THE SAND-DRIFT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 April 1919, Page 2

THE SAND-DRIFT.

SERIOUSNESS OF POSITION.

GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED.

The drift of sand along the West Coast has been regarded as a serious menace for some time past. .

MrC. J. Parr, M.P. for Eden, in a letter on the matter to the Minister for Lands, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, stated that it threatens not only the prosperity but the very existence as a productive asset of the whole territory stretching from Motutara 20 miles northward. £ For years the sea-sand has been creep- "^ ing up over the countiy side, the drift being most serious in the vicinity «f Woodhill and Wharepapa. At. the former place it was now only about half a mile from the railway line. If unchecked, in a few years the sand would cover the present North Auckland rail-

way route. ,jLf This question was the most seriously ..- important one that lay before the North.

It was now recognised that it was possible, by certain measures, to stop this ruinous drift. Indeed, it was" claimed, with reason, that by the planting of Marram grass, not only could the encroachment be arrested, but the present 30,000 acres under sand could be converted into what would be once more a productive area. Experiments carried out on the coast, proved that these results could be obtained, provided the whole area was handled in a comprehensive fashion.

The Agricultural Department, with its expert staffs, was peculiarly well placed te assist in this enterprise, which was a work of national importance.

The best course would be that suggested by the Waitemata County Council, to acquire the land under "The Public Works Act," and after reclaiming it, dispose of it by sale. The compensation to be paid would be extremely little, as the land was now valueless.

Viewed from this point, the State" could handle the problem in such a way as not only to save the Kaipara district from ruin, but at the same time provide a most profitable dealing for the State.