THE SCORIA HILLS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 239, 16 October 1914, Page 4

THE SCORIA HILLS.

o To Be Locked Up. Utilitv Advocates Beaten. Some tim? ago the Pukekohe Borough Council and the Franklin County C'uncil prutcsted against the propos-1 to lock up the fcoria bills about Auckland, so as to p ovide green hills to look at. It was u:ged that the metal was neetled for road-msking, which was if mere imperhnce to the country than scenic knolls. It seems, however, that Art has triumphed over mere Utility. In the Hous-: the Lands Committee return.d the petition of the Mayor cf Auckland and a number of citizers that dttps be taken in orier to preserve the vokanic hills in and around Auckland, with the recommendation that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Mr Mvers expressed gratification at the favourable report returned by the Committee en the petition, and trusted the Government would give effect to th 3 recommendation. "1 do not know what is in the minds of the Government in a matter tf this kind, but I suggest that, as ro many local bodies are interested, the various hills might be taktn under the Public Works Act, and whatever the cost might be the interest could be charged t) the local bodies concerned," he said. Mr Dickson pointed out that the Government itself had cot been blameless in disfiguring the hills about Auckland, as the Railway Department bad already ruined the appearanca of two bautilul hills. Mounts Smart and Albert. It was also, in his opinion, a great shame that the Government should allow Mount St. John to be taken for a scoria pit. He trusted that immediate action would be taken in accordance with the Committee's recommendations. Mr Bradney suggested that to i some extent it was a case of shutting j the stable door after the torse hsd ! gone. He was, however, glad that i what could be done to save the | remaining hills probablv would be done. The report was adopted.