The Express.
London, England, 1849-12-04 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 4, 1849.

Within No mike of the Genital Postage there were '
12,009 persons, male and female, engaged is Sunday stied
teaching, having about a quarter of a million children ender
their instruction. Did all these mime pledge %hammiest Or
total abstinence, it could not be doubted that a vast inspires-
don would be mad. upon the drinking part of the comma-
city. (Chests.)
The CHAIRMAN briefly addressed the meeting by way
of terminating the proceedings, and expressed Ids belief that
if Sabbath echoed teachers generally adored the principle of
total abstinence, an impression would thus be produced on
the minions of religion, many asthma, he regretted to say,
wen even hostile to the movement. As regarded the reso-
lution proposed and seconded, though it had been determined
not to have any resolution, he should have no objection to
put that which had been submitted.
The resolution was then put and carried, with one dimes-
tient—the party dissenting being a woman.
The meeting then dispensed.

mei whereas the Central Company would not be nosy
for six or seven months. He mated that the commissionms,
is considering this subject, would not lose sight of one im-
portant point—the taking up of the pavement. He was
quite sure that wherever it was stirred, it would have to be
taken up, not ones, but two or three times.
A Ileum& of the court asked whether the proposal to
roduee to U. was conditional on the Contra Company

thawing their bill ?
Mean. BATEMAN and GRAY said that it woe miaow
ditionel.
Mr. C. PEARSON, M.P., said ft was ea extraordinary
proof of the rapidity of modern megrims that the (mistier)
gee companies had in so short • time come down in their
prices from 15s. the 1,000 feet to 4*., although they had,
within nine months, stated positively that the latter pries
would leave no profit. What were the facts with which they
had to deal ? Two wealthy companies had, in the early
days of gee lighting, embarked their money in the enter
prise In 1810 the Chartered Gm Company was called
into existence, end obtained a charter for 12
years, it being the practice at the resent day Ito
give exclusive privileges as a reward for spirited enterprise
only for a limited period. The company had long since
realised all the reward contemplated by the public. The
other company, the City of London, was called into existence
by thou hig► prices-15e. the 1,000 feet. They were not
an incorporated company, merely a common partnership at
first, but when they had obtained permission of the then
commission of sewers to lay down their mains, they went to
parliament for powers to borrow money. The commisenners,
however, required that there should be in their act a clause
empowering them (the commissioners) to buy up the plant
on the expiration of the term agreed on. Mr. Gray has
referred to what was called the " Cosgrove compact," the
nature of which was not, perhaps, generally known.
According to a letter of Sir Wm. Conceive, which he held
in his hand, that compact was to secure to the City company all
the advantages then in their possession free from the caprice
of outclass. or the exertions of rivals, and to concentrate
their operations within a given district. In fact, to give
them a complete monopoly within a certain portion of the
City. In return for the they were to supply their dilative
with good gas at • moderate rate, subject to rearrangement,
as circumstances might change. It appe trod, then, that the
Conpreve compact bad two sides, and if both had been ob-
served there would have been no necessity for his
(Mr. Pearson's) presence there that dey. But they had
made it unilateral, they bad preserved their monopoly, but
had tailed to preserve their quail y or ti adjust their prices.
He eked the citizens of Landon, were they prepared any
longer to submit to that secret compact ? (Hear.) What be
contended for was that the citizens of London were entitled
to gas at a much lower price and of better quality than at
present. In the year 1823 the Chartered Gas Company
went to parliament for new powers, and they contrivid pri-
vately and wilsout any Douce to get the buying-up clause
removed from their bill. The chute, however, remained in
the act of the Dorsehstreet Company, so that the enntnls-
sinners miost buy up their mains wh they pleased.
He was pleased to find that competition had brought down
the price of gas from 15s, to 41., but they should have it for
3§. before another year. (Cheers) Mr. Gray said it was
all very well for the chartered company to reduce Prim in
the City, because they could indemnify themselves is the
other districts. Re (Mr. Pearson) very much doubted
whether the inhabitants of the Strand would acquiesce in
such an arrangement. (near, hear.) He should now call
the attention of the court to what had been effected in
vari us parts of England by means of competition. In 1647
Mr. Hume moved for certain returns of the coat of gas in
various towns in England during the period extending from
1826 to 1846, and from theee he (Mr. Pearson) bad selected
• taw towns which would show that in every case where
price had been reduced profits bad increased, and consump-
tion had been nearly doubled. He found the figures to
Amorrom-case-Less— t 112 1648.
d. t. s. d.
Price ot gas ... 012 0 0 6 9
Capital 17,000 0 0 49,000 0 0
Dividend None. 0 13 4 in 1829, t 6 Be.
Coals..per ton 010 9 019 3
BATH—
pries ofge 0 11 0 0 7 0
Capita
Dividend 4 0 9 6 0 0
Goals 0 14 0 019 0
BUIMIN011•111 avenge after
Price of gm Ol2 0 0 3 81 dewing dim.
count.

