AKAROA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue V, 29 January 1898, Page 118

AKAROA.

PROTEC TED PHOTOS BY WALTER BURKE.

AKAROA is one of the finest harbours in the Colony, but unfortunately so land-locked that little use can be made of it. Its value a.s a harbour is known to the officers of the Australasian Squadron, and warships frequently call there and stay for a time in order to take advantage of the unlimited sea-room and deep water for various manoeuvres. The difficulty of making good use of the harbour has kept back the population, and as a consequence the little town is much in request as a place in which to spend a quiet holiday, and the hard-worked Canterbury merchant and his good wife find a run down to Akaroa a beneficial change, and honeymoon couples. who prefer quietness for some reason, make for Akaroa in large numbers. The valleys have eharming little bits of bush: there are pretty creeks and waterfalls; good boating and fishing, while the neighbouring bays are all worth a visit. Historically, Akaroa is one of the most interesting places in the Colony. It was here, as shown in your last Christmas number, the British Flag was first unfurled in the South Island, and the earliest settlement of Canterbury was at Akaroa. Many relies still remain, but unfortunately in ‘this world of reality, hard, shallow-hearted,' they are little appreciated, and on each succeeding visit 1 have found fewer and fewer of any interest remaining.