The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-03-10 00:00:00

THE EQUALIZATION OF TAXES.
RPIKBOII OF MR. J. FLOYF.R, M.P.

The teal meeting of the Dorehider Farmers' Club for
the winter swim, last Saturday evening, w" °I the
most important itharaeter. The premed levying 01 the
, poor'seete was debated with great ebility, and one of the
mpmeintatiees of the county (Mr. .1. Moyer) made •
laminate statement on the subject: all were agreed,
that whereas real property only ia at riteeent asseased.
Farina clonally ought equally to be liable ti thMelled
of the poor, sad the only difference which arose was as
to the manner in which • opt" "'bracing UM reline
of both kinds of property could be carried out, without
lording the present local cootroL But Ibis • questio of
detail, end the unanimous adoption of the principle of
equalisation in the itoiderioe of rating se regards thew
two descriptions of property is an important demonstra-
tion. We sansot doubt bat that the other clubs in
Dorset will join in the movement, with the various
Chambers of Agriculture in different parts of the
country, for an arteratioo of the law. Thus the agitation
will Increase, end will we cannot bat think assume great
propoetioas before the time of the general election, and
may howens an important Ruestion on that occasion.
Under any cirennudanew,
_if it is discussed in the able
and tampersts owner which distinguished its considers-
lion at the Dominator Farmers Club, the result cannot
fail to he advaslegeOus. The President (Mr. J. Homer)
acensided the ebsir at the weetlag, and there were
presest : Mr. J. limey, H.P., Mr. It Dames, Mr. J. F.
Hodges, Mr. T. H. Seanders, Mr. G. J. Andrews, Mr.
H. Coekerant, Mr. J. Loveless, Mr. W. Speaks, Mr.
W. Call, Mr. T. Chick, Mr. T. C. Saunders, Mr. H.
Symoads, Mr. Symms, Mr. Hwris, Mr. Levi Groves,
Dr. Aldge, Mr. J. Demme, Mr. 111. J. Harding, Mr.
T. Sameon, Mr. Groves, Mr. J. Galpin, Mr.
Consington, Mr. A. J. Smith, Mr. H. Taylor, Mr.
Ywraley, Ike.
The Palau:Mr: briefly introduced Mr. B. Dames to
open • dissuasion on " Bates as at present charged and
assessed".
Mr. B. DLIIIII introduced the subject with his
accustomed ability. Pressure on our apace compels us
to 000i00111) his remake. He observed that their local
rates bad for a long tune past been increasing, but the
upward movement most cease ere long, or it would be
impossible that the taxation could be met. This subject
bad been pooh-poohed, but such a mode of treating it
would no longer avail—it must be considered. It was
objected that this was a landowners' and not an own-
piers' question, and, at lest sight, that seemed plausible
enough. No doubt at the taking of a farm it was •
landlord's question, for the taxes would be considered
by both the owner and the renter, bet if • man °emoted
by lease, or went on from year to year for • quarter of
a century (which be believed was about the avenge
duration of holdings in this county), it soon became •
question for the occupier. He knew it might be said •
yearly tenant could leave his farm if he found the rates
increased his expenditure so as to prevent his getting •
fair return, but that was an unfeeling remedy, and really
he could nnt do so, and many were bolding on now and
spending in extra rates beyond what they had calculated
upon enough in the course of • few years to provide
ban immely for their families. During the last oentnry the
population of the country had been trebled, and its wealth
increased in an equal retio, but who had benefited by it?
In an especial manner, be said, the monied interest, for
they bore none of the burdens of the increased number
of paupers. Personal property was made by the labour
of the people, and was it not just that that wealth
should help support the people when they required
relief from the ponr's•rates ? There was • time when
thew was • certain protection given to agricultural
produce against foreign competition, and than it was
Pair that the land Mould bear some peculiar burdens
for the eupport of the poor, but the protection had now
passed away for ever, and the peculiar burdens ought to
go too—(ear, hear). (ambers of Agriculture were being
established in all parts of the country to protein against
the present unequitable system of levying relief for the
poor, and in the House of Common, recently there was
an interesting discussion on the rating of London when
Mr. Goschen, one of the metropolitan members, *pip
tended that their rates were becoming insuppor table
for they amounted to rather more than £1 per heed.
Now be found that of the forty parishes comprising the
Dorchester Union, in this poor county of Dorset, more
than half of them paid over El per head, and some paid
as much as 30s. per head! So that if London, the
richest city in the world, was oppressed by paying El
• head, what meat be the state of poor florist?
Mr. Neville Grenville, one of the Somerset members,
said in the delote to which be had alluded, that " it
was only • question of time : the poor country districts
must web wore relief ."—(Applause). The newspapers
all wrote upon the subject, end almost all in that spirit.
The Herald believed "that something must be done,
and, disappointing a. Mr. Goiania's speech was, it
thanked him for baring drawn attention to the questio ,o
which however, if anything is to be done must not be '
treated with regard to the metropolis alone. Municipal
ineome•tax, house duty, or whatever the new revenue
in aid of the rates is to be, it must be • revenue to be
mired by every borough or county in the kingdom. The
amount in many boroughs went(' be small, but both
policy and justice command that in this matter there
should be no exceptional legislation in favour of the
metropolis." They would all agree that the metropolis
had no slams more than ourselves for the oonsideration
of the legislature. He knew that he should be told
these excessive &wpm in a groat many of the smaller
wishes MON for the working the Union Chargeability
BilL—(bear bear). Na doubt that was the case, but, be
would ask, as the Government had gone no far, ought lit
not in justice to go • little further in the mune direction?
—(hear Imar). If Compton Valence was compelled to
assist in supporting the poor of the parish of Fordiugton,
why should not the fondholder—the man who
had been making his money by the labour of
the poor—be called on to contribute towards
their 'maintenance. (applause). There could be
no justice ,whatever in the present exemption of the
fundbolder—(hear, hear). It was only the law that
made it legal. and we as lam-loving Englishmen
submitted to it— (hew, hear). In round numbers, as
they were aware, the property on which the amass-
ment was now made for income-tax was about
£100,000.000 • year--he believed 295.000,000 was the
&Must sum on which the tax was assessed ; and it left
E 300,000,000 a-year of personal property not taxed 006
farthing for the benefit of the poor. They had the best
authority for saying the poor are always with es—they
always were and always would be with us; and one
would hussy that the first tax levied should be for
their support. But personal property does not pay one
farthing towards the mailitensnee of the poor, or to the
polies, or to the blfb ears, or anything of the kind.
These taxes were I borne by the comparatively few.
