MOTOR CAMPING GROUNDS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21639, 25 November 1935, Page 8

MOTOR CAMPING GROUNDS

CEREMONY AT RAWHITI DOMAIN OFFICIAL OPENING HELD ON SATURDAY The official opening of the motor camping grounds in the Rawhiti Domain, New Brighton, took place on Saturday afternoon. The weather remained fine, and a number of interested visitors were present. The Mayor of New Brighton (Mr E. L. Smith), who declared the grounds open, presided at the ceremony, and among the others present were the Mayoress, the De-puty-Mayor and Deputy-Mayoress (Dr. and Mrs W. T. Glasgow), Councillors J. N. Clarke, J. S. Ainsworth, C. V. Lester, A. W. Owles, and G. Duncombe, the Town Clerk (Mr C. T. Middleton), the president of the Automobile Association, Canterbury (Mr L. P. Wilson), the secretary of the Automobile Association, Canterbury (Mr J. S. Hawkes), the president of the South Brighton Progress League (Mr F. S. Woodward), the president of the North Beach Progress League (Mr A. Peverill), and Mr J. H. Shaw, a former Mayor of the borough. Before declaring the grounds open, the Mayor welcomed all the visitors, and apologised for the absence of the member of Parliament for the district (Mr D. G. Sullivan), who had been unable to attend in time for the opening, owing to several previous engagements. He said that the Rawhiti Domain Board had received a goodwill message from Mr Sullivan. Mr Smith spoke of the progressiveness of New Brighton, and said that the need for camping grounds in the borough had been felt for many years. The Rawhiti Domain Board had at last been able to establish, a site which it had endeavoured to make as suitable as possible. The board hoped at a later stage to be able to establish sites in other parts of the borough. Mr Wilson said that he was very pleased to see another camping site opened in Canterbury. One of his main interests in the Automobile Association had always been to have as many camping grounds established as possible. He congratulated the Mayor and the council on its decision to proi vide the grounds, and hoped that it would be found necessary to extend; them before long. j Mr Hawkes also offered hi? congratI ulations to the council for starting the I grounds. He was sure that as the I years passed the grounds would be.

come more and more popular. He said that in Rotorua last season the camping grounds had been used by more than 6000 persons. New Brighton lent itself admirably to camping, because of its beach and the facilities for all kinds of sport, which-were so near at hand. As the grounds became known they would be greatly appreciated. He promised all the assistance the Automobile Association could give in popularising the grounds. Cr. A. W. Owles,- who was introduced by the Mayor as one of the oldest living residents of New Brighton, said that camping grounds had been under consideration many years ago. In 1874, when Mr Hopkins, of WoolstOn, had bought the borough for £3OO, he had tried to have land set aside for reserves, but the Government would give no assistance. The Selwyn County Council took a hand in the matter, soon after, and planted out the domain in which the grounds now stood. He wished the scheme success, which he knew it would achieve. Other speakers were Cr. G. Duncombe, Mr A. Peverill, Mr F. S. Woodward, and Mr J. H. Shaw. After the ceremony, those present were entertained to afternoon tea by the Rawhiti Domain Board and the Business Association.