LITTLE PROGRESS MADE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 14

LITTLE PROGRESS MADE

COAST SCENIC HIGHWAY

UNCROSSABLE RIVERS

CANDIDATE'S EXPERIENOT

j Although the southern end of the Bay of Plenty escaped the worst effects of last week's storm, settlers between Te Kaha and Cape Runaway continue to be almost as effectively isolated as if there was no road at all and it is stated that they are actually worse oil in the matter of regular transport than they were twenty years ago. A great deal of publicity has been given to the intention of the Government to create a first-class scenic highway from Opotiki to Gisborne, via the Coast, but so far little progress has been made. The Raukokore bridge, between Waihau Bay and Te Kaha. has still to take definite .shape, there being nothing more than a few piles to represent the GOOft. structure which was scheduled to .be completed many months ago. Nearer Te Kaha, further difficulty has been experienced witli the Keren bridge, which was washed away towards the end of last year. Twice il was replaced with a temporary structure, but last week it was again damaged and rendered impassable to traffic. The new bridge at Cape Runaway, which is 'being built by the Public Works Department, is making better progress, but some months must elapse before this is open. Between the Cape and Hicks Bay trouble continues to be experienced with the numerous small creeks, but these obstacles are less I'or- ) midable than those on the other side. The National Party candidate for the Bay of Plenty seat, Mr. W. Sullivan, last week was afforded a fair example of the difficulties experienced by the settlers in the district. Travelling in company with the part yorganirer. Mr. B. Gordon Edwards, Mr. Sullivan made a tour of thai part of the electorate. He was unable to take his car across the Raukokore and had to resort to the now familiar bullock dray to reach Waihau Bay. where a short stay was j made. Keren Bridge Damaged On the return journey the difficulties of travelling were accentuated. A bullock dray had again to be used to cross the Raukokore River, and a lady wtio was a passenger had the misfortune to lose a suitcase which passed under a wheel of the dray before it was recovered. Mr. Sullivan and his parly resumed the journey by car from the Opotiki side of the river, but when the Keren was reached il was found that the bridge had been too badly damaged to permit it to be used. Making use of his knowledge as a eontractor, Mr. Sullivan requisitioned tli.M services of a number of natives, who, | working almost neck-deep in the water,)' were able to sufficiently strengthen the . bridge to enable the car to be pulled) across. I

After a brief stay at Te Kaha, the party continued the journey to Opotiki. where Mr. Sullivan was scheduled to address a meeting in the evening. On the Torere hill, however, it was found that a motor truck was stuck axle deep in some new formation work, effectively barring the road. It was long after dark before the truck was extricated and Mr. Sullivan was able to resume his journey, Opotiki not being reached until 9 o'clock. The trip from Waihau Bay, which* normally takes less than three hours, had occupied more than 11.

Mr. Sullivan expressed his sympathy for the settlers in their plight and said he was now able to realise something of the difficulties with which they had to contend in their efforts to farm theii properties and get their cream to the factory at Te Kaha. It was ironical, he added, that the reading activity had increased their difficulties instead of removing them. Previously they had a regular service by scow from Auckland, but since the road development this service had been discontinued so that now they had neither road nov scow and were thus in a worse positio.i than before Hie road was started.