GIBRALTAR ROCK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 31 December 1925, Page 9

GIBRALTAR ROCK.

SMALLEST GROWN COLONY

There is a widespread idea that Gibraltar is just a vast fortified rook. It is, in fact, a prosperous city, and the smallest Grown Colony in the British Empire. The civil population exceeds 25,000. The territory is less than three miles in length, and at no point is it more than three-quarters of a mile in width. It has, perhaps, the finest artificial harbour in Europe. The great rook, with which the name is so strongly connected in the public mlind, rises sheer from a sandy tract that connects' it with Spain. The highest point of the rock is on the Mediterranean side, and is known as O’Hara’s Tower, being 1403 feet above sea level. The western face of the rock slopes down to a sandy plain, on which the city stands. The 'southern fact rises directly from the sea. In many places the rook is penetrated by enormous natural oaves. Some of these have not yet been fully known as the Leonora caves, is very rich in stalactites, and the famed Mommoth cave of Kentucky cannot display anything to equal the beauty of the Gibraltar limestone formations. Early in the present century* the British War Office completely refitted the defence equipment of the rock. Guns of .terrific power and raSige were placed at great heights. Naval repair sheds were -installed that can undertake any. ordinary repairs to a. battleship. Tunnels and rock cuttings that Itjad to various strategic centres are kept a military secret and are forbidden to the ordinary visitor. Perhaps -the strangest feature of tin formidable-looking place is its agriculture. Little pockets of workable soil here and there allow the natives tr cultivate capers, asparagus aloes and some semi-tropical fruits.