WHITE ISLAND.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 124, 18 February 1908, Page 2

WHITE ISLAND.

INTERESTING THERMAL. PROPERTY. Tho A. and P.' Association of Opotiki ig . interesting itself in tho question of Stato purchase of AVhito Island, Bay of 1 Plenty—a rather novel feature for an agricultural and pastoral body, to tako up. Wo have received from tho Secretary, Mr. Piokworth, a. letter, • in tho course of which he says' "Excursions have been run from Opotiki to Whito Island every year for many years, and, although the Association does ,not derive any benefit,whatever from it),tho committee some mention mado in your paper. This island, as you probably 'are aware, ti§ at - present owned by Mr. Andrew Gray,..of;,your ; city.. Possessing,-' as..it. does, - attractions:-of,a . thermal nature rivalling, Mf. not excelling, those,of Eotorua, the island should b(i'owned by tho State,- and; if more than local interest . can, bo aroused, there is a hope. that tho Government :'may. - eventually ' purchase" it ; whereas at present there is a grave danger of; tho property Vising' into 'of foreigners, when it will bo . lost .to the Dominion, not only as, an important'commercial asset, but. as an attraction 1 of raore''than ordinary interest to sightseers-from'all-parts of the-world." - ; " ■', ? White Island has an area of 58S acres, and possesses' sulphnr deposits Valued: in ;1885 by Mr. ■ M'Candlish, railway engineer;- at,'oyer £50,000. It is not an agricultoral spot, but is decidedly thermal, . and possesses , just a sufficient element of danger to'those uiiaoquainted with its ; peculiarities to make it,' , attractive. Tho question of the Governmentpurchasing the island, was discussed in' Mr. Soddon's time; and a sum' of £5000 was asked by tho owner, Mr: Andrew .Gray.- of ' Wellington.; Sir.' Donne,' hoVeydr, >.sviDse- . quently got the price rednced to £3500, at • which figure tho price now stands. : ,Mr. Gray, tells us he is not keen on a sale, , but he understands the Opotiki people are ' anxious that: it' should become; State-owntxl. Tho island, of. course, is part" of. Now Zca- • land's possessions, and therefore cannot.become nationally alienated; as might -bo-in- . ferrbd from our correspondent's letter. ';