PARITUTU.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1921, Page 6

PARITUTU.

A GEOLOGICAL REPORTDISCUSSED BY HARBOR BOARD. A report by Mr. P. S. Morgan (Director of Geological Surveys) on possible sources of stone for harbor development was received by the New Plymouth Harbor Board at yesterday’s meeting. The report was the outcome of a recent visit to New Plymouth by Mr. Morgan, and it deals extensively with the proposal to use Pari tutu stone. The report stated inter alia: — f “Paritutu is the most prominent of the well known sugar loaves. Unlike the others it is not an island, but rises almost perpendicularly from the edge of the sea, half a mile west of the base of the Motorua breakwater, to a height of 505 ft. On the east, south, and west sides agglomerate deposits, capped by sand, mark its base to a height of perhaps 200 ft or more. The hill itself is a plug of igneous rock, which, in a bygone age, rose in a fluid, or semi-fluid condition, from a molten mass of rock deep in the bowels of the earth, through a vent which may be described as the throat of a volcano. Since that time it has been subjected to the usual geological vicissitudes, but appears to have lost little of its original dimensions, that is to say, its top and sides have not been greatly reduced by erosion....” The report, continuing deals in detail with the visits made to Paritutu, and also records of inspections of other possible sources including the Ponaki ranges, the Fishing Rock Quarry, all of which were regarded as unsuitable. ONLY ONE OTHER SOURCE. Continuing Mr. Morgan stated: Under present conditions the only source of stone for the New Plymouth, harbor works that enters into competition with Paritutu is the depsit two miles beyond the present terminus of the Mt. Egmont branch railway. This stone, there is reason to believe is of a better quality than the Paritutu stone, but it will cost much more per ton landed at the harbor works. Moreover, it cannot be supplied at all until the railway (or tramway) is extended to the quarry site. It is possible that the railage (5s 7d per ton) can be considerably reduced; if so the higher quality of the Mt. Egmont stone, as compared with the Paritutu stone, and the fact that its quarrying will not involve the destruction of a monument of great natural and historical interest, may well compensate for a somewhat higher first cost. “In concluding I would like to observe that the question of whether Paritutu is to be destroyed or not is only in a small measure a matter for a geological report. It happens that the hill is so situated that it appeals to the Harbor Board and its engineers as a probable source of cheap material for harbor works, whilst on the other hand, its destruction will cause regret to everyone who has an artistic sense, and is able to realise that there is something more in life than mere utilitarianism. Under the circumstances it appears to be the duty of the Harbor Board and its engineers before proceeding further with the destruction of Paritutu, to show that this course is absolutely necessary, and that there is no practical alternative.

“I would therefore recommend that an endeavor to obtain a full report on the proposed harbor works from an absolutely impartial engineer, should be made by those concerned —that is to say, the board and the Paritutu Protection League, should agree upon some engineer with harbor board experience in whom both sides have confidence. A report from such a man would be of great assistance to me if another geological ex-amination should ibe required. BOARD’S ACTION JUSTIFIED. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson pointed out that the board hail had no opportunity of placing their case before Mr. Morgan when he was in New Plymouth, and if they had been accorded the opportunity, he did not think the concluding paragraph of the report would ever have been added. The whole of the report was really a justification of the board’s action so far, and he believed they should say now that they intended to take the stone from Paritutu when required. It was their duty to construct the breakwater in the quickest possible manner. Mr. Bellringer said the report justified everything the board had said regarding the impracticabiltiy of securing stone fom other sources, and answered all the suggestions made by amateur engineers as to what the board should do. The following resolution, proposed by Mr. Wilkinson, and seconded by Mr. T. McCluggage was carried: That in the opinion of the board, Mr. Morgan’s report, received from the Mines Department, is a complete vindication of the board’s proposal to use stone from Paritutu in the harbor construction work.” At a later stage in the meeting the engineer was instructed to proceed with the arrangements to open out the Paritutu quarry.