Eve of Holidays

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 235, 23 December 1927, Page 13

Eve of Holidays

ROAD CONDITIONS BROADCAST Automobile Association's Advice THE Auckland Automobile Association makes an appeal to motorists to save the roads as much as possible. “If the surface is wet or greasy, fit chains and drive carefully. By trying to get through without chains, you may become stuck or else your car will slide all over the road forming ruts and roughness when the surface dries. “It is a golden rule always to carry chains, but be careful to make quite sure that you are proficient in the method of attaching them and that they fit the tyres properly.”

rjpiMELY advice, and last-minute .information for touring motorists, were broadcast from IYA last night by Mr. R'. E. Champtaloup, service officer to the Auckland Automobile Association. Spirits Bay, in the Far North, he said, is attracting many tourists this year. It is the novelty of travelling up the entire length of the 90-mile beach on the hard sand surface and then proceeding up the creek-bed for two miles before emerging on to grass-covered country behind the sand hills, and then continuing over what might be termed “never-never” country to the hitherto uu-motored district around Spirits Bay, that make this latter trip so popular. Leaving Auckland, the East Coast route will hold the majority of traffic and in all those places that 42 months ago were quagmires, hard running is being enjoyed to-day. The short

stretch at Silverdale has been partly metalled and the remaining clay has been graded. The Wayby Gorge is a little rough In places, but nothing unreasonable. The Helensville Road, via Lincoln Road, has never been better, but between Helensville and Maungaturoto there are several patches of roughness. Further North, between Topuni and Kaiwaka, there is a bridge' that will require watching, as it is not considered to be in a very safe condition. South of Maungaturoto the road has been graded, and the loose gradings which have been thrown up will cause serious trouble in the event of wet weather. On the other side of Maungaturoto a newmotor grader has been working, with two rollers, and has made a vast improvement in the surfaces of the metalled roads. The new highway from Waipu to Oakleigh, on the Whangarei Road, is being tar-sealed, and a portion of this, 3J miles south of Oakleigh, will be closed to traffic, which will he diverted on to the old clay road, the familiar yellow A.A.A. signs denoting the deviation routes. Between Whangarei and Kawa Kawa a great deal of work has been carried out during the last 12 mouths, and this road will afford good travelling, providing it does not rain. In the event of wet weather it will he much better to travel up the Mangakahia Valley, which, although it is a little rough in places about 12 miles from Kaikolie, will hold traffic much better. On the direct road further North, through the Mangamuka Gorge, new road work is in progress, and here again rain will make the road practically impassable. The link between Mangamuka and Broadwood, via Tutekehua, is not yet open for traffic, so that motorists travelling through the Hokianga to Kaikolie will proceed from Ivaikohe through Broadwood to Hereklno and Ahipara. In the Kauri Forest the new road, although completed, is not yet passable for traffic, and access to this scenic region will he made via Dargaville and Kaihu in the South, or from Raikohe and Waimatenui in the North. The Aranga Road, which is indicated by A.A.A. signs, will be found to be in the best order. SOUTH OF AUCKLAND

“From the South very favourable reports have been received. To save time I will mention the various main routes to give an indication of the location of the places of which I am talking; Pokeno, Paeroa, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier. "Between Wailii and Tauranga, chains required if wet. Tauranga to Matata should hold traffic in' all weathers, with the exception of a little piece between Tauranga and Te Puke. The clay stretch between Opotiki and Gisborne is not in very good order, and although it dries quickly, becomes impassable in wet weather. Balance of the road fo

Wellington is surfaced with permanent formation and can he relied on in any -weather. Up to Lake Waikaremoana, there is only one mile which is not metalled, and this has been receiving attention this week. Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, National Park: The only portion of this route, including the direct road from Putaruru to Taupo, which is likely to cause a serious trouble is two miles on the Mamaku Bush Road between Tirau and Rotorua. Although chains may be required in other odd sections by inexperienced drivers, cars should not become bogged, even with heavy rain. The Wanganui-Raetihi route is now very rough, but is grinding down with the traffic, and although it absorbs water quickly, dries very rapidly. The Taihape Road, which was blocked by a slip recently, has now been cleared, and the road is In good order. Between Taihape and the National

Park, chains may be required if it rains heavily. The road out to Pipiriki from Raetihi has been closed recently for bridge repairs, hut it should be open for Christmas Day. Chains may be required here if it rains. On the eastern side of the National Park, the direct road between Waiouru and Tokaanu is not in the best of order, and, although I can personally recommend this as a fine trip to anyone who is prepared to take things as they find them, I certainly would not advise it for general use. WONDERFUL SCENERY

“The roads from Stratford through the Whangamomona and the Tangarakau Gorge to Ohura and Pio Pio are reported to be favourable for motoring and this trip affords some really wonderful scenery. The Te Kuiti-Taumarunui-National Park Road is in fair order at the present time, but care should be taken after wet weather on the Te Kuiti-Taumarunui section. From Auckland to Wellington all the West Coast roads will hold traffic in any weather, and all the side trips, for instance, the Waingaro Hot Springs from Ngaruawahia, Hamilton to Raglan, Te Kuiti to Waitomo, or Te Kuiti to Marakopa, Te Anga or Kintihaku can be depended on in all weather. The Te Awamutu-Otorohanga-Kawhia route still has an unmetalled surface which will be completed tins season. “I might mention that the new highway which has been formed between Hangitiki and Te Kuiti is closed for traffic which will have to use the hill road.

“The Urewera Country is also attracting many motor tourists, principally campers, and this summer there will be probably more cars travelling this district than the total number of motor vehicles that has ever been in before. To motor as far as Ruatahuna, and then walk to Maungapohatu, which is Rua's stronghold, or to Lake Waikaremoana, is a popular trip. “The A.A.A. has had many requests for itineraries to include Arapuni, and all roads leading to the hydro-electric works are in good order. If, however, rain falls, chains will bfe required on the Kihikihi-Arapuni route. “Contrary to many reports I have heard, both the roads up Mount Egmont are in good order. There are the Dawson Falls, Mountain House Road from Hawera or Stratford and the Bgmont Village, Mountain House Road, from Inglewood or New Plymouth. This latter road is to' be widened next year and its surface will be very much improved. There is just one other portion which I must, mention, and that is the Coromandel Peninsula which is really worth a visit. The road to Coromandel is a good hard metalled road and the Whitianga Road, which was so badly cut up last winter, should not afford undue trouble during the winter.”