WAITAKERE BUSH LAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1081, 19 September 1930, Page 14

WAITAKERE BUSH LAND

COUNCIL INTENDING TO MAKE INSPECTION AVAILABLE AT LOW COST A proposal to buy 2,580 acre* of the estate of the late Mrs. E. E. Rayner, between Karekare and Whatipu, near the northern head of the Manukau Harbour, was deferred by the City Council last evening pending a visit by the whole council. A report from the water committee recommended an offer of £1,500 for the property, the cost to be divided equally between the parks and the water committees; but an amendmer* by Cr. Grey Campbell to defer the question was carried. Earlj' in the year a firm of laid agents offered the land for £2.ofiC. and in a later communication pointed out that the present Government valuation was £4.549, including timber x’alued at £1.320. In a report to the water committee, the conservator cf forests said it had been found that the greater part of the area was covered with, heavy scrub and second-growth bush, practically all the millable timber being in the watershed of the Pararaha Stream. KAURI CLUMPS. On either side of the northern tributary of this stream existed several clumps of kauri, which could be hauled about one and a-half miles along a main ridgo to the West Coast Road. Tho kauri amounted to about 367,000 board feet, and its royalty value should be about 8s a hundred board feet. The only remaining kauri of any quantity was scattered over steep country, and amounted to about 50,000 board feet There were probably many fallen trees hidden by second growth. The timber could be hauled by bullocks to Whatipu, with a royalty value noabove 5s a hundred board feet. Cr. G. W. Hutchison declared tba: the area was inaccessible, and he doubted if it would be of great use to the city until probably 50 years time. Cr. Grey Campbell thought the council should inspect the area, which wa? valuable as a scenic part of the " al ” takere Ranges. £ 5.000 ONCE OFFERED In supporting Cr. Campbell, Cr. V. H. Murray said the opportunity o. s.ecuring XVaitakere areas at a reasonable price deserved consideration, tr. E. J. Phelan pointed out that a previous council had inspected the esta and had immediately offered for the area. The price had then Deeu raised to £6,000. . . thp Cr. J. R. Lundon thought that toe admission that the council -vvas _j l j offering £1,500, where it once oliem. £5,000, supported his argument * the council should buy land only u the Public Works procedure. Th© kauri on the area was P rac cally the amount of the offer oi J council, the Deputy-Mayor, Cr. * Entrioan, mentioned. It was a able proposition. It was tru< r.*" nro . might be a long time before m P , perty would be used as a watersn*. There was another aspect oe th© block and the coast, '"'“ere was a fine beach, was an 3 ar ®Lv are a ing to the Harbour Board. Th might easily come to the coun c “. ; there were also several Govern holdings in the same category- g The amendment was carried m of Cr. Entrican’s statement tnai city had a great opportunity io a fine asset at 12s an acre^