ALL WHANGAREI ON HOLIDAY

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1938, Page 3

ALL WHANGAREI ON HOLIDAY

With the exception of an occasional tobacconist, a confectionery shop or two. a billiard saloon and a restaurant, Whngaroi was on holiday .vsterday. Normal businon- was at ;> standstill. C omparativel\ tew people wore in tiie streets in the morning. When a reporter visited the Town Wlsari Basin, lie soon found in which direction lay the inclination of the population. Although clouds obscured Ihe sun, the heat was sweltering in the town yesterday, and it war. a case of "Beaches calling." Swimming Popular. Those with cars made for the searide and those without migrated to parts of the river nearest their homes. 'I wonty or thirty swimmers were in the water off the Victoria Bridge, and the scats along the waterfront were popular. Nearer the wharf sheds one or two were trying their luck with fishing lines in the rising tide. When a launch towing a large dinghy put. cut from the shore, it offered a rare opportunity to swimmers. Eight clung to the stern and the good-hum-oured skipper of the pleasure craft tewed them well down the harbour. They made their way back as best they could, st me dropping off al the end "i lbe Town Wharf, and others well down the river.

Clearing Up. On the opposite side of the harbour there was considerable activity among the smaller craft. Seme were cleaning up alter a week-end cruise, and others were making preparations for further excursions. Hot weather, a holiday, and the waterfront at Whangarr.i demonstrates ns popularity. Perhaps it is not too much to hope that the City Fathers wii! one day realise the tremendous opportunities that lie in the promenade. Tree-planting, the laying of lawns, and tasteful setting out would make the waterfront a delight to local residents, and would at the same time go a long way towards bringing Whangarei into line with those places in New Zealand that are earning for themselves the title "garden towns,”