The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-03-07 00:00:00

THR NSW CORN EXCII.ANOS.

The first subject for consideration was to receive
and consider an amended scheme for building a
new Corn Exchange.
Mr. Alderman ENSOR said it would be in the
recollection of some of the members present that at a
meeting of the Council, held in October, he laid
before the Council an amended scheme for a new
Corn Exchange, but for two reasons it was not
entertained ; one was that there was an idea that
another site might be obtained, and another reason
was that as the depth of winter was coining on they
should not commence the erection of a building then,
but postpone the further consideration of the ques-
tion until the quarterly meeting in February. lie
should have brought it forward thou, but through
illness was prevented from attending, and he
now took the Bret opportunity of submitting this
important question to the serious consideration of
the Council. This subject having been so often dis-
cussed by the members of the Council, and as his
Object in bringing it forward WU so well known, he
thought it would be only wasting time to go over
the old ground again, but for the information of
members of the Council who were not present when
he introduced the scheme, be would explain the
object be had in view. In the first place, the
present Exchange was not a building suitable for
the purposes of trade, and was not at all
adapted for the purpose for which it was
required—that of buying and selling corn—
it being so dark, and altogether a most uncomfort•
able plane for the transaction of business. About 12
months ago he hit upon • scheme for erecting, upon
a different principle, sinew Corn Exchange at the
rear of the present building. At that time it WU
intended to convert the Exchange into three officea—
a library, committee room, and strong room—and a
plan was submitted to the Council, as also to the
farmers attending the market. The latter certainly,
with the exception of about half-a-dozen, wished to
retain • frontage in the main street, and the members
of the Council were also of the same opinion. That
was the reason, therefore, why the amended
scheme had been introduced, and his intention now
was to do away with the two first-named offices so
as to retain the frontage so far as the folding doors,
as shown in the plan which he now produced, leaving
the inner part for a strong-room, in which records
could be kept, or for a committee room, and there
would also be an entrance to the Exchange from the
North•square. That was the plan whioh was now
called the amended scheme for the Corn Exchange.
That plan had been approved of by the farmers, and
those persons who wished for a frontage in the main
street were perfectly satisfied with that portion,
and he considered the proposed Exchange would be
a suitable and profitable room for transacting
business, other than that connected with the corn
trade. Now as to the ways and means. The
estimated cost of the new building was .£6OO, and
the estimated revenue from the building was £6O ',-
year. He had had an offer to let the Exchange,
which, however, he would not recommend the
Conned to 'incept, for Efiro a year, as he was certain
there would be several sources of revenue to be
obtained from the proposed building which could
not now be obtained from the present Exchange.
If the Council wished to go with the times,
and keep up the fairs and markets of the town, they
must provide proper accommodation for those
attending them. Other towns were making great
efforts for that purpose, in proof of which he alluded
to the new exchanges which had been erected at
Basingstoke and Romsey, and also adverted to the
enlargement which had been effected in the Corn
Exchange at Yeovil. After some further remarks
he said that this waa his reason for pressing the
subject upon the Council, and he believed that if
they did not provide the accommodation, which was
absolutely necessary, their markets would not
increase, and they would not keep pace with other
tow is. The Council must bear in mind that this
scheme would add to the borough funds and that
no rate would he required to meet the outlay. The
Council were much in need of a second room, and
which could be made available for many purpoees,
such as flower and vegetable shows, children's meet-
ings, and other kinds of exhibitions which were not
allowed to be held in the Townhall ; and at the
coming meeting of the Archreological Society it
would be a splendid room for a museum.
_ . .

Mr. BarrNerr asked Mr. Ensor if it was his im-
pression that if such a building as be proposed was
not required, the town would lose its corn trade?
Mr. ENSOR replied that they could not lose their
market • but still the present building was utterly
useless for the transaction of beisiness. It was the
lasghing stock of the town.
Mr. Benntirr inquired how long that had been
discovered?

Mr. ENBOII replied ever since the building had
been erected.

Mr. ELLYN' said the lighting of the present
Evehinge could easily be remedied by having the
windows altered. For lees than £2OO plenty of
light could be provided, but the present heavy
windows excluded the light.. _

In reply to • further qmuestion, Mr. ENSOR said he
did not look fur light from either north or south, but
from above.

Mr. HAYNE considered that more light could be
obtained by having a different arrangement of the
windows.
Mr. GREGORY asked Mr. Ensor what he intended
to do with the existing poultry and fish markets! •
Mr. ERROR replied that he intended to re-arrange
them.

