ROAD REPORTS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18673, 23 April 1926, Page 5

ROAD REPORTS.

JEeliable information concerning the state of roads in the Province will be «upplied in this column weekly, the source of it being Mr J. S. Hawkcs, secretary of the C.A.A., members of "The Press" 6taff, and "Press" country correspondents. Ladbrooka-Broadfield.-The roads in the Ladbrooks and Broadfields districts are now in fairly good order, with the exception of the loose shingle in several places, especially in the Springs road, near Mr Woodward's farm. Motor-drivers require to drive carefully over this, as several cases of skidding at this spot, also Lincoln College corner, are reported. Several complaints in regard to the water race in Spring's road, near .Mr F. W. Carpenter's, have been made, the race abutting the road, not being covered being the trouble. Wc understand the Council aro taking steps to havo these matters attended to. There are still several dangerous hedges at corners, that require cutting. Those concerned will no doubt have these attended to as soon as time permits, when they will be conferring a great favour on the travelling public.

Little- River.—lt is advised that the road from Chmtchurch to Akaroa through Littlo River, is only in fair order.

Christchurch-West Coast Road.—Latest advices concerning tho Christ-church-West Coast road aro to tho effoct that it is in quite good order again, and carrying a good amount of traffic. Until recently the stato of the road over Porter's Pass prevented cars from coin* over the hill. °

Christchurch to Motukarara.—The main road from the Spreydon bridge to Tai Tapu is very rough, with loose stones, and heaps of dust along the centre of the road. Motorists aro warned to keep on their right side of the road, as it is very dangerous, especially round what is known as the horse-shoe bend. Tho best road for all motorists going to Tai Tapu or Motukarara is through Cashmere, via Hoon Hay, along tho foot of the hills. There aro still many high fences that require cutting at the corners of different roads, as it is very difficult for the motorists to seo around them.

Main South Eoad.—Tho road as far. as the Selwyn is in fair order. There is absolutely no difficulty in crossing the river now. Pot-holes -9 very plentiful nearly all tho way, but this has'to bo suffered. It is advisable to tako tho road round to the right of Dunsandel, coming on to the Main Eoad again about a mile before Banksirl- This is only about a mile longer than the Main road, but is in perfect condition. There are- five water-races to go through. It is impossible to go wrong on this road, as it leads ; rou, dto the Main road itself. Another advisablo deviation is round ; 'the back-of tho Banksido railway -, station.. Care.must betaken, he -- "*'* over, to follow round the mostused turning, op I>he motorist will find himself too far along the Eakaia. There are also a few water- • races along this road."' With ordinary care one' cannot go wrong. It is also advisable to take' the Maronan road which branches off at tho sheep yards about two miles past Tinwald, rather than go through Hinds, where the road is u-'der repair and in bad order. The jM" ronnn Toad leads right to the the roads are loose in soma places bub : 3 in fair order. Some of the hills outside Dunedin require care, as the surface is loose, tho bends are shnvn and there is a great deal ' of traffic.

Main Eoad to Gulverden.— This is also receiving attention, the' scarifier •' being at present employed taking out the pot-holes. A fine top-dres-sing will make this road a pleasure to motorists, after its recent condition.

Leithfield and Kowai County Eoads.— Tho grader is working along section's of the Main North road, between the "Waipara and tho Ashley rivers, and that portion of the road should be in good order by the week-end. Most of the roads in the Kowai County are in good OTder, Marshman's road, from Ashley Bank to Balcairn, being in first-class condition. Motorists travelling north through Leithfield will do well to keep to the left at the Hall corner, opposite the Eoyal Hotel, as a lot of loose shingle has had to be placed there; and the motorist coming south will find' it negotiable with care. In the past many drivers have been in the hahit of "cutting" this corner without even sounding their horns, and though no serious accident has yet taken place at this spot it has been more by good fortune than good management. Tho hedge on the corner property haß recently been trimmed, and approaching vehicles will bo more easily discerned.

Springs County.— Tho roads in this County aro now in fairly good order, although pot-holed in patches. Tho Council's grader has been at work in Springston South district, and has vastly improved conditions. It is now working on the main road. . Tho Springs road is in bad order, and motorists need to drive care- . fully over it, as there is a lot of loose shingle about. Several accidents have boon arrowly averted on this stretch. A number of dangerous hedges at the corners require cutting, and Lincoln College has set a fine exaniplo by cuttiag its hedges at the corners. Owing to a hedge right at the corner of the College grounds not being exit, it is impossible for motorists to see the approach of another car coming from the opposite direction, and in consequence a number of accidents has occurred at this spot.

Waipara-Cheviot. —The road from Waipara to Cheviot is not at present in the best of order for motoring, as there are considerable stretches of new metal which have recently been placed on it. About a mile south of the Omihi School a good depth of shingle has been put on the road at "Smothering Gully," and the corner and bridge at this spot should be negotiated with care. Going over the "Saddle," the road has been improved by patching, and the crossing at tb« Reserve Gnlly is now quite good. A couple of miles of new metalling tyis been done at Tlpapa, and it is understood that tho Tough stretch between the Greta and the Hurunui is to be attended to in the

near future. Across the Hurunui nnd beyond Tormore the Cheviot Council's plant is engaged in metalfing, and some very loose patches of road surface will be encountered. Waikari-ScargilL—Several miles of this road have been re-metalled remetalled recently, and a good deal of the shingle is still in a very loose state. The Waipara Council's new steam roller is working here, and has improved matters considerably. Tipapa-Motunau.—The whole length of this road, which was repaired last year, when the new bridges were also erected, is in tip-top order.