A WORD FOR NORTHCOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9735, 4 February 1895, Page 3

A WORD FOR NORTHCOTE.

[by an old resident.]

There has been a great addition to th« number of visitors to .Northcobe during tbe present summer. The elevation of the land above the level of the sea, which is so important a point in regard to the choice of a health resort, gives the Northcote and Birkenhead districts a special advantage possessed by few other seaside resorts, both for residence and as favourite places for spending a holiday without going more than two or three miles from the city. On this account the views of Auckland, including the Waitemaba and theHaurakiGulf, as seen from nearly'e very part of these charming marine suburbs, are among their chief attractions. These views are probably unsurpassed in any part of the world. But the feature of our too-little known suburbs situated on the northern shores of the harbour, in which old residents take most pride, is the unrivalled healthiness of the Northcote and Takapuna districts. At the same time the air is mild and genial, the Waitakerei hills shutting out the cold westerly winds, and the many islands of the ocean letting a gentle sea-breeze blow across the land from tbe Hauraki Gulf. Owing to this circumstance, which is explained by the unique geographical position of this locality, the local temperature is lower by several degrees than that of Auckland in summer, and it is a good deal warmer in winter. This is why residents become so much attached bo Northcote and Takapuna, with its perfect sea beach and its charming lake, and with the quiet, rural retreat they enjoy, far from all the city's din, and yet near enough to catch the chimes of its civic bells, when the wind is that way. For many a long year we have here enjoyed, not " those charming bells," but the soft airs of the sirens of the sea, the lowing of kine, and the perennial song of birds. But far from being selfishly disposed, we wish to see tens of thousands of those who are toiling or ailing in the town sharing in all the delights of the country. That this end may be gained, our landing-place and district roads must be made suchfas suburban roads and landing-places ought to be. We hope, indeed, very soon to see the main road leading from Is orthcote Wharf to Lake Takapuna made a first-rate public highway. This road passes some lovely bush scenery in Kauri Gully, where a few kauri trees of good size still linger in the valley. Telephone and telegraph offices are placed at convenient points. The road, now nearly all macadamised, is both sheltered and picturesque. The fine new wharf at the Lake Beach has added a new and delightful outleb to a growing city population, and will no doubt add largely to the settlement of these districts, and to the number of visitors. There is plenty of room.