A SURPRISE VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 81, 6 April 1926, Page 3

A SURPRISE VISIT

THE PRINCE ATSMITHFIELD BOUND THE MEAT MARKETS. (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, 24th February. Early last Friday morning the Prince of Wales paid a visit to the Central Markets at Smithfield. The visit.wju in the nature of 8 surprise, few people paving Men let iuto the secret. .Accompanied by Sir Walter Peacock, tie Prince arrived at 7.30, and was received by Mr. G. J. Nicholls (chairman of the Maikets Committee) and a few others who were in the secret.. . . Havinp viewed the general work of the market the Pr-.nce went into details. He was first taken to the oldest of the cold stores in Long Lane. There lie refused to put on the customary heavy overcoat kept for visitors,, notwitkstand the fact that the temperature was degrees below freezing point." ■ la 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 vast goods station beneath the market. There he witnessed the arrival and'the shunting of the trains, and the Tailwaymen at work. He talked with many of the men, who spend their hours in semi-darkness, and declared himself greatly impressed with the completeness of the arrangements. Coming to the surface the Prince, whoso 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 THE COCK TAVERN. A cup of. coffee 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.. On the question of tho business of the house itself he made inquiries, and took away with him a list of what 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 chickenl . ENGLISH OB SCOTCH. An amusing incident was the Prince's endeavour to understand the difference botween English and. Scotch 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 Scotch beef, "is English!"

"Oh, noo," he was told, "that is Scotch." Whereat the Prince and everybody with him laughed heartily. During his tour the Prince recognised and spoke to several ex-Service men. Afterwards the. Prince went to the office of the superintendent, where • he told the chairman of the Markets Committee how greatly he had been impressed by all he had seen. 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 Boyal visitor. It" was a matter of pride to those responsible that the Prince's car | left the market as the clock was striking 9, he having expressed a wish to get away at that hour. His departure was marked by a great outburst of cheering. . 85, Fleet street. ...