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Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1926, Page 2

The question of sawdust in streams cropped up at the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society. The matter is a complex one by reason of the fact that usage lias prevailed for so many years, and old established mills enjoy something of a l ight in permitting sawdust to enter the streams. Indeed it. is not so very long ago that the Forestry Department indicated in a pamphlet issued under authority that sawdust might he deposited in accordance with the common practice of past years. That fact gives point to the question of usage above referred to. And the point, is that the milling rights are mainly under the Mining Act, and the Statute has provisions for debris being discharged into water courses, so that in that respect there is something of a. colorable right. The millers from time to time have made it clear that they are not disposed to interfere with acclimatisation work unduly, and an effort to that end lias been made. It is alleged the effort is not satisfactory, nor is it sustained. There is a feeling that fresh mills staffing in the district should not attempt to operate near . water courses flowing into main streams and if something could he done to that end a useful reform would have begun. The milling industry is not in that flourishing condition that it can hear extra expense in operating, even though in the aggregate there appears to he a large annual turnover. It was indicated on Saturday that the industry is of prime, if not paramount importance to the district, and on that account nothing should he done to seriously cheek employment in that direction. Probably were the millers and those with fishing interests to meet and confer some middle course could he suggested whereby the complaints now rife would lose much of their point. There is a good deal to he said on both sides of the question, and some give and take should result if the matter is to he settled amicably and with some regard for the all round interests affected.