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23
by a different process to that adopted by Messrs. Wallace.
The nuisances complained of in reference to the Alum and
Ammonia Company's process were twofold, one when
sawdust in large quantities had been acidulated with
sulphuric acid and water, and offensive and irritating
acid vapours were given off; and secondly, after this
acidulated sawdust had been to the purifiers of the Gas
Works, and there become charged with ammonia and other
volatile gas products, when an abominable and pungent
odour pervaded the neighbourhood. After the commencement
of legal proceedings by the Board against the
Company, they modified their mode of working, erected
proper apparatus, and generally speaking did their best to
prevent the continuance of the causes of annoyance, and
although the jury, by whom the case was to have been
heard, gave a formal verdict of "Not guilty" in
consideration of the nuisance having ceased for a considerable
period, the Board are to be congratulated on the
result, as but for the action taken by their order, there can
be little doubt that the nuisance would be as great at
the present time as when the original complaints were
made.
In both the above-mentioned cases the Medical
Officers have had duties of the greatest gravity and
importance devolve upon them, and they feel that they
have endeavoured conscientiously to perform those duties
in an equitable and just spirit, both to the proprietors of
these works and the public.
The Medical Officers, with the members of the
General Purposes Committee and other Officers of the
Board, attended an official inquiry held by Lieut. Col.
Bolton, having special reference to the water supply
afforded to the District by the Southwark and Vauxhall
Water Company, when it was agreed that the works
of the Company should be inspected.
The works at Battersea were first visited. Here are
situated 12 acres of subsiding and storing reservoirs, with