Damage on Auckland Beaches

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 5

Damage on Auckland Beaches

Losses Will Run Into „ Thousands of Pounds

WATERFRONT BATTERED Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Sight. With a change in the wind and the high seas having subsided considerably, no fears were held of further damage on North Shore beaches to-day, when residents and gangs of men were engaged clearing away the wreckage caused by the phenomenally high spring tides and easterly gale of Thursday. Not before on the' 1 North Shore have storms wrought havoc to such an extent along the various beaches and waterfronts, particularly at Milford, where thero were unprecedented scenes of wrecked buildings and seawalls and washed-out gardens and lawns, but the extent of the damage, being so varied iu nature, is yet difficult to estimate, although it is apparent that it runs into many thousands of pounds. As far as can be ascertained, in a few cases only does any form of insurance cover the storm damage, and residents have suffered heavy losses.

Through the member for the district, Mr. W. J. Lyon, the Mayor of Takapuna (Mr. J. Guiniven) has appealed to the Government for help, stressing tho extensive damage which had been caused. The Mayor asked for an immediate grant for tho work of rebuilding homes and frontages, which is beyond the resources of the owners. It was suggested by Mr. Guiniven that officers of the Public Works Department investigate the damage and report upon tho matter to the Prime Minister.

The following reply by telegraph was received from Mr. Lyon by the Mayor this afternoon: “Regret very much flood damage. Have made representations to the Minister of Public Works and -will communicate decision immediately received.” At Milford, from the Wairau stream to beyond Saltburn road, at the other end of the beach, is a trail of wreckage. Few of the strong reinforced concrete and stone walls withstood the fury of the sea; they were undermined and broken down, the water swirling over gardens and lawns and washing cut trees. The protecting stone wall of a tea house at the bottom of Milford road was washed away and the building was endangered, -while a bach nearby was lifted bodily and floated to another position. In this vicinity, backyards which had been covered with water were heaped with debris. One six-roomed house was washed from its foundations, while other buildings collapsed, parts of them being washed away when the water surged about, them after tho exceptionally high tide. On Thursday morning some residents who had had trying experiences vacated their homes. However, to-day their homes were again being occupied, although many will require considerable repairs, particularly to the foundations. The frontages to properties running along as far as Tiri road also suffered, while further round the coast considerable damago was caused. Along Takapuna beach the walls were undermined and broken down, and at. Cheltenham, frontages, as well as gardens and lawns, suffered considerably.