WEIRS IN AVON.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 8

WEIRS IN AVON.

I V DEEPENING THE LEVELS. CITY COUNCIL'S REBPONSIBILITY. Reference was made to the proposed erection of weirs in the Avon in a letter received from the Drainage Board by the City Council last evening. The Board's letter was in reply to a communication from the Council advising that tho Christ-church Beautify, ing Society had asked the Council for permission to erect weirs in the Avon, and submitting the proposal for the Board's opinion. The Board's letter in ! reply stated that provided movable weirs were erected, which would not rise the water above its original level before the r;ver sweeper commenced oper-' ations, there should be no objection to the proposaj, it being understood, of course, that tho Board must still be indemnified against all claims that might bo mado ir. respect of any alleged damage due to tho presence of such weirs. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said tho sting of the letter was in the tail. Cr. C. Carr: But there can't bo any risk if the level of the river is not raised. Cr. G. K. Hunter moved that the letter be referred to the "Works Committee. Cr. E. M. Macfarlane seconded. Cr. Garr said this might be a move on the part of the Drainage Board to saddle the Council with the liability for ■accidents, causes for which had always existed in the past, but for which the Council was not responsible. He did not know whether Cr. J. "W. Boahland' was responsible for the astute move the letter represented. ■ Cr. J. W. Eaberts said they should not take any further action. Cr. Beanland said the point the Drainage Board was making was that if the Council granted permission for weirs it must take tho responsibility. Or. E. 11. Andrews said they should withhold a decision until the river sweeper had finished its work. At present the sweeper was piling- up stuff j flVad of it, which was in itself acting ] -• r, weir. On the Mayor's suggestion, the letter wf« referred" to the Reserves. Commit- i too. in conjunction with the Works Committee.