CAMPING GROUND AT QUEENSTOWN

Southland Times, Issue 24356, 10 February 1941, Page 4

CAMPING GROUND AT QUEENSTOWN

COUNCIL DISCUSSES COMPLAINTS A petition signed by 180 campers who used the Queenstown Borough camping ground during the Christmas holidays protesting against what was termed the disgusting sanitary conditions was discussed by the Borough Council at its meeting. The petition stated that extremely primitive conditions prevailed. Many of the campers had camped in grounds all over the Dominion and they had never met with such crude conveniences. It was stated that any money spent would be amply repaid by an increased number of satisfied patrons. The Mayor said that the terms of the petition were grossly exaggerated. He had made it his business to go round the camp during the season and he had never heard a single complaint. He had asked some elderly women if they had found any fault with the conveniences and they expressed themselves as being quite satisfied. The wife of one of the principal agitators even admitted to him that she had no complaints. Mr A. E. Ansell, a former Member of Parliament, was asked by the president of the Automobile Association to investigate the alleged conditions. He (Mr Ansell) came to see him and he advised him to go over the camping area. He did so and his investigations proved that the complaints were exaggerated. Dr McKibbin, Medical Officer of Health, before being interviewed on the subject, asked the Mayoi- for his comments and he replied in terms already stated. The Mayoi- mentioned that if the camp was in an untidy state it was entirely due to the campers themselves. Mr Jenner, health inspector, who visited fhe grounds only observed that the pits in the Mackenzie camping ground were not deep enough. The Mayor stated that the sum of £260 in camping fees had been received to date from both camping grounds and of this sum £99 odd had been spent on the ground and caretaker’s wages. A deposit of £79 had already been paid on the purchase of the Mackenzie camping ground, so (hat there was not at present sufficient funds to meet the annual payment of £l5O for the property. It would cost between £7OO and £BOO to instal drainage on both grounds and he, therefore, did not think it expedient at present to embark on such an expenditure. He was of the opinion that the council must concentrate on the Mackenzie camping ground. VISIT TO GROUND Cr Fix said he visited the camping ground once or twice during the busy period and he found the camp clean. Some untidiness existed in the lavatories because of paper lying round. He spoke to one man and his only complaint was the smell of disinfectant. There were really few camps that were better than the Queenstown camps. He was of the opinion that when the petition went round many signed it without knowing its wording. Cr Scheib said that campers must not expect “Grand Hotel” facilities on a camping ground. He was of the opinion that only a very small number of those who signed the petition were dissatisfied. The public appeared to think that the council was making money out of the grounds. This was not so. The sum of £9O had been spent in levelling and grassing the ground last year and this year the camping fees were down and were insufficient to meet the expenditure and capital outlay. He did not think they should take notice of a few signatories.

Cr Scheib admitted that there was room for improvements and the council intended to carry these out, but it was beyond their means to put flushdowns in at present. He maintained that the council had the welfare of campers at heart. He thought that the council should ask the caretaker to make it his duty to keep everything clean and report irregularities. Cr G. A. Herbert said he had made it his business to inspect the conveniences and from what he observed there could be no serious complaints. New drums were required in some cases. Cr Gauntlett Curtis said from what he knew campers generally were satisfied. He informed the council that it was not apparently receiving all the revenue it should from the campers. He knew of several cases where campers had not paid their fees and this should be investigated. The town clerk said that this was possible if anyone wished to evade paying as there was more than one entrance to the camp.

CAMPERS SCATTERED Cr Mclnnes said that as far as he could gather there was little to take exception to. More rubbish receptacles might be required, but he was of the opinion that if campers did not keep their allotments clean they should not make complaints to the council. He thought that the camping ground was too scattered and that campers should be brought closer together. The Mayor said that they were all agreed that good camping facilities were necessary, but some people were unreasonable. One man told him that one third of the money raised for the drainage scheme should have been spent on the camping ground. This meant that only two thirds of the town would have received the benefit of drainage. The ratepayers who had paid for the loan should surely have first consideration, in preference to those who only spend a few nights in the town. Campers must not expect “Grand Hotel” conditions.

A long report from Mr Jenner, Inspector of Health, was read, covering suggestions for essential improvements to the sanitary arrangements on both grounds. Mr Jenner’s remarks were largely confined to the practicability of converting the cottage in Mackenzie ground into ablution rooms for both sexes. He also recommended that the council confine its attention to the Mackenzie ground and that the Domain and old camping ground be only used as an overflow camp. There was ample room in the Mackenzie ground for the Easter period. Mr Jenner said he would be pleased to visit the camping ground and discuss matters with the council.

The Mayor then read a letter of commendation of the Mackenzie camping ground and its caretaker. It was decided that as many of the councillors as possible accompany Mr Jenner when he visits the grounds and that authority be given to spefid up to £75 of borough revenue on improvements on this area.