The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1877.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 115, 24 August 1877, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1877.

At the risk of being thought wearisome' we cannot refrain from again referring to a matter which we consider of great importance as affecting the future welfare and prosperity of Akaroa. Is another summer to pass without public baths being established? Of their necessity there can be no doubt, all admit that, but unfortunately, such an apathetic spirit seems to enwrap the inhabitants of this highly favoured spot, that they seem careless of what would, if carried into effect, not only increase the value of their property, but would be the means of promoting the expenditure of a great deal of ready money amongst them. At present there is actually no place where ladies, children, or invalids can enjoy the advantages of sea-bathing. It is true that those of the sterner sex can take a dip, but, then, it must be early in the morning, or when the shades of evening have closed in ; decency forbids bathing being indulged in at other hours. At one time we did entertain the hope that public baths would be erected ; such a spirit of vigorous enter prize seemed for a time to be evoked, subscriptions were so freely promised, and even the members of the Borough Council seemed so earnest in the matter, that we did begin to think that public baths in Akaroa were to become'an accomplished fact. But, alas ! for the vanity .of human expectations. The promised subscriptions were not paid, the ardour of those who had almost engaged to carry out the work, —and which at one time burned so fiercely,— suddenly cooled until at last the subject was not even mentioned in the proceedings of the Borough Counoil. The whole affair, like many others of a similar nature in Akaroa, ended in smoke, and we are tempted to write, there the matter will end. But we will not do so, because we think that if a little greater effort were made, a little more public spirit were displayed, such a necessary adjunct to a sanatorium like Akaroa, as public baths may yet be brought into existence. We would seriously ask, what is there in Akaroa besides its lovely scenery and mild Italian climate to attract visitors, especially those who come seeking health 1 There are very few sources of amusement, and, if we except the domain, there is positively no place of public resort. It is true that visitors can wander on the beach and breath the fresh air, and they can gaze upon the cool and sparkling water, but that is all. To enjoy the luxury and health giving, properties of a bath is forbidden by a parsimony,—no it is not that, it is an apathy, which is positively blind to what is conducive to the promotion of its own interest. It is time for this apathetic spirit to be shaken off, and for the inhabitants of Akaroa, at least for a time, to be instinct with vigorous life. " God helps those who help themselves," is an old and well-tried sayings but it is very true, and, if. instead of fruitlessly lamenting over the dulness and badness of the times, our townsmen were to set about trying to make them more lively and better, more than half the difficulties, which seem to exist, would vanish. And, now, we would once more seriously urge the necessity of a further effort being made to establish public baths ; let those who at one time seemed so earnest in the work, once more "take heart of grace," determined that this time they will succeed, and we'verily believe that they would do so.