The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1882-03-17 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

OBSTRUCTIONS AT THE TOP OF KINO-STREET.—On Tuesday last, Wiliam Harford, one of the lads summoned for obstruetinn at the end of Glouceicerrow, came up before Dr. Drew and J. E. Robens, Esq. This was the lad who has been away fran the town. He strenuously denied having been there, and said he could prove it, and the case was therefore adjourned till the following day, Wednesday. On Wednesday, before Dr. Drew, and J. E. Robens, Esq., William Harford appeared again for assembling with others in front of Gloucester-row, so as to be an annoyance to the residenta.—Defendant strongly denied having been there, but P.C. B alien swore that he was.—Mr. T. R. Charles confirmed his previous evidence; but said the lad present was not the one he had called by the name Harford; but the defendant had been repeatedly on the pavement, and was o es of the ringleaders ; but could not say he INAS there on the date mentioned. Dr. Simpson had met him since, and said that people could not pass there unless some alteration was made.—Charles Pollard, one of the lads previously summoned, said defendant was with him in the chair when the constable took down their n =es, but he could not say he was there in front of Mr. Charles's house previously.—Sidney Feast in spoke to having seen Harford about 2.30 in front of the Fountain Hot-1 at the time spoken of, and afterwards defendant was sitting in a chair.—James Greenham spoke to Harford sitting in the chair near the big lamp.—Defendant was let off on condition he paid the costs, including those of his own witueseee, at 14. each.  ing strongly against it on the grounds of danger, waste of money, and cruelty. Is it not cruel to torture hares and foxes hour after hour? Sometimes the animals which are so tormented die from the torment. There is not only unexhau,ted improvemtnt to be dealt with, but unexhausted destruction, and much of that is done by hunting. Then racing was also condemned, although popular, and favoured by. princss, and a large number of our people take no Interest in it Look at the betting ; he could tell of a tradesman who went in to win a largo amount by the Waterloo Cup, but came out a loser, and had to call his creditors together, and offer them 7s. 61. in the Football and cricket were also condemned as amusements, having ceased to he worth much now as recreation. Books are a source of amusement, and it is better to love reading for that than not read at all. But read not that which lowers the idea of true manhood, which lowers purity; don't read the tales of the Divorce Court, or some horrible story of murder. The drama was next condemned, as inculcating low ideas ; it is not uncommon for the actor to swear, or for the dress to be indecent. Avoid the theatre, said the lecturer, who went on to deal with dancing, penny readings, entertainments, and religious comicalities, even au "amusing prayer meeting" being on the list. The conclusion treated on what amusement is, and asked if it is good, necessary, and always expedient, illustrating the two conditions, " All work and no play, and "All play and no work."—The procteds were given to the Sunday school funds.