Catalogue description Folios 63-206. To: The Home Secretary. From: Robert Rawlinson, Superintending...

Folios 63-206.

To: The Home Secretary.

From: Robert Rawlinson, Superintending Inspector, The Local Government Act Office.

Subject Matter: Report on a memorial from over 1000 owners and ratepayers of the Borough of Warrington [Lancashire] complaining that the Town Council have made default in not putting into force the smoke prevention clauses of the Sanitary Act 1866. The petitioners allege that the council is partially made up of traders and manufacturers whose own works cause the smoke nuisance and they show an unwillingness to put their powers into force. The petitioners, he states, ask that the powers of the Act are exercised by the Home Secretary independently.

An inquiry was held into the petition on 1 June 1869 at which Thomas Chorlton, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the Town Clerk and Joseph Davies supported the petition. Rawlinson reports that while some factories are long established those of a more offensive character have been built more recently, including: agricultural machine makers, brewers, brick makers, chemical works, cotton mills, forges and iron foundries, glassworks, lead works, soap manufactories and tanneries. Nearly 4000 tons of coal is consumed per week by 66 factories.

Chorlton opened by stating that the town is governed by the Warrington Improvement and Market Act 1854 and also that, according to recent legal decisions, smoke prevention cannot be enforced against some trades.

Evidence is given by Reverend W Quekett and the Reverend O H Carey. Also by John Jones of Latchford as to the emanation of gases and yellow smoke from certain chemical works is included. It is said that this vapour has caused one death.

Former Mayor and solicitor Mr Beamont is quoted that 'there are many of the members [of the Town Council] I esteem highly in other respects and who are vehement reformers of outside abuses but who are indifferent to all appeals as to Warrington Smoke'.

Rawlinson reports that on the second day of the inquiry the manufacturers gave evidence in explanation and defence or their actions. Former Mayor Mr Bleckley attested that some manufacturers had put up apparatus for preventing smoke after the Council issued them with a notice in 1867.

Rawlinson relays evidence that the coal of the district contains a high level of sulphur. He contends that several patented apparatuses are available to prevent smoke in most manufacturing processes, as well as the more intelligent construction of boilers and furnaces. He adds that, on several occasions, he has received evidence from manufacturers to the effect that tall chimney smoke is prevented while they are on the premises, 'but that when not watched, stokers neglect their work and produce smoke'.

Rawlinson contends that, just as brewers and publicans should not serve on a Police Committee, 'smoke makers should not serve on a Nuisance Committee or try cases connected with smoke complaints'.

Rawlinson submits that vapours and black smoke adversely affect the value of residential property in the District, as well as killing trees and other plants, and that the Corporation has taken no meaningful steps to abate the nuisance despite being repeatedly urged to do so.

He recommends that the petition and a copy of his conclusions are submitted to the Corporation, and that the Corporation should be advised at once to comply with the requirements of the smoke prevention clauses of the Sanitary Act 1866.

[Folios 84-104 contain a printed report of the full proceedings of the inquiry as published in the Warrington Guardian on 5 June 1869].

[Folios 105-107 are an appendix to the report showing the mortality rate in Warrington and other major towns between 1865 and 1868].

[Folios 108-119 comprise a statement from William Kinsey detailing his observations of the smoke emanating from the chimneys of various works in the town].

[Folios 120-123 contain a written statement in support of the allegations of the petition].

[Folios 124-126 is a statement from the Reverend William Quekett in support of the petition. Folio 127 is a statement from the Reverend O H Carey in support of the petition].

Further written statements from individuals are included: J P Baker [folio 128]; James Welsby, farmer [folio 129]; Benjamin Hutchinson, basket, skip and hamper manufacturer [folio 130]; James Grimshaw, farmer [folio 131]; John P Leigh and Samuel Holden [folio 132]; Edward Green, gardener [folios 133-135; John Bowes, headmaster [folio 136]; John Jones, innkeeper of the Golden Lion [folio 137]; Joseph Davies, accountant [folio 138]; Betty Ashcroft, Elizabeth Kirkham, and Richard Nunnertey of Latchford [folio 139]; George Helsby, wheelwright [folio 140]; Thomas Spencer and William Mawdsley, employees of Messrs Tinsley's tannery [folio 141]; Peter Stubs [folio 142]; James Marson [folio 143]; William Beamont [folios 144-145]; Reverend John Ingle Dredge [folio 146]; and George Powlson, proprietor of the Warrington Advertiser [folio 146-148].

[Folios 149-151 contain a letter from James Paterson of the Warrington Gas Light and Coke Company along with an article entitled 'The smoke nuisance and its cure' reprinted from the Warrington Guardian].

[Folios 152-154 contain a list of inquiry witnesses along with a letter from Joseph Davies saying that a few may not attend].

[Folios 155-167 are a copy of a pamphlet entitled Siemens' Patent Regenerative Gas Furnaces published in 1866 by Pawson and Brailsford, Sheffield. The pamphlet includes colour illustrations].

[Folios 168-193 contain information from J G Dale and H Bleckly on the nature of the various factories and works in the Warrington District].

[Folios 194-196 contain a statement from Arthur E Davies, analytical chemist, relating to the effects of burning coal, and stating that Lancashire coal is known for its high sulphur content].

[Folios 197-206 contain copies of further correspondence relating to the smoke nuisance from factories, from Joseph Davies, Thomas Morris of the Dallam Iron Works, and John Goodreid of the Bewsey Iron Works].