The Winterless North ?

Te Puke Times, 25 May 1934, Page 3

The Winterless North ?

Continued We pass Oheawai, which appears to be a relic of the Public Works expenditure of a government or two ago. We move on quickly to Horeke, down the famous Otukura Hill (the outlet for the eels). This stream drains the Oraapera Lake, We reach Horeke and at the hands of a very hospitable woman and her girls receive a cup of tea and have a rest. Mrs McSweeney runs, with the help of her daughters, a fair-sized timber mill, and the girls would shame many a man. The houses here, I find, are built out on piles over the water of the Hokianga. We are now back within a few miles of where we erased' the Hokianga to Kohu Kohu last Thursday. What a winding journey, but it is the only way to see this wonderful North. We cross country wild and rugged to arrive at Taheke and then ieft, again inland, to the thriving town ofKaikobe. It is the centre of wonderful dairy pasture and at the factory which I visited they turn out a first class article, The manager was' very young. Mr Guy, the chairman of Directors to whom I was introduced, was a very likeable man and very interesting to listen to. We find' that we are finished here so we are going to Ngawha Springs to have a bath before retiring. My word they are hot. We pass the dismantled plant of Imperial Chemicals to get there. We have a bath in the nude, go home, and retire early. May 9. It must have been that bath at the springs for I had the best night’s sleep on the journey. lam not tiring of the journey yet it is far too interesting. We leave for Oheawai and then go on to Pakaraka, another of the old mission settlements with its old church and very English surroundings. Those missionaries knew how to piok land for so far all these old mission settlements have been on the pick of the country, as far as fertility g)es. On to Moereawa, via the Turntable Hill, and visit the Bay of 1 Islands dairy factory and here 1 meet Mr Arnold* the manager. •! The factory is big, clean, up-to-date and well-managed. I was surprised to meet Mr Cosson, formerly of Te Puke, and the manager spoke very highly of him. This factory is in the Centre of a large dairying district. We pass the freezing works of the Auckland Farmer’s Freezing Co. and reach Kawakawa, a very old town with the railway going through the main street ; it seemed queer but there is always a reason. Being a halt holiday we were glad to move on to Opua, the end of the railway from where we take a launch to Russell, via Pabia. I passed over the most treacherous and narrow road of the trip, to day. lam not looking forward to the return journey, still it must Come and I pin my • faith in the driver. The country . is poor and windswept. I had a wonderful view from the hills to day of the Bay of Islands* The wind is Cold and blowing hard as yet. We leave for Russell, and on our way pass the Russell Town Point where the first seat of Government was held in New Zealand. It is now only a peaceful farm. We Call at Pahia and see the Williams Memorial Cbufch. It is dark when we reach Russell, The hotel is Splendid., May TO, I find myself up early and go for a walk to the flag staff. The view iB ample compensation for the climb. I could see the Bay. of Islands thrown out in relief from here. I was loathe to leave, but there is much to see and the boat goes at noon. Visit the historic Church that sheltered the women and children when Kororaraka was being ransacked by the Maoriß I also go to see the whaling boats that seasonally go and bunt the whale. The town of Russell is quiet and beautifully situated, but to see such signs as “Parking 20 minutes," on a grass road, well, they must have wanted something to do, those councillors. Wo leave the Duke of Marlborough Hotel which, by the way, although not the original building, Is the first Licensed house in New Zealand and go back to Opua. I can see the Waitangi estate in the distance and the large bridge built by the Government. The estate looks good and should at least be self-supporting. W.e are oyer that bad road and once again reach Kawakawa— that trip to Russell was worth it all. On to Whangarei, through poor country With here and there fertile patches and as we near Hikurarigi the country is better farmed. Nearer still to Whangarei the country is defioiisly better. Big sale yards at KWno. lam surprised at the size of Whangarei. We book in at the Settlers’ Hotel and then go and see the tail end of the military sports at Kensington Park. We Visit Mr and Mm Steedmah- i

May 11, v Went for a walk foUnd the town b o. fore movis g on, for to daV Y?e must J be batik in oklana to keep to our ltins' , ary, whitih so far tre have not broken. T find myself whistlihg—it must ba a sign of contentment. There Is a targe dairy factory here but wedidnothaYetimeto go through

it, We leave for Auck'and, pass a wonderful yallev at Waipu, and finally find ourselves back on the road at Mauugaturoto, where we went North. We arrive back at Devonport after 700 odd miles of joyous travel on every conceivable kind of road and in all kinds of weather. Hardly any two miies of country was the same and the everchanging variety made the journey all the more interesting. You ask me my impressions ? I knew you would! Well, if I were young and prepared to work hard and had a little cash to spend, I would go north and take my choice from hundreds of places, but then I am not so young as I was and I must leave that to others and be content to settle down on my own farm. It is as good as anything I have seen, (Conclusion)