The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-12-15 00:00:00

COUNTY EXPRESS AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1868.

VaIIZIONABLII Anaintimr, very
_largo la point of
numbers, Rooked to the Burden Hotel Amierabll Rooms
on Thursday afternoon last, to hoes the charming
Warplanes:et of the 51st K.0.L.1. band. They were,
bly &BOW, sow usual when this noble bind makes
Ito aPPeararies, and hours forth Its sweet and powerful
strains. The following is announdid as the programme
for next Thrtrediwp, . .." II Boccie
Orerten...
Boni oats doh ache Vosektio" Gumbos&
Selection TroVoles
A. &radiator, MAWR DOIS&U".• ...... Stratus
Duo clubs.' gams ... • Sunhat Mater .
Getup si;P: iNny Iltbd Thar Newman.
0.1 elms the Queen.
LiTissar kWh SMISTIIIIO ISMTITUTIOS.—The last
lecture of the first eerier of this asemon was delivered at
the lecture room on Wednesday evening last, by W.
Routosa Fog., subject "Frolicsome capriole of Pun and
Fano,. There was a good attendance, as might have
been expecied. Mr. Rolston is a humourist of the Woodin
type, cseepting that he dispenses with theatrical
apPoodolies, and the rapid change* of dress for whieh
r. Woodin is so famous. Amongst the illustrations '
were the Pie of Baron Grog' f row N 'shots..
Nickleby, selections from Hood's " Up the Rhino," and
Dickens's "Sketches by Boa," the various abadon
engsged in the eleetiou of a parish beadle in • oouutry
town being very efficiently and amusingly rendered.
The entertainment mainly consisted of a string of
humorous tel., and jest, Inn and humour rapidly
poured forth in a variety of forms. Mr. wton's
vectriloquisi powers were turned to good amount in
adding to the OlOrrialalk of the evening. The audience
teemed more than usually gratifiod,fand we understand
that, oven if the Institution oommlttee do not engage
him, Weymouth may have the pleasure of hearing him
nun.

WEYMOUTH ATHLRTI.O A &Slier ATION.
The Runnel supper of this essoniation, so eminently
cal/misted to ensure the development of the thews and
sinews of the youth of Weymouth, and thus to conduce
to the meal soma in corpore rano, sass. a with edat it
the Golden Lion on Wednesday evening lest. Athletes
were assisted in their attack upon the good things set
before them by a number of the prineipel tradesmen of
the town, and several of the Corporation hoc oured the
()mammy with their premnoe. About 40 sat down. The
elide was ably tilled by J. 'Board, Esq. mayor, and
Alderman It. N. Howard obtained ecroside;able applause
for the way in which he officiated as vice. The viands
were very good, and wellAtooked, and well served, and
the arrangements generally reflected credit on Mr.
Felton, the host. A gratifying feature of the evening's
proceedings was the presentation of a handsome ooffee
biain to Mr. J. J. Groves, of Radipole, for his kindness
in placing a cricket ground at the disposal of the Assail&.
tion, and of a beautiful inkstand to Mr. J. Robinson,
their treasurer and umpire.
The cloth having been removed and the usual loyal
toasts honourd,
The CHAIRS AN proposed the toast of the evening,
"Hoaxes to the Weymouth Athletic Amociation,"
remarking that it did a vast deal of good by sensing
young men to enjoy rational amusement, instead of
doing something worse—(hear, and applause). This
was, he beheved,lthe fourth annual meeting, and the
moiety had been prosperous as to fonds, and successful
in the matches they had, and he hoped their success
would increase year by year—(applause). With the
toast he ought to (ample the name of Mr. Mown, their
president, and Mr. Robinson, their vice-president; but
Mr. MAISOn was in London and Mr. Robinson was all, and
he therefore mentioned the name of Mr. J. S. Willis, to
whose energy in working it up from time to time,
the sueoese of the anamiation wan mainly doe—

(applause).
Mr. T. Watt" in retuning thanks, said during the
last two or three seasons, gentlemen who had visited
the town, had played with them, and he mentioned Mr.
