THROUGH NORTH ISLAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 58, 5 February 1927, Page 14

THROUGH NORTH ISLAND

DELIGHTFUL MOTOR TOUR. PALMERSTON NORTH TO , ROTORUA. EXQUISITE SCENERY. Of the many, motor routes which can bo taken throughout the North Island, that from New Plymouth to Rotorua via lo Kuiti and Hamilton, with tho return journey via Arapuni. Cambridge and To Awamutu, liolds a wealth of interest for motorists. Roads, good, bad and indifferent, are to bo met with, but the poor ones are l being improved annually, so that, in j tho course of a few more years, a bad surface will be but a memory. It is tho wealth of scenery, of every description, to be met on the journey that arrests tiro attention of tho motorist and at times holds him spellbound by its grandeur. Accompanied by two friends, the trip referred to was undertaken during the holidays by Mr and Mrs R. D. Whyte, of Terraco End. Leaving New Plymouth, where they had been j spending a holiday, the road to Wnitara was taken early, one morning following a niglrt of heavy rain. The environs of New Plymouth left behind, one soon reached the delightful farming district of Bell Block, motoring over the macadam roads of the Taranaki province being a delight. IVitli Waitara passed, tbe road for some distanco lies alongside* the sea, passing over undulating country, until it again wended its way inland, through farming districts, and on to Urenui and Uruti. Eight miles beyond the last-named place one commences the ascent of Mount Messenger with its many tricky turns, each a trap lor the motorist who is careless, but safe for him who is careful. The road runs along tho cliff face with a drop of several hundred feet on the other side. Magnificent native bush lends enchantment to tho panorama spread out when tho motorist reaches tho summit and on a clear day the scene is one which remains photographed on the memory. Another ten miles brings the motorist to another delightful place—the Tongaporutu Gorge—where the river of that name enters the sea through a cliff , on either side. On a sunny day the scene is most bewitching, the river flowing calmly to the sea, the deep blue of which contrasts with the native bush on tho headlands. A delightful run of ten miles, mostly along tho sea coast, brings Mokau into view. Here the river has to be crossed by ferry and the day the Palmerstonians were there it happened that tho engine on the ferry had broken down, the result being that the unwieldly craft had to be worked by hand. A long lino of cars on each side of the' river 6pelt. disappointment for those in haste and their feelings of annoyance were increased when it was learned that the ferry cable had to bo lowered to permit a steamer to pass up the river. But all waits, dreary though they nro, come to an end and, after inspecting tho bridge which the Public Works Department is erecting here—and which is to be finished by Easter, though the villagers assert it will be the spring at least before it is opened —the party eventually _ found themselves on tiro other side where the road again followed the sea until it bore inland to Awakino. BEAUTIFUL AWAKINO VALLEY. Thereafter for ten miles or so followed the most delightful run one can imagine—the magnificent Awakino Valley, with its road, river and picturesque bush, consisting mostly of most beautiful palms. The pretty bush scenes are 60011 loft behind for more open and rugged country, devoted to farming, and some very fine herds of cows are to be seen in many Parts along this route. After passing Mahoenui, 82 miles from New Plymouth, tho traveller climbs to the high country around the Mangataki Gorge which commands a magnificent

