The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-15 00:00:00

3irmingham,

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nted;

gas was m

at the

railway

it he had "no doubt
citizens of Chester that. they would hot
they would be well supported. Wear,

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that , the amalgamation v
better position than they wer(
and added t'

it-they had sup-
t to have done,

npany as they oug
lion would never have beet

ipet of amalgam-

Mr. Hicklin, while he did not at all deny that there
was a strong, feeling, in the city against the amalgamation,
reminded the council that the memorialists scarcely
represented one-fifth of the gas consumers of the city.
The total number of gas consumers was about 2,500, and
the memorials were signed by rather below 500. It should
not be lost sight of that the memorials had been signed
under a strong conviction that the intention of the amal-
gamation was to raisa the price of gas: (Hear, hear.)
Now, that point was conceded. There was to be no
advance, and wh:,.n the city understood that fact he thought
it very likely that there would not be the feeling against
the amalgamation which had been already witnessed. For
his own part he was inclined to think that the consumers
would gain very considerable advantages from the amalga-
tion. If the ratepayers were likely to be called upon to
pay one penny more than they did then, he would be no
party to the arrangement, but he belived it would be an
arrangement for the general benefit of the city. The
present state of things he arghted could not go on long.
Mr. Jones declared that there was no sympathy felt in
Chester for the old gas company; and urged that the
voice of a public meeting should be taken.
Mr. Peacock supported the principle of amalgamation ;
but, at the same time, had no objection to adopting the
amendment proposed by Mr. Cutter, in order that the
public should have a full opportunity of considering the
merits of the case.
The Mayor said it was evident that the signers of the
memorials were under the impression that the price of
gas was about to be raised, which was not the case, and
which he never would have supported. Great stress was
laid upon the fact of the coal-fields being so close to
Chester, but he reminded the meeting that' Lan-
cashire cannel was partly used in the manufacture,
which cost double as much, and involved the cost of
transport. As regarded: the dread of monopoly, the
amalgamation would only place the united companies
in the position of the old company, and would be just as
• liable to be met with opposition if they displeased the
citizen. _ _ _ _ .

Air. W. M. Williams supported Mr. Cutter's amend-
ment, and objected to passing the resolution now in the
face of so many memorials. _ _

Mr. Edwards opposed the amalgamation, and especially
objected to the amount of capital. He contended that
the amalgamation was as serious a thing for till city of
Chester as a man taking a wife. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
They might depend upon it they would'have to take the
companies for better for worse, and if they found it was
all for worse it would be too late t o complaia,(laughter).
They roust then keep them in sickness or in health (laugh-
ter.) He did not see why this was to be done merely
because the companies were..not making ten'per cent. A
man who kept a shop could not prevail upon his custom-
ers to pay him a higher price for his goods by appealing
to theln On the ground•that he *was only making five per
cent. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Potts thought the amalgamation was the best thing
which could happen under the circumstances, but he
agreed in the propriety of postponing the question until
the next council meeting.
Some ether members having expressed a similar opinion,
and the general feeling of the council appearing to be in
iavour of a postponement, the motion was withdrawn,
and Mr. Cutters amendment allowbd to pass unani-
mously.
the names of Messrs. Cotter, Edwards, and Williams,
were added to the committee.
After getting through some routine business, the
council adjourned.

Omer Pacha is daily expected at Constantinople.
The armistice throughout the Crimea was proclaimed on
the Ist of March.
There is a' talk of Sir E. Lyons being sent, as minister,
to Constantinople soon after the peace is finally concluded.
VIENNA, Thursday.—A despatch from Constantinople, via
Semlin, states that Kalil Pacha brother-in•law of the
Sultan, is dead.

BERLIN, Thursday.—M. Manteuffel leaves Berlin for
oa Fri,lay night or Saturday morning.
The
nvitation of Pruosia to the C .nferences was especially
prompted by the fact, that the discussion of the treaty of
the Dardanelles, of 1841, in which she took a part, is to be
began forthwith. It is evident that the points, the rejec-
tion of which could lead to a reaewal of the war, have
already been definitely arranged.