But that property if assessed in the way no• proposed
to the extent of fourpenos in the E. would realise over
E 5,000.000 • year. But that 44. would be levied
upon real property se well, for they (the occupiers of
land) asked for no exemption, but were prepared to pay
their just proportion. Then the many who wield
afford it would contribute to support the poor, instead
of, as now, its being done by the comparatively few
who could not afford it. lie did not for one moment
bring forward this question as 005 of town against
ornintr) or country against town, but upon the broad
principle of justice and right for all— (hear, hew). He
thought that every man who recopied land or • house
was equally interested in this question, according to the
sine of the farm or the house he occupied. For
, instance, • poor man renting • house at £lO
• yew in Dorchester, would, be presumed,
pay about Is. in the pound, or 30e. • year, which was
, very heavy taxation indeed comparatively, and such as
, be could ill afford to pay. Now let them 1160 what his
neighbour would pay who had got an income of £lOO
• year ; he would be called on for 4d. in the E, or
El 13e. 4d. So that while the monied man paid
El 13s. 41., the poor man living ins EIO basso—perhaps
one of the poorest they bad in Dominator—would be
paying 30.. But surely the man with £lOO • year could
afford to be taxed better than the other, who probably
mimed only 14s. or lfie. • week. Beside., the man who
had got property to Ilse amoriat of £lOO a year, would
also save the poor's rates on his house ; as that be would
be benented as well as the row they ought to relieve.
It wee • well-known fact that positively paupers were
rated to the relief of the poor, which seemed the most
ineonsistent thing in the world— it was robbing Peter to
pay Pull They rated the peeper to support his brother
peeper. By this ardent people were crowded into the
Innen in our towns, which fostered all kinds of im-
morality, and was, he believed, one of the greatest
nuisances possible; and this rating of small tenenteata
tended to encourage the evil. They were paying there
rates while rich non in hundreds of came were drawing
large inisomee from the funds, and living, perhaps, on
rOo cootinent, and not paying a single farthing towards
the rapport of thaw who made the wealth for them. He
could not help thinking that if this question was ven-
tilated at the time of an eloolion, the *lectors would
say they would vote for wen who would take away their
Tama and make tient pay who weld afford it. HA
wanted nothing arbitrary, but it seemed only • question
of common sense and juellos. 16 might be laid he knew,
with • good deal of tenth, that the further they went
In this wetter the more it Waded to do away with the
old parochial system, which was • system all must
admire, for it was founded on the principle that • parish
should ewe for its own people, and no as, weld be so
wall acquainted with QS wants of the poor as those
unseat whom they lived. The Union Chargeability
Bill, however, had taken away all local interest in the
poor, by equalising the payments over 20 or 30 miles.
lie alreuld be sorry to we the administration of the ,1
poor relief taken from the Boards of Onardhuas, for he
beliicad nobody in Ike country could do it so well
(appianse). Bat he saw no memo why they should not
administer the relief seder the proposed system just the
same as now, because the individual interest was already
taken away. If they look an imperial view of the
subieok that the legislature mast support the poor, he
did not think they could accomplish it without Boards
of Guardiaris as administrators of the relief. He should
kii nnouedingly sorry indeed for Boards of Guardians
to b. abolished; and he felt, perhaps more jealousy
Man • good many people at Government interference,
for he thought it a =worn:um to centralize matters of
goo, kind. believing they Were Oa& bitter wake a
halal ,7.t... Bet they had gone so far, and scald not
stop. The gliestioa now wee, whether cc not the reel
Z„own/ eko snaky west not sarneenb to the rating
oog upon it room or later. He believed Use more
1 * lite lab. ente meektered the tam they ?odd be

forded to the coothision that it vu only jurt end Sett
lb Principle that personal property should help to
',Port the poor aed acistribate to the genera tuition
of the country, en‘,*(l u lea property—(ntuit).
Ho had prepared no resolution to iubmit to the meet.
hut he eould not help hoping that as in Devonshire
Members of Agriculture had been formed (which Lord
Form..e and nieszt, ill the great men in the musty
had joined) and ago is, Somerset and in the
northetn and eastern counties, that 00110 01
the gentlemen of Dorset would move in this matter
(aPPiellse).
Mr. Levi Grores (Viee-Chairman of the Dorchester
Board of Guardians) said be accepted the invitetion to
attend that meeting with great elvtonre. He began his
000tifmnonzeovtiodinoriroivitilratutil:b4edo:hot7rteterawlinttiitsbol:rehtotete:::4prBoardwildt
therefore he wished Id me its operations carried out
fairly,. He had taken some trouble to make calculations
on the subject Ye Demon had brought forward, and he
could assure them that when they looked into the
matter and saw what the occupiers of the laid had en-
since 1834 they would be surprised. How
they Led got through it was a wonder to him. Some
of them bad pulled through, but others had failed, being
unable to maid in oonaequeoce of the burdens plated
upon them, Haring had the valuing of property, them
things had some before his own eyes, and lad vexed his
spirit. He was prepared to my that unless an alteration
took plait, no man art a tenant farmer would know bow
to take a farm. Now, the legialethre varied the laws
and heaped upon them f reel Moo year after
yew. First, they had to purchase the sit* for the
Union workhouse, and then erect the promisee. Why
should they? If an hospdal wee to be built, it would
he dose by eubeaription. Why did not people subscribe
to build the Union? Nobody did that, and they had to
build it sad pay far it in 20y15:1. Was not that
capital gone from them? Had they any holding in it
No, it was the freeholders' now. He now came toe more
serious thing. They had thereat premises for the police,
and &leo • building for the militia stores. Three parts
of all the extreme of the coanty were paid by the
tampion of land. If they looked at 17 unions in the
aunty, the polies stations, the new asylum (for which
land was bought at £lOO an sere that was not worth
£4Ol. who paid for them all, or would have to pay? It
wee • burden upon them. He had no doubt these
establishments were required, bat why should it fall so
heavily upon on* portion {of the sommunity?—upon
them the occupier's of the land? They were all content
to pay their share, but it was not fur to call on them
for three parts oat of four of the amount. Udder the
Union Chargeability Bill the parochial system had been
abolished, and the poor old people did not know their
home'. He had been upon one estate f or 40 years, and
he would not see his ad people seat away. Between
1857 sad 1867 their rates bad lagreseed 11600 a year,
and of that mood the oesepiere of Lad had to pay.
£llOO. Why? Bosun if a mem went into • farm now
he would not employ old men as labourers, end eons.-
quietly al the poor old people had to go to the Union.
