The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-11-03 00:00:00

local rint) !District lidos.

DORL'IIESTER FRIENDLY SOcITI'IFIN DINNER.

lo yol;
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Fi.r ai J. ,•.
Gregory) ha. ••;gill tue Friendly
Societies of • ;t, twin: an lionerary ujcntt.'r of
leveret of them, i..teadirg the.r ail:Ater:saris..., and in
various ways pre:to:ail the.r intcr.• Is ; and this year the
Mayor and Nlr.. iln•gorr rtz Wen c.pecialiy helpful
to them, and Vie ihitie: of Chief Magistrate of the borough
baying been discharged by bun in all re•pects movt sett a.
fectorily to the hurgea.es, elm:. the members of
Friendly Societies form nu incon•iderald• Portion. " wan
felt by them that the oecavion ef their asseuibling
together at a t limner oi the Fi ieuillv Pi‘aieties of '
the town agoriled a good opportunity of pubtiely showing
their appreciation both AP members of such rocieties and
es burpnises of the borough.
The dinner Viol: place last Thuncilay evening in the
Corn Exchange, and was a highly successful gathering,
nearly ion members of Friendly Socie:ie4 and viaitors
aarembling to .1, honour to the II..) or on the occasion.
The chair 1,..4 taken by Mr. S. E. Bryuter, Ml'. for
Dorchester, and he WWI supported on the right by the
guest of the evening—Mr. G. J. Gregory (Mayor), Mr.
J. Floyer, M.P. for Dorset, Mr. G. .1. Andrews, Mr.
Councillor F. L. Turner, Me Councillor W. T. Aylesbury,
(Weymouth), Mr. Councillor W. slaile, Mr. Alfred Pope,
and on the left by Mr. Alderman Coombs, the Rev. 11.
Everett, Mr. l'amucillor E. Burnett, Dr. Robinson. Mr.
Edwin Pope. Lieut. Hodges, Mr. Councillor Aldridge
(Vice-Chairman), Mr. Councillor W. Vernon, and Mr. 11.
Hodges. There was a large number of visitors, including
—Mr. H. Lint. i‘lr. It. Case, Mr. W. Osmond, Mr. I.'.
Parsons, Mr. T. Nernnan, Mr. Jameson, Mr. J. Spicer,
Mr. IL Hill, Mr. W. How, Mr. W. It. Vetcher, Mr.
W. Seward, Mr. J. Anderson, Mr. .1. It. Taylor, Mr. E.
Cunuingtou, Mr. .1. llanling, (Waterson), Mr. .1. It.
Cooper, Mr. C. G. Itunisey, Mr. J. Drake, Mr. C. Greening,
Mr. G. Met(,od, Mr. E. Nutting. Mr. G.. 1. Wood, Mr.
Coward, Mr. Diblen, Mr. S. Martin, Mr. Swyer, Mr. T.
Walden, Mr. B. Grassby, Mr. Patten, Mr. J. Greening,
Mr. Santways, Mr. J. Guy, Mr. .1. Webber, Mr. C.
Hansforl, Mr. M. Lock, Mr. W. G. Dryer, Mr.
F. J. Holland, Mr. It. Duke ALittle Mayne). Mr. C.
Harvey ll'paveyX Mr. Christopher (t:pwey). Mr. oliier,
Ur. Wlllll4, Mr. Miles, Mr. Phelps, Mr. C. Read, Mr.
Itiggs, Mr. Old, Mr. Pike, Mr. W. Tilley, Mr. Al.
Tilley, Alr. .1. Hotel, Mr. Ittiasell, Mr. Buttner, Mr.
Hobbs, Mr. Shersold, Mr. Dart. Mr. Thorne, &c. The
dinner was provided lia Mr. From, of the King's Arnie
hotel. 'The hand of the dril D.R. V., by permission of Capt.
!:ootube, attended, and played suitable airs between the

toast..
Grace was said by the Rev. H. Everett.
The CHAIRM provolied the health of the queen,"
assured that it would be received with the utmost
enthusiasm. (Band: God save the Queen.') After some
delay three cheers were given led by .1. R. T. But this
led astray, the band stationed in the old Gore Exchange
and they played with great gusto "God bless the Prince
of Wales, supposing the second toast to have been given.
The cow, e sopa provoked great laughter, and the band
were suddenly pulled up leaving 11.R.H. among the
bills and vales.

