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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

[Paikakariki]

From Porirua to Paikakariki—a distance of about fourteen miles—the traveller by the coach road passes Plimmerton and the well-watered flats bounded on either side by the higher hills which feel the flocks of the settlers; and thence through a beautiful country, varied by grassed and wooded uplands, from the recesses of which hundreds of Australian magpies scream out their impudence, and coveys of quail and pheasant whir and take startled flights. Then the rocky gorge winds its tortuous ways up Mount Paikakariki till a height of over 1000 feet above sea level is reached, and there rare sights are seen—the ocean nearly straight below, the distant Kaikouras of the South Island, Cook Strait and some of the rocks near Island Bay, the celebrated Island of Kapiti right in front, and a long line of sandy sea coast northward as far as the eye can see. The houses of Paikakariki resemble in size gin cases, and when the Manawatu railway train comes out of the rock tunnel by the ocean, the carriages appear no bigger than cigar boxes.

The township of Paikakariki, having all the attractive features of a seaside resort, is much patronised by pleasure-seekers and invalids, the hotel accommodation being good,
Paikakariki.

Paikakariki.

page 1082 and the mail and train services satisfactory. Paikakariki is rich in Maori legendary lore, and rehes of barbarie times are numerous. The soil seems to be rich, but little is being done in the way of tilling it, the native owners being content to grow enough grain and other crops for their own consumption. The climate is genial, and Paikakariki must become in time a favourite watering-place for the Capital.

Paikakariki is distant from Wellington twenty-seven miles by the Manawatu railway line, and is twenty-three feet above sea-level.

Mails for Paikakariki close daily at Wellington at 6 a.m., arriving at Paikakariki at 8.30 a.m. The return mail closes daily at Paikakariki at 7 p.m., arriving at Wellington at 10.5 p.m.