ADVANCE ST. CLAIR.

Evening Star, Issue 19762, 12 January 1928, Page 6

ADVANCE ST. CLAIR.

St. Clair owes much to the Improvement Society whoso life of four years was ended when the war made greater tasks for public energies than the enhancement of local attractions, however appealing. The amenities of Dunedin’s chief seaside resort, so generously blessed by Nature, have not ceased to be added to since, but it would be rash to claim that it has yet all the advantages and conveniences which might be found at other watering places of the dominion which have been best developed. Improvements which are still desirable may be made jn a year, or they may take twenty years to make. It all depends on the degree of local zeal which is ready to he exerted for thek securing, and that that may be exerted to tho best effect, a definite voice by which, the community that desires improvement can express itself is most necessary. ■ The decision which was made at a meeting held last evening to revive the old society for gt. .Clair’s advancement forms

ft step which must be welcomed, therefore, as one which promises to provide it with such a voice. There is a stronger case for this resuscitation, since St.' Clair is about the only definite locality within the city boundaries that has not a ratepayers’ association of its own to look after its needs. With their best working, those bodies can supply most of the advantages without any of the disadvantages of tho ward system in city government, by ensuring that outlying parts are not neglected, while elected councillors must still regard themselves ns representatives of the city as a whole.

The question may be asked whether the Life Saving and Surf Bathing Club, which has done much already to keep order on the beach and increase the safety of bathing at St. Clair, could not do all that is required for the further improvement of its attractions, but there is a limit obviously to the powers and influence of that organisation. As a private club, it could not expect to have the authoritative voice, in pressing claims upon the city’s rulers, which would be possessed by a body of more represeptative character, and it has no funds for the carrying out of improvements on its own account. We hope the revived association will have at least as long a life, and show as much zeal for usefulness, as its predecessor. With sufficient enthusiasm it should be able to raise funds for tho purposes which it has at heart which might bo subsidised by the city authorities, in addition to expenditure that must bo made by tho City Council without such local aid. The objects of the revived association should make no narrow appeal. They concern St. Clair itself first and foremost, but they have their importance also for all residents of the city, and for visitors from beyond it, who recognise this particular beach as one of the most delightful places for spending an afternoon. But to have its best usefulness, the association should have a definite programme of improvements which it desires, to be pursued from year to year. The first need undoubtedly is more accommodation at the baths, and the General Committee of tho City Council has already promised to give heed to that requirement when its next annual estimates arc prepared. No wider programme seems to have been -worked out yet. The executive of tho association should proceed to that task without any delay, decide what plans for improvement should be urged before others, and get them endorsed by a general meeting. Then it will have much more to go on in soliciting members, and its desires for advancement will have less risk of being prosecuted merely by fits and starts, chiefly, if not solely, in the summer season, which -would mean the sharpest limitation to the influence, and possibly to the life of the association.