The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-10-04 00:00:00

have the honour to he, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed), ALFRED L. DICKENS,
Inspector, Local Government Act.

Mr. Es soli then rose and said that in moving that
this report be received and tmtereil on the mimeo'
of the Couneil, he would find express the gratilim-
tion and satisfaction he felt at the result of the in-
spection made by Mr. Dickens, the Government In.
Spector. Anil he would now appeal to the whole of
the members of this Board, and he would also appeal
to the Editors of the Dorset Express and the Dorset
Chronicle whether the Board, the contractors, and
the engineers had not been most unfairly awl un-
justly attacked, during the construction of the
works, on account of the inefficiency of those works.
In naming the Editors of those papers he knew he
was treading on very tender grounds, because
Editors are very jealous of having their opinions
interfered ; but he did so because they were
not content with reporting the most unfounded
things with reference to that Bawd, as to the bad
construction and ineflic.ency of the works, but had
written ertiele4 in the 133112 e spirit, creating a spirit
of discontent and iliscitisfaction in connection with
those v.arkt, l.nt hi. thought the 'Miter of the
Mewl Express, when lie write his last paragraph On
subject, must have seen this Report ; fer he said
the Govenunisit Inspector was down and would
throw snue light upon certain things which ap-
peared to "unprofessional eyes" to be htally done.
But the Editor of the C'hrenic/c, who was net so
tender. followed thein up to the last with the must
unfounded statements. If. (the (hrottiel, ) maid that
the Inspector met the Cuuneil and haniteil in his
report with closed doors. Now, the Inspector did
not come to the 'remedial!, and the Report was nut
handed In at all ; and where the Ch runic/eget his infer.
nation lie (Mr. Miser) really did not know. No one I
saw that Report until it was read before them that
day. They might fairly put down the Editor of the I
Dorset Chronicle as one of the " unprofes.sionals."
In the Chronicle, he repeated, there was the most
unwarrantable attack against all parties concerned in
carrying out these public works. Then, the Editor
of the Chronicle talked about the "impertinence."
tif the Counsel, and salt!—" we ourselves will take
care that the contracts inefficiently carried out
" shall be brought to light." Now he would appeal
to that Report just read. Then the Chronide says
he will call upon the ratepayers, and hints at
vengeance to be done to some of us in November.
But he (Mr. Ensoil really did think that all these
remarks had been most unfair and unjust to the
Town Council, the contractor, and the engineer. He
did hope and trust that that Report would be pub-
lished, and that it would go throughout the length
and breadth of the land that their work had not ,
been badly done. From the statement of the
Cluonicle that this Report had been received with '
"closed doors," the conclusion abroad was that the
whole work would be condemned. He hoped that
the remarks he now made would be published, in
order that the public might be set right upon these
most important points.

