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Measurement and Recording of Atmospheric Pollution.
At the end of the year the Council decided to set up five stations in various
parts of the Borough, for the measurement and recording of atmospheric pollution.
Each station will consist of a deposit gauge and a lead peroxide instrument. The
deposit gauge collects the grit, ash and finer particles of matter which are deposited
over the area, and the lead peroxide instrument measures the activity of sulphurous
gases (gases which penetrate the masonry of buildings) on a specially prepared
cylinder. Monthly readings are to be taken and the information made available
to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Council considered
that the setting up of these stations would be of assistance to the Health Department
in dealing with complaints of atmospheric pollution and would arouse interest
generally in this work.
Suitable sites for the stations from the point of view of accessibility and
proximity to sources of pollution have been selected in the following parts of the
Borough:—
Warspite Road (Dockyard Area)
Municipal Offices (Central Woolwich)
Abbey Wood Bus Garage
Shooters Hill Golf Club
Eltham High Street area
National Smoke Abatement Society.
During the year the Council decided to become an Associate Member of the
National Smoke Abatement Society. This membership is in addition to the
Council's representation on the London and Home Counties Smoke Abatement
Advisory Council. At the Annual Conference of the National Smoke Abatement
Society the Conference passed a resolution that " this Conference welcomes, among
other proposals that will promote smoke prevention, the recommendation of the
Ridley Committee for the setting up of further smokeless zones and the increased
production of solid smokeless fuel. Accordingly, and in view of new evidence
that the dangers to health from domestic smoke may be greater than have previously
been recognised, the Conference urges the Minister of Housing and Local Government
to grant permission for the establishment of proposed smokeless zones; urges
the Minister of Fuel and Power to do everything possible to develop the availability
of smokeless solid fuel of all kinds for domestic purposes; and invites all
Local Authorities to support these requests.
The Council's attention was also drawn to a further resolution adopted at
the Conference that "all persons who have charge of the operaton or maintenance
of power plant, whether steam, oil, gas or electrical, should possess sufficient
theoretical knowledge and practical experience eventually to be recognised by
the holding of a certificate, to ensure that such plant shall be worked with maximum
efficiency and safety."
Burial or Cremation of the Dead.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 50 of the National Assistance
Act, 1948, the Borough Council is required to make arrangements for the burial
or cremation of the body of any person who has died or been found dead in their
area, where it appears to the Council that no other suitable arrangements have
been made or are being made for this purpose.
Expenses incurred in such burial may be recovered from the estate of the
deceased person or from "a liable relative." Responsibility for the interment or
cremation of the majority of persons who die in hospitals in the Borough is now
that of the local Hospital Management Committee.
During 1952, arrangements were made by the Council for the burial of ten
persons.
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