SAWDUST NUISANCE

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1937, Page 2

SAWDUST NUISANCE

Deposits in Streams FIVE MILLING FIRMS FINED Fines totalling £5O were imposed on five sawmilling companies in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth yesterday by Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., for permitting sawdust to flow into streams where trout were known to Jack Bros., Ltd., Kotuku, were charged with allowing sawdust to flow into Deep Creek and Arnold River, where trout were known to exist. Derenaant, did not appear. Mr W. D. Taylor prosecuted. Robert Roigard, ranger for the Grey District Acclimatisation Society, produced a copy of regulations under the Act, whicii prohibited sawdust being deposited in streams. He gave evidence of the presence of sawdust in the creek, which came from the mill. The Magistrate said that the defendants must be convicted and the minimum penalty of £lO inflicted, with 10s costs and solicitor’s fee £1 Is, and witnesses’ expenses were ' allowed to informant.

Similar charges were laid against several other sawmillers.

Gilbert, Tomasi Ltd., who did not appear, were also fined £lO with Court costs 10s, and solicitor’s fee £1 Is.

Omoto Sawmills, Ltd. (Grey River), Parker Bros. (Greenstone Creek and Blackwater Creek) and A. R. Wallis, Ltd., (Haupiri River) were similarly charged. i Mr F. A. Kitchingham, who appeared for the defendants, said that they were all willing to take preventive measures, but were faced with serious practical difficulties, as it nad not been possible to trap the sawdust. He asked for an adjournment to January. A big capital expenditure was involved in preventing the issue of sawdust into the streams and this would take time to carry out.

Mr Taylor said that the anxiety of the millers came a little late, as tnere had been -numerous prosecutions in the past. His instructions were to oppose any adjournment. The escape of sawdust covered up the feed and the trout starved and were smaller’ owing to this. The Magistrate declined to allow an adjournment. Mr Kitchingham said that it appeared that the interests of a few sportsmen were being placed beioie that of the sawmilling industry. Al the Omoto Sawmills the work was proceeding of elevating the sawdust at a cost of £2OO. In the case of A. R. Wallis, a flood had washed away a flume. With regard to Parker Bros, their work was definitely on a small scale. By stocking Greenstone Creek the Acclimatisation Society had brought fish near the mill, whereas there was none there previously. They desired to make an earnest effort to abate the nuisances. He submitted that the- Acclimatisation Society should show some mercy to these men until they were able to prevent the issue of sawdust. Mr Taylor said that the Society was a sporting body and they would be sporting if the millers made an effort to deal properly with the nuisance. Each defendant was fined £lO with Court costs ,10s and £1 Is solicitor’s fee. In the case against Ogilvie and Co., Ltd., Mr Taylor said that the work had been carried out, and he asked leave to withdraw the information. This was granted.