday folks seemed determined
to have some amusement, so it was resolved to have
a concert, and with only two hours' notice the large
ameemblrroom at the Blue Ball Hotel was filled. A
choice selection of pieces was performed by the Kil•
mington braes band the whole of which wee highly
applauded. On Thursday the fete came off with all
the swoon that could be wished. The whole of the
shops in Bruton were closed at 4 o'clock. A most
respectable company, numbering nearly 2,000, as.
sembled in a large field commanding a fine view of
the Redlynch mansion, the beautiful park, and rut.
rounding hills. The sports commenced at four
o'clock as follows :—Hur&e race (heats) won by Mr.
Palmer; Flat race (heats) Mr. Morgan; Run and
Long Jump, Ist prize, Mr. John Belch; Run and
Long Jump, 20d prize, Mr. Palmer; Stand and
Long Jump, bit prise, Mr. Palmer; Steed and Long
Jump, 2nd prase, Mr. R. Bruce; High Jump, let
Prize, Mr. Pitman ; High Jump, 2nd prize, Mr.
r'ehnet ; Throwing lelb
= Hammer' Mr. Walter; ,
Mr. T. Saunders Deneing then cent'
in right good earnest, and continued till
dark, when there wee • very grand display of fire.
works, under the direction of Mr. Finch and Mr.
John Williams. The amusements were enlivened
by the Kilmingtee braes band and the Wincanton
PM. end Dram barlanglaelling sigternately, the per-
fassasiose of both repeated applause.
The refrainment' were supplied in spaa• 'au tent,
by Mrs. Merges, of the Blue Ball HoteL The corn-
pony began to diaper's at about eleven o'clock, and
we au happy to he eashied to say that not a single
nouplaint Ins laud as to the arrangements, and we
bops thmt Ibis is the hub of an umiak
of the kind in this gatheringlitsoerhood G praise is
dee the oassmittee for their ezertions, end we
madieuMnd they will hand over a eonsidisrahis nant
Maßitclice Mutual Improvement Society, Ise whoa
bees& the Mee was got op.
Caatedral Clook.—Our tizthew-v-
-lag okl Mud, the Cethsdral clock, has recently
undergone a renovation in the shape of rePanting

and regiktieg, &c., after a lapse of 17 years. The
manner in which the renovation has been carried
one reflects great crelit on Mr. J. Duilderidgc, of
Tur•lanc. quaiter jacks, " armed cap-a-pie,"
have had a new coat of paint and a considerable
amount of gnltt leaf bestowed upon them, making
them look quite military, and reminding tem of the
chivalrous days of old.

MODIEKN VAN DA LISM. —BOROUG II PETTY SM.
SIONR, Monday, July 4th. —(iir.me W. J. Welsh, J.
B. Plowman, and A. Andrews, Esiirs.)—Joku
William Fry, and l',,lerick Mardiall, three huts
of East Wells, were siuunioned at the instance of the
Itean and Chapter of Wells, fur wilfully damaging
on the 22nd ult., a mouument on the outside of the
Cathedral church. It appears that buys ure in the
habit of throwing stones at the jackdaws which build
behind the images and the undies in the Cathedral,
by which the monuments were much damaged, and
the present summonses were taken out as a warning
to others. Mr. Bernard (of the tinn of Davies and
Renard), appeared on behalf of the Dean and
Chapter, and state.' it was not their intention to
press the chatge. The boys were, therefore, suitably
admonished by the bench and discharged.
WesToN-Suer.n-S1 A RE. —At a meeting of the com-
mittee of the Westen-super-Ilare Dispensary, held
on Tuesday, H. A. Kinglake, Esq., in the chair, to
take into anaideration the temporary appointment
of a medical officer in the place of Mr. Bell, it was
resolved that the committee do accept with thanks
the offer of Mr. Tayler's gratuitous services, and also
those of the honorary inftliw.-lofficers who have kindly
volunteered their co-operation. It was resolved also
that the thanks of the moiling be give to Mr. Rich,
for his liberal offer of dispensing the medicines.

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GLASTONBURY. —Wednesday last was a gala day
in this town. The Band of Hope and Temperance
supporters from Wells, Wookey, Mere, and Street,
assembled at Glastonbury, at one o'clock, when up-
wards of 600 members formed a procession, headed
by the Somerset Central brass band, and paraded
through High-strtet. Magdalene-street, and Chilk-
well, returning to the Abbey Kitchen ground, (which
was kindly lent to them by the owners, the Misses
Neigh) where tea was served. The boys and girls
from the Wells Union, were kindly treated by C.
Clark, Esq.' of Street. After tea several addressee
were delivered.

WIRT SOMERSET ARCHIRY SOClRTY.—Thursday
week was the first meeting day of the /neon of the
West Somerset Archery Society, when the interest-
ing event came off with due ea! on the ground on
the Cheddon-road, where the society's marquees
were erected. The attendance on this occasion was
large, and included the Lady Paramount, the Presi-
dent, many members of the club, and a numerous
party of visitor, of both sexes, attracted, no doubt,
by the contiguity of the rendezvous of the West
Somerset Archery Society to the scene of the
National Toxophilite contest at Exeter in the cooling
week. The archery practice commenced at one
o'clock, seven pairs of target' being pitched at the
usual distances. The dinner was supplied in the
tent by Mr. Harris, and the wines were from the
cellars of Mr. Blunt. About 160 ladies and gentle-
men sat down to an excellent repast. After the
meal had been despatched, shooting was resumed,
and continued with unabated ardour until near 7
o'clock, when the prizes were declared as under :
Ladies' Prizes.—lst, Mrs. Slalet, aggregate score,
320; 2nd, Miss M. Wane, ditto, 2(34; :3rd, Miss
Badcock, ditto, 170. Visitor's Prize.—Miss Hard-
ing, aggregate score, 173. Gentleman's Prize.—
Mr. Aubrey Patton, aggregate score, 410. The
archery ball took place in the marquee on the
ground the same evening. Dancing commenced
shortly after 7 o'clock and continued until about 11,
when the company separated, after a most successful
and agreeable meeting. Suminerhayes' Band was in
attendance. The next meeting will take place on
Thursday, the 21st last,