OUR CHANGING FORESHORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12698, 29 October 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR CHANGING FORESHORE.

{TV. e.si.d.]

" The days and months," says George Eliot, " pass over us like restless little birds, leaving the marks of their feet backwards and forwards." So the old, well-known countenance gradually assumes another aspect, and in time becomes unrecognisable, even to those who have known it best; and as with the human face, so even with the landscape. Old landmarks disappear in the gradual lapse of years, and the former aspect of our scenery becomes part of a forgotten part. ; " This has especially been the case along the foreshore of Auckland city, where a complete transformation has been , accomplished in the course of fifty years, < extensive levellings and reclamations quite altering the shore, which indeed there no longer exists, having given place to wharves, docks, and breastworks. A delightful letter lies beside me, written by a lady who describes her landing in Auckland in 1844. She came ashore in a whaleboat and landed on the beach in Official Bay. This bay, marked on early maps and seen in early pictures, is no longer traceable in the landscape, having been obliterated by the levelling of Fort Britomart—the headland which once projected where Emily Place and Admiralty House are now situated. An old picture of Auckland shows Port Britomart prominent in the landscape and casting a shadow in the clear water, just as the. promontory known as Campbell's Point does now, being of very similar formation. ■■'.-1 The prominence was the boundary of a semi-circle of sandy beach, on which the wooden cottages of the early settlers were built facing the sea. Such was Official Bay,, and it was here that my friend landed, being carried from the host through the water by a stalwart Maori. There was but one small jetty, approachable only at high tide, co that the water being low when she came she was obliged ■to make :| her entry in New Zealand in this primitive fashion. Being set down by her bearer* of whom she was more than half afraid, on the slippery reef, she lost her footing, and followed the example of William the Conqueror on his first landing in Great Britain. - Just at the present moment one of the historic, changes alluded to above is ;in progress, through the engineering preparations necessary for the formation of the new King's Drive, designed to cross Mechanics' Bay, and rounding St. Barnabas' Point, to follow the course of St. George's Bay. joining St. George's Road,' which leads up the hill to Bishopscourt, finding a terminus and the tramcavs at Manukau Road; Extensive alterations are necessary for the carrying out of this work, which, no doubt, will greatly improve the neighbourhood!, deepening the water of the bays go that yachts and boats may moor alongside the breastwork and a delightful waterway oe available at high tide. St. George's is a lovely bay, which seems a natural provision for the enjoyment of waterside amusements by city people. It has appeared a matter for surprise that boats have not been on hire there provision to be made, one teams, under the present plans. It is the levelling of St. Barnabas' Point, however, which just now engages the at.tention of the public of the neighbourhood, and especially of the rising generation. Blasting operations are in active progress), and the prominence diminishes day* by day, the material of which it is composed" being utilised for the reclamation work necessary.'■! A: well-known writer, ..visiting ■ Now , Zealand at the time when the demolition of Port Britomart was in progress, tells, of .tide inhabitants. of Auckland * being -occupied An ': casting the mountains into the sea, • and jttst" such a work is being accomplished over St. George's Bay at the present time. It appears that this is not the first occasion on which Sty Barnabas' Point has been required to give of its substance to the waters. It was at one time largely availed of to form reclamations in Mechanics' Bay, and to build tip the railway embankment. It was also tunnelled with a view of running a tramline through it and across St. George's to Hobson's Bay. For j some reason this scheme was abandoned, and the tunnel has remained apparently, purposeless and now to disappear., The Church of St. Barnabas' (afterwards ; removed) was erected in early , days ; on the point, which doubtless took its name from this circumstance. A school was associated with the church, and both were chiefly in* tended for the- convenience of the Maoris, who in early days had the habit of landing at Mechanics' Bay and at St. George's B,;i.y, the latter being a favourite summer camping ground. St. Barnabas' Point, between the 'j two bays, was a convenient meeting place. An interesting chat with an intelligent and well-educated Maori, who was a protege of Lady Martin in earlier days, led to explanations concerning the present Maori hostelry in Mechanics' Bay, ■. The story of the Maoris, which I have not authenticated, is that the Maori king, Potatau, with Ins kianga, had possession of part of the hind now known as the Auckland Domain. Maoris landing from their canoes at Mechanics Bay, cold and wet from their voyage, were much in need of immediate shelter, and complained to Potatau, who ; concluded a bargain with Sir George Grey, by which the land around the present hostelry was fixed as belonging to the Maoris by an inalienable right, and provision made for the erection of a suitable shelter for them on their arrival from oversea. In return for this provision* according to the Maoris, King Potatau ceded to Sir George Grey part of the land included in the present Domain. The land around the hostelry has proved so valuable that the principal expenses of the institution are met by the rents derived from the ground and buildings not required for the use of the owners. St. George's Bay presents at low tide an undesirable stretch of mud fiats, which seem but waiting for the magician's wand to be converted into a useful reclaimed area. The Parnell recreation ground, occupying a high, sunny position at the summit of Campbell's Point, overlooks the bay,, and forms, with its green slopes, a pleasing break in the landscape, affording a charming outlook to those wkc attain its heights, »'-. delightful spot; from which to sketch, or where to enjoy sunshine and quietude with book or pen. The unspoiled aspect of the charming promontory seems to justify the hope that it may continue to escape tin-- rude blow of pick or blast of powder, although residents near Judge's and Hobsoh's Bays doubtless cherish hopes ot a roadway and tram which may some day afford a short way to the city, connected with the King's Drive. The new reclamations are designed at present to extend 100 ft from the water frontage and to be built up five feet above high-water mark. The lady writer of the old letter to which I have alluded gives a spirited description, of a Maori :ance race at the Auckland Regatta— event of the year. She describes the large canoes carved and decorated with feathers, manned by powerful native crews. Two chiefs, fantastically dressed, urged on the competitors with fearful cries and wild gesticulations. The canoes seemed to fly over the water, the contest becoming a neck and neck one between the two leaders. The savages, giving forth unearthly yells, shouted and upon the shore, the victorious party finally rushing into tlio watei to-hail the conquerors and drag them to the laud, where dances of joy j and triumph, accompanied with shrieks of scorn and derision for the defeated parties,' quite struck terror into the hearts of many of the onlookers. The Maoris were in deadly earnest in play, as well as in war. Many yachts ride at anchor in St. George's Bay during the summer season, and it is •a matter for congratulation that this charm-,. ing inlet is to be made more accessible by the present harbour improvements. These, it is generally believed-, have been largely brought about by the persistent and energetic advocacy of the New Zealand! Herald, fortunately ever on the side of preserving to the people and of improving the natural health resorts and recreation grounds,' which, through encroaching crowds, the greed of the speculator, or the mismanagement of the ignorant, might, be lost to our growing coinmunitv. "■