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9
Lighting the Streets.

In the month of December, 1873, the several Gas Companies
supplying this District gave notice to this Board that the price of
Gas would be raised.
The Companies subsequently applied to the Board of Trade
to nominate Commissioners to consider their application to raise such
prices. The Commissioners on their appointment held a long
investigation, and the application was opposed by the Metropohtan
Board of Works, but resulted in the Imperial Gas Company
being allowed to increase their charge from £4 8s. per lamp, to
£5 18s.; the London Gas Company to £5 1s.; and the Chartered
Gas from £4 9s. 9d. to £5 1s. 3d.
Much dissatisfaction is expressed by the inhabitants with this
decision, and active measures are being taken, with the view of
reducing the excessively high price of Gas.
The cost of removing the Dust and Ashes from the dwelling houses
in the District during the year was £1,248 15s.
The Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act 1868.
Under this Act, this Board has been enabled to enforce considerable
improvements during the past year, in and immediately adjoining
one of the worst parts of St. Giles. They have made orders
for the demolition of some buildings which have long existed in the
yards of the houses on the north and south sides of Church Lane,,
Carrier street and Church street, and the entire demolition of the
wretched dwellings called Welch's and Kennedy Courts. The
freeholders of these properties have taken, or are about to take
steps to materially improve the property by carrying out the
alterations and improvements directed by the orders of the Board.
It is, however, much to be regretted that the entire property isnot
taken down and rebuilt in a suitable manner. This,, however,,
the Board had not power to compel.
Dust and Ashes.