ST. CLAIR BEACH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 4

ST. CLAIR BEACH

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ERECTION OF GROYNE MOOTED Several major proposals for the improvement of the amenities at the St. Clair Beach were made at the annual meeting of the St. Clair Improvement Association held la&t night under the chairmanship of the president, Mr E. Falck. Among the more important suggestions were the extension of the esplanade to the baths, the construction of a groyne or breakwater from a point near the baths so that the force of the breakers would be broken and a sandy beach built up, and the erection of a public hall. In his annual report the president referred to the City Council’s apparent neglect of the St.. Clair playground. The state of the ground, he said, was deplorable, and it was sad to see the city’s most popular playground neglected in this v/av. Anyone visiting St. Clair and seeing the state of the children’s playing area in wet weather must gain the impression that St. Clair was the most backward place in New Zealand. “The tramways derive an immense amount of revenue from the crowds that come. to St. Clair,” Mr Falck added, “ and it is unfortunate that this ground should be overlooked.” It was decided to approach the City Council with a view to improving the matters mentioned by Mr Falck. Additional Amenities Needed

The president referred to the action which the City Council had taken regarding iron standards on the esplanade and in improving the wire netting. This work, he said, was appreciated. Regarding future proposals, he suggested that the public hall be erected, and he thought that the top of the surf club building would, appeal. He also suggested the construction of a sound shell. ' Seconding the president’s motion for the adoption of the report, the tire asurer, Mr H,. H. Henderson, said that the association should take up the question of new improvements. He suggested another storey to the pavilion for use as a club room or hall. Extending the esplanade,, he said, would make available a much-needed area for the parking of cars. The piles which were now standing up in the sand should be removed, as they were not only unsightly, but were dangerous, as had been shown on a recent occasion -when a girl had . been washed ashore and badly bruised by striking a post. The most far-reachmg suggestion, however, was that of constructing a mole out from a point near the baths, with the object of breaking the current and thus building up a sandy iDCcicli. » After discussing these and other similar proposals, the members decided to refer the matters to the incoming committee. In connection with the proposal for erecting a hall, it was mentioned that several other organisations also had this matter in view, and it was decided to call a meeting of interested parties to consider a joint proposal. . £2OOO Spent Since 1928 Mr Henderson reported, that since 1928 the association had paid out more than £2OOO for various improvements and amenities, the most important grants being for the pavilion £1244, the baths £132 10s, The wall £SO, the clock £l2, the football grounds £SO seats £3O 15s, the boat shed £SO, the surf boat £6O, the Lamm Tennis Club £BO, the playground £295 10s, the Surf Club £65, and the beach patrol £75 10s. The association’s assets, Mr Henderson reported, now represented more than-£6OO. . . .. The following officers were elected.— President, Mr Falck; vice-presidents, Mr M. A. Robson and Mr S. Owens, secretary, Mr F. L. McFarlane; treasurer Mr Henderson; committee—Messrs R. Crooks, J. W. Booker, B. Simonsen, N, D. Anderson, E. Ruhen. H. D. Gillies, and J. Starr.