DRAINAGE PROBLEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 44, 1 November 1946, Page 9 (Supplement)

DRAINAGE PROBLEM

TANEATUA PIGFARM

NUISANCE CREATED

A report was received from the Sanitary Inspector (Mr A. R. Knights) at the last meeting of the Whakatane County Council concerning the complaint of MissCoppell regarding the so-called soak pits of the pig-farm occupied by Mr W. H. Hughes at Taneatua overflowing, allowing filth to flow into the depression below the sties. The Inspector stated that he had inspected the property, _and had found that filth from the sties had been allowed to accumulate within 50 feet of the boundary fence. Months ago, the report continued, the matter had been discussed with Mr B. W. Hughes, father of the present occupier, and it had been decided that the sties could remain on the present site until the expiry of the lease in June 1947, provided no nuisance was allowed to occur. Failure to provide adequate soakage from the sties had resulted in this last complaint, and inspection showed that whilst Mr Hughes had dug another pit to divert filth from the sties, there was still an accumulation near the fence. The lowest part of the depression was near the fence on Coppell's property. Commenting on the matter, the Chairman (Mr J. L. Burnett) stated that he had come to the conclusion that no matter what was done, it was impossible to get rid of the smell with the sties in their present position, as there was no drainage. Moreover, no matter where the sties were put, they were still on the level.

Cr McCracken was of the opinion that the only solution would be to pump the filth into a container and cart it away. It would be a costly business, and under the conditions obtaining, it was the only thing to do.

The Chairman added that at the moment the position was not so bad, as the dry weather was setting in, but it became acute during wet weather.

Cr Wardlaw pointed out that as Mr Hughes' lease expired in June, it was quite understandable that he probably did not wish to spend too much on the property. Cr Cawte agreed,, adding that the matter might be postponed till June when it could receive further consideration according to whether the lease was renewed or not. The weather should be favourable until that time. The Chahrman added that Mr Hughes wished to be reasonable in meeting the wishes of the Health Inspector, but thought the only way of doing so was to have a bank bulldozed up against the fence. The Council decided that no action should be taken in the meantime, but that the piggeries should be shifted, if they were to be used after June, 1947. In the meantime, the pig soakage area to be kept in reasonable condition, and on Mr Hughes' leasehold property.