STATE OF ROADS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 78, 2 April 1931, Page 5

STATE OF ROADS

HOLIDAY- MOTORING

A road report issued for Easter by (he Wellington Automobile Club States that the Wellington-Palmerston North road (via Shannon) is in good order, but that short stretches of rough metal are to be met on the Levin-Foxton route, on which tar-sealing is in progress. The Foxton-Himatangi road is excellent, and the Sanson-Bulls road good, except for grading. A look-out must be kept for loose shingle. | The Taihape-Ohakune road is in good condition. The Waiouru-Tokaanu route is not metalled, but is in reasonable order at the present time. The Parapara is narrow and winding, land calls for careful driving. From Kaetihi to National Park the ):oad is in good order. The Taumarunui-Te Kuiti road is in reasonable order, the country being so dry that unless heavy rain falls no trouble is anticipated during Easter week. From To Kuiti to Hamilton the noad 5s good as far as Kihikihi, and then tfc becomes very rough. The Toad from Hamilton to Auckland 5s in good order. The Bombay deviation is not available for traffic at present, JB,nd the motorist must expect steep grades fin the Razorbacks. Taranaki roads are in excelclnt order, fea is also the New Plymouth-Te Kuiti Jroute. 'i Earthquake-damaged roads in the Hawkes Bay area must be traversed with care. Travelling from Napier to Gisborne, one should proceed via Greenmeadows end Rissington, thence to Eskdale. The direct road via Eskdale can be used, but there are deviations along the railway line several chains in length, and railway bridges have to be crossed by means of planks. This section of the road is rather tricky for an inexperienced driver, and will become impassable after heavy rain. Motorists wishing to visit Wairoa en route to Gisborne will need to. retrace their steps to Awamatc, about , three miles on the Napier side of Wairoa, to deviate over the railway bridge, as the main traffic bridge at ■ Wairoa is down. See signpost. Carry chains as a safeguard in bad weather. . The Wairoa-Waikavemoana-Rotorua route is now in reasonable order, but owing to earthquake damage between Wairoa and Lake House a blockage may ocjeur at any time. The first two miles from Lake House to Aniwaniwa is metalled. The next portion to Mokau, nine miles, being unmetalled, becomes very bad in wet weather, and drivers not accustomed to wet or greasy surface conditions are advised not to take this route without firsttelephoning Lake House to ascertain the weather conditions. Two-clear days' of fine weather is sufficient to ensure a safe passage, although the road surface will prove rough owing to deep ruts. From Ruatahuna, the road to Kotorua is the usual pumice formation. This route needs careful driving, and, is. not advisable for those unfamiliar with nriryow, winding roads, steep drops, and unmetalled surfaces. Motorists travelling from Napier to Taupo are advised that the direct road via Eskdale can be used, but there are deviations along the railway line several chains in length, and railway bridges have to be crossed by means of planks. This section of the road is rather tricky for an inexperienced driver, and will become impassable after heavy rain. The alternative route via Greenmeadows and Rissington to Te Pohue. is reasonable, and although longer, is preferable. Carry chains in the event of wet weather. The balance of the road from Te Pohue to Taupo is in quite reasonable order.