|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 4, 2012 8:19:57 GMT 12
I had forgotten all about that smell until I read this thread! Given that the smell is no longer present and the fertiliser plant is still very much in business and the Islington freezing works isn't I'd say that is your answer?
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Oct 4, 2012 15:23:48 GMT 12
the fertiliser plant is still very much in business It may still be operating but I just drove past it. The place is a far cry from what is was twenty years ago. They have been required to clean their act up also and I think you would struggle to detect any smell from there these days. I still can't place the meat factory over in that industrial area at Wigram. The hot dip galvanising plant used to put up a little pollution. (Visible anyway). That pungent smell was more evident in the mornings I thought. I find it hard to describe but if I ever come across something similar again then I am certain the memories will come flooding back. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 15:32:34 GMT 12
I thought that the Ravensdown plant had been shut down and everyone laid off? Did it reopen? I recall when it had a huge fire there, maybe 1993, the smoke was thick and black and could be seen for miles.
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Oct 4, 2012 15:41:53 GMT 12
Ooops..
I just looked at the chimneys and vents Dave. Nothing in the way of emissions at all. Possibly just like a shut-down plant would be like.
I have no idea if it was operating or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by ngatimozart on Oct 4, 2012 18:56:34 GMT 12
My daughter lives in Symes Road by the airfield and definitely no smell. I'd get to hear about it if there was a smell.
|
|
zolteg
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 82
|
Post by zolteg on Oct 4, 2012 19:25:58 GMT 12
Historically, there was an abbatoir at Sockburn. I suspect improving industrial practices in the 80's improved or diminished the smell.
|
|
|
|
Post by oj on Oct 4, 2012 20:31:44 GMT 12
Yes, it was called the Sockburn Freezing Works in 1963 and 1965 when I was at 2TTS.
It was absolutely gross and by the time we had marched up to the No1 Airmens mess at lunch time were feeling quite sick. Then going into the mess was not much better.
On fine hot days some of us would get on our motorbikes and go out through the Springs Rd married patch pedestrian gate and race to the Hornby Trust hotel for a pie and two 36 ounce jugs, then charge back just in time to join the march back to TTS.
Sometimes we would go by car. The lunchtime logistics were impressive:
March to the mess, dsimiss, race to the cark-park, out the main gate, down to the Hornby Trust, drink two 36 ounce jugs and a pie (one day John Lyver managed 3 jugs!), back in the main gate to the car park and join the long march back to TTS; all in the one hour allocated.
Much of the rest of the afternoon comprised looking stupid, smirking uncontrollably, going to the toilet several times and falling asleep in class.
No wonder there were very few "Distinguished Pass"'s off the courses as the end!
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Oct 4, 2012 21:19:03 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by oj on Oct 4, 2012 21:27:29 GMT 12
What's with the bomb craters Mr Beeza?
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Oct 5, 2012 9:13:49 GMT 12
What's with the bomb craters Mr Beeza? Hahha, do you think the Air Force may have tried taking direct action sometime over the decades. I never realised where the smell actually came from before. It was only the other day when I started considering the possibilities. There was mention here of a facility being demolished in the late 1980's also. It would seem that 2TTS got to wear the brunt of the smell. These works are just metres from the base........ some here will be able to make out No 3 Officers' Mess in the photo. |
|
|
|
Post by exkiwiforces on Oct 5, 2012 13:58:27 GMT 12
I believe was a tannery over by the northern end of Wigram and they do stink big time. When I was based at RAAF Base Williams- Point Cook 09-11 we had to drive past two on our way to tulla or puka and summertime was the worst esp when there was NW wind
|
|
|
|
Post by tbf25o4 on Jan 29, 2014 15:26:22 GMT 12
Not only was there a smell from the meat works, but if the wind was blowing from the west, and it rained, then sulphur deposits appeared
around the edge of the puddles, blown from Kempthorne and Prossers fertilizer works on the main road near Hornby
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 29, 2014 15:48:11 GMT 12
Re the photo of just a few posts earlier in this thread. My post of 4th Oct. Some here may have trouble getting their bearings. We are looking North West over the top of Main South Road with the Sockburn overbridge and the railway line. The Burger Bunker (3 Mess) is very distinctive in the bottom left corner. It is not so far from just being directly opposite the main gate at Wigram. The freezing work complex is in the middle of the pic. I say this because I believe that entire site has now been levelled and will now be completely rebuilt. Many here will drive over that bridge and will be able to confirm. I just thought I saw a mass or earthworks underway in that region when I drove past the other day. The ChCh rebuild is well underway, the expansion here is comparable to the city 'creep' of Perth. In ChCh it is pockets of land being dealt to though, - but just so many of them. About Wigram we have this pocket, the industrial area on the Northern part of the airfield and also the massive Hornby Quadrant complex. hornbyquadrant.co.nz/locationI think those guys reading here that have not been to Wigram for the last 10 years will be completely lost trying to follow the map graphics depicted on that website. Even with all the industrial expansion we are seeing here I doubt we will ever get to experience that smell ever again, or anything like it. Perhaps progess may be a good thing afterall. |
|
|
|
Post by shorty on Jan 29, 2014 16:13:31 GMT 12
The smell was the Canterbury by-products factory.
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Jan 29, 2014 16:57:21 GMT 12
That sounds right Shorty, where would that have been located ?
Would it have been on the Southern side of Main South Road then ? I can't place the factory at all..
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2014 18:41:03 GMT 12
Is that where pie filling comes from?
|
|
|
|
Post by shorty on Jan 30, 2014 20:13:59 GMT 12
Only the ones for the Cambridge market!
|
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Feb 4, 2014 16:28:09 GMT 12
The ChCh rebuild is well underway, the expansion here is comparable to the city 'creep' of Perth. In ChCh it is pockets of land being dealt to though, - but just so many of them. About Wigram we have this pocket, the industrial area on the Northern part of the airfield and also the massive Hornby Quadrant complex. hornbyquadrant.co.nz/locationI think those guys reading here that have not been to Wigram for the last 10 years will be completely lost trying to follow the map graphics depicted on that website. News this afternoon.. www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/9684527/Plans-unveiled-for-affordable-500k-homesThis is the block of land over the Southern boundary of Wigram airfield. It is over near the new motorway, indeed it appears the houses will be straddling the motorway, hence why it is currently owned by NZTA. I would think it is more Halswell than Hornby. A photo will tell the story. maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=Carrs%20road.&ie=UTF-8&ei=UGrwUt2BFcWmlAW9l4CIBA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQAn overbridge, a motorway and a go-cart race track for neighbours. Anyone with a spare $500,000 ?  The site is in the lower left about the 'Project Office' banner. The map will show other recent subdivisions nearby, - just over Halswell junction Road. There is also plenty happening over near Aidanfield Drive to the East of the old airfield. |
|
drpc
Flight Sergeant
Posts: 25 
|
Post by drpc on Feb 6, 2014 12:23:12 GMT 12
Yes it was the meat works, in the mid 70's, never bothered me as I am from Moerewa and still live here now so grew up smelling cooking blood and tallow. I thought it was like being at home
|
|
