CHCH AIR POLLUTION

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 12

CHCH AIR POLLUTION

London Cited As Model

Christchurch could reduce its air pollution as much as London had done under its Clean Air Act, the chairman of the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority’s air pollution committee (Commander H. J. A. Lynch) said last evening.

Commander Lynch was re plying to a series of articles on “Clearing the Air" written for “The Press” by the Coal Research Association.

It was timely, perhaps even helpful, to recall that for 10 years now London, under its Clean Air Act, employed only approved appliances and fuel —no coal—for home heating, he said. As a result, the smoke pall which had hung over the city for 400 years, had dissipated, and London was now receiving at least 50 per cent more winter sunshine.

“This sort of result is possible here,” Commander Lynch said. “I feel people here are fairly sensible. They will choose whether to vote for more home warmth and extra winter sunshine, or to follow the advice of a perhaps rather biased and remote Wellington official."

Commander Lynch said he assumed the articles were supplied by the director of the Coal Research Association (Mr P. A. Toynbee), who | was charged with the responsibility of increasing the use of coal through research. After reading' the articles carefully, it seemed to Commander Lynch that Mr Toynbee was lighting his coal fire rather early this year.

“As with most coal fires, a considerable amount of fuel —almost four pages—is necessary to produce a small amount of comfort,” he said.