Creation Of Reserve On Island Opposed

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32120, 16 October 1969, Page 24

Creation Of Reserve On Island Opposed

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, October 1-5.

If the Pakatoa Island foreshore were to be declared a public reserve, the Kerridge Odeon Corporation would have to consider whether its resort there would continue, the general manager of the company (Mr T. S. Townsend) said today at a sitting of the Local Government Commission.

The commission was hearing objections from the corporation and from the owners of Ponui Island to the inclusion of the two islands in the Waiheke county to replace the Waiheke road district

Also included in the proposed scheme are the islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motiiihe. Rakino, Rotorua and Pakihi. Mr Townsend said there was an increasing tendency to vest foreshores with local bodies as public reserves and

iif this were done at Pakatoa the character of the island would be destroyed. If the corporation could not control public use of the foreshore the concept of a tourist and holiday resort would be impossible. The corporation had provided all improvements on the island at a total cost of $1 million, and Mr Townsend knew of nothing the county could provide for the benefit of the corporation. The commission reserved its decision.