Letter: The loss of sand in Muri …

I write to correct the statement made by June Hosking within Te Ipukarea Society Saturday’s column – “what happened to the broad I write to correct the statement made by June Hosking within Te Ipukarea Society Saturday’s column – “what happened to the broad stretch of white sand in Muri and was told that truck loads were taken for the airport development”.stretch of white sand in Muri and was told that truck loads were taken for the airport development”.

For the record I can assure June and your readers that not one grain of sand came from the Muri area for the airport works. The loss of sand in Muri is the result of nature and the movement of currents and sea action over the past 50 years. Maybe some human activity like the fish trap and the odd man made structure has perhaps also helped in the loss.

The airport sourced all its sand from the Nikao area. Firstly from borrow pits along vacant lands adjacent to the airport where coconut trees had to be removed to comply with aviation side clearance rules. Sand also came from the lagoon in front of the Toa Fuel premises and resulted in the loss of a small Motu that was situated there. The positive aspect however was the deepening of the lagoon in the Nikao area that today provides a great area for vaka sports activities.

Des Eggelton

Matavera