GO MOTOR-CARAVANING THIS CHRISTMAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 842, 10 December 1929, Page 7

GO MOTOR-CARAVANING THIS CHRISTMAS

“Caravaning” j Home Made Frailer Is Comfortable A resourceful Dunedin motorist, keen on the free life of the caravaner, has made for himself a trailer and tent-bedroom-dining room which.can be folded up and carried around. In this home-made but exceedingly comfortable contrivance be covers many hundreds of miles every holiday, but is continually pressed for detaiis of his "invention.” There is no invention about it—merely the application of experience gained on many a camping trip, carefully conned over during the winter and built to suit his pocket. The details are published and illustrated for the first time Td the hope that they will help some other motorists to find that joy of the open road that these caravan-enthusiasts talk about. DETAILED MEASUREMENTS The body is four feet wide, one foot deep, and seven feet long, strongly built on an old Studebaker front axle and springs. It is pulled along by an old drive-shaft casing (with two staysj, which is bolted to the trailer axle with light angle iron, and linked to the rear of the private gear with a simple attachment. The top beds, which are similar to wire-woven mattress frames supplied for hospital beds, are four feet wide, and hook on to the outer side of the body. On the other side they are held up by resting on, and bolting to, a light rail (of angle-iron I Jin. x ljin.), which runs between the two outside uprights of the tent. These, too, are made of angle-iron, and are sft. 6in. high. The central upright posts of the tent are one-inch galvanised piping, screwed into a plate fastened to the floor. Each pole has a galvanised iron "T” joint at the top, through which passes the main tent ridge. THE TENT The tent is made of good duck calico and is 12ft. wide and 7ft. long. It i 3, as already mentioned, sft. 6in. high on the outer walls and about 9ft. in the centre —6ft. Gin. from floor of the trailer, which is 2ft. 6in. from the ground. The two top beds are about 3ft. Gin. from the ground, allowing plenty of room underneath for two single stretches—one on each side—making excellent sleeping accommodation for six people in all. The whole arrangement has been unpacked and set up by the motorist and one of his sons in about 10 minutes. There are no ropes in use at all. When set up there is plenty of room to stand up in the centre for dressing, and in addition the campers can sit on the bed in wet weather, or in the evenings, and have meals off a table in the centre. In a mixed party a screen can be hung on the ridge to make two apartments for sleeping. When travelling, all the beds, mattresses, blankets, etc., can be carried in the trailer, leaving the car comfortably free.

Be Prepared Some Hints on Getting the Car Ready The tourist who wishes to enjoy his trip in safely and comfort can banish the little worries that sometimes accompany the average motorist if he will check up on mechanical adjustments and replacements and take care of service details before he starts. In listing the adjustments and servicing recommended before a touring trip, one must remember that they are for the most part simple and inexpensive, although vitally essential. The most important things which should be done are: Motor should be free of carbon and valves should be properly seated and adjusted. If spark plugs have been used over 10,000 miles, put in a new set before starting. Examine fan-belt and replace if badly worn or stretched, and carry a spare fan-belt to boot. Flush and clean radiator. Examine all lights, being sure that all are burning, and carry an extra set of bulbs. Change oil in crankcase. Have all shackles and spring clips tightened, and replace worn shackle bolts and bushings. Have steering thoroughly tested and adjusted, replacing all worn parts. Have generator charge rate checked. Have distilled water added to storage battery. Replace battery cable if worn or corroded. Be sure car i& thoroughly lubricated. Have ignition distributor points cleaned and adjusted. Be sure horn is properly adjusted. Be sure windshield cleaner is properly operating. Check tyres to see that they are in proper condition, and correctly inflated. MOTORISTS’ PARADISE TOURING ON THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA The remarkable improvement and extension to roads on the Coromandel Peninsula in the last two years will make available for the 1930 motor tourist many delightful camping sites and scenic tours which have previously only been possible to the yachtsmen. Starting from Thames, there is a good metal road following the western side of the Peninsula to Coromandel Twelve miles north of Thames, a road turns inland at Tapu and climbs up over the mountain ranges, crossing the Divide at a height of 1,425 ft. There is delightful native bush which descends in tiers, the background being formed by the Firth of Thames on the far side of which is seen the mainland near Miranda and New Brighton. The route then drops down and passes the old settlement of Gumtown, now named Coroglen, and

