SEA EROSION

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 75, 26 September 1916, Page 3

SEA EROSION

ENCROACHMENT Af SEATOUN

PROPOSED LOAN TO BUILD WALL.

MEETING OF MIRAMAR RATE-

PAYERS,

The proposal to raise a loan of £4500 for protective works in the borough of Miramar was discussed at a meeting of ratepayers held there last evening. Mr. F. Townsend presided.

In explaining the reason for holding the meeting, the Chairman stated that •the people residing at Miramar and1 Seatoun, especially Seatoun, knew the necessity for some protective work being carried out. Of late the erosion had been so great that the work wo'ild have to be done. As a good many ot' those present were aware, the borough had never been too flush of funds, and that was why the work had not been done. The present wall had been built in 1910. but owing to the attitude of one propertyowner it was not possible to continue it. The property had since changed hands, and the present owner was agreeable to allowing the .wall to be continued. The longer the work was delayed the "greater the erosion would be, and. the cost would be greater. It had been thought that the work could be done out of revenue, but it would be necessary to raise a loan. Mr. Furkert, of the Public Works Department, had prepared a, report which had been approved by Mr. Holmes, engineer-in-chief.

The report was "read by Mr. Fox, the Borough Engineer. It pointed out the necessity for restoring the beach to its former • condition, and suggested that a rubble wall, topped with concrete, should be erected.

Mr. Townsend said the council had adopted the scheme. The estimated cost was £3800, and the council wanted authority k> borrow £4500. The work would take two years, so it did not mean that the borough would be put to the expenditure straight away. It would, however, be necessary to levy a rate of l-6d in the £. The question had been asked : Why are you rating the whole of the borough for a work on the Seatoun beach ? The answer was that Seatoun beach belonged to Miramar, and the work would be of benefit to the whole borough. He hoped the ratepayers would look favourably on the loan. If it were rejected he did not know how they were going to get on. '

A Voice : What is the value of the land where the erosion is taking place?

Mr. Townsend : Something like four to five pounds a foot.

Mr. R-awsoh suggested that wooden groynes would be effective.

The Mayor replied that it was proposed to .build wooden groynes as well as the concrete wall. In answer to a question as to whether it would be done by contract, he said that this point had not been decided.

Mr. Crawford expressed himself as opposed to wooden groynes.

Tlie Mayor stated that there would be two rows of experimental groynes. These were very essential. It was hoped to raise the money at 5^ per cent.

Mr. Fox read a report of the work required. He recommended that the wall should be built by the council, as the work woiild be regulated by the tides. The Mayor, in conclusion, stressed the necessity for the loan, and pointed out what a valuable asset the beach was to the borough. _