#  59 - June 1971 

THE N.Z. NATURIST

Editor in Chief

Joan Treanor

Business Manager

Arthur Parish

Copy Preparation

Editorial Committee

Advertising Representative

Barry Hill

Editorial Office

P.O. Box 2925, Auckland

President

Gavin Robieson, Palmerston North

Vice-Presidents
 

Jock Shoolbread, Auckland
Norman Bell, Napier
Jack Carr, Wellington
Geoff Allen, Christchurch

Secretary-Treasurer

Doug. Cousins, Wellington

Public Relations Officer

Jeff Hatfield, Wellington

Youth Organiser

Charles Monod, Wellington

Women's Representative

Gaynor Robieson, Palmerston North

Overseas Correspondent

David Jenkinson, Wellington

Delegates representing all clubs

THE HAURAKI - HEYLEN POLL

The Hauraki - Heylen Poll is a monthly Public Opinion Poll, etc.

The results of this opinion poll were broadcast by Radio Hauraki in April. This is the first time that our movement is considered to be of sufficient importance to be subject to a public opinion poll. The poll was conducted without us having any knowledge of it. The survey was conducted in the Greater Auckland Area; that is approx. from Bombay in the south to Warkworth in the north with a total population of 600,000 inhabitants. A statistical sample of 419 persons were chosen at random and the results are guaranteed within plus or minus 5% accuracy.

The main conclusion to be drawn from these figures are that:

This means that in the coming years the group in agreement with a free beach is growing and in a few years will represent a majority. The future is hopeful!!

THE HAURAKI-HEYLEN POLL

At present New Zealand nudists are asking the authorities to declare one of the beaches around Auckland an open beach - that means a beach where people are allowed to swim and sunbathe naked if they wish. Would you personally agree or disagree if a beach around Auckland was to be declared open.

PUBLIC

OPINION

by Emiel Roland

The Hauraki-Heylen Poll is a monthly Public Opinion Poll commissioned by Radio Hauraki and conducted by J. Paul Heylen Associates.

EMIEL ROLAND INTERVIEWS

Professor Timms, Sociology Department, University of Auckland.

Question:

Professor, may I have your comments on the results of this public opinion poll. Did you expect that this percentage of population would be in favour of open beaches or did you expect the proportions to be different?

Professor Timms:

I think I was probably slightly surprised by the evenness of the split. I perhaps would have predicted that there would have been rather fewer agreeing that beaches could be made open, or a beach anyway, thin in fact appears to be the case with fifty - fifty split. I think on the other hand the differences between the age groups, the more than and the less than 40 year age group, and the difference between male and female respondents, these are fairly predictable, certainly in direction if not in size. It would be interesting for us to have a further breakdown, where one would contrast for example differences by sex group respondents in-the younger and older age group. At the moment we have got only one way class fixations. It would be good to have two way ones. It would be interesting to see whether there is the same difference with females being much less agreeable within the younger groups. I would rather suspect that this might not be the case. There might be more similarity between sex groups in the younger category.

Question:

Do you think in general that it is a good thing that the younger group is thinking more freely in this direction?

Professor Timms:

Well I think yes. Certainly if they are thinking more in a free way. The difficulty with this is working out what the agree or disagree respondents actually mean. One can agree with a statement for a whole host of different reasons. Some of which would be considered not to be particularly desirable, others may be, would be considered desirable. I think I like to know in much more detail what precisely the respondents thought they were agreeing to and why they were agreeing. On the other hand certainly if they are agreeing because they think that there is nothing wrong with exposing their bodies. Then I think yes it would be a good thing. It presumably would indicate a much greater acceptance of their bodies than would be the case of say somebody who is ashamed to show their body to other people.

Question:

Do you think that this way of thinking will have influence on their mental health?

Professor Timms:

I think any action in which one exposes oneself, not necessarily one's body, but exposes something which is an integral part of one to other certainly has big implications to what we can think of as mental health. Which is cause and which is effect? This is probably a little difficult to work out, it needs a fair amount of acceptance of yourself to let others in on your secrets, one of which is of course your body. On the other hand the experience of sharing your secret is in itself likely to increase your healthiness.

Question:

Would you like to see this trend of acceptance to continue, or do you think that this tendency of acceptance is a temporary upsurge in the movement that could be reversed in due time.

Professor Timms:

Things like this do of course tend to go around in fashion. They certainly have done this in the past. On the other hand I would certainly think the trend at the moment is very much in one direction and that one will get more and more acceptance of nudism under certain circumstances in the future. It may be in a couple of generations the pendulum could swing back the other way, but I would be rather surprised that it did.

The District office of the Marine Department in Auckland declared:

Marine department regulations, controlling the foreshore within Government jurisdiction as opposed to those within Local Bodies, are concerned that the general public should have free access to the foreshores and are not specifically concerned with what the public wears.

The Superintendent of Police in Auckland declared:

If a lonely stretch of beach is used and sufficient warning notices erected, I can not see any harm. In such circumstances it is most unlikely that a complaint would be lodged and unlikely, depending on circumstances, that prosecution would follow.

Dr M. Finlay, M.P. for Henderson, declared:

I am being asked to comment on the Hauraki-Heylen poll taken in March 1971 relating to the possibility of one of the beaches around Auckland being declared an open one. My comments are as follows:

I have long believed that there was more willingness to adopt a liberal attitude to this than one would gather from reading newspapers and other periodicals, particularly from the "letters to the Editor" column of these publications. And I am glad to have my views substantially confirmed by this poll. For my own part I am a little disappointed that the majority by a small proportion still comes out as disagreeing with the proposal, that the least there is a very substantial minority of 47.7% people who are in favour of a proposal of this kind. I am heartened too by the fact that when this is broken down into age groups and the views of those between 18 and 39 are considered, that is to say everybody under 40, is a clear majority of 59.4% in favour of the proposal.

I would be in favour of some development along these lines but I like the terms of reference to be clarified a little, in the manner in which the declaration of an open beach would be defined. As I understand it, the proposal is that a limited and defined area of beach be declared, within which people could bathe without the benefit of any bathing garments if they wish to do so and those who might feel they would be offended by any such practice would know to stay away. If that was the proposal and as long as it was not right in the middle of one of the more populous beaches in the immediate vicinity of Auckland, I would favour it. Perhaps I should explain that by saying that if say a 100 yards of St. Heliers beach or Takapuna beach was set aside right in the middle and that declared open, that would not really be a practical proposition. To make it work, I'm sure, one would have to adopt a beach that would have more or less natural boundaries so that people would know that if they dislike this kind of thing and would likely be offended by it, they could keep away without having to walk past an artificial barrier such as a flag or a tape or something of this kind.

