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1903]
212
In August the City of Westminster wrote to the various Metropolitan
Boroughs calling their attention to the fact that from experience it has been
found that the majority of prosecutions for smoke nuisances are instituted
under sec. 24 (b) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, which deals
exclusively with "black" smoke, and expressing the opinion that the word
"black" should be repealed, so that a nuisance from smoke of any colour
could be dealt with, which would obviate the necessity of having to prove
before a Court that it was "black," a colour which is of many hues, and
thereby facilitate the work of the Authorities in dealing with nuisances of this
class.
This communication was referred to the Public Health Committee by
the Council for report, and they, after carefully considering the subject,
resolved that the Council be recommended to support the City of Westminster
in their action by making similar representations to the Local Government
Board and the London County Council. This recommendation came before
the Borough Council on October 16th, when it was unanimously adopted.
This is a step in the right direction, for there can be no doubt that smoke,
whatever may be its colour, is injurious to health and deleterious to property,
because it contains the same obnoxious gases, although it may be deficient in
carbon and soot. It is sincerely to be hoped that the Local Government
Board and the London County Council will view the matter in a similar light to
that in which the Councils of the City of Westminster, of Islington, and of the
other Metropolitan Borough Councils who approve of the alteration, see it, for
such an alteration is urgently required.
The following is a list of the premises where smoke nuisances were
observed:—
St. Pelagia's Laundry, 25, Bickerton Road.
299, Caledonian Road.
Great Northern Railway, Drayton Park.
Pearson & Sons, Drayton Park (2 offences).
Smethurst's Laundry.
May's, Fakenham Street.
Great Northern Hospital.
Workhouse New Infirmary.
Slater's, North Road (4 offences).
21, Rock Street.
16, Sherbourne Street.