EASTER ON THE ROADS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1934, Page 11

EASTER ON THE ROADS

HOLIDAY MOTOR TOURS MOST ROUTES IN GOOD ORDER. REPORTS FOR NORTH ISLAND.

Roads are good for Easter motoring,, according to reports received this week by the Auckland Automobile Association from all parts of the North Island. South of New Plymouth and Napier, with the exception of the very potholed road between Sanson and Foxton, on the direct route between Wanganui and Wellington, almost any of the highways can be recommended for touring purposes'. In Hawke’s Bay, where permanent surfacing is in progress, the road has been closed between Napier and Hastings, but for the Easter period the main* highway will be open. On the east coast, between Napier and Wairoa and onward to GisbOme and thence through the Wai6eka Valley to Opotiki, reasonable travelling can be expected. The Waioeka Valley road is pre- 1 - ferable to the Motu Hills, as the former route is much less steep and a wider running surface present better visibility.

The new road following the Wanganui River southward- from Pipiriki to Wanganui, although still in a ratherprimitive condition, with temporary lowlevel bridges and some steep grades, will provide, if fine, weather prevails beforehand, an attraction for those who care to explore its possibilities. The access road from the central highway, atRaetihi has been metalled during the past summer, and, although narrow and wind • ing, travelling conditions are better than previously.

AROUND NATIONAL PARK. < In the central portion of the island much work has been carried out during the past few months. The temporary inconvenience ■ experienced on ’ the Te Kuiti-National Park road has now been overcome and reasonable conditions are reported by travellers on this route. The new deviation which is being constructed between National Park and Taupo will not be sufficiently far advanced for use at Easter.' * * ’

This road, which leaves the existing highway above Lake Roto Aira, will junction toward National Park at the Te Whaiau Stream bridge. Further' improvements which will be carried but on * this road will not only shorten the dis-* tance, but will result in better visibiL ity and safer driving. At present the road through to Taupo presents reason able travelling. Rotorua promises, to be well patronised for the holiday period, and >there' is nothing unfavourable in the reports of roads in the thermal area. Bay oF Plenty conditions are in places not quite so I comfortable, there being . several lengths of road where resurfacing and more frequent use of the grader would be of advantage. There is, however, an improvement on the conditions which existed some time ago.

Improved access to the West Coast at Raglan and Kawhia is enabling these resorts to be visited in greater comfort than in past years. Although metal has now been laid on the direct road following the west coast between Raglan and Kawhia, the rather large and loose nature of the metal is not conductive to comfort, and therefore this route is not recommended until the road is properly consolidated. The portion of the new west coast route south of Marakopa to Awakino is in a very rough condition. The main highway south between Te Kuiti and New Plymouth is in quite reasonable order and is still the most popular route between Auckland and Wellington.

RESORTS NEAR AUCKLAND, a ' For local motorists there is a wide range of resorts within handy distance of Auckland for day trips and picnic outings. Very much improved roads now give access to Piha, Karekare and Muriwai, while the metal has now been extended to beyond the Huia post office round the' shores of the Manukau Harbour. On the northern side of the harbour, the routes to the , various beaches are in good order as far as Brown’s Bay, Deep Creek and Long Bay, but the East Coast road through Redvgle toward Silverdale is extremely rough, and motorists visiting the Whangaroa Peninsula, Orewa and Waiwera will be well advised to follow the main highway through Albany. The very rough and pot-holed section of road between Takapuna and the bituminous surface .of the Birkenhead-Al-bany main highway is now obviated by the metalling of a short cut, which, incidentally, shortens the distance by , half a mile. The Automobile Association signs have been altered to direct traffic on the new road. The spell of fine weather has had a beneficial effect on the coastal route from Whitford to Kaiaua, via Orere Point, and on a bright, fine, day, especially when tbe tide is full, this trip .a most picturesque. It should be avoided in wet, weather, however, on account of the two miles .of clay between Orere Point and Kaiaua.