WEST COAST ROADS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18430, 10 July 1925, Page 4

WEST COAST ROADS.

MR J. S. HAWKES'S OBSERVATIONS. fckuno interesting observations eoncorning the roads on tho West Coast were given to a representative of 'The Press - '" yesterday, by Mr J. S. Hawkes, who was one of tho party from the C.A.A., that visited branches of the Association last week.

Mr Hawkes was impressed with the patrol system of road maintenance carried out on the Bullcr Gorge road. Each roadman. Mr Hawkes stated, had swuut six miles to look after, and yie work was dono well. It was noticeable however, that some roadmen earned out their duties better than others, and iu this connexion ho mentioned the way blackberries had been cleared away from some corners, with tho result that it was possible to obtain a view- of what lay ahead.

The roads in the (/rev County were found to be well looked alter. One section of the road, which runs through tho borough of Bruuner was m a bad state, which would seem to show the nceessitv of roads passing through such borouchs being declared main highways. Beyond Bruuner to Rectum the road was quite good. The bridge over the Teremakau was iu a dangerous state so far as motorists were- concerned, particularly at the south end where the mnin road and ra.. Wav track abruptly meet, making it difficult to see when a tram was approaching, tho bridge being available for all kinds of traffic. . A section of road that was in need of attention was at Barn- s cutUug, some few miles north 'of licet ton. Atthis point the road crossed the railway lino twice within a short distance. Bv makhi" a short deviation in tho roao., an iiiulertaking that would involve some little expenditure, both crossings could he obviated. A necessary work that should he carried out as soon as possible was tho completion of the road along the coast between Grcvmouth and WestportThere were onlv about three miles ot this to finish. Mr Hawkes learned, but it was a rather costly proposition, as it would require about £20.000. Tho greater proportion of this, however, would be used in erecting bridges, ineluding a bridge over the Fox River. When tho road was completed, it would mean that travellers would bo able to proceed from Christchurch to Westport, via Greymouth, iu one day, and it would not be necessary for them to co through Recfton and via the Buller Gorge. Mr Hawkes wasi also informed that a deviation was desired in tho road from Kumara to Hokitika. If this work was carried out, it would mean a saving of about nine miles in a journey from Greymouth to Hokitika. He understood that there were only a few miles of the road awaiting completion. While at lleefton. time was foiuy to mako a run of about 10 miles uy tho road, which passes through. Crusuington. Mr Hawkes was favourably impressed with the scenery, and regretted that lie was unable to proceed as far as the Maruia Hot Springs, concerning the virtues of which he had received many favourable reports.

MOTOR REGISTRATIONS. FIGURES TO JUNE. The number of motor vehicles registered in the Dominion to June 30th, wa3 10G,449, of which 65,415 were in the North Island, and 41,034 in the South Island. The following are the registrations of motor trucks for the same period: ! X.I. S.I. Total 1 ton ... 5558 ' 2357 7910 2 ton ... 1271 431 1705 3 ton ... 594 1(17 761 4 ton ... 49G 155 Gsl 5 ton ... 18G 55 241 G ton .... 26 16 42 Over ... 9. G 15 .. Change the oils u«cd to lubricate transmissions and differentials to i'* heavier kind for the summer months.' To ensure proper cooling of the engine, cores of the radiator should be blown out with compressed aii'i a R a " dust collected here will interfere with keeping the water r.b a low tempera*-, ture.