THE OPEN ROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11404, 3 January 1931, Page 10

THE OPEN ROAD.

A Short Address by Air. B- E. Champtalcnip?' Touring .Manager o\ the Auckland Automobile Association, entitled:

“ATTRACTIONS- OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAYS ”

Within a few days hundreds of motorists will be setting out from home for their summer vacation and this season they will have every reason to congratulate themselves that-the Automobile Associations of New. Zealand have adopted so progressive a programme in the erection of road direction and warning signs. With the exercise of a little common sense it is almost, impossible to lose one’s way and right through the Island, in the hack country miles and miles from anywhere, one will see the familiar Association signs indicating the route, giving warning, of sudden turns,. hidden culverts, steep, descents and other features which mightlead an unwary driver into danger. I would make this last- appeal that every motor. driver will do his or her share towards making the . road a safer place this season. To travel smartly is one thing,- but to speed, to the danger of other road users, cutting corners, dashing past- pedestrians and through small villages and tearing along as if the road belonged to only you, is an offence, for which there is no excuse. With tho operation. of many new traffic- officers who have been appointed during the year, the latter class ■of driver is very likelt to find himself called on to pay the penalty for his recklessness. .

Most motorists will have arranged their itineraries, but L will, devote just,a little ..time to pointing out some of the more interesting features on our routes- which are perhaps not quite so well known as many of those iri the more populated areas. South of Taranaki arid Napier, the country.is well settled and generally speaking is well-known. In Taranaki, the trip from New Plymouth to Hawera. can be followed by taking the coast road or round the Mountain Road which follows the coastline past Cape Egmont and runs through Opunake and Manaia. There, is very pleasant scenery and a good view of the mountain. The sea is iri sight most of the way, < • • v The main traffic route between Wanganui, Palmerston North or Feildiug is now through. Bulls and while the surface permits fast travelling on this route, probably .a more pleasant road to idle along on, is the route from Turakina to Marten, thence via. Halcombe to Feilding and Bunnythorpe to Palmerston North. Further south very fine scenery, is experienced between Waikanae / and Upper Hutt via Okatarara. The I'oad climbs up to an altitude of 1500 ft. and runs through native bush, later dropping down to continue through tlio valley alongside the river. Some of the names I am mentioning may not bo familiar to all listeners, but by taking a note’ of these names and then referring to the map, of the North Island published by, the Auckland Automobile Association, there should bo no difficulty in locating the points I describe. .±. ,■>' . In the Hawke’s Bay district, tlie, most, usual route to bo <taken .is between Dannovidce and Waipukurau, arid then to Hastings arid Napier. A long detour, can. be made over pleasant country- ;from Daririovirko.. . to Wimbledon and Porangabau to .Wai-pukurau-and then a little further north, by turning tori,tlio east at Waipawa, then there is a pretty, run through : Patangata- .to ; Havelock, and Napier. Another pleasant alternative- route is-the road ruririirig through