view of tho surrounding terrain which, in parts, due to slips, lias the appearance of having been, under heavy high explosive shell fire. Queer rock formations are to bo seen hereabouts which lend colour to the view that, in tho past ages, some tremendous cataclysm must havo rent this part of New Zealand. Pretty bush scenery is seen at frequent intervals, but little signs of habitation until, a few miles further on, the road bears towards Pio Pio._ A run of sixteen miles after leaving the latter place brings one to To Kuiti, several stiff hills being negotiated, from tho summit of tbe last of which ono sees To Kuiti nestling in tho valley below. Up to this stage the roads, after leaving tho Taranaki province, had been a mixture of good and indifferent, but tho stretch from Te Kuiti on to tho junction of the road leading to Wnitomo Caves was in shocking condition, being a mass of pot holes. On through tlio King Country, with its prosperous farms and towns, tho road passes through Otorohanga to Kiln Kiln which is outside the no-licensed area and tho first hotel since leaving Urenui is seen. A good road makes for pleasant motoring and soon Te Awamutu is left behind, a run of 20 miles through tbe lower Waikato bringing tiro traveller to Hamilton—and again to good roads, even if temporarily. THE DREADED MAMAKU. Tho following morning the road to Tjrau was taken, a delightful run of 17 miles along a good road and through splendid farming 'country bringing one to tho pretty town of Cambridge. Another run of 20 miles through undulating country brought the travellers to Tirnu. It had been their intention to proceed to Putaruru, seven miles further bn, and there leave the car, travelling by train to Rotorua, owing to tbe road to the latter place over the Mamaku Hill being in a bad state, and that through Atiamuri being little better. However, the garage-keeper at Tirau spoke optimistically of tho chances of getting across tlm Mamaku, providing chains were attached to tho rear wheels. At this time a car, heavily laden with camping gear, arrived from Rotorua m Tirau, the driver stating that he had come through in good time. That decided tho Palmerstonians to continue and tho drains were purchased. It was not long, however, before one felt that only half-truths had been spoken. Tho road, good- for several miles, soon developed into a mass of bluish grey, clay, in somo places easily two feet deep, the roadway being obliterated in a 6erios of deep ruts. A heavy powered oar was soon passed firmly wedged in mud —one of many over the Christmas and New Year season. However* 1 careful driving soon got ono through tire worst stages, but it was a drive the motorists can never forget—the car pitching and tossing liko a ship in a storm. Heavy rain soon commenced to fall and one unfortunately could not view tho picturesque scenery of this route, after leaving the bad road behind, as on a clear day. A few miles further oil the main road becamo absolutely impassable, but a friendly hint from a farmer to proceed along a branch road to tire Mamaku township was gratefully accepted. For three miles, through pouring rain, tho route lay through slush and pools of wnter with concealed jxrt holes everywhere— , another stern test for a driver. Past Mamaku the road ran alongside the . denso bush, being a narrow clay track, , unmotalled, and treacherous. If one had cause to speak in strong terms of j tho disgraceful conditions between | Tirau and Mamaku, there was cer- ' tainly greater cause on this part of , the trip. At times tho roadway would ( almost disappear into a deep hole with , a climb up a miniature bank on the j other side and only a steady nerve and 1 good driving saw this wretched section encompassed safely. It was a welcome relief when Ngongotaha and Lake Rotorua hove in sight and soon —a macadam road.

The Government is gradually improving this highway , and in a few years it will provido excellent motoring. The last stretch could not be metalled owing to disputes with tire Natives regarding ownership, but the writer was informed that these have been smoothed away and the metalling will soon proceed. The Christmas and New Year were very wet at Rotoi*ua and this caused the Mamaku route to become so bad. But those wlro did the trip this year will never forget it. Certain it is that very few repeated it —like the Palmerstonians they trucked their cars to Putaruru and thero resumed their tour.

WONDERS OF ARAPUNI,

From Putaruru, after leaving Rotorua, the motorists turned their thoughts to the wonders of Arapum

hydro-electrical scheme, taking the splendid road built by the contractors to the works. Soon the outdoor station hove in sight and in a few minutes the travellers, along with others, were speeding through the recently built township. It was a tyjrieal summer day and one saw the picturesque surroundings under ideal conditions. Mistaking the road permitted for visitors when seeing the works, the Palmerstonians got into forbidden ground—the main works above the power bouse site. However, they wore permitted to view the by-pass tunnel and the great dam now in course of construction from this point and, taking car again, crossed by bridge to tlie other side of the river and along another good road to a point directly opposite. From the huge swing-bridge, 20U leet or more above the bed of the river, one could visiuliso Arapuni as it will be this time next year. The site tor the

power house cut out of the solid rock could be traced, also the water which lias retarded progress and which is causing the engineers so much anxiety. Continuing further, the party crossed over the bridge spanning what is be-

lieved to have boen once the bed of the Waikato river and walked around to the present river bank from whence an excellent view is obtained of the mighty torrent as, rushing down the Gorge, it leaves its former bed and sweeps in a boiling seething mass of water through the by-pass tunnel. Other incidental

parts of the works were viewed, but a long journey was still before the travellers who, perforce, had soon to leave. The road to Hora Hora, which runs alongside the pretty Waikato river, was followed and after passing these hy-dro-electric works the party proceeded on to Cambridge. From the latter

place the road south to To Awamutu was taken through Monavale, one of the must prosperous farming districts of tlie Waikato. .Soon, however, swampy land, infested with rabbits, was being traversed, but the road, generally speaking, was good to Te Awamutu. A run of thirty miles in the late afternoon brought the travel-

lers to the junction of the Wajtomo Caves road which was followed for its wretched longtli to the hostel. The wondrous beauty of the three caves having been enjoyed tlie tour was resumed the next day at noon and, after sampling another of the wretched clay roads for which the north has earned a bad reputation, the main road was

rosumod at To Ktiiti and followed to Now Plymouth which was roaohed at nightfall. Throughout the journey of over 400

miles not ono puncture was experienced. Cars from all parts Yf Now Zealand were passed, including Several from Palmerston North. Of the many delightful camping spots eti route too much cannot be said.; they were fully availed of by motoring parties who, these past holidays, were to be seen everywhere, with camping gear and other impedimenta on the running boards of their cars and in other handy parts of them. To spend one’s holidays motoring is a delightful experience and the practice is bound to increase greatly in the near future.