Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1876-06-15 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SOUTH BANK AND ITS PUBLIC MARKET.  For several weeks a hot warfare has been waged in Soath Bank over the question of a Public Market. The history of the movement, which has of late assumed a disagreeable aspect, is somewhat remarkable, and possesses an interest to readers outside the community which is more directly concerned. It is, too, of significance to mark the rapidity with whioh towns are growing up throughout the Cleveland district, steadily increasing in population and in wealth, and requiring all the appliances of modern civilization. The population of South Bank altogether cannot be under 7,000, and it is bound to increase. Messrs Bolokow, Vaughan, and Company have laid the foundation of extensive Steel Works, which are being rapidly proceeded with, and are now giving employment to 300 or 400 men. 'Ultimately, it is estimated tl:at this vast concern will employ in one form or another,to about 3,0C0 people. This in itself—not taking into account the collateral increase, which must take place—will be an immense addition to the populetion, whilst the Steel Works mark the first step in a new development of the iron trade in Cleveland. At a place where so many people are congregated, surrounded by similar communities, it is essential that provision should be made for their varied and increasing wants. In our advertising:colusans , we publish an address by Mr Harkewitz, which tells in a simple, straightforward, and manly way the history of a laudable effort to.provide one much-needed public Institution. The ~asembers of the Local Board, with a far-sightedness which reflects credit upon their management of local affairs, saw that a new market was required, and set about providing it in the best possible manner. After some friendly negociations, they agreed to lease for five years at a rental of £l5O per annum a coyered market to be erected by Mr it arkewitz, from plans approved by them, at a cost to him of £3,000. As time advanced, it became evident that something even better than that which had been proposed and agreed to, would be required for the ultimate growth of the district. Mr Efarkewitz was equal to the occasion, and produced plans on an enlarged and improved soale, and although the cost would now be £5,000 he agreed to accept the rental of £l5O as previously arranged. This offer was accepted by the Board in the spirit in which it was made, and the indabitants of South Bank and Normanby repeatedly expressed their approval of the arrangement, and their gratitude to tie man whose liberality and enterprise had provided for them a great public boon. According to Act of Parliament, it was necessary for the Local Government Board, before completing the transaction, to get the approval of the ratepayers, and in the interval unfortunately some influence had been at work with the view of upsetting all that had been done. We shall not go into particulars here, but say boldly and emphatically that it would be a disgrace to the district were personal aminosities or political feeling to decide the issue which is now placed before the ratepayers. The inhabitants of South Bank and Normanby need their public market; an offer of the most liberal description has been made to them, and it would be suicidal were they to reject the rare opportunity now within their reach. It is pitiable to see the stall-keepers on a Friday night exposed to the wet, and cold, or the burning sunshine, as the case may be, without any convenience or any protection, disposing of the necessaries of daily life. For the sake of an industrious and useful class of traders, a proper market is required ; on this ground alone it is the duty of the inhabitants to see that adequate provision is made for those who cater for them. Farther than this, South Bank is becoming an important centre, and ought to have a market which provides accommodation for the future, and which will do more than merely bring together under one roof the traders in beef, bacon, and the like. There ought to be proper provision made for the representative ;Board and other institutions which will yet have to be established. The spacious building which Mr Harkwitz has erected ad offered on terms so liberal that it almost amounts to a if c, contains all that is required, or likely to be, for many years to come. The general market is 120 by 72 feet, lofty, and ornamented in the centre with a cast iron fountain. The East end of the building is set apart for public offices, and a free library for which many of the inhabitants have been earnestly calling, and which is greatly needed. The town hall proper measures 70 by 33 feet, and is a noble room wortny of any moderately sized town. Besides look-up shops, fire engine house, sheds, club and billiard rooms, Fa., there is at the East end of the hall a gallery which will accomodate about 270 persons. Here, then, we have a building, which it is no exaggeration to say, is worth to-day na leas than £B,OOO, offered for the use of the public at a nominal rental of £l5O per annum,—it seems utterly incomprehensil 15 that any dispute as to its acceptance could ever 11-7 e arisen. It is now, however, a question of principle—not one of price on either side. No one can, for a moment, believe that the Board could erect such a building, or any suitable one, at the cost which this would be to them ; but it would be an outrage on the generous giver and on the common sense of the members of the Board, besides a great public wrong, were not a united and decided effort made to prevent the inhabitants from being misled, and to ensure that the arrangement which has been come to and ratified by