MARINE DRIVE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 12

MARINE DRIVE

Complaint of Vandalism RESIDENTS INDIGNANT Several Instances Given Evidence of a growing feeling of indignation among residents of the bays against the destruction, said to have been going on for the past 10 w 15 years,' along Wellington’s fine marine drive was secured yesterday by a “Dominion” reporter. From the time of Cook’s anchoring the Endeavour in November, 1773, off Chaffer’s Passage, until quite recently, he was told, the coast line around the fringe of the harbour had remained as Nature made it. Of recent years, however, it was stated, the beauty and rugged grandeur of the marine drive had been much interfered-with, and the continual destruction of such distinctive features as the pinnacle rock formation on the marine parade at Seatoun had sadly grieved older residents.

“The queer thing about the drive,” said one resident, “is that although the Wellington City Council spends so much on advertising it, nothing practical has been done to beautify it, and vandalism is allowed to run riot.” He went on to say that Government departments controlled the major portion of the foreshore, and apparently, with few exceptions, were indifferent to the state of the areas they administered. ' “The. citizens of Wellington ought to feel jealous of the magnificent birthright they have in this drive,” declared another resident of the bays, “with its glimpses of snowclad peaks opening up as the motorist speeds along.” ' * Protest to the Mayor. Last 'month a requisition was sent to the City Council from a number of citizens .interested in the preservation of the natural beauties of the waterfront, including Messrs. C. D. Morpeth (president of the Civic League), A. E. Mabin, W. L. Palmer, W. Mupie, L. G. A. Owen, J. Kircher, W. I. J. Blyth, R. L. Macalister, and 8. Holm. They called the Mayor’s attention to the destruction of pinnacle rocks at Turakina Bay,' near Breaker Bay, for roadmaking purposes, and asked that immediate instructions should be given to prevent this. They also suggested that the City Council should give definite instructions to its officers that the natural features of Wellington’s, seaside drives must be preserved as far as possible, and that no interference be made with the prominent land'marks without some publicity being given. Irreparable damage, they contended, had been done in the past to rocks at Worser Bay, Karaka Bay, and Breaker Bay, and they claimed that citizens should be given a chance of protesting if some official, without any regard for scenery preservation, proposed to destroy any of the beauties of the foreshore. It was pointed out that the Seatoun and Bays Progressive Association, which represented the residents from Breaker Bay to Scorching Bay, had been responsible for many improvements being effected in the past, such as tar-sealed roads and footpaths and the bathing shelter on Worser Bay beach, from which the City Council now derives substantial revenue in the summer months. It was also suggested that a harbour society could do valuable work in insisting upon improvements such as a permanent wall at high-water mark at Worser Bay, with an overhanging lip to catch the sand encroachment whidh at present was such a nuisance to residents and visiting motorists. Such a -society, it was claimed, could, also join in the protest against the destruction of rocks which was atipresent going onon the military reserve between Palmer Head and Moa Point. Need for Protests. Strong protests could, then be made against the complete destruction of the beach at Breaker Bay by the carting away of gravel, and the terribly gabbed appearance of the hillside quarries at the end of the. Pass of Brenda. Something should also be done at once, it w-as said, to stop the destruction of trees and plants which was going on at Worser Bay, where it was declared to be impossible to grow ornamental trees owing to the depredations of children. A handsome Norfolk pine had struggled for years against destructive children, and still lived, despite the fact that its base was usually littered with pine-needles. A Miramar resident referred to the many beautiful motor drives which were available on the hills overlooking the bays, and feaid the City Council should set in the direction of putting in order the thirty-acre reserve it possessed on Miramar Peninsula. Questioned as to whether the Wellington Automobile Club was in sympathy with the preservation of the natural beauties around the foreshores; a representative of the club said that it was unfortunate that this-destruction was going on In what was known ns the Defence reserve. ■ The Government having control of this area should, he contended, take steps to prevent any further damage.