LIFE IN THE OPEN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 81, 29 December 1934, Page 12

LIFE IN THE OPEN

Camping Parties in Hutt Valley Rows of small canvas tents at intervals of a few yards and some clustered closer together present a picturesque sight in the Hutt Valley. These intriguing little houses, the sanctuary of those who want their holiday in the healthy fresh air, are to be seen just Haywards, Moonshine Valley, Akatarawa, and at 'the Hutt Park racecourse, and are increasing in popularity with every holiday season. When a “Dominion” reporter called in at some of the camps yesterday it was obvious that everyone was enjoying the outdoor life to the full. At the Hutt racecourse men, who up to a week or two ago were, cooped up in city offices, were spread about enjoying the - sun, while others (the fair ones who are afraid to freckle) preferred the shelter that the huge pines provided. The women, too, did not worry much about how they looked; it was comfort they had come to enjoy, and comfort they would have, even if their appearance had to suffer. Rouge and other things go by the board' in the out-of-doors. And the children! The scene would not have bben complete without them playing about in,the sandpits, or splashing one another in the paddling-pool. The caretaker, too, seemed to enjoy his job of seeing to the necessary comforts of his “tenants” as much as anyone and he readily agreed to show the reporter around. The social hall where campers spent the evening hours at dancing and card games was first visited. This was spotlessly clean and very plainly furnished, for as the guide said, if it were otherwise, it wouldn’t seem like camping. About here, too, were hot showers, “the best bath you can get anywhere for a penny.” But they were not faslionable at the present time, for people preferreds a dip in the cool waters of the Waiwetu stream.

In an adjoining building men and women engaged al small gas rings till agreed that it was a pity that people had to eat. for cooking was a trying job in this heat. But even if they did complain they seemed to be getting a lot of pleasure out of their unpleasant task.

Scenes were more animated in the Upper Hutt. Dozens of young people were having a turn of splashing into the water from a rope suspended from a tall tree. They would make a sprint along the bank, swing out into mid-stream, and enjoy the thrill of dropping helter-skelter to the water below. It was spectacular entertainment for their elders, who. watching from the bank, regretted that they were past the stage when I he.v could do the same. •

People in all walks of life, it was learned, doctors, dentists, lawyers, grocers, butchers, tinkers, were all one in the eamp spirit. That was what made it all the happier. Persons of different walks were drawn together to have intercourse with one another. The dentist was enabled to learn something of the mysteries of curing bacon, the grocer something of curing of tuberculosis. and so on.