The Sun.
London, England, 1841-07-10 00:00:00

COURT OF CONSERVANCY.

Yesterday the Lord Mayor held Coarts of Conservancy
of the River Thames for the counties of Surrey and Mid-
dlesex, at the Town Hall, in the Borough, and the Swan
Tavern, Westminster-bridge, for, the purpose of receiv-
ing the presentments of the Inquest Juries upon the state
of river, to which his Lordship had requested their
particular attention on a former occasion. The Lord
Mayor was accompanied by the Recorder, Aldermen
Sir Chapman Marshall, Wilson, Sheriffs Gibbs and Farn-
comb, Mr. Firth, of the Town Clerk's Office ; Mr. Saun-
ders, the Water Bailiff ; Mr. Nelson, the Under Water
Bailiff, &c., &c.
The Midlesex presentment stated that the Jury on
proceeding from Westminster-bridge to Blackwall
noticed the barges put together to form temporary piers
for the accommodation of boarding and landing passen-
gers from the steam-boats, and which were carried out
so far as to oblige small boats and craft to go further
into the stream than was consistent with the safety of
thOse on board of them ; that they thought the small
floating pier at Blackfriars-bridge might be placed in a
far better position so as to admit small craft to the stairs
with greater security ; that on proceeding up the river
and reaching Westminster-bridge they were surprised
to find a very large embankment or projection carried
out at least seventy yards into the bed of the river and
about 300 yards long, and which they were informed
was made by certain parties to make room for the build-
ing of the new Houses of Parliament, but which they
thought was a very great encroachment into the bed of the
river, and caused serious hindrance to the free flowing and
receding of the tides, and likewise forming a large re-
cess or receptacle for the accommodation of mud and
filth ; and they recommended that if the embankment
were to remain it should be carried out further, so as to
do away with the present projection which formed the
stoppage of the mud, and for this they consi-
dered the embankment above Vauxhall Bridge to
be in a dilapidated state, and requiring immediate atten-
tion. They likewise stated that, on a careful examination
of Battersea Bridge, they considered it very dangerous
to the present navigation, both as regarded the forma-
tion of the piers and the narrowness of the arches, and
likewise as to the bend of the river where the bridge is
situated ; and, on proceeding further and examin-
ing Putney Bridge, they considered it to be in
a much worse state as to the formation of
the piers than Battersea Bridge, both as respected
the narrowness of the arches and the formation,
and they considered it very unsafe for small boats as
well as larger ones, and on their return they perceived
a total deficiency of light. They also had heard great
complaints from three or four fishermen at Stroud-on-
the-Green, as to a serious destruction of fish caused by
the wash from Booth's Distillery at Brantford, which
they considered was owing to lime being used for clean-
ing the coppers, and which was sent into the river in
immense quantities, many days together, for the last two
years.
Sir C. MARSHALL asked whether the Jury had had any
communication with the parties connected with the
bridges, which were represented to be in so dangerous
a state.

The Jury replied that they took their views without
communicating with any body. They were aware at
the time that considerable loss of life had been the con-
sequence of the condition of the arches of the two
bridges, and they observed that the tide made its
way through them in a transverse way. An accident
had nearly occurred as they reached Putney-bridge, on
account of the narrowness of the arches. _ _

The RECORDER informed the gentlemen of the in-
quest that the Lord Mayoa would direct the attention of
the City Solicitor to the statements made in the present-
ment, and would also call the attention of the Naviga-
tion Committee to the obstructions which were described
as existing, immediately. lie suggested that some of the
Jury should attend the next Court of Aldermen with a
note of the observations, in order that the object of car-
/Ting out the removal of the obstructions might be com-
pletely accomplished.
The Surrey presentment complained of several of the
piers for steam-boat passengers, and the Jury begged leave
to suggest that at Blackfriars and Westminster Bridges
floating piers should be erected similar to that at South-
wark Bridge, which was so great an accommodation, with-
out causing the least annoyance in the neighbourhood.
They also complained of Battersea and Putney Bridges,
and of obstruction caused by a barge-builder, near Vaux-
hall Bridge.
It is expected that immediate proceedings will be re-
sorted to in most of the cases to which the presentments
referred.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

On Thursday a Court was held, for the despatch of
public business. The subjects of the new regulations
for the improvement of Smithfield Market, and the re-
port of ])r. Reid on ventilation of the Old Bailey,
formed prominent features on the paper of business.
THE OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER OF THE CITY.

