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10
During the year overtures were made by the Gas Light and
Coke Company to the Commercial Gas Company (which supplies
this district), and the South London Gas Company, for an
amalgamation. The Commercial Gas Company declined, but
the South London came to such terms that application was
made to the Board of Trade to sanction the scheme. The
Board of Trade invited the opinion of the local authorities, and
this Vestry unanimously resolved, that the Board of Trade
should be asked not to sanction the scheme. One reason was,
that in the opinion of the Vestry it is not desirable to have one
great Company as it would entirely destroy the chance of comparison
of prices, and would be an injustice to the consumers,
as the South London Company are not empowered to charge
such a high price as the Gas Light and Coke Company.
Dusting & Cleansing
The Vestry are sorry to have to report that, owing to depression
in trade, they have not been able to dispose of the dust
and ashes on such advantageous terms as they had anticipated,
but, at the same time, the expenses of sifting, &c., have proved
to be but slightly over the receipts.
The Vestry are still hopeful that, with a revival of trade, they
will be able to show a profit, but even if they cannot do so, they
feel that the undoubted improvement in the way of efficiency in
removal of the refuse is ample recompense.
One of the greatest difficulties with which the Vestry have had
to contend, has been the question of shoots. The Vestry obtained,
for a small consideration, the right to shoot material on
a piece of land at Carpenter's Road, Stratford, and used the
place for some time, when proceedings were taken against the
Surveyor to the Vestry, as representing the Vestry, by the
Inspector of Nuisances of the West Ham Local Board for
causing a nuisance.
The instructions of the Committee were, that no material of
an offensive nature were to be shot, but it appeared that some
six loads had, in error, been shot during the first day or two.
The Vestry instructed several medical men to inspect the
spot, and they all reported that no nuisance existed, and the
Vestry therefore appeared and fought the case, but, after a
personal examination of the place, and having the ground turned
up, the Stipendiary Magistrate of the West Ham Police Court
decided against the Vestry.
The matter was a serious one, and having regard to the
evidence given, the Vestry felt that they would be fully justified
in appealing to Quarter Sessions, and accordingly gave the
requisite notices, but negociations were subsequently opened,
and arrangements come to, which rendered it unnecessary to
proceed with the appeal.
Shoot at Carpenter's Rd.
It was arranged that no objections would be raised to street
sweepings not containing offensive matter, and the Vestry thereupon
negociated with the Carpenters' Company, and have taken
on lease a large piece of ground at a rent of £70 per annum,
which will provide a shoot for a considerable time.
Shoeing Horses.
Questions having arisen whether it was the more economical
for the Vestry to shoe their own horses or to have them done by
contract, the Committee went fully into the matter, and reported