NZ History

[trish]

the old paths that where first used does any one know about them

[Jamie Mackay]

Not quite sure what you are after, but these may be of interest:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/R/Roads/Development/en

http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/R/RoadTransport/RoadTransport/en

http://www.nzlive.com/department-of-conservation/ohakune-old-coach-road

[trish]

Whakatane/ to the centre of the island around rotoroa, tarunga. there was a wideish track that would take a cart and horse that went over the hills, whakatane side to the right of the main road we now of know.And then around the back of the lakes. On the other side from where the road is know. It was very narrow and to pass they would have to cut a track around each other if there was more then two horse/carts. There was also a walking track the went over the hills on the same side as the road that was only used by walking people and pack horses. Not carts as it was to narrow. Also on the napier/taupo road. They use to call it the old W.J Cobbs run with whey houses. Which was called after the old collars that went around the horses necks for pulling (I think).There where alot of broken wheels in those days and a lot of times they had to leave their cart and some times horses/ mules and walk. As far as I know the road wasn't far of the road we travell down know. More to the right of the road from napier. An through a gully on the left hand side of the main road over the Mohaka river and then back to the other of the road. There where three whey houses on the road to taupo.Shimmer lake, I think they called lake Taupo back then. After a while the track got revamped by W.J cobbs and changed to another direct alot closer to the road we travell to day.

[christine liava'a]

It is probably "way" houses, and would be a resting or replacement house for the horses and passengers, a sort of hotel with stables.