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The pressure is an element that varies according to the demands of
the consumers. During daylight a uniform minimum pressure of .8 or
.9 inches is maintained. After dark the pressure is increased, in order
to keep pace with the increased consumption. It rises to 2.5 inches,
and even to 3 inches.
It is found necessary to increase the pressure after dark, in order
to bring the gas more rapidly to the individual consumers; it is also
found necessary to increase the pressure according to the extension of
the area of distribution. The laying down of new mains will thus
necessitate an increase of pressure. This has taken place lately in the
case of the Independent Gas Company, and will account for the greatly
increased average of pressure during the last year. In this way the
pressure in some of the streets most distant from the works, or in which
larger mains have been laid down, has been doubled or more than doubled.
It thus happens that consumers who before the change could hardly get
gas enough, now find it pressing upon their burners with a force that is
apt to lead to waste, unless carefully watched and regulated.
It is not within my province to enter upon the question of the
accuracy of the meters. However, as very general dissatisfaction, or
rather a feeling of distrust has prevailed upon this point, I may state
for the information of consumers, that under the Act 24th and 25th V.
1861, inspectors of meters have been appointed by the Metropolitan
Board of Works, whose duty it is to test and certify as to the accuracy of
the meters on the demand of the consumers. The Meter Testing Offices
in this neighbourhood are in White Lion Street, Norton Folgate, and in
White Cross Street. Any consumer doubting the trustworthiness of his
meter, has the opportunity of sending his meter to any of these offices, to
be tested and certified under competent authority.