OPENING OF

LYTHAM NEW COVERED MARKET.

The Opening of the first public building which has been erected in Lytham since that favourite watering-place obtained its local improvement act took place on Wednesday morning last, when the provisions of the Act of Parliament were complied with by the formal opening of Lytham New Covered Market. This event must be hailed as an epoch in the history of. one of the most improving and handsome. watering-places in the country.

Not many years ago, Lytham was but a small fishing village and in a comparatively short space of time streets sprung up, handsome villas and summer residences have been erected and now this once insignificant port can boast of a neat railway station, Methodist chapel, church, and the new covered market, besides many other handsome edifices. The improvements so rapidly made, and the enlargement and increased beauty of the town have already rendered it one of the prettiest summer residences in county; and in the summer months hundreds of gentlemen, from every portion of the county, flock from the noise and bustle of business in the large manufacturing towns to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the fresh air, the comfort, the cleanliness, and the increased accommodation afforded them at Lytham.

It is now about twelve years since the improvements which have so materially tended to place Lytham on a level, in importance, with much larger towns, were first commenced. At that time Lytham was but a small village, visited only by a few country farmers and fishermen; and, in place of the ornamental cottages which now form the streets were dirty, low, unmeaning thatched houses.

The commencement of the series of improvements which have since taken place was the removal of a number of these hovels, which then formed the site of the present beautiful street called Clifton-street, leading from the railway station to the new market house and the substitution of a pretty street of ornamental cottages. These cottages, erected with every attention to the comfort and convenience of their occupants, have fine gardens attached to them, both at the back and in front many instances trees overhang the entrance to them, beneath the shade of which the refreshing breeze from the sea may be enjoyed. In the summer, when the trees are in leaf, and the flowers in the garden, are in full bloom a most pleasing and picturesque appearance is given to the town, and all visitors are at once struck with its beauty.

Other improvements have also taken. place. On the Beach Terrace facing the river, is a commodious hotel where every accommodation for visitors of every description may be obtained. The East and West Beach Terraces, consisting, of houses erected in the early English style of architecture; and from which an extensive view of the river and the surrounding scenery may be ob­tained have been greatly improved and enlarged; and near, the mill there. is in course of erection a handsome stone and brick church, called St. John's, the foundation, stone of which was laid by T. Clifton, Esq., the Lord of the manor, some months ago. It is now nearly completed, and even at present, in its rough and unfinished state, adds materially to the beauty of the town.

Many other improvements, such as the erection of new streets, shops &c., have taken place in the last few years and are still taking place. The railway station, and the Railway, Hotel adjoining, on the entrance to the town, are handsome stone buildings, erected in a neat style of architecture, and in which every attention has apparently been paid to the comfort and convenience of visitors.

On the drainage and sewerage of the town, Mr. Francis, the acting Surveyor of the Manchester corporation, has furnished the Lytham Improvement Commissioners with a report, as to the best and most economical method of carrying it out in Lytham and from this report it appears. that there, are still many things remaining to be done which will tend to the improvement of the town and its fitness for a summer residence for the. gentry of this county.

One drawback to Lytham is the want of gas, but we understand that it is contemplated by the Improvement Commissioners to erect gas works, at the entrance of the town, near to the railway-station. If this plan is carried. out, gas will be obtained at a cheap rate, as the facilities for the conveyance of coal are numerous.

The commissioners have power, under the act obtained by them last session for the improvement of Lytham, to carry out :a number of other improvements, such as the removal of nuisances, the better observance of decency in the bathing department and things which if they go on as they have commenced and act with the same vigilance and decision will materially improve the condition and appearance of the town, - render it a most desirable retirement for visitors and obtain for it a pre-eminence for comfort; cleanliness and beauty.

The new covered Market, the formal opening of which took place on Wednesday last, has been open to the public since Saturday the 24th of last month; and has been erected in a little more than four months. The act was obtained last year, and, the building was commenced very lately. Notwithstanding this despatch, the market-house Is a very handsome edifice.

The building of the new covered market was let, at first for £1,000; but since the contracts were entered into numerous alterations and additions have been suggested and adopted, and we understand that the extra work will cost. little less than £500, making the total cost of the building about £1,500. Charles-Reed Esq., of Liverpool, is the architect, and the style in which the new market house has been erected, afford strong proof that the commissioners could not well have employed a better man. Upon Mr. Reed's judgement and taste, the building reflects great credit. The contractors were Messrs. T. Drummond, of Fleetwood, builder and Mr. Thomas Parkinson, of Fleetwood, joiner.

