SAVE THE BEACH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2305, 12 November 1914, Page 8

SAVE THE BEACH

ORIENTAL BAY CITY ENGINEER'S SCHEME SUPPORTED BY RESIDENTS A meeting of the Eoseneath Municipal Association was held at the Town ±lall last evening to consider what steps should bo taken' regarding the city engineer's recent report on the subject of the improvement of Oriental Bay. Mr. T. W. Ward presided. ■ . ■

Mr. Morton's scheme is indicated broadly in the following paragraph taken from his roport:—"l am strongly of opinion that the best means of improving this area of the City will be by theconstruction of • a substantial concrete protective facing, or sea wall, and filling in to such an extent as may be necessary to enable a marine esplanade not less than 20ft. in width to be formed round the bay." A bandstand, it is suggested, should be erected opposite Hay Street. '

The chairman said that.for the last fifty years Oriental Bay had remained in its present condition; nothing whatever had been done to improve it. Something must be done, and the City Council must be urged to take steps in the matter.' Oriental Bay was a beauty spot, and a health resort'for the people of the City. Dr. A. K. Newman, M!P., moved:— "That in the interests of the citizens of Wellington the present natural beauty of the bay should be preserved, and that no step should be. taken which would deprive our children of one of their most attractive spots." Dr. Newman said that he waa .strongly of opinion that no reclamation should be allowed, and that the natural pleasure resort should be preserved. . He approved the city engineer's scheme, and hoped that, it would hot bo interfered with. The little: stretch of beach at Oriental Bay was the only beach now left on Lambton Harbour.

Mr, A. Leigh .Hunt / seconded the motion, and 6aid that the beach should be preserved not only in the interests of residents of Oriental Bay, but in the. interests of the whole city. The beach there was particularly *■ valuable to the poor children of Wellington. Mr.. C. M. Luke said that the greatest hindrance to progress in the direction desired had been the absence of unanimity among residents, of Oriental Bay. This opinion, howevery was afterwards disputed.: .' Mr. D. M'Laren said that apart from being a pleasure ground v Oriental Bay was a valuable-health resorth-particu-larly valuable because of its proximity to the congested area. .He supported the resolution.

The resolution was carried unanimously. ' . . ■■-...•■)'

Mr. M'Laren moved that the salient features of Mr.. Morton's report .should bo . embodied ,in a circular, and submitted to various city bodies for endorsement. This, ho thought, would strengthen the hands . of. the committee.

The motion was agreed to. It.was resolved also:—"That this meeting approves the plans submitted by .the city engineer, and respectfully requests tho Council to take immediate steps for the ephunene'ement, of the work, as funds are available."V

.It ivas then decided, on the motion of Mr.'A. A.'S.::Menteath,.thatMes6rs. R."\V.. .Watorhouse,. T., Shields; and T. W. Ward should wait on the City Councir and. :: present the resolutions made.,. :;V ■' -...-.'.