DISTRICT ROADS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6319, 23 February 1922, Page 6

DISTRICT ROADS.

MOTOR SERVICES SUSPENDED

EFFECT OF WET WEATHER.

The continued bad weather during the first two months of this year has resulted not only in the interference, arid, at times, complete suspension, or motor traffic to and from the district, Out also in considerable and almost irretrievable delay in repairing and improving the reads. Alotor services between Gisborne and Wairoa have again been stopped altogether on account of the condition of the Wharerata hill. The work of metalling the hill has been suspended, only four or five lorry loads of stone having been carted out. Owing to the cessation of traffic the read has not been badly cut up, but is nevertheless in a very heavy condition. The Coast road, is also in very bad condition, the section Between the Pakavae creek and Whangara being the worst. One motor service has already been suspended, and although it is still possible for traffic to. get through it is considered that it would be wise to stop all cars, as the roads are being very much cut up, and consequently conditions will be 'all the worse during the winter. With the approach of the end of the summer, the possibility of effecting an improvement to the main roads is rapidly diminishing. As far as the Coast road is concerned it is "doubtful, in any case, whether much would have been dene this winter. Although the Cook County Council applied for a grant of £BOOO for this road it was not prepared to substantially subsidise this amount, and, in fact, cannot pay £1 for £1 on the £IOOO which was allocated to this read. It is understood that the council is prepared only to find £325 this year for the Coast road, making the total expenditure with the Government subsidy, £650, so that of the grant of £IOOO only £325 will .be taken up. It is unnecessary to point out that this sum will not go far towards improving this read, and it can be realised that it is of little use the Chamber of Commerce making representations to the Government for an increase of the grant, unless, of course, it could be placed on the same footing as the AVharerata hill vote, £3 for £l. As regards the work on the Gisborne-AYairoa road, the County Council is in the fortunate position of being able to meet their share of the expenditure—whatever it may he—by airing their motor-lorries to the Government, by whom the work is being carried out. In this instance again, however, it is doubtful whether a great- deal will be spent, as the work lias been delayed on account of the wet weather. Had the estimates been brought down earlier, it is possible, of course, that greater results would have been evidenced, but the. most that can be hoped for is that it will be a lesson to the Government that “delays are dangerous.” A day or two of fine weather will, it is anticipated, enable work to proceed, but tlie lost time can not be made up this season.