CITY COURT OF SEWERS.—SUPPLY OF GAS
TO THE CITY.
Yesterday a court of the City Commission of
Sewers was held in the Council-chamber, Guildhall, to hear I
from the various parties interested statements relative to the
supply of gas to the City of London, and also to take into com-
stelentson the proposal of the Central Gas Consumers' Area I
elation to supply the citizens with gas at a cheaper rate than,
that charged by existing companies. There wax • very fall
attendance of commiaioners, and the body of the court was
densely crowded.
The presentation of petitions in favour of the Central Gas,
Consumers Association occupied fully three quarters of
an hour. It will be sufficient to say that they came '
from 168 out of 111 parishes into which the city of.
London is divided, and were signed by 9,800 householders,
comprising nearly all the great merchants and trade!, of the
City. Ot the three parishes not represented, one (St. Peter's
le Stocks) is entirely covered by the buildings of the B .ok
of England. The announcement of each petition, with the
number of signatures attached, generally comprisiog two-
thirds of the housenolders of each parish, elicited loud cheer-
ing from the meetir g, until
Alderman SIDNEY rose to order. He said it was cos.
tomary, when the public IMO permitted to be present at the
wettings of the corporation, to listen in silence. He I
trusted
that there would be no more interruption to the proceedings
of the court.
Petitions were presented from the two existing EIS wok
ponies, the City Cimpiny and the Chartered Gas Company,
defending themselves from the various charges that had be..
brought *genet them, and contending that the trade of the
City would be interrupted and the cost of the pavement
much increased by permitting any new company to lay down
mains. Petitioners, in conclusion, offend to supply the frith
rens from Christmas next at the rate of 4s. the 1,0 .0 feet.
(The offer was received by the meeting with hisses ae.d cries
of " Ton late.")
Mr. Deputy HARRISON then presented the petition.
After a rather noisy discussion as to which of the contend-
leg parties should be heard first,
Mr C. PEARSON said he bad the honour to represent
the Central Consumers ATIOTiAtiOIt, who had chosen him as
their spokesman, but he should prefer hearing the represew
tatives of the existing companies previous to making his
statement.
Alderman SIDNEY asked whether the company repre-
sented by Mr. Pearson was incorporated or not?
Mr. C. PEARSON said it was as much • corporation,
although not quite so old, as the corporation of the City of
London. (Laughter
Mr. JOHN DILLON said he was anxious to address a
few words to the court. He had presided in February last
at a meeting ef citizens who ware consumista of gas, and con-
sequently he came into direct communication with the two
existing gas companies. A' the meeting to which he alluded
the feeling was unanimous that a r-duc.ion in price
gasan imrovement in theualit of the
was loudlyp called for and might beg
ottainy ed. (Hear,
hear.) Previous to that period he should state that the City
having been divided between two companies, the supply of
gas, now actually a necessary of life, had become a complete
monopoly, and ni ither company had ever, except on compul-
sion, made any reduction in price to the citizens. Complaints
were also made as to the quality of the article supplied, and
it was held and h lieved that there were special reasons coo-
nected with the City of London which should make the sup-
ply there cheaper, and not dearer than elsewhere. A com-
mittee was appointed at the meeting alluded to, of which he
was elected chairman—and here he begged to make one re.
mark, and that was, that the meeting was called without the
slightest view of promoting the interests of any new corn.
I pane, the only object being the legitimate one of oh-
-1 tamping for the citizens of London • cheaper sup-
' ply of gas. (Hear. bear.) In consequence of a resolution
passed at the meeting, • deputation waited successively en
the two companies. By one they were received with market
discourtesy, but both postponed giving any sus
until after
I the 13th March. (The deputation waited on them on the
21st February.) In the mean time the new company sprung
up, and presenting itself to the committee, entered into a
treaty for et e cheep supply of the city. On the 12th March
they (the deputation) received letters from both the existing
companies. One said that they were in communication
with the court of sewers and could treat with no other body,
and the other declined giving any &sewer. Having received
these eosins replies, the committee turned to the central
associatioe, and passed a resolution recommending the adop-
tion of their proposals. He spoke merely as chairman of the
committee, and had only further to say that he and the com-
mittee had given their approval to the new company, from a
conviction of the advantage of competition, being assured
that ncthiog but apprehension h.d elicited the present pro.
pout to reduce the price to 4s. He greatly feared the
stability of offi rs made under such circumstances. (Hear.)
Mr. LAMBE (who had presented the petition from
Ilishopogate ward) earnestly pressed upon the court the
adoption of the petitions. Re believed that if the poor could
get gas at a cheap rate it would greatly add to their health
and comfort. (Hear, hear.)
The Clerk here read • letter front the Commercial Gas
Company offering to submit their tariff to the revision of the
