A VISITOR'S IMPRESSION OF AKAROA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 177, 29 March 1878, Page 3

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSION OF AKAROA.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Sib, —I am a visitor in Akaroa, having been induced to spend a fortnight's holiday here through common report regarding the beauty of the scenery and the genial climate. In both these respects I have been more than gratified, and judging by the number of hotels and boarding-houses in proportion to the number of houses, I conclude that Akaroa is a favorite place of resort during the summer months and at holiday times. I notice too that in the Domain—l think I am right in the name and the orthography—there has been money expended in forming walks and in the erection of a booth. Knowing nothing of your municipal arrangements I maj be in error in assuming that the

corporation have seen their way to this outlay ; and if so, it is creditable to their taste; tbe walks are inviting and the booth a grateful shelter from the heat. Yet in my opinion its style of architecture does not fit k for its purpose, and its construction might have been postponed without materially interfering with the means of enjoyment in a place surrounded by picturesque lanes and rural walks. The chief drawback to Akaroa is the want of accommodation for sea-bathing. My first inquiry was where are your baths ? What arrangements have you for seabathing ? To my astonishmant, I was told "we have no baths—you can go in the morning early, say seven o'clock, to such a spot where is a sandy beach, or, if you prefer deep water, there is the jetty which you can avail yourself of at the same time. Very good advice indeed to a stranger, and especially to ladies. No prudent man likes bathing in strange waters, however skilful a swimmer he may be, especially in bays or harbors, where sharks may chance to be, and we know all the Australian harbors are visited by them ; and as for ladies and children, the conditions are next to prohibitory. Yet Akaroa only needs a very trifling outlay to become as attractive as a bathing place as it is for its scenery and climate. I should suppose the corporation of Akaroa, like other municipal bodies, have it in their power to devote a portion of the rates to the purpose, or should it even be Jnecessary, to borrow the money for the construction of convenient and conveniently situated baths. There can)be little doubt that the subscriptions and fees received for their use would amply repay the outlay, for not only would all visitors be glad to avail themselves of the bathing accommodation, but many residents would be glad to do so likewise. It seems to a stranger most extraordinary that this was not one of the first public works undertaken in a place where so extensive a shore line is available, in a bay absolutely so sheltered that bathing must be possible every day in the year. Surely, where every body's interest is so obviously likely to be forwarded, there can be no party opposition, excepting, perhaps, to the whereabouts of the baths, but as every body cannot have a bath at the door, a quarter or half a mile one way for another makes little difference, especially to visitors, whose time is not usually of very serious moment, and as or the residents, I apprehend privacy and eligibility of ground will be chiefly valued. Trusting I may be pardoned for offering these suggestions, I am, Sir, Yours, &c, B.