HOLIDAY CAMP TO ACCOMMODATE 700 PEOPLE IS PLANNED FOR GISBORNE BY 30,000 CLUB

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22588, 17 March 1948, Page 4

HOLIDAY CAMP TO ACCOMMODATE 700 PEOPLE IS PLANNED FOR GISBORNE BY 30,000 CLUB

The establishment of a community holiday camp in Gisborne on the lines of those most popular in England, one with several unusual features and the equal of anything' of the kind in Australia and New Zealand is envisaged by the Gisborne Thirty-Thousand Club.

FOR some years the Gisborne Thirty Thousand Club has realised the inadequacy of the hotel accommodation in Gisborne available to visitors during the holiday season. Every summer it is no exaggeration to say that many hundreds of people are unable to avail themselves of our sunshine and sea bathing. .Gisborne’s popularity as a holiday resort is widespread throughout the Dominon and it is to cater for the increasing desire to enjoy Gisborne's natural advantages that the Gisborne Thirty-Thousand Club has been planning the establishment of a holiday camp on the lines of those most popular in England. A special sub-committee under the chairmanship of Mr. F. W. Nolan has been working on plans submitted by its architect, Mr. Kingwell Malcolm, Napier, and a tentative lay-out plan has been adopted. From this a model has been constructed and the accompanying illustration is from a photograph of it. 176 Comfortable Cabins The camp is designed to accommodate approximately 700 people. There are 176 cabins, which will be fitted out very much on the lines of a ship’s cabin, the largest type measuring 12ft. by 10ft. At the end of each block are more than ample ablutions and conveniences for both men and women. Hot and cold water will be laid to the showers and hand-basins, and provision is made to enable guests to wash small articles of clothing. The community block consist of a dining hall by 60ft., a lounge 30ft. by 30ft., the card room 6r writing rooms, offices, kitchens, tea rooms and shop. The dining hall will be so arranged that it can be used for dances,

pictures or other forms of entertainment. The kitchen will contain the most modern cooking appliances capable of providing expeditiously for the large population the camp is designed to hold. Meals will be served on the cafeteria system, on lines adopted in the large vAir Force transit camps in England and elsewhere during the Secohd World War. Concrete will be the principal material used in the construction, but it is realised that building operations must wait for a few years yet. Unless the cost of living increases abnormally it is estimated that a tariff of 10/- per day per person will be possible and so bring the camp within reach of everyone. TOURIST TRAFFIC

Discussing the project today with a Herald representative, the secretary of the Gisborne Thirty-Thousand Club, Mr. Sr.an Bree. stated that one of the advantages of this type of camp—and it was the first of its kind so far attempted in New Zealand—was that the women of a family would be freed from the drudgery of cooking meals under conditions that were, to say the least, far from convenient and the worry of providing and keeping perishable foods during the hot weather in a camp. “In effect, they will be able to enjoy a holiday and a rest with other members of the family and so gain the maximum benefit from it,” he added. Support of Business Houses “It is estimated,” said Mr. Bree, “that this camp when established will bring to Gisborne a tourist traffic worth £20.0C0 during the holiday seasan alone.

“As this money will flow into the pockets of the business community, the club takes the view that its efforts to popularise the town should receive greater support from the business houses. \'ery few of..which at present subscribe anything towards its efforts. This, of course, is a matter that should be remedied immediately, if only on the score of self-interest. “The club’s plans are undoubtedly ambitious, but they are sound and deserve the support of the whole community.” The establishment of such a camp, he pointed out, was only the beginning of a plan for the development and beautification of the whole of the waterfront, including the extension of the Centennial Marine drive for another three miles. “It is very obvious,” Mr. Bree said, “that the club cannot do all this without financial assistance and this problem resolves itself into the question: Do the people want it? and are they prepared to invest money in amenities that will pay big dividends?” The cost of the camp is estimated at £50,000, but of this amount £IO,OOO is all that has to be found locally. Drive for Members “To enable it to continue its work, the club must have funds,” Mr. Bree continued. “The postponement of its carnival, due to the infantile paralysis epidemic, has made it imperative for the club to seek other means of obtaining the finance it needs. Therefore, it has been decided to institute a drive for members and it is hoped that all who sympathise with the club’s efforts to improve the town’s natural advantages will not hesitate to give their aid. in a practical manner. It is in their own interests to do so.”