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accurate a In this way, a general survey could well replace the
detailed survey which is now required and work of making the whole
Borough a Smoke Control Area could be speeded up without the
employment of the additional staff which will be necessary under the
present procedure.
It is appreciated that detailed examination is necessary
in some cases; usually indicated by the exterior appearance of the
house. In Hampstead, for instance, there is an unusually high
proportion of non-standard coal and even wood burning appliances which
are still in regular use; some of these firegrates are of great
aesthetic and probably pecuniary value. They defy any standard form
of conversion and their owners are usually loth to part with, or even
to alter, them. The fact is that these installations are part of the
character of the houses in which they are found and although in most
cases replacement by a free-standing convector is practicable, it is
usually not acceptable to the owner or occupiere Here again, pricing
for conversions is often more hopeful than accurate. Some examples
of firegrates found recently on survey are shown, captioned by what
might be considered apposite extracts from the Ministry's Memorandum
on Smoke Control Areas.
2. Abatement of Smoke Nuisances
Three main nuisances arose from smoke emissions or continued
through the year,, Vent shafts from railway tunnels remain a
persistent cause of trouble and, in spite of assurances from the
railway authorities that all reasonable care is taken to minimise
locomotive firing while in these tunnels, it is certain that no real
improvement will be effected until diesel or electric locomotives
come into more general use.
The worst single source of trouble in the Borough has been
a hospital chimney which frequently emits black or near black smoke
in quite short bursts. Negotiations with the hospital governors and
their staff have resulted in experiments in firing techniques and
changes in fuel. No great improvement has resulted but more basic
alterations are planned for Spring 1959 when the plant can be
relieved of full load.
Occasional nuisance has arisen from a large (some 350 flats)
block of privately owned property heated by oil-fired boilers. The
nuisance takes the form of an occasional shower of fluffy soot, in
particles up to ½ inch in size, which descends on to adjoining streets
and pavements, houses and carso The result in spoliation of property
and the fouling of paintwork, curtains and on occasions lines of
clean washing, is felt to be a serious matter.