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98
The South London Electricity Supply Corporation, Limited,
have given much trouble during the year, dense volumes of black
smoke having been allowed, to belch forth from their Destructor
chimney in Bengeworth Road, Loughborough Junction. The
nuisance, which affected neighbouring authorities, was so persistent
that daily observations had to be taken, extending over
long periods of time. The result was that 16 summonses have been
taken out during the past year, and £150 awarded to the Vestry as
penalties together with a total of £13 costs. In connection with the
last 10 convictions the Company has appealed.* In addition to
smoke issuing from this destructor chimney, complaints) were received
as to an effluvium nuisance also. Over 10 inhabitants in the
neighbourhood complained in writing, and consequently by Section
21 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the late Vestry
was compelled to take action before the Magistrate against the
Company. The electricity is produced by the burning of house
refuse on the same principle as the Shoreditch and other Municipal
Destructors, and the plant and machinery (being new) are, in
every respect, up to modern ideas as to efficiency. The Magistrate
decided, however, that the burning of house refuse
was not necessary for the production of electricity, but that proper
fuel (e.g. Welsh coal) was to be used; and no refuse has been burnt
in the Destructor since. Considering that the Destructor was
built purposely for the generation of electricity from the burning
of house refuse, this decision has far-reaching effects, as the plant
is no longer available for the special purpose for which it was
originally planned and constructed. The Company have not
appealed against the Magistrate's decision under this particular
Section (21), and the decision is, therefore, evidently regarded as
equitable and just by the Company's legal advisers. The decision,
unless altered on appeal, may prove a serious one to Metropolitan
and other Municipalities, who either have already erected or
intend to erect, the combination plant by which electricity can be
generated from the burning of household refuse.
* The Appeal was dismissed with costs by the Lord Chief Justice on May
6th, 1901.