ROAD REPORTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18923, 11 February 1927, Page 5

ROAD REPORTS.

Maronan road. —This road is now in good order, due to the attention of the road grader. Amberley.—The roads in this district ' aro in good condition, and the countryside is at its best. CU3t.—The roads in tho district are still in fair motoring condition. Tho main Rangiora-Oxford road, however, through the Cast township, is now being heavily shingled, making driving awkward, especially at night. Selwyn Ford—Tho Selwyn ford is easily negotiable at present, thero being very littla water in the stream. Kimberley.—The roads in the Kimberley district are in fair order The West Coaßt road is good at Kimberley, but lower clown towards Christchurch the surface is broken up in places. Ashburton to Stavoley.—With most of our motoring roads in bad order tho public body concerned deserves praise for tho good stato of the arterial road up through tho Ashburton Forks district. For the first 16 miles or so from Ashburton tho road has just been graded and at present gives a surface nearly freo from pot-holes while tho looso shingle is uegii''ble. About tho only fault with the road is, in places, too high a crown, this making on either side a sloping track, for loose surface shingle has been scraped into the centro of the road. From Green's corner to tho 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 shingled. This stretch can bo avoided by going round tho triangle to tho left, turning at the Springburn Post Office. Main South Boad.—The main road south is in fair order as far as Rollcston. The mile or two of bitumen surface about Riccarton is being much appreciated by all motorists. Passing Rolleston, tho motorist strikes some very bad rotfli, with practically no alternative but slow travelling ns far as the Selwyn. I Much care must bo takcu on this | stretch in wet weather as tho sur- ! face becomes greasy very quickly. 1 The small bridge across the Selwyn i was washed away on Christinas I liight and has not yet been replaced, but tho ford is easily negotiated unless there is heavy rain. Irom tho Selwyn to tho Itakaia tho j roads aro still rough, but are improving. From tho Rakaia to Ashburton tho roads are much better, but many potholes are evident. After Tinwal.d, cither tho Hinds or tho Maronan road may bo taken. Both are in good order. Tho dry weather road at tho Boutli end of the Maronan road makes that routo about threo miles shorter. Thero is sonio very bad road between Gcraldino and Winchester. This can be avoided by taking tho road at tho signpost to Orari just before crossing tho btidgo to Geraldino. roads meet After a niilo or two, and tho middle road ahead leads right to OrarL The railway line leads tho motorist right to Temuka and Timaru. The roads hero aro in good order, some of the tarscalcd roads outsido Timaru being in excellent repair. Tho bridge over tho Paroora about twclvo miles past Timaru, needs care, as it is very rough and narrow. Tho roads aro fnirly good on to Dunodin with several miles of asphalt just outsido that town.. From Dunediu to Invcrcargill tho condition of. tho road varies, but no stretches aro as bad as that part near tho Selwyn. Mount Somers.—Some portions of the main highway roads are very rough at present, and tho roads would bo greatly benefited by a good rain, as tho surface is breaking up with tho continued dry spell. The culvert at tho corner near Bucclcuch Siding has been completed, and once again nil the main routes in this district aro open all motor traffic. Mt. Somers-Aahburton Gorge.—Portions of the Toad near the township end aro becoming a littlo rough with tho dry weather, but tho roads nro stated to bo in better order further up tho Gorge. Ladbroota.—Tho roads in tho district aro again in good order. Tho Puparua County Council's road grader has been kept busy lately. Tho Council is also at present receiving a largo quantity of metal from their Birdling's Flat pit for road repairs, which, when completed, will bring tho roads back to their normal state. Tho Drain road is receiving special attention, and is to get a good coating of metal. Some dangerous corners aro still requiring attention, and motorists are advised to slacken speed at them. Temuka DomAln.—This charming little Domain is still finding favour wth motorists, who pitch their camp there. The .following letter received bv the Mayor of Temuka (Mr G. B. Cartwright), written from Christ's College,Christchurch, is sufficient evidence of its popularity. Mr E. W. Heald. writes: "I take this opportunity of expressing to you tho thanks of Mrs Heald and myself for tho kindness and hospitality extended to us by yourself during our visit to Temuka. lam sure it will please you to know that wo had a real good time, the memories of which will be cherished by us for many a long day. Temuka and its surroundings arc indeed very fine, and I am sure everyone residing in Tejnuka is very proud •of their little township. They certainly should be. The Domain, am sure, is something to talk about, and be proud of. The disposition of the people makes one feel quite at home, to say nothing _ of the splendid fishing. We consider you live in an ideal place, and, to be quite truthful, we arc so enraptured with it that we are coming to see you again. Wo wish Temuua and its residents good luck and prosperity. Thanking you once agnin .for your kindness and hospitalitv, wishing you good health anu good" luck in your family circle during the venr, and hoping to see you again next Christmas time.—lours faithfully, E. W. Heald. Coat—The roads around Cust for the most part aro in good order. Motorists proceeding through 9 US . 1 Bennetts will be troubled just now b • loose shingle scraped to a rid? in the centro of the read, and not vet spread. It Is very dangerous at night. Pot holes arc increasing on the Rangiora-Cust section of the road, but can mostly bo avoided by /

careful driving, except at Fernsidc. The side roads throughout the district give good travelling at present, and generally are to be preferred to the main Rangiora-Oxrord road. Tho Tram road, save for shingle between Burgess's Ford ant. Mandcville, is excellent There is a flue stretch from Mandenne north through Swannanoa, with a billiard-table surface, laid down years ago with special shingle. With "the exception of one or two potholes it is like macadam.