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before them, but being unable to conclude their labours, they
adjourned until the next Session, when it is confidently hoped
that some very important alterations in the law will be recommended
to Parliament.
The Vestry, in pursuing this matter, have been actuated by a
desire, not only to improve the public lighting, but what they con-.
sider of no less importance, to protect the interests of gas consumers
generally from the injurious effects likely to result from
such combination.
The Crystal Palace Gas Company, which lights a portion of
the Outer District of the Parish, applied to Parliament this
Session for, and obtained an Act of Incorporation, in which
there are clauses of a highly beneficial character to the public.
The Lighting Committee, in conjunction with the Lewisham
Board of Works, obtained certain amendments in the Bill, after
which their opposition was withdrawn. The clauses referred to
compel the Company to light all public lamps within 100 yards
from the main ; fixes the quality or illuminating power of the
gas; requires the Company to provide an apparatus to enable
any party to test the quality of the gas, on obtaining an Order
of Justices, and imposes a penalty, not exceeding £20, if the
illuminating power should be less than the standard fixed by the
Act.
The Vestry regret that they are unable to report satisfactorily
in reference to the quality and quantity of the gas
supplied to the public lamps. Frequent complaints have been
made to the various Companies, and their Engineers have been
before the Lighting Committee upon this subject. For the purposeofobtaining
some positive data to proceed upon, a series of
observations and experiments have been made, and the subject is
is still under consideration. Dr. Odling will test periodically,
and report upon the illuminating power of the gas supplied in