A LONG MOTOR SPIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1069, 27 February 1913, Page 4

A LONG MOTOR SPIN.

TO DUNEDIN AND BACK

“AUCKLAND’S ROADS THE

WORST.”

After a motor car jaunt of 2.735 miles in three weeks, during which time his party went as far south as Dunedin. Mr A. L- Raven has returned to Auckland. The party comprised five members, one of whom was Mr Lusk, of Sydney, and, favoured by fine weather, the trip proved a most enjoyable one. The expedition left Auckland on the last day of January. The run of 85 miles to Hamilton was completed by nghtfall, and, notwithstanding the execrable roads, not one puncture was sustained during this stage of the journey. Leaving Hamilton the following day, the party proceeded to Taupo vis Atiamuri, a distance of 106 miles. A halt was cried for a day or so at Taupo, to enable fishing on the Lake, and then the journey of 99 miles to Napier was negotiated. When the maintains were reached some magnificent views were obtained, a gorgeous panoramic vista bursting into view when Mount Ghihekuku was climbed. The next grade to be taken was that up Mount Taringakuma, the altitude of which is 2,600 ft. above sea level, and the view from which Mr Lusk characterised as “better than anything that could bp seefl in the worldfamid Blue Mountains of New South Wales.” Alter a steep run down the hill, Mount Titiakura (2,250 ft.) was ascended. The roadway here was of a very serpentine nature, with hundreds of “corkscrew” and “hairpin” bends. After crossing these hills the party reached Pohui, and front tlierp fp thf ?oads were perfectThe run from Wellington to Napier (134 miles) was the longest distance covered in one day during the tour. Several days were spent in Wellington.

From Christchurch the journey was continued to Timaru, a djs, tanee pf jxy miles. day the 130 miles to > Dunedin were covered, no difficulties of any kind being experienced hi the mountainous country of iGtago. The return journey was made as far as Hamilton, practically along the same route as that taken on the dowp t r ip ( throughout the whole journey the most serious mishaps experienced were a couple of punctures, both iu the thermal country, Mr Raven had some strong comment to make on the condition

of the Auckland main roads. He said he had come back convinced that Auckland’s roads were an absolute disgrace. They were easily the worst in the Dominion, the roads elsewhere being exceptionally good. A heavy rain during the night—the only shower of any consequence during the trip—made the road at the Rangariris so bad that it was too greasy for motoring purposes, and the car had to be entrained from Hamilton for Auckland.

“We met several parties of Australian visitors who were touring New Zealand,” concluded Mr Raven, and they all had the same complaint to make about Auckland’s roads.”