The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-11-06 00:00:00

ST. GEORGE'S-STALL.-POPIILAR CONCERTS.

The proceedings of the St. George's-hall Committee were
confirmed. In reference to these it was stated that the com-
mittee intend in a short time 'to establish evening organ
concerts for the working classes, admission to whiCh would
be charged at the rate of 3d. each. The pecuniary results of
the sixpenny performances had been so successful, as to have
yielded on the Saturday RIO, while at the evening per-
formances on Monday the receipts had amounted to £7O.
The proceedings of. the Markets' Committee were passed
without comment, and also the Education Committee's minutes.
In course of discussion on the resolutions of the Gaol and
House of Correction Committee, Mr. .R.GLADSTONE denounced
in strong terms the system of solitary confinement adopted
at the new Borough Gaol; a system which Mr. G. HOLT de-
fended, describing it rather as a separate than solitary system.
The reports of the Health, Gardens, Church Expenditure,
and Water Committees were adopted. The latter contained
an account of the purchase of the Chorley works for £35,000.
The Bpaatslsle.
sdand_ Hackney Carriage Committees' proceedings
were
REPORT OF TUE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON TIIE GAS SUPPLY
The Special Committee appointed to inquire into the cir
reoepnodritt,ioinus
‘ovth*
ich e gt
haseysusptapltieedd
thetchoenbeloursoiuognlsi
arrived at in consideration of the evidence adduced
cp:hr eu ne
syes nti tanedde es
atheir
before them. The report commenced with a description of
the preliminary steps taken by the committee, and stated
that the attendance of the representatives of the Guardian
Society, as well as of the Gas Company, was requested. The
latter, however, after attending two meetings, withdrew from
the inquiry, in accordance with a resolution of the directors ;
and this the committee much regretted, as it deprived them
of the means of gaining much important information. The
committee bad directed their attention seriatim to the various
points embraced by the resolution of the Council.
The first was the state of the gas supply in the borough,
which included the charge made for gas ; the meters used by
consumers ; the quality of the gas ; and the loss occasioned by
the supply of gas in the suburban districts. 'With regard to
the charge now made for gas, the report states :—" It appears,
from the evidence of about forty consumers selected indis-
criminately, that, notwithstanding the reduction made in the
price of gas on the Ist of January last, from 4s. fid. to 4s. per
1,000 cubic feet (rather more than 11 per cent.), the bills
delivered by the -Gas Company, and actually paid by those
consumers, were larger in amount than the bills for the cor-
responding period in prevhius years; this increase varying
• from 10 to 50 per cent., and this although no additional gas
had been consumed by them. That in some instances con-
sumers had been charged for more gas than the_quantitY•indi-
cated by their meters, the quantity
_being ascertained (as
stated in the bills) by `computation' on the consumption of

previous periods, and in more than one instance consumers
had been charged for gas by ' computation' where no gas
whatever had been used on their premises." The meters (the
report proceeds) are " wet" meters, whose accuracy depends in
a great measure upon their being fixed at an accurate level.
The adjustment of these meters, which are manufactured and
supplied by the Gas Company, has been much neglected by
the company's servants, and the result of the examination by
Mr. Taunton, the inspector appointed by the Corporation of
London, was that only one or two, out of between 300 and
400 meters examined, were found correct. It appears, from
the evidence of Mr. Taunton and Mr. Clegg, that an over-
charge of water causes the meter to register more gas than
actually passes through it, and vice versa ; also that gas of
an inferior quality passes through the water with greater
rapidity than good gas; and Mr. Clegg, in a great measure,
attributes the increase of the gas bills since January last to
this fact.
With respect to the loss produced by the supply of gas to
the suburban districts, the committee have no doubt that the
supply of gas to the districts situate at a long distance from
the places of manufacture, even at the maximum price of
4s. Od. per 1,000 cubic feet, is not remunerative to the com-
pany, and entails upon the consumers nearer the places of
manufacture a very serious charge to counterbalance the loss
upon the supply of-distant districts, and to enable the com-
pany to derive, as they are legally entitled to, a dividend of
ten per cent. upon the capital expended in the extension of
their mains, and other works necessary for the supply of these
distant localities. According to the evidence of Mr. Clegg,
the quantity of gas lost through leakage, and otherwise by the
extension of the mains to those outlaying districts, amounts to
twice as much as the profits which the company make by the
supply of gas, which loss he calculates at 20 per cent. 'With
this evidence adduced before theni; the committee have arrived
at the conclusions—That, taking into consideration the over-
charges made from incorrect registration of meters, the price

