ACCESS TO WEST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18342, 7 March 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

ACCESS TO WEST COAST.

OTOROHANGA TO KAWHIA. The chief roading question that occupies attention in Otorohanga, is that of direct access to the Kawhia Harbour. From the town to Awaroa, on a tidal creek, one hour's launch run from the town of Kawhia. the distance is 26 miles. The road is in fair condition, having been regraded by the newly created Otorohanga County Council to the Hauturu Road. It is metalled to the 13 mile peg from Otorohanga, and from Awaroa about four miles lias been metalled. Of the nine miles of clay formation, only four miles is bad, and for the past six months a horse Coach has carried on a tri-weekly service between Otorohanga to Awaroa. This road serves the southern portion of the Kawhia district, and the settlers, who are engaged in sheep grazing along' its route. Since the coach service began there has been a noticeable increase in traffic that way into Otorohanga.

Another route to the town of Kawhia was via Pirongia, but on the deviation of five miles recently completed by the Public Works Department, that leaves the main road at Ngutuniu, greatly reduces the journey. The deviation brings one to the main coach road from Te Awamutu, and thence to Oparau, on the shores of the Kawhia Harbour, and from there to Kawhia, the total distance from OtoroJinnea being about 35 miles. The Kawhia County Council is raising loans to metal the shore road from Kawhia to Oparau and from Oparau to its boundary at Te Rau-a-moa, a few miles from the end of the Otorohanga deviation. The fine scenery of this Kawhia region will attract tourist traffic in the future. Each year sees larger numbers of people spending camping holidays on the shores, particularly at Te Puia, where there is glorious surf and hot springs below the high tide mark, and at Te Maika, and seeing that from Awaroa it is possible to motor back via Kinohaku to the Waitomo Caves and Te Kuiti, there are great possibilities for motor touring.