THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1920 LAKE PAPAITONGA.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 29 September 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1920 LAKE PAPAITONGA.

If givt* us pleasure |o see ihz*. •'Sorts are being made to re jure tfc* late Sir Walter BußerT property Etie Pepsitstfgu (commonly itrtottut a: Bailer J s Bake) as -= scenic reserve ter the district and for the Bo—:r.:rr.. Nat many yearn ago .ibis airtcae* *ras rich in natcies of litire bmA,

as scenic resorts, could scarcely have been eclipsed anywhere in the Dominion, or the world. However, unfortunately, the ruthless axe ha? laid bare many of these once lovely spots, which are now restricted to a comparatively small number. The bush route between Wuikanae and Rikiorangi was, not a great many vears ago, one of the most exquisite hits of native scenery one might wish to see, but now it has been robbed of much of its attractiveness by the felling of the beautiful bush. The Otaki Gorge, though still abounding with many glorious stretches of river and bush scenery, has been robbed of many of its choicest gems; the much.famed “ Avenue* * at Levin is now j practically a thing of the past, and j other beauty spots are fast being j transformed from loVelv wildernesses to bare hills and unromanth —if remunerative —pasture hind. We deeply deplore the lack of foresight among those responsible for this ruthless destruction —this vandalism that has robbed the district of an asset which

it. can never restore, for vre can never reinstate those'lovely native forest trees, the nikaus, the ferns and the undergrowth: and who can possibly estimate the worth of such magnificent bush ureas as those referred to? The Lake Papnitonga property, at Atnhunoa West, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque of the com-' paratively few remaining beauty spots of the district. Not only so, but an added interest is given this locality from the historical associations with which it is literally saturated. The lovely islet in Pnpaitonga Lake was, we understand, the scene of innumerable bloody inter-tribal battles, and it is said that Sir Walter Boiler used to refer to it as “The Place ot a Thousand Skulls,” so littered is it with the evidences of devastating battles. Certainly such a lovely an 1 historical spot should be made a preserve tor til! 1 into as a national park

or scenic reserve, and we sincerely trust that tlio efforts of the various local bodies in this direction will li:i\> that result. Now that public interest bus been aroused as to the necessity of preserving the Pnpaitonga properly, we hope that the same spirit will be exhibited with regard to other beauty

! spots, and that every effort will be I made on all possible occasions, both ! bv our local bodies and by our public I and private citizens, to conserve the | delightful native bush that is such a magnificent asset to our favoured <!■«- j triet. Our member (Mr W. H. Field) ! neves loses an opportunity of using his | influence in this direction, and district I residents have to thank him for hi- } efforts in this direction in the past, i May he lie bucked up by the whole j hearted support of others olio must !>'• ' aware of the irreparable loss we arc suffering by the steady destruction of I one of our most valuable assets. GAMBLING AND ‘ ‘ THE BOOKIES.” I 1 At the Otaki race meeting on Motii day and yesterday the totalisator inj vestments totalled no less than £67.82*. ! an easy record for the club, and more j than double the amount put through at any spring meeting held by tic ! club. This fact would seem to imply ! that there is an abundance of money j in the country, and that the racecourse ’ is becoming increasingly popular : I means of spending it. We are informed 1 by the local postmaster that the past i few days have been (he quietest he has yet experienced in Otaki for a race I meeting, so far as telegraphed business } is concerned. This'is, no doubt, a j direct result of the action taken by ! Parliament recently to restrict tlei ! actions of the bookmakers; indeed. | some go so far as to say that the i Government has effectively killed the ! "bookie.” but that remains to he j seen. The increased volume of busb ! ness done by the totalisator would cer j tainly seem to indicate that much j gambling hitherto transacted by the I bookmakers has been diverted to th - - | totaThsator, and while regretting the I undoubted steady growth of the gambI ling evil, vre are inclined to think that ! the “tote” i- the lesser evil of the I ~v „