Mr Sullivan on Charm Of Northland

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1939, Page 4

Mr Sullivan on Charm Of Northland

“No part of New Zealand has a more interesting history or is richer in Maori and European traditions than the Bay of IsJands locality,” remarked the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, who visited the district last week. He added that the

remarkable scenic and sporting attractions of the north would assuredly draw ,a big volume of tourist traffic. “The influence of Northland on the domestic history of New Zealand is notable,” the Minister said. “New Zealanders are justifiably proud of the achievements of their ancestors—both Pakeha .and Maori—in moulding the character and shoping the destiny of this young and virile nation. To the wisdom and nobility of purpose shown by many of the pioneers of three, four and five generations ago must be attributed much of the Dominion’s remarkable success in education. industry, commerce and arts.

opua—"The Porch.” ' “Looking out on the Bay of Islands | is Opua, for many years the site of, the railhead at this end of the island. It is well-named, for Opua means ‘the porch’; it was the place of entrance or threshold of the earliest arrivals. Here, long before New Zealand had a mercantile marine of its own, ships of many nations called and refitted and carried away coal and timber. Ships still call at Opua for local produce, but today the picturesque seaport has lost much of its old-time trade. -■

“From this porch, named Opua, I view the surrounding country and recall some of the inspiring and triumphant achievements of a glorious past. “To the north of Opua, about two miles distant, there is Paihia, near the mouth of the Waitangi river. The first Christian Mission in New Zealand was established here in 1813. Here, too, was set up the colony’s first printing press—the forerunner of the massive, many-decked, high-powered rotaries of, today.

“At Paihia, also in 1826, New Zealand’s first real ship, the mission ship ‘Herald,’ was built and launched. Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist, visited the settlement on December 30, 1835.

“Across the water from Paihia—a matter of three miles or so—stands Russell, the oldest settlement in New Zealand, and the seat of the colony’s first Government. Samuel Marsden, the first missionary, purchased land at Russell for mission purposes in. 1815, the year of Waterloo. Russell was sacked by Hone Heke and his warriors in 1845 when they cut down the British flagstaff and burned half the town. Historic Waitangi. “Opposite Russell we see Wajtangi where are located the famous falls from which the name Waitangi (weeping water) is derived. This village was the home of Governor Hobson. Here was signed, in 1840, the celebrated Treaty which, recognised British sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand.

Kerikeri’s Proud Record.

“Ten miles farther on is Kerikeri, which has a proud record. The first wooden bridge (1815), the first wooden dwelling-house (1819), and the first stone building (1833) in the colony were erected here. In May, 1820, the agricultural plough was used for the first time in New Zealand at Kerikeri. I am going to suggest to my colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, that a commemorative tablet should be erected near the place where those first furrows were turned.” Mr Sullivan remarked that there were other towns deserying of “honourable mention.”

Population Increases.

“Whangarei, the largest and most important town in the North, is a borough which in 1925 had a population of 5250; in 1936, the date of the last census, the figures were 7152, an increase of over 36 per cent. During the same periods, the Whangarei county population increased from 9175 to 11,630. In the Bay of Islands County, a remarkable increase of over 116 per cent, was recorded —a rise from 4575 in 1925 to 9921 in 1936. These substantial increases in the population of the Northern districts are evidence of steady prosperity, following upon improved transport facilities for goods, passengers and mails. Magnificent Scenery. “The magnificent scenery of the North—particularly the great Wairua Falls and the beautiful kauri forests —the excellent shooting, and the thrilling deep-sea fishing are now worldfamous,” concluded Mr Sullivan, “and it is most gratifying to note the increasing number of oversea visitors, as well as of our own people, who make Northland their happy-hunting-ground. The North has assets of remarkable charm and interest to justify the belief that the present-day tourist traffic will soon show an increase worthy of the attractions.”