The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1877.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 51, 12 January 1877, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1877.

The Hon. John Hall in Ins speech at the Akaroa banquet, enunciated an idea to the effect that the Peninsula generally, and Akaroa in particular, possessed in its fine scenery a capital which might be turned to profitable advantage. A morning contemporary, the Lyttelton Times, has elaborated this idea, and ■contended that the scenery of New Zealand is of so attractive a character that if the Government would only make good roads, and facilities were given for providing ample hotel accommodation, crowds of persons seeking .health or pleasure would visit our shores ; and that thus no inconsiderable revenue would be derived from the money expended by these valetudinarians or tourists. We do not intend to follow our contemporary's line of argument; but will content ourselves with pointing out some method of utilising the means already at our disposal. Three routes will take the traveller to the Town of Akaroa, ono by sea, Lyttelton being the place of embarkation, a second by steamer from Lyttelton to Pigeon Bay, and thence by coach, and a third which may be called the overland route from Christcliurch to Akaroa. Each of these has its admirers, but we prefer the overland, believing it to be impossible for any lover of the beautiful •to traverse that route on a fine day without experiencing keen delight. From Christcliurch to Little River the road winds along at the foot of the hills, ■passing through a rich pastoral country, .interspersed with sung homesteads and ..agricultural farms, skirting Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth, and then after passing Little River it .begins to ascend, and it Is then that the famed Peninsula scenery begins to develope itself. As the traveller ascends valley after valley full of vegetation, so luxuriant as to appear almost tropical, present themselves. In addition to the numerous forest trees, there are several varities of ferns, whose feathery frouds are very graceful, whilst the wild clematis and a species of white convolvulus wreathe the trees and shrubs, many other flowers of different hues diversify the scene and fill the air with fragrance. The songs of the native lards, which are very numerous, form no mean concert. This scenery continues until Garwood's House on the Hill Top is reached, and "here it is culminated by a panoramic view of great

beauty. T3ie hills on either side from an immense amphitheatre, at tlte bottom of which is Akaroa Harbour with its numerous bays and inlets, the shores are dotted with pretty residences rising amidst clusters of trees ; and in the distance is the Town of Akaroa, with the village ofWainui on the opposite side of tho bay. This lovely scene is not however without tragic reminiscences. Barry's; Bay .winch .lies almost ...at the observer's feet, ' was once a spot of terrible slaughter, -when a,fierce tribe from' the 'North' Island visited there, and killed almost all the native inhabitants, only one or two escaping by swimming < - o an island in the and hiding until their foes had left. Wainuicould also tell a tale of Maori treachery and cruelty far more horrible. The Town of Akaroa is remarkable for its picturesque appearance, ami the variety of snatches of lovely scenery which may be enjoyed by taking a stroll in the vicinit)' of the tow.n, cannot but fail to interest the visitor. Nature has been prodigal of her gifts to this favoured s]Ht, the soil is exceedingly fertile, and the climate so mild that the orange, the lemon, and the vine, flourish and bear fruit in the open air. But here we must stop, with but few exceptions—so few that they are like oases in the desert— cultivated spots are extremely rare: Generally there are no well-kept gardens bright with flowers, and containing a choice assortment of vegetable esculents, but in lieu thereof a tremendous crop • of the rankest weeds, which are allowed to run to seed from year to year until their growth resembles a miniature forest. The mode ol culture appears to be as ■follows : —To plant a number of fruit trees, and then to let them grow untended and unpruned amidst a luxuriant crop of dank grass, docks, -and other weeds, which form a sort of undergrowth reaching in some instances almost to the lower branches of the trees. This state of things ought not to be. Akaroa is attractive even now, it might be made ten times more so if the inhabitants would only arouse themselves from the lethargic state in which they appear to be sunk. It is not the time that is wanting in order to reform the abuses we have pointed out, it is the will. How long matters are to remain as they are is a question for the inhabitants themselves to answer.