Wilcox, and Mears. Haigh, from Eton College, who
promised to visit them next year. A. long as they had
such members ce Mr. Hominy and Mr. Hanger, gentle•
men fond of cricket would tome and play at Weymouth,
where they knew was a good cricket club. The araoels-
tioo had only lost one match this season, they had
played the strongest teem first; but they would have
been succeesful had they played the 13th Regiment first.
The CHAIRMAN proposed "The health of Mt. J.
Groves, of Redipole," and said that in a town like
Weymouth, with so much water round it, if gentlemen
like him did not lend their ground, the club would be
iII off. He had the pleasure to present to him • very
nice coffee-pot called the "Comfort" coffee-pot, and be
hoped Mr. Groves would enjoy a great deal of comfort
in its use. He then presented • beautiful electro-silver
coffee biggin, nicely chased and embossed. It bore the
following inscription :—"Presented to J. J. Groves,
req., by the Weymouth Athletic Association, for
gratuitous use oflcrithet ground." Accompanying was
an address, signed on behalf of the association by their
captain, Mr. J. Dominy and Mr. T. S. Wallis, secretary,
and asking his acceptance of the present as • hint
acknowledgement of his readiness in lending the ground,
and liis consistency in refusing to accept any rent.
Every match played on the ground had terminated in
their favour, and they looked for additional triumphs
on the same green sward.
Mr. GROVIte returned thanks and said his father did
not feel equal to being present there that night; but
when he saw this handsome and elegant present, be
would be very pleased to writerthordial acknowledgment
of their kindness. His father would be pleased to see
them on the ground on future owiraions, and hoped
they would always be victorious-- (applause).
The CHAIRMAN brought before them "The health of
Mr. Robinson," and odthough this had been done before,
• good thing could not be done too often—(applauss.).
He piesented to Mr. Wattle, who accepted it for Mr.
Robinson, • handsome eleetro silver inkstand, as • token
of appreciation of his se:relies as treasurer as well as
vice president and father of the club—(applause). An
address also accompanied this preempt, expressing the
respect, gratitude, and esteem of the association,
acknowledging the approval not only by themselves,
but their opponents, of his verdicts, and hoped that he
might to restored to a better state of health.
Mr. Wsums immediately conveyed the inkstand to
Mr. Robinson, and returaed with an address expressing
that gentleman's thanks, and his most fervent good
wishes for the prosperity of the association.
The Mayor having been called away, Mr. BATTS took
advantage of his absence to propose his health. His
eourtesy and kindness were known to all, and he
proposed the tout not so much on account of his merits
as Mayor, but as 'heir chairman and fellow townsman--
(received with musical honours).
The CHAIRMAN, on hi. return, was informed of his
health having been drunk, and expressed the pleasure it
afforded him to be present. He was compelled to leave
by the serious Weems of his wife; but before doing so
he proposed "The health, of their captain, Mr. llominy,
and Mr. Hanger, their vice captain."
Mr. DoeteT acknowledged the good advice of their
worthy treasurer, the kindness of Mr. Groves in lend-
ing them his very nice ground. and the attentive practise
of the members, and complimented particularly the
junior members on the greet improvement in the last
if &NM. Their success also meth depended on Mr.
Hanger, who was such a good firm bat that not many
bowlers could move him. He hscl averaged 40 last
season, a score which not many players even in London
could bet—(cheers).
Mr. Murata attributed their snooess In great measure
to Mr. llominy and Mr. Robinson, the latter of whom,
when they were • young slob, gave them the benefit of
bin experience in clubs up the country. Mr. Graved
also he thanked for having lent the ground so admir-
ably suited for their games.
Mr. Tiunl having vacated the chair, Mr. HOWARD
was, on the suggestion of Kr. 81178, 110110iMnuAly
called to the poet, and expressed his pleasure at the
Aesociction's prosperity because it was part and parcel
of tho town, and showed what muscle the town could
produce. Like the victors in the old Olympic and
Roman games, the young men victorious in this assoora.
lion would have not the slightest difficulty in winning
wives—(laughter and cheers).
Mr. Waitis proposed "The heath of the Visitors,"
coupled with the names of Mr. Thomas, Mr. Bette, Mr.
