MOTOR CAMPING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 21, 22 December 1937, Page 8

MOTOR CAMPING

VISITORS TO THE CITY. TRAILERS AND CARAVANS. With the schools closed and the Christmas holidays at hand, motor campers are now visiting the campsite at the Esplanade in fairly regular numbers, and on most nights there are six or eight parties there. As Palmerston North stands at the junction of several main routes, the visitors come from many directions and their destinations vary widely, but jt has been noticeable that there have been _ several South Island families staying at the camp, breaking their journey before pushing northward. In the main the South Island travellers have aimed at crossing the Straits and being well on their way in the North Island before the rush sets in. Principally, the campers are using tents, but the home-made caravan or trailer is more in evidence this j'ear than in former times. The de luxe trailers are not seen often at the camp sites, for they are equipped with everything the traveller requires in the way of cooking facilities, storage for food, and such matters. Being independent in that way of the usual camp sites, the best trailers require only a satisfactory place lor parking, which is reasonably near fresh water. Two young women recently stayed at the camp site, being on their way from Wellington to distant Tauranga. Each was carrying a pack which would be a full-sized load for a grown man at the end of the day, but it is very improbable that they would refuse any offer of assistance from motorists. Tentative inquiries as to the facilities at the camp-site have been received from two cricket teams. In a few instances the campers favour making bookings of sites, but as there is ample room in the grounds the value of such a procedure is not as great in respect of this centre as at some others. PLANTATIONS GROWING. Though the camp site is now somewhat exposed owing to the effect of the hurricane of February, 1936, which swept away the large shelter trees, the new plantations are growing steadily, and in a relatively short time should provide considerable improvement. On the other hand the facilities for cooking and the dining accommodation are as good as'those at any other camp, and there is the added attraction of a hot water service. Swimming may be enjoyed, both by adults and children, about halfway along the Esplanade, the former pool below the camp site now having silted up. So far this season the weather has been quite favourable for motor camping tours, and if the fine days continue a heavy influx of visitors is expected for Christmas Eve, that day usually providing the greatest number. Last year, it will be remembered, was an exceptionally poor ope for motor camping. Even so, there were numbers who set out, hopeful that they would leave the rain in their home district —only to find more elsewhere.