MEETING OTHER PEOPLE Hostelling cheap and convenient

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32630, 11 June 1971, Page 5

MEETING OTHER PEOPLE Hostelling cheap and convenient

Most travellers agree that they journey to meet people from other lands and to see fresh places. This being so, it seems strange that surprisingly few New Zealanders take the opportunity to do these things in their own country, in a cheap and convenient way—hostelling.

Thirty - five hostels, t run by the Youth ‘ Hostels Association, an < international body, are spread throughout New 1 Zealand, in cities and ■ small centres alike. i Once a traveller has joined ’

the association, he may stay at hostels in any part of the world for a comparatively small charge. The Christchurch Youth Hostel is probably the best equipped in New Zealand. It is not far from the centre of the city, and enjoys maximum tenancy most months of the year. The hostel wardens, Mr and Mrs D. I. Harman-Trick, have only recently taken up the positions. Both say that most of the hostellers are from overseas. “We have comparatively few New Zealanders through the hostel,” said Mrs HarmanTrick. Australians make up the biggest numbers, with Americans and Canadians next. They come by all forms of transport—in cars, on motorcycles and bicycles, and on foot. The idea if the hostel is to provide a bed and facilities for cooking. It is not a hotel or motel, and makes no pretence to be. For 80c a night, no-one would expect housemaids. and breakfast in bed. MAXIMUM STAY Hostellers are provided with a bunk in one of several dormitories, cooking facilities (food can be bought on the premises) and spacious and warm common-room for relaxation. The maximum stay is three nights. As well as the fee for their stay; hostellers are expected to perform a chore before they leave which, said Mr Harman-Trick, cuts down on tl.e warden’s work. Blankets and Dillows can

be hired for those who have 1 not sleeping bags. Although they are officially called “youth hostels,” there is no limit upwards on ages J However, no children under i the age of five are accepted,! as there are no facilities fot them. Mr and Mrs Harman-Trick | say that most of their,hostel-' lers range in age between 18 and 30. Mr and Mrs Harman-Trick are English, but have lived in Christchurch for three years. They decided to tackle the position of wardens because, it was "what we were looking for,” and, said Mrs Har-man-Trick, would provide a mutual interest. ENTHUSIASTIC The hostellers themselves' are enthusiastic about the life and about hostels in gen-: eral. “Especially the ones in. New Zealand,” said a Californian, Mrs M. Kruger. I “They are cheaper, closer to-(I gether, and better equipped] than those in the United States.” Mr R. Taylor, a fellow American and a seasoned traveller he has been “on the road” since 1962 agreed. “I have been through Europe and Africa in hostels,” Mr Taylor said. “Some of the overseas ones supply restaurants, and are really more like hotels. “Their charges are higher,; too,” he said.