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41
the work of the Regional Smoke Abatement Committees,
such as that which operates in the Greater London Area,
should receive support from every district concerned. At
certain times of the year when climatic conditions prevent
the rapid dispersal of smoke over London, this Borough
is darkened as if a lid had been closed down upon it.
The ' lid ' is a huge smoke laden cloud which effectually
shuts out light, but it does not descend low enough to be
described as an ordinary fog.
The nuisance from grit which was referred to in the
last Report was further investigated during 1935. It is
only fair to say that as a result it was found that the
cause of the grit could not be attributed solely to the
retorts at the Gas Works, although they may have been
a contributory cause. The forced draught in. the steam
raising plant together with the class of coal used at the
Electricity Works was, doubtless, another contributory
cause. The use of forced draught at the works was discontinued
in the early months of 1936 and a marked
improvement was observed as a result.
Apart from the investigation just referred to, 38 smoke
observations were made.
Bylaws made under the Smoke Abatement Act, 1926
are in force in the borough. The emission of black smoke
for more than two minutes in any consecutive thirty
minutes from a chimney (other than that of a private
dwelling house) is an offence. The observations are usually
taken over periods of 40 minutes and any contravention
of the Bylaw is notified in the first case by telephone or
by a personal visit to the offending works. In the event
of temporary breakdown of boiler plant an arrangement
exists whereby notice of the breakdown may be sent to
the office, thus avoiding unnecessary official action.