finally goes out to the East Coast at Mercury Bay. This is the home of deep sea fishing, and at Buffalo Beach splendid provision is being made for the convenience of motor campers. From Mercury Bay, Coromandel can be reached by another road which crosses direct through from east to west and passes the ridge at an altitude of just under a thousand feet, joining the main Thames-Coromandel road, 23 miles south of Coromandel, and just under the peak known as Castle Rock. Another narrow winding road leaves Coromandel and runs back again to the East Coast to a very delightful spot at Wbangapoua. This road,however, is not in the best of condition, and should only be attempted by the most experienced of drivers. For the ordinary motor tourist, the best route heads direct north, and after climbing over a ridge on narrow steep grades, joins the coastline and, running past Amodeo

Bay, leaves the metal and continues to Colville, which in -the early days was known as Cabbage Bay. At the northern end of Colville, an estuary Is crossed at low tide, and although the formation is rough at the present time, when road improvements are carried out there will be one of the most delightful trips available on the new road toward Port Jackson, which is just south of the Cape. The main lower road, however, continues north, and after following the coastline for a time rises -to 420 ft, before dropping down to the level near the eastern sea front. There is then an unformed road through the paddocks to Waikawau Beach, where provision is being made for motor camping. Continuing northward, the road again climbs winding and twisting to a height of 620 ft, before dropping down to Port Charles. Throughout the Peninsula, the main scenic attraction is native bush

on the inland routes and glorious views of the broken sea coast, and the many islands and rocks which abound on the coastline and in the Hauraki Gulf. At the present time there is only a short gap of 4J miles of unmetalled road between Thames and Colville. Unfortunately the county council does not seem to adopt a very progressive programme with regard to roading, but local settlers have set an example and in several cases have undertaken -the work of metalling the roads to provide access for themselves. Between Colville and Waikawau, where the county was unable to take advantage of the subsidy offered by the Government, Mr. W. C. Denize, a resident, has undertaken the contract for metalling and has personally guaranteed the ratepayers’ share of the money, amounting to £1,400, of which the county council has contributed £IOO.

ROADS REPORT SURVEY BY A.A.A. GUIDE TO SUMMER TOURING The following road report is issued by the touring department of the Auckland Automobile Association as a preliminary report of Christmas roading conditions. Immediately before Christmas, however, a detailed description of roads will be prepared by the association. The recent long spell of wet weather has played havoc with most of the j unmetalled routes and motorists are ■ strongly advised to obtain the latest reports before venturing on unmetalled roads. In all cases tyre chains should be carried. NORTH AUCKLAND Auckland-Waiwera. Best route. Birkenhead-Albany. Take beach at Orewa. Waiwera Hill slightly greasy on corners, wet weather. Auckland - Helensvi I le. —Kit her ri tad in fair order. Helensvi lie - Wellsford —Clay stretches deeply rutted. Trouble in wet weather. Waiwera - Warkworth. —Direct road not advised. Suggest Puhoi-Aliuroa-Woodcocks-Warkworth. Available for traffic. Somewhat rough and bad in wet weather. Warkworth- Hoteo-Tauhoa. —In fair order. Warkworth-Wellsford, via Wayby.— Fair order. Avoid in wet weather. Matakana Hill and Whangaripo Val- ; ley. —Very rough. Avoid after rain. Wellsford- Mangawai-Waipu. —ln line weather, either cross railway line and join East Coast Road at Whangaripo corner or travel via Te Hana. It wet. travel via Te Hana, thence to East Coast Road via Fairy Hill. Mangawai Gorge. —Rough. Wellsford-Topuni - Maungaturoto.— Clay surface. Bad in wet weather. Portions reasonably graded. Maungaturoto-Waipu, via Gorge.— Care should be exercised passsing new work. Road will probably be closed after New Year for reconstruction. Maungaturoto- Dargaville. —ln good order. Waipu-Whangarei. —In good order. Dargaville-Whangarei. order. . Dargaville or Whangarei to Kaikohe.—Unmetalled gap. Avoid in wet weather. . Whangarei via Kawakawa, to Kaikohe. —Take Jordan Valley deviation, between Hikurangi and Ilukerenui. Small unmetalled gap at county boundary. Bad in wet weather. Use paddock, 2s 6d toll. Dargaville via Waipoua Forest to Kaikohe. —Metalled route except short gap near Aranga. Clay usually lair in summer. . . Kaikohe-Whangaroa- Mangonui-Kai-taia.—Negotiable all weathers. Kaikohe-Mangamuka- Kaitaia. good order except stretch OkaihauRangiahua. Railway construction has left this section in bad order. Rawene-Broadwood-Herekino •• Kaitaia.—Short unmetalled gap. Avoid in wet weather. Kaitaia-Spirits Bay. —lnland road very rough. Ninety-mile Beach more comfortable. HAMILTON TO NEW PLYMOUTH Hamilton-Te Kuiti-New Plymouth.— All weather road. Much of AucklandHamilton Road now tar sealed. Ham-ilton-Ngarua wall i a corrugates after heavy traffic, but continually graded. Hamilton-Te Awamutu. —Fair. Te Awamutu-Otorohanga. Fair order, but pot-holed in places. Otorohanga-Te Kuiti. —Pot-holed between Otorohanga-Waitomo Junction, but clay deviation provides good travelling.

