SHARK MENACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 13

SHARK MENACE

WIRE NETS FROM MASTS LATEST SYDNEY SCHEME A scheme for enclosing the Sydney surfing beaches with a wire net suspended from steel masts was put to the Shark Menace Advisory Committee by Mr. Norris Merrett recently. For the seven or eight metropolitan surf beaches, Mr. Merrett estimated that the total cost of the nets would be about £34,000. A shark-proof net at Manly would cost £4448, but the outlay at Coogee would only be £3500, and at Bronte £2250. He had quoted these, figures so as to allow a margin to meet any unforeseen expense. He said he was prepared to undertake the erection of the nets at theso figures, but if a private syndicate carried out the work a capital of at least £90,000 would be desirable. Mr. Merrett said he offered his scheme free of any reward to himself. His idea was that either the Government and municipal councils concerned should shoulder the financial responsibility, or that a private company be given a lease of the beaches with the right to mako a charge to bathers. Ho strongly favoured the beaches being freo to' bathers. If ho were authorised to erect the nets, said Mr. Merrett, on beaches approved bv the committee, with the financial help of the Government and municipal councils, he would require 40 men for each not, and half of this number would bo sought from the surf life-saving clubs. The remainder would be experienced riggors. Tiie weight of tho net, without tho sea pressure, would be 131cwt., and the breaking strain of tho wire would be five tons. Tho cost of maintenance would be about £175 a year. Provision would be made for lifting the net after the bathing season for cleaning purposes. Tho chairman of the committee said the scheme would bo considered along with others.