WITH TENT AND MOTOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 59, 11 March 1930, Page 15

WITH TENT AND MOTOR.

(All Rights Reserved.)

CITIES OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. WHERE TO CAMP AND WHAT TO SEE. (By TRIP.) The two principal cities of the South Island, Christcliurcli and Dunedin, vary greatly in size and in character, but they have this in common, that they have more of the English type of city architecture and the dignified atmosphere of English cities than have the cities of the North Island. There is much to be seen in both places, and this is the time of year when motor camping is most pleasant there. Christchurch has the best accommodation for motorists of any South Island town, but Dunedin has not made much provision so far, motorists having to camp at Tahuna Park, some distance out of the town, where only moderate facilities are provided. Some system of indoors accommodation, such as is provided in Chvistchurcli, would be ideal for Dunedin, where the colder climate limits motor camping to a few months of the year. A point worth mentioning for the benefit of North Island motorists making the journey to southern towns is that a. 25 per cent freight reduction is granted on cars on the return journey, but only when application is made. The City of the Plains. Nearly twice as big as Dunedin, Christchurch is the centre for the prosperous wheat growing districts ,of Canterbury, and also for the rich pastoral land that spreads out iir all directions, portions of which, such as Banks Peninsula, are famous throughout the Dominion for the quality of their pas-

turee. It prides itself greatly on being very English both in appearance and outlook, and with its Cathedral, its quietly flowing and' beautiful river, and its many pleasant gardens and homes, it is justified in doing so; There are numerous things, worth seeing in the city itself, and there are several drives round the 'district which should certainly be made. I mentioned earlier that the accommodation at Christchurch was particularly good. It consists of a two-storey concrete building with cubicles and bunks, which is fitte.d with hot and cold showers, baths, a proper kitchen and a dining room. There is a large garage which can be locked, and facilities for car washng, etc. Added to this is the advantage that the building, which is in the A. and P. Association's grounds, is close handy to many shops. The charges are very, moderate, amounting to only a few shillings a day per head, even when gas and hot water are used, and. if .cheaper accommodation is wanted the use of the grounds is allowed for pitching tents at a lower rate still. The effect of this class of accommodation is to make motor camping possible all the year round in Christchurch. Places to See. The river Avon is one of the features of the city, and as its banks have been greatly beautified one can get the best impression of it liy rowing through the very beautiful gardens. The rose garden and the winter garden are regarded as the best of their kind in the Dominion, and every visitor goes away impressed with the wonderful parks possessed by Christchurch. It could truthfully be called a garden city, and a wander round any of the suburbs will show you that practically every house has a garden, and that many of them are large. Hagley Park, comprising nearly 500 acre 6, is unique in New Zealand, and, planted with English trees, looks very much like the parks one associates with England. Lovers of beautiful old buildings should see the old Provincial Council Chambers, the architecture of which is unique in New Zealand. The Cathedral and the Museum are two other places that will appeal to most visitors. There are several very fine beaches within easy reach of the town, New Brighton and Sumner being especially popular. The most interesting run of all though is along the Port Hills, where magnificent panoramas of Christchurch, Lyttelton and the plains are glimpsed. The run out to Akaroa, about fifty miles from Christchurch, is very interesting and takes you through some of the best of Canterbury's hill country, besides giving you excellent views of many bays. Akaroa is a sleepy little township from which excursionions can be made to many other interesting places on Banks Peninsula. There is a camping ground for motorists at Akaroa, so that you can spend some days there if desired. The Charm of Dunedin. Because I lived many years in Dunedin when young I am perhaps prejudiced in still regarding it as the most beautiful of our four principal cities. Despite the fact that it is the smallest of them, its buildings and its streets are similar to those in the smaller cities of England, and, like them too, it has many parks and open sx'accs. It is the greatest educational centre in the Dominion, and its dentai and medical schools, connected with Otago Uni-^r-

sity, compare favourably in their standards with those in England and

America. The town belt, running around the hills for a considerable distance and comprised of native bush, adds considerably to the appearance of the town. The gardens at North-east Valley are very line and well worth a visit. Beachcs abound, both near city itself and further out on the peninsula,

and given good weather excellent swimming may be had at places like St. Clair, St. Kilda and Tomahawk, or down the peninsula at Portobello and Broad Bay. The run along the top road of the peninsula and back along the lower road is one that should surely be taken, as this gives you the best possible view of the city itself, besides giving you glimpses" of the farming land of the peninsula and the beaches and bays with which it is indented.

An enjoyable drive in the opposite direction if out through the Leith Valley to Waitati, and then back along the top road, above Port Chalmers. The view from the vicinity of Mount Cargill is particularly fine, and it is worth while making up from North-east Valley at night just to see the twinkling lights stretching out beyond the hills and distant valleys. Up 1 the Kaikorai Valiey to Eraser's Gully is another favourite run, and by walking up to the top. of Mount Flagstaff —a very moderate exertion—you get a splendid panorama of the country round Dunedin, and of the' picturesque Taieri plains. The run out to the Waipori Falls is another worth while excursion, and if time permits the journey to Evansdale and Warrington takes you to favourite picnic and camping haunts. The Carnegie Library in Dunedin is the best library in New Zealand, and there are numerous educational buildings which rank similarly. Many of these have been built largely from donations given by citizens, public spiritedness here having taken the form of provision for education, and also for rest homes for the aged. Dunedin may well be proud of its buildings. A.A.A. RECENT ACTIVITIES. A tour of the North Auckland district is to be commenced next week by Mr. J. R. Self, a member of the AAA. Executive Council, who will accompany the touring manager throughout the North. A number of new routes, including the road under construction to Russell will be inspected, and a thorough survey carried out with a view to reorganisation of the association's services throughout the territory. The uniformed patrol who is at the present time carrying out headlight tests, is now finishing his work in Hokianga, and after visiting Kaihu, will return to the city, again visiting the North on the following programme:— Dargaville—Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25 and 26. Ruawai—Thursday, March 27. Paparoa—Friday, March 28. Wellsford—Monday, April 3. Mangawai—Wednesday, April 5. Waipu—Thursday, April 6. Maungaturoto—Friday, April 7. Headlight tests are also to be conducted .by the association on Thursday, March 20 at Papakura.

The touring manager returns to-day from a visit to the Urewera Country, having travelled through the new road to Lake Waikaremoana . and inspected the formation which is being continued round the lake to connect with the road from Wairoa in Hawke's Bay. The information he has gathered will be of great benefit to motorists throughout the Dominion in arranging tours for next season.

The signposting patrol of the association has left this week for an extended tour. Ha will be placing signs in the Matamata district and on a number of side roads on the Ka?mal. He will then continue through the Bay of Plenty and on to Gisborne, after which he has extensive work to carry out on the Gisborne East Coast. On his return home, he will follow the route through Hawke's Bay, 'faupo and Rotorua.