of gas is far too high. That the meters in use are genttally
of imperfect construction and erroneus in their registration,
and that there has been gross neglect, and carelessness on the
part of the company and their servants with respect to the ex-
' amination and adjustment of meters ; and that, whether the
registration be more or less than the actual consumption, the
general body of consumers are most prejudicially affected by
such inaccuracy. That the quality and illuminating power of
the gas supplied is variable, and that the standard quality
prescribed by the act of Parliament is uncertain and inefficient.
That the supply of gas to the suburban districts entails a
serious charge to the consumers nearer the works ; and that
the principle of supplying both classes of consumers at the
same price is most-unjust, as admitted by the company, in the
distinction they made in the charge since the Ist January last,
and that separate accounts should be kept of the expenditure and
receipt in each of the townships or districts named in the act.
With regard to the reductions made in price, the committee
observe that the reductions which have been made from the
former price of 7s. per 1,000 cubic feet, to the present price of
43. per 1,000 cubic feet, were all made under pressure from
without, and threats of competition ; and that the consent of
Parliament to the amalgamation of the old companies was
based chiefly on the allegation that the cost of management
would be thereby reduced ; a result which has not, however,
been attained. The committee further remark that the capa-
bilities of the present company to supply the increasing
demand for gas depend entirely upon the amount of " capital
at the disposal of the company;" and they regret that, owing
to the refusal of the company to permit their officers to afford
any information, the only evidence they have received on this
subject is that of Mr. Beloe, the accountant appointed by the
Recorder, under the act of Parliament, whose information is
derived solely from his official annual examination of the
accounts. It appears, from Mr. Beloe's statement, on the 30th
June, 1854, that the capital raised by the company was—
Amount paying dividend at 10 per cent...£469,414 5 8
Amount received as premium 100,783 0 0
Borrowed on bond

