STILL FIGHTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 5

STILL FIGHTING.

THE PARITUTU LEAGUE. FUTURE POLICY DECIDED. A meeting of the Pari tutu Preservation League was held last night to discuss future policy. There was an attendance of) about twenty-five, the majority being ladies. Tho president (Mr. R. Clinton Hughes) occupied the chair. The chairman said the meeting had been convened in order that the executive might report to members or. what had been done since last meeting, and also to decide on a future policj', in view of what had happened. The committee had circularised members of Parliament invoking their aid, and communications were also sent to tho Minister of Mines (asking for an investigation), and to the Minister of Railways (requesting a concession regarding the railage of stone from the Egmont quarries). In both cases sympathetic replies were received. The deputation from the league which waited on the Harbor Board pointed out that thev were not actuated by any fractious inclinations, but only by a desire to save Paritutu, and the board in turn informed the deputation that the decision to quarry Paritutu was the result of stern necessity. The geological reports, which had since been received, both stated that there was a fair proportion qf stone in Paritutu for harbor purpose.' 3 , and the argument that the league had previously put forward, namely, that even if Paritutu were destroyed, it would be useless for harbor purposes, could not be relied upon. The question they had to consider was what to suggest to the Harbor Board that would result in the saving of Paritutu. To him the board seemed to he in a difficult position, both financially and as regards construction. They had enough money •'to carry them on till October, and it appeared that they would have plenty of stone to work on in the meantime from the rock that had already been quarried about Paritutu. Alter Octoper the board would probably have to close down for a period. There was also a question of construction involved now. All probably had been dazzled by Mr. Blair Mason’s seneme as being very suitable, but what bad they got for the money spent? How many branches of the board’s original scheme had been carried out? Apparently very little; they had the extension of the breakwater under way. A great diversion of opinion had taken place as to the propriety of Mr. Blair Mason's plans, and suggestions had been made in favor of the Mikotahi-Lion Rock-Mo-turoa wall. It appeared therefore, tnat tne board would have to make a pause in their operations and carefully con. sider matters before proceeding further. Another point was that the quantity of stone in Paritutu would go only a small way towards the construction of the habor; it might do a substantial part, but not in any way all of it, and sooner or later the board would have, to look for a further supply. This wks the question which he suggested they should face at once. There were two possible sources, the Pouaki ranges, and the Mt. Egmont quarries. The former would necessitate the construction of a

branch line from Moturoa and the cost of the actual laying of ihe line of 14 miles, compensation for land, and purchase of rolling stock, would probably run into £lOO,OOO. It would have the effect, however, of providing a great supply of stone, and open up a fine piece of country. Customers for the stone could be found within a radius of 100 miles around. He doubted, how ever, whether the project, could be taken up in view of the present financial situation. The other source was the Mt. Egmont quarries, and it presented many advantages, and its development would serve to utilise the public works which were at present lying idle. Mr. P. R. Fitzherbert moved the following resolutions on behalf of tho executive of the league: —(1) That tin' Harbor Board be requested to fire no further shots in Paritutu until tho stone brought down by the first shot has been used; (2) that in view of works in contemplation by local bodies and State departments, it. is in the best economic interests of tho community that co-operation should take place to obtain an inexhaustible quarry of highclass stone; (3) that all local bodies be forthwith approached with a view of their holding a conference to determine their ultimate requirements, and upon finding that Paritutu is insufficient, the local bodies bring pressure to bear upon the Government to complete Mt. Egmont railway and quarry. The resolutions were seconded by Mr. Stuart Russell, and carried