Wide variety of activities available

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 10

Wide variety of activities available

Bj

D. W. HODGE

South Canterbury is a 1.42 M hectare maze of farms, forests, mountain lakes and rivers, visitors can take their pick.

Caroline Bay, with its lawns, gardens, shubberies, picnic areas, tennis courts, bathing sheds, diving raft, children’s playing areas and paddling pool, takes priority in Timaru City.

Visitors will enjoy a visit to the Timaru Gardens, in which there is an artificial pond, fernery, aviary and glass-houses. Timaru’s new public library will intrigue visitors with unconventional ceilings, which employ some sophisticated geometry.

The SIM uncompleted structure provides an adult area of about 10,000 sq. ft. The children’s library covers 3400 sq. ft. The library complex sets the seal on the city's “cultural” zone. ART GALLERY Other centres of attraction are the Aigantighe Art Gallery, which has' been extended to provide a floor area of about 200 sq. metres; the Colonial Gallery and Museum of Childhood, Potters House and Home Art Studio. The Aorangi Sports Stadium, an exciting multipurpose indoor sports stadium in the western suburb of Gleniti, is the central feature of the Aorangi Park Sports complex. Embodying the latest design techniques for indoor sports stadiums, it is a first-class venue for many sporting activities at both the local and national level. Temuka has much to offer. The Orari and Opihi Rivers provide excellent fishing for both trout and salmon. The domain is an ideal spot for a picnic. It incorporates golf links, bowling greens, and a swimming pool.

Geraldine also needs no introduction. There are excellent facilities for golf, tennis, bowls and there is a public swimming pool and motor camp in the Rose Garden, a small park in the centre of the town. Barkers Elderberry Winery on S.H. 79 is well worth a visit, as is the

vintage machinery museum. The district abounds with picnic and recreation areas — Peel Forest, the Waihi Gorge, Te Moana Gorge, Hanging Rock and Pioneer Park. The hill on which the hcurch now stands at Pleasant Point was once a landmark to pioneers proceeding up the bank of the Opihi River and from there one can see the field where Richard pearse flew his first aeroplane.

Saint David’s Pioneer Memorial Church, Cave, was built in memory of the early sttlers and shepherds of the Mackenzie Country.

"Nampeyo Gallery,” Albury, contains displays of pottery, homespun wool and weaving.

At Fairlie, the Strathaven Clydesdale Horse Stud is open daily. Lake- Tekapo beckons the tourist. It is a magnificent spot for fishing, boating, water-ski-ing. Flights Over Tekapo, Mount Cook and the glaciers are available. No words can describe Mount Cook, its attractions, its displays, and the friendliness of the rangers at Park headquarters. The Park is famous for its mountaineering and skiing facilities, but the lessenergetic can still enjoy the thrills experienced by hundreds of climbers by taking one of the world’s most spectacular flights from Mount Cook airfield. GAME PARK

The Hadlow Game Park, only 10.4 km from the Public Relations Office, is out of this world. The animals and birds — among which are wallabies, chamois, wild pigs, emus, red deer, wapiti, fallow deer, peacocks, water fowl, llamas, Himalayan thar, African Barbary sheep, and donkeys — are found wandering naturally and at ease in their compounds. The picnic area in the centre of the park has barbecue facilities. Hadlow Gallery has a unique setting/ and an amazing display of paintings and prints, selected pottery, and antiques. COMING OF AGE

Television One’s Entertainer of the Year winner, Derek Metzger, and the dance band section of the New Zealand Army Band, the Bonza Five, will be “right of the line” at the t w e n t y-first Waimate Christmas carnival. Another promiennt guest artist will be Timaru’s Wiki Baker. The carnival will run from Boxing Day until January 2. The programme will include Mother and Son contests, Miss Waimate Junior and Intermediate, Master Waimate, talent quests for all ages, Princesses of the Carnival, Queen of the Carnival, and Miss Waimate, sen. There will be handwrestling and tiny tots’ contests. GOLF FIXTURES Visitors are welcome to participate in a mixed open day at Waimate on Saturday, January 6, at 12.30 p.m. The next day there will be a 36-hole men’s open tournament. Ring the clubhouse (7009). The library is open from Monday to Thursday (10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.), and on Friday from 10.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. The Norman Kirk Memorial Swimming Centre is open daily except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Hours — Week days: 9.30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sundays: 10.30 a.m. until midday; 1.30 p.m.-4.30 Carnival officers are Mr L. D. Bartlett (president), ’phone 8845, and Mrs M. Dillon (secretary), ’phone 8080. TENTH MAIL RUN This . year marks the tenth anniversary of the mail run. A five-horse team will pull the stage on the 45-

