The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-11-29 00:00:00

THE MAYOR'S BREAKFABT.

Reginald Aldridge, Esq , who, on" the ninth," was
unanimously chosen Mayor of this ancient borough,
for the ensuing year, on Sunday last gave • compli-
mentary breakfast at the Guildhall to the magistrates,
aldermen and town councillors, the borough officials,
and a large number of the chief inhabitants. About
100 of the invitations were accepted, and, with but
thres or four exceptions, responded to in person. Mr.
Norbury, of the London Hotel, placed upon the
tables, which were prettily decorated with flowers and
ferns, an elegant spread, a pleasing attendant (no
joke meant) feature being the excellent waiting. The
Mayor, of course, presided, and the guests who were
present included :—Bev. J. A. Lawson (vicar of
Poole), Mr. C. Schreiber, M.P., Lord Wimborne,
Dr. J. P. Aldridge, J.P., of Dorchester (the Mayor's
father), Rev. W. W. Aldridge, of Waulavington,
SOLDOIIII4It (cousin of the Mayor), Mr. G. Curtis, J.P.
(ex-Mayor), Mr. J. P. Godwin (sheriff), Mr. G. B.
Aldridge (Borough Coroner and Clerk of the Peace),
Mr. H. W. Dickinson (town clerk), Mr. S. 11. Dick.
(neon (registrar of the county court): getters. W.
Pearce, C. J. Stone, e Idaistun, W. D. Dugdale, W.
N. Western, F. SLYring, it. Farmer, F. Sanders, acid
E. J. Conway (magistrates); Mews. J. J. Norton, J.
Buckley, R. P. Ada, and H. Hamilton (idderinein ;
Messrs. J. Gifford, E. N. Bienehard, F. Waulull,
Captain P. E. L. Budge, C. T. Marston. C. hi.l, W.
Yestman, and /1. F. J. Bootees (town councilors);
Messrs. A. A. Allen (acting magistrate& c•ork),
ki. B; Sedgfield (tteestukir of the quay trustees), W.
Miller (borough surveyor), W. McFall (arbourmaster), W. Waring= (collector 01 quay duce), S.
Hunt (chief comt.ble), Dr. Vernede (medic,. officer
of health Messrs. E. Stembridge (acting high-
bai I it!), U. Burt sou James Jenkins ( ourough auditors),
it. Turner and R. Smith (overseer.), E. S. At. Pearce
(assist ant-overseer), J. Hutchings (essistaut-survey or) ;
Messrs. W. Atimlus T, Cruuipler, J. liaymau' W.
Abbott (guardians), Mr. J. Slade (clerk to the Board),
and Mr. W. Turner and Mr. J, R. Plelpote
(medical officers). There were also present the
following officials of St. James's Church—Messrs. J. '
Oment end E. F. W. (highly (churchwardens), T.
Bishop (Jerk), F. A. Sharpe (ottoman) Cutler
(acting ailoomaa), and J. Smith (organist). The rest
iii the company inciuded Messrs. T. H. Palk, H.
Moore (Wiinuorne), J. F. Street (postmaster), W. H.
Baker J. T. Curtis, F. Travers' J. Salter Barrett,
Brestair•Hill, A. W. Street, C. J. Caine, Dr. Lawton,
E. J. Young (relieving officer), J. U. Baster (vestry
clerk), C. H. kinds (registrar tit births and I/cattle), A.
K. Harris (deputy regietrar), J. Needs (11. M.
Customs), Jona Dunford, Dr. W. Miller, T. Laws
(Supt. of Sundey Schools), H. Penny, it. G. Gillman,
C. Bailey; and Captain Stone, Lieut. Harrison,
Wheatley, and Quarceranaster-Sergoidit Mowlain
(r) Company D.R. V.), and Mr. J. Farrel (chief
gunnery instructor of toe Naval Reserve).
At the conclusion of the breakfast, the Rev. F. W.
Lemon)' according to custom, read a psalm—the 92nd,
the Mayor remarking that after that they would
proceed to church, and, at the conclusion ef the service,
he hoped they would return to the hall.
Lord WIMBOLIII., addressing the Mayor, mad On
behalf of himself and all those who were presout, he
begged to thank Wm for his hospitality. He believed
that on the present occasion tie (the Mayor) had
but followed the exempla set him by his predecessor
in office, who had resuscitated this old custoin, He
was snore than ordinarily pleased in tendering him
their thanks, because tine occasion had been associated
with the welfare of their 54b0015. Now he believed
that woe likely to become a burning question. They
had probably all reed the report which had been
published relative to tlio schoola ; the only uusatisfac-
tory thitig atout it owned to be the finances, they
were some £4O or i:5O in arrear. Now, a code had
been drawn up, and was under the consideration of
the Privy Colleen, having for its object an increase in
the requirements from the various schools. That
meant an increase in the expenditure, and if they

could not meat the present circ-surosuinces they woul;I
find_lt still more diffim.t when they were enisage.l by

the further requirmonts of tee Council. He th-uti‘hi
it was a grave question for the ratepayer& of Poole
—whether they should not rather pay the presoot
moderate charges, rather than by the iutroductiou of
a School Board to pay a great deal in excess of what
they were now doing. He hoped they would take it
to heart, for he was afraid unless they helped the
schools they would be driven irresistibly to the gnaw)
of belonging to the School Hoard. He begged again
to thank the Mayor for his great kindness in receiv.
jag _them and showing the hospitality he had.
The Maros biiefly 'returned thanks, expressing the
pleasure he felt at meeting his guests and fellow.towns-
Men. _ . .

