IMPROVEMENT OF ESTUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25246, 26 July 1947, Page 2

IMPROVEMENT OF ESTUARY

LAND DRAINAGE PROBLEMS INSPECTION BY ENGINEER An inspection of the estuary to investigate land drainage and development nroblems and suggested improvements for boating was made on Thursday by the chief engineer of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council (Mr A. P. Grant) with officers of interested local bodies. The inspection was made to find whether the benefits resulting from improvements to the estuary would warrant the cost, and Mr Grant will make a report to th Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) on uie whole question. The party inspected the estuary by launch in the morning when the tide was in, and from the hills in the afternoon when the tide was out. With Mr Grant were the public relations officer of the City Council (Mr T. H. Langford), the district highways engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr L. C. Southon), the Christchurch Drainage Board engineer (Mr E. F. Scott) and the secretary (Mr R. R. Senior), the City Engineer (Mr E. Somers), and the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s engineer (Mr A. J. Charman). Towards the end of last year boating and sporting interests asked Mr Semple for improvements to be made to the estuary. Their approach was followed by discussions between the City Council, the Drainage Board, and the bpating and sporting interests, and there was a further conference when it was found that land drainage and development problems would arise from any improvements made to the estuary. Finally, Mr Semple agreed that Mr Grant should make an investigation and compile a report