The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-23 00:00:00

PARLIAMEATART INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF LORDS, TUESDAY, Fes. 22.
Hr. Adrian, from the Treseury, p-esented Accounts of his
Majesty's casual Revenue, dur'ng the 'era 1T24 ; and copies of all
eases r ed and certified by the Commissioners of the Scotch
Assessed Taxes; also Accounts of the various arrears and balances
iii the hands of the Amato t n:. General; and Accounts of salaries
and allowances to the Rice sera General of Taxes, for the services
of me you 1112 e.
Lewd SUFFIELD moved, that the House be summoned fur
Thorselay Dem, with reference to his motion respecting aprieg
guns; and their Leselehips were ordered to be summoned ac-
eordiegly.
CATHOLIC ESIANCIPATION.
kb' Earl of JDONOUGH MORE sate, that his Noble Friend
((Lori Suffield) had moved, that the House be summoned on
Thursday next, on that day rte (Lord Doneuehmore) should pre-
' - Cent *petition from the Roman Catholics of Ireland, playing for
i *thaw Emancipation.
'lke Marquis of LANSDOWN said, that he should, on the
male day, present a similar petition from the merchants, barkers,
and landholders of the city of Dublin.
The House then adjourned.
HOUSE OF COMMOrtr7TUESDAY, Fes. 22.
The Speaker took the Chair precisely at four o'clock, and the
'lease proceeded to business.
A number of private Bills were read a second time, and ordered
se be zaaamined.
ST. KATHARINE'S DOCK.
)lr. LITTLETON presented a petition from G. 11. Hoare,
against the Bill for the constmetion of St. Katharine's Dock.—
Read, and ordered to be laid upon the table.
Mr. C. CALVERT presented a petition from James Acton, of,
ussell.moave, a minor, stating, that petitioner's property would
be ruined if the Bill passed for the construction of St. Kathariue's
Lode—Revd, and ordered to be laid upon the table.
Mr. MANNING presented a petition from the Lenion Dock I
Company. agajpst the Bill for the construction of St. Katheritle's
Dock.
. EQUITABLE LOAN BANK.
MI. C. CALVERT pressened a petition from the pawnbrokers,
egarewn die Bill foe the establidement of the Equitable Loan Dank. I
s k petitioners prayed to he bend by Counsel at the bar of the
11411144. —Petition read, andesdeved to be laid upon the table.
• MINING COMPANY.
Mr. P. MOORE presented a petition for the incorporation of the
Welsh Coal and Mining Company.—Read, and ordered to be laid
upon the tat, •
OIL GAS COMPANY.
Mr. Alderman BRIDGES presented a petition from the City
of Loudon Coal Gas Company, egainst the Bill before the House
tor the establiAm'ent of an Oil Gas Company.
Mr. S. WHITBREAD moved, that the Bill before the House
for the incorporation of the 0:1 Gas Company should be read a
see end time.
Mr. P. MOORE moved, as an amendment, " that the Bill
thresh!, be read this day six nionthn"
The House was about to divide, when a Member, whose name
v e could not learu, observed, that the House was going to divide
Without any information on the question before it.
'dr. A. ELLIS thought it would be extremely useful if the
House was put in possession of a little information upon the ques-
tion before it. Hon. Members opposed the Bill for the incorpora-
tion of the Oil Gas Company, because they happened to bc eor-
pectinl with the Coal Gas Company, or with coal mines. The Bill
Wieuld leave his strenuous support.
. Alderman BRIDGES opposed the Bill. It was an at-
tempt to interfere with the interests of the Coal Gas Cowpony,
et ich tied already obtained the protection of Parliament, and
winch had given very general satisfaction. Great advantages were
held out from the eetablishment of the Oil Gas Company, but lie
kite not anticipate that the public could derive any from it. The
Coal has Company were empowered to supply oil gam and could
red would supply it, if it was found to be more convenient and ad-
vantageous to the public than coal gas. Ile contended, therefore,
that the esteblishnient of a new Company was altogether unneces.
sery, and that laying a second set of gas pipes through the streets
would be extremely dangerous, as it was to be feared that explo.
motes would be by no means uncommon. The Oil Gas Company
bad been making unsuccessful attempts in the country towns, aril
now endeavoured to make an establishment in London. lie called
upon the justice and good sense of the Hoare, therefore, to throw
oat the Bill.
