The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-19 00:00:00

GREAT CENTRAL GAS COMPANY.

The utmost dissatitfaction is expressed by share-
holders in the Great Central Gas Company at the
uncertainty and ignorance iu which they are kept
with regard to the extent, and other particulars, of
the astounding frauds committed by Benjamin
Higgs. Soon after the first news of these losses
transpired, their amount was put down by common
report at £40,000 or £50,000; then £lOO,OOO, and
even £150,000 were named; and within the last
day or two, alarmed
.shareholders write to the
press asking, in almost frantic tones, if there can
possibly be truth in a report which has been put
into circulation, that the extent of the depreda-
tions reaches from £150,000 to £200,000. The
n►atter presents the widest possible scope
for the exercise of the imagination, for it
is an extraordinary fact that all attempts,
whether on the part of the proprietors or the
press, to obtain information from the company's
officials have been met by the most studied reti-
cence and reserve. Unhappily frauds of this de-
scription, and of equal or even larger, amount, are
not without precedent in oar joint-stock com-
panies' annals, but on all previous occasions of the
sort the directors, whose neglect has rendered
the losses possible, have hastened to make such
amends as they could, by putting forth prompt
explanations as to the extent of the deficiency,
the manner in which it has occurred, and the plans
whereby the emergency is to be met. To the
directors of the Great Central Gas Company it has
been reserved to exhibit that practical contempt
of the sufferings and anxieties of ,their consti-
tuents which appears to be indicated by an ab-
solute and complete withholding of all informa-
tion. Instances are mentioned in which leading
shareholders have visited the company's offices,
and insisted vehemently upon their right, as
partners, to know the state of their property, but
it is said [that in all cases the attempt has been
fruitless, and that, baffled by their own servants,
shareholders have been driven hither and thither,
and forced to seek in all sorts of unreliable quar-
ters for the information by which their interests
are so closely affected. From the office of the
company not a sign has been made, nor a
single word issued, beyond the bold intimation
that a general meeting of the company is convened
for the 30th inst. If the directors imagine that the
irritation on the part of their shareholders is likely
to be in any degree appeased by this extraordinary
silence, the proceedings on the 30th aro likely to
undeceive them.

The following circular was on Saturday issued to
the supporters of Government in the House of Commons:
"Certain Divisions.—The Committee on the Irish Church
Bill will be proceeded with on Monday, the 19th April.
Early, frequent, and most important divisions are expected
upon the amendments in committee, and your support
and attendance in the House of Commons are very speci-
ally requested."
The Earl of Glasgow, though not, like his late distin-
guished relative, a supporter of racing, is attached to
yachting, and has, we notice, been elected commodore of
the Royal Northern Yacht Club for the ensuing year. His
lordship is the owner of the screw steamer Valetca.
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it causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. It removes all
dandruff. It contains neither oil nor dye. In large Bottles—
Price Six Shillings. Sold by most Chemists and Perfumers,
Depot 266, High Holborn