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130
The above figures show a considerable improvement on the
averages for 1879. Ammonia, a valuable residual product of
gas manufacture, appeared but rarely, and then only in small
quantity, far below the limits of the Acts of Parliament (4 grains
in 100 cubic feet of gas).
It would be well if an arrangement could be effected to obtain
systematic records of pressure at all hours of the day and night,
and at several points in the Company's District within the Parish.
No complaint was received from any private consumer in respect
of the illuminating power of the gas in 1880, and I understand
that Mr. Philip Monson, your Vestry's Superintendent of Street
Lighting, is satisfied with the quality of gas as supplied to the
public lamps. The burners now in use are calculated to consume
gas at the rate of 4'5 cubic feet per hour, whereas the burners
formerly in use, originally provided when Cannel was employed,
consumed only three feet per hour; but notwithstanding the
increased consumption of gas (50 per cent.) and the consequent
improvement in the lighting of the public thoroughfares, the cost
is not greater than under the old system of a fixed annual payment
per lamp.
Conclusion.— It now only remains for me to discharge the
pleasing duty of expressing my obligation and my thanks to those
who have so materially contributed by their assistance to whatever
of success may have attended the work of my Department during
the past year.
It would be impossible to over-rate the value of the sympathetic
co-operation of the Board of Guardians ard their officers in every
department, in measures for preventing the spread of infectious
diseases.
The Sub-district Registrars (Messrs. Barnes and Hume), and the
Vaccination Officer (Mr. Shattock), have always been found ready
and willing to supply whatever information I may have required.
The members of the sanitary staff have discharged their
numerous and important duties with zeal and efficiency. That