Westshore Beach

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 211, 24 August 1926, Page 5

Westshore Beach

EXTENSIVE DENUDATION. NEED FOR PROTECTIVE ACTION At the annual meeting of the Napier Chamber of Commerce last night, Mr. R. D. D. McLean drew attention to the bad state of the beach between Westshore and Petane.. Some years ago ho said he brought the matter before the notice of the Minister of Public Works, pointing out to him that the encroachment was likely to wash away the main road to Taupo and also the proposed railway. The Minister was of the opinion that any protection work was not the business of the State but for the local bodies to attend to. Mr. McLean said that he pointed out that the Government was interested in the proposed railway and the main road. The denudation has been going on at an accelerated rate and the whole road was endangered. A few days ago he visited the beach and could see that if steps were not taken serious inroads would take place and the Inner Harbour might have two entrances instead of one. He had recently spoken to old settlers at Westshore who remembered a boardinghouse being on a spot which was now water. There was also a lake which has disappeared. The trouble was caused through the shingle being trapped by the Breakwater and going out to Petane. A great bed of shingle had gone and only sand remained. Steps should be taken to see what could be done or else Napier would be cut off from the north in two or three years. He suggested tlpit the matter should be taken up by the executive. Mr. W. Harvey, in seconding the suggestion, said that he could remember when the sea was about a quarter of a mile further out than it was now. Year by year shingle had been disappearing, the large lake having gone as well. It was vital that the matter should be taken up or else the results would be disastrous.

Mr. McLean’s suggestion was agreed to.