The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1873-10-14 00:00:00

TUB INOREASID PAY TO THE POLICE AT
DORCHESTER.
To the Editor.

I was greatly surprised to learn that the Town
Council, at their meeting on Wedooeday het, bad
decided to raise the 'Wart*, of the whole cf tho borough
polies free—from the open lenient downwards—sad
this, too, without its having even bten asked for. Now
the question naturally ernes whether there was any
real necessity for saoh • step, especially when the town
is already overburdened with texatioe ; and I think
surnelent was adverted at the meeting to show that the
become was not only uncalled for, but likewise meet
unjust to the isthmus, who now Ind greet &Multi
In meeting the prevent heavy demands. The gluing
iritunloe of the ease Is shown by the feet that we Cr,
now called npin to pay upwards of £540 per annum for
the maintenanoe of the present polio foray, whilst the
lotereets of the borough could be as efficiently witched
over by the lutroduotion of the county pollee at a Goat
of under £250 or less than hill tho present share II
In addition to this we shell soon be Galled upon to
build • suitable residence for the importation lent, and
unless this is done Captain Willis ha Intimate' that
the Government grant will be withheld. The roestion,
therefore, for the ratepayers Is whether they will be
content to pay • 61. rate, and Ir.ep the present force,
or, will they amalgamate with the comity, and save
just half what they are now pariog f This is the ques-
tion for the burgesses to deolde, and I hops that wheel
the let of November comes round they will GMT a deter-
mined opposition to any etadldate who will not proud.
to vote fore redustion of our present heavy tatatten.
• greet point appears to have been made by sever.'
speakers of the fast that men were omistently leaving
the foree to procure better situation. the:whine ; but
still they flailed to show thit any difficulty had ever
been experienced in filling the Terminer', and which
does not seem likely to wear when it is remembers'
that the levee of the polies vary Iron M. 8L he
23, GJ. • week with elothes, whilst those of the able-
bodied labourers (from which class the pollee are almost
exelaelvely dears) only amount to lit • week. Bet
even if such a contingency does an.. then would be
quite time enough to think of ineressing the pay, for,
as Yr. Galpin pointed oat, the interests of the rate-
payers ought to be considered as well all the comforts of
the polioa. The Coaneal mien also to have lost eight
of the trope& taut f sot that in Dortheater wages ere very
low. I know myself that there are hundreds of in-
telligent mechanic. tolling away from week to week
few fl • week and even leas; and surely the polies
must be fir better off, because it Is • well-known fact
that their duties here are sew/ light indeed and the
berth" 'timed • sineenre, non, besides, when the
pollee are tumble to follow their ern; loyment they ere
superannuated, whereto a othelthale has only the
woe khouse to fell beak upon. A comparison was drawn
betweeo Dorchester and several other towns where the
pay was higher; but la every instaute it was shown
that there were exceptional eiroumitanoes he justify
the higher rate of wives whisk did not exist in Dor-
chester. Now, Sr there if every probability a a
borough rate being levied to meet the loomed ex-
penditure, it behoves the ratepayere to take action at
once In the matter, and, by holding an "indignation"
meeting, aho• to the Council that they are determined
to submit no longer to the realms manner in which
the public money is spent, especial, when there are
so many other matters pressing heavily on the pockets
of the ratepayers. limns. Gletpla. Limon, and Coombe
are deserving of the beat thanks of the public for
their determined, although unthoesiefol, opposition to
the proposal, width they eatishotorily deasoostrated
we. altogether unnecessary and toieUy uettalled for.
The mattes Is now entirely in the hand' of the rate
payers, who I trust will show their determination to
oppose any further additioas to our already overtaxed
town by votlog at the approaching election only for
those who will pledge therneelv,a to advocate muscles
of retrenchment and extuomy, instead of following
what sense to be Um parpoes of many members ol the
Ooanell—to impose fresh burdens on the already over.
taxed ratepayers in order to earry oat an uun•emary
and unwise expenditure. It Is u.t • question of
affielthay, but whether the ratepayer' are willing to
pay • sixpeany rate when • threepenny on. would
suffice Hoping the burgesses will give their serious
ettastioa to the matter I remain
Al DIDIOZAJIT IiATILPATIL
Dorchester, October 13th.