THE MOTOR WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 January 1925, Page 13

THE MOTOR WORLD

ROUND MOTOR TOUR

ELEVEN HUNDRED AND ELEVEN MILES. This descriptive account of a grand holiday motor tour round the whole centre of the .North Island, in which the distance covered in three weeks was exactly 1111 miles, has been specially written for the Star by one cf the party, which comprised Mr and Mrs E. KL. Cameron, and Master Cameron, of Hawera, and Mr J. W.• O’Brien, of Wellington. After a night of continuous heavy rain, the morning of Boxing Day dawned with little promise cf sunshine, and it certainly dicl not augur very fair for the commencement or a prolonged motor tour. Shortly after 7 o’clock a departure was made from Hawera., travelling via Stratford and Inglewood to Waitara. From Waitara on northwards the roads were quite good, though bumpy in places. The bush scenery over Mount Messenger is most beautiful, and the read, though steep in places, is indeed good, and quite safe for any motor driver of average experience. From Waitara to Mokau some pleasant views of the North Taranaki Bight are obtained 1 , and to the lover or the azure sea these glimpses add to the beauty of the trip. On the stretch of flat before the Mokau River a very bad place was encountered, but this will be quite all right after dry weather. A new cutting has been put through a clay bank, and the recent heavy rains had made this unmetalled portion a veritable quagmire. The astounding antics of ears m traversing this part were ludicrous to any spectators, but certainly far from pleasant to the occupants of the cars. Here chains were necessary, but apart from the mud and rough ride, no great trouble was experienced in getting through. After crossing the Mokau River on the ferry, the road is good through to Awakino, where two or three miles of roads rich in potholes is experienced prior to entering the once dreaded Awakino Valley. This road is now the joy of any motorist, as fjie surface is Derfect, and the scenery along the .river absolutely delightful. First Night’s Camp. The first night out saw our tents pitched a.t Area, and next morning the journey was continued to Te Kuiti. Although th© morning was fine, heavy showers of rain were experienced as Te Kuiti was approached. The King Country capital was showing the results of the recent heavy rains, as the roads in places and vast areas of the countryside were under water. When we had been assured that this watery condition is quite usual and general for these parts, the journey was continued after lunch via Te Awamutu, Ohaupo and Cambridge en route fox Matfr Mata.

The approach to Te Awamutu saw our hopes for better weather being realised, and the bright sunshine was welcome. The meaning of the Maori name Te Awamutu is the river or stream that is ended or cut short; put the festive season had caused a stronger stream to flow.

From Te Awamutu the higher road through Ohaupo was taken to the pretty little town of Cambridge, which is entered over a massive modern bridge high above the waters of the Waikato. River, and the traveller is a.t once struck with the beauty and pretty “lay-out” of this little old town! Leaving Cambridge by the^ lowlevel bridge, the road was found to be in good order to Mata Mata, which town was reached on the second day out from Hawera. Taurangamoana Hot Springs. A line of miniature steel Eiffel towers runs across country through Mata Mata, and .these carry electric power cables from the Waikato. River to the mines. During a few days’ stay with friends at Mata Mata, a run of 23 miles was made to To Aroha, a town of much beauty and famous for its hot springs. This is indeed a restful little place, with a tourist atmosphere, and the baths are situated in tiie public gardens, which are well laid out at the foot of the bush-covered hill. Five miles from Mata Mata, on a good metalled road, is a delightful, hot springs locality, known as Taurangamoana, which is .worthy of a visit, as the swimming pcol is superior to those found at. Te Aroha,Morere or Te Puia. In many cases the perfect natural beauty of the hot springs is depreciated by too much artificiality, whereas these pools near Mata Mata are out in the open, surrounded only by a frame of native flora, which adds a. great measure of charm.

