The Telegram. — 1895-04-02 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

BALSTON.—Hts friends will hear with regret of the death, which occuired at Altrinchain, near Manchester, on Saturday, of Mr. A. Balston, who', until within a few years ago resided in Poole and carried on the twine works situated on the West Shore. Deceased, who was 75 years of age, was a J.P. for the borough, and on two occasions had been Mayor. In religious matters he was a Unitarian, and up to the time of his leaving Poole was the mo-t prominent member of the church in tho town. He belonged to a Bridport family, but was Loris in Poole. BIBLZ Somerv. The annual meeting of the local auxiliary or British and Foreign Bible Society took place on Wednesday evening, in the Town Hall, when there was a sparse attendance, owing, no doubt, to the inclemency of the weather. The chair was taken by Mr. James Beach, who was supported by the Rev. Walker King, of Exeter (deputation from the parent society) and Mr. G. A. Samson (secretary to the local auxiliary). —The hon. sec. presented the financial statement, which showed that by subscriptions, ,/oxes, and collee.tiNt at the annual meeting the sum of £l6 2 14 was raiaeil, of which, after paying expenses, £1.5 Is Id seas remitted to the present society. Tee chairman referred to the loss the society had sustained by the death of Capt. Martin, and said their deep sympathy was with the friends of toe fancily.—The Rev. Wallo-r King then delivered an able address on the work of the society, and the committee and officers of the local auxiliary were re-appointed.  BOROUGH Pirrrr SESSIONS, Tuesday.—Before the Mayor (Mr. Ja:. Guppy} and Mr. J. P. Suttill.— Hears Banfford, a lad, of South Street, was sum • mone'd for assaulting Thomas Marshallsay Court! ney, on the sth iust.—Mr. A. W. Temple appeared fur complainant and Mr. A. Whetham represented rh,fendant, who since the all, ged assault had joined the navy.—Complainant said be was standing at the door of Castle Terrace, when defendant came up and as,- aulted him. He had only gone a short distance when the defendant threw a brick at hint. Simon Norman gave corroborative evidence.—Mr. A. Whethann having addressed the Bench for the defence called John Grinter, Alfred Norris, Chas. Follett, and Henry Hitcher, lads, of South Street, whit were ph.ying with Bamford. Their evidence Was to the effect that they were playing near Castle Terrace, and were knocking off each other's hate. Tile defendant Bamford in fun knocked uff Court ney's hat, whereupon Courtney kicked Bamford who in return strock him, but did not throw a brick. -- Fined 511 and 7a 6.1 costs.— John Verney, an able - bodied man' was summoned at the instance of Mr. J. J. Roper, clerk to the Bridport Guardians, for neglecting to support his wife and children, who had become chargeable to the common fund of the Bridport Unium—The Bench adjourned the ease till the , following day to see if defendant went to the union.—Several rate cases and breaches of the ' Education Act were also heard. DEMORRST SILVER MEDAL CONTEsT.—On Thursday evening, • silver medal contest took place in the Town Hall before a very large audience. The medal was given to the best reciter of ten coinpetitors, chosen from the Unitarian, Baptist, Congregational, Wesleyan, and Chideoek Temperance Societies, Good Templar Lodge, and Blue Juvenile Temple. Mr. Stagg, one of the competitors, was absent. The Unitarian Temperance Society was represented by Mr. J. Spencer and Mr. A. Swaffield ; Baptist, Mr. W. Cleal ; Congregational, Miss L. Crccker; Wesleyan, Mr. Drayton and Miss Chaffey ; Chideock, Miss Meyers; 1.0.G.T., Miss Ackerman ; Juvenile Temple, Miss Gale. The prize was fur voice, memory, articulation, and general effect. All the competitors recited well, and Mr. Drayton, who was awarded the prize, certainly deserved it, although one or two ran hiin very closely. The judges were Mr. T. A. Colfox, Mr. W. H. Marshalleay, and Mr. J. B. Reynolds, the latter taking the phice of Miss Hassell, who could not attend. Mr. Drayton will not be allowed to win another silver medal, but when six silver medals had been won he would be able to compete for a gold one. Mr. Colfox then presented him with the medal and congratulated him on his success.—Rev. H. Solly proposed a vote of thanks to the judges and all who had helped to make the evening a success—Mien K. Reid seconded the proposition.—During the evening songs werelerug by Mises Saville, Mr. Marshallsay (2), and !Mr. Champ, and pianoforte solos were given by Miss Pearson (2) and Miss Suttill. Miss Champ and Miss Marshalisay acted as accompanists.  Nantes,tiA l 1 districtln ll.— coroner, n 7dy healdaevening, nimauMe:t. at the tGhe. Sailors' Home Inn, on the body of Francis Ackerman, aged 54, net braider, who committed suicide that morning by hanging. Mr. Robert Spencer was chosen foreman of the jury.—Ellen ' Ackerman, wife of the deceased, deposed that her husband had complained of pains as though nails were being driven into his heal.—He had had drink during the past week. Be had an attack cf influenza about three weeks ago, but he woul.l not give up, and had complained of pains in the head ever since. Witness missed him on Monday morning from bed about ten minutes to five. She proceeded downstairs, but he wee not there. She teok the lamp upstairs, after which decea,ecl came in and asked who had taken the lamp. He came upstairs and then went dowa and entered the outhouse. Witness followed hits. Deceased had something behind the door and she could not get in, but she could see him in A standing posture. She went into her house and called her children and said, " There is something wrong with father." He had been queer in his head for years past, but had Dot been medically attended. Annie Ackerman, daughter of the deceased, said her mother came and said, "Pee been down to father the second time, and he won't open the door. I can Fee him standing up." Witness went down and burst open the door, and saw her father had committed suicide. There had been no trouble at home. Deceased had beets weak and despondent for some time.—Williani Gale, a neighbour, said he taw no sign of life alter he cut deceased down.— The jury returned a verdict that deceased had committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.