Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 1929. “HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 October 1929, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 1929. “HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS

I ABOUR Day, as the first public holiday of the season, is invariably welcomed, it coming as a pleasant break from the commercial round. New Zealanders take their holidays gladly but sanely, and the general effect is always beneficial. National conditions, at present, are such that there is little cause for serious misgiving, despite one or two small clouds on the financial horizon, and those who have the most strenuous months of the year ahead of them, —in town and country—should make the most of Labour Day. The nomenclature of the day is not the most appropriate, and, of course, has no political connection, but a holiday under any name is sweet, and as the weather prospects are favourable, this week-end should prove most successful.

It is opportune to remind those who will be motoring to, or visiting scenic resorts, especially in bush districts, to refrain from anything like vandalism and thoughtless destruction. Bush, treasures lose much of their charm when taken from their native surroundings, and many a plant grasped to take home scarce survives the journey. It is true that Westland’s bush is lavishly endowed, but continuous spoilation has an accumulative effect scarce imagined by too enthusiastic collectors. The plenty of to-day is made the rarity of tomorrow, and nobody is the better off. Public property should be respected to the same degree as that of private ownership, and holidaymakers should maintain standards of conduct away, as they preserve in their own homes. It is to be hoped that the holiday will not be marred by serious accident, especially in connection with motoring. Human carelessness is usually responsible for such loss of life or limb, and all concerned should remember their duty to others.

Another reminder that may not be out of place, is in the direction of holiday cleanliness. Picnickers should endeavour to leave their selected spots free from litter, and, in bush districts, be careful about ■ fire-dangers. A complaint this week, came from the Auckland Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Chesson) regarding the insanitary conditions of district holiday camps, mostly of yachting parties. He incidentally declared:—“lt is absolutely revolting to people to visit the beaches after holiday-makers have left them in a deplorable condition. The persons responsible for such conduct apparently forget that they are committing a breach of the Health Act.” In these larger centres, such hygienic breaches are more frequent than in less-populated areas, but even in some of these, there is room for more thought by holiday-mak-ers. It is not fair to the permanent residents of a holiday-resort, nor to later visitors, that cause for legitimate grievance should arise, and perhaps Dr. Chesson’s reminder will do good, not only in the Auckland district, but throughout the Dominion.