The market house is erected at the west end of Lytham, on a vacant plot of land which was formerly railed in, near the road to Blackpool. Its situation is highly convenient. The appearance of the ground now, is triangular, and running up to the principal entrance from the street are numerous iron posts. The main entrance, which is by a large and handsome stone archway, faces Clifton-street. Upon the keystone of the archway of the principal entrance is carved a cornucopia, emblematic of plenty, The market house itself is constructed of stone and red-brick, and is erected in the Tuscan order of the Roman style of architecture. It is a parallelogram of about 100 feet in length, 18 feet in height, from the floor to the lowest part of the roof, and 36 feet in width. The number of en­trances are four; the principal entrance, already alluded to, and three smaller ones, from the various sides of the building.

It has a large central tower, one half of which is in the market; and the other half projects forwards in front, Beneath this tower is the main archway, springing from an entablature, supported by two columns and six pilasters, rusticated by square blocks on their shafts. A strong course forms the second storey of the tower, and upon which are set circular headed triple windows, with stone arches springing from carvings. Above is a tenia, freize, with cantilevers, from the centre of which springs an octagon turret intended for a clock and bell, with brackets at the bottom of each angle, starting from a plinth, and the whole surmounted by a carved ogee cupola, vane and cardinal points. In front of the main building there are eight arches, with stone bases, cap and keystones, enclosing handsome windows, filled up with large panes of plate glass, and below which are brick pannels, there are four of these arches on each side of the tower and above thorn is a stone frieze and cornice. The back elevation consists of arches, the centre one of stone, and forming an entrance. Four columns, with rusticated blocks; supporting in entablature, with. swelled vermiculated frieze adorn the north and south ends of the building.

Between the centre columns are the doorways, with massive doors, deeply pannelled between the side columns on each side of the doorway are windows with sides; and in the intercolumnations are three arches. The windows between the side columns alternate with brick and stone. Quoin-stones, boldly moulded round the edges, adorn the angles of the building, and the roof, which is slated, has in the centre a large lantern, 40 feet long, with glass at the top, for light, and open buffers at the side for ventilation. Tiles cover the floors, which are well drained, and the building has an open roof. The internal arrangements of the market consist of a row of stalls on each side of the building, against the wall, another row, running up the centre, and two avenues.

The centre stalls were on Wednesday last occupied by stands of vegetables; fruit, flowers, &c.; on the west side' were butchers' shops, &c.; and on the east side were toy shops, fish and game stalls, &c.

At about half-past eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning last, the following commissioners proceeded from the news room to declare the market legally opened:—Messrs. W. C. Birdsworth, G. M. Crookall, M. Charlton, J. B. Heyes, Thomas Mercer, Nicholas Banister, J. Ewer, J. Laurie. J. Burnet, J. Edmondson, E. Houghton, Dr, Nelson, and Captain Ashbourne.

M. Deacon (managing clerk to Messrs. Rawstorne and Wilson, solicitors, Preston,) read over the bye-laws which direct that poultry, rabbits, pigeons, plants, flowers, roots, seeds, garden stuff, and earthen and other pedlars' wares, shall be sold in the market. All articles shall he taken in at the west gate. No alterations must he made in the stalls by the takers. No person shall bring into the market any hand-cart, table, wheelbarrow, &c., without being allowed by the market committee.

Every tenant of any stall shall occupy the same himself, And no person. shall sell at a stall except the tenant. No tenant shall suffer any garbage or refuse to remain about his stall and each butcher is required to wash his stand twice in the week, at least. The same regulation applies to fishmongers; and all cleaving must be upon blocks, or chopping boards: The tenant of every stall must extinguish the fire and light in the same and effectually stop the water and gas pipes previous to closing for the day.

No person must pluck poultry in the market and no tobacco, &c., will be allowed to be smoked there. Every person wilfully throwing orange peel &c., on the floor of the Market will he fined ; and no person shall hawk any article for sale in the Market. Butter brought into the market as fresh butter must be made up in separate parcels of 16oz.; and no unwholesome fish, meat, &c., is allowed to be brought in. No swearing, violent, obscene, or abusive language will be allowed. Every person injuring the market-house, or any stall, or committing a nuisance, Will be fined.

The above bye-laws were allowed by the magistrates at the general quarter sessions of the peace, held by adjournment, at Preston, on the 28th June last, and have been since approved of by the Secretary of State.

M. DEACON, after having read over the bye-laws, said —I now declare this market, to have been formally and legally opened..

The commissioners then retired. Some disappointment was occasioned through there being no dinner, or other public celebration, held in commemoration of the event.