declared it would be a disgrace to the town to erect a building at less than double the estimated cost. Coun. Winter believed it would cost nearer a thousand than either £300 or £600. Coun. Picknell thought they ought to get a building for a great deal less than £300; and Coun. Vidler said they were going to spend £300 upon a thing that wouldn't be worth £20. The motion for the £300 market was carried by 10 to 3. [What a change from a previous decision, and what a display of intelligence in a ruling body!] At the next meeting, the Committee reported that they had adopted Mr. Laing's plan for the new fishmarket on the site agreed upon at the last meeting, to be built with cast-iron columns and wood and slate roof. It would contain seven stalls, each with a frontage of 10 1/2 feet, and the whole to be of an octagon shape. Coun. Tree moved the reception and adoption of the report, and Coun. Putland moved that the subject be deferred or referred back to the Committee, and argued at some length against the eligibility of the site, and the haste that was then being evinced. Ald. Clement remarked that they had been talking and planning, and meeting and measuring for the past five years, and he thought the best thing now to be done was to have a small market first, and if that paid, could afterwards have a larger one. Coun. Vidler would vote for the present plan because it was the cheapest, but he would rather not have any. Coun. Picknell was in favour of delay. Ald. Ross was sick of the matter, and hoped it would now be done with. Eleven voted for receiving the report, and six against. The plan was consequently adopted. But even this did not settle the matter, the site of the fishmarket being afterwards changed from the one in front of the Cutter inn to one where the said market now exists, in front of the Queens Head Inn.
The Town Clock - At the meeting on February 4th, Councillor Duke complained of the Road Committee's action in revoking the decision of the Council with respect to the repairs and illumination of the town clock. Notice had been issued for tenders, and only one had been received - that of Mr. Sellman, of St. Leonards, the amount being £57. But the Committee had determined not to accept it. He (Coun. Duke would, however, move the acceptance of the said tender. Thereupon, a good deal of what may be called wrangling ensued, in which not a little of the old spirit of "East and West" endured. One side quoted the opinion of some of the watchmakers that the works were worn out, and that no substantial repairs could be effected. The other side contended that the specification provided for all new parts that were required. Coun. Vidler stated that he had been to some of the watchmakers on the matter, which drew forth a cutting reproof from Coun. Harvey. Coun. Winter charged the Committee with attempting to get over the matter by a side wind. Mr. Sell-
