TOURIST PUBLICITY FOR FAR NORTH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 34, 4 November 1937, Page 16

TOURIST PUBLICITY FOR FAR NORTH

Government Publication To open up to the tourist and the holi-day-maker a part of the country which is often overlooked by all except the bigganie fislierriien. the Government Tourist and Publicity Department has issued a new travel booklet entitled “Historic North Auckland.” Russell and Paihia and Waitangi, on the Bay of Islands, are of course spots of national importance, but there are many very beautiful and little-known spots in tile north which are included in this publication. The great shallow sub-tropical lagoon of Parengarenga. with its snow-white dunes, mangroveswamps, and shark-haunted lukewarm waters: Whangaroa Harbour of the islets and pohutukawas and mushroom rocks, scene of the burning of the sailing ship Boyd nearly a century and a quarter ago; the Wairnn Falls, one of the most beautiful and impressive cataracts of New Zealand, yet one of which most New Zealanders have never heard; Spirits Bay, Te Reinga, where, according to the Maori, the souls of the dead take leave of the world of the living; Cape Maria Van Dieman, lonely and sun-scorched sentinel at the land’s end ; Waipoua Forest of the giant trees —those are some of the places which all New Zealanders should know, but many do not. The far north, land of horsemen, sailing scows, gum-diggers, kauri trees, and pohutukawa blossoms, has a character peculiarly its own, and particularly fascinating. Two photographs of especial merit are included in tbe booklet; one is thatshowing the giant forest tree, Tane Malinta, largest kauri in Waipoua reserve, and the oilier a glimpse of great breakers rolling into Twilight Bay, with Capo Maria in the background and a mob of cattle to the fore. The cover design is a colourful and striking poster sketch by Miss Denise Gerard, a young Christchurch artist, and depicts Whangaroa Harbour, with a scow unloading and the flowering trees in full blossom in midsummer.