BEACH IMPROVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22989, 21 June 1938, Page 11

BEACH IMPROVEMENT

ACTIVITIES OF DOMAIN BOARD EROSION ON FORESHORE LESS SERIOUS The numerous activities of the Ocean Beach Domain Board are covered in the annual report for the year ending March 31, 1938. Recreation Grounds. Top-dressing has been carried out during the year at both the St. Clair Football Ground and the No. 2 football ground at Hancock Park. The exceptionally dry season, however, prevented the grass coming away as expected, but both grounds should be in good order next year. The No. 1 ground at Hancock Park and the hockey ground at St. Clair are both carrying a good sole of grass. Foredune.—The work of maintaining the foredune is of primary importance, and has received constant attention during the year. As the dune continues to increase in height additional, attention is required each year. Large quantities of marram grass are dug during the winter months, and all the bare spaces are planted. The experiment of planting olearia traversii on the foredune is proving very successful. and further quantities were planted during the year. . Flower Beds.—The flower beds at the St. Kilda entrance to the Domain were a feature during the summer mouths, and were much admired by visitors. Two further beds were formed in this area, one in the St. Kilda parade and the other in Victoria road. These beds will be planted out for a spring display. The nursery at St. Kilda has been extended, this work being uecesr sary to provide* sufficient bedding plants. Erosion at St. Clair.—An improvement has taken place in the conditions at St. Clair, the erosion at the St. Kilda end of the Esplanade being less serious than for some years past, and scrub protection fences were erected at this point with a view to assisting the position. The beach between the groynes has built up, and more sand has come back at this point than for some years past. The level in Front of the Esplanade, however, still remains loiv. The position is being closely watcher), and every effort will be made to build up the bead) in this area.

Tree Planting.—The plantations on the domain have received the necessary attention, and further areas have been planted out. The fire-breaks have been cleared and maintained in good order. Tip.—The tip bus received special attention during the year, an extra man with horse and dray being employed for a number of months in tidying the tip and carting sand for covering. This extra work, together with the increased wages, necessitated an application being made to the contributing local bodies foi an increased grant to cover this cost.

Proposed Works. Application has been made to the Employment Department for a special subsidy to enable the board to carry out a number of works during the winter months on a full, time basis. It is proposed to employ 12 men for a period of six months on the following works:—Extending the walling in Victoria road to Moreau street; extension of hockey ground at St. Clair; clearing lupins and planting ou the domain ; planting marram grass on foredune.

Proposed Golf Course,—The application of the Dunedin City Council for permission to construct a nine-hole golf course on the domain between Lawyer’s Head and St. Hilda was approved "on condition that the work be carried 'out to the satisfaction of the board's

foreman. These nine holes will be used iu conjunction with the nine holes already constructed on the Chisholm I’ark areir.

General.—The board’s regular staif was engaged throughout the year on general maintenance work, of which there is always plenty to do if the domain is to present a reasonably well cared for condition. Marram grass planting, repairs to paths and fences, clearing sand, grass cutting, aud other sundry operations received regular attention as part of the genera) routine for the year. In addition the Esplanade was top-dressed and the seats and fences painted. New Award.—la December tbe board came to an agreement with the Otago General Labourers’ Union relative to wages and conditions of employment of the board’s employees. The increased cost to the board of the increase in wages, holidays, and other provisions is estimated at £125. The agreement is for a period of two years from November 11, 1937. Finance. —The board commenced the year with a credit balance in the Bank of New Zealand of £576 17s 2d. The statutary levy for the year amounted to £1,296 13s sd. and in addition the board received a special grant of £IOO from the city and St. Kilda to cover the cost of extra work carried out on the tip. Other receipts, excluding refunds on account of scheme 5 wages, amounted to £313 14s, bringing the total sum available tor the year to £2.287 4s 7cl. Ordinary expenditure for wages of the regular staff, materials, eartage and other sundry items amounted to £1,568 14s 4d. The outgo for wages of the scheme 5 employees was £867 11s Od, of which £32 13s 6d was borne by the Domnin Board. Ihe credit balance to carry forward to the new year is £7ll 19s 9d.