RANGITOTO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 13

RANGITOTO

Sir, —In answer to Mr. ,T. P. Kalaugher re the above, may 1 state that until Dr. Hill passed judgment on Rangitoto some years ago the average New Zcalander hardly knew such a place existed, and oven to-dav there are thousands of Aueklanders who have never been there. Time and time again we hear it, every summer, "I've never been here before." It is a peculiar fact that all the criticism has eventuated "since" the paths have been formed —from shack rents —thereby opening up the natural beauties. In Mr. Kalaugher says that Rangitoto must be preserved for "all" future generations, evidently being under the impression that Nature stands still. Everything growing on tho island has been carried there by some means other than human. Wind, sea, birds, dead animals and fish, logs, etc. This process is still going on, and therefore exotics and noxious weeds growing on the mainland are and will continue to germinate on the island. An army of rangers could not prevent or eradicate tliein. Ragwort has been known to Hy 20 miles. Nearly all the mainland weeds are here and in time must, by evolution, alter the entire nature of tho island vegetation. Shacks or no shacks, particularly as more and more soil is formed, and tires, unchecked as now by shack holders, eliminate the native bush. This can be seen happening more quickly on the ocean slopes of the island —parts that have never yet been visited by anyone. The best way to mitigate to some extent this evil is to further open, not close, Rangitoto, by a road and a ring of shacks all round the island. Close the island and it is doomed. Henry G. Smith.