OCEAN BEACH DOMAIN BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18221, 16 April 1921, Page 10

OCEAN BEACH DOMAIN BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ocean Beach Domain Board was held yesterday. Mr J. 11. Hancock presided, and there were also present Messrs J; Wilson. J. W. Dove. J. J. Clark, J. B. Taverner, and J. B. Shacklock.

Mr Hancock was reappointed chairman and Mr Wilson treasurer. The Works Committee is to consist of the whole board. The Otago Rugby Football Union applied for the use of a football ground near the band rotunda at St. Kilda. —Granted. The Minister of Public Works wrote that he had carefully noted the board’s representations as to the position at St. Clair, and would give same his early consideration. —Received.

Referring to the proposal that a deepwater survey should be made from Lawyer’s Head to Black Head, tho Surveyor-General wrote that this would involve a large expenditure, and that it would be advisable to allow whatever coast erosion expert was consulted to state what details he would require. When he was advised of this, he would be pleased to recommend the survey to tho Government for favourable consideration.

Mr E. Anscomb© wrote suggesting that tho Dutch “Zinkstuk” system of protection should bo tried at St. Clair. A zinkstuk is a mattress of willow made with pockets along tho top to hold the stones with which the mattress is sunk and covered. The mattress is towed over the site where it is to be sunk, and there filled with large stones. Several mattresses can be filled and sunk one above the other until the beach is built up to the desired level. They are usually sunk about low-water line. The ’writer offered the services of on engineer, who had seen the system at work in the Far East. —The matter was referred to the engineer for investigation. The balance sheet was by the secretary, who reported that receipts for the year amounted to £3691 14s 4d, and that there was a credit balance on March 31 of £3l 12s Bd. This would be wiped out bv the accounts to be passed that day, but 1 there was still about £BO to be received from the Government by way of subsidy on the erection of the groynes. In answer to Mr Clark, he stated that the board’s ordinary revenue amounted to £B3O under, the new scale. Mr Taverner remarked that there was much ignorance among the public as to the board’s financial position, and suggested that the balance sheet should be published.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Clark, seconded by Mr Taverner, that the town clerk be requested to publish the balance sheet along with the annual departmental reoorts. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The City Engineer reported that the groyne work had been finished and the stone protective work along the frontage of Cr M‘Donald’s and Professor Dickie’s properties constructed. The £SOO authorised; for this work had been expended, so that it also would draw to a close. Three and a-half chains had been built at a cost of about £l4O a chain. The change in depth off shore bringing deep water closer was still going on. Old clay and rook bottom was showing at the Second Beach, and old hardish sand out in front of the Esplanade. Stones out in front of tho Esplanade were sinking, as was noted by the increasing spaces under the groyne boards. Sblid groynes well out into the littoral current would tend to reduce this denudation or a heavy breakwater out from the baths, but the cost would be so heavy that it should not be undertaken without expert advice from some coast erosion specialist, as suggested in his last report. The problem would become graver every day as the deepening of the water oilshore went on, causing the rollers to break with increasing violence along high-water mark. A change in the outside conditions might come that would bring the sand back to its old shape, but much damage might be done in the meantime. Ho suggested that a quarry should be opened up at the second beach so that stone might he obtained more cheaply. The report was adopted, the question ox opening up a quarry at the second beach being referred to the Works Committee of the City Council for a report.