The Sun.
London, England, 1829-01-22 00:00:00

case was before me on a former day, that she has
been somehow unfairly dealt with. lam sorry,

however, I cannot assist her."
" Then I shall apply elsewhere," said the corn-.
plainant l " the Matter shall not rest here they tnay
depend upon it:
The parties then retired:
Mr. Thompson, the proprietor or a ready:-made
linen=ware blouse at the corner Of il'ew-Street Lind
6.;t: Martin's-lane, appeared upon a sunitntins to
show cause why he refused to pay the full reward
allowed by act of Parliament to the firemen em-
ployed in extinguishing a fire whieh took place at
his premises on Monday evening last, in consequence
of an explosion of gas.
Mr. MiNsHuLt. asked Mr. Thompson why he ob-
jected to pay the firemen ? Mr. Thompson said that
the parish, and not he, was liable. The firemen
had acted with the greatest promptitude and skill.
Mr. MINSHULL asked how the fire originated.
Mr. Thompson replied, that on Monday evening
about five o'clock, he went down stairs to wash his
hands, when he heard a violent explosion in the
shop. On going up stairs to ascertain the cause,
he found that the gas bad escaped and exploded, and
he discovered that the shop-window facing St.
Martin's-lane had been shattered to pieces, and that
the shop was partly on fire.
Mr. MINSHULL cbscrved, that he was sorry it was
not in his power to compel Mr. Thompson to pay,
instead of the parish. Persons using gas as an in-
terior light ought to be exceedingly cautious.
Mr. Thompson conceived that the party who
ought to pay was the Gas Company, as the acci-
dent was owing solely to the negligence of one of
their men, who came to his house about three weeks
ago for the purpose of repairing and cleaning the gas
pipes.
Mr. MINSUULL said, in that case the Gas Com-
pany ought certainly to bear the expence, and he re-
gretted he had no power to compel them to pay the
reward. He hoped Mr. Thompson had not sus-

tained much damage.
Mr. Thompson said, that the damage was not very
great. All the articles which he had exposed for
sale in the window were completely destroyed, and
reduced to ashes, but having been insured, the loss
would not fall upon him.
Mr. MINSHULL observed, that it was fortunate no
greater mischief had been done.
Mr. Thompson said, that he felt convinced if both
his shop doors had nut been open at the time of the
explosion, the entire house would have been de-
stroyed. Fortunately, no person received any in-
jury excepting a gentleman, who, in endeavouring to
extinguish the fire, hAd his hand severely scorched.
His (Mr. Thompson's) son was standing in the
centre of-the shop, when the explosion took plaee,
and was dashed with great force against the counter.
Luckily, however, ke was more frightened than hurt
" I wish," added Mr. Thompson, " that gas were
no longer used in lighting the interior of shops and
houses. '
Mr. MlNsrtut.L.—lf you think so, why do you not
set the example by discontinuing it yourself ?
" Because," replied Mr. Thompson," I must do
as my neighbours do, or I should have no chance.
If 1 were to use any other light, oil or candles for
instance, my shop would, when contrasted with those
of my neighbours, present but a dull appearance." •
After some further observations, . Mr. MINSHULL
signed the order for the patish to pay the fine, and
the parties retired, •.