The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-21 00:00:00

THE GAS QUESTION.

Mr. Daly, the chief clerk to the Commissioners,
then read a communication from Mr. Meggison, of
16, Cannon-s'reet, City, complaining of the injury he
had received in consequonce of the breakage of the
pavement in that locality, and the general disturbance
of the street by the Great Central Gas Consumers
Company.
. . _ . .

Before the whole of the communication had been
read, _ _

Air. BLAKE said that he considered it was not right
to permit such communications to be read in that
court. The object of the parties who sent them was
simply publicity.—(Hear.)
Mr. L. IL TAYLOR and Mr. T. HALL spoke upon
the question ; but the decision of the Court being in
favour of the letter being read, the same was done
accordingly.
Mr. ELLIOTT, as one of the members for the ward
of Candlewick, in which the property is situated to
which the injury alleged was done, stated that it was
the fact that the whole of the pavement in that loca-
lity had been for many days in a most sadly neglected
state.

A long and noisy discussion followed, during
which it was contended that such a letter ought not
to have been entertained by the Commission.
Mr. H. L. TayLon at length proposed that the let-
ter should be entered upon the ►uinutes, which propo-
sition was seconded by Deputy EAGLETON.
Mr. BLAKE moved as an amendment that the com-
munication be ordered to lie on the table.—(llear.)
In doing so he wished to be perfectly understood.
IVith regard to this gas question, he found that there
was not less than 10,000 of his fellow-citizens who had
signed petitions in favour of cheap gas, and that, not-
withstanding all their attempts to obtain a reduction
of the price from the hands of the old companies they
had failed.—(llear, hear.) He would scorn any-
thing like an advocacy of that principle which he
knew to he wrong, but he felt that that Court, under
the existing circumstances, were bound to act moot
decidedly, while the public expected them to act
faithfully and honestly.—(Hear, bear.) If they did
not do so the public would suffer ; the old companies,
who had been solicited to reduce their prices, had ob-
tained both property and profit; but in the face of
all this they had said, when they were first appealed
to, that any reduction was impossible, and that the
requirements of the people as consumers could not
be met.—(Hear, hear.) At this crisis men came for-
ward who had even perilled their own good names,
sad irrespective of future prospects they had given the
public to understand that gas might, and should be
furnished at a much cheaper rate than before. These
men had justified the high character they previously
held ; they had entered into the speculation, and
now defied anything like factious opposition.—
(Hear, hear.) It had been said that the inhabitants
had suffered much inconvenience from the breakage
of the street,. This he readily admitted, as every-
body else would, he was sure ; but the public had
borne this apparent evil with the most exemplary
patience, as it was clear they had looked at the many
advantages which were likely to result faom an ob-
ject of such considerable magnitude, and having in
view such large benefits to all classes of citizens.—
(llear, hear.) He regarded the letter they had as
Commissioners of Sewers received that day as being
a most deliberate and flagrant insult upon the whole
body of the Commissioners—(Hear) —and he there-
fore felt glad of the opportunity which then presented
itself of proposing his motion.—(Hear.)
Deputy PEWTRESS seconded the proposition.
Several Commissioners expressed their sorrow at
the inconvenience which the public had been sub-
jected to, after which the motion of Mr. Taylor was
rejected by a majority of 19 to 5.
The CUAIRMAN then stated that a deputation from
the Chartered Company was present, who were desi-
rous of explaining to the Court some of the circum-
stances relating to the report read on Tuesday last at
the Court of Sewers. In this communication it was
urged by parties connected with the Chartered Com-
pany that much injury had been done to their property
by the Great Central, and that they had, therefore,
taken legal steps accordingly.—(Hear, hear.) Per-
haps they would hear the Chartered Company's repre-
sentatives.—(Hear, hear.)

Mr. Horrin, one of the directors connected with
the company, then stated, in extenso, the peculiar
injuries inflicted upon the Chartered Company by
the manner in which the men in the employ of the
Great Central Gas Consumers Company had laid
their pipes ; and in answer to several questions put
to him, he stated that he believed much injury had
occurred to the Chartered Company, inasmuch as in
84 instances their pipes had been disturbed or other-
wise injured.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Hopper stated,
also, that in many parts of the city the Great Cen-
tral Company had not laid down their pipes, although
they had said they had done so ; for it was the fact,
that 174 places within the area of the city were at
present unprovided with the Great Central Company's
pipes.—(Hear, hear.) Then they had to complain
that, and they felt it, that the new company, notwith-
standing all their entreaties, had laid down their pipes
over those of the chartered company, so that it was
impossible for them, in fact, even to repair any inju-
ries. In consequence, therefore, of this, they had
sought the protection of the Court of Chancery, and
hence it was that the application for the injunction
had been made.

