CAMPERS COMPLAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 867, 10 January 1930, Page 1

CAMPERS COMPLAIN

CROWDING CAUSED BY LARGER TRAFFIC MOTOR TOURISTS ABROAD There is cause enough for users of motor camping areas this near-summer to have grievances. They’ve been harassed by wet ■weather and by crowded camping grounds. Neither trouble was foreseen. According to Mr. R. Champtaloup, 1 the touring manager of the Auck- [ land Automobile Association, the in-, crease in the popularity of camping, i even since last summer, has been extraordinary. Mr. Champtaloup said This morning that many campinggrounds had been over-crowded and j any little difficulties had been accentuated by trying weather. The local bodies have certainly improved their grounds, but it is now evident that motor-camping in New Zealand is no experiment. It has come to stay and areas and facilities for canffping will have to be extended to meet the demands of the future. The eight patrol officers of the association, operating from Waipu and Maungaturoto south to Awakino and east to the Bay of Plenty, have reported the growth of motor touring, in spite of the weather. New Zealaud is developing a “get-into-the-country ’ spirit. More than 50 per cent, of the vehicles had camping material. Wet weather or not, there is a more tolerant outlook among drivei s i on the road. Mr. Champtaloup attri- 1 butes this to the development of, motoring experience among the new j cirivers of a summer or so ago, when the car-selling boom existed. They now realise that other motorists have equal claims. Motoring knowledge is being more widely distributed, too. The patrol officers have announced a decrease in breakdowns among tourists, and this is probably due to the reliability demanded in moderu tar models. OBSERVING THE RULES But motorists should pay more attention to observance of traffic regulations. Traffic signals, the off-side Tide, cutting corners, and passing vehicles on blind corners all have provided for many breaches by drivers. Inattention constitutes a 'ery live danger on the road. South Island people, who are touring the Ni*j*th island in greater numbers, have often had difficulty on the < lay roads in some parts of the Auck'and Province. In many cases, they have not heeded expert advice. Mr. Champtaloup made it clear that up-to-ihe-minute information should be sained before clay roads are attempted. Weather changes have an immediate effect on clay roads, and -4-hours-old advice is not reliable. The roads are quite negotiable if provision is made for bad conditions. Many tourists attempt clay roads without chains. They are obviously leaving the wav clear for difficulties. Mr. Champtaloup says. Te Hana, north of Wellsford, is a scene of disaster. Xo fewer than 100 cases were noted of motorists being • aught in the mud. It is a good business for North Auckland farmers. Several of them are at hand usuallv *ith tractors or horses —at a fee. Mr. Champtaloup is iu touch with the Public Works in regard to maintaining clay roads. He understands graders will be placed on the surfaces, as weather permits. Routes through the Lower North are Whangarei, Waipu, Mangawai, Te Hana, Wellstord. Helensville, Auckland, and Darsaville, Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka, Mangawai, Te Hana, Wellsford, Helensville. Auckland. The key to the position seems to be between the Mangnwai Road and Te Hana. Travelling south from Mangawai, the Fairy Hill toute has been indicated by a “Te Hana” sign, but as this road is now in had order, the sign has been moved, and traffic will continue a little further south until a “detour route” sign is reached. Traffic will then turn to the right and, by following signs will, through the courtesy of the manager nf the tobacco plantation, follow a detour. it will then join the metal, which continues through Te Hana and Wellsford to Port Albert.