The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-23 00:00:00

PRICE sd.

CURE for the HOOPING COUGH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR...Reading in your Paper some few days ago an account
of the dreadful ravages of the hooping cough, I beg to for-
ward an invaluable recipe, as an effectual cure for the same,
having tried it in my own family, and numbers more to
whom I have recommended it, with great success. It is
as follows :—Half an ounce of best Turkey rhubarb, half
an ounce of common magnesia (not the calcined), half a
Gascoigne ball, to be dissolved in teaspoonfuls of warm
water, quarter of a pound of coarse moist sugar---all to be
mixed in a pint of mild 4d. ale. A dessert spoonsful for a
child two years old, to be given twice a day, on an empty
stomach, and a little more in proportion to the age.
Being an admirer of your Liberal principles, and a con-
stant reader of your invaluable Paper, I have sent you the
above, not doubting your kindness in giving it publicity in
your widely circulated columns, and thereby prevent the
premature death of thousands.
I am, Mr. Editor, your obedient servant,
Mile-end-green, Stepney, Feb. 21. J. V.

COMMERCIAL GAS LIGHT AND

COKE COMPANY.

A public meeting of the Gas Consumers of Bethnal-green and
its vicinity was held yesterday evening at the Falcon Tavern,
for the purpose of enabling the Commercial Gas Light and Coke
Company to report progress, exhibit plans of their buildings,
and give every information relative to their proceedings. At
eight o'clock the large concert room at the Falcon was crowded
with repectable persons, who seemed to take a great interest in

the proceedings.
Air. MORRIS said that it was exceedingly desirable that some
individual should take the chair who was unconnected with the

Company, and requested it as a favour if any gentleman pre-
sent was so circumstanced, that he would do so. After
waiting some time without any one appearing willing to volun-
teer his services, he moved that Mr. Bingley, of Shoreditch, do
take the chair.
Mr. MONK. seconded the nomination, which was carried
-unanimously.
The CH A ntmAN said that he would endeavour to discharge
the duties that had been imposed on him by the meeting fairly,
and impartially. They had met there that evening for the
purpose of discussing the propriety of establishing a gas company
which should be a consumer's Gas Company, and the Commit-
tee had attended for the purpose of furnishing the meeting with
any explanation on the subject which they might require. It
was scarcely requisite for him to insist the import-
ance or the necessity of establishing this Company in
order to enable the consumers of gas to free themselves
by means of competition, from the consequences of the mono•
poly which at present existed. There was no reason why there
should not be a competition in gas as well as in every other
article of consumption. The consumers of gas, in consequence
of the present monopoly, were subjected to incivility and arbi-
ti ary conduct. By the establishment of the Commercial Gas
Light and Coke Company they would be rescued from these
evils, and the price of gas to the consumer would also be con-
siderably reduced. The new Company would never coales.:v
with any other Company, so that by supporting it the con-
sumers would be frceieg themselves from monopoly at once
and for ever. Their only object in establishing it was to se-
cure for the future a supply of gas of good quality and at a
fair price.—( Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he would press upon
the meeting the necessity of supporting the Company by be-
coming shareholders without delay.
Mr. Moants said it was important that full latitude should
be given to all those who were opposed to the establishment of
the proposed Company in the expression of their objections
before this meeting. If there were any of their opponents, he
trusted they would come forward and state their objections fairly
and openly, in order that they might be answered ; and he
trusted that the meeting would give any persons connected with
the existing Gas Companies who might happen to be present a
patient and an attentive hearing. Meetings had frequently
been held on this subject, and expectations had been held out as
to speedy commencement of operations by this Company which
had not been realized; but this had not been their fault. Events
over which they possessed no controul, had occurred to frus-
trate their endeavours ; but he was happy to be able to an-
nounce that at length all obstacles had been removed ; and
even if they were not so fortunate as to obtain the support
they so earnestly desired, the works would be proceeded with
forthwith. Reports had been circulated that they had no in-
' tention of proceeding with their orks ; that they were in fact
gulling the public. Now, although they had to overcome ob-
stacles almost insurmountable, many of which he verily believed
had been thrown in their way by 11-;e Gas Companies, yet they
were now in a position, even without further support, to com-
mence operations. If they could not light the whole of the
district of the Tower Hamlets at present, they would begin
by lighting part, and show the inhabitants what could be
done in the way of resisting monopoly. Mr. Morris then
referred to the plans of the intended new works which were
hung up in the room. These were the plans of the intended
works. They were sufficient for the supply of twelve miles of
pipes, they consisted of a retort-house, a gasometer, and a pu-
rifying house, each of which was complete in itself and could
be doubled should the operations of the Company
ever become sufficiently extensive to require it. The Com' any
had taken four and a half acres of ground for the purpose of
erecting these works. The other Gas Companies had endea-
voured to make it appear that the profits of Gas Companies
were far from large—not sufficieatly so to admit of competition
—yet he understood that 6 per cent. per share was by no means
an uncommon dividend, in addition to which a bonus of 10/.
per share was every now and then declared, and they shared
these dividends notwithstanding the losses to which they
were subjected by their continual contentions, and by
their extravagant outlay of capital in the first in-
stance. The present Company would labour under none
of these disadvantages, they had no houses to remove and pay
for before they could commence their works—their situation
was such that they were not a nuisance to any neighbourhood,
and instead of having to erect iron tanks, at a cost of 1,3001.
each, they would be enabled to sink their's in the stiff blue
clay, at a cost of 400/. They would also be enabled to take ad-
vantage of all the recent improvements in gas makirg, which
the existing Companies cannot do without pulling their works
to pieces. He was prepared to prove that at a considerable re-
duction in the present price of gas they would realise a dividend
of 9or 10 per cent. Ile could prove this from data, furnished
him by the engineer of the Company, wh„se testtimonials as to
character were of the highest description. He had been clerk
to the works of the Equitable—had filled the same situation for
two years with the London Gas Company—had construe ed the
works at Godalming, Band, and a variety of other places—
had altered the works at Croydon, and erected those at Vaux-
hall Gardens. They had already sufficient capital subscribed to
enable them to commence operations ; and he urged those pre-
sent to join them in carrying the Company forward.—( Cheers. )
The CHAIRMAN said that the deed of settlement had been
prepared and signed by the present shareholders.
Mr. Mona's wished that some of their opponents would
come forward and make their statements. They were willing
enough to indulge in statements against this Compan behind
their backs; why did not some of them come forward here and
make them ?—( Cheers. )
Dlr. ROGERS said, that as no one had come forward in
answer to the challenge of the last speaker, he concluded they
had no one to contend with. As an illustration of what gas
monopoly was, he would just state to the meeting that the
Gas Company, who formerly supplied Vauxhall Gardsns, de-
manded 50/. for filling the Nassau balloon. The proprietors
had recently erected works of their own at the cost of about
1,2001., and now they found that It only cost them 151. to fill
the balloon.

