MOTORIST’S WAIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 9

MOTORIST’S WAIL.

GRIEVANC'ES OVER CAMPING !■ , i. SITE. ; .. .

NO RESPONSIBLE PERSON TO WELCOME VISITORS »

CARETAKER SHOULD MIND CAMP ALL DAY.

The' Auckland Automobile Association’s motorists’ camping site, on Waikanae beach, is a popular rendezvous for motor tourists during / the holidays, but there are certain aspects with which Air. F. T. Lancaster, an erstwhile Gjsborneite, how of Hastings, who has pitched tent there during the vacation, does not-entire-ly agree, , . < ' , v Mi*. " Lancaster related his complaint at some length to a Times representative yesterday. Before coming here he inquired of the Town Clerk as to the far ilities for camping and was informed that the sites were Waikanae,, bench, “v'here all convent, ences were provided”.; Victoria Domain where there was water and sanitary conveniences; and the Douglas Lysnar Park, Waimii. On arrival at the beach Mr. Lancaster hectares he inquired of * the Tearoom lessee what arrangements were made for campers, and was informed that to his knowledge there were none. After pitching camp MV. Lancaster had to.buy hot water, and in the mofning lit a tire loprepare breakfast and he claims the tearoom fessee objected to his so doing on the ground that he had sole right of supplying boiling water, on the beach. There were no facilities for women to wash in private—only a tap near the camping site, wjiieh was in full view of the public. Mr. Lancaster said neither were there any arrangements for the gear of campers to he watched bV a caretaker during the visitors’ absence; He asserted also thathe and other campers were compelled to leave all their belongings in the’ tents and were thus at the mercy and honesty of the public at large. As illustrating the need of a caretaker for the camping site, he pointed out that the spare wheel of his car had been removed and lelt lying down behind the. ear, probably by someone who hoped to remove it after nightfall. Another grievance of Mr. Lancaster’s was that there was no responsible person present to welcome the visiting motorists, and direct them to the sites; allotted, and no signposts to direct them to the camping ' ground, beyond those at the corner of . Grey street. He thought- there should be direction posts' at various intervals up Gladstone Road, illustrating this bv the fact that an Auckland motorist. had been unable to find his way and came on the site by accident; He complained also that the general public picnicking on the bench were trespassing on the space allotted to ebmpers; some .10 of whom, he claimed, had turned away because they were unable to find space to pitch their camps.' He himself bad had to welcome a number of campers, introducing himself and assisting them in finding a site to pitch camp. Mr. Lancaster further to have approached Mr. A. J. Nicol, chairman of the Waikanae Beach Society', with a • view to discussion on the camping site facilities and, although the former promised to see him, he' failed to do so.. Campers were being charged 2s 6d.a day for the use of the site, said Mr. Lancaster, who said he had the names of seven campers who bad been charged that rate. He added that he had interviewed Mr H. El. Mill' regarding the facilities the latter -being astonished. when infortned of the position. He was informed that the Waikanae Beach Society have held a special meeting the previous evening and fixed a charge at"2s 6d daily for the first two days, and then Is'per day for. the next five days. Mr ban caster. however, admitted he had not paid anything for the use of the site as vet. " He added he had viewed the Victoria Domain as a camping site. The facilities there were the same as used when it was the old Rugby ground. There was. a number ot draught horses running loose so' that camping there with children was im--11 A comparison with the facilities granted motor tourists in Hastings and. Wellington was. given by Mr. Lancaster as illustrating the differing treatment of campers. In Beatson Park, Hastings, he said, there was every convenience including not and cold baths, enclosed conveniences ensuring privacy for washing, anc. also sinks and draining racks foi washing up dishes. Hot water was provided and a caretaker was present to keep an eve- on campers’ gear dnr • ing their absence, tbe _ total chaigc for the whole service, being .7/6 weekly 'At Lvall Bay. Wellington, which be visited last Xmas, he;.was welcomed on. arrival by a person whom he had never seen before, and hot water'was supplied in the pavilion to campers free ot charge, whilst in addition, there was every’ facility to make ’motor camping life enjoyable. Motorists on tour, said Mi. Lancaster, naturally spend a ponsiderabie sum in any town which they visit, and on returning to t henhomes discuss the merits and demerits of a camping .Rite, and his criticism was designed to help losborne. • f - ’ -

A \_ \ CHAIRMAN'S REPLY TO CRITICISM.

OTHER VISITING MOTORISTS .EULOGISE SITK.

COMPLAINT' SHOULD lIA VF, BEEN MA.DF; TO SECRETARY.

