Camp gets reprieve

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 6

Camp gets reprieve

After several months under threat of closing, the/ Brooklands Motor Camp has been given a reprieve. A recommendation that the camp’s registration not be renewed because it failed to meet camping ground requirements was last evening set aside by the Waimairi District Council.

The District Chairman, Mrs Margaret Murray, told councillors it seemed that there were only two problems outstanding.

She said the council’s deputy health inspector, Mr Tony Murray, had visited the camp yesterday afternoon and was impressed with the improvements the owners, Mr Alister and Mrs Pat Jones, had made to the grounds since the last council discussion of the matter. At that time the work outstanding included the

need for more adequate provision of refuse containers, the need for artificial lighting in a detached toilet building, and the fact that water was supplied to at least one camp site direct from the pump line. The council has decided to refer the matter back to its community affairs committee. Rodents Rats and mice in Waimairi District were said to be turning tail in mirth at attempts to reduce their numbers. Cr Gordon Freeman told the council last evening that while rats and mice might seem a funny matter, it was in fact “quite serious.”

The council previously sold a granular-based rat poison to its residents but recently changed to a wax-based poison. Cr Freeman said he had had complaints from people

who found the new formula not as effective.

“The rats are laughing and the mice are smiling. I think it is important — with the cold weather a lot of people are being infested by mice.” Refit tender

The council has decided to write to the Minister of Defence, Mr Tizard, to ask that New Zealand companies be given favourable consideration for the refit of H.M.N.Z.S. Southland.

Earlier this week the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, accused the Royal New Zealand Navy of favouring a British tender for the refit of the vessel because it would provide “welcome trips to the Old Country” for naval staff. The City Council also decided to approach the Minister to seek the contract for a New Zealand firm.