RANGITOTO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22619, 6 January 1937, Page 13

RANGITOTO

Sir. —My family and I spent the Christmas holiday at Islington Bay, I'angitoto Island; as it was our first lengthy visit to the island, we were all impressed by its natural beauty. Though of course the weather being so bad it was impossible to go any distance from the shack, still the beauty of the coastline with the pohutukawas at the very door and the deep green of the shrubs has left an everlasting impression upon the minds of us all and a desire to return, possibly to acquire a shack of our own. Imagine our surprise on reading in the Hkhai.ii of January 4 tlie edict of the Minister of Lands, that the existing shacks must be removed and no more new leases granted on the grounds that shack-holders are destroying the native flora, etc. On various occasions during conversation with various shack-holders, I was struck with their intense love of the island and their earnestness in impressing upon me the need to preserve the trees and shrubs and the care one must take when .smoking— not to drop lighted cigarette butts or matches among the undergrowth. Also the amount of labour expended upon the shack sites is positively astounding, and I agree with the Mayor of Devonport that shacks all round the coastline would be a. distinct advantage and an asset for the preservation of the island, and, what is far more important, the health of the jK'ople residing on its shores. In conclusion, I would like to tender my good wishes to the Kangitoto Island Protection League in their coming struggle to combat the unnecessary interference by a minority group with the rights of people who have spent time and money to acquire a little peace and happiness for themselves and their families 011 the sentinel of the Waitemata. A Lovkh of Hangi.