News from the Country

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 125, 30 May 1932, Page 3

News from the Country

at little cost. Campers helped to advertise a town, and increased business. Taihape was undoubtedly a beauty spot, and as many tourists as possible should be attracted to the town. He strongly recommended the particular sito under discussion.

Mr G. C. Noble, secretary of the Taihapo branch of the Wanganui Automobile Association, apologised for the unavoidable absence through illness, of tho president, Mr A. James

“It’s our duty to give motorists the maximum facilities for camping. The present camp site is unsuitable for reasons already mentioned and some of the gear had disappeared mainly through lack of control. The association donated £25 towards tho establishment of the present site, and intended to donate £l5 towards tho establishment of the new site,” said Mr Noble. Continuing, the speaker stated that many motorists had mentioned the lack of facilities at the present site, and in the eyes of the motoring public Taihapo was taboo. He thought that a lot of misapprehension existed in regard to nuisances that might result from the establishment of a camp site opposite the church property, and considered that with proper lighting and proper control there would 1 a no objectionable features about the site. Most camp sites were in the borough. "We want a site in the borough, with the necessary facilities.” concluded Mr Noble. Rev. Father Doolaghty: How many camp sites are situated in boroughs? Mr Noble : I have a book here showing where each camp site is situated, and anybody can look at it. There are a considerable number of camp sir s in boroughs, but, I can’t, state the exact number off hand. The camp site at Cambridge is opposite the Town Hall. Dr. Mac Diarmid (Automobile Association) thought that the objections were more in the state of misapprehension, than definite objections. He hoped that they would be met in a friendly spirit and cease to exist. He knew of no objections personally to the proposed site. Mr T. C. Kincaid remarked that in actual fact, there was no control of the present site. He knew that the new site would bo effectively controlled. When the site was established ho was sure that things would bo much better than was anticipated in some quarters, and that the churches or anybody else would not object then. In answer to a question by Rev. Father Doolaghty, the Mayor said that it would cost a lot more to provide the three main essentials —water, light and drainage—at the present site, than to establish a new site on the old tennis grounds.

Dr. Mac Diarmid: The conveniences at tho present site will be removed to the new site.

Mr H. Bradley (Retailers’ Association) said that the Retai 1 rs’ Association, as a body, had not expressed an opinion on the proposal, but ho was personally in favour of the scheme, and hoped that the new site would be self-supporting. Air F. Gledhill (Anglican Church) feared that tho mental serenity of churchgoers would be disturbed, if there were a camp site opposite the churches.

“We don’t want any noise outside our church or Sunday school,” declared tho speaker, who opposed the proposal for the reason indicated, and added that if rigid conditions were enforced in connection with the « trol of the camp site, campers would keep away from the site. Mr Gledhill also referred to the possibility of Sunday school children getting in the way of motor traffic.

In answer to a question from Afr Butler, Air Gledhill said that it was his considered opinion that church and Sunday schol services would be disturbed by tho establishment of a camp sito in the locality suggested. Air G. C. Noble pointed out that the camping seasonly only lasted for four months in the year, and besides, a motorist would usually be away from the site during the day. Sunday school was not heV’ during the holiday period, which coincided with tho height of the camping season. The Mayor: Yes, we must remember these points. The camp site won’t be used most of the year. The summer months and Easter are the camping seasons.

Afr Af. Jarvis: Your putting the camp site amongst the children, children coming out of Sunday school might be endangered by motor traffic.

The Mayor: The road is broad. I don’t think there’s any danger. Rev. Father Doolaghty: It L a stock route. There will be a bigger jamb if a camp site is established. The Mayor remarked that campers would be requested to observe the Sabbath, and must not use musical instruments during church service hours. The fact that the churches would b§ so close was an advantage, as it would act as a means of restraint. Afr T. C. Kincaid: The greatest number of camps on the present site at one time, was ten. The average was two per night. Rev. Father Doolaghty: -Are the council going to come to a definite decision to-night? The Mayor. The council will not force the site upon you. Our decision will be guided by the remarks made heer this evening. Rev. Father Doolaghty: If the council guaranteed that there would be noises to disturb church services, that would make a big difference to us. The Mayor: We intend to enforce the regulations.

Mr C. Audrey (Anglican Church): We particularly want quietness from 8 a.m. till 9.30 a.m. Would the coi.ncil uphold any complaints from us?

The Mayor: The custodian lives practically un the spot, and would see that the regulations were enforced. Afr R. C. Ongley: An innocent noise distracts worshippers in church. The sound of a motor-car going to or from the camp site, is a distraction. Air J. Bartosh: Has the council con-

sidered the country people. We have the worst stock route through town as it is, and the establishment of a camp site, in the locality suggested, would make matters worse, as cattle.

pass along this route. What the business people gained from the campers, they would lose from the country people. It would be very awkward to get wild cat tip past the proposed camp

Rev. Father Doolaghty: My objection to the proposal is that the sug-

gested site is too close to the churches. We don’t want any distractions in the way of noises during church services,