Mr. BRIDGE rose to move a proposition, to which he
knew he should have the unanimous approbation of
the Court, The thanks of the Court to Mr. Charles
Pearson, the City Solicitor, for the readiness with which
he undertook to perform the duties of the City Comp-
troller, upon the resignation of Mr. Hookey, and for the
great ability with which he accomplished that task."
Mr. WELLs seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously and by acclamation.
A communication was made by the Court of Aldermen
that a vacancy had taken place in the office of Attorney
of the Mayor's Court, by the decease of T. N. Williams,
Esq., without having made a proper alienation of office.
Mr. WIRE proposed that part of the duties v hich at-
tach2d to the office of Clerk of the Common Council
should be transferred to the Town Clerk's Office, and
that the office of Attorney in the Mayor's Court should
be filled by Mr. Charles Pearson, the. City Solicitor, until
further ordered by the Court.
Alderman FAREBROTHER said he wished it to be un-
derstood that in acceding to the present motion he s hould
not be precluded from proposing some compensation to the
family of the deceased gentleman, for the loss they sus-
tained by the sudden bereavement of their relative before
he had made the alienation.—(Hear.)
Mr. WIRE said the proposed measure would, by no
means, shut out the family from an appeal to the sym-
pathy of the Court, if from any accidental lapse they had
lost the benefit that would have accrued from the sale of
the office in question.—(Hear, hear.) He should not be
backward in giving such a proposal his best consith .ration
when fairly before them.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
THE VENTILATION OF THE COURTS OF THE OLD B. taLBY.

The Report of the Court of Aldermen and the Com-
mittee, recommending the adoption of. Dr. Reid's, cele-
brated plans for ventilating the Courts of the Old Bailey,
were then taken into consideration.

Mr. OBBARD wished that Dr. Reid's Report shmild be
printed, and sent round to the members of the Court,
and moved to that effect.

Sir P. LAURIE said that if the plan of ventilation
were not adopted in the long recess about to take
place, it must be postponed for a year ; and the Jutd,ges,
Magistrates, juries, officers, and witnesses, would be• sub-
jected, in the meantime, to the poisonous atmosph, !re of
the Old Bailey, in which hundreds of persons suffered
daily during the sittings, and in which it was mos t dis-
gusting to see vinegar constantly burned by way of
purification.--(Hear, hear.) He moved that the P;eport
should be sent back to the Committee to be carried into
effect.—(Cheers.)
The LORD' MAYOR rose to support the amend ment
proposed by Sir Peter Laurie. It was a question upon
which a Court of Aldermen had been called to delib crate
in consequence of the opportunity which presented itself
at the present moment to make an improvement of a
most important kind ; and he trusted that the Court
would show its sense of the necessity of adopting the
plan of Dr. Reid in the Courts by a unanimous vote.
Mr. ANDERTON said that the Courts at the Old, Bailey
were a disgrace to the metropolis, and a most ex pensive
disgrace to the City of London ; and he would rather
see new Courts built than any farther expense ie icurred
in the attempt to improve what was so bad. He b:y no
means wished to oppose Dr. Reid's ventilation in an im-
proved building, but he considered the application, of the
plan in the existing structure appeared to him to be tin-
advisable.
Sir P. LAURIE said that the expenses of fortaer at-
tempts to ventilate had been spoken of, but the plans
were all contemptible, in comparison
of agreeing
i withhedth
to the pi, Tftehhe
c.st
plan of Dr. Reid.—(Cheers.)
He
strongest arguments, the necessity of
proposition. It was in the power of the Court of A ider-
men to Order the plan to be adopted. They were con-
stantly in the habit of attending in these Courts, and they
unanimously agreed in the pressing necessi_tyo ftsa,dio. pt-
ut
ino• Dr. Reid's system of ventilation in the Com
they were unwilling to give the order themselv,.. , s
wrth-
out the concurrence of the Court of Common Co
(Hear, hea.i.) The matter originated with the
licitor, to whose suggestion he (Sir Peter Laurie) was
greatly indebted. He trusted that the Court wo Wet not
subject itself to the imputation of beingprompt to vote
away money for comparatively insignificant or cull ?able
purposes.
Mr. HUNTER said that he had read' the Report of ' Dr.
Reid in the newspapers, and he was convinced tha, t the
Court ought at once to seize the opportunity of Altai ling
itself of that gentleman's great skill.
Mr. W. JONES declared that it was false ea); lomy- to
oppose Sir Peter Laurie's proposition.
Mr. COPE stated that all who knew anything of nr•
Reid's plan were convinced of its efficacy.—(Che' m 3.)
Mr. WELLS said, that in the country the Judge 3 ex-
ercised the power which they possessed, in fining the
principal officers if the ventilation were not attende d to,
or other instances of neglect occurred ; anti he tho ugl, it
it would be very prudent in the Court of Aldernat .n to
guard against the consequences of their responsibin y in
delaying the improvement required, by authorising :it at
once if the Court of Common Council refused con-
currence.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.)
Mr. Wire and several others most warmly appri )vei. 1 of
the plan, and Sir Peter Laurie's proposition was agrt !ed
to by a very great majority.

NEW REGULATIONS OF SMITHFIELD 3IARKE T.

