HOLIDAY TOURING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22583, 23 November 1936, Page 12

HOLIDAY TOURING

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS HIGHWAYS IN NORTH BETTER CAMPING GROUNDS A large number of: inquiries received by the Automobile Association (Auckland) from motorists intending to visit North Auckland this season indicates that there will be a record number of ears on northern roads. Camping grounds in the North liavo been considerably improved, and the roads, year by year, have been steadily made easier for motoring, providing better access to the scenic spots on the coastline as well as inland. In preparation for a motoring invasion, extensive additions have been made to the Automobile Association's signposting system, and members of the association's staff have thoroughly investigated all routes. On tho Ninety Mile Beach, the beacon which was erected about two years ago at the end of the Waipapakauri Itoad has been removed to higher land. Owing to the heavy seas during the winter undermining the sand, the beacon was in danger of being washed out to sea. The sign at the bluff on tho northern end of the beach has been replaced, it having been washed out some months ago. Beach In Good Order Ninety Mile Beach is in good order. The run on to the beach at the southern end is also in good condition, while the road from Waipapakauri to the beach is being reformed, and only a short portion is left unmetalled, so that in a few days there will be an additional metalled road right through to the beach. This road improvement will be greatly appreciated by motorists, as the old sandy road was often the cause of hold-ups of cars. At the Bluif, the Roblic Works Department will shortly bo constructing a road over the rocks. Tho use of this road will save motorists considerable time when the tide is high. Last season a rough track was formed by the department, but this was washed out during the winter. However, the Automobile Association patrols effected temporary repairs hut week, and cars can, with carc, use this track. Fine-weather Routes The Te Paki Stream is normal and, provided cars are driven carefully, and not allowed to remain stationary in the stream, no trouble should result. The road from the stream to Te Paki is only a fine-weather route, as are all the roads in this area. The old road to Pandora is not passable to vehicular traffic. The inland road north from Waipapakauri has been considerably improved during the past year and presents no _difliculty as far as Te Kao, but beyond it is a fine-weather route only. Owing to a lake bursting its banks after heavy rain at the southern end of Te Ivao, tho road is partly under water, and a section has been washed out. Temporary repairs have been effected, but until this section is permanently repaired it is likely to give trouble. The road from Mangonui to Awanui, by way of Taipa, is being reformed by tiie Public Works Department, and extensive deviations are being made to bring this route up to highway standard. It will give better and safer travelling than the present narrow, winding main road through the Fairburn's route. Poverty Bay District The improved conditions experienced on the Auckland-Poverty Bay route arc resulting in many more travellers making the round trip. Tar-sealing extends for the greater part of the distance to Rotorua. On the section between Rotorua and Whakatane, widening and straightening work, which has been carried out through the bush-clad length of the Rotoina Hill, and round the shores of the lake, makes the journey much more attractive, and improvements closer in to Whakatane, and also between Whakatane and Opotiki, are contemplated. The Waioeka Valley highway obviates the narrow, winding route over the Motu hill, the latter, however, often being taken by the more experienced traveller on account of the splendid bush scenery. The tar-sealing surfaces are being extended from Gisborne to link up with other improvements on the Poverty Bay side of the watershed.