PEAK IS NOW REACHED

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14254, 31 December 1946, Page 3

PEAK IS NOW REACHED

CAMPERS IN DISTRICT

An All-Time Record

Forecast

Many Holiday-Makers At

The Mount

Anticipated as being an all-time record, the number of holidaymakers'at Mount Maunganui has reached its peak for the 1946-47 season. A few new arrivals are still reaching the Mount, but, ' as yet, there has been no pronounced number of departures though it is expected that a good many will begin to move on early in the New Year. Siom© holiday-makers will be there for quite a long spell and a month’s camping is in store for many. Camp sites at both the R.S,A. ground and municipal area, which lies at the foot of the mountain facing the ocean beach, are fully occupied, while the slopes of the mountain overlooking the town are also dotted with camps, A further area, a large one, south of Salisbury Avenue, ’is providing areas for a great number of campers.

The two dance halls at the Mount, one of which—the De Luxe Cabaret ‘ —was opened recently, have proved very popular during the evenings. Despite the fact that there are now two dance floors, crowded conditions still prevail on most nights. On Saturday evening it was necessary foi the director of the De Luxe Cabaret to exhibit a “full house’’ notice and close the doors, the hall being packed early in the evening. This consideration for the dancers already assembled was readily appreciated, though many of the ‘ latecomers were disappointed. The abnormal dapee crowds were probably enlarged by the presence of visiting bandsmen and girls’ marching teams, but from a general review of the situation it would seem impossible

that one dance floor could cope with this year’s crowd.

Great Jubilation

The New Year’s Eve dance’at the Mount is always well supported and it is expected that this evening tho accommodation at both halls will bo taxed to the utmost by the holidaymakers strengthened by residents of the Tauranga district who make the Mount their rendezvous to see the old year iout and the new year in. As can well he understood at these functions there are scenes of great jubilation .and celebration, most patrons being imbued with the spirit of Hogmanay. At Tauranga, the peak at tho Sixth Avenue camp has been reached, this being far in excess of last year’s attendance. The proprietor pointed out, too, that the campers there were a particularly happy crowd.

Generally speaking campers at the Mount have been a happy hut orderly crowd and no serious* complaint has been made concerning their behaviour. Of course there have been one or two early-morning parties, perhaps by the blare of a gramophone or the strains of some modern “jive” tune drifting through the camp. In this respect more consideration could be given to those who are asleep in their beds, but nevertheless, occurences of this nature have not been numerous. With at least one group of campers in the R.S.A. ground the tune, and supposedly an appropriate one to many even if not carried out in reality, “Leave the Dishes in the Sink Ma,” lias found favour,. The enthusiasm of holidaymakers for late, hours and entertainment at all times can well be understood by many and all seem to enter info the run of things very well.

Weather A Bugbear

The biggest bugbear has been the weather, very few days of which Tauranga can boast, being experienced. ' High winds, unsettled conditions, with flying grit and dust, have made conditions most unpleasant.

A walk through one of the grounds showed that some of , the campers had been celebrating well, if not Avisely, Avhile the proverbial bottle Collectors—small boys—AA r ere very active gathering Avhat proved to be a “harvest.”

Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of hot and cold shoAvers, or the knoAvledge of avliei-g these are situated, judging by inquiries made by many campers. A fine bill of entertainment lias been and is being, provided by the 5000 Club, a club Avhich lias its aim the progress cf the Mount v and its efforts are distinctly creditable. Each day, over the festive season, the club stages some form of entertainment for. the people, substantial, support being accorded the varied programmes of events. The recent provision cf billiards tables in the tOAvn is also a decided acquisition.

time. Special thanks Avere accorded Mesdames Lysaght and Armstrong for their part in the entertainment. The Sunday School teachers expressed their heartfelt thanks for the attendance of the vicar and Mrs Brierley, ■ Rev. D. Rankin, and Mrs Rankin and the many Tauranga friends avlio Avere present.