ROUTE SURVEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 144, 20 June 1934, Page 9

ROUTE SURVEY.

ROADS IMPROVED. CLEARING DOME VALLEY. DIFFICULTIES tN SOUTH. The road reports received from the Automobile Association patrols who have been out on the road since daybreak this morning indicate much improved conditions in North Auckland. The main highway to Whangarei was not oper this morning, but it :s hoped that a clearance will be made in the slip in the Dome Valley to permit the road to be used late this afternoon. In the Meantime the il; oil waters have subsided sufficient.y for the road to be followed from Birkenhead or Dcvonport through the White Hills to Kaukapakapa, thence up the West Coast Road through Port Albert to Wellsford. Onwards then through Maungatuvoto to Whangarei was clear this morning, except that in the Waipu Gorge there are numerous slips where very great care is required as only a narrow passage remains for ears. North of Whangarei very much improved conditions are reported, and cars are now getting through to Kawakawa, although there is still water between Kawakawa and Ohaeawai. The service cars travelled through the Mangamuka Gorge from Kaitaia this morning. There is still trouble in the Mangakahia Valley Road between Whangarei and Kaikohe, but by using the Houtu deour route, traffic is getting through. The Helensvillc Road was still blocked this morning, but a patrol reached Waimauku by 11 a.m. The traffic has also been using the Pokeno-Paeroa highway, where the water has receded' sufficiently at the Mangatangi and Mangatawhiri bridges to permit the passage of cars. In the South. Further south the reports are not as good, the storm now evidently having made its way in that direction. In the Bay of Plenty the streams along the coast in the vicinity of Matata are in a dangerous condition, and if rain continues the roads are likely to be flooded in the vicinity of Whakatane and Taneatua. Heavy rain has also been experienced in the Rotorua district where slips may occur in the hill country. In the King Country rather severe conditions are reported. Flooding has occurred on both sides of Te Kuiti, and it is now necessary to use the old hill road between Otorohanga and.. Te Kuiti. On the Piopio-New Plymouth highway three feet of water covers the road, but the detour routes which were promptly signposted by an A.A. patrol this morning are in use. Further south near Mahoenui several slips have occurred, but not of sufficient magnitude to block the road. On the Taumarunui highway a washout at the Mangatapoto School, 38 miles south of Te Kuiti, has obstructed traffic, and cars are now being forced to travel on the detour via Waimilia and Ongarue. Conditions in the south are likely to become worse during the day.