SUMNER BY THE SEA FOR IDEAL HOLIDAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

SUMNER BY THE SEA FOR IDEAL HOLIDAY.

No place in the Dominion presents such a delightful combination of all those characteristics that go to mak* up the ideal seaside resort as does Sumner. Nestling between wonderful hills it lies facing the sun and the sea, healthy and happy. Distant seven miles from the city, of Christchurch, and connected by oni of the best roads in Canterbury, Sum* ner is the Mecca of thousands seeking a breath of pure ozone, a plunge in the surf, or a bask on the sand. To those who love the hills is provided some of the finest walks in New Zealand ans the views are magnificent. , The bathing area is one of the best, a mile of even, hard sand providing one of the safest stretches of beach to M found in the whole Dominion. Ihe estuary formed by the junction of tne Avon and Heathcote Rivers is ideal lor boating, and rowing, yachting ana power boat clubs are housed at convenient spots along the foreshore. Lite* saving facilities are not lacking, the Sumner branch of the Royal Life Saving Society possessing in its spacious pavilion and in the personnel and efti- ; ciency of its members a utility unit of immense value to the community. For the golfer the Richmond Hill Club possesses one of the most picturesque links in the South Island, ana 1 the Bowling Club has possibly the most ' charmingly situated green of any club 1 in or around Christchurch. Tennis is 1 well catered for, there being seven > public courts. Cricket, Association and ’ Rugby football, hockey, basketball and ' croquet all have their clubs and playing E areas of their own. The entrance fees to all clubs are very reasonable indeed. The name of the Sumner Fresh Air * District High School is famous throughr out Canterbury, it being the first school in the province to adopt the system •• of fresh air and sunshine as the fundar mentals of school life. Here every child ‘ enjoys to the full the benefit of all that 1 nature can bestow in that direction, * together with surf bathing as part of r the curriculum. ?• Sumner also possesses the only l * school in the Dominion for the tuition 3 of the deaf. This school and ground# I’ cover an area of 25 acres, with accoml' modation for 100 boarders and 120 day scholars. The pupils comprise those 1 born deaf, or who become deaf in early e life, those whose hearing is so defective as to prevent their being educated at a r » primary school, and those who have s become deaf after having acquired * speech. The system is the purely oral s method and is highly effective. The J school has a staff of twelve, and is h under the care of the Director of Education.

The churches comprise All Saints, Anglican, St Paul’s, Methodist, Presbyterial Church and Salvation Army Citadel. The tram service to and from the city is cheap and efficient. A visit to this charming borough leaves a verg pleasant memory.