The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21,1872.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1477, 21 November 1872, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21,1872.

«» Obtb contemporary the Lyttelton Times itas very pointedly drawn attention to fche state ot the river Avon aa affecting the wanifcary condition of fche city and its suburb*, aud haa alluded to the mortality which has prevailed this Bpring, especially amongst children, as feeing in great measure owing to the -pollution of the water of the river. There is no doubt that this is in some measure owing to the surface drainage of Ohristchurch flowing into the Avon, but this is not the sole cause. It is stated that ia some places below the East town bett tbe watercress has been allowed to grow unchecked until it reaches from bank to bank, and thus a -barrier is made, which not only impedes fche Row of the current bufc intercepts any debris which may come down, a pestiferous mass — consisting of decaying animal and vegetable matter — is thus formed,giving forth that deadly miasma which, being carried over the city by the east wind, causes so many of those little grassy mouuda v to be found in our Cemeteries. There is terrible truth iv this ; it indicates a foe that strikes unheard and unseen ; a foe whose presence is only marked by ita deadly results. This, without doubt, is " the pestilence that wnlketh in darkness, the destruction that wasteth at noon-day." Happily, however, although it is difficult to cure tbe evil consequences which inevitably ensue from the presence of this miasma, ifc ie possible in great measure to prevent its being generated. To accomplish this ifc is necessary that tb,e river ehould afc once be cleared from the Bast belt to its mouth. The beds of watercress nud other obstructions to the free course of the current must be removed, so that the water may flow uninterruptedly to the sea,,,.an&,.fchus the formation of masses of decaying animal aod vegetable matter be prevented. This is a question ial which <the citizens of Christchurch are inteI'eßted as much as the inhabitants of those districts on the banks of the river where the uuisauce exists. There fs no doubt that a portion of the expense of clearing the river below the East belt ought to be borne by the City, Council, bufc it .by no,. means follows that the Heathcote aud Avon ' Koad Buards should be allowed to go scot free. The plea of' "no. funds available ■' set up by one of these bodies — the Heathcote Koad Board, if wo mistake not — ought not fco be allowed to prevail for- a single moment.--They -ehould be mado to contribute *their quota of the c p Bi of abating «tb© nuisance, just in fche same manner 'as the City Council had to take steps ..Tor abating that caused by the Perry •Road drain, It is a matter, however, -in which the Provincial Council will : probably have to interfere, and, it is ' very fortunate that the Bession is about •to commence. If the City Council and fche Road Boards we have named still continue to refuse or neglect to 7. carry out this necessary work, it .should >b 8 performed by the ProvinciaLGrOvern- ■»' inent, and tbe expense imcurred>-de* j ducted from the graats in aid voted to , those bodies. Ther® ia one matter, however, which will have to be seriously considered by * the City Council. Christchu*ch• hae £no right to pollute the wate^. of the ( >iver by pouring intc ifoihe^i^age; of the city, whether by means of surface drains or otherwise. No doubt freeing

the channel from . obstructions wbich impede the full flow of the current will do much to alleviato the evil com plained of, but it will not work an effectual cure. To do this, the source must be eradicated, the Bupply of polluting matter cutoff. Sooner or later this will have to be done, and it would be well if the members of the City Council were at once seriously to cod aider the question. It is one of vita importance to the health of the city ; one which is deserving of the most earnest consideration. Clearing the river will doubtless effect good, tempo rarily, but provision must be made for not only keeping the channel opea bu! for preventing the water from being polluted. The former of thcs3 i* clearly the duty of the Heathcote and A.yon Eoad Boards ; the latter is the province of the City Councilor Christchurch.