THE PROTECTIVE WORKS AT ST. CLAIR.

Evening Star, Issue 10793, 30 November 1898, Page 4

THE PROTECTIVE WORKS AT ST. CLAIR.

TO THU EDITOR. Bir, —As the ratepayers of Dunedin and suburbs are to be called on to decide whelht r they are willing to tax themselves considerably to restore a piece of ground at the sea beach at S f . Clair which the sea has recently taken away, the wrifer would respectfully k»k your favor to be allowed to state his views on the subject. It is universally agreed by all who have studied the subject that the Peninsula wan at one time an island (probably not long ago), and that the action of the sea and wind has formed the very large sandhills oil along the beach. Recently the beach at St. Glair has been going away slightly, simply because there have been more southerly winds than usual; but, as like causes always produce like effects, whenever we have similar winds and weather that previously put the sand at St. Clair, they will do so again. Besides, Mr Editor, we consider it most unjust that because the Government have been so stupid as to sell land so dangerously near the sea, and that people have been so unwise as to purchase said land, that the ratepayers should be compelled to make good their loss, when many of them are unable to do so. No doubt it is very bard for those who are so unfortunate, and those who are able and willing to help those who have suffered by the loss of their land will have the opportunity to do so voluntarily. Hoping that the voting will show that the ratepayers consider that it would be a very bad investment to attempt to make a public promenade anywhere out in tho ocean—l am. etc , Ratepayer. Dunedin, November 29.