NEW MOTOR CAMP

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 288, 1 September 1931, Page 8

NEW MOTOR CAMP

Selection of Site TWO ACRES AT LYALL BAY A couple of months ago the Director of Parks, Mr. J. G. MacKenzle, was authorised by the City Council to select a new site for a motor camp for Wellington city In place of the one at Karori Park, and to negotiate with the Wellington Automobile Club in respect to it. The site he selected was two acres of the Lyall Bay Reserve, contiguous to the Resolution Street entrance, and close to Onepu Road. This site was chosen as at present it is not being used for any particular purpose except as an approach to the playing grounds—it is close to a business street where supplies of all kinds may be purchased, and is already provided with lavatory accommodation. The automobile club authorities approve the site, and the council has now asked It to contribute to the cost of putting the place In order. For the protection of campers it is proposed to fence the area and provide it with a proper gateway. Fireplaces will have to be provided, and water and gas laid on for the convenience of those in camp, and a certain supervision will have to be exercised over the ground. A charge will be made for each car, and, should circumstances permit, the money advanced by the club will be repaid out of the revenue.

The Director of Parks pointed out to a “Dominion” reporter that should the motor camping habit develop here as it had done in other countries this site would be altogether too smalt He was therefore considering the provision of a properly designed and equipped camp on a ten-acre block at Lyall Bay between the golf links and the Parade, where campers Would be located only a few yards away from the beach, every convenience in the way of communal kitchens could be provided, a petrol station could be included In the lay-out, and it would be right alongside the aerodrome and the golf links, and possibly have Its own supply store. '

Mr. Mackenzie stated that the number of motor tourists in the United States reached the enormous total of 20,000,000 last summer. As an instance of how American cities provided for touring motorists, he stated that at Denver the motor camp consisted of 165 acres, and Its equipment cost £50,000. It had its own stores, a great communal kitchen, and wonderful hygienic arrangements, as well as “bungalettes” for rent. At Seattle, on the West Coast, the car camp was ten acres In extent,- and catered for some 37,000 people each summer.