Ship's load coats town in dust

A company responsible for a cloud of dust smothering Lyttelton says residents will be compensated.

The dust from clinker, used in the making of cement, was blown from the ship Ace Bridge as stevedores unloaded it last week.

Weekend rain caused the dust to harden on homes and cars.

Lyttelton Harbour Residents' Association chairman John Cleaver said the entire eastern side of the town had been coated in the white dust.

"This is by far the worst situation we've had. It's shocking."

Environment Canterbury monitoring officers were understood to have stopped the unloading at one stage when winds exceeded the maximum allowed under resource consent conditions.

A spokesman for Holcim New Zealand, the company importing the clinker, said last night that the company regretted what had happened.

An announcement was to be made today about removing the dust from the cars.

Lyttelton Port Company acting chief executive Chris Connor was working to ensure the incident did not recur.

- NZPA