EROSION BY SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1921, Page 4

EROSION BY SEA.

THE POSITION AT KAWAROA. THE BATHS IN DANGER. A request that some steps should bf taken to check the erosion taking place on the foreshore at Kawaroa Park was made to the New Plymouth Borough Council last night by a deputation oi several representatives of the Kawaroa Park Society. Speaking for the deputation, Mr. V H. Beal, president of the society, said the sea was making tremendous inroads on the foreshore. The committee were not in a position to undertake the burden in connection with the erection of a wall. • and desired the assistance of the council in protecting the borough property. He recalled that two years ago the committee had erected a wall at their own expense, and this had had a very fair effect. He pointed out that at present it would only need about five or six feet of the bank to be washed away to let the sea into the baths. Mr. Beal remarked that the committee had undertaken a good d4al of improvements at the park, and he thought it behoved the council to take some steps for the protection of the grounds. In reply the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) remarked that the deputation seemed to think the council were not cognisant the heavy erosion taking place, not only at Kawaroa, but also along the whole frontage of the town. They had, however, made an inspection of the whole foreshore after the last storm, and the conclusion come to then was that there was no solid material anywhere along the seafront in New Plymouth to prevent erosion, and the only remedy seemed to be the construe‘‘on of a. heavy rubble wall from the braalcwaler right along to Waiwakaiho. We believe we know what ought to ba done, said the Mayor, “and we shall be very glad to be told how to pay f° r > v' iv td‘ at ‘t was no use tackling the scheme in pieces and that the Railway Department had declined to help the council. Cr. J. Brown said he did not altogether agree with the Mayor’s views, and he .pointed out that in addition to the park the council also had to consider the protection of the baths. He thought that this part of the foreshore was particularly suitable for doing a piece of protective work. He believed something ought to be done, and suggested that the council might offer a subsidy to the Kawaroa Park Society. A member of the deputation (Mr. T. letty) expressed the opinion that the damage was not only caused by storms, tides al9 ° to ° k place at spring Subsequently Cr. Brown moved that the engineer be asked to submit a plan for protection work at Kawaroa. together with an estimate of the cost. _ln seconding the resolution, Cr. V. Gntuths said that from what he knew of the Kawaroa Society he was confident that they would take ,up the matter energetically if the council decided on a scheme.

The motion was carried, and the Mayor also 'intimated that the subject would probably be before the council -again shortly, as the East End committee were to meet to consider the question affecting that area.