TOURING AT CHRISTMAS

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1936, Page 4

TOURING AT CHRISTMAS

WHAT THE ROADS ARE LIKE From the large number of enquiries that have been received by the A.A. from motorists intending to come North, it is expected that there will be a record number of touring cars on the northern roads this season. Motorists who were disappointed last season on account of the adverse weather are making" the trip this year.

Improvements have been effected to a number of the camping grounds in the north, and these improvements will be appreciated, by tourists. The roads have, year by year, ' shown a successive improvement, and with the removal of bad corners, better visibility is obtained, providing safer driving. In many cases the roads have been raised and are still being raised above flood level, so that the time is in sight when only exceptional floods will hold up traffic. The opening up of several new roads has made available to motorists a greater number of scenic and beauty spots on the coast line. Whangarei-Auckland.

Mr J. Skow, Northern Patrol of the A.A. reports that the surface of the Whangarei-Auckland highway, generally, is in very fair order, and considerable improvements have been carried out. Extensive work is still under way, especially in the Waiwera district. Good. progress is also being made with the new road running from the north side of the Waipu Gorge through to Kaiwaka. On the Waipu-Waipu Cove-Manga-wai Road, after the .heavy floods last year, new concrete bridges have replaced the old wooden ones that were washed away on this route, and gangs of workmen are at present employed

widening and straightening the worst | sections of this road so that in the j near future this road will provide a • fine alternative route to Auckland. The Maungaturoto-Dargaville high-1 way is in very fair order. From Whangarei to Dargaville the surface is in very fair order. However, care is advised after leaving Whangarei while travelling through the Wheki Valley, but as Dargaville is reached the road widens and is in ■ good order. Between Dargaville, Kirikopuni and Parakao, the road is in very fair order, but several miles north of Kirikopuni, before the Parakao Junction is reached, the road has subsided for a short length, and care is advised. Mangakahia Route. The Whangarei, Mangakahia, Kaikohe highway has recently had the surface improved, and at present provides a more comfortable surface to Kaikohe than the Kawakawa route.

The Whangarei-Russell Road surface is in fair order; the road in places is narrow, but with ordinary care no trouble should be experienced. The road from Dargaville through the Kauri Forest has been considerably improved this last year; many of the bad corners in the Kaihu district and through the Waipoua Kauri Forest, have been cut back, providing better visibility and safer driving. The surface generally is in good order.

From Kaikohe the surface is in fair order into Paihia; also the short cut via Pakaraka provides very fair travelling.

In Bad State of Repair,

The highway from Ohaeawai through Okaihau to Rangiahua is at present in a very bad state of repair containinfg many deep potholes, but at an early date this section of the road is to receive attention and good conditions should prevail for the coming season’s traffic. The highway running through the Mangamuka Gorge is in very fair order, many of the bad corners having disappeared. However care is required on some sections of this highway.

Between Mangamuka, Kohukohu, Broadwood and Kaitaia, the surface is in very fair order, but, owing to the narrow and winding nature of the road into Kohukohu, reduced speed is advised. A section of the highway between Herekino and Broadwood has subsided. It is only a small length, but reduced speed is necessary. Red flags have been placed in position as a warning to traffic. Several sections of the Ohaeawai, Kaeo, Mangonui, Fairburn and Kaitaia highway have been raised above flood level; many corners have been cut back, and, generally, the highway is in very fair order. Owing to the narrow winding road between Oruaiti and Fairburn, reduced speed is advised.

Ninety Mile Beach.

From Kaitaia to Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki, the road from Waipapakauri to the beach has been re-form-edr and is practically metalled. The small remaining gap will be metalled at an early date. Motorists will receive this news with pleasure, as the old sandy road with the loose sand, often proved very .troublesome to motorists. The beacon near the Waipapakauri end has been shifted to higher ground, and is visible for a distance of four miles down the beach. Other signs have also received attention, especially the sign at the Bluff. The beach is a -1 present in good order, and provided the tide is suitable and the usual beach rules observed, no trouble should be experienced. Motorists using the beach are advised to fill up with benzine and oil before going north, as there are no supplies in the far north, but on the inland road, supplies may be obtained at Houhora. The run on to the beach at the Ahipara end is in good order, and the Public Works Department will be shortly constructing a road at the Bluff over the rocks, so that this point will be negotiable at any tide that the beach is useable. The use of this road will save motorists considerable time and will be of benefit to both motorists and residents in the Far North. This point has always been the most dangerous part of the Ninety Mile Beach, and when the work is completed not only will safer travelling be provided, but motorists will be able to spend longer time on the far end of the beach.

The Te Paki Stream is normal, and providing cars are driven carefully, and not stopped in the stream, no trouble should result. The road from the stream to Te Paki is only' a fine weather route, as are all other roads in this area, and the road running to Te Hapua and the eastern ends of Spirits Bay should also be avoided in wet weather. The old road to Pandora is still washed away, and is not passable to vehicular traffic. Inland Road.

The inland road from Waipapakauri has been considerably improved during the past year, and presents no difficulty as far as Te Kao, but beyond that settlement it is a fine weather road only. Owing to a lake bursting its banks, after heavy rain at the southern end of Te Kao, the road is badly under water, and a section has been washed out. Temporary repairs have been effected and it is expected that traffic will be able to get through without any undue trouble, providing the weather is fine..

The road from Awanui through Kaingaroa to Taipa is at present being reformed, and when finished will make a fine alternative route. However, as considerable work has still to be carried out on this route it is not expected to be advised for general traffic until next Easter.

Generally throughout the north, motorists will enjoy safer and more

comfortable travelling this coming season, owing to better road alignment and flood areas being raised. Several overhead bridges are being constructed over railway lines, and altogether everything tends towards a more pleasant, and a safer holiday for the motorist.