THE PLEASURES OF WALKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 244, 15 October 1929, Page 6

THE PLEASURES OF WALKING.

Prophets of a pessimistic turn of mind have so often predicted that walking would soon become a lost art -that it is gratifying to find that the Auckland Tramping Club has had a very successful year with a membership of eightyseven and a satisfactory financial position; It still, however, remains true that most people do not walk nearly as much as they might do. Doctors tell us that walking is one of the most healthy of exercises, especially when the walking is enjoyed in the company of a congenial and intelligent companion. The long tramps of Christopher North, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey were probably responsible for thoughts • which later inspired some of the best in our literature. English people seem fonder of walking than New Zealanders. Scots people, accustomed to the cheap tram fares of Glasgow, will frequently walk instead of taking a tram, because they think our tram fares exorbitant when compared'with those of their native, land. But many Aueklahders will take a tram to go a few hundred yards, and they cram their pocket books with concession cards ox varied value and colour. The concession card itself, especially, the one-section card, is a temptation to take a tram because, having been paid for in advance, it does not seem as if one was really spending money. At some of the large English schools walking used to be encouraged by making the boys walk six miles out to a place where a master took their names and then six miles back again. People who rush about in motor cars cannot appreciate the real beauties of the country. New Zealand offers peculiar attractions for trampers. Not only do we possess what has been called "the finest walk in the world," but we haveclose to Auckland many places of great scenic beauty and- interest which can only "be properly appreciated by those who do the trip leisurely on foot. Last year the Tramping Club enrolled thirty-three new members. As the delights of walking tours.become better known the club will probably increase its membership to some hundreds, and, many will have cause to be grateful for the. pioneer efforts which have sought to bring before the people the many pleasures of tramping. —W.M.