IMPROVING THE AVON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16353, 16 February 1921, Page 6

IMPROVING THE AVON.

TO TH"E EDITOR. Sir, —While not particularly sanguine over the matter of a definite scheme for the improvement of the Avon developing as the result of tho latest movement, 1 am inclined to agree with previous correspondents in tho belief that the prospects certainly encourage the hope that something of a more concrete lorm than was associated with the several movements emanating from past public meeting will emerge. Seemingly we now have some public men who are fully alive to the fact that the matter is one which cannot well be shelved much longer, and to my mind the question is whether these men are in sufficient force and are sufficiently determined to compel action of a definite character. It is sincerely to be hoped that the affirmative is the answer, for there is sure to be opposition when it comes to ways and means, and the majority may lean to tho easy way, or in other words, pass it on to the future. Still, now that interested bodies have awakened from their years of indifference and lethargy the outlook is certainly move promising than it ever has been. As an old rowing man, I have deplored the shrinkage that has been going on for years, the ever narrowing banks and tho over decreasing depth. My hope is that no scheme will bo accepted which does not make provision for a regatta course- Below .Burwood a course oi a mile or a mile and a furlong, straight enough and wide enough tor all purposes, could be made by dredging. The course would not be affected Lv the wind, and would, therefore, always be available. True, it would not accommodate more than three crews at a time, but that need be no deterrent to the idea, for in Australia now—at Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane—the principal regattas are carried out on the plan adopted at Henley-on-Thames. That is, a short course and heats. . With such a course the Henley-on-Avon would be the envy of all wet bobs outside the Christchurch centre.—l am, OLD ROWER.