THE HANMER ROAD

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22635, 14 February 1939, Page 13

THE HANMER ROAD

to the bditoe ot the rasas. Sir, —I am pleased to read express sions of dissatisfaction regarding the state of the road between Culverden and Hanmer. The road is, in my opinion, nothing more than a glorified riverbed; and those responsible for the maintenance are apparently quite content to keep it so, to judge by the quantity of riverbed shingle which is spread on the surface. No attempt is made to bind the shingle with soil or clay; and the first car to pass over it merely pushes it to one side. At least, a heavy car does; a light car zig-zags from one side of the road to the other and often finishes up in the watertable. A lesson in toad, formation can be gained from the Lewis Pass road, which now provides a better surface than a “sealed” road. This is, comparatively, a new road. Shingle, clay, and grading have been used to advantage. The Hanmer road is, I understand, supposed to be graded twice weekly. I dotibt whether the grader does the trip once a month. Further, the grader employed on the job is obsolete and merely scratches the surface of the road. A new, powerful grader has been purchased; but this is being used on some of the back roads near Culverden. In “The Press” to-day I noticed that the Main Highways Board “might” seal a section of the Culverden-Hanmer road, between the Red Post and Point, a distance of little more than one mile. Great progress? It is also noted that the Waiau-Culverden road is to be sealed, a road which is in good order, and does not carry half the traffic the Hanmer road does. Last week-end three cars overturned on the Hanmer road; all of them were extensively damaged. That is exactly three cars too many. Surely it does not need a serious accident to convince the authorities that the road is dangerous for light traffic. It behoves the Hanmer Progress League, or whatever local body Hanmer possesses, to fight strenuously for better- road conditions; otherwise the number of visiting motorists will show a substantial decrease. —Yours, etc., ANOTHER LIGHT CAR. February H, 1939. TO TEI EDITOK OT THE PBIBS ' Sir, —Having toured in the North Island recently and found such excellent main roads, I am astonished that the Canterbury Automobile Association and the Canterbury Progress League have taken no action to have the Cul-verden-Hanmer road improved. I agree with your motoring correspondents, the road is in a shocking condition and is really dangerous to motorists. Another danger-spot is a bridge approach, a little south of Culverden. One evening recently while negotiating this rough portion, my car skidded in the shingle and an accident was narrowly averted. Drivers of light cars must find this road a nightmare. I wonder whether the officials of either of the above mentioned associations have ever driven over the road? Canterbury roads, in many instances, need attention before driving can be a real pleasure that it ia in the North Island.—Yours, etc.. yyv February 11, 1939.