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73
"These amendments may briefly be noted as regards resolutions (6)
and (c):—
(6) It was objected that the chart issued by the Coal Smoke Abatement
Society was of questionable accuracy and should not be used for the
purpose of definition in legal proceedings.
Note.—It is admitted that until more exact standards are obtainable
these charts fulfil the purposes of comparison better than anything
so far devised. They have been accepted by magistrates throughout
the country for many years.
(c) It was objected that the two-minute period of 'black' smoke continuously
or in the aggregate during 30 minutes, as constituting a nuisance, wag
too short. It was pleaded that in order to obtain fullest efficiency
from steam-raising plant, nuisance should be regarded only if the
' black ' smoke lasted 3 minutes.
Note.—The Smoke Abatement Committee had ample opportunity of
observing the possibilities of keeping within the two-minute period of
the issue of 'black' smoke at H.M. Fuel Research Station at Greenwich.
There they saw different types of boiler furnaces fired singly and in
series without contravening the period of the proposed by-law.
The Minister of Health, in issuing a circular to Local Authorities,
recommended the two-minute period in the aggregate over a continuous
period of 30 minutes as a reasonable standard for a by-law.
The London County Council, in a letter dated 9th June, 1927,
referring to making a by-law, suggested precisely the same tiling. This
letter was addressed to the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint
Committee, and referred by them to the -Metropolitan Borough Councils.
The City Council, in replying to the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing
Joint Committee, approved of the suggested by-law embodying the
two-minute standard.
"Resolutions affecting recommendations (a), (d), (e), (/), (g), were
carried unanimously. As regards (a), it has always been the practice
of the City Council's Inspectors to keep observations on all chimneys
other than those of private dwellings, and to make special observations
as occasion warrants.
"(d) No allowance has ever been given in Westminster for number of
boilers, (e) The chart in use has already been referred to. (/) The
City Council did arrange for special courses of instruction for its Smoke
Inspectors. This has proved a most satisfactory provision, (g) This
should be left to the Education Authority.
"The London County Council should be urged to embody in
their by-laws a provision requiring builders to notify the Local Authority
as to the character of the heating plant about to be installed in new
buildings, other than private dwelling-houses, as suggested in section 5
of the Smoke Abatement Act of 1926."
(9583) F