THE ROADS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 96, 3 February 1930, Page 6

THE ROADS.

CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTY.

RAKAIA GORGE TO RANGITATA. The following summary of conditions on certain roads in the Ashburton County should interest motorists Slain Highway. Rakaia GorgeNorth Branch Ashburton Bridge area. —The ford at- Camping Gully Stream is now repaired. A fair amount or water is "flowing, and motorists should change down to low gear and give the car plenty of power before crossing, as the bottom is very solt. _lhe zigzag road to Coleridge is again in oreßakaia Gorge Cutting.—Numerous slips and washouts caused by the iccent heavy rains have made the surface rough, but the road is negotiable. From McLeod’s homestead, for about a mile or so on the main highway to Timaru, the numerous watercourses have been scoured. Care should be exercised at the point where Dry Creek crosses the road. Close to the Ashburton North Branch the road is still rough, though temporary repairs have been made. , .Staveley-Mount Somers—The graders have straightened up the road to a great extent after the floods, but careful driving, especially at mglit, is still necessary! Mount Somers-Mavfield. —The Main Highway crossing the Hinds Stream should he avoided. The road from Lincoln Fields to Valetta-Mayfield road is much better. . . Mavfield-Rangitata.—Repairs to the Mayfield end are in progress, but the move urgent work lies some four or five miles further south, where the road is in a disgraceful state. Many large pot-holes cannot be avoided, as tliev extend from side to side ol the road. Fast travelling would result in broken springs. From the point mentioned to the Rangitata the road is in ■fair order, but a grader over it would spread a fair amount of loose shingle. From Rangitata to Temuka the road is all tar-sealed and presents a good surface except from the bridge at Arundel to Orari. over the portion that has boon more recently tar sealed, which has a very “wavy” surface. Attention is being given to numerous potholes in this road. Temuka-Timaru.— This road is fairly rough, with much loose shingle. A grader over this niece of road would improve matters considerably. There is a large volume of traffic on this stretch of road. 1 ' Ashburton-Methven Mam Highway. Phis road’ is in excellent order at Pl Methven-Rakaia Main Highway From Cairnbrne cross-roads the road is still* bad after the recent floods The alternative roads through Highbank or the Back Track, are good, with the exception of an odd rough place. * All other Metliven rones arc m feirlv good order and are well supplied with C’.A.A. signs.