View report page

45
systematically (at stated intervals), and, for this
purpose, such sufficient and suitable supplementary
plant to be provided as necessary;
(6) The chimney (90ft. high and 4ft. 6ins. internal
diameter) to be raised, if necessary, so as to improve
the draught in the main flue;
(7) The furnace doors to be made to automatically shut
off the forced draughts when such doors are opened
for the purpose of clinkering and stoking the fires;
(8) The flues underground to be re-modelled and
built, so as to efficiently dam back the ground
water.
In view of these important structural and other alterations,
and having regard to the fact that the Destructor
was only opened in November, 1900, and had not, consequently,
been in continuous uninterrupted working for a
lengthened period, the Lambeth Borough Council, on July
25th, 1901, decided to give the City of Westminster Corporation
reasonable time in which to get the Destructor into
proper order and condition.
A further Report was presented to, and approved by, the
Borough Council on February 10th, 1902, stating that there
was apparently a great improvement in connection with the
working of the Destructor — a satisfactory condition of
affairs that was practically maintained during 1902-4—as
shown by the absence of complaints.
During 1905, up to date, complaints have again been frequent
in respect of the nuisance from the Destructor, and
further investigations and inquiries have been carried out,
with the result that the present nuisance appears to be due
entirely to mismanagement.
Putting aside all sentiment in connection with the erection
of Destructors, I am satisfied that the Destructor, as
originally planned and constructed (and since improved), at
Shot Tower Wharf, need not cause a nuisance in practical
working if carefully managed, e.g., by the cells being regularly
and systematically fed, and kept fed, day and night—