Stony Batter access ban

Press, 30 December 1982, Page 4

Stony Batter access ban

PA Auckland A new row has broken out over Stony Batter — between a company running bus tours of Waiheke Island and Mr John Spencer, the owner of the surrounding land. Mr Spencer’s earlier unsuccessful attempt to buy more land round the historic gun emplacements and fortifications at Stony Batter was bitterly opposed by many Waiheke Islanders.

This week the Devonport Steam Ferry Group began a special bus tour of the island, including Stony Batter. But according to the company, Mr Spencer telephoned to say that commercial vehicles were banned from his land.

The company’s general manager. Mr Richard Schofield, said last evening that it would force the issue with

Mr Spencer to clarify the legal questions of public access to Stony Batter. He said the road through Mr Spencer’s property was an easement to the Crown and was therefore public land.

On Tuesday, the tour bus driver drove round a LandRover blocking the road to get to the site. “Mr Spencer will let people walk there but old people or those without cars find it very difficult,” said Mr Schofield.

The company intended to run its bus to Stony Batter today, in spite of Mr Spencer’s opposition. The County Clerk of the Waiheke Island County Council, Mr Calbi Gargiulo, said last evening that Mr Spencer had no legal right to block access over the road.