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no connection with the drain or other source of impurity; while
the supply of drinking water, and that used for culinary purposes
generally, should be distinct from that of the water closet.
GAS.
The subjoined Table shows the illuminating power and purity
of the Gas supplied by the Western Gas Light Company, Limited,
being the Monthly Returns of Mr. Valentin, the Examiner for the
Company:—

For the above information I am indebted to the Secretary. No
examination of the Gas was made during the year at the Vestry
Hall, the testing room and apparatus being out of order from long
disuse. Favourable as the return is, for it shows an average illuminating
power considerably above the required standard of 20 candles,
it would be useless to deny that much dissatisfaction with the Gas
has been felt and expressed, both in the Vestry Hall and in the
Parish generally. A Special Committee was appointed in consequence
to consider the entire question; but after much enquiry
and personal communication with the Secretary and the Engineer of
the Company, was unable to make any very definite report, or to
controvert the statements of the Company, showing that the Gas was
as to its illuminating power and its purity, quite equal to, and indeed
above, the requirements of the Gas Act of 1860, which still governs
the supply of Gas over one-half the Metropolis, including the Parish
of Kensington. The Committee, however, recommended an application
to the Company to furnish a Monthly Statement, showing
the daily illuminating power of the Gas, and the mean quantity of
sulphur during the month. They also recommended the repair and