The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-19 00:00:00

the salesman would not receive them, although he had
a consignment note, which he refused to show to the
police.
Alderman CARDEN asked where the sheep were
now ? Showier replied, " That they were in the
hands of the police."
Alderman CARDEN thought that as they were so bad
as to require an order for their destruction, steps
should be taken to punish the parties sending such
cattle to market for human consumption.
Russell, one of the officers of the market, stated
that he understood these were a part of a flock of 600
from the north of Spain, which were seized as soon
as landed by the Government about four months ago;
200 of them had died and been buried, and these
were some of those that had been sold by Government
to defray expenses, at the rate, he understood, of 3s.
Gd. per head.
Alderman CARDEN said he thought it was not very
discreet on the part of the Government authorities to
sell any of them, if it was merely to cover expense 3.
The Chief Clerk suggested that some evidence
should be taken upon oath.
David Showier, inspector of Smithfaeld•market,
said that about half-past eight o'clock that morning
he seized 38 sheep in a " scabby" state, which were
totally unfit for human food.
George Russell, 34, said that about twenty minutes
past ten o'clock be was in Smithfield-market, and
observed two carts full of sheep, opposite the pens of
Mr. John Hill. Thirty-eight were put into the pens,
and he saw that they had the " scab" very bad, and
were much emaciated, in consequence of which he
called the attention of another officer to them, and
they were removed from the market.
Alderman CARDEN—Do you think they were in-
fectious ? Russell—l certainly do.
Alderman CARDEN—To whom were they con-
signed ? Russell—To Mr. Hill, who admitted that
he had the consignment notice, but refused to show
it; upon which I warned him not to destroy it, and
told him the present application would be made.
George Frew, 26, said, he was called to look at the
sheep, and found them in a very bad state. They
had the "scab," and some of them had the wool off,
while others were scarcely able to stand. He helped
to take them to the Ram-yard, and examined them,
mad from their appearance he should say they had had
the smallpox, ana some of them were still labouring
under that disease.
Mr. Nice, the veterinary surgeon, was called, and
after examining them, said they were totally unfit for
food, and were still suffering the disease of smallpox.
Alderman CARDEN—Is Mr. Hill a large salesman ?
Frew—He is not.
Alderman CARDEN—Did you ascertain the name
of the consignee ? Frew—The name on the carts was
Mr. Geer, of Stratford, and if Mr. Geer gave 3s. 6d.
per head for the sheep he gave as much as they were
worth. _ _ _

Russell said they were in a most infectious state at
present.
Alderman CAUDEN said it was no wonder that legs
and shoulders of mutton were soextraordinarily cheap
when sheep could be purchased for little or nothing.
He should thoroughly investigate the affair, for he
was not at all satisfied with letting the owners off by
merely condemning the animals, but he was deter-
mined to punish them as far as the law would allow
him. He therefore ordered that the 38 sheep should
be destroyed, and that summonses should be taken out
against Mr. Geer for sending the sheep, and against
Mr. Hill to produce the consignment note on Tues-
day next.
The usual order was then made out for the destruc-
tion of the sheep and handed to the officers.