PLANTING SAND DUNES

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20961, 15 September 1933, Page 8

PLANTING SAND DUNES

AREA AT NORTH BEACH | SCHEME DISCUSSED BY LOCAL BODIES A scheme lo employ hundreds of men in planting an area at North Beach to prevent the drift of sand on to nearby properties, was discussed at a meeting' of interested local bodies yesterday, but no decision was reached to put the scheme into operation, because of the difficulty of arranging financial assistance. It was decided, however, to ask the Forestry Department to supply a report on the methods of dealing with the matter and to approach the Government for assistance when this report had been received. It was stated that the scheme would give employment for 500 men for a period up to two years. The meeting was convened by the Christchurch Unemployment Committee, which was represented by Mr J. W. Cramp ton. Messrs W. P. Spencer (Canterbury Education Board), W. Hay ward and M. J. Barnett (Christchurch City Council). W. G. Chapman and W. J. Walter (Waimairi County Council), J. Nairn and J. li. Scott (Selwyn Plantation Board) were also present. Mr Spencer was in the chair. Mr Crampton said that the cost of making a manuka fence two miles long would be £IOO. If the Christchurch City Council would allow the manuka scrub to be obtained from, its reserve at Chaneys the cost would be much less. He considered that the work would take up to two years to complete, for it was proposed to plant an area two miles long by a half-mile wide. Work would be provided for 500 men, and the scheme would add considerably to the value of nearby property. Mr Walter remarked that there were several landowners as well as three local bodies interested in the scheme. It would be a great benefit to relief workers.

Council Unable to Help. Mr Barnett, superintendent of park and reserves, said that the only plantation from which scrub could* be obtained was from Chaneys. He thought that the scheme could not be finished within three years, and considering the needs of the council, he was certain that it would be a foolish policy for the council to give away manuka scrub which it would need. He thought the scheme was a good one and that it was a sound way of stopping sand moving inland and covering up good land. But there were 300 acres of shifting sand to be dealt with and there was no chance of obtaining the necessary scrub from Chaneys. Marram grass alone would be useless for planting on the dunes near the sea without a fence being erected also. He said that there was a lot of land nearby covered with broom, and this broom would be equally useful. Mr Nairn said that no financial assistance could be given by the Selwyn Plantation Board. Mr Hayward said that the scheme seemed an admirable one, but he could give no indication of the council's attitude towards it. Mr Barnett then suggested that the Government be approached for assistance. Mr Chapman moved that the Forestry Department be consulted and asked to supply a comprehensive report on the scheme. It was stated that this department had done a good deal of work in stopping the movement of sand drifts in the North Island, and its report would probably be a great assistance if the Government was to be approached.. The motion was carried, and it was decided to approach the Government for assistance when the report was obtained.