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63. The Gas Light and Coke, the South Metropolitan, and the
Commercial Gas Bill, provided for some modifications of the method
of determining the illuminating power which were in opposition to
the recommendations of the Departmental Committee, and differed
from the mode of testing in use.
64. The South Metropolitan Bill, while dealing with the same
tests for illuminating power as the last-mentioned Bill, left the tests
for purity as at present under the Gas Works' Act, and proposed the
abolition of the office of gas referee. The Council petitioned against
the two last-mentioned Bills, but in view of the opposition of the
London County Council thereto and to the promotion by such Council
of the London Gas Bill, did not proceed further with its opposition.
The three Bills were referred to a Committee of the House of Commons.
After four days' discussion, the Committee passed the preamble of the
County Council's Bill, and rejected that of the Companies. The
County Council's Bill was afterwards modified by abolishing the
sulphur tests for forfeitures, and provision was made for the illuminating
power to be tested in the same way as the purity is at present
tested, viz.:—on a three days' average. The Bill as amended was
passed.
65. This Bill, referred to in the last Annual Report, received the
Royal assent on August 15th, 1904.
"Weights and
Measures.
(Metric System.)
66. This Bill was introduced by the Government with the object
of consolidating the enactments relating to open spaces
without making any alteration in the law except such
as seemed necessary for removing inconsistencies. This Council
suggested to the Government that Clause 14 of the Bill should be
amended so as to authorise Borough Councils, as well as County
Councils, to purchase, lease, lay out and maintain lands, for the purpose
of being used as public walks and pleasure grounds, and to support or
contribute to the support of public walks or pleasure grounds. In reply,
the Board of Agriculture stated that the Bill was essentially for the
consolidation of the existing enactments, and that the passing cf the
Bill would probably be imperilled by the introduction of the amendment
suggested by the Council, and that the wishes of the Council
would be kept in view. The Council informed the Board of Agriculture
that it regretted that these proposals could not be adopted at present,
and trusted that the matter would be further considered in due course.
The Bill was withdrawn on the 9th August.
Open
Spaces.