The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 139, 16 November 1877, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16.

It will have been noticed in the recent reports on the proceedings at tlie meetings of the Akaroa and Wanui Road Board, that it is their intention to continue the Onukn road along the const line to th; 1 property of Mr IT. Aylmer, which is situated some distance beyond the Maori Kainga. Apart from tbe sense of justice contained in this concession on the part of the Board, in providing owners of property with the means of proper ingress and egress to their laud and home • steads, we feel it a matter for public satisfaction that another attractive fc'ature is being added in this work to the already numerous and picturesque walks so much admired by visi-ors to Akaroa. As the Hon. J. Hall, in his memorable speech on the occasion of the dinner to the Kepresentivrs, now nearly twelve months ago, so aptly remarked, our scenery is our capital, and therefore every improvement that tends to enhance its loveliness, to afford fresh -opportunities for its enjoyment, and to lend further attractiveness to its beauty, should be hailed by the inhabitants of the Peninsula as a source of increased revenue and profit. The fascinations of a watering place are not confined to mere sea bathing or the rambles over sea-weed and rocks. Visitors look for more than these, and the invigorating walks along the coast line, in the fresh, pure, sea breeze, is as valuable to them as tlie daily dip in the waves. But what render a sea-side place more attractive than all the other qualifications, and what are so eagerly fought after by invalids and healthsrekers, are the long drives to neighboring places, views, &c, whore the scenery can be admired, the country seen, and / the system strengthened

Akaroa is Lamentably deficient, partly owing to its natural- configuration, partly to tlie ill advised manner fn which its main road has been laid off. There is at present but one direction in which it is possible.to drive for any distance, namely, on the Christchurch and Akaroa road ; but few, if any, would consider it a source of cither pleasure or comfort to travel it often. We are not exaggerating when we state that far from being a source of pleasure, on the present gradient, it is one of continual danger. Here, then, Akaroa, though amply endowed by nature with many attractions, falls short of the one thing needful to render it one of the most, if not the most, charming of colonial watering places. The proposed continuation of the Omiku road, however, opens up an opportunity for providing, at least, another driving road in the district, and it is with a view to obtaining this desired addition to our local attractions, and with it an increase to our capital, that we make the following suggestion : —It seems to be merely tbe intention of the Road Board to continue this road to a certain point, and no further ; but, we say, why stop there? Why not proceed with the work, and form a good road, of easy gradient, properly fenced in, and suitable for driving along, down tbe whole of the north side of the harbour, as far as the Head ? Let the Road Board apply for a special grant for this important work, and while labour is being expended on a portion, continue it to a successful termination. The utility of such a road is obvious, as a thoroughfare to the forthcoming Lighthouse, as a means of conveying material and stores for the same at comparatively little cost, and as affording opportunities for speedy communication between the Lighthouse- and Harbour officials, as well as the increase in the value of property opened up, and the many advantages, public and social, to be derived from such a work. That the idea is practicable, and that it merely requires agitating, and support, to obtain the requisite grant from the Government for its carrying out, we feel confident, and thus hope to see some steps taken at once to set the matter in tho proper channels for an early commencement.