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25
economically, and least likely to cause a nuisance from
black smoke.
In the Potteries belonging to Messrs. Doulton and
Stiff, there are 74 kilns (averaging 10 fires a kiln), and
of these, 67 are on the down-draught principle, 6 on the
modified and improved double crown up-draught principle,
and only one (belonging to Messrs. Stiff & Sons) on the
old-fashioned and simple up-draught principle, discharging
directly into the air without the intervention of an upper
chamber or crown, and a high chimney, giving rise, therefore,
at times, to a great amount of black smoke. Arrangements
are, however, in hand by Messrs. Stiff & Sons for
the building of a new modern kiln, on the down-draught
principle, together with the erection of an extra chimney
shaft of sufficient height to secure an efficient draught in
place of the old-fashioned kiln on the up-draught principle.
Large amounts of money have been and are still being
spent on improvements by Messrs. Doulton and Stiff in
connection with their kilns, whilst both Firms are willing
to carry out any further practical suggestions that the
Vestry or others have to offer, and that regardless of the
cost connected therewith.
The only other point is the question of coal or fuel. In
all cases the excuse offered is the inability of the various
Firms to obtain the best Welsh steam or smokeless coal,
owing to the South Wales Strike, and there is no doubt
but that the use of second class (and inferior) coal has
recently increased the smoke nuisance in Lambeth as
elsewhere. It is a matter for the Vestry to decide as to
whether this excuse shall be considered a valid one in the
future, or whether written notice should not be sent to the
various Lambeth Firms mentioned above (and others) to
the effect that after a certain period (say three months)
this excuse will not be accepted by the Vestry.
Under the terms of the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, a chimney (not of a private dwelling) discharging
black smoke in such a quantity as to be a nuisance, is a
Nuisance liable to be dealt with summarily, and by Sections
23 and 24 furnaces must consume their own smoke, or, if
provided with patent smoke-consuming apparatuses, must
not be negligently used by the stokers or others concerned.
There is in the Act, however, an important proviso,