View report page

68
This table gives the rainfall for the months of April to December of the year 1914,
and the amounts found of insoluble matter, tar, soot and dust, also the soluble matter,
together with the sulphates, ammonia and chlorine in the volume collected.
The results as given by the Public Analyst have been re-calculated into metric tons
per square kilometre during each month.
One metric ton per square kilometre is equivalent to approximately 9 lbs. per acre
or 2.56 tons per square mile. Although the presence of much impurity in the
atmosphere has been long known, the above is the first definite record obtained by
your Officers of the fact.
In examining the foregoing table it will be appreciated that in the month of
December only, the amount of deposit registered as falling in the City amounted to
21.29 metric tons per square kilometre, which is equal (estimating the City as having
an area of one square mile) to no less than 54½ tons avoirdupois.
Of this mass of dirt nearly 34 tons were soluble and included the chemicals
mentioned, and 20½ tons were insoluble and consisted of tar, carbon and grit.
In addition to the foregoing a daily observation has been made at mid-day at the
Guildhall of the purity of the air by a new dry method by which the suspended
matter can be readily demonstrated.
Since the 14th November until the 31st December, the amount of the impurity
at noon has varied from half a milligram to three milligrams per cubic metre of air.
This includes times when there has been a slight fog, but no dense fog has yet
been tested at the Guildhall.
The exigencies of space will not permit here an account of similar observations
at other places, as for example, Malvern and Sheffield, where results are widely
divergent. The value of the work commenced is evident and is an indication of
the necessity of its continuation during the ensuing year.
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901.
FACTORIES, WORKSHOPS AND WORKPLACES.
The premises at present upon the Register number 3,923, which includes
8,089 workrooms, &c.
There is a slight decrease in the number of premises registered.