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Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 150, 19 March 1908, Page 4

The purchase by the Government of Whito Island, in tho Bay of Plenty, one of the wonderful, thermal sights, of .the Dominion, is advocated by tho Opptiki Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The .secretary, in a letter'to'an, exchange, stated that excursions had been run from Opotiki to Whito Island every year for many years. Tho island was at prosont owned by Mr v Andrew Gray, of Wellington.: Possessing 'attractions of a thermal nature rivalling, if not excelling, those 1 of Rotoru'aj the island ■ should be owned by the Stato, and; if more thin local interest, could be aroused; there was a liope that tho,Government eventually, purchaso it;Avheroa3 at present. there was a gravo , danger .of the . property passing into tlie hands of foreigners, .when it' wo'uld bo lost to' the Dominion, not only as an important commercial asset, but as an attraction of more than ordinary interest' to sightseers from, air parts of tho world. White Island has an area of 588 acres, and possesses sulphur deposits' valued in 1885 by Mr. M'Candlish, railway engineer, nt over £50,000. It is not an agricultural spot, but is decidedly thermal, and possesses ■ just a sufiiciont element of danger to tlioso unacquainted with its peculiarities to mako it attractive. Tho question of the Government purchasing tho island was. discusscd in Mr Seddon's time, and. a 'sum. of £5000 was asked by tho .owner, Mr. Gray. . Mr. Donne, however, subsequently got the price reduced to £3500,.'at which figure it now stands. Mr. Gray, it is said, dees not desiro to soli. Tho island is part of New Zealand's possessions, and therefore could not becomo nationally alienated.