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disinfected state it was highly undesirable that linen, bedding, and
clothing generally, that had been soiled by the excreta of patients,
should be sent to either a public or private laundry to be washed.
In addition to these it was also thought that a crematory suitable
for the destruction of infected bedding, clothing, or other articles, which
for one reason or another, it was considered desirable to get rid of,should
be erected. Thus a most complete scheme had been determined
on when the year 1892 came to a close.
A suitable site was fixed on at the rear of the Hornsey Road Public
Baths and Washhouses, and negociations were entered into with the
Commissioners. Many delays occurred in obtaining the land but
at length it was bought for the sum of £4,000. Before the
transfer was effected, however, a new difficulty arose, for it was discovered
that the School Board for London had scheduled it in their
Educational Provisional Order (Confirmation) Bill as being a place
suitable for school purposes.
The Vestry, therel'ore, decided on opposing the provisional order
before a Committee of the House of Lords. In support of this
opposition the Vestry Clerk (W. F. Dewey, Esq.), the Chief Surveyor
(J. Patten Barber, Esq.) and myself, gave evidence, with the result that
the School Board failed to obtain the site.
The land, therefore, passed into the possession of the Vestry.
The difficulties did not, however, end here, for just as the contract
was about being placed with Messrs. Goddard, Massey & Warner, of
Nottingham, for the immediate erection of the building and plant, it
was made known by that firm that an injunction had been obtained
against them by the patentee (Mr. Wm. Lyon) of a rival machine, for
infringement of his patent. Negociations followed, which when the
year came to a close had not been completed, and thus the opening of
another year found the Vestry, through no fault of its own, without a
disinfecting station, although with every prospect that within a
measurable time all difficulties would be removed.*
*As a matter of fact these difficulties were overcome, and at the present moment the
station is in course of erection, and within two months it is expected that the works will be
completed.