THE OCEAN DRIVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16785, 29 August 1916, Page 7

THE OCEAN DRIVE.

Sir, —After reading- your account of the devastation wrought by the storm, I visited St. Clair on Saturday, expecting to sea tho shattered wreck ol the Ocean Drive, but was surprised to find that but little injury had been done by the heaviest storm experienced, as I am told by residents* for over 20 years. It is true that at 000 place tho protecting face of rabble has, been thrown down and buried Ld- the sand at' the foot of the bank, pacta of which have slipped away, but even at the worst point not. more than a yard in width of the roadway has fallen, and this ha# been caused largely by people pushing down pieces where theie was a crack. I confess 1 had .some fear of the stability of the road at' the point injured, (because I was of opinton that there it should have been taken further into tho sandhills; but, if I am rightly informed, this was not done because of the opposition of the Domain Board, and I was agroeaifaly surpriaed to iind that tho weak point had stood such a severe test so well. 1 As matters stand, there is gravq danger of further damage being done if tho "stitch in time" be not taken. The sand of the bank is exposed, and is steeper than tho angle of repose, so that, if it bo struck by a high wind, much of it will be blown away or brought down. Now, if the bank were thatched with scrub, or even straw, it would protect it from that danger, and that would surely bo an expenditure within the means of the Domain Board. If som* thing of a protective nature be not under taken without delay, I feel sure that daza ago of a eerious ijaturo will ensue. Of course, what is really required is that the bank should be made up again and refaced with rubble, which, having the improved foundation of tho old facing rabble, now buried in the sand, would be stronger than ever, and would, I believe, withstand effectually any future similar tempest. It is a pity that the Domain Board's income is so limited as to preclude the expenditure of probably not more than the £100 or so which would be required to do this, but* I trust the board will not neglect to take such temporary measures as will stay further damage and prevent the formation of a serious breach in this delightful promenade. Could not the City Council stake an advance to the Domain Board in anticipation of its annual contributions, the redemption of the advance being spread over several years, eo as not to hamper the board unduly? Someday, I suppose, the domain will be taken over by the city, and I am sure tho citizens will insist on the reconstruction and extension of the Ocean Drive, so that the cccenditure of a small sum now required would probably save, tho city a tenfold expenditure later.—l am,, eto., Ddnedxkite.. .

Sin,—The thousand and more people who visited St. Clair on Saturday and Sunday must have been agreeably surprised to find how little damage had really been done to the Ocean Drive by the late heavy sea. The first half of the rubble wall has practioally not been touched, and, though my opinion goes for nothing, I should say that, after what has happened, it will take a very heavy sea to cause any further damage, whon once the stones and soil that have been dislodged are made good. Unfortunately, the money that was voted is, I understand, exhausted. With die sup-' ply of material at the second beach ready at hand, the cost of restoration not exceed £50. The City Council, which is interested through the tram service the drivo being maintained, might well demand of the Domain Board a portion of its annual subsidy bo diverted for tho purpose. Something ehould be dono at once to prevent further surface damage.—l any etc., G. A. ¥.J St Clair, August 27. i .