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86
Annual Report of the London County Council, 1913.
(3) L.C.C. General Powers Act, 1912. This Act regulates the storage of the less volatile
rades of petroleum and of inflammable oils. It is necessary that the flashing-point and general
chemical character of a substance should be determined before it can be decided whether it comes
under the operation of this Act. The Chemist and Messrs. Shelbourn and Andrews are, by resolution
of the Council, appointed to test petroleum under the Petroleum Acts.
(4) Samples of mortar and other building materials are examined as to their compliance with
the Council's byelaws issued under the Building Acts.

(d) Articles in respect of which special information was required.—Under this heading are included
materia's brought to the notice of Committees or officers, materials which had failed in use, drinking
and other waters and many other articles.
(e) Specimens of urine examined in connection with the medical examination of school children and
others.—An attempt has been made to carry out this work systematically and in future reports it
may be desirable to refer at greater length to experience gained in this connection. During the three
months, October, November, December, 1913, 264 specimens were examined.
In addition to the laboratory work, advice on chemical matters was given to chief officers of other
departments on several occasions.
At the Northern and Southern Outfall laboratories samples representing the daily variations of
sewage, sewage effluent and river water at high and low tide, were examined as shown below :—
Northern Souther d
Outfall. Outfall.
Sewage 312 312
Effluent 312 312
River water 619 619
In addition samples of lime and sulphate of iron were examined at the two outfalls. The
extended examination of the water of the River Thames already referred to, was conducted by the
chemical staff at the outfalls. The section from Barking to Charing Cross was undertaken by Mr. E. B.
Pike from the Northern Outfall, and the lower section from Grays to Crossness by Mr. J. W. H. Biggs
from the Southern Outfall.

Many of the building materials examined were for use in constructional work at the New
County Hall, others were for schools, fire stations and other places where building operations were
being carried out. The other articles examined include paints and oils, etc., used in repainting
bridges and other structures under the control of the Council.