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closed merely by a moveable iron slide); 2nd, from the opening for the
stirring rod; and, 3rd, while the copper was thrown open for the purpose of
ladling out the liquid tallow. I directed my attention in the first place
to the fat shoot, and suggested the application of a double self-acting
slide, so constructed, that upon opening the lower one the upper one was
thereby closed. Messrs. Cook consulted their engineer upon the subject,
and his opinion was that my suggestion was impracticable, but in place
of it they fixed a counter-weighted flap valve in the shoot, opening
downwards by the weight of the superincumbent fat, and closed by means
of the weight when the fat has passed through into the copper, thus
automatically preventing the upward escape of vapour. We found that
this mitigated the evil to a certain extent, but the abatement of the nuisance
was scarcely perceptible. About this time the nuisance became so
great, that a considerable amount of feeling was manifested in the neighbourhood
upon the subject: the walls in the district were placarded with
huge posters, public meetings were held, and a considerable amount of
pressure was put upon the vestry; a petition was got up and extensively
signed, and application was even made to the magistrate at Worshipstreet
for a summons, which, however, was refused.
While the matter was before the Sanitary Committee, the following
regulations were issued by the Metropolitan Board of Works:—
METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.
The Slaughter Houses, &c. (Metropolis) Act, 1874, 37 and 38 Vic.,
c. 67.
BYE-LAWS for the regulation of the conduct of the business of a Blood Boiler, Bone
Boiler, Manure Manufacturer, Soap Boiler, or Tallow Melter, within the limits of
the Metropolis, as defined by this Act (except the City of London and the liberties
thereof), and the structure of the premises on which any such business may be
carried on.
In pursuance of the above Act, by which the Metropolitan Board of Works is constituted
the Local Authority for the Metropolis, as defined in the said Act (except the
City of London and the liberties thereof), the said Metropolitan Board of Works (for the
purposes of these Bye-Laws called the "Board,") doth hereby make the following
Bye-Laws:—
Bye-Laws for Regulating the Conduct of the Business.
1. Every Blood Boiler, Bone Boiler, Manure Manufacturer, Soap Boiler, or Tallow
Melter, shall cause every boiler, mixer, or other vessel from which any offensive or
noxious vapour or gas may be evolved in any operation or process of his business, to be
properly covered, and in all other respects to be so constructed and used as to cause all