SCARRED HILLS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16826, 13 December 1928, Page 10

SCARRED HILLS

HISTORIC TUHIMATA PROTEST AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE WORK To Akarana Maori Association is protesting against the probable quarrying of Tuhimata. an historic bill year Rairiiiramn. The Franklin County Council lias leased the reserve ami the association has heard that the lessee intends to carry out quarrying of the hill immediately. In milking its request to the council to prevent such work, the association is emphasising thai it is not acting entirely because of (he history of the hill, if. considers thai .scenic value should be considered, as the hill is a landmark, ami argues that scenery is public property and hhoulcl nut be sacrificed tor the sake of private gain. The association points out the damage tu volcanic cones and headlands near Auckland and intends (o make a strong request that Tuhimnta should be preserved.

Tuhimata was once the site of an important Maori pa. and. about 1825. there was a, proposal among the tribes of the southern section, of the Auckland isthmus to make it a general stronghold. The suggestion was ruled out by many of the chiefs, however, on the grouud that the silo would not, he suitable against gunfin' of the North Auckland Maoris, from whom invasions were feared. Another proposal to make it a stronghold was made before the Waikato War. Tuhimata having been an ordinary large village site about 1850 and 1860. Eventually the occupation of the bill ceased, as it was in the area confiscated from (he natives.

The Maori Association urges particularlv that it is not desirable to allow further damage to bills in the vicinity of Auckland. Rocently additional damage to Mount Albert was prevented. One Tree, Hill.has been made a reserve, ami the One Tree Hill Road, Hoard pro tested against quarrying on MountSmart. ...... .... ■■