The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-04-16 00:00:00

were oommencod in
Jail, when the County
h. The magistrates pre.

C. lambert, Esq.
R. Williams, Esq.
B. P. °mucky, Esq.
J. H. Calash, Esq.
C. J. Parke, Faq.
C. J. liambro, Esq.
G. Churchill, Esq.
. J. J. Farquharson, Esq.
J. J. Farquharson, jun.,
Esq.
A. Foster, Esq.
A. B. Foster, Esq.
W. L. Ayds, Esq.
W. Ferrer, Esq.
L. Binderaley, Esq.
Tatchell Bullen, Esq.

Floyer, 0. Yeatnian,
J. F. Falwasser, EN. aleph Gundry, Eeq.
H. I'. Catubrideia:Ziaq. 0. D. Daitoc.
J. E. Brit*, . Revels. G. l'. Cambridge.
T. B. Hanham, . , J. Blennerhusett.
J. Fellowes, Esq. C. Bingham,
It. Gordon, Esq. J. J. Hind,.
J. Goodden, A. Pardee.
W. P. Okeden, H. Boucher.
Major-General Mic el. J. A. Templer.
H. N. Middleton, Esq. J. H. Austin.
11. Frampton, Fem. IL T. Bower.
Previous to commencing business, Mr. GORDON rose
and said, that as the oldest magistrate on the roll, and
almost, also, he thought, in point of age, be beled in
the absence of the Bev. H. F. Yeatman from illness,
which he trusted was only temporary, to propose that
Lord Portman should do the justices the favour of
taking the chair.
Lord Priteruse, on assuming the chair, said that he
himself entirely at the service of the
e':frt on this occasion, as there was at present
neither Chairman nor Deputy-Chairman. Accord-
ing to the standing orders of sessions some
one should be appointed to stop the gap, submit-
ting to their pleasure now, and leaving the
matter entirely open when the time came for the
appointmedt of a Chairman of the Court. He then
alluded to technical difficulties connected with the
appointing of a Chairman of the second court.
GAOL AND Howie Or COILILICEION.
Captain Forma brought up the report of the Visiting
Justices. The prison, when inspected, was found
Moan and in excellent order. No complaint was made
by any of the prisoners, whose health was generally
good. The number of prisoners in custody wrui--males
140, females 17, total 157. In the infirmary 7. For
trial at the sessions 8 males; on bail for trial 2 males
and 2 (males. In onstody for trial at the next assizes
I female. The number of prisoners received during the
year 213, being • decrease of 12 on the corresponding
quarter last year. The re-oommitmenta of the quarter
were 55, being 2 less than in the corresponding quarter
last year. The punishment, of the quarter were 23..
No corporal punishments had been inflicted. Thell
bureements of the quarter had been £1,012 10s.
being an increase of £175 12s. 13d. The prise of wh
had been £l4 4s. this year, the corresponding quarter
gll 3s. 4d. The price of bread 11d., Islet year
Price of meat, rel. per lb., last year, qd. Cos
maintenance per head, ss. 104. per week • lasi year
One boy had been removed to the Reformatory at Mil-
borne. The Visitors were sorry to report that in con-
sequence of the disobedience of orders of one of the
head turnkeys, a prisoner, named Alfred Dicker, ef-
fected his escape from the gaol on the 10th of January.
He was, however:, recaptured on the 28th. A general
meeting of the Visiting Justices was called to inquire
into the circumstances. After the inquires, they
sentenced Edward Pople to be disrated for three years
to a second-class officer, and his two good service badges
to be taken from him. William Legg, the porter, to
be disrated for three months, and Henry Pitfield to be
reprimanded. In consequence of the great evil of
keeping the females for trial, without separation, and
with no means of constant supervision, the committee
recommended that six separate cells be erected accord-
ing to a plan prepared hy the county surveyor. There
lasing always • certain number of prisoners whom it is
impossible to put upon the wheel, the governor recom-
mended that means be taken for employing them in
breaking stones. The County Surveyor estimated the
costs for a building necessary for that purpose to be
about 1:80. Ordered that a salary of £lO per annum
from the Charitable. Fund be paid for an organist.
Five of the discharged prisoners had received rewards
from the charity fund for good conduct. The governor
reported that the conduct of the officers of the several
departments had been good, with the exception of
those already noticed. In conclusion, Captain Foster
moved that the report be received and adopted.
Mr. OSMAN cautioned the Court against adopting
that pert of the report which related to the additional
building. The cells proposed would be nothing more
nor less than solitary cells, and were they to put women
into solitary confinement before even they had been
brought to trial? He was besides, quite satisfied that
the cost would greatly exceed the estimate. Ile also
objected to that part of the report which related to the
escape of Alfred Dicker. He was himself a member of
the committee, and was present when the case was
considered by the visiting justices, but he did not sign
the report as he did not agree with it. It was argued,
as • reason for passing the light sentence they dad on
i Pople that he had been n the service of the county 17
years, but this, he considered, instead of being less, was
the more deserving of punishment. He did not think
they had indicted sufficient punishment ors him so as to
deter other warders from doing the same thing. He
told the other members of the committee that he would
not sign the minutes unless Polito was disinissed, as he
had been twice warned, he twice disobeyed, and the
second time ho disobeyed, Dicker ran away. He did
not think the Committee's order in reference to the
matter should be considered as final, and suggested that
the Inspector of Prisons should come down and bear the
Pople's conduct was most culpable, he brought
Dicker outside the gaol door twice, in disobedience to
orders, and added a lie to his disobedience, as had been
proved since Dicker's recapture. He moved "That a
report be made to the Inspector of the gaol with
reference to the escape of Alfred Dicker, and the
culpable conduct of the warder Punic, who brought the
prisoner outside the gaol door to unload the coal
wagon."
The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN seconded the motion.
Mr. (omm,: objected to the order that the organist
of tbe gaol be paid £lO a year out of the charitable fund,
which 1,1.114 subscribe) for, and intended to assist well-
conducted prisoners on their leaving the geol.
The Rev. CARR GLYNN supported Mr. Gordon's
objection.
A magistrate present said it might be considered a
charitable act to treat the prisoners to music on Sunday,
but
Mr. Menne thonght that was straining the bounds
of charity a little too far.
Capt. Fosexa then gave notice that he would move,
at the next 'unions, that the organist's salary be paid
out of the county rotes.
The Marquis of WESTMINSTER "bjected to Mr.
Okedon's motion with regard to the prisoner Dicker.
The motion which referred the case to the Inspector of
Prisons prejudged the inspector's report of the matter
by pronouncing the warder's conduct to be culpable and
wilful neglect. Punishment had already been inflicted.
But it VIM evident that those who inflicted it—the
visiting justices—did not think the act of Pople a cul-
pable and wilful one; or they unquestionably ought to
have dismissed him. Nor did be see bow they could
now possibly continuo him in his present situation
after priming this resolution.
The CHAIRMAN considered that the chairman had now
no jurisdiction in the matter, as they had by the magi-
strate° tried him once and punished him, but that the
warder might be indicted if the visiting justices thought
the punishment already inflicted insufficient.
Capt. Foaren said this was the first charge brought
against Pople during his seventeen years service, and it
would be carrying matters to extremes to adopt the
course recommended by Mr. Okodon. The fines, &c.
would be upwards of £3O out of Pople's pocket. After
sonic further remarks, the motion was withdrawn and
the report was approved and adopted, with the
exception of that portion relating to the erection of the
new building, until a proper notice be given, and taken
Into consideration at A future session, and also with
the exception of that part relating to the organist being
paid out of the charitable fund.
Brumes AND BUILDINGS.

