TEE VOLCANIC HILLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 8

TEE VOLCANIC HILLS.

PETITION TO THE HOUSE. FAVOURABLY REPORTED OJM ' " '■'?£ [BY. TEEEGBAPH. —SPECIAL COBBE3FOXDEST.] Wixtrs-GTOJr, Friday. '|SI The petition from the Mayors of the City M of Auckland and the suburban borough councils and the chairmen of the suburban flf road boards, asking that steps be taken ! j to preserve the Auckland volcanic moun- 1 tains from further disfigurement, wa3 re- Iff ported upon to-day by the Lands Committee, which recommended that the petition be referred to the Government for Is favourable consideration. Mr. Myers (Auckland East) expressed J|§ \ a hope that the Government would dasH ; something to give effect to the desires of If! 1 the petitioners. The vandalism that had H been committed in regard to these mora-H ! tains was regarded by visitors to Auckland as most regrettable. It might be desirable for the Government to take over the mountains under the Public Works Act, and to charge the local bodies with §1 the interest on the capital amount, andifl thus ensure uniformity of policy. Mr. Dickson (Parnell), in endorsing Mr. Myera'a remarks, referred to the es£m tent to which Mount Albert and Mount V Smart had been disfigured by the Railway Department, which, he said, was on© of the greatest sinners in this matter. He thought that-Mr. Myers's suggestion would be a good thing. Ha hoped the Government would prevent Mount St. John being used as a scoria pit.

Mr. Bradney (Auckland West), whilst § agreeing with the other speakers. said it was at case of shutting the stable door , after the horse had escaped. Many of '■ the mountains had already entirely gone. I Mr. Dickson: It is not too late to sav« ■' such mountains as Mount St. John. ' jlj The petition was referred to the J Government for favourable considerate, J The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. 0. J. ■ " Parr, gave evidence before the committee ; to-day in support of the petition.