PARLIAMENTARY PARTY IMPRESSED BY AKAROA’S CHARM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18189, 23 June 1927, Page 15

PARLIAMENTARY PARTY IMPRESSED BY AKAROA’S CHARM.

HISTORY AND HEALTH TO BE FOUND THERE. Despite the weather conditions, a party of members of Parliament and delegates to the conference of South Island Progress Leagues spent an interesting time at Akaroa yesterday, visiting places of historical interest. The party included Messrs H. E. Holland, F. Waite, J. Horn and J. M’Combs, M.P.’s, E. Tamblyn and W. B. Steel (Otago Expansion League), G. E. Parsons (South Marlborough Progress League), W. K. M’Alpine, G. H. Judd and P. R. Climie (Canterbury Progress League), \V. J. Moffatt (Mayor of Nelson), Dr E. Teichelmann (Westland Progress League), and several ladies.

On arriving at Akaroa the visitors were met by the Mayor (Mr G. Armstrong) and several members of the Borough Council, and were entertained to lunch at the Metropole Hotel. At the conclusion of the lunch the loyal toast was honoured, and the- Mayor then extended a very hearty welcome to the visitors. In visiting Akaroa, he said, they were visiting one of the most historic places in the Dominion. He referred briefly to several of the outstanding incidents in the history of the town, stating that the French and English families were now intermingled and were one big family. Speaking of the beauties of Akaroa and its advantages as a tourist and health resort, he mentioned that it was so popular during the tourist season that there was not enough accommodation -'if or all the people who wanted to spend their holidays there. “ Seeing that the Government has done so much for other places.” said Mr Armstrong, “I think it is time it did something for Akaroa. I would like to see the Government build a hydro here, with accommodation for three or four, hundred people.” There was no more, healthy place than Akaroa. and it was capable of considerable development as a health resort. He hoped that the Government would build a big hydro, which would be f.ot the benefit of the people of the Dominion. He felt quite sure that such an enterprise would pay well as there was practically no winter in Akaroa Mr C. W. Leete, a member of the Borough Council, said that Akaroa was noted as a honeymoon resort, and hardly a week went by all the year round without some honeymoon couplesbeing there. The electric rail car to Little River had proved a great boon, but he would like to see a light railway line constructed from Little River to Akaroa, so that the car could come the whole distance.

Mr Holland expressed thanks for the cordial welcome extended to himself and the other visitors. Fie stated that it was his first visit to Akaroa, but he had been interested in the town for some time as he had read its history. As one who had travelled over a good deal of New Zealand, he was much impressed with the natural beauty of Akaroa, and he felt quite sure that what the Mayor had said with respect to its health-giving properties was correct. He would be only too glad to help the member for the district in regard to the legitimate demands of the people of Akaroa. Mr M’Combs referred to the proposal to inaugurate a direct steamer service between Australia and the South Island, and stated that it would no doubt prove of some benefit to Akaroa. Mr Horn said that it was his second visit to Akaroa. He had enjoj*ed his first visit so much that lie had told many of his friends to go there as well. He was sure that the needs of the district would not be forgotten by the South Island members of Parliament. .Mr Waite said that he had been greatly interested in the early history of Akaroa. The Maoris had lived there because of the mild climate, and for the same reason it had become a very popular tourist and health resort.

Mr'Moffatt that he was so impressed with Akaroa that he intended to come back again and bring his wife with him. Messrs Parsons, Steel, Tamblyn and M’Alpine also spoke briefly. The visitors then adjourned to the Borough Council offices, where they saw a number of relics of the early days of Akaroa, afterwards inspecting the soldiers’ memorial, the Green Point Memorial, and the old French burial ground.