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arose from circumstances tolerated without question in the past. Although it may be difficult to
establish that the smoke from dwellings is a nuisance in law there are often justifiable grounds for
complaint, especially in cases where the chimneys of low-built dwellings terminate at the same or a
lower level than the windows of adjoining premises.
In consequence of complaints about smoke emission from two electricity stations in the Borough
and from steam locomotives standing in or on the approaches to Marylebone Railway Station special
attention was given to these sources of pollution.
Although there is no doubt that smoke from the electricity stations and from railway locomotives
makes a considerable contribution towards the pollution of the air of the Borough, no evidence was
found to show that there is a large degree of carelessness by the employees of the National Electricity
Board or of British Railways.
One of the electricity stations now operates only as a "peak load station" with a reducing output.
It closes down during the summer months.
The railway authorities willingly co-operated to prevent isolated offences by locomotive firemen.
The measurement of local air pollution has continued at five sites in close co-operation with the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
The readings for 1957 are given in Table 7, page 33.
Factories.
There were 1,898 factories on the register at the end of the year, 104 more than last year. A report
on the administration by the Department of matters under Parts I and VIII of the Factories Act,
1937, is given in Tables 9 and 10, page 34.
Outworkers.
Seventy-five employers submitted lists in respect of a total of 706 outworkers (183 contractors and
523 workpeople). Of these, twenty-four contractors and twenty-eight workpeople operated in the
Borough. The nature of the different classes of work and the numbers of outworkers engaged is
indicated in Table 11, page 35.
Fireguards.
Inspection continued under the provisions of the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Acts, 1952. Of
the comparatively few heaters that were found not to comply with the requirements, the majority
were second-hand and the main fault was inadequate guards. In all cases, however, on receipt of
a letter pointing out an offence, vendors have immediately withdrawn appliances from sale, fitted new
guards and sought approval before again displaying for sale. In no case, so far, has it been necessary
to institute legal proceedings.
Hairdressers and Barbers.
The Council's Byelaws regulating these establishments came into operation on 18th December,
1955. There are in the Borough 122 registered hairdressers and barbers and 55 inspections were
made. Conditions generally were found to be satisfactory.
Pet Shops.
The Pet Animals Act, 1951, provides for a system of inspection and annual licensing of pet shops
by local authorities, a fee of 10s. being payable for each licence, twelve of which were issued during
the year. A few of the licensees keep puppies and other mammals for sale but mostly they deal in
cage birds, goldfish and tropical fish. The premises concerned were kept under observation by the
public health inspectors and the stalls licensed to sell pets in the street markets were inspected weekly.
Conditions under which the livestock was kept appeared to be satisfactory.
Poisons.
At the end of the year the names of eighty-five traders were on the Council's list of persons entitled
to sell poisons included in Part II of the Poisons List (Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1933-1941). Details
of the premises concerned are given in Table 12, page 35.
Protective Helmets.
The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations, 1957, came into operation on the 1st April,
1957. It is now an offence for any person to sell or hire or offer to sell or hire any helmet as a helmet
affording protection to motor cyclists, in the event of an accident, which is neither of a type prescribed