CHAPTER XIII
The State and Local Control
   A vast literature has been evolved on every aspect of the question of coast erosion. In 1906 a Royal Commission was appointed, and their third and final report was not issued until five years later. The subject was investigated by them in an exhaustive manner, the commissioners visiting the coast-lines of England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, and Belgium in the course of their enquiry. The references to the Royal Commission included :—
   (a)	Facts relating to the encroachment of the sea; damage
         caused or likely to be caused thereby; recommendations as to preventive measures.
   (b)	The advisability of conferring further powers on local
        authorities and landowners, with regard to securing more effective administration in the work of protecting the open coast and the banks of tidal rivers.
   (c)	The legal situation with regard to the management and
         control of foreshores; recommendations as to modifications in existing law.
   ¡d) Facilities, if any, which should be given for the reclamation of tidal lands.
   The final report dealt with the subject in the following aspects :—
   (1)	Topographical and geological considerations.
   (2)	The extent of erosion as compared with accretion and
          artificial reclamation.
   (3)	On the technical evidence given before them.
   (4)	Regulations relating to central and local administration.
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