SCENIC RESERVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 92, 18 April 1929, Page 8

SCENIC RESERVES

CAN THEY BE CAMPED ON? LIABILITY FOR FIRES What are scenic reserves for? This question faced the Wanganui Automobile Association executive last night. A letter was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, objecting to the establishment of a camping site on a scenic, reserve on Dress Circle Road, out from Alangaweka, and asking that the Association’s camp sign be removed. Air H. Rice wanted to knoxv what, the object of the Department was in making the request. “What, are those reserves for?” he queried. “Surely we can camp on them ”

Mr G. A'. Pearce took the view that if they asked for a camp site, and were going to permit fires, they would be goinji against the whole principle of protecting the scenic beauty of the reserves. He thought, the Association sign should come down. When the Department employed men to keep fires down they were hardly likely to allow camp sites to be established. Air F. J. Hill opposed taking the sign down. He contended that the viexvs of the Association had changed right round since last meeting. The question of liability arising against, the Association in the event, of fire, in view of the fact that there was a camp site sign erected at. Dress Circle, entered the discussion, Air Pearce expressing the view that the Association would have to meet the cost of damage. 'fhe. voting on whether the sign should come down was even—four for and four against—the chairman’s casting vote deciding that it should be taken down in the meantime. The North Island Alotor Union is to be approached on the general principle involved, that of determining whether or not scenic reserves are available for public patronage for camping and picnicing.