Motoring Notes

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 3243, 16 December 1930, Page 2

Motoring Notes

TOURING THIS CHRISTMAS? ROAD CONDITIONS. ■■•■- 4B TALK BY MR. CHAMPTALOUP. At this time of the year, it is usual for me to broadcast a short talk on the conditions of the various routes in the North Island and the attraction of the many resorts which will be visited by motor tourists over the Christmas and New Year holidays. 1 am therefore suspending the usual “Safety First” talk delivered by iny Association and will concentrate on endeavouring to give listeners some idea of the conditions of roads, not only of the North Island, but also of the South Island. From enquiries which are received in day by the toui'ing department of the A.A.A., it is apparent that many North Island motorists this year are taking advantage of the opening of the Buller Gorge road through the earthquake area and will inspect the attraction of the South Island. Many others are touring through the Island Peninsular, which up to the present has been more or less unexplored by the motorist on pleasure bent. Last t week, I described the routes of North Auckland and since then have inspected the short clay stretches between Auckland Whangarei. At the time I travelled over the roads, I found them in good order, and . leaving Auckland at 8 o’clock the conditions weres such that a comfortable journey could be made to arrive at Whangarei for lunch. The route my Association is advising, pending any alterations that may be made by weather or other circum stances, is to leave the city and cross the harbour by vehicular ferry to Birkenhead and travel via Waiwera. Warkworth, Wellsford, Maungaturoto, and thence to Waipu and Whangarei

or to Dargaville via Ruawai. We will now take the North Island in sections. Improvements which have been carried out between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui, provide reasonable travelling by that route to the National Park. To Rotorua, the roads are in good order, and it is expected that the deviation recently constructed between Cambridge and Tirau will be thrown open for the holiday traffic. Road construction which is being carried out on the Taupo Road, tends towards more comfortable travelling, and both from Rotorua direct or from Putaruru to Taupo, the road can be relied upon to be in reasonable condition. Between Taupo and the National Park, complaints were received owing to the rough nature of the road during the winter months. A certain amount of damage was caused by heavy vehicles, but this has been repaired, and our uniformed patrol who was in this district last week reports conditions to be quite comfortable. In the Bay of Plenty no trouble should be experienced by those who visit the many seaside resorts. Certainly, between Tauranga and Te Puke, the surface becomes a little greasy after very heavy rain, but it is seldom that chains are required and with a small rainfall, motorists negotiate the route without trouble. In the eastern end of the Bay of Plenty, the Whakatane and Opotiki districts, good metal roads prevail and a much better surface is now provided on the route which is being constructed from Opotiki towards Cape Runaway. It is with regret, but yet at the same time, a certain amount of pleasure, that I announce that the Bombay deviation between Auckland and Hamilton will not be available for traffic this year. This will necessitate the negotiation of the Razorback Hills, but although the grades are steep, and modern car accomplishes this section without difficulty. The pleasing feature is that the deviation, is being altered and brought up to the standard of modern highway construction, and it is hoped by carrying out the work this summer, it will be possible for the Franklin County to provide a metal surface for next summer. The other portions of the Hamilton road are in reasonable order, but care should be exercised particularly on the Mercer-Papa-kura stretch, where loose metal abounds.

Now turning to Gisborne, an allweather connection is provided from the Bay of Plenty and from Napier, but there are three fords on the Opo-tiki-Gisborne road, where care would be necessary after heavy rain. In normal weather they do not present trouble to any car. The 20 miles of bush country over the Motu Hills is a delightful trip, but as the road is narrow and winding, timid motorists are sometimes a little afraid. An alternative route is being constructed over the Waioeka Valley and during the Christmas holidays this will be open for traffic. The A.A.A. Road Guide or maps describe the route very clearly.

In Hawke’s.Bay conditions areveiy pleasant. Good metal roads, and in most cases, wide surfaces are experi enced. Napier to Taupo, although somewhat hilly, is now an easy run. and the pumice surfaces can be depended on in all weathers. Napier to Wairoa is another good road from Wairoa to Lake Waikaremoana is a route full of interest and at the same time is a good metal road. Before going further afield, I will endeavour to give you an accurate impression of the Urewera-Lake Waikaremoana route which is truly described as the finest scenic motor tour in the Dominion. This is the new route which has been constructed between Rotorua and Wairoa in Hawke’s Bay and passes through the fastness of the dense bush clad mountainous region of the Urewera Country.

The road is narrow and winding and in some places there is not room for two cars to pass. Between Muruand Te Whaiti, a sharp watch should be kept, as there are a number of heavy timber lorries travelling on the road.

