AWAKINO VALLEY ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 105, 30 October 1925, Page 14

AWAKINO VALLEY ROAD

- A tribute 1 is paid to the new Awakino [Valley ..road oh the. main WellingtonAuckland, highway ( by "Focus" in' the .''New Zealand Herald," who says that constant maintenance is keeping . the road in perfect order, there hardly being a bump in the whole valley. After passing Mahpenui, . there is a little roughness descending a slope, but, once | past this, the road surface is delightful. Deep cuttings and fillings have made an f.;isy grade, and if ordinary care is exercised on the corners, there is no danger. The-road is flanked on one side by the sheer wall of rock from which it has been excavated. ■ The river runs below, and on the opposite side of the valley is a towering mass of native bush. The.scenery is beautiful. At one point the road runs into what looks a solid barrier cf mountains,' there apparently being' no outlet, until suddenly one' comes on a tunnel which has been cut; through the mountain side. .The picture, formed by looking', .through., the" dim'; light ",of the I iinnel ;putr'"irito'jhe" brigrrtrsunshincr re--fleeting on the water flowing through the forest-clad heights is ono never to be

forgotten. Beautiful as this portion is, there are many scenes ■ just as ' pretty. The road is a triumph of modern methods of construction and maintenance, and should be an object lesson to many of the counties which control portions of the grout south road. In innumerable places slips have been taking place, but these are not serious, anJ serve-to furnish material with which to widen the road. The worst trouble of all, comps from the swollen river which is • undermining the bank, and in places causing the edge of the road to fall away. Here and there, tents and small shacks house the maintenance men .whose effoi-ts are keeping the highway, in such splendid order.