This he found continually going on. But It was not so
with the old tenants ; they tried to do the beat they
Gould with their old labourers. This new law had made
a wonderful change in some of the villages around this
neighbourhood. The sum of £2,444 18s. Id. was
(*Meted in 1.3 parishes above what they paid before, and
than were only seven out of the 40 which
received any benefit. Some of the farms he
had to oontest the other day had absolutely edvaneed
as much as El4O a year in ten years- The parish of
West Knighton was raised £137 West Stafford £l3l,
Warmweli £ll4, Horringstone £54, and
Woodsford £lll3. In the fate of them serious advances
bow could a man knew how to take a farm? How
mold he have anticipated this when he took a lease of
his farm ben yeses ago But three charges did not
include the way rate. He was connected with the
Highway Board, and Uses, he saw almost a worst con-
cern thee in the matter of the poor's-rate ; and every
turf road must be seen to if they were to have such
legislation as they had on the previous day. But he
would not go into that subject. The only parishes
benefited by the Union Chargeability Bill were Broad.
maybe, Dewlish, Holy Trinity, St. Peter's, Fordington,
Tolauldle, and Winterborne St. Martin. The lest was
relieved because they had three lunatics at one time.
He had made his adulation very carefully and he found
that the occupiers of land paid three puts out of four
of the expenses of this union. They meld not expect
him to go through the whole county, but bethought
It Waa the duty of every Board of Guardians to see if
they were in a ut,niliar position to Dorchester Union,
and if so. to unite and petition Parliament for an altera-
tion. In his younger days, when he was at Bettisoombe, be
built • brick hiln,and Mr. Brown gave him liberty to make
a sale yard there, but he was obliged to pay rates on
bis stook-in-trade. Now stock-in-tude was exempted,
but why? (Kr. Hodges said an Act of exemption was
poised at the beginning of every session en by Parliamt).
He :!anted to know why they should not petition for
the law in the matter to be enforced? The occupiers
of land were willing to pay their fair share of taxation,
but they could not bear three-fourths of it—(hear,
bear). Then there TM the polies. What did the
police do for him more than the public? in his parish
they had one policeman for five farms, and what use was
he? On the previous day he received • letter to name
two men to set as constables in the parish. Why
should be be obliged to lees the service, of men he paid
for their time sad labour to be constables, when he
was obliged to pay rates for the police? He did not
dispute but what the police were useful, but be could
not see why he should have to pay three-fourths of that
expenditure, besides having to build their houses, which
became the property of the freeholders, and they, who
paid for them, had no right infthem. More than that,
they hnd no voice ill saying how they should be built,
and were not allowed to open their mouths in the Court
of Quarter 11400i001. They could go in there it mu tree,
but it was only like sheep before their shearers to be
fleeced !—(loud laughter.) He was told the other day
by Lord Porto= that be Gould go into the Cloud to bear
the ereunembli hut be replied. " What was the use of
that? what win the good of hearing arguments if he had
no right to spok r As he said before, all you could get
by going io was to know you were going to be &geed I
—(laughter.) Again, why should the building of the
militia stores be thrown upon them? Were they not
required for the good of the country, and for its de-
fence ?—(heer, hear.) Then why should they have to
par three-fourths of the met ? In conclusion, he said, an
alteration must be ado, and be supported Mr. Dlllololl'll
sebeme as just and right to all parties—( applause).
Mr. J. F. dOlpore, of Dorchester, said be considered ,
that the subject re local taxation wee one above all
others most deserving of attention; and, when they
observed the large mount which every minty or
union we obliged in various way to contribute to the I
public outlay, he thought that the incidence of it on the
different classes of the community was a very fair
subject for discumite, not only as regarded its justice
but in referenes to its policy, and as to the beet mode
In which Guth large SUM of money mild be most ad-
vantageously laid oct end their expenditure controlled.
They saw already, 'hat their neighbours in Somerset
and elsewhere had tuned their attention more or lose
to this subject. For the lest ton years it had received
some amount of oocrideration bet at the present time
singular co-operation seemed likely to be exhibited In
all parts of the canary in reference to the subject. It
we. peculiarly their province as a club, assembled to
discuss local matters in whith they were interested, to
take the initiative in the consideration of this subject.
Its "Interest was undoubted, beaus it involved many
items of expenditure counseled with the patio's.'
defames, such as for the militia; with regard to their
duties as men and Corietians, in the relief of the poor,
and in the care of our unfortunate neighbours and
fellow subjects allieted with lunacy; then again,
touching the preorestion of life and property, in refer.
eme to the expenditure of the pat. • establish men la ; and
with various other items connected with the well-being of
the 'kilo community. He did not think it was possible
if they went back in the origin of taxation of this dee.
oriptioo, to exhibit a principle which conveyed more
teal truth sad more substantial justice, than was con-
tained in the Ord d Elisabeth. by which a poor's-rate
wee first levied, end which declared that ithe harden
should be borne by every man according to his ability.
That was a sound principle in those days, and it
remained so now. It was like one of these fundamental
troths which could never vary, and the changes they
had seen from time to time in the incidence of local
, taxation were thus fully amounted for. But he
, rwith many of the complaints now made that
l:d burden of taxation was not just in some particulars,
, or consonant with the maxim he had mentioned. Every
m n did not pay according to his ability to every public
, obligation of the coommenity, and on the whole mope of
, the expenditure causeted with the welfare of the
, country. Now with regard to the immediate subject
In band some observations had been made with regard
) to the peculiarities of those payments and as to their
being levied at present on real property, while stock-in
trade and personal property was exempted. The Ad
of exemption for stook-in-trade was passed every
seesiou. Such a soave did not grapple with the subjoin,
) but it was a conyeeiest mode of postponing the opera.
, Um of an Act which 'evolved extreme inconvenienee
and was almost impossible to be carried into meet.
He spoke now not only sea Guardian bates a trades.
, man, and to gentierese engaged in aerie:miters. New
the dock-in-trade of the zureliant wu identical
, with the capital employed upon a farm
, (hear, bear, and "no, no") and if rating was extended
to the us it must be in equal justice to the other. He
I did not defend stomata', but it applied equally to
, agriculturists as to those engaged in trad•—(" No no").
The levying of the poor'orate at the present thin was
; essentially upon property, and, therefore, it was to a
, large extent a landlord's question. It wits paid through
the tenant, but as Mr. Groves properly observed, if
, any change occurred daring his lose, no doubt the
• occupier suffered; but these were all shows upon
property, and sooner or later must fall sue the owner.
