LINWOOD AND AVONSIDE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12409, 29 August 1918, Page 6

LINWOOD AND AVONSIDE.

BURGESSES’ ASSOCIATIONS. IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED. “We have a membership of about two hundred,” said Mr T. S. Dacro, secretary of tho Limvood Burgesses’ Association, ty a “Star” reporter, whoso quest concerned tho work done, or to bo done, by the association, “and when a'ny * burning question ’ is on the business sheet they roll up ‘ in their thousands/ as the .saying lias it, and tho hall cannot hold them. There are, however, no burning questions on tho tire of consideration just at present, but the deeds of accomplishment of tho past comprise a, meritorious list. Tho association has been in existence for eight years, and it quickly sot to work to get North Limvood included in the Limvood ward, and tho desired result was attained. Later Avonsido was brought in. But now, of course, the actual wards have been abolished. Much of the effort of the association has been directed towards tho improvement of Limvood Park, at the corner of Aldwin’s Road and the Canal Reserve, and through its instrumenlalilv a band rotunda has been erected there, and ornamental gates hare been placed at tho entrance. Tho association has been agitating to get the park improvcd in other ways, notably by having scats placed at suitable spots, but in tins direction it is at present a case of waiting for the better times to come.

One battle which the association fought with success was for the provision of a tramway shelter at the Bank ot rvew Zealand corner, in the Square, for the convenience ot people using the Limyood car service. The desired objective was achieved after two years'' uoik, during which veritable sheaves of correspondence passed between the interested bodies. The duplication of the tramway lino from the city to a point near Rollcston Street was the outcome of continued representations ov the association, and another proposal, in which it took an antagonistic role, and was again a winner, was in connection with the block system for the milk supply, The desirability for the location of a fire sub-station at the corner of Canal Reserve and Worcester Street has ior the time being, owing to expense, to be classed among those things which are “.to he kept steadily m view.”' For a long time now estimates have boon available on the questions of sewerage and high-pressure water supply for those portions of the district a: present out of the system, but here again the cost of the service has caused the project to be left in abeyance.

‘‘'there are dozens of other little things.” remarked Mr Dacre, '‘but one improvement asked for has just been agreed to. after a series of negotiations with the Tramway Board and the Christchurch City Council. This is tho widening of the road and the rounding of a dangerous corner at the intersection of Cashel Street and Sianniore Bond, by the purchase of a strip of land at the south-eastern side. This will do away with {in ever-present danger, as tho cars run within a very narrow, margin of the footway. It‘is intended to carry out an inspection of tlie district in regard to the lighting, and note for future action corners and points which need attention.”

The Avonsidc Burgesses’ Association, whoso representatives sit in conference with those of Linwood when matters of large moment are being mooted, was founded in March, 1915, and tho comparatively short period of time intervening has been crammed full of activity.

“ When the Avonsidc Burgesses’ Association came to light,” Mr W. J. Jenkin, president of tho association, stated to tho reporter, ‘''the district was under tho Hcathcote County Council, and it was for this reason that the district could get nothing doiip for tlie money that it was paying in rates that the association was formed. One strong reason was tho necessity for tho improvemonlt of the drainage, and a better supervision of the channels. Aronsido was then one of the worst, lighted districts in C hristcliiircb, possessing only ■ fourteen lamps, and the association made a move, when the electric light came into the city. Me approached the fleathcoto Council, but it put fora arc! schemes which wo deemed to bo impossible, so we asked the Oitv Council to light th o 'district for us, and after a deal of bard work this’ was clone. Now wo have the whole of the district lighted. During the latter part of 1915 differences with the Kenth-

cotp County Council caused a. deterniiiicd oliort tu bo made to join tho city, together with Bromley' and St -Martins, through the Heathcote Uni ten Burgesses’ Association, mid after fifteen months' hard work tho Commission wa.s set up, and tho case heard. As a result, on March 27, 1916, we " ( ' rf ‘ admitted, to the city on our capital value rating, and during the time we have been merged in Greater Christeliuich mc have not had for regret. We have still plenty to do. though, to make our district as attractive as possible.” nmong the principal works that the association had successfully tackled, Air pointed out, was the. concreting ol Brittain « drain, that runs from the bottom of Aide Road through to the m or. which at the time of the formation of the association was only a drain cut through the land, and anything hub conducive, to healthy conditions. Another gioat improvement, to ho undortaken shortly, will bo the widening of River Road and Retreat Road, at '-warm s Rond bridge, or hotter known as Ostlors Corner. “Tins is an improvement,” Air Jcnkin states, “that the Heathcote County Council lias tried to bring about with success for many years: in fact, ever since the bridge was erected. The sharp turn off the bridge on to River Road constituted a very dangerous corner, and we have noM- been able to arrange this between the City Council and Air Ostler. Thus the Retreat Road will bo complete, also Com-1 ishaw Street. Then the River Road, between these two streets as far as Ostler s property, will ho fifteen feet water than at present, and when tho angle of the bridge is altered, which wo have arranged' for the council to do, tho Avonsmo district will be greatly unproved. A\ hen tho association was formed there was a very unsightly corner at Retreat Road and Patten Street just opposite the Pioneer Jam Factory, where there was a large, heap of -stones and rubbish. This was a section belonging to the district, and wo had it fenced by the Heathcote County Council. IVo hopo to improve this fencing, and plant the section in a proper manner. The Mile Road footpath in the .ironside portion is not complete. Micro are three owners whoso lands nave yet to he cut up and footpaths put rigid, through. Wo have Bus m hand, and already two of the OM-ncrs have stated their willingness to assist■ m this direction. Allien this is completed and the road put in order it will give a good entrance to our district,.'

There is now, after considerable agitation, complete fire protection in the district, and ou the occasion of a recent outbreak the fire brigade was on the spot from the Lichfield Street station in four minutes.