Mr. It TAYLOR—Have you got your injunction?
Mr. Lionel:a—No, Sir, the matter etands over till
Tuesday next fur further inquiry.
After a lung conversation as to the merits of the
case, in the course of which several members ex-
pressed their opinion that the matter had nothing to
do with the Commissioners of Sewers, it was even-
tually decided to dismiss the question by proceeding
to the " order of the day."
The reports of the inspectors were then read, and
a motion by Mr. H. BLAKE, on the necessity for giving
notice to Parliament for increased powers to the Com-
missioners under the renewed Act of Pairliament was
referred for the future consideration of the Commis-
sioners, when tho Court adjourned.

iummary of the following appeared in our paper
of yesterday.]
ARRIVAL OF THE ATLANTIC.
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.
The United States' mail steam-ship Atlantic, Cap-
tain West, arrived in the Mersey about nine o'clock
this morning, with mails from New York, to the 7th
inst., 70 passengers, and 5,675/. in gold on freight.
Her run, which has occupied about 12f days, was
prolonged by heavy weather.
The Royal mail steam-ship Hibernia, Captain
Lang, arrived out at Boston at 6iX. A.M. on the 6th
insr.
The United States' mail steam-ship Washington,
Captain Floyd, arrived out at New York from South-
ampton at four o'clock P.M. on the 4th inst.; and on
the same day the screw steam-ship Helena Sloman,
Captain Paulsen, which left Hamburgh en the Iltti
ult. On the 18th ult. the llelena met with a hurri-
cane from the S.W. to N.W., which carried away her
bowsprit and all the sails attached to it.
The Clyde screw steam-ship City of Glasgow,
Captain Mathews, left New York on the 7th inst. for
Glasgow.
The American steam ship Panama arrived at Pa-
nama on the 21st ult., with mails from San Fran-
cisco of the Ist of August, 460,0001. of gold dust on
freight, and 240 passengers. On her passage the
cholera broke out, and 50 deaths occurred.
The British steam-ship Ecuador, from Panama,
for San Francisco, was spoken by the Panama off
Acapulco.
The American steam-ship Empire City, Captain
West, arrived at New York on the sth inst., with
Chugres mails of the 26th ult., and Kingston, Ja-
maica, of the 30th ult. She bad on freight about
100,0001. of gold dust. On the same day the Ame-
rican steam-ship Chetokee, Captain Windle, arrived
from Cfaagres, having touched at Hsvannah on the
Ist inst. en route. She brought specie to the value of
about 322,0001. sterling.
Her Majesty's brig-of-war Swift was at Honolulu,
Sandwich Islands, on the 21st of June, but we have
DO tidings of the Arctic ships.
Our accounts from the United States now received
are not unimportant, containing as they do the pass-
ing of the Texan Boundary and New Mexican Ter-
ritorial Bills by the House of Representatives on
the 6th instant, after a severe struggle. General
exclamations of pleasure welcomed the intelligence of
this satisfactory solution of the dangers threatened
by these questions, and hopes were entertained that
Congress would shortly separate. Meanwhile the
Cabinet appear to progress quietly and to the satis-
faction of the citizens ; and the President seems to
obtain a degree of support worthy of remark when
the manner of his election is borne in mind. All
overtures for the acceptance of office had been rejected
by Mr. M`Kennan. Vermont State election was
pending, but it was expected that the victory would
be to the Whig party.
Domestic and miscellaneous affairs present, beyond
these details, no novel points. Pennsylvania had been
severely devastated by floods.
From the New York journals it appears that
severe weather had been experienced in the southern
sections. "On the 2dth ult.," says the Courier and
Enquirer—
" South Carolina seems to have been swept by a
violent storm of rain and wind. In the neighbour-
hood of Chester it seems to have amounted to a hurri•
cane, and was very destructive. A letter from Ches-
ter says—

