TOURISTS ARRIVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20125, 20 December 1939, Page 4

TOURISTS ARRIVE

ATTRACTIONS OF COAST NEW ROUTE AVAILABLE SURFACE IMPROVEMENTS Unless there is exceptionally heavy rain during the holiday season motorists should not experience any difficulty on the Gisborne-Opotiki scenic highway via Cape Runaway, according to a report to-day from the resident A.A. patrol, Mr. G. V. Merton. Large crowds of tourists are expected in Gisborne next week', and, judging by the number now in the motor camp at the Waikanae Beach, the influx has started already. Although many inquiries were -being received at the A.A. office for itineraries of the route leading to the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington, Mr. Mer.ton said that the Coast scenic highway was proving a rival in popularity to the southern attraction. Visits of A.A. Patrols -Information concerning the round-the-Coast trip had been sought from many parts of the North Island, and association patrols from several outside districts had traversed the new route to Gisborne recently so that they would be in a position to give first-hand information concerning the state and attractions of the road. All had agreed that the long stretch of rugged coastal scenery, particularly from Te Araroa to Opotiki, was the finest in New Zealand.

The first point of interest north of Gisborne was at Te Puia hot springs, after which the traveller going north would pass through many native villages. The opportunities for intending campers were many because there tvas an abundance of streams that would give them plenty of cool, fresh water.

After leaving Cape Runaway there was about 18 miles of uninteresting country, but that was replaced by pleasant surroundings again before the route reached Waihau Bay. That bay was noted for its "fishing, and several boats were available for visitors intent on a quiet holiday and eager to take part in the sport provided. 'Fish were in large schools off the coast and it was possible to secure some fine catches.

Old Whaling Station

There were similar possibilities at Te Kaha, about 20 miles.further along the Coast. There was an old whaling station at Te Kaha, and the district is now a centre of Maori land development.

Reporting on the state of the highway on the Opotiki end of the trip, the engineer of the Public Works Department, Opotiki, Mr F. K. Roberts, stated that the surface had been topdressed as far as the boundary of the Matakaoa County. Also in his territory several bridges had been completed, over streams that had given trouble to motorists in the past. The approaches of others had been consolidated sufficiently to carry Christmas traffic.

The first new bridge available for traffic was 46 miles from Opotiki and made the fording of the Paikaranui Stream unnecessary. A short’ distance further towards Waihau Bay the Waikawa bridge and its approaches were ready for use, but the unfinished state of the approaches to the Maraehako bridge ruled out its immediate use by traffic. In fact, Mr. Roberts reported that it was doubtful if the approaches to the bridge could -be negotiated even if an emergency arose. The Te Waiti bridge was available and a gang had raised a single span bridge across the Wairuru Stream above the level of past floods. Maraenui Hill Route The construction of the Waiokaha -bridge, 65 miles from Opotiki, was in hand, and steel was being placed on the site for a start to be made on a bridge to span the Tauranga crossing. The Mangatoetoe bridge, near Waihau Bay, had been finished, with its approaches. Referring to the reconstruction work being carried out on Maraenui Hill, Mr. Roberts said that if the weather was suitable the new deviation would be open to traffic. The deviation ran on the coast side of the hill and took traffic fi’QHj the winding inland section that had -been the scene of many accidents. However, that portion of the route was not dangerous for the careful motorist. The new' deviation would shorten the road by 47 chains. As a hint to travellers using any route on which open water crossings have to be negotiated, the A.A. patrol has advised that a short length of garden hose be included in the car’s equipment. He said that when the exhaust pipe of a vehicle was submerged in water the motor lost power and the possibility of becoming stuck in the middle of a ford was not remote under those circumstances. A piece of hose brought the exhaust gases up above the level of the water and ensured a good performance of the power unit in deep water.