"“to visit st. heliers bay, formerly glen orchard, is to become impressed with the fact that there is no other bay of equal beauty near auckland. it commands a charming and picturesque view of the north shore, rangitoto, motutapu and brown’s island. the beach is so attractive that it cannot fail to be resorted to as a fashionable watering-place. the soil is partly volcanic and is a warm rich loam which, for orchards and floriculture, leaves little to be desired. it will be seen that the land slopes to the north with hills behind as protection from chilly southern winds; therefore the aspect is an especially favourable one for fruit growing and successful gardening. we may fairly say that with regular and frequent communication by means of tramway, or steamer to the new wharf, it requires no stretch of the imagination to believe that that beautiful bay will become the brighton of auckland“."