The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-12-21 00:00:00

Seri—piures
the Pope

DORCIIINTER TOWS COI/MCIL.
Wirgiestisv.—Present : The Mayor (Mr. A. Fmson).
Aldermen J. Gilpin. 11. Lok G. Come, Oeuncilb.r.;
J. G. Gregory, M. Devenish. W Daniels. J. F. Hodges.
Dr. Aldridge, F. Lock, W. Slade, and Mr. G. Symonds
(Town Clerk).
The Marna WA the first business was to farther con-
sider the report of the General Purpnici Itnonniittee, In
regard to the appointment of Surteyor and Inspector of
Nuisances, and if .I,ciiie.l advisable to make such appoint-

manta. S.
The three candidates before the Council were Mr.
Nichlle Brigtol, and Mr. W. Norman, Weymouth, for
the Surrevorshin; and Mr. W. Chick for the Ake of
Inspector of Nopiancea
_ Mr. Niel:von* had sent some illwitradon of Ms work as a

811.—rv.ey.M...---
The Tow" CLERK said that he had written to the Local
Government Board to ark whether there was any oblection
to the Council aniviintinz 114 111+1w-tor of Nuisances the
Inspector of another authority, but he had not received
in lIRNMer.
The report of the General Purposes Committee,
presented at the last meeting WS" again read hp the
Town Clerk. It was conriderdon Ist December, when it
was resolved to separate the officer of surveyor and
Inspector, end the following were %elected —Mr. Chick,
Mr. Nicholls, and Mr. Norman. On 4th December the
three attended before the Council. and the matter war
further adjourned until to-day, to allow private inquiries

10 he inailj.
In answer to an inititiry, the Town Clerk said he did not
apprehend the Council were confined to the three named,
but might if they liked invite others to attend.
None of the Council would propose Mr. Nicholls, and
Mien the Mayor raised the question of going back to the
general list.
Mr. SLAM? prime pi that the seven be again referred to.
and two or more selected—ho mentioned Messrs. Winship
and Hankins.
Dr. ALDROV:It seconded, and Insisted they especially
wanted a man who understood machinery.
Mr. T. IignMKTT complained of the waste of time which
the course suggested would involve. In Mr. Norman they
had a man whose qualifications were in even- way situ.
factory. and he wan well known in the neighbourhood.
His testimonials were good and he thought there was no
reason for going hack to the original NA. He 10gg,..,1 to
propose that Mr. liortnan he elected.
Alderman II tune said he was as anxious as any of them
to get the best man. but he objeeted to the Proceeding
proposed by Mr. Stale. They had taken some pains to go
through the testimonials, and finally selected two. From
that he concluded the appointment lay between them.
When he heard what Mr. Nieholls &Mil of himself h., was
desirous that further inquiries should he made. Bat now
he should not vote for hhn. In Mr. Norman they had •
candidate of whom be knew something in business, and
be bad njwni, had on-asion to respect him as an honour-
able man. He believed that he possessed all the qualifica-
tions required in a surveyor. and was capable of doing all
the work they wanted. Under these circumstance's he
should Inline to go back to an unknown field, hut should
be pleased to second Mr. Bennett', amendment.
Mr. ORMiORY supnortcd the, amendments and spoke of
the little reliance to be placed on mere testimonials.
Dr. Atnatong matt in going back to thus original list
they would not lie establishing • new precedent At the
but election of Surveyor the candidates were reduced to
two of them IMO Caine to the town Ilut left without
coining hefore the Council, and the other was not selected,
but one from the general list.
Alderman LOCK took it that their object WM to secure
the best man. Who wu bet Unfortunately he did not
have an import 'ty of seeing the te•t• ~ nials of the
general candidates, but of the two finally selected he did
not think that either hal been turd to the duties of the
office to which the Council had to appoint. Ho hail jost
examines! the testi 111 l otitis of some of the seven, and
thought that of Winship. assistant surveyor of the Mal-
vern Local Board for five years very good, lie had no
objection to Mr. Norman. or to any one else, but wee only
desirous that they should have a good officer, and one who
had been used to machinery, and knew something about
the management of waterwork&
Mr. T. fivimerr rentarked that Mr. Norman put up the
waterworks at the Verne, Portland.
Mr. Homes said he had been impressed very strongly
with the necessity of knowing something more of the can-
didates than was to be gathered from testimonials, lie
had endeavoured to keep I ' self free in this matter. and
to investigate as far to he colild the merits of thine who
offered themselves for the office. Ile thought that they
rust now come toe decision, and, from the personal know-
ledge be had of one of the candidates (Mr. N 'mutant selected
deliberately at the last meeting. he was certainly diaposed
to give him • trial, and he was hopeful that they would
end him • useful man and a goisi ',Meer. MI hid inn&
some inquiries about Mr. Norman. and he Wan so
staneed in • neighbouring town (Weymouth) that they
had full opportunity of knowing everything about him :
and from the information lie had been able to obtain, he
eras certainly in favour of appointing him.
Mr. LOCK 1 That Is very satisfactory.
Mr. H0D064 t In Tetrad to machinem if not positively
an engineer an regards hydraulic machinery, the questions
he put to him when before the council were very satisfac-
torily answered, and it seemed p that he put u the pumping
machinery at the Verne. Portland. Ile thought a man
like that would sturdily get into the successful super-
vision of our waterworks.
The MAYOR exprered his regret that the Council had
been shut up to these two candidates. Between 40 and en
were gone through, and of the seven selected he was par-
ticularly struck with the testimonials of Winahip, Creen,
mit linnbje., Ile was anxious that they should he
retained on the Hut with Norman, lint it was decided only
to bring the Bristol innn mid Norman, so that they were
driven up into • corner, and they might as well have
elected Mr. Norman at the beginning. and have saved all
the trouble and expense. Ile was sorry to have men, pm.-
..ins better tgogt ..... niala than Norman. put aside, and
he should vote with Mr. Shute that the matter Inc referred
back to the nottinittee, with a view to having before the
Council two or three moon' from the seven selected can-
didates. He thought that would be • much more satin
factory course.
Alderman GALION sail he had just looked through the
testimonials of Mr. Winship and emild not find one
word to justify their selecting him in preference to
Norman. All they had of him (Winship) was that he had
been five years assistant surveyor. There was not a word
to ry he was in the leant qualified to manage waterworks.
Mr. Dgmosissi said it was because he was an assistant
trunryor that he WWI thrown out.
Aldennan (Int.rlN rid he tirrnly believed that Mr.
Norman was the best man, and he deprecated the rear-
UOlll coat by the Mayor on those who thought differently
from him. lle thought they ought to give one another
Credit for desiring to do the best they could for town.
A division was then taken, when three voted for Mr.
Nor.stan—Mr. Bennett, Mr. Galpin. Mr. Gregory, Mr.
Devenish. Mr. Hodges, Mr. forum Mr. Mr. F. Lock. Alder-
man Lock at first said he ahould not vote, but was
ultimately reconied with the majority, and so was
Alderman Corfu.
Against, were—The Mayor, Mr. W. Slade, and Dr.
Aldridge.
Mr. Norman was therefore elected at £l;5 a year. from
lit January next, subject to three months' notice on either
side.
The MaTOIL proposed the appointment of Mr. W. Chick,
ne InlneCtOr of Nuisances, sulsject to the approval of the
Local Government Board.
Mr. 1100GI3 and Mr. preDEn both rose to second the
motion, and it was carried tottnimously.
The Council afterwards nit in committee.