A POPULAR SEA-SIDE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4925, 13 January 1926, Page 3

A POPULAR SEA-SIDE.

WESTERN FIRTH OF THAMES. , MOTOR PICNIC DRIVES. Destined to Become a verji popular seaside resort, the western shores of the Firth of Thames about Kaiaua— New Brighton, as it is familiarly known—is now very popular with motor picnic parties. On Sunday last over* fifty motor-cars belonging to Hauraki Plains residents, were noticed along the road from the Miranda wharf to Whakatiwai, and there were aJlso picnic parties who had engaged fsfeveral of the large service motorbuses. The road is in good order, though for the first few miles from Waitakarurn there is, new metal that has not yet thoroughly consolidated. It is nothing to fear,' there is a weilfh worn track on the clay alongside. From the turn-off near the Miranda wharf the surface is good. The road follows the shell bank above the ; beach, but the promontories are cut across, fti time this will be the main road to Auckland. The formation of the road from the other end is now in hand, arid the work has reached to the Plains side of the Sandspit. As a drive the road is an attractive one;.- Near the Miranda wharf, and elsewhere, epekies and pipis can be obtained at low tide. Schnapps!’ can be caught from the' beaph and -flounder netted in the channels. There is little sand on the beaches, the shellbank' giving way to smooth stone a.i-1 ground shells. In most places the depth of water, increases very gradually, but there are places, where it is fairly deep quite close inshore. There are many inlets, providing safe bathing for children. At New Brighton two, bathing-sheds have been erected, a t nd there is good bush shelter for picnickers and campers. The old one-room general store, hotel bar, and post office on the hill has been replaced by a fine large building on the flat near the wharf. New Brighton has, a weekly boat service with Auckland, a tri-weekly mail service by road, and a t bi-weekly cream cartage service to Pokeno. JMany. of the seaside sections have -■been purchased and several cottages are to be erected shortly. A coup’le of miles beyond New Brighton is. Whakatiwai, where there is another store and some ideal camping sites. This is a favourite camping ground for Auckland launchmen, and for officers of H.M.S. Philomel, a party of whom spend Christmas there every year. The storekeeper does quite a large business as. a gum buyer. Beyond Whakataw*ai the road is not yet formed, but the work isl expected to be completed this summer. The district is advancing rapidly, and is destined to become a, popular summer outing place for the Hauraki Plains. It is ehsy of access, in the summer time, and would be all the year round if the Plains and Franklin .counties had a litt'le more metalling There is a metalled road from ■pokeno to within three miles of New • Brighton.