Of which had been expended

631,591 5 8
626,245 15 5

Leaving a balance unexpended of ......... £5,351 10 3
This being the state of the capital account, the committee con-
clude that the company are capable of supplying the increas-
ing demand for gas. It is stated by Mr. Clegg, as the result
of a most careful and elaborate calculation, that works capa-
ble of supplying the present and future demand for gas, in-
cluding mains, &c.,- could he constructed for £300,000, and
that the outlay of this amount would enable a company to
supply gas, of a quality superior to that now used, at 3s. 6d.
per 1,000 cubic feet, and pay a dividend of 10 per cent. on the
outlay.
The report next alludes to the system of management and
its cost, and states that the supervision over the company pre-
scribed by the act, and vested in the auditor, is very insuffi-
cient, and that an inspecting engineer and auditor to examine
the works and accounts, on the part of the consumers, would
be valuable and necessary. From the evidence, the committee
conclude that the management of the. company, so far as
respects meters,. fittings, &c., is very unsatisfactory, and that
the charges made for men's wages in " fittings " is universally
complained of. The principle of the Gas Company being the
manufacturers of meters and the sellers of' gas, without con-
trol, is denounced in the report as unfair. After contrasting
the gross income of the company from 1849t0 1854 with the
cost of manufacture in those years, and showing that while
the latter, from 184 to 1853, had only increased £5,000, the
revenue had increased £27,000, the committee account for
this by adoptinc, Mr.. Clegg's opinion, that the•quality of the
gas materially affects the registration of the meter—the more
inferior the quality of the gas, the greater the velocity with
which it flows through the same openhigs in the meter. The
expense and inconvenience to the public by the breaking up of
the streets is lightly dwelt upon, its cost being something less
than id. per thousand. cubic feet of gas consumed. The re-
port then details the recommendations which appear to the
committee most adapted. to insure, for the future, the best and
cheapest supply of gas. As the present company is a mono-
poly, with personal interest paramount in the management of
the estate, the committee see no grounds for relying on the
company for any amelioration of the present condition of
things, and much less for the continued exertion necessary to
meet the growing wants of the community. Having regard,
howevre, to the vested rights of the proprietors, they would
feel disposed rather to tecommend an arrangement by which
the management of the ,business of the company should be
transferred to hands who were-identified with the public, than
that a competing company should be supported by the coun-
cil. They incorporated in their report a suggestion that the
share property of the company should be converted into bonds,
carrying a certain interest, and that the control of the company
shouldpass into the hands of a board of nine directors, three
of whom to be appointed by• the council, three by the con-
sumers, and three by the bondholders. With the general
principle of this suggestion the committee are disposed to
agree, and recommend that the- council re-appoint the com-
mittee, with instructions to confer with the company on the
subject; and if it be found that the company is not disposed
to agree to a transfer, or, agreeing thereto, that they propose
terms which are unjust and unreasonable, then your committee
would recommend that the council erect works of its own, or
give its sanction and active co-operation to any new company
which may be formed for supplying the borough of Liverpool
with gas, as the only mode by which the interests of the pub-
lic can be properly protected. As. immediate measures, how-
ever, the committee suggest that the company should be called
upon—
lst.—To make an immediate reduction in the price of gas.
2nd.—To discontinue the manufacture of meters and the
sale of chandeliers and similar fittings.
3rd.—To consent to the appointment of an inspecting engi-
neer, on behalf the consumers, to. be responsible to the coun-
cil, with full powers of access to all departments of the works,
and with instructions to report. thereon periodically ; and,
4th.—To the appointment of offibers, 'also responsible to the
Council, to examine and adjust the meters on behalf of the
consumers, and to.test andrfrom time to time report on the
quality of the gas, the pressure at which it is supplied, and on
. other points necessary to insure protection'to the consumers.
.Mr. KITCHEN moved the adoption of the report, comment-
ing upon its principal features, but making no new statement
.of importance.
Mr. &HEIL seconded the motion.
Mr. Alderman S. HOLAIE, who-viewed the report as a mere
ex parte statement, and was anxious that the Gas Company
should have an opportunity of replying to charges so serious,
moved, as an amendment, that the report be received and
printed, and that a copy be sent to each member of the Coun-
cil, and also to the Gas Company,. and that the report be taken
into consideration at some subsequent meeting of the Council,
together with such reply as the Gas Company may make.
Mr. Alderman BENNETT seconded the amendment.
Mr. GLADSTONE much regretted that the Gas Company bad
withdrawn from the inquiry, and- hoped they would reconsider
that step, as there was a feeling-out of doors which it would.
be impossible to quell without some satisfactory explanation.
Mr. HoENBY thought with Mr. Holme that they would not
be acting fairly by the accused if they decided without waiting
their reply; and the Council would not even be in a position
to decide without having the. opportunity of considering and
digesting the report. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CLINT (one of the special committee), though he had
no objection to Mr. Holme.,s.amendment, denied that the state-
ments were ex parte. They were borne out by the fullest
and clearest evidence.
Mr. BRADLEY was of the same opinion.
After a few words from Mr. Bennett, Mr. KITCHEN. replied,
and, as he had no objection to adopt the amendment of Mr.
Holme, the Council agreed to it.

THE BIRKENHEAD DOCK WORKS AND CHESHIRE
A:IALGAMA.TION.

