HOLIDAY TOURING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 15

HOLIDAY TOURING

PLANS OF MOTORISTS

EXCURSIONS AT EASTER CONDITION OF HIGHWAYS HEAVY TRAFFIC ANTICIPATED Exceptionally heavy motor traffic is anticipated oil all the highways of the Auckland Province during the Easter week-end. Officials of the Automobile Association (Auckland) have received hundreds of inquiries recently regarding, the conditions of roads in almost all parts of the district. The trend this Easter seems to be for short tours of a leisurely nature. The highway between Auckland and Rotorua is expected to hold a continuous stream of cars from to-morrow night until Friday morning. The greatly improved condition of the highway no doubt adds to the popularity of Rotorua as a holiday rendezvous - from which many excursions can be made to neigh-

bouring resorts. Motorists were somewhat critical last week-end regarding the state of the Rotorua highway between Cambridge and Tiran, but it is anticipated that defects will be removed before Easter. The Bay of Plenty Modern machinery which was recently supplied by the Main Highways Board is bringing about marked, improvement on the roads in the Bay-of Plenty and the various beaches along the coast will probably induce numerous motorists to include the Bay of Plenty in the holiday itinerary. •The West Coast south of Auckland, with Radian and Kawhia as the principal centres, will he popular' this Easter especially on account, of more favourable tidal conditions. Comfortable travelling may be anticipated on the main routes and the recent spell of fine weather has had a beneficial effect on many of the side roads. Difficulty in Urewera

For those who intend travelling further afield. Automobile Association road reports indicate that the-Te Kuiti-Tau-marunui route to the National Park is much better than formerly. The Urewera Country section of the Rotorua-Waikaremoana tourist road is still in a precarious condition on account of the extensive work now in progress, and the route is therefore not advised unless fine weather prevails. The same warning is given by the association in regard to the road from Opotiki to Cape Runaway. The rivers are treacherous and even in fine weather when the water under normal conditions might be low, a previous easterly blow is likely to block the mouth of the streams. North Auckland Improvements Tn the North Auckland district there is a remarkable change, and those who have not recently travelled over, the Waiwera Hill will be amazed at the difference, many of the sharp corners having been totally eliminated. Roadiug construction is in progress at various points throughout the north, and although there is no likelihood of serious inconvenience there are places where an added degree of caution is advisable. In the districts surrounding Ohaeawai where previously the roads were notorious for pot-holes improved surfaces are reported, and generally speak- ■ ing the round trip of North. Auckland ! should prove highly popular for the ! Easter holiday. ! Hotel accommodation is likely to be fully taxed and tourists will be well advised to reserve in advance. In many of the popular resorts accommodation has already been fully booked, but motor camping will cater for the requirements of a large section of Easter tourists. The patrol staff of the Automobile Association will be on duty on the various highways in full force, but in view of the anticipated record traffic its strength will be augmented by a number of auxiliary patrols, stationed at vantage points 011 the busy highways. The headquarters information bureau will be open daily during the holidays except 011 Good Friday, which is observed as a close holiday by all Automobile Associations throughout the British Empire.