Ban on open fires

Press, 5 April 1989, Page 18

Ban on open fires

Sir, —Oh, how I would love to step outside on a crisp winter’s evening and gaze searchingly toward the stars, whilst breathing in clean fresh air. This is my dream, and it is probably shared by many. In order for it to become a reality, some people will be required to change their current form of heating. To those 1800 people who have made official objections to the proposed ban on open fires, I suggest that they re-evaluate their priorities. Physical and financial comfort are obviously important, but so too is the well-being of our dear Earth. Let us not keep polluting our environment out of a mere -inability to accept change when it is necessary. — Yours, etc., JOANNE WOOD. March 30, 1989.

Sir, —I was delighted to read (March 30) that the commissioner appointed by Mr Caygill,

when he was Minister of Health, to hear objections to the proposed extensions of the clean air zone in the Christchurch area has recommended that no ban be placed on open fires. One reason given for this recommendation is the deleterious effect of such a ban on many elderly people in the area, who are certainly finding life today difficult enough without having to do away with their fires. I would like to thank Dr de Lisle for his common sense and his compassion and I just hope that those members of the Christchurch City Council and of the Clean Air Society who have for so long, in spite of their present protestations, fulminated against the open fire as the source of all pollution will now adopt a more reasonable and a more compassionate attitude. — Yours, etc.,

ANNE THOMSON. March 30, 1989.