VOLCANIC CONES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 409, 18 July 1928, Page 12

VOLCANIC CONES

PRESERVING BEAUTY LEGISLATION WANTED ‘’Tlio admiration expressed by oversea visitors for the unique beauty of Auckland’s volcanic cones should compel all> who love their city to see that no effort is spared to preserve them from further quarrying,” stated the report presented last evening by the special committee set uq by the Auckland Town-planning Association to report on this question. The following recommendations were made: That the Minister of Lands be asked if his department can suggest any legislation or regulations devised to preserve the tops and sides of the hills from quarrying. That the scenery preservation committee be asked to consider the purchase of some of the hills now privately owned in order to ensure their preservation from being quarried. That failing any plan to purchase the remaining hills, the Government be asked to pass legislation on the lines of the British National Monuments Trust, whereby (it is reported) places and ruins of historical interest are placed under protection, but need not be purchased, and the owner is pledged to protect the same and allow access to the public. That the Quarries Act should be strengthened to provide for a permit, being required for any excavation on the llank of any volcanic hill.

That the Government be asked to legislate, giving authority to any local body in the environs of Auckland, having the use of any volcanic hill or crater, or acting as a Domain Board in this connection, to raise loans or expend money from the rates on the improvement and maintenance of such reserve.

It is suggested local bodies should be asked to co-operate in seeing that no further quarries are opened, in endeavouring to obtain possession of private disused quarries for reserves, and in giving preference to tenders for the supply of scoria in which the stone does not come from any volcanic hill Recommendations are also included with a view to ensuring the preservation of Mount Albert, Mount Wellington and Rangitoto.