Recently I read in the "Sunday Times" about the reported panic of some nudists regarding the steady progress of the zealous anti-pornography, anti-stage and film nudity school teacher, Miss Bartlett. I was amused because up to 18 months ago a reader of the N.Z. Naturist would have been convinced that N.Z. nudism also objected to the above things there would have been no need for panic by any N.Z. naturists.

In the theoretical supposition that Miss Bartlett did include the N.Z.S.A. in her 'immorals list' and that she did receive very powerful public backing, how would we set about maintaining and improving our national nudist image in the face of fierce public denunciation, I have a suggestion to make and would be interested in seeing it thrashed about in the pages of the N.Z. Naturist at a time such as this when some are thinking hard about their future as naturists.

Some overseas nudists have openly advocated a more 'permissive' attitude in line with the current morals latitude as an indication of a new nudist maturity. But I personally believe that there is no real maturity where there is no willingness to accept responsibility. Social nudity can only come to be regarded as an important part (as compared to a currently tolerated but insignificant part) of the greater community life when organised nudism is able to demonstrate that it can willingly and successfully perform an essential community service that peculiarly falls within only the particular mode or orbit of living of the nudist.

My suggestion is therefore that various nudists and nudist clubs, through the official NZSA channels, should voluntarily place their services at the disposal of the Department of Justice its associate advisors in a well considered attempt to help rehabilitate certain young persons who have been guilty of minor sex offences. Those whom the authorities believe are merely unfortunate victims of incompetent parents and are not criminals in any sense of the word.

Putting the scheme into practice, as I see it, would mean that volunteer nudist families working with authorised specialists would open their homes at convenient times to one of these young people. They would make every effort to share with them their normal nudist home life. Soon the visitor should become comfortable in the company of the family and he (or she) could be introduced to club life. As a friend of the family, no reference would ever be made to previous social misdemeanours.

Successful rehabilitation could mean that parents with troublesome pre-adolescent children might eventually be strongly advised by the Child Welfare or similar Dept., to join a nudist club with their families as an antidote to the unnecessary over-sexuality that had been allowed to develop in the children. It is not impossible that a special nudist centre for this purpose could be set up by a future government as a study centre for this type of therapy.

Parents step aside to hand over the instruction of their children in specialist aspects of education to specialist teachers. Nudist families and clubs volunteering for this scheme would be assuming the role of specialists in nude-group therapy. This would supply to these young people the sense and warmth of complete family environment that their own parents were unable to give.

I'm convinced that many youthful sexual indiscretions occur primarily because of an unsatisfied urge to see the other sex naked, or to be seen naked by the opposite sex. Years of living in a lonely little world of increasingly lusty imagination converts many an innocent curiosity into a compelling sex urge that can only be satisfied, in the immature eyes of a young person, by seeking the company of others of a similar mind. Those imaginations have also been replaced by a craving to actively investigate sex by some means or other. If getting a little drunk to loosen the inhibitions and the shoulder straps is a part of the process, then so be it. The same goes for a mild dose of drugs. All the warnings about alcohol and drugs, and questionable company, has come from parents who failed to understand the needs of their own children in relation to sex, so how could the youngster be sure that they were right in their condemnation of other young people who were finding out about life in the only way they knew.

The proud boast of world-wide nudism is that this problem simply does not arise in nudist family life with its well planned total family involvement.

Why Not Make This Fact Work For Us

If these young sex offenders are merely victims of particular circumstances and nudists all know the correct answer to their problem, would these same nudists be happy and charitable enough to 'chance their arm' and prove to a competent authority how mentally soothing can be the effect of just one season of social nudity on a sexually tense youngster!

What would the naturist movement gain or what would it lose if my suggestion were to be adopted and proved successful. Probably the most important gain would be that instead of the general public pointing the finger of scorn or amusement at us resulting in naturists being mostly on the defensive, we ourselves would be in the position of accusers of a large proportion of the public who will not, or cannot, communicate with their children on sex and who thankfully take refuge in the current negative idea of 'the inevitable generation gap' between parents and children. We would have exposed (and proved that naturism is able to correct) a social fault perpetrated by over-embarrassed, disinterested, or misguided parents of the non-nudist public - which would be compelled to defend and perhaps re-examine its own attitudes and parental failures.

Social nudity must then assume new meaning and genuine social value, with the result that nudists would be viewed less as social oddities and more as social reformers. I have a very strong preference for the use of the term 'social nudity' in this scheme. The words 'naturism' and 'nudism' imply membership in organised nudity and this causes resentment amongst some private nudists - others find organised nudity unnecessary or impractical. Social nudity embraces (or can be made to our own benefit to embrace) both nudist-club nudity and home-only nudity. The letters 'ism' on the end of a word are a cause for opposition from the sturdy individualist. I am positive that we would have no choice in this play of words when endeavouring to assure a suspicious national public of our concern for some of its incompletely trained children; for to insist on promoting naturism at every step would be to invite an accusation of cheap advertising on a giant scale - and that would be both hypercritical and fatal. We would have to admit openly that excellent results in child training can be obtained with 'home only' nudity on quite a restricted scale - just sufficient to give a child the assurance of being always involved with his parents in all aspects of living.

It would surely be a mark of genuine maturity that we could use our unique experience towards assisting others and at the same time leave our national identity as naturists to look after itself temporarily, confident that we would harvest many crumbs in the way of additional membership.

Success with the scheme might still mean that the interested government authorities would officially recommend no more than a limited degree of mixed nudity among all members of the family as being a desirable and important part of child training - but even that would mean that social nudity (if not naturism) had really 'come of age', and that the idea of 'free' beaches was an imminently believable prospect.

HAS

NATURISM

REACHED

MATURITY?

by Wally B.

Greetings!

Well, things are "happening" with the N.Y.C. Membership is slowly but steadily growing, however, to make this Club worthwhile, it needs a lot more support from all of you. The thing is, the more members we have, the greater is our scope of activities, so don't sit back and let others do everything, be in and support your group. After all, it's to you people that we "oldies" look for our future adult membership of the N.Z.S.A. - in fact, we on the executive, and of course local Club Committees, cannot keep going for ever, and if you've had the experience of running the Youth Club, so much better will you be suited to lead the whole Nudist movement of the future.

Most of you should by now have received the first N.Y.C. Newsletter, dealing mainly with the Ruapehu trip during the May holidays (16-21 May).

What I would like to see from you people, in this section of the magazine, are short articles and letters expressing your views on a variety of topics. For example, let's have your ideas on feasible activities that the N.Y.C. could do during the year. Perhaps you've seen or heard of a place we could visit or camp at (for instance, I came across a couple of beauts over Easter at Lakes Rotoma and Tarawera).

And what about your views on the Nudist movement generally. Don't be bashful to speak out, as we are always interested in hearing from Youth, not always the adults. Think about it, and send your contributions either to me, or directly to Joan Treanor, our "Naturist" editor.

