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one case the management changed over to fuel oil and it is understood
that it resulted in increased efficiency in production with a
financial saving as well as overcoming the grit problem. In the
other case some improvement in the fuel was obtained through
the offices of the Ministry of Fuel.
Gas or electricity are the principal means of domestic cooking
in the Borough, but the burning of coal is still the major source
of space heating. It is quite a fair assumption to suggest that if
supplies of smokeless solid fuels were readily available more of
this class of fuels would be used. Approved new types of domestic
fire grates have made their appearance in local shops and they
appear to have a ready sale. These new grates have a regulated
air supply and whilst they were originally designed for burning
solid smokeless fuels they will, in fact, burn any type of solid
fuel, including bituminous coal, with greater efficiency. Even
with bituminous coal there is less smoke: they are more
economical in use if properly regulated than the older type of
grate and they can be regulated to keep in all night.
Public Health legislation provides machinery for dealing with
nuisances arising from excessive emissions of smoke from industrial
undertakings with certain qualifications but smoke from
private houses is exempt from this legislation. It would appear
that far greater benefits will accrue towards the elimination of
smoke by reason of economic factors than by legislation. The
times and the present day cost of fuels with their upward trend
and the elimination of unproductive drudgery call for more
efficient use of fuels; more and more coal should be carbonised,
thus yielding its valuable by-products for other purposes and leaving
a residue of useful smokeless fuel. It follows as a natural
corollary that greater efficiency in the use of" fuels and a more
ready supply of smokeless sources of heat and power will result
in a far cleaner atmosphere.
The Council are corporate members of the National Smoke
Abatement Society whose work and publications within the limits
of its financial resources are of very high national repute.
A -standard grit deposit gauge has been installed in order that
measurements can be taken in collaboration with an adjoining
Borough.
Close liaison has continued between the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor's Department and the Public Health Department, so
that the Sanitary Inspectors are able to advise upon the technicalities
of smoke prevention before new fuel burning plant is
installed.
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