Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch, Parish of St. Leonard]
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Mr. J. J. Trowbridge, vice-chairman of the Lighting Committee, cordially acknowledged
the compliments on behalf of his colleagues. They were all proud of the position in which
Shoreditch stood, especially their chairman and the older members, who in the first inception
of the scheme did not want any convincing. They were proud to think their scheme was a
success and an example to other parishes. Their Vestry Clerk had been heart and soul in the
work, and they were all gratified to be so near the realisation of their hopes. (Cheers.)
Mr. Nathan Moss, J.P., L.C.C., said it was his pleasing duty to move a vote of thanks to
their worthy chairman for his services in the chair, and for the great interest he had taken in
the work from the commencement. Mr. Wakeling had devoted a large amount of time and
energy to the successful carrying out of this important work.
Mr. Edwin Austin, J.P., seconded the proposition with the greatest heartiness, observing
that the recipient of the compliment was an earnest and thorough public worker.
The Chairman tersely responded. He had worked as a member of the Vestry for nine years,
and he intended to work hard for a long time to come. (Cheers.)
THE BANQUET.
During the evening a good many visitors availed themselves of the opportunity of looking
over the destructor and lighting station, and at seven o'clock a large company sat down to
dinner in the Town Hall under the presidency of Dr. W. J. Collins, chairman of the London
County Council.
In addition to many of the gentlemen whose names are given in connection with the afternoon
proceedings, the following were present at the dinner: Mr. T. E. Waller, M.I.C.E. and
Mr. E. Manville, M.I.C.E., Consulting Engineers to the Vestry, Captain Sankey, R.E.,
Alderman Bell, C.C., Mr. Graham Wallas, M.L.S.B., Mr. J. B. Alliott, M.I.C.E., Mr. Alderman
Elliot, Prof. Smith. President of Inst. of Public Health, Rt. Hon. Shaw Lefevre, L.C.C., Mr.
Jas. Bailey, Mr. Henry Ward, C.E., L.C.C., the Mayor of West Ham, the Mayor of Swansea.
the Chairmen of Newington, Camberwell, Westminster, and Clerkenwell Vestries, Mr. H. M.
Robinson, LL.D., Colonel Wallis, Alderman Ellis, Dr. P. J. Allan, Mr. E. A. R. Adams,
Accountant to the Vestry, Mr. H. B.Ransom, A.M.I.C.E., Mr. C. Aburrow, C.E., Johannesburg,
Mr. C. Martin, C.E., Streatham, Mr. A. Botterill, C.E., Fulham, and others.
The toast of "The Queen," was received with a verse of the National Anthem, and " The
Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces," was responded to by Captain Sankey, R.E., and Major
Wenborn.
At this juncture the "light of other days" was turned down, and amidst the hearty
applause of the company the chairman switched on the "light of the future." Glowing from
the handsome electroliers the new light gave additional effect to the brilliance of the tables, and
the beautiful flowers with which the hall was adorned.
In proposing the toast of the evening, "Success to the Shoreditch Municipal Electricity
and Dust Destructor Undertaking," the Chairman said so far as he was permitted to speak on
behalf of the central municipal body of London, they viewed the civic zeal of Shoreditch with
admiration. The undertaking on which they had embarked would contribute to satisfy that
growing civic pride for which Shoreditch was rapidly becoming famous. It was stated in ancient
history that Prometheus stole the heavenly fire of the sun and with it animated the dust of the
earth, but he ventured to think that Prometheus had been surpassed that day, for it had
been reserved for Shoreditch in this Jubilee year to use the dust of the earth for the production