And Fears Of Smells

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 1

And Fears Of Smells

If McCormack’s Bay were filled, there could be a marked increase In seawater algae growth, particularly along the foreshore, and its decay could lead to extremely offensive sulphur dioxide smells, said the Town Clerk (Mr M. B. Hayes), in a letter received by the Christchurch Drainage Board last evening. Mr Hayes recalled that both the board and the City Council had approved in principle the scheme submitted by Ryan Brothers, Ltd, to develop the bay for aquatic and recreational activities. The Director of Reserves (Mr H. G. Gilpin) had drawn the council’s attention to the fact that where the movement of sea-water

was restricted, as could occur with the McCormack’s Bay scheme, marine algae growth increased. Asking the board to comment. Mr Hayes said that this trouble had been experienced in the Orakei basin at Auckland, which had been described as “an evil-smelling, at times scumfilled, penned-up sheet of water, a source of annoyance to surrounding residents.” The board decided to tell the council that while it was going into the question of sea-water algae, the council might consider discussing the problem with the Professor of Zoology at the University of Canterbury (Professor G. A. Knox).