The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-07-05 00:00:00

WEDNIgiDAY.

The CHAIRMAN (the Rev. H. F. Testa:lan) took his
seat in the Nisi Fritts Court at 10 o'clock, and after the
Grand Jury had been sworn, proceeded to deliver to
thew his.
CHARGE.

The CHAIRMAN congratulated the Grand Jury on their
full attendance, and stated that he had received no less
than eight medical certificates certifying the inability of
eight wore grand jurors to attend a cirmunstance
without precedent as far u his somewhat protracted
recollection went, but showing that there should be
no relaxation of the provisions made by law for ensuring
attendance at sessions. He thought gentlemen would
agree with him when he drew their attention to the fol-
lowing very important letter which, as Chairman, be had
had the honour of receiving from the Under-Sheriff of
this county:

Sir.—l am desirous of calling your attention and that
of your brother justices to the present defective state of
the jury lists for this county, and especially of the
special jury; and you, air, will at once see that there
most be great need of amendment, when I inform you
that I can only find in the jury book for the whole
county of Dorset the names of eighty•five gentlemen
who arc qualified as special jurors.

I find of these there are in the petty sessional division
of Dorchester, 32 ; Beaminster, 17 ; Wimbovne, 9 •
Ithrdford, 7; Wareham, 7; Sherhorne, 6; Shaft's:
bury, 4; titurminster, 3; and in Cerne, none.
It seems, therefere, clear that it is from some neglect
that these numbers appear, and I believe on inquiry it
will be found that the oreretere do not attend suffi-
ciently to the insertion on the lists of the names of those
persons who are liable to serve, and do zmt take suffi-
cient care to give a proper description of those patties
whom they do return.
I think also that in many cases the names of justices
are omitted under a mistaken idea that they are not
liable to serve upon any jury.
The matter can only be remedied by calling the at-
tention of overseers to the more careful preparation of
their lists (lists which they should be reminded are
returned upon their oaths as True and correct lists of
all persons liable to serve on juries,") and then by a
more exact supervision of such lists by the justices in
the several divisions, where the local knowledge of the
parties will enable omissions and misdescriptions to be
readily discovered and corrected.
. . . . . .

Thu present state of the jury book entails unfair
burthens upon those who are on the list, and as I con-
ceive that it is my duty to bring the matter before you
I have written this letter.

I lUD, sir, yours °be-licitly,
THOMAS COOMBS,
Under-Sheriff.
He (the Chairman) ventured to say that a more impor-
tant letter was never addressed to a Chairman of
Quarter Sessions; it deserved and would receive the
most serious attention. The thanks of the Court were
due and were now tendered to Mr. Under-Sheriff
Coombs for sending the letter. The Chairman dwelt on
the system of trial by jury to which the letter re-
ferred, and which system had existed in this country
640 years, quoting Blackstone's opinion thereon, and
citing the statute under which the lists of jurors were
made out, and by which the duty of churchwardens and
overseers in this respect was defined. If churchwardens
and overseers imagined that by presenting an imperfect
list, and swearing to it as • matter of course, they com-
mitted no public offence, they were wonderfully mistaken
fur they might render themselves liable to the pains and
penalties of perjury. These officials were subject to a
fine of £lO for wilfully omitting any name which ought
to appear on the list. The Chairman referred to the
section showing the non-exemption of magistrates from
the list of Grand Jurors, and spoke of the necessity of
having persons of intelligence as jurors, adding that
there were nearly 200 of the most intelligent, the most
sharp-sighted yeomen of this county who ought to
attend, but who had never been seen within the walls of
the Court, not having been summoned. Why these
persons were excused he knew not, for "property had
its rights as well as its privileges." The did
believe that a more important subject for the considera-
tion of a public court was never brought forward,
and he concluded by adverting to the calendar, after
which the Grand Jury withdrew to their chamber.
Richard Ffolliot Eliot, Esq., took the customary
oath on his appointment as magistrate for this county.
Thomas Rawlins, Esq., of Wimborne, as coroner
for the hundreds of Dodbury and Cogdean, and J. Y.
Mehnoth, Esq., of Sherbome, as coroner for the liberty
of Sherbome, took the specified oath.

THE DZIEI.IIIII TIRE.
Mr. Casein applied on behalf of Mr. W. Symes, of
Dewliah, for a certificate for drawback of duty paid on
1,352 bushels of malt destroyed by the late fire at Dew-
huh.

