1100 mini-bus travellers during holiday season
In 24 days between Boxing Day and January 19, the Star mini-buses carried 1100 passengers to Cape Reinga; last year it was almost six months before this figure was reached.
The 1000th passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Clough of Inglewood, who went north on January 18.
Their description of the trip by the inland road and the Ninety Mile Beach was "bang-on" - the general reaction of the passengers, who now include a notably large proportion of Americans and Australians.
Last year the buses carried about 1900 passengers, but it is obvious that the figure will be greatly exceeded this year.
The managing director of the company, Mr. P.J. Quilter, says that his vehicles, with their experienced drivers, can negotiate the Te Paki stream on schedule, but that private motorists (who have no authority to use the route) run a risk which is quite considerable when drivers are unfamiliar with the conditions.
The road down to the stream is greasy and vehicles can slide wildly in the hands of city drivers. When they reach the stream itself they seem to think that it is now plain sailing, and they often make the basic error of stopping in it.
Changing tyres
The most glaring example occurred recently when one of the buses gave aid to a Volkswagen whose driver had stopped to change tyres, as he felt that a front one with more tread would be most useful at the back. His vehicle obeyed the natural law that a heavy object will sink in a soft substance and immediately went down to the axles.
Fortunately there was plenty of man-power to lift the vehicle out.
One of the Mini-buses struck trouble at a stream farther south on Monday when a cloud-burst hit the area around Parengarenga, and the creeks across the beach were running high.
Had the "snorkel" been fitted to extend the exhaust there would have been no difficulty, but water entered the pipe and the bus stopped in the stream.
Others negotiated it safely and the drenched passengers were brought down to Kaitaia.
There was difficulty in extricating the bus because the strong current swept away planks as they were placed under the wheels.
Eventually a truck full of men came along, and the bus was manpowered out.
It started immediately and came to Kaitaia under its own power.
These incidents, said Mr. Quilter, illustrate the need for caution. If experienced men can be caught, what chance do city drivers have?
- January 20, 1967
Many in new beach resorts
There were fewer people in camps near Mangonui before the New Year than in past years, but many were attracted to the newer, quieter camps in such places as Taupo Bay, Tauranga Bay and Hihi Beach.
Three or four of these places north of Whangaroa received supplies of bread for the first time this year, and Mr. Rhys Williams says that they averaged 50 or 60 loaves, showing that about 50 people were at each spot.
Houhora, too, was more popular than ever this year.
Mangonui had many visiting yachtsmen from Boxing Day onwards, and the HMNZS Kowhai, a patrol vessel, was four days in port.
The Minister of Labour, Mr. Shand, went south after three or four days as the guest of Mr. F. Weber, while a former Minister, Mr. Dean Eyre, made a longer stay.
- January 6, 1967
Victoria Valley news
Mr. Brian Beazley of Christchurch is spending a holiday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Beazley Snr., and will leave by plane for home on January 9.
Valley folk extend sincere sympathy with the Edwards, Beazley and White families in their recent sad bereavements.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Thompson and wee daughter (Erin) return to Auckland on January 8.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kitchen and family of Auckland will arrive on Sunday to spend a holiday with Mr. and Mrs. N. Kitchen.
Mr and Mrs Hooper left last week for Auckland.
- January 6, 1967
Australian shines to claim West Chopping Trophy
The Awanui Boxing Day sports drew good entries including many high-class axemen who were competing in the open events of a circuit offering good prizes, and the gate was up from £64 to £72.
A feature was the trophy presented by Mrs. Les West as a memorial to her husband Les, a prominent supporter and worker for chopping and sawing, and this was won by a Tasmanian visitor, Mr. J. Hayward.
Chopping
9 inch local chop - H. Te Whata (Tonga)1, H. Foley (Kaeo) 2, Boy Yates (Kaitaia) 3.
10 inch Open Standing Chop - R. Davidson (Tokoroa) 1, W. Jensen (Putaruru) 2, T. Schischka (Henderson) 3.
12 inch Wilshire Files Handicap - D. McCartie (Kaiaua) 1, R. Martin (Tokoroa) 2, W. Jensen (Putaruru) 3.
Les West Memorial Handicap - J. Hayward (Tasmania) 1, A. Harris (Auckland) 2, W. Shelford (Tokoroa) 3.
Teams relay - D. McCartie's team 1.
-January 6, 1967
Fire sweeps wilderness at Waiharara
An uncontrollable fire broke out on Sunday afternoon and swept through many acres of a scrub and wattle wilderness in the Waiharara district, but it has not caused any damage to property such as houses or sheds.
The land is owned by Mr. M. S. Urlich, and the fire, driven by a 30-knot wind, travelled over the hills, swamps and gum holes so fast that the Kaitaia Volunteer Fire Brigade could not keep pace with it with their hoses.
Eventually, after firemen had run out 15 lengths of hose, the chief officer, Mr. G. J. R. Paterson, called off the attempt as there appeared to be no chance of checking it and little of value for it to burn.
Indeed, it would have been dangerous for the men to have gone ahead of it and to have become involved in the high scrub and maze of valleys.
The firemen used water from a lake to extinguish pockets of fire, before they returned to Kaitaia after 5pm.
The outbreak was moving along the side of Mr J. C. Farnham's extensive paddock running from the old school paddock on the Kaimaumau Road to the shore of Awanui Harbour.