-
Mr. Coombs now acted as toastmaster, and all went
wait
In giving 'The Prince and Princess of Wales and the
rest of the Royal Family," the CHAIRMAN said although
we live at a distance from the Court, we are as loyal as
any people in the country. We take particular interest
in the Prince of Wales because he is the poseessor of the
Duchy of Cornwall, of which Fordington Ii aid forms •
part His Royal Highness's Council have set apart plots
of land both for building houles and for allotruenb, for
the working classes --(applause). Hut the great thing
now is how to build the houses 1-11aughter). His
experience taught him that they must not expect people
to build for them- they must do it themselves; and to
achieve that lie thought the first thing was to form •
Building Society. Ile was talking to men who were the
mainstay of England-who were membero of societies by
which they laid by for old age and a rainy day. Tiny
were the people most likely to save money, and be able to
build cottage., and not only live in thorn 'lmamate's, but leave
them aftenvarcls to their children. There was now a emend
opportunity, and he did hope that some society would be
formed. If it had proper rules and was under good
management, he felt sure a good many people both here
and in the neighbourhood would give their help both in
advice and pecuniary assistance- (applause). He trusted
that when all the alterations were made, we should have
the honour of seeing the Prince and Princess of Wales
coming to view them, and If they did he was quite sure
they would receive such a cordial reception as they would
never forget -(applause).
In giving "the Army. Navy, and Reserve forces," the
Citanue•N said he was not • military man, and therefore
would not offer an opinion on the subject, but • General,
who was a native of this country, and had been at the
recent German military manieuvree, wrote that the
German artillery and cavalry were not Is be compared
with ours; but, he added, numbers must tell: if. bow.
ewer, we wanted ane great number', said Mr. Brymer, we
must take a leaf out of their hook, and have compulsory
military service-(" hear hear" and "no no ")-though he
hoped it would be many long day beton, it was utioussary
to resort to it-(appLause). There did not seem to be any
such need at present, awl he hoped the day was far
distant when any foe should attack England-(applause).
Captain Buitiverr retunied thank' for the militia.
During the la-d us, monthi the Dorset militia had
euilured privatious end fought battles dlaughter and
applauee)-and be was quite sure that if any of them had
been present at Fox Hill they would have said "the
Dorset boys" did their duty like meu --(applause) and be
was satietled that if the General whoni Mr. Burner had
spoken of had Seen then!, be would have collie:Me I that
they were an inheitoly ,uperbe form to the German
Landwher dapplaioo-). '‘% irises, or called upon, the
Dorset militia would be ready to aseiat the regular forces
-(applause).
Captain co.cosa, Gird 1).R.V.), on behalf ~f the
. . . . . .

volunteers of EnAlanil, out of Ihircheider in partieular.
returned time!, The Volunteer force was founilcil on
principles lith.i.l to mu which Friendly :M. icties wcre
based ; they (mem', ir. of chili.) paid their contrilmt ions
tj pros Me lore rid...) .lay, and Volunteers throne! them-
selves for military semi.: to :man' against an invader
(apphtuse). He then fore claimed kindred with Friendly
Societies, for they were all tluiza,: ;heir best to Provide
Against the ills ut the future- (apelwise).
Cu. • I KU vt proposed " The hi Mop awl (lorry of the
Diocese.- )otioilig with the toast the name of the Rev.
H. Everett, eu. I.whe unitersal respect and the wanner
which he fulfils his duty he bp,ku u knits of wino
praise.
The REt. U f:!l;ttkrr assured the meeting that to him-
. . .

