RIMUTAKA ROAD SUPS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 759, 4 September 1929, Page 10

RIMUTAKA ROAD SUPS

COMPLAINTS ABOUT REPAIRS WORK FINISHED BY VOLUNTEERS Press Association MASTERTOX, Tuesday. A number of complaints have been made regarding the way iu which the slips on the Rimutaka Road, which is the only highway between Wairarapa and Wellington, are being cleared, and also regarding the alleged unnecessary holding up of traffic. The road is under Government control. It is reported that this afternoon a small slip came down at the site of the original slip, which fell on August 21, and blocked the road for a few hours. A traveller to Wellington arrived at the site while the road was blocked, and was told, it is stated, that he would have to proceed to Wellington via the Manawatu, a detour of 120 miles, whereas the road was actually cleared about two hours later, but not by the workmen employed on the job. It is stated that when the men ceased work at five o’clock a comparatively small quantity of debris was left in the track of vehicles. This, however, was removed by some service car drivers and passengers, numbering about 12 people. The work was done in a short time and the road thus opened for traffic. It is also alleged that some dangerous rock at the site of the slip, which could have been removed with facility when the original slip came down, has been left and might probably again block the road. Previously it would have been an easy matter to remove it with the aid of the existing slip used as a slide to precipitate it over the roadway into the sully.

In a period of two hours since the road was opened by volunteers this afternoon 27 motor-cars, nine service cars and two lorries negotiated the road.