Coromandel Coast

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 4

Coromandel Coast

Coromandel Coast By Eugene and Valerie Grayland. A. H. and A. W. Reed. 176 pp.

This book describes a motor trip the authors made round the Coromandel Peninsula, in the course of which they took time to fossick out a little of the history of the towns and settlements along the way. They talked with old residents in Waihi, Whitianga, Thames and more out-of-the-way places, and gathered stories and anecdotes to supplement information they had gleaned from books concerning this region where relics of the goldmining days are still much in evidence.

The dating of past events is sometimes vague in this book. It states on page 52 that “the first Whitianga School was opened in the local doctor’s home,” but it omits to mention the doctor’s name and the date of the founding at the school. The authors describe the holiday attractions of the peninsula, particularly its beaches and the magnificent views encountered on their journey. Those who contemplate visiting Coromandel Peninsula will find this an entertaining, well illustrated book which contains on its end-papers a map 'showing “the authors’ route.”