AVON ROWING COURSE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25581, 24 August 1948, Page 4

AVON ROWING COURSE

ACQUISITION OF LAND BY COUNCIL USE FOR EMPIRE GAMES EVENTS The proposal to straighten the river Avon at Keir’s reach to give a 2000 metres rowing course was briefly explained to the City Council last evening by Cr. J. L. Hay and was supported by Cr. J. N. Clarke, who said a large area of land was now submerged in wet winters. Both said the rowing course would be required for the Empire Games if they were allocated to Christchurch. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) said that the taking over of land would take time and no time should be lost. Cr. W. S. Mac Gibbon said that from every point of view—sport, drainage, and the use of the Avon—the scheme was to be commended. “It is not only a question of a cut but of acquiring land to get a ‘gate,’’’ said Cr. W. P. Glue (chairman of the works committee). Ihe Drainage Board had already decided to make the cut, as an alternative to widening round the bend. He supported Cr. Hay’s proposal that the’council should instruct its sub-committee to. discuss the scheme when it conferred next week with the Drainage Board on the control of the Estuary. ’ The deviation at the top of the reach was about three chains in length, and was a considerable job, said Cr. G. D. Griffiths. The opinion that the stretch would provide ah ideal rowing course, 156 feet wide and the most sheltered in New Zealand, had been expressed by rowing experts at that afternoon’s meeting of the Empire Games Committee. said Cr. W. J. Cowles. Cr. Glue’s statement that the Drainage Board was prepared to make the cut was news to him, said Cr. Hay, on whose motion the council referred the matter to the ■ finance committee to confer with the board if necessary, and to take action to acquire the required land.