NORTHLAND

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 3

NORTHLAND

The Story of Northland. By A. H. Reed. A. H. and A. W. Reed. 395 pp. Tides of Hokianga, By Cecil and Celia Manson. The Wingfield Press, Wellington. 117 pp.

The charm that the North Auckland peninsula can exert is illustrated by Mr Reed’s claim to be a Northlander, though he lived there for only a few’ years while he was a boy and has for many years been a citizen of Dunedin. His tribute to Northland is in no way a formal history, but rather a happily written description of some of the notable events and characters in the earlier days of the district. Although Northland’s history goes back much further than the history of other New Zealand provinces, it was the last to be developed. Until quite recently it was the roadless north as well as the winterless north. Curiously enough Canterbury played an individual part in the colonisation of Northland. In 1888, Mr James Morrell, a Christchurch gardener, read of the possibilities of Northland and his interest led to the establishment of the Christchurch Village Settlement Association, which founded Waimamaku settlement. The first arrivals, like the earlier Canterbury pilgrims, had to walk over a high hill. A road was later built over the hill connecting them to the Hokianga harbour, which gave them sea access in the north. They had no access to the south until 1928, when the road through the Waipoua forest was finished. No doubt Mr Reed’s handsomely produced and illustrated book will tempt many persons who do not know the far north to visit it. They will not be disappointed. Manson set out in an old car from their Wellington home bound for Rawene on the Hokianga river. They had a twofold object: a holiday for their two boys and for themselves a kind of historical pilgrimage. This is the story of their trip through the heart of Northland and of their reliving of the interesting history that lies sleeping in today’s quiet scenes of farmland and dairy factory, launch and lorry, beside the romantic Hokianga river. Manning. Pompallier. de Thierry, the “Dog Tax” war, legends of Kupe. the hard facts of Captain Hobson and Lieutenant McDonnell and of many other colourful personalities come to life in these pages. The authors have already made a reputation for themselves in journalism and in broadcasting in New Zealand, and this accurate yet lively narrative, the product of research, keen observation and friendly contact with people, will surely result in a demand for more from them. Surprisingly few South Islanders who visit the North Island ever go beyond the city of Auckland. After reading this charming little book holiday-makers will certainly wish to include the Hokianga district in the itinerary.