ROAD REPORTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18917, 4 February 1927, Page 4

ROAD REPORTS.

Maronan road.—This road is dotv in r-nrvj order, due to the attention of the road grader. Amberley.—The roads in this district arc in p<)od condition, and the countryside is at its best. Cust.—Tho roads in the district are still in fair motoring condition. The main Rangiora-Oxford road, however, through tho Oust township, is now being heavily shingled, making driving awkward, especially at night.

Selwyn Ford.—The Selwyn ford is easily negotiable at present, there I'ring wry lit*!c water in the stream.

KJmberlcy.—The ronds in the Kimberley district are in fair order. The West Const road is good at Kimberley, but lower down towards Christ.church the surface is broken up in place?.

Main South road.—The road as far as Tiollestun is in good order, with a mile or two of much appreciate'.! bitumen surface about Riecarton. From Kolleston to tho Selwyn, the road is the worst on tho whole journey. Much caro must be taken after rain as the surface soon becomes dangerously greasy. Prom the Selwyn to Ashburtoii the roads are rough in places, but arc in f.iir order. At Tinwald either tho Maronan or the Hinds road may be taken. Tho Hinds road is in slightly better order, but the Maronan road is quite good. There is some very bad road between Geraldine and Winchester, portions of which can be avoided by taking the first road to the left. After crossing the Orari river, nnss tho tirst cross roads, and take tho middle road ahead, where five roads meet. This meets the railway lino near the Orari station, whero the lino tan bo followed to Tcniulca and then to Timaru. The roads hero are in fair order, some of the tar-scaled roads outside Timaru being very good. . The bridge over the Pareora river, about twelve miles past Timaru needs care, as it is rather narrow aud very rough. On to Dunedin the roads are in fair order with several miles of good asphalt just outside that town. From Dunedin on to Invcrcargill the condition of tho road varies, but there are no stretches as bad as that part near the Selwyn..

Mount Somers.—The main highway roads through tbo Mount Somers district, north to Christcliurch, or south to Timaru, are very rough at present, owing to numerous pot-holes and loose shingle, the result of repairs and patching recently effected by the Hjgbway Board's surfacemen. Once through the district the roads will be found in mucb better order. As these roads nro wind swept from the- Ashburton Gorgt>, their upkeep is considerably greater. Hood's traffic bridge (commonly known as the Mount Somers bridge), which has been closed for several months for repairs and overhauling, has been completed, and no doubt there will bo increased traffic along these routes in future.

Mt. Somers-Ashburton Gorge.—Tho roads havo been considerably benefited by the attention!) of the Road Board's surfaceman, and are at present in fair repair. The lakes in tho Gorge are fast becoming more popular with anglers, and week-end motor parties havo greatly increased.

i jjhburton to Staveley.—"With most of our motoring roads in bad ordor the public body concerned deserves praise for the good state of the arterial road up through the Ashburton Forks district. For tho first 16 miles or so from Ashburton the road has just been graded aud at present gives a Burfaco nearly free from pot-holes while tho loose shingle is neglir'blo. About the only fault with tho road is, in places, too high a crown, this making on either side a sloping track, for loose surface shinglo has been scraped into the centre of the road. From Green's corner to the Roxburgh bridges the road is rougher, but from Roxburgh to Springburn tho road is a littlo better. The direct road from Springburn to Staveley is at present being ahingled. This stretch can be avoided by going round the triangle to the left, turning at tho Springburn Post Office.

Main South Road. —The main road south is in fair ordor as far as Rolleaton. Tho mile or two of bitumen ( surface about Riccarton is being much appreciated by all motorists. Passing Rollcston, tho motorist strikes some very bad road, with practically no alternative but slow travelling as far as tho Selwyn. Much care must bo taken on this stretch in wet weather as the surface becomes greasy very quickly. The small bridge across the Selwyn was washed away on Christmas night and has not yet been replaced, but the ford is easily negotiated unless there is heavy rain. From the Selwyn to tho Rakaia the roads arc still rough, but are improving. From the Rakaia to Ashburton tho roads are much better, but many potholes aro evident. After Tinwald, cither the Hinds or the Maronan road may bo taken. Both aro in good order. The dry weather road at the south end of the Maronan road makes that route about three miles shorter. There is some very bad road between Geraldine and "Winchester. This can be avoided by taking tho road at the signpost to Orari just beforo rrussiug tho bridge to Geraldine. Five roads meet after a mile or two, and the middle road ahead leads right to Orari. The railway line leads the motorist right to Temuka and Timaru. The roads here are in good order, some of the tarscaled roads outside Timaru being in excellent repair. Tho bridge over the Pareora about twelve miles past Timaru. needs care, as it is very rough and narrow. The roads are'fairly good on to Dunedin with several miles of asphalt just outside that town. From Dunedin to Invereargill the condition of the road varies, but no stretches are as bad as that part near the Selwyn. THE BEALEY. Advice was received yesterday that, the ford at the Bealey is impassable at present, and is likely to remain in such a state for several days owing to the recent fresh having shifted the shingle in tho river bod.