Boating On The Avon

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28802, 24 January 1959, Page 3

Boating On The Avon

Sir,—Returning to my native city after eight years and presenting myself at the Antigua Boating Sheds to paddle my children up the Avon, how surprised I was to be informed by the proprietor I had to deposit something tangible that I would return his craft. Looking on the floor of the shed another surprise met me —a double line of shoes, sandals, shirts, cardigans or “what else have you" to ensure his fibre-glass craft (certainly some improvement on the former types) were returned in required time for rehiring. What is the legal authority? Dealing as lam in tourism, I feel ashamed after boasting about the “City Beautiful” that their honesty is being challenged. This does not occur on the Thames. The Avon will continue to be an attraction for children but why let that doubt be instilled in their minds?— Yours, etc., AVIS. . Auckland, January 19, 1959. ["Can you tell me of any business which hires goods of i comparable value without a de- ' posit?" asked Mr W. Dini, proi prietor of the boatsheds. “In the : last few months I have had two i fibre-glass canoes (each worth i £3O) stolen, there is always a good deal of wanton damage, and . I have children (with no idea ; of time) who take a boat for an > hour and come back five hours • later. I don’t know about the I law; but I know that if I don’t - get some deposit in kind or cash, nobody will get a boat”]