The Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1909. WIDENING THE AVON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9521, 20 April 1909, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1909. WIDENING THE AVON.

The Floral Fete Trustees could not have put the surplus money in their bands to a better use than they have done in allotting a substantial sum for the purpose of improving the .river in its northern reaches. The Avon, stall remains the pride of the City, and tho Beautifying Association hae done a great deal by planting and trimming its banks to make that pride justifiable. But the river has other than decorative uses, and for, a long time past the rowing men of the City have had to contend with severe disabilities from its shallowness and the awkward conformation of its banks at those places where it is most suitable for. the practice of the sport. They have put their hands -in their own pockets time after time with a view to remedying these disadvantages, but the money at their disposal lias never been sufficient to allow of their effecting more than temporary improvements, and the local regattas ! have had tot bo rowed under circuit stances that have not given the competing crews even chances. Th& perpetual drift of weed and the awkward corners of the course have stood in the way of effective rowing and have seriously handicapped the enthueiaerts who enjoy the pastime. Thanks to the generosity of the trustees of the Floral Fete fund a very useful permanent- improvement is now being made. The awkward - abutment at Cowlishaw's Corner, which has always been the despair of rowing raeai, is being cut away for some chains, and its removal will nob onlj straighten the river considerably at that point but will allow of the freer flow of the water and probably tend to a deepening of the course. When this work is completed Several other cornei-s are also to be straightened' co far aa the money available will permit, and there is e/ery prospect, of the course being improved out of all knowledge' ac a result of the works, which are Wing effected under the supervision of the Drainage Board and the Floral Feta trustees. But there will still bo room, even with the completion of the suggested improvements, for much farther effective work, if only the funds are available. Rowing is a sport that has prospered in Canterbury in the face of many difficulties, and the province has repeatedly produced teams which hare done it credit both at home and afield. The revival of interest in the pastime consequent upon the performances of Arnst and Webb is finding a practical illustration on the river, and the time appeals to be ripe for some special effort to improve the conditions under which "the . sport is engaged in. ' '#