The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-12-20 00:00:00

Samersetsbire.

Yeoxth.—The Great Western Railway Company
have followed the example of the Loudon and South-
Western by introducing improved second-class car-
riages on their line. They are comfortably cushion-
ed, with stuffed rests for the back, with the addi-
tion of cords for suspending the hat.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. —Some weeks ago WWI an-
nounced the improbability of the re-opening of this
church at Christmas. It has since been decided that
this event will not take place before February next,
and it really seems possible that it will not be re-
opened until a still later period, as the works are
far from finished. During the past week the church
has been visited by the Bishop of Bath and Wells,
who expressed his approbation of the restoration.
Mr. Digby and party, of Sherborne, also visited the
church.
INQUENT. —On Friday week an inquest was held
at the Hop Vine Inn, by D. H. Ashford, Esq., the
coroner of the district, on the body of Richard Henry
Ash Ellis, who met his death in the following man-
ner. Mary Ellis, single w ~,,, an, mother of the de-
ceased, said live at Elford Lane Stop Gate. The
deceased was my child, and six years of age. On
Monday the tith November last, I left deceased at a
quarter past five o'clock in the afternoon to go into
the town; and returned again at a quarter to six,
when I found the house full of smoke, and deceased
lying near the door. I took him up and found he
was in an insensible state. John Morris, who was
coining through a field near the house, came and took
the child from me. When deceased had recovered
he told me to put some shavings on the fire, which
fell out and caught an oiled cloth and other things
near to it. I gave him some medicine, and the next
morning, as he appeared worse, I sent for Mr. Gar-
land, a surgeon, who came at once, and attended
the child up to the time of his death, which took
place on Sunday the sth of December. He was per-
fectly healthy before the accident. I locked the
door when I went in the town, because the house
stands alone from any neighbours. The Doctor told
me he died from suffocation on the chest. --John Mor-
ris, • labourer stated: I live at Folly House, I knew
deceased. On Monday, 28th November, I was going
into town, about six o'clock in the evening, and
when near to the house of deceased I saw the mother
with deceased outside of the door. She said, "the
child is on fire." I went and took deceased from
her, and I discovered there wan on fire about him,
nor even his clothes seared. I carried him out in
the air, when he became sick and goon revived. I
saw him sometime afterwards, when deceased told
me how the accident happened. The coroner ob-
served, there certainly appeared to be some negli-
gence 011 the pert of the mother in leaving the child

alone; but if the jury was of opinion that the child
was old euough to lie left alone—being 6 years of
age they could not retain any other verdict than
that of accidental death. The jury, acquiescing in
Coe coroner's remarks, returned their verdict i&cuta•
dinghy.
SOU= PETHERTON.—Miss Lee's break up•ilance
took place on Tuesday last; more than 30 Ilarteck
pupils joined our class, funning together a very
happy party. Toe dancing reflected touch credit on
MISel Lee, whose exertions we were pleased to find
appreciated by her pupils. The occasion was chic;it
for presenting a handsome piece of plate, with the
following inscription :—" Presented to Mias Lee by
her pupils at South Petherton and Martock, as a
msrk of esteem. December 6th, 1M9." Toe piece
of plate was supplied by Dialers. Hancox sod Cox,
Yeovil.

