AWHEEL IN THE NORTH

Evening Post, Volume cxxiv, Issue 148, 20 December 1937, Page 12

AWHEEL IN THE NORTH

HINTS TO MOTORISTS

ROAD WORKS IN HAND

EAST CAPE ROUTE UNCERTAIN

There will be more motor vehicles on the roads this holiday season than ever before, and the Automobile Association, Wellington, issues a warning to observe the rules of traffic carefully. So great is the number of cars crossing to the South Island this Christmas that a special steamer is being used for the purpose. Visiting English tourists seeking ferry accommodation for their cars are staggered to learn that the accommodation is so booked up that in some cases they will not be able to use their cars south of Cook Strait before January. Touring Wellington motorists usually go north for their holiday. The. main through routes are in good order. There is little upon which they need advice regarding the Wellington or Hawke's Bay roads, all of which are in good condition, but the following hints by the Automobile Association, Wellington, will no doubt prove useful, particularly in regard to road works in hand:—

Wairoa-Gisborne.—The main route is still via Morere, but improvements to the' Tihiroto Road make this a very pleasant trip for those on tour who are not. in any particular hurry. The surface is usually good except in wet weather, where road works are in hand.

Gisborne-Opotiki.—Good travelling through the Waioeka Gorge. The Motu route is not recommended, unless members particularly want to see the old road through the bush. It is . very narrow in comparison.

Gisborne-Opotiki, via Cape Kunaway. —This route is more adversely affected by rain than most others, on account of the streams, which rise suddenly. The Kereu bridge, between Waihau Bay and Te Kaha, was damaged by an abnormal rising of the river last week, two spans of the bridge being lost, and the damage will not be repaired before the New Year. It is hoped that a suitable ford will be located to enable the passage of through traffic. The Karakatuwhero River, near Hicks Bay, is bridged. There are a number of unbridged streams beyond Hicks Bay and one or two of these could easily prove a trap for the inexperienced. The Raukokore, where the bridge is not yet finished, is particularly treacherous and not recommended at present. It has a shifting bottom and the ford changes. Bullocks are available at Raukokore for towing. The narrow cliff road between the Motu River bridge and Opotiki is in course of reconstruction and conditions at the works will not be very comfortable if there is wet weather.

Opotiki-Whakatane-Tauranga.—Very much improved road. Reasonable travelling.

Tauranga-Waihi-Paeroa.—This road, which usually was rather rough,' is now being maintained in reasonable condition. Between Waihi and Paeroa the reconstructed Gorge road presents easy travelling.

Tauranga-Matamata via the Kaimai Hills. —Under reconstruction and likely to be rough.

Paeroa-Auckland.—A large amount of reconstruction work has been completed, but the works now in hand are not likely seriously to interfere with holiday traffic.

Coromandel Peninsula.—Generally speaking, motorists from, the south will find the roads on the Coromandel Peninsula narrow and winding and inclined to "be rough. The peninsula, however, is an ideal place for camping. On the' eastern side of the peninsula between Waihi and Whangamata the metal is large.and rough.

North Auckland. —There has been a great improvement in the roads. The recommended tours are:—Auckland-Whangarei-Russell-Faihia and " Waitangi - Ohaeawai - Kaikohe, OpononiWaipoua Forest-Dargaville-Auckland, or Auckland-Whangarei-Kawakawa, Paihia (launch to Russell), Kerikeri - Mangonui - Kaitaia- - Mangamuka - Kaikohe - Opononi - Dargaville- Auckland.

Waikaremoana-Rotorua.—The major works on the old, narrow road have been completed. The route will still be classed as narrow and winding, but much safer than- formerly. Road works are now in hand on either side of Lake House, where conditions could be unpleasant in wet weather. The unbridged streams are not likely to cause trouble except in very wet weather. Inquire before setting out.

New Plymouth-Te Kuiti.—Much improved maintenance — construction work south of Mount Messenger, but generally fair travelling. Flood, area eliminated from Pio Pio to Te KuitL

Te Kuiti-Otorohanga.—A loose metal surface. Good travelling from Hangatiki to Waitomo.

Otorohanga-Hamilton. — Reconstruc-tion-works in an advanced stage. Tarsealing extends to south of Kihi KM. National Park-Taumarunui-Te Kuiti. —A very much improved road. Fairly easy travelling but no sealing. National Park-Taupo.—Very much improved; fairly dusty. Taupo-Napier.—Many improvements and a much safer road.

Rotorua-Whakatane. — A much straighter and safer road than formerly. Work still in hand. Rotorua-Tauranga.—The recommended route via Te Puke is much the same as formerly—quite fair to Te Puke (10 miles narrow winding section) and tarsealed from Te Puke to Tauranga. The direct route via Oropi is 16 miles shorter, but should only be taken after fine weather.

Desert Road Waiouru-Tokaanu.— Under construction. South' end being metalled, middle very rough, northern section good. Bad in wet weather. Open, but not recommended. " .

Taupo-Rotorua.—Good travelling, a transformed highway.