IMPRESSIONS OF WHANGAREI

Northern Advocate, 18 June 1926, Page 8

IMPRESSIONS OF WHANGAREI

(By .an Auckland Visitor). ,A recent visitor from Auckland, and bavins: never before undertaken a trip to the Wintorloss I have "been struck with the fine bush and kill scenery around Whangarei. The town itself was a surprise to one accustomed to think of Whangarei as a much smaller place than it is, and it is from the fine ridges of tho hills around that one can best gauge tho size of the northern capital. To walk up one of the gentle eminences which slope invitingly from almost any side of the town, or to climb to higher points, has been a daily pleasure to me since coming to Whangarei. Even tho uncertain, almost blustering, weather of some of the days, has not diminished the pleasure. Although the rain renders tho paths soft and slippery, it is also responsible for the emerald greenness of the grassland mosses, while the frequent spells of sunshine make a long walk worth while. Climbing up one of the bush-skirted mounds at one end of the town, one first gets a good view of the Public Hospital, with its many buildings and grounds. A little farther up, and the railway station comes into prominence, With perchance a rong column of smoke, like a white ribbon denoting an incoming train, and an array of roofs and chimneys giving .one some idea of the extent of the town. But one must climb still further to see it all, and it is only when tho summit of one of the high hills has been attained that the enterprising climber has this reward. Ho has then a complete panorama—Mairfcown on the one side, with Parahaki behind, and Onerahi, and the winding river, and the fine Heads in tho distance.

The inhabitants of Whangarei are indeed fortunate in possessing so many natural beauty, spots, which should provide happy hunting-grounds for them during ‘ any time, of the year.