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76
reported oil, but it is certain that an equivalent oxydation of metal must
have occurred on the positive main, or the house wires and apparatus
connected with it. and it is not yet proved that this destruction has
been so distributed as not to amount to material damage at any one
point.
On examination, it is again discovered that the fault originated in the
pilot wires.
In my Report of Inquiry I recommended that the Company should
at once remove all pilot wires from the interior of their conduits.
The Company stated, in answer to this, that they would, as far as
possible, be removed, but that they found that the wires had, in many
•cases, adhered firmly to the bottom of the culvert, and could, with
difficulty, be removed
These wires, however, in the portion of the culvert which was opened
on the 5th instant did not appear to be adherent to the culvert in
any part.
The steps to be taken by the Board of Trade to provide against the
recurrence of similar faults, and their consequences will, I think, require
very mature consideration, but I have no hesitation in recommending
that the Company should, without further delay, remove every portion
of the pilot wires from their culverts, and should test throughout their
-system of culverts for the existence of any appreciable difference of
potential between the iron culverts and the gas and water pipes.
(Signed) P. CARDEW.
8th April, 1892.
The parishioners may rely upon the Vestry adopting
further measures, in the light of the foregoing report, for
the protection of private interests, but the precise course
of action which may be ultimately adopted after the
deliberation which the importance of the subject deserves
will better form the subject of remark in the next Annual
Report of the Vestry.