PETERSFIELD.
PETERSFIELD MARKET HOUSE—To the Editor of the West Sussex Gazete.—Sir,— Petersfield boasts of having a market second to none in the county, and in my humble opinion not without a very good reason, as everybody concerned will admit. The market is plentifully supplied with stock and corn; vendors and purchasers come from all directions. I happened to overhear a butcher say last market-day that he did not expect to find a better show of stock at Chichester, which may be termed the capital town of Sussex. The railway has given great facilities to dealers living at distance, and we are shortly to have a line opened to connect us with Brighton and the East. This will also bring customers to our agricultural friends, who know so well how to make the most of such fertile land as surrounds Petersfield. I can say, without fear of contradiction, that there is some of the best pasture land in this neighborhood of anywhere in the county. Now, assuming that all will admit these facts, what can Petersfield boast of in the shape of accommodation they offer to their customers? If you have any desire to know what it is to be miserable in business, I pray you attend our market on a wet day, and endeavour if you can to find shelter where you can transact business. You will find the Market-square affords but poor accommodation in the way of inns and hotels, and having found this out you will naturally enquire for the Market-house; but what if you are told there is no such building in Petersfield. Your remark will most probably be, “What, no Market-house in Petersfield! which boasts of its market being second to none In the county. Why every little market-town sports its market-house and yet Petersfield without one.” The next enquiry you will probably make is, “Do not the inhabitants of Petersfield (who, it must be admitted, derive great benefits from so many attendants at their market) desire to afford the requisite accommodation?” Now, to answer this question for them, I think they would be very happy to afford every accommodation in their power, and, in fact, I have heard that some ten or twelve months back an attempt was made to build a new market-house; but their proceedings seem to be in statu quo. I do not know, but presume they are, if so, what is the dilemma—money, site, or what? Do they want some spirited man to take the lead? If so I am not the man; but if a humble suggestion from one will avail to help them out of the dilemma, I would suggest that a subscription be at once opened, and I feel sure it would be heartily responded to by the gentry and frequenters of the market; and then, if no better site can be obtained, erect a light and ornamental Market-house in the the Square, behind the equestrian statue of William the Fourth, which would be an ornament as well as useful.—I remain, Sir, faithfully yours, A LOOKER-ON.