The Express.
London, England, 1859-12-02 00:00:00

SUPPLY OP U4l TO THE MATROPOLLS.

IMPUTATION TO TIM 11101 IN 111011ITAN7.
YOOMT4a d;kii_OlN.fortra the lieu* Ydear
aid boards oYffie imarTisheilir to Rs eempcsitits
to that which attended balm the President at the Board of
Trade on the previous day, waited appointment arm the
Bight Ron. Sir 0. C. Lewis, at the
The deputation MALONIIOI4 by Sir J. V. 81ILLIT
M.P., who explained al ,diftwil the points at hens bowman:,
pgrcs companies and the representatives of the pariabee.
t3eeelUy It was the object of the parishes to posers the
passing of an act for the regulation of the companies which
should flz the pries and quelity ei the gas, and introduce
Soto the sots al the companies established signior to 1841
most of the.. salutary provisions for the protect* of the
mineerner which had bean insisted upon by the legislature in
all the moat recent gas sou. As the vestries, however, au
peered to be cambia to vote any money out of the rates for
the pupas, of contesting these points, the intervention of
the goverment was prayed, in a manner similar to that is
which they interposed In the matter of the metropolis water
supply of 1862.
Mr. J. Locke, Q.C., M.P.; Mr. RoupeU, M.P. ; Dr.
Bachhoffner, and Mr. J. Baal, having followed to the same

Sir C. Lewis said—l have no reason to doubt that you
have stated your cams fairly; but it is impoesible for me to
expreee en opinion upon it until I have heard both sides.
You have certainly stated it with great clearers, and have
enabled as to understand very distinctly the positka of the
question. With regard to the companies, I think en cope-
ririfiCel hoe shown that where companies haring s large fixed
capital and a large and expositive plant come into compe-
tition—if that competition is actively and vigorously sup-
ported—it generally Is carried on to the ruin of one or other
of ham. It is altogether different from competition in retail
troth which is generally of a wholesome and, so to opeek,
tolerable character. Lome companies go on competing
till the effect which I have pointed out is partially produ.
sad then the result is a compromise—they sem to divide the
districts, sad tat creates amonopoly of the daecripdon of which
you complain. That hat been perceived by the legislature,
end an attempt has therefore been mate, in some cams,
to flea maximum rate of charge. In the case of railways,
for instance, the legislature does not trust to the influence- of
competinon to secure the public against extravagant charges
for carriage; but it must be observed that whenever to
charge is thod, unlearn the maximum be very high, there is
alwa s dancer toosaiventemee arlifag. Poe example, the
• men
rote to be charged by cabs and
hackney canines in the metropolis. Well, it happened
that hang the Crhneen war when the priori of forige was
high, it woe with very great'diflimilty that that scale could
be maintained, although now, when prices are low, it is
sufficiently remunerative. However, If the principle of com-
petition be abandoned in the supply of gas to the mettopolis,
I apprehend that any protection to the 030811311111 r must arise
from some price being Axed by std Parliament. That might
be done by the legislature, and them might she he given the
additional safety-valve, which has been pointed out, of a power
to the Board of Trade to minor lower the price, according to
the dreamiest:as of production. Looking to the precedent
of the Water Supply hot, sad the difficulty which certainly
exists in the metropolis, owing to its immense extent end the
maltiplicity of interests involved, there would be, I think, a
pried foes ground for the government to consider the gins-
day and perhaps to take it in hind. But just let toe ask
with regard to the water supply, how were the rates fixed P
Wu there a general rate for the whole metropolis, or were
there separate rates for each company P
Mr. Boaz. said that there were separate ratan
Sir G. C. Lewis thought that it would greatly complicate
the matter If separate rates were to be fixed for the different

