NORTH ISLAND ROADS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 415, 27 December 1932, Page 6

NORTH ISLAND ROADS

GENERAL REVIEW. CONDITION OF HIGHWAYS. The following is a detailed report upon the condition of a number of North Island roads at the, present time. It should be of particular interest to motorists and campers: — The East Coast. ! Napier-Wairoa (805) to Gisborne (665) (via Morere).^ — All metalled. Tongoio Hill much improved; v.ehicular ferry at Wairoa; Shaws Hill, just north of Morere, narrow j 'and steep; sealed along top Wharerata Hill. Wairoa-Gisborne (via Tinix*oto) (67 miles). — Unmetalled section south of Tiniroto. Rest metalled. Napier-Taihape (99 miles). — Narrow and hilly. In good order, but chains required after wet weather. Not recomxnended expect as an alternative, or for mexnbers who wish to break new country. Saves very little time, if any, compared with round-

about route. Experxenced drxvers only. Wairoa-Waikaremoana to Rotorua (150 miles). — The surface of this road is now such that it can be negotiated in all weathers, but the road is subject to slips and inquiries should always be made as to the condition from the Hawkes Bay Automobile Association at Napier, at one end, and the Auckland Automobile Association at Rotorua, at the other end. For a distance, of about I 55 miles from Waikaremoana northwards, travelling is very slow, as the road is narrow and winding. The scexxery over this sectioxx is unexcelled. Approaching Rotorua there is a pumice surface on which better time can be made. Napier-Taupo (965 miles). — Sux'face in first-class order throughout. Taupo-National Park (76 miles). — In fair order, bxit cuts up in wet weather, on account of heavy traffic. The section between Tokaanu and National Park has been considerably widened and improved. Taupo-Rotorua (56 miles) to Whakatane (57 miles). — Good surface; fair order; mostly pumice.

Taupo-Atiamuri to Hamilton (98 > miles) . — Puxnice road most of way. In fair order. Rotorua-Hamilton (via Tirau) (69 miles). — In good order, speed limit 30 miles per hour between Rotorua and Tapapa (Mamaku Hills) . Rotorua-Tauranga (57 miles). — Fair order. Section between Te Puke-Tauranga now metalled. Presents no difficulty. Whakatane-Gisborne (via Waioeka Valley road ) (134 miles). — Practieally all traffic now travels via the new road through the Waioeka Valley. It joins the old Gisborne-Motu road at Matawai and avoids the famous Motu and Mere Mere Hills. The steepest grade on the new Waioeka Valley road is about 1 in 15, and generally the surface throughout is in fair condition. Gisborne-Hicks Bay (119 Illiles). — In fair order. Ford just beyond Te Araroa may hold up traffic after rain. Whakatane-Te Puke (44 miles) to Tauranga 17 miles). — In fair order and no longer gives trouble, in wet weather. Good camping at Mt. Maunganui, turn off at mountain 9 miles from Tauranga. Tauranga-Waihi (42 miles). Now available in all weather. Waihi-Pokeno (via Thames) 34 miles). — In fair order. Ohakune-Tamarunni (61 xniles) . — Fair condition. Taumarunui-Te Kuiti (545 ixiiles). — Fair condition to the junction with the Wellingtoxx- Auckland Main Highway at the 8 mile : 8 mile to Te Kuiti not so good. Te Kuiti-Hamilton (50 xniles). — Gravel road which ravels after heavy traffic. Hamilton-Mercer to Pokeno (475 lxxiles). — Gravel road; fair condition. Hamilton-Raglan (30 miles) . — Metalled road in fair order. Te Awamutu-Kawhia (44 miles) . — Metalled; a vexy fine drive. Pokeno-Thames (415 miles). — Good metalled road across Hauraki Plains. Pokeno-Auckland (34 miles). — Bombay deviation now opened; speed limit 30 lxxiles per hour. Bombay to Papakura very rough; good concrete road Papakura-Auckland. Wanganui-New Piymouth (102 miles). — Good surface. New Plymouth-Te Kuiti (1115 miles). — Partly bitumen, partly gravel, fair condition. Stratford-Tauniarunui (via Tangarakau Gorge) (985 miles). — A beautiful drive, but not negotiable, in wet weather*. Carry chains. Now metalled between Tatu and Taumarunui. Weliington-Masterton to Napier (213 miles). — Mostly bitumen; good order except Pahiatua-Eketahuna, care required account loose metal. Featherston to Lake Ferry and Western Lake's Road. — Good ox'dex*. Palmerston North-Woodville (175 miles) . — All tar-sealed. Palmerston North to Feilding (12 miles). — Good condition, any route.