Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1921 A NEGLECTED RESORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1921, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1921 A NEGLECTED RESORT.

No doubt any visitors to Lake Maliinapua yesterday marvelled that so unrivalled a resort in position and attractions should be in so neglected a condition. The state of the lake and its surroundings is a reflection on t.ro community ns a whole, for all must take some share of the blame ior the sad condition in which the once very attractive aquatic resort .ms fallen. First, there is the one time beautiful approach to the lake by way of the creek. This is said to be in a shocking state. The lake itself is being rapidly overgrown with a water hyacinth which if not checked by some means will claim the whole water area to itself. What "as once a landing is now a very decayed jetty, round about which tae water plants have complete possession. The shelter shed is an equally unsatisfactory condition, to which vandalism has contributed its share. T’he whole condition of the lake, in pqjnt of fact, is really very depressing, and if the community has any real ambition to see its local attractions maintained in decent older for public patronage, it will rise to tho occasion and do justice to the situation. Lake Mahinapua by reason of its locution at the rail side and its natural attractions for picnic parties of any and all dimensions, should be the play-ground of all the Coast served by the railway. It is so accessible for Targe parties, and at the same time offers such a splendid Held for a day’s outing for pater familias and the bairns, that is a reflection on the people to neglect so potent an asset. The lake is set in beautiful surroundings. Its placid waters offer a field for all kinds of aquatic sports. Its beautiful bush affords a most pleasant picnic and camping ground. Its juxta-position to the ocean beach offers still further rare attractions for town or inland dweller. There are open fields nearby for sports and pastimes. In short the location is an ideal one which is not to he eclipsed any where on tho Coast for variety of attractions. And yet it is the most neglected of all our neighbouring resorts. The lake offers such special attractions that it is worth whole bringing back its beauties and usefulness to public favour again. There are ways and means provided for so doing, if to what the Government offers, the public bodies would add their assistance. There are parliamentary votes on the appropriations this year to clear Mahinapua creek and to make a road to the Falls. The expenditure of the £6OO for these purposes would be a start. But particularly the lake itself needs to ho taken in hand. A new jetty is required, and a clearing for tho landing place made. A shelter shed is needed with facilities for boiling water for ■ i -nic parlies. nc of the local bodies might well take rp Eos project, and assist in restoring Lake Mahinapua to its former popularity. No doubt further help could be got from the Tourist Department. We submit there is not a more generally attractive holiday resort which can he visited by hundreds per medium of the railway within a day’s journey of Hokitika, and to allow such a resort to remain fallow, is, we repeat, a reflection on the whole community.