Webb, HI. BrOwn, and Mr. Dyer, remarking on the
kindness of gentlemen of the Corporation In being
present that eeening—(reoeived with unusual honours).
Mr. Drag in • moat friendly way returned thanks.—
Ur. THOMLB spoke of the advantages enjoyed by young
men now, compared with the time when be had to
stand behind the counter up to ten and twelve o'clock
at night Alluding to the rifle movement be said the
shopkeepers of England would be ready now to stand in
the foremost ranks of their country's defenders—Mr.
Brrrs said he had belonged to one of the best cricket
counties in England, and if be did not belong to the
association it can sot his own omission, but because he
had not been asked. (Voices "All right I you shall
soon.") The compliments that evening had been very
straightly bowled; but they bad been as dexterously
hatted—(applause). If he could make his old flannel
jacket meet roiled him, be would show them there was
some muscle left in the old blood (tremendous
spphiuse).—Mr. HOWARD, Kr. Walls, and Mr. BROWN
also responded.
Mx. WAIIAS proposed "The hon. members," remark-
ing on the especial kindness of Mr. Thompson, of
Gloucester-row, who had doubled his subscription.
"The Yeomanry and the Volunteers," was proposed
from the Chair in • spirited speech, and Sergi. CHARIER
ably responded for the volunteers, and Mr. GROVES for
the yeomanry.
"The Town and Trade of Weymouth," was responded
to by Mr. V. Newnan, and Mr. J. 0. CARTHR, and
"The Ladies" by Mr. Gnome.
The company did not break up till slate hour.
BOR3IIOII Finn Reasiona, Tweday.—Before the
Mayor (J. Thud, Req.), and J. Ayling, Esq.
Felix Harris was summoned by Robert Bailey for an
smuts on the 12th Wt.—Defendant did not appear.—
Complainant said there was some music being played at
the Railway Hotel, at nine at night, and he went in to
hear it. As he was coming out again with some others
defendant tried to prevent them, and mine out of tbi
bar door, and wised him by the collar and pushed hint
out into the street. Defendant did not speak to him,
nor did any one else tell him to go out. Complainant,
when he was pushed out, fell into the gutter, and cut
his knee opee.—The Mayor : What business had you
out that time of night 7—Complainant said there wane
show in the park.—Nothing being said for defendant,
he was fined 10e. and wets, or moven days in gaol; but
the Mayor said It would be better if his parents had
kept him at home, instead of letting him out that time
of night .

Thirty.nioe summonses had been issued for non.
payment of rates, and in some eases orders to pay were
made, the parties having property in the town, and,
others, who bid not occupied the whole time, a propor-
tion was ordered.

Tue MAAUFACTOIII 07 .11WiLLIAT.—The striking
development of Pipe Art productions in this bransh of
the industrial trades since the period of the great
is admirably exemplified in • most interesting
little work fast published by Mr. J. W. Benson. who
holds the appointmiuit to HACH. the Prince of Wales,
and H.H. the Maharajah of Bardeen of 25, Old Bond-
street; 99, Weetbourne Grove; sal the City Steam
Factory, 58 and 60, Ludgate Hill. It is profusely illus.
tutted with the most beautiful designs of Bracelets,
Brooches, Earrings, Lookets, ho.. kn., in every eon.
osivable, style, and with prices attached ; and thus the
Intending purchaser is enabled to make a selection
suited to his taste, and have it forwarded to any part of
to. United Kingdom, India, or the Colonies. The price
of this most useful guide is Towpenoe, for which it is
forwarded post free, and to any one who contemplates
a purchase, either for personal wear or for a wedding.
birth-day, Christmas, or other present, it will be found
of the you greatest service.

THE RIGHTS OF THE PORTLAND OOMMONEES.
