Clean Air Committee Gets Moving

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32232, 26 February 1970, Page 10

Clean Air Committee Gets Moving

For years many Christchurch citizens have campaigned vigorously and, sometimes, successfully against sources of air pollution that are under the control of public authorities. Few opportunities have been missed to protest against new Installations of coal-burning boilers, whatever assurances have been forthcoming from the authorities on measures to reduce pollution. The Christchurch City Council is now trying to carry the battle for clean air Into the private home—or at least Into new houses. The council believes it already has power to do so in a building by-law which requires approved means of heating in new houses. The original purpose of this by-law was undoubtedly to ensure that arrangements for heating are safe and adequate. Pollution might be an additional consideration. The council would be understandably reluctant to apply this further standard for heating equipment if neighbouring local authorities were unwilling to act in the same way. But it is to be hoped that the council, by taking the initiative, will promote action against pollution from households throughout the city. In any event, an enlightened lead should be given to all councils to try to stop the increase in air pollution during winter in Christchurch.

The City Council has also approved the proposals of its health and clean air committee that the occupiers of existing houses should be encouraged to turn to more efficient forms of heating or to use fuels producing less pollution, and that the insulating of buildings should be encouraged so as to reduce the amount of heating required. There is no doubt whatever about the soundness of the committee’s view that reducing the pollution that comes from inefficiently burned fuel goes hand in hand with savings "in the cost of heating. In ita own electricity department the council has one of the obvious means for promoting the use of a clean fuel. The council also has an ally in the Christchurch Gas Company, which is not merely interested in increasing the sale of gas but intends to encourage the manufacture of deeper household fire grates, which are more suitable for the burning of coke. The clean air committee is beginning to get into action. Citizens, all of whom are familiar with the nuisance, discomfort, and expense of air pollution, should welcome and support its efforts.