THE VOLCANIC HILLS.

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 8

THE VOLCANIC HILLS.

QUESTION OF PRESERVATION.

AN "INDIFFERENT" PUBLIC.

The One-treo Hill Road Board at its adjourned meeting on Friday received a letter from its solicitors (Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond), stating that in their opinion an application for an injunction to restrain Messrs. Winstone, Ltd., from opening a quarry on the side of 'Mount St. John would be useless unless expert evidence was forthcoming that the stability of the summit would be endangered.

Regret was expressed by every member present at tho possibility of tho destruction of tho hill.

Tho chairman (Mr. H. R. Morton) remarked that as the pcoplo of Auckland wero so indifferent to Hie fat« of tho volcanic hills around the city and suburbs bo was afraid it was hopeless to try to save any of them.

It was resolved that if tho necessary expert evidence was riot forthcoming to desist from any. further effort to restrain the owninc of a quarry, and to consent to Messrs. Winstone's application for a road way into Mr. Maxfield's property for the removal bf scoria.

The chairman said ho saw only one possible way "to preserve these volcanic hills— namel" for tho New Zealand Government to take them all under the Public Works Act. and to charge each local body all, or a portion, of tlie Merest and sinking fund on the cost. They would then remain as public reserves in perpetuity, or could be leased to tie owners of the adjoining level land.