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135
complicated, and having regard to the magnitude of the Council's work it is essential
that before considering any change of system the Council should carefully study
every phase of the problem.
Northern
outfall.
The Council on 19th December, 1922, approved expenditure of £14,000 in
respect of the installation of two new boilers of the water tube pattern at the
Northern outfall in place of the boilers in the eastern boiler house which were worn
out after more than 33 years' service. The work was completed during 1924 at a
cost, including accessories, of about £13,500. The repair of the pier at the outfall
was continued at a cost of £948. The use of new sludge vessels of 1,500 tons cargo
capacity as compared with 1,000 tons of the o d vessels made it necessary to extend
the pier at an estimated cost of £10,000. The work was specially difficult as it
must not interfere with the working of the sludge vessels. The work was entrusted
to C. J. Wills and Sons, Limited, as part of their contract for the development of
the Becontree housing estate not far from the outfall. Under this arrangement the
company will be paid the cost of the work with a fixed sum as remuneration. The
arrangements for loading sludge are being remodelled at an estimated cost, including
the supply of sludge loading pipes, gantries, etc., of £1,050. In order to provide
additional employment the raising and levelling of the western bank of the river
Roding, estimated to cost £1,000, and the repair of roads at the outfall, estimated
to cost £1,200, have been accelerated. The fencing at the workmen's cottages
has been renewed at an estimated cost of £350.
Southern
outfall.
After the opening in 1915 of the new engine house at the Southern outfall, it
became possible to lay off for overhaul the main beam-engines and pumps. The
work is proceeding continuously. The expenditure authorised duringl924 amounted
to £2,000 for work to be executed by direct employment of labour.
Any overhauls of the sludge vessels undertaken by the Council's staff, take place
upon the gridiron at the Southern outfall. The increased size of the new sludge
vessels has made it necessary to extend the gridiron, and the tender, amounting to
£3,933, of Anthony Fasey and Son, Limited, was accepted on 18th July, 1924.
The chimney shafts at the outfall showed signs of becoming dangerous, one
of them having been struck by lightning, and repairs have been undertaken at a cost
of £313 12s. 6d.
The new type of centrifugal sludge loading pump installed in 1923 proved superior
to the old type and was not so liable to be choked by rags and other solid materials.
During 1924 two new centrifugal pumps were ordered one of which, with its engine,
will be placed at a lower level than the existing pumps in order to deal better with
the solid matter which accumulates in the lower portion of the sludge store. The
pumps are being supplied by The Lilleshall Company, Limited, at a cost of £555 and
the total cost of the work will be about £1,000. The repainting of the interior of the
triple expansion engine house and the repair of roads at an estimated cost of £1,000
and £750 respectively have also been accelerated in order to provide additional
employment. Other work undertaken during the year include overhauling and
repairing the revolving filth screen, estimated to cost £370; clearing sand from pump
wells, £200: and repairs to roofs. £150.
Sludge
vessels.
The fleet of vessels for conveying sludge from the outfalls to the Black Deep
was built up between 1887 and 1895 when six vessels were obtained, each of a carrying
capacity of about 1,000 tons. These vessels are practically all worn out with the
exception of the s.s. Bazalgelte which was re-conditioned during 1921, and should
have a further life of 15 years from that time. A new vessel, the Henry Ward,
was obtained in 1923. This vessel has a capacity of 1,500 tons and proved so
satisfactory in working that it was decided to obtain further vessels of the same
type. The tender of Vickers, Limited, for two vessels at the price of £51,120 each,
was accepted on 1st March, 1924. In consideration of the fact that the building
of one of these vessels was expedited, State assistance was obtained towards the
cost. One of the new vessels, the J. H. Hunter, was launched by Mrs. John Perring,