•
geeCOMINSDIft.
Mr. Hu ones said that in the water ewe the rates were in
a greet degree made dependent upon the distance which the
warier was brought ; but there would be no necessity fur such
• distinction in the use of gas.
die G. C. Lewis remarked that before the Water Act was
pored there had been • preliminary inquiry before a com-
mittee, and a report to the house. Had the present depute-
thin any proof of the exisiesce of a grievance P He did not
for • moment doubt the accuracy of the statements which
had bean made ; but if the government took the matter in
head they must proceed upon authentic evidence.
Ile Loots referred to the evidence taken before the com-
mittees of 1858 and 1859, and contended that although not
complete it made out an ample use for the interference of
UN'S!" rantreaLle said that if the movers is the present
matter bed fends they could lay • complete sus before the
government.
Mr. Beat. observed that the companies were a rich and
powerfel body. They bad expended thou 6,000 i. fa maid-
mg the measures of the parishes, whilst the parish.' in two
and a half yearn bad not expended mare thars7ool, the greater
portion of that being in panting. He bad satisfactory sal-
bmtoe to show that for the publie.lightleg alone the companies
extracted 60,0001. • yearuotie from the parishes than Injustice
they were entitled to.
Mr. Wvare liernentary spot) said that though ha
was sofpsepud to give any official Intimation of the fact,
he believed that the oompthies were willing to discuss the
quondam, end ova to monde that some legislation wee none-
eery. This wee almost tantamount to agreeing to the
pessable of the bal.
Mr 0. C. Lewis embed if the delegates had bad any com-
munication with the Metropolitan Board of Work.?
Mr. Beau replied that they bed, but the board had no
jeristlictke. They approved, however, of the bill.
BO G. C. Lewis said that he had alieedy been requested
by the reoreitentatieth of the gas companies to receive • de-
putation. Hs should' now communicate with them, and
when he bad beard their views he should be better able to
state what course the government would take. He would
oleo communicate with the President of the Board of Trade
on the subject.
The deputation, who appeared highly gratified with the
result of their interview, which Bated nearly an hour and •
half, then thanked air George for the courtesy with which he
bad received them, and withdrew.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE IN SCOTLAND.—At
meeting of the established presbytery of Edinburgh, held on
Wednesday, the question of Sabbath observance came under
etecurion. A petition, or memorial, was some time ego
presented to the Lord Provost and magistrates, wherein it
was set forth that the petitioners, having bed their atten-
' non called to the large and increasing number of shops
kept open on the Sebboth, could not but regret this
circumstance, which Medved a systematic violation
of the law of God. The presbytery ventured to
hope that the matter would receive the conoideration
which It required, and that the council would take such
measures ss the laws of the country placed at their
disposal. The memorial submitted to counsel by the magi*.
trans concluded with the following queries :-1. What id the
existing law of Scotland in regard to the observance of the
Sabbath day, particularly in regard to preventing the keeping
of chops open fur the prosecution of tenni traffic. 2. How
may the law be enforced, and what are the duties of the
magienittee in relation thereto? The opinion of °puppet was
es
follows :—Opinion 1. 1 am of opinion that keeping open
shop for the sale of goods on Sunday falls under the pron.
non of the act 1661, s. IS. against "using soy sorts of
merchandiae," and the subsequent acids for perpetuating
and enforcing that sad previous statutes against profaning the
Sabbath ; and that this offence may be prosecuted, and
visited with the statutory penally of 101. Soots., orimprieon-
ment on failure to pay the flue. But I think a conviction
ought not to follow when the party seethed csu plead exist-
ing urge, or necessity, in a reasonable sense of
that term, as in the eels of druggist., and pro-
bably some other trades. 2. By the act 1696, c. 31, the
offence in question may be prosecuted before sheriffs or ma.
arbitrates of burghs at the bathos of any pompon whatsoever.
Th. only duty which is made icoumbent upon the maos-
irate. under the statutes is that of trying persona who shall
be prosenesd hews them.
STOE6IIIOOI4B' SHORT-TINE MOVEMENT. —On
Wednesday night • meeting of stoneteasmie was held at
Whitworth, near Rochdale, Mr. John Turnbull being voted
to the chair. The meeting was addressed by Ide4ra. Hoyle,
West, end Preetley, end it wee stated that it was the wish of
the =sone to obtain, by amicable neat', the relio•tise of
the hours of labour from ten to nine hours per diem : end an
aggregate mistier of the trade in Rochdale and the !Istvan*.
bag district ore, derided on.

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