OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 January 1929, Page 4

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.

HOLIDAY AT KAWHIA

HAWERA RESIDENTS’ TRIP.

A trip by a route not often taken

by motorists from this district was enjoyed by Mr and Mrs E. K. Cameron and family over the vacation, when, after travelling to Waitomo and Te Kuiti, they branched off along the road to Te Waitere or Lemon Point, so called because of the old lemon trees jffanted many years ago, and still growing by Missionaries who had a station there. There are also huge cherry trees under which tourists camp. The distance from Te Kuiti is about fifty miles, the road being very hilly. It is somewhat rough and -work on it is now proceeding, a great improvement being- noticeable on the return journey. The scenery is described by the tourists as wonderful and half w r ay down the hill there is a fine waterfall, a sheer rock fall, the volume of water being always large. The country shows abundant evidence of volcanic action and in the rocks may be seen large trees petrified, but parts have been reduced to charcoal and may be chipped off easily. On the beach at Te Puia are natural hot springs, covered by the sea at high water. At low water all that one needs to do is dig a hole in the sand and make the ’water to one’s own liking. The harbour is scored by channels navigable by small steamers at any time, but the flats are uncovered at low tide.

The fishing is frequent and varied. Schnapper, lcahawai and small fish abound and out to see some miles can be secured hapulca and sword fish. Flounder abound and some good catches were secured. The blue cod is rare, but Mr Cameron was lucky, he was told, to secure a good specimen.

Te Miaka, where Mr Cameron spent some time at the hostel, is about half an hour’s drive from Te Waitere, on the harbour frontage with Kawhia to the north. The beach cottages are becoming very popular and are well furnished. There are also a number of seaside cottages built by Otorohanga and Hamilton residents.

The regatta is a popular annual event, one being held on December 31 at Kawhia and a second on January 1 at Te Miaka. The event of the day is the whale boat race, for two miles with Maori rowers, and this year a length only separated the two winning boats.

Dairying is progressing, said Mr Cameron, in that area. Te Waitere has a “unit” of its own and Kawhia factory , does big business amongst the farmers, collecting cream by launches and lorries. The output of wool and fat lambs is increasing and one steamer took away a thousand lambs on one trip.

iSand encroachment is a menace to the district. The area of sand is estimated at 5,000 acres and is gradually extending, Tt is a country that needs capital for farming and several large blocks of land arc being taken up by men of experience and means who expect to see great development in the future.

'The distance to 'To Waitere from Hawera is just two hundred miles and, as the roads are steadily being improved, the resort must grow in popularity when it becomes better known.