The CHAIRMAN of the Market Committee brow t
a Report respecting the vacancy of Collector of S ith-
field, and the duties and emoluments of the office. F rom
the Report, which is of length, and of g rent
importance as relates to the improvement of the ma: •ket
and the security of the public from diseased or injuxi ous
meat, we publish the following extracts, which coat 2re-
hend the substance of the whole :

As the result of our inquiries; we are of opinion. ;,that
increase of revenue, improvement in the regulaticAs of
the market, and economy in their administratio? ~ w. ill
be best consulted by consolidating the several office ;,
and devolving upon one individual the responsi a providing for the due performance of the whole ( rf their
dutie3.
W do therefore recommend to your Hon urable•
C
That the whole of the duties heretofore pc sformed
by the Manager and Colleclitorteci!ifatnh, Tolls r their
assiistants should be co
per ion, to be called the 'Manager and CoYeecetourt' :}h'Y 9tnhe-

field Market, with an assistant under him, and for whom -
he will be held responsible.
That neither the Manager and Collector of the
Market nor his assistant shall be directly or indirectly
engaged or interested in any other employment, trade,
or business.
That neither the Manager and Collector of the Mar-
ket, nor his assistant, shall either directly or indirectly
receive from any person or persons any fees, perquisites,
or gratuities whatsoever, save and except any lawful
fees which now are or hereafter may be made payable in
respect of the hay market ; but that such fees shall not
be received by such Manager or Collector without the
express authority of the Committee in writing, which
may be by them at any time revoked and annulled.
We are likewise of opinion that the Manager and
Collector should possess a competent knowledge of the
state and condition of stock brought to the market, that
he may be able to discover and seize such as are in a
diseased state, and unfit for human food ; and that he
may be able to give evidence in the event of proceed-
ings being advised to be taken in respect thereof. We
also think that he should possess a practical knowledge
of the average quantities of fat stock usually sent to
Smithfield from the grazing districts throughout the
kingdom, with' their peculiar seasons of supply, to en-
able him more effectually to arrange the general accom-
modation of the market, and to provide for those perio-
dical changes which bring with them not merely a
change in the supply of stock, but a change also of
salesmen engaged in their disposal ; which circumstance,
together with casual fluctuations in supply and other
causes connected therewith, frequently occasion much
temporary inconvenience.
The Report contains the following duties of the Ma-
nager and Collector and his assistant, amongst others of
minor importance:—
To see that the whole market is properly cleansed by
the scavengers according to contract, and to give infor-
mation at the Office of Sewers of any neglect, that the
parties may be summoned before the Commissioners;
and to attend before the said Commissioners to substan-
tiate such complaint.
To see that no cattle, sheep, lambs. &c., whether from
disease or other causes, unfit for human ood, be offered
or exposed for sale, and if so exposed to ssize the same
according to law, or take the necessary steps for sum-
moning the parties before a Magistrate, or to communi-
cate th same to the Markets Committee, with proper
evidence to support any proceedings that the said Com-
mittee may think it necessary to institute.
To see that the following regulations are strictly car-
ried into effect :

That all calves and pigs exposed or offered for sale in
the market shall be tied and penned in that part of the
market only which is set apart for that purpose.
That all cattle, sheep, &c., which shall be tied up,
penned, or otherwise placed in the market contrary to
the directions of the Collector shall be forthwith removed
under his authority.
That no cattle, sheep, lambs, calves, or pigs shall stand
upon or be driven along any of the flag footways in any
part of the market, except so far only as may be abso-
lutely necessary in driving the same direct to or from
any
.pen or pens, appropriated for the sale thereof, open-
ing into or upon any such footway.
That no cattle, sheep, lambs, &c. shall be driven into,
along, or through any avenue or space within the market
appropriated to the sale of cattle, except such cattle shall
be driven into such avenue or space by arrangement of
the collector, for the purpose of sale, or shall be driven
therefrom after having been purchased therein.
That no cattle shall stand or be offered or exposed for
sale in any off or ringdrovo in that part of the market
extending from King-street to Long-lane, thence to
Duke-street and round to Giltspur-street ; but that the
space within such limits shall be kept as a clear and open
way for all cattle, sheep, &c., to be driven into and. out
of the market.

That no drover or other person shall detain any sheep
or lambs in any of the alleys or avenues between the
sheep-pens within the market after such sheep or lambs
shall have been sold ; but all sheep and lambs, when
sold and delivered to the charge of any drover, shall be
immediately
.driven out of the market.
To carry into execution the several rules and ordi-
nances made or hereafter to be made by the Court of
Aldermen (if appointed by the said Court) for granting,
registering, &c. all drovers' licences, and to use his best
endeavours to see that all regulations of that Court in
respect of the conduct of drovers be duly and efficiently
carried into execution. A copy of the existing rules and
ordinances are hereunto annexed in Appendix B.