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Notices were given to the Council of proposals to install furnaces in four premises and
fifteen applications for prior approval of furnace installations were received and approved.
Nine applications for chimney height approval were received and approved, subject in some
instances to the chimney heights being amended.
The whole of the Borough is covered by smoke control orders. Approval, for grant purposes,
was given to the installation of 107 heating appliances, the total estimated grants amounting to
£1,840. In addition discretionary grants, in respect of the 30 per cent balance of cost of works
of adaptation to heating appliances in dwellings were approved by the Committee in two cases on
grounds of hardship.
The most important effects of smoke control operations by London Boroughs, as stated by the
Greater London Council Research and Intelligence Unit, are - Smoke concentrations in central
London have decreased by 80% since 1958 and sulphur dioxide concentrations by 40%; sunshine in
central London in December has increased by 70% since 1958 and winter visibility has increased
threefold since the Act came into force.
In early July, 1968, complaint was received concerning the "browning" of foliage.
Observation and enquiry suggested that the condition was widespread and not confined to this
locality, it being due to hot, drying winds during a period of relative drought and unusually
high temperatures so early in the year. It had, however, been considered that the effluent gases
from a major generating station on the south bank of the River opposite, might have been a
contributing cause under appropriate conditions because of toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and
possibly sulphur tri-oxide being brought to the ground in the vicinity. Samples of leaves taken
from trees in the street were submitted for chemical analysis.
Quite unexpectedly the results indicated that there was a deposit of lead on the leaves which,
being of an inert nature, could have had no bearing on the actual browning of the leaves but
which was a little disconcerting because of the proximity of a large lead works. These premises
operate a registered process under the Alkali, etc., Works Act, and are under the regular
supervision of the Alkali Inspectorate, in whose opinion the plant is considered to be a model
of its kind with no evidence of excessive exposure to lead among the workers, and from which
checks on the effluent had consistently been below acceptable limits. Experiments which have
repeated the findings have continued throughout the year with no clear indication of the origin
of the deposits.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS
The Corporation of Lqndon, through its veterinary officers and inspectors, carried out on an
agency basis duties imposed on the Council under the Diseases of Animals Act 1959 and associated
acts, Pet Animals Act 1951, Performing Animals Act 1925 and the Animal Boarding Establishments
Act 1965.
Visits were paid during the year to the 19 poultry slaughterhouses and 12 live poultry
dealers in the borough. Each of 14 pet shops received quarterly visits and a routine inspection
regarding renewal of licence was made of an animal boarding establishment. .01 use at tent ion has
been paid to the animal market held on Sunday mornings in Club Row, and visits of inspection made
regularly.
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