ACCESS TO BEACH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 44, 19 January 1935, Page 5

ACCESS TO BEACH

IMPROVEMENT AT FOXTON. PERMANENT TRACK URGED. Improvements to the track leading from the river Hat to the ocean beach at the Alanawatu Heads were suggested in a letter received by the Alanawatu Automobile Association, last evening, from Air A. D. Macpherson, lion, secretary of the Eoxton Beach Improvement Society. He intimated that the matter had boon raised at the instigation of a number of motorists.

“It would be a great boon to motorists in general to have a permanent track to the beach,” Mr Macpherson stated, “and we would like some suggestions from your committee as to ways and means of erecting a ramp or something of a permanent nature in that respect. .More motorists have been coming here recently, and they like to be able to get their cars on to the beach. The present wire track is just about done, and will not be good enough for another season. We recognise that something will have to he done. It has been suggested that your association, in collaboration with our society, might he able to arrange some scheme which would give motorists a permanent track, and so help to- popularise the beach as a first-class camping ground.” “It is a question for a civil engineer.” commented the chairman (Mr N. H. Mackie), who added that various methods had been adopted to give access to the beach both at Eoxton and Waitarere. Manuka fascining soon rotted, and wire netting was not permanent. He considered the only practicable method was to build a section of concrete road through the gap at Eoxton Beach and have it swept periodically. Air R. T. Jaggard stated that there had been a proposal that timber from a jetty to be dismantled at Eoxton could be used to build a wooden bridge through to the beach. The only doubts were whether there was sufficient timber and whether the expense would bo too great. It was decided to submit this suggestion fo the Beach Improvement Society for consideration.

Offering the use of the facilities of the board for the da.v free of charge, Air R. Rangiheuea, secretary of the Eoxton Harbour Board, wrote asking the association to arrange a motor drive to the Alanawatu Heads at a.u early date similar in every respect to the one recently organised for the AVaitarere seaside resort.

The service officer (Air A'. Crichton) stated that such outings were very popular, that at AVaitarere having been a distinct .success. It was decided to inform tile board that the association would endeavour to arrange such an outing some time during t-iie last fortnight in February.

The service officer said facilities had been offered for the transport of indigent children to the beach one day this summer. It was stated in another letter from the Eoxton Harbour Board that it had been suggested that the hoard should ask the Automobile Association to erect notices along the river foreshore at Alanawatu Heads limiting motor speeds to, say, li> miles.an hour. The Harbour Board would probably offer no objection.

AVhether or not signs were erected, commented Air Jaggard, some persons would persist in speeding on the wide stretch of beach until a ratal accident occurred. It was decided to take no action and inform the Harbour Board that as the latter were the statutory controlling body they might deal with the matter.

“On several occasions during the holiday period visits were paid to the camp sites at Eoxton Beach,” stated the service officer (Air Crichton), in his report. “The number of visitors to this beach appears to indiea.te that it is becoming popular, and tire improvements carried out during the past year were favourably commented on bv many visitors. Pump water is now available, and a request has been received that this association erect a notice, stating that the water is unsuitable for drinking. However, I sampled the water and found it not unpalatable, although the taste is sulphurous. I would suggest that they forward a sample to the Government analyst, as it may prove beneficial rather than detrimental to health.”