BEACHES AND DOMAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1929, Page 13

BEACHES AND DOMAIN

SURF AND RIVER BATHING ATTRACTIONS FOR VISITORS. FINE MOTOR CAMPING GROUNDS. Patea beach is the most popular bathing resort in South Taranaki, and during summer week-ends many hundreds of bathers may be seen enjoying the refreshing waters. Situated inside the breakwater a sweeping stretch of flat sandy beach offers safe swimming, yet it is a place where the thrills of surfing may - be experienced, for the swirling southerly rollers come roaring up the channel to spend their force on the sandy shores. Calling upon voluntary labour the local residents through the medium of the beach improvement society have worked hard to improve the beach facilities and to popul: -ise the place. There is now a good bathing pavilion in concrete providing ample accommodation for large crowds of bathers. This building was erected this year and is fitted with seats and table for the convenience of picknickers. An open verandah affords shelter from rain or sun. It is intended to provide seating .ccommod.vtion along the foreshore so that visitois may view the swimming and other beach activities.

A surf and life-saving club has been organised to safeguard bathers on the seaward side, and to promote swimming competitions and aquatic sports, The members possess a'complete equipment of reel and life-line.

A number of residents have built summer cottages on the foreshore and during ’he holiday season there are always

many people encamped. Sites for the erection of cottages are offered by the harbour board at a purely nominal rental.

. THE PICTURESQUE DOMAIN. One of Patea’s greatest assets is its picturesque and well-kept domain. This contains an oval sports ground used for. football in winter and cricket and athletics -in summer. It possesses a grandstand and dressing shed facilities for players. Adjacent there are tennis cour. , croquet lawns and a children’s playground fitted with swings and seesaws; The latter is a gift from the estate of the late Mr. Hunter Shaw. A p '.'tty plantation affords shelter from the south winds as well as adding beauty and charm to the surroundings.

At the domain entrance a set of memorial gates does honour to the memory of about 60 of the district's brave gons, whose names are , inscribed on panels on the four gate posts These represent the four divisions of the district: “Whenuakura and Opaku,” “Patea,” “‘Kakaramea, Alton and Hurleyville” and “Manutahi.”

Splendid facilities for touring motorists are offered in tl.. domain, where not only are there picturesque sites among the plantation, but there are water, fire place, lavatories and shelter conveniences as well. ‘ As it is directly adjacent to th© main road, holiday-makers could do much worse than call in and spend a night at the Patea Domain camping ground, A few years ago the domain was rough, unkempt and neglected. The citizens had become apathetic in regard to their heritage. The domain authorities were in debt to the extent of £l3O. A number of enthusk Jc residents decided to* alter this state' of affairs. They formed a sportsground committee and set about raising funds by carnivals

and sports meetings. Within a few months the sum of £lBOO had been obtained and this was ultimately expended in making the place attractive. The work undertaken included the erection of dressing rooms, grandstand, camp sites, ticket boxes, railing around the oval, and ornamental entrance gates and war memorial slabs. This achievement is very creditable to th© people of Patea, and is now a source of enjoyment to both local residents and visitors. BEAUTIFUL RIVER SCENERY. The Patea River provides an interesting "’A for the holid. /-maker. Several miles up there is an excellent picnic and camping ground known as Kanaka Flat. This consists of a sandy beach and a grassy flat overlooking the river itself. The scene here somewhat resembles the upper reaches of the famous Wanganui River, The place contains some very, pretty native bush and a number of karaka trees, from which it derives its name. The waters are navigable for light canoes for a distance of about 30 miles. The first dozen miles are tidal. 'After that the stream narrows to about an average width of a chain and is very tortuous in its course, very seldom running straight for more than about two hundred yards. The scenery, however, is very beautiful and at practically every bend the spur of the hill terminates in a level piece of ground of from ono to five acres- in extent. In times gone by these flats were cultivated by the Maoris. About 20 miles up the river rapids are met wit’- These become very frequent and are rather dangerous. Nothing could be better for the nature lover than a trip up the Patea in a canoe and quite a pleasant soliday could be spent in this way, if one took tent and camping gear and proceeded leisurely.