RANGITOTO ISLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 257, 5 November 1897, Page 3

RANGITOTO ISLAND.

OPENING OF THE TRACK AND DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC

A large number of people visited Rangitoto Island on Wednesday on the occasion of the opening of the track, which is now formed from the wharf to the summit of the peak. The Ferry Company ran several excursion trips to the Island during the afternoon, and about 3 o'clock Hunter's Band put in an appearance, and Mr Hunter wakened the echoes with probably the first bugle call ever sounded from the top of the mountain. The track has been Avell laid out, tbe grade not being at all severe except for a short distance just before the summit is reached. The total length of the track is about one mile and three-quarters, and the worst difficulty the pedestrian has to contend Avith is the sharp broken scoria with Avhich the path has been formed. This metal, sharp and rough, rolls loose under .the feet, and is Avithout doubt very trying both to shoe-leather and the endurance ot the walker. The day Avas unfortunately windy, and the top of Rangitoto Avas en-A-eloped in driving mist, Avhich made an extensive a-icav impossible, but everybody seemed to enjoy the trip notAvithstanding. About three o'clock Mr J. C. Macky (Mayor of Devonport and Chairman of the Rangitoto Domain Board); and Messrs M. Niccol, O. Mays, A. Harvey, and other prominent residents of Devonport reached the top of the mountain, and here Mr Macky declared Rangitoto and the neAV track open and dedicated to the public for all time. He Avent on to say that he personally could only lay claim to having been instrumental in finishing the Avork which his predecessor bad begun. Many gentlemen in Auckland as well as Devonport Were entitled to thanks for having helped forward the movement to make Rangitoto accessible to tbe people of Auckland as a place for healthful recreation. Special credit he thought Avas due in the matter to Her Majesty the Queen. Had it not been for the bonfire in honour of -her Diamond Jubilee which Avas lighted on Rangitoto the idea of forming a track' might not have received fulfilmentfor years to come. The bonfire Avas the immediate cause of the making of the track. /Mr A. R. Watson, of Devonport, deserved 1 mention in this connection he having headed the subscriptions with £10. The track and wharf had cost £500 in all. The Ferry Company, he considered, had acted very handsomely, in the matter, having, besides a liberal donation of £100, contributed to the fund three-fourths of the fares collected on the excursion steamers that day. The Government had granted a subsidy of £105. The Harbour Board had also lent valuable assistance, and during the last ten days about £100 had been contributed by the public of Auckland. There Avas, of course, still much to be done, including the planting of trees on the good soil where they stood, the erection of an accommodation house for excursionists, and another track proposed to be formed from Drunken Bay. Mr Niccol described the part he had taken in getting the control of the Island vested in the Devonport Borough Council. In this work he had been greatly assisted by Mr E. Mitchelson who had ahvays taken a warm interest in Rangitoto as a pleasure resort for the citizens of Auckland. The great difficulty had, of course, been the want of the necessary funds and great credit was due to Mr Macky and the Concillors of the Devonport Borough for what had been achieved through their exertions. He referred to tbe fact that on that day on the occasion of his 81st birthday, a well-known and respected Auckland citizen, Dr. Campbell, had walked to the top of Rangitoto. It Avas everybody's duty to take a 'personal interest in preserving this public domain from injury by fire. Mr G. M. Reed; avlio was called upon, heartily congratulated the Mayor of Devonport and all those avlio had taken a part in achieving Avhat had been done, and mentioned that it was only fair to say that amongst those deserving for thanks was Mr "Tim Doolan," noAv of Paeroa, Avho had forwarded to him the first £1 subscribed for the track, accompanied by one of his characteristic odes. After a few Avords from Mr Mays the band struck up the National Anthem, Avhich all joined in singing Avith hats off. Three cheers Avere then given for the Queen, followed by cheers for the Mayor, Rangitoto, and last, but not least, " Tim Doolan." On the way back to the wharf the concrete tank and tank house, which has been constructed at a convenient point of the track, Avas inspected. This will ahvays give a good supply of pure Avater for the use of picnickers. This ended a very pleasant day for all concerned: