The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-06-14 00:00:00

POOLK

TOWN COUNCIL —On Monday last a meeting of
the Council was held in the Guildhall, the Worship-
ful the Mayor (J. W. Martin, Esq.), presiding. The
tenders for repainting the outside of the hall, clean-
ing the brick work, and whitening the ceiling of the
hall was opened :—Mr. Reeves, .e3O ; Mr. J. Moores,
£24; Mr. Morris, .C 22 10s. ' • Mr. Short, £lB 10s. ;
Mr. Watts, FIS 10s. ; and Mr. Bartlett, £lB. The
only difference in the tenders was, that Mr. Moores
mentioned in his tender, that he should apply three
coats of paint while the others specified two. Some
discussion ensued, and a doubt being entertained as
to whether the lowest tenders included all that was
required, it was resolved that the Mayor should com-
municate with the parties, and accept the lowest
tender if he found the answers to the inquiriessatis-
factory. The next business was the formation of a
Volunteer Rifle Corps for the borough of Poole. This
subject was brought forward by the Mayor, who
stated that be thought it was very desirable that a
Volunteer Ritle Corps should he established in Poole.
It was to to regretted that no meeting bad been called
here, as meetings had been held in other towns in
the county of not half the importance of Poole. It
might be said that this movement should have origi-
natal with the people of Poole ; he should not have
brought the matter before the Council, but for the
purpose of expressing their opinions and sentiments
OD the subject. The Mayor concluded by expressing
• desire to hear the opinions of the Council on the
matter. A general discussion enstici, when Mr.
Pearce stated that it would be desirable to pass a cc-
solution to the effect that a ride corps should he
formed. It would give encouragement to the move-
ment, and as they were met for the purpose of con-
sidering the matter, he thought a resolution that •
corps be formed should he passed. It was then stated
that Mr. G. Aldridge and others were obtaining
signatures to a requisition to the sheriff, to calla pub.
lie meeting. Mr. Lacy moved a resolution to the
effect, that, asa requisition to the sheriff was in course
of signature fur the purpose of calling a public meet-
ing, no further steps be taken by the Council, until
after that meetiug. This resolution, as also that of
be
Mr. Pearce, recommending that a corps formed,
was unanimously carried. Some other business, was
transacted and the Council adjourned.
A RIFLe CORPS FOR POOLE. —The prozosal to
establish a Rifle Corps has met with great your in
Poole. On Thursday evening last a -highly respect-
able meeting, convened by the sheriff in compliance
with a requisition, was held at the Guildhall, to con-
fader the propriety of establishing a Ride Corps for
Poole and its district. The sheriff, (C. Keats, Esq.,'
presided. Grant Dalton, Eng— • gentleman residen
in the neighbourhood, moved that it was desirable a
Rifle Corps should be formed, and that • committee
be appointed for that purpose. Mr. Dalton, although
he had no fear of an immediate invasion, considered
we ought to be able to meet every contingency. and
he was himself willing to aid, whether in carrying a
musket or subscribing to the funds. (APPfiwae•
M. K. Welch, Req., seconded the proposition, and
pointed out that it would be advisable to define a
certain district in which the corps should act, and
recommended the adoption of the ordnance square in
which Poole was situated. Mr. G. Curtis moved asan
amendment, that it was inexpedient to form a corps,
and contended that there was no fear of an invasion.
The establishment of a corps would place too much
power in the hands of the middle classes, would
Creates warlike feeling among the people, as well as
cense them to degenerate. The amendment was not
seconded. W. Parr, Esq., answered the objections
raised by Mr. Curtis, set 'Wiwi, and contended that
the formation of Rifle Corps was similar to that of
cricket clubs, with the exception that the former
might be rendered available for national purposes.
Be considered it would afford healthful recreation,
and that it was absurd to suppose that learning to
use a ride would cause men to degenerate. The Rev.
& R. Gondar addressed the meeting, and argued
that although Louis Napoleon was now engaged in
Italy, the time might come when he would be in a
position to dictate terms to England which she must
either reject or accept with humiliation. He there.
fore thought it best to be prepared for any emergency,
and considered that Ride Corps were the best means
to be adopted. A standing army might be met with
a standing army, but when the intended invader
knew that be would have to march through a country
the hedges of which were lined with thousands of
sharpshooters he would pause before taking such a
step. The rev, gentleman also considered that a
Rine Corps would milord mesas of amusement and

(*Utile

iesident

recreation ho young men, and thus be • benefit to
the community. G. H. Penney, Eaq., though an
advocate of peace. considered the establishment or
Rifle Corps woeld prevent persons from going to
war, and he therefore simpnrted the motion. The
resolution was carried with but one dissentient.
E. Lacy, Esq., moved, rind G. B. Aldridge, DR.,
seconded, the appointment of a committee. It IVIS
then agreed that those persons who were desirous of
j g provided the terms offered by the sonunittee
met with their approval, should give tc than. lames;
and after the committee had announced the terms
they could join or withdraw, whichever they thought
tit. A number of persons gave in theii names, and
we understand many more have since dons OD. A
vote of thanks to the sheriff concluded the pewee&
ings.