THE SMOKE NUISANCE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 45, 21 August 1925, Page 9

THE SMOKE NUISANCE

LEGISLATION FOR SETTLEMENT

OF CLAIM

"A TERRIBLE NOISE.",

The following 1 clause of the report of the Legislative Committee td the City Council last evening is of particular interest to residents of the area at the head of Evans Bay :— "That approval be given to the draft legislation pvepared by the City Solicitor for submission to', the Government. This legislation would enable the Corporation to pay up to £1500 to settle claims for the 'alleged smoke nuisance at Evans Bay." NOISE.VERY BAD. Councillor Monteith asked whether something could not be done to reduce the ''terrible'noise" of the power house-;" people all about tho station were com-plaiilingV-'and were asking that something' should be done.' There was no doubt that| it was a serious matter, for the noise of one of tho turbines could b»* heard as far away as Association Park. ; Councillor Wright said that it was a peculiar thing that the power-house was noisy at times only, and during' the intervals ' tho machines,''ran ' quietly and without annoyancie to anyone,' till they broke out again. He agreed that the noise nuisance was serious. .The Mayor (Mr. C.". B. Norwood), after consultation with the ; Tramways Manager (Mr. M. Cable), said that the turbine in question was one which had been shifted out to Evans Bay from the old tramway power-house, where it had l'un for five years without giving caußO for complaint. ■ It was operated only during rush hours. .- ! Councillor Semple asked whether the j turbine was obsolete. It wps, not obsolete, replied Mr. Norwood, but it was not one of the best of the council's machines. "Both the smoke and noise are something terrible," said Councillor M'Keen. "Can anything be done to remedy the trouble?" ' , The Mayor replied that apparently nothing could be done as to the noise. In answer to further questions, he stated that one of the grit-catching appliances had been, installed, but the other was not yet in position. Councillors W. H. Bennett and Wright raised the point that if the grit nuisance were not completely stopped the residents would have ground for a further claim foT compensation. Tlie settlement now proposed, answered Mr. Norwood, would be final; .pro-, ■vision would be made to safeguard that' position.