SAND HILL EROSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24318, 7 June 1940, Page 3

SAND HILL EROSION

PREVENTIVE MEASURES EFFECTIVE STEPS TAKEN The measures taken during the past year to prevent erosion of the sandhills and the immediate plans to the, same end are features of the annual report of the Ocean Beach Domain Board. An outline is also given in the report of the work carried out by the board in beautifying the beaches adjacent to Dunedin. Following the serious erosion which took place last winter, particularly between the St. Clair esplanade and the rear of the St. Clair lawn tennis courts, some 8000 sand bags were placed on the toes of the sandhills to hold the bank. At the weakest point at the end of the esplanade, scrub facines weighted with tram rails were tried. Both methods proved successful. The face of the foredune was later covered with branches to prevent wind erosion and the less steep parts were planted with marram grass The path between St. Clair and St. Kilda was washed away in a number of places, and it became necessary to form a new path for a distance of some 20 chains. Scrub fences were built on the beach, and at present the beach is again at its normal level. During the summer months the beach in front of the esplanade was at the highest level it has reached for some years.

The following works are proposed for attention during the coming year;— Planking groynes at St. Clair. This work is subject to the necessary timber being available. Construction of a further extension of the, esplanade for a distance of eight chains.; consolidation of the eroded portions of the foredune by erecting scrub fences at the toe and facing the bank with marram grass; continuing the work of forming area at the rear of the lawn tennis court at Kettle Park, and forming a new road from Victoria road to the main path, erecting a stone shelter on the ground; continuing the beautifying of Victoria road by the formation of flower beds and planting with shrubs; planting trees on the tip area and levelling the completed portion. The board commenced the year with a credit balance of £751 Is sd. The statutory levy for the year amounted to £1406 ss, an increase of £56 18s 10d over the previous year. Other receipts,- excluding scheme 13 refunds, amounted to £579 4s. The total sum available for the year was £2736 10s 6d. Ordinary expenditure for wages of the regular staff, materials, cartage, and other sundry items amounted to £1155 8s Id. The outgo for scheme 13 wages was £4332 19s Id, of which £l4B 14s 3d was borne by the board. The credit' balance to carry forward to the new year is £1436 9s Id.