Te Kuiti to Pio Pio.—Road under construction and care necesasry in places. Surface fair. In parts road rough beyond Paemako. Beyond Awakino surface improves. Hamilton-Rotorua.—Road in fair order. New work between Cambridge and Tirau. Tirau-Taupo.—ln good order. Becomes cut up and rought near Tokorou, in wet weather. Rotorua-Taupo.—Good order. Taupo-National Park.—Surface corrugated. To ho graded. Taupo-Napier.—Good order. Te Kuiti - N ational Park.—Mostly in fair condition. Care should be exercised Te Kuiti-Tautnaninui, where new work is being carried out. Avoid road after heavy n In. Pio P io-Oh ura - Stratford.—Northern section clay. Rough in places. Bong length of new metal south of Ohura. National Park-Wanganui. Metal road in fair order. Improves further south. National Park-Taihape- Palmerston North.—Metal road in fair order. Good surface on southern end. Taihape- Naoier.—Some heavy grades. Clay surface tough. Avoid wet weather. Waiouru-Tokaanu—Direct road being graded. Very much improved surface. Avoid in very wet weather. Auckland-Paeroa-Thames. Metal road in good order. Hamilton- Paeroa - Thames. Fair order. One or two lengths slightly potholed. Thames-Coromandel. Much improved surface. Metalled. Watch for new road work. Coromandel - Mercury Bay. Much improved surface. Metalled. Thames to Mercury Bay, via Coroglen.—ln fair order. Clay sections. Avoid after rain. Coromandei-Colville- Port Charles.— In good order. Clay sections; carry chains —necessary after rain. Paeroa-Tauranga, via Waihi.—Clay section very rough. Unfavourable travelling. Avoid after any rain. Paeroa-Tirau, via Matamata.—ln fair order. Metalled road. Matamata, via Kaimai, to Tauranga. —Metalled road in good order, Matamata side. Somewhat rough on Tauranga end. Tauranga-Te Puka.—Part metalled. part clay. Rough travelling. Carry chains after rain. Te Puke-Whakatane. Unmetalled stretches, mostly pumiced. Usually negotiable all weather. Whakatane-Opotiki—A good metalled road. Rotorua-Te Puke.—Pumice. good order. Exercise care four miles from Rotorua to negotiate one car road for a quarter of a mile. Rotorua-Whakatane. —In fair order. Usually holds traffic throughout summer. Exercise care four miles from Rotorua to negotiate one-car road for a quarter of a mile. Opotiki - Gisborne. —All-weather road except four fords which are troublesome after heavy rain. Metalled surfaces somewhat rough between Matawai and Otoko. Road work in progress. Alternate route via Waioeka Valley to Matawai open for traffic December 20 to January 5. Avoid after rain. Several bad fords on detour. Gisborne-Napier.—ln good orderw Somewhat rough at Morere and Wharerata Hills. Alternate route via Tinoroto and Uangaroa presents easier grades, but has clay gap. Wairoa-Lt;ke Waikaremoana. —Mct- | ailed road. Pot-holed round lake. Wairoa-Napier.—In good order. Rotorua-Lake Waikaremoana, via Urewera. —In fair order. Section of road beyond Wai-iti becomes soft after rain. Access to lake not available before Christmas Day. Southern Portion of Island.—All main routes south of New PlymouthPalmerston North and Napier are allweather roads and are maintained in good order. The Foxton-Sanson Road under re-formation. Route via Palmerston Nort 1 recommended. West Coast Resorts. —Raglan and Kawhia all-weather road, in fair order.