The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-10-25 00:00:00

(7'rial of Prisoners evathemed ix the Ravi/4 Page.)

WZYNOUTIC—Borowyk Registration Court.—The
annual revision of the Burgess List took place 411
Wednesday week, before the Mayor (P. Dodson.
Esq.), 'waisted by the assessors, Mears. Rooke and
IL Reynolds. The interest of the respective parties
were advocated by Messrs. R. N. Howard and
Cornelius. The claims were first proceeded with,
and for some time presented little but a "weary,
flat, stale, and unprofitable" complexion, involving
no other more important feature than that of pay-
ment of rates, and innocence of parochial relief,
medical or pecuniary. The claims amounted to
sixty-three, and the objections numbered seventy-
one. The claims having been disposed of, the Court
proceeded with the objections. John Atherton (sail
loft and store, Hope Quay,) was objected to by
Mr. Cornelius. Service of notice was proved by
John Attwooll, who in cross-examination by Mr.
Howard, said he served a copy of the notice on the
premises between seven and half-past ten at night.
Mr. Howard contended that by law the service
should have taken place before five in the evening.
A decision of this kind had been made by the
Revising Barrister, and affirmed by a superior
court. The Mayor refused to be guided by any
such authority. If the service had been made before
twelve at night, it was admissible. Mr. Howard
cited the case oa which ha grounded his assertion.
It was the case of Watson and Pitt, 5 C., B. 77,
which was to the effect that a service of objection
was made at the house of one Francis Pitt., between
nine and ten on the 25th of August, 11547. He
received no answer, after repeatedly knocking,
and placed the notice within the house. The Bevis-
ing Barrister, before whom the case was argued
decided that the service was insufficient, and that
the time and mode were unreasonable. Chief Justice
Wilde ludooncurreci in the decision. Mr. Cornelius
urged that the case quoted by Mr. Howard had
reference to parliamentary registration, but this
matter came entirely within the slunicipal Act.
Mr. Howard contended that similar inferences ought
to be drawn in both instances. The Mayor said his
instructions from the Municipal Act were that every
person objecting should on or before the 15th of
September give the Town Clerk, and also the person
objected to, or leave at the premises for which be
shall appear to be rated, notice thereof in writing.
He (the Mayor) was of opinion that the rule made
by the Revising Barrister ought not to apply
in this case. He was disposed to admit as valid
all notices of objection delivered before twelve
on the night of the 15th September. The notice
was therefore admitted. Mr. Howard intimated
his intention of no farther supporting the case,
as he rested entirely on the insufficiency of service.
The name was accordingly expunged.—John Diluent
was objected to by Mr. Cornelius on the ground of
not being on the rate-book. Mr. Martin, the
assistant overseer, said that a widow named Sims
was entered on the rate-book for the property. The
name had been altered from John Diluent to widow
Sims by order of Mr. Anderson, agent of the John-
stone estate, who paid the rates. Mr. Howard
argued that Diluent was the tenant of the house
allude.l to, and consequently was entitled to the
vote. Diment's brother was examined on the point,
and stated that widow Syme was his mother ; their
houses were separate; there was no internal com-
munication. Ile had lived there for more than three
years, and voted last year on the house. Mr.
Martin said, in reply to the Mayor, he made the
alteration by Mr. Anderetn's direction, about a
twelvemonth since. Witness, examined by Mr.
Howard, said his brother did not live in any part of
the house occupied by his mother. The Mayor said
in consideration of Ditnent having been on the list
last year, and his having been rated some years pre-
viously, be should allow the vote. Retained.—Thos.
Bartlett, objected to by Mr. Cornelius, on account
of medical relief to his daughter. It turned out,
however, that the daughter of voter's son was the
recipient of the parochial assistance, and consequently
the name was retained, and Bartlett went away
grumbling at being objected to for such a reason—he
had never had five shillings' worth of "doctors'
stuff in his life." (Laughter.) The Mayor advised
him still to persevere in his "throwing physic to
the dogs" regimen.—John Honeybun. Objected to
by Mr. Cornelius. Mr. Howard contended that the
service was illegal, and called Honeybun to prove
that the notice had been left at the wrung house.
Attwooll was called, and proved that be left the notice

