IN THE OPEN SPACES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 240, 30 December 1927, Page 8

IN THE OPEN SPACES

CHRISTMAS CAMPERS CANVAS AND FRESH AIR Christmas time Is camping time. This year, with such glorious weather prevailing over the yuletide, it was more than ever a campers’ holidav. Watching the stream of holiday traffic it seemed that all Auckland had the urge for the open, spaces. In every direction the city disgorged its thousands, and highways and byways, resounded with the hilarity of city dwellers off the chain, in many instances, for ten glorious days. Big sedan motor-cars rolled past filled with prosperous-looking folk to whom the holiday was merely a change of amusement; lighter cars of a well-known brand, panted along it top speed with eight or nine excitedly happy people crouching amid piles of bedding and household utensils. The running boards and the space around the engine-bonnets, and even the top of the hoods were pressed into service for carrying all manner of articles from an extra quart of oil to a 14foot dinghy. In and out among the traffic high-powered motor-cyclet dodged their way, their “flapperbrackets” either loaded with luggage or else utilised for their proper purpose.

TENT DWELLERS In the bays that front the Rangitoto Channel whole populations had gathered and the shacks were curtained and aglow in the evening s softness. Further on a Bible Ciass bad camped in the shade of the pine*, whose scents were wafted slowly over the landscape. Care-free folks are these dweller* by the sea. Motor-car screens were scribbled all over with Christinas and New Year greetings, and appropriatj slogans adorned many shacks aM canvas homes. o#e had named his shelter “Waiwurri,” and another lew optimistic camper had hoisted the word “Hevenelpus.” A more defiant note was struck in the title of “Hell* Kitchen,” a name that conjured ®P possibilities of strange brothers and mixtures made under stress of unusual circumstances. . In a West Coast bay where a rouno half-hundred tents were clustered » the trees the flapping of a tent sIM in the wind revealed three mf n, *hoe occupation obviously took them down to the sea in ships, stretched out 1 deep slumber. Emblazoned on a over the doorway was the enlightening remark: “The Three Multf* 1 '

beers.” . f If there is virtue in open-air ' many thousands must greatly ben® from this holiday season. indeed happy people tlffese te * dwellers nesting under the fern-ci ' cliffs of the foothills or in the *na“ of the sun-kissed pohutukawa } * gives a crimson edge to the sea-Div coast.