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

THE lETEOPOLIT AN GAS QUESTIO.

Yesterday the representative vestry of St. Pan-
crai 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.
aliamentary
delegates,
p red r.
toCh tuhrechcbwaairrd, ea Attenborough having been
cal
Mr. Coos, the vestry clerk, read a communica-
tion from the vestry clerk of Marylebone, accom-
panying a c;)py of the petition to Parliament, which
had
ayiogb
.eed t
e metropolitanaophpyoitnhtement of a Pr
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. BRETTINGIIAM then brought forward the
mot'on of which be had given notice, to the effect,
" That the vestry, seeing that the inhabitants of St.
Pancras were amply protected by the 17th Vict.,
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 Ism the deputation on the gas question to
take any further proceedings in the matter." Mr.
Bie tingliam contended that the mountain in '
labour—or gas delegates sitting at the Marylebone
Court-house—had, in this petition, brought forth
a mouse. So far as the parish of St. Pancras was
concerned, the authorities and private consumers
were amply protected from exorbitant demands, as
the maximum charge was under the act, but ss. per
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 upo , a com-
pany -uch as the Imperial, and he wayquire certain
thAt it would not be for their benefit to incur enor-
tn us expense in going before a committee of the
House of Corinoes.

Mr. T. E. BAKER seconded the resolution, and
said a director of one of the gas companies had in-
formed him that there was Ito necessity for alarm,
as there would be no alteration in the price of gas,
except to lower ir.
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. 64. 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 were not going to act upon
so narrow-minded a principle as not to aid otter
parishes. _ _ _

Mr. YOUNG said a full case for inquiry was made
out, and as.to that parish being protected, they paid
Way iu which they were lighted he believed they did
not get more than 8,000/. worth of ga3 per annum.
12,0001: a year for the public lights, and from the
Mr. CAMERON moved and Mr. FARRER seconded
an amendment, to refer the petition to the gas com-
mittee of the vestry to report as to the propriety of
its adoption.

Mr. THußsroN supported the amendment, and it
eiug negatived.
was carried by a mijority of 42 to 2, the motion
The meeting, after other business, broke up.

- - - - ---
ANNUAL RETURN OF Z,HIPBI7ILDIN4 ON THE WE.A.R.—
SUNDERLAND, Wednesday.—The ai.nual return of vas-
eels built at this, the greatest shipbuilding port in the
empire, has just been compiled, and shows, all things
considered, that the trade continues in a satisfactory
condition. The number of vessels built during 1857
was
143, representing a total tonnage of 54,780, and an
a• erage tonnage of 883. Tnis is a decrease of 11
ve-shels on the entire build for 1856, and a decrease on
the tonnage cf 8,269.
MANSION-HOUBE. _Yesterday evening the hospita-
lities of Sir R. W. CArden's mayoralty were inaugurated
by a juvenile fete, to Which the Lady Mayoress invited
the younger members of the fa nines of the aldermen
and the members of the Gina of Common Council, se
well as a large circle of poivate friends. Nearly 1,000
guests aseemblea,