BY MOTOR CYCLE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4924, 11 January 1926, Page 4

BY MOTOR CYCLE.

A PLAINS RESIDENT’S TRIP.

OVER 1000 MILES COVERED.

The ease and rapidity by which an enjoyable trip can be made by motor cycle has been exaimplified by a young Hauraki Plains resident during the recent holidays. Leaving Ngatea on the morning of December 23, a nonstop run was made to Paeroa. After spending half an hour in that t&wh a start was, made .again, and, following the main highway through Waihi and Katiliati, Tauranga was reached during the early afternoon. After a brief stay in that town the tourist wa,s bjff again.

Passing through Matata, Whakatane was reached in time tor tea. A couple of days were spent by the cyclist with his people in this town, and on Boxing Day Opotiki was visited for the purpose of s.eeing ,the motor-cycle races there. The dia.ry which was shown us does not disclose if our Plains friend competed in any of the races. The next couple of days were spent on his people’s farm assisting with the harvesting operations, which were then in full swing. On Tuesday, December 29, our friend, accompanied by his brother, also on a motor-cycle, started off for Rotorua, which was reached in good time, and the night was spent tnere. The following day .they hit the trail for Tbkaanu, via. Taupo and Wairakei. This trip proved to be a memorable one from a scenic point of view. Passing through the beautiful valley, the famous Huka Falls and Arataratia Rapids were visited. A splendid view of ,the Rainbow Mountain was obtained. The next morning the cyclists crossed through the National Park to WaimaTinb. and then down to Raetihi, which was reached just before noon. After lunch they proceeded to Wa.nganui, via Kakatahi, which proved a very interesting journey.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day were spent at Wanganui. Although rain fell on both days a happy time was spent exploring the city and visiting the inaiiy points of interest.

On January 2 they wiere off ag3|in, and the night was spent at E'gmont Village. A visit to the mountain house was made and a wonderful view obtained. New Plymouth was, 'reached on Sunday.

The return journey from New Ylymouth was made via Te Kuiti, which was reached on Monday evening. On that day the first mishap l of any kind, occurred. Having become familiar with .the Automobile Association’s signs erected at corners warning motorists, to drive slowly, they came upon a bend where a notice was not visible. The result was that the corner was taken a,t a good pace and our Plains friend went over a bank, but nothing worse resulted than' a bent fork on the motor-cycle, and this was. adjusted on arrival at Te Kuiti that evening. A start was made on Tuesday morning tor Pa,eroa, via 'Te. Awamutu and Ar.apuni. A series of punctures delayed .the party) somewhat, and they only had a hurried look at Arapuni before dark. Bad luck in the shape of punctures was, met with' on the road on Wednesday, and Paeroa, was not reached until late afternoon. At .this town a new balloon tyre was fitted to the machine, and the remainder of the journey to Ngatea was completed before dark. Good weather generally prevailed, and a thoroughly enjoyable holiday was spent.

The concluding remarks in the diary of the tour 1 declare that the road from Paeroa. to Netherton proved to be the worst piece encountered on the whale of the thousand-mile trip.