OUR WATERING PLACES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13888, 24 October 1905, Page 4

OUR WATERING PLACES.

Now that the facilities in travel are bringing our watering places in such close proximity to the city, it -really seems as if that vague entity, "the powers that be," should bestir itself to add to the attractiveness of such reseats as Sumner and New Brighton. The unprecedented increase of settlement upon the hills overlooking Sumner and the boom in land values in New Brighton suggest forcibly that the fanseeing speculator has not overlooked the possibilities of these popular resorts, and at the risk of enhancing the unearned increment of these " wise virgins," it is still possible to suggest that the attractions of . both places’ might be brought a little more up to date. New Brighton, it is true, possesses a pier, the sea end of which is about as possible of 'approach with safety as the summit of the Matterhorn, while the land end is apt to tear the heels off'the boots of the unwary pedestrian who does not keep an ■eye open for cracks. Sumner, on the other Hand, relies for its attractiveness upon its donkeys and the Cave Rook. These, of course, are estimable quantities, but oven when they are added to the charms of tire camera obsoura they are apt to pall upon the tourist who is fresh from the Yosemito Volley or the wonders of 'Whakarowarewa. It is probably in recognition of this disability tbat the citizens of Sumner have conceived' the idea that an esplanade along their sea-front would add to the attractions of their abiding place. Tbeir decision has been reached only afti r much discussion as to ways and means, much measurement in chain'; mid links, and much heart-burning as to the righteous-

ness ot otherwise of the Lyttelton Harbour Boa-rd in wishing to retain a right to build a. dock or a patent slip or a swimming bath, or to cut a canal right where the people of Sumner want to build their esplanade. But so far as tho attractive value of a well-kept esplanade 'along the water front at Sumner is concerned, there can bo no two opinions. Such a utilitarian work could only be tho forerunner of others, a band stand, and possibly a “ winter gardens,” for instance, and with; the electric trams placing tho popular suburb within an easy half-hour of town, these would be appreciable and payable attractions. The merits of tho present difference of opinion as to tho expediency of tho work must, wo suppose, remain in abeyance, but a counsel of toleration between tho two public bodies concerned ought surely to arrive at some simple solution of what can only he a theoretical difficulty.