ST. CLAIR BEACH.

Evening Star, Issue 17379, 15 June 1920, Page 6

ST. CLAIR BEACH.

TO THE EDITOR Sir.—ln my letter of Maich 1 I pointed out that Nature and Nature alone would make up the beach at the St. Clair end. Nov/ this is taking place nt the present time, hut, unfortunately, at the expense of the Sandhills. Whnt I want to point out is the fact that sand has been deposited to a depth of from Ift to aft nt the St. Clair end during favorable weather. It cannot be assumed that the present piles which constitute the old groynes assist in any way. As a matter of fact, I found the sand around thoee piles to be from lin to 2in lower than the beachNow, if the method of constructing concrete pockets were carried out, starting from the rocks in a line with the shoru end of the baths, the sand that has been deposited there would remain. Instead of beincr again washed out to sea when rough weather comes from the south, or southeast, or if the board and Public Works Department (who can only think of groynes for protection) might put one in from the shore end of the baths running northeast by east, this would tend to still the waters between the wall and the groyne and thereby assist in further, settlement of sand, also breaking the shore current which undoubtedly runs along the reef. Of course, a_ groyne here would require to be exceptionally strong, but, on the other hand, it would be in the best position to do any good to the beach. As to the other proposed groynes, I have already Baid I have no faith in them having the slightest protecting effect. However,_ eeeing the board are carrying out this idea, it would be as well to run one out bevond the breakers with a footway on top. It could be used for lifesaving and for a position from which to drop floats so that the shore currents could be tra\i£ed,_ also the rise and fall of the tides. This would be malting eome use of a very doubtful experiment. I believe in groynes fa some capes, but not placed end on to the ebb ajid flow of breakers in a hay,_ which this beach undoubtedly is. For instance, groynes placed end on would be suitable on either side of the mouths of rivers or headlands, but, in my opinion, not in bays, except on the sides'. Then they should be placed at an angle running towards the aproximate centre of the bight. However, engineers have different ideas, and we shall watcti very cavefuly the results which accrue from the present protection works.—l am, etc.. June 15. R. Waxker.