MANY TOURISTS ABROAD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 6

MANY TOURISTS ABROAD

NEW ROADS PATRONISED PRAISE FOR WAIKAREMOANA Surprisingly large numbers of motor tourists are abroad at present. Motor camps eveywhere appear to be full, and those in Gisborne are more fully occupied than ever before. Many have tried out the two routes, the Waioeka valley road and that connecting Waikaremoana with Rotorua, but most, however, appear to be keeping to the old established 1 routes until the alternatives are in better order than at present. Lager numbers have come through the Waioeka valley, and have found in it an agreeable change to the route over the hills via Motu. Disappointment is expressed by some, however, at the scenic value of the new road, which will never rival that of the old route. The several dangerous corners in the Waioeka valley are also pointed to as requiring a great deal of care on the part of all motorists tackling the road, bat there is general agreement on the point that when completed it will be the main route for traffic other than that of people desiring q. purely scenic drive. WAIK A REMO A NA-RG/TGRUA RO'UT’fc Many motorists have also tackled the Waikaremoana-Rotorua road, and all nraise it for its scenic value. A visitor from India who was among the passengers on one of the cars claimed the scenery to be as magnificent as that on the great Darjeeling road; except that the lowering Himalayas were missing. It is pointed out, however, that the road is one which the novice should not attempt, for it requires all the 'care of the expert driver to traverse it without risk of accident. One experienced driver reports that travelling time is very slow, and thab-'ne averaged only eight miles an hour over the road.

The enormous popularity of the camping places in most parts in the North Island is emphasised. One motorist, who travelled from Hamilton to Hastings, Napier, Morere, and Gisborne, reports utmost difficulty in securing space in these areas. The hot, dry weather no doubt tempted motorists out with their camping gear in a manner not possible during the past two summers.

In the matter of camping places, sanitary conveniences should be given more attention, more particularly in hot weather. In some places the arrangements are inadequate for tho largo number of campers abroad, and it is suggested that the controlling local authorities should give consideration to the matter.

Commenting on the state ”of the road between Gisborne and Napier, the Napier Telegraph states: — Travellers between Napier and Gisborne will find the road in good condition over tho greater part of the is by far the best. It is true that to state that of tho three counties through which tho highway passes, the Hawke’s Bay County Council’s section is by far the better. It is true that there is not a great deal of bitumen surface in the Hawke’s Bay section—the repeated requests of the council for authority to extend this work have been refused by the Main Highways Board —ibut it is equally definite that the metalled surface parts are in much better condition than those in the Wairon or Cook .Counties. Extensive widening works which have been carried out in tho Hawke’s Bay section also have been responsible for distinct improvements. Most of the section of the road in the Wairoa County is in good condition, although it is corrugated in stretches between Nuhaka and Wairoa, and there is also an exceptional amount of loose metal in parts. The Cook County’s section of the highway is in first-class condition as far as a noint some way down the Wharerata Hill, but between there and Gisborne, and particularly on the Poverty Bay flats, short stretches of bitumen are alternated with badly broken lengths of metal road which make travelling exceedingly slow and uncomfoi-table.