WASTE OF MONEY AT ST. CLAIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16783, 26 August 1916, Page 3

WASTE OF MONEY AT ST. CLAIR.

TO THE KDITOPTafß,—l regret that what I predicted in my letters about a year ago has come to pass, and that the heavy seas have caused such damage at St. Clair. I write now for tho future. Tlio old esplanade was built hollow. Beavers teach us that walls should, in order to resist the force of water, be built round. When will our engineers apply tho lessons that arc given by the brute creatures? Again, it is little or no use trying.to stop the tide and seas by half means. We must either build the"right shape, with very strong and heavy blocks, in imitation of the worts of Nature, or we are certain to fail, naif and half measures willjiot suffice. On beaches where the sea has full play wo find that tlio sand or shingle remains at the point when the sea in running up the incline, loses its power. This teaches us not to try and stop tlio sea, but allow it its full scope, and build our esplanades or bridges abovo, so that tho sea expends its force below.—l am, etc., St. Clair.