FUMES IN WOOLSTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12088, 17 August 1917, Page 6

FUMES IN WOOLSTON.

TO THE HDITOR. Stir.—When people get run down and ..iced a change of air they generally go to the seaside, nr into the country, and .1 feel sure that the residents of AVoolston will in tho near future be obliged to travel very often in .search of these beneficial airs \i some steps are not taken to combat, in some way the unearthly smells with which the borough is inundated. 1/Ofc us seo the number of ntinks which the people have ro inhale in this Labour Co.incil directed town:—First, the soap and candle works; second, glue works; third, the evil smeling tannery and the gentle flowing little stream's which run through the town and receive the rubbish. Xow, to crown all, we are to have erected a sulphuric acid works. The point is that this acid plant was in course of erection before permission was granted by the council. Eventually consent was givon with this proviso, that a chimney .stack 60ft high had to be built to assist in taking away the poisonous funics. Soon after the acid company applied to the council to have the chimney reduced to 4oft, and lo and behold, one of our modern Labour councillors actually agreed to the proposal, which, needless to say, was turned down. T should say that next election this particular councilbr will be given the order of the hoot. Dr Chesson, thy Health Officer, reported favourably on the acid works proposal. But he said bo would not say what, effect it would have upon the property in the vicinity. f know of a. similar works in Yorkshire., where a blade of grass would not grow within three miles of the works. If this was so in Yorkshire, it will bo the same in Woolston. Last year a well with a Din bore was junk and machinery installed for pumping purposes, which now leaves the residents without water during workin" hours. All these smells and the ba3 water supply have been caused through privato companies, and T ask is it fair or healthy for theso things to go on? I ask where is the council? 1 write these few truths hoping that a meeting of residents may be called to ventilate the whole position, the councillors to he, invited to find ,oufc who is responsible for it all.—T am, etc., R. NEWBY, &' A Resident of Wbolfiton.