The complaint by Mr Lancasterwas referred to the chiUriTMin oi the local 'executive ofthe Auckland Automobile Association, Mr F. I'olcrton, and considerable surprise was expressed at the visitor s criticism. in the first place, stated Mr Tolerton it is just over eighteen months/ since considerable trouble was taken by local- enthusiasts to have an association formed, and this was eventually done, as a branch ol the Auckland Automobile Association. Naturally, in forming an association of this kindi, considerable spadework was required in. the shape of erectin* sign-posts, obtaining road-maps, etc for the guidance and assistance of members of the assocation and tourin* motorists generally. Some time ago the local .executive approached the Borough Conned with at vicwi to getting a suitable site with the necessary facilities lor camping. 'This tva’S. 'considered very nedessarv in .the interests of Gisborne. The next development was a move by the, executive of the, « kanae Beach Society, which, kindly offered to the Association the use ol their at the beach where, as the “public, of Poverty Bay realise, more than average facilities are pro.vided in the way of shelter's, lavatoriesy’ ;liot water, etc. 1 n case oi an overflow attendance, '. arrangements were also made for the use of adjoining grounds, “it- was fully .realised"”: said Mr Toler ton, “that we had , not yet facilities for hot baths-or for drying children's clothes, hut the Executive- hoped, with the co-opera-. tion of all* local motorists,, to provide these and other requirements before next summer. “While riot'in a position, owing to the absence of the chairman of the Beach Society, to refute, .the, statemerit that .trie campers have . been chdrgCd 2s a day rental,” went on ■ Mr. Tolerton. “this and other matters will be carefully gone into by , the local branch of the A.A. A. As-•.-.suming' that the charge of 2s 6d n v

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day has been made, we do not think many families would quibble over the rate, considering the facilities provided.

“We regret,” said Air Toierton, in conclusion, “that Mr Lancaster, who. we presume, is at least a member ot some automobile association, should have .rushed into' print instead ol taking tbe sporting course, which would appeal to most motorists, ol placing the complaint, before the local secretary- who,, at all times, is only too willing to give any advice or information. Many pleasing, expressions have been received, during the' past ton days, from .motorists from as far north as Northern Wniroa and Auckland, appreciative of the suit-’ ability of the site. We can only assure Mr Lancaster and the other motorists who did not appreciate our camping site, that everything possible wall be done in an endeavor to gain their goodwill should they favor our town with another visit later.” .

SCHEME MERELY IN ITS INOEP- . TION STAGE. “STATEMENTS VERY UNFAIR” Mr H. E. Hill, a member of the Waiknnnc Beach Society, to whom the complaints were referred in the absence of the chairman,' Mr A. 3Nieol. said ho considered the statements of Mr Lancaster* at the present juncture,' very unfair, because motor camping here had been inaugurated only a few weeks ago, anil was merely in its. inception stages. Even if Mr Lancaster compared motor camping conveniences throughout the rest of New Zealand, Mr Hill was or opinion that lie could not find better facilities than on Waikanae beach' under the circumstances. “I consider he is most unkind, in his eriti’eism,” said Mr Hill, '‘especially seeing that Air Lancaster was a resident here for many years, and must know the- various little difficulties which the Waikanae Beach Society has had to encounter, and not being .1 money>ed institution it lias to depend on the goodwill of the public.” v Mr Hill added that in Mr Nicol the-Society had one of 'ho nest and most energetic •hairmen since its inception. Mi* Nicol had devoted endless time to beach affairs'; much nuno .than the general public vas a-vare. and.the .speaker had.no doubt that before long considerable alterations would be made.

GRIEVANCE . OVER THE CAM 1’ FIRE. TEA-ROOM LESSEE’S EXPLANA- ; .- TION.

•Mr Mrirlor, lessee of the tearoom, stated that Mr Lancaster was the. . only camper w.ho • had Complained. The speaker said he objected to Mr Lancaster lighting a blazing open-fire and allowing every Tom. Dick and Harry to boil Water on .it. He had tfie sole right- of supplying water on the beach under contract:, with the Society, and by allowing Mr Lancaster to have a fire biirnirig all day would, deplete his takings and, would he breaking his contract. He therefore requested Air Lancaster to enclose his fire in a'kerosene tin,-which was done,,: and the speaker Was quite satisfied • to allow 'him to ' cook and boij water. M.r Lav.dor said that so far as hi*, knew, the visiting; campers had the use of the bathing sheds free, also the tennis courts- whilst there were no plriyers who were paying,,.y ' ?i