THE NEGLECTED RANGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15520, 30 January 1914, Page 4

THE NEGLECTED RANGES.

Sir,l hope your comment upon the magnificent asset the people of Auckland possess in the scenery, at our very doors and that is still hardly known by the hulk of the community, will have due effect. It is not fair to blame the local bodies round Auckland, or the Dominion Government, for this not being known. The apathy of the people themselves is almost entirely to blame, for the regions mentioned have been fairly accessible for a quarter of a century, and yet, with the exception of here and there one, no effort has been made .to ?iew this charming region. To further extend the waterworks scheme, the City Council have to construct a dam to store the water obtained from some 3000 acres, embracing the Nihotupu Valley. In order to obtain the drainage of the largest area, the best place for the dam is at the head of . the lower falls, or about 580 ft above sea level. Here nature has provided the very best foundation and the configuration of the valley is all that could be desired for the purpose. The drive could be con-' tinned along the present track,, through I still grander scenery, to within about a mile or so of the proposed dam, and then a new road should be formed at an easy gradient to the top of the dam. A road should be likewise constructed around the margin of the dam with an easy graded foot track to the West Coast Road! By this mean's the whole of the beautiful falls and the scenery on the banks of the Nihotupu Stream would be made accessible. From the western end of the dam, an easy graded drive can be formed, skirting the Huia Watershed, ' bring tourists out on the present West Coast Road, still through virgin forest the property of the people. From here on with some little deviation, a good graded road is obtainable to the West Coast, where the precipitous rocks are lashed by the swell and fury of the Pacific Ocean, the nearest land being Tasmania. This at times is grand and aweinspiring, and all within about an hour's drive from Auckland. From here a good graded road should be made down to the coast, so as to obtain a motor drive from Kerikeri to the Manukau Heads along the hard black sand. Again, from the dam at Nihotupu, a graded road is obtainable right down through the people's property to Cornwallis. Here again is a magnificent beach of about a mile in length," sheltered from the prevailing winds. - A wharf could be here run out at a slight expense to make the place approachable from the waters of the Manukau, and thereby enhance the value of the property of the people. And now, assuming that it is acknowledged by the people that this is a necessary and indirectly a profitable proposition where is the money to come from to carry it out? It is hardly fair that the ratepayers of the city should be saddled with the whole of the expense. It is a proposition that is going to benefit, not only the city and suburbs, but the whole of the Dominion. Therefore some means should be devised of fairly allocating the liability. If we are to be guided by the expenditure of older communities, where large sums are incurred to attract tourists, and which is fully warranted by results, here we have a virtual gold mine, besides' providing pleasant and elevating pleasure resorts for our own community. Few, I am afraid, fully appreciate the keen interest our present I Mayor has, and is exercising in this direc-

tion, full? realising |as- l : know? _ 80. does, | the . wonderful attractions }ot this rcgion». | and the great possibilities in the , interests , of the city that will ultimately ;be obtained. % I consider it the' . duty of every citizen to « aupport the Mayor in this work to which * he is devoting so much, of his . valuable time. - , . H. Atkinson.