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WITH TENT AND MOTOR

ROADS OF THE DOMINION THEIR ATTRACTIONS FOR MOTOR CAMPERS [By Trip.] [All Rights Reserved.] These articles, which will bo continued throughout the summer months, will deal with all aspects of camping and motoring. As a special Her vie to readers queries on any matters relating to motor camping will be answered. Such queries should bo addressed to ' Trip,” cate of P.O. Box 1,178, Wellington, and a stamped addressed envelope enclosed for reply., Every possible assistance will be given, and queries _ Trill be answered in rotation. It is difficult for the average motorist to keep track of the very extensive improvements which are effected to our principal roads each year. Such rapid progress has been made each year during the past five summer seasons that the reading information given, otje year, would be quite inaccurate in a number of important particulars the following year. All the principal tourist routes are now either metalled or are at present being improved, and the few small stretches which linked road to road throughout the two islands, and. which sometimes held up the traveller, are mostly metalled. To the motor camper this means greater freedom of movement than ever before; the round trip, formerly impossible because of some an noying unmetallcd gap of a few miles, can now be carried out in comfort and security. The spade work has been done, and the improvements of the future will consist in the formation of better surfaces through hitumenising or concreting. NOT YET PERFECT. Do not for one moment imagine that I think our roads are yet perfect or nearing that blissful state. Tne motorist' who bumps over Rome of the stretches in the Far North.’ ■"amnees his spring-, on some of the King Country roads, or drives through" the potholes on some of the Otago roads will a wee with me that much yet remains to be done With the general improvements that are being carried out on the roads in the Far North and those in the centre of the North Island, together-with the attention now being paid to surfacing in the South Island, it may truly be said

that a happier and less humpy day is dawning for the motorist. There are far fewer unmetalled roads in the South Island than in the North, and there the problem is largely one of reconstruction and improvement. Many South Island motorists maintain that this work would be more effectively carried out if there were a special ■ Highways Board to deal specifically with that island, but tin's is not the place to discuss that question. ESSENTIAL LINKS COMPLETED. During the last winter the metalling of two very important links in the North island has been completed, and metalling operations elsewhere on tourist routes will make the lot of the motor, camper easier this summer. One of the most annoying stretches of road in the whole of tho North Island was that between Gisborne and Motn, where a few miles of nnmotalled road led to endless trouble during a sudden wet -spell. _ Fortunately, there was an alternative 'route by rail, and the car owner could put his car aboard the train, and thus complete his round trip. The real difficulty arose when the weather- was merely unsettled, and when it was 'uncertain whether or not tho road could he negotiated. The metalling of this gap has now been conn pleted as far as the base course is concerned, and, although tho surface is .rough at the 1 moment, it will be gradually improved during the summer, as metalling- operations progress still furth°r. '. The unmetalled gap on the road between Wanganui and, Ractihi has also been bridged this winter, and _ motor enmoersfrom the. Taranaki district will have an easy rout through toTokaann, Taupo, and "Rotorua, instead of having to wand"!* halfway .round .the island because tho weather is had. Many motor campers got into difficulty on this road about Christmas, time last year, when the, bad weather’ was experienced, and one or. two cars- wero damaged. The road around Waionru also -has been receiving ■ attention... this winter, and there, are now two metalled roads into the National Park. IN THE SOUTH ISLAND. , The biggest offensive to, be launched *sn tho South Island this summer will be yon- the roads which were damaged by the big earthquake, and on which .only, urgent and . necessary, work has so'fai been carried out. Between Murchison and Lyell. on what was formerly one of .the most beautiful stretches on the whole of the West Coast,- the road Ims been damaged very badly indeed, and it will take many months of work before it is fit for use. The alterfativo route runs out through, Marnia, ard although it is narrow in places and {he surface fairly rough, it can be negotiated at all times. Minor improvements have already been carried out on this road, metalled passing places haying been

made at a nuumber of points. Others will be randy in the near future, so that by the time it is called on to carry heavy sumraei traffic the most dangerous points will have received attention. Without a doubt the "West Coast will be one of the most papular places in_ New Zealand for motor campers this summer, and many North Island cars will be making across there. Tho write) hopes to make the trip across there in a few weeks’ time, after which ho will be able to give essential information. Further south, the roads have not suffered to any extent, and there will bo in- difficulty in getting through to Franz Josef. Most of the-tourist routes in the South Island are already in good condition. In some Cases, such as tho Mount Cook-Qucenstown route, tho roads are very hilly, often narrow', and sometimes danger ms, but the surface is' metalled, and motorists can *get through in all weathers. For years yet the West Coast-East Coast road .will be a difficulty, and most motorists will prefer to rail their cars between Otira and Springfield. Apart from the many river crossings which give trouble at times, tho surface of tho Arthur’s Pass road is far from good, and a car has to be in good fettle to negotiate it safely. YOUR OWN COUNTRY FIRST. Good roads and the provision of special facilities foi motor campers at many points throughout both islands, make tho lot of the motorist a very easy onb A motor camping holiday is pleasant and inexpensive, and makes it possible to set tho whole of New Zealand in a reasonable time. Our own country probably has'more attractions to offer within small compass than any ofch°r p'ace in the world,— certainly very many more than our nearest” neighbour, Australia—and. he is a wise man who sees everything possible here before travelling overseas. We have already seen how different standards of comfort are possible with different types of cars and different classes of camping gear. In following articles -we shall’traverse many roads together, and in this way shall have at oni finger-tips, all the many details which ; add to the pleasures ard comforts of a holiday spent with car and tent. There is such .t diversity to be had with motor camping that everyone , will, find something to his or her liking in a holiday like this. The fisherman will know the various points along the road where it is Worth while trying for the elusive trout; the swimming enthusiast will try out the respective merits of various beaches ard rivers; the lover of mountaineering will -visit the National Park, Mourt Cook, or,Frar, Josef; while the more easily satisfied country lover will wander her and there-, dallying by the wayside as fancy distates. '

. Next week;. ‘Rotorua Reached From Many Points.’

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19291026.2.22

Bibliographic details

Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 5

Word Count
1,289

WITH TENT AND MOTOR Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 5

WITH TENT AND MOTOR Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 5