Mr. GRENFELL hoped the justice and good sense of the
1-1. use would actuate them not to throw out the Bill, without bet-
ter consideration. He knew nothing about the Oil Gas Company,
nor had he any connection with it ; but he was a consumer of gas,
aed, us a consumer, he confessed he preferred having two Com-
panes to basins only one. Upon this principle he should vote for
t'.e second reading ot' the Bill.
Mr. D. GILBERT trusted the House would not decide upon
the Bill, after the contradictory statements which had been made.
It was no argument to say that the Coal Gas Company was incor-
p,:ated by Act of Parliament. Parliament had given privileges,
bat not monopoly. (Hear, hear.) When the two companies were
erlablished, the public would have an opportunity of judging of
meir comparnthe merits. The public was the true judge, acd
snould determine which was preferable.
Mr. P. MOORE said, that when he moved the amendment, he
had meant to have delivered his opinion on the question before the
House. It had been truly stated, that the Dill was before a Cool-
, ruittee of the House last Session, but it was not remembered that it
had been sent before a Committee by mistake. The whole metro-
melts had adopted the Coal Gas Light e he appealed to the House
whether it had not been found fully sufficient. There was co want
of another Gas Company. The police had come forward, and at.
ft:tined the tranquillity of the streets, and the rarity of street-rob-
beries, in a great measure, to the excellent lights supplied by the
Coal Gas Company. Many millions of money bad been invested
upon the faith of Parliament, in the establishment of the Coal Gas
Company ; and he (Mr. P. Moore) dusted, that an opportunity
would be given to this Company to receive some return for the sums
they had invested.
Sr JOSEPH YORKE thought that the fishes of the see might
have very ressocable grounds for offence, if the House, by rejecting
the Bill, refused to permit them to contribute to this beautiful and
brilliant light, which had been so highly commended. (Hear, hear,
am a laugh.) Formerly all the streets were lighted with oil, and
those who dealt in that commodity should now be permitted an
upper tanity of taking advantage of any new invention. It was said
that the coal gsa was one fourth less expense than gas had from oil.
It this was the case, those concerned in the Coal Gas Compauy
need have little apprehensien of camp( tition.
Mr SYKES supported the motion for the second reading of
the Bill. Not one opposed it who was net connected with the
Cna: Gas Company, or with coal mines. He had not a panicle of
interftt in oil, but he thought competition must be advantageous
to Me public. It was said that the Coal Gas Compare was a
eartered company ; but If it was the effect of a charter to prevent
We establishment of other companies, and destroy competition, be
(.lt.. Sykes) should say. God preset ye us from chartered companies.
I it•tvr, hear.) lithe Oil Gm Company should offer greater adman-.
tegest and was founded upon a superior invention, he did not see
5-iy it should not came in for a share of the moths now mono.
irdi.firal by the Coal Gas Company. He celled upon independent
gmtlerren, unconnected with either party, to dispose of the Bill
stews independent grounds. If the gas supplied by oil is weaker
a more expensive than that supplied by coals, where is the fear
itcan competition ? He (Mr. Sykes) however relied upon the test
eii actual experiment, mid considered that oil gas was preferable to
. that supphed Prom coals. He thought the invention of oil gas one
of the most useful which had ever been made; and in conclusion
eemessed his cootie-ilea that the House would send the Bill to a
C.ioficnid e.
Xte HUM E rose amidst cries of question. He would now move,
that tee Honourable Meu:bers iateramed iii the Bill, rarely, the
ilmeourable Member for London (Alderman Bridges) the Honour-
aim Member for Coventry (Mr. P. Moore), and the Honourable
Member foe Bishops Castle (Mr. Holmes) should retire, if • %Gel-
sesis took place (A laugh.)
.1. YORKE seconded Mr. Humes motion.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the House

- - -
di hied
For Mr. P. Moon's ameneinient—
. Ayes - fAI I Nom •
fiethriry for the second retding of the Ball -
Will Bill sea Hum ordered to he mole arson me.. _ .
(X3NTINENTAL HAS COMPANY.
Wheo we reentered the gallery we found the Contieental Oss
Ifti lerlag reed a second time ; it was read accordingly, and cum.
snit. rd.
