MOTORING IN NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15822, 20 January 1915, Page 9

MOTORING IN NORTH.

TOUR BY BISHOP CLEARY.

FIRST TO REACH HOUHORA

'NT TI.LEGEACH. —OWN COEREM'ONDFNT.]

Hothoka. Tuesday. A matter of considerable local interest was the arrival of Dr. Cleary. Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, at Houhora by motor-car on Saturday last, on a visit -to the people of his faith in this district. Hi-? bishop reached here after a visit of several days to the Waiharara gumfields, and he was the first to bring a motor through to Waiharara and to Houhora.

The bishop's visit to Houhora is noteworthy, as it was generally considered impossible to get a motor through the mud and soft sand banks north of Kaimaumau and the Motutangi River and the rough steep heights beyond it, but with his large forty horse-power motor-car the bishop, accompanied by Father I'runing and a capable guide, did the trip in very quick time, and entirely on his own power. After some spade work, the sand banks were safely passed, then the long hard beach to the .Motutangi was traversed at high speed. A good crossing was effected at the mouth oi the river at low water. A shoit steep ascent was quickly made up a hank from the water, anil the remainder of the road to Houhora was soon passed. A number of people greeted and congratulated Dr. Cleary on his arrival at the Houhora Hole'.

The bishop and Father Bruniug conducted services in the Houhora and Waihopo halls on Sunday, and they administered confirmation iu the same halls 011 the following day. They left Houhora to-day for Waiharara, where further services will be conducted tomorrow, and on Thursday they will motor by way of Ahipara and the western beach to Te Faki, on their way to a large native gathering, Inch is to be held at Hapu on Sunday nest.