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purifiers at the Gas Works, in Great Cambridge Street, and after
investigation the following report was presented to the Vestry. No
definite action was taken by the Vestry, but some further precautions
were taken by the Company's Officers and the complaints have
not since been seriously renewed.
Vestry of Saint Leonard, Shoreditch.
THE GAS NUISANCE IN HAGGERSTON.
Gentlemen,
The complaint of the inhabitants made recently to the
Vestry as to the nuisance caused at the Haggerston Works,
having been referred to myself and the Medical Officer, I have to
report as follows.
The Medical Officer and myself reported upon this matter in
October, 1876, and stated the cause and nature of the nuisance
at that time. Since then we know that the Company's officers,
have made every effort to avoid it, and from the fact that no serious
complaints had reached us until the one made to the Vestry a few
days ago, we had hoped they had succeeded; but if it be true as
alleged that the nuisance frequently occurs, it would seem that
other and more stringent steps than remonstrance for its suppression
must be adopted.
The cause of the nuisance is the removal from the Works of
the foul lime used in purifying the gas. The use of this lime is
rendered necessary from the fact, that the Gas Referees have
prescribed a degree of purity from sulphur which cannot be
obtained by any other known process; and also, that if this purity
is not kept up, the Company must be mulct in heavy penalties
which there is no power to mitigate. The Company admitted their
inability to make gas with a maximum of 25 grains of sulphur per
100 cubic feet without using lime, and that its use and removal
would always constitute more or less a nuisance. They alleged
this to the Gas Referees and to Parliament. They asked the
Referees to relax this rule, and failing to obtain relief, applied
to Parliament for a Bill with the same object. The Referees
replied that the complaints were exaggerated, and that by care and
improved process the nuisance could be largely abated, but some
smell must always be expected from Gas Works. The
Corporation of London and the Metropolitan Board opposed the
Bill in the Committee of the House of Commons, allegingthat the