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deposit of the refined material, e.g., whiting proper, the superjacent
fluid is drawn off and men enter the tanks and dig out the deposit. The
latter is then placed on to the large flat top or surface of the reverberatory
kiln. The masses lie smoking (fluid given off) and drying for 48
hours. The kiln is heated by coke which is inserted through the
furnace doors. Once dried, the masses are removed. Some is sent
out in lump form, while some again is passed into a special mill where
it is ground into a fine powder and is then packed into bags.
Nineteen men are employed for whom one w.c. is provided. We
have a difficulty here. When the wind is blowing in a certain direction,
fine whiting dust is carried over on to the back of the houses in
Grinstead Road. We have, before this, received complaints from the
householders to the effect that this dust affects their washing, etc. The
works, however, were established before the houses were built. It is
a genuine difficulty, for even if a screen were put up it would be a
costly process, and would need to be very long and very high. Further,
the question arises as to who would need to pay the cost of the same.
Tar Refiners.
At these works tar is refined, thereby yielding valuable extracts.
The works consist of office buildings and stores, the remainder of the
ground being taken up by storage tanks, stills, condensers, etc. Tar is
received in a crude form from various gas works in the south. It is
passed into stills and distilled, and then into the condensers. The
products obtained are naphtha, creosol, and green oils, the residue being
pitch. The products undergo a further refining process in receiving
tanks, and are then sent out to various commercial firms.
Sixteen men are employed here, for whom one w.c. is provided.
There is also a w.c. for the office staff. The men's w.c. is constructed
in a small brick enclosure, and is of the pedestal type ; it is wellventilated
and clean.
Asphalt Manufacturers.
The works consist of big sheds, under which the kilns and melting
pots are situated. Crude chalk is brought up the canal by barge and is
received directly into the works, this is placed on a coke-heated kiln
and is thoroughly dried. The chalk is then ground and sand added.
This mixture is then placed in melting coppers and bitumen is added;
as the latter melts the whole is thoroughly mixed. The resulting