Board of Trade.
Mr. R. A. GRAY, as representative of the City Gas Com-
pany, TO/0 to address the court. He wished, in the first in-
stance, to all attention to the very peculiar position in
which the City Gas Company was placed, Much had been
acid about monopoly and the compart existing between the
Chartered and City companies, but he could show that that
was an arrangement to which the City Company were un-
willing parties. Their (the City Company's) act gave them
power over London, Southwark, and the adjacent liberties
—in fact, very extensive powers, but they were compelled by
Sir William Congreve to come into a certain arrangement.
Their wish was to adhere to their act, but being threatened
by Sir Will they came into his proposal with gteat re.
lacunas. Sir William urged that he had already entered
into arrangements with three cowponies, and that any
residence by the fourth would be quite out of
the question. He (Mr. Gray) mentioned this to show that
the compact was forced upon the City Company. The re-
sult was, that they were forced into a small district. Co-
taint) they derived a profit from the district ; but where was
the man who would not wish to do so when he embarked
his capital ? Even although they were awned of deriving
an enormous profit, was that any reason why their pro-
perty should be at once destroys; ? Why, it might be ruin
to them. (Laughter.) Aye, they might laugh, but it was
no laughing matter. (Continued laughter.) The other
company was in a better condition to reduce their prints, as
they could make up in the out districts what they lost in the
City. (Hear, bear.) They (the City Company) bad been
accused of discourtesy ; but some little allowance should be
made for the state of their (whop when the deputation
called. (A laugh.) They had been accused of supplying
bed gas in insufficient quantities; and, still worse, it was
insinuated that their meters were erroneous. On that point
they moat* parliament, and he believed the conclusion arrived
at was, that although the quality might not be good, yet
that the quantity was fairly meted out. It would be in the
recollection of the court, that when asked to reduce their
price, they had refrained from giving an answer, but asked
whether, if they consented to be a thousand, the consumers
would withdraw their bill, and the answer was, that no pro-
mise of that sort could be entered into. Mr. Dillon gave
that answer. He (Kr. Gray) was ready to admit, that at
the present time, when but small rats were derived from ,
trade, it was quite natural that the citizens should wish to
have the price of gas reduced. He found that in the City'
of London 17,000 persons contributed to the consolidated
rates, while only 6,000 were consumers of gas. He found
that their company supplied 2.500,000 feet, being about
44,000 to each consumer. At 6.. per 1,000, that would
be 10 guineu per annum each, and at 45., 8 gui-
neas. The question was, whether the difference would
compensate for the increase in the rates. Then
as to the pavement. He did not Know whether the present
surveyor concurred in the upset made when the British Gas
Company asked for leave to lay their mains, but then it was
decided that it was impend sale to lay their mains at night.
Every one knew that there were many risks attendant on
the manufacture of gas, but there were other risks with
which the public were not
1 so
0801ge10s . nerally acquainted in con-
. In
June, 1841, they had to pay ~ 2d. damages
segues's of the beating of ens of their pipes. These were
I things that should be considered in estimating the profits.
I He had only to say farther that they were now prepared to
reduce the prism to 4s. (Laughter, and " Too law.") He
knew that motivee might be imputed to them, but no trades-
man liked to make reductions in►
his prices until compelled.
They all liked good profits, and held by them as long as they
mould. (Laughter.) He made this proposal to preserve their
district from competition. They had been told that the lose
on reduction of price would be made up by increased con-
sumption; but when they reduced from 7s. to 61. they
made a loss of 6,0001. a year, and had given notice to the
roperty tax commissioners of their reduction of income.
He had nothing further to say except to express his hope
that the cffer he had made would be favourably received
by the court, and would preserve the district of the City
ampany from competition.
Kr. BATEMAN, Chairman of the Chartered Gas Com-
pany, as suffe:ing from a recent domestic affliction, would
We.absented himself ; but, representing as he did the
~sporty of 1,000 shareholders, many of whom were entirely
depamilest on their dirkends for support, he felt bound to
attend 6111 evert for the purpose of offering a few
obeervationa. He complained that the Central Company
had 000111011 &OM Oft earning Se., when they had come
down to N. TINT lel declined to give Mr. Dillon'e depu-
tation an mower, beams they considered they were pledged
to give the Court of Sewers the first intimation of any change
in pekoe. Mr. Hilton had alluded to the instability of their
present proposal; but he trusted that the character of the
Chartered Gas Company was sufikteat guarantee for any
promise they made. By the proposal they now made, of
supplying at 45., they were putting the consumers in a better
position than the Cetrral Company could do, as they pro-
posed that their reduction should commence from Christmas

