Bad management, say anglers

Press, 3 August 1976, Page 3

Bad management, say anglers

A Christchurch angling club has complained about the condition of two rivers in the region, and has drawn attention to the importance of maintaining them in good condition for recreation.

In a strongly worded letter to the river control and drainage committee of the North Canterbury Catchment Board, the Christchurch Fishing and Casting Club said the Selwyn River and the L2 stream were

not being managed with recreation in mind.

The Selwyn, which had hitherto been a beautiful river with willow trees lining the banks, was now strewn with willow trees and branches which had been chopped down by the catchment board.

Added to this, a gravel pit had been dug adjacent to a picnic area. The L2 stream south of Lincoln was so polluted with

effluent from the township and Lincoln College that on some occasions “the water is like pea soup, and on others like mutton stew,” the letter said.

The club also suggested that weed cutting could be left until autumn, when the fishing season is completed. The board’s acting chiefengineer (Mr B. P. Dwyer) said he was not very concerned about the willows. The trees had to be felled.

and the area was untidy only while the work was in progress. However, he would tell the workmen about the club's concern.

As for the shingle pit, Mr Dwyer said the material was removed from that particular spot to maintain drainage and he was not prepared to alter that. The committee decided to write to the Ellesmere County Council about the L2 stream allegations.