The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-20 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Un 'Thursday a Court was held for the dispatch of
public business.
The principal subject for consideration was tL•at of the
removal of Smithfield market, thq adjourned discussion
upon which was fixed at the last Court.

FILE INQUESTS IN THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF SOUTH-

WARK.

The Tows CLERK read the following communication
from the Coroner of the city of London:—
"My Lord and Gentlemen,—l trust you will permit
me for a few moments to occupy your attention on a
subject of considerable importance to the city and its
liberties. The decision which you came to on the sth
instant regarding the communication I had the honour
to make to the Court on the subject of tire inquests in
London and Southwark, I presume I must consider as
an intimation of your opinion that those inquests ought
no longer to be held. As a justification of my having
continued to hold them to the present time, I may be
permitted to say, that when I revived those inquiries in
the year 1845 the proceeding was honoured with ap-
proval by the Lord Chief Justices and other judges, by
the daily journals, the fire insurance companies, and the
public in general; and the Government Board of Health,
in their report of the 28th of May, 1850, have expressed
their opinions of these inquiries in the following terms:—
" The frequency of fires led Mr. Payne, the coroner of
the city of London, to revive the exercise of the coroner's
function of inquiring into the causes of fires mostusefully.
Out of fifty-eight inquests held by him since 1845, it ap-
pears that eight were proved to be wilful, tweuty-seven
apparently incidental, and twenty•three from causes un-
known, including suspicious causes. The example of
Mr. Payne has been followed in several counties, and a
marked decrease in the number of fires has been ob.
served, whilst sufficient reason has been elicited fir the
belief that a more regular and systematic prosecution of
such inquiries would be of great public advantage.'
" The Corporation readily paid the expense of those
inquests for three consecutive years, and although in the
last year the result has been much more useful than in
any preceding year, you have declined to take any cog-
nissnee of them.

" It is impossible for me to conjecture the cause of
this sudden change, unless it be intended as a means of
admonishing me that I am to hold them no more.
" I deem it right to state that the fees and expenses
paid by me on holding those inquests during the last
and the present year amount to 1301., of which I presume
I shall be the loser by my eff,,rt to render a public ser.
vice; and whilst in those parts of the metropolis in
which no inquiries are instituted some hundreds f fires
occur in the course of a year, I have the satisfaction to
state that since the month of February last, in the ex-
tensive district of the city of Londo❑ and borough of
Southwark (in which inquiries have been hitherto held),
there has been only one case of house-burning, and that
was accidental. If it be not a matter of public impor-
tance whether incendiary fires occur in the city or not,
I em content; but if it be, I must not, under the circum-
stances, bo held responsible for the cessation of those
public investigations which by many are considered one
of the most effectual means of checking and preventing
their occurrence.

" I have the honour to remain,
" My Lord and Gentlemen,
"Your faithful servant,
" Temple, July 18. W. PAYNE, Coroner."
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR thought the question had already
been decided by the formal refusal of the Court t,) en-
tertain it, and suggested that the letter should be laid
up ,n the table.
Mr. RICHARD TAYLOR said it would be a great public
calamity if inquiries of the kind were checked.—(Hear,
hear.) Ho considered that the causes of fires were ne-
cessary to be investigated as well as the causes of sud-
den deaths, at the same time that he admitted the pro-
priety of limiting the expenditure. Impressed with the
belief that the conduct of the coroner in holding the
firs inquests was highly commendable, he moved that
the letter be referred to the Coal, Corn, and Finance
Committee.

The great majority of the Court were of Mr. R. Tay-
lor's opinion, and the report was accordingly referred to
the committee.

REMOVAL OF SMITHFIELD MARKET.

The Towx CLERK then announced to the Court that
the order to proceed in the adjourned debate upon the
reports of the Market 3 Improvement Committee must
next succeed.
The following is a copy of both the motion and the
amendment. Motion:—

" That this Court do agree with the committee in their
reports, and that it be referred back to the committee
with instructions to send an answer in cnfdrinity with
their report to Mr. Cornewall Lewis, and with power to
communicate or confer with the Governmmt, if neces-
sary, and to report to this Court."
Upon which the following amendment was moved—
namely:—

That the consideration of the reports be adjourned,
and that the committee be directed to ascertain the na-
ture and extent of the powers her Majesty's Govern-
ment would be disposed to confer on this corporatio❑ for
the control and management of a new market beyond
the limits of the metropolis."
The Tows CLERK having read both the motion and
the amendment,

