OUT IN THE OPEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18994, 16 April 1925, Page 9

OUT IN THE OPEN.

* A MOTOR CAMPING TOUR. A JOURNEY OF 2900 MILES. BOTH ISLANDS TRAVERSED. A month's camping tour in a motor-car, traversing hotlr tlks North and South Island:;, has been completed by an Auckland party. During their'open-air holiday the members of the party spent only four nights under lliu shelter of a roof, preferring to revel in the minor hardships and inconveniences which the inveterate camper proudly designates " roughing it."

Following the classic precedent of "The Three Men in a Boat," the party was limited to three in number—Mr. and Mrs. Claude. G. Rhodes, of Middlelon Road. Remuera, and Mr. H. J. Vickery, of Tanning*. Mr. Vickery is but a single year short of being 70, yet waxes enthusiastic over every phase of the prolonged trip. The preparations for the journey were of a slightly mora elaborate order than the preliminaries that might, suggest themselves to the average motorist undertaking such a journey. In the first place, the interior arrangements of the ear were altered to turn the rear scat into a convertible sleeper. By a few simple operations it was thus possible to provide an excellent bed, snugly sheltered from the elements by the hood and side-curtains, and luxuriously sprung per medium of the cushion springs. The car's travelling equipment also included a tent, which was taken out and pitched in a few minutes when a stop was made for the night. This was the nightly abode of Mr. Vickery. Selecting the Camping Site.

Camp was pitched each clay about 4 p.m., (ravelling time being so arranged that the dusk of evening should find them at a township of reasonable size. Here the party would purchase what stores were needed, after which thev would retire to the outskirts of the township and select a suitable camping site. Rarely was it necessary to trouble landowners. Usually, there would bo a piece of waste ground, grass-covered and shaded by bush or clumps of pines, which would offer ideal sanctuary on the lee side, free from interference and so secluded as to be quite out of sight of passers-by or neighbours. A clear-running stream, with probably a pool deep and large enough for the morning dip, added the finishing touch to the campers' delight. In such peaceful rural surroundings would the evening meal be prepared. From experience it was discovered that a simple way to make a fireplace was to convert an old benzine tin, by cutting out. two sides and stringing a biJly across, with the aid of a strong piece of wire. Hundreds of these tins, discarded by untidy motorists, lie strewn beside the roads of the Dominion, and though they may not add greatly to the natural beauty of the countryside they will frequently be found of service. to the motor camper. The party noted with some curiosity that the discarded benzine tin was a much more familiar object in the North Island than it was in the South, and they volunteer the opinion that for every tin to be seen on the Southern roadside, at least six may be seen in the North.

Frequently it would be iound most convenient to have the evening meal in the town, after which the party would retire to the camping site for the night. Wellington, Christchurch. Reefton and New Plymouth were the only towns that sheltered the party for a single night. The Koute Taken..

The course followed was via Hamilton, Te Kuiti. tho Waitomo Caves, Taranaki and Wellington.. From Wellington the car was shipped to Ficton and a course taken via Blenheim and the Kaikouras to Christchurch. Then, proceeding South through Oamaru and Timaru, the party eventually reached Bluff. The retain journey was made back to Christchurch and thence to the West Coast via tlie Otira Tunnel. This is considered ;t far better wav than crossing the Alps, via tho old Arthur's Pass Road, which is not kept in good repair since the tunnel was completed. The cur was put on the electric train at Sheffield and i;:ken 20 miles' to the other side of the tunnel, There the road journey was resumed to Hokitika, Grevmouth. Reefton. Nelson and Picton. From there the car was sent bv boat to Wellington and the northern route taken through Masterton, Napier, and on to Taupo. From there the road was followed through Atiamuri and Putaruru to Hamilton, and so home via the llangiriris. The entire distance covered was miles, and the car travelled 1666 files before encountering a puncture. Fine weather was experienced during almost the whole of the trip. "It was worth it—every minute of it, said Mr. Vickery on his return. "tiut y<o have to be pretty tough for that sort of thing at mv age."