The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-13 00:00:00

711 E CI IT 048 QUEBTION.

A numerous meeting of the inhabitants of the
ward of Farringdon Without was held last even-
ing in the Sessions House, Old Bailey, convened by
Alderman Sir JAmes Duke, M.P., in the following
terms :
"In pursuance of the following requisition,
numerously and respectably signed, addressed to
me, as Alderman of the ward of Farringdon With-
out, I hereby appoint a meeting of the inhabitants
of the said ward, to take the same into considera-
tion, on Tuesday next, the 12th day of November
inst., at six for seven o'clock in the evening pre
cisely, at the Sessions House, Old Bailey :
" To the Worshipful Sir James Duke Bart., M.P., Alder-
man of Che Ward of Farringdosi Without.
We, the undersigned inhabitants of your ward, re-
spectfully request that you will call a wardmote at your
earliest convenience, to take into consideration the increase
in the price of gas.
" ' Dated this 7th day of November, 1861.
" JAMES DUKE, Alderman."
The chair was taken by the worthy alderman
precisely at seven o'clock, at which time the build-
ing was crowded in every part.
The CHAIRMAN said that in consequence of a re-
quisition directed to him, he felt happy in comply-
ing with the request so made at the earliest oppor-
tunity. He was glad to see so many gentlemen
present to consider and discuss an important ques-
tion, and had only to express a hope that if any
one were present who entertained a different opinion
ho would get a fair and impartial hearing, (Hear,
hear.) He then called on the "Ward Clerk to read
the requisition.
Mr. PONTIFEX having done so,
Mr. POTTER said he rose in consequence of that
requisition to ask a question of the worthy alder-
man. That meeting purported to be one of the in-
habitants of the Ward of Farringdon Without, but
he saw many faces there from Bow and elsewhere,
who were not inhabitants, and he wished to know
whether it was proper they should take a part in
the proceedings.

Sic JAMES DUKE, M.P., replied that those who
were strangers now present must have been ad-
mitted by the carelessness of the beadles at the dcor,
but he hoped no gentleman unconnected with the
ward would have the bad taste to take any part in
the business of that meeting.
Mr. POTTER observed that under these circum-
stances he should move that those not connected
with the ward should immediately withdraw.
(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
_ _

STANBOROUGH seconded the motion, because
he believed that the strangers present were almost
to a man connected with gas companies in the city
of London, and were there to interrupt the pro-
ceedings. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN put the motion, which was carried
by a great majority, and he then requested strangers
courteously to withdraw, but they declined doing
so; upon which

Mr. PONTIFEX (the ward clerk) sw.fgested that
the beadles be called ou to turn out those not con-
nected with the ward. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HARVEY would not have recourse to such a
proceeding, but he severely reprehended the conduct
of those who remained at that meeting after the
courteous request made by their worthy alderman.
(Cheers.) He had been an inhabitant of that ward
for 30 years, and never saw such a scene as the pre-
sent. He looked upon it as a disgrace to the gas
companies that they should pack that court with
their men to stifle the honest expressions of opinion
of the inhabitants of this ward—inhabitants, he
would add, who were already taxed tco severely.
(Hear, hear.) He was ashamed of those of his fellow-
men who would come into that ward to interfere
with the feelings and opinions of the inhabitants.
(Cheers.) Their conduct was most disgraceful, and
he should, under the circumstances, move that that
wardmote be dissolved.

Mr. Deputy OBBARD suggested that they might
go on with the business of the meeting, and they
need not allow any strangers to take a part in it.
(Cries of " No, no.")
Mr. LUSHER thought it would be better to dis-
solve the wardmote at once, and he should therefore
cordially support the proposition of his friend Mr.
Harvey.
The question was then put, and being almost
unanimously carried, the wardmote was dissolved.
On a vote of thanks being passed to the Chair-
man, _ _

Sir J. DUKE returned thanks, and said he should
be happy at all times to comply with the wishes
of his fellow wardsmen, especially on so important
a question as that which they had met to discuss
that evening. He was sorry for what had occurred,
but hoped steps would be taken to prevent a recur•
rence of it hereafter.

Mr. G. WALTER wished to know from the
worthy alderman when it was his intention to
convene the next meeting.
Sir JAMES DUKE replied that ho could not mane
a day until he got a requisition, but be would do so
immediately after.
A requisition was at once prepared in the ante
room, and presented to the worthy Alderman, to
call another meeting for the same purpose, and
Tuesday next was fixed, when it is understood such
measures will be adopted as will exclude all persons
who have not any right to be present according to
the terms of the requisition.
The proceedings then terminated.

