PARK SUPPLANTS RUIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 947, 14 April 1930, Page 8

PARK SUPPLANTS RUIN

MOUNT ALBERT EFFORT CELEBRATED SAVING AUCKLAND’S CONES Years of persistent endeavour save Mount Albert from utt l“ destruction by the scoria quarrying of the Railway Department hT) their culmination on Saturdav afternoon at the official opening £ Owairaka Park by the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. QWAIRAKA park: preserves the name of the original owner of Mount Albert, Wairaka, a chieftainess of the early Waiohau people who formed the basic stock of the isthmus of Auckland, as well as of the valuable of the scenic and the geological features of the volcanic cone. In relating the stor> of ihe pr 0 : longed efforts to retain Mount Albert for the community to the residents assembled in a picturesque setting i n the crater, the Mayor of Mount Albert. Mr. L. E. Rhodes, gave a reminder of the immense destruction by utilitarian works of the advantages Auckland possessed in its volcanic hills. Mr. Rhodes’s view that more should be done to save these peaks was supported thoroughly by Mr. G. C. Munns. M.P. for Roskill. Illustrating the extent of the damage to Mount Albert, Mr. Rhodes said that 43 years ago, before the Government began quarrying, the summit had been 150 feet above the crater bed. now a shallow basin. Mount Albert had been regarded by many as the most symmetrical volcanic cone in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the quarrying began. 1,250,000 cubic yards of material had been excavated by the Government. In 1925, after 25 years of fruitless representations, he led a deputation to Mr. Coates, then Minister of Railways, and a sympathetic hearing was gained. Three years wtr« required to clear the slopes of debris and, in 1928, Mr. Coates announced that Mount Albert was available for community purposes. Since then, the Domain Board and the Borough Council had been actively occupied in the preparation of Owairaka Park, to which an excellent mountain road, providing superb views of Auckland, from Rangitoto, ,the Gulf islands, the Waitemata and the Manukau harbours, and the Waitakere Ranges, now led. To preserve such an asset for thf public was a considerable achieve* ment. Mr. Munns considered that destruction of the nature apparent on Mount Albert should not have taken place, Auckland actually had a magnificent heritage in the interesting cones rising from an attractive extent of country and all citizens should unite to ensure that the advantages were not ruined. While Mount Albert was still greatly attractive, it was to be regretted that it could not have retained its original beauty. Referring to the difficulty in gaining control of the railway access, Mr. Munns praised the Domain Board for its determined efforts. He hoped not an inch more of volcanic cones would be sold to the Railway Department and he appealed to the residents to guard their property. RELIEF FOR WORKLESS Mount Albert had performed another significant service in the relief given unemployment in the work. Appreciation of Mr. Coates’s assistance was expressed by Mr. Rhodes, who declared that the Ministers who held office before Mr. Coates had not had the courage of their convictions. The possibility of the formation cl the crater into a great natural stadium was mentioned. In reply, Mr. Coates said the community undoubtedly would appreciate the saving of the cone from further ruin. The board and the district had made successful representations, but most of the credit was due to Mr. Rhodes for his leadership. Mr. Coates also referred to the great assistance given him by Mr. J. K. Lowe, district engineer to the department, in finding an alternative metal supply to allow the presentation of Mount Albert to the public. He was not altogether satisfied with the way the department had left the quarry and he was surprised to hear that the department was not agreeable to handing over the railway access. This desire to grasp the last areas was not in keeping with the original intention and he was prepared to assist in remedying the position. Mr. Rhodes presented Mr. Coate* with gold scissors to cut the tape across the route to Owairaka Park. Mr.. W. G. Russell, a member of the Mount Albert Borough Council, arranged the ceremony, and others present were Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mount Eden, and Mrs. Potter; Air. MJ. Coyle, a former Mayor of Mount Albert and a member of the City Council; Mr. A. E. Ford, manager of the Auckland Transport Board, and Mrs. Ford; members and executive officers of the Borough Council. The Aroha Women’s Progressive League provided refreshment, music was given by the Mount Eden Boys’ Band, and girls of the Mount Albert School gave a dancing performance.