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been done in the matter hitherto, and it can be considered satisfactory
in the future tense only, seeing that so very few of the
half-million houses, supplied by the Water Companies, have been
favoured with a constant high-pressure service.
GAS.
The average illuminating power of the Cannel Gas supplied by the
Western Gas Light Company during the year, was 21.64 candles, a slight
reduction on the averages of 1871, viz. 21.96 candles, but still 1.64
above the Parliamentary standard of 20 candles. The subjoined return,
for which I am indebted to the Company, and which very nearly
agrees with the results of my own examinations, is compiled from the
monthly statements of Mr. Valentin the Company's examiner:—
January 21.59 July 21.21
February 22.22 August no return
March 22.06 September 21.18
April 21.77 October 21.54
May 21.31 November 22.23
June 21.68 December 21.33
Average 21.64
With respect to the impurities :—Of ammonia there were traces, but
none of sulphuretted hydrogen; of sulphur in any other form the averago
of the returns supplied was 15.6 grains per 100 feet; or more than
four grains below the permitted amount.
The supply of Gas passed out of the hands of the Western Company
at the end of the year upon the completion of a scheme of amalgamation
with the Gas Light and Coke Company, commonly called the
Chartered Gas Company. This amalgamation, duly announced and
finally approved by the Queen in Council, was effected under the
provisions of the City of London Gas Act, 1868, and the Gas Light
and Coke Company's Act, 1871.
The rate charged by the Western Company for Cannel Gas of 20
candle illuminating power was five shillings per 1,000 cubic feet.
The Chartered Gas Company supply Cannel Gas of 23 candle
power, subject to the conditions, as to price, of the Gas Act, I860, and
the amending Act of 1868, by the terms of which they were enabled
to charge a rate proportional to the price of three shillings and nine
pence per 1,000 cubic feet for 16 candle Gas, or in other words five
shillings and five pence per 1,000 cubic feet.
It is obvious that this " increase in price " is apparent rather than
real, for the Western Company's price for 23 candle Gas, considered
pro rata, would have been five shillings and nine pence per 1,000 feet;
while the Chartered Company's price for 20 candle Gas, the article
supplied by the Western Company, could not have exceeded four
shillings and nine pence per 1,000.
The change of Company, therefore, would in all probability have
given satisfaction in the long run, when the cause of the apparent
increase of price came to be understood, and when the effect of the
supply of a superior article had been realized in a reduction of consumption,
and in the amount of Gas bills. But unfortunately the