SMUTS AND CINDERS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20993, 21 December 1939, Page 13

SMUTS AND CINDERS

COMPLAINT FROM RESIDENT FRANKTON FACTORY NUISANCE BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION Further discussion on the smut and cinder nuisance created at Frankton and Maeroa by the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited’s factory through the burning of sawdust and wood shavings, took place at a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night, when a letter was received from a nearby resident complaining that the trouble was no better than before the matter was brought before the company by the council. The writer stated that recently black smuts from the factory damaged her washing and caused trouble in the house. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, presided over the meeting and also present were Messrs. W. M. Cann, C. Croall, F. C. House, R. McCaw, H. M. Hammond, C. Lafferty, F. Findlay, J. R. Fow, T. G. Reynolds, W. W. Dillicar, J. E. Tidd, W. R. Shattock, and the borough officers. The Mayor moved that the matter be again brought before the company and that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the company. “ I think we are just dilly-dallying with this matter,” said Mr Shattock.

r ormeriy l moved that the company be asked to cease the nuisance forthwith, but the motion was turned down. Now the dairy company evidently feels that this council is nol taking this matter seriously, and as long as that state of affairs exists the dairy company will not stop the trouble. I will move, as an amendment, that the company be asked tc stop the nuisance forthwith.” Endorsement for Mr Shattock’s remarks was voiced by Mr Croall, whe seconded the amendment. Expiration of Notice In reply to Mr Fow, the chief inspector, Mr J. W. Lewis, said he had made 10 or 12 visits to the factory since the notice was given, and he thought that there was less nuisance than formerly. On only two or three occasions the trouble had been bad. Under the conditions of the notice sent by the council, the company was given a month to cease the nuisance, and that did not expire until December 23, said the Mayor. The dairy company should be given until that time. “ I do not think we can do very much in the matter if we do ask for the immediate cessation of the trouble.” commented Mr Fow. “No magistrate would want to have a key industry of this nature closed down, especially in a time of war.” “ Some years ago the Hamilton Borough Council accepted Maeroa as part of the borough,” said Mr Shattock in reply, “ and the area should receive consideration from the council. Mr Fow speaks of closing down a key industry* but it was shown in this council chamber a few weeks ago that the dairy company was making a big profit by using sawdust and shavings as fuel and thus effecting a saving. It is evident that they do not intend to make any change until they are forced to do so. Until this council shows a firm hand there will be no alleviation of the trouble.” On being placed before the meeting Mr Shattock’s amendment was lost and the Mayor’s motion was carried.