MOUNT ALBERT QUARRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16983, 17 October 1918, Page 7

MOUNT ALBERT QUARRY

OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE.

BEAUTY SPOT OF FUTURE. A statement as to the intentions of the Railway Department in regard to the ballast quarrying operations at Mount Albert was sought by a joint deputation from the Mount Albert Borough Council and the Auckland Town-planning League, which yesterday waited upon the general manager of railways, Mr. E. H. Hiley. The Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. T. B. Clay, and Mr. C. J. Parr, ALP., president of the Town-planning League, headed the deputation. ' Messrs. Clay and Parr stated that the deputation desired to be informed how long the Department proposed to continue using the quarry, whether it would mako its operations dovetail, into any improvement scheme, and whether it would ran ; ] tee not to encroach upon the Mount AlDert waterworks or domain areas. Mr. Parr asked that the Department should leave the quarry in such a condition that it i could be utilised to advantage as a beauty I s P°k , i i Mr, Hiley submittod two models, one of ! the mountain in its present form and one iof the state in which it was expected to be 10 years hence. The latter model 1 showed the present quarry floor reduced to a level surface, with the sides graded to a gradual batter and grassed. Mr. F. E. Powell, C.E., a member of the executive of the Town-planning League, submitted a plan of a proposed . treatment of the top of the mountain on waterscape lines. Mr. Hiley said that the Department waa prepared to consider favourably the adoption of Mr. Powell's achemo or a similar plan. It was out of the question to cease the quarrying operations. The quarry had been in use for 35 years, and he was advised that there was no alternative to its continued use. It would bo better to complete the present work in such a way as to leave it in a state that would he of some public benefit and not an eyesore. He agreed to meet the deputation on the ground to-morrow morning.