THE OCEAN BEACH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22352, 28 August 1934, Page 8

THE OCEAN BEACH

A FINE CIVIC ASSET THE LATEST IMPROVEMENTS The heavy south-west winds which prevailed last week must have carried thousands of tons of sand from the beaches on to the long protective sandhill which extends from St. Clair to Lawyer’s Head, and over it on to the landward side. This process of Nature once again made the value of planting narram* grass on the sandhills clearly apparent. The clouds of sand which were spept up from the beaches were so well trapped by the marram grass that in many places the grass was entirely covered, and to that extent the sandhill has neen heightened. In due course the marram grass will grow through its present covering of sand. The sand which drifted over the long sandhill was in turn caught by the extensive growth of lupins, so that, taking the position all round, the south-west wind really assisted in strengthening the protective barrier against any inroads of the sea. It is noticeable that, owing to the preventive measures of the workmen employed by the Domain Board there were few if any wind cuts made through tho sandhill.

The board has an enthusiastic officer in its foreman (Mr Wraight) and the operations which it has carried out during the past few years, with only about four workmen on the permanent staff, are really remarkable in extent. Of course, a staff of relief workers is also employed by the board. ' During the past season some 5000 trees have been planted. These are obtained from tho City Corporation nurseries, and they are doing well. The trees which have been grown with the greatest success on the sand formation at the beaches are of the muricata and radiata variety of pine. The beautiful croquet grounds at the back of the Forbury Park Racecourse, which were laid out by the Domain Board, are just about completed and these will be occupied by the Watea Club, and it is understood that the St. Kilda Improvement Society proposes to form a lawn tennis court in the vicinity of the children’s playground. Lawn tennis courts have been in use at the St. Clair end of the beach reserve for some years. The hockey and football grounds are improving each year, and extra grounds are being prepared as opportunity offers. The work of extending the esplanade at St. Clair is going on steadily, and, when completed, it should add considerably to the attractions of this fine residential quarter. There is a proposal that steps should be taken to form a bowling green on the beach reserve, and this should prove a very popular attraction. The charm of the walks on the reserve from St. Clair to Lawyer’s Head is becoming widely known, and last Sunday there were hundreds of people walking along the lupinbordered tracks and watching’ from the sandhills the breakers sweeping in from the ocean. The city has a wonderful asset in its ocean beach, and it certainly owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the Domain Board, of which Mr J. Wilspn is the chairman. The revenue of the board is not very large, but the council is getting full measure in the creation of a valuable asset for all of its expenditure.