THE RIVER SWEEPER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19212, 19 January 1928, Page 7

THE RIVER SWEEPER.

TO THB ROITOB 0? THI PBISg. Sir, —In this morning's Press Mr H. J. Otley is reported as having said that the river sweeper is doing a good two chains a day, but not the five chains a day that Mr Stewart, the inventor of the sweeper, had promised. In fairness to Mr Stewart, I think Mr Otley had overlooked the fact that the river below the boat sheds is so very much wider, double the width that it is in the. upper reaches, where the sweeper was operating when Mr Stewart made this statement. It is refreshing to see so many members of the Drainage Board now appreciate the fine work that the sweeper has accomplished. The removal of the suags, petrol tins, and old motor-tyres left behind is but a small job, but one that would give a finish to the good work. Now the sweeper is through Stanmore road bridge, there is a magnificent stretch of water up to the Barbadoes' street bridge of nearly a mile in length and a splendid depth. The only fly in the ointment now is the prospective drop in the present level of the water as the sweeper advances. Obviously there is one thing to be done, and that is for the Board to obtain the necessary powers to lock or weir the river, and so complote a magnificent work for the City.—Yours, etc., 8.8.