Ong» On*, and TdkoWno wlici joins in a»..Fe t nJ,ill, ,11 miles from Aap,. ier.: The' last three roads I have mentioned avoid the traffic -of * busy main thoroughfare and ,nm through, less frequented country On , the run from the south to the National Park, the WanganuS-Raetihi is a favorite route, as is also the Felding - Taihape - Ohakune-Raetihi route.” Pleasant travelling is experienced on both these roads, but the route from Feilding through Cheltenham direct to Rangiwabia or via Apjti passes through even more interesting scenery. This route is even better when travelling south. Between Taihape and Napier, there is a direct trip of 100 miles via Kuripaponga. This road runs up into high altitudes oyer 3000 feet above sea level and enters the bare wind-swept areas over the Kaweka Ranges. It is extremely interesting for experienced motorists. The grades are severe and some of'the roads narrow. Unfortunately, a, portion of the -road is day and chains will be required after beavy rain. Several very large sheep stations are passed and at times the deer can be seen, on the side'of the hills. Skirting the Eastern side of the National Park,'-is another interesting run. This road also runs over country above 300 ft. and crosses an area known as the desert of Gobi. It is interesting to note that. the.Waikato or Tongariro River is crossed within a few miles of -its source- The road at present is in fair-order, but sometimes gives trouble in wet. weather. With the snow on the mountains and the National Park in the centre, it is a wonderful trip to start from the Chateau in the morning and run down through Raetihi to Okahune and then travel via Waiouru to Rangipo, then skirting round Lake RoioAira and returning to the Chateau in the afternoon. The mountains are in view the whole time. The Tangarakau Gorge -route is another very fine trip. Leaving Stratford, the country- is fresh and the fields are green. A series of saddles is negotiated hut the roads have been so improved that there is no trouble until one passes . Tahora. The road then, becomes narrow and winding and there is clay formation, which gives' trouble in wet weather. Another saddle is negotiated and dropping down, the scenery through the Tangarakau Gorge is very beautiful. The road skirts along the river and the dense native bush, overhangs from the sides of the hills. Close to the water, ferns grow in profusion in the shade of the trees. Unfortunately, this is a route which ■ gives a lot of trouble in wet weather and careful enquiries should he made if there has been any rain. The northern journey can be oont inued through - Ohura . district, or to Taumaninui, via the Wanganui River. •

In the Gisborne district- the main highway runs from Wairoa, through Morere to Gisborne. At Morere there are Hot -Springs and even-if one is not stopping overnight, time should be allowed to view the Nikau Groves which-are amongst some of the finest in New Zealand. An alternative road which has only a short, clay stretch, is via Te Reingn. Tiniroto and Hang- k > aroa. This passes through very pleasant- country and in places runs alongside river and through stretches of native bush.

The trip over the Alotu Hills between Gisborne and Opotiki is famed for its beauty but the narrowness of the road deters many motorists from taking the route. A new road is being constructed between Matawai and Opotiki via the Wnioeka Valley.' This will be available for traffic in the New Year and on week ends during the holiday period. The grades are very easy and the run is interesting. For 20 miles, the route is right alongside the Waioeka River the little clearings and long lengths of native bush making delightful scenes. One mountain range is Crossed. The road is not yet finished and portions on the fiat- will be.found to be still a little narrow.

Erom Opotiki, there is a road running towards Cape Runaway .along tile coast. This is a great- trip for a motor camper. There are innumerable places where the tent can be. pitched and there is good fishing and bathing.

There is another very pleasant- run into the northern regions of rhe Urewern Country. This route branches off half way between Whakataae and Opotiki and is marked Tawhana Flats, ft- runs for f'd miles alongside the river, the last 10 miies being through dense native bush and there are numerous places where the tent can be pitched. The -first part of the road is likely to be a little rough. Of interest to fishermen and sportsmen is tlie route that-runs from Te Toko up the Eangitikei River. * There is very fine scenery, arid good places for camping - and good fishing. The Onepu Hot Springs is another interesting region. The route leaves the main Rotorua road one mile west of Te, Teko and runs through - v.scrub to tlie bank of the Trirawera; • jll River. The ' river is cro.vied in. ti Maori dug-out canoe to visit the thermal sights. Another, thermal region not very well known' is OrakeiIvorako. This route turns off from Atiamuri, 30 miles north of Taupe* and at times it is right down* alongside the. rapids of the Waikato River and in other places runs several hundred feet on the face of; the cliff above the river. It is also necessary to cross the river by ri Maori canoo to see the- thermal Sights. • y Motorists travelling between To Kuiti arid-Auckland can -avoid the main read right through to’ Ngaruawahia by taking the clay road between Waitoriio arid Otoroßanga, *. then following the: Kawliia rbad for J* a few miles and then continuing on the western banks of the Waipa River through Pirorigia and To Rorri to WBata Wliata where the’ river- is crossed and a diroct ruri made' to Ngaruawahia.