DUNEDIN’S BIT OF BEACH

Evening Star, Issue 14413, 8 July 1910, Page 4

DUNEDIN’S BIT OF BEACH

THE NEED FORCED

FOB REBUILDING ST. CLAIR ESPLANADE.

Tho recently-formed Committee of the St. Clair Improvement Association waited upon tho Domain Board last night with the object of ascertaining the attitudlo of that body towards their desire to improve St. Clair beach for visitors by rebuilding part of the old esplanade, which was destroyed some ten years ago; and also by erecting a shelter shed, band rotunda, and lighting-the esplanade. Tire chairman of the Board (Mr J. H. Hancock) expressed himself in sympathy with any feasible scheme which would be permanent, and in the general informal discussion which ensued it was mentioned that no less than ten engineers’ reports had been received at various times, and that the only time the ratepayers had been invited bv a poll to allow an expenditure of £IO,OOO to build an esplanade they had rejected tiro proposal. Later it was estimated by the Government engineer that the work of protecting tire whole beach would cost £20,000, and parliamentary power had ben given to borrow that sum, but the ratepayers have never been invited to do so. The deputation, however, were not proposing to suggest any such big work, but merely tho reforming of the esplanade from Beach street (where it still exists) along towards Forbury road, lighting this, and providing adequate shelter, to make it a favorite resort for the townspeople. One member of the deputation expressed the opinion this morning that an efficient job could be made of it for from £1,500 to £2,000. He said that this last week’s weather had disclosed the fact that under tho sand, in the vicinity of Beach street, there was a solid foundation of stone, and further evidence of such fact was that some ten years ago people had placed tanks there, tilled with stone, and these had not shifted. He considered that an “apron” of stone, cemented with concrete, 'would form a sufficient protection, and {here was ample material for this at the Second Beach.

Mr J. MTndcc (another member) said that while, they agreed with Mr Hancock that it might be necessary to spend a lot of money to protect the whole beach, still it was necessary to make' a start somewhere, and they thought that St, Clair esplanade was the best place to make a start, having regard for the best interests of the ratepayers of the City and suburbs. What further work was necessary could follow later, and'if this could be made the beginning of an entire scheme so. much the belter. It was not a selfish plan, for the esplanade was an improvement that would be enjoyed by tho City people far mo v e than the St. Clair people, and undoubtedly it should be carried out at once. Mr Hancock had admitted that tho groynes had done their work in preventing the encroachment of tho sea, and the esplanade proposed would not bo wet once, in ten years. They were not proposing to try and retake anything that the sea had taken. lot (ho sea. keep what it had.

My J H. Hancock (interviewed also this morning) said that it was entirely a matter for engineers, and the Domain Board would take no part in any scheme that would prove ineffective anjl temporary. He thought that it would bo quite impossible to protect tho beach by an erection at St. Clair only. It would be only playing with the job. Any scheme of an esplanade or wall must include at least 100 yds into St. Kilda Borough, and there -was no rock foundation beyond Beach street. He thought that there was reason for abiding by Mr Blair Mason’s report (which was the latest of ten on this subject), and delaying tho construction of waits until the beach had been raised and conserved. The Domain Board would not bo a party to a job which might prove purely temporary, and would not protect the whole beach.