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view that in such cases it would be possible to deal with the nuisances
although they originated outside the Metropolitan area. The County
Council referred the Society's suggestion to the Poplar Borough
Council, and that authority has served statutory notices upon
nineteen of the West Ham firms. This step has been already
followed by a remarkable diminution in the volume of smoke from
the premises dealt with, a condition of things which, it is hoped,
may continue.
"The Society desires to record its appreciation of the services
rendered to the community in this matter by the Poplar Borough
Council and by their Medical Officer of Health, Dr. F. W. Alexander,
and his staff."
Smoke Abatement Bill. (h.l.).
A Bill intituled, an Act to provide for the Abatement of Smoke.
To simplify and strengthen the law relating to emission of smoke
by extending to the whole country provisions based on enactments in
force in the metropolis and in some few local areas, the practical utility
of which has thus been proved by experience; and thereby to satisfy
the public need and demand for such legislation as attested by resolutions
strongly urging such need passed by many local authorities, including
(amongst others) the corporations (or their health committees) of the
cities of Bath, Bradford, Chester, Coventry, Kingston-upon-Hull, Liverpool,
Manchester, and Sheffield, and of the county boroughs of Blackpool,
Dewsbury, Stockport, West Bromwich, and Wigan.
Argument.
Experience has shown the causes of emission of smoke from furnaces
to be mainly two, viz.:—
(1) Improper and uneconomical construction of the furnace resulting
in wasteful consumption of fuel as well as unnecessary smoke, so
that "smoke abatement" and "fuel economy" may be said
to be convertible terms.
(2) Careless use and working of the furnace.
On the recognition of these two facts are largely based the provisions
in force in the metropolis under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
and in certain provincial areas under local acts, e.g., the Bradford
Corporation Act, 1910.