SMOKE AND SMELLS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5125, 13 May 1927, Page 2

SMOKE AND SMELLS.

HILL-STREET RESIDENTS’ PLIGHT.

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT'S STAND. With the removal of the Paeroa railway station to its present site several houses in the vicinity (have suffered considerable inconvenience. The- Borough Council has been for some time moving in the matter, and at the council meeting last night a letter was received from the Railway Board, Wellington, as follows : — “With reference to your council’s representations on behaflf of Mr and Mrs Miller, I’ower Hill Street, Paeroa, regarding their desire that the department should purchase their property, I am directed to inform you that the matter has had careful Consideration, but in view of the fact that the property is not required for railway purposes it is regretted that the department can dp nothing to assist in the direction desired. “With regard to the complaint concerning the hosing of trucks of cattle near the property in question, the board’s inquiries go to show that on the occasion complained of several beasts were down in the trucks, and in an endeavour to revive them the trucks were placed under the water column and water was played on the animals. After the departure of the train the stationmaster saw that the ground in the vicinity of the water column was cleaned up. The ground was ailso inspected subsequently by your foreman, who, this board understands, is also inspector of nuisances, and he stated that so far as he could ascertain the hosing of the animals had left no objectionable after-effects. “In the circumstances, as now explained, the board cannot find that Mr and Mrs have any real ground for complaint, but, nevertheless, instructions have been issued that the water column referred to is to be used for hosing down cattle only when exceptional circumstances ar,ise.” Cr. F. E. Flatt took exception to the- letter, which he said was an evasion of the matter. The house was situated within two or three feet of the railway lines, and the place was almost untenable. He thought that the board should be advised that it had not a true perspective of the conditions obtaining. The treatment meted out to the couple was most unfair, and if r.elief was not given it would probably be the means of shortening their lives. No councillor would tolerate the position, and he thought that the Mayor and the member for the district should take the matter to higher authorities with the hope of ’ getting relief.

Not only were cattle hosed down, but the pig trucks were washed out near the water column, contended Or. W. Turner. He pointed out that the couple were aged, and the advent of the new railway station with its attendant noises was getting on their nerves. In addition to the disturbances they had the smoke and smell nuisances to contend with, and there was small chance of getting any rest during the week days. He agreed that the council should make an endeavour to place the position fully before higher officials. The Mayor reminded the members that the Railway Board’s chairman had already visited the locality and was familiar with the conditions. The Prime Minister, who was also Minister of Railways, had also seen the subject of the complaint, and had been made fully conversant with the particulars. He did not see how the council could take the matter much higher, other than to ask for further consideration of the request for relief.

Cr. J. W. Silcock said that he was sorry for the couple, who -were aged and highly respected residents of the borough, and it was a shame that their home had been spoiled. Cr. P. E. Brenan said that he. too, sympathised .with Mr and Mrs Miller. He was just afraid that owing to the early history of the case the Railway Department had dost its sympathy for the couple. He thought the better way would be for the Millers to present a petition to Parliament through Mr A. M. Samuel. M.P., and the member's of the council do everything within their power to get relief. The Mayor and Cr. E. A. Pprritt agreed that Cr. Brenan’s suggestion was the better course to follow. Cr. Flatt said that he was easy what steps were taken so long as the council received justice for the residents who had been placed in such a position through no fault of their own.

Cr. E. Edwards said he, too, thought that a presentation, of a petition to Parliament was the better course to adopt. At the same time he thought the board should be written to and advised that its reply to the council was not satisfactory. Perhaps when the Mayor was in Wellington he might look into the matter with the Railway Department.

The Mayor said he had already gone into the matter with the department, and had personally conducted the chairman of the board, as well as the Prime Minister over the locality, and he did not see that any’ good purpose could be served by again worrying the officials. In his opinion the- presentation of a petition from the floor of the- House would be more effective under the circumstances.

It was decided to act as suggested by Cr. Brenan, and also to send to Mr and Mrs Miller a copy -of the reply from the board to the council.