The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-19 00:00:00

THE LONDON OAS MONOPOLY.

CONFERENCE OF THE METROPOLITAN
PARISHES.

Yesterday an important meeting of deputations ap-
pointed by the vestries and district boards of the metro-
politan parishes was ,held at the Court-house, St.
Marylebone, for the purpose of considering the recent
step taken by the Metropolitan Gas Companies, of
dividing the metropolis into districts, with a view to the
prevention of competition.
Dr. Bachhoffner, of Marylebone, was called to the
chair, and deputations were present from the vestries
of Marylebone, Islington, St. Pancras, Paddington, St.
James's (Westminster), St, George's (Pimlico), &c. The
meeting was fully attended.

The CHAIRMAN observed there could be little doubt
that the effect of the recent apportionment of districts to
each other by the gas companies themselves would be
injury to the consumers and monopoly. (Hear, hear.)
In the first place, the consumers had been handed over
from our contractor to another, without their conseet
even being asked; and, secondly, the consumers were
so completely at the mercy of the gas companies, that
already, he was informed, in some instances, they were
exhibiting their power by refusing gas to in-coming
tenants unless they paid the arrears of their predeces-
sors. This is itself was so monstrous As to justify an
appeal to Parliament, if there was nothing else. The
question was one of deep public importance and the
committee of the vestry of Marylebone bad thought it
advisable to invite a conference with the other parishes
on so important a ?subject. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. FREM, of Marylebone, having given instances
of the evil effects of the monopoly that had already
arisen, moved the first resolution, to the effect—" That
this meeting views with considerable apprehension the
recent division of the metropolis into districts by the
various gas companies, and is of opinion that the various
metropolitan vestries and district boards should co- lee-
rate together to prevent the operation of the gas com-
panies from working injuriously to the gas consumers of
the metropolis." (Hear, hear.)
Mr. GEESIN. St. James's, seconded the motion.
Mr. HODGENS thought that, as a general principle,
the supply of artificia 1 ight should be under a municipal
arrangement. If such a combination were now allowed
to be carried out, they might in 1862, so soon as the
coa!-tax expired, have the coal merchants parcelling out
the metropolis in the same way, and in furtherance of
their own monopoly, deprive the patine of the benefit of
the remission of the tax. To show the spirit in which
the companies were prepared to act he might mention
that throughout St. Marylebone, where the Imperial
Company had hitherto no other cot:tipsily to contend
against, they forced the consumer to purchase his own
meter, and charged him for laying on, the service ;
whereas in St. Pancras, where, prior to the combination
they had to encounter the opposition of another com-
pany, they laid on the service free of all charge, and
allowed the consumer to rent his meter.
Mr. Eldridge, St. Penerae ; Mr. Cameron, St. Pan-
cras ; Mr. Elt, Islington ; Mr. Beale, St. James's ; Mr.
Churchwarden Soaen, Marylebone ; Mr. Belton, Mr.
Austin, Mr. Cameron, and ether gentlemen, having
spoken in favour of the resolution,
Mr. BEALE moved, and Mr. CAMERON seconded a re-
solution to adjourn the conference, to c irnmunicate with
all the vestries and district boards of the me.ropolitan
parishes, and to enable the deputations present to report
to and obtain powers from the respective bodies they
represent.
Mr. Dickenson, churchwarden, Mr. Roach, of Pad-
dirgten, and other gentlemen having spoken, the motion
was carried ; just as the meeting was concluding, an im-
portant letter was received from the town-clerk of Man-
chester, stating that the profits of gas lighting to the
corporation amounted to ,between 30,0001. and 40,000/.
per annum, and was applied to local improvements.
(Loud applause.)
Thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

THE AMERICAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.
The United States steam-ship Fulton, Capt. J. A. Wot-
ton, sailed for New York to-day with the French and
English mails, 90 passengers, 21,3751. in specie from
London, and 300,000 dollars from • Havre. By a tele-
gram received here this afternoon we are informed that
the screw steamer Jason, on Iter way from New York
to this port, had put into Queenstown short of coals,
and would proced immediately.
MR. COBDEN.—There is no probability of Mr. Cob-
den's return to Parliament at present. He peremptori y
r3fuses to be put in nomination. A party of gentlemen,
who were anxious to start him as a candidate for Reao-
ing, have been informed that circumstances of a family
nature preclude him from seeking a seat in the Commons,
and would prevent his acceptance of a seat, even it
eleeed without the necessary contest.
INQUEST ON THE BODY OF MR. STAFFORD, M.P.—
DUBLIN, Wednesday.—Au inquest was held to-day
upon the body of Mr. Stafford. The attention of the
jury
was
directed to the question as to whether the de-
ceased had died in consequence of an overdose of laude-
num administered to him by Dr. Griffin, of Limerick.
After the necessary evidence, however, they came to
the conclusion that the hon. gentleman had died from
natural causes, disease of the heart being sufficient to
account for death.