TO THE BEACH

Southland Times, Issue 19101, 20 November 1923, Page 4

TO THE BEACH

One of the side-issues of the great afforestation scheme for the Sandy Point Domain is the improvement of the Riverton Beach, the attractions of which are not yet fully appreciated by the people of Invercargill because in the past the means of getting there have been rather repellant. Ultimately, it seems to us, a bridge across the Oreti from Otatara will open up the most direct and the best route to the beach, but that work will necessarily be delayed for a fairly long ppriod, and in the meantime the road from the Ferry Bridge offers the only practical way to the sea. Access is to be gained by the construction of a road through the sandhills, and for this work the co-operation of the Tourist Department and the Southland County Council has already been secured, but the extent of the improvement to be made in the communications between Invercargill and the beach will depend on the amount subscribed by the public. Messrs W. A. Ott and E R. Stephens have conducted an energetic canvass which has resulted in the raising of a substantial sum for the Ferry Bridge route, but more will be required to complete the construction work, and the canvass is proceeding. This at present is the shortest route connecting Invercargill with the beach which is destined to be its popular sea-side resort, and the money spent on the roadway from the bridge to the beach, by improving the facilities, will bring this beautiful stretch of sea-washed sand nearer to the general public.