It will be remembered that • short thus Lei
the Local Beard appropriated to their use, am they fatly
believed they bad, in commas with other inhabitants,
a perfect right to, • quantity of gravel or able& taken
from what have always supposed to be oommonable
lands, near the Bill, and spread this refuse stone on
the reside. They have been charged with royalty,
claimed by the Woods and Forests on behalf of the
Crown, and hairs also hoe. required to sign an under-
taking not to take any more, and acknowledging that
they claim no right to do so. The matter has, indeed,
emne before a public body already, and we believe
between £l3O and £7O has been paid by the old Highway
Boord, on threat of law proceeLngs by the Woods and
Forests. It WIN not, perhaps, to be expected that the
Highway Board, comprising gentleman from, perhaps,
more than 60 parishes, would enter into • contest with
the Crown in defence of the Maims of one parish, which
claims they did not, perhaps, clearly understand, but it
Is one of the advantage. of the Local Bowl that they
are more strictly a body sympathising with all the
island, and whom interests are entirely bound up there-
with. Thus the Importance of the question was at
once recognised, and it was seen that a cession in this
particular might involve a most seriou, lose, and perhaps
tempt the Woods and Forests Offloe to Mill further
encroachments on these pnrileges which, granted to
Portlanders in reeognitionof their manliness of sharacter,
have helped is no small degree to sustain their indepen-
dence in even pressing them Yet the primpeet of •
lawsuit with the Crownllwu no attractive one, although
the gain ef £2,700 on the late arbitration eme (when
Portland commonera recovered that stun above what the
Crown tendered them) might hare given some encourage-
ment not to yield tamely to the invasion of their rights.
The Loral Board, therefore, determined to do as larger
governments have done before them, to appeal to their
constituents, and • meeting wm called for that purpose
at Yeates. The commoners assembled in the
oapsoious Drill Shed. There were about 400 or
600 persons present, Including Messrs. E. Pearce, R..
Lane, W. Gibbs, Jos. Hodder, Benjamin Collins. W.
White. Benjamin Stone, B. Flew. B. &riven, T. Gibbs,
W. Peas-or, jun., R. Stone, son., R. Stone, Inn., J.
Stone, W. Stone, T. Stone, Benjamin Stone. H. Stone,
and others of this numerous family, R. &mom, E.
Pearce, A. Pearce, J. Peewee, B. Bum, W. Pears°, ate.,
A. White, IL Benliehl, J. Benfleld, It. Mitchell. J.
Attwooll, W. Attwooll, R. Attwooll, and other Messrs.
Attwooll, Messrs. Sorieen, Messrs. Laao, Messrs.
Comben, Messrs- Smith. Mr. R. A. Andrews. Mr. Z.
Milled's, ka, to. The numerous and influential
amembly included the principal tenants and ratepayers
of the island; but we were unable to see a large pro-
portion of them, mush less to obtain their names, so
crowded was the Drill shed.
Mr. Benjamin Scriren, chairman of the Local Board,
was unable to be present, through ill health, and M.
A. Striven was called on to preside.
The CHAIRMAN called on Mr. Howard to read the
correspondence on the subject, which has already
appeared, with the exception of some of the last letters,
which we give as follow
Offloa of Woods, 26 November,
" Portland Local Board.'
Deer Wr,—" In answer to your letter of yesterday. I write
to my that evidence of the Crown's title to the freehold of
the land in question, abetter subbed to rights of common or
not, will, If itecemary, be given at the proper time.
You toll be so good at to bear In mind that if the under-
taking which I sent you is not re.urned signed, with a cheque
for £6, on or before the 3011 inst., proceedings will be
commenced.--1 NU, dear tie, yours truly.
HORACE WATSON."

aces nlflandM the country. The attempt on the part
ol the Board of Works to set up • claim to the force
shores as the part of the Crown was • most insidious
one, and would be Injurious to, instead of beneficial to,
the public interest, which required above all things
that the rights of property should not be rendered
Insecure foe the mere purpose of oreotine n inoome for
the Government. Could any greater injury be dono a
man than for the Crown to take a portion of his
property, and to say you must prove your title to it or
else it will be token from you, it was very difficult for
Individuals to runt pressure from the Crown for so
small a payment ao2o. 6d. or 6a, and yet the payment
of such sums would take the right from the proorietot
and vest it in the Crown. He tru-ted that Parliament
would not sanction such an attempt to steal persons
properties from them"—(bear, hear).
