THE OCEAN BEACH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20610, 8 January 1929, Page 5

THE OCEAN BEACH.

A NOTABLE BATHING PLACE. SOME OF ITS ATTRACTIONS. Written for the Otago Daily Times. By C. G. M. In the words of Masefield, the call of the sea is “a loud call, and a clear call that may not be denied.” During the ensuing few months many of the people ot Dunedin will eagerly respond to the ?i an ? n „ tlle sea—not the sea of the tall ships and white sails and tarry buccaneers of the poet, but the sea of surf bather and sun worshipper and the crisp, salt-laden breezes that bring a ruddy glow to the face, an invigoration to body and mind, and a new brightness to the eyes of youth. These delights of the beach., harmonies in a minor key of the great diapasons tamiiiar to the. ears of sailors, are to be enjoyed in rich measure at our very doors, where, extending from St. Clair to the bJufl promontory of Lawyer’s Head, lies one of the finest bathing in the Dominion, its clean white sand washed daily by the ebbing and flowing tides of the Pacific, At Palm Beach, at the famous Lido, in the Cote d Azur, at Waikiki, and at Coogee there are more fashionable seaside resorts where the art of man has judiciously supplemented the handiwork of Nature; but here in Dunedin we have a magnificent heritage needing no adventitious embellishment and requiring only fine, weather to constitute it a perfect bathing beach. How fortunate the people of Dunedin are in the possession so close at hand of this valuable asset was realised in greater degree than usual last summer, A remarkably prolonged spell of warm, settled weather attracted thousands of pleasureseekers to the domain of delights offered at. the. Ocean Beach, and all that is required to enable it to come completely into its own as the summer playground of the city is a repetition of the conditions that were experienced 12 months ago. ’ In recent years the Ocean Beach has undergone notable improvements which have done much to enhance its natural attractions. Quietly and without ostentation the Ocean Beach- Domain Board, though rather circumscribed in the matter of resources, has made steady progress with a carefully planned scheme of improvements, and the results of this work, which will constitute a permanent memorial to the foresight, enthusiasm, and energy of Mr J. H. Hancock, are now becoming apparent. • The extensive planting of marram grass and lupins has been the means of building up the sandhills fronting the sea and at the same time creating a broad stretch of sand that is rapidly settling down into a permanent bathing, place of great attractiveness. The policy, of the board has not been in the direction of seeking to compel the natural forces of sea and wind to bend to the will of man —that way lies certain defeat —but, on the other hand, it has been moulded on the plan of assisting the handiwork of Nature. The wisdom of that course is now revealed in the excellent results that have been achieved. During the past spring, moreover, the weather was extremely favourable for building up the sand, and, in consequence, tiio beach from St. Clair - to 'Lawyer’s Head is in better condition than it has been for some years. At St. Hilda, for instance, where the sea formerly advanced at high tide almost to the foot of the sandhills and where dips and hollows threatened danger to the unwary bather, there is now a wide sweep of level sand, reminiscent almost of Caroline Bay, and extending well beyond the limits of the last line of breakers. At the present time notable features are being added to the attractions that already exist at “the beach.” Chief among these are the handsome new bathing pavilions at both St. Clair and St. Hilda, which, apart from providing dressing accommodation for surfers, have attached to thfem shelters and conveniences for the general public and also provision for picnic parties in the way of penny-in-thc-slot gas rings, with kettles attached. St. Clair already enjoys the possession of some of these things, but at St. Hilda, where they have been practically non-existent in the past, they will supply a much-felt need. . Another proposal that is receiving consideration from the interested bodies, is. the construction of a road one chain in width running along the city side of the sandhills from St. Clair to St. Hilda. When this is completed it will constitute a motor drive of much attractiveness and should do much to popularise the beach. Among other improvements that arc contemplated is the provision of a concrete paddling pool at St. Hilda where the little folk will •he able to enjoy themselves in perfect safety without occasioning the slightest anxiety to their parents. The water for this pool will be pumped direct from the sea, and will at all times be clean and fresh. Swings and seesaws have already been erected on the piece of land fronting the new pavilion, and the .paddling pool will form a valuable adjunct to these joys of childhood. It is proposed by the St. Hilda Borough Council to remove the bandstand from its present position to the opposite side ot the track leading down to the beach, thus concentrating the amenities as much as possible in one place; and also to provide another road through the Ocean Beach reserve off Victoria road. ■ In such a city as Dunedin the leisured class is, if not quite non-existent, almost negligible in numbers. 1 The •“ patrons ” of the beach mainly those who drive the ■ wheels of industry and commerce and whose periods of liberty comprise that portion of the day when their presence is not demanded by the calls of- shop, office, or factory. Necessarily the hours of their ■ freedom are short, and to what better purpose could their leisure time be devoted than by a visit to the beach, involving as it does no greater inconvenience than the catching of a tramcar? It is a journey well worth the making. Few pleasanter sights can be imagined than that of the Ocean Beach on a fine day when it is crowded with happy throngs of humanity responsive to the call of the open and the lure of wind and sun and sea. Before the spectator, as far as the eye can range, stretches the wide expanse of the Pacific, emblematic, in its very name of the scene to which it forms so majestic a background, and reflecting in deep-toned blue the cloudless sky above; its broad surface heaving in long, slow undulations, which closer at hand, in the form of great rollers tossing behind them a mane of fine spray, advance rank upon rank on ' the beach where their symmetry is shattered in fleecy masses of foam. Close inshore a care-fee, joyous crowd of bathers, exhilarated with the delights of the sea, the sun gleaming on dripping forms, are revelling in the rigours and delights of surfing—the more daring venturing out beyond the last line of breakers, while ' the more cautious remain well within their ■ depth; a weather eye ■ directed ever and anon towards the shore. On the sand itself are ■ picnickers in large numbers with their paraphernalia. Here and there splashes of vivid colour are furnished by the brilliant hues of the ladies’ costumes and sunshades, and the whole gay siene of movement and colour is animated by a joy of' living more ardent and intense than noonday rays of the sun. One touch of Nature has made the whole seaside world kin. The laughter of the sunbathed sea is infectious, and it has communicated itself to the shore, where young and old have gathered to enjoy themselves to the full in a natural playground of wind and sand and sunshine a veritable sanatorium of the sea whence they may draw upon storehouses of health more precious than the richest treasures of El Dorado. In such weather as we experienced last year the scene inadequtely depicted above was a familiar one. It was repeated to some extent on the fine days that marked the early part of the present week. That it will be a common occurrence and that the splendid asset which, our beach represents will come into its own during the present summer is a prophecy that seems to be assured of fulfilment.