The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-03 00:00:00

PARISH OF ST. JAMES, WESTMINSTER.
Yesterday a meeting of the vestry of St. James,
Westminster, was held in the vestry-room, the I.{.
John Jack,on, rector, in the chair. The minutes of
the previous vestry having been confirmed,
The VESTRY-CLERK read a communication from
the Board of Health, calling upon the parochial au-
thorities to put in their claim for compensation under
the Metropolitan Int.:?rment Act, for the loss sustained
by the closing of the parochial burial ground, and the
one in the Hamptoad-road, contemplated by the
above Ac', which should be made on the .13th inst.

Mr. JACKSON moved that it be referred to a com-
mittee to report thereon.
Mr. G. A. WALKER thought that the vestry-clerk
was enabled to deal with the question.—(Hear.)
The CuAIRMAN said that it was a mere queStion of
figures. They had to choose between accepting com-
pensation, and undertaking the incumbrances attached
to their burial-grounds, or waive their claim to
compensation, and get rid of those ineumbranccs.
lie would wish to hear Walker's opinion up( n
the subj,ct.— (Hear, h ir.)
Mr. WALKEtt rucotorpeaded an ap;ilieation to the
Bo2rd of Ilraltb, as to the real intentions of the board.
li re:isted as determin,,tly Ili possible all the obj,.c-
tionable clauses of the BIA ; but his opposition
v:t.h).—(lll-nr, hear )
Mr. GABEIEL—Were you not consulted upon the
lz;it

Mr. WALK at—lndeed I was not. It is a question
of money aoinst health.—(llear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said that he would h.q•Lire at
Gwyd.yr House whether they had the option of ac-
cepting or refusing compensition. Then there would
only remain the question of figures.
Mr. WALKER—When would the Act come into
operation?
CHAIRMAN—Iie understood not before July nee.
—(Surprise.)
Mr. Churchwarden GEESON thought that it wcs
then in force.

CHAIRMAN—They had not as yet purchased an acre
of ground.
Mr. NELSON seconded the motion, which wt.s
carried.

The VESTRY-CLERK read a very lengthened report
from the paving and lighting board, recommending
that the Western Gas Company be permitted to lay
down their mains in the parish, because the cannel
coal, whence they made their gas, afforded a purer, a
cheaper, and a more powerful light than that given
by the Chartered London and Equitable Gas Com-
panies, who proposed to amalgamate in supplying the
parish, which was a combination and a monopoly that
should not be tolerated.—(Hear, hear.) The Western
Gas Company offered to light the public lamps for
3/. 13$. 6 i. which cost 4/. 10$., and to reduce the pri-
vate lights from Bs. to 64., with a prospect of a further
reduction to ss. The report further stated that they
had practically tested and proved the superiority of
the cannel gas as regarded brilliancy, cheapness, and
purity.
The Hon. Mr. Brea bad no objection to the ad-
mission of the Western Gas Company into the parish,
if their gas had such essential superior qualities, and
if the company had givem ample security to carry
out their project, and against their amalgamating
with the other companies, after the fashion of the
water companies.—(Hear, hear.) He objected to
the unnecessary haste of the paving and lighting
board, who should have, in the first instance, given
the Chartered Gas C impany an opportunity to outbid
the Western Gas Company, which would prevent their
streets and thoroughfares being broken up and
stopped if the Chartered Gas Company reduced their
charge.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Jackson Mr. Clark, and several others followed
on the same aide.

Mr. GABRIEL supported the views of the paving and
lighting board, and also advocated the claims of the
Western Gas Company.
Mr. Churchwarden GEESON moved, and Mr.
WALKER seconded, resolutions approving of the re-
port, and recommending its insertion on the minutes,
which were carried.
This closed the proceedings of the vestry, which
adjourned after a rote of thanks to the Chairman.

A TOKEN OF PROMISE.—Our readers will be as
much gratified to hear as we are to state, that our worthy
brother in faith, Mr. Lewis J. Levy, has been appointed a
magistrate for the cathedral city of Rochester. Mr. Levy is
a gentleman of a high sense of honour, worth, and integrity,
and one who, in his official as well as in his private duties,
will do honour to the Jewish community. What renders
the appointment of greater importance at the present mo-
ment, when we are struggling for a full complement of civil
and religious rights, is the fact that the whole of the town-
councii, upon whose recommendation the appointment was
made, are strong Conservatives and high Churchmen.—
.reu•ish Chronicle.