Mr. (iALPIN said he would second the motion,
but in a very different way to that in which his
friend had introdutxml it. He had hoped they had
buried in oblivion all apparent differences in the
matter; but the tone of Mr. Ensor's remarks left
him (Mr. (Jalpin) no alternative but to say that those
who might have appeared to oppose Mr. Ensor's
views and those of others were actuated only by one
principle, which was to the best of their endeavours
to serve the public. lie was not aware that there
had been any unfounded statement' made at that
Board intentionally as such; statements may have
been made that were afterwards found tc be erro-
neous, but before Mr. Ensor could stigmatize state.
menta as false and unfounuled he must show that
those who made them knew at the time that they
were unfounded. He would leave the public to
judge of the conduct of iudividual members of the
Board, but he was perfectly satisfied in his own
mind that he himself Mel acted upon no other principle
but an earnest desire to see that these works should
be made efficiently and well. He felt it was neva.
airy to Nay this much, because it would really seem
from Mr. Ensor's remarks, that the opinions of news-
papers were all at once luought into extreme import.
mice with regard to their proceeding ; whereas be
(Mr. (alpiii) thought they umst have been satisfied
t rest upon what foul been done, and to leave the
venlict to be returned by public opinion. The In-
spector's Report was favourable, which every one
knew it would be. But the inspector has hail the
opportunity of conversing with individuals and inak•
ing reuutrks which were never made in the presence
of this Board. Had it ever been sail in their presence
tlutt payments haul been made which the engineer
bad hot ecrtiuied fur—that matters had been trkeu
out °this Lauds—that constructions bad wrongly
made. Had these things transpired before the Itoard
there would have been an opportunity for some ex•
',Lunation. But no ; at-dements like these have been
made to the Inspector pr vately, and what is the con-
sequence Is there any ..sember who will deny that
this Report is made front meats: information given
to the Inspector not in the presence or this Board ?
That the Report is in fact an (re rifit. statement? It
wits unfair and unjust that private statements should
I made, mid that the responsibility of certain things
sUlould be cast upon those who have endeavoured to do
tueir duty to their coustitutents. Ile did not cxon•
plain of those who upheld Mr. Whitehead, but he
claimed the same respect for those who entertained a
different opinion, lie regretted that those remark,
Ensor's haul been matte; let them now unite
and endeavour to nmke these works efficient, and
show the town that they shall have full satisfaction
for their money.
Mr. I:%soft : I repeat that it has been said at this
Board that the works have lava badly constructed
and inefiiciently carried out.
Mr. STANTON : I contend that they are so at this
moment

Mr. IiALPIN : Has it not been proved that where
joints ought to have been filled with lead to the
amount of several pounds there has not been a guar.
ter of a pound?
The MAYOR: I really think this conversation had
better drop. I don't think the articles in the
papers are 01 any consequence to us. If we do our
duty I don't think we need care what is said in the
papers.
- - -

Mr. HODGES said he thought it was the wish of
everybody present, now that the inspection had been
concluded, that a just and dispassionate view should
be taken, and that the ratepayers and the public
should be put in a position to judge of the actual
state of things. He would not for • moment touch
upon any topics likely to create a re-opening of any
discussion as to what had been previously said or
done on one side or the other. He would Nay that if
statements had been made such as Mr. Enter had
alluded to, they would throw an amount of disquie-
tude and dissatisfaction on the public mind as to the
state and quality of the work performed. He did feel
that some notice of Mr. Eimer a remarks was due, and
that they should express their opinion that the real
state of the case had not justified any such statements
alleged to have been put forth. He himself believed
that the works were well sail satisfactorily ?performed,
and that with a small additional expense and a little at-
tention the whole would be ready for the purposes
for which they were designed. He believed Mr.
Whitehead had endeavoured to perform his duty in
an honourable, straightforward manner. There was
an impression upon the public mind that there would
be • very large increase of expense beyond the sum
originally contemplated. He believed the total
expense as regards extols would be found much More
moderate than for ordinary works of this kind.
With the exception of the casualty of relaying the
sewer— and casualties will always occur which no-
body can foresee--and the increase of the works of
the well, which have extended over a larger time
than was contemplated, all the works have been per-
formed under the original estimate. He believed
the amount weuld be less than £5OO under the con-
tract. This result will allow that the supposition of
the expenditure of an enormoux sum over the original
estimate is not borne out, and that in comparison
with other works the amount for i xtras is unusaally
wean. He did hope and trust that the steps they
may all take now ought lie more harmonious thmi
they had been, and that they phould all pull together
so as to ensure the most solid benefits to the town.
Mr. Ilmuor perfectly spree,' with the tone of Mr.
Hodges' remarks. Mr. }Amor did make observations
which were not only uncalled for but unjust, and
which the whole circumstances of the ease would not
bear out. This question which bad involved • great
deal of their time and a great deal of thought,
now ken breaglit to a close, not indeed with
regard to the cost of the works, fur that involved a
rate levied f...-er a space of thirty years. And is it
to Le expected that the ratepayers of this or any
other town would feel artthetic or indifferent as to a
question involving so la.. . an outlay? Can it be ex-
;meted that in the ease of so large an expense being
incurred, they should feel no anxiety on the subject,
and shmild express no opinion whatever on this /111-
v/rt.:ad matter. Ile would be sorry to be a member
.s body who felt indifferent about such an limper-
Lmt subject. Persons had been desirous of checking
expenditure that might be unnecessary : that was a
right holing, which they were bound to encourage:
but if in doing so--not being entirely conversant
with the question, or with the art of the engineer,
they had mistaken any points, that was not to be
wondered at. And no doubt they had differed
among thmueelves ; and where would they find
sixteen gentlemen devoting their time and attention
to such matters who will come to • perfectly unani-
mous agreement. It is altogetMr impossible.
Therefore he thought they should not enter upon a
review of this question in the spirit in which it had
been introduced by Mr. Eimer • and he regretted
very mach that it had been dons;. With regard to

