The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-18 00:00:00

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ST.t3IPED

of the 23 and 24 Vic., c. 125, regulating the supply
and quality of the gas provided by the 13 companies
to the metropolis, and have examined witnesses
from many large towns, as well as the metropolis, in
various parts of the kingdom, viz., Manchester,
Edinburn, Birmingham, IValsall, Plymouth,
Brighton, &c. They have found the illuminating
power greater, and the quality of the gas better
than in London, and the price cheaper to the con-
surner3. The illuminating power varied from 14
sperm candles to 30 candles, whereas the power in
London is fixed at 12 candles for
common gas, and
20 for cannel gas,
by the Act 23 and 24 Viet. c. 125.
" The purification of the gas in the metropolis is
imperfect, and an excess of sulphur remains which
is highly injurious to pictures, leather, metals, &c.
Since the passing of the Act 23 and 24 Vict. c. 125,
That whereas the dividends of the gas companies
the price of gas to the consumers has been increased
until recently, whilst the power of light has been
less and the quality of the article worse.
in no instance reached the
amountshow shown to
tlOO perthe
cent. on their
capital, the effect of the actcowmasptaonryaiisne
4‘
to increase the
many com-
panies rsthaatteisemfoaafertkidoeinltivdoaeflnudyeoouurfatthilceo,irmamsshihattareese: sbeaevneendry
inthe metropolis
lin addition, paid large sums in the form
have,
of back dividends, and have laid by reserve funds.
" Your committee is of opinion that the minimum
now pays 10 per cent. and
illuminating power should be increased, and the
maximum price reduced.
" That a chemical board of three members should
be appointed from time to time, for t lie metropolis,
at the expense of the gas companies, by the Secre-
tary of State, to regulate the analysis of the
purity
and illuminating power of all gas supplied to con-
smilers by the different gas companies, with power
to fix the mode and places for testing the gas, such
board to report to the Home Secretary.
" That every gas company should within its own
district, and at its own cost, provide and maintain,
in a convenient situation, at a distance of not less
than 1,000 yards from the works, a testing place,
and all proper materials, apparatus, machinery, and
instruments for testing the illuminating power and
purity of the gas by the public officer, and that such
testing place should be under the control and man-
agement of the local authority. That the gas com-
pany should be at liberty to send an officer to be pre-
sent at the testing by the public officer, but should
not interfere in such testing. I

" That each gas company may have a separate
testing place in the same building, under their own
control, so as to be enabled to test the same gas at
the same time.

" That public officers for the purpose of testing
the illuminating power and purity of gas should be
appointed by the local authority—one for each dis-
trict.

" That such officers should be authorised to test
continuously, and report the result daily to the local
authority ; that every testing should be registered,
and not the average only.
" That a chief gas analyst should be appointed
by the local authority only to direct the operations
of the testing officers ; should receive daily reports,
and submit and report on them weekly to the local
authority.

" If any complaint be made by the company as to
the testing, there should be an appeal to the chief
analyst, whose decision should be final.
" The weekly report, if unchallenged, should be
conclusive as to the experiments made.

That the expenses incident to the appointment
of such public officers should be paid by the local
authorities.

That the Metropolitan Board of Works be the
local authority outside the City, and the Commis-
sioners of Sewers within the City.

"That in the event of the local authority making
default in appointing such officers, for the period of
12 months, the Secretary of State shall have power
to appoint officers, charging the cost of the same on
the funds of the local authority.
de: Thdfoerpsoixwyer of
earsionuakin
tofgsulrlpplufsoprmroefirtsdaectitcsitin
injuri-
ously ously to the public. Your committee recommend
that such power should be limited to three years.
" That the losses to companies through neglect of
the directors or their officers, as instanced in the
case of the Great Central Gas Company in Wood-
street, where damages were recovered amounting to
£25,000, with heavy law costs, were charged on the
surplus profits, instead of the shareholders' dividends,
thus depriving the public of a reduction in the price
of gas supplied to it, and in fact making the con-
sumers answerable for the company's defaults.
" Your committee think the system of districts
should be continued, and with a view to the economy
of administration, and the convenience of the con-
sumers and of the public, that every facility should
be offered by Parliament for the further extension of
the system of regulated monopoly, either in the way
of the amalgamation of the several existing compa-
nies, or of the disposal of the interests of the several
companies in the metropolis to some body or bodies
representing the ratepayers of the metropolis, on
such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon,
and as Parliament may see fit to impose.
" Your committee having received evidence that
the mode of recovering penalties against gas com-
panies is inoperative, whether before a police-
magistrate or the Secretary of State, recommend
' that a more summary process be adopted.
" That the Metropolis Gas Act should be amended
to carry out the suggestions contained in this report."

