ST. CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS(?)

Evening Star, Issue 14318, 17 March 1910, Page 2

ST. CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS(?)

10 TUE EDITOJt. Sir, —As one of the earliest settlers of this neighborhood (1874), and after a period of several years’ residence in the country, I am again visiting my old district and looking for vast improvements. What is the first thing I find in that way (save the mark) ? A lot of men with drays busily carting away sand from a portion of land that once belonged to Mr Mitchell. To say that I was amazed to see such utter foolishness being done is putting it mildly. To think that Nature has supplied a person with one of the most unique sites for a building that St. Clair possesses, and that the owner is deliberately cutting it down to street level, depriving himself eventually from any outlook either back or front! Then there is the danger to property likely to be caused. Can a man do with his property as ho pleases? If not, as in this extraordinary case, what about tho apathy of the fit. Clair residents? Possibly many of them are comparative strangers to tno district, and consequently aro strangers to tho mad freaks, of our abnormal tides. Therefore I humbly suggest that, along with a deputation of the .Domain Board, a few inlluential members of the district wait upon the owner of this property and learn his ultimate intentions with regard thereto. Thirty years ago the hills at this part were nigh on 50ft in height; the wind and tides did tho levelling. Twelve years ago the Domain Board started their admirable work of planting and fencing juet abreast of this very spot, getting the grass from Victoria, and valuing same; They commenced well up the base of tho hills, and when finisher! and fenced a huge sea rose and cut into the sand, carrying away fence and marram, and eating into the hills until a great face was formed. And, what has happened may happen again. What I want to ask is: If such an event took place, where would bo the protection to property if the background is removed? And have the public nothing to say in this matter? Are they so callous as not to see the menace it is to the community? Trusting, sir, that a deputation may bo formed and bo successful—l am, etc., Red Fx.ao. March 15.