Blandford, Wimborne and Poole Telegram. — 1876-12-29 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ORME BEST I MINT. —OR WealleSdßy, last week. an inquest was held at Sonthsea, on the body of -Edwin Clark. said to be 43 years old, and respectably connected, who had committed suicide on the Monday previous ff Southsea Beach. For 13 years be had been of "nit occupation.- and hail lived to a gceat extent upon his friends, who had withdrawn their support on account of deceased's intemperate habits. He had been married about six years. had lived at Weymouth.Guernsey.and Brighton, and his wife was believed Co be at the latter place. At the inquest telegrams were read showing deceased was in the habit of drawing on his friends, but that lately his father fund it atrouble to answer his telegrams. On Monday the deceased WM seen leaning against one of the piles at the west of Lumps Fort, knocking about the pebbles. Afterwards the body was seen overboardfrand a coastguardsman named knight swain out, and brought the body on shore, and eff..rts were made to restore animation, but without success. A number of unpaid bills were found in his pockets, but no money.—A. verdict was returned that deceased had committed suicide, but there was not sufficient evidence to show what state of mind he was in. PHRISTM AM AT THE BARRACKS —The men of the garrison on Christmas Day had their usual treat for dinner, in the shape of geese, ducks, hams, legs of pork, splendid plum puddings. and at least a bountiful supply of beer, the brewing firms having added a large quantity of the latter to the allowance. Privates Dugan and Drummer Chaney had decorated, with the assistignee of other steady fellows, the room occupied "by M. Company. Lots of chains of coloured paper brightened up a moderate supply of evergreens, and some pi,thres were lent from the library, so that a very pleasing metamorphosis was made. Chains hung from the corners of the room, and met in the centre, horde! s of evergreens edged the shelves, and wreaths twined ?mind the posts, the chandelier was made quit 4 gay, and over the mantle. piece was a star of bayonets, and some crossed swords. The whole depot ha 1 a merry time in the evening, when they had invited some friends from the town, and all joined in the dance. HOLT TRINITY PARENTS' TE schoolroom at the north-west corner of lily Trinity schools was densely packed on Wednesdsr evening. The room had been gaily decorated with a large abundance of banners bearing St. George's cross, with legends , wreathed with leaves—" A Happy New Year to all,"  "Hark the Herald Angels sing, glory to our new-born King," "Alleluia," &c. The scholars' parents were entertained at tea, and seemed to enjoy themselves much, the Rev. V. F. Ransome and a large number of ladies attending to the comfort of all. After tea, Mr. Board, Mr. Pretty, Mrs. Stedman, and others, sang glees. and the choir of boys carols &c., amongst them we heard "The Red Cross Knights," and "The Witches' Oleo," admirably given by the glee singers, and Mrs. Stedman pathetically sang "The Slave." The room was indeed crowded to excess, and the platform on which Mr. Thorne played and the others sung had to be strengthened for fear of a collapse. After the terrible examples resulting from too great gatherings in places with insufficient egress, we trm t not tot* deemed out of ihare, if we suggest that more means of moving in end out ought to be given at that room, or such numbers of people ought not to be so packed. Some year a panic may arise from even an unreasonable cause, as for instance might have been the case on Wednesday on account of the platform, and then a shadow would be cast (nt the good work .lone in this parish. We say this with all respect to the managers, who so thoroughly carry nut this series of meetings, --mothers' tea, childrenS' tea, and infants' tea, year by year.---On the same evening the respected master of the schools met with a painful accident in his house, burning his bawls with one of those dangerous benzohne lamps, but not seriously, it is hoped.  . . _