SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18022, 22 February 1922, Page 10

SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

FAMOUS COAST LINE. \

SPOETS AND PASTIMES

IDEAL HOLIDAY RESORT.

Visitors to Thames will long remember the wonderful .natural beauty of the Gorommidel coast. A good motor road runs along; the rocky shore from Thames, passing fitting cliffs and receding bays that for their sccnic value cannot be surpassed in the Dominion. Lined with pohutukawas, guarded on one side by the grass or bush-covered glopes of the ranges, and on the other side by the sea, sand, and rocks, the tortuous road opens up newvisions of beauty at ©very turn of the cliffs. Within six miles of Thames there are Between 100 and 150 summer coast cottages, owned by residents of Thames, Puru, and Thornton's Bay and even by residents of such districts as Te Aroha and Hamilton. £his summer between 20 and 30 now cottages havo been built in the numerous bayfij, and there is a keen demand for building sites. Sections measuring 50ft. by 165 ft. are selling for £250 and £260. Thames residents spend tlie summer the coast, camp- j ing or living in cottages, while holidayseokere from all over th«' valley como to the place every year for their Christmas and New Year holidays. It is the great picnicking ground of Thames, and its widespread popularity may be judged by the fact that school children front Te Aroha, Matamata, Putaruru, and Thames Valley towns make annual excursions fto the coast in htmdreds. Good fishing is bo had from the rocks.

, A mile from the town lies the Thames a racecourse, one of the best appointed club courses in tho country outside mev'ropoli--0 tan areas. It is owned by the Thames f Jockey Club, which has constructed an n up-to-date grandstand, concreto terracing, 5 and gardons. Tho racecourse is 'very , prettily situated, tho river encircling it . on three sides. Races prove a great .attraction in the district, and the noininat tions for this season's annual meeting cout stitute a record. The meeting will take . place next Saturday and Monday. A creditablo war memorial schemo fa J engaging the attention of the district. . The object is to secure a war memorial . park of some 30 acres to be used as an j athletic sports ground. It has also been 1 practically decided to erect ail obelisk ou | Bird-in-hand Hill in memory of the men . of Thames who gave their lives in the . war. A total of £8000 is aimed at, and . I of this upwards of £5000 has already r been collected. > The town is well endowed with rest ; reserves and public institutions. Well- | kept gardens containing a band-stand ; adjoin the northern railway station, while | a municipal swimming bath and a fine Cavneijio library add materially to the appointments of the town. _ Public tennis and croquet courts aro laid out in the gardens, while the Thames Bowling Club's green is the rallying point for many of the valley's best bowlers,