I can sympathise with the defendant in the Northland Age ('Fiery exchange', August 28), who assaulted his neighbour over a rubbish fire. Although I don't condone his actions, I certainly understand them.
I too have a neighbour who regularly lights rubbish fires, except he does it at night,perhaps to avoid detection. The smoke and smell is so toxic I have to get up and close all my windows.
I also notice the same smell coming from chimneys around Kaitaia. I wonder if all these folk appreciate the dangers of burning plastic and treated timber? Burning plastic release dioxin, a deadly toxin and known carcinogen. Is this practice another contributor to the high rates of asthma in Kaitaia's children?
Perhaps the Age could publish the local regulations pertaining to burning rubbish in the town limits, and possible legal steps for the affected neighbours.
