Aranui Smells Aired At Drainage Board

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 18

Aranui Smells Aired At Drainage Board

Smells alleged to come from the Christchurch Drainage Board’s sewage treatment plant were a hot issue at the board’s meeting last evening.

They led to allegations that Labour Party members had disclosed committee information; the board was threatened with legal action if a nuisance v.as not abated; the Aranui Progress League was said to be used for political purposes; and two members said they were sure, from personal visits, that there was a smell from the filters.

The board was given a word of advice by “Wellwisher,” who said strong, sweetsmelling plants could combat the smells. The possibility of legal action by the Aranui Progress League if there was no abatement of the alleged smell nuisance from the works was conveyed to the board in a letter from the league's solicitors. “No Question” Their clients were not unmindful of the fact that the problem had engaged the attention of the board for some time and that expert assistance had been invited, the solicitors said, and realised that inquiries and investigations were continuing. Nevertheless, the nuisance continued virtually unabated and there seemed no question but that it originated from the board’s processing. The clients did not accept that the problem was incapable of solution and observed that drainage and sewerage schemes of the kind functioned in many parts of the world and in cities with problems similar to and greater than those confronting the board. Such problems did not

give rise to the nuisance now affecting the Aranui, Wainoni and Bromley areas which not only disturbed the ordinary enjoyment of life but gave rise to diminution of property values and other economic hardship. “Reluctantly Obliged”

If the situation was not relieved within six months from the league’s meeting on November 1, their clients would “feel reluctantly obliged to take steps to enforce their legal remedy.” To the solicitors* reference that the resolution of the league had been conveyed to the board, the secretary (Mr T. A. Tucker) said it had not been received, although there had been a reference in the newspapers to the meeting and the resolution. The board asked its solicitors to frame a reply. “The Aranui Progress League is being used as a platform for cheap political advantage,” Mr D. P. McLellan said.

Mr E. C. Leach, a board member, had given completely incorrect information to a meeting, he said. “I was astounded to read published remarks that the Canterbury coast was in danger of pollution from race sewage discharged to the sea,”

Mr McLellan said. “That is just sheer nonsense." The chairman (Mr F. R. Price) said he was concerned that some members of the board appeared to have disclosed committee business in public, which was directly against standing orders. He had been reported correctly, Mr Leach said. Sewage was going into the estuary—“and don’t try to tell me It isn’t” “Works Overloaded” Something would have to be done because the stage had been reached where the treatment works were overloaded, Mr Leach said. “We have a tendency in Canterbury to put everything into the sea, and it would not be long before the Waimakariri river and then the Cam would be polluted,” he said. Mr Price said he was concerned that Mr Leach had said the board was run by a policy committee of four men. Mr Leach: That is purely my opinion. The matter could be settled if the press showed that Mr Leach did not know what he was talking about, Mr A. J. McTainsh said. Mr Price: It might be more parliamentary to say he was not fully conversant with the facts. Mr Leach: Don’t worry. I’ve been insulted by experts. It was time the board stopped burying its head in the sand and did something positive to stop the smells from the works, Mr R. H. Stillwell said. There had been suggestions that smells came from the City Council’s rubbish dump, but that was nonsense, he said. The planting of strong, sweet-smelling trees, shrubs and flowers to combat the “Aranui smell” was suggested in a letter from “Wellwisher.” “Use Saving” The writer suggested that the board dispense with half the lights at tire sewage treatment plant and use the saving to help towards the cost of plants and trees. On the settling ponds, he said that in Quebec there was a lake with five different species of fish feeding at five different levels, and “flounders, eels and frogs do a bit of good in Lake Forsyth.” Mr P. J. McWilliam, the chief engineer, commented that there was an instruction that most of the lights round the works should be turned off at 11 p.m. unless they were required for work outside.

Experiments with fish had been undertaken in other areas, but he was not aware of any success with fish for midge control in oxidation ponds. On the proposal for tree planting, Mr McWilliam reported that there had been discussions between board and City Council representatives on planting a screen and generally improving the area, and another meeting was to be held.