SMOKE NUISANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1940, Page 6

SMOKE NUISANCE

EVANS BAY STATION

PLANT ORDERED FROM LONDON

The Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) stated yesterday that though there had been unavoidable delays in obtaining equipment to minimise the nuisance caused by grit and smoke from the Evans Bay power-house, a remedy was now within sight. Particularly he thanked the residents of the vicinity of the power station for the understanding spirit in which they had discussed the problem and its difficulties' with the council and officers.

The council realised fully the difficulties of the residents, said Mr. Hislop. The position had been made more serious by the great demand on the station by the Government owing to the shortage of power from its own hydro-electric stations, with the result that the steam station had had to be kept going at almost full capacity for some time past.

"The most efficient way of meeting the difficulty is by .he installation of certain new plant," the Mayor continued. "This we have been endeavouring to do for some time, but we have been held up by being unable to get a permit to import certain essential portions of the machinery. Permission has now been given and the plans are in London: together • with orders for the manufacture of those parts which must be imported. The balance of the machinery is to be made in New Zealand, and as soon as the special parts arrive from London work will be commenced. We should within six months be able to instal the new plant."

Mr. Hislop said that another difficulty lately had been that owing to the coal shortage the department had had to use a great deal of Southland coal, which was dirty and had increased the troubles of the residents a good deal. The department was now trying to reduce the discharge of grit and smoke by mixing Southland and Westport coal, and hoped to be able to dispense with the use of Southland coal altogether.

"I know from personal visits the troubles under which the residents of the locality labour." said Mr. Hislop. "and I am much distressed at our inability to make the improvement needed, but we are doing everything within our power and I hope that we will be able to meet the position

soon."