MOTORS and MOTORING.

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 69, 15 December 1923, Page 24

MOTORS and MOTORING.

BY ”

HOLIDAY MOTOR TOURS

NOTES ON ROADS AND ROUTES

For the benefit of his readers who are thinking of taking holiday tours “Spotlight” has gathered the notes below, and desires to thatak the many correspondents who have forwarded him information in reply to his inquiries. Notes on other routes will be welcome, and motorists on tomare invited to send in jottings which will be of use to others going over the same ground. Drivers vary greatly in their estimates of roads as “good” and “bad,” and “Spotlight” will be grateful for advice of anything in his budget that needs correction or more explicit statement. .

WELLINGTON-PALMERSTON

CAUTION ON PAEKAKARIKI HILL AT NIGHT.

The main Toad is in about its usual condition, providing good, hard going with plenty of bumps in the yot-holes. The section of road through the swamp between Paekakariki and Paraparaumu provides slightly better going than has been the case recently. The Levinrbzlbn stretch is stated to le rough, and the Shannon route to Palmerston is preferable. Foxton-Sanson is good. Paekakariki Hill. —Caution is needed it night near tho top on both sides. 3 half the road-width has been cut away where the 'deviation branches off a:ld rejoins. The deviation will not be opened for traffic until after the holidays Side trips on this route are to Mangahao hydro-electric works, to Otaki Forks, up the Ohau River, and also to the various beaches —Titahi Bay, L’limmerton, Paekakariki, Paraparivumu, Waikanae (no accommodation at beach, Otaki, Ohau (no accommodation ab beach), I<evin, nnd Manawatu Heads. The road from Levin to Hokio beach is reported to be bad, and has been the subject of agitation in the local Press for some time past. For further details of side routes on this run see tho “W.A.C. Year Book and Road Guide.” Akatarawa-Walkanae. —In very 'Mailorder. The pleasantest run in making the round trip is probably to go via Upper Hutt and return via Paekakariki. WAIRARAPA ROADS HIGHWAYS AND BY-WAYS. The main road io Upper Hutt is in fair condition, with the usual supply of pot-holes. Mun-saroa Hill.—Road improvements now in progress, and the temporary track provided for traffic in places soon becomes soft and sticky after rain. Care needed on all corners on working days. Road is good on from Kaitoke to

SPOTLIGHT.”)

Featherston. Main road across the Wairarapa Plains to Masterton is badlv pot-holed. Motorists who aro not in a hurry and prefer a smoother road can make use of alternative routes part of the way, and should inquire re same in Featherston and Carterton. Masterion-Eketahuna.—Several alternative routes. Mount Bruce Road now preferred by many as tho best road. (See “W.A.C. Year Book and Road Guide” for details.) Newman Bridge.—'This bridge, just beyond Eketahuna on the main Toad, is still down, the ford is stated to be good, and to offer no difficulty in dry weather. The ford can Sb avoided by taking the Mangaono Valley Road from Eketahuna to Pahiatua, or by crossing the Makakahi River above EketaKuna and proceeding Through Nireaha. The road is good on to Woodville. Pailiser Bay.—Pleasant 25-mile run on good road from Featherston to Pailiser Bay, by Western. Lake Road. Also by good road to Marthiborough (11 miles) to Lake Ferry, by Lower Valley Road, with small seaside resort and accommodation; road excellent. Mount Holdsworth. —Turn off main road at Taratahi racecourse or Waingawa meatworks; road good except last three miles to Mr. Thomson’s farm, which requires to be taken slowly; but at foot of track, and delapidated mountain house with bunks for about 30 some miles up track at elevation of 2500 feet. Mountain flowers are a fine sight about Christmas time. Tararua Tracks. —Main track is reached by first road going to west, north of Greytown station. Good track from Kaitoke to Mount Alnha,and a. pleasant day’s climb from Kaiffike to Mount Marchant and Bhcfr. Fine bush scenery in the Pakuratahi Gorge at Kaitoke. \ Castlepoint.—Pleasant 42-mile run from Masterton, to favourite seaside resort, with good bathing beach. Open country throughout; Tabbits plentiful around the coast, and'good sea fishing. Makairo Gorge.—Very lino scenery in this gorge, which is about 12 miles from Pahiatua, and is much praised as a beauty spot. The road is rather rough, (and it is a case of turning and coming out by the same route as one goes m, as the road is not open beyond

