ST. CLAIR BEACH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17700, 11 August 1919, Page 8

ST. CLAIR BEACH.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, —I notice that the Domain Board and Mr Macassoy are again anxious about tho erosion at St. Ckir, and impatient of the delay in dealing with it. No doubt it is difficult to deal with the trouble in a satisfactory way. What appears to be hap-pc-ning is a repetition of the erosion which took place many yeara ago, when the sea broke tlvrough in one or two placea In the present case, however, the erosion is probably accentuated by tjhe permanent lowering of the sea bed, due to tho action of the waves against ths esplanade wall. Several methods might bo suggested for dealing with the trouble; but I think only two need bo mentiopsd as likely to be tolerated by tho public. These, are (1) extending th« esplanade wall, (2) putting in groynas similar to those already attempted One result of extending tho wall for a few chains would be to lower the sea bed permanently and cause eroskm to increase , further along. This would undo all the splendid worlc of building up the sandhills, and would cause anxiety to residents at St.. Kikla. Groynes would at least not do as much harm as tho wall has done, and ihs-y might help to build tho beach up. Whether this would remain permanent is problematical. As the city engineer was reported in your paper to have ..said, "tho sand goes away when it likes and cornea back when it likrs." If, however, a wall is constructed for the waves to rebound from, the mud goes out whether it likes or not; and only comes bade when tho weathpr is favourable, if at all. I can therefore understand tho authorities hesitating about comrn<r to & decision.—l am. etc.. Pinky August 9.