POLLUTION OF RIVER

Southland Times, Issue 23674, 24 November 1938, Page 7

POLLUTION OF RIVER

CHARGE AGAINST FLAX MILL MANAGER Robert William Clouston was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., with casting, flax mill refuse into the Oreti river, in which trout existed. Mr Eustace Russell appeared on behalf of the Southland Acclimatization Society and Mr N. L. Watson appeared for the defendant. Mr Russell stated that the case was another instance of pollution of a stream. The mill had only recently been erected near the river and the society had not known of its erection until September 14. A ranger went to the mill and saw the manager, Clouston, and explained the regulations that prohibited pollution of a stream. On the following day a letter was sent from the society to the owner of the mill. Mr Russell read several letters written to and by the society about the casting of refuse into the river. “The Oreti river is a very popular resort for anglers,” said Mr Russell. The river was close to the city and anglers could go there on bicycles. The onus was on the society to see that the regulations were enforced. Mr Watson emphasized that certain precautions had been taken before the mill started working. For about 20 years the mill had been on its present site. About 10 years ago it was shifted to Invercargill and during the present year it was shifted back to its former foundations. Regulations passed in 1936 had been overlooked .by the manager, he said. The usual precautions were taken when the mill was shifted to its present site, but they were not sufficient and a breach had been committed. The manager was at present working on schemes to eliminate the trouble. Eventually the discharge would be run into a pond and most of the refuse would settle there. “It would be as well for flax-mill managers to make sure about the regulations in future,” said the Magistrate. The defendant was fined £lO and was ordered to pay costs 10/- and solicitor’s fee £2 2/-.