“Hands Off the Crater”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 148, 13 September 1927, Page 9

“Hands Off the Crater”

CONTROVERSY ENDED Ferns to be Removed From Mt. E/den

Since the planting of about 500 J ferns in the crater of Mount Elden, f a wide controversy has raged. The j weight of public opinion, coupled i with the protests of the majority of the members of the Mount Eden I Domain Board, has resulted in that | body agreeing to cease planting ferns and to remove those already planted. The subject was introduced at the meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council last night when seven letters from various associations were read, some advising the removal of the ferns and the remainder asking the { council not to listen to the “grousers” and to leave the ferns where they were. On the motion of the Mayor, Mr. E. H. Potter, the council became the Mount Eden Domain Board for the purpose of the discussion. The Mayor stated that Cr. R. McK. Morison had receivc-d a. large number of native trees and had supervised the planting of them in the crater of Mount Eden. A great many had been planted prior to the visit of the experts a fort--1 night ago, and the majority of the visitors had approved of the idea. Cr. J. P. Hooton then moved: “That the Mount Eden Domain Board discontinue any work proposed fo:r planting ferns, trees of shrubs in the Mount Eden crater; that the holes dug be filled and restored to the same state as beforci the ground was interfered with; and that we preserve the crater in its original state.” “I would like to say,” said Cr. Hooton, “that New Zealand is favoured in possessing such a priceless asset as Mount Eden. All visitors to the summit come away charmed with the view, but tlm lasting impression is that of the crater. I am pleased to see the amount of interest aroused and I appeal for your support on this momentous question.” DRAUGHT BOARD FASHION Cr. J. Smith said he had beer, dumbfounded when he visited the mountain and saw the way the ferns had been planted. They seemed to have been I laid out draught-board fashion, and he considered they were only carrying out a nursery for ferns. It would not have been so bad if a clump had been planted in the corner, but as it was the thing was a desecration. The regular features of the mountain should be kept intact. The greater portion of the work on the mountain was very good, but to plant ferns in the crater was totally against his idea of beautifying the scene. A NATIONAL ASSET In the opinion of Cr. W. G> Lange Mount Eden should be looked on as a. national asset by those who were custodians of one of Auckland’s greatest sights. The crater was such that it appealed to the imagination, and to plant it with ferns was to drop it to the commonplace. The slopes of the ! mountain were much more suitable j than the crater. The board’s policy should be “hands off the crater.” “Who ever heard of a pretty crater?” asked Cr. S. Newcomb. “The people of Auckland and visitors go to the mountain to see the view and the crater, not a fernery, and I think the idea is ridiculous. It would be a good idea to leave the ferns for the present and take them out next season.” Support for the motion was also forthcoming from Cr. A. M. Bryden, who suggested that instead of going to the trouble of planting the ferns to see what effect they would have, they should leave them alone. •When is a crater not a crater. he asked. “I was speaking to a man who has been all over the world, and lie informed me that he has never seen or heard of a crater closed up by trees and ferns. We possess a perfectly formed crater, and to my mind it cannot be made more attractive by planting ferns. It would be a mistake ; o try and improve nature, and after all, a crater is not a thing of ornament, but something of nature’s own handiwork.” NO REASON TO SHIFT FERNS It was pointed out by Cr. J. M. Melville that the crater was not in its natural state. He thought that if the ferns were planted they would not spoil the shape of the crater, and would rather mean an improvement. Ho could not agree with the laying out of the plants, but lie could not see whv the plants could not be left alone •i was against the thing from the

BAD COUGH 22 YEARS! BAXTERS LUNG P SSI|” VER “THE ONLY CURE People who suffer from chronic coughs and colds should not give up hope 13 without testing . wonderful “one gratef uV ‘ user wrote: *1 have been* taking Baxter’s Bung Preserver and it is doing me good .l have had a cough n w for nearly 22 years ana the Lung Preserver is the only thing ‘“‘Procure battle of "Baxter’s” at I rocure fi rs t dose yoll will begin to appreciate its soothing, heal- , b »T?n«uen P cS on Ifeel “new Joy in life. Thousands of coid‘to seta grip, good results are sure ; n "sEtnrrer‘rL ! cV.t£'S size at 4S 6d. But be sure you get ‘Baxters’’ —12-

start,” said Cr. H. Morris, “and I am still of that opinion. I received a shock when L saw the regular rows of plants, and we should leave it alone.” A Voice: Not too regular. Cr. W. Woolley said it would be a pity to move the ferns at the present juncture. There were about 500 ferns, probably £6O worth, planted and it would not be advisable to shift them. He could recall the crater 50 years ago and it was the same now as it was then, so it was useless to suggest that it was not in its natural state. THE MOTION CARRIED Cr. Melville suggested that the matter be deferred until next planting season. The Mayor considered it was just as well to decide for or against at once. Cr. Morrison said he had been interested in the discussions in the Press and by the Press, but he considered that they should not be moved by letters written by people under a nom-de-plume. When people said they should leave the crater in its natural state they were speaking nonsense. He would like to see 1,000 ferns planted and all named. It would make one of the most interesting views for miles. The trees could not be shifted now and it was better to leave them until next year. The motion was carried with two dissentient voices. With reference to the removal of the ferns that question was referred to the Mountain Committee with power to act.