WAIKANAE BEACH CAMP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22356, 14 June 1947, Page 4

WAIKANAE BEACH CAMP

Dear Sir,—ln regard to the Herald’s article on homes at the Waikanae Beach Motor Camp, I have a few of the finer points to place before the public. As one of the many returned soldiers unfortunate enough to have to put up with such inconveniences as camping I would like to air some of the general complaints of the so-called Waikanae Beach Camp. There are certain campers here who are paying 15s per week for a parking place and upwards of 22s Gd, additional, for the use of a caravan or tent, making a total rent of about £2 a week for a limited space and having to share cooking, washing and other conveniences with upward of 30 families. When one looks at the rent of a self-supporting State house at around 27s Gd weekly and the hardships which the unluckier campers have to put up with, I think it is high time that the rent for the sites here was reduced by half at least. In other centres such as Palmerston North, Auckland, Waipukurau and Wellington the fee is on the half-way mark compared with this ground. When one lodks at the amount drawn from 35 families, about £3O, one fails to see why the rent could not be reduced to say 7s Gd or 10s a week to help the more unfortunate ones along. If this organisation is a private one, then I can’t see why we cannot be aided, as most of us fought to preserve this site against outside aggression. A petition was sent in regarding a reduction in rent but to date nothing has been heard except rumours of a rise to 17s Gd. Well, when one looks at 1 lie only amenities we receive here, one fails to see 15s weekly in worth. If you want hot water you pay for it, it you want to wash your clothes you pay again and if you want a shower you pay 3d for the key and a further 3d for hot water, which means 3s or 4s a week to keep oneself clean without clothes and dishes. A “HAPPY” CAMPER. Waikanae Beach.