View report page

12
that used in other parts of the Metropolis, or the country in
general; in certain particulars, perhaps, it may be even less
objectionable. In fact the disadvantages of which we have
to complain belong to the use of the material generally,
rather than to the particular production which we burn.
From the leakage of the gas from the pipes laid in the
ground, and the consequent impregnation of the sub-soil, the
walls of houses, the sewers, and other parts and places to
which, when escaped from the pipes, the gas has access,
I believe a considerable, but indefinite amount of injury to
arise. One source of satisfaction, however, is that the evil
is not likely to be subject to increase; the interests of both
producers and consumers being engaged to preserve that
which is of value within its proper place. The engineering
talent which the various gas companies justly prize and
avail themselves of, is, and will be, I have no doubt, extensively
employed to reduce the amount of leakage to its
lowest possible limits.
The expediency of legislative interference with the manufacture
and supply of gas is now under the consideration of
the House of Commons, and it is to be hoped that the commercial
part of the question will not be allowed to eclipse
the hygienic portion. Competition between rival companies
would of course extend the ramification of mains, and increase
the amount of unavoidable leakage. Escape from mains
might be lessened by an improvement in the quality of gas;
for less pressure would be required to maintain a sufficient
flame, and, next to haste in making the joints in the pipes
when laid down, that is, I apprehend, the principal cause of
leakage. Further than that, with the illuminating power of
the gas we use, so long as the want of that power is not
dependent on impurity calculated to affect health, I have