The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-22 00:00:00

THE ;lETROPOLITAN GAS QUESTION.

Yesterday the representative vestry of St. Pan-
cras held a meeting at the Vestry-hall, Camden-
town, for the purpose, among other matters, of
considering the recent arrangements for distribut-
ing amongst the metropolitan gas companies a re-
solution of which notice had been given them.
Mr. Churchwarden Attenborough having been
called to the chair,
Mr. Coos, the vestry clerk, read a communica-
tion from the vestry clerk of Marylebone, accom-
panying a copy of the petition to Parliament, which
had been agreed to by the metropolitan delegates,
p aying for the appointment of a Parliamentary
committee to investigate the whole subject of gas
lighting in the metropolis with a view to legislative
enactment, and asking the vestry of St. Pancras to
adopt and place the corporate seal of the parish to
such petition.
Mr. BRIITTINGHAM then brought forward the
motion of which he had given notice, to the effect,
" That the vestry, seeing that the inhabitants of St.
Pancras were amply protected by the 17th Viet.,
cap. 55 (the amended act of the Imperial Gas Com-
pany), passed in the year 1854, both as to quality
and price in the article of gas, therefore it was un-
necessary for the deputation on the gas question to
take any further proceedings in the matter." Mr.
Brettingham contended that the mountain in
labour—or gas delegates sitting at the Marylebone
Court-house—had, iu this petition, brought forth
a o mouse.nce , So
the far
the
parish of St. Pancras was
rnauthorities and private consumers
concerned,
were amply protected from exorbitant demands, as
the maximum cbarg' was under the act, but ss. per
das
1,000 cubic feet. Another clause also regulated
the quality. He felt quite sure it was not for the
benefit of the ratepayers and the public that there
should be a ruinous competition forced upon a com-
pany such as the Imperial, and he was quite certain
that it would not be for their benefit to incur enor-
mous; expense in going before a committee of the
House of Cammons.

Di.. T. E. BAKER seconded the resolution, and
said a director of one of the gas companies had in-
formed him that there was ao necessity for alarm,
as there would be no alteration in the price of gas,
except to lower it.
The Rev. R. ECKETT opposed the motion, and
said there was no security unless the gas companies
went to Parliament, and obtained a bill restricting
the maximum charge to 4s. 6cl. per 1,000 feet.
Mr. FARRER also opposed the motion, and said
even supposing it to be a fact that St. Pancras was
protected, he hoped they wore not going to act upon
so narrow-minded a principle as not to aid other
parishes.
Mr. YOUNG said a full case for inquiry was made
out, and as t 4 that parish being protected, they paid
12,0001. a year for the public lights, and from the
way in which they were lighted he believed they did
not get more than 8,0001. worth of gas per annum.
Mr. CAMERON moved and Mr. FAMINE. seconded
an amendment, to refer the petition to the gas corn-
mittie of the vestry to report as to the propriety of
its adoption.

Mr. THURSTON supported the amendment, and it
was carried by
a majority of 42 to 2, the motion
teing negatived.

TiTe meeting, after other business, broke up.

suls built at this, the
ANNUAL RETURN OF SHIPRUILDING ON THE WEAL—
SUNDERLAND, Wednesday.—The at.nual return of Yes-
empire, has just been compiled, and shows, all things
con,idered, that the trade continues in a satisfactory
reatest chi building port in the
g p
condition. The number of vessels built during 1357 was
143, representing a total tonnage of 54,780, and an
a% erage tonnage of 383. Tbii is a deorease of 11
vessels on the slake build for 1856, and a decrease on
the tonnage of 14269.
MANSION-Houal. —Yesterday evening the hospita-
lities of Sir R W. Carden's mayoralty wt-re inaugurated
by a juvenile fete, to which the Lady Mayoress invited
the younger members of the falailles of the aldermen
and the members of the Court of Common Council, as
well as a large circle of private friends. Nearly 1,000
guests assembled.