The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1903 PENINSULA GRUMBLERS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2826, 1 December 1903, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1903 PENINSULA GRUMBLERS.

In this somewhat isolated district of ours , , the most common complaint of the residents is that life is so dull, because there is so little to be done— people have no chance of making any interesting expeditions. This is a most absurd statement, but is one we hear almost daily. To any outsider, it seems almost incomprehensible that given this harbour with its many beautiful inlets, residents ever feel the lack of spots of interest. Still, it is so. We all know that the average Londoner only learns the sights through the visits of his country cousins, and it is the same with the Peninsula residents. Their ignorance of any parts of the district, except those among which their work throws them, is very startling.

A short while a»o one of the native settlers of the Kaik, speaking of the visitors who came to see the old settlement, Jsaid'that only very rarely, indeed, did a resident come down to see the Kaik. Considering the beautiful approach to the native settlement and the level road, it is'astonishing 'that more do not avail themselves of the opportunity to learn something about this part of the district. Still further down t the harbour, there is a road leading to Nikau Palm Gully, a somewhat broken road, it is true ; but the beauty of the gully is quite sufficient reward for the lengthy walk. It is not an exaggeration to say that one could count on one's fingers the number of residents who have troubled to make this expedition ; though all who [have seen Nikau Palm Gully come away delighted with the spot.

Besides the many inlets in our harbour, there are the outside Bays which are well worth visiting. Still, there is very little intercourse between those living on the Ocean side and those living within the watershed of the harbour. It is not a question of hospitality, for travellers to the outside Bays will always speak enthusiastically of the way in which they have been treated by the residents. Anyone, who has been obliged to pass a night in one of the Rays, will remember how the smallest farmer is ready to offer the stranger 'if his very best. Still, though tlip scenery of these Bays is interesting and beautiful in the extreme, though, often, some old story gives them an extra attraction, few in other parts of the district trouble to visit these spots unless business compels them to do so.

We do not wish to advise everybody to throw work to the winds and visit all the interesting parts of his district; but we cannot help thinking that many of those who speak of the enervating nature of the climate would b& much better if they would trouble to take some healthy exercise and see more of the Peninsula. If, when business and domestic duties allowed It, residents indulged in more riding and walking picnics, they would be much the better for it, and we should hear less about the flatness of the air here and the need for something to do. On Thursday last a party went over by launch to Wainui to a social, and a number of those on board had not made the expedition before, though β-irne had lived in Akaroa for years. TJ> is ignorance of their district would

be more pardonable did they allow that there was much to be seen. However, they not only never trouble to visit any of the spots of interest, but they will not allow that there are any such places. We advertise our district to the outside world as a tourist resort, and yet. residents are forever grumbling at the way time hangs on their hands. Were these grumblers to evince a little more interest in the Peninsula and their friends on the other side, they would be much better for the energy expended, and they would learn to appreciate the district much better.