, In the caleuladon of the rent the taxes wars wandered,
; oater.htheirefootre,"idt warcilias
oqpuipesiottewasthisthlt.yt aralleettglote
, storms dlscussed ea that masion ware of such sobers°-
, ter, both in the protection they gave to the public at
, large, and by the purposes for which they were levied,
that they ought to be borne by every man according to
his ability, and that there was no bettor way of doing It
. than levying them on the bans of the incoraistax. To
, that charge every man was rated amordieg to his
ability, and be thought that any legislation upon elde
subject should he imitated with the system of the
, Coaeolidated Fund, and that from It half of these local
, sierra should be pad —(hur, hear). Be said one ball,
, beaten he 'hula be sorry ever to see local control
rz.zied by may other system of management,
that tool control was tb• einem of good man.
moment, and it was suggestive of economy in every way.
If Boards of Guardians or District Board' were am-
powered to draw one half of their expenditure from
the Consolidated Fend he thought it would equalise the
payments a=apt duels, contribute to the just dis-
tribution of the MMus. end afford a sensible relief to
them who at precut had Perhaps too large a proportion
to pay—(hear, hear). Mr. Groves had referred to the
way in which various properties in this °pantry had
been taxed during the last few years; but that, he
thought was only a little episode, and did not bear on
the general question. He believed it would be found
that the general expenditure of the malty remained
nearly at its former amount Those changes Mr. Groves
spoke of were occasioaed by the equalization of the
rates, which previously varied to an extraordinary
degree—no less, indeed, than from 2jd in one parish to
4s. 64. In another, and he believed that many benefits
would regal from the new system now in operation.
He was glad to find that the present question had hem
made • general topic for discussion, and that the atten-
tion of Parliament would be directed to it, sad he
believed that the pod mai of the country weak" at
bot won to the wind* of the good old law of

Baisebeib. and that all the charges would be levied
, "upon every man according to his ability"—(apelsum).
Mr. L. Garivzs said he did not object to the equal-
isation of the rates in the union ; and only mentioned
the changes which had occurred to show what difficulties
It had placed M the way of men when taking • farm.
YEAULIT said that the equalisation would be
rather an assistance to them.
Mr. J. Fiorito, M.P., said: I have had great pleasure
In responding to your kind invitation to be present this
evening. and I must say that I have been very much
gratified at the manner in which the subject has been
discussed, and I trust that we have not yet quite arrived
at the end of it. I especially was more than gratified
by the very temperate and badness-like manner in which
the question was introduced by our good friend Mr. ,
DamenHhear, heir). The opening portion of his
reined", I think particularly valuable, because both
in the House of COYOOIOO.I and elsewhere the moat ex-
travagant statements —ll.ll I may call them—have been
made with regard to the pressure of the rates, and
whether they are really borne in the main by the land•
owner or tenant Now I support the view taken by my
good friends who have spoken as the true one—that they
are borne by both parties; the landlord eventually, the
tenant probably more immediately (hear, hear). They
ars both interested in all questions of rates, jut as they
are in all questions that affect the land. The landlord
and tenant are in the same boat. If agriculture
flourishes, if land prospers, both, though I do not say
in an equal degree, derive some proportion of advantage;
while, if the interest, of the land suffer, both suffer with
it. Therefore, in joining in this discussion, I do not
think that I 1103 out of place as a landlord, and I am
quite sure that in taking up the question as you have
done, you are only doing what is your duty as tenants
and occupiers of land--(applause). Now the question of
rating is mainly • question on one side of the manner in
which rates are levied, and on the other of how those
rates ars to be disposed of when gathered, and under
what management With regard to the property liable
—or, which ought to be liable—to be rated for the relief
of the poor and all those various other objects, some of
which as Hr. Hodges has observed, are matters of moral '
and Christian obligation, and others of social interest—
the way in which those rates are to be levied cannot be
better upraised than it was in the 43rd of Elisabeth,
"upon each person according to his ability." That
Act was passed 300 years ago. &day has immensely
changed since that time; the property at that period
consisted chiefly in land—there was very little property
indeed, but what was of • visible and tangible nature—
the subject of ocular demonstration. Becion4ly, the
43rd of Elizabeth dealt with the subject matter then
open to it, and it could not possibly do more. Etat the
stets of 100iegy now is very different. I think Mr.
DAUM has told us that the personal property, which is
the non-visible portion of the property of the country,
teestimated et like Wee-fourths of the whole
amount, or, that the reel property is only one-fourth of
the total; with* at ones shows that if there has been
no alteration of the law of rating for the poor since the
days of good Qoun Bews, there may be at any rate a
aption in favour of doing something now, or at ro! considering the working of those laws
in the preselect day—(applause). And the position
taken by those who have spoken to-night, that
all property whether personal or real ought to
he rated for those purposes is, I emulsive, a perfectly
tinamailable position ; there can be no doubt about it.
