The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-02 00:00:00

From an abstract that he had seen it appeared that an increase
had taken place in the offences against property, whilst
offences against the person were nearly to the same extent as
the preceding year.
Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
SHERIFFS (IRELAND) BILL. .
Mr. MAHONY moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the
better regulation of the office of sheriffs and under-sheriffs of
counties and cities in Ireland.—Leave given.
Mr. MAHONY moved for leave to bring in a Bill for re-
gistering births, deaths, and marriages in Ireland. It was a
subject of importance as connected with property in Ireland.
lie would be prepared to lay a Bill on the subject on the
table, if permitted to do so. It was a subject to which he
considered it important to direct the attention of Parliament.
Lord J. RUSSELL saw no objection to the Hon. Gentle-
man's being permitted to introduce the Bill, as he stated him-
self to be ready to do. It would afford an opportunity for
considering the subject.
Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
The other Orders of the
.Day were then disposed of, and
the House adjourned at a Quarter to Niue o'Clock.

COMMERCIAL GAS-LIGHT AND

COKE COMPANY.

•
In consequence of the great monopoly enjoyed by the several
Gas Companies in the eastern part of the metropolis, and the
inconvenience experienced by the inhabitants, not only as re-
gards the extravagance in price of the gas furnished, but also
its inferior quality, and an inadequate supply, and every
attempt at redress having been unattended by any successful
results, a new Company, calling itself the Commercial Gas-
light and Coke Company, has been formed, with a view of re-
lieving the gas consumers from the evils at present in exis-
tence. The difficulties attending the formation of this new
Company having been at length surmounted, a Public Meet-
ing of the Gas Consumers, and others interested in the sub-
ject, was held yesterday, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-
street, for the purpose of exhibiting the plans of the ground,
and the extents of the mains, &c., of the new works, and of

giving every necessary explanation in reference to the Com-
pany. At three o'clock, J. Goldie, Esq., in the absence of
Mr. Bleaden, was called to the chair. Upwards of 400 of the
most respectable inhabitants of the district were present on
the occasion, who evinced the utmost enthusiasm in support

of the objects of the Company.
The CHAIRMAN said, that on coming there that morning he
had not expected to be called on to fill the situation which, by
their kindness, he was now promoted to, as it was understood
that Mr. Bleaden had consented to preside on the occasion.—
( Hear.) That gentleman, however, havino.°
been unexpect-
edly summoned to attend a meeting of the Navigation Com-
mittee at Guildhall, and his return being somewhat uncertain,
it had been thought desirable by the Committee to proceed
with the business of the meeting. —( Hear.) He (the Chair-
man) regretted this circumstance the more, as Mr. Bleaden
was a gentleman of great experience, thoroughly conversant
With the subject which had called them together—was well
known to them all, and what was still more, was deeply in-
terested in promoting the comforts and convenience of the gas
consumers.—( Cheers.) Although, however, they might not
have the benefit of Mr. Bleaden's personal services upon this
occasion, it was a source of great gratification to know that they
enjoyed his warmest co-operation. —( Cheers.) So short a pried
had elapsed since the Directors had met a large number of the
Proprietors, that he hardly considered it necessary to trespass
at any great length upon their time in detailing the ob-
jects of the Company; but, as he observed many persons pre-
sent upon this occasion who were not in attendance at the
former meeting, he would briefly allude to the circumstances
under which this Company had been formed.—(Hear.) It
was well known that the supply of gas in the Tower Hamlets
was not only purchased at an exceeding high and exorbitant
price, but its quality was such, and such the way in which it
was provided, that very frequently the inhabitants were
left in total darkness.—( Hear.) Upon this subject applica-
tions had been repeatedly made to the established Com-
panies, but instead of being met by a kind and conciliatory
demeanour 'on the part of those persons, they experienced
nothing but the most offensive and insufferable arrogance.
These Companies too, not only demanded that parties
coming into possession of their tenements should give
security for the payment of their own rental, but actually
irsisted that they should also give security for the payment of
their predecessors' defalcations,—(" Shame, shame.") This
state of things becoming at length sufficiently notorious to
attract the attention of the public, it was found necessary to
apply a remedy to the existing grievances, and several at-
tempts for this purpose were accordingly essayed, but they
had been unfortunately swamped.—( Hear, hear.) The fai-
lure of these previous schemes had increased the difficulties
with which the Directors of the present Company had to con-
tend, and it was after much labour and personal exertion that
they found themselves enabled to form even the commence-
meet of their contemplated undertaking.—(Loud cheers.) It
was not sought to make this Company a great commercial
specalation.—( Hear, hear.) It was not sought to swamp the
interests of the many for the sake of a few grasping, pecu-
-1 sting capitalists—( Loud cheers)—but it was sought to relieve
the inhabitants of a large and important district of the metro-
polis from the vexatious and' oppressive administration of a
few monopolists, by giving them the entire control of their.
own affairs. The Chairman concluded, amid much cheering,
by calling on the Secretary, Mr. Mullindor, to read the follow-
ing Report :
" A few da)s only having elapsed since the Directors had
the pleasure of meeting the shareholders, it might be supposed
that in calling them together on the present occasion they
could have but little to communicate.

