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The prescribed quantity of sulphur impurity (viz, 25 grains in
100 cubic feet of gas) was exceeded on four occasions in the first
quarter, viz., on January 9th (29 grains), 11th (31.9 grains), and
12th (29 grains), and February 25 (25.4 grains) : but on no
occasion in the other three quarters, the purity of the gas in this
respect being generally considerably above the requirements of
the gas referees.
Sulphuretted hydrogen, which is absolutely disallowed, was not
found on any occasion, and the quantity of ammonia was very
much below the prescribed amount, viz., 2½ grains in 100 cubic
feet.
The most interesting fact in connection with gas supply during
the year is that your Vestry, following the example of other
parishes, have resolved to adopt the "average meter" system, so
as to pay only for the amount of gas actually consumed.
MORTUARY AND DISINFECTING CHAMBER, &c.
Numerous articles have been disinfected, free of cost for poor persons,
after infectious diseases, and a still larger number have been
disinfected at the cost of the owners who were able to bear the
expense. All, or nearly all disinfection is done at Notting Hill by
a firm who have the requisite conveniences; but it is eminently
desirable to provide a parochial disinfecting chamber. This and a
mortuary are among our chief sanitary desiderata at the present
time. With reference to the mortuary, I am still of opinion
that whenever it is provided, there should be attached to it a
court room for holding inquests, and all the conveniences necessary
for post-mortem, examinations, in order to avoid the necessity of
resorting to public houses, and making them in the dwellings
of the poor; it being no uncommon experience that such examinations
are made in the single room used for all purposes, and at all
times by an entire family. If such a mortuary, with a striking semiecclesiastical
elevation, and in a good position, were provided, it
would be of great service; but a mean looking building, hidden away
in a corner, would be less likely to prove a success. If one mortuary
only were provided for this extensive parish, it should be
centrally situated though it is most wanted in the northern section
of the parish. It would be well, however, to provide two, one in