IMPROVING THE RIVER.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11460, 19 December 1902, Page 3

IMPROVING THE RIVER.

DEPUTATION TO" THE DRAINAGE BOARD. A deputation from the Floral Fete Kxerutive waited on the Drainage Board yesterday, and ur-cd that a weir rhou/d be erected on the Avon river, above the Hospital bridge, of such a. character ns would bo likely to improve' the boating facilities of t>he upper reaches of the river. The deputation comprised the Hon. C. Louisson, and Messrs E. Smith and G W. Moon. Mr Louisson stated that the Committee of the Floral Fete had a considerable sum of money at its disposal, a-nd was willing 10 find funds to defray the cost, as fatas possible, of any nclnme that wou'.d improve the river. He did not think that the water below the bridge would be liiired, but the raising of water the bridge would oe an advantage. A system of mechanical rollers was proposed to bs adopted, so that there would ix- no inconvenience to boatfra. Befoie doing anything, however, the Committee had decided to approach the Drainage Board, and call a public meeting. The Executive had no plans to submit so far, but the proposal was to raise the water about two fset. The Engineer Kaid that a two feet rise would run out about Pilgrim's corner, where the Engineers' camp had been recently. Mr Louisf.on rep"kd that the Executive wr.s prepared to find the. money for thf , . carrying out of any satisfactory scheme. Mr Moon said a scheme had b««n proposed which would obviate any serious draining, but the river 4 wnuld require a little dredging, and a model had been prepaied which he hoped the Board would examine. It would be on view at McLean's boat shfds. The deputation then withdrew. The Board decided to do nothing in the matter until the Engineer had inspected the model and reported.