New Motor Camp Will Popularise Otaki As Seaside Resort

Chronicle (Levin), 12 July 1949, Page 2

New Motor Camp Will Popularise Otaki As Seaside Resort

Considerable attention has been focussed on recent developments at the new motor camp at Tasman Beach. It is a major undertaking and one which should do much to popularise Otaki- as a seaside resort.

Thanks to the vision and gener- i osity of the late Mr. Byron Brown, 1 a substantial area adjacent io the i Waitohu River was made available : to the Otaki Borough Council. 1 Problems attendant to the subdivision of the property were eventual- : ly .surmounted, with the result that i 19 building sections were made : available for disposal and an area : of approximately four ac,res retained for use as a camping site. The majority of the sections found a ready sale and already one dwelling has been erected, with another taking shape. With but a fev; of the sections remaining to be disposed of, finance is in sight for further developmental work to be investigated. Not five minutes from the bus route, the area selected for the camp sice is tucked away in a fairly seclude'd spot behind towering sandhills. These are covered witn vegetation and ample natural shelter is provided even on the roughest day. The . promoters of the camp site project have not been idle and they have been zealous in their efforts to achieve the utmost with the limited means at their disposal. Roading within and without has received attention and a bulldozer has earve'd numerous bays and inlets to accommodate cars- and caravans, in addition to levelling the area practically throughout. Residents Enthusiastic. Enthusiastic residents and the sterling efforts of Mr. A. W. Buxton and a wiliing band of helpers have formed working bees. They have planted hundreds of young Norfolk pines and macrocarpa trees some of which are now from two to three feet high and apparently thriving. Soil, spoil, clay and marram grass in huge quantities have been spread over the area and drifting sand is not likeiy to cause any misgivings, as vegetation abounds. A four-inch water main now runs past the, entrance and water in any quantity is available. While fairly substantial progress has been made in "knoeking the rough edges ofi," a vast amount of development has yet to be provided

for and it is understood that the Otaki Commercial Association, through Mr. Buxton, is to submit a report to the borough council at. its next meeting in ' which it will give the immediate requirements in this direction. Cooking and sani--tary conveniences and a caretaker's abode, it is understood, will occupy a prominent piace on the requisitions list. The plan of the interior of the area sees provision made ior these amenities, with the cookhouse

nside the first . of the two enbrances. The interior of 'the site itself is practically divided into two sections, with a yow of sand dunes the dividing line". Paramount feature of the innermost section is a huge knoll in the centre of the site. This towers majestically 30 feet high, with paths spiralling up to a flat top, which is about a chain across. A magnificent view is obtained from this point, interrupted on one side only. A breakwind is to be erected on this prominence, with seats to make it a real "haven of rest" for mothers while watching their offspring enjoying themselves in the piayground to be developed nearby. It is intended 'that the knoil will be made a beauty spot with the pl,anting of flowers and flowering shrubs. While Otaki's prior ventures in the motor camp field cannot be said to have been blessed with the fc.esu of iuck, the efiort being attempted at Tasman Beach must possess vast possibilities. The popularity of the site at Rangiuru when it was first opened was unparaheled, and a canvastown sprang into being overnight. The number of dwelling -places eventually erected there are testimony to the continued popularity of Otaki's sea beaches. Forewarned by what

nappenea ar Lt,a,iigiuru, wneie uutj property occupied was ieasehold only, it is possible that further sections in the immediate vicinity at Tasman Beach will be secured, so that on this occasion there will be room for expansion if necessary. Assistance Sought. The cost to date of the work done is considered 'to be most reasonable. Outside support towards further advancemen| has been solicited from the' J&utomobile Association, and the promoters are confident that their plea has not fallen on deaf ears. Several donations have been received locally and it is thought that a canvass will shortly be made1, seeking additional help. Members, of%the Otaki ' Commercial Association and the borough council, and^also the landscape architect, ?>Ma$ 'Buxtonp a«e anxious that the .widest''" publicity should now be'- given to the effort being

made to provide in a camping area that will be second to none, and will gladly furnish full particulars of ■future 'intentiqns. Meantime. they appear to have done a grand job and the thanks of all publicspirited citizens are due to them. An avenue of pohutukawas along Moana Street is planned as an approach to the camp site, with a suitably inscfihed memorial plate in memory of the donor to be erected on the entrance gate.