The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-19 00:00:00

METROPOLIS OAS.

A meeting of parochial delegates took place last
evening, in the Vestry-room, Bt. James's, Piweiilly, for the
purpose of reporting and considering the present position of
the bill now before parliament for regulating the supply of
ps in the metropolis. Mr. LANGLEY (St. Olave, Southwark)
in the chair.
The honorary secretary, Mr. Bent, read a report, which
gave an account of the proceedings in the House of Com-
mon, with regard to the bill now before that house, and
which bill was referred to a select committee. The report
stated that a compromise was offered and refused—that the
committee met en the present and the previous day, when
they went through the clauses, and agreed that common gas
should be charged ss. 6d., and candle gas 7s. 6d., but that in
no case should the present charges be raised without the con-
sent of the Secretary of State. He (Mr. Bed) then informed
the delegates that, although the committee was decidedly
hostile to them on the previous day, their opinions were
much modified to-day, and made • special report that in
case no legislation on the subject took plaice this session, the
government should themselves take up the matter next
year. He did not despair, however, of having a compro-
mise effected by their agreeing to the prices regulated by
the committee after nineteen days, and if that be so, a bill
might yet be passed. They were formidable antagonists to
contend with, representing many millions of capital, who
were determined to oppose the bill at every stage, so that if
• satisfactory settlement could be arrived at, it would be
more to their advantage.
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Beal whether the companies
were allowed to pay their ten per cent, dividend.
Mr. Beat replied in the affirmative.
Mr. DAMEN (St. George's, Hanover-square) thought the
public were giving up everything and getting nothing in
return, and be for one was of opinion that they should
abandon the till. They spent a large sum of money in
attaining their object, but had utterly and entirely failed.
Under those circumstances he moved that the bill be
abandoned.
Mr. Sesuron (Lambeth) seconded the motion, observing
that he had paid a greet deal of attention to the subject.,
and from the extraordinary change which had taken place
in the minds of the committee in favour of the companies
he believed they had no chance whatever of passing the bill
into a law.
Mr. Bererotacci (St. George's, Hanoversquare) had
guaranteed the payment of 2,500 f. to carry on the contest
against the companies, but after what had occurred be saw
no hope whatever of success. With such prices as ss. 6d.
and 7s. fid. it would be useless to make a proposal in his
vestry that the guarantee he had mentioned should be
carried into effect, and therefore he thought it would be
better to give op the bill.
Mr. BEAL pointed out to the meeting the neonsity of
their being very cautious in what they did, and not to be too
precipitate in a matter of such great importance. He con-
tended that the bill might still be made • good one, and
that even as it now stood it contained many excellent pro-
visions. If they retired from parliament with • bed grace,
a committee of the House of Commons might say, You
abandoned your bill last year and shall not be permitted to
proceed again." They had made very good arrangements as
regarded the companies with • view to prevent many of the
evils which now existed, and on the whole he thought they
bad better accept the bill as it would be settled by the com-
mittee. If it be rejected, the government would them-
selves being in a bill to regulate gas in the metropolis, but
in his opinion the consumers of gas would be better off if
the bill now before the House of Commons be adopted.
With these views he moved, as • temporising rather than •
decisive measure, that the honorary secretary, the hono-
rary.engineer, and the parliamentary agent, beauthorised to
receive any suggestion affecting price on the basis of the bill
as reported to the hones on the 25th June, and if in their
opinion, and that of Sir J. V. Shelley, and Mr. Ayrton and
3fr. Locke, the bill as then altered is acceptable, they be
authorised to accept the same ; if not, that they be
I instructed to withdraw it.
Mr. ELDREDGE (St. Pancras) seconded the amendment.
Some discussion took place, in the course of which various
opinions were espreased regarding the proposition of Mr.
Beal ; and several gentlemen appeared to think that the
best course they could adopt would be to accept the measure
now before the hour, whilst others were emphatic in their
I objection to a bill which (though they were originally in•
. dined to rapport it) they now opposed on the ground that
it had been too much altered to render it • fair represen-
tation of the wishes of three who desired • legislative enact-
ment en the subject.
The amendment was ultimatelyv put and carried, and the
it resolution
lutioreen wallolutineorstiwere then passed, expressing
thanlos to various members of parliament, and to public
journals for their general advocacy of the cause, and the
sisstdsg saparata.