SPREYDON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12645, 31 May 1919, Page 4

SPREYDON NEWS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. [FeOM OUH COSRESPONDEKT.] BOROUGH INSPECTION. The members of the Borough Council' made their annual inspection of the borough on Saturday last, visiting places requiring special attention which would enable the council to deal w'iffl them from first-hand knowledge. Generally speaking, the streets were in' very good condition, with the exception of one or two in the West that required special attention. The tourists, when about .half-way through their inspection, found themselves either by accident or design in thel vicinitv of the Mayor’s residence, and) hero the party were entertained by the Mayoress (Mrs Manhire) at a welcome anu dainty afternoon tea. The wanderings of the party were then resumed, and a complete survey of the borough’s! needs made. DRAINS. During the course of inspection ofi the borougli by the council, examination was made of- a very evil-looking sump in Lincoln Road which connects with the main drain and is under thei control of the Drainage Board. This large open drain, winch is for the purpose of carrying the storm-water from the low-lying portions of the district, ; - runs its devious and tortuous way foil close on two miles across the borough, when it empties into the Heathcotel River near the bridge in Colombo! Street South. It would Appear that the whole of the surface drainage of! Hiilmorton (which is a closely settled district of the county) is carried to thei intake of the drain, and is in a large! measure responsible for tho state of things found at the sump.on the Spreydon side of Lincoln Road. Strong exception was taken by several members of the council to this drain being made) the receptacle for possible offensive* matter from a district over which the) council had'no control, and to the fact that, while the drain takes the surface drainage from a large district which is outside the borough, tho whole maintenance charges in connection with the dram are placed against the borouglil of Spreydou. STREET WIDENING. That portion of South Orescent Road between Kipling and Barrio Streets which is used by the Coronation Street), tram is, owing to its narrow and curving nature, a danger spot for vehicular traffic. This will bo accentuated shortly, as a new road is to connect with .South Orescent Road at this danger point. It is understood that tho owners of the properties on tho north side of tins) road are prepared to give the required land to make the road of uniform width right through, conditionally upon the fences being erected and the drain covered and filled in. It would he in 'the public interest if the four bodies interested—the City Council, Spreydonl Council, the Drainage Board and the Tramway Board—were to join in im-l proving what is now a dangerous portion of South Crescent Road. AN INSPECTION INCIDENT. The members of the council were advancing in skirmishing order down a somewhat narrow street, bent upon a close inspection of the locality, when tlieir progress was arrested by the appearance and advance of two ladies, armed with knitting needles, with which thoy were busily using. They evidently, meant business, and opened the attack upon the invaders by demanding, in the name of the residents, that the street name plate removed be Reinstated forthwith. The attack was' so sudden and unexpected that the members of the expedition could offer only a feeble and ineffective resistance.. They decided that in this instance discretion was the better part of vakmr )( and at once commenced a rapid bulfj orderly retreat to the waiting motorcars. The Mayor, armed with a set smile and conciliatory words, faced the valiant two, and with diplomatic promises secured a suspension of hostilities, finally arranging an honourable and. if is hoped, a lasting peace. A SPREYDON BOY. The Mayor (Mr A. Manhire) has rej word from hfs son Monon, who i passed through the Sockhurn Aviation School, and went to England, that he has passed his examination and has" received his commission as a flight Keu-f tenant. STRAY DOGS. From reports received, it would appear that Mr Roberts, of Lincoln) Road, has been a heavy loser owing to the depredation of these useless ani-» mals amongst some store sheep, a score or more having been badly worried and killed. • Items of interest for this column must be in not later than Thursday in each week, signed, addressed Spreydon Nows, 151, Somerfield Street, Spreydon.