SPOILED HOLIDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22615, 31 December 1936, Page 10

SPOILED HOLIDAY

EAST COAST AEEAS WET AND COLD WEATHER CAMPERS RETURNING HOME The gale conditions with heavy rain experienced in Auckland yesterday appear to have been felt over a wide area of the province and Herald correspondents at many points in the region south of Auckland report that motoring parties and campers have found the conditions so unfavourable that many are abandoning their holiday tours and returning home. So far there has been very little flooding of a serious nature, but in somo parts the roads are becoming increasingly heavy and difficult, and a drop in tho temperature is making outdoor life less attractive. Reports from Hamilton are to tho effect that rain has been falling steadily since Sunday afternoon and continued without cessation yesterday. Thero has been somo minor flooding in the outlying districts and many campers have already deserted tho coast resorts and returned home earlier than they anticipated. With the prospect of further unsettled weather, it is expected that this movement will continue. Although hay-making is nearing an end, the rain has been embarassing to farmers with late crops. Motorist's Experience A Hamilton motorist who left on a camping tour of tho aikaremoana and Gisborno districts on Christmas Eve returned yesterday, several days before lie had intended, the wet weather having curtailed tho trip. He reported that condition's between Waikaremoana and the Waikato were the worst possible for camping, heavy rain falling throughout the area and the weather being cold, while the roads in many places were very unsatisfactory. Several slips were encountered on the Waikaremoana Road. This motorist had intended to visit Capo Runaway, but conditions were against him and he went on to Gisborno. Visiting Opotiki, Whakatane and Tauranga on the return journey, he met dozens of motorists who were abandoning their holiday. Ho found the road from Tauranga to the top of tho Kaimai Hills in a very rough condition, but from Ivaimai to Hamilton the road was excellent. Ohopo Beach Campers

From Whakatane reports have been received that the many motorists and campei'3 at Ohope Beach have had an unenviable time. Heavy rain was still falling last night. Hotels and boarding houses in the town are taxed, so that campers have had no opportunity of transferring to dry quarters. As result, many of them are returning to their homes. Opotiki attracted many visitors, most of whom were hoping to make the trip to Cape Runaway, but the continuous rain and the drop in the temperature had deterred them. It was reported last night that nearly 2in. of rain had fallen in the past two days and that the main highways were deteriorating rapidly. It was also reported that the new east coast scenic highway was practically impassable and a warning was issued to motorists attempt the trip to Cape Runaway until there had been two or three days of fine weather.

Wet and unpleasant conditions for campers vrere also reported from Tauranga last night, approximately of rain having fallen within the past three days. There were no signs of the weather clearing.

ROADING CONDITIONS ADVICE JO MOTORISTS FURTHER INFORMATION TO-DAY A report received by the Automobile Association (Auckland) last night indicated the possibility of several touring routes being affected this morning on account of the heavy rain. Flooding had occurred in the North, and most, of tho roads north of Whangarei were presenting trouble. On main highways to the south of Auckland, where reconstruction work had temporarily been suspended for the holiday period, there would be a certain amount of inconvenience, but the engineers were keeping careful watch 01* developments, and suitable detours would be available if the necessity arose. The touring manager of the association said last night that motorists proposing to travel on other than the main arterial routes this morning would be well advised to postpone their departure for a few hours until definite information was available. If blockages occurred overnight, they would probably be of a temporary nature only and, as soon as the rajn ceased, conditions would rapidly become normal