Was lucky enough to be gifted a virtual cache ...And have decided to choose the top of Mount Atkinson.,Titirangi West Auckland for my area of interest : and share a little of the life story of a most fascinating and worthy individual HENRY ATKINSON 1838-1921 Philanthropist , Conservationist , Lobbyist .
I have often wondered about this statue of Henry which now stands outside Lopdell House ...So I have done some research ; thanks to Google !
Henry was born in Windermere in the UK : and was educated in Engineering . In his late twenties he worked in the UK , Russia and Portugal on waterworks engineering projects . He emigrated to NZ in 1863 and met his future wife on the boat journey out here .
He supervised the establishment of the first Auckland Gasworks on the corner of Nelson and Fanshawe Sts which he managed for 34 years. First the family lived in Nelson St... then Grafton Road : plus had a holiday home in Rangiwai Rd Titirangi . During the late 1880s he began purchasing large blocks of bush clad land in Titirangi. Henry retired in 1897.
In 1900 he gifted a water reservoir site in Atkinson Rd and another for the Upper Nihotupu reservoir . He secured the scheme that gave Auckland City permanent water supply for most of the 20th Century : after previous supplies at Auckland Domain and Western Springs were becoming inadequate. Henry also advocated for the construction of the Whau Canal to connect the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours via the Whau Portage ...which never eventuated.
LOCAL LEGACY: Gifted Titirangi Beach , Atkinson Reserve , Titirangi War Memorial , Rangiwai Heritage House, Land for Titirangi Primary School, Walks including the Zig Zag Track... Waitakere Water Catchment Areas .
Plus there is also his Statue ...which was originally on top of Mt Atkinson ; but subsequently moved down to Titirangi Village due to vandalism.
NOTE : Gates on road Closed 6.30pm-7am daily
Tasks to claim this virtual cache;
Go to the summit of Mt Atkinson (listed GZ). You can drive there via Kohu Rd and The Drive...Alternatively walk up.
First find the old pedestal that the statue previously sat on and;
1) Include a photo of you or your GPS pointing to it, and put it on your public log
2) Privately Email me the number of triangles on the circular base of the pedestal.
You may log the cache immediately, however photos must be uploaded and answers sent within 30 days. If no message is recieved or photos are not posted you will be contacted and the log may be deleted.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.