ARMY CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24083, 30 September 1941, Page 6

ARMY CONTROL

RANGITOTO ISLAND RESIDENCE RESTRICTED NO WEEK-END VISITORS The effect of a recent declaration by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, that Rangitoto is to be a prohibited area has now been made clear by the Army. As from October 31 only those residents of Islington Bay who were the legal holders of building site licences issued by the Rangitoto Domain Board before April, 1937, and were permanently residing at/ the bay before September 1, 1939, will be allowed to remain in residence. All other persons have to quit the island by October 31. As from the same date, no further passes will be issued to the public to any portion of Rangitoto Island by the officer commanding the Northern Military District except to bona fide licence and dwelling owners. To these persons passes will be issued only on the last Sunday of each month to allow them to inspect or attend to their property between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Very Few Affected The notice to quit the island is expected to affect very few, if any, of the people living at Islington Bay. Although about 50 persons own baches there, it is stated that only about six reside there permanently. No new permits to build have been given and no transfers permitted since April, 1P37. When war broke out there were about 100 Aucklanders and others with baches on the island, the buildings being in two clusters, one at Islington Bay and the other on the city side near the Rangitoto Wharf. The wharf urea was closed in the first week of the >var, and since last Christmas shack-owners have been able to go to the island only by means of passes issued by the Army. Public Excluded The new order will mean that bachowners who have been able to visit the island at the week-ends will no longer be able to do so. Instead, they will be allowed only a few hours on the last Sunday in every month. Thus, the only people exempted from the new restrictions are those among the six permanent residents of Islington Bay who were in permanent residence there on September 1, 1939, and were the legal holders of building site licences before April, 1937. All other dwelling owners can only go to the island once a month and all members of the general public will not be allowed to go at all.