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21
LIGHTING.
During the past year the Vestry has received 65 memorials
and applications for additional lighting in various parts of the
Parish, and have erected 52 new lamps. The total number of
lamps lighted by the Vestry at the present time is 2171. The
number of lamps removed during the year for purposes of improvement
have been 55.
The prices paid by the Vestry for lighting, at per lamp, per
annum, including painting and repairs, are as follows:—The
Phoenix Gas Company £4 17s. 6d. (1058 lamps) ; The London
£4 15s. (570 lamps); The South Metropolitan i?4 18s. 6d. (499
lamps); and The Crystal Palace £5 5s. (44 lamps).
The total cost for lighting the Parish during the past year,
has been £10,349 5s. 3d., and for new lamps and removals,
.£349 3s. Id.
A great improvement has been effected by numbering of
the lamps with perforated zinc labels, by which all communications
respecting their repair and lighting is greatly facilitated.
In the last Annual Report, it was stated that the Gas
Companies had allotted to each other a certain division of the
Parish, and combined together to limit each Company to supply
gas only in such district, in consequence of which competition
has ceased, the price has been increased, and the arrangements
in reference to lighting complicated.
The importance of this subject soon became apparent to
other Vestries, and at the invitation of the Vestry of Marylebone,
this and other Vestries united to prevent such arrangement
by the Gas Companies from working injuriously to the Gas Consumers
of the Metropolis. It is now satisfactory to report, that
after numerous meetings of deputations, and memorializing the
Secretary of State, a Parliamentary Committee was appointed to
enquire into the existing arrangements for supplying the Metropolis
with gas. This Committee heard the evidence brought