Injunction Sought To Stop Flow Of Sewage

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30535, 2 September 1964, Page 13

Injunction Sought To Stop Flow Of Sewage

(N.Z. Prc«* Aitociatian) PALMERSTON NORTH, September 1. The grave urgency f<wr a solution to the problem of preventing the flow of raw sewage into Lake Horowhepua from the Levin Borough Council’s sewerage system was stressed by both counsel for (he Horowhenua Lake Trustees and the borough council in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North today.

The trustees are seeking an interim injunction to prevent the council from discharging untreated sewage into the lake. Mr J, A, L. Bennett, tor the Levin council, told Mr Justice Haslam that an. adjournment would be necessary. Mr Bennett said the defendant’s view was that if an injunction wwe immediately granted by the Court, it could be complied with only by depriving (he whole of the borough and a mental hospital outside it, of sewage facilities. It was considered, therefore, that the borough cpuncil had no option but to

oppose the application for an injunction.

Mr K. Mason, for the plaintiff. James Joseph Tukapua, acting as trustee for the Horowhenua Lake • Trustees, opposed an adjournment He said that proceedings in 1962 had been settled on the understanding that the flow of sewage would stop. The consulting engineer had then said that he would be preparing a report and recommendation of works to be put in hand to prevent the flow. That was one of the bases for withdrawal of the proceedings in 1962. Mr Justice Haslam suggested an adjournment until next week so that the lines of defence could be defined.