KING COUNTRY ROUTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 639, 16 April 1929, Page 6

KING COUNTRY ROUTES

A.A.A. OFFICER’S INSPECTION Since the motor-car became first known in the North Island the transport routes of the King Country, especially the central portion, have been largely a matter of mystery—an area to be shunned if possible. During recent years remarkable progress lias been made under the Highways Board in improving roading conditions, and now it is possible to reach almost any point in.the King Country by car, in the summer at any rate. What will particularly interest car owners is the progress of the main road connecting Wellington and Auckland, along the course of the Main Trunk. That portion between Ohakune and Te Kuiti, which has formerly been impassable for cars in the winter season, is now in good order over most of the distance. Mr. J. 11. Skow, the Auckland Automobile Association inspector, who is at present in the district, informed a reporter that when the new deviation between Taumarunui and Te Kuiti is completed the mileage will be considerably lessened. Work is at present being expedited in the Mapara section, and the new Aratora deviation is in good order. In wet weather, however, motorists are advised to take the Kopaki route via Aratora to Mapiu. The new deviation south of Tangitu, which was only a track last year, is now open, but this will not be an allweather route this winter. Mr. Skow reported that the roads south of Taumarunui were in good order, the new Oio deviation being a decided improvement. Much of the work in this section was carried out very successfully by prison labour. Some confusion is reported among motorists of late owing to some firms who advertise by roadside placards having placed signs that correspond to a certain degree with the A.A.A. notices. Mr. Skow emphasises the information that the A.A.A. places danger signs only where a very marked menace exists, therefore car drivers are advised to exercise particular care when nearing any yellow diamond sign of warning which embodies the well-known triple A monogram.