A VISITORS' OPINION OF AKAROA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 51, 12 January 1877, Page 3

A VISITORS' OPINION OF AKAROA.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AKAROA MAIL. Sir, —I hope I shall not be thought to assume too much if I express to you how greatly I enjoyed my short stay in your beautiful port—which, though I have lived for nearly twenty-four years within easy reach, I had never seen till I came in on Sunday last, and no doubt there are very many who could say the same—and this is really surprising, for I have never known a place with such great natural beauties, and advantages, or one that so thoroughly deserves to stand in the front rank of the many beautiful spots up and down New Zealand. As a harbour, it is impossible to speak too highly of it ; completely landlocked, and free from danger, with plenty of room for the navies of the world to lie at anchor, while for the yachtsman it is almost all he could desire, deep water close in to the shore, nearly eight miles up, with varying scenery of the most charming description, lovely bays with slopes and hills, and a full and more than a full share of natures bounties, with .vliich New Zealand generally has been favoured, but in no place that I know of have they been so liberally scattered as at Akaroa. The excellence of the soil, and the mildness of the climate, are proved by the luxuriant vegetation, and the wealth of fruit, and the healthy appearance of the young folks says all that can be wished for as a testimonial to the wholesome nature of the climate. It is eminently suited to become the most popular watering place of New Zealand. It is hard to imagine a place more cut out by nature for that purpose, good sna battling, with walks and drives in abundance, that for charming views and lovely peeps would be hard to equal in any part of the world. But I must stop, and perhaps I have taken too much on myself in penning what I have, but I trust you will accept it as an expression of my good will to your pretty place, and of the pleasure I have experienced during my short visit, which I trust I may be able to repeat. I am, &c, C. H. STREET. " Winona" Yacht, Akaroa, January 10, 1877.