SLIPS ON ROAD TO QUEENSTOWN

Southland Times, Issue 25548, 16 December 1944, Page 4

SLIPS ON ROAD TO QUEENSTOWN

May Be Blocked For A Week torrential rain on THURSDAY The road round Lake Wakatipu between Kingston and Queenstown is blocked by three slips and it may be a week before it is again open to traffic. The slips were the result of torrential rain which fell on Thursday afternoon. After inspecting the slips yesterday Mr J. D. Watt, resident engineer, Public Works Department, Alexandra, informed the Automobile Association (Southland) that it was possible that a week would elapse before they were cleared. A good deal would depend on the weather. The smallest of the slips, that at Stony Creek, might be cleared by Monday evening, but the other two, at the Lumberbox and at Rough Creek, were extensive and he anticipated that they would take several days to clear. - The bus from Invercargill could not get through to Queenstown on Thursday afternoon and it returned to Kingston, where the passengers joined the lake steamer. Until the road is repaired passengers from Invercargill will be taken to Kingston, arrangements having been made for them to connect with the steamer there. SLIPS IN KAWARAU GORGE Judging from the number of inquiries about the state of the road received at the office of the Automobile Association (Southland) yesterday the blocking of the road has caused concern to a large number of people who had planned to motor to Queenstown during the next few days for their holidays. It is still possible to get to Queenstown by way of Roxburgh and Cromwell, but this is a roundabout way for anyone from Invercargill and in these days of petrol rationing distance is a vital consideration. Slips of a minor character occurred in the Kawarau Gorge on the road between Queenstown and Cromwell. None of these slips entirely blocked the road but until they were cleared yesterday great care was required in travelling over this portion of the road. As a result of heavy rain two roads in Central Otago are blocked by slips. The Lindis Pass is blocked in the lower gorge and the road from Lowburn Ferry to Tarras is also blocked.