Mr. Dobell, supervisor at Blandford, proved that
the duty, amounting to £lB3 7s. 3a4. had been paid,
and admitted that the necessary preliminary notices had
been given.
The application was granted.
James Xera and Charles Kent v. the Parish. Officers
of Curfe Castle.—Mr. W. Ffooks, on behalf of the
appellants, stated that the parish, in vestry assembled,
recently appointed highway surveyors of the whole
parish, whereas the vestry had power to appoint over
certain parts of the parish only, one portion having a
prescriptive right to repair their own roads. Finding
out their mistake, the vestry had decided not to
respond to the appeal, and Hr. Hooks therefore ap-
plied for the election to be annulled. After bearing
the evidence necessary the Court quashed the order.
The Queen v. Philip Padfield, Henry HarisUina, and
Charles West—Mr. Saunders appeared for the Crown,
and Mr. W. Rooks for the respondents. It appeared
that Padfield was convicted of an offence on March 28,
1859, before T. B. Hardiam, Esq., at Sturminster, and
was bound over to keep the peace for six months. On
May 10 he was again convicted, and the offence consti-
tuted a breach of the condition of the recognisances.
The appeal accordingly was for the estreating of certain
recognizanoes entered into by West and Hambling for
the good conduct of Padfield. Mr. Ffooks contended
that the proper certificate had not been lodged with
the Clerk of the Peace. The application was refused,
the Chairman remarking that at was always necessary
in such cases to lodge the proper forms of certificate,
kc., with the Clerk of the Peace.
A second Court having been opened under the pre-
sidency of Charles Porcher, Esq., Deputy Chairman,
both Courts proceeded with

THE TRISL OF PRISONERS.
(Before the Rey. H. F. YEATIISS, Chairman.)

Thomas Pe/(yen'', (21), whitesmith, and Joan Stewart
(26), machinist, charged with obtaining (is. 54. by false
pretences from John Read, of Yetminster, on April 17
—sentenced to 4 calendar months' hard labour each.
George Martin (N), labourer, for assaulting Mary
Lane, at Chardstock, with intent, tsc., on May 19-12
calendar months' hard labour.

Slephen Hillynr, on bail, charged with obtaining from
Robert Paulley I:3 tts. Md., and from Samuel Spurgin
£2 175., with intent to defraud Lord Digby of the mune,
at Mintenie Magna, on October 6, 18TiS, and March 7,
1850.—Acquitted, by reason of • flaw in the indict-
ment ; but found Guilty of obtaining £2 17s. (redo-
lently from Lord Digby's present bailiff, Samuel Spur.
gin. Judgment, however, was respited till Micheelmes
Sessions. and the prisoner was bound over to appear at
those Sessions, entering into reoognisances— himself in
f.:40 and two others in £2O each.
(Before CHARLES PORCIIER, E*l., Deputy Chairman.)
John Taylor (25), labourer, charged with stealing a
watch belonging to Charles Stephen Monger, at Port-
land, on April I—sentenced to be imprisoned till ths
end of the Sessions. . . .

Geuryt Hurst (24), labourer, charged with stealing •
brass tap and :Ms of lead pipe from John Guy at Wey-
mouth, on April 12-12 calendar months' hard labour.
Mary Alm Barter (19), flax weaver, charged with
stealing the skirt of a dress, • pair of stocking/4 a
pair of boots, and a silk cape, the property of Ellen
Barter, at Beaminster, on May 17-2 calendar months'
hard labour.

Charles Brugge (40) labourer, convicted of having run
away and leaving his family chargeable to the parish of
Bradford Abbas--6calender months' hard labour.
••

Efizabetti Smith (53), charged with stealing a silver
spoon worth 155., belonging to the Rev. H. Good, at
Wimborne Minster, on June 4-3 calendar months' hard
labour.
John Bailey (41), labourer, charged with obtaining 2
imam of wheat by falai pretences from John Shinier, at
Wimborne Minster, on May 30-4 &ender months'
hard labour.
James Summers and Thomas Denman, both on bail,
charged with assaniting Police Sergeant Hitch, at Wyko
Regis, on June 16 —Summers 4 calendar months' hard
labour, and Denman 6 calendar months' hard labour.
Heary Saisisava (40) labourer, and Thomas Som-
a:rays (IS) both on bail, charged with stealing a aped°
belonging to John Houma, at Abbotabury, on April
12—Henry Sinnways acquitted, and Thonma Samways
sentenced to 4 weeks' hard labour.
George Pearce (24), labourer, not in the calendar,
charged with feloniously assaulting Amelia Holt, a
chill between 10 and 11 years of age, at Broadwinaor,
on June 24—Acquitted.
No Bill waa found against Frederick Moore, on bail,
charged with inciting Joseph Norman to commit a
felony at Weymouth.
The Sessions closed on Thursday afternoon, and were
formally adjourned to July 23.

