THE AVON.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 6

THE AVON.

PROBABLE CAUSE OF SHOALING. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, and Postmaster-General, found time yesterday to visit "Avonhead," the residence of Mr George Witty, M.P., at Riccarton, and was much interested in the source of the Avon, which is on Mr Witty's property. Mr Witty pointed out the sprint's which start tho river on its course through Christ-church, also a dam fed by a race led in from the Waimakariri. Tho dam is a few feet higher in le\ei than tho springs, and is full of woliconditioncd gold-iish. Speaking to a '"Press" reporter. Mr Witty said that the water-race was part of a system of 2500 miles used for irrigation purposes in the country further back. He had no doubt that the level of tho Avon would bo substantially raised by introducing more water by the means" indicated. "It has been suggested," the reporter, "that the scarcity of water in tho Avon to-day is duo to cattle having tramped some of the springs in, causing the water to go 'downwards to feed the artesian supply. Do you think this is correct P" Mr Witty replied that ho thought such was not unlikely to bo the case. He also thought that some of the springs could bo opened up again if the matter were taken in hand. The sinking of artesian wells no doubt had something to do with the shrinkage in the water now carried by tho Avon. Ho also thought that the deepening of parts of the upper reaches of tho river might lead to a better supply of water. Harbour Board's Attitude. Mr W. J. Walter moved at the meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday: "That the Board givo £ for £ up to £SOO for deepening that part of tho river Avon under the control of the- Lyttelton Harbour Board, i.e., front the tramway bridge down to tho sea.'* Mr Walter said that it would take 12 months to do the work, and tho money need not be given till then, but if tho Board gave a lead, it might encourage local bodies interested, as well as local residents, to take some action, Mr H. Holland said that he would like to see the work done, but ho realised that this was no time for the Board to spend money except on necessary harbour works. Mr F. Horrell said he was "as keen on sport" as anyone, but he agreed with Mr Holland that money should bo spent only on harbour works at the present time. If the Board i loaned a dredge it would be doing quite enough at tins- stage. The chairman (Mr H. B. Sorensen) said that if a concrete proposal wero placed before the Board he had no Uoubt that it would receive favourable consideration from tho Board. Mr Walter then withdrew bis motion.