(Apical 120,000 0 0 240,000 0 0 '
Dividend 5 0 0 10 0 0
Coale 0 4 0 0 10 9
r
Liman Yous— Price to be e-
Price of pc Oll 3 06 0 t duced to ss.
- _ _
In 1847.

Capital 15,000 0 0
leividead 4 0 0
Coals lO 3
BUST. LAlOOOOllllll—.
Price st gas „ 010 0
Arid 3 6,500 0 0
nd
Coals 1 0 0
CUALT11101•11
Price cel
Cam
15,000
41 9 0
C
Dividend
Coals 0 17 0
Mesa— 014 of a Ol4 0
Capital
Dividand 3 IS 0
Coals 0 17 0
Exams
Pelee of pa
Capital
7 10 0
coma 1 4 0
Usursx
Price otos— 0 9 6
Capital 15,000 0 0
Dividend 4 0 0
lll'
0 15 0
Prim ef gm
Capital 11,714 0 0
Dividend 3 10 0
Coals l3 0
Lamm
Price of res 0 10 0
Capital 20,000 0 0
Divilend
Coals 0 9 9
LITELPOOL--
Vital am_ 12 6
60,0 00
0 0
Dividend
Coale 0 iS 4
Demo Rant Context—
Price of ps 2 5 0
Capital 119,000 0 0
Dividend II 0 0

45,000 0 0
10 0 0
0 9 0

0 T 6
6,500 0 0
15 0 0
1 3 10

o 4 84
17,000 0 0
8 10 0
0 17 0

0 7 G
11.000 0 0
7 0 0
0 17 0

0 7 6
40,000 0 0
10 0 0
1 3 0

0 4 6
15,000 0 0
8 0 0

0 G 8
11,712 0 0
8 0 0
0 11 0

O 4 6
71,000 0 0
15 0 0
0 10 0

0 4 6
200,000 0 0
10 0 0
0 13 I

0 4 6
160,100 0 0
10 0 0

mascosms-
-0 14 0
Price of gas—
GLOW 63,00D 0 0
Disideorl l3 15 •
Cosh
Nornsomah—
Pries of gas 0 10 0
CApital 16,000 0 0
Diskhad 4 3 0
Cash 0 10 10
Oman—
Prise of gas-, 1 1 0
Capital lB,OOO 0 0
Capri
7 10 0
Cods 1 6 0

