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14
The number of dwelling houses supplied as at 31st December
last, was 30,655 and the population as at 30th June, 1952, as
obtained from the Registrar General was 104,100."
Approximately 0.6 per cent. of the inhabited houses, and 0.6 per
cent. of the population of the Urban District obtain their water from
standpipes.
It will be noted that we are fortunate to have an adequate and
satisfactory main water supply to practically all our district. This
position is now regarded as commonplace and it is only when one
comes to reflect upon the very different supplies which were utilised
many years ago that one appreciates something of the advance made
by sanitation. We have of course certain small and relatively isolated
units which still depend upon spring or well supplies. Hunts Hill
Cottages and Dennises Corner represent probably the most obvious
examples and in present circumstances it seems likely that further
delay in dealing with this matter will be inevitable. No opportunity
will, however, be lost in providing a solution to the present difficulties
of these areas.
Atmospheric Pollution.
Our plans during the year remained substantially on their preexisting
basis. This it will be recalled consists of the provision of
lead peroxide apparatus at St. George's Hospital, Rainham Secondary
School, North Ockendon Vicarage and Redden Court School, a deposit
gauge at Rainham Secondary School and a volumetric sulphur dioxide
apparatus at these offices.
There remains another year before our 5-year programme is complete
and any comprehensive review of the results would therefore
be at this stage somewhat premature. Interim consideration of the
position, however, suggests that the provision of one or two additional
deposit gauges in parts of the district other than Rainham would
prove informative and this will be considered in our next year's programme.
It is difficult to assess the value of atmospheric pollution investigations
in precise terms as there is still so much that is unknown in
this field of research. It is also very difficult and equally unwise
probably to endeavour to arrive at any far-reaching conclusions purely
on the basis of local findings. Especially in areas such as ours the
effect of drift from neighbouring areas must be considerable and must
account for a significant degree of our local air pollution. The overall
picture should in due course enable some idea of how far we are affected
by the neighbouring urban and industrial aggregations.
Although it might be unwise to be dogmatic on the results of our
local findings it nevertheless remains, I believe, of vital importance
that the established interest which we have shown in the investigation
of atmospheric pollution should be not only maintained but increased.
The contribution of a Local Authority by presenting their own
findings to a co-ordinating body such as the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research is undoubtedly very useful in that only by
the increasing participation of Local Authorities in atmospheric pollution
work will it be possible for a really comprehensive picture to be
built up.