BOGGED ON RANGIRIRIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18635, 29 April 1924, Page 6

BOGGED ON RANGIRIRIS.

PLiGHT OF MOTORISTS. NIGHT SPENT IN OPEN. "A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE." [I)Y TKLEGP.AI'H.—OWN' CORRESPONDENT.") HAMIT..TOX. Monday. There was heavy traffic on the Hamil-ton-Auckland Road throughout the weekend, and although a few car-drivers claimed seme fast times, one mail stating that he had done the trip in three and three-quarter hours, the majority of the motorists had a very unenviable experience. Rain commenced to fall on Saturday afternoon, and as it continued throughout the week-end the road over the F.angiriris was reduced to a shocking condition. A dozen cars, were stuck oil Saturday night, and hours were spent in trying to extricate them. The weather was extremely cold, and the many lady passengers suffered acutely. Saturday night on the Rangiriris was, in fact, a horrible nightmare for motorists, and the repair shops will have many broken springs, torn mudguards, and damaged radiators to mend when the stranded cars eventually succeed in getting out of their positions in the mud. Although the road over the Rangiriri hills i 3 extremely bad, motorists from Auckland to Hamilton have by no means got over their troubles when they have passed the Rangiriri Hotel. On their journey south, between Rangiriri to Ohinewai, the road surface is soft, and many pot-holes form a source of danger and constant menace to car springs. From Ohinewai to Huntly the road is good, but south of Huntly it is again very rough and burnpy. Another bad stretch is to be met with' a mile north of Ngaruawahia. Metal can be had at Taupiri, and it is regrettable that no steps are being lafcen Fo repair the road, which, if left unattended, will soon become impassable in wet weather. A Hamilton motorist, Mr. J. B. Ball, travelled between Hamilton and Auckland to-day in four and three-quarter hours by a route that is not generally known. When 21 miles south of Pokeno he took a turn to the right and travelled over four miles of cloy roads until he came to Waerenga. He passed through Taniwlia and rejoined the main south road again at Ohinowai. The road all the way was in' good order, and he had an uninterrupted run.