the saddle, 19 miles from Pahiatua. Inquire in Pahiatua as to state of road before doing this trip. For other Wairarapa roads the motrist cannot do better than consult the “W.A.C. Year Book and Road Guide.” TARANAKI-AUCKLAND ROUTES CAMPING GROUNDS FOR MOTORISTS. From Mr. Gordon Fraser, chairman of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League, comes the' following budget of notes on West Coast route to Auckland and Taranaki roads generally : — Wellington-New Plymouth (about 257 miles). —Surface good throughout. New Plymouth-Mokau River-Te Kuiti (about 110 miles).— Though there are still small gaps unmetalled the road is in good order, and the trip can be done comfortably in five or six hours. The Awakino Valley Road deviation should be taken, thus avoiding Taumatamaire and the unbridged Stoney Creek. The surface is excellent and the scenery magnificent. Te Kuiti-Auckland (about 136 miles). -—Reported fairly good for this class of road except for about four miles between Huntly and Rangiriri. A local motorist drove this week from New Plymouth to Auckland (246 miles) in one day, and says the average amateur can do so without difficulty. His travelling time in a Ford was 12J hours exclusive of stops. Waitomo Caves road is in good condition. Stratford, Tangarakau Corge-Oliura. —ln good order to Ohura and thence to Pio Pio (18 miles south of Te Kuiti) except for about four miles from the top of tho Waitewhena saddle to the Paraheka Road which is somewhat rough and would bo bad in wet weather. The Ohura-Pio Pio Road, via Matiere, is also open for motor traffic and is in fairly good order. The distance from Stratford to Te Kuiti is about 140 miles. Stratford-Tangarakau Corge-Tauma« runui-Tokaanu. — The Ohura-Tokaanu Road is in good condition. A car takes about 2i hours from Ohura to Taumarunui and about 4} hours from Taumarunui to Tokaanu. It is one of the most interesting runs in the King Country. Taranaki Roads. —These, including the approaches to the North Egmont and Dawson Falls Hostels on Mount Egmont are in perfect condition. Camping Grounds. —Camping grounds have been arranged by the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce at Waitomo Caves, Waitete, and Te Kuiti racecourse. Fishing.—There is very fine trout fishing on the Mokau-Te Kuiti route, and we obtained a detailed report from that quarter, but a copy Was handed to tho “King Country Chronicle” and published. Waimiha and Ongarue.—Two firstclass streams, fly fishing only. Awakino. —Well stocked. Fly stream. Mangoataki.—Good stream. Fly and spoon. Waipa—First-class stream, well stocked. Fly fishing only, 6 miles either side of Otorohanga. Mangaokewa. —Fairly stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

The tourist agent of the To Kuiti Chamber of Commerce or the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League will be pleased to send detailed information on any point on request. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Now Plymouth-Te Kuiti run, embracing the “big three”—Mount Egmont, Mokau River, and Waitomo Caves —is the finest motor trip in New Zealand. HAWKE’S BAY-AUCKLAND ROADS BEST ALTERNATIVES IN THERMAL DISTRICT. Woodville-Napier (about 103 miles). — Road in good order generally. Napier-Taupo (about 100 miles). — Road good, but rather rough on Mohaka side of Turangakuma, where metalling was begun about a month ago, near Te Haroto School. Mr. W. Hill, Government tourist agent at Rotorua, has supplied the following notes on the Hot Lakes District main routes:— Rotorua-Taupo (about 56 miles). — This road, from Rotorua to Waiotapu is in fair condition,, and from Waiotapu to Taupo is in good condition. There are several small stretches at iatei'-als. where the road is somewhat rough. The road to Taupo via Waiotapu is in slightly better condition , than that via Atiamuri. The former is preferable. as there are several hills in the atiamuri road. Rotorua-Opotiki-Cisborne (about 194 miles). —This road, from Rotorua to Rotoma is rather rough, but from Rotoina to Opotiki, • the road is in good condition. From Opitiki to Motu, the surface is good, but. there are, certain sharp narrow corners, and it is necessary for drivers to go carefully round sharp corners, keeping a look-out for cars coming in opposite direction. There is a first-class hotel at Motu. From Motu to Gisborne cars can get through in dry weather, but in wet weather it is preferable to rail the car from Motuhora to Gisborne. Rotorua-Hamilton. — The road through Mamaku is at present in good order, as the result of the recent spell of dry weather, and in these circumstances this is the best route from Rotorua to Hamilton.

