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23
Air aw it is scientifically understood forms an almost unrecognizable
relation to the vitiated atmosphere which many of our city
dwellers are forced to breathe.
In matters sanitary the standard of the town is often regarded
as a thing of perfection for the country and it may well be our
endeavour in the matter of atmosphere somewhat to reverse the
usual trend.
Domestic appliances must be pleasing in appearance and
economical in practice. The housewife can judge the former for
herself, she should be safeguarded in the latter by an authenticated
fuel efficiency standard in respect of the product she purchases.
Factories are also vitally concerned in efficiency if sometimes
less in the appearance of the atmosphere and—apart from utilising
the results of the continuous research in smoke and grit prevention
methods—ensuring a fully trained stoker service would be no small
contribution.
Householders and factory managements alike should be
interested in the question.
Open Spaces.
There are necessarily at the moment in our area many vacant
- plots of land either on cleared bomb sites or on land left over from
housing or other development. Naturally, if regrettably, these plots
tend to become a dumping ground for the discarded material of
householders and others to the annoyance, if not to the actual prejudice,
of neighbouring residents. The unsightly result is not what
we desire or condone and if a sense of amenity was weighted as
carefully as the likelihood of escaping detection appears to be by
the persons responsible, then the present situation would not arise.
Since civic pride is not enforceable by legislation a solution must
depend upon an awakened civic conscience.
Campers and Caravans.
Occasional instances have come to light of campers or caravans
arriving in the District and settling down under conditions which,
if congenial to the people concerned, were not equally so to their
neighbours.
With certain limited exceptions land cannot be used for the
housing of movable dwellings without the permission of the Local
Authority. This at the least enables action to be taken in the event
of flagrant contravention and ensures a reasonable standard of
hygiene on any site communally used.
One prosecution was successfully brought during the year by the
police authority in respect of a case in our area.
Fairs have caused considerable discussion in the past. One
'must recognise that reputable fairs are protected to a considerable
extent but they do provide reasonable amenities for themselves
and on sanitary grounds do not constitute a nuisance. In the
nature of things, however, they are noisy, attract considerable
crowds and gravitate as near as possible to centres of population