STYX RIVER DRAINAGE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29903, 17 August 1962, Page 13

STYX RIVER DRAINAGE

Cr. A. A. Adcock Critical

A "long and rather unsatisfactory" letter from the Christchurch Drainage Board on toe Stylx river was criticised by Cr. A. A. Adcock when toe Waimairi County Council met last evening. The council had previously written to the Drainage Board expressing concern at the ability of the Styx river to cope with drainage in time of heavy rain, said Cr Adcock ,

“Now we get this long and rather unsatisfactory k'ter back, which indicates that not only is toe board intending to drain into the river water from toe Maireibau area, but it has additional plans for the drainage of other areas of our county into it,” said Cr Adcock “We are concerned lest in eliminating one problem the board may create another." he said.

In its reply, toe Drainage Board said that when land drainage eventually took place in the Pooanui. Winters road, and Philpotts road areas the rate of run-off into the Styx would increase by necessary piping proposals, but the condition of the lower reaches would be watched, and steps taken, if necessary, to maintain satisfactory conditions. “Residents Watching”

“The board says toe position is being watched —I would say that residents in my area are already watching to see how far uo the back doorstep toe water comes,” he said “Every time there is heavy rain, water from the Styx overflows on to the lawns and back doors of many residents of the area.” The board had said that farmers in the area were satisfied with the position—but in fact there was only one farmer.

“1 am glad he is satisfied but there are others in this area, besides this one farmer, who are not satisfied with the efforts of the b n ard tn get the Stvx into condition to cnoe with the water." Cr Adcock said After criticising the board's “silence” during recent newspaper correspondence. Cr Adcock said the Waimairi council had done what it could in writing to the board, and the next move was “over to the residents of toe area "