The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-03 00:00:00

THE METROPOLIS GAS BILL.

Mr. BONTE3IS brought up a report from the
Special Gas Committee, who stated that they had
examined the above bill, and were of opinion that
they should be authorised to present a petitio❑
against it, so as to give them a locus stanch before
the committee of the House of Commons, to whom
had been referred the various gas bills now before
Parliament.

The report was unanimously agreed to.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE METROPOLIS.
Mr. BEDFORD, in accordance with the resolution
adopted at the last Court, moved that the follow-
ing gentlemen should be appointed a special com-
mittee to consider the whole question of the future
government of the metropolis :—Alderman Sir Ben-
jamin Phillips, Alderman J. Clarke Lawrence,
Deputy Fry, Mr. Lowman Taylor, Deputy De
Jersey, Mr. Lawley, Deputy Farrar, Deputy Bur-
nell, Deputy Reed, Mr. Bontems, Mr. Figgins, Mr.
Isaacs, Mr. Webber, Mr. Richardson, Mr. J. Sy-
monds, Mr. Rudkin, Mr. Bedler, Mr. G. M. John.
son, Mr. Knight, and Mr. Coils.
Mr. LAWLEY opposed the motion, which he con-
sidered in effect a vote of want of confidence in the
Local Government and Taxation Committee, of
which he was chairman. Among other.imputations
cast upon that committee was that some of its mem-
bers were also members of the Metropolitan Muni-
cipal Council Association, and therefore not to be
trusted. He acknowledged that when that associa-
tion was started two or three years ago, he thought
the subject was a very proper one to be discussed in
the metropolis, and on being asked to allow his
name to be placed on the council of that association,
he agreed to do so, with the view of promoting muni-
cipalities ; but when he found that the association
went further than he ever thought they would have
done, he at once withdrew his name from the coun-
cil. He, therefore, moved—That before proceed-
ing to the appointment of twenty members, in ac-
cordance with the resolution of the 26th of last
month a report be read from the Local Govern-
ment and Taxation Committee of their proceedings,
and for the instructions of the Court as to a conti-
nuance of the operations of the committee ; also,
that so much of the resolution of the Court for the
appointment of such committee of twenty members,
be rescinded, and that the reference be made to the
Local Government and Taxation Committee. If
the Local Government Committee were to continue
in existence, it must have the entire confidence of
the Court ; and as a proof that it was worthy of
that confidence, he might mention that eleven of
the twenty gentlemen nominated by Mr. Bedford
were members of the committee, and that Mr. Bed-
ford himself was one of its most active members.

Mr. GOVER objected to Mr. Lawley's proposition
as the subject had been discussed at a previous
Court, and the members of the Local Government
Committee seemed to acquiesce in the decision then
arrived at.

Mr. RICHARDSON also hoped that the Court would
adhere to the decision arrived at on Thursday last.
He gave every credit to Mr. Lawley for a desire to
uphold the honour and integrity of the Corporation ;
but he differed from him in thinking that this was
a matter that should be referred to the Local Go-
vernment and Taxation Committee, he believing
that it would be much better to refer it to an inde-
pendent and special committee.

Mr. FRICKER opposed the appointment of any
committee in antagonism to the Local Government
and Taxation Committee, and remarked that he
knew of nothing to be urged against the latter com-
mittee with the exception perhaps of a charge that
one of its members had been guilty of treachery in
the discharge of his duty ; but even although that
was the case it was no reason why they should with-
draw their confidence from the committee.
Mr. DE JERSEY contended that there was no
attack whatever against the existing committee, all
that was wanted being that a different view of the
question should be taken.
Mr. BONTEMS said his opinion was that at the
last Court a vote of censure had been partially
passed upon the committee, and he was prepared
to resign the powers given by the Court to that
committee ; but the members of the committee
seemed to think that the issue of " confidence or no
confidence" bad not been fairly raised, and there-
fore it was determined that it should be distinctly
raised by their chairman. lie unhesitatingly
affirmed that the Municipal Council Association,
although they might have gone somewhat too far,
were sincere friends of the City ; and he did not
see why another committee should be appointed for
the same purpose as that for which the Local Go-
vernment and Taxation Committee now existed.

Mr. BEDFORD observed that the sole purpose for
which the Local Government Committee was ori-
ginally appointed was to watch Mr. Ayrton's com-
mittee. Since then other matters had been referred
to it, but he wanted this new committee appointed
for a special object, namely, to originate some
scheme for the future government of the metropolis,
in which that corporation should bear its full share.
That committee need not of necessity go to the com-
mittee now in existence, because they were called
the Local Government and Taxation Committee.
Indeed, they themselves, by their vote last Thurs-
day, carried the resolution then adopted, and there
was nothing done that could be considered a vote
of censure ; that was purely an afterthought.
On a show of hands being taken, Mr. Lawley's
amendment was carried by a large majority; and,
the report of the Local Government and Taxation
Committee was read and ordered to be printed and
circulated amorist the members.
EAST LONDON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART.

A petition was read from the promoters of a mu-
seum of science and art for the East of London,
praying for a grant of money to assist them in de-
fraying the expense of a site. It was stated that an
agreement had been come to by which they were to
obtain four and a half acres of ground, situated in
the parish of Bethnal-green, for the purposes of the
museum, for a little over £2,000, and that the Go-
vernment had agreed to erect the building and pay
for its maintenance, provided the inhabitants of the
district showed their interest in the matter by rail•
ing a sufficient sum to pay for the ground. About
£1,500 had been already subscribed towards this
object, and the Corporation was now asked to lend
its aid in furthering the end in view by a grant of
money.

On the motion of Mr. BENNETT the petition was
unanimously referred to the Coal, Corn, and Finance
Committee for consideration and to report.

MR. COMMISSIONER KERR.

The LORD MAYoR said he had that morning re-
ceived a communication from Mr. Commissioner
Kerr in reference to his duties at the Old Bailey.
As the communication was very important, he was
desirous to Lave it read to the Court, but before
doing so he thought that strangers should withdraw.
THE RECENT VISIT OF THE SULTAN.

On the readmission of the public, Mr. JOHN
SYMONDS brought up a report from the City Lauds
Committee, recommending that the portrait, painted
by Mr. James Luntley, of his Imperial Majesty the
Sulta❑ should be purchased by the Corporation for
the sum of seventy-five guineas. He thought the
portrait would be more correctly described as a
picture, because Mr. Luntley had had no sittings
from the Sultan, but as he had had good oppor-
tunities of seeing him at the Crystal Palace, and had
taken sketches of him, and he had also been fur-
nished with a complete list of his decorations. fie
moved that the recommendation of the committee