The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1939. Reading At The Bay Of Islands

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1939, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1939. Reading At The Bay Of Islands

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper ;;

THOSE who know the Bay of Islands and the complete lack of access,,except by boat or very rough tracks, to some of its more isolated beadles, will warmly approve the measures being taken to secure additional reading in that district. The proposal to form a road from Orongo Bay, near the mam highway into Russell, over the hills to Deeming’s Point, on the extensive Waikare Inlet, which runs inland from Opua, is particularly interesting from an historical viewpoint, since it was at Orongo*Bay that the first American consulate was situated > (the building it still standing), and it was to Orongo Bay that sailing ships came in with ballast to load manganese from the short-lived mines on the neighbouring hills. • . The Waikare Inlet and its tidal creeks run right back towards the Cape Brett range, and the ruggedness of the country: has been the main factor in delaying road construction. As a result, a huge detour is necessary to travel by road between Russell and Kawakawa. Eventually, no doubt, a more direct road between these two points will be formed, and possibly the proposed road from Orongo Bay to Deeming’s Point will be incorporated in it. There is, in the meantime, a certain amount of other road construction work going on round the bay. Direct access between Paihia and Kerikeri will be a great improvement, as will the improved access to Otehei Bay by means of the new road to the Rawliiti district. This road will the long and expensive launch trip between Russell and the various fishing camps, and will do much to encourage visitors for big game fishing. It will also help to promote further settlement round the shores of the bay, particularly in Waipiro Bay and the Rawhiti district. Here there are some of the finest sites in New Zealand for seaside homes, and Mr. Otto Sommer’s new house on a commanding point is one of the finest residences in New Zealand. The whole trouble in the past, however, has been lack of direct access. Once there is a good all-weather road to the Rawhitis, many more pebple will go deep sea fishing, and many more will be captivated by the Bay of Islands and plan summer cottages in that delightful region.