MOTOR LICENSES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20731, 16 December 1932, Page 6

MOTOR LICENSES.

SLIGHT DROP ON LAST YEAR'S FIGURES. LEEWAY BEING MADE UP. With the approach of the holiday period motorists who have had their cars stored since the end of April in order to save expenses are bringing them out again, and during the past two weeks there has been an average of 200 licenses issued weekly, as compared with about 150 for the corresponding period of last year. ' Figures supplied by the Post Office authorities show that by December 14th of last year the motor vehicles licensed amounted to 14,368, while for the corresponding period of the present year the number was 13,692. For the two weeks ended on December 14th, 1931, the licenses issued amounted to 304., while for the first fortnight of this year the number was 407. Ic would appear from the foregoing figures that motorists have kept their vehicles off the road owing to the stress of the times. For every month that a private motor-car is not registered the saving effected amounts to ss, so that those licensing in December will have saved 35s in such fees, to say nothing of the amount they would have spent in petrol, oil, and maintenance charges during that period. As the number of vehicles licensed is now only 676 lower than was the case half-way through December last year, and as there is an increased proportion of licenses being issued at the moment, it is not unlikely that by the end of April there will be little difference in the numbers of vehiclos on the road this year and last. ROAD TO ROTORUA. ROUTE VIA WAIKAREMOANA. In response to an enquiry from a member of the Canterbury Automobile Association who is contemplating a trip by motor to Botorua, via Waikaremoana, tho following information has been supplied by tho secretary of the Hawke's Bay Automobile Association. It is printed hero in the belief that it will be of interest to others who might mako the trip. Tho main highway to Napier from Wellington is in good order, having a bitumen surface almost for tho whole of the distanco of 217 miles. The only liill work is between Wellington and Paekakariki. From Napier to Waikaremoana the road is metalled and the surface is generally good, being negotiable in all weathers. Starting from Napier, there is a hill between the 18 and 24 milo pegs, but afterwards there is no hill of any importance until reaching Mohaka (60 miles), although there are a good many bends in places requiring care owing to tlio traffic on the road, which is a fairly busy one. miles out there is a charming lake, called . Lake Tutira, which is three miles long. At Waikari tea, meals, and accommodation may be secured, and benzine is available. Wairoa, 80 miles from Napier, is a pretty little town with modern hotels. During the earthquake the bridge across the river collapsed, and consequently all motorists wishing to proceed to Waikaremoana or Gisborne are taken across on punts under tho control of tho Public Works Department. By turning off at Awamate, five miles before reaching Wairoa, the punt can be avoided as tho river is bridged at this point. The -turn-off is clearly marked. From Wairoa to Lake House (Government- Accommodation House) is miles. This is a delightful drive, the road following the river practically the whole way. The distance from Waikaremoana to Rotorua is 108 miles, the route being a beautiful one. This portion of the road is not advisable in wet weather, as it is not motalled all the way and

therefore becomes greasy in places, necessitating the use of chains. There are also portions where it is difficult for cars to pass each other. Waikaremoana is a beautiful lake about 2000 feet above sea level and set in the middle of fine bush. Two miles from Lake House there is a track three miles long leading up to Lake Waikare-iti, which is 700 feet higher again. The track is for trampers only and the grade is easy. Alongside Lake Hotel on the lake shore there is a first-class camp site, where boating, fishing, and swim- j ming may be enjoyed. Milk and stores may be obtained from the hotel store. _ There are also two other fine camp sites, at Mokau, eight miles beyond Lake House, and Hopuruahine, 15 miles away. These are ideal for trout fishermen. Pair tfriving times are as follows: Wellington to Napier, seven to eight hours; Napier to Wairoa, four hours; Wairoa to Waikaremoana, two hours; Waikaremoana to Eotorua, seven hours. Capable of 1723 combinations, an ignition lock has been invented by a Sydney mechanic. It is wired into the horn circuit. If the ignition is switched on while the combination is wrongly set, the horn sounds vigorously, but the ignition remains oif. The device is simple, consisting of three discs, each bearinc alphabetical symbols on the rim. The ignition is locked by misplacing the letters ot the combination, and unlocked setting it again. The discs can be operated* by [ one finger, and the device is fitted to \ the dashboard.