TAR AND FISH

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1924, Page 9

TAR AND FISH

TO THK ECITon.

Sir,—A paragraph appeared lately in your columns to the effect that it was claimed that roads running near rivers, which are sealed down with tar, are inimical to fish life. This is an echo of a, controversy that has been going- on in England lately, and which culminated in an action against a local authority. The case was, however, dismissed, as 'it was V '.,vcol beyond doubt Hint tint dilution of any possible poison was so complete that the chances of damage- to fish life was infinitesimal. This was a case where raw tar was involved, but in New Zealand no raw tar is used on country roads. Jiaw tar does contain a percentage of poison known as phenols (carbolic), but in the process of refining this is removed, and the refined tars that go on the road are harmless to fish.

As an illustration it may be pointed out. that the fishing streams around Mount Egmont are surrounded by tarred roads, nncl tio fish have decn killed to my knowledge. On the contrary, tlu'V arc particularly healthy in lh(i Taranak'i streams.—l am, eW\.

aOlli iiejiiembar..