In some places, the road is hewn out of the side of a precipice and there are drops of from 300 ft to 400 ft straight over the side of the road. All the worst sections of the road are metalled and the remainder is of pumice formation which in normal weather is not likely to give trouble. Between Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna, there are two small fords, and these do not present any difficulty unless these is a spell of exceptional weather. Between Ruatahuna and Te Wai-iti, there are two rivers which normally do not cover the running board'but which after a day’s heavy rain become impassable. They drop again very quickly. The Kaiangaroa Plains between the Rotorua-Taupo road and Murupara,

become very sloppy after rain and

holes develop, but these dry very quickly, and it is seldom that an experienced motorist finds difficulty, particularly in the summer months. Between Murupara and Te Whaiti, the road is usually good, and the same applies between Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna although with a large amount of traffic and heavy rain, it might be necessary to fit chains when climb ing some of the hills, if the tyres of the car are worn smooth. Just south of Ruatahuna, the road becomes greasy in wet weather and chains may be necessary at this point. The new road is encountered at Te Waiiti and metal continues over the top of the Huiarau Range to the bridge at the head of the Hopuruahine Inlet at Lake Waikaremoana. Of the next 14 miles to the Lake House, about five miles have been metalled and the balance is of pumice formation running through bush country and portions which are liable to cut up are not situated where there are steep drops. The pumice is consolidating very rapidly with the fine weather — or and after 48 hours fine weather, can be relied on to dry. The A.A.A. advises that it considers the route is safe and can be negotiated without difficulty at almost any time by drivers thoroughly experienced in back country conditions, but advises those unfamiliar with narrow winding roads, steep drops and unmetalled surfaces to avoid the route in wet weather and if possible on their first tour to make the trip in company with a second car load. The scenery is delightful and has been described as the finest scenictour in the Dominion.

Taranaki has long been famed for its tar-sealed roads, but of late years the edges have been chipped away and the surfaces have been somewhat narrow. Motorists will be pleased to know that the local bodies in this district are keeping pace with modern roading requirements, and the surfaces are now being widened and in most cases present comfortable travelling. The two routes to the Mountain Houses are in good order and an equally attractive road, although not quite so well-known, is the one from Stratford to the Mountain Hut. This is a two-car road and now climbs to a higher altitude than either of the accommodation houses. To stay overnight on the mountain at the end of the Stratford route, tents would be required.

Southward through Wanganui, Palmerston North, Foxton or Levin, the roads are all in good order, although here and there where the surface has not been tarred there is a certain amount of pot holed condition and a certain amount of loose metal, but not sufficient to cause undue inconvenience. Travelling back to the central portion of the island, all routes from the National Park,to the south are metalled. From Raetihi to Wanganui, conditions are much more comfortable than last year and although care must be exercised, the road provides good travelling. It is a very easy run from Raetihi through Ohakune to Waiouru and Taihape, from whence the road drops down to Marton, Feilding and Palmerston North. In this locality a very pleasant detour can be made by travelling via Rangiwahia, Apiti and Kimbolton. The same good conditions are encountered between Napier, Dannevirke, Woodville, Eketahuna, Masterton and Wellington. Whichever way you approach Wellington, there are hills to negotiate—the Rimutakas to t&e east and Paekakariki Hills to the west. The surfaces on these hills are excellent, the grades are not severe and providing one exercises safety first precautions, there is no need for worry.

A very beautiful trip and one on which many enquiries are received, is the run through the Tangarakau Gorge, between Ohura and Stratford. In fine weather the clay section of this route can be negotiated without difficulty, but at the present moment, conditions are far from comfortable. The Highways Board is making every endeavour to link up the metal to connect Ohura, but this will not be possible for the present year. Careful enquiries should be made as to the roading conditions in this district. Two popular West Coast resorts v/hich I have not mentioned are Raglan and Kawhia, to which access is now very much improved and cars can travel over these routes throughout the year on good metal roads. The roads through Matamata, Okoroire, Te Aroha, Paeroa and Thames are in their usual condition, some excellent, some good, some medium, but all negotiable at all times of the year. The principal attractions of this district are the resorts at our various hot springs.

Coromandel Peninsular is a great playground for motorists and is becoming the mecca of campers. Roading improvements which are being carried out have made one or two portions of that road a little troublesome in the past wet weather, but the principal seaside bays round Coromandel and Mercury Bay, can be reached by metal road.

Arapuni, the scene of our disastrous hydro-electric scheme is a source of great interest and motorists, will be pleased to know that the Public Works Department will allow visitors

to inspect the various sights. The roads on both sides of the gorge will be open for traffic, but care should be exercised at the power house side of the gorge where the road is very narrow, just above the actual power house. The side road to the outdoor station and the falls will not be available for motor traffic and cars must be parked in the areas which will be set aside for the purpose. The Public Works Department has advised the Association that by walking a short distance, the travelling public will be able to view the whole of the interesting feature of the Arapuni

region. Now wc come to the attractions of the South Island. This island possesses some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, but in many cases the car is left behind, and either walking tours or boat trips are undertaken to enjoy to the full the beauties of nature. North Island motorists will be very favourably impressed with the roads of the South Island. They will not find the same extent of permanently surfaced roads that is tarsealed or concrete —but they will find miles and miles of easy travelling over undulating country, the car rising and falling gently and unfolding a series of delightful scenes.