THE AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

by Josie

We have just begun to take sport seriously and compete with other clubs in the past few years at A.O.H.C. interclub sports day. Our two volleyball teams, the women and men, have been successful in interclub games and at rallies. We have also competed at swimming but so far have not won any trophies although we have been runners up.

Because of the small number in the club we are able to take weekend trips away from, Auckland. The highlight of the year is the Thames trip during Anniversary .weekend, on private property. This is one weekend that always starts with a scream, as some of the men take a delight in throwing reluctant persons into the ice cold water of the creek. After this ducking a swim down the creek follows. Usually the men dive off the fourteen foot waterfall. Because of erosion one rock has become slippery and we are able to slide down it where the water flows.

During the afternoons we go gold panning and picking blackberries. At night there is a barbecue and singsong around the fire. The next day is spent exploring a gold mine and other items of interest involving early gold mining days. On the third day we start wishing for the weekend to last forever.

The next weekend away is spent in glorious sunshine up at a beach in the far North. From the camp there is a walk of a quarter of a mile over the sandhills down to the water. On the beach a volleyball court is set up and a lot of fun is had by all with an impromptu game. During the day we either sunbathe, swim, or play volleyball. At night we can go fishing or have a singsong around the fire.

Although the sun isn't out in the winter we still have many social evenings. Some of these are spent looking over slides from previous trips during the summer. As well as these evenings we hold monthly swim nights usually in a form of spontaneous gaiety and once a year we invite other clubs to participate in a friendly carnival. Once a month we take over the sauna rooms for an enjoyable afternoon.

With this short account I hope I have managed to convey just how pleasant life is with the Auckland Sun Club.

Our grounds are situated in several acres of Native bush in the heart of the Waitakeres, sixteen miles from Auckland. The land and clubhouse was donated by Norman Murray in 1960. There are about two acres cleared and grassed with ample provision for volley ball and of course sunning.

Photo: Joe A.S.C.

Nudism in New Zealand has a long and colourful history; one frequently tinged with the scarlet of persecution, which has left most "old-time" nudists conditioned to fear of public exposure. Newcomers usually don't know enough of this history to be scared when they first venture into social nudism. But they're always taught fear - whether it's warranted or not as soon as they visit an established nudist camp.

Nudist camp practices, regulations, location, and indeed their very social aura, all reflect the old "hide-away, maybe they won't notice us" attitudes of nudism. The secrecy, first names only, and ultra puritanism in all matters except the superficial flouting of the clothing customs are all anachronisms perpetuated with fanatic fervour in our nudist camps. And the fear upon which they are based is catching.

Yet in this country nudist camps are legally established and recognised enterprises. The rights of individuals to patronise these club grounds without fear of legal prosecution has not been challenged by any authority.

So, why the fear? It would seem that there is plenty of room for social nudism to mature - to grow up and out of its fear and secrecy - and consider the next step, rather than continue living what amounts to a ghetto existence. And that next step individual nudists can take, the next process for organised nudism, is a process of UN-organization.

All right, you're a nudist, a member of a nudist club - maybe for years. But the newness is wearing off, or has long ago. But freedom from clothing has become a natural way of life and the only place you can go is to the old "club," even though you're becoming stagnant and are dissatisfied with the unchanging scenery. You can't drop nudism - but you're trapped in the cramped, little closed community of organized social nudism - with nowhere to go!

Is there another step besides being an "organized" nudist? Yes, but taking it requires a special kind of person - one to whom nudism has become so natural, so ordinary and commonplace, that he (or she) has to consciously remember to put on a bathing suit before walking out for a swim in the local swimming pool, and occasionally does forget. This next step takes you away from huddling in nudist clubs, private homes, and high-fenced back yards, and makes the whole world your nudist club! It consists of becoming an UN-organized nudist! (Chorus) "BUT THAT'S ILLEGAL!"

So it is, in many places - but not all! So what? Nudism of any kind was illegal a few years ago. It still is in some countries; countries in which thriving nudist clubs are now located and operating without trouble! The point is that someone had to pioneer the situation; someone had to bend customs - both statutory and unwritten - had to take a few risks - to achieve the progress nudism has made to date.

I propose that you start taking the next step, as I, my family, and many of our nudist friends have been for a number of years.

Nudism shakily mounted the first step - that of gaining legal and social tolerance of private nudism - and collectively we have stood puffing and panting on this step for years, afraid to lift a foot to take another step for fear that a watchful public will shove us back off the one we have gained. But the public isn't watching us any more! It's bored with us, and is saying: "Nudists? They're harmless. They don't bother me - I don't bother them. In fact, if I could just talk my wife (or husband) into it..." So it would seem that we are secure on the first step in most of the country, and that it is time for the next step.

But, nudists without a bit of real "pioneering" blood under their tanned hides should not even consider this step. Those who live with fear as their companion-in-nudism had better stay quietly in their secret places!

To paraphrase an old saw - "Everybody talks about wanting acceptance of nudism on public beaches and recreation areas but nobody does anything about it." Well, I have; and so have a few others.

(Chorus) "BUT WAIT! THERE ARE STILL THE LAWS ABOUT INDECENT EXPOSURE! WHAT ABOUT THEM?"

Let me make an analogy. A strong piece of metal can be broken by continually bending it until eventually, with just a little bend, the formerly strong metal falls apart! The first bends are the hardest and the metal snaps back the hardest. But each bend gets easier. The metal gets "fatigued." And in time the resistance of the strong metal is weakened, it breaks, and its function and usefulness end.

In principle, that is how private social nudism came to be "legal." Similarly, the present laws against public nudism - both written and unwritten - can be "broken" by repeatedly bending them. But how can nudists "bend" the indecent exposure laws without landing in jail? I suppose there may be other ways, but the simplest would be what we do - go nude in public! On public beaches, in and around public lakes and streams, and along walking tracks. We water ski nude on public lakes. We swim nude in waters open to the public often with specimens of publici generalis in plain sight.

(Chorus) "BUT WAIT! THAT'S NOT ONLY ILLEGAL, IT COULD EVEN GET ORGANIZED NUDISM INTO TROUBLE!"

It hasn't and it won't! For nine years, my wife and I and numerous friends, some of whom have never been to a nudist club, have been "bending" the indecent exposure laws outrageously. We have met with surprise, doubt, sympathy, timidity, tolerance, curiosity, and even with complete indifference. But never with laughter, anger, indignation, threats, or legal action.

And when people do happen upon us, as they often do, we never run, hide, panic, act surprised, or guilty. We act like we belong there, and people react as though they believe it.

We have hiked nude across the mighty sand dunes behind Ninety Mile Beach. We have water skied nude on public waters, within easy sight of dozens of boaters and pickners. We have strolled casually along frequently-used mountain tracks in national parks, sometimes with friends in groups of eight or nine, in every conceivable state of dress.