From Mata Mata the tour was continued to Tauranga over the Kai Mai Hill, and this proved to be the ordeal cf the trip. The road was in a dreadful state following a heavy thunderstorm, and some twelve hours were occupied in traversing 43 miles, Tauranga being reached at 9 o’clock at night. This town was found to be well filled with holiday-makers, and the famous “Mount” was the scene of numerous camping parties. Those who desire the seaside for a holiday cannot fail to enjoy the maritime beaiities of Tauranga, where the weather is usually ideal. Leaving Tauranga at 1 o’clock, we found the road to Te Puke to be good, and from Te Puke on to Whakatane the surface is excellent. This is a lovely flat run. with a good view of the sea, and when nearing Matata one is awed with the magnificence of'the beautiful crimson pohutukawas. The motoring time from Tauranga to Whakatane is about four hours, over a good road. Tents were pitched at Whakatane for the night, and at noon next day that town was left behind for Opotiki and Motu, via Taneatua and Waimana. Here again the mod surface is all that a motorist can dosire, and the scenery through the Waimana Gorge is pleasing. Some lovely stretches of beach are available, to picnickers in the vicinity of Opotiki. and the beautiful pohutukawas afford ample shade. Leaving Opotiki, the road runs for some seven miles along the flat, following the sea-front, and -■"’umnoes to climb over tho Mere Mere Hill to the small settlement of Ton Ton. This portion of the road is cut out of solid rock, and in places very narrow, with real hair-pin bends. The surface and grade is good, hut much care must he exercised, as _i.fr is sheer precipice most of the way, with a direct droo to the hazy depths in the vallev below.

Gorgeous Bush Scenery. On the drive from Opotiki to Motu the road climbs over the summit of the mountain range, giving a magnificent expanse of the most glorious of virgin busk scenery. As far as the eye can behold the ranges of mountains are heavily clad in dense virgin bush, truly many ‘‘Valleys of the Giants.” This" is considered to be the most gorgeous bush scenery of this fair Dominion.

Motu is a pretty little township in a clearing about 41 miles from Opotiki, and here excellent hotel accommodation is available. From Motu to Gisborne (56 miles) the road offers no difficulties in fine weather, but heavy rain makes the Otoke Hill somewhat difficult and dangerous; however, this portion of the road will soon be completely metaLled. The run through the alluvial flats of Poverty Bay from Te Karaka to Gisborne was very pleasant, but the effect of the heavy rains had proved disastrous to hundreds of acres of hav and grass seed, which was seen to be left to rot in the lields. Gisborne possesses quite a strong evidence of progress, and the business atmosphere is very hopeful. This town has become somewhat famous over harbour troubles, but the Poverty Bay folk now seem quite confident that the present- operations will materialise info a workable harbour within 20 years ci- so. The roads around Poverty Bay are bumpy, but for pot-ho.les,' Gladstone Road, Gisborne,’ leaves a feeling to be .remembered. Possibly this condition is, as it were, a land-mark, which the City Fathers do not wish to replace by a decent surface. Two beautiful bridges have recently been erected across the Taruhem and Turungaiiui Rivers, and .these structures are. a decided acquisition to the town from the points both of beauty and service. Cumbersome storage battery cars rumble up the street at frequent intervals, as if endeavouring to, make people- believe that Gisborne possesses an efficient tramway system. Motor service companies are much in evidence, and cars connect with Napier twice daily, while many vehicles compete with the railway from Te Karaka to G isborne.

Poverty Bay fiats were rich in pasture, owing to the recent rains, but harvesting and shearing operations had been severely hampered. A general tone of optimism prevailed throughout this district, due no doubt to the rise in the price of wool, and the expenditure of large sums of money on public works and buildings. A great amount of improvement and beautifying work has been carried out on the beautiful Waikanae Beach, which is now a bathers’ paradise. On From Gisborne. From Gisborne the road runs on over the Wharerata Hill to Morere Springs, and thence to Wairoa and Napier. The Wharerata Hill, once dreaded by motorists, is now quite safe with a beautiful metal surface, tarsealed in places. At Morere there is good licensed accommodation, and the hot springs are well worth a visit as well as an experiment. The walk through the bush to the baths is famous for its beautiful array of lovely nikau palms. From Morere to Wairoa the road possesses a good metalled surface, and with the exception of two or three small hills is practically all flat. Leaving Wairoa, the road is level for about a dozen miles, and then come a few hills, to he followed by more level going across the Plains of Marengo-, and then some well-graded hills to Mohaka. On the Mohaka bridge a wire-netting gate has to be opened, this having been erected as part of the scheme to prevent the spread of rabbits to the Wairoa and Gisborne districts. A steep climb from the Mohaka

