A former top New Zealand boxer started one of his biggest
fights of his life yesterday seeking $1 million in damages
and costs for the loss of orchards he says were ruined by
emissions from the Ravensdown fertiliser manufacturing plant
near Napier.
Paddy Donovan, a 1956 and 1964 Olympic Games boxer and 1962
Empire Games bronze medallist, has taken Ravensdown to the
High Court in Napier over claims that he was not paid full
compensation for losses he suffered due to airborne
discharges of acid and fluoride from the Ravensdown plant at
Awatoto.
At the start of a schedule 12-day hearing, Mr Donovan's
counsel David O'Connor acknowledged past settlements,
including one of $223,000 to Mr Donovan for losses to the end
of June 2004.
But he said Mr Donovan was seeking a further $862,635 plus
general damages for losses to crops from 2004-2006.
Mr O'Connor said Mr Donovan denied Ravensdown claims that the
later damage was caused by a spray application.
He said suggestions that the cause could have been salt spray
were "nonsense".
Mr O'Connor said other orchardists would give evidence,
describing Ravensdown's position of refusing to accept
responsibility, blaming growers yet making secret
settlements.