Of course, we still enjoy our local nudist club every weekend when we aren't travelling far and away. And, since one must work for a living between these longer trips, this leaves us with plenty of stay-at-home weekends. Besides, when we haven't time enough to get far away from the metropolitan area in which we live, where else could we spend a weekend off the highways and away from the crowds than in a peaceful, well-managed nudist club?

No, our quarrel isn't with nudist clubs, or even organized nudists. Our quarrel is with fear, nudist club rules and customs based on fear, and nudists who would have us confine our nudist activities to little isolated nudist clubs when the whole outdoors can serve the same purpose.

Then, after you, too, have verified our findings about the lack of public concern with nudity in appropriate places, you can start "bending" the archaic indecent exposure laws elsewhere. So set aside your fears and help plant the seeds of the only force that can ultimately render such laws ineffective and obsolete-massive public UNconcern!

WARNING:

NUDISTS AT

LARGE

IT'S SAUNA NIGHT AGAIN

by Doug. R. Cousins

Yes, it's sauna season and we're off to roast in about 195°, then take a ccccccold shower - at least, some of us are game to use the cold shower. But, you say, what IS a sauna?

They have their origin in Finland where whole families enjoy the pleasures of the sauna including a dip in an ice cold lake, or even a roll in the snow. You first enter the heat room which may be from 170° to 220°. Being a dry heat the body can withstand this for varying lengths of time. Those new to the sauna should not stay in as long as the more experienced.

For most people it is not long before the perspiration is running down your body in rivers. That is what the sauna aims to do - it opens the pores to let out not only perspiration but also dirt and toxic juices. Once you have had enough, generally a few minutes, you take a shower. To gain the maximum benefit from the sauna this shower should be as cold as possible. This action washes off the perspiration, dirt and toxic juices and closes the pores again.

Where the sauna has a plunge pool a dip in this after the shower helps still further. Then have a rest and repeat the whole procedure over again, and keep on the same way during the evening you are there.

Most saunas in this country seem to be on the luxury side, with rest areas, massage service, sun lamps and other health-giving activities. All these added to the sauna proper help to improve your health, especially withstanding winter chills. Naturally, members have their laments, such as my club Secretary and his 13 stone. He grumbles at losing 2 to 3lbs. a night at the sauna and then gaining 5lbs. during the ensuing week!

Wellington club members were fortunate last year to have the use of a city sauna exclusively for club members one night a week. That was where our photos were taken. It was found that costs for many were a trifle high, particularly as a minimum number of members was required This caused the idea to be dropped when summer began.

As a footnote we can add that the club has found another sauna where no minimum number is required. Club evenings once a week are now in full swing. Next time members of clubs from other centres are in the capital during a weekend, Wellington will be glad to take you along. Just let us know.

Mr Seven Years Old went to the sauna for the first time in June - sampling the works, including cold shower and plunge pool. He told his Mum he didn't want to go home. "It's better than going to the pictures!"

Camping or caravanning ... do we really get away from it all, or do we just change environments, and get confused at the alteration to our daily routine. It's all in the mind.

Having spent a short time under canvas, at both a Nudist camp and an 'ordinary' camp, a few comparisons might be worth studying...

So come on, Tom, let's take a peep at the 'ordinary' camp first.

Cooking. You have to know the routine. Some of the hardened campers often manage to hog two stoves at once. Often, it is best to stagger your mealtimes, or eat out, unless you can be as hard faced as some of the clients. If you have your own electric fry pans, toasters, kettles, et al., you may manage decent meals at reasonable times.

Sleeping. Depends on what sort of neighbours you have. Often young, noisy, and at least partly drunk till midnight or later. As we have no young children, we slept tolerably well, but we were not immediately next to any noisy ones. At one camping site at least, single people were banned, due to damage done by a noisy minority in previous years.

General Conditions. Depending on your neighbours, you could have anything from exemplary to orgiastic behaviour, sober to aggressively drunk. Empty beer bottle collection was twice daily. Rubbish collection once daily.

General Conclusions. You can have a great time, but it's the luck of the draw. Generally speaking, our neighbours were friendly and helpful. Some with noisy neighbours and young children were not so lucky. My wife said the showers were usually choc-a-block at the wrong times.

Communal showers for men and women could have saved a lot of waiting around, especially time lost dressing and undressing. But being an 'ordinary' camp, the campers would probably have gone berserk... Remember what happened at a certain squash club in Auckland!!!

Most people went their own ways, did their own thing. We hardly got to know anybody.

THE NUDIST CAMP

Cooking. Communal. Early risers would collect wood, light the stoves, make tea. Food dibbed in to the general fund meant plenty of variety. No shortage of food or helpers. Share and share alike.

Sleeping. Young children to bed at a reasonable hour. No beer in the camp. Conviviality was 'home-spun', not booze-produced. No midnight visitors in noisy vehicles. No noisy neighbours.

General Conduct. It has to be good, a nudist club in particular; but any club without rules would soon be without members.

Nobody is a stranger for long in a Sun Club. We can make plenty of noise at a camp sing-song, but at a reasonable hour - and all can join in. The kids love it. An escape from the idiot box. Communication is back in vogue for a brief while. All can dress as they like, or be fully dressed in bare skin. No piebald sun tans visible.

General Conclusions. Togetherness, friendliness, communication, sharing, making new friends, people to visit with something in common. We have the lot.

To alter a phrase: 'Nudism make you feel like you should feel without nudism.'

If it all sounds a bit Sunday School Treat-ish. Well, it probably is, if you can imagine the Sunday School teacher doing the twist, or bringing you a morning cup of tea in bed in the nitty gritty. Bring her along next time, she'd love it.

And bring the vicar on Sunday.

GETTING

AWAY FROM

IT ALL?

THE NATIONAL OFFICE

From mid-July until mid-September the national Secretary, Doug., will be on a Far East cruise to the 13th World Scout Jamboree. During his absence arrangements will be made for all NZSA and magazine mail to be collected and dealt with by other officers. We would suggest that official mail be kept to a minimum during this period.

VISITING OTHER CLUBS

Visits to clubs other than your own is increasing, a way to spend your holidays that we agree with completely. The more contacts with other clubs and their members the better knit will be the whole movement. But may we issue a word of caution. It is just not done to visit another club without giving notice that you are coming. Even where you are well known in the other club, how can you tell that the people you meet are complete strangers? It is common courtesy to let the other club know of your visit - and if you are not already known in that club, your letter should be sent through your own Secretary.

Similarly, it is just not done for visitors to stay at another club without remembering a donation for the use of the grounds and facilities. We have been disturbed to see an increase in visitors who do not give something to their hosts. It must be remembered that a motor camp is not free and caravan charges can be quite high. It is known that some clubs have a set scale of charges, whilst others have been forced through the "forgetful" few to introduce a set scale for visitors.

