The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-05-21 00:00:00

BOROUGH PRITY BRBBIONB.

TOWN HA LL, Monday, May 20.—Before the Mayor,
J. Humor, O. Curiae, and J. Galpin Eaqrs.
Poeddearre' Oercacea. Marie; Bodges, of the
White Horse Inn • JoAn Biandaneer, of the Crown
lan • Will lees We'ociwaref, of the Star Inn; and
Thhas Force, of the Compasses; were severally
charged with having their houses open foe the sale of
intoxicating liquors during the boars of divine service
on the morning of Sunday, the 12th ins*. Mr. Weston
appeared for the whole of the defeodenta.—Police
constable Cousins said that he went with P.C. Keats
to the White Horse, about twenty minute, put 11
o'idoek. He weal lint Into the taperoone and saw
no one there but a militiaman. He went into the
parlour and saw seven or eight civilians. He knew
two of them-14111/01e and Stag; they lived in Dor-
chester. Stamm was smoking, and there was beer in
jugs and glasses on the table before the men. He saw
Um Hodges, and she said her husband was not at home.
There were many strangers in the town that day.
Sansom was a butcher. Did not know, what time the
train leaves Dorchester, bet the wagon came
goods train
most daily about half-past 10. The parties
did not drink in his presence. He went to the Star
Inn ia company with his brother Aker about a quarter
past 12 o'clock, and went into the parlour where he
saw Ave men with flee glares of beer and porter
before them on the table. He knew three of the men
—Medway, Pitficld, and another. They lived
in Dorchester: he did'ut luau/ the other two.
He saw the landlady and told her that the was doing
wrong to supply the men in the parlour with beer, and
she said she did nut know they were then.--He west
to the Compasses Inn, at 'shout 20 minutes before 12,
sod found three men in the kitchen where there
were several cape and classes with beer before them.
He also saw another man at the bar door with a cup
in his hand. He knew them all by sight, bat three of
them by name, two of them, Homer and
Wellspring, lived at the Gmarbuildinp; the other was
• porter at the Great Western ',Wien, and known by
the name of Scotty. The enpa and glasses had beer in
them, and were placed about the table in front of the
men.—He went to the house of Mr. Blandamer, Crown
lon, about half-past 11. hew 7 or 8 men and a WOO4lll
there sitting round the table with beer before them.
Two of the men were named Derrick and Critchell, end
they lived in Dorchester. Did'at know the others.
He asked for the landlord, and his brother said he was
ill in bud. He asked for the landlady, and was told she
was out. In his cross examination Cousins said he only
went to one of the public-houses at Grove Buildings.
He forgot the others. Ile west to the King's Arms
Tap, but diient go to the Hing's Arms, nor to the
Antelope He went to the Oak, but not to any of the
other houses in the front street. Believe he went to
moat of the houses in the back streets. Had his reasons
for not visiting some of the houses, but declined to
state what those reasons were. He denied that the
principal houses were always overlooked, and the
" small fry" pounced upon.—Mr. Weston replied
on each case separately, as they were taken.
but hie arguments in the several cases were generally
the same. He contended that as the militia were bil-
leted at the public-houses on this day, the innkeepers
were necessitated to keep their doors open foe them,
and that other parties took advantage of the
eireurnetaace to enter. But be maiatehted that

the sale of beer in no alai bed beep proved.
It might be said that lie could, if he eight,
rebut the charge, but the defendants', who would be
the best parties to disprove these things, weld ustbe
called, he held the onus of proof rested with the
prosecution. But even admitting—which he did not
—that bee had been drawn, could they state that it
had been drawn for parties mident in the town? In
each instance travellers or strangers were present who
could demand to be served, and if beer had been
supplied to them only, the defendants' had acted
perfectly legal. Looking, then, at all these circuni•
stances he contended that the eases were hedged about
with doubts and difficulties—as in no Instance
could • bona fide sale be proved. Considering the
parties had hitherto conducted their houses
satisfactorily, he thought the magistrates would act
with wise dkeretion by Firing the defendants'
the benefits of the doubts which must egret In their
minds, and dismiss the summousea.—The Clerk held
the the presence of beer on the table before the parties
was • necessary assumption that it had been drawn.—
Mr. Weston did not consider such to be necessarily the
case—The magistrates then withdrew, and on their
return into Court, the Mayor, said the defendants'
would be severally fined 405., including costs. He also
added that he had received information that gambling
practices were carried on at several houses, and that
many complaints bad been made to him by wives, whose
basbends bed squandered away their earnings in these
practices instead of bringing them house for the support
of their (amides. He thought it right to make this
public eatit;on, as hereafter if gninbileg was proved to
be married ,m in public houses, the hindlords'eo perinitiog
It, ar.oild ho It with aecordii.gto law.
Ans.tUur.— /Letard rapier, of Ow Plume of Feathers
Inn, was summoned by William lionise'', a corporal
in the Dorset Militia, for an assault. It appears that
ooniplainant's company hail been billeted at defendant's
honor, and that may broke • chair. Defendant de-
manded the payment of half-a-crown after they bad
left, and complainant came to his house respecting it.
Some words passed between them. Henham was rather
abusive, and refusing to leave this house, defendant
proceeded to put him ont.—Defendant sled, two or
three years ago he had a noisy customer in his house,
who he could not get out, and he went to the Clerk,
who told him to put the party out, using no more faros
than was neceseary. He was very much obliged to the
Clerk, as be gave his advice gratis, and he aided pre-
cisely similar in this instance—just as be should do,
if another fellow came along to-morrow. If he insulted
him in his house, and refused to go, he should put
him out, of course, in the ordinary way of banner.
After some further evidence had been given, the parties
were requested to retire and settle the dispute, Mr.
Curie remarking that Mr. Taylor had always behaved
remarkably well to the Militia billeted on him.
Fithonr.--Jamer Warren, a Militiamen, was changed
by Charles Reeves, a comrade, with robbing him. The
magistrates, after bearing the evidence, dismissed the
ease.