MOTORING PARADISE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1933, Page 8

MOTORING PARADISE

THE BAY OF PLENTY COAST.

ROADS IMPROVED.

Gisborne, Sept. 25.

With the several improvements recently effected, the Bay of Plenty coast between Opotiki and Waihau Bay, aptly described as a motorists’ paradise, will be accessible to holiday-makers during the coming summer, and extensive preparations for their comfort are being made by the Automobile Association.

The whole of the road has been surfaced, with the exception of approximately 21 miles between Waihau Bay and Hicks Bay, and motorists accustomed to travelling off the main roads will experience no difficulty on the section between Opotiki and Waihau Beach. The road also may be suitable for the average driver as far as Cape Runaway, and it may be possible in fine weather to travel right .through to Gisborne by the coastal route, though , this is not recommended by the association at present. Recently the Automobile Association’s signposting patrol, Mr. J. Yates, the Gisborne resident patrol, Mr. A. A. Franklin, and Mr. A. Anderson, touring clerk, signposted the road between Opotiki and Oruaiti Beach, which is about six miles on the Opotiki side of Cape Runaway. They erected 110 signs and 70 posts, all bridges and streams being indicated and named, while warning signs were erected at dangerous points.

This week the president of the association, Mr. A. Grayson, also paid a visit of inspection to the Bay of Plenty coast, together with the Gisborne Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr. H. L. Primrose, the association’s touring manager, Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, Patrol Franklin, and Mr. J. W. S. Neilson, of Raukokore. Particular attention was paid to facilities for camping motorists, and the touring party discussed the situation with the native landowners, who have formed a committee to preserve scenic attractions and camping sites, and who will report any cases of misbehaviour to the Native Land Court.

The association intends to open about six camping sites for the coming holiday season. The association requests, also, that in cases where there are homesteads nearby, motorists should obtain permission before erecting camps on any but the recognised camping sites.