There is a cowshed on it, and Mr. P. W. Shine has his new home between it and the road, but these places did not seem in danger.
However yesterday morning the wind freshened and the fire began to work north, and the Aupouri Forest men went to look at it.
They worked there during the day, finding that most of it was below the buildings and heading toward the harbour.
The fire burnt in peat and gum, sending up huge volumes of smoke.
- January 10, 1967
50,000 at cape in five years
Within five years, at least 50,000 people a year will visit Cape Reinga, in the opinion of the general manager of the Tourist Department, Mr. R. S. Odell, who says that planning of facilities and roading should begin now for this influx.
Mr. Odell says that every tourist index is going up by 25 per cent each year, and his estimate is based on the present conservative figure of 25,000 people a year visiting Cape Reinga.
Undoubtedly many others do not sign the visitors' book, he said.
Cape Reinga will always be one of the goals of tourists.
There is great interest in the end of any road, said Mr. Odell, instancing the way tourists deviate from the Haast Pass drive to go 20 miles to remote Jackson's Bay.
- January 27, 1967
Wrathall family gathers
Their pioneer ancestry was remembered on January 8 when 65 members of the Wrathall family, and visitors, gathered at the home of Mrs. I.M. McKay, Mill Bay, Mangonui.
Most of the descendants were granddaughters and grandsons of Stephen and Elizabeth Wrathall and their families, but there were present also two granddaughters of Henry Wrathall.
Henry Wrathall was the eldest son of the original Stephen Wrathall , and Stephen was his fourth son.
Their father arrived in New Zealand from Hobart in 1831, and in 1833 he married Maria Hinutoto at Hokianga. In 1836 he bought 3000 acres at Whikianga (Oruru), and then other blocks.
In 1850 Stephen Wrathall Snr. joined the Melbourne gold rush and he remained in Australia until 1857. Stephen Wrathall died in Kaeo in 1896 at the age of 84.
Some members of the family spell their name Rothall because they are descendants of Henry, whose name so appears on his marriage certificate, issued in Australia.
He was also at the gold rush, and when he told the minister his name it was mis-spelt.
However, he then adopted that form and his descendants have continued to use it.
The family spent a most enjoyable day, says Mrs. McKay.
They were greatly interested in pictures of Henry and Maria and others of their forebears, and also in the family tree which was read.
- January 13, 1967
Ahipara news
Mr. Jim Brass, son Paki and daughter Effie of Whangarei, Mr. Peter Anderson and friend of Auckland, and Mr. Mac Roberts and friend of Auckland are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Paul Williams of Wainui.
Staying with Mr. and Mrs. Morgan of Wainui is Mr. George Ryder of South Auckland.
Mr. Barry Drew arrived by plane last week from Wellington to spend a short stay with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Paitai.
While in the district he took the opportunity of motoring through to Kaikohe to see Constable and Mrs. Anzac Paratene and family.
Mr. and Mrs. David Graham and family of Otara, Auckland, have been spending the holidays with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Graham.
Mr. and Mrs. Tarzan Graham and son David, of Roma, have left the district and will take up residence in Howick, Auckland.
Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Brass and family of Wainui are leaving the district and are headed for Murupara, where Mr. Brass will take up employment.
At the weekend Anglicans travelled from Te Kao, Peria, Pamapuria, Pukepoto, and all near-lying districts to welcome and honour the Rev. Phillip Kapa of Gisborne at a reception held at the Roma Marae.
The Rev. Kapa was born at Te Kao, and the many friends and relatives who gathered at the marae showed the respect and esteem in which he is held.
A nephew of the late Mr. Mac Berghan, he has for many years been in the Gisborne area.
- January 10, 1967
Wedding of Miss Sandra Marsden
The marriage of Sandra, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Marsden of Takahue, to Boroughdale, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Everitt of Te Kao, took place of Saturday January 14, at Te Kao Ratana Church.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a beautiful full-length gown of white crystalline satin with elbow-length sleeves of guipure lace.
The full-length train which fell from the shoulder was of guipure lace. Her elbow-length veil was held by a pearl tiara. Sandra's bouquet was of white carnations and lily of the valley.
The bridesmaids, both nursing friends of the bride, were Hinemoa Bryers and Maryanne Pirini.
They wore matching full-length, baby-doll styled frocks made of pink bamboo satin.
They wore satin circlets in their hair and carried pink carnations.
The flowergirl, Frances Harris, niece of the groom, wore a short frock of peach bamboo satin. A short train which fell from the shoulder was held in place by imitation flowers.
She wore a satin circlet on her hair and carried a basket of flowers.
The bestman was Henry Wright, a cousin of the groom, and a friend, Paddy Etana, was groomsman.
The bride was presented with a good luck horseshoe by the groom's niece, Teiana Mei Everitt, who travelled up from Wellington with her parents.
Mrs. Marsden, who wore a fawn ensemble, and Mrs. Everitt, who wore a pink three-piece suit, in company with their husbands, greeted their guests who totalled about 400, in the Te Kao dining hall where the reception was held.
The beautiful cake was made by Mrs. Oscar Irving of Takahue, and iced by Mrs. K. Kimber of Kaitaia. Toastmaster at the reception was Mr P. Riki.
The couple will make their home in Te Kao.
- January 17, 1967
