ROADS IN THE NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21913, 24 September 1934, Page 11

ROADS IN THE NORTH

REPORTS ON CONDITION

MOSTLY IN FAIR ORDER ADVICE TO MOTORISTS [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Saturday The northern patrol of the Automobile Association reports that many road surfaces in North Auckland have become scoured as a result of the heavy rains of month and early this month. It js expected that before summer traffic: commences, the surfaces generally will be brought back to their former condition. The "Whangarei-Maungaturoto highway is in very fair order. The shortcut, known as Doctor's Hill, is exceptionally rough and use of it is not advised. Careful driving is advised between Maungaturoto and Kaiwaka, where the highway is narrow and visibility poor. From Wellsford to Warkworth and Auckland the road surface is continually being improved and the only section that gives uncomfortable travelling is the short, rough gap on the Wellsford side of the Dome Valley. Many slips are down on the \Vh»-ngarei-Hussell road, blocking watertables, but not sufficiently to hinder traffic. Generally the road surface is in fair order. The two streams that always held up traffic after heavy rain have now been bridged, and traffic can get through to llussell at any time. The road from Whakapara to Kawakawa has many potholes, and conditions are tho same on the Moerewa fiats, otherwise the surface is in fairly good order. From Kaikohe to Kawene and Opononi tho surface is in fair order, except for the approaches to one or two bridges, where reduced speed is advised. Between liangiahua, Horeke and Taheke the road is rough. The road through the forest from Opononi to Kauri Forest and Dargaville is in very fair order, especially through Trounson Kauri Park, which now has an all-weather route. The recent floods have washed out the Kawakawa-Opua road and it will be some time before the surface will be repaired to permit traffic to Opua. The Okaihau-Mangamuku-Kohukohu route is in fair order, but care is advised between Umawera and Kohukohu owing to the narrow and winding nature of the road. Between Kohukohu, Broadwood, Herekino and Kaitaia the surface is onl} - in fair order and is exceptionally rough at Te Karae Junction. From Ohaeawai to Whangaroa the surface on both routes is in very fair order. The surface of the road through the Mangamuka Gorge to Kaitaia is in fair order.

From Whangaroa to Mangonui and "Kaitaia the road in many places is narrow, winding and the visibility poor, I but generally the road surface is I good. From Awauui to Kaingaroa, Kai- | taia and Oruru the surface is rough. ! Tlio East Coast route to Auckland, via | Mangawai, is rough with a good many potholes, and several gaps are likely to cause trouble after rain. The road to Maungaturoto is the more comfortable route.