charming, which once belonged to the manager of one of the local timber mills. But the timber is almost worked out now: Totara, across the harbour, monopolises the remains of it. Whangaroa would have no existence whatever, were it not for being the port of busy Kaeo. A few families in the neighbourhood possess milking machines, and supply the local butter factory. There are some grapes grown, and sheep are reared on the near-by hills.
HIKURANGI
On the way back to Whangarei, I spent a short while at Hikurangi, which is the centre for the well-known coalfield which makes the town worthy of a place on the map. I learned from a resident that the population is about seven hundred, and all seem to be very alert and alive to the possibilities of the district. An undrained swamp lies near the town, and when its thirty thousand acres are drained a large and valuable area will be added to the pastoral lands of the district. The singular limestone formations which are found at the several towns near-by are seen also at Hikurangi, where they attract considerable attention from visitors.
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