ROUND THE COAST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18283, 29 December 1933, Page 11

ROUND THE COAST

OPOTIKI TO GISBORNE

SEVERAL CARS GET THROUGH NO SERIOUS DIFFICULTY

At least four cars containing parties of Gisborne people made the circuit of the East Coast between Opotiki and Gisborne during Christmas week, it was learned to-day. A large number of motoring parties left Gisborne about Christmas Day to make an effort to get through by the new tourist route, and though some of the cars were turned back, those driven by more determined and resourceful tourists managed to complete the journey without serious trouble. The four parties of which report lias ‘been received in connection with the traversing of the new road comprised those driven by Messrs. Harry Alley, A. D. Chrisp, James Somervell, and J. Friar, the last-mentioned having a companion in Mr. S. Bruce. Tho more leisured of the parties consumed three days in making the journey from Gisborne to Opotiki, and thence byway of To Kalia and llicks Bay back to iGisborne, but in one instance nt least the trip was made in two days without undue speeding. The real trouble-spot on tlie route in dry weather is tho Waihua Beach, where cars have to leave the highway and tako to the sands. When the tide is low the going'is good, though deep. sand, on the higher levels of the beach presents difficulty unless experienced drivers are in charge of cars. Two of the parties mentioned above struck the beach when the tide was half-way to the flood, and had to plough for some distance through heavy sand. The others got through without trouble, ono group having the good fortune to meet a local settler who gave them an indication as to the best route through the deep sand. On the clay stretch of some 17 miles, where metalling has not yet been undertaken, nearer Hicks Bay, tho surface during tho Christmas rush of traffic was hard, but very broken. There had been heavy rain on this section of the road two or three days before, and stock and wheeled traffic had left the surface badly cut up. Some big called for care in the negotiation of thfe clay section, and reminded the motorists that they were lucky not to shower of rain in that vicinity. Apart from the sections referred to as troublesome, the 'surface of the road between Opotiki and Gisborne is excellent.