"'The chief loss occasioned by the store is in the
injury done to the growing crops. This extends to
every portion of the district from which we have as

yet heard. On some plantations the corn and cotton
lie prostrate, as though borne to the earth by some
heavy weight; whilst else where the stalks of corn

stand erect, but literally stripped of every ear and
blade. We would fain hope that the injury is not so
great as has been represented to us ; but we may fear
that the half is not yet told.'
" Similar accounts from North Carolina and Ala-
bama. A letter from Enfaula (Alabama) says—
" Its effects upon the growing crop, so fsr as we
have heard of its ravages, have been most disastrous

—particularly to the cotton, prostrating the weed,
destroying all the ripe bolls, and beating and blowirg
off a large portion of the fruit which had not ma-

tured. —lVe doubt not but the cotton crop over
which it passed bas been injured at least sixteen per
cent.' "

From Canada we are also without any news of
interest. Our Jamaica accounts, which are some
days later than those by the West Ladle mails, are
unim;ortant. Savcral articles on the culture of cot-
ton
appeared in the journals of Kingston,, and on the
27th ult. a large meeting was held in the directors' ,

room of the :1-3atik of Jamaica, to establish a small

company, with a limited number of shares, to test the
practic.tuility of r,:,11 lering the cotton plant a staple
production of the island. Resolutions in accordance
with this view were passed, and every symptom of
vigour manifested.

Our Havannah advices of the Ist instant, published
in the New York Express, are as follow :
" Since our report, of the 17th instant, there has
been a good inquiry fur sugar, and prices have be-
come still more stiff, as planters in general are un-
willing to part with the small stock they yet hold
unless at higher rates. They feel encouraged in their
pretensions by the more favourable news from Europe,
and the greater facilities for shipping to the United
States, in consequence of there being more ships
available fur that purpose. In the transactions that
have occurred, the lower classes of sugar have been
most sought after and are proportionately high. We
quote as follow :—Whites, 9 to 10 rials ; fine and
choice whites, 10i to 11 rials; yellows, 6i to 7i rials ;
superior yellows, it to 8 rials ; browns, .5/ to 6 rials ;
cucuruchos, .51 to q- rials. A parcel of cucuruchos
of very fine quality was taken at 6 rials.
" There are no Muscovadoes remaining either here
or in any other ports of the island.
" The last sales of molasses were at 2 rials ; there
is not much left, and the dealers are asking higher
prices.

"The prices of coffee are nominal.
" We had a strong gale 04 the night of the 21st,
almost approaching a hurricane. The damage among
the shipping was inconsiderable, but a great deal of
injury was sustained in the country by the destruc-
tion of corn-fields and plaintain trees, which are im-
portant in connexion with the food of labourers on the
estates. The coffee plants have also suffered to a
considerable extent, and, what is still more serious,
the sugar cane ha theca injured. SJ far as the accounts
received allow an opinion to be formed, the effects of
the storm on the growing crop may be severe, unless
a propitious state of the atmosphere during the ensuing
months should enable the cane to recover from the in-
jury sustained. The gale extended to the south side
as far as St. Jago de Cuba.
" There are but few cases of cholera in the city,
but it. still continues in the country, proceeding
slowly from district to district, and carrying off many
victims. It has recently re-appeared in several
places where it was hoped the visitation had ceased.
" Freights—The last transaction was at 25 for a
Spanish vessel to Antwerp ; 20 and 30 were paid for
partial shipments to the North Sea.
"Exchange on London 12} to 131 per cent. pre-
mium. Large amounts were sold on the United
States at 1 per cent. discount, but higher rates are
now asked."

