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15
tho subject of the enormous increase of the cost of water, amounting
in many parishes to over 100 per cent., has assumed such a serious
aspect, as to call for a meeting of delegates from the District
Boards and Vestries.
This increase has been produced by the legislation of 1852,
which permitted charges for water to be based upon rateable value,
and, as the rateable value of property is increasing, there is
urgent need of some action being taken to obtain some uniform
system of managing and of regulating these Companies. I trust I
shall be pardoned for alluding to this matter, inasmuch as the
sanitary condition of the people depends very much upon an ample
supply of water being afforded them, and any restriction which
may be caused by the increased cost of water, must affect the
health of the people.
I have advocated in my former Reports that a constant supply
in lieu of an intermittent service is urgently needed, and I hope
this important feature will be borne in mind in any discussion
that may take place.
Gas Examination.
The average illuminating power of the Gas supplied by the
Phoenix Company, as tested by Letheby's Photometer, according
to the requirements of the Metropolis Gas Act, was equal to 14-5
sperm candles. The highest illuminating power was equal to
15-3, and the lowest 14-2 candles.
The proportion of Ammonia in the Gas has never reached the
proscribed quality of 2'5 grains for 100 cubic feet of Gas.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen was never detected. I have thus shortly
indicated the points of interest suggested by the records of the
events and precedings of the past year.
The favourable sanitary condition of the district may be
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