EASTER ROAD REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 11

EASTER ROAD REPORT

MOTORISTS' GUIDE

GRAVEL SURFACES VARY

SOME VERY ROUGH

The following resume of road conditions for the Easter .holidays is based by the Wellington Automobile Club on supposed normal weather conditions between now and Easter. Main Route North.—On the main cortst route from Wellington to 'Auckland, via New Plymouth and Hamilton, the gravel sections generally are not In such good running order as previously. Between Himitangi ami Sanson tho road Is not in good shape, while corrugations reduce speed, particularly • with baby cars. Around Te Kuiti' the gravel sections are fair, although heav,y traffic has a severe effect on tho surface. Tho worst section is between tho northern, end of the Bombay deviation and Papakura. The Bombay deviation is now completely-sealed, so that motorists nesd no longer-fear the journey over the Razorback. The restricted speed limit on. the Bombay . deviation has been lifted. Between, the northern.end of tho Bombay deviation-and the beginning of the concrete road :at Papakura, the crown of the ;metal road is high, and generally tho shape and. condition of it uro such that very careful driving is necessary. To . ..Hawke's day.rrlTom " Wellington to Hawke's Bay conditions are much better ■ than on the we^t"coast. The best -route 'is. via ffoxton -to- Palinerston North. The distance from -Wellington to Palmerston North Via Foxton. .is 100 miles, as. against 95%-; miles, through Shannon, but on account of tho/condition of tho■ gravel sections between.' Levin and ■ Shannon,, and Shannon and. Palmorston North,.time is saved by travelling via Foxton and Himitangi. The Palmerston route is preferable to tho Wairarapa route, on account of tho rough condition of the", gravel sections be^ tween. Master'toh ;and Pahlatua. ■ ■•..'■ .-.- Napier-Taupo.—This road is practically always in: good condition, while the.Taupo to Rotorua road will also be found in very, fair order1 For those-visiting Rotorua the best means of approach' is' via Napier and laupo. In travelling time there is little difference between this route and via Wanganui and Haetlhl, but tho Parapara Gorgo is rough In places, mainly on account of widening : operations. , A .fair time from Wellington to Rotorua, is-12 to ~12 %. hours. -For the motorist who wishes to* save time a good plan is to leave Wellington on Thursday night, and if. travelling into or via Hawke's Bay 'go as far as Dannevirke. If travelling via the west coast, go as far as Palmerston North or even Wanganui By making an early start the following- morning, the traveller can. reach Pn"-»=-liliy. aiiy destination from Auckland southCountry.—After the'floods, the Te Kuli-Tauniarunui highway is agata-In : order and the entire mam hlgtew lU ,™X use" with the, exception- -of va short length which will-not be finished. Road signs- indicate the routes across the river at both places. location of repaired wash-outs. . - •MmmSm to all intents and purposes normal... lh?re is deviation between ■• Horopito and Ohahuno is not avaUable for. traffic pending bridge con- " route between National Park" and; Taupo Is much improved, and much of the -«. Inding norlion has been transformed into a s.traigtu Say. While reasonably fine weather contween Tokaanu and Waiouru Js Tipt lsed for to Glsborno is in fair order. Sk'eTSy SSSM »X ea«c ! Xvoy ■/Following heavy rain, the surfacei bchvTen the -Lake House and the Mokau Falls (seven miles) becomes greasy in parts, makin- clrWng a worry to other than experienced drivers The road from Walroa to the Lake House is:in fair order with the exception: of four miles -approaching the lake • /hich calls for. careful driving. ■ ■ ■■ . - . .' Gisborne-Onotiki.—The Waioeka Talley Road, which has been blocked, is again open, and subject to*flno; weather should be in fair order f°Tlfe a road from Opotiki;alone the. coast through Whakatane and Taurnnga and then on to Wdihl is in fair order. The road from Te Puki> to Jit. -Maunpinul" is-negotiable in all weathers. . Further North.—The Coromandel Peninsula roads aro in fair order and can bo recommended.- Going into- Auckland across tho Hauraki Plains the road surface .is in fair condition, although on account of the narrowness of the roads travelling is slower. North of Auckland conditions at tho moment are favourable over main roads, all being in lair order. . : . < • /To South Island.—For- those .visiting! tho1 South Island and wishing to cross from the east to tho West Coast via tho Otlra Gorge and Arthur's Pass, it will be necessary to truck the car from. Otira to Springfield,, as the ,Otlra Gorge is definitely blocked. Any, member of an automobile association -wishing ,o sain a truck can do so by telegraph through the Canterbury Automobile Association at Chrlstchurch.