MOTORING IN THE FAR NORTH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 943, 2 April 1908, Page 13

MOTORING IN THE FAR NORTH.

A ROUGH EXPERIENCE. Mr. Arthur Cleave, secretary of the Auckland Automobile Association, and party returned last week after making a thorough tour of the roadless North in his 15 h.p. Darracq. The car was shipped by the s.s. Clansman to Opua, from whence it was trained to Kawakawa, the starting-point of the motor tour. The drive to Ohaeawai was made at night over a road that consisted for the most part of loose stones, which were not at all favourable to the tyres. After spending a night at Ohaeawai the motorists set out next morning for Kaikohe, in the Bay of Islands County, returning to Ohaeawai for lunch. The afternoon was spent in making the trip to Horeke, a small township on the Hokianga river. The journey necessitated the traversing of some very rough country, numerous washouts having to be negotiated, while in one part the motorists had to lift a heavy :og from off the track in order to clear the way for the car. On reaching Horeke a motor launch was requisitioned, and an enjoyable spin was made to Kohukohu, where the motorists remained overnight. In the morning the party were conveyed up the Hokianga River to Rawene in a speedy launch. A gale was blowing at the time, enveloping the boat in spray and causing the motorists to seek the shelter of the cabin. Lunch was partaken of at Rawene, after which the launch trip to Horeke was commenced, it being somewhat late in the afternoon when the motorists arrived at the latter place. De spite the fact that rain had begun to fall steadily, and nothing but clay roads had to be traversed, a start was made in the car. When within about four miles of Ohaeawai the road leading northwards was taken, and good headway was made until the Waitangi Hill was reached. Then followed a drive over a stretch of road which gave every appearance of being impassable for motor cars. By careful driving and lifting several big bould ers to the side of the track, the descent of the hill was successfully negotiated. The motorists then pushed on, and were able to find comfortable headquarters for the night at Waipapa shortly after dark. Next morning the journey was continued, the roads being in a very greasy condition, and making fast travelling out of the question. After leaving Kaeo the branch off the main road was taken to Whangaroa, where the motorists enjoyed their mid-day meal In the afternoon Saies and Totara were visited, after which a late start was made for Mangonui. The roads were found fairly good, and the party arrived at their destination about an hour after dark. The next day was spent in making the run to Waipapakauri, a distance of about forty miles. Rain fell heavily throughout the day, and great difficulty was experienced in climbing the slippery clay hills, but Waipapakauri was reached about two hours after dark, the last mile or so being covered in a blinding thunderstorm. Waipapakauri being the farthest point North at which the motorists had arranged to touch, it was somewhat disheartening that rain should continually fall during the night they stayed there, as it was not thought unlikely that the next day’s journey would result in the car becoming bogged in the mud, or stranded in either of the creeks which had to be crossed. However, a start was made in the morning in showery weather, and for over twenty miles the car ploughed through a sea of mud. By placing ti-tree under the driving wheels the party enabled the car to ascend all the slippery grades, and as the day wore on dry roads were encountered. In spite of bad roads and adverse weather conditions, 113 miles were covered during the course of the day, Kawnkawa being reached about 8.33 that evening. The drive to Whangarei was made next day, although the roads were sti.l in a greasy condition. Short y before reaching Hukerenui the road was found in a dreadful state, the late floods having strewn the road with boulders. After leaving Whangarei the car’s head was set for Dargavlde, the first 24 miles covered consisting of fair.y good roads. Trouble soon came in the shape of a very steep hi.l, encountered after crossing a creek. Ti-tree was laid down tor the car r.o run over, but this being found inefft?

tive a successful means of negotiating the hill was discovered by shoveling pebbles out of the creek and making a metalled track for the wheel gauge of the car. The journey was then resumed through thick mud, and when ascending a steep grade the car slipped over an embankment and became almost buried in the mud. Willing hands soon rendered assistance, and the car was placed on the road again. A stay was made at Tangiteroria for the night, and at eight o’clock in the morning the trip to Dargaville was commenced. Rain having fallen all night the roads were in a dreadful state, being eighteen inches deep in mud. Chains were fitted to the driving wheels of the car, and for four hours and a-half the motor laboured through thick slush, finally arriving at Dargaville with its occupants unrecognisable. The motorists stayed at Dargaville overnight, but iearning next day that a coach and four-horse team had been bogged on the road from Mititai, it was deemed advisable to ship the car back to Auckland by steamer. The car was subjected to a thorough meaning on the Dargaville wharf before being shipped, while in spite of the arduous nature of the tour, the motor arrived back in Auckland in perfect running order.