The following report was submitted to the Council from the
special committee appointed to consider the subject of the
transfer to the Corporation of the docks and property of the
Birkenhead Dock Company, viz. :—That the purchase of the
north reserve has been completed, and your committee submit
to the Council the plans submitted by Mr. John B. Hartley, for
dock works at Birkenhead, together with a resolution of the
Dock Committee• approving those plans as best adapted for the
ksareisetstatthede
commercial purposes of the port, in connection. winirthueertstioloinef
byYour
urr. Liverpool
HartleyD Docks, s
at.
committee
£l7'
recommend e 9 sst m. at e estimated
the cost
Council su h lthvor
aopdfaortlphit,eii
Parliament
ne
novtof
\altsre,eplasanttidoornf
For
ro
tathe complying
ebiioitial
other
rtiitlploiur
ritspliiones ssttaidteon
gtne directed by the
act of last session.

With reference to the proposed amalgamation of Birkenhead
and Claughton, and the district of the Wallasey Board of
Health, with the borough, your committee report that they
have had interviews With gentlemen representing those places ;
and, although the details in respect of such amalgamation will
require careful consideration and adjustment, your committee
recommend that notices should be given of a bill to effect
these objects, the clauses of that bill being subject to the
approval of the Council.
A communication was received by your committee from
several of the principal landowners in the township of Tran-
mere, suggesting the addition of that township to the borough.
But a public meeting of the ratepayers has since been held,
and resolutions adopted objecting thereto ; and your com-
mittee have, therefore, abstained from further considering the
desirableness of such arrangement until the parties more hn-
mediately connected with the township have arrived at a
general agreement on the subject.
Your committee have also conferred with the Health Com-
mittee on the subject of the borough boundaries on the Lan-
cashire side, and have received from that committee the
resolution and report appended thereto.
Reference to the plan mentioned in that report will show
that the proposed additions to the borough are very extensive,
and time has not admitted of the full consideration of so large
a question. As, however, if any alteration of the existing
boundaries involves an application to Parliament in the next
session, and the publication during three weeks in November
of notices of the intention to make such application, the.
Health Committee recommend the publication of such notice,
reserving for further and mature consideration the principle
of such additions, and all the details involved therein. Your
committee must leave the decision of so important a matter
to the Council, not being prepared, with the limited informa-
tion they now possess, to recognise, even by the publication
of a notice, the principle of so large an► addition to the borough,
although they are of opinion that it is necessary to settle and
define accurately the existing boundaries.

JOHN STEWART.

Mr. HORNBY, as chairman of the committee on the Birken-
head Docks, moved the adoption of the report, which pledged
the council to nothing except the preparation of the bills re-
quired for carrying out the objects described. The cost of
the new works which had been approved by the Dock Com-
mittee, was £715,000. This expense, large as it was, was im-
posed upon them by an act of Parliament ; and in the event
of not preparing plans of their own, they must carry out those
of Mr. Bendel for the completion of the Birkenhead Docks.
With regard to the question of adding Birkenhead to Liver-
pool, all they asked now was that they should be authorized to
prepare a plan, and submit it to the Council hereafter. He
thought that it would be better to define accurately and en-
large the boundary of the borough ; but he could not go so far
as the Health Committee advised, as he doubted whether those
districts which the Health Committee proposed to be added
to the borough were at all prepared to become parties to such
a plan.
Mr. J. B. LLOYD seconded the motion.
Mr. DOVER moved, as an amendment, that the recom-
mendations included in the Health Committee's report be
acted upon by Parliamentary notices being given. Of course,
ou the understanding, that beyond giving of the notices, no
action will be taken for the present.
Mr. Jonxsow seconded the amendment.
oe
sHe
ioAde fnstoleenr si oinmai et
sMr.discussion,ppresent
eaindxi nteexiv:pdhreeidcslsifeodilrimtrh.:AlamndsdeelrN:leisar
coetorospieje rt, Mr.
aoa3t,
cated the propriety of proceeding with the application to
Parliament, on a vote being taken, Mr. Dover'a amendment
was carried by a majority of 30.