Mr. Hooker) said there was an old and favourite
adage that what WY every body's business was nobody's
business, and if several people were looked to do a thing,
it very likely was not done at all. That had been the
case in Portland for many years put ThOre hnd br°
in Portland ancient rights and privileges, common rights
and them of the lord or lady of the manor. The latter
had given them certain nghte from the land, which
formed part of their privileges; bat these had been
insidiously attacked, until one after another had dia.
appeared. When walking about the island and talking
with one old inhabitant or another, he had baud that
theythis wereright or 1 tghoante.f ormAenrdl y.tylo?npßow.d it a great power
em ; bat now
d it was
everybody's badness to see after these matters, nobody
was trying to grasp their privileges, .
had attended to it, and that power had been allowed
quietly to take them away- (bear, hear). But this was
now the position of the Island of Portland. They had
reoently started a Local Board, formed under an Act
of Parliament, by which its duties were defined; but it
was not among thou duties to defend the rights and
title of the commooers to their share in the land,
because it wee created by Act of Porliament, which did
not give it those duties. But the gentlemen who formed
that Board had summoned this meeting, because they
felt it their duty to place the whole matter before
them, and to say "We think your privileges are being
attacked: will you defend them or will you not?"—
(Cries of "We will.") This must &Deem to one and all
a great advantage. The amount claimed appeared to
be very small; but they must remember that in this
Wend the smallness of the amount did not test the
value of the property taken, for • piece of land to
arable might only return 2/oe. or 30. or 40.. • year;
but they knew it might represent £l,OOO worth of
Property lying underneath the soil. Yet they must
remember that if they as commoners paid one solitary
sixpence or shilling rectal for that land, it might debar
their right to what wee lying oneemeath—(bear, bear).
The amount of money paid was not the question, it
was the quantity of property taken. That being so,
before the Local Board was started, the island was
governed by • Board who met 13 miles distance, and
the gentlemen who formed that Board lived perhaps
three or four miles further off still, and having their
(arms to look after, they took no particular interest in
the island itself. The consequence was, when they
repaired the roods they took this shingle from the very
place whence the Local Board had taken it, a claim
was made upon them, and they good kind creatures as
they were, paid it at once to the extent of about LEO or
£7o—(yoioe £72). That money was paid, and it was a
recognition of • right by the Crown; but though the
inhabitants bad to repay that money in their rates, he
did not suppose any of them knew such payments were
made--(voice No! that we did not). Borne private
individual also removed stone from the same place, a
claim woe made against him, and he paid £5O. The
Local Board have now removed gravel and shingle
from the same place, and a claim is mark against
them; hut they say " We ;hall not pay it. unless
we toll the inhabitants such a claim is ming mode." Hie
thought the meeting would say the Local Board had
dons perfectly right in summoning the inhabitants to
inform them that their privileges were being attacked—
(bear). Capt. &riven had mode some observations as
to what had taken place in the House of Lords on the
question of foreshores. It had occupied the attention
of the House of Lords most seriously, and several peers
had spoken upon the matter, because they considered
the Government was making inaidious sputa on
property by getting small payments of hada-crown. fn.
or Mk., and thereby taking away the foreshore from
thou parishes and private individuals entitled to it.
Directly these claims were disputed the Crown said,
"Prove your right; we claim the land, and wc will
have it." The learned Lord Hominy, the Doke of
Argyle, and several other pears spoke upon it, and said
it was an act of gross injustice, and he (Mr. Howard)
believed that in the next House of 0001010 W the
question would be most seriously wondered, because it
was sot a principle that Englishmen approved, or that
should guide any country that might should rule right
—(hear, hear). The Local Board were most anxious
that proceedings should not be taken because they did
not want to be involved in litigation. A correspondence
had therefore taken place, making if some terms could
not be arrived at. But the Commissioners of the
Woodi and Forests said they would do nothing of the
sort, and they called upon the Board to pay Ed
royalty, and also to sign an undertaking that they
would not remove materials from the plus in question
without the licence of the Crown —( Mr. W. GIBBS :
"They wish us to give up all right and title
to the land.") The question was not as to the amount
of money ; but whether they should give up their right
and title its logo to the 41 acres of lend in question.
