Star.
London, England, 1821-02-07 00:00:00

LONDON wArzn COMPANIES.

Mr. FREEM:\ NILE rose to make his promised
motion. He would beg the attention of the House
for a very short time. He need not state to the House
that he had no personal view on the subject; he had
no personal grievance to complain uf. His object at
present was to form « a Select Committee, to consi-
der the present state of the supply of Water to the
Metropolis, and to report their observations on the
same." He should endeavour to compress, as much'
as lie possibly could, whatever observations he found
it necessary to make. He might have made some
errors in putting on paper his conceptions on this
subject ; but if he had, lie should be happy to be set
right. The Honourable Member then gave a his-
tory of the origin and rise of the several `Veer Com-
panies, viz. the New River Company, the \Vest-end
Company, the Grand Junction Company, &c. At the
first establishment of which, the supply of water to
each house did not cost more than twenty seven shil-
lings a-year, whereas now, the expense of ,upply
amounted to no less than four or five pounds a house
' for the same period. This enormous expense arose
[from the combination of the different Companies, by
which they divided the Metropolis, and each took
their portion of it under a penalty not to interfere with
any of the other districts. From the very moment
that they entered into a combination and apportioned
the Metropolis, from-that moment, the rates of sup-
ply were raised, and that, under pretence that they
were compelled by that House, at a very great ex-
pense, to lay down iron pipes. They likewise stated
their capital to be nearly expended before they had
any return. The Honourable Member dwelt for
some time on the various arts practised by the Com-
panies, with a view to establish a monopoly, and
thereby secure to themselves enormous profits, at a
rate very oppressive on the Public. He thought a
Committee of the House could devise the means of
securing to the Companies proper rates, yet reason-
able to the inhabitants of the Metropolis. He could
assure the House that he had no disposition to quar-
rel with those Gentlemen, but felt desirous to reduce
their arbitrary exactions. He concluded by moving,
" that 'a Select Committee be appointed to examine
into the present partial state of the Supply of Water
to the Metropolis, and to report their observations
on the same."

_ .....
Mr. LIOLNIE SUMNER said, he was bound to
bear testimony to the statements of his Hon. Friend.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR requested the House would
do him the honour of giving him a few minutes at-
tention, while he should make a few observations.
With great deference to his Honourable Friend, he
could not agree to all the statements which he had
made; but another opportunity would occur ter put-
ting the House and the Public in possession of all the
facts. Ile recommended that the plan which he pro•.
posed two years ago should be resorted to. He
thought it would be ridiculous to suppose that water
could be supplied to the Metropolis now at the rate
it was in 1810. If the House would only agree to a
fair maximum, he would undertake to say that the
Companies would do everything for the satislactica
of the Public.

Mr. Aleerman BRIDGES made a few observa-
tions in favour of an open Committee, and intimated
that he would move an amendment to that effect.

Mr. WILMOT thought that any advantages to be
derived from the labours of a Committee, could only
be expected by its being a select one—(Herr).
The motion was then carried without a division,
and twenty-eine Members were appointed to form the
said Committee.