The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1928. THAT BEACH CAMPING SITE!

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10474, 3 January 1928, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1928. THAT BEACH CAMPING SITE!

The note of complaint voiced by a visiting motorist camper in connection with the facilities available at Waikanae Beach is being resented by officials of the Automobile Association and of the-"Waikanae Beach Society. If Mr Lancaster intended to indulge only in destructive criticism, it could be held that, he was rather hasty. But he says that his aim is to help in making the town more attractive to Motorists from outside districts who take to the open road and favor the open spaces at the places which they visit in ihe course of a holiday jaunt. It so happens, of course, that JJr Lancaster was, formerly, a- resident of this. town, and, naturally, lfis criticism is not being taken altogether in a friendly manner, it Icing held that he failed to give due consideration to the fact that the setting aside of camping sites- for visiting motorists is an innovation here and insufficient time has elapsed to enable as much to be done as is desirable to promote the welfare of those it is wished to assist. Without question, there is a good deal in some of the . suggestions which Mr Lancaster ;puts forward and it can be taken for granted that they will receive attention in due course. It does not. seem, however, that there- is much in some, of his complaints. As ' a case- in point, Mr Lancaster appears to object to even a small charge y, being* made for the use of the . camping site. This particular* complaint is, plainly unreasonable, in view of the number of facilities,; inadequate as they may at present he,.-afforded, whether they " be availed jut a whole or not-, .i If a- caretaker requires to be ; provider! - in connection with tli© camping site—and > this, according, to MrLancaster should lie done—-the imposition of a higher levy would, assuredly, be justified. His minor complaints can, we think, he passed over meantime. There iS,. however, matt&r at least ill his catalogue', of complaints that is .ofconsiderable importance. We refer to His claim that the camp site is too small ; that it is subject to lleijig trespassed ou by the general public;

and that there is a lack of privacy. The authorities should &tudy the mat. ter of these alleged defects' deeply, because, if they are allowed to persist, the value of the camping sifco will be seriously affected. Unquestionably, Waikanae Reach is one of the greatest assets the town arid district possesses and, to-day, it is but partially developed, despite the great improvements that, thanks to tho public-spiritedness of a section of its residents, have been effected. In all the circumstances it is, of course, unreasonable for anybody to complain unduly on the score, that the facilities for visiting motorists are not, ..as yet, eqrial to those provided in. other centres where the system has become properly established.