STORM DAMAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 13

STORM DAMAGE

PROTECTION AT MILFORD DISCUSSION OF SCHEMES ASSISTANCE BY GOVERNMENT Proposals for the reconstruction of a sea-wall and of a general scheme for protecting properties fronting Milford Beach against damage by storm were discussed at a special meeting of the Takapuna Borough Council yesterday. Mr. W. J. Lyon, M.P. for Waitemata, and a number of the ratepayers concerned also were present. "It appears to be clear," said the Mayor, Mr. J. Guiniven, "that the extensive damage caused by the last storm is the liability of the owners. Mr. Lyon, however, has made strenurms efforts during the past few weeks in Wellington on our behalf and we now have the opinion of the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash. In the opinion of the Minister the beach is a definite asset to the borough as a whole and for that reason any rate levied for the purpose of raising a loan to build or reconstruct a wall protecting the beach properties should be borne by all the ratepayers and not by those affected." Mr. Lyon gave an account of his conversations .with Mr. Nash concerning the matter. The Public Works Department had been consulted and there were at least two alternatives. The first was the construction of a concrete wall stretching along the properties at a cost of approximately £25,000. The other was to build a solid wooden wall costing about £3600. In view of the financial position of the borough it was recommended that the plan for the wooden wall be adopted as it was estimated that the structure would last between 40 and 50 years. In addition, the Public Works Department would draw up plans for the wall and undertake all supervision of the work, added Mr. Lyon. Mr. W. Bromley, deputy-chairman of the Unemployment Board, who is at present in Auckland, would investigate the position with a view to a subsidy being secured on the labour. A number of the residents then expressed their views. Some favoured the £25,000 scheme or even more elaborate works of a definitely permanent nature, while others agreed that the erection of a wooden wall would be the best proposition. The question of the riparian rights of some of the owners was also discussed. Finally, a committee of four of the residents was appointed to confer with the council as to "the best means of protecting the properties from wave action at a minimum of cost and also to ascertain how many of the residents were willing to transfer their riparian rights to the council."