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97
for purposes of illumination, and that they intend to carry on their water gas
plant in this manner, except in cases of emergency. This is very satisfactory, as
apparently the greater part of the nuisance came from this apparatus; but
without the use of petroleum there will be no nuisance from the water gas
apparatus. They also informed me that they will rearrange their purifiers so as
to be able to work them in a manner which will, in all probability, do away with
all nuisance, and in accordance with a new system which has been very recently
successfully used.
Of course this rearrangement of the purifiers cannot be carried out in
its entirety, and probably not to any extent until the great press of winter
business is somewhat relieved, but in the meantime the Company will do their
utmost to minimise or prevent any nuisance. I trust these arrangements will be
satisfactory to your clients. It appears to me that if they are carried out in
good faith, and I have no doubt whatever that this will be so, the nuisance
which was complained of will be abated."
In May, 1902, further complaints were received of the
offensive emanations from the Company's Works, and your
Committee ordered notice to be sent to the Company requiring
the abatement of the nuisance.
In July, 1902, further complaints were received from
residents.
Acting upon instructions I visited the Company's Works,
in company with Mr. A. H. Stevenson and Mr. Van Putten, on
the 3rd July. It appeared to us that the Company had taken
no steps to abate or minimise the nuisance in regard to which
the first proceedings were taken.
On the 10th July your Council decided that the former
proceedings against the Company should be re-opened. An
application was then made to the Magistrate to restore the
summonses to the list, in order that the case might be proceeded
with.
The case was re-opened on the 14th of November. The
Magistrate went through the evidence, and said he was satisfied
that the Company had done what they could towards abating the
nuisance, and he referred to the evidence of Messrs. Pratt,