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and I understand that Mr. Philip Monson, your Vestry's Superintendent
of Street Lighting, is satisfied with the quality of the
gas as supplied to the public lamps. The burners now in use
consume gas at the rate of 4.5 cubic feet per hour, whereas the
burners formerly in use, originally provided when Cannel gas was
employed, consumed only 3 feet per hour. 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. Great complaints, however, are made by
private consumers, who allege, and justly, I believe, that however
much the nominal price of gas may go down, (the shareholders',
profits going up pari passu), the actual annual payment for gas
is always increasing; the reason, doubtless, being, that proper
apparatus for controlling the consumption of gas is not applied,
either at the meter or in connection with the individual burners.
And as it is to the interest of the Company to maintain an
excessive pressure, for then more gas is forced through the meter,
and has to be paid for by the unfortunate consumer, who, moreover,
is put to heavy charges for cleansing ceilings, &c., made
dirty by unconsumed gas and smoke, I would, once again, submit
that systematic records of pressure, at all hours of the day and
night, and at several points in the Company's district within the
parish, should be obtained. It would be well, moreover, if Mr.
Monson would prepare, and your Vestry circulate directions
.shewing how to burn gas to the greatest advantage, with a
minimum of consumption. I might enlarge on this subject, but
in Mr. Monson your Vestry have an officer able and willing to
advise consumers to their advantage. I will content myself therefore
by expressing a hope that his services may be enlisted in their
behalf.
Conclusion.—It now only remains for me to discharge the
grateful duty of thanking all who have contributed by their kind
help to whatever success may have attended the work of my
Department during the past year.