BEACH CONTROL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2174, 12 June 1914, Page 6

BEACH CONTROL.

'AT PAEKAKAKIKI AND PLIMMER>rTIi? ° f Marine (the Hon. F M. B. Fisher) was asked by a deputation from the Hutt County Council which waited upon him yesterday to vest control of tho Paek'akarild 'and J hmmerton beaches in that body. The members of tlio deputation we're Mr M. Welch, (county chairman) and Messrs. W. J. Howcll and W. Gallowav representing respectively the Whareroa and Horokiwi ridings. It was explained that tho' County Council sought control of the beaches only in the public interest, and had no ulterior object in view in the way of disposing of sand, shinglo, or! anything of that kind. Mr. Howell said tfiat, at Paekakariki the beach was etrewn with broken bottles and other debris left by picnic parties. As to Plimmerton beach, he stated in vigorous language, that the amount of rubbish deposited lipoid it was "a disgrace to mankind.".- Another'matter calling for regulation was that numerous ponies wore exercised on tho beaches. If tho County Council had control it would reserve certain areas upon which children could play in safety. It would bo ot benefit to everybody concerned; he said, if the County Council wero given control ovor tho Paekakariki beach for b_ mile on either side of the beach road. Tho local body .would be quite content to take control under certain stated limitations. There was a caretaker, Mr. Howcll mentioned, at Paekakariki, but none at PlimmerUm. ' Mr. Uallon-a.v said that efficient regulation of the l'iimmciton .beach would bo secured it the. local, body were given control over a miio and a'half of''tho ftirnshoro." , '■: ; . ' ..; .-'

The.Minister: Do you want to control the mixed bathing, too? Mr. Giillov.ay: "No, we arc not particular about that." Then,, as an afterthought, ho added:'"However, it would be as well if wo had that also:" -

In answer- to questions by ,the -Minister, thn'depiitatioiiists said that tho County Council, if given control, would try to beautify tho beaches, arfd would appoint a caretaker at Paekakariki and-also,-at Plimtu'erton,';;.,',;Mr.' Galloway 5 stated that the local residents favoured the proposal to vest control of tho beaches in the. County 'Council. This was .endorsed by Mr. Howell, who said that; at the same time, if the Minister thought it better to set up a domain board, the- County Council would work in conjunction .with tho board's inspector.., •;. ~,,.. ~\ . '

In, answer to tho, Minister, Mr. G. 'Allport (Secretary of Marine), who was present, ■ said that legislation would bo required to effect tho proposed transfer of control. This could, bo provided in the shape of a clause- in the Washing-up Bill, or general power could be taken by adding a "clause to tho' Harbours Amendment Bill, which was being prepared. There was no power at present to vest control of the beaches in tho County Council by an Order-in-Coiincil.

Tlio Minister (to the deputation): "All right, then wo will fix it up this coming session."