CARAVAN CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1940, Page 7

CARAVAN CLUB

WEEKEND VISIT TO LAKE FERRY SPORTS AND OTHER EVENTS. CAMPING GROUNDS OPENED AT MARTINBOROUGH. A recent weekend visit to Lake Ferry by members of the Wairarapa Caravan Club is described by a contributor as follows: — In these strenuous and worrying days a change of environment is beneficial and what better means is there of securing this change than by means of a caravan. Notwithstanding petrol restrictions it will be found that if the quota that one gets is husbanded the quantity will be found for one or two short trips during the month and one does not need to go very far from home to obtain a tranquil spot from from the worries of every day life. By means of a caravan such trips can be made with the minimum of trouble. On Saturday, November 23, members of the Wairarapa Caravan Club left Masterton to spend the weekend at Lake Ferry. The weather was anything but kind when we started off in procession, lead by our popular and worthy president, Mr. Archie Keir, in his pullman van. Each van had been carefully overhauled, and in some cases repainted for the season and they were indeed a credit to the owners. It was still raining when we arrived at our destination for afternoon tea; but when one is the happy possessor of a caravan one does not have to worry about the weather. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in various ways and some of the male members returned to say that supplies of flounders, fresh milk and cream were available. These were a great treat. The evening was spent pleasantly in visiting one another and listening to the radio. The following morning the weather had cleared and everyone was delighted as sports had been arranged. It was most entertaining to see young and old alike joining in the fun. There were prizes for all and the secretary, Mr. Max Nicol, is to be congratulated on the result of his efforts to make these sports so enjoyable. The club has a trophy for competition amongst caravan owners and after lunch all caravans were thrown open for inspection. Of course, most of the ladies had not forgotten to bring with them a few flowers with which to improve the interior appearance of the vans. Two judges had been appointed other than from the rank of caravan owners and they allotted points under several headings in respect of each van. The factory built caravans were judged separately from those built otherwise and there were some truly splendid specimens in the last mentioned class. On the Sunday we left Lake Ferry during the late afternoon for Martinborough where we were to be the guests of the local Borough Council for the official opening of the new motorists’ camp grounds and Centennial baths.

The lovely grounds lent a beautiful setting to the gaily painted caravans with curtains to tone and bowls of flowers peeping through the windows It was a great day in the history of Martinborough and our members enjoyed a swim in the new baths and were the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress at a most delightful afternoon tea.

The weather was ideal and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Wc left for home with regret that our happy weekend had come to a close, and we are looking forward to another run shortly. We hope that before the season is over, all caravan owners in the Wairarapa will join the Club.