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79
up the chimney.' This was shown by an analysis of a sample of the
snow which fell on the roof of the Lancet Office in Bedford Street during
the heavy fall which occurred on December 26th, 1906. Notwithstanding
the fact that most of the business places were closed, each gallon
of melted snow contained 5.6 grains of solid matter, 1.4 grains of tarry
matters, and 1.73 grains of sulphuric acid, while an equal quantity of
snow collected in Kent contained only 1.68 grains of solids, a trace of
tarry matters, and the acid was in such minute quantity that it could
not be detected (Lancet, January 5th, 1907).
" So far as Westminster is concerned, the amount of smoke given off
by factories, hotels, &c., is not large, and considerable care is exercised
to keep it under control, but office and household fires must contribute
a considerable amount. Action may occasionally be taken where
chimneys are in close proximity to the windows of other dwellings, such
action being taken under Section 2, regarding it as a general nuisance.
Possibly, smoke from ordinary fireplaces in official and business premises
may not be exempt under Section 24(b), but there does not appear
to have been any decision thereon. Smoke, however, may be blown from
some distance, and, in this way, much gloom is caused in the West-end
of London when the wind is in the east, bringing with it the smoke
from the factories in the neighbourhood of Stratford. With west and
south-west winds the smoke from the Electric Power Station in Chelsea,
and from large works in Lambeth, blows into Westminster. It is obvious,
therefore, that some power is required to deal with cases like these.
" The Chelsea Borough Council have recently taken proceedings in
connection with the Electric Power Station, but failed, as the smoke
was alleged not to be black.* The Lambeth Council, I understand,
were unable to stop the smoke from certain works on the ground that,
having regard to the nature of the manufacture, the furnace was
constructed in such a manner as to consume its smoke as far as
practicable.
" The County Council suggest that they should have power to make
By-laws, as set out in their communication, for the County of London
and the surrounding district to a distance of 12 miles of Charing Cross,
and that they should be the paramount authority for the whole area
above defined, and, further, that they should have joint authority with
the several administering bodies.
" So far as the Metropolitan Boroughs are concerned, the County
Council has already power under Sections 100 and 101 of the Public
Health Act to deal with any Borough in which they may consider the
* Since the hearing of this case, however, the processes have been so improved that
almost no coloured smoke escapes, except from some accidental occurrence as the sudden
shutting off of the current.
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