We are pleased to hear that one of the pupils at
the Crannuar School, South Pethertun, lately pa,seml
a most successful examination for a Civil Service as
',ointment. Tuere were several competitors. A let-
ter, speaking w Cie highest terms of Dr. Billing's
pupils, has since been received.
611.112:11AM. —Communication between the Wat of
England and South Wides.—Dwrge Reed, F. 11.,
indefatigable in Ins exertions to promote the interests
of Burnham, has mule the requisite arrangements to
supply the void occasioned by the Steamer Taliesiu
having discontinued running between Burnham and
Carditi. Mr. Reed has formed a steam naviga.
t. company, for the purpose of efficiently
carrying on the traffic between the West of England
and South Wales, and this company have purchased
a illst-rate steam packet from London to ply between
the two ports. The old, slow, and uucomfortahle
Taliesin was unfit for the work of conveying vouch-
gers, and rendered inconvenient slut unpleasaut a
route superior to any other for the residents of a
large district.
Ifitmucwarre.—ThP Serious Charge against the
late Assistant Or,reeer.— At the Borough Police
Court, on Wednesday week, James Russell, jun.,
late assistant overseer of the parish of Bridgwater,
was brought up on remand, before the Mayor and
It. Bagehot, Esq., charged with embezzling deffil,
the property of the British Periminent Benefit
Building Society, of which he was the 'cemetery, and
also charged with fraudulently obtainiug and con-
verting to his own use £260 from Mr. Philip Powell,
of St. John Street. The case excited much interest,
and the court was crowded. Mr. Trenchard, who
appeared for the prisoner, asked for a remand until •
the following Tuesday. Mr. R. Smith, magistrates'
clerk : That is a long time. Has the prisoner any
bail to oiler? The prisoner : I have no bail to give.
Mr. It. Smith : Then I should advise a remand to
Taunton gaol. I think it would be the duty of time
magistrates to commit the prisoner to Taunton, be-
cause his father being the gaoler at Bridgwater, it is
not a proper thing to commit Iffin to Bridgwater
gaol. The Mayor: The Bench decide that this wise
shall be adjourned to Tuesday next, and that, in the
meantime, Mr. Russell shall Lama to Taunton gaol.
The prisoner could not obtain sureties. A warrant
was made out for his reumovol to 'faunton, and
handed to Supt. Lear; but, notwitstanding the de-
cision of the magistrates, the prisoner was kept in Cue-
tod7 at Bridgwater, instead of at Taunton. Rus-
sell s defaleat in connection with the Building
Society are admitted to exceed £1,300.
SOMERTON. --Ou Thursday week an adjourned 'n-
quest was held before D. 11. Ashford, Esq., at the
Unicorn Inn, respecting the death of a child en.
• trusted to the care of Anna Wool, who was found

dead. The child was two years and nine months
old, and the unnatural woman had locked it into the
house alone while she went to Yeovil fair, where she
remained all night. On her return she found the
poor child lying dead at the foot of the stairs. The
body hail been exhumed, and a post-mortem exami-
nation made by Mr. E. Valentine, surgeon. It was
proved that there was not sufficient food in the
stomach to sustain life. The jury, after a length•
cued investigation, returned a verdict of man-
slaughter against Anna Wool, and she was *an-
imated for trial. Bail, howe,w-' was accepted.
WINCAIiTON.—The committee for the sale of coals
to the poor of this parish during the winter months
have made arrangements to deliver it weekly at
their respective houses without any charge for de-
livery. About one hundred and sixty tuns are thus
delivered during the months of January, February,
and March. Every poor person residing in the
parish is allowed to purchase, and the oimmittee
therefore make an earnest appeal to every benevolent
individual residing in or connected with the parish
to aid, by their kind subscriptions, in reducing the
price to the lowest sum possible. Subscriptions will
lie thankfully received by Mr. Clarke, at the Stamp
Office, Wine:Luton.
BitrroN.—k preliminary meeting of the influen-
tial inhabitants of this town was held at the Blue
Ball Hotel, on Thursday evening, the 9th inst., the
object of which was to make the necessary arrange-
ments for forming a Rifle Giro. The chair was "e-
-1 cupied by the Rev. James White, who in an appro-
priate speech pointed out the necessity of the in
habitants of every town joining in this natioind
movement. Several other gentlemen addressed the
meeting, and a resolution to this effect was carried
unanimously—•• That a committee Ise immediately
formed to confer with the principal inhabitants of
the towns of Castle Cary and Wincanton, with a
view to an amalgamation in forming a Rifle Corps.
The meeting was most successful, and before its close
upwards of £6ll was subscribed.
The lice. Prebendary Meade of Castle Cary,
preached a most impressive ser at our church on
Sunday morning week, on behalf of the Church
Missionary Society. A collection was made at the
close of the service.
SHEPTON MALLET.— The Sheldon Mallet Volum-
teem —,e120 has been subscribed towards this ooriri,
and 60 effective' (a company) have given in their
names. There was a meeting held yesteiday (Mon-
day wee!') for the purpose of enrolment, kc.