CAMPING GROUNDS POPULAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27274, 28 December 1949, Page 3

CAMPING GROUNDS POPULAR

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

High Tributes Paid By Motorists Fine weather, broken at periods by rain, was experienced in Oamaru over the holidays, and except for one or two heavy thunder showers, conditions have been pleasant for camping. Yesterday morning the Daily Times paid a visit to the North Otago Automobile Association’s camping ground in the Oamaru Public Gardens where a happy crowd of over 200 campers was enjoying the warmth and picturesque surroundings. The ground was comfortably filled with caravans and tents of all sizes, and without exception those approached by the reporter spoke highly of the excellence of the camp.

The busiest period of the holidays was on Christmas night, the caretaker, Mr Burgess, said, when there were between 60 and 70 caravans and tents, accommodating over 300 people. Visitors to the camp included motorists from the north of Auckland, while holiday-makers from all parts of the South Island were included. Campers were coming and going all the time, he said, many arriving late at night. Speaking of the various modes of transport, Mr Burgess said that not so many old cars had visited the camp this year as in previous years, but a good many cyclists and trampers had spent periods at the camp. Several parties, he said, had arrived on tandems, and one such party had a third member on a motor cycle who to'wed those on the tandem over the hiUs.

The recently completed new area for tents had been well patronised, he said Speaking of the future destinaUons of those who had stayed at the camp, Mr Burgess said that the majority of the visitors from the north were making for the lakes. " This is an ideal situation and could not be improved upon,” said one traveller from Dunedin. “ Everything is so handy.” Pointing to the west end of the ground, the camper said that amenities for those who camped at that end of the ground would be an improvement; but he was assured that it was the intention of the association to overcome this deficiency. The canteen, he said, was an asset, but it could be enlarged, especially'during the holidays, when the shops in Oamaru were closed. " This is one of the best camps I have been in,” said another Dunedin camper. “ I have travelled extensively and few can compare with Oamaru with its wide open spaces for the children to play on, and tile tennis courts, Gardens, and town so handy.” Tributes to the attention given by the caretaker and his wife, Mr and Mrs Burgess, were paid by several of the campers. " Both are obliging in every way,” said one camper. “ They do all they can to make our stay pleasant,” said another. “ This is the third time I have been here and we are of the opinion that this is the best little ground we have camped in,” said a Milton motorist. "In fact, we like it so much that we are talking about coming back again next year.” , The grass was neatly cut and the trees were trimmed back to allow the maximum of sunshine on the area, and when the Daily Times representative left, campers were busily preparing their mid-day meal in the sunshine.