TO TAURANGA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3247, 2 April 1943, Page 5

TO TAURANGA

SHORT TE AROHA ROUTE WAS DISCUSSED IN 1882 TUNNEL THROUGH HILL Speaking at a meeting of the Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce last week, Mr W. J. Gibbs, former engineer to the 'Piako County Council, drew attention to the possibilities of a short route from Te Aroha to Tauranga by way' of Tauhu and Katikati. This, had been discussed in 1882 during which year a held at Katikati and was attended by settlers from as far away as Te Puke. The result of the meeting was the construction of the Tauhu Track. 1

To-day the -community of interest was much greater and Thompson’s Track had proved to be unsuitable as a main through road and the Kainiai route was still a long distance it being estimated to be about 58 miles from Te Aroha to Tauranga over this route.

Tunnel Through Range

Commencing at Jones’ farm, about 5 J miles from Te Aroha on the south side of'the Waipupu creek the Te Aroha-Gordon road, thence on to just beyond the north-eastern side of the Waipupu pond, a road should be constructed to a point nearing the 900 feet level, a distance of 31 miles,” Mr Gibbs said. “A tunnel should be constructed just south of the old Tauhu-Katikati track and pick up this track on the eastern side of the range near where the track crosses the Rereataukahia stream. This would require about 70‘ chains of tunnel.

“The road would then go down the south-east bank of the Rereatukahia stream, pass through Katikati hot springs to the Tauranga main highway, a distance of about four miles ten chains. The total distance to Katikati would be 14 miles and that to Tauranga about 331 m,iles. The roading is comparatively easy on both sides of the range, and the rock from the tunnel would provide for the road surface.

“This would bring the farming interest of the two districts much closer together and be of very great •benefit to both sides of the range. An easy grade could be got to the tunnel on both sides.”