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10
The Vestry accepted the position and resolved to adopt the
Average Meter System. The carrying out of this very important
matter was entrusted to the Lighting and Paving Committee, and
ultimately to a Sub-Committee of the same.
A Contract was made between the Vestry and the Gas Company
by which the Company agreed to accept payment for gas supplied to
the public lamps at the average indicated by the meters, one to each
twenty lamps. Governors regulated to burn 4.6 ft. per hour were
adopted, a time table for lighting and extinguishing was agreed
upon, and the whole of the lighting, cleaning, and repairs, were
undertaken by the Vestry.
For the supply of meters, governors, cocks, &c., tenders were
invited from four firms, and after a careful examination and enquiry
by the Committee, it was decided to recommend the Vestry to
accept the tender of Mr. W. Sugg, of Westminster. The total cost
of about 65 meters and meter boxes, and 1,400 governors and cocks,
including some alterations and new stand pipes, lighting torches, &c,
obtained from Mr. Sugg, was £1,241 2s. 10d. A contract was also
taken by Mr. W. H. Tilley for the maintenance, repair, painting, &c,
of the lamps and columns.
A Lamp Inspector, at a salary of £150 per year, has been
appointed. The lamplighters formerly employed by the Company
are now employed by the Vestry (15 in number, including three
foremen), the foremen are paid 26s. per week and the men 22s.
A Store-room has been fitted up in the basement of the Town
Hall, also an Inspector's Office.
As it had been some years since a general adjustment of the
lamps was made, and the condition of the Parish had been
considerably altered, the introduction of the meter system furnished
an opportunity to revise the positions of the lamps and to supply
the deficiencies. The Lamp Committee made a careful survey of the
entire parish, and altered the positions of 75 lamps, and provided
155 new ones. It is now considered that in this respect the lighting
of the parish is satisfactory.