CHARM OF RANGITOTO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 157, 6 July 1931, Page 9

CHARM OF RANGITOTO.

DOMAIN BOARD INSPECTION.

POPULAR HEALTH RESORT.

ROAD WORK BY PRISON LABOUR.

"So much has been written about gitoto, and yet so little is apparently known of its wonderful attractions as one of Auckland's greatest assets," was the remark made by the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. F. H. W. Meikle, after a tour of the island, on' ■. Saturday, accompanied by members of the council, in their capacity :• of the Rangitoto Domain Board. Mr. A. E. Wilson, clerk, and. Mr. A. T. Griffiths, engineer, were present. The Rangitoto Domain Board was constituted in,lS92, and it was then agreed to construct a permanent track to the summit, a height of: SoOft, but owing to lack of funds the project was not commenced until about five years ago/when the board had accumulated a sum of £1000. About £3000 has been expended on the island by way of roads, huts, etc. An 18ft road, with an elevated kerbing, is constructed out of scoria, and covers a distance, hy a circuitous route, of 14 miles. The route is so designed as to include many beautiful valleys and crevasses, shaded by innumerable trees of exquisite beauty, and-charm. Had the work been . carried out by . ordinary labour,- MiY' Griffiths stated, the cost would have exceeded £30,000. Besides this accomplishment, prison labour has been responsible for the contribution of a tennis court areaj of about an acre. Another court of similar dimension is now being constructed. Mr. Griffiths has also plans prepared for. the building of a stone kiosk, which will provide commodious rooms for bathing facilities; at the same time'full -provision will be mad6 ? for refreshment rooms. ■ •

Mr. Griffiths stated that a new.bridge was required in the vicinity of Islington \Bay,'and" this work would also be carried out by prison labour.

The island comprises .some 5900 acres, and is covered with a large assortment of native buslr. It has been stated that there is, a greater variety of.pohutukawas on .Rangitoto than ill; any other part- , of New Zealand." With, easy access to'the-suminiV over-a-smooth road, and

the accommodation houses already erected, Rangitofo is becoming one of the most attractive health resorts in the Dominion. Already a large number of shacks have been erected. One lady from the South, who is spending her second year on the island, speaks with enthusiasm of the health-giving, atmosphere of Rangitoto. She informed a reporter that the winter was very mild at Rangitoto, and as the island is almost totally comprised of scoria, there was always a warmth in the atmosphere.

The members of the board were of the opinion that the work done at Rangitoto would prove of great.. advantage to Auckland and its residents.