RANGITOTO SHACKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 15

RANGITOTO SHACKS

TOTAL OP NINETY-FIVE CRITICISM BY COUNCIL QUESTION OF RESTRICTION Concern at the large number of buildings which have been erected on Rangitoto Island was expressed by members of the Waitemata County Council at a meeting yesterday, A protest had recently been forwarded to the Minister of Lands, Sir Alfred Hansom, who had replied that he had asked his officers to go fully into the matter. In reporting on a recent, inspection of the island, the chairman, Mr. W. A. Bishop, who was accompanied by members of the Rangitoto Island Domain Board and 'Mr. J. C. Rennie, a member ot the council, said he was agreeably surprised with the condition of the island. However, the Domain Board should not be permitted to allow further shacks to be built, as there were enough already. " The object of the formation of the Domain Board was to preserve the island in its natural state," said Mr. J. C. Repnie, " and the spirit of the Act has not been carried out. There are 95 shacks there. I would not support any proposal to close the island so as to exclude the public. I would suggest that we leave the matter_as it stands until we get the support of other local bodies." A letter from the Parks Committee of the City Council was read, stating that it was of the opinion that the island should be available for the public as a domain in its natural state. Another letter from the Lands and Survey Department stated that it would be pleased to co-operate as far as possible in prohibiting the erection of further buildings, but pointed out that the Domain Board was in control.

It was decided to defer the matter until a report had been received from the Ministej of Lands.