The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-02-01 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE CORN EXCHANcE

-AT -iii-MIiORNE.

On Friday the directors of the Wimborne Mimuee
Masonic Hall Company opened their large ball tie a
Corn Exchange. The building is erected on the s.tit
of the old Wesleyan Chapel. It is a floc spaeiuns
structure. The architect is Mr. Walter Fletcher,
and the builder Mr. Frond. The building is in the
Doric style of architecture, the grand entrance being
ornamented with a portico, surmounted by • hand•
some pediment. In the gable above is a garter,
clearing the motto. "Audi vide taw," and in the
centre of the garter are the figures " 622," that
being the nnmber of the lodge in the Grand Lodge
of England. The large hall, intended to be a.. d
a Corn Exchange as well as for the bi•inunthly
sittinp of the County Court, &a, is GOft. long. with
an average width of 351 t. This room is lighted hy
six bay windows, and from the ceiling by • Pettit
light in the shape of a Maltese cross, the out.i4e
part of which is formed of large squares of glass. qt.
square, embalmed with Masonic devices, and the
circle or inner part formed by a dome for ventilating
purposes. filled in with ribbed glass. By night the
hall will be lighted by two sunburnerg, a star fron.
the centre of the dome, and by handsome brackets,
placed at suitable intervals round the room. Tbe
floor is of pitch pine, liin. thick, joined together
with galvanised iron dowels in narrow widths.
Behind the hall are ante-rooms, stores, lavatories,
&c., and above is the lodge-room dedicated to it.
use of the Masonic brotherhood. This room is Ilstt
long by lsft, wide, and is approached thaouzli
small anteeroom connected with the lower part of the
building by a stone staircase. Altogethe, the build.
ing is a most excellent one The new building wam
formally opened on Friday afternoon. The corn
merchants attending Wimborno market drew lotA
fr
stands, and during the afternoon the building wa.
thronged, and considerable businera done. At fur
o'clock there was a dinner at Laing'. Hotel. Mr.
Montague Guest, M. P., presided, and the onmpany
numbered upwards of one hundred. Mr. Geraril
Stud, M. P., was expected to be present, and Ind
returned from town to Critchell, but his continuel
indisposition arising from his accident unfortunetclv
prevented him attending and taking part in the
proceedings. Lord Ashley was also expected to
attend, but he, too, was unable to be present.

The room was very tastefully decorated, Mr.
Skinner, of Storminster, haying painted a numlwr
of mottoes and devices for the occasion. Amongst
these we may mention one which was placed imme-
diately behind the chairman, containing the words,
•• A Welcome Guest," whilst at the other end of the
room were the words " The town and trade of Won-
borne," and "Success to Lodge St. Cuthberga, No.
f 122." Mr. Evers, of Illandford, was present with sr
small musical party, Mr. Eyers, jun., presiding at
the pianoforte.
Grace was said by the Ear. Lester Lester. After
dinner the visual loyal and patriotic toasts were
honoured Colonel Paget responding on behalf of
the Army and Militia, Mr. Rowe op behalf of the
Volunteers, and Mr. Tasker on behalf of the
Yeomanry. _ .

For " Tbe Bishop of the diocese and the dorsi, or
all denominations,' the Rev. Liaran. LESTLk
responded.

Mr. Pamir acknowledged the toast of "The
Lord Lieutenant and magistracy," and proposed
" The county membere"—(applasee).
Mr. fiaLaxir gave "Success to Wimhorne Corn
Exchange, and the health of the Directors"—(cheers).
Mr. Rows, chairmen of the directors, responded.
tracing the history of Freemasonry in Wimhorne for
the pain 15 years to the building of the handivine
edifice opened that day. He proposed the health of
the Chairman—(applause)—who had given .C 25 to
the fund—(obeers).
Mr. Gout acknowledged the compliment.
Mr. Wiirrazain proposed " Sueoeas to Lodp
St. Cnthberga, No. 622. coupled with the name of
the worthy W. M., F. H. Tanner— (applause).
Mr. F. H. TANKIR acknowledged the compl
Mr. J. W. LUIP7 proposed "the health of Mr. If.
C. Burt, who guaranteed the money for the building,
and had collected more than ClOO towards it.
Mr. BURT said he undertook to collect glall no
condition that the exchange should be opened free
of tolL He hoped the farmers and dealers would LIM
the room provided for them.
COLONZL PAGET proposed" the corn merchants."
and Mr. T. Belhen and Mr. Hill responded.
. Mr. T. RAWLINS gave "the growers of corn," 501
Mr. Swam. replied.
The "health of the architeet" was drunk, and Ur.
FLITCHER returned thanks.

"Th. manure merchants" was responded by Mr
Scurr and Mr. A. ELLIA

Mr, Dinning gave "The health of the matters of
to:hounds," to which the chairman added that of
"Th. master of all fon-bunting, Mr. Farquharson"
—(great cheering). He was rure there wee no truer
or better farmer in this county, no better master of
hounds, and no better county gentlemen in England
(loud cheers).

The CHAIRMAN gave "The health of Mr. Gerard
Skirt. N. P.," to whom they were so much indebted,
the hon. gentleman having been a contributor of rtii
to the fund. Mr. Start had always done much for
the town, and what he be. done was only an earnest
of the greater good which be was still willing to do.
Tbe toast was drunk with much enthneissen.
The Rev. S. kix proposed "Th. health of the
Visitors," oonpled with it the names of Mr. Ames
and Mr. Rogers (Mayor of Poole), both of whom
responded.
Mr. Lurr proporpoi "The health of Mr. and Mrs.
Laing," and mentioned that they were indebted for
handsome presents of game to Mr. Gerard Sturt, also
to Sir Ivor Guest, and to the Chairman tor the greater
part of the dessert.

•
" Tbe Prima" " The Vice-Chairman," "The
health of Mr. Robert Ryon, of Ftlandford," were
amongst the other toasts which followed, and the
proceedings being varied by a number of capital
songs, a vary pleseant evening was spent.

WEYMOUTH.
Fox Tzemkovaxx.—Satarday next, sth February, is
the day fixed for presenting the testimonial to
Fox, R•q- The presentation will take place at the
Royal Hotel Assembly Rooma, at two o'clock P.m 3.4
Charles Rambro, Esq.. 111. P far Weymouth, has kindil
consented to take the chair on the occasion.