OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXVI, 25 June 1904, Page 45

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

NATURAL LANDING PLACE AT WHANGAREI HEADS. On the beach below Manaia, Whaugarei Heads, almost opposite Marsden Point Wharf, there is one of those remarkable freaks of nature which it is hard to think are not the work of human hands. This is the natural landing place, which is so familiar to all visitors >to this striking part of the Northern coast. As will be seen from the photograph we give, the blocks of stone are so regularly arranged that one hesitates before believing that this apparently carefully-built boat-pier is the result of chance. To add to the description, there is a well-defined pathway from end to end. Although the Maori's have used the spot for generations, it is hardly possible that their feet can have worn a path like that made by the prisoner of Chilian in his narrow cell. The natives themselves, however, say that the track is the result of countless comings and goings. Their account of the building of the pier is very characteristic. Once in the days when the world was wide, before the pakeha. came from over the Great Ocean of Kiwa, Manaia, who now frowns from the top »f Ihe serrated range that runs down to the sea, began to build a roadway across the water. Versions differ as to his reason for starting this remarkable piece of civil engineering. Some accounts say that it was part of a comprehensive public works scheme to eoneiliate the unemployed, while others have it that he wanted the road to pursue his better half, who was. according to the legend, one of those “erring spouses” of whom we read in all ages, whether the people be black, brown or white. Whatever the cause, Manaia started his great task. Unfortunately the project had Mot the approval of the gods, and as regularly as Manaia toiled in the day, so regularly they demolished his work in the dark night. In spite of this opposition, Manaia apparently succeeded in getting back his wahine, for there she stands to-day, just behind him, with her pickaninny on her back, and if you get her profile at a certain angle you can see her smoking a cutty pipe. (This, however, must be an anachronism, because all these troublous incidents in the household of Manaia happened long before the advent of the white man, and the white man brought pipes with him. Perhaps Mrs Manaia was “in advance of the age.”) Geologists explain that the pier is •’the result of volcanic action, and is called a basaltic dike. Ages ago there was a flow of lava from some crack or fissure in the side of Manaia, and on meeting the sea it split up in the remarkable manner shown in the photograph. The formation is identical with that at the Giant's Causeway in Ireland, only the columns are perpendicular in the one instance and horizontal in the other. FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI AT MANLY. One of those impressive spectacles •which are characteristic of the Roman Catholic Church took place on a recent ISnnday afternoon at Manly, Sydney, in the presence of a very large assemblage of devotees and spectators. St. Patrick’s College, which is such a prominent landmark on the highland above the Manly village, was dressed in bunting, and the grounds were looking at their best. Special arrangements had been made with the ferry companies for the conveyance of the large number of participants from Sydney to Manly. On arrival at Manly a procession was formed, and headed by the Hibernian Band, marched to the college grounds, where several thousands of persons had gathered to witness the proceedings. The procession was made up of the Children of Mary and the various Roman Catholic schools, the Hibernian Guilds, the Sodality of the (Sacred Heart, the Catholic Young Men’s Associations, Foresters, and other societies. The different organisations were indicated by their respective bannerettes and flags, while their members wore their destinctive regalia. The children were all attired in white, with red scarves or sashes, and several of the associations of young women wore variously coloured habiliments and flowing veils. When the procession got into awing on the upper terrace of the crounds, the effect of the waving bannerOttes and the moving figures in uniforms and regalia made up an Impressive eolMur scene, while the singing of the hymn*

by the choristers, and the chanting of the priests and college student", had a Very pleasing influence on the ear. The special eeivnmny of the day consisted in carrying the Sacrament in procession. Archbishop Kelly, supporting the Host, under a silken canopy, and accompanied by a large nmnber of priests and students, inarched through the grounds, chanting the Litany of the Saints. They were immediately preceded by a number of little girls, all dressed in white and carrying little baskets tilled with flowers, with which they bestrewed the pathway of the clergy. A temporary altar was placed at the main entrance to the college, and as the processionists, led by the cross-bearers and aeolytes, passed, all genuflected on both knees. Here, on the broad terrace facing the altar, I fie various organisations were massed, with the public behind, and as the canopy approached, all knelt down and remained in that position while the solemn ceremony of benediction was performed by Archbishop Kelly, who was assisted by the Rev. J. J-awless, deacon, and the Rev. S. Burchill. sub-deacon. During the ceremony the children, led by the band, sang “() Sahitaris,” "Tantuni Ergo,” “Laudato,” “Adoreinus,” and “O Sanctissima.” FORTY YEARS’ PROGRESS AT DEVONPORI’. Forty years ago a draughtsman •sat on the eastern slopes of Mount Victoria, Devonport, sketching the landscape that lay between the mountain and the North Head. His sketch we reproduce on page 26 ot this issue. Faithfully depicted in the drawing may be seen the homes of some of the pioneers of the marine suburb. Of these, first in interest is the Pilot Station, nestling at the foot of the North Head. This station comprised the house of the chief pilot (Capt. I. J. Burgess) and the cottages’ occupied by In's men. The cottages were removed some two or three years ago; but today, after a Jong and honourable career of public service, Capt. Burgess still occupies his time-honoured home. On the inside of the Head is the bay where at that time flowed the splendid fresh water spring from which Devonport took its original native “Takapuna.” Round the bay is pictured the Maori settlement, which flourished until the close of the Waikato war, when it became deserted, and was never again re-oeenpied. Of the remaining four buildings in the sketch, two still remain intact—one is still to be seen on the eastern side of Messrs Duder Bros.’ store in Beach-road, and the other a few yards to the north of Holy Tr’nity Parsonage. Beneath the picture of 1864 is presented the same landscape as it appears to-day. Forty years have wrought many changes. The North Head, then a sheep run and pilot's look-out post, is now Fort Cautley, with its cannon, its earthworks. its tunnels and barracks. The peaceful bay at Takapuna knows the Maori no more, but is the busy site of a great submarine mining station. A green and elose-t rimmed sward overlays the raupo and reed of the swamp which the artist saw four decades ago, and where the wild duck and the pnkeko had their haunt, the footballer, the cricketer and the bowler now foregather. Road, street and path now traverse hill r.nd foreshore, whilst church and cottage, villa and shop, have been raised on eyery side. A scene, then already beautiful, has by man’s handiwork been rendered still more beautiful, and though the area comprised in the view is but a small part of the square mile within Devonport's boundaries, yet the contrast marks an example of progress reflecting the highest credit upon our finest suburb.