Road Gossip

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 7

Road Gossip

A TRIP TO MERCURY BAY ON THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA DES- 1 CRIBING THE ROAD CONDITIONS ON THE WAY FROM AUCKLAND

By IWANTA After leaving the concrete road at Papakura, the Great South Road certainly shows signs of improvement. The Razorback has been treated to a very liberal supply of metal, and it puzzles one to know why this has not been put on the new deviation. After leaving Pokeno signs of the late heavy rainfall are on every hand. Giaders are at work along this road, spite of the adverse weather conditions of late, the road is now in the best condition it ever was. ACROSS THE HAURAKI PLAINS The new deviation just past Maramarua is completed and is no doubt a boon to travellers over this route. The road over the Hauraki Plains is now in splendid order. The Pipiroa- ferry is the only draw-

g—MW—MWIII'W——lIIWIII—I—imiM.UI BMIIM.IUM Mil back on this trip now, and no doubt as money becomes available this will receive attention in due time. , The new bridge over the Kopu.River is a great saving of time and inconvenience. UP THE PENINSULA FROM THAMES After leaving Thames the road following round the sea through Tapu and Waikawau is in surprisingly good order although the recent rains have caused many slips. Workmen are busy clearing this up and repairing the many little washouts. This particular trip offers much to the motorists wishing to seek camping or picnicking spots, with its wonderful beaches. At Wilson’s Bay the road begins to ascend, and the climb up this side is one of the roughest parts of the road. On a fine day it would be hard to find a more interesting climb. Rangitoto away in the distance ahead, and the wide expanse of the Firth of Thames to the left, while inland to the right rugged peaks all go to make this a most wonderful panoramic picture. The road down the other side has been given a liberal coat of shell-sand, and this particular stretch is one of the best surfaces on the whole route. It is a wonder the “powers-that-be do not take note of what a good. road a fine metal makes, and even if the initiaL cost is a little more, it is cheaper in the long run, besides giving motorists much pleasure m driving over these good, but all too short, stretches of road. . _ The road through the Maori Pa, Manaia, although showing signs ot wear, is in fair order. Decending here one gets a very pretty view of Coromandel and surroundings. ACROSS TO MERCURY BAY From the Coromandel turnoff, the road becomes much rougher and signs of the heavy rains are in evidence eV A huge landslide which blocked the Waiau River had caused the water to back up, forming quite a bi 0 lake. In breaking through, the river has taken ■i new course. The road, which rises fo a height of about I,oooft through pretty bush, has suffered considerably by the heavy traffic of fish lorries fiom A 'week’s tine weather has made this road comparatively easy ~et through, but with any, ram tms would be no pleasure trip, as in places Rm metal has been worn througn and phqins would be necessary. Once down on the flat the sandy road on to Mercury Bay is quite good. Taking into consideration the time of the ® the road right through is m very Sod order and no doubt under ordinfry weather conditions by summei it i»q tirst-class order. W The many improvements within the last 12 months are very noticeable and by the no" doubt getting 0 something in return for their taxes. Owning an automobile is still re-e-arded as a luxury in Germany. Owners who wish to reduce their expenses nr need a contribution to their instalment payments are now offering their cars and services to such as who aie wih'arrange to^= a certain number of hours a day on a monthly Tf none of the other good reasons “ driving carefully in downtown traffic appeals to you, remember that you were a pedestrian yourself once.