Mr. OSMAN read the report of the Bridges and Build-
ings I.2.mouittee. All the buildings were in good repair.
The roadways over the bridges in consequence of the
constant wet weather had cost rather more than usual,
but every road was in good repair, 41S reported by the
C,ouuty Surveyor. The additions of the court room for
the accommodation of the magistrates at Sherborno had
been exmoted. The committee recommended the ply-
into! of Bills to the amount of I:500, for work done on
bridges and buildings. The report was received and
adopted, arid the Committee, of which Mr. Okeden was
chairman, was appointed.
Lug A'rfe ASYLUM.

Mr. FLOYER read the report of the Skating Justioes
to the County Lunatic Asylum. The asylum was in •
very satisfactory state. The expenditure of the quarter
was £1284 Ise.; the amount to be received from paupers
at 7a. 7d. per week El= 18s. 4.1. ; in hand from last
quarter, £9 12s. rxi. —total £127 Si. 7d. ; being a de-
daieacy on the quarter of £7 12s. sd. The balance in
the contingent fund is £391 17s. hi. ; in the chant
fund r 322 16s. 10d. ; in the farm aecount.El'2o 13s. &l.;
in Sir IL P. Glyn's donation dividend, EGO Os. 7d. ; in
the hufhling account, 1:596 Is. Gd. Several bills
were recommended to be paid. The following contracts
had been taken—Mr. Lock, meat Liii. per cwt. It.
Luckliani,bread, 7d. per 41b. loaf. Luke Groves, cheese,
LICH. per cwt. The number of patients in the asylum
December 31, was 88 males and 93 females; admitted
since, 7 maim' and 2 females ; died since 2 males, dis-
charged 4 male. and 5 females; remaining in the house
Fri males and 90 females, total 179. The number at
Fialiertou, December 31, was 18 males and 52
females. Discharged since, 1 male; remaining at
Fisherton 17 males and 52 females. On the
book,' 106 males, and 192 founles, total 298.
The clerk's salary had been raised to £7O per
annum in consideration of his hing services
during • period
.of 28 years, and the large
increase of lais duties in connection with the asylum.
The nanimenition for all services included in the sum
was mentioned—whether in relation to the loan or
otherwise. The progress ulna in building the new
asylum hail not been as great as could be desired.
The foundations had been laid of the greater part, and
a portion of the brickwork hail been carried up to the
ground One. Two rain-water tanks and some under-
Euend constructions had been completed. The con-
tor, on appearing before the committee, alleged as •
for the delay the imbue, wetness of the season_
and the great difficulty which he lid experienced iif
a supply of bricks. The committee 'chained
- extent the validity of the excuse. The
was paid the contractor for work done In
with the certificate of the Surveyor. As
was held at the asylum on the 26th of March
%that named Sarah Brakes. She had been
only a tow hours before her death. The
the pay was "died of epilepsy, and we ova-
authorities greatly to blame for Minim her
ad 03 rough a journey, about twelve miles, In
(a Waien) SO WISODAIbIe, and on such a rough
day, 'ad with Ler heads and feet tightly tied,

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