Blandford Weekly News. — 1886-04-17 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

NOTES.  The distressing suicide of Lord Shaftesbury so soon after his accession to the honoured title comes like a hideous nightmare on th 3 imagination. As Lord Ashley, the deceased nobleman was well-known in Blandford, h 3 having on two occasions presided at friendly scciety dinners here, and not long since did similar honours at a Conservative banquet in the Corn Exchange. He was also a stauxch friend and supporter of the Dorset Friendly Society. Particulais of the sad occurrence, and result of the inquest, will be found elsewhere.  o** Lord Portman's honnds met at Horton-inn on Wednesday, and as usual at this favorite trysting-place a large field turned out. It had been intended to draw the St. Giles' coverts, but the sad occurrence above related altered the arrangements, and the hounds were trotted back to Thickthorn ere spurt commenced, and the tragic end was the theme of general conversation and sympathy. S. The contemplated visit of the Dorset Militia to the neighbourhood of Blandford this year for their annual training, has created quite a feeling of military enthusiasm in our midst, and there is not the slightest doubt that if the regiment should visit Blaudford it will receive a hearty welcome from all classes. *_*  The sale by auction ,this past week, by Messrs. Park & Croom, of the goods and stock-in-trade of the " Portman Arms" Inn, completes the final chapter of its history as a liquor-shop. The adjoining premises, now occupied by Mr. H. Wareham, grocer, have also been purchased by the Hon. Miss Portman, and shortly we may anticipate extensive alterations hereabout, to the great advantage of the neighbourhood. * *  Among the officers ozetted this week, we note the name of Gentleman Cadet Evelyn Clay Ker-Seymer, from the Royal Military College, to be a lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders. • • * _ . .  Col. Napier Sturt s will has been proved under .£105,000, of which .£20,000 is left to his step-daughter, and the interest of the remainder to his widow for life. At her death it falls to the children of his brother Lord Alington. «_*  The Liberal cause in Dorchester has lost an energetic work T by the sudden death on Saturday last of Mr. James Barge, the secretary of the Dorchester Liberal Association. Deceased was in the act of reading the Home Rule debate of Friday night, when he suddenly expired. He had suffered from an affection of the heart for some time previously and it is supposed death was caused from over-excitement. • _ •  We are amused at our friends the Tories ! A short mouth ago Mr. Chamberlain was the blackest sheep in a black Cabinet, and would do anything for the sake of power and office. To-day he is lauded by Ms erstwhile deadly enemies, and they look to him as the leader of a forlorn hope against Home Rule in Ireland. What an irony of fate to see the l'rimroses marshalled under the banner of "Jack Cade," (for that was the endearing epithet applied to "our Joe" in bye-gone days) and the "screw-driver," to obstruct justice to the sister isle._ Yet such conduct is in reality a thinly-veiled compliment to the •Liberal party, of whom Mr. Chamberlain is still an honoured leader, although be may differ from his chief on minor details of the Home Rule scheme. •_  -* &