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which they were glad to have had graced by the presence of the foremost representative of
English science. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. Lowles M.P., said it was an especial pleasure to him to second this vote of Thanks,
and to witness another stage in this magnificent enterprise. the United States might have its
Edison, and other nations their great men, hut they did not envy them, because they had their
Lord Kelvin, who stood at the head of the science of the world. No one could travel across
the great oceans of the world as bo bad done without hearing the name of Lord Kelvin, or, as
he used to be better known, Sir William Thompson ; every captain was full of praise for the
magnificent work he had done to make navigation easier, more precise and therefore safer, and
thousands of lives had probably been saved by the magnificent instruments of precision which
his lordship had invented. His work had won him a groat place in the nation's history, and the
esteem of his countrymen, and also been of widespread benefit to the nations of the world.
(Cheers.) They would recognise, too, accompanying this greatness, that modesty which is after
all the better part of groat statesmen, unlike some inflated politicians and orators of whom he
had hoard. (I tear, hear.) It must bo gratifying to Lord Kelvin to initiate such a groat work
in that groat hive of industry of which they were all proud, and it was gratifying to them to
receive the greatest scientist of their time to give his benediction on what ho hoped would be a
profitable and successful enterprise. (Cheers.)
Lord Kelvin was again heartily cheered on rising to reply. He said it was indeed a great
pleasure to him to bo present. He thanked the Vestry for their kindness in allowing him to
have the honour of formally opening the electric lighting station at Shoreditch, and in calling
upon him to toll of some of its working. He must admit that it was a groat credit indeed
to the Vestry of Shoreditch to enter upon this work so soon after Vestries began to discover that
they could act like municipalities and do work on a great scale; he congratulated them that so
soon after Vestries came practically into life they had gone on boldly, courageously and wisely
in this work, which was destined ho thought to be of the utmost benefit to the whole community,
rich and poor alike. He thanked Professor Stuart and Mr. Lowles for their kind words
regarding himself, and he thanked the company for the cordial manner in which they had
received him. (Cheers.)
His lordship shortly afterwards withdrew, having to fulfil another engagement; and
Mr. H. E. Kershaw followed with a further explanation of the scheme, remarking that it
was one of the proudest moments of his life as a ratepayer of Shoreditch and a humble member
of the Vestry. They had present representatives from all over the world, and they wore indebted
to the representatives of the London County Council for enabling Shoreditch to borrow their
capital of something like £70,000 at the very low rate of 21 per cent. interest. Considering they
based their calculations at 3½ per cent. from the commencement, they could got a very good
idea of the profits which the parish would make. So satisfactory had been the result of their
primary tests that they had obtained from the six boilers 200 lbs. of steam, generated absolutely
from the ashbin refuse of the parish burned in the 12 cells below the boilers. If they could
maintain that pressure it would give them all the power required for generating their electric
plant. Up to the present they bad been able to consume all the refuse the scavenging department
had sent in, the previous cost of barging being 3s. 2d. per ton. They had no guarantee
as to what was done with the refuse carted and ho had a strong suspicion that some of it was
used to make plague spots in the suburbs or foundations for villa residences. They might congratulate
themselves upon a scheme, the far reaching effect of which from a sanitary point of
view they would never know. the cost of burning, interest on capital, wear and tear, plant and
wages, came to 1s. 2d. per ton, a direct saving of 2s. 0d. on the cost of barging. They were told
the scheme would break the backs of the ratepayers, but they started with an initial profit of
£2,200 per annum, the difference in the cost of burning and barging. In addition to that thoy
would got their electricity much cheaper than anyone had over been able to produce it bofore,