New Year Brings Unprecedented Crowds To Northland

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1939, Page 6

New Year Brings Unprecedented Crowds To Northland

JK MARKED CONTRAST TO THE BOISTiEROUS CHRISTMAS WEEKEND, NORTHLAND’S NEW YEAR WEEK-END WAS ONE OF THE FINEST EVER REMEMBERED IN THE DISTRICT. FEW PEOPLE REMAINED IN THE TOWNS, MOST S PEKING OUTDOOR BEACH AND COUNTRY RESORTS.

Almost a continuous stream of traffic passed over the principal Northland routes, most of the motorists hailing from Auckland. Today saw the commencement of the homeward journey, thousands of holiday tourists being obliged to return for work tomorrow.

There is little doubt that this yea r’s holiday crowds constituted a record for Northland. Yesterday the volume of traffic was particularly heavy. All beaches in the Bay of Islands and Whangarei harbour districts were crowded with visitors for the week, while many visited these localities for the. week-end only. Numbers of latecomers were turned away from Bay of Islands camping grounds, so extraordinary was the demand for i

Roads Breaking Up,

Roads everywhere are showing the effects of the phenomenal traffic. The running surface on many unsealed roads is deteriorating very rapidly and expensive repairs will be necessary during the ensuing year. Not only motorists, but many yachtsmen also visited the north from southern districts, particularly from Auckland. Inlets on the east coast were the favourite rendezvous for city cruising parties. After a week of ideal j cruising weather, sharply contrasted with the unfavourable conditions prevailing over-the previous week-end, large numbers of yachs were seen with sails spread towards Auckland and home and work throughout today. Beaches Crowded.

Every beach in. the Whangarei district had its full complement of visitors. Ruakaka Domain resembled a military camp, so many tents were erected there. Most campers had bedded down for a stay of several days, although ,a few passing through stayed only one night. All beaches round Waipu were thronged with people during the week, and particularly during the week-end. Many Whangarei residents have made this locality their summer resort; while many from other districts were attracted by the sandy beacon and the beautiful sunshine.

Ngunguru, Matapouri and Whananaki boasted a larger number of sunseekers than they have ever known before. Late campers found space at a premium, and many were obliged to pitch their tents on any presentable grass patch along the roadside. The Great Exodus.

P.ataua, Parua Bay, Onerahi, Taurikura, Urquhart's Bay and Ocean Beach were crowded throughout the week. With an afternoon full-tide over the week-end, these beaches offered their best swimming facilities and surf boards were the popular novelty. Today saw the commencement of the Great Exodus. With the demands for tomorrow’s work upon them, thousands of people began their homeward journey by car, launch, yacht, or train. The roads to Auckland from all Northland centres was an animated mass of motoring population this morning and this afternoon, and in-' dications were that this evening would see a constant stream of traffic to the Queen City. At the same time innumerable cars are returning to Whangarei and other Northland centres after touring in the south.

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