et the first house in Wellington Place, where a woman
told him John Honeyhun Recd. Iforieybuu, in reply to
Mr. Howard, said there were five houses in the row,
mid he lived in the middle one. (Laughter.) He
had not received the notice until two days afterwards.
The service was pninounced illegal, and the name re•
- Edward bunco, jun., was objected to by
Mr. Cornelius, on the ground of parochial relief. The
voter being called, said he had not received "parish
relief ;" but it being explained that it was medical
assistance, he said he meant eatables, "the doctor
was a dillerent thing ;" (laughter) he had had the
doctor for his wife. Mr. Hooke, one of the auditors,
said the conduct of the witness in stating what was
untrue was disgraceful, and ought to be noticed b,
the court. Mr. Howard replied that Mr. Hooke s
remark was uncalled for, the witness had at once ad-
mitted the fact when he understood that "medical"
meant " panehial" relief. The court took no notice
of Mr. Itooke's somewhat over-righteous scruples,
and expunged the name.—Charles Rose. Mr. Cor-
nelius objected. Service of notice being required,
voter said he did not receive it mail the morning of
the 16th, when he found it on his doorstep. Attwooll
the Conservative "flunkey," said he put the notice
in over the door, but Rose maintained his assertion :
of having found it on the step. The Mayor said the I
service was not valid, and the objection must fall to I
the ground. Name retained. —Samuel Scott. Mr. I
Cornelius objected, on the plea of absence of rating. I
The overseer proved that the voter's name was not I
on the r.ite•book. Scott said he asked Mr. Martin
to rate him three years ago, but he refused; perhaps
he had some political motive. Examined by Mr.
Cornelius. —He said that Ids house adjoined Mr. I
Board's, who kept a beerhouse. They were separa-
ted by a wooden partition. There was no internal
communication whatever. Mr. Martin stated the two
houses were put into one, to make it of sufficient ra-
ting to bear a beer license. Mr. Beasant was the owner
of both houses, and they were both taken by Board
The Mayor said that Mr. Board by taking the rating
of the two houses ti secure himself a beer liisruse,
had lost Scott his vote, and the objection must con-
sequently stand. Expunged.—Henry Symes. Ob-
jected to by Mr. Cornelius on the grout of non-
payment of rates. Voter said the rates were paid by
Mr. Howard. The overseer stated that syines kid
been excused before the magistnites in July, 1567 ;
after that .Nir. Howard became the owner and paid
the rates. Mr. Howard said the party of whom he
purchased the house was a wealthy man, and he
was at a loss to understand how the rates could have
been excused. The Mayor could not comprehend
how the magistrates could excuse rates which were
payable by the burdlord. The overseer said he had
called at the house, shortly after the death of a
widow that lodged there, and Mr. Symes told him
he was the owner. Witness said he had never ex•
changed any conversation with the overseer. In
reply to the Mayor, the overseer said the voter had
never been summoned for his rates previous to being
exeused. Things were different three years ago.
Witness said he had never been brought before a
magistrate, said was on the list last year. In answer
to 'Mr. Cornelius the overseer said he made the
entries from the list winch had been laid before the
magistrates and signed by them; after which it was
sanctioned by the lUnion Auditor. The Mayor had
formerly been trying to have the parties who were
to be excused always brought before the magistrate,
together with the excused list, and it appeared that
Symes had never been before a magistrate. The
question as to the name being on the list last year
was repeated to the witness, who stated that he was
brought before the Revision Court last year, and
his mune left out. After some further conversation
on the subject., the name was expunged.

Tui &FLAN ADIS TKEDL—Some idiot (perhaps an
escaped lunatic) has been amusing himself by muti-
lating the shrubs planted along the Esplanade. No
lews than twenty-one have been cut or broken off
about half-way clown, and completely destroyed.
811EltlIMIN V. —The first half-yearly meeting of the
conunitttv ,d the Sherbonie Penny Rank was held :a
the Townhall on Friday wk. It apiwared by ti,,,
tre.usurer's books that since the formation of the
bank ill February last, 34S 11CCIIIIIIIti had been opened
and :1,710 deposits made, amounting to .C 156
and that £2' lUs. 2d. bad been withdrawn, leaving a
balance due to depositors £127 9s. IniL The busi-
ness of the bank is steadily increasing, and cannot
fail to prove a boon to the working-classes, by
encouraging habits of frugality. We are happy to
tind its usefulness is not confined to the town of
Sherborne alone, but many depositors reside in the
neighbouring villages. The following gentlemen
were added to the committee of managers
Rickards, Itev. E. N. llennniug, Mr. W. S. Penny,
Mr. Pollard, Mr. l'ocklingion, aud Mr. Ellis.