WAIKOUAITI LAGOON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26623, 20 November 1947, Page 9

WAIKOUAITI LAGOON

Sir, —The conversion of the beautiful Waikouaiti lagoon into an unsightly mud flat is causing a good deal of resentment in the district, which is just, awakening to the fact that a valuable bird sanctuary has been almost completely ruined by the operations of the Domain Board. Visitors and nature lovers have always regarded the birds as a great source of interest. Some 50 years ago the controlling authority with foresight and intelligence cut a channel to the sea to drain off flood waters, and used the spoil ms an embankment to enclose an area of water some 60 acres in extent. In this way they dealt with the drainage problem and preserved the beauty of the lagoon. A few months back the Domain Board decided to cut an opening in the south end of the embankment to let the water out, and stuck a 4-toot concrete pipe in the mud as an outlet. The first flood produced a wash-out. The board is now building a footbridge over the gap in the embankment ana the effect of the breach is merely to create a smelly eyesore in place of the sheet of water which was one of the chief attractions of the district.— I am, etc.. Angry Resident. [The above letter was referred to the chairman of the Domain Board, who declined to comment on an anonymous letter. Ed. O.D.T.] .