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19
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
(Smoke Abatement Officer—Mr. G. Stubbs.)
The figures of deposited matter in the Bankside area, which is an
industrialised district, showed a decided improvement over the
figures of the previous year. Probably this result was largely due
to the restricted use of the old Bankside Generating Station. It is
noteworthy that the figures of deposits recorded at Walworth Road,
which is mainly a residential area, have shown little variation during
the past few years.
As in previous years, several complaints were received of smoke
emission from works' incinerators burning waste straw, wood chips
and rubbish. Visits by the Inspector and instructions on the proper
methods of operating the plants produced good results. Most of the
complaints of smoke from factory chimneys were found on investigation
to be due to excessive demands on the boilers or to mechanical
faults. It is pleasing to record that in all cases the managements
concerned readily co-operated and took action to abate the
nuisances.
Two firms have converted their furnaces from coal-burning to
oil-burning and the results have proved satisfactory. Several other
firms have stated their intention to consider a change to oil-burning.
The first visit by members of the newly formed South-East
Division of the National Smoke Abatement Society was to the new
Bankside Power Station where the flue-gas washing plant was seen
in operation. The party was welcomed to Southwark by the Mayor.
The Borough Council has in use two Standard Deposit Gauges,
three Lead-Peroxide Instruments and one Smoke and Volumetric
Sulphur-Dioxide Apparatus.

During the year sixteen complaints were received regarding smoke
emissions: 163 observations and inspections were made by the
Inspector, and 9 Intimation Notices issued.