These can be no reason in the world why •
man who derives £l.OOO a year from the funds should
not pay equally with the man who obtains £l,OOO a year
from land. They are equally interested in the preserva-
tion of ibe property and of the safety of the courier,,
and are therefore equally liable—or ought to be equally
liable—in principle to be rated for the polies and to all
those other subject matters of taxation to which allusion
has been made to-night.—(applause). But then comes
the question. how is this to be effected! We all know
that hitherto taxation has been conducted upon the
principle of rating only that which is seen, and which
has . local and visible presence, and for this very reason,
because the area in which those rates are to be expended
is &settled, dedned, and fixed area, and it Is only in the
ease of property of a fixed and tangible nature Coat, at
any rate prima facie and at first blush, comes within
the scope of the asseesor's operations. And !thirst you
will agree with me, that this is the real question which
meetings like the present should consider—ls there any
mode by which we can bring within the scope of the
assessor's operations those various kinds of property
which are not now within his ken and observation' No
doubt you may extend it, as has been alluded to to-night
to stock-in-trade, and to several subject matters whioh
are not now embraced within the law of rating, but I
tske it we shall not arrive at the point desired by those
who are moving in this question if we only go so far as
those other matters not now included, but which are
visible and local, if we do not embrace these other kinds
of property which as I have said before are not of a
visible and tangible character! Can we include
all that is proposed The educates cf the pro-
posed new arrangement—amongst whom are many
able men, including Mr. Genie Andrews, of the neigh-
bourhood of Yeovil—desire what is called a National
rate, and that remember, established upon the footing
and sysaln of the Keane income-tax. That no doubt
is an ample net—it sweeps through the whole country—
the mesh is tolerably line, and very few fish can get
through—oertainly. I fancy, no large fish are allowed
seedy to escape.—(hear, hear). The question then comes
if we adopt this process is it possible for us to maintain
our present system of administration? Can we conduct
our poor relief, our highway management, our police
management, and all those various matters in towns or
elsewhere which are provided for by rates upon the old
system, if we adopt • national system of rating? For one
I believr it is imoossible One of the most keen and
able/arguers of the present day—Mr. H. Lowe, M.P.—
when the subject of education was discussed in one of
the Northern counties, did not even so much as think
it necessary to raise an argument upon this point,
further than to say, that he took it as • matter of
Inevitable necessity with regard to education—and the
same applies tautly to poor relief and other matters of
that kind—that if we adopts national rate or draw funds
for ths education of the poor from the imperial ex-
chequer, centralization and government control follow
as • matter of course. Now I should be very sorry
indeed, and I have heard the mine feeling expressed by
many in this room, to take one step which would bring
us nearer the French system of imperial and central
organization and government—(mar, hear). I believe
the strength of England lies in her local, and country,
and, if not parochial, at any rate union management—
(hear, hear). Nothing can compensate for the loss of
theme. With regard to the poor law. I was one of those
who opposed the least step towards union rating—not
that I was against, to a very considerable extent, the
equalisation of the poor's rates as between the several
parishes. I supported the measures of Mr. Bodkin and
others which transferred a considerable portion of the
expenditure of the Depends parishes to the union, be-
cause I waived that inequalities existed, and that
ameodnesul could be made without injury to the poor;
but thou measures carried me as far as I thought I
could safely go. I felt that the inequalities had been
fairly, aad to a considerable extent at any rate, remedied
by those alterations, and I was unwilling to go to that
point at which, if I arrived, I might be tumid round
upon and told "you have taken that step, and are bound
to go on; you cannot resist the argument for • national
rate." That argument has been addre-ssed to me, not
without force, this evening by Mr. Damen, but per-
sonally I am not open to it I did not take the preliminary
step. I lame voted every time against it in the
House of Commons, so that no person can say
to me "you have gone thus far, and are bound to go
on." Theo you will say to me, "ii that is the case
what do you propose? you have admitted the unequal
pressure of the poor-rates—that they are borne by one-
fourth whereas the other three-fourths ought equally to
be liable, and therefore if you do not go with us in
favour of • national rate, you are bound to have • plan
of your own, and to show Us how the case can be met"
But I rather demur to such an argument. I do not
think that become I am not prepared to take • step
which I believe to be ruinous to the country, I son
bound to propose • plan of my own, unless the premium
should be so great as to make the evils of remaining
where we are greater than the evils we should be liable
to if we adopted the larger and national oysters.
Such a condition of things I cannot conceive. For
what would be the result of a national rate? So far as
I understand the scheme it would be, that each Board of
Guardiaaasitting in their different localities, would hays
the power of spending money to any extent that they
might think St and necessary, sad that that sato,
whatever it might be,
ch
must be forthemaindifnms.m some-
thing like • national exchequer. Now have great
faith in the Dorchester Board of Gust I have
bad the honour' and a great honour I esteem it, of
presiding at the Board for upwards of thirty years, and
I see several present who have had seats at the
Board nearly the whole of the time, and one
for the entire period. I believe they have
all honestly andeavoered during that time
to do strict justice towards the poor on ens side
ant the ratepayers on the other. But the task of •
Guardian is sometimes • painful me— (hear, hear).
He bas appeals meeting him both at the Board and
eleseirhere widish he feels °underside difficulty in
resisting: every man must feel that it is pleasanter
' whets • poor Mottle distress somas before him to give
a liberal and largo relief than to withhold the hand of
charity. But there are duties to the ratepayers and
there are duties to the poor themselves, and I believe
I there is nothing would be more imperious to the poor
t than the moment if ever it should come, when it will be
• possible for an idle labourer to go to the Board of
I Guardians and obtain front that fund as mush perhaps
1 or more than what his hard-working neighbour is able
to get by the exercise of his industry. That was the evil
of the old Poor Law, for it, under a system of allowances,
I often paid to the idle man more than the bard-working
man could earn—(hear, hesi)—and that if persevered in
. would have ruined the country. I hope we shall never
return to such a state of things again. But remember,
that with all one endeavour, to do justice and act
impartially between the poor and the ratepayers, we
• know the importance of ease pressure on the part of
I the ratepayers to prevent charity from going further
than white is right and proper for both urges. If the
CZris once removed—if the Board of Guardians
it in their power to eni their "'lds
ineel what would appear—if we had anything
I like • national rate—an lliimltahl, puree, I am
afraid that eves the sense of justice and right would
hardly restrain my good friends who have acted with
me and now set with me at the Dot-abater Board of
Guardians from sometimes at any rate overstepping the
board whisk ought to be observed In the distribution
of the funds for the relief of the poor. I feel very
eireeelY on this point, and therefore, I urge with
regard to a national rale that there should be some
' means devised by which the difficulty may be overcome;
but so far as I can ewe, and until I can see some way
in which the difficulty can be surmounted, I must
candidly confess that nothing I have heard as yet In the
way of argument or u to the pressure of rates on
Individuals or on any class In this country, will induce
me to run such • risk as that which I ewe will attend it,
Bntiflamuotprepexedtogofora national rate, what
ant I prepared to do? There are other courses open for
meeting the claims put forward. It has been suggested
In Cornwall—where they are Interested—and in other
counties, to bring • curtain clue of property within the
seeps of the ratoeolleotor which has hitherto been
exempted. They are endeavouring to bring in mines,
and woods, and plantations, shipping, game, and it may
be other kinds at property. Now I think that
although moving In that direction may be very in-
adequate. it is snoring in • safe direstion —it is moving
upon the old lines of the conireitnehro. Then again, on
the other side, with regard to the expenditure. I am
quite ready sad willing to go heed and hand with those
who would endeavour by Pair argument to throw
upon the aailiesal lands Kew ol time amiss at

expenditure mentioned by Mr. Groves and others. Bub
for instanee as the expenditure for the militia. There
011112 be no doubt that outlay is for imperial purposes,
and ought to be borne by the country at Urge. It is an
expenditure in which agriculturists have no special
interest more than other men ; at the since time I hope
the time will never come when the local interest in the
Genet regiment will cease, but that it may continue to
be esteemed and to prosper under our good friend
Colonel Bingham—(hou, hear). I hope always to see
the regiment as a local force, but Ido not 800 that
defraying the expenses of the militia oat of the imperial
finds, would at all operate against any prim:llk of ."
eonettution. Other matters, too, I think may form a
fair subject for inquiry, with a view to being met from
the general taxation Then again I would cheerfully
co-operate with anybody of the earns opinion as Mr.
