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16
The gases were burned in accordance with the Metropolis
Gas Act, 1860, and the illuminating power continued above
the standard light required by the Act, except on November
29 th, when the common gas of the London Company gave a
light equal to 8 instead of 12 sperm candles.
In reference to this very defective illuminating power of
the gas, the engineer alleged that it was occasioned by putting
the exhauster in action before the retorts were charged,
thus air, and probably carbonic oxide, were forced into the
gas holder, which would in a short time diminish the illuminating
power so much, that many hours would be required for
its restoration to the proper standard.
On the 7th December last, I was requested to attend the
Committee of Works, and was examined at some length respecting
the complaint of the London Gas Company's supply
—the Resolutions of the Committee were as follows:—

With respect to purity, all the gases were free from sulphuretted
hydrogen, and so far free from ammonia, that they
did not discolour the turmeric paper, except on November
24th, when the common gas supplied by the London Company
presented a slight trace of ammonia.
The following Table gives the average light in sperm
candles of all the gases—