self and others of his cloth it was a mattirr. of the very
pireatest gratification for the toast to lie -revived ite it had
been by such an 1/4.11a111y LS that, lie thought it was a
proof to them that there was some "go," mime use, muse
'ifs in the old body yet ; it dismal that although people
told them in these eillighteni,l flays their labours were
at appreciated and were hardly wanted, yet they
were fortnnate enough in still retaining .1 place in the
hearts and alhotiens of the people -(applau.se). Now, if
ever there was so oceasiou when a pareou might feel
himself tin:tonally in hie plaee, it was such a time Se the
present. Tluerause for which they had aseerubled and
with sihili he heartily and thoroughly syunethised was
not only to inaiutain and support these Friendly Societies
but aleo to extend their benefits. On the benefits of those
societies he would out mann:, now, eepecially as the
meeting would be presently addressed by the various
secretaries, and he did not doubt that would be • peg on
wkiek they would belie eime remarks. But there was
Certain 001111..11 wheel he had entertained for some period
and to which lie certainly eliould like to gi ye utterance that
aveuing. Many would deuetless differ from him, while
some, perhaps, would agree with Lim. The subject was
one &doming materially the wen hand influenced friendly
societies. It was known, and nobody knew better than
the secretaries of friendly societies, how very often
disappointment was expressed that the working claims
did not avail themselves of the benefits of these
ascieties, and many other like institutions which had
beau founded in this country in order to promote
and stimulate pruileutial habits. The working chinas
Aid not wens to appreciate them. Now he (the rev.
speaker) asked himself what could be the cause.
In former days the usefulness and advantages of these
associations were very much marred by the faults
of the rules laid down by the societies themeelies.
Many of them were founded on calculations so thoroughly
usnound that at the end of ten, twelve, or 31.) years, they
cgpsi to grief, so that something must have been wrong
Ibsen Another reason - lend which hail been rather
deterrent from joining loam societies -was that rather
than eu..ouraging habits of frugality and economy,
they had lea the members to mend looney in drink and
extravegeuce. But that was hardly the rase now, lie
belies ed the eocieties represented there that evening, were
thoroughly eolvent, and that there 555 one at least which
he was justified in saying did not hold its meetings in
publichottses it was that whose members were the followers
of the wise son of Itechais- (hear, hear, and laughter.)
But there meet be another cause at work deterring men
oleo joining these societies, and it wall this in a very great
messure- the niiserable &din Mietration at_preaesit of their
moat miserable Poor-law-(lmar, hear.) He did not think
there could be anything which would tend more to drive
a man to reckless ways than to foal that be derivesi no
sort of benefit from habits of care, thrift, sod self-denial
-seer, hear.) At the present time many of the great
pecuniary benefite which were to be obtained from them
iriendly societies were given in the shape of out-door
parochial relief, and this, he did not think, seat present
administered, could be • good thing for the country. He
believed it had done more than anything else to pauperise
and impoverish the people. One of the leading principles
of that Poor-law was never to think of helping • man who
had striven to kelp himself-(hmar, bear.) He did not
wish to detain them, but he would just give two I
Uhistratioes. There were two men, one gay 8:1=
the other Snooka, fignith was a careful industrious hard-
working man. These two men were brought up in the
seine manner, working at the same trade; they had the
same number of parents dependent on them, both were
ie the genie position to lay by money. Smith dld lei by
sepagy, doing everything he postibly could in the way of
thrift; be joined these friendly eaciatise, trying to the
utmost, of his sower to make some provision against old
age. His fnend Snooks, however, was a miserable
drunkest rascal, spending every farthing at the "Spotted
Dog," or at the " Lhiffer sßestir ter.) The fferi
tame when neither of the men work, an ,1 what was
the issue I Why Snooks, without the sliffhtest shame or
compunction, went to the parish and gut is or 6e, a week
in relief, while the other man who had succeeded in
savings little from his wilings, also went to the parish
and said "1 have a small income which forethought has
provided rue ;give ices little of something,which will pro-
vide etillgrrter comforts, and make life a littlemore toler-
able tom*. Ilitt they told Smith to go to J erielod - (laugh-
ter. Thus the man with a regular income of his own 'eight
to have learnt long since, that the Poor law never would
sealst 1110 as ‘lllO had stri en to ;Led t theins-Ivee. As Um
law was at present constituted. there wee not, however,
the slightest doubt in that respect about the careless,
drunken, mud ineirre elent they 'referee spied : whereas
the frugal, self denying, WO thrifty were vent sic ay
eitney-(lieer. hea-.) Ile embraced the prement oppor-
tunity of laving his opinions on that point before the
assegehly. liv dared say that many would not agree with
Wm, What was wanted Is ae to agitate to have the Peer.
law reformed and revised. Let them do what they rook"
is Millyine their members -(a laugh) -•to take up the
.ouestion -to agitate for them -in melee to me whether
tiny outild not get the law eltenel, e hick as he hail said
before, and vellieh he firmly believed, hail done much to
impoverish wet pauperise the people -(bese hear.) He
begged to apologise for thiaa debt:nine them -(applause,and
a Von.% :(,o un)- be thanked them fertile kind manner in
which the toast had teen received, and he would promise
is intrude no further that evening -(Applause,)
my. Jose llonogs proposed "The 'minty sod liorough
members," remarking upon the good fortune iif the
coma; in being no well repreeeuted, and of the ready help
as all times given us by Mr. Fiver. This was the first
Walt Mr. Ramer hail presided at a public dinner, and he
fag that he could not have began with • more worthy
cwyph-(epplanse). They had known the hon. member
t„„„, goough to respect him, a. • thoroughly honest, con
.7Z:items, and hard-working representative in the House
øi
conntions--MPPleasel.
J Fwers, M.P., who waa warmly applauded, sail:
.trazik Mr. kiodEs larrannh for the kind and flattering
words in whi n plowed ti propose the toast
of the county members. I thank you very much for the
reception which you have bean 'flamed to
verY toget, am sure it would have been •
trecera -tioo to my hon. colleagues if they had
Karel thislarge assembly of the UMW of or
been present at
would have been erosedin I
break it i
this
rs
- alma as it is to me . rare r.„,
rather laborious When
• most Call our ra I was little
COW into We room see evening
_Pereerei to
ver ei strenuous a speech 'against the administeation of
• Poor-law -(houghter). I Irnow my good friend Mr.
weset It as an attack upon the law, and not upon
eg,SOW for ...sir forty years, have had the chief
_le the administration of that law in this
AS the same time I cannot allow such an
mint germ obeervations. The Poor-
eihervel and the relief to the poor.

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