The Avon - a river that is lovely to look at - has a delightful and colourful history, one that reflects the life of the City of Christchurch itself. To the early settlers, frequently living in tents on the river banks, the Avon was the only source of water until seven artesian wells were sunk in Christchurch in 1864. The Avon waters were used by the Christchurch Fire Brigade, and cart-loads of water were taken to settle dust on the rough city streets. The City Mill, the Riccarton mill and the corn mill provided flour for bread. Horses were watered, carts washed, people bathed, trout taken by the basketful from its inner reaches; rowing clubs build boatsheds and canoeists took their pleasure... The river's past is brought to life in this readable and superbly illustrated book...