0 5 11
2115,000 0 0
15 15 0
• 15 •

O 4 6
42,400 0 0
10 0 0
O S 9

0 10 0
16,000 0 0
9 10 0
1 6 0

Worsatuairroi—
Price of pas
0 15 0 0 5 0
Capital_
3 15 0 15 0 0
Coals OlO 0 0 9 II
So it would appear that if the City Company had eon-
vented to reduce they would have made a regular California
diagiog of their district. (A laugh.) It would also be ob-
served that the increased profit had not depended on the
price of coals, as when the Birmingham Company had re-
duced their price to 3s. Bd. the pries of coals had risen to
16e. 9d. the ton. He contended that if Birmingham could
be supplied at 3e. Std., London ought to be served at 2.. the
1,000. (A. laugh.) He denied that he had any personal
motive in ruing up the Central Company ; his object was
merely to obtain cheap light for the citizens of London, and
Me had many years since put his views on the subject. (Mr.
re Pearson he read a paper prepared by him in 1839, urging
the necessity of a reduction in the price of gas.) The new
company now same before the ormunia,ion to carry out his
views.
The CHAIRMAN submitted that Mr. Pearson had made
out his ease. He need not say any more. (A Igoe.)
Mr. PEARSON said that he had not yet done. He com-
plained that Mr. Ty rrel, who was secretary at once to the
Commission of Sewers and the City Oas Company, had sent
round circulars to the various gas companies in England soli-
citing their assistance in (Trois, the Central Companies' Bill.
Bat that was not all. Mr. Tyree! had prepared a petition
to parliament alleging that the comissioners had full
powers to allow any company to openm the mains if they
thought fit, and that therefore there was no need on the
part of any new company to apply to parliament.
The Central company had a subscribed capital of 160,0001.
which would enable them to lay pipes and to erect works.
Iron was never known to be so cheap, and they had now
tenders in for 70,0001. worth of pipes. They had bought
the necessary land, and the pipes could be laid down in two
months, and by June next they would be able to compete
with the existing companies nut only In the private but the
public lights. Some doubt had been cast on their calcula-
tions, but he was ready to pledge himself that not a trench
should be touched until half the capital was paid up. As to
the inconvenience of raising the pavements, upon which so
much stress bad been laid, was it to be supposed that 9,800
citizens did not know what would and what would not be
inconvenient to them ? He bad asked experienced
persons whether they could not be raised at
night, and had aocertaimed that they could without the
slightest inconvenience. The representatives of the old com-
panies were, no doubt, very considerate, but he could in-
form them that the Central had got two-thirds of their
customers and had 6,000 esntracts to take gss at 45. for five
years. In June they would be able to deliver at 4s. before
*helper was out at 3s. 6d., and before two ran at 24. the
1,000. (Cheers.) He had only to say further, that he did
not intend to remain connected with the company a moment
longer than was nemesia-7 to get it fairly into operation.
At the conclusion of Mr. Pearson's observations the court
was adjourned to Friday next.

- - - -
GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR OP SCHOOLS IN SCOT-
LAND.-11r. Gordon, the Govemo.ent Inspector of Schools
for the Church of Scotland, has resigned that office, on being
appointed Secretary to the Eineation Committee and
Inspector of the Schools of the General Assembly'. Kr.
Gorden does not enter on the duties of his new situation
until January next. —Scotsman.
POACHERS.—The Stamford Mercury says:—' It
was stated at the meeting of the improvement commissioners
on Tuesday last, that there are in Stamford seventeen men
known to the polies who live entirely by poaching and
plunder. They are well provided with snares, dogs, and all
the apparatus for taking game; and when they go oat they
are dressed so much alike as to render it impossible to
identify them except by their foetuses. They are supposed
to pick up a very good living from the neighbouring woods
and proems."