The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-07 00:00:00

TIM SITE OF SMITHFIELD-MARKET.

The appropriation of this vacant space of ground, al-
though not definitely settled, is virtually so, and it is
understood that, if some arrangement can be made with
the authorities of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, so as to
afford an open space of about an acre in extent in front
of that building, it will be devoted to the establish-
ment of a dead-meat market upon an extended eca!e.
A plan for that purpose has been submitted by the
Corp-ration of London to the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, who has expressed a modified approval
of it, and some alterations having been suggested,
they are now um:er consideration. The corporation con-
template a magnificent bui'dieg for a metropolitan mar-
ket, and in that object they are supported by the com-
mittee of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, who sug-
gested that it should include a vegetable as well as a
dead-meat market. This, however, has been objected
to, both by the Hospital authorities on account of the
effluvium which might arise from decaying vegetable
matter, and by the corporation on account of the injury
which it might inflict on Farringdon-market, upon
which an immense outlay had been made. The Smith-
field Appropriation Committee have therefore left the
matter in the hands of the Corporation, giving that
body a tacit support, but reserving to thewelves
the right of making suggestions as to the proposed
plan. The authorities of the hospital, however, still
continue their opposition to this scheme, alleging that a
dead-meat market there must prove injurious to the
locality in a sanitary point of view, and, unless an ex-
- rangement can be made, they will probably oppose the
bill which will have to be brought into Parliament in
order to obtain the necessary powers for the e,tabli:h-
ment of the market.
On Wednesday last a deputation from the Smi Meld
Appropriation Committee had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer upon the sutject, as stated
by us yesterday.
The deputation having been introduced by Sir Jas.
Duke, M.P.,
Mr. LARDNER opened the proceedings by stating the
loss of !easiness suffered by the tradesmen of the neigh-
bourhood in consequence of the removal of the market,
the subsequent dilapidation it had undergone, its pro
sent ruinous condition, and the advantages which would
result from making this a great central metropolitan
market. He was proceeding to detail the great increase
of Newgate and Leadenhall-markets, when
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that he was
quite aware of the importance of establishing a central
metropolitan dead-meat market ; but the difficulty, in
-this instance, arose from the vicinity of the proposed
market to St. Barthomolew's Hospital, which required
an open space in front of at least an acre, in addition to
the present hay-market, which would be suffered to re-
main. The corporation of the City of London hari sub-
mitted a plan to him, which was now under considera-
tion, and he inquired whether Vie deputation were pre-
pared to submit another. If so, and it was ready, it
should receive his careful consideration.
LARDNER replied, that the Appropriation Com-
thittee had waited upon him rather as supporters of
the corporation than as persons who wished to propose a
conflicting scheme. With respect, however, to the oppo-
sition of the hospital, he thought, if they could establish
a country branch or residence for the benefit of the con-
valescent patients, it would be far more advantageous
than maintaining an open space in front of the hospital '
itself.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought that sufz-
gettion was worthy of consideration. He needed no -
gument to convince him of the necessity of providing good
market accommodation for the immense population of the
metropolis, numbering something litce 2,500,000 ; but, at
the same time, the interests of so va' uable an institution
as St. Bartholomew's Hospital must be carefully consi-
dered. He himself leant to the opinion that both objects
might be accomplished. He had had Mr. Bunning's
plan laid before him, and to much of it he bad no ob-
jection.
Mr. GEORGE observed that to some extent the recent
•

improvements in the city had inflicted an injury upon the
inhabitants of the district in the immediate neighbour-
hood of Smithfield, by driving the poor people into St.
Sepulehro's and St. Bartholomew's, the former of which
parishes was actually paying 53. in the pound poor-rate
in conseluence.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER expressed con-
siderable sympathy for the inhabitant., but observed
that such an evil could only be met by an equalisation
of rating among the various parishes, upon the policy of
which at present he would not express an opinion.
Mr. SCAMBIELL having supported the viows of the de-
putation,

Dr. Ross took the opportunity of expressing an opi-
nion in direct contradiction to the opinion of the medical
men connected with St. Bartholomew's. He contended
that the establishment of a meat-market on the
vacant space of ground would not be at all detrimental
to the health of the neighbourhood, as it would be well
watered and ventilated, and it would be absurd to sup-
pose that meat would be allowed to rot in the market
and taint the atmosphere. It would be quite tha con-
trary, and the result of establishing a dead-meat market
would be that the meat would be brought there in far
better conditio❑ than it was to be seen in the market at
present.

Mr. J. F. EDGINGTON observed that, from the very
commencemsnt of their proceedings they had endeavour-.;d
to meet the views of the corporation of the city of Lon-
don, and therefore it was that they had not thought it
necessary to prepare a conflicting plan of their own. All
they wanted was the establishment of a grand metropo-
litan market, for which they conceived the site admirably
fitted, and which would be of immense benefit to the
neighbourhood.

The Rev. J. JACKSON, the vioar of St. Sepulchre, also
strongly advocated the interests of the parishioners and
protested against the vacant piece of ground being dis-
posed of in any way which would not benefit them.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER again repeated
that he should be very happy to give a careful consider-
ation to any plan that might be submitted for the estab-
lishment of a central market, any sound measure in
wipport of which would have his approval and support ;
1, at the same time it would be desirable to give as touch
space as possible in front of the hospital, compatible
with the preservation of sufficient room for the market.
The deputation having thanked the Chancellor for
the kindness and courtesy with which ho had received
them, and the patience with which he bad listened to
the statements they had made, then withdrew.
We understand tbat if the proposed market should be
established, it is in contemplation to connect it with the
live-stock market in Copenhagen-fields by means of a
railway, so that the meat slaughtered there may be
brought into the centre of the city in the finest possible
condition.