The Motu Bush.

The most interesting portion of our trip, however, was yet to come. Departing from Opotiki just after dinner, we were charmed with scenes of varying interest. For the first eight miles we have the sea on our left, and then, turning inland, the small settlement of Toatoa is reached. The cheese factory here turns out about 50 tons of cheese per annum. Now the road commences to rise, and we are soon in the Motu Bush. The writer knows of no road which is such a test of good motor driving as the road through the Motu Bush. Of straight sections there are practically none. The steering wheel is in constant movement, first one way, and then the other. Passengers may admire and express pleasure at the vistas of bush, sky and mountain, but the driver must ever be on the alert. The road is narrow and demands care when care going in opposite directions desire to pass. From the top of the Meremere Hill, on clear days, Whale Island and the blue waters of the Bay of Plenty can be seen. The Motu road page 42 reaches an elevation of 2,370 feet above sea level. For practically the whole 50 miles the road follows the railway, and at Otoko it goes under a handsome steel latticework girder viaduct carrying the railway. Crossing the river at Waikohu the traveller is intrigued at the narrowness of the bridge, just wide enough to take an ordinary motor car and no more. In answer to a query, we were vouchsafed the explanation that the width of the bridge was restricted on purpose to prevent the passage of heavily laden wool wagons, the weight of which would seriously imperil the safety of the structure. A notice on a house we passed occasioned a smile. The notice read: “Afternoon tea, scones, cakes, lemons, onions,” truly an epicurean menu!