ON MURIWAI SANDS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 December 1920, Page 3

ON MURIWAI SANDS

POPULAR. PLEASURE - RESORT. '-<■

News of the Governmerit's intention to acquire the Motutara Block for soldier settlement draws attention.to the fine Muriwai beach which is adjacent to this property. Situated some 37 miles from Auckland and about 17 from Helensville, this beach is rapidly coming: into favour as a summer resort, and every year sees an increased number of campers visiting the locality.

Leaving Helensville by car, the visitor enjoys a pleasant hour's, ran through prosperous farming country, deviating from the main road at Waimauku, and after leaving the metal having the choice of two clay roads (in good order at this time of the year) to the beach, Between Waimauku and the Motutara Estate the country side is dotted with summer residences and small farms, the latter yet in an early stage of development. Occasionally the eye meets the the several owners of patches of legend "strawberries for sale," and the berries do a thriving trade at the height of the season. From the highest point 'on the newly formed road over the hills, a fine view over miles'; of country is obtained and the large area of of the Motutara Estate is seen to advange. The land is looking splendid at the present time, and besides grazing a large number of sheep and cattle, several fine areas of crops are visible. Midway along the road running through this estate, the road through the bush to the beach branches off. This road, which was only formed about three years ago, has proved a boon to motorists, enabling them to take their cars right through the bush, on to the beach. Going slowly through the bush, many beautiful vistas of New Zealand native foilage are opened up, the stately nikau palms and tree ferns predominating. Dotted in amongst the bush, at times almost hidden from view, are dozens of small " shacks," where the fortunate owners of such spend part of the summer holidays. Some of these small houses are very nicely situated, and command a fine, view of the ocean and surrounding country. - Gaining the beach, a wonderful expanse of seascape is opened up,"and:tb-the north, as far as the eye cansee",is stretched 1 a wide level beach of hard black sand. Sand! Did anyone ever see so much sand before. The hills behind the beach are all sand, which is ever creeping inland, s'owly covering farming and grazing land: This beach, which is bounded, on the south by high cliffs, is stated to extend some 30 odd miles in an unbroken stretch, and the fine hard sand makes motoring (or any form of movement for that matter) a surpassing pleasure. There is no speed law on the beach, no potholes, and to attain a speed of between 50 and 60 miles in a powerful car along this beach is really living. It is probable that during the holidays the garage owners of Auckland will organise a big picnic at the beach, a feature of which will be the motor races. Besides the joys of the beach and bush/ numerous attractions are afforded the camper, not the least attractive being the search in the sands for the toheroa shellfish, an elusive bivalve which might bo found in dozens if you are lucky enough to strike a patch and . dig deep enough, but which might at other times elude the searchers altogether. On 'the rocks are mussels, of average size, but very tasty, according to the evidence of the experts. Fishing from the rocks is also an attraction, with the usual excitement attached to this fascinating pastime.

Altogether, anyone who is fortunate enough to possess a summer residence adjacent to the beach is to be-envied, because there is no doubt" that Muriwai is the finest seaside resort anywhere near Auckland. With the large increase in motor traffic during the past three years, the beach has been brought nearer to hundreds of city and country dwellers, and even a day's outing from the city is an easy, accomplishment for a car. The road from either Auokland or Helensville is now good, with the ex- i ception of a few pot-holes, and if the grader could be put over the new road previously mentioned, it would- greatly improve the surface, of this. The road through the .bush also needs a fair amount of attention, and the authority in charge of these — the. Waitemata County Council — will earn the gratitude of hundreds of visitors if they put on a couple of men to att«:id to these patches. In conclusion, all who are in