SURPRISE VISIT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18675, 26 April 1926, Page 10

SURPRISE VISIT.

ft PRINCE AT SMITHFIELD. ROUND THE MEAT MARKETS. fntou oca own cobrespottdekt.) LONDON, February 24. Early last Friday morning, the Prince of Wales paid a visit to the Central Markets at Smith'field. The visit, was in the naturo of a surprise, few people having been let into the secret. Accompanied by Sir Walter 1 Peacock; the Prince arrived at 7.30, and was received by Mr G. J. Nicholls (chairman of the Markets Committee) and a few others who were in the secret. Having viewed the general work of the market, the Prince went into details. He was first taken to the oldest of the cold stores in Long Lane. There he refused to put on the customary heavy overcoat, kfcpt for visitors,, notwithstanding the fact that the temperature was degrees below freezing point. In everything he saw the Prince took the deepest interest, asking many questions. In conversation, the Prince learned how the meat came into Smithfield by underground railway, and he immediately asked to be taken below ground. Descending in an open' lift used for meat, he was conducted to the Aast goods station beneath the Market. There he witnessed the arrival arid the shunting of the trains, and the railwaycien at work. He talked with many of the men, who spend their hours in semidarkness, and declared himself greatly impressed with the completeness of the arrangements. Coming to the surface the Prince, whose presence was now known to everyone in the Market, was greeted with "the music of the bells," as it is called, the butchers knocking knives and choppers, and bones together. Coffee at Cock Tayern. A cup of cuffeo was suggested, and the Prince, who had no overcoat,, was conducted to the. Cock Tavern, 'where "Tommy" "Walker, the president; of the Amateur Boxing Association, is the host. There, the Prince drank coffee from one of the .thick-.homely, cups which are served to the Market porters. The house was crowded, but the Prince and his party mixed with the throng, the barman serving the coffee in the ordinary way.- Here again, the. Prince talked to all and sundry. Oii the question of the business of the honse" itself, he made enquiries, and took a:way with him a list (if \yhat is sold in it' Then , came a visit to the "Japanese village," the familiar name .of a • section. ■ The Prince was • interested in consignments of Australian rabbits and' Canadian chicken.

English or Scottish,

An amusing incident was the Prince's endeavour to understand, the difference between English and Scottish beef. Shown both kinds, he asked: "But'how do you tell?" "I do not know," replied one of the stall holders, "by long experience, I suppose.'' After further explanation the Prince tried to tell the difference himself. "Now this," he said, pushing his finger into a' side of Scottish beef, "is English!" "Oh, no," he was told, "that is Scottish." Whereat the Prijice and everybody with him laughed heartily. During his tour, the Prince recognised arid spoke' to several er-serviee men. Afterwards the Prince: went to the office of the Superintendent, where

he toid the chairman of the Markets Committee, how greatly he had been impressed by all he had Been. He said he had visited many markets, but Smithfield was infinitely superior to anything he had ever seen. The chairman expressed the great pleasure which all concerned in the Market, had experienced in recognising the Royal, visitor. It was a matter of pride to those responsible that the Prince's car left the Market as the clock was striking nine, he having expressed a wish to get away at that hour. His departure was marked by a great outburst of cheering.