I.N.F. PASSPORTS ETC.

These are available to club members intending to travel overseas. The holders are in all cases reminded that they should plan their holidays so as to leave ample time for visiting clubs, and they should write to these clubs as far in advance as possible so that all arrangements for their visits can be made. All applications for passports must be submitted through club Secretaries, and should contain the following information:

address

year of birth

occupation

Initial passports are $1 each, and renewing annual stamps are 50 cents.

SO YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN A CLUB

Maybe you have thought about it, but haven't been able to get enough "courage" to take the matter further. Winter is the best time to give it a lot of thought. An enquiry to your nearest club could produce just the results you would like - a chat round the fire with a couple of Committee members with maybe a visit to a social where everyone is clothed. Later still you might like to loin the club on their sauna evening, or splash night at an indoor heated pool. Winter is the time to get to know the members without having to be undressed. Then when spring comes round it is much easier to go out to the club because you have found out that the members are not the bunch of cranks you thought but just like the rest of the community. It's worth thinking about, and the NZSA brochure will answer some of those questions you have been tossing around in your mind. The clubs in this magazine are just waiting for you to contact them, Why not do so this winter?

PERC. COUSINS TRUST FUND

It is expected that we shall shortly be making our first-ever payment from this fund. The Palmerston North Sun Club is acquiring land, and at the time of writing this paragraph the NZSA Executive has approved a loan by way of mortgage. The site has great potential and as it is virtually flat will be a great asset to the region. We are very pleased to acknowledge the following additions to the Trust Fund: Last balance $1205.12; Club Levies $23.85; EGD (Ak.) $1.95; DW (Aust.) $3.00; Investment Interest £5.34; New balance $1239.26.

FRANCE

Since the death of General de Gaulle naturism has forged ahead in France. Along the Atlantic coast (which includes Montalivet) the authorities are encouraging extensive development for tourist purposes, with naturist facilities well to the front. Development is timed to finish in 1980. The authorities and the public both support the project. From the naturist point of view ample consideration is being given to facilities at beaches, forests and lakes. There are nine designs for inland waterways to be connected by a canal reserved for navigation for pleasure.

There are two luxury resorts being planned for naturists, one being at the instance of a civil brokers' society of naturists. Plans include a naturist village with heating for all the year round naturism, a 6000 square metre gymnasium, common rooms for sports, cultural activities, billiards, bowls, tennis, library, auditorium, painting studio, meeting rooms, etc. The accent is on staying close to nature by means of large windows looking over forests. Other features reported include sauna, ultra violet, solarium, heated swimming pool, panoramic restaurant, service station, with bungalows for rent too.

At the international swimming festival at Lyons in 1970 over 160 swimmers competed, from eight countries. Additional activities rounded off a very well organised function. The next festival will be at Rotterdam in November 1971.

ITALY

Despite the religious difficulties, naturism is progressing in this country. Hon. President Sarrou of the INF recently visited three clubs with grounds, all in the north of the country. He received an excellent welcome at all sites.

SPAIN

Travel bureaux have been enquiring into the possibility of establishing naturist sites on coastal areas similar to those elsewhere in Europe. Apparently the authorities are not likely to object but they are consulting the church before giving an opinion.

SWITZERLAND

The major club here has had to expand through increasing membership. A new site has been obtained at a high altitude which will allow naturism all the year round - and skiing. One Swiss club still prohibits eating meat, liquor and smoking.

BULGARIA

Although up till recently only a small semiofficial group has existed, the increasing foreign tourism has been having a definite influence. At five places along the Black Sea coast last year numerous groups of Bulgarians and foreigners swam and sunbathed nude without incurring sensation or provoking police intervention.

U.S.A.

The 1971 ASA convention will be held at the Swallows/Sun Island in California. In Baltimore a nudist openly stated his club membership in an application for enrolment in the local police force. His application was declined, but 12 months later a judge ruled that the applicant's constitutional rights of free association had been violated, and that he must be placed on the force within 7 days.

WORLD CONGRESS

We previously advised that the next World Congress was expected to be held in Austria. This is not now the case, and an alternative is being investigated - possibly Jugoslavia.

Now, about those photos again. I see that there is some rather strong criticism in the last issue. Especially in the letter from Norris Lurker. Well, I am not going to add my two cents worth, except to say that I am right with him when he says that "In articles on photography, in the magazine, there is too much expression of personal views and not enough constructive advice on how to take better photos."

Space will not permit that I should go into a lot of detail here, but I would like to point out that by far most of the photos sent in are marred by the common faults of under or over exposure, mainly under exposure. This is quite understandable as outdoor naturist subjects are naturally prone to this. In fact, I would say that this is one of the most difficult of subjects, especially beach scenes. Even with a really good type of camera it is hard to assess the right exposure for the main subject.

I use the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic camera which has the light meter S, L, R, in the view finder, but no matter how good a meter may be it can only register the amount of light which enters the lens, and this includes all the excess light, from the sky, sea, sand, etc., which is usually far in excess of the light reflected, from the main subject. This means that the main subject will be under exposed.

Consider the child study, on page 39, issue 57. Here we have a child seated on a bar and taken from a low camera position. The camera would be directed upward to a background of fairly bright sky. Allowing for some degree of loss of sharpness in the printing process, this is a good effort, but is still under exposed.

In taking a photo of this type the thing to do is, place your SLR camera, or light meter, within not more than ten inches from the body of your subject, set the diaphragm and shutter speed from the readings taken there and ignore readings from the readings taken at the position from which you intend to make the exposure. The camera, being held so close to the body, prevents the excess light from the open sky from entering the lens and causing an erroneous reading.

If you take a careful look at the pictures throughout the magazines you will find that many of them suffer this particular fault. However, there is another type of photo which calls for a variation of procedure, an example of which is found on the back cover of issue No. 56. In taking a light reading for this type, the camera SLR, or light meter, should be aimed towards the feet of the subject, from the position that the photo is to be taken, thus avoiding the light reflected from the white towel and the building in the background, etc. This is a very brief outline, and about all that can be written here, even if the editor will find space for this much. I realise, too, that it leaves much to be desired.

I would respectfully suggest that one of your own official photographers write a series of articles on this subject which would be of great benefit to subscribers and to the magazine as well. 

Photography

by N. C. Dyson

Light readings taken in normal camera position about centre of scene.

Conditions: Temperature approx. 105, bright glaring sky and water.

Camera tilted down, aimed at centre of shadowed road opposite nude figure Light readings taken from there, camera then raised to normal position and exposure made. Both prints exposed same time in enlarger and developed together.

THOSE PHOTOS AGAIN!

I read with interest Norris Lurkers letter regarding illustration standards in N.Z. Naturist and, as the humble author of one of the examples he cites, I leap to my defence.

