WAIMARAMA

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 7, 17 February 1909, Page 22

WAIMARAMA

A POPULAR HAWKES BAY SEASIDE RESORT

In P.HHi tin late Mr. Sodden was present at a large Maori gathering at a spot on tin* Hawke*- Bay coast -ome fifteen miles below (ape Kidnappers, called \\ aimar.una one of i lie -.unniest spots on a particularly sunny senboard. He was charmed with it. and with his well known foresight al once -aw its possibilities. Hr -aid that when the leases then in force had expired. I lie c-tate. comprising sonic thirty thousand acres, would have to In* put to soim more profitable use than occupation by two Europeans, ami piophc-ird that in a few years it would become a very popular watering place. His words have come remark-ably

true. To-day we find that the leases having expired some twelve thousand acres nave been purchased by the Crown, and will be open for settlement next month. The Native owners air farming a considerable area, ami Mrs. l)<mmdly and her family propose cutting up about five or six thousand acres, and di-posing of them by auction. Waimarama is now a favourite resort for camping and picnic parties, and shortly about a hundred acres will be cut up for seaside re-ideuces. The long stretch of gradually shelving beach. the wide expanse of the Pacific whose horizon line is unbroken except for the little gap made

by Bare Island, and the ceaseless surf have a peculiar fascination for one, and each summer sees an increase in the number of Waimarama’s devotees. The beach is an ideal one for surf bathing, and it has the additional recommendation of being unusually safe for this exciting summer pastime. By a new road which has just been finished Waimarama iias been brough within an hour’s motor drive of Hastings, and the residents of tiiis town have not been slow to take advantage of the proximity of such a very delightful watering place. Our photographs were taken on the occasion of the recent annual picnic of the

Frimley Fruit Canning Factory, and Mr and Mrs Donnelly had a party out on the same day.