ROADS GET WORSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 1

ROADS GET WORSE

NO NORTHERN TRIPS MANY CARS HELD UP Unless there is an immediate and very favourable change in the weather there will be practically no motoring north of Auckland during the New Year holidays. The forecasts are that there will be no such improvement in the weather. EVEN if motorists go to the trouble of spending £2 for their cars and drivers to get by rail from Helensvilie to Maungaturoto, or a somewhat larger sum to get to Darga - ville, all the roads north become, to all intents and purposes, impassable a few miles further on. Clay and new works a few miles south of the Waipoua Kauri Forest, and about 16 miles north of Darga - ville, will prevent any traffic getting through that way. North of Whangarei the conditions are much the same. On the central route the Mangakahia Valley south of AAva.ru a is impassable, wet weather in addition to new public works closing the route. On the East Coast route North of Whangarei the trouble is at Waiotu, about half-way to Kawakawa, where the roadway is being raised to a new level at a bridge. There is a deviation which may allow this to be passed, but a few’ miles north of Hukerenui there is another long stretch of clay. North of Kawakawa conditions are much better, and the motorist will be able to get through to Kaitaia. in fact right on to the Ninety Mile Beach, which will enable him to reach Te Paki, but the road to Pandora will be out of commission until there is some drying weather. It will therefore be seen that a boat and train or two train trips will be necessary with car and passengers to get far North under the present conditions. Northward-bound traffic is unlikely , under these circumstances, and unless the weather lifts there will be considerable anxiety among Auckland and more southern tourists who are at present holiday-making in the North and are unable to return by road. Most of them have several days yet in which to hope for sunshine and a drying wind. Reports are that a considerable number of cars are hsld up in various places. There are about a dozen parties at Wellsford. Mr. R Champtaloup, touring manager of the A.A.A., considers that one good day would enable traffic to resume north of Wellsford, but two will be needed in most parts south of that township. LATEST REPORTS At 1 p.m. to-day the A.A..-V. reported: Heavy rain is again falling in the j North, and the roads are worse than ever. I The rain has extended southward, and the Bombay deviation is now out of use. Traffic must use the Razorback. In the National Park area the weather is threatening at Raetihi, and the prospects are bad. Possible trips w’ill now r depend on the weather entirely. Motorists may proceed via Pokcno and Thames to Coromandel, but it is probable that they will not be able to get to Mercury Bay, as the road has been cut up by the fish lorries. They can then return to Paeroa and visit the Waihi Beach, Te Aruha and Matamata, then either going over the Kaimai Hill and back, or to Rotorua. Chains w’ill be required on the Tau-ranga-Rotorua Road, via Te Puke. The roads round Rotorua and Taupo are still holding traffic fairly .yell, and the Putaruru-Taupo Road is all right. Cars may be able to visit the National Park from Taupo, but probably will have to return the same wa*\ The clay portion of the Te AwamutuArap.uni Road is now qipt of order and rain is falling all over the district.

CARS ABANDONED

NURSES’ EXPERIENCE Motorists from the Xorth state that the main road at Wellsford is in a frightful state. Several parties of motorists have had to abandon their cars and coma on to Auckland by train. Two nurses from the Whangarei Hospital, who were coming to Auckland by motor-car with some friends, had a most unenviable experience! Just before reaching Wellsford the car stuck in the mud. Chains w’ere put on the wheels, but they were very little use. The nurses then took a hand. They removed their shoes and stockings and vainly tried to push the car out. After struggling for some time it was decided to leave the car at Wellsford and come on to Auckland by train.