South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Tuesday 17 November 1885, page 7


PUBLIC MEETING AT KILKENNY.

The ratepayers of Kilkenny, on the Port line, complain that since Messrs. Fulton and Co, commenced their contract for the supply of iron pipes they have been subjected to a

nuisance from the foundry, which has assumed such serious proportions, in their opinion, that its abatement is considered absolutely necessary. It appears that before the tubes are cold they are removed from the moulds and immersed in tar or some other preserving ingredient. When the heated iron comes in contact with the liquid matter fumes naturally arise, and it is these fumes which are the cause of complaint. Mr. Fulton was some time ago consulted, and effected improvements which considerably lessened the nuisance, but it is now said to be injurious to health as well as property. A meeting to consider the matter was held in the York Rechabite Hall, Portroad, on Monday evening, November 16. There was a large attendance, and Mr. Bell presided. Mr. Hubord moved a motion declaring that the fumes were a nuisance to the neighbourhood. He was sure no one would like to see the industry retarded, but the immediate abatement of the stench aris-ing from the manufactory was a matter of urgency. The ratepayers had to pay health, district, water, and land taxes, and when a rate was levied, especially for health purposes, the ratepayers ought not to be annoyed with such a nuisance as the one referred to. There were persons present who had spared neither time nor money in making comfortable homes and in increasing the value of their properties. When improvements were effected the District Council first came down upon the owners, and subsequently the health rate was increased, and he regarded it as very unfair that the nuisance should be allowed to exist. The ratepayers only asked that the smell should be abated. Mr. S. Dowling seconded the motion, The fumes were injurious not only to health but also to vegetation, which was completely ruined. He had struggled hard to make his little property what it was, but if he could not plant anything in his garden on account of this nuisance that was robbing him of his liberty. Mr. Stott said that a few nights previous the smell was so intensely strong that it caused him to vomit profusely. Mr. Bradley informed the meeting that his crop of potatoes and trees were ' taken off' by the ' smell.' It was a perfect nuisance. He had never in the colony experienced its equal. Mr. Branbridge mentioned that both his wife and daughter had been ill at different times, and he attributed the cause of their illness to the stench referred to. Mr. Fletcher said that many of the trees he had planted at great ex-pense were dying off owing to the nuisance. He had worked for five years to get a home, and considered it very hard after succeeding to be bothered by this smell and smoke. Mr. J. T. Headdey's wife also had been very ill from the effects of the small which came down the house chimney on one occasion. The fumes had destroyed many of his trees and the galvanized wire netting which was round his pro-perty. Mr. J. Hooker had experienced the unpleasant odour, which took great effect upon him. He had ascertained that a mixture of tar, ammonia, and salt produced the nuisance, which he thought might be easily prevented. Mr. H. Smith complained that no protection was afforded, although a health rate was imposed. His children had suffered considerably from the nuisance. Messrs. Michelmore, J. Forman, and J. Dowlihg corroborated. Mr. J. Prior, who lived within 150 yards of the foundry, said the property he owned there, and valued at £800, would not be worth 800 shillings in twelve months if the nuisance were allowed to continue. Mr. Taylor, an employé of Fulton & Co., admitted that at times the smell was disagreeable, but that the alterations made by his firm were a decided improvement. Mr. Hughes, another employé, said that when the firm commenced making the pipes the dipping preparation was imported from England. No cover was at that time attached to the vessel which held it, and the oil was lost in vapour, which might have caused a slight nuisance. The firm suffered by this arrangement, because they lost a large quantity of oil. When the imported material was all used improvements were erected, and up to the present time nothing but pure tar caused the alleged nuisance. When the pipes were placed in the tar the lids were immediately closed, and very little vapour escaped from the vessels. He did not think there was cause for com-plaint. Mr. A. Harvey, M.P., suggested that a conference with Mr. Fulton would be the best means of securing the abatement of the nuisance. The motion was carried, and it was resolved that a deputation should interview Mr. Fulton as suggested.