FRONTAGES IN DANGER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 92, 28 June 1946, Page 5

FRONTAGES IN DANGER

COMPLAINTS FROM OHOPE

COMPENSATION sought

The joint effect of heavy seas and high tides at Ohope Beach have resulted in extensive erosion taking place along the sea frontages of sections leading to the beach. The worst sufferers are those residents whose sections lie at the western end of the beach, within the historic stretch, ‘One to Fifty-Eight.’ Letters from Messrs. B. Sladden and E. R. Marryatt drew attention to the heavy incursions of the tides on the sandhills fronting their properties,

and urged that some protective measures should be taken to

safeguard existing properties. Mr Marryatt stated that he had lost up to a chain in depth and had taken upon himself to privately construct a protective groyne costing him £39 14s. He respectfully suggested that the Council might assist him by foregoing the rates until approximately this amount were met.

It was pointed out by Cr Leslie, that there could be only one reply. The Council owed no responsibility to ratepayers who suffered from erosion of any kind. When the sections were first bought, ratepayers had made their purchases with their eyes open.

Cr Luxton added that some time ago the Council had endeavoured to get the settlers on the western end to sign a petition whereby a road could be dedicated to serve all their sections. This, however, had been rejected. They could not agree amongst, themselves. Now, when a ‘spot of bother’ occurred, they came to the Council for assistance. Cr McCready said that much of the trouble arose residents cutting down the height of the sandhills which acted ds a buffer between them and the sea. This was a great mistake, and had it been carried out all the way along the beach, there would have been two or three feet of water on the sections themselves. The sandhills were a natural shield, and should be protected.

Cr Burt: What’s that got to do with us? We are not concerned with what p©pgl@ do on their own pro-, perty. * - - The Qlerk pointed put that he knew of no kw enabling the Council to spend its funds on the protection of private property i Cr McCready: No. But it’s a conimonsense thing to do to see that ratepayers don’t ruin their own properties. The whole beach should be surveyed from end to end, and I think the Council should at least show this interest.

It was decided to reply stating that no assistance could be given in this respect, but that the County Engineer be instructed to erect notices prohibiting the removal of sand from the sandhills or the shell from the beach.