THE ORETI BEACH

Southland Times, Issue 20172, 7 May 1927, Page 10

THE ORETI BEACH

“IT COMES INTO ITS OWN.” (By J.A.R.) Last Saturday was a glorious day, and, as it drew towards afternoon, a warm sun poured from the Heavens, and, calm and serene, the South Pacific Ocean lapped the Oreti Beach placidly, and seemingly observant of what was expected of them, the waves gradually receded, leaving a wide stretch of beach glistening in the sunlight and ready to provide thrills for the expectant multitude. And why should there be an expectant multitude? Simply because on this wonderful day there was to be initiated the first of the Motor Speed Races which had proved such an attraction oa other beaches in the Dominion and whose attractiveness had been evidenced not only in New Zealand, but in many other parts of the world. Although our beach had not previously been tried out, there were those who had no doubt of its suitability for the sport, and their trust was amply fulfilled. Long before the start of the Motor Gymkhana cars from all quarters of Southland were wending their way to the vicinity of the beach, loaded with happy half-holiday-makers, intent on seeing the fun and enjoying the sunshine and the sea. What did it matter if the latter part of the road was not in holiday garb? It wasn’t, and no one can say it was. What a pity a little more enthusiasm has not been put into the formation of the Beach Road. It would not require much to be done to it, but seeing we have this glorious beach to roam over, and enjoy, surely some one will arise, who, by his energy, will infect others with the germ and get the road put into such order as will entice the thousands to use it who are now beginning to realise that Invercargill and Southland have, in the Oreti Beach, a marine parade second to none and capable of affording enjoyment to all, and especially to the children. What a procession of cars! Big cars, little cars, rich man’s cars, poor man’s cars—what matter if they were not all paid for! Finance did not worry this beauteous afternoon. Dull care was forgotten, and anyhow P.N’s. were only made to be renewed, or at any rate Old Sol’s smile seemed to say there would be no difficulty in arranging. What a wonderful effect sunshine has on the temperament of man. Everything seems brighter under sunny conditions and the mental barometer rises rapidly under conditions such as those prevailing on Saturday afternoon. I am told there were about 1,900 cars on the beach, and, if so, there was about half a million of Southland’s capital scattered about the beach, sand dunes and approaches. A goodly sum, my masters, and not indicative of hard times. The crowd of several thousands was a most orderly one, and obeyed the injunction to keep off the beach splendidly. And, what of the races? Well, they were thrilling, although the handicapping may have been a bit out. But what could one expect. It was a first attempt, and even as Rome was not built in a day neither could effective handicapping be expected at this, the first attempt. Better will be done next time, so why worry! I had thought of getting a seat in a racing car, but am glad I did not. I might have left the car at one of the turnings and been propelled

to that bourne whence no traveller returns. I had no ticket for that bourne and no desire to make a rapid transit from this mundane sphere, so 1 stayed on the beach and saw motor-cars and motor-cycles skimming along at 80 and 90 miles an hour. What a thrill! Splendid driving and riding, but a humbler speed will do me. And then the departure for home. As the sun dipped in the West, the hundreds of cars began to wend their way homewards, and it speaks volumes for the care of the hundreds of drivers that in orderly line they left—hundred by hundred—and did not indulge in racing on the road home. There was a line of cars from the breweries to the beach, but I want it understood the cars did not draw up at the breweries, but turned the corner without stopping. Altogether a great day and one long to be remembered. Our beach has scored and has come into its own. Right at our doors is a strand surpassed by few in this Dominion, whereon thousands can disport themselves in comfort and with quite unusual facilities for safe bathing. In the blue distance lies Rakiura, the island of many attractions, and between stretches of Foveaux Straits through which many a thousand time the interpid mariners of the early days —of the square-rigged and windjammer days, now, alas! a thing of the past, for their ships were picturesque in the extreme —have threshed their way, or with flowing sail have steered their course. A glorious panorama of sea and landscape can be had from this same beach, and, as on Saturday, the sun dipped towards the rim and the shadows lengthened, one and all felt satisfied with their outing, delighted with their provincial asset, and ready tn assert that the Motor Association and those responsible for the afternoon’s sport were right good fellows, with a right good beach whereon to hold their sports, and deserving of the right good thanks of the happy and delighted thousands who had at last realised Invercargill had indeed somewhere to go where pure and unadulterated pleasure could be had, where the tired daddy could rest his brain and renew his bodily tissue, the mother, with her many cares, could leave them all behind, where the children could gambol to their hearts’ content, and where the lover and his lass could feel that life presented many roseate hues outlined in the sunlit path stretching over the placid ocean.