SUMNER RIPPLES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16497, 6 August 1921, Page 2

SUMNER RIPPLES.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK. [Fkom Our Con respondent.] THE TOWN HALL. On many occasions the borough has been congratulated upon its possession of such a substantial set of municipal buildings and Town Hall. Latterly, however, the hall has proved all too small lor the borough requirements, and careful consideration has been given to means for increasing the accommodation. When the. matter had been gone into fully, it became quite apparent that, without more ground, little could be done. The posiiionw&y discussed at the Burgesses* Association about a month ago. when the matter was referred to the Borough Council. The secretary at last Saturday night’s meeting, advised the society that the council had made arrangements for the purchase of Mr G. Humphrey’s section, which adjoins the building, and would probably liavo the proposed extensions in hand by the beginning of next year. SEA EROSION. Tho daily erosion opposite Shag Rock has become so familiar that the seriousness of tho consequences, attending tho destruction of the sand bank is sometimes lost sight of. The spit is now being attacked on tho seaward side- of the big sand dunes which figured so conspicuously in the landscapo a few yearn ago, but ono is left. Viewed from the pumping station at Redcljffs the extent of the damage , may bo loughly estimated. From this point, thirty years ago. Bell’s Baths were, hid- : 1 ' ! 1 by tho sandhills. Now Scarborough 7 opens up” as far as tho rocks at \A liitowash Heads. Old residents estimate tho removal of the spit during tho last thirty years, particularly the last hro, at anything up to lifteen chains. Tho disappearance of this has been accompanied with the building of in the ostuarv, which is fast becoming a puzzle to local yachtsmen ; and fishermen. LADIES’ RIFLE CLUB. The annual general meeting of this club took place on Wednesday at Miss Kvig’b house in Cliff Street, ‘ Redcliffs. Alter club business had been disposed of a very pleasant social evening was spent, Miss Wood receiving an encore for her singwig of “You’ll Get Heaps of Lickings,” and Miss Ramwell giving a most amusing recitation. Two competitions were won respectively by Miss M Ewan and Miss Ramwell. During the evening Miss Ixeig was presented with a fruit bowl, the president speaking in appreciation of the loyal and unselfish services rendered by her as vice-captain during the three months Miss 31*Ewan bad been absent in Auckland. FOR THE CHILDREN. dho Sumner School Committee, after securing a largo number of books for the school circulating and reference libraries, decided at its meeting this week to purchase a dual set of practice cricket nets for the boys and basket ball apparatus for tho girls. The committee also decided to congratulate the local junior Association foot-ball team, which recently won the grade competition for Christchurch. The school committee reports that tho net proceeds from the. recent children’s fancy dress danco amounted to £7 15s. SUMNER BURGESSES’ ASSOCIATION. The Jast meeting struck a stormy evening. A heavy downpour of rain resulted in a sparse attendance, and the* excellent illustrated lecture so kindly given by Mr J. C. Forsyth, B.Sc., of the electricity department, was lost to a large number who would have thoroughly enjoyed it. REDCLIFFS NOTES. The phenomenally low barometric readings during the week were accompanied by high spring tides, which reached record height on Thursday evening. The waterfront residents in Redcliffs had a very anxious time. In some eases the flood found its way into the houses, and the greatest difficulty was experienced in many eases in get- j ting homo from business ” dry shod. Yards were afloat and the fowls sought refuge on convenient arks,” while the head of the house in manv cases resorted to sundry explorations in gum * boots and other aquatic equipment. Fortunately, the sea was dead calm. The fourth well has now- been completed to a depth of 140 ft at Rat Island, and is giving a flow of fifteen ga’lons per minute. No. 3 well is now delivering thirty gallons per minute. Tho final connection with tho water mains will be made as soon as the staging is removed. The work connected with the new

pumping station and transformer house is being pushed ahead. The wooden shell is up, and concrete filling is pro- * ceeding. Tho finishing of the interiors of the two new reservoirs is to be coinmen ced at once. T'h© introduction of gas into Redcliffs has now- been accomplished, and the first section of the suppliers on tho hills towards Mo nek’s Bay arc now j using it. 1