As regards my ability, for ten years I have been engaged in international exhibition photography, very successfully specialising in figure studies, with many victories and magazine and book publications and photographic honours.

So what about my photograph? I agree - it stinks! I, like many others, donate photographs as a service, but pictures suitable for naturist publications are generally not suitable for exhibitions or other magazines.

This means additional expense (an important factor for very active photographers) and time involved to take special photographs.

Mr Luker, I agree with you but don't knock the proofreader, the blockmaker, or the editors. It is up to the consumer who will get quality in, direct proportion to what he is willing to pay. Don't tell the editors to "get with it", convince the majority that it's worth paying twice as much for what they want (I'm convinced). Gerry (A.F.I.A.P.)

Congratulations. After being a regular reader of your magazine over the past couple of years it was a real thrill to obtain the first unretouched Australian edition to be passed by our customs. I feel that this will not only be my opinion but the best wishes of all your Australian readers will offer sufficient encouragement for you to continue to improve your publication.

I know that it must he extremely difficult for you to keep regular contributors so while I am writing I thought you may be able to use "our story" of our introduction into the great world of nudism.

It would be nearly three years I suppose since I my my fiance but I had been a backyard sun-lover for a while previous to that. I can remember our first experience in nudism and I nearly laugh myself silly at the absolute stupidity and embarrassment of that first attempt.

Perth as you probably know has a very hot summer and on one of these real stinking days my girl and I went for a drive down along the coast. We were about fifty miles from Perth when we drove along a sand track leading from the highway to the coast.

When we arrived at the beach we just raced out of our car and down into the beach, that was a good mile long, with only one group of people right up one end of the beach. So we grabbed a couple of towels and some other gear and set off along the sand to find a shady spot to enjoy the beach. After about twenty minutes walk we came upon a spot that looked pretty good and we spread out our gear there. It was then we discovered that although my girlfriend had brought her bathers I had forgotten mine so it was really disheartening to see her rush off into the water, really enjoying herself. So I decided the only thing to do was to go in in my underpants. I stripped quickly and raced down to the sea and dived into the surf. But to my horror came up 'underpantless'. In my hurry they slipped off as I dived into the water, to the great amusement of my girl. I tried to keep under water but it was pretty hopeless. Anyway it felt damn good being as free as a fish, and my girl must have seen this as she left the water, went to where our towels were, and to my utter amazement slipped out of her bikinis and ran back down to the water's edge. She stood there for a moment and then joined me in the water. I can honestly say that I have never seen anything as beautiful as she was at that moment. When she finally reached me all she said was 'You looked as though it was great so I just felt like trying it.'

So we both spent the rest of the day absolutely naked soaking up the sun. After that first day it was a big step for both of us to go back to our beach but we haven't missed a hot weekend yet chasing the sun. And also we have a group of friends whom we literally stumbled upon who now make up quite a gathering to use this beach. But that's another story, which I hope to get on paper in time for your next edition.

Vic M.   W.A.

How often do we hear people say, "But what do you do at the club grounds?" and one can imagine all sorts of thoughts chasing through their minds. Generally they accept that a day is soon filled in, but their minds boggle at the thought of spending four days and nights there.

"But where will you sleep? The clubhouse isn't very large and you have no cabins."

When we mention that tents are the order of the day, they are practically convinced that we really are queer. But then so must quite a few people, as nearly fifty people camped on the grounds over the whole Easter period.

As usual, catering was done on a community basis and the menu was enough to gladden anyone's stomach. Before the food was purchased, a list of intending campers was compiled and the quantity then worked out. However, from previous experience it was felt safer to get more than required for those "just dropping in." Turns were taken at preparing and cooking the meals and with the men doing the dishes everyone helped out and the wives ended up having a break from the continual daily cooking.

On the Friday morning the rest of the tents were erected, and everyone sorted Out and settled in. The weather wasn't too promising but being very mild, clothes were not needed and after the first game of volleyball the players were indeed warm.

Outdoor movies were on the programme for the evening and using a tent fly as a screen, our projectionist soon had them underway. However, wet weather interrupted the programme and one and all moved inside to finish seeing "They're a Weird Mob." After hot chocolate the children were all bedded down for the night and then a general discussion followed. Isn't it amazing how if one person tells a funny story it isn't long before everyone is digging deep and coming up with their yarn and before long it's 1.30 a.m. and one wonders where the time went.

Wearing nothing but a smile our cook-waitress brought tea and toast into the tents at 7 a.m. and so the start of the second day. If one could see over the tree tops what a hive of activity there was throughout the day. Children were playing happily or fighting amongst themselves as children do. The pool was hardly empty and the new filtration plant was certainly put to the test and what a big improvement it makes.

Volleyball was in progress, table tennis was on the go, badminton was played as there was relatively no wind, people were talking or attempting to read, and what with having to stop for meals then continuing with whatever one wanted to do the day simply flew.

That evening Housie was played and the children present seemed to do better than the adults. Again the younger fry were packed off to bed by 9.30 and the adults took the opportunity for further conversation during supper. As it was Russell's birthday he was presented with a birthday cake... a hotcross bun complete with a couple of dozen matches, and the bun was cut up into small pieces so that all present could share it with him and wish him all the best for future birthdays.

<continued next column>

That evening volleyball was played under the temporary floodlights and continued until the barbecue was ready. What an appetising smell there was with no-one needing any encouragement "to come and get it." When the food finished cooking the fires were stoked up and kept blazing until 1.30 and how the children managed to sleep with the talking and singing going on was surprising.

We seemed to have just arrived and here it was time to start packing up already. Most of the campers were away after afternoon tea on Monday and by dinnertime the camp was completely cleared of beings. The only signs left of the weekend's activity were the tents and the floodlights.

This camping is certainly bringing the club members closer together and often we hear remarks from other clubs as to what a friendly outfit we are, and there certainly is a different atmosphere around. Perhaps it's because we are a smaller club or perhaps because we like to do things together. But with every camping trip something different is always planned and one never knows what will happen until it actually does.

The children always enjoy their stay and it is good to watch them and see how they make their own pleasures. They don't seem to bother the adults and can be found in the swimming pool having a marvellous time or on the courts making their own game up. It's the wee ones though that give the pleasure when they are unobserved playing their games, and I only wish that I could describe to you some of the antics they get up to.

Well, we all enjoyed ourselves at our "Camp In" and have tried to convey to you all some idea of what happens and to show that we don't get a chance to become bored. Perhaps other clubs will plan something on similar lines.

Photo: John Gilmour    

SWIMMING'S THE THING The ultimate aim of every Sun Club is to be able to boast of a swimming pool. Indeed this column has been diligent in pointing out the pros and cons of the varied types of pools. However, this time your health advisor is not going to repeat his earlier version of clean ones versus dirty ones.