Advices from San Juan de Nicaragua supply,
from the columns of the Gaceta del Salvador, a letter
from Viscount Palmerston, dated Feb. 17, addressed
to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Nicaragua,
containing the fAlowing passage :
" I have to say, in reply, that the Government of
her Britannic Majesty is desirous of cultivating the
most,friendly relations with the State of Nicaragua ;
but that her Majesty's Government is incapable of
doing anything which shall be interpreted as ad-
mitting a doubt that Greytown belongs exclusively
to the Mosquito territory.
" I have the honour to be, &c.,
" PALMERSTON."
Under date of the 14th of May, the Nicaragua Mi-
ni4ter addresses Lord Palmerston as follows :
" At the moment when this Government has accre-
dited near her Britannic Majesty a Charge d'Affaires,
with the view of vindicating its rights to the Port of
San Juan and the Mosquito Coast, now illegally re-
tained by British agents, it is informed that Mr. John
Foster, Engli.h Vice-Consul for the Port of Realejo
di Nicaragua, has arranged with the Prussian Baron
Bulow, under powers flora your office, fur the estab-
lishment of a colony of Germans in the port of San
Juan. My Governinent cannot permit its rights of
property and sivereiguty in that territory and port to
be put in question, and it is obliged to hold, and will
always hold, as unjust an invasion in all lights, what-
ever act shall tend to its dismemberment and unjust
possession. And it has ordered me to say to you, to
be laid before the Government of Great Britain, that
it protests before the whole world, and in the most
solemn manner, against the meditated colonization, or
whatever other act of usurpation, as a violation of inter-

national rights—a violence which its duties forbid it
from assenting to; nor will it hold itself responsible
for the evils which may result to the proposed colonies
in consequence of their unauthorised intrusion in the

" The news from the mines is exceedingly good ;
the yields of gold are daily increasing as the waters
recede. Extensive dams and trenches have been made
in several parts for the purpose of turning the streams.
An anticipation shared in by most of the miners is,
that when the waters subside there will be found an
abundance.of dust.

("A company of seven men have taken out, in one
spot, in Murphy's Diggings, in less than seven weeks,
15,600 dolls. in gold dust. This is their net proceeds,
clear of expenies.
" Another company of six took out, in the same dig-
gings last week, 421 b. of dust. This company is
working 54 feet beneath the surface.
" The great points of concentration are the Mer-
cedes, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus. Encouraging ac-
counts have reached us from the Calaveras. There is
no lack of provisions, and the health of the whole dis-
trict is excellent.

"In one portion of the mines a party of Mexican;
working under Americans, have perched themselves on
a piece of tableland, existing on the top of a mountain,
and here, secreted from the eyes of the tax-collector,
they are making a pile.
" The Sacramentonians boast now and then of a
101 b. or a 201 b. lump. At Murphy's a miner has in
his possession a lump weighing 931 b., of which it has
been ascertained at least one-half is pure gold. 2,400
holes' are registered at Murphy's as pre-emption
claims. Tbose not present at the Ist of August to
answer in the matter of pre,-emptions, forfeit their
claims.

" A lucky hombre, on the head waters of the Mer-
cedes, has extracted a lump weighing 83 pounds,
nearly all pure gold.
" At San Antonio, which was deserted last winter,
five men have been taking out on an average, seven
ounces each for the pact eleven days.
" The report is favourable from all the mining
regions south, and the yield is undoubtedly greater
than at any previous season. If the troubles which
agitate our district, says the Stockton Journal, were
only at an end, which we feel assured they soon will
be, the San Joaquin district would rapidly distance
any other section of the state."

In reference to the disorders of the miner, the Alta
California of the Ist August says—
" The miners are up in arms, irritated beyond en-
durance, and there is a universal sentiment of hatred
against foreigners. At the Mormon Gulch, resolu-
tions have been passed to drive all Mexicans from the
mines; they have received notice to quit in 15 days,
or they will be expelled by force.
" The citizens of Stockton recently held a meting
at the Owen-house, in this city, and in view of the
alarming state of affairs in the San Joaquin district,
consequent upon the recent cruel murders perpe-
trated by bands of lawless robbers who infest the
routes to the mines of that region,' adopted measures
to restore tranquillity and bring the guilty to justice.
Th-y determined to raise a corps of volunteer
mounted rangers, and opened a subscription to or-
ganize and equip them. They opened a roll at once, and
a number of citizens subscribed their names.
" A serious collision has broken out between tl:e
Americans on the one hand and the foreigners in
Sono:a on the other, which had been attended already
with fearful and melancholy r sults. The California
Courier introduces the account we give below in the
following strain :

