SMOKE NUISANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 57, 8 March 1935, Page 8

SMOKE NUISANCE.

MORNINGSIDE AREA.

COMPANY CONVICTED.

"TO COME "UP FOR SENTENCE."

A prosecution by the Mount Albert Borough Council some time ago against K.D.V. Boxes, Ltd., charging the companv with a breach of the health Act by causing a nuisance by smoke, was again before the Police Court to-day, when Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., took an unusual course and convicted and ordered the company to come up for sentence in a month's time.

Mr. Terry prosecuted for the council and Mr. Barraclough represented the company, which he said would have to plead guilty. Mr. Terry reminded the magistrate that the ease had been adjourned from a month ago to allow the directors of the company to see what could be done to abate the smoke nuisance. In the meantime there had been no abatement. The smoke from the chimney of the factory was a menace to the health of the residents in the vicinity. There was considerable emission of acrid smoke. If necessary he could call a throat specialist who would say that he had treated residents nearby because of the smoke. The council first took up the matter about 15 months ago. A month ago the company gave an assurance that efforts would be made to stop the nuisance, but little improvement had resulted. The council did not want to prohibit the company from operating its factory, but merely insist on an abatement of the nuisance.

"The directors of the company have had a consulting engineer seeking to find tho best means of lessening this smoke nuisance," said Mr, Barraclough. "However, it appears that to do this .vill cost about £2.")0(). There has been nil improvement since October and November, as the company has refrained from burning wax wood in the furnace."

Counsel ■ assured the Court that the company would in the end make an ::n----provoment which would be satisfactory, but it could not do it before June or .Inly, until work was at less pressure. "If the factory luis to close down it will mean that over 100 employees will be out of work, and that would be niii'i worse than the nuisance," said Mr. Barin dough. "What about electrifying the plant?" suggested the magistrate. Mr. Barraclough: That would not be any good, as the factory uses the steam for treating wood and warping it. Mr. Hunt: I will convict and order the company to come up for sentence in a month's time. If something is done in the meantime it will affect the penalty. If nothing is done that will also affect the penalty.