A HOLIDAY RESORT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 170, 24 December 1914, Page 5

A HOLIDAY RESORT.

NEW PLYMOUTH'S ATTRACTIONS. (Wellington Post.) As a holiday resort, Now Plymouth lias long been appreciated by not a few, but of recent years its popularity lias vastly increased thanks in a great measure to the energy of an association that was set up with the laudable object of drawing attention to the undoubted attractiveness of the chief town of Taranaki and its surrounding district. New Plymouth is very pleasantly situated 011 the seashore, and behind it towers, in all its beauty, Mount Egmont, from which runs away for miles the lofty wooded country known as the Ranges. The beauty spots- of the town itself are many, including Pukokura Park (the Recreation Grounds,) which has been stated by tourists to be one of the finest pleasure grounds in the world. In addition, there are numerous historic places that cannot fail to interest—notably Msrsland Hill (on which the Imperial troops were located during the Maori wars), St. Mary's Church (in the cemetery attached to which are buried many of the soldiers who fell during the fighting), and the Sugar Loaves. The latter may be reached by cycle, 'bus, or motor; in fact, anyone who likes walking will find it an vasy task to get to the biggest of the rocks—Paritutu—by way of the Esplanade, a nicely Sheltered track along the seafront. iii the other direction (easterly) an esplanade extends for most of the way to the Henui River. On each esplanade there arc a pavilion and other conveniences for those who desire surf bathing or to take pleasure in other ways. There are three howling greens—at the West End, in the centre of the town, and at Fitzroy (the eastern suburb). All arc in tip-top order, and the surroundings are beautiful, The cricket and athletic sports grounds are also well up to New Zealand standard. ■ From New Plymouth, the hotel on the slopes of Egmont may be reached by motor in about an hour. The accommodation is of the best, and the tourist; who desires to ascend to the top of the mountain may depend on being able to got a tasty meal on his return to the house, which is at an altitude of between 3000 ft and 4000 ft. Among places of beauty that may bo reached from New Plymouth is the Mokau River (said by many to rival the Wanganui). Aa a matter of fact, the places of attraction in and around the pretty town (noted for its lovely flower gardens and trees) are so many that it would be a hard task to individualise to any extent.