The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-22 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
The following Bills were read a second time, and
ordered to be committed :—Aberavon Market Bill,
Morley Gas Light Company Bill ; New Grand Canal
Company (Ireland) (No. 1) Bill; Newry Navigation
(Amendment of Acts) Bill ; Thorne Moor Drainage
and Improvement Bill, and Walsall Improvement and
Cemetery Bill.
CITY OF LONDON SEWERS BILL.

On the motion of Mr. PATTISON, this Bill was
ordered to be read a second time on Friday next.
MACCLESFIELD WATERWORKS AND

IMPROVEMENT BILL.

Captain EGERTON moved that the second reading
of this Bill should be postponed until Monday next.
Sir W. HEATIICOTE thought that some suffi-
cient grounds for the postponement of the Bill ought
to be made out before the House acquiesced in the
motion.

Captain EGERTON said that he had understood
that the Bill was to be opposed, and be was anxious
to cbtain further information on the subject.
lir. WILLIAMS said that the Bill would impose
a heavy burden on the inhabitants of the town who
were already taxed to the highest point possible, and
the whole of the ratepayers were unanimous in their
opposition to the Bill. The Bill about to be intro-
dnced by the Noble Lord at the head of the Woods
and Forests would answer all the purposes of the
Bill. He should therefore move that the Bill be read
a second time that day six mionths.
After a short discussion strangers were ordered to
withdraw, and the House divided when there ap-
peared—
For the second reading .. 3O
Against it . . lO3
Majority
NEW SMITHFIELD MARKET.

On the motion for the second reading of this Bill,
Mr. BROTHERTON moved that it be read a
second time on the 2d of March.

Mr. B. OSBORNE moved that the Bill be read a
second time that day six months. The promoters of
this Bill held out as an inducement for parties to be-
come shareholders in the concern that the under-
taking would yield a return of twenty-one per
cent., and that he thought was a sufficient reason
why the House should look with :some jealousy at
this Bill. The Bill proposed to give the company
to be established by it an unfair control over the
supply of animal food to the metropolis, and he had
reason to suppose the Bill would have the effect of
raising the price of meat in the metropolis at
least a half-penny per pound. It was asserted
by the promoters that the existing Smithfield Market
was inconveniently situated, but so far from this
being the case he happened to know that lately at
least 100,0001. had been expended in improving the
market and its site. The chief cause, how-
ever, of the prejudice against the exist-
ing market was a prevailing impression
that it rendered the neighbourhood unhealthy; but
in the early part of his life he resided near to the
Charter House, and he could state from personal
experience that the air of the district, instead of being
unhealthy, was particularly salubrious.—(Hear, hear,
and laughter.) The parties had very satisfactory
reasons for opposing the Bill.
Mr. WYLD seconded the motion.

Lord R. GROSVENOR said he had consented
to put his name on the Bill because he had
been led to believe that it would promote
the sanitary condition of the metropolis. The
parties with whom the Bill originated surely had
a right to be heard before they were condemned.
The improvement proposed appeared to him one
well worthy of the consideration of the House. He
thought the House should have before it the
report of the Commissioners, in order to guide its
before it came to a decision, and therefore he thought
it advisable to accede to the motion of the Hon. Mem-
ber for Salford (Mr. Brotherton), because before the
time mentioned the report would be in the hands of
Hon. Members.
Mr. HEATIICOTE said the House had laid down
rules for the second reading of Bills of this nature,
and he thought that they could not be departed from
without causing considerable inconvenience. He
thought the second reading should be at once agreed
to, and that the merits of the Bill should be left for
future consideration.
Sir DE LACY EVANS said he should at all

times feel great reluctance in opposing any Bill
brought in by his Noble Friend, but the provisions
of this measure were so monstrous, that he should
feel it his duty to give it all the opposition in his
power. The Bill propsiod to destroy Smithfield Mar-
ket altogether, without giving the parties interested
in it any compensation whatever. Railway companies
did not seek powers to stop coaches or post-horses,
but the promoters of this Bill sought powers to close
Smithfield, and to monopolise the supply of animal
food to the metropolis. He trusted the House would
express its indignation at such a proposition on the
part of a private company, whereby they would be
enabled to enhance the price of meat as they thought
proper.—(Hear, hear.) The Bill was full of
exaggerations such as this that the refuse
and offal at Smithfield were utterly lost,
as they were carried away into the Thames,
whereas the fact was, that the refuse and offal
were made available for manure and other purposes—
nothing was lost. The proposition was one of the
most monstrous he had ever heard, and if acceded to
would destroy the advantages now enjoyed by the
5,000 of the metropolis. He hoped the House would
prevent such an attempt on the part of a few
private individuals:—(Loud cries of Hear, hear.'')