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34
Company thought it necessary, at the end of January 1873, to apply to
the Board of Trade for a revision of the illuminating power and price
of the Gas, under sect. 57 of the City of London Gas Act, 1868. This
led to the appointment of a commission and a lengthened enquiry, the
result of which was an increase of l0d. per 1,000 cubic feet, thus
raising the price of Gas to six shillings and three pence.
In consequence, however, of the great outcry raised at this increase,
the Company gave notice of their intention to reduce the illuminating
power of the Gas to 20 candles, on the 1st July 1873, and the charge
to 5s. 5d., which is 5d. more than the Western Company charged for
Gas of the same illuminating power, and about 4d. more than the
Chartered Company could have charged for the same prior to the award of
the Board of Trade in April. At this price, therefore, the Gas will
remain till the end of the year, when it will revert to the former rate,
it being open, however, to the Company and to the Metropolitan Board
of Works, in the month of January 1874, to make another application
to the Board of Trade for a revision of illuminating power and price.
The power, so long as cannel Gas is supplied, cannot be reduced below
20 candles, nor can the price be raised higher than 7s. 6d. per 1,000
cubic feet, under the terms of the Gas Act, 1860,
The amalgamation of the Companies brings the Gas supply in
this parish under the provisions of the Gas Act of 1868, and consequently
the duty of examining the Gas devolves upon the
Metropolitan Board of Works, the "local authority" for the purpose.
The Gas, therefore, will be tested daily, as to its illuminating power
and purity, at the Station provided by tne Company, which is situated
at No. 123, Ladbroke Grove, at about the distance from the Kensal
Works prescribed by the Act, viz., 1,000 yards.
By direction of your Vestry I attended numerous meetings of delegates
from many of the Vestries of the Metropolis, held in the Vestry Hall of
St. Martin in the Fields, the object being to obtain united action by
the Local Boards in opposition to the extension of the already too large
powers of Gas Companies. The reports of the delegates have been
printed and circulated. It was resolved to oppose Bills introduced by
the Imperial and the Chartered Companies. The Bill of the former
Company was withdrawn, and that of the Chartered Company very
materially modified, as a result of the opposition of the Corporation,
the Metropolitan Board, and such of the Vestries (Kensington not
included) as took steps to obtain a locus standi.
I cannot conclude my report without expressing my entire satisfaction
with the manner in which the Sanitary Inspectors have performed their
numerous duties. It is not alone that they have been diligent, but they
have at all times shown an interest in their work which could only arise
from a proper sense of its importance.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your very obedient Servant,
T. ORME DUDFIELD, M.D.,
Vestry Hall, Kensington, Medical Officer of Health.
July, 1873.