THOSE VOLCANIC HILLS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 217, 31 July 1914, Page 2

THOSE VOLCANIC HILLS.

What is their Destiny ?

Scenic or Utilitarian.

The Mayor of Auckland recently lc?t hiinsolf go n'tout the destruction of the volcanic hills about the Queen City. It made his 1.1,., d hoi], ho said, to see the cstriking land-marks being carried away for r.iad metal.

Cr Hamilton looked on the other side of the picture at the la*t meeting of the Pukokoho Borough Council. He did not like mud, ho said Also lie did not like to seothe hills going hut he hoped that local bodies would not he prevented from getting meial nt a reasonahle rate

He suggested that this Council should send a letter to tlio Prime Minister saving how necessary it was for all local bodies to Qjet scoria at a reasonable pi ice, and to point out that the prosperity of Auckland depends upon the conditions of tho country district*. "If Auckland people had mud like us," concluded Cr. Hamilton, " they would look at it from a practical and not from a scenic point of view." Cr. Connie supported tho idea. It was a shame to lock up these hills which were given for our use and not to look at. Ho thought they should also write to the local bodies this side of Auckland asking them to take similar action.

Cr. Hamilton: If " thoy" had put hills like that hero we would not have kept them for scenic reserves.

It was decided to write to tlio sister bodies asking tlioin to join in making representations to the Government, urging that any action taken in connection with thesa volcanic hills should not prejudice the requirements of the country districts. The Mayor: We're humping up "gainst the Queen street blokes. They want the hills to look at and we don't

AUCKLAND'S POINT OF VIEW. A further protest Against the threatened destructi n of the volcanic hills in the suburbs of Auckland has been made in a petition to the House of Representatives an Auckland contemporary). It is signed by the Mayors of Auckland, Onehunga, N wmarkft, Mount Eder, Mount Albert and Otahuhu, a d the chairmen of the One Tree Hill, Remucra, Epsom, Mount Roskill and Mount Wellington Road Boards, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, the ch'itman of (h2 Auckland Harbour Board, and the chairman of the Auckland Eiucation Board. "The volcanic hills in and around Auckland constitute one of the most valued scenic possessions of the Dominion," the petition states. "They were described in 185 l J by Dr von Hochstetter as'true volcanic hills, which, although extinct and of small size, arc perfect model! of volcanic mountains,' and the same ecientin describes the Auckland isthmus as 'one of the most interesting districts tf the globe.' "Most of these hills are in process of demolition for the purpose of obtaining scoria, principally tor the purpose of rosd-making. The scoria is not suitable fjr road-miking, inasmuch as it is speedily reduced t« dust. As a result of its use, the Auckland roads arc the worst in New Zealand, the u*e of scoria having encouraged an apathetic indifference to the employment of a more perma neni material, and fostered the idea that the demolition of the hills is inevitable. "It is desirable rn national grounds that steps should be taken forthwith to preserve these hills from further destruction, and, inasmuch as the problem is beyond the means of Ijcal bodies to solve, it is necssarv that Parliament should intervene.

"In most instances the summits of these hills are recreation reserves, and the scoria pits are bting eo worked as to leave almost perpendicular precipices in close proximity to the summit reserves. It will, therefore, ba neceisary for all time to erect and maintain substantial and unsightly fences around the surrmits of these hills for the protection* of the public, unless regulations arc made without delay by which persons working these pits are compelled to leave the sides at an angle of not more than, say, 40 degrees, in which case judicious tree-planting might help to modify the effects of past vandalism." The petitioners ask that the matter be fully and carefully considered bv the House, and that the views of the representatives of public bodies who have signed the petition receive attention.