EROSION AT ST. CLAIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24401, 12 September 1940, Page 9

EROSION AT ST. CLAIR

ro THE EDITOR Sir--Your correspondent "Bettor Ocean Beach ” is evidently desirous of drawing the chairman of the Domain Board, I do not as a rule take any notice of anonymous writers. In his second letter he partly disclosed his identity. His first letter was full of inaccuracies, as no erosion has taken place since the board stopped the erosion of August, 1939. The sand has built up again, the beaches being in first-class condition. In his letter of September 10 he shows complete ignorance of what has been done by “ man’s interference ” plus the “ laws of Nature ” with " marram grass and lupins on the sandhills." The long range of sandhills from St Kilda terminus ‘o Lawyer’s Head is a monument to ‘he late Mr J. H. Hancock. This work has saved St. .vilda from many a spring-tide deluge. On the St. Clair frontage 30 chains of the beach have been subject to erosion since 1880. No “ man’s Interference ” was then in operation. The Domain Board was appointed to conserve and stop this erosion. This has been effected with remarkable success. There are eight or more chains of extension esplanade required to protect the most vulnerable part, and the board has authorised eight chains to be constructed. We are now awaiting steel in order to proceed forthwith with six chains his year. In the meantime there is no cause for alarm as no further erosion is taking place and the beach is closely watched. Every care wi)' be taken till it is permanently protected.—l am, etc.. John Wilson. Dunedin. September 11. 1940.