PLACE NAMES

Southland Times, Issue 21581, 19 December 1931, Page 11

PLACE NAMES

SLOPE POINT

(By

“Rambler.”)

(Continued.)

The Slope Point district has progressed very rapidly during recent years, probably because of improved roading facilities which have enabled settlers to carry out development work at a much more rapid rate than was possible in the early days of the settlement. The district is still favoured with many beauty spots in spite of the fact that the bush has been driven well back from the coast, and motorists from all parts of Southland are beginning to find that it is well worth a week-end visit. Visitors to the district travel on the main Invercargill—Waikawa highway to Tokanui and then turn to the right towards the coast. The Tokanui —Haldane road runs over a fairly steep hill that passes through a stretch of beautiful native bush which is well worth travelling a long way to see. After about 10 minutes run from Tokanui the Haldane School is passed at the junction of the Haldane —Otara road, which passes over Mount Florence. A few chains further on the Slope Point road branches off towards the coast, the Haldane road leading straight ahead to Waikawa Beach.

The road to Slope Point passes over a number of ridges and climbs a fairly steep hill to the top of the Point. A subsidary road branches off to the left when about half the distance is covered and runs over level country to the mouth of the Haldane River, a very pretty picnicking spot much favoured by motorists. From the top of the Point a road strikes off to the left and goes down the hill to join the other road at the mouth of the river. The main road continues down the .teaward slope of the Point and turns along the coast towards the Waipapa Beach. At one time this road was largely used but the improvement affected in the other outlets has drawn the traffic away from it and drifting sand has played havoc with the roadway.

The coastal slope is now all clear grass land but it is still very beautiful and the coast line supplies many fine snapshots for those who carry cameras. Black Rock Creek, which was mentioned in the early articles of this series, falls over a low cliff into a pretty little bay, and just beside the miniature waterfall of the stream a cave has been washed into the rock by the rolling waves of many centuries. The rollers from the Southern Ocean have built a wall of shingle across the front of the cave with the result that the interior is left dry unless a high sea is running. Standing at the back of the cave and looking out across the sunlit bay a beautiful picture is presented to the eye, framed in the low arch of the cave’s mouth. The coast between Black Rock Creek and Haldane River is also very interesting and contains some unusual mixtures of rock formations which would repay a visit by anyone interested in geology. There arc several good fishing rocks on this part of the coast and one or two places where seals occasionally come ashore to rest from the buffetings of the stormy seas. A' small bay with a chain or two of sand cuts into the coast and then a sharp point rises at the foot of the cliff to stand sentinel over the mouth of the river. From this point excellent views can be obtained in both directions, the small bay to the south making a pretty picture while to the north the Six Mile Beach stretches away to a fine rocky headland crowned with excellent grass country.

The Haldane River runs over a considerable area of flat country for some miles before it reaches the sea, with the result that it is never very swift and is perfectly safe for bathing. There is good water at all times, several shallow holes providing swimming pools at low tide, while the area suitable for swimming covers many acres at high tide. At one time the whole of Slope Point was infested with rabbits and thistles, but these have gradually run out, much to the relief of the settlers. On one occasion a prominent settler was hailed by a gentleman on horseback, who was hatless and armed with a light rifle. The hatless visit or asked the settler if there were any rabbits on his farm and as the settler thought he was looking for some shooting he assured him that there were thousands. He was then informed that his visitor was the inspector of rabbits and noxious weeds and was warned that he would have to destroy the rabbits.

On another occasion a young man visited the same farm for the purpose of shooting some rabbits and was joined by a resident of the district, who did not possess a rifle. The unarmed one filled his pockets with stones and secured more rabbits than the rifle; he simply strolled round amongst the thistles and brained the unfortunate bunnies before they had time to make a getaway.