The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-04 00:00:00

TEL GAS CONSUOIERS OF PIJIMCO.

A public meetings of the gas consumers of Pimlico
was held on Monday evening in St. Leonard's-hall,
St. Leonard-street; Pimlico, for the purpose of sup-
porting the delegates from the parish in their ap-
plication to Parliament to protect the gas consumers
against the combination of the gas companies, who
have, longed a monopoly. The chair was taken by
Sir J. V. Shelley. In explaining the objects of the
meeting, he observed that he had no wish whatever
to do anything injurious to gas companies. He
wished to give them a fair commercial profit, and
to protect gas consumers from paying for gas which
they did not really consume. That was really what
the people of the metropolis wanted, and it was no
wish on their part to screw down the companies in
any way whatever. He might observe that two
committees sat on the subject, but owing to a
change of Government 'and other circumstances
the question was really never sifted at all. With
respect to the observations made by Mr. Burke
before the President of the Board, he had to
say that only one witness was examined, and
they had many others ready to show how the
quality of the gas had been deteriorated. The com-
mittee, however, decided on hearing no more, and
so the matter stood. He and Mr. Locke, the member
for Southwark, were the only persons who fought
the battle; but it was considered that it was too late.
in- the session to go- furthertand so the matter ended.
The difficulty they had now to contend with was,
that the Government did not feel themselves war-
ranted in bringing forward a measure on the evi-
dence taken ; but a bill had been prepared which
he was ready to bring forward in the next session
of Par4ment. There were many complaints made
of the present system,and as the -gas companies had
agreed to amalgamate, it was only fair they should
also be put under one system; and when inventions
were discovered which created a great decrease in
the cost of production, the gas consumers should
have the benefit of it. The question upon which the committee split was, that as it was agreed that in
the eventof frost or any other circumstance increas-
ing the produce, the companies should have a refe-
rence to the Board of Trade, but the same privilege
was refused to the gas consumer, in case he could
show a decrease.
Mr.- F. BERTOLONI (a delegate), in moving a reso-
lution in support of the delegates, mentioned that the
amount paid for gas in the metropolis at that period
WAS two millions, and the fact was that it was now a
matter of necessity. He complained of the abomina-
ble gas now furnishedeo the consumer:, and of the
system practised of for deposits(r before the
gas was furnished. The other delegate l r. owd en)
was compelled, he was sorry to say, to be absent on
the present occasion, but he might tell them that he
was most zealous in the cause. No other trader or
company had a right to a monopoly in the sale of any
article, and he did not see why the gas companies
should possess a privilege which no other class en-
joyed. He called on them to sign the petition
prepared on the subject, and contribute towards the
expenses which must necessarily be incurred.
Mr. WALTON seconded the motion, and hoped
that in any measure introduced the purity of the
gas supplied would be taken into consideration as
well as. the price. In many eases that now sup-
plied did great injury to their furniture, in
and
eases of paintings and gilding alr oolutely destroyed
them.

The Gliantmasread a few of the heads of the
bill, one of which applied specially to the purity of
gas to be supplied, and to do away with the exist-
ing practise of not supplying the incoming tenant
until the outgoing paid his arrears.
Mr. JED.Emitii CLARKE supported the resolution.
He believed the quality of the gas supplied was in
many
in''ta"ees of an excellent quality, and he
thought, in that respect, they had nothing to corn-
plain of. What he and other consumers wished to
have remedied was, not to be placed at the mercy
of companies Without any appeal or remedy what-
ever, no matter what may be the price charged.
By having only one set of pipes running through
their streets, instead,of several as on former occa-
sions, there was na doubt whatever a great advan-
tage was obtained, and unquestionably, While
good
and pure gas should be supplied, theyought to
give the companies a fair remunerating proilt,
He
was very happy to hear that St. James's parish
subscribed -1300; St. John's, in which he resided,
put down £lOO, andialthough it was said subscrip-i
tions of this nature were not legal, he believed that
what was customary would soon become law. He
called on all to assist by every means in their
power the nresent undertaking.
After a short discussion, the motion was agreed
to. •

Mr. MucllEtx, moved the next resolution, which
was to the effect that a copy of the first, with the
petition, be transmitted by their chairman to the
Seeretzry of State. He enumerated various in-
stances where, as an owner of house property, he
was compelled to pay up .the arrears of refractory
tenants, or else the gas would have been cut off by
those monopolising companies.
The resolution, having been E econded by Mr.
JONES, was passed.
Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and the
proceedings terminated.