RANGITOTO SUMMIT ROAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1023, 14 July 1930, Page 8

RANGITOTO SUMMIT ROAD

DOMAIN BOARD CARRIES OUT INSPECTION DIFFICULTY OF FORMATION An inspection of the new wonks at Rangitoto Island wi? carried out on Saturday after-,-by the Devonport Borough in Its capacity as the Ranaitot,’ Domain Board. * n S‘toto Tho object of the journey made m the ferry Condor, was to decide u! time necessary to complete the roadway, which forms a triangaw, route to scenic points on the Eight light cars were taken toff Island for the purpos. of covering thl road already laid down. Tho plan to use prison labour p. building the road was first publicly *anounced by the late Mr. S. \v. LuxfortL a member of the beard, and it sanctioned by Sir James Parr. the* Minister of Justice. Work on tb« road was begun in November, launder the direction of Mr. A. T. GrUfiths. engineer to tho Devonport Con*, cil, who has acted in an honorary capacity for the Domain Board. TV preliminary work of surveying tV rout© was extremely difficult, ais mne' of the ground was found to be so broken that passage over it was possible. THICKNESS OF LAVA Tlie whole surface of the 5.600 acres of the island is a thickness of unknown depth, twisted, fractured and forced up into hillocks. A forest c pohutukawa is on the lower reached* The first task was to construct a rock-walled camp, enclosing twoberth huts and cookhouses. TV esplanade leading from Rangitoto Wharf was widened and buttressed by a solid wall, a projection of which win later embrace a swimming pooh -TV road line to the beacon Is almost level; this was a difficult work as blastinghad to be carried out for more th» n , mile of the route. Hand-packed scoria boulders were laid in an excavated channel, and, over this, the m « had to tramp to and from work. Their boots lasted only a fortnight. Leaving Salt Pan Flat, the road was taken over the saddle on the north of the crater, where excellent bindiac material was found, but at the wronr end of the formation. The work w? s then changed to connect the wharf with Islington Bay, and this two ud three-quarter miles of route was laid within three months, bv quick work. The road was then carried up the saddle to meet the road from the beacon side. A plan to tafc* the road to the summit was abandoned, as tlie top peak is of loose ash. Work has been carried out on the road - :ng round the peak, to prevent slipping, and. over the fascines, scoria has been laid. Fine scoria and ash haw been laid down to give a compact and smooth surface to the whole of the road. A motor-truck with broad, ironfaced drums for wheels, has been «s*4 to roll the surface, and to carry material. For most of the tune. Warder Turnbull has supervised lie difficult work. CHEF AS CAMP COOK * The men took great interest in thee 1 work. The cook at tlie camp at one time was formerly a chef in a wellknown hotel; a truck driver once was the manager of a large garage Fkii was often or. tlie menu, as eupplr-s could be caught easily from the wharf. Once or twice, stalkers brought I*l venison. The original plan for a r ute of 14 miles was reduced to give a roadway nine miles long. The old tracks to the summit and the caves will be retained. Trampers can use the new route and a suitable motor vehicle is also suggested to make the journey to tV summit. Near the wharf, tlie boanl has had prepared an area sufficient festive tennis courts. To the end of the last financial year tho expenditure amounted to £2,1*5 and it was estimated that the road would be completed by the expenditure of £250 this year. At the end of that time the huts, fittings, tools an£ motor-truck would be available to the board as assets. It was difficult t* assess the value of prison labour, hot on a conservative basis it was estimated at £25.000. Board members who visited the island were Messrs. J. Hislop. chairman. T. Walsh. K. H. Little. F. T. Kyru. W S. Campbell. F. J. H. Ellfeclon. G. Falla, W. Cassels-Brown C. M. Browne. Also in tho pad l were the Hon. K. W. Alison, chainan r*f the Devonport Ferry Company; H* F. Mortimer, secretary to the eomjMay: Mr. K. Alison, junr.: Mr. George Fia* i liainuar. of the New Zealand and the Aucklam. Manufacturers* Association** Mr. G. M. Fowlds. of the Town-Ptor; ning Association; and Professor J. C. Sperrin-.Johnson. honorary botanist to the board. Mr. Alison said he was proud to bMXt been instrumental in the appointment of the Devonport Borough Council** tho domain board governing the is**®® As Mayor *»f Devonport many ago lie had communicated with tie Government with the view of forma* the Rangitoto Domain Board In that damage caused by picnic fir*? might be prevented and since a ***** to the summit had first been fonj*® great progress had been made. A*® s service from the wharf which he stood the board was content pi®#®* would enable visitors to make a sig* : * seeing tour of the island.