Mr. Deputy OBBARD considered that as a matter of
commerce the removal of Smithfield market would be
most unwise. He was quite certain that if the market
was removed from the locality of Smithfield the inhabi-
tant tradesmen of Newgate-street and other localities
contiguous would feel it in a very great degree. He
thought that, all things considered, it was for the benefit
of the entire metropolis that the heart of commerce
should be confined to the city of London.
Alderman SIDNEY said, that he had taken great inte-
rest in the question then before the Court, and he would
at once state that it was his intention to oppoao the
amendment of Mr. Norris, as he trusted that the Court
had to) high a sense of its own dignity to condescend
to " ascertain the nature an I extent of the powers
her Majesty's Government would be disposed to confer
on the corporation, &c." The market of Smithfield had
for 523 years been vested in the citizens of London,
and it did appear to him that the remarks which had
been made respecting the anxiety of certain authorities to
crowd live cattle into the City was a great mistake. The
fact was, that it was the trade of the City which they, as
guardians of the citizens were most anxious to preserve.
Improvement of the present market, certainly, he ad-
mitted to be desirable, but for that the corporation had
provided. They were willing to stand in the gap, and
with regard to the removal they ought to say to the
Government, " You may remove the market, but in
doing so respect our rights as ciaisens."—(Hear.) They
had as much right as the greatest nobleman to ask for
the maintenance of such a privilege. For all losses
they were entitled to compensation, and it wag only fair
for the country at large to be asked, whether they were
willing to pay for the removal of Smithfield upwards of
a million of money out of the Consolidated Fund?—
(Hear, hear.) No joint-stock company, formed for the
purpose of providing a new market, would pay such an
amount; then, why should the citizens—the meat con-
sumers—be so taxed? No argument in justification of
the removal had yet appeared, and theretbre be be-
sought the Corporation to pause before they gave their
sanction to the amendment.—(Cheers.)
Mr. BENNuell said that the arguments which bad been
used by the worthy Alderman who had just sat down
were of the worn out and tattered character they had
been for some time in the habit of hearing. It had been
said that no complaint had been made us to Smithfield
being a nuisance. That was not so, as their present
Markets Improvement Committee had been formed in
consequence of petitions which had been read in that
Court, from parties who prayed that the market might
be enlarged. He wished, however, without further com-
ment to cut away all the extraneous matter which had
been introduced into the debate, so that he might inquire
into the real state of the matter. The simple question
put to them by the Government was this---e, Are you
prepared to undertake the management of Smithfield-
market in a spot removed from within the City bound-
ary ?"—(No.) The question before them was not so much
the enlargement of the market, as the management of
it.—(Hear.) In the case of London-bridge, and the erec-
tion of docks some years since, the corporation had
acted most unwisely, and the City now felt the conse-
quences, as the proceeds in the shapa of dues might now
have formed part of the revenues of the City. He be-
lieved that the crisis for Smithfield-market had then
come, and that the wisest course they could take would
be to agree with the Government and take the manage-
ment of the proposed market. As it regarded the pro-
posed plan of the corporation he admitted it to be ex-
ceedingly good, but the locality beat them. They were
"Cabin'd, eribb'd, confined;" _ _

and it was impossible for them to do any good under
such straitened circumstances, however they might de-
sire to do so. He admitted that the present market was
most admirably managed, but the situation was objec-
tionable, and he believed that any attempt to improve it
would be found to be perfectly, abortive. Public opinion
he felt was against any such an attempt, and Mr. R.
Taylor at their last meeting had well said that he once
was "in favour of the continuance of Smithfield, but
he (Mr. Taylor) had found that times had changed. and
therefore it was for them to consider before they com-
mitted themselves hastily on that matter. He (Mr.
Bennoch) considered that if they did not act carefully
they would be committing the suicide of the city of
London.
Mr. ELLIOTT Leaved that the parties residing in
Smithfield would be benefitted rather than injured by
the removal, and that a great public benefit would be ac-
complished in consequence.
Mr. BARKLEY said chat he bad made several inquiries,
as the late chairman of the Board of Health, of medical
gentlemen; all of whom united in opinion that Smith-
field was decidedly a healthy locality.—(Hear.) No ewes

