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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6570, 7 December 1882, Page 4

It is quite safe to say, that the project of purchasing the Waitakerei ranges for the city, suggested in another column, is worthy of consideration. The city of Auckland is at present supplied with water from the Western Springs, which are fed by the drainage through a bolt of scoria lying between the Three Kings, extending through the Cabbage Tree Swamp to where the springs issue to the surface. At present the water is pure and beautiful, but no one can tell how long it may remain so. There is a possibility even that the quantity may be found by and by to be insufficient, aud in that case the Waikakerei range is the only place from which we can obtain a supply. The Nihotupn stream was spoken of at first as the beat source from whence to obtain the water supply of Auckland, but the fear was, that when the bush was cut down, or was by any means cleared away, the river would be insufficient. It is rather strange that within ten miles of this large and rapidly growing city, there should be so wild a district a3 Waitakerei, where the "forest primeval" exists in all its beauty and rnajestv ; whore can be seen stately kauris, whose age haß to be estimated by centuries, graceful tree ferns, and majestic nikau palms ; where the tui and korimako can still be heard in the early morning, and where the shy nocturnal kiwi is still numerous in the deep gullies. The dilnculty iu carrying out such a proposal as that made by our correspondent, is in respect to money, for though the Waitakerei ranges would not cost much per acre, the aggregate sum necessary for so large an area as spoken of would be considerable. While on this subject, we mav sav that there is a need for Auckland having a place of summer resort at a higher elevation than any which she at 1 present possesses. No place in the colony has so many beautiful places close around it, but they are all low-lying, most of them at the seaside. The climate of Auckland i 3 relaxing and humid, and for some of those who feel the need of a holiday, a clear, dry, bracing air is required. " In many respects Sydney resembles Auckland, but there the inhabitants can iu a few hours by rail tind themselves in the elevated legion of the Blue Mountains, where tht air is quite different from that ou the sea coast. Possibly the City Council might recoup itself for the cost of purchasing the country spoken of by our correspondent by leasing certain portions to be used for the erection of places of accommodation for those seeking change or climate and scene from the city of Auckland.