ST. KATHARINE'S DOCK BILL.
kir. OBENFELL morel, that the Bt. Katherthe's Dock be
new marl &second time.
Pit- C. CA INERT moved an arineedn ens that the Bill be read
this day nix mantlit
Mr. MANNING ii3pporte.l the arrridment (Ought the es.
tairlishotent of a new Dock Company perfectly unnecessary. The
fametut. Dirk Company pummel ample accommodation in their
oasis, aull bad • further tract of 13 acres, which were intended tin,
the ,•stverthe of their do, ks if neceyvare. They had already n •
per.dod • sum of &OM& for this object, ar d under styli WPM -
bt4I.C.Ct it would be Nuailiy wince/scary s^.d unjust to pale the pee-
aU
lif r WA I,IIeACE said, the measure had already teceived an.ple
iliAssessee km fiemsee in that House, and elan but of doom t and
from tic wore of those discussions, and that he could collet,
on the isbject, he was satisfied the preunit itill wee one which
Mould melee the support of nu, unprejudised end unutterested
person. Ife would support the Bill, on the pritsipte cal /audit%
cite best and cheapest scuunispolatoo. to die enutineriSsi interests of
the City of London. lie tith...1,11, an. tit. a1:1111 giounds, support any
Till far the erection of any dock calculated to ig• he .ehafal to the
trading communities. It the 111....! pot thelr veto 4ipoo 4445eittion,
she dr.t.ll would be sitien.aly pro ..dictal. The Bon. • Gent. had
word, that the chargesof the boudon Dock Corapaey was Immune&
lie bad no doubt of the feet, and att.tbutol the docreaced
charge to the es veclitiosi of compri,ion. Every objection to
the gill originated in the slipcases:ova of the bozdori ich
Company, and their fears of lavabo their interests Interfered with.
Tirol, lied bees • vast deal ss'A about the necessity of respect.'
big the private let4rects aid tested rights of individuals. He ,
wee willing to pay every respect to thaw tights, as bag as they
it'd not interfere with the oiciceal commuciallintmests of the cm.
ritual,. He should therefore support the Bill, opoa the growls
of public advantage.
Set J. YORK": was apprehensive that, se the lion. Oen.
hut smrcely suoceettd to ebteaseng • baring at that all important

THE

juncture, when Members were more anxious to make a roe&
dinner than to make or listen to a good speech, he was fearful
that he •ruight prove equally unsuccessful. However, he should
not detain the House long. He wished to caution his Ho-
rourable Friend and others, from joining unadvisedly in this,
which he must look upon as one of the many schemes for procuring
the money of the unwary. He would advise people to keep their
motley in their pockets for • rainy day, in preference to exoending
it in such scheme*. It was undoubtedly his wish that the Thames
should be a high-road for the commercial *hipping of the country,
and that every facility should be afforded to the advancement and
convenience of those interests. But be did not conceive that there
existed any want of room or accommodation for oar shipping in
the elver. The present was the age of speculation ; there had been
formed companies for the execution of the wildest and most ex-
travagant schemes—Companies to bring salt water from Brighton,
and sea air from Bognor for the benefit of the metropolis. (A
laugh.) Associations to bring " Airs from heaven and blasts
from Hell." (A laugh.) For his part he should neglect all such
chimerical speculations. He should repose upon the unconqueted
energies of his own mind, and oppose the institution of a new dock
company. (('ortinued laughter.) He should do so particularly,
as lie conceived those docks unnecessary and premature, and he
should advise the projectors of them to save their money.
Mr. 110LME SUMNER thought there was an evident insuffi-
ciency of accommodation in the present docks. The state of the
river was at present extremely crowded ; sr much so, that he un-
derstood the water-bailiff's were stationed at a considerable distance
from the river to prevent merchant vessels from coming up till thou
already in the river had been unloaded. Such a state of things as
this must be highly prejudicial to the best interests of the COT.
rnercial world, as many cargoes, particularly those of wine, were
likely to sunx a considerable depreciation. He maintained that
the greatest security againit those inconveniences. existed in a fair
competition, and thought it not unlikely, that, should the present
8111 be withdrawn, the intended enlargement in the London Docks
would not take place. He was of opinion that the thirteen acres
intended to be added to the London Docks, and the eleven acres of
ihe St. Katharine's Dock, would be all little enough for the accom-
modation of our increased and increasing shipping. lie did not
pretend to be a practical man, but he conceived the present measure
necessary. and should on those grounds support it.