They must not look upon it as a question of money.
for, whether the amount demacded was Ed or tn., it
would be the same. When the meeting opened, •
gentleman put • very pertinent question, first, as to the
amount of land, and next, was it Crown land or cniu•
nionable land? There was a gentleman whom he had
had the pleasure of meeting in Portland, and who could
have given • great deal of valuable information on the
matter, Mr. W. Pearce, sem; but (Mr. Howard) was
worry he was not at the meeting. From what he gathered
at the meeting, he thought they would all say this was
oommonable land, and if any gentleman thought it was
otherwise, be hoped he would state his romona, for the
object of • number of persons meeting together was to
clear up every doubtful point. Any one who had the
least love for Portland should give all the information
lie could. If they thought that it was commonable
land, the next question—and a very important one it
wee—was whatsteps should be taken in the matter?
In fighting a question of that sort. it was not only the
Island of Portland that was affected, but the country
generally. The question of foreshore affected a great
many places, and had been discussed on that ground in
the House of Lords. That being so, it appeared to him
the proper course would be to move the questiod in the
House of Commons. It would be the most inexpensive
mode, and would In fact met them nothing. A
memorial should be got up and named throughout the
Island, and a deputation be appointed to make arrange-
meets with the members for the coon ty, wbo would attend
to the matter in London. The island should certainly
agitate the question before Parliament and the sooner the
better. They must bear in mind that, although there
had been DO minion in the country, the island of
Portland formed an important part of the county as to
representation, from the great number of freeholders.
In former days it was the pride of a man to be called a
freeholder, because in those times when lords of the
manor lived in all their glory, they had a large number
of servants. and only the highest of them were milled
freeholders, and land given to them was called freeholds,
they only being worthy or freed to hold it. Until very
recently Portland played a very important part in the
representation of the county, because there were more
freeholders, or independent persons, In Portland, than
in any place in the county of the same sise—(hear,
hear). He therefore felt perfectly sure that, if thin
matter were brought before their members, they would
attend to it, and they would also obtair. the attention
of members from other parts of F.ngland. whose con-
stituencies were affected by similar questions. If the
House of Lords mold take op the question as a very
serious one, and discuss it as auk, it showed there
were other parts of England interested in the matter,
ar.d the members in those parts would assuredly take it
up in the House of Commons, and say "We are not
to be trodden down by parties connected with the
Government officials, and if our rights and privileges
are attempted to be taken from us piecemeal, we are
ready to defend them inch by inch—(applarme).
Portlanders would do this not only as Inhabitants
of the island at the present time; but as having
received these rights from those who had gone
before, and as determined to hand them
down to those who were to come after them— (hear),
There was another question which he thought the
Local Beard should take into consideration. A claim
wee made against them for Ed, and they could not
light the question of title, that being a question between
the commoners and the crown ; bat he maintained
that the Board should pay the money, but that It
should go to the commoners, and the reason why the
meeting was called was that they as commoners should
dispute the right of the crown to receive it. It was
not BO much • question whether the Local Board should
or should not pay the money. If these proceedings
had been taken amminat the inhabitants as commoners,
and they had paid the Ed, that would have debarred
their rights and privileges; but the Board's paying
the money would not debar them, and they had called
the inhabitants together considering that it affected
their righle--(npplause).
Mr. W. PIARCI asked if the Board paid the money,
acting as representatives of the island, would it not bar
their rights as much as if the oottunonera paid it them-
selves?
Mr. HOWARD replied, that it would not. The Board
was created by Act of Parliament, and as such had
nothing to do with common rights. They had their
court lent, and if they paid the Eli without calling the
nbabitanta together to sanction it, the latter would
not be involved. The same with the Highway Board.
Mr. W. 011ine said &he surveyor paid it talkie crown
instead of to the court he did so in errer—(bear).
Mr. LANO contended that it was not in error.
Mr. HOWARD said the Surveyor paid to the Crowe
Instead of to the Court. He honestly paid it, but the
Inhabitants did not know of it—(hear, heart
Mr. LARO said they had no business to know it. He,
as representative of the parish, bad the savant.
Mr. HOWARD said the Highway Board took the
gravel and paid the money when a demand was made
upon them. They did not come before the inhabitaats
to inform them of It; but he did not tell eethipon the
Board or any member. He had told them that what
was everybody's business was nobody's loathes..
