THE ST. CLAIR ESPLANADE.

Evening Star, Issue 8529, 30 May 1891, Page 1

THE ST. CLAIR ESPLANADE.

During his recent visit to Donedin the Minister of Public Works was interviewed in regard to the encroachment of the sea at St. Clair, which is rapidly destroying the esplanade. The expense of repair of present damage, and prevention in the future, are manifestly beyond the means of the Oaversham Borough Council; and although the work is urgently required, in the interests of the inhabitants of the City and suburbs, neither the City nor any other borough can, as the law stands, legally appropriate money for the purpose. Were the municipalities on the Flat amalgamated—as they should have been long ago—the matter might be compassed; but Caversham alone is literally helpless. The Council is barely able to make ends meet, and, as we notice in the report of the proceedings of the annual statutory meeting held on Thursday, has to face a small deficit on the transactions of the last financial year. It is quite clear that something should be done without delay to conserve this favorite recreation ground, which attracts thousands every holiday, and is the daily resort throughout tlje year of ladies and children. We may take it as an established fact that there are no engineering or technical difficulties which cannot easilv be overcome, as is evident from the report of the late Marine Engineer of the Colony, Mr O'Connor, which we published in our issue of the 20th inst. The deputation which met the Minister of Public Works at St. Glair on Wednesday included the Mayor of Caversham and the member of Parliament for the district. Mr BridgMAN, the mayor, endeavored to make out a case for Government assistance, but his arguments tended rather, we conceive, to the effect that the work was one for the City and suburbs unitedly to undertake; and this was the view subsequently taken by the Minister. This consideration was hardly presented with sufficient force : that the Government have very large material interests in the borough—forty acres, more or less, covered with buildings containing valuable plant—whilst not a penny is contributed by the State to the local revenue. We are, of course, aware that the borough has no legal claim, and we are not prepared to discufs just now the large question as to whether Crown property should be subject to rates; but distinctly, in such a case as this, there is an equitable claim to a modicum of help under the somewhat exceptional circumstances. Mr Seddon, although he did not commit himself distinctly, recognises this, and may, we think, be depended on to lend a helping hand in one way or another when once the work is initiated locally. The scheme which he suggests for obtaining tie requisite funds seems to be practicable. The boroughs primarily interested are the City, Caversham, St. Kilda, and South Dunedin; and if the money were borrowed under the Loans to Local Bodies Act the contribution from each towards the payment of the interest would be really insignificant. To do the work thoroughly and efficiently might cost £2,000, which would involve a charge of £IOO a year. Possibly, however, one of Mr O'Connor's plans could be carried out for £I,OOO, and would answer the purpose until better times. If the respective Councils come to an agreement, we have the assurance of the Minister that he will forward the necessary legislation, and that there will be no trouble about getting the money. Since Parliament meets in a few days, there is no time to be lost, and the sooner the Councils meet in conference, as suggested by the Minister, to discuss and settle the question, the better. Reference to the report of Mr O'Connor must needs enforce the conclusion that the encroachment of the sea which is going on at St. Clair cannot be allowed to continue, as, quite apart from spoiling the locality as a recreation ground, very serious risks are involved. Mr O'Connor, writing under date July 12, 1890— since when a great deal more of the esplanade has crumbled into the sea—gives it as his opinion that unless the encroachment ceases of itself—which it has shown no sign of doing, but quite the contrary—or " some effectual measures are taken to " prevent it, there will probably (in " the not very distant future) be con- " siderable damage to the adjoining "properties; and also possibly to a " large portion of the Caversham flat." This, by the way, might have been used as an argument with Mr Seddon : If the sea should break through at St Clair, there is little question as to the submergence of the lower levels of the Flat, and on about the lowest of these are the railway workshops at Hillside. There is immediate necessity, we consider, for the persons most immediately interested to bestir themselves actively, and induce action to be forthwith taken in accordance with the very practical suggestion of the Minister of Public Works. Should the City and Borough Councils fail to agree upon concerted action, and the project of obtaining the required funds under the Loans to Local Bodies Act fall to the ground, the property-holders at St Clair and the neighborhood should take the matter up systematically, and show themselves prepared to do something more than talk, by "wiring a direct appeal to the people of the City and suburbs to subscribe the not very amount which is needed. The Government, there is little doubt from what Mr Seddon said, would supplement the moneys thus raised.