" Your Directors having (as they previously stated) no
private ends to serve, but relying solely on the merits of their
cause, and depending on the feelings manifested at the last
General Meeting, have deemed it right to adopt the sugges-
tions thrown out by several shareholders at that Meeting, and
it is for the purpose of submitting to the shareholders gene-
rally the plans and alterations of the prospectus, which, upon
mature deliberation, they consider to be best adapted fur pro-
moting the objects of the Company.
" It having been proposed to appoint a Committee of
Gentlemen, each holding not less than twenty shares, to
co-operate with the Directors, and to be representatives of
the Company in their various localities, your Directors at
once acquiesced in such proposition, when the names of
several Gentlemen were handed in as desirous of forming such
Committee.
" Your Directors have had several interviews with the
Committee so appointed, and have maturely considered the
several alterations proposed to be made in the prospectus,
but y; u• Directors did not feel themselves justified in altering
what might be considered the first and leading principles of
the Company (however recommended by the Committee, or
deemed advisable by themselves) without taking the sense of
:he shareholders generally.
Yet your Directors cannot but think, after the confidence
manifested at the last public meeting in their course of pro-
ceeding, that they might have done so without fear, for the
benefit of the common cause, without calling the Shareholders

together.
44 According to the prospectus as originally issued by your
Directors, the capital of the Company was to be 75,0001., in
shares of 101. each, with a deposit of 10s. per share. During
the several months which have elapsed since the formation of
the Company and the issuing of such prospectus, few shares
comparatively were sold, but no sooner did your Directors
come into positive contact at the public meeting with their
constituents than a demand for shares was immediately created ;
and your Directors do not at the present moment call upon
the shareholders to know whether they are to go forward with
their Undertaking or not, but to determine upon the immediate
commencement of operations, to which they trust the pro-
posed alterations about to be submitted to the meeting will
directly lead.
44 Your Directors feel honoured by the confidence so largely
placed in their hands by the shareholders, and they trust that
the line of conduct which they have laid down for themselves,
will continue to meet the increased confidence and support of
every shareholder and consumer of gas in the district, and
they trust that by the mutual aad cordial co-operation of the
Committee, the establishment of the Company will forthwith
be insured."----(Loud cheers.)
Mr. Box begged leave, as en inhabitant of the Tower
Hamlets, tei observe, that this appeared to him to be more a
meeting of the proprietors of a Gas Company already formed,
than of gas consumers generally convened to consider the
propriety of its formation. He submitted that a separation
should take place between those who were shareholders and
those who were not, so that they might more fairly and dis-
interestedly take the sense of tile meeting upon such propo-
sitions as might be submitted to it.
The CHA IRMAN said that as the meeting had been convened
for the benefit of the public at large, and as the inhabitants of
the district had been specially invited, he trusted they were
all disposed to co-operate in advancing the objects of the
meeting.
Mr. Box said, that when a question came before the meet-
ing, they would have some difficulty in gathering the sense of
the bona fide proprietors.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that when they came to a ques-
tion of a peculiar nature, such as one in which a pecuniary in-
terest was involved, then it would be uecessary to scrutinise
the vote of every person; but he had so much confidence in
the meeting, that he was quite sure no person would un-
worthily interfere..—( Hear, hear.) He was certain no per-
son would attempt to influence the opinions of the meeting
unless such as were already connected with the Company, or
were seriously and honestly disposed to be so.—( Cheers. )
The SECRETARY said it might prevent any misunderstand-
ing if he were to read the circular by which the meeting had
been convened._( Hear, hear.)
This having been acceded to, and the circular being read,
Mr. WHEELER rose to ask whether any of the debts in-
curred upon the other companies which had been attempted to
be established, had been entailed upon the present one.
The Cua mum; replied that this Company had not under-
taken any of the liabilities of the former ones. They were
going on a sure and absolute footing, and not even the servants
whom they had employed could claim a single farthing of ar-
rear.—( Chem. )
Mr. WHEELER said there was a part of the prospectus with
regard to which he solicited an explanation—( Hear' hear)—
viz., that as regarded the security against liability afforded to
the shareholders.—(Hear, hear.) He was himself con-
nected with private gas works, and he was aware that with-
out an Act of Parliament the Company could not recover
their debts. He wished to know, therefore, how they in
tended to proceed.
The CHAIRMAN said he could have no hesitation in replying
to the question. There were two modes by which the Com-
pany might proceed. First, by going to Parliament for a
charter ; and, secondly, by applying in accordance with the
provisions of the Act of Victoria, to the Privy Council, by
which they could procure all the advantages conferred by an
Act of Parliament.—(Hear, hear.) If it should be the opi-
nion of the shareholders, however, that it was necessary to go