CAROLINE BAY POLLUTED

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 12

CAROLINE BAY POLLUTED

MEDICAL OFFICER’S WARNING

COUNCIL DENIES PATRONS ADVERSELY AFFECTED

A warning that there was a relative danger to persons bathing in Caroline Bay. Timaru, because of sewage pollution, was issued by the District Medical Officer of Health, Dr. N. T. Barnett, on Thursday.

In a statement. Dr. Barnett said that pollution of Caroline Bay had been the subject of observation and the Deoartment of Health had been conducting yearly sampling of the waters in and round the bay area.

These surveys had shown that under certain conditions of wind. tide, and currents, excreta had been washed up on the beach. At other times there was no visible sign of pollution. Under other conditions of wind and tide the bay was affected by the discharge of sludge from the freezing works. This was not harmful, and together with other offal, was being kent in constant check by the Timaru City Council reserves department.

Dr. Barnett said he had been informed by the city council that the machinery for breaking uo sewage had been under overhaul during the last three months and the position had thereby been aggravated. The machinery was now in competent operation- again. However, said Dr. Barnett, in view o T the department's observations, he would issue a warning that a relative danger existed at Caroline Bay below high-water mark. There was no objection to children playing in the sand above this mark. “No Tangible Evidence” The Mayor of Timaru (Mr R. E. White) said that a sub-committee of the council had been set up to consider Dr. Barnett’s statement. The committee felt that the following facts should be made public: The selvage outfall had been in existence for 50 years. Over the whole of this period Caroline Bay had been enjoyed by the holiday public, and there was no tangible evidence of any kind whatsoever that bathing has had any adverse effect on any of its patrons. The appearance of solid sewage on the bav was of infrequent occurrence and could have come just as easily from ship discharge as from the sewer outfall. It was freely admitted that the recent pollution has been disturbing. but the city engineer was satisfied that the sole reason had been the fact that the machinery for breaking up sewage has been out of action, combined with the unfortunate weather condition of the wind, tide, and current. The council had been advised that of the five tests carried out by the Department of Health over the last five years, only one test had exceeded the desirable standard of safety. Mr White said arrangements had been made for the daily patrol and scarification of the area between high and low water marks on the beach. The works committee of the council would be called for a special meeting immediately after the holidays to studv the whole situation, with a view to findin? a permanent remedy. Reviewing the situation. Dr E. H. Densem, president of the South Canterbury Division of the 8.M.A., said that so long as his association was assured that the city council w* taking proper constructive action, it would be satisfied.