BLASTING IN QUARRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22139, 19 June 1935, Page 14

BLASTING IN QUARRY

LAND OWNER'S OBJECTION INJUNCTION TO BE SOUGHT Advice that an application is being made to the Supreme Court for an injunction to prevent the council from blasting stone at a quarry next to the property of Mr. W. C. Knight, of Brookby, near Papakura, was received at a meeting of the Manukau County Council yesterday in a letter from a city firm of solicitors. The letter stated that several head of valuable stock had been lost during previous blasting operations, when stone had been thrown a chain and a-half on to Mr. Knight's property. Proceedings had then been taken to receive compensation, but had lapsed through a technicality. However, since then further blasting had been carried out. The county engineer, Mr. J. R. Page, explained that after the first complaint had been made he had worked on another face of the quarry and had used powder instead of gelignite. Several light trial charges had been put in and fragments of stone went on to Mr. Knight's property. He said that the quarry could not be used without throwing fragments on to the property. Only two handfuls of fragments had been picked up, but he said that he would do nothing more until the position was defined. Mr. S. W. House suggested that if the quarry was worth continuing the council should purchase the portion of Mr. Knight's property which was affected. "Mr. Knight has to prove damage before he can win an injunction against us." said the chairman, Mr. F. M. Waters. The engineer was instructed to furnish a report to the council on the value of the quarry, and it was decided to refer the matter to the chairman, the engineer and the riding member.