Gas Light? - No its a Stink Pipe!

Seen last night during my walk in the dark. Today I stopped for a closer look and assume it is an old gas light. It no longer lights up the streets where I live but someone has taken the trouble to chose a colour scheme for the paint.

I cannot find any history on the manufacturer or when gas lights gave way to electricity, sorry.

PS RadioGirl- see below has told me it is a stink pipe- I can see a new challenge coming- to find more and photogragh them!!