The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-12-12 00:00:00

NEW CORN EXCRANGE.
To the Editor*.

Ac the proposed new Corn Exchange has now
bosoms the subject of general interest, allow me if
you please, a short space in your next issue, for a
word or two on this subject, In reply to statements
made last week, I beg to say that the estimated
coat of the new building, was, I believe, under
£1,700, and not £2,b00 as there stated, and further,
I believe it is from the town funds, and not from
the pockets cf the ratepayers, that the required sum
must be supplied. It should be remembered that
the proposed new building has been the subject of
debate in the Counoil-chamber, more or less, almost
every month for the pant two years, and that the
oonversationa have been duly reported in our local
papers, so that the town has been made acquainted
with every stage of the proceedings up to the day
when the advertiaments appeared for plans, Ac.
Plans came in, and were then publicly exhibited for
inspection in the Townliall. A large number of
ratepayers saw them, and universal approval
expressed in favour of those selected by the CounoiL
Contracts were then advertised for and accepted ;
another month then passed by, and it was not till
the contracts were signed, and the Corporation seal
affixed, that any outcry was raised against what is
now called a wasteful and wanton expenditure.
Now, I think this is not dealing with the Council as
men who do their best for public good. If the
Burgesses saw and felt that the Council were going
wrong, surely it would have been best to have
spoken out earlier, for if we go through the Connell
individually, we shall find that not one of them
have any private purpose to serve, by pursuing the
course they have taken in this matter. I think it
right that the town should publicly give expression
to their opinion on every subject brought forward
by the Council, so that they may know how far
they are acting in accordance with the wishes of the
Burgesses. That the town can step in and prevent
any further proceedings in this business, there is no
doubt, and should it be thought prudent to do so,
it should be done without further delay. But then
comes the question of compensation. It is not to be
expected that the architect and contractors are going
to relinquish their hold on the Council without a
serious consideration being paid down. The town,
then, have the choice of two evils—either the build.
ings must be gone on with, or heavy sums must be
paid down by way of damages, which of the two
shall it be? No two opinions can be entertained
respecting the important improvements now being
made in the Market-house ; the extensive and con-
venient arrangements for the accommodation of the
market people will have a double advantage, sellers
will now dispose of their goods to the beat 'Oven.
tags, and buyers will have the opportunity of pur-
chasing from a superior display of domestic articles
hitherto unknown to them. Beside, lam informed
that the question of re-adjusting the market tolls
cannot be done, till the market people are accom-
modated with stalls and standings. Then the tolls
can be let to the highest bidder. One word more :
I think it would be better for all concerned, if a
public meeting were called by the Mayor, so that
Council and ratepayers may come together, and
calmly consider the whole question as to whether
there shall, or shall not be • new Corn Exchange.
1 am, yours truly,
FAIRPLAY.