Hodges with regard to the apportionment of the burdens
thrown upon u by the poor and other rater,
(hear. hear). The princeple of half.payment
roes the national exchequer and the Whet half
from local taxation bas been increasingly adopted by
the legislature. We have the ball I think of the
exlalatas of prosecutions at sessions and assists; half
the expenses of many of the items in the Poor Law
administration, inch as the medical charges, the school.
master, the master and matron, and uthey of the officers
—certainly a considerable portion of the establishment
ohhatsergeby —dimaefratuayed by imardrilalthtaxauiktion
it 111 is ,4t thyp.•
other
that it might be carried farther with advantage, and
that some relief may be obtained in that way. All these
ars matters very desirable and fit for consideration
amongst men who have had large experience, awl who
are well acquairited with the laws affecting these
questions ; sod I think we may to &considerable extent
relieve the land if we can see our way to awry out such
propositions as those to which I have alluded. Now. I
am far from saying that • scheme may not be suggested
for briatthe within the scope of the rate eollector, the
different kiwis of personal property epee which rate.
are not now levied. No doubt that with regard to
mosey in the funds, considerable difficulty would be
experienced in ascertaining the amount in the poesusion
of any individuaL The income-raz is now levied on the
funds as • whole sum in the hands of the Governors and
Company of the Bank of England, and those who happily
nave large amounts in the funds draw their dividends
with the income-the already deducted, but that I
apprehend does not involve any question of the amount
of funded property belonging to suit overate
person. If we came to rate every person In
the perish in which he lived awarding to his
funded property, there would obviously arise
an investigation, or rather an inquisitoral=
would take place, against which I think
men have always very strongly, and as I think
very justly objected. Still ways and mum may
possibly be found, and, if so, free and open dissuasionis the way to dud them. I have great faith in snob
dismission, ; there is nothing like nubile opinion.Fres
discussion draws out information, aid knowledge, and
suggestions whisk would nob otherwise be obtained.
Certainly, this is • subject which of all others at the
Forwent moment occupies a good deal of attention and
I
It is particularly withia the province of those see
around me; and I am sure that any suggestions they
can make to me with regard to this matter I thrill
always entertain with the greatest respect and deference
to them, and with every desire to give such suggestions
my beat consideration, and, so far as my humble
abilities allow me, to rapport those views upon which
we may be greed in any sphere and any place in which
they may be pleased to commit—so kindly as they
have done—their interests to my charge—(applatua).
Mr. T. H. Bauengag, of Waterumbe, said that he
took a lease of a farm in an extra-parothial plan, which
was, therefore, not subject to poor's-rates, but by the
Union Chargeability Bill, he had bad to pay a rate of
Si. in the pound which wu an outlay be never ooze
templated. Still, he was bound to bear it till toe
expiration of his ease, and then either the landlord
must bear it by taking off the rent • sum equal to the
rates, or he must leave the farm. Sines 1840 the rates
on another farm he had were ineremed 95 per out. In
the seven years from 1840 they averaged £45 17s, a year
while lithe urea year. from 1860 they were Eiff
annually. He argued that personal property might to
contribute to the poor's-rates equally with real property.
He could not agree with Mr. Floyer as to the conse-
quences which would result from a national rate. At
present they had • union rate, which had taken away
all perusal interest, and • national rate could do no
more. He then expressed his opposition to rompalary
education, conceiving it to be the right of every man so
send his children to work as soon as he chose if they
could earn anything.
The PLIAIDENT considered the question of rating to
be a landlord's question. At the some time he was quite
satialled that the lauded interest at the present time is
bearing the local taxation of the country to an extent fag
beyond what ought to be plead upon them ' and, that
being the ease, be hoped the legislature would consider
their grievance and provide a remedy.—(bear hear).
Mr. B. Daggs, io replying to the observations made,
said he could not help thinking, after the able speech of
Mr. Floyer, that this was not • sentimental question as
to what ought to be done, huts great fact which bad to
be met. It was a fact that these rates were increasing
yearly, and that an alteration was only a question of
time, for it would soon become impossible for the
occupiers of land to pay them. With regard to the
expenses of this Union be quite agreed with Mr. Floyer
that a portion could be sully borne by the Government
of the country, by • charge on the Consolidated Fund,
as Mr. Hodges had well put it • and especially so, as a
large portion of the money eollected in aid of the poor'.
rate, never goes to the poor at all; and, therefore, there
could be no sentiment in giving money to the road sur-
veyor, or for the polka. He found that last year there
was collected under the name of poor'erates the sum of
0,573,772, but that the actual sum expended in the
relief of the poor was but £4,385,467. or lees than half,
leaving £5,188.303 for the maintenance of highways,
pollee, and other purpose* exclusive of the poor relief.
Now, it half the actual poor'e-rate, or about £9.000,000
▪ year, was ooileeted truly rut property, It ...mil
leave £1,000,000, or more than threelosirths
of the whole amount collected as poor's-ratee,
to be paid from an income-tax. But he could
not help thinking some means might be devised
so that they might act upon a broad principle
In this matter, and ensure the rating of every kind of
property to the relief of the poor, and, at the same time,
have a proper distribution of the funds. He gave the
greatest credit to Mr. Floyer for his oonsisteney, but
they Ind got union chargeability and must now take
care of themselves. Be thought it was the duty of the
legislature to provide means for the collection of these
rates from all °lasses of the community, instead of from
only one-fourth as at present. In conclusion be pro-
posed, "That in the opinion of this meeting all real
and personal property should be assessed all to the
poor's-rate, and we recommend the subject to the
serious consideration of the various Boarded Guardians
the county."
Mr. I'. C. SAUNDERS seconded the motion, and it was
I carried wan dis. _ _ _

—.—
Mr. Dawes proposed, and Mr. J. F. HODGES
seconded • vote of thanks to Mr. J. Moyer, IL?., for
attending and •ddressing the meeting.
Mr. Fvonat briefly replied. He observed that they
ell desired to move in the same direction, though not
exactly the same length of journey. He thought free
discussion and the suggortion of difficulties would be
most useful, for it would lead them to arm themselves
against objections which might be made elsewhere, and
which, if their end was to be gained, must be met.
Dr. ALDIIDOX proposed, and the FLUIDISE seconded
• vote of thanks to Mr. Damen for introducing the dis-
cussion, which, having been acknowledged, the meeting
ended.

