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SMOKE ABATEMENT
There was an increase of 10 in the number of complaints
received in respect of alleged excessive emission of
smoke or grit from chimneys during the year 1936, as
compared with 1935, the figures being 16 and 6 respectively.
Special attention was directed to this subject in the
Report for 1935, and 1 regret to say that there is an increase
in the amount of dense smoke which is being poured into
the atmosphere from certain chimneys in the Borough. The
ill—effects of smoke are too well known to need repetition,
and it is common knowledge that unnecessary smoke from
a chimney indicates wasted coal and heat. The oft—heard
statement that smoke from the works' chimneys reflects
prosperity in the various trades is neither true nor good
sense. Black smoke means bad business, for the factory
which permits it, for the people who are forced to inhale
it, and for the owners of buildings which decay and crumple
as the result of it. The casual observer may not perceive
any cause for concern when a chimney gives forth dense
smoke or a quantity of grit, and he will cease even to notice
the fact when he turns the corner. Smoke, however, is a
cumulative nuisance and it should be borne in mind that
this town is situated on the outskirts of a huge built—up area
in which there are hundreds of works' chimneys, and that
without control, the resultant collective smoke cloud would
soon blot out the last vestige of sunshine,