Swimming's the thing. I write this again at the expense of you thinking that I've blown my cool.

The chilly winds of winter ar& approaching. For some the sniffles, aches, fevers and bed. For others warm rooms, fires, woollies, and the soothing sound of rain on the roof.

Exercise is difficult in the winter. It's not so easy to go jogging when the rain is teaming down or there's a coating of ice on the pavement. It's not so enticing when the temperature is down, water pipes frozen and a raw wind a'blowin'. The family are not too sympathetic when one commences running on the spot in the lounge right smack bang in the middle of their favourite TV Western.

So what to do?

Swimming's the thing. A trip once or twice a week to your local indoor heated swimming pool will provide all the exercise needed to keep you up to the mark throughout the inclement time of the year. Amazing how a few lengths of the bath -(not yours)- will give those slack muscles a kick along.

Swimming is one of the few complete exercises. Complete in that nearly every muscle in the body is used, from the toes to the face and including the heart and lung.

Sun Club like the Auckland group are to be commended for organising for their members regular trips to indoor pools throughout the winter and indeed, some include the summer too. There's something to be said for a stimulating thrash around in the water followed by a hot cup of coffee and good conversation, not to mention the beneficial effects it has on the body.

So, how about it? Those who loved the Club Pool in the summer - and we know hundreds did - look after your millions of cells this winter and do your thing...

CATCHING A COLD? Commonsense should rule the day with us, but does it. Lots of us will go down with a cold this year. And many of our friends, associates ,and others will too, probably because of us.

Let's face it. We're a selfish lot, yet when it comes to the 'flu we want to share it with everyone for miles. At work, at the movies, in the bus, you name it and there we are...

Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, sniffling, all over all and sundry and basking in our martyred glory.

"Poor old Frank. Got the 'flu, you know, but he still comes to work. Well, there's no one to replace him. God knows what the firm would do without him. Ought to have a medal, Frank."

Anybody recognise Frank in themselves??

Let's do the decent thing this time. Catching a cold or in the throes of the 'flu.

Stay home. Go to bed.

Northern Sun Seekers Club Inc.

The prospect of another club being formed in the area is the most exciting news from the northern region. We have been in touch with various people interested in forming a club in the Bay of Islands and have every hope that one will be formed in the not-too-distant future.

On the Sunday before Easter 35 members travelled to the Bay for a boat trip to one of the islands. The arrangements were made with some trepidation, for it was late in the season and the weather looked none too good. On the morning our worst fears seemed to have been confirmed, but conditions improved dramatically and when we arrived at the beach, after sailing part of the way in very light conditions, it was blazing hot. We anchored in about 30 feet of water so clear that we could see the anchor lying on the bottom. Imagine swimming, sunbathing (and burning) in July! If a club is formed up there it certainly won't go short of suitable weather conditions.

Those with us on the trip came from Auckland, Maungaturoto, Whangarei and the Bay of Islands area, and all enjoyed themselves so much that the trips could become more regular occurrences.

The following weekend, Easter, was a complete and literal washout, with over three inches of rain falling in the four days. One Auckland family camped at the grounds - hardy souls - and had to be towed out by tractor on the Monday after becoming hopelessly bogged.

Our grounds are coming along well, with a good covering of clover on the volleyball court. A large drain across the entrance to the grounds, a trap for the unwary, has been filled, and play equipment - four swings, three seesaws and sundry rocking horses, etc. - built and donated by a member, has been erected. Suggestions for next year include miniten and teniquoit courts and, wait for it, a bowling green.

At the time of writing temperatures are still occasionally touching the low 70s, but the days are drawing in and we cannot expect many more fine weekends.

Auckland Sun Club

The best way to spend Easter is to pack up and camp out at your own club grounds. Well, this is what fifty enthusiastic members of A.S.C. did. All arrangements were made, tents were erected in advance, the pool refilled, catering provided for, lighting for the evening, etc., etc. But what did Barry forget to arrange... of course... the weather! Even though over Easter, four hours of sunshine were available. Still a terrific time was had by all ,and there is even talk of making this a permanent fixture.

Sauna time is back and by the crowds that attend it is certainly a worthwhile scheme. This idea plus the monthly swim nights keeps us in constant touch with each other. Besides this we hold social evenings at members' homes. Being a member of A.S.C. certainly keeps one on their toes with all the activities arranged.

Talk about the ones that got away? Those fishy stories have nothing on what we have been hearing lately. Twelve of our keen members decided that a weekend away without their wives would be a marvellous idea, so off they went on a fishing trip. Boy, would I have loved to have been a fly on the wall there. We heard about the fish that there so big they broke the lines (string ones of course); the fish that pulled one of the members into the water (gosh that ground was slippery) the fish that bit one of the chap's toes (nearly off of course) and so on. But there was just one thing wrong. We didn't see any of the fish at all ... but of course the men had to eat something, didn't they?

Hawkes Bay Sun Club

A good team decided to support the Gisborne Club, and arrangements were made to spend the weekend at Gisborne and attend their Cabaret evening.

We left late Friday afternoon to arrive at Morere in time to have some refreshments and then join the Gisborne members for a swim in the beautiful hot pool. Old acquaintances were renewed, and everyone had a great time. Sightseeing on Saturday and then the Cabaret in me evening. What a wonderful night it was. Pleasant atmosphere right on the beach, good music and a great crowd. Thank you, Gisborne. We enjoyed it very much.

The weather. Memory is deceptively short, but I have no hesitation in saying that the sun has been against us this year. The wet period since Xmas had badly delayed our swimming pool and ablution block. Now we hope for a period of dry weather before winter sets in to complete the final slab of the pool floor. <continued next column>

P.S.

How to get to A.S.C.

PLEASE! don't ask Joan. Although she has been a member for two years she does not know where it is.

On a recent visit to Auckland I rang her telling her where I was, and asked for directions to the Club. If you are on the Scenic Drive you just follow that, she said. I did and finished up in Swanson. So I called in at A.O.H.C. where I received a warm welcome.

Sorry you got your clubs all mixed up, Joan... John M.

(I finally looked at the street signs, John, and now know what road A S.C. is on... Joan).

Kowhai Valley Club

Our club has been quiet of late, with no reports in the recent December and March issues. It may be that some readers have been wondering if we have gone out of existence. N0T SO! We are very much alive! The perennial question of land ownership - probably a problem by no means confined to our club has been to the fore all this time, and we considered it wise to delay rushing into print in the meantime.

However, seeing that our last report was in the September 1970 issue, it is perhaps time to say a few words.

Our temporary rented land, as previously described, served us well during the summer months. Labour Day and Thereafter, with excellent summer weather, witnessed a great number of cars parked on the verge of the isolated side-road adjacent to our grounds (the only place available for parking at the time). Swimming in the wide clear stream was extremely popular, and the Christmas Party for the children was greatly enjoyed by all. We held regular warm-swim evenings at the Mt Eden Baths all last winter and spring - with A.O.H.C. members cordially welcomed to join in with us and we have already resumed this pleasant activity in 1971.

