The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-03 00:00:00

CHEAP GAS IN THE CITY.

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders
of the Great Central Gas Consumers' Company was held
at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, on Tuesday
last, to consider a deed for amalgamating the old City
Gas Light Company with the new company. Thomas
Dakin,.Esq., filled the chair.
The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by stating
that, in a matter so deeply affecting the interests of the
shareholders, the directors had thought it better to pre-
sent a written report of the whole proceeding, instead of
leaving it to the less certain process of explanation by a
verbal address. With the permission of the meeting the
report should be read, and ho would then be happy to
hear any observations the shareholders have to offer.
Mr, Alderman WIRE read the directors' report, from
which it appeared that the Bill of the Great Central had
passed both Houses, and is to receive the Royal assent
on Friday next. The terms of amalgamation were in
conformity with the pledges given to the consumers by
the Great Central. The value of the plant of each elm-
pany is to he determined by two arbitrators chosen by
the companies, and their decision to be governed by an
umpire of their own selection.
Mr. lIARDWICKE read the indenture of amalgamation.

Mr. Mecum and Mr. LAnnr, in short 'Speeches,
moved and seconded the adoption of the report, which
was unanimously approved.
Mr. C. PEARSON, Deputy STEVENS, and other gentle-
men, addressed the meeting, recommending that all past
diff rences should be forgotten, and th:.et the directors
and shareholders of the two companies should cordially
co-operate to carry out the great objects of the com-
pany for the equal benefit of the shareholders and con-
sumers. The triumphant success of this company, not-
withstanding the difficulties they had had to surmount,
afforded an additional manifestation of the power of the
people when in pursuit of an object of common interest.
Mr. STEVENS moved and Mr. BLAKE seconded a reso-
lution presenting the directors with an allowance of
1,000/. per annum for their services for two years, ac-
companied by a cordial vote of thanks, in which Mr.
Charles Pearson, as an honorary director, was included,
for their zealous, persevering, and efficient services in
bringing the company to its present state.
Tho resolution, which was unanimously passed, was
acknowledged by the Chairman, and the meeting ad-
journed.

THE METROPOLITAN WATER SUPPLY
COMMITTEE.

On resuming the inquiry yesterday, Sir James
Graham in the chair,
Mr. J. Quick, the engineer of the Southwark and
Vauxhall Company. was cross-examined by Mr. 8.7-
voßnt Wranghern. Q.C., on behalf of the water companies
of London generally.
Captain Veatch was then called and examined by Mr.
Mellor—Was a captain of the Royal Engineers, and a
member of the Harbour Commission. Had devoted
great attention to the question of water supply to the
metropolis. In regard to the present system of distribu-
tion and supply, had had occesion to observe that the
variety of prices that were charged by the various com-
panies for different qualities of water, had made it desir-
able far individuals to move from one district to another.
Householders were very much swayed in their opinions
by the water companies they took their supplies of, both
with respect to quality and quantity. Some were very
particular about the quality, and others about the price.
Thought it of the highest importance that water of the
best quality should be distributed to all, and distributed
at moderate prices; and thought that if the six compa-
nies on the northern side of the river were consolidated
into one, that it would be easy to get the same quality
of water, at the same cost, and on the principle of a con-
stant supply. The same plan might be adopted with
reference to the companies on the southern side of tho
river. It did not appsar to him that there was any ne-
cessity for consolidating the companies on both sides of
the river. Uniformity of price in this way might be
obtained on both aides of the river. Had considered
whether or not the Thames was a proper source of
supply for water to the metropolis, and thought,
having considered the other sources of supply
obtainable, that it was the most improper source, in
a sanitary point of view, that could be devised. It was
important to preserve the Thames, and the fresh water
streams running into it, as intact as possible, because the
latter, after getting into the tidal department, performed
a double office—viz., that of preserving and improving
the channel of the navigation and also the purity of the
river. This flowing of fresh water streams into the
Thames was essential to its purification, as affected by
the sewerage, and was of opinion that the great quantity
of fresh water flowing into the Thames at Teddington
Weir was one of the main elements in preserving its
purity, and the abstraction of the water from that point
for the supply of London would be injurious. The river
Lea, all other circumstances being the same, would pro-
duce less polluted water. Under the direction of the
Commissioners of Sewers, had directed his attention to
the supplies that might be obtained from the Lea. Had
ascertained from practical gauging that 7 million cubic
feet or 44 millions of gallons of water might daily be
procured from the Lea, 2i miles above Hertford, for the
daily supply of London. There were numerous fresh
water springs on the route of the Lea, from which any
qaantity of water might be produced. There was one
spring with an enormous supply at Woolmer, capable of
yielding 300,000 cubic feet or 2,000,000 gallons per
diem. The New Riv©r and East London Companies
were supplied from this source. The supply from the
Lea to tno New River-head, at Islington, was brought
39 miles from Ware by an open aqueduct, at an incli-
nation of three inches per mile, as a greater slope would
make the stream turbid. This circuit of 39 miles could
he reduced to 14 miles in a tunnel form. On the north-
western side of London there were a number of streams in
the Watford chalk formation that might be made available.
The river Coine, which could be brought 12 miles in a
direct line, would contribute 3,000,000 cubic feet per diem,
and the Verulam would yield 20 millions of gallons in
twenty-four hours, and the supplies might be brought to
near liegent'e-park —so that from these sources alone
64,000,000 gallons might be delivered to London daily.
Then, on the southern side of the river, a little up the
River Durenth, near Shoreham, 180 feet above high-
water mark, to a point called Manor-rise, Forest-hill
—from that point 2,600,000 cubic feet, or 16,000,000
gallons, could be supplied daily to London through a
twelve-mile tunnel, gravitating at six inches to the mile.
If the supplies from these sources were brought by tun-
nels, filtration would not be required. The supplies
from these sources would arrive by gravitation in the
' vicinity of London, and fall into reservoirs 142 feet