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Offensive Trades.
There is no establishment in the district carrying on an offensive
trade.
Prevention of Atmospheric Pollution.
In the absence of proper recording instruments it is difficult
to assess whether or not progress is being made in reducing the
amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. It is hoped
that this omission will have been remedied before the next report
is prepared.
No contraventions of the Byelaws were noted as a result of
observations on factory chimneys. There were, however, many
occasions when the emission of smoke was in excess of the amount
which need be caused by a well run plant. On such occasions
discussions took place with the management of the factories concerned,
often leading to improved operation of the plant.
The publication during the year of the Beaver Report caused
great public interest, and it appears that Local Authorities will
at last be given adequate powers to deal effectively with this public
health menace. The extent to which these new powers are used
will be a measure of the enthusiasm prevailing in any particular
district for this subject. The most important of the Committee's
recommendations are :
(a) the prohibition, with certain exceptions, of "dark" smoke;
present legislation frowns only on "black" smoke.
(b) strengthening of the law to control smoke from railways.
(c) simplification of the procedure for establishing smokeless
zones or smoke control areas.
(d) all heating appliances installed in new dwellings to be of
approved types.
(.e) sulphur to be removed from the flue gases of all new power
stations in or near populated areas.
From a practical point of view one of the Committee's proposals
causes us some misgivings. That is the suggestion that the limit
of dark smoke should be six minutes in four hours in place of the
present limit of two minutes black smoke in half an hour. Apart
from the staffing difficulties this will produce, the prospect of
watching a factory chimney for a continuous period of four hours
will undoubtedly cause some dismay among Sanitary Inspectors.
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