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is bound to create problems, and it would have been better if the
Act had been obligatory to cover all built-up areas by the end of a
specified period of, say, ten years.
I am dismayed that the rapidly increasing contribution of
motor vehicles to atmospheric pollution is receiving so little
serious attention. Under the amended Regulation 79 of the Motor
Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1955, it is an offence
to" use or cause or permit to be used on a road any motor
vehicle from which any visible vapour, grit, sparks, ashes, cinders
or oily substance is emitted, if the emission therefrom causes, or
is likely to cause, any damage to any property or injury to any
person, who is actually at the time or who reasonably may be expected
on the road, or is likely to cause danger to any person as aforesaid."
One sees this offence being committed daily from numerous vehicles, and
almost universally from diesal engines; yet we are told that it can
all be avoided by adequate construction and maintenance. I have yet
to hear of any police action taken under this Regulation, or even so
much as a verbal warning. Even in the absence of evidence by witnesses
it should not be too difficult to produce evidence of the offence from
a simple road test or sampling of exhaust fumes. In assessing the
importance of this form of atmospheric pollution, it must net be
forgotten that it arises near the ground and has little chance to be
diffused and diluted by fresh air, as happens with smoke discharged
from a chimney.
The Slaughterhouses Act. 1958 deals with the general licensing
of slaughterhouses and enables the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Pood to make regulations by statutory instrument.
There are four licensed slaughterhouses and one knacker's yard
in the District and these will have to conform to the new standards.
SECTION 47 NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948 and NATIONAL
ASSISTANCE (Amendment) ACT, 1951.
11 cases have been under observation during the year, 3 of
these were admitted to hospital; 2 remained in hospital from last
year; the 6 remaining cases have been kept under observation at
home with a view to further action, if necessary.
"GUARD THAT FIRE" CAMPAIGN.
This campaign was run by the Essex County Council in
conjunction with District Councils during the month of November.
Assistance was given in the distribution of propaganda on behalf of
this Council, by the British Red Cross Society, Women's Voluntary
Service, Women's Institutes, Townswomen's Guild and Public Health
Inspectors of my Department.
Propaganda was in the form of leaflets and posters issued by
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