SHIFTING SANDS

Evening Star, Issue 22073, 5 July 1935, Page 5

SHIFTING SANDS

PROBLEM AT ST. CLAIR UTILITY OF GROYNES DISCUSSED A discussion based on the possibility of there being some relationship between the scouring of the beach at St. Clair and th© removal of a line of groyne piles took' place at yesterday afternoon’s annual meting of the Ocean Beach Domain Board, the matter being introduced when the chairman (Mr J. Wilson) was surveying the work that ■was being done on the esplanade. The chairman said that the relief works had been progressing steadily, and members must agree that the work done on the esplanadq had been very well executed. It was hoped that this work would bo completed by the end of the present year. There was some delay at the moment, owing to the low “ cut ” made on the beach by the sea. However, the tide seemed about to change, and no doubt further progress would soon be made. Mr F. Wilkinson asked if the cutting down of a line of groyne piles in that locality had anything to do with the low beach “ cut.” Mr Wilson: No. I do not think so. Several people have expressed the opinion that, because the groynes have been cut down, sand has been swept away, but f I think that sand has disappeared from the other groynes just as badly. Mr Wilkinson: The piles were put in at the suggestion of the Marine Department, as it was thought they would assist to stop erosion. _ Whether or not they have served their purpose I do not know, but it seems that there was no extensive erosion after they were put in. The Chairman: Yes, there was. He added that the erosion had been particularly bad at that spot at the present time.

Mr J. L. M'lndoe said that, after many years of observation, he had come to the conclusion that the_ groynes had nothing whatever to do with the shifting of the sand. The sand movements depended on the set of the tide, the direction of the wind, and the peculiar currents at St. Clair. To his mind it was simply a coincidence that this particular line of piles was cut at the same time as the scour came. He was satisfied that the sea would replace what it had taken away. The idea that groynes would prevent sand from shifting had no scientific backing whatever.

Mr E. Longworth said he thought the onus had been thrown on the Marine Department. He maintained that the remoyal of the groyne had something to do with the state of the beach at the present time. If scours did damage to the beach they should have something to keep them back. The Chairman: We will have some small groynes put in to try and ease the scour back again. Apparently the Public Works Department has lost faith in the particular line of piles that has been dealth with. We recognise the good work the surf bathing club members have done, and they have gained their point. The subject was dropped.