Following a visit to Nelson exactly 25 years ago this July, I wrote to the then Nelson Evening Mail expressing my enthusiasm for the seawall between Tahunanui and Nelson as an excellent example of seaside civil engineering. At that time I knew virtually nothing about its origins, except that it was said to have been built by prisoners. Together with an illustrated article about its history prepared by Mail staff, the newspaper published my letter, which I had ended by saying that, in my opinion, the wall was undoubtedly of a quality which warranted recognition as a significant historic structure. But to no effect. I am now reiterating that long-held opinion, on this occasion reinforced with evidence to support and strengthen it.