BRIGHTON DOMAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26077, 14 February 1946, Page 8

BRIGHTON DOMAIN

PROPOSED CAMPING GROUND EFFORTS TO OBTAIN SITE The efforts made by the Brighton Domain Board to obtain a suitable camping site in the. district for the use of motorists were detailed to a Daily Times reporter yesterday by Mr W. J. Bell, chairman of the board. He said that some' years ago the board had seen the need for a camping site, and had decided that a small portion of the domain on the.south-west end, and on which were several sand hills covered with lupins, would make an excellent camping ground if it were cleared and levelled. After consulting with the Automobile Association iOtago), the board communicated with the Minister of Marine and was refused permission. Since then, Mr Bell said, there had been frequent requests by motorists for a camping site, and several campers had used the roadside and the township reserve, much to the displeasure of residents. . Following a further request by the Automobile Association, and with the approval of the interested residents, the board again communicated with the Minister, pointing out the necessity that existed and also the suitability of this little-used area. The board, however, had been advised that by taking this small portion off the area of 11 acres, it would deprive the public of a privilege. The Minister suggested that an area on the beach road, about a mile south of the domain, would be approved, said Mr Bell, but this would cost a good deal of money, which the board could not find, and from a motorist’s standpoint would be quite unsatisfactory. Mr Bell said that the board had allowed one or two motorists to camp on the domain, but the Marine Department had now informed if that the practice must be stopped immediately. In reply to a query raised at.a meeting of the Automobile Association in regard to the disposal of funds collected from motorists for access to the domain parking area, Mr Bell said that very little revenue came from thie source during the war. A caretaker and secretary had to be paid, and as new tanks and conveniences had to be installed the whole of the board’s resources had been utilised. A return of income and expenditure was presented to the auditor-general every year.