Redcliffs Drainage

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32018, 19 June 1969, Page 16

Redcliffs Drainage

Sir,—The creek running from the rifle range to the estuary is. in an absolutely filthy and disgusting state. Since April, 1968, when the creek became a raging torrent, causing severe erosion, not one Drainage Board employee has done so much as clear the branches and debris deposited along much of its length, nor carry out any corrective work. Where this creek reaches my property the concrete lining of the banks halts, and now it is nothing more than an open sewer being the host to the entire rat population of Moncks Bay. We look like being saddled with a 12 r-r cent rate increase. Let us hope this year that the local authorities can see their way clear to spending a few dollars in Moncks Bay.—Yours, etc., R.A.B. June 10, 1969. [Mr P. J. McWilliam, chief engineer of the Christchurch Drainage Board, replies: “This drain is given regular attention by the board’s staff and has been cleaned three times in the last nine months. Further, sewage is not discharged to the drain and there is no indication of its being an open sewer. Concrete lining for a distance of seven chains was completed in February, 1968. This was all that was necessary at that time. Provision has been made to do a further short length immediately upstream of the present lining when more urgent work on other drains has been completed.

It could thus be some time before this work is done. It is clear from your correspondent’s letter that his property will be within the length of proposed work, and your correspondent has previously been advised along the above lines.”]