ISLAND OF QUIET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21938, 23 October 1934, Page 11

ISLAND OF QUIET

CHARMS OF BANGITOTO WEEK-END SHACK-DWELLERS SMALL COTTAGE COLONIES DELIGHTFUL SURROUNDINGS On days like yesterday, when sunshine added to the spirit of holiday, Rangitoto has its share of city visitors, but those who know the full charm of the island are the week-end "shackdwellers," many of whom have ideal holiday retreats within an hour of the city and yet pleasantly remote from it. Labour Day is generally regarded as the opening of the summer holiday season in Auckland, but the shackdwellers of Rangitoto do not require a set day to lure them away from the city. Most of them come into the category of "all-the-year-rounders," and every week-end, summer or winter, the score or so of permanent residents are reinforced by dozens of others for whom the island is a second home. "Shacks" may be rather a' sweeping term to apply collectively to the dwellings on Rangitoto. There are nearly a hundred of them, mostly clustered round the Rangitoto jetty and at Islington Bay, but with others, more remote, round toward the beacon. They range in size and luxury from corrugated iron huts to neat cottages which would not appear out of place in a selfsatisfied suburb and, in their two main colonies, they house little communities in which there is a marked sense of civic pride. The "Oldest Inhabitant"

Islington Bay yesterday appeared a perfect spot. Hie red roofs of the houses at the head of the bay shone through the leaves of clusters of pohutukawas which soon vfiill vie with them in colour. Other houses, on the western side, looked out over a rocky foreshore to the grassy slope of Motutapu. There one met the ''oldest inhabitant, a venerable Irishman who has heen living on the island for over 25 years and who hardly ever visits the city. He lias seen this colony of pleasant cottages grow out of a wilderness of scoria and bush, and he is glad that he has others to share with him his jov in the island. Islington Bay, indeed, is a progressive community, and the inhabitants look askance at any who dares to use the nomenclature of the old sailing ship days. The settlement has its wharf and its tennis courts and a public hall, in stone, is now in course of erection. There is a store, too. An Island Industry At the head of the bay and interesting industry is conducted by Mr. J. H. Langlev, who is now practically a permanent resident. He is a well-known apiarist and in a bush clearing, with sanded paths laid out on the sunwarmed rocks, he has established his 54 beehives. From the pohutukawa. manuka and other native flowers of the island the bees bring back the honey that has won championship honours for Mr. Langley at many shows and exhibitions. In the clearing are two small springs, set amazingly in solid rock. Mr. Langley explained yesterday that bees •must have wat&r. He added that the honey from the manuka flowers was the only varietv that could be shipped in comb from New Zealand to England, whore it commanded an excellent price on the London market. Islington Bay and Rangitoto wharf are now connected by a motor road where formerly there was only a track. It is a road which pedestrians can use with comparative safety, for the only motor vehicles on the island at present are a sightseeing bus, an ancient car and a lorry. The residents, generally, are not over-anxious for an increase in traffic. The peacefulness of the oxisting order was "well illustrated yesterday when a large and dignified wallaby was observed sunning himself on some rocks only about 10yds. from the road. Well-chosen Sites

In the vicinity of Rangitoto wharf the number of cottages and shacks has also increased considerably during recent years, and some of the week-end retreats are ideally situated. Most of thein are tucked away in the bush which extends almost to the water s edge, so that one comes 011 them unexpectedly, neat and unobtrusive in their frame of greenery. There are lovely vistas through the trees, over sparkling waters, 1o the green Tamaki hills. . One cottage, in particular, strikes an arresting note. It is two-storeyed. On top of a small, compact dwelling has been erected what is to all intents and purposes a cabin and the impression of ship accommodation is increased by the open "companion way" which leads to it. This upper storey is glassed in on all four sides and, as it rises above the bush, a magnificent view lies all round. It is also most ingeniously fitted, with bunks, chairs and a table which all pull out from the walls. A marked. degree of comfort is enjoyed by most of the residents. There is" no electricity, but eeveral of the cottages have acetylene lighting plants. One dwelling has a pipe leading from a rain-water tank to end in a shining tap above a snowy wash-hand basin. Some striking effects have been obtained with open fireplaces, and those who spend winter week-ends on the island are never short of firewood. Gardens and Fowlyards In places attempts have been made to raise small rock gardens, but these are not favoured officially owing to the risk of a spread of exotic plants. Other cottages are proud in the possession of fowlyards. An advantage which one householder pointed out yesterday is that a rock section effectively precludes the putting down of a lawn to be mown every week-end. The shack-dwellers of Rangitoto have many blessings. Not least among them is the fact that they pay only £i a year in ground rent for a single section and can then build the dwelling they desire. They have a whole island for their demesne —an island so rich in natural beauty that even for the casual visitor it has a lasting fascination.