THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17915, 21 April 1920, Page 6

THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS

HOW TO SAVE ST. CLAIR. GROINS OR A RUBBLE WALL? "This is an interlude," said Mr Mark Colren, when tho much-vexed question ot ways and means of combating the encroachment of the sea was brought up on Monday night at the householders' meeting at kt. Cla.ir. The subject was broached by Gr John M'Donald, who reviewed the situation, and suggested that a committee of citizens be formed to push forward the work of saving the salubrious suburb.from the sea. . Mr P. C. Triggs urged that immediate public action be taken in the matter. Mr J. B. Waters considered that a branch of tho Amenities Society should be formed, not only to help the existing authorities in devising adequate means of saving the sandhills, but also to take in hand the general beautification of their jxixt of the town. Tho proposal to ereot groins did riot meet with the approval of Mr H.- C Campbell, who cited the case of Timaru as an

example of what could be done by a. wall to break the force of the waves. The experience of Timaru, after tho great storm of 37 , years ago, showed that ■ the more nigged tho breakwater the more the sea would oxpend itself before reaching the beach. They had the material at hand. The rocky cliff at CargilFs Castle could be quarried and the stones run down. on rails to the pea to form a rubble wall, which would retain the sand as it gradually drifted baok over tho stones. Mr Mark Cohen also said that he was not in favour of erecting groins. Mr J. H. Hancock said that the problem was one for solution by marine engineers, of whom there appeared to be about 30 in St. Clair. He suggested that if a resolution were passed and forwarded to the Prime Minister they might do sonw good. The whole niattor was one .of grave anxiety to tho Domain Board, and many schemes had been put forward by the experts with whom tho board had consulted, birt at present they were bound to the scheme advanced by Mr Furkert. If Ins scheme failed, then they could try another. In answer to a resident Mr Hancock said that no engineer had ever suggested that a breakwater be thrown out from the cliffs.

Mr E. L. Macassey urged that immediate action should be' taken by the laying down of a rubble wall, otherwise the brack wlu'ch was now being demolished would in six weeks' time have disappeared altogether. Finally, on the motion of Mr Waters, seconded by Mr Trotman, thos3 who had remained to discuss the matter unanimously passed a resolution in these terms:— "That thi3 meeting of St. Clair and St. Kilda residents respectfully urges on the Government the necessity of fully supporting the Publio Works Department in regard to its recommendations for the pro taction of tJw St. Clair. sea front, and of instantly taking steps tr> prevent what mav become a serious disaster." The chairman of the meeting (Mr L. D. Ritohie) was instructed to forward the resolution to the Prime Minister, and the following gentlemen formed themselves into a committee pledged to do its utmost in the matter: Messrs Triggs, Williams, iVlaoas sey, Oxford, Fleming, Trot-nan, Titchonpr. Miller, M'Donald, Waters, Kingston, Todd, Moody, and Professor Dickie,