MASS MIGRATORY MOVEMENT AS THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27272, 24 December 1949, Page 6

MASS MIGRATORY MOVEMENT AS THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN

With a single-mindedness of purpose which would be commended by any migratory godwit, participants in the annual major transfer of population got under way yesterday. It was the first day of a seasonal removal to the greener fields over the fence—city folk headed for the country for a week or two of happy rustication and relaxation; country people headed for the city to dally awhile among the somewhat emaciated fleshpots of the metropolis. The holidays had started and happy anticipation of the change which is, according to the old axiom, as good as a rest was in the air.

With a perfect summer’s day as a cheering augury of the weather to come, camps were set up in the city and country alike. According to a pilot who flew over Central Otago yesterday, splotches of canvas were a prominent part of the scenery, while a whole tented township had sprung up at Alexandra. There was no need to go far afield to find folk encamped, however, for the Tahuna Park motor camp was starting to fill. By last evening there were some 40 caravan parties in residence and advance bookings indicated that the camp would be full by Monday. For the store at the camp it was a heavy day as the newcomers stocked their larders against the week-end requirements. One party of youthful holidaymakers were dogged with misfortune from the outset. Their vintage vehicle had gone less than a mile when it was realised that one of the back tyres was punctured. Repairs were made, but the second start was even less successful. The old car had to be towed back from Caversham to a city garage to enable belated engine repairs to be made. About three hours after their original departure, the still cheerful party Headed the car southward for the third time. Caravans seen in the city varied from the most primitive of home-made contraptions to elaborate homes on wheels. In the rear window of one large caravan there was a birdcage—-

the family canary was going on holiday, too, and in style. For hardier souls who spurned the ready-made luxury of a caravan, there were always tents, but not many people in this motorised age seemed enthusiastic about the tramping, and living under ex-army “ pup tents,” whicn four young men were facing when they left for the back country of the province yesterday. Those people who had to w r ork until last evening will doubtless be On the move today although many prefer to spend Christmas Day at home and then set off on their holidays. “The best positions in the camping grounds will be gone by now, so why rush? ” asked one man. For hotels in the city, yesterday was a particularly brisk trading day apart from the problems attendant on full accommodation. In the popular holiday resorts, of course, the hotels were filling with the people who had booked months, or even a year or more, ago. A surprising number of younger people are combining work and pleasure by spending their holidays in the Central Otago orchards or, in some instances, working in the resort hotels. Others have gone further afield and answered the appeal for seasonal workers for the hop and tobacco fields in the Nelson district. Wherever they are, and however they may be spending the holidays, there is one thing certain —people are going to make the most of this annual respite from the daily round.