Road Conditions in the North

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 12, 22 December 1933, Page 3

Road Conditions in the North

Generally throughout the North the surface of the main highways, with the exception of the highway between Whangarei and Kawakawa, are in better condition than in prev.ius years. Many of the bad corners have been cut back, several of the bridges replaced, and the road raised in many placJfcjvhere flooding was a menace, staF'i the Christmas Road Report of Mr. J. H. Skow, A.A. Northern Patrol. Mr. Skow warns touring motorists that owing to the tall paspalum grass growing on many of the road sides at this time of the year, where the road is narrow great care should

be exercised in passing. Also, luggage should not overhang over the sides of the running boards of the car. The report on the various roads is as follows : Whangarei - Dargaville. Road at present in very fair state, but the clay detour before reaching Maungatapere is rough and not advised after any rain. Where the road has dropped in the Weka Valley care is required ; also where the road is narrow and loose metal prevails. Careful driving together with reduced speed will often avoid an accident. The road surface from Kirikopuni into Dargaville is in excellent order. Dargaville-Kauri Forest-Opononi.— Leaving Dargaville the all-weather route via Awakino Valley is in good order and the road has been raised several feet near the Flax Mill, where

traffic has been inconvenienced by flood water. The shorter route via Babylon provides a shorter route, but the surface is not so good and the clay gap is troublesome after rain. However, this section of highway has to be attended to in the near future, and probably an all weather route by next winter. From Maramanui the surface is potholey in places to Kaihu. Kaihu - Trounson’s Park-Donnelly’s Crossing.—This route into the park that has given considerable trouble in the past is at present under reconstruction. The whole length has been graded, and re-formed in parts. Metalling is proceeding at a rapid rate. There still remains about 11 miles of clay on the Wliatoro side of the Park, but this clay part will be metalled before Easter. Travelling North from the Park there is only about 11 miles of clay which will also be metalled after the New Year. If fine weather prevails over Christmas all these routes are in very fair order with the exception of a short clay road connecting the Park with Aranga ; this route is not advised for traffic. Whether wet or fine, excellent views of the Park are obtained by travelling via Donnelly’s Crossing and returning via a short metal road via Mangatu School, this road rising

and overlooking the whole of the Park, and is an • all-weather road. Donnelly’s Crossing - Waipoua Forest - Opononi-Rawene-Waima-Kaikohe —The road through the Waipoua Kauri Forest is at present in better order than usual, as many potholes have received attention and the road surface has had several miles of topdressing with small metal. The road surface through Opononi and Rawene has also been in very fair order, only occasionally potholes or a bad bridge approach calling for careful driving. The surface has recently received repairs and graded and is in good order. Kohukohu -Te Karae - Broadwood - Herekino - Kaitaia.—From Kohukohu te the Mangamuka Junction, road is narrow and winds, and slow and careful driving is advised ; also, the surface is potholey. It is hoped that the grader will cover this highway before the busy season starts. At Te Karae travelling towards Broadwood the road for a mile is being reformed and slow travelling is necessary; also,' after any rain the surface becomes very greasy. Traffic requiring to use the Broadwood route is advised to travel via Motukaraka where the surface is an all-weather one. The road from Broadwood to Herekino is fairly good, but in many places the surface is rough, making travelling uncomfortable. From Herekino the 1 gorge surface is very fair, but owing to the narrowness of the road careful driving is advised. Ahipara to Kaitaia provides comfortable travelling. Kaitaia - Ninety Mile Beach - Far North.—lf the state of the tide, together with beach rules, are observed the motorist should not experience trouble when travelling on the beach. At present the beach surface is excellent, being dry, hard and free from washouts, and it is some years since the above good conditions have prevailed. Either the Ahipara or Waipapakauri approach may be used and although the Waipapakauri approach is bumpy it is generally preferred. Care must be exercised in passing the Bluff, as this is only possible at certain stages of the tide.

Te Paki Stream-Te Paki-Pandora-

Spirits Bay.—New signs have been erected at both ends of the Te Paki stream and at present the negotiating of this waterway connecting the beach with the inland road should not prove troublesome to the experienced driver. Red flags have been erected on the beacon and signposts where necessary to assist in locating the beach signs. The old approach from the stream to the Te Paki road has just been repaired and the sort road running up to Te Paki Station and Junction is potholey and greasy after any rain. Pandora road has got into a very bad state, being full of washouts and deeply rutted throughout its length and is not advised for traffic. However, the east end of Spirits Bay via Te Hapua Junction is of clay surface and is in good order. Te Paki-Inland Road-Kaitaia.—This road, although very rough and narrow, is gradually improving, and metalling is in progress in the Te Kao district, many bad corners are being cut back between Houhora and Waipapakauri. The loose sand on this road proves troublesome to drivers of light cars. Kaitaia - Mangamuka - Ohaeawai The surface of this route, including the gorge, is at present in very fair order until Rangiahua is reached. From here to Ohaeawai the surface becomes deeply potholed and very uncomfortable travelling. Rangiahua-Horeke - Taheke. The surface from Rangiahua into Horeke is in good order but from Horeke to Taheke the road is at present being reformed and metalled and provides very uncomfortable travelling. By next Easter good condition-; should prevail and the metalling should be completed. The road surface is in good order from Horeke to Okaihau via Utakura. Kaitaia-Peria-Mangonui.—This surface is in better condition than usual having been recently regraded and repaired, but owing to the narrow and winding nature of this highway careful driving with reduced speed is advised. Mangonui-Cooper’s Beach - Awanui North.—This alternative route of the Ninety Mile Beach is often used and is practically an all-weather road, but the surface is bumpy and does not pi'ovide comfortable travelling which the main route does. Mangonui - Whangaroa - Waiare - Okaihau. The new bridge at the Whangaroa Junction is now open for traffic and the approaches will be completed in the near future. Except for one or two holes that have developed on the Waiare road its surface is in excellent condition. W a ini ate North - Paihia.—Metalling is still being pushed on at a rapid rate on the clay portion of this road, and even now with the worst portions metalled chains are not required to the experienced driver, and by Christmas an all-weather route should be provided. Kawakawa-Opua.—This is now an all-weather route and the road is very narrow and careful driving is advised. Ohaeawai-Kawakawa-Whangarei. This section of main highway has been neglected and is at present full of potholes, making traffic driving very uncomfortable. It is hoped that the County will put its graders on this section within the next few days. On the Kawakawa side of Maromaku there is a depression in the road on the top long hill, and motorists are advised to slow down on this account until repairs are carried out. Whangarei-Mokau - Russell. The Russell road now provides a better surface than previously, as repairs have been carried out, many bad corners cut back, and the clay portion that was giving trouble has now been metalled and fair conditions should prevail throughout the holidays. However, after several days’ continuous rain advice should be sought, as the unbridged streams may hold up traffic.

Whangarei - Mangakahia Valley - Kaikohe.—ln very fair order, reduced speed being advised between Parakuo and Poroti.