Mr. VERNON remarked that Mr. Ensor had stated
that the erection of this building would not be any
expense to the ratepayers. If that was the case,
what would become of the tolls—they could not
belong to the town

Mr ENSCR said there were fifteen stands at
present used in the Exchange, which brought in a
revenue of £3O, whereas if a new Exchange was
erected it would bring in EN.
Mr. VERNON intimated that he had taken the
trouble for several Saturdays to see what amount of
pressure there was in the Exchange, but he could
not find any.
Mr. ENSOR replied very likely not; people were
compelled to go out of doors to transact their
business as they could not see inside.
After a few further remarks, Mr. Coonas said the
question was, whether farmers would not sworn.
modate themselves if the Council did not accom-
modate them. They would lose their custom if better
accommodation was not provided.
Mr. Coimcillor ENSOR thought that when the
Antelope Hotel Company scheme was carried out
such accommodation would be provided for persons
attending the markets that they would not remain
longer at the present Exchange.
Biscreircr coincided with Mr. Ensor's state-
ment on that point.
The•Mkroh said that many years ago farmers
transacted their business out of doors. The town
saw the inconvenience arising from this, and went to
considerable expense to build the present Exchange.
One of the first men of the day was employed, but
whom he must say he thought an improper man, to
undertake that work ; bet still the work was done
with the beet possible intention, and adapted to meet
the requirements of the agricultural interest. The
work was done at great expense to the town, and it
could not he said that they had been backward
in assisting the agricultural interest in the best
means possible. The present building was certainly
a most inconvenient and incommodious one; but
before the Council entered into the question of
having a new Corn Exchange, it appeared to him
that a re-arrangement of the whole of their
market was wanted, not only as regarded
the Corn Exchange, but as also regarded the
poultry, butcher's, and vegetable markets. These
were in a most disgraceful state, and most
inconveniently situated. Their butchers' shambles
were now reduced from 32 to three or four, and the
occupiers of these were most anxious to get outside,
and would make any effort to stand as they
originally stood, as they felt that where they were
at present they could not sell their goods to advan-
tage. Before the Council entered into the scheme
before them, for which they were so much obliged
to Mr. Ensor for bringing forward, he thought they
should be prepared to adopt some scheme for
amending not only the Corn Exchange, but also the
butchers' and other markets. They knew that Mr.
Williams had offered to sell them the George pro-
perty considerably under it. value—nearly one-third
he thought—for the accommodation of the town, an
offer which, to his mind, he believed ought to have
been accepted. But that was not the opinion of the
Council, as they thought it would involve them in a
oonsiderable sum of money. He contended that if
the George eite had been had there could have been
a splendid Corn Exchange erected, with apace for
the butchers' and vegetable markets.
Mr. ENSOR : What would you do with the pre-
sent building?
Mr. COOMBS : We could convert it into the
necessary offices.
The MAYOR continued that the George site was
not looked upon with any favour, and was there-
fore set aside; and it appeared to him,whether it was
not desirable to pull down a portion of the present
building and re-arrange the markets entirely.
Mr. BAYNE : Where should we get the money
from?

The MAYOR believed that would be forthcoming,
but he thought that d they adopted Mr. Ensor's
plan, in oourse of time they should soon require
additional space for the markets.
Mr. ENOOR begged to remind the Council that a
memorial was presented to the Council, signed bT

106 of the principal farmers attending the market,
who approved of the scheme laid before them.
Mr. COOMBS said he hoped when Mr. Ensor
brought his amended plan forward, after having
three months' discussion and consideration upon it,
that he would have bad some regard to his (Mr.
Coombs's) objection, and have shown him how hepro-
posed to re-arrange the butchers', poultry, and
vegetable market.; for the difficulty he had always
entertained against his plan was this—if the result
was favourable for increasing the attendance of
persons at the markets, then the Council were
choked up by it, and they must then buy land at
any prioe which was asked. That was the difficulty
he saw in adopting this plan. They brought them-
selves in a corner, and must buy land at any price,
should the result be favourable. The plan had tbe
recommendation of affording increased accommoda-
tion at a small outlay ; but if they looked at £6OO,
and the result was such as he bad anticipated, in
the course of another 10 years they would have to
make a fresh outlay altogether; and if anew building
was necessary it would be better to look it in the
face, and not lay out £6OO, when in the course of 10
years they would be driven to spend £2,000 more
for additional land. He objected to the scheme on
that ground and on that ground alone, and was
not satisfied whether the poultry, butchers', and
vegetable markets should not be re-arranged now.
Mr. ENSOH replied that there was a plan laid
before the Council which had that object in view.
. . . . . • •

