The Sun.
London, England, 1842-10-19 00:00:00

SST P PL'

OF WATER TO LAM- I
BET

On Monday evening a meeting of the.inhabitants of
Lambeth took place at Mr. 'Thomas's, the White
Hart Tavern, Kennington• cross, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the conduct of the Lambeth
and Vauxhall Water Companies, in raising their rates
for the supply of that necessary article of consump
tion, from 30 to 50, and even 150 per cent., without
any justification for so doing ; and, at the same time,
to receive the report of a Deputation who have had an
interview with B. Hawes, Esq., M.P., upon the sub-
ject; also to adopt such resolutions as may be deemed
expedient for forming a Society, to be called The
Water Consumer's Protection Society, whose objects
shall be to afford legal assistance to its members in
resisting the present extortionate demands ; and to
promote the formation of a Joint Stock Company,
upon principles that will effectually secure them from
being at the mercy of any monopoly, and have the
ultimate effect of reducing the charge for that
pensable element of health and comfort.
The great room of the tavern was crowded to suffo-
cation. At eight o'clock the. Chair was taken by
Baker, Esq., one of the overseers of the parish.
The CHAIRMAN stated the object of the meeting.
The SECRETARY, Mr. Rogers, then stated that he
had written to Mr. Haw's, who expressed his readi-
ness to render every assistance in his power to the
inhabitants of the -borough; he declared he had no
connection with either of these Companies, and said
he was thankful he had not ; he recommended that
further information should be obtained before a public
meeting was convened, and that some communication
should be made to the Water Companies. Mr. Hawes,
at the interview referred to, in making his remarks
upon Water Companies, observed, that the public had
a right to demand explanation in respect to the altered
rates of charges in question, as respected the two
Companies referred to; and he concluded by saying,
that if the inhabitants of the lafirough manifested a
feeling in opposition to the conduct of the Companies
to warrant him in taking the chair at a public meeting
he should have great pleasure in doing so. This it was
that induced him to issue the circular calling the pre-
sent meeting, which he was happy to see had been re-
sponded to by so large an attendance of the inhabi-
ants of the borough.—(Hear, hear.) It was his duty
to observe that Mr. Hawes suggested that it would
be desirable to form a Committee, one of whose duties
would be to ask some explanation of the Water Com-
panies in respect to the course which they had pur-
sued; but he really did not know if this was neces-
sary, after the very summary way in which they had
acted towards the cor.sumers of water in that borough ;
however, this was a matter for their consideration,
and with the meeting he would leave this matter.—
He had prepared a series of resolutions, the first of
which was as follows :—" That it is the opinion of
this meeting that the conduct of the Lambeth and
Vauxhall Water Companies in raising the rates for
the supply of that necessary article, without assigning
any reason, is arbitrary and unjust." The second
resolution had reference to the formation of a Joint-
stock Company, to compete with the existing water
companies, and entered into detail as to the mode in
which the matter was to be managed ; and the third
had relation to a Committee to carry out the object.
He begged, in conclusion, to say it was for the meet-
ing to agree to or reject the resolutions, which were
merely prepared with the view of facilitating the
object which they were met to carry out.—(Hear.)
Mr. COOPER of Guildford-place, said he would have
great pleasure in moving the first resolution, which
was seconded by Mr. ORME, of Gibson-street, and
agreed to unanimously.
Upon the second resolution being read by the
CHAIRMAN,

Mr. CHUBB, of the Brixton-road, thought that they
ought. not to enter into details, with respect to the
formation of any Company, at that meeting. It would
be sufficient if they determined that a new Joint-stock
Water Company should be formed, leaving for the
public meeting the mode in which they were to work
out the details. With that view, he.would move that
merely the first portion of the second resolution
„should be adopted, which was as follows :—" That it
is expedient to establish a Company for the purpose
of supplying the inhabitants of this large and popu-
lous district with cheap and wholesome water, upon
principles that will effectually secure them from the
possibility of being subject to any monopoly."
The proposition of Mr. Chubb was carried, having
been seconded by Mr. Bird, of Union-row, Kent-road:.
Mr. JOHN Hum', of Lambeth, moved the
resolution, having reference to the formation of a
Committee, for the purpose of carrying out the object
of the meeting, in the propriety of which he entirely
concurred.

Mr. BIRKETT, of Clapham -road, seconded the .pro-
position, which was unanimously adopted.

A Committee, coasisting of the following gentlemen,
was then appointed :—Mr. Chubb, Mr. Birkett, Mr.
Baker, Mr. Hunt, Mr. J. Budgt., Mr. Cooper, Mr.
Oliver (Princes-street), Mr. Wilde, Mr. Bowles, Mr.
Alexander, Mr. Palmer, Mr. J. E. Rogers, Mr. Roger
(New Cut), Mr. Atkinson, and Mr. Roupell.
Mr. Hunt was appointed Treasurer, and it was also
agreed that five of the Committee should form a
quorum.
Mr. DRUMMOND moved, that the Secretary be in-
structed to communicate to Mr. Hawes the thanks of
the meeting, for his kindness in offering his aid to the
inhabitants of Lambeth in the present instance.
The motion having been seconded, was adopted.
A vote of thanks was finally passed to the Chairman,
and the meeting separated.