Mr. Olt ENFELL replied.—The opposition to the present mea-
sure hail originated, and been carried on by persons possessing a
pecuniary interest in the property of the London Dock Company.
Last year that Company had said that there existed no demand for
farther accommodation ; that their wet and dry docks were amply
sufficient, and the charges as low as they could possibly be, con-
sistently with paying a dividend of 4i per cent. to the proprietors.
But what were the facts? In direct opposition to those statements,
the London Dock Company had since made a reduction in their
charges of full 30 per cent. and offered to provide the public farther
accommodation. Would they ever have adopted this course, but
for the present measure ? Ile thought not; and thinking so, he
would support the second reading of the Bill with his vote, if
pressed to a division.
Alderman THOMPSON, as far as we could collect, expressed
his approbation of the Bill.
31r. C. PELHA3I made a few observations, which did not
reach the gallery.
Mr. B. 310NCK was prepared to approve of the principle of
competition. advanced by the supporters of the Bill, but thought
the intended site of the new docks very inconvenient and ill chosen.
It would be necessary, in the excavation of them, to destroy the ha-
bitations of from eight thousand to ten thousand persons. How
were they to be provided for? The erection of these docks would also
require that that ancient and venerable structure, the Church of
St. Katharine, should be levelled to the ground. It involved the
exhumation of the ashes of the dead, which he looked upon as a
revolting and disgusting circumstance. Ile entertained no objee-
don to the construction of new docks, but very material ones to
[their erection in that particular situation, and should therefore op-
pose the Bill.
Alderman THOMPSON reminded the House that this was a
measure whi:h possessed the support of all the great commercial
interests of London. Notwithstanding all the exertions made b
the opposers of the Bill, and the friends of the London Dock
Company, their petition, presented by the Honourable Gentleman
(Mr. Manning), had only two hundred names affixed to it. It
had been ascertained in the Committee appointed last Session, that
much and valuable commercial property had been deteriorated for
want of sufficient accommodation in the present docks. The fact
of a reduction of 30 per cent. having taken place in the charges of
the London Dock Company, while they continued to pay the same
dividend to their shareholders, was cf considerable importance.
He thought the institution of the St. Katharine's Dock Company
likely not only to afford the desired accommodation, but to enct a
still greater reduction in the charges at present made.
Sir R. FERGUSON understood that the masters of maay
ships at present preferred unloading in the liver, on account of
the high charges made by the London Dock Company. The me-
sent measure appeared to him calculated to do away that monopoly,
and he should therefore support the Bill, on the grounds of the
public benefit likely to result from its passing into a law.
Mr. THOMAS ELLIS stated, that the commercial interests of
Cheeky which he had the honour to represent (Dublin), found
themselves materially aggrieved by the want of room and scanty
accommodation of the port of London. His constituents consi-
dered the present measure as one likely to remove the inconvenien-
ces complained of, and on that ground it should have his support.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, amid loud cries of
" Question, question;" and the Ilouse divided, when there ap-
peered—
For the second 'wading - 118 Against it - 30
Majority in favour of the Bill 118
An interval of nearly an hour elapsed between the exclusion of
strangers and their re-admission to the gallery.
ASSESSED TAXES.
Mr. HONYVVOOD presented a petition from the parish of
St. Nicholas, Deptford, praying for a repeal of the Assessed Taxes.
Lord EDWARD SOMERSET presented a similar petition
from Clifton.
Mr. LEYCESTER presented at similar petition from the parish
of St. James, in Bristol.
Sir F. BLAKE presented • similer petition from Buty.
Lard MILTON presented a similar petition from the town of
Wakefield.
A petition was slso presented from Monmouth, of a similar
nature.
The petitions were all ordered to be printed.
CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.
Mr. 31. DAWSON presented a petition from a parish in the
county of Tipperary, praying for Catholic Emancipation.—Or-
dared to be printed.
Mr. H. DAVIS presented a petition from the pariah of St.
James, in Bristol, against further concessions to the Catholics.—
Ordered to be printed.

SEA-BORNE COALS.
Several petitions were presented, praying for the remove: of
the duty on Sea-borne coach.—Orlerad to be printed.
. _