OCEAN BEACH DOMAIN BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12604, 6 March 1903, Page 2

OCEAN BEACH DOMAIN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Ocean Beach Domain Board was held last evening, there being present Messrs Hancock (chairman), Green, Stirling, Anderson, Lawrence, and Muir. Mr .T. Conn wrote resigning his position ' as ranger to the board,—The resignation was accepted. Hanger Conn wrote that Mr S. Brooks was still allowing his cattle to graze on the domain.—Received. Mr E. E. tJsshor, district engineer, wrote that in compliance with instructions received from the Under-Secretary of Public Works, he now submitted plans of groins proposed to be put in. at St. Clair. In doing so he j might state, that he had forwarded to the marine engineer, some time ago, a cony of Mr J. Blair Mason's report, and he had expressed ilie opinion tlif.t the experimental groin, as per sketch in that report, would be suitable if considerably strengthened. The plan marked " Crib-work" was virtually Mr Mason's idea with heavier timber and not allowing for removal of any stone on the beach from the old wall. The cost of this groin was estimated at £275. He also forwarded plan of timber groin, piled and planked, which could be carried.out for the sum .of £140. As either of these was only of nn experimental nature he had to ask the board for their approval or otherwise. The Chairman said the grant for the work was £250, and the crib groin would cost £275 according to Mr Ussher. He noticed by the plan that (lie groin was 204 ft in length, and would reach well down into low water. . Mr Muir asked how they were to know which was (he better plan of the two. The Chairman suggested that the groin might ho shortened, and two groins put out in place' of one. They could be planked up as the sand rose from time to time. If the, groins proved a success they could continue a series of groins towards St. ICilda. Mr Ussher lmd said that the groin as shown oil the plan could be shortened by 50ft. Mr Muir moved that the beard recommend that timber groins shown ip -Mr Usher's plan be adopted. Further, that two of such groins ho constructed in such positions as the engineer should decide. Mr fircen seconded the motion, which was carried. - Mi Stirling moved, Mr Lawrence seconded, and it was agreed—" That ■■ the work he left in the hands of the marine engineer." .Muir laid on the table the proposed by-laws which wore referred back to the committee for further revision. The Works Committee reported that marram grass planting had been amongst the most important operations of the board during the liast year. The committee had given special attention thereto by setting out not less than 100,000 plants. The building of

sorub fences had also received attention, and the success had been considerable, tho result being huge banks of sand where previously the beach was a low flat, frequently covered with water. A very largo number of seeding lupins had been transplanted at various parts of tho Sandhills from St. Clair to the Tomahawk boundary. . Most of these had done well, and would not be long before they made a magnificent show. Some of tho j maritime nines planted two years ago had done very well, and would soon bo showing their tons'shove the other growths; hut in this eonncction.it was a matter for regret that boys were to lis found who pulled up these young growing trees to merely satisfy curiosity, and then left them lying on the ground. The Sandhills improvement scheme at Chisholm's Park continued to work smoothly, and portions of barren-looking Sandhills, operated, on two years ago were now covered with magnificent growths of lupins and marram jjrnss, the latter supplying the bulk of the plants for transplanting. The committee recommended the board to continue in tho coming season to plant marram grass extensively, to.seattcr lupin seed, and plant out seedlings wherever the sand had been fixed by other growths, and to continue to erect scrub groins where required. Mr Green, in moving the adoption of the' report, said any outsider must notieo tho marked improvement to the domain during the last two or three years at least. Tho adoption of the report was seconded by Mr Anderson, who concurred with Mr Green's remark, and carried. The Chairman mentioned that it was their last meeting, and thanked members for the aeistanco they had afforded in tho work of the board, and the meeting then terminated.