DORCHESTER COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.
ftsroacar.—Before H. Williams, Esq., and gramma
Saunders, EN.
POTATO STILLING AT $lllOOOll/11.—Edward Min-
tern. and William Davey, labourers, were charged with
stealing potatoes st Kingoombe, Troller, the property of
Hr. Tom Gale. Prosecutor said he had some potatoes
in • olive in his garden. They were safe on Saturday,
February 29th, and he found the cave had been broken
into on Sunday. Two seeks of potatoes were gone, value
Li. They were " flukes." The potatoes prodeced were
"Sakes," but, of course, could not swear they were his.
—P.C. Barge, of Hook, went to the spot on Sunday
morning and saw some footmarks round the cove. He
traced the prints on both aides of the well bounding the
garden, into a highway, and across two fields to the
prisoners' house. They both lived together. He met
Davey st his door, and asked to be alowed to search
his house, as be suspected he had there some potatoes
stolen during the night. He said withers might do so,
"be had nothing there but what belonged to himself."
Sent for P.C. Cantle and they earthed the house. They
found the potatoes produced in • book house lowered
with flax. 011110111 said " Here they are," and Davey.
replied "Those potatoes belong to me." Told him they
corresponded with those lost, and he should apprehend
him and Davey. Underneath these potatoes, which were
wet, winsome Sax, and below that other potatoes dry.
Te ociastable inferred the wet potatoes had bees
releatly taken from a cave. Took prisoners' boots,
and with Outdo went to venerator% garden, and eta-
pared them with the footprints there, and up to
prisoners' door, and they earrespooded. The rtarks
were very plsia as it bad reined that Saturday. The
boots were preallarly nalled.—P.C. Cantle gave corro-
borative evidence. Amongst the potatoes in the cave
he found a few round potatoes, and so he did =toned
thine in prisoners' holm. As prisoner were being taken
to gaol, Davey said he had dug the potatoes found in
his house last digging time, and they bad been there
ever sinas.—By the advice of Mr. Weston, who was
consulted at the sloe of the ease for the prosecution,
the prisoners renewed their defence, and the OM was
vent for trial, the then being liberated on bail—them-
selves in £lO, and two sureties in £5 each.

Before H. Williams, Req., and R. H. 0. Swatfield, Esq.
POTATO! DraAwn; AT FLUT.—Heury Mowlem and
Charles Haynes was charged, on remand, with stealing
potatoes at Fleet House, near Chiaersll.—lfr. Weston
presented. and Mr. Howard defended. William
Dewing. of Fleet lodge, gardener, and lately in the
service of Hr. Boyd, of Fleet House, said Mx. Boyd
left on Wednesday week, when there were some
potatoes in • an.. in the wags, whisk has • wall
round it 1011 i. high. Mr. Boyd gave the potatoes to
him. Howl= wee employed at Fleet Howe as 'posh.
man. Saw the potatoes safe at az este& on Saturday
evening. On Monday morning the olive had been
pined and shout ten Inaba' of the potatoes, value
335. were goes He observed the footmarks of two
people, and tracked ther to a garden wall, and, on
going outside, saw • ladder had been used, and dirt off
their boots. Untracked where the ladder had been fetched
from a hayrick, about 55 yards off. He then informed
the police. P.S. Pitleld, of Wyk* Regis, came, and he
showed him the troika. The sergeant than went
after llowlinn, and took him to Fleet Roues. He
saw Megrim pull off his boota, and Magid
take possession of the... Thee want with the sergeant
to compare the boota with the marks in the garden, and
they corresponded exactly. Howie= a week before
asked him if be had any potatoes to sell, as he wanted
some. Subsequently Bowline was told the price, and
he would not have tham.-45rose-examlned : Went to
Fleet House es second gardener, and was made head
gardener after friar years. Was not the means of gett-
ing Burt out of his employ. Had not got other servants
out of their plates. Thu.* was a row Ina haymaking
field last year, bet he had nothing to do with it.
Yowlem came up about it to some of them. Morrison
had offered to light him several times, but they bad
been friendly for the last year. There were two OMs of
potatoes made. H. and the kW patiO WAWA Into the
cave in wed's. la tee semi we Wm, won 16 bulk*

—nine of ooe sort and seven of another. Part of those
in the wooed cave were used in the house, and the rest
Thomas were
be sold siren
bra b
.1 guLi v
;0
iinum
nr.
Con,hr. psi
wea,
am. 7.11.
bushel;
farmer,lll °nib
Willis,
bushel. They 'ore all fr m the wooed cave. Knew
Mr. Fooks, blacksmith. S .1d hi.., he thought, three
Parts of a bushel of potatoes. They were grown is the
kitchen garden. It was after it,. Boyd left, and he had
a right to sell them. Was in the kitchen garden OD the
Saturday morning till the rein came, when he went
Into the house. Servants never case into the garden
except jest to call him. At five o'clock went back to
fetch his tools The eave than was all right. Some of
the cucumbers were broken off last March, but be did not
amuse anybody of doing it. The tracks went along the
path till they came opposite the cave, which was shout
three yards from the path. The only marks on mould
were round the cave. The path was • gravelled one,
but it wu an old one. The polka oompared 12 or 14 of
the footprints Moslem was an indoor servant, and
looted dies the stabling. Saw Haynes' footmarks also
oompared.—P.S. Fit geld spoke to apprehending
Kowtow and comparing the tracks with his boots,
which corresponded in every particular. Went to
Haynes and looked at his boots, and thee left. Shortly
after returned,* and found Harass had gone. Sent
P.C. Harley to apprehend him, and on Tuesday received
a pair of boots from Hervey. Compared them with
some of the marks in the garden, and they corresponded
exactly.—Crese-examifted : Took prosecutor to see the
tracks, but not the prisoner. There was a nail off one
of the boots of the prisoner Mowlem.—F.C. Hervey, of
Chickerell, spoke to apprehending Haynes at his
lodgings at Langton. Prisoner said he hod left Isis
boots at his mother's house at Redden, but next day he
found a pair of boots at his lodgings in Langton, which
Prisoner admitted were his, and which wither gave to
P.S. Pitfield.—Cross-exerained : When he saw Haynes,
prisoner said "I suppose you have come for mar
Witness told him "Yes, on suspicion of stealing
potatoes." Haynes, although he knew witness was
coming for his, did not attempt to run away. Did
not search for boots at Itodden.—This was the ease for
the proweoution.—Kr. Howard, in defence, mid the
charge rested upon certain tracks existing in a neigh-
bourhood from where potatoes were stolen, sod he had
no hesitation in saying that this being the ease, and
seeing he character of the men charged, no pry would
ameba, and he hoped the Bench would dismiss the
case. Mr. Royd had lately removed from Fleet House,
, and during the past 13 yews Mowlem had been in that
gentleman's service. As to Bowring, he first went into
Mr. lioyd's 'arena a third gardener, but servants moon
berm to leave, for he made great ill-feeling amongst
them, and there waa tut/deadliness between Bowring
and Megrim. Beth the prisoners were in lodging',
so that they could have Do abject is taking a qmantite
at potheose, and through Ides they said they bad
nothing to do with the theft. -They were men
of good character, and he hoped after the magis-
trates bad heard his witnesses they would dismiss
the ease. —The Chairman said a prime facie cam had
been made out, and be was bound to send them for
trial —Mr. Howard called Henry Childs, who
said he bad been butler in M. Royd's service
14 years, and was still at Fleet House in
slurp a some of Mr. Royd's property. Mow-
lem had been in the same service nearly se
long as witness. Mowlein was coachman, and
I lived in the house. Witness also lived in the house.
