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58
Smoke Prevention.—The Smoke Abatement Bill, the main provisions
of which were discussed in last year's report, became law in December,
1926. The provisions of the Act will come into force on 1st July, 1927.
The principal provisions deal with the following matters:—power to
take proceedings in respect of a nuisance from smoke which is not black;
extension of "smoke" to include soot, ash, grit, and gritty particles;
increase of penalties; power to make by-laws prescribing standards as
to the emission of smoke; power to make by-laws respecting cooking and
heating arrangements in new buildings other than private dwelling-houses;
power to the Minister to authorize the County Council to carry out duties
with regard to smoke abatement on default of the Sanitary Authority;
and power to the Minister to extend the operation of the Alkali Act.
It will not be a defence in the case of black smoke to plead that the
best practicable means have been used to prevent it. This defence,
however, will still be available in cases where the smoke is not black. It
will be noted that the smoke nuisance from private houses still remains
without interference.
During the period when British coal was not available, complaints
were lodged almost daily. They referred mostly to particular buildings.
In spite of the frequency with which this nuisance was the cause of
complaint during that period, there were fewer complaints of smoke
throughout the entire year than in 1925. There is no doubt that the
foreign coal, which alone was obtainable from the beginning of May almost
till the end of November, produced a great deal of unconsumed carbon
particles. Even with the most careful stoking performed by trained
stokers it was impossible to prevent nuisance. It seemed an occasion
rather for advice from the officers of this department than summary
proceedings. In 26 instances intimation notices were served. It may be
observed that as the law stood it would have been futile to take proceedings
during this period of stress having regard to the type of fuel
available, and the fact that the best practicable means were being used
to counteract the nuisance.
The following table shows the extent to which smoke has been a cause
of complaint to the sanitary authority during the past five years, and
also a summary of the measures taken in mitigation:—