WITH TENT AND CAR

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 26

WITH TENT AND CAR

CITIES OF SOUTH ISLAND

CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN

(By "Trip.") (All Eights Reserved.)

The two principal cities of the South Island, Christchurch and Dunedin, vary greatly in size and in character, but they have this in common, that they have more of the. English typo of city architecture and the dignified atmosphere of English cities, than have tho cities of the North Island. There is much to be seen in both places, and this is tho time of year when motor camping is most pleasant there. Christchurch has the best accommodation for motorists of any .SouLh Island town but Dunedin has not made much provision

so far, motorists having to camp at Tahuna Park, some distance out of the town, where only moderate facilities are provided. Some system of indoors accommodation, such as is provided in Christchurch, would bo ideal for Dunedin, where the colder climate ihnits motor 'camping to a few months of the year. A point worth mentioning for the benefit of North Island motorists making the journey to southern towns is that a 25 per cent, freight reduction is granted on cars on tho return journey, but only when application is made.

Nearly twice as big as Dunedin, Christchurck is the centre for the prosperous wheat growing districts of Canterbury, and also for the rich pastoral land that spreads out in all directions, portions of which, such as Banks Peninsult, are .famous throughout the Dominion for the quality of their pastures. It prides itself greatly on being very English both in .appearance and outlook, and with its cathedral, its quietly flowing and beautiful river, and its many pleasant gardens and homes, it is justified in doing so. There are numerous things worth seeing in the city itself, and there are several drives round the district which should certainly be made.

The camp accommodation at Christchurch is particularly good. It consists of a two-story concrete building with cubicles and bunks, hot and cold showers, baths, a proper kitchen, and a dining-room. There is a large garage, which can be locked, and facilities for car washing, etc. , Added to this, is the advantage that the building, which is in the A. and P. Association's grounds, is handy to many shops. The charges are moderate, amounting to only a few shillings a day per head, even when gas and hot water are used, and if cheaper accommodation is wanted the use of the grounds is allowed for pitching at a lower rate. Motor camping is thus possible all the year round in Christchurch. PLACES TO SEE. The river Avon is one of the features of the city, and as its banks have been greatly beautified, one can get the best impression of it by rowing along it through Hagley Park. The rose garden and the winter garden are regarded as the best of their kind in the Dominion, and every visitor goes away impressed with the wonderful parks possessed by Christchurch. It could truthfully be called a garden city. A wander round any of the suburbs will show you that practically every house has a garden, many of them large. Hagley Park, comprising GOO acres, is unique in New Zealand. It is planted with English trees and looks very much like the parks one associates viith England. Lovers of beautiful old buildings should visit the old Provincial Council Chambers, the architecture of which is unique in New Zealand. The cathedral and the museum, however, are the two places that appeal to most visitors.

■ There are several very fine beaches "within easy reach of the town; Now Brighton and Sunnier are especially popular. The most interesting run is along the- Port Hills, giving magnificent panoramas of Christchureh, Lyttelton, and the plains. The rim out to Akaroa, about fifty miles, is very interesting, an.- 3 *f,kes you through some of the best o£ canterbury's hill country, besides giving you excellent views of many bays. Akaroa is a sleepy little township from which excursions can be made to many other places on Banks Peninsula. There is a camping ground at Akaroa. CHARM OF DUNEDIN. Despite the fact that it is the smallest of the four centres tho buildings and streets of Dunedin aro similar to those in the smaller cities of England, and, like them too, Dunedin lias many parks and open spaces. It is the greatest educational centre in the Dominion, and its dental and medical schools, connected with Otago University, compare favourably in their standards with those in England and America. The Town Belt, running around the hills for a considerable distance, and containing a good deal of native bush, adds considerably to the appearance of the town. The Botanic Gardens, at North-East Valley, are very fine, and well worth a visit. Beaches abound both near the city and further out on the peninsula, and given good weather excellent swimming may be» had at places like St. Clair, St. Kilda, and Tomahawk, or down the peninsula at Portobellq and Broad Bay. The run

along the top road of the peninsula anil back along tho lower road is one tliat should bo taken; Another enjoyable drive is out througli the. Luith 'Valley to Waitati, and back along the top road, above Port Chalmers. The view from the vicinity of Mount Cargill is particularly fine, and it is worth while running up from North-East Valley at night just to see tho twinkling lights stretching out beyond the hills and distant valleys. Up tho Kaikorai Valley to Frasor's Gully is another favourite run, and by walking tho top of Mount Flagstaff — a very moderate exertion —a splendid panorama may be obtained of tho country round Dunedin and the picturesque Taieri Plains. A worth-while trip is the run out to Waipori Falls. This is Dunedin's source of hydro-electric power. The ■road is a good one and very picturesque. Evansdalo and "Wnrrington, on tho Main North road, are favourite picnic and camping haunts. Warrington has a very fine beach. The Freo Public Library in Dunedin is .tho best- library in New. Zealand, and there are numerous educational buildings which rank \ similarly. Many of these have been built largely from donations given by citizens, public spiritedness in Dunedin having largely taken the form of provision., for education. Duuedin rnayiwell bo proud of its buildings. As the most settled weather of the year is usually experienced in the early autumn this is an ideal time to visit this southern city. Owing to the absence of "Trip" from Wellington for some weeks he will bo unable to reply to queries in regard to touring and camping.