The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-06-02 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

Hoancmovakt Socarry.—Tba present year's show
of this ecnisty is annosuieed to come off darWg the last
week in August nest.
EXAMINATION. —Tim pupils of tbo in
connection with the Wftig Msn's Club in this town
were osculated under the gasping of the Same. sad An
Depart/neat, Bottle Yeathypen, as Thanday ia
• leollaPb7.

Havittglio is beeorning general tbresithost this
district. and the cereal crops, especially of *bust. less
every promise of an abundant harvest The late Mal
have brought on the potato crop wonderfully, and ODO
son almost "see them grow." Wheat in the ear may
be seen on Mr. Game's farm at Charlton Ilmoliall.
EARLY CLOSING Movsmurr.--Sevenil of the leading
tradesmen of the town have °cemented to close their
eaMblithments on Wednesday evenings, at live o'clock,
danutariu: libttele"timZefromr rentresithLtiion.n ordAernt'otigoeivientloepiliosatot
to this movement lain, however, been circulated in the
declinet 3weSt
o a
intt onhDri
ot
convenience
t:e!ewete effect
ofot t
otittakhi
their
the.oc,.u.rsrlmo: 0
ceommr t ro f theent, In T
b deference re re 1
annuale ain awn
sheep-shearing match for prises given in connection
tion. The judgwashe-4Mr23P.lPleßrerbLa eSauPnotrilorl7,fori"Me;.minj4tohhtien.
Keynes, and Mr. John Ford jun.. Prt4Kwitted the
work, on the whole, very good, but especially com-
mended the boys, one of whom, nems.a Robert
aged 15 years, beat the field, his work being oouridersed
even superior to the men's. The following was the
award of the judges :
Premiums, given by J. J. Farquharson, E.,1.—To the
Per''sheepnlnmihem'endedbest rosabynenr. —mrsnt b"prlse. who
oGetrriltel
...e"iibgrtherdr"3.
servant to Mr. M. B. Little, • cora and 101.; mem.. °ow'
Martin, servant to Mr. J. R. Burt, LI 105.; third, Robert
Simeon, serrant to Mr. John House, EL
l'renssunss given by Cheeks Parke, Eel.—To the person
recommended by a member, not being In the habit of shear-
ine with or In any compoiy.—lst ;wise, Robert Lep
servant to Mr. John C. Tony, £1 101.;second, William Freak.;
'errant to Mr. Charles Flower, 105.
Premiums given by John Plover, R. 1., M.P.—T°_,...._the
pmsou recommended y b • member who .hiat shear three anw•P
In the beet. manner, and who shall ha. won • thst premium
for Mewing In this mcsety.—John Wog., servant to Mr.
George Roper, a great Coat To the person under 18 ye,rn
of age, who when shear two Mew In the best manner—lit
prise, Robert Small, servant to Mr. E. S. Little, gl 10e.;
second, Imm Small, servant to Mr. Thomm Weameet, SI I
, third, George Stephens, servant to Mr. Harry Dibben, 10s.

BLANDFORD ST. MARY.
FRIUDLT AID BIJILVIT SOCIETY. —The anneal
festival of this society, which has 158 benefit members,
and a capital of £1,595 13s. 134., being en average of
about 10 guineas per man, was celebrated on Wednesday
In the usual manner. The members assembled at their
club-room at 11 o'clock, and after forming in procession,
heeded by the Abbey Milton band, first paid a visit to
the residence of their kind and justly-esteemed treasurer,
Mr. Hector, and them proceeded to church, where •
very excellent sermon, full of good advice conveyed in
the kindest terms, was preached by the Rev. A. S.
Littlearood, vicar of Ternworth, who kindly officiated
for Mr. Mansfield. After service the members returned
to dinner, which was served up by Mr. Monekton, of the
New Iris. Blandford SR Mary, in a spacious tent in his
field. About 100 members were resent. Mr. Hector
took the chair, supported by the Rev. A. 8. Littlesrood,
Mr. James, Kr. K. Oakley, Mr. F. Smith, and other
friends. After dinner, the usual loyal toasts were
given and received in a truly loyal manner. The
chairman then see "The Ministers of the everlasting
Gospel," coupled with the name of Mr. Liitlewoot, who
responded in • kind and judicious speech, which we
loudly applauded. "The patron of the society, Sir
William Marriott," was then given, and heartily re-
ceived, as was also the health of Mr. Hector, the chair-
man and treasuter of the society. The other toasts
were "The Secretary, Mr. T. Smith," in proposing
which the Chairman passed a high euloginm on him for
the constant and unremitting attention he had ever
shown in the discharge of his duties, and expressed his
earnest hope that he would long be spared to give the
club the benefit of his assis,ance. "The Benefit
Members" followed, and "The Caterer, Mr. Monkton,"
who was heartily thanked for the esc.4lent dinner he had
provided. From the printed statement of the society's
fonds we find that daring the past year sick relief has
been given to the amount of £12.3 de , and to widows of
five deceseed members £l5. The funds of the society at the
close of the year ending May, 1867. was £1,664 10s. 84.,
and at close of May, 1868, £1691 13.. 61., being an
in. resse of £3l 21. 10d. in favour of the soclety. May
such prosperity long continue 1