SAND REMOVAL

Franklin Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 61, 2 June 1943, Page 3

SAND REMOVAL

MANUKAU BEACHES FURTHER DAMAGE EXPECTED From all accounts sand continues tobe removed from, and further damage is taking place to, beautiful sand beaches on the Manukau Harbour. In a report to Monday’s meeting of the Franklin County Council, the engineer, Mr A. C. Bettany, said there -was an old derelict punt on Graham’s Beach which should be removed because it was stopping the natural drift of the sand and hence was contributing to the erosion which was continuing at Graham’s beach wharf. The punt was a dangerous structure to •children playing on the beach, and further it was an untidy piece of rubbish which no one had any moral right to leave on a beach which was regarded as a public beach.

“I am informed that the excuse for the presence of the punt on the beach is that it is needed as a wharf for loading sand,” Mr Bettany said. ‘‘lt is not Used as suchand cannot be so used beciTuse it has no deck But it does cause sand to heap up on its northern side, 'in the gap through which sand is carted from private property to the sand barges so that every time barges come down for sand they find their access to the private sandpit blocked with a heap of most excellent sand. This they remove out of their way by barging it to Auckland. I have no other evidence of the latter statement than the word of local residents, but I believe it to be true. Due to the continued removal of sand from Manukau Harbour, erosion of the foreshore is still occurring at Graham’s Beach and the wharf again needs lengthening by about four feet,” Mr Bettany added. In referring to Hudson’s Beach the engineer said: A tremendous hole has been dug "on private property just against this magnificent sand beach. At first the operators made some pretence of preventing the beach being washed into the hole by driving a short length of most inadequate sheet piling, but over the balance of the work no other protection has been provided than the laying of a few twigs and branches on the beach at high tide mark. I warn the council that sooner or later heavy nor’ casters occurring at high spring tides will wash the. beach into flic hole in the private property.” The report was received and the clerk. Mr Alan P. Day. was asked In acquaint the Harbour Board of the position and to request that another span be put in at the wharf at Graham's Beach.