MONEY VOTED FOR BOULEVARD NOW USED UP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 10

MONEY VOTED FOR BOULEVARD NOW USED UP.

NO MORE WORK CAN BE DONE BEFORE APRIL 1

Practically all the money allocated for expenditure on the riverside boulevard in the current financial year has now been used up, and no further work can be put in hand until after April 1 next. Negotiations are at present in hand, however, with a view to acquiring additional frontages so that the work can be started as soon as more money is available next year. The.work already carried out on both sides of the river gives a good idea of what the scheme will look like when completed, although at present the boulevard has rather a neglected appearance. The City Engineer (Mr A. R. Galbraith) stated this morning that it was unlikely that the roadway would be tarred this season, as there was a pro liability that before long it would be necessary to put in the sewer. The high pressure water pipes were laid on t.he river side, which was a good distance from the frontages of the properties, and it might be considered advisable to lay new pipes rather than trench across the road for each connection that had to be made. He hoped that all these utilities would be laid under the footpath instead of under the road, but until it was decided what was going to be done, it was not advisable to tar the roadway. When properly developed the boulevard would be » magnificent drive, but at present it was, of course, only in its initial stages. The Reserves Department of the council has not had any money available for improvements to the boulevard, but it has been keeping the grass cut, the work being paid for out of ordinary maintenance expendiriire. Next year it is hoped that there will be a special grant made for improving the appearance of the boulevard.