SMOKE PROBLEM IN SYDENHAM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 12

SMOKE PROBLEM IN SYDENHAM

COMPLAINT BY MISS HOWARD FUMES “HEARTBREAK OF HOUSEWIFE” (From Out Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July £ The pollution of the atmosphere by smoke was a problem for the whole of New Zealand, but in Sydenham there were many sources 01 pollution, such as the v-asworks and the railpresentatives tonight, when she spoke in the Address-in-Reply debate. “It is the heartbreak of the housewife that she cannot keep her home clean or her washing a good colour,” said Miss Howard. "The guttering and spouting of houses is simply eaten away by the fumes which come from numerous smoke-stacks.” Miss Howard said she knew of a young couple who had carpeted their main rooms with fairly expensive carpet. Within a short time, the carpets were dingy and dirty, and the firm which bad supplied them sent a sample that the carpet was impregnated with smoke grime. The couple’s bouse was near the | gasworks, said Miss Howard. At times, the works emitted dense clouds of smoke, and it was then impossible for anyone to. have windows open. At ether times, the gasworks chimneys emitted clouds of black smoke. Now that the Cashmere hospital was to be heated by gas, the outlook was “very black indeed,” said Miss Howard. She had learned that the gas company intended to install equipment which would eliminate smoke, but she was not satisfied about the elimination of deposits such as sulphur oxides.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ACT MINISTER REFUSES TO RECOMMEND REPEAL (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 8. An immediate reply of ‘No” was given by the Minister of Justice (Mr T. C. Webb) to a question in the House of Representatives by Mr C. L. Carr (Oppcsition. Timaru), who asked whether Mr Webb would recommend to the Government the repeal during the present session of the Capital Punishmen: Act. 1950. Mr Carr also asked for a return shoyrii . ; the number of cases of homicide since the passing of the act, as compared with a like period immediately before its introduction.