Precursor for tourist walk?

Press, 31 October 1977, Page 2

Precursor for tourist walk?

About 5000 school children may have unwittingly become the pioneers ol a tourist walk round historical Christchurch bytaking part in the combined Rotary- clubs’ walkathon yesterday. Before they set out on their five-mile walk round central Christchurch, the children and some parents were issued with a 26page booklet explaining the route and 60 historical sites. The booklet, produced by the combined Rotary clubs, was written by a Rotarian and local historian. Cr W. J. A. Brittenden. and illustrated with photographs by Kelvin Shacklock. The immediate object of the walk was to raise $20,000 for a new dining hall for the Y.M.C.A. camp at Wainui, but as the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) explained in a foreword to the booklet, the walkathon was im-

portant for educational purposes. According to the chairman of the project committee (Mr C. Chaston), the booklet may be of continuing use, both as a resource booklet for schools and possibly as the basis for a similar tourist guide. Mr Chaston said that the children seemed to enjoy the walk, and a lot of Rotarians had expressed an interest in holding it again. Rotarians acted as course marshals and manned two refreshment stations. The walkathon began and finished at Hagley Park and was for children aged eight to 12. The six children who gained the highest sponsorship will be rewarded with bicycles, but the results will not be known until after the committee meets on November 14.