REVENUE FOR RANGITOTO

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 13

REVENUE FOR RANGITOTO

COMPLETING SCENIC DRIVE PLAN TO RAISE FUNDS The Rangitoto Island Board has come to the conclusion that the issue of licences to quarry on the island is not wise, and last evening decided to formulate a pl<3.n to enlist popular interest in the domain, for the island is such, with a view to raising money to complete the scenic drive to the summit of the cone. Last year the board granted the Devonport Borough Council permission to open a quarry near the beacon and a big quantity of stone was removed. Later the contractor to the Devonport Council was given authority to take further stone on a commission basis. He has since terminated his agreement by liquidating his company. Last evening several of the board members strongly opposed any suggestion of renewing the right to quarry. On the motion of Mr. T. Walsh, it was resolved that the engineer to the Devonport Borough, the councillors of which are ipso facto members of the Rangitoto Domain Board, be instructed to estimate the cost of completing the road work with a view to launching a campaign for funds. The board’s revenue comes from rent of shack sites on the island and from a levy of Id a ticket voluntarily paid by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company on all tickets sold excursionists to the island. One member proposed a further levy of a penny on boat tickets. The chairman of the board, Mr. E. Aldridge, remarked that the funds of Devonport Borough had advanced £4OO toward the work on the island and this money was now needed for tarring and sanding the footpaths and work in the borough. The drive, when completed, will be 14 miles long. Four miles have been practically completed and extensive improvements have been mad# to the play area at the head of the wharf.