the public Press, lie, for one, rejoiced at the liberty
which was enjoyed by that important institution.
What would Leconte of them if the Press were not
free? In the ii ma they posse/wall a great privilege
in this country. In litany cases it has checked
, abuses, and had brought about improvements which
but for the Press would net have taken place. They
,[ were not justified in coming there and making
I remarks tending to restrict the liberty of judgment
I which their friend, Mr. Engel., had done—quite
unconsciously, quite unintentionally he was sure.
lie regretted notch that this had been done ; and
truster that the l'rt.ws would be free to act in the
exercise of its discretion without any atteuipt to
subject it to the censures of any member of that
Board. Of course they are not always bound to
endorse the opinions of the Press; but at the same
time it cannot he deried that the public Press does
very often point out mistakes and errors of judg-
ment, and it did certainly set them right in route
things. As to the Report, he was glad to find that
it was in many respects favourable. Mr. Dickens
hail expressed an opinion, and they were quite aware
of the tone which the Hewn would take. lie slid
not wish to go over matters which had been alluded
to relative to the lieport : a challenge hail Len made
on that head, and be did not feel inclined to take it
up ; if this were seriously done the Report would
probably given different view of the matter to that in
which they were now disposed to regard it.
Mr. EYson : Let me say one word in explanation.
I repeat that the Lorxrt Chronicle stated that the
Inspector handed in his statement with clewed doors,
and it went through the country, in consequence of
that statement, that our work was condemned.

Mr. Ifi.stior.: Well, it was only a;irs-ta;.— And
recollect, as to the efficiency you contend tot, the
water still goes omehow ; bat no doubt that will
be remelted: set. Itty thousand gallons have been
reported as lost only a few days ago.
Mr. MAiini:i.ts: As I read this Relso-..—a1l the
works are inefficient, but after all the ,iefects are
remedied the work will ha well done. It seems
to me to be Mr. Whitchead's ltoport. If any satis-
factory assurance as to the real efficiency of our
work can be extracted from that Report I shall lie
delighted. If it is a fact that we have 14,4 an im-
mense qteudity of water within the last two or three
days, these troublesome leakages are not stopped
yet. I ant glad the town are 1/I a position to hush
this bosimsa, and rejoice to find from Ni. Hodges'
statement that the expenditure will he so very
trilling that there is no law of the ratepayers being
charged more than they will be willing to pay.
Mr. lloixies thought the Board was not now
(ailed upon to express any opinion upon the Report.
He hoped it would be made publi, for the informa-
tion of the ratepayers, who would exercise their
own judgment upon it.
The conversation having been continued for some
time,
Mr. Cisme moved a resolution to the effect—That
a notice be issued that applications to connect houses
with the main sewer will be received at the office of
the Town Clerk front such persons as can show that
they can supply sufficient water front their own
premises to Cal ry off the house drainage.
MR. GALPIN moved as an amendment—That the
question be postponed until Monday next, and in the
mean time to receive a report from their surveyor as
to the present state of the works, and that the Com-
mittee for General Purposes have an early meeting
for settling the terms and conditions on which the
water supply and the drainage are to be carried
out. _

MR. BISHOP seconded the amendment, which was
put, and four voted for it. For the resolution
live.
The MAYOR said he would cilia meeting of the
General Purposes Committe for the following Friday,
and the business then terminated.