EASTER TOURING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 17

EASTER TOURING

Condition of Roads Improved ADVICE TO MOTORISTS The Automobile Association (Wellington) reports that road surfaces are in a better condition generally than they were during the Christmas period, and unless heavy rain sets in before Easter touring conditions should be much more pleasant than they were at Christmas. Locally, all roads are reported to be iu fair condition. The association states that the quickest aud best access to the thermal regions from the south is via Wanganui aud the Parapara Road to Raetihi and theu ou through National Park. The road between Himatangi aud Sanson, on the Wauganui-Sausou-Foxton route to Wellington, is in course of preparation for bitumen, and this work will be going ou for approximately three mouths. At intervals, detours will be entailed which will not increase the mileage at any point to more thau two miles. These deviations will all be easily negotiated and well signposted. For Easter traffic, however, there are no deviations ou this stretch, but care and reduced speed are recommended. The Parapara Road is iu fair condition. There is still a large amount of reconstruction work being carried out aud motorists are advised to pay regard to signs indicating progress of reconstruction as well as the directions of workmen. Particular care is required at uight because in a number of short sections the roadway is confined to one-way traffic only. Reconstruction work is still being carried out on the central route between Mangaweka and Taihape. The surface of the road has been improved in relation to its condition a few months ago, but the association still recommends the Parapara Road (Wa-nganui-Raetihi) as the better of the two. The Napier-Taupo road is in fair order. In the Auckland district the road between Hamilton and Te Awamutu is sealed practically throughout. Reconstruction work is in hand north of Otorobanga and careful driving is necessary.

Large reconstruction works are still in progress ou the Waikaremoana road. Due to the line weather which has been experienced over the past month traffic has been able to get through fairly consistently, but any motorist proposing to travel this road should make inquiries from the Automobile Association at Napier or at Rotorua before going through. 'The coastal route round Cape Runaway is not recommended. Numerous inquiries have been made concerning the Wanganui River Road, which, however, is still closed to through traffic. The road is open as far as Koriniti from the Wanganui 'end and as far as Jerusalem from the Pipiriki end. The conditions of the road, however, is not such that the association can confidently recommend it.

The Desert road between Waiouru and Tokaanu is not recommended unless flue weather is experienced. Construction work is still in progress and the road is much improved, but despite this the association cannot recommend it except in line weather. The Wanganui-Karioi road (Mangamahu Valley) is still closed.