THE AVON.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15603, 30 May 1916, Page 3

THE AVON.

10 THE EDITOR OF "THE PHESS."

Sir,—There is one aspect of the building of weirs in tho river that has almost cscaped notice. In tho report on the subject, the cost of the. weirs was given, and we are'left to assume, apparently, that the weirs, having been erected, the matter ig ended once and for all. As a matter of fact, it would, be very few years before the extra depth of water given by the weirs would be filled up bv silt, and tho water would have again the same depth as it, has today. Mr Little's scheme of dredging is the only solution of the problem. Dredge the river up to the Carlton bridge, missing out tho three main shingle "rapids," and leaving them as they are at present, with the addition of a boat-ladder at the side of them if necessary. The levels of the river would then remain practically as they are, and we will be spared the cost of the weirs. As to whether the cost, of dredging would be more»or less than the cost of the weirs, I do not know, but I should say, considerably more. The point is that sooner or later the slack water above the weirs (either natural or artificial), will have to be dredged, if its- depth is to be maintained. I have two dams in the river where it passes through my garden, and what was originally water five feet deep is now six inches of water and four feet si v inches of ntud. or was, before I "'eaned it out. I shall have to clear the silt out every few years to maintain the water's depth, and the same will have to be done lower down stream. Dredging, moreover, as stated, gets over the difficulty of raising the water-lev°' —'Vnu'-s, EDGAR F. STEAD. Ilam, Riccarton. TO TTTE EDITOR OF "THE ITU^S." Sir, —The letter of Dr. bymes in "The Tress" of the 26th is deserving of attention, tor it states acciiiawsy tlie conditions as to air-moisture in (Juristchurch. All people are not equally atfected by climatic and meteorological conditions. Whilst some are very sensitive, the majority, especially those in robust health, arc not seriously atfected. But such conditions as we have in Christchurch. and so distinctly stated by Dr. Syraes. arc the cause of much bodily and mental misery to a few, and also diseases and ailments amongst the people generally, especially amongst children. The mam features of our climate and situation are: (1) Abundant sunshine, and (2) wind, the two saving factors of the place, no could do witti less of the latter, but upon the whole it is beneficial. the nor'-westers, although apparently enervating, probably, are of great use from a health aspect. Our worst winds are X.E. and S.E., probably because they are humid winds. These winds have much to do with neuralgia. Investigation in the United States has shown that neuraleia, or neuritis, mental de- ! pression, and a general feeling of j malaise, follows or accompanies the prevalence of these winds, in many people, with great regularity. The worst feature is the third, namely, low situation, as to height above the soa. varying in Christchurch from Sft at .the south-east corner, to about 19ft at Addington station, and 18ft at the Carlton Hotej. The subsoil water is very near, especiallv in winter, in the lower parts, and thia is the chief cause of the dampness in the air. In winter the cold, damp, heaw air settles down on the plain during the night and early morning hours. The level of the subsoil water has fallen considerably since drainage _ schemes and the laving of pipes of various kinds have taken place, with great improvement in the health of the people. I have often regretted that those who laid out the city and suburbs did not at the time adopt and carry out a good system of subsoil drainage, which might have lowered the water under-

ground several feet. This, I believe, is dono in most districts in older countries. Dr. Ned will, senr., when Medical Officer of Health, was an indefatigable worker, and furnished very full and careful reports to the Council on all matters affecting the health of the community, referring to tho question oi the subsoil water in several of his reports. Dr. Symes was the first medical officer for Canterbury under tho new Public Health Act, about 1900, and held this position for some years. From its flatness, comparatively low situation, and too abundant air-moisture, Christchurch is somewhat depressing and enervating to somo : constitutions, and. as Dr. Symes says, favours rheumatism and other diseases, and I few, sure, also, is the cause of tlio prevalence of throat affections and liver troubles. The sudden changes which occur in the temperature shortly before sunset, especially in sprint; and early summer, and in mid-winter, accentuato these factors very mifli. In our two seaside resorts and the Cashmere, Hills, we have the means of obtaining a beneficial change from these unfavourable factors of the Christchurch climate — the Cashmere hills in particular, "lying to the sun," as tho auctioneers would say. aro an immense boon to Christchurch, and as time goes on will be more and more resorted to. One would hardly think that the elevation of 50 or 100 feet would make much difference, but at the latter height the fog line is below, and tho place is bathed in a dry sunny air. often, when fog or damn air is on the flat. I have often had this experience when going up Dyer's Pass road in winter. Nearly the same advantage can be obtained at the seaside, but the hill air is dryer, and, uo to an elevation of_ 400 ft. is warmer, also. Notwithstanding the unfavourable facts pointed out, Christchurch compares favourably with other New Zealand centres, being better than Dunedin and Auckland, but- slightly inferior to "Wellington, in health statis- \ t-i"s. but I have noticed that many who suffered, and wore constantly at a tKKir ; standard of health here, have been benefited by a. chancre to some other T>art of New Zealand or to Australia, but if we make a proper uso of our immediate health resorts fry occasional residence in one or other of them, most people can pet on pretty well. Mueh more could be said on climate, soil, situation. aHitude. etc.. as affecting health. bn+ I have already, I am afraid, exceeded the a correspondent 's entit'ed to, I will .iust add that, the ciuestion as to the extent that tb» level of the subsoil water would be affected bv the formation of weirs in the river should be considp'-ed and reported on by comiytont authorities, for there is no question whatever as to the had off»«fc this has on the health of a district. —Tours, etc.. A. F. J. MICKLE, >r.D. May 28th. "