HOTEL OR CAMP

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 372, 5 June 1928, Page 7

HOTEL OR CAMP

THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE WHY NOT A MOTORISTS’ HUT? The writer has held for a long time an idea to which everyday experience and observation give added strength—the idea of something in the form of a community motor camp of a type that would be cheap for the motorist while giving just the service that he requires, and at the same time enabling any entrepreneur to make a reasonably good profit. Indeed, properly run, such a scheme, it is figured out, would give excellent returns. The proposal is essentially an adaptation to local conditions of what has proved a boon to the travelling motorist in other parts of the world, notably in California, where men are men and motors as thick as flies. The idea is this: That at any of the many suitable points along the main motoring highways—particularly such highways as the coastal routes, on which camping out and holiday parties are most frequent—a specially designed motor-hut be erected so as to furnish a number of bedroom-cabins (20 or 30 to the hut, perhaps). In each cabin of this hut, which would preferably be located near a beach or some other distinctive point, would be a stretcher, dressing table, and any other simple requirement. For the use of this cabin the motorist would pay, say, a couple of shillings a night, with a reduction for a week’s occupancy. Near or attached to the hut would be another building equipped with tables and seats for the use of the motorists, and on these the tourists could arrange their own meals or. alternatively, have them served to order by the owner of the whole outfit. If the visitoi's wished to do their own cooking they would be able to do so at suitably arranged fireplaces, but if they simply wanted hot water this would be procurable on the premises for a small charge. Shower-baths,

shelter sheds for cars, sanitary conveniences and the like would also be among the improvements. The party behind the enterprise would be encouraged to make the charges for the use of the cabins and other property as low as possible so as to attract the greatest number of motorists. xTe would then be able to earn an additional profit from the sale of food supplies from his own store on the ground, and from the sale of petrol, oils and other motor supplies. Fruit and vegetables, either grown on the area, or purchased wholesale locally, could also be retailed at a profit. It appears to the writer that the favourable features about a scheme of this class are these: (1) A relatively small amount of capital would be required to set up such a badly-needed convenience: (2) properly run, it undoubtedly would receive the wholehearted patronage of motorists; (3) there would be several sources of profit, including cabin-rentals, and sale of hot water, food supplies, and motor requirements; and (4) having the recognition and backing of such a powerful and popular organisation as the A.A.A. the venture, if set out in apstyle, would receive all the necesasry publicity without cost to the proprietor.

As things are, any motoring party out on a holiday tour has to seek accommodation at an hotel or boardinghouse, or carry its own tent and other gear for camping out. At the former the charges are prohibitively high for the average family on tour, there are certain restrictive formalities without complete comfort, and children frequently are regarded as unwelcome guests. On the other hand, camping out by tent has its decided drawbacks—the initial cost of the outfit, the difficulties attaching to its transport, the discomfort of “living wild,” the inconvenience of striking camp and settling down daily if the party is constantly on the move, and the cruelty of the whole thing when “skeeters” are savage and the weather unkind. Unquestionably the motor-hut will come with a rush. The time seems to be at hand to talk the whole matter over while there is yet time before the next touring season. DISTILLING WATER One way of obtaining distilled water quickly is to direct the steam from the spout of a kettle of boiling water against the side of a jug of cold water. The steam condenses on the Avails of the jug and can be collected by standing the latter in a clean basin. The process can be kept up indefinitely provided that the kettle is replenished and the water in the jug replaced when it gets warm. Claimed to be the oldest and liveliest “tin Lizzie” still operating, is a 1902 model Ford owned by a motor trader in Ohio, United States. It has two cylinders, and was bought by the owner in 1904 for £l9O. The wheels are shod with solid rubber tyres; the body is of wood and has neither hood nor windshield. It is in good running order and is frequently taken out for short trips.