VANDALISM AT ST. CLAIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14784, 17 March 1910, Page 5

VANDALISM AT ST. CLAIR.

*^ Sot !0 earliosfc residents of at. Clair, who, aXter a period of years' resitlencc. in the country, is again visiting his old district, I have been looking for vast improvoments. What is the first tiling I lind m tnat way? A lot of inen with drays busily carting away sand from a portion of land that once belonged to Mr Mitchell. To say that I was amazed to sec such folly bemg enacted is to put it mildly. To think that Nature has supplied one of the most uiuquo sites for a building that St. Clair possesses, and that it is deliberately being cut down, so that no outlook, either back or front, will eventually ba left! That is one sido of the case; but what about the other—the dancer to property that is likely to bo caused by this vandalism? Sir, can a man do with his property as he pleases? If not, as in this extraordinary case, what about the apathy of the St. Clair residents? Possibly many of them are comparative strangers to the district, and consequently are likewise strangers to the mad freaks of our abnormal tides.

Therefore, I humbly suggest that, along with a deputation of the Domain Board, a few influential residents of the district wait upon the owner of this property and learn his ultimate intentions with regard to this danger signal. Thirty years ago tho hills at this part wore nearly 50ft in height. The wind and tides did the levelling. Twelve years ago tho Domain Board started its admirable work of planting and fencing just abreast of this very spot. Getting the grass from Victoria, it commenced planting up on the base of the hills, and when this was finished and fenced tho sea "rose and cut into tho hills, carrying away fence and marram, and eating into the hills until a great faco was formed.

What has happened may happen again, bat what I want to point out is, in such an event taking place, where is the protection lo property if tho background is removed'? Has tho public nothing to say in this matter? Is it so callous as not to see tho menace it is to the community?—l am, etc-. Red Flag.