bridge gives an excellent and beautiful view of the precipitous bush-covered banks of the river far below. The road surface is no.w good, with some climbing and sharp bends on to Lake Tutika, which is a pretty expanse of water. Some pleasant bnsli and. river scenery meets the eye on the Waikari and, Matahouroa Gorges, and several shallow creeks are crossed, but these, having concrete foundations, offer no terrors to the motorist. A very long winding climb is experienced, and then the road winds down the Tangoio Valley, where a bridge leads across a lagoon and thence over a small hill on to the sea-front. _ From here a most beautiful seascape is unfolded before the. traveller, with Napier and Clyde Hill as a background. From Gisborne to Napier the whole distance of 102 miles is me&iJle<i \vitli a good surface, and the travelling time is under seven hours. On the journey from Gisborne camp was pitched at Waikari, 40 miles out from Nanier, and on the following day camp was struck at 8 a.m. and Pahiatua reached at- 6 p.m. The Hawke s Bay towns en route appeared prosperous, and the HasEings district was beautiful, with its fruit-laden orchards. Some time was spent in prosperous and progressive Hastings, as well as in/ Waipukurau. By leaving Paliiatua at noon on the following day, Hawera wa’s reached at 7 p.m., after some time spent in Feilding and Wanganui. The total distance covered was 1111 miles, extending over a period of three weeks, and with the exception of tlire punctures no trouble was experienced with th, e car. Much good work is being done on the roads iu : the various districts, and a complete metal road from Tauranga via Gisborne and Napier to Hawera will shortly be an accomplished fact. The metalling of the stretch on the A\ esfr Coast from Mount Messenger to the Mokau River will bring the Waitomo Caves within an easy day’s run for any Taranaki motorist. New Zealand offers a great future to the touring motorist, as the Dominion possesses the most beautiful of scenery, and good roads will bring these glories, within the reach of all motorists. The Auckland and Hawke’s Bay Automobile Associations have accomplished much in their respective districts in the way of erecting helpful finger posts showing mileage to various towns of importance. Some of the creeks between Wairoa and Napier have posts erected with marks to indicate the depth of water, and difficult or dangerous bends are well defined >v appropriate signs. It certainly behoves all motorists to support their local automobile associations in order that the roads of all districts may be similarly defined. •By the new Motor Vehicles Act the adoption of a universal “N.Z.” distinguishing mark will be regretted by motorists, as it is one of the interests of a tour to note the home district of touring cars. The meeting of a Taranaki car far from home was always marked by an exchange of horn toots and a welcome slioiut.

SPARKS. Always keep grease and oil away from tyres and tubes. No car should be. left unwashed for more than 24 hours. Use wiping rags or cheese cloth round the motor. Never use waste. Revised geometery: A good road is the shortest distance Detween two points. After March 4 no commercial vehicle with left-hand steering will be accepted tor registration in Uruguay. In 12 months (1922-1923) private cars registered in Scotland increased to the extent of over 91)00 vehicles. Drivers chiefly accustomed to the big highways sometimes gamble on finding at least half the road clear after rounding a blind corner. No bigger driving blunder can be committed. Warnings have been issued in Westphalia (Germany) that the police' are authorised to shoot at motor cars travelling at excessive speed which do not stop when called upon. Hardly a week goes by nowadays without some fresh motor car rfecord being established. The latest is cabled from California, where B. Hill has in competition driven 250 miles in the remarkable time of lhr oSmin. Three drivers averaged 126 m.p.h. for the full distance.

A story is going the rounds of a wellknown motorist who was stranded one night with a dry petrol tank. After waiting some time a horsed wagon came along. The driver of the wagon asked if the car was broken dowh, and offered ' a tow to the nearest garage. The car was hitched on behind, and the usual interminable slow procession ensued. The garage was reached at last, and the motorist pressed a tip into the driver’s hand, expressing the hope that he had not brought him far out of his way. “Not at all, sir,” said the driver, “I had to call here to deliver my load of petrol 1” “There are many reckless drivers who never come into contact with the police,’’ observes a writer. After all, you wouldn’t expect them to be quite so reckless.

Here’s a thought or two: In an American town there is a sign reading as follows : Four thousand and seventysix persons died last year of gas; 39 inhaled it; 37 put a lighted match to the tank; 4000 stepped on it. Speculation in motor cars in Sydney during the year has been attended with no little risk, for it has been followed in a number of cases by their peculation, especially whore owners have turned a deaf ear to the warning to car owners to secure safety devices for their ears. In Sydney and its suburbs during the year (writes our correspondent) no fewer than 572' motors were stolen, which is a record for any year, although, thanks to the vigilance of the police, over 400 were recovered and restored to overjoyed owners. While many of the thieves were merely joyriders, upon whom the magistrates are now coming down with a heavy hand, one gang made a business of stealing cars and of selling them remodelled in other States. The negligence of owners, according to the police, was responsible for more than half the thefts. The recent amendment to the Crimes Act, placing a severe penalty on illegal users of cars, has had its "effect, for since then the culprits have been fewer.

HAWERA TO HAWERA.