HOLIDAY TOURS

Evening Post, Issue 149, 20 December 1935, Page 9

HOLIDAY TOURS

MAIN ROADS GOOD

REPORT TO MOTORISTS

WKEKE CARE IS NEEDED

Generally the main roads, are in fair order and good travelling time con be made, states a report on roßd con-j ditions in the North Island made'by the Automobile Association.- The ireport does not deal with all the roads, but specifically covers those where difficulties may be experienced or where extra care is necessary. Except for secondary roads, therefore, where not otherwise mentioned, it can be assumed by motorists that the roads are in good condition. ■■/' . The first road dealt with by'the association is the Hinutangi-Sanson road. At the present time sealing operations are in progress between Himatangi and Sansori. and - the contractors are working from-Sanson southwards. A detour road is in use, and northbound traffic is deviating at the Ma-. kowai factory: and joining/ the main road between Sahson and Bulls. Southbound traffic deviates about half-way between Sanson and Bulls and- joins the main road again at the Makowai dairy factory;- It is anticipated, however, that during the holiday time, especially at Christmas and New Year, the main road will be available for. traffic and no .detour will .be necessary. For light cars the association states that although it is 19 miles longer through Palmerston there is very little difference in time in travelling via Palmerston as against ' the more direct route, Foxton-nimatangi-Sanson. Through the Wairarapa road reconstruction operations call for the exercise of care in a number, of places. . The Wanganui-Raetihi route, generally known as the Parapara, is actually the quickest road for those travelling to Rotorua and National Park. Unfortunately, however, the abnormal rain during the winter delayed the reconstruction .work and caused a considerable amount of damage. At present the surface is rough and is very little if at all better than it was last year. There is a rough and bumpy stretch .the* other, side of the Aber--1 eldie Hill, and it is , also; rough between the 28-mile and 35-mile pegs. The lask section into Raetihi is in good order. The grader is now working on the road and every ■ effort is being made to put the road in reasonable order before Christmas. A. number of bends have been straightened and deviations made which has resulted in another ten. minutes beinfe'eut off the driving, time. SCENIC ROAD CLOSED^ ; The Wanganui River Road (Waiiga-nui-Pipiriki) unfortunately is not available for through traffic as it has suffered badly with the heavy winter rains and is at present xlosed. The road is only open for a few mUes below Pipiriki and at the Wangahui end is blocked by a .large slip on the Wanganui side of Koroniti. It is not expected that .the,road will be open until well after |lew Year. • '"• ' A marked improvement will be noticed in the Napier-Tauporoad, although it's will be necessary to keep a sharp look-out for the gangs of workmen engaged in road-widening and cutting back corners and-generally improving the alignment and grades between Eskdale, and Te PohuL Again, between Napier and.-Gisborne- workmen are'engaged in'widening and cut-ting-back corners'; improving grades, etc., and it will be necessary.; to;, keep a..'- Sharp look-out, around Tautira: and on-the Wharerata Hills. , ' ■ The' Waikaremoana-Rotorua scenic route is in fair : order, but its miles of narrow, winding conditions and. slow travelling make it somewhat- of an ordeal for those familiar with only the wide,' smooth surfaces .of modern highway construction. The eightmile section between the Hostel and the Mokau Fall was badiy cut up during the winter rains. ■' The reconstruction: work in this section has not improved conditions.. Heavy ■rain may cause stoppages through slips, but with'fine weather, no trouble should be' experienced-. Conditions 'alter rapidly on this road, and either during, after; or with prospects of wet weather, it is advisable1 to obtain the latest information from the Automobile Association at Napier or. Rbtofua. The Awakino-Kawhia coastal road, which has delightful scenery, is not recommended by the association as it is exceedingly rough arid dangerous in a number of places. For those wishing to gain access ,to Kawhia ■ and Kawhia Harbouaas well as the beaches on the coast, south of Kawhia Harbour, the best means is from, the main road at Otorohanga, Tc Kawa, or To Awamutu. . ' ALSO NOT RECOMMENDED. The , Wanganui-Karioi, via' Mangamahu road, has been blocked practically all the winter between Mangamahau and Mount View. 'A harrdw track has just been cleared through the slips, and the road is at present open. With any rain, however, it will be closed again. In any case this road.is not advised for pleasure, and those who wish to go over it ought to be sure that they have chains in the car.; ■:,:'. ■ The Tainape-Napier road is in fairly good order at present, and provided there has been two consecutive days fine weather it will be passable, although for those taking the road the association recommends the carrying of chains. Telephones are few and far between, and it .is the longest road in the North Island without a petrol station. : \ '•."'• Stratford-Taumarulnui Road.—A very fine trip from . a scenic viewpoint is given by the StratfordTaiunarunui road.. In the Tangarakau Gorge the bush is glorious. To Tahora —51 miles from Stratford—there is a good metal road, ithen for approximately 11 miles the road is clay and sandstone. From this- clay section to Ohura or Taumarunui there is a metal road. The Public Works Department has just completed the tunnel on the Moki j Saddle, which was the worst part of this route. The tunnel is built for one-way traffic, and has made this trip possible except under very wet conditions. The grader is at present working/on the approaches to the tunnel, and when finished there will be a good motoring. surface right through. In wet weather carry chains. The association reports that the roads in the Coromandel Peninsula, which give access to. very desirable beaches and camping grounds, are in fair order. The road between Thames and Coromandel has been very much improved, and a number of corners have been cut back on the road between Coromandel and Mercury Bay, the return from which place can be made through Coroglen, joining the Thames road again at Tapu: '■ ' , ■ The Desert Road, Walouru-Tokaana, is not recommended by the association. The association reports that the main roads north of Auckland are in good condition, and it is on a few of the secondary roads only that d;mcu!lies will be experienced. Tne round trip of the northern peninsula can be made comfortably up the east coast and down the west'coast, and motorists can sp"end an en.ioyable camping holiday in the sub-tro*:eal climate in Ur.s i locality. ', '