The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-17 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

The bills of Messrs. William Cheaseborough and
Son, the largest woollen dealers in Bradford, have
been returned yesterday to a considerable amount.
It is believed, however, that the difficulty will be
only temporary, that the bills in question relate to
a specific transaction, and that the firm hold wool
to cover them amply, and which will be realised
forthwith. A general and permanent suspension
of their operations is therefore not apprehended.
A circular has been issued by Messrs. S. C. Lis-
ter and Co., a large woolle❑ firm at Halifax, whose
suspension was announced on Monday, assuring
their creditors that they are certlin of their ulti-
mate ability to meet all claims in full, and that the
other concerns in which Mr. Lister is a partner are
in a perfectly sound state.
Private letters, and also the Manchester Exami-
ner, mention that Mr. Yewdall, of Hamden, near
Leeds, a very extensive operator in wools, has
found it necessary to obtain indulgence from his
creditors. He is said to have had the acceptances
of Messrs. S. C. Lister and Co. returned upon him
for a heavy amount.
A report on the affairs of the Western Bank of
Scotland is to be submitted to a meeting of the
shareholders to-morrow at Glasgow. It has been
drawn up by Mr. James McClelland, and will, it is
said, give a faithful account of the actual position of
the establishment so far as it could be ascertained
from a diligent examination of all the books.
The annexed relates to the suspension of Mess's.
Willey and Co., announced yesterday :
" 27, King-street, Cheapside, Dec. 16.
11‘ Sir,—With reference to the statement itt h 5 Money
Article in the Times of this morning, we bel. to state
that although it be true that the liabilities of R. Will-y
and Co. are between 40,0001. and 50,000/., the assets of
the firm are estimated to a very considerably larger
amount ; and measures are now in course of arrange-
ment, assented to by a very large majority of the credi-
tors, which will doubtless enable the firm to continue
their business, to pay their creditors 20e. in the pound,
and leave them a very considerable surplus.
" We trust you will deem it but just to give pnblieity
to this letter in your to-morrow's Menetary Article.
" We are, sir, &c.,
" VAN SANDAU and CUMMING,
" Solicitors for R. Willey and Co., and for carrying
into effect the arrangement."

TILE LONDON GAS MONOPOLY.-APPLI-
CATION TO PARLIAMENT.

Yesterday the adjourned meeting of delegates from
the metropolitan parishes on the subject of the recent
amalgamation and districting of the London Gas Com-
panies, was held at the Court-house, Marylebone, for the
purpose of considering the necessary steps for checking
the evils of monopoly which have already arisen in
consequence of such arrangements on the part of the gas
companies.
Dr. Bachhoffner, of Marylebone, was in the chair, and
the parishes represented, were—St, James's, Westmin-
ster, St. Pancras, Marylebone, Islington, Strand District,
St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Westminster DiArict,lfolhorn
District, Hackney, Lambeth, Camberwell, Paddingtr n,
Limehouse, Wandsworth, Fulham, Hammeremitb,
Newington, Surrey, Clerkenwell, St. George's, Hamlet
of Mile-end Old Town, &c.; each deputation attended by
the vestry clerk or surveyor. The court-house was filled.
The CHAIRMAN having opened the proceedings, a
correspondence was read between the Equitable Gas
Company and the vestry of St. Martin's, with a view to
show that some statements charging that company with
having increased their price and acted in an arbitrary
manner, were incorrect. This was admitted to be so
on the part of St. Martin's, by Mr. Lath, one of the
representatives from that parish.
Mr. BEALE, of St. James's, then proposed a series of
resolutions, which bad been printed and sent to every
metropolitan vestry and district board.
The two first resolutions were adopted unanimously.
They were—" That it is desirable that the metropolitan
parishes should concur in a united application to Parlia-
ment, by petition, or on the motion of the metropolitan
[ members, for a committee of inquiry into the existing
arrangements fqr the supply of gas to the metropolis."
"That a committee cousisting of one member from
each district be appointed to prepare such petition, to
communicate the same to all other parishes, and solicit
the affixing of the common seal of each vestry or district
board to such petition, and that the same be entrusted
to the respective borough members for presentation."
The third resolution, calling upon the metropolitan
gas companies to meet the metropolitan delegates and
co-operate with them in an appeal to Parliament, to fix
a maximum charge for the supply of gas, was ultimately
withdrawn, after a long discussion, the majority present
voting that any expectation of such co-operatioe from
the gas companies would be useese.
It was further resolved that a deputation, composed
of the representatives of the various parishes, wait upon
the Horne Secretary to represent the evils ot the existing
monopoly, and to solicit the aid of the Government in
protecting the interest of the ratepayers, by supporting the
proposed committee of inquiry. That the whole of the
metropolitan members be invited to join the proposed
deputation.
A committee to draw up the petitions to Parliament
having been appointed, thanks to the chairman termi-
nated the proceedings.