ROADING CONDITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 12 (Supplement)

ROADING CONDITIONS.

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON.

Li MAP,ICED IMPROVEMENT.

Taking the roads genorally, the route from Auckland to Wellington via To Kuiti and New Plymouth shows a marked improvement sinco ; last year. Although still regarded as dangerous, the Franklin County section from Papakura to Tokeno provides bottor riding sinco tho Main Highways Board has insisted on a higher standard of maintenance, but a complote reconstruction would bo necessary before the road could bo expected to cany the traffic satisfactorily, or with economical maintenance charges. The other bone of contention in the north, the highway between Ngaruawahia, nnd Hamilton, also shows improvement. The surface is somewhat pot-holed south of To Awamutu, but the old rough section of the Otorohanga County is now a good, fast-travelling road, since the maintenance has been taken over by tho Highways Board and placed in the hands of the Public Works Department. South of Te Kuiti quite comfortable conditions are experienced 'and tar-sealing has now extended some miles north of Awakino. Tararulvi roads are being widened and in most cases now permit passing another car without the discomfort of running off tho sealed surface. The balance of the route south is in excellent order, with the exception of portions of tho Manawatu County, where maintenance seems to bo rather neglected.

The Hutt Road.

The Hutt Road, between Wellington and Petone, hasj in the past, been held up as an oxampla of the excellent results that can be obtained from tar penetration, and has been favourably compared with the Auckland concrete. Recently, longitudinal cracks have appeared, evidently under the stress of heavy traffic, and it may yet be found that the Auckland local bodies were extremely fortunate in the choice of concrete.

Tho touriflg manager of the A.A.A., who is now in the south, advises that many engineers he has seen in the southern districts have displayed keen interest in the experimental concrete penetration being laid on the Birkenhead-Albany road, and he thinica that if this new method proves satisfactory it will be adopted by a large number of local bodies.

South Island Roads.

The touring matfager of the A-A.A., is now touring the South Island, gathering information for members of the Association who may wish to visit the south during the summer, and has found conditions very much better than he expected. Everywhere there are evidences of progressive of road improvement, and generally the road surfaces are well maintained. The West Coast has made rapid strides, and he forecasts very heavy traffic through the Buller Gorge when it is opened in November.

A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

Members of tho A. A. A. are advised that, with the exception of some of tho North Auckland , roads, the majority of routes in the province have been' jm- , proved since the last touring season, v so that no trouble should now be experienced. Many of the roads have been widened, others reformed, and in numer- ! ' ous instances ccrners have been cut off

arid clay stretches metalled. The .service officer advises that some of the clay portions in the main highway North were starting to harden, until the recent wet weather reduced them to their winter condition. A week's fine weather will, probably permit motorists to cover the roads without the nse of chains. After the first dry spell, one of the A.A.A. officers will travel over the clay roads, and the touring department of the A.A. A. will then be in a position to advise motor-

ists accurately as to the condition of the roads. At present, motorists are advised to rail their cars from Helensville or Kaipara Flats to Maungaturoto. The service officer has jnst returned after a short trip to the Matakana district, where roads have been inspected and data secured for sign-posting work.

HEADLIGHT TESTING.

Headlight testing will be carried out by A.A.A. patrols in various centres in the near future. The service is free to members, and non-members may have their lights tested at the nominal fee of Is. The itinerary is as follows:

Devanport, Wednesday and Thursday, September 17 and 18. Waitoa, Wednesday, September 17. Matamata, Thursday, September 18. Raglan, Thursday, September 26.

A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.

A remarkable incident which occurred in England recently has been reported by an automobile association road patrol. A motorist on a main road near Birmingham had a sudden and severe heart seizure. The patrol found him in such a state of collapse that a police officer was on the point of telephoning for an ambulance to take the victim to the mortuary, for he had all the appearances of having passed away. Fortunately the -patrol, like all automobile association road officers, was proficient in " first Bid." He massaged tho sufferer's chest, and after some effort restored animation. The police officer, returning a little later, was surprised to see tho patient driving away in his car