Mr. BISHOP intimated that such ; plan had been
brought before the Council which could have been
adopted at a trifling expense.
Mr. ERROR said the estimated coat for such an
improvement was between £3O and £4O, and he
found there was a balance in their treasurer's hands
on the building fund of £3O 12s. Id., which would
have covered every expense.
Mr. BariNarr inquired if a different arrangement
in their markets took place, would not that be
beneficial to trade?
Mr. ENSOR did not think so with regard to
butchers; it would only make them more c3mfortable.
Mr. VERNON did not think the population of the
town would require such extensive markets as those
contemplated by Mr. Coombe.
Mr. Cousus said if the result was that there
woald be no increase in the poultry or vegetable
markets, then he should have no objection to Mr.
Enter's plan being carried out. But should it be
otherwise he did not see why the Council should
have to pay 50 years' purchase for Mr. Grovea's

property.
The MAYOR Was of opinion that if the Council
afforded the county butchera and vegetable people
attending the town better accommodation, the rea.ilt
would be that there would be better market&

Mr. litannvirr considered that the first thing
which ought to be done was to have a re•arrange•
meet of the markets.

Mr. BISHOP intimated that a report had been
drawn up on this subject, and presented to the
Council, but seeing that there were four or five
gentlemen present who were unacquainted with it,
he thought it should be read, and then they would
be in a better position to consider the question upon
its merits.

Several other members of the Council acquiesced
in this suggestion, and the Town Clerk read the
report.
After a few remarks bad been made upon it,
Mr. Erman said he had pledged himself that he
would take the sense of the meeting upon his plan.
lie would therefore move that the scheme be
adopted, and a committee appointed to carry out
the same.

Mr. COOMBS remarked that before voting he
should like to see the plan for the arrangement of
the market.

Mr. BISHOP informed him that the state of the
vegetable and butchers' markets was connected with
the question of tolls.
Mr. Comas suggested whether it would not be
the best way to go to the committee again with the
present question.
Mr. ENSOR replied that he should like for this
scheme to be independent of any other.
. .

Mr. Coosuts remarked, but iben Mr. &nor did
not get rid of him. He did not want to hear the
butchers cry out for accommodation, which would
have to be provided then at any cost.
Mr. ENSOR said this question had been in agitation
for twelve months; but it was so simple, could be
done at so little cost, and would be a great con-
venience to the public—
Mr. Coomns : And entail such an enormous out.
lay if accommodation is required hereafter.
The MAYOR remarked that Mr. Ensor had only
taken one part—that of the farmers which was a
good one; but he considered that the town should
have a comprehensive scheme.
. _ .

Mr. ENSOIt wished the Council to go into the corn
market, and get the opinions of those from whom
they cleaved their revenue on the matter. He con-
sidered that he stood alone to battle thi a affair with
the Council.

Mr. BISHOP considered that in the opposition
which had been manifested individual members of
the Council ought not lightly to take it up ; but he
contended that Mr. Ensor did not stand alone, but
that every member of the Council was equally
desirous with himself to do all he could to increase
the prosperity of the town—for that was the point
at issue. If they differed from Mr, Elinor in the
best method for doing this, he was sure he (Mr.
Ensor) would concede to them that their only wish
was to mike it more effective, efficient, and adapted
for increasing the growth of the markets than by
the plan he might propose. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Lout proposed a resolution, which bethought
Mr. Ensor would agree to; but as Mr. Coombs pro-
posed one almost to the same effect, and which WAS
afterwards carried, it in not necessary to give.
Mr. COObfl33 considered that Mr. Enter was too
much inclined to say "my scheme must be it, or
I'll have nothing else ;" and be therefore wished him
to modify his views upon it. He (Mr. Coombs) did
not mean to say it was not a good one, but he was
not prepared to say it was the only one.
After some desultory discussion the following
resolution, proposed by Mr. Coombs, and seconded
by Mr. Lock, was carried unanimously —" That it
is desirable to afford increased accommodation for
the Corn Trade, and that the proposed scheme of Mr.
Ensor's be referred to the General Purposes' Coin-
mitts to report thereon with a plan showing how
the butchers and vegetable market can be re-arranged
so as to accommodate fish and poultry as well, and
that the toll question be further considered at the
next meeting of the Council."