Northland Roads In Deplorable State

Northern Advocate, 17 October 1942, Page 2

Northland Roads In Deplorable State

Forecasting the complete breakdown of several roads next winter, and the isolation of a number of districts, the report of the touring manager of the Automobile Association (Mr R. E. Champtaloup), on Northland roads is a gloomy one. While limited petrol allowance did not permit inspection of all roads, the majority were covered and it appears that unless extensive repair work is carried out rapid deterioration will result.

The State highway system had been satisfactorily maintained and defects common at this time of the year were being remedied. As a general observation the following defects were most obvious on main and secondary highways and on county roads: Potholes, deep and sharp, very prevalent and too numerous to dodge; soft patches where the metal crust had broken or was breaking, penetrating the clay subsoil; surfaces denuded of loose metal; metal surfaces appeared to be wearing away at an alarming rate; graders operating and sweeping clay and grass on to the surface; wet and slushy surfaces after rain; absence of repair gangs and few graders; water-tables overgrown, and surfacemen rarely seen.

The small defects which are common after a wet winter are much more numerous this year than previously, and the outlook is not bright. County councils have advised that shortage of funds is not responsible for lack of maintenance. The impressment of motor vehicles and calling up of men have resulted in short supplies of metal from quarries and insufficient labour to cope with the increased wear and tear of military traffic'.

The wear and tear to military and civilian vehicles and the tyre wastage as a result of these conditions must be considerable, utterly uneconomic, and in the main part, preventable, emphasised Mr Champtaloup. Government Action Needed

It was therefore recommended that the position caused by the serious deterioration of the roads of Northland be placed before the Government with an urgent request for immediate investigation and (the establishment of an organisation with the required equipment and manpower permanently available, capable adequately of safeguarding the valuable asset of good roads built up over a long period at the expense of the country and motorowner taxpayers. Detailed Summary

On the Number 1 State highway a detailed summary is given. Whangarei to Kawakawa: Holes have developed north of Hikurangi, large enough to be dangerous to two-wheeled traffic. Metal surfaces from here on were corrugated, but grading improved the position. Kawakawa to Okaihau the position became increasingly bad, this being the worst portion on the highway. Holes had developed in the tar-sealing north of Moerewa, and between Moerewa and Pakaraka the metal crust had broken. There was little metal from here on, and the road was definitely below highway standard. Improvement was general between Okaihau and Kaitaia, with carefull attention noticeable. There was the normal winter wear in Mangamuka Gorge and over the Saddle. An old unimproved link between Umawera and Omahuta needed attention.

In the Whangarei area, the Three Mile Bush and Onerahi roads were in need of attention against potholes.

New Road Suffers

The highway from Pakaraka to Awanui was in bad order, reported Mr Champtaloup, and needed engineering supervision to guard against further damage from soft patches and large holes. There was an exceptionally weak spot near Puketona on the Puketona-Kerikeri stretch. A new bridge and deviation had been constructed, but the road was not yet solid enough to take heavy traffic. On a low-lying flat a portion of the old i road was bare clay and would churn axle-deep with wet weather, becoming impassable to motor cars. Prom Kerikeri to Waipapa the road was in fair order with some rough spots, especially towards Waipapa. From here to Kaeo a serious weakness had developed near a bridge a little way out of Waipapa. The metal had sunk from sight on the down grade, with deep ruts formed. The other side uphill grade was devoid of metal and became very slippery in wet weather. There was no detour. From Kaeo to Awanui the road was in very failorder, although wet patches were significant of breaking metal crusts. The old route through Waipapakauri to Ninety Mile Beach has been replaced by a new road via Sweetwater, this road being in fair order. The first portion of the KerikeriWaimate road was of ironstone and in good order, but later the road became one-way with watercourses on each side. Other sections were very rough, large metal injurious to tyres being used. The Puketona-Waimate, and Wai-papa-Kerikeri roads appeared neglected end bare of metal. The short cut between Paihia and Ohaeawai is an old main road with only a light skin of red metal. Huge lumps of rock had been dumped on the Remuera Settlement Road and it was in a shocking state. Repairs were being made in places. This was a case of repairs being left too late, said Mr Champtaloup. The first part of the Okaihau-Kaeo road was in good order, but near Puketotara junction ruts were too deep for negotiation by cars. It was deplorable that a good all-weather road should be used until almost beyond repair. From the Puketi Forest down to Kaeo Flats clay was showing in many places. Rocks had to be removed to permit the passage of cars on the Puketotara road. The Pungaere, Matauri Bay, Tauranga Bay, Wainui and Oruru-Taipa roads had all deteriorated and were in urgent need of repair.