A BARRIER REMOVED
WAIPOUA FOREST ROAD THE OPENING CEREMONY. A RED-LETTER DAY. (Special to "Northern Advocate”)Some or eight miles to the south of Opouonil, on the Hoki'anga harbour, lies the beautiful old English settlement of Waimamaku, through which the stream which gives the district its name wends its way to the west coast. The natural outlet for the Waimamaku settlers was via the Kailhu Valley to Dargaville, but, until yesterday, the Waipoua Forest intervened, and barred direct communication between the two districts, the only possible route between the two being long and circuitous. With a pair of scissors, iMrs J. G. Coates yesterday severed the only barrier which prevented direct connection by motor road between the two districts. The barrier mentioned was only of a temporary nature, consisting as it did of a streamer of red white and blue ribbon held at either end by Mesdames Yarborough and Trounson, the wives of the chairman of the Hokianga and Hobson County Councils respectively. A large number of people from both sides of the forest were present.
The Rt. Hon. J, O. Coates, Prime Minister, before calling upon Mrs Coates to perform the ceremony of cutting the ribbon, gave particulars concerning the forest and the road. A demonstration of tree-climbing was then given, and the party, occupying over 100 motor cars, moved on to Waimamaku, where the ladies of that settlement had prepared a most sumptuous banquet for the visitors. Streamers of flags, and decorations of bright colours, told that it was a day of rejoicing for ithe people of Waimamaku, as indeed it was. Many were the compliments paid to the excellent manner in which the ladies demonstrated thefr hospitality and their pleasure at being the hostesses on such an important occasion. The tables, with seating accommodation for 200 or 300 people, were beautifully arranged under the old trees near the hall.
Mr Yarborough, chairman of the Hokianga County . Council, presided, and Mr Russell, ex-chairman, was
master of ceremonies,
A report of the speeches delivered during the function will appear in our next issue.
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 14 January 1928, Page 6
Word Count
343A BARRIER REMOVED Northern Advocate, 14 January 1928, Page 6
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