The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-10 00:00:00

THE IRISH SOCIETY.

Mr. Alderman RosE, M.P., was re-appointed Governor
of the Irish Society, and Mr. Deputy Burnell was proposed
to fill the office of Deputy-Governor.

Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said before the latter motion was car-
ried he should be glad to be informed whether a rumour
that the Irish Society intended to have the assistance of six
former members in their deliberations, in addition to the
number of members of which the society was legally com-
posed, was correct.
Deputy BURNELL intimated that the society intended to
obtain such assistance, but stated at the same time that they
would only be empowered to assist in the deliberations of
the court, and would not have the right of voting.
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR expressed his opinion that such a course
of proceeding, if not absolutely illegal according to the terms
of the charter under which the Irish Societywas incorporated,
was at all events unnecessary and unjustifiable, and he con-
tended that the Irish Society ought to be quite competent
to manage the affairs intrusted to them, without calling in
the aid of any of the former members. It appeared to him
that the course -proposed to be taken might be productive of
much mischief to the interests of the Corporation, and he
concluded by moving as an amendment, that Mr. Burnell
be appointed the deputy-chairman of the Irish Society, but
that it be an instruction of this Court to the society, that
no alterations should be made in its constitution until such
alteration should have been first submitted to and approved
of by the Court.
This led to some discussion, but eventually the amend-
ment was put and carried by a large majority.

THE GAS QUESTION IN THE CITY.
Deputy C. REED presented a petition from the inhabi-
tants of the Ward of Farringdon, complaining of the opera-
tion of the Gas Act of 1860, and the bad quality and dear-
ness of the gas supplied to the City by the different com-
panies, and praying the Court to take some stepf to relieve
them.

Mr. J. LUSHER presented a similar petition from the in-
habitants of Farringdon Within. _ _ .

Mr. J. H. HEEPS also presented a petition of the same
nature from the ward of Bishopsgate. _ _

Deputy FARRER, in the absence of Alderman Gibbons,
likewise presented a petition to the same effect from the in-
habitants of Castle Baynard Ward.
A number of the petitioners were present, and several
questions were put to them by members of the Court.
Mr. ROWE asked how the petitioners came to the conclu-
sion that the gas was of bad quality.
They replied, by the evidence of their eyes and noses.
(Laughter.)
Mr. ROWE inquired whether they had procured the ser-
vices of any scientific gentlemen to test the quality of
the gas.

They replied that they had not, and did not consider it
necessary. The gas was most offensive in smell, and pos-
sessed no illuminating power.
The LORD IVLIYOR observed that any one who passed
through the streets of London at night, after the shops
were closed, could easily see that there was something
wrong in the lighting, without asking for the opinion of
any scientific men.

In answer to further questions put to the petitioners,
they stated that they had observed a great pressure of at-
mospheric air in the pipes which acted upon the meter, so
that they paid a great deal more for gas than formally, while
the amount of light was much reduced.. They also expressed
an opinion that one course to be pursued was to apply to Sir
G. Grey, and endeavour to obtain a Parliamentary inquiry
into the mode in which the gas companies carried on their
business, and endeavour to ascertain the actual amount of
capital that was employed, and which was made applicable
to the minimum dividend of 10 per cent., and if they failed,
to endeavour to take the question of supplying the city of
London with gas into their own hands. (Hear, hear.)
In answer to a question put by one member, the peti-
tioners stated that they did not attach the slightest impor-
tance to the reports that were periodically made upon the
illuminating power of the gas. They also said they were
in a position to inform the Court that in some of the subur-
ban parishes much better gas was supplied at 3s. Bd. per
1,000 feet than that furnished by the City companies at a
great deal higher rate:
The whole of the petitions were eventually referred to
the General Purposes Committee for them to examine and
report to the Court.