CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 3036, 15 May 1875, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

GITY AND SUBURBS. TO THE EDITOR OP* THE PRESS.

Sir, —It is not my intention at any time needlessly to trouble you by taking up the space of your valuable paper with an account of grievances, and were the evil now complained of one which affected myself alone I would not now trouble you with an account thereof; but being one which affects the whole neighbourhood in which I reside, and may also affect the whole body of citizens if eteps are not taken .£o have the evil removed, I feel I am justified in so doipg.

I am a resident on the. East belt, and in the unfortunate position of residing on the boundary of the Heathcote district and the City of Christen arch. : It -fa well known to many of yoar reader? thai that part of the belt lying between the city drain and the Ferry road is at the present time lyinsr nnder water about two feet deep in the centre.f he belt nae been lately formed, with a channel made down the centre, it is supposed for the purpose of conducting the surface water away, which undoubtedly it would do had it been made, as every channel ought to be, with an outlet. But feaid channel is blocked by the rise of the Ferry road at that end of it, and by the rise of the City drain at the other enV Consequently it ie the means of collecting the water instead of conducting it away, and acts as a reservoir. The road not actually under water is almost impassable, and a large amount of stagnant water is blocked in upon the land immediately fronting the belt. In one case a family has been ordered to leave the home owing to the danger to health occasioned by the water; this, of course, is a natural consequence.

A petition was presented to the Heatchcote Boad Board, and according to custom said petition was graciously received and courteously acknowledged, but at the same time was referred to the City Council, and came before the Council in due course. As yon are doubtless aware the works committee were deputed to visit the place, and give a report to the Council at its next weekly sitting. The committee have paid us a visit, and to our dismay we hear they intend in their report, by advice of the city surveyor, to inform the Council that they do not consider it is a matter for the Council to interfere with, but that the water belongs to the Heathcote Boad Board, and it is for the Board to take action towards remedying the evil.

Now, Sir, when the health of so many is endangered, and when the evil complained of can be 80 eaeily removed (sir, it is well know it can be), does it not appear monstrous that the Board should thus refer to the Council and the Council refer back to the Board, and that in the end no steps should be taken in the matter ? Surely we are in danger sufficiently great of malignant and contagions diseases springing; up amongst us from causes sufficiently numerous, which it is almost impossible, (and in some cases utterly impossible) to avoid, without leaving such an. immense body of stagnant water to remain accumulating every day as the weather continues bad. I trust that the two bodies will bury their prejudices and ill feeling, and if united action is necessary, unite in taking such steps, and using such means as will entirely remove the evil, and so save us from what we may certainly expect if they do not, the diffusion of the seeds of disease and death in a frightful degree. Apologising for trespassing so largely upon your space. Yours, &c., New Chum. East Town Belt, May 13th. CTbe above letter illustrates tke impossibility of asking effective arrangements for the protection of the public health in Christchurch, unless the city proper and suburbs are brought under one system of administratura.—Ed. Press. 1