Mr. Smith thought this was the way to bring the
Portlanders into trouble, and he wished they were
under the Highway Board again—(llms,, hear, and
no, no.)
Mr. Lute said he was a member of the High-
way Board, and on that board were magistrates,
members of Parliament, and gentlemen of intelligence
and respectability. That baud bad representatives
from 62 parishes, and be hoped they did not expect all
those parishes would have gone to law with the Crown,
to defend the rights of this section of the district. They
as the Highway Board authorised by Parliament received
the bill and paid it, and did any one suppose they would
go to law with the Crown rather than pay these few
pounds? Mr. Howard and the shairman had cast • slur
upon the Highway Board; but he said that was •
respectable baud, and he only wished they were back
again, and he thought they would wish it also—(Yoice
"No doubt about that." Another voicie suggested that
PakrilFauLt°"sdeasoown's'aid7reeethgraeleintatilmhadbive."4"biallen."lapnidhaVfeormadeby many
before this.
Kr. W. Pisani, said many a man there had attended
the court last for half-meentitry, and they ought to
have known it. How wee it had never been presented
at the court leet?-4 yoke "We hare always tailed
for want of tub).

their

iftOrMzialiti;.eLMlKwgraP:srul: TdZsaisodinshuulzhao.bt anTsarssiidoßlat:mg;lieto.a.aPnr::4"l:iwarb:emsid &:°*.of
very grave iniportaoce indeed, involving the Sella
banded down to them by their forefathers, and wbieb
they wished. to hand down to poeterity—(tnPle°B4
Their parents. many of whom slept" In yonder church-
yard, protected those
rights BI
if they had 1)04 many of thosey" present ago,eleent ndwoenbi
now be in the workhouse (hear). It would
be better to spend the money In defence
of their rights than to build horse
-
tanks, and those which held no water for the Inbar
bitanta—(laugliter). The question they bed to try was
—was this Crown or parish property? Mr. &riven had
referred to the Court leet, and by the map he (the
speaker) saw that in 1839 this was parish Lana, and
there bad been no change since—(Applause). Hie
father (to whom Mr. Howard inferred) was in London
but le bad written to him on the subject, and his
father replied that no part of the land at the Bill be-
longed to the Crown farm. By referenoe to the pariah
or tithe map it would be seen that the plots marked
2,217 and 2,218, containing 14e. lr. lip.. is all the land
in Southfield belonging to the Crown farm. l'he land
from which the gravel was taken was commonable land,
as diAinguished from the common highways, held under
two distinct tenures by landlord and tenant alike. In
confirmation of this his father referred to his evidence
given at the late arbitration at the Burdens Hotel,
Weymouth, on the commonable lands. If they bad the
whole truth the people would know how to eat. First
he would sak where were the old parish books? If
these were produced. the inhabitants would see what
wero rights mad privileges; but while thews were
kept bank- they would be always in the dark —(s voice:
"It is .6.n to hunt them oat"). His advice to his
brothei was to stand up for their rights and
privileges, ass nos to allow them to be taken away by
fair proinees—(lmar). He recommended that • tom.
mttne, consisting of four members of the Load Board
and three from this meeting should be appointed to find
the old reeorda and collect evidence, so as to lay the
whole matter beforo the representatives of the county,
and that a memorial should be sent to Parliament—
(applause).
The CHAIRMAN said the money paid by the Highway
Board (1.72) was paid without the knowledge or consent
of the inhabitants, and be contended that it was paid in
error. He was surprised that a man could have attended
the court for 50 years, and yet have agreed to pay this
money to the Crown receiver without rendering an
semen% to the *mut. They had lost their rights and
privileges before, because every one had tel them slip'
but the Local Beard wished to hold fist the righte of
the inhabitants, for if the Crown could take one it Gould
take all. He proposed "That the claim of the Crown
shall be contested by the tenants and commoners, and
that • memorial be at once prePefedt to be dined
by the inhabitants, for presentation to the House of
Commons. and that a deputation be appointed to go to
London to present the same, as this meeting is of
opinion that the land in question is commonable land."
He thought the county members and the borough
members for Weymouth would lead their aid.
Mr E. PEARC6 seconded.
