WITH TENT AND MOTOR

Evening Star, Issue 20056, 22 December 1928, Page 13

WITH TENT AND MOTOR

FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO OAMARU BRIGHT TOWNS AND GOOD SIDE TRIPS [By Tnir.] Gill Bights Reserved.) So far in these articles we liavo severed only those roads which, on ac:ount of their scenic beauty, present a special appeal to the camper-motorist. There are many other roads scattered throughout the country which, while not actually beautiful in themselves, yet lead - to ideal holiday spots, or pass through much country. The journey from Christchurch to Oainaru, whil not renowned for any strikingly beautiful scenery, is interesting, firstly, because of the lino country through which tho road passes, and secondly, because of the many side trips which can bo made. Tho motorist who runs straight through from Christchurch to Dunedin when he is making a tour round tho South Island misses many places of interest, this being especially the - case if ho does not stop at some of the. very lino towns which arc passed en route Assuming that the motorist-camper has visited the West Coast, and is arriving in Christchurch, ho will naturally wish to know where ho may camp, and what are the tilings worth seeing iround the Cathedral City. Provided he is a member of some automobile association, the ‘most camping facilities in tho country await him at Christchurch, for at tho Show Grounds at Addington, for a very modest fee per day, ho will bo accommodated in a concrete building, repleto with cubicles, electric light, gas cookers, and hot baths, while his car will bo garaged free of charge. If the tent is preferred, this can bo pitched in tho largo, sheltered grounds, the mdy time these are not available being during tho November Show week. If, on tho other hand, one is not a member of an automobile association, camp can bo pitched at several other places fairly handy to town, or at at one or other of tho seaside resorts. LARGE OPEN SPACES. More than any other city in New Jealand, Christchurch is a place of ipon spaces, for tho early settlers, fith a foresight which was not shown jy many of our city founders, set aside 7 cry largo areas on tho lines followed in England. Hagley Park, the best known, is 500 acres in extent, and in its quiet beauty is typical of an English park. Christchurch is the garden city of New Zealand, and wherever you drive in tiro suburbs you will find beautiful houses surrounded by charming gardens, while the Botanical Gardens, with the finest rose garden in tho dominion, should on no account bo missed. Although the river Avon is often derided by the visitor oh account of its size, it adds a charm to the town, and ;ts well-kept banks are covered with flowers and trees. Boats can be hired and voyages made upstream. There arc some outstanding buildings in Christchurch, notably tho old Provincial Chambers, modelled on ibo lines of ancient Oxford buildings, and quite unique in New Zealand; and tho Cathedral, which is a very handsome Gothic structure. The museum, in the botanical gardens, ir practically the best in the dominion. The Summit road, along the tops of the Port hills gives a wonderful outlook over Canterbury and towards tho Southern Alps, and although a steep climb up, it should certainly bo seen while in Christchurch New Brighton, Sumner, and tho delightful trip over the hills to slcepv little Aknroa are three other journeys which should appeal to most visitors before setting southwards, while if something more thrilling than motoring is desired, a journey in one of ths joy-riding Sockburn planes will bo within reach of most purses. THE ROAD SOUTHWARDS. It is true that tho South road presents nothing that is spectacular and little that is outstanding in the way of natural beauty, but in < the rivers over which you pass there is excellent trout fishing to bo obtained, and if diversions can be made from the main road, such places as Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo can bo visited. The Canterbury Plains country is one of tho best-farmed and most prosperous cropping areas in the country, with the result that the small towns through which tho motorist passes possess attractions not generally found in places of this size. These towns are all situ ated within short distance of each other, and as all make provision for the camping motorist, there will bo no difficulty in finding accommodation. Apart from tho camping places pro vicled in tho towns there are not a great many attractive camping places along this road, fo T throughout a great portion of the journey the motorist is passing through a land of small farms on which the”< ia_ little shelter. The road throughout is good and clearly defined .the colour marking system being generally adopted throughout this route, but except during the harvesting season, whe r the whole countryside looks most picturesque, there is nothing outstanding about the road. PROGRESSIVE 7IMARU. Ashburton some fifty miles from Christchurch, i? tho first town of any sizo passed through, and here there is an attractive motor camping place. From Ashhurtor tho road cuts inwards to Geraldine, from which a road goes inland to Eairlie, leading to Mount Cook and the Southern Lakes. A very beautful run in this vicinity is through the Pee 1 Forest, tho turn-off being in the vicinity of th Rangitata bridge, and hero also there is a good motor camp amid very pleasant surroundings. From Gerald’he the road runs on through Winchester to Tcmuka. which altliougl small, is a splendid little town with excellent accommodation for the motorist camper and .attractions that merit at least a short stay. Timaru is only a few miles past Tcmuka, and half an hour’s run, or loss, takes you to South Canterbury’s leading town Fo- its size I should think Timaru is tho most progressive town in Now Zealand, and its beach, Caroline Bay, hmks equal with anything that cat. bo offered elsewhere. It is not s" very many years ago since this delightful beach was a bare strip of sand. To-day it has been beautified, buildings added, a children’s playground constructed, and generally made so attractive that in the summer hundreds of people from all over Canterbury come to Timaru with their children. Fijr a small charge motorists may camp in the Show Grounds, and with this as their headquarters they will bo able to see the many attractive places within striking distance of Timaru. The town itself has an air of solid prosperity about it, apparent both in its fine public buildings and its substantial homes, while from the recreational viewpoint it is an ideal place, with excellent tennis courts, golf links, and bowling greens _ and fishing and shooting available within a few miles nf the town The summer weather is usually settled and the district is noted for its sunshine, from which it will be seen that some time spent in this locality will indeed be time well spent. It will bo advisable to mention here, perhaps, that many of tho local bodies in the Canterbury district collect revenue from passing motorists who commit breaches of the by-laws, and in every case it is_ necessary to adhere strictly to the limits imposed if trouble is.to bo avoided, even though these limits seem absurd,, «

ON TO OAMARU. About twenty miles past Timarn, a deviation from the main road will take the motorist to Waimate, and as this adds hut little to tiio journey, and as Waimato itself is an interesting town, the diversion is worth while. A very large notice board on the main road urges the traveller to “ come to Waimate,” and it was largely owing to this that “Trip” first visited this little town, which has the distinction of having the only large grain elevator in New Zealand. It is, of course, unnecessary to add that Waimate is the centre of a flourishing grain-growing district, but it will many, to know that the seven flour mills in the South Canterbury district turn out 25,000 tons of flour a year, and in this production Waimate plays no mean part. There are three fine camping places within handy distance of Waimate, one being right in the borough, and motorist campers arc welcomed, no charge being made except for the use of gas rings and cookers. A good run from Waimate ,‘s to Kelcy’s Bush, some five miles from the town, and if the motorist wishes to stay and enjoy "ns delightful spot, a good camping spot provides him with the necessary incentive. A thirty-mile ruii from Waimate will take the motorist to Oamaru, principal town of North Otago, the attractions of which will be dealt with later.