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

THE SITE OF SMITIIFIgLD-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 t,,
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 sea's.
A plan for that purpose has been submitted by the
Corporation 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 under consideration. The corporation con
template a magnificent bui'ding for a metropolitan mar-
ket, and in that abject t,ey 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 themselves
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 ar-
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 establish-
ment of the market.
On Wednesday last a deputation from the Smithfield I
Appropriation Committee had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer upon the subject, 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 business suffered by the tradesmen of the neigh-
bourhood in consequence of the removal of the market,
the subsequent dilapidation it had undergone, its pre
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 Leaderfoall-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 bay-market, which would be suffered to re-
main. The corporation of the City of London bad sub-
mitted a plan to him, which was now under considera-
tion, and ho inquired whether the deputation were pre-
pared to submit another. If so, and it was ready, it
should receive his careful consideration.
Mr. LARDNER replied, that the Appropriation Com-
mittee bad 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 sug-
gestion was worthy of consideration. He needed no at.
gument to convince him of the necessity of providing good
market accommodation for the immense population of the
metropolis, numbering something like 2,500,000; but, at
the same time, the interests of so valuable 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
pion laid before him, and to much of it he had no ob-
jection.

- Mr. GEORGE observed that to some extent the recent
improvements in the city bad inflicted an injury upon the
inhabitants of the district in the immediate neighbour.
hood of Smithfield, by driving the poor people into St.
Sepulchre's and St. Bartholomew's, the former of which
parishes was actually paying ss. in the pound poor-rate
in consequence.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER expressed con-
siderable sympathy for the inhabitants, 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. SCAMMELL having supported the views of the de-
putation,

Dr. Ross took the opportunity of expressing an opi-
nion in direct contradiction to the opinion of the medical
me❑ 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 the con-
trary, and the result of establishing a dead-meat market
would be that the meat would be brought there in far
better condition than it was to be seen in the market at
present. _ _

Mr. J. F. EDGINGTON observed that, from the very
commencement of their proceedings they had endeavoured
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 vicar 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
support of which would have his approval and support ;
at the same time it would be desirable to give as much
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 he had received
them, and the patience with which he had listened to
the statements they had made, then withdrew.
We understand that 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.