Yesterday again, at a mating of the Commis-
sioners of Sewers, held at Guildhall, Deputy Christie
in the chair, the question of the supply of gas to the
whole city, under the new Metropolis Gas Act, was
brought prominently under consideration. A report
was read from a special committee of the commis-
sion to whom it was recently referred to consider,
with particular regard to the Great Central Gas
Consumers' Act of 1851, a letter, dated 2d of Sep-
tember last, signed by the chairmen of the three
city gas companies, intimating that on and after
Michaelmas their charge would be increased to 4s.
16d. a thousand feet for ordinary coal gas. They
had also to consider whether the interests of the
gas consumers are sufficiently protected by the Me-
tropolis Gas Act, and, if not, whether it is desirable
to apply to Parliament for more efficient means to
remedy the complaints as to the quality and purity,
of the gas, and for authority to test tha illuminat-
ing power at the place of consumption, instead of
at 1,000 yards from the works, as required by the
new Act. The advantage of conferring with the
Law and Parliamentary Committee of the Corpora-
tion. A conference had also been had with the
directors of three of the companies supplying the
city with gas; the City of London Gas Company
being represented by Mr. Gray, the chairman ; the
Chartered Gas Company by Mr. Howe Browne,
deputy-governor, and Captain Gifford; and the
Great Central by their chairman, Alderman Dakin,
and by Deputy Virtue, Mr. Warren, and Mr.
Rowe. The question was put to those gentlemen—
whether, if the corporation were to introduce a bill
into Parliament to exempt the city of London from
the Act of 1860, the companies would oppose it.
To that the representatives of the Chartered Com-
pany and of the City Gas Company, replied that
they should decidedly feel it their duty to oppose
any euch measure. Alderman Dakin, for the Great
Central, said he was not in a position to give a
decided answer to the question. They were then
asked whether they were prepared to withdraw the
notice they had given of their intention to increase
the price of gas to 4s. 6d. a thousand feet. They
all replied that they could not do so. To the next
question, whether they would consent to the test-
ing being made within the city, instead of at 1,000
yards from the works, the representatives of the
City Gas and the Great Central Company cordially
agreed to do so, while the directors of the Chartered
Company said their testing place was already in
Coleman-street, the very heart of the city. A ques-
tion was then put—whether, assuming the advanced
price was conceded, they would agree to abandon
the power given them by the new act for districting
the city. The deputation stated that, as such a pro-
ceeding could not be taken until August,
.1863, they
were not in a situation to answer the question, which
they thought premature. The committee had subse-
quently placed before them by the CI tyof London and
the Great Central Companies the subjoined proposi-
tions, the probability being that the Chartered Com-
pany would also assent to them :—First, that they
would undertake for five years to come not to charge
a higher price than 4s. 6d. a thousand feet, nor
charge any rent for the use of meters ; nor that
cannel coal should be used, except by specialae agree-
mentthe with the parties consuming. 'Phis
substance of the report of the committee, and yes-
terday Deputy Christie, their chairman, said it was
simply a statement of facts, and that they came to
no resolution on the subject. On the motion of De-
puty Harrison the report was ordered to be entered
on the minutes of the Court. Dr. Abraham had
given
notice of his intention to move that the Com-
mission of Sewers do not enter into any contract
with the Great Central for the public lighting until
the notice issued by the company to raise
the price of gas to 4s. 6d. a thousand feet had been
unconditionally withdrawn ; but the City Solicitor
expressing an opinion that the Court could not fairly
entertain the question, the motion was withdrawn.
A petition from the ward of Bishopsgate-without,
complaining of bad faith on the part of the Great
Central in raising their price to 4s. 6d. a thousand
feet, was, on the motion of Dr. Abraham, referred
to a committee to consider and report. Dr. Abra-
ham. then, in a speech of considerable length,
te
rated all the objections he has so often expressed int
to
this court against the application of the newA
d 2haig
the city, and against the Great Central 6 Companyc
for raising their price from 4s. to
regard to their pretensions in
that
their price
was to crush a monopoly, and reduce
their aim
of gas to the consumers. HleBsml'o4vsd, pursuant

to notice, that the Remembrancer be instructed to
give the necessary Parliamentary notices that
application will be made to Parliament by this com-
mission for leave to introduce, in the next Session,
a Bill to amend the Metropolis Gas Act, or to ex-
empt the City of London from its operation. On
thisa long
to ngarsgpueamke.nt
Be3n,sued, but it lay in a nut-
shell,members it was contendedDtErla.tA, ablrtahhoaunighatnhde Great
Central Central at their commencement in 1851 not only
gave a guarantee that their maximum price should
never exceed 4e. 6d. a thousand feet, but that it
might possibly be reduced to 3s. Gd. or 35., had re-
cently determined upon raising the price to 4s. Gd.,
which would entail a serious loss to the citizens,
especially the numerous class of small tradesmen.
Alderman Dakin argued, on the other hand, that
the circumstances were now wholly altered, and
that the Great Central, by the recent Act, within
the purview and. operation of which they were
brought, were compelled to raise their illuminating
power 14 per cent. at least, Fnd that to recoup
themselves they had increased their price an addi-
tional Gd. a thousand. The motion, after being
supported
s,
Abir,
Fr Deputy'Pricker,
Fry,
e;
and
Deputy
Jones,
yy
Farrar,
11 r,
and
of
handsopposedby and carried. Deputy Elliott,) was submitted to a
show