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106
in the meantime being no better, but rather worse, the
Magistrate (Mr. Lane, Q.C.) dismissed the Summons, the
Company pleading lack of Welsh coal. Under the circumstances
the Vestry of Lambeth was justified in holding
its hand in connection with Smoke Nuisances until the
Coal Strike was over. A leading article in a paper called
"Public Health," dealing with the Smoke Nuisances in
London, stated in its August number that " the outcome of
the Magistrate's decision is that Local Authorities have,
with few exceptions, practically decided to let Smoke
Nuisance alone, and to allow the Council to give effect to
the announced intention to take action against Defendants
in default of the Local Authorities."
The Chelsea Vestry, on the recommendation of their
Medical Officer, decided to send written notices to the
owners of chimneys emitting black smoke, calling upon
them to alter the construction of their furnaces so as to
allow complete combustion of the softer coal, and allowing
three months for these necessary alterations to be carried
out, but to take no action in respect to taking out
Summonses at that particular time (the time of the Coal
Strike).
With the end of the Coal Strike, matters were simplified,
and the Lambeth Vestry then took action, and is still taking
action, against offending Firms. Penalties are now easily
obtained under the Magistrate's ruling (Mr. Slade in the
case of the L.C.C. versus Messrs. Seth Taylor and Walker,
Parker & Co.), as shewn by the convictions obtained by
the Vestry at the end of the year against Messrs. Maudslay
& Sons, and against the Strand Electricity Supply Corporation
(total of .£20 in penalties and £7 7s. in costs).
In dealing with the Smoke Nuisance in connection with