ASHES AND SMOKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11173, 31 March 1922, Page 5

ASHES AND SMOKE

CITIZENS’ PROTEST QUESTION OF CITY COUNCIL’S POWERS. ‘DETERMINED TO GET REDRESS.’ The smoke nuisance in Bidwill, Wallace, \Uoilest6n, Hargreaves, and Wright streets wan the subject of a deputation to the City Council last night. Air J. Fleming said the nuisance emanated in the pipe works in Wallace street. There were four chimneys, from which a great deal of smut was deposited. Houses in the vicinity deteriorated, and flowers and shrubs perished. Washing day was a nightmare. Hot ashes from the flues burned holes ■in them. Infants, put out for fresh air, breathed nauseating fumee. A change of wind was welcomed by tho whole neighbourhood. It was an anomaly, in such an age of health and hygiene, that this nuisance should ho tolerated. “Welhave been long-suffering,” said Mr Fleming, in conclusion, “but ono hundred and sixty residents have signed a petition praying the council to abate the nuisance.

Mr L;. E. St. George supported the remarks of Mr Fleming. , DESTRUCTION OF CLOTHING. Mr A. R. Wilkening detailed instances in which clothes that had been left out to dry, while residents were away in the city, were destroyed by the time they returned. Councillor Luckie: Have you taken legal advice? Mr Fleming: No; if the council find they cannot do it, we will apply to the courts for an injunction. VVe are bent on peaceful measures, but we are determined to get redress. Councillor Luckie: It has been there for thirty /years. Councillor Fraser: Have the residents protested ? Mr St. George: Yes. They have had various deputations to the council. Councillor Fraser: You would be satisfied if tho smoke nuisance were abated? Mr Fleming: Yes. THE MAYOR’S REPLY. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) replied to the deputation. He said the matter was a most difficult one. If memory served him, it had been before the council more than once, and it was a question whether it had the power to take action. However, tho city solicitor would be consulted, the matter put before the council, and the deputation would be advised. The deputation then withdrew. At a later stage, Councillor Luckie moved that the matter be referred .to the finance committee for its consideration. Councillor Fraser said that the big civic corporations, of the world had made a policy of the smoke nuisance. ■ The Mayor remarked that he had learned, subsequent to tli6 departure of the deputation, that the council took action in the courts fifteen years, ago, and were badly "beaten. Councillor S, H. Underwood suggested ( referring the matter to the -tip.” (Laughter.) The •’ resolution was agreed to.