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57
Suggestions by the Metropolitan Delegates tcith reference to the
recent division of the Metropolis into Districts by the Gas Companies.
Preamble :—
That the Gas Companies have divided the several Parishes in the Metropolis
into Districts, and prescribed the mains from which alone the supply
for the respective Parishes shall be taken.
That the result of this proceeding is, that Parishes and individual consumers
not agreeing to the terms and demands of the respective Companies,
may be left without gas, and, from all their arrangements being adapted to
this mode of illumination, without light altogether.
That the mischievous tendency of such a power is obvious, and its
arbitrary exercise must inflict incalculable injury on public and private
interests.
That the public have no redress, except by an alteration in the law.
That aggressive steps have already been taken by some of the Companies,
both against individuals and public bodies.
That such a monopoly, in an article so essential to trade and the common
comfort and convenience of life as light, together with its importance in the
prevention of crime, and affecting as it does the individual and collective
interests of this the first Metropolis in the world, should not be left to the
caprice or cupidity of any private irresponsible body of men.
Enactments proposed :—
That the quality of the gas as regards its illuminating power shall be
such, that an argand burner having 15 holes and a 7-inch chimney, consuming
five cubic feet per hour, shall give a light equal to the light of 12
sperm candles of six in the pound, burning 120 grains per hour; and that
the gas so supplied shall be free from ammonia, bisulphide of carbon, and
sulphuretted hydrogen, or other deteriorating agents.
That there shall be maintained an uniform pressure on the service pipe,
of not less than lO-lOths.
That the price of Newcastle coal gas, per 1,000 cubic feet, shall not
exceed 4s. 6d.
That each Yestry (or one or more Vestries or District Board or Boards
may combine for the purpose) shall appoint a Chemical Examiner, who
shall, as often as may be necessary during the week, examine the quality
and pressure of the gas so supplied, and shall present a Monthly Report to
the "Vestry or Vestries or Board or Boards, stating the number of examinations
made during the period, and the quality and pressure of the gas so supplied.
That the several Companies, if requested by the consumers, shall supply
fit and proper meters, at a rent charge not exceeding 10 per cent, of the
value of the meter supplied.
That the Vestry or Board shall appoint one or more Officers to examine
and report upon the due working of the public and private meters in the
Parish or District.
That as the supply of gas is a simple debt between the supplier and the
consumer, the Company shall be bound to supply an incoming tenant, without
let or hindrance of any kind whatever, notwithstanding that the former