Taupo- Atianniri- Putaruru- Hamilton (about 100 miles).—The deviation on this route between Atiamuri and Lichfield, avoiding the Mangaiti Hill and i other bad places in the worst six miles of the journey, will not be completed before Christmas and will probably not be open until the end of January, according to the “Waikato Times.” Our contemporary reports under recent date: —Recent visitors from Taupo report tho road to be in exceedingly good order, but for ,the stretch of bad country referred to •above. From where the deviation branches off to Putaruru the going is perfept, while the remainder of road is in very good condition. Four

outstanding features of the district are the Taupo Laho (with the snowclad mountains of Ngauruhoe, Ruapheu and Tougariro in the immediate background), the magnificent Huka rails, the marvellous thermal activity in the Wairakei Valley and the unrivalled sights at the Aratiatia Rapids. these wonderful sights can all be viewed in a day, all being within an area or a few miles. The activity at V airakel House in the early afternoon is surprising. Several service cars irom Napier arrive, the round trippers from • Rotoru are there, _ while sight-seers bound for Wairakei V alley are all congregated. MAIN TRUNK-WAIMARINO-TAUPO INTERESTING COUNTRY BUT HOUGH GOING. The North Island still lacks a good motor road into its finest summer holiday ground, the Tongariro National Park. There are two routes up to Rootihi—ono via Marton uad Taihapo. and the other via Wanganui and the Parapara road. The following notes have been gathered from various sources: — . . no Marton-Taihape-Raetihi (about miles). —Road good to Taihape. Rough to Ohakune. . Wanganui-Raetihi (about 60 miles). —This, the Parapara road, is an interesting scenic route, with open country interspersed with bush, and a good deal of bush towards the Raetihi end. En route the road winds along the Mangawhero River for soino distance, and the Mangawhero Falls are a feature of interest, as also are the Kakatahi Lakes. One day’s heavy rain is about sufficient to make the r®adtoo greasy for comfortable travel, but it dries quickly. The secretary of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce reports:—“General surface fair. Unmetalled portion 12 miles. I 1 airly rough. "Would not be suitable for motor traffic in wet weather. No accommodation houses on the road, none being required. Service cars go through from Wanganui in fine weather three days a week. Average time in transit, 4 to 4} hours.” Raetihi-Waimarino (about 52 miles). —A. rough road, but a motorist who was through last Easter says it is quite passable. The Sulphur Creek ford rises quickly after rain and is about the worst spot. A broken bridge on another Stream was passable by laying planks across it. Motorists not looking for adventures should rail their cars from Taihgpe to Waimarino (69 miles), but this may involve the waste of a day waiting for a truck. Waimarino-Tokaanu (about 45 miles). —Road quite passable but rough, having been much knocked! about by the three motor lorries which run over it, but the lorries appear to ba seldom blocked. The Whakapapa hilts, for ascent of Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, are off this road, 5} miles from Waimarino. Details of this ana other points for ascents will be found in the “W.A.O. Year Book and Road Guide, 1923-24,” now on sale. Tokaanu-Taupo (about 35 miles). — Pumice road, at last advices 1 , reported in good order. Waiouru-Tokaanu (about 44 miles). —A little used pumice road, with several streams to bo forded. Ascent of Ruapehu may be made from Waihohono hut, reached .by turn. .off. at 19-

mile peg. For further details see “W.A.C. Road Guide ”

