WAITAKEREL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9347, 25 April 1889, Page 6

WAITAKEREL

Upwards of 100 people paid a visit to ,the Cascade Creek and Waitakerei . Falls, ' via Swanson, on Good Friday. Some arrived over night per train, and the ; Swanson Falls Temperance Hotel was taxed for accommodation. Two large brakes, crowded, also contributed to the throng, whilst others came by the morning train. - Parties : were .streaming on the road from about nine a.m. to nearly four p.m. Amongst the throng were several of the larrikin type, evidently bent on camp- • ing out, carrying a fair camp equipage, including guns. ; An enterprising young I tograpner was also busy. . From what I hat e seen of his past work, I believe he will . have succeeded 111 getting good pictures :of the Falls, and the ''roups of people near them. ■ All with whom I conversed are well pleased with the Cascade Creek and surroundings, and considered that that site alone amply repaid them for their trouble. I believe, at first, some were half prepared for a disappointment, thinking niore printers' ink had been spent on it than was needful. But after the visit the expressions of . admiration were loud and frequent. The accessibility to the Falls, also, and . the, whole scenery as compared with the other route were spoken of favourably. It was also a matter of comment that the Waitemata County Council have failed in their duty, when hayingpublic funds at their disposal, such a miserable sum as £13 only was spent on a road which is now by far tho most popular resort, combining as it does so many attractions, and the journey now the easiest to be had by train or brake. The toil might be minimised to a pleasant and short walk by the expenditure of a very small sum. Indeed, the narrow track opened up through the bush to the Cascade Creek and the Lower Fall should receive a little attention without delay. • It should be (sufficiently widened for horse traffic, but, at : any rate, several places require improving to make it" safe itravelling for . ladies and children. Several pieces require a little side scarfing to give ladies and young people a safe and firm footing. ' This will become required now that the winter rains will be approaching, when no doubt many will visit this wonderful place in fine weather in , the winter season, when there is a greater body of water than during summer. Steps should also be cut out of the rock or concrete mass at each fall on the Waitakerei River, so as to make the ascent from the bottom to the top safe. A very few pounds would do all that is required; and surely the Waitemata County Council will not be so ungallant as to refuse this small expenditure on behalf of lady , artists and visitors to one of the most attractive spots in the neighbourhood of Auckland. The Weekly News and New Zealand Hekald have the honour of being the ; first journals to call attention to the interesting and uncommon attractions of the Cascade Creek, and the scene on Good Friday was a .most animated: one. Some 50 or; more people were at one time feasting their eyes on the- beauties of the. scene. Groups were perched .on .the tops of the grotto-like rocks, which are festooned' to the tap with ferns and small trees, whilst others climbed the rata vines which hung like huge cables from the cliff-top to the rocks below. Then the' 'subterranean ! echo to the shouts and voices of those above and below all'contributed to form a scene weird and - strange from its surroundings.—[Own Correspondent, April 20.] .• __ _____ _".