To the Editor of the " Evening Mail."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XX, Issue 276, 19 November 1886, Page 2

To the Editor of the " Evening Mail."

Sir — Knowing your willingness to assist in calling ntt<niou to matters of public inter* s 1 ", 1 nek permission (o refer to a subject, that nf- this season of the year especially is causing the residents of the Waiineas much inconveoi- nc" an 1 annoyance. The coming season ii will) us the picnic and holiday time of the year, aud one of ihe mos f , favore l ;.ud frequent r. sorts of young and old for merry-making :.nl healthful rtcna'ion was thu Quarantine reserve, better known ns the Rabbit Island. Possepsed of special advantages such as pea-bathing, a inngnificmt bench second to none in the colony, and in fact-, the only piece of beach acctpsible to the furroundiug 1 district, togeth r with c\*-y nooks for lunching-, this inland lias leei preferred and open to the public for the last 35 years. Lately the Government through Lh' Chief Land Commissioner of the district Invs leased the property without apparently any restriction?. The lessee by public advertisement has notified that no one is to trespass. "Under the existing circumstances the Chief Commissioner, knowing the value of the island to all, was hardly justified in assisting to debtsr the public from what may be regarded as public property, and I would suggest that immediate steps be taken by the residents of town and country to have the reserve again thrown open aa a place of resort. By so doing no great injury would be inflicted upon the lessee, as the only valuable part to him is the eastern end, whilst the publio almost invariably use the western. Yours, &0., Pro Bono Publico. Nelaon, November 18, 1886.