The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-09-07 00:00:00

DEATH OF AN OLD AND RESPECTED
INHABITANT.

One of the oldest of our local politieans died on Monday
night, after being a long time so weak that he has been
unable to take part in public affairs. The name of Mr.
Richard Bower, takes Us back to times when polities both
local and national, were diseuned far more fiercely than
at the present time, and when the discussions were not
always in words alone. The spirit of war was abroad,
although for a short time there seemed to be • truce while
Napoleon was at Elba, when Mr. Richard Bower was first
returned to the Corporation of Weymouth and Melcombe
Regio, in Ildt The remembrance that the next year saw
the short and fierce struggle that ended at Waterloo will
bring more forcibly to the mind what sort of times Mr.
Richard Bower lived in. In 111,21 he was made the Mayor,
and for many years he WPS high In influence in the town,
being at the least twice re-elected Mayor. About DO he
took part in the opening of the Harbour Bridge, and in
many other public ceremonies he also took a leading part
Ile carried on the business of wine merchant for some
yean, and was agent for the Johnstone estate, in which
capacity he superintended the building of the Royal Baths.
Mr. Bower had also • brick yard of his own, and some of
his bricks were used in the structure. The deceased
gentleman was a strenuous Conservative, and it would
have been wonderful if he did not, as each, attract •
certain amount of unpopularity at the time of the
bitter struggles when the great Reform questions
were debated. There was, however, one notable excep-
tion; he, with the late Mr. Henning, strenuously
opposed the sale of the Park, and his independent conduct
on that occasion, gained him • large amount of support
from the Literals as well as his own side. As agent of the
Johnstone lints, Mr. Bower took from the Backwater
marshes • piece of land extending from about where St.
John's schools are now nearly to the Park Hotel. It may
give an idea of the then appearance of Weymouth to
remember that timber was previously floated up the Back.
water to timber pounds near the Park Hotel. Mr. Bower
made a bank nearly in • line with the side of Waterloo.
place, and kept the water out, and this land was retained
by the "Johnstone Estate," for the Lord of the Manor.
In the new Town Council Mr. Bower was several times
elected; he was also a magistrate for the borough, and
held prominent positions among the Freemasons. But
lately he has become too weak to take interest in public
matters, and though occasionally seen out, he had ceased
to be • power in the town. Ile leaves three daughters and a
eon, we believe, and certainly there are very many friends
who will regret the decease of Mr. Richard Bower, who
outlived even the animosities of his political opponents,
and Ls now only remembered as one of the links, so fast
loosening, that bound the Weyniouth of the present time
to the watering-place favoured with the smiles of royalty
when George the Third was King. The funeral is fixed to
take place on Saturday at the Weymouth cemetery, the
arrangements being entrusted to Messrs. Hallett and Sun,
undertakers, of St. Mary-street

TRINITY SCHOOLS TREAT.
Pleasant excitement pervaded the whole of the Chapelry
district —we may say the whole of Weytuouth parish— on
tVeymouth afterroon teeth for on that afternoon the
children of Holy Trinity day and Sunday schools were to
have their treat. For a long time !hashed been expected;
but, owing doubtless to the md bereavement of one of their
beloved ministers, the chil lren had had to wait, and look
with longing eyes while ether schools enjoyed their proem-
ski., their vas, and theirgames. This was tantalising enough,
and we should not like to my that some, of the irregular
attendants a least, ,'icl not manage to claim acquaintance
in one of the other schools, and so to make sure of one
outing, while waiting for their own. Such is human
nature among Chapelry children not lees than other.: but
whatever ther may _ have done in this way, the numbers
that mustered on Wednesday afternoon showed that there
were no desertions from the Trinity school treat.
The weather—which has been in some places so un-
favourable that ll] Southampton the scholars have spoken
repeatedly of " unkind St. Swithin " this year—was
propitious for this, as it has been for so many school treats
in Weymouth, and so, though long looked for, the affair
was all the better enjoyed when it came at hot Early in
the day, the children were laying.in the necessary cups for
the tea, and mothers had got up their youngsters clothes
In the first laundry style, so that early in the afternoon
(ah I bow early I) the neighbourhood of the school swarmed
with juveniles. About two o'clock they were formed in
procession. First came two huge waggons drawn by two
fine horses each, and loaded with infanta packed "like
herrings in • barrel" Then there were the remainder of
the Infant &hoot including all who could du the walk.
The Holy Trinity drum-and-fife band were next, and then
came the boys' school, followed by the girls' school. The
green-and-white banner of the school was at the head of
the procession, which was beautiful with a prodigious
' display of flags, and in the body of it were the
I children from the Wracks, as joyful if not quite
so boisterous, as the rest. About half-past two
the whole was on the move, the babies in the
waggons beginning to cry at firsts till they got iMed
to the motion, and they then enjoyed it ainanncly. They
marched by Prospect-place, Dorset-place, and into Hors.
fontstreet, to Hope-square, where they halted, and three
cheers were given for Mr. Devenish, 1/r. Groves, and all
friends of the schools, and a verse of the National Anthem
Man played by the band. Turning out to the Quay, they
then proceeded along Trinity-road and up hoot-lane, pass-
ing through Roslwell to Chapelrymead, the scene of so
many pleasant outings of the school, and now kindly lent
by Mr. Snook and Mr. Stepl•ens. Here they were arranged
in classes for tea, and, lest any showers or dews should
hays damped the grass, a large number of boards had I
been put down for them to sit on. Grace having been
sung, they were rugalol with tea and capital cake. Of
the latter Mr. E. Martin had made &elk, besides 30 to 40
loaves of bread, and this was not all the provision made.
Included in those at the treat, though they did not
walk in procession, were the pone children from the Union,
and it was estimated that •00 to 1,00) children were
present, while the teachers and friends made the number
larger still. Among those present were the kind \leaf,
Rev. J. D. Addison,. Mrs A.ddison, Mrs. Nairitc, Mrs.
Holden, Mrs. Oswalu Holden, Mrs. H. Devenish, Mrs.
John Devenish, 11ra. Padden, Miss Dowding, Capt. and
Mrs. !Stair, Mr. Clayton, Miss Pigou, Miss Way, Rev.
M. Harkness, 'toy. F. Fisher, Capt. Easton, Mies
Groves, Rev. W. Berry. and all were pleased to see
the Rev. V. F. ltansome, without whom scarcely
anything at Trinity schools would seen complete.
Mr. Ransom° also led grace after meat, and then
the children sciuupered off for their gained. Several cote-
'tedious swing-frames had been well and safely pot up by
Mr. Martin, of Oakley place, and each acconnuodated
a number of children; in another place boys blindfold
battered trusting hags, and got the contents. Elsewhere
Mrs. Devenish and other ladies scattered fruit and toys
among the eager girls, or these were racing for prizes. All
this went on 111 sight of the fathers and mothers, and the
1 latter especially were crowded against the hedge dividing
the field from the road, where they could see all the fun.
It was • most pleasant time, and the weather lasted fine
to the close.