" Murder, anarchy, and robbery in the mines,
have reached a crisis. The miners, goaded to the
midriff, dia ar.d by hands of assassins, robbers,
and outla3s, have combintd, and determined on an
unconditional and immediate expulsion of all persons
except persons engaged in permanent business and of
respectable character.' All mining operations have
ceased, and the people, as one man, have united to
rid the country of these evil-doers. The policy is a
proper one. We are gratified that the miners have
adopted our suggestion,—to stop all labour until these
assassins and robbers are driven out and extirpated.
The other mining districts ought to issue the same
decree, and carry it out. The whole country will be
overrun by Mexican guerillas, outlaws, pirates, and
the villains and desperadoes of every land, unless
prompt measures are adopted to expel them, at all
hazards, from the country. To this decision we must
c:,me at last. The outlaws and criminals of every
hue and colour, and from every clime, are coming to
California, and are attempting to entrench themselves.
Pv-sis'ance to such villains is obedience to God."
From Astoria, Oregon, we have ad vices to the 21st
of July by the Pacific mail-steamer Carolina at San
Fr.tncisco. But little gold had been found on the
Yakama and Sp..llm, and the adven urers bad re-
turned. All the streams were, however, at that time
very high.
Honolulu dates to tie 24. h of June bad been also
received at San Franci4eo. The Alta California
says

Private letters represent a prosperous state of
affairs throughout the kingdom. At Honolulu husiness
was more brisk. Over 40 vessels of various dimensions
were lying in the harbour, and arrivals from the dif-
ferent ports in the Pacific were becoming more fre-
quent than at any period known in the islands since
the golden era dawned. The number ef foreign resi-
dents in the islands has been considerably augmented
this year by the settlement on those beautiful and fer-
tile shores of scores of immigrants from the British
colonies in Australia and New Zealand. The season
has also witnessed the return from California of many
familiar faces to the islands, enriched by their labours
at the ' digging.,' and disposed to share the products
with the land of their adoption. A very important
class of the Sandwich Island plpulation is the last ac-
celerating immigration of Chinese. Their society is
destined to exert, at no distant day, a powerful influ-
ence on the fortunes of the kingdom.
" Government has devised many important public
improvements, and has set aside about 180,000 dolls.
for the immediate prosecution of its plans. A new
Parliament house, Court-house, and other public
structures, to be built of coral stone, are to be com-
menced immediately., The building of four wharfs
is contemplated, which improvements certainly indi-
cate the spirit of progress at work. A correspondent
informs us that in one week 100 house-frames were
received from San Francisco, and sold at an average
of 110 dolls. each. The Elizabeth Archer and the
Giraffe, hence, arrived on the 24th ult., both with
house frames for the island's use. The time is within
our recollection when houses were manufactured at
Honolulu for shipment to the gold coast.
" The farmers, owners of plantations, and others
interested in the culture of Hawaiian soil, have called
agricultural
meetings at the several islands, to con-
sider various subjects connected with the prosperity
of their interests."

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YOBE, SEPT. 7.—The past week has been ono
of increased activity in the state of menetary affairs,
which caused an upward movement in the rates for com-
mercial paper. Without anything like pressure there
bas been an increased demand for money, which from
present appearances is likely to continue for some tune
to come. The largo accuibultvion in the Sub-Treasury,
connected with the r sport of coin, has imparted an un-
easy feeling to the bankirg circles, already considerately
excited by the recent fii!ures in the pro iucc trade. The
payment of 1,071,000 dolls, from the Sub•Trea-ury to-
day for mint certificates, and a further arrival of gold
from California, restore.; confidence to a good degree,
and tends to allay a❑ haiication for higl,er rat, s. We
gout prime 50 day bills, 6to 6:1; per c^iir.; ditto, 75 to
90 day bills, 6} t,) 7 per cent.; ditto, 90 days, fut.r and
six months' bill, q to 7 and 8 per cent ; and bills lets
known, and of longer dates, 8 to 9 per cent.
Foreign exchanges for the Atlantic, which sails to-
day, have not been active, but firm.

Mocks exhibit no material alteration since the de-
parture of the last steamer.

The supply of Government and State stocks is limited,
and all offering are readily taker), so that the market is
comparatively bare of these descriptions, and large
amounts could not be procured unless at an advance.
United States Sixes are selling at 107 i to 108 for 6's of
1856; 112 i to 113 for 1862; 1151 to 116 for 1867 and
1868; and 117 to 1171 fur bonds of 1868, vital coupons.