of oholtra had occurre-cl either at St. Bartholetnew's
pital or in the vicinity.
Mr. G. TAYLOR supported the report of the Vcrii,. Rim;
Imptov,,ment Committec.
Mr. Deputy PEWTiIESS that the pariti4._ r 012..
tending ler the remavt4 lof Liao. ma- t had notftthide
their case, and ther‘fare they (tin, corporation.) ought to
defend the continuance of the market.
Mr. Deputy STACEY was of a similar opinion:.,
Alderman LAWRENCE raid, that the corporaticii, had
always done their best for the public with rekar'cl 'tio\ ' ;
'mithfield, but they had many times been opposed by
the Government, He contended that if the market
were removed to a distance from town the cattle would
inevitably cause a greater nuisance than existed et pre-
sent, inasmuch as they must he driven through ra much
greater number of streets. They had to deal with Mr.
Lewis's letter, and they ought, instead of rejecting the
proposition contained in that communication, to emlea-
your to ascertain by a confer.. nee with the members
of the Government its accurate report. The tnanage-
ment a new market !night be attended with
some advantage which it would be tic
the corporation to rejEct. The new prison at
Holloway, although at a distance from the Cit, , would
be still as much under the control of the City authorities
us Ras that which it would sutistitute. Such might be
the ens° with respect to the new market, under circum-
stances which it might he advisable not to re-
jrct on the ground of public convenience and advan-
tage. —([leer, hear.) Ile wished for the protraction
of a positive decision There was time enough for the
consideration or this important subject. He was not
bound by the opinion he had expressed relative to
Smi•Aifiehl-market. It' he saw reasons for changing that
opiniou he would with sincerity acknowledge the change,
in accordance with the example of a deeply lan.ented
and illustrious statesman, who did not hesitate to avow
the honest convictions of his understanding.—(Hear.)
Mr. J. Wool), shortly reFerring to the, position he bad
had the honour t-. 3 hold in the loyal Commission, and

to his having undertaken the responsible duty com-
mitted to him (in conjunction with his colleagues) with
independent feelings and an unbiassed judgment, ob-
served that he had, after mature inquiry and delibera-
tion, conscientiously arrived at the conclusions to which
his name as a member of the Commission was attached,
and whilst, therefore, he did not feel himself called upon
to take part in the discussion in that Court, the import-
ance of the question required, and he was satisfied would
receive, the calm and serious consideration of every
member, and he hoped the result would be honourable
to the corporation and satisfactory to the public at
largo.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. BLAKE said it was certain that there was a loud
public demand for the removal of Smithfield-market.—
(Mingled shouts of "No, no," and " Hear, bear.") They
were bound to know from the Government the exact
views entertained by the Government on the question of
the removal. He would not like to see the door bolted
and barred by any hasty or intemperate act of the cor-
poration. Ile referred to a familiar instance of the im-
prudence of rejecting an offer of conciliation in the case
of the City gas companies, the directors of which bolted
and barred the doors against all concession, but soon
found that their opposition was of no avail, and that the
advantage which they night have obtained had totally
disappeared.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. ANDERTON—The gas question has nothing to do
with Smithfield-market.
Mr. BLAKE —The corporation wore in a difficulty
similar to that in which the gas companies were plunged.
By adopting the. motion they would bolt and bar them-
selves, and voluntarily surrender any prospective advan-
tage.— (Cheers.)
Upon the motion of Mr. HALL the debato was ad-
journed.
A good deal of excitement prevailed during the day.

been moval at 1053. per 1,000 f:et. Cedar shingles are
worth 16.3., and wood hoops 90s. per M.
Beef—S..lli at all prices, from 375. to 525. per-half-
barrel, according to quality.
Rum is very inactive, with a heavy stock. More than
la. per gallon, duty paid, cannot be cb:ained for 21 proof
of goodbran s.
Sugar—Prices range from 13s. to 16s. per 100Ibs.
Lozwcod—We have Lot heard of any sales.
Coffee and Pimento—There is none at market
Freights—Sugar to London at 503. per ton.
Exchanges—Merchants' bills on New York are worth
* to 3 per cent. GO days' sight.
Gold--Columbian Doubloons 21. to 3 per cent. pre-
mium ; Oki Spanish,* per cent. on 17 dolls. ; Ameri-
can at l to 2 per cent.
Malt—Harvey's ale and porter bring 7s. 6d. per dozen
bottles.

Tobacco—We report a sale of 40 boxes, 16's and 18's,
at 12i.

EXCHANGES ON LONDON.
Jamaica Bank-30 days, par.
60 days, i per cent prem.
90 days, 1 per cent. prem.
Colonial Bank-30 days, par.
60 days, i per cent. prem.
90 days, 1 per cent. prem.

Immediately, in 2 vols. post Svo., 21s. bound,
RURAL HOURS in the UNITED STATES
By MISS FENIMORE COWER.

Richard Bentley, New Burling:on-street,

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
LA TEMPESTA.
It is respectfully announced that the new grand Opera,
LI. TEM P EST A.
Will be repeated on TUESDAY next, July 23.

EIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Madame SONTAG has the honour to announce that her
TIENEFIT will take place on THURSDAY, July 2:5. when wbl be
presdlted the First Act of Rossini's celebrated Opera of