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11
The illuminating power of that supplied by both Companies
has been generally found to be above the standard, but
the sulphur compounds were at first greatly in excess of the
maximum quantity allowed by Act of Parliament, being in
the case of the Phoenix Company 31.5 per 100 feet, and of
the Crystal Palace District Gas Company 49.04 per 100 feet.
Sulphur compounds when burnt in dwelling-houses are
deleterious, and give rise to gases which irritate the lungs,
and tend to injure books, furniture, &e., therefore the Act
prescribes that the maximum quantity of sulphur should not
exceed 20 grains per 100 feet. These sulphur compounds,
however, are difficult to remove without expense; and without
great care most offensive nuisances may arise from the
process for their removal.
Both Companies were summoned to the Greenwich
Police Court, and in the case of the Crystal Palace District
Gas Company a nominal fine of 1s. and costs was imposed,
and upon the Phcenix Company undertaking to do their
best to remove cause of complaint the summons was
withdrawn.
There was a most offensive nuisance in November last,
for several days, causing great alarm in the neighbourhood of
St. Germain's-road, Catford, and Lewisham, it was occasioned
by large volumes of sulphuretted hydrogen gas which escaped
from the sewer in the night, and were traced along the
Ravensbourne and Sydenham main sewer, in the Bromley
and Lewisham Road, from the turning to Ladywell to the
Black Horse public house, Rushey Green, and from thence
along: the Catford road to the Crystal Palace Gas Works,
Bell Green.
This gas entered the houses along the lines of sewers
through the sink traps and pipes, and discoloured the white
paint in many houses and turned the silver black, and some
of the inhabitants had to turn out into the streets.
As soon as this disgusting: nuisance was traced to its
sourco proceedings were taken to stop it, both by the Metropolitan
Board of Works and the Lewisham District Board of