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18
the existing arrangements for supplying the Metropolis with
Gas, to whom the evidence taken before the Committee of the
previous Session was referred.
It is with regret the Vestry have to report that this Committee
came to a very abrupt termination, and without expressing
any opinion on the matters submitted to their consideration—a
result owing partly to the Committee having resolved that the
farther examination of witnesses should be conducted by Counsel,
the expense of which the Vestries declined to incur, and partly
to the early dissolution of Parliament at that time announced.
The Committee, after sitting for seven days, and hearing but
a very small portion of the evidence, agreed, at their last
meeting, on the 15th April, to report their minutes and evidence
to the House.
The Delegates from the Metropolitan Vestries have had,
during the past year, about thirty meetings on this question ;
and, at their instance, a Bill has been prepared, and about to be
introduced to Parliament, which, while it admits the Districting
arrangements, and is not oppressive to the Gas Companies, will
create one uniform law for the supply of Gas to the Metropolis,
and afford to the consumer protection against the monopoly of
the Gas Companies, as to quality, price, &c. It is thought
unnecessary to enter into the details of this Bill, as it will
shortly be fully before the public.
With regard to the quality of the Gas, it must have been
perceptible to the consumers generally, that during the past year
there has been a marked improvement. The periodical Reports
of the Medical Officer, on its illuminating power, greatly assist
the \ estry in preventing the Companies returning to their former
iuefficient supply adverted to in the last Report.
The Directors of the Crystal Palace Gas Company have laid
down a new main, so as to separate the supply to the Palace
from that to Lower Norwood, by which the lighting of the
district has been much improved, and also complaints of
irregularity removed.