SHEHHORNE EVENING SCHOOL. —The interesting
ceremony of distributing the rewards of merit to the
pupils of this school was performed on Friday even-
ing week by Mr. J. G. Avery, in the premise° of
many of the friends and patrons of this useful insti-
tution. Mr. Macready, the venerable founder,
was, we are sorry to say, unavoidably absent, he
having felt it to be necessary on account of the
illness of his son, to accompany him to London.
Mr. J. 0. Avery opened the proceedings by express-
ing his regret—a regret which be had no doubt was
shared by all present --at the absence of their kind
and generous friend, whom they were always pleased
to meet. The knowledge with which he was
inspired, and the beautiful sentiments to which he
gave utterance, were matters of great gratification to
them all, and he was sure they would all unite with him
not only in regretting his absence that evening, but
still more in regretting the cause of it. The con-
dition of the school, he was glad to say, was most
satisfactory; and the progress made by the youths
and the young men was such as to afford great pleasure
to all who visited it. The value of the school, in
fact, became more apparent year after year. It now
contained from 130 to NO youths; and the number
of pupils had steadily pmgressed. The expenses fur
the half-year had not yet bean made out, but they
were less than on former occasions. Mr. Macready
was now entertaining 8011110 propositions for availing
himself of Government supervision, in order to
increase the efficiency of the school. In conclusion
Mr. Avery said, personally he felt he owed Mr.
Macready a deep debt of gratitude for establishing
such a school as this. Where he saw a person labour
diligently and so perseveringly in such a good work,
he felt that he himself was benefited as well As the
community at large. (Cheers.) "Glorious Apollo,"
was then sung by the pupils. after which Mr.
Avery read a poem which had been written from
dictation by the penile, specimens of which
(showing their improvement in writing) were handed
round to the visitors. The poem, which was
written by a clergyman, was entitled "Let me be
remembered by what I have done." Mr. Avery,
in continuing his oliscrvations, said that Sherbonie,
although bet little noticed in some respects, had
earnaif no little reputation from this school. Its
fame had been spread far and wide, as was evidenced
from the donations they had received from gentle-
men in London and elsewhere, and he bad now to
acknowledge the receipt of £2 from H. L. Stafford
O'Brien, Esq., which had been laid oat in books to
sethbe given
enrivenrell:tilithdeescnammri:steesn, wGoofeorthrtghY of t
George Baker,
Barecile pupils.eirp,isnentadßi: recipients:—John
lm
Fox (the last named had never come under rebuke
since he had attended the school). They were
suitably addressed by the chairman, and received
their prizes amidst loud applause. The Rev. N. N.
Henning briefly proposed a resolution thanking Mr.
Macready for his labours in connection with the school,
the prosperous condition of which was a matter of high
gratification. Mr. J. Y. l'ilelmoth seconded the
vote of thanks to Mr. Macready. Mr. Benthall then
proposed—That the cordial thanks of the meeting
be presented to G. D. W. Digby, Esq., and all the

kind patrons of the school. Dr. Williams briefly
aeconded the above, and observed that it was a
I *satire to see Mr. Digtri's name monceted with
this, as well as with every other good work.
SHISPOWNE Perin' SESSIONS, Thuroday.--(Bafore J.
Goodden, W. N. Alford, G. L. St. Lo, Leqrs. and the
Rev. J. Blenneilutssett.)--Efiza Hays, of Yetinuarter,
appeared to answer a complaint made against her bus.
band, Charles Hann, that he had refused to have his
children vaccinated. This was the first ease of the kind
! that had been brought before the
.iistices of thisdietriet.
Mr. God.ria, the registrar of births aml deaths at Yet-
ininster, depot:rl to 'erring is notice on tbe defendant
for the vaccination of his child when its birth was regis-
tered.—Mr. Turner, surgeon to that district, having
been informed that the defendant had three children
unvaccinated, called his attention to the fact. He then
saw the wife, and asked her to allow him to vaccinate
the children, and she refused to let him perform the
operation.—Mrs. Hann said that about two years ago
her children unfortunately had the "itch," when she
applied to Mr. Turner, who refused to see them; and it
was in consequence of his inattention then that she now
refused to permit him to vaccinate her children. She
had applied to Mr. Fussell, who would in a few days
perform the operation.—The Bench said it was the first
time they had heard any complaint against Mr. Turner,
who had acted very properly in bringing the WS before
them. Mr. Turner explained that medical men rarely,
if ever, visited a family afflicted with the disease above
referred to. If defendant had sent to his surgery she
would have been supplied with the Initial remedies in
such cases.—The Bench reminded Mn. Hann that they
had the power of inflicting a penalty of 40a., but as this
was the first case of the kind (and they hoped it would
be the last) they should fine her 6d. and expenses Ns.
Defendant left the Court declaring idle would not pay
the money; but she was warned that her goods would
be distrained for the amount if not paid within a week.
SWANIGE.-011 Wednesday the ceremony of lay.
Mg the foundation-stone of the new church was per-
formed with due solemnity. The whole of the
church is to be re-built except the tower. The style
will be Perpendienlar. The extreme length will be
82 feet; nave, 27 feet wide ; extreme length of tran-
septs, 64 feet. There will be a nave, chancel, north
and south transepts, north aisle, and children's gal-
lary in each transept. Such parts of the old windows
as are sufficiently good will be reused and adopted.
Accommodation will be afforded for 516 adults, and
. . .

176-ciilir;;7--The expense is estimated at £2,180.
The diocesui architect, T. H. Wyatt, Esq., has sup.
plied the plans, sad Mr. Moncley, of Dorchester, is
the builder.

OICZTOILD Frrzran•L—Fatal Accident.—An in-
quest ivaa held by William Hannon, Esq., coroner,
at the Royal Oak inn, on the 27th ulk , touching the
death of Robert William', aged 73, who waa killed
by accidentally falling off a hayrick on the 25th. The
evidence was very brief, and the jury returned a
verdict of" Accid&ntal Death."