TO ERECT WEIR ON RIVER AVON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 15

TO ERECT WEIR ON RIVER AVON.

ROWING ASSOCIATION PROCEEDS WITH SCHEME.

A meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Association was held last evening; present—Messrs F. D. Kesteven (chairman), W. Duggan, A. E. Nightingale, W. S. Godfrey, G. H. Hobbs, F. L. Booth, A. T. Evans, D. Boyd, S. Dunn, W. L. Whittington and R. J. Hobbs (secretary). The secretary reported that he had written to the City Council, stating that many years ago a fund was raised for the improvement of the river Avon for rowing purposes. A portion of the money was expended in that direction, and the balance deposited with the City Council until required. As it was proposed shortly to increase the depth of the river by putting in a weir, the association would be glad to know the present amount of the fund. The Town Clerk replied, stating that the fund amounted to £7OO 6s Id, which had been invested as follows: — £SOO in the destructor and sanitary works loan debentures, due June 30, 1930; £2OO in Christchurch roading loan debentures, due July 5, 1965; cash in hand, 6s Id. Before stating definitely that the money would be available when required, the council wished the association to furnish full details of the work proposed to be undertaken in the fiver. The secretary of the Christchurch Drainage Board advised that the bo-rd would sanction the erection of a dam of a permanent nature in the river Avon, in the vicinity of the present dam, provided the height thereof was in accordance with the provisions of the board’s Act, and the locality and design of such conformed to the engineer’s requirements. The secretary said that Mr Kesteven had kindly offered to take over the bonds so that the work could be started. Permission to erect the weir had been held up by the council at the request of the Health Officer (Dr Telford). In the meantime they were waiting to hear from the council. A member asked why the Health Officer had raised an objection. Mr Hobbs replied that he did not think there was any objection to the proposal. He took it that Dr Telford wanted to be sure that the plans conformed to the Health regulations. The job would have to be done according to specifications, and under the City Engineer’s supervision.

The matter -was left in the hands of a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs F. D. Kesteven, R. J. Hobbs and A. E. Nightingale, with power to act.