Remembered last Saturday Kiss Hommell was at Fleet
House, and stayed there till next day. They all spent
the seeable together, Mowlem with them. Saw
Mowlem go to bed and mime down in the morning.
Slept himself in the pantry, that being the hest place to
bear anybody moving about the house. The Sunday
we. Moslem's day out, and witness let him in about 10
at night—the regular hour. Mewling went on to bed
He had his Sunday olothea on, and there was no dirt
abmt them. Yowlers wore a pair of black troupers and
koickerbockers. &melee said to witness he did not
think he should bare Mowlem taken up as be had only
loot a few potatoes. Bowring used to take the servants
round the garden sonistimee Mowlem had all his
food in the house, so would have no occasion to steal
potatoes.—Crose-exemiued Mowlem was to leave next
Monday, as the horses came to Dorchester. His
(Kowtow's) father and mother lived at Langton, and also
other relatives. Warn not with Moslem the whole of the
Saturday events/. He might have gone out eithout
witness seeing im. Did not tell P.S. Pitlield that
Kowlem did not come to till nine o'clock on Saturday
evening. Had gone to bet on Sunday evening before
Mowlem came in. Told Moelem on Mondey morning
that Bowring had lost some potatoes, and he replied, "I
dont know anything at all about them." Did not tell
him the police were there.—Re-examined Knew
Bowring had lost potatoes from what he was told by his
wife who had been to see Mrs. Bowring.—John Pitcher,
of Langton Herring, labourer on the same farm for 30
years, said Haynes had lodged with him the whole
winter. Oa Saturday evening Haynes was in Lis company
about &30. and went home with him at 10 o'clock, and
went to bed. Haynes to get to his room had to go
through one room where his mother, sister's daughter,
and two of his children depth and a second where
'Axles and his wife slept !I ! Saw him go to bed, and
to him as he left his bedroom at eight o'clock on
Sunday morning. Haynes worked for Mr. Meru, of
Fleet, fiat dressing. Between seven and eight o'clock
was Haynes' usual hour for leaving work. It was
Haynes' practice to go home to spend Sunday and return
to witness's house on Monday morning. This he did at
the beginning of the present weeke—Cross-examined
Haynes went home on the Monday afternoon, which
was not according to his usual custom. He did so
because witness told him the police were looking for
him, when HaVDDI said "Well he'd CO home to change
my clothes, because he was in his working clothes, and
should like to be a little cleaner." Haynes told hies the
police had been to look at his booth—Mary Houneell,
of Langton, said lest Saturday she went to Fleet Homes
and stayed there till next morning. Hui known
Mewls= for some year.; they were very friendly.
Nowise was la her wmapitay the whole evening, with
the housemaid and butler. Saw Mowkm take his candle
to CO to bed. She slept with the housemaid in
• room near the stairs where Mowlem went
up to CO to his room. Had no doubt he slept
there. Heard some one moving about next morning,
and saw him coins down. On Sunday afternoon
Moslem came to her father's house at Langton.—
William Mowlem, prisoner's father, said he had lived
at Langton all his life, and had worked for Mr. Sparks
twenty years. On Sunday his eon came to his house,
and in the morning they went to see the wreck on the
shore, His son had tea at home et five or six o'clock.
After that he said he was going to his lodedrigra—Jchn
Mosrlem, cousin to primmer's fatherr, said that on
Sunday from six to between eight and nine he was with
prisoner at Langton public-house, and left him there.
After that Mewls= would have to go to Fleet, a mile
distant.—Mary Haynes, of Roddon, said her son, the
fursoner, came home on Sunday evenings, and did so
Sunday between 9.33 and 10 p.m., and went to his
bedroom. Saw him come down stairs on Monday
morning. Could say he did not leave during the
night. liar son came on Sunday morning, and had
his dinner at home. Then "cleaned himself," and
went out—Crceftexamined : Her son did not usually
' come home to "clean himself" on Mooday.—John
Whittle, shoemaker, of Langton, said he made shoes for
• good many people. Being asked if be made the boots
produced (Ilaynes's) he said "His management was the
oonlenta of the work being done"—(laughter). His men
made the boots, and they were of the general run of
aisc—Prisoners isserved their deforms, and were com-
mitted for trial, but ball was taken—one each in FIO
and two in ES.

801100013 AUDITOR/ AID ASII3IIIIOI/I.—On Monday
the election of auditors and ammeters for the warts of
the borough of Weymouth and MeWombs Regis, took
place at the Town-halL For borough auditors,
Meters. A. Bert and R. J. Major. For amemors, G.
B. Board and W. Thresher. For Ma !Dome Regis ward
—Amason, 8. 8. Sly and G. Lovell. For Weymouth
ward—usessors, G. Beale and W. Tucker.

Br. Jogn's C110110&-Kr. Talbot Bury, architect,
of Welbeck-street, London, has been writing to the
Builder, to may that be is architect for the enlargement
of this chunk, and that Mr. B. C. Bennett, of Way.
mouth, was simply mimed as "local clerk of the
works." Mr. Bennett replies in the list Builder that
Mr. Bury "is labouring under a mistake," for be (Mr.
Bennett I. the architect, and in support of his claim he
refers r. Bury to the Bev. J. Stephenson, the incum-
bent. Thns the honour of designing the enlargement
of fit. John's church promises to be as severely con-
tested as is that of betng architect for the Houses of
Psrlisment by the friends respectively of Mr. Barry and
112. Pugin.