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7
of coal every twenty-four hours, and producing a great amount of
electrical power. This power is utilised in lighting hotels, theatres,
public buildings, the public streets, and in operating the three great
systems of transportation, the subway, the surface railways and the
elevated roads. All of these plants have been conducted, through the
co-operation of the managing officials, with very little, if any, discharge
of smoke, with one exception, and in that case the operating officials
have made very strong efforts within the past two or three months to
entirely discontinue the discharge of smoke and abate any nuisance
which may exist." If this can be done in New York, local authorities
should insist on having similar powers here.
Westminster had 1,234 hours of sunshine in 1907 (90 more than the
average), but in the suburbs there was over 200 hours more sunshine
than in Westminster; further out the additional hours of sunshine rose
to 400, and at south coast towns there was 500 to 600 extra hours.
With stricter powers for suppressing smoke, these differences with
their consequent expenses, might be considerably reduced.
House inspection for the discovery and abatement of nuisances has
been carried on as usual, and lists of the number of visits and details of
the work done are duly set out. Parts of St. John's Ward which are in
a transitional stage have demanded a large amount of attention. The
delay in proceeding with the scheme for reconstruction has a very
detrimental effect upon the property which is left, landlords being
naturally unwilling to expend money on structural improvements when
they may be called upon to give up their holdings at any moment;
tenants also are less careful.
I have the honour to be,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
FRANCIS J. ALLAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
February, 1908.