HOKITIKA'S DANGER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 37, 3 July 1914, Page 6

HOKITIKA'S DANGER.

SKRKH'S KROSTOX COXTIXUKS. Slowly but surely the attack upon the seaward side of Kcvul Street, Uokilika, is pn scnting a more and more serious aspect, and where it will end .-iccins beyond all comphchciision (telegraphed the (Ircyniouth correspoiulelit of the ('liristchurc.li Press on Saturday.) There, are now five groynes built, but so far they appear to have had no effect whatever upon the sea apparently determined to sweep everything before it. The sea in the first place attacked tile southern part of the town from the river upwards. lint, strange to say, it has now diverted its attention to the northern part. Those acquainted with ITokitika will understand that the part at present being attacked in particular is from •lohnston and t'o.'.s to Tfeinz and C'o.'s, a full block, and owners are daily watching their grounds, back yards, and premise.,- being -went away as if ifiey w,:'a'[' only toys.

On morning, a large wood'n shed, owned by Quong On, fruiterer, was gradually undermined, until at last it slipped into the breakers, and became a floating mass of boards in a few minutes. About midnight the same evening. a large shed owned by ITeenan and Co.. boot importers, which appeared tile previous day to be perfectly safe, was reached by tlie waves. The building slipped into the ocean, and the nest heavy breaker smashed it to atoms.

It is a disheartening sight to see the owners of property, together with onlookers and willing bands, being* absolutely .helpless in sucli a predicament. The most northerly groyne is now completely wrecked, and in one day over a chain < f bank lias been swept away between it and the street, leaving a straight bank fully 111 feel deep, ami every wave taking a, considerable amount away each time it reaches the linn!;, Messrs Andrew Tiros., butchers, have a line two-storev dwelling behind their shop, with the sea awash on the real' portion of it. and tliey iire now ciidcav(iii ring to have it pulled to pieces before it is swept into the sea. Kven if this accomplished, the owners will be very heavy losers. In the event of a strong southerly coming up during the spring tides, the ivo-ition will, indeed, b," even more serious than at pre-ent. However, it is hoped this win not occur, as the unfortunate people have already su'Vcred vcrv considerably,