NEW ROAD OPENED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24868, 14 April 1944, Page 4

NEW ROAD OPENED

BAY OF ISLANDS AREA BETTER ACCESS TO PAIHIA A new road 'constructed by the A rmy in the JBay of Islands and recently opened to "the public gives motorists much more direct access from the south to Paihia and Waitangi than was formerly available. The distance from Kawakawa to Paihia has been shortened substantially. Following the general direction of the railway line, the new road goes east from Kawakawa and turns north to cross the line just beyond the Taumarere station. It avoids the very hilly country 011 the old Kawakawa-Opua road, is not so winding and is four or five miles shorter. Opua to Paihia it is named Mack's Road. A causeway has been constructed across the mouth of the wide inlet between Opua and Paihia, with a bridge to permit the passage of tidal waters. At present the road is not in good condition, the gravelled surface being fairly rough for cars. Until it was opened, travellers by road from Kawakawa to Paihia had to follow a route of over 18 miles, via Oromahoe and Puketona. By the use of the new road the distance has been reduced to about 10 miles. formerly, visitors to Paihia from Opua had either to go by launch, with the chance that the launch might go first to Russell before taking them to their destination, or else they had to follow a roundabout inland route of approximately 17 miles. Now, cars have to travel only about four miles between Opua and Paihia. Of reasonable width and with fairly good grades, the road should be popular with tourists when it is brought into good order. Some excellent views are obtainable.