SPORTING.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1260, 2 April 1878, Page 3

SPORTING.

TAI TAPU RACES. The following are the entries and acceptances for the Tai Tapu races, to be run on Thursday next: — OPEN HURDLE RACE. Mr J. J. Dawson’s b g Ivanhoe, aged Mr Lunn’s c g Merry Monarch, aged Mr D. O’Brien’s b g Eclipse, aged Mr Monk’s bl h Diomedes, 5 yrs Mr Moody’s r g , aged MAIDEN PLATE. Mr Fleming’s b g T ankee Grab, 5 yrs Mr Fleming’s b m Fancy, 4 yrs _ Mr Fleming’s br h Guy Mannering, 4 yrs Mr Sheehan’s b g Orange Peel, 4 yrs TAI TAPU CUP. Mr J. Lunn’s b m Maritana, aged Mr J. Lunn’s c g Merry Monarch, aged Mr D. O’Brien’s b g Eclipse, aged Mr W. Keith’s b g Harlequin, 4 yrs Mr W. Castle’s b m Symphony, aged Mr Shadbolt’s c g Volunteer, 4 yrs district cup. Mr Sheehan’s b g Orange Peel, 4 yrs Mr Fleming’s br h Guy Mannering, 4 yrs Mr Fleming’s b g Yankee Grab, 5 yrs AHURIRI STAKES. Mr Sheenan’s b g Lemon Juice, aged Mr Robinson’s b m Mountain Maid, aged Mr Castle’s b m Symphony, aged Mr Castle’s b m Malvina, 4 yrs Mr Shadbolt’s b g Jack, 3 yrs Mr Fleming’s b h Guy Mannering, 4 yrs. DISTRICT HURDLES. Mr Sheehan’s bg Lemon Juice, aged Mr McFarlane’s b g Charlie, aged Mr Fleming’s b g Raven, 4 yrs Mr Sbadbolt’s bm Lady Bird, 4 yrs.

have so far been, and promise in the future to be successful. 2. About four miles above Christchurch several large springs of water ccur, these are the sources of the river Avon, which flows through the city and suburbs ; these springs arc about thirty-four feet above its level. Within the north east quarter of the city, and also in the suburbs, other springs arise, and the area is intersected by the channels in which they flow to the Avon. A dam is erected across the river within the city area by which the waters are held up 4ft., and power is obtained for working a corn mill; the level to which the water is thus held up is 9ft. above high water in the Estuary, where the maximum range of tide is sft. 9in. 3. The entire fall of the surface of the river in its course of four and a quarter miles within the city and suburbs is from 16ft. to Ift, over high water level, while the average level of the surface of the land lies between 26ft. and Bft. over the same level. Some of the creeks within the suburban area which are fed by springs, and which doubtless have an effect on the level of saturation of the site of the city, are 13ft. above high water level. The borings which have been made show beneath the surface soil an irregular succession of beds of clay, sand, and gravel, generally filled with water. 4 The above conditions are favorable to an abundant supply of water, which is obtained over the entire area of the city at depths of from 80ft. to 160 ft., through which pipes are driven, and the water rises a few feet above the surface. The generally accepted theory is, that owing to the great fall of the River Waimakariri, the water exists in the permeable beds of boulders and shingle beneath the oitv, under pressure, and these, when perforated by the tubes, furnish an artesian supply. It is estimated that there are about 1600 such tubes within the city alone, and that they furnish a supply equal to 150 gallons per head of the present population; the water is said to be very pure and soft, and suitable for domestic purposes. These tube wells, which are generally llin. diameter, are for the most part left to run constantly, the water passing away by the street channelling to the river and creeks, and carries with it the house slops. Few towns have so abundant a supply of water; it has, however, to be pumped or carried for use on upper floors of buildings, for extinguishing fires and all other purposes where pressure is required. 5. The population of the city is 12,370 persons, residing on 950 acres ; in the suburbs, it is estimated at 10,000 persons, residing on 1500 acres ; total, 22,370 persons, residing on 2450 acres. The population is thus at the rate of thirteen per acre in the city, and seven to the acre in the suburbs.

6. The drainage works of the city are at present chiefly confined to the street channels and a long outfall sewer, partly open and partly covered, which has been constructed from a point in Selwyn street along the South and East belts to Tuam street, and thence to the Estuary; its total length is four and threequarter miles; the fall varies from 2ft. to 7ft. per mile, and its depth from 3 ft. to 7ft, The construction of this sewer was, it is said, attended with considerable difficulty, owing to the quicksands met with, and it is now in a somewhat ruinous condition. Various small works have been done for the purpose of improving the drainage and removing the surface water, and it has been found necessary to dig a deep ditch along the Perry road to the Heathcote river, for the purpose of removing storm water; this ditch carries also the sewage from a portion of the town and suburban area, and has been a subject of complaint in the district through which it passes. 7. The fcecal matters are collected from about one-half of the houses in the city by what is known as the pan system, and these are removed under the supervision of the authorities at a cost of 7d per closet per week. It is intended to carry out the system over the entire area, and the cost will then amount to about £4OOO per annum for the city area alone. In other parts of the city and in the suburbs cesspits are in use ; these are simply holes in the earth, and, I am informed, without lining of any kind to prevent the saturation of the surrounding soil with filth. 8. I am indebted to Dr. Powell for the annexed statement* of the mortality in the various districts and towns in the colony for the year 1876, which show's that whereas the mortality for the entire district of Canterbury was at the rate of 12.41 per 1000 inhabitants, in Christchurch the mortality was 22.63 per 1000, or, in other words, out of the total 280 deaths, 127 were due to residence in the city, that being the number in excess of the general average rate of the district. This very considerable mortality was not, I am informed, due to any epidemic or other special disease. The returns for 1877 are not published, but there is said to be a considerable improvement. No separate returns for the suburbs are available, but judging from the foregoing facts I should not expect to find the mortality there to be less than in the city, considering that the soil is there more or less impregnated with fcecal matter in near proximity to the houses, 9. Such are the principal facts which I have ascertained as affecting the question of the drainage of the city, and its present condition. The city is still in its youth ; pollution is a