The following resolution was then proposed by Mr. Ws an,
seconded by Mr. WARD, and passed unanimously :
" Resolved that this meeting being painfully convinced, by
practical experience, of the inadequacy of supply in the neces-
sary article of Gas, as at present doled out, and the exorbit ant
charges, combined with the incivility on the part of the exist-
ing Companies, cannot help expressing their most earnest desires
and wishes for a speedy relief from their present thraldom, by
the establishment of a fair competition, which is the sure correc-
tive of all abuses."
Mr. Molt xis said it had been stated that the existing Gas
Companies would subscribe to put them down by reducing their
price of gas so low as to crush them—but he did not think the
public were to be thus grossly duped, he did not think any fair
dealing man would lend himself to a proceeding so palpably
dishonest—he slid not believe that any one would continue to
deal with them after the discovery of such a detestable fraud.
These Companies had talked of reducing the price of gas 20
per cent. in order to crush them, but even then they could com-
pete with them as they were not at near the expense of the
present Companies. Do what they might to continue it, their
odious monopoly would soon be for ever destroyed.—( Cheers. )
Several gentlemen here announced their intentions of be-
coming Shareholders. These announcements were received with
great cheering.
Mr. Roc ER said, that the establishment of this Company,
would teach a useful lesson to the Gas Companies, not of the
Tower ilamlets alone, but of the whole kingdom.
Mr. CaownEtt said, that although not a consumer of gas,
yet such was his admiration of the fair, straight-forward, and
open manner in which the challenge to the existing Gas Com-
panies had been given that evening, so highly did the candour,
with which the proceedings of this evening had been conducted
meet his approval, that he begged to propose the following
resolution :
Resolved—. That this meeting, having heard with the
greatest pleasure the statements made by the Committee of the
Commercial Gas Company, feel bound in justice to themselves
; and their own interests, to support with their individual and
combined efforts the exertions of the Commercial Gas Com-
pany, who hare already done so much to establish a Company
free from all extortion and monopoly, and based on the pure
principles of justice and honest competition, and earnestly re-
commend every inhabitant of the Tower Hamlets to support
them by immediately becoming Shareholders."
Mr. Ham-sap seconded the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN: thanked the meeting on the part of the
Directors for this proof of their confidence, and assured
them them that it should never be abused—it would make
them redouble their efforts in their service. He could assure
the meeting that should any attempt be ever made at coalition,
be would immediately resign his seat as Director.
Mr. Moitats said he had always behaved with candour
in the presence as well as in the absence of their opponents.
He stated the other day to three of the Directors of a Gas Com-
; pany, in the presence of three hundred persons, that he had
tested the gas s-pplied to the East parts of Loudon, and it was
by far the foulest gas supplied by any of the Companies.
This was denied, but he produced some clear test papers, and
desired the Directors to try it themselves, which they refused
to do. Mr. Morris then related se icral instances of arbitrary
conduct an the part of the present Gas Compan:es.
The CHAIRMAN, in answer to a question, said that the
capital of the Company was 20,0001., in shares of 51. each,
with a deposit of U., and three months between each call, and
that it was exps•osly provided by the deed •f settlement that
nu .hat eholder thould be liable for more than his own shares.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman for his able conduct
in the Chair, and the meeting broke up at half-past nine o'clock.
Several pm sun:: present applied for shares to the Secretary at
the class of the proceedings.

The Marquis of Normanhy has appointed Colo-
nel York his private secretary.
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