The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]
Whangarei
Whangarei is an important town on the Hoteo river, fifteen miles from Whangarei Heads and eighty miles from Auckland. The surrounding district contains fine agricultural land, and is mostly suitable for fruit growing. Coal, lime, timber, kauri gum, wool, butter and cheese are its more important products, and there are some fine limestone caves and waterfalls of very great interest in the neighbourhood. The town is picturesquely situated, and possesses some excellent buildings. It has a fruit canning factory, one bank, four churches, a high school, two public schools, a weekly newspaper, public halls, and several societies, and is lighted by means of gas. The climate is a most salubrious one, and many pleasant excursions to points of interest in the neighbourhood can be conveniently made by visitors. Mails are received and despatched daily between Auckland and Whangarei.