The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 5, 16 September 1881, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16.

In the Press of a few days back appeared a letter calling upon the people of Lyttelton to bestir themselves in tho matter of the Annual Regatta on New Year's Day, and regretting the decay of that enthusiasm which used in the past to render the Lyttelton Regatta the principal event of the kind in the Colony. Surely if the Lyttelton people are to be reproached for their want of promptitude, the people of the Peninsula are yefc more to blame in not having yet taken any steps to call a preliminary meeting regarding the Akaroa Regatta, which is to take place at the earlier date of December 16th?

It appears to us (speaking under correction) that to arrange for a good Regatta at Akaroa must require a much longer time than arranging for it in Lyttelton. At the latter place the people are all together, and Christchurch, from which a great deal of the support comes, is only a few miles off, Now, on tho Peninsula the population is so scattered about in the different bays, that communication is comparatively difficult, and to secure that united action which is absolutely necessary to make the Regatta a complete success, much time is required.

That the Akaroa Regatta should be an important one, if properly managed, there can be little doubt. The mere physical features of the harbor are sufficient to ensure success, if there were keen competition for the various events. The bay is so sheltered that outrigger races can be pulled with safety nearly every day in the year, while the fresh breezes and smooth water of the outer harbor give a course for sailing vessels not to he surpassed in New Zealand. When to these advantages are added tho magnificent view of the scene of contest from the town, it will bo granted that all the physical requisites are present. Again, taking its geographical position into consideration, Akaroa is within easy distances of Lyttelton, Timaru, Oatnaru, and Port Chalmers, neither of which places have the same facilities for the holding of a regatta, their only advantage being that they are in the vicinity of larger towns.

It lias been said that the comparatively small number of vessels at present in Akaroa that are fitted to compete at a regatta is a great drawback to its success, but if fair prizes were offered and the matter properly ventilated we should have plenty of competition from outside. It is no exaggeration to say that there is no yacht-owner in New Zealand who would not enjoy heartily a friendly contest on ihe waters of our beautiful harbor ; and what a delightful day's change it would be for the members of the Christchurch boating clubs to come and have a clay's pull here on Anniversary Day. To those who object to the sea trip from Lyttelton we would say that the facilities of communication with Christchurch are fast improving, and when the railway is opened to Lake Forsyth, with a coach ride over the Little River Hill and a short and pleasant trip in smooth water from the Hoad of tho Bay, the journey to Akaroa from Christchurch will be by far the pleasantest, most picturesque, and most varied in all Canterbury. We need have no fear about the guests if we provide the entertainment

The benefits to be obtained by holding a good regatta here are numerous. A

new-comer is struck with the number of young men he sees in Akaroa, and if these could be persuaded to take a warm interest in aquatic matters it would open a field for them of healthful exercise and hearty enjoyment, besides raising in them a spit it of emulation and energy which would have a beneficial effect on the conduct of their own affairs, and be advantageous to the whole community. It would also, by drawing visitors to the place, make its attractions better known outside. The people of the larger towns in New Zealand are beginning, like the inhabitants of the great cities at Home, to seek every year a short respite from the toils and bustle of city life ; and were Akaroa better known —with its facilities for boating, fishing, and sea bathing, its fine scenery, beautiful native busk and ferns, picturesque walks and drives, and delightful climate —hundreds of those who now toil wearily over the West Coast Road, picnic in the gorge of the Rakaia, travel north to Auckland or south to Invercargill, in quest ol rest and change* would annually visit us, and Akaroa would become the favorite wateringplace of New Zealand.

It is therefore to be hoped that those interested will lose no time in calling a preliminary meeting. If the people of the Peninsula will only give a long pull, and a strong pull, and a pull all together, we may yet have a capital Regatta on Anniversary Day, more especially as Lyttelton seems disinclined to take the matter up.