Council Concerned At Harbour Pollution

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 19

Council Concerned At Harbour Pollution

After discussing a Health Department letter warning of sewage pollution in Lyttelton harbour, the Mount Herbert County Council yesterday decided to ask the department what steps were being taken to improve the position. The council decided to erect warning notices at Governor’s Bay, Charteris Bay and Purau, to ask the Lyttelton Harbour Board for its co-operation, and to send copies of the letters to the Lyttelton Borough Council. It was suggested that the Pollution Advisory Council could well interest itself. It was fair enough for the Health Department to want to warn the public, but the council would want to know what steps were being taken to stop harbour pollution, said the acting-chairman (Cr. E. R. Radcliffe).

The pollution came from public lavatories at Corsair Bay, from Diamond Harbour and Lyttelton sewage, and, according to the department, from the Cholmondeley Home at Governor’s Bay, said Cr. Radcliffe. It seemed to be overlooked that the home had put in a proper sewage treatment plant, and there was every evidence that the sewage was being adequately treated. All the sources of pollution were

in Lyttelton borough, the biggest being direct discharge from the town, and from ships. “We will have to put up notices, but we must find the cause of the pollution,” said Cr. R. F. G. Gardiner. “Purau is used extensively by watar-ski-iers and bathers.” Cr. C. C. Manson said the public would not take much notice of warnings. According to the department, conditions were particularly bad at Rapaki. said Cr. Radcliffe. Governor’s Bay and Charteris Bay were almost clear, but Purau was ndt too good. The new harbour works appeared to have had unforseen results.