SMOKE NUISANCE ALLEGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 976, 20 May 1930, Page 10

SMOKE NUISANCE ALLEGED

NORTH SHORE DESTRUCTOR Complaints regarding an alleged nuisance arising from the North Shore destructor were discussed at last evening's meeting of the joint committee controlling the plant on behalf of the Boroughs of Devonport, Takapuna and Northcote. Speaking on behalf of a deputation from the Takapuna ’Western Area Ratepayers’ Association, Airs. .T. G. Blom field stated that practically all residents near the destructor were bitterly complaining: of the noxious fumes and smoke discharged from the smoke - stack. A radius of at least half a mile was affected, and property values were being: seriously reduced. It was felt in the area that no real relief could be given until the tlu*ee local bodies realised the necessity of purchasing another site in some outlying district. Support for the first speaker was given by Mr. Steele, a resident of Northcote, whose property is situated across the tidal estuary separating the two boroughs. Lie stated that he had lost a tenant solely through the smoke and gas nuisance from the destructor, which appeared to be at its worst soon after the fires were lighted for the day. The chairman of the committee, Mr. ,T. \V. Williamson, challenged the statement made that property values in the locality were being adversely affected on account of the destructor. Lie stated that in May. 1922, his firm had received authority to sell a property adjoining the site for a sum identical with that asked when the same owner offered the same property to Takapuna Borough this year. He knew that several properties in the localities were cn the market at enhanced prices, which did not indicate deflated valuations. Mr. Williamson continued that a sum of £7,000 had been expended on the site and plant, and this big sum could not be lightly brushed aside when considering the request made for removal to another site. Mr. F. J. H. Ellisdon (Devonport) pointed out that the committee was using every endeavour to allay any possible nuisance, but at present the scheme of alterations was but half finished. When completed, he considered that there would be little to complain of.