CAMPS AND PICNICS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 17, 21 January 1928, Page 19

CAMPS AND PICNICS

THE HOLIDAY SEASON Judging by reports from all over the Dominion this, seems to bo a record holiday season so far as regards the number of camping motorists that have taken to the road. On a recent morning no fewer than 97 cars with camping outfits aboard were counted by a motorist travelling between Wellington and Wanganui, and nearly 100 cyclists. The motor camps all over the North Island have been heavily patronised, and no doubt the same is true of the South Island. The prevailing weather has a great deal to do with the popularity of the camps. No form of holiday can be more health giving from the family point of view than a well-plan-ned and well-conducted camping tour, and it is unquestionably the cheapest form of family travel. All the motor associations and many of the local bodies are now fully aware of the value of having well-appointed camps established in their districts. There seems to be a tendency, however, to set over-much store of having these camps in close proximity to the centres of population. It is to bo hoped that tho day is not far distant when more attention will be devoted to providing camps in real holiday places, and these, be it noted, arc by no means all at the seaside, nor even at wellknown tourist resorts. There are innumerable places in every district in New Zealand that attract holiday makers, and in the interests of these places themselves it is desirable that provision should be made to'prevent their being spoiled owing to uncontrolled and haphazard methods of camping. All about Wellington, within a distance of fifty miles, picnic outings have seen hosts of cars congregated within; ta stone's throw of one another at various beauty spots, particularly bush places on the Hutt River tributaries and bathing spots at various beaches. To the credit of motorists generally it must be recorded that great care has generally been manifested to prevent inconveniences being caused to parties that follow later, but some spots are so exceedingly popular that action is desirable to keep them in an attractive condition. The main energies of all motor organisations might well bo turned for

some years to come to the provision of such facilities as will keep every popular camping or picnic spot a place where adults or children may roam with pleasure. In more isolated cases it is up to the picnickers themselves to see that no litter or nuisance of any kind is left about to inconvenience others.