A voice asserted that the Chairman was out of
order in proposing • resolution, and Captain SCRIVIN
expreeed his willingness to give way ;but Mr. HOWARD
informed the meeting that a resolution could be pro-
posed from the abair.
Mr. W. PILARCS proposed as an amendment. "That
four members of the Local Board should together with
three inhabitants, form a committee to collect evidence
before petitioning Pub...sent, so as to be able to
defend their rights after having petitioned." lisle was
accepted as an addendum to the original reaolation,
and the whole was carried unanimously.
In answer to questions from Mr. W. GIBBS,
Mr. Howattri said the Woods and Forests °Mae made
the acoeptanoe of the 1:5 royalty, tail stopping pro-
ceedings, conditional on the Loot! Board singing a
document that they would not take any futar
materials from the Sill without the HAMA, of the Crows,
and Mr. Clean declared, amidst approbation, that be,
as a member of the Board, would never sign rush is
undertaking.
Mr. A. Pearce, Mr. B. lorivou, Mr. W. Gibbs, Mr.
W. Pearce, and Mr. A. Scriven were appointed to form
the committee to get up the memorial, and collect in.
formation on the subject.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the
proceedings.
A SPACIAL MISTING OF VHS IfiCAL BOARD was held
OD Monday: Present Mr. It. Lano, Mr. Benjamin
C Ilina. Mr. C. Min•hell, Mr. B. Pearoe, Mr. J. C. Lazio,
Mr. R. Flew, Mr. II Name, and Kr. A. Shriven, with
It. N. Howard, Esti., clerk to the Board. Yr. B. Limo

bib ..
• ortlaadors

was called to the ct:.ir.
The principal business was as to the sending of £5 to
the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, for royalty
claimed by teem for gravel taken from the eommonable '
lands at the bill. It had been supposed that the meeting
would be simply formal, in order to authorise the sign-
ing of the cheque, leaving the commoners to defend
their rights; bat some cppoeition was manifested there
being still • Isar that the ksayment by the Board, they
being elected by the inhabitants, would cause the loss
of the commooere right..
The Cut= explained that payment of this £5 by the
Board, they being a body created by Act of Parliament
and having nothing to do with questions of title, would I
not prejudice these rights, and taking into consideration
the short time the Board had been established, he
recommended most strongly that they should immedi-
ately pay the money, and bring the matter oefore the
HOOlO of Commons.
Mr. It. LAN° considered the payment by the Local
Board would not affect the common rights any more
than payment by the Highway Beard did.
Mr. A. Scat rue contended that, if the Crown claimed
the money a• royalty, they wore only entitled to one.
fourth, half belonging to the tenants as having equal
rights with the Crown, and 3d. more out of every Is.
being presented them by a subsequent grant.
Mr. COLLINS urged that the present state of the
Board's funds would net admit of their contesting the
claim, and, as it was the Clerk's opinion that the
payment would not prejudice the commoner's rights. he
moved " That this Board, having considered the claim
made by the Crown authorities against this Bosrd for
the sum of £5 as tonnage money for gravel and shingle
removed from certain lands known as Start near the
Bill of Portland, this Board is of opinion that such land
is commonable land, and that such mosey the erosvn is
net entitled to ; but it is the commoners' suds. this
Bier( is not in funds to defend the proceedings, the
Clerk is instructed to pay the money, and ask the Crown
to give them an indemnity against any proceedings the
commoners may take."
This was seconded by Mr. J. C. LAO.
Mr. A. &MIN proposed as an amendment "That
the claim of the Crown te contested by the Board.*
This, however, found no seconder, aid the proposition
to pay the money was carried.
Mr. LANO complained of the remarks made by Mr. A.
&riven and Mr. Howard at the meeting on Friday
respecting the Doreheater Highway Board, under which
the Portland Roads had formerly been managed, and
who had paid £72 for gravel from this land. He wished
Mr. Howard to write • letter to the newspaper explain-
ing his meaning.
Mr. HOWARD thought that was hardly DOOMMT, and
he went into an explanation; but it will be seen, on
reference to oar report of the meeting, that Mr. Howard
then distinctly stated that he did not reflect an the
High way Board.
Alter some conversation, the meeting separated.