CAMPING MARRED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 10

CAMPING MARRED

DAMP EQUIPMENT SOME PEOPLE RETURN HOME MANY BRAVE THE ELEMENTS Although hundreds of campers in Auckland and at adjacent beaches were faced with a bleak holiday yesterday, there were few cases of campers being flooded out. Owing to tho fact that most of the camps are in sheltered positions the chief discomfort was a general dampness which affected clothing, bedding and camp equipment. Members oii the 18th Anti-aircraft Battery, who were under canvas at Muriwai, were forced to evacuate their quarters on Sunday night, when a marquee and tents were blown down. They made temporary quarters in the local school and in a woolshed. Sheltered by tho trees bordering tho property, the campers at tho municipal ground at Western Springs were littlo affected by the rain, although some on the low-lying ground had to dig drains round their tents to take away water. There were 82 parties camped there on Sunday night and while many broke camp yesterday, most of them did so according to schedule. Only a few were driven away by the weather. A few camping parties arrived at Western Springs yesterday afternoon and tho tents and caravans numbered 55 last evening. As the property is well drained there was no wator lying on the surface. Most of the travellers wore confined to their tents and caravans in the morning, but several set out to explore the city in the afternoon, while others attended tho race meeting at Ellerslie. Those who had pitched camp on tho more exposed parts of eastern beaches did not fare so well as those at Western Springs and there was a general exodus. Unpleasant conditions spoiled the holiday for somo of tho campers on the lower level at Milford, while others were similarly affected at Brown's Bay. Th.ere was a fairly strong breeze at Brown's Bay, a launch and yacht being blown from their moorings. They were hauled up on the beach later in the day. EFFECT UPON FRUIT SOME LIKELY TO SUFFER BENEFIT TO OTHER KINDS AUCKLAND GROWERS' CROPS According to their interests, fruitgrowers in districts near Auckland regarded the heavy rain yesterday either as a potential cause of heavy loss or as a welcome change from recent dry weather. Growers of nectarines, which are almost ready for marketing, and orchardists who have crops of late peaches near maturity v expressed concern at the prospect of brown rot developing, but those relying on lemons, oranges and apples were jubilant at the immediate improvement in the condition of their trees.

"It is possible that brown rot will cause severe damage to nectarines, which are vory nearly ready," a prominent grower said. "Precautions have been taken, and that may prove effective, particularly generous spraying, but there is a prospect that brown rot will show itself to-morrow. Many growers, seeing the storm coming at the week-end, worked hard to pick all the fruit ready, and tL.ts will be marketed to-morrow."

Less anxiety was expressed concerning peaches. It was explained that brown rot attacked mostly fruit nearing maturity. Of the two varieties remaining on the trees, one was not particularly prone to be affected by the disease and the other was not quite far enough advanced to suffer very badly. It was hoped that persistent spraying might save both varieties, although a proportion might be lost. Citrus growers were frankly jubilant, and orchardists hoping for large apple crops were also delighted with the thorough soaking tho ground had received. They said that the rain was worth pounds to them, as the trees had been looking parched for lack of moisture. The rain will do a world of good to lemons, oranges and apples," one grower said. "It is an absolute godBend. The trees were looking particularly miserable right up to the weekend, and now they are altogether different. Doad leaves have been stripped from them and the trees have taken a new lease of life." Suburban householders also welcomed the rain. For some weeks they had been concerned with tho deterioration in their lawns and gardens. The downpour gave an assurance of brighter blooms and better vegetables. SPRAY OVER WHARVES HULK IN COLLISION BUFFETED AT MOORINGS The spectacle of seas breaking within the comparatively sheltered waters of the harbour indicated the strength of tlio easterly gale which lashed Auckland yesterday. When the tide was full in tho afternoon spray was breaking over tho ends of the wharves, and ferry steamers, smothered in spume and tossed in a beam sea, maintained the normal time-table with difficulty. When swinging at their moorings off Shoal Bay, the Union Company's hulk Flora and the Northern Company's former passenger steamer Ngapuhi collided. In response to a signal from the watchman cn the Flora, a launch put out to the hulk, but it was found that the damage was not serious. During the morning tho launch Hilda was forced to drop anchor off Narrow Neck as a result of engine trouble, and for some time she had to lie in a position that might have become dangerous. The Harbour Board pilot launch Waitomata was sent to her assistance and tho Hilda was brought to a city wharf.