THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1920. “THE OTAKI MAIL.”

Otaki Mail, Volume XXIII, 31 December 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1920. “THE OTAKI MAIL.”

i. -t-js the last under the present < ment. For the past twenty-four, * "tie editor now removing from'•tfarfag; =- ; i:trict has been part owner or soii'jgfc * prietor of the **M&il. 99 during ''wicjfeh*' period the paper, in c&mraon with all country newspaper businesses, B-j seen many up? and downs, biitjjinS' steadily pursued its way in QC deavour to supply resident® of tfie di&* iiifetrict with the news of the towaia»3’ v * district, to arsist every and to endeavour to prontotc E ’.the best interest; of the place. Perj haps at this juncture itjcaj JjS-zSgr? to glance back st the •op?JjCiifi hi iory of the '"Otaki Hail.” Th4 7 ]at&tr. • first issued under the style of” The; t Otaki Times, v was established in tie 1 year 1532 by the. late Hr John Bai- ■ ; lance, the first editor being Hr Webb, -.-aitesea very short reign' the business

was taken over by Mr Miller, who also failed to make a success of the venture, and the "Times” soon ceased publication. In May, 1593, the late , Mr H. G. Jacobsen, of Akaroa, bought ■ the plant, etc., and commenced printing the "West Coast Mail.” After a ■ few months under the management of | Mr Charles Jacobson, the "Mail” was I purchased by the late Mr W. R. FrankI liu, solicitor, of this town, who carried | on the business for a year or two. He i sold to Mr Albert Wilson, of Huuter- } ville, who, however, only retained | charge of the paper for a few months. In May, 1596, Messrs F. Unwin, H. Solomon and Frank Penn secured the paper, the name of which was altered to the "Otaki Mail.” Mr Solomon withdrew from the partnership the next year, while Mr'Unwin sold his share in 1901, rince_whi«l’- yyVvt: the j present proprietor has been editor and - -Owner. The "Mail” was originally a f small bi-weekly, but many years ago was considerably enlarged and published as a tri-weekly. It has steadily increased in popularity and importance, and has. undoubtedly proved a potent factor in the growth of the district and in building up a live interest in public matters. It is commonly said that Otaki has made but little progress for a long time, but we note with pleasure the. splendid advance that has been made —not so ruaked as we would have liked, certainly, but steady, substantial advancement nevertheless. We have always had faith in Otaki and the immediate district, and the passing vears has not caused that faith to diminish, but rather the reverse. Our many natural advantages, which are gradually becoming better known throughout the Dominion, must have their reward. This district is unl doubtedly the garden of the Welling"ton province, and our lovely climate, fertile soil, central position, easily accessible from north and south, charming scenery and other attrac-

tions must sooner or later attract more and more people, and Otaki become what nature hits intended her to lie — one of the most popular residential towns and seaside resort>♦ of the province, if not of the Dominion. We fire conscious of limitations in our journalistic career, which the public have kindly condoned. However, wo have at all times done our .best for Otaki and the district as a whole, ever Jteofb ■iag-w crew the woWO-df )id' -f Maii I For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do. Commencing with the New Year, Messrs H. S. Kcrslake and R. H. Billeus take over the "Otaki Mail.” These gentlemen arc young, enterprising, practical and progressive, who have made a success of the "Horowhenua Chronicle”’ which they have owned for the past three years.. We feci sure they will worthily uphold the prestige of this lovely district; that they will zealously fight for our privi- , leges, and do their utmost tu advance the interests of the town and district. In most cordially thanking the many patrons of the "Mail” fur the generous support accorded us over a lengthy period, we would bespeak for our successors a continuance and extension of that patronage. AT THE SEASIDE. ) Undoubtedly the beach is one ot the iinest assets this district possesses. There is always a "call” about the i seaside that everyone feels, more or i less. More particularly in holidaytime, and the wonder is that this district, which possesses such peculiar advantages in this respect, has not been better patronised in the past. However, there are evidences that this 1 will be altered in the future. I’aekakariki is yearly attracting more visitors. The recent sale of seaside section--, at I’araparaumu show that people arc beginning So realise the possibilities of that favoured locality as a seaside resort. Here in. Otaki also, although there ha* been no "boosting,” a keen demand has set in for sections at the beach, and Mr Byron Brown reports having sold quite a large number of plots during the past few weeks. Of f>S sections in the sub-divided property at the beach, Mr Brown has now only about fifteen unsob!. and it is pleasing to hear that the. great majority of those purchasing will be erecting cottages very shortly. Mr Brown now proposes to cut up a further area in the locality, surveyors being already engaged in the work of sub-dividing, reading, etc. Mr Brown’s efforts in connection with the Kiosk are now having their reward. Several cottages are to be erected immediately, with others to follow neat year, ami there seems every probability of ■ qube a township springing up at the sea ; de in the near future. The Otaki bee h presents exceptional attractions to .he holiday-maker. Not only is the t bench one of the finest anywhere in the province, but is centrally situated, easily accessible from north and south, twhgej those, who patronise the Otaki 'Sfctfc nave other attractions to engage The Otaki Gorge is tepneiH’ fhe beauty spots of the DonsisAon, that all visitors delight in seeing. Then the mountain track across the j.Tararuas present- a splendid opportuaSity for those who wish to explore the 'lovely Tararua.-. and indulge in the tfSfeejfeiSng recreation of mountain 'liEmfcrng‘under the most congenial conditions. There are many other beauty spots in the neighbourhood, while the jiljfaji tennis court: bowling green, golf ffinka,. etc., afford opportunities for ’-nslior.s to indulge* in pleasant pasThe historical ns-oeiation- of Ifitaki, too. make the place except-on-illy interesting to visitor/. With these ’many attractions, Otaki’= future' a- a resort is assured Too much spraise cannot be given to Mr Syren Bjawyn _£cr the enterprise ns ;hc.v-u jTjw&ia direction, and he she nil be 'heartily supported by the i«s! public. At tie present; time there must be several hundreds of visitors an Otaki, .which means the rirculstiun or a,

goodly sum of money, and this benefits all classes of the community. There arc many ways in which Otaki could be made more attractive to visitors — more especially the township—and we heartily recommend that these matters be given more careful consideration by the Town Board, Ratepayers’ Association, Horticultural Societies, and the general public.