PHILLIPS AND COMPANY'S TEAS ARE
BEST AND CHEAPEST.
STRONG to FINE BLACK TEA, Is. 6d., 25., 2s. 6d., 35.,
3s. 4d.
Moat Delicious Black Tea is now only 3s. 61. net' pound.
Pure, ktieh, Rare, Choice Coffee, Is. Id.. Is. 6d, Is. Bd.
PIIILLIPS and CO., TEA MERCHANTS,
R. King William-street, City, London, E.C.
A price current free. Sugars at market prices.
ILLIt'S and CO. "end all goods Carriage Free within
eight miles of o. 8. Kin, illlam-street, 40.. worth Car-
riage Free to any taiiway Station or Market Town in Eng-
land. Phillips and CO. have no Agent., nor any conneNion
with any house in Worcester or Swansea.

HO M
ELESS BOYS OF LONDON.-CON-
TRIBUTIONS are earnestly soaeited for establishing
the COUNTRY HOME. 41,0 0 required.
Wes. WILLI OM Secretary.
Boys' Refuge, 8. Great Queen-street W.C.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.

The adjourned Wharncliffe meeting of this com-
pany was appointed to be held yesterday at the
Euston Station, Mr. Moon in the chair, but, in con-
sequence of none of the numerous bills remaining
on the company's list being ready, the meeting was
further adjourned to the 24th inst.

On the motion of Mr. BONTEMS, the report was
referred to the special gas committee of the Corpo-
tion, with the authority to negotiate with the three
gas companies in reference to the report of the com-
mittee of the llouse of Commons.

Wertbatt hautz's N

A publi. meeirig 5; Litir.;
Institute, Mercer-street, liladwell, j
Baring, M.P., in the chair, for the purpose of bring-
ing under the notice of the mercantile marine the
claims to support of the new hospital at Belvedere,
near Erith, on the Manus, for disabled and worn-
out merchant seamen. To help the meeting, which
was numerously attended, to form an adequate no-
tion of its extent and appropriate situation, a
spirited representation of the building, painted by
Mr. Rogers, th c scenic artist of the Britannia Theatre,
was bung over the platform. Mr. Baring, in
opening the proceedings, recalled to mind that the
commerce of the country owed much of its gr,-,.atn::s.s
to the sailors engaged in the merchant service, lie
candidly admitted that the extensive mercantile
house to which he belo;lged felt, it to be its duty to
assist in the establishment of thiS institution, and it
afforded him unfeigned pleasure in having had the
opportunity of assisting in the initiating of the hos-
pital at the Mansion-house, and of presiding ove-i•
the present meeting. We had retreats for oar worn
out soldiers and sailors at Chelsea and Greenwich ;
but until now no such national asylum had been
thought of for ourdisabled merchant seamen. It was
estimated that there were no less than 250,000 sailors
employed in that service, and of these 3,000 wero
generally driven to seek shelter in workhouses, or to
subsist upon outdoor parochial relief. These simple
facts demonstrated the necessity for the Belvedere
institution, which would be now further explained
in an address from its secretary.

Captain T. TRIBE, in responding to this request,
gave a rapid history of the hospital, urging all who
had " a shot in his locker" to come forward and
assist the effort. The building was within a
quarter of an hour's journey of London, and
contained 65 rooms, and had 24 acres of land at-
tached to it. It was now capable of receiving 150
men, but its capacity was equal to the wants of
ZOO, and it was proposed gradually to raise the
inmates to that number: Royalty, the Government,
and every large commercial town, with the City of
London and Liverpool at their head, had lent their
aid in launching the good ship Belvedere, of which
it was expected our sailor prince would shortly hoist
his flag as commander, by becoming
its president.
The institution would be chiefly self-supporting,
and, under a plan of subscription by the seamen
themselves, partake rather of the character of a pro-
vident society than a charity.

Captain Hunter proposed, the Rev. Mr. Wilkson
seconded, Captain Peter Campbell supported, and
the meeting passed by acclamation, a resolution de-
claring that, composed as it was of officers and sea-
men of the mercantile marine and of shipowners and
gentlemen connected with commerce, it hailed with
much satisfaction the statement it had heard of the
progress made towards providing a refuge for the
aged and disabled seamen of all ranks who were in
need, and established a national pension fund for
them, and annuities for their widows.

A second resolution was carried, pledging the
officers and seamen present to become subscribers
to the institution, and to exert their influence in its
behalf with their brother sailors, and a vote of thanks
to the chairman terminated the proceedings.