BELT ROAD CAMP

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1934, Page 9

BELT ROAD CAMP

MANY IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR. ACCOMMODATION EXTENDED. Provision for fully 200 motor camps will be made at Belt Road, New Plymouth, when work at present in progress at the reserve has been completed. Following a progressive policy calculated to make the camp the finest of its kind in New Zealand, the Borough Council has authorised extensive work there this year, which will be completed before the holiday rush begins.

In addition to providing approximately 59 additional sites in the excellent situations for which the reserve is noted, extensive grass-sowing, tire formation of paths and the improvement of 'approaches have been undertaken. The approaches to the railway cutting have been cut back extensively to' provide a clear view of the line from cars entering or leaving the reserve and a wide entrance drive in front of the caretakers cottage has been formed and will be shortly surfaced with cinders.

The old caretaker’s cottage has been moved back and converted into an additional cook-house at which campers will have the convenience of gas rings and other appliances and a new cottage nearer the entrance will be erected. Provision is being made for small flower-beds and shrubberies to give an additional touch of colour to already pleasant surroundings and this year there has been an extensive planting and transplanting of trees and larger shrubs to provide more shelter for the various sites. The sites themselves are made deliberately on an informal plan to avoid the “military precision” which is so unattractive a feature in other motor camps throughout the Dominion, and the campers themselves are given a choice of locations widely varied in outlook. The borough inspector, Mr. R. Day, is keenly interested in every aspect of the camp’s development, having been associated "With the work there since the beginning, nine years ago. It is his ambition to see it even more than it is .at present a strong attraction to motor tourists.

“We want campers who come for the night to like is so well,” he said, speaking to a Daily News reporter yesterday, "that they will say, .‘What about coming back here next year to stay for a fortnight?’” . .... . • • In previous years splendid permanent conveniences have been provided in the way of a shower room, lavatory accommodation, cook-houses and luggage lockers. This year’s work has been devoted mainly to the extension and improvement of sites themselves and the general appearance and convenience of a reserve which should be highly valued by visiting motorists.