The Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1921. IMPROVING THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16559, 19 October 1921, Page 6

The Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1921. IMPROVING THE CITY.

The movement which was recently inaugurated by Mr H. H. Holland to bring the benefits of sub-soil drainagebefore the public lias had a very satis factory result. Property owners who have struggled with an excess of water on their land for years past, and who had no idea that there was a simple and comparatively inexpensive remedy, have reason to be grateful for the information they have received. Tlio disability which affects a fairly considerable area in the northern and northwestern suburbs has been emphasised during the recent- wet spell, when sections have become waterlogged owing to the absence of draining facilities and the incapacity of the land to absorb the amount, of moisture discharged on it. Sub-soil drainage has been used extensively in Otago and Southland, with the best possible effect. Tbs drain-plough performed an enormous service for Southland farmers, and the sub-soil drainage by pipes lias been proportionately helpful urban householders. Over the greater part of Christchurch nature has provided a very effective drainage system in the sub-soil of sand and shingle, which lias an inexhaustible capacity for absorption. However, there are localities which are less happily situated, and which are entirely dependent on evaporation and artificial drainage, and it is to these that the sub-soil drainage scheme will be valuable and helpful. The request by interested residents that the Christchurch Drainage Board should give all the assistance possible is a reasonable one. . The most effective work would be done if there was an association of residents which would collect the necessary information for the board's officers. There is no compulsion in regard to the adoption of the system, and the board’s officers cannot be expected to devote their time to the task of finding out the householders who are favourable to it. That work should be done by a committee of residents, who could advise the board when and where its assistance was wanted. If the scheme is properly launched it should not only benefit the districts concerned, but go a long way towards solving the unemployed difficulty.