mile journey to Fairlie and it will be accompanied by four outriders and two gigs. This year’s mail run will be broken by a oneday stopover at Cave. The run is staged by the society as both a promotional stunt for its carnival, and a fund-raising effort. BAY CARNIVAL The Caroline Bay Association does not put all its eggs in one basket. Day by day, for the duration of its annual carnival, it produces a rabbit out of the hat. Then it is time for the grand finale. The backdrop for the 1978-79 carnival is undoubtedly the Miss Caroline Bay contest. This will last from December 31 until New Year’s Day. Entrants (single women over the age of 16) could be eligible to take part in South Pacific Television’s “Miss Universe New Zealand Quest” contest, the winner of which will represent New Zealand at the “Miss Universe” contest in Perth, Western Australia, in July of next year. The carnival will be officially opened on Boxing Day, the chief attraction being “Family showtime.” On December 27, there will be pets’ parades, a Princess of the Sands contest, and the Caroline Bay Disco featuring Christchurch’s Sounds Around. There will be sand-mod-elling on the Thursday, and the Mother and Daughter contest. On December 29, the Junior Miss Caroline Bay contest will get under way. Tiny tots’ parades will precede the finals of the Junior Miss Caroline Bay contest on Saturday, December 30. The Caroline Bay Holiday Queen contest is timed to start at 7.15 p.m. on January 2, when entrants will appear in street wear. A highlight in the morning will be the fancy dress parades for boys and girls.

The Master Caroline Bay contest will take place on January 3, and contestants in the Holiday Queen contest will appear in beach wear at 2.15 p.m. and in party frocks for the final at 7.15 p.m. The Mother and Son contest will be decided on January 4. Then, on January 5, entrants in the Queen of the Carnival contest will parade in the sound shell.THINGS TO DO

Saddle Safari Centre.— Situated 13km from Geraldine, the centre offers treks and waggon rides. Get in touch with the director, Mr J. R. Green (Phone 1006, Geraldine).

The Levels.— The oldest dwelling house in South Canterbury, Rhodes’s Cottage should be marked on the “engagement card.”

Miniature golf.— Open every day of the Caroline Bay Association’s annual carnival.

Roller skating.— Also on the bay. Opening hours available from P.R.O. (phone 86-163). Sports meeting.— New Year’s Day sports at Timaru Caledonian Grounds. See the Maori rock drawings.— ...At Waitohi, ancient limestone shelters. R.S.A. Headquarters. —

Magnificent new clubrooms at 21 Wai-iti Road. Open from 9 a.m. daily (except Sundays). Hot and cold lunches (Monday to Friday) from midday to 1.30 p.m. Keep your eyes on the cabaret evenings.

Sports meetings: December 26, Waimate; December 31, St Andrews Domain; January 1, Timaru Caledonia Ground; January 2, Temuka Domain. Canoeing. — Instruction and courses in Timaru, Fairlie, and Geraldine, Temuka and Waimate over Christmas and the New Year. Contact Y.M.C.A. (Phone 83-551, Timaru). Car racing: December 31, rally cross at Levels motor raceway, Timaru, 11 a.m. January 21, Teretonga; January 28, Wigram; February'3 and 4, Timaru; March 4, Ruapuna. Timaru City Council observation tours: Town tour (duration 1| hours), depart Woolworths, Stafford Street Wednesday, January 3, at 1.45 p.m.; Thursday January 4, at 10.15 p.m.; Friday, January 5, at 1.45 p.m. Country tour: Lasts 2j hours. Leave Woolworths on Thursday, January 4 at 1.45 p.m. Stock car racing: S.l. Federation Stock Car championships on December 30 and 31, at midday, at Ballins Raceway Landsborough Road, Timaru, January 1, Riverside Raceway, Temuka, 3 p.m.; January 21, Ballins Raceway, Timaru, 1.30 p.m.; January 28, Riverside Raceway, Temuka, 3 p.m.; February 4, Ballins Raceway, Timaru, 1.30 p.m.

Maori Park. — Hours: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from midday until 2 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

West End. — Open daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

Swimming events — January 3, 440 yds open water swim, open and under 14, 6.30 p.m. Caroline Bay. January 6, 880 yds open water swim, 2 p.m. Caroline Bay. January 10, Speechley Mile open water swim, 6 p.m. Caroline Bay. January 13, Centre carnival, 7 p.m. at Maori Park pool. January 21, North End carnival, 6.30 p.m. Maori Park pool. January 27. S.l. championships, Maori Park pool. Ten pin bowling, — Sophia Street, Timaru, open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Holiday golf tournament — Open to men and women who select their own four and start any time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 2, 1979 at Highfield Golf Course. Entry fee $4 (includes afternoon tea). Entries to R. H. Barnes, phone 7435. Sponsored by Selwyn Motor Camp, Timaru. Gleniti — Pages Road, Highfield. — Douglas Street. Levels (Timaru). — Main North Road. Tennis — Public courts on Caroline Bay and Maori Park.

Horse racing — December 27 and 30, S.C. Jockey Club at Washdyke. Januaryl2, Timaru Trotting

Club. Washdyke. January 20, Timaru Trotting Club, Washdyke, twilight meeting.

Waimate Historical Museum, Harris Street — Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. tuesday and Thursday afternoons by arrangement (secretary, phone 8513). MOTOR CAMPS

Timaru A. and P. Showgrounds — On State Highway 1 at north end of town. Camping, caravan facilities.

Selwyn Holiday Camp — Ijkm from Post Office. Camping, cottages, cabins, caravan facilities, canteen, children’s playground. Near Highfield Golf Links. INFORMATION S.C. Public Relations Office — The Terrace. Phone 86-163. The Timaru representative of “The Press” is Mr D. W. Hodge (Phone 89266 and 83-898).