"BLESSING IN DISGUISE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 82, 8 April 1931, Page 2

"BLESSING IN DISGUISE."

'QUAKE EFFECT ON HARBOUR.

SWIMMING LESS DANGEROUS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

NAPIER, Tuesday,

With the fairly heavy sea that has been running on the Napier foreshore during the past few days, a considerable change is noticed in the manner in which the waves break, due to the rising of the bottom of the sea, and in this respect at least it seems as if the earthquake will have been a bleseing in disguise. For swimmers, especially those who are not aware of its peculiarities, vthe surf has always been recognised as dangerous on account of the strong undertow and the sudden shelving where the waves break. Now, however, the sea bottom slopes away gradually, the waves breaking well out and polling in slowly with comparatively little undertow. At West Shore, which before the earthquake was becoming more and more popular as a seasidf resort, and where a great many improvements had been carried out, it is now possible for swimmers to walk out on the seaward side of the Spit for a distance of about 100 yds without going out of their depth, and some have even tried out the use of surf boards with no_ little success. The beach itself, which was formerly made up of shingle, which despite its appearance had its advantages, is now a long stretch of inviting, fine sand.