Shortly after a procemion was formed to the church.
It was healed by two trumpeters, followed by the
bor .ugh p dice under Mr. Supt. Hunt, the choristers
of St. Jsines's (surplise.l), the Vicar and the Rev. W.
W. Aldridge and the officials of the church, the Town
Crier (Mr. Sampson), the Sergeants at Mace (Mr.
Graves aud Mr. Padley), the Mayor with Lord Witu-
borne, the ex-Mayor (Mr. G. Curtis) with Mr. Schrei-
ber, M.P., and the rest of the company, a large
number of 0 Itifellows and Foresters bringing up the
rear of the procession. On the return from church this
ws4 further added to by the PoJle Town Band, dressed
in blue uniforms with white facings. The Mayor wore
a splendid scarlet gown, trimmed heavily with sable,
and the gold chain of office. Crowds of spectators
were attracted along the route, and the church was
well filled. . . .

The sermon was preached by the li)v. W. W.
I ridge, who delivered a most forcible and eloquent
address from Matthew Ist, and part of sth verse—
Behold your King cometh," remarking that that day
they commenced again the church's year, when it,
the church, put before them the two comings of their
Lord and Saviour. He proceeded to draw a powerful
contrast between the lowly humility displayed by
Christ at His first advent, and the awfi ! majesty and
glory that would attend His second. Urging upon his
hearers the necessity of being prepared for this, he
warned th,m that leading an outwardly blameless
Christian life would not muffles to put away sin unless
the foundation withiu was sound. These National
Schools tried to lay a right foundation in the hearts
and minds of the children. They not only supp led
them with useful knowledge to lit them for th., duties
of life, but what was more important, imparted that
higher teaching which should male them wise unto
salvation. He, therefore, asked them to give of
their charity to these schools. He rsked them to
give out of their love for the bodies and souls
,of these little ones ; to give from a love to
, Christ, remembering that all they had they held
as trustees for Him. Let them see that they laid
' it out in such a manner for His sake and His work
that when the cry went forth "Behold the Bridegroom
cometh," they might,
_like the multitude of old, blasts
the coming of their King. In conclusion, he prayed
that that day might be an advent of grace and
holiness to each one of their hearts.
_ . .

During the services, the musical portion of which
was ably cooducted by Mr. Smith, the organist, the
Vicar reading the prayers, suitable hymns were eung,
among them being the followinr, which was given with
good effect to the tone of "God Save the Queen" :
Lord, Thy best blessing skied
On our loved Matarch's head,
Round her abide.
Teach her Thy holy will,
Shield her from every ill,
Ouud, guide, sod speed her still.
Sete to Thy side.
Under Thy mighty wings,
Keep her, Ii King of Kings—
Answer our prayer.
Till she hence remove
Up to Tny courts above,
To dwell in light and love
'For evermore.

At the conclusion of the service the procession
reformed and proceeded back ti the Guildhall, where
a tasteful dessert, backed by plenty of choice
champagne and sherry, had been spread. The march
both to and from the church was happily accomplished
without further inconvenience than the high wind, the
sky clearing on both occasions for a short time, although
the day itself, with these exceptions, being wretched.
The MAYOR, according to usual custom, gave but
one toast, "The health of the Queen. This having
being duly honoured,
Mr. SCHRIIIIIR, M.P., saki he was afraid he might
incur the censure of the Nlayor if he proposed another
toast, but he c mid not leave the room without
proposing "The health of his Worship," without offering
hipi his beet congratulations upon his election to that
ancient and honourable office, and without expressing
the wish that he might be ena'ded to discharge its
important duties with health, bappinos., and honour.
(Hear, hear.) He thought there was n . body of Her
Majesty's Nubjees who felt a graater interest in what
was commonly known as the observance of that day
than the 65), or thereabouts, 'embalm who compose
the House of Commons. Certainly, he himself in the
matter of speechmaking did not wish that sacred day
should be invaded, but, as Mayors only come and go
once a year, he would on that occasion make an
exception to the general rule and ask them to drink
the health of Mr. lteginold Aldridge.
The request of the h en. member having been
heartily complied with,
The MAYOR tenderel his thanks for the kind way iii
which his health had been both proposed and received,
and expressed a hope that he might be enabled to
maintain the dignity of the offiras during the term he
should occupy that position.
The company shortly after separated.
DZVIZZEI.

THE Coroner's inquiry held on Friday into the death
of the man Coleman, an inmate of the workhouse, who
wa• stabbed in the neck with a red hot poker, resulted
in a verdict of wilful murder against Charles Gee ish,
also a pauper. Four paupers deposed that Gearish
first quarrelled with Stephen Coleman as to their
individual proximity to the fire, and threatened him
with the poker. Afterwards Coleman was deliberatsly
stabbed in the neck. The accused then threatened
another pauper, named Hartward, and struggled with
him for souse time, Efartward's hands being severely
burnt in the struggle. When charged, the accused
said demand first tried to stab him with a knife.