CAMPING SITES FOR MOTORISTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 56, 30 November 1926, Page 10

CAMPING SITES FOR MOTORISTS

NO PROVISION YET IN WELLINGTON

SUITABLE AREAS TO BE INSPECTED

A meeting of representatives of local bodies ati'i the Wellington Automobile Club was helil yesterday to discuss the provision of a camping site for touring motorists. It was pointed out that very few nubile reserves in and around Wellington were available for such a purpose, und. alter discussion it was decided to make a tour of the district aud inspect those sites offering, also to interview settlers with suitable areas, and see if they were prepared to allow their property to be used as a camping site The chairman (Mr. F. W. Manton) said that for some time tho matter had given the club muck concern. Ln other parts of Neu Zealand camping sites bad been established, but in and around ths capital city, where one was most required, no such provision was made. ’i‘h4 Citv Council had received inquiries from Auckland asking what facilities axisted in the way of camping sites at Wellington. Although sites were tn the interests of motorists, in the majority of cases they had been allocated by Loca bodies. The meeting had been called to see if some understanding and suggestion as to a site with the ueces.-airx facilities, chiefly water and fuel, could bn reached. ‘‘l think,” added Mr. Man ton, "if we can arouse some enthusiasm m and around Wellington, and cstab lish a site, it would not only be a beneht to the tourist, but to tho people of Wellington. From a tourist, scenic, and health point of view, Wellington can offer anything equal to the other citien of the Dominion.” Mr. E. J. Dawson, a .member of ths Eastbourne Borough Council, stated that hi B council was prepared to assist in every wav possible. Eastbourne, how* ever, was peculiarly situated, and there was very little land on the flat that would be suitable for a camping sd e Mr. L. T. Watkins, of the Lower Hutt Borough Council, said that in the borough there was quite a number of spots that would be suitable. He thought he would be safe in saying that his council would be immediately helpful and would provide the association with n site before the approaching Christmas vacation if it were reoulreu. Mr. I, V. Wilson, of the Automobile Club.-considered that the first step was for the local bodies to come forward with the offer of a site, and then the question • of finnne-e to provide fnciliticH could be discussed later. The Public Works Department had made offers of sites on the top of the Rimutaka Hill, where there was excellent water, and at a spot on the banks of the Pakurarahi River. — It was stated by the Mayor of Upper Hutt, Mr. A. J. McCurdy, that no endowment land that would be suitable vas available in the Upper Hutt borSpeaking on behalf of the Citv Council Mr. W. EL Bennett said he was afraid that he could be of very little help to the meeting, and that the question' was really one which should he put before the Reserves Committee o’ the council. „ , The clerk of the Makara County Council, Mr. W. L. -Beech, mentioned that the county had no reserves oT any great extent. He suggested that it might be possible for members of local bodies interested in the Automobile Club to in ; terview farmers and see if they were prepared to allow motorists to camp on their property. His council was prepared to assist the project the best way it could. . ... On behalf of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, Dr. G. F. Anson oald the society might have some reservations to make in connection with camping sites being alongside streams. Tho society had had a great deal of difficulty with the motoring poacher. Otherwise, they were prepared to give the movement every support. It was decided to set up a committee to inspect any suitable areas available for camping sites.