THE DWINDLING SAND DUNES

Evening Star, Issue 17604, 8 March 1921, Page 8

THE DWINDLING SAND DUNES

AN URGENT MATTER. WALL EXTENSION URGED. -A question which is engaging (lie anxious attention of the residents of St. Clair and St. Kilda at the present moment is the damage done to the sandhills by sea erosion. Following on the public meeting held at St. Clair on Saturday evening, the St. Kilda Citizens’ League advanced matters a further stage last night, when a deputation waited upon the St. Kilda Borough Council to urge the appointment of a deputation to wait upon the City Council and Ocean Beach Domain Board, and impress the necessity of raising funds for the purpose of immediately extending the stone wall which was placed along the foot of the sandhills last winter to prevent sea erosion. Mr J. M'Donald headed the deputation. The residents of St. Clair and the St. Clair end of St. Kilda (he said) were most anxious that something should be immediately done in order to save what was left of the sandhills. As a result of the experience of last week it seemed that the only safe course to take now was to continue the rubble wall. He pointed out that the wall has proved quite effective, the inroad last week commencing where the wall ceased, the wall itself being a quite effective barrier. The speaker submitted reports on the question of the sandhills and the Flat furnished years ago by Mr (!. M. Barr and Mr Mirams. It would be seen, ho said, that at high water on the beach the harbor was 3ft lower. Ho did not need to stress how scrions would bo the position should the sea break through. The level of the Flat, at St. Clair where the Presbyterian Church was built was 2fl 9in below high-water mark. Nelson street, (South Dunedin) was 3ft below, Forbury Park was 2ft 81 n below. Conned! street (St. Kilda) a lit Me over 3ft below, High street (Queen's Drive) 3ft below. The supreme necessity of doing something was obvious.

Dr J. Dickie was the next speaker. He said that Mr M'Donald had covered most of the ground. Tie wished, however, to stress in particular the value that, the wall of loose stones bad proved in stopping the erosion. He had watched the sea daily, and in a letter to Ore council had summarised the matter as 'it appeared to him. He pointed out in tins letter that the encroachment began just at the point where the barricade of large, loose stones came to an end, and continued along the face of the sandhills for about 300 yards rigid up to the third groyne. He was not an expert on erosion matters, but it certainly looked _as if the loose stones were the most effective protection hey had had up to tho present time. He drew attention to the attrition of tho sandhills as the result of the constant stream of traffic where the path (now demolished) used to run. He considered that the attrition had done nearly as much damage to tho sandhills this summer as the sea had done last winter; it had boon responsible for a larger fall of sand than had tie storm of last winter.

Mr H. W. Trotraan, secretary of the league, outlined many of the schemes that had been proposed, and submitted a post card picture of a beach in England showing the effect of a sea wall flanked by groynes. He pointed out that the groynes at St. Clair in their present condition were not according to plan, not having the planking 2ft din or 3ft above the sand as designed. Cr J. Dove, speaking as the council’s representative on the Domain Board, pointed out that no fault lay at the door of the board or of the city euginecr. They were merely handicapped by the lack of finance. Instead of having plenty of timber to use, it had been necessary to use the plauking to carry out the derrick. Ho complained ' of tho shocking apathy of tho public in regard not only to the matter of St. Clair, but to civic matters generally. The speaker advocated the proper completion of the groynes and the carrying of tho protective wall further along the sandhills. Crs Seddon, Longworth, Campbell, Hall, and Densem also spoke briefly on the matter. The Mayor (Mr A. D. Edgar) said that the deputation would have the whole-hearted support of the council in whatever steps were taken in the matter. They all realised tho seriousness of tho situation, and would do everything in their power to assist the league. He moved—“ That the council accede to the request of the deputation, and appoint a deputation at once to wait on the City Council and Domain Board as proposed.” The motion was seconded by Cr Seddon, who said that a few hundred pounds would serve to carry on tho wall for temporary' protection until such time as something on a much larger scale could be taken in hand. The councillors unanimously supported the motion, and the following were appointed the deputation: —The Mayor (Mr A. D. Edgar), Crs Dove, Hall, and Seddon,