COUNTY ROADS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15447, 16 February 1921, Page 5

COUNTY ROADS.

RAIN DELAYED SOME METALLING WORK. OPERATIONS NOW BEING , CONTINUED. Some of the roads are a little rough after the recent rain, stated Mr .1. Keaue, engineer to the Cook. County when interviewed to-day. *.] .V'B Work on the.metalling;'of the.threequarter mile, section/ of the Coast;. roajd past Makarori'was - to be ..commenced today, he remarked.'*., Wheri .this .work is completed it will close tip tho mim'otalled gap from along the Maknrori bill to the foot of Tfttapouri hill. This will give, a metalled road all Ihe way from Gisborne to Tatapouri, which will be much appreciated by Oijt'iornites, as they will then be able to motor out. to Tatapouri in summer and winter. The popularity of this run was well demon stra.ted about. Christmas lime, when on some days very large numbers of cars were to be seen aloncside the road from Wainui to the foot of the Tatapouri hill. The wet weather held up somewhat the metalling of the Coast road in flic vicinity of Whangara, and for this reason the Council's two motor lorries were not able, to work continuously. The third lorry for the Council, which is at present at Napier, is to be brought overland to Gisborne this week. For this purpose the. Council's motor-driver is .going to Napier to-night by the Mara-J roa to bring the lorry through. Upon arrival at Gisborne it* is (o be sent up the. Coast to Whangara to help expedite the metalling' in that, section. _ When winter comes on properly it is intended to bring the lorries to 'town, and they will then be employed in work on and around the flats. The umnetalled portions of the Coast road always cuts un after rain, and the amount of traffic over it in its wet state makes it very rough. especially when it first dries up. Given a spell of dry weather the surface of the umnetalled portions is soon worn smooth again. However, it is said that j the road is not quite as good now as it was a month or so ago. If it had not been i'or the recent rain last year's metalling contract on the Wharerata hill would huve- been completed by now. It is hoped to put tlie spawls, which are now Being crushed, on the road, provided there is a spell of fine weather. The completion of this metalling will be much appreciated by motorists. Considerable improvenienthas been made on a number of bends on the road, and in places it ii now much wider. Those who had been over this portfon of the road several years ago and \Gio have had occasion to go over it lately "have been struck with the improvements that have been made on it. No contract litis yet been let for the I metalling of Twisleton's hill, on the Waimata road. Endeavors tire still being made to let this work privately. Metalling is to be started this week on the Hangaroa-Tahora road. The metal is being obtained from the Council's quarry on the Tiniroto road past Waerenga-o-kuri. Work will be started from this end of the Hangaroa-Tahora road, and it is hoped to have enough done to enable the settlers to get their tars in as far as the old Te Aroha homestead even during, the winter time. Until now. in the winter some of the settlers clown 'llangaroa way have been obliged, owing to the state this road gets into in wet. weather, to leave their cars at Wae-lenga-o-kuri. < >n the flats work is proceeding in the metalling of Haisman's road, at Hexton. This is the first time this road has been metalled. Work is proceeding with the metalling of a portion of the Awapnni road. A fact in connection with this road not well known amongst townspeople is that a most enjoyable afternoon motor trip can he made from town along ii. When one reaches Iho fellmongery .works be can either 1-eep straight on or turn to the right. The latter road brings one out at the Royal Oak'hotcl corner al Mata w'hero, from whence he can either turn to the right and return lo (own or keep straight on into, the country. If, however, the choice lies in keeping to the Awapuni rund and nol turning to the right at the*fellmon£cry works, one cm follow the road along until he strikes the Willows settlement road. Here ohf" turns sharp to the right and keeps straight on until he comes lo the road to Mat a where. There is a section of the Awapuni road tliat requires metalling, badly ; that is the portion in the Borough following from Stanley I'oad past the Children's Creche and gaol towards Victoria township. Part of this road has never been metalle'd, and if it was done it would give residents a good drive along near the shores of the. bay for some distance. Taking it all round the Cook County Council's road staff are having at present a fairly busy i;me. /