The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-12 00:00:00

BILL.

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The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of this bill.

Lord ST. LEONARDS said that very important altera-
tions were proposed by this measure. The effect of the
bill would be to clothe, county court judges with equity
jurisdiction, which he thought, without in the slightest
degree reflecting on their capacity, or the position which
they were occupied, they were incompetent to discharge.

The bill was read a third time and passe&
THE IMPERIAL GAS COMPANY'S WORKS AT

CHELSEA.

The Bishop of LONDON, in calling attention to proposed
additions to the Imperial Gas Company's works in the im-
mediate neighbourhood of the National Society's Training
School at Chelsea, presented three petitions on the subject;
that of Mr. Inglis, to be heard by counsel against the bill ;
the two other sets of petitioners wished to have their case
stated in their lordships' house. The Imperial Gas Com-
pany sought power this season to increase their works ; the
bill for the purpose had passed through the House of Com-
mons without any attention being paid to it, particularly
on the part of the board of health for the parish of Fulham.
The petitioners felt that they had a very serious grievance
to bring before their lordships. These works had been in
operation for some years to a limited extent, and during
that time serious mischief had arisen to those who resided
in the neighbourhood, so much so that legal proceedings
were not long since taken to mitigate the evil. Mr. Broad-
bent, a market gardener, in 1856 finding that his property
was injured took legal proceedings, and it was proved that
produce which formerly sold for £l5O then sold for £2O.
In the course of the inquiry certain medical authorities
were examined, who stated what was likely to be the effect
of this nuisance. The clergy and others stated recently
that they were exposed to the danger of breathing the air
impregnated with gas, and that they felt nausea, headaches,
and other evil effects. Dr. Taylor gave it as his opinion
that deadly gases were circulated. The evils had already
been checked by the authority of the courts, but if the bill
became law they would be aggravated tenfold. The peti-
tioners felt some doubt how to proceed ; for though it was
a private bill it was of immense importance as it affected the
public. (Hear.) Even in private bills their lordships were
anxious not to do injustice to individuals. This might be
called a bill for depreciating the property in the parishes
of Fulham and Chelsea. His own residence was in that
neighbourhood ; and although he could not say that
the property of the see would be deteriorated, because
probably it would not be difficult to purchase some com-
modious residence out of reach of those dangerous and
poisonous gases, yet it must be remembered that this pro-
perty belonged to the Church, and that it was an important
matter that this property should not be depreciated. First-
class houses would not be erected if this evil continued.
It was not solely from personal feelings that he brought
the subject forward, but because it affected a locality which
was historical for the last 800 years. Mr. H. Veitch, whose
name as a florist was well 'mown, had invested £40,000 in
buildings and plants in the vicinity of these works, andhis
property would be ruined if this act passed. A short time
since their lordships had passed a bill to regulate alkali
works. The result had been of advantage to many of the
residences. The National Society had on their register in
the training schools 611 boys, of whom more than 500 were
in daily attendance, Moreover, 103 students passed their
nights as well as the day in the vicinity. The school had
cast £46.986. Uhe petitioners prayed their lordships not
tQ allow the bill to pass into law, and if it passed the select
committee, he (the Bishop of London) would not feel him-
self precluded from moving the rejection of the bill.

Lord RAVENS WORTH also presented a petition on the
Flame subject from parishioners of Chelsea. The reason
the bill had passed unopposed in the House of Commons
was partly per incuriant, and partly owing to the tempo-
rary indisposition of the vestry clerk of the district.
The subject dropped.
THE SHANNON RIVER.

Tke Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved for returns
relating to the river Shannon. The motion was agreed to.

RAILWAYS AND CHURCHES.

The Archbishop of YORK laid upon the table a bill to
enable railway and other companies to set aside part of
their funds to provide for the religious education of their
workmen.

The bill was read a first time.
The house adjourned at half-past six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Athenry and Ennis Junction Railway ; Caledonian Rail-
way (Balerno Branch); and Regent's Canal (Limehouse
Basin.)
BURTON-011-TRENT AND NOTTINGHAM RAIL-