DREDGING THE AVON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6888, 25 June 1890, Page 4

DREDGING THE AVON.

■» MEETING OP CITIZENS. A meeting of those interested in the question of dredging the river Avon was held in the City Council Chambers at 4 p.m. yesterday. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there was a fairly numerous attendance. The Mayor said that the object of the meeting was to afford the Provisional Directors of the Avon Steam Packet and Dredging Company an opportunity of stating what had been done since the last meeting held to consider the subject. Up to the present time SGB shares had been subscribed for, and 106 shares had been promised, but the deposits thereon had not been paid., A. few hundred more shares were required to be taken up. The subject wbb one of great importance, not only to the city, but to the suburbs, and it had been proved by the report of competent engineers that the proposals of Mr Walker were thoroughly practicable. It was necesdttty that the dredge should be placed on tfae iWet by November. The Directors thought that it would not be right to incur the cost of constructing the dredge until, Bay, 1000 shares were taken up. Hence he had thought it advisable to call those interested. together, and lay the position of affairs before them. Mr W. B. Perceval, M.H.R., said he was surprised at the apathy on the subject by the City Council and the other public bodies interested in the question of cleanjag- the river, the condition of which was such that it was extremely unhealthy and disagreeable at present, and that a flood would occasion serious damage and loss. The Drainage Board could not, from want of funds, do anything in the matter, except make a contract with the Company for clearing the river, and this they were willing to do. The plan proposed wao, it had been proved, quite feasible ; the promoters were not buying a pig in a poke, for the kind of steamer proposed was running successfully on many other rivers, and the hedgehog dredge had been used with great success in England. He wa3 surprised at the apathy of the boating men on the subjecr, and thought that all who took an interest in the welfare of the city, or had any pride in the river, which was considered one of itß chief ornaments, should support the Company by taking up shares. If the required number of shares wore not subscribed, there would be nothing to do but drop the project. Dr Frankish said that, as one of the custodians of ( the public health, ho could say that the present condition of the liver ! could not possibly be worse. He had taken a part in procuring the removal of the dam at Lane's mill, and' the good which had been done thereby was proved by the fact that a cellar in Hereford street which in previous winters had never had less than from ISm to 3ft of water in it, this winter had hot a drop in it. New Zealand had an enviable reputation as a place of residence for those suffering from chest disease, and Christchurch was not behind the rest of the Colony in thia respect. Though Christohurch had a very expensive and a very good system of drainage, there was no doubt that the promoters of that system had the idea that the bed of the river must be lowered still further. If Christchurch was to be made really healthy, tlie ddbris in the river must be removed. . He had no doubt that much of the disease which he know existed along the bank of the river was duo to the bad condition of the river. Mr C. Louisson thought that taking the dam away had not had the good results i which Dr Prankish claimed for it. The ' cellar referred to by the doctor had been

faultily built, and that was the reason why the water got into it. He was quite satisfied that the gentlemen who agitated for the removal of the Hereford street dam had done so entirely from interested motives, because they thought doing bo would improve the properties in which they were interested. (Hear, hear.) Not one of those gentlemen had applied for shares in the present Company, though Dr Prankish had hinted that they desired the removal of the dam merely as a prelude to deepening the river. Dr Prankish had not said anything about the practical part of the question, which was that a certain number of shares must be taken up if the scheme was to succeed. He (Mr Louisson) was of opinion that if a few of those more immediately interested — those living along I the river — would devote a small portion of their time to making a canvass for shares, the Company would soon be floated. Mr W. H. Hargreaves thought it would be a mistake to import any bitter feeling with regard to the past. Every resident in Christchurch, whether interested in property along the river or not, must feel that the river was a very great eyesore. He would suggest that those present who wore not already shareholders should put down their names for shares. It would, he j thought, tend to advance the Company if it were pointed out that it was sob a mere money-making affair, but one intended to advance the general good. Mr Louisson said that ho did not wish to import any bitter feeling, but he did not wish it to go down to poßierity that the gentlemen who removed the dam were those who liad improved the river. Mr E. Dobson said that, as one who had first helped to improve the river, he might say that he had always opposed the erection of the dam, which he knew had done a deal of harm by waterlogging the surrounding land. He was quite satisfied of the feasibility of Mr Walker's plan, and though he did not wish to take any shares, he was willing to give £5 to advance the project. Mr Deacon suggested that everyone present should undertake to dispose of a certain number of shares. He did not know what the representatives of the city in Parliament were about when they allowed the control of the river to pa.-s to the Drainage Board. He thought that the JJoroitgk Councils asd other bodies interested should join in the work of improving the condition of the Avon. The Mayor thanked those present for their attendance, and expressed a hope that they would see that some practical result arose from the meeting. . A vote of thanks to his Worship for presiding closed the meeting.