Feilding and Ashhurst to Apiti and Mangaweka.— Several different routes may be taken, with picturesque scenery in upper portions, and generally good going. Rabbits are in evidence over much cf this country, particularly up the Pohingina valley from Ashhurst. Details in “W.A.C. Year Book and Road Guide.” GISBORNE-BAY OF PLENTY ROADS REPORTED GENERALLY GOOD. A Wellington motorist left the other day for a round trip up to Opotiki, via Gisborne, then across to Rotorua and Hamilton, and hence via the Waitomo Caves, Mokau River, and New Plymouth, and “Spotlight” hopes shortly to have reports from him. According to Tuesday’s Auckland “Star,” a motorist had just reached Auckland, via Poverty Bay, in a light car. He came from Napier via Wairoa, Gisborne, over the big, clay Otoko Hill (from the top of which a magnificent view of the ocean is obtained), through Oi>otiki, Mamaku Bush, arid. Hamilton. All the loads were good, he says, with the exception of a patch of metal just before Wairoa. which will be blinded before Christmas Another motorist reports that the road from Wairoa to Napier is good. About six miles on the Wharerata Hill between Wairoa and Gisborne is still unmetalled. Between Gisborne and Motu there is about 25 miles unmetalled from Makahi, but a good metalled road from Motu to Opotiki, with fine scenery. The Tauranga-Matamata road is reported by the Auckland “Herald” to be better than it has been for six years. The run occupies about 2| hours.

SOUTH ISLAND ROUTES CHRISTCHURCH-BLENHEIM ROAD BLOCKED. Notes on the main South Island routes have been received from Mr. J. S. Hawkes, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association. The outstanding point about the southern main routes is that the road from Blenheim to Christchurch is blocked for through traffic in consequence of the Clarence Bridge being down. Mr. Hawkes writes as follows under date of December 10; —

Christchurch-Blenheim-Nelson Road. —From Christchurch to the Conway, East Coast route, there is no difficulty. The Conway ford has not been good, but arrangements are in existence by which light cars are towed over for 10s., and heavy cars for 20s. I am advised that cars are now going through under their own power. The road is then passable to Kaikoura and the Clarence River. The latter is quite impassable; the bridge was partly destroyed during the floods and the river is too deep and swift to ford with a car. From there on to Blenheim and Nelson the road is good. From Greymouth to Nelson the roads are all fairly good.

Main West Coast Road.— This road is at the present time open to traffic. I have just received a wire that the Waimakariri is again fordable at the Bealey—it has recently been in heavy flood. This river is frequently in flood during the summer months owing to the heavy north-west rains on the West Coast side. Mr. Ridsdale, the proprietor of the Glacier Hotel at Bealey, tows cars over the river for £l. as an alternative the cars can either bo trucked from Christchurch to Otira or Springfield to Otira or vice versa for £3 12s. 3d. and £2 10s. 3d. respectively each way. From Otira to Greymouth or Hokitika there are no difficulties. From Hokitika to the Franz Josef Glacier the conditions are fairly good. Most of the rivers are bridged. There are several streams which are quite harmless when the weather is fine, but become raging torrents during the heavy rains in a very short time, and ro down just as rapidly. The conditions after Christmas are generally fine and dry, which means there is no difficulty in getting through under a car’s own power.

Christchurch-Dunedin Road,— This is in fairly good order, but is becoming rough in parts owing to the continuous dry weather. The road to Mount Cook is fairly good, both via Geraldine and Gapes Valley to Fairlie, and Geraldine via Tifnaru to Fairlie. The Lake routes are all open to traffic. The “Manuka Gorge” between Milton and Lawrence is not good on account of the bridges in that vicinity having been washed away, but providing the weather keeps fine the streams are fordable. The best route to the Lakes is that from Palmerston South via Alexandra. This road is good