The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-16 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON. COUNCIL,

A Court of Common Council was held yesterday at
Guildhall—the LORD MAYOR presiding.

THE PROPOSED NEW MEAT MARKET.
The court proceeded to consider two reports from
the Improvement Committee and Markets Improve-
ment Committee respectively, upon references pre-
viously made to them, to consider whether any
plan could be devised to establish a direct commu-
nication between the intended Metropolitan Rail-
road and the contemplated' markets at Smith-
field, &c.
The Irnpro'vement Committee reported th at they
had laid before Sir G. C. Lewis, Home Secretary, a
plan of the proposed market site, and a few days
afterwards received a communication in reply, to
the effect that her Majesty's Government had ap-
proved of the principle of the proposed measure, but
requested some further details as to the future ap-
propriotion of the ground not intended to be built
upon, which details are in course of preparation by
the City architect.
It appeared further that the two committees had
co-operated by appointing special committees, con-
sisting of six members of each, by whose desire the
various corporate officers concerned had drawn up
reports embodying the principal facts and inferences
connected with the scheme.
These reports, which had been previously printed
and circulated among the members, were taken as
read, and a model of the proposed market, with
railway, under, was placed on the table for inspec-
tion and reference, and presented a very elegant
facade, in a mixed Gothic style of architecture.
Mr. Deputy BOWER, in moving that the court
should agree in the repert of the Improvement
Committee, said it would bind them to nothing more
definite than to refer the subject bask to the com-
mittee for fuller consideration, and for the produc-
tion of improved and more definite plans. The
time was, however, fully come for bringing
their markets into direct communication with rail-.
ways, and the question was what proportion of the
expense would fall upon the City corporation. That
railway communication would be provided, did not
admit of the slightest doubt, for be had received an
intimation from the Dover and Chatham Railway
Company that their plans were deposited, and that
their line would pass under the market, whilst he
had also received an official intimation from the
Metropolitan Railway Company, that their con-
tracts were signed, and would certainly be carried
out. To clear the site and build a market alone
would cost £445,000; to clear the site, build a
market, and provide a railway would cost £515,000;
and to clear the site, build the market, provide rail-
way communication, and erect large warehouses,
would cost £637,500 ; and by doing all this a saving
of £140,000 would be effected, as compared with
the cost of providing a market alone. It was pretty
well understood that without the railway the cor-
poration would provide no market, and the com-
mittee had ascertained that there was good reason
to suppose that contractors would be found perfectly
willing to relieve the corporation from all expense
and risk in connection both with the railway corn-
munication and the warehouses, and it was princi-
pallyfarrai thisay
w
different
railway
companies would co-operate, that he asked the
oold withbedoo thee, viewand bof a
ow
court to agree to the report, and refer it back to
lcrertathio ascertaining how
the committee for further inquiry. (Hear, hear.)
The court having resolved that the two reports
should be taken into consideration together,
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR (chairman) called attention
more particularly to the report of the Markets Im-
provement Committee. One of the most important
questions which could be brought before the court
was a design for connecting the new metropolitan
cattle market in the City, and, although the design
before the court might not be perfect in details, and
might as the mere embodiment of an idea be sus-
ceptible of great improvement, the court could do no
more than affirm its principle, leaving details for
further consideration. The courthad already agreed
to contribtite £2oo,oooin shares in the Metropolitan
Railway, under an idea, perhaps, that the rail way
intended to provide communication between the
two markets. He had, however, ascertained that
the Metropolitan Railway Company contemplated
nothing of the kind, and if that company did not,
was there any other railway company that would
do so ?
Mr. Deputy DARIN—The Great Northern.
Mr. H.L. TAYLOR said the committee, if the court
agreed in the report, would communicate with the