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25
Efforts have been made to continue the work of tracing
and remedying sources of pollution in the River Brent but
the work has been handicapped during the year by staff
shortages and the inability of the Main Drainage Department
of the Middlesex County Council to continue the regular
analysis of samples submitted by the Sanitary Inspector,
Although much good work has been done it has been quite
impossible to carry out investigations to our complete
satisfaction and it is to be hoped that no serious deterioration
in the position will take place while we are waiting
the several additions required to bring our staff up to
full strength.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
During the year 123 smoke observations were made by
the Sanitary Inspectors and in several cases advice was
given as to the efficient use of the equipment. In one
instance as a result of representation by the Sanitary
Inspector smoke consuming apparatus was fitted to the boiler
furnace and the nuisance satisfactorily abated. In a second
case the firm concerned converted the coal fired boiler
to oil fuel and no further complaints were received after
this installation was in use.
Regarding the Long Drive area of Greenford, grit
arrestors were fitted to the cupolas at the British Bath
Company's factory in Long Drive early in the year. This
was done in a further effort to minimise the alleged
nuisance in the Long Drive area. Monthly gauge readings
taken subsequently to the installation of the arrestors
showed considerable fluctuation according to climatic
conditions, wind prevalence and the presence or absence
of other dust producing processes in the neighbourhood,
for example, railway engines, but there was an over-all,
if only slight, improvement. It is to be hoped that still
further improvement will take place in the future,
MOVEABLE DWELLINGS,
In the early part of the year numerous prosecutions
were taken against the owners of gypsy caravans on the
Lime Trees Estate, Northolt. Orders were obtained requiring
the removal of the caravans in 20 cases and in a further
10 cases fines amounting to £21 were imposed upon
caravan owners for non-compliance with Court Orders.
Despite this action by the Department the nuisance from
gypsy caravans continued and eventually the Council decided