THE RIVER AVON.

1 TO, THB , BDITOB OB" THS PBESS. ■ Sib, —"New brooms sweep clean" is a ; rule which, like all others, has its exceptions ; the present most certainly beiDg the new Drainage Board, whp have undertaken to get swept clean the River Avon ; and, judging from the present style of working, the heavily taxed ratepayers will get little for their money. ' The Biver Avon, formerly one of the piettiest streams in Canterbury, would, in its present foal state, be a disgrace to the meanest village in existence. From Wright's to New Brighton it is one mass of stagnant weed acid putrefaction; yet, although a fortnight has elapsed since the contract was signed for cleaning, absolutely nothing has been cleared, away. The river is more choked up than ever, the , banks deeper under water, and residents ■ still unable to reach their dwellings. If Christenuroh were a poverty-stricken town, indifferent to health and steeped in ignorance, the state of the Avon might be excused. 'But Sichen we reflect that this rive* fl the chief outlet for the drainage of the leading city of Canterbury, it ie evident some -one should be called to account, and that:it is the dnty of the Drainage Board to give us at once a clf*r running stream—not like the present —a foul stagnant drain choked up with decayed weeds] drowned doge and cats- exhaling pestilence all around. Much of the prevalent fever and illness in Christchurch \ is entirely owing to the impeded drainage arising from the choked state of the river. Yours, &c, • '■ "V : - '■■ ■'= i■-!'?"■'■■ :=- AQUARIUS. ' Christchurch, 6th Nov.. 1876. ;' J ;