PRESENT AND PROPOSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 10

PRESENT AND PROPOSED

AUCKLAND’S MOTOR CAMP A COMMENDABLE SCHEME A few weeks ago it was mentioned in this column that the Auckland Automobile Association and the Auckland City Council were “getting together” on a proposal to utilise ten acres of the ground surrounding the Old Stone Jug, near Western Springs, as a motor camping ground for Auckland. There has since been comment that the area

would not be very popular in its present form—but then it was never suggested that the only thing necessary to make the site a camp, would be to put up a sign to that effect. Quite to the contrary if the city council agrees to put the area proin the hands of the Automobile Association the association intends to plant the area and make it considerably more attractive than it is at present. But one of the main features of the scheme of the association centres round the gaining of the control of the very dilapidated ex-hotel. The idea of the

association is to thoroughly renovate the building, and convert it into a road-side tea-room, and also a dining

establishment for those motorists using the camp, who do not feel inclined to cook their own meals. The accompanying photographs show the old building as it is at present—in fact, the photograph flatters it—and a similar building seen by Mr. Q. Hutchison, the Auckland secretary, when he was in England. The English building is covered by ivy, and is a very attractive sight at the road-sirl- Mr. Hutchison sees no reason at all why the Old Stone Jug should not be made equally attractive —provided of course that the city council sees eye to eye with the commendable proposals of the motor body, and gives it power to proceed with the much-wanted renovations. Another proposal is to put in pumps supplying benzine near the building, and it is expected that between these, and the hotel income, there would be enough to maintain the camp and the building in first-class order.