Our energetic committee has inspected many likely blocks of land, with the final choice narrowed down to four. Some of these, naturally, posses both advantages and disadvantages; but the pros and cons of each one (combined with the all-important question of price asked) are being weighed up carefully.

So that is all that we can say at this end-of-April date. Here's hoping for more concrete information in the next issue.

In the meantime, our kind regards to our sister clubs in Auckland and beyond.

At some future date, if all goes well regarding actual ownership of land, we shall be delighted to extend hospitality to you all; but we are sure that you will understand our temporary difficulties in that respect.

Auckland Outdoor Health Club

Auckland Outdoor Health Club has to report that an application to the Auckland Regional Authority for the use of a public beach for a picnic was unsuccessful, but did provide some publicity. In the event the annual picnic which had been arranged for another beach had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

   <continued below> 

Photo: John H.B.S.C.    

The club has rounded off the summer with a miniten tournament on the new concrete court over Easter. The champions were presented with shining new trophies at a wine and cheese evening held in the clubhouse the following Saturday.

The executive were re-elected at the A.G.M. held in May and expect work to begin soon on the extension to the sundeck around the pool, and the filter house.

Palmerston North Sun Club

At the time of writing we are on our new grounds. This has ended a thirteen-month search for land. Arranging finance and the legal part is still under way. Now we can look back on what the club first started with. But for the kindness of a farmer friend who had given the club permission to go over his land at any time to our river grounds, we would never have had a start as a sun club. Our club owes a big debt to both this farmer and his wife for their understanding. This summer we have a rapid growth in membership and now we are on our own grounds members have a new interest in the club. We have a very active social committee who will be arranging socials for the winter months. We should be able to make Palmerston North an all the year club.

Waikato Sun Club

Easily our most successful and enjoyable day was the I.N.F. press day held in February. Guests came from the Waikato, Thames Valley and Waihi, and there was a steady flow of traffic up our mountain road in the morning. The new, lower, parking area came in handy and in fact, there would have been complications without it.

People did not take long to "dress" in club uniform and it was gratifying to notice the camaraderie so obviously growing. Volleyball a Ia Waikato provided entertainment for many; the new polythene-lined pool was a real magnet for the youngsters; distant gullies and long walks attracted those of quieter disposition.

It was an occasion when casual conversation combined with the activities in full swing which made people feel at home among us. The net results were: an influx of new members boosting our total to ninety adults and even more children; better relations with the general public. A week or two previously a reporter and photographer from the "Waikato Times" had been with us and the ensuing article was most favourably worded.

George did not offer himself for the presidential office this year and we are sorry to lose his services in that capacity. However, he is still a loyal, hardworking member. Additions to our canteen area have given more shelter, while donations of a slide and swing, timber, seats, a shed, a cupboard, many plants, etc., have been most welcome.

Enthusiasm and interest is widest now and there is a programme for winter under way which should cater for most folk. There is much hard work however and winter does not mean hibernation!

Gisborne Sun Club

First let us join the many others and say how much we enjoyed the Wellington rally. Well run and well organised. The sports were run to a good schedule with the resulting excellent finals played at different times so that all could be watched by those interested.

Local scene: The Cabaret we ran earlier in the year, while being no great financial success, was well supported by local people. Over 50 per cent were non-club members. With a good band, ample refreshments and a terrific supper, a good time was had by all. As our guests we had the National President Gavin and his wife, and a good supporting party from Hawkes Bay, Palmerston North etc. Our thanks to all for your help in making it a good night. We of the local club met the visiting groups en route to Gisborne and had a terrific swim night. Gisborne club has these nights regularly and with good attendance it makes an enjoyable outing.

To date we still have no land but are still hopeful of something before next summer. At present we are making use of land on a member's property and many good hours have been spent there with sport, lazing in the sun and often finishing off with a barbecue.

Several members have moved to new areas and some overseas, but these losses are being filled by people new to the movement . This build up of members must be increased to give us more support when we procure land or wish to follow up some lead or other. <continued next column>

So any person reading this article who may wish to join us or has a small piece of land they have no use for please contact our box no. Land of no use to you may be just what we are looking for.

Nelson Sun Club

Hullo again from Nelson. No news from here in the last issue was good news. We were doing nothing, but lay around and enjoyed a glorious summer.

Just the kind of summer to bring in new members, and they have been coming along steadily. We have all the single men that we can accommodate for the time being, hut are welcoming all other categories of applicant. Some of our long standing members including foundation members, have not been seen around the club for some time, and we'd very much like to see more of them. We have members now from as far away as Blenheim (100 miles from the club grounds), and Motueka (40) miles). Talking of members, some of the newer ones are musical types, so our social gatherings (his coming winter should really go with a swing.

Our contingent of two to the Wellington rally, whilst not bringing hack any trophies (on the losing side every time!) thoroughly enjoyed it. With a bit of luck and encouragement we'll manage to get some of the locals off their tanned backsides before December and be able to assemble some competition or the rest of you in Christchurch.

Three of our families, including five committee members, visited Pineglades or a few days in January. When they returned such were the glowing reports of the members' amenities and hospitality, that we who haven't been yet can hardly wait until the next rally to enjoy them ourselves.

We've had more visitors this summer than ever before, and some pleasing contacts were made. It takes the best part of a day to get to Wellington or Christchurch from here. So we have done little other club visiting. We envy those in the North Island who can nip over to another club so easily.

There was an almost 100 per cent attendance of members at our A.G.M. on the 17th of April. Some sitting committee members declined nomination, so there will be some new faces around the table at committee meetings this year. One of the new committee was browbeaten into volunteering to be Social Organiser. A barbecue/picnic has been arranged for Sunday 2nd May.

The search for own-your-own club grounds will be well and truly on this coming winter. Our present site is ideal for sunbathing, but unsuitable for long-term development. Like most of the rest of the world, Nelson suffers from population pollution, and high land prices, and it won't be easy. But we are looking seriously now and it's a case of: we get the next Association loan, or bust.

Editor Joan, with her children, accompanied by Trevor, of C.S. & H.C., called in to see us in late January. Some of our members saw a very interesting film put on by Trevor showing the development of Pineglades over the years. Unfortunately, short notice of the visited prevented us from getting together a much larger audience.

If the description of one of our local picnic spots (given by Joan in her article about her visit in the last issue), encourages anyone to visit Nelson, be sure to contact us before coming and arrange to visit our club grounds (also mentioned in the article). We can't promise that your visit will be as eventful and stimulating as Joan's, but we will do our best. Cheerio till next time.  

Photo: John Gilmour