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69
of caution were addressed to the offenders in all cases of nuisance,
but no prosecutions were undertaken last year. Observations
were also made on smoke nuisances occurring at the Electric
Light Station, Globe Lane; this was stated to be due to the use of
inferior coal, and the nuisance was remedied by burning an
improved fuel.
24. The usual amount of nuisance was caused by the Arsenal
chimneys, and a copy of observations made by the Sanitary
Inspector and the Inspector of the Coal Smoke Abatement Society
forwarded to the Chief Superintendent. One shaft emitted black
smoke continuously for 60 minutes. A letter was received from
the Chief Superintendent in February stating that "steps were
being taken to remedy the defects to which the smoke nuisance
complained of is ascribed, though some time must necessarily
elapse before the alterations involved could be completed."
Meanwhile the Arsenal police evidently judge it to be superfluous
to report nuisances, for in reply to the letter forwarding observations
received from the Coal Smoke Abatement Society, the Chief
Superintendent stated that "no report was received from the
police on duty of smoke nuisance on 19th October, 1905" (the
day to which the complaint referred), "from any shafts in the
Royal Arsenal, although the usual watch was kept." This day
being neither Sunday nor a holiday, it would only have been
necessary for the Arsenal police to have opened their eyes at any
time during working hours to have seen plentiful smoke
nuisance.
25. Your Medical Officer of Health attended, as your representative,
a Conference on Smoke Abatement, arranged jointly by
the Sanitary Institute and the Coal Smoke Abatement Society. A
full report was presented and printed in your minutes of the
25th January, 1906, p. 228.