WELCOME GIFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 258, 31 October 1928, Page 6

WELCOME GIFTS.

The people of Auckland might cheerfully face an election campaign every year if it meant that the Prime Minister visited them bearing such local gifts as he brought on Monday. No more scoria from Mount Albert, vigorous building of the Morningside line, and a park at Motuihi—all in one breath as it were. Thank you, Mr. Coates. The scar on Mount Albert should never have been made, and it is discreditable to successive Governments that the quarry was not closed years ago. The building of the shorter line to the western suburbs will be a most important transport development. The setting aside of the greater part of Motuihi is a wise move. It is perhaps the most beautiful island in the gulf, and the community is by no means as well provided with island reserves as it should be. Rangitoto is superb and unique, but its very uniqueness limits its use as a park. The plea that the whole of Motuihi had to be reserved for quarantine purposes was very weak, for experience elsewhere shows that quarantine stations can safely exist alongside areas used for other purposes. Finally, we may note that Mr. Coates is looking into the utilisation of Hobson Bay. We hope he will realise how inconsistent it would bo to make a model suburb at Orakei and put a shunting yard and factory area at its. front gate. The waterfront of Auckland used to be a smile, but the spirit of ugliness is busy turning it into a leer.