DRAINAGE AT BROOKLANDS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30221, 28 August 1963, Page 20

DRAINAGE AT BROOKLANDS

Problem Discussed Drainage at Brooklands was discussed between representatives of the Christchurch Drainage Board and the Brooklands Community Centre at the centre’s annual meeting. With the lack of drains and stormwater channels in the district, storm and flood waters could not escape to the Styx river and backed up on to residents’ properties, the meeting was told. The flooding problem was becoming disastrous, it was said. Mr J. McLeod, who has kept records of the levels of the Styx river since 1952, said the river level had built up in recent years. He suggested that the flooding problem could be overcome by diverting the Styx river further upstream into the Brooklands lagoon. He offered to take readings and observations of the river for the Drainage Board if the board provided a suitable observation site.

The Drainage Board representatives promised to recommend to the board that it approach Mr McLeod. A Community Centre committee member Mr C. Curragh, said after the meeting that the executive would discuss the drainage problem at a later meeting, possibly with a view to calling a public meeting with representatives of the Waimairi County Council, the Drainage Board and the North Canterbury Catchment Board. Concern at the numbers of water skiers using tfce lagoon and the danger this created to children and bathers, was expressed at the meeting. It was decided that the matter be further discussed at the new committee’s first meeting with a view to approaching the Marine Department and the Lyttelton Harbour Board. Future Of Domain

Members were divided on whether the 20-acre domain owned by the centre should be sold. After considerable discussion it was decided that the matter should be reviewed in six months.

The retiring* president (Mr H. Smallbon) said that offers had been made for the purchase of the land, which had fallen into disuse. Gorse and other weeds had overgrown the area, and the tennis courts were no longer used. Maintenance of the domain was not warranted, some members felt. Others considered that the land should be kept so that it could be developed into a reserve when the future growth of the district warranted.

The president's report said that the executive had worked particularly hard during the year. Considerable progress had been made, and the improvements had been made to the community hall.

Kjnc wui wicii wviik ivr a Committee members elected at the meeting were' Messrs L. McDowell. M Weir, T E. Bryce, C. Curragh. H Pannell, J. Bashford and Mesdames F. Kirk, L. McDowell, T. Keir and S. Rodgers. The chairman, secretary and treasurer will be appointed at the committee’s first meeting for the year.