SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5311, 10 August 1928, Page 4

SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

THE DISTRICT’S BEAUTY SPOTS.

SPEECH BY MR. SAMUEL.

During ,tlie discussion in the House of Representatives on the report of the Tourist Department, Mr A. MS'amuel, M.P. for, Ohinepiuri, took the opportunity of drawing attention to the scenic beauties and attractions in the Coromandel, Thames, and 1 Ohinemuri districts. ‘ Mr Samuel, in the course of a lengthy speech, said: — want to bring under the notice of the Minister and his department some of ,the attractions of the iQhinemuri and Thame’s districts. We ha.ve here some of the most delightful shots in New Zealand, apd I ,a,m certain that when they are known and advertised, they will be some of the most alluring and attractive of the tourist resorts .in this country. There is a reading system now in progress, which when completed will give access to one of the most beautiful round trips—l was going to say in the world, but certainly in. the- Dominion. There is, a gap of eight miles between a small harbour called Tairua, and Wlhenuakite, and when this is completed it, will make one of the most beautiful round trips in the country. The Government should realize the' necessity of the early completion of this i\oad.

“The trip from Thames to Coromandel, along the coast, is one of the most beautiful drives imaginable; it. could be compared with: the drivefrom Genoa to Nice on the Italian, a.iid) French Riviera. There are thirtytwo miles skirting the Hauraki Gulf, with water as blue as any part of the Mediterranean. The outlook is most delightful. One gets a. different view round every cornet. There are most magnificent bays a,nd bush gullies and camping places for almost every mile of this route. The whole of the scenery along, this road is unchangingly beautiful. There are wonderful shows of pohutukawa trees, which in the summer are a- gorgeous mass, of bloom ,a,long the whole route. The: road winds inland, through patches of beautiful bush ovle-r a high mountain ridge, and when the top is reached a magnificent panoramic view is opened up. There. are scores of picturesque, islands dotted ,a,bout the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. It is an

extraordinary and delightful picture of light'and shade. From Coromandel to Mercury Bay. is an interesting drive over ranges of wonderful bushThere al’ie -mountains and gullies of delightful :seenery, the gullies being, filled with pungas,, king-fenns, rangiona, koromiko, konini, and other beautiful native trees. On the higheir Iqnds there are forejsts of rimu, kahikatea, tawa, tetara, and .a.lso magnificent specimens! of that monarch of tli-e foUest, the;kauri. We: see there tile Zealand forest in all its original splendour, and this may surely be classed as a- spenic epic. I- am purposely bringing this matter undfer the notice of the Tourist Department because I consider that the beauties of this locality should be widely advertised. Few people in. the Auckland Province are aware of the existence of this • beautiful scenedy. MercXiry Bay—or Whitianga, the Maori name —is famed for its big game fishing, and it also possesses historical interest,- as it was; from this locality that Captain Cook' observed the transit cf Mercury. -Mercury Bay is destined to become one: of the greatest tourist resorts in New Zealand, provided it is well advertised. There a,re many glorious benches in this wonderful bay. There is the Buffalo Beach, expending for nine miles, one of the beaches in New Zealand, subject to the full ocean Holl. I know of no better place to recommend than Mercury Bay, and, it has unlimited tourist possibilities. There are all kinds of sword-fish--the black marlin, the striped mai'iin, and the broadbill—the make- shark, and, other sporting fish, and the' bay with school fish, including, the beautiful bonita. It was, tiierte- that, the world’s record Mako shark was caught in 1926. It was 87&lb in we-ght, 12ft 3'n in length, and.;ha,d a giilth. of sft lOin. Mercury Bay if; most delightful and picturesque spot. It has a beautiful harbour, a delightful outlook, with island's dotted all over the place-, and the accommodation is excellent. The gentleman wh o keeps the hotel which has b'een recently -erected there is one of the! best-known sports, in the district, hik| is bhorougJhy coiivei’s.a.nt' with the« fishing grounds. I had the good f'ortune to visit Mercury .Bay with tM member for the district .and the TAinister of Public Works, and I aoj looking forward with pleasure abb a anticipation to- going there again. I contend thfit .the Tourist Department should specially advertise this ’place as ,a ; big game and tourist resort, because !< -consider that there is nothing ; better in New Zealand.

“When the road is completed it will lead through Coroglen, W'henuakite, and Hotwater Beach, where there are hot springs . of great medicinal and curative, value, and then passes through Tairua and Hikuai to Whangamata,’which is destined to become

a great tourist resort. Wha.ngamata has a most delightful habour; it also has splendid benches and! geocl fishing. Not only is it close ,to the big game-fishing artea, but there is good fishing to be obtained in the harbour itself. The - cray-fish from Whangamat.a, ae famed far and wide. Whanga.mata is close to. the biggest game-fishing district around Mayor Island, where some <of the biggest fish have been caught. This is a most restful spot to spend a holiday, and in the summer ca,n be reached by road from the Wailii side. “From Whangamata’ to< Waihi is a short distance, and Waihi may be advertised as one of the tourist attractions, because there we- have the celebrated Waihi Gold-mine —a mhfe which has produced, I daresay, more gold than any other minfe in the Southern Hemisphere. Tire officials, who are most courteous, arte- always pleased to show visitors over the mine, and.it is evtnemely interesting to see in the office settle! bars of gold and silver amounting to thousands of pounds that ihavte- been extracted from the quartz. There is a most delightful beach at Waihi which is worthy of wide advertisement by the Tourist Department. It is accessible by a good road, has safe surf bathing, good fishing, fine motoring, for many miles, and good schooling facilities, and should be known to the people of New Zealand.

“After leaving Waihi there is a beautiful drive through the- Waikino Valley where the crushing battery of the Waihi mine' is situated, and the Karangahake gorge. Tlie gorge presents scenery of rugged grandeur, and Karangahake Mountain is a -most awe-inspining sight. From this -mountain .a.nd the vicinity millions of pounds’ worth of gold has been taken; but, unfortunately, the mines were dosea cWn, mainly owing to the war. I feel certain, however, that in the near future mining, activity in this district will be re-nfewed, and there -.will be isjeveraj mines producing gold, as there were in the past. “From Karangahake we go on to Paeroa, which is a most s important railway junction adjacent to the fertile Hauraki Plains. There is good shooting and fishing in this locality, and the town has splendid accommodation for all visitors. “This marks the completion of one' of the most magnificent trips in Naw Zealand', and I would ask the officials

<of the Tourist Department ,to take particular notice of what I have said. I would ask the general manager to send his officials _to yie-w the whole of this beautiful district, as I feel sure that if that were:'do,ne a special publication would be issued which would be of immense benefit, not only to the overseas tourisjts l but also to the people of New Zealand when oil holiday bent.”