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(iv) Smoke Abatement.
The numbers of complaints received in connection with
nuisances arising from smoke emitted by factory chimney shafts
are remarkably small having regard to the number of such
shafts and their distribution in the area. Most of the complaints
received were of a minor character, due either to carelessness
in stoking or the character of the fuel used. In two cases,
however, it was found that the boilers were of insufficient
capacity to meet the demands made upon them and the stokers
were called upon to be continually forcing their fires. In one
case the firm have now installed a new boiler and higher
chimney shaft and in the other case the firm are, at the time
of writing, undertaking similar work.
5. Special Nuisances.
Nuisances in connection with the Gas Light and Coke
Company's Works at Brentford :—
The nuisances arising from these works, and which formed
subject for serious comment in my report of last year, have
still not been entirely abated or overcome. The Gas Light
and Coke Company have at all times expressed their willingness
to co-operate in overcoming the difficulties. It must be
remembered, however, that these works are situated in a
congested area and adjoining a very narrow main street;
further, that the industry of gas manufacture is in itself a very
dusty and dirty one and the difficulties presented in preventing
nuisances arising from coke grit, blacks and the smell of green
gas are enormous.
Traders and others in the vicinity of the works seriously
complain of coke grit. The fact that the Company have a
huge storage dump for coke in the open air, being handled by
a large crane with a grab "pick-up" for removing the coke
to the loading shoots, is a no small contributing factor to the
nuisance arising from coke grit, particularly in regard to the
property in the immediate vicinity of the dump. The degree
of nuisance from this source varies of course with the direction
and intensity of the wind and the kind of weather experienced.
It was also definitely proved that quantities of grit are
conveyed through the medium of the steam from the steam
shafts used in connection with the coke quenching plant.