The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1921.

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6203, 7 October 1921, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1921.

THE RELIEF WORKS ON WHARERATA HILL. It is very satisfactory to find that the improvements that are being made to the highway over Wharerata Hill at the present time are not only extensive, but also of a permanently useful character. After a close inspection of the work this week, we have no hesitation in saying that the extent of the improvements all prove an eye-opener to travellers along the route this season. If anybody who is not acquainted with what is being done in connection with the relief works in that locality imagines that the Public Works Department is merely, trifling with the problem of improving Gisborne’s main outlet with the southern districts, he can be reckoned sadly mistaken. The workers on the undertaking are not only numerous but very industrious, and, apparently, quite contented, and it will be a great pity if the Public Works Department cannot find it possible to continue the work without intermission until the highway, as a whole, is. put into a reasonably improved condition so that it will be available for speedy traffic in winter as well as in summer. What cannot fail to impress visitors is that the new work, which is being carried out under the supervision of the Public Works Department, is immeasurably superior to that previously undertaken by the local bodies concerned, and especially by the Cook County Council. One might, indeed, be excused fpr suggesting that it would have proved cheaper in the long run if the Cook County, with the moneys that were placed at its disposal, had adopted the policy of improving a shorter stretch of route and of making the improvements on a more generous scale. An examination of the highway shows that, for the purposes df motor traffic, much additional expenditure is needed to place the section done by Cook County on an equal footing with that now being carried out by the Public Works Department. The section improved by the local authority reveals the fault that the width of metalling is too narrow and that, in some places, the clay predominates over the metal to such an extent that the road might facetiously be described as ff clay sealed.” Nor has anything like an adequate amount of attention been given in the matter of drainage. In wet weather, motorists over this particular section of the route may find themselves in serious difficulties if they do not stick to the well-worn ruts that have resulted from the coach and other horse-driven traffic of the past winter. The relief works are being carried on further up the hill, leaving a gap of about three miles, and they extend over a distance of between two and three miles. It must be acknowledged that a very good job is being made of the new formation work. Soon after Buli len’s mail box is passed one finds that a couple of awkward bends have been done away with and the straightened road provides room for two big cars to pass in safety. Further on a big filling comes into view and by straightening the road three diffi'cult bends have been eliminated. As the climb proceeds, it is found that another bad section of the road is being raised, fascining and spawling now being in progress. A most important improvement follows near , the Puninga gates, where a cutting is being made which will dispense with a series of unwanted corkscrew bends. At the top of the watershed, where the road was previously very dangerous, considerable improvements are being carried out, involving much needed additional width of roadway, and large quantities of metal of a kind is being got from the hill-side which, if kept dry, should provide a good foundation for the new work. Running down towards the water trough at Tietjen’s further' heavy earth-works are in progress and a much easier grade is being secured. An important deviation, doing away with a very dangerous cutting, follows some distance beyond the water trough. The whole scene of operations is one of great activity, involving blasting, cutting into the hill-side, make fillings and lowering or raising the road as is formd necessary. Much useful employment is, indeed, being found for seven or eight parties of relief workers, and the extent even of the improvements so far effected is really surprising. We feel that the Public Works Department is to be heartily congratulated on 'the success with which this much-needed work is being carried out. "